The Devil in the Saddle
Page 33
“Don’t you worry about her, Dolly,” Hallie’s mother said, her gaze narrowing. “I have her in my sights.”
Hallie’s family was equally surprised and proud that she’d pulled this off, and so quickly at that. Hallie was a little surprised, too. But her ability to do it gave her hope that if she could set up a nonprofit to teach ballet to underprivileged and disabled children, she could raise a baby.
Speaking of which, she was going to have to tell them. She could hardly zip her jeans. Her morning sickness was hard to hide, as it seemed to hit at all times but the morning.
And, of course, she had not yet told Rafe. That was beginning to bear down on her.
She already knew what she wanted to say. “I know you’ll want to do the right thing, but I can’t do the right thing back if that’s the only reason you are doing the right thing. I need you to want to be with me, Rafe.”
Or something perhaps a little more coherent than that.
It made her feel sick every time she practiced it out loud, because she wanted so desperately for him to want her.
She planned to tell him tonight. She’d invited him to meet her at the Magnolia Bar and Grill for a drink she would not be having. But it seemed a public place would make it more restrained. Maybe she wouldn’t cry. On her way into town, she’d stopped at her warehouse. She was so happy with the way it had turned out, and when the big window was in, it would be the best studio in all of San Antonio.
She was alone, and decided to practice her ballet while she had a chance and could still move. She was going through her ballet warm-up—first position, plié, second position, plié, and so forth, when she heard something near the front of the warehouse. She never got used to the creaks and moans of this place. She turned around, expecting a delivery.
But it was Rafe who was standing in the entry, watching her.
“Oh,” she said, and brushed her hair back, feeling the warmth flood her cheeks. “What are you doing here? We’re meeting at the Magnolia, right?”
Rafe moved forward. “I . . . saw your car and I, ah . . . I need to talk to you, Hallie.”
Hallie’s heart plummeted. She couldn’t speak. He was leaving. He was going to tell her he would always be her friend. She didn’t want to hear it. So she blurted, “Great! Because I have something to tell you. I am—” She paused and looked at something he was holding up. “What’s that?”
“This?” He jingled it. “It’s a hotel key. To a room at the Hotel Emma. Know the place?”
“Well, I do. But . . . what is it, again?”
“I have arranged a nice hotel room, Hallie, because somehow, we, two functioning adults, have managed to move back home with our parents, and I don’t want to ravish you in your childhood room. Or mine. Or in a car. I want to ravish you in a soft bed with clean sheets.”
Hallie’s blood turned warm and gooey. “You’re going to ravish me?”
“So hard.”
Warm and gooey was turning to lava, and her heart was beginning to race. “But I thought—
“Forget what you thought. Hallie Jane Prince, I have loved you since you pushed me off the saddle stand.”
“When did I do that?”
He put the key in his pocket and walked across the warehouse to take her hand. “Look at me. I love you. I have always loved you. I loved you so much that I joined the army because I couldn’t have you. And I don’t ever want to be without you again, okay?” He went down on one knee. Hallie gasped. “I want to marry you, Hallie. I don’t have a ring because this part,” he said, gesturing to himself with one knee on the floor, “is totally spontaneous. But it’s right, because there has never been anyone else for me. And there never will be. Now, I don’t know how you feel about—”
“Yes!” she shouted, and threw her arms around his neck. “I knew it! I knew you still loved me!”
“I have loved you so much and for so long that I thought something was wrong with me.”
“Nothing is wrong with you! I love you, too, Rafe. I can’t even find words to tell you how much. I just desperately needed to hear you say it.”
“Baby, I will say it every day for the rest of your life if you will have me.”
“Oh my God, this is just like The Bachelor!” she cried with elation.
“Who?”
“Never mind,” she said, and kissed him, sliding down onto her knees, too. The kiss turned very hot very quickly, and she was moaning because she was so much more aroused in a pregnant body than she could have ever imagined in her regular body.
