It was the smell of fresh bacon, eggs, and hot coffee that woke Mark. Letting his nose lead the way, he sleepily walked into the kitchen, where he was greeted by Sarah. Her smile was the first thing he saw, and that funny feeling was back, tickling his stomach.
“What smells so good?” he asked, looking around.
“Breakfast, are you hungry?”
“I could eat.”
“Well, this isn’t the Hilton. You better come and get it.”
Mark didn’t argue. He did as he was told.
Sarah placed a plate of four eggs, six pieces of bacon, two slices of toast, and a cup of coffee in front of him. Pulling out a chair, she sat with her coffee cup in her hands and proceeded to watch Mark hoover everything on his plate in less than five minutes.
She was astonished that he didn’t lick the plate.
“Would you like more?” she asked, almost afraid of the answer.
“No, thank you. That was great,” he said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “I should get dressed and get out of here. I have to find my car.”
“Where did you leave it?” she asked.
“About a mile or so north of that meadow where we met, I think.”
“I can help you, if you like. I know this area very well,” she offered. Mark looked at her and was about to tell her he could find it himself, but something stopped him. For some reason, he wanted her to help. He wanted to spend a little more time with her. “I would like that. You don’t have plans, do you?”
“Nope. Go get dressed, and I will saddle Jezebel. I will meet you out back,” she said, getting up from the table.
“Jezebel. You named your horse after an evil biblical woman!”
“You will understand when you meet her.” Sarah laughed as she grabbed her jacket and headed out of the house.
* * * *
Mark met Sarah around back to find her mounted up on a beautiful white Arabian horse. She was a magnificent creature that stood proudly. As he approached the animal, she started to get skittish and reared up, almost knocking him to the ground.
“Damn it, hold on to those reins!” he shouted.
“Don’t you yell at me. She is just uncontrollable sometimes, especially around strangers. Just walk straight toward her, and don’t let her see that you’re afraid,” Sarah advised him.
“I am not scared of a damn horse.”
“You don’t have to explain that to me, just her.” Sarah laughed.
“You think this is funny?”
“A little.”
“You just wait until I get my hands on the nag,” Mark said playfully as he walked right past the horse, ignoring it all together, and mounted up right behind Sarah. Once on the horse, he grabbed the reins from her and gave the evil nag a swift kick as Jezebel reared up and started running.
He ran the horse hard for a while, showing Sarah how to properly show the animal who was boss. After about thirty minutes of instruction, he slowed the animal to a walk as they made their way across her land. Sarah wasn’t shy about pointing out all her favorite places. She showed him the woods where she was planning to build a small water mill, where she could have easier access to the fresh water that flowed in the stream. She pointed out across the way to where she wanted to build a small but adequate greenhouse, where she could grow her flowers and plants all season.
Mark listened to her exuberantly talk about everything she wanted to do. When she started talking about all the places she had been, he became immersed in her. She was a true adventurer. She loved life and loved to find new hidden places that she could explore. He was amazed to find out where she had been. She took to life with zeal. She continued talking for the next hour, and for some reason he was eager to hear the next chapter of her life. He wanted to know more.
“You climbed what?”
“I climbed Mount Rainier. Mark, it was absolutely breathtaking up there. The air was so crisp, and I swear you could see forever. It was something I will remember forever. Have you ever done anything like that?” she said, turning to look at him.
“Climb a mountain? No. That’s a little too high for me. I like my feet planted firmly on the ground.”
“You really have to get out of that ballpark of yours more often. There is a whole world out there just waiting for you. Open those eyes of yours and welcome the experience.”
“It’s a football stadium, and I think my eyes are open enough,” he said, rolling his eyes.
Sarah just laughed. “Whatever.”
“What?”
“You. All you can think about is your next goal. When’s the last time you took a day off from work?”
Mark laughed. He couldn’t help it. “It’s called a touchdown, and I’ll have you know, through the months of March to August I don’t work. It’s the off-season,” he replied.
“And what do you do with your time off?”
“Work around my ranch, play golf, do commercials. Generally I do whatever Bridget tells me to.” It didn’t take but two seconds for it to register with her, and he knew it.
Sarah looked up at him. So there was a woman in his life. She wondered why he never mentioned her before. She noticed he wasn’t wearing a ring, but hell, most of the men she knew never did.
Mark saw the look and knew instantly what she was thinking. He thought about putting her mind at ease, but then it occurred to him that just maybe he could have a little fun knocking her down a notch or two. He couldn’t help himself, so in a very alluring, sultry voice that he saved only for the ladies, he said, “You know, Sarah, maybe you could come to London with me. I know this great little place. I could show you the sights of my bed.”
Sarah looked curiously at him. She may have only met him yesterday, but there was something about his character that told her he wasn’t the kind of man to cheat on his wife, if he was married. Yes, she thought, he loved the ladies, and he probably prided himself that he could get just any female he wanted, but to cheat on his wife, no. She knew he loved to play games. That was what he did for a living. She smiled and thought, let’s just see how much you like to play. She leaned into him, demurely looked up at him, and whispered, “Well, just what did you have in mind?”
