brides for brothers 04 - cowboy surrender

by Judy Christenberry

  After a sip, B.J. had excused herself. It was almost six. She tried to be home by five each day, but her job wasn’t one for a clock watcher.

  Which gave her a good excuse to avoid Jake.

  Last night, after her morning talk with him in the pasture, she’d gotten home after eight. Mildred had asked her if she wasn’t going to call Jake, but she’d told her she’d talked to him earlier.

  If Mildred assumed they’d spent time on the phone exchanging words of love, it wasn’t B.J.’s fault. She hadn’t said anything like that.

  As she pulled up to her house, she checked the rearview mirror, making sure Jake wasn’t coming out of his house or the barns. If her luck held, maybe she wouldn’t see him until Red and Mildred’s wedding.

  The only problem was she hadn’t gotten a definite date out of Mildred. She’d tried last night, but Mildred had concentrated on feeding her and avoiding an answer.

  She opened the door of her truck and got out. Tonight. Tonight she’d press Mildred to set a date for the wedding.

  “Anyone home?” she called as she opened the door, expecting Toby’s usual greeting.

  Toby exploded down the hall. “Mommy! Guess what! We’re eating dinner with Mr. Red and everyone.”

  “We are?”

  “You’re not,” Mildred said, appearing next with a beaming smile on her face.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Red and I know you and Jake don’t get too much time together, so we’re going to take care of Toby tonight. We’re going to watch a movie after dinner. Then Red and I will come back here and put Toby to bed so you and Jake can stay out as late as you want.”

  B.J. swallowed, frantically trying to find a way to change the plans. “Jake may have already made plans.”

  “Red checked with him this morning. Didn’t he mention our idea when you talked to him?”

  “Uh, no. I guess he forgot.” Did Mildred think she and Jake were in constant communication?

  “Why can’t I go with you and Jake, Mommy?” Toby asked, his arms still around her neck.

  Inspiration struck her as she stared into Toby’s eager eyes. “I think that’s a great idea, Toby. After all, Mildred, you and Red are the couple getting married. You need the time alone.”

  “Nonsense. Red and I are too old for gallivantin’ around. We’ll leave that up to you young ones.”

  “But I don’t get to spend much time with Toby. I don’t want—”

  “We’ve already got everything arranged. And you’d better head for the shower. Jake will be here in half an hour.”

  “Half an hour?” B.J. asked in shock.

  “You’ll want to look your best for him. After all, there’s lots of women chasing after Jake Randall.” Mildred stepped forward and pulled Toby out of her arms. “Go figure out which storybook you want to take to show Mr. Red how well you can read, young man. I don’t want to be late for dinner, either.”

  Toby immediately set off at a run for his bedroom, leaving B.J. standing by the front door still looking for a way out. “But, Mildred—”

  “Don’t you want to spend time with Jake? I thought you two—”

  “Of course I do!” B.J. exclaimed. “You took me by surprise. And—and I worry about Toby.”

  “Nonsense, child. He’ll be fine with me and Red. You go make yourself pretty for that hunk you’ve snared.” Mildred pushed her toward her bedroom, her serenity restored.

  But B.J. could barely walk. Her insides were churning, and she was grateful she didn’t have to continue her conversation with her aunt. She could scarcely think, much less talk.

  And in half an hour, not only did she have to make herself presentable, but she also had to regain her composure. She didn’t want Jake to realize how much he affected her.

  “YOU’RENOT GOING to wear that,” Red said the moment Jake walked into the kitchen.

  Jake came to an abrupt halt and looked down at his jeans and plaid shirt. They looked clean to him. “Why not?”

  “’Cause I think B.J. would expect you to dress up a bit. After all, you two haven’t gotten away from the family much. Give you a chance to, you know, cuddle.” Red dug his elbow into Jake’s side.

  Jake grabbed Red’s arm. “What are you talking about? Is B.J. coming—I mean, are Mildred and B.J. and Toby coming here for dinner?”

  “Weren ’t you listening this morning, boy? I told you Mildred and I were taking care of Toby so you could take B.J. out.”

