by Tina Leonard
“He talks big.” Aberdeen laid her head against his shoulder, almost a trusting, intimate gesture, and Creed liked that, too. “He didn’t want me to adopt the girls, but I am going to, if I have to. If it’s the right thing for them. If my sister, Diane, doesn’t come back, then I’ll move to the next phase. Right now, I’ve been awarded temporary custody. Shawn wanted to be part of my life, so he claimed, knew I was going to adopt my nieces if I had to, but when I told him I had to move to Montana, he went cold.” She ran a palm lightly over his chest. “I told him if he didn’t get out, you’d throw him out. Or something to that effect. I hope you don’t mind.”
Creed grinned, his chin resting on top of Aberdeen’s head. “I never miss a chance to be a hero.”
“So that’s my story. What’s yours?”
Creed thought his story was too long and too boring to bother anyone with. He didn’t want to talk about it anyway. “I don’t have a story.”
Aberdeen pulled away. “That’s dirty pool. You can’t pull out my story, and then keep yours to yourself.”
She had a point. He pushed her head back under his chin and gave her another light paddling on the backside. “Have I ever told you I don’t like opinionated women?”
She made a deliberately unappreciative sound which he would call a snort. “I like my women a little more on the obedient side,” he said, teasing her, enjoying trying to get her goat, only because he wanted to see what her retribution would be. He liked her spicy. Spice was good.
“I like my men a little more on the honest side,” Aberdeen shot back, and Creed smiled to himself.
“That’s my sweet girl,” he said, and Aberdeen gave him a tiny whack on his own backside, surprising him. He hadn’t expected her to turn the tables on him.
“So, your story?” Aberdeen prompted.
“I need to get married,” Creed said, his gaze fixed on the vanity across the room as he thought about his life in New Mexico. “My aunt wants all of us to get married.”
Aberdeen pulled away from him to look into his eyes. “And do you have a prospect back in New Mexico?”
“No,” he said, pulling her back against him, “I don’t. So my aunt—who is a formidable woman—is planning a marital ball of some kind to introduce me and my four unmarried brothers to eligible ladies.”
“Why does your aunt care if you’re unmarried or not?”
“Because she’s bossy like that.” Creed loved the smell of Aberdeen’s shampoo. Raspberry or strawberry—something clean and fresh and feminine. He took a deep breath, enjoying holding her. “And the women she’ll have at the ball will be highly eligible. Socially acceptable. Drop-dead gorgeous.”
“So what are you doing here?” Aberdeen asked, and Creed grinned, fancying he heard just a little bite in her words.
“Sleeping with you? Oh, this is just a fling.” He kissed her lips, though she tried to evade him. “Didn’t you say that you had to leave for Montana? So you’re just having a little fun before you go back. I understand that. Men do it all the time.” He sucked one of her nipples into his mouth, and Aberdeen went still, though she’d been trying to move to the edge of the bed, putting room between them.
“I don’t know what this is,” Aberdeen said, and he heard honesty in her voice. He released her nipple and kissed her on the mouth instead.
“You were going to say yes to Re-ride.”
She looked at him, her gaze clear. “I hate to admit that I briefly considered it.”
“But it didn’t work out before.”
She shook her head. “I suppose I was desperate enough to wonder if it might have been the best idea.”
He hated the sound of that. “Because of your nieces?”
“I only have temporary custody. The judge didn’t seem to find me all that compelling as a guardian. I feel like I need more stability in my life to convince him. He pointed out that Johnny and I live over a bar, not exactly suitable for children. The clientele is transient. He doesn’t know Johnny and me. He does know our parents, and made the assumption that they’ll be available to help us out. What he didn’t understand is that our parents didn’t even raise us.” Aberdeen seemed ashamed to admit this, and Creed put his chin on her shoulder again, holding her tight. “So I can’t leave Montana with the kids. I think if my marital status were to change, that would be something in my favor.”
