Gift of Fortune

by Ilsa Mayr

  Aileen sighed and buried her face in her hands.

  "And while we're waiting for the legal process to take its course, you'd be out of a job. To meet our financial obligations, including payments to the IRS, we'd have to sell a chunk of land."

  Aileen quickly raised her head. "No! That's not an option."

  He nodded in agreement. "We could try getting a second mortgage, but without your salary, I'm not sure the bank would consider it. Are there any jobs around here you could get quickly that offered a similar salary and benefits?"

  "No.'

  "I rest my case. I can't come up with any other options. Can you?"

  "No." Aileen shook her head. "It's just that marriage is such an extreme step."

  They both sat in silence, thinking. Finally, Quint asked, "Are you opposed to marriage in principle?"

  "No. I always thought I'd get married some day."

  "So it's only marriage to me that you find so hard to swallow? Marriage to the illegitimate son of Jack Bolton and a poor migrant girl? Marriage to a man who hasn't been to college, who works with his hands. In short, a man who isn't good enough for you."

  She heard the hard edge in Quint's voice, saw the bitter little smile around his lips, and realized that once again she had forgotten his fierce pride. "You misunderstood me. I meant that marriage to anybody is a big step. And speaking of being illegitimate-I'm adopted, remember? My parents were a couple of teenaged kids who got carried away by their hormones. The only difference between us is that your birth mother decided to keep you and mine didn't. So don't talk to me about being illegitimate."

  "I hadn't thought of it that way," Quint admitted quietly.

  Aileen took a deep breath. "I never imagined I'd get married for such a practical and cold-blooded reason."

  "Keeping your home is practical, but cold-blooded?"

  "Well, no, not exactly, but-"

  "But you thought when a man proposed marriage there would be moonlight and roses and wine and romance."

  She glanced at his face to see if he was mocking her. He didn't seem to be. "I think most women would expect that. Don't men?"

  He grinned. "I suspect with men it's more physical..

  "Sex, you mean."

  Quint raised an eyebrow at her dismissing tone. "Never underestimate the power of sex. It's one of the strongest urges around." Judging by the pink color in her cheeks, she hadn't yet considered that aspect of marriage. Quint quickly changed the subject. "Why don't you give this marriage idea some thought? If you come up with a better solution, I'll listen." Quint picked up his root beer and headed for the door. "I have some chores to do. See you at supper."

  Aileen watched him leave, the expression on his handsome face almost cheerful, the stance of his body oozing confidence and determination. How could he be so sure that getting married was the right thing to do?

  Had they considered all possibilities? Mentally Aileen listed all her assets. Discouraged, she realized that, even if she sold everything dear and of value in the house, the money would not go far. Selling part of the land was not an option, as they needed every acre to make the ranch successful. A loan. Even if they could secure one, how could they repay it without her salary? She needed her job. That was the bottom line. And getting married appeared to be the only way to keep it.

  Marrying Quint. Aileen's hand shook as she reached for her drink. What kind of marriage did he envision? She had always expected to be in love with the man she married. Madly, hopelessly, totally in love. Had Quint hoped for love too?

  He did say that men were more practical. Maybe he pictured their marriage merely as a practical arrangement. They would work side by side. They would be partners and companions. Maybe even friends. That was a lot more than many people had, and under the circumstances, such an arrangement was reasonable. It was. Then why did she feel so let down, so disappointed?

  Aileen shook her head as if to clear it. There was no sense in brooding about the possibilities. She would have to discuss the kind of marriage he wanted. But how? How could she bring up the subject delicately? What kind of marriage did she want? She didn't know. That was the problem. She closed her eyes and sighed.

  "Oh, grow up and handle it," she told herself. Aileen rose, determined not to think about anything except fixing dinner.

  She didn't quite succeed, but she did manage to put a meal on the table. Quint seemed to find it eminently edible, even if she could do little more than stare at her food.