  “No, you didn’t! I would’ve remembered—besides, it’s too late. I didn’t know, so I didn’t ask her. B.J. would slug me again if I asked her out to dinner at this late date. Even I know that much about women.”

  “Not to worry,” Red assured him, and calmly returned to the stove. “Mildred took care of it for you. Better go change.”

  “Change? Change into what? Since you arranged this date, just where am I taking her?”

  “There’s this new restaurant in Wyndom. It has candles and tablecloths and everything.”

  “Wyndom? That’s fifty miles away.”

  “That’s right. That gives you a nice, long ride home with the little lady.” Red winked. “Now get back up those stairs and put on some fancy duds.”

  Jake did as he was told…this time. But he was going to have to get a handle on this pretense. No one was going to lead him around by the nose.

  Chapter Six

  Jake knocked on the door and then stepped back, drawing a deep breath. Under Red’s orders, he’d changed into a tweed sports jacket and white shirt. But he’d kept on his jeans.

  After all, this night was B.J.’s idea. So she owed him. And if he wanted to wear jeans, instead of a suit, it was okay.

  The door swung open, and Mildred beamed at him. “Come in, you handsome man. Don’t you look fine!”

  “Evenin’, Mildred. Is B.J. ready?”

  “I’ll go see.”

  As she turned away, Toby came tearing down the hall, followed by his dog. “Hi, Mr. Jake!”

  Jake squatted to the little boy’s eye level. “Hi there, Toby. How are you?”

  “Great! We’re going to eat with Mr. Red. I asked Mommy if I could eat with you, but she said no.”

  He wouldn’t have minded if the little guy came with them. He may have avoided B.J. the past nine months, but he and Toby had become fast friends.

  “Next time we’ll include you, buddy, okay? I heard they’re building a McDonald’s in Rawhide.”

  “Wow! I love McDonald’s! Do they have a playground?” Toby asked, his eyes wide with excitement.

  “I don’t know. We’ll check it out.”

  “Okay! Wait till I tell Mommy.”

  “Does your mommy like McDonald’s?” He didn’t know much about B.J.—except that she made his temperature rise.

  Before Toby could inform him of B.J.’s tastes, Jake caught movement at the other end of the hall out of the corner of his eye. He looked up and almost fell flat on his back. He’d seen B.J. in snug jeans and a flared denim skirt and blouse, but he’d never seen her dressed in a silk sheath.

  He cleared his throat, wondering if she’d intentionally forgotten to fasten the last two buttons on the dress. “Hi, B.J. You look nice.”

  “Thank you.” She came down the hall and knelt down next to Toby and Jake. “Give me a goodbye hug, sweetie. And be good for Aunt Mildred.”

  Toby slung his arm around his mother’s neck and hugged her, leaving Jake an unobstructed view of the top of B.J.’s dress, too. He swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry, as he eyed the shadowy V formed by the valley between her breasts.

  B.J. stood and called down the hall, “We’re leaving, Mildred.”

  Jake stood and stepped toward the door.

  “Bye, Mr. Jake,” Toby said.

  The touch of sadness in the little boy’s voice had Jake flashing a look of alarm at B.J. “We could change our plans, go somewhere—”

  “I already tried. Besides, I can’t let Toby con me. He wouldn’t have any respect for me. R
ight, Toby?”

  “Aw, Mommy,” the little boy protested, but he grinned.

  Mildred joined them. “You two get along, now. You don’t want to miss your reservation.”

  Jake stepped aside for B.J. to precede him out the door. Then he followed to open her truck door, receiving a raised eyebrow but no comment from her. Once he got behind the wheel, however, she had a question.

  “Reservations? I didn’t know there was a restaurant around here that took reservations.”

  “There’s a new restaurant in Wyndom.”

  “Wyndom? That’s fifty miles away.”

  “I know.” He hadn’t meant to sound irritated, but he’d already put in a long day. To drive almost an hour just to eat made him weary.

  She stared at him, her face expressionless, before saying, “This evening wasn’t your idea, was it?”

  “Did you think it was? You’re the one who asked that we continue the charade. I figured you planned the evening.” A quick glance at her had him adding, “Not that I object to spending an evening with a beautiful woman, but…”

  B.J. bit down on her bottom lip. “I think I’ve been had.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t think Mildred believed our story.”

