Give My Love to Rose

by Nicole Sturgill

  “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to eat a fresh baked turkey on Christmas,” Marston admitted as he breathed in the scent of jasmine on her hair.

  “And?” she urged.

  “And, I’m going to go hunt for one.”

  Rose ran her fingertips across the hard plane of his stomach, causing him to trembled shamelessly beneath her touch. “Are you going to take Langley?” she asked.

  Marston shook his head, grabbing her hand and pulling it to his mouth. “Not today. I want to test out that gun while I’m gone.”

  Marston dropped one last lingering kiss to her soft lips before rising and slipping into his clothes. Marston could feel her eyes on him as he buttoned his trousers. “You better stop looking at me like that, woman, or I won’t leave this room.”

  Rose smiled. “That would be fine with me.”

  Marston was chuckling as he finished pulling on his clothes and boots. He stooped low and kissed her tousled hair, taking a moment to simply admire her before standing straight one again. She was beautiful. Wild red curls, kiss reddened lips, cheeks lined from the pillows and eyes heavy with fatigue from their night of little sleep. His gaze dropped to her freckled shoulders and then lower to the sheet wrapped around her chest—a chest that was covered in scars as well.

  The scars there were different and Marston suspected someone had carved on her with a knife. He would be sure to find out who someday and return the favor.

  “You better go, Marston,” Rose warned. “Or I won’t let you leave the room,” her voice was full of promise.

  With a groan, Marston forced his boots to carry him to the door. “Get some more rest, love. I’ll be home in a few hours.”

  Quickly he left the room and closed the door on the very tempting picture she painted.

  ***

  Rose had been floating all morning. She hummed and twirled as she bustled about the kitchen cooking breakfast and readying bread dough for supper.

  Langley had been staring at her as if she’d lost her mind as he sat at the table eating his breakfast, but Rose simply couldn’t be her usual subdued self. She was the absolute happiest that she had ever been in her life. Marston was hers and she was his—and he loved her son as if he were his own. What more could a woman ask for?

  “Mama, you feeling okay?” Langley finally asked when Rose spun and placed the flour jar back in its place with a flourish.

  “Perfect Langley. I am absolutely perfect,” she replied with a smile.

  He tilted his head, shrugged and then smiled back at her before diving back into his oatmeal.

  A knock sounded at the door and Rose motioned for Langley to stay put when he made a move to rise. “I’ll get it. You finish your breakfast so you can see to your chores,” she urged.

  Wiping her hand on her apron, Rose made her way to the door. “Who is it?” she called.

  When no one answered, Rose frowned. Had they been hearing things? She glanced out the peephole but saw no one.

  “Mama, be careful,” Langley warned, getting to his feet.

  Rose nodded and lifted her rifle into her hands. It had probably simply been a critter of some kind knocking something over on the porch and there was probably nothing to worry about—but Rose would rather be safe than sorry.

  Rose opened the door slowly and clutched the rifle tighter when two men slipped from either side and came to stand in front of her. Rose nearly cursed when she realized who they were.

  “Hello ma’am,” Duke greeted. “I see that Marston isn’t here. Can we come in?”

  Rose raised the rifle. “Marston didn’t want you here,” she countered. “I’m sure he had a good reason.”

  Faster than Rose could react, Jeremiah reached out and snatched the rifle from her hands. “Don’t shoot us,” he pleaded with a grin and a wink. “You really should just let us in.”

  Rose was powerless to stop them when they shoved her back and stepped right inside. “That was simple enough, wasn’t it?” Duke asked with a smile. The sound of him locking the door echoed throughout the tiny cabin.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Marston was damn proud of himself as he rode toward home with a turkey tied to the saddle and bouncing against his leg. He had a soft, warm woman he was going home to, he had a boy he loved like a son, the revolver had worked perfectly and there’d be turkey for Christmas dinner. Life was damned good.

  Whistling a tune and feeling more lighthearted than he had ever felt before, Marston rode into the clearing and pulled Buck to an immediate halt. The whistle died on his lips. Dread lodged in his gut and rage burned in his blood.

