A Texan's Promise by Shelley Gray Read Free Book Online Page B

Mary and Lanie sitting on a chair and watching her with worried expressions.
    "Poor thing," Mary said when the men joined her. "She hasn't moved an inch since we walked in."
    Clayton felt a rush of tenderness as he looked at Vanessa.Sprawled on her stomach, her head rested on her folded elbows. Just like when she'd been fourteen and he'd found her asleep in her mother's garden, Vanessa slept with her mouth slightly open. Obviously, some things never changed.
    "We've been going hard. She's exhausted." Clayton knelt next to Vanessa. "If you tell me where I can take her, I'll pick Van up and get her settled."
    Ken raised a brow and had the gall to look shocked. "Where? Why, I don't rightly know. After all, we only have one extra bed—and that's in the loft in the barn."
    Unable to help himself, Clayton brushed back a lock of Vanessa's hair, supposedly to check her forehead, but actually just to be able to touch her. "Just give us the children's rooms for now. I'll sleep on the floor next to her."
    "I'm afraid that won't do."
    Now he was getting irritated. They'd come too far, and had been through too much, to deal with the silly excuses from a man who used to take orders from him. "Like I need this."
    "We have children in the house," Mary blurted."Impressionable ones."
    Clayton eyed Mary. Had she changed Ken so much? There'd been a time when his former lieutenant hadn't cared one whit about propriety. During the war, he'd witnessed Ken making his way to sporting houses more than a time or two.
    Unwilling to bring up such activities in mixed company, he shrugged. "Fine. I suppose she can sleep right here for now.Tonight, I'll sleep in the barn." But oh, how he hated to even think of being so far from her. What if she woke and needed him? What if she woke and was afraid?
    Ken shook his head. "Think, Clayton. Think and listen for once. You need to marry her."
    Impatiently, Clayton shook his head. "This isn't the right time. Besides, even if Vanessa would marry me, who are we going to find to perform the duties? A traveling preacher might not show up for months."
    Mary's eyes sparkled. "Actually, my husband could perform the ceremony."
    "What?"
    Ken puffed up a bit. "I neglected to tell you that I took up the Lord when I threw down my rifle."
    "Well, that is news."
    "The best kind, don't you think?" murmured Mary.
    Clayton eyed Vanessa again. Lying there by his side, she looked more at peace than she had at any other time during the last three days.
    She was precious to him; he'd do anything to keep her free from harm.
    He'd already taken her from the only home she'd ever known. He'd made her ride for hours in the hot sun, barely giving her time to see to her needs. He knew she was hungry and exhausted and frightened of her future.
    He knew she cried out in her sleep when she dreamed about her past.
    But bind her to him in marriage? Did he dare do such a thing?
    "Ever give thought that things are happening for a reason, Clayton? That we're all part of the Lord's divine plan?" Ken murmured. "There's a reason you're here for Vanessa. There's a reason I became a minister. It's no coincidence that I'm here for you. Just as the Lord brought you to the Circle Z Ranch, He brought you both to me. It's fate, pure and simple."
    Almost whispering, Ken gripped his shoulder, just like he used to do when reporting to Clayton in the war. "Listen and think, man. Listen to me and to your heart."
    Clayton closed his eyes. A sense of peace washed over him as memories surfaced. Memories of him and Ken. Of Vanessa at thirteen, all gumption and sass. The way she used to follow him around, holding that puppy of hers like it was her new best friend.
    Of the feel of her in his arms when she'd cried about Price's beating.
    The way she'd looked at him that morning. Depending on him. Trusting him.
    The way he'd always felt about her. That she was too precious for him, but that he needed her like he needed water and air. He loved her.
    Slowly, he stood up.