Courage Canyon

by Shirleen Davies

  “I don’t know what else I could’ve done. Wyatt didn’t look dangerous and he obviously needed food and water. I doubt he could’ve made it to town in his condition.” Rosemary’s voice remained calm as she defended herself.

  Rachel’s soft voice followed. “Helping him was the right decision, but it may have been better to talk with Ellis and Joe before putting yourself in his sights. If he had been one of Trask’s men, there was nothing stopping him from pulling a gun.”

  Dirk’s throat tightened. Neither Ellis nor Joe had mentioned what happened once they spotted Wyatt. He’d assumed Rosemary had done what they’d agreed—gotten everyone, including herself, upstairs behind a barricaded door.

  “I peeked out the window and saw his condition. He didn’t look like a man who planned to harm anyone.”

  Dirk had heard enough. Removing his hat, he walked to the table, nodding at the men as he stopped behind Rosemary. Setting his hat on the empty seat next to her, he placed his hands on the back of her chair.

  “I’d like to have a word with you, Rosemary.”

  For the second time in an hour, her heart tripped over itself. She’d heard someone walk up, but hadn’t looked to see who. Hearing his voice had her throat tightening.

  He looked down at her, his voice hard. “Rosemary?”

  “Um…fine.” Waiting for him to pull out the chair, she stood, gasping when he gripped her elbow.

  “Excuse us.” Grabbing his hat, he guided her out the front door and down the steps. He didn’t speak as they walked to the barn. The bright moon made it unnecessary to light a lantern. Not for what he wanted to say.

  Drawing her inside toward the stalls, he turned her to face him, his hands grasping her shoulders.

  “Look at me.”

  When she didn’t, he lifted her chin with his finger.

  “What the hell were you thinking, approaching a stranger? He could’ve been anyone, planning to do anything to you and the women. Do you have a death wish?”

  Swallowing, her gaze collided with his. “No, of course not.”

  Letting her go, he paced a few feet away, taking off his hat to shove fingers through his hair. Taking a deep breath, letting it out slowly, he turned to face her. “We agreed if a stranger approached, you’d get the women and children upstairs and stay with them. Did you forget what you promised?” His voice shook, causing her to take a step away as he began to walk back toward her.

  Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she lifted her chin, crossing her arms over her chest. “I didn’t forget anything.” Her voice shook with indignation. “You saw him. Wyatt could not have ridden to Splendor in his condition. He could barely walk inside the house.”

  Resting fisted hands on his hips, Dirk stopped a foot away, glaring down at her. “But you didn’t know that at the time, did you?”

  She refused to budge. “He needed help.”

  “I’ll bet you walked out there unarmed. Right?”

  Gritting her teeth, she nodded. “I was in a hurry to get to him before Ellis and Joe sent him away.”

  “God in heaven,” he hissed out before grasping her shoulders. “You cannot put yourself in danger that way.” Tilting his head back, he stared at the roof, not loosening his grip. When he felt her hands wrap around his arms, he looked down.

  “Aw, hell.” Without thought, he pulled her close, capturing her mouth in a kiss that wasn’t soft or tender. Fear gripped him as he deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around her in a brutal embrace. Feeling her hands move up his arms to wrap around his neck did nothing to lessen the gnawing terror filling him.

  Backing her up against the stall, he continued his assault, hearing her moan, feeling her struggle to get closer. Moving a hand to the back of her head, he moved his mouth along her jaw, trailing kisses down her neck, then up to the tender spot below her ear.

  “Dirk…” The need in her voice matched what he felt. Her hands splayed across his back, creating a consuming heat he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in years.

  The need to fill the aching desire overwhelmed him. He wanted to lift her up, carry her into one of the stalls, and continue what they’d started. But he couldn’t do that to her. Not here, not now.

  Drawing back, his heart hammering in his chest, he sucked in a ragged breath. Opening his eyes, he waited until she looked at him, her glazed expression matching his own.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Brushing a strand of hair from her face, he placed one more kiss on her lips. “This can’t happen.”

  Blinking, she shrugged out of his embrace, his rejection making her feel foolish. “I don’t understand.”

