by Bobbi Smith
"It wasn't easy, but he's worth it."
"What are you going to name him?"
Casey looked up at the beautiful, but stubborn stallion and stroked his neck. "I think I'll call him Buck, because he sure knows how to do it."
"Good name," Pete agreed. "It suits him. What's your fiance doing here?" Pete had been surprised when Jack had told him about Casey's upcoming marriage. He'd understood the need to join the two ranches, but he wondered at the wisdom of her marrying Michael.
"I guess I'm about to find out," she told him as she let herself out of the corral and went over to join with Michael and Nick as everybody else drifted back to work.
"This is a surprise," Casey greeted them, smiling at Nick in welcome.
"That was some fine riding, Casey," Nick complimented her. "I've never seen anyone actually break a horse before. You're very good."
"Thanks."
"Do you enjoy doing it?"
"When it's over," she laughed.
He laughed with her. "I can understand why. Have you ever run into a horse you couldn't break?"
"Not yet," she answered. "If you want to learn how, I can teach you."
"I'll think about it."
Michael listened to their conversation and almost felt a little envious of how at ease they were with each other. He grew irritated for even caring, and turned his thoughts to what his mother might think of Casey's activities that morning. Though his mother had advised him to treat Casey like a lady, Casey wasn't going to make that easy for him. She'd caused him nothing but trouble for as long as he'd known her, and he doubted that was going to change even after she became his wife.
"What brings you to the Bar T? Did you really come over to help me break horses?" She looked at Michael. "I know you two weren't just passing by."
"I came to invite you to dinner tonight," he answered.
"Why would you do that?" she asked.
"Because it will give us a chance to discuss our wedding plans."
"Did your mother hear from Reverend Harris yet?"
"She's hoping he'll let her know something this afternoon, so she can tell you what time you'll be meeting with him when she sees you tonight."
"Let me go make sure it's all right with Pa for me to leave tonight. He's up at the house," she said. She was hesitant to get too far away from him these days. After his trip to the Circle D, she didn't trust him to take care of himself anymore. The memory of finding him unconscious on the floor still haunted her, so she'd gotten promises from the hands to check on him during the day to make sure he was all right. "You haven't met my pa yet, have you, Nick?"
"No, but I'm looking forward to it," he told her.
Casey led the way to the house, and Michael watched her for a moment as she walked away. Though she was wearing a man's work clothes, there was nothing masculine about the way she moved. He found himself watching the natural, easy sway of her hips. He reminded himself that this was Casey as he and Nick followed after her.
"Come on in," Casey invited as she went up the porch steps and into the house. "Pa," she called out.
Jack was in the back of the house, and he came out to see what she wanted.
"Why, Michael. This is a surprise. Welcome to the Bar T."
"Thanks."
"And who is this young man?"
"This is Nick, Michael's cousin from back East."
"Good to meet you. So, what brings you here today?" Jack asked as he showed them into the parlor.
"I wanted to invite Casey to dinner tonight," Michael answered.
"And I wanted to make sure it was all right with you before I told him I would go," she explained. She was almost hoping her father would insist she stay home with him. The last thing she wanted to do was spend any more time than necessary with Michael. It was going to be difficult enough once they were married, she didn't see any reason to rush things.
"Of course it is, darling," Jack said. "That will be fine."
"Good. I'll come back for you about five o'clock," Michael told her.
Casey frowned. "You don't have to come here. I'm perfectly capable of riding over to your place on my own."
"No," Michael insisted.
"But--" she started to argue with him.
"It will be dark by the time we finish with dinner, and it wouldn't be safe for you to be out by yourself."
"Safe? Nothing's going to happen to me," she scoffed.
"You're right. Nothing is going to happen to you, because I'll be with you. After what happened to my father, there's no point in taking any chances."
"Casey, Michael's right," Jack advised.
"Yes, Pa," she relented, annoyed but resigned to her fate. It looked as if she was destined to spend the entire evening with Michael.
"I'll see you around five," Michael said, more than ready to leave.
"She'll be waiting for you," Jack promised.
Casey stood with her father on the porch and watched the two men ride away.
"You know, since you're going to the Circle D for dinner, you're probably going to want to get cleaned up and wear a dress tonight," Jack advised.
"I had a feeling you were going to mention that, but I'll worry about it later. Right now, I've got more work to do," she told him as she escaped back down to the stable.
It was three o'clock before Casey returned to the house to start getting ready. Her father was gone, out with the men somewhere, and she was glad. She needed some alone time before she had to face Michael again.
After heating water, she bathed and washed her hair. As she stood before her small mirror combing out her hair, Casey wondered how she had come to this. She would be marrying Michael in a few short weeks. She kept hoping she would wake up soon and find out that this was all a bad dream that her father hadn't really been sick and the ranch was not really in debt.
But that wasn't going to happen.
She knew it was time for her to accept what she couldn't change.
To save the Bar T, she was going to have to become Mrs. Michael Donovan.
