by Nan Ryan
Suzette jumped from her chair, spoke to Perry, then told Anna, “I have to get home. Austin will be worried.”
She felt tense as she neck-reined her horse through the cottonwoods arched over the dry riverbed. She came out of the trees and stopped abruptly, pulling up on the reins. The sorrel danced in place while Suzette, her eyes glued to a small mesa on the near western horizon, stared transfixed. A lone rider was silhouetted against the setting sun. Motionless, he sat tall and rigid in the saddle. The coal-black horse was as still as the rider. Dressed all in black, the rider had hair as black as his mount.
Suzette felt chill bumps pop out on her arms and her heart stopped. For a time, she sat looking directly at the dark rider, and he at her; he then disappeared over the rise. Suzette blinked and looked again. There was nothing—no one there. He had vanished into thin air. Had she seen a rider? Had someone really been there, or was the sun playing tricks on her? Unease overtook her, and she was suddenly very anxious to get home.
She dug her heels into the sorrel’s flanks and slapped the reins from side to side. The horse sped across the prairie, almost unseating her. Cursing the sidesaddle she had learned to endure, Suzette galloped headlong across the countryside, the sorrel’s long strides eating up the miles. She topped a rolling hill and her heart rose to her throat. A horse and rider blocked her path.
Suzette sighed with relief. It was not the dark horse and rider. She immediately recognized Red Wilson from the ranch and her pulse slowed to normal. Wilson reined his horse alongside.
“Mrs. Brand,” he said, his green eyes sweeping over her.
“Mr. Wilson.” Suzette sat motionless in the saddle and watched the cowboy dismount.
Red Wilson walked to her and took the reins from her hand. He let them trail on the ground and reached up for Suzette. By the time she realized his intentions, he had lifted her from her horse and set her on her feet in front of him. Growing alarmed, Suzette looked up at the tall man and said, “Mr. Wilson, just what do you think you’re doing? I must be getting home.” She tried to pull away, but Red Wilson’s hands were gripping her waist.
“Suzette, I’m not going to hurt you.” One of Red’s hands went up to her shiny blond hair. He stroked it as though it were spun gold. “Honey, I been thinking about you ever since that party at the mansion. I keep wondering how it would be to kiss your sweet mouth.”
“No, Red, don’t do this.” She was pushing on his hard chest, fear making the muscles in her throat tighten.
“One kiss, honey, just one.” He bent his head and sought her mouth. Suzette twisted her face to the side. His mouth was on her neck, pressing burning kisses there while she struggled violently against him. Both heard the gun cock simultaneously.
Tom Capps stood a few feet away. The Colt .44 was leveled at Red Wilson’s temple. “Step slowly away from her, Red.”
“Look, Tom, you got it all wrong,” Red pleaded, still holding Suzette. “She begged me to meet her, said being married to an old man like Brand leaves her frustrated.”
“Dear God! I never said such a thing…Tom, I…” Suzette choked.
“I’m out of patience. Red. Release her, get on your horse, and get off Brand’s property.”
Red stepped away from Suzette. On robbery legs she ran to Tom Capps’s side. Red, his hands in the air, was backing toward his horse. “I can explain this, Tom. Hell, nothing happened.”
“Mount up, Red, and get out of my sight before I kill you.” Tom Capps had the gun trained on the slender cowboy.
“Jesus, Tom, this is ridiculous. What about my pay?” Red Wilson picked up the reins of his horse.
“I’ll leave it with the bartender at the Longhorn tomorrow. Don’t ever let me catch you on this ranch again. Now git!”
Red Wilson threw a long leg over his horse and was spurring the animal before he was settled in the saddle. The young cowhand raced across the prairie into the setting sun.
Tom Capps reholstered his gun and turned to Suzette. “Ma’am, you’d best get on home. Austin got tied up in town. He should be back any time now.”
Suzette looked the old cowboy in the eye. “Tom, I hope you haven’t misunderstood what you saw here.”
“Stop your worrying, ma’am. I’ve known for some time that Red was trouble. Ever since that party he’s been going on about how beautiful you are. He’s careful around me, but with some of the hands, he’s said too much. We’re well rid of him.” He smiled and helped Suzette into the saddle.
