Beyond The Horizon
Page 40
After that short exchange the tension increased, as if neither man knew what to say next. Suddenly Blade blurted out, “I love her, you know.”
“What!”
“Shannon. She and our son are more important to me than the air I breathe. They are my life. Without them I am nothing.”
Tucker’s mouth flew open. Blade Stryker hardly seemed the type to utter flowery phrases. He looked hard and tough and dangerous. But obviously Shannon had tamed the beast in him. He smiled a secret smile. The Shannon he knew was badly in need of taming herself. She had always been a headstrong termagant, but now she appeared every inch the devoted wife and mother. She and Blade seemed a perfect match, though Tucker hadn’t a doubt in his mind that when they clashed, explosions could be heard for miles around.
“I must admit I was worried when Shannon wrote that she was remaining in Wyoming and marrying a—”
“—half-breed,” Blade finished tightly.
“A man with Indian blood,” Tucker corrected. “I don’t hold that against you, not if you are half the man Shannon said you were. We heard all about you in town, Blade. And Shannon, too. You can’t imagine how proud I am of my little sister. But I’m not sorry I came to Wyoming. I had to prove to myself that Shannon is content with her life.”
“And if she weren’t?”
“I’d take her and Grady to Boise where she has a family who loves her,” Tucker said without a moment’s hesitation. “But I can see now that won’t be necessary. I read my sister very well. Shannon is happy with you, Blade, and with your life together. I’ll not interfere with that.”
“You would have had one helluva fight if you had tried to take Little Firebird and our son from me,” Blade said, his face set in hard lines.
“Little Firebird?”
“An Indian name I gave Shannon long ago. But don’t get me wrong, I respect the love Shannon shares with her family. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
“Then we understand one another perfectly,” Tucker smiled, “for I’d never interfere with your lives as long as you and Shannon love one another and are happy together.”
Tucker extended his hand. Blade hesitated only a moment before grasping it. That is how Shannon and Maggie found them when they reentered the room.
“I’m glad you and Tuck got on so well,” Shannon said later, sighing contentedly as she snuggled against Blade in their wide bed. “I’m so excited about his visit and meeting Maggie and Kevin, I don’t think I can sleep.
“Isn’t it strange how values change as one matures?” she mused thoughtfully. “At one time I thought nothing existed outside of Twin Willows. I was unable to look beyond the horizon to the future that awaited me with the man I love. No matter how special my family is, they can’t compare to you or the love we share.”
“A woman as special as you has to come from a special family. I look forward to meeting the whole clan.”
“Did you really mean what you said earlier about taking me to Boise soon?”
“If Tucker and Maggie wait until our cattle are sold next week, we can make the trip together. Would you like that?”
“Oh, Blade, you know just what to say to make me the happiest!” Shannon exclaimed joyously. “Now if you only knew how to make me sleepy,” she hinted coyly.
A wolfish grin spread over Blade’s face as he rolled over, pinning Shannon beneath him. “I know exactly how to make you sleepy.”
Later, much later, Shannon wholeheartedly agreed as she sighed in contented exhaustion and drifted off to sleep.
A LETTER FROM
THE AUTHOR
Dear Readers:
BEYOND THE HORIZON is a tribute to women. I firmly believe it wasn’t men who conquered the West, it was women. But first they had to conquer the men. Frontier women convinced Saturday-night men to stick around until Tuesday, so to speak. They would not be ruled by convention, but demanded their own way, and fought for it fiercely.
I chose Wyoming as the setting for Shannon Branigan’s story because of the state’s liberal treatment of women. Wyoming was the first in the nation to allow women to vote and hold office. The Territory in 1869 was wild, untamed, and still beset by Indians, but women braved these hazards in true pioneer spirit. Shannon’s story is a tribute to the pioneer spirit of women the world over and to the great state of Wyoming.
I know you enjoyed Tucker Branigan’s story, PROMISED SUNRISE, by Robin Lee Hatcher, and hope you liked my continuation of the Branigan saga.
I would love to hear from you. Write to me in care of my publisher. I answer every letter I receive and will send bookmark and newsletter. SASE is appreciated.
All My Romantic Best,
Connie Mason
About the Author
Connie is the bestselling author of 60 books and novellas and counting. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as in American locales. Connie has won awards from Romantic Times and has been listed in Who’s Who of American Women for several years. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Connie is a world traveler. She has visited every country in Western and Eastern Europe, Greece, Asia and Northern Africa. Also, countless islands in the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. Connie enjoys spending time with her three children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Visit her Website and www.conniemason.com.