Claiming the Texan's Heart

by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  Adelaide really wished that weren’t true. Deep down, she worried it might be. Because she always had eventually let down Wyatt in the past. To the point that if, it weren’t for the twins, they wouldn’t be together now.

  “And when that happens, honey, he’ll walk away. But this time he won’t just break your heart, he and his family will take your kids, Adelaide. Just the way they took the money I should have had all along from me!”

  Adelaide had always known her father could hold a grudge. She had just never imagined he would take one this far. “So the embezzlement was some sort of payback,” she theorized quietly.

  Just as she’d feared.

  “Frank Lockhart and I built that hedge fund together. I was on board from the very first, but he’s the one who walked away with five hundred million dollars in the end, while I cashed out with less than twenty-five million.”

  Adelaide was familiar enough with the company’s books to understand why that had been the case. “Frank and Lucille took really big risks with their money. They gambled big and won big. You were a lot more fiscally conservative. And I get that. In your place, with a wife and child to be responsible for, no other land or money to fall back on, I would have been really cautious, too.”

  Her dad scowled. “Not in the end, I wasn’t. I bet it all and walked away with half their remaining assets.”

  It hadn’t been just the late Frank Lockhart and his wife, Lucille, who Paul had stolen from. “You bankrupted their charitable foundation.”

  Paul’s jaw set. “I took what was mine. Now you need to do the same, Adelaide.”

  “I can’t.”

  Paul hardened his stance. “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

  What she was regretting was this conversation.

  “Because sooner or later—probably sooner—you and Wyatt are going to have problems,” her dad said knowingly. “And when that happens, you’ll find yourself on the losing end of one heck of a custody fight.”

  “Wyatt would never try to take the kids from me.”

  Paul snorted. “If you think he’ll let you have the kids, even half-time, you’re fooling yourself. Wyatt is an all-or-nothing kind of guy who, like the rest of the Lockharts, will stop at nothing to get what he wants.”

  He paused to let his words sink in. “They’re used to having it all. They won’t rest until they have your kids, too.”

  Much as Adelaide wanted to discount everything her father said, the insecure part of her could not do that. Because he was right. Garrett had wanted Hope—against all odds, he’d made her his wife and adopted her son. Chance had enjoyed similar success with Molly and her son, Braden. Lucille wanted she and Wyatt to make theirs a real marriage, instead of a pathway to an amicable divorce, and was pulling out all the stops to facilitate that, too. And though the Wyatt she loved now would never try to deprive her of their twins, even if the two of them couldn’t get along long-term, the Wyatt who had refused to forgive her before might...

  “This is our second chance, Adelaide,” her dad cajoled softly. “The only chance I’ll have to get to know my grandkids.”

  She knew that, too. And as much as she wanted to reconcile with her father, to be able to forgive him so she wouldn’t have to spend the rest of her life hurt and angry, it wasn’t that simple. “I can’t go on the run, Dad. I can’t have the twins constantly needing to change their identity, the way you have, just to avoid detection.”

  “You won’t have to. I’ve got it all worked out. New identities for all of you, with accompanying ID and fake passports. Transportation into Canada, and from there to a beautiful chalet in Switzerland. All you have to do,” he coaxed, “is meet me at four o’clock tomorrow morning, and you and the twins will spend the rest of your lives in unbelievable luxury, same as me.”

  * * *

  “That was some festival,” Wyatt said hours later as he and Adelaide carried the sleeping twins into Wind River and up the stairs to the nursery. They’d stayed at the festival long enough to enjoy some of the prize-winning chili, and enjoy a little dancing, before heading back to the ranch.

  She met his gaze, overwhelming emotion and something akin to gratitude glittering in her dark brown eyes. “Really wonderful,” she whispered back.

  Carefully, they placed Jake and Jenny into their cribs and eased off their winter caps and fleece outerwear.

  Wyatt paused to admire their beautiful children, then took Adelaide’s hand and led her back down the stairs. She seemed curiously overwrought and on edge. “Want a glass of wine?”

  She shook her head. “It would make me too sleepy. The twins will be awake again for feeding at 2:00 a.m.”

  Aware it was a little chilly in the house, he cranked up the heat. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

  She stared at him with an expression of calm indifference. “What do you mean?”

  He watched her narrow her eyes. “You’ve been in a weird mood all day.”

  She paused, as if searching for a way to explain. “It was just a really long day.”

  Wyatt knew that.

  “With a lot of confusion.”

  He knelt to light a fire, then stood and faced her. “You’re kind of used to both, now that we have twins,” he teased gently, sauntering closer. “Aren’t you?”

  She ran her hands through her hair, lifting the wavy mass away from her scalp. “Today was a whole other kind of stress.”

  “Is that why you slipped away a couple of times?”

  Her hands stilled. “What are you talking about?”

  “Sage said it took you forever to come back with the prizes for the go-fishing games. They were about to send out a search party for you.”

  She dropped her arms to her sides. “I got waylaid in the parking lot. Talking.”

