The Great Texas Wedding Bargain (13 page)

Megan’s eyebrows soared. What was Rick talking about?

“I’m sure she’ll tell you.”

But Megan wanted to hear, too. She waited, hoping Mac would ask questions.

Before he could, even Megan heard Louann through the phone, her voice at its highest level. But she was too far away from the phone for Megan to be able to distinguish words.
Darn it!

“Thanks,” Rick said, raising his voice, before hanging up the phone.

“What was she going to sue for? The ranch? And why?” Megan asked, worrying that Rick might lose the one thing he loved.

“I’ll tell you later,” he said, seemingly unconcerned. “We may need to take Mac and Samantha out to dinner one night to make up for unleashing Louann on him, though.”

“I’d enjoy that.”

“Yeah, it’d be our first date,” he said with a smile.

Megan stared at him in surprise. “But we’re married.”

“Yeah, I haven’t forgotten. It came in handy with Louann.” He bit a cookie in half.

“Well, I’m glad I could help!” Megan snapped.

M
EGAN WANTED ANSWERS
. She’d gotten over her irritation with Rick for his remark about how useful their marriage had been for him. After all, that was the purpose of their marriage. To be useful for both of them.

But he didn’t get to keep secrets.

He’d said later, and she’d had no choice but to wait. She couldn’t abandon the children. She had to finish up the cookies. Then there was dinner to prepare. Her mother had returned, eager to talk about her shopping trip.

But now all the chores were done, the children were in bed, her mother had retired to her bedroom with a new murder mystery she’d bought earlier. There was nothing to keep Rick from explaining.

Except that Rick, too, had retreated.

Megan headed up the stairs. Knocking on his door, she waited impatiently for him to answer.

“Megan! Is anything wrong?” he asked as he opened his door.

Why did he sound so surprised? Who else would be knocking on his door at eight-thirty? “No, nothing’s wrong, but you promised to explain about the lawsuit.”

He frowned and looked back over his shoulder.

“Do you have company?” she asked, feeling ridiculous.

“No, of course not. I was just working on something on the computer, but I’ll save it and work on it later. Just a minute.”

He didn’t ask her in, so Megan stood at the door, like a formal visitor. An unhappy formal visitor.

He returned to the door. “Want to go sit in the porch swing?”

“All right.” She turned and hurried down the stairs.

“You got any more cookies?” he asked as they reached the kitchen.

“You had cake after dinner.”

“Are you saying I’m getting fat?” he asked, patting his flat, hard stomach.

Exasperated, she opened the cookie jar and held it out to him. “No, of course not. I’m just wondering where you put it all.”

He grinned and helped himself to the cookies.

When they reached the back porch, the peaceful quiet of the night enveloped them. Rick sat and immediately put his arm on the back of the swing, curving it around her shoulders as Megan sat down.

She didn’t waste any time. “Now, tell me why Louann is suing you.”

“Thought about suing me, you mean.”

His smug look didn’t supply the answers she wanted. Jabbing him in the stomach, she said, “Tell me.”

“Ow! Okay, woman, if you’re going to torture me.”

She relaxed slightly. Obviously the situation wasn’t too serious, if he could tease about it.

“Actually, I owe Torie. She’s the one who routed Louann.”

“Torie?”

“It was Torie calling me Daddy. She thought we’d had an affair while I was married to her. She was going to sue me for being unfaithful.”

“But you would never—” Megan began and then halted. She didn’t know how she knew Rick would never break his wedding vows, but she did.

He leaned over and kissed her, a kiss not as brief as his earlier ones. More lingering. More sensual. More memorable. “Thanks, sweetheart, for the vote of confidence.”

“So…so Mac set her straight?”

“Yeah.” Then he kissed her again.

She reached up to push him away, but somehow, she lost track of her intention by the time her hand rested on his muscular chest. Instead, her fingers smoothed their way over his chest, feeling the warmth and strength of the man.

His arm curved tighter around her, and he re-slanted his lips over hers, taking the kiss deeper and deeper.

When he raised his head, he whispered, “I sure am glad I’m married to you, because I don’t think I could remain faithful to another woman with you in my arms.”

Megan fought her emotions for a week.

