by Lisa Kleypas
Ben was silent, but Addie could feel his chest rising and falling at a slightly faster rate. With horror, she felt his hand begin to move upward, and she grabbed his wrist, making a strangled sound of protest. His arm dropped away from her, and he dismounted leisurely. Then he turned around to face her, bracing his hands on either side of the saddle.
They stared at each other in silent fascination. Addie waited for him to jeer at her for the way she had let him touch her. It had been disrespectful and insolent, something she should have demanded an apology for. Ben's eyes raked over her, and he swallowed hard, the only indication that he'd been affected by her. For different reasons, they each chose to pretend it hadn't happened.
"All right now?" Ben asked quietly. For once, there was no mockery in his gaze.
"Yes," she answered, nearly inaudible. "I think I can ride her now."
"Sure?" he pressed, and for the first time his tone was gentle.
"Yes. "
Almost reluctantly he pulled away and strode to his horse. Addie watched him with wide eyes. She actually missed the presence of him at her back, the hard arm around her, his voice close by her ear. He had meant to taunt her, had taken liberties in order to teach her a lesson, but his closeness had had a different effeet than either of them expected. Something was terribly wrong with her, to find a man she knew to be a murderer soattractive.
She tried to find excuses for herself. It's all because of the men I'm used to. He's different from them. He has things they'll never have. The men she'd dated had been preoccupied with the defeat that faced them daily, the unemployment, the scarcity, the lack of control. Their lives had been robbed of the security their parents and grandparents had enjoyed, Sooner or later they were forced to move to the city for work. Their women were hard and sophisticated, scornful of love, eager for excitement.
And here was Ben Hunter, the exact opposite of those weary young men. Arrogantly he had made his own place in a rough world. Life was his to tame, or at least he thought so. It had been a long time since she had met a man with Ben's confidence, his vitality. He would never be bullied by a woman, never be crushed by her scorn. He's not used to a woman who'll stand up to him, she thought, and that realization made her more than a little intrigued. It would be soulsatisfying to force his respect for her, to make him acknowledge that he couldn't dominate her.
His face was inscrutable again as he mounted his horse. To look at him, she would never have guessed anything out of the ordinary had happened. Self consciously she did what she could to fix her clothes, knowing she was disheveled.
"Let's go," Ben said dryly. "I think we've kept Jeff waiting long enough, don't you?"
She nodded and applied her heels lightly to Jessie's perspiring sides. When she was assured that the mare was going to give her no more trouble, Addie cleared her throat and tried to appear as unruffled as her companion.
"Why are you going to the Double Bar?" she asked.
"Business."
"Concerning what?"
"That unbranded calf we recently acquired."
Addie couldn't hold back a triumphant smile. "The one we branded that you said was fair game? The one we stole in order to teach them to keep their strays off our land?"
"Yeah, that one. And while you're looking so self satisfied, you should know they moved their boundary line into our territory yesterday to pay us back for it. Ripped our fence clear out of the ground. "
"You're joking!"
"No, ma'am. In some territories, that's enough of an excuse to reach for a shotgun."
"What are you going to do?"
"Work out some kind of compromise with Big George. It won't be difficult. Sunrise and the Double Bar are big enough outfits to handle a few range disputes. Besides, everyone's got their eyes on this little romance between you and Jeff. The only one who likes the idea of a possible marriage more than your father is George." Ben smiled sardonically. "Neither one of the doting papas is going to do anything to stand in the way of true love."
Addie was stunned. "I'm not getting married to anyone."
He arched a dark eyebrow and smiled skeptically.
"You sure managed to get a lot of people excited about the possibility.”
"What if I decide we're not right for each other? What if I break things off with Jeff?"
"You do like to buy trouble for yourself, don't you? I'd say you'd better tread lightly this time. The Johnsons don't like to be toyed with. And when it comes to his son, Big George is mighty sensitive."
Addie was silent with anxiety as they crossed the border between the Sunrise Ranch and the Double Bar. 'A line rider from the Double Bar rode up to greet them, his gray roan stamping as the riders stopped and exchanged greetings.
