Jodi Thomas (23 page)

Maybe after Storm’s Edge was dead he’d send for Maggie and return home. Austin had said the land would remain his until he and Maggie were grown. Chance found himself suddenly wishing he’d told Anna more about his farm and Maggie. All at once he thought of a hundred things he wanted to say to her. Urging Cyoty into a trot, he rode faster toward New Braunfels and Anna.

It was almost dusk when Chance rode into town. Wagons lined the street just as they had the day he’d left. A new group of immigrants was in from the coast. They looked less haggard than Anna’s group, for they’d had more wagons and less rain to hamper their journey. Judging from the way everyone was shouting and hugging, he’d come in a short second to their arrival.

Picking his way among them, Chance realized he no longer felt like a stranger even though everyone was speaking German. He’d picked up enough words to feel comfortable.

As he pushed between two wagons, he spotted Anna on the porch of John’s small house. She was talking with the new couples. Chance reined in his horse and watched her for a moment. How could it be possible that she was more beautiful than when he’d left? Her hair was in a bun, but now it was softer, not so tightly pulled against her scalp, and the brown dress he’d seen a hundred times had a new row of lace at the collar. The ivory lace broke the harsh stiffness of the brown dress and softened her face. Her arm hung in a thin sling that seemed no wider than a ribbon tied about her neck.

As she turned slightly, Chance noticed something else. Her abdomen looked as though it had doubled in size. There was no hiding the pregnancy now. And judging from the way she patted her stomach, her joy was great.

“Anna!” he shouted above the crowd, unable to wait any longer to see her eyes.

Raising her head, Anna shaded her gaze from the late afternoon sun as Chance jumped from Cyoty and ran toward her. He was unable to hide the pleasure he felt. All the tired muscles and long hours were forgotten as he watched her move toward him.

He reached her as she stepped from the porch, and lifting her in his arms, he swung her around as she laughed. Her arms were tight for a moment, as though proving to herself that he’d returned, then she pulled away slightly to look into his eyes. For Chance there was no one else on the street but Anna. Her face had been before him every day for over a month and yet the vision was pale compared to the reality.

Slowly the noise of the street invaded their paradise and Anna looked away. “Chance, put me down,” she squealed as he rubbed his beard against her cheek. “You’re covered with half the dust in Texas.”

Chance set her back on the porch. “It’s true. I’ve probably got ten pounds of trail dust on me, but you’re more beautiful than ever.” He patted her stomach. “And a little heavier.”

Anna blushed but made no effort to hide her condition. “Must be Mrs. Basse’s cooking or something.”

“Or something,” Chance echoed and placed his arm around her. Dear God, how he’d missed her! She grew more lovely with each stage of her pregnancy.

She smiled and introduced him to the people with whom she’d been talking. They greeted him warmly, asking questions about the settlement and commenting on the baby Anna would bear. After a few moments Chance realized that Anna hadn’t told them that the baby she carried wasn’t his. This knowledge confused him somewhat. She wanted the baby so badly, yet she never mentioned its father. And now she seemed content to let everyone think that it was Chance’s child.

Chance was about to ask her why when a loud shout came from one of the wagons several yards back. They turned and saw Tobin coming toward them, a huge smile on his face. He was already talking to them before they could understand his words.

“Welcome back,” Chance called as he took a few steps and shook hands with the buckskin-clad man. “We weren’t sure you’d make the return run.”

“Why, hell, son, to be honest I gave it some thought and talked it over with a little señorita I met. She really wanted me to stay, but her husband was bound and determined I leave.”

Anna laughed. “We’ve missed your stories, Tobin.”

Tobin studied her enlarged belly and smiled. “Looks like you got a little one on the way. Don’t suppose you missed me enough to name the little fellow after me?”

“Not likely.” Chance laughed. The man was starting to grow on him, but Chance wasn’t sure whether he was more like moss or mold. “Did you bring the things I ordered?”

