Issued to the Bride: One Soldier

by Cora Seton

  Cass made a strangled sound. “Hardly.” When Alice huffed, she went on. “Come on, Howie was a two-bit criminal. He didn’t care about you at all. Jack’s problem is he cares too much.”

  “All he cares about is controlling me.”

  “Are you sure that’s true?”

  Alice wasn’t ready to back down, but she knew what Cass meant, and she knew she was reading Jack’s actions in the worst way possible. Bugging her crossed every line in the book—until you took into consideration what had happened at Two Willows during the last four months.

  “He thinks Landon could be involved with the guys who attacked us,” Cass said quietly.

  “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “That’s what I told Brian, and Brian agrees,” Cass acknowledged. “But that doesn’t mean Jack’s wrong.”

  “If he wants to be with me, he’d better back off.” Alice went back to petting Tabitha.

  “Is him being with you still a possibility?” Cass was pretending she didn’t care about the answer, but Alice knew she did.

  Alice had a glimpse of a vision. Cass clinging to her and sobbing. The image was gone as fast as it had come, but it left her shaken. She realized she’d been trying to convince herself that since the General had already been hurt—and was home—her premonitions of danger had been fulfilled.

  But that wasn’t true.

  “What?” Cass asked, straightening. She could read Alice too well.

  “Nothing. I’d better get to work. Landon didn’t like the lace on the lilac dress.”

  “He didn’t like the lace?” Cass’s frown deepened. “I love that lace.”

  “I know, right? But what the client wants, the client gets.” She shifted, and Tabitha jumped down from the refrigerator. Alice followed her, gave Cass a hug and headed for the door. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve always been fine without a man. I don’t need to get married.”

  She didn’t think she’d convinced either of them, though.

  Chapter Twelve

  ‡

  “I’m sorry.”

  Jack caught up with her when she was halfway to the carriage house. He’d seen her from the maze, where he’d been attempting to enter it again. It was still dark—and he’d figured no one would see him trying to get in. At this time of the year, the sun wasn’t up until seven-thirty, but their day started closer to five. He’d been up extra early this morning and had slipped outside while the others were still sleeping.

  “Did you get in this time?” She ignored his apology.

  “I mean it. I shouldn’t have listened in without you knowing.” Jack touched her arm.

  “You’re right, you shouldn’t. I can’t be with a man who doesn’t trust me.”

  “And I can’t be with a woman who’s dead.”

  “That’s a little overdramatic, don’t you think?” Alice’s breath plumed in the cold air, but she didn’t move away.

  “Your ranch has been attacked four times in four months. I’d say I was being practical.” He hoped she understood what he really meant: that he couldn’t take any chances with a woman he cared about.

  When she didn’t answer, he braced for trouble, but when she spoke, her words surprised him. “You’re right,” she admitted. “They’re coming back. I can feel it.”

  “That’s what Cab thinks, too.”

  She rolled her eyes, and he realized that had sounded like he thought Cab’s opinion meant more than hers. Not what he meant at all. “What do you feel about Landon?” he asked to change the conversation.

  Alice narrowed her eyes, as if she knew he wasn’t asking if Landon was dangerous; he was asking if he had a rival.

  “I’m not sure yet,” she hedged, then bit back a smile. She was teasing him.

  “I didn’t get into the maze.” Another diversionary tactic.

  Alice’s smile widened. “It hasn’t forgiven you yet.”

  “Alice—come on, how are you doing that?” Jack’s frustration grew. She was laughing at him for wanting her—and for worrying about Landon. He didn’t like that one bit.

  Alice shrugged. “It’s not me.”

  He studied her. “I don’t like things I can’t explain.” He’d looked all over the hedge that formed the perimeter of the maze and seen no evidence of a mechanism that could move thirty-foot trees around in the blink of an eye.

  “No, you don’t, do you? You’re a careful man.”

  “Especially with the things I care for. And people.”

