The Great Texas Wedding Bargain (16 page)

A minute later, Megan got on the phone. “Is Mom okay with the plan?” Her voice was strained, filled with worry.

“Yeah. You won’t be able to see them for a few days, Megan. Okay?”

“Yes, I understand. I need to talk to her.”

“I’ll get her.”

He waited while Faith talked to her daughter. The only part Faith had had a problem with was Megan staying behind, in case Drake appeared. Rick had promised her he would protect Megan.

He would promise the same to Megan, if she’d speak to him.

Faith hung up the phone. “Torie’s choosing a few toys to take with her. Will you see if she’s ready while I get Drew?”

“Sure.”

In Torie’s room, he discovered all her toys piled on her bed. “What’s this?” he asked.

She spun around and raced to him, throwing her arms around his legs. “Don’t you love me anymore?”

He reached down and lifted the little girl into his arms. “Of course I love you. Why would you ask that?”

“Because Grandma said we have to go away,” she told him, her eyes sad.

“Just for a few days, sweetheart. To keep you safe.”

“But who will keep you safe? And Mommy?”

He’d already said too much. Faith hadn’t wanted to alarm Torie by mentioning her father.

“I’ll keep me and Mommy safe, I promise.”

“And Flower?”

“And Flower. And I’ll try to teach Flower not to have accidents while you’re gone.”

“I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with you and Mommy and Flower,” she pleaded, her little hands on each side of his face.

He kissed her chin and then buried his face in her sweet neck. “I know, baby, I know. But I promise it will just be for a day or two.” Or three or four. He hoped it wasn’t for long. As much as he loved Megan and wanted her to himself, he was discovering just how much he loved her family, too.

“Now,” he said, pulling back, “we’re supposed to pack a few toys.”

“I did,” Torie assured him, waving toward her bed.

He cleared his throat. “Little one, I think maybe Grandma should’ve explained what few means. That means only, uh, five toys.”

“How many is five?”

He held up one hand, his fingers spread out. “This many. And that’s all,” he said, trying to sound stern.

After some negotiating, he grabbed a suitcase from his closet and packed Torie’s choices. Then they joined Faith and Drew downstairs.

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded, her throat working, as if she would cry.

“It’s just for a few days, Faith. I promise.”

She nodded and tried to smile.

“Are you sad, too, Grandma?” Torie asked.

“Yes, but we’ll have fun, you know. Everything will be fine.”

“I know. Daddy said so.”

Torie’s faith in his word filled Rick’s heart. He hoped he never failed her. And he hoped she didn’t discuss her trust with Megan.

He delivered Faith and the children to the Baxters, receiving assurances from Mabel and her husband Ed that they’d keep his family safe.

Then he headed back to the house. He had some calls to make, hoping he’d find some more men to work on the ranch. His promise to himself to make it on his own was forgotten. He had a family to protect, and he intended to use every resource he had to do so.

Fortunately he had a lot of resources.

Only one question remained.

Had Megan remembered she’d be alone on the ranch with him since Faith and the children had left?

It had struck Megan that she’d be alone at the ranch with Rick when she got in the car after work. Until then, her mind had been full with the notion of Drake Moody’s possible appearance and the demands of her job.

She sat behind the wheel without starting the motor, staring into space. She’d tried to avoid thinking about Rick and his lies. But it had been impossible.

She’d counted herself lucky to find an honest man, an honorable man…and a man without wealth. Now she’d discovered he hadn’t been honest, which wasn’t honorable, and he had even more wealth than Drake.

And she was married to him.

In his defense, he’d never tried to manipulate her. He’d done his best to protect the children. And while he’d let her know he wanted her, she had been the one to initiate their lovemaking.

Wearily, she let out a long breath. So she couldn’t blame him for the mess she was in. For falling in love with a man she didn’t really know. For making their marriage real without taking the time to be sure.

And her anger wasn’t really with Rick. It was with herself. She’d made all those promises to herself, and she’d broken every one.

It was time to tell Rick the truth.

It was her fault that the marriage had gone as far as it had. She was sorry, she’d made a mistake. She’d give him a divorce as soon as he wanted it.

Without taking any money from him.

That had to be the reason he’d kept it all a secret. Like most people with money, he wanted to protect what was his.

She drove slowly home, wondering if Rick would continue the pretense long enough for her to get custody of the children. Or would he decide they weren’t worth the effort? After all, he could hire a housekeeper if he wanted.

Though she’d hoped he would be at work, and she could postpone their conversation for a little longer, she found him waiting at the backdoor when she got out of her car.

His gaze burned into her, causing shivers on her arms, as she approached.

“Hi. I made some lunch, if you’re hungry.”

She swallowed. Lunch. Even if she managed to eat anything, she wasn’t sure she could keep it down. “Um, thanks, but—”

“You didn’t eat breakfast. Your mother and the kids made me promise I’d take care of you.”

She avoided looking at him, but she couldn’t help poking fun at his words, just a little. “Yeah, I bet Drew was adamant that I eat lunch.”

Rick chuckled slightly, surprising her. “Yeah, he threatened to arm wrestle me.”

