Chapter One

Rionach had just fallen asleep an hour before; Posy and Aine's arms were draped over her body. She was exhausted from her first full day at the ranch. She embarrassed herself by nodding off at supper. Her head jerk drew the notice of the whole table. Nick jumped and immediately stood up with his napkin in his shirt.

"Let's get you to bed. Silas has the beds all made up downstairs."

He pulled out her chair and she could smell the bay he had hastily splashed on after his long day at the ranch. Heath and Sally had announced their engagement at dinner and the whole family was celebrating with Silas's cake. It was the first night since the fashion gala that the whole family had been together.

"I am so sorry," she exclaimed with red cheeks.

"Not on our account. You have been up all day and just got out of the hospital." Nick brokered no opposition. The family shared knowing looks.

The men stood up as Nick escorted her down the hall.

"I promised Aine and Posy they could sleep with me. I need to bathe them; they have played in the barn half the day." she yawned as they walked slowly.

"Someone else can give them a bath. I will have the girls all cleaned up, but you, missy need your rest. I won't take no for an answer."

He looked at her with concern and affection. He smiled at her and mock-bowed.

"Thank you, Nick" and she made her way into the hastily created guest bedroom.

He stood outside of her closed door for a moment. Her recoil of his touch on the train was still fresh from yesterday. She had moved away so suddenly she knocked over the bowl of fresh apples. They bounced through the rail car. He had worked a fourteen hour today on the ranch but she hadn't left his mind. He was glad his mother had taken care of her bedroom.

The night before,Victoria had watched her slowly navigate the stairs and fall on the landing. Tears of pain and frustration had flowed from her eyes. Victoria appeared at her side and wordlessly helped the independent young Irish woman into bed, fully clothed.

When morning came, a ranch hand appeared and moved two mattresses from the attic. Jarrod had helped her downstairs to breakfast slowly and deliberately. Victoria's small sitting parlor and sewing room was made into a bedroom.

—-&-

Rionach blinked at the raised voices at the window. The sound disoriented her. She realized Heath and Sally were arguing. She carefully moved Posy from her side and Aine's arm from her neck. The full moon was streaming in from outside. The window was open to the verandah.

She was mortified; they were very close to the window sill and she could not close the window without being seen. Rionach backed up and put her pillow over her head. Their loud voices carried through the goose feathers. She said a silent prayer as their very private conversation wafted into the room. She realized they had no idea she was there.

"Dang it Sally. Can you not let it be? Please just trust me. You said we was getting married no matter what—You changing your mind?"

"Heath! You are stubborn as a mule. Quit changin' the subject. I am marrying you—-We just got engaged and now you are accusing me of changing my mind? It's the timing I am questioning."

"Just said I was ready to get hitched. Tired of waiting so long."

She reached out for him in the dark of the verandah, "Are you sure it's just that? I know a man has his needs. That I understand.I don't mind taking care of those—it would be my pleasure to—Arizona is on my mind too. It's the birth certificate and Posy that are stuck in my head. Jarrod and I agree, it could hurt her later on."

"I am her Pa and I will sign the birth certificate. You can't stop me doing that."

Rionach's head jolted up, "I thought Sally was a widow. Why did Heath need to sign a birth certificate? And she mentions his needs? Oh my sweet Mother Mary. Those are for procreation and they aren't married yet—-"

"And you are her Pa. But why sign a birth certificate if you can just adopt her all legal at the wedding?"

He knew he sounded petulant but he couldn't hide his frustration, "I am signing it and that 's all there is to it. Unless you don't want me to be her Pa."

"Damn you, Heath Barkley. Don't be turning this around. I love you and you are Posy's Pa. I will obey you in this. You are the only man in my life that ever kept his word. Ever. But I know you are hiding something from me."

Rionach's eyes flew open at Sally cursing.

"Nope. I am signing it and leaving it in the safety deposit box. And I don't want to talk about it again."

She hmpfed in anger. He tried to reach out for her and she pulled back.

"Now come on honey. We will adopt her at the wedding in front of the whole dadburn town. We's having a church wedding. Just like I promised. That birth certificate ain't coming out if I can shore help it. Just want it all signed and legal just in case. Will do my will too with Jarrod."

