After Faith had saddled the horses, the three of them had ridden to the house so her mother could watch Callie. Then Faith took Rawley into town to see the doctor, while her father returned to the cabin with some ranch hands, got Cole into a wagon, and brought him to the sheriff. Once Rawley’s shoulder was treated—the bullet had gone through, nothing vital had been hit—they’d both gone to the sheriff to explain what had happened, how she’d been forced to shoot Cole in self-defense.
Then they’d returned to the house, where her mother had convinced her they needed to stay the night. Her parents were keeping Callie occupied while Faith had it out with Rawley. She couldn’t seem to stop shaking.
“I knew you had your gun,” he told her now, “but you couldn’t take advantage of that as long as he was using Callie for cover. I was hoping there was a spark of decency in him that would allow me to trade places with her. I knew you’d shoot him if he went for me, that you’d kill him and that you and Callie would be safe.”
“But you didn’t know if my bullet would stop him from killing you.”
“Because I wasn’t what mattered. When you told him that he was Callie’s father, it hit me.”
She came to an abrupt halt and stared at him. “What hit you?”
“That I loved her more than he ever could. It didn’t matter that he’d planted the seed. Here”—he punched two fingers to the center of his chest—“in my heart, she’s mine. If I had to, I’d lay down my life for her without hesitation or regret.”
He stood, walked over to her, and wrapped his good arm around her, bringing her flush against him. “And I’d do the same for you. Nothing in this world is more important to me than you and your little girl. I’d like to make an honest woman out of you.”
She gave him an impish grin. “Was that your idea of a proposal, Rawley Cooper?”
With a roll of his eyes, he started to lower himself to the ground. She stopped him. “Going to your knees once today was enough.” She wound her arms around his neck. “I love you with everything I am. When I thought you were dead, the light in my world dimmed. I’ll marry you on the condition you never put yourself in front of a gun again.”
“From here on out, darling, we’ll just lead a boring life.”
“I beat Grampa at checkers!” Callie yelled as she skipped out of the house. “Again!”
“He’s just not as good as you are, is he?” Faith asked.
“Uh-uh.” She grabbed the beam and swayed back and forth. “Mama, you told that man he was my father.”
With a deep breath, she released her hold on Rawley. She’d planned to have this discussion years from now. “I know. You see, Callie—”
“But he’s not,” she said in a tone that indicated there was no point in arguing the matter. “Uncle Rawley is.”
“Why would you say that?”
“’Cuz I love him so much.”
Rawley sat on the step. “I’d like to be your papa. Would it be okay if I married your mama? Then we could all live together.”
Callie nodded. “Rufus, too?”
Rawley grinned. “Rufus, too.”
Faith joined him on the step. Careful of his wound, she circled her arms around him. “Do you think we might give Ma and Pa a few more grandchildren?”
“I’m certainly willing to give it my best.”
Placing her hands behind his head, she brought him down for a kiss. She loved this man so much. She’d lost him once, didn’t intend to ever lose him again.
Chapter Sixteen
One month later
“Maggie, how did you know Rawley loved me?” Faith asked her maid of honor as they stood in the large parlor drinking champagne, waiting as Uncle Austin and the fiddle players tuned their instruments. “Did he confide you in?”
“Hell no, he didn’t tell me. I’m observant, figured it out on my own. The way he’d look at you—if a man gazed at me with such adoration, I’d marry him in a heartbeat.” She shook her head, smiled wistfully. “But my God, Faith, when you walked into the room earlier, the way he’d looked at you in the past paled in comparison to what I saw in his eyes today . . . he was holding nothing back. Everyone could see how much he loves you. I wasn’t the only one using a handkerchief to dab away tears.”
Faith was wearing the same white gown her mother had worn on the day she married. Faith and Rawley had exchanged their vows in the same room where her parents had promised to have and to hold until death parted them, with the same preacher who had married them officiating. So many of the ranch hands and townsfolk came to witness the ceremony that chairs had been provided to only the family members so enough space remained to accommodate everyone else.
“He does have a way of looking at me that speaks volumes.”
“About time you noticed,” Maggie teased.
It was difficult not to when she could feel his heated glance across the room, when it conveyed everything he was feeling, promised a lifetime of happiness. He was standing between her aunts, occasionally nodding, but then his gaze would land on her and she’d feel the warmth of it as though he was nestled up against her. “I wonder what they’re telling him.”
Maggie looked over her shoulder, smiled. “Knowing my mother, they’re probably dispensing words of wisdom regarding the little things he can do to let you know he appreciates you.”
“He doesn’t need any advice in that area.”
The orchestra began playing “My Loree,” a tune Uncle Austin had composed for his wife that reflected so many emotions, so much love that Faith teared up whenever she heard it. Catching her attention, Rawley tipped his head to the side.
Faith handed her champagne flute to her cousin. “Thanks, Maggie, thanks for being his friend and mine.”
Then she strolled to the center of the dance floor where her husband waited. As soon as she reached him, with a warm smile and a flourish, he swept her over the polished wood in a waltz. People clapped, a couple of men whistled, but the man who had never wanted to be in the center of things didn’t seem to mind that he had everyone’s attention.
