The hairs on the back of her neck rose at his clipped tone. She’d addressed ornery livestock in friendlier ways.
“Father.” Ash’s mouth twitched into a half smile, pinched and awkward. “Mother. Eliza, Lucy.” His easy grin returned as he looked at the two girls. “Please, forgive us. My bride and I could both do with hot baths before offering you a proper greeting.” Ash stepped around to her side as she dismounted, then laced his fingers with hers.
“This is your wife?” Ash’s father’s gaze raked her up and down.
Heat flooded her.
“Yes, sir. I’d like you to meet your daughter-in-law, Honor.” Ash pulled her forward a step. “Honor, please meet my father, Ashton Rutherford Junior; my mother, Gwendolyn; and my sisters Eliza and Lucy.”
The girls mustered somewhat genuine smiles. Ash’s mother looked as if she might be ill, and his father’s disapproval oozed from every pore.
Her mouth dry, Honor’s nerves sizzled with the desire to swing into the saddle and ride right back to her quiet little meadow. Or anywhere, so long as it wasn’t here.
Yet here she was.
“It’s a pleasure.” How she’d managed to find her voice, she didn’t know.
“The pleasure is ours, Honor.” The older girl smiled warmly, though her smile faltered when Mr. Rutherford cleared his throat.
“What are you all doing here?” Ash asked.
“After that cryptic message, you left us no choice but to check on you. Now, might we go inside, or will you continue to make us wait in this heat?”
Honor gritted her teeth. Perhaps these were Ash’s parents and sisters, but the rudeness—particularly of his father—grated on her nerves.
“And I assume, in a home this size, you’ll have rooms enough that we can stay?”
Stay? With only three bedrooms, there weren’t rooms enough … not as long as she and Ash inhabited separate quarters.
Ash offered a hesitant smile. “I’m sure we can make do.”
Honor’s face went pale beneath the residue of mud, and she disentangled her fingers from his. Ash reached for her hand, but she slipped away before he could get it back. Without a word, she stomped to the front door. Mother’s eyes grew wide, and again she dragged Eliza and Lucy out of the way. Father’s eyes followed Honor as she walked. Her back ramrod straight, she turned toward Father, eyes flashing, and bared her teeth. She turned her head one way then another.
Ash watched in horror. Had she gone mad?
Father stiffened, drew back. “What in heaven’s name are you doing, young lady?”
She opened her mouth as wide as she could, again turning this way and that.
Ash’s stomach churned. Oh, Lord, help me.…
“That is quite enough!” Father turned toward him. “What is this all about?”
Honor snapped her jaw closed and settled her fists on her hips. “The way you keep looking me over is reminiscent of the way Papa used to size up horse flesh. I just figured to save you the trouble of asking to see my teeth.” She whirled to glare at Ash. “Let me know if I pass inspection, will you?”
She disappeared into the house. Fifteen-year-old Lucy tittered behind her hand, but both Ash and their father shot her heated glares.
Father turned on him. “She’s simply charming, Ashton. Just what are you trying to prove by marrying someone like her?”
Heat flooded Ash’s body, and he gritted his teeth. “I will thank you not to insult my wife. Honor is quite charming when you get to know her. Now if you will excuse me, please make yourselves comfortable on the porch while I check on my bride.”
He stormed past them all. Father grabbed for his arm, but Ash cut around him and scooted through the door. Honor stood in the middle of the room.
“I’m sorry. My father was very rude. Are you all right?”
Back to him and posture completely unbending, she shook her head.
“Please, look at me.”
Honor turned slowly, her muddy face a sickly shade of white, and held out a burlap sack. “Perhaps you can tell me why this gunnysack was on the floor.”
He stared at it a moment. “That’s the bag Nate kept the snake in.” Wasn’t it? But how had it gotten—
“That bag is still in the yard. I saw it when we rode up.”
Come to think of it, he had, too—and this one was larger. He looked from Honor to the floor, his nerves sizzling. In the amount of time since Nate’s fateful visit, a snake could have hidden itself anywhere.
“I’ll kill him.”
