Mustang Wild

by Stacey Kayne

  When he awakened again the sun was boldly shining through the canvas tent. Skylar slept soundly in his arms, her warm rosy cheek resting against his shoulder, her expression soft and peaceful. His stomach growled as he breathed in the scent of bacon. He could hear his brother talking to Garret. The night before, he'd smelled the supper Chance had cooked, but hadn't been willing to leave Skylar.

  This morning, however, he was completely famished. He hadn't eaten anything since before he'd skipped supper two nights back. He doubted Skylar had, either, but at the moment, she needed rest more than anything. They'd been curled up in their nest of blankets since yesterday afternoon and aside from Skylar's surprise kisses, she hadn't stirred once during all that time.

  "Skylar?" he whispered, brushing his hps across her forehead.

  When she didn't rouse, Tucker carefully eased her onto the blankets. "Be right back, love," he whispered, then slid from their warm cocoon into the cool air and quickly shrugged on his clothes.

  Garret's head shot up the second he stepped outside.

  "How's she doing?" he asked, jumping up from his spot by the campfire.

  "Sleeping," Tucker said as he stepped up to the warmth of the fire. "But she woke a short while ago," he added, seeing Garret's brow still creased from worry. "She's feeling just fine, she even said so."

  "Hell, that don't mean nothin'," Garret complained. "She always says she's fine."

  "Yeah," Tucker said with a smile, "but I believe her this time."

  "How long do you reckon she's gonna sleep?" Chance asked as he handed Tucker a cup of coffee.

  "As long as she needs to. I won't wake her."

  "Put your ruff down, little brother." Chance laughed softly as he shook his head. "I have no intention of disrupting your angel's beauty sleep. Your mustangs have scattered so we're riding out to round them up."

  "I can't leave Skylar."

  "I know that," Chance said with exasperation. "I'm just letting you know where we'll be. We should be back in a few hours."

  "Are you gonna stay married to my sister?"

  The kid fired the question like a gunshot. Tucker smiled at the protective concern in Garret's expression as he stepped toward him, his shoulders squared. He supposed it was a fair question for a man who'd just openly spent the night in her bed.

  "Would you object if I tried to talk her into being my wife?"

  Garret gave a shriek of excitement as his long arms clamped around Tucker, nearly cracking his ribs. He immediately jumped back, appearing chagrined by his burst of affection.

  "I'll take that as a no."

  "Go mount up, kid," said Chance with a low chuckle. "We've got work to do."

  Tucker watched Garret hurry off toward the horses and noted that Chance hadn't moved to join him.

  "I left you some breakfast there in the skillet," Chance said.

  Tucker glanced at the cast iron covered with a tin plate sitting off to the side of the fire. He nodded. "Thanks."

  Chance shrugged his shoulders, and continued to stand there, staring at him. The measuring look in his eyes told Tucker he had more on his mind than breakfast and horses.

  Lord, he knew this was coming. The strain between his loyalties to Chance and his love for Skylar had been driving him crazy. But he'd made his choice and hoped to high heaven that Chance would understand. Chance was fond of Skylar and even Garret, though he'd probably not admit it.

  Even so, that didn't mean Chance would want to share his home with them. The two-story house they'd built had been for the both of them.

  "So what about you?" Tucker finally asked. "Any objections to my marrying Skylar?"

  "I just hope you know what you're doing."

  "She's good for us."

  "Us?" Chance's lips tipped slightly.

  "Yeah," Tucker said. The ghost of a smile on his twin's face was proof of the change he'd seen in Chance over the past several weeks. Skylar had been good for both of them. Tucker hoped his brother saw that.

  "Hell," Chance groaned. "If you're bent on ignoring any sense of caution, as you usually are, there's nothing I can do to stop you." He dipped his hand into the inside breast pocket of his coat. "You still ought to give her this."

  Sunlight glimmered on the small golden circle sitting in his brother's callused palm.

  Tucker's mouth dropped open. He recognized the smallest speck of a diamond channeled into the slender band. "Mama's wedding ring."

