WANTON SURRENDER
Book 2 in the Wanton Series
by Ruth D. Kerce
copyright © 2007, all rights reserved
Published by EllorasCave.com
Artwork by Syneca
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Prologue
Elk Valley, New Mexico Territory, May 1870
The pond water felt cool and refreshing against Elizabeth Davenport’s bare body. She smiled widely. Swimming naked made her normally tame life seem so deliciously decadent.
The water lapped at her sensitive breasts, making her nipples pebble as the coolness swirled between her thighs, teasing her sex. She had quickly grown addicted to the almost nightly ritual, even this early in the year when the water and late night air still held a definite chill.
She leisurely swam toward the middle of the pond, keeping her back turned until Cal Roberts, the man to whom she’d sworn her undying love, emerged from behind the fir trees and entered the water. Usually, he arrived and waded in before she did, but he said he’d almost gotten caught sneaking out of the cabin tonight and had to wait until his brother went to bed. Luckily, she’d gotten away without notice.
Rustling drew her attention to where he stood, mostly concealed from her view. She seriously considered peeking as he undressed, but decided against it, even though every contour of his naked chest intrigued her and she’d caught tantalizing views of his bare backside more than once.
Her curiosity about the rest of his body was reaching fever pitch. Unsure how much longer she could contain herself from looking and touching where she shouldn’t, a giggle escaped her lips.
The unexpected titter surprised her. She clamped a hand over her mouth, then grinned behind her fingers at her naughty thoughts.
Far from naïve, she felt more than ready to experience everything life had to offer, including physical intimacy. The whole thing—far from being a child, but her family not yet treating her as a woman—frustrated the hell out of her. Except when it came to Cal. He always treated her like a woman, though he’d never tried to touch her intimately. Too bad, for she craved his touch so much and felt only his touch would ever be enough to satisfy her.
Despite her heated thoughts, a shiver passed through her and she rubbed her arms. The night air wafted over her exposed skin. Definitely too cool for them to swim, but she didn’t care. She looked forward to her time alone here with Cal. The pond was their place.
At this time of year, the water remained a bit shallow. Her feet too easily touched the bottom and the middle sank barely deep enough to cover her feminine assets when she stood. Even so, they refused to find another spot. The seclusion of this particular pond made it the perfect meeting place.
The sound of an owl drew her gaze upward. She sighed. The night sky, clear with a million stars overhead, sparkled brightly. A sliver of the moon showed through the trees in the east. So romantic.
The first time they’d come here and he’d teased her into swimming naked, she hadn’t wanted to look like a scared little girl in his eyes, so she’d done it. After that first time, she’d no longer felt self-conscious, or embarrassed, or even felt their actions wrong. He made her feel special and had never taken advantage of their unclothed condition. She loved him so much. They belonged together. How could it be wrong?
Her sister would have a fit if she ever found out about their nightly meetings. Skylar was always saying “You’re only seventeen”—as if that meant anything. And Cal’s brother would probably horsewhip him, figuratively speaking, of course.
Older people, even by only a few years, especially once married a while, seemed to forget about true love and the kinds of desires that ruled the heart, so she and Cal needed to be careful. She swore she’d never forget those feelings, no matter what.
Getting caught together like this did hold a certain appeal though, she had to admit. Maybe then they’d be forced to marry to protect her reputation. A small smile played on her lips. They would wed sooner or later anyhow. Sooner sounded good to her.
Her best friend, Emma Bray, still hadn’t found love, but most of her other friends their age had married and started families of their own long ago. She wanted to be married too, before everyone labeled her an old maid.
At twenty years old, Cal had been given a portion of land from his brother to build on and she had definite ideas for their own little home, with lots of children. They’d have a good start at a happy future together.
Only one thing bothered her—Cal had never actually professed his love for her directly, saying those special three words she longed to hear from him. Still, it was understood. Everyone knew how they felt about each other. She dashed away her concerns, knowing them silly. Nothing could ever tear them apart.
A ripple in the water told her that he had waded in. “It’s safe to look.” His deep, sexy voice carried across the pond to her, seeming to heat the very water around her.
