The Renegade Cowboy Returns: The Renegade Cowboy ReturnsTexas Lullaby

by Tina Leonard

  It was perfect, just as Chelsea had known it would be. Her heart soaring, she kissed him, wanting him to know that she was the happiest woman in the world. “Thank you,” she said, and he held her tight. And as they looked into the star-studded sky, Chelsea was almost certain she could hear the Callahans’ mystical Diablos running in the canyons.

  And maybe they were.

  Epilogue

  The magic wedding dress fit—as everyone said it would—and Chelsea did see the man of her dreams when she put it on. Of course, she’d already seen him, on a hot day in June when he’d come into her life.

  “You look lovely, daughter,” Moira said, helping Chelsea place the veil on her red hair, which had been pinned up for this special day in a lovely updo.

  “You are pretty, Chelsea,” Cat agreed. She’d allowed her aunt to take her to the hair salon and get “the works.” For her father’s wedding day, Cat looked so pretty, Chelsea thought. Her new daughter’s locks were evened up nicely. She looked so happy now, all the time, and that happiness radiated from her, lighting the room when she walked in. No, not walked—Cat never walked. She scampered, she scrambled. She chased babies with abandon, and she wasn’t a bad storyteller, either. Just like my mum. A born storyteller. And she read to the kids constantly, when she wasn’t riding with Gage.

  Chelsea loved the simple magic of their new family. “I’m so happy. I thought I was happy before, Mum, when it was just me and you. But now…”

  “Now you’re going to be a wife and a mother, and a daughter.” Moira smiled. “I’m so happy for you. All mothers have dreams for their children, and I can honestly say that mine have all come true for you.”

  Chelsea hugged her, and then held Cat close to her for a long moment. “Thank you, Mum, for everything you’ve done for me.”

  “’Twasn’t that way,” Moira said. “We took care of each other.”

  “Is there room for Jess and me?” Fiona asked, coming to join them in the room off the main library at Rancho Diablo. “Or is this a special mom-daughter-daughter time only?”

  “Come in, girls,” Moira said to Gage’s cousin, who lived at Rancho Diablo, and the redoubtable Callahan aunt. “Look at my daughter, old friend, and tell me what you see.”

  “I see a woman in love,” Fiona said gleefully. “And I just spied a man who’s more in love and chomping at the bit to have you at the altar. Is there anything better than a July wedding?”

  Jonas’s wife, Sabrina, came into the room, smiling when she saw Chelsea. “Gage is going to have heart failure when he sees you,” she told her. “He may not be able to wait for the I dos.”

  Chelsea laughed. “He won’t have to wait long. I’m a legal resident, and now I’m ready to be a legal, eager wife.”

  Sabrina smiled. “You know my husband is taking full credit for you and Gage getting together? You’d think he was a matchmaking service, the way he’s bragging.”

  Chelsea shook her head. “He’s just happy because he’s already got his bride. Thank you so much for agreeing to be my maid of honor.”

  Sabrina hugged her. “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world. And your new sister-in-law, Kendall, wants to come in to see you.”

  “Good.” Chelsea smiled at Cat. “Will you go get your aunt, sweetie?”

  The girl raced off with a grin.

  “She looks darling,” Sabrina said. “That dress you helped her choose is perfect.”

  “It was wonderful shopping with her.” Chelsea loved Cat, was thrilled she was going to be staying with her and Gage most of the time. Some holidays and summers Cat would be with Leslie—for as long as she wanted to be. Gage had made certain that his daughter didn’t have to spend any more time than necessary in a place where she wasn’t comfortable. “She’s so easy to shop for.” Picking out the full-length mint gown and the diamante barrettes had been so much fun. Cat looked like a teenager who was happy with her life, and it was good to see.

  “Hi, everyone,” Kendall said, walking into the room in a stunning white suit and silver high heels. She looked like a model, and Chelsea marveled that she and Gage were siblings. “Chelsea, you’re going to drop my brother to his knees in that dress. I hope I look that beautiful if I ever get married.”

