WhiplashWedding
ByLeahRipley
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproduced,scanned,ordistributedinanyform
withoutthewrittenpermissionoftheauthor,exceptwherepermittedbylaw.Thisbookisaworkof
fictionandanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,ispurelycoincidental.
©2017LeahRipleyRomance
WelcometoWayapCounty
TheBaltonname’sfamoushereinMercySprings,Wyoming.Foroverahundredyears,visitorsfrom
aroundthecountryhavetraveledtothisblipofatowntopaytheirrespectstotheclan’slegendary
gunslingingpatriarch.Harrison“Buck”Baltonsettleddownheretobuildarespectablelifewithhis
spitfirebride.Tothisday,hiskinhaveworkedtobuildthefamilyranchintoaWayapCountyinstitution.
EveryoneintownknowstheBaltonsisters:Charlie,thesteadyworkhorse;Meredith,thefreespirit;and
Hope,thebombshellbeauty.They’veworkedhardtowrestleoldBuck’sranchintothetwenty-first
century.Thesethreeindependentwomenareusedtoworkinghard,butthey’llsoonfindthatlove’stheir
hardestchallengeyet.
Forbonuscontentandinformationonupcomingreleases,visitmeat
leahripleyromance.wordpress.com
Enjoy!
Leah
TableofContents
ChapterOne
“Yes,itlookslikewe’vegotavailabilityonthethird...oh!”
Great.Thepowerinsidetheranchofficehadgoneout.Herdesktopcomputer,alongwiththeranch’s
reservationprogram,weredead.Charlieturnedoverthenearestpieceofpaperandgrabbedapen.
“Areyoustillthere?Ok,we’vegotavailabilityonthethirdforsix.CanIwriteyouin?Perfect.”
Charliescribbledthereservationnotesinthedark.Hopefullyit’dbelegibleenoughtoreadoncethe
lightscamebackon.
“ThanksagainforchoosingtheBaltonRanch.Seeyousoon.”
Shehunguphercellphoneandplaceditnexttothedustylandlinesittingonthedesk.Sixmonthsago,
Charliesetupthephonesystemtoforwardallcallstoherpersonalphone.Thatwayshecouldhandle
ranchbusinesswhereversheneededtobe-onthetrail,buyingfeed,muckingstalls.Withhersister
Meredithgoneonsomefoolishsoul-searchingpilgrimagetoFrance,Charliehadnochoicebuttoadd
deskdutytoherlonglistofresponsibilities.
Runningtheranchwasa24/7rollercoaster.ProbablyoneofthereasonsHopeandMeredithdidn’t
complainwhenMomandDaddeededtheplaceovertoCharlietwoyearsago.Hersisterslovedthe
ranch,justnottherelentlessworkneededtokeeptheplacealive.Charliedidn’tmind.Herpassionforthe
horseskepthergoing,despitetheslimmargins.Butnowwasnotthetimetolamentthecontentsofher
bankaccount.Shehadtofigureoutthisproblemwiththepower.
“Charlie!”
Heryoungersister’svoiceechoedthroughthehouse.Thesistershadgrownuphere,inthehistoric
homesteadbuiltbyBuckBaltoninthelate1800s.MomandDadhadtriedtospruceuptheplacebefore
theymovedtothatretirementcommunityinFlorida,buttheranchhousealwaysfeltmorehauntedmansion
thanhomey.NowwithonlyHopeandCharlielivinghere,theonce-beautifulpropertyfeltpractically
abandoned.
“Charlie?Whathappenedtothelights?”
Cuetheeyeroll.“Idunno,youpissoffanyaxemurdererslately?”
Hopematerializedintheofficedoorway.“Haha.Veryfunny.”
CharliesuppressedasecondeyerollwhenshesawHope’soutfit.Leaveittoherbabysistertospend
Saturdaymorningloungingaroundthehouseinasilkblouseandstylishleatherboots.
“I’mguessingablownfuse?I’llgooutsideandcheck.”
“Oh,Andycandothat!He’sprobablystillasleep,butIcanwakehimup.”
OhLord.Honestly,shedidn’tknowwhyhersisterdatedtheman.Or,forthatmatter,whyCharlie
allowedhimtoliveandworkontheranch.
“Look,whydon’tyouenjoysomeone-on-onetimewithyourboytoy?Thisshouldn’ttakelong.”
WhatCharliereallywantedtosaywasthatthelasttimeAndyhandledanythingbeyondabalance
sheet,herippedupagoodthirtyfeetoffencing.Charliedidn’tmindhelpingouthersister’sboyfriend
withajob.Shejustwouldn’tlethimdestroyherbusinesswithhiscarelessness.
“Suityourself,”Hopehuffed.“Youdon’thavetodoeverything,youknow.”
Charliegritherteeth,butHopeflouncedoffbeforeshecouldlandontherightsassyretort.She’d
promisedtokeephersistersinvolvedwiththebusiness,butshefoundittoughtoletgoofcontrol.She
knewherrefusaltodelegatehaddrivenMeredithaway.HowlonguntilHopefollowed?
Sheputthatparticularworrytothebackofhermind.Charlieslippedonherworkbootsandcoat.
Eventhoughitwastechnicallyspring,Wyomingweatherstillmanagedtopackapunch.Charlieshoved
herhandsinherpocketsandleanedintothewind,workingherwayaroundthebackofthehousetowards
thefusebox.
Hm.Theswitchwasn’tflipped.Charlieturneditoffandonjustforgoodmeasurebutnothing
happened.Thethoughttakingshapeinhermindmadehersick.HadAndynotpaidtheelectricbill?True,
moneywastightsinceshe’dexpandedintoofferingtrailrides.No,hewouldhavetoldheriftheydidn’t
havethecashon-hand.
Sheslammedherfistagainstthesideofthehouseandcursed.She’dcallthepowercompanyfirst
thing.IfAndyhadforgottentopaythebill,thenthiswasthelaststraw.Thebusinesswasstrugglingtoo
muchtoleaveitinthehandsofsomeonesoirresponsible.
Asuddengustofwindblewopenthestabledoorafewhundredfeetaway.Itwaveredinthebreeze,
periodicallycrashingintothesideofthelargewoodstructure.Oneoftheranchhandsmusthaveleftthe
doorunlocked.Annoying,butnotterriblyodd.She’dhiredsomenewworkersaspartofthebusiness
expansion.Afewmistakeshereandtherewereinevitable.
Charliemarchedovertolatchthedoor.Sheknewherhorsescouldhandlethechill,butitfeltcruelall
thesametoleavetheanimalsexposedtothislevelofcold.
Buttherewerenoanimals.Allfortyhorseshaddisappeared.
***
RichWakefieldgrabbedanextrapacketofsugarfromthesmallsilvercontainersittingonthecounter.
HelovedGinaandherdiner,butthewomannevercouldbrewagoodcupofcoffee.Onlyamountainof
creamandsugarcouldmakethebittersludgepalatable.
“LookslikethoseBaltongirlsgotsomeproblems.”
Ginawasn’tspeakingtohimdirectly,ofcourse.Theolderwomanhadspentthebestyearsofherlife
inthisexactspot,regularlyannouncingthetown’sgoing-onstoherclientele.Likemostpeopleintown,
RichcametotheSlowPokeDinermorefortheentertainmentvaluethanthefood.
“SawCharliewaitingoutsidetheSheriff’sofficethismorning.Wordhasitthere’sbeenatheft.”
Alowmurmurreverberatedthroughoutthebreakfastcrowd.IfRichrememberedcorrectly,thelast
reportedtheftintownhadbeenastringofChristmaslightstakenoffThomasDurkell’sporchlastyear.In
theend,Thomasadmittedtotakingthelightshimselfinordertotesttheresponsivenessofthenewly-
electedSheriff.
Ironically,itwasoldThomashimselfwhopesteredGinaformoreinformation.“What’dtheysteal?
NothingonthatranchexceptmanureandthathunkofjunkCharliecallsatruck.”
Thomas’swifeIrmasmackedhimonthebackofhishead.“Thehorses,youoldcoot!Anyoneofthem
wouldbeworthstealing.”
Richkeptquiet.ItsickenedhimtothinksomeonewouldstealfromCharlieBalton.He’dbeensixteen
whenhecametoMercySpringstolivewithhisaunt.Charliehadbeenhisfirsttruefriendhere.He
blamedhimselffornotkeepingintouchwhilehewasinlawschool.Nowthathe’dmovedbacktoopen
hisownpracticeintown,itseemedlikeCharliedidn’thavetimeforanythingotherthantheranch.
“Look!She’sleavingtheSheriff’srightnow!”
Uhoh.Charliewasstormingacrossthestreet,headingstraightforthediner.Shelookedmadenough
tospit.Aroomfullofnosybusybodieswasprobablythelastthingsheneededrightnow.
“Here,Gina.Keepthechange.”Richlaiddownatwentydollarbillandgrabbedhisbriefcase.He
neededtocatchCharliebeforeshewalkedintoanambush.
Hemadeittothedoorjustbeforeshedid.Charlielookedupathimandfrowned.
“Itfeelslikeit’stenbelow,”shesnapped.“Yougonnastandtherealldayorletmein?”
“Trustme.Youdon’twanttogointhere.”
Charlieleanedtothesideandpeeredthroughthedinerwindow.Hecringedashewatchedthatpretty
roundfaceofhersfall.
“Howdotheyknowalready?IjustbarelytoldSheriffDenver.”
“Idon’tknowwhathappened,butIknowyoudon’twantGinatogrillyou.Whydon’tyoucomesitin
myofficeforafewminutes?Ineedanexcusetotacklemynewcoffeemachineanyways.”
Hecouldseehermouthtighteninresponse.Perhapshe’dgonetoofar.Richhadn’tbeenfriendswith
Charlieforovertenyears.Whywouldshewanttobealonewithhimnow?
“Okay.”
Heblinkedbackhissurprise.“Great,thisway.”
Hisearsburnedastheywalkeddowntheblocktothetidycottageheusedasanoffice.Maybehe
shouldhavethoughtthisthrough.He’dwantedtosaveCharliefromthelocalgossips.Theoldbiddies
wereprobablyhavingafielddaynow,watchingthemwalkofftogether.
Richunlockedthedoorandusheredherinside.“Iorderedawayforoneofthosefancypodmachines.
Blackcoffeeokay?Ihaven’tstockeduponmilkyet.”
Charlieslippedoffherouterwearandbootsintheentryway.Histhroattightened.Anembarrassingbut
naturalreaction.Shemightdresslikearanchhand,butRichhadalwaysfoundherbeautiful.Hecouldn’t
helpbutnoticethewayherjeansclungtothesoftcurvesofherhips.Richswallowedhardandledher
intothekitchen.
“Blackcoffee’sfine.”Charliefloppeddownatthekitchentableandputherheadinherhands.Ifonly
hecouldwipethatperpetualfrownfromherlips!Wasitpossibleforatwenty-eight-year-oldwomanto
strokeoutfromstress?
Hegavehersomeprivacyashefiddledaroundwiththecoffeemachine.MostWyomingnativesdidn’t
exactlylovediscussingtheirfeelings.He’dhavetotreadlightly.
“WhatdidtheSheriffsay?”Richputamugdowninfrontofherandjoinedheratthetable.Charlie
lookedlikeshewasabouttoeitherburstintotearsorpunchhimintheface.
Shelaughedinstead.Thehollowsoundmadehisstomachclench.
“Denversaidhe’dgoouttodayandinvestigate.Don’tknowwhatheexpectstofind.Hell,Idon’t
knowwhyIevenmadethereport.Iknowhemeanswell,butWayapCounty’snotexactlyahotbedof
million-dollarcrime.Whoeverdidthisknewexactlywhattheyweredoing.”
Richstoppedhimselffromreachingouttoholdherhand.
“Well,youhadtoreportitforinsurancepurposes.It’llbeahassle,butIimaginethecompanywill
coverit.”
Atthat,herentirebodysaggedforward.Again,sheburiedherheadinherhands.
“Youhaveinsurance,right?”
Shelookedup,moremiserablethananyyoungwomanhadrighttobe.
Charliespokeslowly,hereyestrainedsteadilyaheadatsomeimaginaryspotonthewall.“Icalled
thismorning.Thebillhasn’tbeenpaidforthelastthreemonths.”
“What?”Toleaveastablethatsizeuninsuredwasn’tjustnegligent-itwasinsanity.Nowayawoman
asrigidandthoroughasCharliewouldlethercoverageslip.
“Andyhelpsoutwiththebooks.Ididn’tthinkpayingthemonthlieswouldbeastretchforhim,butit
lookslikeheforgot.”
“Forgot?Idon’tunderstand.”Amistakelikethiscouldtanktheranch.
“Believeme,Ican’texplainit.ThepunkrushedoffbeforeIcalledtheinsurancecompany.I’vebeen
tryingtogetholdofhimallday,buthe’snotathomeandhe’snotpickinguphisphone.”
RichpracticallyjumpedoutofhisskinwhenCharliegrabbedhishand.
“Rich,please.Ineedyourhelp.”
ChapterTwo
Howhaditcometothis?
