“You really are happy with two husbands. I can see it in your eyes, and you’re glowing.”
“I’ll tell you a secret, but you mustn’t mention it to Myles or our parents yet. I’m pregnant.”
Brittany stood and went to Sondra and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. How did Boyd and Kel react?”
“They’re ecstatic, but we decided not to tell anyone until after my first real checkup, which is two days away. I just had to tell you when you said I was glowing.
“Honestly Britt, I’ve never been so delighted. Boyd and Kel treat me so well, and we are all three very happy. The few times I’ve gotten upset, they’ve bent over backward to fix whatever was bothering me. And those were minor issues.”
“You are certainly the walking postcard for having two husbands.”
“Drink your tea and eat, but think about what I said. See if you can visualize yourself with Jared and Ward as husbands.”
“I could have one at the ranch and one in the city where I work,” she teased. “No one needs to know about the other husband.”
“Huh, like they’d go along with those plans. I’d bet Ward will want to stay at the ranch more with you there. He doesn’t usually stay in the city as much as he has lately. He’s been staying around to see you.”
“We’ll see. I don’t plan on making any sudden decisions.”
Sondra laughed. “Life has a way of making them for you.”
* * * *
Jared watched the jet fly out of sight. He got back in the truck and started for the ranch. He had some serious damage control to do with Brittany. Ward’s actions must have her confused. At the turnoff to his ranch, he hesitated. As Ward said, Carl was capable of handling whatever came up, and he had Jared’s cell number.
I think I’ll make a friendly visit to see Brittany and her sister. I can drive her back and start making her feel welcome.
He liked that idea. Going straight past his turn, he headed to Sondra’s home.
When he turned into the road going to the house, he saw Kel’s truck parked by the front door. The deputy’s car was gone.
Jared knocked and called out. “Anyone home?”
Kel greeted him. “Come on in. We’re in the kitchen. I came home for lunch and sent the deputy for his.”
Brittany gave Jared a funny look when he walked in. Hmm, maybe the sisters weren’t pleased to have their women talk interrupted. Well, the sheriff got here first. He grinned at Brittany. She nodded and continued helping her sister clear the table of food.
“Are you hungry, Jared? There’s plenty left. I can make you a sandwich, and you can join Kel at the table.”
“Are you sure it’s no trouble?”
“None at all. Britt, why don’t you fix it? You have the beef there by you.” Sondra’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
Oh yes, the ladies have been talking about Ward and me. I’d bet on it. Jared pulled back a chair and sat across from Kel.
“Ward told you all about the trouble Brittany had in New York?”
“Yes. I’m going to keep someone here at the ranch until we know there isn’t going to be a problem. If they find out about Sondra, they could capture her and use her to make Britt come to them. I’m not taking any chances. If Boyd or I can’t stay home, one of my deputies will be here.”
“Good idea. I guess I’ll need to keep Brittany by my side.” He glanced at her. “Have you ever been horseback riding?”
“A few times.”
“We’ll work on that. In no time, you’ll be an expert rider.”
Brittany gave him a wry smile. “Don’t count on it. I’m definitely a beginner. Sondra and Myles both ride better than me. By the way, how is Myles? I’ve tried to call him several times and haven’t gotten an answer.” Britt asked Sondra.
“He seems to love the place. He’s made friends and has been all over taking pictures. But he must have gone off on one of his trips. I haven’t heard from him, or seen him either, for several weeks.”
Britt handed Jared his sandwich and a glass of tea. “If Myles gets back soon, maybe I can go on some outings with him. Then you wouldn’t have to miss any work.”
“I never take time off. I’m overdue. I’ll teach you to ride better and show you around the county.”
“Still I want to spend time with Sondra and my brother when he returns. I won’t be here forever.”
Jared started to reply, but decided this wasn’t the time to challenge her statement. It’d be better to ease her into the idea of staying for good. Instead, he and Kel talked about ranching. Kel had several questions. Jared was aware of Brittany’s attention directed at him as he answered them.
