"Yes, but – what I'm trying to say is that I knew my plan all along – but you didn't. It was a surprise…a shock, I imagine. And maybe, now that you've had a chance to see what's in store, you'll—" She broke off, steeling herself. "Maybe you'll want to walk away from it."
He stared at her a moment before walking a few steps from where she stood. He put his good hand on the smooth bark of a tall old sycamore tree, and then lowered his head. When he spoke, his voice was low and rough. "Is that what you think of me, Allison? That I'd leave you, now?"
"I just want you to know you aren't obligated."
His head came up swiftly. "You say that like it's dirty."
Her stomach clenched. He was taking this all wrong. "No." She walked to him and put her hand up against his cheek. "Brandon, obligation isn't a dirty word. I just want…desire…with it. I don't want you to stay because you feel like I can't handle this on my own."
"'This'?"
"The cattle, the boys…"
He snorted. "You can't, Allie." She bristled, until the teasing light warmed his eyes. "But that's not why I'm staying. I love you. I always have." He moved away from her again, starting down the narrow, barely discernible pathway. "It's going to be a challenge all the way around. But believe me, I desire you much more than the weight of the obligation."
It was all she'd ever wanted to hear from him. Pretty words would never be Brandon's way. But she didn't need them. Her heart was so full right now, she felt the love, the emotion disguised in the rough tease.
"You spent a helluva long time convincing me that we belonged together, Allie." He put his hand out for her, and she wasn't sure if he was reassuring her or steadying himself. Maybe both. Wasn't that what love was? Give and take, reassurance and comfort. "You haven't changed your mind, have you?"
Allie took his hand as they started toward the cabin again. "Not on your life, Brandon Gabriel." She stopped to kiss his cheek. "You're mine now. I've got the marriage papers to prove it."
He was silent a moment before he spoke. "You never needed those, Allie. You've had me a lot longer than you thought, and with something just as binding."
"What was that?"
He grinned. "A blue hair ribbon, sweetheart. You tied my heart up with that damned ribbon so tight I couldn't have gotten away if I'd wanted to."
"I—" Before she could respond, the sound of a horse thundering around the bend of trees ahead pulled her attention away.
"Mama! Pa!" Jay rode Reya into their view, his body molded close to the horse as he hung on tight.
"No saddle," Brandon muttered, but there was admiration in his tone. Allie knew he was thinking of the danger, even as he recognized Jay's skill with the animal.
"Come quick!" He somehow managed to get the huge beast stopped before he ran over them. "The cows are here! Already!" He slid down from the horse, his dark eyes shining with happiness and excitement.
"A challenge, I believe you said?" Allie touched Jay's ebony hair, and then looked back toward where Brandon stood. He moved past her, grabbing a fistful of mane, and swung himself up onto the horse's back.
He expertly guided Reya with his knee as she pranced and turned in a circle. Allie lifted Jay up to seat him in front of Brandon, then reached to grip Brandon's good left hand as he pulled her up behind him.
"We're up to it, I think, Allie." Brandon glanced over his shoulder at her, and she could have sworn she saw the same spark of excitement in his eyes that Jay had worn seconds earlier. His right hand rested on Jay's shoulder a moment. "Let's head for home, son."
They had a burned barn, nineteen young men to raise, and five-hundred head of cattle with no pens. But they were together, at last, and Allie had never felt so hopeful in her life.
Chapter 24
As they came around the next bend, Allie could hear the bawling cattle. She felt Brandon's body tighten with anticipation.
Then, the cabin and the cattle all came into view, and Brandon drew Reya to a slow halt.
Allie's breath left her, as Brandon's did, beneath her palms.
"See, just like I said!" Jay twisted around, a mile-wide grin on his face as he looked up at Brandon. "Something wrong, Pa?"
Brandon didn't answer for a moment, and Allie laid her head against his back gently. He reached back to pat her leg in understanding. This really was their dream come true, and there was no need for words between them.
"No, son. Nothing's wrong. Not one thing." The pride in Brandon's voice touched Allie as nothing else could.
"They're all ours, Pa."
Allie's eyes burned hot at the same tone in Jay's words. There was an understanding between them, already.
"Yeah," Brandon breathed, resting his hand on Jay's shoulder. "They're all ours."
"Shouldn't we go on down?"
"Just lookin', Jay."
Allie smiled at Brandon's roundabout way of asking Jay to have a little patience – something Brandon was usually a bit short on himself. He half-turned, kissing the top of Allie's head. "Ready?"
She nodded, content, and raised her eyes to his. "Take as long as you need, Bran. Long as you want," she amended.