  He would recognize Duke’s appaloosa gelding anywhere and he knew his brother’s black saddlebags when he saw them.

  Marston’s mind immediately went back to the tired blond and what the gang had done to her. He leaped from Buck and his long legs ate up the ground as he thundered onto the porch and tried the door.

  A roar flew from his lips when Marston realized it was locked. He took a step back and kicked the door with all his might, sending it flying open with a splintering of wood.

  Marston charged into the cabin with his gun drawn and instantly settled them on Jeremiah’s chest where the man sat at the kitchen table eating a steaming bowl of soup.

  Jeremiah didn’t falter as he stuck a spoonful in his mouth and smiled. “Good morning, little brother.”

  “How are you?” Duke’s voice called from the sofa.

  “What the hell are you doing here and where’s my woman and boy?” Marston snarled.

  “Marston?” Rose gasped as she came out of the bedroom with a dress draped over her arm and her sewing bag in her hand. “Marston, put that gun away! Did you break the door?”

  Marston was dumbfounded. His gun wavered a bit but didn’t leave Jeremiah’s chest. “Where’s Langley?” he asked.

  “I’m right here,” Langley replied, stepping out of his room with one of his many storybooks clutched in his hand.

  Relief washed over Marston. Rose and Langley were fine—but what were Duke and Jeremiah doing here? He glanced back at the broken door when cool air blew against the back of his neck and then turned his attention back to Jeremiah as he put his gun away.

  “What the devil are you two doing here?”

  Rose stepped forward and got to her toes while he stooped to allow her to press a tender kiss to his cheek. “They came to help,” she replied, smiling brightly. “Did you get a turkey?”

  Marston slipped his arm around Rose’s soft waist and pulled her against his hip. “Yes, I got a turkey. What are they here to help with?”

  Before Rose could answer a loud slurp came from the table and Jeremiah smacked the table top. “No damn wonder you wanted to settle down with this one! If I met a woman who could cook up soup like this, I might even let myself catch the crazy. We’ll have to come visit more often.”

  “You’re not supposed to visit at all,” Marston growled. “What part of that didn’t you understand?”

  “You oughta be damned thankful we stopped by,” Jeremiah grumbled. “We found your woman and boy all alone and so we let ourselves in and kept them safe until you got back.”

  Marston’s brow raised. “Safe from what? You had better hope neither of you did anything to them.”

  Rose let out an exasperated breath. “Oh for goodness sakes, Marston!” She swatted his chest. “They’ve been the nicest guests I could ask for. They heard in certain circles a few things about Winston Meade and knew he was heading this way with trouble on his mind.”

  “Little did we know the man had already shown up and been dealt with,” Jeremiah noted. “It’s good to know the Marston we know and love is still living beneath that new family man exterior.”

  Marston had to let this news digest a moment. He raised his hat an inch and scratched at his temple. He turned his attention to Duke. “You came to help me?” When Duke simply nodded, Marston shook his head. “What happened to not risking your hide for anyone else?”


  Duke snorted. “Our hide wasn’t in danger from some slick talking banker man,” he assured her Marston. “Your woman and boys were though and we didn’t want to see anything bad happen to them.”

  “Oh…” Marston rubbed at his jaw without knowing what to say. Duke and Jeremiah riding in on a rescue mission for a woman and child made no sense… it sure as hell was out of character for the men who claimed to care about no one.

  “You’ve been like kin to me for a while, Marston, and that makes that woman and boy kin as well. I ain’t never had real kin, but I’ve heard they look out for one another.”

  Marston glanced over at the table where Langley and Jeremiah were sitting. Langley had his nose buried in his book and Jeremiah was watching the interaction between Marston and Duke closely.

  “How long are you both staying?” Marston asked Duke.

  Before Duke could reply, Rose was speaking. “At least until after tomorrow. I invited them to stay for Christmas.”

  Marston was certain the damned woman had lost her mind. He gently took her arm and pulled her through the broken door and out onto the porch. “What’s the matter with you, woman? You do realize what kinds of men those are, don’t you?”

