“So I don’t have the right words, but the point is, we want each other and that’s not going away. The more time we hang out together, the more we’ll want to do something about it.”
“That’s why you need to find a girlfriend, buster.” She gave up and put her coffee on the table before she drenched herself.
“I don’t want a girlfriend. I want you.”
“Stop it, Rafe.” She swallowed and glanced at him. He was focused on her, his brown eyes dark and intense under the shadow of his hat. “Getting involved with me is not in your best interests. Or mine.” Her heart thrummed with excitement and her rebellious body was in a hot argument with her better self. “I won’t have it.”
“So that’s a no?” His voice was deceptively calm, at complete odds with his fierce expression.
“A no and a hell, no.”
He put down his mug and stood. “Okay, but you’re setting us up for major frustration.”
Her jaw tightened. “I’m not. You are. You have more self-discipline than any person I know. Use it. Give up on me.”
“I’ve tried. I can’t.” He touched two fingers to the brim of his hat. “See you at the altar.”
Chapter Fifteen
Red was delighted when Rafe called at ten to ask if he could come over and talk to her about rings. She had several for him to choose from.
He’d never been in her house. The Brotherhood usually encountered the Babes in a group, either when they were putting on a barrel racing demonstration at Ed’s arena or having a party at Henri’s house.
Red lived at the end of a dirt road and her rustic cabin was nestled in a stand of pines and gold-leafed aspens. Like most everyone in the Apple Grove area, she had a front porch. Hers had a cushioned swing and dozens of potted plants.
She opened the door before he knocked. Her mass of curly hair, fire-engine red and down to her shoulders, dominated her appearance. Her outfit was something loose and flowing. Shades of purple. Nothing like the jeans, boots and Western shirt she wore for barrel racing.
Her smile took over her entire face. “I’m thrilled that you’re doing this.” She gestured for him to step inside. “I’ll have a chance to consult with you about the vows.”
“I don’t have the say-so on that, ma’am. Kate would have to—”
“I’m going to Henri’s at noon, so I’ll get her input then. I’ll just blend whatever you say and she says. It’ll be fine. Perfect.”
“That’s quite a collection of plants you have on the porch.” He took off his hat as he came through the door.
“I’ll have to bring them in soon now that the nights are getting colder.”
He glanced around at the jungle she had indoors. “Will they fit?”
“Oh, I’ll manage to squeeze them in. I always do. Can I get you something? Coffee, herbal tea, hard cider, vodka?”
“Vodka?”
“For your nerves. People can’t smell it on your breath as easily as other alcoholic beverages.”
“Thanks, but I’m okay. I don’t need anything.”
“You’re not okay, Rafe. Your aura is in big trouble. Anxiety is coming off you in waves.”
He shrugged. “Goes with the territory.”
“I understand. You’re marrying the woman of your dreams, but she’s not giving you her heart or her body.”
He sucked in a breath. “You don’t mess around.”
“Oh, I mess around all the time. Just not with peoples’ emotions. I’ll put on some music with a vibration that may help calm you. I could do a Reiki session, too, if you’d like.”
“I appreciate the offer, ma’am, but maybe we should see about the rings, first.”
“We’ll do that. I can tell that’s one of your stressors, so let’s get that out of the way. I can measure your finger, but do you know Kate’s ring size?”
“There’s a size to rings?”
“Yes.”
“Kate’s fingers are about half the thickness of mine. Can you figure it from there?”
“I don’t think so. How about texting her?”
“I could.” He’d rather not. He liked his smooth exit line this morning—see you at the altar. He wanted those to be the last words he said to her until she laid eyes on him as she walked down the aisle. A text exchange would dilute the drama of his parting shot.
But if he got something that was too small, he’d be stuck trying to work it onto her finger. If it was too big, she might lose it. Tucking his hat under his arm, he sent the text asking for her ring size.
She didn’t respond. Was she ignoring him? Had he ticked her off so much that she’d called off the wedding? No, she couldn’t. Ginny needed the money.
“Rafe, breathe.”
He glanced at Red. She’d put on the music she’d talked about, some folks chanting with gongs and flutes in the background. “Thanks, ma’am, but I’m breathing.”
“Not from your diaphragm. You need several deep, cleansing breaths to clear that negative energy. Like this.” She demonstrated, breathing deep and making hand motions like she was trying to lift a bundle of laundry from her waist to her chin and lowering it again.
The chime of Kate’s text saved him from having to imitate that routine. “She says the ring finger on her left hand is a six. She had to try on the rings everyone there was wearing to find that out. I guess they’re doing the hair styling and nail painting right now.”
“That sounds right. Hair and nails were this morning, then lunch, then makeup, then a short break before putting on the dresses.”
“You make it sound like an all-day procedure.”
“Because it is. Lucy and her bridal party went through a similar routine in April.”
“I suppose they did. I didn’t pay much attention. The guys just shave, shower and put on their outfits. Takes about thirty minutes, tops.”
“It’s different with the women. Anyway, thank goodness she was with a group and could figure out her ring size. Come on into my workshop.” She led the way toward a room filled with a bewildering collection of shelves of various heights, and cabinets with drawers of every size.
