“Where did you learn to kiss like that?” he asked as the next song began.
Chaney couldn’t believe the unhappy frown on his face. If she thought she had truly affected him, it would be a great boon to her ego. Her ego, which had taken a huge beating with the reading of her father’s will. Travis McBride had made it clear he didn’t believe his oldest daughter could attract a man without the ranch as a dowry. The reminder caused her lighthearted reply to sound more forced than she would have liked.
“Practice,” she said. Obviously, surprised by her answer his hold loosened. Chaney twirled out of his embrace. Then she forced herself to walk, not run away.
***
Jed watched her weave her way across the dance floor. Her long silky hair, normally pulled out of her way into a braid or ponytail, fell softly over her shoulders. Had he really imagined the caramel warmth in her eyes? The thoughts held him immobile until guests bumped into him on the dance floor. He started to follow her and demand to know just whom she’d been practicing with. Thankfully, the stupidity of the thought stopped him. Chaney didn’t owe him any explanations. The ones he owed her would never see the light of day. Even if they did, he doubted she would believe them.
With a grin of resolution pulling at his lips, he shook off the charge her kiss had given him. She’d shot down his proposal. Nothing else mattered. He caught sight of his uncle waving him over and grudgingly made his way to the older man.
Dale didn’t look as hard as Jed remembered, granted, his memories were jaded by the night he’d left town. He’d been back once before to attend his aunt’s funeral. At that time, his uncle barely spoke to anyone. If Dale ever loved anyone, it had been her. Her loss had no doubt been hard on him. Not that his uncle would admit it. His features may have softened with age, looking at his still straight posture and rock hard stare, Jed doubted his demeanor had changed.
“That was quite a performance out there.”
Jed didn’t say a word. He knew nothing he said would make a difference anyway. He simply stood beside Dale and stared unseeing at the people on the dance floor. He and his uncle had barely spoken since Jed left twelve years ago. Since that time, he only talked to Steve. If his cousin hadn’t asked him to be part of the wedding, he wouldn’t be here now. He also wouldn’t have made a fool of himself daring Chaney to marry him. Damn Steve.
“Just because her father’s gone, doesn’t mean you can come back and everything between you two will be the same. You know how he felt about you.”
“Hate is hard to forget.”
“That it is. Not to side with the man, but back then you were looking for a way to prove you weren’t worthy of anything or anyone. You took the surest road to that end.”
Jed didn’t say anything. As much as he wanted to deny it, the words held more than a grain of truth. Oh, he had loved Chaney. He would never deny that. He did have to admit his original interest in their relationship had been colored by the fact it would tick her father off.
“Son, if I thought for one moment, it would have been better for you to stay here and face down McBride, I’d a backed you as if you were my own. Truth is you needed to go. You didn’t think you needed anybody. I figured some time on your own, away from everyone that cared for you, would show you how wrong you were.”
Jed didn’t bother taking his gaze from the dance floor. He didn’t believe his uncle really cared about him. He decided to keep the conversation going on the outside chance he was wrong. “You could have said something before now.”
If Dale had said something back then, Jed might have had the support he needed when his marriage fell apart and he never would have lost custody of Ashley. Instead, he had been alone. His ex used his deployment as a way to get their daughter back. He could still hear Ashley begging him not to let her go as her mother took her away from his apartment. Reliving the experience wasn’t going to help him now. He released a breath and returned his attention to his uncle’s reply.
“Probably, but I’m better at giving orders than explanations,” Dale said with a chuckle, drawing Jed’s gaze to him. “I’m not saying this to upset you. I’m also not apologizing for letting you leave.”
Now that Jed believed. His uncle never apologized for anything. Nevertheless, something in those blue eyes that reminded Jed of his father eased some of the ill will Jed harbored toward the man.
“Anyway, what I mean is, maybe I should have said something all those years ago, but I can’t change the past.” Dale turned.
Jed followed his uncle’s gaze to the doorway where Chaney stood. He couldn’t imagine what Dale planned to say. He didn’t have to wait long to find out.
