Signed and Sealed

by Stretke, B. A.

  “What happened to their parents?” Will was curious.

  “Their father was not much in terms of responsibility.” She snorted, showing her contempt. “He ran out on the family just after Martin was born. Elijah was only nine at the time.” Pride began to show in her eyes as she related the rest of the story. “Elijah took care of the family as best he could. He worked, went to school, and took care of their small farm. When he was eighteen, he bought his own place with money he’d saved. Within weeks his mother was diagnosed with cancer. She only lived ten months after that.” That was so sad; Will patted his eyes, trying not to show that the story was having an effect on him. “He built that small ranch into this thirty-thousand-acre estate and also raised his brother. The man is more than people think, much more.”

  “You seem very loyal, Mrs. Coleman.” Will did not mean this sarcastically. He admired her for it.

  “People who really know Elijah know him to be a fair, kind, and generous man.”

  “What about the people who don’t know him?” Will ventured to ask.

  “They think that he is cold, hard, and uncaring. He can be cold and hard if the situation warrants it,” she added. “I’m not saying he’s a pushover, far from it, but he doesn’t hurt people just for sport.”

  Mrs. Coleman was definitely one of Elijah’s admirers. Will hoped he paid her well for the level of loyalty that she exhibited. “What about Katrina? What are your thoughts on her situation and his handling of it?”

  “It’s my guess that he is trying to teach her a lesson.”

  “Is he teaching me a lesson too?” Will was less cordial.

  Mrs. Coleman merely smiled that thin smile of someone who thought they knew something no one else did. “Can I offer you some breakfast?” she asked abruptly, changing the subject.

  “No, thank you. I thought I’d have something in town while I’m there.” Will wanted to question her further, but knew that her loyalty to Elijah would prevent her saying anything that he didn’t want her saying. Why did she act so strange when questioned about Elijah’s intentions with regard to me? What is he planning? Will stood and walked over to the sink to rinse his mug and then placed it back on the counter. His mind was consumed with possible motives for Elijah wanting him there. What lesson is he planning on teaching me? he wondered. Whatever Eli’s plan, Mrs. Coleman wasn’t going to tell him.

  “Before you leave,” Mrs. Coleman said, her voice breaking into his thoughts, “Elijah asked me to give you this.” She handed Will a bank card.

  “What is this?”

  “It’s Elijah’s bank card. He called and arranged for you to have full access.”

  Will was stunned. “When did he do this?”

  “Before he left this morning, just after he spoke with you,” Mrs. Coleman said casually.

  Will laughed uneasily. “I can’t take this.”

  “He said for you to feel free to purchase anything you need.” Mrs. Coleman was beginning to act uncomfortable.

  “It’s okay, Mrs. Coleman. I just can’t use his bank card. He doesn’t owe me anything. I’m not his responsibility.” Will tried to smile in order to put Mrs. Coleman’s mind at ease.

  Mrs. Coleman nodded. She understood Will’s reluctance to accept such a generous gift, but what Will didn’t know was how unlike Elijah it was to make such an offer. He must have a great deal of trust in him, Mrs. Coleman thought to herself, because that bank card would give him access to many thousands of dollars. She wondered if Elijah was testing William to see if he was as money-hungry as his sister. If that was the case, then giving him his bank card would be a rather large risk.

  Will placed the card on the table. “I appreciate the offer, but I cannot take advantage of his generosity.”

  Mrs. Coleman was pleased to see how different William and his sister Katrina really were. If this was a test, she thought to herself, then William definitely passed.

  Will left the ranch just before noon. Mrs. Coleman had drawn him a map directing him to the mall. It looked to be an easy drive—the town was a little over thirty miles away. He was planning on making the most of his time away, since he didn’t know whether he would be allowed to leave again.

  Five hours and many packages later, he was sitting at a table in the food court having a cappuccino. If I could spend every day like this, he was thinking, the next few weeks would be a breeze. He was finally pondering the idea of starting back to the ranch when he saw an all-too-familiar frown headed in his direction. He noticed that Eli was dressed as he had been that morning, although more dusty and worn-looking. He looked as if he’d had a long, hard day, yet he walked with speed and purpose. Eli’s eyes never left his, as if he thought Will might try to bolt and was ready to give chase if need be. He garnered a lot of attention from the passersby and the idle shoppers. They actually looked startled to see him there in the mall. They watched him as he made for the food court and the young man sitting there. Curiosity over his identity became the talk of the day.

  Will remained seated and resumed drinking his cappuccino. He refused to get upset and jump to Eli’s command. Eli could look as sinister as he wanted, Will would not be frightened by him. He told himself this as Eli came to stand beside Will’s table, towering over him with a look of angry frustration. Will looked up at him with an expression of complete innocence.

  “What can I do for you?” he asked. Eli’s irritation was evident, but Will tried to remain oblivious to it.

