by Multiple
“And if he gets hurt?”
“Then he is alive. What is life without pain? What is joy without sorrow? Would the spring be so sweet if not for the cold winter before it?” Quanto shrugged. “Life is what happens when our world is imperfect. It is a rare gift to love one through those times, to be there, ever the shelter in the storm, no matter whence the storm comes.”
“I already told him yes,” she confessed and Quanto threw his head back, laughter escaping to the sky.
“Then you must invite me to the wedding, or better, your Sam must invite me if what your brothers tell me is true.”
“Are they all right?”
“Of course they are. They have already dealt with the ones who hunt you. Cody is most pleased with himself.”
Relief washed over her. “Father?”
“Yes?”
“Will Cody really be okay?”
“In time. His wolf will mourn, it is their way. But Cody loves you and knows you are his sister in his heart and you will ever be. When the mourning is passed, he will gladly embrace that again.”
It wasn’t fair for her to be so happy if it hurt Cody, but she couldn’t trade her happiness for what would never be with her brother.
“Sleep, daughter. Dream of the man you love and the life you will build. I will watch your dreams and keep them peaceful.”
“Will you tell Buck and the others I am all right?”
“Of course.” His voice drifted on the wind as the dream faded.
Sam’s hand found her in the dark, his lips pressing against her forehead. “Good chat with your father?”
She stared at him sleepily. “How did you know?”
His grin glowed in the warm firelight. “He allowed me to ask him permission. I assumed he’d visit you next.”
Scarlett laughed and reached for Sam even as he reached for her. It would all work out.
Somehow.
Chapter Thirty
They were both reluctant to leave their hidden grotto when the sun roused lazily in the eastern sky, but Sam pressed them onwards. The next week, their days followed a pattern. They rode, watchful for danger, but enjoying the time together, talking and laughing. Sam was quieter than his brothers, but he told her stories about all of them, even Jason whom she barely knew.
At night, they would make camp and spend long hours curled together. Their bedrolls tucked under a blanket of stars. Twice they were able to camp near a water source, they bathed, swam and played like children. Then Scarlett would let her flames climb out to dance on the water. His heart was full in his chest, watching her pure delight at every release.
On the eighth morning, Sam recognized the terrain, the lazy flow of the river, and the tumble of rocks, even the cattails bending down to skim the surface of the water.
They were home.
They paralleled the river to a shallow spot they could ford. “Scarlett, you know you’re welcome at the Flying K, and that it’s your home too, now.”
She nodded, certainty shining in her eyes. They’d discussed her brothers' worry about the barrier, but as their horses splashed through the water, Scarlett’s smile never faltered.
Sam didn’t relax until the great house was in sight, the late morning sun shining down like a beacon across the green valley that was home. He guided them to the house, intent on settling Scarlett in before taking the horses to the barn. He’d just dismounted when the judge walked out onto the porch, an easy smile on his paunchy face.
“Marshal Kane.”
Swallowing a curse, Sam gave Scarlett a reassuring look before turning to nod to the judge. “Sir.”
But the Judge wasn’t the worst of it. His father pulled open the main doors and stepped out followed by a uniformed officer. Sam’s spine stiffened even as his heart sunk. He met and held his father’s steady look, shifting his posture to plant himself firmly between the three men and Scarlett.
“Samuel.”
“Pa.”
Sam’s gaze flicked to the third man, but he didn’t recognize him. Scarlett slipped out of the saddle and bounded to the ground, she darted around him before he could stop her and practically flew up the steps.
“Colonel Stanley.” She gave the officer an enthusiastic hug that had the stern faced man reddening with embarrassment. After she delivered a noisy kiss to his cheek, Jebidiah cleared his throat and Scarlett turned, bussing him with equal affection.
Dropping the reins, Sam followed her.
“It’s about time you brought her back,” Jed wrapped a familiar arm around Scarlett’s shoulders. “We were getting a might concerned.” The confession was tantamount to yelling in Jebidiah's book and Sam took the fierce warning to heart.
