Cait’s eyes burned with unshed tears. “I’ll be expecting you in the cabin.”

He grinned and Cait was struck by how much he resembled the boy she’d fallen in love with so many years ago. “Yes, ma’am.”

She watched him leave but turned away before he began his grisly task. Turning her attention toward Deil, she couldn’t help but feel that something between them had changed. When the stallion met her gaze, his eyes no longer appeared to mock her. Instead, she saw his pride and something akin to gratitude. She shook her head, laughing silently at her imagination.

Then Deil deliberately approached the end of the corral closest to her and tossed his head. Cait held her breath and forced herself to walk slowly toward him. She held out her hand as she neared him but only got within a yard before Deil backed away nervously. He gazed at her and seemed to nod, then turned away and pranced around the corral.

Cait watched him, allowing her admiration and hopes to rise. Her heart swelled with joy and contentment until it seemed to fill her chest.

She nodded to Deil, then turned to walk to her cabin to await Win’s arrival. This time she’d give him a true homecoming.

Epilogue


ONE YEAR LATER


WIN HELD A carrot out to the frolicking stallion, and Deil trotted over to take it almost daintily from his hand. Win smiled and scratched the horse’s forehead.

“You think you’re so tough, but you’re just a pussycat,” Win teased the stud.

The ebony horse whinnied in indignation and trotted away.

Win laughed at the stallion’s antics. After he and Cait had finally managed to tame him, Deil acted more like a spoiled child than the prize stud of the BriceTaylor Ranch.

Win turned away from the corral and spotted his wife strolling toward him with a radiant smile that made her eyes glow with happiness. Love and contentment made his own lips turn upward.

When she drew close enough, he wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her close to his side. “What’re you looking so secretive about?”

Her eyes danced with affection and mischief, a combination that never failed to ignite the passion that always smoldered close to the surface.

She sniffed. “As if I could keep any secret from you.”

“You managed to keep my birthday present secret for a full five hours,” he teased.

She stuck her tongue out at him. He laughed and dropped a kiss on her impertinent nose.

Comfortable silence surrounded them as they watched Deil trot around the pen.

“Do you think he knew?” Cait asked softly, burrowing closer into Win’s side.

“Who?”

“My father. Do you think he knew why you left that morning, and he tried to make it right when he made me promise to send for you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” Win had thought the same thing a time or two but never voiced it.

“I think he knew, and I think he used Deil to bring us back together.”

Win thought about that a moment. “If that’s so, I owe him.”

“We both do.” Cait took a deep breath. “I went to see Doc this morning while I was in town.”

“What’s wrong? Are you sick?” Win demanded, fear making his voice curt.

“No, everything’s fine.” She smiled and he was shocked to see moisture glimmering in her eyes. “We’re going to have a baby.”

Win’s vision narrowed and wavered, and he was aware of Cait steadying him.

“But I thought-” He broke off, uncertain what to say.

“Beulah wasn’t a doctor,” Cait said quietly. “I told Doc what happened with the first child. Doc wants to see me every month, just to make sure everything’s going all right with this one.”

Win stared at Cait’s calm, composed features. He had a million questions, but now didn’t seem the time to ask. Instead he wrapped his arms around her and swung her around. “We’re going to have a baby!” Suddenly he set her down, terrified he’d inadvertently hurt her. “Are you all right? Did I-”

“No, you didn’t hurt me.” Cait laughed. “And I don’t expect to be treated like glass for the next six months.”

“But you will be careful. And no more breaking horses. I’ll take care of that. I can do the chores, too. And you should take at least one nap a day to make sure you don’t get too tired.”

Cait jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, effectively silencing him. “Doc said definitely no breaking horses and I agree with him. However, doing my chores won’t hurt the baby or myself unless I try to lift something too heavy.” She placed her palms over her stillflat abdomen. “I want this baby as much as you do, Win. I’ll be careful.” With her forefinger, she drew an X over her left breast. “I promise.”

Win captured her hand and held it against his chest as he hugged her close. His throat felt clogged and he struggled to breathe past the lump there. “I love you, Cait.”

“I love you, too,” she whispered.

A black and white butterfly landed on the corral pole less than two feet away. Win turned Cait in his arms so her back was against his chest and she could see the striking butterfly.

“Aren’t you going to catch it?” Win teased.

Cait sank into him and laid her hands over his, which were clasped at her waist. “I don’t catch butterflies anymore.”

“Why’s that?”

She leaned her head back against his shoulder and tilted her face up to meet his gaze. Her eyes sparkled with love. “If I caught them, they’d never find their way home… like you did.”

The butterfly fluttered away and Win smiled, silently wishing it luck in finding home.


***
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