She lowered her head. "It doesn't feel that way."
"No. Probably feels like you're losing your baby sister, huh?"
Sniffing, she nodded. "It's selfish, I know. And I really am happy for you and—"
He pulled her close and kissed her long and hard. And when he set her away, he looked deep into her eyes. "I guess I'll just have to make sure you don't ever feel that way again."
"How?"
Her eyes, so big, so soft, stared straight up into his.
"By marrying you. That way, this family thing … it'll be, you know, official."
She blinked as if in disbelief. "Marcus?"
"It took me twenty-two years to learn to love again. You gave my life back to me. If you think I'm going to let you get away, you'd better think again."
Her eyes fell closed, and she sank gently into his arms. "I can't believe this is true."
"Besides, I read in the personals that I was tired of a solitary existence and seeking a wife. And if it's in the paper, it has to be true. Right?"
She smiled up at him. "You think so?"
He nodded, swallowed hard, searched her face. "I'm serious here, Casey." Clasping her hand in his, he dropped to one knee. "I love you, Casey Jones. Will you be my wife?"
Her tears spilled over, and her smile wavered. "You know I will." She tugged him to his feet, and he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Around them, the Brands of Texas exploded in applause and whoops that could have been heard all the way back in Silver City.
"Looks like we have a new Brand in the family," Wes hollered.
"And a pair of old ones come back to the fold!" Ben added.
"I knew that feller looked familiar," Garrett mused.
Marcus turned, one arm around Casey, and draped the other one around Sara. "We have a Christmas to celebrate, ladies. And I, for one, plan to make it one to remember."
"It already is," Casey whispered. "It already is."
Graham sat near the hotel pool beneath an umbrella-shaded table with a drink in his hand. Beside him on the floor was a suitcase, and piled neatly in the next chair, two articles of clothing.
Marcus and Casey had phoned, but they hadn't told him anything he hadn't already guessed. They'd invited him to join them at the Brand ranch for the holiday celebrations, but Graham had other things to do.
Somewhere out there was another one.
A young boy, or perhaps even a girl, who'd lost everything, who had no one left. One in need of guidance. One receptive to the training. One who'd step into the Guardian's shoes one day.
Until then…
Graham eyed the wide-brimmed fedora and the long black coat. They'd worn well all these years. He only hoped they still fit.
THAT MYSTERIOUS TEXAS BRAND MAN Page 18