“No, Cindy. Not yet.” He dropped a light kiss on her lips. “As you said, the best is yet to come.”
Chapter Four
The fires burned low as the night progressed and the children had long since fallen asleep. Gage rose and carried them to their cots in the tent.
When he returned, he put a hand out to Cindy to help her up. She stood, and he immediately shook out the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders to ward off the chill. The fog had dissipated, leaving the sky clear, the stars sharp and bright.
“Come with me.” He took her by the hand and started for the trees. “Where—”
“Somewhere special.”
Her stomach fluttered, but she followed his sure-footed lead, and they started into the darkness of the woods. Doubt gnawed at her. It wasn't that she didn't trust him. But if something happened to her, who would take care of Jack? David made it abundantly clear he had no desire to get to know his grandson.
Gage turned to look at her in the spotty slivers of moonlight through the branches. “Don't be afraid, Cin. I won't let any harm come to you. I know these woods. This place I'm taking you—it's not far.”
She squeezed his hand. “I trust you.” It was a simple statement, but it was everything. She knew he understood how hard it was for her to put her faith in another man, even after all this time. He understood, because trust was something that didn't come easy for him, either.
He took her in his arms for a moment. “I won't let you down. Not ever.”
She drew back to look into his dark features. “I know.” She shook her head. “This is not like me,” she told him, narrowing her eyes teasingly. “Have you put an enchanted spell on me, Gage Ross? Where is this place? Is it magic?”
He laughed softly. “It is to me. You might think it is too, once you've seen it by starlight.” He looked into her eyes in the dappled darkness. “No enchanted spell, Cindy. But if I had one, I'd use it. I wouldn't play fair.”
He turned away toward the barely discernible trail they'd been following, leading her once more. In a few moments, Cindy could hear the distant sound of rushing water. It seemed loud in the otherwise still night, but the sound seemed to flow into her, filling her, just as the beat of the drums had earlier.
They came out of the woods into a clearing, which, Cindy could see, sloped gently down to a flowing current of water. Gage pointed upward from the river, and Cindy raised her gaze to a fall of water from the land formation rising up on the opposite side of the riverbank.
The moonlight reflected in the water, turning it to liquid silver as it rippled over the mountain rocks to the current below.
“Gage,” she breathed. “This is beautiful.”
He turned to face her. “Magical?”
She nodded, barely able to speak. And even if she could have, there was no other way to describe this scene. Magical was the perfect word.
She raised her eyes to meet his serious look. “I've been wanting to show you this place ever since you agreed to come with me, Cindy.” He reached to take the blanket from her, spreading it on the ground.
“This has got to be the most beautiful place on earth.”
He pulled her down to sit on the blanket beside him.
Cindy suddenly felt as if her words weren't enough. How could she tell him what this day meant to her, and to Jack? How could she explain to him that he made her feel alive again—and not just because of her sorrow for Brian's death that had engulfed her for six months. She hadn't felt truly alive for much longer than that. She had to admit it—most of her married life had been a walking death. Only now did she realize how much she had missed—the sharing, the normal give-and-take, the spontaneous laughter, the warmth of the love she'd never experienced.
“I know. That's why I—”
There was an odd kind of disappointment in Gage's tone that made Cindy turn quickly to look at him. She reached to caress his cheek. “What?”
A wry smile touched his mouth at her concern. “Just thinking about how I don't want to mess things up. And I'm afraid I'm gonna do just that.”
“I thought maybe I already took care of that.”
His brows drew together. “When?”
“Oh, you know. This morning, early on.” She turned to look at the waterfall again, carefully keeping her eyes averted. “When I announced to the world I was your...girlfriend.”
“I thought we cleared that up.”
Cindy smiled, not looking at him. “That was quite probably the most forward thing I've ever done.” She slid down to lie on the blanket, keeping the enchanted waterfall in sight as she lay on her side.
Gage moved to lie down beside her, propping his head on his hand. “But did you mean it?”