  “And then this afternoon.” Taking her by the hand, he reeled her into his side. “You were almost late for the cutting-horse demonstration. And no one could find you.”

  She turned bright pink and pulled away. Walking into the kitchen, she got herself a glass of water. “The lines were so long for the ladies’ rooms, I thought it would be faster to use the gas station half a mile down the road from the fairgrounds.”

  He watched her make up a few more bottles of formula for the twins. “You drove there?”

  She flushed all the more, shrugged. “Sometimes you just got to do what you have to do.” She gave him a terse look that warned him not to pursue it.

  He got the hint. Moved on, waiting until she had finished, then gently gathered her in his arms. “We still have time for my Valentine’s Day anniversary gift to you.”

  She stiffened and pulled away. Switching off the lights in the kitchen, she returned to the hearth. “I’d rather not do that tonight.”

  She had to be kidding, right? He drew her into his arms once again. This time she did not pull away. “How come?”

  Sighing, she said, “I think we’ll both enjoy it more tomorrow evening. When we’re not so tired.”

  She had a point. Now that he looked closely, he could see she seemed completely exhausted, emotionally and otherwise. Yet curiously wired, too. “You want to go to bed now?”

  Maybe a little lovemaking and a night of snuggling was just what they needed. He kissed her neck, the sensitive spot just behind her ear. “I think I could handle that.”

  She splayed her hands across his chest. Clearly as averse to the idea as he was for it. “I meant separately.” The walls were right back up again. “You in your bed, me in mine.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her. Now she was really freaking him out. “You haven’t done that since you got here.”

  She nodded, determination radiated in her gaze. “I feel like I’m going to be restless, and I’d rather not have to worry about keeping you awake.” Her voice dropped an urgent notch. “Please tell me you’re okay with that.”

 
Was this some sort of test? he wondered, bewildered. It seemed to be. If she wanted proof of the depth of his feelings, he would give it to her. “Okay,” he conceded softly. “But first I want a good-night kiss.” His lips claimed hers, drinking in the sweet essence of her mouth. He expected her to melt against him, really get into it, the way she always did. Instead, she kissed him back with uncommon reserve, her body drawn as tight as a guitar string.

  Surprised, he ran a hand down her spine. “You really are tense, Adelaide.”

  “I know.” She dropped her head and let it rest against his chest. “I’m sorry.” She released a shaky breath, even as her fingers gripped the fabric of his shirt before flattening and smoothing outward across his pecs. Sorrow and regret were reflected in her eyes. “Forgive me?”

  What could he say? She had asked for so little. Given so much. “Of course.”

  Her slender body relaxing with relief, she headed up the stairs.

  * * *

  Twenty minutes later, they were both in their beds, on opposite sides of the loft-like second floor of the converted barn, the twins sleeping soundly in their cribs.

  As Adelaide had predicted, she was restless. Tossing and turning every few minutes in the moonlit darkness.

  Frustration roiled through him. He wanted to go to her, convince her to come to bed with him, work his magic on her to alleviate her stress. However, she had asked for her space, and he was honor-bound to give it to her.

  But still it took everything he had not to demand answers. Mostly because he knew something was bothering her, and had been for days now. What exactly, he didn’t know.

  In the past he would have immediately assumed it was because he was failing to meet her expectations on some level and let her withdraw without ever telling him why.

  Now he wanted to know so he could fix it.

  Because only then would he be able to make his move and suggest they reevaluate their initial plan to consciously uncouple.

  Meantime, he needed to get some sleep, too. So that tomorrow, when Adelaide wasn’t exhausted from the long day at the Chili Festival and caring for the twins, they’d be able to enjoy the romantic late evening he had planned. And celebrate a belated Valentine’s Day and tenth anniversary.

  At 2:00 a.m. the twins woke. Wyatt got up to help Adelaide change and feed them before putting their exhausted little ones back to bed.

  This time she did climb into bed and wrap her arms around him. He fell asleep, with her snuggled up against his chest. Only to wake two hours later to an empty bed beside him and the sound of a door downstairs softly closing.

  He sat bolt upright. “Adelaide?” he called out softly.

  No response.

  Wary of waking the twins, he threw back the covers and padded barefoot across the top floor. His wife was nowhere in sight.

  He went downstairs.

  It was dark there, too.

  Adelaide’s coat, bag and keys were gone.

  He moved to the front window. Saw her moving stealthily in the moonlight, the kangaroo-style twin baby carrier looped over her shoulders.

  Swearing, he dashed back up the stairs to the cribs.

  The twins were there, still sleeping soundly, their little chests rising and falling with every gentle breath they took.

  So what was in the twin baby carrier?

  Why was Adelaide wearing it?

  And why, he wondered, as he moved to the window and saw her walking deliberately down the lane that led to the highway, a flashlight shining the way in front of her, was she going off in the middle of the night alone? Could she be sleepwalking? Attempting to meet someone? Maybe someone who was blackmailing her with other photos that could further embarrass his family?

  All Wyatt knew for certain was that every instinct he had told him Adelaide was in danger.

