by Cyndi Raye
A stab of fear did go through her belly when she saw the other woman hug Rusty. She had explained to him before they came to Dallas that they should both experiment and go out and about themselves to make sure there was no one else out there they wanted. Because of her fears from Robert cheating, she had made it clear to Rusty this had to happen. Now it fell in her lap without even realizing.
Was this a test?
Was this woman from his past placed here to test his feelings for Nora?
She stood at the lavish food table, not realizing she had stacked several cakes on her plate, one on top of the other.
“Are you going to eat them all by yourself?” A man’s deep voice asked.
She set the plate down, filled with embarrassment. “Oh, my, I was lolly-gagging, wasn’t I?” When she looked up the man standing at her with a bright smile took her breath away. She had never seen such a handsome man before.
Rusty, her beloved, was not the most handsome man in the world but she loved the way his hair flopped in such a way and how his deep, intense eyes watched her. She loved his whiskers even when he didn’t trim them. She loved everything about Rusty but this man was so handsome she wondered how he kept himself so immaculate. Dark hair neatly groomed, a set of white teeth that seemed to sparkle and his face was so perfectly shaped.
Other women in the room were drawn to him the moment he appeared at her side. She glanced over her shoulder to see a few ladies whisper while staring right at her.
She didn’t particularly care for jealousy so she moved closer to him and laughed before extending her hand. “I’m pleased to meet you. My name is Nora White.”
“Nora White, it is solely my pleasure,” he said, lifting her hand to his mouth and placing a soft, slow kiss there. He never did tell her his name.
It did nothing for her but she looked to see the ladies watching closely. Nora was having fun or maybe the champagne was making her head a little bubbly. She looked over to where Rusty was standing among the small crowd of actors. His friend Millie was awful close, hanging on to his every word and brushing up against his arm now and again. Nora gritted her teeth without realizing.
The stranger followed her line of vision. “Ah, now I understand what is going on. If I may help you, I am a lover of all things entertaining, my dear. I’d love to help you make your suitor envious.”
Nora shook her head. “Oh, no, I don’t like that type of behavior and would not want to be the cause of any stress upon Rusty.”
“Rusty? Well, it looks as if he is enjoying himself. Now, let me help you. Shall we dance?”
Before Nora realized what was happening, the tall handsome man swung her across the room as the orchestra struck up a lively song. Dear Lord in heaven, Nora had no idea how to dance!
Chapter 6
Rusty reached for his hip but the holster he usually wore was no longer there. It was back at the hotel and probably a good thing. He narrowed his eyes at the tall dark-haired man swinging Nora around the ballroom like she was a sack of potatoes!
He had to stop this nonsense. Right as he took a step to go clobber the man, a hand brushed across his forearm. “Would you like to dance?” Millie asked.
He sighed. It wouldn’t hurt to calm down before he lost his temper and made a fool of himself. He escorted Millie to the dance floor, inches away from where Nora and the stranger were swaying back and forth. He glared at the back of the man’s head.
Nora peeked over the man’s shoulder. When she saw Rusty, she frowned, then turned away. All of a sudden her hand went around the strangers neck. What in the world was she thinking!
He stopped dancing. This was too much. “Nora White!”
The music continued on, his voice failing to get her attention.
Millie seemed concerned. “Rusty?” She stood in front of him. “We’re on the dance floor and you stopped, what is the matter?”
Rusty had to pull himself together. This feeling of jealousy ran through his blood like a leech sucking on a man’s skin. He began to move his feet and yet still keep an eye on those two. If the man dared to touch her in an inappropriate way, Rusty was going to put a stop to that nonsense.
He was here with Nora. He brought her here and he planned to escort her home. Why, he was her suitor. What was he doing dancing with Millie? Maybe this was all his fault after all.
Rusty’s shoulders dropped. He failed. Their night out was turning into a disaster. All he had wanted to do was make Nora happy in this type of environment and he lost her within an hour of being here. She had wanted a grand adventure but by the looks of things it wasn’t with him.
