Rocky shook his head as he began to pull his clothing on. “If you aren’t prepared to shoot to kill, don’t pull a gun. You’re the one who’s liable to wind up dead, if you can’t pull the trigger.”
Melanie turned to her side, watching her new husband as he dressed. He glanced at her as he shrugged into a clean shirt.
“I can pull the trigger, Rocky. On Kennedy, I can pull the trigger.”
Rocky crossed the room and took a small pistol out of his saddlebag. He checked it to be sure it was loaded, then handed it to her. “Put this in your bag. But don’t take it out unless you’re sure you can use it, if needed.”
Melanie took it from him and came to a sitting position, testing the feel of it, then rose.
At Rocky’s sharp intake of breath, she turned to look at him.
“Melanie—” He broke off, his dark eyes saying what he couldn’t put into words.
You’re beautiful. I adore you. I’ll take care of you.
She put the gun inside her reticule, turning away for a moment to control the tears that burned her eyes. “I feel the same,” she murmured, turning back to face him. Naked, she walked to him and put her arms around his neck. “I won’t ever make you sorry you married me—no matter the reasons. And if you want out—”
He kissed her, stopping her words. He pulled her close and when he lifted his head, he murmured, “We said ‘for better or worse’—I meant it, Mel.”
She smiled up at him. “I was going to say, Deputy, that if you wanted out, that was no longer on the table. Not after—last night.”
He laughed and swatted her on the rear as she moved away in search of her clothing.
****
After a hearty breakfast, Rocky handed Melanie up into the carriage. She was surprised and touched to see that Rocky had seen that the hot bricks had been put in place to keep her warm.
“Thank you.” She reached to grip his hand. “I wish you were riding in here, safe and warm.”
He grinned at her. “Hold that thought until tonight. We’ll be home by late afternoon.”
“Be careful,” she said.
“I will. Don’t worry.” He closed the door, and seconds later, the carriage shifted as he climbed up into the seat.
Don’t worry. But she did. Rocky didn’t know what Horatio Kennedy, or her stepfather, were capable of.
But she did.
****
Rocky fought the cold with thoughts of Melanie and the heat they’d made between them during the night. His groin tightened. He’d feel a damn sight better once they’d reached the lazy T. Kevin was gun-handy, and the house was built like a fortress, made to withstand attacks by the Creek and roaming Choctaws.
Horatio Kennedy was ruthless. That much was obvious, from the murderous look he’d given Melanie and him when they’d walked by his table. He’d been conspicuously absent this morning, but Rocky had made certain Kennedy was aboard the coach when it pulled out a few minutes before he and Melanie left.
He’d caught up to the stagecoach easily in a few short minutes with the lighter conveyance he drove. Snow fell intermittently, and Rocky felt the pressing need to get home to safety weighing on him as never before.
Oddly enough, it wasn’t so much just Kennedy’s appearance that worried him. He still couldn’t piece together what Mike Ferguson’s role in Melanie’s arrival was. And no matter how he tried, he couldn’t figure it out.
But none of it could put a damper on his happiness—a joy he’d never expected to feel in his heart again…not after what Eleanor had done to him. He rode on, lost in his own thoughts, until the familiar boundaries of the Lazy T came into view. Rocky let his breath out on a sigh of relief.
Almost there. He anticipated introducing Kevin and Maria to his new bride.
And maybe by this time next year, there’d be a cousin for Kevin and Maria’s little Lucas to grow up with. The thought caught him off-guard, but now that it had taken root in his mind, he realized it was something he may have wanted for longer than he’d known—or acknowledged.
Maybe last night they’d made a child. Started a family of their own. Of course, it was too soon to know, but it brought a smile to his lips, all the same.
The stagecoach shotgun rider leaned around the side of the coach and shouted, “Merry Christmas, Rock!”
Rocky gave him a wave of acknowledgement as he turned the carriage into the front gate of the ranch. His mind was already on the happy holiday that was ahead of them, the first of many to come.
The front door swung open, and Kevin and Maria came out to stand on the front porch as Rocky drew rein at the steps. Kevin was down the steps in a flash, and Rocky jumped from the seat to greet his younger brother with a bear hug.
