Kael

by Lori Wilde

  “How about if I go with you to the picnic,” Daisy said, avoiding his question.

  Travis shook his head. “No, it’s gotta be a dad.”

  Daisy rocked back on her heels. Father-son picnic indeed. Didn’t the people who organized these things realize what they were doing to children without fathers? You’d think in this day and age people would have gotten over such prejudices. But Rascal was a small town, and folks prided themselves on their old-fashioned values. Nothing wrong with that, except when it made people closed-minded to other ways of being in the world.

  “Maybe Kael could take you.”

  Travis gave her a dubious look. “He’s not my dad.”

  Her spirits plummeted. It was painfully obvious Travis needed a father. She’d been aware of it for some time.

  “He would be if your mama married him,” Aunt Peavy said, putting in her two cents worth at exactly the wrong time.

  Travis perked up, and a wide grin crossed his face. “You’re gonna marry Kael?”

  Daisy shot Aunt Peavy a withering glance. “Honey...”

  “Oh, Mom, please, please.” He pressed his palms together in a prayer. “Kael is so cool, and I want a dad real bad.”

  Shame blazed a path through her. She’d called Kael selfish when she was being the selfish one. Daisy had allowed her own feelings toward Kael to get in the way of what was best for Travis.

  Every child deserved two parents. But Kael could be his father without Daisy having to marry him.

  “Mom?” Travis laid his hand on her shoulder and peered at her. “Are you okay?”

  Daisy blinked and stared back at the child who was as much a part of her as if he’d grown in her womb. For Travis, she would do anything.

  Even if that meant marrying Kael.

  Chapter Eight

  “MAY I SPEAK WITH YOU a moment?”

  Kael glanced up from where he sat on a bench in the barn, sharpening his mother’s kitchen knives for her. He was surprised to see Daisy standing in the doorway, the afternoon sun slanting her shadow across the hay-strewn floor.

  “Sure,” he replied, setting the whetstone aside. “Come on in.”

  She hesitated at the door like a puppy on a leash. Even from the distance of ten feet, he could smell her honey-flavored aroma—rich, amber, sweet. Slim-cut blue jeans hugged her narrow hips. She wore a gray oversize T-shirt that should have camouflaged her breasts instead of

  accentuating them as the shirt did.

  Kael caught his breath and battled the feelings rising inside him. The woman tempted him more every day.

  She kept her hands clasped behind her back and avoided meeting his gaze. “This isn’t easy for me.”

  “What isn’t easy?” Nonplussed, he cocked his head and studied her. Her cheeks were pink, but the rest of her face was so pale her freckles stood out prominently.

  “Saying what I’ve got to say.”

  He ignored the chugging sensation in his belly and patted the bench beside him. “Have a seat.”

  “I’d rather stand.”

  Kael shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

  She twisted her fingers into an anxious knot and bounced on the balls of her feet. “I’ve reconsidered.”

  He froze, not quite certain he’d heard her correctly, barely daring to hope. More than anything in the world, he wanted to marry Daisy and be a proper father to his son.

  She cleared her throat.

  “Reconsidered what?” he asked, feeling as if he were gingerly stepping over invisible land mines.

  “You know.”

  “Tell me, Daisy. Say the words.”

  She let out her breath, stuffed her hands in her pockets, and made it a point to stare at the horse stalls along the back wall. “Your offer. I’ve reconsidered.”

  “What offer is that?” It wasn’t kind of him, but he couldn’t resist baiting her. Kael experienced a fluttering sensation inside his chest. What had happened to cause this change of heart? Whatever the cause, he was grateful.

  “Why do you have to be so difficult?” She rolled her eyes.

  “It’s not often I see the proud Daisy Hightower grovel, and I gotta admit I’m enjoying it.” Kael folded his arms across his chest and grinned.

  “Oh, forget it. I should have known you’d be a jerk.” Daisy spun on her heels.

  “Whoa!” Kael leaped up, all smugness gone, and dashed across the floor to grab her arm before she got away. “Wait. I’m sorry.”

