Wild Cat and the Marine

by Jade Taylor

  “I know you mean it for the best, Luke, but I outgrew needing someone to tell me what to do years ago. You’ve been a true friend, always. I haven’t forgotten that and I understand your concern, but it is my decision.” He deserved a straightforward answer. “Jackson is my friend, too, and he’s staying here so he’ll have more time with Joey. He’ll be leaving in three or four weeks.”

  Luke grunted in obvious disapproval. “That long, huh? I’m surprised he’s stuck it out as long as he has, but even a few weeks is enough time for the whole town to get the wrong idea about you two.”

  Cat shook her head. “The whole town isn’t making this ranch a home. I am. And who knows, maybe they’ll get the right idea.”

  “If you’re suggesting that people will realize Jackson is Joey’s father, you’re one hundred percent correct. It won’t take a lot of brains to figure that one out. All it will take is the ladies sewing circle raking you over the coals.”

  “They’ll hear anyway.” Without consciously thinking about it, she tipped her head so her long, thick hair swept forward. Aware that her voice sounded as sullen as Joey’s, she said, “Jackson wants Joey to have his name legally.”

  Luke straightened and shifted his weight so he stood squarely on both feet. His face took on the same dark disapproval her father’s face habitually had when he lectured her. “I don’t believe this! Are you seriously thinking about going along with that idea?”

  “Why shouldn’t I?” Cat stood a little straighter.

  “It seems unwise to give him control over Joey. Unwise may be an understatement. You said he was leaving. What if he wants to take Joey with him?”

  Relieved, she laughed. “Don’t be silly, Luke. Jackson won’t take Joey away from me.”

  He frowned. “You always see the best side of people, Cat. Think about reality, for a change, instead of fantasy. You don’t know that. You’re just hoping and hope is not a sure bet. Do you want to take chances with Joey’s future?”

  A certain peace settled over her. Luke couldn’t know the way she did. He couldn’t feel Jackson’s quiet strength and goodness in the same way. “Yes, I do. I really do know that Jackson will never try to separate me from my child. It’s just not in him, Luke. You should know that, too. You’ve known him even longer than I have.”

  Luke’s face darkened with anger. “Maybe he’ll take both of you away.”

  Startled, she glanced toward Jackson. The sun burst on his hair in a blaze of copper fire. His long, lean body moved in a graceful arc with the horse. For a second Cat allowed the vision to enthrall her, then shook herself free of the spell. She turned back to Luke. “That can’t happen. This is Joey’s home. Jackson knows how I feel about living in Engerville.”

  “And obviously, he doesn’t want to stay here. Won’t that be confusing to Joey?”

  “It could be. Life is full of problems, Luke. Joey will deal with it.” Cat wished she felt as confident as she tried to make her words sound.

  His voice softened. “It seems unfair to her. She’s only eight.”

  “It’s unfair to everyone, but Jackson and I made the mistake a long time ago. Now we all have to pay the price. It’s too bad that the one who’ll pay the most didn’t have anything to do with the mistake, but, as I pointed out, life is unfair.”

  Luke nodded. “I’m sorry, Cat. I really didn’t come by here to argue. What you decide to do is your business, but if you left Engerville, I’d be very sorry. Damn sorry, and not just because Tommy Karl will miss Joey. I’ll miss you, too.”

  Cat smiled as she shook her head. “Forget it, Luke. We aren’t going anywhere. There’s no need for anybody to miss us. I want to grow old in Engerville and someday I hope Joey has kids that ride horses around that corral, too. My roots are in Engerville so deep, they’ll never come out.”

  Luke’s rueful smile answered hers. “I hope so, for my own selfish reasons. You’re a good friend.” He touched her cheek gently. “Hey, I almost forgot why we came over. I wanted to tell you that Rebeka and Burt will be in town in three days. She called last night. I told her about RugRat and she’s anxious to see him.”

  “Oh, wonderful! Tell her to come over anytime. I’m banking a lot of my hopes on her wanting to buy RugRat. He’ll be an expensive investment, but I’ve not seen many colts that compare with him.”

