Debra Cowan - Whirlwind Bride

“Yes, a wedding ring.” She snatched her hand away.

“You move fast.”

“It’s none of your concern.”

“I may not be marrying you, but I am still a friend of your family. I can’t just let you—”

“You have no say, Mr. Holt. None.” Color blazed in her high cheekbones, turning her eyes the color of heated sapphires. In spite of the irritation spiking inside him, Riley’s body hardened. She scrambled his thoughts quicker than a kick to the head.

He gestured to the ring. “What about this poor clod? Did you tell him? Who is it? One of the Baldwins?” For some reason, the possibility made him sick.

“I’m not married. I’m … a widow.”

For a full two seconds, he stared at her. “You’re what?”

“A widow.

A woman without a husband.”

“I know what a widow is!”

“Keep your voice down,” she whispered, looking around nervously.

“You’ve never been married.” What did he really know about her? “Have you?”

“No.” She stepped closer and he felt anger and desperation pouring off her. “But I refuse to let people know my baby as a bast—as illegitimate. The child is the innocent party here.” Riley agreed. Susannah’s delicate scent tugged at something inside him. How long had it been since he’d smelled anything besides himself and horse sweat? He cleared his throat. “Your condition will be obvious soon—”

“And by then people will have seen the ring.” She touched the band on her finger. “Hopefully, they’ll draw the conclusion that I’m a widow.”

“Who’s gonna believe that? You didn’t have the ring on yesterday.”

“I wore gloves,” she said defiantly. “Except at your ranch. Don’t you think this has gone on long enough? We’re starting to draw attention. Surely you can’t like that.”

He glanced around and noticed several people walking past with curious looks on their faces. Others stopped in the street, watching openly.

Riley lowered his voice. “What about your last name? It’s the same as your brother’s.”

She looked stricken for a moment then brightened. “I’ll say I married a distant cousin.”

“That would work.”

Jake Ross, a widower whose ranch adjoined the Rocking H, ambled up. Tipping his hat to Susannah, he said, “Mighty nice day, Miz Susannah.”

“Yes, it is.” Her eyes lit with hope, as if she thought Jake might rescue her.

Riley exchanged greetings with the typically shy man, waited until he’d moved on before turning back to Susannah. “I want you to tell me why you cooked up this scheme.”

“I don’t owe you any explanations.”

“Lady, you came here because of me.”

“Only because Adam assured me you wanted to marry me.”

“And you would’ve gone through with it, too. For that reason alone, I deserve an explanation.”

The color drained from her face. “All you need to know is that I’m posing as a widow so that I won’t bring disgrace to my child. I know how cruel people can be.”

Pain flared in her eyes, then was gone. Riley wondered what experience she’d had with cruelty. If Adam had sent her all the way to Texas, there must’ve been some. No doubt from wealthy families who called the tune in Susannah’s circles.

She was so delicate looking. His voice softened. “What happened to the father?”

“That’s none of your business.” Her face closed up. “I have it in my power to protect my child and that’s what I’m doing. You know what it’s like for an unmarried woman in my condition. Adam sent me here because of the scandal in St. Louis. This is my chance to start fresh, a place to give my baby a life where he or she isn’t shunned because of being illegitimate. I’m asking you to keep this between us. Please.”

Riley had already shot to hell the one plan her brother had for keeping her respectable. Now Adam’s presumptuous plan didn’t seem so presumptuous; instead it seemed protective and desperate. He’d sent her far away, where no one knew her, yet where he had a friend he could trust. Someone she could lean on if necessary.

J. T. Baldwin’s big voice boomed behind Riley. “Miz Phelps, how are you feeling today?”

“Fine, thank you, J.T.”

“You’re the loveliest thing this old town has seen in quite a while.”

Fighting a sharp surge of impatience, Riley chewed on the inside of his cheek.

“You’re quite the flatterer, J.T.”

“Only when called for. Say, my boys and I are heading over to Abilene for a horse race this weekend. Would you care to join us?”

Riley saw her face pale at the mention of horses, but she smiled. “Thank you, J.T., but I have some matters I must attend to.”

“Well, maybe next time.”

The big, ruddy-faced man bid them good day, but before Riley and Susannah could continue their conversation, Davis Lee stopped to inquire after Susannah’s health. “Hello, Miz Phelps.”

“Davis Lee.” A soft smile curved her lips.

“You two have met?” Riley leveled a look at his brother.

Davis Lee grinned. “Last night in the restaurant.”

“I suppose you were just out for a walk?”

“Yep.”

Riley knew he shouldn’t have discouraged his brother from meeting Susannah. That had been like waving scent in front of a bloodhound.

“Have a nice day, ma’am.” He clapped Riley on the shoulder as he stepped around him. “And you behave.”

Had she already met every man in town? Riley was starting to think he should’ve dragged her behind a building so they would have some privacy.

Once they were alone again, he picked up where they’d left off. “What happened between you and the father?”

Her lips tightened and the ice in her gaze could’ve frozen a Texas summer day.

“Were you betrothed?” he pressed.

“It didn’t work out.”

“I’m sure Adam knows.” Riley couldn’t imagine any man—or woman—walking away from a child.

Her lips twisted. With a look of determination, her gaze locked onto his and she said in a fierce, low voice, “His name was Paul LaFortune. I fell in love with him. I thought we were to be married. He said he wanted that. But when I told him about the baby, he disappeared. I thought it was from shock or surprise. After two weeks, Adam hired a private investigator. They found him and he wasn’t interested in the baby.”

“Or you,” Riley said softly, reading volumes beneath her careful words, the too-smooth, emotionless speech.

She lifted her chin, eyes bright with anger. “Have you heard enough?”

“He seduced you.”

She blinked in surprise, then said stoically, “I was also party to the deed. He didn’t take advantage.”

“I imagine it depends on who you ask.” Riley found himself strangely compelled to touch her, reassure her in some way. He stuffed a hand in his pocket.

“My idea of love seduced me. I realized then I didn’t know what love was, but that’s all right. What my baby needs is security.”

“Miz Susannah?” It was Russ Baldwin who interrupted them this time. “You ready to drive out to Widow Monfrey’s old place?”

Susannah gave him a blinding smile. “I’ll be right with you, Russ.” She turned back to Riley, her voice urgent and pleading. “You won’t say anything, will you?”

“Why are you going out to the Monfrey place? It’s been empty for about three months.”

“Promise you won’t tell anyone about my ruse or the baby. Please?”

“Are you looking to live out there?”

“It’s none of your concern.”

“That place is run-down.” Riley turned and waved off Baldwin. “Miz Phelps isn’t going today, Russ.” The big man looked at her. “Ma’am?”

“I’ll be with you in one minute, Russ,” Susannah said with a forced smile.