Quinn: Cowboy Risk: The Kavanagh Brothers Book Two

by Ball, Kathleen

  They rested for about a half hour before he got ready to go again. He checked over the horses, then turned back to the group. The children were on their feet, but their mother wasn’t.

  Quinn squatted next to her. “Need some help?”

  Lines of pain and exhaustion were etched into her face, and her eyes swam with tears. “I don’t want to be a bother,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “Didn’t that husband of yours ever tell you that you could never be a bother?” He grinned at her, but his grin faded as she shook her head. He helped her to her feet, and she stumbled when she took her first step. He swept her up into his arms. “I wish I had a way to make it easier.”

  She touched his cheek. “I’ll be fine. I can grit my teeth with the best of them.” She winced as soon as she was on the horse, but she swung her leg over and held her arms out for Daisy.

  Daisy shook her head. “No, Mama.”

  “What do you mean, ‘no, Mama’?” Quinn asked.

  “I lub you.” She smiled sweetly at him, and his heart thawed.

  “That’s very sweet and all, but your Mama…”

  “No!” Daisy seemed to be the most stubborn female he ever did meet.

  “It’s fine. Tim come ride with me. I’d rather not force Daisy. I’m not up for it.”

  Daisy smiled again. She leaned in and kissed him three times on his cheek. “I lub you and Tim and Mama. I think I lub you mostest.” She seemed very proud of herself.

  He couldn’t help but smile, and this time he included Heaven and Tim in his smile. “Let’s ride to safety. I was going to ride around the town, but we’ll ride through it. It’ll be safer and a bit faster. I’m hoping that you’ll have a bed to sleep on soon.” He gazed at Heaven while he talked, but it was Daisy who said, “Thank you.”

  “Take care of your ma,” he told Tim.

  “Yes, sir.”

  He mounted the horse with Daisy in his arms and took a last look around. Something had changed about the horizon. Dang! Someone was stirring up the dirt. Even if they were riding hard, though, they were hours away, and there was a good chance they hadn’t been spotted by whoever was coming in their direction.

  “Go slow,” he told Heaven. “I don’t want to kick up too much dust.”

  Her mouth formed an O, then it flattened into a grim line and she nodded.

  Off they went riding, nice and slow. An uneasiness settled over Quinn and refused to go away. They needed to go south and get back into the trees. It would take longer, but hopefully he’d be able to keep everyone safe. They would have to ride as long as the sun was up, and even then, he planned to lead the horses himself. Would Heaven be able to make it? He could make a travois for her and if she held Daisy it should work out. But that would be cumbersome and could slow them if they needed to make a run for it.

  They rode for two hours before they came to the woods. Heaven’s face was a mask of pain. He called a halt, and he and Daisy got down. He took Tim off the horse first. “Watch Daisy for a minute, Tim. I need to have a word with your mother.”

  Tim nodded.

  Quinn gazed up at Heaven. “I’m going to lie out my bedroll and put you on it to rest a bit while I make a travois for you and Daisy.”

  The relief on her face was great. She groaned when he lifted her off the horse and laid her down.

  “You rest.”

  Chapter Seven

  It would be so easy to let Quinn take care of her forever, but that wasn’t how life worked. No, he might be helping for now, but in the end, she and the children would be on their own. She gritted her teeth. Her back hurt something awful.

  Please Lord, don’t let anything be wrong with the baby. Please keep us all safe.

  Right away, Quinn set about crafting the travois. He looked as though he knew what he was doing. It couldn’t have been over twenty minutes when he told her he was done. He packed everything up and attached the travois to the bay. He laid his blanket down first and then doubled one of the quilts. He was so very gentle when he helped her to her feet.

  The next thing she knew, he’d swung her up in his strong arms and placed her on the travois. He went back and lifted Daisy, who’d fallen asleep, and put the child tight against her.

  “Hold your arm around her,” he instructed, and then he took the last quilt and bundled them into it.

  When he picked up the length of rope, her eyes widened. “What’s that for?” All the possibilities suggested by the rope struck fear into her chest.

