He nodded and opened it, scanning the pages. "Just business," he said in answer to her unspoken question, poking it into his pocket.
She was aware of his troubled thoughts and poured him a cup of coffee. "I recall you take your coffee black and strong."
He took the cup from her and raised the hot brew to his lips. "You have arranged our baths and our travel plans."
She set the coffeepot down and looked at him. "I did. If there is anything you want to change, I'll inform the servants. Would you rather leave tomorrow?"
He placed the dainty china cup down, his appetite gone. "No." He leaned back in the chair and stared into her eyes. "Why did you marry me, Saber?"
"What made you think of that now, Reese? This is a question you should have asked before we were married."
"Seeing you in this environment"-he waved his hand around the room-"has brought me a clearer understanding of your life."
She had known he'd soon start to question her reasons for marrying him, and she wondered how she should answer him. Should she pour out her heart and tell him that she had loved him almost from the first time she saw him? "What if I told you I loved you, Reese?"
"You thought you loved Matthew."
"Yes, but I was young when I met him."
"My mother thought she loved my father until she discovered how hard it is being the wife of a rancher. She left with a man who could offer her more."
She felt sick inside. "Are you comparing me to your mother? Do you think I would leave you just because of hard times? If we had a son, do you think I could leave him like your mother left you?
He stood up and moved toward the door. "You'd better think about what you're doing be fore you leave here, Saber. You had better think about what you are giving up."
"Reese?"
He glanced at her through lowered eyelids. "Yes?"
"Don't you want me to live with you?"
Want her? He wanted her so damned bad he felt shredded inside. But to build his hopes and dreams on her as his father had done with his mother, only to have her leave him, would break him. "I want you. But understand, if you come with me, your life is going to be hard, Saber."
"I have married you knowing this. You may think I am an empty-headed, spoiled daughter of a wealthy rancher, but I can assure you, Reese, I am much more than that."
"Yes, you are much more than that," he agreed. "But you are accustomed to the comforts of life."
She wasn't going to let him leave this room until they settled this between them. "What have I ever done that you should have such a low opinion of me, Reese?"
His hand paused on the door handle. "I have a very high regard for you, Saber. Any man would have."
"I refuse to apologize for the way I was brought up. It's true that I have had many advantages. But my brother and I were taught that we must work for what we have and never leave it to others."
How could he explain to her the growing doubts that possessed his mind? "I have to leave you this morning, Saber. I don't want to, but this letter is important, and I have to ride to Fort Worth on some business. I think it would be safer for you to stay here."
She turned away from him, but she kept her head high, and her shoulders straight. "My home is with you, Reese. I want to go with you. I made a vow to you just last night." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "We Vincentes always keep our word."
"You are a Starrett now," he reminded her. "And I want you to stay here until I come for you."
"What can be so important that it must take you away at this time?"
"It's nothing you need to worry about, Saber."
"Good-bye then, Reese."
He wanted to gather her in his arms and carry her away with him. He hated to leave her, but he couldn't take her with him to Fort Worth, and what he had to do now was very important.
"Think very carefully about what I have said, Saber."
She heard the door close behind her and turned to find him gone. She ran to the window and watched until he emerged from the house and made his way to the stable. She watched until he mounted on his horse and rode out of sight.
"You aren't going to get away from me that easily, Reese Starrett," she said with determination. "You have never come up against a Vincente before. But you are going to know you have a war on your hands with me."
Reese dismounted at the Broken Spur and rapped at the door. Rachel welcomed him and ushered him inside.
Reese held his hat in his hand. "I can see why you love this ranch, Rachel. It's something to be proud of."
"It was once my whole life. But not anymore. I'm content to let my sister and her husband take over here." She steered him toward the library, where Noble was going over the ledgers.
Noble glanced up and frowned. "I didn't expect you here today. Is Saber with you?"
"No. I got this a while ago. I think you'd better look at it." He handed the letter to Noble. "I'm leaving for Fort Worth immediately."
Rachel left the two men alone while Noble quickly read the letter. "So Sheriff Davis thinks Graham Felton is hiding out in Dallas."
"So it would seem. I want to talk to the sheriff and find out what he knows. Then I'll go to Dallas and see what I can discover there. Saber will never be safe as long as that man is on the loose."
"Did you tell her?"
"I didn't see any reason to upset her. I told her to stay at Casa del Sol until I return."
Noble nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a good plan."
Reese took the letter and headed for the door. He paused. "Thank you for the wedding, and foreverything you've done for us."
Noble smiled. "It was our pleasure. We are family now." He stood up and walked Reese to the door. "Send me word. If you need me, I'll come at once."
Reese nodded and placed his hat on his head. "I'll do that."
He turned his mount and rode away, leaving Noble to wonder how Reese had managed to convince Saber to remain at Casa del Sol.
He went back to the desk and tried to work at the ledger, but his mind kept drifting to his sister. Suddenly he jumped to his feet. Knowing her so well, he knew she would already be making plans to leave.
He ran through the house calling for Rachel. "I've got to get back to the ranch! Saber is probably about to do something dangerous, and I have to stop her."
