“It’s over there.” Cait raised the rifle to her shoulder.
Win slid his Colt out of its holster. “Dammit, I’m too far away for a decent shot.”
“I’m not,” Cait said evenly, although her heart was threatening to make a break from her chest. She could see the faint outline of the cat and centered her sight on what appeared to be its head.
Deil reared up repeatedly, slamming his front hooves on the ground. He grew more frantic as the lion crept closer.
Cait’s finger wavered on the trigger. All she had to do was delay firing and the cat would take care of the hated stallion for her. Either the lion would kill Deil or the horse would be injured so badly he’d have to be put down. And Cait wouldn’t even have to break her promise to her father.
“He’s only a horse, Cait,” Win whispered close to her ear. “He didn’t murder your father. He doesn’t deserve to die.”
“You didn’t see him.” An unexpected sob rose in her throat. “Deil kept rearing up and Pa kept rolling, trying to get away.”
“Deil was terrified, Cait, and just like when people are scared, they lash out at what they fear most. He was afraid of your father, and he reacted the only way he knew.”
The cat stalked closer to the corral and Cait followed him with her rifle.
“It might seem that Deil hated your father, but he was reacting the only way he knew how.” Win paused and said quietly, “Just like when you were scared, Caity.”
The cat rose up and launched itself upward. Cait squeezed the trigger and the rifle kicked her shoulder. The mountain lion dropped like a rock and lay motionless just outside the corral.
Cait closed her eyes and slumped. She felt Win take the rifle from her numb hands, and his arm encircled her shoulders.
“You did it, Cait,” he said. His chest rumbled against her arm.
She gazed up at him. “Why didn’t you just take the rifle and do it yourself?”
“Because it was your decision, Cait. You had to make the choice.”
“What if I made the wrong one?”
Win smiled gently. “You wouldn’t have.”
“How could you be so certain?”
“Because I know you, Cait.”
She thought about that for a minute, then smiled. “Yes, you do.”
“Go on inside and I’ll take care of the cat,” Win suggested.
She clung to his arm. “Will you come to me when you’re done?”
“Do you want me to?”
She released him, suddenly uncertain if he wanted what she did. Or even if she had the right to ask. “I love you, Win, and I don’t give a damn what people say. But I can’t give you children.” Her throat choked off the rest of her words.
Win’s expression filled with grief. “If I’d have known, I would’ve been here for you, Caity. I swear it. I wouldn’t have let you go through that alone.”
“I know.” She could barely squeak out the words and quickly looked down.
Win raised her face with a gentle grip on her chin. “Since I couldn’t have the woman I loved, I never planned to get married, which meant I’d never have children. But if you’re able to put up with what people will say about us, then I’d be honored to become your husband.”
Cait’s eyes burned with unshed tears. “I’ll be expecting you in the cabin.”
He grinned and Cait was struck by how much he resembled the boy she’d fallen in love with so many years ago. “Yes, ma’am.”
She watched him leave but turned away before he began his grisly task. Turning her attention toward Deil, she couldn’t help but feel that something between them had changed. When the stallion met her gaze, his eyes no longer appeared to mock her. Instead, she saw his pride and something akin to gratitude. She shook her head, laughing silently at her imagination.
Then Deil deliberately approached the end of the corral closest to her and tossed his head. Cait held her breath and forced herself to walk slowly toward him. She held out her hand as she neared him but only got within a yard before Deil backed away nervously. He gazed at her and seemed to nod, then turned away and pranced around the corral.
Cait watched him, allowing her admiration and hopes to rise. Her heart swelled with joy and contentment until it seemed to fill her chest.
She nodded to Deil, then turned to walk to her cabin to await Win’s arrival. This time she’d give him a true homecoming.
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
WIN HELD A carrot out to the frolicking stallion, and Deil trotted over to take it almost daintily from his hand. Win smiled and scratched the horse’s forehead.
“You think you’re so tough, but you’re just a pussycat,” Win teased the stud.
The ebony horse whinnied in indignation and trotted away.
Win laughed at the stallion’s antics. After he and Cait had finally managed to tame him, Deil acted more like a spoiled child than the prize stud of the BriceTaylor Ranch.
Win turned away from the corral and spotted his wife strolling toward him with a radiant smile that made her eyes glow with happiness. Love and contentment made his own lips turn upward.
When she drew close enough, he wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her close to his side. “What’re you looking so secretive about?”
Her eyes danced with affection and mischief, a combination that never failed to ignite the passion that always smoldered close to the surface.
She sniffed. “As if I could keep any secret from you.”
“You managed to keep my birthday present secret for a full five hours,” he teased.
She stuck her tongue out at him. He laughed and dropped a kiss on her impertinent nose.
Comfortable silence surrounded them as they watched Deil trot around the pen.
“Do you think he knew?” Cait asked softly, burrowing closer into Win’s side.
“Who?”
“My father. Do you think he knew why you left that morning, and he tried to make it right when he made me promise to send for you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” Win had thought the same thing a time or two but never voiced it.
“I think he knew, and I think he used Deil to bring us back together.”
Win thought about that a moment. “If that’s so, I owe him.”
“We both do.” Cait took a deep breath. “I went to see Doc this morning while I was in town.”
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?” Win demanded, fear making his voice curt.
“No, everything’s fine.” She smiled and he was shocked to see moisture glimmering in her eyes. “We’re going to have a baby.”
Win’s vision narrowed and wavered, and he was aware of Cait steadying him.
“But I thought-” He broke off, uncertain what to say.
“Beulah wasn’t a doctor,” Cait said quietly. “I told Doc what happened with the first child. Doc wants to see me every month, just to make sure everything’s going all right with this one.”
Win stared at Cait’s calm, composed features. He had a million questions, but now didn’t seem the time to ask. Instead he wrapped his arms around her and swung her around. “We’re going to have a baby!” Suddenly he set her down, terrified he’d inadvertently hurt her. “Are you all right? Did I-”
“No, you didn’t hurt me.” Cait laughed. “And I don’t expect to be treated like glass for the next six months.”
“But you will be careful. And no more breaking horses. I’ll take care of that. I can do the chores, too. And you should take at least one nap a day to make sure you don’t get too tired.”
Cait jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, effectively silencing him. “Doc said definitely no breaking horses and I agree with him. However, doing my chores won’t hurt the baby or myself unless I try to lift something too heavy.” She placed her palms over her stillflat abdomen. “I want this baby as much as you do, Win. I’ll be careful.” With her forefinger, she drew an X over her left breast. “I promise.”