At her cry, Cole felt moisture flood his eager hand. He could wait no longer. Barely taking the time to unzip his pants, he plunged into her, filled her completely, and felt her tighten around him, hold him inside as though she would never let go.
Frantically, his mouth found hers again as he held himself still. As soon as his tongue touched hers, she climaxed, arching off the ground to meet him, and he drank in her moans, needing them more than he needed food or air. And still it wasn’t enough.
Balancing his weight on the elbow of his cast laden arm, he began to drive into her, slipped a hand between their joined bodies and touched her swollen core, bringing it back to life, driving her again to the edge. And this time when she reached it, he watched her face. He was the only man who had ever given her that look of ecstasy and now he would be the only one who ever would. Charley belonged to him.
The very thought was enough to make him lose control, but at her words, the explosion went soul-deep, shattering him into a million pieces.
“My love,” she whispered. “Husband of my heart.”
An infinity later Cole managed to gather enough energy to move to one side, but he still couldn’t bear to let her go. Taking her with him, he cradled her close, showering kisses on her closed eyes. A satisfied smile still curved her lips and Cole chuckled.
Her eyelids lifted halfway. “Feeling pretty smug, aren’t you?” She lifted a hand languidly and traced his lips. “I guess you have a right to be.”
Cole kissed her fingers. “So, when is the big day going to be? And it better not be far off, because I don’t think I can wait much longer.”
Charley hesitated. “I’d like to wait until Uncle Victor is out of the hospital and recovered, if you don’t mind.”
He didn’t want to ask, but he had no choice. He had to know. “How is Victor going to feel about this? He’s never been real enthusiastic about having me as a member of the family before.”
Charley shifted a little and gazed at his face. “He knows what he did to us was wrong, Cole. He told me as much himself before they took him into surgery. He made me promise to give you another chance.”
“Is that why you’re here? Because you promised Victor?”
“No.” She cupped his cheek with her hand. “I’m here because I love you and because I can’t live another day without you. It would have hurt if Uncle Vic hadn’t come around, but it wouldn’t have stopped me.”
“I love you, Charley,” he whispered just before his lips met hers.
Epilogue
Charley weaved in and out of the crowds that lined the boardwalk of Duncan Mills’ main street, her gaze sweeping the milling mass of humanity. Frannie had told her that Cole was working here today, but so far he hadn’t been in any of the usual locations she’d checked.
Her protruding stomach made navigation through the tourists a major undertaking and she was about to turn back when a loud voice rang out from the center of the street.
“Come out of there you lily-livered snake! Or are you afraid to face me?”
A grin split Charley’s face as people rushed to the rails to get a better view of the gunfight that was about to take place. It was one of the main attractions that Duncan Mills offered and a huge favorite with the visitors.
Directly across the street, the saloon doors parted and the gunslinger stepped out. His black Stetson was pulled low over his eyes and a wooden match dangled carelessly from one corner of his mouth.
Spurs jingling, he stepped off the boardwalk and made his way to the center of the street, turning to face the young man waiting on him. “Give it up, boy. A lot of better men than you have tried to take me. They’re all up at Boot hill now.”
“Shut up and draw, you coward.”
The gunslinger shrugged. He’d done his best to dissuade the kid. Nonchalantly, he opened his duster to reveal the gun belt slung low on his narrow hips and tied down around a muscular thigh.
Charleys eyes ran over him speculatively. He was undoubtedly the sexiest gunslinger she’d ever seen. From all around her she could hear the sighs of the female audience members.
With elbow cocked and his hand hovering over the butt of his pistol, he waited. “After you, kid.”
The kid licked his lips nervously and then went for his gun. It had already cleared the holster before the gunslinger moved.
In a blur of speed, his gun seemed to jump into his hand. A single shot rang out. At the other end of the street, the kid spun in a circle and went down. With a flick of his wrist, the gunslinger re-holstered his Colt 45 while the city mortician ran out with a tape measure and began taking the kid’s length and width.
As the gunslinger turned away, his gaze moved over the crowd and suddenly met Charley’s. A sheepish grin turned up the corners of his lips.
She extended her arm and curled one finger at him. “Caught you, didn’t I?”
