Married by Christmas (22 page)

Momentarily disconcerted, Samantha stared as he approached with his gun outstretched. Pointed at
her.
Not them. Could this be the break they needed?

“What are you doing?” she sputtered.

“I can’t let you kill another innocent person, Sam.”

Isaiah kept his pistol trained on Caleb and Becca, but his manner hinted at uncertainty. Caleb could practically see him trying to decide what to do. Aim at the captives? Or the nephew?

“You’re not gonna shoot me,” she boasted, recovering her equanimity. “I know you, John.”

“Let them go. Forget about what happened in Cades Cove. We can start over, you and me.” His voice was steady, as was his aim.

Caleb leaned close to Becca. “Be ready to run.”

Her big eyes took on a mournful cast. “I’m not leaving without you.”

“Don’t be stubborn,” he urged. “Think of Amy.”

“You’d never leave me—” her mouth twisted fiercely “—so don’t ask it of me.”

Battling frustration, he refocused on the scene playing out in front of him. If he jumped Isaiah, what would Samantha do? Was it worth the risk?

Samantha scowled. “What makes you think I want a fresh start? I like my life just fine.”

“You’re bluffing.” Entreaty darkened his eyes. He lifted an outstretched hand. “Leave this violence behind. Come with me, Aunt Samantha.”

“You sound like my brother,” she said, disgusted. “A normal life is out of the question for me. Not after— Enough of this.” She jerked her chin in their direction. “Isaiah, since my nephew is being particularly grievous, take Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley into the woods.”

Isaiah grimly made to obey her. “Whatever you say, boss.”

When he reached for Becca, Caleb didn’t think. Just reacted. He launched himself at the man, knocking him off his feet. A growl of outrage pierced his ear.

A shot rang out, and Caleb braced himself for the inevitable pain.

Chapter Twenty-Six

A
drenaline surging, Rebecca grabbed a fistful of Isaiah’s hair and yanked with all her might. “Get off him!”

Head snapping back, he howled an obscenity. Caleb scrambled for the gun. Rebecca watched the struggle, prepared to jump in a second time. She’d almost lost Caleb once to these maniacs. She wouldn’t stand by and watch him get shot again.

Samantha cradled her left shoulder, face crumpled in more than physical pain. “Why?”

John scooped up her discarded weapon and holstered it, aiming his own at the man scuffling in the dirt with Caleb. “It’s over, Isaiah.” Then he handed his aunt a handkerchief to put on her wound.

To Rebecca, he said, “Are you all right?”

Jerking a nod, she slowly unfurled her clenched fists as Caleb rose to his feet, disheveled and dirty but otherwise unharmed.

“I don’t understand why you’d do this.” Samantha’s composure slipped.

Regret carved deep grooves in his cheeks. “If I’d known what you were planning the night you confronted Tate, I would’ve tried to stop you. I couldn’t stand by and let you continue the cycle of violence.” His gaze flicked to Caleb. “Besides, I may not know him personally, but I know someone very close to him.”

“Who?” Caleb demanded.

“I work as a farmhand for Evan Harrison and his wife, Juliana O’Malley Harrison. Your cousin.”

Startled, Samantha jerked back. Cades Cove used to be her home. Of course she’d be familiar with the residents. “The Harrisons are related to my witness? How did you know of the connection?”

“Juliana is always talking about her family. When I heard Wendell mention he was going after Caleb O’Malley in Gatlinburg, I figured I’d better volunteer to come along. Once I saw the scar, I knew I had the right man. I also knew I couldn’t let anything happen to him. Not after the kindness the Harrisons have shown to me.”

“Thank you,” Caleb said gravely, his dark eyes full of gratitude sliding to Rebecca. If not for his interference, they’d likely be dead.

“Now what?” Samantha demanded as John rifled in her saddlebags for rope. “You’re gonna hand me over to the authorities? You know they’ll hang me.”

He tossed the rope to Caleb, who then proceeded to tie up Isaiah.

