Half-Breed's Lady

by Bobbi Smith

  "What's going on? What are you doing?" Hunt demanded, holding Paul back when the older man would have attacked Edmund again.

  "I'm giving him a small taste of what he really deserves!" Paul said with a snarl, trying to break free of Hunt's restraining hold.

  Edmund slowly got back to his feet. His mouth was bleeding and one eye was swelling shut already. "To hell with you, Chandler, and your bastard daughter!"

  "Get out of my sight before I forget that I'm a man of the cloth and do something I might regret!"

  "Don't worry. I'm leaving now!" Edmund all but staggered over to grab the last of his things and slam his suitcase shut. He left the bunkhouse, yelling for Wes and Gib.

  Left alone with Hunt, Paul finally relaxed. As Hunt felt the fury drain out of him, he released him and stepped back.

  "Why is he leaving? I thought he and Glynna were going to get married," Hunt said.

  "No, she was smart enough to turn him down. He's an arrogant ass, and she's much better off without him!" Paul's fury was unabated, but he knew there was nothing more he could do to Edmund.

  "So she didn't accept his proposal?" A glimmer of hope glowed within Hunt, but he told himself it didn't matter. Still, none of Paul's explanation explained the fight.

  "No, thank God. She deserves much better than Edmund."

  "What did he mean, `your bastard daughter'?" Hunt asked.

  Paul sighed and realized there was no time like the present for the truth. "It's a long story about twenty-four years long."

  The two men sat down at the small table there in the bunkhouse, and Paul told Hunt everything, from the misunderstanding over James's death to his discovery just a few days ago that he was Glynna's real father.

  "Evidently, the night I found out, Edmund overheard the conversation, and when Glynna told him she didn't want to marry him, he told her what he knew."

  Hunt was stricken as he thought of how the news must have stunned her. "How is she?"

  "I'm not sure. She was upset, but she seemed calm enough when she went upstairs. She said she needed some time alone, and I don't blame her."

  "What about Mimi and Charles?"

  "They'll be all right. They never wanted to hurt her this way. All they ever wanted to do was protect her."

  Hunt nodded. He could well understand how devastated Glynna must have been when she'd learned that nothing she'd believed was real. Her father was not her father and her aunt was not her aunt. Hunt had an overwhelming desire to go to her and comfort her, but he denied it. He had nothing to offer her.

  "Glynna will be all right," Hunt reassured him. "She's a strong woman."

  "I hope you're right."

  "You all love her. None of this was done to hurt her. You were just trying to protect her. She'll understand eventually that Mimi and Charles had her best interests at heart."

  "We do love her, and you can't imagine how wonderful it is for me to discover that I have a daughter after all these years of being alone. I can't wait until Mary Catherine and I are married. Then we can be a real family, if Glynna will let us."

  "It may take a while, but she'll come around."

  Paul gave Hunt a tight smile, hoping he was right. "I just hate to think that my being reunited with Mary Catherine has ruined her relationship with Glynna. I'd never wanted to cause trouble between them or do anything that would endanger their feelings for each other."

  "You haven't. You did the right thing. You let the woman you love know how you feel about her. Mimi's happy, isn't she?"

  "Yes," he answered thoughtfully.

  "Together, you'll find a way to prove to Glynna that everything will be all right."

  "Well, we'd better be calling it a night. Thanks for your help with Edmund."

  "I helped you?" Hunt was smiling broadly. "If I'd known then what you just told me, I might have held him down for you, instead of pulling you off of him."

  Paul smiled back at him. "Good night, Hunt."

  The two men bedded down, realizing that both Wes and Gib had accompanied Edmund back into Dry Creek.

  Hunt lay awake thinking of all that had happened that night and thinking of Glynna. He could well imagine how torn she must feel. A part of him ached to be with her, to hold her close and calm her fears, to comfort her, but he couldn't do it. He had nothing to offer her. He couldn't give her what she needed.

