The Payment (7 page)

Dane kept his promise and now he lay with
his wife sleeping in his arms. He felt extremely satisfied and
immensely pleased. Their marriage might not have started out right,
but now he grew positive they would be happy together. He could
envision a bright and happy life together, one he wanted filled
with happiness and love.

A vision of his brother’s faces swiftly
crossed his mind and a little of his happiness faded. For a time,
he forgot all about his brothers but now remembering them, he knew
he would definitely have a fight on his hands. He also realized he
would have to tell his wife about his brothers and the
confrontation she would have to face when they arrive home.

He just hoped she didn’t change her mind. He
wouldn’t blame her if she did. The boys were unquestionably going
to be nasty and downright mean when they met his wife. He could
only pray it would not come down to making a choice because God
help him, he didn’t think he could choose, not now. He would find
it impossible to give up his wife or leave his brothers and he
hoped with all his heart it will not come down to him having to
choose between them. It would tear him apart.

TWELVE

Near noon Dane decided to stop for lunch, he
also knew the time came to tell his wife what to expect when they
reached home. Just thinking about what he needed to tell her made
his stomach knot. He pulled up his horse and dismounted. Dropping
the reins, he went to his wife, lifted her out of the saddle, and
placed her feet on the ground.

Unable to resist, he kept his hands around
her waist and lowering his head, he gave her a long lingering kiss
before he let her go. Turning away, he went over to his saddlebags
and pulled out some cheese and apples. He lifted the canteen off
the saddle and went to join his wife on the fallen log.

Bemused over her husband’s kiss, India sat
on the log and sighed. She watched him from beneath her lashes and
thought just how good looking he is, and even though he was big and
powerful he had only touched her with gentleness. She felt her face
warm as she remembered their lovemaking last night and this
morning. Lord, it had been glorious, and she felt her stomach
flutter just thinking about what they shared.

Dane joined his wife and sat down next to
her. He handed her some cheese and an apple, he ignored his own
food; his stomach too twisted to eat. Hell there is no sense
putting it off, it wasn’t going to change anything or get any
easier. He blew out a breath. “India before we catch up with Tuff
and Jasper, I think I better tell you about my brothers”

After biting into her apple India turned to
her husband and frowned. He looked so worried; she felt a tremor of
fear race through her. Whatever he wanted to tell her must be
ominous and she could only answer him with a curt nod.

Hell this is far harder than he thought it
would be. Dane turned away from her wary eyes and looked over the
empty land. “Well yah see once our mother left, our father, Tuff,
and Wong Li bought us up. Ever since our father died, Tuff and Wong
Li are our fathers now. It’s just been us boys for so long and
since our mother walked out there has never been another woman
around.”

“
I see, just how many brothers are you
talking about?” So far, India didn’t think she heard anything to
worry her. She did feel sorry for her husband and his brothers over
their mother abandoning them.

Dane cleared his throat before he continued.
“There are eight of us all together.”

India chocked on her apple, managing to
swallow it, she eyed her husband in astonishment. “Good Lord.
Eight?” She muttered.

His head turning, Dane couldn’t help grin
over the stunned look on her face. “Yep eight, Jeff and Devon were
adopted by our father.”

Still stunned, India could only shake her
head. Good grief eight men, no make that ten she couldn’t forget
their fathers.

“
There might be a little trouble when
we reach home. You see since our Ma walked out, we swore that there
would never be another woman living in our house.” Dane hurried on
hoping to finish the explanation quickly.

Oh, oh this doesn’t sound good India
thought, no it didn’t sound good at all. “I see.”

Dane shifted uncomfortably on the log and
drew his eyes away from his wife’s intent ones. “Damn it, it’s like
this sweetheart, the boys are not going to be happy to know I’ve
married or when they see you. They're going to pitch a fit.”

Her lashes lowering, India drew in a harsh
breath then opened her eyes. “I don’t think I truly understand the
situation.”

