by Debby Conrad
The smile she gave him said she was about to do just that.
When they reached the porch steps, Sam yelled, “What the hell happened to your truck?”
“Nothing happened to it,” Luke said. “We just felt like walking.” Knowing it would be easier if he just said what had to be said, he went for it. “If you’re not doing anything on Saturday, Rusty and I would like you both at our wedding.”
Luke felt Sam’s hard stare and noticed Becky, who didn’t look at all surprised, slip an arm through his. Rusty’s gaze danced between her father’s face and Luke’s.
“And,” he added as nonchalantly as possible, “how about this, old man? By Christmas, you’ll be a grandpa.”
He looked at Rusty, and whispered, “How was that?”
“Very tactful, cowboy,” she said softly. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he might have annoyed her with his approach. Well, hell, how was a man supposed to say something like that to his best friend? His best friend who was about to become his father-in-law.
He supposed he could have said something like, “I’m nuts about your daughter. I want to marry her and give her a dozen babies. As a matter of fact, we already started on that project.” Nah, his way was best. At least he’d thought so, until Sam ripped into him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“WHAT THE HELL KIND of announcement was that?” Sam bellowed once he got Luke inside the house alone. “I oughta take a strap to you, boy. That’s my daughter, you son of a bitch.”
Luke moved toward the sofa, toward Sam. “Sam, listen—”
“No, you listen!” He shook a fist at Luke. “If I could stand up without worrying about falling over, I’d make you real sorry you ever laid your hands on her.”
Luke turned away, faced the fireplace and hung his head. “I thought you’d be … happy.”
“Happy?” Luke heard Sam snort. “Happy that you’ve been sneaking around behind by back and cozying up to my daughter? You said you didn’t like her, and the way you two have been acting toward each other lately, I don’t think she can stand the likes of you either.”
Sam didn’t believe in holding back any punches. Luke turned back around to face him. “I realize that, but—”
“But, nothing! I want my daughter to be happy! Not moping around like she lost her best friend—the way she’s been acting the past few months. Oh, she tries to cover up when I’m around, but I’ve seen the way she looks when she thinks I can’t see her.”
Luke opened his mouth to speak, then snapped it closed again. What would be the point? Sam wouldn’t let him have his say until he was good and ready.
“She deserves better.”
That did it! “Better than me, you mean?”
“You know what the hell I mean! She deserves to be cherished by a man who loves her.”
Luke dropped into a chair, ready to accept the rest of Sam’s reprimand.
“Well?”
Raising his eyes, he looked at Sam. “Well, what?”
“Do you?”
“Do I what?” Luke asked confused.
“Do you love her?”
Love? Where the hell had that come from, and why did Sam have to come up with such tough questions. Luke rubbed at his temples and let out a long breath. Slowly he lowered his hands and met Sam’s gaze. “Yes, I love her.”
He heard the whoosh of breath Sam expelled. “Well, then, I couldn’t be happier for you two. You’ve been like a son to me, Luke. And now, well now, it’ll be kind of official.”
Luke balled his hands into tight fists. Right about now, he’d like to place one in the middle of Sam’s face. The crazy bastard. Why hadn’t Sam just asked him if he loved Rusty in the first place?
“Gee, thanks,” Luke muttered ungraciously. After a moment, he said, “The thing is, she doesn’t love me.”
“Well, then she’s not thinking straight. This whole pregnancy thing must have her hormones all mixed up, or something. She’ll come to her senses once you tie the knot.”
Luke didn’t plan to hold his breath. Wishful thinking had never panned out before. But he’d told Sam the truth. He did love Rusty. And thinking about her belly swelling with his child made him love her even more than he’d realized. Not that those thoughts were going to change the way she felt about him.
And how did she feel about him? He’d be damned if he knew. She was an enigma of personalities. And he was afraid he hadn’t seen them all yet. Well, at least their marriage wouldn’t be boring.