  "This is good," he said, taking a second piece of fish. "Aren't you hungry?"

  "I guess not."

  "Worried?"

  "A little. Aren't you?"

  Quint ignored her question. "Did you come up with an alternate plan?" he asked.

  "No.'

  "Then we're getting married."

  She merely nodded, for her mouth felt full of cotton, making speech impossible.

  "You agree we should do it as soon as possible?"

  Aileen nodded again.

  "How does Wednesday sound to you?" Quint saw the color fade from her face. "I don't mean to rush you, but I thought the whole idea was to beat the school board to the draw. You know, act before they do. Like the military executing a preemptive strike. Was I wrong in assuming that?"

  She shook her head.

  "Can you take Wednesday off?"

  Aileen nodded. She moistened her lips. "I have a personal day left I can take."

  "Good. Here's what we'll do. We'll drive to the county seat, buy a license, and go to the justice of the peace for the ceremony. I guess I better call and make an appointment."

  "You have it all figured out. Have you done this before?"

  "Me? No. No way," Quint said emphatically. "The only reason I know about this stuff is that one of the hands on the Three Pine Ranch got married."

  "Did the marriage last?"

  "Three years and going strong, last I heard. That's a year longer than the boss's daughter, who got married with all the usual hoopla that kept the whole household in an uproar for six months and cost her father a fortune."

  "And your point is?"

  "That it isn't the kind of ceremony that you have that determines whether a marriage succeeds or not."

  Aileen considered this for a moment. "You're undoubtedly right."

  "Look, Aileen, I'm pretty sure that going before the justice of the peace isn't the kind of ceremony you've dreamed about. You probably wanted the bridesmaids, the reception, and all the other trimmings that go along with a big shindig. You think we could arrange something like that in a week's time?"

  "No. And it isn't necessary. A big wedding is to bring the two families together. Neither one of us has any family."

  "True." Quint studied her face for a moment. "What's bothering you?"

  "What do you think makes a marriage successful?"

  "You're asking me?" Quint looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "I was brought up by a single mom and a series of institutions and foster homes, none of which I'd consider a good model for marriage or family life. I'm hardly an expert."

  "But you sound as if you have definite opinions."

  "I've thought some on the subject. Haven't you?"

  "Some," Aileen admitted. She didn't tell him that her idea of marriage hadn't progressed much beyond being swept off her feet by an exciting man who loved her madly and she him. Did this reveal a streak of immaturity in her? Or was she a romantic at heart? Or was it simply that she hadn't met a man who made her think seriously about marriage? Quint's voice interrupted her silent questions.

  "Seems to me that the two people involved have to share the same goals and expectations. Agreed?"

  "Agreed."

  "We both want the Triangle B to succeed. Right?"

  "Right." Aileen nodded to emphasize her agreement.

  "To get the ranch back on a sound financial basis, we have to pay off the mortgage and pay the IRS. And we have to do this without taking out a loan or selling any land. You agree?"

  "Yes.
But put like that, it sounds like an overwhelming goal," Aileen said, valiantly suppressing a sigh.

  Quint touched her hand in a reassuring gesture. "We're not doing this all at once. We've got twenty years to pay off the mortgage, so that's a long-term goal. And the IRS we'll take care of in a couple of years. It won't be easy, but we can do it."

  "So, shared goals and expectations are the most important factors in a good marriage?"

  "They rank right up there. But other things are important too. Getting along. Liking and respecting each other. Being considerate."

  "Sounds like you're describing friendship," Aileen said.

  Quint's brow drew together in concentration. Then he nodded. "It strikes me that successful marriage partners have to be friends as well."

  Quint hadn't said a thing about love. Probably just as well, since the word had no part in their relationship. Still, she couldn't repress the disappointment and sadness that filled her. She had expected so much more when she married.

  "You don't look the least bit enthusiastic. What's bothering you?" Quint wanted to know.

  She couldn't tell him. She shrugged. "Nothing."

