CHAPTER 7
Julia roused up at the first sound of the coming horses. She’d slept fitfully on the settee, she and Pete taking turns checking on Alex through the night since Dev had ridden out in search of the children.
She’d quickly sat up and looked to the stairway as Pete came down in a rush.
Pete met her eyes. “He’s fine. Not much change since you came up an hour ago.”
“I’m afraid—” She glanced at the door.
Pete awkwardly patted her arm. “Must be good news, or they would still be out there.”
“Unless—”
“Now, Miss Jackson, we ain’t gonna allow ourselves to think like that,” he said firmly.
She nodded. No. She had to hope for the best.
“C’mon, Missy.” Pete made his way to the door and held it open as the group of riders stopped in front of the house.
“Laura!” Julia breathed, catching sight of her niece in Dev’s embrace. Her gaze shifted to Tom, carrying his wrapped-up bundle, as well. “Oh, Jamie—” Her eyes met Tom’s, in question.
He grinned and easily dismounted. “Got a squallin’ wildcat here, Miss Julia!” He laughed, handing Jamie to her. “Finally gave up and went to sleep about fifteen minutes ago. But he’s none the worse for wear.”
Once he’d handed Jamie to her, he turned and walked to Dev, reaching up to take Lauralee from him.
“I’ll carry her up and put her back in her bed,” he said, exchanging a few brief words with Pete as he passed him on the porch.
“Let me have him, Miss Julia,” Pete said, reaching for Jamie. “You’ll want some private words with your man.”
“Oh—” Julia’s cheeks burned at his casual statement as he took Jamie from her.
“We’ll take care of the trash,” Dell said.
“We ain’t sayin’ nothin’!” the leader hissed.
Terry laughed. “Tom says you will, you will. Apaches know how to make you sing like a bird. Tom’s near full-blood, so I hear.”
The youngest captive shot his boss a frightened glance. “Harve, I don’t know. I didn’t sign up for—”
“Shuddup, Curly. You didn’t sign up for nothin’. You do what I tell ya.”
“Well, come on, boys. We’ll go on down to the barn—get your friends, here, nice and comfortable…and you two. At least, until Tom and Mr. Campbell come in. Things won’t be so cozy then,” Dell said cheerily.
They rode toward the barn, Dell and Terry prodding the men from behind.
“Oh, Dev!” Julia was in his arms the moment he swung down from the saddle. She didn’t care if it wasn’t proper. She didn’t even realize what she’d done until several moments later. And when she did, she only pressed closer to him, feeling the cold that had permeated his body as he’d ridden home with no coat in the December night.
“You’re freezing!” Julia muttered, lifting her head from his shoulder.
“No…I’m warm, now.”
“Oh, Dev, you’re—”
But his lips captured hers, cutting off whatever else she’d been about to say.
She’d never been kissed. She didn’t know how. It was the most intimate thing she had ever done. Ever. A glowing warmth started in the pit of her stomach and radiated out, settling into her bones, her joints, every particle of her being—and she welcomed it shamelessly.
Dev groaned, pulling her closer to him, stealing her breath completely. Her heart seemed to beat uncontrollably, but she wanted more.
“Uh…Dev…I’ll take Red on down to the barn and see to him…” Pete’s voice sounded from the doorway.
“Mmm-hmm…” Dev said as he lifted his lips from Julia’s. “Okay…thanks.”
“Good Lord,” Pete muttered as he hurried by them and snatched Red’s reins from the ground.
“Kids are back in bed,” Tom said from the doorway, laughter in his tone. “Y’all better come on inside out of the cold.” He closed the door behind him, then came onto the porch, and down the steps. “Oh, I checked on Alex. He’s asleep, but looks like he’ll be all right. I can ride into town for the doc.”
“No, we’ll send one of the others, come daylight—unless we’ve found out what we need to know from those sons of bitches we brought in.” Dev took a deep breath, forcing his voice to steadiness. “I’ll be down in a bit—but you can go ahead and start without me.”
“My pleasure,” Tom grated, turning away to lead his horse to a warm stall before he took care of the other business that awaited him.
Julia stepped back and opened the door, regaining her composure. One of the men had put more wood on the fire, and she led Dev toward the blaze.
“Let me pour you some coffee. I just made a fresh pot before I laid down.” She hurried to the kitchen as Dev stood in front of the fire, soaking up the warmth. He must be numb from the long ride home. No coat, again… Her mind raced, thinking of how she could bring comfort to him.
Julia brought him a hot cup of coffee, and sat on the settee, facing him. “Tell me everything,” she entreated.
Dev did—laughing at Lauralee’s call of help, halting when he told of shooting her captor, and of Tom’s clubbing the man who’d stolen Jamie with the stock of his rifle.
“Julie…I’m sorry. Your coming here seems to have put Lauralee in danger.”
“It could’ve happened anywhere, Dev.”
