Destiny's Embrace

by Beverly Jenkins

  Logan sat up panting. Disoriented, he looked around and realized he was in bed and that he’d been dreaming. Dragging his hands down his face, he couldn’t believe how erotic the dream had been or how incredibly hard he was. Falling back against the mattress, he quietly cursed her and closed his eyes, but the dream kept replaying itself. Frustrated by his inability to escape the images, he threw back the sheet and got up. Walking out to his back porch, he sat down, but the lust-filled memories continued to tease and taunt. It was his hope that the cool night air would bring him relief, and it did, but it took a while.

  Chapter 7

  Mariah awakened groggy and confused. Nothing looked familiar—not the room, not the bed, not the room’s heavy, ornate furniture or the quilt she was lying beneath. Where am I? Puzzled, she peeled the quilt back and sat up. She noticed that she was still dressed in yesterday’s skirt and blouse. Then everything came back. Last night. She’d fallen asleep. Concern filled her that she might be in Logan Yates’s bedroom, but the draperies and furniture were too feminine in appearance to have been chosen by a man, so she relaxed, though her location remained a mystery. A knock on the closed door sounded. She replied with a wary, “Come in.”

  Bonnie, Mrs. Yates’s housekeeper, entered, carrying a tray of covered dishes. “Good morning, Mrs. Cooper. Brought you something to eat.”

  Mariah now knew where she was, but was surprised that the plump, red-haired housekeeper was waiting on her as if Mariah was her employer. “Good morning. But you aren’t supposed to be bringing me breakfast. I’m help just like you.”

  “I know that, and so does the senora, but she insisted, and said you are to eat before you return to Mr. Logan’s place.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. Bathing room’s down the hall.” She set the tray on the vanity table and exited.

  Mariah fell back on the bed. She doubted Yates would be pleased, knowing his housekeeper was being catered to like quality. She imagined him at home twiddling his thumbs and fuming over her late appearance. Hoping he wouldn’t be spoiling for a fight, she left the bed to begin her day.

  With her needs taken care of and her breakfast consumed, she managed to find her way down to the front parlor, where Bonnie was sweeping the hardwood floors. “Mr. Logan’s outside waiting on you,” she said, taking the tray from Mariah’s offered hand. “If you need any help at his place, just let me know. Oh, the senora has gone to town. She said she will stop in to see you when she returns.”

  “Thank you.” Girding herself for the day’s first encounter, Mariah hurried outside. She found him seated on the bench of the wagon they’d ridden on yesterday. The bed was piled high with something covered beneath a large tied-down tarp. “Good morning. Sorry to keep you waiting, I didn’t know you were here until a second ago.”

  “Morning.”

  Mariah could see the grumpiness in his face, and even though it probably stemmed from her tardiness, she was determined to be pleasant. It wouldn’t do to begin the day arguing. “My apologies for not being at your place this morning. I don’t remember much after you arrived here last evening.”

  “You fell asleep at the table and Alanza thought it better if you stayed with her, so I carried you up to the room.”

  “You carried me?”

  “You weren’t in any condition to make it on your own.”

  That she’d been asleep in his arms left her somewhat speechless.

  “Let’s get going.”

  She went around to the passenger side of the wagon. He slid across the bench and stuck his hand down for her to grab. She glanced at it and then up at him, and since she had no other choice, placed her hand in his. He held on while she found a toehold and climbed aboard. His hand was strong, warm. Once seated, she chose to fuss with her skirts rather than look him in the face, but she couldn’t resist for very long. A quick glance showed his tersely set profile. He put the team into motion and drove them away.

  It was Mariah’s first morning in California and putting aside the distant man beside her, she shivered a bit beneath her shawl in the crisp, chilly air. The sun hadn’t fully revealed itself, so the sky still held hints of dawn’s gray. She found herself marveling again at the beauty of the mountains now shrouded in a wavering coat of fog. The orchard workers were out and busy, as were the men tending the cattle and horses. Men on horseback rode by and shouted greetings to Logan. A few even called out to her, which she found pleasing. This was to be her home, so it was nice to be acknowledged, even if she was just the housekeeper.

  “How’re your hands?”

  “They sting a bit but Mrs. Yates gave me some plasters yesterday. They’re more comfortable than the gauze.” Then she ventured to ask, “How’s your knee?”

  “Still sore, but nothing I can’t handle.”

  He glanced her way. Even though he appeared angry about something, all she could think about was the sight of his bare chest. The few men she’d known back East paled in comparison in both stature and handsomeness. He was as overwhelming as the mountains rising against the horizon.

  When they reached his place, he pulled back on the reins and set the brake. “Furniture in the bed’s for your room.”

  Surprised, she looked back at the tarp.

  “The hands and I will unload it.”

  “I can help.”

  “Don’t need you.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off. “All you get to do is point and tell us where you want things to go. Think you can do that?”

  Wondering what rocker he’d gotten his tail caught under, she nodded.

  “Good. I’ll come around and help you down.”

  But this time he didn’t give her a hand. Instead he picked her up and set her on her feet before him. She wanted to chastise him for going against her wishes again, but she was so vividly aware of just how off balance he made her feel, she didn’t say anything.