  Alice looked down, and the moment stretched out between them. When Jack stepped nearer, she didn’t move away. He remembered the way her mouth had felt under his, remembered the curves of her body as he’d explored it the other night. His blood thrummed in his veins. He’d like to experience that again.

  He touched her shoulder. Bent to kiss her once, twice, and then tugged her nearer and deepened the connection. Alice braced her hands on his chest, rising up on tiptoe.

  Did she want more? He sure did.

  When they broke apart, they were both breathless.

  Jack grinned down at her. “That works.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m too inquisitive, you’re too cautious, but that… that works between us.”

  “I’ve got to get back to my dresses.” She turned away, but Jack caught her hand.

  “I think Landon’s wrong, you know. Those costumes are perfect the way they are. So are you. When I heard the way he was talking to you, I wanted to bust in there and—” He balled the fingers of his free hand into a fist. “Here’s the thing, Alice. When a guy talks that way, he doesn’t mean any of it. It’s not that anything is wrong with you—or your gowns. It’s that everything is far too right. He wants you. Probably wants your dresses, too—if he’s really a movie producer at all. He’s afraid he’s not going to get either.”

  “You really think it’s just a business tactic?” she asked.

  “Absolutely. Are you sure you want to go through with meeting him again? Do you really want to work with this guy?”

  She hesitated. “I have to give this my best shot. Maybe he won’t hire me. Maybe you’re right; maybe he’s not even who he seems. But maybe he is. This still could be my chance. I have to give it everything I’ve got.”

  He didn’t want her taking any chances. Knowing he had to choose his words carefully if he wanted her to listen, Jack moved closer. “Alice, I’m not saying this as the man your father sent to marry you. I’m saying this as… just a man. Someone who’s gotten to know you and wants you to be safe. You feel controlled when I bug you. But Landon could hurt you if I’m not there to protect you. Isn’t there any common ground we can meet on?”

  She thought about that. “If I say yes, will you take it as permission to try to run my life?”

  “No.” He sighed. He didn’t want to run her life. He just wanted to share it.

  “Then go ahead.”

  “Really?”

  Alice nodded. “If I’m honest, I’m having doubts about him, too. I don’t want to lose this opportunity, but I don’t want to be stupid, either. Next time I see him, I’ll let you bug my purse. I’ll take Wyoming with me, too. I don’t want you to surveil me again without my agreement up front, you hear? But when it comes to Landon, do your worst.”

  “Okay,” he agreed quickly. All of that was fair. “Just remember when all this is said and done that you know costumes a hell of a lot better than he does. Do what you need to do, and then get back to your own vision. Because yours is a hell of a lot better than his.”

  She’d almost made it to the carriage house when she heard the back door shut behind Jack. Alice hesitated, suddenly feeling the urge to see the standing stone. It had been too long.

  She couldn’t pretend she wasn’t worried about Landon. On the one hand, she didn’t think he was lying about who he was, and she thought he was far more likely to be a man used to getting his way with women rather than anything else, but the pit of dread in her stomach had been there for weeks
. She had to admit trouble was on the horizon.

  She slipped back across to the maze’s entrance and traversed the paths quickly. The standing stone stood tall in the starlight, for all the world like it had stood there since the dawn of time, although of course that couldn’t be true. No one knew who’d put it there. Her own mother had planted the maze around it. Sadie tended it. It was one of Alice’s favorite spots on the ranch.

  Alone with the stone, peace filled her, and she drew her gloves off so she could touch it with her bare hands. It was icy cold as she rested them on its bare surface. Soon the sky would lighten, but for now it could be midnight it was so dark. In the quiet, away from the warm glow spilling out of the kitchen’s windows, she felt far from anyone else—in her own world.

  She didn’t know what to think about her attraction to Jack. He’d pushed her buttons from the minute he arrived—in both senses. When he was close, she couldn’t think about anything else, and even if she’d brushed off his apology earlier, he had apologized.

