Stamos took Joy's hand and entwined his fingers with hers. She felt reassured that he was going to fight for her too. He was good, she had to give him that.
"Mrs. Perkins," Stamos greeted, tipping his hat to her. "I, well, we didn't expect to see you again so soon."
"I told you I'm here to check out this whole marriage. So far, I'm not impressed. No wedding cake? No presents?" Taking a step toward the couple, she narrowed her eyes. "I'm onto you."
Joy wanted to take a knife and cut off Ida's pointy snooty nose. "I'm sure that you can understand that the wedding had to be hurried along."
Ida smirked. "I knew it. It's a sham."
Joy panicked. "I'm pregnant."
She could feel Stamos stiffen at her side. She hoped he didn't look too surprised. "So you see, Mrs. Perkins, it is not a sham."
Ida sputtered, as she looked at them. Her face grew red. "It's Miss not Mrs. There is no Mr. Perkins."
Joy started to laugh, but Stamos elbowed her lightly in the side.
"Well, Miss Perkins, I think my pregnant bride has had enough excitement for one day." Stamos swept Joy up into his arms. "Could you open the door? I want to carry Joy over the threshold."
Red faced, Ida opened the door and closed her mouth.
Stamos still held Joy in his arms as they watched Ida stomp away. Slowly, he put her down and smiled. "Pregnant?" He laughed deeply. "Oh, Joy, how do you intend to pull that off?"
Joy felt stricken. "It just came out and stop laughing."
Stamos drew her into his arms and kissed her. A kiss he should have given her at the courthouse. "We'd better get on making you pregnant."
Joy pushed him away. "What?"
Stamos pulled her back against him. "There's only one way I know of to make a baby, darlin', and it isn't with clothes on."
Joy screeched as she pushed him away again. "Now just one minute, buster..." She noticed the laughter in his eyes. "I guess I really did it this time."
"Yep, I'd say so," Stamos said, still laughing.
"It's not funny."
"Okay."
"Stop laughing."
"All right."
Before she could say another word, Stamos kissed her on the cheek and walked right by her into the kitchen. He infuriated her, and she liked it. She loved the interaction with him. He was a contender and she respected that.
Walking into the kitchen, she found Bea in tears and Stamos trying to comfort her. "What happened?"
"Ida happened," Stamos said, in disgust. "She harassed poor Bea wanting to know all about us.
"I didn't tell that witch anything," Bea said tearfully.
"I'm sure you didn't." Joy scooped up Dillon and held him.
"She told me that I had to spy and report to her or I'd go to jail."
Joy kissed Dillon and held him close. "Stamos, maybe--"
"No, Joy, don't even go there. It'll be fine. Bea, why don't you go and lay down for the afternoon. Joy and I can handle things for a while."
Bea smiled. "I'm made of sterner stuff. My parents were Irish you know. I come from hardy stock and I refuse to let that mean woman ruin my day."
Joy leaned over and kissed Bea on the cheek. "I can see the Irish in you."
Bea gleamed. "I do have to warn you that she intends to give you a hard time and she expects you to sleep in the same bed."
Joy kept a smile plastered to her face. "It'll be fine," she said, looking at Stamos. He looked rather pleased and Joy had an overwhelming desire to kick him.
"Here, give me that little darling. It's time for his nap," Bea said, her arms outstretched to take Dillon from Joy.
Joy kissed him on the cheek. "Have a good nap, Dillon," she murmured.
Dillon chanted, "Ma Ma, Ma Ma."
Smiling, Joy turned toward Stamos. She was taken aback that he glared at her. "Stamos?"
"I need to talk to you in my study," he said in a clipped voice as he walked to his office.
Joy followed, confused as to how he could have changed his demeanor so quickly. She entered his office and closed the door behind her. Stamos looked out the window, ignoring her. It made her nervous.
"Well?" he asked turning toward her, still glaring.
"Well what? Look, Stamos, I don't understand."
"Are you already pregnant and if so do you even know who the father is?" he growled.
Joy took a step back feeling his words as a physical slap. Shaking her head, she stared at him. "What?"
