Unfortunately, Bryces brother was cut from the same cloth. Allen might be a high-finance city slicker who lived and worked in Houston, but there was no doubt he relished the power and authority he held over Eden.
Which was why she needed Lukes temporary help. But first, she had to gain his cooperation, which she was determined to do, despite his reluctance.
A quick glance out the window reassured Eden that Luke hadnt taken off for town, as shed half expected. His truck was parked in the drive, and the light glowing from the bachelor apartment above the detached garage confirmed that he was home.
Finished cleaning the kitchen and putting the leftovers from their aborted dinner away, Eden retrieved a wicker basket from the pantry and filled it with two small plates and mugs, utensils, napkins, a thermos of fresh brewed coffee, and the French apple pie shed made for dessert that they hadnt had the chance to enjoy. Then she headed out the back door and across the lawn toward the unit where Luke lived as part of his room and board compensation.
This time, she wouldnt give him the chance to refuse her. This time, shed state her intentions clearly so there would be no mistaking her motives for asking him to marry her.
She climbed the wooden stairs at the side of the garage, and by the time she reached the screen door, Luke was waiting there, as if hed watched her approach across the yard. He leaned casually against the jamb, his stance lazy, but there was enough caution in his rich brown eyes to give her the impression that he was wary of her visit.
Hi, she said, suddenly nervous all over again.
It wasnt the impending conversation that had her stomach in a sudden jumble, but the man himself. While his single status, work ethic, and lack of ties to any one place declared him an unequivocal candidate for her husband hunt, he was so male, and everything feminine in her appreciated those virile qualities he possessed. Just standing there he exuded a shimmering heat and energy. And then there were his eyes, so deep and dark and potent. She shivered at the thought of him unleashing all that banked intensity, of being the recipient of all that latent sensuality.
He inclined his head, and an unruly lock of black hair fell over his forehead.
Since he didnt seem inclined to strike up a conversation, she got down to business. I came to apologize for the way I handled things back at the house.
Nothing to apologize for, he drawled in rich, soothing tones that belied the tension bunching the honed muscles across his chest and biceps. The incident is already forgotten.
He lied. His eyes revealed that just like her, he was remembering the lingering way hed stroked her wrist, and the forbidden kiss that had tempted them both.
Id really like a fair chance to explain my proposition.
His lips pursed in frustration. Ms. Lowe
Its Eden, she insisted, wanting to dispense with all formalities. And Im not leaving until youve heard me out. To soften her forceful announcement, she smiled and opened one end of the wicker basket so the fragrant cinnamon streusel aroma wafted his way. I brought a warm French apple pie and coffee.
He lifted a brow, but didnt move. A bribe?
A bribe. A peace offering. The dessert I made that we didnt get the chance to enjoy. She shrugged as if the reasons for her bringing the pie were inconsequential. Call it what you will as long as it gets me into your apartment, and a half hour of your time.
Seemingly deciding that hed lost this particular battle, resignation softened his features. He opened the door to let her enter his domain. As she passed, he said, I never thought you were the pushy type.
The slightest hint of amusement tinged his voice, giving her hope that she might be able to sway him to her way of thinking.
Setting her basket on the counter separating the tiny living room from the equally small kitchen, she gave the place a cursory glance. Other than the sparse furnishings that came with the apartment, there was nothing personal to indicate hed made this place a home. No, a man like him would live life day to day, always ready to move on at any given moment.
At the end of a year, that trait would work to both of their advantages.
A startling warmth engulfed her when he came up beside her at the counter. Shaking off her awareness, she glanced his way. I think persistent and determined are more apt descriptions for my personality type, and much more complimentary.
The corner of his mouth twitched. And stubborn.
His tone was serious, but there was a teasing twinkle in his eyes that put her at ease. He might try to be gruff and remote, but he obviously had some charm buried beneath that reserved exterior. Briefly, she wondered what had happened to him to make him such a solitary man, a loner who didnt seem to need anything or anyone.