“Her kin live a way off, took some time to get there.”
“I see. Everything worked out then?” Jed cut a look between the two of them and Scarlett blushed.
“I believe so, sir. Scarlett’s done me the honor of agreeing to be my wife.”
After a round of congratulations, Jed settled the group in chairs scattered about the porch. Miss Annabeth brought out a fresh batch of cider and sandwiches. Jed sent for men to take care of the horses. Sam perched on the edge of his seat, chair angled close to Scarlett’s.
He leaned over, dropping his voice to a murmur. “How do you know the Colonel?”
Scarlett grinned, settling a wholly improper kiss on the corner of his mouth. “He is a great friend to my father. He’s visits us every spring after the first snow melt and usually stays a few weeks.”
Sam nodded slowly, catching her hand in his and cradling it.
Waiting.
“Now, Samuel, about the gold robbery.” The Judge cleared his throat.
“Collin…”
“Jed, you let me say my piece.” The gouty judge gave Jed a hard look, one of the few men who probably could. “The Colonel and I have discussed the matter and we’ve both heard you out. But the Colonel assures me the army is willing to drop all the charges.”
“Really?” Scarlett’s voice carried just a hint of a squeal, as though she too experienced the same shock and delight at the possibility.
Jed leaned back in his chair, an approving smile creasing the lines of his face.
“Really.” The Colonel nodded. “You didn’t actually have any gold on you and we’ve only the marshal’s word that you were part of some gang. I expect you’re not altogether certain about that now, are you Marshal?”
“No, sir.” Sam didn’t blink. “It was a misunderstanding and poor courting on my part, I expect.”
A bark of laughter went around the group and Sam tilted his head to wink at Scarlett.
“I’d say so,” the judge bobbed his head. “So to my way of thinking, it’s a done deal.”
“What about the town? There are folk in Dorado.”
“Cobb’s taken care of it,” Jed answered. “Colonel Stanley arrived yesterday with a small contingent of men. They’ve been put up at the hotel, taken stock of the gold at the bank and passed the word that the matter is settled.”
“Just like that,” Sam murmured. It shouldn’t have surprised him, what his Pa wanted, his Pa got.
“Just like that.”
“So when’s the wedding?” The judge, clearly finished with that discussion, demanded before biting into a sandwich.
“Springtime.”
“Soon.”
Sam and Jed’s answers tripped over each other, father and son sharing a long look. Scarlett laughed.
“Springtime is best for weddings and it will give us time to add onto the house, and give our Scarlett a proper home.”
“We’ll likely be living in town, Pa.”
“Not all the time you won’t and town’s no place for little ones.”
Sam sighed. This was a conversation for another time. One of many, he feared, that he needed to have with his father, not the least of which was explaining what Scarlett could do.
“Mr. Kane, sir,
” Scarlett interjected.
“Jed. Or Pa if you like. Molly always wanted a daughter and she’d have approved of you.”
“Mister Jed, sir.”
Sam applauded her compromise.
“Yes, Miss Scarlett, ma’am?”
“Spring time is months away, Sam and I just want to get married.”
His father’s gaze hardened as it went from Scarlett to Sam. Sam refused to look away. Scarlett was his wife in every way but the preacher saying the words, he intended to live as such no matter what his father set for a wedding date.
“Uh huh.”
“Now, Jed. Be kind to the boy. He’s found himself a pretty little filly and she’s said yes, always best to get it taken care of before anyone can change their mind. Unless you don’t think you can plan a wedding in short order.” The judge’s cagey words did the trick.
The next week passed swiftly, with construction already beginning on a new wing to the house, a dress ordered for Scarlett and gazebo framed by the stream, near Molly’s willow. Scarlett insisted and to Sam’s amazement, her request had rendered Jed speechless.
