Thirty-five

Lara’s unexpected declaration struck Houston with the force of a ten-ton locomotive. She loved him? A grin spread across his face. Lara loved him. He took Gracie from her arms. Setting the baby down, he picked Lara up and swung her around.

“Stop it unless you want me to throw up. You’re making me dizzy,” Lara protested.

Stopping, he hugged her to him. “I never thought I’d hear those words. Are you sure it’s not duty or obligation that makes you say you love me?”

“I’m positive, and I’m not taking it back either.” She gave him a mulish tilt of her chin. “I realized last night that what I feel for you is love. You complete my world. I can’t imagine going through life without you by my side. You anchor me and give me strength to face what comes.”

Ever since she’d finally gotten everything in the past off her chest, she’d become a different woman. Maybe being released from that burden had given her newfound confidence and courage. He didn’t know, but he liked it.

Very gently, Houston placed his lips on hers. Raw energy went through him. The instant contact melded them together, body, mind, and soul. The kiss stole his breath, taking every thought but one. He had to say what was in his heart.

His hunger for her went beyond the physical. He hungered in a way that was difficult to explain. He hungered for the need to know she desired more than his money, position, and his name.

He wanted her to want him. Just him. Nothing more.

When their lips parted, she spoke softly. “I haven’t given you much of a reason to love me back. You were tricked into marrying me and I deeply regret that. I’ve kept my heart locked for so long, using my fear almost as a weapon.”

“You had good reason.”

“No, please let me finish.” She touched his face and met his eyes. “You have so much to offer, more than I ever dreamed. But you could be a pauper with nothing, not even a sheltering roof over your head, and I’d still love you. I want you, Houston Legend—only you.”

Trembling, he knew he would remember this moment for the rest of his life.

He was finally free to speak his thoughts. Free to be the man he wanted.

“I love you, Lara. I didn’t allow myself to care for so long, afraid you’d finish what Becky started, afraid to trust again—afraid to trust myself. I finally realized my feelings for you that night on the porch at Dr. Mary’s. Even then, I didn’t think I had a chance of you ever loving me back.”

“Oh, Houston, I made a mess of things, didn’t I?” She kissed the hollow of his throat where his blood pulsed. He loved the way she touched him, the way she had of showing him that she didn’t regret marrying him.

“I beg to differ.” Houston’s voice was husky. “A marriage that started as ours did needed time and space for love to bloom. We both had to learn to trust again.”

“Will you always want me, even with what happened, even if my scar doesn’t fade?”

His voice shook. “Darlin’, I’ll want you just as you are until the end of time. You’re my lifeblood. There is no other for me. Not now, not ever. Not in this lifetime or the next.”

She gave him a stubborn stare that seemed to say she knew ways to make his life very miserable. That was true beyond a doubt. “And you won’t try to send me back to Texas without you?”

Lord, she drove a hard bargain. His need to have her safe warred with the hunger to keep her with him. Filled with love, he buried his face in her flame-colored hair. “Heaven help me, I find no strength for the task, Mrs. Legend.”

“And I have no strength to leave you either.” Lara pressed her face against his throat.

“But what about Gracie? I think we should send her with Henry. He’ll look after her.”

“Sweetheart, I love you for trying to protect us, and if Gracie was older I’d agree in a second. But she’ll starve without my milk.”

“Can’t some of the Ledbetter women…” He paused, searching for how to say it and finally said, “Fill in?”

“The youngest child is Hiram the fourth and he’s been weaned. We have no choice. Gracie has to stay with me.”

Houston rubbed his jaw. “All right, I see your point.”

The sound of riders reached him. Their golden time was over.

“Houston, where are you, brother?” Sam hollered.

“Just a cotton-pickin’ minute.” Houston smoothed back Lara’s hair. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you our plans. We’re moving out as soon as we can. Sam and Luke are staying behind to try and find Gus.”

Worry darkened her gaze. “Are you sure that’s wise, leaving them here alone?”

“It’s best for all. My brothers know the risks and are glad to take them. Try not to worry.” He tasted her lips again. “Go comfort Henry while I do some things. All right?”

“Okay.” She pulled him to her by the front of his vest and her arms went around him. “I love you and don’t you forget it.”

Houston grinned. “How can I, when my heart beats only for you?”

With a gentle tug from her clutch, he stepped from the circle of her arms and strode toward Sam and Luke, where they waited side by side.

* * *

Her heart singing, Lara began stowing things in the various compartments of the chuck wagon. She could hardly bear to look at Henry, where he sat clutching Gracie to him.

She knew her own desperation to stay no matter the danger. How could she expect her brother to understand, when she was the one person who anchored him to this life? Pain swept over her each time she caught him staring at her with that lost look.

Still, this had to be the best thing for him.

Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She sat down beside him, putting her arm around his shoulders. “You know I love you, don’t you?”

Henry sniffled, dropping his face in Gracie’s blond curls.

“And you know I’d never do anything to cause you pain if I could help it.”

“Maybe.”

“No, not maybe. That’s the truth. Now and always.”

“Then why can’t I stay?” He lifted his gaze.

“Because Yuma Blackstone is trying to kill us. I can’t let him steal you from me. I won’t.” Lara took his hand. “This is just for a little while. We’ll be together again soon. Can you try to pretend I’m close by at the Lone Star?”

“But you won’t be,” he wailed.

“Listen, I know you’re upset and I’d give anything to let you stay.” She kissed his forehead. “Even though you’ll be sad and lonely for a while, it will pass. Papa will keep your mind off us here.”

“You promise?”

“Absolutely. I’ll make sure of it when we all get back to Texas. The Ledbetters are nice and will take very good care of you.”

“Okay. I’ll close my eyes and pretend you’re there.” He tried to smile. It lacked warmth but it was a sight better than anger and resentment.

