HER CALLAHAN FAMILY MAN

by Tina Leonard

  She lowered her gaze, pressed her lips together as if she wanted to say more but wouldn’t allow herself. “All right,” she finally said, and he nodded and went out.

  When he glanced back toward the window where her floral sofa was situated, he saw her watching him. He waved, and she waved back once—then disappeared from the window.

  Frowning, Jace got in the truck and drove away.

  * * *

  SAWYER WAS FRANTIC. The last thing Jace needed to do was ride the canyon tonight. After Wolf’s warning to her, she knew Jace could easily get picked off.

  “This pregnancy stuff is not for the faint of heart,” she muttered, reaching for her cell phone and dialing up the one person she could count on to help her.

  Maybe.

  Chapter Twelve

  Thirty minutes later, Ash walked in, with Fiona at her side.

  “I brought backup,” Ash said. “The redoubtable aunt usually has a word of wisdom or two.”

  “More than two,” Fiona said with asperity. “And I want to see what we’ve got to work with as far as a nursery is concerned.” She hugged Sawyer, holding her close. “How are you, my dear? That was quite a scare you had.”

  Sawyer allowed herself to bathe in the Callahan kindness for a moment before stiffening her courage. “It was a scare, but I’m much better now. Thank you.”

  Fiona and Ash sat on chairs across from her, and Fiona placed a plate of cookies on the coffee table between them. She glanced around the room, which was bare of pictures, knickknacks and personal effects. “So what is this assistance you require? Decorating help, no doubt? You can’t do much in your condition. We don’t want you to move even your toes.”

  “It’s a dilemma, really, and I need your advice.”

  Fiona leaned closer, her eyes bird-bright. “Advice is my favorite thing to give.”

  Ash laughed. “She’s serious, too. So feel free to get started.”

  Sawyer feared that telling everything that was on her mind would cost her goodwill points with her new family, but she had to do it to keep her husband safe. And the Callahans. “I’ve thought long and hard about this, but there’s no other way to do it than to just clear my conscience.”

  “Gracious,” Fiona said, “this doesn’t sound like you want tips on decorating a nursery in a tiny apartment.” She glanced around, clearly finding the small, vintage duplex not completely to her liking. “You’re making me feel like a cup of tea may be in order.”

  “I don’t have any dishes or a teapot. Yet,” Sawyer said hastily. “I’m so sorry I can’t offer you anything more than a bottle of water.”

  Fiona sniffed. “Jace warned us as to the conditions. We came prepared. Ash, if you wouldn’t mind?”

  Her new sister-in-law smiled. “Sawyer, I hope you’re ready for busybodying to the max.”

  “I don’t know what you mean, niece,” Fiona said. “Please bring in the housewarming gift.”

  Ash went out the door. Fiona looked at Sawyer. “While we’re alone, I should tell you that I already know what you’re going to say.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, I do. You don’t have to do this,” Fiona told her. “You’re one of us now, and nothing that came before matters.”

  Sawyer felt her worry melt a little in the face of such consideration. “Thank you, but I really need to get it all out of my system.”

  “I figured you’d feel that way. Just remember, then, that on the other side of confession lays peace. We don’t judge. Unless it’s Wolf. Then I myself enjoy being judgmental.”

  Sawyer couldn’t help smiling. “You’re trying to make me feel better.”

  “It’s working, too, isn’t it?” Fiona demanded with a wink.

  “It actually is.” Yet Sawyer still felt guilty.

  Ash came inside, shopping bags hanging from her arms. “I hope you don’t mind that my aunt selected the decorating colors and scheme for your new home.”

  “Well, Sawyer doesn’t have time to do it,” Fiona said, her tone practical. “She has to concentrate on staying strong for the babies.”

  Ash set the shopping bags in front of Sawyer. “Please feel free to keep what you like. We’ll take the rest back.”

  Sawyer pulled out a silver teakettle, pleased. “How nice! Fiona, will you do the honors?”