  “You will, Aunt Kendall,” Cat said quickly.

  “We’ll see,” Kendall said, carefully hugging Chelsea so she wouldn’t crush the beautiful magic wedding dress. “I’m so glad you’re part of our family. And thank you for making my brother so happy. I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time.”

  Chelsea hugged her back, glad they were going to be sisters. “Gage is a special guy.”

  “He’s lucky to have you.”

  “It might be your turn next, Aunt Kendall,” Cat interjected.

  She smiled. “I wouldn’t bet the farm on it, sweetheart. But thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  Chelsea thought that, lovely as she was, Kendall might find a man sooner than she thought. After all, I never dreamed I’d find my prince here in New Mexico. But I’m so glad I did. No matter where we make our home, we’ll always be a family together. Always.

  “I hear the bride music, Chelsea,” Cat said. “We’d better go. We don’t want Dad to worry. He worries a lot, you know.”

  The four women in the room smiled at her protectiveness of her father.

  “The next time I hug you, you’ll be a wife,” Moira said, clasping Chelsea to her. “I might be losing you, in a way, but somehow I feel that I’m getting so much more. Thank you for being such a good daughter. You were my greatest blessing.”

  “I love you, Mum,” Chelsea said. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be the luckiest woman in the world. Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me.”

  They embraced one last time, and then Chelsea kissed her mum. Moira settled Chelsea’s veil, and Sabrina picked up the train of the splendid magic wedding dress. Chelsea drew a deep breath. The moment was real, and it was more than she’d ever dreamed of. Smiling with joy, she reached for her bouquet. “Lead the way, Cat. Let’s go get our cowboy.”

  * * *

  THE WEDDING DAY WAS fairy-tale perfect, with not a cloud in the sky. Guests sat in white chairs draped with mint and pink ribbons; beside a punch bowl stood a three-tier wedding cake, the groom and bride on top holding tiny American flags to celebrate Chelsea’s immigration status. Nearby, the peacocks fanned their spectacular tails, having decided in the past few weeks that Rancho Diablo suited them very well.

  Cat tossed white rose petals on the ground as she walked, proud to have a role in the big day. Gage grinned, thinking his daughter was just about the best kid he could ever have had. Sabrina followed in a mint gown almost identical to Cat’s, and beside him, best man Jonas puffed up like a proud rooster.

  Gage could see Shinny and Blanche sitting together, smiling like proud parents, and Fiona sat near Moira, both women wearing pink, and huge grins of delight. Moira wore a corsage of white roses he’d given her earlier, to match the bouquet Chelsea carried and the rose petals Cat had strewn in the aisle.

  He held his breath, waiting for a first glimpse of his bride. Suddenly, his heart jumped as he saw Chelsea walking down the aisle on Shaman’s arm—a surprise she and Kendall had obviously kept from him until this moment—and his heart nearly burst with love.

  Chelsea was beautiful. He’d always known she was a special woman, with a kind heart, but today she was stunning in the magic wedding dress. He was surprised that he could fall more in love with her than he already was, but he could feel himself falling deeper, and was willing to let himself go without reserve.

  “Hello, brother,” he said to Shaman. “Good to see you. Real good.” Shaman looked tall and strong—and pleased to be sharing this moment with him. He handed Chelsea over to Gage with a grin.

  “Lucky guy,” he said.

  “Don’t I know it,” Gage replied.

  His brother stepped back beside Jonas, leaving Chelsea all to Gage, a moment he’d hoped for almost since h
e’d met her.

  “You’re beautiful,” he told her. “I don’t know how I got you.”

  “I’ll tell you how later,” she said, her eyes sparkling up at him. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too. And I plan to tell you that about every hour on our honeymoon.”

  She looked at him, surprised. “Honeymoon?”

  “No marriage is complete without a rotating bed in a Peacock Cabin, is it?”

  Chelsea smiled. “Sounds good to me.”

