brides for brothers 04 - cowboy surrender (18 page)

He caught her arm as she tried to move away. “There’s no need to act as if we’ve never even spoken to each other,” he protested. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Her gaze returned to his face, and he almost shivered from the coldness it showed. “No, Jake, I don’t think we’re friends. We used each other, but it’s over. That’s all.”

This time, when she tried to move away, he let her go. As she strolled across the room, he got a glimpse of long leg through the slit. “Is that dress legal?” he muttered, thinking aloud.

Butch must’ve just walked up beside him, because he cleared his throat. “I don’t think so. It’s enough to make you salivate, isn’t it?”

When Jake glared at him, he held up a hand. “Just thinking out loud.”

Just as Jake relaxed, turning his gaze back to Cleopatra, Butch spoke again. “But I’m a little confused.”

“What do you mean?”

“Janie told me there was nothing between you and B.J. She suggested I cozy on up to the lady, ask her out.”

“Janie did what?” Jake whipped back, his eyes blazing. He couldn’t believe what his friend was telling him. He’d begun to suspect that his sisters-in-law had been setting red herrings with those other women, intending him for B.J. all along.

That had been one reason for him announcing at Ben and Lucy’s what his intentions toward B.J. were. He didn’t want any misunderstandings.

Which didn’t explain why he was upset now.

“You heard me. So, tell me, boss, is she yours or isn’t she?” Butch waited, his gaze clear, for Jake to stake his claim on B.J.…or back off.

Damn.
Jake knew he couldn’t honestly claim B.J. as his own. That would involve commitment, and he wanted none of that. Commitment meant you put your heart on the line, and risked it getting trampled.

But he sure as hell didn’t want every man in the county thinking B.J. was fair game. In spite of what she’d just said, he knew they had unfinished business to work out. But he couldn’t lie to Butch.

He finally muttered, “B.J.’s a free woman.”

“May the best man win?” Butch probed.

“Yeah.” He didn’t have to wait long for Butch’s reaction. The cowboy made a beeline for B.J.

And Jake decided to have a little chat with Janie Randall.

He didn’t see her in the living room, so he headed for the kitchen. Red was preparing another plate to take to the dining room for the buffet.

“You seen Janie?”

“Nope. Not in the last few minutes. I bet she’s upstairs getting the boys ready. She said something about dressing them up for Halloween.”

Jake wandered back to the living room. His gaze immediately flew to B.J., holding court much as Cleopatra might have done, surrounded by handsome men.

Staring, Jake realized just about every single man in the county was there, some of them even sitting on the floor, at her feet. She had removed the gold mask and, as he watched, she threw her head back and laughed at something one of the men had said. Jake ground his teeth.

Unable to stop himself, he crossed to the group. “B.J., Mildred needs to see you in the kitchen.”

As he’d known she would, she rose at once. “Of course. Excuse me, gentlemen.”

He followed her from the room, down the hall, admiring the way the silky costume clung to her, enjoying the occasional glimpse of leg as she walked. Red was coming out as they entered.

“Oops. Excuse me,” he said, juggling two plates. “I’ll be right back.”

B.J. smiled at him and then pushed the door open. “Why are you following me?” she asked Jake as they entered the kitchen. Then, a frown on her face, she turned back around. “Mildred isn’t here.”

“I know.”

Staring at him intently, she said, “She never asked me to come here, did she?”

“Nope.”

“What’s going on, Jake?”

“I’m not sure, but I think we’re being manipulated again.” He watched her carefully and was relieved to see she had no idea what he was talking about.

“Explain yourself.” She crossed her arms under her breasts and looked every bit the autocratic but always sexy Cleopatra.

“Butch told me Janie encouraged him to ask you out.”

He couldn’t tell what she was thinking, though there was a tinge of surprise on her face briefly.

“And?”

“Well? Isn’t that enough? Suddenly you’re surrounded by every eligible bachelor within a hundred miles, and you don’t put two and two together?”

“Are you saying those men are only paying any attention to me because your sisters-in-law encouraged them? Or maybe even bribed them? That I’m so unattractive no man would come within a mile of me unless one of the great Randalls told them to? Thank you very much, Jake. You’ve just made my night!”