  “Gladly.” She went into the small kitchen and set the kettle on to boil as Sawyer pulled out darling white and light blue dish towels and cloth napkins. A braided rug for the entrance, and a welcome mat for the front porch. “I didn’t know how much stuff you could possibly have accumulated during the years you worked as a bodyguard, so I took the liberty of picking out a few things for a small housewarming gift,” she called from the kitchen. “Every well-run, cozy home must have a teakettle and teapot, in my opinion.”

  “And heaven knows, her opinion runs everything,” Ash whispered. “I’ll take back what you don’t want.”

  Sawyer pulled soft tan towels from a bag. “I love it all. It’s starting to feel more like home.”

  “Have you found the teapot yet?” Fiona called. “I’m ready for it.”

  Sawyer reached into the final bag, pulled out a delicate white pot with pretty flowers curling around the base. “This is so sweet. You shouldn’t have done so much.”

  “I should have if I’m going to be here watching babies. I have to have my comforts,” Fiona said, taking the teapot into the kitchen. “Although I wish you hadn’t moved so far away from the ranch. Still, I understand, I guess. I’ll wash this up, and then tea is served. Then we can get down to business.”

  Ash looked at her. “Whatever you have to tell us, just know that we’ll do anything to help. The most important thing is that you concentrate on your health. And my niece and nephew,” she said, pleased.

  “It’s difficult,” Sawyer admitted. “This isn’t the easiest conversation I’ve ever had.”

  Fiona came back in and sat down. “Now, how can we help you?”

  Sawyer swallowed. “Ash, you remember when you asked me the other day what my uncle might be hiding?”

  Fiona glanced at Ash. “Ashlyn Chacon Callahan! You didn’t say that to Sawyer!”

  “It’s okay,” Sawyer said quickly. “I don’t think my uncle’s hiding anything, but Wolf called me.”

  “Wolf!” Fiona shook her head. “You hung up on him right away, I hope! And tell Jace. He’ll know what to do about Wolf.”

  “No, no,” Sawyer said. “That’s exactly what I don’t want. I don’t want Jace doing anything. In fact, I’m swearing you both to secrecy.” The last thing she needed was the father of her children going all gonzo on the most evil men she’d ever had the bad occasion to meet. “I don’t want Jace in the canyons anymore.”

  Ash reached for her hand, rubbed it. “You’re scared. Your fingers are trembling.”

  “I’m not scared for me. I honestly believe I’m too huge to be a target for Wolf. It’s going to take a crane to get me off this sofa. My husband is another matter. And Wolf also threatened my uncle and Lu.” Sawyer sipped some tea for strength. “I want you to convince Jace not to do his job. He wouldn’t be happy with me if he knew I was telling you this.” Ash handed her a tissue, which she took gratefully. “Just until I have the babies.”

  Fiona and Ash looked at her, their eyes huge with concern.

  “We can’t keep Jace from his job, or the canyons. But I’ll talk to Uncle Wolf,” Ash said with determination.

  Sawyer started. “No!”

  Fiona looked at her. “Why would Wolf threaten Storm?”

  “Wolf said he’ll make me miserable for turning on him,” Sawyer said miserably. “He knows I told you about the wire and the spying. He said I should have helped my uncle get him the information he needed. But Wolf doesn’t understand that my uncle
isn’t his pawn. I’m not his pawn. I’m not going to do anything to hurt Jace. I’m a Callahan now.”

  “That’s right,” Ash said. “Wolf has never understood that Callahans stick together.”

  “This is too hard for her to deal with,” Fiona said to Ash. “I’ll talk to Wolf myself.” She stood, a resolute figure in a turquoise-blue dress and delicate white boots. “In fact, I’ll kick his mangy a—”

  “No, Aunt.” Ash pulled Fiona back down next to her. “All Sawyer wants us to do is keep Jace from the firing line. There’ll be no butt-kicking. In fact, we’re going to lie very low.”

  Fiona patted Sawyer’s hand. “My niece is right. You just rest and don’t think another thing about all this Wolf nonsense.”

  “Tell me the plan so I can at least enjoy it vicariously.”

  Ash looked at her. “You’re tough, I’ll grant you that. But we don’t have a plan. Yet. But we will.”

