by Jill Sanders
Chapter Three
Lauren couldn't seem to breathe. She couldn't move either. She heard her sister's car drive away and her heart refused to slow down. How had she let it get this far? Finally, she blinked a few times then turned and started marching up the hill towards Tanner without glancing behind her. She heard him right behind her, but didn't stop to turn around since she didn't feel like arguing. All she wanted was to be left alone.
When she reached the shade of the tree, she turned on him and pointed at his chest. “Why are you here?”
“I told you that I would stop by and check up on the stock. Since I'm taking over for my—”
“No, why are you here?” She took a step closer to him and looked up into his eyes. “I've been paying you—”
“This has nothing to do with that.” He took her shoulders in his hands, gripping her tightly. She saw a flash of anger cross his face for a second, then it was gone. “I don't want your money.”
“Then what? Why? Are you planning on moving in?”
“Moving in?” He looked at her like she was crazy. “Why would I move in?”
“Because we're...” She just couldn't bring herself to say it. Closing her eyes, she held her breath.
“Married?” he suggested, and her eyes flew open.
“Technically, yes.” She tried to pull away.
He smiled. “I suppose I could call in the loan, so to speak. Move into the house and have you in my bed at night, but that would be going against my word.”
She let out a sigh of relief.
“But it has been a little cramped at my dad's place. Since you mention it, I suppose I could move into one of the hand's houses.”
She felt all the blood leave her head. She actually reached out to steady herself by holding onto Tanner's mane. The horse nuzzled his face into her chest, almost knocking her over. Chase reached over and took her shoulders to steady her.
“Is the possibility of me living on your land that scary?” He looked down into her eyes, waiting for an answer.
At least he'd said her land. She shook her head. How could she tell him that she didn't want anyone, mainly her sisters, to find out what she'd done seven years ago? What she'd had to do in order to save her land, her sisters, everything. It wasn't as if her decision had been a huge burden on her. At least it hadn't been up until now.
Seven years ago, it had been a different story. Chase had just received a scholarship to college in Dallas and was leaving Fairplay. There was a huge possibility that he wouldn't return for years, and at that point, she'd actually believed she could handle him when he did come home. Beside, she'd spent the last six years doing everything she could to pay him back, including working part time at the diner when she could pick up a shift. Now she only had a few more payments before she would have paid him off. Then she could have discreetly asked for a divorce, settling the matter once and for all. She hadn't planned on him coming home and moving into her ranch hand's house. On her land. Well, she thought, biting her lip, it is technically one-third his, still. It had been so since he'd used the inheritance he’d gotten from his grandmother to save her from her father's debt.
She had only agreed because he'd cornered her after the older men had left. His deal had sounded too good to pass up. He'd promised no interference with her methods of running the ranch, a promise she hadn’t gotten from his father and Mr. Holton. He'd also promised no interference with her personal life. Chase had made it all sound so easy. He’d said there was no need to pay him back, and she'd jumped at the chance to be free to run the ranch herself. But a year later, she'd had a change of heart and had started sending him checks to pay him back. He hadn't cashed them, so she'd started sending him money orders, which he had quickly returned. So she'd marched down to the local bank and had opened a joint checking and savings account. She only ever dealt with the bank manager, Mr. Billings, who promised to never mention a word to anyone about the account that was under the names Lauren A. and Johnathan Chase Graham II. She had started making monthly deposits and sent Chase receipts every month. She's been satisfied that she'd won the small battle as she marked off in her bank book how much she had left to pay back.
But now, she looked up into Chase's chocolate eyes and wondered if he too had had a change of heart. Maybe he wanted to come back and take over running the ranch? She blinked a few times and decided that would happen over her cold body. Straightening herself to her full height, she tried to brush off his arms, but he kept hold of her and actually started to pull her closer.
“I'm not afraid of you,” she said to reiterate her point. It didn't help that it came out as a whisper. He smiled slightly, showing her the dimple at the side of his mouth, then his hand came up and pushed away a strand of hair that had blown in her face. She felt herself start to shake and took a step back. She hadn't been touched like this since...well, since he'd kissed her on the day they'd signed the wedding license at the courthouse over seven years ago.
“Don't,” she said.
“Why? Do I make you nervous?” He was so close, she could see every long eyelash.
She shook her head. She was too out of breath to say anything else. Feeling her heart beating fast, she thought for just a moment that it would jump right out of her chest.
“Good.” He leaned down, slowly. If she had wanted to, she could have pulled away or stopped him with one word, but she didn't. Instead, her eyes slid shut as his mouth settled on hers.
She'd forgotten the feeling of being touched, of being kissed. Why had she waited so long in between? Then his arms slid around her and she forgot everything. All time and space stopped as he pressed his hard body next to hers. His hand was in her hair as her nails dug into his wide shoulders. Then his hand moved to her hip and pressed her closer to him and she let out a gasp as she felt his desire pressed close against her stomach.
