Ten

He froze. “It’s me. Duel.”

The faint scrape of a match sounded, then muted light illuminated the room. Jessie clutched the curtain partition as if it could shield her from attack. No doubt she hid her state of undress. The thought of bare skin made him uncomfortable.

From where he stood, disquiet and suspicion colored her eyes a deep indigo. He wished for a split second that he’d waited until morning.

“Sorry I woke you, Jessie. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He spoke to the toe of his boot, not daring to raise his gaze lest he encounter a chance peek through a thin night rail. “Go back to bed.”

“Did you forget something? Are you ill?”

“Came to get some food. I found a hungry, wounded dog in the barn.”

She dropped the curtain, and he was shocked to find her fully dressed. Did she distrust him that much?

“A dog? Is he hurt bad?” Instant concern replaced her apparent unease.

“Afraid so. Can’t tell exactly because the poor thing won’t let me near him, but he’s covered in blood. I just came to get some food. Thought that might calm him enough to look.”

Jessie bent to pick up her shoes. “I’m coming with you.”

No more than five minutes later, Duel followed her swishing skirts into the barn. Jessie gasped when she entered the stall and found the shivering dog cowering in the corner.

“It’s all right, fellow. We’re here now.” She knelt quietly. “You poor thing. Mama’s here.”

Duel wasn’t surprised to find unshed tears turning her blue eyes into liquid pools. She recognized pain and suffering. She should. She’d certainly experienced more than her fair share of both.

“Cut off a piece of that venison for me, please.”

Amazement swept over him when the retriever took the meat from her hand, then licked her fingers. And he was even more astonished when the dog let her examine him. Full of pride, Duel leaned back and watched. His lady was a miracle worker.

In the next hour, Jessie hand-fed the animal, cleaned its wounds, and with his help, bound the badly cut foreleg. Now wrapped warmly in a blanket, the dog dozed.

“Do you think someone beat him?” A half sob caught in her voice.

“Sure looks that way. If he’d fought with another animal, the gashes would’ve had jagged edges. These were smooth and clean.”

Her chin trembled as she fought to keep control. “Why? It’s so senseless.”

“Who knows.” His jaw clenched. He suspected the dog’s condition wasn’t the only reason for her emotion. “Jessie…keep looking forward when the pain of looking back becomes too great.”

Duel yearned to hold her close, to tell her the monsters of the world were few in number, to assure her he’d never let anyone do that to her again. The light kissed her hair, creating a breathtaking red-and-gold rainbow. He inhaled deeply, reminding himself of his pledge.

It didn’t help. Her fresh fragrance intoxicated him. Nothing would give him greater pleasure than to cradle her in his arms. Unaware of the direction of his thoughts, Jessie shifted, and their shoulders rubbed companionably. A groan slipped from his throat.

“Are you all right?”

Except for the fact that the feelings yanking him inside out weren’t the least bit the brotherly kind? Other than that, he reckoned he had few complaints.

“Merely yawning’s all.”

“Do you think we can leave him?” Worry clouded her eyes.

“You forget I’ll be sleeping only a few feet away. Besides, Yellow Dog’ll be just fine. He’s a survivor.” Just like you, he added silently as Jessie accepted his hand, letting him pull her upright.

“Guess I’ll go back to bed, then.” She stretched, and the movement thrust her breasts outward, straining against the confining fabric.

Holy Moses! Indecent images danced in his head. How much temptation did she think one man could stand? Quickly, he turned away before he undid all the trust he’d gained.

“Marley might wake up.” The sooner she left, the better he’d feel. But he wanted an answer to a nagging question first. “Jessie, why do you feel the need to sleep in your clothes?”

“This and the tattered dress I wore when I left the Diamond J that night are all I have.”

What a dolt, he cursed himself. A man shouldn’t need reminding to provide for his wife. Womenfolk required much more than men. How could a thing like that have slipped his mind?

“The trunks are full of Annie’s clothes. Guess I assumed you’d make them useful until we can afford your own.”

“I’d never touch anything that wasn’t mine unless you gave me leave.”

“I’m telling you now. Don’t know if they’ll even fit, but you’re welcome to use them. Just for a while. I promise. My wife won’t always have to wear a dead woman’s hand-me-downs.”

“Thank you.” Jessie started for the barn door when he stopped her.

“I appreciate what you did tonight.”

Questions in her eyes revealed confusion when she faced him. She flicked her top lip with the end of her tongue, making his belly knot with a want he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

“I only did what needed to be done, nothing more.”