Lara tenderly brushed back his bright-red hair. “How much do I love you?”

“A whole bunch. More than the biggest sky in Texas.”

“That’s right.” She rose, and as she went to pack, she heard him tell Gracie not to cry when he left because it would just be for a moment. Then he told her to be real good for her mama. Though she felt better about the decision, her heart still ached. Blackstone bore all the blame for the need to send Henry away. One more thing to hate him for.

She dropped a cast-iron skillet, barely missing her foot.

Houston strode back into camp and picked up the heavy utensil. He gently took her hands. “You’re trembling. I’ll help you.”

Lara rested her forehead on his chest. Her heart ached for her little brother.

“What’s wrong, darlin’?”

“Henry. Gracie. Gus. Yuma. Sam and Luke. Just take your pick.” She burrowed into the folds of his shirt and vest. “Your brothers alone are no match for Yuma and his cutthroats. I’m worried about leaving them behind.”

Her need to protect everyone from the man who stalked them brought an ache.

Houston must have seen the guilt she carried. He tipped up her face with a finger and pressed his lips to hers. When he broke the kiss, he stared into her worried eyes and caressed her cheek. “You don’t know my brothers. I’ve never known two more capable men. They have a toughness that few do. Whoever crosses them won’t live long. I can guarantee that.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am. One more thing I’m sure of, pretty lady—you didn’t bring Yuma to us, so forget that crazy notion. He’d have followed us no matter what because he wanted this herd, so stop blaming yourself.” He shot a glance toward Luke and Clay. They’d finished their conversation and Clay sat astride his horse. With a laugh at something Luke said, the head drover galloped off. Judging from that and Luke’s smile, the tension between them was gone. “Let’s get this wagon packed. We need to roll out soon.”

Henry hollered to Luke, “Wanna hold Gracie? I think she wants you.”

“I kinda doubt that,” Luke replied with a chuckle. “What’s the real reason, Henry?”

“I got somethin’ to do real bad and I can’t put her down on account of she eats dirt ’n rocks ’n stuff.”

“In that case, I reckon this is as good a time as any to get to know my little niece.” Luke lowered himself to a rock next to Henry.

The boy shoved Gracie at him and ran toward a big clump of juniper, disappearing behind it. Houston’s gaze drifted back to Luke. His brother made a frown as he held Gracie stiffly at arm’s length, studying her.

“She’s not an animal to buy, Luke. Or contagious.” Houston chuckled. “You can bring her closer to you.”

“Ha-ha! Very funny. For your information, I was seeing if she has bowlegs like you.”

“Likely story. And don’t let her play with your bullets either or I’ll have to take away your uncle privileges.”

“Dammit, she stuck her finger in my eye!” Luke hollered. “Don’t know if I can shoot straight now. Why didn’t you warn me?”

“I never heard so much bellyaching in all my born days. Are you gonna let a little girl no bigger than a minute whip your butt?”

“She’s not a baby; she’s a pint-sized desperada.”

“I’m raising my daughter to take care of herself. Have to start early so she won’t be sweet-talked by someone like you.” Houston grinned, watching the sideshow. For all his hollering, Luke brought Gracie closer and cradled her to his chest, giving everyone who walked by the evil eye. They might not be able to pry the child away when the time came.

Lara hit his shoulder. “Quit picking on Luke. He’s doing okay.”

That he was, but Houston wasn’t about to tell him that. Nothing sent a man running faster than being told he made excellent Pa material. Truth was, Luke needed to find a good woman and settle down, raise a crop of ornery kids, and discover the real meaning of family.

Sam strode from a little wash a short distance away with some type of fabric in his hand. Houston’s grin faded. A niggling in his head told him it was important. He set down the box of staples he held, told Lara he’d be right back, and went to meet his brother.

“What did you find?”

“A bandana with dried blood.” Sam held it out. “Could this be Gus’s?”

Houston’s breath hung painfully in his chest as he took it and gave the soiled fabric a long stare. “Can’t be sure. Never paid much attention to his neckerchief. Pony or Joe would recognize it, seeing as how they ran together.” He glanced up. “Where did you find it? We scoured that wash this morning.”

“You wouldn’t have seen it. No one on horseback would. Someone had stuffed it between two snug rocks. The bandana couldn’t have gotten there any other way. With the trail being used by hundreds of cowpokes, it could’ve been there for a while.” Sam glanced toward the herd. Houston could just about read his brother’s mind.

The slow trek would take them to another camp, another place to bed down for the night, another chance of an ambush.

“Strange though where I found the bandana,” Sam murmured seemingly to himself. “It was left there deliberately.”

“Take it to Pony and Joe. I’ve got to help Lara so we can get moving. Pony’s easy to spot. Look for a lanky cowboy wearing a piece of twisted lariat for a hatband. It’ll probably have a playing card stuck in it. The other will have a harmonica in his pocket.”

“I swear, Houston, I haven’t taken leave of my senses,” Sam huffed. “They’ve worked on the Lone Star for years.”

“Don’t pick a fight with me, little brother,” Houston warned with a growl. “I can count on one hand the times you’ve been home in the last five winters, and not that often before that.”

“Yeah, well, I had a job with the Texas Rangers back then,” Sam snapped heatedly. He gave Houston a push. “Go help your wife. Though if Lara’s anything like mine, she’ll tell you you’re just in the way. I’ll take care of this.”

With a chuckle, Houston handed him the bloody neckerchief and strode to camp. He glanced at the herd meandering north. With luck, maybe they could get quite a ways before dark. One thing for sure, it was too dangerous to stay here. No question, Sam and Luke could be a big help in holding Yuma and his gang back.

But was Lara right? Was he leaving his brothers to die?