by Kadie Scott
Right. Rusty slapped a smile she hoped was suitably friendly on her face, because, by now, she was feeling a jumble of emotions—panic, guilt, and misgivings layered with the strangest feeling of comfort. Like she’d known these folks longer than minutes. “It’s very nice to meet you all. I’m sure our news has been a surprise, and I’m sorry that we married without you there to see it.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” John said. “Will explained about your dad being sick, and rushing it for him. We’re so sorry, honey.”
“Oh…” The word came out faintly.
“You’re part of the family now,” Evaline added. “And maybe we can arrange a reception in the next month or two to celebrate with friends here.”
Oh, hell. Will had warned her, and she couldn’t deny them that at the least. “That sounds lovely,” she said. Did her voice sound as faint as she thought?
“We’d love that, Mom,” Will added. “Plus, I’d love to see Rusty in her wedding dress again.”
He slipped an arm around her, and she gained some strength from his touch, taking a deep breath. She wasn’t in this alone. She hadn’t tricked him into this situation, he’d suggested it. She could do this. They could do this.
A glance up showed him watching her closely. His blue eyes steady, maybe even amused. She tried to keep from frowning in front of his family. What did he have to be amused about anyway?
“Are you hungry?” Evaline asked. “Will’s always starved after a long trip.”
“Maybe because he doesn’t stop except for gas or to take care of the horses,” Rusty commented wryly.
Will shrugged, unperturbed, and everyone around her laughed.
“He gets it from his father, I’m afraid.” Evaline rolled her eyes. “I’d stop at every Cracker Barrell between here and Cheyenne if the men in my life let me.”
“The chicken and dumplings are the best,” Rusty agreed, flicking a glance at Will. She was starting to feel like she’d entered an alternate universe. They’d just found out Will was married and they were talking chicken and dumplings?
“What do you want on your sandwich, Rusty?” Evaline asked.
“Oh, I’m not—”
Rusty’s protest was cut off as Will ushered her to one of the stools situated around the island in the kitchen. Noise filled the room as the Hills busied themselves making lunch and grabbing seats either at the island or at the kitchenette table to Rusty’s right.
Evaline looked up at her with eyebrows raised in question. “Dear?”
“Oh, um… ham with cheese and mustard?”
Will’s mom smiled. “Coming right up.”
“I’ll have the same, Mom,” Will said from his seat beside her.
He pulled her stool closer to his so she sat between the “V” of his legs. Part of her wanted to lean into him, feeling oddly protected. The other part, the part that was almost vibrating with tension, wanted some space.
She leaned in and kissed his cheek, aware of the subtle tension that gripped his body, then whispered in his ear, “Don’t lay it on too thick.”
As she pulled back, he caught her chin in his hands and kissed her. Not a brief peck, but a claiming kiss that went on too long, given their audience, but still managed to short-circuit her mind until she leaned into him.
He pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose. “I know what I’m doing,” he whispered.
Did he? Because she’d lost her way entirely. Damn that man could kiss.
Evaline cleared her throat, but Rusty didn’t miss his mother’s glowing smile. She pointed a mustard covered knife at him. “You can get your own, young man. Rusty’s your bride and a guest, at least for today.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Will hopped up and circled the counter to get started on his sandwich.
In short order, Rusty had a heaping sandwich in front of her, along with chips, potato salad, fresh strawberries, and a pickle spear. Usually, she ate whatever Doris made the night before. And, more often than not, her meals were taken alone. This was a far cry from her usual.
The Hills chatted around her as they ate, tossing questions her way like a barrage as they tried to get to know Will’s new wife.
She was his wife. What had she got herself into?
They seemed to share everything. First they wanted to know all about how Will and Rusty met. They’d agreed beforehand to stick to the truth as much as possible, leaving out the part about her father’s ultimatum. After that, they talked about the wedding, then the rodeos. Then Cash shared a funny story about a recent arrest. Holly gave an update on the vet clinic where she worked. And then they got talking ranch business.
And every second, Rusty was horribly, uncomfortably aware of how Will’s thigh was pressed against hers under the countertop. He’d resumed his seat around her. She’d tried to scoot over to make room for Autry, but his mother was on her left, and already bumping elbows.
Besides, Will clearly had a plan in mind about how they’d act, and she had no choice but to follow his lead. Newlyweds touched all the time. Right?
“So, Rusty,” Evaline said. “That’s an unusual name for a girl. Is there a story behind it?”
Will rolled his eyes. “Because we have stories behind our names—”
“And so do I,” Holly interrupted.
He grinned at his sister-in-law. “And Holly, too. Mom thinks everyone must.”
Rusty gave a dry chuckle. “Well, this time she would be right.”
“Oh?” Will angled his head to look at her, eyes twinkling like they were sharing a personal moment, though his entire family surrounded them.
With effort, she pulled her gaze away from him to swing around and answer Evaline. “My first name is actually Ruth, and, as a baby, they called my Ruthie. But my brother, who was seven when I was born, had a bit of a lisp and couldn’t say it. It always came out as Rusty, and eventually the name stuck.” She flicked a hand, indicating her red braid. “Especially as it seemed so appropriate.”