"'Mornin'," Ben said, and the cowboy nodded, meeting his eyes with cool challenge. When range disputes had occurred, it took several days before excited tempers were calmed down. Everyone was involved in the controversy, from the bosses on down to the ranch hands.
"Your business?"
"Paying a friendly call," Ben replied.
"Just being neighborly," Addie tacked on nervously, earning a killing glance from her companion.
The line rider's eyes were admiring as they flickered over her. " 'Mornin', Miss Warner. Fine day, ain't it?"
"Just fine," she replied with an appealing smile, one which he returned without hesitation.
"You two go right on along, Miss Warner."
When they were out of earshot of the cowboy, Ben scowled at her. "There isn't a man in Texas who's safe from you."
"I wasn't flirting!"
"The only men you don't flirt with are the ones you're related to."
She longed for a way to puncture his arrogance. "I guess you know everything about me. Isn't that right, Mr. Hunter?"
"There's one thing I don't know."
Addie pretended to be shocked. "Imagine that. What could it possibly be?"
"Where you were during those two hours yesterday."
"Why do you care about that? What difference could it make to you?"
"It's a small town. Hard to stay out of sight that long. Cade and I went over that town with a fine-tooth comb, and there was no trace of you. "
"Did anyone say where they had seen me last?" He gave a short laugh. "Old Charlie Kendrick said he saw you vanish into thin air. Of course, he'd been drinking deadshot for three days straight."
"Vanish," she repeated shakily, and managed to laugh. "How ridiculous."
"Look over there." Ben was staring at an approaching rider, his eyes narrowing. "Sugar-britches couldn't wait for you."
"Is that JeffI"
"Can't you tell who it is?"
"The sun's in my eyes."
The rider stopped beside Addie, touching the brim of his hat and flashing her a smile. She was amazed to see a strong hint of 0l' Man Johnson in his face. So it was him! How handsome he had been when he was young! His hair was the color of mahogany, and his bright blue eyes were set in a tanned face. He was built along solid lines, but husky rather than fat. He looked like a gentleman, and a one-hundred-percent charmer, if his smile was anything to judge by. As Addie met his sunny blue eyes and felt the warmth of his grin, she couldn't help smiling back.
"You're a little late," he said, without taking his eyes off Addie. "Any problems?"
"Nothing serious," Ben replied lazily. "Tell me, what kind of disposition am I likely to find your father in?"
Jeff looked at him with obvious dislike. "Same as always."
"I was afraid of that." Ben glanced in the direction Jeff had just come from. "I trust you'll see Miss Adeline back home safely?"
"It's a guarantee," Jeff replied. "Come on, Adeline."
She hesitated, looking back at Ben uncertainly. "Ben… "
"Hmmm?" There was nothing but indifference in his face.
She wanted to thank him-for what, she wasn't certain. "I… I'll see you at dinner, I guess," she stammered, and the comers of his mouth deepened with the trace of a sm
ile.
"Only if you don't forget how to ride Jessie on the way back."
She glared at him. Seeing her impotent anger, Ben chuckled, clicking to his horse and riding away.
"What did he mean?" Jeff demanded, looking nettled, and Addie stared ruefully after Ben's retreating figure.
"He's just being nasty," she said. "As usual." There was a short silence before Jeff reached over and took her free hand, lifting it to his mouth. "I missed you," he said softly. She didn't know how to reply. To her he was a stranger, but he looked at her as if they had shared many private moments together. "Good Lord, you're beautiful. More beautiful than I've ever seen you. What is it about you that makes my heart ache so much?"
Addie stared at him in wonder. He sounds as if he's in love with me, she thought in alarm. Just how close have I been with him? … I mean, how intimate have he and Adeline been? Oh, I wish he wouldn't look at me that way!
"Let's go to our place," he said, his blue eyes seeming to swallow her whole, and she nodded slowly, drawing her hand away from his.
