The Payment

by Mysty McPartland

  India soothed the boys as best she could. She watched her husband and could see how tortured and upset he looked. She wished she could take him in her arms and soothe him as she did the boys.

  Lucky to find his brothers and Tuff close to home; Traye stopped his horse and waited for them to join him.

  Reese could feel the enmity coming from his twin long before he reached him; he knew that something bad must have happened. When he reached him, he saw his grim face and his hands tightened on the reins. “What’s happened?”

  His eyes shining brightly with suppressed rage, Traye told them. “The bitch is back and is threatening to take Tye and Mason.”

  “Jesus holy hell, damn that bloody woman. Come on let's get to the house.” Jesse cursed; he heard Tuft and Reese cursing as well as he rode fast for home with his brothers and Tuft.

  As soon as they reached the yard in front of the house, pulling their horses to a stop, they jumped off and rushed inside the house.

  Jesse dragged his hat of and threw it violently across the room when he saw both Mason and Tye in tears. “Tell us exactly what happened.” He growled out as he continued to stare at his young brothers crying and being comforted by India.

  His fists gripped tightly at his sides, Dane's eyes turned chilling. “It’s seems our dear mother has decided after all these years that she now wants Mason and Tye.”

  Reese hit the wall with his fist and didn’t even notice the pain. “Damn that woman, she can’t take them, can she?”

  Dane shook his head and smiled grimly. “No Pa made sure that if anything happened to him that both Jesse and I were their guardians. So she has no way of taking them away at all. However, while I’ve been waiting for you, I’ve been thinking that it’s not what she’s really after. I think she is after something else.”

  Hitting his fist in his hand Jesse growled. “You could be right, what with all the trouble, we’ve been having my guess is she’s behind it.”

  India gasped softly and her eyes grew wide. “I forgot to mention she was with Dianne.” She cringed as the large parlor erupted with loud angry curses.

  THIRTY-TWO

  Dane waited for the room to quiet down. “Well now seems to me, I think I know what our mother wants.” When he had everyone’s attention, his top lip curled up in a sneer. “The woman doesn’t want the boys, she wants the ranch. It’s the only thing that makes any sense. With her coming here with Dianne, she wants revenge and no qualms about it the bitch wants money.”

  “Yeah it makes sense. Why else would that bitch return? It isn’t love for her sons.” Traye spat out vehemently.

  Reese moved over to his twin, placed a hand on his shoulder, and shared an understanding look.

  Once again, Dane felt his heart twist with pain as he watched the twins. He wished there would be some way he could go back in time and save his younger brothers from all the pain and suffering, they endured at their mother’s hand, especially Traye.

  Tuff, consumed with rage as he watched the boys suffering all over again, he moved over to a chair and sat down. His heart was full of pain for his boys. “Well, now we know what she wants, we’ll just have to put a stop to her and old man King’s plans.”

  Everyone, now over their initial anger, Chin Li lit the lamps and left the room to make something to eat while they discussed what they were going to do. He prayed that they would find a way to stop the evil woman and get her out of their lives once and for all.

  His boys had suffered enough at that woman’s hands, and he would not let it happen again. Somehow, he would find a way to stop her evil plans. Now with young Missy in their lives the boys at last understood what a true woman’s love could be. Especially Tye and Mason, the poor little boys were starting to act like little boys instead of imitating their older brothers who treated women with contempt.

  A smile on his face, Chin Li chuckled even those boys were changing slowly; yes Missy was changing them, overall, for the better.

  Curled up in her husband’s arms India could still feel the tension and anger inside of him. She felt like weeping for him and his brother’s for all the pain and suffering they must have endured. When she felt him nuzzling her neck with his cheek, she twisted in his arms, maybe now would be a good time to tell him about the baby. Somehow, she felt it might help him and his brothers. “Dane what would you say if I became pregnant?”

  She held her breath when she felt him stiffen and her heart thundered in her chest as she waited worriedly for his answer.

