Something Old, Something New

by Linda Louise Rigsbee

  “Josh was with me,” she reassured him.

  Alex snorted. “I guess that explains why he lied about what happened.”

  Carmen turned on him, warmth shooting up her neck so quickly that it was painful.

  “I didn’t tell him to lie, if that’s what you think.”

  Alex nodded. “I can believe that, but why would he lie to me about it? Why would he say he found the deer when you did?”

  His voice was calm, but his eyes accused her.

  She shrugged. “I suppose he was trying to protect me.”

  Dark brows crouched over equally dark eyes. Oops again. Alex took great pride in protecting her.

  “Protect you from me? What have you been telling him?”

  This was getting ridiculous. What was there to tell?

  “Nothing. I guess he just knew you’d be upset.”

  He leaned against the counter, folding his arms across his chest.

  “Why would he think that?”

  Indeed, why would he? She hadn’t said anything to give Josh the idea that Alex would be upset. In fact, maybe what gave him that idea was what she hadn’t said, or done.

  She shrugged. “I guess because I didn’t tell you about the first time.”

  His brows shot up. “The first time?”

  It was her land and they weren’t even married then. Who was he to tell her where she could go? It was his place to make decisions, but he wasn’t going to run her life.

  She lifted her chin and met his gaze defiantly.

  “A few days before we were married, I found the remains of a deer. I stuffed it in a trash bag and put it in the burn barrel.”

  His gaze searched her face. For a moment his eyes held a touch of humor that never found his lips. He ran a hand through his hair.

  “I guess that would explain the smell. I thought you left some garbage and I burned it.”

  Apparently that was what inspired his decision to arrange for a trash truck once a week.

  His gaze drifted in thought and then came back to her suspiciously.

  “Was he with you then?”

  Carmen caught her breath. “Of course not. I was only there long enough to pick up some pictures. Brutus came to me with blood on his muzzle. I didn’t know what to think.”

  Once again his gaze traveled over her face. Finally he lowered his arms and took a step toward her, grasping her shoulders.

  “Sweetheart, I wish you wouldn’t hide things from me that way. It hurts me to think you’re afraid of me.”

  She leaned toward him, gazing up at his face.

  “I’m not afraid of you Alex.”

  For a moment they stood gazing at each other. He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers and ran a thumb along her jaw.

  Carmen sighed. “I’m sorry it caused you to worry but I don’t think it was wild dogs. I haven’t seen any sign of strange dogs around.”

  He considered the information a moment and then took a pad and pencil from the counter.

  “Come here,” he said, sitting down at the table.

  She sat opposite him and watched as he drew two different tracks.

  “We found some tracks,” he began. “This one is what Brutus’ tracks look like.”

  She stood and leaned closer to study the track. He drew an x through both tracks and pointed at the other one.

  “This is the track we found.”

  The x went between two toes and straddled the pad on the one he drew to represent Brutus. On the other track, the x went between the toes and through the pad. She frowned at him.

  “So, does that prove it wasn’t Brutus?”

  His smile was wry. “It wasn’t even a dog. It was a cat.”

  She shook her head. “The track I saw was too big to belong to a cat.”

  Even as she said it, she realized what he was telling her. She caught her breath. “A mountain lion?”

  He nodded. “Now do you see why I was so concerned about you being up there alone?”

  The blood drained from her face so fast that she had to sit down. Alex reached for her.

  “Are you alright?”

  She nodded. “Do you think we chased the mountain lion away? Was that what I saw?”

  He stood. “It’s hard to tell. It could have been anything. But if you had been alone and it was a mountain lion…” He left the sentence hanging. The answer was obvious.

  He watched her for a moment. “Why would you hide something like that from me?”

  She gazed up at him. “I thought Brutus might be killing deer.”

  He frowned, “And?”

  She shrugged. “I thought you would be upset.”

  He studied her for a moment and then put a hand on her shoulder.

  “Did you think I would ask you to put him down? I wouldn’t do that, Carmen. There are alternatives.”

  She gazed up at him. “I know, but…”

  It didn’t matter. The fact was, she wasn’t sure how he would react if he discovered Brutus was killing deer. Fortunately, Brutus wasn’t the culprit.

  “What are we going to do about the mountain lion?”

  He shrugged. “Deer are the mountain lion’s natural prey. As long as it sticks to that, it has a right to be out there. I just want you to be careful from now on. Can you use a gun?”

  She nodded. “My father taught me, but I don’t want to carry a gun everywhere I go. Besides, most wild animals will avoid humans.”

  He nodded. “That’s true, but they do attack humans on occasion.” He put an arm around her shoulder. “When Brutus is growling or barking at something, he’s warning you. Listen to him, okay?”

  She nodded. “I will from now on.”

  If it hurt him that she didn’t tell him about things like that, how would he feel when he found out about the place on the mountain? Josh was right, partly. Of course, Alex didn’t have to find out. But Josh might tell him. It would be better if she told him before Josh did.

  She got as far as opening her mouth, but when one brow lifted, she hesitated.

  “What?” He asked.

  She shrugged. “Nothing.”