  “I need to strap you in. It’s rocky and I don’t want you or Daisy flying through the air and hitting a tree.”

  “Hitting a tree? That really happens?” She cocked her right brow.

  He gave an exaggerated shrug and smiled. “I’m sure it has to someone somewhere. Just humor me.”

  She laughed until the rope went around their bodies. It was creepy, like they were going to be buried or something. It was hard, but she didn’t glare at him. He left one arm free and handed her the end of the rope. Maybe it would be fine after all.

  “We need to travel a long while. If you need anything just yell out and I’ll stop. We should be in town a little after sunset.”

  She nodded. “Thank you, Quinn.”

  His face grew red, and he hurried away. She’d embarrassed him and that hadn’t been her intent. The creaking of leather told her he was mounting. Then Tim and Quinn were ready to go. She and Daisy were last in line. There was a sudden jolt and they were on their way. It was bumpy and at times she winced, but she wouldn’t have been able to ride any further.

  Daisy woke and after she got over her initial fear, she thought it a fun adventure. She laughed and giggled whenever they hit a bump. It did Heaven’s spirit good.

  Quinn had been right about it being a long ride. He led the horses when it became dark and she worried about Tim being on a horse alone.

  “I can see the town lights!” Quinn called back to her.

  “Thank goodness.” She was exhausted and hurting.

  It took longer than she’d imagined, but soon they were on a road with buildings on each side of them. Most were shut for the night, but it was a relief to have help in case the men following them rode in. They stopped in front of a hotel, and her breath caught. She’d never stayed in a hotel before.

  He glanced at her and smiled, but the concern in his eyes was evident. He lifted Daisy and set her on her feet. “Tim, take her to the outside of that door right there,” Quinn said, pointing to the hotel door. “But don’t go inside.”

  He then swung her up as easily as if she weighed nothing at all. “Is the baby all right?”

  “I think so.”

  “I’ll get you settled and then send for the doctor.”

  She gave him a watery smile. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to pay you back.”

  “We’re friends. We don’t keep a tally.”

  As he and Heaven approached the door, Tim held the door open for them all. As soon as they entered a hulking giant of a man with a large engaging smile bounded toward them.

  “Congratulations, Quinn! You’ve finally gone and done it! You must have kept it under wraps I hadn’t heard a word of you marrying. Picked a right pretty gal too. Let me get you all a room.”

  “Who is that?” she whispered.

  “Glen Pickford, the owner, and the man behind the counter is Luke Wilton.”

  “Oh…” The heat that had flooded her face upon the man’s greeting increased. It was obvious Quinn was known here, and his friends had made a very wrong assumption. He hadn’t corrected Mr. Pickford, so she didn’t know if she should say anything or not.

  “I think—” Quinn started.

  “I have the perfect room for you and your family, Mr. Kavanagh,” Luke told them as he approached, a broad smile lighting his face. “Follow me.”

  She waited for Quinn to say something, but yet again he didn’t. He’d set them straight later, she supposed.

  Luke opened the door and stepped to t
he side, revealing two big beds inside. Quinn set her down.

  “I need Dr. Bright to come now.”

  Luke nodded. “I’ll send for him right away and then make sure food and the like is brought to your room.” He closed the door on his way out.

  “Quinn, we’re not married.” Heaven clutched his arm and tugged urgently. Her name would be pulled through the mud again.

  “I know, I’ll get everything right as soon as the doctor comes.”

  She nodded, but she knew that by then it wouldn’t make a bit of difference. Food was sent and the children ate. She was too exhausted to even notice what it was, but they seemed content enough and ate their fill. Heaven watched Quinn take off their shoes and tuck them into the other bed. They were asleep before their heads hit their pillows.

  Her eyes were drifting closed but then there was a knock on the door. Quinn opened it a little and peered out, then opened it the rest of the way and welcomed the man on the other side.

  The doctor was young and very handsome. So much so, that he was probably already married. He asked her a few personal questions. After the first question Quinn walked to the other side of the room and looked out the window, making it obvious that he was not listening.

