Forever His Texas Bride (Bachelors of Battle Creek #3)

by Linda Broday

  “Probably right. Delta wouldn’t be too happy if the twins take sick,” Cooper agreed. “Still, keep it in the back of your mind as a last resort. Delta would be the first to insist that we have to protect these innocent orphans.”

  Worry plagued Rayna as she put her coffee cup aside and dove into work. She’d wondered herself about moving the Comanche youngsters.

  While she cleaned up the breakfast dishes, Sarah took charge of the children. Brett’s sister was a natural. After getting faces washed, hair combed, and salve smeared on their blisters, Sarah played games with them. She even managed to get Adam involved. It was a sight, watching tall, lanky Adam run around in a circle, flapping his arms like a chicken.

  She needed to talk to Brett. She had to lend her voice to Cooper’s.

  The minute Rayna caught Brett apart from the others, she hurried to him. “I apologize for overhearing your conversation with Cooper, but I think he’s right. We need to move the children somewhere safe.”

  Brett brushed a curl from her face. “I would if I knew where. Both Cooper and Rand have families they need to keep safe. Wherever these little ones go, Edgar Dowlen and Oldham will simply move the fight there. Cooper has two tiny babies, and Rand three children, one of which is a half-breed like me. Pulling every available ranch hand away from those ranches to fight here has left them exposed.”

  “Is there anywhere else?” Her heart ached. She knew about being unloved and unwanted. It was a horrible burden for a child to bear.

  “Not that I can see. We absolutely cannot take them into town.”

  “How about the box canyon where you found them?”

  “Doesn’t have any water, and the sharp rocks offer few places to bed down. I’d already have taken them there if it was an option.” He touched her cheek. “I share your concern. I’ve thought of their safety every second since they came, and I’ll do my best to think of a solution.”

  She leaned against him. “I’ll help any way I can.”

  “You already are. I can’t imagine having to deal with all this alone. You give me strength. I’m able to stand guard night after night because of you. Thank you, Rayna. Thank you for your deep heart.”

  *

  Now that both his brothers were there and Sarah provided relief for Rayna, Brett took Rayna’s hand, and they walked to their favorite spot after the noontime meal.

  He couldn’t wait to undress her. Her body was small but flawlessly formed.

  Of course, he had nothing to judge her by, since she was the first woman he’d been with. He’d watched with curiosity women walking down the street and wondered what it must be like to hold them in his arms, to kiss them. Cooper had once suggested he visit Miss Sybil’s on the edge of town, but the thought of paying a stranger to let him undress her seemed wrong.

  To his way of thinking, he had to feel something for the woman, and somehow he felt sure he never would in places like those.

  Glancing at the happiness shining in Rayna’s eyes made Brett glad he’d waited. He loved this excitement in his chest when he was with her.

  As they slipped around the rock wall into their sanctuary, Brett knew there would never be another woman for him, not even if something happened and they could never be together outside of the Wild Horse.

  Rayna stood looking at the water and breathing the fresh air. He moved up behind her and slid his arms around her narrow waist.

  “I never get tired of looking at this beauty,” he murmured.

  “Me either. Each time we come, I see something different that I never noticed before. See the robin’s nest to the left of the waterfall on that little ledge? They’re getting ready to welcome their babies. And there’s a small hole over by the banks of the pool where a ground squirrel lives. I saw one sticking his head out.”

  His gaze shifted to the spot she mentioned. “I meant the beauty standing in front of me. But I’ve never seen that nest or ground squirrel hole either. You have a way of seeing what others don’t. You’re right about our secret place.”

  “It’s magical.”

  When she turned in his arms, he traced the outline of her rosy mouth with a finger. She tempted him in so many ways. Tenderly, he pressed his lips to hers.

  She closed her eyes, and the fringe of her lashes brushed her cheek. Being with Rayna gave him joy and peace. She was his salvation in a world that despised his kind. The short time measured in fleeting moments together gave him strength to fight.

