Bet You'll Marry Me (6 page)

“All I want is to marry you. Is that so hard to accept?”

Jenny nodded, her face solemn. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“It doesn't make sense. Why would you want to marry me?”

Nick turned her around on his lap and looked straight into her eyes. “Because you have everything that I want.”

I
T WAS NEARLY
nightfall when Harry came fully awake.

“Hey, Harry.” Jenny leaned forward in the straight-backed chair beside his bed and touched his cheek. The lines of his face had deepened and his eyes were circled by dark shadows, but at least his skin no longer resembled blueberry cheesecake. “Dr. Carlson says the surgery went well, but the nurses are all hoping to keep you here a few more days. Were you flirting with them in the operating room?”

“I'm too old to flirt.” Her uncle cracked a small grin. Then his face took on a worried expression. “I didn't mean to scare you.”

“Me, scared?” She forced a laugh and met Nick's eyes across the bed. “I wasn't scared. I knew you wouldn't leave me to go on the pack trips alone.”

Harry glanced between them and nodded. “I want you to go with Nick.”

“It was a joke, Harry,” she said, careful to keep her tone light. “The pack trips aren't important.”

Her uncle took hold of her arm with surprising force for a man who had been too weak to support himself earlier.

“I want you to promise me, Jenny. Promise me you won't cancel those pack trips. Promise me you'll take Nick with you. It's the only way to save the ranch.”

Take Nick? She hesitated. The time they'd just spent together did nothing to ease her distrust of the man. If anything, it made her feel even more threatened than before. But she couldn't upset her uncle while his heart was in such a precarious condition, and he waited for her reply.

“I promise,” she said.

Harry turned to Nick and raised his brow.

“I won't let anyone else touch her, sir.”

Nick gave her uncle's shoulder a gentle squeeze, and Harry chuckled, seemingly satisfied.

Anyone else?

Jenny had no doubt Nick would protect her from the other men on the pack trip, but who would protect her from him? She shot the dark-haired cowboy a warning look which he sent straight back at her, along with his infamous grin—and suddenly she knew.

She was in serious trouble.

 

Chapter Six

N
ICK CURSED AS
he shook his deadened thumb back to life. Couldn't he even hammer a stupid nail into a post? He needed to focus. Keep his mind off Jenny. He wasn't here to feel sorry for anyone. He needed the land, needed to figure out his next plan of action. Grasping the top of the wooden post for balance, he closed his eyes and her face was closer than a coin toss away.

Her delicate brows arched upward when she was distressed. Her blue eyes darkened. Her lips parted ever so slightly. How could he think of anything else when she looked at him like that?

Jenny had been so vulnerable in the hospital waiting room. She'd needed him, needed his all-too-willing embrace. He thought he'd finally made a connection with her, tasted the beginnings of friendship. But by the time Wayne arrived at the hospital to drive them back to the ranch that night, Jenny had become quiet, withdrawn, and once again completely beyond his reach.

When Andrew's auto garage arrived a couple days later to take the farm truck into town to be fixed, his confusion doubled. How could Jenny afford the repairs?

“She sold her mother's wedding ring,” Billie said, backing him into the privacy of the pantry. “You should have seen her face, Nick. Just looking at her almost made me cry. The ring's been in her family for generations and it broke her heart to let it go.”

“Then why did she do it?”

“So she can drive back and forth to the hospital to visit Harry. She said as much as she loves the ring, she loves Harry more.”

“If only I could find something she loves more than her land,” he muttered. “Who did she sell the ring to?”

“The jeweler on Main Street.”

“Then I better go into town.”

“No need. While she went into the bakery to see Sarah, I bought it back for you.”

Nick eyed his sister with suspicion. “Where did
you
get the money?”

“I played a few games of poker with the ranch hands the night before,” Billie said, trying not to look at him. “And I did good.”

“You gambled?” He didn't mean to shout but couldn't help it. “Didn't you learn your lesson with Victor Lucarelli?”

“I only did it so I can pay back Lucarelli. I thought it would be easier than waiting for you to win the bet with Jenny, but then when she sold the ring and started to cry . . . I had to use the money to buy it back.” Billie placed the intricately scrolled golden wedding band with its delicate diamond setting into the palm of his hand. “Maybe it will give you something to work with.”

Nick closed his fingers over the ring and gave his sister a playful poke. “Thanks, Billie. I appreciate your help.”

“That's what I'm here for,” she answered, smiling.

The days had dragged into the following week. He'd hoped to find the right opportunity to give back the ring, but Jenny spent most of her time at the hospital with Harry. Each day he offered to go to the hospital with her and each day she refused. Even worse was the fact that today, the day they were to bring Harry back home, she hadn't asked him to accompany her. She'd asked Wayne.

