He jumped up onto his side and they started to drive off. “I’m happy you’ll be home.”
“Your home, Teagan, not mine. Though I’m not sure if I should lay claim to my ranch. It should probably go to my brother. I keep thinking and thinking, and I believe he knows already. Some things would make more sense if he did know.”
“How’d you find out which brother it is?”
“Your family Bible. There is a line pasted over and his name was put there.”
“It’s Brogan, isn’t it?”
Her mouth opened. “How?”
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. We were young and when I heard the yelling. I got all the boys out of the house except for Brogan. He hid. My parents yelling wasn’t anything new, but this seemed more heated than ever before. They barely tolerated each other after that. I heard the words ‘I don’t want him here.’” He shook his head slowly, sorrow for the boy who had been caught up in the unfaithfulness of his parents.
“My mother could be loving,” he went on. “But looking back, she wasn’t very loving to Brogan. It’s a shame that children suffer like that. I didn’t notice, I was busy learning how to run the ranch from as young as I can remember.”
“I don’t know what to do, what we should do. Why hasn’t he said anything do you suppose?” she asked.
“I guess we keep our mouths shut. He’ll say something when he’s ready.”
She nodded. “When I move back onto my ranch how will he feel?”
“You’re going soon?”
“Yes. You have a ranch to run and so do I.” She shot him a smile. “Thanks to you.”
“About that. The only gold stolen that I could find out about was some Confederate gold. It was supposedly stolen in Georgia. The only way it could be on your property is if your father came back and buried it.”
“He’s dead.”
“I’m waiting on a telegram confirming his death. I just don’t know where Lyons got his information. Did Richard come here with the information, or did he already know Victor Lyons?”
“Truthfully, they never acted as though they even knew each other. And remember, Lyons is after John’s land too.”
“More to think on.”
“We do have much to think about.”
Teagan stopped the wagon under a tree and jumped to the ground. He helped Gemma down, took her hand and they sat under the tree in the splendid shade.
“I have had other things on my mind. I was so sure I’d lose you to John. I promised myself that awful day you refused me I would never let you near me again. But I can’t keep from loving you. At first, I thought I wasn’t strong enough to go through it again, but the hope that you might love me back kept me going.”
She turned her head away.
“Before you start worrying, we’ve been touching for a while now, and you never pull away anymore.”
“It’s different from a wedding night.”
“I know it is. But I’m encouraged that you’re not afraid of me. I am a patient man. I think I’ve proven that to you. I love you with everything in me. God help me, I tried not to love you. I tried to guard my heart, but I don’t think I ever stopped loving you. I want for us to spend our lives together. I do want children.”
She turned back to him. “For once the thought of making children doesn’t send me into a panic. I like it when you hold my hand. I like when you lift me down from the wagon or a horse and your hands linger on my waist. Dancing with you is like a piece of heaven. Not only am I not afraid, but I enjoy you. When you kiss my cheek, I feel special and I feel loved. I feel almost free from the darkness that had been my life with Richard. I would give anything to be pure and untouched for you, but things went differently.”
He cupped her cheek and gazed into her eyes. “Will you marry me, Gemma Maguire?”
Her smile had never been more lovely. “Yes, I will be proud to be your wife Teagan. I’m so happy it frightens me a bit that someone might try to take our happiness away.”
He kissed her sweet lips and was pleased when she kissed him back. “Nothing will get in our way this time. I’ve prayed so long and hard for this to happen.”
“I prayed for God to show me my path in life,” she confessed, “and I believe this is my answer. He is a great God full of understanding and love.”
“We should probably head back home.” Teagan said.
“Won’t Dolly be happy?”
“She’ll be over the moon,” Teagan answered as he helped her up onto the wagon.
“Teagan, are you sure?”
He hated the uncertainty in her voice. Maybe with time, that would fade.
“I’ve never been so sure, Gemma.”
They drew closer to the Kavanagh house and saw a buggy in front. Curious, they hurried inside to find Quinn upset and Dolly crying. Victor Lyons stood in the center of the room.
“I’m sorry, but you must be off the land by the end of the month.”
Teagan turned to her. “Get someone to get the sheriff.”
She nodded and ran back out.
“Well, it’s always good to see you, Lyons,” Teagan said as he sat down but not before he gave Dolly and Quinn warning glances. “Dolly could you bring me a cup of coffee and maybe some whiskey. It’s been a long day already.”
“Certainly.” She hustled from the room.
“So, to what do we owe this visit, Lyons?”
“I was just telling—”
“Telling who? Whose name is on the land deed? Whose name is on all the accounts? Of course, you wouldn’t talk ranch business with anyone but me.” He glowered at the other man.
“I figured all you boys own the ranch.”
“Not true. You and I were the only ones who knew that. You were not to talk about anything to do with my ranch with anyone else.”
