by Tina Leonard
“Adventurous and sexy,” she said, and he decided River’s smile was the best part of his day.
“So you’ll tell me how I missed the magic wedding dress when I return?”
She nodded. “I will. I’ll be glad to spin you the yarn, though you may not believe it. Even I’m not sure I believe it. But it happened.”
“I’ll believe anything around here these days,” Tighe said, and departed with a grin.
* * *
“THE THING IS,” Tighe told his grandfather, when he’d located him in the canyon, “I want to marry River because I’m crazy about her. I love her. And we’re having children.” He straightened, realizing she’d had several tests, one of which would have probably revealed the gender of the children, which she had not shared with him. He’d have to remedy that later. “We’re having triplets, and so River needs to marry me so I can be a father and a husband. It’s going to be awesome.”
He sat on the ledge with his grandfather, gazing out at the painted canyons and listening to the soothing sound of an eagle’s cry overhead. It was peaceful here, and he had no peace inside himself. Maybe that’s why he loved the canyons so much.
“What worries me is Wolf. And all the craziness, the insanity. I get a pain in my chest when I think about him taking one of my children, or one of the other Callahan kids.” Tighe wasn’t sure how to express his worries better than he was, but his grandfather’s eyes held no judgment, no condemnation, only the patient wisdom of seeing things as they should be seen, borne of long years of experiencing life. “I hated it when Wolf was holding River.”
“She’s strong,” Running Bear said.
“Don’t I know it. Stronger than me,” Tighe freely admitted. “But that’s just the thing. She shouldn’t have to be.”
“What should River be?” Running Bear looked at him, his gaze curious.
“River should be free to be a wife and a mother. She shouldn’t have to live in fear. There may never be a day when she doesn’t worry about the babies as they grow up—that’s normal. But I don’t want her to have the extra worry of knowing Wolf is out there, waiting for us to let our guard down. It’s a lot to ask of a woman.”
Running Bear nodded. “It is. But River was strong before she came to Rancho Diablo.”
True, but what had been asked of her since she’d been here was more than an employee should have to bear. And most certainly more than a wife should have to worry about.
“You and your brothers and sister, and your cousins, all of you deserved the chance to grow up as children with no worries,” the old chief said. “We protected you, we taught you the ways. Then we prepared you for the fight. What would you say to your own children?” Running Bear’s dark eyes were patient. “Would you tell them to give up? Sell the land? Give it over to the cartel?”
Tighe hadn’t thought of it that way. “Is there no other option, no place in between, where they can just be children, and my wife can just be a wife?”
“Were you just a child with no cares? Or did you embrace the fight once you understood what was at stake?” His grandfather looked out across the undulating canyons that had been carved from time. “Why did you go to Afghanistan?”
“Because I believed in the mission. I believed in a world where people could be free,” Tighe said softly. “I believe everyone has a right to clean food, clean water and peace. I believe everyone on this planet has the right to raise their family, and love each other. And I fought for that.”
“But the price was high.”
“The price was high.” Tighe nodded. “For me, it had to be paid.”
“What would you tell your children? That they are above paying this price?”
“I don’t want my children to be afraid. I want them to live without fear of danger.”
“That is a fairy tale,” Running Bear told him. “And you don’t believe in fairy tales, or the supernatural life, or the ways that cannot be explained.”
“I believe. Not in magic,” Tighe said softly. “But I know it’s important to put my faith and trust in that which I don’t understand. But fairy tales for my children—is that wrong to want?”
“Even you do not believe in that,” Running Bear said, “so why do you want to give them a way of life you do not know?”
“Because they might get kidnapped,” Tighe confessed. “I just lost my best friend for the past three months. She’s come back with a big stomach, three of my children growing inside her, and she walked down a snowy, icy mountain to save herself. Frankly, I think that’s too much to ask.”
“Will you not ask it of her, then?” Running Bear asked.
