The Payment

by Mysty McPartland

  Traye eyed his brother worriedly he sensed something troubled him. “All right Jesse spit it out.”

  His hand lifting, Jesse shifted his hat back on his head; he decided earlier that they should know the truth. “Dane lied to us. It seems that his wife is payment for a gambling debt and nothing more.”

  Traye let a long slow whistle and sadly shook his head. “Are you really sure?”

  “Hell yeah. I heard them talking and laughing about it.” Jesse spat out as he turned to face his younger brothers.

  “Damn it. How could Dane do it to us? It’s her damn fault.” Reese growled out, hurt and disappointed in his older brother for the first time in his life.

  “Well I intend to confront him tonight. I want the God damn truth.” Jess growled out angrily, he did not care if his brother and wife became upset. Damn women, you couldn’t trust any of them. They already learned that lesson a long time ago, and he didn’t intend to forget it again anytime soon.

  Dane tied his horse to the railing of the porch. He moved up the steps and banged on the front door, he shifted his hat back on his head just as Dianne opened the door. He raised a brow and shot her a malice contemptible glare.

  Dianne sat waiting for Dane to arrive and after opening the door to the knock, she saw him standing on the doorstep. She lifted her chin and gazed at him in anger, she still grew livid over the fact that he married another woman. “Come in Dane, father is waiting for you in the study.”

  When she stepped aside, Dane entered the house and followed her to the study. He did not miss seeing the anger and the lust in her eyes and wanted to laugh in her face. As he stepped inside the study, his angered renewed itself, and he glared in rage at the older man sitting behind the desk.

  “I believe you paid my wife a visit today. I also believe you threatened her with a buggy whip and insulted her.” He growled out when he reached the front of the desk. Before the older man could even utter a word, he leaned over, grabbed a fist full of shirt, and lifted him out of his seat. “Listen to me old man and listen well and that goes for your damn daughter as well.”

  A quick turn of his head, Dane threw the woman a murderous glare before he turned back to her father. “If either of you ever speak or come near my wife again I’ll be back here before you can take a breath. The next time I won’t be so polite.”

  Dianne became frightened when Dane hauled her father out of his seat, she gasped at his threat, and her hand fluttered to her throat. She knew the next time he would do much more than threaten them.

  John filled full of impotent rage when Mathews stepped in the study. When he found himself pulled roughly out of his seat, he could only sputter in angry frustration. At the threat, he became slightly alarmed. He sucked in a deep breath when Dane let him go and he fell back into his chair. “How dare you come into my home and make your threats. I have every right to my anger. You made a promise to my daughter; you and your wife have shamed her in front of the whole town.”

  Feeling braver now, he continued. “You think you can go to Dallas and marry that bitch and return to humiliate my daughter and think I won’t react to the insult? Well you’re a fool. You will damn well make amends and save my daughter from the disgrace. Since you can no longer marry her, I insist one of your brothers will marry her.”

  Shocked, Dianne cried out in horror and rushed to her father’s side. “No please Pa, I don’t want to marry any of the others. I only want Dane.”

  “Shut up daughter, you will do as I say.” John swung his gaze to his daughter and glared her into silence. He turned back to Mathews. His eyes flashed with determination.

  Dane was about to reach out and strike the old man for insulting his wife. However, the more he listened the more amused he became. The old man suggesting that one of his brothers marry this bitch he found hilarious.

  He burst out laughing. “You have got to be joking old man or you’re going senile. Let me explain to you, and I suggest you listen real good. I never once asked your daughter to marry me and I damn well never would. For some reason, and I can easily guess why she made up the engagement when I was away. She probably thought I wouldn’t deny it. Well, she is just as stupid as you. And you really must have lost your mind if you think one of my brothers would marry her. Good God everyone knows what a lying conniving bitch she is.”