“And along came Re-ride, and you saw your prince.”
Aberdeen shrugged. “It made sense at the time.”
Creed could see the whole picture. He understood now why Johnny had called him to come watch the bar. Johnny didn’t like Re-ride. Johnny had called Creed in, hoping Creed might have an eye for his sister.
“Tell me something,” Creed said, “why are you here to get your things instead of Johnny?”
“Johnny was going to come, and I was going to stay with the girls. But then Johnny said he thought it would be better if he stayed because our folks give him a little less trouble. Very few people bother Johnny. He’s always been my biggest supporter.”
“Protective big brother,” Creed murmured, and Aberdeen said, “Yes.”
And so Creed had run off the competition, just as Johnny had probably hoped. Creed could spot a plot a mile away, even if he was late to figure it out. Fiona had given him good training. He tipped her chin back with a finger. “Preacher lady, you need a husband, and it just so happens I need a wife.”
She blinked. Seemed speechless. Her eyes widened, like she thought he was joking. He kissed her hand, lightly bit the tip of a finger before drawing it into his mouth. She pulled her finger away, then glared at him.
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m not joking.” Creed shrugged. “You’re serious.”
“Men don’t joke about marriage.” Creed shook his head. “It’s a very serious matter worthy of hours of cogitation.”
“Are you suggesting we have some sort of fake marriage? To fool the judge and to fool your aunt?”
“Fooling’s kind of a harsh word.” Creed kissed her neck, ignoring her when she tried to push him away. She couldn’t; he outweighed her by a hundred pounds, and he sensed she wasn’t serious about moving him away from her delightful body. She just needed distance while her mind sorted the conclusion he’d already come to. “I’m just suggesting we become a stable, responsible married couple for all interested parties.”
“You want to marry me just to get your aunt off your back?”
Creed laughed. “You make it sound so simple. Aunt Fiona is not that easy to fool. You’ll have to be a very enthusiastic bride. Or she’ll find me a better wife.”
Aberdeen shook her head. “It’s a silly reason to get married. I counsel people on making proper decisions regarding marriage vows. This would be a sham.”
“Sham is also a harsh word.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I prefer happy facade.”
Her glare returned. “Happy facade sounds ridiculous. Marriage should be a contract between two people who trust each other.”
“Think of all the benefits. I’d sleep with you every night, Aberdeen. I promise.” He tugged her up against him, so he could kiss between her breasts. “We’re a good fit in bed.”
“Sex isn’t enough.” Aberdeen tried to squirm away.
“It’s not enough, but it sure is a lot.” He rolled her over so he could spoon against her back and nip her shoulder lightly at the same time. “Good thing you like sex as much as you do. I wouldn’t want a frigid wife.”
She gasped and tried to jump out of the bed. “Aberdeen, you know you like it. Don’t try to deny it.” He laughed and tugged her against him. “Were you reaching for the condoms, love? If you hand me a couple, I’ll give you an hour you’ll never forget.”
She went still in the bed. He held her against him, stroking her hips, letting her decide if she was going to be angry with him or take the bait. Either way, he had a plan for that.
“You’re too crazy for me to marry,” Aberdeen said, “even if you’r
e serious, which I don’t think you are.”
“I’m as serious as a heart attack, love.”
She flipped over to stare into his eyes. “Where would we live?”
“In my house in New Mexico. Wherever that’s going to be.”
“A house?” He could feel her taste the words, and realized having a house was a dream of hers.
“Mmm,” he murmured, unable to resist running a palm down her breasts. “House, yard, school nearby, church, the works. Nothing fancy. But a home.”
“Why would you be willing to have my three nieces live with you?” She looked as though she didn’t quite believe what she was hearing.
He shrugged. “I don’t mind kids. They didn’t exactly run screaming from me, and I thought that was a good start. And my aunt wants us to have as many children as possible.”
She crooked a brow. “Can’t you have your own?”
He laughed. “Come here and let’s find out.”