  Lying in bed full of fury and worry, Dane didn’t dare make love to his wife, too frightened that he may hurt her in her delicate condition. Feeling her stir in his arms, he gave her a gentle squeeze. At her question, he froze for a moment and then his heart raced with excitement. His hand soothed over her back, and he felt his anger drain out of him. “Are you trying to tell me something sweetheart?”

  Apprehensively nibbling on her bottom lip, India sat up. “We’re going to have a baby in five-months time, please don’t be angry.” Nervously she waited for his reaction.

  Dane couldn’t help his broad grin that spread across his face as his heart filled with joy. Reaching up, he drew her back down and stared into her glorious eyes. “Oh God sweetheart I’ve been waiting forever for you to tell me. And sweetheart how could you ever think I would be angry that you're carrying our child?” He pulled her closer and kissed her tenderly letting her know just how much he cared for her and how happy he felt over the baby.

  When his wife fell asleep, he wished he could find peace so easily. His mind filled with anguish and worry, over how he could protect his brothers, his wife, and unborn child. No matter what it took, he would not let that woman poison them with her evil any more.

  His thoughts fled at the sound of the door whispering open, he lay alert and turned his head slightly. From the stream of moonlight coming in to the room his heart broke as he watched his baby brother looking scared and upset sneaking inside the room. Keeping his breathing shallow, he pretended to be asleep as he watched Tye lift the covers, climb beneath them, and curl up next to India, who in her sleep instinctively pulled Tye in to her embrace.

  He felt tears sting his eyes at the emotions squeezing his heart. Protectively he drew both of them into his own embrace and thanked God for the sweet loving wife he had been lucky enough to find.

  India’s eyes fluttered open and stretching, she knew Dane already left the bed. Sighing, she went to leave herself, but as she moved to get out, she felt a movement at her side. Frowning she turned and saw Tye in her bed sound asleep.

  She smiled tenderly and reached out and brushed the lock of hair off his brow, poor little mite. Leaning over she placed a kiss on his brow then swung her legs over the edge of the bed thinking it best to let the little tyke sleep.

  After seeing to her personal needs, she quickly dressed, tied back her hair, and left the room. She just reached the top of the stairs when she saw her husband about to go out the front door.

  “Dane.” She called and sighed when he stopped and turned to look up at her with a tender smile on his face. She watched him quickly rush up the stairs and when he reached her, she lifted her hand and cupped his cheek. “Are you going somewhere?"

  At the sound of his wife’s voice Dane felt his heart warm, spying her at the top of the stairs he raced up them. The sight of her filled him with happiness, he sighed at her question and bought her hand from his cheek and kissed the palm. “I have to go to town sweetheart.”

  Worry filling her, India tried to bury it knowing that her husband already had enough to cope with. “Make sure you take care of yourself and hurry back home.”

  Dane gathered his wife up in his arms drawing her close. “Don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll be fine and be back before you can even miss me.” He leaned down and kissed her tenderly.

  “For God sakes let the man go, or he’ll never get back.” Jesse grumbled when he spotted his brother and his wife at the top of the stairs kissing. Damn it every time he
turned around those two were in each other's arms. It gave man ideas, and he knew he would be heading to town tonight to find a willing woman. With a growl, he turned around and headed back to the parlor.

  Traye and Reese saw the look on Jesse’s face, it didn’t take a genius to know what upset him, and they shook their heads in understanding.

  “I gather those two are at it again?” Reese mumbled in disgust.

  Before Jesse could answer, Tuff came out of the dining room. “Who’s doing what boyo?”

  “Who do you think old man? They can’t keep their hands off each other, and they don’t give a damn who’s around and we’re getting right sick of it.” Traye spat out.

  Tuff heard enough of what Traye was complaining about, racing across the room, and coming to a dead stop when he saw Dane and his wife embracing at the top of the stairs. “Damn and blast it boy you leave the poor girl alone and stop pestering her. You’ve been at her so damn much that yah don’t even see how tired she is lookin. Now you get yah self out of here and you Missy, you go and get yah self somethin to eat and then yah will sit in the parlor and do nothing for the rest of the day.” He stood there with his arms folded over his chest and glared up at them.

