Do You Take This Enemy? (16 page)

Setting down Julian, she turned. Everyone went into the house. Kate wanted to hold Ella, and it was an hour before her aunt and uncle drove away.

Gabe took Ella from her father and Ashley saw him hug the little baby and then cradle her in his arms. Ashley busied herself with Julian.

Gabe asked Quinn to come with him and she knew he was going to tell Quinn about the cattle before she had a chance.

Gabe handed Ella to Ashley, and she looked into dark, unreadable eyes. A muscle worked in his jaw, and she hurt, watching him turn away to join her father. They left, heading toward the stables.

When they returned, Gabe explained to his son that they were going back to their old house. Julian mildly protested, but at a look from Gabe he quieted and kissed Quinn and Ashley goodbye, unaware it would be longer than for just an evening. Standing in the kitchen to watch them drive
away, Ashley fought back tears. She wanted Gabe and Julian back. Their marriage had been wonderful, and it had held such glittering prospects. She hugged herself and turned around to face her father.

“Ashley, let's talk,” her dad said, pulling out a kitchen chair to sit down.

“I know Gabe has already told you that when I found out about the cattle, I told him to get them and himself off our land,” she said, turning to look at her father.

“Yes, he did tell me. And he got his cattle home. Ashley, I have the feeling that you think you're protecting me. I don't care if Gabe keeps some of his cattle on our land.”

“You don't care?” Stunned and upset, she stared at him.

“No, I don't. I'm tired of taking care of this great big ranch and he can do a fine job. He's a fine rancher and he's a good daddy for Ella.”

“When I started seeing him, you were so angry and worried that he would steal the ranch from us.”

“I know I was, because of the old feud, but he's become one of us. He's Ella's daddy in every way except blood kin. He's taken so much of the load off of my shoulders, and frankly, I don't miss it. And I love Julian. I don't want to lose that little boy. He's my grandson now.”

She sat down on the edge of a chair. “You don't care?”

“No, I don't. I'm glad for him to take charge of some of this. Do you want to do it?”

“No, not by myself.”

“I don't either any longer. Ashley, I've worked hard all my life. I was beginning to enjoy Julian and Ella and I had this nice trip. I never could do that before. Gabe is going to make this place turn a profit again.”

“I had no idea—”

“Honey, Gabe's suffering.”

She brought her attention back to her father and then thought about Gabe. “So am I,” she said, still adjusting to what her father had said.

“Then why don't you get them back here?” he asked
gently. “Julian is going to be one unhappy little boy tonight. He's losing another mama.”

“Oh, Dad—” She flew to the bedroom she had shared with Gabe to close the door and yank up the phone.

When he didn't answer, she called his cellular number. As soon as Gabe answered, she clutched the phone tightly and closed her eyes.

“Can I come see you?”

“Yes,” he answered solemnly. “I'll be home in another ten minutes.”

“Don't tell Julian about us until we can talk, please.”

“Julian's asleep. I think he's exhausted.”

“I'll be right there,” she said. She ran to the back door. “Dad, I'm going to see Gabe. I'll be at his place, and if I leave to come home, I'll call you.”

Quinn was finishing a glass of milk. “Honey, you get Gabe to check on your whereabouts. In ten minutes, I'm going to be asleep for the night. I won't hear the phone.”

“Okay,” she said, blowing him a kiss. She raced out the door to their pickup and climbed in, still thinking about what her father had said.

The drive to Gabe's house seemed interminable, but finally she was there and knocking on his door. It swung open, and he leaned a shoulder against a doorjamb. “Want to come in?”

When she nodded, he stepped back, and she hurried past him, shedding her jacket as she crossed the room. She turned to look at him.

“Gabe, I was wrong.”

His brows arched and he drew a deep breath. “Ashley, the damn cows don't matter to me. I'll keep them on the Circle B land. All I want is you and Ella back.”

Relief and joy flooded her, and she ran to throw herself into his arms. He caught her up, crushing her against his chest to kiss her long and hard.

She kissed him back wildly, wanting him, and then all
the joy over being together again burned into flames of passion. Gabe picked her up to carry her to his room.

Clothes were tossed aside, and then Gabe laid her on his bed. His hands were everywhere, his tongue setting her on fire while she couldn't get enough of touching him.

He moved between her legs, gazing down at her before coming down and entering her swiftly.

They moved together and she was lost in sensation that built as her roaring pulse drowned out the world until she heard him cry her name.

“Ashley, my love!”

She held him tightly, her heart pounding with joy.

Later, she lay in his arms, stroking him lightly while he held her.

Gabe shifted away from her and stood. “I have a surprise for you. I got it last week.” He came back to bed and handed her a large flat package.

Tucking the sheet beneath her arms, she looked at him. “What on earth?”

“Open it and see.”

Ashley ripped away wrapping paper to hold up a picture. It was the one Quinn had taken of Gabe and Ashley standing in front of the wild, white stallion the evening Gabe had caught the horse.

“Gabe, I love it!”

He grinned. “Well, we brought some credibility to the old legend, didn't we, darlin'?”

She smiled, set down the picture and turned to wrap her arms around him. “We surely did.”

She pulled his head down, kissing him, knowing she would remember this night forever. In minutes, she leaned away.

“Gabe, come back. And you can bring your cattle back. Dad and I had a talk. I didn't know he liked what you were doing and was glad to have you take charge.”

“Yeah, I talked to him tonight. I just didn't think, dar
lin'. I should have told you. I knew your dad was happy and I thought you were.”

“I was, Gabe. Happy beyond all I dreamed about.”

“I want you. I don't care what we do with the cattle.”

She ran her fingertips over his muscled shoulder. “We ought to change the name of the two ranches so it's just one.”

“It's fine with me, but all our relatives will howl.”

“Let them howl. They'll adjust, just like they did to our marriage. You know what else I'd like someday?”

“What?” he asked.

She ran her fingers through his thick hair. “A long time ago you said two children would be enough for you.”

Gabe's eyes darkened and his brows arched. “And?”

“I told you I might not be able to have another baby, but during this next year, I'd like to try.”

Gabe leaned down to kiss her. “I think that's a grand idea,” he said, pausing to look at her. “I love you, darlin', with all my heart.”

“Oh, Gabe,” Ashley whispered, pulling him to her and knowing her family was the most important thing in her life. “I love you more than you can ever know.”

While he wrapped her in his strong arms, Ashley sighed with contentment, certain that her trust had been well placed and she was with the love of her life.