“What did you want to tell me?” he asked as he bit her shoulder.
“Later,” she said.
“Good. Let’s go,” he said, and he stood up, swept her up off the floor, and then kissed her as he mummy-walked out of there with her in his arms.
Hallie was amazed by his preparation. “When did you change your mind?”
“It’s a long story,” he said. “I’ll tell you over dinner.”
He’d talked Ella into getting some clothes for Hallie, which included a dress that she could not zip. But it turned out she didn’t need to. They couldn’t get out of bed. They made love like they had in Aspen, two people who were desperate for each other, making up for lost time.
Much, much later, Rafe ordered room service and champagne. Hallie was wearing one of the hotel bathrobes and chowing down on the french fries she’d asked them to cover in melted cheese when the champagne arrived. “Don’t make yourself sick,” Rafe said, laughing as she shoved fries into her mouth. He handed her a glass of champagne.
Hallie wiped her fingers one by one on a napkin and set aside the champagne. “Speaking of sick.”
“Let me guess—you’re sick of cheesy fries?” He settled onto the bed beside her.
“Never,” she said, and smiled. “But I’ve been sick. A lot.”
“Are you okay?” he asked with a slight frown. “You’re probably not getting enough minerals.”
Men. “Rafe, remember how many times we did it in Aspen?”
He chuckled. He pulled her across his lap to nuzzle her neck. “Every time, in vivid detail.”
“We did it a lot,” she agreed, smiling at him. “Do you know that condoms are only ninety-eight percent effective?”
He laughed and kissed the hollow of her throat.
He was not getting it. “Okay, how about this,” she said. “You know what I’m going to do with that second bedroom at Ella’s?”
He lifted his head. “Please don’t tell me your grandma is going in there,” he said, and moved lower, to the part of her chest he could reach through the gap in her gown.
“Not Grandma. A baby. Our baby.”
“Oh you want to . . .” His voice trailed off. He stilled, his lips on her skin. And then he slowly lifted his head, his eyes full of shock. “Are you . . . are you pregnant, Hallie?”
She laughed. “I am so pregnant. I can’t button my pants! And there really aren’t enough cheesy Tater Tots in the world.”
Rafe sat up. His hands went to the top of his head. He looked to the ceiling and drew a deep breath. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because.” She suddenly wished she hadn’t eaten so many fries. “I didn’t want you to do the right thing out of a sense of responsibility. I was hoping you’d come around to trusting—to loving—me again.”
He swallowed.
“Oh no. Rafe, I’m sorry. I thought you’d be happy.”
Rafe lowered his head and smiled through the tears shining in his eyes.
“Oh,” she said softly. “Don’t cry.”
“I’m not crying, you’re crying,” he said, and gathered her up in his arms and held her tight. “I didn’t have to come around to loving you because I always have. I could not be any happier right now, Hallie. I could not possibly be.”
Neither could she. She hadn�
��t even known this sort of love was possible. She’d be happy to tell her mother that Rafe was the right one.
The absolute perfect one.
Epilogue
It was a beautiful evening at the ranch, a perfect evening for a wedding, and Cordelia was thrilled with the way everything was turning out.
Of course they had the wedding catered—she wouldn’t have people in Three Rivers talking about how the Princes had fallen on hard times. No one could look at this spread and think for a moment they weren’t as rich and privileged as they’d ever been. They didn’t have to know she’d taken an old evening gown and had it shortened.
Luca was so nervous he made her laugh. She sneaked into his room, where he and Nick were getting ready. “Here,” she said, and handed Luca a shot of tequila.
Nick looked at it as Luca downed it. “Should you really be getting him drunk before he takes his vows?”
“Just taking the edge off,” she’d said, and had gone off, giggling at how stupid in love that boy was with Ella Kendall.
On the patio, Hallie was wearing a pretty dress that she could zip. She was five months pregnant, and if there was anyone in town who didn’t know it, they’d be talking about it after tonight. That was right, everyone was talking about Hallie Prince again, but Cordelia didn’t care. Her daughter glowed with happiness. Let them talk.
