“I sure hope so. Had enough of not making anything of myself. Listen, you don’t need to listen to me yammer on.”
“You know, Nate, as your sister-in-law, not your lawyer, I have to say, I love listening to you yammer on. It’s kind of nice and comforting to hear your dreams. Don’t let anything stand in your way.”
Nate hung up and went to feed the horses. Joy would be ready with breakfast soon, and he wanted to go collect his new buddy for a walk around the yard.
Chapter Twelve
“Thanks for standing up for me last night.” Joy ladled eggs onto Nate’s plate already crowded with bacon, biscuits, and sausage. “I’m at my wit’s end as to what to do with that man.”
“I called Sadie. She wants you to take the papers into her as soon as you can. If she’s not there, leave them with Emily and Sadie will get them after court. She’s going to deal with him, so you don’t have to worry anymore.”
He’d called her already? She wasn’t used to having anyone take control of anything. How sweet. “Oh. You shouldn’t have worried her out of business hours, Nate.”
“She’s family. Listen, I don’t want you to think I’m taking over, but you were upset. I’m involved in this, too, and he annoyed the heck out of me threatening you like that. You don’t deserve it, and I’m not going to sit back and let him get away with it.” Nate reached for the hot sauce and slathered it over his breakfast.
Joy stood with the pan in her hand. Nobody had had her back since Bradley got sick. “That’s so sweet of you. Thank you.”
He reached out and put a hand on her arm. “I don’t agree with any man ranting on a woman like that, but you’re my wife and that was crossing the line. It’s my job to look out for you no matter how we came to be married. I hope you don’t think I’m pushing in where I’m not wanted. This here is a partnership where we look out for each other. Least, that’s the way I see it.”
Butterflies swooped low in her belly. He was going to protect her and Toby. “You’re right. It is a partnership.” She sniffled and returned the pan to the stove before taking a seat at the table. “I appreciate your being here for me, Nate.”
“That’s what a man’s for, isn’t it? Standing up for his wife no matter how strong she may be.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” She might’ve made the right decision after all. Now all they had to do was sort out the latest piece of news and they could work on their relationship, because there was something to look forward to in this mess. And she was going to work on it, despite the comment her sister threw out as she left last week.
“You know he’s only here for the ranch and what you can do for him. He might come across as nice now but don’t be fooled by a pretty face. You have too much to lose to get sucked in by a handsome cowboy.”
She wasn’t going to drive herself crazy thinking of all the things that could go wrong with Nate being her husband. Instead, she wanted to focus on the good and hopefully attract a happy life.
She shrugged off the memory and concentrated on feeding Toby his breakfast while watching Nate eat. “Plans for today are?”
“I want to finish checking the fence lines out in the back pasture. I can take Toby in the truck with me if you like. That way you can go into town and deal with Sadie and anything else on your list. Then we need to tally up that list of things that need doing here so I can make my way through it. I know the fence down by the stables needs a couple of boards replaced, and one of the water troughs is leaking enough to fill a small dam. I’ve got all the hay put away for winter and the barn door is fixed. What do you think?”
I think you’re methodical and thorough and I like that. “Um, yeah, sounds good. I think the horses need their feet done too. But don’t worry about Toby. He can come with me today. Pretty sure you’ll be busy enough without him, and you can take the horse instead of the truck if I take him.”
“I don’t mind. Whatever works best for you is fine with me.” He stabbed a piece of bacon and smeared it through the last of the runny egg yolk and popped it in his mouth. “That was good. Going to keep me going all day.” He rubbed his belly, and Joy remembered waking up to the smell of his skin, her face pressed against his chest.
The will in her handbag weighed heavy in her hand as Joy walked into the law office after lunch. Emily stood and smiled. “Well, well, Mrs. Hansen. How’re you doing, Joy?”
Joy gave the elder woman a quick hug. “I’m good. Sadie said to drop in today.”
The office door opened and Sadie walked out, a file in her hand. She smiled when she saw Joy. “Hey, I was just thinking about you.”
