The Debutantes of Durango Box Set Books 1-3

by Peggy McKenzie

  He had never before held such power, and he reveled in the feeling of having this beautiful woman’s undivided attention. “Are you certain? You can still change your mind before this goes any further.” He offered her one last chance to put a stop to this, but at the same time he prayed she wouldn’t.

  “I’ve made my decision, Matthew, and I can’t understand why you’re still over there when I’m over here...waiting.” she whispered, her eyes caressed his face, then lowered to his chest, dropping to follow the dark trail that disappeared into the waistband of his britches.

  “I’m here, Rose, and I won’t make you wait a minute longer.”

  He lay down beside her and together, under the canopy of willows, he made love to his beautiful Rose.

  Chapter Ten

  Rose rode behind Matthew on his horse for the ride back to the ranch. They led her mare, content to follow behind. She knew she might as well shout to the mountaintops what they had done, but she couldn’t make herself care. She was in love. Fabulously, famously, and forever...she was in love. And she was loved. She had finally found a man who had fallen hopelessly in love with her and not Daniel’s daughter. She didn’t give two hoots in a well who knew it. Not her cousin, Roxi. Not her Aunt Jeannie or Aunt Lila, not even—

  Her father. She had meant to tell Matthew the truth after they had spent the afternoon making love to each other, but she just couldn’t bring herself to spoil the moment. Matthew had said this was the beginning of their future together. She didn’t want to look back on this day and have the memory spoiled by her revelation.

  The Harvest Ball was in a few weeks. After that, her parents expected her home. She just needed a plan to explain them to Matthew and Matthew to them. She was glad she had Aunt Jeannie to help with the explanation. If anyone could get through to her father, it was her mother and her aunt.

  The rocking motion of the horse distracted her from her worrisome thoughts. No, it wasn’t the horse’s rocking motion. It was her breasts brushing against Matthew’s back that was the distraction. She still tingled in all the right places because of Matthew’s exquisite lovemaking skills. She squeezed her eyes closed as the feelings of that moment sent ripples across her body again. She shivered.

  “Are you alright, Rose? You’re awfully quiet. Are you having second thoughts about…what we did?” She felt Matthew’s voice vibrating against her chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him close, her cheek pressed against his back.

  “I’m more than alright. And no, I’m not having second thoughts. I’m just thinking about...the future.” she wasn’t sure how to approach the subject exactly.

  “I will always remember the time we spent...under the willow trees.” Matthew pulled on her hand and lifted it to his mouth. He gifted it with a tender kiss and a gentle squeeze.

  She wondered what they should do when they got back to the ranch. She knew Roxi would have a million questions.

  “Matthew, we’ll be back at the ranch in a few minutes. What should I say to Roxi. What are you planning to say to Alex?”

  “We aren’t going to say anything. Let them think what they want. Although chances are your cousin will want to have a chat with you at some point before we head back to town. Let her bring it up.” Matthew’s advice seemed sound. She nodded in agreement and allowed herself to relax a bit.

  She would swear Roxi to secrecy about her and Matthew’s time away from the ranch this afternoon. Her aunts would have no way of knowing what happened today. Her parents certainly had no way of knowing. She just needed to relax and pretend like today was just like any other day. Only it wasn't. It wasn't like any other day she’d ever had. It was a day she would remember for the rest of her life.

  They rode to the ranch house. Matthew stopped at the back door of the house and helped her off the horse. She could tell he wanted to kiss her, but refrained. Why add kindling to an already smoldering fire. She stood and watched Matthew lead the two horses to the barn and disappear inside. She loved him so much her heart nearly burst with emotions.

  “I take it by that dreamy gaze in Mr. Bell’s direction, you had a good ride?" Rose whirled to see Roxi standing in the open doorway. The knowing look on her cousin’s face gave her a moment of panic.

  “Whatever do you mean?” It was a weak attempt at diversion, and she knew it. Matthew said Roxi would want to have a chat and it would be best to get it over with.

