Marriage at Any Price

by Lauren Canan

  “I’m just used to moving at a faster pace.”

  “Yeah, I’ll bet you are. So, what are you doing in the sleepy little town of Calico Springs?”

  “Just enjoying the view,” he replied, looking straight at her.

  Seth watched as a light blush ran up her neck and touched her face before he returned to the menu. Her very scent was exciting: a subtle blend of exotic herbs, strawberries and leather. It had his pheromones working overtime. He had never experienced such an immediate attraction to a woman.

  “Is everyone ready to order?” The waitress flipped a page in her notebook and took pen in hand.

  Ally ordered a ham and cheese sandwich while Mr. Rucker and Seth chose to have steak. Seth glanced at the older man and saw a twinkle in his eyes. He suspected Ben was attuned to the banter going on between him and Ally and maybe had a little subtle matchmaking in mind.

  After they had given their orders Ally turned her focus to Mr. Rucker. “So, did you pencil me in?”

  “I had my secretary send Wade a text to see when he’s available. Once I hear back, consider yourself penciled.”

  “Good. Thank you. I just hope he’s as reasonable as people say he is.”

  She wanted an appointment with Wade? Seth couldn’t help but wonder as to the reason.

  As though the question showed on his face, she set the menu aside and said flatly, “Wade Masters’s father stole my ranch. And I want it back.”

  Two

  “Ally,” Mr. Rucker said in a cautioning tone, indicating she had spoken out of turn.

  “What?” She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t care who hears. Half the town knows anyway.” She turned her focus on the newcomer. “The old man was a crook. He stole my ranch. Claimed my father used it for a loan that Dad never paid back. My father wouldn’t do something like that. Old man Masters took it all. Everything. Had me evicted after Dad died. I even had to fight to keep three mares and a stallion that were registered in my name. Talk about greed. You’d think someone with that much money wouldn’t feel the need to swindle people out of their home.”

  “The horses, as I recall, were simply a misunderstanding,” Mr. Rucker asserted.

  “Yeah. How long would it have taken to straighten that out had I not caught it?”

  When Ally turned away from Seth Masters, she could still feel his golden eyes watching her. Ben Rucker was probably right. She shouldn’t be spouting off in front of strangers, although she found it hard to consider Seth Masters a stranger. He could almost be Wade Masters’s brother, so alike were their looks. He had thick brown hair with a slight wave and gold highlights and a five o’clock shadow that covered a sharp jaw and prominent chin, complete with a sexy little cleft. High cheekbones complimented brown eyes with flecks of gold. His lips, too kissable to put into words, delivered a sexy grin showing perfect white teeth. In his white dress shirt and tie, he was the epitome of handsome.

  “What about you, Ally? What do you do?” he asked.

  “Rancher. Or I used to be before...” She grimaced and pressed her lips together. “Now I work at the Triple Bar Ranch east of town. I train horses.”

  “That must take a lot of skill and agility.”

  She’d never really thought about it. It was something she’d done most of her life. She shrugged. “Maybe.”

  The man nodded. “I would venture to say our jobs are equally challenging.”

  “Oh, you would, huh? Tell me, Mr. Masters, how many stalls have you mucked out? How many horses have you trained?” She couldn’t help but laugh. The idea that she was anything like this rich hunk from California was absurd.

  Ben Rucker snorted at her comment and fought not to choke on his coffee.

  “It just so happens,” Seth said, “that in my younger days, I mucked out plenty of stalls. Never trained a new horse, but logged plenty of hours exercising them. I spent most summers here in Calico Springs at the family ranch growing up. So I guess I have a good idea of what you do. Clearly you’re accomplished. And that’s worth saying.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, feeling a blush coming on. “Still...my accomplishments probably don’t measure up compared to yours.”

  “You don’t accept compliments very well, do you?”

  “Compliments I can handle. It’s bullshit I’m not so good with.”

  “Then allow me to backtrack and just say you’re a very skilled horsewoman.”

  “Damn good thing for you.” She sat back as the waitress set her plate down in front of her. “It took me most of the ride back to the ranch to calm Monkey down.”

  “What happened to Monkey?” Ben asked.

  “He had a fright this morning,” she said, picking up half of her sandwich. “Some idiot nearly ran him down with his car.”

  “Good grief!”

  “No grief. Just bad driving.” She took a bite and picked up a napkin.

  “Not that bad or I would have hit you. And it occurs to me that I wasn’t the only one speeding.”

  “I take it you two have met each other before, then?” asked Ben.

  “We almost had a collision on the country road leading to town this morning,” Seth explained.

  Ally dropped the sandwich back onto her plate, wiped her hands with the paper napkin and glared at him. “There’s no speed limit posted on the bridle path. Most people with any common sense would appreciate the fact that it’s the cars going down the road that are the hazard. Especially if they are trying to break the sound barrier.”

  “I say again, I was not going all that fast.”

  “That would depend on your definition of fast.”

  They held each other’s gaze. After a few long seconds, she turned back to her plate. “You were in the wrong, and I really don’t care to discuss it further.”

  She couldn’t miss his pursed lips as he tried to hide a grin.

