by Connie Mason
“Old? Never!” Colt growled, baring his teeth in a feral grin that made him gready resemble the fierce golden beast whose name he bore.
“Then love me, Lion Heart, love me and never let me go.”
“Forever, Violet Eyes, forever and beyond.”
Epilogue
The small church in Karlsburg was crowded. A beaming Ida Scheuer sat in the front row beside a smitten Phil Smith, who had fallen under the attractive widow’s spell the moment they met. Mayor Mohler, Sanchez, and the men from the ranch were there, and surprisingly, Sheriff Bauer and Deputy Lender. Even Captain Rip Ford had altered his schedule to attend the wedding.
Dolly Douglas, owner of the Palace Saloon, and bartender Dirk Faulkner sat near the rear of the church. In fact, the entire town had been invited to share in this happy occasion.
It was to be a double wedding. Samantha Howard was marrying ex-Texas Ranger Steven “Colt” Colter while Colt’s petite sister, Laura, was taking Jake Hobbs, foreman of the Circle H, for a husband. Will Howard, the bride’s brother, and their friend Jim Blake acted as witnesses.
The whole town reverberated with gossip involving Sam and her Ranger. Though Colt was generally hailed as a hero by the townspeople, it came as quite a shock to learn he was the new owner of the Circle H. Of course no one knew the entire story of Samantha Howard’s involvement with the handsome rogue; talk had her bedding him long before the wedding and already with child. Not that it really mattered—he was marrying her, wasn’t he?
The talk concerning Laura Colter and Jake Hobbs was not so clear. Little was known about either of them, though it was obvious to all that the couple were deeply in love. A grand reception was planned following the ceremony at the Palace Saloon, of all places. Dolly Douglas had been most generous to offer her place of business when it appeared that the entire town intended to turn out for the wedding and reception. The party was in full progress when Dolly managed to corner Sam while Colt was momentarily occupied elsewhere.
“You’re a lucky lady, Mrs. Colter.” Dolly smiled wistfully. “Colt’s a good man. I knew he loved you from the first but he was too stubborn to realize it. I’m glad everything turned out well for you. When is the baby due?”
Sam blanched. “You know? How …”
“I guessed,” Dolly admitted. “You’re radiant. Lovelier than a bride has a right to be. I suspected there was a reason for such happiness besides the wedding. And I couldn’t help but notice how careful Colt is of you. Imagine, Colt a father. He must be thrilled.”
“He … is.” Sam blushed, too happy to be angry with Dolly. “I’d appreciate it if you kept it to yourself.”
“Colt and I are old friends and I’d do nothing to hurt him, or his wife. I sincerely wish you nothing but the best.”
Looking into Dolly’s wide blue eyes, Sam realized she meant every word. “Thank you, Miss Douglas.”
Later Dolly found the opportunity to return the letter and will that Colt had left in her keeping. “I’m damn glad I didn’t have to deliver this on the occasion of your death, Colt,” she declared flippantly. “I’d much rather attend your wedding than your funeral.”
“You mean that, don’t you, Dolly?”
“Every blessed word. Now go to your bride, and be happy.” She squeezed his hand, blinking back the moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes. If she didn’t know better, Dolly reflected, she’d think she was getting soft.
Shortly afterwards, a glowing Laura and beaming Jake left for New Orleans to begin their honeymoon. Phil Smith was named overseer in Jake’s place, and upon their return the couple planned to settle on their own land which Jake had recently purchased. Colt and Sam were happy just to return home and be alone at the ranch. They had had enough traveling for awhile. Besides, with a baby on the way Sam wanted no more excitement for a good long spell.
Sam hugged Laura exuberantly before she boarded the stage. “Take care of my brother, Sam,” Laura said and laughed happily. “And my little nephew-to-be.” Sam had already told Laura about the baby, just as Colt had told Jake. Of course Will also had been informed. “Perhaps when I come back I’ll have some good news also.”
Sam and Colt returned to the ranch that night, making love tenderly and with great passion in the privacy of their own bedroom, not once, but twice. Then, just before dawn, Colt kissed her awake.
“Ummm,” Sam protested mildly, “again, my love? Greedy varmint, aren’t you?”
“I am where you’re concerned. Besides, I haven’t given you your weddin’ present.”
“Wedding present?” wailed Sam, distraught. “But I haven’t a thing for you.”
“You’re givin’ me my child.” He said it with such overwhelming tenderness it brought tears to Sam’s eyes. “I wanted to do somethin’ for you even though nothin’ could compare with your gift.”
His enthusiasm was infectious as he leaped from bed and padded over to the chair where he had carelessly draped his clothes the night before. A lamp left burning provided sufficient light to guide his steps in the early dawn. Sam experienced a delicious naughtiness as she watched the muscles of his taut buttocks flex and unflex. She thought his legs superb, strong and lithe, as sturdy as twin oaks. Corded tendons rippled beneath the smooth skin of his back, and Sam was amazed that such perfection existed in one man. Abruptly he turned, and her eyes were drawn to his manhood, impressive even at rest. Colt was fully aware of the effect he had on her as he approached the bed, his lips curved in a crooked grin.
“If you keep lookin’ at me like that, darlin’, you’ll never get your present.”
Sam flushed, reluctantly raising her eyes. Vaguely she wondered if all men were so magnificently endowed. Somehow she doubted it.
A puzzled frown furrowed Sam’s brow when Colt placed a folded sheet of paper in her hand.
“What’s this?”
“Your gift. Read it.”
Holding it close to the light, Sam scanned the contents. Exhaling softly, she said, “It’s the deed to the Circle H made out to Will.” The heavy lashes that shadowed her cheeks flew up. Then she began to cry.
“I hoped you’d be pleased,” Colt said, his lips pursed in a pout. “I knew how much you wanted your brother to inherit the ranch. We’ll hold it in trust for him and continue to live here until he’s old enough to manage on his own. I’ve purchased several hundred acres just west of here. It’s prime land, darlin’, and we can build a house to your specifications. I … I wanted to make you happy.”
“Make me happy? Oh, my love, you’ve made me deliriously happy. I love this ranch, but I wanted to keep it intact mainly for Will. I’ll be happy anywhere as long as we’re together. We’ll found a new dynasty for our children, and the Circle H will be preserved for Will. Thank you, Colt. But how did you manage it? Where did you get the money to buy land?”
“I still had money left in the bank, and the land was bein’ offered dirt cheap. It’s damned ironic that the railroad people decided on a more northerly route and all the land Calvin Logan acquired is bein’ offered for a song by the bank. I approached the trustees and bought the best of the lot.”
Sam sighed wistfully. “The Logans’ underhanded dealings earned them nothing but painful death. Greed is a terrible thing. It spawns ruination and destruction.”
“But love brings peace and joy,” Colt countered, his eyes pools of golden flame. “And new life.”
“Colt, I never knew you were poetic,” Sam exclaimed, delighted.
“I’ve been many things, Sam, but never a poet,” Colt said and grinned, taking her in his arms. “I’d like to be remembered as a lover, and the best damn husband and father in the state of Texas. Now hush up and let me love you again.”
She did—and he did—and in six months Sam fulfilled Spirit Dancer’s prophecy. She gave birth to her first son.
About the Author
Connie is the bestselling author of 60 books and novellas and counting. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as in American locales. Conn
ie has won awards from Romantic Times and has been listed in Who’s Who of American Women for several years. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Connie is a world traveler. She has visited every country in Western and Eastern Europe, Greece, Asia and Northern Africa. Also, countless islands in the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. Connie enjoys spending time with her three children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Visit her Website and www.conniemason.com.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
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
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
About the Author
