Texas Bride (18 page)

He knew how she felt about him. She had made it abundantly clear that he had her heart. If Jonah felt anything strong and lasting for her, if he wanted to return one day, then
he
would have to make that decision.

Maddie rode home, knowing she was leaving the best part of herself behind with the man who had been born under a wandering star and who would never be content to live in the valley where painful memories tormented him. When she considered what she would be doing, asking for him to put down roots in this place, she knew she wanted the impossible—even of a man who dared to face impossible odds in the name of duty.

But not in the name of love for her.

Destined to live with this empty ache in her soul, Maddie returned to her life, vowing to ensure her younger sister was well on her way to recovery and
to turn this ranch into the prosperous property it had been—before Avery Hanson undermined it with his treacherous schemes.

Smiling ruefully, knowing her sister was destined for disappointment, Maddie stood outside the bedroom and watched her sister practically drool over Boone. It didn’t take a genius to realize that Chrissy was completely infatuated. The girl was all smiles and laughter when Boone teased her playfully.

Unless Maddie missed her guess, Boone was smitten, too. He was hand-feeding Chrissy bites of beef, bread and cheese, although Chrissy appeared to have recovered the strength to feed herself. But given the hellish week Chrissy endured, she was entitled to all the pampering and pleasure she could get. She was, however, setting herself up for the kind of heartache Maddie experienced. But when a woman met her prince—no matter how poor the timing or ill-fated the situation—she listened to her heart, not her head.

“Maddie, you’re finally back!”

Maddie shook herself from her wandering thoughts and returned Chrissy’s smile. She ambled into the room, aware that Boone had eased back into his own space, in case Maddie disapproved of the familiarity between them.

“Thanks to Jonah and Boone, I’m back for good,” Maddie said as she eased down on the edge of the bed. “You look much better today, Chrissy.”

“I’m feeling much better,” she confirmed as her gaze darted helplessly to her companion. “If not for Boone, I might never have returned home.”

“Jonah had a definite hand in your release,” Boone
insisted, then lost himself in Chrissy’s luminous blue eyes. “Well, I better go. I’m sure you ladies would like to visit privately.”

When he stood to leave, Chrissy clutched his hand. “I can never repay you, Boone,” she murmured, her heart in her eyes. “I’m forever indebted.”

“Take care of yourself, angel,” he said as he patted her hand.

Maddie bit back a grin when Boone took his leave and her sister’s longing gaze followed him until he disappeared from sight.

“Isn’t he the most incredibly handsome and charming man you ever laid eyes on?” Chrissy said with an adoring sigh.

“Oh, definitely,” Maddie agreed, eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Well, except for your husband, Jonah,” she quickly amended.

“Yes…and about that.” Maddie gathered her thoughts and said, “Jonah and I are not actually married. It was just a charade to protect me from trouble and to force Avery’s hand.”

“But you love him, I know you do,” Christina insisted. “I’ve never seen you look at a man the way you look at Jonah.”

“It’s not that simple,” Maddie said quietly. “Just because you have special feelings for a man doesn’t mean that he
can
or
wants to
make a place for you in his life.”

“Well, it should be that simple,” Christina said idealistically.

Maddie chortled. “I wish it were, but you’re going to discover in the years to come that life doesn’t fall
into place just because you wish it so. Papa amassed a great deal of wealth, but you will find that it can be as much a curse as it is a blessing. Some men will show interest in you because they see you as a meal ticket, the means to elevate their social status. Others will perceive you as unattainable because they have nothing to give that you don’t already have.”

Men like Jonah and Boone, Maddie mused, and wondered if her sister would make the connection.

Maddie reached out to take Christina’s hand and gave it a fond and supportive squeeze. “The most important lesson you have to learn is to become strong and independent and not allow yourself to put blind faith in any man who catches your eye. You have to learn to look for hidden motives. Some men you can trust explicitly and others only want to use you.”

“Well, Boone isn’t the kind of man who would use a woman to get ahead in life.”

“No, he isn’t. But Boone is very much like Jonah in that he perceives himself far too different to fit into your world, or for you to fit into his. And you need to prepare yourself for the inevitability that Boone will be leaving with Jonah and we might never see them again.”

