A Husband Returned: Men of Wicked Sorrow, Book One by Wynne Roman

Author:Wynne Roman [Roman, Wynne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781943244867
Publisher: Glenfinnan Publishing
Published: 2019-11-25T18:30:00+00:00

19

Nathan rode into the yard of the Double C, reining Clancy in with slow, deliberate purpose. It was the only way he’d allowed himself to move since he’d left the Sangre Real, and he held himself with the same discipline now.

He swung down from the saddle, walked Clancy to the barn, and pushed the door aside to lead the horse inside. It was just after dusk, but a lantern hung inside, and Nathan lit it to spread soft light all around him.

A part of him was glad for the interval required to care for the gelding. He needed that much time to uncinch, unbridle, and unsaddle the horse. He reached for a towel to wipe Clancy down, and then turned an expert hand to wielding a curry comb. Through every moment of it, his mind raced.

Nathan had been mounted, ready to leave the Sangre Real, and should never have stopped when Gabriel shouted. Instinct had him responding when the Segundo had strode up and called, “Hold up.”

He’d done so, thinking Tristan may have forgotten to tell him something. Instead, the other man had stopped next to Clancy and pierced Nathan with that sharp gaze from that one blue eye. Even standing flat-footed and staring upward, Gabriel had been an intimidating presence.

“Are you sure you can keep Mariah safe?”

Nathan noticed that Gabriel had again reverted to using his wife’s Christian name, but he’d let it go this time. Instinct had warned him that this was a moment in which he’d want to pick his battles.

“Why are you so concerned about my wife, Segundo?”

That forceful look in Gabriel’s eye had never wavered. “Because she’s kind. Loving. And beautiful. Leaving her alone,” he’d blinked once, “isn’t a good idea.”

Did the other man mean today? Or something more? “And I’ve already done that?” Nathan pushed.

“You served. We all served.” The man’s shoulder had lifted negligently. “No choice. But now you’re back, and you shouldn’t leave your wi —” He’d cut himself off mid-sentence. “Mariah untended.”

“What are you trying to tell me, Bonham?” Nathan had done nothing to control the hard edge to his voice.

“If you can’t keep her safe at the Double C, send her back here. I—we’ll care for her until this rustling threat is managed.”

“You think I’d trust my wife’s safety to any man other than myself?” Incredulous rage had begun to build deep inside him.

“Wouldn’t you do what’s best for her?”

“And you think what’s best for her is to stay here, at the Sangre Real?”

“Yes.”

“And why is that?”

Gabriel’s stare had hardened. “More men. It’s more secure.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? If I turned the care of my wife over to you?”

“Yes.” Just that one word again.

“And why in Satan’s hell would you think I’d do that?”

The other man hadn’t answered, so Nathan had waited. He’d stifled his impatience until it had finally burst free. “What is it? What is it that you want to say?”

“I . . .” The word had died almost before it began, and Gabriel had shaken his head.

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