Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy?

by Abigail Sharpe

  Leigh shrieked and tried to hide behind Jewel, fear crossing her features. “Don’t hurt me! It was Jewel’s idea!”

  “Shut up!” Jewel pushed Leigh forward.

  “Ainsley!” Edward’s familiar voice cut through the haze in her head and she froze, her eyes locked on Leigh. “We have the rental; do you want to drive with us?” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “Please come. I don’t think I can handle your mother alone anymore.”

  The pure absurdity of Edward being scared of her mother, Leigh’s actions, battling women for the love of a man she had met only a week ago—suddenly it was all hysterically funny and she exploded in giggles. She took Edward’s offered arm and turned away from the women while trying to stifle her laughter. She grabbed Meagan’s hand on her way, dragging her along.

  After they settled into the car, Sophia drove to the barbeque. Her mouth maintained the thinnest line Ainsley had ever seen, making her red lipstick barely visible, and her frown etched grooves in her cheeks. For once she was thankful for her mother’s good breeding; decorum dictated she would not start a family argument in front of friends. Bringing Meagan along had been an inadvertant stroke of genius. “You shouldn’t do that to your mouth, Mother. You may get wrinkles,” Ainsley scolded her.

  * * *

  Edward choked in the back seat, then coughed, pounding himself in the chest. Ainsley flicked him a smile over the seat, then settled in for the short drive.

  The car followed the carriage to a large clearing and parked next to a row of other vehicles. The Pommers’ friends and neighbors milled wooden benches that formed three sides of a square. A stage made up the fourth. Two fiddle players stood next to a man holding a guitar and another with drumsticks, all of them wearing red bandanas. A drum set and microphones sat on the stage behing them. Ainsley and Meagan bid Sophia and Edward good-bye and scurried through the guests to join the women waiting for Molly.

  The sun set over the mountains, the bright dot barely above the horizon, turning the sky a vibrant orange, making the mountains look as if they were burning. The fresh scent of the outdoors competed with Sophia’s rose perfume. His future mother-in-law glanced around the rustic setting before gliding to a bench set up far away from the band. “This is ridiculous. I’m sure seeing Ainsley again has reminded you of your feelings for her. You need to retrieve her and take her home.” She took a tissue out of her purse and wiped the bench before sitting down.

  “She seems happy here.”

  “She’s only doing it because she knows it’s contrary to what I want. She’ll make you a good wife, Edward. We just need to convince her of that.”

  He sighed and sat down, not bothering to check for loose dirt, and took a moment to find the right words. “I think we need to convince you that Ainsley has her own mind and can make her own decisions. It doesn’t matter what you say. Seeing her here didn’t rekindle any feelings I may have had for her. I’m not struck with a longing to be with her. I’m beginning to realize I only had feelings for her because you said I should.” He braced himself for her reaction. “I love your daughter, Sophia. Just not the one who fits into your plans.”

  Her lips did that straight-line thing again and she patted his knee like he was a small child. “Don’t be silly, Edward. Ainsley is perfect for you, when she’s not being disobedient. Cecelia is too wild, out of control.”

  He settled against the bench and studied her covertly. “Did you know she went back to college? She’s a semester away from graduating with a degree in sociology.” He bit the inside of his cheek at Sophia’s wide-eyed look of disbelief.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Cecelia’s not the same girl she was ten years ago, Sophia. You need to see her for herself and stop viewing her like you did when she was a teen.”

  “She’s never cared about anyone but herself. She’ll disrupt your plans and ruin your life, Edward. What about the future we talked about? Your business with Bennett?” Her tone was convincing, but anxiety covered her pinched expression.

  “I can still do all that. My future would be nothing without Cecelia, Sophia. And I’m sorry if that disrupts your plans, but the only thing that will ruin my life is if I don’t marry the woman I love.”