  Hateful man. She didn’t know what he was doing in Calico Springs. She hadn’t missed how he’d sidestepped her question when she asked. And she hadn’t appreciated that “enjoying the view” remark, even though it had been a long time since a man flirted with her. She didn’t want any of the Masters men to say one word to her after what their father had done. She could only hope their paths would not cross again.

  * * *

  “I ordered fifty sacks of sweet feed and one hundred and twenty-five sacks of Nature’s Best. What out of that says crimped oats? Does Colby have a hearing disorder now?”

  She’d stopped by the feed store on her way home to pick up the order for the horses she was training. Instead of what she ordered, they had readied seventy-five sacks of oats. This day just seemed to keep going downhill.

  “I’m sorry, Ally. If you can give me a few minutes, I’ll fix your order. Are you in the farm truck?”

  “Yeah. Thanks. I’ll wait outside.”

  Despite the obstacles she’d overcome so far today, mostly set in her path by that Seth Masters, it was still a beautiful day with just enough fluffy white clouds overhead to keep the sun from turning up the heat. She wandered out to the gardening section and idly looked at the petunias and other bedding plants. Any other year, she would be picking up trays of assorted flowers to be planted in the beds around the large wraparound porch at her house. This year she had purchased one hanging basket that she placed at the edge of the small front porch of the cabin where she stayed, and that was all she would allow herself to have. No use spending money on stuff that would just die from neglect.

  And they would be neglected. Her heart just wasn’t in it. The cabin, provided by the ranch where she worked, sufficed, but it wasn’t home. It would never be home. Why surround herself with tarnished memories of the things she used to love? She didn’t need to be reminded of her home and the joy she’d known there. It was gone, and the sooner she accepted that fact, the better off she would be.

  She wo
uld keep the appointment with Wade Masters once it was arranged, but down deep she knew she had little hope of convincing him to give back her ranch. Even if he agreed to sell it back to her, she didn’t make enough money for monthly payments on a ranch that size. It would take time, at least another year, before she could start earning the kind of money she needed.

  “It seems we keep bumping into each other.” A deep voice came from behind her. Before she fully turned toward him, she knew it was Seth Masters.

  “Are you following me, Masters?”

  “On the contrary, I’ve been around back looking at the tractors. I didn’t see you when I got here, so I would have to ask you the same question.”

  He smiled. She gritted her teeth and glared.

  “So what are you going to do with a tractor?”

  “Someday I might buy some land. And I’ve always been fascinated with tractors. The bedding plants look rich and healthy,” he added, filling the intervals when she didn’t respond. “Are you doing your flower beds in these?”

  “I have no land. I have no house. Consequently, I have no flower beds. So no, I’m not buying any plants.”

  “I saw this store and had to stop. You don’t often see old businesses like this still open and running. Most have been replaced by the newer franchises.” He looked around at the large assortment of plants, hanging baskets and trees. “It’s things like the old wood-burning stove inside and the sign on the back door. Have you seen it? ‘This store is guarded by a double-barrel shotgun two nights a week. Pick your night.’ You just don’t find that kind of thing in the city. I think it’s charming.”

  Charming? “You’re kidding.”

  “No, not at all.”

  “How long are you in town?” She couldn’t keep herself from asking. If he would be in and around the area, she needed to know it and be prepared for any more chance encounters.

  “Just a few weeks this trip. I’ve been considering buying a small place with some land and a barn. I’ve always loved horses. Ridden most of my life.” He shrugged. “This might be a great location.”

  “It’s a little far from LA.”

  “Just a couple of hours by plane.”

  “It is a nice area. I’ll give you that. And most of the people are friendly and aboveboard.”

  “Hey, Ally.” She turned to see two feed store employees walking toward her, their shoulders laden with sacks of grain. “You in that black truck? We got your feed.”

  “Yeah. Make sure you have the right order this time.”

  “Yep. We got it. No crimped oats this trip?”

  “That would be correct. Oh. Could you throw in two large mineral blocks, Jack?” She considered her mental list for a brief second to see if she could remember anything else she needed. “I think that will do it.”

  Soon the correct bags of feed and two mineral blocks were loaded into the back of the truck. As she walked to the driver’s side, she again heard someone call her name.

  “Ms. Kincaid?” Seth Masters stood at the back of the truck. “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”

  The question was so unexpected, it took her a few seconds to realize he was waiting for an answer. “Ah...actually, I have prior commitments. I hope you find your tractor and whatever else you need.”

  She wasn’t used to lying. It made her feel horrible. She didn’t trust the man, but he hadn’t really done anything to her—other than almost run her down. He was here alone and probably just wanted a little company. Still...he was a Masters.

  “Thanks. I think I have. Well, good to see you again.”

  “Yeah,” she mumbled as she climbed into the driver’s seat and started the truck. The day did not exist that she would have dinner with a Masters. Today’s lunch had been bad enough. Then, she hadn’t known who he was. He may or may not be closely involved with the clan of thieves who’d stolen her family’s land, but she wasn’t about to take the chance. He’d said he was related. From his apparent age, and given that he looked exactly like Wade Masters, he could very well be their brother. But he hadn’t grown up around here, otherwise she would have heard of him before. It made her wonder what he was up to.

