“Yeah, Devil’s Way did his best to kill me: head-butted me, knocked me down, stomped on my chest and legs. But don’t fret, darlin’, nothing important was damaged.” He smiled, wickedly.
Amanda wagged her finger at Jeremy, ignoring the reference to his lower anatomy. “I forbid you to saddle up any animal if the word ‘Devil’ is part of its name. That brute could have killed you.”
“Yes, ma’am. No more riding ‘Devil’ animals. But my livelihood centers on breeding bucking stock for rodeos. How will I judge if an animal is ready for work?” Jeremy grimaced as he shifted position in the bed again.
“Hire someone to test them for you.”
“These animals aren’t like a truck. I can’t just say, ‘hop aboard and tell me how he rides’.” Jeremy attempted a lopsided grin while one finger dabbed at his injured lip.
Doctor Crosby strode into the room. “Three, has his attitude improved now that he’s got some grub in him?”
“Yes, I believe it has.” Amanda smiled.
“Well, I’ll be sending this big fellow home in the morning. But he’ll require two weeks of rest before he’s going to be much good for anything. No ranch work, no riding a horse, no sports on a field or in a bedroom, if you catch my drift.”
Amanda blushed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The doctor chuckled and scribbled on Jeremy’s chart. “Well, Three, Mr. Branigan here needs to let those bruises heal. The x-ray didn’t reveal any broken bones, and being so physically fit saved his ribs from that horse.”
“When I saw that horse stomping on him, I was certain he’d be dead.” Amanda blinked back tears.
The doctor patted Jeremy’s leg. “You’re a lucky son-of-a-gun, Jeremy. If you require stronger painkillers during the night, just ask the nurse. But you should be fine. I’ll write up a prescription for pain meds and antibiotics before you leave tomorrow. Your family and this pretty little gal can provide the TLC.”
“Thank you again, Doctor Crosby.” Amanda touched the doctor’s arm. “I understand he isn’t the most co-operative patient.”
“Had lots worse, Three.” He tucked the chart under his arm. “Take care of yourself. Don’t stay too late. You need your rest, too.”
“Okay, Doctor, why are you calling her Three?” Jeremy glanced at the physician and then met Amanda’s eyes. Suddenly, his face paled. “Oh Christ! Are you having twins, too?”
Amanda started to explain, but Jeremy cut her off.
“Dang it woman! Are you keeping secrets from us like Catherine did? One baby is bad enough, but there is no way you are raising twins alone. I won’t allow it. We’re getting married as soon as I’m sprung from this hospital and we can put together a simple wedding.” Jeremy sat up in the bed, grimacing in pain and holding his chest.
“I am not having twins!” Amanda’s hands fisted at her sides and she glared at Jeremy. If he wasn’t already bruised from head to foot, she’d add a few more. “If that was intended as a proposal, it was the sorriest excuse for one I’ve ever heard.”
Amanda turned and stomped out of the room.
Doctor Crosby hid a smile behind his hands. He then proceeded to explain the three percent failure rate for condoms that resulted in the nickname. “She’s not having twins, Jeremy. But she’s right. That proposal sucked.”
Jeremy eased himself back onto the pillows behind him. “Perhaps I should work on my proposal technique before attempting one again. But she didn’t flat out say no.”
****
On Tuesday afternoon, Jeremy returned to the ranch. Rosalie clucked over him like a mother hen seeing to his every need and then some.
For the next ten days, he tolerated the TLC without complaint, but by Friday morning of the week following the accident, Jeremy rebelled. He dressed in a work shirt, jeans and boots and headed down to the barn where he stood around most of the day checking out the Lazy B horse breeding and training operations.
The staff had capably handled every detail in his absence, and Jeremy felt borderline obsolete. If there wasn’t the possibility of an extensive absence in the form of a honeymoon on the horizon, he’d be concerned. If he finally got Amanda to the altar, however, he wouldn’t worry about leaving his bucking horses in the staff’s care.
By six o’clock Jeremy had returned to the house, showered, shaved and dressed for a Friday night out on the town.
“Rosalie, please help me with the damn thing.” Jeremy thrust the silk necktie into the housekeeper’s hands.
