No. Sally wasn’t my type. Ridley absolutely was.
Sally shook her head and covered her lips. Then she laughed. “Seriously, no, though if he’d shown interest in any half the women in town, they might have dropped their families and run right over.”
No one in town ever aroused me like Ridley had.
Aaron was very much alive in my memories, and he’d spent hours cheering me up after Dora had died, only to lose his own life. I crossed my arms to explain. “Sally-”
She took Ridley’s hands in hers. “Anyhow, I came here to invite you into the women’s society.”
Her eyebrows widened. “Society?”
My mother’s old position. My shoulders slumped. This was fast.
Ridley didn’t have to be anything like my mother, but Sally said, “We mostly run fundraisers for the local school or some bigger benefits. Carter’s mom started our group though we focused on more local charities after she passed.”
My mother ran the group like it was more important to her than her family. We held more political dinners over mashed potatoes than most people might ever understand, and I asked, “Do I need to give an answer right now on the invitation to go?”
“No, not at all,” Sally said and then slipped a business card out of her back pocket while she spoke. “Take your time. We meet the fourth Sunday of every month. Here is my card.”
Ridley took it. “Thanks.”
Sally turned to go but then stopped and handed me the small bag she had. “Almost forgot, here is your ring, which was the main reason I stopped over.”
“Thanks, Sally.”
Sally nodded. “I volunteered so Yvette could get home to her son. Now y’all get some sleep as we’ll see you at the funeral tomorrow.”
Tomorrow, we would be out in public together. Ridley trembled but soon settled. “Bye, Sally. I’ll call you in a few days once I’m more settled in.”
Sally headed out the door and waved as she said, “Of course. Night y’all.”
We walked back to the kitchen and she asked, “Who was that?”
The widow of a friend who I lost on a mission. Her husband was one of the five reasons I’d never actually be happy again. I pressed my hand to my heart.
“I served with Sally’s husband. We joined the Navy together.”
I couldn’t mention Aaron, Dora, or anyone else who died on my watch. It felt wrong.
Ridley opened the refrigerator and asked, “Friends are nice to meet. Was he home with the children she mentioned?”
I stalled. “He’s… buried in a grave at the cemetery where we're going tomorrow.”
She stood in front of me with her head down. “What time is the funeral?”
“In the morning.” I patted her shoulder and then shoved the bag toward her. “Put your ring on.”
I heard her stomach grumble, but she put it on. “I feel guilty for being happy.”
I kissed her forehead and then said, “They’d want us working together to help with Chelsea.”
“Right.” She said without looking at me. I corralled some chicken and bread to make us some sandwiches. It took her a few seconds, but she joined me and snatched an avocado and started cutting it. “That’s the deal, but I’m still reeling from the bedroom.”
I shoved the bread in front of her. “Speaking of, I didn’t use a condom. That’s never happened before.”
She nodded and continued to cut the avocado. “We discussed having children.”
She made the simple chores somehow more fun. The avocado seemed a brighter green to me. I waited for her to put the knife down and leaned beside her. “We did, but if you want to do something different, we can.”
“I know the options.” She didn’t blink as she stared at me. “I’m a nurse.”
I put the rest of the chicken and the bread back to where they belonged and asked, “Are you on the pill?”
“No.” She rubbed the back of her head and shook it. “It always made me hormonal and I’ve been on a long dry spell.”
My shoulders widened. I didn’t need another man coming to claim the woman who was now mine, but I asked, “When was the last guy?”
She put the sandwiches on plates and nudged one at me. “Are we trading info?”
“Sure,” I said and quickly ate.
She took her time with a few bites. Once she put down half her dinner, she said, “I’ve had some boyfriends, nothing serious, and none of them did what you did to me in there.”
Pride swelled in my chest. I put my plate away as she finished her sandwich. “Well, no more boyfriends and clearly you had bad choices.”
She finished and put her plate away. I grabbed the fruit tray to bring to my room as she asked, “What about you?”
We walked the halls, but I said, “In the SEALs, I had a girlfriend. She died the hour I broke up with her.”
She opened the door and I put the tray on the dresser.
“I’m so sorry. That had to be horrifying.”
“Dora deserved better.” Until now, I’d never talked about her with anyone. I traced her arm. Touching her sent a thrill through me. Her smooth skin sent shock ways, but I said, “And before Dora and the Seal, I was wild, which is what you probably heard about me at Bernie and Chloe’s wedding. I could have anything or anyone I wanted. I learned to be… discerning.”
She crossed her arms and pretended she wasn’t interested. “Any diseases?”
I widened my stance and she gave me a once over. Goosebumps grew on my arm, but I smiled to keep our tone light. “No, ma’am. You?”
Her eyebrow arched. “Never call me ma’am.”
I stepped closer to her. “Yes, Sunshine.”
She pressed her hands on my chest and I decided to coax her into a better mood. “Okay, the answer is no.”
I helped her take off my t-shirt and tossed mine on the floor next to it. “We probably should have had that conversation first.”
She shrugged and untied her pants, stripping down. “Yeah, but I didn’t ask when I signed the contract and had a clear head. It might be… nice… to have a baby, and since you offered, I made the right assumptions.”