Denverwouldtryhisbesttocrackthecase,butsheneededherhorsesbackyesterday.Businesshad
beenhardthiswinter,andshe’dspentmostofthebusiness’cashtolaunchhertrailridingidea.Boarding
andbreedingdemandwasdown.Withallthelocalresortspoppingup,ithadseemedlikeano-brainerto
setupherownadventureoutfit.Shehadtheguidesandthebookings,butnowshedidn’thavethehorses.
Withoutanimals,therewasnowaytoearnenoughmoneytokeepthebusinessafloat.
MeredithwasgoneandHopewastooyoungtoshoulderallthis.No,itwasherjobtosetthisright
andsavetheranch.Still,sheneededtoenlisthelpifshewantedherschemetowork.SheneededRich.
“You’retheonlyonewhoknowsaboutthetrustfund.”HowlonghadshebeenholdingRich’shand?
Oddhownaturaltheintimategesturefelt.
“Theoneyourgrandmotherleftyou?Youhaven’ttoldanyone?”
Herbreathcaughtinherthroat.“No,haveyou?”
Richshookhishead.“Larrypassedonthedetailswhenhesoldmethepractice.Technically,your
grandmother’sestateisaclientofmine.I’dneverdivulgethosedetailswithoutexpresspermission.”
“Soyouknowthenthatmygrandmotherneverupdatedherwillbeforeshediedtoincludemysisters.
MomandDadknowaboutthetrustfund,buttheythoughtitbesttokeepitquietfromHopeandMeredith.”
“Howdoyoukeep$1.5millionasecret?”
Charliebitherlip.She’dhadfifteenyearstofullycometotermswithherinheritance,buttheamount
stillseemedsurreal.
“Itrynottothinkaboutit.”
Heshookhishead.“Whatdoesthishavetodowithanything?Thetrustdoesn’tcomeintoyourcontrol
untilyouturnthirty-five.”
“WhenIturnthirty-fiveor,”shecorrectedhim.“WhenIgetmarried.”
Richpickedupheremptycupandcarriedittothesink.Themanwashavingasuspiciouslydifficult
timelookingherintheeye.Wasitpossiblehealreadyknewwhatshewasabouttoask?
“I’msorry,Charlie.Therearen’tanylegalloopholesIcanhelpyouwith.Thosearethetermsyour
grandmotherwanted.”
Couldheseriouslybethisdense?“I’mnotaskingyoutobreakthelaw.I’maskingyoutomarryme.”
***
“I’msorry.IthinkImisheardyou.”
No,he’dheardherperfectly.Richjustwantedtomakehersaythewordsagain.
“Well,gee.Iprobablyshouldhaveboughtyouaring,butI’msortofcrushedfortime.”
“Youwantmetomarryyousoyoucancollectyourtrustfundmoneyearly.Nooffense,butthatseems
alittledrastic.Haveyoulookedintootheroptions?”
Charlielookeddownagain.Hehatedtoseeherthisway.CharlieBaltonbelongedonthebackofa
horse,barkingordersandbuildinganempire.
“I’vealreadycalledaboutputtingamortgageontheranch.Ishouldbeabletoaccessthefundsina
fewdays.”
“That’s...good,isn’tit?”
“Sure,unlesssomethingelseblowsupandIcan’tmakepayments.I’dlosethewholething.Theranch
hasbeenintheBaltonnameforacenturyandahalf.”
Heturnedbacktowardsthesinksoshecouldn’tseehisface.Richcouldn’tevenparsehisown
thoughtsandemotionsrightnow.NoneedtoletCharlietrytodecipherthemforhim.
“Ithinkyou’resellingyourselfshort.”
Sheslammedherfistsdownonthetable.“Haven’tyoubeenlisteningtome?Mywholedamnstable’s
gonemissing.Mysister’spunkboyfriendscrewedmeoutoftheinsurancemoney.MomandDadtrusted
me.Imessedup.HeavenknowswhatotherproblemsAndy’screatedthatIjusthaven’tfiguredoutyet.
Oh!”Sheclosedhereyesandslappedahandagainstherforehead.
“What’swrong?”
“ThepowerwentoutthismorningandIcouldn’tgetitbackon.Imeanttocallthepowercompany,
butwitheverythingthathappenedIjustforgot.IfAndyforgottopaytheinsurancecompany,Ibetheforgot
topaytheelectricbill,too.”
Richcouldn’twraphisheadaroundthis.EveryoneintownknewexactlyhowseriouslyCharlie
Baltontookherbusiness.
Itwasasifshe’dreadhismind.“Iknow,Iknow.Hope’sjustsodamnhappywiththeguy.Idon’t
wanttochaseheroffthewayIchasedoffMeredith.”
“IthoughtMeredithwasatsomefancyfrenchbakingschool.”
“Sheis,butonlybecauseIrefusedtolethersetupashopontheranch.Iwastoowrappedupinmy
ownideastoletherhaveanysay.”
Herejoinedheratthetable.ThistalkofMeredithwasobviouslyupsettinghermorethanthis
morning’stheft.
“Whatyou’reproposingisadirectviolationofyourgrandmother’swishes.”
Sheleanedforward,hereyesbrightwithanticipation.“Ijusthavetogetmarried.Nothinginthere
aboutwhy.”
Foramoment,heallowedhimselftopicturehimselfasherhusband.Wouldshebeasmuchaspitfire
inbedasshewasinreallife?Heclenchedhisfist,suddenlyshamedthathe’dallowedhimselftoeven
considerthequestion.Shedidn’tseehimasanactualprospect.Shesawhimasameanstoanend.
“Butitwouldn’tbeatruemarriage.”
“Isthatwhatyouwant?”
Wasshemindreadingagain?He’dbarelytalkedtothewomaninoveradecade,andnowhewas
fantasizingaboutwakingupnexttohereverydayfortherestofhislife?
“EvenifIwasthetypeofmantoacceptanofferlikethat,theCharlieBaltonIknowwouldn’t
prostituteherselfforanyamountofmoney.”
Hercheeksflushedbrightred.Good.Hewantedhertofeeluncomfortable.Sheneededtorealizethe
insanityofherrequestbeforesheranoffandaskedthenextsinglemanshemetintown.
“Coolyourjets,Rich.Iwasjustasking,notoffering.”
Oh.“DoIwantatruemarriage?”Hisaunthadbeggedhimtogetmarriedbeforeshe’dpassed,but
he’dnevermetawomanwhoquitefitthebill.“Yes,ofcourse.Withtherightwoman.”
“Haveyoufoundheryet?”
I’mlookingather.Thephrasepoppedupunbiddeninhismind.No,lifewasn’tsomeromantic
comedyfullofpithyone-linersandinstanttruelove.Heneededtogetagrip.
“No,Ihaven’tfoundher.”
“Areyoudatinganyone?”
Briefly,hismindflittedtoMelinda,MayorFinley’snewsecretary.Aquicklunchatthedinerdidn’t
countasdating,right?
“No,I’mnotdatinganyone.Thisisgettingawfullypersonal.”
Charliescoffed.Richdidn’tappreciatetheattitude,buthefeltbetterseeingsomeofhernaturalsass
return.Hedidn’tlikeseeingherthispaleandstressed.
“Rich,I’maskingyoutomarryme.Itdoesn’tgetmorepersonalthatthat.Iknowitprobablywouldn’t
holdupincourt,butmaybewecouldwriteupacontracttocoverallourbases.”
Hepushedbackfromthetable,inadvertentlytippinghischairover.
“Stopit!Juststop!”
Hesoftenedwhenhesawthetearswellingupinhereyes.
“Itmightnotbelegalfraud,butwhatyou’resuggestingiswrong.Iknowyou’rehurtingrightnow,but
thisisn’tfairtoeitherofus.”
Shelaunchedherselfathim,throwingherarmsaroundhisshoulders.“Please,Rich.Ican’triskthe
ranch.”
Hisheartjumped.She’dbeenhisbestandonlyfriendatonepoint.Despitetherecentdistance,hestill
wantedtoprotecther.
“Charlie.You’retooupsettogetbehindthewheel.Letmedriveyouhome.”
Sheleanedintohimevenmore,herentirebodypressedagainsthim.Notknowinghowelseto
respond,Richreacheddownandstrokedthelowofherback.Ithadbeentoolongsincehe’dhelda
womanlikethis.Hetriednottothinkaboutit.Whatheneededtoberightnowwasagoodfriend,not
somesortofsex-starvedopportunist.
“Youcantakemehome,”shefinallyadmitted.“Hopecandrivemeintotownlatertopickupthe
truck.”
Hemaneuveredoutoftheembraceinordertogethercoat.Quitefrankly,hefoundthewholeseriesof
eventsbizarre.TheCharlieheknewwasn’tlikethis-beaten,reserved,weak.Atleastshe’ddroppedthe
wholemarriagething.
Richpausedtowriteanoteandpinittothefrontdoor.“Emergency.Havetoreschedule.Sorry.”His
onlyappointmenttodaywasthegeneralstoremanagerandhelivedtwodoorsdown.Sure,Chuckmight
notlikebeingblownoff,butthemancouldwait.Charlieneededhimmorerightnow.
Heshouldleavethiswholemarriageideaalone,butafinalquestionnaggedathim.
“Whatwereyouplanningontellingeveryoneifwegotmarried?”
Charlielookedhimdeadintheeye.“IwouldhavetoldthemImarriedtheloveofmylife.”
Hisheartstoppedbeforeherealizedthetrueintentionofherwords.Sheonlymeantthatshewould
haveliedtothem,pretendtheirswasahappymarriageandnotmerelyamechanismtoreceivemoney.
Sheflashedhimacrookedgrin.“ThinkIcanfindanewsoulmatebeforesundown?”
ChapterThree
Richtriedtokeephiseyesontheroad,buthecouldn’thelpsneakingafewpeeksatCharlie.Thepoor
kidlookedtooexhaustedtotalk.Hemightfeelthesamewayifhewasinherposition.
NeverinamillionyearsdidhethinkCharliewouldneedasafetynet.Growingup,theBaltons
appearedtohaveeverythingapersoncouldwant.Ahealthybusiness,alovingfamily,strongtiestothe
community.NowCharliewaslookingtosellherselfofflikeapieceofmeat.
“Areyouseriousaboutthisweddingthing?”
Shedidn’trespond.Heturnedofftheradioandshookhershoulder.
“What?Oh,Imusthavefallenasleep.What’swrong?”
“Areyoustillstuckonthismarriagescheme?”
Sheyawnedandwrappedherjacketcloseraroundherself.“Whynot?You’renottheonlymanin
town,youknow.”
Thiswasinsane!Didn’tsheknowhowriskythiswas?Marryinganyoneputherinaprecarious
position.Agooddivorcelawyerwouldeviscerateherincourt.Anytwo-bitbuckwiththemindtodoit
couldeasilyleavewithagoodchunkofthefamilyfortune.
“Whoareyougoingtoask?”
“Well,I’donlythoughtasfarasyou.TheSheriff’ssingle,butIdon’tthinkhe’dbite.IguessIcan
alwaysgotoLaramieandfindsomeone.I’dprobablyhavetoworkoutsomesortofpayment.”
“Andyou’restillsetonfoolingHopeintothinkingthemarriageisreal?Howdoesthatfitintoyour
bigplantopickastrangeroffthesideoftheroad?”
“Whirlwindromance.It’shappenedbefore.”Charlieturneduptheradio.Wasshetryingtoshuthim
out?Hewasonlylookingoutforherinterests,likeanyfriendwoulddo.
Richturnedofftheradio.
“Evenwithaprenup,you’retakingabigrisk.Youcouldendupworseoffthanyouarenow.”
Charliesnorted.“Idon’tseehowthat’spossible.Evenwiththemortgagemoney,I’mthreemonthsout
fromhavingthebankrideupandpadlockthegates.IfIcouldaccessthetrustmoney,atleastwehavea
shot.”
Hepulledrightuptotheranchhouseandcuttheengine.Judgingbythewhiteandblacksedanparked
inthedriveway,theSheriffwasalreadyonthecase.HadshereallysuggestedDenverasapotential
husband?Themanhadbarelyjustmovedhere.
“Thanksfortheride.Youwon’ttellanyoneaboutthetrustthing,right?”
“Don’tworryaboutit.”Hemumbledthewords,caughtupinadangerousthought.
Charlieputherhandonthedoor,nodoubtreadytorunawayfromhimandintothearmsof...who?
Somestrangershelookedupontheinternet?
“Wait.”Hegrabbedherhandbeforeshecouldleave.“Youwin.I’llmarryyou.”
Charlie’sfacelitup,happierthanhe’dseenherinyears.
“Really?Scout’shonor?”
Whatwashedoingagain?Oh,yes.Proposingafakemarriagewithachildhoodfriend.Justanother
dayinMercySprings.
“Yes,really.IcancallinacolleaguefromLaramietowriteuptheprenup.”
Shethrewherselfathim,wrappingherarmsaroundhisneck.Hefroze,caughtoff-balancebythe
gesture.Charliefeltpreciousinhisarms,softandsmallandsweet-smelling.
“Idon’twantaprenup.It’llonlyslowthingsdown.Besides,I’veknowyoumywholelife.I’mpretty
sureyou’renotmarryingmeformymoney.”
