The Cowboy's Gamble: Destined For Love Series (17 page)

Sarah reached for a cinnamon sugar cookie and nibbled on it. “You know, I always thought the feud between the two families was silly, really. I mean, a McAllister won a parcel of land from an O’Connor all those years ago. Certainly a McAllister shouldn’t be condemned for holding a winning hand.”

Josie managed a smile. “Well, there’s a lot of speculation about Grady McAllister cheating.”

“Bah! If he’d cheated, the land never would have been legally deeded to him.”

“True, but the O’Connor’s haven’t quite seen things that way.” Leaning back in her chair, Josie sipped her lemonade, enjoying Sarah’s company, as well as her understanding of the long-time feud. Why couldn’t the rest of the O’Connors be so reasonable? “It’s been a personal vendetta for over seventy-five years now. And with each generation, the bitterness just seems to get worse.”

“Maybe your marriage to Seth will put an end to the feud.” Sarah sounded hopeful.

“That all depends on Robert.” Taking into consideration that the man they were discussing was Sarah’s husband, she chose her next words carefully. “He’s not very fond of me or my family. And now that Seth has been forced to marry me, it’s only caused more friction between brothers.”

Sarah arched a brow. “‘Forced’ is a strong word.”

“Seth certainly wouldn’t have chosen me for a wife.”

“He didn’t look miserable to me.”

Sarah hadn’t been around the first couple of days, when misery had been the overall mood on the Golden M. “We’re working on a compromise.”

“That’s what a marriage is all about.” She paused for a few seconds, as if weighing the wisdom of interfering in Josie’s marital affairs, then forged ahead. “Seth is a good, honorable man, Josie, even if you believe otherwise. The kind of man that will stand by you in good and bad times.”

Josie thought back eleven years ago, when Seth
hadn’t
been so honorable. But at the beginning of their relationship he’d seemed the perfect gentleman, so sincere, and certainly noble in his pursuit. Her judgment of his character had failed her then, and her pride had taken a tremendous blow. Yet now, eleven years later, she saw the same gentlemanly traits in Seth, loyal, dependable characteristic she was beginning to believe in and trust.

She was beginning to feel so confused, about the past, the present, and certainly about Seth’s intentions.

“And if it makes you feel any better,” Sarah continued on, oblivious to Josie’s inner turmoil, “the problems between Robert and Seth go a lot deeper than just his marriage to you. But that’s something the two of them need to work out between themselves when the time is right.”

“And if that time never comes?” Josie asked hesitantly.

“Oh, I’m certain it will,” Sarah said confidently. “You see, I’ve been an impartial bystander in this rift between the O’Connors and McAllisters, and though I’m totally devoted to Robert, I’m not blind to his faults and weaknesses.” Her gaze traveled out to the stables where Seth and the kids had slipped into, as if seeking a certain person. “Over the years I’ve put a few pieces of an intriguing puzzle together, bits and pieces I’ve learned and overheard, and have come to a startling conclusion. Now, I’m waiting for someone else to realize the truth that’s staring him in the face.”

A shiver snaked down Josie’s spine, settling in her stomach like a rock. She was too stunned by Sarah’s profound statement to respond, but Josie’s mind registered the shocking knowledge that Sarah knew the truth she’d managed to kept a secret for ten long years.

“It’s just a matter of time, and a matter of trust, I suppose, before everything comes together,” Sarah said, glancing back at Josie with a sad smile on her face. “And when that realization comes, it’ll either tear the family apart for good, or it’ll finally put an end to a seventy five year old feud.”

“L
ast one to reach the creek has to do the dinner dishes tonight!” Kellie announced gleefully from atop her mare, Juliette.

Josie and Seth glanced at each other from astride their own horses, and Seth watched a playful twinkle enter his bride’s eyes that lit up her entire face.

She exchanged a mischievous look with Kellie and accepted the challenge, which put Seth into the competition, too. “You’re on!”

