Mail-order bridegroom

by Day Leclaire

  'Sure thing,' Leah agreed.

  Not long after, she climbed into the ranch pick-up and

  ! drove the thirty minutes to the small town of Crossroads.

  She spent a full hour window-shopping and indulging

  i in an eclair at Cindy's Sinful Pastries before coming upon

  a new antiques store. Intrigued, she went in, and after

  much diligent poking around unearthed a small statue that she knew she'd purchase regardless of the price.

  Made of pewter, a dull silver knight rode a rearing charger. In one hand he clasped a lance, holding a fierce, ruby-eyed dragon at bay. With his other he pulled a veiled damsel to safety. The damsel's flowing gown reminded Leah of her own wedding-dress and she grinned. Considering the snow crystal story he'd told her, it was perfect. She'd put it in the study and see how long it took Hunter to notice—and whether he caught the significance of the gesture. After paying for the statue she crossed the street to the jewelers.

  'Morning, Leah.' Clyde, the owner, greeted her, with a familiar smile. 'I just finished Rose's repair job last night.' He punched the charge into his register and handed her the boxed watch. Eyeing the imprinted shopping bag she carried, he said, 'I see you visited our new antiques store. Find something you liked?'

  'Sure did. Want to see?' At his interested nod she carefully unwrapped her purchase, and proudly displayed it for the jeweler.

  'My, that's a fine piece.' He peered at it over his wire-rimmed spectacles. 'A belated wedding-gift?' he asked, with the presumptuousness of a lifelong friendship. At her shy acknowledgement he beamed. 'I'm glad. Hunter's a good man.'

  A sudden idea occurred to her and she pulled Hunter's pendant from beneath her blouse. 'Clyde... Can you make a miniature of this?'

  'To go around the knight's neck?' he guessed. His mouth puckered in a thoughtful frown. 'Shouldn't be too difficult. Actually, I have a stone that would be ideal.'

  'How long would it take?' she asked anxiously.

  His eyes twinkled with amusement. 'I think Mrs Whitehaven's ring adjustment can wait. How does an hour sound?'

  She sighed in relief. 'It sounds ideal.'

  'And if I can make one small suggestion?' He crossed to a display of pewter charms and removed one of the larger pieces—a cowboy hat. It fit the knight as though made for him. 'I could snip off the link and smooth it down, fix it to the knight's head so it won't come off. What do you think?'

  It was perfect. 'Do it,' she directed. 'I'll be back in an hour. And Clyde?' He glanced up from the statue and she grinned. 'Thanks.'

  'Any time, Leah. Any time.'

  Precisely sixty minutes later she left the jewelers for the second time, her statue—complete with cowboy hat and pendant—gift-wrapped and safely tucked away in her handbag. To her dismay, the first person she ran into was Bull Jones. Before she could evade him, he blocked her path.

  'Why, if it isn't Miz Hampton.' He removed his cigar from between his teeth. 'Oh, excuse me. That's Mrs Pryde, isn't it?'

  'Yes, it is,' she retorted sharply. 'If you were smart, you'd remember that and stay clear, before Hunter hears you've been bothering me again.'

  'I'm not worried. Your husband isn't here. And by the time he returns, I'll be long gone.'

  Her blood ran cold and she glanced around, reassured to see that their confrontation had witnesses. She glared at Bull. 'You have something to say to me? Then say it. Otherwise, move out of my way before I bring the whole town down around your ears.'

  'You always were a feisty little shrew. Okay. Why beat around the bush? Your husband's in Houston, isn't he?' He laughed at her expression. 'What, nothing to say? Aren't you even going to ask how I know?'

  'I couldn't care less.' She refused to play into this man's hands. Not that it stopped him.

  'I'll tell you anyway,' he offered with mock generosity. 'He's there because he's called the Lyon Enterprises' board together.'

  She shrugged indifferently. 'He knows the board. That's not news to me,' she claimed.

  But Bull shook his head. 'He doesn't just know the board. He runs the board.'

  She jerked as though slapped. 'What are you talking about?' she demanded.

  'That got your attention, didn't it?' He laughed, the sound hard-edged and rough. 'Hunter Pryde is Lyon Enterprises. Course I didn't find that out until he had me fired.'

  'I don't believe you.'