  He took her hand in his. “Australia, love. We’re going to Australia for the honeymoon. I don’t know if they have rotating beds, but I figure we’ll be just as happy on the Gold Coast. How’s that for adventure?”

  “Perfectly fabulous,” Chelsea said, her eyes shining. “Thank you, Gage. It’s a wonderful gift.” She leaned up to kiss him, her heart in her eyes. “I wonder how you’d feel about working on a little sister or brother for Cat while we’re on the Gold Coast?”

  Gage laughed. “I’d feel great about that. Really great.”

  He could see his adventurous bride was thrilled, which was how he hoped she’d always feel about being with him. He brushed her hand against his lips, about to tell her that he had never known love the way she made him feel it. But then she kissed him again, and he knew she already knew all the feelings in his heart.

  The guests applauded, delighted by the love they were witnessing, and Gage held his daughter and his Irish lady, letting the moment wash over them on the beautiful New Mexico day. Then they stepped up to the altar, and as the minister began the wedding ceremony, Gage saw many blessings to come with his new family.

  This was the dream of a renegade, though maybe he’d never known it before. And the past had been but the prologue to the best part of his life. Gage knew it now beyond a shadow of a doubt.

  Being a family was the most amazing magic of all. And he was a renegade no more.

  * * * * *

  There’s one more bonus Callahan Cowboys story! Shaman Phillips is about to meet his match

  with none other than Tempest Thornbury!

  Watch for THE COWBOY SOLDIER’S SONS,

  coming September 2012 only from

  Harlequin American Romance.

  Texas Lullaby

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Epilogue

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  “What doesn’t kill a man makes him stronger”

  —Josiah Morgan’s parting advice to his teenage sons when they walked out of his life.

  The four Morgan brothers shared an unspoken belief, if nothing else: stubbornness equaled strength. A man who didn’t have stubborn etched into his bones hadn’t yet grown into big boots.

  Some people used the word jackasses to describe the family of four brothers, but the Morgans preferred to think of themselves as independent loners. It was common for them to be approached by women who wanted to relieve their “loneliness.” The Morgans had no problem breaking with their routine for beautiful women bent on their relief.

  Fortunately, most people in Union Junction, Texas, understood that a solitary way of life was a good thing, if it was lived by choice. The Morgan brothers were moving to the area not by choice, but for two different reasons. The first was continued solitude, which had been confirmed by some family acquaintances, the Jeffersons. Men after their own heart, the Jeffersons weren’t loners, but they hadn’t exactly been hanging out in bars every night sobbing about their sad lives before they’d all found the religion of love. They appreciated the need to be left the hell alone.

  Yet the need for peace and quiet was just a cover for the real reason Gabriel Morgan had come home. This was about money. He stared at the two-story sprawling farmhouse set amongst native pecan trees and shouldered by farmland. For this house, this land, the Morgans were called to relocate to the Morgan Ranch near Union Junction. The first thing the brothers had all agreed on in years was that none of them was too happy about finding themselves the keeper of a large ranch. Five thousand acres as well as livestock—what the hell were they supposed to do with it? This was Pop’s place. Light-footed Pop and his far-flung dreams, buying houses and land like he was buying up parts of earth to keep him alive and vital.

  Pop was the true jackass.

  Selling the ranch had been the first thing on Gabriel’s mind, and he was pretty certain his brothers had the same idea. But no, Pop was too wily for that. Knowing full well his four sons weren’t close, he’d come up with a brilliant plan to stick them all under one roof on acres and acres of loneliness where no one could witness the fireworks.

  Pop was in Europe right now, in a new stone castle he’d bought in Pzenas, no doubt laughing his ass off at what he’d wrought. Oh, he couldn’t buy just any old French countryside farmhouse—he’d bought an eighteen-hundreds Templar’s commandery for a cool four million. It wasn’t in the best of shape but just his style, he’d told his sons in the letters they’d each received outlining his wishes. Three floors, ten bedrooms, eight baths, plenty of room should they all ever decide to visit. It even had its own chapel, and he’d be in that chapel praying for them every day.

