Kane turned from her and nodded. He couldn’t fault her desire for companionship in a strange house, under even stranger circumstances. Kane remembered a time in his life when everything had been abruptly taken from him as well. As a small boy, he recalled waking up in an unfamiliar place, a home unlike any he had ever known. Faintly, he recalled the fear, trepidation and isolation of those days and was indeed grateful those memories had all but faded now. No, he couldn’t fault Molly her loneliness. “I’ll take the tray down and meet you in the dining room.”
“Thank you, Kane,” she said quietly.
Kane exited the room, realizing that Molly’s dreams of a future had been crushed, too. Neither of them would enter into this marriage with any expectations other than fulfilling their bargain to one another.
For Kane, it would be enough.
He only hoped that Molly would come to see it that way as well.
Molly finished her meal in unladylike fashion and sighed with delight, her appetite satisfied. She’d never had this spicy type of stew before, but she’d enjoyed every last bite. “Lupe is a wonderful cook. I must be sure to thank her.”
Kane sat facing her in a dining area with room enough for a large family. Eight high-back chairs surrounded a great oak table and lovely draperies of gold velvet parted in the center overlooked the small garden area of the ranch. Hibiscus and gardenia bushes grew in abundance amid smaller flowering plants. And sandwiched in between this lush garden sat a bench seat made for two.
From what Molly could ascertain, the Bar J, for its rich and stately interior, had only this one comfortable area outside in which one could relax. The rest of the property was strictly designed for animals and their caretakers, bunkhouses, barns and a pasture that went on for acres and acres. Molly didn’t know how she would ever become accustomed to the smell of horse dung, a herd of grazing cattle, dust and earth all mingled into one Texas-sized scent.
Kane glanced at her empty plate. “Still hungry?”
She sat back in her chair and smiled. “Oh, no. I’m so full I don’t think I could eat another bite for days.”
“Mmmm. Too bad. Lupe left you half a blueberry pie.”
Molly loved blueberries. And she’d never had them baked up in a pie before. “Half? She must think I’m too skinny for my bones.”
Kane swept his dark gaze over her body again, in that way he had of making her nerves tingle and her body heat up. “Lupe likes to keep everyone happy.”
“Well, then,” she said with a tilt of her head and a little smile, “maybe I’ll have a piece of pie.”
Kane’s lips twitched. “Sure you can fit it in?”
Again, his gaze moved over her body. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint Lupe,” she said, with a lift of her chin.
Kane stood. “I’ll be back.”
Molly rose from the table and followed Kane to the kitchen, eager to explore more of the house and to show her betrothed that she wasn’t some Eastern ninny who needed waiting on. Molly had always done her fair share of chores and wasn’t accustomed to having anyone serve her. “This feels more like home,” Molly said aloud, then caught herself when Kane turned abruptly.
“What does?”
“This kitchen, though it’s practically the size of the house I grew up in, I like it in here.” Molly glanced around to find this room less ostentatious than any of the rooms she’d seen so far at the Bar J. There were all sorts of kitchen utensils hanging up, copper pots and pans, and the cookstove looked similar to her mama’s although much larger. Flour and sugar containers along with other staples lined one long table and the worktable in the center of the room appeared worn from decades of meals having been prepared there. “It’s warm and cozy.”
Kane took the tin out of the pie safe and set it on the table. “Then have a seat.”
Molly glanced around, found two plates on the shelf, grabbed knives and forks from an opened drawer and brought them over. Without asking, she cut two slices of pie and served one to Kane. Then she sat down on a long wooden bench at the table.
Kane stared at her.
She stared back.
“You surprise me,” he said finally.
“Why?” she asked, wondering what she had done to bring about that reaction.
Kane shook his head. “Never mind.”
He dug into his pie and ate briskly whereas Molly took her time, enjoying every last bite. She found his gaze on her more times than not, watching her devour the pie, licking the utensil clean and cooing with delight. He inhaled sharply and shifted in his seat never saying a word. She supposed she’d have to get used to his ways, whether she thought him rude or not.
