by Sara Orwig
“I’ll be glad to see him.”
“Can’t say the same for my family. Dad already called to tell me I’m making a mistake,” Madison said as she poured a glass of orange juice.
“Your dad dislikes the Calhouns in a giant way and he doesn’t trust any of them.”
“He feels strongly about the Calhouns, that’s for sure.”
“The judge had a run-in with them when he was young. He and Jake’s dad both bid on all that land that Lindsay Calhoun has now. Mr. Calhoun won. The judge has never forgiven him.”
“That’s too bad Dad didn’t get the land because it adjoins Tony’s ranch. I don’t even remember.”
“You were away in college.”
Madison tilted her head. “You know what happened. Do you think I shouldn’t have let him on the ranch?”
“It’s not for me to say. I haven’t seen Mister Jake in a long time. I’ll tell you after I see him. I suppose I will see him since you asked him to stay here. I always liked him until he up and hurt you,” Jessie Lou said, staring up at Madison through wire-rim bifocals.
“That’s in the past,” Madison replied. “What about the lunches? Can I help you with them?”
“Everything is packed in the picnic basket or the big cooler. You have another cooler for water and a cooler of bottled drinks,” she said, turning off the stove and spooning the scrambled eggs onto a plate, which she handed to Madison.
“Thanks, Jessie Lou,” Madison said, getting her toast and sitting to eat breakfast. Jessie Lou had already placed a bowl of sliced strawberries, kiwi and blueberries on the table. Madison glanced at the clock, wanting to be ready when Jake arrived.
She ate quickly and got showered and dressed. An hour later she watched him emerge from his truck.
To her annoyance he looked just the way she had expected. Sexy and handsome in his Western shirt, tight jeans and Stetson. His stride was long and brisk.
“Good morning,” he said. “You don’t look as if you suffered any from yesterday.”
“I’m great,” she said, smiling at him while hoping she really looked that way. “Ready to go?”
“Absolutely,” he replied. “You lead the way again.”
“Sure. According to our plans, we’ll move along the same side of Rocky Creek today.”
“See you there.”
She watched him walk away, her gaze running across his broad shoulders, down to his narrow waist and long legs. Even with all the cowboys, he stood out because he was the tallest and the best-looking and had a manner about him that conveyed his confidence. She realized how long she’d stood watching him and climbed into her truck where Darren and Stoney waited.
* * *
The day was a repeat of the previous one except for the slight differences of lunch and she didn’t encounter a snake.
Jake dropped the men at the Milan bunkhouse and then drove to her house. She stood waiting at the back gate, holding it open.
He picked up a satchel he had brought and locked his pickup. He waved the bag. “I assume the invitation still stands?”
“Of course. Jessie Lou is cooking and I think she stayed this late just to say hello to you.”
“Can’t wait. She is one fine cook,” he said, closing the gate behind them. “You need your latch fixed,” he said, jiggling the gate.
“I know. I’ll show you where you can put your things and where you’ll be staying. Come on.” His wavy hair was tangled and he hung his hat on the rack in her back entryway as he came in.
Enticing smells of baking bread and a pot roast mingled in the air. They entered the kitchen and Jessie Lou set a covered bowl on the counter, turning to smile at Jake.
“Mister Jake, I think you’ve grown even taller.”
Jake gave her a big smile. “Jessie Lou, it’s good to see the best cook in the state of Texas. I haven’t forgotten a single meal of yours.”
She giggled and her blue eyes sparkled. Her mass of hair was always caught up and tied behind her head with curls springing free all around her face. Madison realized that Jake hadn’t seen her since her red hair had turned white. She still had her freckles and still was short, thin and wiry in spite of all her wonderful cooking.
“How have you been, Jessie Lou?” Jake asked.
“I’m fine and you look mighty fine, too.”
“I do all right. How many grandkids?”
She beamed. “I have sixteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.”
“No way—you don’t look a day older.”
“Then you need to see an eye doctor soon. My hair is white now.”
“Prematurely, and it becomes you. Thanks for cooking dinner tonight. I can’t wait and it smells marvelous.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” she said, glancing briefly at Madison. “Now this world seems right again.”
Jake grinned. “After dinner I’ll tell you if you still have the magic touch in your cooking. We’re searching for buried treasure, but I think the real treasure is right here in the kitchen.”
She giggled and turned to stir something cooking on top of the stove.
“Would you like a cold beer or some tea or pop?” Madison asked him.
“The cold beer,” he said and she retrieved one from the fridge.
“I for one would like to shower and clean up before dinner,” she said. “Then I’ll have a glass of wine.”
“Good plan.”
“I’ll show you where you will stay while you’re here,” Madison said. “We’ll be back, Jessie Lou,” she stated, leading him out of the kitchen. “There’s a guest suite right down the hall and my suite is upstairs.” She led him into a sitting room in his guest suite.
“If you need anything, just text me. I think you’ll find towels and most everything you need.” She glanced down at the satchel he carried. “That’s not a very big bag. If you need anything we may have some new shirts that will fit you. Look in the dresser drawers and help yourself. There aren’t any extra jeans, though, and I’m afraid I can’t furnish you with underwear.”