Then he remembered their conversation at the crusty line shack. She had told him they needed to go out on the town alone to make sure they wanted each other. Rusty was certain she had said it because of Robert. Her dead husband had hurt her terribly. Didn’t she know he would never do that to her? He saw how hard it had been all those years for Nora, the nights she spent alone crying on her porch. He had even held her in his arms at times, reassuring her things would get better and they had.
Then he realized he was no better than Robert because here he stood with another lady in his arms dancing around because he had been jealous of her dancing with a stranger.
Rusty had to explain himself. He didn’t want Nora to misunderstand his intentions. As the music stopped playing, couples left the dance floor. Rusty thanked Millie for the dance. “I have to escort Nora home,” he told her, making excuses to get away.
“Of course,” Millie smiled at him. “It was so nice to see you again after all these years. If you’d like, our group is planning a day in the park with a picnic lunch and all. We are going to sing a few songs to the public as a thank you for coming to our play.”
Just as Rusty started to refuse, Nora and the stranger appeared. “Oh, Rusty that sounds like a wonderful idea. I’ll be busy tomorrow as Miguel has invited me on a carriage ride through the park. You must go and enjoy yourself.”
Rusty turned to Nora, frowning. “Miguel?”
Miguel bowed. “I am at your service. Miguel Castinova.” The man was a charmer, Rusty knew that right away but he shook hands to be polite. He’d rather wrap his hands around his neck and choke the daylights out of the man. He shook himself, was trying to rid himself of such evil thoughts. But they were lurking in the back of his mind as the four talked for over an hour.
Nora kept glancing over at him but Rusty was determined to stay back and allow her some space to enjoy the evening. He had failed as a romantic suitor. If he hadn’t been attending to her more, instead of meeting Millie’s friends, Nora would be laughing and clinging onto his every word. Instead, she was enticed by a dark-haired gentleman who probably had so much more than Rusty would ever have. Nora deserved much more.
She deserved someone who would make her happy and right now all Rusty noticed was how she smiled and laughed at everything Miguel said.
He felt as if he had been punched in the gut. Nora wanted to enjoy her grand adventure so much. It was his presence that would eventually hold her back. Because the two of them were always together on the ranch didn’t mean she’d be happy with him forever. Had he been kidding himself?
“Rusty?” Millie laid a hand on his arm.
Now she was encouraging him to go to the park with Millie for a picnic. Did Nora want him out of the way so she may pursue a courtship with this Miguel man? He took a step back.
“Millie, I’ll meet you at the park tomorrow at noon. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get some fresh air.” He turned to Nora. “I’ll be outside on the bench I saw near the front gate. When you are ready to leave, I’ll escort you back to the hotel.” He tipped his hat and didn’t wait for an answer.
Rusty had enough of this evening. He found the bench empty and was glad for that at least. He was done talking for the night. All he wanted to do was go to the hotel, pack his things and head back to the ranch. Where he belonged.
Except tomorrow he had to go to a park and pretend
to be enjoying a picnic lunch with a woman he knew from many years ago. They were childhood friends, nothing more. He had no feelings for her whatsoever.
Did Nora think he had feelings for Millie? Now that he was away from the situation he was starting to realize Nora had watched him carefully all evening. If she was so enamored by the tall, handsome Miguel she wouldn’t be eyeing him up and down, that’s for sure.
Rusty sat back and smiled as it dawned on him. She had been jealous of him speaking with Millie! The way Millie tugged at his sleeve was enough to make anyone jealous. Why hadn’t he seen this from the beginning?
Some days Rusty felt old and clueless. He wasn’t a city slicker like the man Nora danced with. Yet, Nora’s eyes had been on him and not Miguel.
He wanted to find her and take her in his arms and sweep her away from all the luxurious and charming atmosphere this very moment. He knew in his heart Nora would give it all up for her horses and ranch.
That included Rusty, too!
He was an idiot!
