The Cowboy Imports a Bride(The Cowboys Of Chance Creek #3)

by Cora Seton

  She watched him, eyes sparkling, but when he climbed onto the bed, she sat up straight and held him off. "We need to talk for a minute." She brushed her lips over his cheek, as if promising they'd do more than talk afterward. "We've got to do something about Claire and Jamie, and about your family, too."

  "You think we should try to reason with them again?" He didn't see what else they could do.

  "I was thinking more along the lines of a practical joke."

  Rob's eyebrows shot up. "You serious?"

  "I am." A wicked smile curved her lips. "I think it's time to get them all, good."

  "Tell me about it." He couldn't wait any longer. He eased her down onto the mattress and covered her body with his own. Kissing her neck and then her jaw, then finally her mouth, he said. "Actually, hold that thought for a minute, would you?"

  She let out a sigh as he traced his lips over her chin and down her neck, as he cupped one breast with his hand. "Okay," she said, and before he could even ask, she'd skimmed the shortie nightgown she wore up over her head and hurled it across the room to join his towel.

  "That's more like it," Rob said. He took a moment to lift all the kittens off of the bed and deposit them on the floor. He would never grow tire of Morgan's body. Curvy in all the right places, he loved to touch her, taste her and tease her until she moaned beneath him in delight. He intended to do all three of those things right now, but he wished he could do more. He couldn't wait to make love to Morgan.

  She seemed to be as much on fire for him as he was for her. She stroked his back, curving her palms over his ass, then traced her fingernails back up his skin.

  Rob shivered and pulled her closer, lavishing his attentions of first one breast, then the other. He could spend all night right here…if he didn't have to get up in a couple of hours and start all over again.

  With that thought in mind, he cut to the chase, wriggling lower and beginning to explore her center with his tongue.

  Morgan arched and moaned, a sound that set him on fire. He wished…

  "Rob," she breathed and tried to pull him back up closer to her.

  "Honey, let me make you feel good," he said, and bent back to his delicious task.

  "Rob." This time she tugged harder, her hands on his biceps. He sighed and inched back up to face her.

  "What is it?" he said.

  Her cheeks stained with color, a sight so beautiful it made his heart ache.

  "I don't want to wait anymore to be with you. I want to make love to you tonight. Right now." She bit her lip, waiting for his answer.

  His eyes narrowed. "You sure?" he said.

  She nodded. "Definitely."

  "What about waiting for our wedding?" he asked. Hell, he'd been ready to make love to her the day they'd met, but so much was screwed up right now, he didn't want to tip the balance against them. Women were funny sometimes. They got notions in their heads that were best to go along with. He didn't want Morgan to wake up disappointed tomorrow.

  "I'm no virgin," she said. "And I know I'm going to be with you forever. I made up my mind the night you came to Victoria. You're the only man for me, Rob Matheson, and nothing's going to change that – not your family or mine. I've watched you these past few weeks doing everything you can to set up a life for us. No one's making it easy, but whatever they throw our way, you handle it and keep going. I respect you for that, so much. I know we can build something that will last." She searched his face and he figured she was wondering if he felt the same way.

  He sure as hell did. "I don't care what any of them says. I’m marrying you and I’m staying married to you."

  She took in a deep breath. "I think I love you."

  Warmth surged into Rob's heart. He lowered his head to kiss her. "I know I love you."

  "Show me," she whispered, and Rob nearly lost his grip right then. Slipping an arm behind her, he cupped her head and lifted it to meet her mouth with his. He kissed her long and hard, a possessive kiss, wanting her to feel the depth of his love for her right down to her toes. He didn't know when friendship, respect and desire for her had transformed into something deeper, but he did know he never wanted to let her go again. He would never accept circumstances that led to anything but their being together.

  He ravished her again with his mouth, this time knowing that before they were done, he would possess all of her, body and soul. He took his time, exploring every inch of her, until Morgan twisted her hands in her hair and dragged him up to face her once more.

