In the Arms of the Rancher

by Joan Hohl

  “I’m fine,” Kate answered. “Or I will be as soon as we’re there and I can move around again.”

  “Won’t be long now.” He hazarded a quick glance at her. “I imagine you’re tired.”

  “A little,” she said wryly. “It’s been a pretty hectic day.”

  He laughed. “It’s been a hectic week.”

  “Yes.” A tire hit a pothole, and Kate’s butt lifted from the seat for an instant, landing with a painful jar to her spine.

  To her mind, they couldn’t get off this miserable road fast enough. But, all things considered, the past week had gone by smoothly and swiftly.

  The day after Hawk had agreed to her marriage idea, he had shown up at the restaurant moments after she had arrived for work. Together they had sought out Vic. They both knew he had to be convinced that they had almost immediately fallen in love, which wouldn’t be a snap, as Vic was a very shrewd man.

  The performance began with Hawk asking Vic if they could talk in private. Readily agreeing, though eyeing both of them with a curiosity bordering on suspicion, Vic led them into his small office.

  “What’s up?” he asked, getting directly to the point.

  Encircling her waist with his arm, Hawk took over. “I’m stealing your hostess away, Vic.”

  Vic looked from one to the other, his suspicions now completely awakened. “What exactly do you mean by stealing Kate?” His gaze settled on her. “You want the day off to spend with the warrior here?” He indicated Hawk with a jerk of his head.

  Pulling her closer to him, Hawk answered for her. “No, Vic, she doesn’t want the day off to spend with me. Kate’s going to leave to spend the rest of her life with me at the ranch.”

  “What the hell?” Vic exclaimed, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. “What are you talking about, Hawk? Is this some kind of a joke?”

  “You know me better than that, Vic,” Hawk answered. “I wouldn’t joke about something this serious. I love Kate, I’m going to marry her as soon as possible and I would like you to be my best man.”

  His expression now oscillating between delight and confusion, Vic stared at Kate. “Is he serious? No, I can tell he’s serious. What about you, Kate?”

  “I’m very serious, Vic,” she said, her voice soft but rock steady. “I love him.” Kate turned to gaze up at Hawk in what she hoped was close to adoration. In truth, it wasn’t difficult….

  She had no time to contemplate the questions rising to nag at her mind. Without further probing, Vic let out a whoop and snatched Kate from Hawk to give her a big brotherly hug.

  “Of course I’ll be your best man, chump,” he told Hawk. “Hell, I always was the best man.”

  “Not in this lifetime or any other,” Hawk retorted, extending his right hand to Vic. “We want to get married as quickly as possible.” He pulled Kate gently from Vic and back into his arms. “Don’t we, Katie?”

  “Yes, we do,” she whispered, lowering her eyes and easily managing a soft sigh.

  Vic was grinning and rubbing his hands together. Kate thought she could almost see the wheels rolling inside his head. “Okay, I have an idea.”

  Kate smiled. Vic always had an idea and was usually dead right with it.

  “Go on,” she said.

  “I was sure you would,” Hawk drawled.

  Vic looked at Kate. “Were you thinking of getting married in one of the hotels or chapels?”

  “Lord no,” Kate yelped.

  Vic smiled happily. “I was hoping you’d say that. Now, would you like to be married right here, in the restaurant, with the customers as witnesses?”

  “Yes!” Kate and Hawk declared in unison.

  “Then go do what you have to do,” Vic said, flicking a hand to send them away. “I’ll take care of everything.”

  “But…” Kate protested, “don’t you need me at the hostess station?”

  “We’ll manage.” Vic hugged her again. “Go. Be together. I have things to do, people to talk to, the first one being Lisa.”

  “Oh, that reminds me,” Kate said. “I must call Lisa to ask her to be my matron of honor.”

  “I’ll take care of that, too.” Vic grinned. “She is going to be so excited. I can’t wait to tell her. So, kids, get lost. Come back for supper.”

  Kate and Hawk went shopping, though not together. She went shopping for a special dress. He, she found out later, went shopping for wedding bands…plural. Kate couldn’t have been more surprised days later, when after Hawk placed a gold band on her finger, Vic handed her a matching band to slide onto Hawk’s finger.

