The Payment

by Mysty McPartland

  A smile of relief crossed her face as she slowly followed behind them; she stood in the doorway of their bedroom and watched her husband and his family. Tears pricked her eyes when she saw the abiding love they had for each other, and she prayed nothing would happen to any of them. Because she knew that if something did, it would destroy each and every one of them.

  It suddenly made her miss her own brother, perhaps when all this trouble is finally over she would write to him, tell him she forgave him and ask him to come for a visit.

  THIRTY-FOUR

  The throbbing in his shoulder woke him; Dane gritted his teeth against the burning pain. His eyes swung to the door when he heard it open and tears burned his eyes as he watched both Mason and Tye sneak into his room. When they reached his bed, they slip beneath the covers. Pretending to be asleep, he lay unmoving as Mason slid in next to him and Tye next to India.

  A smile played over his lips, even through the pain, he watched as somehow Tye managed to move over India without waking her and wiggles himself in between them. Poor little souls, they were scared witless and must think their lives were a nightmare. Damn their bloody mother, how could she do this to two innocent children?

  His lips turned up in contempt. She didn’t give a damn about any of them. Look what she already did to him and his other brothers and especially Traye. Poor Traye he would be the one suffering the most having their mother back in their lives. Well, by God, he would not let her destroy Tye or Mason’s innocence nor would he let her ruin the happiness that he and his brother’s were finally able to obtain.

  He would strangle her with his bare hands if it came down to it, he would not let that woman destroy them again. He would do whatever it took, but she would not get her hands on the boys or their home. Somehow, he would find away to defeat her for good and make sure she would never ever come back into their lives again.

  At the incessant chatter she could hear, grumbling India squeezed her eyes tightly shut and snuggled further down in the pillow trying to drown out the voices. When she felt an elbow strike her in the chest she groaned. Irritated, she opened her eyes, lifted her head and let her gaze sweep the room. She growled at seeing her room full of Dane’s family, when she felt a kick in her shin, she yelped and gazed down at the bed.

  She shook her head when she noticed both Mason and Tye still sleeping soundly. Her nose wrinkled as she shifted her gaze and saw her husband grinning at her. Making sure the sheet covered her; she sat up and glared at his brother’s, Tuff, and Chin Li. No one paid her the least bit of attention; they were just too happy to see Dane looking so well.

  Jesse moved to take a seat next to the bed and sat down. “Since you seem to be looking remarkable well how bout you tell us what happened?”

  Slightly shaking his head Dane’s lips twitched and peeked out the corner of his eye at his wife to see her glaring at everyone. “How bout you let India, and I have a few moments of privacy and at least a cup of coffee first.”

  Traye grumbled, looked from Dane to his wife and smirked. “Well I suppose we could wait a few minutes, come on let’s leave them alone. It’s not as if they can do anything with Tye and Mason sleeping in their bed.”

  All eyes turned to India when she gasped aloud with indignation. Laughing, they all headed out of the room.

  India turned to her husband her face burning; she gave him a glare of irritation when she saw the wide grin on his face. “Damn their ornery hide’s. Just Traye wait, I’ll get him back for that remark.”

  Unable to help himself Dane laughed. “And I think I’ll enjoy you doing it sweetheart. Now lean over here and give me a good morning kiss.”

  With a sniff of annoyance, India leaned over Tye and kissed her husband. “I’m glad you're going to be all right Dane, I don’t know what I would have done if I lost you.” She said tearfully.

  Her words went straight to his heart. Dane lifted his good arm and hugged his wife awkwardly. “Hush sweetheart I promise you nothing will happen to me or any of us. Now dry your eyes and I suggest you hurry and do what you have to do before they all come back.”

  Reluctantly moving away from her husband, India slid off the bed and hurried over to the screen in the far corner.

  Once his wife went behind the screen Dane gazed at each of his brothers still sleeping peacefully in his bed, poor little tykes. “India you’re not upset that the boys snuck into our bed are you?”

  India smiled sadly. “No of course not. They’re frightened and need you so much. How could you possibly ask me something like that?”