Kel shook his head and smiled at Jared. “Do you think I’ll ever know as much about ranching as you and Boyd?”
“No.” Jared grinned. “You have to start out when you’re so small the long grass is as tall as you are. It gets bred in the bones that way. But you’ve already picked up more than I expected. Boyd must be teaching you. You two will do good with this ranch. I guess you’ll keep your sheriff’s job, though.”
“Yep, law enforcement must be bred in my bones.” Kel got up from the table, hugged and kissed his wife, then grabbed his hat and headed out. “I heard James’s car. I’ll go back to the office for a few hours.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take Brittany with me.”
“Honey, you’ll be all right with James here, won’t you?”
“Of course. You worry too much. You and Boyd taught me to shoot the rifle. If a stranger comes around, I’ll be armed.”
“I’d prefer for James to stay and for him to do any needed shooting.”
Sondra laughed and pushed Kel out of the room. “You are such a spoilsport.”
Jared glanced at Brittany and caught a look of longing on her face. When she saw him staring, she quickly changed her expression.
“What they and Boyd have is what Ward and I want.”
“You may want it, but I doubt Ward feels the same.”
“Give him time. He’s slow to expose himself to others.”
She didn’t comment. She got up and started clearing the table again. But he heard a soft sigh and had seen sadness in her eyes. He planned to see her eyes full of laughter and happiness, and he’d start working on it, today.
Chapter Seven
Britt sat silently in the truck as Jared drove her back to his ranch. When he parked and opened her door, she walked on into the house.
Jared followed her. “I thought we’d start on those riding lessons.”
Britt swung around. “You don’t have to entertain me. I’m sure I’ll be all right if you need to go check on what your cowboys are doing.”
He stepped closer. “If I wanted to entertain you, I’d take you to bed. Learning to ride well is going to take hard work. My foreman will call me if there’s a problem.”
Her cheeks flushed hot. The look in his eyes told her what he’d really like to do, and it wasn’t teaching her to ride a horse. But he’d have to wait. She wasn’t ready for him to make love to her. Jared took her arm and led her to the kitchen.
“See which hat fits. The sun can be bright even when it’s a bit cold.”
Several hats hung on hooks by the back door. The first one she tried fell to just above her eyes. She grinned and turned to him. “How does this look?”
“Cute, but you can do better.”
She tried the next one and it wasn’t quite so big, but still not right. Then she moved down two hooks to what appeared to be a smaller hat. It was dark brown, and when she put it on, it fit perfectly. Britt glanced around at Jared. He smiled, but his eyes were sad.
“It’s my mother’s hat. We haven’t moved it since the last time she wore it. Oh, I’m sure the lady who cleans has dusted it, but she left it there also.”
“I’m sorry.” Britt reached up to take the hat off and put it on the hook where it had been hanging.
Jared took several quick, long strides and was at her side. “Leave it on.
It’s been waiting for just the right lady to wear it. Mom must be smiling down on us.”
“This can’t have a special meaning. I don’t know how I feel about you, but Ward and I are not relating well to each other.”
“Believe me, you will.” Jared brushed his fingers across her cheeks, and a sizzle of hot desire sparked deep inside her abdomen spreading outward. He leaned down and kissed her lips softly.
“Your choice, riding lessons on the mare I bought especially for you or a different kind of ride with me.”
His brown eyes sparkled and his sexy smile had her melting, but then she remembered Ward. “I think I’d rather take it slower and go see this horse you chose for me.”
He shrugged his broad shoulders and put his arm around her. “I knew you’d make that choice. But you can’t blame me for trying.” He opened the door for her, and they walked to the barn.
Inside, it was dim and cool. The scents of horses, manure, and hay all mixed together made her sneeze.
“You’ll get used to the different types of smells on a farm.” Jared took her hand and walked to the back of the horse stalls.