  "I never thought either of us would have use for it," he said, the bafflement in his expression showing he clearly didn't understand Tucker's interest in marriage. "I can't guarantee Sky won't throw it back at you. You sure picked one feisty angel to fall for, but I suppose that's what you need to keep you in line."

  He was giving her their mama's ring? "Are you sure?"

  "Would you just take it?" He shoved the ring into Tucker's palm. "I'm tired of harboring the damn thing. It would be just your dumb luck to accidentally marry a fine woman. I doubt we'd ever find a woman more deserving than Sky to wear our mama's ring."

  He couldn't have given Skylar a greater compliment. "Thanks, Chance," Tucker said, a huge weight lifting from his chest as relief swept through him.

  "You go gettin' all teary-eyed on me," Chance said in a tone of warning, "and I'm gonna have to knock you to the ground and relearn you how to behave like a man."

  Tucker smiled and slipped the ring into his pants pocket. "If that's a threat, I'll need to set my coffee aside."

  "I wish I had the time to pound on you," Chance said as he moved away from the fire. "But I've got horses to round up and you have a pretty woman to tend to."

  "You do know they'll be living with us?" Tucker called after him, wanting to be sure they had a clear understanding.

  Chance's eyes fairly sparkled as he glanced back at his brother. "And your wife will be cooking for all of us. Sounds like a sweet deal to me."

  Two down. Tucker sat by the fire and sipped his coffee.

  One to go.

  Skylar emerged from her tent nearly an hour later, holding a blanket tight around her shoulders.

  Crouched by the fire, stirring a skillet filled with potatoes and venison, Tucker instantly set it aside as she approached him. With not a cloud in the sky, the bright sun shone boldly on every bruise and scrape marring her pretty face. There were still streaks of dried blood in her tangled blond hair.

  She glanced around the campsite. "Where is everyone?"

  "Garret and Chance are tending the horses. I'm going to tend to you," he said. "So why don't you come over here and eat some breakfast." He dumped the contents of the skillet onto a plate. "We can enjoy each other's company while we're still alone."

  The wariness in her eyes as he stood stung at Tucker's nerves. "Honey, you don't have to act like spending a little time alone with me is a death sentence," he said in a light tone as he put his arms around her.

  Her soft laughter eased his tension.

  "I didn't mean to give that impression," she said, leaning into him while keeping her firm hold on her blanket. "I enjoy your company very much, Tucker."

  He hoped so. An explosion of warmth shot through his chest when she smiled up at him.

  "You shaved." Her gaze moved over his bruised jaw. "That must have hurt."

  "It looks worse than it feels." He hoped the same went for her banged-up face, not that she'd say otherwise.

  Keeping an arm around her shoulders, he led her toward a log and guided her down beside him. Skylar grimaced as she crossed her ankles.

  "Where do you hurt?" he asked.

  "Everywhere." She released a long breath then glanced up at him. "Don't look so worried. I'm just stiff. Probably from sleeping for so long." She squinted as she looked up at the bright sky.

  "Probably from tumbling down the face of a cliff," he said drily as he handed her the plate of warm food.

  "It must be near nine o' clock and I know the sun was well up in the sky when you tucked me into those blankets yesterday."

 
"I'm surprised you remember."

  "Not much. But I do remember seeing you every time I opened my eyes."

  Tucker smiled as she leaned against him and began to eat. She scooted closer, pressing against his side.

  "Are you making a stew?" she asked a while later, noticing the water he had warming over the fire.

  "No. We're going to have a morning sponge bath."

  Her gaze whipped up. Tucker nearly laughed at the excitement that lit her face.

  "Do we really have time?"

  "Hell if I care. Finish up, because once you're through eating, I'm taking you back inside that tent. We'll see if I can't rub some of the stiffness out of those sore muscles."

  Skylar felt a rush of excitement as she stared at Tucker's determined gaze. "Tuck—"

  "Don't worry, honey," he said with a wink. "I'll be a perfect gentleman."

