HER CALLAHAN FAMILY MAN

by Tina Leonard

  Rancho Diablo was a tempting prize for Wolf, the one son who hadn’t fit in, as Jeremiah and Carlos had. Running Bear called Wolf his bad seed, and said sometimes there was no fixing such a black-hearted individual.

  There was an awful lot of money at the Callahan place, and the wealth just seemed to grow. Everything the Callahans touched turned to gold—or silver. Times were tough economically for lots of people in the country. How could one family seem to endlessly reap financial rewards, unless maybe they had cut Wolf Chacon out of his portion?

  Sawyer’s uncle hadn’t wanted to get involved, but he’d found himself caught between a rock and a hard place. Between the Chacon Callahans and their uncle Wolf, who’d told Storm his small ranch would be safe if he turned a blind eye to the scouts who roamed his land.

  He’d thought to warn the Callahans, had gone over there a few times with wedding or baby gifts, or just to chat, but they’d always seemed to flat out distrust him. He’d been a bit hurt by this, as he’d considered Fiona an honest trading partner. Obviously, times had changed with this new crop of leaner, tougher Callahans.

  Yet Uncle Storm didn’t trust Wolf, either, and it didn’t matter that the man tried to be nice to him. He’d grown uncomfortable, and disliking the neighborly tension, had asked Sawyer to apply for work at Rancho Diablo when her last bodyguard position ended. She had, and to her surprise, was hired.

  To her greater surprise, she’d found herself devotedly pursued by Jace. It was said that once you were a Callahan’s woman, you were pretty much ruined for all other men, and she believed it. Jace Callahan had completely dashed her desire to even talk to another man, let alone kiss one.

  When they were apart, she thought about him constantly.

  When they were together, she didn’t think at all. She just lived in the moment, in his arms, despite knowing very well that at the end of that silken, sexy road lay unhappiness. No way would a Callahan marry a Cash.

  “I think Galen named that land across the canyons Loco Diablo,” Jace said, startling her.

  She blinked. “Crazy Devil? That’s going to be the ranch name?”

  “He figured the Callahan cousins own Rancho Diablo, and Dark Diablo in Tempest. So to keep with the naming history, he went with Loco Diablo.”

  “That’s very organized of him.”

  “Yeah. Ash is roasting him about it. In her mind, she was going to win the ranch.”

  “Sister Wind Ranch,” Sawyer said softly.

  He nodded. “But Loco Diablo it is.”

  “Which is somehow fitting, given that the name was chosen by a Chacon Callahan.”

  Jace glanced over and caught the smile she hadn’t hidden quickly enough.

  “You laugh, but you’re part of Loco Diablo now. It’s where our children will grow up.”

  She shook her head. “Pretty sure that’s not going to happen, Callahan.”

  “No?” He sneaked a palm over to her tummy, which felt like a pumpkin sitting in her lap. She removed his hand at once. “Where do you figure the children will live, once we get past our Uncle Wolf problem?”

  Sawyer wasn’t going to let herself consider a future together. “Jace, you know—and everyone knows—that Loco Diablo will never be safe. Even if they blew up the tunnels that are underneath the ranch, even if you somehow managed to run the cartel and your uncle Wolf out of your lives, it still wouldn’t be secure. And don’t even try to tell me that you’ve got Wolf on the run. He’s never going to give up.”

  “No argument from me,” Jace said cheerfully. “That’s why you and I are staying on the road for now. I’m determined to keep you safe.”

  “I’m the bodyguard,” Sawyer said with a touch of heat. “You’re the cowboy. I’d be protecting you.”

  He laughed. “And I’ll let you.”

  Great. He couldn’t be serious about anything, least of all how important her independence was, how determined she was to keep maximum separation between them. “This isn’t going to work.”

  “It’s going to work, because there are two children counting on us to make it work. We need to choose names for them. That can be our road game until we get to Texas.”

  “Texas!” She glared at him. “You said you were taking me to Rancho Diablo!”

  “Yeah. That was about a hundred miles ago. Now we’re driving to Texas, and then on to Virginia. There are some military bases in the Tidewater. But we won’t be hanging out in the officers’ club or on the strip. We’ll be much more undercover than that.”

  She shook her head. “You can take me straight back to the ranch.”

  “Babe, listen—”

  “Don’t ‘babe’ me. I’m not going anywhere except home. I shouldn’t have married you, so don’t press your luck.”

  He sighed, and she gazed out the window again, refusing to bend from her position. “Look, we’re married. But that’s it. I’ll continue to make my own decisions, Jace.”

  “I expect you to. But eventually, we’re going to have to talk about the children and what’s best for them.”

  “So talk.” He could talk all he liked, but she wasn’t moving to Virginia—or anywhere else—just because he had a nervous streak.

  “What about the children?”

  She didn’t reply, and he continued, “We can’t just call them ‘the babies.’ They need names. I’ve always liked—”

  “I was thinking Jason and Ashley.”

  “Jason and Ashley?”

  “Yes. Jason, obviously, is a variation of your name, and Ashley because I like your sister, Ashlyn.”

  “I approve. And my sister will be thrilled, I’m sure you know.”

