She changed into jeans, and wearing a light jacket, went in search of Reed.
Instead, Arnold found her.
“Where is he, boy?” She gave the dog a vigorous pet and scratched him behind his ears. In return, Arnold gave her monstrously juicy licks on her face, and she laughed. Since she’d been a little girl, she’d wanted a dog. Her parents had demurred. Living alone in her own house, Ann had felt it unfair to leave an animal all by himself while she worked. Chalk another one up for the joys of matrimony, she thought with a grin.
Arnold, his tail wagging, led her across the rolling hills to a spot where Reed was sitting on a low, fiat rock looking out toward the ocean and the approaching evening fog. He had Bets with him, cuddled against his chest in her sling. From the dejected slump of his shoulders, Ann got the terrible feeling something was wrong. Then she noticed an officiallooking envelope on the ground beside him.
“Did you hear from the adoptions people?”
He didn’t look in her direction. “Nope. That shoe hasn’t dropped yet”
Worried, she crouched down beside him. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Impulsively, she palmed his cheek, and he turned away.
“The bank. They’re cancelling my line of credit and calling in what I owe.”
He spoke so stoically, it took Ann a moment to overcome the hurt of his rejection and grasp the meaning of his words. “They’re foreclosing?”
“Same as. I used a line of credit to start the herd and replace some of the broken equipment around here. I had to use the land as collateral.”
“You could sell off the cattle—”
“And do what for income? Come winter, I’ll be grazing other people’s beef to fatten ‘em up and getting rent money, but if I don’t have a herd of my own this place will never show a profit. And if I lose the land…” He shrugged. “I’ll be back to being a hired hand. Bunkhouses aren’t exactly designed for a family man.”
Ann realized he wasn’t only worried about his ranch but having a place to raise his daughter, too. “You had everything planned, didn’t you?”
“It looked good on paper.”
How could a bank have foreclosed so quickly? So cruelly? He’d only been back in the area for a few months. They hadn’t even given him a chance to prove he could make it as a rancher.
A possible reason came to her, so heartless it stunned her. “Which bank is carrying your loan?” she asked, almost certain what his answer would be.
“The one in town, Central Bank of California.”
Anger drove her to her feet, startling Arnold from his nap and making Reed look up sharply.
“It’s my father. He’s done this to you. To us. Because he disapproved of my marrying you.”
“What’s your father got to do with the bank?”
“He’s retired now but he’s still on the board. The president emeritus, and you can damn well bet he’s got plenty of influence when it comes to making loans. And calling them in.”
Reed’s eyes narrowed, and he stood, automatically giving extra support to the baby cradled in his arms. “He must love you very much,” he said tautly.
“He’s interfering with my business, is what he’s doing. And I’m not going to let him destroy everything you’ve worked for—for yourself and for Betina.” She planted her fist on her hip. “I’m going to talk to him first thing—”
“Leave it be. I can fight my own battles.”
“But this one is my fault. If I hadn’t married you—”
“I might not be able to adopt Bets.”
“You still might not be allowed to if you don’t have a place to raise her.”
“You think I don’t know that?” His words sliced through the evening air as he turned to stride across the hills toward the house.
Ann had to half run to keep up. Lord, he’d married her because she had the spotless reputation he thought he needed to make things all right with the adoptions people. Now it might not be enough. “How much time did they give you?”
“Ten days.”
“I have some money, Reed—”
“No.”
“Be reasonable. You don’t want to lose the ranch. I don’t want you to. We’re married, for God’s sake.”
“It’s my problem, sugar. I’ll work it out.”
Stubborn, pigheaded…man!
She threw up her arms in dismay. What did he think—that she was a tree stump that he could simply walk around? Married couples were supposed to share the burdens, not go their separate ways. And fathers were supposed to let their grown daughters live their own lives without interference.
She fumed all the way back to the house. In the kitchen, she slammed the dishes around while she fixed dinner, not sure whether she was more furious with her father or her husband.
Meanwhile Reed gave Bets her bottle. While they ate the chicken stir—fry she’d fixed, the baby played in her infant chair, trying to stick her fingers in her mouth, her big brown eyes alert to any movement in the room. There wasn’t much talking between the newlyweds. Reed helped himself to a second portion, finishing the rice right from the pan. It occurred to Ann she’d have to plan bigger meals and double her shopping list. A man who worked on the land needed more nourishment than she’d realized.
“Did you have a chance to check on babysitters?” he asked as he carried his empty plate to the counter.
“Oh, darn. It slipped my mind. It was kind of a crazy day.” And she’d spent a lot of it fending off probing questions about her sudden marriage and defending the man she’d chosen to marry. “I’m sorry. I’ll do it tomorrow.”
“Good. I’ve got some fencing I’ve gotta replace on the north side. It’s hard with Bets.”
Her curiosity getting the better of her, she asked, “How many acres do you own?”
“Just shy of a thousand.”
“Good heavens! That’s…amazing. To cover the loan, couldn’t you sell off—”
“A ranch any smaller wouldn’t be economically feasible. The land can’t graze enough animals per acre to make it pay, assuming normal rainfall.”
