The Texan's Bride

by Linda Warren

  “Mama’s worried sick. You didn’t come home.”

  “I told Rosa I wasn’t.”

  “Oh.” Myra brushed aside her hair and looked at him and then back to Jessie. “Mama forgot to mention that part.”

  “How did you get into the building?” Cadde asked, a little concerned that a maniac could walk right in.

  “A good-looking guy let me in after I told him who I was.”

  Chance. Cadde knew without a doubt.

  “And who are you?”

  “Myra Delgado. Rosa and Felix’s daughter.”

  She didn’t extend a hand in greeting and that was fine with him. “I’ll go shave and shower and leave you two to…whatever.”

  As he strolled away, Jessie clenched her hands into fists. “What are you doing?”

  Myra shrugged. “Mama called at four, five, six and then again at eight. I promised I’d check on you. She’s worried.”

  “If I hear worried one more time, I’m going to scream. Do you hear me, Myra?”

  “I’m not deaf. You’re shouting.”

  Jessie expelled a long breath. “Please let me live my life.”

  Myra glanced toward the hallway. “He’s not bad, kind of ruggedly handsome in a brooding sort of way.”

  “I would have introduced you, but you were acting like a real bitch.”

  “I have that reputation, you know.”

  “Yes. Use it in the courtroom but not in my life.”

  Myra hugged her. “Gotcha. Have fun playing house.”

  “Myra.” Jessie stopped her at the door. “Don’t come back unless you’re invited.”

  “Now that’s damn cold.”

  “It’s not meant to be. I want some privacy.”

  “I’m starting a murder trial so I’ll be scarce for a while.” Myra winked. “Call if you need me, kiddo.”

  Jessie went back into the bedroom. The bed was tumbled from a very active night. She wrapped her arms around her waist, still living in the moment. Last night was perfect—better than she’d ever dreamed or fantasized about. And under Cadde’s tutelage she’d gotten a lot of years of frustration out of her system and acted boldly, even brazenly. She couldn’t have done that with anyone else but Cadde.

  Thinking of him, she moved toward the bathroom. He stood at a sink, shaving, a towel wrapped around his waist. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him and she knew because last night she’d touched every inch of his marble-crafted body.

  With smooth quick strokes he swiped away his morning stubble. She could still feel it rubbing against her sensitive skin in an erotic, almost sinful way, igniting more suppressed emotions in her.

  He noticed her. “The she-devil gone?”

  She smiled. “She means well.”

  “If you say so.” He wiped his face and leaned against the vanity, facing her. “I was thinking I’d call an emergency board meeting for Monday. Before I do any more work on the Louisiana deal, I’m going to need their approval.”

  And just like that her bubble of happiness burst into a million little pieces, each one attached to her heart. But what did she expect? They had a deal—a business deal that did not include any words of love. Just sex—procreation.

  “Fine,” she said, and walked into the bedroom to straighten the bed with strong jerky movements.

  He followed with a scowl. “You’re not doing another about-face, are you?”

  Could he be any more insensitive? “No. You lived up to your end and I’ll honor mine.” She jammed a fist into a pillow and slammed it against the headboard.

  “The comforter is short on this side,” he pointed out.

  “I like it that way.” She turned and went to the kitchen where she wanted to lay her head down and just cry. But she didn’t. Instead, she made coffee and set about fixing breakfast.

  She warmed up the tacos for Cadde and pulled out the fruit and yogurt she hadn’t eaten yesterday. As she lifted the spoon to her mouth, he walked in all dressed for the day as if the night had never happened. She spooned so fast the yogurt went down the wrong way and she coughed.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, pouring a cup of coffee.

  “I’m fine.” She coughed again and reached for her mug.

  “Are you upset?”

  “No.”

  “You seem upset.”

  “I’m fine.” She wrapped the remaining fruit and put it back in the refrigerator. “I have to shower and change,” she muttered. “I want to see Mirry as soon as I can.”

