The Rancher's Cinderella Bride

by Sara Orwig

  “Absolutely. And I’ll be drooling over you all evening.”

  “Frankly, I hope not,” she said and they both laughed.

  Once they were on their way, he made an effort to keep the sports car well below the speed limit and his attention firmly on his driving, even though he’d have preferred to just sit and look at her. How could she have changed that much from just makeup and hair color? Part of it was also the dress, he admitted. He had never seen her in a sexy dress like the one she was wearing tonight.

  “Your parents and Justin’s are still coming tonight, right?”

  “Oh, yes. And both sets of my grandparents. Justin has a table reserved with friends so he’s going to have to explain why I’m not with him, which is good. You know he’s listed as one of the twenty most desirable bachelors in the Dallas area. And so are you, for that matter.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know why the hell I’m in there. I’m a cowboy. I don’t give a damn about these country clubs. I only belong to this club because of family and because it’s convenient sometimes since it’s in Dallas and near the area where I live. I shouldn’t be on that list.”

  “Of course you should,” she said, rubbing his knee lightly, her voice a sultry drawl. “You fantastic man—you are sooo sexy and handsome.”

  He knew she was teasing and he glanced her way to give her a smile. He had to drag his eyes back to the road. Three days ago he would have laughed, paid no attention to her and gone on to some other topic. Right now, he was breaking into a sweat, on fire and thinking of getting her into bed. She sounded like the same ol’ Meg, but she didn’t look the same and it made a boatload of difference.

  “We’ll sit with my family—not my parents, of course,” he said, trying to get his thoughts on their conversation and off erotic images of them scorching the sheets. “My dad lives out of the country and my mom is out of the country with friends now. We’ll be with my half brother, Blake, and his wife, Sierra. And my brother Cade and his wife, Erin.”

  “I don’t know Blake very well. He wasn’t around those years you and I saw a lot of each other.”

  “My half brother and I have different mothers and those mothers didn’t get along. Cade and Blake became friends in high school and Cade pulled him into the family—at least as far as the brothers are concerned.”

  “I’ve met Blake, but not his wife.”

  “Sierra is great. You’ll see. And so is Cade’s wife, Erin. When Nathan and his wife were killed in the car wreck, Cade became their little girl’s guardian. Amelia is a doll.” Cade had stepped up big-time at a dark hour when the family had been devastated by a drunk driver. Gabe had a lot of respect for his brother.

  “Blake and Sierra have a little girl, too,” he explained. “Emily, born in January. The kids won’t be there tonight, but you’ll get to meet them at some point.” He glanced her way and saw a sadness overtake her face. No doubt, talking about his late brother reminded her of her own lost sibling. He quickly changed the subject. “I can’t wait to see your parents go into shock when they see you.”

  “I went by their place before I went home to dress. They know I’m a blonde now. And they know I’m going with you.”

  He scoffed. “I can imagine the reception I’ll get.”

  “Well, you’ve lived with that attitude since your dad bought mine out. My family hasn’t spoken to you or any Callahan in years and tonight won’t be an exception.”

  “No doubt you’ll be hearing from Justin tonight. I wouldn’t be surprised if he shows up on your doorstep.”

  “I’m not going home tonight, remember? I’m going home with you. My moving in with you should put an end to Justin.”

  Gabe grinned. “Justin is burned toast. I hope he realizes it.”

  Minutes later, as they approached the club where valets waited, Gabe slowed the car and glanced at her. “Here’s your last chance. I can still drive out of here and take you home. I guarantee you when Justin sees you tonight, he isn’t going to want to give you up. He’ll want to marry you more than ever. A whole lot more than ever.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m still me. I don’t look that different.”

  “Oh, yes, you do. For a while, I didn’t recognize you. I promise you the ‘new you’ will change how Justin feels about you.”

  “That’s exciting to hear. Maybe I should act sexier,” she said in a sultry drawl. “That way I won’t seem like such a kid to you. Has my new appearance changed how you feel about me?”

  He pulled the car over to the side of the road, so other vehicles could pass them, and turned to her. As he wound his fingers in her hair that was now so soft and silky, he looked at her wide-eyed expression.

  “Meg, I’m trying to be your friend, like a brother to you. Don’t push the sexy come-on tonight unless you want to face the consequences. Kissing you is fantastic and I’m no saint. I can only resist so much. The way you look now makes me forget completely the relationship we’ve always had. Be careful what you get yourself into, unless that’s really what you want.”

  This close, he felt her sweet breath on his face and all he wanted to do was lean in and kiss her. That and peel her out of that enticing black dress.

  “Okay,” she said. “Friends forever. I get it. Don’t worry. In a little while I’ll look like my old self again.”

  Reluctantly Gabe released her and turned to drive up to the valet.

  “I can feel my freedom already. I’m so happy, Gabe. Thank you again.”

  “You can show me your appreciation when we get back to my place tonight,” he said, smiling at her, and she laughed. Taking a deep breath, he tried to relax and get back to their familiar relationship, but he suspected that wasn’t going to happen again in their lifetimes. There was no way to forget how she looked tonight. Or how she could kiss.

