To Wed In Texas

TWENTY-NINE

EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE WAS READY. THE TWINS were tucked away safely upstairs with the younger of Ida's children. Any boy over twelve had been given a window to guard. Each had some kind of weapon and was told to start yelling the moment he heard anything. The girls turned the kitchen table over and hid behind it. They took turns watching the back door. They would throw every piece of china and pot at anyone trying to enter.

Gerilyn sat at the top of the stairs with an umbrella. She'd proclaimed herself the general of this army of children. From the way she shouted orders and arranged everyone, Daniel would have thought she'd seen combat.

The Reverend Daniel McLain, in his proper black coat and vest, stood waiting on the porch. The Colt strapped to his leg looked like a part of him. He had no intention of allowing one of Whiteley's men past the front door. Ida's menagerie of children were not naive little souls who frightened easily. They were fighters, or they wouldn't have survived this long. They'd lived through an ocean crossing with little food, no room and a body count of almost fifty percent to fever. They'd lost both parents and camped out on Caddo Lake, where most grown men were afraid to go alone.

Yes, Ida's children would fight, but Daniel knew that, if they had to take to arms, he'd be dead.

Full daylight came and still no sign of Whiteley with Karlee or of Wolf.

“You think Wolf found them?” Ida asked from her perch on the huge pile of Gerilyn's luggage.

“Maybe.” Daniel was afraid to hope. Last night he'd thought he'd go mad searching for Karlee.

The town came alive like a Saturday night drunk who had to teach Sunday school. Mumbling, cranky, resigned. Daniel could hear the sounds from the dock a half-block away, voices shouting and wagons rolling. Valerie and her mother had left to check on the damage to their store. He'd told them not to return until the trouble was over.

The world turned despite Daniel's problems. He'd thought of notifying the Army or the sheriff about the kidnapping, but he could no longer be sure who was involved with Baker. If he told the law about the rifles, he or Ida might be arrested. These days, there was no predicting what would happen.

During the night, he'd heard several men mention they'd seen Baker about town. From the rumors, Daniel pictured a gentleman who changed his demeanor and language at will. He was reported to have played cards last night with Union officers, who had no idea who he was, and supposedly joined in a saloon fight near the docks that left two men dead. Baker was a man of many talents and one flaw. He never allowed anyone to best him. He never backed down or backed away.

Footsteps, running fast, drew Daniel's attention from his thoughts. Valerie hurried toward them, her colorful skirts flying.

“Daniel!” she cried. “Daniel! Come fast.”

He stepped into the light of morning, fearing more for her than for himself. “What it is?”

“Karlee!” Valerie folded at her waist, trying to breathe. “She's in the water.”

Daniel stilled, his body numb with fear. In his mind's eye, he could see Karlee floating in the bayou, her red hair circling her. Dead.

Valerie gulped air. “She won't come out, and she won't let anyone near her in a boat.”

Daniel breathed.

“Hurry,” Valerie cried. “She looks like she's been swimming for hours.”

“Go!” Gerilyn yelled from the doorway. “I'll handle this front.”

No pain from his leg reached his mind as he ran the half block to the docks. A crowd had gathered around, almost pushing one another in the bayou in their efforts to see.

The sight of a preacher wearing a gun made several women gasp as Daniel stormed onto the dock like a warrior.

“Where is she?” he yelled to no one in particular.

“Out there, Preacher,” a man answered. “We told her to swim in, but she won't.”

“I offered to row out to her, but she wouldn't hear of it,” another added. “She keeps yelling for you.”

Daniel stared hard at a head of wet, red hair bobbing up and down in the deep water.

“She's gone crazy,” someone mumbled, and several agreed.

“Trying to kill herself. A loveless marriage, I'd guess. She'd only known him for a few days before she married him.”

“I knew she weren't right when she let all them worthless Germans live with her.”

“Heard tell she arrived packed in a trunk.”

Daniel paid no attention to the talk. He no longer cared what anyone in town said. All he cared about was Karlee and why she wouldn't come into shore and out of danger. She was a strong swimmer. As strong as him. But she stayed away.

He raised his hand and waved.

Karlee did the same.

And then he saw it! Her bare shoulder. And he knew why she kept her distance.

Without saying a word, he unstrapped his gun belt and dropped it on the dock. Then he pulled off his coat and tied it around his waist. His boots landed next to the Colt.