  She smiled at his words of humble intent, knowing there was no way on this earth she'd settle for having his hands on her body without touching him in return. She couldn't think of anything that could make her feel better. She needed this last bit of time alone with him.

  Anticipation bubbling, she hurried to finish her breakfast.

  They stopped the large herd at a river for a short rest before continuing on. Tucker held Rosie by the reins as he watched Skylar. He'd noticed the transformation in her the moment they caught up with her crew and herd. She'd ridden beside him for the past five hours, her expression guarded, her eyes unsmiling.

  She stood a few yards away talking to Duce and Mitch, her grey skirt billowing in the breeze. He knew she was fond of the burly men filling her in on the condition of her horses, yet he couldn't tell by her firm expression.

  Chance had been right. Skylar was used to being treated like one of the men. A few had raised their eyebrows at seeing her in her feminine attire, but they hadn't uttered a word about the change. All four men from her crew had greeted her with shoulder nudges and back slaps. The entire time her mask of indifference had remained firmly in place, leaving no trace of the sweet, wild, sensual woman he knew her to be.

  What a strain, he thought, to have to constantly suppress the woman she wants to be. The woman she is.

  This morning she had blatantly seduced him. For the first time in his life, he'd actually been prudish. He hadn't intended to make love to her, not wanting to hurt her bruised body, but Skylar had been relentless in her seduction. They'd barely made it into their clothes when Chance and Garret came back into camp. Despite all her passion this morning, she hadn't so much as flashed him a smile since. Nor had she made any attempt to be near him.

  Perhaps she was mad at him for threatening to tie her behind his saddle if she attempted any of her fancy riding tricks. She hadn't been too happy about his imposed restrictions, but she'd stayed at the back of the herd and kept a nice, easy pace.

  Tucker sensed her distance from him was more than sheer stubbornness. That thought made him nervous. He didn't like being treated like just one of the other men. She'd been damn careful not to give anyone the impression that he was her man. Yet she'd staked her claim this morning, when she settled over him, taking his body as completely as she'd taken his heart. And he'd let her, knowing he could have made her pregnant.

  His skin prickled. He warmed at the thought. Skylar had him wanting all sorts of things he'd never dreamed of before. He stuffed his hand into his pants pocket and touched the smooth band of gold.

  Well hell. He hadn't exacdy had time to woo her this morning, with their brothers damn near catching them in the buff.

  He glanced again at his woman who appeared to be in a

  serious conversation with two men from her crew. Duce caught his gaze, the look in his eyes bordering on lethal.

  What the hell was she telling them?

  Tucker swung into his saddle and began riding toward them. He reined in close beside her, catching everyone's attention.

  "Climb up here with me, honey," he said as he reached for her.

  Skylar's eyes flared in surprise.

  "Come on," he urged, smiling down at her, thinking she'd better get used to the endearment. "I want to show you something."

  "Show me something?"

  He took her hand in his. "Trust me, sweetheart."

  Red splotches flagged her cheek. "Tucker," she said, her teeth clenched.

  "Quit stalling." He tugged her toward his horse and glanced at the two men clearly struggling to bite back their smiles. "Y'all don't mind if I steal your ramrod for a time, do you?"

  Duce beamed a grin. "Not at all."

  Having no choice in the matter, Skylar reached up and allowed him to set her across his lap. He carefully draped her skirts over her legs then glanced at the other men. "We'll meet you at the ranch."

  "The ranch?" Surprise distracted Skylar from the lecture steaming in her mind. "Are we really that close?"

  "Yep."

  "Why didn't you tell me?"

  Tucker leaned forward and brushed a quick kiss across her lips, right there in front of everyone!

  "I wanted to surprise you," he said, smiling as he urged his horse into motion.

  "Tucker, you can't—"

  "Patience, honey," he interrupted. "It's not far. Once we get there, you can rip into me all you like."

  Skylar held her tongue, certain he misunderstood the type of ripping she had in mind. This was the reason she couldn't stay on at his ranch. She imagined the others knew of their involvement, but that didn't mean she wanted to make a spectacle of herself. She'd just finished making all the arrangements. As soon as Chance and Tucker paid her for her mustangs and the marriage document was annulled, she and Garret would be riding out with Duce and a couple of the others.

