Renegade Wife

by Charlene Sands

  Just minutes later, Dr. Beckman walked in, wearing a suitcoat rather than his white doctor’s apron, making him appear much more youthful.

  “Shall we go?” he asked. When she stood he offered her his arm.

  They walked down the sidewalk, Dr. Beckman making light and pleasant conversation, helping to keep Molly from thinking of her very uncertain future.

  Bennett and Kane Jackson stood outside Mrs. Rose’s boardinghouse, the woman refusing to allow them entrance inside.

  “Ah, come on, Penny. We need to talk,” Bennett said.

  She stood on the porch, her lips pursed, her stance unyielding. With arms folded around her middle, she shook her head. “I’m not ready to speak with you, Bennett. You have done damage again with your unthinking maneuvering. You have lied to me and deceived people who have come to care for you. You did this with no thought to the outcome to others. You’re ruthless and I’m not sure I want that kind of man.”

  Kane stepped up. He’d heard enough. As far as he was concerned, his grandfather was on his own. He had his own fences to mend. “Is Molly here?”

  Mrs. Rose turned her glaring gaze on him. “Maybe she is and maybe she isn’t.”

  Kane gritted his teeth. He supposed he deserved her ire as well, but he had to find Molly. “Please, Penelope. I need to speak with her.”

  Mrs. Rose flinched. Kane had never spoken to her as a friend. He’d never used her first name when addressing her. “Why, so you can deliver more bad news to her?”

  “No. Because I love her. I want to bring her back home.”

  She gasped and staggered back a step, her expression softening. “How can I believe you?”

  “Believe him, Penny,” Bennett said. “He’s come to his senses. Finally.” Bennett put his arm around Kane’s shoulder. “My grandson realizes what he almost lost—a good woman who loves him. Tell him where she is, so that someone around here can find happiness.”

  Mrs. Rose stood silent a moment, studying Kane, making up her mind. “If you hurt her again—”

  “I won’t.”

  “He won’t,” Bennett said at the same time.

  Mrs. Rose came down the steps and looked Kane squarely in the eyes. “She’s not here. She went into town, but I’m not at liberty to say where. Be quick. She’s contemplating leaving Bountiful.”

  Kane grabbed Penelope, hugging her tight. “Thank you,” he said. He kissed her cheek. “You won’t be sorry.”

  Mrs. Rose smiled and for the first time, Kane noticed the warmth and goodness in her, qualities that would make her a good match for his cantankerous grandfather.

  She looked deeply into his eyes. “I know.”

  Kane glanced quickly at his grandfather. “My grandfather loves you, Penelope. I can see why. I think he realizes what he almost lost as well. He’s come to his senses. Give him a second chance.”

  Bennett stepped up to take Penelope’s hands. “Yes, I’ve come to my senses. But you see, I wasn’t wrong about Molly and Kane, they—”

  Kane grabbed his arm. “Stop while you’re ahead, Grandfather.”

  Bennett smiled at Penelope Rose and nodded.

  Kane left them holding hands and climbing up the steps of the boardinghouse.

  He dashed down the street, not certain where Molly had gone. He passed the schoolhouse, peering inside but at this hour the students and teacher had already gone. And as he walked farther down into the center of town, Kane spotted something that halted him right in place. His search over, he’d found his wife.

  Walking arm in arm with young Dr. Beckman.

  Emotions seared into his gut, cutting him like a knife. Seeing Molly with another man as she strolled leisurely down the street tore down all his defenses. He couldn’t possibly doubt his love for her now, not when he witnessed firsthand what life would be like without her. Jealousy played a part and Kane couldn’t recall a time when he’d ever been jealous.

  Except now.

  He had more than one quarrel with Dr. Beckman. And he’d be damned to stand here and watch the man court his woman.

  “Molly!” he called out from the center of the street, much like a man would call out a gunslinger.

  Both heads turned in his direction. Molly appeared shocked and Dr. Beckman steadied her with an arm around her shoulder.

  Kane took long strides to meet up with her. He glared at the doctor. “Get your hands off my wife.”

  Dr. Beckman immediately complied, removing his arm from Molly’s shoulder.

  “Kane, what is it?”

  “What are you doing with him?” Kane asked, his anger strong. Though he knew he should be repentant, he needed to know why the two of them were together.

  Molly stood silent.