Opening the lid of her basket, she withdrew her bribe. My mother always did say that I inherited my fathers stubborn streak. Ive always considered it a strength. Her husband, Bryce, however, hadnt appreciated her backbone, and spent their six years of marriage trying to stifle her strong-willed personality.
Luke slid onto one of the cushioned bar stools as she served up two generous portions of warmed pie and pushed a plate toward him. Where are your parents?
Both are gone. She poured him a mug of fresh coffee from the thermos shed packed, then a cup for herself. We were traveling through Kansas when they died, on our way to Billings, Montana, where my parents planned to build a ranch and retire on some land that once belonged to my mothers father. I was seventeen at the time, and my sister, Sarah, was twenty.
He absorbed that while savoring a bite of pie, then asked, Do you mind me asking what happened to them?
No. Settling onto the stool next to his, she picked up her fork and recalled the events of that terrifying and life-altering day over eleven years ago. My sister and I were in a hotel where we were staying for the night, and my mom and dad were on their way back from getting us dinner at a fast-food restaurant when they got caught in a tornado. It killed both of them.
Im sorry, he murmured, his gaze compassionate.
Me, too, she said, scooping up a piece of pie. We still miss them. They were good, honest, hardworking people, and wonderful parents. And they were all the family my sister and I had.
Taking a bite of apples, streusel, and flaky crust, she thought about that land in Montana, and how she was going to sacrifice the only family legacy she had to ensure the Double Ls future. Her sister had sold her portion of land when shed married her husband, Ray, but Eden had always hoped to build on her share one day. Financially, the dream wasnt feasible. Emotionally, she couldnt afford to start over, not with Phoebes welfare to consider.
And if Luke accepted her offer, what was left of her familys legacy would belong to a stranger.
So, if you were heading toward Montana, how did you end up coming to live in Texas?
She watched as he picked up his mug of coffee, her gaze drawn to his hands, which were large, tanned and callused, his fingers long as they wrapped around the ceramic cup. For as much strength as those hands possessed, she knew they were also capable of great tenderness. Many times, shed seen him gently stroke his palm along Diablos neck, and shed witnessed the patient way hed untangled a calf from a string of barbed wire, his deep voice soothing the frightened animal. Shed also seen those fingers stroke affectionately over Mouser, the pregnant female cat who lived in the barn and spent her days catching rodents.
An unexpected shiver swept through Eden. She knew from her own experience earlier that evening that Lukes hands and voice could work magic on a womans senses as well.
Ducking her head back to her dessert, she banished those thoughts and considered his question. After my parents death my sister and I stayed in Kansas, and thats where Sarah met her husband, Ray. He was a bronc rider and traveled the rodeo circuit, but she managed to reform him. Eden grinned, and Luke returned the gesture with a small smile of his own. When they got married, he wanted to move back to Texas to be near his family, who lived in Centerville. Since I was only eighteen at the time, and Sarah didnt want to leave me behind in Kansas, I came with her and lived with her and Ray for about a year, until I married Bryce and moved to the Double L.
It was clear from his curious expression that Luke had more questions, but he didnt voice any of them. She was grateful, because she had no desire to dredge up memories of her marriage and her husbands domineering ways.
She considered turning the tables and asking Luke about his family, but figured a man like him wouldnt have roots to speak of. But, their casual conversation had served to relax the both of them, establishing a friendly atmosphere for the topic to come.
Wiping her mouth with her napkin, she set it next to her plate. I suppose we should discuss the real reason Im here.
He served himself another slice of pie. Ahh, yes, your proposition. I was hoping that slipped your mind.
Not likely, she thought. Though he sounded skeptical, at least this time he seemed willing to listen to her. Without further preamble, she said, LukeI need to get married, and I think you and I could both benefit from such a union.
Wiping a crumb from the corner of his mouth with the pad of his thumb, he met her gaze. Eden, Im very flattered, but not only do we not know each other, Im not the marrying kind.
Oh, thats okay. Enthusiasm welled within her, and she turned on her bar stool to face him. In fact, thatll work out perfectly!
Her eager response made him pause a moment. He took a long drink of coffee, subtle interest touching his expression. All right, youve piqued my curiosity. Why are you looking to get married, and why someone like me?