“Hope it was good, ’cause we need the vibes, you know.” Her body sagged.
Sadie tilted her head and sighed. “I’m going to deal with that man once and for all. Don’t let him get to you.”
Emily took the file from Sadie. “Is Ryan Mitchell being a pain in the butt again, Joy?”
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know any other way, to tell you the truth. He’s never been nice to me, so as far as I’m concerned, it’s more of the same, just a different day or excuse.” She pulled the will from her handbag and passed it over to Sadie.
Emily shook her head and made noises with her lips. “Always was a nasty piece of work, even at school. Don’t know how his poor wife ever put up with him. Reckon he put her in her grave quicker than was necessary too.” She sat down and sniffed in disdain. “Meanest kid in the playground, and he didn’t improve with age.”
Sadie looked up from the papers. “I’m going to have to compare this to the other will, but so far it looks legit. I’m sorry, Joy.”
“But how is that possible?”
“I don’t know, and I’d only be guessing, but perhaps Bradley’s grandmother had a change of heart and this will didn’t surface until now. It often happens.”
“But wouldn’t you’ve known that?” Joy let Sadie lead her over to a chair and sat down.
“I’ll make coffee.” Emily got up.
“This wasn’t done by our office, unlike the one leaving the ranch to Bradley. I can speak to the lawyer who wrote it up to see if he can give me any reason for the change of heart, but what I’ll do is investigate to make sure this is the last and final will. It was only done a month or so after the one we had, so there must have been an incident to prompt it.”
“Does this mean we have to hand the ranch over to him?”
Sadie shook her head. “No, you do nothing for now but sit tight. I’ll write to this lawyer and challenge Ryan’s allegations. As far as I’m concerned, the terms of the will have been executed and there’s nothing he can do without making a big fuss over it. That’ll give us time to do some digging for his ulterior motive. In the meantime, you go about your normal life and try not to worry. Easier said than done, I know, but now you have a hunky Hansen to distract you.”
Heat rose in her cheeks.
Sadie laughed. “Ah, I see I’ve hit a spot, and I don’t blame you for falling for a handsome man like Nate. Those Hansen boys are swoon worthy, aren’t they?” She waved a hand in front of her face. “I shouldn’t be surprised considering I have one of my own.” She leaned in closer. “How’s it really going with you two, Joy?”
Emily came back into the office before Joy could answer, laden with a tray containing three mugs and a plate of cookies. “Nothing my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies can’t make better.” She handed them each a coffee and then held out the plate. “Where is the little one of yours, Joy?”
Joy reached for a cookie. She wasn’t about to explore her feelings for her new husband. Not yet. Not until she knew what she offered him was still hers to give and they trusted each other more than they did now. Setting him free if she lost the ranch didn’t fill her with any sense of happiness though. “He’s at the ranch, checking the fence lines. I wanted to bring him with me so Nate could get on with things uninterrupted, but Toby wasn’t having a bit of it. He’s Nate’s new sidekick and seems to spend all his time with him.”
“That’s wonderful. Sounds like it’s all working out between you two. I’ll have to tell Jethro. He was worried about how you two would work together, even though he was happy about the marriage.”
“It was a gamble. No two ways about it. But we get on well, and Toby… well, Toby has gravitated to him like you wouldn’t believe. It’s so sweet to watch them together.” But heartbreaking at the same time. It should’ve been Bradley taking his son around the ranch, learning to take care of it, not Nate. But at least Toby had someone who cared enough now.
“And you. Have you gravitated toward him, Joy?” Sadie sipped her coffee, but her inquisitive gaze never left Joy’s face.
“Working on it.” And that was all she was prepared to share right now.
“I think it’s time you two came over for a meal. How about this weekend?”
“Are you sure you want to do that, Sadie?” She might get on well with her lawyer business-wise, but this was taking things to a whole new level.
“Sure, why not? We’re family now and I don’t want you to forget it. Besides, I like having the chance to cook for people, and I know Jethro is dying to get to know Toby.”
