A Ring for Cinderella (9 page)

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Authors: Judy Christenberry

Tags: #Romance, #Contemporary, #Historical, #Nonfiction, #Series

BOOK: A Ring for Cinderella
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“You guys are the best,” Susan whispered.
“Hey, I thought
I
was the best guy,” Zach had said from behind her. Her sisters laughed, but Susan had to struggle to meet his lighthearted tones.
“Aren’t you, though. Well, I have to get to work.”
But the time was drawing near for her to turn loose of her hold, to face the changes in her life. All because of a lie that had seemed such a good cause—and so uncomplicated. Hah!
As everyone sat down on boxes, a slice of pizza in
hand and soda nearby, Susan tried to count her blessings. But the change was still distressing.
Zach moved a box with his foot next to the one Susan was on and sat down with his pizza and drink. “I thought the packing would take all day, but thanks to everyone’s hard work, we’re going to be ready to roll in a few minutes.”
“We’ll need to write down your telephone number and mailing address, Zach,” Maggie said. “Even if Susan comes into town every day, we may need to talk to her at night.”
“No problem. We’re not keeping her prisoner.” Then he leaned over toward Susan and kissed her. The kiss was brief, but her heart rate jumped and she had difficulty facing everyone. He wasn’t breaking their agreement, of course, because she’d said they could touch in front of others. Still, she hadn’t expected him to be quite so...enthusiastic about it
“When will your grandfather go home?” Maggie asked.
“In the morning,” Zach said with a smile. “I’m going to get my family settled. Then I’ll come back with the helicopter and bring him home.”
Silence fell, but then Zach reached out and took Susan’s hand. “I didn’t think I’d be bringing him home alive. But thanks to Susan, we are.”
She closed her eyes, trying to hold back tears. Gramp was the reason for their lie. She had to keep that in her mind.
Zach’s lips covered hers and her eyes flew open.
Pulling back, she muttered, “Zach, everyone’s watching.”
“I know,” he agreed, grinning. He was reminding her of her promise.
“I think it’s time to finish loading.” Even moving to the ranch seemed less risky than letting him kiss her.
 
