Texas Tender (41 page)

“What about you?”

Carl looked at his feet. “I don't know. I think Mara needs some time to grow up. Besides, I don't know what I'm going to do with the ranch now that you're going to marry Idalou. How about giving me a job on that new ranch of yours?”

“You thinking about leaving Dunmore?”

Carl looked up. “Only for a short while. What about you?”

Will looked to where Idalou stood talking to Junie Mae, who'd come running out of the hotel as soon as they rode into town. People had begun to come out of stores, offices, homes. Soon the street would be crowded with people wanting to know what had happened. “I'm taking Idalou and heading back to the Broken Circle, where she'll be safe. I, on the other hand, will be in mortal danger.” He felt a contented
smile bloom on his face. “She's promised to protect me.”

“What about Van's father?”

“Newt told Idalou how Frank planned the whole thing, even trying to frame Jordan.” He unpinned the sheriff's badge from his shirt. “I'm going to let Lloyd and Andy deal with him.”

Idalou had never seen so many people in one house in all her life. No matter where she turned, there were more adults waiting to greet her, and an endless succession of children anxious to find out why their Uncle Will had been gone so long and what he was going to do with that bull.

“Don't let my family overwhelm you,” said a young woman who'd introduced herself as Eden. “They just can't believe that someone finally managed to put a lasso around Will.”

“Your family is so large and so
active
,” Idalou said. “How do you keep your sanity?”

“I was born into this,” Eden said, laughing. “I don't know anything else.”

Idalou's parents had been a quiet pair, but the house had been nearly silent during the years since their death. Eden laughed again. “Leave it to Will to come home with two women. My family has always taken in orphans, but this is the first time we've taken in a child who hasn't even been born yet.”

Their gazes went to where Isabelle was making sure Junie Mae was comfortable.

“It was smart of Will to find somebody for Mom to focus her energy on,” Eden said. “She's not happy about Will leaving, but having a baby to prepare for has softened the blow.” Eden giggled. “But not as much as your engagement.”

“She's not telling you any incriminating stories about my misspent youth, is she?” Will had walked up behind Idalou and began nuzzling her ear.

“Just that you made blatant use of Junie Mae and me to blunt the family's displeasure at your moving out.”

“I warned you I was underhanded.” Will nuzzled her other ear.

“So you did.” Idalou tilted her head to give him better access.

“If you're going to carry on like that, you'd better go outside before one of the children wants to know why you're biting Idalou's ear.” Eden grinned. “If you're lucky, I can keep them away for about fifteen minutes. Don't waste any time.”

“It's going to take me a little while to get used to your family,” Idalou said once they had settled into a love seat Jake had built in a stand of maples.

“None of us are used to us. We all threaten to move away at least once a year.”

Idalou pulled Will's arm around her and settled back into his embrace. “They all love you. I thought your brother was going to cry when you introduced me. He was so happy.”

“More likely it was relief that I'm now somebody else's problem.”

Idalou gave him a love tap. “Stop running yourself down. Everybody thinks you're wonderful. I do, too.”

Will sat up. “If they told you that, they're boldfaced
liars. If you only knew half the things they've said about me
to my face
you'd—”

Idalou put her hand over his mouth. “Why is it your family has so much trouble admitting that they love each other? Your mother is the strongest woman I've ever seen, but she doesn't hesitate to let everybody know she adores every one of you.”

“She's a woman. She's supposed to—”

“Nonsense. Do you love me?”

“You know I do.”

“Do you have any trouble saying it or showing it?”

Will grinned. “Not a bit.”

Now it was Idalou's turn to grin. “Then you're going to practice on me until you get it right. When you get to be really good, you're going to help me teach the rest of your family.”

Will kissed her on her nose. “I'm a very slow learner, but I promise to practice every day.”

Idalou kissed him back. “I plan to make sure you do.”