Her first ballet classes were starting next month. Cordelia couldn’t imagine how she would teach at six months pregnant, but Hallie was determined. She’d finished more than half of what she lacked toward a degree and was on track to finish by the end of summer.
Rafe was going to open his martial arts and physical training studio next to her, the focus on kids and wounded soldiers. And he was in the process of getting his social work license, working with a vet program. “I’m going to need it with this crew,” he’d said to Cordelia when the Princes and Fontanas had come together to celebrate the news of his engagement to Hallie.
Even Martin had come around. He’d grudgingly admitted to Cordelia that she was right, Rafe was good for Hallie, and Hallie was good for Rafe.
“I love to hear that I’m right, Martin. Feel free to tell me as often as you like,” she’d said.
She was glad Rafe was staying for Mrs. Fontana’s sake. She was going through radiation and chemotherapy for a third time in her life, and she looked exhausted in a dress that hung on her frame. Rico had come home, too, and it looked to Cordelia like he was a little fuller and stood a little straighter. The program Rafe had been building in Chicago was off and running, according to Rico. They had so many kids wanting to join the program that they were already thinking of expanding it.
When it was almost time for the ceremony, Cordelia mixed two gin and tonics and sought out Dolly. Not that she could miss her—Dolly was wearing the sparkliest turquoise dress Cordelia had ever seen. And then she’d decided to top it off with an orange fascinator. “Do you think maybe you’re coming down with some form of dementia that makes you forget things like how to dress for a wedding?” Cordelia asked.
“What are you talking about?” Dolly asked, swishing her long skirt around.
“Let me ask it another way. Aren’t you worried you’re going to upstage the bride?”
“Well, that was going to happen anyway. Go big or go home,” Dolly said with a wink.
In addition to Hallie, Charlotte was a bridesmaid. And so was Ella’s friend Stacy, who was becoming a big country-western star.
Nick and Rafe were standing up with Luca. Rafe was terribly handsome in a suit. She understood why her daughter was crazy for the man.
And there was George, looking pretty spiffy in a suit, too.
“When are you getting married?” she heard a guest ask, and turned her head. The guest was asking Hallie.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Hallie said. “We’re going to run off and do it. We’re thinking Vegas or Tahoe.”
That was news to Cordelia. She wouldn’t in a million years agree to it, but for tonight, it was all right to let Hallie believe that’s what she was going to do.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if you will take your seats,” the reverend said.
Cordelia watched as everyone settled into place. There would be no procession, so the attendants stood with the reverend.
Cordelia sipped her gin and tonic and noticed that Hallie kept looking at Rafe, and he kept stealing glances at her. Those two. They were so in love. They were lucky to have found the right person.
So were Luca and Ella. So many things had gone wrong in her life, but in this, Cordelia had done right. She had raised some pretty awesome kids.
You’d be so proud, Charlie.
“Please rise for the bride,” the reverend said.
Ella began her walk down the aisle. She walked alone, as she had no family, but her head was high, and she was beautiful in a plain silk white sheath and carrying bloodred roses.
“Oh my,” Dolly whispered. “She’s beautiful.”
Cordelia turned her attention to her son, and the look on Luca’s face sent a ripple through her. He loved Ella so much.
And then she looked at Nick. Grumpy McGrumperson looked almost like he was bored. That boy needed an extra-big slice of cake with some happy pills stuffed into it.
But Cordelia forgot the woes of her eldest. She could hardly see a thing anyway, her eyes were so full of tears and a familiar ache of knowing what it was to love someone so completely like Luca loved Ella and Hallie loved Rafe.
And maybe Nick would experience it one day, although Cordelia wasn’t holding her breath.
Turn the page to read an excerpt from the next Princes of Texas romance
THE BILLIONAIRE IN BOOTS
Coming soon from Berkley Jove!
