by Diana Palmer
Meanwhile, Mike brought Sadie and Mrs. Todd down the mountain for the duration, so at least Nicky had someone to talk to. That was, she had Mrs. Todd to visit with, not Sadie, who was taking a delicious pleasure in nursing her Gerald back to health.
The little group got along very well. That was unexpected and enlightening, because Nicky had thought they wouldn’t fare that well. Even Carol found things to talk to Mrs. Todd about. And Dominic White discovered that his lady love had a compassionate side to counterbalance her mercenary tendencies. He didn’t seem to want to cut at Nicky anymore, although he did keep mentioning fairs and cotton candy….
Nicky was back taking dictation when Gerald felt up to it, in between wondering why Winthrop hadn’t come near her and how she was going to bear to leave him when she and Gerald had to go home to Chicago. Even living in the same house separated from Winthrop was agony. How was it going to feel when she was hundreds of miles away, separated for life?
CHAPTER NINE
It was Saturday, and the hunters were packing to go home. A chinook had blown in Friday to take away the snow, unlocking the grip the storm had on the ranch, leaving the roads passable if slushy.
“Well, it’s just been great,” Carol sighed as she left. “I can’t think when I’ve enjoyed anything as much. Especially your movies,” she added, smiling demurely at Winthrop in the hall.
“You’ll have to get Dominic to bring you again,” he returned with a smile.
“I might be persuaded,” Dominic said. He put an arm around Carol. “This one might be worth keeping.”
“Well, she’s certainly pretty enough,” Nicky volunteered. “And I like her, if that carries any weight.”
Carol’s eyes brightened. Impulsively, she hugged Nicky. “We won’t tell anyone that I’m only five years older than you are. We’ll just let people gape when you call me Mom, okay?” she laughed.
“Okay,” Nicky said gently. She winked at the redhead.
“By the way—” Dominic hesitated, luggage in hand “—I, uh, put my foot in it again, Nicky.”
She knew what he was going to say, about trying to buy Winthrop. He was a rascal, but he was still her father. She liked him sometimes, warts and all.
She hugged him briefly. “I’ve fouled things up all by myself, thanks. You just added your two cents’ worth. I like you anyway.”
Dominic looked uncomfortably emotional for a minute before he pulled himself together. “Come see an old man once in a while,” he managed finally.
“I don’t know any old men, but I guess I could come see you. If I get to help Eddie with the horses,” she added. “It’s been a while since I’ve ridden.”
“We can remedy that. Don’t wait too long. See you, Nicky.”
“See you, Dad.”
They went out, followed by the Harris brothers who were mumbling their own thanks and goodbyes. Nicky found herself alone with Winthrop, who towered over her in jeans and that huge sheepskin jacket he liked to wear with his creamy Stetson.
“You seem to have arrived at a truce with your father,” he mused.
“I misunderstood a lot of things. Grief plays havoc with the brain,” she said quietly. “I loved my mother very much.”
“So did he, unless I miss my guess.” He touched her short hair, the simple gesture sending thrills down her spine. “Was she like you, to look at?”
“Oh, no. She was beautiful,” she recalled gently. “Long black hair and pale blue eyes—Irish. She even had the lilting speech. She was a lady, in every sense of the word. I adored her.”
“And what does that make you—the ugly duckling?” he chided. He tilted her chin up, searching her suddenly flushed face. “Nice eyes. Big and soft. Pretty little mouth. High cheekbones. Soft skin. You’ll do, sugarplum, even without long hair. But let it grow anyway. I like long hair.”
He turned her loose then and started out the door, still limping a little.
“Your knee … is it better?” she asked hesitantly.
He half turned toward her, his dark eyes alive and quiet. “It’s no worse, at least. Why? Were you thinking of offering me a massage?”
“I don’t go around playing with men’s legs.”
“Oh, you’re one of those kind of women, are you?” he taunted. “Marriage or nothing?”
“I don’t want to marry you. I’m sorry if that breaks your heart.”