Trouble rolled up in three wagons the day before the wedding, but as the gold was exchanged for a pardon, Sam felt himself begin to relax. He greeted Micah with a solid thump to the jaw and then shook his hand. He even considered letting his brother dance with his bride.
Jed was pleased to meet Scarlett’s brothers and didn’t hesitate to put them all to work on last minute arrangements. Quanto wasn’t able to come to the wedding, but Scarlett didn’t mind. Leaving the mountain wasn’t safe for their father and none wanted to ask that of him. Quanto’s absence meant Wyatt wasn’t present either.
Sam couldn’t say he was sorry about that. Scarlett’s older brother was something altogether else. To his amazement and Scarlett’s delight, it was Cody who gave her away. Their wedding day was about perfect, surrounded by friends and family. Even with the ring on her finger, Sam saved the best gift for the wedding night when he presented her with his Marshal’s star. He’d had it drilled and hung on a chain to wear around her neck.
He’d had to bribe Rudy to snatch it because she never let it out of her sight. They left the party in high swing to slip away upstairs. He grinned as he shut the door to his, now their room, at least until his Pa was done building a whole new wing of the house for them.
They finally had a bed.
Epilogue
Kid spared a glance for the house. Only the blushing bride mirrored Sam's delirious expression as they’d made their escape. He was happy for his older brother, genuinely happy.
Instruments had been found among the men and fiddles were playing a merry tune. Couples and children danced around the torches and fires as easily as the hard lemonade. Everywhere he looked, new faces mingled with old, Scarlett’s brothers, the whole crazy pack of then, seemed to settle in just fine. Jimmy was even giving Mrs. Carson a turn on the makeshift dance floor.
With everyone distracted, he slipped away. He’d repacked his bags right after his father took him to task for having hared off with his brother’s fiancée, reminding him that once again, he didn’t think before he acted. Kid swallowed that bitter pill with all the rest.
His father had added a list of demands to his expectations. None of which Kid could live up too and he was tired of trying. He found his gear stowed near the stall with his mare, just where he’d left it. He saddled her in the dark, murmuring soothing words at her sleepy complaints.
The sooner he was on the trail, the better. He’d heard word of good hunting in the western territories, unexplored land and wide-open spaces.
Kid decided he could definitely use some freedom. He led the mare away from the barn, glad for the party at the house. No one noticed his absence. He was the kid, the troublemaker, and the one who was always not where he was supposed to be.
For the moment, he was satisfied with the reputation. It meant he could disappear without fuss. A mile from the barn, he mounted the mare and gave her a gentle kick. The moon was just the barest sliver to reveal that it had passed the new moon, but it was enough light for him.
A flash of yellow flowing movement in the dark jerked his head up. A sandy colored wolf sat in the middle of his path, tongue lolling out the side. He recognized those yellow eyes and sighed.
“What?”
The wolf panted as though he’d run to catch up. It struck Kid that Cody didn’t want to be at the Flying K either, he’d given Scarlett away, but behind his smile there had lurked a deeper, more brutal sadness.
Pain pushed at the back of Kid’s eyes and he relented. “Fine, you can go, but I’m afraid I’m not going to be much company.”
The wolf just stared at him.
“Point taken.” He motioned to the dark trail ahead. “Let’s go.”
The pair rode north.
Neither looked back.
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Enjoy an excerpt of
Brave Are the Lonely
Book 2 of Fevered Hearts
Chapter One
Late September 1850
Somewhere in the Territory of New Mexico
Kid leaned back in the saddle, the little town of Natchez turned out to be nothing more than some mud shacks strung together by family connections, loose farming and heavy Mexican Indian population. But they sold him supplies, trading him new blankets for a gold piece, fresh bread, a wineskin full of hard cider seasoned by local flavor and enough leather to repair his damaged gear. Fortunately, he had the tools back at his camp.
Equally fortunate, the town also offered the beautiful Maria.
