Victoria heard him groan as the shock of the cold water hit home. She laughed and stood stock still watching him make his way toward her. A moment later he was by her side. He took her elbow, holding it firmly. He gazed into her eyes. "You okay?"
Victoria smiled at him. "Of course I'm okay."
Cole looked down at his immersed feet. "This water sure is cool."
"You remember you never would join me whenever I did this?"
"Back in the day? I guess I didn't."
"Why didn't you," she asked.
Cole looked out across the river and beyond to the surrounding flatland. "Didn't think it would do for anyone to find us here like this," he said.
"What do you mean?" she asked with a grin.
Cole's eyes rolled. "Partially clothed is what I mean," he said pointing down toward both their bare lower legs.
"Partially clothed?" Victoria repeated. She paused and gazed at Cole disbelievingly for a moment, a smile frozen on her face. Then Victoria's laughter echoed out across the water and beyond to the banks of the river. "Cole MacAllan. I do declare you are even more prim and proper than some of the ladies of our town," she said once she'd regained control of her aching sides.
She saw his eyes light up slightly. Had she just referred to Billings as "their town"? She supposed she had. And had she meant it? Had it merely been a slip of the tongue, or was it something she truly felt, something that had made it's way back into her heart since she'd returned and spent time with Cole?
Cole kept his hold on Victoria's elbow as they stood in the river. The water ran slowly around both their ankles. For a while they said nothing to each other, both of them gazing around, content to enjoy the shared moment, glancing from time to time at each other, but never for more than the briefest of moments.
When their eyes did meet Victoria felt the softest of stirrings inside herself. Cole's eyes seemed to shimmer, catching the reflecting sunlight from the water. His gaze contained the familiar kindness she'd always known, as well as the same ardent wanting she'd seen at the cabin.
Victoria felt herself shift slightly from side to side and Cole grasped her elbow more securely. He took a small step toward her and she gazed into his eyes. He wrapped an arm around her waist and she saw his eyes widen, seeking permission. She held his gaze and he leaned in closer to her. His head dipped and his lips caressed hers with a soft and tender touch. Victoria leaned her head back and savored the delicate feel of Cole's soft lips, felt the strength of his arm around her waist. The warmth of his kiss contrasted with the cool of the water.
Almost as quickly as he'd moved his head in to kiss her, Cole leaned back, their lips parting, his eyes locked on hers. Victoria smiled at Cole and reached up, touching the tips of her fingers to his lips. The corners of Cole's mouth creased as she ran her fingers along his lower lip.
Their eyes met and it was if Victoria and Cole had never been apart these past few years, as if their respective souls had maintained a mysterious, unshakeable connection. Here, standing in this river, with Cole holding her in his arms, Victoria felt the past few years slip away, the myriad of little dissatisfactions of her life alone in Helena wash away with the currents of the river. She suddenly saw that life without Cole had been a mistake, even if it had offered her the illusion of independence, the appearance of self sufficiency.
Cole drew her even closer for a moment. He held her tight and simply gazed into her eyes, the joy clear and visible.
Suddenly Victoria felt something touch her bare foot. It felt cold and slimy. She yelled and stiffened, causing Cole to release her. Glancing quickly down she saw a large fish makes it's way hurriedly away.
"That fish just touched my foot," she exclaimed.
Cole smiled. "Who's the soft one now?" he asked jokingly.
Victoria stepped to one side, trying to balance herself and felt something sharp against her foot. She yelled again, this time more loudly. Cole's brows furrowed.
"Ow. That hurts," Victoria said lifting the foot. Standing on one leg she felt herself sway. Cole reached out and grabbed her round the waist. Before she could fall, and before she was aware of what was happening, Cole had swept her up in his arms and was holding her close to him, his face pressed close to hers.
"What are you doing, Cole?" she asked, feeling herself sinking into the safety of his embrace. She grasped at her skirt, making sure none of it ended up touching the water.
"Time we went back to the safety of land," Cole said with a grin.