She raised her gaze to his steady, inscrutable look. “With everything in me, Gage. I didn't mean to say that, it just—came out. Maybe because I wanted it to be true. But I feel like I'm pushing—”
“No, Cindy. That's what I was trying to find the words to say. I don't want to pressure you, but—” He stopped, as if weighing his thoughts and wondering whether or not to voice them. “Cin—you'll think this is crazy, but I loved you the minute I saw you. You were standing there with that wreck of a jack-o-lantern, looking so lost. When we met, I felt like it was meant to be, you know? And when I saw the lost look go out of your eyes, I knew I was right. But you have to feel it, too—this connection.”
“Yes,” Cindy nodded.
He was quiet a moment.
“I want to make love with you. Here. Now.” He sighed heavily. “This isn't a light thing for me. I know you...don't believe in second chances.” Moving to look into her eyes, his gaze probed hers. “But, it's right, this joining between us.”
She didn't speak. His vulnerability was almost a physical thing, and because of it, ironically, Cindy was finally able to give him her complete trust. Gage Ross was not a man given to baring his heart and soul, but he had just done so. He loved her.
She reached out to pull him down to her, kissing him with all the assurance he'd just given her. She began to unbutton his flannel shirt, the feel of the warm skin beneath making her breathing uneven. His hands slipped under her sweatshirt, deftly unsnapping her bra.
She laughed against his lips. “Talented, Gage. Very, very talented.”
“Some things, you never forget.”
She sobered, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. “I hope that's true. It's...been a long time.”
The look in his eyes chased her fears away completely.
“Like you said, Cindy, it's okay between us. No matter what happens.”
“I truly believe that.”
He reached to smooth her hair back. “Believe this too. I love you. I will never hurt you.” He laid his hand over her heart.
She nodded. “I know.” She put her palm across his chest, a mirror gesture, not knowing any better way than this to express her feelings. “I love you, too.”
He lowered his head, his mouth coming across hers. She moaned softly, shifting beneath him as he drew away her clothing. Her fingers nimbly worked the zipper of his jeans, her hand closing around the hot male hardness of him at last.
“God,” he whispered. He bent to run his tongue around her lower lip, tasting her.
She shivered in pleasure. “I want you, Gage.”
He gave her control for a moment as she guided him, his length filling her slowly. He held himself in check tightly and Cindy knew he was giving her body time to accept his.
She began to move beneath him, loving the way they fit, and the well of emotion which flowed continuously from her to him, then back to her again. Alive. In love. For the first time in what seemed like forever, she felt desirable; young again, in Gage's arms.
“You make me feel like I'm sixteen again,” he murmured, as if she'd voiced her thoughts.
“Reckless?”
She traced a dark nipple with her nail and he groaned, and then laughed harshly. “You could say that.”
Cindy smiled up
at him, their faces illuminated by a sliver of moonlight. “Me too,” she whispered. “I wish this could last forever.” “I'm not that talented, Ms. Taylor. Or that gifted.”
Cindy giggled. “I meant—this magic.”
He stopped moving for a moment, caressing her cheek. “It'll never end, Cindy. We make the magic. It's here, between us, always.”
Her hips rose under him, her heart thundering almost as loudly as the falls. Gage was promising her forever, if she wanted it. It was a gift she couldn't refuse.
“Forever,” Cindy answered. Gage's lips claimed hers, sealing the promise between them, the magic enveloping them in starlight and moonbeams until the sun turned the horizon pink and gold.
Chapter Five
Before the light filled the sky, Gage and Cindy retraced the path through the woods back to camp. The morning flew by quickly, and soon it was time to leave. Gage seemed preoccupied as he turned the Jeep westward onto the interstate. Cindy sat close beside him in silence, feeling
the tension emanating from his body.
From the back seat, Star tried to teach Jack some Cherokee words. He was picking the language up remarkably well, Cindy thought. After a moment, she became aware that Star asked her father a question.