  There was no point in talking to him about it now. She’d tell him when the time was right.

  She smiled. “So how did you learn all your hunting skills?”

  He shrugged. “My Dad taught me.”

  “He hunted?”

  He nodded. “And fished.”

  She made a face. “How did a man who hunted animals to eat become a veterinarian?”

  The dimple made an appearance. “How did a woman who loved goats bring herself to eat them?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I needed the food.” She sighed. “Even if you didn’t need the meat, you might want the variety.”

  He nodded. “I enjoyed hunting with my Dad.” His gaze searched her face. “Did you ever hunt or fish with your father?”

  She smiled wistfully, thinking of their time together on the mountain. “He didn’t hunt, that I know of, but we fished sometimes at the pond.” Her gaze lifted to his. “I guess it must have been disappointing to him that I turned out to be a girl.”

  Alex smiled, his eyes going that soft milk chocolate color. “I doubt it. I’m sure glad you weren’t a boy, though.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The hot days of summer were blown away by the chill of late September. Carmen had been practicing with some basic equipment and managed to decorate a cake for Alex’s birthday. She was pleased with the results, and so was Alex. Maybe she could take some of those classes.

  The weather turned hot, then cold and finally they moved into Indian summer. For the first time in her life, she didn’t have to put away summer clothes. There was enough room in the closets and dresser to keep it all available, which came in handy with the weather changes.

  One evening Carmen prepared a nice supper and put it on low heat in the oven to keep it warm while she dressed. The day was sunny and warm, so a lilac colored sundress was her choice. It was intended to be an off-th
e-shoulder style, but she pushed the frilly sleeves up as straps for extra support. She had gained enough weight to fill out the bodice completely.

  Donning a pair of low sandals, she decided to check on the lamb one last time before Alex arrived. It met her at the gate and she couldn’t resist petting it. Opening the gate, she went inside and kneeled down, hugging it. The lamb jumped on her, knocking one of her straps down. Because her hands were otherwise occupied, she left it there.

  The lamb was growing. It would make a nice addition to their safari. Of course, it wasn’t native to North America, but neither were her goats. Still, goats and sheep had been in North America for hundreds of years.

  A male voice interrupted her play. “How is married life treating you, Carmen?”

  She gasped with surprise and looked up to find Josh standing at the gate watching her with a strange expression. His gaze wandered over her and then came back to her eyes. “You’re beautiful,” he said flatly. In all the years she had known him, he had never said that to her, or anyone else in her presence. Nor had he ever looked at her that way, with such tenderness.

  Snapping her sagging jaw up, she pulled the strap up on her shoulder and forced a smile.

  “Thank you.”

  He shuffled from one foot to the other and cleared his throat.

  “When is Alex supposed to get home? I thought he would be here by now.”

  “He’s working a little late tonight, but he should be home any minute now.”

  He nodded, still watching her in that strange way. Finally he turned.

  “Well, I guess I’ll catch him later.”

  Without another word, he turned and left the barn

  Carmen stared after him and then shrugged. Maybe he needed a veterinarian and figured he’d get a discount,or a freebee. More than likely he’d get the latter. Alex never charged the Reynolds. He said he considered them family.

  She played with the lamb for a little while longer, unconcerned when both straps fell. To her way of thinking, it exposed too much breast, but no one was there to see it. Josh wasn’t likely to be back before Alex returned.

  When a shadow darkened the doorway, she glanced up quickly. Alex walked up to the gate and gazed down at her with a somber expression. Maybe he saw Josh drive away. Maybe he thought Josh saw her breasts exposed like that. Avoiding an impulse to jerk the straps back up, she gazed up at him.

  A slow smile worked its way across his face and into his eyes. “I wish I had a camera.”

  She squirmed under his gaze. “I guess it does look kind of silly. A grown woman playing in the hay with a lamb, all dressed up.”

  “Not silly,” he said, reaching a hand out to beckon her. “Come here, sweetheart.”

  His soft deep voice, the sultry look on his face…how could she resist? She stood and brushed the hay from her clothes. When she started to pull the straps up, he shook his head.

  “Leave those alone. They aren’t straps, you know.”

  A warm flush started up her neck. “Supper is ready,” she said as she moved toward him.

  He opened the gate for her and she went straight to his waiting arms. As her arms circled his neck, her lips sought and found his. For a long moment they embraced and kissed passionately. Finally she drew back.

  “I missed you today.”

  His chuckle was soft and his dark gaze mocked her as they turned toward the door. His arm draped across her shoulder in a tender but possessive way.

  “Did you? I wonder why?” His voice was soft and suggestive.

  The warmth in her neck increased.

  “I love you.”

  As they reached the door, he allowed her to exit first in his usual chivalrous way. She stepped out the door, still admiring him over her shoulder. The little laugh lines around those delicious eyes, and that cute dimple, gave his smile irresistible charm. Warm hands touched her waist as he moved closer. Strong arms encircled her waist and moved up, pulling her back against his chest.

  She leaned her head back, closing her eyes and smiling with the pure pleasure of the moment. Her fingers caressed his bare forearms, the sensual touch increasing her pulse.