How little did she know. She’d shown him that getting to heaven meant going through hell and that the journey was well worth the price.

“You’re quite a woman, Jessie McClain.”

Before he could stop, before he could weigh the consequences, before he surely burst with need, he bent and gently kissed her forehead.

* * *

Duel headed for the fields at daybreak. He needed to get these crazy fancies out of his system. Hard, backbreaking work might cure him. A small part of him felt as if he were betraying his love for Annie, and on the opposite side of the coin, he’d vowed to cleave unto Jessie in sickness and in health, forsaking all others. That meant the dead ones as well as the living.

He sighed deeply. That sacred oath created turmoil. He had some serious thinking to do. Right now, avoiding those Wedgwood-blue eyes seemed the most prudent thing to do.

Yellow Dog had disappeared by the time he awakened, leaving an empty blanket behind. Perhaps the animal felt the need to move on. One thing for sure, Yellow Dog and Jessie shared a common bond. All he could do for either was let them know he cared, then back up and give them space.

Maybe in time Jessie would come to him. Or at least meet him halfway. Tackling a large tree stump with a vengeance, he didn’t know anyone was near until he heard a voice. “Son of a gun! Why, if it ain’t my long-lost brother after all.”

He threw down the shovel and whirled. “Luke!”

* * *

Heaviness weighed on Jessie’s chest as she watched Duel from the window. That he hadn’t come inside for coffee gave her reason to think he was avoiding her. In the dead of night they’d shared compassion and grief…and tenderness. Did he regret that tenderness now?

Marley Rose tugged on her skirt, jabbering in baby talk. Jessie lifted the child and kissed her cheek. In the dead of night, her Texan had offered solace and real affection. And in the light of day, all she and Duel seemed to have in common was hard work and the love of a little girl.

Almost with a will of its own, her hand rose to touch her forehead. The imprint of his lips against her skin had left a brand of its own. Same as that first night, she hadn’t been prepared for the gentleness of his touch. Nor for her own response. It hadn’t frightened her. Just the opposite. Strangely, her body seemed to thirst for more contact. The warmth of a touch had become something she’d forgotten in her years with Jeremiah.

While busy sorting her thoughts, she hadn’t seen the horse and rider appear. Her first glance came when the man dismounted. She watched Duel turn, and even from the distance, she thought she saw a smile cover his face.

Though she strained, she couldn’t make out the identity of the tall figure with Duel. From the way they slapped each other on the back, she knew they must be friends. Foreboding rose slowly until it strangled her with overpowering force. She didn’t know the man’s identity, but she knew he spelled trouble.

Just then, Walt rounded the bend in the road on Preacher.

He didn’t stop at the barn, instead met the two men in the field.

The strange man grabbed the reins of his horse, and the trio walked toward the house. Her pulse went into a tizzy.

“Marley, honey, you’re going to have to get down and play.”

“Pa.”

“Yes, honey, your papa’s coming.”

The child looked at her curiously when she propped the looking glass on the window sill and smoothed her hair. A quick glance let her know the men paused at the barn to take the horses inside. She’d have a few minutes.

Despite Duel telling her to wear Annie’s clothes, she hadn’t had the time or inclination to go through them yet. The gray poplin would have to do for now. She smoothed what wrinkles she could and scooted to the kitchen where she donned an apron.

Duel and the stranger traded poking jabs at each other as they entered. The energy of their play filling the room reminded her of little boys’ antics. Her smile died when she glimpsed the badge pinned on the stranger’s chest.

A Texas Ranger!

Despair and regret sank beneath swirling black water like a giant ship scuttled by a cannonball. Too bad they wouldn’t get to do things Duel’s way. Seemed they’d run out of time. What hope did she have now of righting the wrong and clearing her name?

“Confound it, boys. Didn’t I always tell you to take your wrasslin’ outdoors?” Walt McClain swatted harmlessly at both men. However, the pleased look on the old man’s face belied his stern words.

One thing didn’t fit. Why was Duel acting so friendly to a man who could destroy their very lives? A sharp sword chopped off the head of her rosy dream. The life she’d tasted briefly vanished before her eyes.

“Sorry, Pop, you sure did.” Duel gave his companion, who equaled him in height, one more jab in the ribs before he became serious. “But there’s just one problem here—this isn’t your house.”

“Smart-assed whippersnappers. That’s all an old man got for his trouble.” Walt lifted his newest granddaughter and swung her in the air. Delighted squeals filled the kitchen.

