"How am I to get home?"
That was her problem. He'd already lost one day this week going to her family ranch, and because of that trip, found himself married.
"Ride your own horse home," he said.
"You should take me."
"And face your father again? No."
Because his daughter was unhappy, the man would probably shoot him on sight. Besides, he had cattle to work, a stable to build, and hay bins to construct.
For a moment, her big blue eyes filled with tears, and she took a deep breath. "You're going to let me ride home all alone on a road with marauders and thieves and Indians?"
One thing his wife didn't lack was drama which she could create it in a heartbeat.
"We didn't run into any problems, today, did we?"
"It's dangerous," she said.
"This is your decision."
Who was he to argue if the woman wanted to return home? That was fine, but he would not help her in any way. He had sacrificed enough. It infuriated him she wasn't even willing to give this marriage a chance.
They stood facing each other like two gunslingers, only they used words not bullets.
"Why weren't you honest with me?"
How had he not been honest with her? When had she asked him where he lived or his bank account balance? If he knew what she presumed, he would have sent her scurrying in the opposite direction.
"Honey, I never lied to you. Did you ask me where I lived? Did you ask me what I did for a living? Did you ask about my wealth? You assumed I was from Durango, and like a bad gossip, you overheard a conversation that if you had not been eavesdropping, would’ve realized I was talking about a different wealth."
Her bottom lip began to tremble. Oh, no, she was going to cry. On their supposed wedding night, they were arguing. His chest squeezed. Seeing her tears would break him.
"All I wanted was to kiss you. Nothing else."
She sniffed. The woman's curiosity had gotten them both in trouble. Lee knew better than to give into her demands. But when a woman like Daisy wanted to kiss you, it was hard to refuse.
"Well, honey, we kissed and kissed, and then we found ourselves in the hay."
"So why were you there today? I thought you came looking for me."
"No," he said, though he couldn't deny once he learned her surname, he would have sought her. "At the ball, and today, I've been trying to talk to your father about trading bulls. Both times, you interfered. Now he'll never agree to trade with me."
Tears filled in her eyes. "So you didn't come to see me, but rather a bull. Now, I'm married all because of a cow."
With a sigh, he understood he would never win this conversation.
"That sounds about right, sweetheart. All because I need a lover for my heifers, we're now hitched. Kind of ironic, isn't it."
With that, she burst out crying. The sound of her heart wrenching cries reached inside his chest and twisted his heart into a knot.
All right, he was being a little too harsh on her. Today had been a shock for them. They both responded foolishly. If only he used his brain instead of his dick, he wouldn't be in such a predicament.
Walking over to her, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close while she sobbed.
"My life is over. I'm ruined," she said between sobs. "All my dreams crushed."
Lee didn't say anything. What could he say? This morning when he left, he hadn't planned on getting married today. Since the night of the ball, he had been thinking about Daisy, but right now, he was having second thoughts.
It would be years before he could afford to give her the type of life she craved, and he didn't think she had the stamina to wait. They didn't love each other. All that existed between them was this demanding lust, that even now was building when he held her.
A marriage could not exist on desire alone, because eventually, the emotion would die and then what? Any children he created would never live in a loveless home. So they would wait.
Maybe she should go home in the morning. What if her father refused to let her back in?
"Are you hungry?"
"Yes. But I don't know how to cook. You don't have servants."
Oh, Lord, please help him. Another round of tears flowed down her face.
"Do you like pancakes?"
Frowning, she leaned back in his arms. "Love them."
"Come on, we'll make them together."
His fingertips wiped the tears from her cheeks, brushing against her lips. Damn, but he wanted to kiss her, and he would be in so much trouble if he did.
Mesmerized, he watched her tongue flick across her full lips tempting him, and he almost groaned.
"Let's eat some supper. Today has been a crazy, emotional day. Let's not make any decisions until the morning. Then if you want to return home, you can take your horse and leave."
"What about my things?"
The woman would not let him rest until she pinned him down. "I'll arrange to get them to you in several days."
That seemed to placate her, and she gave him a timid smile. "All right, but I'm not sleeping with you tonight."
He laughed. "Don't worry, but I'm not going to spend the night on the floor. There is one bed. We can share it, but we will not be experiencing a wedding night."
It would be the most difficult night of his life, but until he was certain they were going to stay together, he would not have sex with her. Though, she was a temptation he would have a hard time ignoring.
Chapter 13
Two days later, Daisy had still not left the cabin. In fact, she cleaned the small space, rearranged things and become friends with the dog.
Though they still shared the bed at night, Lee would go outside long enough for her to undress and put on her nightgown. When he returned, she was always in bed with a rolled-up blanket between them.
Right now, confusion consumed her. Going home, she would be admitting defeat and would have to ask her father to let her come back. And she still felt nothing but anger at him for forcing them to marry.
Of course, since the wedding ceremony, Lee had not kissed her. It was almost like he was afraid to and would run out the door to avoid her.
She refused to admit this was all her fault. The assumptions, the kisses, even how she was the one who told him they were all alone. That morning she regretted not going to her sister's like her original plan. Then she would not be married to a poor rancher living in a cabin.
