Page 87 of Texas Honor

Becky stared at him while Maggie held her breath. “Would you be my daddy?” she asked softly.

Gabe’s jaw tautened. “Yes.”

Becky nibbled on her lower lip. There was a little fear left. But even as Maggie watched, it seemed to drain away. “My daddy was bad to me,” she whispered. “He made me afraid. But I know you wouldn’t ever hurt me.”

“Oh, God,” he breathed huskily, emotion in his voice, his whole look. “No, I’d never hurt you, precious.”

Tears spilled over Becky’s eyes. “Oh, Uncle Gabe, I love you!”

She threw her free arm around the big man’s neck and nuzzled her little face against his. Gabe held her, but he didn’t speak. Not for a long time.

“I’ll take care of you, Becky,” he said at last, his voice oddly taut. “You and your mama. Nobody will ever hurt you again.”

Becky kissed his hard cheek. “I’ll take care of you, too,” she promised, smiling. She drew back and frowned. “Uncle Gabe, your eyes are wet.”

“I guess they are,” he said without embarrassment, and grinned. “It isn’t every day that a man gets a new daughter.”

“Could I call you Father?” she asked.

“Anytime at all.”

Becky glanced at her mother, whose eyes were also a little wet. “Can we stay with my new daddy?” she asked softly.

“Darling, of course we can,” Maggie said with feeling. She met Gabe’s eyes. “Of course we can!”

He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. “Mother!” he called.

Janet came out of the living room in a rush. “What is it! Is something wrong? I was just watching a movie—”

“Maggie and I are getting married,” he told her without preamble. “How about arranging everything?”

Janet looked as if she might faint. “What?”

“We’re getting married,” Gabe said curtly.

“We really are,” Maggie assured her, smiling. She turned to Becky. “Darling, go on up to bed, and I’ll be right there to tuck you in. Oh, the dog...”

“It’s all right,” Janet said. “I had Jennie put a nice wooden box with a blanket by the bed.” She smiled warmly. “Becky, I’m going to be your grannie!”

“I’ll be so good,” Becky promised, going close to her grandmother. “You’ll be proud of me, I promise.”

“I always was,” Janet laughed. She stared from Maggie to Gabe, all smiles. “What a delightful surprise!”

“Surprise, my eye,” Gabe said disgustedly, glaring at her. “But you got your own way. As usual.” Janet’s pleasure dissipated a little with that cutting remark. Gabe brushed by Maggie on his way back upstairs. “We’ll talk later,” he said. “Come on, Becky, I’ll go up with you.”

“Yes, sir,” Becky said smartly, and ruined it all with a large, mischievous grin. She cuddled her puppy and giggled as it licked her cheek.

“Oh, Maggie, I’m delighted.” Janet sighed, hugging her. “If you knew how your mother and I hoped for this day.”

“It isn’t all what it seems,” Maggie said gently. “It’s mostly for Becky. Gabe says I wouldn’t have a prayer in court as things stand. Dennis has remarried.”

“I know. But it will work out for the best. Really it will. I only wish my son could forgive me for the past,” she added wistfully. “Maybe it will happen someday.”

“Of course it will,” Maggie assured her. “Janet, am I doing the right thing?” she added, glancing worriedly up the stairs. “For Becky, of course it is. But I...don’t love Gabe. And he doesn’t love me.”

“Love comes after marriage sometimes,” Janet said. “Give it time, darling. Just give it time.”

Maggie nodded, but she was worried, and not just about the distant future. Gabriel was going to want a physical commitment from her. And despite the desire she felt for him, she wasn’t at all sure she was going to be able to give in to him—marriage or no marriage.