The Reluctant Rancher

by Patricia Mason

  Remembering the dark brooding look in Luke’s eyes, she just prayed her carriage wouldn’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Woman, thy name is vanity, Mary thought with a wide smile the next evening as she got ready for the big Saturday night dance. She wouldn’t be human though, if she didn’t admit that at moments like this she longed to look like Cindy Crawford.

  Dieting, which always failed, made her miserable. And for years not being that perfect size eight had eaten away at her self-esteem and self-confidence. But thanks to the support and love of friends like Jennifer, she’d realized long ago that beauty was only skin deep. And tonight she rid herself of even more of those self-defeating thoughts, burying some deep inside and allowing others to flow away, banishing forever their power to hurt her.

  With careful hands she removed her new dress from its protective covering. The clothing store had indeed found something special in stock and Mary would be eating peanut butter sandwiches without the jelly or the peanut butter for the next year to pay for her purchase, but she didn’t care.

  Almost reverently she slipped the midnight blue velvet dress over her head. It had a low neckline and fit like a second skin from the top of her well-rounded breasts to the slight indentation of her waist. From there its full skirt billowed out, hiding a multitude of sins for which Mary gave her eternal thanks. The dress had been designed to make a woman feel wild and reckless. And that’s just how she’d been feeling lately.

  Ever since Luke Tanner had kissed her senseless in the barn.

  She reached for the zipper that ran up her back, her arms stretched as far as they could as she tried to close the zipper. It didn’t work. Knowing she would have to have help, she walked down the hall and knocked on Joseph’s door.

  “Will you come help me for a minute, Joseph?” she called through the door. When she heard a grunt she walked away, slipping back into her room.

  As she waited for Joseph, she checked her appearance in the mirror one last time pleased at the result. She had applied her makeup with a bit more daring than usual, using eyeliner, blush and silky blue eye shadow a shade darker than her dress. She'd left her hair loose, remembering the compliments Luke had paid her. It brushed the tops of her bare shoulders. Normally she would try to hide her arms, but for once she didn’t care about the expanse of skin showing. She wanted the whole world to see Mary Carter, big and beautiful. If someone saw something they didn’t like, they could look the other way.

  “What are you doing here?” Mary gasped as Luke’s reflection joined hers in the silver-backed mirror.

  He stood behind her – tall, dark and silent, a cigarette dangling between two lean fingers. He took several draws before he crossed the room to stab it out in the crystal trinket dish on her dresser. Mary couldn’t suppress her shudder when his shoulder brushed hers.

  “Joseph said you needed some help,” he said in a low lazy drawl. His gaze raked across the tops of her exposed breasts. “Let me get you free.”

  Without waiting for permission, he proceeded to zip up her dress. Mary shivered again when his neatly trimmed fingernails scraped the creamy skin of her spine as he worked the tangled fabric free. Moments later she felt the reassuring pressure as he fastened her dress.

  “Thank you.” She turned to face him. “I can manage from here.”

  “You are so beautiful.” His eyes darkened as he spoke.

  She shook her head denying his words.

  “You are beautiful,” he insisted. “Firm and soft and silky to the touch.”

  “Please,” she whispered, whether to beg for the kiss shining in his eyes or to ask him to leave she did not know.

  Luke laughed, his face taunt. “Please what, Mary? Please stop wanting you? Please stop aching for you? I wish to God I could.” Turning on his heel, he strode from the room, slamming the door as he left.

  Mary bowed her head and took several gulps of air, resting her shaking hands on the edge of the ornate dresser. She could no longer deny her feelings for the hard-nosed rancher. The first time she’d seen Luke, even from a distance, she’d felt a deep, sensual pull as old as time itself. And the past month and a half had only brought home to her just how much she cared for the silent man who would never be more than just her boss.