“Oh,” Britt put her hand to her face. “She’s beautiful.” A golden palomino raised her head and looked at them as they walked the short distance to her stall.
“She’s named Golden Star. A young girl at one of the nearby ranches owned her for many years, but she’s gotten married and moved to the city. She made me promise I’d take good care of Golden Star. I’ve known her since she was small. She trusted me to find the right person for her beloved horse.”
Britt put out her hand and ran her fingers along the mare’s mane. The mare stood still apparently enjoying the attention.
“Here, give her some pieces of apple. It’s her favorite treat. She’ll be yours forever if you bring her some every morning.”
She grinned when the mare ate from her hand. “I suppose you’ve been bringing them to her until I got here.”
“You bet.”
“Seriously, though, I can’t accept such a valuable gift.”
“If you go back to the city, you can’t take her with you. But if you marry me and hopefully Ward, then she’s yours for life.”
“I believe you’re trying to bribe me.”
“Whatever it takes, darlin’. Let’s get her saddled and start your lessons.”
Once the mare was ready, Jared cupped his hands and helped her into the saddle. Then he led the mare out to a paddock beside the barn. He handed the reins to Brittany.
“Show me what you can do.” Jared sat on the top rail of the fence that enclosed the area.
Britt held the reins tight and shifted to get comfortable. She hadn’t rode in a long time and then not much.
“Relax, she’ll take your cues.”
She took a deep breath and made her hands loosen on the reins. Sitting straighter, she jiggled the reins and Golden Star started to move slowly around the area.
When the mare didn’t make any sudden moves, Britt relaxed. She looked across the yard at Jared. “She’s very responsive.”
“Her other owner learned to ride on her and was never thrown off.”
“Good to know.”
“Now, ride a bit faster or you’ll be a year older before we get through these lessons.”
“Smart aleck.” But she grinned at him. She moved her heels against the horse’s side and Golden Star began to trot around the paddock.
“You ride better than you led me to believe. Your posture is good, and you have a good seat.”
“It’s been years since I’ve ridden, and it was only for one summer.”
“Once you get the idea, you don’t forget how. You need to practice is all. Ride around a few more times, and then we’ll call it a day. You want to take it gradually so you don’t get sore. Tomorrow we’ll go for a short ride.”
The wind blew across her and the mare. She’d forgotten how much she enjoyed riding. Staying at the ranch might be fun after all.
When they went back into the barn, Jared watched her as she rubbed the mare down. “You were taught well.” He showed her a few things she hadn’t known. When they’d finished, they headed to the house.
“Why don’t you ride out and see your men? I know you must want to. I’m going to shower. I’ll throw something together for dinner.”
“I don’t like leaving you alone.”
“My dad taught me how to handle a rifle. Leave one with me. I’ll keep the doors locked.”
“All right. They won’t have found you this soon. But starting tomorrow, you have to go with me, or I’m staying here.”
She didn’t argue. But tomorrow she’d try to convince him it wasn’t necessary. They’d see what Ward said when he called.
Jared waved and went back to the barn. But he stood at the door until she’d gone inside the house.
Britt locked the door, checked on the roast, and headed for her room. After a warm shower and putting on clean clothes, she was ready to tackle dinner.
She peeled and cut up the carrots and potatoes she found in the refrigerator, then she snapped the beans. In a bottom cupboard she found a roaster, and in went the roast and all the vegetables. Once it was in the oven, she looked for the ingredients to make biscuits and a salad. She intended to surprise Jared.
They must have a large garden, because she found mushrooms and other vegetables in the refrigerator drawer. She decided to make stuffed mushrooms for hors d’oeuvres. She hummed as she worked.
The knock on the door had her glancing at the clock. She was surprised two hours had passed. She put down the plate from where she’d been setting the table and went to let Jared in.
At the last minute, she thought to ask who it was.
“It’s me.” Jared responded.
Keeping the chain lock on, she opened the door a crack. “How do I know it’s you? You may be the bad guy in disguise.”