“Slowthingsdown?Whenwereyouthinkingofgettingmarried?”
“IsnextSaturdaygoodenough?I’dliketohavethenewmortgagepaidoffassoonaspossible.”
Hisvisionblurred.Shewantedtogetmarriedinaweek?
“I’dsaytoday,butHopewillwanttimetoplanaceremony.”
“Aceremony?Iknowyouwanttokeepyoursisterinthedark,butisn’tthatalittlemuchforapaper
marriage?”
“HopewillbuytheliethatI’vebeenseeingyouonthesly,butshe’snotgoingtoletmeoffthehook
thateasy.Weusedtodaydreamaboutourweddingsallthetimewhenwewerekids.”
Atwingeofsadnessfelloverhim.AwomanlikeCharlieBaltondeservedarealweddingtoaman
wholovedher.Hemournedallthehopesanddreamsofthatlittlegirl.
“Charlie,we’regettingoff-topic.Weneedaprenup.Nooffense,butblindtrustishowwegotinthis
messtobeginwith.”
Oddhoweasyitwastosay“we.”Lessthanaminuteandhe’dadoptedCharlie’sproblemsashis
own.
“Totallydifferentsituation.I’vealwaysknownAndywasaworm.You’rearealman,Rich.”
Sheleftherhandonhischestastheytalked,theheatofitradiatingthroughhisshirt.Didsheknow
whatthatlighttouchwasdoingtohim?Anotherfewsecondsandhe’dbetemptedtoshowherjusthow
realamanhecouldbe.
Gently,hepushedherbackintoherseat.“Okay,wecangetmarriedfirstanddrawupsomethingnext
week.It’snotaslegallybinding,butweshouldgointothisarrangementwithclearexpectations.”
Sherolledhereyes.“Fine,ifyouwant.Readytotellmysisterthegoodnews?”
***
Thesceneinsidewassomethingoutofabadmovie.Hopewascurleduponthecouch,sobbinginto
theSheriff’sshoulder.Thepoormanlookedterrified.
“Hope?What’swrong?”Charlierushedovertohersister,butHoperefusedtolookather.
“I...Ican’t...oh,Charlie!”Thewomandissolvedonceagainintotears,deepsobsrackingherbody.
Denvershifteduncomfortablyinhisseat.“Um,maybewecanleaveHopeforaspellandtalkinthe
kitchen?”
Shedidn’twanttoleavehersisterthisway,butnowaycouldHopetalkinthisstate.Charlieneeded
toknowwhatwasgoingonsoshecouldfixit.
“Hope,sweetheart?Justcryitout.I’llbebackinaminute.”
Safelyontheothersideofthekitchendoor,theSherifftookadeepbreath.Hetwistedhishatinhis
hand.HenoddedpolitelyinRich’sdirection.
“Charlie,I’mhappytohaveyourlawyerpresent,butyouknowyou’renotunderinvestigation,right?”
“Lawyer?Oh,Richisn’thereasmylawyer.He’smy...he’smyfiance.”Thewordfeltheavyonher
tongue.“Whathappened?”
“Wefoundoutwhathappenedtoyourhorses.”
“Really?”RichlookedatCharlie,surprisewrittenacrosshisface.Obviouslyhehadaboutasmuch
faithinthelocalSheriff’sdepartmentasshedid.“That’sprettyquick,isn’tit?”
“Aretheyokay?WhencanIgetthemback?”
“I’msorry,Ishouldclarify.Weknowwhotookyourhorses,butwe’renotsurewherehetookthem.
HaveyoubeenincontactwithAndythismorning?”
“No,Itriedcallinghimbuthedidn’tpickupthe…”Hervoicetrailedoffassheputthepieces
together.Andyhadtakenthehorsesandsplit.“Thatrat!Hedidthis?Thatcavemancouldn’tmowthe
lawnwithoutmessingup.Howcouldhestealtwentytonsofliveanimal?”
“Hecalledyoursisterjustanhourago,”theSheriffexplained.
“What,he’sholdingthemransomorsomething?AndyknowsIbarelyhaveenoughtokeepthelights
on.”Maybelessthanthat,shethoughtprivately.Itlookedlikethepowerwasstillout.
“No,itlookslikehetookthehorseslastnightandfledthestate.Itrackeddownagasstationattendant
whosawfourlargehorsetrailersheadingsouthoutoftownearlythismorning.Andywascallingtoask
yoursistertojoinhim.”
Charlie’sheartfell.Thebastardhadn’tjuststolenherproperty.He’dtriedtotakehersisteraway
fromhertoo.
“Sodoyouknowwhereheis?”Ifshecouldgetherhorsesback,maybeshecouldletRichoffthe
hook.Herdisappointmentsurprisedher.Itwasn’tlikeshewasinlovewiththeguy.No,she’djustgotten
caughtupintheintrigueandexcitementofacrazyscheme.
Denvershookhishead.“Hopeofferedtosetupameetingwithhim.Ifhe’stryingtogethertoskip
townwithhim,thenhemightriskexposinghimselftogether.”
“No,”Charlieblurtedout.“Idon’twantHopeanywhereneartheguy.”
“Don’tworry,Isaidthesamething.I’mnotabigfanofusingcivilianstosetupastingoperation.
Andydidn’tcoverhistracksthatwell.I’llgettheboysonitandwe’lltrackthosehorsesdowntheold-
fashionedway.”
WhenhadRichputhishandonherback?Probablyplayinguptheirconcoctedromanceforthe
Sheriff’sbenefit.Still,sheappreciatedthegesture.Thiswholeordealwasrapidlyspiralingintomore
thanshecouldhandle.
“Thanks,Sheriff.”Sheshookhishandfirmly.Denverhadn’tbeenintownforlong,butshehadagood
feelingabouttheman.“Anythingelseyouneedfromme?”
“No,IwasjustwaitingtomakesureHopewasallright.Nowthatyou’rehere,IguessI’llgetbackto
theofficeandmakesomecalls.Can’tbeeasytohidefortyhorses.”
Charliewalkedhimtothedoor.“Thanks,again.Ireallyappreciatealltheeffortyou’reputtinginto
this.”
Intruecowboystyle,Denvertippedhishattowardsher.“I’llkeepyouupdated.Oh,and
congratulationsagainonthewedding.”
Shegritherteeth.Hopehadalmostdefinitelyheardthatlastpart.Oh,well.Shewasgoingtohaveto
breakthenewssometime.Whynotrightafterhersisterdiscoveredherlong-termboyfriendhadtriedto
destroythefamilyfarm?
Sensingthecomingstorm,Richretreatedtowardsthekitchen.“Coffee?I’llmakeapot.”
Hedisappearedbehindtheswingingdoorbeforeshecouldsayno.Coward!
“Charlie?”Hope’ssniffleshadsubsided,butherfacewasstillblotchyandwetwithtears.“Whatwas
allthataboutawedding?”
Shehatedtolietoherbabysister,butatthispointshe’ddoanythingtosparetheyoungerwoman’s
feelings.Andy’sbetrayalmustbeahardpilltoswallow.
“I’vebeenseeingsomeone,”shelied.“Ididn’tthinkitwouldcometomuch,soItriedtokeepitquiet.
HeproposedandIsaidyes,soguessIdidn’treallycallthatone,huh?”
“Charlie!”Hopejumpedupandhuggedhersisterclose.“Ididn’tevenrealize.I’dbeensowrapped
upwithAndytheselastfewmonths,Ididn’tevenseethesigns.Whoishe?”
“Guessyou’retalkingaboutme.”Richreappearedwithatrayofcoffeecups.
Oh,ifHope’seyeswentanywiderthey’dpoprightoutofherskull!“Rich?You’vebeendating
Rich?”
Hehandedeachsisteramug.“MorelikeI’vebeenchasingher.Yoursister’sahardwomantohold
down.”
Charlieblushed.Truthbetold,beinghelddownbyamanlikeRichdidn’tsoundhalfbad.Andwhen
hadhegottensocreative?Goodthing,too.Hopewasbuyingthebackstoryhook,line,andsinker.
“Oh,Charlie!We’refinallygoingtohaveawedding!IalwaysthoughtI’dbethefirstofustoget
married,butnow…”Shelookedlikeshewasabouttoburstintotearsagain.HopewasaBalton,though.
Shepulledherselftogetherquickenough.“I’mjustsohappyforyoutwo.Didyoupickadate?Sometime
inJuneorJuly,Ihope.WecanputatentupinthefieldoutbackandMeredithcanbakethecake...”
CharlielookedtowardsRich.Howcouldhelooksorelaxedandhappy?Lyingthismuchtohersister
wasgivingherheartpalpitations.
Richcametoherrescue.“Ididn’twanttowait.We’rethinkingofdoingsomethingSaturday.”
“Saturday?AsinthisSaturday?That’snotimeeventobookthechurch.”
Charlietookahalf-stepinfrontofRich,puttingherselfbetweenhersisterandherfaux-fiance.Hope
lookedmadenoughtodosomethingstupid.
“We’llmakedowithsomethingsimpleatthehouse.Wejustwanttobemarried.Right,Rich?”
Hewrappedanarmaroundhersideandpulledhertightagainsthim.“Sorrytodropthisonyou,
Hope.IwanttolockCharliedownbeforeshechangeshermind.”
Hopewouldn’trelent.“Meredithwon’tbeabletoflyoutwithjustaweek’snotice.”
Thethoughtpainedhermorethanshelikedtoadmit.Despitetheirdifferences,Meredithprobably
wouldhavelookedpasttheminordertoattendhersister’swedding.
“It’swhatwewant,Hope.Pleasedon’targueaboutit.You’llhelpmeplansomething,right?”
“I’lltry,butI’mnotmakinganypromises.I’mnotamagician,youknow.”
RichpeckedCharlieonthecheek.Oh,Lord.Allthislovey-doveystuffwasgoingtoherhead.Ithad
beenfartoolongsinceamanlookedatherthewayRichdid.Heshouldhavegottenintoactinginsteadof
thislawyernonsense.
“Ihavetogetbacktotheoffice.Callme?”
“I’llcall.Ipromise.”Charliepushedupontohertiptoesandplantedasoftkissonhisclosedmouth.
Thechastekissputaflutterinherchest.ShesearchedRich’sfaceforahintofareaction,butatthispoint
itwashardtotellwhatwasrealandwhatwaspartoftheact.
AssoonasRichwasoutthedoor,HopegrabbedCharlietogiveheranotherbearhug.
“Charlie,youdog!Can’tIhavethedecencytogetoverAndybeforeyoumarrythatdreamboat?”
“You’renotmad?”
“Mad?I’mgoingtobetoobusytobemad.”
Good.IfHopeboughttheirstory,thenhopefullytherestofthefolksinMercySpringswouldtoo.
“Shametogiveupthatbighousehehas.Orareyougoingtomoveinthereandforcemetogeta
roommate?”
Charlieswallowedhard.“Wehaven’tdiscussedityet.”
Hopecockedherheadtothesideandfrowned.“You’regoingtomarrythemanandyouhaven’ttalked
aboutwhereyou’regoingtolive?Areyousureaboutthis?”
Shechokedoutaforcedlaugh.“I’mnotahotdog.Idon’tneedgrilling.Nowcanwetalkaboutwhat
we’refeedingthesepoorpeopleSaturdayorwhat?”
ChapterFour
“Howaboutthatpotatosaladmywifemakes?Shelikestoaddayamandsomecayenne.”
Richnoddedpolitely.“I’msureCharliewouldappreciateit,Chuck.”
Thelastfourdayshehadn’tbeenabletogooutsidewithoutsomeonecorneringhimwithquestions
aboutthewedding.CharliehadjusttoldhimtoshowupSaturdayinasuit.Shehadn’twarnedhimthatshe
plannedoninvitingthewholetown.
“Potluck’sasweetideaforawedding,don’tyouthink?”Ginarefilledhiscupbeforehecouldrefuse.
Heneededtogetbackhomeassoonaspossible.HisregularFridaymorningboothhadbecomea
revolvingdoor.Atsomepointduringhisbreakfast,everydinerpatronhadsatdowntotalkhisearoff
abouteverythingevenremotelywedding-related.
“HopeandCharliehavebeendoingmostoftheplanning.”Hopefullyhisnosyneighborswouldgetthe
hintandmoveon.
“Littlequickthough,”Ginacontinued.“Noneedtorushthingsnowadays.Youseeallthosesingle
parentsonTVandtheyseemtobedoingokay.Noteasy,ofcourse,butbetteroffthaniftheywere
strappeddowntoamantheydidn’treallylove.”
Richgrithisteeth.“Charlie’snotpregnant.”
“Sure,sweetie.Butifshewas…”
Hepulledacoupleoftwentydollarbillsoutofhiswalletandlaidthemonthetable.“HowaboutI
treateveryoneheretoamuffin,okay?”
Thedozenorsodinerscheered.Richpulledonhiscoldweathergearandmadeabeelineforthe
door.
