The Rancher's Cinderella Bride

by Sara Orwig

  Unfortunately, she had no such problem seeing him for what he was. Gabe had grown into a handsome, sexy man who would carry her off to his bed and steal her heart away if she wasn’t careful. To her, he was no longer the kid from her past, the boy next door, a fun friend she could trust, just Gabe, friendly, nice. Never in the past had he made her heart beat like crazy or her insides turn to jelly or the room suddenly too hot to bear. Back then she hadn’t seen him as the most handsome man she knew. She hadn’t wanted his arms around her and his mouth on hers.

  She did now. And it wasn’t good.

  Common sense told her to cancel the makeover, and she got out her phone. She should let well enough alone. Get loose from Justin, tell Gabe thank you and go on her way, forgetting Gabe as she had for the past ten or eleven years.

  That was the sensible approach.

  Then she thought about Saturday night. At the country club it would be a formal dinner. Gabe would be in a tux and look handsome and she would look just like she did for her first-grade Christmas party, wearing the same hairstyle and type of dress. And she knew she couldn’t do it. She was a woman and she wanted him to see her as one.

  As foolish as it was, it was a risk she was willing to take. She knew what she had to do.

  She put her phone away.

  * * *

  At eight o’clock she sat in a booth in the small casual sandwich shop and watched Justin come up the walk. She had come early and wanted to be waiting when he arrived. Slightly taller than Gabe, he was handsome by any standard with thick brown hair and thickly lashed pale brown eyes. His prominent cheekbones and straight nose added to his good looks. She guessed he was probably at least an inch taller than Gabe. Both men were broad-shouldered, but Gabe was definitely more muscular. In a charcoal suit, white dress shirt and red tie, Justin looked handsome, successful and filled with energy. He had come directly from the airport. Justin had dated other women in his social circle who were beautiful and probably in love with him, and Meg would never understand why this marriage of convenience appealed to him except for family pressures. He had been engaged once to another woman whose family moved in his social circle and Justin had been the one who had broken it off. He had talked about the breakup with her, explaining that he hadn’t known whether he could really trust his ex-fiancée to be faithful, and that he had to have that in a wife. Meg had listened to him talk, wondering what he was leaving out, because his reasoning had had some gaps, but she hadn’t quizzed him about it. She knew Justin had women who would have his parents’ approval who wanted to go out with him, so this crazy pressure for them to marry made no sense to her. Granted, Tanya wasn’t one of those women, but from the little things Justin had said, she suspected he truly loved Tanya.

  Justin kissed her forehead and they exchanged pleasantries before he got to the point.

  “I might as well explain why I wanted to see you tonight. I heard you went out Saturday night with Gabe Callahan.”

  “Yes, I did. You and I have no commitment.”

  “We’re on the verge of one,” he said, frowning. “A huge commitment.”

  “I’ve told you I’m not interested in a commitment. I don’t want a marriage of convenience. Gabe and I have been friends since I was three. We went out last weekend and had fun talking about old times. I have a date with him Saturday night to the country club dedication of the new ballroom.”

  Justin leaned across the table. “Break the date with Callahan. It will be unpleasant for everyone if you don’t. Our parents and your grandparents will be there.”

  They paused when a waiter came to take their orders and as soon as he left, Justin leaned forward again. “I intended us to go together,” he added.

  “You didn’t ask me,” she said. Justin wore a scowl and his jaw was clamped shut. She knew he was angry, but her peace of mind and her freedom were at stake so she had to end this.

  “I’ve accepted Gabe’s invitation and I’m going with him. I’m not ready for a commitment to you. No one has listened to me. Not you, not my parents and not yours.”

  “Dammit, Megan. You’re ruining everything. You’re throwing away a future to go out with a wild, party-loving cowboy who will toss you aside in no time.”

  Their waiter came and Justin became silent while their drinks were placed on the table with their sandwiches.

  “You’re tossing aside all plans of us marrying, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am. We’re not in love.”

  “Our parents want us to marry. We fit together. We’re the same social circle, the same background. It would be perfect. You know I want a political career and you would be an asset.”

  “Thank you, Justin. But you’ll be happier if you marry someone you love, a person you’re thrilled to be with and you can’t wait to come home to.”

  “I’ve been honest with you and I’ve told you what I want and what my family wants. I’ve told you what’s in it for us and it’s a lot of money and opportunities. My dad wants us to marry and he wants a grandchild. I’ll get a partnership in the firm after you and I are married a year.”

  She studied Justin while he talked and her gratitude to Gabe for the fake engagement soared with every word.

  “I’m so sorry to cut you out of a partnership, but you could go to work for someone besides your father. You’re sharp and a good, successful attorney who will do well wherever you are. You don’t have to work for your dad to be successful.”

  “I’ll move up faster with my dad.”

  She could see she was getting nowhere with him. Hurtful as it might be, she had to be frank. “Justin, I’m going out with Gabe Callahan. You and I are finished even discussing this.” She fumbled for her wallet. “I’ll buy the dinners—”

  “Dammit, Megan. I’ll get our damn sandwiches. You’re making a big mistake. You keep dating Gabe Callahan and we’re through,” he said.

