Twilight in Texas

by Jodi Thomas

  “I’m so sorry,” Molly commented. “She’ll never find a man who’ll have her now that she has money.”

  “Nonsense.” Wolf raised an eyebrow. “Any man would be a fool to not love a woman just because she inherited a little money. I’d have a talk with Callie Ann’s fellow myself.”

  “I’ll remember that,” she agreed with him.

  Wolf asked about Charlie and Early, listening to every detail.

  Molly smiled as she watched him dry his hair on a towel. She thought about how good it felt to be here with him like this. She felt warm and protected and loved. She also noticed he dripped water over half the floor space and he’d left his dirty clothes in a pile.

  Molly laughed. He was real, all right. Dream lovers would never do such a thing. Dream lovers never got dirty or spilled things…or made love like the world was going to end any moment if he didn’t hold her.

  Wolf pulled the towel off his head and looked at her. “What are you laughing at, darlin’?”

  “Nothing,” she answered. “I was wondering if you were going to shave before you came to bed, Benjamin.”

  He froze. “What did you call me?”

  “Benjamin,” she answered as she stood and began undressing.

  Her actions almost erased the conversation from his mind. “I’m Wolf, remember?” he tried to sound gruff, but it was hard when all he could do was stare as her blouse opened. She was so proper, with never a button undone, and here she stood, taking off her top in front of him like it was something she’d done a hundred times.

  Wolf couldn’t stop looking. She’d have to do it a few hundred times more before he’d get so used to seeing her that he’d even chance blinking.

  She let her blouse drop and twisted to undo her skirt. “I know. You’re Wolf, my husband. The man I love. The only man I’ve ever loved.”

  Wolf ran a hand through his hair. “I thought I heard you call me by another name.” He must be hearing things, he decided.

  “I did,” she said as her skirt drifted to the floor, revealing the thin white cotton of her underwear. She moved a few feet closer, just out of his touch. “I called you by your first name…Benjamin.” As she spoke, she pulled the ribbon on her camisole. The lace over her breasts parted, showing the curve of her flesh.

  Wolf tried to keep his senses about him, but they were mutinying fast. He could smell the rose water of her hair and a perfume that seemed blended into her underthings. He could see the outline of her body clearly through the cotton covering.

  “I’m not…” Dear God, he couldn’t lie to her. Not now. Not when she stood so close, playing with the ribbon of her camisole that, any minute, would be tugged just a little harder to reveal her fully.

  “It took me a while to figure it out. The night you lay next to me after the fire was so much more than I’d ever known. In my dreams, the two of you kept mixing. You patted the stage, just like you patted the train that day years ago. The way you say you’ll always love me. No one else would put the words together in just that way.” She smiled. “I thought of prying your box open. I have a feeling you signed Benjamin on the marriage license.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t have to. I know.”

  “But, who do you love?” Wolf strangled the towel, trying not to reach for her.

  “I love you. I’ve always loved you, but never more than I do right now.” She tugged at the ribbon. The lace fell away from her breasts.

  Wolf was lost to words. He closed the distance between them and kissed her wildly as his hands caressed what she’d offered to his full view.

  They made love as she knew they would. Like the end of the world would come any moment and there was nothing he wanted, needed but her. Part of him was wild and exciting, part so tender she almost cried when he caressed her. But all of him was hers, and all of her belonged to him.

  When they finally lay beside one another too exhausted to do more than breathe, he whispered, “I thought you wouldn’t love me if you knew who I really was.” He wasn’t making excuses or trying to explain, only telling her his thoughts.

  Molly moved her hand slowly over his chest. “I’ve loved you in both times, the past and the present. I’ve loved you in two worlds, my dreams and reality. I was meant to love you, Benjamin Wolf Hayward.”

  He stopped her hand over his heart. “And I will love you until my heart beats no more, my Molly.”