"Oh come on, Joy, we both know what goes on in prison. There is no shortage of men on my ranch either."
Joy put her hand over her frantically beating heart. Stunned, she didn't answer him.
"Just tell me the truth damn it," Stamos yelled.
"Truth?" she asked boldly, taking a giant step toward him. "You want the truth? You stand there and call me a whore?" she asked, tears filling her eyes. "I... You..." Tears began to fall in earnest and she dashed them away with the back of her hand. "I'm a virgin you buffoon, and no I am not gay either."
"Really?"
Joy took a step back. She didn't want to be anywhere near him. She trusted him, liked him even, but not anymore. "Yes really, so you can go to hell. Why? Why would you ask me like that? Why?" Walking to the door, Joy stopped without turning around. "No one has ever given me the benefit of the doubt. No one had ever believed me or asked me my side. They always assume." She opened the door and slammed it behind her.
He was too dangerous for her. He had the power to bring her to her knees and she couldn't allow that to happen, ever. It had been as hard to stay alive, as it was to remain a virgin. Prison was a place of sex. Any and all kinds of sex. Disheartened, Joy walked toward the barn hoping to find a bit of peace with the horses.
A crowd of cowboys huddled around the bullpen and they didn't sound happy. Joy ran to where Bucko was kept. He was a giant, mean bull. Stamos was partial to the offspring he threw. Getting closer, Joy's breath stopped. Benji was inside of the pen and Bucko did not look happy.
Joy jumped the fence and jumped in front of Benji. "Walk backwards very slowly, Benji. Listen to me, do not run or Bucko will gore me."
Benji didn't answer, but Joy sensed the heat of his body move away slowly. The other cowboys began yelling and she shushed them. "Quiet, nobody says a word," she whispered, evenly.
Joy stared at Bucko. He glared back and began to snort. He tilted his head a bit and Joy imitated him as she murmured to him. Her body was soaked in perspiration. She was good with animals, but crazy bulls were something different. Not taking her eyes off Bucko, Joy took a slow step toward him. She heard the men gasp. She knew that if she retreated Bucko would be on her faster than she could run. She took another step. Bucko snorted again.
Joy could hear Stamos joining the crowd. He was being shushed. Another step forward and more sweet-talking. If he bolted, she was dead. Bucko tilted his head the other way and Joy copied him. His eyes grew curious instead of deadly. Joy knew she was safe, but she wasn't out of the pen yet.
Taking slow step after slow step she reached Bucko, talking to him the whole way. She lifted her hand and he smelled her. Then as though they'd been friends forever, Bucko rubbed his face against her body. It was hard to stay on her feet, but she did so.
Finally, Bucko walked Joy to the gate and allowed her to leave. As soon as she closed the gate, she collapsed into Stamos' waiting arms.
Chapter Seven
Joy allowed Stamos to sweep her up and carry her inside. It was such a foreign feeling, being in his strong, reassuring arms, a place to be safe. As soon as he set her on the couch, she put distance between them by moving further down the couch.
She took that moment to study her husband. His bronze skin and black hair made her think that perhaps he had Native American blood. His face awed her, so handsome with honed angular features. Joy looked into his dark eyes, flinching when she saw his fury. Hell, she should have played damsel in distress. He wouldn't be so mad, but that wasn't her.
"Just spit it o
ut. Tell me what a fool I am, but I just want you to know that there was no way I was going to let that mangy bull of yours gore Benji."
Stamos stared at her, making her feel uncomfortable.
"You could have gotten gored yourself," he said, his voice rough.
"There was a moment when I thought that might happen, but it didn't. I don't cry over spilled milk."
His eyes widened as he looked at her. She felt similar to a two-headed calf.
"What? Just yell at me and be done with it."
"I'm waiting for my heart to slow. Damn it, Joy, you scared me to death."
Joy shook her head in denial. "It wouldn't have mattered anyway. Benji deserves a safe life. I couldn't stand by and see him hurt."
Letting out a huge breath, Stamos reached over and took her hand. "What you did was very brave. Joy, you deserve a safe life too."
Joy shook her head again.
"Joy, look at me. What you did in that pen was a miracle. You are a good and loyal friend. Don't discount yourself."