“’Bout time you came home, brother! What a good Christmas this’ll be!” Kevin greeted him.
“Even better, Kev. I brought someone home with me.”
There was an odd look on Kevin’s face, but Rocky paid no mind. He’d been eager to introduce Melanie for miles. The carriage door opened, and Rocky hurried to assist. A hat perched on tumbling golden curls appeared around the door, followed by sparkling blue eyes.
Rocky hurried to take Melanie’s hand and help her down.
“Kevin, this is my wife, Melanie duBois Taylor. Mel, my little brother, Kevin.”
“Pleased to meet you, Melanie,” Kevin said, with a look of bewilderment in Rocky’s direction.
“Come inside!” Maria called from the doorway.
They all laughed and started for the steps as the hands hurried from the barn to lead the horses to shelter and put the carriage away.
“I’ll bring your bags in, Mr. Taylor,” one of the men said quickly.
Rocky nodded. “Thanks, Steve.”
“Sure thing.”
They made their way up the steps through the now steadily falling snow.
“Welcome!” Maria exclaimed. “Come inside and get warm. We have another guest, as well.”
Rocky felt a cold hand grip his chest as Melanie gave him a questioning look. In the moment when he stepped across the threshold, he knew he was right to be wary.
Jessaree Ames sat in front of the fire, holding Rocky’s nephew, Lucas. “Rocky!” she exclaimed. “Welcome home, darling.” She stood and walked toward him, handing the baby to Maria.
“Jessaree—” Rocky murmured.
“Yes, sweetheart.” She put her arms around him. “I’m here. Don’t you think it’s time for us to get our wedding plans underway?”
****
The room fell silent for a moment as Rocky disentangled himself from Jessaree’s embrace.
Before he could respond, Melanie stepped forward, coming to stand directly beside Rocky. She looked the other woman in the eye. “I’m afraid you’re too late. Rocky and I were married last night.” The air hung heavy with the frost in Melanie’s tone. She put her arm through Rocky’s possessively.
“Uh…Melanie, this is my wife—Maria—I’m sure you figured that out,” Kevin stammered awkwardly. “And this is an old family friend, Jessaree Ames—”
“And old family friend!” Jessaree shrieked. “I—what about us?” She turned beseeching eyes on Rocky.
“Jess, I never promised you a thing. There’s never been anything between us—”
“Well, not for lack of trying on my part!”
“But not on mine, Jess. We’re not right for each other.”
“Oh, and this—this debutante is what’s right for you, Rockford?”
Anger ripped through Rocky, but before he could respond, Melanie hugged him closer. It was as if she could feel his uncertainty to her reaction. But she was letting him know she understood this woman and her desperate ploy.
“We’re very much in love,” Melanie said coolly. “And I don’t ever intend to let him go, Miss Ames.”
****
“What a pity,” a gruff voice said from the kitchen doorway.
Melanie whirled at the familiar, grating tone. Horatio Kennedy stood holding
a Navy Colt pointed at the baby in Maria’s arms.
“You will be giving him up quite soon, Melanie.” Kennedy smiled. “Just stay put, ma’am,” he said, with a nod at Jessaree. “You’ll get your crack at him soon enough, once Melanie and I are gone.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Mr. Kennedy,” Melanie said stiffly.
“I think you will, unless you want to see this baby murdered. Now, I think you have a soft heart. You aren’t going to want that, I know. Just come along peacefully. You don’t want to get hurt, and the baby’ll need you to take care of him.”
“What?” Kevin stepped forward, but Kennedy leveled the gun at baby Lucas’s head.
“Stay back, Mr. Taylor. I’m taking your son as insurance. Melanie duBois is coming home to her family.” He gave Melanie a shaming look. “Your dear papa has been so worried about you. And…you’ve put me to an awful lot of trouble. But don’t worry…I’ll let you make it up to me on the way back…” He gave her what passed for a smile.
She shuddered in revulsion. “You—you should have stayed in West Virginia—minded your own business.” Her heart pounded like a thousand runaway horses.