“You’re wearing your good suit and a white shirt.” Rosalie wrapped the tie around Jeremy’s neck, tied it to her satisfaction, and stood hands on hips. “Big plans tonight? Or did someone die?”
Jeremy ignored Rosalie’s joke and avoided meeting her eyes. He couldn’t get anything past the woman so best to avoid further questioning. “I’ve got a nice evening planned. Thanks for the help.”
****
Amanda sang along with the radio on the way home from work. Betty Pringle had dropped into the bank after her final court appearance today to apologize for her horrible behavior the day Adam Medicine Crow arrested her. And she wanted to share her news.
The judge had gone easy on Miss Pringle who’d placed her house on the market to make restitution at the bank. Betty looked forward to carefree apartment living, and she intended to fulfill the two hundred hours of community service she’d been given by volunteering to tutor math students at the school.
Walter had a surprise retirement party in the works for her.
Amanda opened the back door and walked into the kitchen in time to catch a glimpse of Jeremy disappearing into the dining room.
“Was he wearing a suit and tie?” asked Amanda.
“He told me he’s planning a nice evening.” Rosalie shook her head. “Probably has a date.”
Amanda’s breath caught. A flash of jealousy stabbed her heart. She didn’t want Jeremy dating anyone but her. If he’d written her off and decided to return to his freewheeling bachelor ways, she had no one to blame but herself. She’d stormed out of his hospital room, scoffed at his lame attempt at a proposal. But a proposal worded in the form of an order and a foregone conclusion didn’t cut it with her. She’d rather remain single. Or so her pride told her. Her heart hadn’t received the memo, however. She’d avoided Jeremy for over a week and cried herself to sleep every night in the process.
Amanda wandered into the front entryway intending to escape to her room for a nice warm shower and to change into weekend clothes. As she set her foot on the bottom stair, Jeremy appeared in the hallway. “Hello, darlin’.”
“Hello yourself.” Amanda started up the stairs. They’d avoided each other since the day she stomped out of the hospital after he’d ordered her to marry him. She noticed that most of the bruising had disappeared from his face and the cut on his lip looked better. He walked without flinching and his cheerful demeanor had returned. His recovery was a good thing, even though he’d ignored her for the past ten days.
“Off to town to meet the ladies.”
“I just bet you are,” mumbled Amanda.
“Care to come along?”
“Hardly.”
“Suit yourself, darlin’. See you later.” Jeremy sailed out the front door.
Amanda stomped upstairs. Damn him anyway for making her fall in love with him, for allowing her mind to believe marriage and raising a child with him might be possible. She’d been right all along. He didn’t love her. Amanda Bailey and her baby just temporarily inconvenienced his social life. Once she returned to Helena, Jeremy Branigan would soon be asking folks, Amanda who?
She spent a half hour in the shower, allowing the water to pummel her body. Jeremy’s heartless announcement that he was ‘meeting the ladies’ had pierced her heart like a dagger. The hot shower revived her aching muscles after a busy day at work, but the steamy stream of water couldn’t penetrate the ache in her heart.
Amanda changed into gray wool slacks and a white cashmere swea
ter and slipped into a pair of black flats. Having learned that sometimes less was more where her curly locks were concerned, she worked styling gel into her hair and left it to dry naturally. She reapplied lip gloss and mascara and headed downstairs.
The doorbell rang just as Amanda arrived at the bottom of the staircase on her way to the kitchen. She’d intended to inquire if Rosalie needed any help with dinner or if Catherine needed help with the twins. She swung the door open. A limo driver, dressed in full uniform and holding his cap in his hand, stood before her.
“Good evening, ma’am.” He offered her a radiant smile. “I’m looking for Amanda Bailey.”
“That’s me.”
The driver nodded, placed his cap on his head, and offered her his arm. “Please accompany me to town, Miss Bailey.”
“What?”
“My instructions are to pick up Amanda Bailey at the Lazy B Ranch at six thirty and chauffeur her into Bandit Creek. I’m not at liberty yet to divulge our ultimate destination.” The driver stood, expectantly, still offering her his arm.