She turned and watched him approach, a wicked grin on his face. His dark brown hair looked slightly damp at the ends and a curl hung over his forehead. She itched to push it away, just to feel the silky strands against her fingers.
“I love the way you look wet. So enticing,” his voice rumbled in his throat. “It makes me want…”
The closer he got, the more his husky tone warmed her body. “Want what?” she whispered.
“It makes me want,” he repeated, not letting the sentence hang this time.
They’d always stayed covered by the water while naked, but she knew he’d caught glimpses of her skin when they swam. That knowledge and his sensual-sounding words excited her. She bobbed a little higher in the water.
“How about a picnic this Sunday after church?” he asked, swimming up next to her. His gaze flickered down to her barely concealed breasts and passion filled his green eyes. “We could head out to Night Water Canyon. Make a day of it.”
For a moment, she couldn’t speak, wondering if he’d reach out and touch her this time. When he didn’t, disappointment and frustration warred within her. She wanted too. In fact, she ached for him to touch her in all those private places nice girls weren’t supposed to think about. But she did—often. “I’d like that. Let’s go alone this time, all right?”
Last week after church, they’d gone fishing at the stream on the other side of Three Prong Pass with Kid Joe and Emma. Beth loved their friends, but she and Cal wouldn’t need to censor their conversation or their touches if alone. Besides, the canyon was a goodly distance and Emma’s pa probably wouldn’t want her away all day. As town doctor, he often relied on her help.
“Wade and Skylar won’t like us going that far alone,” Cal reminded her.
“Your brother and my sister are too protective.”
He traced a finger down her cheek. “I think they have good reason.”
“Do you?” She hadn’t believed she could feel desire any stronger, but his touch ignited a passion inside her tonight that she had never thought possible. Scary, but exciting at the same time. She reached out and caressed his chest, loving the muscular feel of him and the heat that always came off his body whenever she was near.
He grasped her hand and held it over his heart. “Don’t tempt me more than I already am.”
She felt the heavy thumping beneath her fingers. “You like being alone with me. You like me tempting you. I know it. Admit to me that you do.” When he didn’t immediately reply, she pulled her hand away and swam around behind him. Sometimes it was easier to say something to a person if not facing them. He still didn’t speak, so she moved closer in the water, until their bodies brushed, hoping to push him into an answer.
“All right.” He groaned. “I admit it.”
Triumph surged through her. But then began to fade. “Do I really tempt you, Cal? Truly?” He didn’t talk about his feelings often, though he continually showed her that he cared by his actions. Even so, a woman needed to hear the words from time to time.
“You know you do.”
She moved her mouth close to his ear. “You’ve tempted me too.”
Cal cleared his throat. “I’ve never made an improper move. Well, not too improper.” His voice lowered to a barely audible whisper. “The more time we spend alone together, the harder it’s getting, though, to stay…proper.”
His words caused the blood to rush through her veins. “What do you call convincing me to swim with you, without any clothes on?”
“Completely proper swimming etiquette.”
She could hear the laughter in his voice and smiled. “What if I’m tired of us being proper?” She held her breath, wondering how he’d take her question. She was pushing him again, but a need raged inside her tonight that she couldn’t deny.
Cal visibly stiffened in the water. “What do you mean?”
“Is it that hard to figure out?” In a move she knew would drive him wild, she leaned her upper body fully against his. Her soft bare breasts, pressing firmly against his strong back, caused them both to moan. The effect of their touching went far deeper than she could have imagined. Pure, decadent ecstasy was the only way she could describe the feeling.
Boldly, she curled her fingers around his arms and rubbed her hardened nipples against his back. She felt him suck in a breath at the same time she did.
Since she’d met Cal about a year ago, he’d turned her whole world upside down and made her think about things not one bit proper. Did that make her wanton?
“This is not a good idea,” he choked out and turned in the water, dislodging her hold on him. When he tried to move past her, she flung her arms around his neck, bringing him close again.