He smiled slowly, the sight of it almost knocking the breath out of her. Heavens, he was handsome! Bigger than the whole outdoors, sexy, sensuous …
“Tease,” he accused.
“You’re the one making references to playing with men’s legs. Which I don’t do.”
He grinned at her high color. “I know a lot of things you didn’t do until I came along,” he mused, and his eyes went straight to her yellow sweater.
“Aren’t your guests going to miss the plane?” she asked in a high-pitched parody of her normal voice.
“That’s their problem, not mine.”
“You’re driving them, aren’t you?”
The roar of the Jeep interrupted her.
“No,” he answered as it sped away. “Mike’s driving them. Gerald wants you in the office, by the way. He’s got a hundred letters to get out yesterday.”
“Thanks a lot,” she muttered darkly.
“Better toe the line, honey, or you could get fired. Since you’re throwing away money hand over fist lately, you do need the work now, don’t you?” he asked, playfully looking down his arrogant nose at her.
It had only just occurred to her that he was teasing. It was new, like that look on his dark face, that twinkle in his eyes. Her heart skipped a few beats and she turned her head, a little unsure of this new Winthrop.
“Yes, I guess I do,” she admitted. But the words didn’t match what her soft, searching eyes were telling him. Not at all.
He tilted her chin up with a lean, strong hand and looked down at her. “I’m going out to check on my purebred herd,” he murmured. “I’d take you with me, but you’re a distraction, Kentucky girl.”
Her pulse jumped again. “I thought … you said … you didn’t want me around,” she managed breathlessly.
“Did I say that?” he asked, lifting his eyebrows. “My goodness, it must have been the painkillers.”
“Listen here, Winthrop—”
“Say it like that again,” he whispered at her lips, taunting them from a fraction of an inch away, so close that she could almost taste him.
“What?”
“Whisper my name like that again,” he repeated, and his nose brushed lazily against the tip of hers.
“Win … Winthrop,” she obliged.
“Mmm,” he murmured. His lips nuzzled hers, tempting them, urging her closer to him in the dim light of the hall. “Come up here….”
He actually lifted her off the floor with two steely hands at her waist. “That’s better,” he whispered. “Now open that pretty mouth and kiss me properly.”
He had the most incredible way of getting to her. She was lost and witless, drugged on his nearness. She gave him her mouth, parted her lips, and moaned when he deepened the kiss hungrily and his arms swallowed her up against him.
Time got lost somewhere in the middle of that long, sweet kiss. A dog barked, and pans banged in the kitchen. A door opened and closed. Winthrop finally lifted his head, his breath coming hard and quick on her faintly bruised lips.
“Do you like it that way?” he whispered roughly. “Or do you want me to be gentle with you?”
She buried her face under his chin, trembling with reaction. “I like it … any way at all, with you,” she whispered, clinging to him.
“Same here.” He let her slide down his powerful body to the floor, savoring the feel of her against him. Her eyes were wide and soft and drowsy, and he couldn’t help bending to brush her mouth once more with his. “Don’t overdo it. You’re not quite fit yet.”
“Look who’s talking.”
“And no sass.” He ta
pped her on the cheek. “See you.”
He was gone, then, and she watched him until he was out of sight.
In between long talks with Sadie, Gerald managed to give a little dictation. Mrs. Todd had decided at long last to go and visit her sister in Florida, and it didn’t really come as a surprise when Gerald announced a little hesitantly that he’d asked Sadie to marry him.
“It’s about time,” Nicky said, beaming. “Congratulations!”
“I can hardly believe it after all this time,” Sadie sighed, leaning her head against Gerald’s shoulder. “But I’ve never been happier.”
“Neither have I. And I’m sure your mother’s going to love Florida. The climate will be good for her. We can visit her every other week if you like.”
“Well, maybe once a month anyway,” Sadie compromised, her eyes bright with love and happiness.
