by Bobbi Smith
"Oh, Aunt Mimi! I thought I'd never see you again." Glynna hugged her once more, enraptured by the unconditional love her aunt gave her.
Paul came to stand by them. His heart was aching at the scene being played out. He marveled at how beautiful they both were and how blessed he and Charles were to have them.
"Mary Catherine and I have some news for you," Paul said, drawing a curious look from Glynna.
"You do?" She glanced up at him and then over at Aunt Mimi expectantly.
"Yes, sweetheart," Mimi said. "Paul and I are going to be married."
"That's wonderful!" she said, smiling brightly, delighted with the news. "I thought there was something going on between you, but I wasn't sure."
"I love Paul very much."
"And I love Mary Catherine."
"And I love weddings!" Glynna exclaimed. "I can't wait! This will be so exciting."
"Well, if you love weddings so much," Edmund said as he got up and crossed the room to stand before her, "then maybe it's time we spoke of ours."
"I want you to marry me, Glynna," Edmund went on. "Reverend Chandler can perform the ceremony for us, and we can return to New York City, a happily wedded couple."
Edmund stood before her, gazing down at her with what he hoped was a loving expression, as he waited for her answer. He expected Glynna to jump at his proposal. He felt he was being quite the gentleman by formally proposing this way.
Though Edmund did not know what had happened to her during the time she'd been an Indian captive, he could well imagine. He found Hunt's claim that she had not been harmed by the renegades impossible to believe. Not only that, but she'd traveled back to the ranch with Hunt, unchaperoned for all those days and nights. If her reputation hadn't been ruined before her escape from the raid ing party, it was now. So the most loyal thing he could do would be to marry her as quickly as possible to prevent any taint upon her family's name and upon her. He was feeling quite proud of the sacrifice he was making, but he believed the Williams fortune would make it worth his while.
A hush had fallen over the room at Edmund's proposal, and Glynna was completely taken aback. Of all the things she'd thought she'd have to deal with upon returning to civilization, a proposal from Edmund wasn't even a consideration. But here she was, faced with an ardent offer of marriage that left her at a loss. She believed Edmund loved her, and she knew he would make a good husband, for he was educated and wealthy and smart. But there was no way Glynna could even think about marrying anyone right now not after Hunt. She had to have time to think things through, to understand herself and her own feelings. She couldn't no, she wouldn't marry Edmund just because it was convenient.
"Edmund, you are so sweet," she said, quickly searching for the right words so she wouldn't humiliate him in front of everyone.
"I love you, Glynna, and I want you to be mine. Your mishap made me realize how much you really mean to me. I want you to be my wife, the sooner the better." He knew he was being rather ardent, but he wanted to sound convincing.
Hunt was standing alone when Edmund proposed. His only display of emotion at the other man's declaration of love for Glynna was to grip his glass until his knuckles were white. Beyond that he showed no outward sign that it had affected him in any way. She meant nothing to him, and he meant nothing to her.
The memory of Glynna professing her love for him slipped into his thoughts. He tried to ignore it, but with the memory of her words came a vision of her naked in his arms, her body accepting his. He took a deep drink of his whiskey and hoped that no one noticed that his hand was not steady as he did. His gaze remained fixed on Glynna as he waited for her to accept Edmund's proposal.
From across the room, Mimi had accidentally glanced at Hunt when Edmund proposed to Glynna. She had long suspected that he felt something for Glynna, and, though he was trying his best not to show any reaction to the other man's offer of marriage, Mimi knew it had upset him. She could see it in the way his hand was shaking when he took a deep drink of whiskey. She sensed there was much more to Glynna and Hunt's relationship than either of them were letting on, and she wondered why they were trying so hard to act as if they truly didn't care about one another. When she got the chance, she planned to ask Glynna about Hunt and find out what her true feelings were for the man. He certainly was intriguing, and most handsome. Glynna could do far worse, and for some reason, in her thoughts, Edmund was on Mimi's list of "worse."