  “I understand that,” she answered and his face flushed. She stood and he came to his feet, too. “Goodbye, Justin, and good luck.”

  “Gabe Callahan will not marry you, so don’t count on that. He’s not marrying anyone.”

  “I know that.”

  She turned and was out the door in seconds. She took a deep breath as she hurried to her car, eager to get away. She was finally free of Justin. She wanted to grab Gabe and hug him for being the catalyst that got her out of the sticky situation.

  Once she got home, she went to her bedroom, grabbed the brown teddy bear and danced around her room with it. “I’m free.”

  Saturday night she would get engaged to Gabe, a silly fake engagement, but it would be exactly what she needed to make this breakup last. Up till now her life had been filled with doing what other people wanted her to do. From now on, she’d do what she wanted to do for herself. Starting with her makeover. And then she’d get engaged to Gabe and move into his house.

  It was finally happening. Living her own life.

  Amid her elation, she had one disturbing thought: Could she really do it? Live under the same roof with Gabe without ending up in bed with him?

  Four

  Gabe tried to keep his mind on business the next day, but it was difficult. He kept thinking about Meg, remembering when she had suddenly straddled him, sat on his lap and kissed him. The kiss had made him feel as if he would burst into flames, had set his heart pounding so hard he’d thought she could hear each beat.

  He couldn’t resist teasing her sometimes, because it was fun and because he knew it annoyed her. But she did the same thing back to him in her own way. She kissed him until he lost all rational thought.

  How did she do that?

  All he knew was that he wanted her in his bed, but each time he thought that, his conscience tore at him. She was his childhood best friend who trusted him completely and she had come to him for help, not for seduc
tion. He could not seduce her.

  “Damn,” he said aloud. From the minute she told him what she wanted, he had known she was going to drag him into trouble with her plea for a fake engagement. And it was only going to get worse, because this weekend she was moving in with him.

  He dreaded all of it. He wouldn’t back out of his agreement to help, despite the fact that she complicated his life more with each passing minute. And if he wasn’t careful, he might end up with a real engagement instead of a fake one, and he was not ready for that.

  “Damn,” Gabe said again, shaking his head.

  He couldn’t wait for tomorrow night at the country club. Justin’s parents and Meg’s parents would be there. He’d be relieved when that evening was over because it ought to finish Justin’s dream of a marriage of convenience. Did he ever pick the wrong woman to try to push or bribe into a loveless marriage.

  Gabe grabbed his hat and left to throw himself into working with his men on moving cattle from one pasture to another.

  * * *

  Meg took a few hours off work Friday to shop for a new dress and shoes for Saturday night’s formal dinner dance. She found a sleeveless black crepe dress with a deep-vee neckline, a straight, ankle-length skirt and a high slit on one side. She paired it with stiletto-heeled black sandals.

  On Saturday she had her makeover. It took all day, but that night while she waited for Gabe, she stared at herself in the mirror and couldn’t believe what she saw.

  She twirled in front of her full-length mirror and smiled. She barely recognized herself and she hoped Gabe wouldn’t recognize her at all.

  * * *

  Gabe rang Meg’s doorbell and as he waited, he gave himself a pep talk. That morning, somewhere between feeding the stock and mending a fence, he’d come to a realization. One he’d reiterated to himself again and again. Meg was just Meg—a childhood chum and now a friend he intended to help before going on his way. During the normal course of life these days, they rarely even saw each other. He’d simply missed her in his life—that’s why she suddenly seemed so attractive. It wasn’t the hot kisses, he told himself. Meg was filled with life and he was glad to be back with her. And this was just a temporary situation that would be over in three weeks.

  Reinforced by his thoughts, he punched the doorbell again. What was she doing?

  The door swung open and he was startled. For one brief moment he thought he had the wrong house. His gaze raked over a very tall stunning blonde, her silky hair falling to her shoulders in spiral curls. Her stylish black dress emphasized her creamy skin and luscious long hair while the vee neckline revealed full curves that made his temperature soar. She had a tiny waist and long legs with shoes that gave her additional height.

  “I’m sor—” He stopped and peered at the woman while his pulse pounded and the world grew warmer.

  “Meg?” he said, for once in his adult life feeling like an awkward teen with a new date—a feeling that he had rarely experienced even as a teen. “Meg?” he repeated, unable to believe he faced her. Shocked, he could only stare.

  She smiled, a smile that lit up her perfectly made-up face.

  “Why don’t you come inside, Gabe.” She stepped back, took his arm and drew him inside. He merely followed, unable to take his eyes off her, unable to speak.

  “You look very handsome in your black tux. Sophisticated and wealthy and elegant.”

  Again, he remained silent. He was absolutely flummoxed by the sight of her.

  “We’ll go inside until you’re finished looking at me,” she said, sounding amused. “From your expression, I take it you like what you see?” When he didn’t reply, she walked into the living room.