“I…I don’t know…” stammered Amanda.
Catherine appeared in the hallway and headed toward her. “Who’s at the door?”
“A limo driver, claiming he’s here to drive me into town.” Amanda glared at Catherine. “Do you know anything about this?”
Catherine raised her hands. “Don’t know a thing. Why would a limo driver be picking you up? Where is he taking you?”
“He can’t divulge our destination,” Amanda answered snidely. “What do you make of this?”
“No one has ever sent a limo to pick me up. I’d just go with it.” Catherine gently pushed Amanda out the door and closed it before Amanda realized what had happened.
“Shall we leave now, ma’am?” The driver walked Amanda down the veranda steps. “I wouldn’t want to keep my party waiting.”
“We’re going to a party?” Amanda stopped in her tracks. “Should I change my clothes?”
“No, ma’am. I meant I don’t want to keep the person who hired me waiting.” The driver opened the back door and helped Amanda inside. “There’s sparkling water and soda available. Help yourself.”
Amanda settled into the luxurious leather seat. Whoever hired the limo knew she couldn’t drink champagne, the traditional beverage offered during a limo ride. Jeremy had headed out to pursue an evening with his floozies and that only left Arthur. Would Arthur hire a limo to surprise her for dinner at a restaurant or something? To what end? Her birthday was months away. What on earth was going on here?
“To heck with it. Go with the flow, Amanda, and just enjoy yourself.” She poured a glass of sparkling water, slipped her shoes off, tucked her feet under her and slouched on the seat. I could get used to this, she thought. She chuckled to herself. Do you suppose the driver would pick her up and drive her to work every morning?
When the limo braked and stopped, Amanda peeked out the window. She immediately recognized their destination. The vehicle had parked outside the New Golden Nugget Hotel.
The driver opened the door. “Allow me to help you out, ma’am.”
Amanda slipped her shoes on and exited the limo. “Thank you, sir.”
“My instructions are to relate a simple request. Would you kindly take the stairs to the third floor, and then knock on the door to Room 303.” The driver doffed his cap, strode around to the driver’s door, climbed inside, and drove away.
Amanda stood on the sidewalk, open-mouthed. Room 303. The room she’d called home when she first arrived in town.
After a minute, Amanda found her legs, walked into the hotel and took the stairs to the third floor as requested. She quietly knocked on the door to Room 303, and it opened immediately. Jeremy stood smiling, holding two champagne flutes in his hand. “Come in, darlin’. Here, I’ve poured some sparkling cider for a toast.”
Amanda stumbled through the doorway while her hand automatically reached for the glass he’d offered her. And then she noticed the loveseat by the window had been removed. Instead, there sat a round table covered with a white linen tablecloth, set for two with the hotel’s china, silverware, and sparkling crystal stemware. An arrangement of red roses served as a centerpiece flanked by lit white tapers that flickered and provided a mesmerizing glow throughout the room.
“What are we toasting?”
“Doctor Crosby proclaimed me fit to work again.” Jeremy clinked glasses with her, and then sipped.
Amanda followed suit. “This seems a little over the top just to celebrate…”
A loud knock at the door interrupted her.
“Hold that thought, darlin’. I believe dinner just arrived.” Jeremy swung the door open wide and two white-haired ladies entered rolling a food cart along between them. “Well, here come my ladies now. I’ve been waiting for you two darlings.”
“Jeremy, you’re a silver-tongued scallywag. If only I was forty years younger.” One of the ladies chuckled, her blue eyes sparkling. She wore an apron over a navy dress and her curly white hair was covered with a hairnet.
“Ida, you wouldn’t know what to do with a handsome young fellow like him, forty years younger or not.” The other gal gently swatted Ida’s arm. She wore an apron over a white blouse and black skirt. And her locks were contained in a hairnet as well.
“Ladies, are you fighting over me? My date for the evening is present. Please, ladies, you’re embarrassing me.” Jeremy glanced over at Amanda and winked.
“Don’t listen to the likes of him, Miss Bailey. He’d flirt with a tree stump for the sport of it.” The ladies headed for the door and then smiled at Jeremy, adoringly. “Enjoy your dinner, Miss Bailey.”
