A Kiss for Cade

by Lori Copeland

  Their gazes clung for a long moment before Cade asked, “Was our baby a boy or a girl?”

  “Boy.” She looked away. “I was going to name him Cade.”

  He smiled. “After his pa.”

  Reaching for a damp cloth, she sighed. “What are we going to do about Laticia?”

  “I don’t know.” He leaned back, closing his eyes as she applied the cloth to his forehead. “She isn’t going to rest until the kids are with family.”

  “Well…” Zoe bit her lip, trying to work up the courage to suggest a plan, a dangerous one, and not without pitfalls. “I have a solution.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “We could get married.”

  “To whom?”

  She swatted him. “Each other, Cade.”

  Cade shifted his weight, and then pulled the cloth off his face. “Didn’t you hear a word I said about Hart McGill?”

  “Hear me out. It’s crazy, but it will work. We marry, the children will be mine. You leave, disappear, and write to them on birthdays and holidays. If you must engage in this ridiculous occupation, you can deal with Hart McGill outside Winterborn. He’ll never know about the kids or me. I’ll demand nothing from you. I will keep my sacred vow to you, but you would be free to…do as you wish.” She couldn’t offer any better terms.

  “McGill would know. It would never work.” He got up and slowly paced the floor.

  “I’ll do anything to keep the kids. It’s the only way it can happen. We have to make Laticia think the marriage is genuine.”

  “No. I’d be putting not only the kids in jeopardy, but you too. If McGill knew I had a wife and—”

  “He won’t. You’ll be gone. Hart McGill will be tracking you again. Everything will appear normal.” She felt surreal, uninhibited. There’d been a time when she would have given her life to be Cade’s wife, now she was asking him to quite possibly give his.

  He stopped pacing, turning to look at her. “I don’t know, Zoe—”

  “Call me Red.”

  He studied her, but the beginning of a smile gave him away.

  “Please, Cade. It’s the only solution. We’ll get Laticia out of everyone’s hair. She can’t argue that the children aren’t with family. You’re family, and if you marry me, I’ll be family.”

  “And what happens when I leave? I don’t want to disappoint them. They’ve been hurt enough, and so have you.”

  How would the children feel when he left? Exactly as she would. Sick. Heartbroken. They would be losing yet another loved one. And the children certainly loved him. But did she? She admitted she had stronger feelings for him than she wanted, but love? So many years had passed. So many hurtful years.

  She met his gaze for a long while. “As I said, I’ll move. I’ll go where McGill can never find us.” She would miss Winterborn, but she would have the children. She would find solace in them. Why, then, did she feel the weight of the world on her shoulders when she thought of life without him? “I’ll change my name and the children’s. Unless…you would change and give up this horrible life you have chosen.”

  “You think I wouldn’t like to?”

  “I don’t know what to think.”

  “If it were that simple—to walk away and never look back—I would give it all up in a minute to keep Addy’s children and be a pa to them. I’d make my peace with God, and I—”

  She reached to touch his hand. “You haven’t made your peace with God?”

  “A hundred times, Red. But then I went on with my work.”

  “You believe in a God who forgives.”

  “I know, but there has to be a turning away, a real effort not to make the same mistake again.” Cade rubbed the back of his neck.

  “Time is running out. Abraham can’t stall Laticia forever. She’ll be leaving with the children if we don’t do something now.”

  “I can’t get married. I’ve got the measles.”

  “There’s no law that says a marriage isn’t legal just because the groom has measles. Reverend Munson could officiate at the door so he wouldn’t be exposed.” Zoe warmed to the idea. There was nothing left for her to lose. She’d lost it all fifteen years ago. She walked over to him and lowered her eyes teasingly. “Is the big, bad bounty hunter scared of a little round wedding band?”

  Cade snorted. “Real scared.” He pulled her to him, his lips a breath away from hers.

  “You can’t kiss me. You’ve got the measles,” she protested.

  “Watch me.”