  Dane reached out and stroke Tye’s head lightly, his wife is right. They need both of them so much now. “I’m sorry sweetheart, and you’re right.” He swallowed the lump in his throat and looked up when his wife came around the screen tying the belt of her robe. His gaze slowly moved over her and stopped at the roundness of her stomach. “But sweetheart they don’t just need me, they need you as well.”

  With tears in her eyes, India nodded, Dane's words filled her heart, and she could not have loved him more. Ducking her head, she slipped back on to the bed, settling herself and waited for everyone else to come back.

  Just as she finished getting comfortable, the door flew open and Chin Li and Tuff came in carrying trays. The others followed behind. Mason and Tye woke up; both rubbed the sleep from their eyes, embarrassed at being caught in their brother’s bed. They scrambled off the bed and ran from the room.

  “Poor little things. Ain’t good for the boys to feel ashamed of needin a bit of comfort.” Tuff said sadly, as he accepted a cup of coffee from Chin Li.

  His throat filled with emotion, clearing it Jesse blinked at the tears that burned his eyes. “Well let’s hear what Dane has to say.”

  Just before Dane started to speak, they heard a horse ride up and Jesse moved over to the window and lifted the curtain. “Jeff’s here.”

  Reese put down his cup and hurried out of the room to greet Jeff.

  India sat on the bed with her legs tucked under her. She felt a little wary about meeting another brother. When the handsome man followed Reese inside the room, she noticed he might not be as tall as her husband or his brothers. However, he possessed the most stunning brown eyes, which were surrounded by long thick dark brown lashes. Mercy me, he is a handsome devil and those eyes, Lord help any woman who stared into them.

  His eyes narrowing, Dane watched his wife’s reaction to Jeff and felt a burning jealously sear his gut. “Wife, you’re being rude staring at Jeff.” He snapped at her and ignored his brother’s snickers. He grunted when his wife dropped her gaze and blushed.

  As soon as he heard that someone shot Dane, Jeff rode out to the ranch full of concern. He also heard the story about Dane’s wife, since he returned to town two days ago, and it worried him. However, now seeing the beautiful woman sitting on the bed, he thought Dane one hell of a lucky man. His eyes turned away from her to Dane and grinned. “Now Dane I don’t mind your wife admiring me. After all, I’m much better looking than any of you.”

  A growl rumbling in his chest, Dane snorted in irritation. “Cut the crap Jeff.”

  Biting the inside of his cheek, Jeff tried not to laugh even though everyone else in the room snickered. Well, all except Dane and his wife. He cleared his throat and tried to look serious. “Since your husband is too much of a bore, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Jeff consider me another of your brother-in-laws.”

  “Ha you know damn well you’re one of us, now let’s get on with it.” Traye growled out, having enough of the nonsense.

  Over her embarrassment, India tried not to laugh at Jeff’s teasing Dane. It pleased her to know that he accepted her and ignoring Traye’s request, she elbowed her husband. When he turned to look at her, she glared at him hotly.

  Dane growled softly, knowing exactly what his wife wanted. Begrudgingly he gave it to her. “Jeff this is my wife.”

  A loud gasp of outrage at her rude husband, India wanted to clout him over the head. Instead, she smiled brightl
y. “You’ll have to forgive your brother; since he’s been injured he has become a bit strange in the head. I’m India and it’s a pleasure to meet you Jeff, and I’m very pleased to meet at least one friendly member of the family and the most handsome one.”

  THIRTY-FIVE

  Everyone broke in to guffaws of laughter and Dane gave a strangled growl. He shot his wife a look of aggravation when she sat smiling at him innocently. “Damn it India.” He reached out wrapped his arm around her shoulder, drew her close and gave her a hard quick kiss. “Handsomest, I’ll make you pay for thinking so when we’re alone sweetheart, don’t think I won’t” He whispered in her ear and smirked when he saw the blush cover her cheeks. He turned away when he heard the angry growls of annoyance and grinned smugly at his family.