Rusty decided they’d been in there long enough. She’d heard shouting, then things had quieted down some. Perhaps it was time to go rescue Luke.
She couldn’t let him take all the blame. She’d played a significant part in all this, too. Becky had excused herself when Sam had asked to speak to Luke inside. Rusty had tried to stop her, but she’d sworn she had to check on a horse at another farm. That she’d only stopped by to see Sam on her way. So, Rusty had let her go.
Quietly, she opened the front door and walked inside. From the hall, she heard their voices, but couldn’t make out their words. She followed the sounds to the library. From the doorway, she heard Sam.
“I want you to do something for me,” he said.
“Sure,” Luke answered, reluctantly.
“I want you to promise me that you’ll tell Rusty that you love her.”
Rusty sucked in her breath.
“It’s not that easy, Sam.”
“It’s just three little words. How hard can it be? Once you say them it will make all the difference in the world. You’ll see. Women like to hear that stuff. Now, promise me.”
Rusty couldn’t move. She leaned into the wall for support.
“I promise,” she heard Luke answer.
Slowly, her eyes filled with tears. How could Sam be so heartless? Why would he want to force Luke to say something he didn’t mean to his own daughter? Didn’t he realize the ramifications of those words? Apparently not.
Their conversation was over from the sound of things. Rusty pried herself from the wall, forcing her legs to carry her up the stairs to her room. She sat down at her dressing table and stared at herself in the mirror.
She loved Luke. That’s why she’d agreed to marry him. She’d hoped that maybe someday he’d love her back. But now, she knew that would never happen. He was marrying her so his child wouldn’t be labeled. And maybe out of duty to Sam as well. She admired him for his sense of loyalty, but that didn’t do anything for her broken heart.
If she tried to back out now, he wouldn’t hear of it. Although, her heart told her not to do anything hasty. Hot tears scalded her cheeks as she sat there staring at absolutely nothing. She pressed her hands to her stomach, and promised her unborn child that everything would be all right.
Luke found her in her room, in front of the mirror. She sat stone- faced peering at herself in the glass. She hardly seemed aware that he’d knocked and then entered.
Her eyes were red and puffy. He knew she’d been crying. Which made him feel lousy. It was as if she’d just received a lifetime punishment. Marry Luke Galloway and be miserable and pitiable the rest of your days on earth.
He laid a hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze, but she offered no acknowledgement that she knew he was there. Or that he was touching her. “Rusty?” He sat down beside her on the bench. “Are you okay, Princess?” Calling her “princess” always seemed to put fire in her eyes. But not this time. “You want to talk about it?”
She angled her head and looked at him as if she’d only just registered the fact that he was there. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about something.” She got to her feet quickly. “Let me freshen up and I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes.”
When Luke continued to stare at her, she added, “Unless you changed your mind about getting the marriage license.”
Luke stood up. “No, Princess. I haven’t changed my mind.” Nothing she could say or do would change his mind. Nothing at all. In three days, Rusty would be Mrs. Luke Gall
oway.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Rusty looked up swiftly at her husband. He cleaned up nicely, all pressed and polished in his suit and tie. He’d even had his hair cut. She hated to admit it, but she liked it better on the long side. It went with his bad boy image. He smelled different too. Not like the usual soap and outdoorsy smell. Today he’d worn cologne; a spicy scent.
Luke stared boldly into her eyes, then with one hand behind her head, he guided her face to his. His kiss was slow and thoughtful as his tongue explored the recesses of her mouth. When he finally pulled away, he whispered what sounded like “later” against her lips.
Her heart pounded an erratic rhythm against her breast. And her skin tingled with excitement thinking about more kisses like that one.
And then she remembered there weren’t going to be any more kisses like that one. Because as soon as she and Luke were alone, she was going to tell him she didn’t plan to share his bed. Not tonight, not any night. He didn’t love her. And there was no way she could let him touch her, kiss her, and make love to her night after night, knowing that. Her heart would simply shatter.