"What the hell? Blazes Heath!"

Rionach winced at the foul words.

"I like it when you use fiery words. Reminds me of what I am marrying." and he pulled her to kiss.

She pushed him away, "I didn't think of that. Heath, are you SICK? Is that what you are hiding? Having pains in your heart or gut? Headaches? Oh honey, I didn't think you were feeling poorly. DId you see Dr. Merar? Or some fancy doctor in San Francisco? That's when you got a wild hair."

"Oh no, is Heath sick? He seems so strong and well." and she said a prayer for his health.

He was glad it was dark. He felt the relief release from his body; her suspicions had been averted.

"Nah Sally, when I was in jail, I just kept thinking what if. I am fit as a fiddle. I swear." answering her in honesty. "Yep, what if Sam Wills shows up and tries to take Posy."

"You swear?" allowing him to hold her. She knew Heath would never lie to her.

"I swear. I am just protecting our future." with another drawl to convince her.

She let out a deep sigh, "Ok but if you are pained or sick, you will promise to tell me."

"Yep," and he pulled her into a strong embrace and a deep kiss. She relaxed in his arms.

His body responded to her with a violent shake, "Well, Sally. I am pained right now. Like you said it's been six months since we—-uh, sealed the deal.. I am a man of my word."

"Six months since?" and she was abashed at the implication.

She moaned as his hands roamed out of relief and all the emotions of the argument. She moved her arms to give him better access. He nibbled on her ear and she responded in kind.

Rionach couldn't believe the sounds of pleasure coming from the couple and pulled the pillow down harder. She could still hear them. She squeezed her eyes tight not to watch the shadows on the wall.

"Honey after we are married, you need to toss these corsets. Can't even get a good grip."

"His hands are in her corset? And she likes it?" She shuddered thinking of the pinches and twists her bosom had taken at the hands of the Lord. Bruises inside and out.

"I can help that," and she unlaced her bodice for him to continue his kisses and caresses.

"Heath," she softly moaned, "I want you."

"I want you too. It riles me up something special when you call my name—-That was a full moon in Arizona too. At least the ring is on your finger this time."

"Yes, " she said breathlessly, "Keep your hand right there."

"You like that don't ya? I liked looking at ya in the moon, bared-arsed and all."

RIonach let out a gasp of surprise. She prayed they didn't hear her.

Sally giggled and Heath chuckled as they shifted.

S'hhhhhhhh," she moaned.

"That's why I took ya last time in Arizona on the blanket. We was afraid of waking Posy. Remember?"

"How could I forget? The stars were moving with us."

"Yep they was—-" he grunted, trying to get into a better position for himself. Still holding Sally as close as possible.

They bumped the wall and made more guttural sounds.

"Sally seems to be enjoying this," she couldn't help but think.

The memory of her painful groping and what she had to do—for food on the table for Aine had brought thoughts of becoming a nun to her mind. The priest had dissuaded her, "Your mission is to raise Aine and maybe someday a family of your own."

She had never given a second thought to the last of his admonitions.

Ireland was interrupted in her thoughts by a frustrated Heath, "Sally, are these bloomers tied on?'

Sally giggled and Rionach could hear the rustle of fabric.

"Oh yeah—" Heath said a bit too loudly, "I love ya, gal."

Rionach's cheeks flamed at the intimate event she was trapped to listen to.

Posy sat up and immediately yelled out, "Pa? Pa?"

Sally and Heath immediately heard her voice and straightened themselves quickly. They looked around in disbelief and finally saw the open window.

Sally yelled, "Coming honey," in a breathy response.

Heath grumbled, "Our bedroom door will have a lock in our new house."

"Of course." as she headed back inside.

Rionach pretended to be asleep with Aine as Sally entered the room. Posy lifted her arms up and Sally picked up her daughter.

"Let's go. Rionach needs her sleep to get better." and closed the door behind him.

Rionach let out a deep sigh as she heard Heath dousing himself in the horse trough and Sally's steps in the hall.

The events outside her open window were burned in her mind and filled her sleep the rest of the night.