  Luke nodded. “I’ll tell her.”

  They watched as Jackson led Windjammer to the far end of the corral and opened the gate into the pasture. After removing the halter, he slapped the white colt on the rump and Windjammer hurried through, then whirled, kicking out with his hind feet in sheer youthful exuberance. Jackson coiled the longe line as he walked toward Luke and Cat. He looked totally in command, she thought, as Luke stiffened beside her.

  “Good workout, Jackson,” Cat said. “You have Windjammer eating out of your hand.”

  “I’d hardly say that. He pulled me around like a rag doll on a rope, but he’s a pussycat inside that tough exterior.” Jackson’s gaze lingered on her.

  Self-conscious at his continued regard in front of Luke, Cat attempted a light chuckle. It almost worked.

  Luke nodded toward Jackson. “You’re not that bad with horses, Jackson. Are you thinking of becoming a trainer?”

  Cat wondered how Jackson would respond to Luke’s caustic tone. She didn’t have to wait to find out.

  He laughed. “I don’t think so. Trucks are more my style.”

  “Yeah. You worked in the motor pool while you were in the Marines, didn’t you?”

  Jackson swiped the back of his arm across his sweaty forehead. He puffed out a gust of breath. “That sun is hot.” He glanced at Cat, then back to Luke. “How did you know about the motor pool?”

  “Will mentioned it. Have you thought about looking for work around here? I know you don’t like farming, but if you want to drive a truck, there’s places in Fargo and Grand Forks that you could try.”

  Cat wished Luke would quit trying to tell Jackson what to do. In a moment or two, Jackson would prove what redheads were famous for. She watched uneasily at the tightening of jaw muscles in Jackson’s face and the edgy spark in Luke’s eyes.

  Jackson shook his head. “I’ve already got something lined up. I’ve got a job waiting for me in Seattle.”

  Luke grunted, then glanced at Cat. “Kinda far away from family, isn’t it?”

  Jackson’s smile was no more than surface good manners. “Pop knows I’m going. We’ll keep in touch.”

  “What about Joey? And Cat?”

  Jackson’s shoulders tightened. Cat knew he was angry. Lecturing Jackson was the last thing anyone ought to try with one of the Gray family. Their hereditary red hair came packaged with the legendary temper. She hastened to intervene. “We’ll work things out, Luke. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I can hardly help that, can I?” Luke retorted.

  “Cat’s right. We’ll work things out. No need for you to worry yourself.” Jackson’s short smile showed his teeth.

  Luke shifted his weight from one booted foot to the other. “I don’t want to see Cat hurt. Or Joey.”

  The two men were much the same size, but Jackson’s leaner build gave him a quickness that Luke’s stocky rancher muscles couldn’t match. She had no desire at all to see the two men try to prove which one had the most testosterone. Cat attempted a cheery response. “Really, Luke, you don’t have to worry. Whatever we decide to do, we’ll handle the consequences.”

  “As long as Jackson realizes that there are consequences…this time.”

  Jackson’s hands clenched so tightly on the longe line that his knuckles whitened. “Stay out of my business, Luke. You have no say in this.”

  Again, Cat intervened. “Jackson’s absolutely correct, Luke. Being friends doesn’t give you the right to question me or what I decide to do. I know you’re trying to help, but we’ll handle this. Jackson won’t do anything to hurt me.”

  Luke cast a pitying glance at her and a harsh glare at Jackson. “He alrea
dy has.”

  THAT EVENING, Cat sat on the porch with Jackson and Joey. Her daughter had done her best all day to spoil any developing relationship between her mother and father. Cat made strawberry shortcake for dessert, but her daughter didn’t allow it to sweeten her disposition.

  “Tommy Karl says his daddy wants to marry you, Mommy. Why don’t you? Then Tommy Karl and I could play together all the time.”

  Her daughter’s challenging stare upset Cat more than her words. How deep did her anger run? “Joey, you’re getting into hot water here. I’ve told you before that marrying without love is wrong. Luke and I don’t love each other.”

