After Dani disappeared down the hallway and Rosa took charge of David, Caleb followed the others to the parlor. His father opened the liquor cabinet and poured everyone a glass of brandy. Caleb gratefully accepted the glass and took a healthy swig.
"Not too much, Caleb. You need to be sober for this discussion."
Caleb raised an eyebrow and fought back an urge to down the whole glass just to spite his father. Instead, he place the class on the mantle.
"I understand I've been called here to discuss the terms of the will of Heber Kirkland," the lawyer started.
"You know exactly why you've been called here. We all do," Derek snapped.
"Yes. Quite. As you know, the will states that Caleb Kirkland will inherit this property if he meets the conditions of the will. It would seem he has done so. Provided he can provide the marriage certificate."
Caleb took another drink, enjoying the lull in the conversation. "I have just such a document." He stood and retrieved a packet of papers. He shuffled through them before withdrawing a document and placing it on the table by the will.
The attorney looked it over and nodded. "All seems to be in order. Miss Danielle seems to be the doting wife, clearly in love."
Caleb knew he was being baited and kept his mouth shut. Love had nothing to do with their union.
Jeremy sat in an armchair, his legs crossed at the ankle. He seemed to be enjoying himself.
"Is there anything else you'll be needing?" Caleb asked. "I'm quite obviously here by Christmas. I'm married and have been since before my birthday." He shrugged. "There seems to be nothing else."
"There is the matter of an heir," the lawyer started.
"David doesn't count," Derek quipped.
Caleb smiled and downed the last of his brandy. "I'm well aware of my husbandly duties and God willing, our union shall produce heirs in good time. As you stated, I've met the terms of the will thus far and fully intend to meet the rest. Shall I remind you, gentlemen, God's time is never our time."
He nodded and rose. "If there's nothing else, I think I'll retire."
"Sit down Caleb," his father ordered.
Caleb walked to the liquor cabinet and refilled his glass before returning to his seat. "Yes, father?"
"Where did you actually meet that girl?"
Caleb chuckled. "You doubt her story?"
"It has a few, shall we say, holes."
"It was quite honestly as she said. She was mistakenly sleeping in my bed. I was more than three sheets to the wind when I staggered into the room and fell across her. She screamed. My equilibrium being as compromised as it was, I fell out of bed and crashed to the floor, unconscious. She, being the person she is, cared for me until I woke with a splitting headache the next day. As she said, we talked and it was decided that a union was in the best interest for the both of us." He raised an eyebrow, challenging anyone to question the story.
"Jeremy?"
Jeremy held up his glass. "Don't involve me. I was in my own room and wasn't party to the details."
"Have you consummated the marriage?"
"That question is a bit forward even for you, father. I had assumed Derek was behind this debacle. Unfortunately, it would seem I was misinformed once again."
"Caleb, I only want to see you happy."
"Happy? I'd have been quite happy driving my herd to Colorado Territory. This change has not made me happy. I'm once again under your thumb and as such subject to your tirades. I'm not overly happy at the moment." He nodded down the hall in the direction of his room. "That woman is the only bright spot in this entire charade."
Seconds turned into minutes. The only sound came from the grandfather clock in the corner. Derek nearly dove into his glass. Jeremy sipped his brandy, clearly at ease with the situation. The lawyer seemed oddly ill at ease, shifting in his seat as if trying to hide something. His gaze finally turned to his father who returned the stare.
"Fine, then. As long as you're here for Christmas, you'll have satisfied the terms of the will."
Caleb raised his glass. "I fully intend to be here." He downed his glass and grabbed his papers before standing and striding down the hall to his room. He barged through the door, closing it behind him with a resounding click. He turned to stoke the fire before moving to the bed. He paused for a moment, watching Dani sleep.
Exhaustion overwhelmed him as he slipped between the covers.
Dani squeaked and moved away from him. He leaned over her, placing an arm to bar her escape.
Her frightened gaze met his in the flickering firelight.
"I won't hurt you, Dani. We're sharing the bed. There's a lock on the door but locks only keep honest people honest. We've already established Derek is not an honest man. I wouldn't put it past him to sneak in here, just to make sure we're together. You'll act like you like me during the day. Be the doting wife. You're good at that. At night, I don't care if you ignore me."