  Innocent and inexperienced though she was, she knew Luke desired her and would probably enter into an affair if she gave him the slightest encouragement. But Mary wanted more. She wanted someone to love her always, someone to spend her life with. And that someone would not be Luke Tanner. He was too bitter, to heart sore to see the life they could have together.

  She sighed with regret for things that would never be and gathered her purse. She was determined to enjoy this night no matter what.

  * * * * *

  Cars crowded the parking lot at the community center. Music floated through the air and the sound of people having a wonderful time could be heard for miles around.

  The only blemish on the night was the slight rain that continued to fall. But even that could not put a damper on the festivities. The local high school Beta Club members, armed with oversized umbrellas, had volunteered to escort the partygoers from their cars to the doorway and everyone arrived happy and dry.

  The citizens of Fiddler Creek and the surrounding county enjoyed these community get-togethers. Some waited anxiously until their sweethearts asked them to the dance, while others looked forward to perhaps starting something new and exciting.

  Men dressed in tuxedos escorted women draped in faux diamonds and pearls. Much to Mary’s surprise just as many were dressed in denim and polyester. She could have worn her jeans and sweater and no one would have paid the least bit of attention. The soft swirl of satin-lined velvet against her legs made her glad she had dressed up. After all, Cinderella only went to the ball once.

  “There’s a buffet line over there.” Luke pointed to three large tables laden with desserts and finger foods that surrounded the dance floor. The array would see the partygoers through the long evening hours and even until early morning. She’d given the Circle T’s contribution to the dance committee yesterday. “You might want to get something to eat. You barely touched your dinner.”

  Mary’s heart raced at his observation, taking it as another small sign of concern for her welfare. “I was too nervous. I’ve never been comfortable in large crowds. I guess that’s why I’ve never attended one of these dances before.”

  Luke frowned. “If you’d rather leave, I’ll take you home and then come back for grandfather later.” Even though they had all driven to the dance together, Joseph had excused himself the moment they’d arrived.

  Mary’s spine stiffened with hurt pride. It seemed Luke had changed his mind and didn’t want to be there – at least not with her. She might have known her fairy tale night would turn into a tale from the Brothers Grimm.

  “If you want to leave, go ahead. I’ll be fine.” She held her head high and her shoulders straight. She’d been rejected before. It would only hurt for a little while. At least that’s what she told herself.

  Luke cursed and pulled her to the back of the room. “Look, Mary,” he said, his mouth a thin line of anger. “I don’t want you to leave and I don’t want to leave. You’ve got me so tied up in knots I don’t know if I’m coming or going. You’re nothing like the other women I’ve dated.”

  “Oh.” Mary felt crushed at his words and her world came crashing down around her ears all over again. But she didn’t let him see the pain. “You don’t think I’m pretty enough or slim enough to be seen with you, right?”

  “Damn it, Mary,” Luke growled. “That’s not what I meant. Someone did a number on you didn’t they?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe.”

  Luke moved closer. “Who was it?”

  She laughed, the sound just short of being hysterical. “It would be easier to list who it wasn’t.”

  “You have no confidence in your ability to please a man, do you? You have no idea j
ust how beautiful you are.”

  “I’m not beautiful, Luke. I wish you would stop saying that.”

  “Maybe if I say it enough, you’ll start to believe me. Maybe if I show you how much you make me want you, you’ll do something about it. What do you say, Mary? Care to prove you’re not a desirable woman?” His tone was challenging at best, belligerent at most.

  But for once Mary refused to rise to the bait.

  “Please, Mary. I want to dance with you tonight. I want to feel my arms around you even if it is in the middle of a damn crowd.”

  Mary wanted to stay more than anything. To stay in his arms forever. To receive the promises she saw glittering in his green eyes. She knew her time with him was limited and knew when she did walk away, her heart would stay behind.

  “So, you’re asking me out?” she teased, making up her mind to seize the moment.

  Luke grinned and nodded his head.