Glynna knew everyone was watching her. They were all waiting for her to answer Edmund, and she knew they all expected her to say yes. She could feel Hunt's gaze upon her, and that made her furious. How could he stand by and watch her marry another man? Hadn't he cared about her at all? The thought that he hadn't infuriated her. She knew he expected her to marry Edmund and live happily ever after. Well, he was wrong! She didn't love Edmund, and she would not marry someone she didn't love. She couldn't blurt that out now, though. She had to stall Edmund until she could talk to him privately and explain the truth of her feelings.
"Edmund, you are so wonderful to propose this way, but after all the excitement of just being reunited with you and Aunt Mimi and Papa, well, I need some time to rest and compose myself. Would it be all right if we spoke of our future plans tomorrow, when I'm feeling more myself?"
"Of course, darling," Edmund quickly replied, though he was seething inwardly. How dare she not accept him instantly? He had offered her a way to save herself and her reputation, and she dared to put him off! "I shouldn't have been so bold, but I've been so concerned about you that I wanted to make sure you never were lost to me again."
Glynna smiled at Edmund, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
"Yes, my girl has been through hell these last weeks. All I want to do is make her life as easy as possible for her," Charles said, giving her a reassuring look.
She had never loved her father more than she did in that moment.
The conversation turned away from talk of weddings and back to the renegades. Hunt explained to everyone what had happened and how he'd traded Warrior for Glynna. He carefully left out any mention that the trade was really a bride-price, so no one was the wiser as to what had actually happened.
Or at least he thought no one was the wiser, but Tom's gaze sharpened as he listened to his son's telling of the exchange. He had seen the way Glynna and Hunt acted around each other, and he wondered now if the trade had really been a bride-price. He knew of such practices, having paid one himself for Hunt's mother when they had married. When the time was right, Tom knew he would have to ask his son the truth about what had gone on in the village and the truth about what had really happened between him and Glynna.
"Should you let the cavalry know where the renegade camp is so they can go after them?" Charles asked Hunt.
"Even if I did, by the time they got there the renegades would be long gone. They never stay in one place too long for just that reason."
Charles was disappointed that justice wouldn't be served and that the raiding couldn't be stopped.
"I understand your frustration," Hunt went on. "But know that the warrior who killed Diego and shot Mimi is dead. He won't be hurting anyone else."
"Good," Charles said, a little relieved at that news.
They spoke awhile longer, then ate the dinner that Maria had prepared for them.
Edmund was dancing attendance on Glynna throughout the evening, and Glynna was quietly ready to scream. She wanted the peace of being with her aunt and father. She didn't want to have Edmund constantly by her side. Having Hunt there, too, only made things more difficult for her. It broke her heart to think that he could watch Edmund with her and not feel something. But it was obvious that everything he'd told her on the ride home had been true. She meant nothing to him.
It was dark when Glynna finally pleaded exhaustion and excused herself for the night. She went up to her room and quickly undressed and got into bed. Weariness filled her, along with a sense of relief that she hadn't known since before the raid, but
as she lay there, she found herself staring at Hunt's Comanche shield where it was hanging on the wall. As she studied the harsh face, rendered so starkly in the two colors, she realized that Hunt really was two different men. He was Lone Hunter, the brave warrior, who'd cared for her and who had rescued her from Crouching Wolf, and he was Hunt McAllister, a man who did not allow himself to feel any emotions. The knowledge gave her no solace.
Edmund and his proposal jarred her thoughts then, and Glynna realized that the prospect of spending the rest of her life married to him terrified her. She did not love Edmund and could not live a lie. The next day, she was going to have to find a way to be honest with him. She couldn't put him off. He deserved better than that from her. After all, he had cared enough to travel all the way to Texas with her father to see about her safety. Guilt plagued her, but Glynna knew she would have been even more guiltridden if she'd agreed to marry him feeling as she did. She would have been doing Edmund no favors, saddling him with a wife who loved another man.