  Gabriel doubted the prayers would help. Pop would be praying for family harmony, and truthfully, some growth in the family tree, some tiny feet to run on the floors of the stone castle, sweet angelic voices to learn how to say Grandpop in French. Grand-père.

  Like hell. Family expansion wasn’t on Gabriel’s mind. He was looking for peace and quiet in this rural town, and he was going to get it. He’d live in the house just as his father had decreed, for the year he’d specified, take his part of the bribe money—money was always involved with Pop—and leave no different than he was today. Except he’d be a million dollars richer.

  Easy pickings.

  Gabriel would take the money. As for the unspoken part of the deal… The pleasure of putting one over on his father, spitting in his eye, so to speak, would be a roundabout kick from one jackass to another. Pop hadn’t said his sons had to be close-bonded Templar knights; he’d just stated they had to live in the house for a year. Like a family.

  He could do that—if for no other reason than to show the old man he hadn’t fazed Gabriel in the least.

  “Hi!”

  He turned to see a woman waving to him from a car window. She parked, got out and handed him a freshly baked cherry pie.

  “Welcome to Union Junction, stranger.” Her blue eyes gleamed at him; her blond hair swung in a braid. “My name’s Mimi Jefferson. I’m from the Double M ranch, once known as Malfunction Junction. I’m Mason’s wife. And also the sheriff.”

  “Hello, Mimi.” He’d met Mason months ago through Pop’s business dealings, and Mason’s wonderful wife had often been mentioned. “Thanks for the pie.”

  “No problem.” She glanced at the farmhouse. “So what do you think of it? Hasn’t changed much since you were last here.”

  Pop had made some additions to the house, rendering it more sprawling than Gabriel thought necessary. He’d added more acreage, too, but that was his dad’s agenda. Always the grand visionary. “I haven’t been inside.”

  She smiled. “It needs work.”

  That he could see from the outside. “I noticed.”

  “Should keep you real busy.”

  He nodded. “Seems that was my dad’s plan.”

  She laughed. “Your father fit in real well here in Union Junction. I’m sure you will, too.”

  He didn’t need to, wouldn’t be here long enough to put down deep roots.

&nb
sp; “By the way, I believe the ladies will be stopping by with some other goodies. We figured your dad left the fridge pretty empty when he went to France.”

  “The ladies?”

  “You’ll see.” With a cryptic smile, she got into the truck. “I’ll tell Mason you’ll be by to see him when you’ve settled in.”

  That meant it was time to head into the old hacienda of dread and bar the door. He had no desire to be the target of gray-haired, well-meaning church ladies toting fried chicken. “Thanks again for the pie.”

  She waved at him and drove off. Gabriel dug into his pocket for the key marked Number Four—he supposed that was because he was the fourth son or maybe because his father had four keys made—and headed toward the wraparound porch. It groaned under his weight, protesting his presence.

  Then he heard a sound, like the growing din of a schoolyard at recess. As a code breaker for the Marines, he was tuned to hear the slightest bit of noise, and could even decipher murmured language. But what assaulted his ears wasn’t trying to be secretive in any way. He watched as ten vehicles pulled into the graveled drive. His jaw tensed as approximately twenty women and children hopped out of the cars and trucks, each bearing a sack. Not just a covered dish or salad bowl, but a bag, clearly destined for him.

  He was going to go crazy—and get fat in the process.

  “We’re the welcoming committee.” A pretty blonde smiled at him as she approached the porch. “Don’t be scared.”

  She’d nailed his emotion.

  “I’m Laura Adams,” she said. “These ladies—most of us—are from the hair salon, bakery, et cetera, in town. We formed the Union Junction Welcoming Committee some time ago after we received such a warm greeting when we arrived in this town. Many of us weren’t raised in Union Junction. Our turn to do a good deed, you might say.”

  Except he didn’t want the deed done to him. She smelled nice, though. Her voice was soft and pleasant and he liked the delicate frosting of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Big blue eyes gazed at him with a warmth he couldn’t return at the moment.