Chapter Eleven

Rachel

Luke returned that afternoon with several bags from a local department store, stuffed full of purchases and a wolfish grin on his face as he walked into the cabin. “That was a little more fun than I thought it would be.”

Rachel followed him into the bedroom. She’d spent the day dressed in his bathrobe. It was far too big on her. The hem dragged on the ground and she could have wound the belt around her waist twice. She was eager to put on some real clothing but worried about what Luke had purchased.

“I’m almost afraid to see what you bought.”

He frowned. “Why are you afraid?”

“Are you going to dress me in something skimpy?”

“Of course, not. You’re my wife. Why would I want other men looking at what’s mine?”

“Your pretend wife, you mean.”

“I don’t do pretend anything. I don’t even know what that word means.” He held up his left hand to show the wedding band he wore.

She stared in amazement, unsure how to respond. The gold band glinted and made her breath catch in her throat. A wedding band. She’d never imagined he would agree to a ring, much less go and buy one for himself.

He turned away and dumped the bag on the bed, spilling out the contents. He’d bought her several pairs of blue jeans, a few shirts, panties, bras and nighties.

“I’m taking you dancing on Friday night. We’re going to the Magnolia to meet Lucille and Tanner and Molly.”

Luke had told her about Lucille Rusk and how she’d taken him in when his grandfather passed away. Lucille sounded like such a nice lady and Rachel liked her even without having met her. Anyone who had cared for Luke had to be a wonderful person.

“I hope Lucille likes me,” she said.

“She’s going to love you. Me – she’s going to want to kick my ass for getting married without telling her or letting her throw a big party, but you, she’ll love. Molly and Tanner, too.”

“I haven’t told my mother,” Rachel said. “She’s on a cruise ship in the Greek Islands, trying to save marriage number five.”

“Your momma’s probably going to want to kick my ass, too.”

Rachel smiled. It was impossible to imagine any woman would attempt to push Luke around. Probably not many men, either. He towered over her. His shirt stretched over an expanse of solid muscle, a body hewn from hard work and long days.

“She doesn’t care what I do unless I sell the ranch. Then she’ll get interested in a hurry.”

“And that’s not happening.”

He pulled a boot box from a bag and flipped off the lid. “I bought you some boots. You can’t go dancing in sneakers or flip-flops.”

The boots were a dark, chocolate leather with embroidery along the top. Rachel traced her finger along the stitching. “Pretty…thank you.”

She flushed with embarrassment. The boots were pretty and it warmed her heart to think this big, rugged cowboy had not only shopped for her, but picked out a pair of boots that she loved. How could he have known?

“You’re going to look great in these.” He tossed the box aside. “I also went into the lingerie store in town, bought you a few pretty little things.”

She reached into the pile of clothing and drew out a bra and held it up. Lavender lace, the cups were a gauzy, whisper-thin material that would be completely see-through. A far cry from the sensible nude bras she usually bought.

“I’ve never had a bra this color,” she murmured.

“Pretty color, if you ask me.” His face colored. “The best part is the little thingamajig right in front.”

She smiled at his obvious embarrassment. “The clasp?”

 “I guess that’s what you call it,” he muttered.

“Did someone help you with this?”

“Yeah, thank God. And I was grateful I had my wedding band on. I felt like a fish out of water, let me tell you. I was the only man in there and everyone was giving me funny looks.”

He scrubbed his hand down his face and let out a huff. “Now I wish I’d stayed a little longer. They had a nice little black number just like this purple one.”

Before she could say anything, he pulled a velvet pouch from his pocket. “I got you a ring too, but I wasn’t sure about your size.”

The ring looked tiny as he clasped it between his thumb and forefinger. He took her hand in his. “First time I ever laid eyes on you, I thought you were about the prettiest girl I’d ever seen and it made me mad as hell.”

She blinked. “Mad?”

“Pissed off was more like it.”

“Aw… Luke, that’s sweet. I’d almost forgotten how you’d scowled at me as you trotted your horse past the house.”

“I thought that little brat has no business inheriting a ranch. I should go back and tell her all about the six-foot rattler I’d shot that morning.”

Rachel nodded. “But did you share that nice snake story? No, you just kept on your merry way, giving me the cold shoulder for a few more weeks. And all along I thought you didn’t like me.”

“I didn’t like you. I wanted to take you to bed and then send you back home.”

“There’s only so much sweet-talk a girl can take. Are you going to give me that ring or not?”

“Somewhere along the way I decided I’d like having you here.”

“Probably about the time Mr. Saunders explained that half the ranch had your name on it.”

His eyes were hooded and he spoke in a rough voice. “No, baby, it was the night before that when I had my first taste of—”

“Just give me the ring, Luke!”

He grinned and slid the ring onto her finger. “Shit, too big. Baby… you’ve got such small, lady-like hands. You’re not really cut out for ranch-work.”

Turning her hand in his, he rubbed his thumb across her palm. “So small… like a girl’s hands.”

His voice was soft, as if he spoke to himself, but then he lifted his gaze to hers. He cupped her jaw and lowered to kiss her. His lips were warm, the kiss gentle, tender, and she felt herself melt beneath his touch. She sank into his arms, succumbed to his kiss.

After, he kept her in his embrace and just held her. Her heart pounded with fear and defenselessness. Somehow it was easier when the two of them circled and sparred and sniped at each other. When he told her things that were mildly insulting, she knew just where she stood. She had no defense against the affectionate side of Luke.

They’d been married less than a day and already she could feel herself slipping into his hands, falling under his control. She yearned for his touch and his kiss and more. He claimed he was serious about her and about them, but her mind couldn’t accept the idea. How could she possibly pretend to be married to Luke for an entire year and then walk away?