“You mean like with the judge?” Samantha asked thoughtfully.
“Yes,” Megan said with a sigh. Another reason to be grateful to Rick. Not what she needed.
“Mac said he thought the only reason the hearing went so well was Rick making sure the reporters and the mayor were there,” Samantha added, matching her sigh. “It’s discouraging to see so many corrupt people, isn’t it?”
Megan bowed her head. More gratitude. “I certainly chose the right man to marry, didn’t I?”
Instead of answering, Samantha studied her. Then she asked, “Have things changed? I mean, are you getting to know each other?”
Hysterical laughter rose in Megan. Getting to know each other? Oh, yeah. “Uh, yes, but—but we’re going to hold to the agreement. When I get custody of the children, we’ll get a divorce.”
She should’ve known better than to say anything. She was too distracted to watch herself. After all, she was talking to a medical doctor and the wife of a lawyer. Samantha picked up on her words at once.
“A divorce? Not an annulment?”
Damn, damn, damn. She could feel her face flooding with color. Unable to face Samantha, she looked away.
“Oh, Megan, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business…but I can certainly understand how…Mac was impossible to resist, even though I had a lot of reasons to. If you need me to prescribe birth control pills, just let me know.” She reached over and hugged Megan, then left the room.
Birth control pills.
Had Rick used a condom?
Admittedly, she was inexperienced, but she hadn’t noticed if he’d done so.
Had she been so stupid as to risk a pregnancy with a man who had promised to divorce her? Or annul her or whatever it was called?
Apparently she had.
She rubbed her forehead, hoping to ease the intensifying headache that was throbbing between her eyes.
Suddenly, she decided she couldn’t go home. Not now. She needed some time to think. To prepare herself to face Rick.
She grabbed the phone and dialed their number.
“Hello?” Rick answered.
She struggled to speak. “I want to speak to Mom.”
“Megan? When are you coming home? I’ve been waiting for—”
“I need to speak to Mom.”
She shuddered with relief when her mother spoke into the phone.
“Hello, dear. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, but I’m going to assist with Florence’s class tonight, Mom, if that’s all right. Can you manage the children by yourself?”
“Of course, dear, but…but Rick told me…are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine. I’ll be home around ten.”
AFTER DINNER and the children’s bedtime, Rick sat down with Faith and gave her the complete explanation of his past, and why he’d accepted their proposal. It sounded silly now, that he’d been operating his ranch on a limited budget to see if he could make a success of it. To challenge himself. Knowing all the time he had enough money to operate a ranch ten times its size with all the help he wanted.
But his life had been a mess. He’d buried himself in his work because his marriage had been a disaster. His wife had divorced him because she didn’t think he had enough money for her, or time. Then he’d sold his company, leaving himself with nothing to do. His parents were dead. He’d been alone.
He’d needed a new life.
Hard work and a friendly community had given him peace, if not happiness. It had taken Megan and her family to bring him that.
Faith had been understanding and sympathetic, he thought, because he didn’t tell her what had happened last night.
“I’m sure Megan will eventually forgive you, Rick, but—well, Drake was such a liar. He hid a lot of things from Andrea and us. It won’t be easy for Megan.”
“No, I know. But my intentions were good, Faith. And I love your daughter. I don’t intend to let her walk away from me, from what we have.”
“It has to be Megan’s decision, Rick,” Faith said, leaning forward. “You see, Drake didn’t give Andrea any choice, either. Nothing would scare Megan away faster than trying to force her.”
“I didn’t mean—thanks, Faith, for the good advice. I assume you don’t have any objections if it’s Megan’s choice?”
“Of course not. You’ve been wonderful. The children and I consider you family. If Megan is happy…” Her voice trailed off and she sighed. “I love living here.”
Rick smiled, hoping he could keep all of them living there. If he couldn’t, he vowed he’d be the one to leave. He couldn’t live there without Megan now.
“I’ll do my best,” he assured his mother-in-law.
Faith went up to bed, leaving Rick to await Megan’s return.
As the clock neared ten, he grew more and more nervous. Finally, he moved to the porch, sitting in the porch swing in darkness, awaiting her return.
When headlights appeared on the road, he held his breath. The car turned into their drive and he watched as Megan parked the car and got out. She was only a shadow in the dark, but her outline was that of a defeated woman. Her shoulders slumped, and she walked slowly, as if she had no strength left.
And she never saw him.
He waited until she reached the back door to speak.
“Megan.”
She whipped around, startled. “Rick! I didn’t see you.”
“Join me in the swing?”
“No. I’m tired. I’m going to bed.” As she finished speaking, she turned to enter the house.
“What bed are you going to sleep in?” he asked quietly, though he already knew the answer.
After a tense silence, she said softly, “Mine. I’m going to sleep in mine.”
“Megan, can’t we talk? I’d like to explain why—”
“We’ll talk,” she assured him, her voice tight. “But not tonight. I can’t, tonight.”
He wanted to hold her, to comfort her, as he’d done at other times. He wanted to love her. But the desperation in her voice told him she would accept nothing from him right now.
