brides for brothers 04 - cowboy surrender

by Judy Christenberry

  But Jake felt anticipation build in him. Time alone with B.J. meant the possibility of a few more of those drugging kisses. He couldn’t afford too many, but already his body was revving up with the thought of holding her again.

  “See ya, Toby,” he called out as the little boy slipped past his mother and out the door on her side. Toby waved but said nothing. Briefly Jake was distracted from thoughts of B.J. as he watched the child jog to their house, clutching the bag containing his new hat.

  “Everything all right with Toby?”

  “No,” B.J. said, and he could hear icicles hanging off that one word.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “We can’t pretend any longer.” She was staring straight ahead.

  Jake studied her face, wishing she’d look at him. He was confused. “I thought we were talking about Toby.”

  “We are. Toby is believing our pretense. And I don’t want him hurt.”

  “I told him we were just being friendly.” In Jake’s mind, his explanation would take care of the problem.

  “It’s not enough, Jake. Soon he’ll hear rumors from other kids. Because—because it’s what he wants, he’ll ignore your explanation.”

  “What do you mean, it’s what he wants?”

  Now she looked at him, but her expression was a mixture of anger and disgust, and he almost wished she were staring straight ahead. “Come on, Jake. You must realize Toby has a bad case of hero worship. And since he’s seen us…” She paused and Jake watched her swallow. He wanted to stroke her throat as he traced the movement with his gaze.

  He leaned toward her, not even realizing it until she jerked away from him. Pulling himself together, he asked, “After he’s seen us what?”

  “Kissing! After he saw us in the barn, he obviously felt our—our relationship has changed.”

  “Yeah. We recognize each other now,” Jake drawled at her obvious understatement.

  “We always recognized each other,” she said indignantly, looking at him again.

  That indignation made her lips form a sexy pout that drew his lips like a magnet. But she only allowed a brief touching before she put her hands on his chest and pushed.

  “Don’t”

  “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

  She glared at him.

  “So what are you saying? Around Toby we don’t pretend? I think that might be—”

  “Impossible. That would be impossible. I’m saying we shouldn’t pretend anymore. At all.” She pressed those lips tightly together.

  “What about Mildred and Red?” He wanted to protest more, to tell her she couldn’t stop what had already been set in motion. But he was afraid she’d question his motives. Red and Mildred were safer.

  “I’m going to tell Mildred the truth.”

  Jake frowned. “Do you think that’s fair? They’ve made plans.” So had he. For a little more closeness with B.J.

  “I won’t risk my son’s happiness.”

  “Aren’t you being melodramatic? I’m not going to hurt Toby.” He wouldn’t do that. He and Toby were pals.

  She lifted her chin. “No. Our pretense is over, Jake. You’re on your own in the future.”

  “Hey, don’t act like I begged you.” His pride was hurt. She thought he couldn’t manage on his own? He conveniently pushed aside that Friday night in Rawhide. She was the one who’d wanted to continue the charade.

  “I know.” Her words came out with defeat, and she sagged against the car seat. “I made a mistake. I’m sorry I asked you to do this—” she waved one hand distractedly “—and—and I hope you don’t have any unpleasant repercussions from it.”

  “Hey, B.J., I don’t have anything to complain about,” he said softly, fighting the urge to gather her against him.

  She shook her head no, her chin lowered. Before he could think of anything else to say, she slid from the truck and hurried to her home.

  Damn! That made two Andersons he’d upset this afternoon. He slapped the steering wheel, angry with himself and with the events of the day. Which had started off with such promise.

  His original idea had been so simple.

  A little friendliness to scare off scheming women.

  But things had gotten complicated.

  He threw himself from the truck, not wanting to think about what had happened. When he reached the kitchen, he didn’t slow down, in spite of the fact that Red and his three sisters-in-law were there.

  “Jake!” Janie called out. “How did the day go?”

  “Fine! Damn fine! In fact, outstandingly damn fine!”

  He realized he hadn’t been as tactful as he’d intended when a stunned silence followed him from the room.

