The Manning Sisters

by Debbie Macomber

  “No. You’re beginning to sound like a cattle thief.” He moved behind her, slid his arms around her waist and nuzzled the curve of her neck.

  “I’m a good cook.”

  “I know.”

  “How could you? Every time I go to make something for us, you interrupt me with…you know.”

  “Are you still having trouble saying the words?”

  “No…” She giggled softly. “You’ve cured me of that.” Twisting around, she leaned against the refrigerator door with her hands primly linked in front of her. “I can talk about making love about as often as you want to do it.”

  “Then let’s get out of here before you give me any ideas.”

  “I like giving you ideas.”

  Cody glanced at his watch. “It’s well past dinnertime and I’m hungry.”

  She moistened her lips. “You want me to say some of the other words you taught me?”

  “Christy…no.”

  “Come here.” She beckoned him with her index finger. “I’ll whisper a couple of humdingers in your ear.”

  Cody ignored her. “I’m not going to let you sidetrack me.”

  “Oh, but I enjoy sidetracking you.”

  “That’s the problem,” Cody said. “I like it, too.” He cleared his throat and changing tactics, grabbed his hat. “As your husband, I command that we leave for dinner now.”

  “You command?” She couldn’t help laughing.

  “That’s right,” he said, his mouth quivering with a suppressed smile. “I’ve got to teach you that I’m wearing the pants in this family.”

  “If that’s the case, then why are they so often unzipped?”

  Cody actually blushed, and Christy smiled.

  “Because I’m a needy husband,” he said gruffly. “Are you complaining?”

  “Oh, no.” She sent him a saucy grin. “Because I happen to be a needy wife. In fact, I seem to be experiencing a need right now. Is it hot in here to you?”

  “Christy?” Cody’s voice contained a low note of warning.

  “It seems very hot…much too hot for all these clothes.” She jerked the light sweater over her head and let it fall to the floor. Next she lowered the straps of her bra. “There,” she said with a deep sigh, offering Cody what she hoped was a tantalizing display of her assets. “That feels better.”

  Cody stood his ground for a couple of minutes. Then he removed his hat and sent it flying across the room.

  Silently Christy rejoiced.

  “What about those jeans? Aren’t they making you hot, too?” Cody asked.

  “Maybe they are. Only I can’t seem to open the snap.” He didn’t seem to notice that she hadn’t tried.

  “I see.” He stepped over to her and made short work of her bra, then cupped Christy’s breasts, his hands firm and insistent.

  Sighing, Christy closed her eyes, giving herself over to a host of delightful sensations. Cody used one hand to stroke her breast, his other hand busy at the opening of her jeans. The zipper purred, and Christy was filled with another small sense of triumph.

  She shivered helplessly as Cody slid her jeans down her hips. Her bikini underwear followed and that was the last thing she noticed for some time. Other than Cody, of course…

  Christy’s gaze fell reluctantly on Cody’s luggage, which lay open on her bed. The lump in her throat seemed to grow larger every minute, until she could hardly swallow. She’d decided earlier that she wasn’t going to be emotional when he left. They’d talked everything out earlier, planned for their future as best they could.

  “You called the office?” Cody asked, putting a clean shirt in the suitcase.

  “Yes…I told them I still had the flu.” Lying didn’t come easy to Christy. She felt as though she’d dug herself into a deep pit.

  “What did they say?”

  “Marcia, she’s the office manager, said it’s a slow week and not to worry about it, but she did make a point of asking me if I’d be in on Friday, which seemed a little odd.”

  “What about James?”

  “He was at the courthouse.” Her eyes widened at the unexpectedness of the question.

  “When’s the last time you heard from him?”

  “Ah…” She had to stop and think. “The day after the engagement party. We talked briefly, and he explained that he wouldn’t be able to keep in touch while the trial’s going on.” Under normal circumstances she would’ve seen him at the office, even if it was only for a few minutes, every morning. The fact that he hadn’t made an effort to contact her said a good deal about their relationship.

  “I see.” Cody was obviously surprised.

  “He’s very intense and single-minded.”

  “Do you think he’ll get an acquittal?”

  “I don’t know,” she said.

  “Whatever happens, this can’t go on much longer. You realize that, don’t you?”

  “It won’t be more than a few days.” In discussing the situation they’d agreed on a time limit. Even if the trial dragged on for more than a week, Christy had promised to return James’s ring and tell her parents that she and Cody were married.

  “I still think we should tell your parents now.”

  “Not yet,” she pleaded. The way Christy figured it, she’d start dropping hints so the fact that she’d married Cody wouldn’t come as such a shock. After Cody flew back to Montana, she intended to drop by the family home and casually point out that James hadn’t called her once since the party. She was hoping her parents would conclude that perhaps he wouldn’t be the best husband for her, after all.

  “Christy, I’m worried.” Cody stood in front of her, his face concerned. “I don’t like leaving you, especially under these circumstances.”

  “You know I love you.”

  His mouth curved into a sensual smile. “Beyond a doubt.”

  “Good.” She put her arms around his waist and hugged him close. His heart beat strongly and evenly, offering her reassurance. In time they’d look back on these bleak days and laugh, she told herself. Someday, but not now.

