Thirty-two

Houston’s breath caught somewhere in his chest. He knew what it cost for Lara to take the initiative. That she did seemed to signal that she’d begun to heal.

He met her pretty emerald eyes that glistened by the light of the campfire. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She was the one person in the world meant for him, and he would cherish every second of every day with her. Heart hammering loudly in his ears, he managed to murmur, “Your every wish is my command, darling wife.”

A comfortable silence enveloped them as he rose and took her hand. Together they strolled to the bed that awaited. He checked on Gracie and Henry while she crawled onto the blankets beneath the chuck wagon and got situated.

Finally, clenching his jaw against the agony, Houston slid into place next to her and pulled her against him. When their bodies fit together like a pair of spoons, he covered them and let one arm drape across her stomach. He pushed aside her hair and kissed the back of her neck.

She’d come such a long way in so short a time, allowing him to cuddle her in this manner, with her flush against him. Overcome with emotion, he pressed a kiss to her temple. Her curves fit perfectly into his, so much that they seemed to share one heartbeat. He prayed his body wouldn’t betray him, wouldn’t show the depths of his desire. Yet it appeared determined to show proof despite his desperate attempt to quell the response.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Lara murmured. “Am I hurting your ribs?”

“No,” he lied. Truth was, he and pain were old acquaintances. Yet, he’d gladly suffer anything to be close to her. “Are you comfortable? If I’m hogging the blanket, just tell me.”

“This feels heavenly.” Lara sighed and stroked his arm. “While I waited for you tonight, not knowing if you’d come back or not, it struck me once more how fragile life is and how fast it can end. Each time you go out, I worry that I’ll never see you again, but tonight the reality was even more powerful. When I saw you were hurt, my heart stopped beating for a full moment and I wasn’t sure it would start back.”

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

“Clay didn’t tell me much. Something about a fight. Was it with Yuma?” Lara twisted to face him, sending knifing agony to his ribs. He bit his lip, drawing blood. Thank goodness for darkness, because he knew his face had to be ashen.

“Partly.” He prayed she wouldn’t ask more.

She gasped. “You fought more than one?”

Damn, he should’ve known she’d not let it lie. “Afraid so.” He told her about the group of outlaws, and a few details about Ghost.

“That man could’ve easily killed you!” Lara tenderly kissed him.

Houston sighed. “Except he didn’t. Lie back and rest.”

She did…for a full second. She rose onto her elbow again. “We’ve got no choice but to send Henry back to Texas. Since our friends are headed that way, it’s the perfect opportunity to keep him safe.”

But was that the safest thing? Yuma’s words to his men stuck in his head. He’d ordered them to leave the Ledbetters alone and focus on Houston and Lara. So yes, they had to be the best and safest option. Still, misgivings nagged.

“I agree.” Houston met her eyes and stroked her hair. “I’ll talk to them tomorrow. I’ll feel better with him out of danger. Yuma isn’t going to bother the Ledbetters. He wants us too bad.” Houston debated on sending Lara and Gracie too. But she’d been very firm about staying when he’d brought it up before and it didn’t sit well to force her to go. She’d had to deal with too much force in her life. Still, he had to ask one more time.

“I’d send all my brothers if I could. But their wagon is full to the brim.” Lara snuggled against him and laid her head on his chest.

“I want you to consider going too, Lara.”

“No,” she answered almost before he got the words out. “There’s nothing to consider. Didn’t you hear me say their wagon is full and spilling over the sides? Don’t pawn me off on them. Please.”

Houston touched the curve of her jaw. “I’ll never pawn you off.”

“Then, let’s talk about something else.”

The strong beat of her heart kept time with Houston’s. “I’ve noticed a change in you lately.”

“The work, the fresh air, and being with you has made a lot of difference. Thank you for bringing me. It allowed us to get to know each other without the pressure of living in the same house. Out here we go our separate ways through the day and come together for our nightly ritual.”

