by Janet Dailey
The events of the night before came racing back and her eyelids sprang open, her gaze focusing on the empty pillow beside her.
“So you’re finally awake,” but it was a woman’s voice that spoke from the side of the room and not Colter’s as Natalie had anticipated.
At the sight of Flo Donaldsen, Natalie pushed herself into a nearly upright position in the bed, dragging the covers with her. A telltale warmth invaded her face and she raised a hand to brush the hair away from her face to conceal her self-consciousness for a moment from the woman’s sharp gaze.
“What time is it?” asked Natalie.
“Nearly ten. Colter left orders to let you sleep this morning,” Flo added in explanation. “But I thought you’d want a chance to shower and dress before lunchtime. I’ll be staying on to fix it, so you needn’t worry about that.”
“Thank you,” Natalie murmured as her gaze slid away from the woman’s discerning face only to rush back a second later. “Where’s Ricky?”
“Colter took him along this morning. Would you be wanting anything for breakfast?”
“No, just coffee.”
Flo Donaldsen nodded and left the room. There was a slight protest of her muscles as Natalie slipped from the bed and hurried into the bathroom, needing the cleansing waters of a bath in order to face the day ahead of her.
Her mouth had tightened into a grim line at Flo’s pronouncement that Ricky was with Colter. Though she did not yet know Colter thoroughly, she knew consideration was not the motive for his action. He had known she wouldn’t leave without Ricky.
He always seemed to be one step ahead of her. Even letting her sleep late had been a means of ensuring that his aunt was aware they had slept together.
After bathing and dressing, Natalie stripped the sheets from the bed, put on fresh ones from the linen closet in the hallway that Missy had pointed out the previous day. Then she made her way to the kitchen, where Flo Donaldsen was fixing lunch. Natalie was setting the dining table when Ricky came bursting through the front door.
“Nonnie! Nonnie!” he cried excitedly as he rushed towards her.
Automatically she knelt to receive his quick hug and remained in the same position to be nearer to his level. Her loving smile was automatic and genuine as she looked into his snapping brown eyes, sparkling with immeasurable happiness.
“Oh, Nonnie! You should have been with us!” he exclaimed. “I got to see the horses and barns and pet a dog and everything! And C-Colter,” he glanced over his shoulder as he struggled momentarily with the name, “is going to take me out to see the cows and their babies this afternoon,” Ricky concluded gleefully.
Natalie’s gaze swept past Ricky to the man standing in the archway of the dining room, blue-green eyes holding her gaze. Colter’s lazy yet alert study of her sent the blood pounding through her veins, anger seething at the selfish way he was using Ricky to ensure that the boy would be against any suggestion that they leave the ranch.
“The boy can come,” Colter qualified amicably as he stepped farther into the room, “providing you don’t have any objections.”
“I can, can’t I?” Ricky pleaded.
Natalie glared at Colter. “Would my objections matter?” she taunted.
His gaze narrowed, the colour of his eyes shifting to a harsher shade of blue, frosty and cold. “If you’ve made other plans, then say so.”
Deliberately Natalie ignored his challenge as she flashed a tense smile at the small boy standing in front of her. “Go and wash your hands, Ricky. We’ll talk about it after lunch.”
He hesitated as if to argue for immediate permission, then scampered away. Natalie straightened stiffly, her head drawn back to a defiant angle.
“You don’t play fair,” she accused in an ominous undertone.
“I don’t ‘play’ at anything,” Colter returned.
Involuntarily her voice rose. “You know very well what I mean! Every little boy dreams of being a cowboy, and you’re deliberately making sure that Ricky realises that his dream can come true if we stay here.”
“Is there some question that you will?” There was an arrogant lift of his eyebrow.
A stabbing pain jabbed at her chest as Natalie realised that she inwardly had accepted the situation. It was a disturbing discovery to acknowledge that all her protests were only bold talk that she had no intention of backing up with action. She was ashamed of her helplessness, the lack of strength that had prompted her to accept his offer of marriage without giving any thought to the consequences.
