Brides of Texas

by Hake, Cathy Marie

  “I know I did.”

  Her worries mounted. He’d already given vent to his ire, and she didn’t want to set him off again. What would he do when she pointed out his error? She moistened her lips, then gave him a pitying look. “The tickets you bought are on the train going back the way we came.”

  A slow smile creased his tanned face. “I know.” He took hold of her arm and led her down the boardwalk.

  Her eyes widened. “You did it on purpose.”

  Minutes later, dressed in widow’s weeds and a heavily veiled hat Chris had just bought her, Katie bought tickets for the train. He’d sent her to do it while he turned in their third horse to the local sheriff.

  A short time later on the train, Katie fought the urge to sleep. The rocking motion and her exhaustion tempted her to close her eyes. She hid a yawn behind her hand.

  “Sleep, lass.”

  She gave him a guilty look.

  “You’ve earned a good, long rest. Go on.”

  The next thing she knew, something was missing. Motion. Sound. She opened her eyes and let out a gasp. In the dead of night, she’d used Mr. Gregor’s upper arm as a pillow. Mortified, she sat ramrod straight and wouldn’t look at him.

  “This is our stop.” He rose.

  She disembarked and waited as he claimed their horses from the livestock car. The very thought of sitting in the saddle made her want to wail like a pinched baby.

  In the early dawn light, Chris beckoned her. She pretended not to see him. “Katie, come, lass.”

  “You didn’t have to bellow at me,” she muttered as she gathered her skirts and joined him.

  The man had the nerve to laugh.

  “You’re demented, Chris Gregor. And you’re out of your mind if you think you’re going to talk me into riding all day again.”

  “We willna ride all day.”

  She shot him a sideways glance. “I’m not going to ride even half of the day.”

  He cupped her elbow. “You’ve got a sassy streak, woman.”

  “It’s your fault. Until you barged into my life, I was sedate and ladylike. Where are you taking me now?”

  “You’ll see.”

  One of the horses exhaled loudly, his loose lips causing a scoffing sound. Katie looked over her shoulder. “I couldn’t agree more emphatically.” A few minutes later, she heaved a loud sigh. “Had I known you planned a procession down the center of the street, I might have woven flower garlands for the horses so people would think we were a small parade. As it is, anyone spying us will be certain we’ve taken leave of our senses.”

  He tossed the horses’ reins around a hitching post and dragged her around the building.

  “What a darling little cottage!”

  He let out a rude snort. “It’s Duncan’s cobbler shop.” He tugged her to make her turn to the side.

  Katie stopped so suddenly, he nearly pulled her over. She’d spent her life in rough cabins, squalid rooms, and shacks—but it never stopped her from dreaming that one day she’d live in a big white house with airy-looking lacework and a veranda. The home of her dreams stood before her.

  He slipped his arm around her waist. “You’re almost there. Just a few more steps now.”

  Anticipation gave her a little spurt of energy. I get to see this place. As they walked up the steps to a wondrous-looking home, the sound of a baby’s cries met them.

  She balked. I was an idiot to think this was his home and he was done dragging me all the way across Texas. A bachelor wouldn’t live in such a grand place. Well, maybe I’ll get to rest or freshen up. The baby let out an ear-piercing cry. I won’t rest. That’s for sure.

  “Whose house is this?”

  “Mine.” Pride rang in his voice. “I built it.”

  “It’s magnificent.”

  “ ’Tis who’s on the inside that counts, not what’s on the outside.” Anticipation colored his words as he opened the door.

  A woman in the rocking chair beamed. “You’re home!”

  “Aye, that I am.” Pleasure saturated those simple words. He slipped past Katie, kissed the fussy baby on the head, and then brushed a kiss on the woman’s cheek. “Ooch, now, what’s amiss with our wee little lassie?”

  He told me he wasn’t married.

  “She’s cutting another tooth.” The woman patted her baby and smiled at Katie. “Hello, I’m Mercy.”

  Mercy is his sister-in-law. Recalling that fact made relief wash over Katie. He could have told me they all lived together.