"Their place" turned out to be a secluded spot near a gently rushing stream that just bordered the Sunrise Ranch. While the horses drank downstream, Addie allowed Jeff to seat her in the shade of a hardy tree.
"I was afraid you wouldn't be here this morning," he said, sitting beside her and slipping his arm around her back. Her spine stiffened at the familiar gesture, but he seemed not to notice.
"What would you have done if I hadn't been?"
"I would have ridden to the ranch and gotten you myself." Jeff smiled crookedly. "I couldn't have let another day go by without seein' you."
"Exactly how long has it been?"
"An eternity. Seven days, two hours, thirty-seven minutes. "
Addie laughed, and he bent to kiss the tip of her nose. Surprised, she jerked her head back. "Are you turnin' shy on me?" he asked tenderly. "You've never been shy with me before, sweetheart." As he bent over and pressed his lips against the side of her throat, she colored and pulled away from him. For heaven's sake, what was the matter with these men? She'd been manhandled more in the past twenty-four hours than she had ever been in her life! "I should've expected you to turn skittish on me," Jeff grumbled. "You know it only makes me want you more."
"Maybe I just want to talk a little."
Immediately his blue eyes were grave. "'Bout what? The stuff I told you about the other night?"
"I… I don't remember what that was."
"You Oh, God's sake, Adeline. Isn't there anything you won't tease me about? If you don't want to talk about it, there won't ever have to be another word. It's enough for me to know you won't stand in the way. "
Addie frowned, staring at him curiously. Was he referring to a marriage proposal? Or some kind of plan they had hatched up?
"No, I won't stand in the way," she said, hoping that would encourage him to drop some more clues.
"You think Leah understood what she heard?"
"I… I don't know."
"Just keep an eye on her, that's all."
"I w-will-"
"Aw, honey, don't look so worried. It's all gonna work out fine. We'll get it done in time. You trust me, don't you?"
"Yes, I… Jeff!"
He had taken her by the shoulders and pulled her halfway across his lap. "Enough talkin', Adeline. I'm gonna die if I wait one more second."
His mouth covered hers in a kiss that lasted for a long time. After her initial surprise, Addie lay passively in his arms, answering the pressure of his lips. My Lord, I never dreamed I'd be kissing 0l' Man Johnson, she thought nervously, and suddenly it was hard not to giggle. His hand slid to her breast, cupping lightly, and she tensed at the intimate touch, finding it anything but arousing. They were supposed to be familiar with each other-but she didn't know him at all, and she couldn't pretend to enjoy his roving hands. It was difficult to hide a sigh of relief when his hand slid to her waist and stayed there. At last he lifted his head and smiled down at her, apparently satisfied with her response, lackluster though it had been.
"I love you," he whispered, causing her to cringe inside. She couldn't make herself say it back. She had never told any man that she loved him, and she didn't want the first time to be a lie. Feeling horribly guilty, she tried to look at him as he looked at her.
"Oh, Jeff," she said, her voice trembling, and he didn't notice that the betraying quiver was caused by agitation, not love.
He held her silently, clasping her against his chest, and she discovered with some surprise that it was rather soothing to be held by him. How different this was from the torment and excitement she had found in Ben's arms. The hair on the back of her neck rose as she remembered Ben's mouth so close to her ear, his hand resting lightly on her body… Oh, how could she have let him? Now he'd never allow her to forget it.
The rest of the morning was strangely relaxing. They were quiet for long stretches of time, curled up together as they watched the gurgling stream. Although Jeff seemed to feel she belonged to him, he didn't paw her, and he wasn't heavy-handed. He kissed her often, but he was gentle with her, as if he were afraid she might break. Many times Addie would tum her face to find him staring at her raptly, apparently mesmerized. What had Adeline Warner done to cause this obsession?
"Adeline Johnson," he murmured as he held her, and she jumped slightly.
"What?"
"That's who you'll be, pretty soon. Adeline Johnson. Sounds good, doesn't it?"
"It sounds different," she said cautiously.
