brides for brothers 04 - cowboy surrender (17 page)

Anna sighed. “It was a nice evening, but…”

“Yes?” Mildred prodded, leaning forward eagerly.

“Jake admitted he’s attracted to B.J., couldn’t keep his hands off her, in fact, but—”

“Good!” Red interjected.

“Nope,” Janie said. “It’s not good. He announced, in front of B.J., that he had no intention of marrying. But he wasn’t averse to anything else she would agree to.”

Mildred gasped. “B.J. is a nice girl!”

Red squared his jaw, clearly intent on defending his own. “B.J. is a woman, Millie, not a girl, and Jake wouldn’t do anything she didn’t agree to.”

“Whatever they do, that’s not the point,” Janie quickly said before an argument could break out. “We want them
married
We want Jake to have kids, too. We want Toby to have a daddy. We want—”

“But it has to be what
they
want, too,” Megan said.

“I think it’s what they both want, but they’re afraid,” Anna said softly. “Jake’s always touching her and watching her. And B.J. blushes every time he gets near.”

“That’s sex, not love,” Red said.

“Well, then, you and Mildred must not love each other,” Janie argued, “because those words describe the two of you.” She stared at his arm on the back of Mildred’s chair, his hand touching her shoulder.

Red jerked his hand away, and Mildred blushed.

“We’re different! We care about each other. We’re not just out for what we can get,” Red assured them.

“Isn’t that what Jake was doing yesterday morning when he didn’t want B.J. working on Pete’s horse? Caring for her?” Anna asked.

“That’s right,” Mildred seconded. “He was trying to protect her. And he spends a lot of time with Toby.”

“So how do we convince bullheaded Jake that he needs to get married?” Janie asked.

Silence fell as they each contemplated the question.

Finally Anna said, “We’ve invited all the single women we know to pursue Jake, so he’ll turn to B.J.”

Janie shook her head. “I know, but—Of course! Why didn’t I think of it before?”

“What?” Megan demanded. “Don’t keep us in suspense.”

“We need to invite all the single
men!
”

Red frowned, staring at Janie. “But won’t they just flirt with all the single women? Cancel each other out?”

“Some of them, yes. But B.J. is a beautiful woman. With the right encouragement from interested parties—” she winked at the rest of them “—some of the men will pursue her. I think Jake might not like sharing B.J.”

Recognition dawned on all their faces.

“Good plan, Janie,” Red agreed. “Jealousy always works.”

“At least it can’t hurt,” Mildred agreed. “And if Jake isn’t interested, maybe B.J. will find someone else to plan a future with.”

Loud protests rose from the rest of the conspirators.

“We’ve already claimed B.J. as a Randall,” Janie said, speaking for everyone. “And we’ll convince Jake of that fact, come hell or high water.” She raised her coffee cup. “Here’s to Operation Halloween. May Cupid plant an arrow in Jake’s heart.”

“Here, here!” the others agreed in unison, raising their cups.

Red had the last word, however. “I just hope Cupid can recognize him under his mask.”

Chapter Thirteen

Jake was appalled.

“You’re kidding me, Anna!” When she continued to stare at him innocently, her blue eyes wide, he added weakly, “Aren’t you?”

“No, Jake,” Anna replied. “I picked it out especially for you. You’ll look great in it.”

“Anna,” he began in frustration, staring at the costume waiting on his bed, “it’s a dress!”

“No, Jake, it’s a toga. You’re going to be Mark Antony.” When he didn’t show any appreciation for her explanation, she added, “And you get to carry a spear.”

“Anna, I’ll be the only man there in a skirt.” Jake had a terrible time denying Anna anything, but he’d be damned if he’d strut around in a skirt in front of his neighbors.

“No, you won’t. Brett is going as a Scot. We’re wearing matching kilts.”

She beamed at him, and Jake felt his resistance slipping. Desperately he said, “I’m the host. I don’t think I should wear a costume.”

“Jake, you have to!” she pleaded. “We told everyone they had to wear a costume. Your brothers will be furious if you didn’t have one. Besides, I picked this one out special for you.”

He gave up. He should’ve known from the beginning that she would win. “Okay, okay. But the first guy who laughs at me goes home with a broken nose.”

“Thank you, Jake,” Anna said, and reached up to kiss his cheek. Then she slipped from his bedroom, leaving Jake wondering how he’d gotten himself into this situation.

