She shook her head. “You can take me straight back to the ranch.”
“Babe, listen—”
“Don’t ‘babe’ me. I’m not going anywhere except home. I shouldn’t have married you, so don’t press your luck.”
He sighed, and she gazed out the window again, refusing to bend from her position. “Look, we’re married. But that’s it. I’ll continue to make my own decisions, Jace.”
“I expect you to. But eventually, we’re going to have to talk about the children and what’s best for them.”
“So talk.” He could talk all he liked, but she wasn’t moving to Virginia—or anywhere else—just because he had a nervous streak.
“What about the children?”
She didn’t reply, and he continued, “We can’t just call them ‘the babies.’ They need names. I’ve always liked—”
“I was thinking Jason and Ashley.”
“Jason and Ashley?”
“Yes. Jason, obviously, is a variation of your name, and Ashley because I like your sister, Ashlyn.”
“I approve. And my sister will be thrilled, I’m sure you know.”
Secretly, Sawyer was pleased, though she didn’t want to say so.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be a father to a little girl and boy. It’s so unreal. And wonderful.”
It was hard not to soften, hearing the pride in his deep voice. She’d always loved Jace’s voice, so warm and enveloping and inviting somehow, especially when he whispered to her in the dark.
She sensed those days were long gone. Nothing could be the same now that they were married, and married under spurious circumstances he’d no doubt come to regret one day. Speaking of regret, she figured she might as well put everything out in the open now. She took a deep breath.
“Jace, here’s the main reason you and I have a marriage that’s probably going to be in a difficult spot, even if we didn’t have a few other notable issues. I know your family really never trusted mine.”
“Sort of stating it too harshly,” Jace said. “We didn’t know what to think. Besides, we’ve put all that to rest with our marriage.”
Sawyer knew better. “In a sense, your family’s fears were well-founded. Uncle Storm did ask me to keep an eye on your family.”
She turned to look at him, met his surprised gaze. “I’m sorry. I just think you should know the truth.”
“We kept an eye on Storm, and will continue to. We keep an eye on everyone. No big deal.”
She waved a hand. “You can’t brush that off. I was working for you, and reporting to my uncle whenever I saw anything that I thought might be a problem for him.”
“Why? We never had anything to do with Storm. Didn’t wish him ill.” Jace shrugged. “We just didn’t fully trust him.”
“Yet you hired me.”
“We weren’t worried about you.”
She didn’t know if she should be flattered, or insulted by the sheer arrogance of Jace thinking she wasn’t a threat. “Because I’m a woman?”
“No. I wasn’t worried about you because—”
“Oh, no,” Sawyer interrupted, suddenly annoyed. “You weren’t worried about me because you thought you’d locked me down.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t have put it that way, but I would say that I feel I’m a pretty good judge of women. You never struck me as a devious sort. I could tell you liked me. Women who are hot for a guy usually have strong loyalty to him.”
“Really. Yet I reported on you to Uncle Storm.”
Jace shrugged again. “Probably a wise thing to do. Now that you’ve gotten that off your conscience, should we stop for the night? I don’t want you getting too tired. My children need their rest.”
She stared at him, not happy at all. “Please drive on. I don’t want to spend a night with you.” They’d never shared a real bed before; no sense in starting tonight. Her resolve would weaken if she got near her handsome husband and a bed, with no Callahan drama to keep them apart.
“You’re having second thoughts? I’m not the date you had in mind when you spent your hard-earned money on me?”
She turned away, glanced out the window. Oh, he was every bit what she’d had in mind, and then some. She was married to the man of her dreams and the father of her children.
What more could a woman ask for from a bachelor raffle?
“You’re going to have to help me get Loco Diablo away from Galen,” Jace said, “or at least what should be my share of it. Now that you’ve proved you have a devious streak, that shouldn’t be a problem at all, princess.”
She turned to face him in disbelief. “You married me to get the ranch?”
He smiled. “We never claimed we were in love, sweetheart.”
She was. She had been for a long time. Did he think that she’d risked her job and her reputation to sleep with him just because he was sexy and irresistible? “That’s right. It was just a fling. Which proves my point. We have no business being married, but now that we are, I have no intention of letting you use me to oust your siblings from their ranch. You Callahans can work all that out.”
“You forget you’re a Callahan now.”
She hadn’t forgotten. But in her heart, she knew her husband still considered her a Cash, even if he didn’t admit it.
She’d always be a Cash to him—and likely hers wasn’t the family tree he’d ever hoped to graft to his. “I’m a Callahan by name only, according to what you’re saying. Everything else is just business.”
“It’s just business until you decide you want more,” Jace said. “As I recall, you’re not exactly immune to me. I’m a patient man. I’m willing to wait for you to see the light.”