At last, exhaustion won out. But as Glynna fell asleep, she found herself staring at her own painting of Hunt, which leaned against the wall. In the pic ture, he was riding toward her to rescue her. Glynna knew that he would never rescue her again. From now on, she would have to save herself.
Now that Glynna was back, sleeping arrangements were more crowded at the house, so Edmund was forced to join Paul, Hunt, Wes and Gib in the bunkhouse. He was less than thrilled with the arrangement, but knew he could not argue. With any luck, they would be returning to town soon and could get private rooms at the hotel there. At least, he hoped so. He had had about all of the Rocking M's hospitality he wanted for one lifetime. The sooner he got Glynna away from the ranch and Hunt McAllister, the better. There was something about the man that he didn't like, something about the way he'd caught him looking at Glynna that bothered him.
Edmund wanted Glynna all to himself, and to achieve that, he had to get her back to New York. Once she was home, he was certain she would behave normally. Her trips to these less than civilized places were going to stop. He would see to it just as soon as they were wed. She could paint as a hobby, but as his wife she wouldn't have time for such foolishness. She would have time only to cater to him and his needs. That was what a wife was for. She was a decoration and a hostess. Glynna would do well as both.
"It's good to know Glynna's back with us tonight," Paul said as he bunked down in the same room with Edmund.
"This will be the first good night's sleep I've gotten since we found out she was missing," Edmund responded.
"We can all use some rest, especially Glynna."
"Let's hope she gets enough, so shell be ready to accept my proposal tomorrow. I would enjoy having you marry us before we return to New York."
"I think you surprised her tonight."
"She shouldn't have been surprised. We spoke of marrying before she left on this trip, but she was too caught up in her painting to think about settling down. After this misadventure, I think shell see the importance of assuming her proper role in society. She could have gotten herself killed, and for what? Just to paint a few pictures? It's ridiculous. She should concentrate on what's important-being my wife and Charles's daughter." Knowing the ugly truth as he did, Edmund was tempted to add a derogatory comment about her parentage, but he didn't.
"Everything will work out. It always does. Sometimes it might take a little longer than we'd like. Mary Catherine and I certainly had our difficulties, but if you're meant to be together, you will be."
"We are," Edmund said confidently, never doubting that Glynna would marry him.
Hunt was lying in his bunk in the other bedroom. He hadn't intended to listen to Edmund and Paul's conversation, but there was no way for him to avoid overhearing them.
Edmund's arrogance irritated Hunt. He hadn't liked the man from the moment he'd seen Glynna go into his arms, and the more he got to know about him, the less respect he had for him. Hunt knew it was none of his business what Glynna did with her life, but he hoped she didn't marry Edmund. She deserved someone who would treat her better, someone who would respect her creativity. He knew how much her artwork meant to her, and it was a shame to think that Edmund expected her to forfeit all her dreams just to please him.
Hunt rolled over and tried to push thoughts of Glynna and Edmund from his mind.
"Papa, I need to talk to you." Glynna went to Charles right after they'd finished eating breakfast. What she needed to ask him was important, and she didn't want to wait any longer.
"Of course, darling. Is something wrong?"
"No. What could be wrong? I'm back with you and Aunt Mimi."
He smiled. "I couldn't agree with you more, and as soon as Mimi's strong enough, we're going home."
"Before we go, there's something I want you to do."
"Anything."
"I would like to buy Hunt another horse. He gave the renegades the best stallion he'd ever owned to buy my freedom, and I feel I owe him at least that much."
"I'm glad you suggested it. I had already planned to pay him a reward for finding you, but we'll do both. How's that?"
"Thank you, Papa. It will mean a lot to me."
Charles hugged her. "We'll see about getting Hunt that horse, and then we'll go home. I'm really looking forward to being back in the city again."
"You have to admit, Texas is beautiful, though."
"It is, and the people here are some of the kindest I've ever met. We'll have to come back again sometime."
She nodded, but didn't say anything. Once she left Texas, she doubted she would ever return. The memories would be too painful, and she knew there was nothing here for her.
