Be My Texas Valentine (12 page)

He gently laid the wounded dog on an old burlap bag in the back of the wagon. “Rue Ann, think long and hard about the kind of man Greely is. You’re about to get your heart broken.”

“You’ve never liked him.”

“Could be there’s a reason for that.”

“I don’t think you can stand to see me happy.” Green sparks flew from Rue Ann’s eyes, and the sun shot streaks of gold through her crimson curls, turning them into a breathtaking mass that stole his breath. She’d never looked more desirable.

Or more out of reach.

“Are you truly happy, Rue Ann? The woman I knew wouldn’t settle for second rate. The woman I knew would fight tooth and nail for what she wanted, excepting me, of course.” That she’d thrown him away faster than a pair of old shoes smarted. She’d tossed him right onto the dung heap all right and lit a match. Now he had nothing left besides a handful of ashes to show for the months of pure happiness.

“You’d do anything to ruin my relationship with Theodore just to spite me.”

The accusation stung, penetrating the vulnerable part of his heart. Memories of their time together shriveled up like a sun-dried piece of fruit that had once been so succulent. He ached to see the bit of hope he had die.

“Then you don’t know me at all. You probably never did. Now you’ll have to excuse me. I have a dog to take care of.” Logan untied the horses, climbed into the wagon box, and released the brake. “Take care of yourself, Rue Ann. Your fiancé is keeping secrets from you. You’d best find out what they are before you hitch yourself to him.”

Logan turned the wagon around and didn’t look back. From experience, he knew how painful looking back could be.

Rue Ann watched Cutter’s wagon disappear out of sight before she joined Theodore. “Did you see what happened to that dog? I never got a chance to ask Cutter.”

He shrugged. “The mutt was lying in the street and barely escaped getting run over. That’s all I know.”

Why would Cutter say Theodore was hiding secrets? Was it merely to get under her skin?

Nettled that the man lay bare the growing list of doubts she had about her upcoming marriage, she slipped her hand through Theodore’s arm. “Where were you headed?”

“No place in particular, sweetling. Your father gave me the day off.”

“Excellent. Then how about a ride out to Bent Tree? We can have some lunch and plan our life together. In less than two weeks we’ll be man and wife. We have lots to discuss.”

“Can’t come too soon for me. Yes, I think I’d enjoy spending the day in your company. As long as Logan Cutter’s name doesn’t come up,” he warned.

Rue Ann cast him a sideways glance. “Whyever should it?”

“The man seems obsessed with you despite the fact that soon you’ll belong to me.”

She frowned. She didn’t like people treating her like a piece of property. “I don’t
belong
to anyone. I’m my own person, not a possession.”

Theodore paused in front of the window of Whipple’s Dry Goods Store and cocked his head this way and that. She found his practice of admiring himself very irritating. “You know what I mean. I’ll be your husband and you’ll have to understand that I’m the boss. That’s the way it’s done. Ask your father. I know he’ll agree with me.”

“My father is no expert on marital matters, believe you me.” Indeed he and her mother hadn’t seen eye to eye on several issues; the most serious was her father’s involvement with the sensuous Lady Alexandra. Her mother, Jenny, had been furious when she found out where Devlin Spencer had been spending his Thursday nights when he’d claimed to be working late at his office. It had been the only time Rue Ann had ever heard Jenny Spencer raise her voice. And now a chilly freeze had developed between her parents. It wasn’t how Rue Ann envisioned wedded bliss. She wanted more than that for herself.

Her marriage would be built on love and mutual respect. . . but most of all, trust.

She thought she’d chosen the perfect partner in Logan until he’d betrayed her love. Was Theodore any more trustworthy? She didn’t know if Logan had warned her about her husband to be because of valid concerns or if he was simply trying to sabotage what she had.

Rue Ann and Theodore walked on toward the stables, exchanging pleasantries with several of the townsfolk.

“Do you have secrets, Theodore?” It was a question that had been on Rue Ann’s tongue since leaving Logan. She knew it was far too blunt, but she couldn’t think of a good way to ask without seeming to pry.

He stopped abruptly in his tracks. His eyes widened. “What kind of fool question is that?”

Maybe Cutter was wrong. The coiled tension inside eased.

