Somehow, though, the cat was out of the bag. Most of the people on the ranch were gathered around smiling and happy as they drove up. Some folks kept secrets forever, but not in this family it seemed. He smiled and held on to Daisy.
“My word, Quinn, you have yourself a nice-looking family!” Dolly held her arms up to Daisy who held on to Quinn too tightly around his neck. “Gracious, you don’t want to meet me?”
Daisy shook her head. “I lub my dada.”
Flames licked at his skin as the heat of embarrassment crept up his neck and flooded his face.
Tim stood. “Hi!” he said. He stared at Dolly. “Do you make cookies? You can help me down.” Tim had made a conquest, it seemed, and Quinn couldn’t wait to see how long it look for Dolly to make the first batch of cookies.
He set Daisy down and then climbed into the wagon and leaned close to Heaven. “Are you all right?” he whispered.
“There are many people here.”
“Yes, there are. Just let them believe what they believe until I can straighten it out.” He lifted her as she nodded, and then he started to put her down on the back end of the wagon so he could jump down and pick her up.
“Here, hand her to me,” Teagan said. “I’ve been hoping each day you’d be back.”
Quinn handed Heaven to him. “Heaven, this is my brother, Teagan.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of you. Quinn speaks of you often.”
Teagan cocked his brow and smiled. He glanced at Quinn as he hopped from the wagon.
“I can take her.”
“Of course.” Teagan put her into Quinn’s arms.
She giggled. “I feel like I’m being passed around.”
“I have seven more brothers you have yet to meet, remember?” He chuckled as he kept an eye on the children. Dolly was herding them toward the house.
Gemma, Teagan’s wife opened the door. “I would have come out, but I was fixing up the couch so you can rest.”
“I’m Heaven.”
“It’s so very nice to meet you, I’m Gemma. Thank you for bringing Quinn home. He’s been missed.” Gemma smiled at him.
It was noisy, and Quinn worried about Heaven getting enough rest, but before long all his brothers left except for Teagan and Sullivan.
Gemma gazed from one brother to another. “What’s happened?”
Chapter Eight
Heaven’s nerves were stretched to the limit. Dolly took Daisy and Tim into the kitchen. Quinn sat down as though he didn’t have many things to explain. What would they say when they discovered the truth?
“When are you due?” Gemma asked. “Your other two children are beautiful.”
“The doctor told me less than six weeks. I thought I had two more months. I’m to stay in bed for a day or two.”
“Weeks,” Quinn corrected her. “You are to stay in bed for weeks.”
His stubborn eyes widened when he met her stubborn gaze.
Quinn released an exasperated sigh. “Fine. We’ll take it day by day,” he conceded.
“I think you’ll make a fine husband and father,” Gemma said. “Congratulations,”
Heaven waited for Quinn to say something, but he remained silent. Sullivan didn’t act as though anything was wrong.
Oh bother, it’ll just make leaving that much harder. So, she’d stay until the baby could travel, and then she’d go; where, she didn’t know, but she was strong and capable. She would not be the one to tell the truth; it wasn’t her family.
“Why don’t Sullivan and I take the children outside so you can rest, Heaven?”
Tim ran into the room. “Can we, Ma?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
Daisy went to Quinn and lifted her arms. “I lub you.”
This time Quinn kissed her cheek. “I love you too.”
A brighter smile never was. And her pure, innocent smile caused everyone else to smile too.
“You go with Teagan and Sullivan,” Quinn told her. “They’re my brothers, and they’re fun to play with.”
Daisy wiggled her way down and stood in front of Teagan. She hit him in the leg. “You’re it!” she yelled as she ran out the house.
“If you’d rather, I can show you to Quinn’s room. It might be more restful,” Gemma offered. She seemed like a nice woman.
“Well, Quinn and I—”
“That’s a good idea, Gemma,” Quinn interrupted. “Has Brogan come home?”
Gemma shook her head.
“He’s over at the Maguire Ranch. Living there he is. Gemma has been very generous to him,” Dolly told him.