I ripped my clothes off and wrapped my arms around her naked body. “Let’s see what happens when we get back in that bed.”
Ridley had something about her that captivated me like a moth to a flame. I drew her lips for a kiss and my entire body had tingled from her kiss. She roared me to life. As it ended, she cupped my cheek. “You’re insatiable.”
I led her to lie down on the bed. “Only for you.”
That was the truth. No other woman in my life made the evening so vibrant and alive and colorful. Ridley was something special, someone I didn’t deserve, but craved.
And she was mine.
Chapter 10
Ridley
The moment the sun was in the air, I knew today was different. Somehow, the air was still and quiet, without a speck of wind brushing against the house. However, the mood became clear when Carter delivered a black dress for me.
I hadn’t ordered or picked anything out, but the color alone meant today was the day. I was needed. So no more daydreaming of dreams come true, not when Chelsea needed us. I prayed I was strong enough to be of help.
I had no idea where the dress came from, but I mumbled, “Thanks.”
Giving thanks when I was going to a funeral also seemed off. My stomach twisted and I tried to see straight. Carter hadn’t promised forever. I knew that, so I tried to be practical. I hopped in the shower and dressed.
Carter wasn’t there when I came out. But I found on the bed a shoebox with heels in my size. Another wonder, as honestly, he’d not had time to shop either, but I slipped them on and noticed the red bottom of the shoe.
I’d never even thought I'd own heels this luxurious. I checked my dress fit right. Time to go. I squared my shoulders and headed out of the room.
I heard Carter and his father down the hall, near the living room, but I headed toward Chelsea’s bedroom.
We weren’t in love and the deal was to be here for my best friend’s daughter, not fulfill carnal desires. A moment later, I knocked and asked through the door, “Are you dressed, Chelsea?”
She flung open the door, dressed in a black dress, but holding her stomach until she hugged me, “I’m glad you’re here.”
For a moment, neither of us moved. I’d promised to take care of her, so I waited until she stood straighter and then waved for her to join the men. “Let’s get going.”
None of us said anything, but I saw how Chelsea hugged both men and then took a seat next to Carter’s dad.
We walked to a waiting limo. Here we were, going to mourn my best friend, Chelsea’s parents, but now I wore designer clothes and had a diamond on my finger. Reality was stark and strange. None of this seemed real.
I took Chelsea’s hand as she was real and I was here for her. Until recently, marrying Carter and knowing his naked body had been fantasies that kept me running through hospital ER wards.
I was living in an alternate reality now, but I wasn’t comfortable with whatever I needed appearing for me. No one had popped my bubble of illusion, but I knew I needed to get my head back on straight.
We’d never agreed this was because we were knee-deep in love. We were getting married because it was practical.
So I headed into the funeral home on cemetery grounds, but I somehow snuck into this family unit, next to the most handsome man ever. Seriously, this wasn’t my life.
I held Chelsea’s hand, but she let me go and went to hug girls her age.
I scanned the room and saw Frank, my lawyer, and my eyes widened.
Carter hugged my side and must have seen me as he asked, “Who's that man?”
If Frank told my sister Indigo before I did, then she’d tell all my sisters and family. He worked full-time for her husband so he’d be obligated. I tugged my ear. “My lawyer… let me go speak to him.”
Carter went to the front of the room and grabbed seats with his father.
I stood in the back and asked, “Frank, what’s going on?”
Sally and her two children, a boy and girl Chelsea’s age, went to say hello to Carter and his family.
I folded my hands in front of me as Frank said, “Your sister was worried about you and asked me to check in. She assumed you’d be here for the funeral.”
Reality crashed. I wasn’t a peppy, happy woman who gets what she wants. I simply nodded. “Tell her I’ll call with news today.”
Frank didn’t react. “Once the ceremony is over, of course. Do you need any more legal help?”
I shook my head. “No, I think I got…” But I stopped and took out my phone from my new pocketbook that matched the dress and had been waiting for me like I was some princess, then met his gaze and asked, “Actually can you read over the prenup I signed and give me the highlights?”
His face went white. “You signed?”
Another mistake, but then I was used to making those. I found the file and AirDropped it to his number. “It’s what’s best for Chelsea.”
His phone beeped as he said, “Very well, send me the files.”
I pointed to his pocket. “Check your phone.”
He accepted my message and stepped back. “I’ll discreetly read on my phone during the ceremony.”
Right.
The minister went to the front and I rushed forward and scooted around Carter to sit on Chelsea’s other side.
Carter smelled of woodsy cologne and he asked, “What’s going on?”
Our legs brushed.
I kept my head down and my words low so few would hear us as the preacher spoke. “I’ve not called all my sisters and checked in. My family is worried about me.”
Chelsea teared up and I hugged her. She was why I was here, not Carter.
She wiped her eyes and I sat back, but then Carter asked me, “So they send lawyers after you?”
“Yeah.” I glanced up and saw his gaze narrowed. “He works for-"
“Jacob Donovan,” He supplied.
We stood up to sing. Chelsea stuck to our sides like glue, so for a few minutes, we just sang the hymn.
