Her mouth opened in surprise. "You must have a great deal of money."
"Yes, a great deal. Does it matter to you?"
She locked her arms around his neck. "I would live with you in a cave if you had nothing at all."
He pulled her down on the bed and molded her against his body. His mouth was warm and seeking, his touch gentle because he remembered her bruises. "Abby, the truth is, for the next two years we won't be spending that much time here. Will you mind living with me at Fort Fannin?"
She ran her fingers over the frown lines on his brow. "Wherever you are is my home. I don't care where we live, as long as we are together."
He smiled. "We will have two weeks here before I have to report for duty."
Quince's voice was loud at the front door, as if warning them of his and Brent's presence. Jonah got up, grinning, and helped Abby to her feet. "Our first guests. Come with me. I have a surprise for you-I hope you will like it."
They met her two brothers in the entry, and Jonah led them to the parlor. "This was the first room the workers finished. I had two walls knocked out in here." He waited for Abby to notice the surprise.
She saw the four framed drawings that hung on the far wall. On closer inspection she realized they were her own sketches of Moon Racer. "These are not good enough to hang so everyone can see them," she protested.
"Yes, they are," Brent said, looking over her shoulder.
Quince nodded in agreement.
"There is a reason I hung the drawings, Abby."
She turned to him. "Why?"
"I had the brand of a rearing horse struck last week. The name of the ranch is Moon Racer."
He laughed at the funny expression on her brothers' faces and the astonishment on Abby's. "Do you like it?"
"Yes. But how did you come to name it after my horse?"
"I thought about a name, and nothing came to me. Obviously I couldn't go on calling the place the Taylor ranch. Then I thought of Moon Racer, the only other love of your life, and it just seemed right."
Abby came out of the general store, her arms full of purchases. Tomorrow was her wedding day, and her heart was not large enough to hold her happiness. She hadn't seen Jonah since the day he had shown her around the ranch. She smiled to herself-the Moon Racer Ranch.
Her skin tingled when she thought of spending the rest of her life with Jonah. She felt safe knowing she would be under his protection. She still marveled that such a magnificent man wanted her for his wife. But he did.
She frowned. Her father was still in New Orleans and wouldn't be attending the wedding. Brent had sent Jack a telegram informing him about the wedding, and he had wired back that he wished Abby happiness. The general would not be attending ei ther, but he promised to come for a visit in the spring.
Her brothers had been angry with their father because he was buying more horses, and he was probably incurring more debt for them to pay off.
But that was her father-he would never change.
She refused to allow anything to keep her from feeling happy today. She passed the bank without fear. The word had spread that Edmund was away on an extended vacation. Only her family knew that he didn't want to show his face in Diablo until it had healed.
Quince had been almost sure Jonah had broken Edmund's nose. She could not help smiling at that thought -a broken nose would surely mar the good looks Edmund was so proud of
She stepped into the street on her way to the livery stable, where Navidad was waiting for her with the buckboard.
"Miss Hunter, could you wait a moment? I have been watching for you because I need to ask you about something."
Abby nodded as she waited for Hilda, Edmund's housekeeper, to tell her what was on her mind. She certainly did not want to hear anything about the woman's employer.
The woman was out of breath from running. "I have been watching for you to come to town for days."
"What is it, Hilda?"
"It's about Mrs. Montgomery. Some time back I was cleaning out her drawers, like Mr. Montgomery told me to, and I came across a letter. I stewed and stewed, not knowing what to do about it."
"Who is the letter intended for?"
"Mrs. Montgomery's daughter, Juliana."
"Why didn't you just send it on to her?"
"At first I thought about giving this to Mr. Montgomery, but... well, I don't like the way he treated..." She shook her head. "He's out of town. I don't know where. He just up and went away in the middle of the night without telling me he was going. He left a note saying he didn't know how long he'd be gone."
Abby gained a great deal of satisfaction from that bit of information. He would not want to answer awkward questions about his battered appearance.
"The way I see it," Hilda continued, "I don't think Mrs. Montgomery wanted him to know about the letter, or she wouldn't have hidden it among her unmentionables."
Abby wondered if Iona had discovered Edmund's true evil before she died. Her heart hurt for the woman who had been like a mother to her. "You are probably right, Hilda."
"Could I give you the letter, and let you decide what's to be done about it?"
Abby nodded. "Yes. I'll see that it gets in the mail today."
The housekeeper thrust the letter into Abby's hand, looked about her as if she were afraid Edmund would see her, and then hurried away.
Abby watched the woman dash across the street before she glanced at the letter. Although the handwriting was shaky and smeared, Abby recognized it as lona's. She didn't like the thought of doing anything for Juliana because of the way the woman had neglected her mother when she needed her most.
Still, Iona had intended the letter for her daughter, so she would honor her wish. With determined steps, Abby made her way to the post office.
She was doing this for Iona, not Juliana.
The house was dark except for the soft lamplight in the parlor, where Abby sat holding the same pearl hair clasps her mother wore in the portrait. Abby, wanting to wear something that had belonged to her mother, had chosen to wear them at her wedding.