  Dragging his gaze away from the hurt in her eyes, he paced away. “There are things from my past you don’t know about, Rosemary. No one knows. At least not in Montana.”

  Walking up to him, she placed a hand on his shoulder, only to have him shirk it off and move away. “Tell me.”

  The tightness in his chest threatened to suffocate him. She wouldn’t want anything to do with him if she knew what happened after the war. He’d spent years pushing it all aside, learning to live with the guilt and betrayal. Bringing it up now would serve no purpose. Nothing good could come from purging his soul to satisfy the curiosity of an innocent young woman. A woman he’d come to love, knowing he’d never have a place in her future.

  Turning, he cupped her face, settling his mouth over hers for one more kiss.

  Releasing her, he stepped away. “Whatever we feel for each other will never work, Rosemary.”

  The sadness in his voice brought tears to her eyes. “Maybe if you told me…”

  Shaking his head, he reached out a hand. “I’ll walk you to the house. We won’t speak of this again.”

  Chapter Ten

  Rosemary tossed and turned in her bed, unable to let sleep claim her. Throwing off the covers, she swung her legs to the floor and grabbed her night wrapper. Padding to the window, she drew back the curtains, seeing Bull sitting on the bench, his rifle resting across his thighs. A wave of disappointment settled over her.

  The memory of Dirk a few hours before, the passion in his kiss, heat radiating from his body, engulfed her. Swiping fingers across her brow, Rosemary closed her eyes, sucking in a shaky breath.

  She hadn’t imagined it. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Nothing had ever felt so real or so right. The intensity of their embrace had overwhelmed her, fogging her mind, making her forget all the reasons they couldn’t be together. If Dirk hadn’t ended it, insisted they never speak of what happened again, she’d be dealing with guilt instead of lack of sleep.

  Walking back to the bed, she settled against the headboard, drawing her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. Rosemary knew Dirk thought her inexperienced, and in many ways, she was. She’d made one terrible mistake and suffered the consequences. It didn’t mean she knew much about passion, desire, or love.

  Every instinct told her Dirk understood these emotions, making the decision to shove them aside before they could take hold. No matter his words, she’d seen the way he looked at her, felt the heat passing between them as he crushed her to his chest.

  Rosemary had a decision to make. If she pushed him, somehow convinced Dirk to confide in her, she’d have no choice but to do the same. As much as she wanted to explore the passion between them, she had to protect her past. Protect the secret no one knew.

  Dropping her head back, she closed her eyes, then bolted upright. An ear-splitting scream had her jumping up and racing across the room to throw the door open. A loud moan came from the room where Luke and Ginny slept.

  “Oh God,” Rosemary whispered, hurrying down the hall, praying it wasn’t what she suspected. As she reached their door, it opened, Luke standing inside, his face ashen.

  “Is it the baby?” Rosemary asked, stepping around him toward the bed. Ginny lay on her side, knees drawn up, hands covering her stomach. Her teeth clenched as beads of sweat rolled down her face. She opened her eyes, focusing on Ro
semary.

  “I think the baby is coming,” she gritted out, feeling Luke at her back.

  “I’ll get Rachel.” She turned, relief flooding her as Rachel entered the room. Rosemary started to speak, stopping when Rachel held up a hand.

  “I heard. Get some cool water and towels.” Walking up to the bed, she smoothed the hair from Ginny’s face. “I’ve sent Dax to get a wagon ready. Although I’m certain we can handle the delivery at home, I don’t want to take a chance.”

  Ginny’s panicked gaze searched hers. “What if the baby won’t wait?”

  A reassuring smile crossed Rachel’s face. “Then you’ll have the baby here. I won’t let anything happen.” She sucked in a slow breath, sending up a prayer her words were the truth.

  Rosemary rushed back into the bedroom, setting down the bowl of water. Saturating a cloth, she wrung it out, pressing it against Ginny’s face and neck as another scream broke from her lips at the same time pounding on the stairs drew their attention.

  Dirk stopped in the doorway, his gaze landing on Ginny before moving to Rosemary. “Dax has the wagon ready.”

  Luke stood, moving around the bed. “I’ll carry her. We’ll meet you down there.”