“I have asked it of her. I’m just not sure it’s the right question to ask.”
The old chief turned to face him. “Your journey is not yet complete. It cannot be complete until you know the answers. The answers are only inside you.”
They sat companionably for a while, giving Tighe a chance to chew on that bit of chief wisdom. He couldn’t solve it all right now. He was too afraid for River and his unborn children. “So...I guess you heard about the parting gift Fiona left behind for Wolf?”
A slight shadow, which might have been a smile, passed over Running Bear’s face. “Fiona’s blood—and the blood of your parents—runs strong in your children. You must remember that. This is a family, an unbroken line, of warriors.”
He rose and disappeared. Tighe stared after his grandfather for a moment, thinking about what he’d just been told.
Great. His children would follow in the family footsteps. It was a helluva combination: the past, the future and all the magic that lay between the two.
The thought of watching his children grow up, walking in the shadows of their forefathers and relatives, brought the biggest smile to Tighe’s face. Grandfather’s right. I wouldn’t want my children to live in a fairy tale. I want them to fight the good fight.
It’s going to be epic.
I’ll hang on as hard as I can for that ride.
Chapter Nineteen
The specialist in Santa Fe ran her tests on River, and concluded the same thing she’d been told before: the babies were healthy, and so far the pregnancy was progressing normally. River smiled at Tighe as they drove back to Rancho Diablo.
“I told you there was nothing to worry about.”
He grunted. “Worry is my middle name these days.”
“I told you I took good care of myself in Montana.”
He winced. “I don’t want to think about that anymore. Can we not mention Montana?”
“That’s fine by me.” River looked out the window. She didn’t really want to talk about the time she’d spent away from Tighe, either. But it had happened, and sometimes she felt she had feelings she needed to express to someone.
She and Fiona sat and chatted about those months often. Tighe’s aunt had said they had to keep a stiff upper lip about it, that the experience would ultimately make them stronger.
“Hey, if you smile, I might tell you the gender of the babies.”
He pulled over at a roadside café and her stomach rumbled. Seemed as if she was hungry all the time now. River sighed with anticipation.
“Okay. I’m smiling,” Tighe said.
“There’s no smile on your face.” She shook her head. “I’m waiting for the real thing.”
“I smiled in Dr. Simone’s office.”
“When she told you we could still enjoy marital relations for at least another week.”
He snapped his fingers. “That’s right! I forgot!”
River laughed. “I’m pretty sure you didn’t.”
“Maybe not. You want some hot tea? Something to eat?” He checked his watch. “Pretty sure I need to keep you on a regular eating schedule.”
She sighed. “Aren’t you even curious about what the sexes of the babies are?”
“No. We’re having boys.” He picked up her hand, pressed a kiss to her fingertips. “Is that what you’re just dying to tell me?”
�
��We’re not having three boys.”
“Three girls?” A smile spread across his face—finally.
River kissed him. “Not exactly.”
He held up his hands. “I don’t want to know.”
“You don’t?”
“I’ll know in two months—at the earliest. But I’m going to do everything I can to carry you around on a cushion and get you to relax so my children stay in that nice, soft tummy of yours as long as possible.” He looked at River, his smile turning sexy. “Listen, if you’re not hungry, if you can wait until we get to Rancho Diablo for some of Fiona’s snacks, there’s no reason to eat diner food.”
“What’s on your mind?” River asked suspiciously.
“It just occurred to me that if we only have another week to make love, there’s no time to waste.”
“Then I’ll wait to eat at Fiona’s.”
“That’s my girl. Let’s see if I can break some sound barriers getting home. By the way,” Tighe said casually, “Running Bear said that he’d be happy to bless our union today, if you want.”
River blinked. “Today?”
“Sure. There’s no reason to wait, is there? Especially if the babies arrive sooner than later. February is too soon, in my opinion, because you’ll only be eight months along, but the babies may be eager to see the world. I want us to be married when they decide to check out of your beautiful body.”
