by Linda Bridey
Jolene thought he was joking at first until she saw the rings on their fingers. She clapped her hands together before coming around the counter to give both of them a hug.
“So you’re the woman that finally snagged Joe’s heart! I never thought I’d see the day when Joe Dwyer got tamed,” Jolene said.
Joe put his arm around Lacey and drew her against him and kissed her. “Yes, she sure did. Well, you have a good night, Jolene.”
“Nightie night, you two,” Jolene said.
Once inside their room, Joe locked it and began laughing. He was ecstatic that they’d pulled it all off. Lacey smiled as she watched him, but didn’t know why he was laughing. Joe put his hands on his knees and bent over as he continued laughing. When his mirth finally subsided, he wiped tears from his face, and worked on catching his breath. He saw Lacey watching him with a curious smile and said, “Darlin’, I can’t thank you enough for helping me. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of for the rest of your life.”
Lacey said, “I’m the one who should be thanking you. I’ll never have to worry about him again.” A rush of relief flowed through her and she sat down on the bed and began weeping.
Joe went to sit beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. “Shh. Everything’s ok now, Lacey. Don’t cry. You’re safe.”
Lacey nodded and tried to stop crying. The tears wouldn’t stop, though. Joe knew that Lacey needed release from all of the fear she’d had to keep inside for so long. He put both arms around her and held her as she sobbed against him. Joe felt sheer fury build inside at the man who had harmed the beautiful young woman in his arms.
Lacey was embarrassed by her tears, but couldn’t hold them back. She took advantage of Joe’s comforting warmth as all of her pain poured forth. It was a long time until she felt her sobs abating and she raised her head from Joe’s chest. Joe took out his handkerchief and gave it to her. Lacey wiped her tears away and blew her nose.
“I’m sorry about that,” Lacey said. “I know I’m supposed to be strong.”
Joe gave a short laugh. “I’d say you’ve been strong for a long time. Most of your life, I’m guessing. You’re entitled to cry some.”
Lacey felt his damp vest and said, “I got your suit wet. I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok. Don’t worry about it,” Joe said. “It can be cleaned. Do you feel better?”
“Yeah. Thank you for being so understanding.”
“You’re welcome. Both of us are free now, Lacey, or should I say, Mrs. Dwyer?”
Lacey laughed. “That’s right. My last name isn’t Reagan anymore. Lacey Dwyer,” she said experimentally.
Joe liked the way it sounded. “It’s got a nice ring to it.”
“Yes, it does.”
Joe said, “You certainly are a lovely bride.”
“So are you,” Lacey said. “I mean, you’re a lovely groom.”
Joe chuckled.
Lacey tried again. “You’re a very handsome groom,” she said firmly, which made Joe laugh again.
“Thank you, darlin’.” Joe undid his tie. He saw her watching his movements. “Why don’t we get comfortable? You go change first. I’m just gonna sit over there,” Joe said as he indicated one of the chairs.
He got up from the bed and Lacey felt a little bereft. Joe shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over the chair. His vest came next. Without the jacket and vest, Lacey was able to ascertain more about Joe’s body. He filled out his shirt nicely and as he bent his arms to finish taking off his tie, she could see his biceps flex.
Lacey didn’t know what to do. She had both regular nightgowns and the lingerie that Jamie had insisted she buy. Which one should I put on, she wondered. Lacey looked at Joe. He’d sat down and was looking out the window. She didn’t know what he was expecting. Jamie said that she should trust Joe, but she wasn’t sure what that meant.
Lacey was so confused that she could have groaned. Over the last several days, Lacey had come to understand what kind of man Joe was. Luke liked to call him the playboy with a heart of gold. He’d told her that he didn’t commit to just one woman and she had understood. Lacey didn’t know what she wanted from Joe. She had enjoyed kissing him and had thought about doing it again.