Aberdeen squirmed away, studying his face. “Men don’t get married and take on other people’s children because of aunts.”
“Probably not.” He could feel her brain whirring a mile a minute, trying to find the trap. She didn’t get it, and even if he told her, she wouldn’t believe him. I like her, I honestly like her. I like her body. I like her innocence. I think she’d like being married to me. That’s as much as I know about why people get married anyway. This feels good and real, when it’s always felt kind of empty before. And I think I’m falling in love with her. “If you want to make love again, I’ll try to think of some more reasons we should get married. There’s probably one or two good excuses I haven’t thought of yet, but—” He kissed her neck, burying deep into the curve, smelling her clean scent, wanting her already.
“Creed,” she said, “I’ve been through one marriage. And my nieces have already been through marriages that didn’t work out for their parents. Do you know what I mean?”
“I do, my doubting angel.” He kissed her hand. “You want something solid for your nieces. You won’t settle for anything less than a real family. And you think I’m your man. Hand me that bag on the nightstand, please.”
“Not right now, Creed, this is serious.” Aberdeen melted his heart with her big pleading eyes that melted his heart. She was such a delicate little thing. He wouldn’t hurt her for the world. “I feel like you’re playing with me.”
“Oh, no. I wouldn’t. Well, sometimes I will, in fact a lot of times I will, but not about a marriage agreement. I’m very serious about agreements. Hand me my bag, sugar.”
She shook her head. “Creed, I can’t make love when you’ve got me tied in knots. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t focus. I just don’t understand why you want to marry—”
He gave her a tiny slap on the backside. “Aberdeen, will you please hand me that sack on the nightstand? Or do I have to get it myself?”
“Here’s your silly old sack,” she said, snatching it up and flinging it at him. “But I’m not saying yes, so don’t even ask.”
He raised a brow. “No yes?”
“No. Absolutely not.” She looked fit to be tied, as if she’d love to kick him out of her bed.
Creed sighed. “Is that your final answer?”
“In fact, it is. No woman can make love when the man who is in her bed is being an absolute ass.”
“Whoa, them’s fighting words from a preacher.” Creed grinned at her. “Just so I can get this straight,” he said, reaching into the bag and pulling out a jeweler’s box, which he opened, “you’re saying no?”
She stared at the box he opened for her to view. It contained a heart-shaped diamond, which he was pretty proud of picking out this morning on his way for the condoms and granola bars.
“Creed,” she said, sounding shocked and choked-up, and he snapped the box shut and put it back in the bag.
“Too bad,” he said. “The jeweler promised me no woman could say no to this ring. He said a woman would have to have a heart of stone to refuse it. He said—”
“You’re crazy! I knew it when I first met you. I know you’re crazy, and I know better than to throw myself to the wind like this, but I’m going to ride this ride, cowboy, and I swear, if you turn out to be a weirdo, I’ll be really ticked at you.”
He kissed her, and she burst into tears, and threw her arms around his neck. “There, there,” he said, “having a weirdo for a husband wouldn’t be that bad, would it?”
“Creed, give me my ring,” Aberdeen said, trying not to giggle against his neck as he held her.
“Greedy,” he murmured, “but I don’t mind.” He took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger, and for a moment, they both admired it in the light that spilled into the bedroom through the lace curtains.
“You are a weirdo,” Aberdeen said, “and I don’t know why I’m jumping off a cliff into alligator-infested waters.”
Creed just grinned at her. “I’ll let you get on top, future Mrs. Callahan, if you’re sweet, and this time, you can ride me bareback.”
Aberdeen looked at him, not sure if she trusted him or not, not sure exactly of what she wanted to feel for him. But Creed understood she’d been let down before, so he tugged her on top of him, and then smiled to himself when after a moment she said, “This time, I’m going to please you, cowboy.”
Aunt Fiona was right, as usual. This marriage stuff is going to be a piece of cake. I feel like I’m winning again—finally.