  She twisted in his grasp, her skin hot beneath his fingers. Kael gulped but held on.

  “I’m sorry,” he repeated.

  He felt her muscles relax. She tossed her head and sliced him a saucy expression. A look that made him want her all the more.

  “Shall we start over?” He raised an eyebrow, worried now that his teasing had made her change her mind.

  “All right.”

  “You’ve come to accept my marriage proposal?” His heart beat faster.

  She nodded. “Yes, but I want it understood this is strictly a marriage of convenience. I’m agreeing to this arrangement for Travis’ sake and because I desperately need help around the farm. Plus, the green monster died.”

  “You don’t have to marry me to get a vehicle, Daisy. My parents have several old farm trucks. We could sell you a pickup and you could pay it out.”

  “I’ll take you up on that offer,” she said, looking relieved. “But this is more than that. I’m thinking of Travis’ future.”

  He studied her face, searching for the smallest sign of emotion. A twitch of her eye, an upturned smile, anything that would tell him she still had feelings for him. But Daisy had schooled her emotions for too many years. Kael could read nothing from her expression.

  “I can appreciate where you’re coming from.”

  “You’d better. I’m marrying you for your money and for my son. Those are the only reasons.”

  “So you said.” Kael narrowed his eyes. He didn’t want her to know she’d just ripped his heart from his chest.

  “You seem awfully accepting about this.”

  “I want us to be a family. That’s all that matters.”

  Daisy wrinkled her nose in frustration. “You do understand what a marriage in name only means, don’t you?”

  “What are you getting at?” He leaned closer, and she took a step backward.

  “There’ll be no consummation of the marriage vows.”

  “You mean you won’t make love to me.”

  “That’s correct.” She held her head high, her shoulders straight and her lips pressed into an unyielding line, but despite her hardline stance, Kael knew he wasn’t imagining the red flush creeping up her neck. Daisy was embarrassed.

  Kael stuck his tongue against his cheek to keep from grinning. It had taken a lot for her to come to him and accept his proposal. He knew exactly how much pride it had cost her, and he wondered what caused her abrupt change of heart.

  “Well?” she demanded, drawing herself up to her full five foot four inches. “Is it a deal?”

  “Marriage in name only?” Kael fingered his jaw. “You’re asking a lot from a red-blooded male. You expect me to spend the rest of my life without sex?”

  The pink blush on her face darkened to brilliant scarlet. “I...I... er,” she stammered.

  Her hesitancy told him she hadn’t given the issue much thought from his viewpoint. Suddenly, without knowing how he knew Kael realized Daisy was still a virgin. A soft, melting sensation stirred inside his chest.

  A knot of emotion lodged in his throat, surprising Kael with its intensity. He had an irresistible yearning to swing her into his arms, bury his face in her hair, and tell her exactly how much he loved her. But Kael was terrified of scaring her away.

  “Well?” He arched an eyebrow.

  “You can have your own... er... private life.”

  “You’re giving me permission to sleep with other women?”

  “Since it won’t be a real marriage in the carnal sense of the word, then yo
u’re free to do what you like in that area, yes.”

  He noticed Daisy’s breathing was ragged, her pupils dilated. He wanted to tell her that no other woman on the face of the earth could ever tempt him to break his wedding vows to her, but something held his tongue. Because of what had happened with Rose, Daisy still did not trust him. No matter what he might say, he could only prove himself over time.

  “What about you?” he asked. “What about your needs?”

  “I’m too busy for needs.”

  “So, you’ll go the rest of your life without sex?”

  She shrugged. “If it’s necessary.”

  He wanted to tell her she could take lovers as well, but dammit, he could not get the words out of his mouth. He did not want a marriage in name only. But he surprised himself by saying, “All right.”

  “You agree?” her voice came out high and squeaky.

  “Yes.”

  “That’s good then.” She stuffed her hands in her back pockets and nodded her head, but she looked unhappy.

  “So, no lovemaking between us?” he ventured.

  “None.”

  “Never?”

  “Ever,” she replied firmly.