That such simple things helped heal her came as a surprise. He called daily routines living. Maybe that was the secret. Maybe it didn’t take any grand scheme to restore self-worth and confidence about yourself. Maybe just fresh air and release from the pressures of being the perfect husband, the perfect wife, had provided enough space to learn what they wanted from each other. He’d discovered he could trust again. He could open his heart to her.

“Lara, I love whatever it was, though I’ve pondered the wisdom of my decision many times over.” Houston lifted a strand of copper hair, rubbing the silk between his fingers. “I brought you and Gracie to a place of great danger.”

“You had no way to know Yuma would be out here.” She raised her head to kiss the hollow of his throat.

“I sliced his face tonight.” The minute the words slipped from Houston’s mouth he wished he could call them back.

Silence fell around them. At last she spoke. “I’m glad.”

“I made a large X on his cheek. He’ll remember this night for the rest of his rotten, godforsaken life.”

Lara smoothed the blanket that covered them. “He deserves it. I never told you about the night of the attack.”

“You don’t have to, darlin’.”

“I want to get it out. I’ve never breathed a word of this, but I need to tell someone. Until I do, it’s a festering sore that won’t heal.”

Houston gently kissed her, savoring their newfound closeness. He would’ve said that the feeling bursting from his heart was love, except after past experience, he couldn’t say. He did know a deep bond had formed with the woman curled beside him.

“If a listener is what you need, then I’m all ears,” Houston mumbled against her temple.

“You can fill in most of the blanks so I’ll spare you the details,” she said. “It’s what happened afterward that I can’t forget. I’ve never told another living soul.”

“You don’t have to do this. Maybe you shouldn’t.”

She inhaled deeply. “The memory eats at my brain. I have to get it out.”

Houston knew about things that ate at you and how they destroyed the fabric of a person until he could no longer recognize himself. He drew her close. “Then I’ll listen.”

“Blood streamed from my face that night and I couldn’t tell which direction to go. I crawled, desperately trying to find help. Find someone to end the nightmare. I had nothing to shield my naked body with, but that barely registered.

“On some level, I simply knew I didn’t want to die there with him and feared I might. Yuma laughed and kicked me as I crawled.” Her voice broke as she sobbed. “Taunting and kicking and stomping with his boots. The torture, the pain, the temptation to lie down and die was so strong. But I chose to live.”

Houston tenderly wiped her tears, folded his arms even tighter around her trembling body. He couldn’t bear to hear more, wanted to beg her to stop. But he didn’t—because what she said was true. She needed to tell someone so the wound could finally heal. That she chose him spoke of her trust.

And he’d carry her words to his grave.

He rubbed her back and held her as she cried, releasing deep, shuddering sobs that came from the depths of her soul. He didn’t know how long it was before she lay spent. He just held her, giving her time, murmuring soothing words, rubbing her back and shoulders.

When she was able to talk, she went on. “I can still hear him, you know? Yuma’s laughter, the hateful words. He called me a pitiful, worthless whore. Among other things. There was another man also there that night. And…” Quiet sobs shook her again. “He…took a turn.”

Shock and molten anger washed through Houston, blinding him. “Who? Tell me.” He’d find the bastard and shove him headfirst in a grave.

“I never knew his name. He was Yuma’s acquaintance. He wore twin guns and had these strange-looking cartridge belts coming down from each shoulder, crisscrossing his chest. They dug into my skin.”

Digger Barnes. Had to be him. Everything fit. Houston trembled with rage so powerful he tasted the bitterness on his tongue. He had to stop both men from hurting any other women.

This wasn’t just about avenging Lara. What burned inside was to see justice done. To hunt down both and let them hang before they hurt anyone else.

Suddenly in the quiet, a thought hit him. Gracie could be either man’s child. That sweet babe didn’t deserve this any more than Lara did.

A stillness came over him. He had to weigh his next words carefully and make sure he expressed the feelings inside that made him tremble in the dead of night.

