by Nancy Pirri
“If you had let me take care of things with him at The Palace, he wouldn’t have come after me like he did.”
Cane looped his horse’s reins over one arm, then picked up the reins from the harnessed horse and snapped them against his flanks, setting him into a trot toward home.
“I think you’re wrong on that, sweetheart. I think Porter had reached the end of his rope—even before he found out you were marrying me. Even if he hadn’t discovered you accepted my proposal, he would have attacked you sooner or later, with the intentions of ruining you, hoping you’d have to marry him to save your reputation.”
“Perhaps you have a point.”
“You agreed to be my wife.” Gentling his tone, he added, “You have to learn to trust my judgment, Annie.”
He waited for her blast of fury, but was stunned when she said, “I do trust you, Cane.”
“Good. I protect what’s mine, and you belong to me. You can’t deny it unless you plan on backing out of marrying me. Is that what you want?”
“No,” she said softly.
He nodded. “Good. I’m glad we see eye to eye on this.”
Annie sighed. “Perhaps, with time, you’ll learn to trust our community and respect my desire for freedom to come and go as I please. As your wife, I’ll obey you, but I don’t want to be a prisoner.”
She had to be joking. A beauty such as her couldn’t be allowed to travel on her own without an escort, no matter that Bozeman was her hometown and she felt safe and knew everyone in town. Hopefully, with tonight’s attack, she’d learned her lesson.
It was slow going through the mud, but soon they reached the drive leading to the house. He drove into the yard and stopped at the barn. A stable boy ran outside and unhitched the horse while Cane hustled Annie inside.
* * * *
“When I left this morning, I hadn’t expected rain.” She shed her coat and wrinkled her nose at the smell of wet wool. Cane took it and hung it up beside his own on pegs to dry.
“I imagine Father has retired already, hasn’t he?”
Cane nodded.
“Darn! We need to talk to him about...our plans.”
“We will tomorrow. Join me for a libation?”
“I’d love that, but I think we both need to change our clothes.”
“True,” he said with a grin.
Cane was already at the foot of the stairs, waiting for her, after they’d gone to their rooms to change into dry clothing. He took her elbow and escorted her into the library.
As she sat on the divan before a crackling fire, she listened to Cane making their drinks. Soon, he sat beside her and handed her a cup. With her first taste, she knew he’d poured them hot coffee with a liberal dash of whiskey in it. Taking small sips, she relaxed and leaned back but startled when she felt something behind her neck.
“Sorry,” he murmured.
She saw him lifting his arm, and she said, “Don’t move. Your warmth is appreciated.”
Heat suffused her cheeks when she saw the smile on his lips. Looking higher, she saw the passionate look in his eyes. He slid his arm over the back again and pressed close to her. She sighed, loving the feel of him against her. Before long, she couldn’t keep her eyes open as exhaustion overcame her.
* * * *
Cane grabbed her cup before she dropped it and set it down beside his on the table. He couldn’t resist kissing her forehead, inhaling her lavender scent. His lips moved to the cheek near him. Her lips beckoned him, and he brushed his gently against the full curves of her own.
Dynamite exploded inside him, and he felt his body harden, readying for her—his woman. She woke slowly, turning her head toward him to kiss him back. Then she wound her arms around his neck and pulled him down further, returning his exploratory kiss.
When he felt ready to take her then and there, he came to his senses and eased her arms from around his neck. “Annie, we have to stop.”
He smiled when she sighed in disappointment.
“I suppose you’re right. Perhaps we should get married sooner.”
His smile widened. “You won’t find me objecting.”
She nodded. “We’d better speak with Father first. He’s always wanted me to get married in church, in a white dress, with flowers and a reception. I don’t think we can plan something like that so soon, but we’ll see.”
“The sooner the better,” he said. His voice sounded raspy to him, and he couldn’t resist kissing her again. She turned into his embrace. Cane couldn’t help pulling her even harder against him, then his hand wandered higher, cupping one breast. He thought of the irony of telling her they had to stop when he couldn’t, not when she was so willing in his arms.