  “Abbie, what have you done?” Roxi’s face wrinkled in concern.

  Abbie cast another longing gaze toward the barn before she turned to her cousin. “I’ve fallen in love. And I need your advice.”

  “Come inside. Alex is out riding fence and Grace is napping upstairs in her room, so we have the house to ourselves.” Roxi pulled her inside and sat her down at the kitchen table. “I’ll make some tea and then you are going to tell me everything.”

  An hour after he and Rose returned from their ride, Matthew hitched the rented mare to the carriage and helped Rose onto the seat. They both waved their goodbyes doing their best to ignore the knowing looks of Roxi and Alex.

  They crested the top of the hill and turned for a final wave. Roxi and Alex were still standing on the porch and waved back.

  “They know, don’t they?” Matthew had wondered, but he didn’t bring the subject up with Alex. It wasn’t any of their business, but women had a tendency to meddle in stuff like this. He figured Roxi was no exception to that expectation.

  “Yes, they know. Well, at least Roxi does. She was waiting for me at the back door when you dropped me off. I took your advice and told her what she wanted to know.” Rose admitted.

  He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Was she shocked at the two of us?”

  “No, she wasn’t surprised at all, but she hated keeping our secret from Alex.”

  Matthew turned to look at Rose’s profile staring straight ahead. “I doubt it’s a secret to Alex. Did she say she would keep our afternoon ride to herself, and not tell your aunts?"

  “She’s not going to tell anyone. Roxi said this is our business and it isn’t her place to share the titillating details of our personal lives with nosey relatives.”

  “And does she know the titillating details?” He was rather shocked that Rose would share such intimate information. That’s a man’s job. At least, a certain type of man of which he was not one.

  “No, of course not.” She grinned and slapped him on the arm, then reach over and kissed him on the cheek as if to take the sting out of her playful slap. “She’s just concerned about me, that’s all. And, she said— ”

  He could tell she was hesitant to continue. “Go on, tell me what she said. I’ve got thick skin.” he assured her, but he was a bit worried about Roxi’s opinion of him.

  “She said that you better come up with a proposal by the Harvest Ball or she would let my aunts loose on you.” Rose sent him a worried look. “I think she was kidding.”

  “Don’t you worry, Rose. You leave all of that up to me. You just make sure you wear the prettiest dress you can find to the Harvest Ball. And that’s all I’m gonna say,” he teased.

  She smiled at him with his favorite smile. The one that said how much she loved and trusted him. He would die a slow and painful death before he ever disappointed the girl behind that beautiful smile.

  “This will all work out, Rose. I swear it. Now, tell me the truth. Are you having a good time on your holiday?”

  She grinned. “Well, if you must know...yes, I’m having the most wonderful time of my life, Matthew. And it’s all because of you...and our horseback ride to the river.”

  He chuckled at Rose’s hidden meaning. “Glad to hear I could be of service to you, ma’am.” He tipped his hat in a mock bow and he watched the becoming blush color her cheeks. “By the way, I’m quite impressed that you ride so well. Alex told me you used to ride with Regina when you were young and came to visit, but you ride as though it's second nature. Did you have a horse growing up in Philadelphia?" He sna
pped the reins to keep the horse moving at a good clip towards town. Their unexpected horseback ride had taken more time than they had planned. The sun was fading in the western sky and it would be close to dark by the time they got back to town.

  Matthew noticed that Rose had grown quiet. Had he said something to upset her? He gathered both reins in his right hand and wrapped his other arm around her shoulders. “Sweetheart, is something wrong? Did I say something that upset you?” Whatever it was, he would fix it.

  She shook her head. “No, it’s just that...well, I probably should have told you this sooner, but I didn’t think we would grow so close, and I never dreamed I would fall in love with you, Matthew.”

  “Tell me what?” He wondered what could he could have said to change her happy appearance.