  He couldn’t wait for the evening to end. He had looked forward to seeing his brothers and their wives, but now he wanted to have Meg all to himself, which surprised him.

  Everything about her surprised him now.

  He got out of the car and walked around it while a valet held the door for her and she stepped out. She was poised, radiant and absolutely breathtaking. He couldn’t stop looking at her. Her new appearance pushed him into more complications, yet now he looked forward to spending time with her this evening, not his family.

  The event schedule was a cocktail hour, dinner, some speeches and then dancing, and he intended to enjoy every minute with her.

  He took her arm and they entered the club, turning toward the refurbished ballroom where piano music could be heard. They didn’t get far before they encountered Justin and his date.

  Meg had turned to speak to someone nearby while Justin addressed Gabe. Justin started to look away when Meg turned and said hello to him, and Gabe saw the man’s jaw drop. He recovered swiftly, his gaze sweeping over her once more, and Gabe couldn’t resist slipping his arm around her waist—getting a look from Justin that expressed unmistakable hatred and anger.

  “If looks could kill, I would be a dead man now,” Gabe said when they walked on.

  “Good. I told you we would be taken seriously. Wait until my parents see us. You just keep your arm around me.”

  “I don’t think so. Some things I don’t do around parents, and you have very nice parents. I don’t want to anger them more than I have to. They don’t like me to begin with. I’m still my father’s son whether he ever sees me or not.”

  “Don’t worry,” she replied, “my family will be civil toward you. And me. This is, after all, a social event.”

  “Justin’s another story. I saw the look on his face.”

  “Wait until this weekend is over. We will have a whirlwind courtship and then get engaged. Gabe, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You keep that thought in your pretty head until we g
et home.”

  Why was he flirting with her, while common sense told him to back off? The lady was not his type and he didn’t want to get seriously entangled with her. If only he could remember that each time he looked at her. Well, he’d better cling to wisdom like a lifeline when he kissed her tonight. At the mere thought, another heat wave swamped him.

  If he had good sense, he wouldn’t kiss her—tonight or ever again. But they had a deal. Besides, kisses he couldn’t resist. Where he had to use willpower was ensuring they didn’t go beyond kissing. He simply had to keep his wits about him.

  He laughed to himself. He never would have thought Meg could do anything to make him lose all common sense.

  Till now.

  They stopped at the table with her parents and grandparents. Meg’s dad came to his feet, as well as her grandfather who was the rancher, but her other grandfather did not.

  Gabe offered his hand and Meg’s father shook it, surprising him. “Hello, Mr. Aldridge, Mrs. Aldridge,” he said, smiling at her mother.

  Mason Aldridge also shook hands with Gabe, talking briefly to him about livestock and the need for rain.

  When the old man sat down, Meg’s father leaned in close and said in a harsh, low voice, so only Gabe could hear, “Do not hurt my daughter.”

  “Yes, sir,” Gabe answered quietly. “I never have and I don’t plan to. She’s been my best friend since before we started school.”

  “You’re a grown man now, not a kid, and she’s a beautiful young woman. Don’t hurt her.”

  “No, sir, I won’t,” he reiterated politely and turned to smile at Meg’s mother, who was seated and ignoring him while talking to her mother, who sat beside her.

  “We’ll see you later,” Meg said as she took Gabe’s arm and pulled slightly. He didn’t need any urging to walk away from her family.

  “You get along with my grandfather.”

  “We’re both ranchers. We have some of the same problems. But your dad threatened me. He told me not to hurt you.”

  “Did he really? I suppose it just never got through to them that they were hurting me by trying to push me into marrying a guy I don’t love. By the way, do your brothers know about the fake engagement?”

  “Yes, they do, and so do their wives. They accepted it as a simple favor I’m doing. Cade’s amused that I would even agree to a fake engagement. And they’re worried having a brief engagement may complicate my life.”

  She frowned. “I hadn’t thought about afterward. There may be some women who’ll be bothered about a previous engagement. Tell them it wasn’t real. I’ll be glad to tell anyone.”

  He smiled. “Don’t worry. It won’t matter, because marriage is not even remotely on my horizon.”

  She squeezed his arm lightly. “Well, I’m here if you need me. That’s what friends are for.”

  He needed to remember that friendship when they got back to his house tonight and he was alone with her. He thought about her father’s warning to not hurt her. He wasn’t worried about her father, but he didn’t want to hurt Meg. He glanced around at her, looking at the deep-vee neckline of her dress and how it clung to her lush curves and creamy skin. He was going to have to keep remembering she was his friend, not a lover.

  * * *

  The Callahan brothers stood as Meg and Gabe approached their table. She caught the look that passed between them when they realized who she was.

  “Wow, Meg,” Cade said, smiling at her, “you don’t look like the kid who used to climb over our fence to play ball with us.”

  She laughed. “Thanks, Cade.”

  “You may remember Erin, Luke Dorsey’s younger sister,” Cade said, introducing his wife. “Erin, this is Meg Aldridge, who was our Downly neighbor when Gabe and Meg were growing up.”

  “We do know each other, although we haven’t seen each other in a long time,” Meg said, smiling at Erin and remembering her big green eyes and red hair. Gabe touched her back to draw her attention. “Meg, you remember my older brother Blake, and this is his wife, Sierra.”