“If you still love her, do your best to win her back,” he said, and then turned his full attention back to Jed. He raised a hand to Jed’s shoulder. “If you don’t, then as much as it hurts me to say it, you should probably leave. That girl’s had more hurt than she deserves. Don’t give her anymore.” His uncle squeezed Jed’s shoulder before walking away.
Jed stared after him in shock. Dale never cared about Jed’s feelings one way or the other. He sure as hell had never called him son as he’d done a few minutes ago.
Shaking his head Jed decided it must be some kind of emotional thing tied with weddings. People said and did things they didn’t normally do. Like Chaney kissing him.
Not to mention me daring her to marry me. What the hell was I thinking?
Custody.
The single word brought him crashing back to the ugly reality he called life. From the moment he’d seen Chaney walking down the aisle, he knew she could solve all his problems. He had known in that moment that a simple dare could change everything. Everything wrong could be set right. Someone bumped into him, and he realized he was in the middle of a crowded room staring at nothing. Taking a deep breath, he walked toward the patio doors. He needed air, even hot, dry, dusty Colorado air.
Standing on the patio, he gazed up at the Rocky Mountains. Late afternoon had turned to evening. The setting sun caused shadows to shoot reds and purples over the dry ground, softening the austere landscape, much as clouds had done on the vast ocean when he’d been in the Navy. He followed the sun’s descent with his eyes. The hope that bloomed when he first saw Chaney today faded with the sun disappearing behind the dark peaks. Dusk enveloped the land. Loneliness wrapped around his heart.
“Hey, Jed,” a sultry voice crooned behind him.
His grip momentarily tightened on the wrought iron railing. He remembered that voice from high school. He hadn’t liked Trish then. Now she reminded him of his ex so much, her voice felt like someone pouring saltwater on a fresh wound. He took a deep breath before turning to face her.
“Hello, Trish. Good to see you,” he lied.
“Really?” she asked with a pouting mouth. “Why don’t you come over here and prove to me how good it is?”
Jed didn’t move. He wasn’t going to play this game again. His ex had taught him well. If she hadn’t been using lines on him, she’d been using them on his buddies. It was a lesson he didn’t plan to forget any time soon.
“Why are you wasting time on the past when I’m available to provide you with an enjoyable present?”
Before he could think of a less rude reply than “because you’re a bitch,” he saw one of the ushers waving him inside. “They’re signaling to me. It must be time for the toast. Best man duties, you know.”
When he started to walk past her, she reached out and wrapped her hand around his arm.
“And all the women in attendance know you are definitely the best man.”
Jed said nothing. He glanced at her hand on his arm, then up to her eyes.
“Ouch,” she said pulling her hand back. “That look could burn a girl, Jed. Of course, you remember I like to play with fire.”
Still silent, Jed walked away. As if he needed another reminder of his ex-wife, shrill laughter chased his steps. Yeah, he knew Trish liked to play with fire. He also knew how much she or any other fling
would damage his fight for custody.
He forced a smile to his face as a waiter offered him a champagne flute. He stepped onto the stage, took the mic, and brought everyone to silence.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today, oops, sorry that was the pastor’s line.” Laughter gave him a moment to collect his thoughts. Knowing he would easily find the right words to celebrate his cousin’s happiness, he hadn’t written out or practiced a speech as many people did for this type of situation. He just needed the moment to pull himself out of the depressing thoughts that had plagued him most of the day. Smiling, he lifted his glass to silence the laughter his joke had caused.
“Today we are the recipients of a wonderful gift; the invitation to share in the exchanging of vows between two of the most loved people in this town.” A chorus of ‘damned straights’ and ‘yeahs,’ told him everyone agreed. “I’ve known Steve forever. Yes, he’s family, and I know you’re thinking I have to say something nice. The truth is I would have to say something nice even if he wasn’t family, because Steve is the best man I’ve ever known.” He moved his gaze to Chaney’s sister.
