The Payment

by Mysty McPartland

  Very pleased with the new living arrangement, Irene continuously worried that someone in town would recognize her. Up until now, no one remembered her until today. Well, she would not have to worry about such a thing happening any more. Now in a short time, she would finally have what she wanted. Rubbing her hands together, she could not wait to start her revenge and take what should be hers.

  TWENTY-NINE

  Pleased, India sat in the buggy with a defiant Mason and a happy Tye. Finally, she managed to talk Dane into taking her to church. She tried her very best to persuade the others in to coming but they adamantly refused. Now out the corner of her eye she noticed her husband reluctantly walking towards them. He definitely did not look happy about taking her to church, not only his face told her but the way he moved and glared at her.

  With a sigh of aggravation, Dane swung up into the buggy. He gave his wife a disgruntled glare. “Damn it India, why do we have to waste a perfectly good day sitting in church?” He grouched out and picked up the reins.

  Her shoulders shook with silent laughter. Her husband made one excuse after another, since he reluctantly agreed to take her to church. Looking over her shoulder India winked at the boys before she turned back to her husband. “It will only be for a few hours and besides not only will it be good for the boys, but I will meet some of the women. I’ve been surrounded by men long enough.”

  Dane thought taking his wife to church utter madness and he envied his brothers being able to refuse. He could understand her need though and knew she must be lonely for female company after being stuck on the ranch with just him and the boys. But hell, why church?

  India saw the unhappy look on her husband’s face, leaning closer put her hand on his thigh. “If you smile and pretend that you are at least enjoying yourself, I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”

  A rush of desire shot through him at his wife’s touch and the heated promise he saw in her eyes. Dane eyes glittered devilishly, he grinned at her wickedly. “You better sweetheart, at least I’ll have something to think about while I have to sit through the service.” When his wife started laughing, he gave her a wink and chuckled as he tried to rein in the lust slithering through him.

  After the service, the Minister introduced her around and in no time at all, India met several young women she liked. Without hesitation, she asked them out to the ranch for a visit. Only when she heard her husband’s groan of dismay did she frown, she moved her head to look at him.

  While standing next to his wife Dane could not help but be pleased, she started to make friends with some of the women. However, when he heard her asked them out to visit, he grew appalled. Lord help him when his brothers found out, they would probably kill him for bringing more women into their lives. When his wife turned to look at him with a puzzled frown, he forced himself to smile. Slipping an arm around her waist, he led her back to the buggy.

  “The boys aren’t going to be happy to hear that a gaggle of females will be descending on their home.” He told her as they reached the buggy; he lifted her up and placed her on the seat.

  India settled on the seat and sniffed in annoyance, then thinking how the boys would react, she started to laugh as she pictured how they would look when they came home one day and found a house full of women. “They could always stay out on the range with their cows. Now admit it, you didn’t mind being here and that you found the service quite uplifting.”

  Dane snorted. “If you say so sweetheart. Myself, I was too busy picturing how you’re going to make it up to me for making me suffer through such boredom.” He grinned when he saw the fiery blush on her face. “And let me tell you darlin I can’t wait to get home.” Turning away, he spotted Mason and Tye and waved them over. It made him happy to see them running and laughing with their friends. He would only admit to himself how pleased he felt at giving in to his wife’s insistence in attending church. His younger brothers looked so happy that he was almost reluctant to stop their fun.

  Her face warming at her husband’s words, India couldn’t help the little flutters growing stronger in her stomach. When he turned to find Mason and Tye, she couldn’t help but admire his handsome profile. Lord the man is as handsome as sin, and she loved him so much.

  The week after attending church turned in to a busy one for him and his brothers. Cattle were missing and fences were cut; it kept them busy from dawn to dusk. Dane finished mending one of the fences with Traye; he couldn’t help but feel lighted hearted. He stared off into space thinking of his beautiful wife and just how lucky he was to have her in his life.

  Unobtrusively Traye watched his oldest brother and shook his head. “You moonin over that wife of yours again brother? She sure has you hog tied.” He mumbled in disgust.

  Dane turned to his brother and laughed. “Well now little brother I don’t know about being hog tied. You boys heading to town tonight, or you going to give those poor peckers a rest?”

  His face burning, Traye sputtered. “Hells bells, what’s wrong with us going to town tonight? It’s been a week since we were last there. It ain’t like we go every damn night. You and your wife sure don’t make it easy on a man yeah know?”

  Slapping his brother on the back, Dane moved to mount his horse. “Well hell, why don’t you boys all get yourselves a wife then? It would solve your problem.” He teased his brother and roared with laughter as the look of shock, horror and revulsion move across his brother’s face. He shook his head and swung on to the saddle. “It’s not as bad as you think Traye.”

  Horrified, Traye could only stare at his brother in utter disbelief. Just because his brother found a decent woman doesn’t mean the rest of them would be so lucky. He shook in revulsion, swung up on to his horse and rode after his brother. Nope he did not intend to find a wife, ever!

