Hanchart Land (9 page)

Rosa tut-tutted at her modesty and continued to smooth and pat folds and lace until she was certain everything was just perfect. Then she turned Susan around and made her look at her image in the mirror.

She'd acquired a deeper tan that set off the pearly color of the ivory against her skin. Rosa had pinned her hair up in a loose chignon. She’d drawn the line at wearing a veil for such an informal wedding, but Rosa hadn't been daunted. She'd made a wreath out of baby's breath and pinned it to her blonde tresses.

The heart-shaped locket at her throat had belonged to her great-grandmother, so it was very old. There was a delicate blue hanky tucked in her bra. The dress was borrowed, so Susan thought she had taken care of all the traditions.

It might seem silly to anyone else, but the little things were important to her. She would soon be making a once in a lifetime commitment, and she needed all the moral fortification she could muster.

She looked like a bride. You are a bride; she silently chastised her own image, bringing the added blush to her pale cheeks. The circumstances of her marriage might be unusual, but she was feeling all the usual turmoil such a momentous commitment involved.

There was more than a little apprehension in the blue eyes regarding the bride's reflection in the mirror. What would Luke think of her? Would he be annoyed that she'd dressed so formally? That she was wearing a Hanchart heirloom?

Would he show up in normal work clothes and be embarrassed by her elegance? Would he repeat his vows and make himself scarce again? She hadn't found the nerve to discuss the details with him.

Rosa had baked a cake and been very secretive about the other preparations. Susan was told not to worry about anything. All she knew was the service would be held in the small flower garden on the west side of the house.

"It's almost time to go downstairs," said Rosa. "Are you ready?"

Susan mustered a smile even though her insides ware quivering like jelly. "I guess."

Rosa relayed a message to her husband, Juan, outside the bedroom door, and then the women followed him downstairs. Juan was only an inch or so taller than his wife. He was a thin man who blamed his growing potbelly on her cooking. He had a head full of thick, graying hair and dark eyes that danced with perpetual good humor.

Those eyes smiled with encouragement as they reached the double doors to the garden. Then Juan lifted a fTonist's box, and Rosa handed her a bouquet of yellow rosebuds.

"Oh, how thoughtful!" Susan exclaimed, giving them both a hug. "They're beautiful, and I love roses."

"Now you just stand here a minute until I take my place near the reverend," Rosa advised. "You can start through the doors when the music starts."

"Music?" Susan repeated in surprise, but Rosa and Juan were already zipping out the doors.

Then she heard the beginning strains of the wedding march. For just an instant her heart leapt to her throat, the butterflies in her stomach fluttered wildly, and she was certain she couldn't move if her life depended on it.

Tears filled her eyes and she stifled a sob of surprise at the housekeeper's romantic gesture, wishing more than ever that her parents could be with her today. Then the doors were opening wide and more than a dozen cowboys rose to their feet and turned in her direction. The ranch hands were all wearing their Sunday best and looking expectantly toward her.

A small aisle had been cleared with rows of chairs on either side. A white cloth runner and wicker baskets bulging with fresh flowers marked the bride's path. Susan was bombarded with their heady scents. Her gaze flew the length of the aisle until they found Luke.

He stood at the minister's left, dressed in a dark blue suit with a white shirt. He was so striking, her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. Their gazes locked and his compelled her to finally move forward.

She started toward him, automatically keeping time to the slow, steady beat of the music. Her heart was thudding so hard it shook her body, and her pulse pounded in her ears with a deafening roar.

The short aisle was only a few yards long, but seemed to take an eternity to walk. Once she reached Luke's side, everyone turned their attention toward the minister. He motioned for the men to take their seats as the music faded to an end. Susan dragged in a long, steadying breath. Rosa reached for her bouquet, and she relinquished it.

The service itself was brief. Her voice was a little shaky at first, but grew more steady. Luke's was as strong and sure as always. When it came to the part where they were to exchange rings, John handed a gold band to Luke. He slipped it on her cold, trembling finger.

