Barbara Dunlop - An Intimate Bargain

She loved Zach. She loved him so very much.

Mandy tossed back her hair. “So, what are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

Abigail groaned at the bedroom ceiling. “I should never have let him walk out of here.”

“You love him.”

“Yes.”

“Then you should have thrown yourself in his arms, told him that and walked away from the ranch with him by your side.”

“I’d be halfway to Craig Mountain by now.” Abigail paused, hope glowing to life inside her. “Is it possible that he really wants to marry me?”

“He asked you.”

“In a roundabout way.”

“In a very public and possibly hazardous way. He didn’t know how Seth and Travis would react.”

Abigail’s heart thudded, and the hope grew stronger.

“Go ask him,” Mandy whispered. “Better yet, answer him. Tell him you love him. Say yes to the marriage proposal.”

“Drive on up to Craig Mountain.” Abigail couldn’t help remembering what had happened last time she’d tried that.

“Yes.”

“Tell him I love him.”

“Yes.”

“Step off an emotional cliff with no safety net.”

“He already did that for you.”

Abigail felt herself smile.

He had. He’d waltzed right in here and gambled everything. Mandy was right-the very least Abigail could do was meet him halfway.

She put her hand on top of Mandy’s and squeezed. “I’m going to Craig Mountain.”

“You want me to drive?”

“I think I need to do this alone.”

“It’s late. And it’s a long way. Caleb will-”

“I’m a big girl, Mandy. I can drive myself.”

Mandy sucked a breath through her teeth. “Yes, you can. Call me when you get there.”

Abigail came to her feet, feeling an overwhelming urge to run to the nearest vehicle and speed to the highway. “I might be busy.” She started for the door.

“Then phone me after,” Mandy called out. “And drive carefully.”

On the stone front patio of the castle, Zach lounged in a deep, wood-slat chair, Alex in the one next to him, Ozzy curled at his feet, a bottle of cold C Mountain Ale condensing against his left palm.

“So, you proposed,” Alex was saying. “But you left without getting an answer.”

“She was pretty upset by the whole thing,” Zach responded. “I don’t think she’s had time to think it through.”

Ugly as it was, he didn’t regret his actions tonight. He’d meant every word he said to Seth and Travis, and to Abigail. Whatever she wanted, whatever she needed, he was here, and he wasn’t going anywhere.

“You probably should have waited for an answer,” said Alex.

“Maybe,” Zach admitted. He’d gone over it a thousand times on the drive back. But he truly didn’t know if he should have stayed. “Maybe I should have kidnapped her when I had the chance.”

Alex chuckled. “I can’t see her brothers letting you haul her out of the family house.”

“I suppose.”

They both took a swig of beer, while the crisp wind whistled across the lake, crackling the bright fall leaves and sending them fluttering down to the grass around the castle.

“So we might be bankrupt, and we might not,” Alex mused.

“I don’t think Seth will hold it against us.”

By the end there, it was obvious Seth was rethinking the situation. Out of everyone in that room, Zach was willing to bet Seth got that Zach would defend Abigail against anyone, including her family.

Alex contemplated his beer bottle. “Which means, the company is saved, and we’ll still be able to drink free of charge?”

“Damn fine beer,” Zach intoned, chuckling at the memory of their silly, teenage name for the company. Their original plan had been to buy a small brewery, create jobs for themselves and be able to drink for free. That’s as far as their dreams had gone in the early days.

“DFB,” Alex echoed. “It’s been one amazing trip, buddy.”

A pair of headlights appeared in the distance, flashing through the trees as the vehicle bounced on the rough road. It was coming in at quite a clip.

“You don’t suppose…” Alex ventured.

“A guy can hope.” Zach’s chest tightened. He took a reflexive swig from the bottle, draining it and setting it on the patio beside his chair.

Restless, he came to his feet, gazing into the night, waiting for the moment when the vehicle came around the bend and he’d know if it was her or not.

“Jacobs Cattle Company.” Alex spoke in the same moment Zach read the logo on the door of the blue truck.

“I hope it’s not Travis with a shotgun.” Zach squinted at the windshield, but the parking-lot lights were reflecting off the glass, and he couldn’t see inside.

“I thought you said he wouldn’t hold it against you.”

“That was Seth.”

Travis was definitely a wild card with an attitude.

The truck rocked to a halt.

It was her.

Zach’s chest tightened further as she slammed her way out of the driver’s seat. She rounded the hood, wearing scruffy jeans, a gray T-shirt and tan cowboy boots. Her hair was mussed, her makeup nonexistent, and her mouth was pursed in a moue of determination.

God, she was beautiful.

“Yes,” she shouted shortly as she mounted the stairs.

“Yes, what?” he called back.

She trotted toward him. “You told me to decide what I wanted.”

“I did.”

She stopped in front of him. “And to let you know.”

She didn’t look angry, and he dared to really hope.

“Uh-huh,” he prompted, gazing into those gorgeous golden eyes.

He was vaguely aware of Alex coming to his feet behind him.

“Hi, Alex,” said Abigail, her glance flicking past Zach’s shoulder.

Zach touched an index finger to the bottom of her chin, turning her attention back to him. “Yes, what?”

A beat went by. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Pure, unadulterated joy shot through him, but he kept it together. “You will?”

A trace of uncertainty crossed her face. It was adorable. “Were you serious? Or were you just trying to protect me?”

He had to struggle to keep a straight face. He also had to struggle to keep from hauling her into his arms and kissing the life out of her.

“I was trying to protect you,” he admitted. He tried to pause, but he was impatient. “I was also trying to love you.”

“Gettin’ anywhere with that?” she asked, her spunk clearly back.

“Yeah.” He gave in and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’ve succeeded. Completely.”

“Then say it.”

“I love you.”

“Good.”

“Your turn.”

“I love you, too, Lucky. A whole lot.” She came up on her toes, snaking her arms around his neck.

He met her halfway in a searing kiss.

“Uh, Zach?” came Alex’s voice.

Zach broke the kiss and turned. “Are you still here?”

Abigail giggled against his chest.

“I thought you might want this.” Alex tossed a small wooden box that Zach caught in midair. “I found it in the north tower.”

Puzzled, Zach flipped the brass catch with his thumb and opened the top. There sat a gorgeous little emerald-and-diamond ring, the brilliant stones nestled in polished gold.

“I don’t know its history,” said Alex. “But then, we orphans never really know for sure, do we?”

“We never do,” Zach agreed. An heirloom ring from Craig Mountain Castle. Somehow, it seemed fitting.

“And now I’m leaving.” Alex’s footsteps sounded on the porch until the door closed behind him.

Zach turned to show Abigail the ring.

“Will you marry me?” he whispered. “I love you so much.”

“Yes,” she breathed, her eyes sparkling brighter than the ring. Then she looked down. “It’s absolutely gorgeous. Lord Ashton’s?”