by Bobbi Smith
"Is something wrong?" Frances asked, seeing the sudden change in Jenny's expression.
"I was just thinking about Papa. It's still so hard for me to believe that he died that way-all alone, and in a riding accident. It doesn't make sense to me."
"We were all shocked when we found out what had happened. It was a terrible thing," Frances sympathized.
"One of these days I'm going to ride up there and take a look around," Jenny said.
"Is there any reason why you think his death wasn't an accident?" Cole asked.
"You would know more about that than I would." Her tone was a bit sharp as she gave vent to some of the resentment she felt at his closeness to her father during the time she'd been gone. "The two of you were close. Was there anything unusual going on? He was an excellent horseman. What could have happened to him to cause him to lose his seat and fall that way?"
Cole couldn't imagine why anyone would want to harm Paul. "Your father was very well liked in town. He didn't have any enemies that I ever knew about. There wasn't anyone who wished him harm. And as far as trouble in the area, the only thing that's been going on is the rustling, and everybody has been hit equally."
"What about Indians? Were there any raids or groups off the reservation?"
"No. Everything's been quiet. There's been no trouble that way at all."
They all fell silent for a moment as they each remembered Paul in his own way-as friend-as brother-as father.
Evelyn and Frances changed the topic then, wanting to lighten the conversation. The rest of the dinner passed easily.
"Thanks for the delicious meal," Cole said as he stood to leave.
"I'll be in touch."
They said good night, and he left the house as Frances began clearing the table.
When Evelyn was certain that Cole was out of earshot, she smiled sweetly at Jenny. "We're very fortunate that Cole's the one your father chose to be executor."
"You really think so?"
"Oh, yes. Not everyone would be as supportive of your trying something so new and outlandish as a guest ranch."
"I know. I was worried when I first talked to him. I was afraid he'd refuse to approve the money. I don't know what I would have done if that had happened."
"Well, it didn't. Cole's a good man. But, you know, you still seem uncomfortable around him," Evelyn said. "Is there something wrong? Has he said anything to you or done anything that has upset you?"
"Oh, no." For some reason, she found herself coming quickly to Cole's defense. "He's been a perfect gentleman-for all that I'm sure he resents every minute he has to spend with me."
"I thought Cole was being most helpful, especially today working on the roof with you like that. Somehow I have trouble picturing either Mr. Marsden or Mr. Stevens pitching in and helping out with manual labor if one of them had been appointed your executor."
"You're right." The mental image of the lawyer or banker on the rooftop made Jenny smile. She stood up and started from the dining room. "I'll be back in a minute."
She followed Cole from the house. She hoped to catch him before he rode away. She wanted to thank him again for his support of her daring endeavor.
Cole was already mounted up and about to leave when Jenny came outside.
"Cole?" she called quietly as she stood at the porch railing.
He was surprised by her appearance, and he wondered what she wanted. "Is something wrong? Did you need something else before I go?"
Cole sounded so terse that she almost changed her mind about thanking him. Instead, telling herself that it was important they keep a good working relationship, she forged ahead.
"No, I don't need anything else. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your help today and your support of my plan for the guest ranch."
Imitating some of the businessmen she'd seen in Philadelphia, she left the porch and approached Cole.
His gaze narrowed as he watched Jenny coming toward him. He wondered what she was up to. He was taken by surprise when she stopped beside him and reached up, offering him her hand in a very businesslike handshake.
"Thanks, Cole."
There was no way he could refuse to take her hand. He leaned forward, his big hand enveloping her smaller one in a firm, warm grasp. Cole tried not to notice how delicate she seemed or how smooth her skin was to his touch. He released her hand as quickly as he could and straightened in the saddle.
"You're welcome. Just have the rest of the bills sent to me and I'll see that they're paid."
She nodded, feeling a bit sorry that all they had to talk about was business and money. She remembered another time when they used to laugh and have fun together.
Cole rode off and Jenny remained standing where she was, watching until he'd passed out of sight and marveling that the simple touch of his hand had sent a shiver down her spine.
It was dark when Cole finally reached the Branding Iron. Though his house wasn't as spacious as the Sullivan place, it was his home and looked good to him.
Cole was surprised to see that his front parlor was lit up. Usually whenever he wasn't around for the evening meal, Fred, the hand who doubled as his cook, just stayed in the bunkhouse and left the house dark. Cole was curious, so instead of riding to the stable first, he went straight to the house to investigate.
"Cole at last! You're back." Mira Jameson came hurrying out the front door to greet him.
"Mira? What are you doing here?"
Cole was surprised to find her there. He had last spoken to her in town a few weeks ago when he'd escorted her to a social, but he'd had no opportunity to see her since. Life and Jenny-had interfered.
He supposed Mira was pretty enough with her blond hair and shapely figure, but he had no intention of regularly courting her or anyone else in town. He and Mira got along well. He enjoyed the time they spent together, but that was where it ended for Cole. He had no interest in a serious relationship with any woman.
"I've been missing you, Cole Randall, and thought I'd just come by for a visit. Aren't you glad to see me?"
