by Tarra Young
“I thought so. How are you holding up? I know your parents’ death must have been hard on you.” Okay, so this woman knew her parents. It didn’t narrow it down a whole lot. Her parents made many friends over the years.
“Thank you for your kind concern. I miss them dearly.” It was the honest truth. She felt a strong ache in her heart and hoped she didn’t start bawling like a baby in front of this woman. It would be the talk of the town.
“Why didn’t you ever come back to visit them after you went away?” Megan winced.
There it was. The question she hoped no one would ask her. It was what she asked herself over and over again in her mind since she received the news about her parents’ automobile accident which eventually led to their deaths. Her mouth went dry. She really didn’t know what to say. There was no answer.
She saw Blade approaching them. “Hello, Mrs. Dunaway. It’s nice to see you again. It has been awhile since you’ve been out to the ranch. How have you been?”
Why didn’t she recognize Edith Dunaway to begin with? Edith was her mother’s best friend. She knew the woman her whole life. Edith even bought Megan some cute little outfits when she was a little girl.
“I’m doing well.” She turned her attention back to Megan. “You are staying out at the ranch, aren’t you?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. I’m staying in one of the guest cabins.” She managed to maintain her smile.
“How wonderful. Now that I know you’re there, I’ll be making visits to the ranch more often. How long will you be staying? I do hope you won’t be returning back to New York City right away.” It would be nice to have Edith around, even if the older woman reminded her a lot of her mother.
“Don’t worry,” she assured Edith, trying to hide her distaste over the situation. “I won’t be returning to the city for another year. I have some unfinished business to attend to here first.”
“Oh yes, the will.” She knew about the twist in the will?
She felt strongly now the stipulation in the will was Edith’s idea, but she didn’t have any solid proof. She couldn’t just come right out and ask Edith, either. It would be rude to make an accusation like that without knowing for sure.
Edith excused herself, saying she needed to run more errands before she could go home. Megan hugged the woman before she watched her walk away.
Blade turned to her, a flame of something – anger – desire and said, “Don’t get too hooked on the idea of going back to New York, because if I have my way, and you know I will because I don’t take no for an answer, you won’t be stepping foot back in New York City ever again.” She’d show him, she decided.
CHAPTER FOUR
She stared at Blade in shock. She couldn’t believe it. Who did this man think he was? If he thought he could stop her from going back home when the year was up, he was dead wrong. She would prove to him just how out of line he was.
“I don’t know who you think you are, or what you think gives you the authority to tell me where I can or cannot live, but once this year is up, I’m gone. Not you. Not anyone else. Nobody will be able to stop me from going home.” She smiled smugly. She made her point pretty clear.
“This is your home.” Would the guy never give up?
“Not anymore, it isn’t. Idaho hasn’t been my home since I left on my eighteenth birthday.” Would he ever understand where she was coming from? Probably not. He had always been a very stubborn man used to having his own way. Will not this time.
“We’ll just see about that,” he said as he turned and walked out, but called over his shoulder, “Meet me at the truck at one so we can get back to the ranch." Yes,” we will see, she thought to herself.
She had half a mind to catch up with Edith and hitch a ride back to the ranch with her. It would serve Blade right. But she didn’t. Instead she stayed and finished her shopping and was pretty satisfied with all her clothing selections. She couldn’t wait to get back to the ranch and change into a pair of her new jeans. She knew they wouldn’t be as comfortable the ones she wore in her youth, but she would have these jeans broke into in no time flat.
* * *
At five minutes to one, she met Blade at the truck, a few minutes earlier than they planned on. He was already there waiting for her. He got out and loaded her purchases into the back along with the supplies he picked up for the ranch. As he did so, he didn’t say a word. Was he still upset over the little scene back at the store?
As she stood watching Blade, she heard something behind her; the sound of someone clearing their throat. She jumped, startled and turned to see a vaguely familiar looking man standing behind her. She saw a glimpse of him the day before when she first arrived. Blade introduced him as Fred Bishop, the ranch hand who drove her car into town to be repaired. She politely thanked him; laughing about her behavior. Blade caused all her senses to go into overload, and she was acting like some nervous kitten. It wasn’t like her at all. She sighed, trying to relax.
Blade walked around to the passenger side of the truck and opened it; motioning for her to get in. “Fred first,” she said, backing away. She wasn’t in the mood to sit next to Blade. The last thing she needed was physical contact with him. She didn’t know how much longer she would be able to resist him. Thinking about it scared her.
When they arrived back at the ranch, she received the miracle she’d been hoping for. An activities director was found and hired on while they were in Boise. She would need to find something else to do around the ranch to make herself more useful and to fulfill her parents last wishes.
She was relieved to know she wouldn’t have to plan anymore activities for the guests at the ranch. It really wasn’t a job for an ad executive. No job on the ranch was suitable for an ad executive, she realized, but what choice did she have? Maybe she could help with the marketing end of the ranch, she thought with a grin.