“Let’s just forget it and enjoy the day.” She smiled and waved to the Barlow sisters, who had exited the milliner shop.

“No, I want to know what brought this on. What did you and Cutter talk about while I was busy taking care of my bloodied lip? Do you even care that he darn near broke my jaw?”

A heated flush rose to her cheeks. “Of course I care. I’m not callous. We talked about the dog. It was perfectly innocent.”

“Nothing about Cutter is innocent. I don’t trust him.”

Then again maybe Cutter had something after all. Theodore seemed to be awfully defensive for someone who had nothing to hide.

“Everyone has their secrets,” he snapped, continuing. “I’m sure you have some, too, but I don’t go around pestering you about them.”

So it was true. She wondered what Theodore had kept from her.

And curiosity about what Cutter knew got the best of her. If she wasn’t so afraid of falling into his arms, she’d ride out to his ranch and ask him.

But she knew she couldn’t do that. She wouldn’t open herself up for more heartache and disappointment.

Besides, Logan Cutter wasn’t the sort of man to tell on another. Whatever, whoever, else he might be, he wasn’t one to dish dirt or spread gossip.

Chapter 4

Rue Ann’s day wasn’t going well at all. First, the run-in with the infuriating Logan Cutter and his cryptic warning, then discovering that Theodore did, in fact, harbor secrets from her.

And now her day seemed to be taking yet another turn.

Through narrowed eyes she watched Celeste stalking toward her with a set mouth and outrage in her measured strides.

Celeste was huffing by the time she drew to a stop in front of Rue Ann outside the livery, where Theodore had left her while he rented a horse and buggy. The woman’s mouth was drawn in a perfectly tight line. “I will have a word with you, Rue Ann.”

“I don’t know that we have anything to discuss, and Theodore will return any minute.”

Celeste grabbed her arm and yanked her to the side, away from the comings and goings of patrons. “I demand that you leave Logan alone.”

“Is that so? And Mr. Cutter can’t tell me this himself? The man I knew didn’t need any female to speak for him.”

“He’s much too busy to concern himself with such matters. You had your chance with him and now it’s my turn. You stay far away from him. He cares about me now.”

Rue Ann jerked her arm from Celeste’s clutches and drew herself up. “Sounds like you’re none too sure of your relationship with Logan,” she pointed out. “What are you afraid of? That he’ll remember the wonderful times we had together and try to rekindle our love?”

Celeste’s reddened face gave her away. “Heed my warning. Go near him again and you’ll regret it.”

“Are you threatening me?” Rue Ann’s voice hardened.

“Take it however you wish. You might be a senator’s daughter and have money to burn, but I’m much prettier than you.” Celeste twisted a curl around her finger.

“And what will you do if I refuse?”

“You’ll force me to take the matter up with your intended.”

Rue Ann had no idea what that meant. It seemed an empty threat because Theodore didn’t own her, couldn’t tell her whom to speak with, and darn sure didn’t pick her friends. At least not yet. Still, she knew that given Theodore’s overwhelming dislike of Logan, it would be easy for Celeste to plant seeds of discord even if they were sown from lies. The situation vexed her, to say the least.

“I know you find this hard to believe but my relationship with Logan Cutter is over. I wouldn’t have him back on a dare. We’re through. Understand? I’ve moved on and so has he. So you see, you have nothing to worry about.” Rue Ann gently laid a hand on the other woman’s arm. She truly felt sorry for the jealousy that consumed Celeste.

They’d been rivals since as far back as she could remember. Even farther back than the time in the one-room schoolhouse when Jack Blackmon had kissed Rue Ann behind the woodshed. Celeste had found them and yanked out a good chunk of Rue Ann’s hair. She wondered if the woman would resort again to physical attack.

Celeste jerked away. “I’m not stupid, Rue Ann.”

Just then Theodore led a handsome horse and buggy from the livery.

With nothing else to say, Celeste Wiggins whirled and marched toward the town square with her nose high in the air and her back as stiff and straight as a fireplace poker.

Theodore helped Rue Ann into the buggy. “Was that Miss Wiggins you were talking to?”

“Mainly I just listened to a list of demands. Seems Celeste had a fight to pick with me. For some reason she thinks I stand between her and happiness with Logan. It’s hogwash pure and simple.”

