My Heart Will Find Yours

by Linda LaRoque

  Matthew’s face was pinched with worry. “What about this bank robbery? Did she give you anything to go on?”

  “The Bass gang will rob the First National sometime around noon on August eighth of this year. Texanna said I was shot in the back.”

  “Shot in the back?” Jason slammed his fist on the table. “That’s ridiculous.” His eyes narrowed. “There’s only one way that could happen.”

  Doc spoke up. “Yeah, someone besides one of the bank robbers fired the shot.”

  “You need to meet with your deputies so they can be prepared,” said Matthew.

  Jason shook his head. “No, brother. We’ve got to keep it quiet. Only the four of us need to know. And Texanna, of course.”

  Royce studied his younger brother and grinned. “I think we just might make a good deputy out of you after all.”

  “What do you mean? I’m a good one already.”

  Royce looked up to see Doc twisting his hands. “Ahem, I hate to bring this up, but if Texanna isn’t your wife, she shouldn’t be living in your house.”

  “She can live here with Molly and me.”

  Anger choked Royce, but he swallowed it. “Texanna isn’t going anywhere. She’s staying with me.” Nobody had to know she wasn’t his wife. He needed her with him for as long as she’d be here.

  Doc peered over the top of his glasses. “Son, if folks find out, her reputation will be ruined. You don’t want that to happen.”

  “She’s staying with me and Garrett, and that’s final.”

  “Okay. You can dry her tears when folks start snubbing her.” The older man shoved his chair back and stood.

  Royce flinched at Doc’s words. No one would ever know she wasn’t his wife. “I won’t allow that to happen.”

  “Suit yourself.” Doc clapped Matthew on the shoulder. “Keep those babies in the house until they’ve fattened up. And keep as many people away from here as you can. Don’t want ‘um catching something at this age.”

  “Thanks, Doc, I will.” Matthew walked out with the older man.

  Royce mulled over Doc’s words in his mind. He didn’t want to hurt or shame Texanna, but he couldn’t let her go right now. She’d be leaving anyway so it wouldn’t matter if the town’s people snubbed her. They’d never know the truth.

  Jason clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m heading upstairs to bed. You and Texanna spending the night?”

  It was almost ten o’clock, and he didn’t want to wake Texanna. “Yeah. You working tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, me, Pete, and Ross. Don’t know who else is coming in. Relax and enjoy your day off tomorrow.” He grinned. “Hope it’ll be less exciting. Having babies is hard work.”

  Royce couldn’t help but laugh. The kid was so full of bull. He hadn’t arrived until after the babies were born. “Isn’t it past your bedtime, runt?”

  Jason grabbed Royce around the neck.

  “No horseplay in the house, you two.” Matthew said from the kitchen door. “Whoever wakes those babies has to change their diapers.”

  Jason threw up his hands. “Okay, okay, I’m going,” he said and started up the stairs. Royce started to follow. He was bushed. Matthew laid a hand on his arm.

  “Stay awhile longer. I want to talk to you.”

  Matthew could talk all he wanted to, but Texanna was staying in his house with him and Garrett. He joined his brother at the table.

  “Royce, since you know for a fact the Texanna upstairs isn’t your wife, do you love her with the passion you had for your wife?” Matthew asked.

  The question took Royce by surprise. Even though he couldn’t make love to her, she added joy and excitement to his life. He looked forward to teasing her, getting her dander up.

  His voice was thick. “Yeah, I do.” He dropped his head into his hands. “God help me, I love her even more than I did Pearl. I’m not sure I’ll survive when she leaves.”

  “Then maybe you better figure out a way to make her want to stay.”

  Royce pondered Matthew’s words as he eased onto the bed with Texanna. He slipped his arm under her head, and she turned to snuggle against his chest. His last thought before falling asleep were Matthew’s words. “Make her want to stay.”

