Laney ran a brush through her hair and retied her ponytail, then laced up her shoes, and headed out the front door. Her stomach grumbled. It was definitely time to figure out how to use the stove in the kitchen. What she wouldn’t give for a bowl of cereal and a tall glass of ice cold milk right now.
She stood on the porch, and surveyed the yard and surrounding structures. Her eyes fell to the large holding pen that contained the two-year-old colts. It took her only a moment to spot the gray colt. He was rather nondescript in color, but the way he was put together and the proud way in which he moved made him stand out from all the others.
Tyler led two horses up the path from the barn to the yard. Laney recognized the sturdy bay gelding Tyler rode yesterday. The other horse was a smaller chestnut mare. Tyler and the gelding ignored the filly’s playful antics of tossing her head and prancing in place. Laney smiled at the exuberant young horse. She would be a lot of fun to ride.
Laney skipped down the porch steps. “Is that my ride?” she asked, a bright smile on her face. She pointed to the mare.
Tyler stopped in front of her, correcting the young horse with a quick snap of the reins when she didn’t halt. A puzzled frown crossed his face.
“Not unless you want to break your neck,” he scoffed. “She’s barely broke, and can use some time under saddle. I’m hoping Charlie here can be a calming influence on her, but it doesn’t seem to be working yet.” He glanced toward the gelding.
“Maybe she needs a woman’s touch,” Laney offered, and stepped up to the mare. She reached her hand up to touch the horse’s nose. The filly snorted, and backed away at first, then took a tentative step forward, lowered her head and blew air onto Laney’s open palm.
“It’ll be some time before this one could be a lady’s mount, if ever.” Tyler looped Charlie’s reins around the porch post. The patient gelding stood quietly, his ear cocked toward the filly. He looked almost relieved to be away from her.
“You never know.” Laney shrugged. She wasn’t going to argue with Tyler. She’d ridden her share of young, unruly racehorses while living with the Sheldons, but certainly not in a dress.
“Let’s see how you handle Charlie here, before I put you to work breaking colts,” Tyler said dryly, tightening the girth on the filly’s saddle. “I don’t have a side saddle. I hope you’re agreeable to riding astride.”
Laney laughed. “Sidesaddle? Now that’s something I’ve never tried before.”
Tyler looked up from his task, and studied her, his forehead wrinkled. Laney held her breath. Damn my big mouth. Avoiding Tyler’s stare, she turned toward Charlie, and touched her hand to his cinch, checking for tightness. She reached for the leather loops that would adjust the girth, then she quickly moved her hand upward to pat Charlie’s neck instead. It would have been an easy tug and adjustment to tighten the girth herself. If Tyler thought she didn’t know how to ride anything but sidesaddle, he’d definitely question her on her ability to tighten a cinch. No doubt it wasn’t something a woman in this time would do.
Tyler tied the filly to the other porch post. Wordlessly, he adjusted Charlie’s saddle, then unlooped the reins and tossed them over the gelding’s neck.
“Ready?” he asked.
Laney’s heart sped up in her chest. She stood so close to Tyler, the heat coming off of him seeped right through her clothes. With a shaky hand, she reached for the saddle horn, and lifted her left foot into the stirrup. Tyler’s hands were instantly at her waist, and a delicious chill raced up her spine at his firm yet gentle touch. He lifted her up, and she fumbled to swing her leg over the saddle, her skirts fluttering everywhere. The bulky material bunched around her legs as she tried to find a comfortable position in the saddle.
“How do you ride in this thing,” she mumbled in frustration, when the front of her skirt caught on the saddle horn. The hem of the dress pulled up, tightening around her leg. This would be so much easier in pants. She looked down at Tyler, who waited silently for her to find her seat. Would it be inappropriate to ask if she could wear pants to ride?
“Some of the rancher’s wives ride in split skirts,” he offered. “Perhaps next time we’re in town, we can look for some. Or you can sew your own.”
“Split skirts?” The idea was about as appealing as the dress she wore. “How about a pair of pants?” The question was out before she had a chance to close her mouth.