“You are without a doubt the bravest woman I’ve ever known. You survived to give life to our little Gracie.” He kissed her fingertips. “I’m sorry you had to suffer through that. I only wish I had been there.” He shook with the need to get up right then and ride back to the snake’s den. Only now they were gone. Didn’t matter. If it took him the rest of his days, he’d find them. And when he did, he’d make sure both men died a very slow and very painful death.

“I wish you had also.” She caressed his jaw. “I’m glad I chose to live.”

“So am I.” What a fool he’d been to waste half his life loving the wrong woman. No, even worse than that: the idea of her. He hadn’t known her at all in the end—and he hadn’t really known love either.

Houston tenderly kissed her forehead, then drifted to capture her lips. His hands moved down her stomach to rest on one flared hip. Finally, he broke the kiss. “Try to forget. Wipe it from your memory. Neither are worth one second’s thought. They’re already headed to hell.”

He’d carry her secret so she could live her life free. The two thought they’d gotten away with their unspeakable crime.

Lara pressed her lips to the hollow of his throat. “I feel a little better already.”

“I’m glad. Keep your eyes firmly on the future and all the happiness we’ll have making a life together.” Houston kissed away the remnants of the tears that poised on the tips of her lashes. “Promise me you will.”

“I promise.” A shuddering breath ran through her. “Thank you, Houston.”

“You have more courage than anyone I’ve known. I’m proud to be your husband.” Houston tucked her against him and held her for a long time, letting the silence spin a healing web around them. He was glad he didn’t have to speak, because he didn’t know where to begin to find the right words. Maybe there weren’t any. Maybe it was better to keep quiet and let his hands do his talking for a change.

Finally, Lara shifted and took his hand. She placed it on her breast, then fumbled with the top button of her dress. “I’d like to feel you touching my bare skin. If you’ve no objection.”

Protest to that? Good Lord!

He moved her hand aside but paused with the button. “Are you sure? If you’d rather wait a while, that’s all right.”

“I’m certain. But that’s all I’m up to for now.”

“I understand.” Only a fool would complain. With trembling fingers, he unfastened her dress. Her white cotton chemise was all that stood between them. Earthy scents of the night and passion swirled around them as Houston pressed his hand to her bare flesh.

So soft.

So warm.

So intoxicating.

He tried to fill his lungs but instantly regretted it when the pain brought tears to his eyes. He closed them and waited until his ribs eased before letting his fingers glide, caressing the long column of her throat and stopping at the swell of her bosom. Sweat popped out on his forehead. He yearned to move the chemise aside and brush across her breasts, but he wouldn’t betray Lara’s trust.

Just being with her this way made him feel as though he’d drunk half a bottle of whiskey. His head swam and heat swept along each nerve ending, spreading through his limbs.

He’d been with other women during his life, but somehow this seemed like his very first time. Lara pushed out memories of all others from his brain. Even if someone held a gun to his head, he couldn’t recall one detail about them.

They’d meant nothing to him. Nothing at all.

Lara ran her fingers across his lips. “Houston, do you think it’ll always be this way between us?”

“Which way do you mean?”

“Easy. Comfortable. Tingly.”

“I expect so, darlin’. Only better. What we have now is fresh-made wine. We still have the grapes between our toes. Give us a few years and our relationship will age to perfection. Deeper and more meaningful.”

“I can’t wait.” She stretched to kiss him, and not a quick brush of the lips either. The kiss singed the hair on his chest and lingered, washing over him like a midnight tide. His lady was a fast learner. Houston grinned, placing his lips to the skin laid bare above her white chemise.

Lara gave a moan and threw back her head, allowing him greater access. She slid one hand along his neck and buried her fingers in his hair.

It was worth the pain in his ribs to see the depth of her passion. To feel the wild beating of her heart. And to know she was beginning to find the courage to move on. Lara’s strength amazed him, and he nearly burst with pride.

One step at a time. That’s what Stoker always said.