Dani's breathing all but stopped as she stared at him.
"We've been sleeping next to each other for months on the trail."
She closed her eyes and turned away from him, her shuddering breaths and crackling fire the only noise in the silent room.
Caleb settled back in bed, staring at the ceiling.
"You know you're kidding yourself, right?"
Caleb nodded. "Probably."
"How did the meeting go?"
Caleb shrugged. "It's hard to tell. I've obviously checked off a few more items from the will than Derek thought I would. It's disconcerting to think what he might try next."
"You really think he'll try something?"
"He doesn't like losing. He wants this ranch. I think his reasoning became apparent tonight at dinner. He wants the immediate money he can get from selling it right now. I'm in it for the long haul. Cattle is where the money is."
Dani sighed.
Caleb smiled to himself, relaxing in the soft bed. The latch clicked and the door swung open. Caleb held his breath as footsteps padded closer. He readied himself for the attack.
"Miss Dani?"
She sighed in her sleep.
Caleb chuckled. "What do you need, David?"
"Miss Dani. I'm scared."
Caleb threw off the blankets. "Miss Dani is asleep. Can I help?"
The boy whimpered. "I'm scared. I ain't never slept in a room by myself before."
"Never?"
The boy shook his head then wiped his nose on his arm.
"Come here." Caleb wrapped the boy in his arms and sat in a chair by the fire. "So, what's got ya scared?"
The boy shrugged.
"Is it all the toys in there?"
He shook his head.
"Is it the windows?"
He shook his head.
"The soft blankets?"
David giggled. "No."
"Hmmm. I wonder what it could be?"
David sniffed. "You and Miss Dani get to share a room. And George and Rasmus and Sam and Luke. Why can't I stay in the bunkhouse with them?"
"I figured you'd like the room with the toys better than a room full of smelly old men."
"But, I'm all by myself."
"Would you feel better if one of them moved in with you?"
The boy sat up in his arms. "Could Sam?"
Caleb shrugged. "We'd have to talk to Miss Rosa. I don't figure there'd be a problem with it."
David shrieked with glee before throwing his arms around Caleb's neck. "Can we ask her now?"
"Whoa there. Miss Rosa lives clear across the barnyard. I don't much wanna walk that far in the dark and the cold. How 'bout we ask her in the morning?"
The boy all but crumpled in his lap.
"Tell ya what. For tonight, we'll bring Spot inside."
"Really?"
"Yeah. But you gotta be real quiet. Don't wanna wake anyone up and get me in trouble."
"Okay," David whispered. "Let's go find her."
"And, we need to take her outside early so she doesn't mess in the house. Rosa'd tan my hide for sure."
David nodded vigorously. "Can we go now?" he pleaded.
Caleb chuckled. "Yeah."
After settling David and the puppy into bed, he returned to his room.
"You're a good man, Caleb."
"I used to run across the barnyard nearly every night. Sometimes I didn't even stop for boots. Rosa was always there for me. I know what it's like to be scared and not have a ma."
He crawled between the blankets and closed his eyes.
The skies battled between light and darkness through the cracks in the heavy curtains as Caleb opened his eyes. His nose twitched as several hairs brushed against it. He shook his head before noticing Dani's soft, warm body pressed against his side. A smile creased his face as he watched her sleep. Her steady breaths tickled the hairs on his chest. A splattering of freckles dotted her nose and cheeks. She sighed and pressed closer, burying her nose against his chest. He swung an arm around her, pulling her closer.
Caleb took a deep breath, enjoying the moment of wedded bliss, knowing he might never have a proper wedding night was sheer torture.
Dani's eyes fluttered open. Her breathing stilled for a moment as she tried to figure out where she was. Gasping, she lurched backward. Caleb closed his eyes and let her go. He breathed a deep sigh before climbing out of bed. "Morning, Dani."
"Um, morning." She clutched the blankets to her.
Caleb pulled his pants on and moved to the door.
"Caleb."
He turned, pasting a smile on his face. "Yeah."
"Come back to bed."
Surprised shock coursed through him, breaking through the mask he had in place.
"It's not time to be up yet."
He did her bidding, his breath hitching when she stepped into his arms pressing a kiss against his lips.