  “I’ll phone you twice a day,” he promised in a husky whisper. “Morning and night.”

  “I’ll need that.”

  “So will I.”

  A sigh of regret rumbled through his chest as he dropped his arms. “It’s time to go.”

  Neither of them seemed inclined to talk on the ride to the airport. Once Cody had checked in at the airline counter, he hugged Christy and kissed her lightly. It was as if he dared not kiss her the way they both enjoyed for fear he wouldn’t be able to walk away. She understood all too well.

  “Take care of yourself,” she whispered.

  “You, too.”

  She nodded, barely conscious of the way she clung to him. “Of course. We’ll talk tonight. And before we know it, we’ll be together.”

  “Together for good,” he added. “I’ve got to go.”

  She closed her eyes tightly to keep from crying.

  Cody kissed her again, only this time his mouth was fierce and wild. He released her by degrees, his reluctance tearing at her heart. With everything in her, Christy longed to board the plane with him. How much easier it would be to leave with Cody and then call James and her parents. But Christy knew she couldn’t abandon her responsibilities. Cody understood that, too; she was sure of it. Christy Manning Franklin had always done the right thing, even if it was sometimes for the wrong reasons.

  The next morning Christy returned to work for the first time since she’d left for vacation. What a difference a few weeks could make. She wasn’t the same woman anymore.

  “Christy.” James’s voice rose as he hurried over to her desk. “You’re back. I hope you’re feeling better.”

  For all his brilliance, James had very little experience of life. That was even more obvious to Christy now, and it made her feel oddly protective of him. She smiled as he reached for her hand, squeezing her fingers. Kissing her, even in an empty office, would have been unthinkable. He’d
never been openly affectionate, but he was tender and good, and Christy couldn’t ignore her guilty conscience.

  “I’m much better, thanks. How’s the Mulligan case going?”

  He frowned and briefly looked away before responding. “Not too well.”

  “How much longer do you think it’s going to be?”

  “I’m hoping to wrap everything up by the end of next week.”

  “That long?” She couldn’t keep the disappointment out of her voice.

  James frowned again. “I didn’t realize how negatively this case was affecting you.”

  “It’s just that…” She couldn’t very well announce that she was looking for the right moment to tell him she was married to someone else.

  “I know, darling.” He said the last word softly, as though fearing someone might overhear him. “This is a difficult time for us both, but it’ll soon be over, and we can get on with our lives.”

  Now that Christy had a chance to study him, she saw that he seemed exhausted. Deep lines were etched around his eyes and mouth. Clearly James wasn’t sleeping well.

  “The case is going worse than you expected, isn’t it?”

  James sighed. “It’s difficult to hide something like this from the one you love. Yes, it’s going much worse.”

  “Is there anything I can do?” Christy found herself asking.

  “Nothing,” he said, giving her a rare smile. “But your concern is greatly appreciated.” He looked at his watch. “It’s time I left for the courthouse. I won’t be back for the rest of the day.”

  Christy nodded.

  “I suppose we should meet for dinner. After all, it’s been a long time since we’ve gone out. But—”

  “Don’t worry,” Christy interrupted. “I understand.” If she was having trouble dealing with a short conversation as James was walking out the door, an entire evening in each other’s company would’ve been unbearable.

  “Have a good day,” he said gently.

  “You, too.”

  He nodded, but his expression was somber. It was all too apparent that he didn’t think he’d be having anything resembling a satisfactory day.

  At lunchtime Christy looked up to find Marcia standing at her desk. The office manager had been with the firm for over fifteen years and was one of the finest women Christy knew.

  Christy smiled. “Do you need something, Marcia?” After a three-week absence, her desk was piled high with folders.

  “Can you come into one of the conference rooms for a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  Leading the way, Marcia paused in front of the wide oak doors and grinned sheepishly. “It’s good to have you back from vacation, Christy. It made all of us appreciate how much your bright smile adds to our day.” With that she opened the door.

  Christy was greeted with a chorus of “Surprise” from her fellow workers. A large cake sat in the center of the table, surrounded by several gaily wrapped packages. She must have looked stunned, because Marcia placed one hand on her shoulder and explained. “It’s a wedding shower for you and James.”

  Thirteen

  A week had passed since Cody had come back to Cougar Point. By far the longest week of his life. He wanted Christy with him, hungered for her smile and the way her eyes darkened when she looked up at him in that suggestive way.

  He loved Christy, and marrying her had helped him cope with the ridiculous set of circumstances in which they found themselves trapped.

  He wasn’t pleased that she was still engaged to James, but there seemed little he could do about it. If it had been up to him, he’d have settled it before flying out of Seattle, but Christy had been adamant that she was doing the right thing in waiting. Cody wasn’t convinced, but the decision had been hers, and he didn’t feel he could go against Christy’s wishes.

  So they were husband and wife. Cody felt married. It was as if he’d lived his entire life waiting for this woman. In the too-brief days they’d been together, Cody knew he’d changed. His life’s purpose had been focused on his career, and in many ways it still was. Christy, however, added a new dimension to his personality.

  She’d taught him to dream.