But, he’d give her time to enjoy her evening and wait here. Rusty sat back, relaxed now, knowing his Nora would come to him when she tired of the gala event and allow him to escort her home.
It wasn’t long.
A soft voice and a warm breath of air brushed across his shoulder. “Rusty? May I sit with you?”
He slid over, making room for her to sit alongside him. He placed a hand over hers, like he always did. “Did you enjoy your evening?”
“It was nice. I enjoyed it more when you were inside.”
Rusty leaned back and closed his eyes, revelling in the fact she was beside him. “I needed fresh air. It’s much better outside.”
Even though he couldn’t see her face, he knew she was smiling when she spoke. “You do like your wide open spaces.”
“Hmm, as do you.”
She nodded. “Yes, I certainly do. I’m picturing us riding across the South Range, racing towards that big cluster of oak trees along the banks of the creek.”
He smiled. Here they were, sitting on a bench at the entrance to one of the most posh homes in Dallas, reminiscing about their own home. All the glitz and glamor didn’t come close to what they had at the ranch. Nora was one in a million, she didn’t go for all that fancy stuff. He knew that even when he was fuming earlier with blind jealousy. He had no plans to let her fall in love with a city slicker.
“I need you to know I didn’t plan on going to the park with Millie tomorrow until you insisted I go. We are childhood friends, that’s all.”
“I had to be sure, Rusty. You remember what I said, don’t you? We both must go out and about to make sure we are the right one for each other.”
He nodded, his eyes still closed. It was nice talking to her like this. It was almost like being at home, sitting on the front porch in the evening. Except he knew when he opened his eyes all he’d see is the big city staring him in the face. “I’ll go through the motions, Nora, if that’s what is required of me. You’re the one for me. Always were. Always will be. I don’t understand why you don’t see this.”
His words were not clipped. They were honest and how he truly felt. If she didn’t understand this, then maybe she wasn’t ready to spend the rest of their lives together. Maybe all he was to her was a ranch hand, one of the guys that made her life run smooth. Was that how she felt about him? He doubted it but maybe he needed to bring it to her attention.
“It is because of Robert. I have to know, Rusty.”
He let go of her hand and turned to her, his eyes wide open now. “What is it you have to know? That my love for you is pure and raw and all I want to do is keep you safe and with me all the days of my life? Do you want to know that when I saw you with Miguel I wanted to place my hands around his throat and strangle him because he looked at you? I had plans to marry you right in this city, Nora, before we leave because I don’t want anyone else to have you. What do you want me to say, Nora? I love you.”
A tear splashed on his hand. He raised his eyes to her face to see her crumple in front of him. “Oh, Rusty. I love you, too. I truly do. But I still think this will be good for us, just to make sure. What if you regret marrying me? What if you go on this picnic tomorrow and find you have a common interest with Millie? All you know is me. What if you want more?”
Rusty took a deep breath. “I don’t want more, Nora. All I want is you.”
She swiped at a fallen tear. “I do understand. Robert swore I was his true love. He told me every single night before we turned in that he loved me. I believed him. Even after he cheated on me with the widow that one time, he spoke of his undying love. And, the truth is I believed him because I wanted to make my marriage work. Turns out it was all a scam. I’m still trying to figure it all out, Rusty.”
He did understand. Truth be told, Rusty didn’t deserve this wonderful lady. She had been through a lifetime of deceit. He had to be honest with her. “Nora, I’m going to tell you something and I am not saying this because I want to hurt you. I’m telling you because I don’t ever want you to find out I didn’t tell you everything I knew about Robert’s shenanigans.”
“What are you saying?”
Rusty ran his thumb back and forth across her hand. “Robert lied to you over and over. He had a problem, Nora. It wasn’t you. He didn’t stop with that one time. Even after he confessed his affair, he continued to go see Widow Young. I don’t believe she was in agreement. I heard some things you may not want to hear but I have to tell you so the hatred for the widow stops.”
“Hatred? She slept with my husband right in front of my nose.”
Rusty shook his head. “I’m not totally convinced she ever agreed.”