“Quit hogging the bride, Luke.” Sam’s gruff voice interrupted her thoughts. “Congratulations, sweetheart,” he said, then planted a lip smacking kiss on her cheek. “I want nothing but happiness for you both.”
Rusty smiled, tears forming in her eyes. “Thanks, Daddy.” She hugged him fiercely to her, afraid to let go.
“What about me?” Becky squealed from beside Sam. While Sam and Luke exchanged handshakes and hugs, she and Becky embraced each other. When they separated, Jeremy was pulled into their small group. This was her family. Sam, Jeremy, Becky and Luke.
“Wait till you see what we got you for a wedding present! Sam, tell them!” Becky ordered, her face lit up like a Christmas tree.
Sam pressed an envelope into Luke’s hand. “We’re treating you two to the honeymoon suite at the Mayberry Inn.”
Rusty had heard of the inn, although she’d never stayed there. It was quite pricey, and she knew it had probably cost Sam and Becky a fortune. She tried to sound excited. “That was so sweet of you both! I can’t imagine anything nicer for our honeymoon night. Can you, Luke?”
“No. Thanks, Sam. Becky.”
From the corner of her eye Rusty saw Luke studying her. His gaze ran appreciatively down the front of her pale peach crepe suit to the matching heels on her feet. She needed to speak to Luke right away before he had any ideas of a sexual nature. Which she was sure he’d already had.
Sam laid a hand on Luke’s shoulder, and grabbed Rusty’s hand. “I can’t tell you how happy I am right now, this very minute.”
Rusty swallowed nervously. Her father was happy that she and Luke were married, even when he knew Luke didn’t love her. That made a lot of sense, she thought bitterly. Didn’t he care about her feelings? Wasn’t he concerned that Luke might be feeling trapped in a loveless marriage?
“Ready to go?” Luke asked, breaking into her thoughts.
When Rusty and Luke stepped outside into the bright sunshine, they discovered that not only had Sam and Becky sprung for a honeymoon suite, but they’d hired a limo as well. And minutes later, they were being chauffeured away.
As soon as the bellhop closed the door to their suite, Luke said, “You haven’t said two words since we left the Justice of the Peace.” He slipped off his suit jacket and tossed it across the back of the sofa.
“I’m just overwhelmed by all this. I …” Rusty licked her lips and watched Luke loosen the knot on his tie. On top of the jacket it went.
“Overwhelmed? Surely that wasn’t your first limo ride, and I know you’ve stayed in fancier places than the Mayberry Inn.”
“Yes, but it was touching just the same.” She twisted her hands together to steady them.
“Uh, hmm,” he said as if he weren’t really listening. He unfastened the top button of his shirt, then the second. Next, he fumbled with the buttons at his cuffs, and rolled the sleeves to midway on his forearms.
When he plopped down on the sofa, and began removing his shoes, Rusty asked, “What are you doing?”
Holding one shoe in his hand, he said, “I’m making myself comfortable. I suggest you do the same. Then we’ll order something to eat. Unless you’d rather go out for dinner?”
“Yes, out would be best,” she said nervously. Anywhere but alone in this room with you, she thought.
“Okay.” The shoe teetered on his fingers. “Are you hungry now? Or did you want to relax a bit?”
She ran a hand over her stomach. “I’m famished.” Anything to get out this room and go somewhere public.
“First time I’ve ever heard you say that,” he mumbled as he put his shoe back on and tied it.
Rusty clutched her handbag and leaned against the door as he buttoned his shirt and put on his tie.
“Ready to go?” he asked, shrugging into his jacket.
More than ready. She smiled sweetly. “I can’t hardly wait.”
Something was bothering her, Luke decided. She’d said she was famished, but she’d pushed more food around her plate than she’d put in her mouth. And she’d ordered enough food for three people.
Before her entree she’d toyed with a shrimp cocktail, a fruit cup, a bowl of tomato bisque and a salad of mixed greens. She’d barely touched the poached salmon. She’d eaten only one piece of asparagus, and had turned up her nose at the parsley potatoes.
