by Susan Fox
“To spend the day in bed with my wife.”
Claire gave him a no-nonsense shake of her head as he reached for his coffee and finally had a sip. “Since you won’t be getting Plan A, what’s Plan B?”
He set the cup on the counter. “To get you on a horse.”
Claire rolled her eyes and walked out of the big bathroom into the bedroom. “How about I just jump off a cliff or throw myself off the barn roof?” she asked as she glanced briefly over her shoulder to see him follow her out. “That way, we can have the same result without pestering one of your horses.”
Logan plucked his shirt off the doorknob to the walk-in closet and started to put it on. “You’re that chicken, huh?”
Claire took a few moments to fluff their pillows before she efficiently made the bed. He was teasing her about being a chicken, and since she couldn’t detect scorn for her fear, she decided that now was as good a time as any to tell him the story.
“I was ten years old when I rode one of my uncle’s horses. I’d probably made it once around the pasture before the horse bucked me off, broke my wrist, then stepped on me before I could get off the ground.”
She walked around the bed to Logan’s side and spread up the top sheet and comforter. “After I was on my feet, the horse my cousin was riding bit me on the shoulder.” She finished and turned slightly to point to a place on the back of her shoulder under her shirt. “I still have the scar. I’m a complete chicken, except I don’t have feathers and I don’t lay eggs.”
Claire watched his stern face while he buttoned his shirt. “You need a rooster for that.”
Relieved things were still light between them, she said, “Good point, but since I don’t seem to be able to help it, it’s a waste of time to bother. I tried a couple of other times to ride after the cast came off. My uncle took it all so seriously that he forced me to get on a horse, and yelled at me. Cussed, too. I promptly lost my lunch, along with whatever dignity or hope I had left.”
She laced her fingers together in front of her as he finished buttoning his shirt and began to briskly tuck the tail into his jeans. He’d not commented on anything so far, so she was persuaded to confess the rest. But as much to caution him about the futility of pushing her to try again as anything else.
“I became the laughingstock of that part of the family and lived through it, so I’m immune to being shamed or coerced or cussed into trying again.”
Logan silently finished with his shirt. He seemed to have taken what she’d said seriously, but what amazed her was that he appeared to accept that she couldn’t be pressured into another try. Relieved, she walked around the bed and stopped to wait for him before she started for the hall.
He met her gaze somberly. “You might want to reconsider sometime, because you have a little boy now. Think how you’ll feel when his life revolves around horses and riding, and you can never go along.”
She only had a half second to register the pleasure of his “You might want to” beginning before the rest of his words struck her heart like a soft punch. With just a few quiet words he’d managed to ensure that she wouldn’t be able to ignore her fear of riding and just go on happily afoot. Her voice was soft and a little choked.
“Just when I begin to think you might not be the quite manipulative cretin you started out to be, you manage to give me fresh evidence.”
There’d been no real fire in the words that were more a signal of impending surrender than criticism. Logan seemed to know that, and he moved close to gently take her hands.
The part of her heart that wasn’t aching over the thought of Cody’s interests and hers dividing at some point was surprised by the comforting gesture.
“It’ll be different this time, Claire.”
She looked up at him, sick that she had absolutely no confidence in that. She’d been afraid of riding too long. “And if it’s not?”
“You’ll have a choice at every step.”
Claire gave him a doubtful smile. “Will I?”
His face was still somber. “You have my word.”
Claire was deeply touched by that, by this, and as he leaned down, her eyes drifted closed. It was another sweet, sweet kiss, and her heart responded much the same way as it had last night.
Oh how she hoped this was the beginning of good things for this marriage! If she could somehow survive Plan B without being killed or going catatonic, it might be a sign of more good things to come. Claire knew already that mastering her fear would also enhance her relationship with her husband, and she wanted that now. Wanted it a lot.
Logan drew back slightly. “Think the boy’s awake yet?”
Grateful for the change of subject, her soft, “Probably,” was barely a whisper.
If she hadn’t been so deeply worried about Logan’s plan to take her riding and her certainty of both trauma and failure, Claire might have realized how far her heart had gone toward falling in love with him.
Claire couldn’t get down more than three bites of toast at breakfast. After she’d made sure Cody and Elsa would do well together, she joined Logan at the back door. She suffered being fit with a Stetson and a pair of western books that were kept on hand for guests, then walked out with her solemn husband to meet her fate.
To her surprise, they got into one of the ranch pickups and drove away from the headquarters. Too preoccupied with worry and a mental litany of desperate little clichés along the lines of “What won’t kill you will cure you,” and the old, “I am woman, hear me roar,” Claire didn’t pay much attention to the panorama of range land around them.
When Logan drove toward a stand of abandoned wood rail corrals, she noted the corrals weren’t quite abandoned. Two saddle horses and Cody’s pony were tethered in one of the pens. It didn’t take much to figure out why the pony was there.
“Oh, Logan,” she breathed out, then gave a helpless chuckle. “No wonder you brought me to the back forty.”
Clearly, he meant to start her out on the pony, and her pride squirmed. She felt about two inches high—which was just as well because the pony was small.
