Ryelee's Cowboy (14 page)

Rheenie stepped in front of her in
awe. “You are a fairy Princess, Rye, I mean Mama, Mama.”

Ryelee’s eyes misted. “I like being
your mama. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to
me.”

Rheenie gave her a brilliant smile. “I
think I’m the best thing to happen to you too.”

“Did you find all the things you
needed?”

“Oh, yes. I have an old bracelet, a
blue ribbon in my hair, a borrowed necklace, and Annie said my
dress is something new, but we put a shiny new penny in my shoe jus
n case.”

“Well, I guess we’re ready then.”
Every nerve magnified two-fold as she thought about what her father
was doing right now.

“It’s time,” Annie whispered with a
smile.

One by one, they all left the room
until Ryelee was alone. She said a quick prayer for a happy
marriage and she stepped through the door.

The room looked festive, decorated in
gold, greens, and reds. A huge Christmas tree stood in one corner
of the room, and an aisle consisting of two rows of beautiful red
poinsettias on each side of the white runner divided the room.
Clint waited at the end in front of the massive stone fireplace
that was heaping with boughs from a pine tree. Ornaments and
ribbons completed the festive décor.

Ryelee could barely catch her breath
as she took it all in. She wanted to confess, she wanted to run and
hide, but most of all she wanted to marry that wonderful, gentle,
loving, sexy man waiting down the aisle for her.

She only had eyes for him as she
walked down the aisle. Their gazes locked in pure joy. Finally, she
stood at his side. He stood there spectacular in his black suit,
shirt and silk tie—so handsome in black. The smile he gave her made
her want to weep. It was full of love, tenderness, and promises for
the future. Her heart hurt so much with all the love she had for
him and knowing she was putting everything in jeopardy at that very
minute.

They exchanged vows and a passionate
kiss. Turning toward the guests, Ryelee could see the love and
hopes for them. It humbled her. Annie was the first to kiss her on
the cheek, followed by a kiss and hug from Burke. It wasn’t until
Jimmy McKeegan pulled her into his arms that Clint started to
object saying he wanted his wife by his side for a
toast.

Rheenie jumped around until Clint
finally picked her up into his brawny arms. “Are we
married?”

Clint smiled at his daughter. “Yes
we’re married.”

“Me too?”

“We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Right, Ryelee?” Clint asked, his eyes glittering with
moisture.

Ryelee hugged them both. “Yes, we are
all a family now, and I’m so happy!”

Ryelee heard the sound of champagne
being opened and waited for the toast. She knew Burke would have
the honors.

A disturbance at the door caught her
attention, and Ryelee was horrified to see Bubba, Sherriff Bodin at
the door. Instinctively she stepped behind Clint, afraid the
Sheriff had come for her. She started to shake as he walked into
the room. Praying her guilt wasn’t written all over her face, she
kept her eyes on the floor.

“Sorry to disturb you, but I need some
help. It seems that the rustlers were at it again. Luckily, Slim
was minding the cattle and wounded one of the men. We have him in
custody, and he’s on his way to the hospital. I have to go question
him, and I need the rest of you to fix the fence and look for
clues.”

There was a murmur through the crowd,
which began to grow increasingly angry. “Who’d be so low down to
steal a man’s cattle on Christmas Eve?” Nash asked
angrily.

There were many nods and sounds of
agreement. Ryelee wanted to sink through the floor. Who was shot?
Would he talk? Oh God, she didn't think she could stand it. How in
the world was she supposed to act as though she wasn’t involved?
The right thing to do was to stand strong and confess, but she
couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Clint took his bride into his arms.
“I’m sorry, babe. It looks like the celebration has been cut
short.” He lifted her chin with his finger and gave her a lingering
kiss. “I have to go with the men and do what I can,” he said
apologetically.

She ran her fingers over his
cheekbones and then his jaw, hoping with all her heart that this
wouldn’t be the last time she’d touch him this way. “Don’t give it
a second thought. You go, we’ll be fine.”

