by Susan Fox
“Oh, my stars, yes! It’s been so long I didn’t think you’d remember Daddy’s special recipe.”
Clearly Cassie wasn’t going to back off, so Lainey kept her benign smile in place and tried to be pleasant. “How is your daddy?”
Cassie gave a frivolous wave of her hand. “He’s five years older since you saw him last, but you’d never know it, handsome old devil that he is. He’s still got enough vinegar to flirt with the women and outride the men.”
The silence that descended then made Lainey even more aware that the source of that silence—and the place where most of the tension in the room had concentrated—was Gabe. There was a clear warning for her in what she sensed from him, so she didn’t dare look his way. Obviously he expected her to respond in kind and he opposed it.
But instead of striking back, Lainey’s gaze remained fixed on Cassie as she tried to find something mild but non-provoking to say next. Cassie stared back, waiting. One blond brow went up, almost inviting Lainey to make a comeback.
And then the entire conversation made a lightning replay through Lainey’s mind. She felt a bubble of nervous amusement surge up into the awful silence and she was suddenly helpless to keep it suppressed.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE bubble of nervous amusement felt suspiciously like a giggle as Cassie’s latest five years crack replayed in Lainey’s mind. It seemed so relentlessly juvenile that she couldn’t help but see how ridiculous it was. If not for the situation with Gabe that Lainey herself had created, the natural competitiveness between her and Cassie would have spurred the woman to find any number of other things to target.
The small gurgle of amusement that defeated her control slipped out despite the effort to keep it to herself.
Lainey covered it with a smiling, “Oh, Cassie, you’re not a day different.” Then she added an inspired, “At this rate, you’re still going to be gorgeous and young when the rest of us have wrinkled and gone gray. You surely do take after your daddy.”
Lainey resisted the urge to think about how few other ways she’d noticed Cass take after her daddy. Mac McClain was cowboy gallant in the manner of good-hearted ol’ Texas boys who were blunt, fun loving, and indulgent with their women. Mac adored his spoiled daughter and was completely blind to her faults. Which made him a lot like her own daddy. Lainey might never have been a bosom pal of Cassie’s but she’d always liked Mac, and she’d always been welcome in his home.
It was clear by the faint confusion that showed on Cassie’s beautiful face that she wasn’t certain how to take what Lainey had said. She probably suspected that her “you’re not a day different” was some sort of nudge, but it was obvious the compliment and the prediction of one-upmanship in the aging department far outweighed whatever offense there might have been before it.
Cassie actually smiled at Lainey then and without the sly quirk, it looked disarmingly genuine. “You know, we might drive down to San Antonio to shop sometime, Lainey. Just let me know when you’re free.”
The suggestion took Lainey completely by surprise. Was there something she’d missed? And yet she couldn’t read anything in Cassie’s face now that even hinted she had an ulterior motive, or that she’d only said what she had because Gabe could hear. If this was an olive branch of some kind, it was probably something she should accept.
“That might be fun, Cass. Thanks for the invitation.”
Cassie actually looked pleased, and Lainey realized that she suddenly felt better.
She’d sworn to herself that she’d never do or say or even think anything spiteful about anyone again, and yet her first impulse with Cassie had been to do just that. She’d made a belated reversal to overcome it, and the result was vastly more satisfying than it would have been if she’d kept tossing back veiled insults.
Even if Cassie leveled a few more barbs, perhaps the best way to deal with her was to be kind, to disarm her with an honest compliment of some sort. At the very least, there’d be no petty verbal wars and no guilt involved afterward.
Gabe had remained silent since he’d sat down, though Lainey had felt his constant disapproval. She’d also felt his gaze cutting over her face, and she hadn’t dared to look his way. Even though the crisis had passed and she sensed his tension had lowered, she still didn’t look his way to confirm it.
Cassie set her tea glass aside as if she was about to leave. “Well, I oughta get home. Daddy wanted me to go over his list for Tia before she goes to town tomorrow for the last of the food.”
Cassie rose gracefully, and Gabe stood in a show of politeness. Lainey stood also, and was again surprised when Cassie’s words to Gabe included them both.
“I hope y’all can make it Saturday. You could come around early and sit with the liar’s club while Daddy watches over the beef and—” Cassie grinned over at her “—Lainey and I could laze around the pool and catch up on gossip. Otherwise, we’ll eat at six.”
Gabe’s solemn, “Wouldn’t miss it,” seemed to please Cassie. They both escorted her to the door, just like a married couple would to see off a guest. She and Gabe lingered to watch as Cassie walked out to her car and got in to drive off.
Lainey stepped back then and Gabe closed the door. He’d said nothing to her since he’d left her in the bedroom a half hour or more ago, and he’d just accepted the invitation to a barbeque he’d apparently not been planning to attend.
She was already regretting his acceptance. Because Mac always invited everyone, there’d be a huge crowd. The fact that Lainey doubted she had the courage to face everyone made her dread it more by the moment. It was even possible that word would get around that she’d be coming, so every gossip in this part of Texas was bound to show up.
Gabe’s stern question yanked her out of her thoughts.
