The Kincaid Bride

by Jackie Merritt

  “Thank God you were with her, Eli,” Garrett said emotionally.

  “Yes, thank God,” Eli agreed.

  “You’re staying there with her?”

  “I’ll be right here until they release her. She…she’s my wife and I love her.”

  “I understand, son. Thank you for the call, and please let me know if the slightest thing goes wrong,” Garrett said.

  “I will, Garrett. Goodbye.” Eli quietly hung up the phone on the stand next to Melanie’s bed, then sat back in his chair and silently studied his sleeping wife. The love he felt for her was all-consuming, occupying every cell of his body. He’d truly not known that a man could feel so much for a woman. The future looked glorious. He would protect Melanie from harm, support her every dream and talent, stand by her side through thick and thin and love her till the day he died.

  He’d known what was in his heart, what he’d so foolishly been fighting against, when he’d seen her in that river, pale and unconscious. He’d saved her life, and in saving her, he’d saved himself. Freed himself from the shackles of the past and from fear itself.

  The biggest miracle of all was that she loved him, too. Recalling their passionate confessions and plans on the riverbank, Eli smiled. He was still smiling with happiness when Melanie stirred and opened her eyes.

  Leaning forward, he took her hand. “How are you feeling?”

  She blinked at him as though attempting to focus her eyes. “Eli?” Her gaze darted around. “Where am I? Is this a hospital room?”

  Eli froze. “You don’t remember the rafting accident?” Or what came after? Our beautiful declarations of love?

  “I…remember something.”

  “What, sweetheart? What do you remember?”

  She looked at him oddly. “It’s about…you. Did you save my life?”

  “I pulled you from the river, yes.” Eli got up. “I want the doctor to see you. I’ll be right back.” He hurried out and stopped the first nurse he saw. “My wife…Melanie Forrester in room 303…is having trouble with her memory. Could you please page Dr. Andrews and let him know?”

  “Certainly, sir.” The nurse went one way and Eli went the other. When he walked into Melanie’s room again, he could tell that she hadn’t moved an inch. In fact, she seemed to be staring into space. He sat and took her hand again, and she slowly brought her eyes around to meet his.

  “Eli,” she said, “I feel so strange. It’s like someone took an eggbeater and mixed up my brain. Did…did you tell me about a brother?”

  “Yes. My brother’s name is Carson, and he died over four years ago in a canoeing accident.”

  Dr. Andrews came in. “Hello, Melanie. Do you remember me?” He began checking her eyes.

  “You’re Dr. Andrews,” Melanie murmured.

  “And don’t you forget it,” he said with a chuckle. After a few minutes, he turned to Eli. “She’s just a bit disoriented, Eli. Nothing to be concerned about. I’m quite sure her memory will be back to normal within a few hours. Possibly sooner.”

  Eli followed him from the room. “She said that she feels like an eggbeater mixed up her brain.”

  “It won’t last for long, Eli. Stay with her and talk to her if she wants to talk. But don’t press her into conversation if she’d rather rest.”

  “Thank you.” Eli returned to Melanie’s bedside and sat back in the chair.

  “Does the doctor think I’m wacky?” she asked dryly.

  Her tone of voice made Eli feel better about her, and he grinned. “No wackier than usual.”

  She heaved an exaggerated sigh. “You’re such a comfort.” After a moment, she said, “So I’m disoriented.”

  “You received a mild concussion.”

  “And some bruises. Don’t forget my bruises.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it. They’re sort of a badge of honor, right? I mean, you rafted the Elk River and a scar or two is what every rafter needs to remind him or her of such an incredible experience.”

  “What a sarcastic voice! Obviously, you didn’t enjoy the experience.”

  “Did you?”

  “I think so, but I may have to do it again to know for sure.”

  Eli eyed her suspiciously. “You’re feeling better, aren’t you? More like your old self?”

  “You know, my old self came up with the most remarkable picture while you were in the hall asking Dr. Andrews just how wacky I really was.”

  “A picture of what?”

  Melanie looked directly at him. “It was a picture of you and me. When we were wet and soggy and thankful to be alive on the bank of the river, did we hold each other and talk about love and our jobs and your wealth and family, or is that whole scene a figment of my wacky imagination?”