She could not go back with this man! Gripping the reticule with the familiar weight of the pistol inside it gave her some comfort. Yes, she could pull the trigger. If she could get the gun out. If she could manage to shoot Horatio Kennedy before he shot baby Lucas…but she couldn’t take that chance—not with things like they were at this moment. It was too risky. Maybe there’d be a chance later…
“You…are my business…Miss duBois.”
“Melanie and I were married, Kennedy,” Rocky said tersely. “I’m afraid you’re too late to change that.”
Kennedy’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, I hope not. For your sake, Deputy…My employer is…most determined to make her his own bride.”
“Make my money his, you mean. He cares nothing for me, and I thoroughly despise him—”
Kennedy’s thin lips tightened. “Not my concern. Get your little purse and bring it along. You’ll need something to carry nappies in,” he said with a laugh.
“How did you get here?” Kevin asked.
“I persuaded the stagecoach driver to let me off to save my… dear sister… from driving into the stage station to retrieve me. Then, I hurried back here to…join the family reunion. Didn’t take me long.”
“Your sister?” Melanie breathed in disbelief.
He made a clucking sound. “Not really, Miss duBois! My, do you believe everything you’re told?” He laughed, winking at Rocky. “Good work. You know a gullible one when you find her, don’t you?” He shook his head. “No telling what pretty lies he filled your head with, my dear. But, I’m here now, to take you away from your…mistake.”
****
A movement behind Kennedy caught Rocky’s eye. He could scarcely believe what he saw.
Mike Ferguson? So, he’d been in on this with Kennedy and Whitworth from the beginning…but why? Why bring Melanie out here, halfway across the continent? It didn’t make sense. Why and how would Ferguson have gotten involved with Kennedy?
As Ferguson made eye contact with Rocky, he gave his head a slight shake, as if he knew Rocky’s thoughts.
It’s not what you think, he seemed to say. But could the outlaw be trusted?
Against every instinct, Rocky forced his features to neutrality, so as not to give Kennedy any cause to believe anything was amiss. As Ferguson made the next careful step, Kennedy turned, and Rocky seized the moment to draw his Colt and fire.
Kennedy growled in pain as the bullet slammed into his shoulder, but he didn’t fall—he rushed at Rocky with the strength and grit of a wounded bear. Rocky was ready for him, and as Kennedy barreled into him, they crashed onto the floor in a heap, with Rocky on top. He drew his fist back and slammed it into Kennedy’s face, but Kennedy, fueled with the determination to survive, rolled and unseated Rocky, throwing him to the floor.
Kennedy leapt on him, a crazed killing light in his eyes, but a pistol shot sounded as the women screamed. Kennedy glared at Rocky, slumping forward just as Ferguson reached him and yanked him off of Rocky, who lay with his smoking pistol pointing toward the man who had been determined to kill him and kidnap Melanie and Lucas.
“You.” Kennedy muttered at Ferguson. He slumped, unable to hold himself up.
“Yes. Me. The boy you thrashed within an inch of his life. ‘Never come home,’ you said. ‘You can’t imagine how they’ll suffer,’ you told me. You stole my family. My life.”
“No,” Kennedy muttered, trying to shake his head. “That was Whitworth…I just …worked for him…did what I was told.”
“You stinking bastard!” Ferguson hissed. “I win. My sister is safe.”
“Tony!” Melanie cried from across the room. She started toward him.
The light guttered out of Kennedy’s eyes, and Ferguson let go of him. Kennedy fell forward, face first, with his last breath escaping as his nose met the floor.
Ferguson opened his arms as Melanie flew across the room. He enfolded her close to him, holding her tight, the two of them unaware of everyone else around them.
****
Later, Rocky, Kevin, Tony and Melanie sat around the dining table, Melanie seated between her brother and her husband.
The smell of pine filled the air, from the beautifully decorated, fresh-cut Christmas tree in the great room.
Dinner had been a simple affair of spicy meat-filled tortillas, pinto beans, cornbread, and rice.
Melanie had barely been able to eat, though her first taste of Mexican food had been wonderful. She wanted to ask so many questions about what had happened in Tony’s life since he’d marched away to war so many years ago.