"I can make it back myself," she objected.
"Of course you can. It's just that I prefer to do it my way," he said firmly.
Cole turned and started back to the riverbank. The water splashed noisily around his feet. Victoria wrapped her skirt around her free arm while holding onto Cole with the other. She saw a visible grin of delight on Cole's face as he finally stepped up onto the grass verge. The sensation of being held in his arms was heady and exhilarating. She felt secure and safe in his embrace.
He didn't immediately let her down onto the ground. Instead he held her close and looked into her eyes. "You okay?" he asked.
Victoria bit her lower lip and peered into Cole's eyes. She didn't say a word in response to his question. She merely nodded and smiled. That seemed to satisfy Cole. He leaned forward and placed Victoria down slowly.
She looked down at her foot. There didn't seem to be any mark or cut there. Cole kneeled down and took her foot in his hand, checking for any sign of a cut. Not finding anything to be concerned about, he looked up at her. "Looks as if you just stepped in something sharp. No cut that I can see. I've got a small blanket in my saddlebag. You can dry your feet with it."
Victoria nodded.
Cole put on his socks and boots and started off toward where the horses were tied up. As she watched Cole walk away Victoria was suddenly struck by the significance of what had just happened.
Dare she take one more step closer to Cole? And what would it mean for her future if she did?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Once Cole had brought the blanket to Victoria he made sure he kept his gaze averted while she dried herself and put her boots back on. With his back to her he looked out across the river and off into the distance. It had been the right idea to bring her to this place. He'd known that it would work it's magic.
And it had. On both of them.
Victoria looked like she'd reconnected to the memories of their previous times at the river. He could see it in her eyes. Kissing her again had just seemed such a natural thing to do. He'd been pleased that she hadn't reacted with any suggestion of displeasure. He'd hesitated before the kiss, worrying that he might be going too far, maybe even provoke Victoria to take matters into her own hands. To push him away. But she hadn't rebuffed his advances. Not at all. Just like at the cabin she'd shown him that she still harbored some of the old feelings. And that just pleased Cole so much.
When he'd lifted her and held her in his arms, that had felt real good, just about the best thing he'd ever done. Holding her had made him feel sensations he'd almost forgotten existed.
Carrying her out of the river had made him feel like he was protecting her, keeping her safe. And that was what he wanted to do, most of all, with this wonderful woman who'd come back into his life. He wanted to ensure that every day of her life from now on would be filled with happiness and joy. He wanted to give her everything she wanted. He wanted to take all her worries away and give her the joy she deserved.
He was pleased that she seemed to have enjoyed their time by the river. They could still enjoy the simple pleasures of life together. She hadn't lost that ability during her time away from him. That pleased him.
But most of all he was pleased that the unpleasantness of the visit to Lucius had been temporarily put aside. He knew they'd have to talk about that on the way back to town. But, even so, the sweet memory of what had just taken place would give him the strength he needed to answer Victoria's inevitable questions.
"Ready,"
she called out. He turned and took in a sharp breath. She stood on the riverbank, leaning forward, her loose hair tumbling down over her right shoulder. She was brushing the length of her skirt into place, arranging the folds, trying to make herself look neat and tidy again. As far as Cole was concerned she needn't bother. She looked so utterly beautiful that he could scarcely prevent himself from rushing over to her and sweeping her up in his arms again. He felt the strong urge to be kissing her with all the passion he felt inside himself. But he restrained himself. It would do no good to act like that. Not out here. Victoria deserved better than that.
They got back on their horses and pretty soon they were heading back up toward the ridge and the trail that would take them back to town. Victoria drew her horse up by Cole's side and smiled across at him.
They rode in silence for a short while. Cole glanced over at Victoria a few times. It felt so good to be riding alongside her. Having this beautiful woman by his side meant more to him than anything else in the world. She was so elegant and poised. Her features had acquired a mature perfection. He just felt so privileged to have her alongside him. It was almost as if they were already man and wife. But he knew that was far from the case.