  Cadde sat there with his mouth open. What had just happened? What could Myra have said to her to make her so upset? He knew talking to Jessie was not the answer. She was mad, mad, mad! Once she cooled off, they would talk.

  Wolfing down the tacos, he followed them with coffee and headed for the door. He had work to do. His hand went to his head. He still hadn’t found his hat. It was probably at the house and he hadn’t been back there yet. The thought of getting one from the bedroom was tempting, but not that tempting. Jessie clearly needed some time alone.

  He had consecutive meetings all morning. At the last one lunch was brought in. He picked at his food, not able to get Jessie out of his mind. What was she so mad about?

  Back in his office, he went through permits and licenses they would need in Louisiana. Chance breezed in.

  “Did you know Uncle Ru’s been down with the flu for over a week?”

  Cadde looked up. “No. I haven’t talked to them lately.”

  “Someone should have called us.” Chance sank into a leather chair.

  “Why didn’t they?”

  “Sky said Aunt Etta didn’t want to bother us.” Chance placed his elbows on his knees. “I don’t like not being there. Shay and I were talking and we’re thinking of moving back. The kids in school are always picking on Darcy because of her big glasses and because she’s so thin. I want her to grow up feeling good about herself and I think that can happen in High Cotton. Shay’s getting her teaching certificate, and landing a position in High Cotton’s schools will be much easier than hoping for one in Houston.”

  Cadde nodded. “Sounds as if your mind is made up.”

  “Yep. I’d like to build a house on Mom and Dad’s land, in the left front corner facing the road, but Aunt Etta owns half of that three-hundred-acre tract. She always says it’s ours. I just don’t want to step on any toes.”

  “Build your house, Chance, I don’t foresee any problems. But we need to talk to Aunt Etta to get everything clear and on paper.”

  Chance stood. “I’m going home this weekend. I’ll talk to her.”

  “She’ll be happy you’re coming home.” Cadde reached for his pen on the desk. “You’re not quitting Shilah, are you?”

  “Hell, no, every penny I have is invested here. I’ll use the chopper to travel back and forth.”

  “Good. Tell Aunt Etta and Uncle Ru I said hi and I’ll get home as soon as I can. Right now my life is a…” Cadde pointed his pen at Chance. “Don’t allow anyone into this building unless you call me first.”

  “What?” Chance seemed puzzled at the quick change of topic.

  “You let Myra Delgado in this morning.”

  “Yeah. She’s an assistant D.A. and Rosa and Felix’s daughter.”

  “I don’t care. You call first.”

  “Okay. What happened?”

  “She…uh…interrupted us, and said something to upset Jessie.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because after she left Jessie was acting weird…mad.”

  “Maybe you said something to upset her.”

  “What!” Cadde threw his pen onto the desk. “Just because Kid is away doesn’t mean you can pick up his habit of annoying the crap out of me.”

  Chance held up his hands. “I’m just trying to help you. You didn’t say anything to her after Myra left?”

  “No. I…oh, no!” His mind clicked with the reality of his own actions. He’d mentioned the board meeting. After what had happened last night between them,
he knew that was a big no-no in Jessie’s eyes. But Shilah was an important part of their business deal. Even as the thought zapped through his mind, he knew it was wrong. It negated everything they’d shared last night and made it business, functionally, not emotionally. Oh, God, he had to see Jessie.

  He shoved back his chair. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Cadde.”

  His phone rang and Barbara’s voice came on, “Mr. Hardin, Arnie called from accounting. You’re ten minutes late for your appointment.”

  Cadde sighed. “Tell him I’ll be right there.”

  At the meeting, Arnie reviewed labor, material and rig costs of drilling in Louisiana. Cadde had to know if they could even afford this venture, but the numbers went right over his head. He couldn’t concentrate. Something beside business had his full attention—Jessie.

  He stood. “I really have to run. Get all the figures to me. I’ll go over them in the morning.”

  “Um…okay.”