As Reese rode within sight of his ranch, the failure of his mission lay heavily on his shoulders. Graham Felton was clever, and Reese always seemed to be one step behind him. He dismounted and led his horse into the barn.
Jake found him there unsaddling his horse. "Boss, you never said anything to me and Gabe about your getting married. We were plumb surprised when we found out. Congratulations."
Reese threw the saddle over the railing and looked at the young boy. "It happened suddenly. There wasn't much time to let everyone know."
"Did you have any luck finding Felton, Reese?"
"No. But how did you know I was searching for him?"
"Mr. Vincente told me. He brought Mrs. Starrett home, but then he had to leave. Said he wanted to catch up with you."
Reese's heart leaped with joy. "She's here?"
"Yes, sir. She and a dozen men from Casa del Sol. This place is like an armed fortress. Mr. Vincente instructed us all to be on the lookout for strangers," Jake told him.
Reese took a deep breath. Noble hadn't been able to keep Saber at Casa del Sol, but he had made sure she was protected. He liked his brother-in-law more every day.
"There's some kind of government man up at the house talking to Mrs. Starrett."
Reese walked to the barn door and glanced at the house. He'd been so buried in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed the buggy. With purposeful steps, he strode toward the house with Jake walking beside him as far as the front yard. "We bedded down all Mr. Vincente's men in the bunkhouse, boss. It's a bit crowded, but they ain't complaining. There's an old man with them named Zeb who does the cooking for us. His food ain't so bad, but his coffee would wake the dead."
Reese grinned. "I know that character. You might as well get ready for him to settle in for a long time. He probably won't leave Saber."
"That's kinda what he said. I like him, and he's full of tales that he swears are true."
"How is my wife?"
"Reese, she's mighty fine. She's had me and the others moving furniture and toting water, and she even had Gabe help her hang curtains. She's surely a wonder."
Reese frowned. He probably wouldn't even recognize the place when she got through with it. Well, he supposed women liked fixing things up, he admitted to himself grudgingly.
"Just keep a close lookout for any strangers, Jake."
"We'll watch things for you, boss. Don't you worry about Graham Felton getting near the place."
When Reese opened the door, his eyes went first to Saber, and then to the stranger. Saber had served the man a cup of coffee and was sitting on the chair across from him. Reese wanted to go to her and tell her he was sorry for the way he'd left her, but that would have to wait until later.
"Reese," Saber said. "I'd like you to meet Mr. Williams. He's come all the way from Austin to see you."
Reese shook hands with the elderly man, who was dressed in a brown suit and cowboy boots. "Would that be Carl Williams?"
The older man smiled. "That would be me."
"I've heard of you. You work for the governor."
"I do. And it's at his request that I'm here."
"I'll leave you gentlemen to talk," Saber said, moving to Reese and brushing a light kiss on his cheek. "I'm glad you're home."
He stared into her eyes, not knowing whether to hug her to him or turn her over his knee. He had wanted her to stay at Casa del Sol until Graham Felton was found, but he couldn't be sorry that his wife was home.
After Saber left the room, Reese drew up a chair and sat down. "You've come a long way, Mr. Williams."
"I think you'd better start calling me Carl if we are going to be doing business together."
In half an hour, Carl Williams had outlined the proposal that the government was offering Reese. "How does all that sound to you?"
Reese gazed about the room, noticing the changes Saber had made. There was a green rug on the floor and darker green curtains at the windows. There was a comfortable new brown sofa that matched the two new brown-and-green chairs. There were other touches scattered about the room that made it warm and inviting. He hadn't known that the house could look this good. His mind went back to the man before him. "It sounds like my brother-in-law had a hand in this somewhere."
"Not as much as you'd think. Oh, the governor spoke to him about you, but only because he'd heard you had enough land to support our endeavor. On poking into your background, we discovered that you're an honest, hardworking man. This comes to you by way of your own reputation, Mr. Starrett." Mr. Williams smiled. "And your ranch is close to most of the forts."
"I don't suppose it hurts any that my wife is a Vincente." Reese looked skeptical. "Does it, Carl?"
Carl Williams looked sheepish and nodded. "It doesn't hurt a damned bit. You married into Texas royalty, and that's a fact. But not even that would have helped you if we in the State House didn't think you were the man we have been looking for." He stood and held out his hand. "What do you say? Do we have a deal?"
Reese stood as well and clasped Carl's hand in a friendly shake. "We have a deal."
"Good. You'll be hearing from me right away. We'd like you to get started as soon as possible. Can you start delivering cattle to the forts by early fall?"
"It will be done."
"Give my salutations to your charming wife. I want to be at the Barley ranch before sundown. Me and Ted grew up together, and I like his wife's cooking."
Reese walked Carl to his buggy, and after he'd gone he went back into the house. He could hear Saber humming in the kitchen, and he hurried toward her.
She had been setting the table for lunch, and she turned toward the door when she heard Reese's footsteps.
The kitchen was the biggest surprise. A round table had taken the place of the rickety old one he'd used for years. There was a white cloth on the table, along with candles and fancy blue dishes. "I'm glad you're home," she said, watching him closely.
