Sagebrush Bride (52 page)

When they were gone, Elizabeth gazed down at her
son, her weary eyes reflecting her pride. The pain had been more than she could
ever have imagined, but worth it, she thought as she glanced up adoringly at
her husband. She just couldn’t believe it. And Cutter had done so well, giving
her strength when it seemed she had none of her own. “You saved my life,” she
whispered worshipfully.

“No,” he murmured, lifting her hand and kissing it
with so much emotion that Elizabeth thought she would burst into tears. She
blinked as moisture pooled in her eyes.

“Much as I’d like to take the credit,” Cutter told
her, his voice hoarse, “I just followed directions. You did all the work.” He
gazed at her, then at his son. Black hair, and blue eyes that appeared more
black than blue. “Besides... ” he whispered as he caressed his son’s downy
head. He reveled in the feel of the silky hair against his scarred fingers...
so much softness in his life. “Even if it were true... you save my life every
day. Before you, Liz, I was dead inside and didn’t even know it.”

Elizabeth swallowed, fighting the wave of
exhaustion that waited to claim her. “You were?” Tears shimmered on her lashes.

Cutter’s eyes lifted, moisture glistened in his
black eyes, making them sparkle like ink-colored glass.

“I was,” he assured her with a wink. His gaze
lowered briefly to the child who lay between them, and then back to his wife’s
face, still disbelieving that she was really his.
His.
She’d given him so much. Everything he’d ever searched for was
right there in her golden eyes. “I’m richer ‘n Midas,” he told her with a gleam
in his eyes, “and aim to be just as greedy. Can’t get enough of you... never
want to.”

“I... I love you, Cutter.”

Cutter smoothed the hair away from Elizabeth’s
forehead and bent to kiss her eyes closed. “And I love you, Doc,” he whispered
back.

Elizabeth smiled, and let her cheek fall against
the pillow. As she drifted, she listened to the sounds Cain made as he suckled.

“More than you’ll ever know,” Cutter whispered.
But Elizabeth didn’t hear. She’d fallen asleep. It didn’t matter. “‘Cause I’m
going to prove it to you every day of the rest of our lives,” he swore.

He lifted his son up into his arms, his eyes full
of warmth and a touch of arrogant pride as he secured the blanket around his
baby boy.

“You’re gonna hafta take real good care of those
little jewels, son. Give me lots of fine grandchildren.” He grinned as he
looked down into Elizabeth’s sleeping face, chuckling richly as he then advised
in a husky whisper, “Only ride double with the woman you intend to make your
wife.” He sank back into the nearest chair, propping his boots upon the edge of
the bed to settle down for a long man-to-man chat with his firstborn son. Cain
gurgled happily and curled his tiny fingers around Cutter’s scarred thumb.
“Yeah,” Cutter agreed, his voice soft as he stared at that flawed thumb with
those tiny wriggling fingers holding it in unconditional acceptance. His heart
surged. “That’s right...” He nodded as a lump of pride thickened his throat.
“Like your pa, you see...”

Unbeknownst to Cutter, Elizabeth’s smile deepened

Other
books by

Tanya
Anne Crosby

The Highland
Brides

The
MacKinnon’s Bride

Lyon’s
Gift

On
Bended Knee

Lion
Heart

The
Medievals

Once
Upon a Kiss

Angel
Of Fire

Viking’s Prize

The Impostor
Series

The
Impostor’s Kiss

The Impostor Prince

Happily
Ever After

Perfect
In My Sight

Sagebrush
Bride

Kissed

The Novellas

Lady’s
Man

The
Contemporaries

Speak
No Evil

Tanya has written seventeen novels, all of which
have graced numerous bestseller lists including the
New York Times
and
USA Today
.
Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed
characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical
reviews. She lives with her husband, two dogs and two moody cats in North
Michigan.

For more information:

Visit
www.tanyaannecrosby.com

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