  B.J. ENTERED THE HOUSE and squared her shoulders. She couldn’t put off her talk with Mildred. It was going to be hard enough without time to think about it.

  “Mildred?”

  “In the kitchen,” Mildred called back.

  As B.J. entered the most popular room in the house, Toby was showing Mildred his hat.

  “It’s just like Mr. Jake’s,” he explained, but the excitement that had earlier filled his voice wasn’t there.

  “That’s a mighty fine hat. A fine birthday present.” Mildred shot B.J. a puzzled look over Toby’s head.

  “Why don’t you go find a place in your room to keep it so it won’t get messed up, Toby. And then lie down for half an hour. You’ve had a big day.”

  “Aw, Mommy, I’m not tired,” he protested.

  “In half an hour, ‘Popeye’ will be on television. You can get up then and watch it.”

  After the little boy had left the kitchen, Mildred spoke first. “What’s wrong with Toby? Did everything go all right?”

  “No, it didn’t.” With a sigh, B.J. sank into one of the chairs around the breakfast table. “Sit down, Mildred.”

  When Mildred had joined her, B.J. said, “Jake and I aren’t going to get married or have an affair or even be friends.”

  Her stark announcement didn’t cause Mildred to fall over in a dead faint, which was good, but it didn’t make her happy, either. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean I’ve lied to you, Mildred. Jake and I were playing a game. At first we pretended because Jake didn’t want Ceci chasing him around the restaurant, and I wanted to keep Bill Morris at bay. Then—” she drew a deep breath before continuing “—I wanted you to think that Jake and I were serious because I knew you would agree to marry Red.”

  Without another word, Mildred rose from the table and returned to the dinner preparations Toby had interrupted.

  “Mildred? What are you going to do?”

  “About what?”

  “Red. You are still going to marry him, aren’t you? Please don’t give up your happiness. I don’t need a man to take care of me. You know that” B.J. studied her aunt, her best friend, her biggest supporter, with pain in her heart.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have to talk to Red.” She kept her back to B.J.

  Getting up, B.J. crossed the room to Mildred’s side, trying to get a glimpse of her face. “I’m sorry I lied to you. I thought I was helping you.”

  “I’m sorry, too. You and Jake seemed so right together.”

  “No. No, we’re not.”

  “So what I saw on the front porch was an act?” Now Mildred looked at her, her eyes piercing in their intensity.

  “Yes.” She couldn’t keep the blood from her cheeks, but she returned Mildred’s gaze.

  “You must be one whale of an actress.”

  Could her cheeks get even redder? B.J. wondered. “Jake’s a very sexy man, Mildred. I’m not made of stone. But that doesn’t mean—”

  “Uh-uh. I know what that means.”

  B.J. closed her mouth. She did, too. It meant she’d have some lonely nights. She muttered “Sorry,” and left the room. She was sorry. Because from now on, she was going to avoid Jake Randall if it was the last thing she did.

  JAKE WATCHED the unloading of Pete’s new pu
rchase with a jaundiced eye. The gelding was reputed to be one of the meanest around, perfect for the rodeo circuit. He attempted to justify his reputation by flashing his teeth toward the cowboys who each held a rope tied around his neck. Then he lashed out with his back hooves, barely missing Pete.

  “Damn it, Pete, I don’t think you made a good buy.”

  Pete, a little breathless from his fast retreat, grinned at his brother. “Why not?”

  “He’s out of control.”

  “Nah. He’s just mean and ornery.”

  “I think you should get rid of him,” Jake insisted.

  “Why? We’re keeping you around.” Pete’s grin widened as Jake stared at him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Since you spent the afternoon with B.J. and Toby, you’ve been in a worse mood than this horse could ever have. You’ve snapped everyone’s head off. Janie was even fearful of letting you hold the twins, afraid you’d stand them in the corner for not drinking all their milk.”

  Jake stared at his brother, shock filling him. “I haven’t—I mean, I wouldn’t ever do anything to— Janie didn’t say that!” he finished indignantly, reading the teasing laughter in his brother’s eyes.

