“I was suspicious.”
“Suspicious of what? I’ve been ranch-sitting Wilbur Wilson’s place for the last two months. You know where I’ve been the whole time.”
“It’s not where you’ve been that I’m suspicious of.” He nailed her with his laser-blue eyes. She’d always thought he had interestingly colored eyes. Now they seemed more like ice chips.
“You’re suspicious of Julián and Chris?”
“Exactly.”
“Roger, with all due respect, I’m a big girl.” She carefully modulated her tone as she continued. “I spend time with whoever I want to and have for years. I don’t understand.”
“I’m perfectly aware you’re a big girl, Gwen.” He glanced at her father who looked ready to crawl under the couch and hide. “Harold, maybe this would be easier if I talked privately with Gwen.”
“Uh, sure. If that’s okay with Gwen.” He looked pleadingly at her and she nodded. “I’ll just be in the kitchen, getting another cup of coffee.”
Sure, so you can get even more nervous. His doctor had warned him to lay off the caffeine and he must not have been listening.
Roger sat forward and clasped his hands. “I figured you’d rather hear what I have to say without your dad present.”
“Why?”
“He’s worried you’ll be mad at him for matchmaking.”
Gwen’s eyebrows shot up and her jaw went slack. “I’m sorry. What?”
“Matchmaking. I want to marry you, Gwen. I can give you a good life. Take away all your worries about losing the ranch. I let you stay out here so you could feel like you were doing your duty by your family, even though I had a feeling you were sowing wild oats while you were at it. I’m willing to forget all of that. This is why—”
“Wait. You let me stay out here?”
“Maybe that’s the wrong word choice. I didn’t push you harder to come home, or come out here sooner because you said you needed time. We had time to spare but we’ve gotten down to the wire now. The ranch is being auctioned later this week, and I need to know one way or the other.”
Her heart jumped in her chest. “Need to know what?”
“I need to know if you’ll marry me. You can stay retired. You can keep your ranch and raise horses, or train them, or do whatever you want to do. But you could do all that as my wife. You can leave all this mess in Texas behind and make a fresh start with me, Gwen.”
The only mess she knew of was in Colorado. Texas had been a refuge from it.
She slumped back against the couch in shock. “I wish you’d mentioned this in one of our phone conversations or on Skype.”
Roger raised an eyebrow. “I know I’m not the most romantic man, and it has been a few years since I had a woman to take care of, but I do know that over the phone or on one of those Internet video chats isn’t the most romantic way to propose.”
“All you kept saying was to ‘come home.’ All I could think was that I have no home. I couldn’t stay at your place and look out the windows at what’s supposed to be my home and not be allowed to set foot on the property.”
“It doesn’t need to be that way, Gwen. You can come home as soon as Mr. Wilson returns this weekend, and by then it’ll most likely be yours. But I want you to be my wife. I want you to consider my home as your home. I already think of it that way.”
“I never had any indication that you felt this way.”
Roger shrugged and sighed. “What was the point in saying anything when you were on the road, constantly surrounded by younger men I couldn’t compete against? I can give you stability, safety, and security.”
“What about love?”
“You could learn to love me. I could learn to love you.”
The line was so clichéd, she almost looked around the room searching for the hidden cameras and the people ready to jump out and yell “surprise!”
“Darlin’, what can those two cowboys offer you that I can’t? You’ll be leaving next week anyway.”
They can offer me love. They don’t need to learn to love me. They already do.
“It’s the championships, isn’t it?”
A shadow crossed over Roger’s expression. “What do you mean?”
“You never intended to let me leave Colorado. You wanted me because of all the National Championships and because of my standing in the industry. You wanted a trophy wife?”
Roger blinked and shook his head. “I wouldn’t look at it quite that way, but the arrangement could be mutually beneficial.”
Roger had an angle for everything he did, but Gwen didn’t see any reason to grill him for the answer. The most important thing was the only possible answer she could give to his proposal.