  Cadde hurried down the hallway. Jessie should be back from seeing Mirry by now. He stopped dead. The truck keys were in his pocket. With the way she was acting this morning, he’d forgotten to give them to her. Dammit!

  Hurriedly, he unlocked the apartment door. Inside, everything was dark, not a light on anywhere. The bedroom was the same. No sign of Jessie. All her things were missing, but the scent of cherry blossoms lingered, as it did on his tongue.

  But Jessie was gone.

  CHAPTER TEN

  CADDE HEADED OUT OF HOUSTON. Jessie had to be home by now. His guess was she’d called Rosa to pick her up and that had probably taken a slice of her independent pride. He was lousy at reading the signals. Still, they shouldn’t have to read each other’s mind. She should have said that he’d hurt her feelings and then they could have talked about it. But oh, no, she’d closed up tighter than a turtle poked by a stick.

  That was Jessie, though, stubborn as hell, and she wasn’t sinking her pride. He knew how long she’d fought to keep it.

  As he negotiated traffic, his thoughts shifted to Chance. He was going home. Family had always meant a lot to Chance. That’s what Cadde wanted with Jessie—a family, but their deal was there between them like a slap in the face. It stung. Somehow they had to get beyond that. She had to understand Shilah had to move forward. That didn’t diminish them as a couple, as a family. How did he explain that without hurting her feelings? How did he explain it to himself? All he knew was that he wanted her in his life.

  He drove up to the garages and got out. Instead of going to the house, he walked toward the barn. He paused in the entry. Jessie sat in loose hay holding a bottle so a baby deer could suckle.

  She cooed softly. “You’re so much better, Bambi. Drink all you want.”

  A one-eyed donkey stuck his head through an open window.

  “Go away, Winky, you’re not getting any more food.”

  The donkey brayed in disagreement and Jessie’s face lit up like he’d never seen before. She was happy here in this musty barn with her animals. This was her world—a world she carved away from the aggressive protection of the people in her life.

  Felix walked in from the back door. “She’s stronger, huh, Miss Jessie?”

  “Much stronger.” Jessie stroked the deer. “Since the Dobermans are no longer here, she can roam free in the barn. But I would like her to get some sunshine.”

  “I’m building a small pen with an eight-foot fence around it.”

  Jessie jumped up and hugged Felix. “Thank you. Now she’ll have lots of sunshine.”

  “Mr. Cadde.” Felix finally spotted him.

  Jessie didn’t acknowledge his presence. She went into a small makeshift kitchen. To say she was still mad was like saying water was wet.

  “Mr. Cadde, your gun and hat are at the house.”

  “Thank you, Felix.”

  He turned to Jessie. “Could we talk for a minute?”

  “I’m busy,” she replied, and rinsed the baby bottle.

  “It will only take a minute.”

  “Fine,” she snapped in that clipped tone he was beginning to know well.

  “Not here. In private.”

  “Sorry, I’m busy.” She made to walk past him and he caught her arm, leading her out of the barn.

  She tried to wiggle away from him. “Let me go.”

  “No,” he told her. “We’re talking…now.”

  She ceased her struggle to get away, but he didn’t loosen his grip. They went through the garage into the kitchen.

  A startled Rosa stopped peeling potatoes. “Miss Jessie…”

  “She’s fine,” Cadde replied. “We just need a few minutes alone.”

  Once inside the bedroom, Cadde closed and locked the door.

  Jessie placed her hands on her hips. “This had better be good.”

  He took a deep breath, gauging every word. “After last night, it was crass of me to mention the board meeting.”

  “Yes, it was.” She sat on the foot of the bed. “Being new at this I let my emotions get involved. That won’t happen again.”

  “Really?” he mocked her.

  “Yes.” She stood in a restless movement. “I could be pregnant and if I am then we won’t need to have sex again. If not, well, I guess we’ll have to.”

  She made to walk past him and he caught her arm again. “No, no, no, that’s not how it’s going to be. A real marriage…that’s what it says in the agreement. I’m sorry if bringing that up upsets you, but we’re having a real marriage with sex every night or however much we want.” He took a breath. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had sex?”