  His lips were hot with fever, which only intensified the impact of his embrace. It was not a ravaging kiss, but a tender and gentle one, igniting a yearning deep inside her. She remembered this. Her fingers eased up to cradle his face, the short stubble of unshaven skin tickling her palms. Closing her eyes, she tried to ward off his power over her.

  Cade pulled back to study her. “Marriage. To you.” His fingers laced through strands of her hair.

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the children,” she said, opening her eyes and looking at him.

  “What kind of marriage would it be? Me gone. You and the kids off somewhere. I want what Addy wanted, a good, solid life for them.”

  Still shaken from his kiss, she made light of the situation. “And I promise you they will have that life. Do you accept my proposal?”

  He sank to the bunk, reaching for the pillow. The long wait before he spoke was maddening. “You’ll marry Perry.”

  “I will not. For my part, I’ll be married, but you…don’t have to feel that way.”

  “I don’t think I’ve got the strength to make it to the church.”

  “You don’t have to. I’ll take care of everything.”

  “Get the reverend.” He laid his head on the pillow and shut his eyes.

  Zoe grinned when she saw she’d won. She grabbed a tin cup and dragged it back and forth across the bars. “Pop, bring the preacher! We got it worked out!”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  The jail door closed behind Zoe. Cade got up and left the cell. Pop came in, grinning. Scratching a red spot on his face, Cade peered at his image in the cracked mirror. “I’m going to make a sorry-looking groom.”

  “You and Red gettin’ married? That’s shocking.”

  “Not until I get my steak.” Cade sat down and propped his boots on the desk.

  Pop chuckled. “I’ll tell GloriLee to fry you one the size of Kansas.”

  “Texas,” Cade corrected. “Make it the size of Texas, and a potato the size of New York. I’m marrying the redhead. I’ll need my strength.”

  “Maybe I ought to get Zoe one too,” Pop said. “We got to keep this marriage on an equal footing.”

  When he left for the café, Cade sank lower in the chair, tipping his hat over his eyes. A pa. He’d been a pa and didn’t know it. Anger rose and then subsided. He could see why she’d never written and told him about the baby. He’d have done the same in her place. Now he and Red were finally getting married. He smiled, and then he quickly sobered. She was right. Marriage was the only way to outfox Laticia. She was hardheaded but not senile. If the kids had a good home, she wouldn’t fight him for custody. Red could give them a good home. He’d send money, and she’d have access to everything he had in the banks.

  If only there were a way to put my past behind me.

  The mental image of her laughing eyes made him smile. “A marriage of convenience.” Even spoken aloud, the words disturbed him. He’d once thought that when he married Zoe, it would be for always, but too many years had passed. He didn’t blame her. She’d been in his thoughts every day since he’d left, and even more since he’d returned. What he felt for her had grown stronger through the years.

  Now that she’d told him about the baby, her feelings toward him began to make more sense. He’d never dreamed she’d been carrying his child. If he’d known, he would have come back. If Addy had sent word, he would have returned immediately and married Zoe. Addy and Zoe thought they knew him so well, but they
didn’t know him at all. Could Addy’s request, that he see to the children’s welfare, be her way of making him come home and finish what had started between him and Zoe all those years ago?

  The news that he’d lost a child pained him deeply. He might have come home to find a nearly grown son. Would she have lost the child if he’d been here with her? So many questions, so many emotions—how did he sort them out?

  The door banged open. He looked up. He could smell his steak a mile away. “It’s about time.”

  GloriLee followed Pop inside and set the sizzling meat platter on the desk. “Think this is enough to get you through a wedding?”

  “You might want to bring one more. They’ve tried their best to starve me to death.”

  “Pop thought I ought to bring one for Zoe.” GloriLee chuckled as she left the room.

  The old sheriff motioned toward the platter. “You don’t have much time, boy. Eat up.”

  Cade looked down at his food. “I guess this ceremony will be a far cry from when Zoe married Jim.”

  Pop eyed the steak and potato. “Well, a little. How’d you feel when you got the news?”