Two large work tables held materials he couldn’t identify and tools he didn’t recognize except for the soldering iron and a mallet. Red’s workshop was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. If magic existed anywhere besides in storybooks, it existed here.
“Let me have your hat.”
He handed it over and she laid it brim side up on a cleared space near the end of one of the tables.
Walking to a wall lined with pegs that held twine, wire and thin strips of leather, she took down something resembling a large key ring, except it was loaded with a graduated series of metal circles instead of keys. “I’ll get you measured and then we’ll look for something that might help heal this fractured relationship.”
“I wouldn’t call it fractured.” That sounded too much like an ER situation.
“Let me have your left hand.” She started working her way through the set of ring measurements. “Do you like severed relationship better?”
He laughed. “Not when you’re fooling with my fingers. I need those.”
“Didn’t mean to freak you out. So how would you describe the state of your relationship with Kate?”
“I’d prefer something like light sprain or minor bruise.”
Her expression was loaded with sympathy. “I’m sure you would, but they’re not accurate.”
He sighed. “I guess not.”
“For what it’s worth, I’ve consulted my guides on this matter, and they predict a major upheaval will take place soon.”
“Like what?” He wasn’t fond of major upheavals. He’d already had enough to last him a while.
“They didn’t give me specifics. They seldom do. They said upheaval, though, not disaster, so I tend to think this will be a blessing in disguise.”
“I’m all for that.”
“I’ve found your size. Let’s look at rings.” She pulled out a shallow, wide drawer from under
one of the work benches.
He stayed a respectful distance behind her, but his added height allowed him an excellent view. A tray lined with black velvet-covered notches for rings fit perfectly into the drawer. Not every notch was filled, but even so, he estimated several dozen rings were stored there.
Some glittered with stones and others were bands of etched silver. “I don’t know where to start.”
“That’s okay. I do. I don’t have any gold. It’s too expensive for me to work with. But silver is very Western and has a lovely spiritual component. It’ll also go with—wait, I’m not supposed to mention that.”
“Her dress?”
“Never mind. Focus on the task. What do you see that you like? The sixes are up here.” She sketched a border in the air around a section of rings.
He pointed to a delicate band inlaid with turquoise and a green stone he couldn’t name. “I like that one.”
Red smiled. “Trust your instincts, Rafe. That’s the one I would have chosen for Kate. The turquoise is very feminine and stimulates romantic love and friendship. It’s very calming.”
He’d take that with a grain of salt, but it was a pretty ring. “What about the green stone?”
“That’s malachite. It opens the heart to unconditional love and encourages risk-taking and change.”
“That would be a bonus.”
“You sound amused. I sense you have doubts about the power of these stones.”
“I’ll be honest with you, Red. It seems a little far-fetched that a stone could do all that. I mean, it just sits there.”
“Everything has a vibration, even stones.”
“If you say so.”
“Anyway, you like the ring, right?”
“I do. I’ll take it.”
“You don’t want to know the price?”
“It doesn’t matter. That’s the perfect ring for Kate. She won’t be able to wear it very often because of her job, but it suits her.”
“I agree.” She plucked it from the tray. “The wider bands are what men usually choose. Anything in that bottom quadrant should fit you.”
“Is mine supposed to match hers?”
“Not necessarily. I’ve never been a big fan of that concept. You should pick the one that speaks to you.”
He flashed her a grin. “I don’t hear a thing. They’re all silent as a stone.”
“Very funny. It’s a figure of speech.”
“I like that one with the single black stone and the etching around it.”
“Sure you do. I’m not the least surprised. Hematite removes negative energy and strengthens confidence. Warriors carried it in battle to help heal them from their wounds.”
“Fortunately, I’m not planning to go into battle.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You’ve already been wounded. But you have amazing self-healing powers and hematite will bolster your natural abilities in that direction.”
“What’s the etching?”
Her eyes twinkled. “Fertility symbols.”
“Oh?” Warmth rose from his collar.
“Rumor has it that you want children.”
“I do, but—”
“This ring will increase your chances.”
Not if he was never allowed in Kate’s bed. But he wanted kids and so did she. If he could convince her that it wasn’t too late… the concept made him dizzy with excitement. “I’ll take it.”
“Well done.” She opened another drawer, lifted out a velvet pouch and dropped both rings into it.
“How much do I owe you?”
She handed him the pouch. “They’re my wedding gift to you and Kate.”
“Hey, no, that’s not right. You labored over these and paid for the materials. I want to—”
“My reward will be watching you and Kate work this out.”
“What if we don’t?”
“Ah, negativity! You need that hematite desperately, Rafe. Once Kate puts that ring on your finger, don’t take it off.”
“Okay, I won’t. And thank you.” His phone pinged again. The text was from Nick, saying he was on his way to the bunkhouse with Garrett. The Brotherhood would be gathering for lunch today. “I should be going.” He grabbed his hat and put it on. “Oh, wait. Didn’t you want to talk about the vows?”
“I thought I did, but now that you’ve chosen those rings, I know exactly what I want to say.”