“I… I yes, of course.” He reached into his pocket, drew out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead.
Dolly came in with a cup of coffee, a bottle of whiskey, and four glasses. He wanted to laugh at the number of glasses. Dolly must be in need of fortifying. She handed him his coffee and then sat down, glaring at Victor.
Quinn showed no reaction to the fact that the ranch was in Teagan’s name.
“I thought I heard you order an eviction when I walked in?”
“Why yes, that is why I am here. You haven’t paid your taxes and they are a year overdue. As you know, after a year the house and land are no longer yours.”
“It doesn’t make it yours either. You have nothing to do with this property. Not a penny is owed. Do you think me to be so far into my dotage that I’d forget I paid my taxes? I have the receipt, you fool. Now, what is this really all about? You went after the Maguire land, then John Dew’s, and now mine. Interesting to say the least.” He leaned forward, locking his gaze on the other man. “Who do you work for?”
“I have no idea what you mean!” Victor’s face turned a ruddy red.
Teagan confidently opened the bottle and poured the four whiskeys. He handed the first one to Dolly. And he kept his jaw from dropping when she downed it all in one quick swallow.
“Now let’s see if we have this right. Richard Parks is a family acquaintance of yours and the two of you were positive they buried the stolen Confederate gold on the Maguire land. Unless you saw the ghost of Captain Maguire, I doubt that happened. The captain is dead. I have signed statements he died right after Gettysburg. It’s interesting that you would make such a mistake since you seemed to know so much about the robbery and it being in Georgia and all. You told everyone at Bobbie’s Saloon your theories about the missing money.”
Teagan sat back and swirled his rich amber whiskey in the glass for a moment before he drank it down. “You like to gamble, Lyons. You’ll bet on anything from cards to what color petticoat a woman is wearing. And Richard kept right up with you. You even gave him a big mortgage on the house you knew he didn’t own. How could he own it if he was already married to someone else? You two had such
a time staying at Bobbie’s Tavern every evening. But you weren’t lucky and neither was Richard. The only other money in your bank safe was the taxes we all paid. I’m thinking you lost that money too and thought you’d scare a few folks and evict them and then sell their property.”
Teagan saw the sheriff and Gemma quietly walk in. “I think you convinced Richard there was money buried because he dug, and he practically took the Maguire house down looking for that money. Captain Maguire never deposited anything in your bank, and you knew he must have his money somewhere. You were right, but Gemma dug it all up long ago. You put her in danger and that can’t be forgiven. What I can’t figure out is why come here? The Kavanagh brothers would never go quietly.”
Victor Lyons helped himself to more whiskey. “I have a buyer for your place. No one wanted the other two patches of dust. Especially since the Maguire place didn’t have any cattle. But on your ranch, I had a bidding war and I’m swimming in money now. So one way or another you will be leaving.” He pulled out a small two-shooter and aimed it at Teagan.
As fast as the gun came out, it was shot out of his hand by Quinn. The sheriff came forward and trained his gun on the banker. “Who would have thought of the lengths you’d go?”
Lyons shrugged. “Richard ran off on me. He even sold everything in the house. He didn’t get much, but it scared the girl enough that he left.”
“Richard is dead. He kidnapped Gemma and when she escaped, he pulled his gun on her. I should have told you, sheriff, but I didn’t want whoever was working with Parks to know he was dead. I just can’t imagine you for such a fool, Lyons.”
“I owed Richard for a long while now, and somehow he found me. He threatened to kill me. It’s not my fault!”
The sheriff laughed. “That’s what they all say. I’ll take the trash out with me.” He hauled Victor up by the back of his collar and shoved him outside.
“Teagan, how did you know all that?” Gemma asked.
He held his arms out and she ran to him and snuggled against him when he wrapped her into his embrace. “I had an old friend check around for me. I was pretty sure your father never had any gold. Parks and Lyons have been in trouble with the law before.”
“I’m glad you found out the truth,” she said.
“Amen to that!” Dolly said.
Quinn was deadly quiet.
Chapter Twelve
It was pure torture to wait for Teagan to get back from his meeting with his brothers. She could imagine their concern that they didn’t own any of the ranch. That was how Teagan’s father had wanted it. The oldest would have control. That didn’t sit well with Quinn. It never had.
Gemma tried, reading, sewing, cleaning; none of it helped. Time moved so slowly, and she prayed that the brothers would understand and accept the way of things. As far as Teagan was concerned, they all owned the ranch.
The door opened and Teagan walked in looking like he had lost his best friend. He walked to the sideboard and poured a drink and drank it down.
“What happened?”
“I don’t rightly know. Everyone understood except for Quinn. He’s packing his things and he plans to leave.”
“For how long?”
“He doesn’t know. He hasn’t been happy since he came back from the war. He really loved that nurse and one day he woke and she was gone. No note, nothing. It just hurts, it feels as though Quinn blames me or that he thinks I stole the ranch. I guess he just needs time.”