  “All right let’s get on with it. I was riding back from town when some sniveling coward bushwhacked me. I didn’t see who shot me, but they must have been following me.” Dane shrugged his good shoulder and knew everyone would be just as frustrated as he felt at not knowing who had tried to kill him.

  Jeff stood, thoughtful, staring out the window. “When I return to town, I’ll wire Devon.”

  “Hell Jeff it’s not necessary.” Dane grumbled.

  Angrily spinning around, Jeff threw Dane a glare of anger. “Damn it Dane, I think it is. Someone tried to kill you for Christ sakes.”

  “That ain’t all. Irene’s back and threatening to take the boys.” Tuff growled out.

  Stunned, Jeff’s gaze hastily moved from one brother to the next and saw the anguish and fury on their faces. “Damn that blasted woman.” He raked his fingers through his hair his eyes chilling. “Well the bitch is wasting her time. She’ll never get her hands on them.”

  “Yeah we know but we figure she really wants the ranch.” Traye spat out in furious contempt.

  Dane’s eyes filled with anguish at the suffering on Traye’s face.

  Jeff went over and put his hand on Traye’s shoulder, and lightly squeezed. “Well she’s wasting her time. The boys and the ranch are safe from her greedy clutches.”

  “Yeah but are we?” Traye hissed out only loud enough for Jeff to hear and saw the understanding in his eyes.

  “Come on. Let’s leave Dane to rest, he’s looking mighty peaked.” Jeff suggested as he gazed at him and noticed the paleness of his face, and the pain he could not hide in his eyes.

  Dane sent Jeff a baleful look and watched everyone leave the room. When the door shut behind them, he turned to his wife who sat laughing softly. “Damn it.”

  India stopped laughing, lifted her hand and cupped his bristly cheek. “Jeff’s right, you need to rest, and I need to dress, you eat something then sleep. I need to check on Tye and Mason.” Another tender smile she slipped off the bed and moved behind the screen to dress.

  As he gingerly settled himself, Dane felt frustrated. He hated being so weak but his wife and Jeff were right, he felt tired and needed to rest but hell, he detested himself for feeling so puny.

  It didn’t take her long to change. When she came back from behind the screen, she was surprised to see Dane already asleep. For a few moments, India gazed at him worried and frightened. She came so close to losing this wonderful man, and she sensed in her heart that all their problems were far from over. With a heart filled with fear, she quietly left the bedroom, hoping and praying that no one else would be hurt.

  Late afternoon, India sat by the bed sewing clothes for their baby as her husband slept, when she heard a horse ride up and stop at the house. Curious, she put her sewing down, stood up and going over to the window lifted the curtain. Her eyebrows arched up when she saw the sun glint off the badge on the overweight man’s chest. With a sniff of irritation, she dropped the curtain and hurried back to the bed, she would have to wake Dane.

  Down stairs Jesse paced in worry, he knew he should go up and tell Dane that Reese and Traye were missing and no one had seen them since Jeff returned to town.

  Tuff sat watching Jesse pace and shook his head. “Damn those two hot heads, they’re more likely to start shootin first before they get round to asking questions.” He grumbled angrily and worriedly.

  Jesse silently agreed and he knew he could no longer put off telling Dane, leaving the parlor about to take the stairs he stopped when he heard a horse ride up. Hurrying over to the front door, he pulled it open hoping it would the twins returning. When he saw the Sheriff, his lips twisted in contempt. “Well Sheriff Butt we expected you earlier. I’ll take you up to see Dane.” He said sarcastically, he did not have much faith in the man. However being the Sheriff, they didn’t have any other choice but to deal with the man. He closed the door when the sheriff stepped inside the house then turning away, led him upstairs.

  Sheriff Butt followed the younger man and stared at his back with loathing, he clamped his mouth tightly together.

  A quick rap on Dane’s door Jesse heard India call out, opening the door, he stepped inside, the Sheriff following.

  Dane watched Jesse come in and, he hid his disdain for the Sheriff as he entered. “Glad you could finally make it Sheriff.”