Joy turned and studied him. He appeared sincere. "I didn't mean to scare anyone. I just acted."
"Like I said, you are brave. Benji would be dead if not for you. I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I honestly don't know what got into me. I was cruel to you and I truly regret it. I know that you're as skittish as an unbroken filly. I feel it when we kiss. I know you haven't been with anyone else."
Joy gazed at him. No one ever apologized to her. Prison life she knew. This life, this life she was making with Stamos made her feel out of her element. "I don't know how to act anymore. In prison, it was simple. I kept my eyes open, my back to the wall, and my mouth shut. Here there are feelings and niceties. Don't get me wrong, I love this ranch and the horses. I love Dillon, but as for the rest, I'm afraid that you'll have to show me."
Joy gaped at Stamos in fear. Maybe he didn't want the broken person she'd become for his wife. She was relieved when he drew her against him and gave her a quick hug.
"We can take it slow, no worries. Let's go see how Benji is."
Joy nodded against his shoulder. Relationships were overwhelming, but she became optimistic.
Stamos took her hand in his, entwining his fingers through hers as he led her to the barn. He had a lot to make up for and he couldn't figure out where his anger had come from.
Joy kept turning her head, looking at him. She was probably waiting for him to explode again. She deserved his respect.
Benji looked fine, better than fine with all the men around him. The wide smile he beamed was new. Stamos hadn't ever seen Benji so happy before.
"Joy. Joy, you saved me." Benji hugged her, picking her up into the air.
"Hey, Benji," she said quietly.
"You saved me, Joy. I know now to never ever go into Bucko's pen again."
"How'd you manage to get into his pen in the first place?" Stamos asked. By the shuffling of feet, he had a good idea that it was some type of dare. A deadly one.
"Out with it. You guys look as guilty as seventeen-year-olds on their first panty raid," Joy said.
Panty raid? Stamos wanted to laugh but he kept a stern look on his face. "I want the truth. It's the only way we can trust each other and y'all know that we have to have watch other's back out on that range."
Again there were many feet shuffling, no one wanted to snitch. When Kid finally stepped forward, Stamos was surprised. Kid was a prankster, but up till now, it had all been harmless.
"I dared him to pet the bull," Kid said looking shame-faced. "I didn't think he'd actually do it."
Stamos nodded. These men had enough guilt that they carried around. "I appreciate you standing up with the truth, Kid. I know this goes without saying, but don't do it again."
"I'm sorry Benji, and Joy, I never meant for you to get involved," he said earnestly.
"I know," Joy said.
"You were amazing," Corny, the foreman, told Joy.
Everyone began talking at once, telling Joy that she was a hero. They called her special and the bull whisperer.
Joy laughed. "I'm just glad it turned out the way it did."
Rowdy pushed his way to the front of the pack, a toothpick hanging out of his mouth. "What's the punishment?"
Corny shook his head, but Arlo and Shep echoed Rowdy's question. They all looked at Stamos expectantly.
"A week of doing Benji's chores should do it," Stamos said.
Benji hooted in happiness.
"Oh and one more thing, Joy and I got married this morning," he announced, with a smile.
"I'm going to kiss the bride," Benji proclaimed.
"Be gentle and only on the cheek," Stamos instructed.
Stamos watched each man give Joy a quick kiss. He could tell that she was annoyed with him, but he couldn't help it. The look she gave him promised retribution, which was fine with him.
Joy stood outside the door to the master bedroom. They'd both agreed that they needed to look as normally married as possible. They didn't want to put Bea into an impossible situation.
They left the rest of the sleeping arrangements the same, Dillon still slept in the master bedroom. Stamos enjoyed having him in his room, their room.
Joy almost turned around, but she heard Stamos crooning to his son. What could happen with a baby in the room? Plus she knew what Stamos thought about her. He might have apologized, but it didn't take the sting out of his words. He wouldn't be touching her, she was just another convict.
She tossed her braided hair off her shoulder so it hung down her back. Looking down at her flannel nightgown, she almost laughed. It was a gown of function, not of seduction. Taking a deep breath, she turned the doorknob and entered the room.