  “This morning,” she quipped.

  “Before that.”

  “Last night.”

  He smiled. She smiled. Suddenly the tension wasn’t there.

  “Longer than that…a long time, so last night was special for me, too.” He rubbed her forearm and knew it smelled of cherry blossoms. “But there’s something you need to know about me. I’m not good at the emotional stuff. Chance is. Kid was born with it. They had to yank him out with tongs and he still came out smiling. I’m the serious, responsible brother. I know everything there is to know about the oil business, but I know absolutely nothing about women. Last night was awesome and I want to build on that. I want you. That’s about all I have to say.”

  “It’s enough.” Her eyes sparkled so maybe he was getting something right.

  She stepped closer to him and he stepped back. Was he insane? But he had something to get off his chest. “I don’t want a kid of mine born as part of a business deal and I don’t want that agreement hanging between us. It just creates bad feelings. I’d rather we start out better than that.”

  “What about the transfer of the share giving you control?”

  He jammed his hands through his hair and pushed everything he’d ever dreamed about to the side burner. What he said now would shape their marriage and he was very aware of that. “I hope you’ll listen to my plans for Shilah and vote with your head, vote for what you think is right for this oil company. We have to build this marriage on trust and honesty.”

  Jessie walked to her dresser. Opening a drawer, she pulled out a folder and laid it on the bed. “There’s the agreement. I haven’t taken it to the lawyer yet.”

  He grabbed the document from the folder and ripped it into several pieces. He then threw them into the air and as they fluttered around them, Jessie jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, her arms tight around his neck.

  He held on and he knew their relationship had just changed. Turning, he fell backward on the bed, cradling her in his arms. She raised up and whipped her T-shirt over her head, throwing it on the floor. Her bra followed.

  As he was giving one breast his full attention a knock sounded at the door.

  “Miss Jessie, are you okay?” Rosa called.

  Jessie smiled, the biggest smile he’d never seen. “I’m fine, Rosa. I’m really, really fine.” And then she started to unbutt
on his shirt.

  Jessie understood he wasn’t always going to get it right, but he was trying. A part of him wondered if he’d just made the worst decision of his life. His child would not be born under a business agreement, though. And Jessie’s feelings were important. That shocked him the most. He didn’t want to see that hurt look in her eyes again.

  As he took her sweet lips he knew she was in control, but this time it didn’t bother him.

  THEY SPENT THE WEEKEND in bed or in the pool with sporadic trips into Houston to see Mirry. It was the most relaxing two days Cadde could recall. He didn’t go into the office, not once, and he even took the time to call his aunt and uncle. That was usually Chance’s department, but family was important to him, too.

  On Monday morning he was up early and dressed for work. Jessie was still asleep. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’m leaving.”

  “Mmm,” she mumbled, but she didn’t wake up.

  He walked to the door, wondering if he should remind her of the board meeting at ten. But he chose not to. She knew about it and the decision was hers. Shilah’s future was in her hands.

  Chance rushed into his office at fifteen minutes to ten. “Ready?”

  “Yeah.” Cadde glanced at his watch. “We have a few minutes. How’s everything in High Cotton?”

  “Great. Uncle Ru is back cowboying.”

  “I know. I called.”

  “Aunt Etta told me and I guess she told you she doesn’t want the land. She’s leaving it to us, her heirs.”

  “Yep.” Cadde reached for his jacket. “I promised her I’d get one of the lawyers to draw up the papers, but we still need to do something about our parents’ house.”

  “Maybe when Kid gets back.”

  Once again, they put off the dreaded task.

  He picked up his briefcase. “Let’s go.”

  “This is just a business formality, right?” Chance asked as they walked out of Cadde’s office. “I mean, you have the agreement with Jessie.”

  Cadde shook his head. “No. We tore it up.”

  “What? But…”

  “I’m going to trust Jessie to do the right thing. Isn’t that what marriage is about?”