Mail-order bridegroom

by Day Leclaire

  'Breaking a snow crystal—remember, those globes you shake and the little flakes swirl around inside? This one had a knight fighting a dragon.'

  She stilled. 'A knight and a dragon?'

  'Yes. I'd always been fascinated by the crystal, but it belonged to one of the live-in workers and was off-limits. When it broke, I took the rap.'

  'But you didn't break it.'

  'No.'

  'Why was that the last time they accused you?'

  'I left. For good.'

  'Blind trust,' she whispered.

  'Blind trust,' he confirmed. 'I've never had anyone give me unconditional trust before—never had anyone stand by me in the face of overwhelming odds. I guess it's a futile dream. Still... it's my dream.'

  She sat up and slipped her arms around his neck. 'If I could wrap my trust in a box, I'd give it to you as my wedding-gift,' she told him. 'But all I have is words.'

  'Don't make promises you can't keep,' he warned.

  Her brows drew together and she nodded. "Then I'll promise to try. That's the best I can offer right now.'

  'It's a start.'

  He cupped her face and, after what seemed an endless moment, he lowered his mouth to hers. It was as though she'd been waiting an eternity for his possession. There'd be no further reprieve, no postponing the inevitable. After tonight she'd belong to him, joined with bonds more permanent than his ring on her finger.

  Champagne and strawberries flavored his kiss, a kiss he ended all too soon, leaving her desperately hungry for more. 'Hunter,' she pleaded.

  'Easy,' he answered, his lips drifting the length of her jaw. 'Slow and easy, love.'

  And he did take it slow, seducing her with long, deep kisses, igniting the fires that burned so hotly between them. Slipping her robe from her shoulders, he cupped the pendant that had become a permanent fixture about her neck and in silent homage his mouth found the spot between her breasts where it so often nestled.

  She gripped his shoulders, her eyes falling shut, blocking out the pagan sight of his dark head against her white skin. All she could do after that was feel.. .feel the touch of his tongue and teeth on her breasts, feel the hard, possessive sweep of his hands as he stripped off her robe, baring her to his gaze.

  'You're even more beautiful than I remember,' he told her.

  'Make love to me, Hunter. Now.' She shifted in his grasp, wanting to be closer, trembling with the strength of her need.

  He lowered her to the blanket and she opened her eyes, staring up at him. He held himself above her, the embodiment of lean, masculine grace and raw power—a power muted only by the tenderness reflected in the black

  depths of his gaze. Then he came to her, joined with her, his body a welcome weight, hard and angled and taut beneath her hands.

  And there, sequestered within their tiny slice of heaven, he showed her anew the true meaning of ecstasy. She didn't hold back. She couldn't. For, if she gave him nothing else, she'd give him all the love she possessed.

  They spent the entire weekend at the apartment, re-learning their roles as lovers. For Leah it deepened a love that had never truly died. Unfortunately, Hunter's reaction proved more difficult to read. He wanted her; she didn't doubt that for a minute. She could inflame him with the simplest of touches—his dark eyes burning with a hunger that stole her breath. Nor could she complain of his treatment, his gentleness revealing a certain level of caring. But love? If he experienced such an emotion, he kept it well-hidden.

  To Leah's dismay, leaving the seclusion of the apartment and returning to the ranch proved to be the hardest thing she'd ever done.

  Worse, the morning after their return Hunter rode Dreamseeker, the stallion at long last surrendering to the stronger, more determined force. Leah couldn't help drawing a comparison, feeling as though she, too, had surrendered to Hunter's perseverance, giving everything while he remained aloof and independent and in control. Never had she felt so defenseless, so aware of her own vulnerability—nor had she ever felt so afraid. As much as she'd have liked to protect herself, she suspected it was far too late.

  The morning after Hunter broke the stallion, her fears took a new direction. Dreamseeker was missing from the pasture.

  'Saddle Ladyfinger,' Hunter directed. 'And grab your slicker. It looks like more rain.'

  Struggling to hide her concern, she did as he'd ordered, lashing the yellow oilskin to the back of her saddle. 'Could he have smashed down the fence again?' she asked apprehensively.