  "I…can't…wait," she gasped out. "Now, Rob."

  Gathering her close, he moved into position, wanting to stay here always, just on the verge of taking her, with the whole experience right in front of him. Morgan cried out in frustration and gripped him hard. Slipping her hands down to cup his ass once again, she tried to pull him inside her.

  He held back only an instant, then slid into her, inch by agonizing inch.

  Morgan moaned and he checked to make sure it was in pleasure. Yep, sure looked like it. She opened her eyes and glared at him. "What are you waiting for?"

  He bent down and kissed her, then began to move. Slowly at first, he stroked in and out until Morgan clutched the bedclothes tightly in her fists. As he sped up, she opened her eyes again and met his gaze. The rise and fall of her breasts against him as moved within her set his skin on fire, but it was Morgan herself – seeing her watch him watch her – that nearly sent him over the edge.

  She was getting close, judging by her ragged breathing. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she moved under him, matching him stroke for stroke. "Rob," she breathed, "Oh, God…"

  When she cried out, he came with her, letting go all the passion he'd held in for so long. He barely stifled his own cries, only too conscious they weren't alone in the house. Someday soon they'd have their own place and he'd make love to Morgan for hours every night.

  When they collapsed together, he found it hard not to start all over again. They had to get some sleep, though. Morgan had as early a morning ahead of her as he did.

  "You are amazing," he whispered into her hair.

  "You are amazing," she said. "I've never felt like that before."

  "You ain't seen nothing yet." He moved to slide out of her, but she stopped him.

  "Hold on, let me tell you my idea. I think you're going to like it," she said.

  And as they lay together, entwined in the most intimate of ways, Rob listened to her plan and began to smile.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  At precisely twelve-thirty Sunday afternoon, two trucks pulled into the driveway of the Cruz ranch, and the Matheson family climbed out. Morgan, watching them from the front door of the Big House, wondered how often the two families had gotten together in the past. While the younger generation of Mathesons and Cruzes had grown up as friends, the parents seemed to have been something of rivals. Surely from time to time, however, they'd gotten together and shared a meal.

  At any rate, they would do so today. Ethan had returned an hour ago from shuttling the latest group of guests to the airport and they had several hours before a new crop arrived. Morgan had timed her request for a family get-together to take advantage of this break in the action. She helped Autumn prepare a light lunch of sandwiches and salads, and hoped that everyone would stick around long enough to eat it.

  "Mom, Dad, good to see you," Rob said, moving past her and stepping out onto the porch.

  Holt grunted and Lisa hugged him. Jake, Luke and Ned filed up the front steps after them, and Rob ushered them all inside.

  Jamie, Claire, Ethan and Autumn were already in the great room. The table was set and the food ready to serve. Morgan had long debated whether to speak before or after the meal. In the end, she and Rob had agreed to speak first. They both knew they couldn't sit through an entire lunch knowing what was to come.

  "Have a seat," Rob said to his family, gesturing to the comfortable couches that ringed the living room area. When they did, he held out his hand to Morgan and pulled her to sta
nd next to him in front of the enormous stone fireplace. "Morgan and I have some news for you."

  "You're having a baby?" Lisa popped up again and the others in the room exchanged glances, but Rob quickly regained control of the situation.

  "No, we're not having a baby. Not yet, anyhow." Lisa sat down, looking disappointed. "You all know we plan to get married in October, and we're grateful for the support we've received."

  Morgan bit back a snort. Some support. Although, to be fair, Ethan and Autumn had stood by them the whole time, and Lisa was their number one fan.

  "Our presence in Chance Creek, however, hasn't made things easy on the rest of you."

  Autumn opened her mouth as if to contradict this, but Morgan caught her eye and gave her head a little shake. She relaxed when her sister-in-law sat back against the couch cushions, but Autumn didn't look happy about it.