Edmund was growing irritated with Glynna. It was already midafternoon, and he had yet to find the opportunity to be alone with her. He had expected her to be eagerly waiting for the chance to speak with him that morning, but when he'd come up to the main house, he'd discovered that she'd already had breakfast and was outside in the small grove of trees at her easel, painting. Mimi was with her, ensconced in a chair beside her, watching her paint. Her aunt's presence allowed them no moment of privacy to discuss their plans for the future.
Now, as the day passed, Edmund knew it would probably be evening, after dinner, before he finally got to see Glynna alone. He hoped he wasn't too angry with her when the time finally came. He wanted to play the suitor, not lose his temper and berate her for the way she'd ignored him all day.
"You haven't spoken with Edmund yet, have you?" Mimi asked as Glynna continued to work on her painting of Tom and the Rocking M.
"No, not yet," she replied, her tone evasive.
"You don't seem too excited about the prospect. Aren't you eager to talk with him about getting mar ried?" She wanted to know Glynna's true feelings for the man. She certainly didn't want her marrying someone she didn't love.
Glynna paused, paintbrush in hand, to look at her aunt. "I'm not sure," she said, frowning. "I know I should be. Edmund and I had talked about getting married back in New York before we left for Texas, but it was always something I planned to do in the future not right now, not today or tomorrow."
"Do you love Edmund?" Mimi asked.
"At first I thought I did, but now I'm not really sure."
"Now?" If Hunt was the man Glynna loved, Mimi wanted her to realize it before it was too late.
"Now after seeing how magnificent Texas is... after this chance to focus on my painting - I really don't think I can give it up." She thought about telling Aunt Mimi everything, but decided against it. It was best that no one knew what had happened between her and Hunt. Hunt certainly didn't care about her, so there was really nothing to discuss. No matter what her feelings were for him, he did not love her. There would never be anything between them.
"You really think Edmund would force you to stop painting?"
"He was not at all excited about my making this trip. In fact, he agreed with Papa. He thought I should stay home. He thought my painting was jus
t a pastime. He doesn't take what I do seriously."
"That's not good. You need someone who's supportive of you." Mimi was frowning. Charles was difficult to deal with, but she knew ways to manipulate him. This Edmund, on the other hand, was proving to be a whole new problem. "Well, no one said the two of you have to get married right away."
"I know. It's just that I feel so guilty. He loves me and cares so much. Aunt Mimi, he traveled all the way out here with Papa because he was worried about me."
"If those are his true feelings, then it's far better that you be honest with him. Just explain everything to Edmund the way you just explained it to me. You're not ready to get married yet. You realize what a big commitment it is, and you don't feel you're capable of giving that much of yourself to anyone just yet. Surely, if he loves you, he'll understand."
"I hope he does, but I'm not so sure."
"Then he may not be the man for you."
"That's true."
"The important thing is that you talk to Edmund. He may surprise you. He seems like an intelligent man. If he truly loves you, he'll want to wait for you."
Glynna smiled slightly at the thought that things might go easily with Edmund. "I don't want to hurt him. I just don't want to rush into anything right now."
"Everything will turn out, you'll see."
Hunt had spent the day deliberately avoiding any place where Glynna might be. He stayed at the stables and even rode out with Wes and Gib for a few hours to get away from the house. There was no escaping dinner, however. His father expected him to be there, and so he was going, like it or not.
Hunt fully expected to be caught up in the middle of a celebration of Glynna's upcoming nuptials with Edmund. He was rather surprised when the conversation over dinner was about everything but weddings. He wondered what had happened, but wasn't about to bring the topic up. He'd given up the right to have any say in her life. She did not belong to him.
"Hunt," Charles began, "Glynna and I were talking this afternoon, and we both agreed that we owe you more than we can ever say. We'd like to buy you another stallion to replace the one you gave up to save Glynna. Money is no object. It's the least we can do to repay you."
