The Rancher's Bride

by Pamela Britton

  “There you are,” Odelia said, her smile warm and welcoming as she opened the front door.

  Jorie had a glimpse of Laurel standing in the corner of a massive dining room to the left of the entryway, Lyle nearby. To the right was a family room, also packed with people, their voices blending in with the sound of classical music. Even as crowded as it was, the place took her breath way. Odelia had painted the walls a deep maroon and off-white crown molding framed the ceiling, fancy molding with lines and squiggles. All the doorways had arched entries, but the arches were filled with half circles of frosted glass, the letters SPH—Spring Hill Ranch—etched into the surface. Rattan furniture filled the family room area, the kind with huge round backs and fluffy cushions and lots and lots of plants in between. During the daylight hours it seemed to perfectly blend in with the nearby trees. Earlier, Jorie had wanted to sit there and simply admire it all. She’d never been inside such a gorgeous home. Yes, she’d seen her fair share of opulent residences, but this wasn’t garishly done. This was still a home—a beautiful home.

  “Did you need something to drink?” Odelia asked.

  A double vodka straight-up.

  “No, I’m okay,” she said instead.

  “Well, if you change your mind,” said Odelia, looking very Jackie-O tonight in her black dress with a giant broach near one shoulder, “we’ve set up a bar in the back room, just past the staircase. I’ll be back in a bit to introduce you around.”

  “Thanks,” Jorie said softly, happening to glance at the door as Ryan entered.

  “And there’s my son,” she heard Odelia say. “Finally,” she muttered under her breath.

  Ryan’s eyes scanned the room, found hers. He wore no cowboy hat, his face so tan his blue-green eyes stood out even from a distance. This was the first time she’d seen him out of jeans, the black slacks he wore hugging his masculine legs, the white dress shirt emphasizing his masculine arms. Jorie lost her ability to breathe. One second. Two. Who knows how long their gazes would have held if not for Sam stepping between the two of them.

  “You’re gonna have to do better than that if you want to convince people there’s nothing between the two of you.”

  It took Jorie a moment to follow his words, Sam staring down at her the whole time.

  “What?”

  The man with the long braid of hair and the kind brown eyes merely shook his head. “Ryan told me Lyle ripped him a new one the other day…over you.”

  “Me?”

  “Seems he picked up on the fact that Ryan can’t keep his eyes off you.”

  Her cheeks warmed to the point that she knew he could see it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Sam smirked. Jorie fidgeted. Over the sound of the music came the sound of Laurel’s laughter. They both turned to look. Laurel was smiling at something her dad said, Ryan having moved to her side.

  It struck her out of the blue, a flash of jealousy so deep it made Jorie physically ill.

  “I need a drink.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Sam said.

  “That’s okay. I can bring you something back.”

  She had a hard time identifying the look in Sam’s eyes. “Are you kidding? I’m not leaving your side tonight.” It was amusement, she suddenly realized. “Every man in the room is staring daggers at me. I kind of like it.”

  “Not true,” she said quickly. She hated when men said things like that. It always made her so uncomfortable.

  “It is true.” He smiled. “Besides, I told Odelia I’d keep you company tonight.”

  “Oh.”

  “Come on,” he said, moving next to her and placing a hand on the small of her back.

  The rest of the night went by in a blur, Jorie remembering only snippets of conversation. Odelia found her at some point. She took her away from Sam, introduced her to people Jorie would never remember later. At one point Jorie was handed a champagne glass, her hand tightening around the stem when she realized what was happening. Sure enough, Odelia tapped the sides, the crowd quieting as she toasted the happy couple.

  Happy? Jorie thought.

  Ryan looked about as happy as a man on his way to jail. She hadn’t seen him smile once, not that she’d been watching him that closely. Oh, no. After Sam’s warning, she’d made sure to steer clear even as she wondered if it was true. Had Lyle said something? She’d seen the two of them talking outside Viola as she’d been driving away from the store. Had they been talking about her?

  “To the happy couple!” Odelia called out to the crowd. Jorie had been so lost in thought she’d missed the entire speech. When it came time to toast, she threw back her glass and chugged the contents in a single gulp.

  “Easy there, Cinderella,” Sam said quietly.

  “I need some fresh air.”

  She moved away, setting her glass down on the nearest available surface, caring little if Sam, her shadow, followed or not. She was there as a guest, but she’d never felt more of an outsider.

  As it turned out, Sam didn’t follow. She left through a side door and found herself alone on a portion of the wraparound porch that overlooked the back of Odelia’s property. She walked along the rail, finding a spot far away from prying eyes. Earlier in the day she’d been enchanted by the view. The lawn stretched all the way down to the edge of a creek. To her left the bridal cottage stood, soft light spilling from its windows.

  Would Laurel get dressed there?

  She bit her lips, shook her head, tried to focus instead on the beauty of her surroundings. Portions of the lawn were lit by yard fixtures, tiny blobs of light dotting the perimeter. In the middle of it all sat a kidney-shaped pool. The water looked cool and inviting. There must be speakers outside. Jorie could hear the music perfectly, the strains of a piano concerto soothing her frayed nerves.