Did he want to kiss her? Joe seemed to enjoy it. He said he had, but was he just being nice? Lacey decided she was going to be a little daring and opted for one of the more demure pieces of lingerie. It was longer and covered more of her body than the others. She liked the light pink color of the satiny material against her palms. She took her things into the bathroom to prepare for bed.
Joe had watched her in the reflection in the window. She’d chewed on her bottom lip as she thought about something and he’d smiled at how cute she looked. Once she disappeared into the bathroom, Joe’s mind turned to his plans for tomorrow when he would tell his father that he was married and that he was now entitled to his inheritance.
It was money left to him by his mother’s father, but there had been a stipulation that he was not to receive this money until he was either married or turned fifty; whichever came first. Joe didn’t intend to wait until he was fifty for that money. It was true that Joe spent a lot of money, but he made a lot of it gambling. Luke was always after him about saving money. What Luke didn’t know was that Joe did save money from the gambling tours he took on a regular basis. With his gambling money and his inheritance, Joe planned to buy out his father’s share of the ranch and kick him out. Joe figured that since it was his horse breeding expertise that fueled their business, he should be the sole owner.
His attention was brought back to the present when Lacey came out of the bathroom. The sight of her in lingerie made him sit up straight. He hadn’t been expecting that. The pink, sleeveless satin slip was V-necked with ruffles at the shoulders. The form-fitting bodice was pleasantly filled. It stopped just above the knees.
Joe noted that Lacey had very pretty legs and knees. Her slim curves were even more apparent in the filmy material. Her arms were toned and Joe surmised that this was from driving a horse and whatever other work she did on a regular basis.
Lacey knew he was looking at her. She tried to appear nonchalant as she hung up her wedding dress in the closet with her other dresses, but she was unsettled by his gaze. She heard him rise from his chair as she finished with the dress. Lacey turned and he stood before her. Joe put a hand on either side of her face and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll be right out,” Joe said and went into the bathroom.
He shut the door and leaned against it. What the hell am I going to do? He’d been under the impression that she wasn’t going to be comfortable with physical intimacy for a while, and yet she’d come out of the bathroom wearing lingerie. Normally Joe had no trouble telling what a woman had on her mind, but Lacey was another matter.
Because of her history, she needed special handling. She looked beautiful and Joe couldn’t deny that he was attracted to her, but he didn’t want to do anything to scare her. He also didn’t want her to feel like she had to do anything out of gratitude to him.
As he began undressing, Joe decided that he was going to be direct with her. When he came out, Lacey sat in one of the chairs. She saw Joe and her eyes widened in surprise. Instead of wearing the full length one piece undergarment that she knew many men wore, Joe wore only knee length underpants.
He saw her expression but didn’t laugh or smile. Joe slowly put his suit on a hanger and hung it up to give her time to adjust to his state of undress. Lacey watched his well-muscled body move as he worked with the suit. She’d rarely seen a man without a shirt on, let alone without pants, and she was curious.
When he was finished and came towards her, Lacey averted her eyes and looked out the window as he sat in the other chair.
“Lacey,” Joe said.
“Yes?” She couldn’t look at him.
“Look at me,” Joe said.
Lacey did, but only for a few moments.
“Darlin’, this is something you
’re going to have to get used to. I’ll be honest; I’m not sure what you’re expecting to happen tonight. You’re beautiful, Lacey, and the man in me is all for being with you, but the gentleman in me, what there is, is more interested in whatever you’re comfortable with,” Joe said.
Lacey’s throat was suddenly dry and she tried to swallow. “I don’t know. I’m confused.”
“How so?” Joe said patiently.
“I wish I was Jamie,” she blurted.
Joe arched an eyebrow at her. “What?”
“Jamie is experienced with this sort of thing. She enjoys…men. I don’t know anything about it except what she and Sammi have told me,” Lacey said. She made a frustrated gesture with her hand. “I’ve been kissed a couple of times by a man in Walhalla, but nothing more. I was always too afraid that Pa would find out. You must be so disappointed.”