  “If that’s the way it’s gotta be.” Kael shrugged like he didn’t care, but once they were actually married, however, all bets were off. By hook or by crook, she was going to be his bride. In every sense of the word. He would win her over. No matter how long it took.

  “That leaves one other provision.”

  “Let’s hear it.” Kael waved an expansive hand.

  “We don’t tell Travis you’re his biological father.”

  “Wait a minute, I can’t agree to that.”

  “Please let me finish.” Daisy frowned. “We won’t tell him for now.”

  Kael shook his head. “No. I don’t like this. Why wait?”

  “I think he needs time to get used to the idea of having a man about the house.”

  “Why can’t that man be his father?”

  “You’re a stranger.”

  “I won’t be for long.”

  “He’s only six years old,” Daisy argued. “He won’t understand the complexities of his conception.”

  “We don’t have to tell him that.”

  “What are you going to tell him when he asks why you waited six years to come back into his life?”

  Twisting his face in thought, Kael paused to consider her wisdom. “When would we tell him?”

  “When the time is right.”

  Kael mulled that over. He saw no value in waiting, but Daisy was the boy’s mother. She knew Travis better than he did. Still, it would be hard not telling his son the truth.

  “Besides,” Daisy said, reeling in a heavy sigh.

  “Besides what?”

  “We really don’t know how long you’ll be able to stick with this marriage. If you get tired and wanderlust hits, it’ll be easier for Travis to accept you leaving if he doesn’t know you’re his real father.”

  “Do you really believe I’d walk out on you?”

  “You did it before.”

  “No, Daisy, that’s not true. Back then, we had not committed ourselves to each other. This time it’s different. This time it’s for keeps. I have no doubts about my own serious intentions. What I want to know is, are you up to the challenge?”

  THREE DAYS LATER, DAISY and Kael stood before the justice of the peace at the Presidio County Courthouse with Travis and Aunt Peavy, and their neighbors, Keegan Wren Winslow in attendance. Kael’s parents were in New York City on business and hadn’t been able to come.

  It was just as well, Daisy decided. She was nervous enough going ahead with this marriage without all the normal wedding fanfare.

  Kael had bought her a bouquet of pink roses, red carnations, and white baby’s breath. Also, he’d given her with one of the Carmody ranch trucks. A western hauler with room to transport her hives. The pickup might be old in Kael’s book, but the truck was the newest vehicle she’d ever owned, and he insisted it was a wedding present.

  Although she’d protested both the flowers and the truck as a gift, the gesture touched her. Kael seemed serious about the whole marriage thing.

  At least for now, she reminded herself. Anybody could stay in one place for a few months. What happened when those months turned into years, and the years turned to decades? Would Kael remain at her side or would he quickly grow bored in Rascal and leave her? And if by some miracle he did stay longer, what would happen in twelve years when Travis graduated high school and there was no longer a reason for them to stay married?

  Daisy swallowed hard and pushed those disturbing thoughts aside. Smoothing imaginary wrinkles from her cream-colored linen suit, Daisy shifted her weight and focused her gaze on Judge Crinshaw.

  Sensing her uneasiness, Kael reached over and squeezed her hand.

  She darted a glance at him and found him smiling tenderly. That smile was almost her undoing. Daisy’s knees knocked together, and perspiration trickled down the hollow of her throat.

  Years ago, when she used to imagine their wedding, she had pictured something entirely different. Like every other girl who’d dreamed the dream, she’d envisioned the most stunning dress of white lace and satin with a mesh veil and a long train. She’d foreseen the ceremony in a church and a dinner reception to follow. She’d pictured scads of guests, a lot of wedding presents, a large diamond engagement ring, and a honeymoon trip to Hawaii.

  A fairy tale.

  She was getting none of those things. Neither was she getting the most important thing of all—unconditional love.

  Her lip trembled as tears built behind her eyelids. Too late for any of that. She had to settle for what she had and hope against all hope that somehow, some way Kael would come to love her as much as she loved him. If that never happened, she could take comfort in the knowledge she’d provided a father for her son.