Despite Colter’s insensitivity, he was strong. In the short time she had known him, Natalie had learned what it was like to have a man to rely on, to make the decisions. So while she cursed her weakness, she resolved not to reveal it to Colter. Let him think that some day she might leave, she told herself, and some day she would find the strength to do it.
He was still waiting for her answer, his alertness more pronounced than ever at her silence. There was satisfaction in realising he was not entirely certain of her reaction. Gold dust sparkled in her almond eyes as she met his searching look. Without replying Natalie turned away, a mysterious smile flitting over her mouth.
“I want an answer,” Colter stated.
When Natalie failed to answer and started to walk away, his fingers closed over her arm and spun her around.
The hard pressure of his hand was like a catalyst, suddenly causing a rush of vivid memories, recalling the way he had caressed her so intimately the night before and her own instinctive reaction to his touch.
Immediately she tried to pull free of his hold, hissing angrily, “Don’t touch me!”
When she failed to pull free, her other hand raised to strike a lean cheek and the taunting curve of his mouth. But its movement was halted in mid-swing by the vice-like grip of his hand and Natalie was twisted against his muscular length, her breath stolen by the sudden contact.
“You’re a disgusting animal!” she spat softly, and drew a short derisive laugh from Colter.
“And you’re a wildcat.” His eyes mockingly inspected her face. “I enjoyed taming you last night.”
The instant of immobility at the hard pressure of his body against her was gone, chased away by his jeering comment. Although knowing it was futile, Natalie struggled against his hold anyway.
“Let me go!” she demanded hoarsely. “I despise you. I don’t want you to touch me!”
The last vibrated in the air. There was a movement behind Colter and for a frightened second Natalie thought it was Ricky witnessing their argument. Then her face flamed in embarrassment when she saw Travis McCrea, his brows drawn together in a concerned frown. She sensed his indecision, uncertain whether to step forward and interfere or to leave before his presence was noticed.
Colter turned his head to see the reason for her disconcerted expression. Natalie glanced tensely at his almost impassive face, noting the narrowing of his gaze as Colter dared Travis to intervene. Then her look slid back to Travis, the frown gone, a humourless smile curving the mouth that had been grim.
“Your first argument, huh?” Travis inserted casually as he walked into the dining room. “I’ve heard that’s always the first sign that the honeymoon is over.”
Accepting Travis’s observation, Colter studied Natalie’s averted face, its colour only just beginning to return to normal.
“Do you wish you could run home to Mama?” he jeered, lowering his voice to a pitch that wouldn’t carry his words to Travis’s hearing.
There was no sign that the dark, rugged foreman had heard his question. As Colter’s hold on her arms slackened, Natalie pulled away, ignoring his jibe and murmuring self-consciously, “I have to help Mrs. Donaldsen.” A faltering excuse, but the only one she had.
SIX
STRANGELY LIFE fell into a comfortable pattern for Natalie. Although her pride demanded that she pretend otherwise, the undemanding routine of cleaning house, taking care of Missy and Ricky, and preparing meals was truly enjoyable. She ha
d never been career-minded, always desiring a home and family. Now that she had both, there was a sense of fulfilment that more ambitious members of her sex would never understand.
Not that everything had gone smoothly. Initially there had been confusion when Flo Donaldsen had departed for her cottage, but Natalie had soon found her way around. And there had been the task of enrolling Ricky in the afternoon kindergarten class at the local school for the rest of the term.
Colter gave her almost free rein, providing her with keys to the El Dorado, giving her a list of the stores he had accounts with, and generally letting her do as she pleased as long as she maintained their bargain.
During the day, Natalie never had to suffer his company alone, since he only appeared at meal-times and then in the company of Travis McCrea. In the evenings he was in the house most of the time, but those were the hours she spent with Ricky and Missy. Colter never requested her company nor indicated a desire to establish a more companionable relationship between them.
