White Dreams (25 page)

It was a ragged, filthy, but happy and relieved group that walked through the front door of Grady’s house. Zeke and Jeffers ran to greet them. Jeffers had a nasty welt on his head but proclaimed he was fine.

Water for baths was heated and they all changed clothes. Then, after an early meal, they gathered in the family parlor before a warm fire.

“You were brave today, Matilda. You weren’t afraid.” Renny eyed her friend with new respect as she cuddled one of her rats.

Morning Moon giggled when the second rat climbed from the back of the settee to her shoulder. “You were brave too, Renny.”

“But I was afraid.” She wouldn’t look at her father.

Grady knelt in front of her and lifted her chin with his finger. “I was scared too, child.” More scared than he’d ever been.

“Truly?” She moved into his arms.

Grady held her tight. “Absolutely. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I thought I might lose the people I love the most.”

Renny hugged him tight. “I love
you,
Papa.”

“I love you too, child.” He pulled away and cupped her face between his large hands. “I was wrong to leave all those years ago and will never leave again. I should have said that long ago. Will you forgive me for abandoning you?”

“Yes, Papa.” Renny smiled happily.

They embraced. Tears ran freely down Grady’s cheeks. Finally he pulled away. “Now, how about you two go up to your room to rest? It’s been a long day.”

“Oh, Papa, must we?” Renny pouted.

“Yes.” He tried to be stern but couldn’t. Before he relented, Morning Moon came to his rescue.

“Come on, Renny. They want to be alone.”

Renny’s eyes widened, then she grinned. “Okay, we’ll rest for just a little while.”

Grady swatted her on the way out. Such impertinence! When he and Star were finally alone, he went to her and lifted her into his arms. Then he sat back on the settee. He glanced at her bandaged feet. The burns she’d suffered likely still hurt. “How do you feel?”

“Alive.” She snuggled into him. “Grady?”

“Yes, my love?”

“I’ll marry you.”

He pulled away. “What?”

“I love you. I realized today that life without love isn’t worth living. I don’t know how long either of us has, but I want to spend whatever time the Spirits allow me with you.”

“I love you, Star—my bright, shining star.” Grady lowered his head and kissed her. He tried to stop after just a brief touch, but Star would have none of it.

She slid her hands into his shirt, past where she’d undone several buttons. He was about to cup one breast when a flash of brown caught his eye. A whisker-twitching rodent sat up on its haunches and stared at him with beady eyes. He pulled back.

Looking over, he saw a hand reach through the slightly open pocket doors that separated the sitting room from the dining room.

Before he could shout his daughter’s name, Renny’s head peeked out and her mouth curved. “You were kissing. Does this mean Star’s going to be my new mother?”

November 1857

“They’re here,” Renny shouted, sliding down the banister.

Grady caught her, and Star was pleased to note he didn’t scold. Zeke, with his hair cut short, his face shaven and dressed as any butler, opened the door with Renny dancing eagerly beside him.

Three children ran in, and the noise level escalated; the youths had all started talking at once.

Hester Mae and Baxter followed. In Hester Mae’s arms she held a seven-month-old baby. Once in the family parlor, Star held out her arms. “How is baby James doing?” She took the infant from her new sister-in-law.

“Teething something terrible,” Hester Mae complained.

From the hall, Star heard Grady’s daughter call out, “Come see my new room. It’s blue and green and doesn’t have any pink or white. Aunt Hester helped me choose the colors.” She was likely trying to impress her cousins.

Star and Grady exchanged smiles. They’d turned Margaret Mary’s painting studio into a bedroom for Renny, complete with her mother’s portrait and the horse painting. Emma’s portrait now graced the area above the mantel in Grady’s den. Morning Moon had decided to keep Renny’s pink-and-white room.

Star sat with a sigh, cradling the baby boy in her arms. Underneath it, her own unborn child greeted his cousin with a swift kick in the diapered behind.

Baby James let out a yowl of protest. Everyone laughed.

“How are you feeling, Hester Mae?” Star asked. She had to admit the woman looked wonderful. Becoming a mother to Baxter’s two children, and to the two they’d adopted, agreed with her.

Star and everyone else in the room glanced at Hester Mae’s protruding belly. After a long convalescence from the bullet wound, and the hectic pace of adjusting to four children, they’d all been surprised at the fact that she’d conceived.