  “Problem?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “Good. Go on in. I’ll get some help.”

  She went inside.

  Even though Mariah participated in the big cleanup, she was nonetheless amazed by the interior’s transformation. Yesterday when she first arrived she hadn’t noticed how the parlor flowed so seamlessly into the dining room, or that its windows offered such a spectacular panoramic view. Once the new stove was picked out and delivered, and the carpenter Alanza suggested be hired started and finished the new kitchen cabinets, it would be a comfortable place to live. If and when Yates married, he’d have a home his wife wouldn’t be ashamed to call her own. A cloud crossed over her at the thought of another woman living in the house, but she refused to dwell on it.

  The furniture the men were bringing refocused her attention. The thin mattress on the bed was replaced by one more substantial. To her delight, the men, Logan, and Eli carried in a bed frame for it to rest upon, and there were even sheets and pillow slips. Added to that was a chest of drawers, lamps, a small wardrobe, a nightstand, and the sitting chair she’d requested.

  Once everything was positioned to her satisfaction, she thanked them. In response, they politely touched their hats and left her and Yates in the room alone.

  “Do you need anything else?” he asked.

  “No. This is far more than I ever expected.” She thought back on the tiny little space that served as her bedroom back in Philadelphia. Although this new room was small as well, it felt as large as a cathedral in comparison. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She eyed the small undressed window. “Once I save up enough money, I’ll buy fabric and make curtains. My aunt promised to send my sewing machine once I arrived here, so I’m hoping it will get here soon.”

  “Thanks to my brother, the sea captain, Alanza has more fabric than she’ll ever use. Have her or Bonnie show you where it’s stored. You may be able to find something you like.”

  “I’ll do that. Thank you.”

  Silence rose and an awkwardness rose in M
ariah, too. He was watching her with such intensity, she felt the heat from across the room. “I sew well enough to make you new shirts or trousers if you are in need of any.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Your mother said I was to speak with you about purchasing a stove, and about hiring the carpenter for the new cabinets.”

  “I suggest the two of you get together and decide what’s needed. Just leave me enough money in the bank to buy feed and pay my hands.”

  “I wouldn’t purchase anything without your approval.”

  “If Alanza’s involved, my approval or disapproval won’t matter. Get whatever you think the house needs.”

  “I’ll try and be frugal.”

  “I appreciate that, and as for the carpenter, decide how many cabinets are needed and I’ll talk with Max Rudd. That was who she suggested?”

  “Yes.” Mariah hadn’t expected the conversation to go so smoothly. She’d had visions of them locking horns over not only prices but the necessity of some of the items on the long list of items she thought the house needed. Yet, they hadn’t exchanged one cross word, which made her wonder if he’d suffered some sort of brain malady as a result of the kick she’d given him yesterday.

  He must have seen some of what she was thinking on her face, because he asked, “What’s the matter?”

  “Truthfully, I expected us to argue.”

  “I can be cooperative when it’s in my best interest.”

  “That’s good to know, because I’d like for us to get along. I don’t expect us to be friends, but being able to deal civilly with each other will go a long way toward making our dealings less acrimonious.”

  “I agree.”

  “I have two requests.”

  “And they are?”

  “I’d like to take a tour of the ranch and I’d like you to teach me to ride, or at least drive.”

  Logan had been grumpy all morning because of the dream he’d had about her last night, and now, her talk of riding instantaneously transported him back. She was again astride him and he had the sweetness of her hardened nipples in his mouth. The reason he was so attracted to her continued to confound him because he didn’t even like short women. Yet she had the ability to undo the control he was accustomed to exercising over himself and that left him not only wanting her, but even more irritated. “Have Alanza give you a tour and we’ll see about the riding when your hands heal.”

  “Can’t I wear gloves?”

  “Did you challenge Henry this way, all day?”

  “If we leave my deceased husband out of this maybe we can come to a compromise. You were the one who insisted I needed to learn, and I heartily agree.”

  He ran his eyes over her gorgeous smart-alecky mouth and thought about the kisses he’d drawn from it last night in his dream.

  “If you don’t wish to teach me, just say so, and I’ll ask Mr. Braden or someone else.”

  Logan didn’t want Eli teaching her anything. “I’m going to ride over and talk to the carpenter. I’ll be back later.” And he left her. It was either that or risk being injured again.

  Mariah was so outdone by his abrupt departure, she wanted to call him back so she could shake him. She’d tried her best to be cooperative, but he seemed intent upon being difficult. “He really needs to stop having vinegar for breakfast,” she drawled sarcastically and picked up the sheets to make her bed.

  Outside, Logan walked over to the corral where the hands were still breaking the horses. He stood next to Eli and watched for a moment as the big chestnut mare threw her rider again and again. “You and the little lady at it again?” Eli asked.

  “How can you tell?”

  “Your face looks like a Texas thunderstorm. What happened this time?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” Logan refused to reveal that she’d infiltrated his dreams and that he was as randy as an adolescent in a whorehouse as a result. “I’m going to ride over to Max’s to talk to him about the bunkhouse build. Keep an eye on things until I get back.”

