by Connie Mason
“You’re going to tell him he’s a free man.” The words came from the doorway. Kitty whirled, and her delight at seeing Pierce and Chad striding into the room was clearly evidenced by the smile on her face.
“I hoped you would be on today’s train,” Bert greeted.
“We had to wait two days for an interview with the governor. He remembered you, Bert,” Pierce said. “And he remembered our pa. Then he listened to our story and actually believed it. He said no son of Corporal Delaney’s would turn bank robber.”
“We explained everything to Governor Fremont, even the part about Kitty being forced by her stepbrother to ride with the Bartons,” Chad concluded.
“Oh, no!” Kitty cried, terrified that the law would come after her.
“Don’t worry, Kitty,” Pierce said. “Nothing I told the governor will ever become public knowledge. He understands that you had no choice. Besides, you were never identified as one of the bank robbers, and there is no price on your head.”
Kitty felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her. “Does the marshal know?”
“He does now,” Chad said. “We stopped by his office and showed him the pardon. The governor is going to follow it up with a telegram. Show them the pardon, Pierce.”
Pierce removed a scroll from his jacket, unrolled it, and held it out for their inspection.
Kitty swallowed the lump in her throat. “It says Ryan Delaney is cleared of all charges and is granted a full pardon. How can I ever thank you?” she cried.
“Don’t thank us,” Pierce returned. “It was all Bert’s doing. Without the letter he wrote to the governor we couldn’t have gotten past the front door.”
Kitty was so excited that she passed out hugs all around, even to Padre Enrico. “I can’t wait to tell Ryan.”
“By the way, how is the honeymoon progressing?” Chad teased. “Is Rogue Ryan behaving himself?”
Kitty’s cheeks pinkened becomingly. “Everything is perfect… now,” she whispered, smiling blissfully.
“Shall we go find our little brother and tell him the good news?” Chad suggested.
“If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to do it myself,” Kitty said after a slight hesitation. “We’ll come down from the cave tomorrow, if that’s all right with you.”
The brothers exchanged knowing glances. “We understand perfectly,” Pierce said. “We were both newly weds once. We’ll all gather here at the mission in the morning and decide on our next move. Chad and I have to be getting on home.” He sent Bert a concerned look, then said to Kitty, “I reckon you and Ryan will want to stay on in Tucson until your father recovers his health.”
“We’ll talk about it tomorrow morning,” Kitty said, anxious to leave and tell Ryan the good news. She planted a kiss on Bert’s forehead and hurried off.
“Don’t forget your lantern,” Bert called after her. When she had slipped out the door, Bert muttered to no one in particular, “My daughter is happy; I’m ready to go anytime God calls me.”
Chapter 20
Ryan met Kitty on the path halfway between the mission and the cave. He had grown impatient waiting for her and decided to risk a trip to the mission. He saw the lantern light from a distance and hid behind a cactus until he recognized Kitty. Then he stepped out and pulled her into his arms. “Thank God,” he said with a shaky sigh. “I was worried sick about you. I expected you to return long before now. What kept you? Is Bert…”
He left his sentence dangling as he searched Kitty’s face. “Something did happen!” he exclaimed. “I can tell by your expression. You might as well tell me. Is it Bert?”
“Bert is as well as can be expected,” Kitty replied. “I’ll tell you everything once we get back to the cave.”
“Very well,” Ryan said, his mind working furiously. He imagined all manner of dire things that could have happened. If it wasn’t Bert, then it had to be his brothers. If anything had happened to them he’d never forgive himself. Neither would their wives or children.
“Dammit, Kitty, give me the bad news now,” he growled. “Is it my brothers?”
“Your brothers are fine, Ryan,” Kitty assured him. “We just have a short climb to the cave, then I’ll tell you everything. And it isn’t bad news,” she hinted as she scrambled over the ledge.
Ryan caught up to her easily. Taking the lantern from her hand, he hauled her up the mountain and dragged her inside the cave. Then he set down the lantern and imprisoned her against his chest.
