Roped and Tied [Wayback, Texas Series]

by Mallary Mitchell

  He tripped a bit. “I didn't choose her over you. I thought you were lost to me. But now we are bound for life through Jeb, so we need to let the past go and move forward. Both of us have some baggage, okay?” He didn't look at her but stared instead at the patterned fabric of the throw pillow. “Unfortunately, part of mine is Stephanie. Are you jealous, Sweet Cheeks?” He kissed her hair.

  "Hey, that's Dylan's nickname for me."

  "I know, I was there."

  "You rescued me,” she reminded him.

  "Don't make me sound so noble. I was loving every minute of it. You have to realize I was still on the truck and I got a much better view than the rest of the guys. You've always had really nice legs.” He smiled a wicked lazy smile. “Dylan was angry he hadn't been on the truck."

  "I can't believe you two. You actually discussed my body like that?"

  "Hey, I punched him.” He brought his fist to his palm.

  "Defending my honor?"

  He grinned. “More like staking my claim.” He took her in his arms.

  "But you introduced me as Matt's sister to Stephanie.” She turned away from him. He placed his hands on her shoulders.

  "Oh,” he sighed. “That."

  She turned, arms crossed, head tilted and eyebrows raised waiting on his explanation.

  "I didn't want a scene,” Jericho said.

  She pursed her lips.

  "Stephanie is a drama queen. One word about Jeb and she would have had a fit-like a spoiled child. You're right, I should have said something and believe me, tomorrow I will set this straight."

  "Tomorrow?” She looked away.

  "Since she's here with a reporter, I've arranged an interview not just for me but also for Matt and Dylan tomorrow. After that, I'll talk to her and she will be out of here. Okay?"

  "I don't have any hold over you. She is your publicist."

  Jericho stared into her eyes then smiled a moment before he placed his lips onto hers. He turned his head and whispered. “You have me in the palm of your hand and you know that."

  "No, I don...” she began before he kissed her deeply. A deep shudder went through her as her arms of their own free will possessively went up and around his neck. He continued to move his mouth over hers for another few seconds.

  He pulled her with him to the couch and then gently lay back pulling her on top of him.

  The sound of the door opening made Eden look up to see Gracie illuminated by the hallway light.

  "Aunt Eden?” Her little voice penetrated the quiet darkness of the living room where Eden was straightening her shirt.

  "Yeah, honey?"

  "I peed on the floor."

  "I better go take care of this.” She kissed Jericho's cheek and stood.

  "Come back, Eden,” he whispered.

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  Chapter Eleven

  Though neither Matt nor Dylan had ever been interviewed by a large magazine, the interview went well. There was even a photographer who took photos. There were lots of questions about Wayback and competition between the brothers, then after a dozen or so photos, the men began to pack away their equipment.

  "Thank you two for doing this guys. Jericho's fans will really enjoy reading about his early years.” Stephanie batted her lashes. Then she addressed Jericho as she threw her hair over her shoulder. “See, you still need me."

  "No,” Jericho began. “I don't."

  "I know. You just don't want me to go out of my way.” She attempted to appear innocent as she looked at him through lowered lashes. “But I'm supposed to take care of my man, aren't I?"

  Matt and Dylan made fast excuses to leave the room.

  "No, you don't get it. I never wanted you to come here. So let's get a few things straight. I am not your property and I am not your man. We're divorced."

  "How can you say that Jericho?” She took a step from him, and gave him a mutinous look. “I thought we might make another go of it."

  "You thought wrong.” He turned his back to her knowing how rude he was being, but not caring.

  "I love you. I love everything about you.” Stephanie walked around to face him and put a manicured hand on his cheek. “I mean, look at you. You're gorgeous.” She paused. “Right now you look a bit rough, though. What have these people been doing to my handsome man? You need a haircut of course—not that longer hair doesn't look good on you.” She mussed his hair a bit.

  "Stop it.” Jericho jerked away from her.

  "I will do anything if you come home. We could even have that baby you mentioned a few years back. How do you feel about adoption? I just don't think I could take the time to actually be pregnant."

  "If you don't have time to be pregnant you don't have time for a baby."

  "Nanny, Jericho. I'd hire a nanny."

  "You want to be a mother in name only like you were a wife in name only. Face it, I was only a prop in your life."

  "I never knew you felt like that. We could do those family things, you know, come down at Christmas."

  "No. Besides you wouldn't be caught dead in the same room with my family if you could help it and you know it.” He went to the window. His eyes followed Jeb and Gracie who ran to the pool with Dylan.

  "Do you envy him?” Stephanie came to stand at his side.

  "What?” Jericho looked over at her.

  "Do you wish you had children?"

  "I do. The little girl is his. The little boy is mine.” He exhaled slowly.

  Her soft tone was replaced with a brittle one. “You have a child? We were married and you had a child with another woman?"

  "He was conceived before we were married. I didn't tell you because I didn't know myself. I told you on the phone in the hospital I was staying with the mother of my child,” he reminded her.

  "I thought you were joking! You know, one of those horrible things someone says and doesn't mean."

  Eden couldn't have picked a worse time to enter the room.

  "Is this her?"

  Jericho made his way over to Eden. He placed his hand on her shoulder. “This is Eden and that little boy out there is our son."