Being part of a family again was very tempting. She badly wanted to join them, but… “What if this all falls apart? I don’t want you to think you have to involve us in your family, in case we’re kicked off the ranch.”
Sadie visibly bristled. Her back straightened and her eyes changed from pale blue to steely gray. “I will not have you talking like that. This will get sorted, and as long as I live and breathe, that poor excuse for a human being will not kick you off that ranch. If you and Emily say he’s a nasty piece of work, I believe it, and I’ll move every stone in Marietta to find out what the heck is going on.” Sadie gave herself a little shake that reminded Joy of a cat caught in the rain. A smile curved her lips. “I haven’t had a good battle in court for some time. It might energize me if things get that far. Bring it on.”
Joy laughed. “You’re good for my soul, Sadie. How did I get lucky enough to meet you?”
“I’m the one who was lucky.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Crease, I’d like to introduce you to my wife. This is Joy and her son, Toby.” Nate held his breath while his youngest sibling took it all in. They hadn’t told him about the marriage bargain; it had the strong possibility of upsetting their romantic brother. It’d be easier to deal with the fuss once it was all signed and sealed.
Crease had been the one most upset when their mother died. Still a toddler learning to walk, Crease wasn’t mobile enough to be as independent as the two older boys and always lagged behind in everything they did. Including getting attached to anyone.
Crease stared at Joy, Nate, and back at Joy again, his mouth working to spit out the words. “I don’t understand. Your wife? You don’t even date anymore. How could you possibly have a wife?” Hurt and confusion shone in his eyes, the hangdog look Nate was hoping to avoid. This was going to be bad.
His heart thumped as Joy turned accusing eyes on him. “You didn’t tell him? Nate, what the heck is wrong with you?”
“I… look I didn’t want to say anything until you two could meet. I thought it was better that way.”
“But he’s your brother.” He’d never seen Joy this angry before, but that was all changing judging by the way she held herself, ready to do battle and let him have an earful. Hurt, yes, but the fire in her eyes made him want to back away. “How could you be so cruel?” She stared at him for a moment, and when he didn’t reply, she heaved out a long-suffering sigh and turned back to Crease.
Her whole persona changed. She smiled gently as one would with a scared kitten, relaxed her posture, and took a step closer to him, distancing herself from Nate.
“I’m sorry you had to find out like this, Crease. My name is Joy, and this here is Toby.” She gave her little boy a kiss and let him down. Nate watched him toddle off to explore his new surroundings, and wished he could go with him and avoid this confrontation. He should’ve come straight out and told Crease about the arrangement and the reasons why he’d gone along with it. How his little brother hadn’t heard about it in town was a mystery.
“I put an advertisement in the paper for a husband and your brother answered. We got married two weeks ago.”
Crease wobbled on his feet and grabbed the doorframe for support. “You married her because of an ad? What the heck were you both thinking?”
“Man, give me a chance to explain, will you?” He touched Joy on the shoulder. “I’m going to take Crease out and have a chat. You’ll be okay here, right?”
“She’ll be just fine.” Sadie slipped her arm through Joy’s and led her into the kitchen. “We can chat over a glass of wine.” Sadie called out before they disappeared, “Jethro is in the barn fiddling with the tractor. Can you tell him it’s quitting time shortly, please?”
Crease pushed past Nate. “I’ll go tell him. This is giving me a headache.” He stormed out and slammed the door.
“For fuck’s sake. It’s not his life, it’s mine.” And he wasn’t making it any easier on himself either. What a fool.
“Yes, it is.” Joy stood at the door, a somewhat somber look in her eyes. “But he’s part of your life. I think he deserves more consideration than you give him.”
“Aw, come on, Joy. You don’t know him like I do. He’s the most romantic kid around. Always got his head in the clouds, dreaming of the perfect life. The one he’ll never have. If I’d told him, he would’ve cried foul because I wasn’t in love with you and you didn’t love me. A marriage of convenience goes against everything he believes in.”