His thoughts were interrupted by Victoria's quiet voice. "Can I ask you a question, Cole?" she said.
"Sure," he said.
"It's about Lucius."
Cole felt himself flinch and he wondered if Victoria had noticed his involuntary reaction.
"Lucius seems to be under the impression that Paul isn't good enough to be Lucy's husband. Why is that? Do you know?"
Cole shook his head. "I have no idea. Lucius is a man of strong opinions. That's all I know for sure."
"But he seems to be hellbent on making sure that Lucy doesn't marry Paul," Victoria continued. "Despite the fact that Lucy is kinda sweet on him."
"I really don't know, Victoria," Cole said.
Victoria looked at Cole. He saw her brows wrinkle slightly. Victoria paused and then continued. "Is that why he's been putting pressure on you to consider Lucy?"
"What do you mean, Victoria?"
"Lucius wants you to consider Lucy as a wife. Doesn't he?"
Cole looked away and tightened his lips. There was no way he was going to answer that question. Not after what had just taken place at the river.
"Why would Lucius think that you and Lucy would make a suitable couple?" Victoria asked.
"Lucius is a strange critter, Victoria. He gets some fool ideas into his head," Cole said.
Victoria stared ahead at the trail. Cole saw the concentration written on her face. After a moment she continued. "Have you and Lucy ever stepped out together, Cole?"
He sighed and fixed Victoria with a stern look. "Now, why would you think that?" he asked.
"Because I can't see any other reason why Lucius would even think that you and Lucy would be good together."
Cole shook his head and bit his lip.
"Have you?" Victoria asked.
"Have I what?"
"Stepped out with Lucy Carter."
Cole's jaw tightened. He was going to have to think very carefully about the next words he was going to say. Why did Victoria have to go being so insistent? He'd always known she had a determined way about her. He'd seen it on so many occasions.
Cole twisted around in the saddle and looked Victoria in the eye. "Is this you talking as Lucy's matchmaker or in some other capacity?" he asked.
Victoria frowned. "What other capacity would I be talking in, Cole?"
It was spoken almost as if it were a challenge. Her eyes were locked on his, awaiting a response.
Cole paused. "I don't know, Victoria. It seems to me that since you came back you've been something more than just a matchmaker trying to do your best for an old friend."
"Lucy asked me at Ruby and Marcus' wedding. I was more than happy to help her out," Victoria said. "But the more I've looked into things, the more it seems to me that what Lucy wants isn't quite the same as what her father wants."
Cole swallowed and his hands tightened on the reins of his horse. After a moment he spoke slowly. "I took Lucy to one or two shindigs arranged by the Ladies Society."
Cole glanced over at Victoria and saw her lower lip drop slowly. She nodded, as if taking in what he'd just told her. Her lips tightened into a thin line and she gazed ahead at the trail.
"That explains a whole lot," Victoria said eventually.
"Like what?"
Victoria's brows tightened. "Why Lucius would think you'd encouraged Lucy into thinking you might be sweet on her."
"Now hold on there, Victoria. There's a big difference between attending a social with someone and then wanting to become that person's husband."
"Is there? You know what towns are like. It doesn't take much before people start drawing conclusions."
"Lucy didn't tell you any of this?"
Victoria shook her head. "Nothing. Not a word of it."
"What you're really saying is that she's really sweet on Paul Edwards but that because I went to a couple of socials with Lucy, her father thinks that I'd make a better match for her?"
Victoria nodded. "That just about sums it up, I think."
"But that's crazy. Lucius must know that I can't possibly marry Lucy. Not even if it's a marriage he thinks is the most convenient for his own interests."
"He says if you don't consider it he's going to ruin you," Victoria said.
"No. He said that if Lucy hasn't agreed to get married to someone in the next twenty-four hours then I'll regret it. He didn't necessarily mean me."
"I think he did. I think Lucius is set on getting you to marry Lucy whether either of you want it."