Tyler stared up at her. She nearly laughed at the incredulous look on his face.
“You want to wear britches?” His eyebrows shot up.
“You wouldn’t have any in my size, would you?” She smiled brightly at him. “Or is that considered too risqué, like what I did the other night?”
Tyler’s expression changed. He studied her for a minute, his brows deeply furrowed. Laney chewed on her bottom lip. She forced her mouth shut. Part of her wanted to argue that he had no right to tell her what she could and couldn’t do or wear, while the other part realized that in this day and age, he had every right.
I so need to get out of this century.
To her complete surprise, a slow grin spread across Tyler’s face. Her mount shifted its feet beneath her. Tyler still stared up at her, his one hand lingering at the back of the saddle. Laney swallowed. Did this guy even realize what effect he had on her with that smile?
“If you want to wear britches, Mrs. Monroe, I’ll find you a pair of britches,” he said quietly, his voice sultry all of a sudden.
Laney swallowed, and her eyes widened. A warm feeling swept through her at his words. Mrs. Monroe. She couldn’t allow herself to think of being a married woman. This wasn’t permanent.
“You will?” Had she even heard him right? She leaned forward and pulled her right leg over the back of the saddle, eager to get off the horse before Tyler changed his mind. Parts of her dress caught on the cantle, and she tugged to free herself. The material released suddenly, and she fell backwards, straight into Tyler’s arms.
“Oh. Sorry,” she stammered, turning on her heels. Her eyes shot up to meet his. The grin on his face was gone, replaced by a look that caused her heart to jump up into her throat.
Complete awareness of him, his hands at her waist, the heat radiating off his body, overpowered her. Laney fought for a breath of air.
Get a hold of yourself, Laney. Don’t read anything into this.
“How many times do I have to tell you to wait for my help,” he whispered hoarsely. “The doc is two hours away if you break that pretty neck of yours.” He paused, then added, “You sure you’re capable of staying on a horse?” His eyes twinkled, and the corners of his mouth twitched. He winked at her.
Laney blinked, astonished at the seemingly uncharacteristic gesture, and she held her hands against his chest. His heart beat strong against her right palm. She couldn’t think of anything she wanted to do more at this moment than wrap her arms around his neck and kiss that silly smirk off his face. She pushed against him instead. His arms loosened around her waist, and she stepped back on shaky legs.
“You just watch me, cowboy,” she said, slightly out of breath. She raised her chin and shook some loose hair out of her face. “Get me out of this dress, and you’ll see a completely different side of me.”
Her face flamed instantly as the unintended double meaning of what she’d said dawned on her.
A flurry of emotions spread across Tyler’s face. For a moment, he looked angry. His jaw set in a tight line, the same as she remembered from her first night here after her stupid stunt. She braced for an outburst.
Tyler’s hand suddenly reached up and grazed her cheek, and a soft gasp escaped her lips. His calloused fingers left scorch marks on her skin, his thumb slowly moving along her lower jaw, tracing the contours just below her lips.
“Someday, Laney, I just might take you up on that offer.” His sultry voice lingered in her ears. “For now, I’d like to try and court you properly, even if we are wed.”
Time stood still while his eyes roamed over her. Laney sta
red up into his dark gaze, drowning in the depths of his eyes. Her head swayed into his touch. He’d kiss her any second now. She’d never wanted a guy to kiss her as much as she wanted Tyler to at this very moment.
He abruptly stepped away, and Laney released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. He turned his back to her, and ran his fingers through his hair.
“I think I know where I can find you a pair of britches,” he said, and leapt up the porch without a backward glance. He disappeared inside the house, leaving her standing with her horse.
Laney groaned, and leaned her head against Charlie’s neck, grabbing a fistful of mane in frustration. Was this guy for real? Every second, her attraction to Tyler grew, and he acted like a saint. What did he mean by courting her properly?
No one has ever treated you like this, Laney. Like you’re an actual person, and not just some toy to play with and then dump.
Sudden tears welled up in her eyes. She’d never known a guy like him. He was the nicest, most respectful man she’d ever met.