  With a shake of his head, he turned away from the two stunned faces. He could not stand the sight of either one of them a moment longer. Before they could utter a word, he took long angry strides and quickly found himself out of the room and out of the house. After untying his horse, he swung up on the saddle and headed home. My God the two them of must have lost their sanity. Something in his gut though told him this would not be the end of it. He had an uneasy feeling that there definitely would be a lot more to come and if what he sensed it would most likely going to be whole lot of trouble.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  It didn’t take him long to reach home. As he rode across the yard, Dane shook his head and wondered how his brothers were going to react over old man King's suggestion that one of them marry his daughter. Just the thought of it made him chuckle.

  India, in a state of worry, waited anxiously for Dane to return. When she heard the sound of a horse approaching, she sighed in relief, when she opened the door and saw him heading towards the barn. She raced out of the house and to the barn, stepping inside saw him dismounting. Rushing forward, she went flying into his arms. “Oh Dane I’m so relieved you’re home. Something’s wrong. I don’t know what it is but after you left Jesse and the twins have been acting nasty and glaring at me hatefully.”

  Dane grunted when his wife came rushing into the barn and threw herself at him. He caught her; he frowned as he listened to her worries. Now what the hell is going on? He could see the worry in his wife’s eyes and hear it in her voice. “Hush sweetheart I’m sure it’s nothing. Come on let’s go inside so I can clean up and have supper. I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough what has them upset."

  India refrained from telling her husband that his brothers were more than a little upset. Instead, she walked beside him towards the house. I hope Dane is right though, and it’s not something terrible, but I know it’s worse than he thinks.

  Once they entered the house, Dane left his wife downstairs and hurried upstairs to wash. It didn’t take him long and when he came back downstairs, he hid his surprise at seeing her still standing in the foyer. Reaching her side, he cupped her cheek and kissed her brow. “Come on sweetheart we’ll face them together.” He gave her an encouraging smile then dropping his hand from her face took her hand in his and led her through the house to the dining room.

  After seating her and taking his own seat, he gaze moved around the table. He noticed the burning anger in Jesse’s and the twin’s eyes. He knew then that nothing would be said. They would not say what bothered them until they could get him alone. Well fine, he would rather discuss whatever upset them in private. He turned to wife and gave a slight nod so she could start the meal.

  India felt uncomfortable and terribly worried. She sighed in relief when the meal finally ended. When Dane came to take her outside, she quickly went with him. “Do you understand now why I am so worried?” She whispered as they moved through the house.

  Dane clasped his wife’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Well until they tell us, we won’t know what’s got them so mad.”

  As soon as Dane and his wife left the room, Jesse told Tuff to keep Mason and Tye inside while he and the twins discussed something with Dane.

  Worriedly, Tuff watched the boys leave and shook his head; he wondered what caused the boys to be so angry. Well, whatever it is, he hoped it would be sorted out quickly.

  Jesse stepped outside with the twins and found Dane and his wife seated on the swing. “Tell us Dane, is she worth the money or the ranch and the lies you told us?” He spat the words out furiously.

  Dane sat tensely when his brothers came out, his hand tightened around his wife’s. Th
e breathe whooshed out of him at Jesse’s angry question. He inwardly cringed in guilt knowing how his lie must have hurt his brothers.

  India put a hand over her mouth muffling her gasp; she peeked at her husband and saw how guilty he looked.

  At last finding his voice, Dane resolutely gazed at his brothers. “I didn’t mean to lie to you, but I knew if I told you the truth you would never give India a chance. And before you go blaming her, it was me alone that decided not to tell you the truth. I hope you will give me a chance to tell you the truth, and I hope you will forgive me for lying to you.”

  Tense and filled with remorse, Dane fell silent and waited for his brothers to decide what they wanted to do. He just hoped once he explained everything that they would forgive him.

  Jesse, Reese and Traye looked at each and with silent understanding, sat down.