“Ah!” she whispered when he raised her up from her seat and settled her on his lap, facing him. He palmed one of her breasts while the other stroked her lower back and bottom. Damn all the clothes women wore, he mused, wanting to strip her naked now, this moment, while the fire blazed high, his wanton desire for her just as hot.
“God, I want you,” he murmured against her cheek. “Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve made love to a woman?”
Her laughter surprised him, and he looked down at her, his lips quirked. “That’s funny?” he asked. At her nod, he added, “Not from where I’m sitting.”
“For you it’s been seven years.” He noticed how her smile left then and tears filled her eyes. “For me it’s been a lifetime.”
He groaned. “Don’t say that or I won’t be able to stop.”
“I don’t want you to stop. Besides, what difference does it make? We are getting married, remember?”
He set her down beside him, then rose. Pacing in front of the fireplace, he said, “Yes, but I won’t dishonor you, and I respect your father and how he’s taken me in. We’ll wait until our wedding night, and no complaints,” he warned.
She pouted. “Have you always been so dictatorial?”
Had he? He thought a minute then grinned. “No. Never. Maybe this arrangement—this marriage between us—means more to me than I thought.” He pulled her to her feet. “To bed with you now, sweetheart.”
“All right. But I’d much rather stay here with you.”
At the foot of the steps, he pulled her against him and kissed her until she went limp in his arms. “And I’d much rather you stayed here with me, too. See you in the morning.”
Cane watched her ascend the stairs, her hips swinging. At the landing, she paused and smiled down at him, then blew him a kiss. “Good night, Cane.”
He put one foot on the first step, ready to go after her when she swiftly disappeared down the hallway.
* * * *
“No! No! Stop! You can’t!”
Through Annie’s closed bedroom door, Cane said calmly, “Annie, Annie, wake up. You’re having a bad dream.”
He heard her moaning, then a scream rent the air. Cane stood at the door, ready to open it when her father came charging from his room. Callahan opened the door and rushed inside. Cane saw Annie lying on her bed. Her eyes were tightly shut, and she was shaking her head wildly from side to side. Slowly, he moved into her room, his eyes steady on her.
“Annie, honey? Wake up,” her father ordered as he bent over her and shook her shoulders.
Slowly, she quieted, then opened her eyes. Seeing her father, she sat up and threw herself into his arms.
“Another premonition?” her father asked as he held her.
Annie nodded. “It was awful. It was the same one, that man trying to take Mark away from me.”
Cane’s jaw tightened at her words, and he said, “As long as I’m living, no one will take Mark away from us. Go to sleep. You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”
She looked up at him with sad but trusting eyes and nodded. “Good night. I’m sorry I woke everyone.” She turned her back on them and closed her eyes.
In the hallway, Callahan said, “Come. Have a drink with me in the library.”
�
�Good idea. I need to speak with you about something.”
After they’d settled down with glasses of Irish whiskey, Cane tried to decide how to tell Callahan that he’d asked Annie to marry him and she’d agreed. True, he should have asked the old man’s permission first, but getting Annie’s agreement had seemed more urgent.
Finally, Cane came out with it. “I’ve asked Annie to marry me.”
Callahan smiled and nodded. “Glad you’re seeing things my way.”
“I should have declared my intentions to you first but—”
“Asking a father’s permission was common in my day, but it seems to have slipped out of fashion. Thanks, though, for telling me, after the fact. I’ve always wanted to have a traditional wedding for her. She is my only child, after all, but I will understand if expediency is necessary for the two of you.”
“It’s true, for Mark’s sake, we’d like to be married soon. I’ve yet to find a home for us though. Sure, there are plenty of properties, but they’re all too small for my plans.”
Sitting forward, Callahan said, “For a wedding gift, I’d like to give you and Annie sixteen-hundred acres of my property to the west.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Cane protested, shocked.