Outraged, Sawyer glared at him. “You’re not a patient man. That’s why we were married in a quickie Vegas wedding! You couldn’t wait to have a reason to throw your name into the hat for the land raffle.”
He smiled again. “The fact that I’m going to be a father of twins definitely gives me an edge,” he said, teasing, trying to get her goat.
He was succeeding royally.
“This was a terrible idea,” Sawyer said. “It’s what happens when there’s no plan.”
He laughed once more. “It’s going to work. We have no choice.”
Not the tender nothings she’d always hoped to hear on her wedding day. “What a sweet sentiment.”
“Kiss me and you’ll get more sweetness, babe.”
“No, thank you.” She wished she could. She’d love to snuggle up against his chest. The problem was that his mouth got in the way, communicating his inner bad boy. Which never failed to rile her.
“After Jason and Ashley are born, you and I are going our separate ways,” she said.
“You’re not going to help me get my share of the land?”
“I suggest you get a good lawyer for that.”
He shrugged. “We have plenty of those.”
She looked at him curiously. “Have you ever tried telling Galen that you want a share of the ranch?”
“No. I prefer to do it the honest way. Marriage and babies.”
He was impossible. Like all the Callahans, he had a unique thought process. And she was too tired to think through the rabbit trail that was her husband’s brain. “I’m going to nap.”
“Good idea. I’ll still be here when you wake up.”
“Lucky me.” Sawyer snuggled under the blanket. “Remember—straight back to Rancho Diablo.”
She closed her eyes. When she awakened, she’d be that much closer to home.
At last.
Chapter Five
Jace waited for Sawyer to wake up, hoping she’d nap awhile longer. His little wife was sweet, but she had an impressive independent streak, and when she opened her sexy blue eyes and realized they were on the road to a small town in Colorado, there was going to be serious unhappiness happening in his truck.
It wasn’t the way he wanted to start his marriage.
Almost as if she sensed his unease, Sawyer opened her eyes, glancing at him. He supposed the hesitant expression on his face probably alerted her that something was going on, because she sat up, looking for a road marker, and found the Welcome to Colorado state sign instead.
She whipped around to glare at him. “What are you doing?”
“It wasn’t my idea.”
“It sure wasn’t mine!”
“No. Running Bear’s.”
“Running Bear told you we should take a side trip to Colorado?”
Jace nodded. “He called while you were asleep. Asked us to stay away. Just for a few days. Apparently your uncle Storm...” Jace stopped, not wanting to go on.
“What about my uncle?”
“Your uncle is staying at his old place. He moved in there for protection.”
“From what? Tell me, Jace. Don’t sugarcoat it.”
“Nothing exciting,” he said. “Just a precaution.”
“It’s not a precaution,” Sawyer said, “if my uncle and his wife have moved back to his old house, a place you now own because he didn’t want trouble anymore. The trouble he was trying avoid was between you and Wolf. Why would he go back to where it was happening?”
Jace sighed. “Wolf’s put a watch on him, and Lu got a bit spooked. It’s nothing to worry about. The sheriff’s got men over there, and my brothers and Ash are keeping an eye out. It’s going to be fine.”
“If it’s going to be so fine, why are we in Colorado?”
“Running Bear is operating from an abundance of caution.”
“He thinks I’ll be kidnapped. It’s happened before to Callahan wives.”
“You could be used against your uncle,” Jace stated, his tone even. “It’s not going to happen, because you’re my wife, and I’m going to take care of you.”
“We’ve had this conversation,” Sawyer said, “and I can take care of myself.”
“You’ll be housebound soon enough. It’s best to take precautions.”
Sawyer met his gaze. It was hard to see the distrust in her eyes, so he focused on the road and the directions he’d been given by Running Bear.
“So how long are we operating from an abundance of caution?” Sawyer asked.
“Let’s call this our honeymoon. ‘Abundance of caution’ sounds like unfortunate terminology for newlyweds to use.”
She didn’t reply.
“So we’ll hang out here a day. Then we’ll move on to Wyoming.”
“Would you care to tell me how long Running Bear advises that we should make ourselves scarce on this honeymoon of yours?”
There was so much tension in her voice. “Not sure,” Jace answered. “Hopefully, things will cool down soon.” He really didn’t know what else to say, though he knew it wasn’t a very satisfying answer.
“How long?” Sawyer demanded.
She was already ticked off. Might as well finish off the night with her ticked at him, and then hopefully, the sun would come up tomorrow with all the bad news behind them. “Until after the children are born.”
She pulled her phone from her purse. “I’m calling my uncle. I want to check on him and Lu.”
“Good idea.”
Sawyer barely spared him a glance as she placed the call. “Uncle Storm? It’s Sawyer.”
