Blackstone's Bride (30 page)

Jarrod glanced at Abby. “What do you think?”

Her heart went out to Tom as she studied the bewildered look on his young face. He needed someone to talk to. “As long as she knows how important it is to keep this quiet. Let’s tell her together—”

Tom jumped up so fast his chair went over backward, startling Abby. “I don’t want to do anything with you. You’re nothin’ but a fake.”

Jarrod stood up quickly. “Don’t speak to Abby that way, Tom.”

The boy turned a look on him full of youthful fury and resentment. “What difference does it make? She’s leaving.”

He turned and ran out of the kitchen just as the rays of the sun peeked through the window.

Frowning, Jarrod turned back to Abby. “I’m sorry.”

“I know.” She looked down at her clasped hands for a moment, trying to control their shaking. Then she met his stormy gaze. “The question is, what are we going to do now?”

“About what?”

She sighed. “Tom noticed our sleeping arrangements. You think Katie and Oliver won’t? They’re the ones who are most likely to let something slip in town.”

“So what do we do?” He rubbed his cheek thoughtfully. When a gleam stole into his eyes, she held up a hand to stop what she knew was coming.

“I am not moving lock, stock, and barrel into your bedroom. It’s out of the question.”

“Why, Abby? What are you afraid of?” His tone was as smooth and soft as silk.

“I’m not afraid of you, if that’s what you’re implying. It’s just not proper.”

“The hell it isn’t. We’re married, legal
and
proper.”

“I’m not going to argue with you about this. I will not jeopardize my plan.”

“So I’m a threat to you.” He smiled that lazy smile that stole her breath away. “I believe I’ll take that as a compliment.”

As Jarrod moved closer, Abby stood up and backed away from him. “You can take it any way you darn well please, just keep your distance, Jarrod Blackstone.”

“Why, Mrs. Blackstone?” He stopped in front of her and touched one finger to her neck, the exact spot where her pulse fluttered wildly. “I think you liked sharing my bed and you’re afraid you could get so used to it you might not want to go chasing shadows.”

Abby figured she would take the truth of his words to her grave. “I think maybe we can work out a compromise.”

“Such as?”

“I will move my things into your room and retire there until we’re sure the children are sound asleep.”

“Then?”

“I will sleep in my room and get up before they do so no one will suspect a thing.”

“Seems a lot of sneaking around to me.”

“Maybe, but I can’t think of any other way.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Won’t be for long anyhow.”

“Why? What’s happened?”

“I didn’t want to upset you or say anything in front of the kids until they have to know. Donovan told me yesterday the judge will be in Hollister in two weeks.”

“Two weeks?”

Abby’s stomach clenched.

That night, Jarrod was restless. The house was quiet. Abby had left him and gone to her room as soon as she figured the kids were asleep. He wished he could find that peace. The truth was, he was worried about the upcoming custody hearing. Even more, he missed having Abby beside him. She felt right in his bed. Without her body beside his, the sweet sound of her breathing, her movements rustling the sheets, it was as if a part of him was missing.

He’d never felt that way before. Not even with Dulcy. He was fighting like hell against it, but more and more he feared that Abby had the power to hurt him like no one else ever had.

After tossing and turning for what seemed hours, he got up. He was warm. The house had held in the heat of the day. Maybe if he sat on the porch and cooled off he could get some rest, get Abby out of his thoughts. He put on his trousers.

Stepping out into the upstairs hall, Jarrod automatically glanced toward the kids’ rooms. When he noticed a light coming from under Lily’s door, his brows drew together in concern. Was she all right? Had Tom upset her with the news he’d learned that morning?

Quickly, he moved across the hall and was about to knock when he heard voices. Lily wasn’t alone. He heard Katie, Tom, and Oliver. Jarrod grinned as the latter was shushed repeatedly. Poor Oliver couldn’t keep his voice down if his life depended on it. He sobered instantly, wondering what was keeping them awake.

After knocking softly, he opened the door. Tom was poised in the doorway between his room and Lily’s, apparently trying to escape. Katie and Oliver burrowed beneath the covers on Lily’s bed, to hide. As if two big lumps on the mattress could be overlooked. He stifled a smile.

“What’s going on? Why aren’t you all asleep?”

