The Texas Rancher's Vow: The Texas Rancher's VowFound: One Baby

by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  Jen marched closer, looking sexier than ever. Her plump lower lip slid out. “I never asked for that.”

  Matt tried but could not quite keep the exasperation from his voice. “I thought you’d be happy!”

  She propped her fists on her hips. “In what universe?” she practically shouted. “I mean, wasn’t it enough that you took it upon yourself to order a new transmission and all the belts and hoses and stuff replaced?” Her voice, still accusing, dropped a notch. “Which, by the way, you didn’t tell me about, either.”

  Suddenly as frustrated with her as she was with him, Matt replied, “I didn’t figure that I had to tell you.” Taking advantage of their proximity, he leaned down until they were nose to nose. “I assumed it would be a given, since it would be completely impractical to keep the worn-out belts and hoses when you’re putting in a brand-new radiator and transmission.” He straightened slowly and continued in a tone meant to annoy her, “Unless, of course, you like having car trouble?”

  She folded her arms and glared at him contentiously. “That was my decision.”

  Ignoring the erratic intake of her breath and the clear definition of her breasts beneath the clinging cotton tank, he shrugged. “Then I stand corrected.”

  “Furthermore—” Jen’s brows lowered over her long-lashed eyes “—the fact that you took charge of my repairs and paid for all of it has tongues wagging all over town.”

  He regarded her with silent derision, still not seeing what the big deal was. He was proud of what they felt for each other. “So people know that I…that we’re…”

  Undeterred, she interrupted sharply. “Can’t put a label on it, can you, Matt?”

  “Do you want us to put a label on it?” he countered, in a tone that was just as challenging.

  Shock turned to wariness. Jen swallowed. Stepped back. “Heavens, no!”

  Matt blinked. “Then?”

  Another silence fell, this one more palpable.

  Matt struggled to get to the source of the problem. “Is this because I got you car repairs instead of a diamond necklace?” Some women wanted only highly romantic gifts, he knew. He hadn’t figured Jen was one of them. Had he been wrong?

  She aimed a lethal look his way. “I don’t want a diamond necklace from you!”

  Okay, that was insulting. Matt scrubbed a hand over his face. “Why not?”

  Wasn’t he good enough? Was she not serious enough about him to accept such a gift, even though he was damn serious about her? He’d thought just the fact that they were making love demonstrated some level of commitment. At least it had on his part. That she hadn’t wanted to spell it out was okay with him; he didn’t particularly want to jinx things by talking it to death, especially this early in the game. Nor had he minded her wanting to take things day by day. He knew it was how she operated. Matt, on the other hand, was always thinking long term even when he wasn’t talking that way.

  Jen threw up her hands, still struggling to make him understand the root of her feminine fury. “Because it’s impractical! And I’m not a diamond necklace kind of woman.”

  He got that. She didn’t seem to be much for designer anything. And that was okay with him, too. He liked a woman who valued what was truly important. Like transportation. “So, when you get a gift, you prefer something less…decorative.”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I was right,” he theorized bluntly. “Car repairs are a good gift.”

  Jen clasped her hands on top of her head and groaned dramatically.

  He grinned, amused despite himself. When this was all over, and hopefully, it would be soon, he was going to kiss her until they both couldn’t think of anything but making love again.

  She made a face. “Matt, you’re missing the point.”

  It was his turn to groan out loud. They were so far from kissing again it wasn’t funny. “Then what is the point?” he asked with building frustration.

  She came closer. Drew a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. “You don’t need to be giving me a gift at all.”

  Oh, really. Well, he could be stubborn, too. And in this, he did not like to be told what he could or could not do. Especially by the woman he was completely fascinated with. “Suppose I want to give you a gift?” Suppose I want to show you how I feel? He lifted his eyebrows, daring her. “Then what?”

  Jen scoffed. “Then nothing, because I don’t want one. So—don’t.”

  She stared at him.

  He stared back.

