The Fall of Shane MacKade (The MacKade Brothers 4)

But she dreamed, and the dreams were full of laughter….

A man’s arms around her, the two of them rolling over a soft, giving mattress like wrestling children. Giggles muffled against warm lips, teasing fingers combing through her long, tangled hair.

Hush, John, you’ll wake the baby.

You’re making all the noise.

Quick hands sneaking under her cotton nightgown, finding wonderful spots to linger.

You’ve got too many clothes on, Sarah. I want you naked.

Mock slaps and tussles, more giggles.

I’m still carrying around extra weight from the baby.

You’re perfect. He’s perfect. God, I want you. I want you, Sarah. I love you. Let me love you.

While the laughter stilled, the joy didn’t. And the soft feather bed gave quietly beneath the weight and rhythm of mating….

She was groggy the next day, not from lack of sleep, but from the dream that wouldn’t quite leave her. For most of the afternoon she closeted herself in her room, using her modem to call up snatches of data on the population of Antietam, circa 1862.

Her printer was happily spewing out a list of names from census, birth and death registries when Cassie knocked on the door.

“I’m sorry to bother you.”

“No, that’s fine.” Distracted, Rebecca peered through her glasses. “I’m trying to find Abigail’s lover—if she had one.”

“Oh.” Obviously flustered, Cassie ran a hand through her hair. “But how would you be able to?”

“Process of elimination—ages, marital status.” Remembering, she took the glasses off, and Cassie popped into focus. “You seemed awfully sure he didn’t have a wife.”

“No, he couldn’t have.”

“And he wasn’t in the army, but you said something about him resigning some kind of post when he left town.”

“It’s so odd to hear you talk about it, about them, as if they were real and here.”

Rebecca smiled and leaned back in her chair. “Aren’t they?”

“Well, yes, I suppose they are.” Cassie shook her head. “I get caught up in the story. I came to tell you I have to run to the hospital.”

“Hospital?” Alarmed, Rebecca shot out of her chair. “Is one of the children hurt? Sick?”

“Oh, no, no. Shane—”

“He’s had an accident.” Rebecca’s face went dead white. “Where is he? What happened?”

“Rebecca, it’s Savannah. She’s in labor.” Curious, Cassie watched Rebecca sink bonelessly back into her chair. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“It’s all right.” Weakly she waved a hand. “I’m supposed to know better than to jump to conclusions.”

“Shane called a couple of hours ago, after Jared called him. I needed to arrange for a sitter before I could go. I’m going to drop Connor and Emma off with Ed at the diner. You haven’t met Ed yet. She’s just wonderful. She can’t handle Ally, too, but there’s day care at the hospital.”

“Uh-huh.” Rebecca had nearly recovered.

“I didn’t want you to think you’d been deserted. There’s some cold cuts and a pie in the kitchen, if you get hungry. I have to take the car, but I’m supposed to tell you that you can go over to the cabin, or the farm, and borrow one if you need to go out.”

“I don’t need to go anywhere.” Calm again, she smiled. “Savannah’s having her baby. That’s wonderful. Is everything all right?”