Not intentionally, he was sure. But she’d found him tending the mare at their stable and the sweet but easily seduced woman tumbled right there atop the warmth of the straw. She’d come eagerly, too, absent any drawers beneath her skirts. Lazy pleasure rolled through his system at the memory, relieving the tension of the long few days between towns. A week had made his need damn near unbearable. Maria spoke a spattering of bastard Spanish, but one passionate kiss opened the only line of communication he needed to understand.
Her flaming hot, tight little sex milked him greedily for an hour. His flagging spirits were stoked and his only regret was that he couldn’t stay the night and take her over and over until she whimpered for relief. An hour away from Natchez, the reason he couldn’t linger leapt down from a yellow rock to pace alongside his mare. So used to the wolf’s presence, the horse didn’t even flinch.
“I picked up soap if you ever decide to bathe.” He called to the wolf by way of greeting. The flat, yellow stare barely budged his good mood. “Hey, you could have gone into town. I’m sure Maria had a friend. If not, I don’t mind sharing.”
Apparently Cody had no response for that, but that didn’t surprise Kid either. In the four weeks since they rode—well, since Kid rode and Cody followed on four feet—the wolf hadn’t shifted. Not once. Unless he did when Kid found a town, his companion remained the sandy colored wolf with sharp teeth and a bland stare.
The wolf grieved. He followed Kid halfway across Texas and across the border, a half-presence at his back, always there, but never reaching out. His agony echoed through Kid, a cold and brittle thing. The first week had been the worst. But two back-to-back nights in the camps surrounding distant army outposts helped him get through it.
The third town hosted the flame-haired Ann-Juliette, but one look at her and Kid knew he couldn’t. She reminded him of Scarlett and the mournful howls of the wolf far too close to the little border community set everyone’s hackles on edge. After that, he skirted the towns as best he could until the need for supplies and a woman couldn’t be ignored. And then he avoided any redheads.
It didn’t make the wolf happy, but it didn’t elevate his grief the way Ann-Juliette had. Kid understood. Just a little over a month before, Cody’s ‘sister’ Scarlett married Kid’s brother. The Marshal and his fire-starting bride
were back at the Flying K, the Kane family ranch. Kid left the night of their wedding, not that he begrudged his brother’s happiness, but his father’s stern disapproval coupled by the wild strangeness surrounding their new family was too much for him.
Kid needed to be away, away from all of them, their needs, their judgments and their turbulent emotions. The wolf, though, the wolf needed something more. He needed to mourn the loss of his mate. As far as Kid could tell, Cody and Scarlett had never been more than brother and sister, but the man shared his existence with the wolf he became and that wolf had chosen Scarlett. It was that loss the wolf mourned.
“We’ll be in the mountains in a couple of days. We need a good campsite so I can get all the gear repaired. The town told me there’s an outpost with some fur trappers ahead. We’ll cross it before the mountains. We can finish the resupply there.” He kept Cody up to date on the direction they were headed whether the wolf gave a damn or not.
If he wanted Kid to shut up, he could damn well change and tell him so.
The mare’s bridle jingled as she tossed her head. The nights were turning cooler and the mountains meant snow. He’d get her saddle gear repaired tonight and check into a blanket for her when they got to the trapper’s outpost. A rumbling, low noise from Cody’s wolf and the great beast leapt ahead, outpacing the horse easily.
“Unless you want to grumble about buckshot, it’s your turn to catch dinner,” he called after the wolf; certain Cody could hear him even as he rapidly retreated into the distance. The wolf would find him when he set up camp. He always did.
“Guess it’s just you and me girl.”
He patted the mare’s neck and relaxed into the saddle, whistling. The absence of the wolf left him replete and peaceful. Natchez had been a fine little town and Maria, just the balm he needed.
Cody followed the curve of the wash trail Kid rode. The faint scent of water, rabbit, scrub brush and mice tickled his nose. The smaller animals went quiet in his passage and he left them be. He wasn’t hungry. Kid’s words echoed in his ears.
