Twenty-four

Henry hid his tearstained face in his mother’s skirt, ashamed, too afraid to come out.

Vicky pushed him toward Duel and Jessie. “Apologize this instant or your father’s taking you to the woodshed.”

The boy stared glumly at his shoeless bare toes. His mother prodded, this time in a softer tone. “Go on, son.”

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

“Louder, Henry.”

Jessie’s sympathy went out to the little boy. “It’s all right. He doesn’t have to do this.”

“Yes, he does.” A determined scowl marred Vicky’s attractive features.

Henry sniffled, wiping his nose on his shirtsleeve before he raised his head. “I’m sorry, Uncle Duel an’ Aunt Jessie. I didn’t mean to make Marley nearly die.”

“We know you didn’t, Henry.” Duel mussed the top of his nephew’s already tousled head.

“Will she get well?” The boy sniffled loudly again, a tremble in his little voice.

Jessie caught Duel’s anguished gaze. She meant her reassurance for both. “Yes, honey. She will. I know she will.” Confidence sprang from merely saying the words. To her husband, her eyes vowed their little girl would come back to them. Duel reached for her hand and squeezed.

“Vicky.” He turned to his sister. “Would you mind watching Two Bit for just a little while?”

“Be happy to, brother. Henry an’ me’ll stay for a while.”

Curiosity teased as Duel led her by the hand into the bright sunshine. “Where are you taking me?”

“A place you’ve never been.” His arm settled comfortably around her waist. “About time you met someone.”

Halfway up the hill, Jessie realized he headed for the lonely grave at the top. That he wanted to break down the barrier between them made her heart jubilant. After the deeply satisfying night of lovemaking that still brought a flush when she thought of it, she felt humbled and more proud of Duel.

Not even in the beginning had Jeremiah spared a moment to consider her emotional or physical distress. He’d plunged into her with a savage intensity, daring her to cry out.

She cast a sidelong glance at Duel. Though he was a mystery at times, she couldn’t imagine him treating her with anything less than respect. The common bond they shared required she repay him in kind.

“I wouldn’t want to intrude…”

“You’ll never do that, darlin’. Don’t waste a second thinking such nonsense. I want you in every part of my life.”

A slight breeze greeted them when they topped the gentle incline. An awe came over her that was hard to explain. Jessie felt as if she’d entered a church.

Duel squeezed her waist. Hatless, his coffee-brown hair ruffled in the wind. His proud jaw and noble carriage still reminded her of a great Apache warrior. She melted with love for this giant of a man.

“Annie, I want you to meet Jessie.” His deep voice quavered with emotion, giving the sole indication of his deep sentiment. “This lady’s my life now. I love her with my heart and soul.”

The flower-strewn resting place blurred as Jessie blinked. Then her gaze sought Duel’s and she spoke softly. “Annie, thank you for giving me this wonderful man. I’ll take very good care of him.” She took a deep breath. “You see, I love him, too.”

His head lowered, his firm mouth descending, teasing, touching hers. The moment became a timeless time, the lonely hilltop a placeless place where dreams and reality collided.

Forever after she’d always remember a sun-dappled morning when proof of Duel’s love became etched on the stone tablet of her soul.

She’d never dreamed her life would overflow with such a bounty of goodness and love. The dizzying whirl in her head made her feel as if she stood poised on a high precipice while balanced on one leg. How long would her luck last? And how could she keep it from ripping her heart out when it ended?

They stood arm in arm, her head snug in the curve of his shoulder. Silence did have a sound. It was the solemn whispers of two hearts embracing, becoming one.

Then Duel knelt for a reassurance before they turned to go. “Somehow, I knew you’d approve of her, Annie. Now you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

* * *

Marley Rose slipped in and out of her deep sleep. At present, the limp form rested in Jessie’s lap while she fed her more of the potato-coated cotton balls.

The main problem lay in getting them to go down. Jessie found herself trying to swallow for her.

Duel had moved two kitchen chairs beside Marley’s bed, where they could hold her more easily when feeding her. Now, he set the bowl on the floor and took one of the little hands.

“Come on, sweetheart. Swallow for Mama.” She massaged the small throat and finally found success.

Since she’d followed the doctor’s instructions to the letter, Marley had choked only once. It had terrified Jessie. Luckily, Duel showed an aptitude for getting things unstuck.

“What’s that noise?” he asked suddenly.

Jessie wiped her little darling’s mouth and cocked her head. “I don’t hear anything except your father snoring in the chair.”

Vicky and Henry had long since gone home. Walt, however, had camped in the sitting room. Marley’s situation broke his heart. She’d never seen the man so worried. He worshiped his newest granddaughter.

“No, it’s something else.” Duel dropped Marley’s hand and went to investigate.