Cole laughed. “I have a reason, honest. Jesse couldn’t do it. He called in sick. There wasn’t time to get anyone else.”
“A likely excuse if I ever heard one.” She grabbed the front of his shirt in both hands and pulled him close enough to kiss soundly. “Why don’t you just admit you love it?”
“And have you tease me even more than you already do? Not a chance.” He splayed his hand over her round stomach. “How’s junior today?”
“Starved. I thought maybe you’d take us to lunch. Marge is saving us a table at the Diamond Lil.”
“I’d be honored, Little Lady.”
Charley laughed. “I think you’d better stick to gun fighting and leave the impressions alone.” She glanced at the “body” the morticians were hauling off. “Robert is doing a fantastic job, isn’t he?”
“He was wasted mowing lawns. And he’s making a lot more money now.” Cole hopped over the rail and put his arm around her shoulder, steering her through the crowd. “What have you been doing all morning?”
“Working on the nursery. We only have a few weeks left to go.” She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. “Uncle Victor sent over another present for the baby.”
“Charley.” His tone carried a warning and she grinned.
“Come on. You know how much he’s looking forward to this baby. And you should see what he sent. It’s a handmade cradle and it’s gorgeous. I’ve never seen one quite like it.”
“He’s going to have this baby spoiled rotten before it’s even born.”
“Like you aren’t?”
“Point taken. But if he’s going to help spoil it, he can darn well come over and walk the floors with it right along with the rest of us.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem. The problem will be keeping him and Mrs. Paulson from killing each other fighting over the baby.” She put her arm around his waist. “Are you done for the day?”
“I’m supposed to be back for the barroom brawl in a few hours.”
“Now, Cole—”
“It’s just acting, Charley.”
“That’s what you said the last time, and you came home with a black eye and a bloody lip.”
“I’ll be careful, I swear.”
They reached the shiny red Jag that had been Cole’s wedding present to her and she tossed him the keys. “You drive.”
“Something wrong?”
She smiled at him. “No, just a little backache.” Suddenly her expression changed to one of surprise.
“Charley, what is it?” He was beginning to sound panicked.
“I think you may have to put off your brawl. My water just broke.”
* * * * *
Cole pulled the blanket down and gazed at the tiny bundle in his arms. He’d never been so awed or so terrified in his entire life. His son.
“He looks just like you.”
The baby was wearing a knitted cap, but Cole knew he had a whole head full of dark hair. “He has your chin. That means he’s going to be stubborn as a mule.”
Charley stroked the tiny cheek. “I can’t believe he’s so perfect, Cole.?
??
They both looked up as the door opened. What seemed to be an entire greenhouse of roses appeared first, followed immediately by Victor Channing. He paused just inside the door.
“Is it safe to come in?”
Cole glanced at Charley, then smiled. “Sure. I’ve been told they don’t actually bite at this age.”
Victor moved farther into the room and put the flowers on the stand beside Charley’s bed. Standing carefully, Cole stepped to his side and put the baby in his arms. “Victor, meet Colby Wade Jordan, your great-nephew.”
For a moment Victor seemed stunned, then tears filled his eyes as he stared at the baby. “Thank you, Cole. Thank you for everything.”
He felt Charley grip his hand tightly and looked down at her.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Cole leaned over and kissed her. “And I love you.”
About the Author
In real life, I’m Kathy to those who know me, since Katherine has always sounded snooty to my ears. Physically, I’m 5’5” with brown eyes. The rest of me is subject to change at the whim of my caloric intake, exercise regimen (or lack thereof), and Miss Clairol. I’ve worked at everything from killing bugs to telephone operator. I have a degree in journalism that is stuffed in a drawer somewhere. I’ve been writing for seven years now and have sold seven novels, five most recently to Ellora’s Cave. The Sweet Gum Tree won the PASIC Book of Your Heart contest in 2002 in the single title category. I’ve been a member of Romance Writers of America since the day I started writing, and serve as judge for numerous chapter contests. I’ve been married to the same man for thirty-eight years now. We got married when I was two. That’s my story, I’m sticking to it.
Katherine welcomes mail from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Katherine Allred
For Love of Charley
Second Time Around
Sweet Revenge
The Sweet Gum Tree
What Price Paradise
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Katherine Allred, For Love of Charley
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