“What changed your mind?”
Lainey knew what he was talking about. She’d started out trading barbs with Cassie, then backed off and actually handled the situation in a way that brought about an unexpectedly peaceful ending. But when she looked at Gabe, she still saw a hint of disapproval.
“It just suddenly seemed ridiculous.”
“So that’s the end to it?”
Lainey realized then that Gabe didn’t believe her. As if she were the cause of whatever conflict there’d been between her and Cassie. But how would he really know she hadn’t been? And why would he believe her if she told him so? After his experience with her, what else could he think?
The only thing she could say to reassure him, even though it was the truth, was, “Yes. As far as it’s up to me, it’s the end. If you still expect me to live here as your wife, I doubt you want me to trade insults with anyone.”
“I do and that’s right,” he said, his low voice carrying a solemn weight as he remarked on both parts of her statement.
He’d looked so tough as he’d said it. Lainey suddenly knew he’d allow no more talk from her from here on about whether they ought to stay married or not, and certainly no more suggestions from her about how slim the chances were that they might ever have a normal marriage.
Overwhelmed by the sheer force of will she felt in him, Lainey realized afresh that the fact that they might never love each other had little to do with the duty Gabe was determined for them both to live up to. Particularly her.
“I’m tired,” she said quietly, as much from the day as she was from the wasted effort to get him to see sense. “I’d like to make it an early night, if you don’t mind.”
The moment the words were out, Lainey worried that he’d think it was some sort of invitation. After all, she’d gone wild over that kiss, so maybe he’d figure there was no reason to prolong the sexual drought he’d mentioned last night.
“I’ve got bookwork,” he said, and Lainey relaxed.
Suddenly they were back to silence. As they walked together down the hall and separated as he turned off to go into the den, Lainey sensed even more strongly his mistrust.
Nothing had been solved with either that kiss or her promi
se to call her lawyer in the morning. And certainly nothing between them had been solved just now when she’d proved herself determined to get along peacefully with Cassie.
If Gabe truly wanted no more discussions about divorce, then there wasn’t much left to do but resign herself to whatever future they’d have together. Surely there was nothing worse than the guilt and emotional agony she’d suffered these last months.
At least she’d have a real chance to do what she’d come here to do. Perhaps she could make up for what she’d done to Gabe, and since marriage seemed to be the way he wanted it done, then staying married might also be the way to make him forget how badly she’d treated him.
She’d figure out how to be the best wife she could. Even if Gabe could never bring himself to love her as he might have if this had been a love match, then perhaps it was up to her to make whatever good feelings they had toward each other be enough.
That night when Gabe came to bed, there was no hint of ease between them, though he laid down beside her, switched off the light and quietly murmured a gravelly “’night.”
Still sleepless, Lainey laid there listening to him breathe, feeling herself melt in the heat that radiated from his big body, though they didn’t touch. Her skin fairly sizzled with the memory of that kiss, and it was impossible not to think about what might happen if he kissed her now.
After a while, Lainey began to relax and her thoughts drifted back to her decision to fulfill her vows to Gabe. She made herself remember that her father had rewritten his will to protect and provide for her. Gabe Patton had been his choice to ensure those things.
Her daddy had been her hero, the man who’d steadfastly parented her, the man who’d been her wise counselor, showing her by example what honor and good character was. He’d expected a lot of her, and she’d worked hard to live up to it all, never dreaming there’d come a time when she’d doubt him and choose a path more compatible with her mother’s hateful example than the sterling one he’d set.
Surely she could rely on the wisdom of his choice for her, even now. Though she was long overdue to properly honor that choice, she’d do it now however difficult it might be. Even if her marriage to Gabe ultimately failed, it wouldn’t be her daddy’s fault or even Gabe’s. The fault would be solely her own.
Lainey tried to think of ways to overcome the distance between her and Gabe. She considered easing her hand over to touch his, but the last thing she wanted was to hint that she was ready for the physical side of marriage. Eventually, she stopped trying to figure it out and dropped off to sleep.
As always, it was one thing to make up your mind to do something and find the courage to act, but quite another to figure out how to follow through.
That next morning Gabe was up before she was, but instead of sitting on the side of the bed while she tasted the coffee he’d brought, he’d set it on the nightstand and merely touched her shoulder to rouse her. He’d towered nearby until he was sure she was awake enough to see that he’d put her cup within reach.
Not even her raspy, “Thanks,” as she sat up and he started to walk away, or her belated call as he reached the hall door, “I should be the one bringing you coffee in the morning,” got much more than a gruff “No trouble” out of Gabe before he closed the door behind him.
Lainey sipped her coffee then got out of bed to take it with her to gather her clothes. She quickly did something with her hair, applied a light bit of makeup, then grabbed her sunblock to hurry out to breakfast.
Gabe had the newspaper open, and though he closed it to rise and politely seat her, he spared Lainey no more than a nod and a glance that barely touched her face before he sat down. She might have considered a wifely kiss on the cheek, but Gabe’s manner discouraged that notion. He opened the paper again and she felt it increase the distance between them.