Rosa provided the second gold band. Susan clasped it tightly, afraid she'd embarrass herself by dropping it. Luke held out his hand, and she repeated the words "with this ring, I thee wed."

That was when she felt the faint tremor in his hands, and her gaze shot to his. For a long moment, everything and everyone faded, leaving only the two of them to stare into each other's eyes.

A brief instant of uncertainty in his gaze brought a sudden calm over Susan. Knowing he was a little shaken, that he didn't take the ceremony lightly, and for once, he wasn't totally in control of his emotions had a calming effect on hers.

"You're sure?" she mouthed the words so only he could see.

In response, Luke lifted her hand to his mouth and placed a brief, warm kiss on the ring he'd just given her. In that instant, with his head bent over her hand and his mouth on her flesh, Susan realized how much she loved him. How much she needed him and wanted his love. Though she'd fought the knowledge for years, her heart began screaming the message so loudly, she was sure the world could hear.

It was a shocking revelation and caused another tremor to pass over her. A whole host of emotions bombarded her as her lashes swept down to hide the sudden vulnerability she felt.

Along with the vulnerability came relief and a certainty she'd made the right choice in marrying him. He might not love her, but he wanted a real marriage. She was more determined than ever to have one. The vows they were sharing were the most important in her life, and she told him as much with her eyes when she reopened them.

Luke's eyes darkened with emotion, but a discreet cough from Reverend Thompson redirected their attention. The rest of their vows were repeated in firm, steady tones.

When it was time for the groom to kiss his bride, he cupped her cheek in one big hand and gently lifted her face toward him. His kiss was swift and hard. It was a firm, almost impatient promise that made her knees weak.

Then Reverend Thompson introduced them as man and wife, and a loud cheer went up. Chaos reined for the next few minutes while congratulations were offered. Someone showered them with confetti.

Everyone shook the groom's hand and pounded him on the back, then kissed the bride. Susan shared hugs and kisses with Rosa, John and the rest of the ranch family.

She knew she'd never be able to tell them how much their special efforts meant to her. The gown, the music, the flowers were all a dream come true. It made her feel as though she really belonged here, as though she'd come home again. She silently promised to cherish what she'd found.

Luke was smiling and accepting congratulations along with some teasing from his men. She risked a glance at him, but couldn't maintain eye contact. Her newly discovered love left her feeling unsure and shy. A deeper blush colored her cheeks.

A flash of light heralded a round of picture taking. One of the younger cowhands, named Toby, was a camera buff. He'd been commissioned to take wedding pictures.

"We'll be cutting the cake in the dining room," said Rosa. "There's food and drinks, too." Her invitation started a small stampede into the house.

Toby took a few more pictures of the small wedding party and then everyone headed for the dining room.

The next couple hours passed with cutting the cake, sharing food with their guests, and an abundance of champagne. Friday was payday, so Susan felt honored the men had given up their usual night on the town to help them celebrate.

Rosa made sure their glasses were never empty and beer was offered for those who preferred it. Juan grumbled he'd never get any work out of them the next morning, but nobody seemed very concerned.

Susan was too nervous to eat much, but she drank her share of champagne. By nine o'clock she was beginning to feel the affects. Rosa, with Juan's help, prodded the partygoers to head for home. John said his good night, and the housekeeper insisted the bride forget about the mess.

"But you've already done so much," Susan complained,” and you have a party tomorrow night."

"It's nothing," Rosa brushed aside her concerns while shooing her from the room. "I love it. It's still early and Juan will help. You go on up to bed. It's bad enough you won't get a long honeymoon. Take what time you can get."

The suggestion brought an immediate flush to Susan's face. Worries about her wedding night hadn't been far from her mind all evening, and she couldn't help being nervous. No amount of wine could completely drown her concerns.

Luke walked his grandfather home, so she decided to take advantage of his absence. She gave Rosa another hug, thanked her profusely and then headed for her bedroom.

