by Texas Lover
"Merrilee," she asked hesitantly, "how did you know about my baby?"
The child smiled softly, gazing up at her with that older-than-her-years wisdom that never failed to mystify Rorie.
"My old mama told me before she said good-bye."
* * *
"Rider coming!"
Rorie's heart still jolted every time Topher bellowed the warning cry. Now, as she watched him leap off the fence, his face starbright with elation, her stomach did a somersault.
"It's Uncle Wes!"
With a wave and a whoop, Topher charged off to intercept Two-Step almost as fast as Rorie's pulse was racing. She heard the front door slam as Fancy and Ginevee came outside with Po; Merrilee and Nita dropped their dolls to run for the drive; the men all set aside their guns and strolled from the porch into the yard.
Rorie drew a shaky breath. Kneeling in the twilight beneath Maggie's cooling shade, she gazed down at her gloves, stained with damp, fertile earth, and the bucket of seed pods she'd been gathering. The minute Shae had announced his intention to sell the farm, she knew she had to collect every flower the tree dropped. Magnolia saplings weren't likely to thrive on a dusty cattle ranch, but she would plant hundreds of them and hope that one—at least one—would prove as hearty as Mrs. Boudreau's sweetheart tree.
Of course, Rorie had concocted this plan based on the premise that Wes still wished to marry her. "I need to work Rangering out of my blood," he'd once told her. Had arresting Hannibal Dukker cooled Wes's gunfighter's passion, or had the old thrill fired up again?
Two weeks. She'd waited two nerve-racking weeks to know. In that time, her cuts and bruises had healed. She and Merrilee had, miraculously, suffered nothing more debilitating than head colds from their trauma in the storm.
Spared from fever, or worse, pneumonia, Rorie had been acutely lucid, which meant that she hadn't been able to escape a plague of worry. Breathlessly, anxiously, she'd waited every day for the dreaded contractions, the spotting, the evidence of her miscarriage.
But after fourteen days without her woman's courses, she'd dared to conclude her baby was healthy.
She was healthy, too, except for an occasional bout of nausea. Rather than fretting, though, she rejoiced in those episodes now. She just prayed Wes would.
Marrying a woman with four children and a fifth child on the way would surely be daunting to a young man who'd spent as much time as he had on the roam. She'd consider herself fortunate when she broke the news if he didn't vault back into the saddle and gallop to the nearest saloon.
Rising nervously, she shook the mud clots from her knees, pulled off her gloves, and waited with twined fingers for him to finish greeting the others and come to her.
She didn't have to wait long. Excusing himself from his family, he covered the ground between them with long, purposeful strides. A rope was slung over his shoulder. The no-nonsense determination on his face made her stomach flutter. She lost some of her nerve.
"How was your trip?" she asked, reluctant to broach her news until she could better gauge his mood.
He halted, and the hint of a smile softened the businesslike gleam in his eyes. "It got a whole lot better once I rode up the drive."
"I suppose Dukker was a lot of trouble."
"I'm used to prisoners bellowing and cursing."
"Oh." She blushed. She didn't know why, but she sensed his comment had a double meaning, especially when he let a coil of rope slide to the ground.
She cleared her throat. "Creed said he would be back for the trial. After everything he and Danny have been through, I can't help but feel sorry for him. He's torn between testifying for Gator's and Lorelei's sakes, and keeping his father from hanging for Danny's. Dukker might have been the worst kind of villain, but he's still the boys' father."
Wes's jaw hardened the tiniest bit. "With Lorelei's and Faraday's affidavits, a jury won't need Creed's testimony to convict Dukker of murder."
He took another step closer, abruptly changing the subject. "Now that all the excitement's over, I've been meaning to ask you..."
Rorie caught her breath, her heart leaping. She'd been waiting for this moment, this question, for weeks.
"Just what did you write about me to my sister-in-law?"
She blinked, momentarily stunned. "You mean, the letter?" Air rushed back into her lungs, but she still felt deflated. Laughing weakly, she waved his question away. "I just told her you wanted to make amends, but that you didn't know how. And I said you would probably never forgive me for telling her so, but I couldn't bear to see you go on hurting."
She bit her lip, searching his face for signs of an impending explosion. "Does that make you angry?"
He folded his arms across his chest. In the fading light, with his hat's shadow falling cross his chiseled jaw, she couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"If it did make me angry, would you sneak off with me to the shower bath tonight so we could make up?"
Her face heated a couple hundred degrees. Glancing over his shoulder, she spied his brothers and sister-in-law watching in unabashed amusement.
"You're joking, right?"
"Hell no. I don't ever joke about keeping the peace."
She grew even warmer, if that was possible.
"All right, woman, enough of this chitchat. Are you, or are you not, going to marry me?"
Her heart bumped. For a moment, she was so happy to hear him propose again that she couldn't even think.