She immediately turned to take flight, but he caught her arm. “Don’t be ridiculous!” He couldn’t conceive that she could possibly believe what she’d just said. Didn’t the woman know she made him go weak in the knees, just looking at her?

“Turn loose of me!”

“B.J., you’re the most beautiful woman here tonight and you know it! Even the married men can’t keep their eyes off you and that blasted costume. Do you realize how high that slit is?”

Though her cheeks turned a little red, she looked him up and down and said, “About as high as
your
skirt.”

“Aw, now that’s hittin’ below the belt, Barbara Jo,” he said, grinning.

“No one but Mildred ever calls me that.” She raised her chin in challenge.

He moved a little closer and tried to put a smile on her face. “I was trying to distract you from my knobbly knees.”

“You’re being ridiculous, Jake.” She tried to push past him, but he blocked her way. “I need to get back to the living room before people start remembering that we left together. They’ll think the worst.”

“Which is?” he probed.

Her cheeks flushed, and she took a step backward. “That we’re having a romantic interlude somewhere.”

He almost salivated at the thought. Why did this one woman stir his senses? Why did this one woman drive him crazy? Why did the thought of other men— Jake stood, turned to stone. The answer was more than he could understand, accept. Because it meant he’d gone back on the promise he’d made to himself when Chloe had left.

He’d sworn he’d never love another woman. He’d never put his happiness in another’s hands. And most certain of all, he’d never marry again.

It was too late. That was the most amazing part. He’d already broken those first two promises. And he wanted to break the other as soon as possible.

He wanted to marry B. J. Anderson.

“Are you going to let me by?” she asked, her voice tense.

Panic filled him, mixed with desire, and he had no answer for her. All he could do was stare at her.

The sound of the door opening behind him stopped him from answering B.J. He turned to face Janie, with Pete right behind.

“Uh, are we interrupting something?” Pete asked.

“No,” B.J. quickly replied. “I was just leaving.”

“Don’t go on our account,” Janie quickly said. “And if you’re wanting to be alone, we can tell you a few good places.” She grinned at both of them, as if they were all coconspirators.

Jake sneaked a look at B.J. Her cheeks were flaming, and she wouldn’t look at him, even though he willed her to.

“No, thank you. I was looking for Mildred. I think it’s about time for me and Toby to go home,” B.J. muttered, not looking at anyone.

“Wait, B.J. I think we need to have a little discussion with Janie before you go.” Anything to keep her there, near him.

“What about?” Janie asked.

“I think you, and probably the other two female Randalls, have been interfering again,” Jake said, trying to keep his voice stern.

“Interfering in what?” Janie asked, not looking the least bit guilty, as Jake expected her to.

“Yeah, Jake,” Pete seconded. “Interfering in what?”

Well, now, there was the problem. Exactly what should Jake call this situation. His romance with B.J.? It wasn’t really a romance. At least, he’d suddenly realized it was on his part, but he hadn’t broken the news to B.J.

“Uh, mine and B.J.’s lives.”

Anna raised her eyebrows. “Just how am I interfering with your lives?”

“You encouraged Butch to ask B.J. out.” His voice was surer now. After all, he was quite clear about that fact.

“All I did was
suggest
Butch ask B.J. out.”

B.J., who’d been edging toward the door, smiled at Janie. “Thanks, Janie. He did. We’re going to dinner next weekend.” Then she walked out the door.

Jake stared after her, his heart contracting. Had he blown his relationship with B.J.? Had he realized too late that life without her was not worth living?

Chapter Fourteen

Ranch people weren’t prone to staying up late. By ten o’clock everyone was saying his or her goodbyes. Their leaving was hastened by the storm that blew in. The first snow of the season was dusting the landscape with whiteness.

Jake, still in his toga in spite of his plans, waved the last of their guests goodbye, except for Mildred, B.J. and Toby. He had made Janie promise to keep the Andersons there until he unwrapped his gifts.

He’d been helped by Toby, even if the boy didn’t realize the favor he’d done him. B.J. had tried to leave early, but Toby had pleaded to stay until Jake opened his presents.

He knew B.J. wouldn’t have stayed willingly. After that little scene in the kitchen, she’d avoided him. And flirted with the men crowding around her.