  Dr. Beckman glanced at her as if they had some secret between them. Kane didn’t like any of it.

  “Well?”

  “Molly agreed to have dinner with me, that’s all.”

  Kane stared at Molly, guilt written all over her face.

  “He’s a friend, Kane.”

  Kane glared once again at the doctor. “A friend? Does a friend lie about a man’s health? Does a friend, who has taken an oath to heal the sick, deceive instead? What manner of friend are you? You told me my grandfather was dying.”

  “He was dying. When I attended to your grandfather, he had a severe case of pneumonia. Most men his age don’t come through. When I spoke with you, I believed with all my heart that Bennett Jackson wasn’t long for this earth. But he fooled us all, didn’t he?”

  Kane narrowed his eyes at the doctor.

  Dr. Beckman went on, “He dismissed me from service shortly after the diagnosis—against my wishes, I might add. I had no choice in the matter.”

  “It’s true, Kane,” Molly said, adding, “Dr. Beckman wasn’t a part of your grandfather’s plan.”

  It irked Kane that Molly would take the doctor’s side, but Kane had a more important issue to discuss with his wife. He faced Molly, looking directly into her wide green eyes. “I need to speak with you.”

  “Now?”

  He nodded. “It can’t wait.”

  She glanced at Dr. Beckman. “Will you excuse me?”

  He took a long look at Kane then nodded to Molly. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure.”

  Kane wanted to bloody the man’s nose. It was a damn good thing he bid Molly a quick—and if Kane had anything to do about it, final—farewell, or he might just have indulged in that small bit of violence.

  “What did you want to speak with me about?”

  “I want you to come home.”

  Stunned, Molly blinked.

  He took hold of her hands and his blood rushed immediately from the soft familiar contact. “I need to speak with you privately.”

  “No, Kane. We’ve said everything there is to say.”

  “There’s more I have to say.”

  “I…don’t…know,” she said in a tone that gave him hope. “It was very hard for me to leave the Bar J. I don’t think I can go back.”

  “Then will you hear me out here?”

  Molly glanced around. They stood on the sidewalk, ten yards from the Bounty Café as patrons passed them by. Strong scents flavored the air of dishes seasoned with onions and garlic and herbs. “Here?”

  “Not here, exactly.” And then he thought of the perfect place. “Walk with me to the church grounds. We can talk there privately.”

  Molly agreed and Kane led her to the edge of town where a chapel stood, its tall steeple lifting up to the setting sun. He found a bench on the south side of the building. Kane waited until Molly found a seat, then he sat down beside her, their legs brushing.

  Kane sat quietly for a time, trying to find a way to tell Molly what was in heart. He’d never spoken of these things before. Opening up to his wife shouldn’t be so difficult, but the outcome of her decision weighed heavily on his mind.

  He hadn’t wanted a wife, much less one as feisty as Molly McGuire. He hadn’t wanted a marriage, ei
ther. He’d had it all once before and never thought he’d want it again. But he did. He wanted a life with Molly beside him. And the only way he knew to persuade her would be to speak honestly, trusting in Molly to understand.

  Kane braced himself. He spoke quietly, staring out onto the church grounds. “Little Swan was with child when she was murdered,” he began, speaking a truth that he had held inside his injured heart for years. “I never knew pain like that before. I never knew a man could hurt so damn bad. It was like a knife had sliced into my chest, the blade gutting out my heart. But the hollowness soon filled with bitter rage for what was done—for the injustice. My wife and child were dead. I went after their killer and I avenged their deaths. I vowed to never love again. To never have another child. I held myself responsible and didn’t think I could take another loss. I didn’t think I could stand that pain again.”

  “Oh, Kane. I’m so sorry,” Molly said, as twin tears trickled down her cheeks. She put her head down and nodded with anguished understanding. “How horrible for you to lose a wife and child at the same time.”

  Kane turned fully toward her, lifting her face with both hands and tilting her head to stare deeply into her eyes. “But there’s a worse kind of pain, Molly. There’s the pain that goes along with foolishly losing someone you love.”

  Molly blinked, her sad eyes growing wide and alert.

  “I love you, Molly.”

  He smiled.

  And Molly cast him a tentative smile. “You do?”

  “Yes, I do. Very much. It’s taken my grandfather’s dying ploy, my mother’s wise words and a search deep in my heart to figure it out. I’m stubborn, but not stupid. I realize now how much you mean to me. I can only hope I haven’t hurt you too badly. I can only hope you can forgive me.”