“That’s all right. I won’t wear any,” he answered. Although he didn’t smile, she knew he was teasing.
“Yes, you will,” she answered recklessly. “You used to wear underwear.”
“Well, if you’re real curious, you can always find out tonight,” he said and this time there was a twinkle in his eyes and she realized she had started this. They were flirting and getting on dangerous ground. She did not want to flirt, have fun or get emotionally involved with him ever again.
“I think I started something that has to end now,” she told him. “See you in the kitchen or thereabouts. If I’m not there, step outside on the patio.”
“Sure,” he said, giving her a curious look.
She hurried away, feeling her skin tingling. She fought the urge to turn around to see if he was still standing there watching her because she had not heard him move. She went around a corner and let out her breath. “Don’t flirt with him,” she whispered to herself.
She picked up a glass of ice water and went upstairs to her suite to shower and change. She swiftly washed and combed out her hair, blow-drying it and straightening it so it fell over her shoulders and down her back. She pulled on jeans, a blue knit shirt and sandals and went to the kitchen to see about the dinner that Jessie Lou was getting ready.
“Ah, you look pretty now,” Jessie Lou said, smiling at her before turning back to continue stirring gravy in a pan on the gas stove.
Soon Madison heard boot heels and in seconds, Jake entered. He looked as energetic and virile as he had early this morning. When her insides clutched, she hoped she didn’t have any visible reaction to the mere sight of him.
His gaze drifted over her. “You look great. You don’t look as if you could have been cl
imbing around the creek bank since sunrise.”
“Thank you. I definitely feel as if I have been.”
He wore a short-sleeved navy knit shirt tucked into his jeans. “It felt great to get the shower. Jessie Lou, this is the best-smelling kitchen ever. Whatever you’re cooking, I can’t wait.”
She giggled, looking at him intently as she grinned. “I hope you like it. It’s not quite ready yet.”
“We’ll wait until you say it’s time,” Jake answered as she turned back to her cooking.
Madison poured glasses of wine that they carried to the patio. They sat only ten minutes before Jessie Lou appeared. “It’s on the table,” she announced.
They came in to eat and Jessie Lou untied her apron. “Everything is on the table and the pie is on the counter. I’ll be going now and please leave the dishes. I’ll get them in the morning.”
“That’ll be fine. Thank you so much,” Madison said.
“It was good to see you,” Jake told the older woman. “And thank you for this dinner and double thanks for the pie.”
Jessie Lou giggled and smiled. “You haven’t eaten a bite yet.”
“I know.”
She giggled again and turned away, disappearing into the utility room. In minutes the back door closed and a lock clicked as she left the house.
They helped themselves to the pot roast with thick brown gravy, fluffy white rolls and creamy mashed potatoes sprinkled with tiny bits of green chives. Slender green asparagus had been steamed along with slices of carrots.
“She is still the best cook ever,” Jake said as he ate. “This roast is tender and delicious.”
“I have to agree,” Madison said. “I’m lucky to have her because some of her children want her to come live with them.”
“I would, too, if she were my mother.”
“You just want a cook.”
“Have you ever seen her without a smile?”
“She can get angry,” Madison said, remembering when she had to tell Jessie Lou that Jake had left her on her wedding day. Jessie hadn’t been smiles then and she had held Madison when she had cried, something her own mother hadn’t done. Jessie Lou had kept shaking her head and repeating, “I would never have thought him to be mean like that.”
Madison realized Jake was talking to her and focused on him, forgetting Jessie Lou and letting Jake charm her through dinner.
They sat on the patio until long after dark had come and the outside lights and pool lights came on automatically.
By ten o’clock, Madison was thirsty.
“Would you like iced tea, or wine, beer...or whiskey? What would you like?” Madison asked him.
“I’ll just take another cold beer,” he said, getting up to follow her into the kitchen. “I have some cashews we can have with our drinks,” she said, standing on tiptoe, trying to reach a bowl on a high shelf. “I want this bowl—”
His hands closed on her waist to move her away. She turned abruptly.
“I’ll get it,” he said, but when she faced him, he inhaled and stood still. His dark gaze enveloped her and she couldn’t get her breath. All she could think was that he looked as if he intended to kiss her. Her heart drummed a pounding rhythm and she couldn’t move, not her hands from his arms or her eyes from his gaze. His glance lowered to her mouth and she leaned toward him. His fingers wound in her hair while his other hand slipped around her waist and pulled her against him.
The moment she pressed against him she was lost. She wanted his kiss in spite of the constant smoldering anger that flared up anytime she was reminded of the past. At that moment she couldn’t move away if her life depended on it.
Desire blazed in his eyes. “Damn, Madison,” he whispered, scowling. He wound his fingers in her hair and pulled slightly so she had to turn her face up.
His mouth came down on hers hard, his tongue thrusting deep into her mouth and then stroking hers slowly, teasing.