  Within minutes, Rosemary and Luke were in the back of the wagon with Ginny, Dax on the seat, holding the reins.

  “I’ll saddle my horse and catch up.” Dirk started running to the barn.

  “Dirk, wait. You should stay here,” Dax called out.

  Stopping, he turned back toward the wagon. “I’ve notified Bull and the other men. Lydia and the girls will stay with Rachel. You’ll all be busy with Ginny. Someone needs to keep watch in case Trask shows up at the clinic.”

  “No sense arguing with him, Dax. Let’s go.” Luke cradled Ginny’s head in his lap, his gut twisting with each scream.

  Dax glanced once more at Rachel, concern obvious by his worried expression.

  Rachel reached up to touch his arm, giving him a weary smile. “I’ll be fine, Dax. You get Ginny to the clinic.”

  Nodding, he slapped the lines.

  Rosemary stepped into the waiting area to see Luke pacing, his features drawn with worry. Seeing her, he opened his mouth, but the words lodged in his throat. Ginny had been pregnant a year before, losing the baby while Luke was away from the ranch. Although no one blamed him, he couldn’t shake the guilt of being away when she’d needed him most.

  Dax understood Luke’s fear. Pushing up from where he sat near the door, he walked to Rosemary.

  “Is Ginny all right?”

  “She’s exhausted, but doing great. Doc McCord expects the baby to come anytime.” Just as the words came out, a loud, piercing cry came from the examination room. A slow smile spread across Rosemary’s face. “Guess the baby is here.”

  Luke started forward, stopping when Dax grabbed his arm. “Wait until Rosemary goes back and checks with Doc.”

  “But—”

  Rosemary interrupted him, her eyes misty with relief. “Dax is right. Let me go talk to the doctor. I’ll be out as soon as he says it’s all right for you to come in.”

  Shredding both hands through his hair, Luke nodded, wincing when the door closed behind her.

  “She’s going to be fine, Luke. Did you hear that scream?” Dax asked.

  Luke lifted his gaze, his eyes brightening. “Pretty loud, huh?”

  “Girl or boy, the baby’s going to be a hellion.”

  Swallowing the fear that had built in his gut since her first scream before dawn, Luke nodded. “One more half-pint ranch hand for us to worry about.”

  Dirk had kept silent the entire time, keeping a watchful gaze out the window, taking an occasional glance at Rosemary. He knew the pain of losing an unborn child, the guilt that never disappeared, and the stress it created between a man and wife.

  Luke jumped when the door opened. Seeing Clay, he walked toward him. “Is she all right?”

  Clay couldn’t contain his broad smile. “Ginny and the baby are doing fine. Would you like to see them?”

  When Luke stood frozen in place, Dax clasped him on the shoulder, urging him along. Following him to the door, Dax peered inside, his chest tightening at the sight of Rosemary holding the baby in her arms, her gaze riveted on the tiny face. When Luke stepped forward, she reached out, encouraging him to take the bundle.

  “Go ahead, Luke. You won’t hurt him.”

  “Him?” Luke rasped out, glancing at Ginny. A nod was his only confirmation. Leaning over her, he swept damp hair from her face before placing a kiss on her lips.

  “Are you all right?”

  Reaching up, she touched his face. “I’m tired, but fine.” She looked at Rosemary, who still held the baby. “I know you hoped for a girl…”

  His features stilled as he gazed down at her. “I prayed for you to be safe. Boy or girl, it didn’t matter, as long as you were all right.” Giving her another kiss, he straightened, returning his gaze to Rosemary, who held out his son.

  Clearing her throat, Ginny’s eyes filled with tears as she watched her husband cradle the baby, staring down at him as if he were the most precious thing on earth.

  “Why don’t we give them some time alone, Rosemary?” Clay held the door open for her to pass by him. “We’ll be out front.”

  Letting out an exhausted breath, Rosemary walked straight to Dirk, who didn’t hesitate to settle an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Forgetting about Clay and Dax standing a few feet away, he brushed a kiss across her forehead.

  “You did very well in there, Rosemary. I couldn’t have asked for a better nurse.”

  Lifting her head, she looked at Clay, the corners of her mouth tilting up. “Thank you, Doctor. I was worried about her and the baby.”