“Belle, I can tell you from experience, you can trust Steve with your heart. He is faithful, honest, and hard working. The man doesn’t know how to let someone down. In good times and bad, Steve will stand by you. Though I don’t know you very well, if you’ve earned Steve’s heart then you must be one very special lady.
“And Steve, don’t get a swelled head from my words or the fact that you’ve won this lady. I’ve only been back in town a few hours and all I hear are wonderful things said about her, so you’d just better thank the man upstairs for blessing you. Not many of us find the kind of love you two have.” He saw Steve hug Belle a little closer as he nodded his agreement.
“To Belle and Steve, truly, I wish you all the happiness the world has to offer. To the happy couple.” His glass raised in the air he caught sight of Chaney. The chandelier above her cast a shimmer on her face. Tears? The image shocked him so, for a moment he forgot to take a drink to mark the toast. After he did, he looked at Chaney again. He decided it must have been a trick of the lighting. She was laughing, smiling, and hugging Belle. Besides, Chaney never cried.
The evening continued and Jed found himself dancing more than he liked. With extreme patience, he took each of the bridesmaids out on the floor. Each tried but couldn’t distract his mind from bouncing between the upcoming custody battle and Chaney’s kiss. The kiss had taken him back to the past, reminding him of what he’d given up. He’d never kissed anyone the way he did Chaney. Doubted he even could. She had been his first love. Back when he believed in love.
Almost three years older than her, Jed hadn’t gone away to college after high school. By then he knew he loved her. He had to bide his time until she turned eighteen. Staying on at his uncle’s ranch allowed him to be close at hand to watch Chaney’s metamorphosis from wild teenager to caring, desirable young woman. She had still been wild, but their relationship changed. Teasing friends became devoted lovers. Those had been the best days of his life. Jed remembered those days now as he twirled Chaney’s sister around the dance floor.
Jed knew Chaney loved Belle dearly. Still, he remembered all the times he’d listened to her tell him her father would never miss her since he had Belle. Though she said it straight out, not asking for sympathy, Jed knew it hurt her. Now he danced with Belle and her melodious voice cut into his walk down memory lane.
“Steve tells me you’re going to stay around for a while,” Belle said, bringing Jed back to the present.
“Hmm. Oh, I’m looking into it.”
“He’s so excited. You’re all he’s talked about lately. I’m sure there are others that will be glad you’re staying, too.”
“I can’t think of any.” Jed heard himself reply before his brain could stop his tongue.
Belle teasingly slapped his shoulder. “Oh you, like you haven’t noticed half the attendees at this reception have been drooling over you.”
Jed chuckled. “Steve’s right, you are good for a man’s ego.”
“Thank you, sir,” Belle said, fluttering her eyes in what Jed assumed to be her imitation of a southern belle. “But I only speak the truth.”
“Truth or not, I hadn’t noticed anyone of consequence drooling in my direction.” Damn it, why couldn’t he keep his tongue under control today?
“And who would it have to be for you to notice?”
Jed gave her a spin before answering. “I’m sure Steve’s mentioned my divorce, Belle. Let’s just say it left a bitter taste in my mouth. I’m not interested in sampling any other flavors for a long time.” A wife might help his custody battle, but he didn’t really want one.
Unless it’s Chaney.
No, he thought smiling down at Belle. He didn’t want a wife, period.
“My, my, my but you do speak beautifully. I’ll bet that’s why Chaney loves you.”
Her comment caused Jed to trip over his own feet. When he recovered, he again looked down at her smiling face and frowned. “I think you’ve somehow mistaken hate for love.”
Belle shook her head. “Chaney wouldn’t know how to hate anyone. She has the softest heart in the world. I know. I tested her patience more than once.”
Jed grinned. He knew she spoke the truth. She had driven Chaney crazy when they were younger. “In my case she’s made an exception.”
He hoped Belle would take his word for it. She didn’t need to hear the story of his relationship with Chaney and its untimely demise courtesy of their father. No one needed to hear that.
“We’ll see,” Belle said as the song ended.