  “You’ve been ducking me all night.”

  She knew who it was, didn’t need to turn, her hands clutching the railing.

  “I haven’t been ducking you.”

  He came up next to her and it was like being next to a giant magnet, one that tugged at the hairs on her arms and made her feel almost dizzy.

  “Yes, you have,” he said. “And it’s for the same reason why I’ve been ducking you, too.”

  She shouldn’t ask. She knew she shouldn’t, and yet she heard herself saying, “And why is that?”

  “Because I can’t stop thinking about you.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  He knew he shouldn’t be outside with her, knew he should stay by Laurel, yet he couldn’t seem to stop himself when he’d watched her slip outside.

  “Ryan—”

  “No,” he said. “Let me just say what I came out here to say.”

  She stared straight ahead, her profile softly lit by the tiny lights outside.

  “I can’t stop thinking about our kiss, Jorie. I know I should forget about it. Know I should forget about you, but I can’t seem to help myself.”

  “I should go back inside,” she said, trying to turn away.

  He caught her hand before she could flee. “I promised Laurel I’d be faithful, but damned if I can keep my promise.”

  “Ryan,” she said again.

  He knew he shouldn’t do it. Knew it went against everything he’d promised Laurel—Laurel who stood inside, no doubt pretending to laugh and enjoy herself, although as miserable as he was inside. Maybe that’s why he pulled Jorie toward him. Just one moment of happiness. One moment to pretend everything was all right. She’d driven him crazy all damn night. That outfit she wore. The sexy way it exposed her shoulder… He leaned down, did what he’d fantasized about doing all night, kissed the bare skin that shirt revealed.

  “Ryan.”

  He didn’t dare kiss her lips, knowing that if he did, he’d lose himself in th
e taste of her, lose his control. Instead he placed butterfly kisses upon the line of her collarbone, wanting, craving, needing to have her.

  “Oh, Ryan,” she moaned.

  He found the line of her neck next, dragging his tongue upward until he hit her lips. He heard her gasp. Ryan knew he could have her, knew he could lead her away someplace and she’d follow.

  He didn’t dare.

  His teeth found her ear. He nibbled it, licked it, suckled it and she groaned all over again. It was all he’d allow himself to do, this slow torment, the exquisite taste of her, the touch of his lips against her soft skin. He felt her shift, felt her arm move, her hands slip between his arms and pull him up against her. He leaned back, sucked in a breath.

  They hugged.

  That was all they did. Ryan felt her heart beat through his shirt. His own heart raced just as quickly. He breathed in the scent of her, tightened his arms, closed his eyes. He could have held her all night. Could have been happy just doing that.

  He shouldn’t.

  “Damn it.” He stepped back. “This is crazy.”

  “I’m sorry,” he heard her say.

  She was sorry? It was his fault.

  “I think we should stay away from each other in the future.”

  She was stepping backward, away from him, her silhouette slowly fading away. He let her go. He had to let her go.

  He turned and clutched the rail, breathing deeply until the scent of her disappeared. Lord, he didn’t think he could do this. Watching her go back inside had been hell.

  “It’s Jorie.”

  He jerked around, surprised to see another silhouette in the darkness. “Laurel,” he said softly.

  She stepped forward, some of the lighting from the lawn catching her face and illuminating her disappointment.

  “My dad mentioned how pretty she was, how she could be a distraction, but I didn’t think…”

  He lifted his hands. “I swear. All we’ve done is kissed.”

  “You kissed her?”

  He wasn’t going to lie. “The day we got engaged. I kissed her. That was the only time.”

  “And what do you call tonight?”

  He turned and clutched the rail. “Temptation.”

  “Wait,” Laurel said. “You kissed her the day we got engaged and she’s still talking to you?”

  “She understands.”

  Laurel laughed, but it wasn’t a laugh of amusement. It was amusement tinged with bitterness. “You’re sorely mistaken if you believe that.”

  “No, she does.” He scratched at his forehead. “I told her everything, Laurel. She knows you’re pregnant. Knows it’s Thad’s child. Knows our engagement is a sham.”

  “It’s not a sham.”

  He whirled. “Yes, Laurel, it is. Don’t pretend it’s not.”

  There was sufficient light for him to see her shake her head. “You promised you’d try and make this work.”

  “Yes,” he said. “I did.”

  “At least until after the baby’s born.”

  “And I’ll abide by my promise, Laurel. I will. I just saw Jorie here tonight, saw her with Sam, saw them talking and I—”

  “—got jealous,” Laurel finished for him.

  “Something like that.”

  “You couldn’t keep your eyes off her.”

  He winced. If she’d noticed that, Lyle probably did, too. Crap, his mom might have noticed, too. She’d been frowning at him all night.

  “It won’t happen again.”

  She sighed. He could clearly hear it in the darkness. “And if it does?”

  “It won’t.”

  She grew quiet again. Ryan thought about going back inside. What more was there left to say? He’d blown it. Big-time. Laurel had caught him red-handed. Maybe he should leave until the day of the wedding.