  Hunter shook his head. 'Not a chance/

  He mounted his buckskin and they started out, riding toward the area the horse had broken through before. They'd almost reached the southernmost point of Hampton land when the first scream reverberated across the pasture.

  Leah had heard that sound only twice before in her life, and it was one she'd never forget. It turned her blood to ice. Throwing a panicked glance in Hunter's direction, she dug her heels into Ladyfinger's flanks and charged toward the sound, Hunter at her side. Throughout the tense moments of that mad dash to the Circle P she prayed she'd be wrong. Prayed that Dreamseeker was safe.

  Arriving at the property line, they paused briefly. The fence separating the two ranches had indeed been knocked down again, and Leah's heart sank. There was no doubt now as to what had happened... nor what was about to happen. Another scream echoed from over the next ridge, answered by an equally infuriated trumpeting. Crossing on to Circle P land, they sprinted to the top of the hill and discovered Bull Jones sitting on his mount, watching the scene below unfold.

  Dreamseeker stood at one end of a small, tree-enclosed meadow, circling a chestnut thoroughbred stallion. Off to one side milled a nervous herd of mares, undoubtedly the motivation for the fight. Dreamseeker reared on to his hind legs, gnashing his teeth and striking out with

  his hooves. The chestnut joined in the ritualistic dance, copying each threatening move.

  'You did this, Leah/ Bull growled, gimlet-eyed. 'I told you to secure your fence-line. Now it's too late. If that stallion of yours injures our thoroughbred, you'll pay big. Real big. Baby Blue's worth a fortune. If he goes down, it'll cost you your ranch.'

  Leah glared at the foreman. 'You deliberately moved Baby Blue and those mares to this pasture in order to rile up our stallion. As to the fence... we reinforced it just last week. The only way Dreamseeker could have broken through is if you cut the wire.'

  He laughed. 'Knowing something's one thing. Proving it is a whole different story.'

  'She won't have to,' Hunter said in a clipped voice. 'I will.'

  With a shrill roar, Dreamseeker reared back, then dropped to the ground with a bone-jarring thud and charged. Baby Blue, his eyes rolling back in his head, raced to meet his challenger.

  'No!' Leah shrieked. Without thought or consideration of the danger, she slammed her heels into her horse's flanks, slipping and sliding down the hill.

  'Leah!' she heard Hunter shout.

  She ignored him, fighting to stay in the saddle while forcing her mare toward the heat of battle. Halfway down the hill, she realized that the terrified animal would go no further. Leah reined to a stop and flung herself out of the saddle. In two seconds flat she'd ripped her rain-slicker free. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she ran straight at the stallions, slapping the bright yellow oilskin in the air as hard as she could.

  Just as she reached them the thoroughbred went down, and a sudden image of Hunter distracting the bull with his shirt flashed through her mind. Before Dreamseeker

  could move in for the kill she threw the slicker directly into her horse's face. He shied wildly, dropping his head and shaking it in an attempt to rid himself of the entrapping coat.

  'Leah, move!' Hunter yelled, sprinting to her side. Clamping an arm around her waist, he threw her clear of the danger. Without a moment's hesitation he planted himself between her and imminent peril, nothing at hand with which to protect himself but his rope.

  Dreamseeker bucked madly and finally succeeded in flinging the
slicker off his head. He froze for an instant, as though trying to decide whether to charge the man or the downed stallion. It was all the opportunity Hunter needed. In one swift move his rope ripped through the air, snagging the stallion's forefeet. Throwing every ounce of mass and muscle behind the effort, Hunter wrenched the rope taut, dropping the horse in his tracks.

  Spinning around, he ran flat out toward Leah. Snatching her to her feet with one hand, he hurled the rope around the nearest tree with the other. With more speed than artistry he secured the rope, effectively hobbling the horse.

  Breathing hard, he slowly turned to face Leah. 'Woman, you and I are going to have a serious conversation. And, when it's done, your sit-down may be a little the worse for wear.'

  'Are you threatening me with physical violence?' Leah asked in disbelief.

  His wrath shredded his rigid control. 'You're damned right I'm threatening you with physical violence!' he bit out. 'After what you pulled you'll be lucky if that's all I threaten you with.'