  “It happened,” Eli said softly. “It all happened, and I’m so damned glad you’re remembering it now that I could do cartwheels around this room.”

  She smiled. “Go ahead. I’d love to see you turn cartwheels.”

  Eli got up to plant a gentle kiss on her lips. “You already know I’m head over heels because of you,” he said. “I’ll show you the cartwheels another time.”

  Melanie napped on and off the rest of the day. Each time she awoke she was more alert, and when the hospital staff served dinner, she was hungry and ate every bite. She was just finishing when Collin walked in.

  “Collin! Oh, I’m so glad to see you. Eli told me you were back. Did Granddad come with you?”

  “He’s talking to Eli. Besides, the nurse said only one visitor at a time in this room.”

  “That’s silly. I’m perfectly all right.”

  “Want me to go out to the nurses’ station and raise hell because of the rules?”

  Melanie grinned. “You wouldn’t do that if I said yes. You’re nothing but a big tease.”

  “Seems to run in the family, doesn’t it?”

  “Granddad doesn’t tease. Goodness, I can’t even imagine him cutting up.”

  “He hasn’t been the same since Dad died, Mel,” Collin said quietly. “But he used to love a good joke.”

  “Did he buy the Whitehorn ranch?”

  “Signed, sealed and delivered.”

  “And is he going to give it to our half brothers?”

  “He never said. I know it’s on his mind, but he didn’t talk about it. My feeling is that he hasn’t come to a decision about those guys yet. I have, though.”

  “You have? What’ve you decided, Collin?”

  “They’re Kincaids, same as you and me, and if Granddad wants them in the family, then I’ll work with him to try to right Dad’s wrongs.”

  “You make me proud to be your sister. I love you, Collin.”

  He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Love you, too, Mel.” He straightened. “I’d better get out of here so Granddad can come in. See you tomorrow.”

  An aide rushed in and removed Melanie’s dinner tray. “Thanks,” Melanie called as the young woman hurried out. When she looked up again, Garrett was standing there. Suddenly choked up, she held out both hands and said huskily, “Granddad.”

  “How come a person looks so small and helpless in a hospital bed?” he remarked as he moved close enough to take her hands.

  “I’m not small or helpless, Granddad. Sit down, please.”

  Garrett complied. “Actually, you’re looking much better than I anticipated. Your color is exceptionally good.”

  Melanie smiled. “That’s ‘cause I’m so happy. Did Eli tell you what happened?”

  “He did indeed, which, in turn, makes me very happy. I’ve worried a great deal about my hasty and rather overbearing reaction that, uh, Sunday.” Garrett cleared his throat and looked embarrassed.

  “Don’t you dare be embarrassed,” Melanie said with an emotional catch in her voice. “My behavior shocked you, as well it should have.”

  “You were with the man you loved, Melanie. I interfered in something that was none of my business.”

  But I didn’t know I loved him that day, Granddad.
Melanie would have preferred being completely honest about it, but she simply couldn’t give this wonderful old man one more burden or doubt.

  “Collin said you bought the Whitehorn ranch,” she said brightly.

  “Yes, I did. Now I have to figure out what I’m going to do with it.”

  “Granddad, we’ve never had a chance to talk about this, or if there was a chance, neither of us took it. There’s something I’d like very much to tell you. May I do it now?”

  “Of course. What is it?”

  “I know you’ve been worrying and fretting about Dad’s other kids, about whether or not you should even try to find them for fear they might not appreciate hearing from a grandfather they don’t know they have. Have you considered that some of them may know about you, Granddad? Or maybe only one knows and maybe he thinks that since his father never wanted him, neither do you.

  “You must never count yourself as valueless, Granddad. I grew up yearning to know you and Dad. Now he’s gone and that chance is gone, too, but you’re not. You’re alive and vital and a wonderful, ethical, moral man. Anyone would be pleased to have you for a grandfather, and those six young men deserve to at least meet you. Don’t deny them that, Granddad. It’s a gift that only you can give them.”

  Garrett’s eyes had grown misty. “I slighted you so badly, Melanie. All those years when we could have been in touch and weren’t…” Taking out his handkerchief, Garrett blew his nose. “I’m sorry, child. Can I ever make it up to you?”

  “Granddad, I’ve already put all that behind me. But ask yourself this. Five or ten years from now, are you going to be asking another grandchild to forgive you?”