He moved away from the fire to sit beside her, setting his cup on the small table at the end of the settee.
“Thank you for bringing her home safe to me,” Julia said.
“To both of us. No one threatens our kids…my family.”
• ♥ •
Tears rose in her eyes.
Julia had never imagined the turns her life would take that long-ago summer when her parents had died…the slow ruination of her family, until all that was left was the two of them—herself, and Lauralee.
She’d tried so hard to give her niece a good, safe life—but what of herself? Embarrassment flooded through her once more as she thought of the way she’d thrown herself at Dev—asking him to marry her!
But…that kiss couldn’t be forgotten…ever. It was imprinted on her lips just as much as in her heart.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Dev asked, leaning toward her.
She shook her head—and said the first silly thing that came to mind. “We can’t even have a—a Christmas tree! Or stockings—for the children—” She sniffed. So unladylike. Mama and Helena would both agree on that.
Dev’s lips turned up, and she thought, at this moment, he must believe her to be mad—or utterly ridiculous!
“We still have tomorrow—Christmas Eve—before Christmas gets here,” he said softly.
She shook her head, looking into the fire.
“I think this snow has stopped. But—” his tone turned regretful, “I’m not sure we’d be able to get a wagon to town yet. It’s not that far, as you know, but even if the snow melted, the roads would be muddy. It would bog a wagon down. Break a wheel…”
“You’re going for the doctor—”
Dev nodded. “Horseback. I could bring back some things.”
“Oh, yes, please! Something for the children! I so want them to have a wonderful holiday. Especially after this.”
Dev nodded.
“And maybe a very few grocery items?” she asked.
“I can make more than one trip, you know.”
“I—I just hate to ask.”
He took her hand in his. “Don’t, Julie. I’m glad to do what I can. I just—well, we never had much cause for celebration of any kind when I was young. Christmas was just another day.”
Julia gasped. Just another day…
“I’m sure you find that appalling, but—” He shrugged. “That’s just the way it was.”
“Oh…I’m so sorry—” Immediately, she covered her mouth with her hand. She was only making matters worse! He would not appreciate her pity, or her faulting his upbringing. “Again—I apologize—”
But Dev only laughed. “It’s all right. I’m sure it’s hard for you to imagine.”
“Yes…our Christmases were lovely when I was a child,” she admitted. “Everyone should be so lucky. That’s one thing I’ve tried to provide for Lauralee—though I’ve failed in so many other areas, it seems,” she finished softly.
Dev squeezed her hand gently. “I don’t think you’ve failed at all, Julie. And knowing you, I believe you’ve always done the best you could.”
She gave him a faint smile. “Well, that much is true. It’s been so hard.” Her voice broke, though she tried to control it. She wasn’t used to confiding in anyone, now that Helena was gone. But Dev made it easy. She supposed it was because he didn’t seem to mind sharing some of his past with her. And he had a way of speaking honestly and freely.
They’d fallen silent, both collecting their thoughts. After a few moments, Dev said, “I need to go find out if Tom has learned anything. I want to know who’s behind all this. Why don’t you go get some rest? Morning’s just a few hours off, and those little ones will be up and around before you know it.”
He rose, extending a hand to help her up. Surprising her, he pulled her close and gave her a light kiss on the forehead.
“Be thinking about what you want me to pick up tomorrow in town, honey. This is one Christmas I’m looking forward to.”
• ♥ •
Dev’s thoughts were twisting like a pit of snakes as he made his way to the barn. He was determined to find out who was causing the destruction on his property, the shot that had been taken at him, and the wounding of his brother. And, of course, this crowning achievement—kidnapping two children right out of his own home! Reluctantly, he had to admit that Alex was as much a victim as he was.
And Alex was a Campbell—family. Dev’s rampant suspicions made him ashamed; especially when he thought of his anger toward Alex and his brother’s reluctance to explain. Now, he realized, that had most likely been because of his own behavior, and not an admission of Alex’s guilt in any way.
Julie…she loved her family—every one of them, including the feckless Jerome, who’d beggared them, and gotten himself murdered.
Loyalty was a quality that was as ingrained in Julie as anything could be—and not because it was expected; it was just part of the person she was.
He thought of Lauralee’s unquestioning faith that “Debbil” would come to rescue her, too—not just Jamie. Both of them, in her eyes, were equally important.
Marriage hadn’t been in his plans. But he’d not expected—hell, he’s not expected Miss Julia Jackson…and the kiss they’d shared.
Nor had he expected her proposal of marriage.
Which made perfect sense, for both of them.
Love could come, with time. He sighed. Annella had burned his soul, seared his heart. Could he ever truly love again? Cold dread filled him. If not, how could he tie Julie to such a lonely, unfair existence for the rest of her days?
With a groan of frustration, he opened the barn door, shutting out the cold night air as he walked inside.