Safeoutside,helaughed.Ifitwasthisbadnow,whatwoulditbelikeaftertheydivorced?He’d
underestimatedhowmuchthepeopleintowntreatedtheBaltongirlsliketheirown.Charliegetting
marriedwasabigdeal,evenifitwasgoingtobealow-keyaffairintheirlivingroom.
Buthehadmorepressingmattersthanthelocaltowngossips.Outsideofafewtextmessages,Charlie
hadavoidedhimsincethey’ddroppedthebignewsonHope.True,he’denteredthisarrangementwith
zeroexpectationofgettinganythinginreturn.Still,itseemedimprudenttonotdiscussthematteratall.
Richgotinhiscarandstartedtheengineinordertogettheheatgoing.Hewhippedouthisphoneand
dialedCharlie’scell.
Sheansweredonthesecondring.“CharlieBaltonhere.”
Hefrownedattheoddgreeting.Didn’tsheseehisnumberonthecallerid?
“It’sRich.”
“Oh,sorry.Ididn’tlookatthescreen.Ithoughtyouwereabusinesscall.”
“I’myourfuturehusband.I’mprettysureIdeserveatleastacustomizedringtoneinyourphone.”
“Oh,really?Wellwhatringtonedoyouhavesetforme?”
“Whydon’tyoucomeovertonightandfindout?”
Thatcameoutalittlemoresuggestivethanheintended.Richclearedhisthroatandtriedtorecover
theconversation.
“Imean,wouldyouliketohavedinnerwithmetonight?Ifigureyoucanrunmethroughtheschedule
fortomorrow.”
“Sure,Icoulduseabreak.Hope’sbeeninnon-stopweddingmode.I’dbeannoyedifitwasn’ttaking
hermindoffAndy.ThejerkdidmoredamagethanIthought.”
Richclenchedhisfist.AndyhadnorighttodisruptCharlie’slifethisway.Shedeservedsomuch
morethanpastduebillsandapaper-onlymarriage.
“Youmeanhe’smorethanahorserustler?Whatelsedidhedo?”
“Ifinallycalledupthepowercompany.Theysaytheyhaven’tbeenpaidinsixmonths.Istarted
thinking,ifAndydidn’tpaytheinsuranceortheelectricbill,whatelsedidheletslide?”
Uh,oh.AsayoungdistrictattorneybackinLaramie,RichhadseenhisfairshareofcrookslikeAndy.
Embezzlingfromsmallbusinesseswaseasyenoughthatithappenedoften,eventothemostscrupulousof
businessowners.
“Howmuch?”
“Sofar,Icounteightregularaccountsgoneunpaid.Hemusthavesiphonedthemoneyoffintohisown
pocketandhidthelatebillsfromme.I’mworkingoutpaymentplanswithafewofthem,butweoweover
$30,000.”
Purehatemadehisvisiongoblurry.“Ifheevershowshisfaceagain,IswearI’llbeathimtoapulp.”
Thelinewentsilent,buthewastoofurioustocensorhisanger.Onlythelowestofthelowwould
stealfromupstandingwomenliketheBaltonsisters.
“Well,thatdoesn’tsoundverylawyerly.”
“Imighthavemadeitthroughlawschool,butIwasstillraisedonaranch.Ireservemyrighttorough
upno-goodcrookswhotrytocrossmywoman.”
“SoI’myourwomannow?”
“Maybetryandtonedownyourdisdainfortheideabeforeweswapvowstomorrow.We’resupposed
tobemadlyinlove,remember?”
“Well,unlikesomepeopleIcouldmention,myworkweekdoesn’tstoponFridays.Ihavetoget
going.”
“Butyou’llhavedinnerwithme?Ifitwerewarmoutside,I’dgrillsomesteaks.Wouldyoueatchili
instead?”
“Woah,reallytryingtosellmeonthisruggedranchpersona,huh?I’llmeetyouateight,cowboy.”
Hehungupandtossedhisphoneontotheseatnexttohim.Astrangethrillcoursedthroughhisbody.
Bythistimetomorrow,CharlieBaltonwouldbethiscowboy’sbride.
***
CharliepushedthebottleofchampagneintoRich’shandsandsteppedinside.Shelookedsurprisingly
happyforsomeonewhojustfoundoutshe’dbeenrobbedofoveramilliondollarsworthofhorse.
“Sorry,it’sstillwarm.Iforgottotossitinthefridge.”
“Hey,I’mnotcomplaining.”Hefoundasoftpatchofsnowjustofftheporchandburiedthebottleinto
it.Ithadn’tsnowedforweeks,buttheoddbitstillclungtotheground.“Nature-chilledchampagne’sthe
onlywaytogo.”
Charlie’seyestwinkledasshetookoffhercoat.“Aren’tyouworriedabouttheneighborsgettingto
it?”
Richstilllivedinthebighousewherehisaunthadraisedhim.Outoftownandsurroundedbyfields,
thetidyoldranchhousesatfarenoughawaythatyoucouldjustbarelymakeoutthelightsofthenexthome
downtheroad.
“Hey,theyprobablydeserveadrinkforcomingoutthisfarinthefirstplace.Plus,I’mfeeling
magnanimous.I’mgettingmarriedtomorrow.”
Aharmlessquip,butthewordssunkstraighttothepitofhisstomach.WithCharliestandinginhis
livingroom,hecouldn’thelpimaginingherlivingherepermanently,surroundedbyapackofsnot-nosed
kids.
Hisjokemusthavelandedthewrongwayforhertoo.Anervoussmileflittedacrossherlips.“Chili,
right?Youneedanyhelp?”
“Oh,yes.Imean,no.Chili’sjustonthestove.Wantabeerorglassofwinetostartandwe’llhavethe
champagnewithdessert?”
“Dessert!RichardWakefield,Idodeclare.Youwentallout.I’lltakeabeer,thanks.”
Whenhereturnedtothelivingroom,Charliehadhershoeskickedoffandwassittingwithherfeet
tuckedunderheronthecouch.Herheadwasburiedinthethickblackphotoalbumhekeptstashedonthe
endtable.
“Thatbook’sfullofblackmailmaterial.Hopeyou’renotplanningonusingmybabyphotosagainst
me.”
HestilledwhenhesawCharlie’seyes.Theywereshiningwith-what?Happiness?Regret?
“Yourauntwasagreatwoman.Iknowshewassoproudofyouwhenyouwentawayforlawschool.”
Ithadkilledhimtobeawayfromhome,butAuntPearlhadinsistedhegethiseducationandseethe
world.IthadtakenhimtoolongtorealizethattheonlyplacehewantedtobewasbackhomeinMercy
Springs.
HesatdownnexttoCharlie.Perhapscloserthanrequired,butitwouldbeawkwardtoshiftback
now.
“Thinkingaboutyourmom?”
Charlie’slowerlipquivered.Hereachedintoherlapandclosedthebook.
“I’mjustgladshe’snotaroundtoseemenow.”Shewipedatearawayfromthecornerofhereye.
“You’retalkinglikeshe’sdead.YourparentsarejustinFlorida.”
Charlie’smouthfellopeninhorror.“I’msorry.Withyourauntgoneandall...Ishouldjustkeepmy
mouthshut.Lately,Ican’tdoanythingright.”
Hedidn’tlikehearinganytypeofself-criticismcomingoutofhermouth.Onanimpulse,hegrabbed
herhandsandheldtheminhisown.
“Stopthat.YouworkharderthananywomanI’vemetinmyentirelife.Thewholetownlooksupto
you.DoyouknowJoannaRadcliffethreatenedtobreakmylegsifIeverhurtyou?”
“Withwhat?Thewoman’snearlyninety.”
“Shewaswavinghercanearoundinaverymenacingfashion.Ifsomethinghappenstome,tellthe
SheriffthatJoannadidit.”
Charliepulledherhandsawayfromhim.Hetriednottotakeitpersonally.Hehadn’tbeeninherlife
lately;hedidn’tdeservethattypeofintimacy.
Shepickedupherbottleofbeerandraiseditinatoast.“Here’stohopingthegoodMrs.Radcliffecan
keephercanedownbeforetomorrow.”
Tomorrow.Thereasonshewashereinhishomeatall.Heneededtogetagrip.
Hechinkedhisbottleagainsthersandtookaswig.“Sowhatdoyouhaveinstoreformetomorrow?”
“Oh,no.Notme.Hopeistheweddingmastermind.Icaughtheronthephonetryingtoorderadozen
dovestoreleasewhenwehaveourfirstkiss.Luckily,Imanagedtotalkherdownofftheledge.Imadeup
somestoryaboutanestofkillerhawksIsawlurkingnearby.”
“Atleastdoveswouldbeadistraction.I’mnotexactlykeenonhavingtheentiretownwitnessour
firstkiss.”
Hadheevernoticedhowcuteshelookedwhensheblushed?Fortwentyyears,he’dviewedheras
justanothercharacterintheMercySpringscast.Butthingsweredifferentnowthattheyweregoingtobe
married.Hedidn’tcareifitwasjustameanstoanend.Thistimetomorrow,CharlieBalton’slivewould
beofficiallyentwinedwithhis.
Heneededtogetoffthiskissingtopicbeforetheygotthemselvesintotrouble.“Icanfilethe
paperworkonMonday.Outsideofanyhiccupsintheprocess,youshouldhavefullcontrolofthetrustby
theendoftheweek.”
“Good.Themortgagecamethrough,soI’vebeenabletorentsomehorsesoffaranchIknowupnorth.
Ididn’twanttorushintobuyingnewstock,butIstillneededtofulfillmynextfewcontracts.Thesooner
thetrustmoneycomesin,thesoonerIcanpayoffthemortgageandmoveonwithmylife.”
Hedidn’tknowwhyhewassoimpressed.HeshouldhaveknownCharliewouldn’tsitbackandlick
herwounds.
“SoonceIgetcontrolofthetrust,wecangetanannulment?Howdifficultisthat?”
Heignoredhisdisappointment.RichneededtokeephisnewfounddesireforCharlieseparatefrom
theirmarriage.He’dagreedtohelpherasafriend.Shedidn’tneedsomemanchasingafterherwhenshe
hadbiggerfishtofry.
“Ethically,adivorcemightbebest.Althoughtheremightbeaclaimforanannulmentifwerefrain
fromsex.”
“Oh,I’msurethat’llbeachallengeforyou,”shesnorted.“Onceyouseememuckingstallsinmy
coveralls,youwon’tbeabletoresistmyfemininecharms.”
Hedidn’tgetit.Didn’tsheknowhowbeautifulshewas?Hell,eventhethoughtofhercoveredindirt
gothimgoing.Notthedirtpart,ofcourse.No,Richcouldvividlyimaginepullingherintotheshower,
takinghistimetowashhernakedbodyfromheadtotoeandeverywhereinbetween…
“Rich?Wasthatthetimer?”
“Er,yes.Chili’sready.WanttotakeourdrinkstothediningroomandI’llmeetyouthere?”
“Ayeaye,captain!Wecansitonfarendsofthetable.Wouldn’twantyoutoravishmebeforethe
annulmentgoesthrough.”
Hegruntedandrushedofftothekitchentoserveupdinner.Richdidn’tknowhowmuchmoreofher
humorhecouldtake.Hemightcallhimselfagoodguy,buthewasstillacowboyatheart.Another
referencetothemhavingsex,andhewouldn’tbeabletostophimselffromtakingsweetCharlieBalton
rightontopofAuntPearl’santiqueoaktable.
ChapterFive
“Stop,stop!IfIlaughanymoremyfaceisgoingtogetstuckthisway.”
Charliehadn’thadthismuchfuninyears.Asadstatementonhersociallifeifacuteguywithabowl
ofchiliwasenoughtosweepheroffherfeet.
“Well,thenyou’dalwaysbesmiling.What’ssobadaboutthat?”
ShewaggledherfingeratRich.“Uh,uh.Abosslady’sworthnothingifshecan’tlookstern.Don’tyou
daretakethatawayfromme.”
Hereachedacrossthetableandstartedstackinguptheirdishes.Tohersurprise,thedinnerhadbeen
fantastic.Guessitmadesense,consideringRichcookedit.Apparently,themancoulddonowrong.
“I’vegotsomeapplepieandicecreaminthefreezer.Givemeasecondtoheatupthepie?”
“What,youbaketoo?I’mamazeditwassoeasytolockyoudown.”
Hesnatchedheremptybeerbottleoffthetable.“Foryourinformation,Iboughtthepietodayfromthe
diner.Don’tthinkIspentalldayslavingoverahotstoveforyou.”
“Mmm,nowthere’sanideaIcangetbehind!”
Sheogledhisbacksideashewalkedbackintothekitchen.Whatwaswrongwithher?Shedidn’t
drinkmuch.Maybethetwobeershadaffectedhermorethanshethought?No,thatwasn’tit.Rich’stight
jeansshowedoffhisbodytoperfection.Therewasonlysomuchawomancouldtake.
“I’llgrabthechampagne,”sheshoutedbacktowardsthekitchen.Richmightbehumble,buthe’dgone
aboveandbeyondwiththedinner.Theleastshecoulddowaspopthecorkonabottleofwine.
Charlieslippedonherbootswithoutbotheringtotiethelaces.Outside,shecursedherselffornot
turningontheporchlight.Oh,well.Itwouldonlytakeherafewsecondsmoretofindthebottleinthe
dark.