  ****

  Texanna woke to found herself in Royce’s arms. They were both on top of the covers and in their clothes from yesterday. She studied him as he slept. Gone were the wrinkles in his forehead and around his eyes. His mouth was relaxed, his lips tempting as she stared at them. Black stubble covered his chin and cheeks. She was tempted to reach out and discover how it felt against her hand. Better keep your hands to yourself. He was too tempting lying there, and if he woke…

  She eased from the bed, tiptoed downstairs, and left by the side door to visit the outhouse. The wooden cubicle gave her the willies. She checked for spiders and sighed with relief when she didn’t find any. Inside the screened-in back porch she found a washstand with warm water in the pitcher and wash cloths stacked to the side. After she washed her face and hands, she used the rag to scrub her teeth. If only she could strip, wash off, and put on clean clothes. Still in her jeans and Royce’s shirt, she felt filthy and exposed. She sighed. It couldn’t be helped.

  Betty and Liz were in the kitchen. Jason sat at the table eating eggs, ham, and fresh biscuits. Between bites he teased the women. The tantalizing aroma of the ham made her stomach growl.

  “Good morning.” At her voice, the women turned and gave her broad smiles. Jason stood and kissed her cheek, then held a chair for her. “Thank you, but I need to help Betty and Liz.”

  “Lands, child, we didn’t hear you out there. Bet you’d like to wash up and change clothes.” Betty wiped her hands on a dishtowel and left the room to return with a bundle of clothes. “Here, you just go back out there and wash up good and wear these. No one will disturb you.”

  Texanna took the clothes. “Oh, thank you. I won’t be long.” She rushed back to the porch. If felt heavenly to get out of the dirty clothes and wash all over. They’d even included fresh underwear—nineteenth-century of course. Right now, she couldn’t complain.

  When she entered the kitchen, Betty led her to a chair. “Now, you sit down and enjoy your breakfast. Liz and I have everything ready. We’ll let you know if we need help.” Betty made flapping motions. “Go on, sit.”

  Jason held the chair for her to sit. So she sat while Liz placed coffee and a plate of ham, eggs, and biscuits in front of her. She’d just finished eating when Royce entered from the back porch. He’d shaved and smelled good enough to eat. Evidently, he’d borrowed a fresh shirt from Matthew, because it hung loose on his broad shoulders.

  His eyes lit on her, and the corner of his mouth tilted. He leaned over her chair, his eyes on her lips. Before Texanna could utter a word, his mouth swooped down and locked on hers. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, but one of possession. She should be irritated at his behavior but instead was pleased.

  He smiled while her heart thundered in her chest. “Good morning,” he said as he sat in the chair beside her.

  She managed to squeak out a soft, “Good morning.”

  Betty and Liz fussed over him as he ate, adding extra biscuits to his plate. When he finished, Texanna and Royce went upstairs to see the babies. Texanna sat in the rocker, and Matthew placed a baby on each arm. One baby was asleep, making little smacking noises. The other twin was wide-awake and studied Texanna.

  “That’s Nathan. He feels a kinship with you.”

  Her heart lodged in her throat. “You think so?”

  Matthew’s voice was thick. “I know so. You two have bonded for life.”

  His comment touched her, and tears gathered in her eyes. She struggled to speak. “They are so beautiful.” A tear rolled down her cheek.

  “Hey, now, don’t be stingy. Let me hold my niece for a minute and then we’ll switch.” Royce’s light comment eased the ache in her throat.

  Royce lifted the infant and handled her like a pro. His eyes met hers, and the love in the
m washed over her like warm water. To this strong man, love and family were everything.

  “What is this little one’s name?” he asked.

  Molly spoke, “Her name is Pearl.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  When Royce and Texanna rode into the yard, Texanna noticed the bare clothesline. “Where are our clothes?”

  “Aggie probably took them in for us.” Royce jumped off Samson and lifted Texanna off Josie before she had time to dismount. They groomed their horses and turned them loose in the pasture. When they started for the house, sunlight glinted off a large object sitting by the back door. She looked at Royce and noticed the twitch of his lips. As they neared the house, her excitement grew. It was a claw-foot bathtub. The feet were made of cast iron, but not the tub. It was tin coated with white enamel on the inside and blue on the outside. The rim was oak.

