The Cowboy's Reluctant Bride (13 page)

“No, sir.” Looking taken aback, his gaze shot to Ivy’s.

She hadn’t thought about a ring, either. She and Gideon were joining forces, not their hearts.

“That’s all right,” she said quickly. “I don’t need one.”

“Very well,” the preacher said. “Let’s begin.”

Beaming, he began to speak the words that would make them husband and wife. Ivy barely heard him.

This was so different from her first wedding. Back then, she’d been married in a fancy white dress that reflected her hope and anticipation for a bright future, which had ultimately disappointed.

Her sister-in-law, Caroline, had stood up with her back then, and Smith had stood with Tom. She and Tom had been a love match, though it hadn’t lasted long.

Today, she wore red calico. Tidy and practical. Just as her marriage to Gideon would be.

Reverend Simmons jolted her out of her thoughts when he firmly put her hand in Gideon’s. Her intended’s fingers closed over hers. His grip was gentle, but she felt it like a brand. Her pulse skipped.

She stared down at their joined hands. Hers was tiny next to his, pale against the sun-burnished darkness of his skin.

Haywood’s voice dimmed, and Ivy became increasingly aware of the man beside her. He exuded a leashed power, a barely contained intensity. Unwavering control.

She turned to face him, suddenly realizing that he had washed up before leaving the farm. My, he looked nice. His dark hair was slightly damp, and he wore a clean shirt and trousers. The sleeves of his blue work shirt were rolled back to reveal corded forearms dusted with dark hair. She caught a whiff of soap and leather.

Her gaze moved over his broad shoulders, his strong neck, finally meeting his blue eyes. The molten heat there disconcerted her, forcing her attention back to the ceremony. Soon, she would sign the loan papers and have the money to keep the farm going.

After the preacher said a few more words and a short prayer, he smiled at Gideon. “Young man, you may kiss your bride.”

Kiss? Ivy froze. She hadn’t considered that at all. From the shock on Gideon’s face, he hadn’t, either. She inwardly groaned. This was what she got for letting her friend believe she had feelings for Gideon.

As the moment stretched out, Haywood frowned. Well, how bad could it be? Ivy thought. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been kissed before.

Before things could turn awkward, she rolled up on tiptoe, intending only a light kiss to move things along. Something hot and fierce flared in Gideon’s eyes, and he bent his head to meet her.

Their lips brushed, and the bottom of her stomach dropped out. Despite how hard his mouth looked, his lips were soft. That was her last conscious thought.

The world narrowed to only him. She drew in the clean male scent of him—spicy and dark and heady.

His mouth moved on hers. Gently at first, then decisively. It was slow. And devastating. The ground shifted beneath her feet. Dimly, she was aware of his big hands settling at her waist and was glad of the support. Even though Gideon didn’t deepen the kiss, she felt herself surrendering.

She didn’t know how long they stayed that way, perhaps only seconds. When he lifted his head, she could still feel his breath against her lips.

Warmth spread through her limbs like honey, and she struggled to open her eyes. No one had ever kissed her like that. As if they just liked kissing.

Though in a daze, she became aware that she was leaning into Gideon, her breasts pressed to the solid wall of his chest, her palms flattened against him. Beneath her hands, she could feel the steady thump of his heart. And that wasn’t all.

He had pulled her right up against him, and he was hard. All over.

Heat flushed her body. Her own pulse skittered wildly as she stared up at him.

Dark color streaked his cheekbones, and his eyes blazed with desire. A breath shuddered out of her, and she slowly pulled away, hazily realizing she wanted him to keep kissing her.

The thought spurred her to step back. She couldn’t believe she’d responded to him the way she had. Her entire world had been Gideon.

Feeling as if she were spiraling out of control, Ivy barely kept her composure enough to enter her name in the reverend’s record book. Her mind raced as she and Gideon thanked the preacher and left.