Duel ignored the good-natured dressing down and met her questioning gaze. “Jessie, meet my brother, Luke. This is my wife, and that little girl over yonder is Marley Rose.”

“Pleasure, ma’am.” Luke offered his hand.

Her mind in a tumultuous whirlwind, Jessie couldn’t refuse the gesture without seeming rude. Duel’s brother…a Texas Ranger? The man could end her charade in a heartbeat, and he’d come into their home under guise of family. How much did Luke know? How much would he care if bringing her to justice split their marriage, not to mention her heart, in two?

What God has joined together let no man put asunder. The minister had so ordered. Didn’t that pertain to a brother-in-law Texas Ranger?

“I wish I could say my husband’s spoken of you, but that would be a lie.” Jessie broke the handshake, sending Duel an accusing glare.

Luke grinned. “Most likely didn’t want to own up to it, ain’t that right, big brother?”

“Most likely.”

“And who did you say the little lady was that Pop’s got?” Luke made no secret of his curiosity.

Duel reached for Marley, who fell into his arms excitedly. “Meet Marley Rose, the apple of Pop’s, mine, and Jessie’s eye. The cutest little girl in the whole state of Texas.”

“Whew! When you decide to change your life, you sure do it in a big way, don’cha, Duel? Vicky telegraphed news of your wedding. Didn’t say anything about a daughter, though.”

That explained it. Leave it to her meddling sister-in-law to send the lawman to her door. At that moment, Jessie cursed every telegraph line stretching across the West.

“Pa pa.” Marley laid her head on Duel’s shoulder and peeked shyly at Luke.

Dark aggravation flashed on Duel’s face. “Marley Rose ain’t my daughter.”

“Now, I distinctly heard her call you Papa.”

Botheration! Luke’d certainly acquired the same bull-headed tenacity of his sister. She wondered if the McClain family harbored any more offspring. Before the day ended, she’d find out. Gray would color her hair soon if these surprises kept showing up.

Sympathy for Duel’s awkward tangle soothed her jumpy nerves. Jessie rescued her husband for a change.

“Please, sit down. I’ve made some hot coffee and homemade biscuits. Let me throw some salt pork in the skillet. I know starving men when I see them.”

Walt grabbed a chair. “Don’t hafta ask me twice, dearie.”

That’s what she liked about Walt McClain. From the start, the man’s affection made her feel warm and comfortable inside. She felt especially grateful for it today.

“Me neither, ma’am.” Luke followed his father’s lead.

Four cups and the pot of coffee gave Jessie a place to put her nervous energy. Every time she chanced a glance in Luke’s direction, she found his gaze glued to her. She wondered.

“Duel, you caught yourself a mighty handsome woman. Jessie, did you say?”

Luke’s slow drawl magnified her suspicions. Jessie held her breath, waiting for more. The muscle in Duel’s jaw clenched. She knew he was more annoyed than he let himself show.

“That’s her name.”

“Whooee, don’t he sound as possessive as a bona fide bridegroom?” Luke winked at his father. “Wondered how Jessie managed to lasso you to the altar,” he continued, “bein’ how set you’d been against it.”

“That the Ranger talking or my brother?”

Luke held up both hands in self-defense. “Hey, don’t get upset at me. You should have known we’d all be dying to know the circumstances, given your past behavior. Nothing more than healthy interest is all.”

“I won’t abide no squabblin’ at Jessie’s table. You hear, boys?” Walt gave them both a baleful glower.

“Besides, if I don’t take all the details back with me, ol’ Bart’ll skin me alive. You remember him, don’cha, Duel?”

“I remember. Nothing much to tell. I met Jessie, asked her to marry me, she said yes. End of story.”

“I’m certainly glad you covered all the finer points.” Sarcasm dripped from Luke’s voice. “Now I can carry that back to El Paso, and Sheriff Daniels can…”

The cup slipped from Jessie’s cold hands and shattered on the floor, the same way her life was crashing around her feet. “How clumsy of me. I’ll have this cleaned up in two shakes.”

She met Duel’s anguished concern as he knelt to help.

“I’m sorry,” he mouthed silently.

“Help me,” she whispered for his ears only.

“You know what’s weird as hell?” Luke continued his speculation as if everyone still sat at the table. “I came this way tracking a woman named Jessie. How’s that for coincidence?”

“You don’t say, son.” Walt’s interest spurred Luke on.

“A woman named Jessie Foltry of the Diamond J ranch. She killed her husband and vamoosed. I didn’t catch your previous last name, sister-in-law.”