Husband for a Year

by Rebecca Winters

  Gabe bit out an epithet. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

  “Because you weren’t the person he’d asked to sneak him out the first time. It’s no matter. I needed to be the one to find him. I was able to explain that you cared a lot about him, that even if you couldn’t be his father, you would always be his friend. That sort of thing. He seemed to take comfort in those words. Pretty soon he was ready to go back and be with his mother.”

  He shook his head. “I owe you so much, not only for Clay, but for the surprise party. I loved it. Everyone did. For a little while those troubled boys forgot their problems and lived up to their potential. You’re remarkable, Stefanie.”

  I don’t want to be remarkable. There are only three words I want to hear from you. But you’ll never say them.

  “Mack told me the same thing a little while ago. You’ve worked your magic on him, just as I thought you would. He asked me what he thought his chances were.”

  “And I’m sure you told him in no uncertain terms.”

  His features darkened. “You and I have had this conversation before. He works for me. I can’t allow that kind of complication.”

  “What if I’m interested in him?”

  Gabe’s mouth twisted unpleasantly. “Don’t you think it would be a little cruel to start something you won’t be able to finish?”

  “He could always visit me in Kalispell.”

  “Don’t try it, Stefanie,” he warned.

  “Or what?” she blurted, jumping to her feet in anger. The action caused her to brush against him accidentally, sending a current of electricity through her system. The sensation was so pleasurable she never wanted it to stop, but her heart was torn ragged.

  Maybe it was a trick of light but she thought she saw a nerve pulsating at the corner of his compelling mouth.

  “Why do you care, Gabe? At least Mack is over the death of his wife well enough that he can feel desire again. You should be happy for him.”

  “Are you insinuating that I don’t have those same needs?” His voice sounded like ripping silk.

  “I have no idea, do I?”

  “Then it’s past time you found out!”

  His hands went to her arms and whirled her around until she was pressed against the door. A thrill of alarm passed through her body as his head descended. Then his mouth closed over hers.

  “Gabe—” she moaned his name, but it was swallowed up in the depth of his passion. A voluptuous shiver passed through her body as his kiss deepened with a hunger she didn’t know he possessed.

  Her hunger was as great as his. She was so afraid he would pull away, she threw her arms around his neck and molded herself to him without reservation.

  They were on fire for each other. His hands and mouth were making her delirious with longing. Everything started to spiral out of control.

  “I have needs, Stefanie. I want you more than you know,” he murmured huskily against her throat.

  “You have to let me love you, but not here, not on that cot.” His breathing was as shallow as hers.

  “Your room then?” she cried, feverishly covering his eyes, nose and mouth with kisses.

  He lifted his head and ran his hands through her hair. “No—I can afford to take some time off. We’ll drive to Marion and get a room. Hurry and dress, then meet me at the car.”

  She was in such a euphoric daze, it took her a minute to realize he meant for them to go to the Branding Iron.

  After waiting years for this moment, he wanted to take her to a cheap motel? It didn’t make sense.

  In Stefanie’s mind unmarried people sneaking out to a motel seemed illicit, clandestine.

  A motel was a place a man took a woman when he didn’t want to be seen with her anywhere else. A place to carry on a relationship he couldn’t be proud of in public.

  To her, it meant a one-night stand.

  Passion without enduring love.

  Stefanie hadn’t been wrong about Gabe wanting her. To prove it to herself, she’d baited him just now to get the reaction she’d desired.

  But it had backfired on her with heartbreaking results because he never said the words.

  No matter his reasons for wanting to take her to a secret rendezvous away from the ranch, none of them were good enough for her to consider it.

  He’d walked away from their marriage without touching her. The second that March 28 had rolled around, he’d reached for his freedom with both hands.

  Now that she was on the premises, why not enjoy a tawdry affair with his ex-wife until her departure? Dear God. She thought she’d known pain before…

  He buried his face in her hair. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

  “Because I never intended for things to go this far.” Her whole body was shaking. “Your comment about Mack made me angry, so I foolishly retaliated. But all I managed to do was bring out the anger in you.”

  His hands tightened on her shoulders. “You think I kissed you in anger?” he whispered fiercely.

  “I know you did. But it doesn’t matter because I don’t intend to provoke you again. A few more days and I’ll be gone.”

  She pulled completely away from him. “I’m sorrier than you that I came out to Montana. Everything that’s happened has been my fault. When you left Newport, we parted on amicable terms. I’d like to get back on that same footing again before I leave.

  “Forgive me, Gabe.” She extended her hand. “Friends?”

  In the dim light, his face seemed to have lost color. He ignored the gesture.

  “After what happened between us just now, you really believe we can go back to being friends?”

  “Of course. It’s the civilized thing to do.”

  One black brow dipped sardonically. “That’s something a politician would say. You’ve learned your craft better than anyone I know. But why not?” His smile was wintry. “My father was the master teacher. I can see I’ve been cruel in enforcing that six-month restriction.

  “As a gesture of goodwill, I’m going to rescind our contract. When I go upstairs, I’ll phone both sets of parents and invite them out for an official tour of the ranch. While they’re here I’ll tell them the truth about our marriage. When they’re ready to leave, you can fly back with them.”