Beside her, Baxter hovered, ready to see to her needs.

“Tired, but wonderful. I can’t believe after all this time, it finally happened.”

Star was glad. There was nothing like feeling life grow inside you.

Minutes later, Charles and his wife arrived, accompanied by Maurice. The man, who had been rescued quickly after the collapse of the Dragon’s slave trade, went into the kitchen to visit with the rest of the staff.

“How’s the trial coming?” Grady asked the lawyer.

“Langley? I think the jury will certainly find him guilty,” Charles said. “After all, he admitted to killing Leo in front of witnesses.”

Talking about the Dragon turned to the subject of slavery.

Hester Mae cleared her throat in warning. The three men went on to a more acceptable conversation for mixed company, though Star thought it was an important topic.

Still, content to just sit and watch, Star thought of the last six months. They’d spent nearly six weeks with her family, welcomed Emma and Striking Thunder’s firstborn son into the world, then returned to St. Louis. But soon they’d leave and start anew in the territories. Grady had decided to put his knowledge to good use and wanted to act as an agent in negotiations for peace. His friends in the army, though hopeful that he would return to active duty, had agreed to work with him. Star was glad. It would allow her more opportunity to visit with her family.

Loud whoops sounded from the stairs, followed by shrieks. Seconds later, Aggie and Alice rushed into the room screaming. Behind them, Running Elk, wearing only a breechclout, gave chase.

“Matthew!” Star clapped a hand over her mouth in part to hide her laughter. Running Elk had yet to make the adjustment to the wearing of clothing. And at six winters, he had also learned the joy of shocking those around him.

Grady stood and scooped him into his arms. A young black boy, around thirteen and tall and gangly, ran into the room hot on the boy’s tail. He stopped in front of her husband, holding a small shirt and trousers. He rolled his eyes at the half-naked Indian boy.

“
Ma mere
is going to be angry,” he said, “if she comes in here and catches you running around without any clothes.”

Grady handed Matthew to Hattie’s son. “Here, take him up and get him dressed properly.”

The boy slung Matthew over his shoulder. “You sure are a bad one,
Monsieur
Matthew.”

At last, Zeke announced that the meal was ready, and they gathered in the dining room. For Thanksgiving, Grady had insisted everyone eat together. The only moment of silence came when Grady said grace. After that, the noise rose in volume.

Across the long, food-laden table, Star gave thanks for her wonderful family and friends. Life couldn’t be better. Not only had she and Grady been blessed with new life, but for the last six months, she’d slept dreamlessly. No visions at all. For that she gave thanks.

Sometimes she pondered the reason, and wondered if the visions would return, but somehow, she knew they wouldn’t. They’d served their purpose. Each vision had led her up the path to save her daughter—and that had fulfilled her gift to her people. It was going to be easier from here on out.

Yes, life was good. She had much to be thankful for. She met her husband’s blue-gray gaze across the table with longing. She had the sudden urge to tell him that she loved him. Noticing that the pitcher of milk for the children was nearly empty, she stood and waved Hattie back to her seat. “I’ll get it.”

Grady stood as well. “Looks like we could use more wine.”

Hester called him back. “There’s another bottle—”

Renny’s voice cut her off. “He knows, Auntie. He just wants to go kiss my mom.”

Laughter and good-natured teasing followed them out to the kitchen.

When Grady swung her around and kissed her, Star sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands slid down her sides. “I love you, Star O’Brien.”

“And I love you, Grady O’Brien.”

“Think they’ll miss us if we sneak out?”

Star giggled. “For shame,” she scolded, though she wished they dared. She slipped out of his arms and sent him a teasing, hungry look. “You’ll just have to wait until they leave. Now behave.” She turned in a slow circle, searching the kitchen.

“Now, what did I come in here for?”

Grady couldn’t resist. He slipped his arms back around her waist and kissed the side of her neck. “For this.”

Looking for more dreamy historical romance? Check out these additional titles from Susan Edwards’ bestselling White Series, available now. Books 9 to 12 coming soon!

White Wolf
(Book 5 of 12)

White Nights
(Book 6 of 12)

White Flame
(Book 7 of 12)

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