  EPILOGUE

  WINTER BLEW THROUGH AUSTIN, TEXAS, IN COLD blasts of icy rain. Wolf turned up his collar and pulled his hat low as he headed home. This was his last trip. Tomorrow, he’d be taking over as sheriff and leaving the Rangers, at least for a time. Being a ranger got in a man’s blood. He knew if he were called up again, he’d serve, but only for a short time. Soon, Molly would be needing him home more.

  He laughed. The men had been teasing him that he was getting old and wanted to sleep in his own bed every night. He didn’t argue. He could think of nowhere else he’d rather be. They said he’d miss the excitement of this life, but they hadn’t lived with Molly.

  Wolf moved through the streets at twilight. No one expected him in until tomorrow, but he’d ridden hard. He didn’t want to spend another night without Molly in his arms.

  Only one man remained at the office to greet him. Wolf filed a quick report and checked his mail. One letter lay in his box. Wolf didn’t have to guess from whom. Wes McLain’s bold writing filled the front of the envelope.

  He leaned against his desk and cut the letter open, expecting bad news. Wes wasn’t a man who’d write just to pass the time. But, as Wolf read, he couldn’t help but smile. The letter simply listed John Catlin’s progress. The wild kid had spent several months at his grandmother’s ranch. Somehow, the wide open spaces had eased his soul. The English he fought so hard against came back to him as smoothly as if he’d never stopped using it. Allie and Wes thought he should go to school. Maybe one of the new colleges in Texas. But his grandmother sided with her grandson, who she insisted on calling Jonathan. He was a man fully grown and wanted to travel, see the world. She felt he’d get his education from living, and she’d offered to fund the trip.

  Wolf folded the letter. Jonathan. A handle he never thought would fit the wild kid. But, people change. Look at him. A year ago he’d have stopped by for a drink and already be thinking about his next ride. Now all he wanted to do was go home. Home to Molly.

  Wolf only nodded at the ranger as he left. Suddenly he could wait no longer.

  As he passed his house, he saw Molly and Callie Ann in the kitchen, but the rain kept him from smelling what they were burning for dinner. He moved to the newly finished barn behind the house and unsaddled his horse. Charlie had done a good job on the barn. It was completely dry inside and had an extra room for Uncle Orson, who didn’t visit as often as he once did.

  When Wolf stepped onto the porch, he stopped for a few minutes to look inside. Early was sitting at the table, wrapped in one of Aunt Alvina’s quilts. She must be feeling stronger if she was able to help cook. Her recovery was slow, but she was pampered so much by Charlie that she didn’t seem to mind. They’d made her a room in the study so she wouldn’t have to climb the stairs. By spring she’d be well.

  Charlie was still hard to look at, but his face appeared more normal since the doctors had worked on him. He’d bought Miller’s old place and had been working regularly. He was only a memory at the saloons, but he’d become a constant at Molly’s table.

  Callie Ann spotted Wolf and squealed, running to the door. “Daddy!” She flew into his arms.

  Wolf held her close. He felt his heart roll over every time the child called him that. She’d decided it all on her own when she’d learned Molly was expecting. Someone had to teach the baby what to call everyone, and Callie Ann appointed herself.

  Molly waited at the door for him. She kissed his whiskered face and whispered, “I love you,” as she always did.

  Wolf let his hand fan out over her swollen tummy, lovi
ng the feel of their child growing inside her. He knew tonight, long after she’d gone to sleep, he’d place his hands around her and almost be able to hold his son or daughter.

  Early frowned at him. “I only made one pie,” she said. “I didn’t think you’d be in tonight.”

  Wolf winked at her. “I’ll survive if you’ll promise to bake more tomorrow.”

  Early still didn’t look happy.

  Wolf stepped into the kitchen and removed his coat and gun belt. “What’s the matter? You not feeling well?”

  He glanced at Molly. She had the same strange frown. Something was wrong.

  “What is it?” He looked from one to the other.

  “We have aunts.” Molly sighed as if announcing the end of the world.

  “Really?” Wolf laughed. “Sugar or red?” He was truly home.