Marrying Mr. Wright, page 23
part #3 of Mysterious Ways Series
“Good thing I married you, huh?” A half-grin curved his mouth, then he looked away. “I better get the horses out of the trailer. I’ll let you know when they’re saddled and ready to go. Meanwhile, get settled in.” He made a quick exit.
What’s that about? She frowned then shook her head. Heaven only knows. Now… settle in, he said. Not much of that to do.
Her bag tucked under the nightstand, Amber removed the blanket from the bed and hauled it out the back door to shake it out. Not as dusty as she’d feared, but she made sure the breeze blew it away from her. When no more tiny particles fluttered free, she returned the blanket to the bed.
Might as well check out the main room more thoroughly.
In a cabinet under the sink and counter, she found cans of stew and other non-perishable food items, a pair of metal plates, two sets of utensils, a small copper-bottom pot, and a large cast iron skillet. A large wooden box in the opposite corner contained firewood.
Bare walls beckoned to her.
I wonder if Ben would object to a painting or photograph or two to enhance this place’s neat character. She grimaced. For pity’s sake, Amber. It’s a line-shack they rarely use. I doubt he cares about enhancing its character. Don’t you have enough to do with remodeling an entire house?
Thump, thump, thump. Footfalls on the front porch preceded the door opening.
Ben stuck his head inside and smiled. “Horses are ready when you are.”
Amber followed him out, surprised to see Honey Bear, the palomino Heather had ridden to Trevor and Ashley’s wedding, waiting patiently alongside the black mare, Raven, Carrie had used that night. “No Castor?”
“Nah, I decided to leave him at home. Raven can be a handful at times, but she knows she can’t push me too far. I’d rather not deal with Castor when I’m distracted.” He lowered his gaze and half-smiled, but the brim of his hat didn’t quite hide the redness in his face.
Does he mean I’m a distraction? Amber smiled and mounted Honey Bear, shifting around in the saddle. Definitely not the same as English saddles, but not uncomfortable. Doable.
Raven’s saddle creaked as Ben swung into it and picked up the reins. He eyed Amber. “You okay? You said it’s been a while since you rode.”
“I’ll be fine. I just need to get used to the saddle.”
“Different reining technique, too.” He proceeded to show her how to direct the horse with a touch of the reins on the neck instead of using the bit. He drew up when Raven fell in beside Honey Bear. “Ready?”
She nodded then nudged Honey Bear gently with her heels.
The mare set off at an easy walk without hesitation.
“I thought we’d ride north. The boundary of the ranch isn’t far from here. We can follow the fence eastward then circle back whenever we’re ready to call it a day. We probably shouldn’t have you out too long, or you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.” A grin flashed her way. “I suppose there are worse things. Trevor still talks about having to carry Ashley around the first couple of days after they met.”
Amber chuckled and raised her brows. “Why’d he do that?”
“Remember I told you about the bull chasing her and her falling into Trevor’s arms?”
She nodded.
“Ashley twisted her ankle when she slipped off the fence. Eleanor told her to stay off of it for a couple of days.” His grin widened. “Trevor was more than happy to ensure she complied.”
She laughed softly.
Several minutes passed before Amber glanced sideways at Ben. “By the way, Travis said something before the ceremony this morning.” The gentle motion of the horse worked remaining stiffness out of Amber’s spine from the drive.
“About?” He grimaced. “Or do I even want to know?”
“He told Carrie you’d beaten Trevor. What’d he mean?”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Yep. Didn’t want to know.” He sighed. “Travis hassled me a bit about beating Trevor to the altar.”
Amber considered that. “But… Trevor was married two weeks ago.”
“Yes, but he and Ashley had known each other almost a month by then.”
“So… because we’ve only known each other two weeks, you beat Trevor?”
“Something like that.”
She grinned. “I guess you beat Trevor on the proposal, too, huh?”
“Yeah.” Ben blushed and looked away. “Though, not by much.”
“Oh?”
