The Kincaid Bride

by Jackie Merritt

  “Not all the time,” Melanie said a bit dryly. “He put that worry aside long enough to arrange a wedding, don’t forget.”

  Collin frowned. “You don’t hate him for it, do you?”

  “No, I could never hate him. But I bet Mom could.” They both thought about Sue Ellen for a few moments, then Melanie sighed and changed the subject. “Collin, why did you and Granddad go to Whitehorn last week?”

  “You know about the old Kincaid family feud, don’t you?”

  “Mom told me about it. Why?” Melanie’s eyes widened curiously as she looked at her brother. “Collin, did your trip to Whitehorn have something to do with that old feud?”

  “I suppose in a roundabout way it did, but there really isn’t a feud anymore. You see, about a year or so ago, Granddad, Dad and I went to Whitehorn to meet our cousin, Wayne Kincaid. Do you know who he is?”

  “I have some idea, yes, but please go on.”

  “Well, Wayne has quite a history. He served in Vietnam and everyone thought he was dead, but he’d really been captured, and while he was gone his brother Dugin and his dad were murdered by Lexine Baxter.”

  “I know that part. Tell me what happened when the three of you finally met Wayne.”

  “Guess I really should say that Granddad and I met him. Dad was more interested in the ladies of Whitehorn than he was in getting to know Wayne.”

  “Oh, Collin,” Melanie said sadly. “Was Dad really that bad?”

  “Mel, if there was an attractive woman anywhere in the area, he was after her like a dog after a bone.” Collin sent his sister a disgusted look. “How else would he have fathered a batch of illegitimate kids? I’ll say right now that I think Granddad should forget he ever opened that Pandora’s box in the bank.” Collin made a left turn from the highway and explained, “I’m going to take the scenic route to town so you can see Elk River.”

  “Thank you,” Melanie murmured. There was the most horrendous ache in her heart because the father she’d longed for all her life hadn’t deserved love from any of his children, neither those legitimized by marriage nor the ones born out of wedlock. “Did…do you hate him?” she asked tremulously.

  “Dad? No, I don’t hate him, but even the piddling amount of respect I still had for him when he died vanished after I read those birth certificates, Mel. I know you feel that you missed something by not knowing him, but believe me, the only thing you missed was having to put up with his skirt-chasing, gambling, hard-drinking reputation. Count your blessings, Melanie.”

  “You sound so bitter,” she said, wiping away a tear.

  “Did anyone tell you how he died?”

  “Wasn’t it a heart attack?”

  “Our father died at age fifty-four of cardiac arrest while drinking bourbon, smoking a cigar, perusing the Wall Street Journal and getting a back massage from one of his current girlfriends.” Collin angrily slapped the steering wheel. “He died exactly as he lived, and it was all so damned unnecessary. Yes, I’m bitter, but I’ll tell you, Melanie, it was just like Dad to die too young and leave a mess for someone else to clean up. And who’s going to do it? Who feels an obligation to do it?”

  “Granddad,” Melanie whispered brokenly. “How could he have had a son like Dad?”

  “I think we’re all asking ourselves that question, Mel.”

  “Is Wayne like Dad?”

  “Heck, no. Wayne’s a great guy. He has a wife and kids and he’s devoted to his family, Mel. Dad never knew the meaning of the word devotion.”

  Melanie heaved an emotional sigh, then changed the direction of their conversation. “You still didn’t explain why you and Granddad went to Whitehorn last week.”

  “The Kincaid ranch over there is up for sale. Granddad is thinking of buying it to give to our half brothers.”

  “My goodness,” Melanie said in surprise. “He really does feel obligated, doesn’t he?”

  “I wish he didn’t,” Collin said grimly.

  Melanie was about to say something else when she realized the road was running parallel to a river. “Collin, it’s a white-water river!” she exclaimed. “Oh, look at the raft out there. I’ve always thought that would be so much fun.”