A few minutes later he returned. Sharp clicks on the wooden floor captured her attention, and she looked up in astonishment. Yellow Dog padded along by Duel’s side.

“I found him scratching on the front door and whining. Almost broke the darn thing down.”

The whimpering animal sniffed Marley’s feet, licked her hand, then jumped onto the empty place beside Jessie, as if the chair had been put there specifically for him.

“Hey there, Boobie.” Jessie scratched his ears. “Duel, he’s come to check on Marley Rose. He senses something bad’s happened to her.”

“Nothing like being booted out of the way by an overgrown mutt.” Though he grumbled, he wore a pleased look. “Guess he’ll be wanting to sleep with us too.”

“The poor thing’s worried. Animals are very loyal to the ones they love.”

“That’s all well and good, but if he thinks he’s gonna take my place, he’s got another think coming.”

Yellow Dog chuffed and eyed him balefully.

“Seems he’s issued you a challenge.” Jessie placed Marley back in her bed and tucked a light blanket around her.

Despite Duel’s growl, he smoothed the dog’s head. “And I’m drawing the line when that mangy goat starts head-buttin’ the door to come in.”

The heaviness squeezing Jessie’s heart seemed to lessen. Her smile felt warmer than it had for days. Surely the angel of death would stay away, seeing the love that surrounded the special little girl.

“I think her color’s better, don’t you?”

“Marley’s better, you say?” Walt asked. Evidently Yellow Dog’s arrival had wakened the man. He ambled to the bed. “Don’t seem as peaked as she did.”

“Pop, that might not mean anything.”

“Shoot fire, son, we gotta have hope.” Walt patted Yellow Dog’s thick coat. The man appeared to think nothing strange about the animal’s perch beside Marley. As if it were an everyday occurrence.

“Walt, now that you’ve had a nap, would you mind sitting with her for a spell?” Jessie asked. “We’ve some chores to attend.”

“Be glad to, honey.” Walt beamed with pride that they found him useful. “Take as long as you need. The mutt and me’ll have a nice conversation.”

Knowing the man she loved like a father would watch for any change, Jessie bustled around the kitchen while Duel got caught up outdoors. A sweet-potato pie for supper might lift everyone’s spirits. Besides, doing nice things for Duel made her feel more worthy of his love.

When she slipped the pie into the oven, she caught sight of him, hoe in hand, chopping weeds in the sorghum field. The wavy stalks, full of spiked florets, reached almost to his waist. Briefly, she wondered how long till harvest.

“Please, let it hurry,” she murmured quietly. An ominous feeling overcame her that perhaps time grew short.

With the supper meal cooking, she washed some necessities outside on the rub board. Busy slipping the clothespins over the tops of Marley’s clean diapers, she felt a presence behind her and whirled.

“I never get tired of watching you.” Duel’s slow drawl sent a rush of heat through her veins.

Breathless anticipation made Jessie tongue-tied. She fumbled with the clothespins in her apron pocket and regarded the source of her problem.

“Won’t get any work done that way, Mr. McClain.”

“Not work I’m thinking about.” The twinkle in his eyes reminded her of a naughty little boy. He shifted the blade of grass that hung from his mouth. “Most assuredly it’s not chores on my mind at the moment.”

He sauntered closer until she could feel his gentle breath on her cheek.

“Your father…we can’t.”

“Pop’s occupied.”

“Do you have no shame? It’s the middle of the day.”

Jessie felt the hammering in his chest when he drew her into his arms. Her resistance melted in a puddle at her feet. She slipped her arms around his neck.

“Was thinking we could initiate the new barn.” The blade of grass fell from his mouth. The next second she was swimming in a sea of passion, drowning with desire.

“Ahem. Indecent, that’s what it is, brother.” The lazy accent came from behind, throwing cold water on their rising excitement.

“Luke!”

Indescribable fear shot through Jessie. The man would’ve returned for only one reason. Duel’s muscles tensed, tightening the hold on her waist.

She forced back the bitter taste that rose in her throat and smiled. “You’ve come a long way, Luke. Duel’s forgotten his manners. Climb down and stay to supper.”

The younger McClain grabbed the saddle horn and slid to the ground. “I’m here on business.”

Instead of releasing her, Duel drew her closer, clearly intent on physically protecting her. Thank heavens his pistol hung from the nail beside the front door, or she was certain he’d put a bullet in his brother. A mist blocked her vision.

She’d known from the start her time had been limited.

Why now? the sorrow inside her screamed. Not now as her darling Marley Rose lay at death’s door. Not now when she’d found the greatest love she’d ever known.

Raw thickness made Duel’s voice unrecognizable. “What the hell kind of business is that, Luke?”

Luke’s gazed narrowed, piercing her heart. “On behalf of the state of Texas, I’m here to arrest Jessie Foltry for the murder of her husband.”