Vaguely, she was aware of going to the bank, of telling Titus why she was there, but she felt outside of herself. Her lips still tingled, and she could feel the imprint of Gideon’s hands at her waist. Oh, forevermore!

Reminding herself that this was a business deal did nothing to quell the flutters in her belly. She and her new husband waited while the bank officer drew up the papers. Ivy’s mind raced.

She had never known a kiss could make you feel hot and tingly and...wanting. Tom had never been much for kissing. She reminded herself that her kiss with Gideon was really just a step in her quest to get a loan.

By the time Titus put the papers on the desk in front of her, she had managed to focus. Mostly. She carefully signed her new name, noticing that she and Gideon each had a separate signature line rather than him signing for them as a couple.

That was his doing, she realized. He’d made sure to list them separately, which would make it easier for her to deed half of the farm to him. Or for it to revert back to her if something happened to him. It made her want to kiss the man again.

After finishing the deed release that ceded half her farm to Gideon, Titus gathered all the papers, his gaze darting cautiously around the marble-floored building.

He leaned toward them. “Miss Ivy, I feel you should know that some committee members, like Joe Howe or the mayor, might think you and Mr. Black have married strictly so you can get a loan.”

She didn’t understand why those men would care about the reason she’d wed again as long as they weren’t lending to a single woman.

Titus lowered his voice. “If you’re planning to have the marriage dissolved after receiving the money, it will be considered false representation. The loan could be recalled.”

“That’s ridiculous,” she snapped.

“Yes, ma’am, but I thought you should know.”

“I appreciate that, Titus. As long as the loan is repaid, I don’t see why anyone should care.”

Before she could say more, Gideon slid a hand to the small of her back. She stilled, acutely aware of his touch.

He nodded to the older man. “We have no plans to change our arrangement, Mr. Rowland.”

“Glad to hear it.”

After bidding the bank officer good day, he steered Ivy toward the door. She realized then what her husband had actually said.

They stopped on the landing, Gideon settling his hat on his head.

She nudged him lightly in the ribs. “You said we wouldn’t change our arrangement. You meant between the two of us, not our deal with the bank.”

“That’s right.”

She hugged him. She couldn’t help it. “Thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome.” One arm curled lightly around her waist. He stared down at her, his blue eyes soft.

Her stomach dipped. Barely able to recall anything except that kiss, she fought to gather her thoughts along with her composure. She took a deep breath to steady herself. “You’ll never know how much I appreciate this. I know you did it for my brother.”

“That’s why I came.” He tipped her chin up with one finger. “That’s not why I married you.”

Her eyes widened, and she couldn’t think of a single thing to say to that. With a crooked grin, he cupped her elbow and steered her down the street.

He measured his steps so she could keep up. Hit with a startling realization, Ivy shot him a look.

She had attributed her giddiness and excitement to finally getting the loan, but now she knew some of it was because of Gideon. The man. His kiss.

She had the money now. She should’ve felt more secure. Instead, her whole world had gone topsy-turvy.

Chapter Eight

G
ideon could not look at her. If he did, he would kiss her again. And again.

From the bank, they went to the telegraph office and sent a wire to Smith informing him of their marriage. As they walked out, Gideon readjusted his hat and offered Ivy a hand to help her step into the street. He steered her toward the south end of town, past the jail then the livery.

Her skirts brushed against his trousers, the line of her thigh teasing his. He wanted to pull her into him, hold on tight, but didn’t trust himself to release her. He also wasn’t sure how she wanted to inform people about their wedding.

Sliding a sideways look at her, Gideon replayed the press of her lips against his. When he’d realized she intended to kiss him, he had expected some perfunctory peck, but he’d gotten more. He’d gotten a response. A taste of her. He wanted another.

Teased by her soft magnolia scent, the feel of her sleek curves against him, Gideon hadn’t been able to keep his body from reacting. And she hadn’t backed away. For a few seconds, she’d looked just as dazed as he’d felt.

The sun’s rays began to soften. Ivy glanced back toward their wagon in front of the church. “Where are we going?”

