Quinn: Cowboy Risk: The Kavanagh Brothers Book Two

by Ball, Kathleen

  “Just think, Daisy, you’re still the only girl around. You know everyone adores you. They’ll want to hold the baby, of course, but I think your smile is such that a person can’t look away.”

  Daisy smiled. “I’m bootifil.” She grabbed Quinn around his neck kissing his check and choking him at the same time.

  “When can we see our mama?” Tim sounded impatient.

  “Let’s eat while she gets changed into a fresh nightgown.” Quinn managed to pry Daisy’s hand from his neck, and he held her as he stood. “What are we having?”

  “Whatever I’m making!” Teagan yelled from the kitchen.

  Quinn smiled and set Daisy down. Teagan walked to him and gave him one heck of a hug. “Congratulations, Quinn.”

  “Thank you. I’m a little overwhelmed, but I’m sure it will pass.”

  “I need to flip the flapjacks.”

  Quinn gazed at his brothers’ happy faces. Alicia and Arnold were nowhere to be seen. “I thought Alicia was making breakfast.”

  Murphy laughed. “She would only make breakfast for you and her and her boy. No one else.”

  Quinn blinked twice. “What?”

  Fitzpatrick started laughing too. “I guess she doesn’t know what a family is.”

  “Maybe we scare her?” Angus said.

  “Where did she go? If she was going to be that way, why didn’t she just stay at the house?” Quinn shook his head.

  Alicia was so different from what he remembered. She was still beautiful, but what had happened to offering caring and kindness and love? He’d been such a fool not to see how selfish she truly was. Had he really thought they’d be married? Her explanation of why she’d left wasn’t quite believable. He had checked with the other hospitals, but no one had ever heard of her… unless maybe she changed her name again. And he never had been able to get her to give him the name of the elderly woman she had worked for. Another dead end. So why him and why now? There must be some other fools she could force a son on. He took a deep breath, struggling with his emotions. He needed to remember that Arnold was an innocent in all this. Was she wanted or running from the law? Maybe she already had a husband. If only she’d just tell the truth, he’d be willing to help.

  “What did you name the baby?” Sullivan asked.

  “Heaven needs to figure that out. If she wants help, she’ll ask for it. Right now, she just needs a rest. I’m sure you’ll all be able to see the baby in a little while.”

  Quinn smiled as he watched Tim and Daisy eat flapjacks. They’d need some cleaning up before they saw their mama. A lump formed in his throat. Children were a lot of responsibility and he hoped with God’s help he’d be able to do right by them.

  The front door opened, and little Arnold ran into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Quinn’s legs.

  “Well how ya doing, bud? Did your mom make you something to eat?”

  Alicia walked in and gave him a bright smile. “Of course, I fed him. We came by to see the new baby. Where is it?” She pretended to look around.

  “The baby is with his mama. I was just about to take Tim and Daisy up to see her and the baby.”

  “Aren’t you forgetting someone?” She stared at him.

  “Oh no, he did not.” Dolly came down the stairs. “Heaven asked to see Tim, Daisy, and Quinn.”

  “But surely…”

  Dolly shook her head. “That baby is of no relation to you or your child. I’m sure Arnold can see the baby later. Now I will get a cup of tea and put my feet up for a while.” Dolly hustled into the kitchen.

  Tim and Daisy ran toward Quinn. “Wait, let me see your hands.” Both children but their hands out for Quinn to see. “Looks good to me, let’s go. Now, I want you to remain calm and speak softly while we’re up there visiting your mother and the new baby. Your mama is probably very tired, so we won’t stay long.” He took both of them by the hand and let them up the stairs.

  Quinn opened the bedroom door and stared. Daisy and Tim went into the room, but Quinn felt transfixed by the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. Heaven was feeding their son and the look of joy on her face was one he’d never seen before.

  “Quinn are you going to stand there or are you coming in?” Heaven asked with a chuckle.

  Quinn stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “How are you feeling?”

  “Tired, but it’s a good tired. I worried so about this baby, and here he is just perfect. It looks as though I won’t be able to go anywhere for a while. I don’t want you think you are saddled with us. I’ve always been capable, so I’m not afraid.”