Her lips teased his, brushing back and forth across his mouth. She eased one hand up into his hair, lacing her fingers through the soft strands. “This is the best idea I’ve ever had.”
* * * * *
Morning
The sun streamed through the yellow and white-striped curtains, bathing the kitchen in soft light. Skylar chatted easily with Beth, biding her time. A serious matter troubled her mind and she needed to confront her sister about it. But she needed to wait for the right moment.
Her husband entered through the back door and Skylar’s heart filled with love, as always, at the sight of him. His muscular build and sexy smile made her ache just to be near him. He’d already been out for a couple of hours, doing chores. She missed waking up with him beside her, but she hadn’t been able to rouse herself as early as usual.
“You’re looking very fetching today, Beth,” he complimented, skimming her new, cream-colored dress with little white flowers in the pattern.
“Thanks, Wade.” Beth’s eyes lit up in pleasure.
Skylar watched him sniff in the aroma of the frying bacon. She’d have to leave more than a couple of strips for him today. Lately, she’d been ravenous and couldn’t seem to get enough food. The last few weeks she’d practically eaten the cupboard bare.
He set his hat and gun belt on the counter, then strolled over to her and caressed her large belly. “Morning, wife. How do you feel?” He kissed her cheek.
“Fat.” She rubbed her back. This baby was never going to be born. By the time he or she came out, the child would be old enough for school. She was almost two weeks overdue and she’d experienced false labor three times.
“You’re gorgeous. The baby will be here soon enough, so stop fretting over it. When’s breakfast? I’m starved.”
“In about ten minutes. Maybe less. Can you wake Cal? He’s not up yet.”
Wade’s brow furrowed, his eyes looking troubled. “He was supposed to clean out the barn loft this morning. It’s not like him to sleep in.”
“I’ll get him.” Beth clattered the plates down onto the table.
“No.” Skylar gave her sister a stern look, then nodded at her husband. “Wade will get him. You finish setting the table.”
Wade cocked an eyebrow. His narrowed gaze revealed his curiosity at her tone, but he didn’t question her words.
She waited until he left before she said anything more. Now was the time to confront Beth, with Wade and Cal out of earshot. If Beth thought they’d be back any second, she wouldn’t cause a scene. Her sister’s long blonde hair and big blue eyes gave her a sweetly angelic look, but she possessed a stubborn streak Skylar was well acquainted with. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“What?” Beth set out glasses for milk.
“You and Cal sneaked out last night. I heard you. It wasn’t the first time either. Wade’s even beginning to notice Cal leaving after dark. I don’t think he’s noticed your absence yet. This has to stop, Beth.” That’s probably why Cal had slept in. Normally, he rose before the sun, but staying up half the night, night after night, exhausted a body.
The girl’s face reddened. “Um…we couldn’t sleep, that’s all.” She avoided eye contact. “We went for a walk.”
“You both couldn’t sleep? Almost every night this week?” Who knew how long these secret meetings of theirs had been going on, probably a lot longer than she was even aware.
Beth shrugged, continuing to set the table for breakfast. Forks, spoons, two tin cups for coffee, cloth napkins. “We’ve had such nice nights. The air has been wonderful. Invigorating.”
“Stop avoiding the issue.” Skylar knew her sister wasn’t telling the truth. She and Cal would get themselves into trouble yet. Having them both in such close quarters, knowing they were attracted to each other, boded disaster. When she and Wade married, she should have somehow taken precautions against this. She knew Wade had talked to Cal, but apparently that hadn’t been sufficient to prevent their relationship from progressing. Maybe it was time Cal moved out.
“I’m not avoiding anything,” Beth argued, finally meeting her gaze.
“I want to know where you’ve been going and what you’ve been doing.”
“I’m not a child anymore. I don’t have to tell you that!”
Her sister’s heated response pretty much confirmed her suspicions. Skylar was about to say more, to make sure Beth understood what was expected of her as long as she lived in this house, but Wade stepped back into the kitchen before she could get the words out.
His face looked ashen. A piece of paper hung loosely from his hand.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, the tone of her voice wary.
“Cal’s gone.” His eyes looked bright, moist and full of pain.