  “Don’t get me started with a question like that,” he said harshly. “There are many things I want you to do for me, but none are appropriate for the mall.” His tone took on a low huskiness that Will didn’t recognize. Was he baiting him into an argument, or trying to embarrass him? Eli bent down close to Will, leaning one hand on the table in front of him. “Just when were you planning to return to the ranch, if ever?” he asked accusingly.

  “You said,” Will began hotly, “be back by dinner. Dinner is at seven, so I translated that as meaning, be back by seven.” He made an exaggerated gesture to the clock on the wall. “It’s barely five o’clock. I have plenty of time.”

  “You’re going to push me, aren’t you?” he said in a tone that was neither light nor friendly.

  “Only if you get in my way,” he retorted, more stouthearted than he was feeling. His mood darkened considerably. If they hadn’t been in this very public place, Will was certain that Elijah would have shown him very clearly who was in control. But as it was, he could only glare.

  “If you’re finished, I will drive you back to the ranch.” It wasn’t a question. He abruptly reached down and retrieved all of Will’s bags from the floor and turned toward the door. Will finished his drink and fell into step beside him. Eli shifted all of his bags to his left hand and took hold of Will’s hand with his right. His grip was firm and his irritation was communicated clearly. Will felt like a child being scolded and marched out of the store. Once outside, Eli stated abruptly, “I see I will have to keep you on a very short leash from now on.”

  “Short leash!” Will exploded. “I just went shopping.” He attempted to jerk his hand away, but Eli wasn’t letting go. “I needed a few things. I hadn’t planned on being here for more than a day or two,” he tried to explain as Eli continued to haul him through the parking lot to his car.

  Suddenly, he stopped, and looking down at Will with the darkest of blue eyes, he stated, “If I give you an inch, you will take a mile.” His voice was not harsh, but there was finality in his tone.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You don’t own me. Just because my sister tried to blackmail your brother, that doesn’t give you the right to treat me like a prisoner.” He stepped back and came up against the side of his car. There was no escape. Eli dropped his bags and pinned him to the car with an arm on either side of him. He bent his head seductively toward him as his body pressed against Will and his hands gripped his shoulders. His nearness was making Will very uncomfortable. He fought for composure.

  “I do ow
n you, and you would do best not to forget that fact.” His eyes bored into Will. “Until your sister returns, you belong to me. You will do as I say and not ask questions. Understood!”

  Will gave Eli his blackest stare. “I’ll stay until the thirty-first as agreed, but I’ll kill myself before you ever own me. Now let go of me before I do something we’ll both regret.”

  William infuriated and excited him at the same time. No man had ever affected him the way he did. When Eli had returned to the main house this afternoon, only to discover Will wasn’t there, his first thought was that he’d left, gone home. After last night, Eli knew he’d gone too far, too fast. All day, it was in the back of his mind that Will might decide to leave. Eli knew he’d planned to go to town, but was certain that he should have been back. How can anyone shop for five hours? he thought. It is impossible.

  He’d jumped into his car and raced to the mall. He was desperate to find Will. He left his men more than a little puzzled by his behavior. The thought of Will getting away was unacceptable, and he was prepared to bring him back no matter where he was. He was not going to be allowed to leave until Eli determined his role in this scheme of his sister’s. If he was a player, he would deal with him as harshly as he planned on dealing with Katrina. If he was innocent, he would release him, no questions asked. But regardless of the outcome, William would play by his rules. He even telephoned his pilot to stand by in case he needed to fly to Michigan. When he’d first seen Will sitting in the food court, he was flooded with conflicting feelings of relief and a need to strangle him. Will had no idea what he’d put him through. He never was one for public displays, but that was before Will. Right now, all he wanted was for him to understand who was boss.

  Will could feel the car door press against his back and gradually became aware that people were watching them. “Let me go,” he hissed. He didn’t want to cause a scene by pulling away from him, but they needed to end the exhibition. “I refuse to be your prisoner.”

  Will looked at him with eyes filled with rage and passion, a combination that excited Eli beyond his ability to control it. He couldn’t help himself; he kissed Will hard and exacting, conveying a promise and a need for much more. It was brief yet mind-numbing. Will’s brazen disregard for Eli’s authority, his attitude of unyielding independence, and his ability to melt in Eli’s arms caused a level of arousal in Elijah that was slow to subside. This morning, in Will’s room, Eli had wanted to put his arm around him, but he knew Will would not have allowed it. His words had put up a solid wall between them. Will was so distant from him that he wasn’t even sure he was aware that he was in the room. The way he ignored him and stared at the floor rattled him so much that he immediately apologized in hopes of getting him to at least look at him again. Elijah couldn’t remember the last time he’d ever apologized to anyone. He wasn’t sure he ever had. Will was at least looking at him now. He was as mad as hell, but he could see him.

  “I was too harsh; I didn’t mean what I said. You’re not my prisoner, Will. You’re my guest and my responsibility. Whether you like it or not,” Eli said all-too-knowingly.

  “Yes, sir,” Will responded as coolly as he could, considering his face was flushed and his body heated by Eli’s embrace. “But let it be known that I really don’t like you.”

  Will mentally pulled himself together and looked up at him. Eli smiled and stepped back from him. He seemed calmer all of a sudden.