“The kids can have his room then,” Quinn decided out loud.
“You know the foreman’s house is sitting empty…” Dolly suggested.
Quinn gazed at Heaven. “We can talk about it later. I’d like to take her upstairs.”
Heaven sat up and put her feet on the floor but she didn’t have time to stand before she was snatched up into Quinn’s arms. She let out a little squeal. She stayed quiet until they were in his very large room with a very large bed. He sat her on the bed and put pillows behind her back.
“Well?” She tried to scowl, but she ended up smiling.
Quinn leaned against the closed door with his arms crossed. “Well what?”
She sighed and looked up at the ceiling. She shook her head and then leveled a stare at him. “You didn’t tell anyone we’re not married. You said you’d take care of it.”
“I didn’t want you embarrassed, and I kept thinking about the baby. You, the children, and the baby all need protection, and marrying me would do just that. I’m not saying it’s a love match, but I can’t in good conscience tell anyone the truth just now. It might put you and your little ones in harm’s way.”
Heaven clasped her hands together and stared down at them. What was he saying exactly? Was this farce to go on or was he asking her to marry him?
“You don’t love me.” She gave him a sad smile.
“Plenty of people get married for reasons other than love. I have no love to give a woman. That part of my heart was broken off, and it never mended. I do admire you. You’re a woman of wisdom and strength. You are courageous, and if I had a best friend, I’d want that friend to be you.” He pushed off the door and strode to the bed and then sat next to her. “No one need ever know, and as soon as I can make private arrangements, I will legally marry you.” He put his hand over her clasped ones.
“It feels strange wearing a wedding band.” She stared down at the simple ring. “I’ve never had one before.” After a moment, she drew a fortifying breath and released it. “Very well, I seem to have no other choice unless I want to be branded a liar. How did we get into this situation? I never planned to marry again. I knew no one would want me with an Indian child.” She sat up, determined to show strength. “But this will not be a child of my shaming, it will be a child of my courage. How I survived, I don’t know.” She smiled as hope blossomed within her heart. “Quinn Kavanagh, I accept your proposal, and it’s no hardship to pretend to be your bride. You’ve become a friend like no other. You are so different from David. He was a good man, but he didn’t appreciate my opinion. He never hit me, though oftentimes when he was displeased, he gave me a look.” She shrugged. “But I had a roof over my head and two precious children and believe it or not it was his decision to make our home a safe place for the Negro children. Yes, Quinn, I will accept the protection you can give us.”
He leaned closer, and she got ready to be kissed, but at the last minute, he pulled away and stood. “I’ll come get you for supper and don’t worry about the little ones.” He stepped through the door and closed it behind him.
It was too much too fast. She wasn’t still grieving for a husband who never hugged her. She had come to terms with that a while ago. A pretend marriage and then a real ceremony. Would it ever happen that way? Quinn could ask her to leave whenever he wanted. He wasn’t like that, but it was a possibility. And what would she say to his family? That she had promised to
pretend they were married until they actually were? Who would believe that? She sighed. Daisy was already so attached to him. He was a kind, affectionate man who listened, but she never wanted another man who could tell her what to do all day. So it was a risk but one she’d need to take. She closed her eyes.
* * *
“We need to whisper,” Quinn said to Daisy, who was in his arms looking at her mother.
“Am I whisperin’?”
His lips twitched as she practically yelled. “That’s loud.”
“Now?” She gazed into his eyes looking for confirmation.
“Tell you what, tidbit, why don’t I put you on the bed and you can give your mama a kiss? Kisses are good to wake up to.” He saw Heaven trying her hardest not to smile as he set Daisy down next to her mama’s head.
Daisy stared at Heaven’s face. Then she leaned over and pried one eyelid open. She did the same to the other. “Are you awake?” Daisy planted kisses all over Heaven’s face.
Heaven laughed. “I’m awake!” She hugged Daisy to her and glowed, her joy unmistakable. Then she turned her gaze to him and gave him a look that clearly said wait until your turn.