And a minute ago, she’d asked their waiter to see a dessert menu.
He was beginning to think she was doing this deliberately. Which could only mean one thing. She didn’t want to go back to their hotel room any time soon.
“I was thinking about ordering the creme brulee,” she said, looking at him over her menu. “Or maybe I’ll get the tiramisu. What I’d really like is a nice herbal tea while I take my time deciding.”
“Why not order them both?” Luke suggested. “You’re not going to eat either one anyway.”
Rusty lowered the menu and gave him an innocent look. “You’re annoyed with me.”
“Yes.”
She closed the menu and set it on the table. “Well, I suppose I don’t have to order dessert.”
“I have an idea. Why don’t you get it to go and you can pick at it in the room while I’m planning my seduction.”
She froze and slowly lifted her eyes to his face. Before she had a chance to comment, the waiter appeared, eager to take their dessert order.
“The lady’d like a creme brulee to go, please.”
“That will take about twenty minutes for the chef to prepare, sir,” the man said. “Would that be satisfactory?”
“No. Wrap up a piece of tiramisu instead. And there’ll be an extra large tip if you get it back here on the double. The lady and I were married a few hours ago and we’re eager to start our honeymoon.”
“Yes, sir. I understand, sir. Right away, sir.”
Luke could barely keep a straight face watching Rusty turn a pretty shade of pink.
“How could you?” she whispered as soon as the waiter hurried off.
“How could I what?” he asked, feigning innocence as he reached for his wallet. “I just told him the truth.”
“Well, speak for yourself.” She dabbed at her lips with the white linen napkin, then slapped it on the table top.
“Does that mean you’re not eager?”
“That’s exactly what it means!” she fumed.
“Why not? You said I wasn’t half bad in bed.” He leaned forward until his nose was almost touching hers. “And I promise to make you come,” he whispered.
Watching her squirm in her seat, he grinned. Her green eyes grew wide as her gaze shifted nervously around the room, checking for eavesdroppers, he assumed. She lifted a hand to her flushed cheek.
“Excuse me. I need to use the ladies room.”
“I’ll bet,” he said, standing. Before he had a chance to pull out her chair,
she’d bolted from the table and turned her back on him. He enjoyed the sway of her hips as she hurried from the dining room and disappeared around a corner.
By the time she’d returned, he’d paid the check. “I’ve got your dessert, Princess.” He held up the Styrofoam container. “I was thinking about a few things we could do with this tonight. Want me to share my kinky thoughts with you while we’re in the elevator?”
“Not particularly.” She marched ahead of him toward the elevator doors and stabbed the up button. Not once, but five times. Maybe she was eager to return to their room after all. But he sincerely doubted it. That was Rusty’s way of letting him know she was angry. In fact, he’d bet the farm she was boiling right about now.
Well, so was he. But he was having too much fun teasing her to show his true feelings. If she felt uncomfortable about their night ahead, all she had to do was say so. Hey, he was an understanding kind of guy. He would have reassured her there was nothing to be afraid of.
But instead she was behaving like a timid little schoolgirl. And he intended to find out why.
Once inside their suite, Luke double bolted the door and closed the drapes. Rusty hovered in the corner of the room, looking like a timid mouse about to be devoured by a hungry mountain lion.
He started toward her. “Take off your clothes, Princess. Get comfortable.”
“I am comfortable.” Her gaze darted around the room as if she planned to escape.
“Really? You look tense.” Luke put his hands on her shoulders and gently massaged them. “Turn around.” She started to say something, but instead she turned around.
He continued massaging her tight shoulders before moving down to her upper arms. Lifting the mass of red curls away from her neck, he gently rubbed her tight muscles, smiling when she let her head drift back. “Does that feel better, Princess?”
“Yes,” she whispered, then tensed again and spun around to face him.
So much for that idea.
“Luke, we need to talk.”
“Later.”