He drew his knuckles down the side of her face. "Witch," he whispered. "You have the face of an angel. And the heart of a witch. I'll never be free of you-I couldn't be if I wanted to. You own my soul, Adeline. "
"I don't want to own anyone."
"You're a mystery. I'll never understand you. I guess no one ever will. You get a grip on a man's heart, and every now and then you give it a little twist… but always so sweetly. And it's only because you're so beautiful that I let you tie me in knots the way you do. "
The intensity of his stare made her uneasy. "Don't, you'll make me conceited," she said, and laughed in an effort to break the tension. Jeff followed her lead, breaking out into a low laugh.
"I've got to see you tomorrow," he said, watching her as she stood up to brush the leaves and dirt off her skirt.
"I don't know." Addie smiled at him. "Something tells me I'll be very busy."
"I miss you, Adeline. And I'm gettin' tired of the way your father and his bulldog keep such a close eye on you. I never get to visit you without them hangin' over me like-"
"His bulldog?"
"Ben Hunter. Lord knows why your father has taken to him, or why he trusts him. It's not safe for you to be around him."
"Why do you say that? “
"He's up to no good, honey. Just think about it. Stranger comes to Sunrise, talkin' like an easterner and carryin' a forty-four. Has a reputation as a maverick hunter and a gambler. Somehow finds his way to Sunrise Ranch and hornswoggles your daddy into hiring him on. Anyone with eyes can see he 's on dodge from the law. You can always tell when a man's lyin' low."
"I guess you can." Addie stared into the stream and frowned thoughtfully. Then she asked him to take her home.
Russell decided to talk to Addie in the library before dinner that night-for what reason, she couldn't guess. As she sat down in a deep leather chair and watched him puff on a cigar, she found it comforting to be near him. Having been raised by a maiden aunt, she'd never been accustomed to a masculine presence in a home. She liked Russell's scratchy, deep voice, the scents of horses, leather, and the trace of strong drink that clung to him. He had the same vigor that she had admired in Ben, the same robust appreciation of life, and his roughness appealed to something inside her.
It was incredible to look in Russell's face and realize she resembled him. Perhaps it was mere coincidence, or her imagination, but it seemed to her that they even shared some of the same mannerisms. He treated her with a discon
certing mixture of directness and indulgence, one minute talking to her as frankly as if she were a man, the next spoiling her without limit.
"Lately I haven't talked to you much, Adeline."
"No, sir."
"You spent some time today with Jeff."
"Yes, we-"
"What goes on between you two durin' these visits? "
"I… He… Nothing much."
"He acts like a gentleman around you?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
He nodded, blowing out a ring of smoke. "That's good. Jeff is a good boy, for a Johnson. Soft, maybe, but he'd never dare treat you wrong. He say anything 'bout when he's plannin' to ask me for permission to marry you?"
"No."
"Then he ain't caught yet."
"No, sir."
"Well, he will be soon. But to catch him you got to hold him at the right distance. Understand?"
"I think so."
"Not too close, not too far. Hold him tight, but don't choke him. That's the way your mama caught me." Russell noticed Addie's sudden smile, and he chuckled, beaming with pride. "If you want him, we'll get him for you, honey. Just look at you. I got me the prettiest girl in Texas."
"And… I've got the most distinctive father."
"Distinctive?" Russell appeared to be pleased. "Distinctive. Five-dollar word. So you learned somethin' at that school 'sides watercolorin' and manners. Your mother might have been right about sendin' you there. But don't tell her I said so."
As he looked at her, his pride deepened until his chest was filled with it. Besides the Sunrise Ranch, he considered Adeline to be his greatest accomplishment. Any achievement of hers was a credit to him, while her faults… well, he preferred to ignore those, except to chastise her occasionally, just for show. Cade and Caroline were good children, but they were too much like their mother. Adeline understood things that most women, in his opinion, weren't capable of understanding. She thought with good, hard common sense, more like a man than a woman. And she belonged to Texas as he did. She had his nerve, she was cut from his mold.