  That’s more than most men did.

  She thought she understood why he was like he was—or at least had a hunch. Something had happened to that girl she’d gotten a glimpse of in her vision. Something bad.

  Now Jack was trying to prevent the same thing from happening to her.

  He’d have to stop surveilling her without her permission, but she supposed she could understand the sentiment.

  Without thinking, she flattened her hands against the stone. “Should I open my heart to Jack?”

  She didn’t expect to receive an answer. The stone spoke in mysterious ways, and she knew she’d have to be patient. Alice looked up into a sky where the stars shone like chips of ice.

  It was quiet here, and Alice realized she’d been so taken up with her racing thoughts these past few weeks that she hadn’t slowed down to simply be. She felt her shoulders relax and knew she must have been holding them stiff and high. Her fingers ached from sewing. Her back hurt from bending and stooping. It felt good to let go all the tension for a moment.

  A glint of metal at the base of the nearest row of hedge caught her eye. Curious, Alice went to see what it was. The link of a chain. She tugged at it gently and unearthed a necklace of some kind from the snow.

  No—not a necklace.

  A pair of dog tags.

  A memory seized her, and Alice sank down on the nearby wooden bench, clutching the dog tags in her hand.

  Lena had been the one to take them from their father’s bedside table. The General had been home for one of his fleeting visits when they were little girls, but he’d been about to leave again, and Lena had been so determined to make him stay for once that she’d stolen his dog tags and raced away with them through the maze. Cass, ever the little mother, had given chase, screaming at her to put them back before they got in trouble. Alice, Sadie and Jo had followed, caught up in the excitement.

  Alice remembered Lena flinging the dog tags. She’d always had a strong arm. Cass had been in tears at the rebellion. Lena had been in tears of rage that the General kept leaving her behind. By the time their parents came to see what was the matter, they’d all been crying.

  Alice remembered the way the General had gathered them in his arms. Back then he’d made such displays of affection unconsciously, and they eagerly turned to him for comfort. When they’d settled down, they all searched the maze from top to bottom, but the dog tags had never been found, and the General had to leave without them.

  What was the stone trying to tell her?

  She thought she knew.

  Maybe it was time to open her heart—not just to Jack, but to her father, too. Maybe healing was possible.

  Maybe family was possible.

  She pocketed the dog tags, retraced her steps, feeling lighter somehow, and when she was ensconced in her workshop, she found herself whistling as she began to unstitch the lace.

  She didn’t care about Landon. The important people were here on this ranch. If she was taking apart these gowns and fixing them, it was because she was doing it for herself.

  But Landon was right—the gowns could be better.

  And she knew just what to do.

  Jack spent the morning helping Jo with her chores as she gave him a running commentary about everything she did.

  “Won’t Hunter be suspicious about why we’re spending so much time together?” he asked as they set out on the tractor to bring hay to the cattle.

  “Hunter’s at the dentist this morning. We have a few hours.”

  Alice joined the rest of them in the house at lunchtime but returned to the carriage house after twenty minutes. She seemed almost luminous in her determination, and Jack found it hard not to watch her, but he didn’t know how to help.

  “How are those dresses?” Cass called after her as she tugged on her outer gear.

  “Coming along” was all Alice said. Jack decided to let her be for now, although he’d have loved to follow her to her studio to spend some time with her.

  “Let’s get back to work.” Jo roused him from his reverie.

  “Sure thing, boss.”

  Will was back when they stopped for a snack mid-afternoon. Jack had run upstairs for a moment and found the hall full of plumbing equipment. Wyoming was leaning in the doorway to the bathroom, where Will was hard at work.

  “Any luck?” He didn’t really want those pipes fixed, but of course he couldn’t say that.

  “Not so far. I’ve tried every trick in the book. Wyoming is going to think I don’t know my trade.” Will flashed him a grin. He was always smiling, Jack thought. Neither life nor stubborn plumbing problems ever got Will down.