“It’s late. You’d best get back to bed,” he said, standing up ready to clear the table. But Molly beat him to it. She took hold of the dishes and utensils and walked them to the sink area. She tried to pump water into the basin, but couldn’t get a drop to flow.
“How does this work?” she asked, fidgeting with a pumplike device she’d not seen before.
He stood close behind her, his breath caressing her ear. “My grandfather employs people to do this.”
“I prefer to clean up after myself.”
Kane didn’t argue. He wrapped his arms around her, showing her how to hold the pump correctly. “It’s touchy. Pump it slow, Molly. Three times and then wait.”
Molly concentrated on the task at hand, trying to ignore Kane’s presence, trying to block out his warm breath, his body pressed to hers from behind and his arms securely wrapped around her. He held firm on to the pump, his hand next to hers and together they pumped slow, up and down, three times.
Water spurted out, a little at a time, until finally the liquid flowed out evenly. “There,” she said, feeling a sense of accomplishment. She turned around and smiled. “I did it.”
Molly found herself pressed against the sink and encased in Kane’s arms. When he didn’t back away, her heart fluttered and she glanced up at his lips. He had a beautiful mouth, she noticed with wide full lips that were at the moment, parting slightly.
“You have blueberry on your…” Molly began, reaching up toward his face. Her finger stopped at the corner of his mouth, hesitantly, watching Kane’s brow lift in curiosity. She remembered those lips on her and shamefully, she hoped he would kiss her again. Right now. Here in the kitchen. She wanted Kane’s kiss.
She moved her finger to the edge of his mouth and wiped clean the stain. “There,” she said softly, but couldn’t quite manage removing her fingers from his face. She caressed his cheek tenderly and stared into the eyes of the man she would marry tomorrow. He may not want this marriage but Molly would do her best to be a good wife to him.
Kane grasped her hand and brought it to his mouth. She watched in awe as he kissed her palm then wound his tongue around the finger with the blueberry stain, licking it clean. Molly’s insides turned to warm jelly and her breath hitched in her throat. “Oh, my,” she breathed out.
Kane’s dark eyes gleamed and he stepped far away from her. “You’re too innocent to know what a temptation you are. Go to bed, Molly. Now. And don’t argue with me.”
“But?”
Kane squeezed his eyes shut. “Now, damn it.”
Molly stood her ground and when Kane opened his eyes, she witnessed his surprise and fury when she hadn’t obeyed him. “I’m not a child, Kane. I’m a woman, if you hadn’t noticed.”
Kane spoke through tight lips and suddenly his mouth didn’t look beautiful anymore. “I’ve noticed. I’ve spent half the night noticing.”
“We’re to be married tomorrow. I would expect—”
“Don’t expect anything from me, Molly. Not one fool thing. The marriage isn’t real. There’ll be no happy endings.”
Tears stung Molly’s eyes though she wouldn’t allow them a path down her face. She held back, refusing Kane the satisfaction of tormenting her fully. “I’m aware of that.”
“Good.”
“Yes, good. Then I think I’ll get to bed now.”
Kane threw his arms up. “That’s all I’m asking.”
“Well, good night.”
Kane grunted.
Molly walked past him but stopped to turn and gaze directly into his eyes. “And I’m not that innocent. I’ve been kissed a time or two, back in St. Louis.”
Kane’s chuckle came from deep in his throat. “Woman, what I was thinking had less to do with kissing and more to do with warm and cozy on top of that table over there.”
Molly gasped, not so much from shock, but from the images fluttering around in her head of such a devilish thing. Surely, tomorrow she would find out what it would be like to be wedded and bedded by Kane Jackson.
Contrary to what he might think, Molly looked forward to becoming Mrs. Kane Jackson.
Chapter Five
Kane stared into the curious eyes of Penelope Rose as she made her way into the house, carrying a basket full of baked muffins and pastries, wearing a fancy blue dress and a woeful expression. One would think she was attending a funeral instead of a wedding. Only when his grandfather approached her, did she brighten somewhat. Kane watched their interaction from a corner of the parlor, as he sipped whiskey from a shot glass.
