by Lisa Kleypas
Addie felt faint as she heard the words. "No," she gasped, turning away, and Ben caught her by the elbows. Addie quivered, her knees weak, and she gripped his arms for support.
Ben stared at Jeff over her head, his eyes chilling.
"Mention her name again and I'll spread you all over this ranch."
"Don't you believe me?" Jeff taunted. "She said Watts would do anything for money. She told him when and where to meet me, helped arrange it all. How did you think we got him so easy? Am I makin' this up, Adeline? Go on, tell him it's not true. I want to hear how easy it is for you to lie."
Addie couldn't make a sound. She knew she should deny the accusation to save her skin, but she couldn't.
"Addie?" Ben said, and she lifted her head slowly, frightened of the suspicion she would see in his face, knowing she couldn't deny him the truth if he asked it of her. Time seemed to stand still, and she was faced with two different pasts, wondering which one would claim her future. An eternal judgment was about to be pronounced, and although she was terrified to face it, there was no other choice.
Trembling, she looked up into Ben's eyes. She saw no suspicion, no condemnation, no questions. Only concern for her, and a flicker of tenderness. "I should have left you at home," he said quietly. "You shouldn't be exposed to this."
She nodded mutely, overwhelmed with relief. It was alright. He loved her enough not to believe it. He'd dismissed Jeff's words as so much trash. Ben slid his arm around her waist and looked at Big George, his mouth twisting sardonically.
"Eventually you'll do yourselves in. I just want you to know I'll do my best to make it as easy as possible for you." He paused casually, as if just remembering something. "And if you have any questions about the Sunrise Ranch and its policies now that Russ Warner is gone, be assured it will follow in the same traditions. Only you'll find I'm not as good-natured or forgiving as Russ was. I won't rest until the debt has been paid and you're on your knees. It might take some time, but I'll do it. The fence is going back up, this time for good, and I'm going to bleed every last drop from you until your ranch is bone dry and the cattle worn to skeletons. I'm going to ruin you, and one day you'll wish to God you hadn't taken Russ out and left me in charge."
After that visit Ben seemed more at peace in his own mind about Russell's murder. He was not, as Addie had feared, consumed with the idea of revenge, although there was a certain gleam in his eyes whenever the Johnsons were mentioned. He walked with a lighter step now, as self-assured as ever, slower to anger, quicker to smile. The ranch seemed to be infused with new life, as if the sun had come out from behind a cloud. Addie was still the only one who dared argue with Ben or challenge him, and she did so as much as she pleased. In return he was remarkably possessive of her, claiming her time and attention with the matchless arrogance she scolded him for and secretly loved..
No part of his life was closed to her, including his work. Having elicited his promise to take her with him to Kansas City when he bought new shorthorn stock for Sunrise, she pored over his books on cattle breeding and transportation. When May overheard one of their business discussions and tried to upbraid Ben for it, he smiled and said he expected Addie to come up with ideas that would make the ranch a pile of money. The entire family, as well as most outsiders, shook their heads over Ben and Addie, who seemed to be developing one of the most extraordinary relationships the town had ever seen.
As for the two of them, they knew there was still much to find out about each other, more than could be discovered in a lifetime. Addie never failed to surprise Ben, even on their wedding night, when she began to cry as soon as he carried her over the threshold of her refurbished room. He sat down on the new double bed and cradled her in his arms, earnestly entreating her to tell him what was wrong.
"We're finally married," she said, mopping her face with his handkerchief. "I'm so happy and relieved… and over-whelmed."
Ben held her for a long time, his head bent down to hers as he pressed lingering kisses on her face, whispering his love to her. As she twined her arms around his neck, her body soft and warm against his, they were both shaken. They kissed hungrily, desperately aware of how long they had gone without making love. With fumbling haste they stripped their clothes off, and it was different from the gentle reunion they had expected, so savagely sweet to feel their naked bodies clasped together. Slowly Addie felt herself dissolve in an ocean of darkness in which there was nothing but his body, his hands, his mouth on hers. She matched his boldness, equally fierce, equally tender, until pleasure shuddered through her in a torrent that seemed to reshape her very soul.