  It was a beautiful wedding. After sending Bella shopping for decorations, Vic had drafted all the employees, and any of the customers who wanted to help, to festoon the restaurant with yards of white tulle and dozens of white silk flowers. Everyone had enjoyed every minute of the fun, and when they had finished, the decorations had looked so good, Vic had decided to keep them up permanently.

  Kate smiled in remembrance of the serious, fun but long wedding day. She and Hawk had left the party, still in full swing, just in time to catch the flight to Colorado that he had booked them on.

  Now, tired to exhaustion, Kate was relieved when Hawk steered the truck onto a smoother surface before coming to a stop in front of a large ranch house with a deep porch that ran the entire width.

  Pulling the hand brake, Hawk heaved a deep sigh and turned to smile at her. “I’m dragging, Kate. What about you?”

  “I feel the same,” she said, sighing as deeply as he had. “Why are there lights on in the house?” she asked, frowning. “I hope you don’t have company, because I’m light years away from entertaining tonight.”

  “I only rarely get company, Kate, and never without forewarning.” Pushing his truck door open, he jumped to the ground. “I contacted my foreman to ask him to turn on the lights for us.”

  “Oh, okay.” She turned to open her door only to find him coming to a halt beside it. He offered his hand to help her out, and she gratefully accepted, knowing full well there was no way she’d jump out the way he had. She’d be happy if she could walk straight after the long and bumpy ride from the small airport.

  Kate didn’t need to walk. Hawk swept her up into his arms, drew her from the truck and carried her up the porch steps. He paused to turn the doorknob and nudge the door open with one foot before carrying her into the house, which would be her home for the next four to six months.

  “You left the truck door open,” she said after he set her feet firmly on the floor.

  “Yeah, I know.” Hawk smiled. “Welcome home, Kate. And make yourself at home. Walk around to get the stiffness out of your muscles. Explore the place while I get our bags from the truck.”

  Kate was happy to move about; she even did a few quick stretching exercises before exploring. She was standing in a large, comfortably decorated living room, her attention riveted on a beautiful Indian woven rug, which took up most of one wall. The living room flowed into a smaller room, the dining room, which opened to a large eat-in kitchen. A hallway ran from the living room to what she surmised were the bed-and bathrooms. She fell in love with the place at first sight.

  Kate was still standing there admiring the woven rug on the wall when Hawk entered, lugging their bags.

  “What do you think so far?” Hawk raised his eyebrows and dropped their luggage to the floor with a thud.

  “I like it.” Kate smiled a bit nervously. “Very much what I’ve seen of it so far.”

  “Good.” He didn’t return her smile as he studied her expression. “You’re nervous, right?”

  Kate nodded. “A little, yes.”

  He moved to her side and lifted her head as he lowered his to brush his lips over hers. “There’s no need to be, Kate,” he said. “There’s no rush about anything, and that includes sleeping arrangements. Anything you want or need, just say it. I’ll do my best to provide.”

  As the nervous anxiety she’d been caught up in drained from her, Kate smiled and ra
ttled off her present wants and needs.

  “Let’s see,” she began, smiling up at him. “I want and need a shower, a change of clothes, food, a glass of wine and ten hours of sleep, not necessarily in that order. Actually, I believe I’d like the food and wine first. No wait, I need a bathroom first.”

  Hawk was laughing as he waved a hand at the hallway. “The first bedroom on the right,” he said after catching his breath. “It’s mine and I have my own bathroom. I’ll pour the wine and rummage in the fridge to see what’s available. Take your time.”

  “Thank you.” Before heading for the hallway, Kate scooped up her carry-on bag from where he had dropped it. She entered the first door on the right.

  Hawk’s bedroom was spacious, big enough to hold a tallboy chest of drawers, a double dresser, a wall of sliding closet doors, a man’s club chair and, in the middle of it all, a king-size bed. She stared at the bed, which was covered by a puffy comforter, for several long seconds until necessity made her turn away.

  Intending only to avail herself of the facilities and wash her hands and face, Kate looked longingly at the shower for a few moments.