  Sawyer leaned back. “I knew I could count on you.”

  “Don’t let Wolf rattle you. All sound and fury, but that’s it.” Fiona got up. “Next time I come by, I’m bringing catalogs for you to peruse for baby decor.”

  “Thank you, Fiona.” Sawyer managed a smile.

  “In the meantime, I’m sure my brother told you not to open the door to anyone,” Ash said.

  “I can’t even get up,” Sawyer pointed out.

  “That’s right.” Ash looked at her. “How do people get in to see you, like the nurse?”

  “I’ve been leaving the door unlocked, since I’m lying right here.” Sawyer didn’t mention she’d placed a pink Taser and a can of pepper spray under her floral sofa, within easy reach. The Taser had been a housewarming gift from Lu, the pepper spray from the sheriff’s wife. “Jace says the door has to be locked from now on. But Lu and Storm are next door, and the sheriff is right around the corner—”

  “Listen to my brother,” Ash said. “Sometimes he actually makes sense.” There were hugs all around and the two women left.

  Sawyer sank against the pillow, closed her eyes and hoped they could keep Jace from canyon duty tonight. She didn’t want the father of her children in danger— especially when Wolf had sounded so very definite about what he planned to do to her uncle and her husband.

  Wolf had been angry. As if she’d somehow betrayed him. She couldn’t figure out why he should feel betrayed. She’d never been on Team Wolf. She hated him for exactly the same reasons the Callahans did: he was determined to destroy them. She wished she was still fit, could still fight the good fight. Prove herself to Jace.

  She must have dozed off, because the babies kicked inside her, waking her—and then the door blew open. She gasped and reached for the Taser.

  “Jace! What are you doing here?”

  She stared at her husband. He was carrying a bouquet of flowers and a box that looked as if it came from the Books’n’Bingo Society tearoom.

  “I was relieved of canyon duty,” he said. “Where’d you get the cute little pink equalizer?”

  “I’m not supposed to tell, but Lu gave it to me. She said no woman should be without one. Who took your shift?”

  He closed the door. “My sister.” He raised a brow, handed over the flowers. “She said she wanted me to have a night off with my bride.”

  “That was nice of her,” Sawyer said, feeling a bit guilty.

  He leaned over and gave her a big smooch. “That flowery sofa sure looks good with you on it.”

  “I don’t want Ash in the canyons,” Sawyer said, ignoring his flattery. It was harder to ignore his strong muscles as he wrapped big hands around her stomach.

  “No one tells little sister what to do.” He kissed Sawyer’s belly. “I hope her namesake doesn’t follow that closely in her aunt’s footsteps, but I’m afraid she probably will. None of the Callahan females know how to mind.”

  Sawyer snorted. “Thank you for the flowers. And are those snacks?”

  “I was warned that it would be best if I showed up bearing gifts, although I told my sister that you’d be happy just to see me.”

  Sawyer raised a brow. “And I am. Hand me a cookie. Can’t you send Dante or Tighe to the canyon instead of Ash?” She was trying to keep the matter light, but Wolf had really worried her.

  “Everybody’s got their own assignments. Ash just relieved me of mine because she didn’t need to guard Fiona tonight. Fiona said she was taking Burke to a movie and that she didn’t require watching, so Ash kicked me off the grid.”

  That wasn’t the result Sawyer had wanted. She supposed she should have seen that coming, though. “I thought Ash wasn’t supposed to be in the canyons alone.”

  “She’s not, really. Galen doesn’t like it. But she’s earned her stripes. There’s really not anything we can do about it.” He looked at the Taser. “I hope you never have to use this, but I wish I’d thought of it.” He kissed her hand. “More to the point, I wish my wife didn’t have to be confined to bed with a Taser because my uncle’s such a—”

  “Not in front of the babies,” Sawyer teased.

  “I can watch my mouth. I’ll watch yours, too,” he said, kissing her, and Sawyer sighed with happiness as Jace wrapped her in his arms.

  “So I heard Wolf called you,” he said, and Sawyer froze.

  “They weren’t supposed to tell you!”

  He looked at her. “Who wasn’t supposed to tell me?”