  Much as he wanted to run off after her, he couldn’t leave their children behind unattended. Nor could he take them with him, without possibly putting them in jeopardy. So he did the only thing he knew to do. Called for reinforcements.

  The Laramie County Sheriff’s Department emergency operator patched him right through.

  To Kyle McCabe.

  “Stay where you are.” The deputy detective ordered gruffly. “Don’t turn on any lights. Inside or out. And don’t call anyone else.”

  Wyatt was transferred back to the emergency operator. “What the hell’s going on?”

  No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a car drove along the highway to the entrance of the ranch. Stopped. The door opened, the interior lights of the car illuminating a figure getting out. And then all hell broke loose.

  * * *

  Half a dozen patrol cars and what looked like an arrest later, Adelaide was escorted safely back to the house by another officer. Rio Vasquez walked a pale, shaken Adelaide inside. “She’s going to need to come down to the station later to make a statement, but right now, she should just stay put. Get some rest.”

  Rio thanked her again for all her help, then exited.

  Trembling, Adelaide slipped off the baby carrier and sat on the sofa. Her coat still on, she removed the stuffed animals from the twin pouches, set them aside with a sigh.

  He waited.

  She said nothing.

  Now that the danger was over, his temper rose. “I’m pretty sure I’m due some sort of explanation.”

  Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “My father just got arrested.” The rest of the story came tumbling out.

  He listened in disbelief. “So all this time, since the twins were born, you knew this could happen. Paul could show up!”

  She looked at him, her gaze wary. “I knew it was possible, but I didn’t think my dad would be that foolish. He’s never been imprudent. Well, until he stole the money from the foundation. That was pretty crazy.”

  “Not to mention criminal.”

  A tense silence fell.

  Once again, she appeared to bear the weight of what her father had done.

  Guilt and compassion tempered his mood. Working to control his anger, he sat down beside her and took her hands in his. “Okay. I get why you helped law enforcement. I’m glad you did.” He paused to control his mounting emotions. “I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell me! Let me know that you and our kids could be in danger! Especially after our agreement not to lie to each other or keep things from each other from here on out. So we wouldn’t end up in situations like this!”

  Adelaide pulled free, stood and walked away. She glared at him with weary resentment. “I was instructed not to inform you.” Belatedly, she shrugged out of her coat.

  So what? “I’m your husband,” he reminded her angrily. “Or doesn’t that count for anything?”

  “Of course it counts, Wyatt!” Her motions stiff and mechanical, she walked over to hang it up. “But law enforcement didn’t want you involved.”

  She, either, apparently.

  He strode closer. “Why in blazes not, since this is my family we’re talking about!”

  He met her gaze, surprised to find her eyes shiny with tears and regret.

  “Because they know how reckless you can be. They didn’t want you going off half-cocked, looking for my dad and trying to bring him in by yourself! Or doing anything else that would screw up their investigation and arrest.”

  He forced himself to calm down. “Okay. That explains them. It doesn’t explain you.” He corralled his hurt. “Why you didn’t tell me in confidence?”

  “I already told you!” She threw up her hands in exasperation. “I was following the orders I was given.”

  Grimly, he shook his head. “It’s more than that and we both know it.”

  She clamped her arms beneath her breasts. “Like what?”

  Disappointment churned in his gut. “You haven’t trusted me in the past. You clearly don’t trust me n
ow,” he accused bitterly.

  She took a step back. Her eyes glittered moistly. “You’re wrong, Wyatt,” she said in a low, choked voice. “I do trust you.”

  “So why didn’t you think I had a right to know?” he demanded furiously, refusing to let her run away. “Why didn’t you insist the sheriff’s department fill me in, too?”

  She threw up her hands in frustration. “Because I didn’t want to argue with them about the proper way to proceed.”

  That he could buy. Jaw set, he looked her in the eye, and demanded, “Then why didn’t you tell me privately? We’re not just legally married, Addie, we’re in a committed relationship.” Or at least he’d thought they were! “You could have claimed spousal privilege. Trusted me to keep quiet and cooperate behind the scenes.”

  For a second, he didn’t think she was going to answer him. Then she squared her shoulders, and locked gazes with him. Suddenly frustrated and angry now, too. “You really want to know?” she bit out eventually.

  He slammed his hands on his waist. “Hell, yes, I want to know!”

  “I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t sure you would believe me when I said I had nothing to do with my dad coming here, or contacting me.”

  He slowly looked her up and down. “So you lied to me, and kept things from me that I needed to know, again!”

  She sent him a withering glare. “Can you blame me?”

  Yes, as a matter of fact, he could.

  She lifted her chin indignantly. Moved close enough to go toe to toe with hin. “You still haven’t forgiven me for changing my mind about eloping. Or not telling you of my plans to have a baby on my own before we made love.” Her voice took on a low, accusing timbre. “So of course I didn’t want to tell you any of this! I worried that the mere possibility of my dad reappearing in my life would just be one more thing you’d never be able to forgive me for.”

  So she hadn’t even given him a chance?

  She’d just assumed the worst about him and left it that?