His throat worked, and he had the demeanor of a graveside mourner. What a horrible position to be put in. “We don’t know that. Maybe they’ll show leniency.”

“Tate was Cades Cove’s sheriff.” She snorted inelegantly.

John glared at her. “
Was
a sheriff. Now he’s dead, thanks to you. The fact that you don’t appear to be experiencing any remorse bothers me.”

“You don’t understand.” Stance rigid, her brokenness cloaking her in fury, she said, “You didn’t see the way he looked at me...like I disgusted him. Like it was my fault—” She shuddered, and when John settled a hand on her uninjured shoulder, she flinched. “I thought he loved me.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” he said firmly. “Tate was a blind idiot for acting the way he did. But he didn’t deserve to die, Sam.”

Rebecca startled when Caleb slipped his hand in hers. Absorbed in the scene playing out before her, she hadn’t heard his approach. The troubled light in his eyes mirrored what she was feeling. This story could’ve had a vastly different ending. There could’ve been healing instead of destruction.

She squeezed his hand, knowing deep in her soul Caleb would never let her down like that. He’d support her no matter what. Studying his dear, familiar profile, she understood that he was the type of man she’d always dreamed of—noble, brave, honorable. Heroic.

The scar was no longer a reminder of lost dreams. Instead, it was a mark of lessons learned.

“Let’s go.” John dropped his hand. “You need medical attention.”

His hands bound, Isaiah moved over to whisper softly to his leader. John loped over to Rebecca and Caleb. “I know you’ve been through a lot, and I apologize for the part I played. I hope you can forgive me.”

“You saved our lives,” Caleb said simply, as if that wiped clean all that had gone before. “Sheriff Timmons will take that into consideration.”

They mounted up, Caleb and Rebecca on the horse they’d taken, Isaiah on his mount and John and his aunt riding together. The return trek through the mountains seemed to last an eternity. She couldn’t relax. Every noise potentially meant Wendell had caught up to them or Isaiah had gotten free. Caleb tried to reassure her, but she felt the tension humming through his body, as well.

As dawn split the darkness, they glimpsed Gatlinburg tucked in the valley below. The glorious view sparked relief and a deep sense of gratefulness. Their nightmare was over.

Sheriff Timmons wasn’t there. The deputy informed them that he and a group of men, including Caleb’s father and brother Nathan, were still searching for them. Frustrated at the news, Caleb had no choice but to leave the three in the deputy’s care. They rode straight home. Mary and Amy cried when they saw them. After too many hugs to count, they proceeded to ply them with food and drink. When Mary insisted on drawing them baths in the main house, Rebecca didn’t complain. She was cold and filthy, and her hair surely resembled a bird’s nest. Best to rid herself of all the physical reminders of their ordeal.

The mental reminders weren’t as easy to dispel.

Back in their cabin, Caleb turned to her with a determined air. His hair shone and the scent of soap clung to his skin, but he hadn’t taken the time to shave. “I should go after Pa and Nathan. They need to know we’re all right.”

The horror of all they’d endured swamped her. Her knees threatened to give out. Clad in fresh clothes, a thick quilt wrapped around her shoulders, she couldn’t seem to get warm. She couldn’t bear the thought of him venturing into those mountains again. Wendell and the other outlaws were still out there. “Don’t go.”

His brows shot up. “Believe me, I’d much rather stay here with you.”

“Then stay. Caleb, you’ve had only snatches of sleep the past two days. Admit it, you’re exhausted.”

Indecision flared deep in his eyes. Weariness stamped his features.

Boldly taking his hand, she led him to the couch. “The truth is I don’t want to be alone. That was as close to dying as I’ve ever been, and I can’t get the images out of my head.” Sinking down, she patted the cushion beside her. “Please stay with me.”

His intense gaze bore down on hers. Easing down beside her, he rested his arm along the back edge. “I’ll stay.”

Her breath whooshed out.