With a grin splitting her face from ear to ear, Kellie spurred Juliette across the green pasture and toward the shimmering stretch of water half a mile away. Josie was right behind her daughter, leaning low over her horse’s neck to gain maximum speed, leaving Seth to pull up the rear.

Not that he minded. Quite the contrary, while technically he’d be the loser of the race, he was winning in so many other ways. The view from behind was extremely alluring. Josie’s spine was straight from the way she bent over her mare, tapering into a curvy waist and a heart-shaped bottom snuggled in her saddle. But it was her glorious hair that captured his complete attention.

Ever since that day in the kitchen nearly a month ago when he’d commented on her leaving her hair down, she’d gradually modified the way she wore the long, wavy tresses, as if slowly, unconsciously, allowing herself to accommodate him, her husband. Leaving it unbound wasn’t always practical, but she didn’t always opt for a braid, either. Most of the time she clipped the mass behind her, at the base of her neck, so he could still finger the silken strands.

Today, she’d taken the hair around her face and secured it with a barrette on top of her head, leaving the rest to fall around her shoulders in a luxurious array of spiral curls. As she rode her mare, the wind whipped through the tresses, rippling the strands behind her like cinnamon fire and spun gold. Every night, she left her hair down as he requested, and he’d spend what seemed like endless hours running his fingers through the warmth and incredible softness, stroking those tresses until she fell into a deep slumber.

Her smiles and laughter were becoming a regular occurrence, too . . .like now, her throaty chuckles filled the air, wrapping around him and settling warmly in the pit of his belly. But there were times when she didn’t realize he was watching her that her expression reflected a heart-breaking sadness. He’d yet to figure out what bothered her so much. At one time, he wouldn’t have cared . . . but he was discovering that Josie’s happiness was somehow interlaced with his own. And when she was feeling gloomy, it hit him on a level that made him feel protective, and extremely possessive.

He was falling for Josie, his stubborn bride, hard and fast, despite all the turmoil of the past, and regardless of the fact that beyond the friendship they were forging she hated him for stealing away half of the Golden M and trapping her in a marriage she didn’t want. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about his growing feelings for Josie, except keep them tucked away so she couldn’t use those softening emotions to manipulate him. He didn’t like to think that history would repeat itself, but he wasn’t willing to take any chances and give her that power over him.

Kellie and Josie brought their mares to a smooth stop a few yards away from the creek. After sliding out of their saddles, they jogged to the edge of the water, both laughing and breathing hard from the ride and warm sunshine.

Kellie pointed at Seth and did a merry dance as he brought Lexi to a stop next to the other horses. “You’re the big loser,” she said jovially.

“Oh, yeah?” Dismounting Lexi in one fluid motion, he dropped the reins so the horse could graze and sprinted toward Kellie. She squealed in surprise and darted in the opposite direction, with Josie egging her on.

Seth caught her and gently tackled her to the soft grass. He tickled her with fast, sure fingers, unmerciful in his attack.

“Stop! Stop!” Kellie demanded around peals of laughter and gulps of breath.

Seth grinned and continued the playful torment, finding all the places that made her break into fits of giggles. “Who’s your favorite guy?”

“You are!” Kellie was forced to confess.

Satisfied with her admission, Seth stood and held out a hand to help her up. “And don’t you forget that, either,” he said with feigned gruffness.

“You’re a lightweight, Kellie,” Josie said with a grin. She still stood near the creek, enjoying the scene before her and making the mistake of thinking she was safe from Seth’s attention. “You gave up way too easily.”

“I had to say it!” Kellie pressed a hand to her aching side. “I was laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe!”

Seth stalked toward his bride, slow and predatory like. “Do you think I’m a loser, too, Josie?”

Casually, she inched away from the edge of the creek. A smile quirked the corner of her mouth, and her eyes shimmered sassily. “Oh, Absolutely.”