Jace finally saw the turnoff that his grandfather had mentioned. He listened with half an ear as he pulled off the main road and followed a smaller, winding road up the mountain. The cabin was well hidden from the trail. Nothing fancy, but secure enough, and not easy to get to unless one had an off-road vehicle. Nobody could sneak up on them here.
He realized Sawyer had hung up. “Any news we can use?”
“Not really,” she said.
He couldn’t blame her for being unhappy. They were miles from home, and she thought she was stuck with a husband she didn’t want.
Only she had wanted him enough to empty her piggy bank for a date. Jace let that cheer him up and give him encouragement that maybe all wasn’t over between him and his delicate wife.
“Uncle Storm says he agrees with Running Bear,” Sawyer said suddenly.
Jace glanced at her as he parked the truck. “Really?”
She nodded, her blue eyes worried. “I guess that’s it, then.”
“Look at it this way,” he said. “You’re getting good value for your money, huh?”
She climbed out of the truck before he could head around to open the door, shutting it with just a bit more force than necessary. He got out, met his bride on the porch of the rustic cabin.
“It’s not funny, Jace.”
“I wasn’t joking, believe it or not. Just trying to put a positive light on things for you.” He went around to the back of the cabin, as the chief had instructed, and lifted a board in the floor of the wide back porch. Two wooden chairs and a table gave the place a homey look. He supposed someone had once sat here and stared into the thick woods surrounding the house, maybe gazed at the starlit sky and felt nothing but peace.
He wasn’t feeling it yet. Jace stuck his hand under the plank and dug out a key, which was just where the chief had said it would be.
“Whose house is this?”
He patted the board back into place and stood, fitting the key into the lock and turning it. The door opened with a whiney creak, and as he stepped inside he was struck at once by the smell of flowers in the cabin. A vase full of beautiful wildflowers graced the table, welcoming weary strangers. “A friend of the chief’s.”
Sawyer went into the kitchen. “A good friend. The fridge is stocked.”
“Nice.” He went to start a fire in the fireplace. There was wood piled up at the back door, so he wouldn’t have to gather his own, not for a while.
Depended on how long they were here.
“I’ll get you a plate,” Sawyer said.
“Thanks.” There was central heat and electricity, so this house wasn’t completely a rustic hideaway. For that Jace was grateful. He hadn’t been sure how much roughing it they might have to do.
“Tea, beer or water? There’s even a couple of sodas in here if you’re inclined.”
“Hot tea sounds fine.” Sawyer had to be cold, too. A hot drink would warm them up. He glanced into the kitchen to check on her, suddenly struck by how beautiful she was. Her red hair caught the light from the hanging copper lamps as she filled a kettle with water.
That beautiful woman is my wife.
Holy smokes, I’m actually married.
It was the most amazing realization, and it sent warmth rushing inside him. Pride. Contentment.
He’d be lying if he didn’t admit that lust hit him, too. But that part of the marriage was impossible, right?
He’d tell himself a lie: that he’d been driving too long—nearly sixteen hours—and couldn’t make love even if Sawyer offered.
Yeah, I could.
He eyed the leather sofa, pretty certain that was going to be his bed for a while. Still, it wasn’t his truck, which might be where he slept if he didn’t stay out of the doghouse.
“What’s wrong?” Sawyer asked, and he glanced up to find her staring at him.
“Nothing.” But something was wrong. He had a psychic flare of warning, which didn’t make sense, because they were far from danger. He went back to building a fire in the stone fireplace.
“You had the strangest look on your face.”
“Probably happens more than I’d like.” He held a match under the paper and kindling, and the fire slowly caught.
“Here you go.” Sawyer set a red plate on the coffee table. “The tea will be ready in a moment.”
He sat dutifully, eyeing the plate. She’d placed a couple slices of cheese, some crackers, a few store-bought cookies and a pile of what looked like delicious chicken salad on it. “That’s a feast.”
“Somebody was kind enough to save us a trip to the grocery store tonight. Or we ran someone out of their home, and like Goldilocks, we’re taking full advantage.”
“I don’t know. Grandfather doesn’t always give the game plan.”
“So we’re not going to wake up with someone’s shotgun aimed at us?”
“I’m not promising that won’t happen.”
She sighed, picked up a carrot stick. “It’s kind of weird that we spent all those months sneaking around, and now we’re in a cabin together with a roof over our heads.”
And a bed nearby. There’s got to be one in this joint. I’d like to have my wife in a bed just once.
Unfortunately, I think those days of Sawyer seducing me are long gone.
It really stinks.
“You’ve got that funny look on your face again,” Sawyer said, “like you’re in pain. Isn’t the salad good?”
“It’s great,” he said, as if he cared about anything except Sawyer at the moment, which he didn’t. He ate some chicken salad and tried not to think about how much he wanted her, failing miserably.
