The Ranger Takes a Bride (13 page)

"I didn't realize you were the same age as Anna when you lost your madre. How did she die? From sickness?"

Her pulse thumped harder in her chest, as that old familiar heat washed through her. Alejandra's fingers crept up to the scar that marred her face. "No." The word croaked out. "The soldiers slayed her."

A sharp intake of breath sounded from the chair beside her. Alejandra dropped her hand and her gaze down to the babe. She'd said too much. What possessed her to share those details? Was he angry? She didn't dare look at him.

She had to get away before she said or did something she would forever regret. Lifting the warm bundle in her arms, Alejandra stood and placed little Martin in his uncle's arms. The babe shifted and made a noise, but his eyes never opened. She didn't dare look at Edward's face. She had to leave.

"I need to check things in the kitchen." It was as good an excuse as any. Alejandra spun and, without a backward glance, fled the room.

~ ~ ~

Edward
stared at the empty doorway through which Alejandra had disappeared. When would she stop running from him? But at least she had shared some of her past this time. And the story was all too clear now. She'd touched her scar when she said the soldiers killed her mother. It must have been a horrible event. Did that explain the haunting in her eyes?

Especially when she looked at him. Does she fear him like she must have feared the soldiers all those years ago?

He dropped his head so it almost touched the baby bundled in his lap.
Oh, God. This is something only You can do. Soften her heart, Lord. Help her to forgive. Both the soldiers and…and You, Lord. Show me what I can do to help her trust again.

Chapter Fifteen

The
next few days were a blur. Full of cooking and laundry, and cleaning when Alejandra could fit it in. Not to mention caring for that little rascal of a puppy while Edward was gone on another assignment. Emmaline became her constant companion, her own special helper and shadow, while the girl's mother adjusted to the new baby.

Martin was a fussy niño, louder than Alejandra had expected. Mama Sarita said it was colic, and she'd appointed herself as his nurse to relieve Anna of the full weight of his frequent tearful episodes.

With her efforts to keep the house running smoothly, Alejandra didn't get much chance to visit with her friend or the new babe. Sometimes Anna would bring him to the kitchen while Alejandra prepared the evening meal, but their conversations were never long, and Alejandra rarely had a chance to snuggle little Martin during one of his happier moments.

So when she crept into Anna's chamber to replenish the stack of clean diapers and found Anna awake, playing with the babe, Alejandra couldn't resist staying for a moment.

"Have you seen how big he's getting, Alejandra?"

"Sì. His little hands are growing chubby."

Alejandra watched over Anna's shoulder as her friend stroked a finger down Martin's cheek. He leaned into her touch, a hint of a smile flitting across his face.

"I think it tickles him," Anna said. She looked up at Alejandra. "Sit, please. Would you like to hold him?"

Alejandra sank onto the edge of the bed. Anna wrapped the blanket tighter around her babe, then placed him in Alejandra's arms. The little bundle was heavier than she expected, and she cradled him tighter. Martin snuggled into her side, sending a warmth flooding straight to her heart.

"There's nothing quite like holding a baby, is there?"

Alejandra looked up to see a sheen of moisture clouding Anna's eyes. The light there reflected the glow in her own chest.

"When I think back to my early days on this ranch…" Anna's voice softened. "Those first few times I ran into Jacob down by the Guadalupe River, I never would have dreamed we'd be married now with two beautiful little ones. It's like a dream come true."

Anna fell silent, then sniffed. "Have you been to see the river yet?"

Alejandra glanced up at the change in topic. "Not yet. There's been so much to do."

"What?" Anna's brow wrinkled. "Oh, no. We need to fix that."

A tap on the door interrupted Anna's next statement. She glanced at Alejandra with a raised brow.

Alejandra shrugged. Mama Sarita had taken Emmaline and the puppy for a walk since the sun was out today. Jacob was out with the rest of the vaqueros, but maybe he'd come back for something.

"Come in," Anna called.

Alejandra twisted to see the door as it creaked open. A rugged male face appeared in the opening. Edward. Several days' worth of beard shadowed his jaw, and tired lines etched the corners of his eyes. But her pulse picked up, just the same.

"Edward. When did you get back? Come see how much your nephew has grown." Anna waved her brother into the room.