  She ran her hand around the smooth wood edge. “Oh, Royce! It’s beautiful.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Before she could move away, he caught her waist. Her eyes met his, and she watched them darken. When she didn’t push away, he pulled her closer. She knew what was coming, but she didn’t care, she wanted the touch of his mouth and the feel of his body against hers. He gave her one last chance, but her eyes never left his. One arm locked around her waist, his other moved up her back. His fingers fisted in her hair and held her head steady. His mouth descended, and his lips touched hers lightly.

  Texanna stood on her toes and pressed forward to make better contact, but he was intent on torturing her and leaned back. She’d had enough and with both hands, she grabbed a handful of hair and pulled his face to hers. He groaned and sealed his lips to hers. Jolts of pleasure shot from her head to her toes as desire and longing swept through Texanna. Her legs wobbled and almost gave way. Royce lifted her and held her against the side of the house with his body. His knee nudged her legs apart, and he lodged his hips between her thighs letting her feel his hard length. When he moved against her, she cried out as the contact made her lower body pulse. She pushed against him, wanting more.

  Suddenly, he moved back, and she slid to the ground. Cupping her face, he leaned down and dropped a light kiss on her lips.

  “A rider’s coming.”

  ****

  Damn! Royce had asked Jim to come help with the tub before they left Matthew’s. He didn’t figure the older man would be so prompt. Hopefully, Jim wouldn’t notice the tight fit of his jeans. It was down right embarrassing. He felt like a randy sixteen-year-old. Texanna ducked inside the house, and Royce waited for Jim to dismount.

  “I see it came.” He walked to the tub and ran his gnarled fingers over the wood trim. “Pretty thing. Was Texanna happy?” The old man’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

  Royce’s face heated. He cleared his throat. “Yeah, she loves it.”

  Jim nodded. “Good. Let’s get this thing in the house so I can get back to work.”

  Royce and Jim worked to get the tub into the house. It was heavy, but not near the weight of one made of cast iron. They moved it in front of the window in Texanna’s painting room. He planned to board up a section of the screened-in porch, cut a hole for a door, and move the tub out there. It would interfere with Texanna’s light for painting, but he’d work out something.

  Jim chuckled and slapped his leg. “If Miss Molly sees this, she’s gonna be wantin’ one too.”

  Royce grinned at the thought. “I don’t doubt it.” Royce walked Jim to his horse. “Thanks, Jim. Couldn’t have done it without you.”

  Jim waved as his horse trotted out of the yard. “Anytime.”

  The minute Jim was gone Texanna rushed into the kitchen to start warming water. “I’ve got to have a bath and wash my hair.”

  Dinner consisted of fried ham, boiled potatoes, carrots, and cornbread. This time the cornbread held together. Royce spent all afternoon nailing boards to the outer studs of the porch, leaving space for a high window. Texanna put clean linens on the beds, swept, dusted, and when Royce came in, she was at her easel working on Garrett’s portrait.

  After supper Royce and Texanna sat on the front porch with their coffee and talked about the twenty-first century until bedtime. It didn’t sound like a place Royce would want to visit, though he would like to see that gun she’d mentioned. He might even be interested in seeing more of that French underwear.

  ****

  Royce stared at the ceiling—thinking, feeling confused, and guilty. Was loving Texanna a sin? He was convinced she’d told him the truth. His true wife was dead. She’d sent Texanna here for a purpose—to let him know she hadn’t deserted him and Garrett. It was comforting to know she hadn’t been tortured or killed. He cherished knowing how much she’d cared, and how hard she tried to get home. Her hell must have been worse than his. She’d been alone in a new century without a soul to help her. He admired her courage and determination to persevere. Yet, he also hurt. Had he shifted his love for his wife to Texanna? Was it possible he’d finished grieving and was ready to go forward with his life? Or was he fooling himself? Hell, he didn’t know what to believe anymore.

  What about Texanna? She’d been engaged three times and never married. Why? She didn’t seem to be incapable of love. She’d said she loved him, but still wanted to return to her time. Was it possible his wife, the ninety-four-year-old Pearl noticed her disdain for the men in her time period? Had she sent her neighbor, the young woman she’d come to adore, back in time hoping she’d find love—with him? Maybe sending Texanna was Pearl’s way of gifting them both.