“And that’s why I think you should’ve told him. Let him get his head around it and not dumped it on him like this.” She crossed her arms and gave him a tentative smile. “Go and deal with it, try to make him understand. You can’t afford to lose your brother, because that would kill you. I know that much about you.”
She was right. His brothers meant the world, and the last thing he wanted was to drive a wedge between them.
“Fine. Hold dinner for us.”
A voice yelled from the kitchen, “You have a half hour and then it’s on the table. Talk fast and make it good, because if you ruin this dinner and don’t straighten out your brother, I won’t be happy.”
Nate hurried from the house and headed toward the barn. He could see Jethro with his head under the tractor, but there was no sign of Crease. It wasn’t his business who Nate married, nor was it his business how the arrangement worked. Damn his little brother’s sense of old-fashioned propriety.
A curse word stopped him in his tracks moments before a wrench came flying toward him. He ducked in time and it clanged on the driveway. “Hey. What the heck do you think you’re doing? When the hell have I ever done anything to you?”
Jethro looked up from under the hood. “Huh?”
Nate held up the wrench. “This, you almost got me good. Deliberate?”
“Sorry.” Jethro jumped down and pulled a dirty rag from his back pocket and wiped his hands. “Damn spark plug is broken and I can’t get it out. Don’t know how the heck I’m going to get this old girl going now.” He slammed down the hood and threw the rag on the workbench. “Don’t tell me dinner’s ready yet. I need a beer first after the day I’ve had.”
“Sadie said we have a half hour. Listen”—he moved closer and lowered his voice—“I need your help. Crease has had a hissy fit over me marrying Joy through an ad. He’s slunk off somewhere, and I have to make up with him or Joy is gonna skin me alive.”
“Ha. Should’ve told him upfront like I told you to.” Jethro nodded to the top of the barn where the winter hay was stored. “He’ll be up there. Where he always goes when things piss him off.”
“Anyone would think he was still a little kid the way he carries on. He’s a grown man, for goodness’ sake.” But no matter how much Nate protested, he understood his brother’s angst. Their mother’s death had hit them all hard, but Cre
ase had her for the shortest time and suffered the most.
“Deal with it. You know you gotta.” Jethro scratched his head. “If you like, I’ll go grab us a beer each and meet you up there. See if I can help you talk your sorry ass out of this mess.”
Nate slapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks, appreciate it.”
Crease sat on the old milking stool, gazing out the only window. Nate planted his butt on a bale of hay and waited. It didn’t take long.
“How could you do that to her? The woman deserves better than that, in my opinion.”
“Yep, she does. I totally agree with you.”
He turned and faced Nate with a look of heartbreak in his eyes most people wouldn’t understand. So vulnerable, even at age twenty-two. He’d been called all kinds of names at school, teased and ridiculed for his unwavering sense of proprietary, his sensitive nature, his old-fashioned attitude. “So why’d you do it then?”
“Because Joy was stuck and needed me. I bet that in the same circumstances, you’d have done the same thing.” He picked at a strand of hay and shredded it between his fingers. He proceeded to tell Crease about Joy’s dilemma with Ryan Mitchell.
Nate paused in his story as Jethro climbed the stairs and handed them each a cold beer. “Got us an extra fifteen minutes. The girls are busy gossiping up a storm.” He twisted the cap off his bottle and lifted it up. “Cheers.”
“Shit. Why didn’t you say so?” He wiped the condensation from the beer bottle on his worn jeans and twisted off the top. “Never did understand his way of thinking. But why marry her? Isn’t that taking things a bit over the top?” He took a drink and then picked at the label with his fingernail. “Coulda just worked for her.”
“I thought so at first, too, until I saw him in action one night after we got married. I came up from the barn and she was in the kitchen, backed up to the counter like a mountain lion ready to spring. Didn’t understand it until after he left and she told me what I saw was him trying to act nice. Kind of like a smoke screen for what he’d already said to her when I wasn’t around.”
The Convenient Cowboy Page 7