“I thought we could eat supper in town.” He nodded toward the restaurant that sat on the lushly treed banks of the Kiamichi River.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “At The Wildflower?”

“Is that a bad idea? I heard it served the best food in town.”

“It’s also the most expensive.”

“All right.”

She frowned. “I can fix something at home.”

“We’re going to celebrate.” He guided her up the slope of green grass to the white frame building. “That means no cooking.”

“What are we celebrating? Oh, you getting half the farm.” She smiled up at him.

“And you getting the loan. And maybe our marriage.”

“You want to celebrate that?” she asked in disbelief.

“Why not? It’s a good thing for both of us.”

“Right. Why not?” she murmured.

He wasn’t about to hint that he didn’t have the willpower to be alone with her just yet. His body was still tight from the feel of her against him, and all he wanted to do was peel her out of that red calico and whatever she had on underneath.

Her lips curved, and Gideon found himself smiling, too. She was so beautiful, her eyes sparkling like polished onyx, a slight flush on her cheeks. As they neared the eating establishment, she drew him to a stop.

“Are you sure you want to eat here?” She gestured at the white two-story building with green shutters. “I don’t want to be rude, but...can you spend the money?”

“Are you asking if I can afford it?”

She flushed, but nodded.

“I actually have some money,” he said dryly. “From working for your family and other jobs.”

“Oh. Good. I hope I didn’t offend you.”

“You didn’t.” He wondered if she had reservations about being seen with him. “If you don’t want to eat in town, we don’t have to. I just thought it would be a nice end to a nice day.”

“It would. Very nice.”

He pressed a hand to the small of her back, and they stepped up onto the columned porch that faced town. A second one with matching gingerbread trim overlooked the shimmering water of the river. As they made their way around to the rear of the restaurant, Ivy pointed at the extension on the north side of the building.

“The Tollisons, who own this place, are adding on a hotel in response to all the people coming to this area now.”

Stella Tollison, the owner and cook, welcomed them and showed them to a table that was next to a wide window. After being introduced to Gideon, the short, rotund lady with a rat’s nest of gray hair hurried off.

Square and rectangular tables of varying sizes were covered with white tablecloths and polished silverware. The hardwood floor shone with beeswax. Outside, the river gleamed like gold-streaked silver, spilling over rocks with a faint rushing noise. Only a few tables were occupied. Gideon and Ivy had this area almost to themselves.

When Stella returned with menus and coffee, Gideon ordered a steak and urged Ivy to get whatever she wanted. Some minutes later, the food arrived and he cut into his meat. It was tender and juicy. Ivy seemed to enjoy her smaller cut of beef.

About halfway through the meal, Mrs. Tollison came to their table with an older balding man who wore spectacles. “Mr. Black, this is my husband, Butch.”

“Call me Gideon.” He started to stand and shake the man’s hand, but Mr. Tollison waved at him to stay seated.

“Pleasure to meet you, Gideon.” Butch peered through his thick glasses. “How’s the food? If anything isn’t to your liking, we want to know. We’ll try again.”

“Everything’s good,” he said. “Best steak I’ve had in a long time.”

Ivy murmured her agreement. Stella put a hand on the younger woman’s shoulder. “We don’t see you in here nearly enough. Is this a special occasion?”

“We’re celebrating.” Ivy dabbed at her mouth with a snowy-white cloth napkin.

“Oh!” Stella’s blue eyes lit up. “What’s the happy occasion?”

When Ivy hesitated, Gideon said, “We had some good news today.”

Maybe she wasn’t ready to tell other people about their marriage. This was her town, her friends. He’d follow her lead. “Congratulations,” Butch boomed.

“Congratulations for what?” Mayor Jumper walked over from a corner table, carrying his silver-headed cane as usual. “Hello, Mr. Black. Mrs. Powell.”

“It’s Mrs. Black now,” Ivy corrected with a smile.