Today she decided she would go to her sister Meg's dress shop in Pagosa. Two years before at the debutante ball, Meg was forced into marriage and since that day, Daisy had not seen her. Maybe she would give her advice. Maybe she would let her stay with her and her husband.
After Lee left, she changed into her riding skirt and headed out the door. The dog whined and she reached down and petted him. "Wish me luck, Jeb."
Hurrying out the door, she went to the lean-to where her mare, Josephine, was tied and saddled her. When they were little girls, her father insisted they learn to saddle and how to hitch a horse to a wagon.
For once, something her father taught her came in handy. Today, she would only be riding Josephine. But if Meg would allow her to move in with her, she'd be back for the wagon.
After climbing onto the saddle, she spurred Josephine with her knees and trotted down the road. Now to learn how far he lived from Pagosa.
An hour later, she rode into the small mountain village and glanced at the shops, the bar, and restaurant. Finally, she located Meg's dress shop.
She swung her leg over and dropped to the ground and tied her horse to a hitching post. As she walked down the wooden sidewalk to the doorway of the store, she observed the village.
The stink of sulfur filled the air, and she noticed the advertisements for the purifying hot springs. Smoke rose from the area, and with a shiver, she realized how cold the ride into town was.
Opening the door, she noticed a bell tinkled.
"I'll be right with you," Meg called, and she
grinned. Wouldn't she be surprised?
Her older sister came through a doorway in the back, stopped with huge eyes, then she ran to her side. "Daisy. What are you doing here?"
"It's a long story. Do you have time to talk? Your shop is amazing. I'm so proud of you," she said as tears welled up in her eyes.
Daisy pulled her into her arms. "Come into the back. I'll fix us a cup of hot tea and you can tell me what is going on in your life."
Wouldn't she be shocked to hear that her father had made her marry just like their mother did Meg?
As they walked to the back, Daisy saw a playpen in the corner. A baby lay curled up asleep, and she rushed over to gaze at the little one. "He's beautiful."
A smile crossed Meg's face as she gazed at her son. "Martin Scott II or Number Two as we affectionately refer to him."
Because of Meg’s forced marriage, mother and daughter had yet to reconcile. They exchanged letters but had not seen one another in person. How would her mother feel about her new grandson?
Daisy asked, "Are you happy?"
"Oh, yes," she said. "Funny how a marriage they demanded turned out for the best."
Tears burned in Daisy's eyes. Could she and Lee eventually become a loving couple?
"Come, sit down and tell me what's wrong? What are you doing here?"
"Papa demanded I marry Lee."
For the next thirty minutes, she told her older sister about her shotgun wedding.
"Mother forced my marriage and Papa forced yours. You brought a lot of this on yourself. What were you thinking?"
Her sister Meg was always the logical one.
"All I wanted to do was find some man to kiss me. When Lee kissed me, all I could think was that I wanted more."
And she feared if Lee ever kissed her again, those same feelings would be there. What would she do then? Though she threatened to return home, she had second and third thoughts. But if she stayed, they would remain married. There would be no turning back.
Was that what she wanted?
Shaking her head, Meg pointed to her son. "You see what more will get you? I love my husband, and we've made a wonderful life together, but you need love in your life, not just lust."
Yet Lee avoided touching her. He didn't seem interested in her any longer, and she wondered why.
"Since the wedding, Lee has not touched me," she admitted.
"Men like stability. Could it be he wants to make certain you're staying with him before he's willing to give you his heart?"
Could that be true?
"What are you doing to make this marriage work?"
That was a good question. Only two days had passed, but still they started out with so much disbelief. Once again, all her fault. Lee never lied. She had not been asking the right, or any, questions for that matter.
"Nothing. I'm not certain I want to remain married to him. Lee is broke. He's a poor rancher and the most honest man I know."
Meg bit her lip and shook her head. "Since you were a little girl, you were always the favored child. The spoiled one who got her way. Fannie and I used to talk about how you wrapped Papa around your little finger and mother too. The time has come for you to grow up. You're married, for better or worse, for richer or poorer. Why not help your husband make the ranch a success? Remember how Momma helped Papa when we were little. Maybe you should do the same."
All her life, she promised herself she would never marry a rancher. All her life, she dreamed of becoming the head of the social club in Durango, not reside in a small mining community.
"So, I guess staying with you is out of the question."
"If I let you run away from your problems, what kind of sister would I be? Of course, if he's beating or mistreating you, yes, you ride here and fast. Somehow I get the feeling this man probably cares for you and the two of you are still learning about one another. No. Time to grow up, Daisy."
That was an odd thing to say. The last two nights, they had gotten along and even had a nice evening together as they sat before the fire, reading.
The door opened and Lee shouted. "Daisy? Are you here?"
Meg laughed. "Your husband is looking for you. Time to decide if you're going to stay with him or run back home to Papa."
Chapter 14
When Lee came home for lunch, Daisy was gone. Had she returned to her father? But her nightgown, hairbrush, creams, everything the woman loved she left behind. And yet her horse no longer roamed near the lean-to.
