wanted an audience.
On Saturday morning, Taylor came up with an alternate plan. She put Allie up in the loft and told her she could cry all she wanted, but no one would hear her. It was a lie, of course, for the child's wails were loud enough to spook the horses, but Allie believed her. Crying finally lost its luster. Without someone to see and hear her, the power struggle didn't appear to be worth her effort.
The twins weren't always behaving like hellions, of course. They were usually sweet and loving. After their baths each night, they would cuddle up on her lap and take turns telling her everything they had done during the day. They seemed to have forgotten she'd been with them every waking minute. She gave them praise and affection as often as possible, and she was thrilled that both of them were adapting to the wilderness with such ease.
Daniel loved their new home. He followed Lucas around like a puppy and hung on his every word. The two of them spent quite a lot of time together. No matter how busy Lucas was, he always made certain he gave his son time and attention.
Taylor clung to the hope that her husband would eventually give her the time and attention she craved. It simply wasn't possible for her to keep up her rigid schedule forever, and on Saturday afternoon, Taylor's control snapped. Ironically it was her sweet, innocent son who inadvertently caused the dam to burst. He told her the name he'd chosen for his own.
Callaghan stood by Daniel's side with his hands clasped behind his back. He was rocking back and forth on the soles of his boots. He looked like he was gloating about something. She became intrigued. The mountain man liked to tease, and she wondered what game he was up to now. There was a definite sparkle in his eyes.
Daniel made his announcement. He explained he wanted to be named after the fierce and courageous mountain man everyone called Montana.
She understood his reason for making the choice for she had listened to Callaghan tell one magical story after another about the valiant and bold mountain man. She, too, had been enamored by the tales, but she still didn't feel the name was suitable. Did he really want to be named after a territory?
'Montana's the name everyone calls him, but not to his face. He hates the name, Mother. Callaghan told me so.'
She nodded and waited for him to tell her the name. Daniel was stammering with excitement. She didn't rush him. This was an important moment for the child.
He took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. And then he told her his new name. He was going to be Lucas Michael Ross.
She had to sit down. Her son didn't seem to notice how upset she was or how stunned. He had already jumped into one of his favorite stories about Lucas.
'He led forty settlers out of the canyon in the dead of winter and the Indians didn't bother them at all because, because…'
Callaghan was happy to supply the rest of the explanation while the boy paused for air. 'They're afraid and they're respectful,' he told her.
Her son nodded. 'I can't be called Montana. Every mountain man has to earn his own nickname. Callaghan's called Bear. Isn't that right?'
'It surely is,' Callaghan agreed.
'Roily told me a story about Father, Mother. He said he could track his way-'
'Son, I don't believe your mama's up to hearing a tale now. She looks a might stunned to me. You didn't know, did you, Mrs. Ross?'
She shook her head. He burst into laughter. Taylor ignored the mountain man. She was remembering the crowd of men surrounding her husband in the lobby of the hotel in Boston. They were enthusiastically pounding him on his shoulder and begging him to shake their hands. She had believed their admiration had something to do with the war.
Dear God above, she was married to a mountain man. And everyone in America seemed to know who he was. Everyone but her.
'Callaghan said it would be confusing to call both of us Lucas,' her son continued. 'He suggested while I'm growing up I could use Father's middle name. I'm Michael now, Mother… if that is all right with you.'
She didn't want to squelch his joy. She forced a smile. 'Then Michael it is.'
Callaghan left a few minutes later, and her son went outside to tell everyone else his new name. Lucas had already gone hunting. He would have to wait until later to find out what he was now supposed to call his son.
Taylor didn't move from the table for a very long time. Victoria and Hunter had taken the twins to the creek to play in the water. They were gone over an hour, and when they came back, Taylor was still sitting at the table.
Victoria had made a thick stew for supper. She announced it would be ready in another hour. She kept giving Taylor worried glances. Her friend looked flushed. She noticed she was trembling. Was fever the cause?
Taylor shook her head and stood up. 'Not fever,' she whispered to Victoria. 'Fury.' She tied her apron around her waist, tucked her gun in the pouch, and started for the door.
'Where are you going?' Victoria called out.
'To check the garden,' Taylor answered. 'Then I believe I'll go into town. I need to be alone for a little while,' she added.
She thought her voice sounded calm, reasonable. Victoria didn't agree. 'Is your throat paining you? You sound hoarse.'
Taylor didn't answer her. She was pulling the door closed when her friend asked her how long she was going to be gone. She didn't want her to miss supper.
Taylor promised her she would be back before then.
Armed with her gun, she marched around the perimeter of her garden. She muttered over the damage the rabbits had already done to her budding vegetables and silently screamed inside over her miserable life.
Lucas knew something was wrong the minute he saw her. She stood on the opposite side of the garden, staring at him, and her expression was one he'd never seen before. She looked defeated.
She waited until he was about twenty feet away from her and then put up her hand in a signal for him to stop.
'I quit.' She bellowed her announcement. His eyes widened in response. She nodded. 'Did you hear me, Lucas. I quit.'
He gave her a quick nod. 'It's about time.'
His reaction fueled her fury. 'You expected me to fail, didn't you? You aren't at all surprised.'
'No, I'm not surprised,' he answered. 'I've watched you work yourself to the bone these past weeks and seen what it's done to you.' His concern about her made his voice harsh. 'You've lost weight and you've got deep circles under your eyes. Thank God you came to your senses before you killed yourself.'
She wanted to scream at him. She didn't suppress the urge. To hell with control. She'd come to the frontier to be free and by God she was going to be.
'Are you telling me my hard work convinced you I shouldn't stay here?'
'Taylor, you're shouting at me.' He seemed astonished by the fact.
She didn't waste time agreeing with him. 'Don't you dare tell me I'm fragile, Lucas, or I swear to God I'll scream you to death.'
'You don't belong here,' he argued. He was fast becoming as angry as she was. The longer he stared at his exhausted wife, the more furious he became. Didn't she realize she had become his whole world? If anything happened to her, he didn't know what he would do. She had responsibilities, damn it. The children depended on her. And so did he. Taylor needed to start taking care of herself, and he was going to make certain she did.
'I've stood by long enough,' he told her. 'I took you out of a ballroom and by all that's holy, I'm taking you back. You should be wearing diamonds and…'
She broke his concentration. She pulled the gun out of her apron, turned, and fired. A fat rabbit caught the bullet and was thrown backward against the fence.
Taylor put the gun away and then folded her arms together. She glared at her husband. 'I quit,' she shouted again. 'Did you know your son has chosen his name? He wants to be called Lucas Michael Ross. We're supposed to call him Michael. What do you think about that, Montana?'
He took a step toward her. She backed away. 'They're all exaggerations,' he said. 'I don't like to talk about