  Unlike Russ, who’d always planned on marriage, Cody had given up hope of ever finding the right woman. It hadn’t been a conscious decision; in fact, he wasn’t fully aware of it until he met Christy.

  He was getting downright philosophical, he mused. Christy gave his life a deeper meaning, and their marriage made everything else more…important, somehow.

  Someone brighter than he was would have guessed what was happening the first time they’d kissed. He still recalled feeling lost and bewildered. When he learned she was engaged to marry James, Cody had been even more shaken than he dared to admit.

  James. The other man’s name brought a grim frown. Reluctantly Christy had shown him a picture of the attorney. He looked clean-cut, professional, intelligent. But he guessed that James Wilkens lacked passion. It was difficult to imagine James allowing a little thing like falling in love to overcome his inhibitions.

  Throwing off his anxiety about Christy’s engagement, he stood, moved into his kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. He was supposed to be packing, getting ready for his move to Miles City, but because of everything that had happened between Christy and him, he’d delayed until the last minute.

  Almost everything in the living room was inside cardboard boxes, and Cody headed absently toward the bedroom, intent on getting as much accomplished that evening as he could.

  He recognized his mistake immediately.

  Christy had never slept on his bed, never even been in this room, but the fires she sparked to life within Cody were more evident there than anywhere else.

  Feeling helpless, missing her so much, Cody sat on the end of the bed. He’d married himself one little hellcat. A smile tempted his mouth. She was a seductress in bed, and an angel out of it.

  His need for her was insatiable. Half the time they were so impatient for each other that they hadn’t bothered to use any birth control. They’d discussed that; if she were to get pregnant, Cody wouldn’t mind. In many ways it would please him tremendously, although he admitted the timing would be all wrong for her. Christy had enough pressures on her already.

  A week. They’d been apart for seven days, and it felt like an eternity. Dammit all, he wanted her with him.

  Now. Not two days from now.

  Not next week. Now.

  His patience was wearing paper-thin. He picked up the phone and called the number he knew by heart. Christy answered on the second ring.

  Her voice softened when she heard his. “Soon,” she promised in a seductive whisper that nearly drove him crazy.

  “How soon?” he demanded.

  “A couple more days.”

  “Forgive me for saying this, but didn’t you claim it would be ‘a couple of days’ a couple of days ago?” His voice was sharp despite his best efforts.

  “Yes, but there are complications.”

  “Aren’t there always?”

  “Cody, please, don’t be angry with me…”

  “I called because I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” she said, sounding a little bewildered. Cody realized he’d probably pushed too hard and backed off, spending the next few minutes telling his wife he loved her.

  When he replaced the receiver, he was more frustrated than ever.

  Cody was enjoying breakfast in the bowling alley early the following morning when Russ showed up. It wasn’t unusual for Russ to eat in town, but rarer since he’d married Taylor.

  The rancher slid into the booth across from Cody. “I thought I’d find you here.”

  “You looking for me?” he asked.

  “You could say that.” Russ turned over the ceramic mug and waited until the waitress came by and filled it for him. He reached for the menu. “You look like hell.”

  “Nice of you to say so,” Cody muttered.

  “I didn’t come here to pic
k a fight.”

  Their friendship was too good for this kind of bickering. “I haven’t been sleeping well,” Cody admitted reluctantly, sipping his own coffee. Truth be known, he hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep since he’d flown home from Seattle.

  “How’s Christy holding up?”

  “A lot better than I am.” She always managed to sound cheerful, as if it was perfectly normal for a couple to be married three days and then separated for weeks.

  “You sure about that?”

  Russ’s question caught Cody off guard. He narrowed his eyes, wondering if Russ knew something he didn’t. Russ’s attention seemed to be on the menu.

  “I’m not sure of anything,” Cody answered thoughtfully. “What makes you ask?”

  Typically Russ shrugged. “Nothing in particular.” He set aside the menu, declined to order breakfast when Mary delivered Cody’s and sat there looking superior. “Go ahead and eat,” he said, motioning toward the plate of sliced ham, eggs, hash browns and toast.

  “I wasn’t planning on letting my meal get cold,” Cody informed him frostily. His nerves were shot, and the last thing he needed was his best friend dropping obscure hints.

  Cupping the mug with both hands, Russ leaned back in the booth. “Who else knows you and Christy are married?” he asked after a moment.

  “Everyone except James and her parents.” Christy’s three older brothers were all aware of the fact that they’d eloped. Cody had spoken to the two oldest brothers, Paul and Jason, before he’d left Seattle. Rich had been the first to discover their secret, of course, and he’d quickly let the others in on it.

  “Should I thank you for the fact that Mrs. Simmons stopped me in the street yesterday with a jar of her watermelon pickles?” Cody asked, eyeing Russ. “She says she heard the sheriff had taken himself a wife and wanted to give me a small gift.”

  “Ah…I might’ve mentioned something to Mrs. Simmons,” Russ said, hiding a smile. Mrs. Simmons handed out homemade preserves at every opportunity. Each family in town ended up with at least one jar every year.

  Russ took another drink of his coffee. “I guess you and everyone else in town figured out Taylor got pregnant on our honeymoon.”