BRANDED BY A CALLAHAN (17 page)

“I’m carrying our child,” Ana said, “and he’s happy being here with his father.”

Dante considered that. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.” She smiled. “Jonathan Dante has a perfectly good father he needs to get to know as soon as possible.”

Dante sighed. “You win. I’m a sucker for sweet talk. Now tell me how you know everything you’re surmising.”

“I had a chat with Sawyer.”

He stared. “When?”

“After she won Tighe. My guess is Sawyer’s a double agent, but don’t tell your brother. I want to see where this goes.”

“She admitted she was a double agent?” Dante guided Ana outside and put her in the jeep.

“No. But she wouldn’t have worked so hard to get with a Callahan if she wasn’t.”

“Ouch,” Dante said, “watch the ego, please.”

“Wolf is smart to utilize her. But she’s not a mercenary. Sawyer doesn’t know about intrigue. She thinks she’s just doing what her uncle has asked her to do, which is to get him information,” Ana told him. “That’s why she struck up a conversation with me. She didn’t know I was from Rancho Diablo, I was wearing a mask.” Ana shrugged. “She said he is always very curious about the Callahans. Of course she’s going to find out what she can and tell him. Wouldn’t you do that for your aunt?” She looked at him curiously. “Where are we going?”

“To Las Vegas,” Dante said. “You said if I agreed, you’d marry me.”

“I didn’t mean in blue jeans!”

“Uh-uh. I’m not giving you time to crawfish on me. If I tell you we can wait until you find a wedding gown, you’ll find a new excuse to stay just out of my reach.” On this point, Dante was certain. “I know this because magic wedding dresses have a tendency to disappear around you. What chance does a garden variety, unenchanted off-the-rack dress have with your track record with wedding gowns?” He smiled to show her he was teasing—even though he kind of wasn’t. “Besides, if we get too close to the holidays, Elvis might take a ride with Santa Claus. I’m not risking the holiday schedule for drive-through weddings.” He caught her hand in his. “I think this teamwork thing will work out just fine.”

“Good,” Ana said, “because I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, ever since I found out I was having a baby. I know how I’m going to stay here and still do bodyguard work.”

His blood went a little chilly. Okay, maybe the teamwork thing wasn’t going to be so awesome. This was probably the part where he was supposed to say, “Great! Tell me all about it!”

“That’s...great, babe. You mean, like when Jon Dante’s all grown up, right?”

“No,” Ana said, “I’ve decided to open a bodyguard school at Rancho Diabo for ladies only. And just so you know, Running Bear and Fiona wholeheartedly approve.”

Chapter Eighteen

Dante swallowed hard, tried not to let worry show on his face. “School for bodyguards?”

“That’s right. Women only.” Ana nodded. “I’m really excited about it. River and I will plan to run the school together. I didn’t want to tell you until I knew you’d be okay with me staying in Diablo.”

Dante drove the jeep down the road. “That’s great. I mean it.”

“That’s why you’re gripping the steering wheel so hard your knuckles are locked.” Ana put a hand on his arm. “Your blood pressure’s shooting out your head.”

“I’ll get used to it,” Dante said, meaning it. “Just go slowly with me, okay? It’s not easy to get over male chauvinism when you’ve reveled in it all your life.”

She smiled. “I’m not starting the school until Jon Dante starts kindergarten.”

“Oh,” he said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Whatever you think is best.” He felt very magnanimous as he said it.

“I’ve waited too long to be a mother to do anything but spend every second with Jon Dante.”

He grinned. “That sounds great.” He slowed down, realizing he was, indeed, clenching the steering wheel. “So we’re getting married tonight?”

“I don’t want a quickie wedding. We’d regret it later. As much as I know you love being Mr. Action, you’re also very deliberate and thoughtful. Considering marriage requires sincere thought, don’t you think?”

He swallowed. “I guess I’ll turn this can around then. You sure you won’t drag me to the altar tonight?”