  'I couldn't just wait while one of those stallions killed the other!'

  He towered over her, his hands clenched, a muscle leaping in his jaw. 'Oh, yes, you could have, and you damned well should have. Before this day is through I intend to explain it to you in terms you won't soon forget. For now, you have a more pressing matter to take care of.'

  'What's that?'

  He gestured. 'Your horse,' he said flatly.

  She couldn't believe she'd been so easily side-tracked. To her relief, she saw that Baby Blue had regained his feet and abandoned the field of battle, driving his harem of mares before him. She ran toward Dreamseeker, careful to keep a safe distance. Slowly she circled the downed animal, searching for any serious damage. He lay on his side, blowing hard and trembling, but without apparent injury. Before she could decide how to handle the stallion's safe return to his pasture, Bull Jones rode up.

  'Move out of the way, Leah,' he ordered furiously. She looked up, horrified to discover Bull's Remington free of his scabbard and aimed at her stallion. 'I'm gonna shoot that bronco right between the eyes. If you don't want to get hurt, you'll stand clear.'

  Leah never saw Hunter move. One minute Bull sat astride his horse, the next minute he lay flat on his back, his gun thrown out of reach and Hunter's foot planted in the center of his chest.

  'We never had the chance to introduce ourselves,' Hunter said in a soft, menacing voice. 'It's time to correct that oversight.'

  'I don't care who you are, hombre. Get the hell off me and get the hell off my land.' He squirmed in the dirt, attempting to worm his way out of his predicament. Not that it did him any good. Leah could tell he'd remain where he was until Hunter decided otherwise.

  'First, it's not your land.' The boot pressed a little harder. 'And second, the name's Pryde. Hunter Pryde. You call me hombre once more and you won't be talking—or chewing—any time soon.'

  'PrydeV Bull's eyes bulged. 'I know you! You're '

  'Leah's husband,' Hunter interrupted smoothly.

  'Aw, shoot. I didn't know you were Pryde...' Bull protested. 'You shoulda said something.'

  'Being a fair and reasonable man, I'm going to give you two choices. You can get up, climb on your horse, and ride out of here, nice and friendly-like, or you can stay and we'll discuss the situation further. Well, muchachol What's it going to be?'

  'Let me up. I'll leave.'

  Hunter removed his foot and stepped back. And though he seemed relaxed—his hands at his sides, his legs slightly spread—Leah knew that he stood poised for action should Bull offer any further threat. The foreman slowly gained his feet and reached for his rifle.

  'Don't bother. You won't be needing it,' Hunter said, an unmistakable warning in his voice. 'And one more thing.'

  'What's that?' Bull asked warily.

  'As you ride out of here, take a final, long look around.'

  Understanding dawned and a heavy flush crept up Bull's neck. 'You can't do that. I have pull, you know.'

  Hunter's chilly smile was empty of humor. 'I have more.'

  'You haven't heard the last of this,' Bull growled, mounting up.

  'Any time you want to finish the discussion, feel free to drop by. I'll be happy to accommodate you.' Hunter

  waited until the foreman had ridden out of earshot before switching his attention to Leah. 'Your turn.'

  'How can you do that?' she demanded, gesturing toward Bull's rapidly retreating back. 'How can you fire him?'

  Hunter's gaze became enigmatic. 'Let's just say that Buddy Peterson will find it in his best interest to follow through with my... suggestion/

  A tiny frown creased her brow. After a moment's consideration she nodded. 'Let's hope you're right.'

  'I am.'

  He took a step in her direction and she froze. As much as she'd have liked to run for the hills, she refused to back down. 'I know. I know. It's my turn. Well, go ahead. Yell at me some more. Stomp around and cuss if you want. Just get it over with.'

  'This isn't some sort of joke, Leah.' He snatched her close, practically shaking her. 'You could have been killed. And there wouldn't have been a damned thing I could have done to prevent it. I'd never have reached you in time.'

  'I had to save Dreamseeker,' she protested.

  He thrust her away, as though afraid of what he might do if he continued to touch her. 'You don't get it, do you? That horse is nothing compared to your safety. I should have let Jones shoot the damned animal and be done with it.'