She looked at him, then, pleasure surging through her at his handsome face, a smile parting his lips. She looked away hurriedly.

“I’ll eat something,” she promised, going past him into the house.

He’d heated the leftovers from yesterday’s lunch and had it waiting on the table, two places nicely set. What a change from that first dinner at his house.

She laid her purse on the kitchen cabinet and sat down, immediately taking a long sip of tea. Her throat felt as dry as dust.

Sitting down across from her, Rick picked up a dish and offered it to her. She took a little corn, then salad and a biscuit. He put a slice of meatloaf on her plate.

“I can serve myself,” she insisted.

“I didn’t figure you’d take enough. I don’t want you passing out on me.”

She didn’t want that either. It would mean losing control.

“I talked to Mom before I left the office. She said the kids were settling in. Drew seemed to enjoy playing with Cal and Jessica’s little boy.”

“They’re about the same age, aren’t they?”

“Yes. Their son, Spence and Melanie’s son, and Alex and Tuck’s little girl were all born on the same day, Samantha and Mac’s wedding day.”

“Sounds like their wedding was even more exciting than ours.”

She didn’t want to talk about their wedding day.

Finally she couldn’t stand the silence any longer. “Rick—”

At the same time he began, “Megan—”

They both stopped and Megan risked a brief glance at his face. Then she quickly looked away.

“Megan, I owe you an apology.”

“No!” she protested vehemently, surprising him. “You don’t. We had an agreement. Your private life isn’t any of my business. We’ll stick to the agreement, that and nothing else. Unless you’re not willing to continue the bargain.”

“No! I mean—I want to continue—”

The phone rang.

She stood to go answer it and Rick caught her hand. “Let it ring. We need to—”

“No. It might be Mom.”

When she reached the phone, trying to breathe deeply, she discovered it wasn’t her mother, but Cal.

“Megan? I spread the word about anyone asking directions to the ranch. Leroy at the gas station called. A man just left after getting directions. I’m on my way, but I wanted you to be prepared in case it’s Moody.”

“Thanks, Cal.”

“Is Rick there with you?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, play it cool.”

“We will.”

She hung up the phone and stood there, one hand over her mouth.

She hadn’t heard Rick move, but suddenly he was there, his hands on her shoulders.

“What is it?”

“It was Cal. A man asked directions. Cal thinks it might be Drake. He’s on his way here.”

“Cal or Drake?”

With a burst of hysterical laughter, she said, “Both. Looks like we’re having company.”

He squeezed her shoulders, but she didn’t turn around. Finally, he muttered, “I’ll clear the table.”

At least he wasn’t urging her to eat anymore. Which would’ve been useless.

She fixed another pitcher of tea. Maybe the cool liquid would help them stay cool, as Cal had ordered.

They sat in silence, waiting, listening to the ticking of the clock. Conversation about the weather would’ve been impossible at that moment, much less the serious discussion they’d been having when Cal called.

Besides, what else was there to discuss? Then she remembered. She hadn’t told Rick she wouldn’t take any of his money. That would be important to him.

But she’d fix that omission as soon as Drake had been routed.

The sound of a car turning into the drive made her stiffen her shoulders. Rick got up and moved to the kitchen window.

“It’s Cal,” he murmured. “He must’ve driven pretty fast.”

He held open the backdoor as Cal approached. “Doing a little speeding?”

Cal grinned and said, “Police business.”

Megan hadn’t moved, and she didn’t acknowledge Cal’s arrival until he greeted her. Then she nodded.

“I passed him on the way, Megan. He’s a blonde, about mid-thirties. Does that sound right?”

“Yes,” she said with a sigh. “Torie got her blond hair from him.”

Another car turned into their drive and Megan closed her eyes. She wasn’t worried about her physical safety. Rick and Cal were big and strong. She knew they’d both protect her.

It was Drake’s ugliness, inside him, and the horrible memories he brought with him, that disturbed her. The regrets and anger for the waste of her sister’s life.

“He’s going to the front door,” Rick said. He started in that direction.

“I’ll answer the door,” Megan said, rising, calm settling over her.

Rick frowned at her. “No. There’s no need—”

“There’s every need,” Megan assured him. “I won’t have that man thinking I’m afraid of him.”

Cal nodded and rewarded Megan with a smile. “That-a-girl! Bullies like to smell fear. And we’ll be right behind you.”

“I know you will,” she told him, thanking him with her smile.

Rick held open the door and she passed by him just as the knock sounded. When she swung open the front door, girded for battle, the air suddenly rushed out of her.

“Mr. Astin, I’m a reporter from Austin. I wondered if I could have a few words with you?”

Megan stared at the man who had rushed into speech before any of them could speak.

It wasn’t Drake Moody.

That thought was all her mind could hold at the moment.

It wasn’t Drake Moody.

Then the realization hit her that she’d have to go through her fears until it
was
him. The worry and tension wouldn’t go away. Not yet.

Tears pooled in her eyes and she stumbled back, away from the door.

“Megan—” Rick called, reaching for her.

“Mr. Astin, please—” the reporter pleaded.