Ash barged from the house, mounted his horse, and spurred the animal toward Nate’s ranch.
Chapter 7
Nerves jangling, Honor drew her horse to a sliding stop as she reached the edge of Nate’s ranch yard. Already off his horse, Ash strode up to her half brother.
“Nate, you and I need to settle something, man to man.” Ash threw the empty gunnysack, hitting Nate square in the chest.
No, no, no …
“I reckon you found those extra wedding gifts I left ya.”
Gifts … More than one? A sensation akin to a thousand crawling spiders rolled down Honor’s spine.
“So you’ve come to thank me?” Nate’s sneer deepened.
The sound of carriage wheels and clopping hooves filled the air. Behind them, Ash’s family rumbled up in the carriage, despite the fact Honor had warned them to stay put and not to enter the house.
“I’ve come to teach you a lesson.” Ash squared off in a boxing stance, fists raised and feet spread.
“Ash, don’t!” Honor dismounted, though her feet instantly rooted to the ground.
Nate laughed as he circled. “Yeah, Ash … don’t. Wouldn’t wanna thrash you in front of your wife.”
“I’ll have you know, I was a boxer at Harvard.” Ash jabbed, catching Nate on the cheekbone.
Nate scowled, as if the snapping blow was only a buzzing insect.
“Never lost a match.” Ash jabbed again and followed it with a solid right cross. Nate stumbled backward. Her husband moved in, fists flying. He landed several resounding punches, rocking Nate onto his heels.
“Ash, stop!” He didn’t know what he’d stirred up. Nate was vicious when riled, and from the look in his eye, riled he was.
Her half brother caught himself, ducked low, and rushed Ash. Both men toppled into the dirt, Ash landing with a thud on his back. Nate straddled Ash’s body, knees pinning his arms. He struck blow after blow.
The sickening punches sent nausea spiraling through Honor. Forcing her feet to move, she yanked her Spencer repeating rifle from its scabbard. As Nate continued to pound Ash, she ran to the two men and leveled the long gun at Nate’s face. “Stop it. Now.”
Nate stalled, shot a frigid scowl her way, and batted the gun barrel aside like a toy. He returned his attention to Ash.
Lord, help me, please.
Honor stepped in and smashed the butt of the rifle above Nate’s ear. He toppled sideways, grabbing his head. She cocked the hammer and shouldered the rifle, hand on the lever.
“Don’t make me shoot you, Nate.” I will if I have to, Lord … but I hope You know I don’t want to.
One hand braced against the ground, he glared.
Ash groaned and shoved Nate off then rolled to his knees. Face bloodied, he stood but nearly fell again. She sidled up to him, and he steadied himself against her shoulder.
“Can you ride?” she whispered as he got his feet under him, her eyes focused on her half brother.
“Yes.” Ash staggered toward his horse.
“How many?” She ground out the words. “How many snakes did you set loose in my house?”
Nate chuckled. “A few.”
She leveled the Spencer with his nose and worked the lever. “You better be more specific than that.”
His face paled and his Adam’s apple bobbed, though the cold glare never left his eyes. “Five.”
Lord, have mercy. She gritted her teeth. “Be thankful Papa raised me right, or you’d be b
leeding to death about now.” She backed up before glancing over her shoulder.
Ash had mounted his horse, apparently with the help of his father.
Honor turned on Nate. “Don’t come around my house or property anymore. You’re not welcome.” She kept the rifle leveled on Nate until she was beside her mount.
Nate smirked. “Don’t forget what I said, you little brat. That ranch is rightfully mine, and I’m gonna have it.”
“I’d like to see you try.” Honor swung into the saddle. Once Ash had headed out, followed by the carriage, she spurred her horse after them.
Ash had taken some hard hits in the boxing ring, but none had prepared him for the brutal and dirty way Nate brawled. If he’d only fought like a gentleman and let Ash do the same, rather than knocking him to the ground and pinning him.…
In front of Father, Mother, his sisters. And Honor.