Crap! Mark didn’t think she’d fall for it. He expected her to go off like a roman candle, not play along. Well, if she likes adventures, he would show her one. “How about I run the length of your field, and let’s see how long it takes for me to get a touchdown,” he asked.
“You’re disgusting,” she said, pushing him away from her. Mark laughed so hard it hurt. “Is that all you think about!” she added.
“No, I think about other things, too, but it’s real hard to concentrate with you riding in my lap. Sorry, I just can’t seem to help myself,” he whispered playfully in her ear, laughing. The sensation made Sarah tingle all over, and soon she was laughing right along with him.
They were still talking when they happened upon his car. Parked about fifty yards off in the distance was Mark’s rental car. He walked Jezebel over to his car and quietly slid from the horse.
“Well, Sarah. Thanks for the lift. It was interesting, to say the least.” He smiled.
“You’re welcome.” She laughed. “Have fun winning the big silver cup!” she said, riding off.
“Okay.” He laughed as he opened his car door. He stood there as she rode off out of sight. As he sat down in the driver’s seat, his cell phone began to ring.
“Hello,” he spoke happily.
“Where have you been?” Bridget yelled.
“What?” he said mischievously.
“Don’t you what me, mister. Get your butt back here. Coach is going to have your ass.”
“Well, tell him to stop pacing. I’m on my way back now. Should be there in a couple of hours.” He smiled.
“In a couple of hours?”
“I got lost, Bridget,” he informed her.
“You’re kidding me. Just where in the hell are you, and who is she?” she asked.
“I’m n
ot sure, Bridge. I think it’s Scotland, or is it still considered England? Hell, I can’t remember.”
“What the hell are you doing all the way up there?”
“Like I just said, I got lost!” he yelled back.
“Just get your ass back to London, Pronto!”
“Yes, ma’am.”
* * * *
Mark had pulled into the parking garage where he was staying and was about to lock his car door when he was accosted by a tall blonde woman. She grabbed a hold of him and planted a very sensual kiss on him that left him panting.
“Oh, my darling Mark, I have missed you so much,” she cooed, kissing his face.
“Charlotte!” he said, trying to break away from her.
“Chari!” she corrected him and slapped him against his chest.
“Sorry, honey, had a rough night. What brings you to London?” he said quickly and tried to sidestep her advances.
“I have missed you, my darling,” she said, latching onto his arm and pulling herself into him.
“Uh, Chari, it’s rather late. What are you doing in London?”
“I came to see you, darling.”
“Uh, thanks, but I have an early practice in the morning. If I don’t make that money you like so much, how can I buy you those pretty little outfits you like to wear for me?” he said. He stood there watching her start to pout.
“You’re right, darling, you go to work, but call me. I’m staying at the Savoy. I am just itching to see you,” she whispered against his mouth as she planted another kiss on him. “Good night, darling.”
“Night, Chari,” he said as he watched her get into a cab and drive away.
Exhausted from the encounter, he leaned against his car and sighed.
Mark didn’t get far when her saw another one coming. “Mother of God!” he cursed and ducked into the alley next to his hotel. “What the hell!” he whispered as he listened to the doorman explain to Michelle, a very beautiful woman with flaming-red hair, that he was not back. Mark waited another five minutes before he even thought about venturing out of the alley. Quickly looking left and then right, he made a quick dash for his front doors and entered the lobby to find a very angry Bridget waiting on him.
“It’s about time!” she greeted Mark.
“Bridget,” he muttered, trying to sidestep her advances.
“Do you know what I have had to do today?” she questioned.
Mark couldn’t help it. He smiled and replied, “Your job.”
“You ungrateful bastard. I should wring your ass out to dry. The coach is threatening to start the backup quarterback, and my uncle wants your ass suspended,” she said vehemently as she walked away with a ringing phone in her ear.
“You know, Bridget, one of these days you’re going to find yourself out of a job!” Mark shouted after her.
“Not before you find yourself shackled to one of those trollops you have been dodging tonight!” she shouted back.
“I really hate that woman sometimes,” Mark said quietly under his breath and made his way up to his room.
He collapsed instantly at the sight of his large king-sized bed. He was utterly exhausted and felt like he could sleep for days. He didn’t even bother undressing. He just grabbed a bunch of pillows and tucked them under his head, making himself comfortable. Reaching for the remote, he turned on the television, hoping for something interesting.
Flipping erratically, his attention was caught by his face on the screen. Getting excited, he sat up and turned up the volume. “Damn, why do they have to keep using that picture of me? I look horrible.”
“Looks like Texas Rebel Mark Armstrong just can’t get a break. After what was apparently one of the worst practices ever, Armstrong reportedly threw a fit on the field after several missed plays then proceeded to walk off the field.