Nicky had to look away. There wouldn’t be any such happiness for her. She’d go back to Chicago and take up her job, and try to forget Winthrop. That wasn’t much of a future. She wondered how she was going to manage without him. He might enjoy teasing her and kissing her, but he’d said too often that marriage wasn’t for him.
“You look glum, Nicky. What’s wrong?” Gerald asked.
She forced herself to smile. “Nothing at all. I’ll get my pad and take down some of that correspondence you’re so anxious to get rid of.”
“Good girl.” He smiled down at Sadie. “I think life is going to be a lot easier to cope with from now on.”
For him, at least, Nicky agreed. Not for her.
She couldn’t quite handle sitting at the supper table without the buffer of guests to protect her from Winthrop’s dark, searching gaze. So she offered to have hers upstairs with Mrs. Todd. Mary gave her a hard look, but she fixed two trays and helped Nicky carry them upstairs.
“It is not like you to run away,” Mary said stoically at the door to the guest room Sadie and Mrs. Todd were sharing.
“I’m very good at it, actually,” Nicky replied. “Especially when I’m outgunned.”
“The biggest fish are the hardest to land.”
Nicky shrugged. “Sometimes they’re the boniest, too.”
Mary grinned. “Good bones, though.” She opened the door. “Nicky is having supper with you,” she told Mrs. Todd. “Thought you might enjoy some company.”
“Why, Nicky, how thoughtful,” Mrs. Todd said with a smile. “I’ll enjoy that.”
“Mary even fixed you a pudding,” Nicky said, nodding toward the creamy vanilla treat.
“My favorite. How kind, Mary.”
“No trouble,” the older woman said. “I like them, too. Hearty appetite.”
Mary left them, and Nicky arranged Mrs. Todd’s tray and silverware before she sat down to eat her own food. It tasted like cardboard, but she forced herself not to pick at it. She’d have to get used to not seeing Winthrop across the table from her. Now was a good time to start.
“My sister is looking forward to having me stay with her,” Mrs. Todd said. “She’s been alone for five years now, since her husband died. She lives in one of those retirement communities, and she says there are lots of things to see and do. Best of all—” she sighed “—the weather is warm and sunny. This chill goes right through me. I haven’t been comfortable with the cold weather, but I didn’t have the heart to tell Sadie. She was so happy, especially when Gerald came here on his holiday.”
“He really came to see Sadie, I think,” Nicky laughed. “And I’m glad it all worked out so nicely.”
“So am I. Sadie will take care of him, and he of her.” Mrs. Todd’s gaze searched Nicky’s face curiously. “Why are you hiding up here?”
Nicky jumped. “Hiding?”
“Hiding. You can’t tell me it’s my company you want. Are you and Winthrop trading blows again?”
Nicky shifted restlessly, crossing her jean-clad legs. “We just agree to disagree, that’s all.”
“He’s a stubborn man. You’ll have to be patient if you want him.”
“I don’t want him!”
“Don’t be silly, of course you do,” Mrs. Todd said nonchalantly. She finished the last of her pudding. “When it comes time, he won’t let you leave. Mark my words, he knows a good thing when he sees it.”
“Think so?” Nicky wanted to believe the old woman’s words, but she knew Winthrop too well. He didn’t want a long-term relationship. In fact, he’d probably be happy to wave her goodbye. The thought depressed her even more.
The last thing she expected was to find Winthrop at the door when it opened suddenly. She’d thought it was Mary and hadn’t looked up until she heard his voice.
“There you are,” he said pleasantly. “I wondered where you’d gotten to. How’re you doing, Mrs. Todd?”
“Very well, Winthrop, thanks to you.” The older woman beamed. “It’s been like old times visiting here.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I thought I’d walk Nicky down to the barn and let her look at my colt. She helped deliver him, you know.”
“I didn’t! Nicky, that’s quite a feat for a city girl.”
“But she isn’t,” Winthrop said proudly, watching her. “She’s a country girl. Kentucky-born and reared. Her people were horse fanciers.”
“How interesting.”