That night on the porch, in Rick’s arms, she’d almost forgotten the purpose for their marriage. The promises she’d made to herself about any man, even Rick.

She remembered the hunger she’d felt every time she got near him. The shivers that coursed through her when he’d touched her. The rightness that filled her when he’d kissed her.

There were a mass of contradictions that she didn’t know what to do. She found herself staring into space, losing track of time. She even burned dinner once. Her mother was horrified to serve such a meal to Rick.

When she got to the office on Monday afternoon, she greeted Samantha cheerfully, promising herself she’d keep her mind on her work today.

“Hi,” Samantha returned. “Mac wanted me to ask you if tonight would be good for the four of us to have dinner at The Last Roundup. It seems Rick promised him a dinner for dealing with the ex-wife.”

“Oh, yes, he did mention that. Tonight sounds fine for me. I’ll call Mom and let her know so she won’t cook a big meal.”

She also called Rick, warning him to come in earlier than usual. And then spent the rest of the afternoon trying to forget Rick’s comment about tonight being their first date.

As if he wanted to change their relationship.

His kisses had indicated the same thing.

When she got home, a little after six, she only had a half hour to get ready.

“Is Rick here yet?” she asked as she entered the kitchen.

Faith, feeding the children, said, “He just came in. I think he’s in the shower now. You want to use my bathroom downstairs?”

“Yes, thanks, Mom. And thanks for taking care of the little ones tonight.”

“You know you’ve given me time off, too.”

As Megan started to exit the kitchen, Faith stopped her.

“Um, Megan, do you remember the suit Rick wore when you went to Fort Worth?”

Megan frowned at the strange question. “Of course. It was a nice blue pinstripe.”

“I was putting away his shirts in his closet today and…I didn’t mean to pry, but my eye caught sight of the label.”

Megan shook her head impatiently. “What is it, Mom?”

“The label had the name Armani on it. Isn’t that a really expensive suit?”

“Yes. Yes, it is,” Megan agreed, remembering the disquiet she’d felt at the nice suit, the Rolex watch. The tux he owned.

Then she sighed with relief. “His wife, his ex-wife, that is, had a lot of money, I think. When she came here—”

“She came here? When? Why didn’t you tell me?” Faith asked, astonished.

“It was last Tuesday, Mom. A lot happened, but it wasn’t important. Anyway, she was wearing a designer suit and had lots of diamonds. She probably bought the suit for him. He also had a Rolex watch, but I’m pretty sure she bought it. He said it was a gift.”

“Oh, of course. I was surprised because he accepted our offer and—if he hadn’t needed money, he would’ve hired a housekeeper. Any man who loves to eat as much as Rick does would spend the money if he had it,” Faith finished, chuckling.

“You’re right. Now, I’ve got to hurry or I’ll keep everyone waiting.”

She did hurry through her shower, shampooing her hair, then rushing upstairs with it wet. She’d reviewed her wardrobe in her mind several times during the afternoon and settled on a royal-blue dress with a scooped neckline and a belt that emphasized her narrow waist.

It was ridiculous to be so nervous. She’d been living with Rick for several weeks. Tomorrow would be their two week anniversary, of their marriage.

But this was different. This was their first date.

And she could scarcely breathe from the excitement.

R
ICK SAT
at the kitchen table, watching Faith feed Drew and chatting with Torie.

“Megan hadn’t told me about your ex-wife coming. I hope there were no problems,” Faith said, looking at him briefly before turning her attention back to Drew.

Rick chuckled. “Ah, Faith, you missed a real show. My ex-wife is not a nice lady.”

“Sorry I missed it,” she told him with a similar chuckle.

“That’s why we’re going out tonight. I told Mac I owed him a dinner for sending the woman to him.”

“That bad, hmm?”

“The worst.”

“Must make my daughter look pretty good,” Faith said with a smile.

Rick paused. It would be easy to simply agree. But since that night on the porch, he knew he wasn’t going to walk away. If he could help it, there would be no divorce.

“Faith, no one could look better than Megan to me.”

He was relieved that she seemed pleased. She opened her mouth to say something, he didn’t know what, but she stopped when the kitchen door swung open.

Megan, in a lovely blue dress that made her eyes look huge, stood there, smiling.