“We’re ready to go, Zach,” Rick called. His truck had a small back seat, and Rosa and her two smaller children were already there. Pedro was standing beside Rick, a big smile on his face.
“Susan, can I ride with Manuel?” Paul asked.
“I don’t think there’s room, Paul. You’d better ride with me. Manuel can come with us if he wants.”
“But the truck is lots neater, Susan,” Paul pleaded.
“Why don’t you let Paul and Manuel ride in the other truck?” Zach suggested. He hoped to send Paul on his way before Zach surprised Susan with his latest purchase. “I need to drop off the rental car. I thought maybe I could ride with you.”
She looked at him suspiciously, but he only smiled at her.
“I suppose I could, if Chuck won’t mind.” She looked at the other cowboy who, after a quick look at Zach, said he’d be delighted to entertain the two eight-year-old boys for an hour.
The boys shouted their happiness and scrambled into the front seat of the second truck.
“We’ll be right behind you,” Susan shouted, waving as the trucks pulled out.
Kate and Maggie hugged her, asking her to call once she got there.
“It may take a little longer.” Zach warned, ignoring Susan, who had turned to stare at him. “I thought we’d drop by the hospital and check on Gramp before we started out. You don’t mind, do you, Susan?”
She frowned but shook her head no.
Kate and Maggie got into Maggie’s car and left.
Only Zach and Susan remained in the parking lot.
“I told Rosa we’d be right behind them,” she said, chewing her bottom lip.
“We’ll be there in time for dinner.”
“Well, I’ll follow you to the car mental” She turned around to go to her car...then came to an abrupt halt. In the place where she thought she’d parked her car was a four-wheel-drive sports utility vehicle. She walked closer to look on the other side, in case she’d parked one space over.
“Zach., my car isn’t here.”
He stretched out his hand with a set of keys. “Yes, it is. That silver SUV is yours. You’ll need it this winter to get to work.”
“No,” she said, backing away from him.
“Come on, honey, your car isn’t here. You have to drive that one.”
“Zach, you can’t do this. You have no right—”
“To provide for and protect my wife? I beg to differ.” He stepped closer to her. “And to thank you for saving my grandfather’s life. What value would you put on his life, Susan? Less than that car?”
“Zach! I never... You can’t
pay
me for Gramp’s recovery.”
“You’re right. If I gave you everything I have, I couldn’t repay you for Gramp’s recovery. So let me express my appreciation with a car that you desperately need. You’ll have to admit your car wouldn’t make it on a cold morning.”
“That has nothing to do—”
“So you want me to get out of bed and come after you every time your car breaks down?” He gave a proper hangdog expression. “Of course I’ll do that, but I hate to get out of bed on a cold morning. But if you want to torture me...” He tried to look thoroughly miserable. If his wife knew anything about a cowboy’s life, she’d throw something at him, but he was betting she didn’t.
She frowned at him and drew a deep breath. “I’ll use the car until I move back to Kansas City. Then it will be yours.”
“Agreed,” he said cheerfully. “Now, let me show you a few things about a four-wheel drive. Then we’ll be on our way.”
He had Susan slide behind the wheel and showed her what she’d need to know to drive it home. “You promise you’ll follow me?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“I was afraid you’d be mad at me.”
“I should be. I think I’ve been manipulated.”
“Naw, honey. That couldn’t happen. Start the engine.”
She turned the key and the powerful engine roared to life.
“Seat belt,” he reminded her, and helped her fasten it.
“Zach, I’m not a child.”
“Don’t I know it.” Then he leaned over and kissed her, relieved to have gotten her to accept the vehicle. And dying to touch her.
She pushed him away. “Zach, there’s no one around.”
“Not true. I definitely saw one of your neighbors go up the stairs.”
“That doesn’t count!” she scolded.
“Oh, sorry. My mistake. Let’s go home,” he said, his voice husky with desire. “I’ll have lots of excuses to kiss you there.”
Chapter Nine
A
s she drove the new vehicle toward her new home with her new family, Susan thought she’d faced everything. What else could there be?
She found the answer to her question when she and Zach arrived at the Lowery Ranch. First of all, she was unprepared for the elegance and size of the ranch house. It was big enough to house a huge family.
Hester came to the back door as Zach led her to the porch. “Welcome, Mrs. Lowery,” she said, bending her head.
Susan smiled and took her hand. “Please, call me Susan. I’m not quite used to my new last name.”
Hester smiled. “Okay. Paul has already moved into his room. He’s a fine boy.”
“Oh, Hester, thank you so much. I hope he hasn’t been any trouble.”
“Nope. He and Manuel like my cookies just fine, so I reckon we’ll get along.”
Zach laughed. “I don’t know of any kid who doesn’t like your cookies, Hester, and maybe a few big guys, too.”
“You always did. Better show the missus to the master bedroom. Pete told me to move him out and you in.”
Susan felt Zach tense beside her, and she turned to frown at him. What was wrong?
“I didn’t intend to move him out,” Zach protested.
“He knows that. But he’s thrilled about it. You know he wants you and Susan to be happy here.” She turned to precede them into the house. “And I reckon you’ve got a lot better chance this time.”
Susan raised her eyebrows. She had yet to hear anything good about Zach’s first wife.
She started to follow Hester into the house and found herself suddenly upended as Zach swung her into his arms. “Lowery tradition,” he whispered. “The bride is carried across the threshold.”
“But you’ve already—Oh! Okay, we’re in. You can put me down.” Her voice was breathless, as if she’d run a race.
He slowly lowered her to her feet but kept his arms wrapped around her. “Welcome home, Mrs. Lowery.” Then his lips covered hers.
The problem with the agreement that he could kiss her in front of others was that she forgot anyone else was around, Susan thought ruefully. His touch was overwhelming, lifting her into a fantasyland that began
and ended with his arms. He lifted his lips, but then returned them to her mouth before she could regain control of her senses.
“Here now, boy, take that business to your bedroom. You’ve got an hour before dinner,” Hester said with a twinkle in her eye.
Susan, turning a bright red, glanced away from the older woman, afraid she might see the longing Susan was feeling.
Zach gave his housekeeper a lopsided grin. “Good idea, Hester. We’ll see you at dinner.” He kept his arm around Susan as he led her to the door that gave access to the rest of the house.
As soon as the door swung closed behind them, Susan pulled away from him. “Your house is beautiful... and huge!”
“Yep. You’ll have a little more room than in the apartment. Except for one thing.”
“One thing? What are you talking about?”
“I’ll show you.” He led the way up a beautiful curving stairway, then opened the first door on the left. “The master bedroom.”
She stepped into a cavernous room appointed with gleaming mahogany furniture. Admiring the rock fireplace and navy flowered sofa in front of it, Susan gasped. “Oh, it’s beautiful.”
“Yeah.” When she turned to look at him, he repeated, “It’s the
master
bedroom.”
With all the changes in her life, Susan didn’t grasp his meaning at once. When she did, her mouth fell open. “You—you mean you’ll—”
“Gramp and Hester expect both of us to sleep here.”
Susan turned to stare at the king-size bed. “But—but...” She couldn’t do this. Not without breaking her promise to herself. Her mother had slept with almost any man who happened to be around, and Susan had promised herself she wouldn’t follow that pattern. Her husband would be her first and last lover.
She almost choked when she remembered the man beside her was her husband. But he didn’t plan on their marriage lasting.
“Don’t worry. I’m going to keep my promise.”
“How?” Her stark question didn’t offer compromises.
“Not interested in changing the rules?” he asked, still grinning, but Susan recognized the seriousness in his question.
“No
He sighed. “I was afraid of that I’ve got an air mattress and pump in that package I put in your car. I’ll sleep in the dressing room.”
After holding herself so tensely, Susan began to tremble as she realized Zach intended to keep his word. It would’ve been so easy for him to persuade her, to take her without asking. But he hadn’t.
“Th-thank you, Zach,” she whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her. “I’m not breaking our agreement. I’m supporting your shaky knees, not seducing you.”
Whatever he called it, she found his warmth comforting. Indeed, she couldn’t remember ever experiencing
the like before. She hoped it wouldn’t become addictive, but feared it already had.
 
