The Mail Order Bride's Secret

by Linda Broday

  Finally, he glanced up. His voice was quiet. “You’re a very lucky man, Mr. Trinity. By all rights, from the sheer number of deep bruises I see, you should have multiple broken bones. But other than bruising and that hole in your side, you’re in good shape.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Levi.” Melanie went weak with relief.

  “Your thick stomach and chest muscles kept the man from breaking your ribs. That’s all I can figure.” Dr. Levi wagged his head in disbelief. “To satisfy my curiosity, can you tell me a little about your ordeal? What caused most of these bruises?”

  Tait’s face tightened. He shot Melanie a look. “I don’t intend to talk about it.”

  “I understand.” The doctor pressed further. “It’s just that this is very unusual and something to share with my colleagues.”

  “All right. They tied me upside down from a thick tree branch, and Kern began slamming into me with a board.”

  Melanie swallowed a cry, turning her head so Tait wouldn’t see her distress. This was hard enough for him, and the flat tone in his voice said it was anything but cut-and-dried. His pain must’ve been tremendous.

  A smile transformed Dr. Levi’s face. He smoothed his white goatee. “Of course. Now it makes sense. They never got a solid hit because you were swinging back and forth. Well, my friend, I’ll say it again. You’re a lucky man. I’ll restitch that gunshot in your side. Keep it clean and bandaged until it heals. I prescribe a week’s rest before you leave town. Each day that goes by you’ll feel less sore.”

  Watching the doctor sew Tait back up and put a gauze bandage in place, Melanie gave thanks to God for watching over him. Her knees went weak, and she gripped the iron bedstead, her gaze on the man who filled her world, the man who loved her in good times and bad.

  At last Tait stood and slid his arms into the shirt. “Appreciate it, Doctor.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Dr. Levi put his stethoscope into his bag. “Whatever you’ve been doing, keep it up. All of my patients should be so healthy.” He glanced at Melanie. “Your sister should also recover just fine. She’s much better. A week of rest will do her good too.”

  Melanie put her arm around Tait’s waist. “Dr. Levi, I owe you a great debt.”

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  When the door shut behind the doctor, Melanie grinned up at her husband and teased. “I have no idea what it is that you’ve been doing.”

  “Do tell. But if I wasn’t so sore and in desperate need of a good soak, I’d test out a theory. Those dimples are driving me crazy.” He lowered his head and kissed her soundly.

  Thirty-seven

  The horses seemed to smell home. Ten miles out, they started picking up the pace until they were almost in a full-out gallop the rest of the way to the entrance of Hope’s Crossing.

  Tait had never felt so good to be back. Riding in front of him, his arm around her protectively, Becky glanced up with a grin. “Joe. Jesse.”

  “Yes, honey. Your brothers will be so happy to see you.”

  They’d barely ridden through the opening before Joe and Jesse raced toward them like a pack of wild wolves. “You’re home, Becky! You’re home!”

  Becky clamored to get down. Tait lowered her to the ground by an arm, and she was immediately engulfed by her exuberant brothers. Joe swung her around and whooped and hollered. When he set her down, Jesse picked her up again.

  Tait gingerly dismounted. He still hurt from head to toe, but it wasn’t as bad as it had been at first. The week’s rest had been good for him in more ways than one. His gaze found Melanie, riding in a wagon with her sister, and warmth seeped down into his bones. Frustration that he’d been unable to make love to her had built over the week they’d stayed in Canadian. Now that they were on Hope’s Crossing soil, he meant to do something about that.

  Once the kids had sounded the alert, the whole blasted town came running and yelling fit to raise the dead. Tait grinned. He hadn’t thought they liked him that much.

  Melanie climbed from the wagon, ducked around the kids, and took Tait’s elbow. “This is quite a reception.”

  “It’s our town, and these are our people.” He shook Ridge’s hand. “It’s good to be back. Anything happen while we were gone?”

