Protecting The Colton Bride

by Elle James

  Daniel sipped his soup and played the part of the doting newlywed. Soon the soup dishes were cleared and replaced with plates laden with shrimp scampi smothered in garlic sauce, lobster tails dripping with butter and lush green spears of asparagus.

  “Your father has officially retired as CEO of Talbot Enterprises,” Megan’s mother announced. “He will remain on the board of directors for at least a year until he decides what he wants to do with it after that.”

  Megan’s gaze shot to her father. “I can’t imagine you letting anyone else run the company you built from the ground up.”

  Her father nodded. “Neither could I until my health took a nosedive. I’d rather putter around on the Triple Diamond than spend every waking hour worrying about my business. Perhaps I’ll sell it and be completely done with it.”

  Megan frowned. “I thought you had the cancer licked.”

  Her father nodded. “For now. But you never know. I didn’t want to die with too many regrets.”

  Her mother sighed. “He’s taking me on that trip to Europe I always wanted to go on.”

  “But you’ve been to Europe many times,” Megan said.

  “On business,” Frank corrected her. “Your mother was always good to come along and keep me company.”

  “We never went to explore or enjoy the culture. I was left to wander around on my own. This time your father is going to take me. No phones. No laptops. No business associates. Just the two of us.” She smiled at her husband. “Like the honeymoon we never had.”

  “How very sweet,” Christine said. “A toast to the honeymooners.” She lifted her glass.

  Megan, Daniel and Josh lifted their glasses to her parents.

  The look her parents exchanged was one Megan had seldom seen in all the time she’d lived under their roof. Love shone from their eyes, and it warmed Megan’s heart.

  “Well, I’m glad,” Megan said. “I always thought you spent too much time at work.”

  Her father nodded. “I should have spent more time with you and your mother. I realize that now. I should have been there for your mother more than I was.”

  Her mother smiled. “We’re going to make up for lost time.”

  “That’s right.” Her father clapped his hands together. “Don’t be surprised if we spend all of your inheritance in the meantime.” Then his brows dipped. “But don’t worry. We’ll keep the Triple Diamond, and it will be yours when your mother and I are gone. You can keep it or sell it. Now that you’re married and living in Oklahoma, you might not want the responsibility of owning a ranch in California.”

  “I would rather you spent all the money you earned. It’s yours and Mother’s. I’ll make my own.”

  Her father’s chest puffed out. “That’s my girl.”

  “And I’ll just have to get used to the fact you’re working with large animals.” Her mother bit her lip. “But please be careful. You are our only child, and we want grandchildren. Lots of grandchildren.”

  Megan’s cheeks heated. “Mother, we only just got married.”

  Frank nodded from Daniel to Megan. “Of course. But I hope you will at least consider having children.”

  “We wanted more.” Her mother’s eyes glazed with moisture. “We were lucky to have Megan. I always wanted grandchildren. Do you two plan on having children?”

  Megan shrugged, her gaze going to Daniel. “We haven’t thought past our wedding.” She didn’t even know if Daniel liked children.

  “Do you like children, Daniel?” her father asked.

  Megan cringed for the man. He’d volunteered to marry her to save her beloved horses. Now he was stuck in an interrogation about his views on children.

  “I love children and hope to have half a dozen. You see, I grew up with my half brothers and half sister. I can’t imagine my life without them now.”

  Her mother let out the breath she’d been holding in a nervous laugh. “Thank goodness.” A smile spread across her face. “You two seem perfect for each other. Any child would be lucky to have you as parents.”

  Her heart ached at the joy in her mother’s face. Guilt sat like a lead weight in the pit of Megan’s belly. The lies they were telling her parents would eventually have to be unraveled into disappointment when she and Daniel announced their divorce. Those grandchildren they so desperately wanted would not happen with Daniel. And at the rate Megan was going with doomed relationships, they’d never have those grandchildren.

  Perhaps she’d overreacted to her father’s threat to sell her horses. Unfortunately the damage had been done, and now she had to continue the lie or further distress her parents. And with her father just pushing past the danger of cancer, the truth might set him back on his road to recovery.

  “Do you two see yourselves moving to California to take over the Triple Diamond Ranch?” Josh asked and popped a bite of shrimp into his mouth.

  “Not anytime soon.” Megan looked from her mother to her father. “I’m learning so much at the Lucky C Ranch. As long as Daniel will let me, I plan on working with his horse-breeding program.”

  “Oh, darling.” Her mother reached out to touch her arm. “I hope you will reconsider when you become pregnant.”

  “Josephine, leave her alone. She’s a smart woman, and I’m sure she wouldn’t put a child of her own in harm’s way.”

  Her mother nodded. “Of course.”

  Megan could sense her mother wanted to say more, but she didn’t. After what her father had revealed in the barn that day, Megan could understand better her mother’s overprotectiveness and desire to wrap her only daughter in a protective cocoon.

  She wished she’d known this sooner. Knowing wouldn’t have made her quit riding horses or sneaking out her window. But it might have made her less inclined to accept Chase’s proposal to punish her parents for their stranglehold on her life.