Girl, stop and think before you speak. He’s not going to be happy with you.
Roger looked at her with those chilling blue eyes. “You don’t have to worry about the ranch either way, Gwen. Your father is my friend after all. I’ll still attend both auctions. You could consider the ranch and the horse as a wedding gift.” His tone was measured and without much emotion, like he was reasoning with a teenager.
Did he understand that he was asking her to prostitute herself? Gwen counted to ten before she spoke. “Roger, I appreciate what you’re willing to do for my family and the ranch, more than you can imagine. But even if I was desperate to not go back out on the road, I wouldn’t agree to marriage with you.”
Roger let out a long sigh. “It’s those two cowboys, isn’t it? They’re hardly more than one-night stands, Gwen.”
Gwen raised a hand to cut him off gently. “I’ve known Julián for a number of years. I think I’ve always—always loved him.”
So not the person I should be telling this to.
She continued as Roger looked down at his boots. “I love Chris, too. Right or wrong, doesn’t matter. But even then, I’ll still go out on the road to get back the ranch. Even though they love me, they’re willing to let me go, so I can have my dream.”
That’s true love.
“You’re my father’s best friend—”
Or were.
“—and you’re old enough to be my father.” Shit! Don’t insult him! She held her hands out placatingly. “Not that you aren’t in great shape. Please don’t take that as an insult. I swear I don’t mean it that way. But we’re from different generations, Roger. In the years I’ve known you, I’ve viewed you as a fatherly figure…and that’s it. Yeah, I could marry you but my heart wouldn’t be in it. And that wouldn’t be fair to either of us.”
Roger let out a terse sigh.
“I’m sorry.” She reached out to pat his hands but he rose from the couch before she could.
Roger put his hat on his head and shrugged as though his shirt collar was too tight. “I understand. You’ve always gone for what you believed in. This is no different. But you’ve always been impetuous too. I know where you get that from.”
Gwen eyed him carefully, on alert. “You’ve mentioned it several times.”
“I saw what your mother cheating on your father did to him. It reduced him over the last couple of years to the man he is today.”
Curious why he’d veer off subject like that, she asked, “How do you know she cheated?”
Roger raised an eyebrow and smirked. “You’ve spent ten years on the road, Gwen. You know how it works.”
Cognizant that her father was in the next room, she whispered, “You cheated with my mother?”
“I’d deny it if you ever told your dad. It’d probably kill him if he knew. Your mother was a beautiful and impetuous woman, just like you. I was just hoping you were cut from different cloth.”
“I am. I’ve never cheated. Not…that I’ve had that many long-term relationships, but I’ve never cheated.”
“The ‘other woman’ on the rodeo circuit is still a cheater. How can you be sure?”
“I guess I can’t be. But I’ve never set out to break any vows, or to ruin any homes.”
“Neither did we. It just happened,
” he said with a shrug like he was talking about some everyday occurrence. “Give it some thought and let me know if you change your mind. I can give you everything you need, Gwen.”
Except love.
She walked him out of the house and hugged her dad. She was too numb and freaked out by the whole experience to know how to act toward him, and he looked like he wanted to get away too. Roger was right about one thing. He didn’t look like he could handle much more stress. After promising to call him, she waved good-bye as Roger drove his big black and silver Ford F-350 down the ranch driveway.
Hurrying to the barn, she did her morning chores, mulling over the uncomfortable conversation she’d had with Roger.
As she curried and brushed Tutti, she spoke softly. “In the same breath he tells me he’s slept with my mother, and reminds me that the offer to marry me still stands if I change my mind. Who does that, Tutti?” She’d had no choice except to turn him down but in the aftermath she worried how this might affect their original arrangement. Would he still honor it?
Tutti continued munching her breakfast as Gwen quickly fed the few remaining livestock on the ranch and then returned to clean out Tutti’s stall.