  'Suit yourself. But think about it.' His cigar jabbed the air, making small smoky punctuation marks. 'Lyon... Pryde.. .the Circle P. It all fits. And if you wanted to confirm it, it'd be easy enough to check out.'

  'How?' The question was dragged from her.

  'Call Lyon Enterprises. Ask for Pryde's office. If he has one there, you'll have your answer. You'll know he married you to get his hands on your ranch.'

  'All I'll know is that he has an office,' she said scornfully. 'That doesn't mean he owns Lyon Enterprises. Nor does it mean he married me to get the ranch.' She wondered if he heard the edge of desperation in her voice. Probably.

  'He owns it,' Bull said with absolute confidence. 'And when he realized he couldn't buy you out or force you out, he married you.'

  She had to leave. She wouldn't stand here and be poisoned by any more of this man's filth. 'Get away from me, Jones. I'm not listening to you.' She attempted to push past him, but he grabbed her arm and jerked her to a stop.

  He spoke fast, his words striking with a deadly accuracy. 'You were all set to marry some joe so that you wouldn't lose your spread. If you had, Lyon would have been permanently blocked. The second Pryde heard about it, he shows up, and marries you himself. Pretty shrewd move. He gets the girl and the land without paying one red cent.'

  'I still own the ranch, not Hunter.'

  'Do you?' He leaned closer and she turned her head away in revulsion. 'Maybe you do now. But for how much longer? Those business types will find a way around that little problem. They always do. And then you and your granny will be out on your collective backsides.'

  With that he released her and, clamping his cigar between his teeth, walked away. She stood in the middle of the sidewalk for an endless moment. Then she practically ran to the truck. Sitting safely in the cab, she gripped the steering-wheel as though her life depended on it, struggling for a measure of calm.

  Putting the conversation into perspective, she knew Bull had an ax to grind and so she needed to weigh his comments accordingly. But what horrified her so was that every word he had uttered made perfect sense, playing on her most intrinsic fears. Hunter had wanted

  the ranch above all else. And never once had he been willing to tell her why.

  Because he knew she'd never marry him if he did?

  She stared blindly out the front windshield for several minutes. She had to think, had to keep a clear head. Either Bull spoke the truth or he lied. It was that simple. All she had to do was figure out which.

  Conrad Michaels. The name came to her from nowhere and she seized it with relief. Of course! He had contacts. He could do some digging ... off the record. Without giving it further consideration, she started the engine and pointed the truck in the direction of home. She'd call Conrad. He'd help her.

  So much for blind trust, she thought in anguish. But how could she be expected to trust when her knight had suddenly turned back into the dragon?

  Leah took a deep breath and spoke brightly into the phone, 'Conrad? It's Leah. I'm fine, thanks. And you?' She listened for several minutes while he told her, then admitted, 'Yes, I did call for a reason. I was curious about something and thought you could help.'

  'Of course, Leah,' Conrad said agreeably enough. 'What can I do for you?'

  She tapped her pencil against the desk blotter. 'It's ... it's about our loan. The ranch loan. Did Hunter arrange for it with your bank? I mean... You had the old one and I thought...'

  'It's not with our bank,' Conrad informed her bluntly. 'Not any more. Your lawyer insisted that Hunter initially place it with us as part of your prenuptial ag
reement. But I heard that shortly after your marriage it was bought out by an independent concern. All perfectly legal, you understand.'

  'But it was with you originally?'

  'Yes.'

  Now for the hard part. After a brief pause, she asked, 'Do you know who bought it out?'

  'What's this about, Leah? Why aren't you asking Hunter these questions?'

  She heard the tension in his voice and regretted putting him in such an uncomfortable position. Unfortunately, she had to know. 'I'm asking you, Connie,' she said evenly, deliberately used the family nickname. 'I need to make sure the payments are current, that I'm not in arrears.'

  'I see.' He sounded old and tired.

  She closed her eyes, hating herself for involving him. But there'd been no one else she could turn to. 'I realize you're retired and out of the loop. Still, I'd hoped you'd have contacts who could give you the information. I'm sorry to ask for such a big favor. I wouldn't, unless it was important,' she apologized.

  'Of course. I'll look into it.'

  'You'll be discreet?'