Kane wanted this whole charade over with as soon as possible, hoping to speak his vows before Father Tomas and be done with it. But as usual, Bennett had made other plans. His grandfather had prearranged the entire event, inviting a small gathering of neighbors and friends as well as planning a celebration afterward complete with a mariachi band and food enough to feed the entire county.
His grandfather, appearing less worn out and pale today, approached with Mrs. Rose on his arm. “Kane, Mrs. Rose has come to give your betrothed her good wishes. She’s quite smitten with our Molly.”
Kane smiled graciously. “And I thought she came here to visit you, Grandfather.”
Mrs. Rose gasped and turned to his grandfather. “Well, I— Yes, if you must know, after I spoke with your grandson yesterday about your illness, I thought you might need fortification. I brought over some baked goods and chamomile tea that might give a lift during those long dreary days.”
Bennett patted Penelope’s hand. “That’s very thoughtful. Of course, you’ll stay for the nuptials.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to impose. I mean to say, I didn’t receive a formal invitation.”
“There was no time for that or you would certainly have been invited. Molly would have insisted if we’d given her a choice. You see, my health is failing and I want to see my grandson married before my time is up.”
Mrs. Rose’s eyes softened and that perpetual pinch on her face vanished. She looked into Bennett’s eyes and smiled. “Only the Lord knows when, Bennett. You may have more time than you think.”
Again, he patted her hand. “I’m glad you came, Penny.”
Mrs. Rose chuckled and suddenly she appeared twenty years younger. “Heavens, nobody’s called me that, well, since I was a young girl.”
“I’ve always thought of you as Penny.”
“Have you?”
Kane excused himself to walk out the front door for a breath of fresh air. Soon, the rest of the guests would arrive, and he’d say the vows that would bind him to Molly and their bargain.
Soon Kane Jackson, known to the Cheyenne as Gray Wolf, would marry for the second time in his life. But this time, the marriage wouldn’t be a union of the heart. He would never betray Little Swan that way. No, this time, the marriage vows would be spoken falsely, with no regard to upholding any of the promises made today. Molly McGuire and Kane Jackson had a prearranged pact.
And his promise to Molly yesterday was the only one he planned to keep.
Molly glanced at her image in the tall oval cheval mirror, hardly believing the sight before her eyes. Dressed in a fitted gown of white lace with a mantilla cascading down past her shoulders, Molly was truly a bride.
Goodness. She blinked at her reflection, wondering if all brides felt this way—womanly, feminine, lovely, that special unique sensation that might only occur once in a young girl’s life. Molly felt it all, right down to her frilly, white lace-up boots, provided by Bennett Jackson. She’d never had such finery in her life. Molly couldn’t help but smile, turning from side to side to pose before the mirror, taking short then sweeping glances at herself.
“Muy bonita, Senorita Molly.” Lupe entered the room wearing a big grin, no doubt filled with pride on just how perfectly the gown she’d designed had fit Molly.
“Thank you, Lupe. It’s the most wonderful wedding dress I’ve ever seen.”
“My husband, he says that a bride should glow as the sun. He says then your man will always know warmth.”
Molly blinked at the brilliance of that statement. Then she chuckled. “I think you have a very smart husband, Lupe.”
With arms folded, the heavyset woman nodded. “Sí. I will keep him.”
Molly smiled sadly as a thought flitted through her mind that she would wed today, but she would not be the warmth in Kane’s life. She would not be around for years to come, claiming her husband for keeps. Perhaps Lupe didn’t know how fortunate she was to have love and happiness in her life. Or, perhaps she did. Maybe that would explain Lupe’s eternal wide smile.
“I’ve always dreamed of a church wedding,” Molly confessed, speaking quietly. As a devout Catholic, she’d envisioned saying her vows in front of an altar.
“Sí,” Lupe agreed. “Senor Bennett is not up for such a trip. Father Tomas is here. He will marry you and Senor Kane. Come now, they wait.”