  Garrett smiled weakly. “Honey, I might not even be walking this planet five or ten years from now.”

  “I won’t listen to that kind of talk. I could die before you, and so could any of those six grandsons. Granddad, I’m not saying you should give them anything tangible…such as the ranch in Whitehorn you just bought. That’s entirely up to you. But give them something infinitely more precious—recognition and a little of your time.”

  Garrett smiled at her through teary eyes. “I know what I have to do now, just from talking to you. But I also know I can’t do it alone. What do you think of my hiring a private investigator to help out?”

  “Wonderful,” she exclaimed. They smiled at each other, sharing a special moment. Later, when he was on his way out, she said, “Granddad, I visited Aunt Alice while you were in Whitehorn. No one’s told her about Dad’s safety-deposit box, have they?”

  “No, but I plan to do that first thing tomorrow morning.”

  “I almost said something while I was there, but she…she’s very hard to talk to.”

  “I know, honey. Don’t you worry your pretty head about it. I’ll be taking care of everything from now on. You just be happy, okay?”

  “I will be, Granddad, I know I will.”

  It was getting late, close to eleven. The hospital corridors were silent except for the quiet movements of the nighttime nursing staff. Policy permitted a spouse to ignore regular visiting hours, and Eli sat comfortably next to Melanie’s bed as they lazily talked.

  He’d told her more about his family and a lot about his childhood, and she’d talked about growing up in southern California with her mother and stepfather. She’d told him about her job and he’d asked if she wanted to keep it. Her answer had been a question. “Are you going to keep yours?”

  Then they both realized that they still had many decisions to make.

  “I have to call my mother tomorrow and tell her everything,” Melanie murmured.

  “It’s time I called my parents and let them know I’m still among the living,” Eli said quietly.

  Neither comment required discussion. They each had a family that couldn’t be ignored. In Eli’s case, his family could not be ignored any longer. He wasn’t sure of the kind of reception he’d get when he phoned his parents, but he was finally prepared to find out. They should at least know that he was married.

  “Mom’s going to have a fit about my getting married without her,” Melanie added ruefully.

  “I doubt if my folks would care about that, but…” Frowning, Eli sat up straighter. “Melanie, you’ve said that before about your mother. Will she really be upset?”

  “Eli, she’s been planning my wedding since I was a little girl,” Melanie said with a long sigh. “Yes, she’s going to be very upset.”

  “Well, let’s fix it so she’s not.”

  “How?”

  “By having a second wedding. As big a shindig as will make your mother happy.”

  Melanie thought a moment, then began tapping the tip of her forefinger against her chin. Looking at the ceiling, she said solemnly, “Now that I think about it, I never did hear a certain someone ask me to marry him.”

  “Are you back in teasing mode?” Eli asked with a laugh. “Or are you serious?”

  “Maybe you should decide that for yourself,” she said demurely.

  Eli’s smile faltered. He hadn’t proposed, of course. They’d been whisked to Missoula so fast neither had known up from down. What were the odds of that kind of marriage lasting? What were the odds of a man and woman forced to the altar, as they’d been, actually falling in love with each other?

  He knew what had to be done and he got up from his chair and sat on the edge of the bed. Taking Melanie’s hand in his, he said, “Do you realize how lucky we are?”

  “Yes, I do,” she whispered.

  “But you still want me to propose?”

  “Only if you want a second ceremony.”

  The devilish twinkle in her eyes was a dead giveaway. She was toying with him again, the little minx!

  “You’re the one who would benefit most from a second ceremony, sweetheart,” he said.

  “Oh, no, darling. Believe me, you would benefit most. When my mother’s happy, I’m happy, and whenever I’m happy, I guarantee that my husband will be walking on air.”

  His mouth fell open. “I’ve had that feeling before. Once before.”

  “Did you like it?” she whispered throatily.

  “I loved it, just like I love you.” He leaned over until his lips were but a breath away from hers. “Will you marry me again, my temptress, my sweetheart, my own true love?”

  She sighed contentedly. “Of course I will. Did you ever really doubt it?”

  Special thanks and acknowledgment to Jackie Merritt for her contribution to the Montana Mavericks series.

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-5583-2

  THE KINCAID BRIDE

  Copyright © 2000 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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