She moaned while her insides knotted with longing. His arm tightened around her waist while he bent over her, tasting, branding her with his possessive kiss. She wasn’t aware of wrapping her arm around his neck until she was clinging tightly to him. He was solid, muscled, much more so than she remembered. His kiss was stormy and passionate. She kissed him back as if she had been waiting for this moment since the night he’d walked out on her, jilting her the day she had expected to be saying her wedding vows.
When he leaned over farther, she held him tightly, kissing him in return, unable to resist winding her fingers in his hair. Her heart pounded harder, louder, and a moan escaped from deep in her throat. Her flesh heated, burned, ached for his touch. The anger, the hurt and pain and dreadful memories all were replaced by desire.
Her world narrowed until there was only this man, this kiss. She poured herself into the kiss, taking everything she’d missed all these years. Jake slid his mouth from hers, hungrily nipping at her lips, her ear, her throat. Like a dying man she gasped for air. The cool air was like a blanket over a flame, smothering her ardor. As it rushed into her heated lungs, she realized what she was doing. She broke away, stepping out of his embrace and gasping for breath.
“I never meant for that to happen,” she said. She ran from him, picking up her wine and heading into the adjoining family room that overlooked the patio and pool and gardens.
She stood looking at the blue pool, trying to get her breath and ignore the overpowering longing that shook her. Torn between wanting him and hating her loss of control, she sipped the wine. She thought she was over wanting him, beyond responding to him. His kiss shattered that illusion. She didn’t want to yearn for his kisses, to ache to be held by him.
He didn’t want it, either. She had heard the whispered expletive before he kissed her. Should she tell him to get out and go back to his ranch or to the bunkhouse with his men? She was tempted, but she didn’t want him to know that she cared that much, that the kiss had rattled her that badly.
Making an effort to pull herself together so she could overlook and make light of the incident as if his kiss had not disturbed her and meant nothing, she took deep breaths.
She heard him moving around in the kitchen and when she turned he was standing in front of her, with his beer and the cashews in the bowl he had gotten from the cabinet.
He placed the bowl on the coffee table and they sat on opposing couches, neither speaking for a moment. She sipped her wine and tried not to watch him. She was unsuccessful. Jake looked relaxed, his long legs stretched out, crossed at his ankles. He didn’t look as if he felt any inner turmoil or was racked with desire. Was he making an effort as much as she to appear indifferent or did he really feel that way?
She would never have an answer. Her insides churned. The kiss had stirred too many old feelings that she had thought were gone forever. She wanted to fling accusations at him and ask him why, but she wasn’t going there. She intended to avoid a confrontation with him. She didn’t want him to realize how much she still hurt over what he had done.
Instead, she talked about the fruitless search they’d endured this second day. It was the most innocuous topic she could think of. Imagine that, she thought. The generations-old feud that had involved murder and deception was a safe topic. But then anything that didn’t involve his kiss was safe.
“I still think we’re searching in the right area, but I also am aware that we could be on the wrong side of the ranch or it could be on your ranch,” she said, hating the huskiness in her voice. She cleared her throat.
“That would be a hoot if both families had spent well over one hundred years searching and digging on the wrong ranch.”
“It wouldn’t be funny to some members of our families. Not to the ones who searched so much and so hard.”
“No, it wouldn’t. I hope we’re not doing that.”
“There’s always a str
ong possibility that your old map and the legend, the rumors, everything might all just be a hoax.”
“I have to at least try to find where they had the gunfight. That part of the story sounds like something that actually occurred.” As they sat there talking about the day, she said the right words, responded to his comments in the right manner, but her errant thoughts betrayed her. Nothing could keep her mind from wandering back to the kiss. It had taken hold of her and wouldn’t let her go. His kiss had opened a door that she had kept closed since high school. Desire simmered in her, but anger was bubbling inside her and she just wanted to end this night before she said things to him she shouldn’t.
She stood up abruptly, cutting off what he said and she didn’t hear. “I’m turning in. It’s been a long day.”
He stood, too, with his hands on his hips. His gaze lowered to her mouth and tingles disturbed her. She turned and left the room before her anger spilled over. Drawing in deep breaths, she reached the stairs...but there she lost the battle raging inside her. She turned and went back.
He stood much as she had left him except he was by the windows with his back to her. She wondered if he was actually looking at the pool or lost in thought.
“Jake,” she said, crossing the room to stand near him as he turned to face her. She couldn’t control her fury any longer.
“I think I’ve waited long enough. Why did you walk out on me when we were supposed to run away and get married?”
Five
He narrowed his eyes while anger stabbed him. “Madison, you know damn well why I did. What are you up to now?”
“No, I don’t know why,” she snapped. “I’m not up to anything. I want an explanation.”
He stared at her. As rosy spots flushed her cheeks, her fists clenched at her sides. Shock buffeted him. “I never doubted your dad for one minute. I called and you didn’t answer.”
“I didn’t get any call from you,” she said, frowning. “What are you talking about my dad? He didn’t have anything to do with that night.”
“The hell he didn’t. And I did call you and you didn’t answer.”