“This reporter managed to get a few words from Coach Jimmie Salts. ‘We are all under a lot of strain right now. We are still getting adjusted to the time difference and the loss of Blaywell. Tensions are running high, but we have our eye on the game. We know what is expected of us, and we will be ready in two weeks,’ the coach said, but when asked about his quarterback, he refused to make a comment. Let’s just hope that Bad Boy Armstrong will be better prepared for tomorrow’s practice. Back to you, Ken.”
Mark sat there sulking. “I did not throw a fit!” he yelled and turned the television off.
Chapter 7
England, February 1st
The air was crisp, and the hint of rain threatened the hillside. Sarah loved these types of days, the gray overcast of the sky, simplified life, readying it for a bright, better day. She hugged her wool sweater to her body as she left her cottage with pruning scissors in hand, as she looked at the overgrown garden before her.
Her life couldn’t be simpler, and she loved every minute of it. She didn’t have to worry about unwanted visitors, for the nearest townsfolk left her alone most of the time. The only time she was acknowledged was when she went to the post office to pick up her mail, and even then, all they did was say hello.
Life was simpler here. The fast-paced lives of the big cities were gone, and all that was left was the quietness of nature that surrounded her. She could breathe and relax.
Alone with her thoughts most of the days, Sarah soon found her own routine of reading, gardening, and riding Jezebel. She could spend hours just riding her horse, wandering the hillside in search of new adventures, anything that could keep her mind from wandering back to what never was going to be.
She missed him terribly, all of them. But knowing what life would be like without her William, she knew she had made the correct decision. Pop and Steven would be better off without having to take care of her, not that she needed taking care. That was something she had been doing since she was sixteen years old. It was the other people around her that she shied away from, but mainly Catherine. There was no way in this world she could she have stayed in Seattle, knowing Catherine was there blaming her for William’s death. It was too much pressure and a guilt she already felt.
Shaking off the unpleasant thoughts, she got to work weeding and pruning her garden, when she heard a car approach. The only people who ventured out this far were either lost or someone sent by Bucky, trying to get her to come back to the States. Either way, she smiled and got to her feet to greet her unwanted visitor.
The moment the sports car stopped, Sarah laughed. “Lost again?”
“Nope, brought a map this time!” He laughed.
“Smart, real smart!” she said, laughing.
“Yeah I thought so.”
“So what brings you out this way?” she said, dusting off her knees.
“Oh, just thought I would see how a very opinionated woman was getting along and see if she needed her garden mowed.” He smiled seductively. Sarah raised her eyebrow at that innuendo and decided it was best not to even comment. “Hungry? I was just about to have lunch,” she offered instead.
“I could eat,” he replied with a grin.
“Food, Mark, food,” she said, rolling her eyes at him.
“I know. What kind of a guy do you take me for? Wait a minute, don’t answer that.”
“I wasn’t going to. Come on,” she said, waving him along. “So really, what brought you this way?”
“Coach gave us the day off, and for some perverse reason, I had this urge to see how little-miss-know-it-all was doing.” He smiled.
“Smart ass,” she said, shaking her head.
* * * *
They spent the rest of the afternoon sitting around the table, talking and eating. Sarah had never laughed so hard before in her life. She was genuinely enjoying herself. She was amazed at his tenacity in football. He tried to explain how the game worked, but she got lost when the mention of a running pass and safety came into the mix. She could barely play tennis, so trying to understand his line of work was exhausting, and damn near giving her a headache.
She listened as he talked about his brothers, a
nd what it was like growing up with a twin. The love he had for his brothers was apparent. He literally lit up with excitement at the mention of them. She wondered if they felt the same way. But it was when he talked about his niece that he showed his true self. He adored that little girl more than anything in the world.
Little Abigail Armstrong was the first female born into a male-dominated family in three generations. She was loved and worshiped by everyone. Sarah also figured she was the most spoiled little girl in America. To have six uncles who doted on her, giving her everything she asked for and buying anything her little fingers touched, probably drove her mother crazy, but she figured she would have to be a little nuts to be married to one of the men.
Still, the thought of having a large family appealed to Sarah.
She and William never got around to discussing children. They had always figured they would have plenty of time for all of that. She would have loved to have had William’s child, but she was never going to get the chance, and it made her glad to think that there was still hope for Steven, that way George wouldn’t be all alone. Steven was the last of the line. The thought of no grandchildren to carry on the Webber name broke her heart.
Mark noticed her silence, and when a tear escaped from her eye, he became worried.
“Sarah, did I say something that upset you?”
“No, no, you’re fine. I was just thinking, that’s all,” she said, wiping her eye.
“Feel like a walk? Maybe some fresh air will liven you back up,” he asked. Sarah just laughed. A walk! He wanted to go for a walk.
“What’s so funny?”
“You—you want to go for a walk?”
“Ha-ha, very funny,” he said, getting to his feet. He extended his hand and waited. Sarah looked at him, and without any feelings of apprehension she took his hand and went for that walk.
She wasn’t surprised to find Mark standing at her door the next evening. With a picnic basket in hand, he talked her into having dinner with him out in her meadow.
* * * *
The Texas Rebel [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 7