“Thank you, ladies,” called Amanda as the elderly duo closed the door. She turned on Jeremy. “I’m off to meet the ladies? Are those the ladies you were referring to at the ranch?”
“Could be,” mumbled Jeremy, unable to contain his grin. “Those gals are almost eighty if they’re a day, and they’re the two best cooks in town. I arranged with Miss Elsie to allow them into her hotel kitchen to prepare a special meal for us. Sit down. Let’s eat before it gets cold. I’m starving.”
“Whatever they prepared, it smells divine.” Amanda slid onto the chair Jeremy held for her. “What did you order?”
“We’ll start with the salad.” Jeremy placed a covered tray before Amanda. “Let’s eat.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” said Amanda, smiling. She lifted the metal cover and gasped. “Oh, my, God!”
An enormous diamond ring, probably two carats at least, sat atop a single butternut lettuce leaf.
Jeremy removed the metal cover from her hand and then dropped to one knee. “In the hospital you informed me that I’d offered the worst proposal imaginable. I’m hoping this proposal rates a tad higher in your opinion, and I’m wording it as a request not an order. We’ve known each other a very short time, but I love you more than you’ll ever know, Amanda. I’d be honored if you’d become my wife.”
“I love you so very much, Jeremy. Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.” Amanda blinked back tears as he slipped the beautiful ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.
A cacophony of cheering and shouting drifted through the door to their ears. Amanda smiled. “Your old darlings were eavesdropping.”
Jeremy chuckled. “I’ll give it ten minutes, and half the town will know we’re engaged.”
“I don’t care. Sometimes small town gossips relay wonderful news to the masses. And this is the best news ever.” Amanda hugged Jeremy’s neck. “Are those lips recovered enough for kissing?”
“I don’t care if they are or not. Kiss me!” Jeremy lifted her to her feet and wrapped her in his arms. The kiss lasted for an eternity. Finally, he came up for air. “We’d better eat this meal, or face the wrath of Ida and Mary. It wouldn’t be pretty.”
Amanda smiled, recalling her bet with Arthur that he didn’t love her. “By the way, I owe your father ten dollars.”
While Jeremy uncover
ed the plates and set them on the table, Amanda considered all that had happened since her first night spent in Room 303 at the New Golden Nugget Hotel.
Miraculously, she’d conceived a baby in this very room. She hadn’t experienced even a hint of trouble with the pregnancy. She made a mental note to call her parents tomorrow and tell them about the engagement. And especially surprise them with the news they were going to be grandparents again.
She’d made so many friends since arriving in town, including Missy Gibson. The war widow forgave Amanda for letting her secret slip in front of Lucy one evening over a cup of tea at Ma’s Kitchen. The news spread like wildfire, of course, and the entire town rallied around Missy, wishing her the best of luck with the precious piece of Gary she was growing under her heart. Amanda adored Catherine, and they’d become such good friends. The twins, and Missy’s baby, and her child would all grow up together in Bandit Creek, and perhaps the children would become good friends like their mothers.
Best of all Amanda had fallen in love with the man she intended to spend the rest of her days with, a life partner who loved her, too. The greatest miracle was the former big-city girl looked forward to marrying Jeremy and living on the Lazy B Ranch with him and their little sixth generation miracle for the rest of her life.
The End
Turn the page for an exciting glimpse of the next Bandit Creek book, TWICE SHY by Jill Christie, coming June 1, 2012...
WARNING: Twice Shy is rated 5 Bandits. Explicit sexual content and/or violence. Sexual content may contain subject matter that some readers may consider objectionable, including BDSM and/or multiple partners.
Twice Shy by Jill Christie
Chapter One
The weathered 'Bandit Creek Welcomes You' appeared. Stacy wished she had a shotgun to blow it away. Westcott noticed her tension even though his eyes were searching for the exit.
“It’s all good, lovey.”
Stacy slanted a frown at West and raised an eyebrow. He chuckled, knowing she hated the phrase. Realized annoying her would lessen her unease.
A Bandit Creek Miracle Page 12