  “Fiona and Ash!”

  He raised a brow. “Tell me what?”

  She hesitated. “Who told you Wolf called me?”

  “Your uncle.” Jace frowned at her. “Why wouldn’t you want me to know?”

  “I just don’t. Didn’t. And don’t frown at me. I’ve got a lot on my mind and I feel suddenly like I might be prone to tears.”

  He smiled. “That’d be a first. I’ve never seen you cry.”

  She sighed and leaned back, closed her eyes for a minute. “Don’t tempt me. I might wail all over you, and I assure you, it won’t be pretty.”

  “Anyway, back to Wolf,” he prompted.

  “I didn’t want you to know because I didn’t want you going all ape on his big stupid self. I’d like to keep you alive for the duration of our marriage,” she snapped.

  “Duration?” He rubbed her belly. “You don’t have to protect me from my uncle. Although I realize it’s second nature to you. I’m the man, I’ll protect my family.” He kissed her hand. “And I want to start protecting you by putting the wedding ring I gave you on your hand.”

  She looked at him. “How will it protect me?”

  “It’s a magic ring. Didn’t I tell you?” He grinned at her, sexy as sin. “Where is it?”

  “In my purse. Under the sofa ruffle, next to the Taser and the pepper spray.”

  “Another gift from Lu?”

  “The sheriff’s wife.”

  He grunted as he checked out her stock under the ruffle. “I’m impressed. All you need now are handcuffs and maybe a slingshot.”

  She sat up. “I hadn’t thought of a slingshot!”

  “Easy, babe. I wasn’t serious.” He sighed, and pulled out the ring box. “Now let’s get this magic ring on you, so you can lie here and rest in a bubble of good health and happy thoughts.”

  She put out her finger. “Go for it.”

  “That easy? You’ve had the ring this long and suddenly you don’t mind wearing it?”

  “I want to make you happy,” she said softly. “Anyway, I wanted to wear your ring for a long time.”

  “I know. You won me just for that purpose.” He slipped the ring on her finger, looked at it for a minute. “You have beautiful hands. This is exactly how I imagined it would look on them.”

  She smiled. “That’s sweet, Jace.”

  He kissed her. “It’s true. I
wanted you to have the most beautiful ring I could find, for my most beautiful bride. I didn’t want you to regret breaking your piggy bank wide-open for me.”

  “You have a lot of ego, cowboy.”

  He grinned. “I know.”

  Just when she thought she couldn’t be any happier, that maybe everything that had kept them apart was totally in the past now, the door opened with a crash.

  Wolf walked in with a nasty, know-it-all grin on his face.

  “Hello, nephew, Ms. Cash,” he said, and Jace tensed.

  “How dare you enter my home without knocking?” Sawyer demanded, incensed. “You go right back out and knock. When I say come in, then you may. Until then, you’re not a welcome guest. And it’s Mrs. Callahan to you, thanks.”

  He grinned at her, and her blood boiled. This was exactly why her and Jace’s marriage was always in a state of disarray. This man was a certain, surefire disruptor.

  Something had to change.

  “If you don’t go outside and wait to be invited to enter like a normal person,” Sawyer said, “I’ll call Sheriff Cartwright.”

  “Now, young lady,” Wolf said, his voice patronizing.

  God, she hated being patronized. And she hated being helpless.

  She hit him with her Taser, and Wolf collapsed to the floor.

  “Nice shot,” Jace said.

  “He looks like he’s drooling a bit. Will you go make sure he doesn’t drool on my new rug Fiona got me? I’ll call the sheriff.”

  “Never mind.” Jace sighed and sent a text. “The cleanup crew will be here in a minute.” He went to check on his uncle, turning him faceup with his boot. “When are you ever going to learn?”

  Wolf lay almost deathly still. “I didn’t kill him, did I?” Sawyer asked. “I know Running Bear has rules about killing off his prodigal son.”

  “You didn’t kill him. But that little pink version of whoop-ass works much better than I thought it would.” Jace looked at her. “What am I going to do with you?”

  She just hoped her husband loved her. “I’ll let you decide.”