When they were alone, Natalie didn’t hesitate to let her distaste of him show, but the sensuous warmth of his kisses always produced a reaction that was purely physical and out of the bounds of her control.
Natalie had just returned the vacuum cleaner to the utility closet when she heard the front door open and close. She glanced swiftly at her wristwatch, wondering if she had lost track of time and Missy and Ricky were home from school.
But it wasn’t nearly time for them, so she moved curiously to the living room. Her steps halted abruptly at the sight of the vivacious redhead wandering familiarly about the room. It was the woman Colter had identified as Deirdre Collins, who had thrown herself into his arms the first day Natalie had arrived at the ranch.
“May I help you?” Natalie inquired, knowing her face and voice were stiff and cold, and not caring.
The redhead turned, a haughty look to her green eyes as she openly surveyed Natalie. Poise, sophistication and wealth were stamped in the clothes and hairstyle that the strikingly beautiful woman wore. In spite of herself, Natalie thrust her chin to a slightly more defiant angle. The action drew an immediate smile of satisfaction to the perfect copper lips.
“You’re the new Mrs. Langston, of course,” the redhead murmured with brittle friendliness. “I’m Deirdre Collins. I wanted to meet you and offer my congratulations. I hope you don’t mind me barging in this way.” A manicured hand waved the air in apology. “I’m used to coming and going as I please. It never occurred to me until just now that Colter might not have mentioned me.”
“Yes, he has. Your parents are our neighbours, aren’t they?” said Natalie. Her temper was slowly reaching the boiling point, increased by Deirdre Collins’s patronising attitude. “As a matter of fact,” she added boldly, “I believe you were here the first day Colter and I returned after we were married. I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you then.”
The woman’s gaze narrowed slightly as she met the flashing amber caution lights in Natalie’s eyes. “I hope,” Deirdre hesitated, obviously choosing her words carefully, “my appearance that day didn’t upset you.”
“Not in the least. After all, you weren’t aware that Colter was married,” she returned with the same caustic edge to her voice.
Deirdre stared at Natalie for a long moment before swinging her emerald gaze around the room. “Colter has a beautiful home, doesn’t he? Are you the domesticated type?” The sarcasm gleamed out through a see-through veil.
“Yes, I am,” Natalie admitted without any apology.
“I loathe the routine of a house myself. I would make a lousy wife.” Again a smile curved the copper mouth. “Besides, a wife always gets taken for granted. I’d rather have a man waiting on me, seeking my favours, rather than the other way around. No man should see a woman when she first gets up in the morning. It destroys his illusions.”
Natalie knew exactly what Deirdre was hinting at and she realised that she had unconsciously known all along that Deirdre had probably been Colter’s mistress. But was she insinuating something more? That she still was?
Colter could have a dozen mistresses for all Natalie cared, but if he thought she was going to welcome them into her home — and it was her home — then he was in for a rude awakening.
“I’m sorry Colter isn’t here, Miss Collins. I know he’ll regret missing your visit.” As tactfully as possible Natalie was suggesting that Deirdre leave. Under no circumstances was she going to offer the redhead any refreshments.
Deirdre laughed throatily. “I know Colter will be sorry he wasn’t here. With his callous sense of humour, he would have found our meeting very amusing.”
“Would he?” Natalie challenged coolly, fighting for the self-respect that Colter seemed intent on denying her, directly or indirectly.
The question was ignored as Deirdre smiled sweetly, silent laughter in the green eyes at Natalie’s bristling stance.
“I realize that slaving around the house the way you do, there must be a thousand things that need to be done, so I won’t keep you, Mrs. Langston.”
“Slaving” had been a poor choice. Involuntarily Natalie jerked her head when it was used. She had the fleeting impression of a cat cleaning its whiskers in satisfaction as Deirdre started towards the front door.
“Give Colter,” deliberately the redhead hesitated as she glanced over her shoulder at Natalie with a knowing smile, “my love, will you? I’ll see him another time.”