“He let Ashley know his intentions about twenty-four hours after they met.”
“It took you less than five minutes.”
Ben smiled and shook his head, his gaze on the back of his mount’s head. “I’m still floored by the fact you said yes.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “I’d love to know how Carrie got you to do so.”
“What makes you so sure it was her?”
“I saw the silent battle of wills you ladies had after that proposal flew out of my mouth.”
“Oh.” She hadn’t realized he’d witnessed that. I should’ve. The man was standing right there, staring at me, waiting for an answer.
~ ~ ~
Amber looked away then ruffled her bangs with slim fingers.
Ben frowned. I should’ve grabbed her a hat. We’ll have to stay in the trees or make the ride shorter than planned so she doesn’t get sunburned.
She sighed. “I guess there’s no harm in admitting the truth, as embarrassing at it is, but my saying yes was the result of a deal I’d made with Carrie.”
His brows brushed the brim of his hat. “What kind of deal?”
“Remember I asked if you’d eavesdropped on our conversation inside the cafe?”
“Sure. I didn’t understand the question then, and I don’t get it now.”
“Where do I begin?” she muttered with a grimace. “As you know, not long before we left Chicago, I broke up with Spencer but didn’t tell Carrie and Heather. Colin had just dumped Heather, and I figured that was enough for them to deal with. Especially her. While we were in the cafe, Carrie asked me point-blank about Spencer. I’d told her previously that I suspected he was getting ready to propose. She wanted to know if he had.” Her fingers went through her bangs again.
He turned Raven toward a long stand of tall trees. Honey Bear remained close. The shade of the trees fell over them.
“I admitted he had and that I’d turned him down.” She grimaced. “Carrie gave me a hard time.”
He frowned. But— “I thought she detested the guy.”
“She does.”
“Then… I’m lost.”
“I’d had three marriage proposals in four years, and she’d never had one.”
“The ones you’ve had were from jerks.”
“Irrelevant. At least I’d had them.” Amber sighed. “She accused me of being afraid of real relationships. Said I intentionally dated guys I couldn’t like, much less love.” Her shoulders and spine tensed, making her posture rigid.
“Was she right?” he asked softly, almost afraid to voice the question.
Amber shot him a dirty look. “Yeah, which made me mad.”
“Why?”
“It’s one thing for me to know it. It’s another entirely for someone to accuse me of it.”
“I see.” Ben pressed his lips together to suppress a laugh and dipped his head to hide behind the brim of his hat.
“Anyway, I denied it. Not that it did any good. I finally told her I’d marry the very next man who asked, even if I didn’t like him. Less than five minutes later, there you were. I’d bowled into you, and you’d proposed out of the blue.”
He lifted his head and narrowed his eyes. “Hm…. Well, that explains the silent argument I witnessed.”
She snorted a soft laugh. “God has a wicked sense of humor.”
“Trevor and Ashley had already proven that to me.”
Amber glanced at him. “So, have you figured out whether or not you challenged God like Trevor said?”
“No.”
“You told me what they’d said. You also said you hadn’t said anything.”
“That’s right. When they looked at me, I told them I’d done the marriage thing and had no desire to repeat it.”
Her shoulders drooped. “That certainly doesn’t sound like a challenge.” She took a deep breath, her mouth twisted in thought in a way that was entirely too enticing.
He coughed lightly and looked away, pretending to study the mountains. Don’t go there, buddy. You two have an agreement. You can’t start this marriage breaking your word within hours of saying “I do”.
“So… I guess you didn’t ask for a woman to slam into you and stomp on your foot.”
Ben stared at her, barely able to breathe. Why hadn’t he thought of that before? Lord, do thoughts count?
What do you think?
A groan rumbled up before he could restrain it.
“What?”
“It just hit me.” He tugged his hat lower over his forehead. “After Trevor and Travis made their declarations, I remember thinking something along the lines of, even if God did the things they’d said and made her stomp on my foot, I wouldn’t have the courage to ask her out, much less propose to her.”