  “Quinn,” Dr. Bright called, “are you taking her to the ranch?”

  He turned. “That was the plan.”

  “She’ll need at least two weeks of bedrest, or the baby is bound to make an appearance early. Just tell Dolly, she’ll know what to do. Congratulations on your new family!”

  And as quick as that, Dr. Bright left.

  She had to say something to him, they had to discuss her situation.

  “Quinn,” she whispered. A lone tear trailed down her cheek. “People think we’re married, and they darn sure know we are in this room together. You need to set them straight. I won’t be able to get away from this area with the baby, and I’m so tired of people turning their backs on me. Decent people won’t talk to me. Believe me, Quinn, I know how it feels and I don’t want that for me or my children. As soon as people see the baby, they’ll shun me.”

  The bed dipped as he sat on it. “I’ll make things right. Now why would anyone shun you?”

  “The man who meted out my punishment was the Indian. The others cheered him on. He’s—he’s the baby’s father.” She closed her eyes. Quinn was bound to be scowling at her. She heard his boots drop. Then he lay next to her on his side facing her. She opened her eyes and turned her head toward him.

  Kindness shone in his eyes. “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. It’s not right, and it’s not fair.” He gazed deep into her eyes. Was he trying to see inside her or trying to tell her something without saying the words? “The men wanted you shamed for life. It’s not the baby’s fault.”

  She shook her head. “I’d never take my anger out on the babe.”

  He put his hand gently over her belly. “You need to get some rest.”

  Her body began to shake. She was scared, so scared. How was she going to support her children? No one would hire her, and even if they did, she couldn’t leave the children alone so she could work. And if the baby came too soon, it might not survive. She rolled onto her side with her back toward him, though that didn’t help. She could still sense his nearness.

  Then he shifted closer and he was embracing her from the back.

  “What are you doing?” she hissed.

  “Spooning you,” he murmured. His breath was warm against the back of her neck. “Didn’t your husband ever hold you or comfort you this way?”

  “No.” Then, realizing that sounded harsh, she quickly added, “He was a good man, though, and he provided for us.”

  Quinn wrapped his arms the rest of the way around her. “Try to relax, everything will be fine. Tomorrow we’ll go to the ranch, and our housekeeper, Dolly and Teagan’s wife Gemma will take care of you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

  The shaking slowed and then stopped, and she was able to relax. Quinn didn’t understand, she’d already been hurt. But going to his ranch sounded wonderful. She’d do her share of the work. No one would have to take care of her. A sigh slipped out. It felt so nice, so warm, so safe being in Quinn’s arms. Her husband had hardly ever touched her. Had he ever hugged her? She couldn’t think of an instance when he had.

  Quinn would have to make sure everyone knew they weren’t married and nothing had happened between them. He had to. She fell asleep wondering if his brothers were nice.

  * * *

  There was a knock on the door the next morning. It was loud and insistent. Quinn eased off the bed and answered the door. His brother Sullivan pushed his way in. His eyes grew wide and then he turned and gave Quinn an angry stare.

  “I don’t see no wedding ring, brother. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing over at the general store. Did I miss your wedding? The Quinn I know would never compromise a woman. In fact, the Quinn I know hates women.”

  Quinn turned when he heard Heaven getting up. “Get back to bed. This is just my brother, Sullivan. He likes to spout off for no reason.”

  “No reason?” Sullivan sputtered, staring with wide eyes at Heaven. “She’s pregnant? Quinn, why didn’t you tell us you have a woman friend?”

  “Time to go, Sullivan.”

  “How are you planning to get your family to the ranch?” His brother planted his feet wide and gave a challenging glare. “I heard tell you all came in on horseback pulling your woman on a travois. I have the wagon. You might as well come with me. I’ll pretend I knew you were married. Now, why is—? Beg pardon, ma’am, I don’t know your name.”

  “I’m Heaven, and this is Tim and Daisy.”