She heard a soft knock on the door and went to answer it. Navidad stood on the porch, his hat in his hand.
"Senorita Abby, Brent told me to take Moon Racer to your new house."
"I hadn't thought of that. Thank you, Christmas."
"Senorita, I have looked after that horse. He needs knowledgeable hands to see to his care."
"I know."
He looked down and then back up at her. "I asked Senor Major Jonah if I could... if there would be a place for me on his ranch. He said there would be. He also told me to give you this letter from him."
She smiled at him affectionately and kissed his cheek, bringing a shine to his dark eyes. "I'm glad you are going with me. You were one of the people I would have missed the most."
He nodded and backed away. "Have a happy, good night's sleep, little senorita."
When Navidad left, Abby went back into the parlor and unfolded the letter, held it under the lamp, and began to read.
My dearest Abby,
I sit here in the ranch house alone, but I am not lonely because I know you will be with me tomorrow night, and for the rest of our lives. Your gowns have been hung in the wardrobe beside my uniforms, your shoes are arranged beside mine, and I admit I go to the bedroom to look at them several times a day. Good night, my dearest love. Sleep well, knowing I love you.
She held the letter to her breast and bit her lip to keep from crying. "He loves me," she said softly. "He loves me!"
Abby went to the portrait of her mother, wishing she could have her wisdom tonight. She was going into a life with the man she loved, and she would have liked to share this moment with her mother.
She reached upward to the portrait, placing her hand on her mother's hand. "I'm happy, Mama. I wish you could know Jonah. I love him so muchand he loves me."
The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear, without a cloud anywhere in sight.
The guests filled
the parlor and watched the bride join the groom. She was dressed in a simple white gown, her hair pulled away from her face with her mother's pearl clasps.
Jonah's hand was warm as the army chaplain stood gravely before them, reciting the words that would bind them together.
Jonah's eyes were on Abby's face, and he heard her voice quaver as she promised to "love, honor and obey."
As instructed, he slipped the ring on her finger. Then he startled her and the wedding guests as he pulled her to him and kissed her reverently.
The chaplain laughed softly. "Sir, I haven't finished yet." To those gathered he said, "Course, he outranks me, so I can't insist too much."
Jonah raised his head. "Go ahead, I just wanted to kiss her while she was still single. That way I can have another kiss later."
Everyone laughed. It was an unceremonious event despite the high rank of the groom. Joy and kinship filled the room, and everyone felt it.
The chaplain spoke loudly, and the laugh lines at his eyes flared. "I now pronounce you man and wife! You may now kiss the bride."
Jonah drew Abby into his arms. "Mrs. Tremain, may I be the first man to kiss you since you changed your name?"
Her arms went around him, and their lips molded together. After a moment Abby would have pulled away, aware of the others looking on, but Jonah held her to him.
"I'm next in line," Brent said, pulling his sister away from Jonah and putting his arms around her. "Be happy, Abby-that's what I want for you."
She nestled against him, feeling almost sad that she would no longer be under his care. "I am." She met his gaze. "So very happy."
Next she went for Quince, and he hugged her tightly. "I couldn't have let you go to a better man, darlin'."
The family circle closed in on the newlyweds. There were officers and their wives from Jonah's command mingling with the cowhands from the Half-Moon and Moon Racer ranches. The Fort Fannin military band played softly for the reception, and food and wine were plentiful.
Jonah was talking to Quince, and Abby looked about her, thinking what a different turn her life had taken. The people she loved most were in this room, except for her father and Matt. But Jack Hunter would always do what Jack Hunter wanted to do. And Matt ... she wished with all her heart that he could be with her on this day of all days. An ache touched her heart, and she wondered if she would ever see him again.
"I am going to take my wife to bed," Jonah told Quince. "I'm leaving you here as host. I assume you can move all these people out of my house."
Quince grinned. "Yeah, I can do that. I don't have to tell you to be good to my sister. I know the kind of man you are, so I'm not worried about her. But Abby is different from most women; sometimes you have to-"
"Treat her like a blooded mare and gentle her down?"
"Yeah. Something like that," Quince answered, looking relieved that Jonah understood Abby so well.
Abby was talking to Glory and a very pregnant Crystal. "You are going into a new life, Abby," Crystal told her. "I want you to be as happy with Jonah as I am with Brent."
She kissed Crystal's cheek. "I'm sure I will be."
Glory hugged her. "If ever I saw a man in love, it's your major. Take care of him. I know he is going to take care of you."
"Sisters-in-law," Jonah said, sliding his arms around both of them, "if you will excuse my wife and me, we are leaving this party. As family members, I hope you will help Quince get everyone out of here."
His eyes were dancing with humor until he looked at Abby, and then they gleamed with something akin to worship.
Abby did not object as Jonah waved good-night to everyone and led her out of the room, down the long hallway, and into their bedroom.
She turned to him as soon as the door closed behind them. "Jonah."
"You are mine now." His gaze went over her slowly, sensuously. She was so beautiful he could only stare at her. He had watched her emerge like a butterfly from a cocoon. She was delicate, her skin soft like satin, and she was his.
"I love you," she whispered, hardly able to breathe because of the way he was looking at her.
