brides for brothers 02 - cowboy daddy

by Judy Christenberry

  Maybe she was getting carried away. After all, they’d just made love that morning before getting out of bed. And every night since she’d returned to their bedroom.

  Yes, that was it. She was making a mountain out of a molehill. Be patient. Take each day as it comes.

  She tried to listen to her own advice the rest of the way into town.

  There was only one store in Rawhide that dealt in computers. Janie had discussed the right choice with Brett, and she had decided what to buy. But she wanted to browse first, see if there was anything new on the market.

  As they entered the store, her hand still clasped in Pete’s, a man hailed them from the back.

  “Pete, Janie! What are you doing here? Usually Brett comes in if you need anything.” Orry Brownell met them with his hand extended in greeting to Pete. They’d all gone to school together, and Orry had attended their wedding. He’d taken over the hardware store from his dad and updated his merchandise to include computers. From what Janie had heard, it was a booming success.

  “We’re here to buy a computer, Orry. Janie and me, I mean.”

  “You, Pete? I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Janie. Brett says this guy won’t even turn one on.”

  Janie smiled, but her irritation was growing with those who made Pete sound like an idiot. Just because he wasn’t trained in computers didn’t mean he couldn’t understand. “I’m not worried. We’re going to set up his records for the rodeo work.”

  Realizing he was going to make a sale, Orry got down to business. Janie listened to him and then asked a few questions that had him revising his sales talk.

  “Wow. She really knows her stuff,” Orry said in an aside to Pete that Janie could clearly hear.

  “You’re not going to get anywhere with flattery, Orry,” she warned him. “I haven’t forgotten who pulled my pigtail in kindergarten.”

  “Aw, Janie, that was years ago. I don’t do things like that now.”

  Janie pointed to a computer and printer. “What’s your best price on this combination?”

  He quoted her a price and she nodded, making no comment.

  “That’s really the best I can do.”

  She smiled and pointed to another. After several quotes, she was about to tell him her decision and ask for a better price, since she wanted the most expensive of the group, when the door to the store opened again.

  Casually looking over her shoulder, she froze. Bryan Manning. Just what she needed when everything was going so well.

  Orry turned and offered a greeting.

  Pete stiffened.

  “Pete, please,” she whispered.

  Bryan, having come in from the bright sunlight, didn’t readily identify the other customers until he was almost beside them. Then he flinched and took a step back.

  Much to Janie’s surprise, Pete extended his hand. “I want to apologize for my behavior the last time we met, Manning. I overreacted.”

  Warily Bryan shook his hand. “I just want Janie’s happiness,” he said.

  “Me, too. You here to buy a computer?” Pete asked, as if casual conversation with Bryan Manning were something he looked forward to.

  Janie stared at her husband.

  I was right the first time. Now she knew Pete had lost interest in her. He was showing no jealousy. Instead, he joined in an idle conversation with Bryan. Janie’s spirits plummeted, and she wanted to cry. But she struggled to hold back the tears. After all, how could she explain them? She couldn’t announce in the middle of a computer store that her husband didn’t want her anymore.

  She interrupted the chat going on between the three men. “Orry, this is the computer I want, with the printer, but you’re going to have to give me a better price. After all, I’ve picked out the most expensive.”

  Orry, with the scent of a sale, immediately gave her his attention. With a great show of reluctance, he mentioned a figure.

  “We’ll take it,” Pete said at once.

  “But I think we could get a better deal in Casper,” Janie said.

  “Yes, you could,” Bryan agreed. “I priced this exact same model just last week.”

  “Damn, you’re ganging up on me,” Orry complained. “Okay, here’s my final offer.”

  Bryan grinned. “That’s the exact price.”

  Again Pete said, “We’ll take it.”

  “I’ve got all of it in boxes in the back. Give me half a sec, and I’ll bring it out.”

  After Orry walked away, Pete turned to Bryan. “That was mighty decent of you, Manning. Of course, Orry may never speak to you again.”

