The Outlaw's Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday

Author:Linda Broday
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2019-01-07T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-three

That night Clay made them a bed of hay in their half-finished house and scattered wildflowers all around. With a dozen lit candles adding a soft touch, he went to find Tally. She’d just tucked Violet into bed in Tobias and Belle’s tent.

He’d already given the men orders not to come near the framed-in house, or they’d find a loaded gun in their face. This was his and Tally’s private time and the men had best respect it.

Tally gave a little cry the moment she saw what he’d prepared. “Clay, this is so romantic and sweet.” She rested her palms on his leather vest. “You constantly surprise me.”

“That’s my plan.” His voice became hoarse, raspy. “I don’t want you to get tired of me, because I happen to like having you around. In case you haven’t noticed, I like it a whole lot.”

“Funny, I was thinking earlier how content I am being here.” Tally glanced up. “The stars seem so close tonight. It’s almost as though I can reach up and pluck one.” She snuggled into the curve of his arm. “Do you know how rarely I felt this secure before I came here?”

Clay tightened his hold. Although he suspected the answer, he wanted to hear her to say it. “No, how often?”

“Not once. I used to live in constant fear, afraid to let deep sleep claim me, or I wouldn’t hear trouble coming. I’d be up a dozen times a night, checking on the ladies, listening to every noise, sniffing the wind.” She shifted and glanced up at him. “Now I don’t have to. But I still worry about my friends and I wonder if Hester’s leg is all right.”

“If they weren’t, I’m sure Alice or one of them would be back.”

“It’s just hard letting go of the need to protect them.” She trailed a finger down his jaw. “Clay, Dr. Mary told me that she might know a way to remove these tattoos from our faces. How would you feel if I didn’t have it anymore?”

A jolt of surprise swept through him. He didn’t know it was even possible. The scent of wild sage, yucca, and the wildflowers that lined a path to their bed drifted on the breeze. The hoot of a nearby owl added serenity to the night.

“Honestly, I never see that mark. All I see is the dream and hope in your eyes. Will the removal hurt?”

“Yes, so I’m told.”

“Then don’t. I’m not sure I can stand to see you in pain, darlin’. You’ve been through far too much already.” He inhaled, letting the fragrance of her hair engulf his senses. “On the other hand, without the tattoo to identify you, you’ll have more freedom to come and go. That mark keeps you a prisoner here. If you want this, I’m right beside you.” Clay’s hand curved below the softness of her breast as he kissed her tilted mouth.

Suddenly, all talk of tattoos and escapees from Creedmore melted away, leaving only heated passion and a need that left him shaking.

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