  Ridge pushed back his black hat. “You mean except for the twins sneaking out to follow you and a hailstorm pounding the heck out of everything?”

  “Yeah, except for that.”

  “It’s been pretty boring.” Ridge moved aside to let others welcome them home.

  Tally juggled little Dillon. “I’m happy to see everything turn out well.”

  Melanie put an arm around her. “Come and meet my sister. She’s going to stay here with us, at least for now.”

  “Oh good. We can use another at our tea parties, and we have plenty of handsome bachelors waiting for a pretty single lady to come along.”

  Tait stared after the two ladies walking arm in arm, then headed toward the hotel, anxious to wash the trail dust off and rest.

  “Hey, you’re going the wrong way!” Travis Lassiter yelled.

  “What do you mean?”

  Ridge grinned and slapped his back. “You don’t live there anymore. We finished your house for you while you were gone and the furniture you ordered arrived, so we moved you in. The women even made curtains for the windows.”

  Tait stared in shocked silence. He glanced into the men’s faces, and each nodded. Thickness blocked his ability to speak. Melanie’s eyes held tears as she took her place again by his side.

  He blinked hard, overcome by emotion. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “I do.” Melanie met his gaze and threaded her fingers through his. “We both deeply appreciate your kindness. Thank you so much. This is the only homecoming I’ve ever had, and nothing will ever top it.”

  * * *

  Melanie helped get Ava settled in at the hotel for now. Although she’d much improved, the trip had taken a toll on her sister.

  After they’d unpacked what few things she’d brought, Ava pushed her toward the door. “Go take care of those kids and that handsome husband of yours.”

  “Are you in a hurry to get rid of me? Do you have plans to meet someone already?”

  Ava laughed, her blue-green eyes twinkling. “Even I can’t work that fast.” Her face grew serious. “You were right about this town. In all the places I’ve traveled, I never knew any like this existed. It’s more like a welcoming family than a group of strangers. I can see why you stayed.”

  Melanie hugged her. “I hope you’ll settle down here. There is nowhere better.”

  “I don’t have any skills other than cards, and there doesn’t seem to be much use for that.”

  “Never fear, sister. Things are always changing. I heard from Clay Colby that a businessman is looking for an opportunity and may open a bank here. With your uncanny ability with numbers, he’ll probably want to hire you right away. Unless the man is a complete idiot.”

  “I’d love to do something using numbers.” Ava squeezed her. “That sounds wonderful.”

  “In the meantime, you could tutor some of the children who lag behind on their sums. Mr. Denver the schoolmaster is unmarried, you know.”

  “Stop, Melanie. There’s more to life than marriage.”

  “I know. But finding that special someone sure makes things a lot more interesting.” Melanie couldn’t think of anything she’d rather be than Tait’s wife and mother to his niece and nephews. At least for now.

  * * *

  That night after the kids were asleep in their new beds, Melanie lay with Tait, listening to the sounds of the house. Each board seemed to whisper its happiness in being able to shelter them from the storms.

  The light of the lamp on the bedside table allowed her to see the board below the window that she had nailed into place. It seemed like an eternity since th
at day. So much had happened, but she remembered the joy that bubbled inside her to add her own stamp to their house.

  She snuggled against Tait, loving his naked body touching hers, even if it was still awfully discolored. “I’m so happy I could die. This is beyond my wildest dreams.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “It’s sure something all right.”

  Surely he’d get his pardon now. He had to. Everything he’d done had been for a reason, and he’d given every cent left of the railroad money back. As one of the women had said, these men had to find justice for themselves. There was no other law and they shouldn’t be punished for surviving.

  “I know you’re probably tired and still sore.”

  “What are you asking, Mellie?” His deep voice roughened, the sound making her stomach do funny things.

  She raised on an elbow and traced his mouth with a fingertip. “I want you, Tait. I need what you can give me, but I can wait until you’re up to it.”