Autry chuckled. “Ruthie. That’s cute. Mind if I call you that?”
She’d always thought of that as her brother’s nickname for her, but somehow, Rusty didn’t mind. “No.”
Evaline sighed. “What a sweet story. What does your brother do now?”
Rusty always hated that question. Not for herself. She’d had a long time to come to terms with her brother’s early passing. But for the person asking, she hated that they felt bad for asking when they learned.
“Reed passed away when Rusty was eleven, Mom,” Will said quietly when Rusty hesitated.
Immediately, Evaline wrapped her closest arm around Rusty’s shoulders. “Oh, sweetie. I am so sorry. I couldn’t imagine. Your poor parents.”
Rusty sent the woman an appreciative smile and had to resist the urge to snuggle into the motherly sympathy. “My mother died in childbirth with me, sadly. I never knew her. After Reed…” She shrugged. “It’s been just Dad and me ever since.”
And soon, just her. The impact of that thought, and how alone she suddenly felt, had her frowning.
“I don’t have to call you that,” Autry offered. “I wouldn’t want to make you feel—”
She shook her head, pulling herself back into the conversation with effort. “No, really. I kind of missed it.”
Will’s brother, a younger version of him, grinned and sent her a wink. “Yes, ma’am.”
Whatever force of gravity had her turning her head back to face Will, she encountered his blue-eyed gaze on her and every part of her came to a screeching halt. His expression wasn’t one of overt sympathy, but more one of understanding, like he saw the lonely little girl she’d been. One who’d had to keep up with the boys to prove herself. Though Doris had tried to show her how to be a girl, too. One whose father blamed her for her mother’s death, and both rejected her and did his damndest to control everything about her life when his only son was stolen from him too soon.
“Now you have me,” he mouthed, keeping the moment between the two of them, e
ven though Evaline still hugged Rusty’s shoulders.
For now. She bit her lip and gave a jerky little nod, playing the part even while her heart desperately wished he’d meant that.
Rusty straightened in her seat. If wishes were stars, she would’ve lit up the whole damn night sky by now. No use came from wishing.
Evaline gave her shoulder one more squeeze and let her go. “Well, we must seem like a loud, huge family all gathered together like this.”
Rusty laughed. “It’s very different from my home. That’s for sure.”
But she liked it. She was totally overwhelmed and out of her element, of course, but that would probably pass as she settled into her life here and got to know them.
A dull ache settled in her stomach, already knowing she’d have to say goodbye to these good people. Probably sooner rather than later. Perhaps getting to know them wasn’t a good idea. But unavoidable.
She held in a sigh. What a mess.
After lunch, which thankfully didn’t involve any more questions directed at Rusty that made her too uncomfortable, Will took her by the hand. “Let’s go get settled in.”
Rusty’s discomfort levels went off the charts. He’d slept on the couch in the honeymoon suite, and they’d got separate rooms at the places they stopped on the way home. But now, they had to play new lovers, and sleep in Will’s room.
To keep her mind off that fact, she went for conversation around non-bedroom related logistics. “How are meals usually handled around here?”
Will paused in the long hallway that exited off the family room in the opposite direction from the kitchen. “Wait a second.” He glanced over his shoulder, then back down at her. “I think we need to put on a little show,” he whispered.
“What?” she asked.
But rather than answer, he pulled her into him and kissed her like he’d been thinking about it for days and couldn’t wait a second longer. Despite the kiss they’d shared in the kitchen. Part of her felt like she was coming home, and the other part hated that fact. This was fake. A show for whoever Will thought was watching.
He sipped at her lips with soft yet urgent kisses, and no matter how determined she was to not forget that this was fake, Rusty couldn’t help but open to him when he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips.
A little sigh escaped her as he drew back. Will tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. “I think we’re in the clear now.”
“Good.” She straightened up and stepped away from him. “Do you think we’ll have to do that often?”
He seemed to study her expression. Granted, she’d sounded edgy even to her own ears. “Just at first, probably,” he said.
“Fine.” She hid a wince. Now she sounded snotty.
“I’m not that bad a kisser, am I?” he teased.
No way was she touching that one with a ten-foot pole. She raised an eyebrow, and he laughed.
“Guess I’ll have to work on my technique,” he mused. The tilt to his lips indicated his continued amusement.
Heaven help her if he decided to do that with her. “Our room?” she asked, needing to get off the topic of kissing.
*
“We’re this way.” Will started down a long, hallway with several doors leading to bedrooms.
Deliberately he turned his back on Rusty because she seemed to need him to stop staring, and, honestly, he needed to stop himself staring.
He’d married the gorgeous, stubborn woman, and he had no fucking clue how to go on from here. All he knew for sure was that he had a short period of time to convince her that this was real, to give them a chance, all without scaring her away. And touching her constantly, like he wanted, was definitely going to do that. No matter how he could justify those touches as a convincing show for his family. The show was for Rusty more than them. But her back was straight as a new iron fence post and her shoulders were up around her ears. He needed to back off.
Will opened the door at the far end and stood back so she could precede him inside.