  After a deep breath of relief, Dane hastily started to explain to his brothers. “I met India at a ball, the first moment I met her, I wanted her, but she wanted nothing to do with me. A few nights later, I found myself in a game of cards with her brother. He lost everything to me. I didn’t want the ranch or the money; I suddenly realized I had the means to have her.”

  He stopped speaking for a moment and turning to his wife, he smiled at her tenderly before he turned back to his brothers and continued. “Her brother was shocked when I told him I would forget the debt if his sister married me. India didn’t want to marry me and he forced her into it. The reason I didn’t tell you the truth is that I didn’t want to shame her. And I knew you would never accept her if you knew the truth.”

  Traye, Reese and Jesse shook their heads and as one, they sighed heavily, knowing Dane didn’t mean to lie to them. He is probably right though they would most likely would have made it a lot harder on India.

  “Why don’t you tell us what happened at old man King's place?” Reese asked letting Dane and his wife know they were forgiven, and it would be forgotten.

  His shoulders eased, with the tension lessoning, knowing his brother’s forgave him. Dane rubbed his thumb over the back of his wife’s hand as he started to fill everyone in. “I’ll tell you that you're not going to believe what I’m going to say to you. I can hardly believe it myself. Since Dianne can’t marry me the old man is insisting one of you marries her.”

  India didn’t say anything or interfere in the conversation, she just felt so relieved that Dane’s brothers could forgive them so easily.

  “Well damn me, the old man must be senile if he thinks anyone of us would marry that insufferable bitch.” Jesse said as he rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.

  Traye raised his brow and turned to his twin. “I reckon the old man wants something more than one of us marrying his daughter.”

  “Yeah that’s what I think but for the life of me, I can’t think of a damn thing the old man would want so desperately.” Dane turned and smiled at his wife. He wanted to kiss her so much, but he would have to wait until they were alone.

  For a long time, they all sat on the veranda. Every one of them was deep in their own thoughts.

  After a time Dane and India bid the boy's good night and went upstairs to their room. Once the door closed behind them, Dane took his wife in his arms and kissed her with mounting desire.

  Surprised at how quickly she found herself in her husband's arms, India didn’t protest and lifting her arms, she wrapped them around his neck and kissed him back. The next moment they were falling on the bed in a tangle of arms and legs, for a second their mouths broke apart but Dane’s mouth caught hers again in another hot searing kiss.

  As he kissed his wife he wondered if he would ever get enough of her, he hoped not. While he continued to kiss her, his fingers were busy on the buttons on her blouse. He could hardly wait to rediscover the rapture he found in this woman’s arms.

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  In the parlor, India sat on the sofa. Putting down her sewing, she thought over the last five weeks. It had been a relief that Jesse and the twins could put Dane’s lie and the truth of their marriage aside. Even Mason no longer resented her, and now she truly did feel a part of this family. Smiling, she placed her hands on her stomach; soon she would be adding to this already large family.

  With her eyes closed, she leaned her head back and rested it against the sofa. Her wistful smile died as she wondered how Dane would react to the news of becoming a father. She still didn’t know if he loved her, he never spoke of his feelings or told her what he felt in his heart. It hurt and she so much wanted to tell him how much she loved him but it frightened her to tell him how she felt when she did didn’t know what lay in his heart.

  Perhaps when he found out about the baby he would finally tell her of his feelings. She hoped so; it would be the one thing that would make her completely happy. Grimacing slightly she wondered how the rest of the family will react when they learned about the baby. No doubt, it will cause a ruckus, they were a volatile lot but she loved them all the same.

  Chuckling softly, she opened her eyes and straightened up in her seat, she needed to pick the right time to tell her husband he is about to become a father and then they would decide together when they would tell the rest of the family.

  In Sherman doing her shopping, Dianne came to an abrupt stop as she stared thoughtfully at the woman who just stepped out of the hotel. There is something very familiar about the woman. The longer she stared; she became positive she knew the woman. If the woman is who I think she is, it would be the perfect revenge.