He should have kept a level head, found a better way to deal with Nate, though his family’s unannounced appearance, and especially Father’s rude comments about Honor, had added to his ire.
Rifle in hand, Honor raced up beside him and slowed her horse to match his pace. “Are you hurt?”
Head throbbing in time with his horse’s hooves, he took stock of his other aches and pains. Blood trickled down his left cheek from a cut along his cheekbone. His left eye had swollen quite a bit. His jaw along the right side was tender, possibly swollen. Lips were raw. Nothing life-threatening, though he was a little dizzy and his muscles shook after the surge of adrenaline.
He kept his focus on the horizon. “I’ll live.”
Though his pride might die a slow and humiliating death.
“I’m glad.” Her voice rasped.
Ash looked her way. As she stowed the rifle, her chin quivered and her eyes glistened. Tears … for him? He furrowed his brow, though the movement sent pain rattling through his skull. He groaned and cupped his forehead in his hand.
“We need to get you cleaned up.”
He couldn’t help his sudden grin. They both needed cleaning up. They still sported the telltale signs of their mud fight.
When they reached the ranch yard, Ash and Honor both turned to face his family as their carriage rumbled up and stopped.
“What is going on?” Father’s voice was stern. “Why did you pick a fight with that man?”
Ash leaned on the saddle horn, his strength waning. “I don’t mean to be rude, Father, but it would be best if you all went back to town.”
“We’ve come all this way to see you, and you’re sending us away?” Mother gave him a pitiful look.
Honor lifted her chin. “You’re welcome to stay, Mrs. Rutherford. Just be aware … we have five rattlesnakes loose in our home, and until I can attend to Ash’s injuries, I can’t go snake hunting. The best we might offer you and your family for the night is some hay and blankets in the barn loft.”
Ash turned to her. “Please don’t think you’ll hunt those snakes by yourself. I don’t want you hurt.” His whispered words elicited only a sigh from her.
Mother’s eyes widened, and her cheeks paled. “Oh.” She turned to Father. “Perhaps we should go back to town, Ashton.”
“I would say so.” Ashton Junior looked them both over, his disdain for Honor apparent. He pinned Ash with a glare. “However, expect us to return tomorrow.”
Of course. He’d expect nothing less.
As they drove off, Eliza peeked out from the back of the carriage, offering a little wave. Ash nodded at her. He did miss his sisters, if not Mother and Father. Theirs would be a welcome visit, when it finally came.
“C’mon.” Honor headed across the ranch yard.
Ash followed. “Where are you going?”
“Until we can get those snakes out of the house, I figure we could use the bunkhouse stove to heat some water and get you cleaned up.”
His bride took charge, seating him on an unused bunk near the door. Ash gingerly stretched out, back propped against the wall. Honor rummaged around until she found rags and a small pot and pressed a cloth to the cut on his cheekbone.
“Hold this. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She guided his hand to the cloth then disappeared outside. The squeak of the well pump broke the stillness.
Ash closed his eyes. He must have dozed off, for when he opened them again, Honor was seated beside him, cloth in hand. With a tender touch, she washed his face and ministered to his cuts and bruises. “Manuel returned from the south pasture a bit ago.”
“Yeah?” The head vaquero’s comings and goings weren’t a usual topic for conversation. The old Mexican knew his job, did it well, and kept the rest of the vaqueros in line for Honor, just as he’d done for her papa for many years.
“When I told him what Nate had done, he offered to hunt down the snakes for us. He’s taking care of that now.”
Relief washed through him. Tired and sore as he was, he’d be little use in searching out the reptiles today, and he didn’t want her doing it by herself. Not that she wasn’t tenacious enough. She’d faced down the two-legged snake, Nate, with courage. There was no doubt she’d do the same with the belly-crawling variety, but he didn’t want her hurt.
“I got some clean clothes for you, if you want to change from those muddy things.”
As she dabbed at his injuries, he took a better look at her. She’d washed and changed into a dark blue skirt and white blouse. Women’s clothes. That was a welcome sight. She’d even redone her hair, with soft curls piled atop her head in a fetching arrangement.