  Both Dane and India tore their mouths apart and both blushed and looked sheepish.

  Out of the corner of her eye, India tried not to smile when she saw the heat in her husbands’ face.

  Dane felt like a naughty little school boy and grew embarrassed. He shook the feeling away and raised a golden brow. “Tell me old man, what the heck do you know about pestering?” He threw back his head and laughed when he saw Tuff’s face turn red, and he started sputtering. He turned to his wife and saw her eyes dancing with laughter; he winked at her before he flew down the stairs and out of the house still chuckling.

  THIRTY-THREE

  When Tuff stormed outside, India burst in to laughter, went down stairs, and stepped inside the parlor. She arched a brow when she saw the smug faces of Dane’s brothers. She wasn’t ashamed at being caught kissing her husband. She gave them a pleasant smile as she swished her skirts and moved across the room to the dining room.

  Watching his sister-in-law and her superior smile, Traye shook his head. “Damn woman, I reckon she knows exactly how we feel.”

  Reese grunted in reply, stood up, and jammed his hat on his head. “Yep you’re probably right. Come on, let’s get to work.”

  Jesse watched his sister-in-law from lowered lids and thought just how lucky his big brother was. He started to admire India and thought that Dane acted smart in taking her for payment for the gambling debt. He followed his brothers out and wondered if there were other women around that were like India.

  Stunned he shook his head, he growled softly and wondered where in the hell did that horrifying thought come from. He didn’t want a damn wife. The only thing he wanted is to have this business sorted out with their mother and then maybe go away and see something of the country, perhaps one day have a ranch of his own.

  India lost count of how many times she went to the window to see if her husband returned. The knot in her stomach intensified, and she knew by the somber worry on everyone’s face that they were all just as anxious. Dane should have been home hours ago, the tension in the room grew steadily as time ticked by and once again, her eyes searched the long drive. At last, she spotted his horse and gave a cry of relief, picking up her skirt; she raced out of the room and out of the house. Standing on the veranda, she stood waiting for him.

  Everyone heard India’s cry, watched her rush from the room, they all sighed in relief, and slowly followed her out.

  As her husband came closer India frowned, she felt dread fill her heart as she noticed that he sat slumped over his saddle. The closer he came she sensed something terribly wrong. With a strangled cry, she picked up her skirts and ran down the steps and down the drive to meet him.

  Just as everyone stepped outside, they heard India's cry and saw her run down the drive with her skirt up around her knees. Worriedly they turned their eyes to their brother slumped in the saddle and with curses filling the air they rushed to their brother; fear filling their hearts.

  Frantically reaching for the reins when she reached the horse India pulled it to a stop and with tears trickling down her cheeks as she stared up at her husband. When the others reached her, they gently moved her aside, lifted Dane of his horse, and carefully carried him inside the house. With care, they laid him down on the kitchen table.

  When the kitchen door opened, Chin Li was about to yell for them to leave but his words died in his throat as he noticed the boys carrying in an unconscious Dane. He didn’t waste any time. He started cutting away his shirt with a kitchen knife to see how badly he was injured the moment they laid him down on the table.

  Terrified, India slowly followed behind everyone. She didn’t think she could face being told her husband might be dead. She just stepped into the parlor when both Mason and Tye came rushing towards her. She wrapped her arms around them and held them close, trying not to cry and be strong for the little ones. However, each second that ticked by she didn’t think she could stop herself from falling apart.

  After removing the shirt, Chin Li gave an enormous sigh of relief. “Not so bad, he will be fine. Now Reese, Traye, go and sit with Missy and keep her out of here. Also, the little ones will need you. Tuff, Jesse, you stay and help.”