He gave her and Rheenie each a quick
kiss on the cheek and he left.

Chapter Eight

Back home, Ryelee tried to be cheerful
for Rheenie’s sake as they sat in front of the fire drinking hot
cocoa. Ryelee had just finished reading a book about Christmas to
Rheenie. She looked so cute in her red Santa pjs. It was getting
late, and Ryelee tried to decide whether to put Rheenie to bed or
wait for Clint.

The footsteps on the front porch made
her decision for her. Clint was home. Rheenie ran to the front door
and jumped into her daddy’s arms.

“Daddy, you are cold. Do I need to be
your nurse?” she asked with a twinkle in her brown eyes.

“No, little darlin’, you most
certainly do not need to nurse me.” Clint kissed her on the cheek
and put her down.

Ryelee didn't know what to do. Should
she greet him, or did he know about her? She found her answer in
the hard look he gave her. Her heart broke in two. She had to sit
back down, the pain of it too excruciating. Her mind started going
a mile a minute trying to think of what could have
happened.

“Rheenie, go give Ryelee a good night
kiss,” Clint said, his voice devoid of all emotion.

“You mean Mama,” Rheenie scolded. She
raced over and gave Ryelee a big hug and kiss. “This has been a
great day!”

Ryelee hugged her back. She wanted to
sob, but she managed to smile at her daughter. She didn't even want
to think about how temporary that was going to be. “I’ll see you in
the morning, love.”

“Santa will be here tonight, so don’t
stay up too late or he won’t stop. He only comes if you’re
sleepin’,” Rheenie explained.

“Don’t you worry,” Clint said, looking
at Ryelee. “We won’t be up late. In fact, I’m so tired that I could
sleep right now.”

Ryelee watched Clint carry Rheenie up
the stairs. Her heart dropped to her stomach, and she didn't know
what to think. He obviously knew something. She pulled the
comfortable quilt over her and waited for Clint to come down. Her
trembling wouldn’t stop. She was afraid that everything was ruined.
She listened to the fire spark and crackle. She loved the smell of
a wood fire, so earthy and fresh. Here it was used for pleasure.
Growing up, fire had been used for heat. Ryelee used to hate
chopping wood, and the smell of smoke had permeated every surface
of the old shack.

She ran her hands over the quilt. She
remembered Clint had mentioned it had belonged to his grandmother.
Truly beautiful, it looked to be the wedding ring pattern, hunter
green the backdrop for the white rings. The symbolism of the quilt
was not lost on her and looking at it washed her in sadness. For
half a day, she had been a part of this family’s legacy—a legacy
not immersed in shame. She had been such a fool to think she could
wash away that shame. It was a permanent stain on her. She knew
that now.

Clint had been up there putting
Rheenie to bed for ages, and the waiting was actually painful. She
just wanted to weep, but she had to wait to find out what Clint
knew. She knew that she should confess the complete sordid tale to
him, but she was too scared and too ashamed.

She patted her hair, still swept up
from the wedding ceremony. He’ll probably want an annulment, she
thought miserably. She ruined not only her Christmas but Clint and
Rheenie’s too.

Finally, she heard heavy footsteps
coming down the stairs, and she braced herself for what was to
come.

* * * *

Clint shot her an angry look as he
poured himself some whiskey. He was heartsick. Her father’s name
had been bantered about all evening as a possible suspect, and
Clint knew it was highly likely he was involved. After seeing the
two of them talking, he suspected Ryelee too.

“Clint?”

“Yeah,” he answered, not even looking
up from his glass of whiskey.

“What happened tonight? Who was shot?”
Her voice trembled.

“Cletus Sands. Do you know him?” he
asked, even though he already knew the truth.

“Yes, yes I know Cletus. He’s a friend
of my father’s.”

“Well, I guess he’s not talking,”
Clint said, staring at her, “yet.”

“How many cattle did they
get?”

“Twenty head or so, not nearly the
numbers lost the last time. That’s why Sheriff Bodin thinks it’s a
local or inside job.”