  And what about after the wedding?

  “Damn,” he muttered.

  “Maybe we really should call the whole thing off.”

  “What?”

  “Ryan, you’re not the only one bothered by all the lies.” She turned to face the lawn, resting her arms against the white railing. “I never expected this to turn into something so big. First the engagement ring. Then shopping for gifts. Now this darn party. I’ve been trying to tell myself it’s no big deal, but it is a big deal, especially when my fiancé is in love with another woman.”

  “In love?” he huffed. “Laurel, don’t be ridiculous. I hardly know her.”

  “I hardly knew Thad.”

  “And look where that ended.”

  Once the words were out, he wished them back. He didn’t want to hurt Laurel, but he knew his observation had to sting.

  “I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, but the thought of Jorie and I being in love, it’s silly.”

  “Only if you don’t believe in love at first sight.”

  “Okay, how much champagne did you consume?”

  She’d been standing next to him but she turned to face him then, a hand touching his arm. “I don’t know if you’re in love with Jorie or not. Like you said, who am I to be the judge? But I do know I’m finding it harder and harder to look my father in the eye. It kills me to lie to him. The other day he asked me about Thad and I had to tell him I broke up with him.”

  “Yeah, he mentioned that to me.”

  “And now this thing with Jorie.” She shook her head. “I feel like I’m Alice gone down the rabbit hole. The deeper I go, the worse it gets.”

  “I feel the same way.”

  She was quiet again. For some reason, Ryan held his breath.

  “I don’t think I can do this.”

  “Frankly, I don’t think I can either.”

  It was a big, stupid mess. “Yeah, but confessing the truth to my dad scares the crap out of me.”

  “Me, too.” He waited a heartbeat, hoping she’d say the words, and when she didn’t he said, “But we have to do it, Laurel.”

  He didn’t think she’d agree. Felt disappointment slide through his insides. But to his surprise, a moment later she replied, “We have to break it off.”

  “We do,” he said softly. She’d come to her senses. Thank God she’d come to her senses.

  “He’s going to be furious,” Laurel said. “Especially when he finds out I’m pregnant.”

  “Just as long as he knows I’m not the father.”

  She bristled. “Of course. I’ll tell him that’s why I broke things off, because I couldn’t stomach marrying you when I was carrying another man’s child. He’ll understand.”

  The relief he felt was so great his legs nearly gave out. Only then did he admit how much he’d been dreading his marriage, how much he’d been hoping she’d let him go.

  “Thanks, Laurel.”

  “Can I keep the ring for another day? Just for tonight. It might look funny if I go back inside without it.”

  “You can have the damn ring.”

  She laughed a little. “I don’t want it.” He sensed rather than saw her mood grow more serious. “Your mom’s going to hate me.”

  “No, she won’t.”

  He turned to her. She faced him, too. This was how it used to be between them. Friends.

  “I’ll pay her back for the party.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. We can afford it.”

  She stood up on tiptoe, kissed his cheek. “Thanks for everything, Ryan.” She stood back. “I’m so sorry I dragged you into this whole mess.”

  He was sorry, too, but at least she’d come to her senses before it was too late.

  “Take care, Laurel.”

  “You take care, too.” She socked him playfully in the arm. “Now. Go on after that pretty woman of you
rs. I have a feeling she’ll be glad to hear the news.”

  “You know,” he said, smiling, “she just might.”

  * * *

  SHE HAD TO leave the party early.

  Jorie knew it was rude, knew Odelia would undoubtedly look for her at some point, but she couldn’t stomach sticking around for another minute, not when she would have to watch Ryan be there…with Laurel.

  So she got in her car and drove back to her house, all the while thinking how ridiculous it was to long for someone she barely even knew. What did she know about him, really, other than that he was a man of his word, and that he put others above his own needs, and that his touch did things to her that she’d never felt before.

  “Dumb, dumb, dumb,” she said, banging on her steering wheel when she pulled up in front of her place. What she needed to do was throw herself into her work. Maybe if she did that, the yearning she felt—and, yes, her jealousy of Laurel—would go away.

  Who was she kidding?

  What was the saying? she thought, opening her car door and slipping into the warm night air. People always wanted what they couldn’t have, and Ryan would never be hers.

  Something pressed against her leg, something that startled her at first until she realized it was the dog Ryan called Brat. The white portion of its coat stood out in the darkness thanks to a nearly full moon, including the tip of his tail, as if someone had dipped it in a bucket of paint, the end swinging from side to side.

  “Thief,” she told the dog, though she found herself kneeling down next to him nonetheless, stuffing her car keys in her pocket along the way. She’d never had a pet before. Not because she didn’t want one, but because her life had never allowed for one. She’d left home at seventeen, started college early, earned a degree in business through sheer force of will while waiting tables at a local diner. She’d opened Wedding Belles on a shoestring budget, and with a lot of hard work, had made it one of the most successful businesses in town—until the recession hit and took everything away, including the home she’d been saving up for. Nope. No time for a pet, and no place for one, either.