“If I’d known all I had to do was marry you to get you to willingly dance with me, I’d have done it long ago,” she teased.
His laughter rang out deep and true. “You’re going to be an easy wife to please.”
“Were you dreading this moment?” she asked, because they’d known they’d start the first dance alone.
“How could I when it meant I’d finally have you back in my arms?”
Dear God, but she loved him.
People began wandering onto the dance floor. It was impossible to resist the lure of Uncle Austin’s violin.
“What did the aunts tell you?” she asked.
“They thought I should take you to the Grand Hotel, so the night will be special.”
“The night will be special because I’ll be with you. Did you explain that we wanted to spend our wedding night in the cabin where we both became free?”
“I didn’t think it was any of their business. I politely nodded and told them they were probably right.”
She laughed lightly. “I doubt they were surprised by your brief answer. You have a reputation for not talking much, Rawley Cooper. Although they might be surprised by how much you talk to me.”
“That’s because you’re my heart, Faith Cooper. And my soul. When we get to that cabin, I’m going to give you my body, too.”
Based on the heat warming her cheeks, she was fairly certain she was blushing. They hadn’t been intimate since their encounter with Cole because they’d been staying with her parents. She’d needed some time to let the memories of what had transpired within the shadows of the cabin to fade. But it was where she wanted them to begin their life together tonight.
When the music drifted into silence, they separated but waited for her parents to join them. Then she waltzed with her father while Rawley circled the area with her mother.
“You look happy,” her father said.
“I am. So happy.”
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“He’s a good man.”
“I think he had a good example.”
He shook his head. “I’m a harder man than he is. War did that do me. Rawley had a harsh start in life but managed to hold on to his decency. With him looking out for you, I’ll never have to worry about you or Callie. Or your mother. He’ll take care of her, too.”
Tears stung her eyes. “I love you, Pa. Please don’t go any time soon.”
“I’m not planning on it, sweetheart.”
“Good. Because we intend to send a few more grandchildren your way.”
His boisterous laughter filled the room. “I’m looking forward to that.”
She had a need to catch sight of her husband, and when she did, her heart melted. He was no longer dancing with her mother, but with her daughter. Callie was standing on his polished boots, looking up at him, giggling as he glided her around the room. Faith sighed. “I love him so much, Pa.”
“I doubt he could want for anything more, Faith.”
But she intended to give him more, intended to give him everything she was.
The celebrating would continue for a few more hours yet, but Rawley was anxious to be alone with Faith—and everyone was graciously accepting of that fact. She was changing into something more suitable for traveling, even though they were only going to the cabin.
“We spend half our life waiting on women,” Austin said.
“But the waiting is always worth it,” Houston assured him.
“It sure didn’t feel that way when I was waiting on you to bring Amelia from the train station in Fort Worth,” Dallas grumbled.
“But it worked out for the best,” Houston stated firmly.
“It did that,” Dallas said.
It did indeed, Rawley thought. If not for the delay in Amelia’s arrival, he might not now be watching the most beautiful woman he knew stroll into the room wearing that damn red gown that he couldn’t wait to take off her.
“I’ll see you around,” he said distractedly to the three men who had first given him hope there was goodness in the world. As he headed toward Faith, he was vaguely aware of them chuckling behind him.
When he reached her, he didn’t care that a horde of people remained in the room. He snaked his arm around her, brought her in close, and kissed her. “Ready, Mrs. Cooper?”
Her smile was bright enough to guide a cattle drive on a stormy night. “I am, Mr. Cooper.”
He crouched down so he was eye-level with the little girl holding Faith’s hand. “You remember the plans?”
Callie nodded with enthusiasm. “I’m gonna spend the night with Gramma and Grampa. Tomorrow we’re gonna head to the Grand Canyon!”
He tweaked her nose. He and Faith had decided they were all deserving of a little trip together. “That’s right. So you be a good girl, and we’ll be over to get you bright and early in the morning.”
Releasing her hold on her mother, she slung her arms around his neck. “I love you, Papa.”
She’d taken to calling him that as the wedding neared, and it never failed to squeeze his heart. He enfolded her in his arms. “I love you, too, Little Bit.”
He handed her off to her grandfather, who had followed him over, hugged his mother. Then he slipped his arm around Faith’s waist and led her outside, the guests traipsing along behind them, calling out their good wishes.
After he hoisted Faith into the waiting buggy, she tossed her bouquet of wildflowers toward the crowd, laughing when Maggie caught it. He chuckled at the brat’s shocked expression and couldn’t help but hope someday soon she’d find a man worthy of her.
As Faith settled in beside him, he slapped the reins. “Giddyap.”
The horses bolted forward.
Faith wound her arms around one of his and snuggled against him. Twilight was settling in.
“That dress drives me crazy,” he muttered good-naturedly.