“Had a lover’s quarrel so soon?”
Laney wheeled around at the sound of another man’s voice. Tyler’s foreman, Gabe, strode toward her.
“I thought he was taking you out for a ride.” Gabe grinned at her. There was no mistaking the double meaning in his words. His eyes traveled up and down her body, just like the looks she was used to from the guys back home. Always mentally undressing her.
“He’ll be right back.” Laney raised her chin. “And no, we didn’t have a lover’s quarrel.”
Gabe’s forehead wrinkled, and his head cocked to one side. His arm reached out, and he held on to the cantle of Charlie’s saddle, effectively trapping her between the horse and the porch railing.
“You sure ain’t what I expected when you sent me your letter, accepting the offer to marry Tyler,” he said slowly.
“Oh? And what were you expecting?” Laney’s eyes narrowed. If he thought she’d be some meek and prim little wallflower, he could guess again. “I know Tyler married me because of a bet you made.”
She wasn’t entirely sure how a bet someone else made would get Tyler to agree to a marriage. She’d heard of some harebrained things guys did to play jokes on each other, but even this seemed a little far-fetched. She made a mental note to ask Tyler about it sometime. Glaring at Gabe, she added, “I think that shows he’s a man with a lot of character, don’t you?”
Gabe’s grin widened. “Tyler’s the most honorable man I know. Did you also know that he don’t like women who remind him of his mother?”
“What kind of woman would that be?” Laney backed up as close to the rail as she could.
Gabe leaned forward, and whispered in her ear. “Well, his mama was—”
“Laney.” Tyler’s sharp voice from the house drowned out anything Gabe might have said. He dropped his arm from the horse’s saddle, and stepped back. Laney inhaled a deep breath to calm her racing heart. Rushing past Gabe, she stumbled up the porch steps to where Tyler stood under the doorframe. He glared at her, then toward Gabe.
“Just wondering where you were, Ty,” Gabe said casually, still standing next to Charlie. “I was just telling Laney how glad I was that she accepted my offer to come out here and marry you. Ain’t that right, Laney?” He tipped his hat to her. “Enjoy your ride.” Without waiting for an answer, he turned and strode off toward the barns.
Chapter 12
“Gabe.”
Tyler strode into the barn, calling sharply to his foreman. After handing Laney a pair of old worn britches and a cotton shirt that he’d outgrown more than ten years ago, he’d told her to wait for him at the house after she changed. Hot rage had surged through him when he’d opened the door and seen her standing so close to Gabe. Except, he didn’t know who to be angry with. Was Laney flirting with his foreman?
Gabe certainly had a reputation with the ladies in town, but Tyler trusted him enough not to try and charm his wife. The confused expression in Laney’s eyes when she scrambled up the porch was enough to send his blood to boiling.
Gabe wheeled around on his heels, and slung a bridle over his shoulder. “Ty. Why aren’t you with your wife?” The surprised look on his face vanished, and he backed up.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Tyler roared, and grabbed Gabe’s shirt. Inches separated their faces.
“What do you mean?”
“Laney isn’t one of your saloon whores,” Tyler hissed between clenched teeth. “She’s my wife, in case I need to remind you.”
Gabe grinned, despite the tight hold Tyler had on him.
“What did you say to her?” Tyler’s fist bunched around Gabe’ shirt.
“Take it easy, Ty,” Gabe sputtered. “I saw her standing by the horses, and just came over to talk to her. I told her that she sure wasn’t what I expected.”
Tyler’s eyes narrowed. “What sort of woman were you expecting?” His hold eased. No doubt he was overreacting, but the thought of his friend, or anyone else, standing so close to his wife filled him with irrational jealousy.
Gabe laughed. “Certainly not a woman like her. Her letter never led on that she was . . . You are one lucky son of a bitch, Ty. I’m just worried that she might not be what she claims. I see the way you’re mooning all over her, and I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Tyler shoved Gabe away from him. “Get hurt? Is that the reason you’re bothering my wife? You’re the one who thought I needed to get hitched. Were you hoping she was some dried up old maid?”
