Marriage at the Cowboy's Command

by Ann Major

  Hurt by Mrs. Cooper’s words, hurt that Caitlyn preferred Robert Wakefield, he’d left in a rage. A few weeks later, he’d decided to hear Caitlyn’s side, so he’d called. Her mother had answered with the news that Caitlyn was happily married to Wakefield.

  Jealousy had torn through him. Luke had slammed the phone down, believing he’d lost Caitlyn because he’d been poor. Ambition born from that pain had driven him to great heights. He vowed to become more than the nothing Mrs. Cooper believed him to be.

  Well, he wasn’t nothing anymore.

  Now he frowned, hating wanting Caitlyn so much but clear about what he had to do. He headed up the stairs, into the house. Crossing the living room, he strode into the kitchen.

  Her back was to him when he banged open the door.

  When she stiffened instead of turning to greet him with a smile, his stomach clenched.

  After last night he felt like wrapping her in his arms and kissing her endlessly, but her coldness stopped him.

  “The bus was right on time.” What an inane thing to say, he thought, but how should he begin when she was clearly in a snit?

  “Was it?” she replied indifferently.

  “About last night,” he began, warmth stealing into his voice as erotic visions swamped him.

  “Right! Last night!” She jumped back as if he’d struck her. Then she whirled around and placed both hands on her hips. “Don’t worry. I know it was just sex…and that all we have is Daniel and that you have your Teresa and your real life in London.”

  “Hey. Wait a minute—”

  “No, you wait! I know last night didn’t mean anything. You said you wanted to get me out of your system.”

  “That’s not how I feel.”

  “I’m a big girl! You don’t owe me anything. I told you from the first all I want is for you to leave! I think last night proves we should finish our business and get back to living our own lives, before we drive each other even crazier.”

  His heart pounded with astounding violence. How could she dismiss him and what they’d shared last night so carelessly? He’d never felt half so much for any woman, and he’d come in here to ask her to marry him. Where was the passionate woman who’d come alive in his arms last night?

  Suddenly he hated all those tender emotions and craven feelings that woman had aroused in him. His gaze narrowed. With extreme difficulty he masked his anger and fierce hurt and fought to appear as indifferent and cold as she believed him to be.

  “I understand how you feel,” he said. “But unfortunately we have a son.”

  “Yes, well, I don’t find his existence as unfortunate as you do,” she snapped.

  “You know what I mean. I’m thrilled with Daniel. I love him. I’m only sorry I didn’t know about him sooner.”

  She tilted her chin defiantly. “So you mean now that you’re so high and mighty, you hate feeling connected to me, just as much as I hate feeling connected to you.”

  Last night was beginning to feel like a dream. Was he a fool to care so much for her? To want to give her another chance?

  Her face and lips were bloodless. But her eyes, which for a moment reminded him of her mother’s, blazed with what he took for passionate dislike.

  Hell, no, he didn’t hate being connected to her, but her harsh words and look made him mask his pain with cruelty. Pride made him swallow any tender confession he might have made. She’d just become the last woman on earth he’d ever reveal his true feelings to.

  After investigating her situation here, he’d admired her hard work and the gambles she’d taken to make Wild Horse Ranch succeed. She’d worked herself to the bone. Why, her palms were as rough as Manuel’s. But she had pluck and more determination than most of his executives. She was a good mother to Daniel, too. Sure, she’d had a run of bad luck with some of the mares she’d bought, but she had a fighting spirit and a determination to succeed. That went a long way with him.

  It didn’t bother him one bit that she wasn’t rich. He hadn’t started off with money, either.

  The past was a negative he didn’t like revisiting. But she’d been young and probably easily persuaded by her mother and by her family’s need to get the ranch back. Caitlyn’s courage and passion for horses and her accomplishments since her parents’ deaths were heroic.

  Bottom line: he’d admired her—immensely—until two seconds ago. Now, raging anger momentarily consumed every positive feeling he’d had when he first walked into the kitchen.