“Gone?” Beth slowly approached him. “What do you mean gone?”
Dread gripped Skylar, practically choking off her air. By the look on her husband’s face, he didn’t mean Cal had gone out for supplies or to check fences. She immediately regretted her previous thoughts about asking the young man to move out.
Wade lifted the paper. “He left this note, saying he’s gone back to Chicago to live with our grandfather. He said not to follow him because he won’t change his mind.”
Beth’s face paled and she shook her head. “That can’t be. It doesn’t make sense.” She grabbed the note and read it for herself.
Full of emotional turmoil, Skylar moved beside Wade and slipped her arm around his waist. “Oh, Wade.” She rested her cheek against his chest. “Does he say why he left?”
Cal wouldn’t leave without a good reason. He was a fine young man. She loved him like a brother and would miss him terribly. Chicago. So far away.
She had a feeling his sudden absence had something to do with Beth and their relationship, but since she had no proof of that, she didn’t voice her suspicions. No need to cause more tension and heartache for everyone.
A few nights ago, she’d “seen” the possibility of him leaving in a dream vision, but had dismissed it as impossible. Now, she knew the vision had been correct. If the rest of the dream proved correct, more heartache was to come.
“The note doesn’t say why.” Wade’s scratchy voice reflected his own heartache as his arms circled her lovingly.
Beth kept shaking her head. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her breathing sounded labored. “How could he do this? Why would he leave me?”
Skylar felt her sister’s agony. And her husband’s. A part of all their hearts had just been ripped away.
At that moment, a hard contraction squeezed her stomach and she doubled over, breaking Wade’s hold on her. “Wade! It’s time.”
Chapter One
Four Years Later
Nathanial Carlyle sat atop his large, dark steed. His shift of patrolling fence lines would be over soon. Thank goodness. He was as bored as a ruttin’ bull wandering through an empty pasture.
Restlessly, his gelding pawed at the hard-packed ground and puffed air from its nostrils. The horse’s warm breath, visible in the cool and damp-feeling air, reminded Nathan of the impending weather.
“Storm’s definitely a-comin’.” He pulled his slicker from a saddlebag and slipped it on as he looked out over the vast Sinclair land. Amazing. Even under turbulent gray skies, the acreage remained a beautiful sight to behold.
One day soon all this magnificence would belong to him.
The owners, Skylar and Wade Sinclair, had put a glitch in his original plans by their unexpected trip to Europe. On the bright side, that made three less people underfoot to trip him up. They’d taken their little brat of a son along with them.
The boy was too curious for his own good and always got into everyone’s business. Cute little guy actually, if he admitted the truth. The spittin’ image of his pa. But still… He didn’t need the hassle.
Better that they’d all left Elk Valley, he decided, after having time to think on it a bit. While they were away, he would change tactics and use their absence to his advantage.
After all his preparations took hold, people would no longer look down on him like some piece of dirt as they’d tended to in the past and even now, because he was only a lowly hired hand. Others had told him that wasn’t the reason, but he knew. No other reason made sense.
Besides, whatever the truth, he’d be giving all of them orders soon and he fully intended to enjoy every moment of his change in status. He’d already bettered his standing in the community by some fancy social and work-related maneuvering and this was only the beginning.
Money, power and respect. He intended to have them all. Even if he had to achieve those things by less than honest means.
Honesty and hard work were for stupid hound dogs anyhow. Better ways existed to attain an easy life, for a man smart enough to come up with an idea. And above all else, he prided himself on his cunning.
He turned the horse’s head and kicked the animal into a trot, all the while going over the next phase of the plan in his head. By late this afternoon, he’d be one step closer to his goal.
* * * * *
Beth hurried the children into the old schoolhouse, which doubled as the town’s church on Sundays. The building needed some major repairs, but served its purpose well enough. When it rained, they had to place buckets in the corners to catch the drips. And high winds made the building quite drafty. Yet, it gave the children a communal place to learn and parishioners a place to worship. “Get inside, everyone.”