  "We've been doing a lot of thinking," Rob went on. "At first we hoped to start a winery and riding school on the Matheson acreage," he nodded at his father, who crossed his arms over his chest, "and when that didn't work out, we hoped we could do the same on the Cruz ranch." He caught the eye of Jamie and Claire. "We've learned our lesson. Our plans don't quite fit in the scheme of things at either place." He waited a beat. "That's why we're moving to California."

  The room erupted into instant chaos. Lisa surged to her feet again, her eyes flashing with anger. Jake shouted at Rob, something about, "I told you why!" Jamie and Claire stared at each other in horror. Ethan's mouth hung open, and tears ran openly down Autumn's face. Morgan wanted to run to her, but she couldn't. Not if they were to play this thing out to its conclusion.

  "Hold on, everyone. Let me finish what I was saying," Rob said. His face was strained, but his voice remained strong. "Morgan's received a job offer in Napa. She's leaving this afternoon to check it out. They've offered her a week-long trial run to see if it's a good fit. I've been in touch with a riding school in the same area that's looking for someone to teach rodeo skills. Morgan's job comes with onsite housing, which makes things easy. We'll make up our minds at the end of the week based on her experience whether or not it's a good fit. If it is, we'll pack up our stuff and make the move at the beginning of October. Now I hope you all will enjoy your lunch. I've got to get Morgan to the airport, then I'm heading over to Carl's." He squeezed Morgan's shoulders. "Once we move permanently to California, we plan to start our family, so we'll need all the cash we can get. As for the wedding," he turned his attention to his father. Holt, still as stone, stared back at him. "We don't want to put everyone out, so we've decided to make a layover in Vegas on our way out to our new digs. I've always wanted to get married in one of those Elvis chapels." He kissed her on the forehead.

  When Rob released her, Morgan made a beeline for Autumn. Taking her sister-in-law into a warm hug, she said, "Don't be sad, I'll be back in a week. I've called Rose and Tracey – they've agreed to fill in for me." She squeezed her, hoping Autumn would somehow know their separation wouldn't be for good. This was why she didn't like practical jokes. Someone always got hurt.

  But she hoped the end result would be worth it.

  "I'm ready," she told Rob. "Let's go."

  * * * * *

  Rob was glad to see Morgan relax as they drove to the airport. When Autumn had started to cry, he thought she'd confess their deception right then and there. He knew her sister-in-law's reaction still upset her, but she was able to see the funny side of it all, too.

  "Did you see the look on your mother's face when you said we'd get married in Vegas?" Morgan said.

  "I thought my dad was going to keel over when I said we planned to have kids the minute we hit California. He's been angling for grandkids for years. Wants to bring them up on the ranch, like he did us."

  "Autumn was pretty upset, though," Morgan said, sobering up again.

  "I know. I wish she hadn't taken it so hard," Rob said. "I swore I'd never play another practical joke, and here we are pulling off the whopper of our lives."

  "They deserve it," Morgan said. "Well, Ethan and Autumn don't. Neither does your Mom, but the rest of them do."

  "Got that right."

  "You going to be okay back there all by yourself? Think you can keep up appearances?"

  "I'll be working like a dog. I won't have time to talk to anyone. How about you? You going to be okay out in California all by yourself?"

  "Yep. I've never had this kind of vacation," Morgan said. "Thank God Tara Kramer still lives in the Bay Area, or this trip would cost a fortune. She said she's got her guest room ready for me, and she's dying to spend a day driving around Napa and tasting all the different wines. I only wish you could be there, too."

  He felt a pang of loneliness even though they hadn't reached the airport yet. "Someone's got to build Carl's garden." He touched her thigh. "But I'll miss you, too."

  Saying good-bye at the airport was one of the hardest things he'd ever done. Only two months ago, they'd played out this same scenario, her catching a flight to Victoria, leaving him behind. This time, though, they were engaged and he knew she'd be coming right back in seven days. It should have made it easier.

  It didn't.

  "You have to stay in character," she reminded him for the hundredth time. "Even when you think you're alone. If they know we're joking, none of this will work."