  “I may hate the connection every bit as much as you do, but I’m asking you to marry me anyway. And in case you don’t realize it, since you don’t like the other choices we already discussed, you have no better option. Daniel is my son. Because I owe him, I’ll bail you out of your financial mess.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. I’m asking you to marry me.”

  “Well, for your information, I don’t want your charity.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to give it. Neither of us has a choice.”

  “Surely we could work out something else.”

  “I think Daniel would be better off if his parents didn’t live on opposite sides of the ocean.”

  “What about your glamorous Teresa?”

  “Collateral damage.”

  “Just like that you’d dismiss a woman who’s perfect for you to marry a woman you dislike?”

  “Just like that,” he growled.

  “Daniel’s in school.”

  “Kindergarten.”

  “Well, I won’t marry you! You’re the last man on earth I’d ever willingly choose!”

  “And you’re the last woman I’d choose.” Liar, he thought even as he said it. “But you will marry me. Or eventually, you’ll lose Wild Horse Ranch and everything else you’ve worked so hard for—just like your father did.”

  When she whitened, he hated himself for that empty threat. The reality was he’d probably save her horses when it came to that—for Daniel’s sake. But he didn’t stop.

  “Your precious horses simply are not worth the cost of such care. As I said, you have no better option than marriage to me. You do hold the trump card—Daniel! Think about that! You’re good in bed, too, and that’s a talent that means something to a man like me.”

  “Good in bed.” She hissed in a breath.

  He hated himself in that moment. He hadn’t meant to propose like this, angrily, tastelessly and without any gentleness, but it was done. Maybe it was just as well. Knowing how she felt, he was damn glad he hadn’t groveled.

  Outside, a car door slammed. Luke and Caitlyn were too busy mulling over their anger and hurt feelings while glaring at each other to pay any attention.

  Light footsteps ran up the stairs outside. A fist banged on the door. Then Lisa cried jauntily, “Caitlyn?”

  “Damn,” Luke growled under his breath.

  The front door opened and Lisa stepped into the living room as only a good friend who was very sure of her welcome would. “Caitlyn?”

  “She’s in the kitchen,” Luke yelled stonily.

  “Oh, hi there, handsome.” Lisa was all smiles as she simpered into the kitchen, carrying a sheaf of papers under one arm. “You’re just the man I was looking for.”

  She was dressed in a tight white sweater and an even tighter pair of jeans. Her long-lashed glance darted from his drawn face to Caitlyn’s. “Hey, am I interrupting something?”

  “Nothing important,” Caitlyn said in a tone that further infuriated Luke. “He’s through saying what he came here to say.”

  “You sure you’re doing okay, girlfriend?” Lisa asked. “You don’t look so hot.”

  “Doing great,” Caitlyn replied.

  “Good. I’m glad to hear that. But I really came over to see Luke.” She batted her lashes up at him. “It’s about these old papers my bank sent me. It’s business stuff. I thought maybe Luke, being so smart and all, could help me.”

  “Sure,” he said. “Anytime. Helping a woman in distress is my special calling.”


  “Did you hear that, Caitlyn? Sounds like your banker sheik pal sent the right man to help you out of your jam.”

  Luke beamed. Caitlyn gave them both a scorching look and turned away haughtily.

  “Just a minute, Lisa,” Luke said as he strode over to Caitlyn.

  Putting his mouth close to Caitlyn’s ear, he murmured, “You think about my proposal, sweetheart. Al Johnson and the team he’s assembled can be here to take over for you in a heartbeat. They’ll take good care of your horses and cattle operation until we can make some other arrangement.”

  “He’s already assembled a team? You let him do that behind my back?”

  “I want an answer by tonight to my proposal. Because tomorrow I’m returning to London with or without you. Marry me, and this place you love will be free and clear. Your horses will be fine.”

  “But I won’t be here with them!”