“How is the colt?” Nicky asked, keeping her voice steady when her heart was racing wildly in her chest.
“Growing like a weed. Come on and I’ll show you. Good night, Mrs. Todd. Mary will be up soon to check on you.”
“Thank you, Winthrop. Good night, Nicky, and thanks for keeping me company.”
“It was my pleasure,” Nicky assured her, bending to kiss the wrinkled cheek. “Night.”
She followed Winthrop out the door with faint hesitation. He seemed friendly enough, but she sensed something beneath the outward calm. Something disturbing. Exciting.
“Isn’t it late to be looking at horses?” she asked as they walked down the staircase.
He glanced down at her. “Why? Are you afraid to be alone with me after dark?” he asked.
She hated that arrogant look. “Of course not!”
“Then why ask the question?”
“I thought you might have better things to do.”
“I could do some bookwork, I guess.” He glanced at her. “Or watch the VCR—”
“I’d just love to see the colt!” she interrupted.
He chuckled softly. “I thought you would.”
He led her down the side hall and helped her into her coat and stocking cap. “It’s still cold, although the snow has stopped.”
She couldn’t imagine why he wanted her company, but she was touched beyond reason that he did. It felt so good to be with him, alone with him under the wide sky, crunching through the snow toward the barn.
“Did Dad look at the colt while he was here?” she asked.
“He sure did. He thinks I’ve got a young champion on my hands. He said that if I wanted him to, he’d train him for me.”
“That’s not a rash offer,” she said. “He’s good with horses, and he’s never backed a loser yet.”
“So I hear.” He took her arm and turned her at the barn door. “Turning down three million dollars is crazy. You could accept the trust and still give a million to research.”
“I don’t want to be rich,” she said simply. “I tried it, and I didn’t like it. My values got fouled up. I like them the way they are.”
He sighed. “I can understand that. It just seems a waste. You could do a lot with that kind of money.”
“You can only wear so many diamonds at a time, and fur makes me sneeze,” she said with a straight face.
“You’ll be working for the rest of your life, damn it. What if Gerald ever fires you? What will happen to you?”
The prospect really seemed to bother him. She searched his dark eyes, shadowed by the wide brim of his hat. “I might get married someday,” she said. “I like children. I’d like to have a family.
”
He touched her arm lightly, smoothing her coat sleeve. “Yes. I’d like that, too, one day. Kids are nice.”
“How many do you plan to adopt?” she asked.
His eyebrows arched. “Adopt?”
“You said marriage wasn’t in your vocabulary,” she reminded him. “So if you want children, you’ll have to adopt them.”
He moved restlessly. “A wife would be an encumbrance.”
“So would children.”
“It’s not the same thing.”
“It is.”
He glared at her. “I won’t marry you, honey, if that’s what you’re hinting at.”
She glared back. “Who asked you? I don’t want a walking icicle.”
“I’m anything but an icicle in bed,” he told her.
“Talk is cheap!”
“Not half as cheap as that statement,” he returned. He scowled down at her. “How in God’s name did we get on this subject?”
“You said you wanted children—”
“Well, I don’t. Not anymore.” He started walking again. He glared at the barn door as he opened it. “Women! They twist everything around to suit themselves.”
“So do men.”
He stood aside to let her enter the barn. “Marriage was invented by women to legalize sex.”
“Don’t look at me,” she said airily. “I don’t want to marry anyone. I’m just twenty-two. I have years and years of living to do before I tie myself to a man’s housework.”
“Time passes quick. Before you know it you’ll be my age.”
“God forbid.” She glared up at him. “I’m not ready for the Home.”
“Stop that,” he grumbled. “I’m not old.”
“Neither is the Statue of Liberty,” she said with a sweet smile. “Where’s the colt?”
“Over there.”
She followed his irritated gesture and leaned over the gate, watching the little chestnut colt nuzzle at his mother’s belly.
“Aw,” she cooed. “Isn’t he cute?”
“I’m not old,” he repeated, still nettled by her offhand remark.