Texas Heroes: Volume 1

by Jean Brashear

  “Never wanted to be a damn hero, anyway,” he grumbled.

  Maddie stopped and turned. “Too late. You’re already mine.”

  Boone shook his head and smiled, opening the door. “After you, heartless wench.”

  “Why thank you, sir,” Maddie simpered.

  Devlin glanced up at the sound of their laughter, but not before Boone saw his frown.

  “What is it?” Boone asked. “Is Mitch—”

  “No—nothing’s wrong. I just wish I could give you the wedding present I wanted and tell you I’ve found them both.”

  “What have you found?” Maddie spoke up.

  Dev looked at Boone first. “I’m close to finding Mitch. I’ve tracked down his whereabouts four months ago. He was in New Mexico.”

  Boone’s brow furrowed. “You really think you’re close?”

  “Oh, yeah, no question. It won’t be much longer.”

  Boone nodded. Maddie could feel the tension in his frame ease.

  She spoke up. “What about Dalton and Jenny’s daughter?”

  Dev’s look turned unsettled.

  Maddie gripped Boone’s hand. “You said nothing was wrong.”

  Dev’s green eyes went dark and troubled. “Nothing’s wrong, Maddie, except…” He shook his head as if trying to clear his distraction. “I still can’t believe this, but—” He drew in a deep breath and shot them a glance of disbelief. “I know her.”

  “You mean, know her, know her?”

  “Yeah. Our paths crossed years ago when we were young.” An odd look skipped over his features. “Her name is Lacey DeMille, and she’s a society girl in Houston.” In his tone, there was another story.

  “So what’s the problem? Is she a terrible person?” Maddie felt Boone’s arm slide around her waist.

  Dev’s gaze was uneasy. “I don’t think she knows she’s adopted.”

  “Oh, my.” Beside her, Maddie heard Boone’s inhalation of surprise. “What do we do?”

  Dev recovered. “Don’t worry—I’ll handle it carefully. I just want to check a little more to be sure I’m right before I approach her.”

  Maddie’s heart thumped with eagerness. “How soon can we meet her?”

  “Very soon. I’m headed back to Houston after the wedding.” He squared a look at Boone. “Thanks for inviting me. I’m sorry that it’s not all the wedding present I’d hoped to give.”

  Maddie threw her arms around Dev, giving him a quick hug. “It’s a wonderful present, Dev.”

  Dev set her away from him carefully, shooting glances toward Boone. “Uh, Maddie…”

  Maddie grinned at Boone. “Oh, Boone doesn’t mind. He knows I’m crazy about him.”

  Boone pulled her into his side. “Boone does mind. Keep your hands off my woman, Marlowe.” But his eyes sparkled, and he held out a hand. “Thank you. It may not be all you wanted to deliver, but it’s very good news.”

  Dev shook his hand. “So you think you might even call me by my first name if I find your brother?”

  “Since I know you don’t have designs on Maddie, I’ll do it now.” Boone chuckled. “Thanks, Dev. We appreciate all you’re doing.”

  Then Boone looked at Maddie, his eyes full of promise. “Now, if that’s all…”

  “Wait.” Dev cleared his throat, his face growing sober. “There’s something else.”

  Boone stiffened at his tone. “What’s that?”

  Dev reached into his briefcase and drew out an envelope. “I have something for you.”

  Boone recognized his name written in Sam’s bold hand. “Why now?”

  “I don’t pretend to understand Sam’s thinking. All I know is that he asked me to hold this until after Maddie had been here thirty days. Yesterday was the thirtieth day.”

  “I don’t want it.”

  “Boone…” Maddie cautioned, placing one hand on his arm. “Maybe it will be something good.”

  He had his doubts, but as he looked into Maddie’s eyes, he realized that it didn’t matter anymore what Sam had done. His father had brought Maddie into his life, for whatever reason, and that had been the best thing the man had ever done. It might not be what Sam had intended, but Boone didn’t want to imagine his life without meeting Maddie. Still, he didn’t want any more of Sam’s surprises to hurt her. If the letter inside was bad, he just wouldn’t let her read it.