“It took me a while to figure that out. The first time I wore it you looked mad enough to spit nails.” She pressed closer against him, gave his earlobe a little nip between her teeth. “Now I know it was because it made you want me so badly. I expect I’ll wear it often in the future.”
He chuckled low. “Fair warning. Whenever you do, it’s not going to stay on you for very long.”
They settled into silence, just letting the coming darkness wash over them. When they neared the cabin, she dug her fingers into his arm. She hadn’t been back to the cabin since that fateful morning. He’d brought her and Callie’s clothes to the house. He’d been the one to tidy up.
“It’s not too late to go into town and get a room at the hotel,” he said quietly.
Loosening her hold, she shook her head. “What I did is never going to leave me, Rawley. I don’t feel victorious about it. But he didn’t give me a choice. I believe that with all my heart.”
“Because it’s the truth.”
She looked over at him. “We protect what’s ours.”
“With everything in us.”
She nestled her head against his shoulder. “I have enough good memories of that cabin to chase away the bad.”
He intended to give her more.
When they reached the cabin, he saw Pete sitting on the steps. With a wide grin splitting his face, the elderly cowboy came to his feet and approached as Rawley brought the buggy to a halt. “I didn’t figure a newly married man would want to take time to see to his horses.”
Rawley leaped from the buggy and shook the man’s hand. “Thanks, Pete.” Then he reached up, placed his hands on either side of Faith’s waist, and brought her to the ground.
Leaning toward Pete, she brushed a quick kiss over his cheek, his face turning red enough to obliterate most of his fading freckles. “We appreciate it, Pete.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
Slipping his arm around her waist, Rawley led her to the cabin.
“That was sweet of him,” she said.
“It was indeed.”
As they neared the steps, he swept her into his arms, taking pleasure from the echo of her laughter.
When they reached the door, she shoved it open, and he carried her over the threshold, kicking the door closed behind them. He headed for the bedroom and didn’t stop until they reached the bed, where he slowly lowered her feet to the floor and cupped her face between his hands. “I’m not a man of fancy words. I don’t know how to tell you how much it means to me that you’re my wife. All I can do is spend the rest of my life trying to show you—starting tonight.”
With a smile that warmed her eyes, she brushed her fingers up into his hair. “I love you, Rawley, with everything that’s in me.”
His low growl reverberated around them just before he claimed her mouth, pouring all that he was into the kiss. With her he felt reborn, rising unscathed from the ashes of a dark past that no longer mattered. As she divested him of his jacket, vest, tie, and shirt, as each layer fell away, he felt the glory of her love washing over him. He was worthy of her caressing his skin. He was worthy of her.
“I love you.” His declaration was ragged and raw as he leaned back and held her gaze. Her love humbled him, would have brought him to his knees if he didn’t need to remain standing in order to remove the damn red gown that was keeping so much of her hidden from him.
He took care not to rip or tear it, yet still his hands worked swiftly until she was revealed in all her splendor. He tumbled them onto the bed.
“Your pants,” she ordered.
One of the reasons he loved her was because she knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to ask for it. He tugged off his boots, shucked off his pants, and stretched out beside her, his leg nestled between both of hers, his thigh pressed up against the heavenly spot that had been denied him for a month.
Lowering his head to the curve of her neck, he nibbled the soft skin, taking joy in her sigh, in her fingers digging into his back. Leaving a trail of kisses in his wake, he journeyed down to her breast, taking the nipple in his mouth, stroking hi
s tongue over the little bud that came to attention for him.
She released a tiny mewl, lifting her hips and pressing her intimate core against his thigh. “I want you,” she sighed. “I want you now.”
“When I’m done worshipping you.”
She didn’t need to be worshipped, didn’t need to feel like a goddess—she wanted only to feel like a woman, a woman desired, a woman loved.
No, she thought. She wanted to be a woman who desired, a woman who loved. And she did love and desire this man.
He wedged himself between her thighs, then scooted down and circled his tongue around her navel. Bending her legs, she pressed her soles to the backs of his firm thighs.
He pushed himself lower.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
Lifting his gaze, he fairly scalded her with the smoldering heat in his eyes. “Tonight I’m going to taste all of you.”
Lower he went, spreading her legs, spreading her folds. When he lowered his mouth to the sensitive bud, she nearly came off the bed. Partly sitting, with her back curled, she rested back on her elbows and watched as he feasted.
“Oh, God,” she moaned on a rush of breath as her entire body strained to be closer to him.
Acute sensations, forceful in their intensity, spiraled through her. With a groan, she dropped back on the bed and let them take over, as he worked the heart of her core over as though he intended to tame it. But he wasn’t seeking to corral. He was seeking to free—
She screamed his name as her body spasmed, her back arched, and wave after wave of pleasure rolled through her.
Then he was there, buried deeply inside her, his mouth blanketing hers, as he pumped into her, hard and fast, until they were both crying out as ecstasy engulfed them.
When he went to roll off her, she held him close. “Not yet.”
He sank down on her, levering himself on his arms to keep most of his weight off her, yet still she absorbed his warmth, his tremors. She welcomed the press of his lips against the curve of her shoulder.
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