  Smoldering desire in his silvery eyes sent delicious goosebumps over every inch of her. “We don’t have to wait, Mellie.”

  “I never thought I’d find a man like you.” She drew light circles on his chest and stomach. “Fact of the matter, I didn’t think men like you existed in the world.”

  Tait chuckled. “I sure hope not. I’d hate to think there are two of me.”

  “Go ahead and make fun, but you know what I mean.” She pressed a kiss to the hollow of his throat where his pulse beat.

  “I couldn’t resist.” He laid her back on the pillow and loomed over her, his long hair falling across his face. He nibbled behind her ear, his husky voice feathering across her skin and awakening a desire like she’d never known.

  “My darling Mellie, I was dead, and you brought me back to life. You must’ve seen something worth saving, but God only knows what it was.”

  “I saw a future.” And oh how bright it looked now. Tears filled her eyes to think how easily it could’ve all vanished.

  He slid his hand down her body, throwing aside the covers, moving across her skin like a whisper. He left a trail of kisses across her collarbone and along her ribs, making promises as he went. “I’m going to make slow, passionate love to you. I have a lot of making up to do.”

  His kiss held desire, hunger…love.

  “I’m yours, my darling, forever and always.” Melanie closed her eyes and let the warmth wash over her. She’d waited a while for this. The nights she’d spent alone had been long and painful.

  “My wife. You’re so beautiful. You excite me in ways no other ever has.” His touch burned her skin, branded her, sent every thought from her head and made her forget everything except what he was doing to her body. He planted kisses over her flat stomach and moved lower.

  She ran a fingertip across his back and firm buttocks. “Tait.” The word was full of pleading.

  The path to her breasts was painfully slow, and there he cupped first one then the other.

  Just when she thought each caress would spark a fire, he took a nipple between his thumb and forefinger and rolled it around. Heat rushed from her core, leaving her gasping. She pushed herself against his hand, gently caressing his chest, his thick neck, down his bare muscular arms.

  Shivers of anticipation rushed over the length of her. She loved every inch of her Texas outlaw. And when he stared at her with those quicksilver eyes, she wanted to melt into his body and become a part of him.

  He flicked her nipple with his tongue, hard and fast, before closing his mouth around it, enveloping her with moist heat that threatened to drive her over the edge of a wide abyss. Sucking, seeming to draw every part of her into him. Her body thrummed with need and demanded the fire be quenched.

  The ache inside grew until she thought she could stand no more. She strained, gasped, reaching for the elusive reward.

  While he was busy with his mouth, his hand moved to the center of her being, his fingers gently pushing inside the wet folds.

  Her heart pounded, and waves of pleasure rushed over her, pushing her higher.

  Hot.

  Pulsing.

  Wondrous joy.

  Tait moved on top and filled her. She gasped at the delicious sensation.

  Yes!

  Their bodies joined, they soon hurtled beyond the realm of space and time. Blinding white pleasure engulfed her and she floated, losing all sense of the things that grounded her.

  Her bones had turned to liquid and she didn’t want to move.

  Breathing hard, Tait dropped next to her, one arm across her belly, and she knew he would always be there to provide a tether. Something to hold her safely to him. Together they’d faced joys and sorrow, the highest highs and deepest lows, life and death, and through it all had won.

  Melanie lay still, wanting to stay in that perfect place of beauty and happiness where bad things could never touch them.

  But such a life would be boring and dull. Without the storms, you wouldn’t appreciate the sunshine. A person had to experience it all to fully live. She knew more hard times would come and she’d be ready when they did.

  For now, she was in Tait’s arms, safe and loved.

  His forever wife.

  * * *

  Two weeks following their return, an early-morning knock came at the door. Shaughnessy grinned. “I have a letter for you, Mr. Trinity.”

  “Just Tait will do.” He took the envelope and drew out a single piece of paper with the governor’s seal at the bottom.

  “What is it, Tait?” Melanie appeared at his side. “Bad news?”