River swallowed. “All right.”
“All right?” He glanced at her. “We don’t have to get married today, if you don’t want to.”
“Of course I want to.” She looked at Tighe, feeling a bit shy. “I was just hoping to have a wedding like the other Callahan women. You know, guests, cake, magic wedding dress. All that bridal stuff. I didn’t think I wanted it before, but now I feel it would be nice.”
“I don’t think we should wait to plan a big wedding. That could take months, and to hear Dr. Simone tell it, you won’t be moving around too much for a while.”
“I know. All right. Tomorrow is our wedding day.” She smiled at Tighe, and he kissed her hand and drove toward Rancho Diablo.
River looked out the window and wished she could wear the magic wedding dress just one more time. When she’d put it on to escape from Wolf, she hadn’t seen her dream man, her one true love. There’d been no vision, no visitation of a princely variety.
Maybe the Callahan women played up the myth.
It would be just like them to work that story for all it was worth. Of course. That’s what it was, nothing more than a fairy tale.
A marriage wasn’t born of fairy tales.
Then again, maybe she should try the gown on just one more time. Fiona had taken it from her when she’d gotten home, saying that the black pants and top and boots needed to have some TLC to put the magic back to rights. River wasn’t certain how one put a magical dress “back to rights,” but nevertheless, Fiona had seemed confident.
And River wanted to be married in the dress.
I’ll ask Fiona if I can borrow it one more time. I just have to know if the magic wedding dress will turn into black fatigues again—or if I was ever meant to wear a lovely gown.
Suddenly she realized why she hadn’t seen Tighe when she’d put the gown on. Tighe was nervous. He was nervous about the babies, too—he didn’t want to know the sex. Didn’t want to let her out of his sight—because she might get kidnapped again. Didn’t want to wait to get married, because she might go into labor sooner than later.
She eyed him as he drove. Lover, you’re going to have to get a grip.
If I have to wear black fatigues in lieu of a wedding gown, you’ll have to suck it up, too.
* * *
RUNNING BEAR CAME by the next day, his face reflecting its usual inscrutability. Tighe considered his grandfather. “This is your wedding face?”
“There are men in the canyons.”
“Men?” Tighe glanced at the den to make sure River was far enough away that she couldn’t hear Running Bear’s warning. “Like, Wolf’s men?”
“It seems so.”
“I guess they have no place else to go, after Aunt Fiona’s little party favor.”
Running Bear nodded. “No doubt he is angry.”
A lightbulb went on for Tighe. “You think Fiona may be in danger.”
“I think we shouldn’t overlook any possibility.”
“All right.” He took a deep breath. “Christmas is in three weeks. We’ll send Fiona to Hell’s Colony in Texas after Christmas.”
“Tomorrow,” Running Bear said.
Tighe had been reaching for a cup to offer his grandfather some tea, but now he hesitated. “You’re really concerned.”
“There is no need to trouble ourselves over this if we stay one step ahead.”
“That is not going to go over well with the redoubtable aunt.” He met the chief’s gaze. “I’ll tell her after you bless River’s and my marriage today.”
Running Bear nodded. “River must go, too.”
Tighe blinked. “Oh, she’s not going to like that.”
“The risk is great.”
He poured a cup of tea and put a couple of chocolate chip cookies on a plate, pushing it across the counter for his grandfather, who seated himself with an appreciative nod. “I see your point. It makes sense. But River believes she can take care of herself. She’s always been strong, maybe stronger than most men. I don’t think she’ll go.”
Running Bear nodded. “It will be hard to convince her.”
Tighe went and looked out a kitchen window, staring at the snow and the icicles limning the roofs of the barns and bunkhouse. “I’ll tell her after you bless us, Grandfather.”
“I will take her and Fiona to Hell’s Colony tomorrow. You stay here on post.”