  “Daisy?” Judge Crinshaw’s voice cut through her thoughts.

  She blinked. “Yes?”

  “Repeat after me.”

  Numbly, she parroted her wedding vows back to the judge. Kael clung fast to her hand, but she didn’t dare look at him for fear her tears would break loose and tumble down her cheeks for everyone to see.

  Everyone, being the judge, Aunt Peavy, Travis, Keegan and Wren.

  “Do you, Daisy Anne Hightower, take Kael Jacob Carmody to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

  “I do,” she murmured.

  “And do you, Kael Jacob Carmody, take Daisy Anne Hightower to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

  “I do.” His voice rang loud and true.

  “By the power vested in me by the state of Texas, I now pronounce you man and wife.”

  That was it. In seven minutes, they were married, and the ceremony was over. Hitched. United, tied together, joined as one. Until death do they part, or until Kael decided he was bored with the role of husband and father.

  “You may kiss the bride.”

  Daisy turned to face the music, her bouquet shaking crazily in her hands.

  Kael rested both hands on her shoulders. He stared intently into her eyes.

  She felt herself falling deeper, harder, faster into the vortex of Kael’s gaze. Holding her breath, her heart skipped.

  He leaned in close and gently kissed her.

  Aunt Peavy applauded wildly. Judge Crinshaw congratulated them. Keegan and Wren gave them hugs and wished them a marriage as happy as their own.

  Travis grinned from ear to ear. “I got me a dad.”

  “Yes, you do, and I’m delighted to have such a fine young man for a son,” Kael said.

  Kael’s eyes shone brightly, and Daisy could have sworn the man was close to tears. Looking from her new husband to her child, Daisy knew she had made the correct decision. Travis’ happiness meant far more than her own.

  “Now we can go on the Cub Scout fishing trip!”

  “And that’s just for starters.” Kael tousled the boy’s hair. “There’ll be m
arshmallow roasts and swimming and camping.”

  “Wow.” Travis’ eyes lit up.

  Judge Crinshaw smiled. “I wish you folks the very best. I can tell you’re going to make a great family.” He shook their hands.

  Guilt gnawed at Daisy. Unwittingly, the judge had just married them under false pretenses. He assumed they were truly in love and planning a real life together. A hollow ache, worse than the pain she’d experienced when Kael had left Rascal to join the rodeo circuit, sank into her stomach.

  “Daisy.” Kael held his arm to her.

  Hesitantly, she accepted his hand. His grip was warm, strong, and reassuring, and she was surprised at the comfort she drew from him.

  They walked from the room, Travis and Aunt Peavy following behind. Keegan and Wren waved goodbye and headed to their vehicle. Aunt Peavy’s hands fluttered in the air like an excitable bird, and she talked fast without hardly taking a breath.

  Outside they paused on the courthouse steps and squinted against the bright noonday sun. Daisy felt odd, as if she were an actress playing the role of dutiful bride.

  “I never thought I’d live to see the day,” Aunt Peavy exclaimed with a contented sigh. “Our Daisy finally married.”

  “Guess this means you’re officially my aunt now too,” Kael said.

  “Oh, yes, please think of me like that, my boy.”

  “Come here, Auntie.” Kael dropped Daisy’s hand and enveloped Aunt Peavy in a bear hug.

  She giggled like a teenager. “Listen,” Aunt Peavy said, pulling away and digging in her purse for a handful of twenties. “I want to do something special for you two. How ’bout I pay for your honeymoon night in that fancy hotel in Marfa?”

  “Why, Aunt Peavy,” Kael said, “that’s a sweet gesture.”

  “No,” Daisy said, “it’s too much.”

  Kael and Aunt Peavy both stared at her.

  “Goodness’ sakes, child, let me do something nice for you for once,” Aunt Peavy chided.

  Daisy shook her head. “There’s not going to be a honeymoon.”

  Disappointment etched Aunt Peavy’s kind face. “No honeymoon?”

  Kael cocked his eyebrow. “Daisy, it’s rude to refuse a gift.”