“You get to stay wild and crazy a little while longer.”

He looked over at her, thinking the last thing he wanted to be was wild and crazy. “I’m crazy for you. How long are you going to let me roam the range?”

“Seven days is probably long enough for you to decide you don’t want to give up rodeo and walking on the wild side.”

His heart sank. “It will be the longest seven days of my life. We could do a little pre-wedding tonight, just a warm-up act, and then do it again in a week,” he said. “Life is short. All the Callahan brides get married twice.”

“I look forward to being the first to say ‘I do’ only once,” Ana said. “A Christmas wedding will be beautiful.”

“I was never good at waiting,” Dante said, worrying. “I’m a pull-the-trigger kind of guy. You did just offer five thousand dollars for me. Even though the auction was canceled, I think you should go ahead and have me.”

“I need some time,” Ana said, and his heart nearly stopped.

“Time? That sounds inconclusive.”

“Do you ever wonder why the magic wedding dress disappeared again?”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t. If I see that troublesome rag again, I’m going to—”

“Shh!” She glanced at him. “Did you hear something?”

“Sounded like someone honking.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Someone’s following us, but they don’t have their lights on.”

She turned around to peek. “They don’t want us to see them.”

“Here’s our options,” Dante said, “we drive to Sheriff Cartwright’s office and see if our friends back there care to continue this game so close to the jail.”

“Like that idea,” Ana said, “and the other option?”

“There may still be revelers in the square,” Dante pointed out.

“You’re right.” Ana glanced over her shoulder again. “We don’t want to endanger anyone. Slow down and see if they pass. Could be that it’s your brothers and they forgot to turn on their lights. Or they’re playing a Callahan practical joke.”

A tap on their bumper sent the truck flying forward about a foot. “We can rule out my brothers,” Dante said. “How do you feel about speed instead of slowing down?”

“Suddenly I’m quite interested in seeing your driving skills.”

“Good.” He sped up a fraction, keeping one eye on the road conditions and one on the rearview mirror. “Do you prefer a handgun or a rifle? The rifle’s on the rack, the .38’s in the glove box. Just in case.”

“Both are fine, but we’ll start off with the handgun if needed.” She dug it out and loaded it. “I assume you’re heading to Sheriff Cartwright’s instead of the ranch?”

“Give him a call, would you, gorgeous? Let him know we’re coming and could use a welcoming committee?”

She dialed her cell phone, made the request, hung up. “Good news for you, the partygoers are nowhere near the jail. Everybody is still partying near the theater. Apparently, your brothers are leading karaoke Christmas carols.”

“That just sounds unfortunate from a family reputation point of view.”

“But the sheriff says there’s so much hot cocoa and hot cider flowing that the square may not be cleared until dawn.”

“Fiona and her parties.” He went slowly around the bend, headed to town. “The lifeblood of Diablo. They still back there?”

“Yes. Which surprises me because you’re driving like a turtle. You think they’d get bored and go throw snowballs or something.”

“You just keep your seat belt on good and your head down. Tell my son Daddy’s got this.”

Ana sighed. “Mommy and Daddy have this handled. Together.”

“That’s what I meant to say. You just say everything better than I do. Duly noted?”

“Sure. Sheriff Cartwright said to pull around behind the jail. He’s got a welcome party waiting back there for our friends.”

“We are so friendly in this town.” He pulled into the parking lot, happy when they were followed. The sheriff’s men suddenly jumped out from their hidden posts, swarming the car, dragging someone out.

“Who is it?” Ana asked Dante.

“I don’t know him. If I ask you to stay back while I go talk to him, will you take that to mean I’m not an advocate of our teamwork plan?”

“You gave me a gun to shoot him, but you don’t want me to talk to him?”

“Silly me. Darn those protective urges. Come on.”

They walked together to the car and the perp, who was handcuffed and being searched, stared them down.