“Gotyou!”Sheworkedthebottleoutofthesnow,carefultopullitbytheneckofthebottleinsteadof
thecork.
Justthen,apairofheadlightsturnedonattheendofRich’sdriveway.Whenshelookedup,thelights
dimmedasifthedriverhadturnedthemoff.Shecouldn’tseethecarfromthisdistance.Probablynothing.
Thevehiclereversedoutofthedrivewayandbackontothemainroadbeforespeedingofftowardstown.
Oddthatthecarhadusedthedrivewaytoturnaround.Thehighwaywasemptythistimeofnight,with
plentyofshoulderroomtopulloverorturnaround.
Rich’svoicewaftedoutfrominsidethehouse.“Charlie?Everythingokayoutthere?”
Shegrippedthechampagnebottleinherhandandranbackuptowardstheporch.“Justaminorbattle
withasnowdrift.I’mcoming!”
***
“Youshouldhaveservedthepieonaplate.It’salittlehardertolickabowlclean.”
Richpushedhisowndessertbowlacrossthecoffeetable.“I’mstuffed.”
Charliedidn’thesitatebeforepickinguphisbowlanddiggingintothelastbitesofpieleftatthe
bottom.“Yourloss.”
Heneverthoughthe’denjoywatchingawomaneatsomuch.Charliehadalwaysbeenpetite,butshe
lookedthinnerthanusual.Hecouldn’timaginehereatingmuchafterAndycleanedherout.Atleasthe’d
beenabletofeedheragoodmeal.
“Westillhaven’ttalkedabouttomorrow.”Heleanedoverandtoppedofftheirglasses.Richdidn’t
ownanychampagneflutes,sothey’dsettledforwaterglassesinstead.
“It’ssimple.Showupatfiveinyoursuit.Whatmoredoyouwanttoknow?”
“Oh,it’sthateasy?Whataboutafter?”Hetriedtomodulatehistone,buthewasstartingtofeel
frustrated.“Youwanteveryonetothinkit’sforreal.Howfardoyouwanttotakeit?Yougoingtotakemy
lastname?ShouldIpackabagandmoveintotheranchwithyou?”
Charlieputthebowldownandwentsilent.Hadshereallynotthoughtaboutthelogisticsoftheir
wholearrangement?Hewaswillingtohelpafriend,butattheveryleastheneededtoknowthe
gameplan.
Shelookedupathimand,foramoment,heforgotwhattheyweretalkingabout.Herbigbrowneyes
werewide,fullofemotion.Theytuggedatsomethingdeepinsidehim.
“OfcourseI’vethoughtaboutit.Ijustdidn’tknowhowtoaskyou.”
“Askmewhat?”Hisbreathcaughtinhisthroat.Whatdidshewant?Wasshebackingout?Didshe
findsomeoneelse?Ordidshewantarealmarriage?Hisheartpoundedatthethoughtofthatlastoption.
Hell,he’ddieahappymanifhecouldspendeverynightlikethis,curleduponthecouchwithawitty,
strong,andbeautifulwomanlikeCharlie.
“NooneknowsaboutthetrustfundandHope’ssotornupoverthisAndybusiness.Iwouldn’twant
hertothinkherpoordatingrecordpushedmeintomarriage.”
“Ithoughtthatwaswhywewerehavingthewedding?Goingthewholesuitandceremonyroute?”
Shenodded,herteethworryingherfulllowerlip.“Yes,butshe’sbeentalkingaboutitnon-stop.
Aboutyouandmeandtruelove.Ifwejustgetanannulmentnextweek,she’llbeheartbroken.”
Hetriedtopiecetogetherwhatshewassaying.“Soyoudon’twantanannulment?”
Charlielookedathimlikehewascrazy.“Well,I’mnotgoingtotieyoudownfortherestofyourlife.
I’mthinkingweholdoutforayear?JustuntilHope’shadsometimetorecoverfromthisall.”
Oh.Ofcourse,hedidn’tknowwhathewasthinking.“Ayear’salongtimetopretendyou’re
somethingyou’renot.Areyousure?”
Shenodded.“Ithought,Imean,”shestumbledoverherwords.“Ifit’salrightwithyou,Icouldmove
inherewithyouafterthewedding.It’sabighouseandyou’renottoofarfromtheranch.Ithinkifwe
stayedattheranch,Hopewouldcatchontothewholethingrightaway.”
HispulsequickenedatthethoughtofCharlielivinghere,sleepingacrossthehallfromhisbedroom
forawholeyear.Injustthecourseofonenight,she’dstimulatedhisdesiremorethanafewtimes.He
doubtedhe’dbeabletoholdoutoneweek,muchlessanentireyear.
“Youcanstilldateotherwomen,”shecontinued.“Idon’texpectyoutoputyourlifeonholdforme.
AndIknowthatmenhave,er,needs.”
Hesnapped.“Iknowyou’reasmartwoman,butyou’retalkingnonsenserightnow.”
Richreachedacrossthesofaandpulledherclose.Herlookofshockandsurprisegavehimpause.
She’daskedforhishelpbecauseshetrustedhim,andthiswasthewayhebehaved?Pawingatherlike
somesexuallyfrustratedteenager?
Heeaseduphisholdonherandtookadeepbreath.“Fakemarriageornot,nowayIhaveawifeand
sleepwithsomeoneelse.”
“BecauseJoannaRadcliffewillhaveyourhide?”
Howcouldshestillnotgetit?“No,becauseIkeepthepromisesImake.You’regoingtobemywife,
Charlie.Idon’tcareifwesleeptogetherornot,butI’msureashellnotsettingupasidepiecewhile
you’rewearingmyring.”
Hesearchedherfaceforsomesortofresponse,aseriousreactioninsteadofdeflectionandhumor.To
hismildsatisfaction,shekepthermouthshut.Whenshefinallylookedupathim,allhecouldseewashis
ownrawneedreflectedinhereyes.
ChapterSix
Shedidn’tquestionherreaction.Isn’tthiswhatshe’dwantedsincethemomentshewalkedinthe
door?Now,withRichriledupjustasmuchasshewas,hernextmoveseemedobvious.
Charlielaunchedherselfathim.
Ithadbeentoolongsinceamanhadtouchedher.Well,ifshecounted“never”astoolongaperiodof
time.Shecouldn’tquitecountneckinginthefrontroomofBobbyCallahan’sparents’housebackinhigh
school.Mostofherdatesovertheyearsnevergotpastthechastegoodnightkissatherfrontdoor.It
hadn’tbotheredherbefore.She’dbeentoobusyrunningtheranchtoworryaboutherlackofsexlife.
Now,shefeltlikeshewouldsuffocateifRichdidn’tkissherrightnow.
Sheplantedherlipsonhis,mewlingwhenhefinallyrespondedinkind.Whathadshebeenmissing?
No,noneoftheothermenshe’ddatedcouldeverholdacandletoRich.Kind,generous,andsexyashell.
Onanimpulse,Charliepushedherselfoutofherseatandstraddledhislap.“It’seasierthisway,”she
explained.
Richwasn’tcomplaining.Hemovedhishandstocupherwaist,gentlycaressingthesoftcurvesofher
backside.Oh,whyhadshewornjeanstonight?Thematerialseemedimpossiblythick.Shewantednothing
morethantofeelRichfully,tosharethehotachethattorturedhernowattheapexofherthighs.She
squirmedagainsthimastheykissed,tryingtowrapherselftightaroundhishard,hotbody.
“Keepthatup,”hewarned.“Andourfirsttimeisgoingtobeonthelivingroomfloor.”
Shekisseddownthesideofhisneck,herhandsplayingacrosshischest.“Thereareworsethingsthat
couldhappen.”
Richgroaned,graspedherbottomfirmlyinhishands,andstoodup.Shemusthavesaidsomething
right.Charliewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaisttokeepfromfalling,butitprovedunnecessary.He
quicklylaidherdowninfrontofthefire.Idly,shenotedthathe’dbeencarefultopositionheronthesoft
ruginsteadofthecoldtilefloor.Agentlemantothebitterend.
“Please,”shebegged,hungryforhimtopickthepacebackup.
“Calmdown,sweetheart.Wehaveallnight.”
Oh!ShemeltedatthethoughtofspendingtherestofthenighthereinRich’sarms.
Hebentdownandkissedher,slowlythistime.Howdidheexpecthertocalmdownwhenhekept
torturingherlikethis?
Shefelthim,pressedfullandwarmagainstherbelly.Charliemoaned,hungrytofeelhimagainsther
bareskin.
Asifhe’dheardherthoughts,hereachedahandunderhertopandstrokedthetautmusclejustabove
thewaistbandofherjeans.Herheartfeltlikeitwasabouttopoundoutofherchest.
Onethingwasforsure:themansurelikedtotakehistime.Maybeshewasn’tthebestjudgeoftiming.
She’dbeentheonetoaskhimtomarryherwithoutsomuchasafirstdate.Hewasjustcatchinguptoher
schedule.
Hishandmovedupherchest,hesitatingjustbelowtheseamofherbra.Washehavingsecond
thoughts?
“Charlie,areyousureyouwantthis?”
Sherolledhereyesalongwithherhips.“Whatdoyouthink?”
Hechuckled,butanylevityprovedtemporary.“It’sbeenabigweek.Hell,we’resupposedtoget
marriedtomorrow.”
Charliedidn’tunderstandwhynowwasthemomentRichwantedtoponderthemeaningofthe
universe.Forherpart,rationalthoughthadflownoutthewindowshortlyaftersheenteredthedoor.With
ahardshove,shemanagedtocatchRichoffguardandrollhimontohisback.Shefollowed,endingwith
herlegsoneithersideofhim,herhandsrestinglightlyonhischest.
“Doalllawyerstalkthismuch?”Shereacheddownandpulledoffhersweaterandtopinonefell
swoop.Amomentlaterandshe’ddivestedherselfofherbraaswell.
Wherewasthewittycomeback?Richlaythere,unmoving.Atleasthiseyesweretrainedontheright
place.She’dbeoffendediftheyweren’t.
Richsatup,bringingherwithhim.Sheleanedback,lettingthestrongpillarsofhisarmskeepher
fromfallingback.Hetookadvantageofherpositioningandloweredhisheadtoherbreasts,kissingthe
creamy-whitetopswithanunexpectedtenderness.
Sheclosedhereyes,absorbingeachnewsensationthatrockedthroughher.Rich’stongueteasedthe
prettypinktipsuntiltheystoodatfullattention,achingformore.Eventheroughbrushofhisfiveo’clock
shadowagainsthersensitivefleshwaserotic.Herbodybristledwithpleasure,demandingmore.
“Ineverknewyouhadsuchbeautifulbreasts,”hemurmured,hismouthstillfullofthem.
Herhandsranupanddownhisback,playingacrossthehardmuscleconcealedunderthethinfabric
ofhisshirt.
“Ineverknewitwouldfeellikethis.”Assoonasthewordswereoutofhermouth,sheknewshe’d
madeamistake.
Hishandsstilledonher.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“I’ve...I’veneverdonethisbefore.”
“Youmeanyou’reavirgin?”
Sheduckedherhead.Whathadjusthappened?Amomentago,she’dfeltlikeasexgoddessreadyto
takeontheworld.Nowallshecoulddowascoverherexposedbreastswithherhands.
Richgroaned.“Baby,thisisinsane.”
“Doyouwanttostop?”
Heshiftedheronhislap.“DoesitfeellikeIwanttostop?”
Charlieblushed,desperateforhimtostoptalkingandpickupthislove-makingbusinessagain.
“We’regettingmarriedtomorrow.Wecan’tmakelove.”Gently,hepushedheroffhislap.The
rejectionstungmorethanshecaredtoadmit.
Shescurriedbackandpulledhersweaterbackonoverherhead.“You’llstillgothroughwithit?Is
thatwhyyoustopped?Becauseit’llmaketheannulmentharder?”
“No,becauseyoudeserveyourfirsttimetobeonyourweddingnight.”
Shedidn’thavetimetoponderthefullmeaningofhiswords.Hespelleditoutforherinstead.
“Charlie,Iwantarealmarriage.”
***
Richranhisfingersthroughhishair.Heshouldn’taskherforthis,notnow.Still,ifshecouldbebold
enoughtopropose,hedeservedtheopportunitytoeditthetermsoftheirarrangement.
“There’ssomethingbetweenus.I’veknownyouallmylifeandI’veneverthoughtofyouthisway
before.”
“Gee,thanks.”
Heignoredthesarcasm.“Butthesepastfewdays,thinkingaboutyouasmywife...don’ttellmeyou
haven’thadthesamethoughts?”
Hesearchedherfaceforevidenceofsomeemotiondeeperthanjustlust.Whathewasproposingwas
morethanjustsex.Itwasacommitmentthatwouldalterboththeirlives.
“I’vethoughtaboutitalittle,Iguess.”
Shelookedsouncomfortable.Hejustwantedtosootheherandputheratease.Hepulledherback
ontohislap,plantingaseriesoflightkissesacrosshercheeks.