  “It doesn’t really matter,” he said. “You’re here. I have to thank him for that.”

  Maddie’s smile reached into his heart like a warm, calming hand.

  His life was so rich, so full of promise, now that Maddie was by his side. He couldn’t wait until tomorrow to tell the world that she belonged to him.

  But his fingers still trembled a little as he sliced open the envelope. A single sheet lay inside.

  Son —

  By now, anything may have happened between you and Dalton’s daughter. At worst, I’ve done the right thing and given her a chance to keep her family home. If that’s the case, you’re probably mad as hell at me, and I can’t blame you.

  I’ve done a lot that was wrong by you, Boone. You didn’t deserve it. I’ve never told you how proud I am of the boy who held this place together. Or the man who came back, even though it cost him a wife.

  I didn’t like Helen. I won’t pretend I did. I wanted you to have a woman like your mother, a woman you could love with everything in you. Helen was never that kind of woman. She wanted you to be someone else. That was damn stupid of her. You’re a fine man, just the way you are.

  I’m going to hope that my best-case scenario happened, that you and Maddie Rose hit it off. No one can predict what will happen when a man and woman meet, but I like what I hear about her from Devlin’s research. And she comes from good stock. Rose Wheeler had a hard life, but she took what was dealt and never let it turn her hard. And Dalton…well, bad as I did him, Dalton was my best friend and a good man. Not many would sacrifice what he did. Both of them knew how to love people, and from what I can tell, Maddie Rose does, too.

  You need that, Boone. You need someone to make you laugh. I hear she laughs easily, that she’s got color and spark to her. I don’t want you to live out your life alone.

  But either way, I don’t expect you to forgive me. I missed a lot of years with you and your brother. I’ll never forgive myself for that. I just couldn’t get past losing Jenny, but she wouldn’t be proud of what I did.

  I should have sent for you sooner. Now the doc says there’s no time. Just as well, I guess. I don’t know how I’d face you. I just hope to God you can find Mitch and bring him home. And I’m going to hope, like some sentimental old fool, that Maddie Rose is there when you do. Dalton and Rose would be happy.

  I don’t know if it’s much solace to know I paid for my mistakes. I lost two fine sons, and I’m sorry for it.

  Dad

  “Here,” Boone handed it to Maddie. He didn’t trust himself to speak.

  Dev rose. “I’m going to leave now, Boone. I don’t think I’m needed.”

  Boone let him go. Asking why would do no good. It was the unanswerable question, why his father didn’t realize sooner, before everything went too far. He’d just have to be grateful for what he’d been given. The letter was icing on the cake.

  Boone had Maddie, and that was all that mattered.

  He heard her sniff and looked over. Maddie rose and came to stand beside him.

  Boone pulled her down on his lap and held on tight. For a long span, they didn’t speak, just held one another.

  “He loved you, Boone.”

  “I guess he did, in his own way.”

  “Are you angry that he figured it out too late?”

  Boone loosened his hold enough to look at her. “I don’t know. I can’t be angry because anything changed would mean I might never have met you. If for nothing else, I’ll always be grateful to him for that.”

  “We’ll find Mitch. We will,” she promised.

  He nodded. “And we’ll meet Lacey soon.”
<
br />   “I’m so sad for Sam.”

  Such a tender heart. “He paid a high price.” He looked deep into her eyes. “I understand better now. If I lost you…” He wrapped her up tightly in his arms, his voice cracking. “I could be just like him.”

  Maddie sat up straight and framed his face with her hands. “No, you would never do that. You already showed me that. You were ready to let me go if that’s what would make me happy. You’re not like him, Boone. You would never make Sam’s mistakes.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  Maddie looked deep into his eyes. “Yes, I do.” Then she grinned. “I take it back. You are like him in one way.” Maddie’s eyes twinkled. “Stubborn as sin.”

  The weight of the moment vanished with her teasing. “Anyone ever tell you that you got a mouth on you, Maddie Rose?”

  “Why, yes, I believe someone has.”

  “I’ve got better uses for it.” Boone bent down to show her what he meant.

  “You are so beautiful. Rose would have loved to see you in her dress.” Boone’s blue eyes gleamed with tender appreciation.