  * * *

  Ainsley stood in the storage building with the other women, listening to Molly give them their last minute instructions. The machinery and tools had been removed and replaced by tables and chairs, and festive lights hung from the ceiling beams. Food and drinks sat along the walls, though the rich fragrances couldn’t hide the underlying odor of oil and gas.

  “Riley will ask each of you to dance at least once this evening,” Molly said. “While you are waiting for him, feel free to dance with anyone else. Believe me when I say he won’t mind, and would rather everyone have a good time instead of waiting around for him. The dance will be like an exit interview to gather more personal information about your time here. If you get chilled or tired, or need a break from the music, come back here for warmth, food, and rest. Have fun, ladies!” And with that, she led everyone back outside.

  Riley stood in the grassy field helping one of the hands set up chairs. Her blood sang when she saw him. Tonight she wasn't going to play it safe. Tonight she would take the same chance Cecelia had. Tonight, she would tell him.

  I love you.

  The words in her mind rose into a crescendo she was sure everyone around her could hear. He turned then, disgust and distaste marring his strong features. She followed his gaze, looking behind her, but saw only the building. She turned back and the heat of anticipation suddenly sank into her belly, leaving a cold ball in its place. That awful, hateful glare was aimed right at her. What the hell had happened?

  Rose scents in the air preceded her mother’s arrival by her side. “Having fun?”

  “Yes,” Ainsley said without enthusiasm. She focused her attention on Seth and schooled her features into the emotionless stare she’d learned from her stoic mother. The teen shuffled his feet while he talked to a girl who looked several years older than he was. Whatever he said worked, for she took his hand and they went to the dance floor.

  Sophia studied the twirling couples. “These aren’t your people, you know. You will never be completely comfortable here, and they will never completely accept you,” she said quietly.

  Thanks, Mom. You always have a kind word of encouragement for me. “Are you trying to drive me away from you, or do you really think you’re offering me good advice?” she asked hotly.

  “You don’t belong here, Ainsley. You know it as well as I do. But you can have your little rebellion, and know that Edward will be waiting for you with open arms.”

  It wasn’t his arms she wanted. Right now, those were leading Leigh through some complicated dance moves. The woman caught her staring and flashed a smug, satisfied smile. Ainsley forced down the hopelessness that picked at her. “Open arms, maybe, Mother. But not with an open heart. That belongs to Cecelia.”

  “You expect to find that with that cowboy? He hasn’t even asked you to dance yet, Ainsley.”

  “Then you have nothing to worry about, do you?” she asked sweetly.

  “I heard my name; my ears are burning,” Edward announced his presence to the two women, and for once, Ainsley was glad to see him. “Come dance with me, Ainsley.”

  Better to dance with him than wonder why Riley was being an ass. Technically Edward was a good dancer, but he never seemed to feel any passion, any inspiration. He knew the moves with precision, but not emotion. It would be interesting to see how well he danced to Cotton-eyed Joe.

  “I have something to show you.” Edward moved her to the side of the dance floor opposite her mother and took a small velvet box out of his pocket. He opened it and held it out to her. Nestled in the maroon padding was a heart-shaped diamond surrounded by tiny sapphires set on a gold band. She clasped a hand over her mouth, tears stinging the back of her eyes.

  If she had any doubts of Edward’s heart belonging to her
sister, they vanished with the unique shape of the ring. It was a far cry from the impersonal bouquets of common roses he had always given her. The man had learned. “Edward.” Emotion squeezed her chest, making it hard to breathe, and she wrapped her arms around him. “It’s perfect. And beautiful. And perfect.”

  “Are you sure? I want her to be happy. God knows why she chose me, but I’m not going to give her a chance to change her mind.”

  If it could happen for him, it could happen for her. She glided in Edward’s arms, using the movement to search for the man who could give her forever.

  * * *

  Watching the stuffy accountant try to let loose should have been funny, but the only thing laughing was the echo of his past. He kept his eyes fixed on the girl he had almost fallen for, who had wrapped herself around the man after he had shown her a small box. Only one thing came in a box like that, and there was only one reason to show it to someone. Sophia had told him earlier she intended to see Ainsley and Edward married. This confirmed that and everything else he’d been told. Deceitful, malicious woman.