  Jake shrugged. “It was kind of sudden.”

  “It was your idea. I guess it wasn’t such a good one.”

  “You didn’t think it was at the time. I didn’t expect you to want to continue with it.” If she was going to criticize him, he wanted to remind her that they were together tonight because of her, not him.

  It was dark in the truck, but he could feel her embarrassment. “I didn’t know what else to do,” she explained stiffly.

  He felt like a heel. “Hey, it’s no big deal. Relax and enjoy the evening. I owe you one for Friday night, anyway. It would’ve been a miserable evening with Ceci in pursuit”

  B.J. said nothing.

  It was going to be a long drive.

  BY THE TIME THEY REACHED the restaurant, B.J.’s stomach was tied in knots. A combination of worry about Mildred and worry about resisting Jake’s charm made conversation almost impossible with the incredibly handsome man next to her.

  “We’re here. Let’s see if this dinner is worth the drive,” Jake drawled, smiling at her, inviting her to share his amusement.

  “Yes,” she agreed, clearing her throat. She didn’t wait for him to come around and open her door. Sliding down from the pickup, she straightened her skirt and turned toward the restaurant door.

  “I’ve never seen you dressed so, uh, nice,” Jake said, placing his hand in the small of her back to guide her.

  She pulled away.

  “B.J., you’re going to have to stop acting like I’m poison. Otherwise, people will never believe we’re dating.”

  “I’m not sure that’s what we should be doing,” she whispered.

  He clutched her waist and pulled her to a halt. “Now, wait a minute. Is this the same woman who drove all the way out to the pasture to ask me to cooperate? Isn’t that why we’re here tonight?”

  “I don’t know, Jake,” B.J. wailed softly. “I’m confused. I think Mildred doesn’t believe our story. But should we try to convince her? Or should we give up? I don’t know what to do.”

  Jake tipped up her chin. “We should go inside and enjoy a nice dinner. That’s what we should do. We’ll decide how to proceed after we eat.” He brushed her lips with his. “I’m no good making decisions on an empty stomach.”

  As if he were sure of her agreement, Jake took her arm and led her toward the door.

  Maybe he was right. All this stewing would do her no good. And why waste a good evening? After all, ever since arriving at the ranch, she’d dreamed of a date with Jake Randall.

  Not that this was really a date. But she could enjoy it, even so if she’d relax. With a deep breath, she stepped into the restaurant. This far from the ranch, they’d be truly alone, and she planned to enjoy the evening.

  Jake echoed her thoughts as he whispered, “We probably won’t see anyone we know, anyway.”

  To their surprise, the lobby of the restaurant was filled with prospective diners. Jake stepped forward and gave his name to the maître d’.

  “Of course, Mr. Randall, your table will be ready in just a moment.”

  Before Jake could turn away, another man approached the maître d’. “Look, we’ve been waiting for forty-five minutes. Are you sure you don’t have anything?”

  “Not yet, sir.”

  “Ben?” Jake recognized his neighbor and long-time friend.

  “Oh, Jake, I didn’t see you.” It was Ben Turnbull, a rancher from near the Randall spread.

  “You waiting for a table?”

  “Yeah. I hope you don’t have much of an appetite, ’cause we’ve been waiting more than three-quarters of an hour.”

  “Your table is ready, Mr. Randall,” the maître d’ said, interrupting them.

  Ben shrugged and turned back to join his wife.

  “I’m glad Red made a reservation for us,” Jake muttered, taking B.J.’s arm as they followed in the wake of their guide.

  “That was Ben Turnbull, wasn’t it?” B.J. asked. She’d met the man once before, but not his wife.

  “Yeah. They’ve been waiting for a table for forty-five minutes.”

  They reached a secluded table for four.

  Jake’s gaze met B.J.’s, a question in it.

  She frowned, sure it wouldn’t be a good idea to offer to share their table, but like Jake, she couldn’t refuse. “Of course.”

  Jake smiled and turned to the maître d’. “Would you ask Mr. Turnbull if he and his wife would like to join us?”

  The man nodded and hurried back to the front of the restaurant. Almost immediately the Turnbulls joined them.