  Secretly, Sawyer was pleased, though she didn’t want to say so.

  “I can’t believe I’m going to be a father to a little girl and boy. It’s so unreal. And wonderful.”

  It was hard not to soften, hearing the pride in his deep voice. She’d always loved Jace’s voice, so warm and enveloping and inviting somehow, especially when he whispered to her in the dark.

  She sensed those days were long gone. Nothing could be the same now that they were married, and married under spurious circumstances he’d no doubt come to regret one day. Speaking of regret, she figured she might as well put everything out in the open now. She took a deep breath.

  “Jace, here’s the main reason you and I have a marriage that’s probably going to be in a difficult spot, even if we didn’t have a few other notable issues. I know your family really never trusted mine.”

  “Sort of stating it too harshly,” Jace said. “We didn’t know what to think. Besides, we’ve put all that to rest with our marriage.”

  Sawyer knew better. “In a sense, your family’s fears were well-founded. Uncle Storm did ask me to keep an eye on your family.”

  She turned to look at him, met his surprised gaze. “I’m sorry. I just think you should know the truth.”

  “We kept an eye on Storm, and will continue to. We keep an eye on everyone. No big deal.”

  She waved a hand. “You can’t brush that off. I was working for you, and reporting to my uncle whenever I saw anything that I thought might be a problem for him.”

  “Why? We never had anything to do with Storm. Didn’t wish him ill.” Jace shrugged. “We just didn’t fully trust him.”

  “Yet you hired me.”

  “We weren’t worried about you.”

  She didn’t know if she should be flattered, or insulted by the sheer arrogance of Jace thinking she wasn’t a threat. “Because I’m a woman?”

  “No. I wasn’t worried about you because—”

  “Oh, no,” Sawyer interrupted, suddenly annoyed. “You weren’t worried about me because you thought you’d locked me down.”

  He laughed. “I wouldn’t have put it that way, but I would s
ay that I feel I’m a pretty good judge of women. You never struck me as a devious sort. I could tell you liked me. Women who are hot for a guy usually have strong loyalty to him.”

  “Really. Yet I reported on you to Uncle Storm.”

  Jace shrugged again. “Probably a wise thing to do. Now that you’ve gotten that off your conscience, should we stop for the night? I don’t want you getting too tired. My children need their rest.”

  She stared at him, not happy at all. “Please drive on. I don’t want to spend a night with you.” They’d never shared a real bed before; no sense in starting tonight. Her resolve would weaken if she got near her handsome husband and a bed, with no Callahan drama to keep them apart.

  “You’re having second thoughts? I’m not the date you had in mind when you spent your hard-earned money on me?”

  She turned away, glanced out the window. Oh, he was every bit what she’d had in mind, and then some. She was married to the man of her dreams and the father of her children.

  What more could a woman ask for from a bachelor raffle?

  “You’re going to have to help me get Loco Diablo away from Galen,” Jace said, “or at least what should be my share of it. Now that you’ve proved you have a devious streak, that shouldn’t be a problem at all, princess.”

  She turned to face him in disbelief. “You married me to get the ranch?”

  He smiled. “We never claimed we were in love, sweetheart.”

  She was. She had been for a long time. Did he think that she’d risked her job and her reputation to sleep with him just because he was sexy and irresistible? “That’s right. It was just a fling. Which proves my point. We have no business being married, but now that we are, I have no intention of letting you use me to oust your siblings from their ranch. You Callahans can work all that out.”

  “You forget you’re a Callahan now.”

  She hadn’t forgotten. But in her heart, she knew her husband still considered her a Cash, even if he didn’t admit it.

  She’d always be a Cash to him—and likely hers wasn’t the family tree he’d ever hoped to graft to his. “I’m a Callahan by name only, according to what you’re saying. Everything else is just business.”

  “It’s just business until you decide you want more,” Jace said. “As I recall, you’re not exactly immune to me. I’m a patient man. I’m willing to wait for you to see the light.”

  Outraged, Sawyer glared at him. “You’re not a patient man. That’s why we were married in a quickie Vegas wedding! You couldn’t wait to have a reason to throw your name into the hat for the land raffle.”

  He smiled again. “The fact that I’m going to be a father of twins definitely gives me an edge,” he said, teasing, trying to get her goat.

  He was succeeding royally.

  “This was a terrible idea,” Sawyer said. “It’s what happens when there’s no plan.”

  He laughed once more. “It’s going to work. We have no choice.”

  Not the tender nothings she’d always hoped to hear on her wedding day. “What a sweet sentiment.”

  “Kiss me and you’ll get more sweetness, babe.”

  “No, thank you.” She wished she could. She’d love to snuggle up against his chest. The problem was that his mouth got in the way, communicating his inner bad boy. Which never failed to rile her.

  “After Jason and Ashley are born, you and I are going our separate ways,” she said.

  “You’re not going to help me get my share of the land?”

  “I suggest you get a good lawyer for that.”

  He shrugged. “We have plenty of those.”

  She looked at him curiously. “Have you ever tried telling Galen that you want a share of the ranch?”

  “No. I prefer to do it the honest way. Marriage and babies.”