“For today. If they haven’t returned by morning, I’ll have to go after them. Shane needs to know we have Samantha.”

“Thank you.”

A ghost of a smile flickered across his lips, there and gone again so quickly she might’ve imagined it. Getting comfortable against the cushions, he motioned with his fingers. “Scoot closer so I can warm you up.”

Without a second thought, she nestled against him. He was like a furnace. The heat coming off his body leaked into hers, and she closed her eyes in delight. His arm came around her, and he tucked her head in the curve of his shoulder. His fingers trailed lazily, methodically, through her hair.

Rebecca felt as if this was where she belonged, where she’d always belonged but hadn’t known it.

The caress ceased. He shifted slightly away from her. “Becca, now that we’re no longer in danger, you and Amy can finally go home.”

Rebecca eased her lids open, stared at his tanned fingers splayed across his thigh. Her stomach knotted up.

“And I can get back to what I do best,” he continued.

Bracing a hand against his chest, she pushed away to look at him. “It’s too cold. What if we get another blizzard?”

“Cold doesn’t bother me.”

She couldn’t decipher his thoughts, not with that watchful guardedness, the way his features were schooled to blandness. The shadows beneath his eyes spoke of his exhaustion. She should be quiet and let him rest.

“Won’t you be lonely?” she couldn’t resist asking.

“I’ll have Rebel to keep me company.” His shrug struck her as completely natural, as if walking away from her would be the easiest thing in the world. “Besides, I’ll be back in about a month. I’m going to hire a farmhand to take care of the repairs and ongoing upkeep since I won’t be around.”

Seared by the heat blazing through his cotton shirt, she dropped her hand to her lap and twisted her fingers together. “I know we had an agreement. However, I didn’t consider the impact on your family. They will miss you horribly if you go.”
I’ll miss you.

He smirked. Not the reaction she’d expected. “They’re used to me being gone. I’m sure they’ve already had their fill of me.”

“But—”

He stopped her with a finger pressed to her lips. “Stop worrying, Becca. My family will be fine. I’ll be fine. Most important, you’ll have your old life back. You’ll probably even reach the point where you’ll forget you even have a husband.”

Not possible.

His eyes darkened to burnt umber. He leaned forward, lowered his head. Her lids fluttered closed in anticipation of what was to come. Bliss. Connection. Unspoken witness to what was in her heart.

The kiss wasn’t to be. The air stirred, and she blinked to see him disengaging from the quilt and surging to his feet. She stared up at him in what was surely openmouthed dismay.

“Have you ever gotten so tired you couldn’t sleep?” Striding to the kitchen, he yanked the tin of coffee onto the counter. “I’m afraid I can’t relax. But you—” he waggled a finger her direction without sparing her a glance “—go ahead and stretch out. I’ll be quiet.”

Heart bruised and bewildered, Rebecca did as he suggested, curling up on her side so that her back was to the room. Sleep was impossible. So was baring her true feelings. Not when he was bound and determined to leave her and didn’t appear the least bit bothered by the prospect.

What was it about her that made it so easy to walk away?

Chapter Twenty-Seven

T
hree days later, Rebecca ventured out alone, desperate to see her best friend. Meredith was as levelheaded as they came. She’d know how to put everything into perspective. That was what she was counting on, at least.

Meredith’s excited cry and all-enveloping hug brought tears to her eyes. Tears that were too near the surface ever since Caleb had made his plans clear. He was sticking to their agreement. To her growing dissatisfaction, he hadn’t bothered to ask if she’d changed her mind. She waffled between confessing all and shaking him senseless. Why did he have to go and become all responsible? Where was the hang-the-rules man she’d married?

“I’ve wanted to visit but my parents advised me to wait.” Meredith released her, only to link her arm with hers. “I was frantic with worry when I first learned about the kidnapping. Tell me everything that happened.” Concern clouded her eyes as they left the porch and walked along the path to the corral. The sun was warm on their backs, and there was no breeze to stir the cool mountain air.