  “I said we’ll work something out on that score! Look at it this way. If you don’t marry me, you’ll only go deeper into debt until you strain Hassan’s patience to the breaking point. Eventually, unless someone like me gifts you with a lot of cash, which is unlikely, you’ll have to sell land, or horses, or your entire operation. Every month that passes, your bargaining position weakens. Trust me—without my help, or drastic cuts, you will lose this place that you love so much. And you’ll force a custody arrangement that will be difficult for Daniel. None of that has to happen. If you marry me, Daniel will have a father, and you will have Wild Horse Ranch. Your horses can move to the U.K.”

  “And what will you get out of the bargain?”

  “Daniel. And you. Don’t ever underestimate the value of your appeal to me, sweetheart.” When he stroked her cheek with a caressing fingertip, his blood pumped much too violently for his liking. “You were my first love, remember. I want you very much.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll never believe that!”

  “Then think about last night. I wanted you, and if you didn’t want me just as much, you put on a damn good act.”

  “Luke!” Lisa called from the door in a husky, flirtatious tone. “I’m waiting, sweetie!”

  Caitlyn hissed under her breath, “You’d better go, sweetie. Your admirer’s getting impatient.”

  Nine

  Marriage to Luke? Why had he asked her to marry him when he’d hesitated about marrying Teresa, who was supposedly so perfect for him?

  Because of Daniel, of course. Because he felt obligated.

  His proposal had Caitlyn’s emotions in such a snarl that she could do nothing but think about what he’d said.

  The day got worse. Lisa stayed all morning, flirting with Luke outrageously while he helped her fill out her papers at the kitchen table. Caitlyn was furious that she felt jealous. A man who was as rich and handsome as Luke was could have any woman. It increased her irritation that, no matter what he said, the only reason she could possibly find for him to ask her to be his wife was because of Daniel. His desire for her would be no reason to propose.

  The sound of his deep, kind voice as he explained the papers to Lisa so annoyed Caitlyn she slammed out of the house to work in the broodmare barn.

  Not that she could concentrate on her beloved broodmares once she got there. She was so mad she almost wanted him to go and live his perfect life with his perfect girlfriend so maybe someday she could forget him. Too bad his relationship with Teresa wasn’t her only problem. There was also Daniel and his need for his father. And the future of Wild Horse Ranch. She couldn’t go on as before, even if she didn’t marry Luke.

  And she didn’t want to marry Luke under these circumstances. She knew too well how easily a marriage of convenience could falter. But what better choice did she have? She didn’t find the idea of selling land and livestock and figuring out a new career all that appealing, either. And what about Daniel? Would she be able to make enough to take care of him, or have the time to give him all the right opportunities? He needed a mother and a father, and she was beginning to believe Luke really wanted to fill the parental role.

  Still, she wanted a loving marriage, and Luke hadn’t mentioned love. Loving him made her vulnerable where he was concerned. How could she live with him as his wife and survive emotionally?

  Later that afternoon Luke was on the phone with his executives in London when it was time to meet Daniel’s bus, so Caitlyn went.

  “Where’s Luke?” Daniel demanded as he piled into her battered truck with his backpack. “I like his limo a lot better than this old truck. He’s got neat stuff—water and colas and real nice seats.”

  “You know he gave up the limo, and besides, he’s on the phone. He’s got a problem with one of his businesses.”

  Daniel kicked his backpack onto the floorboard. In no hurry to return to the house or Luke, she opened Daniel’s folder to see what his homework might be. The page that fell out was a drawing of a man and a woman and a little boy under which his teacher had written the word family. The man had green eyes. The woman had long black hair. In between them was a kid with green eyes the exact same shade as the man’s.

  Caitlyn’s stomach knotted as she examined the picture, which was obviously of Luke, Daniel and herself.

  “Did you do this today?” she asked.

  “I was s’posed to draw a family.”

  “Who are these people?”

  “That’s Luke,” he said in exasperation, jamming a finger at the stick figure with the green eyes.

  “And the mother?”