Gwen opened the exterior door in Tutti’s stall and blocked it open. “It’s warm enough now. I think we’re pasturing you for the next few days. You’ll like that, I’ll bet.”
Tutti nickered softly and exited the stall into the paddock as Gwen finished her chores. Once she was done, she put Tutti’s halter and lead rope on and walked her out to the large pasture that sloped down the hill behind the house. She thought about digging out her camera and taking some pictures of Tutti out there while she had the chance. It would be nice to have some photographs to remember this time by. She bit her lip, realizing she had no pictures with Julián or Chris at all. She’d have to rectify that.
She went in the house and put on a fresh pot of coffee. She noticed the box on the coffee table as she carried a load of laundry up to her room and stopped to sort its contents out on her way back down.
She paid all of her bills online so she was curious about who had sent her so much mail.
There was a box of Christmas candy from Abigail McIntyre and a thick stack of Christmas cards in colorful envelopes to open, numerous holiday gift catalogs and circulars that could go right into the trash, and a smallish square box. As she munched on a piece of Abigail’s homemade chocolate fudge she examined the label on the box.
The handwriting was familiar and she gasped, nearly choking on the chocolate. “Julián and Chris’s present for me! Yeah!” Just what she needed to cheer her up. She tore open the cardboard box and reached inside, anxious to finally see what they’d sent her. Their thoughtful gift in the mail, even though it had been delayed, made the awful way her day had started seem better. Then her hand encountered a small, velvet box.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Julián heard a soft squeal and the rustle of papers in the living room. Both he and Chris stopped in the doorway and watched her where she sat facing them on the couch across the room. Gwen stuck her hand inside the box once it was open and gasped. They must’ve made some slight noise because she looked up at them, surprise evident on her face.
Something was right about the moment and he smiled as she watched them approach. He’d been so damned nervous about her receiving this gift, wondering how she’d perceive it. He’d worried for nothing because she was smiling.
They sat on either side of her, which seemed to make her very happy. She lifted the little white velvet box from its nest in the shipping peanuts. “This doesn’t strike me as a little memento. Velvet boxes usually mean big bucks, unless you found a box for a Cracker Jack ring.”
Julián chuckled and gestured for her to open it. “No, I promise that didn’t come from a box of kid’s candy. Chris helped me pick it out for you.”
“Before I open it, thank you.” She kissed him, tracing her fingers through the hairs at his nape, sending a pleasant shiver of anticipation racing through him. She turned to Chris and kissed him too, then let him hug her. “You’ve brightened my day.”
Julián said, “I hope you still feel that way when you see it. I had a hard time choosing.”
“I helped,” Chris said, with a wink in Julián’s direction.
“I’m sure I’ll—” She opened the box, revealing the golden ring inside. She was silent as she traced a fingertip along the overlapping rows of baguette diamonds. He’d decided on it because he’d like the way the three rows of diamonds were braided into a ropelike design.
She looked up at him in confusion. “This was incredibly expensive, guys. My gosh, did you both empty your savings?”
Julián wasn’t surprised that her first concern was them depleting their savings. “No, love. Our savings are just fine.”
“I’m not sure I can accept such a—”
“Stop, darlin’,” Chris suddenly said. “It was my idea. I talked him into it. He was looking at watches, and I talked him into a ring. Lily showed all these rings to us and assured us they weren’t engagement rings. She called them—oh hell, Julián, what’d she call them?”
Chris sounded almost panicked and Julián started to worry too. The last damned thing he wanted was for her to give them the ring back. “Fashion rings. She said they were fashion rings and that you’d understand that. She said that it would be a good choice for you since all the diamonds are inside the setting, not prongs or anything sticking up to catch on stuff when you work. Please don’t be overwhelmed, Gwen.”
She put the box in her lap and placed hands on both their knees as they turned to face her. Julián had never felt as vulnerable with a woman as he did right then. It’d hurt if she refused the gift.