"Before I say yes—" she swallowed, blinking hard so she wouldn't embarrass herself, "I have a confession to make."
"And what might that be?" he asked silkily, fingering the coils of his rope.
"Well, it seems that I'm... er..." She gulped a bolstering breath. "I'm not quite as barren as I once thought."
She waited anxiously, her heart in her hands, and watched the dawning of his realization. He stiffened, his eyes widened, and his chest rose with a huge breath and held. Grabbing her shoulders, he searched her face wildly for confirmation.
"You mean—?"
She nodded. "I'm having your baby, Wes."
The widest grin she'd ever seen slowly split his face. "When?"
"In about seven months."
His whoop startled her. He picked her up and spun her around. She gasped, then laughed, her feet flying out from under her. Her pulse was soaring when he set her back on the ground, and he kissed her hungrily, making her dizzy and breathless all over again.
"You know what this means?" he asked, nibbling on her ear.
She was tingling from head to toe. "No, what?"
"I don't fire any blanks."
"Wes!"
He laughed and spun her around again. She giggled, clinging to his neck, too happy to heed the conventions. For once, her heart was in control, and when he hugged her closer, she couldn't imagine why she'd ever let logic guide her instead of love.
"Boys," he shouted, pulling off his hat and waving it at his brothers, "there're going to be five new additions to the Rawlins family." He grinned, tossing her a sideways glance. "Make that six."
She pressed her palms to her face, and Topher, racing ahead of the others, joined them beneath the magnolia tree.
"What's going on?" the boy asked eagerly.
"Well, son—" Wes squatted, gathering all of the children around him, "seems like you, Nita, Merrilee, and Po—and Shae and Ginevee too, if they're of the same mind—are going to come live with me and Miss Rorie. Only I reckon you can't call her ' 'Miss' anymore. I reckon you'll have to call her 'Mama.' "
Merrilee tugged shyly on his jeans. "Does that mean we can call you 'Papa'?"
"Sweetheart, I wouldn't have it any other way."
He hugged them all, winked at Cord, then rose to slap Zack on the shoulder.
"Son, it looks like you're gonna have some catching up to do."
Zack laughed good naturedly, congratulating her on the engagement. Cord and Fancy took their turns, then Shae and Ginevee hugged her.
Wes didn't let
his family monopolize her for long, though. Taking her by the hand, he hurried her back to Two-Step as if he were a renegade running from the law. She laughed at him as he boosted her into the saddle.
"You aren't afraid I'll change my mind, are you?"
"Nope." He vaulted up behind her, his mustache tickling her ear. "It's the shivaree," he whispered in mock dread. "After the things I did to Cord on his wedding night, those boys are going to hound us but good."
"But we're not even married yet!"
"Yeah? Try telling them that."
He wrapped his arm around her waist, and a delicious shiver gusted down her spine. "Besides," he drawled, "I have a surprise waiting for my sweetheart by the blackberry bush."
She knew she'd reddened at the earthy promise in his voice, but she was too elated to care. He loved her, he wanted her, and he'd given her everything she'd ever dreamed of having.
Since he'd come into her life with his devilish laugh, his wicked flirtations, and his fallen-angel's smile, her days had been a series of miracles, one right after the other. She was a woman who counted her blessings. She would cherish him until the end of her days, and if he chose to continue Rangering, she would find some way to accept his decision. After all, she understood the importance of having dreams and making them come true.
As if reading her thoughts, he slipped a hand behind her, fishing in the pocket of his vest.
"Hey, Topher!"
"Yeah, Pa?"
"I've got something for you."
A flash of metal tumbled in the fading light, and Topher caught the object in his hand. His eyes grew as round as silver dollars when he gazed down at his palm.
"It's your Ranger badge!"
"That's right, son. I won't be needing it anymore."
Rorie's heart tripped. Tilting her head back, she gazed up at him through a shimmering rainbow of tears. "But Wes, Rangering means so much to you. Are you sure you want to give it up?"
He chuckled, spurring Two-Step out of the yard and into the dancing orange and yellow flowers of the meadow.
"Darlin', I'm through chasing bad men." His hand strayed down her ribs in the naughtiest, pulse-stirring way.
"Now I just want to be one."
The End
Want more from Adrienne deWolfe?
Page forward for an excerpt from
TEXAS WILDCAT
Wild Texas Nights
Book 3
Excerpt from
Texas Wildcat
Wild Texas Nights
Book 3
by
Adrienne deWolfe
Award-winning Author
TEXAS WILDCAT
Awards & Accolades
AWARDS
4.5 Stars! - Romantic Times Magazine
Winner, Best Historical Romance of the Year
Calico Trails Magazine
Winner, Cameo Award for Strong Woman Characters
Calico Trails Magazine
Winner, K.I.S.S. Award for Heroes
Romantic Times Magazine
Finalist, Reviewers Choice Award (Best Book in a Series)
Romantic Times Magazine
REVIEWS
"With a true understanding of a woman's heart, Adrienne deWolfe brings two special people together. Snappy dialogue, sharp repartee, a realistic portrait of the era—as well as plenty of passion."