  He would rather spend the rest of his life visiting the whores at the saloon than be tied to a lying conniving woman. His brother Dane might have been lucky, but he doubted he and his brothers would probably be so lucky. Nope it’s a ridiculous suggestion, and he wouldn’t waste another damn moment thinking about it.

  THIRTY

  As she sat in the parlor in front of the fire mending one of the boy’s shirts, India looked up and smiled at the boys as they sat engrossed in a game of checkers. Her attention caught when she heard the sound of a buggy arriving. She frowned wondering who could be calling. She watched Mason jump up, fly to the window, and lift the curtain. When she saw his little body stiffen and his face turn pale she knew who ever came to visit frightened him terribly.

  “Who is it Mason?” She asked as she put her sewing aside. When he didn’t answer her, she quickly rose to her feet and went to him, touching him lightly on the shoulder.

  “It’s her. The bitch has come back.” Mason whispered in fear and horror as he turned to stare out the window again.

  Her eyes growing wide, India didn’t have any idea who he could be talking about, but she did know who ever was outside frightened him terribly. It only took her a moment to make a decision. “Listen Mason, I want you to go out the back door and find Dane or one of your other brothers. Do you understand me sweetheart?” When he nodded, she sighed in relief. “All right, off you go.” Grateful when he took off, she felt her stomach flutter worriedly.

  Mason raced away frightened and tried hard not to cry, but seeing his mother after so long all the horrible memories and unhappiness came racing back. He needed to find his brothers quickly.

  Tye sat on the floor in front of the fire not understanding what made his brother so scared, but he knew that whoever came to visit seemed to upset his brother. He stared at India with big frightened eyes and fought back his tears.

  Once Mason left, India turned to Tye and wanted to cry herself. He looked so terrified and close to tears, she wanted to take him in her arms and hold him close. Instead, she forced a smile. “Tye I want you to stay here and don’t be frightened sweetheart. Everything will be all right I promise.” Silently she prayed it would be giving h
im another reassuring smile she quickly left the room.

  She raced to the study, took out a handgun from the gun case, and checked to make sure it was loaded. Relieved to see the bullets in the chamber, she tucked it into the pocket of her skirt. She prayed she wouldn’t have to use it, but she would if she if she needed to. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and hurried out of the room just as someone started knocking on the front door.

  With her chin in the air, she moved forward, turned the handle and swung the door open. She came face to face with a woman she never saw before. One look at her though she could understand why Mason became so frightened. The woman, in front of her, stared back at her with the same golden eyes and the same golden hair as her husband and his brothers. The woman could only be their mother.

  Through lowered lashes, she studied the woman, and even though she looked beautiful, she sensed something evil and saw the cruel hardness in her eyes and on her face. Keeping her hand in the pocket of her skirt her fingers tightened around the butt of the gun. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  Irene calculatingly eyed the young woman in front of her and quickly dismissed her as any threat. “So this is the little slut my son married? Why Dianne dear, I don’t think you have anything to worry about at all. I must say she isn’t much to look at, and I’m not surprised to see she didn’t waste any time at breeding another little bastard.” She turned to Dianne and smirked.

  Her spine stiffening, not only from the woman’s condescending tone but also from her rudeness, at the mention of Dianne’s name India felt the anger boiling within her. Moving her gaze, she took in both women and out the corner of her eye, she noticed a man. She felt a shiver rush down her spine knowing that all three of them were here to cause trouble for Dane and his brothers.

  Irene turned her attention back to the woman in the doorway. She reached out to push the younger woman aside, but when she wouldn’t budge, she glared at her with cold loathing. “Get out of my way. I intend to enter my home.”

  When the older woman tried to shove her aside, India slipped the gun from her pocket and held it threateningly in front of her. “I don’t believe you were invited inside, and if I recall this is no longer your home.”

  Irene went to take a step forward but froze in place when she noticed the gun pointed right at her. She became incensed that this woman would dare to threaten her. “Why you damn little bitch. Get out of my way. I have every right to be here, I am here to take my two youngest sons, and you have no right to stop me. Now put the gun away and step aside.”

  India nearly dropped the gun when she looked at the woman’s face. It wore an expression so ugly and evil that for a moment she felt truly frightened. She gathered up her courage and regained her composure, when she suddenly felt Tye tugging at the back of her skirt. “Do you really think I would turn those two innocent boys over to someone like you? My, you must be truly demented if you think I would. I suggest all three of you leave this instant before my husband and his brothers return.”

  She tried not to tremble when she saw the woman’s face contort in hate and fury. She could feel it emanating from the woman so strongly. Wanting this confrontation over with she reached for the edge of the door and taking a quick step back slammed it shut and quickly locked it.

  When the door slammed in her face, Irene became irate. “You damn little bitch, open this door. I want my sons and I demand that you hand them to me at once.” She banged on the door, and only when she found herself dragged away did she stopped screeching.

  After locking the door, India dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around Tye. She felt his little body tremble as he sobbed against her shoulder. Hearing a sound worriedly, she quickly looked up and sighed when she saw Chin Li standing a few feet away clutching a meat clever in his hand. It almost made her smile; it relieved her to know that he was close by and willing to protect her and Tye.