What she found there gave her pause. The closet and drawers were empty. All her personal items were gone. A note from Rosa explained everything had been moved to the master bedroom. Heat raced through her at the thought.

In the middle of the bed was a gift-wrapped box and a tag bore Rosa's name. Inside was an exquisite yellow silk nightgown. Susan pulled it from the box, her heart racing again. Her wedding night and all its implications were finally hitting home.

Except for this evening, Luke hadn't kissed her or touched her in almost a week. What if he expected too much from her tonight? What if he expected her to be wise in the ways of men? Would he assume she'd know how to please him? He was expecting her to be sexually experienced, yet she wasn't. Would he be able to tell? Could it be faked?

There hadn't been an opportunity to discuss her limited experience with him. He probably wouldn't believe her anyway. She knew Shane used to boast about their adventures in bed even though there hadn't been any.

She slipped out of her wedding gown and hung it on a padded hanger until she could have it properly cleaned and stored. Then she took a quick shower and slipped into the nightgown Rosa had provided. The silk slid over her body like a whisper, teasing her senses. The feel of it against her naked skin renewed the inner warmth had been fluctuating from hot to hotter all evening.

Did all new brides feel this apprehensive? Or did knowing her husband didn't love her make the difference? Her newly recognized love for him was certainly adding to her tension. Would he notice a change in her?

What should she do next? Go to Luke's room and wait for him? Stay here and see if he'd come to her? How was she to know? The decision was taken out of her hands with the sound of Luke's leaving his room and crossing to hers. After a perfunctory knock, he pushed open the door.

She felt like a virgin sacrifice, standing before him in nothing more than a wisp of silk clung to moist spots all over her body. She hadn't brushed out her hair, so damp tendrils spilled from a crooked chignon onto her neck.

Luke had long since shed his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. Now it was unbuttoned to the waist, giving her a glimpse of bronze muscle covered in golden hair. His eyes were bright and riveted on her.

She felt her nipples pucker with his continued perusal. Her stomach was already clenched in knots and all the rest of her began to tremble. She was certain her brain had lost command of her body.

He took a few steps into the room until they were within touching distance. Then he brought both hands up and cupped her breasts, brushing his thumbs over the pebbled tips until they ached with tightness.

Already flushed with fever, his touch induced an avalanche of heated energy. Susan had to lower her lashes to keep him from seeing how passionately her body responded to his feather-light touch.

The continued brush of silk and thumbs over her nipples caused her breasts to swell in pain-fill need. She remembered the feel of his mouth on the same flesh and memory sent more heat spiraling toward her womb.

He didn't say anything for several long moments, just continued to caress her until her whole body was quivering and her knees started to wobble. She could feel his silvery eyes studying her face, but kept her lashes lowered. When her legs threatened to collapse, she offered a throaty plea.

"Luke!"

He answered by scooping her into his arms and carrying her back to his room. When he gently deposited her on the bed, her eyes fluttered open. The sharply etched lines of tension around his mouth and eyes made her pulse skitter erratically, and his heavy-lidded eyes seared her with more heat.

"I'll take a quick shower and be right back," he told her with a promise in his voice.

Susan was too dazed to protest. She was still trying to catch her breath and regain her equilibrium. He’d literally swept her off her feet, and tossed her into a whirlpool of eroticism. She fought to regain some control of her spinning senses.

The sound of the shower in the adjoining bathroom brought her eyes more fully open. The room had only one small lamp lit, casting the room in shadows. It was a masculine, no frills sort of room, but she liked it.

The bed, Luke's bed, their bed, she reminded herself, was king sized and carved from heavy oak. The decor was a mixture of black and maroon. The patterned bedspread had been tossed aside and Susan was lying on clean, fresh sheets.

She felt exposed again, and shifted her legs restlessly, creating a slide of silk against cotton. Her body was still tingling from Luke’s touch and every movement set her senses whirling again. She pressed her hands over her breasts to relieve the continued ache, but it didn't help. She wasn't sure what would help, yet she instinctively knew he could make it better if she allowed him.