But Logan would be the only human witness, and at least she had some confidence that he’d never repeat what he saw here today. Male pride alone ensured that. After all, he’d have to be able to hold his head up among the macho set, so he could hardly blab the news that he’d used a pony to help his wife get over her fear of riding.
Resigned to the excruciating embarrassment but mightily relieved because at least she couldn’t fall far if the pony threw her off, Claire got out of the pickup and walked with Logan into the pen.
It took him only a moment to slip off the pony’s halter and put a pony-sized bridle on its head. He passed her the reins and she made herself take them.
“You can begin by handling him from the ground,” Logan said, then instructed her in the basics, as if she was no older than Cody. It was a small reprieve—after all, she couldn’t miss the significance of the two saddled horses nearby—but she appreciated the chance to become a little more comfortable with the pony before she actually had to ride him.
Polite and well-trained, the pony complied with everything Logan had her do, from leading it around to removing its bridle then putting it back on. She actually managed to get the knack of lifting the pony’s feet. Logan apparently could tell the moment she felt at ease.
“Lead him over here, and I’ll hold him while you get on.”
Claire turned toward him and brought the pony over. “Bareback?”
“The only saddle that fits him is a kid saddle. Too small for you.”
“You’re sure I won’t hurt him?”
“He’s big enough to carry you.”
Of course he would be. Logan knew horses, so he must be right, and the muscular pony’s back was almost as high as her waist. Claire handed over the reins. Not quite so nervous, she faced the pony’s side.
While she was trying to figure out how to get on the sleek back, Logan stepped over and caught her waist to lift her up. He’d star
tled her, and Claire spent those first few seconds trying to get her balance.
And then Logan led the pony much as he had with Cody. He periodically had her dismount then get back on by herself, and she quickly figured out how to do both with some semblance of grace. Logan took a moment to explain neck-reining, then turned over control and stepped away to coach her as she rode around the corral solo.
Absurdly thrilled, Claire felt like crowing as Cody had the first time Logan had taken him riding. From there, it was easier for Logan to talk her into mounting one of the big horses. He followed the same procedure, first leading the horse then handing her the reins.
Nervous but not as terrified as before, she cautiously rode around the corral, following his commands to switch directions, stop and back up. The huge horse calmly obeyed her every signal and gradually she felt more at ease.
Too soon for her jittery stomach, Logan put the pony on a lead rope, mounted the other horse, and led the way as he opened the gate and kept watch as Claire rode along to follow him out.
Her insides were still a mass of quivering jelly, but she was actually riding a horse! The ground didn’t look so far down after a while, and the animal seemed willing to plod harmlessly along under her cautious control.
Leery of claiming success prematurely, Claire kept silent until they’d reached the stable at the headquarters. Flushed with victory, Claire started to dismount, got a leg cramp, then began to slide helplessly down the side of the horse. Logan caught her waist to slow her descent, but her knees buckled when her feet touched the ground. If he hadn’t kept hold of her, she’d have ended up in the dirt.
“Let’s walk you around,” he said, and Claire clung to his arm until she could walk on her own. “That won’t happen once your legs get some muscle on them,” he remarked.
“That’s good,” she said and let go of his arm. They handed off their horses to a stable hand and started for the house.
Claire couldn’t get the wide smile off her face, and she knew she must look like a grinning fool.
“I can’t believe it, Logan. I actually rode a horse. A really, really big one.”
Logan’s eyes twinkled as he smiled over at her. “You’re on your way.”
Claire’s excitement animated her. “I never thought it could happen—this is so unbelievable! I was embarrassed about the pony, but you were right to have me ride him first.” She grabbed his arm with both her hands and gave it a shake, absurdly thrilled over the accomplishment.
“I take back every mean thing I ever thought about you. I can’t believe it was so easy! You made it easy—you’re a genius. You got me to ride a horse and I actually stayed on! I can’t explain what it means to me to be able to do that. It’s because of you, Logan, only because of you.”
She was so excited that she couldn’t seem to help that she stopped and tugged on his arm to prompt him to lean down.
“You are the most wonderful man—I so underestimated you.” It was in her heart to give him a “thank you” kiss. Logan had started to oblige when a feminine voice intruded and startled them both.
“I can’t believe Logan Pierce would marry a city girl who couldn’t ride a horse before this morning.”
Claire jerked her head in the direction of the voice and felt her face go fiery as she realized she’d been so completely oblivious to the woman’s approach that she’d babbled out what she’d hoped to keep secret from the rest of the world.
The gorgeous brunette stood with her hands on her svelte hips, and she looked as at home in her Stetson, work clothes and boots as she would have in a sequined gown at a ball. Instinct told Claire that this woman was an expert with everything to do with horses and ranch life.
She was probably also an expert in sequined gowns and ballrooms. Claire could almost see the word “debutante” in the green eyes that looked her over with enough pity in their depths to make her feel like an idiot.
Not used to bearing that kind of attitude with any kind of grace but not yet certain what Logan’s relationship with the woman was, Claire made herself give a stiff, polite smile.
“Hello, my name is Claire,” she said as she recovered her confidence and stepped forward to offer her hand to the woman.