  “You did your job and didn’t let your apprehension show. That’s what all good nurses learn to do.” Clay patted her shoulder. “It all turned out fine.” Switching his gaze to Dirk, he nodded toward the door. “Why don’t you and Dax take Rosemary to the boardinghouse for breakfast? I’ll stay here with Luke and Ginny.”

  “I’m staying here,” Dax said. “You two go along.”

  She looked up at Dirk. “I am hungry.”

  Chuckling, he dropped his arm. “Can we bring you two back anything?”

  Sitting down in one of the chairs, Clay shook his head. “Thanks, Dirk, but I’ll get something later.”

  “Same here,” Dax added.

  Dirk settled his hand on the small of Rosemary’s back as he looked down at her. “Do you need anything before we leave?”

  “Just my coat.”

  She walked to the other room off the waiting area, a small place used when the doctors had more than one patient. More and more, they’d been seeing several patients at a time, confirming the need for a new clinic.

  When she stepped into the back room, Clay cocked a brow at Dirk while Dax cleared his throat. “You and Rosemary?”

  “We’re friends, Dax.”

  “Yes, I can see that.”

  Dirk stared at his boss, gritting his teeth. “Just friends.”

  “Uh-huh.” Clay scrubbed a hand down his face, ignoring Dirk’s scowl.

  “Don’t worry. Neither of us will say anything. Whatever is going on is between you and Rosemary.”

  Dirk started to speak, closing his mouth when Rosemary came back.

  Looking between the men, her brows furrowed. “Is everything all right?”

  “Fine,” Dirk ground out, grasping her elbow. “Let’s go.”

  Suzanne’s restaurant had been open long enough that morning to fill most of the tables. They’d taken one of the two empty ones, sitting close to each other in a back corner. Both were exhausted, talking little as they ate the eggs and ham before them.

  “More coffee?” Suzanne stood next to the table, a pot in her hand.

  Nodding, Dirk held up his cup. “Thanks, Suzanne.”

  She filled Rosemary’s next. “So, what brings you two into town so early?”

  Dirk locke
d his gaze on Rosemary, indicating it was her decision whether or not to say anything. Letting out a slow breath, she looked at Suzanne, who took a seat next to her.

  “Ginny and Luke had their baby this morning. We brought them in from the ranch a few hours ago.”

  Suzanne slapped the table with both hands, then motioned for her husband, Nick, to come over from where he sat with two other gentlemen. He walked up, then leaned down to kiss her cheek.

  “Yes, sweetheart?”

  “Luke and Ginny had their baby this morning.”

  Pulling out a chair, Nick sat, taking Suzanne’s hand in his. “That’s wonderful news. Is Ginny doing all right?”

  Rosemary nodded. “She’s exhausted, but yes, she and the baby are doing fine.”

  “A boy or girl?” Suzanne asked, squeezing Nick’s hand.

  “A boy. Healthy and loud.”

  “Were you with them, Dirk?” Nick asked.

  “Dax brought Luke, Ginny, and Rosemary in the wagon. I rode in with them.”

  “Doc McCord and I were with Ginny until the baby came.” Rosemary took a final sip of coffee, setting the cup down. “Dax is still at the clinic with them.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, Dirk leaned forward. “We should get back, let Clay get breakfast.”

  “How soon before Luke can take her and the baby home?” Suzanne asked Rosemary.

  “I don’t know. He may let her go home today if she and the baby are doing all right. Rachel told me that in the big cities, they make women stay at the hospital for days.”

  Nick shook his head. “That’s not too practical out here. With Rachel at the ranch, I’ll wager Ginny won’t stay in town long.”

  Rosemary grinned. “I agree.”

  Standing, Nick pulled out Suzanne’s chair. “I’m meeting Gabe at the new clinic.”

  “And I have customers.” Suzanne looked at Rosemary. “Tell Luke and Ginny we’ll come out to the house in a few days.”

  Dirk stood, pulling money from his pocket. “We’ll tell them. We’d better get back, Rosemary.”

  Stepping outside, he took her hand, slipping her arm through his as they walked to the clinic.