He didn't respond immediately, glancing up into the rearview mirror.
“We'll talk about it later.”
Star protested, speaking in Cherokee again.
“Star, in English. We'll talk about it at home. Later.”
“Okay, but is it true Miss Cindy is going to be my new mom?”
Cindy turned to look into Star's hopeful face, barely hearing Gage's groan of embarrassment at his daughter's lack of tact.
“Star—” he began.
“Would you like that, Star?” Cindy quickly intervened.
“Yes! Then Jack and I could play together all the time.”
“Cool!” Jack said.
Cindy and Gage both laughed.
“Out of the mouths of babes,” Cindy said quietly.
“That's something I want to talk to you about,” Gage said in a low voice. “But...later.”
She knew he was counting on the children to fall asleep again, allowing them some privacy.
The minutes ticked by as they drove, making small talk, until Cindy felt she would burst if she didn't find out what was causing Gage to be so on edge. She took his hand, and he wrapped his fingers around hers in a firm grip, as if to assert his claim once more. She wanted badly to ask him what was wrong, but stopped herself each time the question bubbled to the surface.
Finally, the chatter subsided in the back seat, and when Cindy turned to look, the children had both fallen asleep again. She mentally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Gage—”
“Cindy—”
Both tried to speak at once.
Gage grinned. “Ladies first.”
“Okay. What's wrong?”
He grimaced. “That obvious, huh?”
“I guess I know you better than you thought.”
He appeared to consider her comment. “After last night, you should.” She flushed and he laughed. “You're not having second thoughts, are you, Cin?”
“No. I was thinking maybe you were, though.”
He looked at her, surprised. “No way. I am crazy in love with you, woman.”
“Then what's wrong?”
He checked the rear view mirror. “I...got careless last night. It had been so long and I—wasn't prepared.”
She didn't respond. Is he apologizing? His next words hit her like a punch.
“Cindy—I didn't use protection. I never thought to ask if you—well, have you—”
“Gone through menopause?” Talk about careless. ‘Reckless,’ she believed, was the word she’d used last night in the heat of the moment. “No.” She shook her head, nearly numb with what this might mean. “No, I'm not on the pill, either. I haven't had a reason—”
“Shh, I know.” He pulled her close to him. “I wasn't laying blame, sweetheart, just wondering about the odds.”
There was a wistful note in his words, Cindy thought. She shrugged against him, fighting the mingling of worry—and of something else. Something which felt a lot like excitement at this unexpected possibility. “Probably not too great,” she said softly, surprising herself at the feeling of regret flitting through her as she spoke. “It's not like we really are sixteen. Being forty-four...I think it would be harder—” She twisted to look up at him. It seemed more important than anything, suddenly, to know how Gage felt about the situation. “Don't you?”
He looked down at her. “Maybe you're gonna hate me, Cin, but...would it be so bad? You and me, having a baby together?” His entire body was rigid and tense against her once again. “I know this seems crazy. Our relationship took off at lightning speed. Maybe a baby would complicate everything, but if it's meant to be—would it be so bad?”
Everything depended on her answer. It was time she let herself acknowledge her own wants again. She hadn't considered herself for so many years—not until she'd met Gage. Though this seemed unbelievable, entirely foolish and too fast for common sense, in her heart she knew it was right. She was meant to be with Gage Ross, and he with her. She could feel his hope surround her, and it was infectious.
“I'm thinking that old gypsy knew her stuff, Cindy. She promised you a second chance at love, remember?”
Cindy turned to look at him. “What, exactly, did she see in your future, Mr. Ross? You never told me all of it.”
His laughter was free and easy. “A bigger house, or a remodeling project. One way or another, the nursery will have to be finished by mid-July.”
Cindy couldn't help but smile as she remembered Gage's reluctance to share his fortune last Tuesday. Now, she understood. “You said she was a fake.”
