Thirty-one

The struggle to contain giddy laughter took all she had as Lara embraced the heated, rosy glow inside.

Houston frowned. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, sweetheart. Nothing at all.” She laid down the wet cloth that was stained with blood. “Just thinking about something those women next to us said.”

“What do you think about them?”

“They seemed awfully odd at first,” Lara answered. “The idea of four women married to the same man. But they’re most warm and gracious.”

“Hiram’s got it made. Four wives at his beck and call. A different one every night to warm his bed.” A mischievous light came into Houston’s eyes. “I might try that.”

“You do and you’ll find me gone, cowboy.” She didn’t smile.

He ran a finger across her lips. “Do I detect jealousy?”

His liquid touch made her shiver with longing. She leaned toward him. “You belong to me and I don’t ever intend to share.”

“Whew, that’s a relief!” Houston tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t think I could handle a whole mess of wives. You’re the only one I want, the only one I need, not only now but forever. I have this hunger inside that only you can meet.”

“Who knows what the future holds, dear.” Lara met his smoldering dark eyes. Though she yearned to tell him she loved him, she held back, unsure of how to voice what was in her heart.

“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re talking in riddles, wife.”

She couldn’t say more, couldn’t offer what might be false hope. Though her heart yearned to fill his needs, her body might rebel.

“I’ve got to find some cloth strips to bind your ribs. It’ll help with the pain,” she murmured and climbed up in the chuck wagon. A tingling in the pit of her stomach came with the new awareness that she had to do something soon to quiet this strong need to be his.

The pull of Houston Legend was like a thousand magnets, making him impossible to resist. Running exploring hands over his injured chest in search of broken bones only amplified that. She no longer wanted to hold back. She desired him as she had nothing else in her life.

Only…now he was hurt and in too much pain.

She located the box of medical supplies with her stash of long cloth strips. Grabbing the box, she bustled back to his side, surprised to see Quaid sitting with Houston.

Her brother grinned. “He’s going to be all right, isn’t he, sis? I poured him some coffee.”

Lara’s warm gaze drifted over the man she loved. “He’s going to be just fine. Appreciate you taking care of him.”

Houston grinned. “Not the same as a mess of wives, but I reckon Quaid will do in your stead.”

“No more thinking about stuff like that, mister,” Lara scolded, shaking her finger.

“Uh-oh! I think you’re in big trouble, Houston. I know that tone.” The boy got to his feet. “I should’ve been with you tonight. I grew up with a gun in my hand—all of us did.”

Houston glanced up. “You already proved you can shoot, son. I just needed a good man I can trust to watch Farley and stay with Lara. That’s the only reason I kept you behind.”

Quaid nodded and took a wide stance. Lara could tell how Houston’s words pleased her brother. “Guess I’ll take my turn for guard duty.”

“Keep a sharp eye out,” Houston warned. “Don’t take any chances.”

“I won’t.” The boy went to his horse.

Lara watched her brother ride away, wishing growing up wasn’t so difficult. Like Virgil, Quaid yearned to make his mark, to be a man. This untamed land demanded that of boys. They had to give up childish notions and be tough as fast as they could. Her heart ached for all her brothers. Often boys were cut down before they filled men’s shoes.

Both twins had already been wounded. Next time they might not be so lucky.

“I’m worried, Houston.” Lara’s fingertips brushed his chest as she reached around to get the edge of the strip from behind.

His dark eyes met hers. “Me too. They’re coming for us.”

“I know.” The binding slipped from Lara’s trembling fingers. One a day was what Yuma had vowed, and she knew better than most how vicious the man could be. Get in his way and he’d cut you down in a heartbeat. He always got what he wanted.

And God in heaven, Yuma Blackstone wanted her and would kill anyone who got in the way.

What for?

A sob tried to rise as fear traveled the length of her before twisting into knots in her stomach.

“Trust me to protect you.” Houston raised her chin with a forefinger and kissed her.

“I do trust you to keep us safe. I do. It’s just that I’ve seen plenty of times when people in the right didn’t win. I’ve often heard that justice is blind.”

“Not this time. Have faith and believe that good will win out. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.” Lara touched a muscle that quivered in his jaw. This husband of hers carried convictions lodged so deep inside that seemed to give him strength beyond the normal man. He made it impossible for her not to believe.

What she wouldn’t give to be able to spend a quiet day with him. They’d go on a picnic beside a lazy river. Just the two of them with nothing more pressing than when to eat the delicious fried chicken she’d bring. On impulse, she pressed her lips to his. His arms came around her, locking her in his embrace. She didn’t care who saw. She only cared about this honorable man who’d struck a bargain and married her sight unseen.

“Watch it, darlin’,” he growled when their lips parted. “Keep this up and I’ll forget I’m a patient man.”

Giddy joy brought a giggle. At this moment, even with the danger and the smell of death in the air, she felt young again and carefree.

With a happy sigh, Lara wound an arm around his neck. This was what she’d longed for since she was a girl with a yarn doll in her arms.

A husband and a babe to fill her heart with love.

But could she keep them? Or would Yuma rip them from her life just because he could?

As though sensing she was in her mother’s thoughts, Gracie whimpered and let out a sharp cry.

Lara pushed away. “Let me check on our daughter. I’ll be right back.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Hurrying to tend the babe before the child woke fully, Lara prayed this wouldn’t take long. She scolded herself for letting Houston distract her from caring for his wounds.

Gracie quieted as soon as Lara patted her back. Waiting a few minutes more to make sure she wouldn’t wake, Lara was satisfied and returned to the fire and the man whose heart called to her.

“I think it was just a bad dream.” Lara’s glance found Houston pulling on the binding, trying to remove it. “Stop that!”

“Forget this blasted wrapping. I’ve got to see to the men.”

When he tried to rise, Lara held him down. “You’re in no shape, Houston. Clay and Pony can handle things.”

He sat back with a long sigh. “I’m the boss. If something happens to another…”

Lara dropped down beside him and lightly touched her lips to his. “You can’t be everything to everyone. You’ve given instructions down to the letter and they know to follow them.” She didn’t remind him that he could be right there and still Yuma could take one of the drovers, if he took a mind to. It would do no good to tell Houston something he already knew.

She picked up the edge of the strip. “You know, when I was a little girl, a man lived nearby. His name was Clarence. No matter what anyone needed, he always jumped in and provided it before waiting to see if the person could help themselves.”

“Does this story have a moral?” he drawled.

“You can’t be everything to everyone. Let your men be men. They’re not children. I know Emmett’s loss weighs heavy—it does on my heart too—but trust your drovers to follow the rules you’ve laid down.”

He lifted a strand of her hair and rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger. “When did you get to be so smart?”

“Lord knows I’m a long way from that.” She tied off the binding and rested her cheek on his chest.

A groan slipped from his mouth. “We need to be alone, my love. Just you and I. Somewhere away from all these watchful eyes and gossiping tongues. These drovers are like a bunch of widow women.”

His deep voice rumbled, arousing a slew of excited quivers. Lara captured her bottom lip between her teeth. It was time.

She stood and reached for his hand. “Come.”