Chapter 24
At the bang of a gun, a scream rose into Hyacinth’s throat. Before she could release it, Cheno was lifting her off the ground and over his shoulder so that her head hung down his back. He was quick and was already racing away from Alvarado before she could catch her bearings.
She waited for more gunshots to explode around them, but only silence filled the air. Within seconds, she found herself under the cover of trees, and a moment later, Cheno was lowering her to the ground.
“You okay, Mrs. Thorpe?” he asked while scanning her.
She didn’t answer and instead fumbled to see what was going on in the clearing behind her, frightened for Beckett. He still had his gun out and trained on Alvarado. The leader had lifted both hands, and his gun was on the ground a dozen paces away.
Had Beckett shot the gun out of Alvarado’s grip?
The fellow with the long braid who’d brought her out of the shack was standing motionless. He still held his gun, but it was hanging at his side.
Hyacinth allowed herself a full breath. No one appeared hurt, and no one seemed to be fighting.
Beckett kept his gun fixed on Alvarado but began talking in Spanish to the long-braid fellow. The man nodded and spoke back, the conversation seeming amiable enough.
Behind her, Cheno cut her bindings and then commanded one of the other fellows to keep guard over her while he returned to Beckett’s side.
As Beckett continued talking, Cheno opened the flap on the bag strapped to Beckett’s side.
He pulled out a document along with a pouch and handed them to the man with the long braid.
The fellow talked a moment longer with Beckett, then Beckett shook the man’s hand.
One by one, the others inside the home came out, spoke with Beckett, took his peace offering, then shook hands.
Finally, the last one left was Alvarado.
He was still standing in the yard, his arms crossed and his gun on the ground a dozen paces away.
He’d watched the exchanges warily. And now he faced Beckett.
“I got nothin’ for you, Alvarado.” Beckett’s voice was hard.
“You owe me—”
Beckett waved his gun at the man. “Like I told you before, I oughta kill you for kidnapping my wife today. Instead, I’m letting you go free.”
Alvarado narrowed his eyes on Beckett. “Thought you was seeking peace. But looks like you still got me for an enemy.”
“That’s too bad, because I had my lawyer draft up a notice to send your father payment for the house and horses my pa took from him. But if you’re not willing to make peace, I reckon I’ll have my lawyer rip up the paper.”
Hyacinth could only watch Beckett with a growing sense of respect.
He had a fierceness as well as a fairness that the ranch and the surrounding area needed.
She’d realized that today after listening to her captors’ grievances.
Beckett was doing a good thing in starting to repay people for what they’d once lost. Hopefully, in the days to come, he could continue to heal the hurts.
She planned to be with him the whole time. Whether he stayed five years or whether he wanted to live at the ranch forever, she wasn’t going anywhere without him.
“I’m taking my wife and going home,” Beckett said, his voice hard again. “If I see you or any of your men back in the area, I’ll assume you broke our deal, and I’ll not only seize everything I returned, but I’ll make you pay for the hassle.”
With that, Beckett holstered his gun and pivoted so that he faced the trees. He scanned the foliage until his gaze landed on her. Then he started toward her.
Cheno lingered behind, even as Alvarado stalked toward the house. Hyacinth worried for a moment that once Beckett’s back was turned, Alvarado would seek revenge and do something. But maybe Beckett’s threats had been enough to deter the fellow.
Either way, Beckett was on his way toward her, his stride purposeful, his determination unwavering. She never would have believed it possible she could love one man so much. But somehow, she’d fallen totally and completely in love with him.
His dark-blue eyes were stormy and the worry lines in his forehead deep. As he halted in front of her, she could only stare at him, a deep gratefulness welling up inside her that he was alive and that Alvarado hadn’t killed him—or her.
“You all right, darlin’?” he asked gently as he lifted a hand to her hair and brushed back a loose strand.
“I’m more than all right.”
“You sure?”
“Other than being hungry and my wrists being a little chafed, I’m none the worse for the ordeal.”
He leaned in a little closer. “You’re amazing. I can’t think of another woman I’ve ever met who would have endured what you did today.”
“I shouldn’t have left the ranch this morning.”
