"And you came to those conclusions merely because I'm Indian?"
Accusation edged the question, and Jenna felt suddenly self-conscious. She hadn't meant to offend him. Before she could respond, he said, "You shouldn't form opinions about Native Americans based solely on stereotypes."
Now she felt insulted herself. "I was doing no such thing."
The raised brows on his chiseled profile were clear evidence that he was unconvinced.
"I wasn't," she insisted, shifting on the seat.
"So why would you think I'd be upset that we married at the courthouse?" he pressed.
She lifted one shoulder a fraction. "Because of the things you said the day we met. You used a name . . . Kitan To-wet —" her tongue tripped over the foreign word "— I think it was. You spoke as if this was some great force or entity. Like fate. Or God." Heat flushed her cheeks when she realized how this must sound to him, as if she had him figured out because of the things he'd said that day. "You said Kitan To-wet had plans for you, and that I'd messed up those plans."
"Kit-tan-it-to'wet," he corrected. "It's Algonquian for Great Spirit. It's our name for God."
She nodded, relieved that, although she hadn't pronounced the name perfectly, she hadn't completely mangled it beyond recognition.
"And you seemed very passionate," she continued, "about repaying the debt you felt you owed me. All that led me to believe you were —" again she shrugged "— a spiritual man."
He was silent as they left the interstate, the exit ramp winding around to a bridge that crossed Yellowstone River.
"I owe you an apology." His gaze connected with hers for a fraction of a second. "In my business, I sometimes come into contact with . . . people. People who tend to put me in some sort of box, or expect me to fit some sort of mold. Because I'm Delaware. Because I'm Indian."
"White people," she supplied.
His silence was proof that she'd presumed correctly.
"Tell you what," she said. I promise not to stereotype you because you're Delaware if you promise not to stereotype me because I'm white."
The lightness in her tone succeeded in dissolving the tension in him. His shoulders relaxed, and when he looked at her, he was actually smiling. It was the first time she'd seen him smile, and the curling at the corners of his wide mouth made his already striking features downright mesmerizing. Her pulse kicked into high gear and the interior of the truck's cab became unbearably hot.
"You've got a deal," he told her softly.
The smile she offered was weak, at best. For the first time since approaching him for help, she felt that they'd connected.
And the feeling was darned disconcerting.
Jenna swallowed, broke eye contact and gazed out over the Montana grassland. Her new husband could easily become a distraction. And a distraction was one thing she didn't need. She was going to have her hands full caring for Lily and keeping up with her business. She'd worked hard to build her reputation, and she didn't want to lose it. She'd been dubbed "the Webmaster whiz" by the companies who contracted her to build and maintain their Web sites. And as Jenna figured it, with Lily still a baby, she would only be able to work when her niece napped in the afternoon or slumbered through the night. It wasn't going to be easy, but it wasn't any more difficult than what any other new mother experienced juggling a job and a child.
That was how she thought of herself.
Gage steered the pickup onto Reservation Road.
"You want to pick up your niece now?"
She hadn't expected the offer. "Yes. If that's okay with you, I mean. If you have to get back to the ranch to tend to the horses, I can come back for her. I don't want to put you out."
"If it wasn't okay with me, I wouldn't have suggested it."
"Oh." Excitement tickled the pit of her belly. "Okay, then. Yes. That would be wonderful."
No fanfare marked the entrance to Broken Bow Reservation. Just a worn sign with black block letters and a directional arrow. The reservation itself was quite basic. The main road wove through a small village that wasn't even big enough to be called a town, really. There was a general store, a sheriff’s office, a post office, a restaurant called Hannah's Home-Style Diner, a community center that doubled as an information office for the odd tourist who happened by for a visit and the Council building that Jenna had become so familiar with over the past couple of months. Small, neat homes lined both sides of the street. Anyone else would describe the place as plain, but at this moment she thought it was the most beautiful place on Earth. She was going to see Lily, and she would be taking the baby home with her at last.
Well, not home, exactly, but it was close enough for now.