Like a lithe cat, he unexpectedly leapt toward her. Her eyes grew round in panic and she had just enough time to whirl away, but Seth was faster, and more agile. He caught her around the waist with a strong arm, but instead of tumbling her to the ground, he swept her up into his arms and strode purposefully back to the creek.

She gaped at him, her expression reflecting a mixture of disbelief and uncertainty. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“I’d dare just about anything, Josie, darlin’,” he drawled.

She squirmed in his embrace as they neared the crystal blue water. “You can’t be serious!”

A slow grin curved his lips. “I’m about as serious as that water is cold.”

She stiffened, sliding her arms around his neck as if to hold on for dear life. He couldn’t deny that she felt like heaven all snuggled against his chest.

“Seth!” she admonished.

He stopped at the edge and met her gaze. “Who’s your favorite guy?” he asked, his tone low and taunting.

Defiance sparked from her eyes. “Mac.”

He chuckled at her rebellious behavior. “Wrong answer. Try again.”

She closed her eyes for a brief second, as if it pained her to say the words. He prompted her by loosening his hold, just enough to make her suck in a panicked, outrageous breath and cling to him.

This time, her admission came swiftly. “You are! You are!”

“Do you mean it?” he murmured.

She glanced down at the glittering pool of water beneath her and obviously thought better of her answer. “Yes!”

Finally, he released her, letting her body slide down the length of his until her booted feet touched the ground. Keeping his hands secured on her hips, he angled his lips near her ear. “I’m gonna make you prove it later on.”

Her cheeks flushed a becoming shade of pink.

“Aw, Mom,” Kellie groaned in disappointment as she trudged over to the adults. “I can’t believe you gave in.”

Josie stepped around Seth, severing the contact between them. “I’m not in the mood for a swim.”

Seth shared a grin with Kellie. “Where’s your sense of adventure, bride?”

“I must have left it back at the house,” she retorted, and added under her breath, “And quit calling me that!”

He would, as soon as her status changed from bride, to wife. He used the endearment as a constant reminder that they’d yet to consummate their marriage, and she knew it, too.

He’d been patient the past month, giving her time to get used to him, and the thought of them being together intimately. He touched and kissed her at every opportunity, and it was getting more difficult to end the petting and caresses before they escalated beyond the point of no return. He took satisfaction in knowing that Josie was becoming just as restless as he was, and more often than not she initiated a kiss or touch of her own.

He was ready to make love to her, ready to make her his in every way a man longs to claim his woman, his bride. But it wouldn’t happen, not until Josie was ready, physically and emotionally.

Soon,
he thought.

While Josie spread a blanket beneath a nearby shade tree, and retrieved the knapsack tied to Lexi’s saddle, which held their picnic lunch, Seth taught Kellie to skip stones along the surface of the water. The three of them ate ham sandwiches, potato chips, cookies for dessert, and washed it all down with lemonade. Their conversation was lively and fun, and the hour passed languidly.

After the remnants of lunch were cleaned up, Kellie rolled up the hem of her pants to her knees and waded into the shallow end of the creek to pitch more stones. Josie relaxed against the trunk of the tree, legs stretched in front of her. Stomach full and feeling wonderfully relaxed, Seth removed his Stetson, reclined on his back, and rested his head in her lap. She appeared startled by his bold move, but she didn’t object, and gradually the tense muscles in her thighs eased.

Sighing contentedly, Seth smiled up at her. “I can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.”

“Yeah, me either,” she said softly, her gaze taking on that melancholy look he’d yet to understand. “My father and I used to take Kellie out for rides and picnics on Sundays when he was around . . .”

Her voice trailed off and she grew quiet. A faraway look touched her expression, and he finally realized what evoked such sadness in her at times. Her father’s absence.

“I hope he’s okay, wherever he is,” she said, more to herself than to him, he suspected.

Grabbing her hand, he placed it over the steady beating of his heart. The tender gesture was meant to comfort her and maybe show her, in his own simple way, that he did care. “Has he ever taken off before?”