  'Don't worry. I'll be discreet.'

  She thanked him and hung up, checking his name off the list she'd composed. One down. Studying the piece of paper in front of her, she eyed the second name and number. This next would take even more nerve. She forced herself to reach for the phone again and dial the number. An operator answered almost immediately.

  'Lyon Enterprises. How may I direct your call?'

  'Hunter Pryde, please.'

  'One moment.'

  After a brief delay a secretary answered. 'Felicia Carter speaking. May I help you?'

  Leah frowned. Tm sorry. I asked for Hunter Pryde's office.'

  'I can help you,' the secretary hastened to assure. 'May I ask who's calling?'

  'Is he in?' Leah persisted.

  'He's tied up with the board all day. I can give him a message if you'd like.'

  Leah closed her eyes. 'No message.' She started to hang up, then froze. 'Wait! His title. Could you tell me his title with the company?'

  'I'm afraid you'll have to discuss that with Mr Pryde.' A hint of suspicion tinged Felicia's voice. 'Could I have your name, please?'

  Without another word, Leah cradled the receiver. So. Part of Bull's story checked out. Hunter could be reached at Lyon Enterprises. But that didn't mean he had an office there; it didn't even mean he worked there. And it was far from indisputable evidence that he owned the company. There's no need to panic, she told herself, breathing a little easier. She'd managed to glean two facts. He had business in Houston with Lyon and then-meeting was ongoing.

  Beneath her hand the phone rang and she lifted it. 'Yes? Hello?'

  'It's Conrad.'

  From the reluctance in his voice she could tell that she wouldn't appreciate the information he'd gathered. 'Get it over with. I can take it,' she told him.

  'It's not anything definitive,' he was quick to explain, 'so don't jump to any conclusions. The company that bought out your note is named HP, Inc.'

  'HP, Inc? As in. . .Hunter Pryde, Incorporated?'

  * It's. ..possible, I suppose. I couldn't get the status of the loan itself. But I have their number in Houston, if you want it.'

  'I want it.' She jotted down the information and thanked him.

  'Let me know if you need me,' Conrad said. 'I had hoped...' He didn't finish his sentence. He didn't have to.

  'Me, too,' she said in a soft voice.

  This time she didn't delay placing the call. Asking for Hunter's office, the operator once again put her through, and once again a secretary offered to take a message.

  'This is Felicia Carter at Lyon Enterprises,' Leah said. 'I'm trying to track down Mr Pryde.'

  'Why... I believe he's working over there today, Ms Carter.'

  Leah managed a careless laugh. 'How silly of me. I must have gotten my days mixed up.' Then on impulse she said, 'I don't know how he keeps it straight. It must be difficult owning two such large companies.'

  'Yes, it is. But Mr Pryde's an unusual man. And he only hires the best. Delegation. It makes his life much easier. One minute, please.' Leah could hear a brief, muffled conversation before the secretary came back on the line. 'Mr Pryde's assistant just came in. Would you like to speak to him?'

  'Kevin?* she asked casually.

  'Oh, you know him?'

  She ducked the question. 'That won't be necessary. I'll get the information I need at this end.' To her horror, her voice broke. 'Thank you for your help,' she managed to say, and hung up.

  The tears, once started, couldn't be stopped. She despised herself for being so weak. It wasn't the end of all

  her dreams. She still had her grandmother and the ranch. She still had her employees and Dreamseeker. But somehow it wasn't enough. She wanted Hunter. Most of all, she wanted Hunter's love.

  Too bad all Hunter wanted was her ranch.

  'What's going on, Leah?'

  Leah looked up, distressed to see her grandmother standing in the doorway. Silently she shook her head, swiping at her damp cheeks and struggling to bring her emotions under control.

  'Is it Hunter?' Rose asked, stepping into the room. 'Has something happened to him?'

  'No! Yes!' Leah covered her face with her hands, righting to maintain control. She couldn't afford to break down again. 'His health is fine, if that's what you mean.'

  Rose crossed to the desk. 'Then, what's wrong?'

  'Hunter owns Lyon Enterprises, that's what's wrong.' She slumped in the chair. 'I'm.. .I'm sorry. I didn't mean to blurt it out like that.'

  'Hunter owns Lyon Enterprises,' Rose repeated. 'You're joking.'