  “A week of being drunk, and a month of resentment later, I swallowed my pride and admitted she had every right to marry another man.”

  She’d married Jim, but he’d had to work long and hard to even think of another woman. The marriage had been a bitter pill to swallow, even though Cade had known he was being irrational. Why he’d thought she’d wait for him forever, he didn’t know.

  Putting on a clean shirt, Pop shook his head. “Don’t know why you two took so long to see what’s right in front of your noses.”

  Cade pretended to misunderstand. “Yeah, GloriLee cooks a mean steak.”

  “It ain’t the steak, Kolby. I’m talking about this marriage bein’ the smartest thing you’ve ever done.”

  He laughed. “Smart? I gain a wife and four kids and then ride away. You call that smart?”

  “Don’t you be runnin’ down matrimony. You might take to it. Me and my missus, God rest her soul, had a good life, and if you’d give that little woman of yours half a chance, you’d have one too.”

  “Doris didn’t have Red’s temper.”

  “Well, explain that to my horse. I spent my fair share of nights in the barn.” Pop jerked his string tie into place. “Seriously, son, I don’t want you hurtin’ that little gal. She’s a good woman, and everybody’s fond of her. Your hide won’t be worth a plug nickel if you do her wrong.”

  Cade almost choked on a bite of beef. “I have no intention of hurting her, but you know the reason we’re getting married. Zoe doesn’t love me.”

  Picking up Cade’s boots, Pop spat on them and polished the toes. “Don’t know about that. I figured she had her eye on you since she was a young’un. Wouldn’t be surprised if she still did. Now eat up and clean up. You’re about to be a husband, Kolby.”

  Chapter Forty

  Zoe hurried across the street with a hundred thoughts racing through her mind. She had to quickly press her good blue silk while Holly helped Will and Missy into their Sunday best. Brody had eaten so many biscuits lately that she hoped he could button his knickers.

  She couldn’t wait to tell the children about the arrangment. It might not be an ideal solution, but the children would be hers. Hers! Excitement bubbled in her throat. She would be married to Cade, and who knew? Maybe he would like married life so well he would—

  Whoa. She paused, drawing a deep breath. This was exactly the sort of irrational thinking she had engaged in fifteen years ago. Just press your dress and be satisfied. The children are yours.

  “Zoe! Wait a minute. I’d like a word with you.”

  She turned to see Perry Drake stepping out of the bank. “No time right now, Perry,” she called. “I’m in a hurry.”

  He caught up with her and took her arm to slow her down. “What’s the rush? Is there a fire?”

  “No, of course not.” How did she tell him that she was getting married? They had no ties, but it only seemed proper that she mention it. Still, she knew he would be upset when he heard she was marrying Cade. Drawing a deep breath, she said, “There’s no easy way to tell you, Perry. I’m getting married.”

  His face drained of color. “You mean they talked you into that ridiculous plan?”

  “What plan?”

  “The town’s plan—You don’t know?” He shook his head as if the irony was too much.

  She frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Pop came up with the idea to lock you two up together, and the whole town went along with it except me, who had better sense.”

  She snorted. “I can assure you, this marriage is entirely my idea. I want the children, Perry, and the only way to get them is for Cade and me to marry.”

  “This is insane. Come to your senses!” He took her arm again, attempting to steer her toward the bank. “Come to my office and let’s talk about it. If it’s a husband you want—”

  Jerking free of his grasp, she stood her ground. “Laticia said that only family could raise the children. If Cade and I marry, I’ll be family and there will be nothing she can do about it.”

  “My dear.” She resented the pained sufferance in his tone. “I know you feel obligated to those children because of your close friendship with Addy, but think of the advantages they would have living with Laticia. Advantages you cannot provide them. Their great-aunt is wealthy enough to hire all the help she needs to raise them. They would have the best education available.”

  “Perry, I love those children and they love me. I know my money is tight, but Cade will find a way to feed and clothe them and love them beyond words.”

  His eyes turned grave. “I can’t believe you’re actually going through with this nonsense.”

