“It’s a little late to ask, isn’t it? And where is the baby? I left you to baby-sit,” Alex pointed out.
“That’s what grandmothers are for,” Tuck assured her with a grin.
Alex looked at Katherine. “He’s got his mother convinced the baby will come to irreparable harm if Tuck is left in charge.”
Katherine grinned, but inside she ached with jealousy. She wanted her own baby, her own family, her…own love. Instead, it appeared she was going to have a sham.
“Do you two ladies need to discuss any more business?” Tuck asked, serious for the first time.
“No,” Katherine assured him. “I think we’ve covered everything, haven’t we?” She looked at Alex.
“Yes, we have. Unless you have any more questions.”
“No, I—”
“Mind if I join you?” a deep voice asked.
Katherine knew who it was, of course. But, at least with Tuck there, maybe Gabe wouldn’t suspect her of telling Alex the truth. She scooted over to make room for Gabe.
“Hey, buddy, how’s it going?” Tuck asked, greeting his old friend. “Are those horses working out? Spence was pleased to find a good home for that little filly. Have you ridden her yet, Katie?”
“Ridden a filly? What filly?”
Gabe stirred, then cleared his throat. “I bought a couple of horses from Spence. I thought maybe we’d go for a ride sometime…like we used to.”
Katherine could feel her cheeks heating up, just thinking about their activities on those rides. “No, I haven’t gone riding,” she told Tuck, keeping her gaze away from Gabe.
“There hasn’t been time. I just bought them a couple of days ago,” Gabe added. “Things are happening so fast in my life, I think I’m going crazy.”
“You made the right decision to stay, though,” Tuck assured him. “Life here is a lot sweeter than in those big cities.”
Alex jabbed her husband in his ribs. “How would you know? You’ve never lived in a big city.”
“Nope. I’m too smart for that.”
“So you’re saying I’m dumb?” Gabe asked, in mock indignation.
Tuck shook his head, but he was grinning. “Nope, but you had some, uh, influences that helped you make your decision.”
Gabe nodded. “Speaking of which, my mother arrived in town yesterday.”
Katherine kept her head down, but the other two looked at each other and then Gabe.
“Everyone knows that,” Tuck said.
“Yeah. She’s not an easy person,” Gabe said. “I think she offended half the population.”
Tuck leaned toward Gabe. “I wouldn’t bring her in here to eat, either. She insisted on inspecting the kitchen before she’d order something to go. Made a big impression.”
Gabe groaned. “Now I guess I owe Jess an apology.”
“Nah. We all know you’re not like that,” Tuck assured him.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t get to meet this legend,” Alex said, grinning. “Did you talk to her?” she asked, looking at Katherine.
She nodded and didn’t say anything.
Gabe laid his arm on the back of the booth, almost touching Katherine. She hadn’t expected such friendliness.
“She saved her best for Katie. She was always afraid Katie would keep me from ‘reaching my potential.”’
Katherine tried to relax, but she couldn’t. “She was right,” she muttered, staring at her hands clasped on the table. “If I’d accepted your proposal, you wouldn’t have gone to law school.”
“I could have gone to law school at Tech,” he said, putting his other hand over hers. “Or I could have found something else to do. And still been happy.”
“But you love being a lawyer!” Katherine exclaimed.
“Yeah, but—”
“Can’t change the past,” Tuck reminded them. “Time to move on, boys and girls. It’s not too late, you know. Cactus is a great place for weddings.”
His wife elbowed him again.
Gabe opened his mouth and Katherine was afraid of what he might say. She changed the subject. “Speaking of weddings, I think my mother and Jack are going to finally set a date.”
WHEN LUNCH WAS OVER, the foursome strolled back outside, reveling in the beautiful weather. Everything was green and new and the sun shone brightly.
“Today might be a good day to try out those horses, Katie,” Gabe suggested.
“I don’t think your mother would approve.”
“Doesn’t much matter. She’s left town.”
“I thought she was going to stay until you moved back with her?”
“Whoa! That’s one determined woman,” Tuck commented.