  “I’m not thinking anything in particular. Just enjoying watching a man at work,” Wye said contentedly.

  Heavy footsteps behind them had them both looking to see who was coming. Emerson was mounting the staircase.

  “The General wants a report about the plumbing,” the corporal said. “Should have been done by now.”

  “It’ll take as long as it takes,” Will said caustically, scrambling out from under the sink. “Tell the old man to relax. He’s just like my old man—always rushing. Never getting anything done right.”

  “Maybe you should tell him that.”

  “Maybe you should keep your nose out of my business.”

  Jack stepped between them. “How long will it take for you to finish your current set of repairs?” he asked the plumber.

  “Another half hour, tops.” Will relaxed back against the cabinet and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Go tell the General that,” Jack ordered Emerson. “Wyoming, maybe we’d better let Will get to it.”

  She looked like she would argue, but then she shrugged and gave Will a little wave. “See you later.”

  “Yeah, later.” Will looked like thunder as they left. Emerson, on the other hand, held his head high, Jack noticed. Had he just stacked the cards in the corporal’s favor? He hadn’t meant to, although there was something about Corporal Myers that he could sympathize with.

  Of course, Wyoming should be the one to choose.

  When his phone buzzed, and Richard’s name showed up on screen, he went into the guest room and answered the call quickly, although he knew there might be awkward questions. While he was there, he tapped on his tablet and checked the various feeds from his surveillance equipment. Nothing was amiss.

  “Pop!”

  “Hey, Jack. How’s it going?”

  “Pretty good. How are things in DC?”

  “Lots of work for you here whenever you’re ready for it.”

  Here they went again. Jack looked at the tablet again and paged to the sports website he followed. He tended to cycle through news, a military forum and a couple of video bloggers who were constantly showing off new gear. When he was done with the heavy stuff, he switched to sports to take his mind off things.

  “How about those Raiders?” Alice had been right; they’d won last night. What would Landon make of that?
/>   Pure luck, if you asked him. Anyone could call a game when the odds were 50/50.

  “You know I don’t watch football. I don’t have time,” Richard said.

  “Maybe you should make time now and then.” Not that he got the chance to catch many games, either. “You need to relax more, Pop.”

  “I will when you will.”

  One point for Richard. Jack tapped his fingers on the desk. “Was that why you were calling? To tell me about work?”

  “Just calling to chat.” Richard was trying to sound casual but failed. Jack understood. Their conversations were getting more and more awkward, something neither of them wanted. Jack wasn’t ready to cave, though. Richard had been pushing too hard lately. He’d orchestrated much of Jack’s life, and now Jack was old enough to make his own decisions.

  “Then let’s chat. I met a girl.”

  Richard hesitated. “I wondered if you might have. I’ve heard some rumors about that task force you’re on. Something about all the participants ending up married.”

  Jack didn’t know how to answer that. He should have known Richard would be digging for dirt.

  “Well, she and I just met, so I don’t know about marriage,” he hedged. He wouldn’t tell Richard that was the whole point.

  “Gonna give me a name?”

  “Alice.”

  “Alice—”

  “That’s all you get to know until things are serious.” He hoped that would be the end of it but knew it wouldn’t be.

  “You’ve just given me a challenge, you know.” Richard chuckled. “Like waving a red flag in front of a bull.”

  “She deserves her privacy, Pop. And respect.” Not that he’d given her much of either lately.

  “Hell, you’ve got it bad. You’ve only been there a week. It can’t possibly be serious. Neither can your insistence on privacy, since I already know you’re at Two Willows, and I know the General has a daughter named Alice.”

  Hell. Richard had him there. Jack was losing his touch—that was a rookie mistake.

  “It can be serious.” Jack kept his tone light, but he figured it made sense to give Richard a head’s up. He was serious about Alice.