  “It’s the only solution. Please try to understand.”

  “If you’re intent on this madness, I’ll stand by you. I’m aware that this marriage is nothing but a sham. Once Cade leaves, I’ll help you have the matter discreetly disposed of.”

  She couldn’t believe his suggestion. She knew the marriage wouldn’t be real, not in the physical sense, but he made it sound so sordid, almost cheap. Once, she would have thought the same thing. Vows taken between a man and woman in the sight of God were not to be taken lightly, and Cade would ride away and never come back. But that wouldn’t make her devotion to him or the children any less sincere.

  She glanced toward the jail. “We’ll have to talk about this later. I have to get the children, and—”

  As if she hadn’t said a word, he went on. “Those children will be grown and gone in a few years. You’ll need companionship. It’s no secret how I feel about you.”

  The conversation grated on her nerves. Perry was a confidant and friend, but it was becoming increasingly clear that he only wanted her, not the children.

  “There’s something you need to understand, Perry. I will always have those children. Even when they grow up and marry, they will still be mine. Their children will be my grandchildren.”

  “Of course, my dear. I didn’t mean to imply that you should forget them. I meant that we could have a nice life together once they’re grown, just you and me. I’ve always wanted to travel. We could go back East.”

  Zoe shook her head and walked away from him briskly, finding the irony of the situation almost laughable. Yesterday she had no prospect of a husband. Today two men were ready to up and marry her. It was almost funny, except there was only one man she wanted. The one she couldn’t keep.

  “We’ll talk later,” Perry called as she ran up the front steps to the store entrance.

  “Kids!” She hurried past the counter and down the canned goods aisle. “Get cleaned up and into your best clothes.” She scanned the kitchen table. Holly, Missy, and Will sat there, long faced. “What’s wrong?”

  Will’s bottom lip jutted out. “Brody’s runnin’ away and I want to leave too, but he took all the biscuits.”

>   “Running away? What’s this all about?”

  Holly got up and looped her arms around Zoe’s waist, leaning into her. “Brody wrapped GloriLee’s leftover biscuits in a napkin and said he was running away to California.”

  Zoe gave Holly a consoling pat. “Where is your big brother?”

  Missy pointed to the bedroom. “He’s puttin’ his clothes in a tow sack.”

  “Biscuits too,” Will added. “He took GloriLee’s napkin. I told him he’d get in trouble, runnin’ away with GloriLee’s napkin, but he said he didn’t have time to listen to a six-year-old whiner.” He teared up. “I ain’t a whiner. She said he could have the biscuits, nothing about keepin’ the napkin.”

  “Okay, Will, that’s enough. I’ll wash the napkin, and Brody can return it to GloriLee.”

  Will rose and clung to her opposite hip. “Brody won’t let me go with him.”

  Zoe squeezed the two children tightly against her. “No one is going anywhere.”

  Missy laid her head down and began to weep. “We don’t want to go with Aunt Waticia.”

  Holly turned dark eyes on Zoe, eyes far more mature than her eight years. “Please don’t make us go with her.”

  “Is that what all the running away is about?” Relief flooded her when all three nodded. “Well, I have good news for you. Your Uncle Cade and I are getting married. That means no one is going anywhere. You’re going to live with me.”

  The spontaneous squealing and leaping was so loud, Zoe had to cover her ears. “Children, please!”

  Brody appeared in the bedroom doorway, a sack over his shoulder, munching on a biscuit. “You really going to be our ma?”

  Zoe held out her arms, and all four children came to her. “Your ma will always be your ma, but you’ll be my very own children now. We’ll be a real family.” She blinked back tears of joy. “I’ll be the best mama I can be.”

  “Is Uncle Cade ouw pa now?” Missy asked, her innocent blue eyes twinkling up at Zoe.

  Zoe nodded. The children looked so happy, she couldn’t tell them Cade wouldn’t be staying. She wouldn’t spoil their day—her day. Her and Cade’s wedding day.