He’d probably gotten that from a library book, she thought as she finished her own meal. A thoughtful man like Reed would have the figures down to the number of eyelashes on a gnat. She wished her math students were that careful about the details. What a joy Reed would have been in a classroom—if he’d been allowed to attend school regularly.
They cleaned up the kitchen together. She could almost feel his worry, heavy and toxic in the air. She didn’t want them to end the evening this way, the strain of his financial troubles keeping them apart.
He let Ann put Bets to bed while he showered.
Ann jumped at the opportunity to steal a few moments alone with Bets. Every time she came near the baby, she ached to cuddle her for fear she’d never have another chance. If her unconventional marriage to Reed failed, she’d lose Bets, too. She desperately didn’t want that to happen. She’d already lost one child—along with a piece of her heart. She might never recover from the blow of losing another child she loved.
Leaning over a freshly diapered Bets, Ann placed tiny kisses on the baby’s bare tummy. “Your daddy’s a proud man, little Betina. Too proud for his own good.”
The baby seemed to agree, blowing a derisive bubble. Unfortunately, Ann didn’t know what to do about Reed’s pride. It wasn’t a personality flaw she particularly wanted to change. She just wished Reed wouldn’t shut her out There had to be some way she could help him.
When she’d finished putting Bets down, she found Reed in the living room, his hair damp from his shower, his shirt hanging open in the way that invited a woman’s gaze to linger on the breadth of his chest. He’d left his jeans unsnapped, and that gave her other ideas as well. He was standing by the big native—rock fireplace, the dramatic focal point of the room. She was looking forward to sitting in front of a cozy fire with him this winter and maybe even making love in the firelight. If their marriage lasted that long.
&nb
sp; “What’s this thing on the mantel?”
“It’s a Dream Man miniature from Dora’s shop.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Of a cowboy and his mutt?”
“I prefer to call him Arnold.”
His eyes narrowing, he gave her an odd look and shook his head incredulously. “That’s your idea of a dream man?”
“Everyone needs some sort of a dream.”
“There’s only one thing I’ve been dreaming about lately.” He extended his hand. “It’s time for us to hit the sack, sweet sugar.”
As invitations went, it was the best one she’d had all day. She’d been afraid he might not offer, but there was no doubt what he intended. And in spite of their disagreement and the way he kept locking her out, she was eager for them to make love. In bed she’d be able to show him just how much she cared even if he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, yet accept the depth of her feelings. Or reciprocate them.
He’d straightened the bed that she hadn’t gotten around to making that morning and had pulled back the covers and fluffed the pillows. So inviting. So tempting.
Almost as self—conscious as she had been the first time, she turned away to unbutton her blouse. Slipping her top off, she dropped it along with her bra on a chair in the corner. She toed her shoes off and pulled her jeans down so she could step out of them. The cool night air raised chills on her flesh before she could put on the nightgown she’d left draped on the back of the chair.
“Leave it off,” he ordered in a voice that was as soft as a caress.
Turning, she discovered he’d shed his clothes, too. Though she’d seen him naked last night, or nearly so, he still took her breath away. Or perhaps she’d been too busy absorbing a thousand other experiences, the tactile feel of him, the newness of it all, to admire him as thoroughly as he deserved Now, with a leisurely chance to study Reed, she found him to be a magnificent specimen of masculinity. His broad shoulders tapered to lean hips, and there wasn’t an extra ounce of fat on him. Resilient male flesh stretched over taut muscle and sinew.
He was male perfection, a sculptor’s model. And he was fully aroused. Little wonder her body had been unable at first to accept his penetration, now that she’d gotten a good look at him.
She licked her lips and swallowed hard. With a dark gleam in his eyes, he watched her every movement. No man had ever looked at her with such intensity. It made her heart stumble, and she ached with the need to see more than lust in those burnished—bronze eyes of his.
Hurriedly, she slid into bed, pulling the blanket up to cover herself.
“Too late. I’ve already peeked.” The corners of his mouth curved as he got into bed beside her. His muscular arm tugged her closer. “No need for you to hide from me, sugar.”
“I wasn’t hiding. Not exactly.”
“Second—time jitters?”
“Something like that.”
“Funny. I don’t feel nervous at all.”
Indeed, he seemed to have all the confidence in the world. With journeyman—like skill, he went about arousing her. All of her erogenous zones that he’d discovered the prior evening, he revisited with equal attention now. As she writhed beneath his ministrations, he kissed her in ways she’d never known, in places she’d never realized could be so sensitive.
“Reed…” His name escaped in a sob.
“I hear you, sugar—Annie.”
He lifted her hips and slid into her. She welcomed him more easily this time, her body knowing his in intimate detail. Already on the brink, she spun out of control, sobbing his name again and again, digging her fingers into the muscles of his back as if there was a way to bring him even closer.
Only later, when he’d gathered her in his arms and she was drifting toward sleep did she sense he’d still held something of himself back. How could he do that, she wondered, when she’d been so lost in the magic of their coming together?
By morning she knew she would have to take drastic action if she had any hope of breaking through the barriers he’d created. And if Reed was worth fighting for, so was his ranch.