  His warm lips touched her shoulder, planting soft kisses along it and up her neck until her heart was pounding. She moaned with pleasure and turned, molding her body against his as she kissed him passionately.

  The barn door groaned as it swung shut, exposing the figure leaning against the wall. Josh eyed them sourly.

  “For a minute there I thought I should hide my eyes.”

  It crossed Carmen’s mind that he might cry. What a silly notion. Never in her life had she seen him cry. Maybe he and Lori were fighting. Come to think of it, maybe that was why he wanted to talk to Alex.

  Alex eyed him sourly. “What do you need, Josh?” He gently guided Carmen to the side, his gaze never leaving Josh.

  “Go ahead and set supper out, sweetheart. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Sweet talk,” Josh said sourly as she walked away. Since she didn’t look at him, it was hard to say whether he was talking to her or Alex.

  “Maybe you should try it sometime,” Alex responded. “Now, what can I do for you?” He slipped into that professional persona.

  That was the last she heard of their conversation. Maybe Alex would never like Josh. In his defense, Josh wasn’t making it easy. Why did he insist on showing up when she was alone? He could have called. But that wasn’t like Josh. Everything had to be on his terms. There was another strange thought. It was true, but she had never thought of it before.

  She was putting the last bowl of food on the table when Alex walked into the kitchen. She glanced up at him.

  “It’s ready.”

  He started rolling his shirtsleeves up. “I’ll get washed up.”

  Lowering the heavy cast iron frying pan into the sink, she filled it with water and left it to soak. She paused, shoving the straps of her dress up, and then gathered the remaining pans, stacking them beside the sink to wash after supper.

  Alex walked up behind her and gently pushed the straps down on her arms. His fingers brushed her shoulders in a light caress.

  “Soft as velvet,” he said with a sigh. “Let’s see, where were we?” He went into instant replay, planting soft kisses on her neck.

  The way his lips lingered and the feel of his warm breath on her neck sent a thrill of excitement through her body. He knew every button to push.

  She turned, stepping away from him. “If I heat this stuff up one more time, it’s likely to get tough.”

  He chuckled. “I guess we’d better eat it, then.”

  He pulled a chair out and sat down, lifting one foot across the other knee.

  Reminding herself that the mirror promised she wasn’t as exposed as much breast as it looked from above, she left the ruffle on her arms and began filling their plates. He watched her all the while, and when she leaned forward to place his plate in front of him, his sultry gaze lifted to hers. The delicious milk chocolate eyes with their long black lashes were hypnotic. For a moment she gazed into them and forgot about supper.

  His warm fingers circled her wrist and the foot came down, making room for her on his lap. His gentle tug was all the encouragement she needed. Sinking into his lap, her arms surrounded his neck. Strong arms embraced her and their lips met with warm enthusiasm. It was one of those moments when the world ceased to exist around them.

  Finally she pulled away and stood. It was going to be one of those evenings when lovemaking lasted gracefully for hours. Marriage with Alex had taught her that sex and making love were two separate things. Making love was so much more enjoyable…so romantic. Somewhere in the evening there would be a seamless merging of the two, but until then, they both reveled in the soothing art of lovemaking.

  With a contented sigh, she sat down in the chair he held for her. After he was seated again, she filled her plate and they both ate in silence for a while. Finally she glanced up at him.

  “What did Josh want?”
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  Forking more sweet potatoes from his plate, he paused, lifting his gaze to hers.

  “I’m really not sure. He said he wanted some advice about horses, but when I asked him if he was going to buy one, he said no. He didn’t explain his interest.”

  He paused, taking a bite of the sweet potatoes, chewing them and then swallowing before continuing.

  “Did you know he walked over here?”

  “Walked? Did his truck break down or something?”

  He lifted his shoulders. “I don’t know. All I know is that when he left here, he walked across the field.” He paused again, his fork poised over the pork chop on his plate, his gaze fixed on her face. “I got the feeling he was upset about something.”

  Carmen shrugged. “He came by earlier and didn’t tell me anything. He just asked when you would be home. Maybe he was working in the south pasture and decided to come see you.”

  His gaze wandered over her face absently and then finally returned to his food. As he picked up a knife and sliced the meat, he mused.

  “So he walked over here to ask me about horses when he had none. He came at a time when I would normally be home; yet if he was in the pasture, he should know I hadn’t come home yet.”

  She stared at him, a bad feeling twisting her stomach.

  “What are you trying to say, Alex?”

  “I don’t know.” He made a precision cut through the meat. “Maybe he didn’t want to see me at all. Maybe he figured that if I didn’t see his truck, I wouldn’t know he was here.”

  Carmen frowned. “Are you trying to say he came here to see me?”

  His gaze drifted over her dress, saying what his lips refused to utter.

  Carmen stiffened and dropped her fork. “If you think I dressed for him, or invited him…”

  His brows lifted. “I didn’t think anything like that.”

  “Then what?”

  He sighed heavily. “Maybe he saw you go to the barn. Maybe he came to ask if you were happy with your decision.”

  “Alex!” she gasped. “He’s married.”

  “And he’s still in love with you.” His intent gaze challenged her to deny the statement.