  Oh, she could hardly wait. But first, carefully lifting from her suitcase the gorgeous off-white dress she had found in one of the upscale shops in Hawk’s hotel, she shook it out and neatly draped it over the back of the club chair. Quickly stripping off her jeans, sweater and underwear, she stepped into the shower. She gave a long sigh of pure pleasure as the water flowed over her tired body. Oh, it was sheer heaven.

  Kate could have stood under the spray forever if it hadn’t been for the water beginning to run cold and for the fact that Hawk was waiting for her.

  After drying off and quickly blow-drying her hair so that it was only slightly damp, Kate pulled out the panties, nightgown and lightweight, thigh-length robe she always packed in her carry-on bag. Digging out a brush, she smoothed her riot of curls the best she could. As she left the bedroom, she decided she owed it to Hawk to sleep there that night and every night, and she realized that she wanted to, as well. Kate quietly walked barefoot to the kitchen.

  Although she didn’t know how Hawk heard her enter, he must have, because he turned, raising that one brow as he gave her robed figure and still damp hair the once-over.

  “I couldn’t resist your shower,” she explained. “I felt kind of yucky.”

  “Yucky, huh?” He smiled, warming her from the outside in. “You smell good…like soap or shampoo.”

  Kate returned the smile. “Both, I think.” She inhaled. “Something else smells good.”

  “It’s what my father always calls comfort food. I’m heating soup and making grilled cheese sandwiches.”

  “Tomato soup,” she said, inhaling again. “The best comfort food.”

  He shot a quick grin at her. “It’s about ready. Have a seat.”

  Kate was about to ask him if there wasn’t something she could do to help when she glanced at the table and found that it was set for two, with wine in stemmed glasses and water in sturdy, heavier glasses.

  “It looks like you’re pretty handy in the kitchen,” she observed, seating herself at the table.

  “I’ve been here alone, except for the occasional guest or two, for almost ten years.” Carrying two soup bowls, he crossed to the table and set one in front of her and the other at the place setting opposite.

  “Ten years,” she repeated, surprised.

  “I quickly learned to cook and take care of myself.”

  He smiled, turning to the countertop to pick up two luncheon plates. “I’ve got a shelf full of cookbooks and I use them, too.”

  “Books…books, damn,” Kate said, grimacing. “I packed up all my books to go with the things I put into storage.” She glanced at Hawk, to find him watching her in apparent bemusement. “Like Jefferson said, ‘I cannot live without books.’” She quoted the author of the Declaration of Independence. “And I’d wager the closest bookstore is in Durango. Right?”

  “Most likely. I’ve never checked,” he drawled. “But don’t fret, Katie. There’s always Amazon. Besides, I’ve got a bookcase jammed with both fiction and nonfiction hardcover keepers.” He smiled. “You can spend the winter curled up with a book, warm and safe from the elements.”

  “Not on your life.” Kate gave him an indignant look. “I never intended to have a vacation here. I haven’t the temperament or the patience to lounge around all day while other people work.” She paused for a breath, noticing Hawk appeared mildly taken aback by her outburst.

  Kate lowered her voice. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “But I want to help out with whatever I can. Be useful, you know? Don’t forget, I was raised on a working farm.”

  His lips twitching, Hawk held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, if that’s what you want, I’ll put you to work.” The twitch gave way to a smile. “So, now, do you want to negotiate salary?”

  Kate’s head snapped up, chin thrust out; her spine stiffened. “Are you looking for a fight?”

  Leaning back in his chair, Hawk erupted with laughter. When he could breathe again, he teased, “Ahh, Kate Muldoon McKenna, you are a fiery one, aren’t you?”

  Kate flushed and smiled at the same time. Hearing him call her McKenna sent a tingling chill through her. After the past crazy days reality finally hit her. This wasn’t a dream or make-believe. She was Hawk McKenna’s legal wife, if only on a temporary basis. His. In a weird way, after knowing him not even two full weeks, Kate kind of liked the idea.

  The ghost of his smile still played over his mouth. “What’s going on in that busy mind of yours?”