“Nope. It was my fault for pushing you away.”
“Actually, it was my fault for not sticking with you.”
“Actually, I’m to blame for being such a donkey and suggesting the annulment. I’d never be able to live without you.”
“No, really. I’m to blame. I shouldn’t have mentioned you taking another wife. I’d never be able to give you away to someone else.” It felt so good to be bickering with him again like this. It meant he was okay, they were okay, and their relationship was okay.
His expression turned serious. “You sure you want to stick with a fella like me? Here in Texas? With this kind of danger around every corner?” He cocked his head toward the clearing and the hut beyond. “I wouldn’t fault you if you want to cut bait and run.”
She peered up at him—at the scruffiness on his strong jaw, the hard line of his nose, the intensity of his eyes. He was so ruggedly handsome, even after the hot and dusty day. More than that, he was kind to make sure that she really was okay with staying in Texas.
What could she say to convince him that all that truly mattered was being with him, that she’d be happy if they were together.
At the moment, she couldn’t think of anything to say, and she did the only thing that came to mind.
She lifted onto her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and dragged his face down to hers.
Then she meshed her lips with his, showing him how much she wanted to be with him.
It wasn’t the time or place to kiss him passionately, since they were surrounded by his men. But after what they’d both been through, she honestly didn’t care if she was being improper. All that mattered was being with him and knowing he cared enough to make their relationship work.
He didn’t seem bothered that his men were watching. He kissed her back like a man who’d just returned to her after a year-long journey and had missed her and now never wanted to be away from her again.
At the clearing of a throat nearby, she broke the kiss and dropped her face to his chest, burying it there.
“We’ll be safer if we head out right away.” The terse words came from Cheno.
Beckett didn’t release her but nodded at the fellow. “Yep. Let’s go.”
Of course there was still danger in lingering near a gang hideout, and they would be better off putting distance between themselves and Alvarado—just in case he changed his mind and came after them.
She started to pull back from Beckett, but he didn’t release her and instead smiled down at her. “I take it the kiss was a yes?”
“A yes?”
“That you’ll stick with a lowlife like me.”
She shoved his chest playfully. “Only because you’re a handsome lowlife.”
“So I’m handsome, am I?” His grin widened.
“Don’t let it go to your head, Cowboy.”
“Too late.” He swooped down, picked her up off her feet, and carried her toward his horse with the arrogant swagger she loved.
As they reached his mount and he started to lift her into the saddle, she clung to him for an extra second. “Thank you for coming after me today.”
His eyes turned serious. “I meant what I said earlier. I love you. I love you more than my own life and would have taken your place if I could’ve.”
A swell of emotion rose in her chest. “I love you too, Beckett.”
“For real?”
“As real as real can be.”
This time he bent in and showed her what his response was—one that was a whole lot better without words, this time with a kiss so sweet and achingly tender she almost wanted to cry.
Was this love really happening to her? She didn’t want to stop kissing him, but at Cheno’s throat clearing again, she broke the kiss at the same time as Beckett.
With flushed cheeks, she allowed Beckett to help her up into his saddle. A moment later, he took his place behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her close.
She leaned her head back into his shoulder, intending to enjoy every single second of the long ride back to the Double T with his body pressed against hers.
As he nudged his mount forward, she laid her hands over his on her abdomen. The hold felt so intimate and sent a ripple of desire through her.
He bent into her neck, his breath warm against her skin.
More desire plummeted deep down into her belly, heating her fast.
“Don’t worry, darlin’,” he murmured. “I’m aiming to have you begging me for kisses by the end of this ride.”
“So you still think you can get me to beg you for kisses? Is that it?”
“I don’t think I can. I know I can.”
She bit back a grin. There was the exasperating Beckett she’d fallen in love with.
“How about if we see who is able to get the other begging first?” She kept her voice light.
He smirked. “Fine. But don’t be upset when I win.”
She slid her hand down to his leg and rested it lightly there.
His humor fell away, and he visibly swallowed hard and stared straight ahead.
She hid her smile. The ride home would be fun. In fact, her marriage with Beckett would never be dull, and she couldn’t wait to have a lifetime of love and laughter with him.