“Does that work both ways?” she asked indignantly, and Chandos laughed and said, “Damn right it does.”
“Then let me lay down my law. You’ve already said you love me, and I’m not going to let you take it back, either. And I’ll try my best to make you happy, too. But if you think about changing your mind later, let me warn you that there won’t be anywhere in this whole land you can hide from me, because the first thing you’re going to teach me is how to track. And the second thing you’re going to teach me is how to shoot. Do you understand what I’m saying, Chandos?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he drawled.
“Good.” She smiled now, a bit of color stealing into her cheeks after being so bold. She leaned forward, her lips very close to his. “Because I love you. I love you so much I wanted to die when you left me. I don’t ever want to feel like that again, Chandos.”
“Neither do I,” he said passionately, just before he leaned into her lips, kissing her with exquisite tenderness. “You still know how to purr, kitten.”
“Chandos!”
He chuckled. Now she was aware of their audience! He loved the way her eyes sparkled when she blushed. “You’re sure, cateyes?” he said softly.
“Yes.”
“And you can live the way I do?”
“I’ll live any way you want, even if I have to carry my babies around in a backtote.”
“Babies!”
“Not yet,” she whispered furiously, mortified, her eyes darting toward her father.
He squeezed her, laughing. She had never seen him so carefree and happy. Oh, how she loved him.
“But we will have some babies, won’t we?” he continued thoughtfully. “Maybe a house wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”
Courtney stiffened, amazed. “Do you mean it?”
“I could try ranching. The old man made sure I learned every aspect of it. He also dumped a fortune in the Waco bank in my name that I never got around to using. It ought to buy us a nice spread someplace around here. The old man could use the competition.”
Courtney was the only one who could see the laughter in Chandos’s eyes as they heard Fletcher spluttering. Sawtooth choked as he tried to hold back his guffaws. Edward was grinning too as he came down the steps to join them.
“I don’t think I’ll need my medical bag. Anyone with such a lively sense of humor can’t be hurting that badly.”
“You’re right, doc. Mind if I call you doc?”
“Not at all, though ”Edward‘ wouldn’t be out of line, seeing as how you’ll be my son-in-law shortly.“
“All I need is a bath right now, and—did I mention marriage, cateyes?”
“No, you didn’t.” She grinned at her father’s expression. “Oh, Daddy, he’s still teasing. Tell him, Chandos. Chandos?”
“Ouch!” He pulled her hand out of his hair. “Are you really going to put me through a white man’s ceremony that’s got nothing to do with feelings? I’ve declared myself—in front of witnesses. You’ve declared yourself. You’re already my wife, cateyes.”
“It would make my father happy, Chandos,” Courtney said simply.
“And you?”
“Yes.”
“Then I guess I was teasing,” he said softly.
She hugged him, so overwhelmed with happiness that she could barely stand it. He might be ruthless and savage in some ways, but he was also her Chandos, gentle when it mattered. And he loved her! That he was willing to settle in one place for her proved that beyond any doubt.
Courtney leaned back, wanting everyone to be as happy as she was, including Fletcher. “Why don’t you tell your father you were just pulling his leg, too?”
“Because I wasn’t.” Chandos swung around, meeting Fletcher’s gaze. “Can you stand the competition, old man?”
“You’re goddamn right I can!” Fletcher roared.
“That’s what I thought.” Chandos grinned.
It took a moment. Fletcher’s eyes crinkled.
He didn’t quite allow himself to smile, though. That wouldn’t have been at all in character.
He was, however, bursting with pleasure. He’d never seen his son like this, so warm and open and… approachable. It was a start. It was a goddamn good start.
A Heart So Wild Page 26