"Just unsaddled Pepper, so I'm trail dirty. Had to stop in and say hola, though." His eyes met Alejandra's and locked there, as he strode around to stand beside his sister. A twinkle glistened in their depths, as if in a silent greeting intended only for her.

She fought to pull her gaze away, but couldn't. Why did her insides flip when he looked at her?

Edward finally dropped his focus to the babe in her arms, and Alejandra inhaled a long, quivering breath. "Hi there, niño." His tone raised a notch as he bent to speak to Martin.

With his head down, Alejandra's gaze fell on Edward's thick brown hair, mussed into loose curls from the wind and who knew what else. Her fingers itched to run through their masses. She tightened her grip on the blanket.

Stepping back, Edward turned to study his sister. "How are you, hermana? Feeling better?"

Anna's mouth formed the shape of a smile, but the dark skin and lines under her eyes told a different story. "Sì. I'm well. Just tired."

Edward nodded. "I'll leave you to rest then." He turned and started for the door.

"Eddie, before you came in, Alejandra mentioned she still hasn't seen the Guadalupe yet. Would you mind taking her?"

The man's eyes found Alejandra's.

She jerked her gaze away before she became trapped again in those chocolate depths. "It's okay, Anna. I'll wait until you're well enough to go with me. You'll want to see it, too."

Anna tossed her words aside with a wave. "That will be weeks—maybe months. Edward, there might be cinnamon pie left in the kitchen, then you could take Alejandra to the river. I told her to ride the Palomino mare any time she wants, but I don't think she's stopped working long enough."

"No." Bile churned in Alejandra's stomach at the thought of being alone with the soldier. "I can't go now. I need to help with the baby. And Emmaline will be back any minute. I need to press the laundry, and make tortillas for dinner."

Anna leaned forward and took the babe from Alejandra's grasp. "Mi hijo is ready to eat now, then he and I will both take a nap. Mama Sarita told me earlier that she was going to let Emmaline make shapes in the tortilla dough." She leveled a stern gaze on Alejandra. "And you are going to the river if I have to make the men tie you to a horse."

Alejandra nibbled her lip to keep it from smiling at her friend's forcefulness. One of the things she'd missed the most lately was staring across the Rio Bravo at the giant Las Cuevas ebony tree that stood guard over the flowing water. Even now her chest tightened at the memories. She glanced up at Anna, who watched her, brows raised.

"Sì. I will go." Was she making the right decision? He must be safe if Anna trusted him. Right?

Her friend's face softened into a wide grin. "Good. Would you mind cutting Edward a piece of pie while he cleans up a bit? And ask Juan to saddle the Palomino for you."

Alejandra rose from the bed and turned to find Edward watching her. His mouth curved softly, but his eyes held a mixture of emotions she couldn't quite discern.

~ ~ ~

Under
the brim of his hat, Edward glanced at the woman riding beside him. At last, a chance to spend time with her. God must be softening her heart—and answering his prayers. He couldn't have picked a better spot than the Guadalupe River, either. It was the prettiest place around, even in the middle of winter. He fought to keep the swell in his chest from spilling onto his face. That's where Jacob had courted Anna all those years ago, and it worked out well for them.

A squirrel scampered across the trail in front of them, and Edward's mare flinched. The animal's muscles tightened underneath him, sending tension through the reins in his hand. He sat deep in the saddle, anchoring his weight in his heels. Animals could smell nerves, so the more a rider relaxed, the better. He shot a look at the Palomino Alejandra rode, but that mare plodded calmly with nothing more than a flick of her ear. The old girl had been down this trail more than once in her dozen years.

His gaze drifted to Alejandra. She was so beautiful, with her delicate profile framed against the light gray of the sky behind her. Wisps of long black hair had escaped her coil, floating down her back. She sat straight and comfortable on the horse, her body settling into the rhythm as if she were part of the animal. She'd been a little unsure about the saddle when she first mounted. Were the saddles different in Mexico? His focus wandered back to her face. She'd not spoken except a few terse answers as he held the horse for her at the ranch. Maybe she'd loosened up some by now.

"Did you ride often at the ranch where you lived in Tamaulipas?"

The stiffening of her back was so slight he almost missed it. "Sì. We were allowed to ride Las Cuevas horses any time."

"That's good. And they provided saddles and bridles for you to use?"