Pulling back quickly, she took a step back. “I'm sorry. I need to...” She looked around for any excuse, any reason to escape.
“Lauren?” He looked at her, questions in his dark eyes.
“No.” She shook her head. “Don't. I don't…can't do this. I have too much on my mind right now.” She started pacing while ticking things off on her fingers. “First and foremost is the ranch, will always be the ranch. I have fences to mend, a barn that needs repair, not to mention the house.” She sighed and looked across the open field towards the old building. “So much needs to be done there. The roof leaks!” she blurted out and turned on him, feeling her head start to pound. “Then there's the cars. Don't get me started on the cars.” She dropped her arms and shook her head, feeling defeated. “I'm sorry.” She walked to the other side of Tanner and hopped up into the saddle in one quick movement. She'd forgotten about her incident with the barbed wire and when her backside hit the saddle, pain shot up her leg and she winced. “Do whatever you want. If you want to live in a dusty old rancher’s house, move in. You'll get no argument from me. The one closest to the creek is open. But I expect you to honor our original agreement. No interference in the ranch, or with my life.” She turned Tanner around and started back towards the house, then looked over her shoulder. “Oh, and Chase, if you mention our arrangement to anyone, you'll find yourself floating face down in the creek.” She turned around and lightly kicked Tanner's sides, sending the horse trotting towards the house. She thought she heard Chase laughing, but didn't stop to look back.
When she got to the barn, she gently slid off the horse. The back of her leg was on fire, but she walked Tanner to his stall and took her time brushing him down. Then she made sure he and the other horses had plenty of water and fresh hay. It was supposed to be the ranch hands’ job, but she enjoyed the simple task herself most days. Haley strolled in to the barn just when Lauren was done with the task. Her youngest sister always knew when the work was done.
“What happened to your pants?” Haley asked.
“I had a fight with the fence,” Lauren mumbled. “Fence won. I'm going to go showe
r and clean up.” She turned to walk out of the barn.
“I heard Chase Graham was here,” Haley called after her. Lauren stopped and looked over her shoulder at her sister. Haley had a smile on her face, but upon seeing Lauren's glare, she quickly turned and went on her way, giggling.
The cool shower did wonders to clear her head. She knew things were changing around the ranch. You couldn't be a rancher if you didn't expect changes, but the fact that Chase was part of those changes drove her nuts. Why did it have to be him?
She remembered he'd always been at church and school events as a kid. In the summer months, he'd tag along with his dad to help out with the animals. She'd grown up seeing him and had been around him all of her life. It wasn't until the summer that she was eleven and he was twelve that she'd first felt her heart skip upon seeing him. He'd been helping his dad give all the new calves their shots. It had been a scorcher of a day and he'd removed his shirt, something she'd seen him do a hundred times. This time was different. This time he had man muscles all over. His skin had been tan and when he'd lifted a calf up to hold it steady, his arms had flexed and she'd lost her breath.
She wondered what that chest would look like now, then decided to dip her head under the cold water to clear the image her mind had conjured up. Why couldn't he have stayed away for a few more years? Just until she could get out from under his debt?
Later that evening, she and her sisters were out on the back deck grilling some steaks for dinner when her friend Savannah drove up in her Jeep and parked next to Lauren’s truck. Savannah had been one of her best friends during grade school, but they'd grown apart when Savannah had started wearing makeup and chasing after boys. For her part, Lauren had been too busy helping raise her sisters and working on the ranch to deal with running boys.
Savannah had also become one of the largest gossipers in town and, shortly after her parents had sold the oil rights to their land in middle school, she'd become spoiled rotten. She still lived in the mansion her family had built on their land, drove the newest cars, dated only wealthy boys, and wore only the best clothes. Lauren had fallen far down on her list of friends, but she didn't mind. She just didn't have the time to be the kind of friend that Savannah demanded.
Savannah got out and waved to them as she walked up the stone pathway in her three-inch heels. Her handbag probably cost as much as Lauren's truck. The diamonds in her ears sparkled when she flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
“Oh, just what we need right now,” Alex said under her breath.
“Hush! Be nice to our guest,” Lauren whispered to her sister. Alex stuck out her tongue and crossed her arms over her chest just as Savannah walked onto the deck.
“Well, my goodness isn't this cozy.” She walked over and hugged Lauren, making sure to kiss each of her cheeks.
“Do you want some ice tea?” Lauren hugged her back, holding the tongs away from Savannah's bright white blouse.
“Oh, that would be lovely.” Savannah looked towards Alex, waiting.
“Alex, why don't you run inside and get our guest a glass of ice.” Lauren glared at Alex until her sister stood and walked slowly into the house without a word.
“Have a seat, Savannah.” She motioned towards the table, where there was a tall pitcher of tea and a bowl of salad. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”
“Oh, heavens, no. I don't eat meat anymore, remember?” Savannah sat in the chair and crossed her ankles. Lauren noted the small gold chain around her friend’s ankle, not to mention that her friend’s skirt was showing more leg then most of Lauren's swim suites did, but she kept her opinions to herself.