Amber stared at him for a few moments, brows high and her mouth open. Only the creak of leather and the soft cadence of hoofbeats broke the silence. She closed her mouth and giggled.
“I suppose I should be grateful the Lord didn’t follow everything I said to the letter, or you’d have dropped into my arms, fallen on my head, and stomped on my foot.”
“I kinda did, if you think about it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I bashed my head into yours and stomped on your foot, then you caught me to keep me from falling. I think that, sort of, technically fits the description.” She grinned.
“Just grand.”
“What?” Furrows rippled her brow.
“Now I have to tell Trevor.”
Amber laughed.
The warm, delighted sound slid through him. Ben glanced away and tugged at his collar. It sure is hot all of a sudden. Did we ride into the direct sun again? He glanced around. No.
“Think about the fun you’ll have teasing Travis about what’s coming for him, like Trevor said. That’ll make the humility easier to swallow.”
“You’re having way too much fun with this.” Not that he minded. Amber relaxed and amused was a heart-warming sight. Well, the heart and other parts of his anatomy. Ben bit back another groan, afraid she’d misinterpret it, or correctly interpret it. He wasn’t sure which would be worse, and he’d rather not find out.
“Of course, I am. This situation’s not entirely my fault like I feared.” A giggle erupted. “I’m only half responsible.”
“I’m glad you’re so happy.” He chuckled. I’m not just saying that, Lord. I truly mean it.
For several minutes, only the hollow thump-thump-thump of the horses’ hooves on grassy ground broke the comfortable silence.
Ben glanced at his watch. “We should head back.”
“Already?”
“Yeah. By the time we reach the cabin, we’ll have been riding almost three hours.” He grinned. “I may have to carry you tomorrow.”
“I could live with that.”
Her grin did odd things to his vital signs, none of them stabilizing or normal.
Chapter 19
“You hungry, by any chance?” Ben drew Raven to a halt at the gate of the small corral and glanced at Amber.
“Actually, yeah. I didn’t eat much at the reception.”
“Me either.” He dismounted, dropping the reins over a fence post. “Let’s get the horses settled, and I’ll make us something.”
Amber’s eyes widened. “You cook?”
Ben chuckled. “I’ve learned a few things over the years.”
“I’m jealous.”
“Don’t say that until you’ve actually tasted my cooking.” He laid a hand on Honey Bear’s neck and grinned. “Alright, let’s see if you can still walk.”
“I’m fine.” Amber swung her leg over and lowered her foot to the ground, only to keep going when it failed to support her weight.
Ben grabbed for her, laughing. “You can’t say you weren’t warned.”
Her body melted against his, seizing up his lungs and sending a jolt through him that made the earlier ones seem negligible by comparison. Humor evaporated in an instant. The desire to hold her even closer nearly clenched his grip. This is a really bad idea. Despite the urge to push her away to preserve his sanity, he kept his arms locked around her.
Soft laughter shook her willowy frame, and she grasped his shoulders, smiling up at him. “I guess we rode too long, huh?”
He nodded.
After far too short a time—and an eternity—Amber’s weight shifted from him to her own feet. “I think I’m okay now. Probably.” Another faint laugh vibrated her body against his.
He’d been to Central Arizona a few months back to pick up some horses. The air had been unbelievably dry. Pretty much like his mouth right then. He tried to swallow but failed. His gaze found her mouth of its own accord.
Amber twisted in his arms to glance down then took a partial step back. “Got it.”
When she lifted her head to look at him, Ben forced a smile and his focus away from what he wanted very much at that moment. We have a deal. Slow and easy.
A warm smile curved her lips, and her eyes sparkled with humor. “Thanks for catching me.”
Can she really be unaware of how she’s affecting me? He restrained a frown. I should be happy about that, right? Ben nodded and released her. “Anytime.” Had a truer word ever been spoken?
“Okay. Can I help?”
He blinked. Did I miss something? “With what?”
“The horses.” Concern dashed across her face, faintly furrowing her brow as she studied him.