Tobin beamed. “Yes, sir. Plus, I brought you a big surprise.” He glanced at Anna with a question in his eyes. “When I got to the coast, there was someone waitin’ to come to see a Mister Chance Wyatt. She’d had her bags packed for weeks, waitin’ to hear from him.”

Chance looked doubtful; he was sure Tobin was about to embark on one of his stories.

“She’s a mighty fine little lady, but I don’t know what you plan to do with her. She’d already broke the hearts of half the men before I got her loaded up for here.”

“What?” Chance didn’t like this teasing. He could see the confusion in Anna’s face. She was believing Tobin’s tale: “That’s enough.” His tone was serious but Tobin paid no heed.

“That’s right, son. Looks like you got yourself two sweethearts in one town.” Tobin giggled like a toothless hyena. “A redheaded wife about to deliver and a tiny little pixie with black curls that sends every heart a-spinnin’.”

“I said that’s enough of your teasing. Anna will be believing your tale if you don’t stop.”

“Would if I could.” Tobin winked. “But the wee little Maggie would be sorely disappointed if she didn’t see her Chance. She hasn’t stopped talking about seein’ him since we left Galveston.”

Chance’s face paled as the name registered in his mind. Without a word he broke free of the crowd and started running toward the wagons yelling Maggie’s name.

Anna turned away. Seeing the two lovers reunited was more than she could bear. Chance had never said a word about Maggie except in his sleep, but Anna, with Tobin’s few comments, had put the pieces together. Maggie was the girl to whom he’d given the hundred dollars. Maggie was the one he loved and would go back to when the year was over. She’d seen the light in his eyes when Tobin had said her name. Chance would turn away as quickly in one year as he had when he heard her name. Without a backward glance, without a regret, he’d go back to Maggie’s arms.

Tobin pulled at Anna. “Come on. You gotta see Chance’s Maggie.”

“No.” Anna felt her face redden. “I’ve things to do inside.”

“Don’t be actin’ as finicky as a pregnant cow in the middle of a water crossin’. The girl won’t bite, you know.”

Anna flashed her anger at Tobin as he pulled her along. “I resent being compared to a pregnant cow!” she argued.

She pulled free of Tobin just as she heard someone scream Chance’s name. Looking up, Anna saw a tiny bundle of arms and legs fly from one of the wagons and land in Chance’s arms. The child looked like an angel as she squealed and hugged Chance’s neck. She could have been no more than eight years old.

Lifting her high into the air, Chance twirled her around. “Maggie!” he cried. “My little Maggie!”

Tobin slapped Anna on the back. “I knew she was his sister the minute I saw that black hair and those bright blue eyes. She came runnin’ up to me, dancin’ around me and askin’ questions the minute she knew I had seen her brother.”

Chance propped Maggie on one arm and brought her over to them. “Anna, I’d like you to meet my little sister.”

Relief and joy sparkled in Anna’s eyes. Tobin was right; the tiny child had the same coloring as Chance. Even the dimple on her left cheek was a reflection of her brother. “I thought all your family was killed.”

Chance rubbed Maggie’s curls. “They were, except Mom’s body saved my sister. She fell on Maggie and the Indians didn’t take the time to notice such a tiny bundle. She’s lived with my cousins since she was one.” He looked at Maggie, expecting some explanation.

The little girl couldn’t seem to stop hugging Chance and continued to do so even while she talked. “They sent me here when they got word of where you were. Tobin told them all about you getting married and since they were expecting their fourth, they sent me with him. He told them you were ill, but Cousin Bessie said I was to help take care of you or stay with your widow, she didn’t care which.”

One look at Maggie’s smile and Anna’s heart melted. “Are you Chance’s wife?” She pushed at Chance and he set her on her feet.

Anna nodded as the little girl curtsied.

“Are you going to have a baby?” The child didn’t come to but an inch above Anna’s waist.

“Maggie,” Chance scolded, but Anna held her hand up to stop his protest.

