“No!” His single word came out as a shout, causing Frances and the horses to jump. Once she’d gotten them settled down, Nick reached over and touched her arm. “Sorry.Ijust want to be the one to do this for you. It’s been troubling you. I’d have suggested you marry to get hold of your inheritance, if I’d thought you’d consider it.”
“Thank you. It’s a sacrifice for you, I know. At least you’re used to spending most of your free time with me anyway.”
“True that. Well, there’s the house.” Nick’s face looked pale. “I guess we’ll see if your brother fires me.”
* * *
Frances laughed,but Nick couldn’t bring himself to join her. He knew all too well how protective her brother was, something she’d likely not know since she hadn’t been there when Luke had had a little talk with the other cowhands. The men talked and teased with her like she was a kid sister, but for a lot of them it was only because of the lecture the boss had given when the sisters had arrived last spring—and still had whenever a new man was hired.
When she drove into the barn, Nick jumped from the sleigh, thinking to take care of the horses himself.
“Junior, mind taking care of this for us?” Frances asked, handing the reins to the ranch foreman’s youngest son. “We’ve got some news for my brother, and I don’t think we should delay.”
“Sure thing.” The young man took them from her and went to work.
Nick offered Frances his arm, and she scowled at him.
“If you want this to be believable,” he said, “we have to act like two impetuous people in love and wanting to get married right away. We have to be convincing to everyone.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” she grumbled as she slid her arm through his, and they headed toward the house.
“When do you want to get hitched?” Nick asked.
“As soon as possible. And as simply as possible.” She glanced up at him. “I don’t want Judith to think I’m trying to get in on her special day, especially since ours isn’t real.”
Nick was silent the rest of the walk to the house, a little surprised at how much Frances’s words had hurt. When he’d jumped on her offer, he hadn’t considered how hard it was going to be to accept that he’d be married to the woman he loved but itwasn’treal, mightneverbe real.
Well, he had a short time to convince her she really did love him. Now was as good a time as any to begin. They’d reached the front door, so he stopped and pulled her back.
“I don’t want to lie to Luke if I can help it,” Nick said. “He’s not going to sign for you unless we’ve convinced him this is a love match, so there’s something we need to do first before we meet him.”
“What?” Frances looked up at him with those hazel eyes, her braid hanging over one shoulder.
Dang, but she was beautiful. She truly was clueless about the draw she had on men. Nick knew for a fact there were a good half dozen of them who fancied themselves in love with her, not counting him. He hoped she didn’t slap him for what he was about to do.
“I need to kiss you. Now, before we go in the house.”
She pulled a face, glancing away. Nick thought he might have preferred that she slap him; it’d have been gentler on his masculine confidence. But he knew he was right, so he pushed on. Luke was no fool.
“If you’re not willing to do something as simple as kiss me to get what you want,” Nick whispered, leaning close enough he could smell the heady fragrance that washer, “we might as well quit right now. I’m not willing to risk what I have here if you’re not in this all the way.”
Frances looked up then and met his gaze, her expression determined. He lifted his free hand and cupped her cheek, wishing he didn’t have a glove on and could feel the softness of her skin. She closed her eyes and lifted her chin. Nick’s heart was beating so hard it made his chest hurt as he brushed her lips with his.
He’d intended to keep it tentative, but the surge of attraction was as powerful as it was unexpected. He loved this woman with all his heart, and he’d do anything he could to make her happy. Seemingly on its own, his other arm snaked around her waist and pulled her closer. He wanted to smell her, feel her, taste her.
Nick deepened the kiss, and Frances seemed to come alive. Her arms slid up around his neck, and she was pulling him closer, her lips moving against his with an unimaginable intensity. For a second, a burst of happiness flooded through Nick. He’d been right.
Someone laughed on the other side of the door, and he and Frances jumped part. Nick met her gaze, her chest heaving as much as his own. She stared at him like he was a stranger, someone she’d never seen before. Someone dangerous.
The door opened, and they spun to face it. Nick was sure they must look like guilty children. Charles and Maude stared at them, his expression surprised but her gaze fixed on Frances. Maude’s eyes widened, and she looked at Nick.
“Welcome back,” Charles said, stepping out of the way. “How was your sister’s wedding?”
“It was great to see the family again.” Nick took Frances’s surprisingly unresisting hand, and they stepped into the house. “Her shindig was nice and simple.”
“Well, I wish we could stay and catch up, but I have to get back into town, and Maude wants to check on something at Teague’s store.”
Staring at their still-clasped hands Maude said, “Yes, I would like very much to get caught up.Soon.”
