Authors: Madeline Baker
Caitlyn’s trial was over in a matter of minutes. The defense stated her case simply. She had been kidnapped by Abner Wylie and Manuel Ramos, and she had killed Manuel Ramos in an effort to defend her honor, and possibly in defense of her life. The jury, comprised of twelve hard-working family men, wasted no time in finding her innocent. Abner Wylie was tried for cattle rustling and in the end, he confessed he was guilty. There was no proof he had killed any of the Circle C cowhands; in fact, he insisted that any killing had been done by the others without his knowledge or consent. Warrants were issued for the arrest of his accomplices, and Wylie was sentenced to ten years for cattle rustling.
It wasn’t enough, Rafe mused, not nearly enough, but it would have to do.
He sat on the edge of the bed while Caitlyn finished dressing. They had spent two nights in the hotel, and now both of them were anxious to be on their way home.
Home,
Rafe thought. It had a nice ring to it. He felt his heart expand as he watched Caty. She was his home, his life, his reason for living.
“Well,” Caitlyn said, looking around. “I guess I’m ready.”
“I’ve got a surprise for you before we go,” Rafe said.
“Really? What is it?”
“This.” Rafe tossed his saddlebags to Caitlyn. “Look inside.”
Curious, Caitlyn opened the worn leather pouch and peered inside. “Rafe,” she murmured, “where’d you get this?”
“It’s yours, Caty. From the sale of the cattle.”
Caitlyn frowned. “Abner gave this to you?”
“In a manner of speaking. There’s six thousand dollars there, Caty. Enough to pay off the bank loan.” He’d almost had seven thousand dollars, Rafe mused, but at the last minute he’d left Maldonado’s cash behind. Stalking Wolf would have taken the white man’s money without a qualm, for there was honor and glory in stealing from one’s enemy, but he was a civilized man now, and civilized men did not rob the dead.
“Oh, Rafe.” Caitlyn dropped the saddlebag to the floor and moved into his arms. The hours she had spent in that dreadful cell, the agony of not knowing where Rafe had gone or if he would return, and the nagging fear that the jury would find her guilty of murder, had all been worth it. Rafe was here beside her now and she knew no matter what setbacks the future might hold, they could overcome anything so long as they were together.
She lifted her face for his kiss, and as his mouth touched hers, she felt the first faint flutter of life from the child growing in her womb.
“What is it?” Rafe asked.
“Your son just kicked me,” Caitlyn replied, her voice filled with wonder.
Rafe’s gaze dropped to her stomach. “Did it hurt?”
“No. A new life, Rafe,” she murmured solemnly. “We’ve created a new life.”
“Only the first of many,” he promised, and then he kissed her, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other splayed across her belly where his child did somersaults, unaware of the joy shining in his father’s eyes, or of the tears of happiness that sparkled on his mother’s cheeks.
They paid off the bank loan the day after they returned to the Circle C. Caitlyn felt like jumping up and down as Mr. Walden handed Rafe the loan documents.
“Paid in full!” she exclaimed happily. “Oh, Rafe, let’s celebrate!”
“Sure, Caty, anything you want.”
“A new hat,” she decided as they left the bank and started down the boardwalk. “And a candlelit dinner. And something for Paulie and the others, and… What do you want, Rafe?”
“A kiss,” he replied, pulling her into his arms.
“Rafe, not here,” she protested, conscious of the people on the street.
“A kiss,” Rafe insisted. “Now.”
“Is that all you want?” she teased. “Just one kiss?”
“For starters,” Rafe answered, grinning wickedly. “I’ll think up the rest as we go along.” His dark eyes smiled at her. “And that could take years.”
Caitlyn let out a sigh as she lowered herself into a chair on the front porch. She would be glad when this child was born, she thought wearily. Sometimes it seemed as though she had been pregnant forever.
She felt her weariness evaporate when she saw Rafe striding toward her, their youngest son on his shoulder. The twins, Tony and Luke, walked on either side of their father, while Brenden trailed behind leading Black Wind’s newest foal.
“Since you didn’t feel like coming down to the barn, we decided to bring the foal to you,” Rafe said, smiling at her. “What do you think of the colt?”
“He’s a beauty,” Caitlyn said, “and he’s going to be a bay, just like his sire.”
With a nod, Rafe lifted Jimmy from his shoulder and handed the wriggling two-year-old to his mother, then sat on the porch step at Caitlyn’s feet.
Caitlyn gazed at the ranch. It was thriving now. They had added two bedrooms, enlarged the barn, and hired more help. Circle C cattle grazed in the hills and Circle C horses filled the pasture behind the house. She gazed lovingly at her four sons, each a miniature replica of his father, and offered a silent prayer of thanksgiving for a life that was full and happy.
“My father would have been proud,” she said as she settled Jimmy on what was left of her lap. “So proud.” She looked at the corrals next to the barn, all filled with beautiful horses sired by Red. The best had been born to Black Wind.
“We’ve turned out a good crop all right,” Rafe agreed, glancing at Caitlyn’s swollen belly. “And not just in horses.”
Caitlyn smiled at her husband. “And they’re all thoroughbreds,” she said proudly. “Just like their father.”
They smiled at each other a long time, their love shining in their eyes, as bright as the sun, until Luke and Tony climbed into Rafe’s lap and demanded to hear their favorite story.
“You know the one,” Tony said. “The one where Mother saved your life.”
“I know the one,” Rafe said, for it was a tale he never tired of telling. “It all began with Black Wind,” he said. “Yes, the very same black mare we have now…”
Caitlyn sat back, a smile on her face, because she knew the story would have a happy ending.
And it did.
Madeline Baker started writing simply for the fun of it. Now she is the award-winning author of more than thirty historical romances and one of the most popular writers of Native American romance. She lives in California, where she was born and raised.
Forbidden Fires Copyright © 1990, 2013, 2016 Madeline Baker
Cover design by Cindy Lucas