  "I won't screw this up. I promise." He kissed her again. "Be good."

  "Don't forget to feed the kittens."

  "I won't."

  "Love you."

  "Love you, too." He could swear her eyes were shining with tears as she handed her tickets to the stewardess.

  He couldn’t wait for this week to be over.

  * * * * *

  As Morgan hauled her suitcases to Tara's spare room, she wondered again if she was doing the right thing. She looked forward to reconnecting with her old university friend, but she also longed for some time alone to think about her future. Tara planned to take the next few days off, but she would have to go in to work Wednesday through Friday. Rather than fill every minute with sight-seeing, Morgan decided she would use that time to take a long hard look at her life.

  She hoped her flight would bring Claire and Jamie to their senses and bring about a reconciliation between everyone she'd left behind at the Cruz ranch. She also hoped it would force the Mathesons to realize how much they'd miss Rob if he really left. She understood Holt's desire to keep his family together, but he had to give his son leeway to pursue his dreams, and he had to see that Rob was his own man now. She hoped he could.

  Meanwhile, it was time for her to do some soul-searching of her own. If it didn't work out for them to build a winery on either the Matheson or Cruz ranches, then perhaps it was time to let that particular dream go.

  She knew all the costs of starting such a business. She had taken into consideration the number of years it would take for the vines to grow to maturity, and the additional time it would take to create a vintage worth selling. She wasn't sure anymore if it was a dream that made sense.

  What did she truly want in life?

  A family. A community. A good job. Something extra to give back.

  It was the day-to-day things in life – a hand held, a tear wiped away, a hug, a smile – that would fill her heart. Success at work was an additional bonus.

  Wasn't it?

  For one minute she thought she could make do without a winery of her own.

  For one minute.

  Then her ambition surged up again and showed her the truth; she'd be miserable if she couldn't pursue her dream. Please, she prayed to her family and her friends. Please find a way to come together again.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  "You can't leave," Claire said, pacing the living room at the bunkhouse. In her elegant work clothes, she looked out of place in the homely room. Probably on her way to or from decorating Carl's new mansion, Rob thought. Jamie, in jeans, t-shirt and cowboy boots looked more at home as he sat on the couch.

  "Why not?
Isn't that exactly what you wanted? The minute you found out we'd be living here, you lit into Morgan like a pit bull."

  Claire reared back, her black bob swinging. "I was pissed, but I didn't mean for this to happen."

  "What the hell did you want?" Rob was exhausted, as usual, and Claire made a mighty fine target at the moment. He couldn't believe how much he missed Morgan, and she'd only been gone one day. Claire and Jamie had cornered him when he ducked in for some lunch, and now he couldn't shake them.

  "I wanted…answers," she cried. "Dammit, how am I supposed to know how to be a good mother until I figure out what made Mom so bad?"

  "Claire," Jamie reached for her. "You'll be a terrific mom."

  "How do you know? Maybe poor parenting skills are inherited."

  "What the hell does your mom have to do with anything?" Rob said.

  Claire turned on her heel and strode out of the room, obviously on the verge of tears. Jamie watched her go, then dropped his head into his hands. "This is my fault," he said. "I want to start a family. I kept pushing on our honeymoon. I kept saying we should…" he waved a hand, "you know."

  "Throw away Willy's hat?" Rob finished for him. He and Morgan had done that, and he couldn't wait to try it again.

  "Yeah, something like that. Before we got married she was all for having kids, but once we went on the honeymoon, she kept saying she wanted to wait. I couldn't figure out why." He straightened up. "Autumn's already three months pregnant. If we went for it now, our kids would be in the same grade, you know? They'd grow up together. If we wait, they…won't."

  Rob stared at him. Did Jamie think he'd be sympathetic about his marital problems when Claire had tried to run them off the ranch? Jamie must have seen his expression because he stood up. "I'm saying it so you'll understand why Claire's upset. She thinks that she'll be as bad a mother as Aria was. She's freaking out."