“Some things are too good to be true.”
“I'll be the oldest home-room mom at the school,” she replied solemnly.
Gage laughed, then sobered. “It doesn't matter. As long as we're together—that's all that counts. I'll always love you, Cindy.”
Cindy leaned up to kiss his cheek. “Always?”
He settled her head against his shoulder, right where she belonged. The miles of road stretched before them, Cindy thought, like the years that lay ahead of them. Together. No matter what.
Gage held her as if she were the most precious thing in his world. As if he'd never let her go. “Always, sweetheart,” he promised. “Always and forever.”
About the Author
Cheryl was born in Duncan, OK, and grew up in Seminole, OK. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and holds a B.A. in English. Cheryl lives with her husband in Oklahoma City, OK, where she has been for the past 29 years.
Writing is so much a part of her life that recently, she and long-time friend Livia Reasoner, opened a publishing house for western and historical stories.
PRAIRIE ROSE PUBLICATIONS http://prairierosepublications.com/ furthers the western-themed writing offerings of women.
As if that weren’t enough, there were so many requests for a publishing house for young people interested in the west that they decided to open the unique imprint, PAINTED PONY BOOKS http://paintedponybooks.com/. This line will be open to all authors, male and female, who have submissions for Middle Grade readers, Young Adult, and New Adult.
The contemporary/futuristic imprint for these age groups is TORNADO ALLEY PUBLICATIONS http://tornadoalleypublications.com/, and for adult contemporary/futuristic, check out their imprint FIRE STAR PRESS http://firestarpress.com/.
All imprints are open and accepting submissions.
Cheryl's latest novel is a western historical romance, THE HALF-BREED'S WOMAN through Prairie Rose Publications.
You can e-mail her at [email protected]
To learn more about Cheryl and her exciting books, visit her at www.cherylpierson.com
Prairie Rose Publications
A Hero for Christmas by Cheryl
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Western Short Collection
A four-story Western collection from award winning author, Cheryl Pierson
A Night for Miracles
Widow Angela Bentley takes in three children and a wounded gunman one snowy Christmas Eve. Angela determines to keep her distance—until the children drag in a scraggly Christmas tree. Will she find love on this, A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES?
Homecoming
A holiday skirmish sends Union officer, Jack Durham, on an unlikely mission for a dying Confederate enemy. Will a miracle be able to heal his heart and reunite him with his beloved?
Meant to Be
Robin Mallory is shocked when she is tackled by a man in a Confederate uniform. A flat tire and a coming snowstorm have stranded her in the middle of a re-enactment – or is it?
The Gunfighter's Girl
Persuaded by a vendor, Miguel Rivera ~ El Diablo ~ makes a foolish purchase—scarlet ribbons. Will they, and a mysterious meeting, set him on a new path? Can he find his way back to the love he left years before? Amazon Link
WITNESS ON THE RUN by Lois Carroll
Maggie Beauchamp runs from her stepfather's abuse, only to fear for her life when the Arizona stagecoach she is riding on is robbed. She rescues Cord Martin, who was shot during the robbery. The townsfolk think they are man and wife, not the strangers they are. Perfect. Now Maggie can hide from her past under a new name, and Cord can get the bedside care he needs. But when she identifies a robber she sees in town, Maggie sets into motion a chain of events that puts both their lives in jeopardy again.
What will happen if her past catches up with her? Can they resist temptation as they masquerade as man and wife--and for how long? Amazon Link
HOME FOR HIS HEART by Angela Raines
Clara Cross ran away as a young girl after the suspicious deaths of her parents, and has spent the last nine years trying to find safety from a man she had reason to fear. Finally landing in the small town of Agate Gulch in the high Colorado mountains, she believes she may have found a safe home at last, and can send for the brother she had to leave behind. Sam Tower is the man she loves—but would he ever give her a second glance? When Clara’s past catches up with her, her survival depends on her own strength and courage, as well as Sam’s.
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