by Cindy Stark
“Where are we meeting Cal?” she asked as he opened her door. When she tried to slip out, he caught her by the waist and twirled her around to the ground. She laughed, breathless. “You have to stop doing that.”
“Why?” He held her gaze, giving her a sexy, challenging smile.
“I don’t know.” She had no answer to give him. She couldn’t very well tell him that every touch, every smile led her down a road that had to end in heartbreak.
“That’s not a very persuasive answer, Rachel. Doubt it will make me change my ways.” He held out an elbow for her. “Cal said to walk around to the side of the back barn.”
“Are you sure? Does Cal know Jessy had something going on tonight?” she asked as they strolled down the far side of the drive. “It’s going to be very embarrassing if we accidently crash her party.”
“Don’t know.” But Caleb sure didn’t seem too concerned. “I figure Cal knows what he’s doing.” He dropped his gaze to her. “Any reason to think he doesn’t?”
“No.” He was a sharp guy who owned a very profitable ranch at the far side of the valley.
Rachel listened for evidence of anyone who might be outside, but she heard nothing. “This is all really odd.” She tried to stop, but Caleb urged her onward.
“Do you always worry about things this much?”
“No…unless it’s something really important.”
He did stop then and caught her gaze in the fading light. “Are you saying this is something important then?”
She widened her eyes when she realized he’d caught her in a trap of words. “No. I mean, yes. I mean…I don’t know what I mean.”
He grinned, seeming satisfied with her answer and started walking again.
As they neared, she caught sight of someone darting into the old barn, giving her a fright. “Wait.” She jerked on his arm as she stopped. “Someone’s outside.”
He met her gaze head on and took her by the chin. “Have I mentioned how very beautiful you are tonight?”
She shook her head, confused by his answer. “That’s not—”
“So very beautiful.”
Something was off. She glanced back and forth between Caleb and Jessy’s property. “What’s going on?”
He hesitated and then smiled. “How about if I show you?” He tilted his head toward the old barn.
“Is this a party for us?” That Caleb knew about and didn’t tell her?
“Something like that.” As they reached the old barn, she noticed light slipping between a few of the slats. Many years ago before they’d built their much bigger barn, Jessy’s family had housed animals inside. Since then, they’d cleaned it out and used it for extra storage space for the family.
Caleb pulled open one of the doors, and Rachel gasped.
Chapter Seventeen
Caleb took Rachel’s hand and led her inside the barn. She was certain she’d stepped into a dream. A fairytale. A gorgeous, sparkling, wonderland filled with all her smiling friends.
Twinkling lights and floaty layers of white chiffon draped from the wooden rafters. Candles on tall pillars flickered, standing sentry against the walls. The scent of lilacs and sounds of soft music filled the air. Light pink and peach rose petals lay scattered over the wooden floor. Rows of fabric-covered chairs filled by her friends were split down the middle by an aisle covered with more petals, and at the end stood Moose Meadow’s priest dressed in his finest.
This wasn’t a party…
She glanced up at Caleb. “What is this?”
He grinned. “Our wedding. Your friends put this together for you.”
With her thoughts spinning and her heart pounding wildly, she surveyed their surroundings again. Everyone was smiling, so happy to be there. Mickey and his wife, along with Jessy, the family from the adjacent ranch…most, if not all, of the town.
She returned her gaze to Caleb. “Why?” she whispered.
He leaned close to her ear. “Because Jessy said it’s what you wanted, and it makes a clear statement on who now owns your ranch.” He kissed her cheek and straightened. Joe left his seat along the aisle and walked to them carrying a big bouquet of pink, peach and lavender roses. He’d shaved the usual stubble from his face and wore his best cowboy hat. She was certain she’d never seen him so handsome.
She shook her head, admonishing him for being in on the secret. “You’re in big trouble, mister.”
He parted his lips in a wide grin as he passed the flowers to her. “May I have the honor of escorting you down the aisle?”
“Yes,” she said, trying not to cry over his silly gesture.
With that settled, Caleb left her and headed toward the priest. Holy heavens. Everything about him stole her breath. He was so handsome and so kind. Why couldn’t this be real?
“I thought the groom wasn’t supposed to see the bride before the wedding,” she whispered to Joe. “It’s bad luck.”
“Special circumstances. It doesn’t count.”
It wouldn’t matter anyway. They were already only a few signatures away from their divorce.
Excited nerves skittered around inside her when Caleb reached the end and turned to her. It wasn’t real, she reminded herself again.
Still, at that moment, it felt so damned genuine that it scared the hell out of her.
Someone switched the music to the wedding march, and her stomach curled into a tight ball.
“Ready?” Joe asked her.
She swallowed, nervous as any bride on her wedding day. “Yes.” Walking to the end of that aisle and saying “I do” to the man who waited for her was all that stood between her and her beloved ranch. She would do this.
She might also enjoy her short-lived marriage while she was at it.
As she proceeded to her immediate destiny, she returned smiles to everyone. That they had come together to do this for her touched her deeply. It killed her to know she was lying to them. She didn’t deserve this. Didn’t deserve their friendship.