  Maddie nestled against him, loving the moment of quiet they’d stolen on the porch. The entire town of Morning Star, it seemed, was packed inside the big white house that was now her home, having a wedding reception that looked as though it might never end.

  Boone read her mind. “Do you think they’ll ever leave?” They’d decided to postpone a honeymoon until the lost siblings had been found.

  She smiled. “Everyone pitched in to make it a dream wedding. They deserve to stay as long as they want.”

  “Then I’m stealing you away and we’re heading for Dallas,” he growled. “I’ve waited too long already to get you naked.”

  Maddie tried to laugh past the catch in her breath. “Dallas is a long way.”

  “Forget Dallas. Fifty miles to Brownwood seems like the moon.” He tilted her chin up and sealed his mouth to hers in a hungry kiss.

  Maddie’s knees went weak. She had it all right here—everything she had ever longed for in the years of wandering.

  See if Texas whispers in your heart like it always has in mine.

  It does, Sam. In the back of beyond, Maddie had finally found where she belonged.

  Then she thought no more, caught up in the magic of the man who had finally let go, finally opened up a wounded heart and let her inside to find a love that still staggered her with its abundance. Maddie answered his kiss with a hunger that matched his.

  “Ahem—”

  Both of them started at the sound of Jim’s voice.

  “I’m sorry to bother you two.” Jim’s eyes twinkled. “You know, there’s a party inside in your honor. Think you might want to attend?”

  “Go away, Jim.” Smiling, Boone held Maddie close. “Just because you gave Maddie away doesn’t mean you can start acting like a father.” Then he shot Jim a glance. “And get those people to go home.”

  Maddie laughed.

  Jim did, too. “If you think I’m going toe-to-toe with Velda and Vondell, then you better go get your brain checked. My mama didn’t raise no fool.”

  Boone sighed. “I hear you.”

  “But you go right ahead, if you think you’re big enough.” Jim turned to leave.

  “Jim—” Maddie spoke up then.

  The foreman halted.

  “Thank you—for everything.”

  He nodded. “Never mind what that boy says. You need a father figure, I ain’t too old to take him to the woodshed.”

  Maddie laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

  Boone smiled and shook his head. “I’m firing everyone. Between him and Vondell, I’ll never get any time alone with you.”

  “Vondell’s moving into town.”

  “Yeah, but you know she’ll be in the thick of it, once you take over The Dinner Bell.”

  Jim chuckled. “It’s a long way from a fancy restaurant in New York, Maddie.”

  “You two just wait. I’ll have people driving from Fort Worth and Dallas to eat at my place.” Saying the words my place sent a surge of pride through Maddie’s heart.

  “I believe you will,” Boone responded, his gaze locking on hers, delivering a deeper layer of messages.

  “You’ll put my name on a booth, right?” Jim asked.

  Boone’s eyes went dark and hot. Anticipation tap-danced over Maddie’s nerves. For a moment, she couldn’t think what Jim had asked, lost in the world only she and Boone inhabited.

  “Never mind,” Jim muttered.

  “Jim,” Maddie roused herself to answer without looking away from Boone, “It’s a deal, if—”

  “If what?”

  “If you’ll get all of those people out of Boone’s house.”

  Boone shook his head. “Maddie’s house.”

  Once that would have been enough, a place of her own.

  Not anymore.

  “Our house.” Maddie smiled.

  “Our house,” Boone whispered, as he lowered his head to hers. “And my woman.”

  Maddie’s giggle turned to a sigh as Boone kissed her.

  Jim walked away, whistling.

  ~THE END~

  TEXAS LONELY

  Texas Heroes: The Gallaghers of Morning Star

  Book Two

  Jean Brashear

  Mitch Gallagher is a loner, down to the bone. Banished at sixteen from everything and everyone he held dear, he’s an intensely private man whose rusty, unused heart long ago gave up on love. Fragile Perrie Matheson is on the run to protect her beloved son. Too ill to travel further with a winter storm on the way, she has no choice but to gamble her child’s safety on a man who wants only to be left alone. But during days spent together in the mountain cabin, Mitch and Perrie each find surprises in store…and all the reasons they should stay apart battle with the yearnings of hearts too long denied love.