“You’re a very understanding man, Tom,” Suzette complimented him.
Tom walked to his waiting horse and mounted. “I hope you’ll still think so when I tell you that if you don’t tell your husband about this, I will.”
Suzette sighed. “Do you really think it’s necessary?”
“Mrs. Brand, I’ve never been anything but honest with your husband. I’ve known Austin for a lot of years and I don’t mind saying that I love him like a son. In my book he’s as fine a person as ever lived, and in all my days I’ve never seen a man love a woman the way Austin loves you. He worries for your safety all the time, and I’d say since the tragedy that took his first wife and their child, it’s understandable for him to be protective. Now I know danged well you wasn’t supposed to go off by yourself. I was with Austin today, but he told old Nate to make sure he rode with you if you wanted to ride. Poor Nate’s scared to death Austin will fire him.”
“Oh, dear, I never thought of that. It wasn’t Nate’s fault. I slipped away while he slept. I’ll tell Austin not to blame Nate.”
“That’s kind of you, Mrs. Brand. We’d better get back, sun’s about gone.” When the pair reached the ranch, Suzette slid from her horse and handed Tom the reins.
“Thank you, Tom. When Austin gets back, tell him about Red. I’ll tell him I took advantage of old Nate.” She held out her hand.
Tom clasped it in his callused one. “I’ll tell him. You run on now. Everything will be all right.”
Suzette was upstairs in her bath when Austin returned home. When Kate saw the look on his face, she told the other two servants to remain in their rooms until she called for them. Austin took off his gloves and slapped them angrily on his thigh as he climbed the carpeted stairs. He stormed into the blue bedroom calling for his wife.
Deep in soapy water, Suzette took a breath and answered, “I’m in my bath, Austin. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Before the sentence was completed, he stood in the doorway, his feet apart, his handsome features hard. Suzette’s composure crumbled and she automatically sank deeper into the tub. Wordlessly he crossed the room, his spurs clanking on the tiled floor. He reached a big hand down into the bath water and grabbed Suzette’s arm, hauling her to her feet. He seemed mindless of the fact that his shirt was wet all the way up past his elbow. She stood in the tub, suds glistening on her wet body, her heart thundering.
Suzette had never seen her husband so furious. She wisely chose not to argue with him. He snatched her out of the tub, lifting her up into his arms. She was crushed against the rough fabric of his shirt, his big hands cutting into the flesh of her waist and the underside of her knees. Dripping water as he went, he carried her through her bedroom, kicking the adjoining door of his room open. Stepping through it, he announced harshly, “I’m going to spank your bottom!”
“No!” She found her tongue and began to squirm. “Austin, don’t! Austin!”
He marched directly to his big bed and sat down. While she struggled and screamed her outrage, Austin turned her over his lap. Her bare bottom was turned up to him; he held her in place with a strong arm across her back and shoulders. She kicked her legs and tossed her head about, sobbing loudly. Austin raised a big hand high in the air.
It never came down. His hand poised above her wet buttocks, he came to his senses just in time. He looked down at the struggling, naked girl draped over his knees and closed his eyes. “My God, Suzette,” he moaned. “What have I done?” Gently, he pulled her up, and when he saw
her unhappy face, he felt a gnawing pain in the pit of his stomach. “Darlin’, darlin’,” he murmured and sat her on his knee. “I didn’t mean it, sweetheart. Please say you forgive me.”
Jerking with sobs, Suzette went limp in his arms, her pride and feelings deeply wounded. “I hate you, Austin,” she sobbed.
“No, Suzette, please, don’t say that, don’t!” He was kissing her flushed, tear-stained face, her wet eyelids, her nose, her trembling open mouth.
“You were going to whip me!” she cried.
“No, angel, I would never have done it! Never. Don’t hate me, Suzette. I’m sorry.” He continued to kiss and caress her and soon she was calmer, but Austin’s lips continued to brush her temples and press warm kisses to her throat. Suzette felt his lips hovering above hers and she lifted a tired hand to his face. She pressed her face against the base of his neck and felt his warmth.