“Ithoughtaboutuslivinghere,growingold,chasing,um…”
“Kids?You’vethoughtabouthavingkidswithme?”Heimaginedhimselfasafather,teachinghisson
howtothrowaballinthebigyardoutfront.
“Itwassilly.”
Hegrabbedherhandstokeepherfromrunningawayagain.“Howmanykidsdoyouwant?”
“Three?Itworkedoutformymomanddad.”
He’dneedtoexpandhispractice.Smalltownlawyeringwasagoodbusiness,buthemighthavea
familyoffivetothinkaboutinthenearfuture.No,childrenwithCharliedidn'tsoundbadatall.
"Look,youdon'thavetosayyesrightnow."
Shesnortedatthat."Aren'twesupposedtobegettingmarriedtomorrow?There'snotmuchtimeleft
formetodecide."
"Hey,you’retheonewhosetupthetimelimitinthefirstplace.I'llmarryyoueitherway.Justtellme
beforewewalkdowntheaisle."
"Howexactlyisthatsupposedtowork?"
"Well,ifyoujustwanttosticktotheoriginalplan,I'llmarryyouandsetupthesparebedroom.We'll
beroommatesuntilyou'rereadytofileforanannulment."
Honestly,thatsoundedhorrible.Thegatesofhisdesirehadopenedanditwouldbedifficulttohold
thembacknow.ButRichwasagentleman.He'dkeephisword.
"AndifIdecideIdon'twantittobefake?"
Hisheartfluttered.Basedonherphysicalresponsetohim,heknewthatshewantedhimsexually.
Couldshewantalifewithhimaswell?
"Ifyoudon'twantittobefake,thenwe'llgetmarriedtomorrowbeforeGodandtheentiretown.I'll
doeverythingwithinmypowertomakeyouhappy,tobuildalifetogether.You'dbemyMrs.Wakefield,
andI'llbeyourhusband-inallsensesoftheword."
"Youwantmetotakeyourname?"
Hechuckled."Iwaskindofthinkingyou'dbeshockedbythewholesexandloveandkidsthing.It's
uptoyouwhetherornotyouwanttotakemylastname."
Charliebitherlip.Oh,ifshecontinuedlikethathewasliabletopounceandtakeherrighthere,
marriagevowsornot.
"Sowe'dlivehere?"
"Ifyoulike.Icanmoveintotheranchifthatworksbetterforyou."
"Andchildren?Whenwouldyouwanttohavethem?"
Hiseyesglowed."Assoonaspossible.You'retheonewhowantsthree.Thatmighttakesometime."
"Youdon'texactlylooklikeamanwhogetsthingswrongthefirsttime."
"Hell,I'dgetyoupregnantrightnowifyousaidyes."
Charliestoodupandbackedaway.Sheprobablyhadn’tthoughtofhimthiswaybeforetonight.Ontop
ofitall,shewasavirgin.He’dgonetoofar.
"CanIanswertomorrow?"
Henodded,tryingtoputacaponhiseagerness."Ofcourse."
"I'vegottogo,Rich."Hurriedlyshepulledonhercoldweathergear."Thanksfordinnerand
the...well,thanksforeverything.I'llcallyoutomorrow.Ijustneedthetimetothinkthisover."
Richtriedtothinkofanyexcusetogethertostay.Thesefeelingswerenewtohimtoo.Wewantedas
muchtimeaspossibletosortthemoutbeforetomorrow.
"Please,canyoujusttellmeonething?"Hewalkedovertoherandpulledherintohisarms.Herhead
cametoarestonhisshoulder.Theweightofitfeltbeautiful,natural.
"Yes?"
"Areyouleaningonewayortheother?Canyouatleastgivemeahint?"
Hesearchedhereyesforananswer.Theyweredarkandsoft,fullofyearningandhope.
Hehadhisanswer.
ChapterSeven
Holysmokes!CharliewantedtorunintoHope'sroomandtellhereverythingthathadtranspired
tonight.
No,shecouldn't.Itwashardtokeepthesecretfromhersister,butshedidn'thavemuchofachoice.
HopewasheartbrokenoverAndy'sbetrayal.Nowwasnotthetimetoputherowndramaontoherbaby
sister.AsfarasHopeknew,CharlieandRichwouldbehappilymarriedtomorrow.Funnyhowwhatwas
meanttheacthadendedupbecomingthetruth.
ShepulledintothedrivewayandparkedhercarnexttoHope'ssmallsedan.Itwaslateanyways.
Judgingbythedarkenedwindows,Hopemusthavefallenasleep.Luckyforher.Charliedoubtedshe'dbe
abletogetevenfifteenminutesofshut-eyetonight.
Shefumbledinthedarkforherkeys.OddthatHopehadlockedthedoor.Outhereinthecountry,
lockeddoorsjustweren’tnecessary.Besides,eveniftheylockedit,theyweretoofarawayfromtown.A
determinedthiefcouldbreakdownthedoorandwalkinsidebeforeanyonealertedcouldcometothe
rescue.
Hopewalkedgingerlythroughthehouse.Itwasaftermidnightandshedidn'twanttowakeupHope.
Theybothhadabigdayplannedfortomorrow.
Charliestumbledonthemainstairsandletoutalittlecurse.
ThedoortoHope'sroomcrackedopenandasliveroflightspilledoutintothehallway.
"Hope?Youawake?"Shewhisperedthewordsjustincaseshe'dbeenimaginingthings.
Shewasmetwithascream."Charlie,run!"
Charlieheardamancurse,followedbythedistinctsoundofaheavyblow.Shecouldn'trun,notwhen
Hopewasintroublejusttenfeetaway.
ShepulledouthercellphonetocalltheSheriff,butstoppedwhenalargefigureemergedfromthe
doorwayofHope'sroom.Andy.
Herfearfadedtofury."Whatthehellareyoudoinghere?"
"HiCharlie.Missedme?"
Shetookastepbackwards,lookingnervouslytowardsthedoor.
"Uhuh.Ibroughtafriend."
Onlythendidsheseeasecondfiguresittingintherockingchairbythekitchen.Hemusthavebeen
watchinghereversinceshewalkedthroughthedoor.
"Frank,getupthere.Iknockedheroutbutwhoknowswhenshe'llcometo."
InstincttookoverandCharlierushedforward,fueledbytheimageofhersistersittingunconscious
upstairs.
“Coolit,kid.”Andylifteduphislefthandandwaveditgentlyintheair.Agun.Howcouldshehave
misseditbefore?Charliestilledonthestairsandgrabbedthebanistertight.Thelargemanpickedher
phoneoutofherhandashemovedupstairstoattendtoHope.Charliecouldn’thelpit.Shelaughed.The
ideaofAndyassomesortofcriminalbosswasjusttooabsurd.
Andywalkedrightuptoher,hisfacejustafewinchesawayfromhernow.“Laughatmeagainand
Hope’snotwalkingoutofhere.”
Charliepushedherpanicaside.Sheheldhergroundandnodded.“Iunderstand.”
Hepushedthemuzzleofthegunintoherchest,pushingherdownastep.“Let’stakethispartytothe
kitchen.Youfirst.”
Charlieturnedandwalkedslowlydownthestairs.SheeyedHope’sphone,discardedonthekitchen
table.Therewerenoweaponsinthehouseandshewasoutmannedatleasttwotoone.Callingforhelp
washerbestoption.
Andyshovedthecoldmetalintothelowofherback.“Alright,let’sjustsittightnow."
Charlieloweredherselfintoaseatatthekitchentable,carefultoleaveherhandsflatandvisibleon
thetabletop.
Frankappearedinthedoorway,histaskapparentlycomplete.Andyleanedbackagainstthekitchen
counter,hisweaponlowerednow.
Shelookedbetweenthetwomen."Why'dyoucomeback?Yougotawaywithit."
Aterriblethoughtoccurredtoher.HecalledlastweektoaskHopetojoinhim.Whatifhecouldn't
take"no"forananswer?Whatifhe'dcomebacktokidnapHope,orhurther?Aweekagoshewouldhave
calledAndyaspinelesswuss.Buthe'dstolenherhorsesandhermoney,destroyedherlivelihood,
threatenedherwithaguninherownhome.Whoknewwhatthemanwasreallycapableof?
"IsitHope,"shewhispered."You'regoingtotakeher?"
Acruellaughcutacrosstheroom."Look,Hopewasfunforaspell,butIgotwhatIwantedandI
movedon.Nowoman'sworththismuchtrouble."
"Sotellmewhatis?"
Herhandsrelaxedandstartedtoslipbackintoherlap.Frankleanedoverandslammedthetablehard
enoughthatthesoundreverberatedoffthewalls.
"SheleavesherhandswhereIcansee'em."
"Leavethemuptop,Charlie,"Andyrepeated.
Shegritherteethbutfollowedinstructions.
Andypickeduptheconversationasifnothinghadhappened."Turnsoutit'sabithardertounload
thosehorsesthanIthought.Mybuyerfellthrough,sowe’vebeenforcedtosellthestockpiecemeal.
Fakingthepaperworkiseasyenough,buttherearen'tmanybuyerswhocantakemorethanacouple
horsesatatime.Ineedmoneytotideusover."
Shecouldn'thelpit.Shelaughedagain.
"Soyoucametome?Andy,youcleanedmeout!Ordidyouforgetaboutthe$30,000worthofdebt
youleftmewith?Thatdoesn'teventakeintoaccountthecostofrebuildingmystable.Youdidn'tpaythe
insurance,remember?I'vegotnothinglefttogiveyou."
Hismouthscrewedup.What,wouldhehithertoo?
"Iknowabouttheloan."
Damnit!Nobodywassupposedtoknowaboutthatexceptthebank,Rich,andHope.Ahorrible
realizationwashedoverher.
"Hopetoldyou?"
Heleanedforward,excitedbyherobviousdistress."Hopeblabbedthemomentyoutookouttheloan.
She'salwaysbeenaromantic.Shewoulddoanythingtogetmeback,includingsellingoutherown
sister."
Noneofthismadesense."Thenwhyisshetiedupupstairs?"
Andyturnedandspitonthekitchenfloor."Shedidastupidthing.Shedidn'ttellmethatshewasn’tan
accountholder.Weneedyoutosignoutthemoneyfromthebank."
Thepainofbetrayalwasworsethananyothertragedythathadhappenedthisweek.HopeluredAndy
here,specificallytorobtheranchofit'slastlifeline?Herbloodwentcold.
"Soyouwantmetosignoutthemoney?"
"All$200,000."
Charliedidn’tknowhowshekepthercool.$200,000wasnowhereclosetowhatwasleftinthebank.
Theloanhadbeenformorethanthreetimesthat,andsofarithadremainedlargelyunspent.Something
wasmissinghere,butshewasn'tabouttotellhercaptorsthat.
"Idon'tknowwhatyouexpectmetodo.It'snearlyoneinthemorning."
"Iknow.YouspentmoretimethanIthoughtoveratthatman'shouse.Rich,isn'tit?Funny,never
peggedyouforadirtybird.GuessIcalledthatonewrong."
Howhadheknownwhereshewas?
"Hopetoldyou?"
Henodded."Iwenttheremyselftomakesureshewasn’tlying.Hadtothinktwiceaboutstormingthe
castle,though.ThatRichguylooksalittletoobigandmeanformytastes."
SoithadbeenhimoutsideRich'shousetonight,notsomestrangerturningaround.Oh,ifonlyshe'd
thoughtaboutitsoonershemighthavebeenabletocutthewholeschemeshortinitstracks.
"Theplan'sstraightforward.Tomorrowmorning,yougotothebankandwithdrawthemoney.My
associatewillaccompanyyou,justtomakesureyoudon'tcauseanyfunnybusiness.Ofcourse,I'llstay
herewithHopeascollateral."
"WhatmakesyouthinkIcareaboutHopeanymore?"shelied."ThinkI'dholdontoasisterwho'dsell
meout?"
Andyslippedthegunintoaholsterhiddenunderhisjacket.
Hecalledherbluff."It’ssimple,Charlie.Ifyoudon'tgetmemymoney,I’llkillher."
ChapterEight
Richwhistledtheentirewayfromhishousetothecafe.Itwashisweddingday.Charliestillowed
himananswer,buthehadagoodfeelingthatshewasgoingtosayyestobecominghiswife.Atruewife.
Thecrowdeddinerbrokeoutintoapplausewhenhewalkedinthedoor.
"Nervousyet,sweetpea?"Ginarushedovertowipedownanemptyspaceatthecounter.
Richsmiledandwavedtothefolkscheeringhimon."WhyshouldIbe?I'mabouttomarrytheloveof
mylife."
OldThomasshoutedoverfromtheboothhesharedwithhiswifeandtwosmallgrandchildren."You
comehereforalastmealbeforeyouwalktheplank?"
RichlaughedasIrmasmackedherhusbandhardonthearm.
Ginaswoopedoverandputafullbreakfastplatedowninfrontofhim."Youtworeallykeptthisthing
underwraps,huh?"
Heshruggedandreachedforthesugar."We'reprivatepeople."
"Oh,watchout!CharlieBalton'sontheprowl.”
Richmadetoturnaround,butGinasnappedherfingersinfrontofhisface."Whatareyoudoing?