  Rose nodded as she plucked a dead leaf from his shirt and released it into the wind. “Yes. They’re the kinds of men who ride hard just to get here and protect your woman and boy. They care about you.”

  “No they don’t,” Marston snapped. Caring was weakness. Hell, Duke had helped harden that idea in his head!

  Rose rolled her eyes. “Honestly, what is it about men and sharing feelings? Those men care about you regardless of whatever has happened in the past. Maybe they’re changing just the same as you have.”

  “I doubt that,” Marston grumbled.

  “Well they do,” Rose’s jaw jutted out stubbornly as she stared hard up at him. “And they’re staying until after Christmas.”

  Marston was a smart enough man to know when to fold his cards. He heaved out a sigh and pulled her into his arms, rubbing his hands on her back to help her ward off the chill. “Fine, but they’re sleeping in the barn. Jeremiah snores louder than a steam engine and Duke talks in his sleep.”

  Rose laughed lightly against his chest. “Whatever you say.” She pulled away and stepped back into the cabin. “You men need to fix the door before it gets any colder,” stated. “And then you can fill up the wood boxes while I get that turkey plucked and ready for cooking tomorrow.”

  Jeremiah and Duke both jumped to their feet. “Yes’m,” they spoke in unison.

  Marston’s shoulder slumped as his jaw hit the floor. “Since when do you two follow orders?”

  Duke chuckled. “Well the way I got it figured is she’s your woman so if I piss her off, I’ve pissed you off and you are one big mean man that don’t want to have pissed off at me. Not only that, but she must be tougher than she looks if she strong-armed you into settling down.”

  “But I didn’t…. “ Rose began.

  Marston shook his head. “It’s good that you’ve got it figured right.” He felt Rose’s glare on him and his lips curved with a smile. “Most of it anyhow.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Morning dawned bright and cold with a heavy frost and a dusting of snow. Marston was exhausted. He hadn’t slept much that night—he’d been too busy listening for any sign that Duke and Jeremiah were up to no good. Rose kept telling him to simply have faith in them and the ability of people to change, but Marston was having a hard time embracing that way of thinking. Hell, he knew the kinds of things of things that Jeremiah and Duke were capable of because he was capable of many of the same things.

  He had heard them ride off in the middle of the night and had wondered just how disappointed Langley and Rose would be that their Christmas guests had run away. He’d convinced himself that it was probably for the best and then they’d come riding back in after several hours away. Marston had no idea where they’d gone, but he planned on finding out.

  “Merry Christmas,” Rose’s sleepy voice greeted, her warm breath teasing his chest.

  Marston breathed in her scent. “Merry Christmas.”

  She groaned as she pulled away. “I need to get up. I have to get that turkey baking. I made fresh sweet bread and apple pies yesterday as well as some sugar cookies and I’ve had beans cooking over the fire all night.”

  Marston breathed deep and his mouth watered. “I know. I can smell them.” He kissed her tenderly. “You’re planning a meal fit for a king, aren’t ya?”

  “Sure am,” she winked.

  Marston chuckled as he sat up and tossed his legs over the edge of the bed. “The only thing I’m king of, is king of the demons.”

  Rose’s eyes went skyward. “I’m fairly certain that’s Satan.”

  Marston grinned as he scooped his pants up off the floor. “Exactly.”

  He heard Rose take a deep breath, no doubt preparing to scold him, when he was saved by Langley’s voice ringing out through the cabin. “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

  Marston was impressed by the volume the kid could achieve. The cabin door opened. “MERRY CHRISTMAS DUKE AND JEREMIAH!”

  Marston shook his head. Duke and Jeremiah never had been known to be early risers and he could already see their annoyed faces in his mind at being awoken so close to dawn. Knowing they’d be irritated made Marston smile on the inside.

  Marston helped Rose dress quickly and the two of them stepped out into the kitchen just as Duke and Jeremiah stumbled into the cabin looking more dead than alive.

