Page 75 of Wellspring
Nocona shook his head.“We do not speak of debt among brothers.The bond of family is too strong for such notions.”
Erick could only be grateful Cade had found such a family.“But the horses?”
“I’m sorry there aren’t more, but I had to get back before the drive started, and this was as many as I could find,” Cade said in a rush.
“More?”Erick asked.“Cade, I do not understand.”
Cade flushed and rubbed at his neck again.“In Comanche tradition, when a brave finds the one he wants to share his life with, he offers a gift of horses to prove how highly he values his beloved.If he is accepted, the two share a tipi together for the rest of their days.”He held out his hands.“Erick Heller, will you join your life with mine?”
Erick stepped forward and took Cade’s hands, his breath caught in his throat.He had spoken similar vows in Prussia, a public declaration devoid of any real emotion.This was the connection he had longed for all his life but never dared to dream could become real, much less in the light of day.The best he had hoped for was a life in the shadows with a lover he could never claim.Here, though, now, in this place, among these friends, he could give voice to his heart, offering Cade the same commitment Cade was offering him.He had to swallow twice before he could answer.“I fear I have no tipi to offer.Would a cabin suffice?”
“A cabin?”Cade repeated.“What cabin?”
Nocona elbowed him, forcing a grunt from Cade.
“Of course a cabin would suffice,” Cade said with a shake of his head.“But what cabin?”
A smile spread over Erick’s face at the thought of everything they’d accomplished in less than a month.“If the cabin meets with your approval, then yes, Cade Webster, it would be my joy to spend the rest of our days together.”He wasn’t sure who moved first, but suddenly he had Cade in his arms, their lips meeting in a slow, reverent kiss to seal their promises.
A whoop broke them apart.“Shit, did Wolf Boy and Hoss just get married?”
“Shut up, Burke.”Michele cuffed his head, then moved to pull them both into a hug.“I’m very happy for the two of you.”
Cade beamed at Michele before leaning in to whisper “What cabin?”in her ear.
“I will show you,” Erick promised, “but first you need to show Nocona where he and his friends can set up their tipis, and I need to get my wedding present settled so they don’t escape.”
“I’ll show them where to make camp,” Michele offered.“Cade, you can help Erick with the horses.If you don’t make it to dinner, I’ll save you both a plate.”
“Such a happy occasion calls for a celebration!”Svensen shouted.
“I had a special dinner planned for tomorrow, before we hit the trail.”Javier grinned at them both.“I’ll just move it up a night.”
Chapter Forty
CADE TOREhis gaze from Erick’s beloved face to take in the joyful expressions on the faces of his family—both his families: the Comanche one who had saved his life when he was orphaned, and the one at Wellspring who had been his salvation as he learned to live again in the white man’s world.He had imagined once or twice finding a way to bring the two families together, but he’d always dismissed it as a pipe dream, not something he could actually have.Like everything else since meeting Erick, it hadn’t been as far out of reach as he’d feared.
And yet, as happy as it made him to see Chel, the sister of his heart, wrap a supportive arm around Tatsinuupi, his sister-in-law, as she guided her and Nocona toward the field where they could set up their camp, as much joy as Olav’s calls for a celebration and Javier’s promise of a feast brought him, he needed Erick most of all.“Let’s get the horses settled.”
Erick smiled.“Trust me?”
“Always.”
“Alice?”Erick called.A woman Cade didn’t know separated from the crowd.
“Cade, this is Alice Smith.Payne hired her a few days ago to help with the horses.If it won’t break any taboos, we can leave them with her and I can show you the cabin where I hope we will spend our lives together.”
Cade probably should have insisted he and Erick secure his gift themselves, but somehow in the weeks he’d been gone, Erick had managed to find, build, conjure out of thin air a cabin for them.A place of their own where they wouldn’t have to worry about who was around or whether they’d be interrupted.“Nice to meet you, Alice.Watch out for the sorrel mare.She bites.Show me this cabin, Erick.”
Erick threaded his fingers between Cade’s as he led him along a path between the main house and Javier’s kitchen.“When Payne had the trees from the creek milled to repair the damage the JR attack did to the barn, there was wood left over.Grace and Payne asked if the hands would be willing to use it to erect another cabin.”Erick’s voice was tinged with pride and a hint of wonder.“Everyone offered to help, even if Payne grumbled about taking time away from getting the herd ready.Anyone who wasn’t actively working with the cattle pitched in when they could.”
The building Erick stopped in front of was a simple affair, similar in size to the foreman’s cabin Payne had given to Kit and Mac.A shingled roof stretched over a porch that ran along the front, and several steps led up to the slatted door.Cade stared at it in wonder at how much had been accomplished in such a short time as Erick continued.“Payne said the space below the floor will allow a breeze to blow through to cool it during the summer, and also help keep it dry in case of flash floods.”
Erick opened the door into a single spacious room.“Olav appointed himself as construction foreman—he helped build his parents’ house in Sweden.”Cade turned slowly, gratitude welling within him as the magnitude of what Erick had arranged dawned on him.Cade had mentioned in passing as they lay in Erick’s sickbed that he wasn’t sure if they’d ever have a cabin of their own, and without even knowing where Cade had gone or why, Erick had made that dream a reality.“Kit laid the stones for the fireplace,” Erick continued.The hearth already had logs ready for a fire, and a metal tripod holding a pot hung over it.“Javier contributed the pot so we could make coffee whenever we wish.Matt built the table and chairs, and Jesse installed the sink and pump for water.”The other side of the room was filled with a large bed, complete with carved wooden headboard, side tables, and armoire.“Grace insisted on gifting us the bedroom furniture.She said it was only right, since sending you to Galveston to pick up its replacement is what led to our meeting.”He squeezed Cade’s hand and dropped a kiss on his lips.“For which I am forever grateful.”Cade drew his head down for a longer kiss, fully intending to spread Erick out across the bed at the earliest opportunity.“Michele commissioned the bedspread from the quilters at Reverend Smithson‘s church.”
Cade chuckled.“That must have been an interesting conversation.”
“Lizzie contributed the rug and curtains, but best of all is this.”He swept aside the curtain from a window at the back of the house.“Ned has built us our own private shower.He said it would keep us from scandalizing the other hands in the communal shower.”