  Without another moment's hesitation, she checked for traffic on the street and seeing it clear of horses or wagons lifted up the bottom of her skirt and hurried across the dusty road. “Is it really you Mrs. Mathews?” She asked when she stood in front of the other woman. Oh, she felt sure it could only be her now that she could see the other woman’s eyes.

  Swiftly turning when she heard her name, Irene’s eyes narrowed as she saw the young women in front of her. Her eyes glittering with anger, she reached out and grasped the younger woman’s arm tightly. “For goodness sakes don’t say another word and don’t mention my name again. Do you hear me? Come with me and we’ll talk in my room.”

  Her eyes wide with pain, when the other woman let go of her arm Dianne rubbed at the painful spot as she followed the older woman inside the hotel and up the stairs to her room. She did not understand why Dane’s mother did not want anyone to know she was here, but she intended to use it to her advantage. When she spied the older man sitting in the room she could not help be impressed when he stood up and bowed.

  Irene Mathews cursed to herself as she watched the younger woman settle on to a chair. It annoyed her to know how easily the girl recognized her. She needed to find some way to make sure the woman kept quiet and did not go and ruin her plans.

  She is so close now and even though it irritated and frustrated her to wait, she did not have any other choice. It galled her having to sit around here waiting for the Judge to return and having to wait so long to get her hands on what she wanted. Well until the Judge came back, she could not do anything else.

  Now she could only hope this silly girl could keep her mouth shut. “It seems you know who I am, but I must ask you not to tell anyone that I’m here in town.”

  Dianne leaned her head to the side and frowned as she studied the older woman. Dane’s mother and this man beside her were definitely up to something, and she grew eagerly curious to find out what they were planning. Once again, she thought how she could use it to her advantage.

  When the younger woman didn’t speak, Irene grew irritated but hid it behind a sad smile. “You see my dear I have hope that somehow I will be able to reunite with my children. However, I’m trying to find the best way to approach them. That’s why I’m asking you to keep silent about me.” Seeing the younger woman nod, she relaxed and smiled at the man at her side. “Now let me introduce you to my friend Lord Paul Carruthers from England.”

  Paul took his cue, smiling, he reached out his hand and pouring on th
e charm knowing he would have this woman smitten in minutes. He picked up her hand. “It is such a pleasure to find such a beauty in the wilds of this large country.” When he saw her blush, he bent over and kissed her knuckles, swiftly straightening up he gave her a seductive smile.

  Impressed when she heard the man’s title, Dianne's face warmed over his compliment and the admiration in his eyes, she giggled when he kissed her hand.

  Now that the situation seemed to be been taken care of, Irene forced herself to be friendly, so she could find out as much as she could about her sons. Of course, this young woman named Dianne became very eager to oblige and didn’t hold anything back.

  Suddenly realizing the lateness of the hour, Dianne sighed, reluctant to leave. She knew she must return home. As she went to stand up, she unexpectedly came up with a brilliant idea. “It must be uncomfortable staying here and hoping that no one will recognize you?”

  Glancing quickly around the room, Irene shrugged. “Yes and it’s terribly cramped being cooped up here all day.”

  Dianne stood up and shook out her skirt, when she finished, she beamed at the couple. “I have the perfect solution. Why don’t you both come out to the ranch and stay with Pa and me? He’ll be very happy to have you stay with us.”

  A blonde brow rising, Irene pretended to think it over and turned to Paul, her eyes laughing. Seeing the smirk on his face, she turned back to Dianne. “I don’t know how I can thank you for your generous offer. Paul and I would love to come and stay with you and your father.”

  Paul could not have been happier to move out of the hotel, their funds were running low. If it weren’t for the promise that Irene made him, that she would shortly be very rich, he would have left the lady long ago.

  Dianne drove the buggy out of town an hour later. It was loaded down with her passengers and their luggage. Very shortly, she would have her revenge on Dane and the bitch he married and just maybe there would be a way she could have him back.