Her sweet, intoxicating fragrance washed over Houston. He’d remember this night for the rest of his life.

While they hadn’t yet joined bodies, they had already become as one, deep in their hearts where hopes, dreams, and deep commitment lived.

Someone standing beside the wagon cleared his throat. “Boss?”

Lara stiffened in his arms as Houston asked, “What is it, Clay?”

“Hate to bother you, but you’d best come.”

“Be right there.”

The cowboy’s footsteps moved away and Houston quickly did her dress back up.

“I wish you didn’t have to go.” Her voice quavered with fear.

Houston kissed her. “Makes two of us. Try not to worry. I’ll probably be back before you can count all those sheep in your pretty little head.”

He knew different, though. Clay wouldn’t have come for him, injured like he was, unless something big had happened. Whatever it was…it was bad.

“Keep your gun close and don’t wander from the campfire,” Houston said low.

“Okay.” Though her hands had turned icy, she remained calm.

Taking care not to move the wrong way and hurt his ribs more, he crawled from his wife’s bed. Clay Angelo stood by the fire, staring toward the herd. Houston’s gaze swept to the empty bedrolls. Every drover must be pulling guard duty.

“What’s wrong, Clay?”

“Gus King’s missing. We searched nearby but no luck. Too dangerous to go far.”

“We’ll have to wait until daylight,” Houston said. “Maybe he’ll turn up.”

“Maybe so,” Clay agreed.

Both of them seemed to know he wouldn’t. One a day Yuma had vowed.

Clay yanked off his hat and twisted it. “Another thing, boss. The men are real jittery. There’s talk of leaving while they still can. If you’re able, you need to talk to them.”

Hell!

Houston couldn’t blame them. Their lives were at stake. But how would he get these cows to Dodge by himself? Everything was slipping away—the ranch’s livelihood, the herd, and the drovers who had trusted him.

“Hopefully I can say something you haven’t,” he said.

Clay nodded once, jammed on his hat as both strode to the horses.

Houston rode to try to save the cattle drive. He fought for not only his very life but his family’s as well. He found the men in a tight knot, talking low. The group’d shrunk by another drover. Grimacing with pain in his body, along with that in his heart, he threw his leg over and slid from the saddle.

“I heard there’s talk of quitting.” He looked in each man’s face and saw fear beneath the layers of dirt, sweat, and sacrifice.

“We got no choice, Mr. Legend,” Pony Latham said. “It’s leave or die. This job ain’t worth it.”

“I understand, and if you choose to go, I’ll pay you right now.” Houston paused to let it sink in. “But if you decide to stay and help get these longhorns to Dodge, I’ll put an extra thousand in your pocket. Together we can beat Yuma Blackstone and his band of killers. I can’t do it by myself.”

“You make it hard, boss,” Joe said. “I came to ride for the Legend brand way back yonder because everyone claimed the Lone Star was a top-notch ranch. That the family took care of the men who worked for them. I found everything to be true. But this…”

“I couldn’t ask for a better group of men,” Houston said. “Neither I nor Stoker will hold your leaving against you.”

Clay stepped forward and planted his heels. “I came to get this herd to Dodge and no one, not Yuma Blackstone or anyone else, is going to keep me from it. I’ll fight ’em to the gates of hell then stab them with the devil’s own pitchfork. Boss needs our help. He’s treated us fair and asked nothing more than what he’s willing to do himself. Almost got killed tonight proving it. What do you say?”

Silence dropped over them as each looked at the other.

“I’ll stay and help find Gus,” Pony finally said. “After that I don’t know. I can’t leave him out here in this godforsaken place. He was like a brother to me.”

One by one, each decided to do the same. It was better than Houston dared hope. He glanced at Clay. The man surrounded by mystery had proven his worth yet again. Clay was a good man, and maybe that was all anyone could hope for—men you could count on around you and one very special woman.

No one came more special than Lara. He’d watched passion darken her eyes tonight. And it damn sure blazed a path across his heart.