"That's just plain loco!" Cole exclaimed. "It could still mean Paul can marry Lucy."
"But Lucius doesn't want Paul marrying Lucy. Even if Lucy would be more than happy with that. And judging by the way she spoke about Paul at the wedding I think she'd probably be very happy with him."
Cole pulled on the reins even tighter and the horse tugged it's head in protest. "Whoa, boy," Cole said stroking the side of the horse's head. "So how did I get involved in all of this?" he asked.
Beside him, Victoria's voice was steady. "One word. Lucius."
"Why does he want me to marry his daughter and why is he so dead set against Paul Edwards marrying Lucy? That's what don't understand."
"Neither do I. But one things for sure, Lucius has the ability to make your life difficult."
"He's been a thorn in my side for too long," Cole admitted.
"How?"
"Tried to buy the ranch out from under me. I wouldn't sell. Then when it comes to bringing in the head of cattle for the market, he goes out of his way to make it hard for me to get a decent price for them. Always tries to say the stock is poor quality. He drives the price down every time. Recently he seems to have been going out of his way to put pressure on me."
Cole saw Victoria look at him with some degree of sympathy. There was genuine concern on her face. She seemed to be trying to make sense of what he'd told her, how it all fitted together.
"Why would Lucius Carter not want his daughter to marry the son of the town's banker? That's what I don't understand," Victoria speculated out loud.
"Especially when it's Lucy's preferred choice," Cole added.
"Fathers don't always respect the choices of their children when it comes to marriage," Victoria said. "But in this case it seems as if there is more to it than meets the eye."
Cole looked ahead and saw that they were coming up to a fork in the trail. One trail would take them back to Cole's ranch. The other back into town.
Cole knew that this was a crucial moment for him, especially considering how the rest of the day had been spent. Irrespective of what they'd said about Lucy Carter, there was only one thing burning in Cole's mind. He glanced across at Victoria and saw that she seemed to be lost in thought.
The thought of Victoria heading back to town without knowing what Cole w
as thinking gave him a hollow sensation in the pit of his stomach. Today had been almost as incredible as the day before. The river and the cabin had made his mind up, and there was nothing that was going to stop him.
Not now. Not ever.
He tightened his jaw and took a deep breath. He turned and gazed at Victoria. Her eyes fixed on his.
"In any case, after the last couple of days the whole idea of me ever marrying Lucy Carter just became unthinkable," he said bluntly.
Victoria frowned. "What do you mean, Cole?"
He could see uncertainty in her eyes. He swallowed and drew his horse to a halt. Victoria's mount pulled up beside him.
Cole pulled on the reins of the horse and drew it up by the side of Victoria's. "These last two days have been amazing, Victoria," he began to say.
Cole saw Victoria lower her head. Her heavy lashes hid her eyes, but he knew there must be emotion in them, the kind she didn't want him to see.
"I know you've been trying to just be a matchmaker. Checking me out. Making sure that I'd be a fit husband for someone else. Doing your professional duty. And it can't have been easy, what with our history and all," he said.
Still her eyes were lowered and he could only guess what she was feeling.
"But you know how I feel about you. You must know what you mean to me. I can't deny that things have been hard since you went away." Cole cleared his throat trying to settle his voice that was beginning to crack with emotion. He continued, steeling his resolve: "But now that you're back, now that you've come back to me, there is no way on God's earth that I am going to let you go again. Never."
Victoria raised her head and faced Cole. Her eyes were wide and he was sure he could them begin to moisten. The corners of her eyes tightened as she tried to contain that emotion. Her cheeks were flushed and her moist lower lip was quivering imperceptibly.
After a moment she spoke, and her voice was soft, filled with uncertainty. "Oh, Cole. I wish you hadn't have said that," she said, her voice cracking. "I really do."
Cole felt something heavy sink into the pit of his stomach and he suddenly wanted to take the words back, take the hurt back that he could see written on her face.
Cole's Montana Bride (Sweet,clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series Book 7) Page 10