Dressed in her white, cotton nightgown, Lily stood by her bed, trying to block his view. “Uncle Jarrod, I—”

“She couldn’t sleep. I came in to talk,” Tom said.

He nodded toward the two mounds beneath the covers. “I suppose Katie and Oliver couldn’t sleep either?”

“You can’t see me, Uncle Jarrod.” Oliver’s muffled voice came from the bed. “I’m hidin’.”

Katie threw back the covers. “How did you know where we were?”

“It wasn’t easy,” Jarrod said. “I almost missed you.” He looked at the four of them. “Now who wants to tell me what’s going on?”

“Are you mad, Uncle Jarrod?” Katie asked. “We were having a family meeting.”

“A meeting?” he asked.

“We used to do it with Mama, to figure things out. She always talked to us when she needed to decide something,” Lily said.

“We helped ‘er,” Oliver said, sliding out from his hiding place and sitting cross-legged in the center of the bed.

“Is that what you’re doing now? Trying to make a decision?” Jarrod asked, looking pointedly at Tom. He hoped the boy hadn’t spilled the beans to Katie and Oliver. If he had, as soon as they hit town for the hearing, everyone in Hollister would know his marriage to Abby was a fraud. Including the judge.

“We’re just talking about things.” Tom shook his head slightly, indicating he hadn’t said anything to them. “What things?” Jarrod asked.

“Do we have to go with our other uncle?” Katie asked.

Oliver pulled his thumb out of his mouth. “He’s mean. Wanted t’wallop me when I went t’the outhouse.”

Lily sat on the bed. “We don’t want to go with him. Mama said we should be raised as Blackstones on the ranch where she grew up, with you. She talked to us about it and we all decided it was best. Don’t make us go. We like it here. We want to stay with you, Uncle Jarrod.”

His chest tight with emotion, Jarrod slowly sat down beside her. He draped an arm around her shoulders, and she leaned against him. Tom sat down on his other side, just before Katie and Oliver jumped on his back. They threw their chubby, loving arms around his neck. The weight of those warm bodies felt good. He closed his eyes for a moment as he drew in a deep breath to compose himself. No way was Rafe Donovan, or anyone else, taking these kids from him.

Jarrod swallowed hard. “I would have talked to you sooner if I’d known you knew what was going on with Donovan.”

“We eavesdropped when he was here with the sheriff,” Katie said. “Are you mad? Your voice sounds funny.”

He shook his head. “I’m not mad. Just wish you’d let me in on this sooner, is all.”

“Really? Why?” Oliver asked.

Jarrod took a deep breath. “Your mama was a smart lady. These meetings are real important. I’d like to be part of your family if you’ll let me. What do you say?”

“Of course,” Lily said.

Oliver threw himself backward on the mattress. “Yippee,” he hollered.

“That was yes,” Tom said. “Goes double for me.”

“Me too,” Katie added. “Are you gonna come to all our family meetings from now on, Uncle Jarrod?”

“Yes, I will. But it’s late. From now on, I think we should have them at suppertime.”

“Goody,” Oliver said. “Then Abby can be there too.”

“She’s not part of the family,” Tom said, a note of bitterness lacing his words.

Katie leaned over Jarrod’s shoulder and looked at him. “But aren’t you married?”

“Yes,” he answered.

“Then isn’t she part of the family?” Katie persisted.

Tom shrugged sheepishly when Jarrod glared at him. “Tom just meant that she’s not related by blood. Right, Tom?”

“I s’pose,” the boy said grudgingly.

Katie hugged him around the neck. “Uncle Jarrod, don’t you think Abby should come to our family meetings?”

“That’s up to her.”

If she wanted to stay and be a part of the family, he wasn’t opposed to the idea. But that wasn’t likely to happen, and he wouldn’t count on it. After one failure with a woman, he wasn’t about to set himself up for another.

He released Lily and pulled Katie’s arms from around his neck, then tugged her over his shoulder. The little girl squealed with delight at the sudden somersault. “I think it’s getting late and you should all be in bed and asleep.”

“Will you tuck us in?” Katie asked.

“Sure.”

He’d do anything for them.

In the hallway outside Lily’s room, Abby pressed her back against the wall as she brushed her knuckle across the tear trickling down her cheek. Half asleep in her own bed, she had heard one of the children cry out and awoke with a start. Hurrying to Oliver, she had seen the light from Lily’s room and stopped. When she heard her name, she froze outside. Tom’s words had knocked the wind from her as surely as if he’d socked her in the stomach.