  His head was swimming. He put an arm around her to grab hold of something before his legs went out from under him. “It’s a pardon. My slate is clear.” He picked her up and swung her around. “I’m a free man!”

  She clung to him, laughing.

  “That’s good news, sir.” Shaughnessy turned to go.

  “Wait.” Tait stuck out his hand. “Thank you for delivering this. It wasn’t your job.”

  The telegraph operator took his hand. “It came in on this morning’s stage, and I helped sort the mail. I knew you’d want it right away.”

  Tait pressed a silver dollar in his hand. “You’re a good man, Shaughnessy.”

  “I’ll say.” Melanie kissed the man’s cheek. “You don’t know what this means to us.”

  Shaughnessy said goodbye, and they shut the door. The kids clomping down the stairs sounded like a herd of wild buffalo.

  “What’s going on?” Joe asked.

  “I got a letter. I’m no longer wanted for any crimes.”

  Jesse pushed around his brother. “Can we celebrate?”

  Melanie rested a hand on his shoulder. “Yes, we can. We’ll have a party.”

  The last to make it down the stairs, Becky grinned and clapped. “Me happy.”

  Tears filled Tait’s eyes. He clasped a fist over his racing heart. “I’m free. I’m really free. I never thought to see this.”

  Later that day, they left the children playing under watchful eyes, and Tait took Melanie’s hand and escaped to the bluff overlooking the town. They sat in their favorite spot, gazing down on the place they loved and the special people who filled it. Melanie’s sister Ava walked with Nora, Rebel, and Tally, laughing at something one of the ladies had said. Ava was already fitting in as though she’d lived there forever.

  Tait wasn’t too sad that Mac had stayed behind in Canadian. Even though he’d proven his worth, Mac had rambling feet and would always follow the smell of money.

  “We did it.” Tait put his arm around the woman he’d love until the day he died. “Only I’m still not sure how.” He was silent a moment. Sam had laid out a list of things he had to send the governor, but he hadn’t done it yet. “I was supposed to have written the governor and pleaded with him to pardon me, but I got too busy with things after o
ur homecoming.”

  Melanie glanced up, her dimples peeking out. “I wrote him, sweetheart. This pardon is my gift. Maybe it’ll make up a little for my deception when I married you.”

  “More than amends. Leave the past where it is and don’t speak of it again. No more keeping score. From now on, all that counts is the future. I love you more today than yesterday, Mrs. Trinity.” He lowered his head and claimed those beautiful lips.

  The kiss could’ve scorched ten miles of fencerow, and it put a glow in his heart that lasted the rest of his life.

  Author’s Note

  Dear Reader,

  I trust you’re enjoying this Outlaw Mail Order Bride series. You know, outlaws were the original bad boys and those kinds of men even now really make my heart race. They aren’t afraid to take chances. They thrive on danger and live on the edge between life and death. Like outlaws of old living where there was often no law to be found, my men also take justice into their own hands. Guns settle disputes and the quickness of a draw is the only way to survive.

  Of the published books to date in this series, I think you’ll find this one quite different. However, different keeps things fresh.

  I’ve never written a book like this where deception, although for the right reasons, plays such a central part. Lady gambler Melanie Dunbar agrees to marry outlaw Tait Trinity purely for selfish reasons. She’s being threatened with prison unless she pulls off a miracle. The task she takes on is a doozy, and it’s anyone’s guess if she can come out on the other side in one piece.

  However, Tait, an outlaw and wanted man, is no better.

  After finding himself the sole guardian of twin nephews and a niece and totally out of his element, he takes the advice of a friend and sends for a mail order bride he’d been halfway interested in. He has in mind for her to take on the care of the children, but she’s not having any of being a nanny and flat tells him so.

  Yet despite Tait’s and Melanie’s flaws and initial motives for becoming a couple, they find themselves changing and the marriage, which starts out rocky and unsure, becomes rooted in deep respect and love—the kind that doesn’t fade.