  "Coy Sawyer's daughter? You were her father's ranch hand. You know, at least with me you had choices. You're just like those calves with her. She has you roped and tied. You know, you're going to be sorry for dumping me.” She pretended to cry as she ran out the door.

  "I really don't like her very much,” was all Eden said.

  He massaged her shoulders with his hands.

  "Do you really feel roped and tied? Because I don't want you to feel that way. Maybe you should leave.” Eden shrugged away and walked upstairs.

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  Chapter Twelve

  Jericho walked through the graveyard behind the First Baptist Church. He stood a while at his grandmother's grave and then walked to the gazebo and sat. The pastor had seen him and was walking his way.

  "Jericho Farrell, right? I'm Reverend Will Beckett."

  "Yeah.” He accepted the man's offered hand.

  "You are Eden Sawyer's...” Will paused, obviously not knowing how to finish the sentence. “Friend?"

  Jericho laughed. “Yeah, I'm her friend."

  "That's always a good place to start. Eden's a sweet girl. Jeb's a fine boy."

  Jericho waited and watched for the fire and brimstone but it didn't come. “What? No, ‘you should be ashamed of living with her like that, didn't you mess her life up enough the first time'?"

  "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” the reverend quoted and Jericho just listened.

  "That's it? No sermon?” Jericho was still defensive. “No ‘you ought to marry that girl'?"

  "I save those for Sundays. If you want a sermon you're going to have to come to church like everybody else."

  Jericho's mouth softened to a wary grin.

  "But since you mentioned it, are you going to marry her?"

  "Eden is a good girl. A loving mother. I don't deserve her. I'd only p
ull her down."

  "Has she said that?” Will asked in that counselor voice.

  "No.” Jericho picked up a leaf off the bench where he sat and studied it. “Just once I want to be her hero."

  "I think you already are her hero. I've seen how she looks at you and your son. Why don't you give her a chance? See what she thinks before you decide for her."

  "She's just so stubborn."

  "Jericho, a bit of advice. Women are like that and we have to live with it. We, men, can rise above their strange and unusual ways. If you ever tell my wife I said that I'll deny every word.” He grinned as he teased.

  "Thanks Will. Can I call you Will?"

  "I'd hoped you would."

  Jericho thought a moment and asked, “Do you have anything planned for next Saturday? I may have something going on, but I'll have to let you know later today."

  "I'll make sure my calendar is clear."

  "I'll call you tonight. And I hope I need you."

  * * * *

  "I thought I might find you here.” The voice was soft and soothing. Eden turned to see Jericho. She drank in every bit of him. He blended with the dark and stormy clouds that hung low and threatened rain. He used the crutches to make his way to her, then leaned against the wall of the barn.

  You're in long pants again I see.” she observed.

  "Yeah."

  "Do you need help getting your stuff out?"

  "Eden, I know you've got more than enough to worry about right now,” Jericho began.

  "I don't want you to see me like this.” she sniffed. “I'm acting like a child."

  "You're only human.” Jericho walked over to sit beside her. “Are those tears for me?"

  "Yep.” She turned away.

  "Well, that's what I came out here to talk to you about.” He took a long deep breath. “Lord, this is hard.” He sat on the hay beside her.

  "I don't think I'll be able to stand it when you leave for good. I need you Jericho,” she sniffed. “I need you, not the rider, not the farm hand, not even my son's father. You are part of me."

  "Well wait, I came back to tell you something."

  She looked deep into those crystal eyes.

  "I had come to tell you I can't leave Wayback. I'm moving back for good. I love you, Eden. As soon as I get place to live and a job here, I'm going to ask you to marry me—whether you want me to or not."

  "Dad needs a new foreman for the farm. Someone who knows horses. I think I can put in a good word for you."

  "I know. I talked to him a bit ago. He said you were the one who hired people and I'd have to talk to you about it."

  "Oh, well, let me tell you a bit about the position,” she spoke softly. “It doesn't pay much, but you get room and board and if you're really good, a real live sleep buddy."

  He laughed softly. “Where do I apply?"

  "Well, all you have to do is say you want the job."

  "I want the job. Am I hired?"

  "I need to check out your credentials first.” She looked him over from head to toe. “I guess you'll do."

  "I'll do? Okay, so I'm employed. I need to do something.” Jericho scooted off the hay and looked sheepishly at Eden. “Dang it, I can't get on one knee, my leg won't bend in this thing.” He motioned to the stabilizer that fit under his loose pants.

  "If you're doing what I think you're doing you don't need to get on one knee."

  "I always wanted to do this right.” He attempted to kneel and lost his balance.

  "Jericho!” Eden reached out to steady him and fell on top of him.

  He flashed a grin. “This works for me. Eden Sawyer will you marry me?"

  "Of course I will,” she whispered into his mouth as they lay together in the clean hay. She felt his lips on her face kissing away the remaining tears. Long pent up pain and desire all melted away. Then suddenly Jericho stilled his hands and looked seriously at her.

  "Why are you stopping?” she complained.

  "Are you certain?” The turquoise of his eyes had darkened, and his breathing was ragged as he searched her face.

  "Yes.” She laid her head on his chest. “What about you? You're going to be tied to me."

  He lay in the hay his eyes smoldered with desire. “I am very willing to be roped and tied to you."

  "Wait here.” Eden walked to the entrance.

  "Where are you going?"

  "I am going to go bar the door. We are not getting interrupted this time."

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