Elizabeth grunted, concentrating on the soothing sound of Katie’s voice outside the door. She was speaking gently to Shiftless, and she imagined that Katie was petting the dog, as well—much as Cutter was doing to her just now. She wished he would quit, but didn’t have the heart to tell him to get his hands off of her!
“Don’ worry!” Katie crooned. “Don’ worry! Everything gonna be all right… You seeee… Aunt Lizabeth don’t wanna go to heaven yet! She don’ want to!”
Dear Lord, is that what she thought? Did she think her mother had had a choice? Elizabeth vowed to speak to Katie as soon as she was able—make her understand that no one would leave her by choice. She was just too special. She looked beseechingly at Jo.
Jo nodded, understanding Elizabeth’s silent plea. “I’ll stay with her,” she said, “but first I’ll fetch water and blankets.”
Seven weary hours later, Cain Michael McKenzie was born into his father’s hands. Clutching his son protectively, Cutter ran to the door, shouting, “We have a son! A son!” He came back to the bed and dropped to his knees.
Both Jo and Katie rushed in at once to greet the newest addition, leaving Shiftless to whine and scratch at the door. They cooed over Cain as Cutter took him from his mother to bathe him, and then compared his hands to Katie’s while Elizabeth held him.
“Oooh! They’re so little!” Katie marveled. “Do you think he’ll like Shifless, Aunt Lizbeth?”
Elizabeth nodded dreamily, her eyes drifting shut as she watched the doting scene before her. Glancing up, Jo must have caught her weary expression and rose from the bed. She ushered Katie out, explaining as she closed the door that Elizabeth and Cain were getting too sleepy.
When they were gone, Elizabeth gazed down at her son, her weary eyes reflecting her pride. The pain had been more than she could ever have imagined, but worth it, she thought as she glanced up adoringly at her husband. She just couldn’t believe it. And Cutter had done so well, giving her strength when it seemed she had none of her own. “You saved my life,” she whispered worshipfully.
“No,” he murmured, lifting her hand and kissing it with so much emotion that Elizabeth thought she would burst into tears. She blinked as moisture pooled in her eyes.
“Much as I’d like to take the credit,” Cutter told her, his voice hoarse, “I just followed directions. You did all the work.” He gazed at her, then at his son. Black hair, and blue eyes that appeared more black than blue. “Besides… ” he whispered as he caressed his son’s downy head. He reveled in the feel of the silky hair against his scarred fingers… so much softness in his life. “Even if it were true… you save my life every day. Before you, Liz, I was dead inside and didn’t even know it.”
Elizabeth swallowed, fighting the wave of exhaustion that waited to claim her. “You were?” Tears shimmered on her lashes.
Cutter’s eyes lifted, moisture glistened in his black eyes, making them sparkle like ink-colored glass.
“I was,” he assured her with a wink. His gaze lowered briefly to the child who lay between them, and then back to his wife’s face, still disbelieving that she was really his. His. She’d given him so much. Everything he’d ever searched for was right there in her golden eyes. “I’m richer ‘n Midas,” he told her with a gleam in his eyes, “and aim to be just as greedy. Can’t get enough of you… never want to.”
“I… I love you, Cutter.”
Cutter smoothed the hair away from Elizabeth’s forehead and bent to kiss her eyes closed. “And I love you, Doc,” he whispered back.
Elizabeth smiled, and let her cheek fall against the pillow. As she drifted, she listened to the sounds Cain made as he suckled.
“More than you’ll ever know,” Cutter whispered. But Elizabeth didn’t hear. She’d fallen asleep. It didn’t matter. “‘Cause I’m going to prove it to you every day of the rest of our lives,” he swore.
He lifted his son up into his arms, his eyes full of warmth and a touch of arrogant pride as he secured the blanket around his baby boy.
“You’re gonna hafta take real good care of those little jewels, son. Give me lots of fine grandchildren.” He grinned as he looked down into Elizabeth’s sleeping face, chuckling richly as he then advised in a husky whisper, “Only ride double with the woman you intend to make your wife.” He sank back into the nearest chair, propping his boots upon the edge of the bed to settle down for a long man-to-man chat with his firstborn son. Cain gurgled happily and curled his tiny fingers around Cutter’s scarred thumb. “Yeah,” Cutter agreed, his voice soft as he stared at that flawed thumb with those tiny wriggling fingers holding it in unconditional acceptance. His heart surged. “That’s right…” He nodded as a lump of pride thickened his throat. “Like your pa, you see…”
Unbeknownst to Cutter, Elizabeth’s smile deepened
Other books by
Tanya Anne Crosby
THE HIGHLAND BRIDES
The MacKinnon’s Bride
Lyon’s Gift
On Bended Knee
Lion Heart
THE MEDIEVALS
Once Upon a Kiss
Angel Of Fire
VIKING’S PRIZE
THE IMPOSTOR SERIES
The Impostor’s Kiss
THE IMPOSTOR PRINCE
Happily Ever After
Perfect In My Sight
SAGEBRUSH BRIDE
KISSED
THE NOVELLAS
Lady’s Man
THE CONTEMPORARIES
Speak No Evil
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanya has written seventeen novels, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including the New York Times and USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, two dogs and two moody cats in North Michigan.
For more information:
Visit www.tanyaannecrosby.com
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