A Marriage By Chance

“I’m not a child, Flannery. I can handle Willie.” She eased down from the fence and tugged her pant legs in place over her boots. “If that’s all for now, I’ve got a meal to put together before I hitch the wagon and pick up my hay.”

“You get the meal together and I’ll hitch the wagon,” he countered smoothly. “If I’m paying for the hay, I want to see it first.” She stalked away and he watched her, admired the rounding of her hips beneath the denim pants, and privately agreed with Willie that she was, indeed, a good-looking female.

“I’ve been thinking,” Chloe said, watching as J.T. picked up the reins. The horses moved out at his bidding and she half turned to face him. “Maybe we need to hammer out an agreement.”

“Thought we’d already made some progress at that,” he said, lifting one booted foot to rest against the frame of the wagon. His trousers were snug, outlining his thigh, and Chloe tore her gaze from the sight.

“Hogan’s a good man. I want you to leave him in charge.”

He nodded. “All right. Up to a point.”

“A point?” she repeated. “What does that mean?”

“He’ll carry out my orders, and see that the men do as they’re told.”

“What about my orders?” she wanted to know. “I’m in the habit of meeting with Hogan every day, keeping up with things. Lots of days I ride with the men, work alongside them.”

“Not anymore,” he said shortly. “You’ve branded your last calf, lady. I caught sight of a scar on your hand that shouldn’t be there.”

She turned her hand over and examined it briefly. “I’ve got several. It comes with the job.” She outlined one that formed a neatly imprinted B on her palm. “I did this when I was sixteen. The first time Pa let me help in spring roundup.”

“You won’t wear another brand like that,” he said harshly. “You’re a woman, not a cowhand.”

“I’m a ranch owner,” she reminded him. “I won’t be treated like a fragile flower, Flannery. I can get banged up just as easily in the kitchen.” Her hand lifted to press against her stomach, and his eyes followed the gesture.

“Did you blister?” he asked quietly. “I didn’t think the coffee had drenched your shirt. Was I wrong?”

Chloe shook her head. “Just left a red spot. Nothing to talk about.” She rolled her fingers into a fist and rested it on her knee. “When Aunt Tilly comes back, I’ll be free to work outside all day, instead of just piecemeal.”

His jaw tightened as she watched. “There’s some of the work I’d rather you didn’t tackle,” he said. “I expect you’re good at training horses, and that’s one thing. Now, roping steers is another thing altogether.”

“I’ll bet you’ve got in mind letting me keep the books, haven’t you?” Her words oozed sarcasm as she thought about being penned up in the big office, adding and subtracting lines of numbers and, more often than not, coming out short. At least, that had been the situation for the past months.

“Maybe,” he said easily, ignoring her tone. “We’ll go over them together,” he told her. “Then decide from there.”

“There’s not much to decide on, right now,” she admitted unwillingly. “You might as well know the whole story, partner. There aren’t any funds available. My brother cleaned out the bank account when he left town. We’ll be operating on the cuff until fall roundup.”

“I figured as much,” he said, lifting the reins to crack them with a sharp sound, sending the team into a quick trot. The harness jangled and the wagon wheels rode roughly over the rutted town road. Chloe grabbed the side of the seat, holding herself in place.

“Peter’s young,” she said quietly. “Maybe too young for the pressure I put him under, trying to make him into a man.”

“How old is he?” He turned a harsh look in her direction. “I’d thought you were pretty close in age.”

“We’re twins,” she said shortly. “Twenty-two our last birthday.”

“And he’s young, but you’re not?” Skepticism coated the words.

“He didn’t take well to responsibility,” Chloe said quietly. “Ranching wasn’t his first choice.”

“What was?”

She was silent, weighing her words. And then she laughed, a humorless sound. “Let’s just say that anything involving hard work didn’t come easily to Peter. He might have done well if Pa had sent him East to school and he’d been able to learn a profession.”

“Bankers and lawyers work hard, Chloe,” J.T. reminded her. “There isn’t a job in the world that doesn’t take some elbow grease of one kind or another to accomplish. I think you’ve been protecting Pete long enough. You need to take a long look at him and recognize his faults.”

“His name is Peter. And I’m aware of his faults, thank you.” She sat upright, forsaking her relaxed stance on the seat.

“A man his age should have outgrown a boy’s name. When he turns into Pete and makes his own way in the world, I’ll be able to respect him.”

“Well, there’s not much chance you’ll be running into him again, is there? I’ll warrant he’s nowhere near Ripsaw Creek.”

“He’ll be back one day, mark my words,” J.T. growled. “When his grubstake runs out, he’ll show up like a bad penny.” His eyes flashed darkly as he glanced at her. “There’ll be hell to pay when that happens, Chloe. He lost his share of the ranch in a fair game, in front of witnesses. And you’re not giving him another slice of the pot.”

“Damn!” She shot the word in his direction, and ground her teeth together lest another follow in its wake. “You don’t have Boss Man printed across your forehead, Flannery. And being my partner doesn’t mean you control my share of the ranch.”

“We’re gonna butt heads over this, aren’t we?” His look was measuring as he drew the wagon to a stop in the middle of the road.

“What did you expect?” she asked. “That I’d sit here and have you tell me what to do? I don’t think so, Flannery. You can just take your orders and put ’em—”

He grabbed her arms, stepping on the reins with one boot, lest the horses take it in mind to move. His grip was firm and unmoving, long fingers sliding up to wrap around her shoulders. Then he drew her closer and she lost her balance, falling against him. His nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed as his glittering gaze scanned her startled face.

“Don’t say it,” he warned, his voice low, rasping against her hearing. “Don’t say one more word. Just keep your mouth shut.”

“Damn you!” The curse dared him, spurting in his direction from between clenched teeth, and he inhaled sharply, reaching further, his gaze on her full, lush lips.

“I said not another word,” he whispered, the sound seeming more hostile than a shout. And then his head bent, and she felt her eyes widen as he pressed his lips against hers. His mouth was hard, his lips firm, and she heard a low moan deep in her throat, an anguished cry that protested his touch.

“Hush,” he whispered, allowing her breathing space for a fraction of time that was barely long enough for her to inhale. And then his mouth was there again, softer this time, persuading her to his purpose, his lips warm and damp against hers.

His hands slid from their firm grip to encircle her back, and she was drawn across the seat, to lie precariously against his chest. Her fingers clutched for purchase, gripping handfuls of his shirt, and she fought for balance, aware that only his strength kept her from sliding to the floor beneath the seat.

“Haven’t you ever been kissed?” he asked quietly, easing his mouth from hers, his dark eyes surveying her.

She shook her head, aware of the flush that rose from her throat to cover her cheeks. Her heart thumped within her breast, an uneven rhythm that caught her attention. His hands held her in place, and she felt the heat of his body, even through the layers of clothing separating them.

“I’ll do better next time, Chloe. I’d hate to have you think this was the best I can manage.” His touch softened and he lifted her, settling her on the wagon seat, straightening the collar of her shirt with gentle hands.

Next time? She shivered. If this was any example of the man’s skill, she’d do well to steer clear of another demonstration.

“I expect you want an apology,” he said, his mouth twitching at one corner.

“I doubt if I’ll get one, will I?” Her lips tingled, her vision was blurred with a mist of tears and her hands were trembling as she clenched them into fists. And then as she caught a shuddering breath she heard the apology she’d not expected.

“I’m sorry I upset you,” he said. “But I can’t say I’m sorry I kissed you, Chloe. I’m just wishing it had been for another reason than to get you calmed down and settled.”

Well, he’d certainly failed at that. Calm? And settled? She’d never felt so discombobulated in her life.

Chapter Three