Lorraine Heath (3 page)

“I don’t believe I’m hearing this from you.”

“Believe it. I came here with nothing. More than this ranch, more than you, I value the respect the people in this area give me. I will not have it shattered because one night you decided to become a whore.”

She blinked back her tears. “How can you hate me so much?”

Anderson began eating. “I don’t hate you. I’m just deeply disappointed in you. Once you have fulfilled your obligations regarding this marriage, I’m sure everything will return to normal. You’ll wear your mother’s wedding dress.”

“May I be excused?”

Her father gave a curt nod and Rebecca left the table, willing herself not to run screaming out of the house.

She found Jake in the barn, kneeling in a stall and cooing to a troubled mare. He was so intent on his task he didn’t hear her approach. She knew it was unfair but she clasped her hands together and pounded on his back, sending him sprawling over the mare, who protested by kicking him.

“What the—” He scrambled up, holding his side, glaring at her. “What the hell did you do that for?”

Her fists were rolled into tight balls, her chest was heaving, her eyes were ablaze with cerulean fire. “My father said your proposal was no such thing! It was a command! I have no choice but to marry you!”

Jake released a weary sigh. “Well, he was wrong.” He dropped to his knees, his hands comforting the distressed animal. “The foal is breech. I gotta turn him. Will you hold the mare’s head?”

Rebecca knelt down, laying the mare’s head on her lap, stroking her gently. “So I don’t have to marry you?”

“Hell no. I wouldn’t marry a woman who didn’t want to marry me. He told me he wanted me to marry you and I said I’d ask. But that’s all. I’d ask. The final decision is yours.”

She watched as he struggled to turn the foal. Would any other man have accepted an offer of John Anderson’s ranch and daughter only if she was willing? “He doesn’t know about your land in Texas, does he?”

“No.” He continued working, the strain evident in his voice. “I didn’t tell him. I was afraid he might offer—” He shot her a quick glance, wishing he was better with words as she arched a brow.

“Might offer me to someone else?”

“Might tell someone else about your situation before I got a chance to ask.”

Satisfied with his efforts, he began to caress the mare, his bloodied hands gentle on the great beast, his voice tender. “All right, girl.”

The foal was born, struggling to stand. Rebecca watched Jake’s face fill with tenderness and awe in the miracle he’d just witnessed. He scooted back against the wall, watching the newborn creature.

“Why?” Rebecca asked quietly. “Why did you ask me to marry you? You’ve offered me your name, a piece of your dreams. What do you get?”

He had slept so little last night and the day had been long, filled with chores. Then the mare had gone into a difficult labor. How could he explain his reasons when he hadn’t thought about them yet himself? If not her love, what did he get? Her eyes were so blue and her ebony hair cascaded about her, creating the perfect frame for her face, so beautiful. His voice was low, his eyes warm.

“It’s a rugged land, filled with the voices of men, the wild cries of animals. I’d have the soft, sweet music of a woman’s voice. When winter browns and deadens the earth, I’d only have to look across the room to see the beauty of spring. I’d have friendship in the place of loneliness. I’d have more than I ever hoped to have.”

He wasn’t usually such a flowery speaker. But the words, like him, were honest and they touched her heart. If a woman couldn’t marry the man she loved, she should at least marry a man she liked. And Rebecca did like Jake. She enjoyed his company, the emotions reflected in his eyes, the gentleness he bestowed upon the animals. But to decide now …

“Would you take a walk with me?” she asked.

Offering her a small smile, he nodded.

They strolled out of the barn and Jake detoured by the water pump to wash his hands. Then they continued on into the night, skirting around the buildings until they were walking along the dirt path that led to the house, a comfortable silence enveloping them. A warm breeze blew across the land. Rebecca reached back and grabbed her hair, draping it over one shoulder before slumping against one of the many trees that lined the path. “How did you come by your land in Texas?” she asked.

Jake rubbed the side of his nose. “Man who raised me left it to me when he died.”

“He must have thought a great deal of you to leave you something as precious as land.”

He shook his head. “To tell you the truth, Reb, I don’t know why he left it to me. He had two sons. Seems like he should have left it to one of them.”