  “You! Mom, do you think Luke could ever be my new daddy?”

  Desperately, she swallowed. Then, without thinking, she wadded the paper up and threw it on the floorboard. “No! Not in a million years!”

  “But Mom!”

  “Buckle your seat belt!”

  “But you tore up my picture!”

  “I’m sorry! I truly am. I-I’ll straighten it out.” She leaned down, picked it up and began smoothing it. Then she handed it to Daniel.

  “You ruined it! It’s all wrinkled!”

  “I’m sorry,” she said again. “Maybe you could draw another one,” she whispered in a low, choked tone.

  When he didn’t say anything, she turned on the ignition and drove home much faster than usual.

  “Why couldn’t you marry him?”

  “I don’t want to talk about Luke! We were doing just fine before he showed up!”

  “Well…I wouldn’t mind if you did…marry him,” he said with equal force. “’Cause I like him. A lot! The bus driver says we look alike. And Luke said that if he had a little boy of his own, he’d want him to be just like me.”

  “He said that?” Her voice sounded scratchy.

  “He said he couldn’t ever like any boy better than me. Not even his own kid.”

  Her stomach felt tight. This was all Luke’s fault, she thought irrationally. He should never have come back!

  Knowing that she was being unfair, she shut her eyes. In her heart she knew Luke and Daniel belonged together. Luke would make a wonderful father. She didn’t want to remember how Daniel used to follow Robert around only to be rebuffed most of the time.

  Perhaps it would have been simpler if Luke had never kissed her, or made love to her. Or shown her the truth—that she was still in love with him. He belonged in his glamorous world in London with an equally glamorous wife. She couldn’t be that wife—no matter how much some secret part of her longed to be at his side. Luke had risen to heights that made a true marriage between them impossible.

  How would she get through this?

  By living one hour at a time, one day at time, until finally the pain dulled.

  She brushed away the single tear that slid down her cheek.

  Oh, what a mess she’d made of everything!

  “Are you two mad at each other?” Daniel asked too brightly.

  At the dining room table, Caitlyn sat stiffly across from Luke and a platter of fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

  Silence.

  “Of c
ourse not,” Caitlyn finally managed, since Luke refused to answer.

  “Then why won’t you talk to each other? And why’d she tear up the picture I drew of you?”

  Luke’s hard gaze slid across the table to her. “Maybe because I’ve asked your mother to marry me,” he said quietly.

  “What?” she gasped, glaring at him.

  “This is great! Are you going to, Mom? Are you going to?” Daniel cried eagerly.

  “I can’t believe you would do a thing like that! You have no right to involve him,” Caitlyn cried. “Why not?”

  “Why not? How can you ask me that? He’s a small child, that’s why! It’s unfair to involve him!”

  “It’s a family matter, and he’s a very important part of the family.”

  “But Mom, I already told you I want him to be my new daddy.”

  “There,” Luke said, “it’s settled. The vote is two against one.”

  “It is not settled,” Caitlyn said. “Not by a long shot. This is not a democracy. I decide who I’ll marry. Or, in this case, who I won’t marry.”

  Luke grabbed her hand and reached for Daniel’s. “So, will you marry me?”

  Twin pairs of green eyes burned her.

  “Do it, Mom! Please!” Daniel whispered.

  It seemed unfair, the two of them working together this way.

  “All right.” She finally relented, unable to say no to the pleading in Daniel’s gaze. “I’ll marry you.”

  Daniel threw himself in her arms, and she hugged him tightly. Not that she dared so much as glance at Luke.

  So, it was settled. Because she’d made such a tangle of her life; because Luke wanted to be a full-time father and would be good at it; because Daniel, who’d always craved a father, wanted Luke to be his father so much.

  And because she loved Luke and couldn’t bear to see him go away to London, knowing she would never see him again.

  Maybe he didn’t love her. Maybe she couldn’t measure up to the perfect Teresa or be the wife a man like him needed, but if she didn’t try, she’d never forgive herself.