So Gideon had been wrong about why she’d hesitated. He was glad.

Leo’s eyes widened. “You two are married!”

“Yes.” Ivy gave Gideon a shy smile that had him thinking about that kiss again.

His brain went fuzzy for half a second. Stella squealed and hugged Ivy. Butch pounded Gideon on the back. Disapproval streaked across Jumper’s features before he blanked his face.

“Well.” The mayor slowly extended a hand to Gideon, saying in a stiff voice, “Congratulations, indeed.”

He wondered why the other man would disapprove. He was fairly certain that Paladin’s mayor didn’t know that Gideon was an ex-convict.

“Thank you,” Ivy said.

Stella smiled warmly. “We’ll leave you two to your wedding dinner.”

“Yes.” The mayor offered a tight smile. “Enjoy.”

He tipped his hat and walked across the dining area. Gideon watched him hold the door open for an arriving couple. “Jumper didn’t seem that pleased.”

“No, he didn’t,” Ivy agreed. “Maybe he’s heard about the loan and wonders if we’re planning to divorce shortly.”

“Like Mr. Rowland warned he might,” Gideon said.

She nodded.

“I guess we’ll find out.”

They both turned their attention to supper. Gideon’s mind raced with thoughts of the wedding, his bride, their trip to the bank. The deed she’d filed.

For the first time in his life, he had roots. A home that was truly his. Satisfaction filled him, and he let himself enjoy it.

He had been working toward this since he was fifteen. All those years he’d spent sweating and laboring for someone else’s ranch before going to war. Surviving that to start working and saving again only to be interrupted by his years in prison. Now he’d gotten a place to belong.

His gaze wandered to Ivy. She’d worn her hair up for their trip to town, and he wanted to get his hands in it, wanted to see it down. From holding her hand during the ceremony earlier, he knew her skin was as soft as a cloud. He bet she was that soft everywhere. Her neck, her throat, her breasts. He wanted to find out.

He wanted her. A hell of a lot more than was smart.

She looked up, and twin spots of color dotted her cheeks before she shifted her gaze to the dining room.

She knew he wanted her. There was no way she could be mistaken about that because he’d pulled her flat up against him when they’d kissed. She wasn’t ready to admit that she wanted him, too.

Ivy dabbed daintily at her mouth with her napkin then folded the cloth in her lap. “I’m glad you thought to wire my brother. The news will be better coming from him.”

“Better for who?”

“My parents.”

Would Emmett and Viola Jennings have a problem with Gideon marrying their daughter? Would Smith? Gideon had no idea how Smith would react to the news that his sister was now married to his ex-convict friend.

She tilted her head, studying him as if she knew his thoughts. “Smith will understand. It’s strictly business.”

Business wasn’t what Gideon had felt when Ivy had kissed him back there in the preacher’s house.

“My parents will appreciate that you helped me, and I’ll be forever grateful.”

If her gratitude came with more kissing, Gideon figured he could suffer through.

They had just finished their meal when Meg and Josh Farrell entered the restaurant. Seeing Ivy and Gideon, the couple made their way over.

The petite brunette gave Ivy a hug, her green eyes lighting up when she greeted Gideon. “We saw Titus, and he said y’all were in town. We thought we’d come say hello. What are you two doing?”

Before they could answer, Stella rushed up to clear the dishes away. Butch appeared behind her holding a single-layer chocolate cake on a large white platter, which he placed in the center of the table.

“What’s this?” Ivy asked.

“It’s our gift to you,” Stella answered. The older woman suddenly looked uncertain. “Unless you don’t like chocolate.”

“I like it,” Gideon and Ivy said in unison.

Stella grinned. “Be right back with a knife and plates.”

Butch followed his wife back to the kitchen.

Meg pulled out a chair and plopped down next to Ivy. “Why is Stella giving you her best dessert?”

Ivy glanced at Gideon. “We were married today.”

“Married!” Meg squeaked. She lowered her voice. “Ooh, tell. Right now.”