She prayed the heavens would understand and forgive her desperate deception.
“Mom.” Her mother sat at the front of the aisle with her sister next to her. Rachel paused and took her hand. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Her mom hugged her tightly. “You would have if your cousin hadn’t forced this.”
She nodded fervently. “Yes.” Tears hovered beneath the surface.
“Be happy, Rachel. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
She gave her mom’s hand another tight squeeze and then allowed Joe to take her to her breathtakingly handsome groom.
Tingles skittered through her fingers and up her arm when Caleb faced her and took her hands in his. His features gave the appearance of a calm and confident man, and she didn’t sense any of the nervousness that threatened to undo her. He rubbed thumbs across the backs of her hand and smiled until she returned the gesture.
Rachel couldn’t focus on the priest’s words with Caleb staring so intently at her. His eyes were more intense than ever, his expression serious now that the actual ceremony had begun. She was so distracted she only caught snippets and phrases about love and life together as man and wife.
When the time came, she repeated the necessary words vowing to love and care for him forever. As she spoke the final words, saying, “I do”, she wondered what would happen if she tried to keep him forever. In a few seconds, they would be legally wed.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.” The priest closed his bible. “You may kiss the bride.”
Rachel met Caleb’s gaze. He was hers, and she didn’t know if she could let him go when the time came.
He took her face in his hands and lowered his lips to hers. Passion exploded inside her. She didn’t care if a thousand people watched; she wasn’t about to stop his kiss.
But he did eventually, pulling away from her as the crowd erupted into clapping and cheers. Her mom was the first to hug her, followed by so many other people that she lost track. By the time everyone
was finished, someone had set up tables and rearranged the chairs.
“Looks like they’re going to feed us,” Caleb said as he reclaimed her hand, his warm and strong around hers. He started to lead her toward the tables, but she pulled him back.
“I just wanted to say thanks for looking out for my best interests,” she said in a lowered voice. “I know this isn’t real, but it’s so lovely, and I appreciate it.”
He met her gaze, his eyes sparkling. He wrapped an arm about her waist and pulled her against him like a lover would do. She held her breath in anticipation as he pressed his lips against her ear. “What do you mean it’s not real? At this moment, you are Mrs. Dawson.”
A tremble rolled through her. He was right. She was truly his wife, which seemed so entirely strange to her. As the law viewed it, he had certain rights where she was concerned and vice versa. “You know what I mean,” she said as he shifted to the side of her.
Instead of answering, he only grinned.
Did that mean he knew, but wasn’t saying because so many people were around? Or… No, she couldn’t allow herself to go there. Life based in dreams was rarely reality. She knew what lay ahead in her future, and she’d do her best to move forward as gracefully as possible with no regrets.
****
“It’s time for the traditional bride and groom’s dance,” Jessy announced loudly later in the evening, and people began clapping.
Rachel despised the heat that flowed into her cheeks. She’d never been entirely comfortable in the spotlight, and it had been years since she’d danced.
Caleb stood and held out his hand. “May I have this dance, my love?”
She stood. “Of course, my love,” she tossed back making him grin.
“Warning,” she said in a low voice as they reached the middle of the area set aside for dancing. “It’s been a long time since I’ve done this.”
“Noted, but I’m not worried. Just follow my lead.”
She admired his confidence, loved how it tended to draw people to him. Including her.
He’d been next to her for most of the evening, but they’d only been this close a couple of times, and each one had overwhelmed her with his presence. She couldn’t hope this would be any different.
He placed one hand on the small of her back and took her fingers with the other as a familiar love song began to play. He moved with the grace of a mountain lion, strong and sure, and she found it easy to follow him. As though they were meant to be together. Everywhere they touched, she burned.
“Hey,” he said, catching her attention.
“I’m sorry. What?” She’d been so caught up in how he made her feel that she’d lost sense of the here and now.
“I want you here with me, not lost in your thoughts about things that don’t matter right now.” He smiled, but the shadow in his eyes told her he was serious. “I’d like my bride to be happy on her wedding day.”
She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Okay.”
“Let’s forget about tomorrow. Your friends have gone to a lot of trouble to make this a special night. I would love it if you’d enjoy it with me. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?”
She shook her head as her pulse registered his nearness, and she was lost. She’d been fighting a losing battle all evening anyway, constantly reminding herself of the realities in her life, and it sucked. There was no way she could say no to his request.
“To the happy couple then?” he asked.
“To the happy couple.” With that he twirled her, bringing forth the happy laugh she’d held hostage all night.
“You’re really beautiful when you smile,” he said as he brought her back into his arms again. “You deserve a life that makes you smile more often.”
“Yeah,” she said wistfully. “Don’t we all?”
“I believe we make our own happiness.” He twirled her again as the song came to a close. She was slightly off balance when she finished the circle, and he caught her and dipped her over his arm. People clapped in approval.
“I think they liked that, don’t you?” He grinned and nodded at the crowd as others joined them on the floor for the next song.
Another smile tickled her lips. “Apparently so.”