  “Then as your date,” she emphasized the last word with a small, shy smile. “I think it’s only fair to warn you, I’m starving. Let’s eat.” She took his hand and marched him to the buffet line. The appetite which had deserted her earlier at the ranch returned in full. After they filled their plates, Luke led her to a quiet corner.

  “Shouldn’t we join Joseph?” She took her seat, secretly delighted that he had chosen a table away from the crowd.

  “Afraid to be alone with me?” A mischievous spark danced in his hooded eyes.

  “I don’t know. Are you going to turn into a big, bad wolf?”

  “The way you look tonight, you never know, darlin’.” His eyes lingered on the swells of her breasts. “You never know.”

  Mary’s heart sang. “I just thought it would be rude of us not to join him.”

  “Don’t worry about Granddad, he’s okay. He’s with Sara.” He pointed to the far corner where his grandfather sat with a dark haired woman a few years his junior. Luke went on to explain that the two had been dating on and off for over a year.

  “Are you sure that’s all you want?” He nodded at her plate.

  Mary had filled her plate with chocolate covered strawberries and nothing else. “I guess I kind of went overboard, didn’t I? But it’s Jennifer’s fault. These are her specialty and they’re delicious. Have you ever had one?”

  Luke shook his head. “But don’t let me stop you. Go ahead and eat.” He took one from her plate and held it to her mouth.

  Mesmerized, she sank her teeth into the red, ripe flesh. The rich creamy chocolate blended perfectly with the berry’s sweetness. As she finished the luscious treat, she licked the excess juice from her lips.

  “You taste one.” She held out large berry.

  Almost savagely, he bit the fruit in half. The juice ran down her hand. Before she could grab a napkin, Luke brought her hand to her mouth and licked her fingers – one at a time. A heaviness settled low in her stomach and a delicious warmth flooded her insides.

  A blare of music signaled the start of the dance and the floor filled up quickly. Mary pushed the last of her food away, her heart pounding too fast to finish. Unconsciously, her toe started tapping to the beat of the music.

  Luke stared at her. The look in his eyes made her nervous. When would he ask her to dance? Would it be a fast dance or a slow dance? It would feel like heaven to be in his arms.

  “Let’s go.” He pushed his chair back. The metal legs scraped against the concrete floor.

  Just as they reached the dance floor, the band switched to a soft melody, perfect for a slow dance. Luke guided them around the floor with surprising grace for such a big man. Mary sighed happily as she clung to his hand and savored the feel of his body pressed against hers.

  “Did I tell you how beautiful you looked tonight?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Luke,” she protested. “I thought we’d settled that.”

  “I thought we had, too.” He moved until he could see her eyes. “I thought you were going to listen when I spoke.”

  Mary had the grace to blush. “Alright, lay it on, mister. Tell me what a raving beauty I am and how much you want me.”

  Luke smiled, a predatory smile if ever Mary saw one, and she knew she had gone too far. He pulled her close, letting her feel exactly what she did to him. “Do you feel me, Mary? Do you feel how much I want you?” He ground his hips against her soft belly. As the next song started, he swung them off the dance floor and into a small alcove off to the side.

  “Mary.” Her name was a mere whisper of breath as he brushed her mouth with his. His fingers stroked the nape of her neck under the weight of her hair.

  “Open your mouth for me, baby. Just like that day in the barn.” He bit into the soft tender flesh of her bottom lip, and she cried out in pleasure. Heat engulfed her and she pressed herself against his hard form, breathing in his warm, male scent.

  He muttered something low and rough, breaking off the kiss. His hands roamed over the flesh of her arms, the sides of her waist and explored the soft outer curves of her breasts. She trembled, but didn’t pull away or protest. Her blood heated with delicious anticipation. Holding her stare, he brushed his thumbs across the puckered centers. For long, endless moments he caressed her, his eyes darkening with an indefinable emotion before a shuttered expression settled over his rough features.