  "That won't do, Aileen. We have to be honest. Otherwise we have no chance."

  "You're right." She took a deep breath. "What you're saying is true, logical, rational, and, if you throw in a few `parties of the first part' and `whereases,' it could be a contract between business partners."

  "We are business partners," Quint pointed out. "And a marriage license is basically a contract."

  Aileen bit her lip in frustration. He still hadn't said anything about the intimate part of marriage. Maybe he wasn't interested. Maybe he was a cold man. No, she couldn't have misread him that badly. The way he looked, that potent masculine aura that surrounded him, unmistakably suggested that he was a passionate man. Maybe she just didn't appeal to him. Or not enough for him to want her as a real wife.

  "I said we'll be business partners, but that's not all," Quint said.

  "I know. You said you hoped we'd be friends."

  "Yes, but that's not all either."

  Aileen looked at Quint, waiting. He sat quietly, as if he was mulling over what he wanted to say. This couldn't be good. Aileen steeled herself.

  "I like women."

  This was worse than she had anticipated. He was about to tell her that he'd have affairs. Aileen clenched her hands into fists. "What are you trying to say, Quint? That from time to time you'll have women on the side the way your father did? But you'll be discreet?"

  Quint plunked down his root beer can with a thud. "What? Where do you come off assuming something like this? I told you before-I'm nothing like Jack."

  "So you say! But I don't really know you. Why don't you just tell me what you expect."

  He took an audible breath to calm himself. "All right. I was going to say that we've already made a commitment to hard work and simple living to save the ranch, remember?"

  "Yes. For the next two years."

  "Right. So, for those two years we'll share the house as we have in the past. My bedroom downstairs, yours upstairs. We'll be faithful to our vows. No cheating. For either of us. If, after that time, you want out because you've got your eye on someone else, we can talk about it."

  Aileen stared at him.

  Quint rubbed his chin, feeling suddenly unsure. "Look, I'm giving you an out. If you want it. After our financial situation has improved."

  "That goes both ways."

  He shrugged. "Yeah, I guess it does. Anyway, two years is a long time. Who knows what can happen in that time?" He smiled at her. "Is there anything else you're wondering about?"

  Aileen shook her head. She did wonder what he meant by that, Who knows what can happen in that time? statement, but decided not to ask. She didn't think she was up to any more prodigious surprises and changes in her life.

  "All right then. I'm going to look at the horses. One of the mares seems to be off her feed."

  As soon as Quint was out the door, Aileen pressed the can of root beer against her hot forehead. They were getting married but nothing would change. Well, it hadn't been bad. They didn't argue, or hardly ever. They did want the same things for the ranch. So why did she feel so confused, so uncertain, so sad?

  Quint paused on the back porch and let out a deep sigh of relief. He'd gotten Aileen to agree to marry him. Had convinced her that marriage was the best way to save the ranch. It was the best way. It was the only way.

  Even though she had eventually agreed, she was as nervous and skittish as a mare facing her first saddle. He'd have to proceed very carefully, very slowly, woo her without her noticing-or risk spooking her. That he'd been attracted to her from the very beginning, he'd been aware of. That he liked her better than any woman he'd ever met, he'd discovered driving home when the idea of marrying her had hit him. Maybe liking was too tame a word for what he was feeling. Maybe...

  Whoa, cowboy. Don't get ahead of yourself. One thing at a time. And time was on his side. Quint cast one last look at the kitchen window before he took the porch steps two at a time. Whistling some half-forgotten song about sunshine and love, he headed for the barn.

  Aileen studied the ring on her finger. She twisted it, admiring the bright, golden sheen of the band that branded her a married woman.

  "What's the matter? Doesn't it fit?" Quint asked, pulling out of the courthouse parking lot.

  "No, it fits just fine."

  "Don't you like it? You said you wanted a plain gold band."

  "I like it. It's just right: not too wide and not too narrow. Only it feels strange because I'm not used to wearing a ring. That's all."