A spring storm was quickly approaching. The wind whipped through the nearby trees and the temperature dropped as gray clouds rolled across the sky. Loose papers, twigs and leaves flew through the air.
She tried to hold her scarf in place over her head, but her efforts proved useless. The cottony material slipped and came off in her hand. A violent gust swept strands of long hair across her face in a tangled mess.
Frustrated, she started toward the schoolhouse, when out of nowhere, an eerie shiver rushed down her spine. Not because of the coming storm, but something much deeper.
She felt watched.
Her heart accelerated and a strange awareness shot through her. Behind you, something whispered in her mind. Slowly, she turned toward the distant hill opposite the school.
A man sat on a horse, peering down at her.
Even though commanding in presence, he sat the horse like a man not used to being in a saddle. His broad shoulders held her attention and something long buried tugged at her heart.
She couldn’t make out his features. He was too far away. But he seemed oddly familiar. Another chill rushed through her body and she rubbed her arms.
The man didn’t raise his hand or gesture in any way to indicate he knew her. Nor did he do anything threatening.
Still, something about him frightened her, as if life were about to change because of him. Somehow, she felt this impending storm was a prelude to a far greater storm brewing on the horizon.
“Miss Beth! Hurry! It’s fixin’ to rain.”
She glanced after the young boy, no more than seven years old, who ran up the steps of the schoolhouse. “Coming, Peter.”
Before following, Beth raised her eyes to the clouds overhead. A large drop of rain landed on her nose, before a gust of wind took the drop away, only to be followed by a heavy splattering of sprinkles. Unmindful of getting wet, she turned back toward the hill for another glance at the mysterious stranger.
The mysterious stranger was gone.
* * * * *
Rain dripped off the brim of his hat and cold seeped into his bones. He rode cautiously across the valley, trying to avoid rabbit holes and other obstacles. The storm had reduced visibility and he didn’t want his horse to stumble or spook.
Shifting in the saddle, he groaned. His butt hurt like hell. He wasn’t used to riding for so long, but his destination loomed close, so he trudged onward.
His thoughts turned to the woman in the schoolyard. Woman. She was no longer the girl he remembered, but she was still the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. Her blonde hair hung longer. Her body appeared fuller, more desirable. His own body tightened and his cock stirred with his memories of then…and his hopes for the future, now that he’d seen her again.
The cold eased and a sexual heat slowly spread through him. Oh, yes. She would warm his bed and his body quite well.
If he wasn’t too late. If he could step back into her life and they could continue where they’d left off. “Somehow I’ll convince her.” So much time had passed, so much pain. Still, he held out hope.
He maneuvered his horse around the bend at Rock Junction and rode until he came upon a closed iron gate, positioned between two pillars of stone. Wire, strung along wooden posts, stretched down both sides of the land for as far as he could see.
Memories washed over him and a lump stuck in his throat. Strange how a place where he’d actually spent such little time could affect him so deeply.
Even after four years away, he remembered every corner of the land. Filled with uncertainty, he dismounted and approached the entry. If he decided to go through with this, there’d be no turning back.
After a moment of hesitation, he grabbed the bars and pushed open the gate with determination. He’d come back to claim what was his—Miss Elizabeth Davenport. He wanted her and wasn’t riding away without her at his side.
As he stepped within the Sinclair properly line, familiarity tugged at him, bringing back more valued memories. Love and laughter. Things he’d never forget. Yes, he’d made the right decision.
The gate squeaked, audible even over the wind and rain. The smell of fir trees filled his nostrils It was good to know some things hadn’t changed. Home.
“Hold up!” a deep voice shouted unexpectedly from the side.
Stiffening immediately at the warning, he turned. He should have grabbed his rifle before dismounting. Stupid! He’d been too distracted by his thoughts of her and the life he’d turned his back on years ago.
Several men quickly surrounded him, each with a gun in hand. “Back right on out of here, stranger,” one of them ordered.
Not quite the reception he’d expected. He didn’t recognize any of the men. That could mean trouble. The ranch hands should have been informed of his pending arrival though. “I’m—”
“Mount up and ride out,” the same man ordered, apparently in charge of the others. “Unless you want a bullet in your gut.”