  “This is Katie Regent. I thought you could use a little help, and Katie is needing a safe place to stay awhile.”

  “You’re more than welcome to stay as long as you’d like. Now that Duncan’s married and moved across the street, his room is empty.”

  “Thank you.”

  A man came down the stairs. “Who are you talking—Chris!” He strode over and smacked his brother on the back with a force that would have felled an ordinary man.

  “Rob!” Chris gave him a powerful embrace.

  Clearly, they were brothers. Both had black hair and were tall and broad shouldered. Chris’s profile was craggier, his voice deeper. He rested a hand lightly on Katie’s shoulder. “Katie’s come to stay awhile. Rob, I’m needing to speak with you a moment.”

  The men stepped outside. Katie cleared her throat. “Your daughter is beautiful.”

  “Thank you. Ordinarily, she’s better tempered than this. She’s calming down. As soon as she’s asleep again, I’ll get you settled in. You look exhausted.”

  “I’d be a liar if I pretended I wasn’t.”

  Mercy laughed. “Between Rob and Chris having to come and go as they do and me with the baby, we all agreed long ago that sleep is a precious commodity. No one will think anything of you sleeping the whole day away.”

  The door opened and the men entered. “Oh, Chris.” Mercy’s smile melted. “I know that look. Don’t tell me you have to leave right away.”

  “I’ll be going after breakfast.”

  Katie let out a dismayed gasp.

  “It’s the wisest course of action.” Chris nodded curtly. “Whelan’s at a disadvantage. I’ve got to get him.”

  “I don’t care how much of a bounty he has on his head.” Katie fought the tingling sensation behind her eyes. She refused to shed tears. “A cornered animal is the most dangerous. Let someone else assume the duty of getting him.”

  “It’s a matter of honor and duty.”

  “You’ll not sway him,” another man said from the front door. Katie about jumped out of her skin at the unexpected intrusion until she saw the man’s size and coloring. Clearly, he was the other brother. Face grim, Duncan said to her, “Texas Rangers always get their man.”

  It took a second for what he said to filter through the haze of exhaustion. The meaning hit her like someone had just doused her with a bucket of icy water. Katie shook so badly, she could scarcely even breathe. Slowly, she turned toward Chris. “Don’t tell me you’re a Texas Ranger!”

  Chapter 8

  Fury made Katie’s voice shake. Aye, and ’twas fury, all right. Baffled by her reaction, Chris attributed it to her exhaustion. “ ’Tis true.”

  “Where’s your badge?”

  He let out an exasperated sound. “Rangers dinna wear badges.”

  “I’ve seen a ranger’s badge!”

  “I’m sure Katie isn’t questioning your honor, Chris.” Mercy stood and slipped Elspeth into Katie’s arms. That show of trust let him know he’d better choose his words carefully. “Katie, it wasn’t until Chris joined that I learned most rangers don’t wear badges. They carry special warrants of authority.”

  Katie clasped the baby to herself and moved from side to side. Chris wondered if she was rocking the babe or trying to soothe herself. The dark circles beneath her eyes told the truth. She was reeling from exhaustion.

  Katie looked down and rubbed her cheek against Elspeth’s soft, blond baby curls. Her shoulders slumped, and she passed the baby back to Mer
cy. “It was nice of you to offer to let me stay, but I can’t.”

  “What?” Chris roared.

  Katie straightened her shoulders. “You’ve harped at me about how Whelan is bound to track me down. I’ve come to my good senses and realized staying here endangers everyone else—especially the baby.”

  “The only place you’re going,” Chris said through clenched teeth, “is to bed.”

  She stood toe-to-toe with him and tilted her head back to glare at him. “You’re sinfully bossy, and I don’t have to put up with it. I can come and go as I please.”

  “Nae, you canna.” He waited a second as the air crackled with tension. “You’re an important witness. If you dinna pledge to remain here of your own free will, I’ll put you in protective custody.”

  “I believe I’ll start breakfast,” Mercy murmured.

  “I’ll help.” Katie turned away from him, grasping at the opportunity to get away from him.