As he moved to the water's edge, he caught Valerie's eye. “Find a blanket. I'll be needing it.”

She nodded and vanished into the crowd.

Everyone watched as he dove into the choppy water and swam out toward his wife.

Daniel reached her in long steady strides. When he stopped in front of her, he smiled. “Good morning, Mrs. McLain.”

“Reverend,” she answered politely.

“May I offer you my coat?” He wrapped his coat around her as he folded her into his arms. “Welcome home.”

“I'm sorry about this.” Karlee pushed hair from her face. “I know I've embarrassed you greatly. It appears everyone in town is watching.”

Daniel began to swim to shore. “It doesn't matter,” he answered as he pulled her along. “You're safe.”

When he reached a place where he could touch bottom, he pulled her to him and carried her the rest of the way. Valerie danced into the shallow tide and handed him an old packing blanket for Karlee's legs.

When the water was at his waist, Daniel stopped, unable to resist any longer. He kissed her full on the mouth in front of everyone.

Several of the women in the crowd gasped as if about to faint. Many of the men cheered.

Her lips were cold, and she shivered in his arms. “Let's go home,” he whispered. They left the dock without explaining to anyone what had happened.

Karlee laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She didn't have to go anywhere. She was home.

When they reached the house, everyone talked at once, asking about Karlee and telling of Wolf coming by with men tied on a rope.

“Wolf wants you to meet him at the sheriff's office as soon as you can,” one of the older German boys told Daniel.

“Tell Wolf Karlee's safe, and we'll be there directly.” Daniel sat Karlee down in the rocker by the fireplace. “After I get my wife warm.”

When he looked up, Gerilyn stood behind the children holding an armload of dry blankets and several towels. Prepared as always, she hurried forward, dropped her load by the fireplace and wrapped Karlee in one of the quilts.

“I was so worried about you, Cousin. It must have been horrible beyond words.” She grabbed a towel and patted Karlee's hair. “Remember now, dear, a lady never talks about such unpleasantries. I'll stand beside you. After all, you're blood. But for fate it could have been me who those terrible men kidnapped.” She clenched her hands to her heart. “I won't allow anyone to disgrace your name, no matter what happened during the kidnapping.”

“Nothing happened. Except that I broke free and swam to town. I thought I'd get here early and could grab something to cover me before anyone saw me. But that didn't happen.”

“That's the spirit, dear. Block it all from your mind.” Gerilyn gave her a hug and almost touched her cheek with a kiss.

Daniel stood protectively behind the rocker. “I need to ask you and Ida a favor, Gerilyn. I know you're loading up to leave, but would you mind taking all the children down to the dock? I'm sure they'd enjoy breakfast at the bakery.”

Gerilyn nodded soberly. “Of course, I understand. You need to talk to Karlee. I guess you've a husband's right to know the details.” She patted her cousin's shoulder. “Chin up, dear. You'll survive this shame. There's no need for you to give a thought to suicide, though that's the path many in your situation would take.”

Ida rolled her eyes then glared at Gerilyn for a moment before she shooed the children from the kitchen. As she left, with a twin on either side, she winked at Daniel. “Keep her warm,” was all she said, but Daniel got the message.

Finally, they were alone. The house was quiet and no longer in any danger of attack.

He locked the back door and shoved the table against the entrance leading to the foyer.

“Expecting more trouble?” Karlee gripped her coffee with both hands and leaned toward the fire.

“No. For once I'd like not to be expecting anything or anyone.” He crossed to her. “I'd like to be alone with my wife.”

Karlee looked down at what a mess she was. “I'm sorry for embarrassing you, but while I swam last night my camisole ripped away and the bloomers fell off when the drawstring came untied.”

He moved about the room as though he wasn't really listening. When he returned she noticed he had an armful of candles and the tin of matches.

“If you're worried about me killing myself, forget it. Murder may have crossed my mind a few times in the past ten hours but never suicide.”

Daniel spread a quilt on the floor in front of the fire and lit the candles one by one circling the quilt. Then he stood and slowly peeled away his wet clothes.

“What are you doing?” Karlee asked.

“I'm going to finish what we started last night in the study.” His voice held a hint of formality, but he was smiling all the way to the twinkle in his eyes.

“But it's eight o'clock in the morning.” Karlee couldn't believe what he was thinking. “The children are up. Everyone in town is awake. Folks don't do what we were doing in daylight. It isn't natural.”