She moved her hands behind her back and pressed against the tree. “So why are you here and not in Texas?”

“Because the land is the only thing Thomas Truscott ever gave me. I started heading that way … then I realized I needed money.” He shrugged. “Your father was hiring.”

Rebecca looked up into the black heavens, distant stars twinkling. If she were a little girl, she’d latch onto one of them and make a wish. But she wasn’t a little girl anymore. In Brett’s arms, she’d become a woman, and soon she’d become a mother. Her heart believed that Brett would return to take her as his wife, to be a father to her child, but her father’s words, his anger, and the endless days with no word from Brett had begun to plant seeds of doubt within her mind. During any other time in her life she would have listened to her heart. But now she had a life more precious than her own to consider.

“Oh, Jake, I don’t know if Brett’s coming back,” she said in a hoarse whisper, fighting back the tears that accompanied the acknowledgment of her fears, angry at herself for being so weak. “He didn’t say he would. He just said he had some things he had to take care of.”

Jake shoved his hands into his pockets, not certain what he’d do if those tears gathering in her eyes started rolling down her cheeks. “Maybe we could track him down.”

She gave him a tremulous smile. “I thought about that, but I don’t even know in which direction he headed. And after two months, even the best trackers would have a hard time finding him.

“I’ve made such a mess of things. A month ago, all I worried about was whether or not you’d find me a black stallion. And now … I’ve never had anyone as angry at me as my father is. It’s as though he hates me.” She released a ragged sigh. “Tonight was the first time in three weeks he’s spoken to me, and it was to tell me that if I didn’t marry you, he’d make my life hell.”

Without thinking, he reached out, his knuckle catching the solitary tear as it began to trail down her cheek. “I swear if you married me, I’d do everything I could to make sure you never regretted it.”

“And what about you? What if you regret it?”

He gave her a small smile, shaking his head. “I won’t regret it.”

She studied the rugged contours of Jake’s face limned by the light of a full moon. A lifetime. A lifetime with this man. To accept now that Brett wasn’t coming back or that if he did, it would be too late. To spend a lifetime gazing into velvet brown eyes instead of blue. To be greeted with a lopsided grin instead of a straight full smile. To live with a man willing to give so much and ask for so little. She swallowed her uncertainty, giving him a smile in its place.

“I’d be honored to become your wife and go with you to Texas.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure,” she said without hesitation.

He bestowed upon her his lopsided, endearing smile and extended his hand.

She slipped her hand into his rough, callused one, a hand that gentled the horses, a hand that might bring her child into this world. Stretching up, she placed a brief kiss on his cheek. “Meet me in the morning where you found me today and we’ll work out the details.”

Watching her stroll towards the house, Jake felt as though his heart would break out of his chest. That beautiful woman was going to be his wife.

Hearing the retching sounds as he dismounted, Jake headed for the bush where Rebecca was standing, feet braced apart, her body bent over at the waist.

“You all right?” he asked, concerned.

“Will be—” She gestured him away as another wave of nausea broke through bringing up the remainder of her breakfast. Taking three great gulps of air, she stood up as a canteen of water was thrust in front of her. Smiling, she took the cool water into her mouth, swishing it around before spitting it out. Then she faced Jake, who had broken out in a light film of sweat watching her.

“You should have left,” she said.

“Did you do this yesterday?”

She walked over to the tree and sat down. “And the day before that and the day before that.”

Jake dropped down beside her. She looked at him with woeful eyes.

“I don’t know how the human race continues. Having babies is no fun as far as I can tell. Growing up on a ranch, I’m used to birthing but I didn’t know about this. I’ve never seen a mare bring up her breakfast … or a dog … or a pig … or a chicken.”

Jake started laughing and she hit him on the arm. “It’s not funny.”

“I know.” He tried to stop laughing. “I’m real sorry you’re feeling poorly but … the world would be a mess if animals were throwing up all over the place.”

“But it’s not fair!”

“No, I reckon it’s not. Maybe it won’t last long.”

“It’s already lasted too long as far as I’m concerned.” Sighing, she leaned her head back, closing her eyes. “My father has our wedding set for a week from Saturday. I’d like to get married here if that’s all right with you.”