  “The Elk River is good rafting at this time of year, Mel, because it’s high from spring runoff. By the end of summer, the water level will be so low that the rocks creating those exciting rapids will be about all you’ll see.”

  “Really.” Melanie was practically on the edge of her seat, watching the big orange raft carrying eight people—wearing orange life vests—bob up and down with the swift river currents. “Collin, have you done that?”

  “Lots of times. I used to pal around with a guy who worked as a river guide.”

  “And you went rafting with him?”

  “Yes. What was really fun was that he had a small raft of his own. It wasn’t qualified for commercial use—there are lots of safety restrictions and rules if you’re doing it as a business—but we’d pile two or three friends in it and spend the entire day on the river.”

  “Isn’t he your pal anymore?”

  “I’m sure he is, but since Dad died…” Collin heaved a weighty sigh.

  Melanie turned and touched her brother’s arm. “I understand,” she said softly. “Nothing’s been the same for you and Granddad, has it?”

  “I think we were doing okay until that day at the bank. Granddad was sad, of course. I could always tell when he was thinking about Dad, but I believe he was healing.”

  “Were you healing, too?”

  “Mel, Dad and I had a pretty weird relationship. Granddad was more of a father to me than Dad ever was. When I got old enough, Dad wanted me to go drinking and carousing with him. I really believe he would’ve liked me better if I’d done it.”

  “Collin, did…did he ever talk about me?”

  “No,” Collin said quietly. “I’m sorry, Mel, but I can’t soft-pedal the truth. Try to take heart in the fact that he never would’ve known I was alive, either, if I hadn’t been living under his nose.”

  Melanie nodded. “I know that. I’ve always known it, I suppose, but isn’t it strange that he could so easily forget me, barely notice you, then keep a bunch of mementos of six sons that no one knew he had?”

  “Damn strange,” Collin muttered. “Sometimes I think it was his way of having the last laugh. I mean, here’s all that stuff in the safety-deposit box and then that letter he wrote to Granddad and me. At the end it said something about his not having anything to give those sons, but maybe Granddad or I did.”

  “That’s terrible! No wonder Granddad feels obligated.”

  “Yeah, no wonder,” Collin said bitterly. “But you see what I mean about Dad’s having the last laugh?”

  “Yes, I see,” Melanie whispered, and had to take off her glasses to wipe her eyes again. “Why would he be so cruel to Granddad?”

  “You got me, Mel. And can you imagine Granddad—a good and decent man like him—blaming himself for Dad’s shortcomings? And for Aunt Alice’s nasty temperament? He was talking about that not too long ago.”

  Melanie registered the remark about Alice, but she was more interested in discussing their father. “Then he admits Dad’s faults? I’ve wondered about that.”

  “I’m sure he always knew the truth, Mel, but did you know that even though Dad rarely did a lick of work on the ranch, Granddad gave him a steady paycheck?”

  “For heaven’s sake, why? Maybe if Dad had been tossed out on his ear and told to earn his own living, he would’ve shaped up.”

  “I don’t think Granddad could ever toss anyone out on their ear, especially a family member. The obligation he feels toward our dear half brothers is serious business, Mel.”

  “Don’t be angry at them, Collin,” Melanie said gently. “Nothing Dad did is their fault. No one asks to be born, nor does anyone get to choose his parents.”

  Collin fell silent, but after a few minutes he grinned at his sister. “Let’s lighten up, okay? Are you sure you
want to take a rafting trip down the river?”

  Melanie’s face lit up. “Yes! Can you go with me?”

  “You bet. We’ll make the arrangements in town today.”

  “Sorry, Collin, but we’re booked solid through May,” Franny Lester said with a sincerely apologetic expression on her face.

  Melanie was terribly disappointed, but she didn’t say so because Franny was such a pleasant woman.

  “Darn,” Collin said, showing his own disappointment. “Franny, if someone should cancel out, would you call the ranch and let me know?”

  “Be glad to, Collin.”

  On their way from the little building housing the Elk Springs Rafting Company back to the truck, Collin explained, “It’s just a small operation, sis. It really couldn’t be anything else with the season so short.”

