Page 44 of That Fateful Ride

“So you say now.”

He bristled but remained in control. He supposed it was a father’s right to not want his baby girl with anyone.

“So I willalwayssay.”

“There’s a guy here who is interested in her.”

“Is this the one who got mad and could have hurt her?”

“What?” Cy relayed what he’d seen the previous night. “And if he’d hit her?”

“He would be dead.” Cy spoke the truth; he’d kill anyone who hurt Rebecca without hesitation.

“I have to protect my daughter.”

“I love her. She’s carrying my child within her.Iwill protect her.” He paused. “With my life if necessary.”

“How would you support her?”

“I have money and I’m working. I will give her a good life.” He blew out a breath. “I’m not asking for your permission, sir.”

“Excuse me?”

He was an imposing man. Cy took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “I love your daughter, she’s the one who matters here. Her andourunborn baby. I will wait for her decision.”

“Papa.”

They both looked to see Rebecca there. Cy stood straight, his heart pounding hard as it always did around her. The dress she wore made her seem soft and gentle, hiding the spine of steel.

“Your mama says you’ve barely ridden Polaris since your return. Go for a ride just don’t be late for supper.” Her father spoke.

She vanished only to return dressed in buckskins. Longing slammed him. Cy watched her father kiss her on the cheek and slip inside. Those beautiful doe eyes met his gaze.

“Can you ride or would you rather take a wagon?”

“I can ride.”

He went and mounted then watched unabashedly as she ran to the corral, put a bridle on Polaris, and swung up on his bare back. She waved at him and he followed her, heading away from town. His large horse ate up the ground after her.

She stopped a while later and dismounted. He did the same and tied his horse. Hers, he noticed just wandered.

“Tell me how you came to have him.”

Her grin shone with her love for Polaris. “I got him from the Choctaw Nation. I have a friend in the tribe. They still have horses with the pure Spanish Mustang stock, her father gave him to me as a gift of that friendship.”

He was suitably impressed, well aware how hard it was for the Army to get them. At least without stealing them.

“Come here,” he muttered, craving the feel of her against him. He grabbed his bedroll from behind the saddle, spread it out, and lay down with her in his arms. For a while they didn’t speak, just lay there, his hand over her womb, a slight sense of disbelief that his child grew there. The sun had begun to set and he enjoyed the view.

“I love you, Rebecca.”

“What?” She moved her head and stared at him.

“I said I love you. I have for a long time now. It’s something I should have said that afternoon in the barn but I was so shocked you’d said those words, I never did.” She closed her eyes and burrowed closer. “Will you come with me?”

“I can’t leave Mama to do all of this, Cy.”

He hesitated but realized it wasn’t a no. “Okay, I’ll come here.”

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