As Lainey glanced again at the open newspaper, she suddenly had a flash of memory from the years her parents had been together. On the few mornings her mother had gotten up in time to have breakfast with her husband and daughter, she’d never failed to read the newspaper through most of the meal. Neither Lainey nor her father had managed to coax Sondra from behind it to give more than an annoyed comment here and there.
Start as you mean to go. Perhaps that wasn’t a bad idea. Because Elisa would soon bring in their food, Lainey made a daring start. “Is there a comics section?”
That earned her a quick glance. “Most do.” The faint crankiness in that came mostly from a low voice that hadn’t been used much that morning.
“Do they run Cathy?”
“Cathy.”
It was a question that sounded like a distracted statement, but he turned back to the paper and paged through to the comics’ page to scan it.
“Doesn’t run in this one.”
Lainey briefly considered asking Gabe to read aloud one of the others—anything to get him to speak to her—but decided against it.
“Thanks for checking,” she said then lifted a hand to her folded napkin to toy with the rolled seam.
Elisa brought in their food then. Though Gabe acknowledged Elisa’s arrival with a gruff thanks, he continued reading his paper as the housekeeper set out their food. Lainey offered a quiet thanks before Elisa went out, then unfolded her napkin to start.
When she’d smoothed it on her lap and picked up her fork to dig in, she paused to note that Gabe was still absorbed in his paper.
She took a shallow breath and dared a soft, “The newspaper will be the same temperature in five minutes, Gabe, but your steak and eggs won’t.”
Gabe’s dark gaze swung to make contact with hers, but she glanced down at her plate. He efficiently refolded his paper and set it aside, then reached for his napkin.
“Thank you, Lainey.”
The words were something only fractionally better than a low growl. Lainey didn’t let herself look over at him for several moments and when she did, she saw no hint of irritation, so she tried something he’d surely consider safe conversation.
“Have you decided on our plans for today?”
“Always,” he answered then brought his dark gaze up to hers. “We’ll ride while it’s cooler, then come back for your call before we head over to Talbot Ranch. If you need something new to wear Saturday, we’ll drive into San Antonio. If we don’t shop, we’ll come home and find some work.”
Pleased that this was more conversation than they’d had at any meal so far, Lainey began to hope for more and speared a slice of melon with her fork to move it to her plate. “I didn’t bring much with me, so I probably do need to find something for Saturday. I could use more work clothes, unless I’ve got some old ones that still fit at Talbot.”
“Are you on the pill?”
Lainey’s gaze leaped up to his, completely taken by surprise. Her face went hot and it took her a moment to regain her composure. She’d wanted him to talk, but she hadn’t expected this. “N-no.”
“Good.”
Gabe returned his attention to his food as Lainey tried to recover from that. Surely he didn’t expect her to conceive a child right away? Things were far too precarious between them. Mindful of his remark last night about mixing a mongrel with the Talbot pedigree, she was leery of offending him, so she started carefully.
“Pregnancies often seem to include things like morning sickness, moody emotions—”
Lainey cut herself off as Gabe’s gaze shot to hers. She finished with a lame, “And there could be special health considerations. Horseback riding…other things,” she said, then dared quietly, “It might be good to wait until things are more settled between us before we get to that stage. Which was why I’d thought about starting on the pill right away.”
Lainey held her breath. Surely Gabe would understand that.
“Call Blake this morning.”
The order to call one of the well-known local doctors was decisive, but she saw no sign that Gabe either resented her decision about going on the pill or had taken offense. “Then you don’
t object?”
The faint lift of his dark brows and the softening of his stern mouth suggested a touch of male horror. “Not after a list like that.”
Lainey relaxed and smiled gently at him. “Thank you.”
“Why thank me?”
“It was considerate, and I appreciate that. I’ve not been very good at being a wife yet, so I’m not really ready to take on something else until I’ve had some success at that.”
The tiny flare in Gabe’s dark eyes could have meant anything but when it continued to burn over her face, Lainey knew he was not only satisfied by what she’d said, but that he was also satisfied that she’d just given him a clear signal of her intent to stay and live up to her vows.
“Call Blake before you call Chicago.”
His low voice was soft, but there was no mistaking the earthy undertone. The way he said it emphasized his desire for the sexual side of marriage and she couldn’t help the feminine edginess she felt.
“You need to know that it takes a month on the pill before it’s completely reliable.”
“I’ve heard. I’ll get something for the gap when we go to San Antonio.”
There was no way to mistake his plan to avoid a thirty-day wait. The heat that had crept into her face began to spread lower.
“But right now, finish your breakfast while it’s still hot, Mrs. Patton,” he growled. “Maybe give this discussion a few minutes to cool off.”
It was something of an echo of her earlier warning about his steak and eggs going cold, and Lainey smiled and looked down to go back to her food. She didn’t mind at all that their conversation lapsed back into silence for the rest of the meal.
They’d gone riding and come back to the house about the time her lawyer would have arrived at his office. Lainey made that call then made a second one to see if Dr. Blake had an opening in his schedule soon. To her surprise, a cancellation for the next day had just been made and she took it.