She glanced around, taking in the queen-sized bed with its basic gray comforter which butted up against a wall of reclaimed barn wood that Will had installed himself. Heavy rustic furniture and a navy armchair by the window completed the room.
“Cozy,” she murmured.
“Thanks. Feel free to spruce it up and make it yours.”
She flicked a glance his way. One he had no trouble interpreting. She didn’t like that idea at all. In Rusty’s head, this was still a temporary arrangement.
“While you’re here.” He tacked on as though he hadn’t noticed the glance. “Extra sheets are in the cupboard in the bathroom.” He pointed at the door leading to their own private bathroom. The house had been built with the plan that a large family of multiple generations would live here together. For the first time in his life, Will was thrilled that Carter’s room stood between his and Cash’s, and that the room across the hall was an office. Essentially, he and Rusty would have added privacy with that cushion of space between them and the rest of the family.
But he was jumping the gun.
“Off the kitchen is the laundry room. We’re on septic here, so try to space out your wash days. I assume you’ll do yours and I’ll do mine.”
“Sounds good.”
She shifted from foot to foot.
“I’ll clear some drawers for you and some space in the closet.”
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
Damn the woman was skittish. “You can’t live out of a suitcase.”
She scrunched up her nose. “I guess not.”
Maybe jumping straight to business would help her relax. “I suggest we take today and maybe tomorrow to get you settled in, then we can get started with the horses.”
Immediately, her shoulders dropped and her nod this time was more eager. “I’m looking forward to that.”
He hid his satisfaction that he’d read her right. “Good.”
What else could he talk about that was more business-y? “We do community-style breakfast, which Mom cooks and serves up at the house for the family and any hands who didn’t make their own,” he explained. “Lunches are up to you to scrounge for yourself, and the hands typically have dinner in the bunkhouse while we have a family dinner in the house.”
“Okay.” She nodded again. “I’d better start unloading and unpacking, I guess.”
Will studied her expression. Did she want help? She was so self-contained, he often had difficulty reading her. Still, his mother would tan his hide if she found out his wife had unloaded her truck by herself.
“Let’s get started.” He tugged her wrist, but she pulled up.
“I don’t need any help,” she said.
“Mom would kill me if I didn’t. You really want my death on your hands?” He tried a smile.
Only she didn’t smile back. “I don’t need you taking care of me.”
She was so damned stubborn. Will hooked his thumbs in his back pockets to keep his hands occupied, otherwise him might grab her and try to kiss her into a better mood. “When you meet the other hands you can ask, but one of us—my brothers or Dad or me—helped all of them move in. Just being neighborly. And you’re my wife, for all intents and purposes. Of course, I would help you.”
She continued to eye him with frustration, lips pursed.
Will shook his head. “You don’t have manners in Wyoming?” he teased.
She blew out a breath that ruffled the one tendril of hair that had escaped her braid. “Of course we have manners. But your family are like the Cleavers. No one is that… neighborly.”
He could think of many more neighborly things he’d like to be doing with her about now. The big bed at his back beckoned. Unloading her truck was not high on the list.
“We are,” he insisted. Then reached out and tugged her wrist again. “Come on. I’m going into town in two hours. You should come so I can show you around and we can shop for any foods you like that we don’t have in the house and anything else y
ou might need. So, if you’re going to be done unpacking by then, you’d better get hopping.”
This time she didn’t resist, following him out into the blazing heat. “Has anyone ever called you bossy and domineering?” she asked as they walked to her truck, still parked at the barn.
“Nope,” he said cheerfully. “I’m considered the easygoing Hill around these parts.”
She snorted as she climbed into her truck. “That’s because you’re subtle. They didn’t know they’d been bossed.”
He settled beside her on the seat and grinned. “Probably so.”
Her nose twitched, reminding him of a bunny rabbit.
“You’re awfully cute when you get riled.” The words popped out of his mouth before he could throw a rope and pull them back.
At least he hadn’t tacked on the other thought, that she was awfully kissable too. He wanted to kiss the irritation out of her eyes, kiss her until she turned sweet, and easy in his arms, like she had in the hall until she’d remembered where she was and who she was kissing and why.
She started the truck and slammed it into gear. “I am not cute,” she ground through her teeth.
Will smartly held in the chuckle that wanted to escape. She pulled the truck around to the back, sliding it into a spot close to the door to make unloading easier. An hour later, after working in comfortable silence, they had everything piled into his room.
As soon as he put down the last box, she stood up. “Thanks for the help,” she said. “I’m sure you want to spend a little more time with Cash and Holly before they have to go.”
Taking her not-so-subtle hint, he moved to the door, but paused before walking out it. “You’ve got an hour before I go into town.”
She shook her head, her braid slipping from her shoulder to hang behind her back. “I’ll go later.”
He cocked his head, deliberately schooling his features to casual indifference. “Maybe another day. But it makes sense to share the gas, and I can show you where things are in town.”
Her berry-ripe lips pursed as she considered his words. “Fine. See you in an hour.” With that she ushered him out, closing the door behind him with a soft but definitive click.