Logan finished the introduction. “And this is Kiki Lynch. She’s one of our neighbors.”
The woman put out her hand as if she was only reluctantly allowing the gesture. She let go of Claire’s fingers almost before their hands made full contact, and then simply dismissed Claire’s presence by addressing Logan.
“When you decide to do something, you sure keep it to yourself.”
“No need to advertise.”
There was a hint of displeasure in Logan’s low voice that the woman appeared untroubled by, but the shorthand exchange indicated a familiarity that Claire couldn’t mistake.
“Well, bring her along Saturday after next, and let folks get a look at her.”
As if she needed another look herself, Kiki’s green eyes flicked over Claire, and again Claire saw the trace of pity. She felt compelled to say something.
“What happens Saturday after next?”
“Mama and Daddy are havin’ a barbecue to celebrate my birthday.”
“Happy birthday.”
Kiki gave a wave of her hand. “It’s not for three more weeks,” she said, effectively cutting Claire out as she stepped between her and Logan to take his arm as if she did it regularly.
“You’ve been keepin’ me in suspense for a whole month, darlin’, so now you don’t get a choice. You’ll want to introduce Carla around, and there’s no better place to do it than in a crowd.”
Claire stared in amazement as Kiki slathered on the charm in a bid to not only persuade Logan to show up, but the woman was squeezing then stroking his arm as if making love to it. Logan’s stony expression didn’t change a whit and Claire felt a burst of hilarity. Kiki’s ploy to trivialize her by referring to her as Carla instead of Claire was hardly original, and that made it difficult to keep a straight face.
On the other hand, Logan was keeping a straight enough face for both of them so Claire decided to enjoy this. After all, nothing could truly spoil the accomplishment of that morning, and Claire was content to listen to Kiki wheedle and tease as they all walked along.
CHAPTER TEN
OBVIOUSLY, Kiki Lynch must have had a marital hope or two of her own. Casual friends just didn’t behave as she was, but Claire felt surprisingly secure about Logan. He apparently could have married Kiki, who clearly felt some sort of entitlement to him, anytime he’d wanted to. But he must not have wanted to. Besides, Logan had to know already that his new wife didn’t have a personality that would tolerate even a hint of infidelity.
Claire was just trying to picture the kind of people who would name their daughter Kiki, when they reached the house and walked into the kitchen. Claire hung her Stetson on the wall peg and glanced around for Cody.
He was playing with an assortment of little trucks and cars under the kitchen table at the end of the big kitchen while Elsa hand-mixed what looked like cake batter at the counter. The little boy’s excitement to see them was curtailed by the presence of the tall brunette. Ever bashful, he stayed under the table.
Kiki hadn’t noticed him yet so Claire walked over to the table and bent down. Cody crawled out and she caught him up in a hug.
“Hello, sweetie, give me a kiss.” Though Claire had kept her voice low, picking the child up had got Kiki’s attention.
“That’s not your boy, is it?”
Kiki had asked bluntly, as if she was entitled to have answers to anything she wanted to know.
“Why yes, he is,” Claire answered, “in every way that matters. Logan and I will be adopting him soon. And his name is Cody.”
“He’s Cliff’s boy,” Logan said, and Claire couldn’t tell if he approved or disapproved of her declaration about adoption until he added, “Claire and I will raise him like our own.”
Something in Claire relaxed. It was
one thing for Logan to propose that privately, and to even sign a prenup few would ever see or know about. But now that he’d declared it publicly, she felt more reassured.
Besides, it didn’t take deep instinct to know that through Kiki everyone in Texas would know about it by noon, and public knowledge might prompt Logan to hurry the adoption process along.
Not that she didn’t think he’d come through, and not that she hadn’t already decided it was in Cody’s best interests for her to stay married to Logan, but she wanted them to go forward with the adoption soon because it would settle something important between them. Or at least it would settle one important thing.
Claire’s sudden craving to settle all the important things between them was surprisingly sharp.
Kiki’s bald, “I wondered why he looked like Logan,” said a lot about Kiki’s first impression. And the faint look of irritation on her beautiful face as much as announced that she might have hoped Logan’s sudden marriage was more because of an out-of-wedlock child than because he’d been smitten.
Though Kiki wasn’t completely mistaken—this had been a marriage for the sake of a child—Claire suddenly hoped no one would ever know the truth. But she didn’t know enough about Kiki’s relationship with Logan to predict whether he would ever confide it to the woman.
On the other hand, common sense suggested that his failure to confide to Kiki his plans to marry—though he must have been planning it for a while—was probably the biggest clue that Kiki would never know the whole story.
Claire could tell by the way the woman’s gaze narrowed that she wanted far more information that she was getting, so Claire looked over at Logan as the awkward silence stretched.
His voice was low. “Cody’s mama passed away. Claire was taking care of the boy, and one thing led to another.”
Claire couldn’t help smiling. It was the complete truth, but most people would assume that the one thing that led to another was love. A court battle that ended in blackmail would never enter most folks’ minds, so no one would be the wiser. And Claire didn’t want anyone to know the real circumstances anyway, so what Logan had said covered it nicely.