Alejandra's eyes were drawn to the rich mahogany of the desk, with roses carved into the upper portion of each leg. The same gleaming wood lined the top of the walls where they met the ceiling, with the same roses carved on either side of the corner seams. Whomever had built and outfitted this room had cared about every detail.
She glanced at Edward, and her gaze fell into his. "It's beautiful. I've never stayed anywhere so elegant."
His free hand settled over hers, where she still gripped his elbow. "You deserve much finer than this." His thumb stroked the tops of her fingers. "I wish I could give you the very best."
Those chocolate eyes never left her face, but their intensity deepened. He meant those words. The very best. Somehow, just being with Edward made everything feel like the very best.
Wood scraped behind them, interrupting the moment. Edward's focus cut to something behind her, and Alejandra turned to see the lanky man stride around the desk, keys jangling in one hand and a lantern in the other.
"If you folks'll just follow me, we've got your rooms ready."
The stairs were too narrow for them to traverse side by side, so Edward ascended behind her.
"Ya'll from around Texas parts?" The man leading them turned as he spoke, the glow of the lantern illuminating portions of his face and casting others in shadows.
"Near Seguin, in Guadalupe County." Edward matched the man's conversational tone.
"Nice place, I hear. I know you said you only need the rooms one night, but we'd be happy to have you longer." They reached a landing and the man strode down a hall lined with doors on both sides. "San Marcos is a nice little town. Good people."
"I'm sure it is."
Their escort stopped at a door marked with the number three. "I think the lady will like this room." He turned the knob and pushed the door, stepping aside for her to enter.
Alejandra couldn't stop a gasp. "Es muy bonita." White lace curtains hung from a canopy bed dominating the center. The same lace draped the window, its wood frame accenting the rich walnut of the dresser and wardrobe that spanned the remaining walls.
"Please let me know if you need anythin' else, miss. I'll be happy to fetch it."
Alejandra turned to the man, keeping her focus on his face, not his uniform. In her clearest American, she said, "Thank you, sir. This looks fine."
His face spread into a wide smile, white teeth sparkling against the dark of his skin. Turning to Edward, he said, "Your room is here at the end of the hall, Mistuh Stewart."
But instead of following him, Edward eyed Alejandra. "I've asked Mister Sampson here to send a telegram to Anna and Jacob. Is there anything else you need for the night? I'm sorry you don't have a trunk or anything. If you need something, I might find a store open. Clothes to sleep in or…er, personal items." Even in the dim light she could see his face had reddened.
She stepped close enough to touch his arm, nibbling her lip against a smile. "I'm fine Edward. This is more than enough."
His gaze lifted to search hers. She released her lip and allowed the smile to bloom. "Go get some sleep."
But as he turned away, her heart pulled with him. And when she watched him trudge down the hall behind Mister Sampson, her chest squeezed with a longing she'd never experienced. Lord, thank You for bringing me such a wonderful man to love.
Forcing her mind away from those strong, broad shoulders, she filtered through the events of the day. When she started with a simple ride to the river, who would have thought her day would end like this?
~ ~ ~
It was lunchtime the next day, when Edward reined Pepper off the main road and toward the farmhouse nestled in the distance. Home.
Alejandra shifted behind him, her head lifting from where her cheek had lain warm against his back. "We're home." Her voice was a groggy murmur, shooting warmth through his chest.
He'd never enjoyed a six hour ride so much as this trip home with Alejandra snuggled in behind him. He really should have rented a buggy. But they could move faster on horseback, and nothing felt so good as her arms wrapped around his waist.
"They'll be glad to see you safe." And no one could be happier than him that she was mostly un-scarred from her ordeal with those no-account snakes-in-the-grass. But he fought the urge to tighten his reins, to slow Pepper down and delay the upcoming reunion. They'd fawn over Alejandra, for sure. Probably wrap her in hugs and sweep her away into the kitchen to feed her. And maybe she needed that.
But after so much special time alone with Alejandra, it would be hard to hand her over to anyone else. A sigh escaped before he realized it.