  He followed her, captivated by the slight sway of her hips, the clinging ankle-length skirt, the glimpse of a long leg through the slit in the side of it. He inhaled her intoxicating perfume, a brand that was definitely not lilac scented.

  When he’d taken in every inch of her, he slowly came out of his shocked stupor. He tried to collect his wits and act like a normal guy ready to go out for the evening. But it wasn’t easy when his brain could form only one thought: Wow!

  When she crossed in front of him, he caught her arm lightly and turned her to face him, then placed his hands on her hips, feeling as if he faced a stranger. He could feel her warm body and her soft curves, the silky material of her dress beneath his hands.

  “You’re stunning. You look gorgeous,” he said in a raspy voice.

  “Thank you. I’m glad you noticed and like the change.”

  “I’d have to be blind or dead not to notice or like how you look. You take my breath away.” Suddenly, he could feel himself sinking even deeper into a quicksand of complications in his life. He had never expected to take out a stunning blonde who could kiss him into a raging fire. This pretend engagement was going to require every ounce of his willpower to keep him from trying to seduce her. He didn’t want to take her to the club tonight. Right now, he wanted to take her to bed.

  He inhaled deeply. “Oh, darlin’, the single guys are going to want to take you home tonight, and this is not the way to get rid of Justin. He won’t want to give you up now, even if it becomes a life-or-death fight with me.”

  She laughed softly. Where did Meg get the soft, seductive laugh? She’d made a total transformation and for one single second he wondered if someone else was trying to pass herself off as Meg tonight. “Are you really Meg?”

  “I’m really Meg,” she replied, sounding more like herself. He felt tied in knots. He was still in shock from the neck up, his brain unable to process the change in her, but from the waist down he was hot, aroused and ready to pull her into his arms and kiss her until they made love.

  “I guarantee you, after Justin sees you tonight this is going to be a battle.”

  Her smile faded and her brow furrowed as worry clouded her big brown eyes that were now thickly lashed, lined and lidded with a smoky hue. Her makeup was flawless, as if she had come straight from making a movie.

  The worried expression didn’t last. She drew herself up slightly and smiled, a smile that kept him aroused, aching to make love and still unable to believe his eyes.

  “Gabe, if you’re worried about Justin and his reaction, I can get someone else to take me. I do have some other guys who are friends.”

  “I’ll bet you do. No, I’ll take you, Meg. I just think you’ve made a move here that will keep Justin trying his damnedest to marry you. I don’t think it will be simply a marriage of convenience he’s after once he sees you looking like this.”

  She smiled. “You’re sweet. I have two big bags and a carry-on packed—one bag to take to your ranch and the other bag to take to your Dallas house. I’m still going home with you tonight, right?” she asked with an air of great innocence.

  “Damn right, you’re going home with me. Oh, yeah,” he said, wondering if he would be able to resist her once he got her there alone.

  “Then we’ll get my bags now,” she prompted.

  “Sure,” he said. But he stood there, lost in thought about taking her home with him.

  She laughed. “Gabe? My bags?”

  “Oh, sure. I’ll get them now and we’ll get going,” he said, coming out of his stupor. “Unless you’ll let me kiss you a few times first.”

  She laughed and shook her head.

  “Not on your life. You would mess up my makeup and probably my dress. We’re going to the club now.”

  “It’s going to be an effort to stop looking at you long enough to drive. You really are stunning.”

  “Thank you,” she said, and he wondered if she was making fun of him. He didn’t care. He could hardly stop looking at her. How had he known her all his life and not seen how gorgeous she really was?

  He carried out her bags and then returned for her. “Let’s go,” he said, ta
king her arm.

  As they stepped outside she frowned. “Oh, you’ve taken your sports car.”

  He grinned. “Half the world drools when they see this car. You look as if you want to run and get your pickup.”

  “I’ve gotten more nervous about speed and risks since Hank was killed. Do me a favor and keep it at the speed limit or lower.”

  “Sure,” he said, smiling and shaking his head. “I might as well have brought my old car. Okay. We’ll go slowly because I don’t want a white-knuckled passenger. You didn’t used to be this way.”

  “I used to have Hank.”

  “Sorry, Meg,” Gabe said, hugging her lightly. “I miss him, too. But you know, he wasn’t as wild as you think.”

  “Yes, he was. You don’t know the difference because you’re the same way.”

  “Are we having an argument at the beginning of the evening?”

  She flashed a radiant smile that felt like a blast of sunshine. “Absolutely not. I think you’re a wonderful driver and I can’t wait to ride with you, my handsome prince to the rescue.”

  “This prince can’t wait to kiss his princess good-night at the end of the evening.”

  “I’ll try not to disappoint you,” she whispered.

  “I’d be willing to bet every cent I own that you will not disappoint me at all.”

  She smiled. “We’ll see.”

  He could only stare at her full, stunning red lips. Her eyes might be gorgeous but her mouth was pure temptation. Damn, he was getting hotter by the second.

  His voice was husky when he finally spoke. “I’m about ready to go back inside now and get some of those kisses.”

  “Oh, no,” she said, not a bit rattled. “I want Justin and my family to see us.”