He rose and crossed to her, catching her chin in his fingers. “You look beautiful,” he whispered, then covered her lips with his.

Torie squealed. “Me, too. Kiss me, too, Rick!”

He released Megan reluctantly. “What happened to calling me Daddy?” he asked.

“I forgot. Kiss me, too, Daddy!”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You two be good for Grandma, tonight, okay?”

“We will!” Torie assured him, beaming. “We’re going to watch videos.”

“Aha. Smart Grandma,” he said, winking at Faith. “Ready, sweetheart?” he asked Megan.

She nodded, still not speaking.

He took her hand and led her out the backdoor where he’d parked his truck.

They were halfway to the restaurant before he addressed her. “You haven’t said anything. Are you unhappy about having dinner with Mac and Sam? Because she’s your boss?”

“No, of course not. Samantha is wonderful.”

“Well, if you don’t object to them, it must be me.”

Her cheeks flamed, but she hurriedly reassured him. “Don’t be silly. It’s just…I’m nervous,” she confessed.

Rick gave her a sharp glance. “Why?”

“It’s different from being at home together.”

“Ah. You mean because this is our first date?” he asked, grinning, pleased to know she remembered his words.

“Yes, but that’s a ridiculous thought. We’re married, for heaven’s sake.”

“Yeah,” he agreed huskily. “But we’re still newlyweds, so why don’t you scoot over and use the middle seat belt.”

“No. We’re almost there.”

But he heard the tension in her voice, saw the sideways glance she gave him, and grinned. On the way home, he’d insist.

M
EGAN ENJOYED
the evening. She particularly laughed at Mac’s description of Louann charging into his office.

“But what did she expect to gain from it? I mean, she’s the one with the money, isn’t she?” she asked, looking at Rick.

He shrugged his shoulders. “She’s a mean, spiteful woman.”

“Then how did Mac convince her to drop it?”

Mac stepped in and answered. “My powerful arguments, my silver tongue, my persuasive voice…and the fact that I said she’d have to pay the legal costs if she failed.” Then he added, “In my humble opinion, some rich people are the stingiest I’ve ever met.”

“That’s terrible,” Megan protested. “Money isn’t important in itself. It’s what it can do. I mean, look at Dr. Greenfield’s wife. She sponsors those parenting classes for all the young people in the county. That can make a real difference to a child’s future.”

Rick didn’t know about the classes and asked several questions. They all agreed Florence’s classes were wonderful. Samantha had gone to them several evenings to offer her expertise.

“If you had money, what else would you do?” Rick asked Megan.

She shrugged her shoulders, then said, “I’d offer scholarships to students who reached a certain grade point in their high-school career. Maybe combine that requirement with public service. Or provide the local schools with computer equipment so the students have a chance in the real world at getting jobs.”

Samantha agreed enthusiastically. “Or how about free child care to young single mothers? They can’t make enough to afford good child care. It’s too expensive.”

“Yes, and there’s—”

The two women were off and running, with many ideas for improving the community.

Mac leaned across to Rick. “I think Megan should run for mayor. She’d do a heck of a job running the town.”

Megan overheard him. “No, I wouldn’t. Right now I have to concentrate on raising Torie and Drew. But maybe after they’re grown?” she suggested with a grin.

“But don’t you and Rick plan to have children?” Samantha asked, then turned bright red. “Oh! I’m sorry. I mean—you seem so natural together. I didn’t intend to—oh, I’m making a mess out of everything, aren’t I?” She hid her face on her husband’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, honey,” Mac assured her, grinning. “If they sue, I know a really good lawyer.”

She raised her head and slapped his arm, grinning. “Thanks a lot. I really am sorry.”

Megan graciously accepted the apology. Rick, on the other hand, put his arm around Megan and drawled, “Don’t give up on us, Samantha. We may surprise you yet.”

Megan’s cheeks burned and she avoided looking at anyone. How could Rick make such a remark? They hadn’t…it was their first date!

When she realized her ridiculous thought, she gave a prayer of gratitude that she hadn’t said the words aloud. They’d think she was crazy.

“Good for you,” Mac said with a laugh.

Suddenly, Jessica and Cal appeared at their table.