“I just didn’t think she’d be so . . . easy on the eyes. And the way she’s been acting . . . surely not like a woman with a good reputation, if you know what I mean.”
Tyler advanced on his foreman again. Gabe spoke the words that were in his own mind. He’d had all the same thoughts about Laney, but every time he looked at her, none of it mattered. Dammit. It was time he found out more about her.
“She’s my wife,” Tyler snarled. “You will treat her with respect, and you will talk to her with respect. Regardless of what’s in her past, she’s come here to make a new start. Stay away from her. Is that understood?”
Gabe stared at him. His grin widened. “Of course, Ty. I didn’t think you’d be this taken with her, and so quickly. I surely didn’t mean no disrespect. You know that.”
He held out his hand. Tyler frowned, then accepted Gabe’s apology. The last thing he ever thought he’d do was get into a fight with his friend over a woman.
“Ty? Are you in here? Tyler?” Eddie’s frantic voice shouted from just outside the barn. What the hell was going on now? This day was definitely not turning out the way he had planned.
Eddie yanked the barn door open, and darted through the opening. A relieved whoosh of air left him when he spotted Tyler.
“You’d better come quick, Ty,” Eddie huffed between breaths of air. Wide-eyed, he pointed in the direction from which he’d just come.
“Calm down, Eddie.” Tyler headed for his wrangler. The man’s face was flushed a bright red and covered with a sheen of perspiration.
“It’s your wife, Ty. She’s . . uh . . .” Eddie sputtered, and continued to point toward the barn door.
“I know she’s wearing britches, Eddie. I gave them to her.” Tyler tried to set his wrangler’s mind at ease. Laney must have come out of the house wearing his clothes. Curiosity about what she looked like in his old pants swept through him as Gabe snorted behind him.
“Britches? Your wife is wearing your clothes?” The laughter in Gabe’s words was unmistakable.
“No, Ty, that’s not it.” Eddie shook his head frantically. “She’s out there, mounted on that sorrel filly you just broke to saddle.”
“What?” Tyler roared. He pushed past Eddie, the blood pounding in his ears. That fool of a woman was going to get herself killed.
Tyler squinted against the sun’s bright rays. A horse with a slight rider on its back pranced in the yard in front of his house. Dread washed over him li
ke an icy blast of winter wind.
“Laney, get off that horse,” he called, and sprinted toward her. The young mare looked as if she was ready to bolt. Her muscles bunched tensely, and her tail swished in an agitated manner. She tossed her head, just as Laney raised her gaze from the animal to him. A bright smile illuminated her face.
“Come on, Tyler,” Laney yelled. “This girl wants to run. I don’t know how much longer I can hold her.”
“What the hell are you doing?” Tyler shouted. “You’re gonna get yourself killed, woman.” Would he reach her in time before the mare decided to buck, or run off?
Laney’s smile didn’t diminish. Her legs were wrapped firmly around the filly’s girth, those old britches of his hugging her thighs like a second skin. Why the hell did he agree to allow her to wear men’s clothes?
The filly’s front legs popped up in a half-rear, and Laney leaned forward along the mare’s neck, as if she were one with the animal.
“Get your horse, Tyler,” Laney called.
Tyler rushed toward the mare, intent on grabbing her reins before she threw Laney from her back. In the next instant, her front hooves hit the ground, and she bolted forward.
“Dammit,” he shouted, and ran toward Charlie, who was still tied to the porch post. He pulled the reins free, and leapt into the saddle, kicking the gelding into a run before he was fully seated.
What the hell foolishness had gotten into that woman? If she survived with her neck intact, it would be nothing short of a miracle. He gave his horse its head and urged him after the runaway mare that galloped ahead of him past an outlying corral and up the trail leading into the hills. Both Eddie and Gabe stood by the barn, their mouths wide open.
Instead of the frantic screams of a fearful woman, Laney’s giggles reached his ears. He narrowed his eyes, staring up ahead. She looked perfectly secure atop the horse, leaning forward over the little mare’s neck as if she was born in the saddle.
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