  Chris grabbed her arm and spun her back around. “You’ll not do a thing until you give me your word.”

  “You’ve got my money and my derringer.”

  “Nice try, Miss Regent. You didna distract me, though.”

  She shoved back an errant curl. “You have the winning ways of a rabid skunk, Chris Gregor. And nerve! You have the nerve to demand a promise when all this time you’ve been lying to me.”

  “I never once lied.” He glowered at her. “My personal information was none of your business. Now are you going to be reasonable, or am I going to haul you off to the jailhouse and lock you up?”

  “Personal information. None of my business,” she muttered. “Fine. If that’s how you want it, that’s how you’ll get it. I’ll stay here.”

  “Until I give you permission to leave,” he added.

  A cry of outrage curled in her throat. Chris silently admired her cunning. He’d have done the same thing—plotted a way to keep his word and still get his way. Each time he looked about the house and spied a piece of the gingerbread embellishment, it reminded him of how a prompt agreement could come back to haunt someone. Instead of rashly agreeing to anything, he now took time to consider every angle someone might use to get the better part of a pact.

  “Fine. I’ll stay until you get so sick of me, you’ll push me out the door. There. Are you happy now?” Before he could respond, she turned to Mercy. “I’m usually not like this. Even a saint would be liable to lose his composure around your brother-in-law. Well, I can’t blame him for all of it. I did let him goad me into this. It’s my fault, too. I apologize for bringing strife into your beautiful home. Truly, I do.”

  Mercy reached over and took her hand. “The Gregor men take getting used to. They’re hardheaded, but when you get past that, you’ll recognize that their motives are pure. Chris loves the Lord and is seeking justice. He’s doing his duty.”

  “Besides,” he tacked on, “you willna have to put up with me much. My responsibilities keep me busy.”

  Katie sighed wearily. “If that was supposed to make me feel better, you failed.”

  Chris ignored the kink in his back and watered his horse before setting out his bedroll. Frustration filled him. Almost two months earlier, he’d dumped Katie into his family’s care and resumed his search for Whelan. Every other week or so, he’d drop by home. Each time he did reassured him that Katie was happy there.

  Only something didn’t feel quite right. He couldn’t put his finger on it. Well, tomorrow he’d drift by on his way to Dallas. Maybe spend two days this time. With that thought, he bedded down for the night.

  I’m making a fool of myself. It’s probably just that I haven’t managed to get Katie’s belongings shipped to her. I’ll do that soon. Real soon. And ‘twill be good to see the lass again. She’s won the hearts of my family, and Mercy canna sing her praises enough. And singing—aye, the little Songbird is humming or singing a fair portion of the time. She’s found contentment e’en without her possessions, but ’tis her worries that hold her back from being completely happy. That truth is undeniable.

  Katie Regent is a bonny lass, and as soon as I’ve got Whelan behind bars, she can stop fretting. Certainly, there must be men calling on her. Instead of dreading Whelan, she can turn her mind toward marriage. A man couldna court and wed a sweeter lass.

  Hot, dusty, and hungry, Chris strode up the steps at home the next day. To his keen disappointment, no one was there. Then he heard Katie’s voice coming from the garden. Chris headed that direction.

  The sight that met him ought to have been captured in a painting. He stood for a moment and stared. The henna Lucille had tinted Katie’s hair with had finally rinsed away, so her hair was back to being the exact same soft shade as a newborn fawn. She’d lost her frail look and glowed with health. Aye, bringing her here had been a grand plan.

  Katie held Elspeth’s tiny hand and steadied her as she took a few halting steps along a stone pathway. “Aren’t you a big girl! So big!”

  “Bee-ah! Bee-ah!” Elspeth declared.

  Chris chuckled as he headed toward them. “Is my niece asking for beer?”

  Katie laughed. “She’s saying she’s a big girl. And you are, aren’t you, precious?” She swept Elspeth into her arms. The sight of Katie cuddling a baby seemed so natural, so right. Every time he came home, Chris marveled at how easily she fit in. He cleared his throat. “Where is everybody?”