  As she backed out and headed for the main road, she noticed him still standing next to the fertilizer. He looked up and nodded as she passed. He seemed nice enough, but there was still the question of why he was here. Calico Springs was barely a dot on the map. It certainly wasn’t the vacation capital of the world. Probably he was here visiting his family. But they were all out of town, according to Mr. Rucker. While it was none of her business, overall it was a bit suspicious. She didn’t like suspicious. Especially when it involved the name Masters.

  * * *

  Seth decided time was on his side to do some house hunting. It was just over a week until his brothers were due back, according to Ben Rucker. It would give him a chance to find a local place to call home; he already had penthouses dotted around the US and the UK. Now that his business was well enough established that he could take some time off on occasion, having property in this area would afford him the chance to see more of his family.

  “We have several ranches that fit your description, Mr. Masters. Shall we plan on a time to go and see a few of them?”

  Seth sat across the desk from Kathy Chisum, the broker for Chisum Real Estate. Ben Rucker had recommended her as one of the better agents in the county representing the largest number of farms and ranches. He figured while he waited for Wade, Chance and Cole to return, he might as well look at some properties. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told Ally Kincaid he was thinking of buying in this area. So far he liked what he’d seen. The quaint town sat in the center of rolling hills and far-reaching pastureland dotted with groves of pine and oak and a number of small lakes.

  “That’s fine. Any time. Any day,” he replied. “I’ll be here for a couple of weeks, and my schedule is pretty much open.”

  “What about right now? I’ve had a cancellation.” Her voice was sweet and sincere.

  “Works for me. Thanks, Ms. Chisum.”

  “Kathy.” She smiled and rose from her chair. “Shall we take my truck?”

  “Sure.”

  The first two properties they saw had most of the things he wanted in a ranch, but he found something wrong with both of them. He didn’t want an old dairy farm. He didn’t want a house with two bedrooms that would require major renovation. But the third ranch was almost perfect. White pipe fencing ran along both sides of the driveway. The house was a charmer. It was an example of antebellum architecture that was in remarkably good shape, although it could use a good paint job. Across the front and sides of the house, large white columns rose to the top of the second story, and a portico in the center drew the eye to the magnificent front door. Someone had cared a lot for the house and property. A deep porch surrounded the home on the first floor, and second-story balconies overlooked the pasture and hills on all four sides. Two chimneys peeked over the roof. Inside, a grand staircase led to the second floor, which contained four bedrooms and a larger room with a sitting area that he assumed was the master. The kitchen and baths had been completely remodeled with granite countertops that complemented the hardwood floors.

  From the back porch, a path led to the barn. There were approximately twenty stalls, tack room, wash rack and a large open area where hay could be stored for the winter. The smell inside the wooden structure was amazing. He recognized alfalfa and the scent of leather. It brought Ally to mind.

  “Kathy, would you happen to know who owns this farm?”

  “Sure, let me look that up.” She tapped something into her phone. “Oh, wait. It’s owned by the Masters family.” She stepped back and eyed him closely. “Any relation?”

  “Yeah, as a matter of fact.”

  “Then you know they have a large ranching operation on the west side of town, just over ninety thousand acre
s. This was a repossession and doesn’t border their property, so they put it up for sale. But I guess you knew that.”

  “No, actually, I didn’t. I’m not involved with the family business.”

  “The price they’re asking is really good for this area. Well below market value. We’ve had a lot of interest. It won’t be on the market very long.” She turned to look at him. “I guess you want something away from the family compound?”

  He nodded. “Would you happen to know who owned it before them?”

  “Mmm. I’m afraid I don’t know any of the history for sure. I could try and find out for you if you like.”

  “No. That won’t be necessary. I like this place. I should talk to my brothers about it.”

  “Sure. If you’re seriously considering it, don’t wait too long.”

  He nodded. “I understand.”

  “It’s getting late. If you have no plans, would you like to have dinner?”

  “I’d like that.” He smiled.

  Kathy was a pretty, shapely brunette who appeared to like what she saw in him, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a friendly meal with her. The problem was, he already had his mind wrapped around a certain perky redhead. And he was positive this last ranch had been Ally’s.

  On the way back to town, while Kathy chatted away, an idea began to form. Ally wanted her home back. He needed a wife. They both had a chance to get what they wanted with no strings attached. The ranch’s low list price was certainly worth it if it ensured he would be included in the will where billions were at stake.

  It was a crazy idea. He smiled to himself at the thought of her reaction. He suspected only the name Masters had prevented her from accepting his dinner invitation earlier. Would she dare dance with the devil and say yes to marriage? Become Mrs. Seth Masters? On the irony scale, that had to take the cake.

  It would have to be a real marriage. One on paper for a few months. With the proper prenup, it shouldn’t be a problem. He had developed a knack for reading people, and Ally did not fit the particulars of a gold digger. She had given no sign of wanting to know him better. In fact, she seemed to hate him, as much as someone could hate a person they didn’t know. But she’d also impressed him as an honest person who only wanted what, in her mind, she was entitled to: her ranch.