“Did you want to talk to me, buddy?” Dante asked.

“Just want to make sure you know we’re around,” he replied, and Ana gasped.

“I know who you are! You’re one of the men who tied up Ash and Xav.”

Dante looked at her. “How do you know?”

“Ash mentioned a facial scar. And Falcon’s wife, Taylor, said he was one of the men who kidnapped her and held her up north for months.”

“You’re lucky,” the bandit told her, “we nearly got you.”

“What’s the point?” she asked him. “Who are you?”

“Name’s Rhine, not that it will do you any good to know.” He grinned at her, and it was ugly. “Eventually, we’ll get one of you. If not you, your bodyguard buddy who works with you. You don’t really think we wouldn’t use a woman to get what we want, do you? In the end, Wolf will win.”

“That’s enough,” Sheriff Cartwright said. “Threatening someone will get you in trouble, son. Read him his rights, we’ll figure out plenty more charges later,” he told a deputy, and they took their prisoner away.

“Best you stay close to home, Ana,” Sheriff Cartwright said. “Let Dante and the boys look after you. Dante, you swing by and make a statement after you take Ana home.”

“Will do.” Dante turned to lead her to the truck. Ana practically puffed up like a rooster on him.

“I’m not going back to the ranch to be treated like a helpless princess,” Ana said.

“Yeah, you are.” Dante took her arm and led her away. “You’re pregnant, and you need rest. Heck, I need rest, and I’m not carrying a child. This has been a night I’ll never forget.”

She went with him, albeit reluctantly. “I can handle this situation, Dante. You can’t change just because tonight you learned I’m expecting a baby.”

“I did change,” Dante said, “although I admit I didn’t do it consciously. All I know is that you and River are the only females on the ranch—”

“What about Fiona and Ashlyn? And Kendall?”

“Yes, but...”

“But they can take care of themselves,” Ana said, her tone annoyed.

“It’s different. Come on, hot baby.”

She got in the truck. “I am not a hot baby.” She glared at him as he started the truck. “You’re being pigheaded.”

“Probably just best to deal with it,” he said, then leaned over to kiss her. She tasted good, smelled good—it was all he could not to just ride off into the proverbial sunset with her. “Last chance to take me to Vegas, gorgeous. Otherwise, I’m dropping you off with whoever’s staggered back to the ranch from the party.”

“Fine.”

His brows shot up. “Fine what?”

“Let’s hit Vegas.”

“Are you serious?” He couldn’t believe she’d change her mind. There was a trap here he was about to step into, and Dante waited for it. Was it too good to be true?

“Very serious.”

“Why?” He started the engine. If his lady was game, he was going to drive to the airport with all due haste.

“Because you’re a good man. Because I’ve loved you for a long time. And because I understand that you’re trying to protect me. Being your wife isn’t going to change my independence.”

He smiled. “I love your independence. Nobody knows better than me that I can be a bit overbearing at times. I want you to be happy. I want to make you happy. Ignore me when I get too overbearing.”

“Ignore me when I’m too worried about my independence. It’s precious to me, but I want to be a good wife and mother, too.”

“So we’re off?”

A rapping on the window stopped their conversation. Dante slid it down. “Hi, Aunt Fiona.”

She peered through at Ana, her little face worried. “Sheriff Cartwright says someone chased you tonight.”

“We’re fine, Fiona. Don’t worry,” Ana said.

“The family should handle their own business.” She glanced at Dante. “You’re going to be a father, you know, and Ana’s no longer employed by Rancho Diablo. She shouldn’t be involved in these things. Ana, come with me, dear. I’m going to get you a nice cup of hot cider. It will calm everybody’s nerves.”

She went around to Ana’s door, opening it, shooing her out.

“Aunt Fiona,” Dante said, “we were actually about to—”

“It’s all right,” Ana said quickly. “I’m going with your aunt.”