“I wonder what they’ll think about this.” He tugged her tightly to him and captured her mouth in a kiss.
What restraint she had left melted, and she sighed with pleasure, which seemed to encourage and intensify his kiss. Whistles broke out amongst the guests, and Rachel ended their kiss with a laugh.
“Stop.” She couldn’t have erased her smile if she’d wanted to.
“Uh-uh.” Mischief danced in his eyes. “Here’s how I see it. A new groom has to live up to a certain reputation to assure the bride’s friends and family that she’ll be and will stay happy with him. You’re sexy as hell in that dress, and your lips taste like sugar. I intend to take full advantage of that privilege while I can.”
“Caleb,” she said with a soft gasp. Powerful shivers raced to each nerve ending, setting her on a delicious edge. She shook her head as she laughed, but the threat of his hands and his kiss on her all night would be more than she could withstand. “What about your promise?”
“That was different. Part of my job is to appear to be your husband, which technically I am. You can’t fault me for enjoying it.” He nodded, countering her resistance. “Basically you’re stuck, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Yes, there is,” she argued though she didn’t mean it.
“Like what?” He challenged her, looking supremely happy with himself.
She considered her options and realized there wasn’t a damn thing she could do or say without putting her future in jeopardy. She narrowed her gaze. “That’s blackmail.”
“Of the best kind.” He tugged her against him.
She put a hand on his solid chest, intending to force him to keep his distance. But the feel of his hard muscles beneath his black shirt left her wondering what it would be like to trace her fingers over his bare flesh.
He grinned as though he’d read her mind.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” she whispered.
“I know.”
His acknowledgement served to further the sexual tension sparking like crazy between them. He dipped his head toward her, and she couldn’t find an ounce of resistance inside her to help her case.
He claimed her mouth with a possessiveness she couldn’t deny. What was soft and sweet in his previous kiss turned hot and demanding. She slid her hand up his chest, along his neck and into the short hair at the base of his skull. He was a gust of wind to a wildfire, igniting far too many sensations inside her.
When the music stopped, she pulled back, searching his face for an answer to her one burning question. Was this more than a pretend romance?
“Did someone say ‘they need to get a room’?” Jessy asked in a loud voice as she approached them.
Embarrassing heat claimed Rachel’s cheeks again. She had let Caleb take the lead on that kiss, and he’d trampled past dangerous and into alarming territory.
“Yeah,” Lenny called out. He was a gruff old man, but had the sweetest heart once a person got to know him. “Get them a room. They’re making all the rest of us horny, and I’m pretty damn sure I won’t be getting any tonight.”
“You certainly won’t now,” his wife said with a fair amount of sass.
Caleb laughed at that, and Rachel closed her eyes, shaking her head, with a laugh dancing on her tongue. Leave it to Lenny to make a statement like that.
“That’s a fair point, Lenny.” Jessy glanced at the group who’d crowded around them. “Luckily, I have the perfect solution.” She nodded to Sadie who hovered at the edge of the group holding an envelope.
Sadie beamed as she walked forward, her bright green eyes and lavender dress setting her red hair on fire. “We all pitched in.” She held out an envelope.
“What’s this?” Rachel asked.
“W
e all thought you might like something a little less flashy than Vegas,” Jessy said.
“You shouldn’t have.” With nervous fingers, Rachel opened the envelope and pulled out a printed piece of cardstock.
Caleb peeked over her shoulder and then took the certificate from her hand. “One night’s stay in the honeymoon suite at the Red Lodge.” He glanced at the group. “Nice. Thank you very much. I hear it’s a great place.”
“You’re going to love it,” Jessy said. “Very romantic.”
Rachel’s stomach flipped. A night alone in a romantic suite with a man she couldn’t resist?
Caleb flicked his gaze to her. “Sounds perfect.”
Chapter Eighteen
“We don’t have to go,” Caleb said as he stood at the base of the stairs in Rachel’s house, his look sincere. The moment they’d arrived home, the fun-loving, flirting husband had turned more subdued. Still attentive and kind, but the flash was gone.
“If we don’t, they’ll know.” Rachel knew this for a fact. “Susan Buford works at that inn, and I can guarantee Jessy and many others will ask about our stay. I can’t break their hearts like that. Those rooms aren’t cheap, and everyone will wonder why we didn’t stay.”
He tipped his head in acknowledgement. “It’s only one night, right? We made it through the whole ceremony without anyone wondering. This won’t be any different.”
She narrowed her gaze in a confused frown. “Right.” Was he hinting that every single bit of what he’d said and done that night had all been for show? Because she had been certain it wasn’t, but now she wasn’t so sure.
“Good. I’ll pack a few things and meet you back here in ten.”
They headed up the stairs together and separated at their bedrooms. Rachel tossed toiletries in her bag, a pair of jeans along with her newest sweater. She needed to appear as though this night was the most special of her life. Cute boots, not work boots and her leather coat.
When she headed down the stairs, Caleb was waiting for her. The sight of him in his all black suit gave her the same fierce feelings it had earlier in the day. If nothing else, she would always remember him as the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on.