  He laid his hand beneath the curve of her jaw, knowing he’d throw himself in front of a bullet to protect her. Rayna Harper colored his world with love and grace.

  No one would take her from him.

  At a faint sound, Brett raised his head for a look but saw only the ground squirrel she’d spoken of scurrying along the bank. It stopped and stared for a moment, then went on its way.

  Overcome by the immense gift he’d been given, he gave a hoarse cry and settled his mouth against hers once more. He wanted to fill every curve and indentation of her with the passion that was building inside him.

  Twenty-six

  Brett laid Rayna on the grass bed next to the lapping water. Slowly, he removed her clothing, pressing his lips to each section of bared skin. Little trembles shook her as piece by piece he bared her enticing, perfect body.

  He sucked in a sharp breath as, at that moment, a cloud that had blocked the sun drifted away, and glorious golden rays suddenly bathed her where she lay on the carpet of green with her russet hair spread in disarray.

  The sight made his knees shake. If angels walked on earth, he was looking at one.

  Rayna wagged a finger. “Huh-uh. Your clothes too, mister. I’ve waited long enough.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I am. I trust you. You’ve shown me how it can be when there is respect and caring. I never had that before. I know you would die if you ever thought for one second that you hurt me.”

  Nothing she asked of him would be too great.

  He pulled his shirt over his head. Unlacing his tall moccasins, he removed them. Then turning away so the sight of his nudity wouldn’t scare her, he took off his trousers.

  If only it was dark. He tried one more time. “I don’t think I should do this. Not after what you’ve been through.”

  “I love that you want to shield me, Brett. But I’m not afraid to see all of you. You have a beautiful body.”

  “Just promise to tell me if any of this brings back bad memories. Promise.”

  “Nothing we do here could ever awaken those.”

  When she held out her arm, he turned and dropped down beside her.

  “See? I’m not running or screaming. But I have one more thing to get rid of.”

  Before he knew it, she’d removed the leather strip holding back his hair and run her fingers through the long black strands.

  “Your hair is so soft,” she murmured. “Almost the way I remember a bird’s wing.”

  As she told him about trying to fix up sick and wounded feathered friends when she was younger, Brett stroked her supple skin. The softness reminded him of a newborn colt that had spent months nourished by its mother’s womb, untouched by the sun and wind.

  Abruptly, Rayna stopped, her voice strained. “Enough talk about that. I’ve bored you with my silly ramblings.”

  The sudden change baffled Brett. He wondered if she recalled something too painful to bear. Knowing Raymond Harper, it was likely.

  Silently cursing the man, he drew her into his arms, sheltering her from terrifying memories and the harshness of life. “You can never bore me. I want to know whatever you wish to share.”

  “I’d rather not say more.” She lowered her eyes, and when she looked up at him, the light was back. “Will you do more things with your feather?”

  “Possibly.” He grinned, relieved that she seemed so eager.

  “May I see the feather please?”

  He rolled over to pull the quill from his hatband, then placed it in her fingers.

 
“Now, lie back,” she commanded. “It’s my turn.”

  Brett stretched out, putting his hands behind his head. She started with his face, dragging the feather across his cheek and jaw, down the strong column of his neck to his chest.

  Unfamiliar sensations rolled over him, making his muscles jump at the gentle caress. His body hungered for some kind of release, the desire almost more than he could take. But he knew he had to exert patience, even though the snail’s pace killed him.

  Rayna continued her slow trek downward to his belly and legs. But when she drew the feather up and down the length of his maleness, he came near to exploding with need. He inhaled sharply, then began to count until he’d tamped down the immediate urge.

  “Unless you want to end this before we start, that’s all with the feather,” he said firmly, taking the quill from her.

  Her little giggle caught on the gentle breeze.

  Raising up, Brett stared into her sparkling eyes. “I’m a lucky man to have found you, Rayna Harper.” With the lightest touch, he put one hand behind her ear and lifted her face to meet his kiss.