She was stuck here for a year and there was no getting around that. She would just have to make the best of it. Her career with the largest ad agency in New York City was as probably as good as over. The thought depressed her. What was her parents thinking?
After changing into a pair of jeans and t-shirt, she took the guests out on their nature walk later that afternoon as promised. It was good way for her to get to know them all a little better as she answered all of their questions about various landmarks on the property. The whole time Blade was with the blond. It was only obvious they were involved in something more than just friendship. She noticed how the woman kept her arm linked with Blade’s and the looks she cast Megan’s way were as if to say, “Back off, he’s mine.” She didn’t know why, but it felt like a knife through the heart. She felt a strong desire to fight for Blade, but she couldn’t. He wasn’t hers to start with. This woman had every right to claim him, and from where she stood, it looked as though it was what Blade wanted. After all, he wasn’t protesting.
She tried to ignore them and was relieved when the it was over. She couldn’t stand to see Blade with another woman. She needed to get out of there. She started walking back to the house when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and found herself face to face with Blade. The blond was standing only a few feet away, her arms crossed and the scowl on her face pinned directly at them. It was obvious she didn’t want Blade associating with her.
Her mouth went dry, but she forced herself to speak anyway. “Don’t you think you should get back to your girlfriend?” The last thing she wanted to do was come between any couple. As much as she was fond of Blade, this was no exception.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” he said with a low growl. What would he call it, then?
“Say whatever you will.” She turned and began walking away from him. She needed to get away and fast.
In a matter of seconds he was standing directly in front of her, halting her in her tracks and placing a firm hand on her shoulder. She tried to shrug away from him, but couldn’t. He was too quick for her. “You’ll eat supper up at the ranch house tonight
.” It wasn’t so much a question as it was a command. He was beginning to irritate her.
“What do you think?” she asked, letting him know with the tone of her voice how she felt about his actions.
“I said you’ll eat dinner up at the ranch house.” The man never stopped for anything.
“And what if I don’t want to?” she taunted him.
“You’ll have dinner with me tonight, even if I have to come get you and carry you there myself.” He finally released her and walked back to where the blond woman was impatiently waiting for him. Megan stood with her arms folded watching them walk away together.
She was furious. The nerve him. She damned well would not be eating with him tonight. She would enjoying tonight’s meal in her own cabin just to spite him. He needed to learn he couldn’t order her around.
* * *
She’d just finished making herself a sandwich and was getting ready to sit down to eat it when she heard a knock at the door. Knowing it was Blade, she wanted to ignore him in hopes he would go away, but she knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t until he got his own way.
“Damn it, Megan, open this door now,” he yelled. “I know you’re in there, so either let me in, or I’m busting it down. She knew he would, too.
Damn him! Who did he think he was? She let out an exasperated sigh before walking over to the door and opening it. He walked in without waiting to be invited inside. She glared at him. “What do you want? I was just getting ready to eat my supper, so if you would please, tell me what it is you want and be on your way.”
“You know damn well why I’m here. I told you I wanted you to have dinner up at the ranch house with Martha and me.” As irritating as he was being, she couldn’t help notice how cute he looked right now in a boyish sort of way. She fought to resist the urge to reach up and ruffle his hair.
“You can’t order me around. I’m not a child anymore.”
“What did I tell you I would do?” She could see a fiery spark in his eyes and she knew he wasn’t joking.
“You wouldn’t dare!” she exclaimed as she began to back away from him.
“You wanna make a bet?” he asked, stepping forward and closing the gap she created between them. Without another word he scooped her up in his arms and threw her over his shoulder. “You will be eating dinner with Martha and I, tonight and every night.” What the hell did he think he was doing?
“Put me down this instant,” Blade Thorne, she shouted as she began to pound into his back with both fists. Ignoring her, he turned and carried her out, leaving the cabin door wide open. Anyone could go in and steal her stuff.
She was still hollering and yelling when Blade entered the ranch house with her. He turned around long enough to kick the door shut with the toe of his boot before carrying her into the kitchen. “Put me down now,” she hollered as loud as she could.
Martha’s mouth dropped open and she firmly placed her hands on her hips. “What in heaven’s name is going on? You put that poor girl down this second,” Blade Thorne.” Megan could tell the older woman wouldn’t put up with Blade’s behavior. She was relieved. She knew she could count on Martha to help her.
Blade did as he was told. She would have made a run for it, but he was blocking her path. She sank down onto a kitchen chair instead. “You’ll pay for this,” she muttered and turned away from him.
Martha looked at her sympathetically and turned her attention back to Blade. With her hands still planted firmly on her hips she said, “You still haven’t told me the meaning of this. “You tell me now or I will get it from Megan. Which is it going to be?” She could sense Martha was mad. The woman wasn’t one to cross, and there wasn’t a person alive who could pull one over on her.
Megan glanced over at Blade. He removed his cowboy hat and shuffled his feet nervously like a child being scolded. “I warned her,” he said at last, glancing in Megan’s direction.
From the expression on Martha's face, Megan knew she was far from satisfied with his answer. “Warned her about what? What are you talking about?”