Chapter Eleven
Marriage was not going to be a piece of cake. It was going to be as nerve-racking as any rodeo he’d ever ridden in—only this time, he was pretty certain getting stomped by a bull was less traumatic than what he was experiencing now. Creed found himself waiting outside Aberdeen’s family home, cooling his heels before the big intro. The girls were inside, getting reacquainted with their aunt and Johnny. Aberdeen wanted to introduce him to her family after she had a chance to go inside and prepare them for the big news.
He was nervous. And it was all because of the little girls. He’d thought they’d liked him for the brief moments they met him before—but what if they’d changed their minds? Kids did that. He knew from experience. He wasn’t certain he would have wanted a new father when he was a kid. Maybe he wouldn’t. He and his brothers probably would have given a new father a rough road—he was certain they would have. They’d given everybody a rough road on principle, except Fiona. She wouldn’t have put up with that type of nonsense, and besides, she’d always been able to out-think them.
He was pretty certain the little girlies might be able to out-think him, too. Girls had mercurial brains, and at their tender ages, they probably had mercurial set on high.
He was sweating bullets.
He should have brought some teddy bears or something. Big pieces of candy. Cowgirl hats. Anything to break the ice and get the girls to see him in a positive light.
“Creed, come in.” Aberdeen smiled out the door at him, and he told his restless heart to simmer down. It was going to be okay.
He stepped inside the small Montana house—and found himself on the receiving end of frowns from everyone in the family except Johnny.
“Good man,” Johnny said, clapping him on the back, and Creed felt better.
“You might have warned me you were setting me up,” Creed groused under his breath, and Johnny laughed.
“You struck me as the kind of man who didn’t need a warning,” Johnny said. “These are our parents. Mom, Dad, this is Creed Callahan.”
He was definitely not getting the red carpet treatment. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan wore scowls the size of Texas. “Hello,” he said, stepping forward to shake their hands, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He got the fastest handshakes he’d ever had. No warmth there. Creed stepped back, telling himself he’d probably feel the same way if he had little girls and some cowboy was slinking around. The girls looked up at him shyly, their eyes huge, and Creed had to smile. He did have little girls now—three of them—a
nd he was going to scowl when boys came knocking on his door for them.
“Well,” Aberdeen said, “Creed, sit down, please. Make yourself comfortable.”
“You’re marrying my daughter,” Mr. Donovan said, and Creed nodded.
“That’s the plan, sir.”
“I don’t think I care for that plan.”
Creed glanced at Johnny, surprised. Johnny shrugged at him.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Creed finally said, trying to sound respectable. “Your daughter will be in good hands, I promise.”
“We know nothing about you,” Mrs. Donovan said.
“Mom,” Aberdeen said, “I’m marrying him. You can be nice, or you can both be annoying, but this man is my choice. So you’ll just have to accept it.”
“You’re not taking the girls,” Mrs. Donovan said, and Creed went tense.
“Yes, I am, as soon as I clear it with the judge.” Aberdeen got to her feet, abandoning the pretense of a welcome-home party. Creed felt sorry for her. Aunt Fiona had kept them in line over the years, but she’d never been rude to them. He glanced at the tiny girls, and they stared back at him, not smiling.
His heart withered to the size of a gumdrop. He wanted them to like him so badly, and at the moment they just seemed confused.
“The judge won’t approve it.” Mr. Donovan seemed confident about that. “He feels they are better off here, near us.”
“All right. Come on, Creed.” Aberdeen swept to the door. Creed recognized his cue and followed dutifully, not understanding his role in the script but sensing his bride-to-be was working on a game plan.
Mrs. Donovan shot to her feet. “Where are you going?”
“Back to Wyoming,” Aberdeen said, and Johnny followed her to the door. Johnny might have set him up, Creed realized, but he definitely had his sister’s back.
“You can’t just leave!” Mrs. Donovan exclaimed.
“I can. I will. And I am.”