“Guys,” she interrupted. “I know it’s a fashion ring.”
“You do?”
She giggled. “Of course. I may be a cowgirl, but I’m still a girl. I know you’re not proposing. I’m just worried because of the cost. I’ve worked on a ranch nearly all my life. I have a pretty good idea of what ranch hands make in a month.”
This didn’t seem like the right time to tell her about the millions he had set aside in savings and investments. She’d had enough surprises for one day. “Gwen, I promise, we had enough money to pay for it without feeling the pinch. Try it on.”
Lifting it from the box, she slipped it on her left forefinger. “It fits.” She held it out to look at it and then let Julián hold her hand so he could see it on her too. He took the opportunity to kiss her knuckles.
“I’m glad you like it. I was getting worried.”
“Hell, me too,” Chris said, sounding profoundly relieved. “I thought I messed up royally.”
“Every time I look at it, the three rows of intertwining diamonds will remind me of the three of us.”
“It’s inscribed too,” Chris said softly as he peered at her.
She slipped the ring off and turned it so the light from the living room window shone on it. “‘Wish I was there, or that there was here.’” She smiled as she looked at Julián. “I remember that from the day I came home, or thought I was home, anyway.”
She sniffled and whispered, “Thank you, guys. I love it.” The last word cracked a little as she said it and she folded her hand up under her chin and gulped.
Taking a deep breath, she blew it out and cleared her throat. “It’s time for your lunch. Are you hungry?”
“We could eat,” Chris said with a chuckle as she squealed when Julián lifted her into his lap so she straddled his hips. “Julián, I’ll make the three of us some lunch. Why don’t you tell her your news and make an appetizer of our girl?”
Julián grinned, and nuzzled her silky throat. She smelled like sunshine and fresh grass. “Mmm, I like the sound of that.”
She motioned for Chris to come close and kissed him before thanking him again, then turned to Julián. He held her head and tilted her back a little so she had to hold on to him or slide from his lap. The feel of her wrapping her w
arm limbs around him erased all traces of the anxiety he felt. He sucked at her lower lip and placed little kisses along her jawline as he whispered, “So you like the gift?”
“I love it. Were you that worried?”
“A little. I was afraid you’d get upset or get the wrong idea.”
“No. I hate drama like that. There’s no reason to be upset about it. I’m more curious than anything about it being from both of you though. Chris didn’t even know me at the time.”
“Chris helped me pick it out, obviously before he met you, and he seemed to be very sure of what he was saying. And then when he met you, and you took to each other so fast, I knew it really was from both of us. Even though he didn’t know that when he was helping me pick it, he was picking what he’d like to give you too. Later, he asked me to let him pay for half of it so it could be a gift from both of us. I wish I’d known that when I had the ring inscribed. Then it would read as though from both of us instead of only me.”
He kissed the rapidly beating pulse at her throat and lapped at her throat, feeling suddenly ravenous for her.
“Chris said you had news for me?”
“I have to go out of town Wednesday night.”
“You do?”
Her dark blonde eyebrows furrowed and his heart dropped at the emotion in her eyes. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her the reason for his trip just to erase the hurt he saw there but he couldn’t do it. She’d already been jerked around enough by Roger, and Julián wasn’t about to make promises on an outcome he couldn’t predict.
“Love, I know I don’t have any right to ask it of you but is there any way you could stay a few extra days until I get home? You can stay with us at the house after Wilbur gets home if you’d like. Please?”
She bit her lip and fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. “I hadn’t set an official date to leave, in case Wilbur was delayed. I also need to know the outcome of the auctions before I get on the road. I don’t want to leave with Tutti if there’s a chance I can reconnect with Zephyr. It wouldn’t be fair to take Tutti on the road with me if she won’t get the exercise she needs every day.” Tears flooded her eyes suddenly and she let loose a little sob.
Tangled in Divine [Divine Creek Ranch 14] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 34