“Now, little miss tease, you’re going to tell me everything. If your news isn’t bad then it has to be good, and I’m damn well ready for good news after all I’ve been through lately.”
“Governor Fremont granted you a full pardon!” Kitty blurted gleefully. “Your brothers have been in Prescott, that’s why we’ve heard nothing from them these past ten days.”
“But…” Ryan was thoroughly confused. “The evidence against me was overwhelming. What did they say to make the governor grant me a full pardon?”
“It appears that Bert is acquainted with the governor. They served in the army together. Fremont knew your father, too. Bert wrote a letter of explanation and your brothers followed it up with facts. You’re free, Ryan! Free!”
“Free,” Ryan repeated as he picked her up and swung her around and around until she grew dizzy.
“Put me down, Ryan!”
His eyes gleamed wickedly as he bore her down to the bedroll. “This calls for a celebration. I want to make love to my wife as a free man.” He was all thumbs as he began to undress her. Countless emotions warred within him. Love, lust, relief, anticipation, eagerness, impatience. But the one emotion that eclipsed all the others was happiness. Kitty had entered his heart and taken up residence there. She had proved to him that love existed, that it wasn’t just an illusion indulged in by dreamers. And she had shown him that there were women in this world worthy of trust.
It occurred to him that he had been searching for Kitty all the years he’d wasted earning his reputation as a womanizer. Lust could never replace love, he realized that now, although a healthy dose of lust when love was present added excitement to marriage. And Ryan had an abundance of love and lust for Kitty.
“I can’t seem to work my fingers,” Ryan said as he fumbled with her buttons.
“Let me help you,” Kitty said, pushing his hands away.
In moments they were both naked. Ryan looked his fill, then he kissed her. Hungrily. Searching her mouth with his tongue as his fingers parted the thick, damp curls between her legs. Then he took his mouth on a downward journey, finally settling on the dewy folds of skin he’d just fondled. A prolonged sigh slid past her lips.
“Oh-h-h, Ryan… yes.”
He explored her thoroughly and deeply, with his tongue, his lips, his teeth. When her hands clasped his head, urging him closer, he felt as if he’d burst if he didn’t put something other than his tongue inside her very soon. The musky taste of her drove him wild. She was hot and wet; he could barely contain himself as he felt her hips jerk against his mouth and heard her cry out.
Only then did he rise up and enter her, his muscles taut as he drove himself deep inside her. Again and again, until he felt her first tentative response. He increased the tempo, muscles straining to bring her again to that exalted pinnacle. She tossed back her head and arched against him. He groaned. She was tight and warm and wild beneath him as they fell into a delicious rhythm. With the greatest effort he prolonged his climax until he felt her convulse around him. Then he spilled himself inside her with a cry of contentment that made the walls of the cave sing.
When he could manage it, he slid off to lie beside her. Several long minutes passed before he could speak.
“Each time we make love is better than the last.”
She smiled up at him as she traced the whirls of hair around his nipples with her finger. “Good enough to keep Rogue Ryan from straying?” she teased.
“Rogue Ryan is gone,” Ryan assured her. “You’re going
to like the new Ryan better.”
“Will I love the new Ryan as much as I loved the old Ryan?”
He kissed her soundly. “I guarantee it. Do we have to leave the cave tonight? Are Bert and my brothers expecting us at the mission?”
“Tonight is ours,” Kitty whispered. Her seductive smile did unspeakable things to Ryan’s body. He felt himself swell and harden, and he knew he had to have her again. “We’re to meet at the mission in the morning. All of us.”
He reached for her. “Let’s make good use of our privacy.”
“Ryan, wait,” Kitty said, placing a restraining hand against his chest. “Perhaps we should talk about the future. What will happen after we leave here?”
Ryan gave her a puzzled look. “I thought our future was settled long ago. You’re my wife, love, what else is there to know?”
“For one thing, we need to decide where we will live. I know I once told you I could never love the man who had abandoned my mother, but my feelings have changed. I’ve come to love Bert dearly. I can’t leave Arizona while Bert still lives. And then there’s the ranch to consider. It will be mine one day. How do you feel about settling in Arizona?”