“Well, well, well,” Cal said. “Out partying and you didn’t invite us?”

Rick and Mac, in a convoluted dialogue, explained the reason behind the dinner and then invited Cal and Jessica to join them. Soon it was a party of six, instead of four.

Megan found herself relaxing. She forgot the problems with her niece and nephew. She forgot the confusion she felt about Rick. She felt carefree for the first time in a year, since before her sister’s death.

Finally, Rick called a halt to the evening. “Sorry to have to break this up, but I don’t have office hours like you guys. I have to get up early in the morning.”

“Ha! We’ve heard that before from Spence and Tuck,” Cal assured him, naming the friends with ranches near Rick’s. “You know, we need to have a barbecue soon. We haven’t had one since Alex and Tuck’s wedding.”

“That sounds great,” Samantha agreed. “But have it soon before I get too big to be seen in public.”

Everyone protested except Mac who leaned over to whisper something in his wife’s ear. She turned a bright red and slapped his arm again.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Cal teased. “They’re still acting like newlyweds.”

“Like you two are any different,” Mac protested.

Megan felt envy well up in her. One of the nicest things about moving to Cactus was making friends with these couples. And seeing the bliss of their marriages. She hadn’t really believed it was possible to have such happiness anymore.

Not after her sister’s disaster of a marriage.

Cal looked at her and Rick. “Of course, you two have an excuse.”

“What’s that?” Rick asked.

“You
are
newlyweds,” Cal pointed out with a laugh.

Rick assured them he hadn’t forgotten. Then he stood and pulled Megan to her feet, wrapping his arm around her.

She didn’t protest. After all, she knew he was posturing for his friends, for the reputation of their marriage. Besides, his arm felt too good around her.

When they left the restaurant, Jessica and Cal stayed behind so she could check on something in the kitchen. As owner, she kept close tabs on everything.

Mac and Samantha continued out of the restaurant with Rick and Megan.

“Uh, guys, I hate to end the evening on a bad note, but I do have something I need to discuss with you,” Mac said in a low voice as they went down the steps.

Megan spun around, her gaze anxious. Rick’s arm steadied her.

“What is it, Mac?” he asked, his voice serious.

“The P.I. I hired called late this afternoon. He hasn’t been able to find much on Moody. It’s common knowledge that his father has paid off a lot of people, but he can’t find anyone to talk.”

“But maybe he still can?” Megan asked, thinking the news wasn’t as dismal as she’d thought it might be.

“Maybe. But that’s not the bad news.”

They stood silently, waiting, braced for what Mac would say next.

“He heard there’s a possibility Moody may be released early.”

“How?” Rick demanded.

“It seems a certain judge pulled some strings.”

Megan’s hand covered her mouth, but not before everyone heard her moan. “How—how early?”

“In a week or two.”

“But he had another three months to serve!” she protested.

“I know. I’m sorry, Megan.”

She couldn’t say anything else. Biting her bottom lip to keep from crying, she nodded and turned to Rick’s truck. She had to get away.

Rick shook Mac’s hand, nodded to Samantha, and hurried after her. She slid into the front seat. Before she could close the door, he nudged her. “Sit in the middle. We need to talk.”

As an excuse, it was lame, but she felt so cold, so shaken, that closeness to Rick sounded just about perfect right now. She did as he ordered.

He slid in the truck and wrapped his right arm around her as he started the truck and backed out of the parking lot. Megan tried to remain calm, but she began shaking as reaction set in.

“Shh, baby, it’s all right,” he whispered before his lips touched her forehead.

“I’m frightened, Rick. He’s…he’ll make trouble.”

“We’ll protect the kids, sweetheart. We’re going to make this come out right, I promise.”

Megan loved his words. She appreciated his support. But she wasn’t sure she believed him. She and her mother had been fighting Drake Moody ever since they realized how he was treating Andrea. It had been an uphill battle.

Now it seemed as if they were facing a cliff.

No way out.

Tears filled her eyes, but she struggled not to let them escape. Torie’s sweet little face swam in her mind. Drew’s innocence filled her heart. She had to protect the children.

And Rick was willing to help.

She lay her head on his shoulder. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for being the opposite of Drake Moody.”