  He was impossible. Like all the Callahans, he had a unique thought process. And she was too tired to think through the rabbit trail that was her husband’s brain. “I’m going to nap.”

  “Good idea. I’ll still be here when you wake up.”

  “Lucky me.” Sawyer snuggled under the blanket. “Remember—straight back to Rancho Diablo.”

  She closed her eyes. When she awakened, she’d be that much closer to home.

  At last.

  Chapter Five

  Jace waited for Sawyer to wake up, hoping she’d nap awhile longer. His little wife was sweet, but she had an impressive independent streak, and when she opened her sexy blue eyes and realized they were on the road to a small town in Colorado, there was going to be serious unhappiness happening in his truck.

  It wasn’t the way he wanted to start his marriage.

  Almost as if she sensed his unease, Sawyer opened her eyes, glancing at him. He supposed the hesitant expression on his face probably alerted her that something was going on, because she sat up, looking for a road marker, and found the Welcome to Colorado state sign instead.

  She whipped around to glare at him. “What are you doing?”

  “It wasn’t my idea.”

  “It sure wasn’t mine!”

  “No. Running Bear’s.”

  “Running Bear told you we should take a side trip to Colorado?”

  Jace nodded. “He called while you were asleep. Asked us to stay away. Just for a few days. Apparently your uncle Storm...” Jace stopped, not wanting to go on.

  “What about my uncle?”

  “Your uncle is staying at his old place. He moved in there for protection.”

  “From what? Tell me, Jace. Don’t sugarcoat it.”

  “Nothing exciting,” he said. “Just a precaution.”

  “It’s not a precaution,” Sawyer said, “if my uncle and his wife have moved back to his old house, a place you now own because he didn’t want trouble anymore. The trouble he was trying avoid was between you and Wolf. Why would he go back to where it was happening?”

  Jace sighed. “Wolf’s put a watch on him, and Lu got a bit spooked. It’s nothing to worry about. The sheriff’s got men over there, and my brothers and Ash are keeping an eye out. It’s going to be fine.”

  “If it’s going to be so fine, why are we in Colorado?”

  “Running Bear is operating from an abundance of caution.”

  “He thinks I’ll be kidnapped. It’s happened before to Callahan wives.”

  “You could be used against your uncle,” Jace stated, his tone even. “It’s not going to happen, because you’re my wife, and I’m going to take care of you.”

  “We’ve had this conversation,” Sawyer said, “and I can take care of myself.”

  “You’ll be housebound soon enough. It’s best to take precautions.”

  Sawyer met his gaze. It was hard to see the distrust in her eyes, so he focused on the road and the directions he’d been given by Running Bear.

  “So how long are we operating from an abundance of caution?” Sawyer asked.

  “Let’s call this our honeymoon. ‘Abundance of caution’ sounds like unfortunate terminology for newlyweds to use.”

  She didn’t reply.

  “So we’ll hang out here a day. Then we’ll move on to Wyoming.”

  “Would you care to tell me how long Running Bear advises that we should make ourselves scarce on this honeymoon of yours?”

  There was so much tension in her voice. “Not sure,” Jace answered. “Hopefully, things will cool down soon.” He really didn’t know what else to say, though he knew it wasn’t a very satisfying answer.

  “How long?” Sawyer demanded.

  She was already ticked off. Might as well finish off the night with her ticked at him, and then hopefully, the sun would come up tomorrow with all the bad news behind them. “Until after the children are born.”

  She pulled her phone from
her purse. “I’m calling my uncle. I want to check on him and Lu.”

  “Good idea.”

  Sawyer barely spared him a glance as she placed the call. “Uncle Storm? It’s Sawyer.”

  Jace finally saw the turnoff that his grandfather had mentioned. He listened with half an ear as he pulled off the main road and followed a smaller, winding road up the mountain. The cabin was well hidden from the trail. Nothing fancy, but secure enough, and not easy to get to unless one had an off-road vehicle. Nobody could sneak up on them here.

  He realized Sawyer had hung up. “Any news we can use?”

  “Not really,” she said.

  He couldn’t blame her for being unhappy. They were miles from home, and she thought she was stuck with a husband she didn’t want.

  Only she had wanted him enough to empty her piggy bank for a date. Jace let that cheer him up and give him encouragement that maybe all wasn’t over between him and his delicate wife.

  “Uncle Storm says he agrees with Running Bear,” Sawyer said suddenly.

  Jace glanced at her as he parked the truck. “Really?”

  She nodded, her blue eyes worried. “I guess that’s it, then.”

  “Look at it this way,” he said. “You’re getting good value for your money, huh?”

  She climbed out of the truck before he could head around to open the door, shutting it with just a bit more force than necessary. He got out, met his bride on the porch of the rustic cabin.

  “It’s not funny, Jace.”

  “I wasn’t joking, believe it or not. Just trying to put a positive light on things for you.” He went around to the back of the cabin, as the chief had instructed, and lifted a board in the floor of the wide back porch. Two wooden chairs and a table gave the place a homey look. He supposed someone had once sat here and stared into the thick woods surrounding the house, maybe gazed at the starlit sky and felt nothing but peace.