  After an hour or two of sleeplessness, he rose and dressed and went outside. He stood by the corral, staring up at the heavens, trying to understand the confusion of his feelings. The woman he loved was sleeping in his bed, and yet he could not go to her and tell her that he loved her. She had been hurt enough by the revelations she'd learned that day. The last thing she needed was for him to profess to love her. She could have no life with him. She would be far better off returning to New York City with Charles, Mimi and Paul, and concentrating on her painting. That brought her happiness. He would only bring her sorrow and pain.

  "Something bothering you, son?"

  Tom's voice startled Hunt. Hunt prided himself on always being alert to his surroundings; he knew if his father could sneak up on him undetected, he was in a bad way.

  "You could say that."

  "You want to talk about it?" Tom came to stand beside him at the fence.

  Silence answered him.

  "That little girl is important to you, isn't she?" he asked perceptively.

  "Why do you ask?"

  "I know what Warrior meant to you, and I know what a bride-price is. I had to pay one for your mother." He managed not to smile as Hunt glanced over at him. "What really went on in that renegade village?"

  "The leader of the raiding party was Striking Snake's son, Painted Horse."

  "Your cousin." Tom was surprised at this news, but it helped explain a lot.

  "When I reached their village, I told him I had come after Glynna because she was my woman. That's when he set the bride-price, and I paid it to get her back."

  "But do you love her?"

  Hunt sighed deeply. "I didn't mean to."

  "But you do."

  "Yes." It was the first time he'd admitted it to anyone.

  "Then why aren't you with Glynna right now?"

  "She didn't know about Painted Horse's demand before I gave them Warrior. Then once I'd told her about it, she cooperated so we could get home. But a bride-price means nothing in the white world. I can't hold her to a Comanche pledge."

  "You can build on that pledge," Tom suggested, wanting Hunt to think about what he would be losing if he let Glynna get away. "She turned Edmund down tonight. That should tell you something about the woman."

  "That tells me she's too smart to many Edmund."

  "Hunt, if you care about her, go to her now, tonight."

  "I know she's had a rough night, with what Edmund told her and all."

  "What happened?"

  "You didn't hear? Somehow Edmund found out that Charles isn't her real father. Mimi is really her mother and Paul's her father. Charles raised her for Mimi, so she'd have a good home life."

  "I'll be damned," Tom said sadly, now understanding what the others had been talking about. "That little girl needs you more than ever now, Hunt."

  "But I can't give her what she really needs. I have nothing to offer her." He finally revealed what was in the depths of his heart.

  "If what Glynna wanted and needed was a simple, uncomplicated, boring life in New York City, she would have married Edmund. Look at your mother and me. We loved each other in spite of our differences. Nothing else mattered except that we loved each other and wanted to be together. But we had to be strong for each other. Are you strong enough to love Glynna, Hunt? It won't be easy you know that but if you really, truly love her, you have to take the chance. You can't stand back and let her go."

  Hunt stood in silence, staring off into the night, his father's words searing his soul as he faced his own future.

  Tom left him to his thoughts.

  A short time later, Tom heard a rider leaving t
he ranch, and he looked out the window to see Hunt riding off. He went to bed, knowing his son had to have some time to think things through.

  Wes and Gib escorted Edmund to the hotel in Dry Creek and were glad to accept the money he'd promised them. They were not sorry to be rid of him. He'd been in a bad mood on the ride in to town. Not that they didn't blame him for being surly. Reverend Paul had certainly taught him a lesson. They'd been surprised to learn that the man of the cloth had been so handy with his fists. Neither man knew what had brought on the fight, but they figured they'd find out the details once they got back to the ranch.

  With the easiest twenty-five dollars they'd ever earned in their pockets, the two cowboys decided to stop by the saloon and have a beer or two before returning to the Rocking M.

  "Hey, Wes! Gib! What are you two boys doing in town this time of night?" asked Joe, the barkeep, when they walked into the Diamond Straight Saloon.

  "We had an errand to run and thought we'd come visit with you for a while before heading home."