Tighe nodded. “Thank you.” He wanted River and his babies to be safe. He didn’t want her to leave, but at the same time, he couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering another kidnapping or attack. He wanted her to relax and enjoy her pregnancy, which she hadn’t been able to do yet.
He went to find River.
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER, Tighe could barely believe his good fortune when River held his hand in front of their family and listened as Running Bear spoke the ceremonial words. Tears jumped into Tighe’s eyes as he slipped a beautiful ring—three carats to represent their three babies—on his bride’s finger.
“You’re beautiful, wife.”
She smiled. “You’re a handsome groom, husband.”
They fed each other blue cornmeal, and then it was over. Fiona rushed to hug River. “Congratulations! A new Callahan bride.” She hugged her nephew. “I’m so happy for you!”
“Thank you, Aunt Fiona.” He felt a tiny bit guilty. Neither River nor Fiona knew that tomorrow they’d be living in Hell’s Colony in the Phillips’ compound. Still, he smiled, feeling over the moon that he was finally a husband.
He and River would spend a honeymoon night together, and then she would leave. He knew it was for the best, but that didn’t make it any easier.
He went to kiss his bride. “I hope you’re not too disappointed that you couldn’t wear the magic wedding dress. But you’re still beautiful.”
She glanced down at the velvety, cream-colored chemise Ash had brought from the wedding shop. He thought River was gorgeous, but he knew she’d wanted to wear the fabled gown. It couldn’t be helped; Fiona said the magic wedding dress was out of commission at the moment, whatever that meant. Maybe the thing had sputtered out of magic. He didn’t care—he had his sexy bride in his arms.
“I’m slightly disappointed.” She smiled up at him. “But I’m a very happy wife.”
“That’s the way I want my woman.”
“You realize you sound terrible overbearing when you call me your woman.”
He smiled down at her, touching her soft, whiskey-colored hair. “I am no-holds-barred overbearing.”
“What if I called you my man?”
“I wouldn’
t think you were overbearing at all.” He kissed her again, loving that he could do this as often as he wanted. “I’m the happiest man on the planet.”
She put her head on his chest, then looked up at him again. “By the way, I heard you and Running Bear talking in the kitchen.”
He perked up, recognizing trouble. “Oh?”
“Yes, I did. And I just think you should know that I have no intention of leaving this house. Or you. I’ll be staying right here, with my man.” She giggled, and Tighe shook his head.
I knew this was exactly how that conversation was going to go.
Truthfully, he was glad, even though he knew he should press River to leave.
He’d been without her too long to give her up now.
* * *
TIGHE WASN’T GOING to say fear hadn’t become a part of his life, because it was now. He stewed every second he was away from River, and she gave him grief about it when he was with her. He wanted to set a guard on her.
She refused.
He suggested having Sawyer come back to watch her, saying that Isaiah and Carlos could be folded into the huge family gathered in Hell’s Colony.
She pooh-poohed that and told Tighe not to dare.
There was no one left here except for Jace, Galen, Ash and himself. Everyone had taken their families to enjoy the Christmas holidays in Texas. Burke and Fiona had packed plenty of cookies and casseroles in the freezer for them and Fiona had left plenty of instructions for River to take care of herself.
There were plenty of hands around to help out, and some foremen to ride fence, but as for keeping an eye out for trouble, Tighe couldn’t say he was entirely comfortable. It never really felt like the holidays to him. He was just glad to have his wife home, reclining in the occasional puddle of sunshine that shone through the window, illuminating her and the pretty Christmas tree Fiona had put up before she left.
But his grandfather’s warning was never far from his mind.
Chapter Twenty
It seemed winter would never end. The holidays had been quiet events. Now it felt as if they were hibernating, stuck in a snow globe. Tighe felt restless, caged, and he knew River surely had to feel the same. She’d kept very still—doctor’s orders—since early December. Actually, ever since their wedding night, which was the last time he’d been able to make love to her.