His eyes going back to hers, Dane reached
for her hand and squeezed it lightly. “Our Ma is an absolute bitch.
The only thing she thought about was herself and her lovers. Once
our baby brother Tye was born, she took off. We haven’t heard from
her or seen her since. She made our life hell before she left.” He
could not tell his wife exactly what their Ma did, it was too
shameful and to horrible.

The pain and loathing in her husband’s
golden eyes were easy to see and hear in his voice. Her hand came
up, and she cupped his cheek. No matter what that woman might have
done to her sons, determined India would not let the woman ruin
what future she might have with this man. If forced to face so many
mean and nasty men, so be it. “I see. Are you trying to tell me
that your brothers aren’t going to be ecstatic when they see me and
welcome with open arms?”

His breath blowing out of him, Dane lifted
his hand and covered hers. He nearly smiled over her teasing words
and the laughter shining in her eyes. “No they’re probably going to
give you hell, curse and be downright mean. I’m sorry I’ll
understand if you want to change your mind. Hell I would if I were
you.” Yet he prayed and hoped she wouldn’t.

“
Mmm, one woman and ten women hating
men under one roof? Doesn’t sound very pleasant does it? Well
husband, I guess I’ve got my work cut out for me. Don’t worry,
it’ll be a snap, ten men will be easy to conquer.” India teased but
in her heart, she grew apprehensive and all she could do is hope
she might survive the coming ordeal, and it would not destroy her
marriage.

Dane dropped his hand from hers, wrapped her
in his arms, and crushed her tightly up against him. “Nine
sweetheart. There’s only nine left you’ve already conquered this
one.”

India burrowed her face in her husband’s
shoulder. She wondered in amazement just what madness she so
eagerly stepped into. She shuddered to think how her husband’s
brothers were going to react when they saw her and learned that he
had married her.

After cuddling his wife for a few more
minutes, Dane lifted her away and smiled crookedly he placed a kiss
on her brow. “Come on sweetheart, we still have some riding to do
before we catch up with Tuff and Jasper.” He let her go and gained
his feet. Grasping her hand, he helped her to her feet and drew her
over to her horse. He let go of her hand and placing his hands on
her waist lifted her up on to her horse.

“
It’s going to be all right
sweetheart. I’m sure once the boys get over their initial anger,
they’ll welcome you.” He tried to look confident but inside his
stomach knotted in dread knowing exactly how his brothers were
going to react when they saw his wife.

India didn’t believe her husband’s confident
words, by the little he said to her, she knew, deep down, he wasn’t
telling her the whole truth. She knew why he felt the need to liar
to her and couldn’t be angry over it, she also wondered just what
sought of woman their mother was, and what terrible things could
she have done to her sons.

She felt certain there is a lot more to her
husbands’ and brothers feelings that he wasn’t telling her. Well,
if she managed to survive the first meeting with the bunch of women
hating men she might just find out exactly why they hated their
mother so much. Whatever might have happened she knew it would
probably not be easy to win the bunch of them over.

For a moment, she wondered why she should
even bother, but her gaze went to her husband’s broad back and she
sighed in resignation. No matter what happened, she would fight for
her marriage and her husband. The only thing that would stop her is
if her husband’s brothers forced him to choose. If they did, she
would leave. She might be starting to care for her husband, but she
would never come between him and his family. He would only hate her
in the end if she did.

THIRTEEN

Dane forced his brothers and his homecoming
from his head and the last two days were the happiest in his life.
Now though he knew that within a few short hours it would be all
over. He saw Tuff and Jasper’s wagons up ahead, and he knew they
would be arriving in Sherman and soon be home.

He wished he could have more time with his
wife, the bond between them is there, but it isn’t as strong as he
would have wished it to be. Well he couldn’t do anything about it
now but hope like hell his wife and his marriage will endure the
coming confrontation with his brothers.

Her stomach muscles tightening, India also
saw the wagon’s up ahead and by the stiffness of her husbands’ body
knew they were nearly at their destination. She wished she knew how
to ease his tension, but she doubted anything she could possibly
say or do would lighten the fact that they were soon going to face
nine angry men.