“Inside? There isn’t one man on this
ranch that would steal cattle. Surely you told Bubba, I mean
Sheriff Bodin that!”

“I know, believe me, I know. That’s
why I think it was a local job,” Clint said, eyeing her.

Ryelee swallowed hard. “A local
job?”

“Oh, Ryelee, give it up! I saw you
talking to your father while you were hanging the sheets,” he said
heatedly.

Ryelee’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes,
he was here. He wanted all the money I’d earned working here. I
told him that I spent it all. Then he tried to rip my engagement
ring off my finger. He threatened to hurt me. I told him when we
were getting married, and he deduced that the Dawsons would
probably have most of the men at the wedding.”

She didn't even look up. She kept her
gaze on her hands. “Ryelee, why didn't you tell me?” Clint asked,
his anguish obvious in his voice.

“I don’t know,” she whispered, looking
up at him.

“There’s more, isn’t there? More you
haven’t bothered to tell me?”

“There is,” she admitted. “I just
can’t tell you.”

Her admission rattled him. He hadn’t
imagined there really was more—he’d just guessed. Now he wished he
hadn’t asked. He was so furious with her. It was their wedding day
and Christmas Eve to boot. He stood up and stared out the window.
He couldn’t stand to look at her right now. With tears in his eyes,
he realized there was not going to be a happily ever
after.

Finally, he turned and looked at her.
His heart wrenched at her misery—it mirrored his own. “Let’s deal
with this after Christmas,” he said in resignation. “I don’t want
Christmas ruined for Rheenie.”

Ryelee’s eyes never left his face.
“Whatever you want.”

“I guess, first of all, I want you to
sleep in your own room. I need some space, some time. I need to
think.”

Ryelee didn't look at him. She nodded
and slowly lifted the quilt off her and left it behind. Heading up
the stairs, she glanced back at Clint. “I’m so sorry,” she said, in
a teary voice. Getting no reply, she walked on to her
room.

Clint threw his empty whisky glass at
the fireplace. It shattered, and shards of glass flew everywhere.
It seemed to be a metaphor for his life. Taking a deep breath, he
went to get the broom and dustpan. He had presents to put under the
tree. Although tempted to keep the ones for Ryelee, in the end he
didn't have the heart to ruin her Christmas anymore than it already
was.

* * * *

Ryelee heard Rheenie run up and down
the hall yelling, “It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas!” She listened as
Rheenie ran into the master bedroom. “Where’s my mama? Daddy, where
is mama?” Rheenie asked, sounding distressed.

“Whoa, Rheenie, she’s sleeping in her
own bed.”

“Mommies and daddies sleep in the same
bed.”

Ryelee stepped into the room and
gathered Rheenie to her. “Yes, they do, but your daddy didn't want
to disturb the baby, doctor’s orders,” she explained, trying to
sound believable.

“Yes, Rheenie, that’s right,” Clint
said. “Hmm, if I remember correctly, today is Christmas!” He yelled
as he jumped out of bed, picked Rheenie up, and rained kisses all
over her face.

Ryelee smiled at them. She loved them
so very much. Her heart lodged in her throat as she watched them
together. “Let’s begin our Christmas. Rheenie, you’ll have to tell
me what I’m supposed to do.”

“You betcha! I know everything ‘bout
Christmas. First presents,” she announced. She ran out of the room
and practically flew down the stairs.

Ryelee noticed the huge circles under
Clint’s eyes. He must not have gotten any sleep. She knew the
feeling.

He conjured up a half smile for her,
took her hand, and led her down to the tree.

Ryelee gasped with delight, stunned by
all the presents piled everywhere. “You get more than one present?”
she asked in awe.

Rheenie laughed. “Of course, silly.
Can we open them now?”

“Have at it!” Clint laughed as he
watched Rheenie dive into the middle of the brightly wrapped gifts.
She didn't know how to read very well, but she knew her name. She
eagerly opened each present with her name on it.