  Kane kissed her gently on the lips, her soft perfect mouth giving back warmth and tenderness. “I want you to come home. Come back to the Bar J. Be my wife. Have my children.”

  “You want children?” Molly asked, surprised.

  Kane had given her no reason to believe otherwise. He’d gone to great lengths not to create a child with her. But now, it’s what he wanted more than anything.

  “Yes, with you. I want us to fill the ranch with children. It kills me to think how happy this will make my grandfather after what he’s done, but I don’t care. All I know is that I don’t want to live at the Bar J without you.”

  Kane realized how much he loved this woman. And the thought of having Molly’s little red-haired children made him smile. If nothing else, a houseful of children would settle his renegade bride down. Maybe she wouldn’t get herself into too much trouble that way. Maybe she wouldn’t run off on a whim anymore. Kane, too, would know a world of peace.

  “When?” Molly asked, her voice squeaky soft. “When do you want children?”

  Kane’s lips turned upward, realizing he was finally able to put the past behind him, finally able to look forward to a future with Molly. “The sooner the better, Little Bird.”

  “Oh, Kane!” A sweet joyous expression stole over Molly’s face. She jumped into his arms with happy tears flowing. “I love you too, Kane Jackson. Are you sure you want children right away?”

  “Yes, I’m sure,” Kane answered, with no doubt in his mind.

  “That’s good, because you’re going to be a father next spring.”

  Stunned, Kane hadn’t thought it possible. He blinked, his mind working fast recalling the times he had not been overly careful with Molly. Back then, he had prayed that they would be spared the conception of a child, but now, well, he thanked God for the precious gift. He grinned, full out, leaving no room for doubt. “I am?”

  “Yes. Our baby will be born during the Moon When the Horses Get Fat.”

  Kane chuckled. Molly was a wonderful teacher, but apparently she’d learned something of the Cheyenne as well. Kane laid a hand on Molly’s stomach. “The horses won’t be the only ones getting fat.”

  Molly laughed, a cheerful sound that brought him great joy. “It’s a good thing I’m so happy now, or I’d make you pay dearly for that comment.”

  Kane kissed her again. “You’ll grow fat with our child, but I have no doubt you’ll be even more beautiful than you are right now.”

  Kane took her hand and squeezed gently. “I miss you, Molly. Will you move back to the Bar J?”

  Molly nodded, her green eyes bright with love. “Yes, the Bar J is my home. It’s where I’ll teach the children, both ours and the Cheyenne. It’s where I’ll keep Bennett in line and Charlie out of trouble.”

  “And what of me, your husband?”

  Molly grinned. “It’s where I’ll make baby after baby with you, Kane.”

  Kane stood and reached for Molly. But instead of allowing her to rise on her own, he lifted her up, kissing her gently and declaring his love for her once again. He carried her away from the church grounds.

  Molly didn’t protest. Instead she wrapped her arms around his neck, telling him with unspoken words she would go anywhere with him. “Where are we going?”

  Kane grinned. “You and I deserve a ‘real’ honeymoon, sweetheart. We’re taking a room at the hotel. We’ll have all the privacy we need to get reacquainted. I’m sending word to Bennett not to expect us home anytime soon.”

  “Oh, Kane, I missed you so,” Molly said on a deep sigh.

  Kane tightened his hold on his pregnant wife. “I have one last bargain for you, Little Bird.”

  “And what would that be?” Molly asked, her gaze holding his.

  “That we’ll never be apart again.”

  “Hmm, I think I like the sound of that.” Molly’s face lit with love and adoration.

  Kane couldn’t believe how lucky he was to be given this second chance in life. He loved Molly with his whole heart. He didn’t want to face another day without her.

  “Shall we shake on it?” Molly put out her hand.

  Kane took her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed the back of her hand then laced his fingers with hers. “I have a better way to seal our fate.”

  “And how is that, my love?”

  “Three days up in that hotel room might just settle the matter.”

  Molly snuggled closer into his arms. “Sounds like a bargain made in heaven.”

  Kane could only smile at his new, young wife. He would keep his promise to her. They would never part again.

  Once and for all, his renegade wife was coming home.

  ISBN: 978-1-4603-0937-7

  RENEGADE WIFE

  Copyright © 2006 by Charlene Swink

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

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