Carter had a nice bass voice, but as the song ended, I asked, “You know him?”
He whispered in my ear as we retook our seats, “I’ve met your lawyer. How are you related to Jacob?”
My sister’s husband had sat with us a few weeks ago over grilled hamburgers and now they were in Europe on their honeymoon.
I shrugged. “He married my sister.”
“Jacob Donovan is ruthless in business.” His jaw was clenched. “You talked about wanting a big wedding. Is it because you want to compete with her?”
Huh? He lent me a big shot lawyer to come here and help with Chelsea. My heart thumped as I didn’t understand the accusation.
“No. I’d never win. Indigo is radiant, so I'd never want to try.”
His lips pressed together. “I see.”
My heart twisted in my chest. I had no idea what he meant, but I saw Chelsea in tears and went to hug her. “I’m here for you, Chelsea.”
Her tears on my shoulder were my reason, not money, not competition. I hugged her, though inside, adrenaline rushed in my veins.
Chelsea’s mumbled, “I want my mom and dad.”
“Of course you do. They’ll always love you.” I wiped her eyes and whispered, “But they’ll want you to live your life and make them proud. Your mom always bragged about your good grades and talked about how you loved soccer.”
She squeezed my hand.
Carter stared at us both but didn’t say anything.
Chelsea let out a long sigh and once her face was clean, she said, “I… that’s true. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want them to read to me when I go to bed.”
I squeezed her shoulder and asked, “Do you want me to read to you? I’ll never be as good, but we can try.”
She stared up at the coffins as the minister finished his prayers. “Yeah. Mom loved you.”
“She’ll always love you, Chelsea.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “And you’ll carry her in your heart.”
The service ended and she let out a sigh. She was oblivious to well-wishers and said, “Thanks. I’m going to go and walk with Hudson.”
“He’d like that,” I said and we all proceeded to the burial ground.
Carter carried his friend.
I followed behind Chelsea.
At the burial, we all gathered around the graves and the priest spoke again.
Chelsea held my hand and Hudson’s. I held Carters and this togetherness seemed right, even if it wasn’t.
They lowered Chloe’s body and I prayed. For a moment, I didn’t move at all. I was alone and that was fine. I kept my eyes closed. I hope she knew I loved her and was here to help now.
My skin was electrified like somehow Chloe was here. I blinked and let that sense go. Near me, Carter had some men to talk to, and Hudson spoke to his peers. And beside Hudson, Chelsea hugged her friends.
I stood, unsure where to go, but then Sally came over to me and threw her arms around me. “You already fit together as a family.”
I tugged my dress back in order. “Nice to see you again, Sally.”
She squeezed my shoulder. “If any of you need anything, call me.”
Once she left, Carter, with his hand on his chest, came over and whispered in my ear. “You’re handling the whole funeral like a lady.”
I glanced over my shoulder at him and patted his hand. “I’m missing my best friend. Chelsea still wants her mom, but thank you.”
"Of course she does,” Carter said fast. “But she has you, so at least that’s something.”
Another man came toward us and he let me go. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Loneliness hit me and I called out, “Carter?”
“Yeah?” He paused.
His shoulders weren’t as tall, and my instincts guided me. I fixed his tie. “You had nothing to do with any of this. We weren
’t there.”
He kissed my cheek. “For this one, yeah.”
“We’ll talk when we get home.”
Once again, everyone knew everyone here, except me. I backed up but then met Frank, who said, “Ms. Steel.”
My nose wrinkled. After our daily task of speeding through custody forms, I thought we were closer. “Frank, you know to call me Ridley.”
He kept his head down. “I read the prenup.”
I sucked in my bottom lip and glanced at Carter. He shook hands with some men. He had my heart in his hands and he didn’t even know it. I blinked and focused back at Frank. “And?”
He spoke in a low voice. “If you cheat on him, you’re out with nothing. No matter how long you are married.”
He had to be joking. He was the one who could have anyone. Maybe that was normal in a prenup, but I ignored the twist in my gut that whispered we needed to talk more, and just said, “I get it.”
“There is more.”
“What else?”
We huddled so no one overheard us. “If you divorce him and he doesn’t agree, you’re also not getting any alimony.”
Goosebumps grew on my arms. I wasn’t here for money, anyhow. “Okay.”
“The allowance is generous enough that staying married would be prudent.”
I took out my phone and scanned the electronic document. Ten thousand a month was more than we agreed. My heart and body had a zap rush through them.
Did this crazy high number mean he wanted to be married for life?
My mind buzzed as I never earned that much and I put too much stock into details that probably didn’t mean what I hoped.
I stared at Frank and put my phone back in my bag. “I hadn’t… okay, what else?”
“And if he divorces you, the settlements are decent. I wish you’d spoken to me before signing.”
Carter’s conversation with the men ended. I should get back there.
I put my hand out to shake. “I… thanks for everything, Frank.”
He called out as I took a step forward. “No worries.”
I waved goodbye and retook my place beside Carter. We guarded Chelsea from too much intrusion by well-wishers.
When we had a moment alone, he asked, “What did your lawyer tell you?”
Wicked Cowboy (Steel Series Book 4) Page 7