  He spun away from the touching scene, a slow ache spreading through his gut, and headed behind the barn and into the copse on the edge of the clearing. The trees would be better company than anyone at the party. Soft laughter from two shadows greeted him and he squinted in the waning light. Meagan and Cookie stood close together, sending Riley’s ache to the far reaches of his soul. Before they could see him, he ducked through the trees and headed to the stables.

  She’d played him completely. She’d created her own fantasy world and perverted his mind with the spirit in her eyes and the passion of her body, making him lose his focus, neglect his family, his ranch. Riley reined in his emotions, controlling them like he did his horses.

  Never again.

  Running footsteps pounded behind him and he stopped. The steps slowed and the hint of vanilla tickled his nose a second before Ainsley stood next to him. Her radiant smile kicked him like a horse. She must not have a single shred of conscience. She reached for his hand but he stuffed it in his pocket and leaned against a spruce tree. “What do you want?”

  The radiance faded into a storm front. Her green eyes clouded with anger and a touch of something else. Sadness, maybe. He didn’t analyze it. “So you’ve decided, then.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “I’m glad I discovered this lack of trust in you before I did something stupid, like telling you how I feel.”

  He bit down on a harsh bark of laughter. “Your mother told me the truth about you and Edward. What everyone else has told me all along. And you can still stand here and talk to me about trust?”

  She sucked her lips into her mouth and inhaled through her nose. “Why don’t you actually listen to me, Riley?” She touched her heart in a pathetic attempt to convey earnestness, the rest of her stiff and straight. “This is my life. Not my mother’s. Not Jewel’s. And not Edward’s.” She took a single step forward, filling his space with vanilla while her hands gripped the lapels of his black shirt. Glancing up at him through her lashes, she softened her voice, the tendrils of seduction capturing his attention. “I thought I might be spending more of it with you.”

  He struggled to keep his arms from wrapping around her body, to pull her close and kiss her soft lips until they were both breathless with wanting. Instead, he stepped out of her target range of charm and her hands fell to her sides. “Puts you at odds with your plans for Mr. Accountant?” Hands on his hips, he glared down at her and cursed himself. She had consumed his thoughts all day, how deceitful she had been and how innocent she’d appeared, and his resentment had been stirring. She wasn’t going to kiss her way out of it this time.

  She brought a hand up to massage her temples, her golden hair spilling over her shoulders and framing her face, invoking a small stirring in his gut which he quickly clamped down.

  “Go ahead. Say what it is you believe.” Her low voice held no inflection of emotion.

  “Our time together was special to me, Ainsley. I put aside my ranch, I hid from my family, all in order to be with you. You gave me an ache in my chest that I tried to deny and when I was finally ready to accept it, your fiancé comes with the truth.” He slammed his fist into the tree and she flinched and backed away from him. “The truth that everyone else tried to tell me.”

  “Did you ever think that maybe these women saw how you were looking at me and decided to take matters into their own hands? Or maybe I had the same ache, and the same doubts?” she asked with an eerie calmness.

  “You can’t give it up, can you?” Riley grabbed her naked left hand, his rough finger scraping against her knuckle as she tried to jerk it away. “Where’s the ring he gave you?”

  “Are you kidding me? Is that what this is about? It was for my sister, you stupid cowboy. You know, the one I’ve been telling you about? The one Edward’s really in love with? Her?”

  An icy chill took over his skin and filtered to his brain and he stayed silent while his brain warred with his heart. She was probably telling the truth. He could end his pain and bring her into his life.

  Ainsley bit her lip, looking up at him with hope smoothing the anger from her face. “Riley?”

  But that would only invite more pain. And he was at his limit. Giving himself over meant allowing someone in, being vulnerable, opening himself up to having his life and his love and his sanity tested. Leaving himself exposed to the devastation of being broken when it all ended.