Once the meal ended, Jessaree had gone up to her room to pack, for she would be leaving in the morning. Maria took Lucas upstairs to put him to bed.
Now, as Melanie looked at Rocky, she could see he had questions of his own. And from Tony’s cryptic words to Kennedy about keeping her safe, she could only conclude that Tony had had something to do with this mail-order bride scheme. Her thoughts returned to the present as Tony began to speak.
“When I came home,” he said, “Kennedy met me at the front gate and knocked me out. When I came to, he beat me so badly he nearly killed me.” He gave a mirthless chuckle. “Survived four years of hell to come home and nearly be killed almost on my front doorstep.”
“Mama and Papa never believed you were dead, Tony,” Melanie said softly.
“Kennedy told me if he saw my face again, he’d kill Papa. For a long time, after I heard Papa had had convulsions and died, I—I thought maybe they had poisoned him.”
“It’s possible,” Melanie said. “But it had nothing to do with you. Whitworth had a plan for Mama—”
“How did she die, Melanie?” Tony’s eyes were filled with pain, and Melanie couldn’t speak for the tightness in her throat.
Rocky glanced up at Tony. “Mike—uh, Tony—Melanie tells me Whitworth had your mother committed to an asylum. She died shortly after she entered there.”
“When?”
“Two weeks.”
Tony looked down, and Melanie raised his clasped hand and kissed his knuckles. “There wasn’t anything you could’ve done. Whitworth is so powerful—”
“He will pay for what he’s done to our family, Melanie. Killed both our parents and—God only knows what he had in mind for you.”
“With Mama and Papa out of the way, and you presumed dead, I stood to inherit our family money. He planned to marry me, making the money his own.”
“Then, he’d certainly have you killed,” Kevin concluded.
Melanie nodded. “Yes. I’m sure of it.”
“Guess my advertisement saved the day,” Tony quipped somberly.
“How did you arrange that?” Melanie slanted him a grin.
“Oh, I have my ways, young lady. I swore your dear friend Anne Marie to secrecy. I gave the ad to her and asked her to show it to yo
u and encourage you strongly to write to uh…Rocky, here.”
Melanie turned serious. “Why did you pick Rocky, brother dear?”
Tony glanced at Rocky, who regarded him steadily. Finally, he said, “He’s a good man. Best man I know. I knew if you took the bait and made it this far, he’d—he’d do right by you.” Tony glanced around the table. “I didn’t really expect him to marry you, though, Sis. What happened?”
Rocky laughed and took up the story. “Kennedy was hot on our trail. A preacher put it all together, listening to him talk on the stage. The preacher warned us and performed our marriage ceremony in the midst of our dinner at that stage station.”
“But—oh, well, I assume you can have it annulled if you want—” Tony said thoughtfully.
“Not on your life,” Rocky answered, as Melanie leaned close to him. “And—just how did you get out of jail?”
Tony sat back in his chair with a self-satisfied grin. “I convinced Otis to let me go. Not enough evidence, for one thing, and—well, you know the old tradition of pardoning prisoners on Christmas Eve—but I talked Otis into pardoning me ahead of time. I caught sight of Kennedy getting off the stage and I knew I had to follow him.”
“Did you tell Otis all this?” Rocky asked.
“Well…not all of it. Not exactly…”
Rocky shook his head. “Is there nothing you can’t talk your way out of?”
Tony gave him a sharp look. “Getting my ass beaten so badly I—sorry, Mel—” He broke off, then said, “Yeah, I guess there are a few things I can’t talk my way out of, Deputy.”
Melanie took her brother’s hand again. “Well, I can’t believe you’re really here. You’re alive—and you came up with this—this plan to save me—” Her voice trembled with emotion.
Tony put an arm around her and hugged her, then released her. “I did wrong though, Mel. Even though it got you away—I’ve been thinking about what Rocky said. It all could’ve ended poorly. I was playing with your life—and his—”
Rocky leaned forward, extending his hand. “As far as I’m concerned, all’s forgiven. If I was in that situation, I figure I’d do damn near anything I had to do just to save my sister. You did what you had to do.” He smiled. “And I thank God you did.”
A Mail-Order Christmas Bride Page 37