When they rode into the ranch yard, all seemed quiet. Until a little high-pitched yap sounded from inside. Seconds later, the door burst open. Mama Sarita flew out, with Emmaline and Anna close on her heels.
He gripped Alejandra's arm as she slid off Pepper, and then she was enveloped in a flurry of hugs. As he dismounted, the women laughed and cried and embraced like they'd been separated for years.
Juan appeared at Pepper's head. He offered Edward a hand shake and an understanding grin, as his eyes flicked to the hen party in front of them. Edward wasn't sure what to say, so he just shrugged. As Juan led the horse away, Jacob strolled up with little Martin laying against his shoulder.
"Look, dear. Alejandra's finally home." Anna reached for her husband's arm, pulling him into the fray.
He nodded to Alejandra. "Awfully thankful you're back. We had a posse searching until Edward's telegraph came through. Good thing the Lord was looking out for you."
Alejandra's eyes took on a shimmer. "Yes, He was caring for me. And He used the right man to save me." Her gaze found Edward's.
He swallowed, heat crawling up his neck. What did he say in front of all these people?
Anna saved him the trouble by hooking a hand through Alejandra's arm. "Let's get you inside. I'll bet you're hungry." She shot Edward a beady-eyed look. "And that puppy's about to jump out of his skin, he's so excited to have you back. He didn't know what to do with himself with you both gone last night."
Edward trailed behind with Jacob as the women ushered Alejandra inside. When the front door opened, the puppy's high yapping bark sounded louder, although still muffled. Anna cracked the door to the parlor, and a tan fur ball darted around the edge. The little guy flung himself into Alejandra's waiting arms, and she scooped him up. She cuddled him close as he plastered her chin with puppy lick-kisses. It was hard to get a good view of her face from where he stood, but no doubt happiness shone there.
And then Alejandra turned, her eyes searching the faces for his. When she found him, her eyes lit, sparkling with a joy from within. The sea of people around her seemed to part, making way for her to come to him. As she stepped close, she held up the puppy. It was hard to pull his gaze from hers, but he finally forced himself to greet the animal with a scratch behind his ears. "Hey there, niño."
Sol answered the greeting by gnawing his hand. Sharp points dug into his skin, and Edward stifled a wince. "This boy's getting some teeth."
"I'll fill your plates while you two play with the puppy. But don't be long. I have apple pie." Something about the way Anna said "play with the puppy" caught Edward's attention.
He met her gaze in time to see a sassy quirk of her eyebrow. Then she turned with a toss of her head, and strolled down the hall to the kitchen.
"Guess I'd better get this boy to bed so he can get a decent nap." Jacob was already striding down the hall with his babe as he spoke. Although little Martin didn't seem to have any trouble sleeping perched against his father's shoulder.
"And I'll go help Anna." Mama Sarita patted Alejandra's shoulder, then turned toward the hall Anna and Jacob had just traversed. "I whipped some sweet cream earlier, so that will be good with the pie."
She paused after a few steps and looked back at them. Her eyes crinkled at the edges as she surveyed Alejandra. "I'm so glad you're home, mija." And then her gazed moved up to Edward, pinning him with intensity. "And you, son. Go
od job."
"Thank you." He swallowed past the lump in his throat.
Then she was gone, and he had Alejandra all to himself again. Slipping an arm around her waist, he pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her soft black hair.
She tipped her face to his, a smile touching her lips. "It's good to be home."
"Yes." His gaze dropped to those lips, so soft.
The puppy in his hand reached up and planted a lick-kiss across her chin. Alejandra jerked back, a giggle slipping from her.
Edward leaned down to let the puppy jump from his arms to the floor. "Get out of here, you rascal. That's my woman." He straightened to face Alejandra, not giving her a chance to react to his words. Just tightened his grip around her waist, cradled her cheek with his other hand, and brought his lips down to hers.