His frustration bubbled to the surface. What the hell was going on around here? Where was his brother? “Don’t you even care who I am or why I’m here?”
“I don’t recognize you. That’s enough for me. Move out.”
“Back off, Carlyle,” another deep voice boomed from nearby.
A man walked out of the shadows, a stern look on his face. He approached with an easy gait, pushing his way past the others. The rain and wind eased, as if even the weather was allowing this man his head. One hand hovered near the revolver strapped low to his hip. He eyed the horse just inside the entry and the rifle in the saddle sheath, but didn’t break stride until he reached the gate. “Where the hell have you been? About damn time you got here.”
“Time? I’m early.”
“The hell you are.”
“I wasn’t even due until—”
“Who is this cowpoke, Joe?” the man that the other had addressed as Carlyle bellowed. With a scowl on his face, he stepped away from the group.
After a brief huff of frustration in his direction, a wide smile split Joe’s face. “This is Cal Roberts, Carlyle. The boss’s little brother.”
“Not so little,” Cal protested, returning Joe’s smile. He was happy to see a familiar face.
Carlyle visibly tensed and his eyes narrowed to slits.
Cal noticed and wondered at the man’s reaction. If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear that look was pure hatred, which didn’t make a lick of sense. They’d never even met.
Discounting the stranger for now, he turned toward the one man in the crowd he did know. “Good to see you again, Joe,” he greeted.
A former gunslinger, Joe Jackson, had helped Skylar and Beth years ago when they’d needed it the most. He’d left town for a while, but returned shortly after Skylar and Wade married. Despite his past, he’d proven a good friend and overall a good man.
Joe gave him a quick half hug. “Welcome home.” He stepped back and faced the group of men, who had re-holstered their guns. “Someone get his horse and put it in the barn.” Joe turned back to Cal. “Come on up to the house. There have been a lot of changes around here I need to tell you about.”
“So I see.” As they headed off, Cal glanced over his shoulder. Carlyle was still shooting bullets at him with his eyes. He’d pushed his slicker aside and his right hand fingered his holstered pistol. “Who is that guy? What’s going on around here? They about jumped me when I opened the gate.”
“I know. Carlyle’s the foreman here. He gets a little power happy sometimes. Don’t worry about it. We’ve had problems with rustlers, so Wade ordered extra men along the fences. Nothing new. There always seems to be trouble of some sort brewing around here.”
“Foreman? Aren’t you foreman?” Cal had been foreman before he’d left for Chicago, even though they’d only employed two part-time hands at the time and they hadn’t really needed a foreman. Now, with a larger crew, Joe would have been his logical replacement.
“Me, foreman? What the hell do I know about ranching?”
“Rustlers, you said? Is it bad?” He should have been here to help. Though certain his brother had hired good men to help him run the ranch, it wasn’t the same as having family near to watch over the property and each other’s back.
“I’ll tell you about everything inside. I know you haven’t been kept informed about all the goings on.”
“Wade’s not much for letter writing…apparently. Mostly I hear from Skylar. You should have written me and let me know about what was happening.”
“Didn’t feel it was my place, but now that you’re here, I’ll fill you in.”
* * * * *
Carlyle stalked off to the foreman’s quarters. He slammed the door closed behind him, rattling the two windows on either side of the entry.
The small cabin, built for his use, was little comfort, especially when he knew Cal Roberts would be staying in the big house. “Damn! Why wasn’t I told that Roberts was comin’? Why didn’t she mention it? This could ruin everything.”
He tossed aside his wet slicker and picked up a framed picture of Elizabeth Davenport. She belonged to him now and he wasn’t letting her go.
He’d worked hard to get into the good graces of the owner of the ranch, Wade Sinclair. He’d worked even harder to get Elizabeth Davenport, Wade’s sister-in-law, to accept him and his advances.
Wade’s wife and Elizabeth’s older sister, Skylar, still stood in his way. She didn’t like him and was probably the one responsible for Cal Roberts being here. Joe didn’t exactly like him either, but the man was a minor worry. Well, maybe not so minor, actually. But he could handle Joe.