  “Look.” Matt tried one more time to reason with her. “You can’t be driving back and forth from Austin in a vehicle that could break down at any time and leave you stranded out in the middle of nowhere, possibly with no cell phone reception. You tried that already, remember? The night it stormed? It wasn’t exactly fun, was it?”

  She huffed. “You can’t control everything, Matt. You can’t control this, and you can’t control me.”

  He damn well could keep her safe! “Want to bet?”

  Jen looked as if she wanted to deck him. “You’re not helping your case.”

  Neither was she, Matt thought, aware that this was their first real argument as a couple.

  Emmett walked in, disapproval etched on his face. “What the devil is going on here? I can hear you bickering all the way down the hall.”

  Briefly, Jen explained, making it sound as if Matt had been purposefully trying to undermine her.

  Emmett frowned at him. “Obviously, you made a mistake, son.”

  “Ha!” Jen said, perking up immediately.

  Emmett eased into a wing chair and sat with one hand tucked beneath his hat, the other worrying the brim. “You don’t paint a woman’s vehicle without asking her what color she wants it to be painted. Plus, if you did that, you probably should have replaced the interior carpeting and seat covers and so on as well, instead of just having what was there detailed.”

  Jen groaned and clapped her hands over her ears. “Seriously? That’s what you understand the problem to be?” She whirled on Emmett in turn.

  So it’s not just me who is clueless here, Matt thought, happy to have his father thinking along the same chivalrous lines.

  Emmett shrugged. “Well, unless…” He peered at Jen, considering. “You wanted a diamond necklace?”

  She muttered something about “idiots” and “too much money” and “the real world” that Matt was glad neither he nor his father could completely decipher.

  Frowning at Jen this time, Emmett suggested in fatherly concern, “Whether it was the gift you wanted or not, maybe you should just appreciate it.”

  Her eyes widened and she made a low, disgruntled sound.

  Matt groaned. “Dad, stop helping me.”

  Emmett persisted anyway, lecturing Jen the same way he usually lectured Matt. “It’s not polite to look a gift horse in the mouth, Jen.”

  She lifted an autocratic brow. “You’re absolute right—it isn’t. You know what else isn’t polite?” Jen fumed. “Overstepping your bounds! Meddling in someone else’s life!” Eyes glittering, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.

  Matt blew out a gusty breath and sank down in a chair opposite his father. So much for thinking he understood Jen, even a little bit.

  * * *

  JEN WAS STILL FURIOUS hours later when she drove over to the Last Chance Ranch. “Thanks so much for picking up my gown,” she told Emily. “You saved me a trip back to town.” That had been another hour or more that she’d been able to sculpt. Not that she’d concentrated all that well. She’d been thinking about Matt and his presumptuousness, and what that likely meant in their future dealings with each other.

  “No problem.” Emily carried the carefully wrapped ball gown out to Jen’s van. Together, they laid it in the back, so the delicate chiffon and lace wouldn’t get mussed. “I had to pick up mine, too…and besides, I knew you were coming out here to photograph the mustangs.”

  Jen smiled. “It’s a perfect day for it.”

  Em
ily waited for her to get her camera out. “You excited about the West Texas Ranchers Association gala? Or dreading it?”

  Jen looped her Nikon around her neck. Together, they walked toward the pasture. “I have mixed emotions. Black-tie balls are not really my thing.”

  “I used to feel the same way—it’s a bummer, having to go to a dance if you’re unattached.” Emily grinned, a small smile on her face. “Now, of course, it’s different. I love having the chance to get all dressed up, dance with my husband and spend the night with him in a four-star hotel.”

  There was no doubt Emily and Dylan were deeply in love. “That does sound nice,” Jen murmured.

  Immediately, she thought about Matt. He would look so handsome in a tux. The epitome of masculine gallantry.

  Jen had been fantasizing about the ball—and their first “real” date, which was supposed to follow.

  Now, of course, given how they had argued…

  Emily studied Jen. “You seem a little down.”

