To Wed a Wanton Woman (26 page)

“Well, I guess that answers all my
questions.” The sheriff’s eyes remained on Marion. “Good day to you.” He turned
and nodded to Train.

“I’ll ride back with you.” TJ turned to
Train. “Stay with Marion. I’ll finish up our business at the shack.” He spoke
with a tick in his jaw, eyes narrowed, and lips thinned.

Train stepped forward. “I want to take care
of it myself--”

“I’m speaking as your boss,” TJ said, mounting
his horse. “I’ll tell Allison about Cassie,” he said to Marion.

Marion
stood on the porch, watching until TJ and the sheriff became small dots on the
horizon and then disappeared over a rise.

Realizing Train stood beside her, she said, “Will
you put this on me?” She handed him the necklace, then turned around, lifting
her hair.

“What was TJ talking about?” Marion dropped her hair and faced him. He stared at her without speaking. Afraid of what
he was thinking she didn’t press him for an answer.

“Nothing that matters now. I’ve been a fool.
Will you walk with me?” He stepped inside, grabbed their coats, then wrapped
his arm around her waist. They started toward the lake.

“Thank you, Train.” She threaded her fingers
with his.

“For what?”

“I’m glad you’re a determined man.”

Train laughed. “A man with any less
determination would have given up on you the first day.” He kissed her temple.
“I’d say we’ve earned each other.”

“I’m pleased with my prize.” She lifted her
face.

He kissed her gently.

She snuggled, sharing his body heat. “This
feels like home, doesn’t it? Brothers should live close to each other, and
Allison is the closest person I have to family. I want to help raise her
children.”

He shook with laughter. “Cooking, cleaning,
and now a fondness for children?”

“You’ve cast a spell on me.”

Silence hung in the air. The wind was crisp
on their face. Her heartbeat thumped painfully in her chest. She took a deep
breath. “I’m afraid,” she whispered. “I look at Allison as a mother and it’s a
beautiful picture. When I try to remember my mother’s face, I can’t.” She
stopped walking, but couldn’t look into his eyes, yet felt the heat of his
stare. “I begged my mother not to make me leave.” She closed her eyes as she
relived the day. “I told her I loved her. It didn’t matter. I’ve never said the
words again.”

Marion
held his hand, running her finger along his knuckles. Calloused from ranch
life, his palm scraped against the inside of her hand. “The way I feel about you
makes me feel vulnerable.” Her chest tightened making it hard to breathe. It
was on the tip of her tongue. “I love you. I never thought I could say the
words.” She stepped into his arms and laid her head against his shoulder. “It
feels good.”

Train started walking again. “I feel it,
too.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kept her close. “I love you.”
And he planned to show her how much for the rest of their lives.

The End

Dear Reader,

I took liberties with history in writing
To
Wed A Wanton Woman
. The draw of a bustling copper boom motivated my
decision to create Copper City, a fictional town.