  Now that everything seemed to be all right for the moment, mumbling in Chinese, Chin Li headed back to the kitchen.

  When she heard the buggy leaving, India stood up. Taking Tye’s hand, she returned to the parlor, and taking a seat on the sofa cuddled the little boy close as he cried. Stroking his head, she prayed her husband or one of his brothers would return quickly. She looked up when Chin Li came into the room carrying a tray.

  Chin Li put the tray down on the low table and poured tea. “You did good Missy, sending evil Mama away. You must tell Dane about the baby soon, better to do it quick Chin Li think.”

  India nearly dropped the cup Chin Li handed her; she gazed at him with wide surprised eyes. “How did you know I’m going to have a baby?”

  Chuckling Chin Li bowed and left the room.

  With a small shake of her head, it seemed Chin Li isn’t the only one who knew. Dane’s mother somehow knew. Well, it looked as if it might be time to tell her husband, but she would still wait a few days. They now faced a more pressing problem and that is to find away to stop that woman from taking Tye and Mason.

  THIRTY-ONE

  While he and Traye rode home, Dane wondered when his wife would finally tell him about the baby. It nearly killed him to keep the knowledge to himself. Maybe she didn’t know, hell maybe he should just broach the subject. It was becoming damn near impossible not to show just how darn happy and excited he felt over the prospect of India having his baby.

  The thought of India carrying his child made him feel so damn proud. He only gave a passing thought of having his own children one day. Now he would have a child, and it still amazed him and made him as ecstatic as hell.

  Traye, unaware of his brother’s thoughts, abruptly pulled his horse to a sudden stop and cursed loudly when he spied his younger brother Mason riding hard towards them. “Damn it, something’s wrong.” He warned Dane before he kicked his own horse in to a run until he reached Mason.

  His happy thoughts flew from his head when he spotted Mason, Dane’s heart clutched in panic and he rode after Traye, his body gripped with worry and fear.

  At last, seeing his brother’s, he started sobbing. Mason pulled his horse to a stop when he saw them riding towards him.

  When Dane pulled up with Traye next to Mason, they looked at each other in dread. Each knowing something terrible waited for them at home. When Mason spun his horse around and rode hell for leather, they quickly followed him.

  The three of them rode into the yard in front of the house. Before the horses hardly stopped they were off them and racing up the front steps. All three of them pounded on the front door when they found it locked and started yelling.

  Her heart in her throat when she heard the sound of horses, India relaxed when she recognized the loud voices. Gently, she moved the still sobbing Tye out of her arms, stood up and hurried to open the front door. She quickly jumped out of the way, as they fell inside the house, her lips twitched as they tumbled over each other.

  After nearly falling on his face, Dane swiped his hat off the floor and straightened up. “Damn it to hell. What is going on and why is the front door locked?" He grumbled relieved to see his wife unharmed.

  India was about to explain, but before she could Mason cried out. “It’s Mama, she was here.” A sob tore from him, and he threw himself against her, wrapped his arms around her tightly, and sobbed. She lifted her arms encasing his trembling body and led him back to the parlor.

  When India took Mason away Dane met Traye’s eyes. They were full of dread and cold murderous rage. He understood exactly how he felt. He felt such violence coiled inside him, it took everything inside him to control it. He drew in a long shuddering breath. “Come on Traye.” He growled out.

  “Damn that bitch. Why in the hell has she come back and what does she want? Hasn’t she done enough to us already?” Traye spat out furiously. Slamming the front door shut, he followed Dane to the parlor.

  Chin Li’s hand resting on the back of the sofa answered Traye’s loud furious question. “She come and speaks ugly things to Missy but Missy p
ull gun and tell her to go. She no go, she demands Missy give her the boys, so she can take them away. Missy slam door in her face.”

  Horrified, Mason pulled away from India. “She can’t take us, she can’t. Don’t let her take us. Dane?” He sobbed in panic and fear.

  India quickly gathered Mason up against her and her eyes met her husband’s worried eyes.

  Dane tried to reassure his wife with a tight smile; he crouched down in front of both his brothers and caressed the top of their heads. When they lifted their heads from India, he smiled encouragingly. “Sh both of you. Everything will be all right. I promise you she can’t take you away.”

  Mason sniffed and wiped his runny nose on the sleeve of his shirt then leaned back against India still not fully convinced that their Ma couldn’t take them away.

  Traye felt his gut ripping at his younger brother’s distress and hate boiled within him. “I’ll go and find the others.” He mumbled and flew out of the room.

  As she watched Traye, India felt a shiver run down her spine. Never has she seen such cold merciless eyes. She didn’t understand exactly what their mother could have done to them but after meeting her, she knew it must be something terrible.

  After Traye left, Dane stood up and dragged his hand over his face. He stood staring down at his little brothers. His heart twisted in anguish at seeing how frightened and upset they were. Why now? Why did that bloody woman have to come back into their lives now?

  The boys were just starting to behave like little boys and each day they started to trust India more and more. Even now, they went to her for comfort. He prayed that the return of their mother would not destroy what finally started to mend in all their hearts.