Casey started listing the things about Michael that irritated her: He was arrogant, and he was annoying, and he was
Then the memory of his kiss returned.
Casey told herself that there hadn't been anything particularly wonderful about Michael's kiss, but even as she denied his appeal, she couldn't forget the shiver that had gone through her when she'd been in his arms.
"I only shivered because I was wet," Casey told her mirror image.
Then she turned away and got dressed.
A short time later when Jack came back up to the house to look in on her, he found her dressed and ready to go, waiting in the parlor.
"You look mighty pretty," he complimented her.
Thanks, Pa." She turned and smiled uneasily at him. "But I really wish I didn't have to do this. I can't imagine who in the world decided women should have to wear all these clothes. It had to be somebody who wanted to torture us."
Jack couldn't help laughing. "For all that you feel like you're being tortured, you do look lovely wearing a dress. Michael will be pleased."
"I just hope he doesn't expect me to start dressing like this all the time."
Before Jack could say anything more, they heard a buckboard driving up. He took a quick look outside and saw Michael drawing to a stop in front.
The day had passed far too quickly for Michael, and the trip to pick up Casey had gone by even faster. He wasn't exactly dreading the evening to come, but he wasn't looking forward to it either. He just wasn't quite sure how to handle his intended bride.
For a moment after he'd thrown her in the water the other day, they'd actually laughed together, but the light mood hadn't lasted. Theirs would be a marriage of necessity, and they were going to have to make the best of it.
His mother had reminded him before he'd left the house that he should treat Casey like a lady tonight. He was bound and determined to do his best as long as she cooperated and let him.
Michael c
limbed down from the buckboard and went up the steps to knock on the door.
"Come on in, Michael," Jack said as he opened the door for him.
"Is Casey ready?"
"Just about."
Michael stepped inside as Casey came out of the parlor. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen her in a dress. The one she was wearing wasn't fashionable, but it was a definite improvement over her work clothes.
"Nice dress, Casey," he told her. He meant it as a compliment.
"Don't get used to it," she retorted.
Casey paused to give her father a kiss on the cheek, and then walked ahead of Michael out of the house.
"Good night, Jack," Michael said before following her to the buckboard.
Michael was glad that he was right there behind her, for just as Casey started to climb into the buckboard on her own, her skirt got in the way. She lost her balance and was falling backward when he put his hands at her waist to catch her.
Casey tensed at his touch. She was forced to lean on him as he lifted her easily the rest of the way up to the bench.
"Are you all right?" he asked as she sat down.
"I'm fine," she ground out, humiliated that she hadn't even been able to climb into the buckboard on her own wearing a skirt.
Michael climbed up beside her and took the reins. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be," she said.
Casey lifted a hand to wave good-bye to her father as they drove away. She only wished they were returning home instead of leaving. The evening before her was going to be a long one.
"How come you're out here eating with us tonight?" Tom asked Nick as he joined the ranch hands at the table in the bunkhouse.
"Aunt Elizabeth thought it would be a good idea for Michael to have some time alone with Casey," Nick told them. "So I decided to come down here with you."
"I wonder how Michael's going to feel about being all alone with his little fiancee?" Harry grinned at the thought.
"Maybe we should go up to the house and eat there. Michael might need us," Tom suggested to the laughter of the other men.
"Why do you think he'll need our help?" Nick asked.
"You've seen Casey," one of the other hands spoke up. "She dresses like a man and acts like one, too."
"What she wears doesn't matter," Nick said, feeling the need to defend her. "I watched her break a horse over at the Bar T earlier today, and I was impressed. She's very talented."
"Womenfolk shouldn't be breaking horses," another man put in.
"Why not, if they're good at it?" Nick countered.
"It doesn't matter if she's good or not," the hand continued. "She's a girl. She should act like one, but Casey Turner don't. Why, there was one day not too long ago when she ran one of our men off the Bar T.He was hunting strays, and she chased him off. He was damned lucky she didn't shoot him."
"You wouldn't have thought anything of it if she'd been a man."
"But she ain't."
"That's right," Tom added. "Michael is going to have his hands full having to take over for his pa and marry Casey, too. It will be interesting to see how they end up."
"Hey I got an idea," Harry said. "Anybody want to make a wager on how long this marriage is gonna last?"
"I'll bet ten dollars they never get to the altar!" one hand called out, and laughter roared through the bunkhouse.
"Ten dollars says it'll last two weeks and then she'll be back with her pa," another joined in.
"What about you, Nick? You want to place a little wager?" Tom looked at him.
Nick's expression was thoughtful. "I'll bet fifty dollars Michael and Casey go through with the wedding and their marriage lasts."
"Fifty?" Tom repeated, impressed by Nick's daring. "You know something we don't know?"
"You're sounding real confident, city boy," Harry said.
"That's right. I am confident. I think you're underestimating Casey."
"We'll see."
The ranch hands all made their wagers. Only time would tell who won the pot.
Casey wondered if she could possibly be any more miserable. It had been bad enough that she'd gotten tangled up in her skirt and Michael had had to help her, but now, sitting so close to him, every time they hit a bump she was thrown against him. She was wondering if fate could think of any other way to torture her today. She hoped not.