“That's right. I must have forgotten. How are your folks doing?”
Savannah looked bored. “Oh, they're the same. I was just out making runs trying to let everyone know about the charity ball we'll be holding at the end of next month at the Pine's Theater. It's for the animal shelter, just outside of town. I've always loved working with those poor creatures.”
“Wow, that's wonderful of you.” Lauren turned around and smiled at her friend. Ever since Savannah's family had come into money, they had started holding annual balls for one charity or another. Lauren thought it was a way for their family to rub it in the faces of everyone who had doubted them or criticized them for selling out to the large oil companies. The ball was less about raising funds for whatever cause they were trying to get behind and more about flaunting their wealth. But it always made for a good time and the town usually talked about it for months before and after the event.
Lauren remembered that Savannah had tried to work at the shelter once in high school. She'd gone a whole two days before getting fired. She couldn't keep a job for more than two weeks. Or a boyfriend, for that matter. Of course, she'd told everyone that she couldn't handle the smell of the place. “I'm sure it will be just as wonderful as last year’s ball.” Lauren walked over and sat at the table across from her and took a sip of her sweet tea.
Just then, Alex walked out carrying a large glass. When Lauren looked, her sister crossed her eyes behind Savannah's back. Savannah and Alex had never really gotten along. She supposed it all started in grade school when Lauren and Savannah had gotten into a little argument. The next day, Lauren had picked her sister to play with instead of Savannah. When Savannah had marched over and told Lauren she better play with her, Alex had stood up and told her that blood was thicker than friendship and that Lauren would always pick her over her friends.
Since that day, the two of them always kept their claws at bay, but let their tongues do all the lashing. Lauren had been caught in the middle of a cat war and, so far, she'd managed to keep the peace.
“Yes, well. I'm determined to make it even better this year.” Her friend’s smile got really big. “I'm trying to get the Roy Carson Band. They're going to be in Tyler next month, and I'm just sure they'll be happy to play once they hear it's for a worthy cause.”
“Wow, another ball,” Alex piped in, earning a stern look from both Lauren and Haley, who had so far kept quiet. “I just can't wait.” Alex's smile got really big, but her sarcasm didn't go unnoticed. Lauren kicked her sister under the table.
Savannah's smile didn't waver. “Speaking of animals, I hear Chase Graham is back in town. Didn't you two used to date?” She looked at Lauren who suddenly started choking on her tea. Finally, after she could breathe again, she shook her head.
“Date? No, Chase and I never really dated. We went out a few times, but you couldn't really call it dating.”
“Oh, well.” Savannah frowned a little. “I ran into him at the market this morning. That's why I decided to swing by and see you. I thought you ought to know.” Then her smile was back. “He sure does know how to compliment a woman, doesn't he?” She fluffed her blonde hair. Savannah didn't believe in doing anything small. Her hair was what Alex always called Texas tall. Her shirt had so many sparkles on it, the sun flashed every time she moved. Not to mention the boulder-sized diamond earrings, necklace, and rings she wore. It was rumored that she'd had a breast enhancement in high school, although she’d already been blessed with D's at the time. Now they were the first thing most people noticed about her.
“Well, you are real pretty today in that outfit.” Lauren hid the jealousy that had begun raging inside. If this was the kind of woman Chase liked, why was he kissing her in her field?
“Why, thank you. I just threw this on. Trying to drum up donations for the ball, I figured I might as well look pretty. Oh, I almost forgot.” Savannah looked down at her manicured fingernails. “I was hoping you'd volunteer and help me out. I need someone to help sell tickets and I was hoping you'd talk Jamella into letting you put up a flier and sell some tickets at the diner.” Savannah fanned herself.
“I'll ask. Do you—” she started.
“Wonderful!” Savannah reached into her purse and pulled out a stack of small folded fliers. “I was hoping you'd say ‘yes.’ Now, if you need more, I'd be happy to get you s
ome.”
Lauren looked down at the fliers. There was a picture of Savannah and her white Pekingese dog on the front wearing matching tiaras. Savannah prided herself on being the town's beauty queen. She always rode center stage in the town's parades and had on several occasions been named Fairplay's Princess.
“Anyway, I better get back.” She sighed and then stood. Lauren followed her to the edge of the deck.
“I'm so glad you stopped by.” Lauren stood on the steps above her.
Savannah turned and hugged her. “Oh, me too. We simply must do lunch sometime.”
“Sounds good. Drive safe.” Lauren watched Savannah get in her white Jeep and drive away, slowly going over the dips and rivets in the long dirt drive.
“Thank god. Can you believe how much makeup she had on?” Alex leaned back and sighed.
Lauren turned and glared at her sister.
“No more than you wear on any date with Travis,” Haley said. Alex glared at her little sister. Lauren started laughing and Haley followed. Soon after, Alex was joining in.
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