  “It's my family. We're not like my aunts or my cousins...we're not the same...socially. You see, my family isn’t...well, we aren’t…” Rose stumbled around her words.

  He saw her troubled expression and suddenly, he understood. “Don’t give it another thought. I understand completely.” He hugged her even closer.

  “You do?” She looked relieved. Was she so worried he would hold her accountable for her family’s meager existence? He would let her know that none of that mattered to him.

  “Of course I do. It's not your fault your family isn’t wealthy. That’s nothing to be ashamed of at all. Rich folks who have those vast estates with the high fences and iron gates to keep people like you and me out, those are the ones who should be ashamed for how they treat people like us who work for a living.”

  He wasn’t sure he was making his point if the expression on her face was any indication. “What I’m trying to say, and not doing a very good job of, is that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. What your family has or doesn't have is not important to me. I will always take care of you. I will always provide for you. And should your family require it, I will be there to take care of them as well. Never doubt that for a minute, Rose.”

  “You will?”

  “Sure. Not everyone has been born into a privileged life. One where they are given every advantage. People born wealthy simply don't understand what it means to work for every dollar. Or to scrimp and save just to put food on the table to feed their family.”

  “They don’t?”

  “They don’t. But that’s alright. That doesn't make them bad people. They just don't understand what it takes to work hard for things. But we are the lucky ones because we do.”

  “We do?”

  “Of course. We we may be the working class, but we are the ones who have had the good fortune to know an honest day’s work. We have earned our place in this world and we aren't just taking up space without giving something back to our fellow man...or woman.”

  Matthew realized he was going on and on and he hadn’t let Rose get a word in edgewise, but he needed to make sure she understood. “You never have to worry, Rose. I will always take care of you—and your family if need be. I make a good living by taking care of rich people's problems, so I will always be able to provide for you.” He hoped his words were true considering he hadn’t figured out what had happened to Miss Livingston and her aunt yet. “Anyway, I can say that my life has meaning. Most folks with money can't say that.”

  “They can’t?”

  By her two word response, he could see Rose was still troubled about something, though he couldn't begin to guess what. He had tried to reassure her the best he knew how, but something was still not quite right with his beautiful lady. “Rose, are you alright?”

  “Yes, I’m alright. Well,…I’m not sure. You and I have never talked about this sort of thing. I just didn’t realize that you and I were so— ”

  “So much alike? I think that’s why we get along so well, don’t you?” Matthew couldn’t remember ever being happier in his life than he was right at this minute.

  His happiness bubbled over. “Well, we better get you home before your aunts send the sheriff looking for us.” He was teasing but he could see the worry on Rose’s face. “I’m teasing you, Rose. We’re here.”

  Matthew pulled the carriage up to the front walk, tied off the brake, and rushed around to help Rose down. He wanted to kiss her, but after this afternoon’s...horseback ride, he thought the less chance of questions, the better.

  “I’ll walk you to the door.” he offered.

  “No, I think it best if I go alone. It’ll give my aunts less opportunity to ask you questions you may not want to answer.” She gave him a weak smile at her attempt at humor.

  “Rose, something seems off. Are you sure you’re alright? Are you having regrets about what— ”

  “Rose, you should come in now. It’s getting late.” Matthew and Rose turned to see both of her aunts standing at the front door.

  “Um, you might be right.” He offered a friendly wave to the two women watching their every move. Were they suspicious? How could they be? They had no idea where they had been today. He suddenly realized that may be part of the problem.

  “You tell your aunts whatever story you want to. Just let me know what that story is so I can back you up.”

  Rose nodded and sent him another half-smile. Something was off, but he couldn’t put his finger on when precisely her mood had changed.

  “I would love to kiss you right now, but…”

  Rose looked up at him, her troubled gaze searching his face for something.

  “Rose?”

  “I don’t think a kiss would be a good idea considering that my aunts are watching us right now. I should go.” She lifted her chin and turned toward the house.