Reluctant to rehash the sordid story but aware her friend was keen on details, Rebecca gave her the basic outline of what had happened. Meredith listened intently, gasping in places, frowning in others. “Caleb was so brave,” Rebecca finished.

Dark brows met over her nose. “Sounds like you both were.”

“No.” Rebecca stopped before an oak tree, aware of the pair of cardinals perched in the bare branches, a brilliant shade of red against the nearly colorless sky. “I couldn’t have survived without him, Mer. His strength kept me sane.”

“If it had to happen, I’m glad he was with you. He’s a very capable man, it seems.”

Capable. Thoughtful. A little roguish. Without him around, who was going to make her laugh? Caleb had a way of lifting the tedium of ordinary days with his smile, a teasing word, an unexpected kiss. She’d miss his vitality, the way his presence expanded the room, made the air particles dance with anticipation of what he’d do next.

“You’re looking sad,” Meredith said. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“He’s packing our things as we speak. Amy and I are returning to my parents’ cabin, and he’s going on a hunting excursion in the mountains.”

“How long will he be gone?”

“About a month. He’ll be home just long enough to hire a helper.” He hadn’t left yet, but already there was an empty space where her heart should be.

Meredith nodded decidedly. “I think you should tell him the truth, Rebecca. Tell him you want a real marriage.”

“It’s that obvious?” She gasped, horrified. Did he suspect? Did his family?

“You’re clearly miserable, my friend. And you haven’t mentioned Adam or his pretty new wife, not even once. That’s monumental.”

“You met her?”

“At church. She struck me as a genuinely nice person.”

Meredith wasn’t the type to sugarcoat matters, not even to protect a friend’s feelings. Rebecca wasn’t upset. She was well and truly over Adam Tierney. “I got the same impression. I’m happy he’s found someone he can share his life with.”

“And you’re clearly not sorry that person isn’t you.”

Disengaging, she turned and, sinking her hands in her pockets, surveyed the forested cove similar to her own. “When I think of how I went on and on about Caleb being my enemy, my immense disdain for him when he first arrived, I cringe with shame. It was more convenient and far easier to blame him for my misfortune than it was to deal with Adam’s rejection. Blaming Caleb relieved me of any responsibility in the dissolution of my engagement.”

“You weren’t entirely without compassion,” Meredith said loyally. “I was there. I saw how deep your concern went. Perhaps God used his brush with death to open your eyes to the truth.”

“Perhaps.” She’d entertained similar thoughts. “Still, I wasn’t particularly nice to him, was I? I made sure he knew he wasn’t welcome. And before we exchanged vows, I made him promise we’d have a long-distance marriage. If I go to him now and explain I’ve had a change of heart, who’s to say he’ll want to stick around? I have no idea how he feels about me. He could very well laugh in my face.”

Meredith shot her a skeptical look.

“Well, maybe not laugh. He’d let me down gently.” While he may project a tough attitude, her husband was sensitive in many ways.

“Go to him, Rebecca. Ask him what he wants. If you can’t bring yourself to do that, you’ll have to let him go.”

* * *

The sight of the half-filled wagon outside Caleb’s cabin jarred Rebecca. He wasn’t wasting any time, was he? Was he that eager to be off?

Nerves frayed, mind pathetically blank, she found him in the kitchen placing half-eaten loaves of bread into a crate on the table. He looked up and, with a curt nod, continued his task as if on a deadline.

“How’s Meredith?” he asked over his shoulder, reaching for the jars of muscadine jelly and sorghum molasses.

“She wanted to hear my account of what happened.”

He hung his head. Then, squaring his shoulders, he pivoted to deposit the jars in the crate. With his head bent, his longish locks hid his eyes. “Are you sleeping better?”