“Do you want me to carry you to the table or would you like to eat up here?”
“I’d like to meet your family. Can you hand me my hairbrush?”
He found it and handed it to her. All the pins were out of her hair and waves of blond tresses fell almost to her waist. The glorious golden mass made his fingers itch to see if it was as silky as it looked. Quickly, he turned away. He couldn’t give into temptation; it wasn’t right.
He gazed out the window, but he was listening to Heaven and Daisy chatter. It seemed Daisy was insisting on helping. Heaven could threaten to shoot a man down and she also was a gentle mother. He turned and smiled. “Don’t you both look so beautiful?”
“Was that a question, Quinn?”
His face heated. “No of course not. Now let me get my two favorite pretty ladies to the table. Daisy, I’ll carry you first. Make sure to smile at all my brothers; they love smiles.”
He carried her to the table, and Tim scowled. “What happened to her hair?”
Quinn gave Tim a serious look. “Having one braid up on your head and the other hanging down is the fashion.”
He set Daisy down on a chair. “Watch her while I get her mother.” When he glanced over his shoulder, he saw Daisy bestowing each of his brothers with a wide, sunny smile.
Heaven looked more rested than he’d ever seen her. Her hair was sticking up in various places, but he didn’t mention it. “Ready?”
She nodded. “It’s very strange to meet people who don’t have a clue about my recent past.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of.” He scooped her up. “You need to eat more; you were heavier the first time I lifted you.”
Her face turned crimson. “Mr. Kavanagh, a man never mentions a lady’s weight.”
“Frankly, I have no idea about things like that. I don’t speak to many women. But the truth is the truth. We have a baby to think of.”
Her eyes flickered, and a knot formed in his stomach. When had he started thinking about the baby being theirs? Heaven had the ability to hurt him deeply, and he couldn’t… he just couldn’t.
He placed Heaven on a chair. “Heaven, this is Donnell, Murphy, Fitzpatrick, Angus, Rafferty and Shea. You already met Teagan and Sullivan.” He gestured to each as he introduced them. Then Tim raised his hand. “And you know Tim and Daisy, I believe,” he added with a smile.
He smiled as Gemma and Dolly joined them.
“It’s nice to meet you. Quinn talks about you all.”
Fitzpatrick laughed. “Quinn talks?”
“I swear he goes days without uttering a word,” Donnell teased.
Heaven put her hand over his, and warmth bloomed in his face. “Quinn is a very good conversationalist. He’s not the type that goes on and on about nothing. I enjoy talking with him.” She squeezed his hand and he wanted nothing more than to pull away from her grasp. She was getting under his skin.
“Quinn, why is your face red? Do you have a fever?” Tim asked as he stared. “My face gets real red when I have a fever.”
Daisy stood up on the chair. “My dada is good. I lub him. I like red.” She put her hands on her little hips and gave Donnell and Fitzpatrick glares.
Quinn thought his heart would burst. He quickly stood and picked Daisy up off the chair before she fell. He sat with her on his lap. He’d have to make this all work, at the very least for Daisy’s sake. She tilted her head all the way back and smiled.
He quickly glanced at Heaven, noting the tears streaming down her face. His stomach clenched. This time he put his hand over hers. But this had to be the last time he’d touch her; it was so dangerous.
“Quinn is my daddy too.” Tim gazed at Quinn with an almost pleading expression.
“Of course I’m your daddy, Tim. We’re a family, and now you have too many uncles to count. They are my brothers. Gemma is my sister and she’s married to Teagan, and Dolly is like a mother to us all, a very young mother,” he amended quickly.
Tim jumped down and buried his face in Quinn’s side then wrapped his arms as far as they would go around.
Quinn wasn’t sure he’d be able to get through supper without a tear of his own appearing. He heard a few sniffles. Apparently his brothers felt the same.
“That’s right, I’m young and in charge.” Dolly smiled. “I have apple pie for dessert for those who eat their supper.”