“Oh.” Get a grip, and pay attention, buddy. “If you help me remove their tack and brush them down, we’ll eat sooner than if I do it alone.”
A bright smile lit her face. “Sounds good to me.” She gripped Honey Bear’s reins and led her through the open corral gate.
Taking a deep breath, Ben retrieved Raven’s reins from the fence and led her into the corral, closing the gate behind them. He talked Amber through removing the tack, chuckling when she nearly dropped the heavy saddle, and tossed her a brush when she asked for one. As he brushed his horse, the familiar, mundane task calmed him.
~ ~ ~
As she swept the brush firmly over Honey Bear, Amber resisted the urge to stop and watch Ben groom Raven. She hadn’t expected her body to rebel so completely when she’d dismounted. I can’t say I’m altogether unhappy about it though. Being in Ben’s arms… well… hm. It would’ve been better if he hadn’t looked at her with such indifference. When she’d landed squarely in his arms, she’d tried to focus on the humor of the situation to keep herself from nestling close to his warmth and refusing to step away. Given his reaction, that probably wouldn’t have gone over well.
Confusion made her frown. He’d seemed so detached while holding her up, yet… he’d talked to her and teased her through the process of removing Honey Bear’s saddle and bridle. That had been no different than usual.
Maybe not confusing. What if he’s not attracted to me at all? That could explain the distance in his expression.
Then again, would he have kissed me like he did at the wedding if he feels nothing?
~ ~ ~
Ben watched Amber tug off another piece of the sort-of Philly cheesesteak he’d put together.
“Yep. I’m officially jealous. This is phenomenal. I can’t believe you made it so easily. In foil on a woodburning stove, no less.”
Her enraptured expression sent amusement through him. “Travis taught me the recipe and technique when we were in high school. He learned it from one of his Boy Scout leaders. Works for a campfire, too.” He’d sliced half a loaf of Italian bread most of the way through from the top then buttered each opening and packed them with sautéed onions and bell peppers, slices of provolone, and some of Ted’s leftover roast beef, wrapped the whole thing in aluminum foil, and laid it on the stove. One of his messier creations to eat, but tasty nonetheless.
She grinned. “Feed me like this all the time, I’ll be fat and happy.”
He chuckled. Happy sure looks good on her. Relaxed. Warm. Appealing. His body tightened as she bit into another piece. Stop right there, buddy. Focus on eating. He lowered his gaze to the chunk of food in his hand.
Once he’d choked down another bite, he took a long drink of water to moisten his mouth and throat. “If you want to get cleaned up before bed, I’ll put water on to heat. I can check on the horses until you holler for me, to give you privacy.”
“It’ll wait until morning.” She shrugged then pinned him with a faintly fearful look. “Speaking of morning, you did bring coffee, right?”
“Definitely. I’ll put the pot on the stove as soon as I get up.”
“Score!”
Ben chuckled. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone so enthusiastic about coffee.”
“It’s not the coffee, per se. It’s the caffeine. I need my caffeine.” Amber wiped her hands on a hand towel and licked her lips.
He stifled a groan and lowered his gaze. This is pure torture. Lord, I never expected such a strong attraction. Okay. Hoped for it, maybe, but not so soon.
“If I had my way, it’d come in the form of intravenous Dr. Pepper.”
Surprised, Ben lifted his head and studied her. I had to have heard her wrong while wool-gathering. “Did you really just say intravenous Dr. Pepper?”
“Exactly. If I could mainline the stuff, I’d be set.”
“If you say so.” He laughed softly. If people in town ever saw the real Amber, the one who joked and smiled so openly, they’d adore her. I certainly do.
~ ~ ~
Amber lay on the narrow bed in the dark room, staring at the wall. Light from the fire in the open stove danced through the doorway onto the wall and ceiling. It wavered even more with tears blurring her vision. As darkness had fallen, the levity of their ride and the relaxation of a wonderful dinner had faded, replaced by far less wonderful thoughts.