"How is your father doing?" Casey asked, struggling to make conversation as they drove toward the Circle D.
"As well as can be expected," Michael answered. "He seems to be getting a little of his strength back."
"That's good. Have you heard anything new from Sheriff Montgomery?"
"Not a word, and we're even offering a reward for information. It's frustrating knowing that whoever it was who tried to kill Pa is still out there."
"Maybe the sheriff will come up with something soon."
"I hope so. What about your father? How is he feeling? He looked like he was doing better."
"He needs more rest now than he used to, but he's trying to get back to normal."
They fell silent again.
Michael was trying to figure out how to give Casey the engagement ring. He wasn't sure if he should just hand her the box when they got to the house or if he should try to do something romantic.
The moment he thought "romantic" he dismissed the idea.
This was Casey not Karen.
Michael realized he'd never seriously thought about marriage before. The few times it had crossed his mind, he'd always imagined he would be marrying a beautiful woman who loved him as much as he loved her. He'd never considered his marriage would be an arrangement like his upcoming wedding to Casey. He wondered how they were ever going to make it work.
Casey was mentally assessing her situation as they turned up the main road to the house. She was wearing a dress and having dinner with the Donovans. The evening ahead looked pretty torturous to her. She resigned herself to the fact that there was no way out. She was doing what she had to do to save the Bar T.
"Well, here we are," Michael said as he stopped the buckboard in front of the house.
When Casey started to get up so she could climb down, he grabbed her arm to stop her.
"Wait a minute. I'll help you. I know you don't want me to, but I'd hate for you to land on your face in the dirt in front of my mother." He nodded toward the house, where Casey could see Elizabeth coming outside.
Michael leaped out of the buckboard and strode around to her side.
Casey was irritated at being considered helpless. She stood up, ready to get down on her own no matter what he said. But, Michael was there in front of her. He put his hands at her waist to help her. Their bodies made contact as he lifted her down, and she felt a jolt of awareness that startled her. Casey looked up at him from beneath lowered lashes to see if he'd been as affected as she had been, but he was already looking toward his mother. He obviously hadn't felt a thing. Casey couldn't decide if she was glad he'd reacted that way or disappointed.
"Why, Cassandra, you look lovely," Elizabeth was saying as Michael put a hand on her elbow and escorted her up the steps to the porch.
"Thank you, Mrs. Donovan."
"Please, call me Elizabeth."
"All right Elizabeth," Casey repeated with a little smile.
"Dinner is almost ready. Come on into the dining room." She ushered her future daughter-in-law inside and down the hall.
As they stepped into the dining room, Casey noticed immediately that there were only two places set at the table.
"Isn't Michael going to eat with us?" she asked.
Elizabeth couldn't help chuckling at her observation. "You and Michael will be dining here together. I'm going to have dinner with Frank upstairs."
"Oh "The evening ahead suddenly loomed even worse in Casey's estimation.
"This will give the two of you some time alone. You've hardly had time to talk since all this happened."
Casey wanted to tell her that she already knew everything-sh
e wanted to know about Michael, but she controlled the urge.
"What about Nick?" Casey asked, trying not to let her desperation sound in her voice.
"He's eating out at the bunkhouse tonight," Elizabeth explained. "So you'll be all by yourselves. Enjoy."
"Oh, we will," Michael said, grinning. He knew exactly what Casey was thinking, and he had to admit he was enjoying her discomfort.
"Before I leave you, Cassandra - I did want to let you know that Reverend Harris sent word he can meet with us tomorrow afternoon around two o'clock in his office at the church. Is that time all right with you?"
"That will be fine. I'll meet you there."
"I'm looking forward to it." Impulsively, Elizabeth gave her a quick hug. "Let me check on dinner for you." She went into the kitchen to see how the cook was doing.
Casey looked at Michael, not quite sure what to do next.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"I'm starving."
"Let's eat," he suggested, walking ahead of her to the table and pulling out a chair for her.
Casey knew what he was doing, but she wondered why he was doing it. He didn't have to treat her nicely or try to impress her. She had come for dinner. Nothing more.
"Thanks." She sat down, staring at the fine china, crystal glasses and silverware spread out on the linen tablecloth.
Michael sat across the table from her.
"Do you eat like this all the time?" she asked.
"Only on special occasions like tonight." Remembering what his mother had told him about treating her like a lady, he went on, "This is our celebration."
"Of what?" Casey was at a loss as she looked at him across the table. She didn't know what was so special about this night. They were supposed to eat dinner. That hardly made the evening anything out of the ordinary. She wondered if Michael thought it was special just because she'd put on a dress for him.
The time had come.
Michael knew it.
He stood up and went to her.
"Casey "He reached down and took her hand, drawing her up to stand before him. He was surprised by how soft her hand was, considering all the hard work she did at the Bar T; then he remembered how soft she'd been when he'd held her against him down at the river. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