“Okay,” he agreed and watched relief in her sagging body. “When?”
“I can’t…I can’t think, right now. Give me a couple of days…please.”
He couldn’t resist her plea. He loved her. With a quiet acceptance, he nodded.
She went into the house, shutting the door behind her.
He only hoped she hadn’t locked it.
THE TELEPHONE company called the next morning with their new number. Abruptly, the phone calls stopped. Rick gave the new number to Faith, and through her to Megan, and cautioned them about whom they gave it to.
Megan had gone in to work. Rick had waited for her to come down that morning. It had been a wasted effort. She’d looked pale, drawn. She hadn’t eaten anything, though he’d offered to fix breakfast.
She also had scarcely spoken to him.
Faith, also up, had waited until Megan left. “Your talk didn’t go well?”
“We didn’t talk. She asked for a couple of days to…to think.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I agreed.”
“That was kind of you. And wise. I’m sure she’ll listen to you soon.”
Rick shrugged his shoulders again. What choice did he have?
“What are you going to do today? Aren’t you going to work?”
“I’m going to hire some more help, so I don’t have to put in so many hours. And I’ve got some projects to work on. My business manager has located an opportunity in Fort Worth that I want to look into.”
“You’re moving to Fort Worth?” Faith asked, startled.
“No. I’m not moving anywhere unless…I can run it from here, visiting Fort Worth only two or three times a year. But it would provide some jobs, be a challenge to me.”
“Cactus could use a few more jobs, too. Mabel and I were talking the other day about our young people leaving to find jobs in Lubbock.”
R
ick frowned. “You’re right, Faith. I’ll keep that in mind.” The project in Fort Worth involved hardware for the future. But he had an idea for a software program, too. Maybe he could start it up here, in Cactus.
He went up to his bedroom, where his computer was. If they all stayed…when they all settled in, he might add onto the house, build an office where he could work without leaving home.
Before he started work, he called Mac to give him his new number.
“I’ve been trying to reach you,” Mac said at once, “and the number rang without any answer.”
“Sorry, I had to change the number. Some reporters got the old one and wouldn’t stop calling.”
“Things are happening fast. I had word that Moody got out of prison last night. He could be on his way here.”
“What? That fast? Damn! Have you told Megan?”
“No, I wanted to talk to you first. Cal and I discussed the situation. We think it would be best if Faith and the children were hidden away somewhere until we’re sure what Moody is going to do.”
“That’s a good idea. I can fly them—”
“Cal’s mother offered to have them visit her.”
“Here in Cactus? Do you think that’s wise?” Rick had thought he could send them on vacation. He didn’t believe Moody really wanted the children or cared about them enough to travel very far.
“I’m not sure Megan would stand for them to go far away,” Mac said. “You can ask her but—”
“She’d agree if it meant their safety. I could send her with them.”
“I thought about that, but I think she’ll have to confront Moody at some point. Better to get it over with.”
“I won’t have her in danger,” Rick protested.
“She won’t be. Cal will provide protection. The man won’t be able to find your place without asking directions. So we’ll have advance warning.”
Rick sighed. He didn’t like what was happening, but his choices were limited. “Okay, what do I need to do?”
“Talk to Faith and Megan. Have Faith pack some things and get her and the kids over to Mabel’s right away. Megan will have to stay away from them for a few days, to make sure she isn’t followed.
“And give Cal your new number so he can let you know what he hears.”
“Right.”
After talking to Cal, Rick hurried back down the stairs. “Faith,” he called. She answered him from the kitchen.
He explained Mac’s plan. When she hurried out of the kitchen to pack some necessities, he picked up the phone and dialed the clinic’s number.
Without trying to talk to Meg, he asked for Samantha. “I’m sorry to bother you,” he said when she came on the line, “but I don’t think Megan will talk to me.” Then he explained what was happening.
A minute later, Megan got on the phone. “Is Mom okay with the plan?” Her voice was strained, filled with worry.
“Yeah. You won’t be able to see them for a few days, Megan. Okay?”
“Yes, I understand. I need to talk to her.”
“I’ll get her.”
He waited while Faith talked to her daughter. The only part Faith had had a problem with was Megan staying behind, in case Drake appeared. Rick had promised her he would protect Megan.
He would promise the same to Megan, if she’d speak to him.
Faith hung up the phone. “Torie’s choosing a few toys to take with her. Will you see if she’s ready while I get Drew?”
“Sure.”
In Torie’s room, he discovered all her toys piled on her bed. “What’s this?” he asked.
She spun around and raced to him, throwing her arms around his legs. “Don’t you love me anymore?”
He reached down and lifted the little girl into his arms. “Of course I love you. Why would you ask that?”
“Because Grandma said we have to go away,” she told him, her eyes sad.
“Just for a few days, sweetheart. To keep you safe.”
“But who will keep you safe? And Mommy?”
He’d already said too much. Faith hadn’t wanted to alarm Torie by mentioning her father.
“I’ll keep me and Mommy safe, I promise.”