His sisters-in-law had announced last week that they were going to Casper to find costumes for everyone, but he hadn’t paid much attention to their plans. He hadn’t been in the mood to care. Besides, he figured he’d be a ghost, or maybe a pirate.

He stared at the sandals that were supposed to crisscross up his leg to his knee. Sandals in October in Wyoming? His toes might freeze off tonight.

Eyeing the toga, which would stop just above his knees, he realized he might be concerned about more than his toes freezing off.

“L
AND’S SAKE, CHILD
,” Mildred fussed, pushing B.J. down the hall, “of all nights to be late. We’re supposed to be at the party right now. Toby and I are dressed already.”

B.J. didn’t need her aunt to tell her. Mildred didn’t normally dress as a Gypsy dancer. “What’s Red wearing?”

Mildred grinned, but her cheeks were pink. “He’s a Gypsy, too.”

“Ah. Well, you and Toby can go on over as soon as I’ve seen his costume. I’ll find something to wear and be over in a few minutes.” She was tired. A quick appearance at the party would satisfy courtesy and then, when it was Toby’s bedtime, the two of them would slip away. B.J. had no intention of spending any more time at the Randall house than she had to.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry. You already have a costume. You’re going as Cleopatra.”

B.J. frowned. She hadn’t given much thought to her costume, but she’d certainly never considered the Egyptian queen. “Why Cleopatra?”

“The girls found it in Casper. It’s perfect for you with your hair unbraided and the snake thing across your forehead.”

B.J. just stopped herself from asking why a snake thing was perfect for her. With a sigh, she agreed, “Okay, but I have to shower first.”

“I know. Just hurry.”

Twenty minutes later, B.J. stared at herself in the mirror. The one-shouldered white dress, with a gold belt in a snake motif that matched her headband, flowed flatteringly to the floor with a discreet slit on one side to midthigh.

But she felt overexposed with her bare shoulder.

“You look beautiful,” Mildred said, a reverent tone in her voice.

“Don’t be silly, Mildred. I think I look ridiculous.”

Mildred laughed. “We’ll see. Put on that bracelet and those gold sandals while I turn off the video Toby’s watching. Do you have the gifts ready?”

“Yes,” B.J. said, but she bit her lip as Mildred turned away. She had debated long and hard over what to get Jake. He was a man who had just about everything he wanted.

Only a chance remark by Megan about Jake’s fascination with the Western writer Zane Grey solved her problem. Instead of buying Jake something he didn’t need, she’d wrapped up a copy of
Riders of the Purple Sage,
autographed by the author himself. Her father had long cherished the book, and it had come to B.J. upon his death. She knew her father would be happy to have his treasure go to someone who would appreciate it.

Now, however, she had no intention of giving Jake Randall a gift. Especially one he might think was too personal. One that might make him think she cared about him.

She started to leave the bedroom without the present for Jake when her son met her at the door.

“Where’s Mr. Jake’s present? I want to carry it.”

“Um, I don’t think we should take it to him tonight, sweetie. We’ll give him a present another time.” She’d buy him a box of candy or some other impersonal gift.

“No, Mommy, we have to give it to him tonight. Please?”

B.J. stared down at her son. How could she disappoint him? How could she teach him about generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness by her petty behavior?

With a sigh, she turned back into her bedroom and picked up one of the wrapped presents, one for Jake and one for Toby. “Okay, Toby, here is Mr. Jake’s gift.”

For Toby, who’d already opened several presents, she’d bought indestructible plastic trucks. She figured all the children present could play with them without their being destroyed.

“Come on!” Mildred called. “We’re late.”

“Coming,” B.J. returned. With reluctance, she picked up the other gift and started toward the door. At the last minute, she remembered the cold air that had escorted her home. A front was supposed to move in tonight.

“Mildred? You’d better grab a coat. It’s getting cold outside.”

“A coat? Is the weather changing?”

“Yes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see snow by the time we start home.” At least, by the time Mildred started home. B.J. and Toby would already be snug in their beds.

“Mommy,” Toby called from behind her, “I forgot to scare you!”

He looked quite different in his Batman costume, but she knelt to give him a hug anyway. “Oh, my, yes, I’m scared. You’d better hug me so I won’t be.”