Someone like you? She tilted her head, grinning, trying to keep the conversation light. You make it sound like youre a bad thing.
She was teasing him, but he didnt respond in kind. Very slowly, he turned on the bar stool, so that his hard thighs bracketed her knees, trapping her between heat, and the male scent of him. He leaned a bit closer, invading the scant distance between them. How do you know Im not some depraved criminal?
With his eyes so direct and intense, and his features shadowed with grim purpose, a distinct tingle of doubt shot through Eden, forcing her to acknowledge just how little she knew about this man shed employed without checking past references. From the moment hed walked onto the Double L looking for temporary work shed liked and trusted himpure instinct on her partand in the weeks since hiring him hed done nothing to diminish her high opinion of him.
If he was even an ounce as corrupted as he was suggesting, then he would have taken advantage of all the times theyd been alone on the ranch long before tonight. Shed also seen him with Phoebe, and how kind and patient he was with her daughter. If anything, Edens respect for Luke had increased during the past month.
He was trying to shake up her composure, attempting to make her back down and cower, just like hed attempted up at the house earlier. But, she wasnt one to retreat from a challenge, and he was about to learn just how deep her fortitude ran.
Youre not some depraved criminal, Luke.
His gaze narrowed. But you dont know that for sure, do you?
She dismissed his direct provocation, and the insinuation behind his words. The only thing she knew for certain was that something in Lukes past haunted him, made him believe he wasnt worthy of trust and respect. I believe it, and thats all that matters.
Shed given him the perfect opportunity to do something to prove the sort of man he was, but he merely released a sound of disgust and sat forward again. Why dont you wait until you fall in love with a man wholl make you a suitable, proper husband?
She chose her answer carefully. Because I dont care to be any mans wife again, not in the sense that includes honoring and obeying.
He chewed on a bite of pie, then washed it down with a drink of coffee, all the while studying her speculatively. Which brings me back to my original question. Why are you looking to get married, and why me?
Because youre safe, and you wont demand anything from me.
Her candid response seemed to surprise him. She hadnt meant to be so blunt and truthful, but she didnt regret her words. If they did marry, shed be honest for the duration of their short-term relationship, and shed expect the same from him in return, which meant she needed to be up-front with him now.
My marriage wasnt an ideal one, she admitted, pushing her plate aside. My husband was very controlling and manipulative, and when he died, his will stipulated that his brother Allen maintain control of the Double L until I remarried. Since I prefer to live alone, without a husband, that means Ill never secure the ranch and cattle operation as mine. The Double L is Phoebes future, and with me barely making ends meet on the paltry monthly allowance Allen gives me, by the time she inherits the ranch there might not be anything left.
So you figure the best way for you to gain back control of the ranch and accounts is to get married?
Yes. Temporarily. She had no desire to become emotionally involved with another man, or give up the freedom and independence she treasured. All Im asking for is one year of marriage.
Thats six months longer than I stay in any one place.
Shed assumed as much, and was prepared to compensate him for his time. Im hoping I have the incentive to make your extended stay worth your while.
His gaze dropped to her mouth, as intimate as a caress. What kind of incentive? he asked, his low, rich voice drizzling over her like warm honey.
There was that melting heat in his eyes again, and her entire body responded, glowing with expectation and need. At the end of a year, Ill give you the deed to one thousand acres of prime land in Montana.
Your parents land? he guessed.
She nodded, hating to part with the property, but knowing her options were limited. Yes.
He blew out a stream of breath and rubbed at the back of his neck with a broad hand. Thats quite an offer.
But he hadnt agreed. Yet. Feeling restless, Eden slid off the stool and rounded the counter into the kitchen to rinse off their dessert plates. The sink faced him, allowing her to keep an eye on him and gauge his response.
Id like to think of this as the barter system, she said in a businesslike voice as she reached for their dishes. One year of marriage in name only so I gain full control of the Double L in exchange for a deed to land in Montana. During our year of marriage youd continue to work on the ranch as you are, but youd live up at the main house for appearances sake. You can sleep in the downstairs guest room, and Ill provide all your meals.