Stamos looked at her and smiled. The room seemed smaller with Stamos in it. He sat on the king sized bed holding Dillon, who was fussing. He had his shirt off and Joy had to keep herself from staring at his hard, chiseled, tanned chest.
Her insides quivered as she took in his big broad shoulders and his massive biceps. Joy's nipples tightened and tingled. Try as she might to pull her eyes away, she couldn't. He was enthralling. Sexy, very sexy, too sexy. Joy walked to the window and laid her forehead against the cool glass.
"Joy?"
"I'm fine," she replied, too confused to turn around. She never turned her back to anyone. Somehow, this had become a safe haven here with this sexy man. She straightened up and turned. "It's been a long time since I wore plaid. Stripes are my usual motif."
Stamos laughed a deep rolling laugh. "You are a hell of a woman, Joy." Looking at her, his expression sobered. "You have nothing to fear from me, Joy. I only want one thing -- well make that two. I want a kiss goodnight and a kiss good morning every day."
Joy's brow furrowed. What was his angle? "That's it?"
Stamos stood and put his sleeping son into his crib. He walked to Joy and put his arms around her. "That's it." He kissed her.
His lips were so lush, so pleasing. Joy jolted in surprise when he licked the seam of her lips with his warm, wet, tongue. Opening her mouth, his tongue entered her mouth. Instinctively she touched her tongue to his.
Emboldened by her pleasure, Joy darted her tongue in and out of his mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. The moans she heard were hers. It embarrassed her for less than a second. It felt too good.
Finally she noticed Stamos pulling away from her. Heavy lidded, she looked at him in askance, wishing for the excitement to never end
"That was nice. Goodnight, Joy." He checked on Dillon and slid into the big bed. He noticeably occupied only the far end of his side.
Disappointment shot through Joy's body. He left her wanting. She shouldn't, she wouldn't complain. Sliding into her side of the bed, Joy tried to find sleep, but it was until the wee hours of dawn peeked through that she found slumber.
Joy awoke with a jerk, sitting straight up. She'd learned to awaken ready to fight if need be. She noticed that both Dillon and Stamos were gone. The sun had just barely
risen and already she was late.
She didn't want Stamos to think her a slacker just because they were married. Joy jumped into her jeans, yellow tee shirt, and boots, then scrambled down the stairs to start her day.
To her dismay, the kitchen was crowded. Ida Perkins, Bailey, Stamos, Bea, and Dillon were all staring at each other. It looked to be a standoff of some kind. Nobody looked happy except for Dillon, who caught sight of her and reached for her.
Joy ignored the adults, went to Dillon, and picked him up, sticky hands and all. He chanted, "Ma Ma," and continued to babble at her, telling her what had been going on.
"Here, let me have him, he's all sticky," Bea offered.
"I love him any way he is. I'll finish feeding him. We have a system don't we Dil?" Joy sat at the table and pulled Dillon's bowl and spoon toward her. Putting a bit of baby cereal on the spoon she bussed his cheek, making him giggle and when he almost stopped, Joy put the spoon in his mouth. Dillon happily ate and opened his mouth up for more.
"Well I'll be," Stamos said softly, watching Joy feed his son.
"She's such a good mama," Bea declared.
"If she was so devoted, then why wasn't she up earlier to feed him?" Bailey demanded.
Stamos looked right at Ida. "She was a might worn out from our wedding night. You understand don't you?"
Joy watched Ida blush beet red.
"No it's not true. There is no way he'd sleep with her," Bailey shouted, as she turned to Bea. She walked forward and grabbed the older woman's arm. "Tell the truth. They didn't even stay in the same room."
"Let her go," Stamos said, his voice deceptively calm. Joy could see the tick in his cheek and knew he was reining in his temper. "You are not to speak to Bea about anything. You are both to leave this lovely woman alone."
Bailey let go of Bea, her eyes spitting fire. "All she has to do is tell the truth," she challenged.
Bea stood straight and tall, as she looked Bailey in the eye. "I'm only going to say this once. They slept in the same bed. I will never divulge any other facts about my employers again."
Lone Star Joy Page 7