  When both needed air, he pulled back and trailed kisses down her slender neck, pausing to press his lips in the hollow of her throat where her pulse throbbed.

  Reveling in the feel of her pliable breast in his hand, he touched the tip and took the rigid peak between his thumb and forefinger. He was instantly rewarded as she arched her back.

  “More,” Rayna pleaded, trying to pull him down to her.

  But Brett wasn’t about to rush. Instinctively, he realized that this called for a slow, gentle hand. For the melding of minds as well as flesh.

  Besides, he wanted to make the experience last as long as possible. He’d learned never to take life for granted, especially since evil had touched the Wild Horse. This may be the last time they could be together. The need to store up every feeling, sight, and sound came over him.

  With that in the back of his mind, he slowed even more.

  Rayna gasped as he moved his tongue across the peak of a rounded breast before drawing the tip into his mouth. He felt need building in her tightening muscles.

  Her hands were doing things to him also. When she slid her hand between their bodies to caress him, he found himself once again struggling to control himself.

  “You’re flirting with danger, my lady,” he growled.

  She jerked her hand back. “I’m sorry. I was only trying to give you pleasure in return.”

  A smile curved Brett’s lips. “You’re doing plenty of that.”

  As he touched, kissed, and stroked every inch of her responsive body, she seemed to liquefy in his arms.

  “Please, Brett. I can’t take any more torture. I never knew it could be like this.”

  “I didn’t either,” he mumbled against her ear.

  Crawling on top, he gently lowered into her. He closed his eyes to fully absorb the sensations of warmth and tightness that surrounded him. Nothing, it seemed, was comparable to making love to a woman who hung the stars.

  As their bodies joined, so did their hearts. They became one in every sense.

  “Oh, Brett,” she gasped. “I can’t… I don’t… Oh!”

  “Just ride the river, my darling,” he murmured in her ear.

  His heart hammered as raging passion hurtled him higher and higher toward the point of no return.

  When at last she shuddered beneath him, he found himself running free like his horses, feeling the wind in his hair, knowing true happiness in giving fully of himself to her.

  The gentle waterfall in the background blended with the swirling sensations and liquid fire as he rode to great heights.

  At last the intense emotions released him. On the slow journey back to earth, he lowered his mouth and kissed her.

  Panting, he rolled to the side and lay for a minute, trying to control his ragged breathing, to sort through the experience of making love for the first time. It was like pouring everything inside him into her and becoming part of her flesh, muscle, and bone, not knowing where he stopped and she began.

  How glad he was that he’d waited until Rayna came along. He knew beyond a doubt making love would never have been this soul shattering and complete with anyone but her.

  A little sob slipped from her mouth, drawing his concern. He raised himself up on an elbow and gently brushed back her hair. “Are you all right, Rayna? Did I hurt you?”

  “No,” she sobbed.

  He wiped her tears with his thumb. “What is it?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You don’t cry over nothing.” In fact, this was the first time he’d ever seen tears in her eyes. She never cried, not even when she spoke of Raymond Harper and his cruelty.

  “Making love to you was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever done.” She stared into his eyes and touched his cheek. “I felt this hot ache, and then I was consumed by wonderful heat that took my breath. I wanted to climb into the middle of it and stay. Being with you is so different. There is no comparison to the times…”

  “When those men forced you,” he supplied, fighting rising anger. He only prayed to come face-to-face with the bastards someday. If so, they’d know the sting of revenge by the time he got through with their sorry hides.

  Brett ran his fingers through her luxurious hair and gently kissed her forehead, letting his lips slide to her cheek where her lashes lay, and finally, to her moist, parted lips. “You are my lady, Rayna Harper. I will never let anyone hurt you again.”

  Rayna stared up at him, laying her hand on the side of his face. “Being your lady gives me great happiness. Thank you, Brett, for making me believe that I matter.”