  “Merry Christmas!” Marston greeted brightly, earning him a wince and a glare. “Santa’s little helpers look tired this morning. Did they have too much fun last night?”

  Jeremiah’s elbow landed in Marston’s gut. “Not all of us live like old married men,” Jeremiah grumbled.

  Marston rubbed at sore middle and killed his brother three times in his head. “You’re a pain in the ass.”

  Langley broke between the adults. “Can we open presents now?” he asked, bouncing up and down with excitement.

  Rose shook her head. “Chores first.”

  “Mama….” Langley began with a whine.

  Marston cut him off. “Don’t you argue with your mama, boy. Those critters out there don’t know that it’s Christmas. All they know is their stomachs are growling and you ain’t feeding ‘em. I’ll take care of the horses and chickens. You get dressed and tend to the pigs and cow.”

  Langley’s shoulders slumped with defeat, he muttered a pitiful ‘yessir’ and shuffled back to his room.

  Duke chuckled. “You all run a tight ship around here.”

  Marston looked at the older man and he saw the way he was staring at Rose in her white blouse and black skirt. Her hair was still loose and wild curls danced around her face. Marston felt a jolt of something unfamiliar that made his stomach roll and his fists clench. He realized with annoyance that it was jealousy.

  Shouldering his way past Duke, Marston headed for the door. “Let’s go,” he ordered, motioning for Duke and Jeremiah to follow.

  “Go where?” Jeremiah asked with a frown, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

  “Out to work.”

  Jeremiah scoffed. “We’re your guests. You’d make us work?”

  Marston glared at Duke who had yet to take his eyes off Rose as she donned her apron and began gathering up supplies for the meal she had planned.

  Marston grabbed the man by the back of the shirt and tugged. Hard. “Outside, now,” he snarled.

  “What the hell is your problem?!” Duke bellowed as Marston tossed him off the porch and the man had to grab hold of the banister to keep from hitting the dirt.

  The commotion had Rose throwing open the kitchen shutters and sticking her head out just in time to see Marston’s fist connect with Duke’s jaw.

  “Stop it!” Rose exclaimed. “Dear Lord, do you men hit each other every time you’re together? It’s Christmas!”

  Marston simply stood over Duke who was
flat on his back in the dirt. Jeremiah was laughing as Marston grabbed the collar of Duke’s shirt and lifted him several inches from the ground. “You ever look at my woman that way again, I’ll break your damn jaw. If you even think about laying hands on her, I’ll kill you. Do you understand?”

  “Damnation, Marston,” Duke grumbled. “I was just looking is all. She’s a pretty woman.”

  “I know who you are and what you do,” Marston growled. “I need to make sure you know right now that Rose is off limits.”

  “You got a lot of nerve talking to me that way,” Duke warned, his hand inching toward his gun. Then he sighed and dropped his hand to the ground. “But okay.”

  “It was nothing personal, Duke,” Marston assured the older man as he helped him to his feet. “I suppose I’m a bit overprotective.”

  Jeremiah continued to laugh as Duke swatted dirt from his pants. Rose called Marston to the window. He went to her and folded his arms on the window sill. “What is it?” he asked.

  “You do realize that you’re fighting with people on Christmas, don’t you?”

  Marston grinned and kissed her nose. “We weren’t fighting.”

  Rose’s eyes widened and she pointed at Duke who was wiping blood from his lip. “Then what would you call what just happened?” she demanded.

  Marston simply shrugged. “I was proving a point.”

  “No, it was called marking his territory,” Jeremiah cut in. “Don’t let him fool you, Rose. The man might as well have gone and peed on your leg.”

  Marston glared at his brother as Langley stepped out onto the porch. “Who peed on mama?”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Okay, now can we open presents?” Langley exclaimed as he flopped himself onto the sofa after completing his chores.

  Rose couldn’t help but notice that Duke sat at the far end of the living room, as far from Rose’s seat at the kitchen table as he could get. She had to wonder if his distance was because of the confrontation between himself and Marston—she rolled her eyes as she slid her knife through the skin of the potato she was peeling.