  “He wrinkly,” Daisy blurted.

  “He sure is little. I guess we won’t be playing tag with him anytime soon,” Tim added.

  “Babies seem to grow fast.” Heaven patted the bed. “Come sit next to me so you can get a better look at your brother.”

  Quinn helped Daisy onto the bed next to her mama. “He’s a handsome boy that’s for sure. I’m thankful that you are both fine.”

  “Are you his daddy?” Tim asked with his eyes narrowed.

  Quinn smiled and gazed into Heaven’s eyes. He was surprised to see a speck of a question in them. She certainly wasn’t very trusting.

  “Of course I’m his daddy, just like I’m your daddy and I’m Daisy’s daddy. I think we make a nice family. What do you think?”

  Tim seemed to mull his answer over in his mind. Finally, he nodded. “Well you are a good daddy. You know how to stop Daisy from crying, and you have lots of brothers who like to fish. Plus, I can’t wait to learn to ride a horse. But best of all, Mama likes you.”

  Quinn had to blink back the moisture that formed in his eyes. “Why, thank you, that was quite the endorsement.” He gazed at Heaven. “Have you thought of a name for this little one?”

  Tim brightened. “I like the name Jasper. I once had a turtle named Jasper. Or how about Bandit? It’s been a good name for the horse. Oh, I’ve got it let’s name him Quinn number two!”

  Heavens lips twitched as she locked gazes with Quinn. “Those are very good suggestions Tim, I will take them into consideration. What about you Daisy? Do you have any suggestions?”

  “Cave and Baby.”

  “Those are good suggestions too,” Heaven said as she nodded.

  “What were you thinking of naming him?” Quinn asked.

  “I just don’t know. I was thinking maybe Owen. It was my father’s name. What do you think?” She’d finished nursing the baby and was trying to get him to burp.

  Quinn sat on the bed and put his arms out for the baby boy. “Owen is a good name. I like it.” He smiled when Heaven put Owen into his arms. Everything about the baby was tiny, from his nose to his toes and all the parts in between. He didn’t look Indian, at least not yet, and Quinn wasn’t going to mention that. “He is a little miracle. Heaven, we are blessed, and I don’t want to hear about you leaving. We are a family and families stay together.”

  She nodded, but she didn’t look convinced.

  Chapter Fourteen

  It had been three-and-a-half weeks, and Heaven was at her wits’ end. She didn’t begrudge Arnold one bit, but Alicia was pushing her and she didn’t like it. When was she going to leave? Had she even told Quinn why she was here? Alicia acted as though she hated Owen, and she didn’t hide it. She never crossed the line, but she came close. Alicia always had an outing planned for herself, Arnold, Quinn, Tim, and Daisy. She kept telling Heaven that she needed to rest, which meant staying home alone.

  There were plenty of times Quinn just said no, but there were also many times when the children begged him to go. Alicia had taken to letting them in on her plans before putting them to Quinn so they would grow excited at the prospects of these outings. And Heaven couldn’t help yourself. She kept looking for signs that Quinn was attracted to Alicia. He hadn’t mentioned marriage since before the baby was born. But Heaven wasn’t without allies. Dolly, Gemma, Teagan, and Sullivan all wanted Alicia to leave. Fitzpatrick had gone into town
a couple of weeks back and sent out telegrams trying to find out who Alicia really was. So far there had been no answers.

  Heaven no longer shared a bed with Quinn, and every night was lonely and oh so cold. He lingered each evening, and they talked, but eventually they had to say good night. It was strange almost as though the topic of Alicia was to be avoided. Heaven was waiting for Quinn to bring it up. Maybe he didn’t want the special feeling they had when they were alone to be interrupted.

  Owen was doing nicely. He was such a good baby, and he loved Quinn. If she couldn’t get him to stop fussing, Quinn could. It was a joy to see Quinn with her children.

  Quinn stuck his head outside and asked if she needed anything.

  “No, I’m just enjoying the sunrise in peace. Why don’t you grab your coffee and join me?”

  Quinn gave her a lazy grin and nodded before he closed the door.