  Stefanie was horrified.

  The senator’s words rang in her ears. I expect you to bring my son to his senses. I want him home by the end of the week. She got this suffocating feeling in her chest.

  “I—I don’t understand. I thought you needed time.”

  “So did I. But now that I’ve settled in, there’s no point in waiting. It’ll be a circus no matter when they’re told. For everyone concerned, it’s best we get it over with.”

  “No, Gabe!” His words filled her with absolute panic. If he found out she’d already told their parents everything, he’d never forgive her.

  “Why not?” he demanded. His eyes scorched her face. To her horror she realized he could sense her guilt.

  “B-because it won’t be better!” she cried out.

  “The press will be alerted and plant their cameras outside the fences to watch for any sign of you. The students don’t need that kind of publicity. It’ll disrupt their school schedule. Clay and his mother are just barely making progress. You can’t do that to them!

  “Think of the stockmen who will be harassed. Every time Mack goes to town, someone will dog his footsteps wanting information. Poor Marva will be afraid to show her face. You have to give yourself more time before you and your ranch are plastered all over the front page of every major newspaper in the country!

  “Your original plan for us to bow out of the scene for six months makes perfect sense, Gabe. Be honest with me—the only reason you’re thinking of changing the timetable is because of me! I trespassed on your private life.

  “Promise me you won’t let what I’ve done destroy everything. Please—you’ve put something together here that’s so magnificent, so worthy and wonderful, I can’t find the words. The
great good you’re going to accomplish for hundreds of boys over a lifetime is incalculable.

  “I couldn’t bear it if something went wrong at this early stage because of my interference.”

  Scalding tears spilled from her eyes and down her cheeks. “I’m begging you—” Her voice throbbed. “On the strength of the marriage contract we both signed, don’t do anything to jeopardize it yet.”

  “That contract be damned!”

  Gabe locked the office door behind him. He needed a drink fast. Unfortunately he’d made it a rule not to keep hard liquor on the premises. Another mistake.

  He unlocked his minifridge where he kept a variety of drinks for the occasional one-on-one with a student or staff member. After popping open a beer, he flung himself into the leather swivel chair and drained it.

  Gabe needed illumination.

  Beer couldn’t perform the required miracle. It couldn’t blunt the worst of the pain. It wouldn’t even come close. All it accomplished was to give him something physical to do while he tried to make sense of this night.

  The thing that had happened in Stefanie’s bedroom had shaken him to the foundations. She’d kissed him in raw passion. In fact she’d done a lot more than that. For one fantastic moment he’d felt their souls as well as their bodies commune in a way that transcended all other experiences in life.

  Then like a flash of lightning, the beautiful glowing woman who’d come alive in his arms suddenly turned off!

  It wasn’t natural. A person didn’t behave like that without a reason.

  Not once during their marriage, or while she’d been on the ranch, had she given him cause to believe she was the kind of woman who derived a thrill from luring a man to a line she had no intention of crossing.

  In fact the adorable Ms. Jones he’d rescued in the storm had convinced him she enjoyed the Montana lifestyle, maybe even loved it. There’d been moments when he could have sworn her feelings for him matched his in intensity. A few minutes ago he’d been offered proof of that desire. His body still throbbed from her rapturous response.

  Then out of nowhere she’d retreated. Emotionally as well as physically.

  He crushed the empty can in his hand and tossed it.

  Why would she pull away from him like that when he could still see her eyes blazing a hot blue for him?

  She’d grown frantic when he’d told her he was going to invite their parents to the ranch. Instead of her being relieved he was willing to abrogate their contract so she could return to Newport right away, she begged him not to change the terms.

  In the space of a heartbeat, he’d watched the burning desire in those eyes change to fear.

  Something was wrong. She’d begged him not to call his father. That in itself made Gabe suspicious.

  He glanced at his watch. It would be after eight on the East Coast. Under the circumstances, this was the best time to find his parents home. Acquainted with the madness of an elected congressman’s schedule, another few hours and Gabe might not be so lucky.

  He’d follow with a call to Stefanie’s parents.

  There was a private number utilized by the family so they could always reach his father. Gabe hadn’t used it in months. Without hesitation he picked up the receiver and punched the digits.

  CHAPTER NINE

  DRESSED for riding, Stefanie crept down the hall to the kitchen. Once she’d grabbed some food and drinks from the fridge, she tiptoed to the back door. Being as quiet as she could, she slipped outside and headed for the barn.

  The sun hadn’t come up over the horizon yet, but there was enough light to see her way. She’d come to love early morning on the ranch. Despite her pain, there was a tranquil beauty that fed her soul.

  Gabe was probably on the phone to his parents right now. She didn’t want to be anywhere around when he learned she was the reason why all his secrets had been exposed. What he didn’t know was that once he’d driven off on the morning of their divorce, she couldn’t bear living the lie a moment longer.

  It wasn’t a matter of his not forgiving her. That was to be expected. What she couldn’t bear to see was the disappointment in his eyes because he’d lost trust in her.