She was sweeter than he remembered. Her lips soft and supple, tasting of the strawberry jelly they'd eaten with biscuits on the trail. She responded to his kiss, loosening the feelings he'd held back over these two wonderful days with her. His fingers crept into her hair, pulling her closer. Closer. She wrapped her hands around his neck, and he deepened the kiss. A little moan escaped from the back of her throat, sending his heart into a frantic gallop.
A door slammed somewhere in the back of the house, barely breaking through his awareness. Nothing could stop the magic of this kiss. This woman. She pulled away, and he followed her. Don't stop.
She slid her hands down to his chest. "Edward." Her whisper was breathy. Half call, half reprimand.
"Alejandra." He kissed her cheek. Her jaw. She was amazing.
"Edward." That breathy call again, and she took his jaw in her hands. "They're waiting for us."
He dropped his forehead to rest on hers, soaking in deep breaths. This woman was intoxicating. He had to clear his head, although that was the last thing he wanted to do.
~ ~ ~
"Look how little they are."
Alejandra smiled as Emmaline wiggled her fingers through the wood slats of the chicken coop. She bent down next to the girl. "They are tiny. Just hatched this morning." A nice surprise when she'd gone to gather eggs. Definitely a better way to start the day than with her kidnapping two days before.
"Can I hold one? Please?" Emmy turned her liquid blue eyes on Alejandra first, then up to Edward who stood behind them. The setting sun framed his profile, casting shadows on his face.
He chuckled, then ambled to the door of the pen. "I guess so, if you're extra careful."
After scooping up one of the little fluff balls, he slipped back out of the coop. "Easy there, Emmy-bug." Squatting down for the girl to see, he stroked the chick with a single finger. "Just run your hand lightly like this."
As Emmaline followed his instructions, the chick "chirp, chirped" loud enough to make her jump. She snatched her hand back, then gazed up at Edward with wide eyes.
"She's talking to you. Saying 'Cheep, cheep. Hi, Emmaline. Cheep, cheep.'" His voice rose as he mimicked the bird.
Emmaline giggled, then stroked the chick, leaning close. "Hi, chicky."
After a few minutes of coddling, Edward put the fluffy animal back in the pen. "He needs to go back to his mama now." He latched the door, then turned and tweaked the end of Emmaline's nose. "And you should probably go check with your mama. She said she wanted you in the house early for bed tonight."
She scrunched her nose, shoulders slumping and arms dangling loosely. "All right."
Alejandra reached for the child. "May I have a hug, niña? Dulces sueños."
Emmaline wrapped her short arms around Alejandra, burying her face in Alejandra's red shawl. "Sweet dreams to you, too. I love you."
That now familiar ache tightened Alejandra's chest. "I love you, too." The words rasped past the emotion clogging her throat. Love for this little girl and her family had buried itself so deep in Alejandra's heart, she wouldn't ever be able to extract it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
As Alejandra watched Emmaline trudge away, her heart was so full it ached.
Edward slipped a hand around her waist, pulling her to his side. She was tempted to lean her head on his shoulder, but he spoke before she could make up her mind.
"Care to take a short walk with me? It will be almost a full moon, and I know the spot where the stars are brightest." His voice was deep and strong in her ear.
Instead of answering with words, Alejandra turned to bestow a smile on him. She slipped out of his hold, then slid her hand into his. He entwined their fingers, her small hand fitting in his larger one as naturally as if it'd been made to rest there. With his hand covering hers, it gave her the feeling she'd never have to face anything alone again.
They walked a few minutes, skirting the outside edge of the corral fencing as dusk faded to darkness. Little sparkles of light began to illuminate the sky above. The air was chilly, a continuation of the weather Anna said was unusually warm for early March in this area. Alejandra pulled her shawl tighter against a breeze.
"Are you cold?" Edward glanced at her, his brow furrowed as he broke their companionable silence.
She sent him a reassuring smile. "No. I'm fine."
But he stopped walking and slipped his arm around her waist again, leaning back against the fence rail. "This is far enough."
Alejandra laid her head against his shoulder, staring into the twinkling sky above them, while her mind wandered. "Anna said she'd teach me to make fried steak for dinner tomorrow."