Immediately after school, she headed into town, to the Mar del Oro branch of the Central Bank of California.
She spotted David Emery Curtis III sitting behind the same desk where her father had once reigned supreme. She used to love visiting her daddy here at the bank. He’d seemed so important, like a king with his minions ready to do his bidding. With the tellers fussing over her, Ann had been proud to be Richard Forrester’s little girl.
Now she wasn’t proud at all. Now she was madder than hell.
Chapter Eight
David rose in greeting. “Good afternoon, Ann. This is a pleasant surprise.”
It wouldn’t be if she dumped the vase of flowers decorating his desk into his lap. Which she was sorely tempted to do if he’d been the one to call in Reed’s loan.
“I’d like to discuss a foreclosure the bank is planning.”
His expression barely changed as he gestured for her to take the upholstered chair in front of his desk. In that regard, David reminded her of Reed—a man who was totally, frustratingly in control at all times.
“Are you interested in purchasing the property?” he asked with the same mild expression.
“Not likely. I already own it, in a manner of speaking.” Though the prenuptial agreement she’d signed would mean she’d have no part of the ranch if she and Reed divorced. “I’m referring to Reed Drummond’s place.”
The hint of a blush darkened David’s complexion, and he removed his glasses, polishing them vigorously with a clean, white handkerchief. “Yes, I understand best wishes are in order on your wedding. Last week when we dined with your parents, I was unaware you were…involved with anyone.”
“I wasn’t then. I am now, and I want to know exactly who ordered Reed’s loan called in.”
He replaced his glasses, adjusting them behind his ears with great care. “As you might imagine, I haven’t yet had an opportunity to learn the details of all of the properties in which we have an interest. If you’ll allow me a moment, I’ll—”
“You weren’t the one who foreclosed?”
“Not personally, no.”
A frown tugged at her forehead. “I was sure my father had ordered you to call the loan because I married Reed against his wishes.”
“Mrs. Drummond…Ann,” he corrected, leaning forward. “I make banking decisions based on the best interests of our depositors, not the concerns of a father about his grown daughter’s marital status. However much I may respect your father’s experience and position here at the bank, I reach my decisions independently, and I can assure you, Mr. Forrester made no effort to influence me in this case. Nor would I have allowed it”
Chalk one up for David’s integrity, Ann thought, her anger dissipating somewhat. “If not you, then who?”
“Let me see if I can get to the bottom of this.”
He left her sitting at his desk while he went off to consult with his staff. Ann waited impatiently. She knew one of the tellers working behind the counter. The girl had been in Ann’s eighth—grade math class the first year she’d started teaching. Now the young woman was obviously pregnant. Somehow that made Ann feel both old and envious.
David returned some time later with a thick file folder. He took his seat opposite her.
“It seems there was a general review of our loan portfolio. Our senior loan officer in San Luis Obispo concluded the credit line we had extended to Mr. Drummond was not justified. Therefore, the bank, in effect, has withdrawn the loan.”
“And just who is the senior loan officer?”
He flipped through several pages. “Roger Clarke signed the papers.”
Ann grimaced. Mr. Clarke had been with the bank almost forever and was one of her father’s golfing partners. She should have known Richard Forrester would ask this kind of a favor from his friend, not his protégé.
“Is there any way to reverse the decision?” she asked.
“I doubt it.
I’d be happy to inquire, but from the looks of these numbers, the loan was problematic to begin with. Cancellation is not an unreasonable decision.”
“It’s unreasonable if it’s your livelihood that’s at stake,” she said tautly, fingering the plain gold band on her ring finger. And the man she loved at risk. “Tell me, does the bank go away and leave Reed alone if the loan is paid off?”
“Yes, of course.”
Drawing a deep breath, she decided on the only course of action that was open to her—a decision that would very likely make Reed mad and her father furious. But she was damn well going to save Reed from his own misplaced pride even if it cost her the husband she loved.
“David, I have a substantial equity in a small house I own here in town, and I believe you’ll find my credit rating is excellent. I’d like to pay off the loan on the Rocking D Ranch by taking out a second mortgage on my house. Can you arrange that for me?”
A slow, curving smile animated David’s features, changing him from a solemn banker to a prototypical model for GQ. “I believe I regret more now than ever that I didn’t act more quickly when we first met. Reed Drummond is a very lucky man indeed to have landed you as his wife.”
HER RESOLVE STILL firmly in hand after filling out a raft of loan papers at the bank, Ann headed toward her house above the town. Living in two places at once had its drawbacks, and she’d decided she definitely needed her Crock—Pot and a decent frying pan. Making meals for a hungry man involved far more than oven—roasting a skinless chicken breast and munching fresh carrots, her usual choice for a quick dinner.
To Ann’s surprise, her mother’s Cadillac was parked outside her house.
Parking her own car in the drive, Ann rushed up onto the porch. Her mother met her with open arms.
“I took a chance you might stop by the house before you went home.”
With a sense of relief, Ann hugged her mother. “Oh, Mom…” Tears threatened, and she swallowed them down.
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