  Jackson set his coffee cup on the porch step beside him. He had the same irritatingly demanding look on his face. “Maybe Luke loves you, Cat, and you don’t know it.”

  “Joey, quit dragging your shoes that way. You’ll scuff the toes. Don’t be ridiculous, Jackson. I guess I’d know if a man loved me.”

  “Mmmh. Do you think so?”

  “I know I would. I’m not a teenager anymore.”

  “Excuse me if I have my doubts…on both counts.”

  Cat glanced at her daughter. “I don’t think Joey needs to hear this.”

  His face hardened. “Maybe you do.”

  “What are you trying to say?”

  He stood, his legs spread apart in a defiant stance. “What’s wrong with you and me getting married?”

  Joey wiggled in the too-large lawn chair she sat in. She lifted her chin. “I don’t want Mommy to marry you. She doesn’t love you and I don’t either.”

  Jackson rubbed his chin, and nailed his daughter with a tight stare. “Short Stuff, that could change. I think you’ll like me when we get to know each other better. I already like you.”

  Joey snarled, “I don’t care. I’m never going to like you. Can I watch TV, Mom?”

  Cat’s temper reached the boiling point. Joey had gone way over the top. “You can go to your room, Joey, and go to bed. Until you learn to be polite, your company is not very pleasant. Jackson is our guest and you’ll treat him with courtesy or I’ll know the reason why!”

  Joey’s face paled. Her childish voice sounded plaintive. “I told you why. I don’t like him.”

  Despite his sinking heart, Jackson had to hide a smile. The kid was his, all right. A Gray to the end. Rightful granddaughter of stubborn Will Gray.

  Joey left the porch with a sullen glare at her father. Jackson stared out at the field beyond the corral. Cat thought he looked troubled. He certainly had reason to be.

  “She’s not giving up her anger, Cat.”

  “I know. I thought she’d come around by now.”

  Jackson stirred restlessly. He paced the length of the small porch. “What did you tell her about me while she was growing up? Were you so bitter that you took your anger out on me?”

  “No, of course not. I told her the truth.”

  “Your version?”

  “It happens to be the only version she had a chance to hear. You were gone and not likely to come back to explain your absence.” Cat thought he looked every inch the Marine at this moment. Tall, proud, but angry. A funny sensation, almost like sinking below choking waters, swept over her. A strong desire to flee from him became nearly impossible to resist.

  Jackson sat back down on the porch step. “I had no reason to come back. I didn’t know about Joey.”

  “You knew about me.” The words were said before she had time to think.

  Jackson growled, “That’s what this is about, isn’t it? You. It’s never been about Joey! You’re angry because I never came back to take care of you, aren’t you?”

  “That’s not true, Jackson. I didn’t say that. If I’d wanted you to come back, I’d have told you about Joey. I put you first—ahead of Joey, and ahead of me!”

  Jackson turned away from her, facing the pastures where Simba and Windjammer stood quietly, switching their fly-swatting tails in alternating rhythm. For a long moment, he said nothing, then finally spoke. “You’d like to think that, wouldn’t you?”

  Cat’s anger subsided. Quietly, she replied, “You have a right to question me, but I have a right to defend myself. Jackson, what do you know about me? We were friends as teenagers and we got carried away one night. That’s all. I never wanted you to come back.”

  His glare blazed up at her. “You’re lying!”

  Her stomach flipped over. He couldn’t care anything about her if he was so ready to accuse her of lying. “I’m no saint, Jackson, but I wouldn’t lie to you.”

  He sneered. “You are! You’re not adult enough to admit it, though.” Jackson’s tall length, framed against the porch light, threw a dark shadow over her. “Good night!”

  She stood, too, reaching out a hand to grab his sleeve. “Don’t you dare leave this porch! We’re going to finish this discussion, Jackson Gray. For once in your life, stand still and talk about a problem instead of running out on it.”

  Jackson shook off her hand. “I can’t talk to a liar,” he retorted. He turned his back on her and marched down the porch steps toward the barn.