  Tim looked uncertain while Daisy gave Sullivan a sparkling smile. Daisy got out of bed and ran to Quinn with her arms raised. He immediately scooped her up.

  “I lub you,” she said and then she kissed Quinn’s cheek.

  The surprise on Sullivan’s face was priceless. “What? You don’t think me lovable?” Quinn asked seriously

  Sullivan chuckled. “My opinion doesn’t matter, Daisy’s does. I’m going back to the store and getting something soft for Heaven to lie on. And I’ll add a little gossip of my own. I’ll be back and then we can go.”

  After Sullivan left, Quinn sat on the bed next to Heaven with Daisy in his arms.

  “I’m so sorry. I’ve caused you too much trouble.” Heaven’s eyes teared.

  “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get you out to the ranch. That’s all that matters. I will leave and you can get dressed. I’ll be in the lobby.” He slung the saddle bags over his shoulder and left.

  Quinn nodded politely at the few people who passed through the lobby while he waited. He went outside when Sullivan stopped the wagon in front of the hotel.

  “You’d better announce you’re married, or Heaven will be tarred and feathered. Did you know you’re considered quite the catch? Many ladies had their eye on you. Unhappy women are gathering in the general store.” Sullivan’s brow furrowed. “I don’t remember you having any lady friends.”

  “I didn’t. Listen, Heaven and I—”

  “Save it.” He reached into his pocket and took out a wedding ring. “I told them your story of how you rescued the family and you fell in love. You married her but didn’t have a ring, and you thought to wait until after the baby to get one since her fingers are swollen.”

  Quinn drew his brows together as he studied his brother. “When did you become such a story teller?”

  “The ladies all ate it up and told me to get a cheap one now and a better one after she has the baby. You are such a romantic hero marrying a woman pregnant by her late husband. I almost teared up.”

  “You are such a bad egg!” He spotted Heaven and Tim and Daisy making their way across the lobby. Hurrying over, he lifted the bag from Heaven’s grasp. “You could have waited, and I could have gotten the bag.” He glanced up and saw a flock of people coming their way. He took the ring and put it on Heaven’s ring finger. “Just
go with it. Apparently, I broke a few hearts by marrying you.”

  Her eyes went wide, and then she laughed. “Whatever it takes to make you look good. I’d hate for your name to be muddied by me.” Her smile faded and she stared down at the ground.

  “If we hurry there won’t be much conversation.”

  Quinn and Sullivan made short work of laying out the blankets. As the crowd drew closer, Quinn picked her up and gently put her in the wagon and then lifted Tim and Daisy into the back.

  “What about the horses?” Heaven asked.

  “I’ll have one of the men come and get them.”

  Sullivan yelled, “Yaw!” and they made record time leaving town. A little ways out, though, he stopped the wagon. “We need to make sure the quilts are making your wife comfortable.”

  Quinn glanced over his shoulder. Heaven’s face was very pale. Quickly he turned and climbed over the seat to the back of the wagon. Everything was askew, and Heaven wasn’t even on the quilts.

  “I’m sorry. You must be in pain.”

  “I was just thinking how as we should have tied me up like you did yesterday.” She tried to laugh, but it came out more like a wheeze.

  Behind him, Sullivan chuckled, and Quinn figured he’d have to explain her remark at some point. He piled the quilts and made a sort of nest for her and the children. The smile she gave him made him feel unworthy. How was he going to explain to everyone they weren’t married? Dolly would have his hide and Teagan…

  “Are we set?” he asked.

  Daisy had tears flowing down her face. He moved close to the little girl. “Daisy, what is it?”

  “You didn’t ask me to sit on your lap. You don’t lub me.”

  “Daisy,” Heaven whispered.

  “I got it. Daisy would you do me the honor of sitting on my lap?” He almost went flying over the side of the wagon as Daisy stood and launched herself at him. Heaven’s face had a rosy color to it now.

  With everyone comfortable enough, they continued on at a more reasonable pace. Daisy babbled at him and kept kissing his cheek. Sullivan wore an amused expression, and Quinn wondered how he would explain everything to the others.