She’s not part of the family
.

True enough. Still, that didn’t make it hurt any less. The fact was, she didn’t fit anywhere. Not until she found her father.

From Lily’s room, she heard the bedsprings groan and
figured Jarrod was about to settle the children. She started for her room, then decided since they were all still awake, she should go to Jarrod’s.

Lordy, she would breathe a sigh of relief when this was over.

A few minutes later Jarrod entered the bedroom and shut the door. Silvery moonlight streamed in through the window, right where Abby was sitting. He started when he turned around and saw her.

“Did the kids disturb you?” he asked.

“I heard them, if that’s what you mean.” They had disturbed her, but not in the way he meant. And she wasn’t about to tell him. “I heard you with them and knew they were in good hands. But I figured until they’re asleep again, I should wait in here. That’s all right, isn’t it?”

He nodded, folded his arms over his bare chest, then leaned back against the dresser. “It would probably be for the best. They’re restless. Seems they’ve known about Donovan since he came to the ranch with Zach. The little scoundrels eavesdropped.”

She smiled briefly. “They’re developing a bad habit of doing that.”

“I can’t blame them for wanting to know what’s going on. Too many things have happened to them that they have no control over.”

“Now they’re facing another change. I wish that man could see what he’s doing to them.”

“Me too.” There was something in his tone that drew Abby’s attention.

“You’re not worried that he might actually get custody?”

He sat beside her on the bed, his bare shoulder brushing against her cotton nightgown. “That’s exactly what I’m concerned about.”

“Even though we’re married? As far as everyone else knows,” she added quickly.

“It could go either way, Abby. There’s no way to predict how a judge will rule.” The misery in his voice touched something deep inside her.

She put her arms around him. Just for comfort, she told
herself. When she buried her face into the hollow between his neck and shoulder, he let out a shuddering breath. Then his arms came around her, hugging her tightly.

He nuzzled her hair. “You smell so good, Abby. So sweet, so right.”

She lifted her face, and before she knew it, his lips were on hers in a crushing kiss. All his frustration and concern poured into her, and she accepted it, pleased to be there for him. She was glad too for the touch of his mouth to hers and all the glorious things he made her feel.

Her rapid breathing joined with his until all she could hear was a roaring in her ears. Jarrod pulled her across his lap and laid her on the bed, settling himself half over her.

Her breasts were crushed to his chest and she rubbed against him, delighting in the feel of him against her—hard to soft, rough to smooth, man to woman.

“Abby.” Her name, just a whisper on his lips, told her of his inner turmoil. “Let me love you, Abby. I want you so much.”

He kissed her neck, finding a sensitive place just beneath her ear. She writhed against him, moaning at his sweet torture.

“You want me too.” He continued to stroke her neck. “Don’t you? Tell me you want me, Abby.”

“Yes,” she said. “I want you.”

He took her breast in his palm through the material of her nightgown. As he caressed the tender mound, her nipple grew taut. His hand slid over her abdomen, down to the hem of her nightgown. He started to draw it up and over her head.

The bedroom door opened. “Abby? Uncle Jarrod?”

Both of them sat up on the side of the bed, breathing hard. Katie stood in the doorway, rubbing her eyes.

Abby recovered enough to speak first. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”

“I had a bad dream. That mean man was trying to take me,” she said sniffling.

Abby went over and lifted the little girl into her arms. “No one is going to hurt you. I promise.”

Jarrod rubbed his chin, an agitated movement clearly indicating his frustration. “I thought she wasn’t having bad dreams anymore.”

“She wasn’t,” Abby said. “But I’m not surprised at this, what with everything going on.”

“Uncle Jarrod?” Katie looked at him from the security of Abby’s arms.

“What, Katie?” he asked.

Abby hoped the little girl wouldn’t notice how hoarse his voice sounded, or understand the reason for it.

“Can I stay here? With you and Abby? No one will get me then.”

His gaze met hers, and Abby knew he was leaving the decision up to her. She drew in a long breath, thankful that the interruption had saved her from making a big mistake. This was exactly what she had been afraid would happen if she spent any time in Jarrod’s bed.