“Yeah, but my dad arrived and routed her.”
Alex looked at first Tuck and then Katie. “Why are you both looking so surprised?”
It was Gabe who answered. “Because my father has always caved in to Mom’s demands. This time he didn’t.”
“Why the change?” Tuck asked.
“He’s divorcing her.”
The other three gasped, shocked by his words.
Gabe explained. “She always threatened to leave him and take me with her. Dad couldn’t stomach that thought. After a while, giving in to her became a habit. I reminded him that she couldn’t take me away any longer. He’s been very unhappy.”
“Maybe if they tried counseling…” Katherine began.
“It won’t help. It’s been a long time coming,” Gabe said, staring at her.
She raised her blue eyes and returned his look, then dropped her gaze and shook her head.
“Yeah.” He agreed with everything he’d seen in those eyes, the sadness of a marriage that didn’t work, the pain involved. “So, how about a ride?”
Before Katherine could answer, Tuck intervened. “Hey, come out to the ranch. The other guys are coming about two and doing some roping, some cutting. We don’t do much of the hard stuff, like bulls or broncos, ’cause our wives don’t like it,” he added, pretending to scowl at Alex, “but we have a lot of fun.”
“I don’t have a trailer to haul my horses over there,” Gabe admitted, disappointed because he’d enjoy the afternoon. It had been a long time since he’d swung a rope.
“I’ve got plenty of horses. Is your dad still in town? Invite him to come, too. Then we’ll all have dinner together. It’ll be fun.”
“How about it, Katie?” he asked, unwilling to commit himself without her.
“You don’t need me. I’ve got—”
“Nope. If you don’t go, I’m not going.”
“Isn’t that called cutting off your nose to spite your face?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
The urge to kiss her soft lips was almost more than he could stand, but he couldn’t afford to scare her off. “Nope, it’s good thinking. I—”
“Come on, Katie,” Alex urged. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s a potluck dinner. The ladies don’t usually come over until about four. Everyone brings their kids. You can play with all the babies and catch up on the gossip.”
“It sounds like fun. And I’d have time to finish my paperwork. But what shall I bring?”
“First-timers don’t have to bring anything,” Alex assured her.
Katie smiled. “I’ll bring some dessert.”
Tuck grinned. “That’s what I was hopin’!”
Alex scolded her husband, then they said their goodbyes and crossed the square to the law offices.
Gabe took Katie’s hand. “You’re sure you’ll come? I can come back and pick you up so you won’t have to—”
“I’m not incapable of driving, Gabe. And I told Alex I’d come.”
He pulled her hand to his chest, pressing it over his heartbeat. “Who cares about Alex? I want to know you’re coming.”
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip and he thought he’d die from desire. “I’ll be there,” she said softly.
Okay, so he’d told himself not to pressure her, but he had to taste those lips. He had to remember the swee
tness that her lips brought to him. He had to…
When he lifted his head, she was frowning, but she didn’t protest.
“I’ll see you then,” he whispered, and turned away before she could change her mind.
“Gabe?” she called, stopping him in his tracks.
Was she going to take her acceptance back? Damn, he hoped not. Slowly he turned to face her. “Yeah?”
“Be careful.”
Relief filled him and a grin spread across his face. “Oh, I am, Katie, I am.” Then he realized what he’d said. “I mean, I will. I’ll be careful.”
WHEN KATHERINE PARKED her car at Tuck and Alex’s ranch, she was relieved to see it wasn’t a small gathering. She could avoid any private moments with Gabe.
Private? The man had kissed her on the town square. She needed to avoid him period.
How are you going to do that after you marry him?
That question had been bothering her all day. She’d already decided she had no choice but to marry Gabe…in name only. In theory, she believed it was the right decision. But the thought of living in the same house with him, sharing his meals, his life, sent panic through her veins. If she was within ten feet of the man, she wanted to touch him.
Poor Darrell, with all his attempts, had never stirred even a tenth of the desire Gabe could arouse with a look.
“Katie? Come on in!” Alex called from the front door.