  Reese and Traye wanted to argue, but they knew better. Reluctantly they left the kitchen. When they entered the parlor and saw the anguish on India’s face, they hurried over to her. Reese took the boys from her while Traye led her over to the sofa. Reese followed with the boys. Once everyone settled on the sofa, both Reese and Traye tried to comfort them as best they could.

  After taking a seat India turned to Traye, she couldn’t stop her voice from trembling. “Is, is he going to be all right?” With a shaking hand, she wiped at the tears running down her face as she waited in fear for his answer.

  Traye took India’s hand, squeezing it lightly as he smiled at her. “Don’t worry; Dane’s going to be fine. He’s too ornery and bossy to let a little thing like a bullet do him in.”

  Her body sagging in relief, India felt some of her fear ease. If Traye could joke about Dane’s injury, he would be all right.

  It seemed like hours passed before the kitchen door opened and Jesse came into the parlor with a smile on his face. “He’s going to be fine. Reese, Traye give us a hand taking him upstairs.”

  Her eyes huge in her face India gripped her hands tightly together when she saw Jesse. She felt the tension ease out of her when she saw the smile on his face. Suddenly, she crumbled and raising her hands covered her face and wept.

  The twins jumped to their feet and hurried from the room to help Dane and to escape a woman’s tears.

  Both Mason and Tye frightened when India started crying threw their arms around her, hugging her close.

  Jesse hopped from one foot to the other feeling uncomfortable; he didn’t know how to deal with a weeping woman. Reluctantly he moved closer and awkwardly patted her on the shoulder.

  After a few minutes India managed to gather her control and sniffing, she raised her head, brushed the tears from her cheeks. She gave Jesse a weak smile and wrapped her arms around the younger boys. “Thank you Jesse. Are you sure he’s going to be all right?”

  Jesse cleared his throat and moved away. “Yeah he’s going to be fine.”

  India rose to her feet, bringing the boys with her when she saw Dane being carried through the room, pale faced. She watched and with the boys still clinging to her, she followed them up to her room.

  Around suppertime, Dane woke up and groaned from the throbbing pain in his shoulder. He opened his eyes and saw the pale worried face of his wife. He tried to give her a reassuring smile but failed.

  Her eyes glued to her husband, India sat a little straighter in her chair when she noticed his lashes fluttering. When he moaned, she jumped up of her seat and sitting down on the
edge of the bed, she lifted her hand and stroked the side of his face. “Oh Dane I was so frightened.”

  With his good arm, Dane reached for his wife’s hand and squeezed it gently, and lifting it, he wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Don’t cry sweetheart, I’ll be fine.”

  Still distressed, India laid her head on his uninjured shoulder and wept softly, letting all the anguish and fear out.

  His hand caressing his wife’s back, Dane let her weep, knowing how scared and distressed she must have been. He closed his eyes and tried to soothe her the best he could. His heart filled with joy knowing that his wife must care deeply for him.

  It took her some time but India finally gained some control over her emotions. Lifting her head, she placed a loving kiss on her husband’s lips. “I could knock you over the head for scaring me to death like this.” She grumbled but smiled.

  Chuckling, Dane lifted his hand and caressed the back of her head, before he pulled her back down and gave her another kiss. “I suppose you're going to blame me for getting shot.”

  Her head resting on her husband’s good shoulder, India smiled genuinely for the first time in hours. “Damn right I am. I specifically remembered telling you to take care of yourself.”

  Dane grunted and gave her waist a little squeeze. “How are Tye and Mason?”

  India sighed and lifted her head to look at him. “I'd better go and bring them up, there terrified and traumatized.” Reluctantly she moved out of his embrace. She gave him another quick kiss. Standing up she left the room and hurried down stairs to bring the children up to see Dane.

  As she stood in the parlor doorway, her heart felt heavy at seeing all the worried and tormented faces. “Danes awake and he’s going to be just fine. Tye and Mason would you like to go up and see him?” The words no sooner left her mouth when the boys scrambled up and rushed from the room. The others moved a little slower and she quickly stepped out of the way to let them pass before they ran her down.