  "Good to see you. Come have a beer," Joe said, quickly filling two mugs for them.

  They tossed money across the bar to him and grabbed up their drinks. As they chugged some of the beer down, Wes looked around the saloon. It was fairly crowded for a weeknight.

  "Looks like business is good," Wes told Joe.

  "Can't complain. Things have been steady. What's happened out at the Rocking M? How's the wounded lady doing? Did you ever get word back from Hunt?"

  "It's over," Gib said. "Thank God."

  "What do you mean, `it's over'?"

  "Hunt just got back with the girl. He found her and saved her from the renegades."

  Joe whistled, impressed. "I always knew he was damned good at tracking, but this just beats all. Is she all right?"

  "She's fine. 01' Hunt had to give up his best horse to get her back, but she was worth the trade."

  "And the injured woman? Is she better?"

  "She's coming along real well. In fact, now that Hunt brought Glynna back, they've been talking about heading to New York City just as soon as she's strong enough to travel."

  "I bet Tom's proud of him."

  "I'll say. Hunt McAllister proved himself to be the best. We were lucky he was here so he could take out after them so soon. If they'd gotten too much of a head start, they might never have seen Glynna again."

  "Excuse me, friend, but did you say Hunt McAllister?" One of the men who'd been drinking at a table nearby stood up and approached Gib and Wes.

  "Yep, we work for him and his father out at the Rocking M.Why?"

  "I used to know a McAllister by that name. Is he a breed?"

  Gib tensed at the way the man sneered the term breed. "Hunt's part Indian."

  "I bet it's the same man, then. It's been years, but it's good to know that he's doing well. He and his pa got a ranch near here, you said. The Rocking M?"

  "That's right. Hunt just rescued a captive from a raiding party. He brought her back in the other day."

  The stranger nodded. "He saved a girl?"

  "That's right. Brought her back in one piece, all safe and sound."

  "Well, don't that beat all. That sounds just like the Hunt we knew. Thanks."

  The man returned to the table where his companions sat.

  Wes and Gib didn't pay any more attention to them. They were too busy enjoying their beer and catching up on the latest talk from around town.

  Later, when Wes and Gib had gone, the stranger approached the barkeep. "My brothers and me were wondering if you could tell us where the McAllister ranch is. We're old friends of Hunt's, and we wanted to drop in and see him."

  "Sure," Joe answered, and he gave them directions to the Rocking M. "I'm sure Hunt and Tom will be glad to see you."

  "We hope so. Thanks."

  The Ross brothers walked out of the Diamond Straight feeling proud of themselves. They had one thing on their hate-filled minds-revenge long denied.

  "Sometimes things just fall right into our laps," John said, hardly able to contain his excitement. "We found Hunt McAllister, and we weren't even trying anymore."

  "It took some years, but it'll be worth the wait," Chuck added.

  "Won't it though. I can't wait to see the expression on his face when Hunt finally realizes who we are." Will gave a chilling laugh.

  "Looks like he didn't take our message to heart. From what we overheard, it sounds like he's still messing with white women."

  "This time we'll just have to solve the problem permanently."

  As they were heading down the street, John suddenly stopped. "Look at this!" he said in a low voice, not wanting anyone else to hear him.

  There, posted on the front of one of the buildings, was a wanted poster with their likenesses drawn on it. They were pictured with their masks on, but still the resemblance was uncanny.

  "I didn't know they had wanted posters out for us. We'd better tell Eli when we get back to camp."

  "I'd say we're damned lucky nobody noticed us tonight."

  "Speaking of Eli, John, what are we going to tell him about the bank here in Dry Creek?"

  "I ain't worried about the bank. I want to find McAllister. He got away from Pa that night we caught him with Jenny, but we ain't going to let him get away again. We'll let Eli know about the bank later. Right now, let's ride for the Rocking M.We'll take a look around and see if we can find a way to catch Hunt alone."

  Mimi could not sleep. No matter how many times she told herself it was good that the truth had finally been revealed to Glynna, she knew the revelation had hurt her terribly. Somehow she had to make it up to her.