  Bryan smiled. “He won’t mind. I’ve come to buy a new unit for the office, so he’ll come out okay.” Then Bryan looked at her. “How are you, Janie?”

  Janie assured him she was well, but she watched Pete. Not by even a twitch did he show any concern that Bryan was talking to her. What had happened to the jealous husband who’d slugged the man last week?

  Orry returned, and Pete pulled out a credit card, telling Janie to gather up whatever supplies she needed. As she did so, Bryan followed her.

  “Is everything really all right?” he asked insistently.

  Janie turned to stare at him. “Of course it is. Did you think Pete would beat me every night? He’s spoiling me rotten, Bryan. I’m very happy.”

  It heartened her a little to see that Pete was watching them, but he smiled, as if their conversation didn’t matter. She hurried over with her purchases.

  “This should take care of everything,” she assured Pete.

  In no time, they loaded their purchases in the pickup and headed back to the ranch.

  “That didn’t take much time,” Pete marveled, smiling at Janie.

  “Nope. You can spend a lot of money without even trying.”

  “If we can get control of all those papers, it will be well worth it.”

  Janie returned his smile, but she couldn’t shake the doubts and fears from her mind. They kept replaying themselves until she thought she would go crazy. But one thought remained constant: Pete hadn’t been faking his response each night in their bed.

  “Something wrong?”

  She looked at Pete in surprise. “No. No, of course not. Everything’s fine.”

  “Is there something else you want? We can go back to town if you do.”

  “No, there’s nothing. We’ve spent enough money today. But there’ll be lots more things to buy for the babies.”

  Pete looked surprised. “Really? Like what?”

  “Clothes, of course, car seats, bottles, diapers, all kinds of things.”

  “We’ll get them all,” he promised, and squeezed her hand.

  And he would. Anything money could buy, he’d give her. But she wanted his heart.

  “LIKE THIS?” Pete asked warily. He pushed the buttons Janie pointed out and watched the screen. Much to his surprise, the program Janie had described appeared on the screen. “Hey, I did it.”

  “Of course you did. All you needed was someone to show you how.”

  He leaned over to kiss her. “You can show me how anytime, sweetheart.”

  “I don’t think you’re concentrating on the computer.”

  Pete smothered his sigh and smiled. She was right. He was concentrating on making love to his wife. But he’d have to wait until bedtime.

  In the meantime, he had to pay attention to a machine. He hated the whole business, but he was impressed with how fast Janie set it up and began working on his files.

  “Are you sure you feel up to this, Janie? You didn’t have a nap today. I don’t want you to overdo it.”

  “Maybe I’ll go to bed early tonight.”

  Go to bed early. Magic words. He couldn’t wait.

  At dinner, Janie bragged about his expertise at the computer. Brett hooted in derision, and Janie launched into him as if he’d insulted Pete’s manhood.

  “Whoa, Janie!” Pete said. “Brett’s been teasing me about computers for at least a decade. That’s why I tease him about
his roping. He can’t rope a fence post, much less a steer on the move.”

  Brett, of course, immediately protested such a scandalous statement. Then Chad and Jake pitched in, and a full-scale, rip-roaring shout-fest took place. Pete, however, kept an eye on Janie. He feared she might be upset, but she’d seen them in action before.

  She didn’t join in, but she smiled at him.

  Megan, on the other hand, appeared stunned.

  Pete elbowed Chad and motioned to Megan.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?” Chad quickly asked her.

  She shook her head. “What are you all doing?”

  “Aw, don’t get upset. This is our version of roughhousing. We’re too old to roll around on the floor,” Chad explained.

  “I see,” she said, but she had a bewildered look on her face.

  “Don’t worry, Megan,” Janie assured her. “They don’t mean any of it. It’s just…exuberant teasing.”

