Twice a Texas Bride (13 page)

“Do you have names picked out?”

“Afraid not. Cooper and I can't agree. His choices are Henry and Henrietta, George and Georgia, Max and Maxine. These are the best. The other suggestions I won't repeat. I know he's just saying this to get a rise out of me after I told him no matching names. Besides, we could have two boys or two girls, not one of each. I like Claire and Callie though. Very pretty.”

“Thank you. Claire succumbed to a mysterious illness, so it's been especially difficult. I kind of feel adrift now, like a ship without a rudder.”

“I'm so sorry,” Delta murmured and touched her arm. “I was an only child, so I've been alone my whole life. I always wanted a sister, someone to share secrets with.”

“I don't know how I'd have made it without Claire. I just hated it when she married Nate Fleming. I warned her how dangerous he was. She didn't see the monster she married until it was too late. He made sure she couldn't seek help. On her deathbed, she begged me to take Toby and run. I didn't hesitate.”

“I'm sure you love Toby like your own son. He's lucky to have you.” Then Delta told her about Emily Winters, a young widow who was dying, and how she was frantically searching for someone to take her baby daughter and raise her.

“That's heartbreaking,” Callie exclaimed, clapping her hand over her mouth. “I wish there was something I could do.”

“Actually, maybe you can. How about you and Rand taking the baby?”

“Raise a child together, two unmarried people? That would not be an ideal situation for Emily's daughter. Besides, I will leave once Nate is caught.”

“Plans can change. You could wed. You'll never meet a more gentle man. He'd take care of you and your nephew and protect you.”

True, Callie had never known anyone more honorable, steadfast, and caring. But she would never marry. She couldn't.

Fear drove searing pain into the depths of her being. She was broken.

Rand could never know her secret. Callie's hand trembled as she set her teacup down. “I'm sorry. I'd like to help, but this is asking too much. Besides, it's too dangerous for us until Nate is caught.” And then after he was, what? She'd most likely thank Rand for his hospitality and go…where exactly? She hadn't a clue. It would require some thinking.

But why would she continue to stay? The torture of being so near yet unable to plan for a future with Rand Sinclair was becoming unbearable.

“What happened to Emily's husband, if I may ask?”

A shadow crossed Delta's face. She told Callie about Joe's Indian roots and the prejudice he'd encountered. How Cooper hadn't hesitated in hiring him on at the Long Odds. How a bull trampled and killed him. “He never got to meet his daughter or kiss his wife good-bye. It devastated all of us, but it shattered poor Emily.”

“How horrible, and now she's dying as well. I hate to think of that poor baby growing up without a mother and father.” It reminded Callie of Toby's situation. She knew what it was like, too, how lost and alone she and Claire had felt after their mother died.

A child deserved a home.

And love.

It tore at her heart that she couldn't offer that. She couldn't marry Rand. Not even for the sake of a child.

If she'd only learned but one lesson during her life, it was that one mistake was enough. Heaping another on top of it would only compound the problem, not make anything better.

They'd have to find another solution.

Little Wren Winters would not pay for Callie's cowardice.

That night Rand sat in the parlor, mesmerized by the way the firelight danced and cavorted on Callie's hair. The crackling flames playfully brought out the reddish glints in her chestnut strands.

She seemed content in her rocker with a sock of Toby's that she'd been darning. It didn't take any effort to picture her with a babe in her arms.

Ever since Coop had told him about Emily Winters's dire situation, he hadn't been able to get that soon-to-be-motherless babe from his mind. He sure hoped someone would take the little thing. The babies in the orphanage were rarely picked up and hugged or even spoken to. They lay in their cribs and cried until they had no tears left.

Rand tightened his jaw. He would not let that happen to Wren. Not even if he had to raise the child by himself, though he didn't know if Emily would agree to that.

Toby rolled over and sat up. The boy appeared deep in thought. “Aunt Callie, how come I don't have a brother or sister?”

Callie's startled gaze slammed into Rand's. The question had caught her totally unaware, as it had him. He shrugged and lifted an eyebrow.

When she spoke, her voice was quiet. “Your mother wanted to fill a whole house with children, but she took ill. If she could've recovered, I'm sure she would've given you that brother or sister you want. What brought all this on, Toby?”

“The sheriff an' Mr. Rand were talkin' about this little baby that needs a home. Cain't it come here? I'd take care of it an' love it an' teach it to be an Indian.”

Rand covered his mouth to hide a grin while dodging Callie's glare. Clearly she blamed him for this. Finally, he said, “Toby, there's more to it than that. There are lots of other things to consider.”

“Like what?”

“Well, a child needs a family.”

“We're a fam'ly.”

Now what? He couldn't promise that they would always be together. Callie would waste no time packing up one of these days after the law caught up with Fleming. They didn't have anything to bind them to each other except fear of the outlaw.

And passionate moonlight kisses. He couldn't forget those if he tried. But kisses weren't enough.