  Megan turned to her cousin, shifting the focus off her and Daniel. “So, when is the big day for the two of you?”

  Christine blushed. “We haven’t actually set a date. I’d like to be married at Christmas. I’ve always liked the idea of a snowy setting.”

  “Perhaps we’ll be as spontaneous as you and Daniel and elope. Tahoe, perhaps?” Josh smiled at Christine. “A winter wedding at Tahoe.” He reached for her hand and raised it to kiss her knuckles.

  Christine’s eyes glowed. “I’d love that.”

  “That would be nice,” Megan’s mother said. “I would have enjoyed throwing a huge wedding for Megan, but I shall be content as long as she promises me some grandchildren.”

  “Mother.” Megan shook her head.

  “I know. I know.” Her mother grinned. “Shall we adjourn to the patio? I can have coffee served there. It’s supposed to be a clear night.”

  Megan pushed to her feet. “That sounds great.”

  Josh stood. “If you don’t mind, I have a few phone calls to make, and then I’ll join you.”

  “Of course.” Christine turned to follow Megan’s parents out to the patio.

  “I’d like to walk off some of that delicious dinner.” Daniel held out his arm to Megan. “Care to join me?”

  She took his arm. “The garden is pretty at night. Mother had a landscaper commissioned to design it with subtle lighting and smooth paths. I think you’ll like it.”

  “I’m sure I will, as long as I’m with you.”

  “You two go on. We’ll be here when you get back,” her father said.

  Megan couldn’t get away fast enough, her guilt gnawing at her insides. As soon as they were out of earshot, she let go of a long sigh. “I’m sorry you got caught up in the inquisition.” They passed through a beautiful rose garden, the roses illuminated by soft white lighting pointed up from the ground.

  “What inquisition? Your parents are concerned about their only daughter and
living vicariously through you. I think all parents live a little through their children. Even their grown children.”

  “Since when did you become a philosopher? I didn’t even think you liked people. You are always so wrapped up in your horses, I rarely see you interact with other people besides your family.”

  He slipped his hand down her arm to clasp her fingers in his. “There is a lot you don’t know about me, and vice versa.”

  “You’re right.” She leaned against his shoulder. “I’m really sorry I got you into this mess. And now that I know why my parents are so overprotective, it makes me feel terrible about lying to them.”

  They arrived at an arched walkway covered in ivy vines, creating a tunnel through the darkness. Lighting at their feet guided them to the other side and out into the open.

  “I know what you mean. The bottom line is that they love you and will do anything to protect you.”

  “To the point of driving me nuts.” She shook her head. “And all it took was telling them I’m married now, and they’re backing off. I’m convinced Dad would have sold the horses eventually if I hadn’t taken action, though. With my father’s health problems, he has had to reposition his life and his involvement in his various interests.”

  “He has it right. No one goes to his grave saying ‘I wish I had spent more time in the office.’ Your father might live five, ten, twenty years or more. But there are no guarantees.”

  “And he finally understands family is more important.”

  “So does this mean you’ll be spending more time with your parents? Possibly moving back to California? Will I be losing my assistant?”

  “No, I love Oklahoma. I’m going back. As for this marriage, since my father is giving me the horses, I don’t have to stay to arrange for a buyer. I can work with my grandmother’s attorney over the phone and fax. We can leave tomorrow.”

  “I thought you wanted to stay for your family.”

  “I only came to convince my mother and father that I’m not coming home to stay. I think they get the point.”

  “What’s your hurry to leave?”

  “I feel almost as heavily invested in the negotiations with Kennedy Farms as you are. I’d like to be prepared for the meeting with them in Reno, and I’m worried about Halo. She’s one of your broodmares. What if the poison had an effect on her kidneys or liver?”

  “My brothers are having the vet check her over while we’re gone. However, I’d like to get back to find out what poisoned her. Or, God forbid, who.”

  Megan nodded. “Exactly. I can visit my parents again when we have everything settled.”

  “What about our marriage?” Daniel asked.

  Megan’s muscles clenched. “I still need my grandmother’s trust fund to support my horses without my father becoming suspicious. If all you’re willing to do is the minimum until I get the initial release of funds, I won’t hold you to the six months.”

  “I don’t mind holding out for six months. It might get sticky with my family.”

  “Do we have to tell them?”

  “If we want the Kennedys to buy into it, we have to get the Coltons to believe we really did it.”

  “It’s not as if we didn’t. We have a certificate to prove it.”

  “Exactly. But when it’s all over, wouldn’t you rather come back to California?” He waved his hand. “All of this will one day be yours—a beautiful house, a diversified ranch and servants to take care of you.”

  Megan shook her head. “My father built this. I want to make it on my own. And as long as my father and mother are here, they would constantly be questioning my involvement with the animals.”

  “I can see that would be hard to deal with. But it’s an easier life than the one you have in Oklahoma.”

  “I don’t want easy. I would be bored and get lazy.”

  Daniel snorted. “I can’t imagine you lazy.”

  A smile quirked at the corners of her mouth. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to talk me into staying here. Don’t you like me as your assistant?”