In the aftermath she lay contentedly in his arms as he twirled a lock of her hair around his finger and brought it to his lips. "I used to dream about you making love to me," she whispered, and felt his soft laugh against her temple.
"Before we actually did?"
"Before I even met you. I didn't know your name, or even what you looked like."
Ben smiled lazily. "How do you know it was me?"
"Don't be silly. How could I mix you up with someone else?" She slid a hand over his chest to show him he was hers to touch whenever she wanted. Ben leaned over her, dark hair falling on his forehead as he lowered his mouth to her throat.
"Why don't you show me some of the things we did in those dreams, Mrs. Hunter?" he whispered, his lips wandering over her skin.
"It might take all night," Addie warned.
"I insist."
And she laughed, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him passionately.
The train had come rumbling into the depot with a hiss of steam and a deafening whistle, exciting Leah to the point of speechlessness. Since no one in the family believed in long good-byes, they all tried to be brisk and cheerful. May was the first to move, kissing Cade and admonishing him to behave himself. She turned to Addie with glassy eyes, and hugged her.
“I’ll miss you, Mama." Addie said, her throat aching. She breathed in the scent of vanilla and ducked her head against May's shoulder, not wanting to let her go.
"I'll be happier in North Carolina," May whispered. "I belong there, just like you belong here."
Then May let go of her and turned to Ben, who took her hand and raised it to his lips in an odd and strangely appropriate gesture. She pressed his hand, the most affection she could bring herself to show him. "Take care of them," she said, and turned away, assisted by the conductor as she boarded the train.
Addie and Caroline held on to each other, both of them searching for something to say. Addie knew if she tried to make a sound, she would start bawling and wouldn't be able to stop. She would miss Caroline more than anyone, even May. Caroline finally cleared her throat and spoke in a tremulous voice.
"Be happy, Adeline. I wilL"
Addie nodded, swallowing painfully as they let go of each other. She returned Peter's perfunctory hug, then looked down at Leah, whose solemn eyes seemed to read her thoughts. Addie picked up one of the little girl's perfect braids and smoothed an imaginary wisp of hair in place. She stared at the small face and wise gray eyes, and in a flash she was lost in a memory… curled up with Aunt Leah by the radio, shrieking with laughter at a comedy show. And then, striding into Leah's bedroom, making the older woman laugh by singing… you're the cream in my coffee … Strange, that what they'd once been to each other, they now would never. But Addie had memories. Maybe that was why it was so hard to let this Leah go, because of her memories of the other one. She knelt down and put her arms around the girl. "I love you, Leah," she said, and although she spoke to the child, she was remembering the woman. "You have a good trip. "
All the good-byes were said and they boarded the train, leaving Addie, Cade, and Ben standing in the depot. Suddenly Addie knew she didn't want to watch the train pull away, and she turned to Ben with tears in her eyes and a question hovering on her lips. He smiled before she had to say a word, putting one arm around her and clapping a hand on Cade's shoulder.
"I've had a sudden inspira
tion," he said, breaking the solemn mood. "Let's go have lunch somewhere. And ice cream for dessert. "
"Strawberry," Addie said immediately.
"Vanilla," Cade said at the same time, and they wasted no time in leaving the depot.
When they returned to the ranch it was late afternoon, and Addie flew into the kitchen to start dinner. She was elbow-deep in flour when Cade came whooping into the house to find her.
"Adeline! Adeline! Guess who I've been talkin' to. Guess who came back!"
"Who?"
"Diaz! He's out on the front porch right now, settin' there like always, gettin' ready to tell a few tall ones."
Distractedly she picked up a rag and wiped her hands on it. "Have you done your homework for tomorrow?"