With gritted teeth, he’d tried to ignore her. As he’d visited with his friends and neighbors, however, he hadn’t been able to keep his gaze from straying to her. And he’d provided an entertaining evening for his audience.

They hadn’t hesitated to let him know about it, either. Ben had clapped him on the shoulder and warned him he’d better stake his claim before she escaped. Mr. Miller asked him when he’d be shopping for a ring. The pastor had hinted about another Randall wedding.

Only one thing had kept him from losing his mind.

B.J. couldn’t keep from watching him, too.

Ceci and some of the other ladies had pursued him, teasing him about his costume. Every time one of them got close to him, he’d catch B.J. watching.

Now, as he entered the living room, she stood. “We really should be going.”

“Jake has to open his birthday presents,” Megan said. “You have to stay for that.”

“It should just be family. We’re—”

“Going to be family. After all, Red and Mildred are engaged,” Pete said. “And it’s not as if you have to drive a long way in the snow.”

B.J. didn’t speak, only shrugging her shoulders. Since one of them was bare, that movement heightened Jake’s blood pressure considerably. He wanted to touch her bare skin, to slide his hand—

“Well, Jake, aren’t you eager to open your presents?” Anna asked.

He stopped staring at B.J. and smiled. “Sure. Where are they?”

He soon had several small boxes in front of him. Inside one of them was a pair of good leather work gloves from Red and Mildred. “I’ve been needing a new pair, but these are almost too nice to mess up. Thanks.” He smiled at the couple, sitting together, their hands entwined.

The next box was extremely light. When he opened it, he discovered it was empty. Raising one eyebrow, he said, “Are you trying to tell me something?”

“Nope, but the real present was too big to wrap,” Pete assured him, and left the room. He returned only seconds later with a saddle slung over his shoulder. The leather was elaborately cut with flourishes, and the name Randall was carved into the back of the seat. Toby, half-asleep next to his mother, came awake and knelt on the floor beside Jake, running his fingers over the polished leather.

“Wow, Mr. Jake, it’s beautiful!”

“Yeah, it is,” Jake agreed. He looked at his brothers and their wives, fighting to hide the emotion that filled him. “Toby’s right. Thank you. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”

Toby, still rubbing the leather, said, “Someday I’m going to have me a saddle, too. And a horse. I’m going to be a cowboy, too.” He beamed up at Jake, hero worship on his face, and Jake felt his heart turn over.

He didn’t care much for what he’d heard about B.J.’s husband, but he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the man. He’d fathered a terrific boy, and he didn’t get to be around to see him grow up.

He pulled the little boy to him and hugged him.

“Those are great plans, Toby. Maybe tomorrow we’ll try out my new saddle together.”

“Really, Mr. Jake?” Toby asked, slinging one arm around Jake’s neck and leaning against him.

“Really,” Jake agreed, grinning. Until his gaze collided with B.J.’s.

She was staring at him, her hazel eyes dark with some emotion he couldn’t read. But he didn’t think it was approval, because those full lips that fascinated him were turned down on the edges.

“There’s another present,” Anna urged.

Jake picked up the last box.

“It’s from me and Mommy!” Toby informed him, bouncing on his toes beside him. “I told Mommy we should buy you something, but she said you’d want this.”

“Toby,” B.J. said softly, “I think you need to give Mr. Jake some room. Come back over here.”

“He’s all right, B.J.,” Jake said, keeping Toby beside him, his arm around him.

He watched Toby look at his mother for her approval. She gave a brief nod and a smile for her child, but when she looked at Jake, the smile disappeared.

Removing the paper carefully, he lifted the lid on the box and discovered the old book. Carefully he took the Zane Grey book from the box and opened it. A first edition. He looked up to tell her how wonderful her gift was, but Toby, turning the pages, spoke first.

“Mommy! Somebody wrote in the book. We have to get Mr. Jake another present. This one is messed up.”

Jake looked at the page where Toby was pointing. The author’s signature jumped up at him. He slowly raised his gaze to B.J., hoping she could see how much the gift meant to him.

“No, Toby, this is the perfect gift. That’s the signature of the man who wrote the book.” There were several gasps from those gathered around, but he ignored them all, concentrating on B.J. “Thank you. This is a magnificent gift.”