He didn’t understand why the ex-gunfighter, not even a blood relation, was treated like a member of the family, or why the hands took orders from Joe faster than they ever did from him. Joe even slept in the main house, right with the family. It didn’t add up in his head.
He’d bet the gunfighter was fuckin’ Skylar right under Wade’s nose. In town, he’d heard old rumors about something between the two of them. Maybe she even took both men into her bed and body at the same time. Though he’d never actually seen anything tawdry between them himself, he could picture that salacious scene. His cock throbbed at the thought.
Well, he’d win over Joe and Skylar, no matter what. He had himself a plan. And it had been working. Or so he’d thought. Until now.
Now, Wade’s brother had come back to ruin it all. He knew Elizabeth once loved the man. Maybe she even still did, though she swore otherwise. He set down the picture and began to pace.
Slowly, a smile crossed his face as various ideas flickered through his head. His fingers danced over the grip of his pistol.
Accidents happened on a ranch. Considering the problems with rustlers they’d been having, someone could very easily get hurt or even killed. He’d make certain that Cal Roberts wouldn’t be around long enough to destroy the scheme he’d spent over a year concocting and setting into motion.
* * * * *
Cal looked in awe at the new ranch house. Joe led him through the double front doors and into the entry hall, then farther inside to Wade’s study. Mexican-style tile covered the floor. Dark wooden furniture filled the room. Paintings of lush landscapes hung on the walls.
His eyes were immediately drawn to the portrait of Hawk’s Feather. Wade’s first wife, a full-blooded Apache, who had been brutally murdered by a trapper. Her eyes always seemed so wise and accepting to him.
Impressed by what he’d seen so far, he looked forward to seeing the rest of the ranch, inside and out. “Looks at least twice as big as the original cabin. I noticed another barn outside too. And a smokehouse?”
“That’s right. Actually, the house is almost three times bigger now. Wade and Skylar did a good job with the design. Took over a year to get built. It’s a full two stories. Not just a loft upstairs, like before. All the bedrooms are up there, except for Skylar and Wade’s. Theirs is tucked away at the far end down here, with an attached nursery.”
“Nursery?” His pulse jumped at what sounded like exciting news. “Are Wade and Skylar expecting again?”
“Not yet. But they’ve been trying.” Joe laughed. “You know how they are.”
“More in love than any two people I’ve ever known.” Cal imagined his brother and wife working on the design for this place, planning to expand their family. A pang of sadness tugged at his heart that he hadn’t been here to join in their happiness.
“Lots of improvements and new structures outside too,” Joe confirmed. “I’ll show you around later.”
“So where are Wade and Skylar and that nephew I’ve yet to meet?” Another pang of anguish hit. He hadn’t even been here for the birth of Cal Colton Sinclair—his namesake.
From what Skylar had written him, the boy came into the world less than twenty-four hours after he’d left Elk Valley four years ago. He’d missed little Cal learning to walk, missed the boy’s first word, missed so much.
When he’d left the family that night, he had known he was leaving behind everything. The knowledge that the decision to do so had been his own didn’t make the loss any easier to handle.
“Sorry, Cal. They’ve already gone.”
Hellfire. All his expectations disappeared. A deep depression gripped him and he suddenly felt very tired and alone.
Somehow, he wasn’t surprised by Joe’s words. For quite a while now, his life hadn’t been going well. For the last four years, he’d questioned his decision about leaving Elk Valley, sneaking out in the night, abandoning his family. And Beth. But at the time, he’d felt he was doing the right thing.
“They couldn’t wait any longer. They needed to make the stage or they’d miss their connections to the coast.”
Cal sank down in a nearby leather chair. They’d obviously had a change in plans and left earlier than originally scheduled. “Damn.”
“You’ll see them when they get back.”
“In three months…or longer.”
Joe sat across from him in another chair. “So? You planning on going anywhere?”
“I don’t know. Depends.”