Mira smiled seductively at him as she closed the distance between them. Without any invitation, she looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a hungry kiss. She wanted Cole had wanted him for ages-and she intended to get him, one way or another. She'd been trying to seduce him for some time. She had managed to maneuver him into several passionate encounters, but she'd never been able to break his self-control. He was proving to be quite a challenge, and she was the type of woman who loved challenges.
Mira's plan was simple. All she wanted to do was make love to him once and then a few weeks later claim that she was carrying his child-whether she was pregnant or not. She was certain that Cole would marry her without question, and they would live happily ever after.
Mrs. Cole Randall-
The thought encouraged her. She deepened the kiss, pressing herself even more tightly against him, loving the feel of his hard body against her. She had considered waiting naked for him in his bed, but she hadn't been certain that he would respond to so blatant and outrageous a seduction. He was a man who liked to be in control, so she knew she had to appeal to that part of him. She had to let him conquer her. With that in mind, she gave a throaty laugh and drew away from him.
"I am so glad you finally got here, Cole," Mira said. "I've been waiting for you since this afternoon."
"I had some business to take care of," he answered noncommittally. Mira's kiss was enjoyable enough, but he wasn't in the mood especially after spending the afternoon with Jenny.
"Well, you're home now and that's all that matters. Fred fixed dinner earlier. I can warm something up for you, if you'd like?"
"No. I already ate."
He started indoors, and she fell in beside him, daring to take his arm as they walked. She pressed it to the side of her breast in a seemingly innocent move.
"The reason I came to see you is that I just heard that the Women's Solidarity is going to have a dance in a few w
eeks, and I couldn't wait to tell you. We had such fun at the last social that I'm really looking forward to this one."
Cole found himself putting her off, although he wasn't sure why. "I'll have to wait until it's closer to the time before I'll know if I can make it or not."
At his statement, Mira's suspicions were confirmed. Cole was always ready for a good time, but now he was being evasive. She'd heard talk that Cole had been named Paul Sullivan's executor and that Jenny had come back to town. It looked like Jenny Sullivan was going to interfere in her life again.
Hatred for the other woman filled Mira. She had despised Jenny for most of her life. Jenny had always been rich, while her own family had had to work hard for their money. It seemed to Mira that she had been in love with Cole forever, but Jenny was the woman Cole had proposed to. When Jenny had walked out on him at the wedding, Mira had been completely shocked. She didn't understand how any woman could not want Cole. She'd been trying to win his love ever since Jenny had gone, but he'd made it plain he wasn't going to get involved with anyone again. That was why she'd come up with her plan to trap him, and she was going to enjoy every minute of the trapping!
When Mira had learned that things were going badly on the Lazy S, it had given her great satisfaction. Jenny Sullivan deserved every miserable, rotten thing that happened to her, but now that her rival had come back, Mira was upset. The farther Jenny stayed from Durango and Cole-the happier Mira would be.
Mira wondered suddenly if Cole had been over at the Sullivan place. She was tempted to ask, but didn't. She had her own ways of finding things out.
Damn that woman! Thoughts of Jenny's return enraged Mira and made her all the more determined to lure Cole to her bed. If she could manage it, she was going to arrange to spend the night at the Branding Iron tonight. Surely, if she was alone with him, she could arouse him enough to get him to make love to her.
Mira knew her father had started drinking earlier in the day and had passed out by late afternoon. He'd never miss her if she stayed away all night, and her brother was off whoring in town someplace, so she was free to do whatever she pleased-and it pleased her to be there with Cole.
Cole's mood had not been good on the ride home, and finding Mira waiting for him didn't improve it any. He needed some time alone. He stopped at the front door, hesitant to take her inside with him.
"Was there something else you needed, Mira?" He wasn't sure why she had stayed on so late waiting for him. The news of the upcoming social was not that exciting or important to make her so vigilant.
"Only to see you again," she said seductively.
She stopped and turned to look up at him. She gave him her most enticing look, wanting him to take her in his arms and kiss her. When he didn't respond immediately, she kept her disappointment hidden.
"As late as it is..."
Cole was not in the mood to be with anyone tonight, not after having held Jenny that afternoon, and he was certainly not going to get seriously involved with another female. He knew that was what Mira wanted marriage.
"I know it's late. If I'd realized you were going to be gone so long, I wouldn't have stayed on. Now that it's dark, though, do you think I should head home alone or spend the night here with you?" She made the question sound innocent.
Cole hesitated. With no other woman to chaperone them, it would be awkward for her to stay, but he didn't know how he could just send her on her way.
"It's up to you. I can have one of the men ride with you, if you'd like. I wouldn't want to put your reputation at risk."
Mira was so frustrated with Cole, she was ready to curse out loud. Only a flash of distant lightning and the accompanying rumble of thunder saved her from being forced to leave.
"I guess I'd better stay. I'm sure my father will understand when I explain everything," she lied.
Cole wasn't so sure, and he wasn't about to set himself up for trouble. In a way, he regretted that he'd ever let anything come of his casual acquaintance with Mira. He knew she wanted much more from him than he ever planned to give.