Jed had to admit it was nice to see someone who still believed in dreams coming true. “Be happy.”
“Of course she’ll be happy,” Steve exclaimed pulling his new wife to his side. “She has me.”
Jed grinned and listened as they planned their escape from the reception.
***
Chaney waved as the limousine pulled away from the reception hall a short while after watching Belle dance with Jed. Seeing Belle laugh and smile, she had wondered what they were talking about. Actually, she had worried about it while Steve tried to distract her by twirling her on the dance floor. It hadn’t worked. Chaney had no doubt that Belle arranged this surprise reunion in hopes that Jed would solve Chaney’s marriage issue. Too bad her sister didn’t understand he was the one man she would never consider.
As the taillights of the limo faded in the distance, a sigh escaped her. It was finally over and Belle and Steve had left for a two-week honeymoon. She smiled. She could finally get out of this danged dress and away from the cloying scent of lilies and gardenias made worse by the day’s heat. She whirled and slammed into a wall. No, not a wall, that would have been preferable to what, or rather whom she ran into.
“Jed.”
“Did you think I’d disappear when the car pulled away?”
Chaney wasn’t sure which bothered her more, being flustered by his nearness or her forgetfulness. She didn’t want to think about it either. “No, of course not, I-I just forgot you were here. Well, not you, but anyone.”
“Leave that much of an impression, do I?”
“You should know better than to fish for compliments from me, Jed Sampson.”
Belatedly realizing his arms were still around her from stopping her fall, she pushed away. His hands lingered for a moment, a very long moment. When they finally dropped from her waist, he raked one through his thick blond hair again. Chaney remembered tunneling her fingers through that hair. How it would tickle her palm. Damn it. She forced the memory back to the darkest closet of her mind.
“We were friends once,” he said, pulling her gaze up to his face.
His voice so quiet, so sincere she almost believed he cared about her response. Then reality kicked back in. Jed didn’t care about her. Was friendship all he remembered? She’d thought her heart was beyond hurting, the ache in her chest told her she thou
ght wrong.
Buck-up, girl. You don’t need him or anyone else, remember? Thank God for her conscience.
“That friendship ended a long time ago. Look, I appreciate your toast for Belle and Steve. It was beautiful, but they’re gone now, so we can stop pretending. We’re not friends. We’re not even enemies. We’re nothing.” Her spine straightened a little with each word. At the same time, she feared her heart would shatter. She needed to get away from him. From herself. She needed to work. “It’s been a long day. I have to get back to the ranch.”
“Of course you do. It might disappear if you don’t get back before midnight.”
Her eyes though burning with angry tears at his sarcasm, managed to glare at him. “No, the ranch won’t disappear. Unlike people, it can’t run away when things get tough. Good-bye, Jed.” Gathering her pride around her like a suit of armor, Chaney turned and walked away.
Jed couldn’t move. The old sarcasm had come too quickly and easily to his lips. He couldn’t believe he still resented the damned ranch. Even if he did, what happened to his self-control? He wasn’t a wild teenager wearing his heart on his sleeve anymore.
Really? Even Trish could see you still want Chaney.
Growling at his conscience, he rolled his shoulders and shook off the stupid thought. The only thing he cared about was winning custody of his daughter. He’d thought Chaney could be the answer. He’d been wrong. That’s why the old animosity took over. Fear, plain and simple. Still, she didn’t deserve his anger.
He deserved hers. She believed him a coward and, twelve years ago, he had been. He understood her anger. She’d been barely eighteen when he’d walked away. Granted, crawl would be a more appropriate term, but leave he did. In his defense, he had tried to call and talk to her only to find her cell phone had been disconnected. He could never get anyone to put him through on the house line. It hadn’t taken long to realize her father had given everyone strict orders not to accept Jed’s calls. He obviously never exposed his role in my disappearance either. He hadn’t seen her again until his aunt’s funeral seven years later. By then, courtesy of a drunken binge on the anniversary of her father’s ultimatum, Jed was married.
A Daring Proposal Page 2