  “Will I see you tomorrow?” he called out to her. He saw her hesitate and without turning around, she answered, “We’ll see.”

  We’ll see? Had she said that for her aunts’ benefit? What other reason could there be? They had shared a once-in-a-lifetime moment underneath the willow trees. It had been a beautiful experience between the two of them and he had no doubt their future would be filled with happiness.

  Matthew shook his head to clear his doubt. “Of course, it was for her aunts' benefit,” he mumbled to himself. He gave her aunts another wave goodbye and climbed aboard the carriage. He steered the mare toward the livery stable to return the rented property.

  The proprietor looked over the horse and carriage for any damages. “Good as new.” the man reported and took them away.

  Matthew walked the few short blocks to his hotel for a meal and a good night’s sleep. It was too late to go by the telegraph office to see if he had received an answer to the telegram he sent Mr. Livingston. Tomorrow would be soon enough. He had enough to think about tonight.

  He entered the plush lobby of the hotel and headed to the restaurant. His mind raced with plans for the future. He hoped Mr. Livingston’s reply would reveal his daughter was safe at home and he should come on back and collect his money for a job well done.

  His thoughts drifted to this afternoon and his time with Rose as he enjoyed his dinner of roast beef and potatoes. He could never have imagined feeling this way about someone again. Especially after Julia’s lies and betrayal. He’d spent most of his adult years alone, but now he could see a bright future with Rose by his side. All he needed was to locate Miss Livingston and collect her father’s fee. Only then, could he relax knowing his life would be perfect.

  Chapter Eleven

  It had been a week since she’d laid eyes on Matthew, and now she understood what her aunts had been trying to make her see. Feelings get in the way of the truth and after last week’s ride out to Roxi and Alex’s ranch, and the trip to the willow grove, she had a whole new perspective on Mr. Bell.

  “Abigail, you didn’t hear a word I said, did you?” Aunt Jeanine’s voice pulled her out of her troubled thoughts. “You aren’t eating enough to keep a bird alive. What is wrong with you? Are you ill? Shall I send for the doctor?”

  Her Aunt Lila came around the table and placed the back of her hand against Abbie’s forehea
d. “Well, whatever is ailing her, she has no fever.”

  What was ailing her was self-doubt and she hated to admit that her aunts may have been right when they had warned her to slow down. She had thought she knew Matthew. The kind of man he was. And she supposed to some extent she did. He was honorable when he could have taken advantage of her, but—

  “I’m not sick. I’m just…”

  “Has Mr. Bell done something perhaps he shouldn’t have? Has he said something that has upset you? I assure you that although your father isn’t here, Regina’s husband will take him to task. Just say the word.” Aunt Lila promised.

  “No, it isn’t Mr. Bell—Matthew. It’s...me.”

  “You? What about you? Have you done something that you shouldn’t have?” Aunt Jeannie whispered. She saw her aunts exchange a worried look and then they both bookended her chair at the table which left her no room to escape their persistent inquisition.

  “Abigail, I won’t ask you again.”

  She turned to look at Aunt Jeannie and then at Aunt Lila. They weren’t going to let this go and she had to admit she needed their advice.

  “Okay, if I tell you, will you promise not to overreact?”

  The indignant look on their faces was almost comical. “We never overreact.” Aunt Lila proclaimed. Though Abbie knew full well that her cousin Regina had a completely different take on her mother’s disposition.

  “Just hear me out before you...offer your opinion.” Abigail tried to soothe their wounded pride the best she could.

  “Yes, we promise. Now tell us what has caused your melancholy this last week? You haven’t wanted to go shopping, which in my opinion, is unheard of.” her Aunt Lila declared. “Or out to do errands in town, or even out of the house. You have us worried, Abigail. The only thing we can think that could possibly make you this upset is Mr. Bell. And the fact that you seem to be avoiding him all of this last week is worrisome. So tell us, Abbie. Tell us what has you so upset.”