“Lacey, I’m glad you’re not Jamie, because then you’d be married to Luke and not me,” Joe said and laughed.
Lacey saw the humor in that and giggled. She felt comfortable enough to look at him then and his smile was comforting to her. “You’re right. I like Luke, but I have no romantic interest in him. He and Jamie are so funny to watch. They’re so different.”
“That they are. When she first got here, no one knew quite what to make of her,” Joe said with a laugh. “She didn’t let Luke stay in his shell very long, I’ll tell you.”
“She’s always been crazy,” Lacey said. “She flirted with every man she came across and drank and cussed. Being friends with her has always been fun, but I’ve never had her courage to do half the things she does.”
“Yeah, Jamie’s one of a kind. Not better than you, Lacey, just different. I love Jamie as a friend, but I’m not attracted to her,” Joe said. “We like to sing together and play poker. We clean up good at the tables, too. And drink. We drink a lot. Of course, I don’t think she’ll be doing nearly as much of that and that’s a good thing since they want to start a family pretty soon.”
Lacey said, “I like to hear and watch her sing. She knows how to work an audience. I’d like to hear you sing.”
“You would?” Joe said in a teasing tone.
“Yes,” Lacey said and smiled at him. She was starting to lose her shyness over seeing him half naked and was actually enjoying looking at him.
“Well, then, we’ll have to go to the Watering Hole and you can hear me,” Joe said.
“Ok. I don’t sing, but I like to dance,” Lacey said.
“Me, too. Do you know how to two-step?” Joe asked.
Lacey said, “No, but you could show me.”
“I would be happy to,” Joe said.
“Ok.” Lacey wasn’t sure what to say after that.
Joe said, “So where’d you learn about horses?” He figured that this was a safe subject and he was genuinely interested.
“My uncle raised horses and when I was little, he started teaching me all about lineage and what to look for in a fine horse. He had Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and a couple of ponies. He’s the one that gave me Polly. I miss her. She’s such a sweet horse, and smart, too. A few years ago, he and my aunt sold their farm and moved to Virginia. I didn’t want to go there,” Lacey said. “I didn’t want them to know what was happening.”
Joe cocked his head at her. “You’d rather a stranger know?”
“Yes. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. Plus, I didn’t want Pa to know where I’d gone. My aunt would have told him I was there. He has no idea where I am. Sammi’s the only who knows and she won’t tell him. He knows not to bother her. She’ll shoot him,” Lacey said.
“Yeah, Jamie mentioned something about her being fond of guns,” Joe said.
“She has quite a collection,” she said, and yawned.
Joe smiled. “I think the lady is getting sleepy.”
“No, I’m fine,” Lacey said. “Sammi won’t wear dresses. Everybody talks about it, but she doesn’t care. Pants seem to suit her, though…” Try as she might, Lacey couldn’t keep her eyes open. The stress of the day had exhausted her.
Joe smiled as he watched her fall asleep. He let her alone until her breathing was deep and even before rising from his chair and going to the bed. He pulled the covers back and then went back for Lacey. He picked her up. The feel of her slight, womanly body in his arms brought out a tenderness in Joe that he hadn’t known existed. He laid her on the bed and looked down at her.
Joe crouched by her and moved some of her dark hair away from her face. He drew the covers up over her and kissed her cheek.
“Good night, Lacey,” he whispered. He went back to his chair to sit down and continued plotting his strategy for the next day.
Chapter Six
Lacey felt someone shaking her and protested. A pleasant male laugh made her open her eyes. She was surprised to see Joe’s face on the same level as hers and drew back a little.
“’Morning, Mrs. Dwyer,” Joe said.
“Good morning,” Lacey said with a sleepy smile. She noticed that he was dressed in a new suit. The charcoal gray striped pattern suited him. “You look nice.”
“Thank you,” Joe said. “I have to leave for now, but I’ll be back just as soon as I get things squared away with Daddy and the lawyers. Daddy has no idea that I’ve set up a meeting at the house with Devin Saunders, his lawyer. Devin doesn’t even know what this is really about. I told him we were having trouble collecting money from one of our customers and that I want to see what we can do legally.”