Even if he felt he could offer marriage, Callie would be better off without him. That was the hard, honest fact. After all, what would she want with a struggling rancher who was more at home in a saloon? Or a broken-down ranch that needed so much work before it ever saw its first cow?

A woman like Callie deserved a fine home and a husband who could give her nice things. Rand could offer her nothing.

But maybe if he kept working hard and fast, she wouldn't leave before he got the ranch put together the way he wanted. Maybe if she saw the home this place could be, she'd stay then.

That she'd decided to make a stand here on the Last Hope was a sign that maybe, just maybe, he had a shot.

If time didn't run out on him first.

* * *

Two days later, Callie was hanging up the last of the laundry on a line Rand had strung from the barn to a tree. Toby played in the tepee, whooping and hollering, and Rand worked on the roof of the house making repairs.

At the sound of a buggy coming down the lane, Callie turned.

Cooper's wife, Delta, and another woman pulled up. Callie waved. She liked Delta. They already had an easy friendship. Rand scrambled down from the roof and offered Delta assistance, which she seemed glad to accept, since her rounded body wouldn't allow for too much bending.

“It's too dangerous for you ladies to be riding across the countryside with an outlaw on the loose,” Rand scolded good-naturedly.

Delta put her hands on her wide hips. “Rand, you know I always carry a gun. I'm a sheriff's wife, and Cooper always makes sure I'm prepared for trouble. I'm fully capable of handling whatever comes.”

“Yes, ma'am. I sure wouldn't want to cross you.”

“Are you taking advantage of the sunshine, Delta?” Callie asked. “It's such a pretty day.”

“Guilty as charged.” Delta laughed and reached to take an infant from the other woman. “Emily Winters and I wanted to come see you.”

Rand helped Emily from her perch. It was apparent the frail woman had lost her sight. He made the introductions, and Emily clung to Callie's hand as though she was the only thing saving her from a pool of quicksand.

“Let's go inside to the parlor. I'll make tea.” Callie cast a curious glance at the small bundle Delta held. No doubt Emily thought Callie would change her mind once she held the baby girl. She had no desire to look at the child, and she sure wasn't going to hold Wren or let her into her heart.

No. Not now, not ever.

With Rand taking tender care of the ladies, he got them situated in the parlor. “If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my leaking roof,” he said. “Plus, I don't want to leave Toby outside alone.”

Delta spoke up. “Emily would like a word after we finish our tea.”

“Callie can come get me.” With that, he went out the kitchen door.

“What's this about?” Callie worried with the pocket of her apron. “I thought we made it clear we can't take the baby.”

“My time is near,” Emily whispered with tears running from her sightless eyes. “I have nowhere else to turn. I have to find a home for my daughter.”

The impassioned plea deeply touched Callie. She gripped the young mother's hands. “Emily, I'd love to be the answer you need. I truly would. But I just can't. I'm sure Delta told you about the outlaw trailing me. He would like nothing better than seeing me dead and my nephew in his clutches. It's too dangerous for the baby. I won't take a chance Fleming might succeed. And besides, I plan to leave once this is over. Rand has been very kind to open his home to Toby and me, but he's only a friend.”

“I understand.” Emily's shoulders drooped.

“I'll see about that tea.” Callie went to fill the teakettle and get it on to boil.

“Callie, come quick!” The urgency in Delta's cry struck fear.

Flinging down the tin of tea, Callie hurried to the parlor. Emily Winters lay on the floor twitching and convulsing.

“Here, take the baby.” Delta thrust the infant into Callie's arms. “The doctor told me what to do. I have to keep Emily from chewing her tongue until this passes. Can you get me a soft cloth?”

The warmth of the baby's small body wrapped around Callie. She closed her eyes and braced herself against the pain.

Finally, she got control of herself. Racing to the kitchen, she grabbed the dish towel and ran back. Once Callie delivered it, she went to get Rand. He scrambled into the house, his face white.

“It's Emily. Delta's trying to help her.”

Rand hurried to the parlor with Callie right behind. In the midst of it all, the baby's squalls echoed throughout the house. While Rand helped the stricken woman, Callie rocked sweet little Wren.

A song from long ago sprang to Callie's mind and she began to softly sing. Either the rocking or the singing or both soothed the infant, and she closed her eyes. One tiny fist clutching Callie's finger was all it took for the tears to flow.

How in God's name could she turn away such a perfect little girl who desperately needed someone to cherish her, to calm her fears when nightmares came, and to teach her how to become a young lady?

* * *

After what seemed like hours, the convulsions stopped. Rand gently lifted Emily to the sofa. Quiet sobs broke the stillness. He glanced at Callie and wondered at her outpouring of grief for a woman she'd only just met. He went to her side and rested a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you all right, Callie?”

“I'll be fine.”

“Help me understand.”

“Please, just see to our guests. We'll talk about this later.”

Rand sighed. It was clear she wouldn't discuss it. He had no choice but to drop it for now. “I'll be here whenever you get ready.”

Delta placed a wet cloth on Emily's forehead and gave him a weak smile. “Thank you, Rand. You were a big help. These episodes are becoming more frequent with each new hour. This is the second today.”