“We’ll do this however you want.”

She opened her eyes, fixing them on his. “My father isn’t going to be happy we’re leaving. I don’t want to tell him until we’re ready to go. And I want to leave the day after we’re married.”

That gave them ten days to get ready. “You sure you should be traveling?”

“If I weren’t used to riding, I’d worry. But I think as long as I don’t do anything I don’t normally do, I’ll be fine. I want to leave now.”

“I’ll have to get into town to get my money and some supplies. I could do that this Saturday.”

She leaned forward, resting her elbow on an upturned knee, the luster returning to her eyes. Lord, but he loved that sparkle in her blue eyes, like the sun reflecting off a mirrored lake.

“I have five hundred Herefords we can take with us. My contribution to the partnership. We can use the old line shack on the north side to store our things until we’re ready to go.”

“We’ll have to hire a few men to help us with the herd,” he said. “Guess I’d best start figuring up everything we’ll need.”

“Everything’s happening kind of fast, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Yep. But that’s probably for the best. We’d probably both run off in opposite directions if we stopped to think about it too long.”

He stood up, helping her to her feet. It was a warm day, the wind blowing across the sea of tall grasses, teasing the leaves in the majestic trees. And it occurred to Jake that they had just finished planning the beginning of their life together.

The men inside the bunkhouse were tittering like little old ladies, but Jake ignored them as he sat on his bunk trying to make a list of all the supplies they’d need. He could thank Thomas Truscott for his ability to read and write. As long as he had kept up on his chores, he had been allowed to attend the one-room schoolhouse that had serviced their community. Allowed—as if it were a privilege instead of a right that everyone should have.

He had left the Truscott ranch unprepared. He didn’t plan to leave this one the same way. He’d learned a lot in three years, and he intended to put all his knowledge to good use. He drew an unplanned line across the paper as his arm was roughly nudged.

“Did you know, Jake?”

He glanced up and smiled at Frank Lewis, the only person besides Reb he’d ever considered a true friend. The red-haired youth had been raised in the city. In search of adventure, he’d signed on at the Lazy A shortly after Jake had. Knowing how much experienced ranch hands liked to pick on city boys, Jake had taken it upon himself to teach Frank the things he’d need to know to survive life on a ranch.

“Know what?” He hadn’t been listening, and he really couldn’t have cared less, but he didn’t want to crush Frank’s excitement. Considering the fresh nicks on Frank’s face, he figured Frank was going to announce that he was having to shave every day now.

“Know about Reb getting married?”

He felt the heat warming his face and he just hoped the red creeping up it wasn’t visible. “Yeah, I knew.”

“Goddamn! So it is true! Goddamn! Reb getting married! Wonder who the lucky son-of-a-bitch is. Any idea, Jake?”

Along with shaving, Frank thought the use of “goddamn” was a sign of manhood. Jake refrained from smiling at his overabundant use of the word. Once would have sufficed to get his message across.

Jake hadn’t given any thought as to how he would tell people he was marrying Reb, and he wasn’t exactly sure how to tell Frank now without sounding as though he were bragging. He was given a momentary reprieve when the door to the bunkhouse opened.

“Jake!” Bassett’s bellowing voice filled the room.

Jake peered around Frank. “Yes, sir?”

“Anderson’s expecting you up at the house for supper at seven. Be on time, boy.”

“Yes, sir.”

Frank’s eyes widened. “Why’s Anderson having you up to the house for supper?”

Although Jake had told Frank about his plans to be a rancher, he’d never shared his past or his feelings for Reb with his friend. Self-consciously, he cleared his throat.“Reckon it’s because I’m the lucky son-of-a-bitch that’s marrying Reb.”

Frank’s eyes widened further, and Jake wondered how they managed to stay in his head. “Goddamn! Reb’s marrying you?”

Jake couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face. “Yep.”

Frank’s face fell and he looked like a mongrel pup that someone had just kicked out into the snow. “But what about your land in Texas?”

Jake threw a glance around the bunkhouse before motioning Frank closer. “We’re still going,” he said in a hushed tone. “Only now Reb’s going with us.”