  “Nope, she didn’t. But she might.”

  “No, she wouldn’t. I’ve been in a bad mood lately, that’s all. There’s lots of headaches on a ranch.”

  “Yeah. And the only time they bothered me was when Janie had left me.” Pete leveled a look at Jake that spoke volumes.

  Jake didn’t want to have a discussion, out loud or with stares, about women. Women had no place in his life. He was lucky to escape that little game he’d played with B.J. with no problems.

  That’s what he kept telling himself. He was lucky. He didn’t have any interest in women. Especially B.J.

  And his heart told him he was a liar.

  “No one left me, brother. Got that? If I’ve been short with anyone lately, it’s because my mind has been on—on the rising feed prices.”

  “Yeah, right,” Pete agreed, but the sarcasm in his voice indicated the opposite. Before Jake could protest again, Pete turned to one of the cowboys standing watching the horse struggle against his captors and ordered, “Go see if B.J. is here.”

  Jake felt his gut clench. He hadn’t seen her in a week. He’d looked for her, waited for her, but he hadn’t seen her. Anticipation began building. It was ridiculous that they never saw each other when they lived only a few yards apart. “B.J.’s coming?” He tried to keep his words casual.

  “Yeah. She’s going to check out Testosterone, see if he’s healthy.”

  “That’s a damn odd name for a—What?” Jake roared as the realization sat in. “You’re going to put B.J. in a pen with that monster?”

  “I think the name is quite appropriate,” a sexy voice said behind him.

  Jake spun around to discover B.J. watching him. As soon as they made eye contact, she shifted to Pete. “I’m here. Are you ready for me?”

  Jake’s gaze hungrily traveled over her. She didn’t look any different than he remembered. Sexy as hell in her jeans. She was wearing a denim jacket to protect her against the crispness in the air. Her hair was braided as usual, with dark wisps that had escaped to frame her beautiful face.

  “Hey, B.J.,” someone called, and she looked away. Lifting a hand, she acknowledged Butch Gardner.

  He trotted over, an admiring look on his face.

  Jake frowned. Shortly after Butch had arrived on the ranch, he’d questioned Jake about B.J. Jake regretted now that he’d told his friend B.J. wasn’t his woman.

  “I enjoyed last night,” Butch said, a big smile on his face.

  Jake caught Pete’s sharp look at him, but he ignored it. “Last night?”

  “Yeah. I ran into B.J. and her aunt and boy at the steak house, and they invited me to join them,” Butch said, but his gaze never left B.J.’s face.

  “Yes, it was fun,” she said, but purposely turned her attention back to Pete. “I’m ready to check out your new star.”

  “Great. We’ll put him—”

  “No! You most certainly will not!” Jake roared. “You’re not getting anywhere near that monster.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Even the cantankerous horse came to a standstill at Jake’s protest. Certainly the cowboys gathered around stared at him, including Pete and Butch.

  B.J., however, was determined to minimize the embarrassment. “Don’t be silly, Jake. Surely you approve of my work, if nothing else.” With a stiff smile, she turned toward the animal.

  A powerful hand clamped down on her arm. “I meant what I said. You’re not getting close to that horse.” This time his voice was low, quiet…and as hard as steel.

  B.J. stared down at his hand. She’d missed him this past week, had dreamed of seeing him again, having him touch her. But not like this. “I don’t think my doing my job has anything to do with you. Pete is the one who asked me to come.”

  Jake faced his brother, but he didn’t turn loose of her. “Pete?”

  “Jake, I wouldn’t let B.J. get hurt. We’re going to—” He broke off and stared first at B.J., then Jake. Finally he looked at B.J. again. “Hell, I’m sorry, B.J. Bill me for the time.”

  B.J. stared, openmouthed at the two Randall brothers. She and Pete had worked well together in the past. Now, like Jake, he was losing faith in her? “Do you realize that I can’t sign the health certificate if I don’t examine him?” She didn’t have to add that Pete couldn’t send the animal to any rodeos without the certificate. Pete knew that.