Ryan remained silent a long time as he considered his answer. “I’d like to settle permanently in Montana some day,” he finally said. “You’d love it there. I’ve had my eye on a piece of land a couple of miles from the main ranch house. It’s Delaney land. I’m sure my brothers won’t mind if I build on it. I’m aware that we can’t leave Arizona while Bert is still alive so it might be awhile before I can show it to you.”
“What about the ranch?”
“That is a problem. How strong are your feelings for it?” Ryan feared Kitty’s prolonged silence meant she didn’t want to leave Arizona… ever.
“I have no strong feelings for the ranch, or for Arizona,” Kitty admitted. “Living in Montana rather appeals to me. I’ve never had women friends, or any friends, for that matter. I’d like to get to know your brothers’ wives.” She heaved a wistful sigh. “I wonder how I’ll measure up to those ‘perfect’ women?”
“It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks as long as you’re perfect for me,” Ryan contended. “Seriously, though, we could either rent or sell the ranch when… the time comes. I don’t think Bert would care. All he’s ever wanted was to get to know his daughter before he died.”
“Thank you for bringing me here,” Kitty said solemnly. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve had to endure because of me, but without you I would have never known my real father.”
“If you recall, I literally had to drag you all the way here,” Ryan teased.
“I love you, Ryan,” she said as she propped herself up on her elbow and planted a kiss on his lips. It was all the encouragement Ryan needed as he tumbled her backward and slid between her legs. Their loving was wild and wonderful and …
Forever.
Epilogue
Dry Gulch, Montana
Three years later
“I love the view from the window,” Kitty said as she gazed at the snowcapped mountains rising majestically in the distance. “It’s so different here. Summers are green and lush and winters, though harsh, are more beautiful than any I’ve ever seen. I don’t care how much it snows as long as we’re cozy and warm inside this wonderful house you’ve built for us.”
“You don’t regret giving up the Arizona ranch?” Ryan asked as he joined her at the front window.
“Not at all,” Kitty assured him. “Bert must have known how we felt, for he gave us permission to sell the ranch before he died.” She sighed. “I didn’t think it possible to miss Bert so much.”
“He died happy, love,” Ryan said. “He lived long enough to see our son born. And I’m certain he was relieved to learn that Teresa was marrying well. Though he didn’t let on, I think he worried about her.”
“I think so too. I’m glad Teresa wrote him about her wedding plans before he died. I think it pleased him to know her future was secure.”
“We should be grateful for the time we had with him. The doctor was surprised Bert’s heart held out as long as it did,” Ryan mused. “You’re happy here, aren’t you, love?”
“I’ve never been happier. I have you and our son. And now a home and a family to love. I never expected to have wonderful friends like Zoey and Sarah, and I do so enjoy the time we spend together. I just know our children will be great friends.”
“The Delaney family is growing by leaps and bounds,” Ryan said, “and I’m doing my share to increase the numbers.” He rubbed the barely noticeable bulge beneath Kitty’s rib cage. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a father twice over.”
“Believe it,” Kitty said. “I just wish Bert could be here to see his second grandchild enter the world.”
“If there’s a God, Bert knows,” Ryan said, turning her in his arms.
“There is a God,” Kitty said with conviction, “because He gave you to me.”
* * *
Kitty and Ryan’s daughter was born seven months later. She came into the world kicking, screaming, and squalling. Ryan took one look at the red-faced, copper-haired little demon and promptly fell in love for the second time in his life. They named her Katie. Ryan called her Kat.
About the Author
Connie is the bestselling author of 60 books and novellas and counting. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as in American locales. Connie has won awards from Romantic Times and has been listed in Who’s Who of American Women for several years. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Connie is a world traveler. She has visited every country in Western and Eastern Europe, Greece, Asia and Northern Africa. Also, countless islands in the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. Connie enjoys spending time with her three children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Visit her website at www.conniemason.com.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
About the Author