  Kate returned his smile. “I was just thinking how strange it sounded to hear you call me Kate McKenna,” she said.

  “You’ll get used to it.” He chuckled. “What you’ll hear after I’ve introduced you to my men is Ms. McKenna whenever they address you.”

  “How long will that last?” she asked, frowning. “I’d much rather they call me Kate.”

  “Oh, they will in time.” He grinned. “They’ll have to get used to you first. Take your measure.”

  “In other words, they’re going to be judging me.” Kate wasn’t sure she liked that idea.

  His lips quivered. “Sure, they’ll want to make sure you’re good enough for me.”

  “Good enough!” Kate said, anger sparking until she saw him silently laughing at her. “You are a devil, aren’t you? Well, I’ll show you and your men how good enough I am.”

  “I already know,” he reminded her. “As for my men, go to it…after we’ve taken a few days for, as my foreman called it, honeymooning.”

  Kate rolled her eyes.

  Hawk laughed.

  Together, they cleared away the supper dishes, all but the wineglasses. When the kitchen had been set to rights, he asked, “As you already had your shower, food and wine, are you now ready for sleep?”

  “The shower, food, wine and conversation gave me my second wind. I’m not nearly as sleepy as before.” She held her glass out to him. “I’d like to have a little more wine, crawl into bed, prop myself up against some pillows and relax while I finish my drink.”

  Hawk half filled both glasses before saying, “There are two other bedrooms and a central bath on the left side of the hall, opposite my bedroom. Have you decided where you’re going to sleep?”

  She gave him what she hoped was a sexy, come-hither smile. “My toiletries bag is in your bathroom.”

  He sent a smile back at her that heated her blood as it tap-danced up her spine. She reached for her glass. He held it aloft.

  “Lead on, Kate. I’m right behind you.”

  She set off for the hallway.

  He followed her. “And, since the word behind is out there, you have a very enticing one.”

  In retaliation, Kate wiggled her hips. With a low wolf whistle, he followed her into his bedroom.

  Hawk plumped the pillows for her, waited while she crawled into the bed then handed the glass of wine to her. “Comfortable?” h
e asked.

  “Very,” she replied, snuggling against the pillows. She felt almost lost in the wide expanse of bed. “Oh, Hawk, this is heaven.”

  “Not yet, but I have hopes,” he said, his gaze seeming to touch her in very delicate spots.

  Kate drew a quick breath. “Oh, my.” She took a quick sip of the cold wine in hopes of dousing the heat shimmering through her.

  “My sentiments exactly.” Inhaling, he turned away, setting his glass on the dresser. “I’m going to have a shower. I won’t be long.”

  Reclining against the pillows, too warm all over, Kate kicked the comforter and top sheet to the bottom of the bed. Raising her left hand to take another sip of wine, her gaze caught on the gold band circling her third finger. Unlike Hawk’s plain gold ring, the band he had chosen for her was covered with pavé diamonds.

  It was beautiful and felt oddly right on her finger, as if it belonged there. Taking more swallows of wine, she continued to gaze at the ring, contemplating the intrinsic, sacred meaning behind the exchange of marriage bands.

  Dear Lord, what had she done?

  Catching her lower lip between her teeth, her gaze locked on the ring, she felt the sting of incipient tears in her eyes. In her determination to get away from one man, a nasty, possibly dangerous man, she had talked a good man, a decent, wonderful man, into a loveless marriage. It was terribly unfair of her. He deserved better.

  The tears overflowed her lower lids just as Hawk, a towel wrapped around his hips, came into the room. He stopped short by the side of the bed.

  “Tears,” he said, his voice and expression concerned. “Are you feeling regrets?”

  “No…Yes, but it’s not what you think,” she said, sniffing.

  Without a word, he walked to the dresser, opened a small side drawer and withdrew a man’s snowy-white handkerchief and a foil-wrapped packet. Moving around to the side of the bed she was lying on, he handed the hankie to her and laid the packet on the nightstand.

  “Now, what is this ‘no…yes’? It’s not what I think it is?” Holding the towel with one hand, he took the glass from her trembling hand and set it on the nightstand, next to the foil packet.