“I’m not supposed to hug you. Mr. Jake is. I’m the one who’s
scaring
you, Mommy,” Toby complained even as he threw his arms around her neck.

“I know, but thanks for the hug anyway. Ready to go? Get your coat.”

“But it’ll cover up my costume.”

“As soon as we get in the door, you can take it off.”

“Okay.” When he appeared only seconds later, he not only had on his coat, but also atop his Batman ears sat his dark gray cowboy hat.

“I’m wearing my new hat. Mr. Jake will like that, won’t he?”

B.J. couldn’t deny her son’s words. She knew Jake wanted Toby to like his new hat. She just didn’t think it would be a good idea for Toby to concern himself much with Jake. “Yes, sweetie.”

Mildred opened the door. “Ooh. You’re right about that norther, B.J. It’s much colder out there. Come on. We’ll want to walk fast.”

“Aunt Mildred, how come you make noise when you walk?” Toby asked as he followed her to the door.

“It’s these beads. They rattle against each other. Good thing I’m not planning on sneaking up on anyone. Oh, I almost forgot! Here’s your mask, B.J.”

“Mask? Isn’t the costume enough?”

“Nope. You have to wear this gold mask, too. At least for a while. I bet a lot of people won’t guess it’s you. They’ve never seen you with your hair down.”

“Yeah. Your hair is pretty, Mommy.”

“Thanks, Toby. But I think everyone will know who I am.”

“What will Mr. Jake be wearing? Will he come dressed as a cowboy?”

“Probably,” B.J. said, finding it difficult to imagine Jake as anything but himself.

Which made the first thing she saw when she entered the living room at the Randalls hard to believe.

J
AKE HAD WON
a promise from Anna that he could change into jeans once the party was under way. Because one look at his bare knees was enough to make him want to hide in the bathroom and never come down at all.

In the meantime, however, he’d had to don the fake laurel wreath, strap up the sandals and greet his neighbors in the short toga. He’d received some wolf whistles from the men, grinning from ear to ear and, even more embarrassing, some ogling from the ladies.

“Hey, Jake, I hear they need some more contestants in the Miss Wyoming contest,” Ben called from a short distance away. He knew better than to get close.

“I’m paying you back, Ben. I’m paying all of you back for your words this evening. You won’t know when to expect it, but you can be sure it’s coming.” He added a smile to his warning, but it was fiendish rather than friendly. Some of the women clapped at his words, and he swept a bow, keeping his back to the fireplace. He didn’t want to bend over in front of anyone. He’d embarrass himself.

As he rose, he stared at the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen, standing in the doorway of the living room. Cleopatra, a gold snake coiled about her head, black hair spilling in a glorious cloud almost to her waist, her tall, willowy form clad in a flowing white robe caught around her small waist with a gold belt, stared back at him. Her face was covered with a gold half mask.

“Mark Antony, it’s your Cleopatra!” Chad called out.

Jake hadn’t made the connection between their costumes. Nor had he consciously identified the woman. Until now.

But everyone else in the room had.

He crossed the room and took her hand, raising it to his lips. Then he lifted his gaze, leaned over and murmured, “I’m going to wring Anna’s neck. Sorry, I didn’t plan this.”

“I didn’t think you had. As usual, our families are one step ahead of us,” Cleopatra, aka B.J., murmured. “All we can do is smile and put the best face on it.”

“That’s easy for you to say. At least your costume shows off your beauty.”

She gave him a cool stare. “Your costume shows off…a lot of you.”

“Don’t you start, too, B.J. It’s been downright embarras sing, the way the women have been looking at me. I feel like a slab of beef at a barbecue.”

One slim brow arched up toward the gold band on her forehead. “Now you know how women feel.”

He was tempted to slide his arms around her and pull her against him, but he could tell she was still angry with him. So he settled for leaning near her and saying, “Yeah, I’ve felt a few, but none of them have felt as good as you.”

Her full lips tightened, drawing his attention, and she started to move away.

“You’re still mad at me, aren’t you?” he asked under his breath, aware that everyone was watching them. For the past several days, he’d done nothing but think about the dissolution of their…whatever it had been. Their pretense. He’d missed it. He’d missed seeing B.J. He’d missed touching her.

“No, not at all,” she said calmly, nodding and smiling at their guests over his shoulder. “Excuse me?”