  “Get in,” he commanded after stowing Will’s bags and opening the door.

  “I have my own car,” he said bitterly.

  “Don’t worry. I will have it brought back to the ranch for you. For now, I want you with me,” Eli said firmly. Will conceded, and they were soon on their way.

  “Did you really think that I had left for good?” Will asked after they had been driving for a while in silence.

  “Yes.” Eli gave him a quick glance, daring him to deny his intent.

  “I admit it did cross my mind, but I fully intended to be back by seven.”

  Eli said nothing and continued to stare at the road ahead.

  “I agreed, and I will fulfill my obligation to you,” Will added.

  “Your obligation?” He snorted. “You could try to enjoy yourself.” He gave an exasperated grunt. “Why don’t you treat this like a vacation? Make the most of your time here?”

  Will started to laugh. This was the second time someone referred to his time here as a vacation. People in Montana must have very strange ideas of vacations if they thought this was one.

  “Sure, while I’m here on my very short leash, I will try to enjoy myself and treat it all like a vacation.” His sarcasm made Eli laugh. It was strong and genuine and filled the car.

  “You could try,” he stated with suppressed humor.

  “I promise to give it my all.” He said it jokingly, but the look on Eli’s face when he turned to regard Will was very serious.

  “I’ll try to be a better host,” he stated with what sounded like real sincerity.

  He wanted Eli, Will admitted to himself, but there had to be more to it than that. Jumping into bed with the first hot guy he saw was not William’s style; he wanted love, a real relationship. He didn’t even know this man, and most of what he did know, he didn’t like. Still, he was ready to give him everything, every part of his being. Never once did he feel any of this with George; their relationship should never have been taken further than friendship. After two and a half years with George, he never felt compelled to give this kind of passion, yet all Elijah needed do was look at him with those dark eyes and all rational thoughts scattered. Have I become so shallow, so pathetic, that my need for a man has driven me to this? No, he discounted that thought immediately. If he were simply needy, then any man would do. He only felt this way with Elijah. It must be the location and the element of danger. He tried to write it all off as normal, considering the circumstances.

  They drove on in silence until Will felt the need to get out of his own thoughts and talk for a while. “So, did I pull you away from anything important?” It’s an idle question, just a conversation starter, Will thought.

  “Nothing is more important than you,” Eli said.

  He stared at Eli, not sure if he’d heard him correctly, then decided he must have been speaking sarcastically.

  “I suppose you’re right, considering I’m $500,000 worth of collateral.” He sighed thoughtfully. “I’ve never had a dollar amount placed on me before. I was hoping to ring in a little higher, but $500,000 is significant,” he stated softly.

  “I would gladly have paid ten times that amount to have you here,” Eli said, but he kept his eyes on the road. Will couldn’t read him. He sounded serious, yet it had to be a joke.

  “Then I guess you got a bargain,” he said cynically.

  He turned to look at Will directly with a big warm smile that softened everything about him. “That I did.”

  Will wished Eli would quit playing with him and say what he really meant. He seemed to be alternately nasty and then nice. It was impossible to read or understand him, and it was equally impossible to stop thinking about him.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stop at Adam Gerard’s. I have some business to attend to that I was unable to deal with earlier.” Eli’s tone indicated that he was the reason.

  Will nodded. “That’s fine.”

  “His ranch is just south of mine.” Eli removed one of his hands from the steering wheel and placed it on Will’s knee, indicating a familiarity that Will was far from reciprocating as he glared at the intruding appendage. “Adam’s a horse trader and has made claims that the current Thoroughbreds he has purchased are the best to arrive this year.”

  “I’d love to see them,” he stated enthusiastically.

  Eli turned and looked at him with renewed curiosity. This was the first time Will had shown any real interest in anything. Will maintained his reserve, his distance, and his disinterest at all times, except when they were kissing, of course. He was
pleased with Will’s response to his suggestion and the look of excitement he saw in his eyes. Will loved horses. Eli should have realized that when Will was sitting watching Steven lead the big, black Thoroughbred around the yard. He was so fascinated by the animal that he hadn’t even heard him enter the room. He smiled to himself, knowing that he’d found his hook.

  They arrived at the Gerard ranch shortly before six o’clock. Elijah pulled into a long, gravel drive that ended in front of a large, two-story house. The ranch was a working ranch much like Eli’s, but it lacked the extra care and attention that was plain throughout the Hunter estate. There were no flowers or shrubs, no landscaping of any kind that Will could see. The house was in need of a fresh coat of paint, and the grounds were worn and neglected. The horses, though, were magnificent. Elijah took his arm as they walked together toward the large fenced-in yard adjacent to the stable. There were three men standing together, leaning on the gate. They watched as Elijah and Will approached. Their surprise was obvious in their expressions, which they quickly tried to suppress. They were expecting Elijah, but never had they observed him escorting a man, especially not to a business meeting. He was holding Will’s arm, and he looked to be especially pleased with himself. They said nothing until Elijah introduced them.