  “Jake, are you sure we’re not intruding?”

  “Not at all. Hello, Lucy. Have you met B. J. Anderson?”

  The two women exchanged greetings and sat down. B.J. liked the friendliness of the other woman. Though she’d met most of the men in the county, she hadn’t come into contact with many of the women.

  “We’re celebrating our wedding anniversary,” Lucy confessed shyly after their orders had been taken. “We’ve been married three years.”

  There was a glow on her face that told B.J. the romance certainly hadn’t gone out of her marriage. It gave B.J. an unexpected hunger for that contentment. Her own marriage had been a good one, the short time it had lasted. But she and Darrell had been friends more than passionate lovers.

  Ben reached out and took Lucy’s hand. “We’re celebratin’ something else, too. Can I tell ’em, sweetheart?” She nodded, and Ben added, “We’re going to have a baby. We just found out today.”

  “Congratulations,” Jake offered, a big smile on his face. B.J. added hers, also.

  “I guess you know a lot about babies now, Jake, don’t you? What with all your brothers’ doings.”

  “Well, Ben, I know a lot more than I did last year at this time. We’ve got the twins, you know, and then Megan’s expecting in about six weeks.”

  “How exciting,” Lucy said softly.

  “Yes, ma’am, it’s exciting, all right. The next generation of Randalls. Our ranch has been passed down from father to son for four generations. I didn’t want that to stop.”

  “That’s why Jake set out to matchmake,” Ben added, a grin on his face. “Right, Jake?”

  B.J. watched Jake, fascinated with the man beside her. She hadn’t seen him interact with others much, just his brothers.

  Now his cheeks reddened, and he looked hurriedly at B.J. before turning back to Ben. “I don’t know that I’d call it matchmaking, Ben. Just a little nudge in the right direction. And Pete managed on his own.”

  “Yeah, with Janie’s help,” Ben agreed with a laugh.

  “Are you and B.J. celebrating something?” Lucy asked.

  B.J., thinking about the Randall brothers, froze, almost choking on the
drink of water she’d just taken. “No!” she protested.

  “Yeah,” Jake contradicted. “We’re celebrating getting away from the family.” With a grin, he added, “They’re a great bunch, but at the rate we’re growing, they’re a real crowd.”

  “Ah. You two wanted to be alone, and here we are horning in,” Ben concluded.

  “No, no, that’s not a problem,” B.J. hurriedly said. “It was the lure of real tablecloths that got me.” She offered a smile and desperately tried to think of a change of subject.

  Ben roared with laughter. “Yeah, I bet! I can just see Jake Randall yearning for real tablecloths.”

  “Now, Ben, stop teasing. These two should be able to enjoy a night out without having to offer an explanation. I’m just glad you decided to share your table. I get tired so quickly these days,” she said, smiling at B.J.

  Seizing the topic of pregnancy, B.J. talked to Lucy about the difficulties of having a baby, and the two men dealt with ranch topics.

  Just as B.J. was beginning to feel comfortable, Lucy leaned closer and asked, “How long have you two been dating?”

  “N-not long,” B.J. stammered. “We’re really just friends.”

  Lucy smiled. “That may be true, but I haven’t seen Jake out with a woman since—why, I guess, since his divorce, five years ago.”

  “I’m sure he’s, uh, dated some since then. Probably in Casper or—or somewhere.”

  “Jake?” Lucy asked, leaning toward the men and interrupting their conversation. B.J. wanted to shush her, but she couldn’t figure how to do it without calling more attention to the topic.

  “Yeah, Lucy?”

  “I don’t recall you dating anyone since your divorce. Until tonight, that is. Am I right?”

  B.J. wanted to die of embarrassment as Jake stared at her. She knew he must be wondering what she was doing.

  “I think you’re right, Lucy. I was kind of snakebitten after Chloe.”

  “I don’t blame you,” Ben said with a shudder. “Beautiful woman, but not our kind.”

  “Nope. Not our kind,” Jake agreed, his gaze still on B.J. She shrugged her shoulders, trying to tell him she hadn’t intended to put him on the spot.

  “You’ve made a better choice this time around. B.J. is a great lady,” Ben added with a grin.