  So he would end it now. “I want you gone.”

  “No. You can’t do that, Riley,” Ainsley yelled, fists coiling at her sides. “There are two of us here, and you don’t get to make all the decisions!” Tears spilled from her eyes and rolled down to her chin.

  “There never was a two of us, Ainsley. There was you and your manipulations. Whatever dream you had of playing me is over. Go home. I don’t want you here.”

  Her glistening eyes stared at him, wide and disbelieving. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and curled into herself, and met his unblinking gaze. “I can’t do this anymore.” She turned from him, her head falling forward. “You can go to hell.”

  Chapter 12

  Ainsley left the dark cover of the trees as gracefully as she could until she was no longer in view of the barbecue, her mother, Edward, or Riley. Then she ran the mile back to her cabin, abandoning her future, gasping for breath and blind behind her tears. What had she been doing, thinking her love could change a man?

  She waited outside the building, sadness falling on her like petals falling from a dried-out and unloved flower. Strains of music floated to her on the bleak wind. No way was she going into the cabin alone, so she sat with her back against the door and took out her phone to call Cecelia. But while her sister could give her the verbal comfort she craved, Ainsley also needed a friend with her, so she put the phone away without dialing. It was unfair to ask for Meagan’s support, but she knew her roommate would do it.

  She had no tears left. No energy, no will to battle anyone anymore. They’d won. Jewel and the other women, her mother, the ones who’d left Riley so distrustful to start with. She couldn’t fight them all and remain undefeated. So she waited, desolate, abandoned, with her lonely heart.

  Some ranch hands sauntered down the path, and she pulled her knees to her chest to keep them from seeing her. Other guests strolled by, but no one noticed the forlorn woman slumped against the door. Eventually dulled, determined steps alerted her to Meagan’s approach, and she watched with hooded eyes as her friend made her way down the path.

  Her roommate studied Ainsley as she rose and brushed her hands together, wiping off the bits of gravel and dirt. “I was beginning to wonder what had happened to you. You look like crap.”

  “It’s nice to see you, too.” That confirmed Ainsley’s suspicions that her eyes were still red and her skin blotchy. “Why aren’t you enjoying the party?”

  “It ended abruptly when Riley stormed onto the stage and told everyone to let Cookie know if
they needed assistance getting to the airport tomorrow. He said he’d be doing the work he should have done this past week and to not bother him. I thought Molly was going to strangle him, but she must have also seen how the air around him had darkened.” Meagan’s face reflected sympathy, though her blue eyes sparkled with a happiness she was doing a poor job of hiding. “What happened between you two? And why are you outside?”

  Ainsley shook her head and blinked to hold back even more tears. “He doesn’t want me to stay,” she whispered.

  “Oh, honey,” Meagan gave Ainsley a hug.

  “I don’t understand what happened,” she whispered. “I just, I mean, I don’t…” she trailed off, too upset to think anymore.

  “Let’s go inside.” Her roommate wrapped an arm around Ainsley’s shoulders and guided her into the cabin.

  This was ridiculous. A man didn’t want her, was willing to believe the worst about her, and she was reduced to tears. So who cared if she thought she might be falling in love? Certainly not the object of her affection. She strode to the kitchen and grabbed the daffodils she’d received for the first round of this stupid singles retreat. Her hand closed around the petals and she ripped them off their stalks, her blood sizzling with suppressed anger and frustration. She threw the flowers to the floor and stomped on them with a pounding fury.

  “I’m going home,” she announced, returning to the common room. “Come see me in Charleston when you get back. It can’t be more than a hundred miles between us.” Her roommate shifted nervously. A tightening sense of trepidation overtook her anger. Surely Meagan wasn’t a catalyst for any of Riley’s actions tonight. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m not going home. At least, not quite yet.” Meagan covered her mouth with her hands, doing a poor job of hiding a smile that had her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Ainsley, I’m sorry you’re so unhappy, but I can’t be unhappy with you. I’m getting married!”