Against his skin she murmured, “I’m not a child, Austin. I’m a woman.”
“I know, honey,” he soothed as her sweetness filled his senses and heated his blood.
Suzette’s hand went to the buttons of his shirt and she flipped them open one by one while his mouth continued feathering kisses over her face, searching out her lips. She responded to his ardent kiss while her hand slid inside his shirt to explore his massive chest.
Austin lifted his head and looked into her eyes, his breath becoming labored. “I love you, Suzette.”
“I’m a woman, Austin.” she whispered. “Look at me.” She raised a hand to his thick hair, pushing his head down slowly. “Look at my body, Austin. I’m a woman, a woman.”
Austin’s passion-filled eyes swept over her and he moaned, “You’re no child. You’re all woman. I apologize, my darlin’. I’ll do anything to make it up to you.” He raised his eyes to hers.
Suzette pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him deeply. When she took her lips from his, Austin was trembling with desire. Suzette pressed her face to his heaving chest. Open-mouthed she kissed it, whispering, “I’m your wife, Austin. I want to have your baby. Give me a child, Austin. Put a child in me, please.”
“Yes, love,” he whispered hoarsely and very gently put her down on his bed.
A very happy Suzette Brand went to visit Anna three weeks later. Nate escorted her and Suzette put up no argument; she was kind and talkative with Nate and excited when she ran up the steps of the Woodses’ home. Stooping, she picked up a crying Sunny from the front porch and kissed the unhappy little girl. “Sunny, sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Suzette cooed to the pretty child.
Anna stood at the door. “She’s pitching a fit because I said she has to take a nap. Suzette, you shouldn’t be holding her. She’s as dirty as a pig.”
Anna cleaned up her crying daughter and put her to bed. Josh played outside while Anna and Suzette traded gossip over coffee. “I’ve been just bursting to tell you my news!” Suzette’s eyes sparkled. “I think I’m pregnant!”
“Suz, that’s wonderful.” Anna reached across the table and patted Suzette’s hand. “Are you sure?”
“No, not really, but I think so. Isn’t it exciting? I hope it’s a boy. Austin would like a son, I think. I believe I’ll name him Andrew, or perhaps—”
“Suz, I don’t want to spoil your fun, but I think I’d wait a week or two before I started worrying about a name.”
“I know.” Suzette laughed. “It’s just that I so want a baby. I want to feel that I can…” She looked at Anna. “Keep your fingers crossed.”
“I will,” Anna assured her.
While Suzette and Anna visited, Austin and his men began the fencing of the ranch. Now Austin worked every day with his men, digging postholes, stretching the menacing wire mile after mile across the plains. It was hard, backbreaking work, and Austin came home each evening exhausted but pleased with their progress.
Suzette, her happy secret inside, was waiting each day when he came in. She was so loving and sweet that Austin was elated. She always had his bath waiting and she insisted on helping him strip off his dirty work clothes. She kept him company while he bathed, happy to scrub his broad back with a long-handled brush. If he was extremely weary, she would have their dinner served in his bedroom, and she listened attentively while he told her how proud he felt when he looked out over the expanse of their land, all fenced and private, the land on which they would spend the rest of their lives, the land they would pass down through the generations if they were lucky. Suzette reddened at the mention of generations and was tempted to tell Austin her good news. Deciding to wait until she was certain, she leaned over to him and kissed him on the mouth.
Austin grinned and said, “Maybe I should threaten to paddle you more often. Ever since that day you’ve been all a man could ask for.”
Suzette smiled. “It’s because you couldn’t spank me that things have been wonderful. I hope you understand that.”
Austin reached for her hand. “I do, Suzette. I was teasing.”
The next day it was almost sundown when Austin came home. He was calling Suzette’s name as soon as he stepped inside the back door.
“Mrs. Brand is in her room.” Kate looked up from the pan she was stirring.
“Thanks, Kate.” Austin nodded. “Hmm, something sure smells good.” He hurried through the house, tossing his hat on the velvet causeuse in the hall. He took the stairs two at a time, unbuttoning his soiled shirt as he went. “Suzette, honey, I’m home,” he called as he neared her door. He paused in front of the closed door, rapping loudly on it with his knuckles, a broad grin on his dirty face.