  She caught her breath in disbelief. 'You can't be serious.'

  His eyes burned with barely suppressed rage, his features set in stark, remote lines. 'I'm dead serious. You promise me here and now that you won't ever, for any reason, risk your life for that horse again, or he goes.'

  He wasn't kidding. She could tell when a man had reached the end of his rope and, without question, Hunter had reached it. Slowly she nodded. 'I promise/

  'I intend to hold you to that promise, 5 he warned.

  She twisted her hands together. 'But you won't sell Dreamseeker?'

  His voice turned dry, the rage slowly dying from his eyes. 'Don't worry, Leah. Your horse is safe for now, even if you aren't. Mount up. Let's get this bronco home. And when we get there, and my temper has had a chance to cool, you and I will finish this conversation.'

  'That'll be some time next week, right?' she dared to suggest.

  He yanked the brim of his stetson low over his brow. 'Try next month.' And with that he headed for his horse.

  Hunter placed a call to Kevin Anderson, not bothering to waste time on preliminaries. 'I fired Bull Jones today.'

  Kevin swore softly. 'What do you want me to do?'

  'Take care of it. Make sure there aren't any... complications.'

  'Is it Leah? Has she found out?'

  'No. I don't think so. But considering I gave Jones his walking papers in front of her, it'll be a miracle if she doesn't at least suspect.'

  'If she does '

  'Don't worry,' Hunter interrupted sharply. 'I'll handle my wife.'

  A small sound brought his head around. Leah stood at the door, looking nervous and uncertain. Had she heard? he wondered, keeping his expression impassive. He gestured for her to come in.

  'Listen, I have to go, Kevin. I'll be in touch.'

  He hung up, not waiting for an answer. He stood up and walked around the desk, leaning against the edge. There he stayed, silent and watchful, as she approached. Catching her braid, he tugged her close. He wanted her. God, he wanted her. And he knew without a doubt that she wanted him as well. He could see it in her eyes, in the faint trembling of her lips and the rapid pounding of her heart.

  Not bothering to conceal the strength of his desire, he pulled her roughly between his legs. Her eyes widened, the color almost violet with emotion. Her breath came swiftly between her parted lips, a delicate flush tinting her cheeks. It took only a minute to unbraid her hair, spreading the silvery curls around them like a silken cloak.

  Unable
to resist, he kissed her, taking her softness with a desire fast flaring out of control. 'Don't fight me,' he muttered against her mouth. 'Not now. Not any more/

  Tight you?' she said, her voice wavering between laughter and passion. 'I wish I could/

  'Then kiss me, Leah. Kiss me like you mean it.'

  She seemed to melt into him. Tve always meant it. Haven't you realized that by now?' she whispered. And, wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave herself to him.

  Leah stared at the ceiling, the moon throwing a shadowed pattern of branches across the smooth surface. What had he meant? she wondered uneasily.

  She turned her head and studied Hunter as he slept. His passion tonight had exceeded anything that had ever gone before. More than once she'd nearly said the words, almost told him how much she loved him. But some-

  thing had held her back. His conversation with 'Kevin', perhaps?

  She frowned up at the ceiling again. So what had Hunter meant? What, precisely, did Til handle my wife' signify? And why did it fill her with such an overwhelming dread?

  CHAPTER TEN

  Leah awoke the next morning and for the first time found herself alone in bed. She sat up in a panic, not liking the sensation of having been deserted. Hunter was right. Waking in his arms made a difference to her entire day and she didn't appreciate the abrupt change.

  She got up and went in search of him, only to discover that he'd left a brief note explaining he'd been unexpectedly called to Houston. The knowledge filled her with a vague alarm. She'd hoped to talk to him, to be held by him, to be reassured that his conversation with this... Kevin had nothing to do with their marriage—or the ranch.

  So much for blind trust, she thought with a guilty pang. Let one small incident a little out of the ordinary happen and her trust evaporated like mist before the morning sun.

  'I think I'll go into town and do some shopping,' she told her grandmother, needing an outlet for her restlessness.

  'Stop by the jewelers and see if my watch is fixed,' Rose requested. "They've had it a full week and my wrist feels naked.'