“I don't care.” He stopped unbuttoning his trousers and pulled her against him. “I'm going to make love to my wife. Unless my wife has any objections?”

Karlee stared at him, wondering if he'd been drinking or maybe he'd been clobbered in the head once too often. This was not like Daniel.

But he certainly looked like Daniel. “No,” she whispered. “I've no objections.”

“Good.” He pushed the blanket from her shoulders. “Then first I'd like to look at you in all kinds of light. I want to see you. Really see you.”

Karlee stood in shock as he removed the wet coat he'd placed around her in the water and gently lay her down on the quilt.

Her damp body glistened in the sunlight. Firelight warmed her side, and candlelight sparkled in her eyes. When she would have curled up, he gently spread her arms above her head and lifted her hair so that it offered no covering.

After a few half-hearted efforts to cover herself, she lay still before him letting the light warm her. His large hand spread across her abdomen. She drew in a deep breath and released it slowly while his hand pressed against her.

“I want to see and touch every part of you. I want to make love to you, Karlee.”

When she looked up, he was staring into her eyes, his thoughts unreadable.

Without another word, he leaned over and kissed her. His chest warmed her like a blanket. She closed her eyes but the image of him before her remained. She was floating now as she had in the darkness when she'd been too tired to swim. His hands passed over her, keeping her warm, keeping her alive.

She'd dreamed he was there in the night, moving beside her while she swam. Touching her softly as he was now. Silently telling her of his love.

Slowly, in the morning sunlight and crackling fire-light, he stroked her. He didn't need to tell her that he'd been frightened for her life, that he'd gone mad searching for her, that he'd felt her absence like a blow. She knew.

Her fingers slid into his damp hair as she pulled his mouth to hers. “I love you,” she whispered as she gave herself willingly to his caresses.

The night in the study had been wild, the morning tender and loving. He took his time, caressing her fully, bringing her to a level of need that made her mindless.

She rocked beneath him, wanting more. But he was in no hurry, driving her to the edge of sanity again and again. When his hands were finally not enough, he moved his mouth over her. Tasting her, kissing her, devouring her.

She wanted to touch him, to please him, but all she could do was react to his lovemaking. She lay unaware of anything but him. She rocked slightly to his embrace and moaned with pleasure. When she made a sound, he'd repeat any action until desire washed over her. Her body felt like it was on fire with need.

His rough hands moved so gently over her tender flesh she shivered. He pulled her against him but didn't stop his discovery of her.

He was her world, and she was his. He felt her happiness as his own and she felt his desire in the very core of her. The loneliness they'd suffered made their closeness far sweeter.

Suddenly, he pulled away and stood. For a long moment, he stared down at her.

She saw the passion in his eyes. A wild animal ready to run with her into a paradise he'd never known. A man looking at what he cherished most… her.

He pulled off his trousers and knelt beside her. Without a word, he put his warm hand on her thigh and encouraged her legs to open.

As she opened, he stroked her gently, completely.

“Are you frightened?” His voice rumbled with need.

“No,” she whispered as he lowered over her, entering her swiftly and fully.

Karlee felt the pain and opened her mouth to cry out, but his lips closed over hers, swallowing her cry. The kiss now was deep, no longer with longing but with passion. He took her breath as he took her body, without resistance.

She moved with him, and the pain disappeared. He dug his hands into her hair and shifted in the timeless dance of lovemaking. She joined him, wanting more. He moved faster, giving her his weight with each thrust.

All the years of being alone, of never being touched, of never being loved melted away. Her heart pounded wildly, beating to the rhythm of his movements.

He carried her in passion's fantasy higher and higher, until the world shattered and pure pleasure bolted through her body.

He shoved into her, once, twice more, before she felt him tense, and she knew the bolt had struck him as well.

For a few minutes neither of them could move. They lay wrapped in one another's arms. He rolled to his side, drawing her with him.

Karlee laced her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.

Daniel stared at the fireplace for a long time. Finally, he found the energy to stroke her hair and kiss her forehead lightly. His fingers slid lazily along her back.

As much as he'd denied it since the moment he saw her, he loved her. He'd fallen hard and landed solidly on his heart. A heart he thought long since made of stone.

“I love you,” he whispered as his mouth took hers with the sweet taste of satisfaction.

His hand slid over her body lovingly, caressing, cherishing.

“I know,” she answered almost asleep.