“Leaving?” Chrissy’s face fell like a rock slide. “How soon?”

“Today, I expect.” Maddie tried hard not to let her voice betray her. She smiled a little too brightly to counter the gnawing ache in the pit of her stomach. “The most important thing is that you’re home and safe at last.”

Her attention drifted to the pile of discarded clothes
in the corner of the room. She walked over to pick them up and took a whiff of the musty scent. She remembered the smell that had clung to Chrissy after she returned home. The scent seemed strangely familiar, but Maddie couldn’t place it.

“Do you have any idea where you were held captive?” Maddie asked curiously.

Chrissy, who’d been lost in thought—and Maddie had no doubt that Boone weighed heavily on her mind—jerked to attention. “No, I was set upon by five men I’d never seen before. They blindfolded and sedated me. I awoke occasionally and I remember the scent of cool, stale air, but that’s all I recall.”

Maddie frowned ponderously as she made note of the scent of the clothes and the reddish-brown stain on the sleeve of the blouse. The smell was not the same as in the cavern where Jonah had stashed her for safekeeping. True, the rugged ravines and canyons in the area abounded with small niches and caves, but this scent was different and Maddie couldn’t recall why it seemed familiar to her.

A light rap on the open door drew Maddie’s attention to Rosita poised in the hall. “Amos Mosely and his son, Terrance, are here to pay their respects and check on the bambino,” she announced. “Shall I send them up?”

Maddie nodded, distracted, then set aside the garments.

When the Moselys arrived, Maddie smiled in wry amusement while Terrance, the eldest son of a struggling neighbor rancher, poured on his limited charm and yammered about his concern for Christina’s ordeal, and how delighted he was that she had returned
home safely. The long-winded spiel definitely sounded rehearsed—at Amos’s insistence, no doubt.

Maddie stood aside to see how Christina dealt with her would-be beau after their heart-to-heart talk. It seemed her sister was trying to decide if Terrance’s concern was sincere or if he was simply buttering her up for a future courtship.

A moment later Terrance stuck his foot in his mouth by saying, “I would like to call upon you again tomorrow. Perhaps you will feel up to strolling around the spacious grounds of your grand home.”

Christina’s delicate brow arched as she shot Maddie a discreet glance. “Spacious grounds? Grand home? Why, Terrance, if I didn’t know better I might think that you are more interested in the place I live than you are about my recuperation. I seriously doubt that I will be ready for a vigorous hike around our ranch tomorrow.”

Maddie muffled a snicker when Amos gouged his son in the ribs with an elbow. Here was yet another example of men who viewed the Garret women as an opportunity for wealth and elevated social stature.

When Christina sighed heavily and scrunched down in bed Maddie took her cue and said, “As you can see, my sister’s energy is failing her and she needs to rest.” She took Amos’s arm and steered him toward the door. “Thank you for stopping in to check on Christina.”

Rosita returned a few minutes later to announce that William Gilmore, another young, potential suitor, had arrived to see Christina.

“I think you’re right,” Christina muttered while she waited for William’s arrival. “Wealth does in
deed bring suitors out of the woodwork. All they need is an excuse to show up.”

Maddie was impressed with how speedily and skillfully Christina dealt with the fawning admirer and his gallant offer to visit her daily while she recuperated.

William worked as an assistant at the nearby trading post and had about as much ambition as a slug. It seemed that what he lacked in ambition he made up for in gumption. He appeared more than eager to attach himself to a young heiress who could keep him in the manner to which he aspired.

William Gilmore had been gone only a few minutes when Rosita—who looked exhausted from so many trips up and down the stairs—poked her head around the corner again.

“Senor Tipton is here,” she said, huffing and puffing for breath. “And if you don’t mind, I’ll just send up any other visitors who arrive. These steps are wearing me out.”

When Rosita trounced off, Christina fluffed her pillow and propped herself up. “At least this suitor is only using me as an excuse to see you,” she said. “You can deal with him.”

Maddie was not particularly in the mood to visit with one of her would-be fiancés, but she vowed to play the gracious hostess before sending Ward on his way. Besides, she needed to inform him about her supposed marriage to Jonah. Then she would have limited association with her British-born-and-bred neighbor, who oversaw the ranch owned by several English investors.