"I have been waiting a long time to hear you say that." He unbuckled the ceremonial sword at his waist, tossed it on a chair, untied the red sash at his waist, and let it drop to the floor, all the while watching her.
She stepped forward and unbuttoned the brass buttons on his jacket, and his arms eased around her.
"I want you," he told her. "All the while I was being polite to our guests tonight, all I wanted was to have you naked in my arms."
She shivered as his breath stirred the curls at her neck. "That's what I wanted too."
"Did you now?" He smiled enigmatically, unfastening and unhooking her garments until they had all been stripped away. "If I recall, you once told me you would never let a man order your life."
She stared into his eyes, suddenly serious. "I have just promised that I will allow you to order my life."
"Yes. You did." He grinned. "But the Abby I know has a mind of her own. I think that is what I first fell in love with."
She gave him a look of pretend shock. "You fell in love with my mind?"
"Well," he said, arching his brow, "there were other considerations, too."
His hand went to her neck, and he brought her head forward, his lips touching hers, probing for entrance into her mouth, which she granted, the feel reminding her of another invasion to a different part of her body. She went weak against him, and he lifted her in his arms.
"Since the first time I had you, I knew I would never be whole until I had you again."
His eyes were deep, deep blue, the bluest she had ever seen them.
"Make me whole, Abby."
The breath was trapped in her throat as he placed her on the bed and stood over her while he removed his clothing, his heated gaze touching on every part of her nakedness.
He was magnificent! He was lean and tall, his body beautiful. She reached forward, her hand sliding across the black hair on his chest. When she saw the swell of him, she pulled him down to her. His body pressed her into the mattress.
This was her husband, to love, to walk beside, to hold and to take into her body. Her heart was too full and beating too fast for her to speak when he touched his lips to her breasts.
"Ohhh," she moaned. "Mmmm." He was doing such wonderful things-his mouth moved over her, creating sensations that surprised her.
She arched her body flirtatiously, invitingly, and it was enough to draw him to her to give her what she ached for.
He glided slowly inside her, staring into her eyes, watching her lashes drift downward. She closed around him, soft and warm, and his body caught and held her trembling.
Soft words were spoken as the night shadows crept into the room. Heated passions were satisfied, only to rise again and provide the same joy and fulfillment.
Abby quaked in his arms, and he held her, thrusting deep until tremors shook him.
Afterward, when they were lying in each other's arms, her hand drifted over his chest.
"It is so good between us, Abby."
"Yes."
She traced his nose and then his lips and suddenly pulled back and giggled. "I wonder if our guests have gone?"
"I trust Quince got them out the door."
He gently stroked her breasts. She offered him her mouth, and he took it she offered him her body, and he took it. She rolled on top of him, and his hands slid down her back.
He suddenly frowned. "There is one thing I want you to obey me in, Abby."
"What is that?"
"Promise me you will never attempt to break a wild horse again."
She traced the frown lines on his forehead with a delicate finger. Then she smiled and saluted. "Yes, sir, Major, sir. I promise."
He seemed to relax. Abby was like a whirlwind or a tornado, and he never knew what she would do next. But he didn't want to change her; it was her difference from other women that had won his heart.
"Am I in the
cavalry now that I'm the commander's wife?" she asked innocently.
He slid into her warmth and smiled tantalizingly as he watched her eyes drift shut. "No, sweet Abby-the cavalry is in you."
Later they lay intertwined with an occasional kiss or a soft stroke of a hand, a murmured endearment.
"Frances once told me," she said, "that I would one day meet the man I would want to change for, and she was right."
He tucked her into his arms and rested his chin on the top of her head. "What else did Frances say in her wisdom?"
"She compared men to horses. It went something like, if I fed and watered a man and gave him a rubdown, he would give me his affection."
"Mmm." His fingers slid downward across her stomach and into her warmth, bringing a gasp from her. "I like Frances's reasoning-she is a wise woman."
Sometime just before dawn the lovers had fallen asleep. They had made love and found out little things about each other. They had talked about the future and put the past to rest.
The sun had been up for some hours when there was a loud banging on the bedroom door.
Jonah stirred, and Abby sat up. Sleepily, she exchanged a puzzled glance with him.
Frances's voice boomed through the door. "It's after the noon hour. If you want to eat, food's on the table."
Abby got out of bed and slipped into her robe. "I didn't know she was going to be here."
"Neither did I," he said, pulling the sheet over his naked body and following her to the door.
Abby opened the door and came face-to-face with the housekeeper. "Frances, what are you doing here?"
"I moved into the room next to the kitchen, 'cause I decided you're gonna need me. And if the two of you have a daughter-and lord help us all if she's anything like you-you'll be needing me to use a firm hand with her."
Abby could hear Jonah's laughter behind her. "Frances," he said smoothly, "you are right about that."
Abby took the housekeeper's hand in hers. "I would have been lost without you. I'm glad you are going to live with us."
Jonah poked his head around the door. "We need someone to run things around here."
"Humph." Frances stalked off, but Abby saw the smile on her face.
She closed the door and leaned against it. "Do you mind her moving in?"
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