“I can prove who I am. Lean forward, and let me kiss you.”
“A trick to be sure. You can grab my neck and strangle me.”
“I may strangle you anyway, if you don’t open the door.” He’d pulled off his hat and his blond hair was dark where he’d sweated and more curly than earlier.
“You are rather good-looking.” She gave him a quick up-and- down glance. “All right, you can come to dinner.”
When she unlocked the chain, he rushed in and pushed her against the wall. At the same moment, his mouth came down hard and demanding on hers. Her arms went around his neck and one of his hands slid up to grip her breast. His thumb rubbed across her tightened nipple.
Her lips parted, and his tongue ravished the inside of her mouth. He pulled her legs up around his waist. She felt the hard ridge of his cock at just the right place between her legs. If only they didn’t both have on so many clothes.
Lowering his voice, he spoke into her ear. “I’m hungry to be inside your hot pussy. I want to rip your clothes off and bury myself inside you.”
She had a strong awareness of her heartbeat racing in her chest. Her fingers ached with the need to touch his body all over, but this wasn’t the time, not yet. Regretfully, she pushed at his chest.
Jared let her legs slide to the floor. He put his forehead against hers. “If I wasn’t so damn grimy, I’d take you straight to bed. But I am, and I smell the delicious dinner you’ve fixed. Give me a minute. I’ll be back.” He kissed her once more, lightly, and then he strode down the hall to his room.
Britt stayed leaning against the wall for another few minutes. She was weak in the knees. Gradually, her heart slowed, and she finished setting the table. Dinner was ready.
But her appetite for food was gone. She wanted him for the dessert. The idea of holding off longer to get to know him better wasn’t working. If he pulled her into his arms later tonight, she wouldn’t be able to resist him. Both the Jarvis men were too tempting.
“What’s for dinner?” Jared came through the doorway. He’d changed to clean jeans and a short-sleeved white shirt th
at showed off his tan and his muscled arms.
She pulled the stuffed mushrooms from the oven where she was keeping the food warm. “Open us a bottle of wine. We’ll have these first and then our meal.”
“White or red?”
“Whichever you have and want.”
Jared opened a bottle of merlot and took two wineglasses out of an upper cupboard. Then he filled them half full. He handed Brittany hers.
“Here’s to us, all three of us.” He clinked his glass against hers.
“For now, here’s to us,” Britt said pointedly.
“You are a stubborn woman. Wait and see. You’ll end up loving Ward.”
She tipped her glass and savored the smoky taste of the wine. They sat and ate several of the mushrooms.
“You lied. You are a good cook.”
“Anyone can cook simple foods. My sister cooks much fancier.”
“We don’t need fancy. I’ll take you out to dinner when you want an elaborate meal.”
“I like your idea.” She got up and opened the lower oven to remove the large glass bowl that held the roast and vegetables. She set it in the center of the table. Then Britt opened the fridge and took out the two salad plates and dressing. Lastly, she placed the biscuits on the table.
“Be careful. They’re hot. I love that you have two ovens. I cooked the biscuits while you showered.”
“I’m astonished. You worked hard the whole time I was gone. I didn’t think you liked cooking.”
“I never have, but I enjoyed it this evening. The idea of surprising you made it fun.”
Jared quickly filled his plate and began eating. Britt liked watching him enjoy the food. She put a smaller amount on her plate. It was good. She’d been hungrier than she’d thought.
Having someone to eat with made the meal much more pleasant. At home in her apartment she seldom cooked. Either she ate out or brought something home. Occasionally she cooked a frozen dinner.
“What’s for dessert?” Jared asked.
Britt wanted to say, “You,” but she didn’t. “I saw ice cream in the freezer and whipped cream in the refrigerator.”
“I love ice cream. Give me chocolate. That’s my favorite. Ward likes strawberry, so I keep some for him.”
Seductive Surrender [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 7