  If she didn’t return to the ranch until evening, hopefully by then he would have gotten over his initial anger. Maybe at that point she could explain why she’d gone behind his back in the first place.

  It wouldn’t change anything. But at least he’d know that everything she’d done since she’d met him had been because she was in love with him. At least then he would have an understanding of her motives and not despise her too much.

  “Teri?”

  She’d been so intent on her thoughts of Gabe, she hadn’t seen anyone else coming.

  “Good morning, Mack.”

  He opened the barn door for her. “What are you doing up this early? I told you while we were washing the dishes—after all the preparations you did for the boss’s birthday party last night—I didn’t want you to come in to work this morning.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it. Actually I woke up early to take a ride. I’d like to check on one of the new calves.”

  A smile lit up Mack’s eyes. “You mean Lucky?”

  Apparently he and Gabe shared a great deal. “I see there are no secrets around here.”

  “Not too many,” was his mysterious response.

  “I’m headed in that direction myself. Want some company?”

  She’d promised Gabe she wouldn’t encourage Mack, but this was one time she feared that if she turned the foreman down, it might hurt his feelings. That was the last thing she wanted to do.

  “I’d like it a lot.”

  “Good.”

  He insisted on helping her. They bridled and saddled Molly with dispatch.

  “I’ve got this sack of food. Will it be all right if I put it in one of the saddlebags?”

  “Sure. I’ll sling it on Molly.”

  They walked her horse to the paddock where his was saddled. He gave orders to a half-dozen stockmen getting ready for the day, then the two of them rode out.

  More confident in the saddle than before, Stefanie set a fast pace, anxious to get as far away from the ranch as possible in the shortest amount of time. Mack kept even with her. At one point he asked her why she was in such a big hurry.

  “I noticed all those clouds. They’re moving toward us. I’d like to reach the meadow before it decides to rain.”

  He glanced at the sky. “It just might do that, but it won’t happen till late in the day. We’ve got a nice level stretch through here. Let’s give the horses their head.”

  She fastened the tie under her chin. “You’re on!”

  Mack took off like a torpedo. She urged Molly to a gallop. It was exhilarating to fly over the ground with the wind zinging past her ears, bending back the rim of her cowboy hat.

  He was waiting for her when she came around the big bend in the river she remembered from before. The herd could be seen in the distance. She laughed as she rode up to him.

  “That was wonderful. Especially watching you ride. Smooth as glass, and effortless. You remind me of a cowboy out of a Charles Russell painting. I guess you’d have to be born out here to learn how to ride the way you do.”

  His eyes glinted with a mixture of pleasure and admiration. “You’re doing fine, Teri.”

  “Mr. Wainwright probably pays you to say things like that. Keep the staff happy.”

  Oddly enough Mack’s expression sobered. “Not at all.” He looked around, leaning on the horn. “Well, this is where we part company. When I’ve repaired some fencing, I’ll head back this way to check on you.”

  “Thank you, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  He waved farewell and headed uphill into the forest. She watched until she couldn’t see him anymore, then she cantered toward the cows. Without Gabe here, she didn’t feel quite as brave as before. The animals seemed more restless. Perhaps they were sensitive to a change in the weather.

  Deciding n
ot to penetrate the herd, she made a broad circle around them. There were fifteen mothers with new babies. From this distance Stefanie couldn’t pick out Lucky.

  Her plan to sit and watch him hadn’t worked out. It would be a long time before evening. Since she wasn’t hungry yet, she decided to ride on.

  The phone rang three times before Gabe heard a click.

  “Yes?”

  His father’s voice always sounded gruff when he’d been asleep. But Gabe heard something else in it just now, as if he feared bad news. Paranoia was the bed-fellow of the dedicated politician.

  “Hello, Dad.”

  After an exaggerated silence, “Thank God!”

  Almost simultaneously Gabe could hear his mother making joyful noises in the background.

  “You sound relieved. I told you in my letter I’d stay in touch with you.”

  “Forget that absurdity. I knew Stefanie wouldn’t let me down. But I expected that daughter-in-law of mine to have brought you home by last weekend at the latest!”

  Gabe sat forward in the chair, puzzled by his father’s comments. “As usual it sounds like you know more about my wife’s agenda than I do.”

  “Look, son. Let’s not beat around the bush. She told us everything, and we’ve kept quiet. But you can never keep the lid on these things very long, so come on home. Your mom and I are prepared to forget any of this foolishness ever happened.”

  He shot to his feet, unable to contain his pain in a seated position. “What do you mean Stefanie told you everything?”

  “Don’t use that tone with me. You have no right to be angry with either of us. No right at all. After what you did to her, we’re lucky Grant isn’t suing us for every dime we’ve got.”

  Livid, Gabe blurted, “Why would Stefanie’s father want to do that?”

  “Between you and me, a man can be forgiven most anything except taking advantage of another man’s daughter. Dammit, Gabriel— Surely if you needed a front, you could have come up with something better than a marriage of convenience! Do you have any idea how that sounds?

  “I don’t care if you don’t love her. You need to get home and make a real marriage with her.”