"Let's go in. I'll see about fixing up the extra bedroom for you."
She didn't protest his offer but played along. She was delighted that she'd be staying the night. What was going to happen next was anyone's guess, but she was ready and eager for anything.
They sat in the parlor and talked for a while. Then Cole went to make sure the bedroom was ready for her. He was startled when, he turned and found her standing in the doorway watching him. There was a heavy-lidded, almost seductive look about her, but he ignored it.
"I didn't hear you come down the hall," he said as another streak of lightning rent the night sky and was quickly followed by a loud clap of thunder that shook the house.
"I just thought I'd come along and see if you needed any help," she offered.
"No, everything's ready."
"Thanks. And where's your room?" Mira was already planning how she was going to seek him out in the middle of the night. She could tell he was bound and determined to play the gentleman with her, but she was just as determined that he be anything but a gentleman. She wanted him to love her. She wanted him in her bed.
"My bedroom's right there across the hall," he told her, nodding toward the closed door.
"I'm glad you'll be close in case I get frightened in the storm," Mira said innocently.
"Well, this should blow over soon. I'll wake you in the morning before I leave."
"You have to go somewhere early?"
"I'm a rancher. I've got livestock to tend to. If I don't do it, it doesn't get done."
"That's what I love about you, Cole Randall. When you set your sights on achieving something, you don't stop until you get it, and I know you've always wanted the Branding Iron to be the biggest and the best ranch around."
"That's what I'm aiming for," he agreed with a smile. "Well, good night, Mira. I hope you sleep well."
It irritated her that he was dismissing her so easily, but the night stretched long and dark before them. She would wait until the time was right, and then she would go to him. She was certain he wouldn't refuse her, especially if she came to him wearing only the sheet from her bed.
Cole was glad when she went inside the room and shut the door. His need to be alone had not lessened, and he drew a deep breath of relief as he walked back to the front of the house. The last thing he'd wanted was to find Mira waiting for him tonight. Dealing with Jenny all day had worn him out; putting up with Mira all night could prove nerve-wracking.
He stalked to the kitchen and opened a cabinet to pull out his whiskey bottle. He poured himself a single shot and downed it without flinching. Then, turning out the lights, he grabbed a slicker and headed down to the bunkhouse. He would spend the night with his men. There was an extra bunk there. In the morning, he'd make certain he had others with him when he went back up to the house. He had no designs on Mira, and he would have witnesses to the fact that nothing had happened between them.
Mira undressed slowly, then slipped into the bed that Cole had turned down for her. She'd decided to sleep in the nude just in case he came into the room for any reason. She hoped she got that lucky. The sheets felt cool against her skin, and she fantasized about how she and Cole could heat them up. It was a very arousing fantasy.
Outside, the storm raged on. Inside, Mira bided her time, waiting for the hours to pass, waiting for the right moment to go to the man she wanted more than anything in the world. It was after midnight when she finally decided the time was right. The storm had not abated. Rain still poured down in torrents. Rising from the bed, she wrapped the sheet around her and moved quietly toward the door. It opened silently, and she tiptoed across the hallway, ready for what was promised to be the most momentous few hours of her life. Mira figured that after tonight, it could only get better, because she would soon have Cole all to herself.
Mira reached for his doorknob and turned it. For a moment, she feared he might have locked the door, but it opened easily, soundl
essly. She stepped into his bedroom, ready for him, wanting him. She moved a few steps farther into the room and then let the sheet drop away. She shivered in anticipation of what was to come. Her plan to ride over here to see Cole had been brilliant he was going to be hers.
"Cole." She said his name softly.
She was surprised when he didn't respond. It was dark in the room; she couldn't see him and realized that he was probably sleeping soundly. With utmost care, she crept nearer to his bed, intending to slip in beside him and press herself up against him. She hoped he would be caught up in the excitement of the moment. No words would be necessary between them only actions.
She knelt carefully on the side of Cole's bed and reached for the covers, wanting to curl up against the warmth of his body, wanting the heat of his passion to sear the night chill that was settling over her.
"What?" The word was torn from her as she discovered that Cole's bed was empty.
Mira jumped up, her hand at her throat as she backed away, snatching up the sheet and clutching it to her. Her shock turned to anger as lightning lit up the sky and she saw that his bed had not been slept in.
Mira wondered where he'd gone. The house was dark. She made her way down the hall and looked for him in the parlor. But he was not there. Cole had chosen not to stay in the house with her. When he'd spoken about protecting her reputation, he'd been serious Damn him!
Mira swore out loud as thunder rent the night, and tears of frustration burned in her eyes. She'd wanted to make love to Cole. She'd wanted to lie in his bed, in his arms, and know the full beauty of his possession.
But it wasn't going to happen.
Not tonight.
Mira returned to Cole's room and lay down on his bed. It was soft and welcoming. The scent of him was on his pillow, and she clutched it to her breasts, aching for him, willing him to return, yet knowing that he wouldn't. She lingered there for hours, not leaving the bed's comfort until near dawn. She remade the bed, straightening the covers so he would never know that she'd tried to come to him in the night.