Joy made her feel featherlight. She was so happy, she could barely contain the bubbly emotion. She pressed her fingertips against her lips, fearing she might break out in sudden laughter.
She'd done it. She'd bested the Elders. She'd won her battle for custody of her sister's baby girl. Surely, things would sail smoothly for her and Lily from here on out.
Gage pulled up to the curb in front of Arlene Johnson's house. In her mid-fifties, Arlene was a widow whose one grown daughter, Hannah, owned the restaurant down the street. Arlene loved children and ran a daycare center in her home. Jenna had come to know Arlene well over these past weeks of battling with the Council of Elders, and the two of them had become friends. Although the woman had sympathized with Jenna's plight from day one, she'd also been staunch in her adamancy that the Council's dictates be followed to the letter.
Jenna opened the door of the truck even before the vehicle came to a complete halt. "I'll be right back," she called over her shoulder. She stopped suddenly, and turned back. "Unless you want to come in."
"I'll wait."
Was his grip on the steering wheel tighter than necessary? Jenna let the question go unexplored as the thrill of the moment swept her up once again.
"I'll hurry," she said, and then jogged up the cement walkway toward Arlene's house.
Her friend must have been watching for her because the door opened when Jenna stepped onto the porch.
Arlene cradled a sleeping Lily in her arms. "Good morning. So everything's official?"
"Sure is." Jenna stepped into the neat living room, her eyes locking onto her niece. "Can I hold her?" she asked, grinning.
The transfer went so smoothly that the baby didn't even stir. Jenna kissed Lily's forehead tenderly.
"Congratulations," Arlene told her.
"Thanks,” Jenna breathed. "I've been dreaming about this day for a long time. I was beginning to think I'd never get custody of Lily."
Arlene was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "I'm happy about that, too. But I was congratulating you on your marriage."
"Oh. Of course. Thank you." Jenna occupied herself with smoothing out Lily's light cotton receiving blanket.
"Jenna." Arlene's tone was soft. "You did get married for the right reason, didn't you?"
She lifted her gaze to her friend's and never wavered as she proclaimed, "I got married for the best possible reason."
Although the woman nodded, Jenna could tell she remained speculative.
"I'd love to stay and chat," Jenna said, "but Gage is waiting in the truck and we need to get home and get settled."
"I've got Lily's things packed and ready to go. And the car seat is right here, too. I'll help you carry everything out."
"Thanks."
As the women approached the truck, Gage got out, rounded the truck and took Lily's small suitcase from Arlene. Jenna noticed that Gage's greeting to Arlene wasn't the friendliest, but it was clear he knew the woman. He moved to the back end of the vehicle to stow the case.
"Want me to secure the car seat?" Arlene asked.
"I'll do it." Jenna handed Lily back to Arlene. "I need to figure out how it works sooner or later."
Gage's pickup had a small bench seat behind the front seat. Jenna figured this would be a safer place for Lily. She struggled with the car seat's
straps and buckles for several frustrating minutes and then turned to Arlene.
"The belt won't snap."
"Let me try." Arlene handed the baby over.
Jenna smiled. "Don't you just love baby juggling?"
Arlene chuckled. "It's the best kind of juggling there is."
While Arlene bent over the car seat, Jenna glanced toward the back of the truck at Gage. He looked tense, staring off at the horizon.
"Got it," Arlene pronounced. She backed her way out of the truck's cab and turned to Jenna. "It'll just take a little practice. Car seats fit in each vehicle differently. You'll get the hang of it quickly, I'm sure."
Jenna tucked the sleeping Lily in the seat and fastened (he bell across her little chest with a click. Then she gave Arlene a big hug. "Thanks for everything. Taking care of Lily. The endless cups of tea. And all the listening you did. You're a wonderful friend."
"So are you. Lily's lucky to have someone in the world who loves her so much."
They shared a warm smile.
Finally, Jenna called out to Gage, "Ready."
"If you ever need a sitter," Arlene said, "don't hesitate to call me."