You'renotsupposedtoseethebridebeforethewedding!"
Adevilishpartofhimwantedtotellthewomanthathe'dalreadyseenCharlielastnight.Andseen
moreofherthananyothermanhadinherentirelife.
"We'renotthattraditional,"hetriedtoexplain.
"Oh,wedidn'tnotice."AcrankyMrs.Radcliffeshoutedfromherstoolhalfwaydownthecounter.
"Welovereceivingweddinginvitationsinemailform."
Ginashrugged."Youdidthistoyourself."
Richlookedaroundatthefamiliarspaceandsmiled.AfterhewasmarriedtoCharlie,he'dprobably
tradehisregulardinervisitsforfamilydinnersandbreakfastsinbed.He'dmissthelocalbusybodies.
Lordknewhewouldn'tmissthecoffee.
"Okay,Rich.Charliedroveoff.You'reintheclear."
He'dbelyingifhesaidhedidn'tlovetheattention.Itfeltnicetohavesomanypeopleinvestedinhis
life,eveniftheydiditmainlyfortheirownentertainment.
Richcutintohiseggs,leavingthebaconandsausageontheside.Afteraweekofpeoplerunningtheir
potluckdishideasbyhim,hewantedtoleavesomeroominhisstomachfortonight’sfeast.
Thebellonthedoorchimed,butthatwasn'tnews.TheSaturdaymorningrushwasinfullswing.He
grinnedwhenhefeltsomeonegrabathisarm.
"Look,Iappreciateallthecongratulationsbutamanneedstoeat!"
ThelookonGeorgeCuttingham'sfacestartledhim.Itwassupposedtobeallsunshineandrainbows
onhisweddingday.Quitefrankly,hefoundtheman'smoroseappearancejarring.
"Somethingwrong,George?"
"Er,yes.It'saprivatematter."
"Look,whydon'tyoucomeintomyofficeonMondayandwe'lltalkitover."Strikethat.OnMonday
he'dbeastill-newlymarriedman.Hedoubtedhe'dbedonewithCharlieinbedbythen."Sorry,I'm
bookedMonday.HowaboutWednesdayafternoon?"
"No,"Georgehissed,lookingaroundlikeacartoonvillain."Ineedtodiscussthismatterwithyou
now.Privately."
Alawyer’sworkwasneverdone.Richfoldedhisnapkin,andplaceditonthetable."Gina,don'tgive
myseataway,alright?I'lljustbeaminute.Outsideokay,George?"
Themannodded."Butthebackofthediner."
Richfollowedtheoldermanoutthebackentranceofthedinerandintothesmallalleyway.
"What'sallthisabout?Youintroublewiththelaw?"
"Youknowmywifeworksasatelleratthebank,right?"
"Marthadidn'tdoanythingillegalnow,didshe?"
JudgingbythestartledlookonGeorge'sface,Richknewimmediatelythathehadcalledthatone
wrong.
"Lookhere,Rich.I'mtryingtodoyouafavorandyoustartthrowinginsinuationsoutatmywife!"
Richhelduphishands."Sorry,sorry.Whatfavor?"
"Marthacalledme.She'snotsupposedtotalkaboutbankbusinessoutsideofwork,youknow?SoI
needyoutokeepthisveryquiet."
Richnoddedslowly,tryingtoguesstheman'sgame."Iwon'ttellanyone,Ipromise."
"CharlieBaltontookout$200,000incashtoday."
Rich’schesttightened.Whywouldshedothat?Anybillsshehadtopaycouldhavebeenpaidwitha
check.Andwhatbillswouldshehavetopaytodayofalldays?
"CharlieaskedmyMarthanottotellyouaboutthemoney,thatyoudidn'tneedtoworry."
"Doyouknowwhysheneededthemoney?"
Georgeshookhishead."Idon'tknowanymorethanthat.Ifitweremywife,I'dwanttoknow.That's
theonlyreasonI'mtellingyou."GeorgepattedRichonthebackandscurriedbackintothediner.
Richcouldn'tunderstandanyofthis.Theonlylogicalexplanationwastheonehefearedthemost.
MaybeCharliehadpanickedwhenhe'dpressedthiswholerealmarriageideaonher.Maybethepressure
ofmaintainingthefamilybusinessandlegacywastoomuch.Maybeshetookthemoneysoshecouldrun.
***
Charliecheckedherrearviewwindow."It'sclear."
Frankslitheredupfromhisspotcrouchingdowninthewellofthepassengerseat.He'dfollowedher
atadistanceintothebankandusedtheATMwhileshesignedforthecash.Sofar,noonehadnoticedthat
hewastrackingher.He'dkeptalowprofileinthecaruntilthey'dlefttown.
"Good.Youreallysupposedtogetmarriedtoday?"
Shegrippedherhandstightonthesteeringwheel."Yep,Iguess."
"That'stoobad."
Achillranthroughher.Hemusthavejustbeentalkingabouttakingthemoney,nothingmore,right?
AndyandFrankwerecrooks,butasfarassheknew,theyweren'tviolent.Well,thewholethreatsat
gunpointthinglastnightmightindicateotherwise.
"Yes,it'stoobad,"shesaid,hopingtomoveonfromthatparticulartopicofconversation.
Shepulledupandparkedinfrontofthehouse.Andywaswaitingforthemontheporch,theguninhis
hand.
"How'dshedo?"
Franknodded."Followedorders.I'vegotthecash."Heheldupthenondescriptpaperbagtheteller
hadgivenCharlie.Thebankdidn'thaveanythingbetterinwhichtostorethatamountofcash.Frankly,she
wasshockedtheyhadthattypeofmoneyon-handatall.
Shelookedbetweenthetwothieves."You'vegotwhatyouwanted.CanIgetbacktomylifealready?"
SheprayedthatHopewasokay.Andyhadn'tletherseenortalktohersisteratalllastnight.
"Whattime'severyoneshowingupforthiswedding?"
"Idon'tknow,"Charliesnapped."Hopeplannedthewholething."
AndynoddedtowardsFrank.TheburlymanpushedCharliehardenoughforhertofalltotheground.
"Idon'tlikebacktalk,Charlie.Itolerateditfromyoulongenough,butnowI'mtheoneincontrol.So
yougivemerealanswersorI'llmakesureyou'llregretit."
Shegrittedherteeth."Guestsshowupatfive."
"Good.We'lltrussyouupandleaveyouforthemtofind."
Theyhadn'tmentionedanythingaboutHope."Andmysister,too?"
Andygrinnedandwaggledhisfingerfromsidetoside."Uhuh.She'dcomingwithus."
ChapterNine
"What?"Charliecouldn'thelpit.Sheslammedherfistintothedirt."Yousaidyoudidn'twantanything
todowithher!"
"Well,Ican'thelpitifshewantssomethingtodowithme.Apparentlyshefindsthewholeoutlaw
thingprettysexy.Shewasbeggingmetotakeherwithuswhileyoutwowereout."
Thiswasinsanity!Hopemusthavehitherheadorhadananeurysm.Nowayhersisterwould
knowinglyshackupwithacriminalandacrook.
Frankgrippedherarmandjerkedherupintoastandingposition.
AndykickedopenthefrontdoorsoFrankcoulddragherinside."Tieherup.I'llgogetHope."
ShelookedupatFrank,searchinghisfaceforsomesortofpity.No,she'dgetnothingoutofthisman.
Andyemergedonthesecondfloorlandingamomentlater,Hopeintow.Charliefrozewhenshesaw
hersister.Whywouldn'tshelookather?Nomatterwhathadhappened,Hopewasstillhersister,damnit!
Hopebrushedherlongblondehairoutofherface."Sorry,Charlie.You'renothurt,areyou?"
Charlieshookherhead,hervoicerichwithoutrage."Howcouldyou?Idon’tunderstand…”
Hopelookedforward."IthinkI'mreadytogo,Andy.Allset?"
Franktiedthefinalknotsonthechair."She’snotgettingoutofthat.I'llgobackandpullthecar
around."
Frankstoodup,thebrownpaperbagfullofmoneyclutchedinhishand.Andyliftedhisgunuphalfan
inch."How'boutIholdontothatwhyyougetthecar?Wouldn'twantyoutopullamusclecarrying
somethingthatheavyaround."
FrankgruntedandtossedAndythebag.Themanmightbebig,butapparentlyhewasusedtogetting
bossedaround.
"You'llnevergetawaywiththis."Charliespokethroughgrittedteeth.
"Ialreadyhave.ByeCharlie.Thanksforthis."Hehoistedthebagofmoneyupintheair."Hope,ready
baby?"
Shenodded,givingCharlieonelastlookasshewalkedoutthedoor.
Charliehungherhead.Itdidn'tmatterifshemarriedRichnow.Thetrustfundwasn'tenoughtopay
backthedebtandrebuildthebusiness.Plus,withbothhersistersgonewhatwasthepointofkeepingthe
familylegacyalive?
Throughthedoor,sheheardHopeandAndytalkinginmuffledtones.
"What'stakinghimsolong?Hope,goaroundandseewhat'supwiththecar."
"Okay,baby."
Hopereenteredthebuilding.ShelookedbehindherthenrushedovertoCharlie.
"Charlie,"shewhispered."I'msosorry.IthoughtifIagreedtomeethim,wecouldtrackdownthe
horses."ShebentdownandfranticallystartedtoloosenCharlie’srestraints.“Hejustshowedupwithno
warning!”
TherewasnotimetoworkoutHope’sgoodintentions.CharliestruggledtopullherselffreeasHope
workedattheknots.AndyorFrankjusthadtostepthroughthedoorandthey'dbecaught.
ShehissedatHope,stillfurious."Whyareyougoingwiththem?"
"Icouldn'tlethimtakethehorsesandthemoney.Ifiguredifhetrustedme,Icouldatleastfindout
wherethehorseswereandcallthepolice."
"You'renotthedamncops,Hope!Icanlosethemoneyandthehorses.Ican'tloseyou!"
Justthen,Andyyelledoutfromthefront.
"Damn!It'stheSheriff."
Heraninside.CharlieandHopelookedateachother,justafewsecondsawayfrombeingheld
hostage.
HopeactedsofastthatCharliecouldbarelypiecetogetherwhathappened.Onesecondhersisterwas
reachingfortheantiquecastironhangingonthewall.Thenext,sheswingingtheheavypanatherpathetic
ex-boyfriend.
Thecastironhithard.Andycrumpledtothefloor.Charlierushedforwardandkickedawaythegun
stillclutchedinhisunconscioushand."Ithoughtyouwerejustgoingtotailhimandrunaway?"
Hopeshrugged,seeminglyunshakenbyherviolentattack."Situationchanged.Iadapted."
Charlieheardthekitchendooropenandpanicked.Frankshouldbepullingthecararound.Whatmade
himturnback?Shegrabbedatthegun.
"It'sme!Calmdown!"
"Rich?"Shedroppedthegunbackdownonthefloorandrushedtoembracehim."Whatareyoudoing
here?Where'sFrank?"
"Alittlebirdtoldmeyoutookoutalargesumofmoney.Iknewsomethingwasn'tright,soIcalledthe
Sheriff.DidyoudothistoAndy?"
"No,Hopedid."
Hopehadslumpeddownagainstthewall,suddenlyexhausted.
Denveryelledoutfromthefrontyard."AndrewForester.ThisistheWayapCountySheriff's
department.Mymenhavegotyousurrounded."
"It'sokay,Sheriff."Charlieyelledoutbeforeopeningthedoor."Hopeheredidyourjobforyou.You
cancomein."
Denverstoodupfromhisspotbehindtheopencardoorandscratchedhishead.Hejoggeduptothe
porch."Youladiesalright?"HefrownedwhenhecaughtsightofRich.“Damnit,Rich.Whatthehellare
youdoinghere?Itoldyoutostay...”DenvertrailedoffwhenhesawAndyunconsciousonthefloor.
Trainingmusthavekickedin,becauseheimmediatelydroppedtohiskneesandbeganfeelingthemanfor
apulse.
Hopesnappedoutofhertrance."WhathappenedtoFrank?"
Denver’sheadsnappedup."There’ssomeoneelsehere?"
Richraisedhishandsheepishly."Imighthavetakencareofthatactually.Idroveuparoundtheback
andfoundhiscarinthestable.Iwastryingtodisablethecar,buthewalkedin.He'stiedupoutback."
Charliegasped."What?YoufoughtFrankallbyyourself?"
Richchuckled."I'mgladyouthinkIcouldtakeonaguylikethat.But,no.IpromisedhimI'dgethima
goodattorney.Consideringalltheevidencewehaveagainsttheguy,he'sprobablyitchingtogetAndyto
taketheblame."
Denverranhisfingersthroughhishairandquicklyradioedforanambulance.“WhatthehellisAndy
doinghereanyways?”
Hopeperkedupalittle.“Icalledhim.Ithoughthe’dfeedmesomemoreinformationifIplayedsweet
onhim,butheshowedupatthehousewithoutwarninginstead.”
“Don’tsellyourselfshort,”Charliesmiled.“Hopetookhimouttoo.Neverknewshecouldhandle
cookwarethatwell.”
