Cinnamon and Roses (26 page)

"You really flattened her with an iron skillet?” Megan
asked,
her eyes wide with excitement.

"She really did,” Caleb answered. He grinned and kissed the top of Rebecca's head.

They all sat around the parlor, Holbrook and Megan covered with soot from their battle to save the barn. It had been well worth it, though, for only the door and one corner were scorched. The rest of the building was fine and could be cleaned and repaired with little effort.

Rebecca looked up at her husband, who sat balanced on the arm of the settee, and gave him a weak smile. She still couldn't believe all that had happened that evening. One minute she was being warned to take it easy, and the next she was fighting for her life against a madwoman. It was no wonder she'd swooned. At least Caleb had been there to keep her from falling flat on her face.

That was the most wonderful thing about becoming Rebecca Adams, she decided. There would always be someone there to catch her. The nameless little girl from the Scarlet Garter had finally found a home. Found a family. Found love enough to give and receive. And she reveled in the knowledge that her child—their child—would feel the warmth and wonder of that life from its very first day.

"I'm going to take Rebecca upstairs,” Caleb said, rising. “She must be exhausted."

"Oh, but I wanted to hear the story again.” Megan hopped up and down on her chair.

"You can hear it again tomorrow. Rebecca needs at least eighteen hours of sleep."

Still inwardly marveling at the many small miracles that had carried her from her cold Kansas City existence into the loving light of the Adams family, Rebecca gazed with deep fondness at Holbrook and Megan as she allowed Caleb to help her to her feet. “Good-night, everyone,” she said, “and thank you all."

"Good-night,” they chimed in.

Caleb put an arm around Rebecca and helped her up the stairs.

"I'm glad you came home when you did,” she said when they got to the bedroom.

"You had the situation pretty much under control by the time I got here,” he reminded her. “All the marshal had to do was haul Sabrina away.” He lifted her long, silky hair and draped it over one shoulder, then started loosening the hooks at the back of her dress.

She stood so still, Caleb thought she might have fallen asleep on her feet. But a low moan of pleasure escaped her when the pads of his fingers ran over her skin as he pushed the dress down her body to pool at her feet. He swept her up in his arms, and she snuggled against his chest, letting out another contented sigh.

Placing her on the bed, he stripped out of his own clothes before joining her,
then
drew the covers up over both of them. He pulled her against him so that they were cuddled together, her back to his chest. His arms rested beneath her breasts, over the roundness of her stomach.

He kissed and nuzzled her ear. “I love you, Rebecca,” he whispered.

"I love you, too,” she said, sounding a bit groggy already. “All of you.
Every last infuriating Adams—and every Adams to come."