“You’re beautiful.” The words rolled off his tongue, unbidden.
Her hands stilled, and as she rewet the cloth, her cheeks flushed a pretty pink. “You’re delirious. That, or you can’t see straight with that eye swollen up like it is.”
He caught her hand as she reached to dab at the corner of his mouth. “I see just fine. You’re beautiful, strong, tender …”
Her cheeks blossomed red. “Stop that.” She pulled her hand from his grasp and carried on.
He didn’t want to stop. The same protectiveness he felt for Eliza and Lucy welled in his chest when he looked at her, only mixed with something more. A warmth, a depth he didn’t feel toward his little sisters.
Was he falling in love with his wife?
Chapter 8
Coffee cup in hand, Honor stared at the big Bible on the bookshelf. She touched the spine, drew her hand back, chewed her bottom lip. Ridiculous. She was a married woman, Ash was her husband. Why couldn’t she bring herself to write their names below Mama’s and Papa’s on the marriage record page of the Bible? She wheeled away from the shelf and paced to the door.
She’d planned to work on the far side of the property that day, but with Ash recovering from the fight and his family’s impending return, she hadn’t dared wander too far afield. Instead, she’d tidied the house after Manuel routed the snakes the previous evening. Then she’d returned to her room and changed into a dress to entertain her new in-laws, much as she loathed the idea—of entertaining and wearing a corset and frilly petticoats.
She had to admit Ash’s compliments the previous afternoon had been nice, though they’d set her head to spinning. She’d wanted to bolt out of the bunkhouse just to get some air. Her cheeks warmed at the memory.
The boys she’d grown up with had never treated her like she possessed any girlish qualities. It didn’t help that she felt more at home in a saddle than skipping rope or picking wildflowers. It was far more natural to her to run and chase with Ash, which was precisely why she’d started the mud fight.
But there was something pleasant about the way his face lit up when he noticed her skirt and blouse yesterday. Perhaps wearing dresses and fixing her hair was worth his kind words.
“Good morning, Mrs. Rutherford.”
She started and stepped back into the house.
“Sorry I slept so late.” Ash descended the stairs as if it hurt to move. A reddish-purple bruise marked his jaw, left eye nearly swollen shut. The cut on hi
s cheekbone was red and angry.
“Morning.” She smiled. “You look—”
“Terrible.” He nodded.
“I was going to say sore.”
“That, too.” Focusing on her coffee, he approached, grasped the cup still in her hand, and inhaled the aroma. “That smells good.” He took a sip, a playful glint in his good eye.
A thrill raced through her as he pulled her close. She shifted the coffee cup to her other hand.
Ash gingerly pecked her on the cheek. “You look fetching this morning.”
Warmth spiraled through her. Definitely something pleasurable about his notice.
She smoothed her tan and brown dress and shot him a shy smile. “I thought I should try to make a better impression on your family. Sorry I don’t have anything more fashionable.” As if she would know how to wear the fancy dresses Ash’s mother and sisters had worn.
He cupped her cheek and smiled. “Just be yourself. That’s all that matters.”
“I did that, remember? It didn’t go over real well.” She bared her teeth at him as she had to his father.
Ash laughed but grimaced and worked his jaw from side to side. “That’s not a moment he’ll soon forget.”
“I’m sorry. The way he was staring rattled me.”
“No, I’m sorry. He’s an exacting and difficult man. I wish I could tell you he might act more respectfully today, but I wouldn’t count on that.” Ash pulled away and turned toward the kitchen. “His whole purpose in coming is to force me to return home.”
Return? Her grip on the cup loosened, and it hit the floor with a clatter. “Oh.”
Limbs trembling, she darted around the spill and past Ash into the kitchen. He couldn’t return. He was her husband. She grabbed several towels and turned, gasping when he stood just feet from her.
“What’s the matter?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. Just clumsy.” She shot past him, barely making eye contact as she rushed back to the mess, shook the folds from a towel, and tossed it over the spill.
The Convenient Bride Collection: 9 Romances Grow from Marriage Partnerships Formed Out of Necessity Page 42