“I happen to agree with her. I’ve been trying to tell you but you won’t listen. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

“Oh, for pity’s sake! You’ve picked all the meat off that bone, Theodore. The subject is growing tiresome.” She cast Theodore a sideways glance and noted the disapproving line of his rigid mouth. It suddenly occurred to her that it’d been well over a week since Theodore had kissed her. “Let’s talk about something else.”

“Like what?”

She captured her bottom lip between her teeth. “Why haven’t you kissed me lately?”

He shrugged. “Just haven’t been in the mood, that’s all. It’s difficult to find passion when your thoughts have been on someone else.”

It didn’t take a mind reader to figure out to whom he was referring. Reluctant to start a new round of ranting, she left the bait untouched.

Theodore put an arm around Rue Ann’s shoulder. “Besides, a man doesn’t have to go around kissing all the time for a woman to know how he feels about her. I know lots of couples who rarely kiss or only on occasion. Once we’re married, I’m sure we’ll have no need to kiss.”

Rue Ann gave a shocked gasp and pulled away. “I will not have a loveless marriage, Theodore Greely.”

“There are other ways to show love besides kissing.”

“Am I repugnant to you?”

“Certainly not. You’re a beautiful woman. I’m proud to be seen with you.”

He definitely didn’t show it. They were nearing the turn in the road that led to Dutchman Creek and the pretty little valley she’d fallen in love with. She’d been trying to think of how best to tell Theodore about the property and this seemed as good a time as any.

“Could we take a detour?” she asked.

“Sure. Where would you like to go?”

“Dutchman Creek would be nice.”

“Why there of all places?”

“I’ve always loved the countryside around it. And I have something to show you.”

Theodore turned the horse in the direction of the creek. They navigated a sharp bend in the road, and the rich, fertile valley lay in front of them. The lush vegetation and fresh cool water made it a prime piece of real estate.

“Stop the buggy here, please. Do you see how special this land is?”

“It’s nice, I suppose. Why?”

Rue Ann held her breath, hoping he’d be pleased. “It’s mine ... ours. A wedding gift from my father. Can’t you just picture a house here overlooking the winding creek?”

She crossed her arms, hugging herself. It was the perfect place to start married life and raise some children. She wanted three boys and two girls. She’d already chosen their names. The first would be a boy, of course, and she’d name him Spencer, which was her maiden name. A little girl would come next. She’d be the spitting image of Rue Ann and have so much life in her it would be difficult for the child to sit still. She’d name her Jenny, after her mother. It was perfect for such a special child. Theodore could—

“I’m not living out here.” Theodore burst her daydream.

“What?” She struggled to understand the words that seemed to come through a thick fog.

“I said I want no part of this. I’m no country hayseed.”

Rue Ann had trouble breathing. It felt as though hands were around her throat squeezing the life from her.

“Then where will we live?” she asked quietly.

“In town, of course.”

“Where in town?”

“The hotel, I suppose. I already have a perfectly good room at the Ambassador.”

“The Ambassador Hotel?” she asked weakly. “We can’t raise children in a place like that.” Where had this side of Theodore been? And why was it just now coming out? She couldn’t imagine anything as ridiculous as living in a hotel, much less rearing children there. Her mouth gaped open. She struggled to close it.

“Who said anything about children? I certainly didn’t.”

Quiet unease swept over her. “Everyone looks forward to starting a family when they get married. I just assumed you felt the same as I do.”

“I don’t want any snot-nosed brats running around.”

Anger surged. The buggy seat suddenly shifted as Rue Ann straightened. “You don’t have to be so hateful about it. What’s wrong with having children?”

“They mess everything up. They demand all the attention. There’s no sense being married if children take all my wife’s time and energy. A wife should devote herself solely to her husband.”

Something must’ve happened to Theodore to cause such a narrow view of marriage and family. He’d never told her anything about his parents or his life before he arrived in Shiloh while she was away at finishing school.

“Theodore, why don’t you talk about your mother and father? I don’t even know where you came from.”

He shrugged. “Not much to tell.”

“What were your parents’ names?”

“You’re getting awfully personal, Rue Ann,” he said stiffly.