“Yes, I am.” Anna loved the honesty of this child. Maybe some of it would rub off on Tobin.

Maggie twisted one finger inside her tiny fist. “I know I’m a lot of trouble—my cousins always said so—but I could help when the baby gets here. I’d try real hard and I don’t eat much. If you have four kids, I’d even sleep under the bed so you wouldn’t hardly notice me being in the way.”

Anna brushed her fingers through the child’s curls. “Maggie, you’re welcome to stay with us for as long as you like. We’d love to have you.”

“Really?” A look of surprise crossed the child’s face, revealing much about the eight years of her little life with her cousins.

Kneeling, Anna folded the child tightly in her arms. She knew what it was like to grow up feeling unwanted and being told that you were always in the way. “Oh, Maggie, I’m so glad you’re here.” Tears sprang from her eyes. “You get your things and we’ll start for our home tomorrow.” She kissed the tiny girl’s cheek. “We’re very honored you’ll be with us and there will always be room for you.”

Maggie broke from Anna’s arms with a smile that stretched from dimple to dimple. She glanced at Chance, who nodded, then she ran to get her bundle. They could hear her telling everyone among the wagons that she’d found her family.

Chance’s hand went around Anna’s arm and steadied her as she stood. “Much obliged,” he whispered.

Anna looked at him, her eyebrows drawn together in puzzlement. “No, it is I who thank you.” She meant her words so completely that she even surprised herself. “I can think of no greater joy than providing that child with a home.”

Suddenly, she was in Chance’s arms and he was holding her tightly against him. As she moved her hand up to stroke his black hair, she realized he needed to belong somewhere just as badly as his little sister did. Only he was a man so he’d never admit it.

I
’m not wearing the damn thing!” Chance stormed bare-chested from the bedroom and pitched the white nightshirt at Anna.

“But every man wears a nightshirt to bed.” Anna looked up from braiding Maggie’s hair. “What will Maggie think?”

Chance winked at his little sister. “I doubt Maggie cares what I wear. Right, sweetheart?”

Tittering, Maggie answered, “Right.” Her love for her brother shone so strongly in her eyes it was obvious the child could love him no less if he were in bearskins.

Anna stood, one hand on her hip, the other pointing a comb at Chance as she frowned in her best imitation of the sisters at boarding school. “Well, you can’t sleep naked with women in the house. Besides, it’s not healthy. You’ll catch a cold.”

“I don’t see what you’re so upset about. You act like you’ve never seen me without clothing.” He watched the blush rise in Anna’s cheeks. “And besides, I haven’t had a cold in ten years. I doubt this frilly shirt with the lace around the collar will save me from one.”

Anna had heard Tobin bedding down earlier on the porch. He was probably snickering like a hyena right now. They would likely become part of his stories for the next folks he met. She took Maggie by the hand and crossed to the bedroom, trying to keep her voice low. “I don’t care what you sleep in, Chance Wyatt, because you’re sleeping out here on the cot. Maggie and I will do just fine in the bed.”

Chance’s mouth fell open as she dropped the curtain over the doorway leading to the only other room in the house. Briefly, he thought of changing his mind or storming in and telling her she was mistaken about the sleeping arrangements, that he’d be damned if he was going to sleep in the kitchen on a cot while his wife slept in the bedroom. But he thought about how that would make Maggie feel if he kicked her out. He’d seen her love for Anna all evening. The child had never left his wife’s side. He couldn’t come between them. They were like two lost souls who had just found one another. No matter how much he wanted to hold Anna, he couldn’t hurt his little sister.

Storming out of the house, Chance slammed the door loud enough to wake the neighbors. He almost tumbled over Tobin, who was sitting on the porch downing a bottle of whiskey. The evening was murky black, with only spots of tiny lights flickering in the distance. Chance fought the urge to run hard and fast into the night until he slammed into something and shocked the frustration from his mind. Pain, anger, even hardship, he could deal with, but not the feelings that churned inside him whenever he fought with Anna.