Denvermoaned."Well,whyyouthreewereoffplayingRobinhood,Iwasdoingrealpolicework.We
foundyourhorsesatanabandonedranchjustacrosstheStateborder.Lookslikethey'llbebackhomeina
dayorso."
HopestoodupandstaredatthesmallbitofAndy’sbloodsprinkledacrossherhands."Oh,IthinkI'm
gonnabesick."
Sheranoutofthehouse.Denverlookedonwithconcern."Ibettergocheckonher."
FinallyalonewithRich,Charlieresistedthetemptationtothrowherselfintohisarms.
"SoIguessthatmeansyou'reoffthehook,"sheventured."Withmyhorsesandmymoneyback,I
shouldbeabletoscrapebywithoutthetrustfundmoney."
Hegroanedandpulledherclose."Youcan'tjustgetridofme,Charlie.Iloveyou."
Tearswelledupinhereyes.Thingshadbeensohardforsolong.Whathadshedonetodeserveaman
likeRich?
"Iloveyoutoo,”shewhisperedinresponse.
"Soyou'llmarryme?Arealmarriage?"
Shelaughed,wipingawaythetearsfromherface."Well,Hopealreadysentouttheinvites.It'dbea
shamenottoseeitthrough."
ChapterTen
"Oh,Rich!HowamIsupposedtoruntheranchwearingthis?"
Shehelduphernewengagementandweddingringsettothelight,enjoyingtheeffectthelightmadeon
thediamond.
"Myauntworethatringeverydayforfiftyyears.Ithinkit’sreadyforfiftymore."
Charlielookedaroundthehouse,noticingthesmallchangeshe'dmade.Hemusthaveworkedall
morningtogetthisplaceintoshape.Thefloorsandsurfaceswerepolishedandfreshflowersdecorated
nearlyeverysurface.Sheglowed,knowingthathe’daddedthesesmalltouchesinordertowelcomeher
intohernewhome.
"Ilikewhatyou'vedonewiththeplace."
Hechuckled."Ithoughtsincenowthere'sawomanlivinghere,Ineededtostepitupanotch."
Thiswasthemostperfectdayofherlife.Outsideofthewholekidnappingandextortionthing,of
course.Shecriedwhenhermotherwalkedinthedoorafewhoursbeforetheceremony.Charliehadbeen
sosurethattheshortnoticewouldpreventherparentsfrombeingpresentatherwedding.Sheshould
haveknownthatHopewouldn’thavestoodforit.
“Meredithlookedhappytoseeyou.”Richturnedoffafewofthelivingroomlightsandjoinedheron
thesofa.“Didshesayhowlongshe’sstaying?Weshouldhaveyourfamilyoverfordinnersometimethis
week.”
Charliebeamed.Meredithhadbeentherealmiracle.She’dflowninfromFrancewithawedding
dressintow.HopehadfittedCharliewithsomesimpledressearlierthatweek,butitwasclearnowthat
thewholeordealhadbeenarusetogetCharlie’smeasurements.Theantiquelaceonthefrenchdressleft
Charliealittlecold,butitwastoobeautifulagowntopassup.
“IfIhaveitmyway,she’snotgoingback.Iwasstupidtofighther.Shehasasmucharighttothe
ranchasmeorHope.Ifshewantstotakeitinanewdirection,I’lllistenthistime.”
Richleanedovertothrowanotherlogonthefire.Charliestoppedhimbeforehecouldgettoit.
“Don’tyouthinkweshouldbeheadingupstairssoon?”
Whenhadshegottenthisbold?Maybeallthoseglassesofchampagneatthereceptionweretoblame.
No,morelikelyadesiretofinishwhatRichstartedlastnightonhislivingroomfloor.
Hiseyesflashedwithamusement.“You’renottired?Youhadagunpointedatyoulessthantwelve
hoursago.Icanwait,sweetheart.”
Charlieblewaloosestrandofhairawayfromherface.“Morelikesixteenhoursago.I’mfine.”She
lookedpointedlyupstairs.“I’veneverseenyourbedroombefore.Yougonnashowmetheway,oramIon
myownhere?”
Richstoodupandofferedhishand.“I’msureIcanassist,Mrs.Wakefield.”
Theheatofanticipationrolledlowinherbelly.Thiswasherlifenow.Thiswasherhusband.Sheput
herhandinhis.Howcouldasimpletouchfeelthiselectrifying?
Hebenthisheadandpressedhislipstohersinachastekiss.Impatient,shepressedagainsthim,
openinghermouthineagerinvitation.
Shehalf-expectedhimtoresist,slowherdowntothetenderpaceheseemedbentonpursuing.
Instead,hegroanedintohermouth,hishandsgrippingtightagainstherwaist.
“Charlie,you’redrivingmecrazy.”
Shereachedbehindher,searchingfranticallyforthezipperofherdress.“You’renottheonlyone,
mister.”
Beforeshecouldunzipherdress,Richswoopedherupoverhershoulder.Shegiggled,pleasedbythe
suddenrushofpassionfromherotherwisereservedhusband.
Hesmackedherbottom.“Nomoreofthat.Firstweneedtofindthebedroom.”
“Wasn’tthefloorgoodenoughforyoulastnight?”
Richwrappedhisarmaroundherlegs,holdinghertightagainsthim.“Quiet,woman.”
Hemovedquicklyupthestairs.Thesecondfloorwasdark,butRichmadehiswaytothebedroom
withoutflippingonthelights.Hedepositedherroughlyonthelargemasterbed.
Charlietrembledontheedgeofsensoryoverload.Richwasmovingfast,hishandalreadyskimming
upherbarelegswhilehislipsteasedtheexposedtopsofherbreasts.
“Rich,”shegasped.“Please.”
Hemurmuredsomething,butitgotlostagainstherflesh.Itdidn’tmatteranyways.Shewasconsumed
bydesiretogiveherselftohimcompletely.
Foramoment,shelaystill,unsureofhowtoact.Richtracedtheoutlineofhersexthroughthethin
materialofherunderwear.Charliequiveredunderthelighttouch.
Shestruggledupintoasittingpositionandtookhisfaceinherhands,kissinghimwiththefullextent
ofherpassion.Herhandsmadeclumsyworkofthebuttonsonhisshirt.Shesmiledwithsatisfactionwhen
shefinallygotitoffhim.
“Youhavemeatadisadvantage,Ithink.”Hereachedbehindherandunzippedthelacytopofher
weddingdress.
Unhamperedbystraps,thebodicefelltoherwaist.Shesquirmedoutoftheskirt,pushingthemassof
gauzy-whitematerialdowntotheground.Oh,well.Wasn’tthethepointofweddingdresses-tobetaken
off?
Hishandsstilledoverher.Sheclosedhereyes,suddenlyshytobethisexposed.Didhelikewhathe
saw?Washehavingsecondthoughts?Fallinginloveoverthecourseofafewdayswastooinsanetobe
true.Wasthatwhathewasthinkingrightnow?
Charlie’scuriositygotthebestofher.Shepriedopenhereyes.Therewasnodenyingthelookon
Rich’sface.Hewasinawe.
“Charlie,Idon’tunderstandhowsomeothermandidn’tgettoyoufirst.Doyourealizehowbeautiful
youare?”
Shecockedherheadtothesideandsmirked.“Maybeyoushouldshowmeinsteadoftellme.”
Richmovedbetweenherlegs,makingswiftworkofhersilkpanties.Hisfingersplayedagainsther,
exploringherfully.Shegaspedattheintimatetouch.Whyhadshewaitedthislongagain?
Theanswerwasobvious.She’dwaitedforRich.
Hedippedhislipstoherbody,takinghistimekissingthesmoothskinatthetopsofherthighs.Her
legsfellapartinresponse,offeringhimfullaccesstohersensitiveflesh.
Patiently,hecaressedherwithhismouth.God,washethisthoroughwitheverythinghedid?Herskin
prickled,alivewithanticipationandthelowheatofdesire.Herbellytightened,seizingupwiththenew
sensationofdeep,all-consumingpleasure.
Henuzzledintoherflesh,fanningafirethatthreatenedtoconsumeher.Shetwistedup,herhands
balledintofists.
Thepinnaclecamefasterthanshe’danticipated.Histonguelashedagainstheronelasttimeandshe
criedout,grippingthethickmuscleofhisshoulders.Richwastheonlythinggroundingherrightnow.If
sheletgo,shehalf-expectedshe’dfloataway.
“Iloveyou,Charlie.”Hemovedupherbodyandkissedherdeeply,renewingthehungerhe’dslaked
justamomentbefore.Shetuggedathisbelt,eagertofeelhisfullnakedlengthagainsther.
Richstilledherhandsandsatback,deftlypullingofftherestofhisclothes.
“Oh…”Shedidn’tknowwhatelsetosay.Herewasperhapsthemostbeautifulmanshe’devermet,
nakedandreadytotakeher.Andhewashers.
Richleanedbackdownandkissedthesideofherneck.“Ihopeyou’reuptoit,”hewhisperedintoher
ear.“I’mgoingtotakemytimewithyou.”
Shemoaned,totallyincapableofcomingupwitharesponse.He’dtakenherbreathaway.
Shefeltthehard,hottippressagainsther.Therewasnotimefornerves.Shewantedthismanmore
thanshe’dwantedanythingelseinherlife.
Herhipsflexedup,causingthembothtogroanagainsttheother.Richpressedahanddownonher
hips,stillingher.
“Slowdown,baby.Wehaveallnight.”
Charlieforcedherselftorelax.Ifhewoundherupanymore,shewasliabletobounceoffthewalls.
Hekissedheragainashepressedintoher.Shetightenedaroundhim,asimplereflextothisdelicious
newsensation.Richstilled,hisfacecontortedwiththepainofrestraint.Shefeltanimmediatesenseof
frustrationandpride.
“Careful,Charlie,”hewarned.“Oryourfirsttimeisgoingtolastabouttwominutes.”
Shecouldn’thelpit.Shewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaistandflexedagain,eagertowrapastightly
aroundhimasshecouldmanage.
Richansweredinkind.Hesankhisfulllengthintoher,awakeningherentirebodytohim.Charlie
criedoutatthesensationandthrewherheadback.Richnuzzledhisheadnearhershoulder,clampinghis
teethdownonthetenderflesh.
Shewantedhimtolosecontrol,tobringhimtoherlevel.ButRichstayedstill,evenasshesquirmed
helplesslyagainsthim.
“Rich,don’tmakemebeg.”
“Justgiveyourselfasecondtogetusedtoit,”hemurmured.“Idon’twantyoutobetoosore.One
timeisn’tgoingtobeenough.”
Aquickheatrusheduptohercheeksatthethought.HowmanytimesdidRichexpecttotakeher
tonight?
Heshiftedagainsther,slowlythrustingintoherevenmore.Herunrestrainedenthusiasmdroveherto
buckagainsthim.
Richmovedinandoutofher,themeasuredpacedrivingherrapidlyfranticwithdesire.Justwhenshe
thoughhe’dnevergiveherwhatshewanted,hescoopedherupandleanedbackonhisknees,pullingher
withhimsoshelandeduprightandstraddledacrosshisthighs.
“Justdowhatmakesyoufeelgood,baby.”
Sherelaxedintohim,takinghimdeepinsideher.Shehadn’texpectedforhimtogivehercontrol,but
shewasn’tgoingtorejectitnow.No,itsimplyfelttoogood.
Charlietestedthewaters,grindingherhipsagainsthim.Sheleanedbackandhemovedquicklytocup
herbackside,keepingherfirmlyplantedonhim.Thefrictionofhisbellyagainstherawokethatsensitive
nub,drivingheroncemoretowardsrelease.Shedidn’tstoptothinkaboutwhatshewasdoing.Desire
andpleasuredroveher,enticingherbodyintomotion.
“Rich,I’mgoingto...oh…”Shecouldn’tsaythewords.Allrationalthoughthadfledhermind.
Heclampedhisarmsaroundherwaistanddroveupintoher,pushingheronceagainovertheedge.
Shecriedoutoverandoverashethrustintoher,momentsawayfromhisowncataclysmicrelease.
Hecamewithhernameonhislips.Theyshudderedtogether,exhaustedwiththeexertionoftheir
primalexpressionoflove.
Charliewastootiredtothink.Richbegantolayherdown,butsheclungtight,eagertostayascloseto
himaspossible.
Hechuckledandfollowedherdownintothebedsotheycouldresttogether,stillwrappedinone
anothers’arms.
“Ihopeyou'refinewithhavingchildrenrightaway.”
“Oh.”Shehadn’tthoughtaboutusingprotection.She’dbeentooconsumedbyherownsearchfor
pleasure.“Icanlivewiththat.”
ThethoughtofhavingchildrenwithRichwarmedheranew.Howhadshebeenthislucky,tofinda
manwholovedherlikethis.Andtofindhiminherownbackyard,too.
Charlierolledherhips,adevilishsmileplasteredacrossherface.“Maybeweshouldtryagainjustto
makesure.”
Shefelthimtwitchinsideher,hisownevidentdesireawakeningagain.
“Alright,Mrs.Wakefield.Ifyouinsist.”