  Cat stood for a moment, transfixed. What did he know about how much she’d wanted his help and support when Joey was born? She was the one who’d lain in a hospital bed, all alone, for fourteen torturous, pain-filled hours while Joey struggled to be born. What did he know? Nothing, dammit! Nothing but running away and leaving problems behind for someone else to solve.

  She stepped down from the porch and followed him. “Wait a minute, Jackson. We need to talk.”

  “About what?”

  “Us. You, me, Joey. Come on, Jackson, stand still for five minutes and face me.”

  He flipped an angry look over his shoulder and kept going. By the time they reached the barn, Cat’s rage matched his. Jackson jerked the door open and stepped inside.

  She hurried to enter behind him before the door could swing closed. The warm odor of horses and hay engulfed her. The scent of the wild roses she’d planted behind the barn drifted through the weathered, warped boards. One bulb burned at the end of the hallway between the two rows of stalls. Another from the open door of the tack room. Night gave spooky shadows to the spacious loft. It was a meager amount of light to illuminate the cavernous barn.

  Jackson strode angrily to the tack room, ignoring Cat’s presence.

  When she stood in the doorway, he finally turned back to face her, half his shirt buttons undone and the tail hanging loose from his jeans. “Did you want to watch me undress?”

  “Don’t be crude, Jackson. I’m trying to get to the bottom of our problem and all you want to do is run away.”

  His eyes glittered in the raw light from the uncovered bulb in the middle of the ceiling, only a foot or two from his head. The three saddles perched on saddle trees and the half dozen bridles hanging from pegs gave the room an odor of well-used leather. The smell comforted Cat. This was her home. He didn’t belong here. The thought had no more than passed through her head when he answered.

  “I’m trying to keep the peace, Cat. That’s all. Period. I’m not running away. I’m not refusing to talk. Simply put, I don’t want to argue with you.” He spread his hands outward. “What more do you want?”

  Cat sighed. “Arguing is all we do. Maybe you should go back home.”

  Jackson’s jaw trembled from the force of his anger. He shot a dark look at her before turning his head away to break the impasse. “Is that what you want? Is that really what you want?” His face hardened with implacable rage as he waited.

  She hesitated, suddenly afraid of the almost-stranger so close to her. “I think so. Yes.”

  He took a half step toward her and raised his hand, shaking the forefinger emphatically at her. “No, it isn’t. Damn you, I know what you want!” His gaze softened. He stepped nearer and bent close to her. “You know, too. Don’t you?”

  In the small room, his heady scent made her dizzy. She backed up a step. He came forward that distance and a bit more. His chest touche
d hers. He reached up and smoothed her hair with a tentative hand.

  “Cat?” he asked, his voice husky.

  She trembled from the half-felt contact and struggled to gain control of her will. She knew she should pull away, but couldn’t. The desire to step closer was irresistible.

  “You want me as much as I want you. You know you do.” His hand cupped the back of her head and pulled her face close to his. From two inches away he stared deep into her eyes. His jaw muscles clenched hard against gathering passion. “This is your last chance, Cat. Are you going to leave me alone?”

  She couldn’t think and didn’t want to. His words meant nothing. The sense of the sentence disappeared with the rising excitement that compressed her chest past thinking…past breathing. His breath on her lips held her as the bulb’s bright light trapped the plain brown moth fluttering helplessly around it. She became lost in a whirlwind rise of emotions. His lips enacted a bitter campaign against hers, punishing her for the lost years, for Joey, for…what? She couldn’t think. The rising heat of her own passion threatened to overwhelm her. Gasping, she raised both hands to his face, and pushed him away.

  With their lips only millimeters apart, she uttered a muffled protest, “No, Jackson. Stop!”

  He lowered his hands and stepped back, breathing heavily.

  She couldn’t help it. This was the only man she’d ever loved and even if it sentenced her to a lifetime of loneliness, she knew there’d never be another.

  Their heated gazes met. She reached out to him. He stretched an arm above him, blindly, and pulled the cord that shut off the light. Liquid blackness enveloped them, hot and sweaty, as their bodies were. He pushed her back and she felt the edge of the cot against her legs. All her good resolutions were nothing against his desire and against her own.