Molly glanced one last time in the mirror, pretending for a moment that this marriage was real and that Kane Jackson would take her into his life and heart forever. For one moment, Molly had imagined the possibilities and wished that she didn’t have to partake in this sham, deceiving everyone in attendance and making a mockery of what should be a sacred union.
“I’m ready.”
Molly strode out the bedroom door with a jittery stomach and a terrible ache in her heart. The only good thing to come of this marriage was that soon she and Kane would set out to find her brother.
Molly stood at the top of the staircase holding a small bouquet of gardenias as soft violin music drifted up. She glanced down to find Bennett Jackson, dressed in dapper silver-gray, the exact color of his eyes and full head of hair, waiting for her at the foot of the stairs. He winked and she smiled, the butterflies in her stomach taking flight.
She moved slowly down the stairs, taking one careful step at a time. The look of pure delight on Mr. Jackson’s face and the sweetly melodic refrain lifted her spirits so, that next she found herself flowing gracefully the rest of the way down the staircase. With a wide smile on her face and her anxiety quelled for the time being, Molly met Bennett at the base of the stairs.
“You look beautiful, Molly.” He placed her arm in his.
“Thank you, Mr. Jackson,” she said softly.
“You would honor me by calling me Grandfather from now on.”
“Oh,” Molly said with a surprised gasp. “Yes, yes, Grandfather.”
Together they moved through the foyer to the parlor, where Kane stood waiting next to the priest in front of the fireplace. Molly’s heart tumbled, seeing her betrothed, so handsome in a black suit, boiled white shirt and bola tie, standing stiff and erect, looking fierce and unyielding. A tick worked at his jaw, and his eyes held no warmth. Molly thought back to Lupe’s comments about a glowing bride bringing warmth to her groom and a sweeping sadness overwhelmed her. She stumbled and stopped.
“He’ll be a fine husband, Molly,” Bennett whispered, reassuring her as if reading her thoughts. “Give him time. He’s a good man.”
Molly gulped and nodded, then continued her walk down the short aisle until she faced Kane and Father Tomas. She’d hardly noticed any of the guests in attendance, a roomful of strangers she did not know, as her main focus had been on Kane and the unnerving look on his face. Bennett placed Molly beside Kane and turned to take his se
at.
Molly stared at the priest who was dressed in stately black, too nervous to look upon Kane’s solemn face, fearing her knees would buckle any second if she dwelled on his expression too long.
Father Tomas nodded graciously and smiled before beginning the ceremony. To her amazement, Kane reached for Molly, covering his hand over hers and squeezing gently. She dared a glance up at him, noting a softening in his eyes, but along with that soft look came a hint of regret and sadness. Kane didn’t want this marriage. Both of them had been forced into the union by circumstances, but she wondered if he was recalling his marriage to his Indian wife. She wondered if this ceremony could possibly remind him of another ceremony, years ago, to a woman he had truly loved.
Before too long, Kane bent down to place a sweet chaste kiss on her lips. Startled, Molly came out of her wanderings to realize that the short ceremony was over. She’d spoken her vows to God above and to Kane, and now she was a married woman.
She turned from Father Tomas to find Bennett smiling, a look of relief and satisfaction on the old man’s face. And as Molly gazed around the room, she found more than two dozen other smiling faces peering up at her from their seats. Mrs. Rose was the only person she recognized in the crowd, her face unable to mask her worry and, perhaps, condemnation.
Kane bent his head to whisper in her ear. “The show begins now.”
His breath lingered, the warmth and sweet melody of his words belied their meaning. He took her hand and together they made their way outside, where they would meet the guests and have the wedding celebration.
“Your wife has danced with every man here,” Bennett said with a frown. “Every man but you.”
Kane shook his head. “I don’t dance, Grandfather.”
Gray brows rose with disapproval. “Not even once, on your wedding day?”
Kane stared at Molly, her face aglow, her bright eyes sparkling, her hair catching sunlight as she moved with the rhythm of the music on the grassy flatland behind the house designed specifically for the festivities. His grandfather, through his illness, sure found time to have the yard decorated with ribbons and flowers for the occasion. “She’s having a fine time without me.”
Renegade Wife Page 6