Gemma and Teagan exchanged a look. Gemma had once decided to marry a widower and most of the brothers had eaten one slice out of each pie that she had baked to bring to a barn raising to meet those men. They’d thought she’d stay home, but it didn’t stop her.
Tim ran back to his seat and dug in. Daisy helped herself from Quinn’s plate.
“Daisy—”
“Heaven, it’s fine. We have plenty of time to teach manners.”
“I know I’m still learning,” Fitzpatrick said with a chuckle.
For a moment, Quinn wanted to leave. He wanted to get on Bandit and disappear to a place where there weren’t feelings or children or a woman so sweet. His heart pounded, and he couldn’t breathe. What was he supposed to do with a family?
“Quinn, let’s go outside and grab some air. You look pale,” Teagan suggested.
The perfect escape. Teagan knew him too well. Nodding, he stood reseated the children and then followed his oldest brother out the front door. They walked to one of their cattle pastures and stood watched them for a time.
“We sure have a lot of cattle,” Quinn said, unable to count them all or even guess how many head were grazing just in this pasture.
“Yes, we do. Want to talk about what’s eating at you?”
Quinn took a deep breath. “I don’t have any love to give, Teagan. I got nothing left, and eventually Heaven will wilt from the lack of it. Daisy keeps telling me she loves me, and Tim called me his daddy. None of it is real, and people are going to get hurt.” He swallowed and kept his gaze fixed on the pasture. Might as well tell it all. “Truth is, I walked into a gunfight and walked out with a pregnant woman and her two children. I have no idea how it happened except I wanted to get them to safety. I planned for her to live in the foreman’s house here, but Doc Bright said she needs to stay in bed rest. And then… well, we shared a hotel room. I haven’t touched her, I swear. But I thought by pretending to be married the Kavanagh name would protect her.” He ran his fingers through his hair and stared at the horizon.
“You’re not married? Why marry her? She’s a widow bearing her husband’s child. There is nothing wrong about that.”
“It sounds simple when you say it.” He turned to face his brother. “But she and her husband took in, hid, and sent Negro boys to safety. Slavery might be over, but not everyone follows the law. Men round up these children. They automatically take all the girls, but they only take the healthiest of males. They leave the others in
the middle of nowhere to die. Heaven and her husband discovered what was happening and they took in the unwanted boys and hid them until someone else came to take them to safety. Her husband was killed a year ago and she’d been doing it on her own.”
“What?”
“The men who round up the children sell them, and they live in her town. They told Heaven to stop, and they got an Indian to have his way with her to punish her. When they saw she was carrying, they laughed. Her shame would be there for everyone to see. When I rode in, though, they were trying to kill her. I’d hate to think what would have happened to Daisy and Tim. They would have been sold most likely.”
“Unbelievable! Poor Heaven. Too bad she didn’t leave after her husband died.”
“She was determined that these boys would continue to have a place to go. I promised to set something up, a place the boys could go while they waited for the next leg to safety. I also told her she’d be safer with the Kavanagh name, and I’d give the baby my name.” He shook his head, well aware of the madness of his plan. “It sounded simple. But it’s been anything but. She’s a strong woman, but I see how much she really needs love… and then the children.”
“Just breathe. You have two choices. One, you marry her properly or two, you cut her loose and let her take her chances. I know you’re still hurting over that nurse you loved, and I’m sorry about it, but Quinn, you have to decide if it’ll be all or nothing. Little Daisy has already proven that you do have a warm heart. The rest is fear, and I don’t blame you. I didn’t care if I lived or died when Gemma refused my proposal. You know how all that went. But we had a second chance. This could be your chance at real love.”
“I need to leave for a few days and get my head straight before I hurt Heaven badly,” Quinn insisted. “I need to get Alicia, or whatever her real name was, out of my heart and mind. I can’t go back into the house until I come back. I’m sorry to put this on you.”
“You do what you have to. I have enough backup. We’ll be just fine. The camping equipment is in the barn, and I’ll have Dolly bring you some food supplies.”
Quinn: Cowboy Risk: The Kavanagh Brothers Book Two Page 5