“And Flower?”
“And Flower. And I’ll try to teach Flower not to have accidents while you’re gone.”
“I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with you and Mommy and Flower,” she pleaded, her little hands on each side of his face.
He kissed her chin and then buried his face in her sweet neck. “I know, baby, I know. But I promise it will just be for a day or two.” Or three or four. He hoped it wasn’t for long. As much as he loved Megan and wanted her to himself, he was discovering just how much he loved her family, too.
“Now,” he said, pulling back, “we’re supposed to pack a few toys.”
“I did,” Torie assured him, waving toward her bed.
He cleared his throat. “Little one, I think maybe Grandma should’ve explained what few means. That means only, uh, five toys.”
“How many is five?”
He held up one hand, his fingers spread out. “This many. And that’s all,” he said, trying to sound stern.
After some negotiating, he grabbed a suitcase from his closet and packed Torie’s choices. Then they joined Faith and Drew downstairs.
“Ready?” he asked.
She nodded, her throat working, as if she would cry.
“It’s just for a few days, Faith. I promise.”
She nodded and tried to smile.
“Are you sad, too, Grandma?” Torie asked.
“Yes, but we’ll have fun, you know. Everything will be fine.”
“I know. Daddy said so.”
Torie’s faith in his word filled Rick’s heart. He hoped he never failed her. And he hoped she didn’t discuss her trust with Megan.
He delivered Faith and the children to the Baxters, receiving assurances from Mabel and her husband Ed that they’d keep his family safe.
Then he headed back to the house. He had some calls to make, hoping he’d find some more men to work on the ranch. His promise to himself to make it on his own was forgotten. He had a family to protect, and he intended to use every resource he had to do so.
Fortunately he had a lot of resources.
Only one question remained.
Had Megan remembered she’d be alone on the ranch with him since Faith and the children had left?
Chapter Sixteen
It had struck Megan that she’d be alone at the ranch with Rick when she got in the car after work. Until then, her mind had been full with the notion of Drake Moody’s possible appearance and the demands of her job.
She sat behind the wheel without starting the motor, staring into space. She’d tried to avoid thinking about Rick and his lies. But it had been impossible.
She’d counted herself lucky to find an honest man, an honorable man…and a man without wealth. Now she’d discovered he hadn’t been honest, which wasn’t honorable, and he had even more wealth than Drake.
And she was married to him.
In his defense, he’d never tried to manipulate her. He’d done his best to protect the children. And while he’d let her know he wanted her, she had been the one to initiate their lovemaking.
Wearily, she let out a long breath. So she couldn’t blame him for the mess she was in. For falling in love with a man she didn’t really know. For making their marriage real without taking the time to be sure.
And her anger wasn’t really with Rick. It was with herself. She’d made all those promises to herself, and she’d broken every one.
It was time to tell Rick the truth.
It was her fault that the marriage had gone as far as it had. She was sorry, she’d made a mistake. She’d give him a divorce as soon as he wanted it.
Without taking any money from him.
That had to be the reason he’d kept it all a secret. Like most people with money, he wanted to protect what was his.
She drove
slowly home, wondering if Rick would continue the pretense long enough for her to get custody of the children. Or would he decide they weren’t worth the effort? After all, he could hire a housekeeper if he wanted.
Though she’d hoped he would be at work, and she could postpone their conversation for a little longer, she found him waiting at the backdoor when she got out of her car.
His gaze burned into her, causing shivers on her arms, as she approached.
“Hi. I made some lunch, if you’re hungry.”
She swallowed. Lunch. Even if she managed to eat anything, she wasn’t sure she could keep it down. “Um, thanks, but—”
“You didn’t eat breakfast. Your mother and the kids made me promise I’d take care of you.”
She avoided looking at him, but she couldn’t help poking fun at his words, just a little. “Yeah, I bet Drew was adamant that I eat lunch.”
Rick chuckled slightly, surprising her. “Yeah, he threatened to arm wrestle me.”
She looked at him, then, pleasure surging through her at his handsome face, a smile parting his lips. She looked away hurriedly.
“I’ll eat something,” she promised, going past him into the house.
He’d heated the leftovers from yesterday’s lunch and had it waiting on the table, two places nicely set. What a change from that first dinner at his house.
She laid her purse on the kitchen cabinet and sat down, immediately taking a long sip of tea. Her throat felt as dry as dust.
Sitting down across from her, Rick picked up a dish and offered it to her. She took a little corn, then salad and a biscuit. He put a slice of meatloaf on her plate.
“I can serve myself,” she insisted.
“I didn’t figure you’d take enough. I don’t want you passing out on me.”
She didn’t want that either. It would mean losing control.
“I talked to Mom before I left the office. She said the kids were settling in. Drew seemed to enjoy playing with Cal and Jessica’s little boy.”
“They’re about the same age, aren’t they?”
“Yes. Their son, Spence and Melanie’s son, and Alex and Tuck’s little girl were all born on the same day, Samantha and Mac’s wedding day.”
The Great Texas Wedding Bargain Page 16