  Out of the corner by she thought she saw someone running with the rifle. She looked again but there was no movement. A chill went through her and she had a bad feeling. Quickly, she opened the door and got inside locking it behind her.

  She put the baby in the cradle and grabbed one of the rifles from over the fireplace mantel. As she was checking see if it was loaded Quinn spotted her.

  “Is there something going on that I should know about?”

  “I think I saw someone running through the woods with a rifle. I couldn’t find him again, but I have a feeling he’s out there. I always feel better with a rifle in my hands. I will keep watch out the front window.”

  Quinn nodded, already grabbing another rifle from over the mantel. “I’ll get Teagan and the rest of the boys. I trust your intuition. Make sure you stay down and don’t make yourself a target.”

  She crawled to the window and looked out from the very bottom corner. They had come for her. She just knew it. And if anyone got hurt, it would be her fault. She stood, took a deep breath and walked to the door. She was just about to unlock it when Teagan came into the room.

  “Whoa, what you think you’re doing?”

  “I’m doing what I must to protect my family. This isn’t the first time I’ve met these people on a porch. I’m not afraid of them anymore.” Her bravado was undermined by the quiver in her voice.

  “I’ll take that rifle away if I have to,” Teagan threatened. “You have children who need you, depend on you. I can’t let anything happen to you. Why don’t you go upstairs with Gemma, Dolly and the children?”

  “I’m good with the rifle.”

  Quinn came into the room and scowled at her. “Owen is down here he could get hurt. I know you think this is your fight but honey we’re your family now.”

  Before she could answer him, the rest of the Kavanagh brothers piled, each collecting ammunition for their weapons. They were a small army; they really didn’t need her. She went to Quinn and handed him her rifle. Next, she reached up and pulled his head down so she could kiss him. It was the longest kiss they’d ever shared.

  Taking her rifle back, she grabbed up Owen and went flying up the stairs. No sooner had she put Owen into his cradle, than Quinn yelled out that all was clear. Heaven exchanged troubling glances with Gemma.

  “Heaven, if you could come down here please, it would be most appreciated,” Quinn yelled up the stairs.

  With the rifle still in hand Heaven walked down. Some of the Kavanagh brothers had glints in their eyes. Then she saw him, the man who had attacked her, the man who had fathered her child. Her first instinct was to spit in his face, but she had been raised better than that. She quickly went to Quinn’s side and looked up at him questions racing through her mind but refusing to be put into words.

  She welcomed Quinn’s arm as he put it over her shoulder.

  “This is him, isn’t it?” Quinn asked.

  Heaven couldn’t stop her body from shaking as she nodded. She stared into the Indian’s black eyes, afraid to know why he was there.

  “My son is fine, yes?” He spoke quietly. “You have a nice home. I just wanted to be sure he was fine. No one will bother you again. You have my word.”

  Not knowing what to do, she nodded in silence and held onto Quinn’s hand. Somehow, she expected to an apology, but soon realized there would not be one.

  “Yes, my son is well,” she finally said, allowing a bit of defiance to come through.

  “I’ll go now. You won’t see me again. Raise my son to be brave and honorable.” He walked out the door.

  Quinn took the rifle out of Heaven’s hand and set it down. Next, he took her into his arms and held her close. “I don’t think we’ll see him again. I believe him. It’s good to know we won’t have to look over our shoulders for those men anymore.”

  “He knows where we live,” murmured Heaven, unable to shake off a sense of apprehension. “Do you really think he’ll stay away?”

  “He could have brought the others if he wanted to. But he came alone. We’ll have our men be on guard, but I have a feeling he’ll keep the others, the bad men away.” Quinn nodded in reassurance as his voice grew stronger in conviction. “He looked right proud when I told him it was a boy. Something in him seemed to… care. Even if we tried to go after him now, we’d never find him. I think we can breathe easier.”

  Dolly and Gemma poured coffee as if it was just another day, and Heaven calmed in the wake of the normal routine.

  “I’ll have breakfast rustled up for you all right quick,” Dolly said with a smile.

  Quinn seated Heaven and gave her shoulder a slight squeeze.