Despising himself and his inability to make Jenny develop any feelings for him, Nick dropped the wretched hammer he was using and trudged across the field to bring in the horses. The menacing black storm clouds were closing in fast and Jenny would have a fit if her beloved beasts were left out in the rain.

The first drops splattered the parched ground just as he reached the stable. Little Josh led two horses inside, but there were at least a dozen more that needed to come in, including Starfire and another of Jenny's favorites, a black-and-white paint named Apache.

“Get your sorry tails over here,” yelled Frank, a halter and lead rope dangling from his hands.

The ranch hand was trying to separate Apache from the other geldings, but the lightning was scaring the horses into a wild frenzy.

“Need help?” Nick called, opening the paddock gate and letting himself in.

“Go that way,” Frank instructed, “and try to head them toward me.”

He went in the direction Frank indicated and began talking to the horses in a low, soothing voice to coax them to stand still.

“Get behind them,” Frank yelled, just as Josh reemerged from the stable. “Be careful, though. You have to whistle sharp when you go behind Apache. Make sure you whistle so he knows you're there.”

Nick hesitated. “Won't a whistle spook him?”

“Nah. He's part deaf. Only a whistle will let that horse know you're behind him.”

Nick knew it was standard practice to call out and touch the horse's backside as you circled around to let it know where you were, but a whistle? He couldn't remember hearing Jenny whistle when she went by Apache's rear. But Frank knew more about these horses and their special quirks than he did, so he gave a sharp whistle as he approached.

All at once Apache's right hind leg shot straight out, caught him in the side, and sent him sprawling face-first into the mud. For a moment all he saw was darkness. He wasn't even sure what had happened. Then he lifted his upper body off the ground and gasped as the searing pain in his ribs leveled him once again.

Spitting the gritty, manure-baked filth out of his mouth, he wiped his eyes just in time to see the devious smirk upon Frank's face.

“Oops. Sorry.”

Hooting with laughter, Frank slapped Josh on the back. Then, despite the growing storm, the two led the remaining horses into the stable without a single bit of trouble.

The intensifying rain drenched Nick's body and chilled his skin. The strong scent of hay and manure rose into his nostrils. He was as muddy as a stinking hog. He tried to move and once again the sting of the kick jarred into his side. Coughing between thrusts of rib-slicing pain, he brought himself up onto his hands and knees.

It was clear the ranch hands didn't want his friendship. Without Harry's presence on the ranch the mean-spirited pranks had escalated into daily rituals. They'd spilled paint into his black Stetson, greased his saddle, and rigged a bucket of water to splash over his head as he entered the barn. Now this.

The reality of his situation hit him full force. He wasn't any closer to obtaining Jenny's land than he was a week ago. The ranch hands hated him, the horses hated him, and Jenny had pretty much hated him ever since he'd initiated the bet.

Why couldn't he make her like him? He wasn't one to accept defeat easily, but he didn't think staying on at the ranch would accomplish anything. Trying to win Jenny's affection was like trying to cut cubes from a solid block of ice. It just wasn't worth the effort. If he couldn't melt her heart and get her land, so be it. He would just have to find another way to pay Billie's gambling debt.

J
ENNY RAN PAST
Frank and sloshed through the ankle-deep mud of the paddock where Nick was on his hands and knees.

“Are you all right?” she asked, and pulled on his upper body in an attempt to lift him.

“
Ow!
” he shouted. “No, I'm not all right. What are you trying to do, finish me off?”

She dropped her hands and bit her lip as he struggled to his feet. “Apache was abused by his previous owner. He always back-kicks when he hears a whistle.”

Nick winced, the pain evident on his face. “No kidding.”

“Looks like the guys are giving you a hard time,” she said, and reached out to steady him.

“Not half as hard as you.”

A twinge of guilt twisted her gut. She'd been hostile toward the man ever since his arrival despite his hard work and much-needed ranching skills. Then, after he'd helped her transport Harry to the hospital, she'd avoided him.

She'd wanted to break free of the invisible pull he had on her and distance herself from him. But now, as they stood face-to-face, she realized she hadn't distanced herself from anything. Here he was, in all his dynamic glory, covered with mud, spiteful and angry, and she was drawn to him even more than before.

“I want to help you,” she shouted over the rumbling thunder.

“Leave?”

“No,” she said, smiling at his bitterness. “With Harry laid up I have no choice but to keep you here.”

“You don't need me,” he said, the mud streaking down his handsome face. “Frank's made it clear he intends to run the ranch himself, and I'm sure Wayne will accompany you on the pack trip next weekend.”