  He placed her hand on the bugle in front of his charcoal gray pants and urged her to cup him with her palm. Mary’s moan mingled with his as she closed her fingers around him, squeezing ever so slightly. “I want to make you wet with wanting, Mary. So wet that you can take me with a single stroke.”

  He raised her hand to her mouth, kissing her trembling fingers “Don’t ever think I don’t want you, baby. Don’t ever think you’re not beautiful.”

  “I won’t,” Mary whispered, a part of her finally beginning to believe his words.

  “I know all this is new for you, Mary.” He toyed with a strand of her hair. The pale silver color seemed to fascinate him.

  Hectic color flooded Mary’s face. “Yes.”

  “It’s relatively new to me, too,” Luke admitted. “But I don’t expect you to believe that.”

  “I know you were married.” She was reluctant to bring up any subject that might shatter this fragile moment.

  Luke gave a short bark of laughter. “Yeah, for all of two minutes.” For a brief instant, Mary sensed his need to talk, to share his feelings. She held her breath and waited. The moment passed and he patted the pockets of his suit until he found his pack of cigarettes. She took them from him and tossed them on a table.

  “Smartass.” He groused but grinned at her. “Go inside and find grandfather. I need a few moments alone.”

  “Will you kiss me again, Luke?”

  “Hell, Mary, what do you think, I’m made of, steel?”

  “Apparently so.” Her eyes went to the front of his pants that hadn’t lost any of their fullness. He scrubbed his hand along his jaw.

  His touch held a measure of male possession and an unspoken warning when he lifted her against him to kiss her so thoroughly and hungrily that she gasped when he let her go.

  Without another word, he gave her a not-so-gentle pat on her swaying backside and sent her on her way. Mary stopped at the edge of the dance floor, turning back to watch as he stepped into the rain swept night. She knew she might be reading more than he intended into what they had shared, but she wanted to go after him, to stay with him until the world faded away. But she knew she couldn’t.

  A sudden silence fell over the group as she joined Joseph and his date. Joseph’s knowing look made her blush. “He had to go outside for a few minutes.”

  “He’s smoking those damned cigarettes again,” Joseph huffed.

  “No, he’s not. I took them away from him.” Mary took a seat beside her patient.

  “Good for you, Mary. I want you to meet my Sara.” He introduced the woman by his side and Mary could see something special existed between the two older people.

  “I’ve heard so much ab
out you,” the other woman said. Her warm and infectious smile had Mary responding instantly. The two exchanged pleasantries and Mary soon discovered Sara had retired from nursing only the year before. As they continued to talk, Mark and Jennifer walked up with a fretful baby Jessica in tow.

  “Let me take her, honey.” Mark shifted the fussy child into his arms.

  Jennifer sighed as the baby continued to cry despite her husband’s ministrations. “I guess she needs to be changed. And fed. Will you come with me, Mary? I hate to walk to the restrooms by myself. I don’t know why they put them so far away from the main hall.”

  “Of course,” Mary agreed. She tried not to look for Luke.

  Joseph squeezed her arm as she passed. “When he comes back, I’ll tell him where you went.”

  “Thanks.” Mary smiled. No point in trying to hide it now. Anyone who had seen them at the table sharing the chocolate treat or making their way to the dark corner of the hall would have guessed her true feelings for Luke Tanner.

  Once inside the ladies room, Jennifer changed the baby’s soiled diaper and took a seat in one of the leather chairs in the alcove. “There, that’s all that was wrong with my little girl.” She lowered the front of her dress and settled the infant in her arms to nurse.

  “How are you enjoying the dance? Did Luke like my strawberries?”

  Mary fussed with her hair as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Sometimes having a best friend who knew you so well could be very annoying.

  “Don’t clam up on me now,” Jennifer begged. “I want details.”

  “You’re a married woman. What kind of details can I possibly give you?”

  “I’m married, not dead, for heaven’s sake. Come on, give,” she growled.