Maddie didn’t understand the British fascination with Texas, but there were several foreign-owned
ranches in this area, plus the elegant Saxon Hotel and two upscale restaurants in Mobeetie.

She mustered a smile when Ward entered the bedroom. She appraised him, noting that he looked his usual stylish, well-heeled self. Ward was classically handsome, with refined features and blond hair. Though not as tall as Jonah or Boone, he was a distinguished figure and had been nothing but polite to Maddie. She marveled at the fact that, despite his good looks and blue-blooded breeding, she had never felt the fierce attraction and rapt fascination that Jonah held for her.

Obviously Maddie had a weakness for rugged, swarthy warriors, not dignified gentlemen. So did Christina.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” Ward said with a customary bow. “I was at Palo Cinto Trading Post this morning and heard the news that Chrissy had been returned safely. I wanted to see for myself that she was unharmed.”

Maddie nodded graciously. “It was kind of you to drop by, Ward. As you can see, Chrissy is well on her way to recovering from her ordeal.”

“That is grand news.” Ward strode over to press a kiss to Chrissy’s wrist. “I do hope you’re up and about soon….” His voice trailed off and he frowned when his gaze glided to Maddie’s left hand. “You’re married?” he questioned, stunned.

Although there was no need to continue the charade, Maddie nodded. She was not taking off this gold band—ever—because she had decided never to settle for a substitute for the man she loved. Becoming a spinster was her only option.

“Yes, I am,” she replied. “To make a long story short, I was reunited with Jonah recently. Although his profession demands constant traveling, we were wed this week.”

“You must know I’m disappointed.”

Maddie offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but I followed my heart. I hope you can understand.”

When he nodded in reluctant acceptance, Maddie breathed a sigh of relief. That had gone better than anticipated. But then, she reminded herself, neither Ward nor Avery held any true affection for her. It was this ranch they coveted.

“Since Hanson Ranch will be up for sale, I suppose you’ll be interested in the property,” she said conversationally.

Ward smiled. “I’m sure my investors will want to expand. I wondered if you might be competing with me for the land.”

“I have all I can manage. No need to worry about me driving up the price.”

“Glad to hear that…”

His voice trailed off as he glanced over Maddie’s head. Maddie turned to verify who had nabbed Ward’s attention, but she already knew. She could feel Jonah’s presence because she’d developed such an acute awareness of him.

Although her heart was breaking, she walked over to take Jonah’s hand. She noticed the star had been unpinned from his shirt, and his fresh, clean scent indicated he’d made use of the spring pool to bathe before riding back to the house. “Ward Tipton, this is my husband, Jonah Danhill.”

The two men nodded shortly, then sized each other
up. Ward tipped his hat politely and said, “I should be going. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Maddie bit back a grin when Ward’s remark reminded her of the playful comment she’d made to Jonah. Clearly, he remembered, because he flicked her a quick glance and his eyes glinted with suppressed humor.

When Ward exited, Jonah turned his attention to Chrissy. “You look much better this afternoon. Thank goodness.”

“I feel better.” Chrissy’s gaze drifted past Jonah to see Boone hovering in the hallway, staring solemnly at her. “You’re leaving,” she said in a deflated tone.

“Yes, we came to fetch our gear,” Jonah affirmed.

Maddie wondered if anyone else in the room could hear her heart breaking and clattering to the floor. Even knowing this moment would come hadn’t prepared her for the hollow ache that swallowed her alive. Maddie drew a restorative breath, squared her shoulders and vowed to remain dry-eyed—until Jonah rode away. His last memory of her was not going to be of a weepy female.

Jonah pivoted on his heels and said, “By the way, I don’t like Ward Tipton.”

Maddie smiled, amused, as she followed him down the hall. “As I recall, you said you didn’t like anyone very much.”

Yes, he had, but knowing that dignified dandy of a rancher had set his sights on Maddie made Jonah like him even less. But that’s what ill-founded possessiveness did for you, he decided. He couldn’t allow
himself to think of Maddie as
his.
They were worlds apart and he couldn’t let himself forget that.