“Come in, Austin,” she called softly with no enthusiasm.
The sight that greeted him startled him. She sat on her bed, her arms wrapped around her bent knees, her chin resting on her forearms. Her lovely face was pale, her beautiful eyes sad. Austin crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. Tentatively sliding a hand around her waist, he said softly, “Honey, what is it? Are you sick?”
She blinked back tears. “Austin,” she murmured sadly and closed her eyes.
Terrified, he reached for her, pulling her into his embrace. He held her head to his shoulder and talked quietly to her. “What, sweet? Tell me. Tell your old husband what’s happened.”
“Austin, I’m so unhappy!” she cried.
He put both arms around her and rocked her back and forth. “Have I done something, darlin’? If so, I’ll—”
“No.” She shook her head. “It’s me.”
“You? Honey, you haven’t done anything. Please, Suzette, tell me what’s wrong.” He pulled back a little so he could look at her face.
“I was so happy. I thought for sure I was pregnant.” Tears clung to her thick lashes. “I found out today that I’m not. I’m not pregnant, Austin! I thought I was going to have a baby, but I’m not.” She again pressed her face against his shoulder and put her arms around his neck.
Over her head, Austin Brand smiled. Relief flooded through him and he said, “Is that all? Honey, that’s nothing to cry about.”
Her head jerked up and she shouted at him, “How can you say that? I want a baby, Austin. I thought you did, too.”
“Ah, Suzette, sweetheart, you’re my baby, you’re all I need.”
Suzette stiffened. Twisting from his embrace, she jumped off the bed. “I am not a baby!”
Austin rose and went to her. “Darlin’, I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t be angry.”
She was backing away from him. “I am hurt. I wanted a baby so much and I—”
Austin reached for her, pulling her to him. “Shoo! Don’t cry. Listen to me, Suzette. You thought you were pregnant but you’re not. I understand your disappointment, honest I do. That doesn’t mean you won’t get pregnant. You’re a strong, healthy woman and I’m sure you’ll have no trouble conceiving.” He kissed her hair and whispered, “We’ll just have to keep trying. I’ll give you a baby if that’s what you want.”
Suzette slowly lifted her head. “I do, Austin.”
Austin smiled down at her and traced her trembling lips with his thumb. “I love you, Suzette. We’ll have a baby.”
Austin did his best to keep his word. He’d have given Suzette the moon if she’d asked for it, but the only thing she wanted was a baby. Austin made love to her as often as he could, but there were occasions when it was impossible, and then he looked at her sheepishly for letting her down. More fond of him with each passing month, Suzette assured him it didn’t matter. She would cover his face with kisses and purr, telling him that to sleep in his arms was loving enough, carefully hiding her own hurt.
Suzette failed to become pregnant, and Austin, sensing her despair, sought to distract her. She loved trips and he obligingly swept her off to New Orleans aboard the Alpha. Every night they spent in the Crescent city they went out on the town, dining and dancing, gambling till dawn in the exclusive clubs. When Austin had to travel to Fort Worth on business, he took Suzette along, and there, too, he let her gamble in the wild saloons, a pistol riding the small of his back beneath his custom jacket, ever alert to any danger that might befall them.
Suzette was innocently unaware that Austin had a lot on his mind, as trouble with wire cutters kept his crew constantly mending fences and rounding up strays. A law-abiding citizen, Austin eventually had to ask for help from the sheriff. Apologizing that his hands were virtually tied, the raw-boned lawman stiffened when Austin coolly informed him that if the law couldn’t handle it, he and his men would.
Austin told Tom Capps to have a hand-picked crew ready to ride when the opportunity presented itself. “Tom”—Austin ran a hand behind his neck, rubbing tense muscles—“I know damned well it’s that Taylor trash. Sheriff Burnet’s not about to touch them. I figure a man’s got a right to protect what belongs to him.”
Fishing in his breast pocket for his Bull Durham, Tom nodded solemnly. “Red Wilson’s thrown in with the Taylor boys. That’s how they’re so well acquainted with your land.”