  She aimed her camera at the three mustangs currently in the corral—a big paint, smaller gray and a beautiful black horse. All were sleek and strong and would serve as great models for the sculpture she was going to donate to the fundraiser for the boys ranch.

  “Is everything okay?” Emily pressed, looking concerned.

  Jen shrugged. “It’s been quite a week. My two best friends just had a baby.”

  Emily stepped back to give Jen room to work. “That’s always hard if it’s what you want and you’re nowhere close to getting it.”

  Unfortunately, it was what Jen wanted, and worse, she wished she could have Matt as her baby daddy. How premature and foolishly romantic was that?

  Sighing, she moved along the fence to shoot the horses from another angle. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m really happy for Cy and Celia.” Baby Cassandra was gorgeous and healthy, the culmination of their dreams.

  “Just sad for yourself, and that’s okay. You’re entitled to the whole range of feelings.”

  Jen’s range of feelings regarding Matt were what kept getting her in trouble.

  “What else is happening?” Emily persisted. “How’s your love life going?”

  Jen grimaced. “Badly.”

  “Really? That’s not the impression I got the last time I saw you and Matt together.”

  Figuring she had enough photos, at least for now, Jen put the lens cover back on her camera and explained what had happened with the van.

  “Yeah, I heard about that,” Emily said wryly. “Everyone in town has. Probably going county wide as we speak, given how ‘eligible’ a bachelor Matt is. And how wealthy and handsome and nice and so on.”

  Jen walked with her back toward the ranch house. “I already got one sermon today, on how lucky I am to have Matt interfering in my life.”

  Emily chuckled. “And you’re pissed.”

  Jen followed her inside the ranch house. “Wouldn’t you be?”

  “Absolutely.” She took a couple bottles of sparkling water out of the fridge and handed one to Jen. “What is it about men—my dad and brothers included—that makes them think we need them to rescue us? It must be in their DNA.”

  Jen uncapped her bottle and took a long drink. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand. “Rich men are worse. No offense.”

  Emily grinned. “None taken.”

  “But?” Jen prodded, seeing something else in her friend’s eyes.

  Emily pulled out a chair. “Sure you’re not overreacting?” she asked as she sat down at the kitchen table, clearly ready for a heart-to-heart. “I mean, I know it’s a lot of money to you and me, but to someone of Matt Briscoe’s wealth, what he spent on your van is penny ante change.”

  As Emmett had pointed out.

  Jen sighed and took the chair opposite. “My feelings should still matter.”

  Emily rested her chin on her fist. “Just as the Briscoes’ feelings should matter to you. I know you two come from different walks of life, but consider giving them the benefit of the doubt, and try meeting them halfway.”

  As much as Jen was loath to admit it, she knew Emily was right. This wasn’t all about the van, much as she wanted to pretend that it was. It was about her past, her issues. And the sooner she leveled with Matt about that, the better off they would be.

  * * *

  “GOT A MINUTE?”

  Matt looked up from the spreadsheets covering his desk.

  Jen was standing in the doorway. Looking more beautiful—and hesitant—than ever.

  A protectiveness he wasn’t used to feeling welled up within him. Being thrust into the middle of the constant tension between him and his dad hadn’t been easy for her, but she was handling it.

  And what had he done in return?

  Trampled—albeit unwittingly—over her boundaries.

  He stood and welcomed her into the room. “For the record, I understand I crossed the line.” It was way too early in their relationship—especially with a woman like Jen—for him to be giving expensive presents. A fact that, when he’d taken the time to consider it, made him admire her all the more.

  Reluctantly, he offered, “So if you want to put together some sort of repayment plan…” Even though I’d still rather pay for it and consider it my first step in watching out for you….

  Relief softened her slender frame. “I do. Thanks, Matt.”

  He wasn’t surprised by her decision but he was a little disappointed. He had hoped that if he met her halfway, the barriers would start to come down, and she would meet him halfway, too. Allow him to assist her financially, or in whatever way she needed, a little more. Instead, she was clinging to her independence as fiercely now as when she had met him.