In two strides he was across the floor, folding her in his arms. His head dipped, and he covered her lips with a searing kiss. She clung to him, returning his kiss, her arms going around his broad shoulders.
"Reese," she said, breaking off the kiss, her cheeks flushed. "I missed you so terribly. Did you miss me just a little?"
He swelled with desire and wondered how she could doubt it. His hand went to her breast, and she snuggled closer to him.
"I'm going to take that as a yes," she said, smiling.
He lifted her in his arms. "I'm taking you to the bedroom, if it's still where I left it."
"Wait," she said, reaching toward the stove. "That will bum."
He shoved the pot to the back of the stove in his haste to get her to bed. After carrying her into the bedroom, he set her on her feet and unbuttoned her gown, revealing her breasts. He lowered her to the bed and pinned her beneath his body.
Saber pulled the back of his shirt out of his trousers and ran her hand up his bare skin. "I have been thinking about this for days," she admitted.
Her honesty touched him deeply. Most women would be coy and flirtatious, but Saber was not ashamed to show her feelings. She was just the right woman for him.
He moved her gown upward, feeling her silken skin. "The whole time I was gone, I couldn't think of anything but you," he told her, his eyes closing as he touched his lips to her exposed breast. "You feel so good."
Moments later they were both naked, and his hands were roaming at will over her body. His lips became more demanding, his hands more insistent, and she gave him everything he asked for.
When he finally entered her, she met his thrusts with earth-shattering moves of her own. Reese knew that if he died at that moment, he would have really lived. Saber had given her sweetness to him, and he had taken it hungrily.
Exhausted from their lovemaking, Saber lay in Reese's arms, watching a gentle breeze stir the curtains at the window. She gave him a radiant smile that went right to his heart.
"I'm afraid your lunch is cold and probably inedible."
He nuzzled her neck and let his lips explore a creamy breast. "Who can think of food when I have you in my arms?"
She snuggled closer. "I was afraid you might not like the changes I made in the house. I know I should have consulted you first, but-"
He silenced her with a quick kiss. "This is your home now, Saber. I leave you to do whatever will make you happy." He pulled back and said in a decisive voice, "But please, no pink or lace."
She trailed a finger through the mat of hair on his chest. "You make me happy, Reese."
He lifted her hand and kissed the palm. "You are only intrigued by me for now because you've never met a man like me."
She knew he was still unable to accept that she loved him, and telling him would not help convince him. She would have to show him over the days, weeks, and months to come. But he would realize it in the end. "You're right about one thing, husband: I've never met a man like you before. But I'm beginning to know you." A gleam came into her eyes. "And I like what I know."
Her hand went lower, and she clasped him until he swelled in her hand. Reese groaned and pulled her beneath him. "You little hellcat, I may not live long enough for you to get to know the real me. You are probably going to kill me in bed."
Their bodies melded into one, and he sank into her, catching her moan beneath his kiss. She caught her breath with each forward lunge and let it out in a groan when he pulled back. Her nails dug into his back, and she raised her body to meet his powerful thrusts.
Much later, he kissed her damp forehead and pushed her hair away from her face. "I need you, Saber."
She closed her eyes, knowing what it had cost him to make that admission. But she would b
e satisfied with nothing less than a full declaration of love. He would come to trust her one day and confess his love for her. On that day he would know that she loved him more than her own life.
Reese sat across from Saber at the breakfast table, watching her carefully. They had been living together for three weeks now, and in that time she had been the perfect wife in every way. She rose early every morning and cheerfully made his breakfast and a lunch to take with him when he couldn't get home. The house always smelled of lemon oil and wax, and she had made it a home. When they went to bed at night and he took her in his arms, she fulfilled him as no other woman could. But he still couldn't beat down the uncertainty that lingered at the fringes of his mind.
Saber had never said that she loved him. Hell, for that matter he'd never told her how he felt, either. Somehow he just couldn't seem to say the words that would reveal so much of himself.
"I got a letter from your brother yesterday," he said, taking a drink of coffee.
"I know, he mentioned your letter in mine."
"Then you know that he wants to sell me cattle below the market price?"
"No. I didn't know that. But he's done that with our neighbors before. He still comes out ahead, Reese, because he doesn't have the trouble and expense of driving them to the railhead, losing a fourth of the herd, and running their weight off on the drive."
"I don't want handouts from him, Saber."
"Reese, it isn't a handout. We aire family. This is what families do. We help each other. If Noble needed you, wouldn't you be there for him?"
"Of course, but this is different. I have survived on my own since I was young. I can still do it."
"You aren't alone, Reese. You have me."
He scooted his chair back and glared at her. "I don't know what it means to have a family, Saber. I don't know how to be what you want me to be!"
She felt the start of tears and was determined not to cry. She hurt so much for him; he didn't know how to show his love, and he didn't know how to trust and accept the hands of love and friendship that were being held out to him.
She just had to show him the way.
"Noble reminded me in his letter that I should talk to you about my inheritance. He sent the deeds and documents, and I thought perhaps you might want to go over them. I have no head for figures, Reese."
Ride The Wind (Vincente 3) Page 20