  Chapter One

  Wind River Range, Wyoming

  A broken cry drifted on the wind, slicing into the silence that was his trusted companion.

  Inside the cabin, Mitch Gallagher’s hands stilled on the tent he was mending. He frowned and turned his head slightly, listening.

  Nothing.

  No—wait. There it was again, choppy but getting stronger. No animal he’d ever heard sounded like that. It almost sounded like a child, but camping season was over, and no children lived within miles of this very isolated cabin.

  He dropped the tent and touched the scabbard at his waist. The knife he’d always carried had been replaced by the one Cy had left him. He missed the old man still.

  Just then he heard footsteps, too light to be adult. Broken sobs hit a counterpoint, then a thin, high wail.

  He had the door open in seconds.

  “My mommy’s hurt! Help her!”

  For one single instant, a sharp pain sliced through his heart. The boy looked so much like—

  No. Of course it wasn’t Boone. His brother wasn’t a child anymore, hadn’t been in years.

  But his hands clenched briefly on the doorknob. He charged down the porch steps. “What happened? Where’s your mother? Are you alone?”

  The boy’s eyes went wide, and he backed away, his lower lip trembling. Mitch realized he must seem huge to someone so small, so he dropped to one knee on the ground in front of the boy and gentled his voice. “Are you all right?”

  The boy’s cheeks were scratched, his shirt torn at the shoulder. Still frozen in place, his face white and bloodless, the boy breathed in harsh, sharp gasps.

  Mitch clasped the child’s shoulders. A shudder ran through the boy, then his teeth began to chatter.

  “Son, are you hurt? Tell me where your mother is, so I can help her.”

  No response, just the raspy sobs of a child approaching hysteria.

  Mitch felt the child’s limbs and ran his hands over the boy’s hair, finding nothing but scratches and bruises beginning to form. But the boy continued to stare at him as though he was some sort of monster.

  “H
ey, it’s all right—” Mitch pulled the boy close, intending to comfort him.

  The motion galvanized the child into action. “No! Don’t hurt me!”

  Mitch’s hands dropped away instantly. “All right. Calm down. Take a deep breath. Tell me where your mother is.”

  The little body visibly trembled. The boy’s eyes filled with tears again. “I—I don’t know.”

  “Son, look at me.” Mitch kept his voice pitched softly, the way he would with a wounded animal.

  The boy watched him with suspicion too old for his tender years.

  “We’re going to find your mother. Don’t worry. I can track anything that moves, but it’s going to be dark soon. I could use your help.”

  “Me?” The blue eyes widened. “I’m too little.”

  “No, you’re not. Tell me which direction you came from.”

  “Over there,” the boy pointed. “My grandpa’s cabin was supposed to be this way.” His lower lip quivered. “My mom said it wasn’t far, right before she fell down.” Tears filled his eyes again. “She won’t talk to me. Is she dead?” He rushed on without an answer, his words tumbling over one another. “Where’s Grandpa Cy? He was gonna help us.”

  Grandpa Cy? Dear God, it couldn’t be— Mitch clasped the boy’s shoulders. “What’s your mom’s name, son?” Surely she wouldn’t— Mitch almost missed the name in the confusion of his thoughts.

  “What?”

  “Perrie. Perrie Matheson, that’s my mom’s name.”

  It was her—Cy’s granddaughter from Boston. The callous socialite who had broken his only friend’s heart. Who hadn’t cared enough to visit or write, wouldn’t even take Mitch’s call when he’d left Cy’s side for the three-hour trip to a phone, scared to his bones that Cy would die while he was gone. He’d been prepared to beg, and she’d been too busy to answer a damn phone. Mitch rose to pace.

  “What’s wrong, mister?”

  Mitch shot the boy a quick frown and saw him take a step back. Looking down, Mitch saw that his hands were clenched into fists. He was probably scaring the kid to death. He sucked in a deep breath and forced himself to calm. Emotions were useless. Nothing good came of feeling too much. And sometimes you lost more than you could bear.