  “Duncan’s in his workshop. Carmen went to Otto’s to help her sister serve the field hands. Mercy is assisting Rob over in his clinic. He’s removing tonsils today.”

  “I see. I’ve arranged to have your things delivered. They ought to be here any day now.”

  “You did?” Her eyes sparkled. “Thank you!” Just as quickly, her smile melted away. “Does the livery here store goods?”

  “I suppose they might. Why?”

  She hitched her right shoulder. “After Mercy’s had her baby and is recovered, it would be wise for me to move.”

  “ ’Tis nonsense you just spoke. Utterly foolish. Just because Whelan hasna discovered your whereabouts isna license for you to venture far.”

  “He must be far busier trying to evade you than searching for me.”

  “I always said the man was a fool.” What got into me? Why did I say that? Chris shifted from one foot to the other.

  “I planned to go to the mercantile today. The reservoir on the stove is full. If you’d like, you can empty it into the tub and have a good, long soak.”

  “I confess I’m taking a shine to that notion.”

  She pretended to nibble on the fingers of Elspeth’s bitty little hands. “Mmm. Mmmm. Mmmm!”

  Elspeth giggled with glee.

  The way Katie sometimes peeped over the tops of her spectacles made a man feel as if she were flirting. In fact, she used those glasses better than most Southern belles used a fan. Best of all, coyness had nothing to do with it. Her natural charm and the effect of her blue, blue eyes in their shy appraisals made his heart beat faster. So was the habit she had of slightly pursing her lips as she considered her words before speaking. Made a man want to pull her close and share a kiss before the opportunity was lost.

  Whoa. What am I thinking?

  “I’m serious, Chris. Mercy is due any day now, and I’ll help her as she recovers. But after that, it’s time for me to move on.”

  “You gave me your word that you’d stay until I released you.”

  “So, release me.”

  He shook his head. “You’d be helpless.”

  “You once told me you’d see to it that I learned how to fire a gun. Teach me, and then I won’t be helpless.”

  “That would only lend you a false sense of security. It would take considerable time and practice before you’d achieve any accuracy.” He could see his words didn’t satisfy her. Chris decided to use the truth to scare her into behaving.

  “The loot we recovered that day from Whelan and the men? It’s been identified. Part of it is from another bank robbery. The watch belonged to
the bank president. He was killed. The rest came from a ranch they hit.”

  The color drained from her face.

  He gently eased Elspeth from her arms and used his other hand to tilt Katie’s face to his. “Dinna think you’ll be safe from him, lass. His soul is black as pitch, and he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. You must stay here.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes. Her attempt to blink them back failed.

  “I’m sorry to scare you, but running off will get you killed.”

  She pulled away from him and brushed away her tears. More trailed down her pale cheeks. “You have to let me go, Chris. You have to. For your family’s sake. What if he finds me here?”

  “If Whelan wanted revenge on my family, he’d have done so long ago. ’Tis no secret where we live.”

  “You don’t understand.” She’d taken to wringing her hands. The distress in her voice tore at him.

  Cupping Elspeth to his chest, he used his mildest tone. “Are you not happy here?”

  “I’ve never been so happy. But that doesn’t matter.”

  “Of course it matters. I want you to be happy and safe.”

  “But I’m miserable!”

  She wasn’t making any sense. Chris stared at her. Maybe Duncan or Rob could explain this to him. As married men, maybe they would be able to clarify what feminine irrationality applied to the situation.

  “I can’t take it anymore. I have to go!”

  “You’re not going anywhere,” he half roared.

  Elspeth chimed in. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no.”

  “But Whelan—”

  “Leave Whelan to me, Katie.”

  Anguish clearly twisted her features. “But…he’s my brother.”

  Chapter 9

  Your brother.”

  She couldn’t see his face clearly through her tears, but his voice was calm. Katie bit her lip, started to nod, and then blurted out, “Stepbrother.”

  “Stepbrother.” His voice grew deeper as he echoed her words.

  Katie reached over and patted Elspeth’s back. “I have to go now. You take good care of her.”