Joe eyed him a moment, his gaze serious. He glanced toward the study door and then back again. “You’ve just arrived and are probably exhausted, but since we’re alone in the house, except for the housekeeper, now’s a good time for us to talk privately about a few things.”
“About what things?” Somehow, Joe’s words sounded ominous.
“You haven’t asked about Beth. I thought that would have been the first question out of your mouth when you saw me. If you still care about her, that is.” His eyes narrowed and seemed to bore right through him.
Cal had wondered if Joe would broach the subject. He’d always been very protective of both Skylar and Beth. The man certainly hadn’t wasted any time confronting him. Just as well. “I care. I’ve already seen her.”
Joe cocked an eyebrow. “You have?”
“From up on the hill outside of town. I saw her by the schoolhouse. I didn’t go down though. She saw me, but I don’t think she recognized me. Is she teaching now?”
“No, she just helps out with the younger children a few days a week.”
Cal dreaded to ask his next question. “How badly does she hate me for leaving? Skylar was fairly vague in her letters, even though I often asked.” His gaze scanned the numerous large bookcases against the walls. Through a windowed doorway, he could see a garden. Definitely not the same home he remembered. “Apparently, she left out a lot of details about a lot of things.”
Looking uncomfortable, Joe avoided eye contact, as if trying to pick the right words or deciding how much to tell him. He finally looked back and expelled a heavy breath. “You hurt Beth badly. Especially after you married that whore.”
At the mention of Missy, Cal stiffened, but he didn’t take offense. Whore fit, in more ways than one. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, trying to erase the memories—the pain. Another mistake in his life.
Almost a year before he’d left Elk Valley his brother had taken Melissa Bailey out of Delia’s whorehouse and sent her to live with their grandfather to build a better life. She’d looked a lot like Beth and was about the same age, which probably was what had attracted him to her. She hadn’t acted like Beth though. He’d found that out too late.
She’d lied over and over again to get everything she wanted. Before he discovered her true nature, she’d worked her way into his bed and tricked him into marrying her. Sex and love. Two very different animals, he’d discovered.
Somehow, he had hoped that particular part of his life would remain a secret. He’d never mentioned any of it specifically in his letters. But apparently his grandfather had filled in the family. Even when he’d convinced himself that he cared about Missy enough to make a life with her, he’d felt guilty deep-down for betraying Beth. So, he had never discussed the marriage with anyone outside of Chicago.
Cal raised his head. “So, I guess Beth wasn’t too thrilled to hear I was coming.” Certainly an understatement. He knew she’d harbor a certain level of hatred toward him for leaving Elk Valley like he had. For marrying Missy, he couldn’t imagine how much she must despise him.
Once Skylar and Wade had finalized their plans to tour Europe, Skylar had written him with the news. The excursion was to be a business-pleasure trip. Wade was looking for finer breeding stock for the horse ranch and Skylar had never been abroad. She’d written, saying they wanted him here to handle things while they were away. She’d said they would feel better with family in charge.
The timing had been right. Just prior to getting her letter, his life with Missy in Chicago had ended. Or rather, he’d ended it. So he’d agreed to come. He assumed the family had been filled in on the failure of his marriage too, probably by telegram the very next day, if he knew his grandfather. Otherwise, Joe would have asked a lot more questions.
“Beth didn’t know you were coming,” Joe answered, his tone flat.
Cal leaned forward in the chair, his heart picking up its rhythm. “Nobody told her?” That didn’t bode well. They should have given her some warning.
“We thought it best. Skylar figured if Beth knew, she might do something rash.” Joe hesitated. “Cal, um,” after another hesitation, he continued, “there’s something important that nobody’s told you.”
A cold fist wrapped around his heart. “What?” he croaked, dreading to hear this piece of news, by the serious look on Joe’s face.
“Nate Carlyle?”
The fist tightened painfully. “The trigger-happy foreman?”
Joe nodded and his eyes reflected worry. “Beth’s planning to marry him in five months. It would have been sooner, but Wade’s and Skylar’s trip to Europe delayed the ceremony. Before the end of the year, she’ll be Mrs. Nathanial Carlyle.”
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