"I won't." Jenna got into the truck. "Lily and I will come for a visit soon," she promised from the open window.
Arlene nodded and waved as Gage drove away.
Immediately, Jenna worried if the breeze was too much for the baby, and she pressed the switch to close the window.
"You okay?" she asked Gage.
"I'm fine."
"You don't seem fine. You seem uptight. Really uptight. Do you know Arlene?"
"Everyone knows Arlene Johnson. I attended school with her daughter, Hannah."
Lily stirred behind them, and Jenna twisted around to check on her. The baby sighed in her sleep.
"Do you not like Arlene or something? Has she done something to you?" Jenna pressed, settling herself in the seat once again.
"I like her fine." His tone sounded clipped. "Arlene has nothing to do with this."
"So there is something wrong?"
For a moment, all Jenna heard was the whine of tires on asphalt and she thought he meant to simply ignore her question. He was well within his rights to do so. She never should have pursued the subject this far.
Finally, Gage said, "There is nothing wrong, Jenna." His black eyes zeroed in on her. "Let it go."
The remainder of the ride was made in silence.
Gage's ranch house was larger than Jenna remembered. A gable roof cut through the center of it, wings extending to both the east and west sides. Jenna surmised that the windowed wall that was a focal point from outside must be the main living area. Beautiful in its rustic simplicity, the ranch blended well with the lush and sweeping Montana landscape.
Once Gage cut the engine, Jenna got out of the truck and immediately took Lily from the car seat. The baby opened sleepy eyes and yawned.
"Are you awake?" Jenna said softly.
Lily offered a sleepy grin, and Jenna's heart swelled with warmth.
"You're such a good girl."
"Are you coming?" Gage called from the porch. "I'll give you a quick tour before I head out to the stable."
Jenna was surprised to see that he'd already plucked Lily's diaper bag and suitcase from the back of the truck and was unlocking the front door. She hitched Lily onto her hip and hurried around the truck.
As she'd guessed, the front door opened into a large living area. Both the front and the back of the room featured glass walls that revealed spectacular north and south views of the ranch. One end was obviously used as a media center, complete with stereo and television. At the other end were plenty of book-filled shelves and several comfy chairs. A large stone fireplace in the center of the room separated the areas. Jenna could easily imagine snuggling near a blazing fire while she read a cozy mystery during one of those awesome Montana snowstorms. But she'd never experience that kind of indulgence because she didn't expect to live in Gage's home that long. If her plans unfolded properly, she and Lily would be in her apartment in Rock Springs by fall.
"Make yourself at home while you're here," he said. "I have cable TV, and quite a few DVDs to choose from in the cabinet there. And lots of CDs, as well. I guess you can see I like to read. You're welcome to entertain yourself."
Although his small speech was convivial, the underlying tightness in his tone couldn't be missed.
"Thanks," Jenna murmured. "But between taking care of Lily and keeping up with my work, I doubt I'll have time for much entertainment."
"You're planning to work?"
"Of course. I can't let my business falter."
Lily grabbed a fistful of Jenna's hair and tried to stuff it into her mouth. Jenna said, "Don't, honey. Here. This is better." She offered the baby the pacifier that was clipped to her pink bib.
"Your business?" Gage asked. "I don't understand. Who'll watch your niece?"
"I will. I've always worked from home. That's why it was so easy for me to relocate to Broken Bow. I can work from any location." She shifted Lily to her left hip. "I build and maintain Web sites. All I need is a place to set up my computer, and access to the Internet. You said you have cable. That's great. I'll have to call the company and sign up for high-speed Internet service. I'll pay, of course. It's a business expense."
Lily patted Jenna's cheek, and Jenna smiled into her niece's face. When she looked at Gage again, he seemed edgy and she feared she was keeping him from his work.
He gestured toward the east wing. "Kitchen and dining rooms are down that way. Bedrooms are this way."
Jenna followed him down the hallway that ran the length of the west wing. There were four doors, two on each side.