“We all need time now and then. He loves you, Teagan.” She went to him and wrapped her arms around his middle. “I love you, Teagan. Quinn will be back.”
He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. “I love you too.”
* * *
Teagan was putting liniment on his horse Sandy’s front leg. His heart hurt for Quinn, but it was also near bursting with love for Gemma. He needed her, she made him laugh, she made him feel loved.
“I’m going to my own ranch!”
“Brogan, what are you talking about?”
“I would never have pushed Gemma off the ranch, but since she’ll be living here, I might as well claim my birthright.” Brogan widened his stance and glared at Teagan. “Don’t pretend you didn’t know.”
“Not until recently. No, I didn’t know. Gemma’s mother told her before she died, but she didn’t say which brother. Gemma found your name in the family Bible, pasted in. It makes no difference to me. You’re my brother.”
“I had a right to know the minute you found out!” Brogan scowled.
“You are absolutely right, but I didn’t know what to do, how to bring it up, and I’m sorry. You’re still a Kavanagh. The land belongs to Gemma, but go on. I understand you need time to yourself.”
Brogan shook his head. “I wanted to throttle you! Why do you have to be so understanding? You know where I’ll be.”
Teagan nodded. “I’ll let you tell the others if you choose to. Take care of yourself out there and if you need anything I’m here.” Teagan dropped the liniment and reached out, hugging Brogan. “Don’t be a stranger.”
Brogan nodded and glanced away. He saddled his horse and was on his way.
Teagan felt a weight on his heart, but there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. Now he had two brothers out there. He sighed. They knew how to take care of themselves.
Epilogue
His heart squeezed as he watched Gemma walk down the aisle. She was absolutely beautiful in her lavender dress. Her smile lit up his life and he couldn’t take his gaze off her. After all this time she would be his wife. It had taken more patience than he had but she willingly kissed him and held him. The happiness she gave him made it all worthwhile. He’d been upset about his brothers, but she always calmed him.
She stood next to him, and the love in her eyes humbled him. He just hoped he was always deserving of such love. She didn’t mind living in the house with his brothers. If he’d been her, he’d have wanted his own house, but he needed to be in their lives, he needed to know what was going on, he couldn’t lose another one. She understood.
They exchanged rings and finally she was his. He kissed her and kissed her and then he let her up for air, giving her a grin.
She smiled back and blushed. She put her arms around his neck. “I love you Teagan, with all my heart.”
His eyes grew moist. “I love you too, with all that is in me.”
They greeted the guests, had a meal, and cut the cake. They danced until they could sneak away.
“Where are we going?” she asked laughing.
“We’re almost there.” He held her hand, still reeling. She was his wife.
They climbed a hill, and he pulled her back to him and wrapped his arms around her middle. He kissed the side of her neck, and she shivered.
“What a view! You can see a lot of the ranch from here. Teagan, what do you think we will be doing in ten years?”
“Who knows what tomorrow brings? I know I love you, and that will never change. I suspect we’ll have children and be very happy. God has been so very generous to us.”
She nodded. “Yes, He has. I bet most of your brothers find wives and we will have a ranch full of children. It sounds like heaven to me.” She was silent for a time. “Teagan, I want us to have children, and somehow you’ve made it so I’m not afraid anymore. I never ever thought I’d have your love again. I had the greatest of love and the most painful hurt, and now I have an even greater love. All with you. And the greater love is the best. I’m sorry neither Quinn nor Brogan came to the wedding, but they have their own lives to work out. They’ll be back. They love you.”
“My heart feels like it’s going to explode, Gemma. This has to be the most incredible sunset I’ve ever witnessed.”
“Me too. Let’s go inside and see about making children. I’m ready and I know you won’t hurt me.”
“I will treasure you all of our days.” He wrapped his arms her and gave her a deep kiss. Then he offered her his arm. He was taking her home for go
od and nothing ever felt so good or so right. Gemma had been right; God is good.
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Quinn’s Story
Thank you for reading Teagan’s story. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review on Amazon. It’ll help me to get better advertising and hopefully it’ll convince others to read it too.
Next up is Quinn’s story. He’s had his heart broken and now he would trust a woman even if he married her.
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About the Author
Sexy Cowboys and the Women Who Love Them...
Finalist in the 2012 and 2015 RONE Awards.
Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review.
Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and
memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including: Amazon's Best Seller's List, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing Best Sellers list. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice Awards, and The Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy.
Winner of the Lear diamond award Best Historical Novel- Cinders' Bride
There's something about a cowboy
Other Books by Kathleen
Lasso Spring Series
Callie’s Heart
Lone Star Joy
Stetson’s Storm
Dawson Ranch Series
Teagan: Cowboy Strong: The Kabvanagh Brothers Book One Page 11