  Megan’s cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry. You see, when my mother began fighting with whichever husband she was with, it was a sign that we were about to move on, to change our lives.…” She trailed off, staring at Chad.

  “Nope, that’s not gonna happen, Meggie,” he said, putting his arm around her and pulling her close. “We may fight, even for real, but we’re all Randalls. We stick together through thick and thin.”

  “That’s right, Megan,” Jake said, his voice earnest.

  “It’s a four-musketeers mentality,” Janie added.

  “Six musketeers and growing,” Chad said with a grin. “But we’ve got room for lots more in our house and our hearts, sweetheart, and we will be together forever.” He ended his pledge with a kiss that had the others looking in a different direction, albeit with big grins.

  Except for Janie.

  She studied her tightly clasped hands in her lap. It was painfully obvious that Pete didn’t second Chad’s assurances. Coming on top of the earlier events of the day, it just underlined to Janie that Pete wasn’t sure their marriage would last.

  And it broke her heart.

  After dinner, the men of the family got into a discussion about pasture management. Janie saw it as an opportune moment to excuse herself. She had something to do before she and Pete went to bed.

  PETE WATCHED as Janie went up to bed early, his brow furrowed. Something was wrong. He’d felt a tension growing in Janie all day. Should he go up now?

  Jake drew him back into the discussion, unconscious of Pete’s indecision. With a sigh, he responded. He loved his brothers. He loved all of them living together. But it did cause some difficulties.

  If he and Janie had a house all to themselves, he’d be free to follow her to bed. To demand an explanation. To plead for another chance to make her happy. Hell, he’d spent all afternoon with the stupid computer when he could’ve been in the saddle. What more did she want?

  Almost an hour later, he trudged up the stairs. His gut feeling told him Janie wouldn’t let him touch her this evening until whatever was bothering her was settled. He said a fervent prayer that he’d be able to clear it up at once.

  With a rueful chuckle, he wondered if God answered prayers for sex. But it was more than that. He needed to hold her. Only when she lay in his arms, sleeping, breathing softly against him, did he believe that she would stay with him. That they had a future.

  Tonight, when Chad had promised Megan forever, Pete had wanted so badly to say the same to Janie. But he didn’t think she wanted to hear that kind of promise. Not yet.

  With a sigh, he prepared himself for an argument and opened the door.

  And discovered, once again, that he didn’t understand women.

  Janie was stretched out on their bed, wearing that silvery negligee she’d rejected on their wedding night. Her hair was unbraided, providing her with a cloak of shining velvet. It even seemed to Pete that she was wearing makeup.

  “Janie?” he questioned hoarsely from the door.

  “Aren’t you coming in, Pete? I’ve been waiting forever.”

  It occurred to Pete that Janie was acting out of character. She seldom bothered with makeup even during the day. She’d never played the role of seductress. And she’d never worn anything so shamelessly revealing before.

  He should ask her what was wrong.

  After struggling several seconds between his conscience and his hormones, he admitted there was no contest. He’d ask questions later.

  With his gaze never leaving her, as if he feared she’d disappear if he turned away, he began stripping off his clothes. When he joined her on the bed, her perfume swirled around him, the silk of the negligee enticed him and Janie, all Janie, drove him wild.

  A few powerful minutes later, he held her tightly against him and waited until he could speak. The negligee was on the floor, but she lay content against him.

  “Janie?” he whispered.

  Her eyes were closed. He kissed one eyelid and then the other. “Janie? Are you asleep?”

  She mumbled something, as if she was on the edge of drifting off. Pete rubbed his hand up and down her back, loving the silken feel of her skin, and debated his options.

  He could awaken her and ask if anything was bothering her. She’d probably think he was crazy. After all, they’d just had the most wonderful sex they’d ever shared. At least, in his opinion.

  He had no complaints.

  Except that he held a different Janie in his arms. Not that he minded. As long as she wasn’t unhappy.

  He wanted his Janie to be happy.