Because they’d arrived home in the morning and slept on and off during the day, her schedule had been thrown off. The bad dreams didn’t help. She thanked God that Sam and Nathan had returned the following day, preventing Caleb from having to search for them. They, along with Sheriff Timmons and some other local men, had caught up to Wendell. Timmons and the others had continued on to the camp and arrested Samantha’s cohorts.

Crossing to the table, she gripped the chair for support. “A little.”

“I’m sure that will change once you’re in familiar surroundings. In your own bed.”

He wouldn’t even look at her. How was she supposed to bare her heart when he was acting cold and indifferent? It was as if his mind was already out there in the rugged country.

When she continued to stand there, desperately trying to come up with something to say, he motioned to the bedroom. “There’s a trunk on the bed. Thought I’d leave the packing of your clothing and personal items to you.”

“Oh.” Her throat was dry. “Okay.”

“I told Ma to have Amy ready to go in half an hour. Will that give you enough time?” His jaw was hard and unyielding. Looking at him, she could hardly reconcile him with the man who’d risked his life to save her, who’d kissed her as if her value was without equal, who’d held her in his arms, safe and warm and protected.

Emotion clogged her throat. Would she ever see that man again? Or was this forbidding stranger here to stay? “That should be sufficient.”

Steps wooden, Rebecca went into the space she’d made her own. A photo of her parents graced the nightstand, as well as her Bible and three of her favorite novels. Her clothes and shoes filled the armoire, her art supplies in the corner desk. She wasn’t certain how it had happened or when, but this cabin—Caleb’s cabin—had become her haven.

And it was all theirs. Alone.

At her family homestead, memories of Adam had lurked in the oddest places, keeping her mired in the past. In addition, memories of Caleb’s terrible injury and the dreadful things she’d been forced to do to save his life had permeated the rooms. Fear and anger and bitterness had overshadowed any joy that tried to break through.

Moving here had given them a fresh start. A sanctuary untainted by the past.

Here Caleb had presented her with her wedding ring. Surprised her with a Christmas tree and decorations because she’d been sad without one. He’d cooked for her, cared for her. Comforted her.

This was their home. This was where she longed to stay.

She was going to miss it. Dreadfully.

Rousing herself, she threw open the armoire doors and began to take the dresses off the hangers. If he’d given her a sign, a small token of encouragement—a look, a smile, a touch—she could’ve drummed up the courage to broach the subject of the agreement. He’d done nothing.

He couldn’t possibly walk away so easily if he loved her. If he felt anything close to what she felt for him.

Numb, overwhelmed with dread, she didn’t say a word as he finished loading the wagon. Nor did she breach the heavy silence as they rode across town. Normally chipper, Amy sat slumped in the wagon bed between crates, Storm curled up on her lap. It seemed neither sister had wanted to say goodbye to the O’Malley farm.

Back at her old cabin, Rebecca stood in the middle of the living room as Caleb toted everything in. He’d gruffly waved aside her offer of help. Because of their prolonged absence, a layer of dust coated nearly every surface. The tree would have to be disposed of, the decorations packed away. Mindless tasks that would hopefully distract her from her melancholy.

When the wagon was completely unloaded, he filled the doorway and announced it was time to go. “I thought it’d be more convenient for me to sleep at home tonight. That way I can bring your milk cow and old Toby over in the morning before I head out.”

He wasn’t staying? Wiping damp hands on her skirts, Rebecca frantically searched for some means of delaying the inevitable.
Tell him the truth,
an inner voice prodded.

“I can have breakfast ready for you,” she rushed to say. “Biscuits and gravy. Your favorite.”

His eyes landed on her face. For a moment, she thought he might agree. Gloved fingers furling and unfurling at his sides, he gave a hard shake of his head. “I can’t. I’ll be leaving long before dawn.”

“I see.” Gritting her teeth, she fought to rein in the threatening emotions. “I guess this is goodbye, then. Be safe, Caleb.” If he noticed how her voice cracked, he didn’t show it.

“You, too, Becca.”

Then he walked away without a single glance.