"You're sonndin' like Ma already," Cade said, immediately disgusted.
"Well, have you?"
He grinned crookedly. "Okay, okay, I'm gettin' to it."
As he disappeared upstairs, Addie walked out to the front porch. Just as Cade had said, Diaz was out there, half-reclining on the steps in his usual position.
"Mr. Diaz;" she said, and as he started to move, she gestured for him to stay still. "No, please don't get up. I was thinking of joining you." He made a show of dusting off a step with his bandanna, and she sat down. "It's nice to see you here again, Mr. Diaz."
"I'm an old drifter, ma'am. No use fightin' against it."
"How long are you planning to stay?"
When he didn't reply, she smiled, realizing he never knew how long he would stay somewhere or when he would leave. Folding her hands in her lap, she looked out at the sky, which was streaked with pink and gold. "Nice sunset," she remarked, and he nodded. They were companionably silent for a few minutes, watching the sun dip closer to the horizon.
Diaz was the first to speak. "Damn shame about Mr. Warner."
Addie sighed and stared at the ground. "It's hard to forgive myself. I feel… responsible."
"How's that?"
"Remember that discussion we had once, about someone having a second chance? About miracles and being able to… go back and change things?"
Diaz nodded slowly.
"I had a second chance," she said, watching cautiously for his reaction. He didn't seem surprised or shocked. "You know, don't you? I don't know how or why, but you understand what happened to me the day I disappeared and came back. "
"Yes, ma'am."
Was he a crazy old man for believing her? She wasn't sure. No one in his right mind should accept that she'd been transferred to the future and back. Certainly it was a secret she would always have to keep from Ben, who would think she'd gone out of her mind if she tried to tell him. But she knew Diaz understood, whether it was because of his age, his superstitious nature, innate wisdom or maybe even senility.
"I'm responsible for not having saved Russell," she said, unburdening herself further. "I knew about it beforehand. I should have been able to stop it."
"Maybe you weren't supposed to," Diaz said matter-of-factly. "Maybe you were just supposed to save yourself." He looked out to the open range and gestured to a ride in the distance. They could tell by the way he sat the horse that it was Ben. "Or him. Who's to say?"
Addie frowned thoughtfully. "It's something to think about." It was possible Diaz was right. She had changed Ben's destiny as well as her own. Her second chance had given them both a future. Maybe Russell's death had been inevitable, and his second chance would come in another time and place. Who was to say?
All at once she felt light, as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Perhaps she should try to let go of the old Adeline Warner. She couldn't change what she'd been, but she could make the most of what she had now. Shading her eyes, she watched Ben's approaching figure, her heart beating faster. Nothing was as important as his love. Together they had made a new beginning, and life promised to be good for them. Heedless of the old man watching, she stood up and ran to meet Ben.
He reined in the horse and dismounted, catching Addie around the waist and lifting her a few inches off the ground. Warm green eyes traveled over her face. "What's got you in such a hurry?" he asked, and kissed her before she could answer.
Addie laughed breathlessly as soon as her toes touched the ground. She looped her arms around his neck. "Dinner's going to be late. I hope you're not hungry. "
"Of course I am," Ben said, lowering his head to kiss her again. "But only for you, darlin'."
***
FB2 document info
Document ID: fbd-c8613f-7e55-3b4e-e08f-34f2-312d-35af70
Document version: 1
Document creation date: 12.06.2009
Created using: Fiction Book Designer, Fiction Book Investigator software
Document authors :
Source URLs :
About
This file was generated by Lord KiRon's FB2EPUB converter version 1.1.5.0.
(This book might contain copyrighted material, author of the converter bears no responsibility for it's usage)
Этот файл создан при помощи конвертера FB2EPUB версии 1.1.5.0 написанного Lord KiRon.
(Эта книга может содержать материал который защищен авторским правом, автор конвертера не несет ответственности за его использование)
http://www.fb2epub.net
https://code.google.com/p/fb2epub/