  Tomorrow. He’d ask her tomorrow if anything was bothering her. That plan satisfied his conscience, and holding her against him satisfied everything else. With a sigh, he fell asleep, too.

  AS WAS their Sunday ritual, the next day the Randalls, en masse, attended services at the small church where Pete and Janie had been married. Janie thought their row was the most impressive in the church. Exuding strength and determination, the four Randall men would catch anyone’s eye when they were all together.

  She and Megan, mixed in among the four men, were a real change. She could remember, as a little girl, watching Pete file into church with his brothers and his father. She’d dreamed of the day he would ask her to sit beside him in their row.

  She’d finally achieved that goal.

  But she felt dishonest about it. Her seduction scene had worked last evening. Incredibly. But she hadn’t been herself. Pete didn’t seem to mind or notice, but she had.

  She’d vowed to herself that she’d keep Pete’s interest, whatever it took. She wouldn’t allow him to lose his desire for her. At least not this soon.

  What happened when she could no longer use sex to hold him? When the doctor said their lovemaking had to stop because it might damage the babies’ health? Or when she grew older and wrinkles appeared around her eyes and her waistline wasn’t so trim?

  She didn’t have an answer to those questions, and it frightened her.

  Pete took her hand in his. She smiled at him and then looked away, only to encounter her father’s approving smile. Desperately she tried to believe that everything was going to be all right. That Pete, like her father, would remain beside her all her life, even if she couldn’t always be beautiful. And she said a few prayers.

  RED INVITED Janie’s parents and B.J.’s family to Sunday lunch. He’d put on a pot roast before they’d left for church. Everyone accepted, and dinner was a noisy affair.

  Afterward, again B.J., Janie and Megan volunteered to do the dishes. Lavinia and Mildred helped them carry the dishes into the kitchen, but the younger women sent them into the living room to relax.

  Janie waited until there was a lull in the conversation before she launched the discussion she wanted.

  “Megan, do you have a lot of sexy underwear?”

  Her sister-in-law seemed surprised by the question. “Some, I suppose. My mother always believed in that kind of thing, so she would give me negligees for Christmas.”

  “Oh. I love the one the both of you gave m
e. Where did you find it?”

  B.J. grinned. “We had to drive all the way into Casper to buy it. Rawhide wouldn’t have anything that scandalous.” Janie laughed with the other two. “What store?”

  “You want some more?” B.J. asked curiously.

  “Pete must’ve liked it,” Megan said, grinning.

  “Yes, he did. And I thought I might see if they had anything else…interesting.”

  Megan laughed. “Save your money, Janie. If he’s anything like Chad, you don’t keep it on long enough to get your money’s worth.”

  They all laughed again, but Janie turned away so they wouldn’t see the tears pooling in her eyes.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Pete scratched his head.

  Damn if he knew what to do.

  “Anything wrong?” Jake asked, riding up beside him.

  “Nope, they’re moving along just fine,” Pete replied, speaking of the cattle he and several cowboys were moving to another pasture.

  “I didn’t mean the cows.”

  Pete look at his brother and then turned away. “What are you talking about?”

  “I don’t know, or I’d ask better questions. It just seems to me that you’ve been…unsettled the last few days.”

  Pete sighed. What could he complain of? Great sex? Jake would think he was crazy. “Maybe I have been. This marriage business takes some getting used to.”

  Jake shifted in his saddle. “Yeah, I guess so. But everything’s all right between you and Janie?”

  “I guess. But…she’s working too hard at it,” Pete finally said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know!” His frustration burst out of him. “Jake, she’s driving me crazy. Every night, like she’s putting on a show or something, she seduces me. Hell, the sex is great. But I feel like I’ve lost the real Janie. She doesn’t argue with me anymore. Whatever I say, she agrees. You know that’s not like Janie.”

  “Nope,” Jake agreed with a chuckle. “Even when she was little, she could hold her own. Remember when she tipped you into the water tank because you were teasing her?”