  Pete shifted his weight, clearly uneasy. “I’ll get him checked out at one of the rodeos. There are always vets hanging around.”

  “And waste the space in the truck if he’s not okay? And what about your sale? Wouldn’t it be too late to return him if you wait until then?”

  “If the horse is no good, I’ll personally make up the difference,” Jake promised, nodding at his brother.

  B.J. wrenched her arm from Jake’s hold, taking him by surprise, and faced him. “Why don’t you just come out and say what you’re thinking? I can’t handle my work because I’m a woman!”

  “You know I think you’re good at what you do. But this horse is a mean one. I don’t want you hurt…on Randall property.”

  “Afraid I’ll sue? I absolve you of all responsibility. Did everyone hear that?” she asked, looking at their audience, which was paying rapt attention. She received a few nods. “See, Jake, you’re home free.” She whirled around, ready to go to work, but Jake seized hold of her again.

  “We’ll be back in a minute,” Jake muttered to his brother, and started off in the direction of the nearest building, pulling her behind him.

  “Jake Randall, turn loose of me!” she protested, but those words didn’t stop her progress. When she dug in her heels, he turned to look her in the eye.

  The expression on his face told her he wasn’t going to give in easily, but it didn’t prepare her for what followed. Without saying another word, he slung her over his shoulder and turned back to the barn.

  Stunned by the suddenness of his move, it took B.J. a little time to compose herself, if that was possible hanging upside down staring at his rear end.

  “Jake Randall! Put me down!” she protested, trying to keep her voice down, hoping to draw less attention to the pair of them. Then she thought about the ridiculousness of that idea. Everyone on the ranch was watching them!

  She got no response from Jake. Pushing against his back, she tried kicking him, but he held her legs tightly against his chest. “Jake!” she protested again.

  He ignored her and opened the barn door.

  Inside, he slammed the door shut and then dumped her on her feet. She almost lost her balance but quickly recovered, outrage stiffening her spine.

  “How dare you, Jake Randall! You’ve embarrassed me in front of the entire ranch!”

  “Better to embarrass you than to let your skull get cracked open with a vicious kick fr
om that horse.”

  His grim words should have invited thanks, she supposed, but he wasn’t about to get off that easy. “All you’ve done is tell everyone you have no faith in me as a veterinarian. And it’s because I’m a woman!”

  “Don’t start that sexist crap, B.J. That horse is dangerous.” He stood there, his hands on his hips, a righteous expression on his face.

  “Then why are you letting the cowboys deal with that horse if he’s so dangerous?” She put her hands on her hips, matching his stance. Let him get out of this one if he could.

  “Because—because they’re used to dealing with difficult animals.” The righteous expression had fled, replaced by some uneasiness.

  “And as a vet, I’m used to dealing with what, exactly? Kindergartners?”

  “Don’t be sarcastic!”

  “What do you expect me to be? You’ve made me look like an idiot!”

  “I’m trying to protect you!” He paused and then added, “For Toby’s sake. He doesn’t have a father. Do you want him to be without his mother, too?” He stopped and put his hands back on his hips, again sounding righteous.

  “You think I can’t check out that horse without being hurt? For heaven’s sake, we’re going to put him in a chute and tranquilize him. Did you think I was going to walk up and let him kick me from here to Cheyenne?” She imitated his stance, taking a step forward this time, tossing her braid over her shoulder.

  “Okay, okay, so you’ve got a good plan. But you could still get hurt.”

  “So could you, every day. I could get hurt driving down the road. Anyone could. But you don’t stop doing your job, and I’m not going to stop doing mine. Unless you refuse to use my services anymore.” She paused and prayed he wouldn’t go that far. “If you do that, I’ll have to leave. Because no one else will hire me if the Randalls won’t.”

  She wasn’t sure how long they stared at each other, only a couple of feet between them. With her chin raised in challenge, she couldn’t look away. But he didn’t look away, either, frowning at her, studying her. When he finally spoke, it wasn’t about the horse.

  “Damn, I want to kiss you.”