Time was not on Emily's side, it seemed. Deep sadness seeped into Rand's soul. “How are
you
holding up, Delta? Cooper told me Emily lives with you in the main ranch house.”

“I'm managing fine. Cooper helps some, but between running our ranches and being sheriff, he has little time.” Delta covered her patient with a blanket and lowered her wide girth onto the settee. “I'll do whatever I have to for Emily. She has no one else.”

“I understand how difficult it is and wish I had an answer.” Rand knelt in front of Callie, handing her a handkerchief he took from his pocket. “It's all right, Callie. Emily is sleeping now.”

“I'm so sorry,” Callie said, wiping her eyes. “I should've been more help.”

He laid a hand on her knee. “Do you want me to take the baby?”

Momentary panic filled her beautiful eyes. “No. Please let me hold her.”

“All right,” he said gently and sat down next to Delta. “How long does Doc Yates give Emily?”

“A week, maybe. It's close. That's why it's really important to find a home for Wren. It would sure ease Emily's mind. I wish I could keep the baby, but Cooper said I'll have more than enough when the twins come, and I agree.”

Callie nuzzled the babe's cheek. “May I have a word with you in the kitchen, Rand?”

“Sure.” Puzzled, he watched her hand little Wren to Delta, then followed her to the next room.

“We have to take the baby,” she burst out. “We're Emily's only hope.”

Rand placed his hand to the side of her face, searching her whiskey-colored eyes. “I feel the same way, but it's only right for the baby's sake to have two parents, and I can't marry you.”

“Can't or won't?”

“Both. Remaining a bachelor is the way it has to be. Trying to fill another jagged hole in my heart is too hard and takes too long. Everyone I care about always ends up walking away. I have to protect myself from that hurt.” It killed him to deny her. The only way to protect himself was to hurt her. If only it could be another way. She was asking too much of him. Couldn't she see that?

“Surely not everyone has done you wrong.”

“I'll be glad to furnish proof. I once asked a young lady by the name of Jolene to marry me. We were nineteen years old. She said she would, so I made all the arrangements. She never showed up for the ceremony. Cooper saw her with another man, loading her trunk into a wagon. They drove out of town and she was gone. No word to me, no pretty excuses. She didn't even have the courtesy to tell me she'd changed her mind.”

“That was one woman, and she didn't deserve you.”

Rand shook his head. “She was just the first. Beth was the second and far more cruel because she told me I was going to be a father. Only she forgot to tell me that she was already married—to the mayor of the town, and the child was his. There were others who betrayed my trust, but I'm sure I don't need to go down the list.” He wiped away the remains of a tear from her eye and softened his voice. “Our arrangement is only temporary. You said so yourself. I can't go through this again.”

“I will agree to stay by your side and raise Toby and this baby.” Callie rested her palm on Rand's chest. “Trust me when I say I'll never abandon you. Please, give me a chance. That's all I ask.”

“Let me get this straight. After insisting that you're only here for a few weeks, you're now saying you want to make this your home?”

She swallowed hard. “Yes.”

“Why? Why the change of heart?”

“I realized a few minutes ago that it's time to put the ghosts of the past to rest and to do what is right and good.”

“What assurance do I have that a week, a month, or a year from now you won't decide that you've made a mistake and pack up?”

“I have nothing except a solemn vow. What about you? Would you be able to make a life with me?”

He wouldn't survive the next time someone walked out of his heart. “I honestly don't know. I must be crazy for even considering this for one second.”

Callie laid her head on his shoulder. “We're a sorry pair, aren't we? Seems life has done its best to drop us to our knees.”

“We are and it has.” He smoothed her hair. “Forget this crazy plan.”

When she lifted her head, a light blazed in her amber eyes. “No. I think we can make this work if you're willing. You're a gambler. What odds do you give this hand so that a motherless babe will have a good life?”

Rand allowed a tight smile. “I wouldn't push in all my chips. At the moment, I only show a pair of threes.”

“That's something to build on, isn't it? Who knows what cards we'll turn over next.”

“It's possible, I reckon.”

“Sometimes a person has to take a leap of faith and hope for the best. I'm the last one I thought would do this. But when I held Wren in my arms, I knew I couldn't let her go. Very soon she will have no one. I can be a good mother. I know it. I see you with Toby and know you want to be a father. We can make a happy home.”

Shoving his hands through his hair, Rand blew out a loud breath. “I just don't… I know what you're saying is true and all that, but I'm not the marrying kind.”

Callie clutched the front of his shirt as though she were falling. “I'm certainly not either. This scares the life out of me, but I can't turn my back. Can you? If not us, who
will
take Wren?”

Could he turn a blind eye and close off his heart to a babe who needed him? “Put that way, I guess that means I'm in. We'll simply have to trust each other and try to make this work.” God help him if he was making another mistake.

“I need you to agree to one thing.”

A sinking feeling settled in the pit of Rand's stomach. “What's that?”