  The door to the guest room opened. Royce held his breath and listened for footsteps. His door opened, and Texanna stood, cast in moonlight from the open window. She remained in the doorway for what seemed like an eternity, as if trying to make up her mind. His heart thundered with hope, but he remained still and silent. It had to be her choice.

  Texanna walked closer to the bed. She chewed her bottom lip. “I love you, Royce. You’re the only man I’ve ever wanted to make love with and I… don’t want to wait any longer to feel your touch.”

  His heart expanded in his chest, making breathing difficult. Texanna’s words eased his fears and doubts. “I love you, Texanna. I don’t know who you are anymore, and I don’t care. All I know is I need you.” They were together for a reason, and he intended to see they stay together.

  He sat up on the side of the bed and dragged the sheet over his lap. She moved back a step. His breath caught in his throat. Don’t leave me, love. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  Texanna lifted the gown over her head and dropped it to the floor. She stood before him, her head high. Royce’s breath left him in a whoosh. That she’d come to him in the night humbled him, but to gift him with the sight of her body was beyond his wildest dreams. Women in this era were modest, and her boldness fired his blood. He looked his fill. Her breasts were small but round, her waist flared into gently curved hips, and her legs were long and shapely. A groan rose in his chest, and he held out his arms. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  She drew closer and put her hands in his. He kissed the palm of each and placed them on his shoulders, then caressed her waist, so small he could span it. His hands shook as he slid them up her rib cage and back down over the curves of her hips and thighs. Her skin was soft, and his roughened hands rasped against the smooth texture. He skimmed the outsides of her breasts, and then cupped their fullness. As his thumbs brushed her nipples her body jerked, and she moaned as he continued to tease them. His hands dropped to the fullness of her buttocks and pulled her closer.

  Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight and a smile teased her lips. “My turn.” She ran her hands up and down his arms and across his shoulders. His breath hitched. He gasped when she thumbed his nipples. When her palms eased down his abdomen, his muscles lurched. Then she knelt before him and placed kisses across his abdomen and twirled her tongue in his navel.

  Royce groaned and lifted her to her feet. “No more.”

  “But I want to to
uch you.”

  “Later, love, later.” He pulled her against him and rolled, placing her in the middle of the bed. “It’s my turn now. I want to taste your breasts.” She trembled when his mouth touched her nipple and cried out when he laved it with his tongue. When he stopped to move to her other breast, she grabbed his head.

  “Don’t stop, please don’t stop.”

  Voice hoarse, he whispered, “Never, sweetheart. Not unless you ask me to.”

  Texanna gasped as Royce’s hand spanned her belly and shivered as his fingers trailed down her hips. She quivered and grew taut with wanting as his hands and mouth teased and stroked her body as if he were fine tuning an instrument. Voice choked, he stoked her desire with whispered words. “Touch me, my love. Feel how my body responds to you.”

  She splayed her hands over his chest and abdomen, reveling at the firmness of his muscles. When she cupped his buttocks, they jumped in response. They were rock hard, but his skin was smooth and warm, beautiful. Her fingers teased his ribcage and stomach. Royce remained rigid under her touching, his body trembling as he allowed her exploration. When her hand closed around his shaft, a low growl rumbled from his chest. She smiled at his reaction, enjoying her power to please him.

  Royce removed her hand and lay back, pulling her body half over his. Hands in her hair, he drug her mouth to his. Their lips joined, giving and taking as their tongues tasted and stroked. He rolled her onto her back and pushed her thighs apart with a knee.

  “I love you so, Texanna.” His hand skimmed down her hip and cupped her mound. “I love how you gasp when I touch you here.” His hand slid lower and found her moist center. Two strokes across her sensitive flesh and Texanna shattered.

  Her body arched as a low keening rushed from her throat. Royce plundered her mouth and held her quaking body as he continued to stroke her. His lips left hers and moved lower to suckle at her breasts. The tension built again, and Texanna squirmed beneath him wanting him inside her body—needing to become one with him.