Tuff saw the dust out the corner of his eye
and turned his head. He frowned when he saw the two riders coming
towards him. Well, it seemed the boy caught up with his wife, now
he just hoped Dane and the woman finally sorted out their
differences. He would hate them to arrive home with anger between
them. The other boys will latch on to it quick smart.

As they drew closer, he let out a sigh when
he saw Dane lean over, whisper to his wife, and saw her smile.
Well, I’ll be danged, the boy did it. He grinned when they reached
him. “Bout time yah both got here, we’ll be in Sherman
shortly.”

India blushed when she felt the old man’s
twinkling eyes on her and his broad knowing grin. It only made the
blush already warming her face grow even warmer. And all because
her husband mentioned what he would like to do when they reached
home and she took a hot bath. Drat the man. “Tuff do you mind if I
ride with you? I’m a little saddle sore.” She asked him, she wanted
a chance to apologize to him, and she smiled in relief when he
nodded and pulled the wagon to a stop.

Dane swung down from his saddle and lifted
his wife off her horse and onto the wagon. Once he tied her horse
to the back of the wagon, he swung back onto his horse and rode
ahead of the wagons.

Tuff started the wagon moving and eyed the
gal out the corner of his eye. “I see you and the boy have sorted
things out.”

“
Yes we have. Tuff, I would like to
apologize for my behavior and hope you will forgive me.” India
spoke but kept her gaze on her husband’s stiff broad back and
frowned. “Tuff, Dane told me what to expect when we arrive home,
and I want you to promise me that if he is forced to choose between
me and his brothers you’ll help me leave.” She swung around to look
at him and smiled sadly when she saw the shock on his
face.

Tuff was right pleased with the gal's
apology he felt relieved that Dane finally told her about his
brothers and what to expect. He couldn’t hide his surprise though
over her request and shifting the reins into one hand he rubbed his
whiskered chin thoughtfully. “Well now that’s a mighty big thing
yah asking me to do. I doubt I could tear the boy's heart out by
helping yah leave.”

India reached over, grasped his arm, and
gazed at him pleadingly. “It would tear his heart out to choose.
Please just think about it.”

With a nod of his head, Tuff agreed and
looked towards Dane riding ahead. The gal was right either way the
boy is gonna be hurt. Hell what a damn mess.

His whole body stiff with the tension
growing inside of him as he rode through town, Dane pulled his
horse up at the livery, swung out of the saddle, and after tying
the reins to the fence post strode towards the building. “Pete
where the hell are you?” He yelled and grunted when the man poked
his head out of a stall.

“
Well I’ll be darned yah back
already.” Pete asked as he stepped out of the stall and walked
towards the open doors. His eyebrows rose when he saw the two
wagons pull up. “Them homesteaders with you?”

Dane turned his head and looked over his
shoulder then turned back and shrugged. “They're not homesteaders,
it’s my wife. I’m going to leave the wagons here for an hour.
Alright with you?”

His eyes rounding flabbergasted to hear Dane
say he married. “Yeah, yeah sure thing, them brother’s of yours
know yah gone and got yah self hitched?” Pete asked and tried to
look around Dane and get a glimpse of his wife.

Refusing to answer the question Dane spun
around, headed back to the wagons, and lifted his wife down. “Go
with Tuff and buy whatever you need sweetheart.” He looked over at
Tuff. “We’ll meet back here in an hour.” His gaze dropped back to
his wife, and he kissed her brow before he let go of her and walked
away.

India watched him go with a frown on her
brow. However, when she felt Tuff take her arm, she shrugged and
turned to smile at him.

“
Come on gal let's get this over and
done with, I want to sleep in my own bed tonight.” Tuff led her
down the busy street and ignored the curious stares they were
receiving. He knew everyone would be wondering about her. Well, as
far as he was concerned, they could keep on wondering. Pushing open
the door of the mercantile, he led India inside. He groaned when he
noticed the woman in the store, knowing instantly there would be
trouble. He cursed under his breath; the gal didn’t need this. He
already knew how wary she felt about facing the boys and what may
happen without this confrontation. And confrontation he knew it
would be.