* * *

Caleb was a fool. More than that, he was a coward.

That’s what he’d been telling himself every day for the past two and a half weeks. Without Becca, the days bled into one another, empty and cold and pointless. He was sick of his own company. Desperate for Becca’s.

Tucked into his pallet at night, a canopy of velvet sky far above, he’d dream of her. Sometimes they were innocent. Casual, ordinary moments. Other times they were downright frightening...like Becca dashing through the mountains trying to escape Wendell and Samantha. Either way, he woke with a throbbing ache in his chest and the distinct feeling he was missing out on something precious by staying away.

I’m honoring her wishes,
he told himself every time he was tempted to return.
The bargain I struck at her request.

He hadn’t been able to venture far. In the midst of preparing to leave, he’d failed to ask his family to watch out for her. Maybe it was an excuse to be near her. Whatever the case, he’d resumed his role of anonymous donor. Once a week, he returned to her cove and left his offering strung on a nail inside the barn, safe from predators.

This evening he’d brought a single rabbit. Dusk was sinking into full-on darkness, the perfect cover. As he left the forest behind and strode quickly across the expanse, he kept his gaze trained on the cabin. Yellow light glowed in the windows. Wisps of thin smoke curled from the chimney.

He had to act fast. Before Becca or Amy discovered him. Before his willpower disintegrated, and he stormed inside and swept her into his arms.

Hesitating at the barn door, he pressed his ear against the wood and strained for sound. No voices reached him. No active movement that indicated someone was inside tending chores.

The rabbit dangling near his knees, he tried to ease the rickety door open but it snagged on a mound of raised earth. It took a little maneuvering, but he was finally able to get it closed. With a sigh, he turned around and found himself staring into a pair of striking jade eyes that haunted his waking hours. Eyes that were rapidly filling with suspicion.

“I can explain.” Holding up a hand, he winced at his choice of words.

Becca studied the dead animal. “It’s you, isn’t it? It’s been you all along.”

Unable to help himself, he took a step closer. The sight of her, her sweet scent, wreaked havoc with his restraint. “I was simply trying to help.”

“That’s why Rebel made his way here in the snowstorm,” she said with dawning understanding. “He knew the way because he’d been here dozens of times before.”

“I should’ve told you, I know.” He laid the rabbit on the ground. Removing his hat and flinging it onto a nearby hay square, he jammed his fingers through his hair to keep from reaching for her. Being within arm’s length of his wife after a torturous absence was testing every shred of his self-control. “But I don’t always do what I should. We both know that.”

Her eyes suddenly shimmering, she whispered, “I do know that.”

A resigned sigh shuddered through him. “How’ve you been, Becca?”

“Miserable.”

A tear tracked down her pale cheek and dripped from her jaw onto her shawl. Alarm speared through him. “What? Why?”

“Because you did the honorable thing. Because I knew if you didn’t truly want to go, you wouldn’t have.”

Shock winged through him to the tips of his toes. “Hold on a second. Are you telling me you’re upset because I did what you asked me to?”

She bit her lip. “Yes.”

“I think you’d better explain, Rebecca.” If there was a harsh edge to his demand it was because he was desperately trying not to let hope take root.

“I’m miserable because I’m a coward. Because on your last day here, I tried a million different times to tell you...to ask you...” Her eyes squeezed shut. She looked unnerved. Becca didn’t do unnerved.

Absurdly, that bolstered his courage. “Ask me what?”

Squaring her shoulders, she stared deep into his eyes. Lifted both hands, which he noticed weren’t quite steady. When she cradled his face, he forced himself to stand very still, to let her come to him. His chest heaved as if he’d just finished a race. Slowly, she went up on her tiptoes and, before he could react, placed a featherlight kiss on the scarred flesh fanning out from his right eye. Astonishment rendered him speechless even as a violent shudder racked his body.

Easing back, Rebecca’s hands slid down to rest on his shoulders. “Will you stay with me, Caleb?”