They passed what she guessed was the master bedroom. The door was open and she glimpsed a neatly made king-size bed.
The door was closed to the room directly across from the master bedroom, and Gage passed it without comment.
"Here we are," he said, setting the diaper bag and suitcase on the bed in one of the remaining two rooms. "I hope it's not a problem for you and your niece to share."
"It's no problem. The bed's plenty big. We can make it work." She looked at the baby. "It'll be an adventure, right, Lily?"
The bedroom was ample for her needs. Tastefully decorated in summery shades of yellow, it housed a queen-size bed, a dresser and a small desk. The south facing window offered sunny exposure.
"This is perfect," she told Gage. She grinned at Lily again. "It's perfect for us, isn't it, sweet stuff?"
Obviously enjoying her aunt's attention, the baby garbled a nonsensical reply.
"See?" Jenna grinned at Gage. "Lily thinks so, too."
The tension emanating from him was unmistakable now, and Jenna suddenly felt guilty.
"I'm sorry I kept you so long. I'm sure you've got work to do. I assume the bathroom is across the hall." She bent and set Lily down on the carpet.
Visibly relieved that she'd given him leave, he made a beeline for the door, but paused at the threshold to ask, "Can I bring your things in for you?"
When she'd arrived from Rock Springs this morning, she'd been running late and hadn't had time to unpack her computer and her belongings from the car. Gage had been waiting for her on the front porch and they had gotten directly into his truck and headed for their appointment at the courthouse in Forsyth.
"Thanks, but don't bother." Jenna pulled some soft toys from the diaper bag and offered them lo Lily. "There's no rush. I'll grab what I need later, then unpack the car as soon as I can find some free time. I got myself caught up on work so I could have a few days to focus on Lily."
He nodded. "I'll be out at the stable if you need me." Then he disappeared from view.
She looked around, frowning at the thought of setting up her computer in here. She'd have to work while Lily was sleeping and she wouldn't want to disturb her niece. She hurried to the bedroom door.
"Gage."
He turned to face her at the end of the hallway.
<
br /> "What's in there?" she asked, pointing to the closed door across from the master bedroom. "I was hoping it might be a room where I could work. You know, so I wouldn't disturb Lily if she's sleeping."
His wide mouth flattened. "Off-limits," was all he said before turning on his heel and stalking away.
She backed into her bedroom unable to decide if she should feel merely surprised by the man's terse response or insulted by it.
"What do you think, sweet stuff?" she asked Lily in a singsong voice. She picked up the baby, then laid her down on the bed for a diaper change. "Is Gage a big, ol' meany-beany?" She placed her index finger on the tip of her niece's nose and gave it a wiggle. Lily giggled. "Or is that closed door none of Auntie Jenna's business?"
The baby gurgled and munched on the rubber nipple of the pacifier.
"Ah, so you agree that it's none of my business, huh?" Jenna pulled loose the tape tabs of the damp disposable diaper and tugged it from underneath Lily's chubby bottom. "I think you may be right."
With her hand firmly on Lily's bare belly, Jenna searched the diaper bag and found that Arlene had stuffed it full of supplies — diapers, rash cream, a couple cans of formula, a box of baby cereal and several jars of fruit. Jenna made a mental note to thank her friend for her thoughtfulness.
As she cleaned Lily's bottom with a moist towelette, she couldn't help but think about die off-limits room.
The ranch he was running was a business. The room across the hall was probably his office. Why hadn't she thought of that before?
He could have just told her. He needn't have been so short.
But he'd been antsy to get to work. And .he'd kept him from the stable all morning to endure the civil service.
Jenna thought about the ceremony that had made the two of them husband and wife. The room, the words, even the clerk had been austere. It certainly hadn't been the wedding of her dreams. Not by any stretch of the imagination. However, no one would ever hear a peep of complaint out of her because the vows she'd spoken to become Mrs. Gage Dalton made it possible for her to attain the most important prize of all. Lily.
She could afford to forgive Gage his curtness because of all he'd made possible for her.
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