“You deal with him. I’ll see about Megan,” Cal told him and followed her as she hurried back to the kitchen.

R
ICK DIDN’T
want to deal with the reporter.

Hell!
Now that he’d been found, he was going to have to build a gate to keep them out. A posted gate, with an electric fence.

But most of all, he wanted to be at Megan’s side, supporting her, comforting her.

Instead, he had to talk to this stranger. But he knew better than to blow him off. He’d only come back again with others following him. He gave him five minutes of rapid-fire questions and answers, then showed him out.

When he entered the kitchen, he discovered Cal sitting in his place across from Megan, both of them having a glass of iced tea.

“Megan, are you all right?”

“Yes, of course.”

Her calm both pleased and irritated him. He’d wanted to be the one for her to lean on. “Okay, then how about eating your lunch.”

“You haven’t eaten yet?” Cal asked, lifting his eyebrows. “It’s almost two o’clock.”

“And she skipped breakfast,” Rick added.

“Fine!” she snapped. “I’ll eat lunch, but I’m not a child. You don’t have to hover over me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he agreed as he removed her plate from the refrigerator and put it in the microwave. “How about you, Cal? Can I interest you in a meatloaf sandwich?”

“Is it the meatloaf from yesterday?” the sheriff asked. At Rick’s nod, he said enthusiastically, “You bet.”

“You haven’t had lunch either?” Megan asked, surprised.

Cal looked sheepish. “Yeah, I have, but I’m still hungry.”

For the first time since Cal called, she smiled. “I’ve heard that line before.”

Rick fixed Cal’s sandwich and warmed up his own plate. Then he sat down beside Megan. He wanted to finish their discussion, to convince her things couldn’t be like they were. They couldn’t go back to an agreement, a bare, unemotional business arrangement.

Not when they’d shared a bed.

Not when he loved her.

Not when she and Faith and the children were his family.

Half an hour later, Cal left. Rick thanked him for the warning and for coming out. He promised to let Mac know what had happened, and to call if there were any more alarms.

After seeing him to the door, Rick shut it and turned to face Megan.

“I’ve finished,” she hurriedly said, standing to take her plate to the sink.

She’d eaten a little, but he wasn’t going to insist she eat any more. He was, however, going to insist that she not run away and hide, as it appeared she intended to do.

“Fine,” he said calmly, coming toward her. “Then we can continue our discussion.”

“I’ve finished our discussion. Except to tell you I won’t take any of your precious money. We’ll pay our way if you’ll let the marriage stand until the custody hearing. But we can move out, if that’s what you want.”

“You have no idea what I want.”

She lifted her chin at those words, her jaw squaring. Rick almost smiled at the sign that he’d riled her. Anything was better than that cold calmness she’d shown earlier.

“I think I do. You didn’t tell me about the money because you were afraid I’d ask for a settlement in the divorce.”

“I didn’t know there’d be a divorce when we made our agreement, did I?”

“No, but that’s why you didn’t say anything, isn’t it? You hadn’t told anyone in Cactus.”

“It wasn’t their business,” he assured her, taking a step closer, which he noted made her nervous.

“It isn’t mine, either. You’ve done me a favor, and I hope we’ve paid you back with good housekeeping. That’s all that’s involved.”

“I don’t think so. What about the other night?” He didn’t bother specifying which night. He knew they both would never forget it.

She licked her lips and looked away. Then, with the courage she’d already shown, she faced him. “That was a mistake, one that won’t be repeated.”

“A mistake? It was the most glorious night of my life,” he said softly, coming one step closer.

Pain lanced through her eyes and she closed them briefly.

“Megan, I love you. I wanted to tell you then, but I was a little distracted at the time. Afterward, you passed out on me. I didn’t want to wake you the next morning because you hadn’t gotten much sleep, but—”

“Please, Rick, this isn’t necessary. I told you I wouldn’t take your money. I’m not your ex-wife. I’m not going to sue for half your fortune.”

“You want my money, it’s yours.”

She almost screamed. “I told you I didn’t want it! Okay? Is that clear? Your money isn’t important to me!”

He grinned. “I know.”

“Then why do you keep offering it to me?” she demanded, irritation in her voice.

“Because it isn’t important to me, either.”

That silenced her. She didn’t even protest when he pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her for the first time since he’d loved her. He closed his eyes, savoring the feel of her.

Before he’d got his fill of holding her, as if he ever would, she pushed back. “But—”

“Do you remember someone saying money wasn’t important? It was what you could do with it that mattered? Do you remember all those ideas you had?”

She nodded, looking puzzled.

“Well, we can do all those things. And we can add on to the house, so there’s enough room for all of us…and any other children that come along. And we can be happy. If you’ll let us.”

“Me?”

“You. You’re the key to everything, Megan. I love you with all my heart. I want us to be together until the end of time. But I don’t want to force you. I don’t want to buy you. I want you to
choose
me. To commit yourself to me, as I’m committing myself to you.”

Megan leaned back and drew a deep breath. She’d come to the crossroads with an important choice to make. She’d promised herself she would never be in her sister’s shoes.