“Well, after the nature walk, I told her if she didn’t join us for supper, I’d carry her here if I needed to. When she didn’t show up, I went to her cabin. She refused to come here on her own, so I carried her as I promised I would.”
Martha’s eyes were blazing with anger. “Of all the fool headed things to do, why did you have to go and do a thing like that?”
“I wanted her to eat her meal with me. What’s so wrong with wanting her company?” He pulled up a kitchen chair and sank down on it. He sighed in frustration.
Martha turned to her. “Do you want to have supper with us?" Her voice softened as she spoke. "You know you’re more than welcome to stay, but it has to be what you want?”
How could she let Martha down? She cast a dirty look in Blade’s direction, letting him know she was still upset with him. “I’m here, so I might as well.”
Martha got down a plate and took some eating utensils out of a drawer. She set an extra place at the table for her before she sat down and scooted herself up to the table.
Blade got up and set his chair next to hers before sitting back down. He was sitting so close to her their arms rubbed together when they moved.
She could feel the heat stir up between them. She thought about scooting her chair away, but thought better of it. There were enough problems stirred up for one evening. She didn't need to be the cause of anymore.
The back door opened. She looked up to see Rex enter the kitchen. Rex cleared his throat and removed his cowboy hat before he spoke. “I’m sorry to interrupt you folks while you’re eating your supper. I just wanted to let you know, Blade the shipment of feed you ordered will be delivered sometime tomorrow afternoon.” There was something she wanted to ask Rex, but she debated with herself if she should speak up or not.
“Thank you, Rex, we’ll clear a space in the barn for it after dinner,” Blade told him. “Is there anything else?”
“No, now I’ll let you folks get back to eating your supper.” He turned to go. She decided now was as good a time as any.
“Rex – “ she called out before he could leave.
“Yes?” he said, coming to a stop.
He turned to her and she could see a flicker of hope in his eyes, though she saw it quickly die out. She could only imagine the look Blade must have given his cousin, but she wasn’t about to turn around and check for herself, or else she might meet the same gaze. “Do you think you could drive me into town sometime after the memorial service, if there is time, so I can do some grocery shopping?”
“Sure – “ Rex began, but Blade cut him off.
“No, that won’t be necessary,” Blade nearly shouted. “If she insists on making this trip to the grocery store, I’ll take her. Do I make myself clear?”
Rex shook his head in disgust, and without a word, he turned and walked out the door. She should have known Blade would react this way.
She turned to Blade, her dark blue eyes blazing with anger. She couldn’t allow him to get away with this. If she did, he would continue to do it every time. “Who the hell do you think you are? What right do you have to decide what I can do, where I can go, and who with?”
“I think we should have this conversation in private,” Blade said as he pushed himself away from the table. He began walking in the direction of the living room. She politely excused herself from the table and followed him, tossing a deep, but brief apology to Martha on her way out.
She found Blade pacing the living room like a caged tiger ready to pounce as soon as he someone released him. Too bad for him. She wasn't about to let him off the hook. “Why are you behaving this way?” she demanded. “I do not appreciate being treated as if I’m a small child. I will not tolerate being treated this way by you or anyone else.”
“Megan, I can’t help how I get when I’m around you. I don’t think I can control myself much longer. I need you.” She nearly gave into him, but she knew she needed to be st
rong. She knew what he was after.
He only wanted her for sex. Well, he was out of luck. She wasn’t the type of woman who would give herself to any man just for the sake of sex. It seemed as if it was all any man wanted now days, which was why she was still single.
“Go take a cold shower,” she snapped, insulted he would play on her emotions to get what he wanted. She turned to walk back into the kitchen, but he caught her hand, forcing her to turn around and face him before pulling her into his embrace.
With a guttural groan, he lowered his lips to hers, drawing her into a world all of their own. Heat flowed between them and drops of moisture pooled between her legs. She was too weak to stop him. He could take her right there on the living room floor, and she was too powerless to stop him. She melted into him, giving him all of her. There was no denying it. She wanted him bad and she wanted him now.
She jumped when she heard Martha clear her throat. Blade must have heard her too because they pulled away from one another at the same time.
“I’m sorry I interrupted you both. I’ll go back to the kitchen and the two of you can forget I was even here.” Martha turned to go.
Megan's cheeks burned a bright shade of crimson red. “This isn’t what you think,” she blurted out, feeling the need to explain. She never felt more embarrassed in her life.
“It’s alright, Megan dear. I always suspected you had a crush on Blade when you were younger. You’re a grown woman now. If you and Blade want to start something up now, it's none of my business.”
“I don’t want to start anything up with Blade,” she tried to explain, but Martha already left the room. Now what?
She turned to Blade. “Are you happy now?” she snapped at him. The last thing she needed was for anyone to get the wrong impression about her and Blade.
He laughed. “Have I ever told you how attractive you are when you’re angry?” She felt anger boil up within her.
* * *
Megan groaned in frustration. Were things never going to get better?