Lacey reached out and ran her hand over his shoulder. “You’re crafty,” she said with a smile.
He laughed and said, “That’s what they tell me. So go ahead and pack your things. I’m gonna take you home later today, darlin’.”
Lacey propped herself up on her elbows. She forgot her shyness and took his face in her hands. “And I’ll get to see all the horses?”
“You really did marry me for my horses, didn’t you?” Joe said.
“Yes!” Lacey said and kissed him. “I can’t wait.”
Her spontaneous kiss pleased Joe no end. “Well, I’ll try not to make you wait any longer than I have to.” He kissed her and rose. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Ok,” Lacey said, and watched him leave.
*****
As Joe rode Lance to the entrance of the Dwyer estate, Joe looked at it with fresh eyes. He smiled as he realized that he was moments away from achieving part of his dream. Lance pawed the ground, anxious to be home.
“Me, too, boy,” Joe said and turned him down the drive.
*****
Joe entered his house for the first time as a married man and the place felt different to him somehow. He’d gotten there a little early so that he would already be there when Devin arrived. His father was in the large parlor.
“There you are,” August said. “Where the hell have you been?”
“Busy,” Joe said. “What are you doing today?”
“I got some paperwork to look over and then I’m goin’ into town after a while. Why?” August said.
“Just wondering,” Joe answered.
The doorbell rang and Randall went to answer the door.
“Mr. Saunders is here,” he announced.
“Devin?” August said as the lawyer came in the room. “What are you doing here, Devin?”
Devin Saunders was a small man with curly salt and pepper hair and brown eyes. He looked at August and Joe in turn. “We have a meeting.”
“We do?” August said.
“Yes, we do, Daddy,” Joe said. “I have some things to discuss with you.”
Joe produced a folder that he’d brought with him and pulled out some papers, which he handed to Devin. As the lawyer read them, his eyes bugged out from their sockets. He looked at Joe, who gave him a crocodile smile.
August saw the expression on Devin’s face and said, “What is it?”
Devin passed it over to August. “It’s a marriage license.”
“A what?” August yel
led. He read the license and his face got red. “This is a fake!”
“No, Daddy, it’s not. Devin, look at that next page,” Joe said.
Devin read the affidavit from Pastor John stating that the marriage license was valid and that he had performed the service. Then Joe showed him the photographs from the wedding.
“August, all of this is legal and valid. He’s entitled to his money now,” Devin said.
“You think you’re smart, don’t you?” August said. He was scared because Joe’s inheritance was very substantial and he knew what kind of power it gave Joe over him.
“Actually, yes. I met the requirements set forth in that will and now I want what’s rightfully mine, Daddy,” Joe said.
Devin said, “Of course.”
Joe said, “My lawyer will be in touch with a new account number where I want the money deposited.”
“Your lawyer?” August said. “Devin’s your lawyer.”
“No, Daddy, Devin is your lawyer. I have my own,” Joe said. “Devin, you’re a good man, but I had to do things this way because my father is not a trustworthy man and there was no way I was gonna let him screw things up for me.”
“I’ve done nothing but take care of you, boy! Where do you keep getting your money from?” August said.
“I make my own money playing poker and such, Daddy. The only money I use from our accounts is for business purposes,” Joe said. “Now, I have an offer for you, Daddy. I will buy you out at a price above fair market value and you will sign everything over to me.”
August eyed his son with disbelief. “Why the hell would I do that?”
“Because, if you don’t, I’m going to start my own ranch and put yours out of business. Three quarters of those horses are mine and they’ll come with me. That includes four out of the five studs and quite a few mares. So who do you think our customers are going to follow, Daddy?” Joe said.
Devin sat quietly during this exchange. He secretly admired Joe for how thorough he’d been in his strategy. People underestimated Joe’s business prowess, but he had a good head on his shoulders.