  “You do a sight more than matter.” His voice was rough with emotion.

  “Do you think when we’re old and gray, we’ll remember this moment?” Her hushed voice hung in the air.

  Nothing would ever erase the memory from his mind. Not even death. They were bound by that piece of strong rawhide, tempered by the sun, the wind, and blessed hope.

  Taking her palm, he held it to his mouth and kissed the tender flesh. “I will never forget,” he vowed. “This time is branded into my heart.”

  “Me either. Whatever happens, I’ll always have this day when I discovered what it meant to be cherished.”

  Twenty-seven

  Midafternoon, Brett stood with his brothers and Adam down by the corral, discussing guard duty, when suddenly the ground began to tremble under his feet.

  As he whirled toward the sound, the spit dried in his mouth. A herd of mustangs was coming directly toward them.

  “Get the children and head for the trees!”

  Brett didn’t wait to see if they were following. He started snatching up the smaller kids and urging the bigger ones to run. His heart pounded in his throat as the noise became louder, vibrating inside him like the crash of thunder during a summer squall.

  He could almost feel the hot breath of the horses on his neck.

  From the corner of his eye, he spied Rayna and Sarah. Both had children in tow. Everyone ran in a desperate attempt to save the orphans.

  “Hurry!”

  Whether he’d screamed it aloud or the word froze in his brain, he couldn’t tell.

  Wishing he could grab them all up and whisk them to safety, he raced for the trees. The thick woods probably offered the group’s best chance of escaping this stampede alive. The horses would head for the wide-open spaces.

  But what about Bob and Sister Bronwen? They were too old to run.

  If he could just make the trees, he would go back for them.

  Please don’t let anyone be killed, he prayed.

  To save even one life, he’d sacrifice his own. He couldn’t bear it if death helped Dowlen achieve his goal. It couldn’t end this way.

  The feeling he had earlier with Rayna that maybe time was running out must’ve been a premonition. He might never get another chance to be with her. Suddenly he wished he’d kissed her once more.

  But re
ality told him not even a lifetime of kisses would’ve been enough.

  What must’ve been a sob stuck in his throat as his moccasins pounded the uneven ground. With each stride, he urged himself faster.

  The small, wriggling boy in his arms suddenly slipped from his grasp. Brett grabbed hold of the child’s shirt as he fell and pulled him back up with the other two. Wrapping an arm tightly around them all, Brett increased his pace.

  The tree line was getting closer. No more than twenty yards now.

  Dragging in a painful breath that hurt his lungs, he gave the race everything he had.

  Ten yards.

  Brett turned to glance back. Rayna and Sarah were right behind him, sprinting as fast as their legs could carry them.

  Glancing farther back past his brothers and the ranch hands, who all carried children, he noticed that Sister Bronwen had fallen, and Bob was trying to help her up.

  Surely the horses would trample them. The frightened animals were gaining.

  And in the midst of the charging beasts, Brett could just make out the figure of two men astride, driving the herd toward them.

  Hot anger crept up his neck. That was proof this was no accident.

  Dowlen was to blame.

  Eaten by malice and poison, the man was making good on his threat to rid the county of Brett’s kind.

  Within a few more long strides, Brett finally reached the trees and set the children down. “Stay here,” he ordered.

  Turning on his heel, he raced to save the old ones. He met Rayna and Sarah, demanding they keep running. Feeling sure they’d make it to safety, he set his sights on Bob and the nun, who had managed to get to her feet, but they were moving slow.

  Cooper and Rand made the trees, freed their arms of the children, and raced to help.

  All were in the mustangs’ path.

  Brett’s mouth dried. It was daunting to run headlong into a stampede. The herd could trample him into the ground, leaving nothing but his broken body behind in their mad rush to escape what they feared.

  Yet, he didn’t have time to worry about that.

  Save as many as you can was a chant inside his head.

  But he knew he wasn’t going to make it in time. With his mind whirling, he frantically searched for an alternate plan.