  She looked at his left hand where she had placed a golden band during the ceremony. Quint had told her that on workdays he wouldn't be wearing the ring. A man he knew got his caught on a wire and nearly lost the finger. It sounded plausible, but Aileen knew she would look at his hand to check for the band whenever they went somewhere together. She frowned. Since when had she become so distrusting? So possessive?

  She picked up the small bouquet of delicate pink rosebuds and baby's breath that Quint had ordered for her. She had been deeply touched by the gesture. Not only that, but the flowers had added a small, magical touch to the brief ceremony, had made it more meaningful, and had made her feel more like a real bride. Or how she imagined a traditional bride would feel.

  Aileen wanted to touch her lips where she still felt the imprint of his mouth. Quint had kissed her when the justice of the peace had said he could. She had expected a perfunctory kiss. Instead, Quint had kissed her tenderly, with just a hint of heat that had made her insides quiver. Raising the bouquet, she inhaled the exquisite scent of the roses.

  "Are you sure you won't change your mind and go out to dinner? I could make reservations somewhere nice. You don't have to cook on your wedding day," Quint said.

  "Thanks, but I'd rather eat at home." Aileen felt Quint's gaze on her, but she looked straight ahead through the windshield. She would rather he didn't know how nervous she really was. At home, in her own kitchen, she might manage to eat without spilling food on her new, powderblue silk dress.

  "Quint, I just thought of something. Please pull into the service station up ahead." Aileen consulted her watch and nodded, pleased.

  He glanced at her but did as she asked. "You sound excited. What did you think of?"

  "I want to invite a few people to dinner. You know, make it a small celebration. Do you mind?" She watched his face carefully to gauge his true feelings.

  "That's a great idea. Who do you want to ask?"

  "Martha and Bob, of course. And Dora. They're the closest thing to a family I have. And my friend Jennifer and her husband. Is there anyone you want to invite?"

  "My buddies are either on the rodeo circuit or in the western part of the state. Your guest list sounds okay to me."

  "I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner," Aileen said, shaking her head. Actually, she did know why. All week she had been te
rrified that the school board would send for her and fire her. She had never been dismissed from any of the jobs she'd held, and the idea of getting fired was both scary and humiliating.

  Then she had worried and second-guessed her decision to marry Quint until restful sleep had been impossible. When it had finally been time to leave for the courthouse, Aileen had been apprehensive as well as relieved. She had never thought that she'd approach her wedding day with a let's-get-this-over-with attitude. Was there ever a bride who'd anticipated her nuptials with such mixed emotions?

  Suddenly she remembered the story her mother had told her of the first young wife on the Triangle B. She had been a mail-order bride, arriving in Wyoming Territory from Vermont to marry a man she had never even seen. Aileen glanced at her new husband. She not only knew what he looked like-breathtakingly handsome in a dark gray suitbut she knew his basic character, his plans, hopes, and dreams.

  "Here we are," Quint announced.

  Here we are? Aileen looked at him again. Quint never stated the obvious. Did that mean he was nervous too? If he was, he hid it well. He opened the door for her and extended his hand to her to help her out of the car. Even though she was no longer unfamiliar with the slightly rough feel of his hand, the touch still sent a small ripple of shivers through her.

  In the back of the combination service station and convenience store, Aileen used the pay phone to make her calls.

  Quint filled the tank with gasoline and then joined her.

  "Can they come?" he asked

  "Everyone except Jennifer's husband. Andy is a truck driver and won't be home till Friday."

  "Do we need to buy anything for the dinner?"

  Mentally Aileen reviewed the menu she had quickly put together. "Only a bag of charcoal. We have great steaks in the freezer. Let's grill them. It's a lovely day."

  "Sounds good to me." Quint picked up a large bag of briquettes, paid for it, and held the door for Aileen to precede him to the car.

  When they were underway again, he asked, "What are you going to tell everyone tonight?"