  “It’s all right, Collin. You did your best.”

  Collin was silent until they were in the truck, then he said, “Wait here a minute. I’m going back inside and ask Franny if Sean is working for them this year.”

  “Sean is the friend you were telling me about? The one with his own raft?”

  “Right. Sean Acton. Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”

  Melanie watched her brother sprint across the street and wondered how the Lesters made their living when the rafting season was over. The Lesters are none of your business. If you’re in a worrying mood, take on one of the many problems nearly crippling the Kincaid family, yourself included.

  “Melanie Forrester,” she whispered. “Melanie Kincaid Forrester.” Thinking of her married name made her feel a bit dizzy. Then her thoughts jumped to the dozen or so nights she had left of her vacation. She could make it through the days just fine, but in her heart she knew that the nights were going to get tougher and tougher. Last night, Eli had kissed her, and he would have done more if she hadn’t used the word force on him. It concerned her that one of these nights she might be the one to start something. Eli certainly wouldn’t object the way she had. Then where would she be, married and legally unable to do anything about it except file for a divorce? Everyone would know then! I can’t let that happen. Mom would be devastated, and so would I.

  Collin got into the truck, startling Melanie. She’d been so entangled in her own thoughts she hadn’t seen him returning. “Well?” she said.

  “He’s working for them again this season, but he’s off today. I’m going to drive by his house.” Collin started the engine.

  “You’re thinking of asking Sean to take us rafting with his own equipment?”

  “Yeah, I’m hoping he can.”

  “Not today, though, right?”

  Collin grinned. “Getting cold feet already?” He looked at his sister and his grin vanished. “Mel, we can forget the whole thing, you know. Rafting a white-water river isn’t for everyone.”

  “I don’t want to forget it, Collin, but I rather think a person should be wearing sneakers instead of cowboy boots.”

  “You’re right about that. Besides, we have to go to the feed store and the supermarket today. We’ll just run by Sean’s place and see if he’s home.”

  When they drove into the driveway of a large brick home with a perfectly manicured lawn, Melanie gaped in surprise. “This is Sean’s home? Why did I have the impression that he was a…a…fly-by-nighter?”

  Collin chuckled. “He might have been if he hadn’t inherited all of his parents’ worldly goods. Sean’s in a position to work when he feels like it. When the rafting season is over, he does odd jobs around town—mostly volunteer work. He does some writing, too. Quite a few of his articles on Montana wildlife have been published in sportsmen’s magazines.”

  “Sounds like an interesting character. Is he your age?”

  “Sean’s a few years older. Oh, there he is now.” Collin opened his door and got out. “Sean…hello!”

  Melanie watched the tall, lanky guy in cutoffs and sleeveless T-shirt walking toward the truck. He had longish, almost white, blond hair and a fabulous tan. She immediately thought of the surfers on the California beaches. Sean Acton looked a lot more like them than he did the other men she’d met in Montana.

  “Collin, how’re you doing?”

  The two men shook hands. “Not too bad, considering,” Collin replied. “Sean, I’d like you to meet my sister, Melanie.”

  Melanie slid across the seat to the driver’s door and got out. She smiled at Sean Acton and he gave her such a dazzling smile in return that she was flattered.

  “Very nice meeting you, Sean,” she said.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Melanie. Collin, you dog, when you mentioned your sister before, you could have at least hinted that she was movie-star gorgeous.”

  Melanie flushed a little and Collin laughed. “Just watch it, you silver-tongued devil. This is my baby sister you’re coming on to. Sean, we only stopped for a minute. Melanie wants to go rafting while she’s here, and the Lesters are booked for the remainder of her visit. Do you still have your equipment?”

  “Sure do.” Sean smiled at Melanie again. “Would one day next week be all right? I’m pretty tied up this week.”

  “Next week would be great,” Melanie said. “If it’s all right with Collin, that is.” She looked at her brother. “Collin?”