A small shake of her head. "No. The vaqueros owned their own equipment. I rode with a halter made of rope."

He arched a brow. "You didn't use a saddle?" That would explain her excellent posture.

"No. Papa needed our saddle for his work. I only rode in the mornings after my duties were finished. And I preferred to ride without the thick leather separating me from the horse, so I can better feel the animal as it speaks to me." A hint of pink brushed her cheeks, and her chin dipped slightly. Was she embarrassed about what she'd said? Or just that she'd spoken more than a single sentence without being forced? At least he'd found a topic she cared about.

"How large was Rancho Las Cuevas? Were there many horses there?"

"Sì. There were many thousand cattle and…" She paused, twin lines forming between her brows. "…maybe five hundred horses in all. But not so many at the outpost where we lived."

"Did you have a favorite horse?"

The corners of her beautiful mouth lifted slightly. "I did not get to ride the same horse always. Only what was not being used by the vaqueros. There were a few I enjoyed very much."

Watching her face as she spoke was like observing an elegant minuet. Her eyes sparkled and her features danced across her face in perfect synchronization. If only he were standing in front of her, not riding beside, craning his neck to take in every breathtaking feature. Still, he'd relish every minute with Alejandra.

What else could he ask about the ranch that would keep her talking? Or maybe something about her stay at the Double Rocking B? He could ask about how she was faring with Emmaline, but it was obvious the girl adored Alejandra, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. The puppy. He hadn't even seen the little guy since he'd come back from his last assignment.

"So how's little Sol doing these days? Is he behaving himself with the new baby in the house?"

"Sí." The smile touched her face again, a little brighter this time. When she turned and glanced at Edward from the corner of her eye, his stomach did a little flip. "He is muy bueno. Always underfoot and chewing on things he shouldn't. He steals Emmaline's doll every chance he has, and took one of Mama Sarita's shoes while she napped yesterday. But he's too cute to be angry with."

Edward chuckled. "I suppose I should make him something to chew on. Is he getting bigger?"

Alejandra's eyes widened. "So big you won't believe it. Soon, he'll grow into those enormous paws."

They were close enough to the river now to hear the rustle of water, although a few trees still blocked their view.  When the trail opened into the wide clearing that lined the riverside, a gasp sounded from beside him.

"Es hermoso." Their horses were just close enough for him to hear the breathy words.

Edward nodded. Yes, the sight was beautiful. The dark blue of the water stretched about thirty feet wide here, with trees and a few large rocks lining the other side. A bright red bird twittered on the branch of a live oak near them. The tree was massive, it's exposed roots supporting part of the river's bank, as if the river had grown up around the tree. An aura of peace permeated the entire scene.

Alejandra leaned forward to dismount, and Edward hastened to do the same so he could assist her. By the time he slid off and strode around the front of his mount, Alejandra was already on the ground and gathering her horse's reins.

"I'll tie the horses." He reached for the ribbons she held.

She glanced at him, eyes widening as if she just remembered he was there. "Sì. Gracias." After handing the leathers to him, she stepped forward to the river's edge while he led the animals to the live oak. When they were secure, he ambled over to Alejandra, careful not to disturb her revelry.

They stood for several moments, side by side, looking out upon the water. What he wouldn't give to know her thoughts. But he could be patient. She deserved that.

At last she repeated her earlier words. "It's lovely." When she turned her gaze to him, Edward sank into their liquid depths, the color of a dark coffee.

"It's so much like the Rio Bravo. Many times I would ride to the river's edge, and sit for hours. There was a huge old tree on the far side." She motioned toward the live oak where he'd tied the horses. "Much like this one. I used to imagine all the scenes that tree had seen. Children swimming in the river. Men watering cattle. Wild deer coming to drink. Sweethearts picnicking."

Her cheeks tinted pink at the last reference, and she grew quiet for a while. Then her mouth tilted on one side as she surveyed the tree. "The funny thing. Always before, the tree was far away. On the Texas side." She swept her hand toward the tree again. "Now I am here with it."

Turning back to the river, her eyes looked out across the expanse, and her voice took on a dreamy quality. "It is a beautiful land, our new home."

The words washed through Edward like a warm soup on a cold day. Soothing. Filling his heart with hope. She was beginning to think of this place as home.

A smile crept across his face. "Sí. It's beautiful."