  “Oh, my children! I left the children upstairs,” Heaven said as she started to stand. How could she have forgotten them?

  “I’ll take care of them,” Gemma offered. A shy smile lit her features. “After all, I need to practice.”

  She was up the stairs before it sank in. Heaven turned to Quinn. “She’s with child,” she murmured, and she and Quinn exchanged happy smiles.

  The room filled with cheers and words of congratulations as the brothers surrounded Teagan, with hugs and a few good-natured slaps on the back.

  Dolly rushed in from the kitchen with tears in her eyes. She went to Teagan and hugged him for a very long time. Finally, she let go. “I never thought to see the day… I just am so happy… Imagine Teagan is going to be a father.” With a sniff and a dash of her hand across her tear-streaked cheeks, she scurried back into the kitchen, mumbling something about burned eggs.

  It was turning out to be a fine morning indeed, Heaven decided with a sigh of contentment. There was only one person on the ranch who could ruin things, and the door burst open just as that thought crossed Heaven’s mind.

  Alicia raced into the house shrieking about being scalped by an Indian. She stalked over to Heaven and stood toe to toe with her, pointing her finger right in Heaven’s face. “This is your fault. Don’t think you pulled the wool over my eyes. I know that baby up there—” she jerked her head toward the ceiling, indicating the upstairs “—isn’t Quinn’s, and it’s not your dead husband’s either—if you ever had a husband in the first place.”

  Heaven stiffened and narrowed her eyes at the other woman but otherwise refused to show any reaction.

  Shaking with emotion, Alicia continued to spew venom. “I just knew it. Did the Indian want to take the boy with him? That would be the best thing to do.” Alicia stared hard at Heaven.

  “I’m afraid you have everything wrong, Alicia,” said Quinn, his voice calm and quiet but with a hard edge underneath. “That is my son upstairs. I don’t want to hear another word about it. Do you understand?”

  The tension in the room grew. If anyone should go, it should be Alicia. How long was the blasted woman staying anyway? Heaven sighed, supposing that would be up to Quinn.

  “Where’s Arnold?” Sullivan asked. “You didn’t leave him behind, did you?”

  “I figured he’d be safer in the house.” She subjected them all to scathing glances and then, with a huff, she trounced out.

  Heaven was glad she wa
s gone, but it still didn’t answer her question of when she was leaving for good. Did she dare broach the subject to Quinn? After she finished her coffee, she went upstairs to see the children and to give Gemma a great big hug.

  “I’m so excited for you, and of course Teagan,” she gushed. “How long have you known? How have you been feeling?”

  Gemma chuckled. “I’ve known for a couple months, but I just told Teagan a week ago, and now you all know. Mornings are unpredictable, I’m afraid. Some days I’m sick to my stomach, and other days I’m fine. Just very excited and eager to become a mother.”

  “You will be a great one,” Heaven assured her with one more hug.

  The rest of the day was quiet, but Heaven couldn’t seem to put aside her uneasiness. She spent a great part of the day on the porch staring into the woods. Why would that Indian give up his child so easily? Did he not have a family he could take the baby to? Quinn had said he seemed to care… Then how could he walk away? Had he walked away? In many ways she was now more frightened than she had been while living alone with her children.

  The front door opened, and without looking, she knew it was Quinn.

  He stepped outside and with slow steps she barely heard, he came up behind her and wrapped his loving arms around her. He said nothing for the longest time, and she leaned back knowing with certainty that she loved him.

  “You’ve looked pensive and anxious all day. Is there anything I can say or do to ease your fear?”

  “No, there isn’t.” She sighed and leaned against him. “I wish I could just take it all at face value, but I can’t. I do draw comfort in the fact that what you have equates to a small army. Your brothers are quick to take action.”

  Quinn chuckled and gave her a squeeze. “I have never seen anyone as quick as you.”

  She took a deep breath and shook her head. “I know what he’s capable of. I know how hurtful and torturous he can be. There’s no conscience behind his cold eyes. I don’t think he’ll be back while Owen is young, but I have the feeling he’ll be back. I don’t trust that man. I’ve been uneasy all day. All I want is my serenity back.”