His jaw dropped. “Hold on a red-hot second!” He hopped out of the truck. “You were going to Vegas with me!”

“Vegas?” Fiona shook her head. “The airport is closed due to inclement weather. Don’t you listen to weather reports on your radio?”

“Not when I’m being chased by nefarious types,” Dante muttered, his dreams going up in smoke. “Are you absolutely certain?”

“Certain as I always am,” Fiona said cheerfully, sounding too pleased especially for someone who loved weddings as much as she did. “Give up the whole notion, is my advice.”

She led Ana off with her, leaving Dante to park his truck and stew. He loped after his aunt and his almost-bride, the snow slushing around his boots as he hurried. “Ladies, throw a guy a bone here.”

Ana smiled over his aunt’s head. “Maybe it’s for the best. Give us a chance to think things over.”

“Thinking is not good,” Dante said. “I much prefer not thinking when possible. I’m a man of action, what can I say?”

“Surprise, surprise,” Fiona said. “Do you have a ring for your bride? An indication of your affections? A plan for a honeymoon? Anything romantic?”

Ana raised a brow at him as he considered his aunt’s question. “No,” he admitted, “but rolling with the flow is kind of my thing.”

“Well, the snow should be gone by Christmas. Then you could get married a few days after that, when things slow down just a bit. Give you time to get your act together, nephew. Come on, Ana, let’s close this party down.”

Dante watched his favorite women walk off, somewhat bemused. It was true he wasn’t the prince sweeping the princess off her feet. He didn’t have a ring, really had no plan except to get her to the altar.

No wonder Ana wasn’t jumping for joy.

But she had agreed to marry him. Sort of. He’d caught her in a spontaneous moment.

Rhine had said Wolf’s plan was eventually to pick off one of the women, knowing very well that the women of Rancho Diablo were the heart and soul of the Callahans’ lives. Dante didn’t figure any of his brothers would be the men they were without the women they’d chosen. Sloan and Falcon were certainly better men now with wives and families. “Look at Galen and Jace and Tighe, dangling in the wind,” he murmured. “They need good women.”

He himself would be a better man with Ana, and well did he know it. “Help, help!” he yelled.

Ana and Fiona turned around, stared at him curiously.

“Nephew, whatever has gotten into your pumpkin head?” Fiona demanded.

“Help!” he said more urgently, waving his arms for dramatic effect.

“He’s a retired SEAL,” Fiona told Ana. “I promise he is neither helpless nor as odd as he appears at this moment, wailing in the center of the square.”

Ana walked over, stood in front of him. “Dante, you’re yelling, in case you didn’t realize it.”

“Oh, I know,” he said. “I need help badly. I didn’t realize it until just this second, but I do.” He could feel himself exuding earnestness, and he pressed his point. “Here’s the deal. You’re a bodyguard, right? I’m a guy who needs saving from myself. I want you to protect me. Rescue me. Otherwise I’m going to end up like Galen and Jace and Tighe, and that’s just not a happy ending.”

She smiled. “It’s not a bad ending. They’re nice guys.”

“Yeah, but they don’t have what I’ve got.” He stared at her, knowing every word was true. “You’re worried marrying me will mean your independence is gone. But I don’t think you realize how much I depend on you to be my better half.”

“Dante, that’s sweet. I think you’re ladling it on a bit thick, but—”

He pulled her to him, kissed her gently. “I can’t ladle this on thick enough. Fiona’s right, I have left off the romance, the touches that count.” He took a deep breath. “Sometimes I am spontaneous. But something that’s never changed is how much I love you. I adored you from afar before I ever knew you’d give me half a minute of a day, Ana. The truth is, I’m thrilled to be a father, but I wanted you no matter what. You’re not a means to an end to me, you are the reason I know I can be a better man. Be my bodyguard, babe. I need saving like nothing you can imagine.”

Tears jumped into Ana’s eyes. “You know you didn’t have to say any of this. I’d already agreed to marry you.”