  “Any day next week is fine with me,” Collin said. “You name it, Sean.”

  “Aw, heck,” Sean said with a teasing grin. “Are you going along? I thought I was going to have Melanie all to myself. Oh, well, so be it. How about Thursday?”

  “Great.” Collin held out his hand for another handshake. “Sorry we have to rush off, Sean, but we’ve got some errands to take care of before heading home. What time should we be here on Thursday morning?”

  “Around eight. I’ll have everything ready to go.”

  “Thank you, Sean,” Melanie said before climbing back into the truck.

  Sean waved them off, calling, “See you next Thursday.”

  When they were under way, Melanie laughed. “Your pal is quite a flirt.”

  “Yeah, but he’s really a good guy. If he’d known you were married, he never would have said what he did.”

  Melanie’s heart sank. She sure hadn’t been feeling married and, in fact, she’d enjoyed Sean Acton’s flattery. How odd, though, that the second she thought of Eli she felt a tingle dance up her spine and her breath catch in her throat. As cute as Sean Acton was, she realized he would never affect her the way Eli did. She sighed heavily.

  “Anything wrong?” Collin asked.

  “A lot,” Melanie replied unhappily. “But let’s talk about something pleasant, okay?”

  “Sure, Mel,” Collin said quietly.

  Twelve

  The greatest misery of Eli’s life was the drowning death of his brother. Not even a close second to that tribulation, but painful nonetheless, had been his parents’ grievous anger. Eli had been there, and why had he let it happen? Surely there must have been something he could have done to save his brother.

  Eli had always known that Carson had been the Forresters’ favorite son. He had accepted second place in his parents’ affections without resentment because he, too, had adored his fun-loving, charismatic younger brother. From childhood on, Carson had had more friends than he could keep track of. His lively wit, his intelligence and his incredible good looks had been like a flame, attracting people wherever he went.

  Never once had it occurred to Eli to envy Carson’s popularity. They’d been as close as two brothers could be, and it had nearly killed Eli that anyone would think that he hadn’t done everything humanly possible to save Carson. Almost mindless with grief himself, it had taken a while for Eli to grasp the reason for his parents’ cold withdrawal, and when it finally dawned on him that they were blaming him for Carson’s death, he hadn’t even attempted to defend himself. Instead, he’d left Baltimore and headed west.

  It was time, he’d figured, to prove himself. He’d never wanted to be an attorney anyway—his father’s idea—and he’d kn
own in his soul that he could make it on his own without the cushion of his family’s wealth and contacts. He had, for all intents and purposes, left his past—and the accompanying agony it held—behind.

  But, he had recently realized, there was more than one kind of agony in this world. Sleeping with a woman he would happily walk barefoot over hot coals for if she would treat him as she had before their marriage was a unique sort of anguish. He had to wonder how Melanie could run so hot and cold. She had teased and flirted with him unmercifully prior to their sad little wedding ceremony, and now that anything they might want to do in their bedroom—or anywhere else, for that matter—was legal and even blessed, she wouldn’t let him near her.

  The question that Eli kept bumping up against was why he was so hung up on Melanie. Yes, she was a knockout in the looks department, but he’d known beautiful women before and not had the almost constant ache in his gut that he suffered now. Same with intelligence, education and sense of humor. That left Melanie with one thing that was so much more potent than anything he’d felt in any other woman—sex appeal, oodles of sex appeal, mountains of sex appeal.

  That conclusion wasn’t at all comforting, not when he had to sleep in the same bed with her night after night.

  Unless, of course, he betrayed her confidence and told Garrett what was really going on between him and Melanie, then moved his clothes and things back to the bunkhouse. It would give the men a good chuckle, but did he care if anyone laughed at him?

  No way, but what if they joked and laughed at Melanie’s expense?

  Ah, that was a whole other ball game. He could not put Melanie’s reputation at risk no matter how agonizing were the nights. He would live through them—somehow.

  Garrett’s somber demeanor at the dinner table that evening reduced conversation to comments such as “Pass the salt.”