  He chuckled, the sound warming her heart. “You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had.”

  She backhanded him gently in the chest, loving how they could tease each other so easily. “I’m the only assistant you’ve ever had. Besides, I love working at the Lucky C with the horses.”

  “Just the horses?” Daniel stopped and turned her to face him. “What about me?”

  Megan’s heart lurched, and her breath caught in her throat. “Of course. I love working for you. You’ve been patient teaching me what you know about breeding horses for their best qualities. You’ve taught me all the hands-on kinds of things they don’t teach in the university labs.”

  Facing Daniel, Megan couldn’t stop talking. Her stomach bunched and her breathing became labored as she stood so close to him without touching him. With moonlight reflecting the darkness of his eyes, a soft breeze blowing through the leaves and the scent of roses in the air, the setting was ripe for love, if only he was so inclined. “It’s a lot different working with microscopes and lab rats than with live animals the size of horses,” she said, her voice fading, her need to kiss him finally stalling the words.

  He pressed a finger to her lips. “Sometimes you talk too much.”

  “I do. Especially when I’m nervous.”

  “Why are you nervous?”

  “Because I want to kiss you, and I don’t know if you want to kiss me back.” She swallowed hard and rushed on. “But I’ve learned that sometimes you have to take matters in your own hands.” She leaned up on her toes and cupped her hand around the back of his neck. “I’m taking matters into my own hands.”

  “I like a woman who knows what she wants.”

  As she closed the distance between their lips, his arms wrapped around her, pulling her body flush against his, the evidence of his desire nudging her belly.

  And she kissed him, her mouth covering his, her tongue tracing the seam of his lips until he opened to let her in. He tasted of garlic and wine, a heady and delicious combination.

  For a long time, Megan stood, locked in Daniel’s embrace, wishing she could stay there forever.

  A rasping sound broke through the cocoon of passion. She jerked back and glanced around. “Did you hear that?”

  “I did,” Daniel said.

  “It sounded like someone skidding in gravel.” Megan called out, “Hello?”

  The only sound in response was the thump of her pulse against her eardrums.

  Daniel stepped away, his arms falling to his sides. “We should head back.”

  Kicking herself for being so jumpy, Megan fell in step beside him on the way back through the garden, keeping a lookout for movement. The hair on the back of her neck prickled and stood. She could swear someone was watching her. But every time she shot a glance over her shoulder, all she saw were the lights from the garden and the shadowy images of ornamental trees, bushes and flowers.

  As they walked, she convinced herself her guilt was making her paranoid. She’d rather leave the next day than continue to live the lie in front of her parents, afraid she’d reveal something that would expose her and Daniel. Then all the effort they’d gone to for their marriage of convenience would be for nothing. Her father would retract his offer of giving her the horses, and her mother’s disappointment at not getting the grandbabies she so desperately wanted would make Megan feel like a complete and utter heel.

  “Yes, we should head out tomorrow,” she said as they stepped onto the pebbled concrete patio surrounding the pool.

  “How was the garden?” her mother asked, smiling at Megan and Daniel as they closed the distance.

  “Lovely as ever,” Megan responded. “Mother, Father, would you two be terribly disappointed if we left tomorrow?”


  Her mother sat forward. “What? So soon?” She turned to her husband. “Did your father say something to make you angry?”

  Megan laughed. “No, of course not. It’s just that we have a commitment for a symposium in Reno in four days, and we haven’t even told Daniel’s family of our marriage.”

  Daniel picked it up from there. “We’d like to go back to Oklahoma and break the happy news. Trust me, they will be excited to welcome Megan into the Colton family. They already love her. And then we will have time to get ready for the symposium.”

  Her mother wilted. “Oh, well, then, I suppose you should. But I’d hoped you’d stay longer. The last time you were here, we spent so much of our visit in the hospital with your father.”

  “Which you didn’t have to do,” her father grumbled. “But I was glad to see you.”

  “I promise to bring her back soon, and it’s easy enough in our ranch airplane.”

  “Oh, dear.” Her mother’s hand fluttered to her chest. “I’d forgotten that you’d come in such a small plane. Are you sure you’ll be okay flying back? Shouldn’t you book flights on a commercial airliner?”

  “Mother, I’m more likely to die in a car crash, as I almost did, than in an airplane crash. Daniel is an excellent pilot.”

  “Well, then.” Mrs. Talbot sighed. “At least have breakfast with the family in the morning before you leave.”

  “Please do. We’d like to visit one more time,” Christine entreated her. “We’re rarely in the same place at the same time.”

  Megan looked to Daniel. “Do we have to leave early?”

  “No, as long as we leave by noon. I’d like to clear the mountains in daylight.”

  “Okay, then. We’ll leave after breakfast.” Megan pretended to yawn. “If you don’t mind, though, I’m tired from all the excitement, and I’m sure Father needs his beauty rest.”

  “Hey, don’t count me off as old and decrepit. I was just temporarily incapacitated.”

  Megan leaned over and kissed her father’s cheek. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” She crossed to her mother and kissed her, too. “Good night.”