~Kathe Robin, Romantic Times Magazine (4.5 Stars)
~
"Wonderful! Will set your heart racing..."
~Carmel Vivier, Under the Covers
~
"A series destined to become everyone's favorite read."
~Genie Romance and Women's Fiction Exchange
~
"...An excellent, fast-paced novel."
~Harriet Klausner, Paint Rock Reviews
"You know what your problem is?" Zach ground out, lowering his face within inches of hers. "Your daddy spoiled you rotten."
"He did not!"
"He spoiled you and coddled you. What he should have done was turn you over his knee."
"My daddy knew how to treat a woman," Bailey flung back, "which is more than I can say for you, Rawlins!"
That was it. The final straw. He'd borne her public insults to his manhood too many times. With a surge of primal instinct too confused to clearly define, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her hard against him. He heard her gasp, saw the shock flare in her sapphire eyes. Then his mouth swooped to cover hers.
For an instant, the barest of moments, she swayed on tiptoe. Her hands clutched his shirt sleeves; her chest collided with his. Suddenly, his anger was snuffed out in a blaze of desire. He slanted his mouth, demanding an entry to the enticing wetness that lured him deeper...
She was kissing him eagerly now, hungrily, demanding a response that every sizzling part of him ached to provide. God have mercy on his soul.
Texas Wildcat
Wild Texas Nights
Book 3
by
Adrienne deWolfe
~
To purchase
Texas Wildcat
from your favorite eBook Retailer,
visit Adrienne deWolfe's eBook Discovery Author Page
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TEXAS OUTLAW
Wild Texas Nights
Book 1
Excerpt from
Texas Outlaw
Wild Texas Nights
Book 1
by
Adrienne deWolfe
Award-winning Author
TEXAS OUTLAW
Awards & Accolades
AWARDS
Rita Finalist, Best First Book
Romance Writers of America
Finalist, Reviewers Choice Award (Best Debut Novel)
Romantic Times Magazine
Winner, Honey of a Heroine Award
West Houston Chapter, Romance Writers of America
REVIEWS
"Texas Outlaw is a real triumph. Adrienne deWolfe is a brilliant author."
~Literary Times
~
"Funny, fresh, fast-paced and romantic, Texas Outlaw is an entertaining read."
~Susan Wiggs, National Bestselling Author
~
"Adrienne deWolfe's writing is clever and unconventional... guaranteed to please."
~Pamela Morsi, National Bestselling Author
Teasing, with featherlight persistence, he trailed kisses along her jawline, down to her pulse, up to her ear. But when his tongue flicked inside, shooting sparks to the base of her spine, she couldn't bear his assault any longer. She hiked a shoulder.
"You're just one hot little tease, aren't you, Fancy?" Cord whispered, his mouth hovering a bare inch above her own.
She drew a ragged breath. "Amateur."
"Oh, I reckon I am—next to you. Think you've got something to teach me?"
Her heart tripped. He wasn't serious... Was he?
She fanned her lashes downward to hide her uneasiness. What had happened to the grieving husband? To Marshall Do-Right? This wasn't the Cord Rawlins she knew; this was a wildcard.
Still, she was the mistress of gaming, was she not? She could match any ace he had hidden—and then some. She'd make this one showdown Cord Rawlins would never forget.
Rising on tiptoe, she touched her lips to his. She expected him to stiffen; instead, his mouth slanted, demanding more of her kiss. She obliged. Gripping her buttocks, he ground his hips into hers, and she gasped. His heat was electric, charging every nerve. She told herself she had no business liking the way her flesh tingled. But desire was like a firecracker bursting inside her brain...
Texas Outlaw
Wild Texas Nights
Book 1
by
Adrienne deWolfe
~
To purchase
Texas Out
law
from your favorite eBook Retailer,
visit Adrienne deWolfe's eBook Discovery Author Page
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Adrienne deWolfe is an award-winning author, professional journalist, publicist, and fiction teacher, who calls Austin, Texas, home.
Recipient of 48 writing awards, including the Best Historical Romance of the Year, Adrienne loves to mentor aspiring authors. Her non-fiction e-titles include How to Write Wildly Popular Romances, How to Write Romance Heroes with Sex Appeal, and How to Write Sensual Love Scenes.
When Adrienne isn't writing books, she is blogging at www.WritingNovelsThatSell.com, where aspiring authors find lots of tips, inspiration, writing resources, professional story critiques, and online writing workshops and courses.
You can follow Adrienne at
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Table of Contents
Cover
A Note from Adrienne deWolfe
Legend of the Sweetheart Tree
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16