“But you’ll discuss it with Kate?”
“I will. In fact, you shouldn’t take your ring since Kate needs to give it to you during the ceremony. I didn’t think of that.” She held out her hand. “I’ll deliver it when I go to Henri’s. Millie needs to be the one in charge of it.”
He pulled out the hematite ring and gave it to her, although he didn’t want to. What if something happened to it between now and four?
She must have seen the reluctance in his expression, because she patted his shoulder. “It’ll be fine. You’ll get it back this afternoon when Kate slips it on your finger.”
“Right. Thanks again. I’ll see you soon.” He started toward her plant-filled living room.
“Wait a minute. Take this.”
He turned around.
She came toward him, arm extended. A larger version of the lustrous black stone rested in her palm. “You can put it in your pocket for the rest of the day. Take it to the ceremony. Nothing wrong with having extra protection.”
He reached for the stone, hesitated and withdrew his hand. “I don’t need to do that. But thanks for the offer.”
She sighed. “Look, I know you’re a big, tough cowboy who has everything under control and thinks it’s juvenile to put faith in a pebble he carries in his pocket.”
He met her gaze. “I wouldn’t say I have everything under control, but it’s going okay. The ring is great, but I don’t need—”
“Charley was fond of hematite, too.”
That got him in the solar plexus. He swallowed. “I didn’t know that.”
“He told me it fascinated him, that it looked like a liquid turned solid. He almost expected it to melt in his hand. I gave him a stone to carry around and Henri said it was almost always in his pocket. Now she carries it.”
“No kidding.”
“She also has a tiger’s eye I gave her that’s about this size. It’s a stone that helps us see things clearly and act with courage.”
“That’s Henri, all right, but she’s just naturally clear-thinking and brave.”
“And you’re just naturally strong and resistant to negativity. But in times of trouble, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra source of power.”
He took the stone and rubbed his thumb over the smooth surface. “It does look as if it could melt.”
“But it won’t. It’ll work hard for you, absorbing any negative energy coming your way.”
He smiled. “Thanks, Red. Charley was one of the happiest guys I’ve ever known. Guess I can’t go wrong carrying the stone he liked.”
“That’s for sure. I wish you happiness, Rafe.”
“I’m working on it.” On impulse, he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Then he tucked the stone in his pocket and left. If it was good enough for Charley Fox, it was good enough for him.
Chapter Sixteen
Henri’s living room had been turned into a beauty parlor for the day, and Kate loved the sparkles Eva had put in her hair. She was less enamored of the manicure routine.
She’d smeared two of her nails within a minute of Eva completing the job. While Eva worked to repair those, Kate grabbed a tissue to blow her nose and accidentally messed up a nail on the other hand.
“Ack! Sorry, Eva. I’m so not used to this.”
“Never mind. I’ll fix that one, too.”
Ed came by to check out the situation. “You probably should have gone with shellac, sweetie.”
“She doesn’t like the smell,” Eva said.
“Nobody does,” Millie called over from the straight-backed chair where Josette was working on her up
-do. “I’m thrilled that Kate went with regular polish.”
Ed waved a dismissive hand. “The smell’s temporary. And when you’re done it wears like iron.”
“But I don’t want it to wear like iron.” Kate did her best to hold still while Eva carefully recreated the French manicure on her little finger. “It’ll be gone by Monday when I go back to my regularly scheduled program in the dining hall kitchen.”
“Then let us do things for you.” Ed hovered near the manicure table. “Don’t try to use your hands until your nails are really dry. Is there anything I can get for you right now? Some water? Coffee? Champagne?”
Kate laughed. “You keep pushing that champagne, and I’m very grateful that you brought all those bottles, but if I start now, Henri will need to roll me up to the altar in a wheelbarrow.”
“Go ahead and have some if you think you can hold the flute without ruining your nails,” Millie said. “I just took a glass. We’ll have lunch soon and that’ll soak up the booze.”
“Did I hear booze? I’m in.” Red swept through the front door looking like a mythic goddess in her flowing white outfit, her hair in a wild topknot and a glittery headband decorating her forehead. Silver discs hung from her earlobes and a belt of the same disks circled her hips.
Henri walked in from the kitchen, took one look at Red and let out a whoop. “Red’s gone full-on high priestess! I love it!”
“Glad you approve.” She twirled in the center of the room before gliding over to Kate. “Katherine, I bring you Rafael’s ring.” Pulling a velvet pouch from her bodice, she laid it on the manicure tray.
“Thank you, Red.” Kate smiled. “Or should I call you Anastasia today?”
“Now that you mention it, I did get up on the Anastasia side of the bed this morning.”
“Then Anastasia it is. Ed, could I please have a glass of champagne, after all? I think I need it to get into the spirit of this wedding.”
“Oh, it’ll be spirited, all right.” Ed pulled a magnum out of the ice bucket and poured Kate’s champagne. Strolling over with the flute in hand, she surveyed Red’s outfit. “This getup’s more dramatic than the last one. I might have to find me a husband just so I can have you perform the ceremony.”
Strong-Willed Cowboy (The Buckskin Brotherhood Book 5) Page 9