  Stiffly standing in the middle of the room, Sheriff Butt tried to hide his dislike, but he couldn’t help his voice dripping with loathing. “See here Mathews, you’re not the only one in town that matters. I don’t come runnin just cause I’m told.”

  Curiously studying the Sheriff, India took an instant dislike to the man. His contemptible words annoyed her, and she forced herself to hold her tongue.

  Dane’s only reaction to the Sheriff’s words was a twist of his lips in a mocking smile.

  “Now I’m here, just tell me why yah wanted to see me.” Butt growled and shoved his thumbs in his belt.

  “Some bastard back shot me after I left town yesterday. The damn coward bush whacked me.” Dane replied with anger.

  “Well now that’s some story, and if I have time I’ll look into it.” Butt smirked. He pulled his thumbs from his belt, raised a hand and rubbed his chin. “I don’t suppose yah know anything about the stranger yah brothers shot dead earlier today?” About to smile in triumph at the commotion his words would cause, he could not hide his disappointment when he only received a mild reaction.

  His heart stopping at the Sheriff’s statement, Dane shot his gaze to Jesse and saw the guilty look on his face. “What the hell are you damn well saying?” He growled out as his gaze swung back to the Sheriff.

  Butt shrugged his shoulders “Well now as I started to head out here earlier today I come across those two hot headed twins. They were kneeling over a dead body with their guns held in their hands.” He felt a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyed bringing down these mighty Mathews.

  “So yah see I didn’t have any other choice but to arrest them for murder and sent a wire to the district Judge. Yep them boys are sure in one hell of a mess and most likely will hang and there ain’t nothin yah can do about it.” He openly smiled now.

  THIRTY-SIX

  So shocked over the Sheriff’s words, India clasped the back of the chair tightly, her knees nearly buckling beneath her. She could see his smirking face and the triumph glittering in his pudgy eyes, her own eyes narrowing, she didn’t believe a word he said. The man seemed to be enjoying himself too much, and it set her senses on alert.

  Filled with scorn and fury, she let go of the chair and moved to stand in front of him. “Why you low down sniveling coyote, those boys would never kill anyone, and you know it. I warn you those boys had better get a fair trial and since you’re such an imbecile and incompetent I’m going to hire someone who can find out the truth. Because we both know, you do not intend to discover who really killed that man. Now I suggest you leave.”

  Surprised at not noticing the pretty woman in the room before now, when she came to stand in front of him Butt licked his lips in appreciation. But the icy disgusted glare she gave him, he stiffened. He felt lashed as she spoke to him with such loathing and rage. It also infuriated him. “Now you listen hear woman
. I’m the Sheriff and nobody speaks to me that way and by God, I’m going to make sure those boys hang for murder.”

  India lifted her chin and sneered. “Jesse get this pathetic loathsome creature out of my house before I kick his fat behind all the way down the stairs.”

  Butt choked and sputtered in anger, but before he could retaliate and spill his anger, he felt himself being dragged out of the room.

  Dane didn’t even try to interfere when his wife berated the Sheriff, in fact, he felt damn proud of the way she defended Traye and Reese, and it filled his heart. After Jesse hauled the Sheriff out, he could see his wife still steaming with her anger and grinned. “Come here sweetheart.”

  He watched her close her eyes, take deep breaths to get control of her anger after a few moments she came running to him, and fell on the bed burying her face in the crook of his neck. He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly with his good arm. “I’m so damn proud of you sweetheart.”

  Before she could answer Dane, Jesse came back in the room and Dane glared angrily at him. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me the twins were gone? For the love of God, why didn’t any of you try to stop them? Bloody hell Jesse you know how hot headed those boys are.” In a terrible temper, because he was scared witless for his brothers he lashed out.

  India sat up, bit her lip and looked from Jesse to her husband. “You can’t blame Jesse for Reese and Traye sneaking away.”

  Jesse threw his sister-in-law a contemptuous look. “I can defend myself and damn it if I knew what they were planning to do I would have stopped them. They damn well snuck off.”