Callahan shrugged. “I’ve wondered what would happen to the ranch once I’ve passed on, since I’ve no son. Truth be told, it was one of the reasons that made sense for me to adopt Mark. Naturally, Annie would get it, but I can’t think of a better man to run this place than you, Cane, as my daughter’s husband. Then you’ll pass it onto Mark.”
Cane gulped down the growing lump in his throat and nodded, staring down at the floor. “It’s a mighty generous wedding gift, and we appreciate it.”
Callahan nodded. “Someday it’ll all be yours, Annie’s and Mark’s.”
“Just how much land is there?”
Callahan just smiled. “We’d better get some shut-eye. We’ll be up riding most of tomorrow. You’ll get some idea of the acreage at that time.”
“I’m up for it.” Reaching out, Cane took Callahan’s hand. “Thanks for giving me your blessing, and your daughter. I never believed I could get so lucky. Luck has not been my friend,” he said dryly.
Callahan slapped his back in a friendly gesture, then left the library.
Cane sank down on the divan and stared into the fire. Closing his eyes, he thought back to when he’d been in prison and received the letter that would eventually change his destiny. Thank God, he’d never given up hope, for hope was what had helped him survive the remainder of his incarceration, while both he and the judge tried to prove his innocence. Now hope would give him a future.
Chapter Five
Cane spent the next four days riding the range with Annie’s father, amazed by the acres and acres of land comprised of small lakes, streams, mountains and plains. The Moonstruck Ranch was like paradise to him, and it would soon be his home. Excitement flared through him at the thought of building a house, of having Annie and Mark in his life permanently. And perhaps other children...
On Saturday morning, he found sticks to make fishing poles and string, then rode to The Sapphire Palace to fetch Mark. Soon the streams and ponds would be frozen and fishing wouldn’t be possible. He was intent on having a talk with the boy about marrying Annie. He’d discussed the plan last night with her and she’d agreed, as long as Cane didn’t blurt out the fact that he was Mark’s father. She wanted to be the one to decide when the time was right and now was too soon. She’d insisted they’d tell Mark together. Cane had reluctantly agreed.
As he rode, he started thinking of Christmas, somehow wanting to make this one special for Mark and Annie, and for himself. It’d been so long since he actually celebrated the holiday, he wasn’t sure how or what to do, with the exception of purchasing gifts. He’d already decided on a fine pocketknife for Mark that he’d seen in the mercantile, even though he suspected Annie might not like the idea. Then there was Annie. He had no idea what to buy her for a present, except for one thing—a wedding ring.
As soon as he stopped outside The Palace, Mark came running out the front door.
“You taking me home instead of Annie?”
Leaning on his saddle’s pommel, Cane said, “Thought we’d go over to that pond near your house to do some fishing, before winter really sets in and it freezes over.”
“Yes!”
“Go get your coat then.”
Cane watched Mark run inside. His heart raced when Annie appeared in the doorway and smiled. Damn, she looked so pretty dressed in a modest blue gown that enhanced her fair complexion and matched her eyes. “You two have a good time.”
“We sure will, Annie!” Mark said exuberantly as he squeezed past her.
Cane extended his hand to help him up on the horse in front of him. He tipped his hat to Annie. “See you at supper.”
“Yes,” she said, gave a little wave and went back inside.
As they rode down the street, Cane enjoyed the smell of little boy heat and dirt, feeling a stirring of love inside for this little man, sorry he’d missed so much of his life. He had plans to make up for the lost time.
For the rest of the day, the two of them fished, laughed, and talked. Finally, when Cane felt Mark was comfortable with him, he broached the marriage idea to him.
“What would you think if I married Annie?”
Mark frowned. “And take her away from Pa and me?” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t like it.”
“No,” Cane quickly said, “I wouldn’t be taking her away from you. Annie and I have decided we want to get married, and you’ll come visit or even stay with us whenever you want.”