Where did she go? Out for a ride?
Saddling Roxy, he followed her tracks and realized she'd headed into Pagosa. But why? What drew her to the small village she expressed disgust for.
An hour later, he rode his horse through the little town until he saw Josephine tied to a hitching post outside a dress shop. The woman desired pretty things. Hopefully, she had not just saddled him with a huge bill for ballgowns. Because in his life, he normally didn't attend balls.
At the moment, he regretted attending the one where he met her.
Sliding off his saddle, he hitched Roxy to the post and walked into the lady’s shop. Filled with tempting pretty dresses, he could hear voices in the back.
"Daisy," he yelled. At the thought of her purchasing a new wardrobe, anger wound like a snake deep in his gut. The woman promised revenge for marrying. Is this how she would get it?
She walked from the back still wearing her riding dress. "Lee, come meet my sister, Meg."
He’d forgotten that her older sister lived here.
He strolled over to the tall redhead and stared at her. The resemblance was close, but one had blue eyes and blonde hair and the other auburn hair and emerald eyes. Removing his cowboy hat, he held out his hand and smiled. "Nice to meet you. Lee Sackett."
"Congratulations. Daisy said you two were married."
"Yes, ma'am," he said politely, wondering what else Daisy had told her. Maybe having a sister this close was good. Maybe she would help Daisy adjust to her new life.
"Why don't the two of you come to lunch two weeks from now. My husband is a rancher and I'm sure you will have lots to discuss."
Another rancher. Could he possibly know the name of someone local who had a bull to exchange?
Just then a baby started to cry.
"Oh, he's hungry. I need to feed him. Don't forget, our house in two weeks."
The woman disappeared into the back and Daisy pulled her coat on as they walked out the door. The sun shone brightly, but a cool wind blew off the mountaintops and snow.
"I've been worried sick."
When he discovered she had left and not returned to her father, he couldn't imagine why she rode into Pagosa.
"Why?"
"Because I came home for lunch and my wife had disappeared."
The fear that gripped him at the time, now turned to anger. "In the future, please tell me when you're going into town."
Unexpectedly, she reached up and laid her hand on his cheek. "You're right, it was wrong of me to leave without writing a note, telling you where I was going."
The touch of her hand sent warmth rushing through him. He stared at her and smiled. For the last two days, he’d expected her to announce her leaving, and yet she remained. Had she changed her mind?
"While we're here in town, why don't we grab a bite to eat and pick up some supplies before we head home."
"Can we afford to eat out?"
Did she think he was so poor he couldn't take her out to dinner?
"Yes, we can eat out, occasionally."
When she smiled at him, it was like the sun beamed on him and his heart melted. Why did this woman have this kind of effect on him? If she was going to leave him, he wished she would go, because the longer she stayed, the more he grew hopeful.
"Good, I'm starving. I didn't eat breakfast."
This morning he left early, hoping she would fix herself some eggs and bacon. He had to teach her how to cook.
As they strolled to the local cafe, she laid her hand on his arm, warmth fill
ing him at her touch. Inside were mostly men, miners, and ranchers, and they all turned to stare at his wife. Feeling protective, he took her elbow and led her to a table.
"Have you ever used a gun before?" he asked her.
A frown furrowed her brow and her eyes grew bigger. "Yes and no. Papa taught us all how to shoot years ago, but I haven't fired one in a long time."
If she lived in the mountains with him, she should be proficient with a pistol and a rifle. A charging bear was not the time to learn how to use a weapon.
"When we get home this afternoon, you're going to practice firing. Whenever you leave the house, I expect a pistol to be on you."
Tilting her head in the way she always did when she was curious, he uttered a small groan.
"Why?"
"For protection. Out on the ranch, there are wolves, coyotes, and bears. Traveling the road between here and Pagosa, it's always better to be prepared. Most folks are friendly, but I would prefer if you had some security even when I'm not around."
She smiled and reached out and grabbed his hand. "Thank you. Visiting Meg was comforting. She clarified some things for me.”
Did this mean she planned on staying with him. Did he dare press her on the issue?
"Have you decided what you want?"
A sigh escaped her, and she leaned forward.
"We're married. I'm not certain what to do. I'm so angry at my father and mother for forcing us to marry that I want them to suffer for their actions. The longer I stay with you, then we're together for better or worse. My sister told me I needed to grow up and decide what I want. I'm just not sure I want to remain married to you."
Well, that certainly hurt. Especially since he was only asking her what she wanted on the menu. Not if she had made her decision regarding their marriage.
"You need to make up your mind. How would you feel if I said I didn't want you?"
With a jerk, she leaned back, her eyes narrowing. "Why wouldn't you want me? I was the belle of the ball. The most sought-after catch in the territory."
A snarky chuckle came from him. "You think rather highly of yourself. You don't know how to cook. You barely know how to clean. The laundry you'll need help with, and for starters, I was asking if you had decided what you wanted to eat. Then you tell me, you're not certain you want me."
The Debutante's Revenge: Western Historical Romance (Debutantes of Durango Book 6) Page 5