  'It's true,' Leah said in a tired voice. 'I just got off the phone with his office. Dammit! What am I going to do?'

  'You're going to talk to him, of course.'

  'Talk?* She stared at her grandmother in disbelief. 'What's to say? "Oh, by the way, did you really marry me just to get your hands on my ranch?" That's why he proposed. He never made any secret of the fact.'

  Rose planted her hands on her hips. 'Then why act so betrayed?' she snapped. 'What's the difference if he wanted the ranch for himself or for his business? If you married the owner of Lyon Enterprises it sounds to me like you were the one to get the better end of that deal.'

  That brought her up short. 'Excuse me?'

  'You heard me. Think about it. Hunter's gotten one thing out of this so-called bargain—a lot of hard work and darned little thanks. But if he's Lyon, you get the ranch, the Circle P, and anything else he cares to throw into the hat...' She cackled. 'Best of all, you get Hunter. Yessir. Sounds like a damned good trade to me.'

  'Until he manages to obtain title to the ranch and forecloses on us. Next comes the divorce and then we're begging on the streets.'

  Rose snorted. 'You really are a ninny. Get your butt out of that chair, climb into the pick-up and drive to Houston. Talk to the man. Ask him why he married you. Flat out.'

  'I already know '

  'He actually told you he married you for the ranch?' Rose asked with raised eyebrows. 'Or did you assume it?'

  Leah shook her head in bewilderment. 'I don't remember. I ... I don't think he said. Every time I asked, he'd just stand there.'

  'Looking insulted, maybe? I would have.'

  'Why?' she demanded. 'That's the reason we married. It's not a secret. No matter how much you try to wrap it up in pretty ribbons and bows, I married for business, not love. And so did Hunter.'

  'I'm sure you're right. A man as rich as Croesus, as smart as a whip and as handsome as ever came down the pike is going to sacrifice himself in marriage in order to get his hands on one little old Texas ranch.' She heaved a sigh. 'Sounds reasonable to me.'

  Leah bit down on her lip. 'Stop making so much sense! You're confusing me.'

  'Good. Now for the punchline. Do you love him?'

  There was only one possible answer to that question. 'Yes,' she said without a moment's hesitation. 'More than anything/

  Her
grandmother grinned. 'That's all you need to remember. Here's your purse. Here's the keys to the pickup. Go to Houston. I'll see you tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the one after that. Go hide out in that apartment of Hunter's and make some babies. I want to be a great-grandma. Soon. You hear me, girl?'

  'I hear you. Judging by how loud you're shouting I'm sure Inez, her children and at least two-thirds of our wranglers heard you, too.'

  But she obeyed. Without another word of argument, Leah took the keys and her purse and walked out of the study. Not giving herself a chance to reconsider and chicken out, she climbed into the pick-up and started the engine. Pulling a Bull Jones, she spun the wheel and stomped on the gas, kicking up an impressive rooster tail of dirt and gravel as she headed down the drive.

  Half a dozen times she almost turned back. But something kept her going. One way or another she'd have her answers—whether she liked them or not. And maybe-just maybe—she could convince Hunter to give their marriage a chance. A real chance. She loved him. And she intended to fight for that love.

  She only got lost twice, but the delay added to her growing tension. Finally she found the Lyon Enterprises building and pulled into the underground garage. She didn't know how she'd talk her way into the board meeting, but somehow she'd do it. Stopping at the security desk, she showed her credentials.

  'Leah Pryde,' she told the guard. 'Mrs Hunter Pryde. I'm supposed to meet my husband.'

  'Certainly, Mrs Pryde. I'll ring upstairs and let him know you're here/

  Td rather you didn't,' she said, offering her most persuasive smile. 'I'd like to surprise him.'

  He looked momentarily uncertain, then nodded. 'Sure. I suppose that would be all right.'

  'Thanks.'

  With a calm that she was far from feeling she walked to the bank of elevators, and all too soon arrived on the executive floor. This time no secretary waited to greet her. She glanced down at her clothes and wished she'd thought to change before leaving home. Jeans and a cotton blouse didn't seem quite appropriate. Did they have dress codes on executive floors? At the very least she should have brushed her hair. Her braid was almost nonexistent, loose curls drifting into her face.