“I can’t leave Pa.” Mark scowled. “But I don’t want Annie to move away either. His eyes lit up then. “I know! You can live at our house,” he offered.
Cane nodded. “For a while, while we build a house, we would. Your pa has given Annie and me some of his land on which to build our own home.”
“Why can’t you live with me, Pa and Annie? Our house is big!”
“It is, Mark, but it wouldn’t be my home, and I need my own place real bad.”
Mark thought about it and finally nodded. “Okay.” Mark gave Cane a sad look. “I’m gonna miss seeing Annie every day.”
“Count on seeing her every day, Mark. Things will still be the same.”
Mark shrugged, then turned his attention back to his fishing pole. “Oh! I gotta bite! Look!”
Cane was thoughtful as he helped Mark pull in his fish. He’d promised Annie he wouldn’t break the truth to the boy without her, but felt compelled now to do so. He opened his mouth, ready to ease into it, when he clamped it shut. A promise was a promise, and he wouldn’t break it to Annie. He’d bide his time, until she felt Mark was ready to hear the news.
Mark whooped with joy when he saw his small fish. “Can we keep him?”
Cane grinned. “You know, son, he’s a might small. I think he needs to go back into that pond. We’ll try and catch a bigger one.”
Disappointed, Mark said, “Okay, but he looks plenty big to me. I want to show Pa.”
“We’ll fish a bit more and see if we can catch one you can keep.”
When it was long past time to leave the fishing hole, darkness had descended and the temperature had dropped. Unfortunately, Mark hadn’t caught another fish.
“Time to go home,” Cane said as he rose to his feet and brushed off his jeans.
Mark pouted as he scrambled up. “But I didn’t get a fish!”
“You’ll have a chance to try again soon.”
“I don’t wanna go home.”
“Annie’s probably home cooking supper.”
“So can we come back tomorrow?”
“We’ll see.”
Mark’s pout remained. “We have to.”
Cane kept his patience, though he was somewhat surprised to see this petulant side of Mark. “I promised we’d fish again, and we will, though it might not be tomorrow.”
Mark picked up his pole and trudged over to Cane’s horse. Though Mark was quiet at the start of the trip home, Cane had him making plans for more fishing. He realized Mark had little concept of what tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow meant, yet, but he promised they’d go fishing sooner rather than later, while the weather held out, and the pond remained without ice.
* * * *
Annie was cooking supper when they arrived home. She looked up when they entered the kitchen and smiled. “So, how was the fishing?”
“Not so good,” Mark said his lower lip protruding.
Annie met Cane’s eyes with a questioning look. “So, you didn’t catch anything?”
“Cane wouldn’t let me keep my fish.”
“He was a small fry, that’s why you couldn’t keep him. I explained to you we’ll go fishing again. Soon. I’m pretty sure you’ll catch a bigger fish to keep next time.”
“But I wanted that fish!”
“Mark,” Annie began, but was interrupted when the boy stamped his foot and scowled at Cane.
Cane leaned down to Mark. “I made you a promise we’ll go fishing again, but not if you can’t accept my terms. You stop that fussing right now,” he ordered.
Annie slid up to Mark and pulled him against her. She tucked her hand beneath his chin and saw the tears in his eyes. “What’s this? Didn’t you have a good time?”
“Yes,” he said reluctantly. “Pa always lets me keep fish I catch, even the little ones.”
“Well, I think you owe Cane an apology,” she said. “He took time to take you fishing when he certainly didn’t have to, and likely had other things to do.
Mark looked shyly up at Cane. “Sorry.”
“That’s okay, son.”
Mark looked at Annie. “I’m hungry.”
Annie smiled, flitted her gaze to Cane, whose expression looked sad. “We’ll be ready in a couple minutes. Go upstairs and wash up now.”
Mark trudged off. As he passed Cane, Cane reached out to touch his hair, but Mark shied away from him.
Cane sighed as he watched Mark leave the kitchen, then looked at Annie. “Guess I didn’t make points today with him, did I?”