Tall, Dark, and Texan (37 page)

“Me!” She took a step backward. She didn’t seem to be able to get more than one word out.

He tugged off one boot and tossed it in the corner. Suddenly the small living space that had been just right for her and the girls seemed tiny.

“I have a few things to say to you before you start leaving.” Trail dust flew off of him as he moved. And she couldn’t help but notice that his socks were almost as muddy as his boots.

“I do love you,” she finally yelled back. “I’m not the one who left. You did. You left that morning without even saying good-bye. And you told Elmo to find me a house in town.”

“That was months ago,” he snapped. “Things have changed between us since I asked that favor.”

“You never said so, Teagen. You have to talk to me. I have to know how you feel, where we stand.”

“You’re my wife. That’s where I stand, Jess.” His voice turned low. “Maybe it’s time we got that clear.”

Her back bumped up against the wall, and she knew she could go no farther. “I know I’m your wife, Teagen. But you left without even looking in my direction. I was watching.”

He pulled off his other muddy boot and sent it flying. “I didn’t see you.”

She stared as he began unbuttoning his shirt. “You think I could have left that morning if I had seen you? I couldn’t have held you like I wanted to, anyway. There’s not a single room in that house that didn’t have family in it. I figured the wing would have a roof by now, but Sage said you slowed the builders down.”

“I wanted to wait and see what you wanted.”

He frowned. “I want it done the way you’d want it. As long as you don’t paint it pink and put these funny-looking string things around, I don’t care.” He lifted one of the doilies the preacher’s mother had left.

She grinned.

When he unbuckled his belt, Jessie finally asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’ve had three months to think about it, and I’ve decided I’m sleeping with my wife. There’s not going to be two houses, Jess. You said you wanted to be mine, and we’ve wasted enough time talking already.”

Jessie backed toward the door. “What if I don’t want to go back to the ranch? It’s a long drive for the girls on school days. Before long we’ll be starting the trip before dawn and getting back after sunset. It’s too hard.”

“Then we’re living and sleeping together here.”

“What if I’ve changed my mind? You were gone a long time and not even a word.”

He brushed the tip of his finger along the side of her cheek. “You haven’t changed your mind. You’ve loved me for years, remember. I wasn’t gone long enough for you to forget the way I touched you. I can see it in those big brown eyes. The feel of your skin next to me has haunted me every hour I’ve been away.”

Anger melted as she saw the memory of their last night together flood his mind. “I’ve been to hell tracking down a man so he’ll never bother me or my family again. I want to live in peace with you. I want to sleep with my wife and not worry about being invaded.”

“Teagen, you can’t just come in here storming around like a tornado, making demands. That’s not how it’s done.” His words stopped her heart. The hunger for her was a need as dear as life in his eyes.

He pulled his pistol from his holster and handed it to her, handle first. “I want to sleep with you, Jess. If you don’t want the same thing, shoot me now. All I wanted was to be with you. I’ve ridden from Austin without sleep because I didn’t want another day between us. Where is the bedroom in this place?”

“Not like this.” She straightened, knowing she’d have to face him as an equal. “Not with you yelling and bullying me.”

“I’m not pulling chairs out for you or making pretty speeches about how much I love you.” His stubborn jaw hardened. “I’m not that kind of man, and you know it.”

Jessie smiled. “I’m not asking you to.”

“Then tell me, Jess. Tell me what you want.”

She stared at his chest, knowing that this was hard for him. He’d always fought for what he wanted, never asked. “You’re thinner,” she said, the first thing that came to mind.

When he didn’t answer, she took a step toward him and brushed her fingers over the hard wall of his chest.

He raised one hand and touched her hair. “I’m not doing this right, am I?” Leaning near, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I can run a ranch. I can defend it, but I don’t know how to court my own wife.”

Jessie could only imagine the scene he’d caused at the ranch.

“You need a bath and a shave, dear. I need time to think.”

“I’m not leaving until we clear up a few things.” He jerked slightly as she moved her fingers along his ribs. “I don’t think I can walk away from you a second time.”

“All right. Would you like some coffee while we talk?”

“No,” he grumbled and then added, “thank you.”

She didn’t know what to do. She’d known from the first he’d never harm her, but what he said could hurt her far more. He’d written her his feelings for years. Why couldn’t he tell her now how he felt? Why couldn’t he look at her and say what she needed to hear?

“Teagen, just tell me how you feel. Tell me honestly from your heart like you did when you wrote to me. I know you love your ranch. I know it will always come first. I understand.”

“No you don’t,” he said, sounding tired for the first time. “That’s just it. You know how I felt, not how I feel now.”

“All right. Tell me.”

“I know you thought I was putting the ranch first when I left, but it was you and the girls that made me leave, kept me on the trail until justice was done. I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing fear in your eyes or having Em worry about someone hurting the horses.”

“But the last night. I saw you slam your hand against the wall of the bunkhouse.”

“I was fighting not to cross to you.” He brushed his calloused hand against her cheek. “I love the ranch, but I love you more.”

She moved into his arms, and he held her gently. She could feel him taking deep breaths of her as his hands moved over her back.

After a long while, he said, “I guess I finally said something right. I got you in my arms.”

“I guess you did.” She fought back tears. “Say it again, Teagen.”

He held her face in his hands and looked into her eyes as he repeated, “I love you, Jess.”

“I love you too, dear.”

“How about I go get a bath and come back. Maybe we can start over.”

“We have all day before the girls get home. I asked the preacher’s mother to watch Bethie while I helped Elmo today. I told her I’d pick her up when the girls got in.”

He leaned away from her. “What are you saying, Jess?”

“I bought a tub big enough for all three girls to bathe in. It should hold you.”

“And what do you plan to do while I wash up?”

“Watch.” She smiled. “And there will be no towels until you’re ready to dry off.”

Teagen raised an eyebrow and began unbuttoning his trousers. “Whatever you say.” He grinned and looked around. “On second thought, we may want to keep this place. I can think of some good uses for it from time to time.”

She pushed him into the kitchen and heated water while he pumped extra buckets.

As he splashed into the heated tub, he heard her lock the door and pull down the shades. A few minutes later, she walked into the kitchen with her nightgown on.

He started to tell her she didn’t need it; then he saw the top button. Unbuttoned.

When he stood, she handed him a towel. He felt her gaze as he dried, then walked toward her.

She stepped easily into his arms just as she always had. He lifted her up and walked through the house. As he laid her on the bed, he whispered, “I do love you, Jess.”

“I know,” she answered as he kissed her. “Now stop talking and sleep with your wife.”

He raised above her. “I have plans to do much more than sleep.”

She laughed. “I certainly hope so.”