"Mmm. That sounds wonderful." His breath brushed the top of her hair as he spoke. "I'm afraid I won't be here to eat it, though. I have to go on a short trip tomorrow."
Alejandra jerked back and spun so she could see his face. Was he kidding? No, the remorse was there, clouding his features in the moonlight. A pang struck her chest, but she bit her lip against the disappointment.
"I'll be back the next day, though. And I hope to have a surprise for you."
She swallowed down the lump in her throat, forcing a light tone into her voice. "A surprise? Is it another puppy?"
A soft chuckle drifted from Edward and he pulled her into his arms. "I'm not telling."
Alejandra released a long, dramatic sigh as she rested her palms on his chest. "If you're bringing me something, I suppose I'll wait until you come back to make the fried steak and potatoes." Or maybe she'd make them tomorrow, too, just for practice.
"That would be nice." His dark eyes twinkled in the glow of the moon. As he leaned nearer, his voice grew husky. "But anything you make is a treat."
As his lips approached hers, Alejandra's eyes drifted closed. His warm breath brushed her face, his masculine scent filling her senses. He tasted of mint and sweet buñuelo sauce, and every part of her came alive at his kiss. By the time he relinquished her mouth and held her face between his hands, Alejandra could scarcely draw breath.
But she didn't need her lungs full to know beyond a shadow of doubt, she loved this man.
~ ~ ~
Alejandra released a long sigh as she sank into the kitchen chair. Across the table, baby Martin babbled at her from Mama Sarita's arms.
"I'm sure he'll be back today." Anna peered up from the needle and cloth doll in her hands. "But if you frown like that much longer, your face will freeze that way."
Alejandra's hand flew to her forehead, smoothing out the wrinkles. She should be embarrassed that her pining for Edward was obvious. But to be honest, she was so out of sorts she couldn't bring herself to worry about the others seeing it.
Pushing to her feet again, Alejandra trudged to the stove. When she lifted the lid from the large cast iron pot, the hearty aroma of beans spread through the kitchen. It would be a poor supper if Edward came back today, but she'd cooked fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, and pear pie the last two nights. Of course the first night was for practice, but he said he'd be home last night. So where was he?
After stirring the beans, she let the lid drop onto the pot with a clatter. The sound didn't seem to faze baby Martin, but Sol jumped
to his feet with a high puppy bark. He tilted his head at her, as if trying to decipher why she acted so strange.
He barked again, but this time looked the other way. Turning toward the front door, he continued yapping as he ran toward the hallway.
Alejandra's pulse hammered in her chest. Was someone here? Edward? She sprinted down the hall, following Sol, without taking time for another thought.
The front door opened before she could get there, and a familiar set of broad shoulders spanned the doorway. She skidded to a stop a few feet away, just before she would have thrown herself in his arms. Slow down, Alejandra.
Surprise raised Edward's features for a second, but it quickly morphed into pleasure. He narrowed the distance between them in two strides, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her boots off the floor with the strength of his hug.
Setting her down, he drew back just enough to see her face. "You're more beautiful than I remembered." His voice held a mixture of pleasure and awe.
"It's about time you came home."
His mouth quirked on one side, displaying that dimple that always made her heart beat double time. "Miss me?"
Her hand itched to wipe the smirk off his face. At the same time, her body threatened to pull him into a kiss that would show exactly how much she missed him.
His brown eyes darkened to a rich coffee color, and he must have read some of those thoughts on her face. "Come with me, love. Let's pack some food and have dinner by the river."
"Sì." She didn't protest as he took her hand and led her down the hall toward the kitchen.
But a twinge of fear pressed her chest. Could she go back to the river? The place of her kidnapping? With God and Edward by her side…maybe.
~ ~ ~
As they rode, Alejandra answered Edward's questions about the last couple of days, sharing stories of baby Martin, and how many times Emmaline had begged to pet the new chicks. When she asked about his trip, the only thing he would say was, "I think it went better than I'd hoped. We'll see."
The Ranger Takes a Bride Page 17