“What are you saying?”

“You win. I'm packing my bags.”

“No! You can't leave.”

“Why?” he demanded.

“Because I—I want you to stay.”

He gave her a swift, startled look so intense it made her take a step backward. Catching her hand, he began slowly reeling her back in.

“Why?” he asked again, his tone becoming soft, luring, and far more intimidating.

“I . . .” She wished he'd let go of her. She wished she could slip away. Squirming like a trout caught on the end of a fishing line, her mind darted to and fro, desperately searching for a way off the hook. “We've got to get in out of the rain,” she stammered.

“Not until you answer my question.” He drew her closer. “Why do you want me to stay?”

“There are a lot of reasons. You work hard. You ride well. Harry likes you.”

Nick let out a disgruntled laugh, and gave her a direct look that said he was plainly unconvinced.

“Give me a real reason.”

Lightning flashed, thunder boomed, and the rain drove down in torrents. The ground shook, threatening to split apart the very foundation she stood on.

“It wouldn't kill you to admit
you
like me,” he said, baiting her.

“All right. Fine,” she spat angrily. “I like you. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“Yes,” he said with a grin, “very much.”

The way he looked at her made her pulse race nearly as fast as the beat of the driving rain that poured down over them. Then he tugged on her hand and nodded toward the shelter of the dry buildings.

“Can you make it up to the house?” she asked.

“I hope so,” Nick replied. He winced with each step, but at least he could walk.

“I'll be there in a few minutes,” she said, and clenched her hands into fists as the faint strains of chortled laughter met her ears. “There's just one more thing I need to do.”

Jenny entered the stable and wiped her face with a nearby towel. “Frank, you're fired.”

The ranch hands were gathered around Wayne, who had missed the outdoor excitement—and as they turned to look at her, their laughter dropped off into stunned silence.

“Hey, look, I was doing you a favor,” said Frank, puffing out his chest. “Chandler's no ranch manager and you know it. He just came here to win the bet. What you need is a real man.”

“A real man?” she retorted. “While you and your friends are off playing cards, drinking beer, and wasting time on stupid pranks, Nick Chandler has been working his butt off. Do you think I haven't noticed who brings the cows in at night or who's been harvesting the hay? Why, he puts every single one of you to shame.”

“You little fool,” Frank exclaimed, his face aghast. “You're falling right into his trap.”

Jenny pointed to the door. “You can pack your gear and leave.”

Wayne and Josh stood frozen, staring openmouthed as if afraid she'd fire them next.

Jenny turned to Wayne and his face paled. “While Chandler and I are away on the pack trips, you will be in charge of the ranch.”

“Me?” Wayne relaxed his stance and smiled at Frank's glowering face. “I guess I can be a real man from time to time.”

Realizing Frank hadn't moved, Jenny gave him a little wave. “Good-bye, Frank.”

“I'll get you back for this,” Frank promised as he stomped away. “You just watch and see.”

Jenny pushed aside Frank's threat of revenge as she climbed the stairs of the old two-story timber house. She would worry about him later. Right now her main concern was if any of Nick's bones had been broken. She stepped through the doorway of his room to find him struggling, without much success, to remove the wet T-shirt from his upper body.

“Here, let me,” she said, setting her black medical bag on the table and moving forward to help him.

“I'm okay. It's just a little—” He drew in a sharp breath as she pulled the dripping garment up over his head.

“Sore?” she asked, and slung the shirt over the back of a chair.

“Yes.”

“Are there any sharp, knifelike pains?”

“I don't think so,” he replied, his voice ragged.

Her gaze drifted over his bare shoulders, down his finely toned chest, and finally focused on the place along his rib cage she was supposed to be examining.

“Oh, my gosh,” she exclaimed, staring at the horrendous purplish black bruise on his left side.

“It's not as bad as it looks.”

“To make sure there's nothing broken, I'm going to have to press on it.”

She stared at the wound, her fingers hovering in midair just a mere inch away from his skin.

“Afraid to touch me?” he teased.

“No,” she said, and pressed against his rib cage.

He flinched. “
Oww! Blast it all to—
”

“Sorry,” she apologized.

“I'm not sure who is worse,” he said, clenching his teeth, “you or Frank.”

“I fired Frank,” she said without looking up.

“You did?”

“Of course I did. You could have been killed.” She dug in her black medical bag and brought out a roll of white bandaging tape. “I don't think anything is broken, but I'm going to wrap your ribs anyway.”

As she circled his upper body, an acute sense of awareness shortened her breath and made her fingers tremble. While working on the ranch she'd seen plenty of men without their shirts, but Nick's upper torso was, well, superb, and she was so darn close to it.