  Still, they had slept together…and were still spending time with each other.

  She had confided in him and let him be close to her in other ways, too. That was something. And for now, that would have to do.

  Slowly, he closed the distance between them and took her into his arms. “So we’re okay?” he asked, brushing the hair from her face.

  She didn’t pull away.

  The corners of her sexy lips curved slightly and a warm look entered her eyes. “I’m not ticked off anymore.”

  He luxuriated in the feminine softness of her slender body resting lightly against his. The silky texture of the tousled chestnut hair brushing her bare shoulders. “That’s nice to hear.” Almost as nice as it was to see her here again, on the ranch.

  She hadn’t been gone all that long, but it was too quiet—and way too lonely—without her.

  Jen splayed her hands across his chest. “And I want to apologize, too.” She played with the buttons on his shirt, then looked up at him sincerely. “For flying off the handle the way I did.” She shook her head, lips twisting in regret as she searched his face. “I could have told you how I felt without losing my temper.”

  There she went, using politeness as a shield again.

  “It’s okay to lose your temper, Jen.” Okay to not be perfectly cordial and emotionally contained.

  She took a breath, stepped back. “I don’t want to.” She walked across the room, on the pretext of looking at a picture of him and his father. “I want my life to run smoothly, to always be on an even keel.”

  Needing to understand, Matt settled on the edge of his desk. “And yet something about what I did triggered a reaction from you that you couldn’t control.” He reached for her, pulled her close.

  This time Jen didn’t fight it.

  She nodded in acknowledgment and with a sigh, wreathed her arms around his neck. “The van hasn’t always been just a source of comfort and continuity to me.” She grimaced. “It’s also been a source of contention.”

  Matt massaged the tense muscles of her shoulders. “How so?”

  She compressed her lips. “My previous in-laws hated it. I mean, really hated it. They wouldn’t even let me park it in front of their house.”

  “That was pretty snotty.”

  Jen let out a
shudder. “If it was on the property at all, it had to be hidden in the garage, with the door shut, and they didn’t even like that.”

  The hurt in her voice killed him. “So me having it painted…” Matt said slowly.

  Jen flushed and averted her glance self-consciously. “Made me wonder if you weren’t a little put off by its age and general condition, too.” She lifted a hand before he could defend his actions.

  Her expression serious, she continued, “I know you drive your old pickup, the one you got for your sixteenth birthday, but that’s different.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and brought her in closer. “How?”

  She ran her fingers thoughtfully over his chest. “It’s a classic. And it’s perfectly maintained and painted. The interior is still really nice.” She sighed almost wistfully as her hand finally stilled. “Plus you’re a cowboy, so you’re sort of expected to be attached to your horse and your truck and your ranch.”

  She made it sound so romantic. And Matt sensed, in a way, it was.

  Aware that females didn’t usually get attached to old vehicles the way a lot of guys did, Matt ran a hand down her arm. “I don’t mind that you drive a van,” he said, luxuriating in the drift of lilac perfume. “I just wanted you to be comfortable.”

  “And safe.” Jen twisted her lips. “I know.”

  He studied her, sifting his hand through her hair. “But there’s more to it than that, isn’t there?”

  Her elegant eyebrows knitted together. “It just brought home to me how different our lives have been…and are likely to continue to be.”

  Matt could understand her caution. He still hated to see her sell herself short. “I don’t know about that. The cost of your sculptures is really going up. Soon, you’ll be able to splurge on any luxury you want and buy whatever type of automobile you choose. Heck, you can be like my dad, and have one for every occasion,” he joked.

  To Matt’s dismay, Jen remained uneasy, as if she didn’t think that would ever be the case.

  She released a soft, fatigued sigh. “Speaking of your dad, where is he? I’d like to apologize to him, too.”

  “If you want to do it in person, it will have to wait until tomorrow. He went on to Fort Worth.”