SADDLEBUSH LAND AND CATTLE COMPANY, EST. 1872
THREE RIVERS, TEXAS
From: Nick nickprince@saddlebushco.com
To: Charlotte charlotte@saddlebushco.com
Subject: Finance Reports
I need to see this month’s finance reports. Thank you.
From: Charlotte charlotte@saddlebushco.com
To: Nick nickprince@saddlebushco.com
Subject: Finance Reports
It’s in your inbox. Finance is in the RED folders. :-^
From: Nick nickprince@saddlebushco.com
To: Charlotte charlotte@saddlebushco.com
Subject: Finance Reports
Thanks, I found them. This seems like a good time to mention again that it’s very hard for me to remember what color is for what topic. Just for the record, this is not the first time I’ve expressed my concerns about your filing system.
From: Charlotte charlotte@saddlebushco.com
To: Nick nickprince@saddlebushco.com
Subject: Finance Reports
Which is why I made you a handy-dandy color chart and stuck it on your wall. Turn your head to the right. It’s staring you in the face.
From: Nick nickprince@saddlebushco.com
To: Charlotte charlotte@saddlebushco.com
Subject: Finance Reports
How was I supposed to know that was a handy-dandy chart? I don’t generally look at the walls, and besides, there is so much “color” in the office these days that everything looks like your chart. This filing system is just not going to work for me, Charlotte. Frankly, it feels like things are a little off in the office right now. I think we should have a quick staff meeting.
From: Charlotte charlotte@saddlebushco.com
To: Nick nickprince@saddlebushco.com
Subject: Finance Reports
Great idea! As long as we are having a staff meeting, I’d like to add a few things to the agenda. 1) It is the custom of civilized staffs all over the free world to provide some sort of snack at meetings to make tedious subjects bearable. See: donuts. 2) I would like to
discuss why every Monday when I ask you how your weekend was, you say the same thing: “It was a weekend.” What does that even mean? I know it was a weekend, I’m asking how yours went. I don’t think it would kill you to engage in a little chitchat, particularly as we are the only two people on this staff and in these offices. Oh, and 3) you ate my lunch TWICE. And for the record, quinoa is not pronounced KWIN-NOAH, it is pronounced KEEN-WAH.
From: Nick nickprince@saddlebushco.com
To: Charlotte charlotte@saddlebushco.com
Subject: Finance Reports
Well, it looks like the need for a staff meeting is greater than I understood. You really need to rethink this idea that donuts have magic qualities. But by all means, if you want a donut, you should bring one. Bring a dozen, I don’t care. The more critical issue is that we need to be adults and mutually agree that your freaking rainbow filing system is not working for anyone but you, and you can put all the charts you want on my wall but I am never going to remember that red is for finance. My brain does not work that way. And while I’m at it, you should also know that I am acutely aware when you sign your emails with kissy-face emojis you’re being a smart-ass, and furthermore, last week when you told me I should “plant kindness to gather love,” I knew that came from a damn teabag because I LIKE GREEN TEA, TOO.
Come into the office, please. Let’s get this over with.
From: Charlotte charlotte@saddlebushco.com
To: Nick nickprince@saddlebushco.com
Subject: Finance Reports
Oh, I’m coming, all right, don’t you worry, boss. But first, I am walking down the street to Jo’s Java to get some damn donuts.
Chapter One
SUMMER
THREE RIVERS, TEXAS
In every family there are colorful stories that are repeated at family gatherings and trotted out for newcomers, and thereby are sealed into the family’s collective memory. Like the story about Nick Prince’s little brother, Luca, who rode out onto Three Rivers Ranch with his best friend when he was twelve and didn’t come home for two days. The number of law enforcement who went out on the search grew with each telling. Nick had been fourteen when Luca had disappeared, and what he remembered was mostly ranch hands riding out to look for the boys along with a couple of sheriff deputies. Of course Luca and Brandon had no idea they were missing—Luca still maintained he’d been pretty clear with his mother that he’d gone camping. His mother remembered it very differently.