Katherine realized she’d been sitting in her car, staring into space for several minutes. With a wave, she grabbed the large Pyrex dish on the seat beside her and headed for the house.
“What did you bring?” Alex asked, her gaze fastened on the dish.
“It’s a new recipe I’m trying out. It’s kind of a peach cobbler but it has cream cheese in it. I thought I’d use everyone as guinea pigs.”
Will Dawson appeared behind Alex. “Let me be the first to volunteer. How are you, Katie?”
“Fine, thank you, Mr. Dawson. Welcome back to Cactus.”
“Thanks, and make it Will.”
Katie wondered just how much Gabe’s father knew about their situation. Not that it mattered. She wasn’t going to say anything. She moved into the kitchen and discovered it filled with women from Cactus.
Alex began introducing her to some newcomers. Megan Astin, Rick’s wife, was far advanced in her pregnancy. Katie urged her not to stand when they were introduced.
She laughed. “Thanks. It’s not like I can pop up and down easily.”
“Does your husband play cowboy, too?” Katherine asked, frowning. “I thought he was a computer expert.”
“Yes, but he was raised on a farm, and we have our own ranch, now. It’s just next door.”
Jessica, Cal’s wife, grinned. “They never outgrow the urge to be a cowboy. Did I hear you say you’ve brought a new dessert?” Since she used Katherine’s carrot cakes in her restaurant, it pleased Katherine that she seemed interested.
“Yes. It’s a peach cobbler, but the recipe includes cream cheese and some other things. It’s a little lighter than the carrot cake.”
“I can’t wait. Can we start with dessert, Alex?” Jessica asked with a laugh.
Though several people seconded the idea, Alex shook her head no. “Our cowboys would never forgive us. Katie, do you want to see the boys at play, or do you want to check out the babies? We’ve been outside, but it’s warming up in the afternoons these days, and we got hot.”
“I’d like to play with the babies, but maybe later. I’ve heard about these rodeos you’ve been having, but I’ve never seen one, so I’ll go outside for a little while.” She didn’t want to admit that she was anxious to be sure Gabe was all right. He was used to tending legal files, not cows.
Melanie Hauk, Spence’s wife and owner of the consignment shop on the square, waved at Katie. “Follow me. I promised Spence I’d come back out after I checked on our son. He’s still down for his nap.”
“Are you sure, Melanie? I can go by myself,” Katherine assured her. They had become friends at the Chamber of Commerce meetings. Not too many businesses were run by women, so she, Katherine and Jessica had grown close.
As she followed Melanie, Jessica, Alex and Samantha, Mac’s wife, joined them.
“I’m glad Megan’s not coming out. How much longer does she have?” Jessica asked Samantha.
“A few weeks yet, but she needs to stay off her feet when she has the chance.” Samantha looked at Katherine. “I hear your mom is about to get married. I think that’s great.”
“I may need to call you,” Katherine said, smiling. “You’ve had experience with a parent marrying. At least,” she began when she remembered Florence wasn’t Samantha’s mother. “Kind of. Florence isn’t—”
“Yes, she is, in every sense of the word,” Samantha assured her. “I know all about arranging weddings. We all have a lot of experience doing that,” she added with a grin.
“Yeah, but I don’t think you want a wedding like Sam and Mac’s,” Alex said. “We all three went into labor at the altar.”
Katherine joined the laughter. “I don’t think that’s possible, since the only pregnant person I know is Megan Astin, and I just met her. Oh, and you. But you’re not far enough along to surprise us.”
“Good,” Alex said.
“So, when are you going to test the romantic waters again?” Jessica asked. “Since Gabe came back to town, it seems to me he’s shown a lot of interest in you.”
Katherine didn’t know where to look. Whatever she said would be wrong. She didn’t want to say his interest was in his inheritance. She didn’t want to say they were marrying, because she hadn’t talked to him, and he should be the first to know her decision. She didn’t want to say she was crazy about the man. She definitely didn’t want to say that.
That was a secret she’d have to keep from everyone.
Even herself, if she could.