  Too restless to stay in bed, Mimi rose at first light. After donning her wrapper, she left her room quietly and, without disturbing anyone, made her way upstairs to Glynna's bedroom. She needed to see her daughter. She needed to be alone with her for just a little while. She knocked softly on the door.

  "Yes?" Glynna answered.

  "It's me. Can I come in?" she whispered.

  The door opened for her. Glynna stood before her in her dressing gown, looking as weary as Mimi felt. Mimi stepped into the room and waited until she'd closed the door before she spoke.

  "You didn't sleep?"

  "Not well. What about you?"

  "Hardly at all. I've been too worried about you."

  "There's nothing to worry about. I'm fine."

  "I'd like to talk, if you don't mind."

  Glynna went to sit on the bed, and Mimi sat beside her. They had often had such "girl talks" before, but this time was different now they were truly mother and daughter.

  "Edmund left last night," Mimi informed her.

  "He did?" She was surprised and a bit relieved. She really hadn't wanted to see him again after his cruelty the night before.

  Mimi half smiled. "I don't know exactly what went on, but Paul went down to the bunkhouse to have a few words with him. The next thing Charles and I knew, Tom was telling us that Wes and Gib had escorted him in to Dry Creek. According to Tom, Edmund looked like he and Paul had done more than just talk."

  "I never wanted to hurt him, but I just couldn't go through with the wedding, knowing I didn't love him."

  "As difficult as it was, it was a very wise thing for you to do. You're a smart young woman." She patted her hand.

  "I'm not feeling very smart right now."

  "Sometimes things happen in life over which we have no control. Then we just have to deal with everything the best we can. If you didn't love Edmund as you should, then you were absolutely right not to many him."

  "Thank you." Glynna sighed raggedly. She'd been brave enough to end her relationship with Edmund, but she didn't feel any better. Her heart and spirit were still heavy.

  "I love you very much, dear. I want you to know that."

  "I do."

  "Do you? I hope so. I've loved you since the first day I learned I was going to have you. Everything I did in the past, I did because I thought it would be best for you. I never mean
t for you to be hurt in any way. I was just selfish enough to want to be a part of your life because you meant so much to me. Glynna-" She stopped until Glynna looked up at her. Her gaze met Glynna's and she told her, "I'm sorry if I've caused you pain."

  "I know," Glynna answered. She had always known that Mimi was a gentle, loving spirit.

  Mimi hugged her then, knowing they would work their way through the bitterness. "There is one more important thing I have to say to you. All those years ago, when I woke up alone that morning in San Francisco, if I'd known where Paul had gone, I would have traveled to the ends of the earth to find him. I would never have let him get away from me. Our lives would have been very different right now if we'd just been honest with each other and stayed together. But I lost him, Glynna, and I've spent the last twenty-four years wondering what might have been. I don't want that to happen to you."

  "I don't understand."

  "Oh, I think you do," she said, knowing what was really in Glynna's heart. "You love Hunt, don't you?"

  Glynna was shocked at Mimi's perceptiveness. "Well, I"

  "If you love Hunt, then you should go to him right now, tell him that you love him and never let him "got.

  "But I can't! There's nothing I can do. He doesn't love me."

  "How do you know that?"

  Glynna told her about what had happened between them, about the bride-price and their Comanche marriage.

  "So you're already married to him," Mimi said thoughtfully, a small smile curving her lips.

  "By Comanche law only, and Hunt told me that that didn't matter once we were back in civilization. He told me that he only went along with the marriage to rescue me from the renegades, and now that we're back home, he doesn't want anything to do with me."

  "That's not true, no matter what he says. I saw the way he reacted when Edmund proposed to you."

  "What did he do?" Glynna had thought he didn't care. "He didn't say anything."

  "No, he didn't say a word, but he was very tense."

  "Hunt says I have no idea what being a half-breed means in white society. But I love him. All that's important is our love for each other."