“What!”
“One of their farm hands told one of our men Robert had been forcing her. He overheard it several times in their barn and other places. She didn’t have a choice. Robert threatened her with taking the twins from her. She didn’t think she had a choice.”
Nora gasped. “Oh, dear Lord above!”
Rusty almost regretted telling her. Yet, he knew if he didn’t, it would always be between them. Her hand went to her face. “I slapped that woman hard across the face! I need to speak with her, Rusty.”
“In good time. I think you need to digest all of this before we go running off to see the Widow Young.”
Nora sighed beside him. “You are right. I want to go home.”
“Home? As in back to our hotel?”
She shook her head. “No, Rusty. I want to go home. This is all nice and all and fun but my heart belongs on the ranch.”
“We have dates tomorrow.”
“Thanks to me. Can we cancel?” She stood up.
Rusty sat on the bench staring up at the most beautiful woman in the world. As he did so, he noticed how the stars dotted the night sky. He slid off the bench and dropped to one knee. Rusty took her hand. “Nora White, may I have the honor of marrying you?”
She stared up at the starry night for the longest time. He waited, unable to see her face in the dark, even with the translucent candles dotting the gardens. Her shoulders shook. He wasn’t sure if Nora was laughing or crying. “Oh, Rusty, you pick the worst time and place to ask a girl to marry you.”
He looked around as several of the fancy ladies came outside, being escorted down the walk. “Does it matter where we are, Nora?”
She looked him in the eye then. “I guess it doesn’t. But it does matter where we get married. Yes, Rusty Rivers, I will marry you.”
He stood and gathered her in his arms, placing small kisses along her jaw line and cheek. His mouth drifted across hers, pressing his lips to hers. It was a deep, meaningful moment, one he would cherish forever. It was the day Nora White finally said yes.
Chapter 7
“Rusty, you have to go.”
“Nora, I can’t go now that I’m an engaged man. I have a fiancé.”
They were having breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Nora was not going to let him go back on his promi
se. “You told Millie you would join her for a picnic and you have to keep your word. Just as I told Miguel the same. We are going.”
She dared Rusty to argue with her. Of course, in Rusty style, he did. Setting his fork down and taking a big gulp of the strong coffee, he stared her in the face like a man with a crazy idea. “I think we should saddle up and ride out of town right now!”
She laughed. “Rusty, that is so rude of you to even suggest we run out on our promise. We can’t. It would not be right.” And yet, she wanted to do just that. Nora had wanted some excitement in her life. What if she turned and ran?
The thought was brewing in her brain as she finished her coffee. Until she saw Miguel, standing in the doorway, looking around for her. He waved when he saw her. “Oh, dear. I was seriously contemplating your idea, Rusty. But, it’s too late. Here’s Miguel.”
Rusty leaned in to the table. “We can run now. Let him chase us down the street. He won’t be able to catch up, look at that dandy! I’ll bet he ain’t got no muscles under that fancy shirt he wears.”
Nora still had a smile on her face when she turned to Miguel. He picked up her hand and leaned in for a kiss. “Miss White, I am here to escort you on a delightful, romantic carriage ride.”
When he lifted his face, he slyly gazed at Rusty before he gave her a devilish smile. He was still in his actor mode, trying to make Rusty jealous to get a rise out of him. It had been in good fun last nght since Miguel was not interested in courting her. He claimed to be practising his dramatic skills for the theatre. Nora was shocked she went along with his plan but the fact was she was so jealous of Millie, she had agreed.
She disliked jealousy in others and then she went and let it happen to her own self. It was not a trait she admired at all. “Miguel, I appreciate you taking me on a carriage ride today. I must inform you that last night Rusty here asked for my hand in marriage.”
Miguel slapped a hand to his face. “Oh, how intriguing. So our plan worked?”
Nora wanted to tell Rusty before he found out like this. She gave him a worried look but he was grinning like crazy. “Plan? What plan?” he asked, but he already figured it out.