  She greeted the other brother and the beautiful brunette.

  Gabe pulled out a chair for Meg and she sat at the table with the Callahans. In no time the men were sharing pictures of their babies on their phones. She saw pictures of Amelia, who had been adopted by Cade and Erin, and Sierra and Blake’s baby girl, Emily. They seemed so happily married, she couldn’t help wondering why Gabe was so opposed to settling down. Tonight wasn’t a typical evening for Gabe and he probably wouldn’t have attended if he hadn’t been doing a favor for her. She knew he liked a wilder time than he was having at the staid country club.

  She was grateful to Gabe for pouring on the charm, especially when she could see Justin sitting only a few tables away.

  Gabe put his arm lightly across her shoulders and leaned closer. “I see one of my friends. Remember Marc Medina?”

  “Yes, I do. I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

  “He isn’t going to recognize you. Let’s go over and say hello.”

  Gabe stood and pulled out her chair and then took her hand in his as they wound through tables. Marc saw him coming and stepped away from his table to meet them. She looked at a handsome, broad-shouldered man with thick, wavy hair as black as Gabe’s.

  “Good to see you,” he said to Gabe, shaking hands with him.

  “Hey, Marc. Good to see you, too,” Gabe said. “You remember Megan.”

  “Megan, I haven’t seen you in a long time. You’ve grown up into a very beautiful woman,” Marc said.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ve seen your landscaping around town. It’s good. Do you have a card?”

  She dug one out of her evening bag and handed it to him.

  “Thanks.”

  “We’ve got to get back to the family,” Gabe said. “We’ll get lunch soon. I’ll call you.”

  As they walked away, Gabe said, “Marc is doing well with his oil and gas business. I’m glad because he’s a hardworking guy.”

  “A nice guy, too, as I recall.”

  Gabe pulled out her chair and they joined his family again.

  With constant attention from Gabe, she couldn’t keep from having a wonderful time. After the speeches ended and dinner finished, the band took over, playing soft ballads. She knew from other events that the music would change later in the evening when the older crowd disappeared.

  Gabe sat with his arm on the back of her chair, turned slightly to face her. He leaned in close, and to anyone watching them he’d look as if he couldn’t take his gaze from her.

  “Justin hasn’t taken his eyes off you,” he whispered. “If I take you out on that dance floor, he’ll ask you to dance in a flash.”

  “I don’t think so. I think he’d be afraid I’d say no and embarrass him.” She looked up at Gabe, smiling at him. “If he’s watching, I hope I look in love.”

  “Meg, darlin’, if the way you look at me gets any hotter, I’ll want to check us into that hotel across the road.”

  She wiggled with joy as her smile widened. “Oh, that makes my heart really flutter. I want to look so in love with you, no one will have a shred of doubt when we announce this engagement.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, nuzzling her neck. Gabe was everything she needed to pull this off. He was charming, fun and sexy, and she wondered how she would get through the month without falling in love with him. The more worrisome question for now was how would she get through the night without going to bed with him?

  Five

  She didn’t want to, either, because as charming and sexy and handsome as Gabe was, he still wasn’t her type. He was a wild man with a wild lifestyle like her younger brother had had, living life on the edge. And he wasn’t into serious relationships, wasn’t interested in
commitment or marriage. She didn’t want to fall in love and then have her heart broken when they said goodbye and went their separate ways.

  And she certainly had no intention of getting casually involved with Gabe, either. So she needed to guard her heart—and tonight was the night to start doing her best to try.

  Right now, though, wrapped in Gabe’s arms, she was finding that difficult. They’d joined the others on the dance floor and hadn’t missed one slow song all evening. She was resting her cheek on his shoulder when he leaned close to whisper in her ear.

  “I think we’ve spent enough time at this shindig. Want to go?”

  “I’m ready to go. I’ve done what I came to do,” she said, turning. He was only inches away and she looked into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. Her heart drummed and she wanted his mouth on hers more than anything right then. But desire for Gabe’s kisses scared her. His kisses could lead to seduction and an even bigger threat—him stealing her heart away.

  Go home. Tell him good-night.

  She should listen to that inner voice, thank him and then stay away from him. Instead, she was going home with him. How much willpower did she have? She couldn’t even stop looking into his eyes right now.

  She felt as if she had been caught in a spell and couldn’t escape. How could Gabe have this kind of effect on her? It was Gabe—friend, chum, pal, buddy. Where had all this sexual appeal and steaming desire come from? Could she cope with it or did she need to call off this engagement?

  She wasn’t calling off the engagement. That she knew for sure. No, she’d just have to resist him. No matter what it took.

  * * *

  “I think tonight went well.”

  Gabe’s comment was an understatement. In her opinion, it had gone as if she’d scripted it. Her parents had remained civil and even better was Justin’s reaction.

  “Thanks to you,” she replied, looking at him as he drove them home, “it went even better than I had hoped. Justin certainly got the message, and so did my family. He wasn’t happy, but he’ll adjust and find someone who’ll suit his folks just as much. My parents aren’t their only friends with a daughter.”