  “You want some advice?”

  Logan snorted. “From you? No. Not a chance.”

  Eli laughed.

  Logan felt a bit less stormy as he and Diablo reached the road that led to Max’s ranch, but the approach of a familiar-looking buggy brought back the clouds. The driver was rancher Jim Deeb, president of the local cattlemen’s association. Some of the other ranchers were encouraging Logan to run against him in the upcoming election because not only was Deeb a braggart, but he was also taking money under the table from some of the distributors they all depended upon to move their beef to the markets back East.

  As Deeb’s buggy neared, Logan hoped the man would drive on by, but of course he didn’t.

  “Morning Logan.”

  “Jim.”

  “I hear you hired a new housekeeper. What’s she like?”

  “Why?”

  “Seeing as how I got one of the biggest spreads in the county, something always needs cleaning. Just wondering if maybe she’d like to work for me, if she’s looking for extra money.”

  “She isn’t.”

  “Hear she’s quite a looker, too. High yella and eyes to match. Val know you got a woman like that living with you?”

  “Why do you care?” Deeb reminded Logan of those small yappy dogs women had taken to carrying around. He was half Logan’s height yet insisted on challenging him as if he weren’t. They’d known each other since childhood and had more than a few fights in their younger years. Deeb invariably lost, but that hadn’t deterred him from continuing to be an aggravating son of a bitch. “Felicity know you’re trying to hire someone without asking her permission first?” Felicity Deeb was a nice enough woman but rode her husband like a caballero in a horse race.

  Deeb took immediate offense. “I don’t need her permission.”

  “You need her permission to piss and we both know it. So how about you drive on and do whatever it is she sent you out for before she comes looking for you.”

  And while Deeb puffed up angrily and began to sputter, Logan rode away.

  Max Rudd had been one of his father’s best friends. He was a rancher, horseman, and did carpentry on the side. After Abraham’s death, when life became hard for the family Abe left behind, Max did what he could to help. He paid some of the taxes, took Logan and his brothers hunting so there’d be fresh meat to eat, and anything else Alanza needed to ease her burdens. Logan was fairly certain Max was in love with Alanza, but loyalty to his late friend kept him from acting upon it. Alanza was a force of nature; few women could match her tenacity and strength. Were Logan to choose someone to take his father’s place in her life, Maxwell Rudd would get his vote because he wouldn’t try to change her, or more importantly, tame her.

  Logan found him in the barn that served as his wood shop.

  “Well, hello there, Logan. How are you?”

  “I’m faring.”

  “Hear you got yourself a new housekeeper.”

  “Is there anyone who doesn’t know?”

  Max chuckled. “Small town. Folks have nothing better to do than be in your business. Anything new is news.”

  Logan agreed but wished the news belonged to someone else.

  “How’s your brothers?”

  “Drew’s in Mexico City. Noah’s in the Indies according to a letter we received a few weeks back. Both should be here for Alanza’s party.”

  “And she’s well?”

  “Right as rain.”

  “Good. Now, did you come to simply chew the fat or you wanting something done?”

  He told him about the kitchen cabinets.

  Max studied him silently before saying, “That housekeeper must be something if you’re wanting new cabinets.”

  Logan didn’t reply.

  “Since you seem to have lockjaw on the subject, guess I need to ride over and see her for myself.

  “Let’s just say, she and I are bumping heads.”

  “Got you a woman who doesn�
��t like you ordering her around?”

  Logan didn’t reply for a second time.

  Max’s eyes showed his amusement. “Be out there tomorrow, or the day after to take some measurements. Any idea how many cabinets she wants?”

  “No.”

  “Okay. Can’t wait to make her acquaintance.”

  Logan rolled his eyes. “I’ll see you at the rancho.”

  He headed for the barn door. Max’s chuckling followed his exit.

  Once Mariah had her room in order, she’d decided not to ruin the rest of her day by brooding over her exchange with her employer. It was her plan to walk down to Mrs. Yates’s house and ask her to give her a tour. She didn’t know if Mrs. Yates was at home or had the time but she wanted to find out.

  As she stepped outside, it was impossible not to hear all the noise coming from the horse and the cheering men at the corral, so she walked over to get a closer look. The men were still trying to break the horse. The poor rider kept being thrown out of the saddle and the horse continued to charge angrily.

  The men acknowledge her arrival with nods, and Eli walked over.

  “Morning again, Mrs. Cooper. Something I can help you with?”

  “No, I just came over to take a peek. How long will it take before the horse is tamed?”

  The men cheered lustily as the rider again tried to stay in the saddle of the leaping, bucking horse. “Each one’s different, but she’s particularly hardheaded, so it may take another few days.”

  “It’s a mare?”

  The rider was thrown and his comrades greeted the failure with howls of laughter and good-natured ribbing. The man grinned and raced to the fence ahead of the horse’s angry charge.

  “Yes, ma’am. She’s a beauty, isn’t she? Soon as she takes to the saddle, she’ll be heading for a rancher over near Stockton.”