She gave him a long look, then put her own plate back on the coffee table. “I think I’ll try to find some sheets for the beds.”
Beds plural. He nodded, sighing inside. What was he, a man of steel? Being on the run with Sawyer was going to drive him mad.
All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and make love to her, the way he had many, many times before, which had been amazing and awesome, and the reason they were here together now as man and wife.
He was shocked a moment later when Sawyer returned and took his hand. He glanced up, meeting her eyes.
“The beds are made. Sheets are fresh. The rooms are really beautiful. I picked one out.”
She
was beautiful. Why was she holding his hand? “Guess we got lucky.”
Sawyer’s gaze didn’t leave his. She pulled on his hand, and he hesitated—then suddenly got smacked in the face with what was happening.
Maybe.
He didn’t dare hope.
Sawyer pulled him down the hall, drawing him into a room that had a large bed with an attractive gold-and-brown comforter on it. A rocking chair and lamp and gold-painted dresser finished the decor.
But he didn’t have long to assess the surroundings. Sawyer looked at him, her eyes big with what seemed like hope and invitation, and he dragged her toward the bed.
It was just like old times, with the heat and the passion and the hot desire running through him.
Yet this time would be different. There was a bed, they were married and he was going to be a father.
It was very different. “Are you sure about this?” he asked.
“I don’t do things I’m not sure about.”
Jace drew a deep breath. “I’m going to enjoy the hell out of every moment of this.”
Sawyer smiled and he took her in his arms.
“Seems odd,” she said. “There’s a ceiling overhead.”
“I know. But you’ll still see stars. I promise you that.”
Those seemed to be the words needed to trigger the sexy tigress he’d always known Sawyer to be. They pulled each other’s clothes off, tossing them to the floor in abandoned piles, and only once did they stop their fevered kissing.
Suddenly, she jerked upright in the bed. “Did you hear something? It sounded like a door swinging shut.”
“It was a just a shutter blowing in the wind. It’s kicking up out there.” Jace was half-naked and his wife’s hands had been busily undoing his jeans. He didn’t care if Santa was about to scoot down the chimney for a February surprise. Sawyer wanted him, and nothing else mattered.
“I’ll go check it out,” she said.
“Damn it.” Jace got up, zipping his jeans. “You’re not the bodyguard in this relationship anymore. You’re a mother. You have enough to do. You get naked and be in those sheets when I return. Hell, I don’t even care if you’re in the sheets. Just be naked when I get back.”
The sound had been nothing more than the creak and pop of an unfamiliar house, but his wife’s hearing and caution were admirable. Personally, he had so much blood and desire screaming through his head that he’d probably kill any unfortunate intruder that may have crept inside the cabin.
Ash sat in front of the fireplace, warming her hands.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Jace demanded, lust fleeing like a ghost.
His sister shook her head. “I’ve been assigned to be your lookout. And I’m not happy about it.”
“That makes two of us.” He sat across from her, and she picked up the plate of food that he’d barely touched.
“Do you mind?” she asked. “I’m starved.”
“Have at it.” He looked at her. “How’d you get here?”
“I rode a broom,” she said, put out with the whole situation. “How do you think? I drove. Grandfather gave me the meet point and here I am. I’d have been here sooner but I had a flat tire in Alamosa.” She snacked on the cookies without much enthusiasm. “I always miss Fiona’s cooking when I’m away from home.”
“You could have gotten here later and that would have been fine,” Jace said.
She looked at him, then at Sawyer as she walked into the room wearing his T-shirt and a bathrobe she’d grabbed from somewhere. “Oh. Sorry. Did I interrupt the honeymooning?”
Sawyer smiled. “I don’t know if you can really call this honeymooning.”
The hell they hadn’t been. He’d been about to send his wife into a serious pleasure overdrive, and if that wasn’t the definition of honeymoon, he didn’t know what was. Jace went to the fridge and grabbed a beer to mask his grumpiness.
“The chief says he doesn’t want any trouble this time,” Ash said. “I’m here as an equalizer should any trouble try to rear its head.”
“If you’ve been sent to help, does that mean this is home for a while?” Sawyer asked.
Ash shrugged, crossing her legs underneath her as she finished off her brother’s plate of food. “The Feds plan to dynamite the tunnels under Sister Wind Ranch.”
“Under Loco Diablo,” Jace automatically said, and Ash said, “Whatever. It’s going to be my ranch.”
“What does Galen think about that?” Jace asked. “His ranch being dynamited?”
“Who cares what Galen thinks?” She smiled at Sawyer. “I don’t pay attention to what any of my brothers think if I can help it.”
“About the tunnels,” Sawyer said. “If they’re being dynamited, then that’s going to flush out Wolf and his gang, isn’t it?”