Grinning, Josh touched his wife’s shoulder. “Hon, they might want to be alone.”

“No, it’s all right.” Ivy gestured toward the dessert. “We can’t eat this by ourselves. Please, join us.”

The sheriff looked at Gideon. “You sure?”

“Yes.” Even though he did want to be alone with his bride, he wasn’t about to do anything that might take that smile off her face.

Josh eased down into the chair to Gideon’s right as Stella returned with the promised plates. Ivy served everyone a piece of cake.

After her first bite, Meg looked from Ivy to Gideon then back again. “Well, I guess congratulations are in order.”

“Thanks,” Gideon said.

Eyes narrowing, the brunette pointed her fork at Ivy. “Why didn’t you say anything? You never even hinted.”

“It happened suddenly.” She lowered her voice. “Gideon agreed to help me get a loan from the bank.”

“
That’s
why you got married?” Meg frowned, looking so disgruntled that Gideon bit back a smile.

Josh cut off a large bite. “The bank won’t lend to a single woman.”

“That’s right.” Ivy sipped at her coffee.

“Did Haywood perform the ceremony?”

“Yes.”

“So it’s legal.”

“Of course.”

As the women continued to talk, Josh gave Gideon a long, measuring stare. “That was real generous of you.”

“Not really. We worked out a mutual arrangement.” He saw no reason to share every detail of his agreement with Ivy.

“After Ivy was assaulted in the barn, I’m glad you’re sticking close. Although this is a damn sight closer than I would’ve figured.”

Gideon had been just as surprised. “It’s what she needed,” he said gruffly.

Did the sheriff disapprove? It was too bad if he did.

A grin playing at his mouth, Josh eyed Gideon. “You ever been married?”

“No. First time.”

“You’ll get used to it,” the other man said with a laugh in his voice.

“Josh Farrell!” Meg swatted him on the arm.

Gideon grinned and pushed his plate away as Josh finished his own dessert.

After a sip of coffee, Josh shot a look toward the women and lowered his voice. “Has anything else happened at the farm?”

“No.”

Meg asked Ivy a question, catching Gideon’s attention when she mentioned his name.

Though he continued to talk to the sheriff, he listened as much as possible to his wife’s conversation with her friend.

“I’m glad you married again,” Meg said. “Josh and I both wondered if you ever would.”

“It’s just business, Meg.”

“It could be more.”

Ivy didn’t answer.

The other woman put a hand over Ivy’s, and Gideon could barely hear her next words. “Are you afraid you won’t be able to feel for another man what you felt for Tom?”

His wife looked distinctly pained before her expression flickered with what Gideon swore was loathing.

He didn’t understand that at all, but he could see she didn’t want to answer her friend. Rising, he caught her eye. “We’d better start back so we can make it home before dark.”

She gave him a grateful smile. “And we need to check on Thunder. She’s been in that crate for quite a while.”

He nodded. “I’ll take care of the bill.”

When he returned to the table, he frowned. “They wouldn’t let me pay for the cake.”

“I told you it’s a wedding gift,” Stella said from behind him. She swept around the table and transferred the remainder of the dessert from the china plate to a tin one. After covering the sweet with a cloth, she handed it to Gideon.

“Thank you, Miz Tollison.”

“Stella. I insist.” She patted his arm. “You bring your wife here again, all right?”

He nodded, pulling out Ivy’s chair. She stood along with her friends, and they all left the restaurant. As they walked back to the church, Gideon cupped her elbow, pleased when she didn’t pull away.

After another minute of conversation with the Farrells, they said goodbye. Gideon helped Ivy into the wagon then climbed in and snapped the reins against the horse’s rump. The animal lurched into motion.

The sun began to set in a wash of pink and orange as the wagon bumped along the hard-packed dirt road. Ivy’s soft floral scent was faint beneath the smells of horseflesh and earth. She’d been quiet, and he wondered if she was thinking about the conversation with her friend. Gideon was.