Natalie was rooted to the floor, frozen by her anger, an anger divided in equal shares among Colter, Deirdre and herself. When the door clicked shut, it took her a full second to realise that Travis McCrea had walked in as Deirdre walked out. Velvet brown eyes searched her rigidly held expression of unconcern behind which Natalie’s anger smouldered.
“Are you all right, Natalie?” Travis asked quietly.
“Of course.” But there was a brittle edge to her airy reply.
The immediate grim line that tightened his mouth made Natalie realise that she had betrayed herself. She quickly averted her face and walked over to needlessly plump a cushion on the couch. Natalie had never been one to give way to hysteria, but she was possessed by a frightening urge to throw herself on to the couch and sob out her humiliation.
“Was there something you needed, Travis?” She tried to ask brightly, but it was forced and it showed.
He remained in the open hallway, watching her through the carved walnut poles. “No,” Travis responded. “I noticed Deirdre’s car in the drive.”
Natalie met his warm brown gaze, her own swinging over the strong, broad face, the thick brows and the silver wings in his jet black hair. Not for the first time in the last two weeks, she silently wished that if she had been determined to make a loveless marriage for Ricky’s benefit, she could have married this strong, quiet man instead of Colter. But hindsight never changed anything.
Shrugging self-consciously, she said, “Deirdre stopped over to offer her congratulations.”
“I’ll bet,” Travis mocked drily. “What she really wanted was to meet the woman who snared Colter when she’d failed.”
“Snared? That’s a joke,” Natalie laughed bitterly. “I’m the one who’s trapped.” Immediately after the slip was made, she regretted it. She sank dejectedly in the nearest chair, wearily pressing a hand to her suddenly throbbing temples. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. It’s not true.”
“You can’t pretend in front of everyone, Natalie.” Although he was still standing in the hallway, his voice seemed to reach out to touch her in reassurance. “Taking my meals at the house as regularly as I do, I haven’t needed much insight to see that you and Colter don’t act like newlyweds.”
“Please.” Her head moved in a negative shake. “The way I feel right now, if you say another kind word, I’ll break into tears.” As quickly as she slumped into the chair, she pushed herself out of it, determinedly squaring her shoulders. “I have what I wanted and I’m not going to start complaining simply because my loaf of s
oft bread has a hard crust.”
Travis nodded an understanding, a glint of admiration in his eyes. His head turned slightly towards the door just as it opened and Colter walked in. His blue-green gaze swung from Travis to Natalie and back to his foreman with aloof detachment.
“Is something wrong?” Colter inquired, pulling off his leather gloves and tossing them on the small table.
“No, I was just leaving,” Travis replied, and set his wide-brimmed hat on his dark head. “I’ll see you tonight, Natalie,” he offered in goodbye as he opened the door.
When the door closed seconds later, Colter stared at it in a thoughtful silence that scraped at Natalie’s raw nerves. She stiffened instinctively as his gaze flicked derisively to her.
“Travis doesn’t usually come to the house during the day,” she stated defensively.
“Neither do I,” he reminded her. “But today I want to shower and change before I drive into San Antonio.”
He turned from her and started down the hallway to their bedroom, his fingers making short work of the buttons on his shirt. Anger raged within Natalie that he should casually ignore her. She was in no mood to be brushed aside so easily, and she followed him down the hall.
“Are you going with Deirdre?” Natalie asked with deliberate softness, as she stopped just inside the door of their bedroom.
Colter laughed softly. “I wondered how long it would take before you got around to her.”
“She was here earlier.”
“I know.” He unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt and sat on the bed to remove his boots. “I was just leaving Flo’s cottage when Deirdre stopped by to see her. Was that why Travis was here? To rescue you from her clutches?” he mocked, rising to his feet and stripping the shirt from his back. The marks left by her fingernails were clearly visible on his naked shoulders. “Perhaps he doesn’t know you can defend yourself.”