Alex came to her rescue. “Jess, you sound as bad as our mothers-in-law. Katie is concentrating on her career.”
“A very successful career,” Melanie added in support.
“We’ll see how successful when you taste my cobbler,” Katherine said, hoping to tease Jessica away from her earlier question.
She knew she’d been successful when Jessica’s eyes flashed in her direction. “I can’t wait. I had no idea you were experimenting with other recipes.”
Then, just as Katherine was breathing a sigh of relief, she added, “Of course, you can have a career and babies at the same time. The four of us are prime examples, you know.”
“I think you need a husband before you start with the babies,” Katherine said, trying to keep her smile in place.
Hard, warm arms slid around her and a deep voice said, “Hey, I’ll volunteer.”
Chapter Thirteen
Gabe felt Katie’s body stiffen, but he didn’t back off. It felt too good to hold her again.
“Gabe!” she protested, and shoved against his arms.
Jessica grinned. “I always say you can’t go wrong with a good volunteer.”
“Now all we have to do is convince Katie,” Gabe said, grinning in return.
“I know some ladies who might be able to help,” Jessica told him. “They’re experts on this matchmaking thing.”
“No!” Gabe protested too loudly. “I mean, I, uh, I don’t need any help.”
This time Katie shoved hard enough to force him to release her…unless he wanted everyone to know she didn’t want to be in his arms. “He’s already consulted them,” she said.
“Really?” Jessica said, her eyes widening.
“But he wasn’t volunteering himself,” Katie continued, as if Jessica hadn’t spoken. “He was volunteering any male within a hundred-mile radius, as long as it wasn’t him.”
Gabe swallowed his groan. She would have to announce his mistake to the world. “Uh, I changed my mind.”
“I’ll say,” Alex agreed.
“Hey!” Spence called from the corral. “Mel, are you comin
g?”
Melanie smiled. “Sorry, my man gets impatient.” She left the circle of friends and hurried to Spence’s side.
Gabe snatched Katie’s hand, afraid she’d run away from him. He wished he had the right to claim her time, like Spence had with his woman. “Did you come out to watch? Spence is about to demonstrate his roping ability.”
“Yes, I wanted to see it. Have you been roping?”
Was there a spark of concern in her blue eyes? He hoped so. With a rueful grin, he admitted, “Yeah. But I’m kind of rusty.”
Cal, having come to meet Jessica, laughed behind them. “Rusty? That’s an understatement. He’s going to have to practice a lot before roundup.”
“Roundup?” Katie asked in surprise. “But he’s a lawyer, Cal. He won’t—”
“Mac always shuts down the office during roundup, Katie. Gabe won’t want to miss it, either. Though we may have to put him in charge of the chuck wagon if he doesn’t improve,” Cal added with a laugh.
Katie squeezed his hand, as if for comfort, and Gabe felt warm all over. He didn’t mind Cal’s teasing. He hadn’t been that bad. But he loved the idea of Katie worrying that his feelings might be hurt.
“Now that I’m back in Cactus, I’ll have time to practice. Pretty soon, I’ll be able to beat your sorry butt, Cal Baxter. You’re too busy chasing bad guys.”
Cal laughed. “Yeah, we have so many of them in Cactus.”
A shout from the house had everyone turning in that direction in time to see Doc and Jeff Hausen step out of the house.
“What’s he doing here?” Gabe asked with a frown. He didn’t want anyone but married men around Katie.
When Katie actually waved to the man, he dropped her hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She looked up at him in surprise.
“I was afraid you might be cold,” he muttered.
“Gabe, it’s almost eighty this afternoon,” she informed him.
“Uh-huh. Come on, let me introduce you to the horse I’ve been riding. He’s a good one.” He pulled her toward the corral. And away from Jeff Hausen.
A couple of hours later, when he’d exhausted every trick he knew to keep Katie to himself, everyone went inside to eat. Katie offered to get their drinks if he’d fill their plates. He had no objection because that meant she intended to eat with him.
The $10,000,000 Texas Wedding Page 13