  Tucker's arm tightened around her waist, and Skylar shut her eyes, pain piercing her chest at the thought of leaving him. She settled against him, finding strength in his touch. He stopped a short distance later at the base of a grassy knoll, and Skylar was certain he was stealing more time to be alone with her.

  "Tucker," she said as he set her on her feet.

  "Hold your horses," he teased, dismounting and taking her by the hand. "It's right up here."

  A cold breeze tugged at Skylar's skirts as she followed him up the grass-covered hill. As they neared the top, a green valley backed by huge, snowcapped mountains came into view.

  Skylar's breath stalled in her lungs as she caught sight of the ranch in the center of the rippling valley, her eyes taking in the large farmhouse standing among the stables and outbuildings.

  "A little slice of paradise, huh?"

  "Tucker," she said, struggling to find her breath. "Is that your ranch?"

  "Uh-huh. See that?" he said, pointing at the two-story farmhouse that had caught her attention immediately. "That's our house. I haven't actually seen the finished product. Chance and I had just finished framing it when I took off to New Mexico, looking for wild mustangs."

  "It's so big, and beautiful."

  She shivered as he moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle. "Welcome home, Skylar," he whispered against her ear. "If you weren't already my wife, I'd ask you to marry me."

  Her sharp intake of air told Tucker his words surprised her. The intensity of what he felt for this woman continued to surprise him.

  She pulled back, turning slowly in his arms. "Tuck?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

  "I love you, Skylar," he said in a rush. "I don't want to sneak around to make love to my wife. I want you in my arms every night, every morning, and all the time in between." He leaned down and brushed his lips across her gaping lower lip. "Will you stay with me, share my home, be my wife?"

  Her tense expression didn't waver as she stared up at him.

  Tucker began to panic.

  "Damn it, Skylar, you love me!"

  "I know."

  "You know?" he repeated, bewildered, elated, in love. "You love me?"

  Skylar's lips quirked with a smile as she gave a nod.

  "Woul
d it kill you to say so?"

  She slid her arms around his neck. "I love you, Tucker."

  "I knew you did."

  Joy bursting through her soul, Skylar laughed at his smug grin. "No you didn't. You were downright scared."

  "I know now. You could say it again, honey." But he didn't wait for her to speak. His mouth settled over hers and he kissed her until she sagged against him.

  "Tell me that you'll be my wife," he said when they paused for breath.

  "Tell me you love me," she countered.

  "I love you," he said, his voice fraught with urgency.

  "Then I'll be your wife."

  His eyes shimmering with excitement, Tucker stepped back and dipped his hand into his pocket. Skylar gasped as she saw a shimmer of gold. Lifting her hand, he slid the ring onto her finger. "This makes it official, Mrs. Morgan."

  Tears stung her eyes as she stared down at the band and small twinkling diamond. It was beautiful, perfect. "Where did you—"

  "Chance gave it to me. It was our mother's. Do you like it?"

  Oh God. She couldn't breathe.

  Just like the man standing before her, it was so much more than she had ever hoped to have, exceeding her wildest dreams.

  "I love it."

  "Then why are you crying?" he asked as he stroked his thumb across her tear-streaked cheek.

  "I don't know," she answered truthfully, laughing as he pulled her into his arms. Apparently happiness could also trigger a tearful response. She'd never been so happy in all her life.

  "You ready to go see your new home?" Tucker asked, anxious to show her the spacious seven-bedroom house. Wait till she sees the view from our bedroom window, he thought, glad now that he'd chosen the master bedroom facing the east instead of the west. This year he'd get to spend long winter mornings in bed with his wife, watching the sunrise and keeping warm.

  "How could you have left this place?" she asked, staring out at the valley. "It's perfect."

  "I told you it was the most beautiful stretch of land this side of heaven," he said, hugging her against him. "It just took an angel to make it feel like home."

  His angel turned, giving him the smile that melted his heart.

  Epilogue