Zach settled down on the air mattress later that night Susan had covered it with sheets and a blanket or two. Her perfume hung in the air, teasing his senses.
He was in a bind.
When he’d offered Susan money to play his flancée, he’d assumed their association would be shortlived. Now he was bringing Gramp home tomorrow, and he and Susan were married.
His view of Susan had changed a lot in the last few days. Her beauty remained constant, of course. But he was also discovering in her an inner beauty that had such depth, such richness, that he was stunned.
Not raised around any woman but Hester, he hadn’t been prepared for his first wife’s greed and selfishness. He’d gone into shock shortly after the marriage, then gritted his teeth and tried to survive.
And hadn’t done a very good job.
He’d told himself marriage would never be an option for him again. After all, he couldn’t hide who he was. Or his wealth. But with Susan, he had to work hard to give her anything. She was so stubborn and independent, so selfless, that he had difficulty believing she was real.
Except when he held her.
He twisted to his side, hoping to dismiss such thoughts. If he couldn’t, he wouldn’t get much sleep tonight.
 
 
Pete Lowery returned to the ranch Saturday afternoon. He moved into the downstairs bedroom next to Hester’s, so she could take care of him.
But with the door open, his bedroom became the family room. Paul and Manuel visited him frequently, asking endless questions about the ranch, until Susan chased them out.
But Pete loved having the two boys around. He encouraged both of them to call him Gramp. And both boys were thriving.
On Monday, Susan’s first day back at work, she dressed in the powder blue knit, one of her favorite outfits, and hurried down the stairs to the breakfast that Hester had insisted on fixing.
Susan had made one change in her plans. She’d decided to take Paul with her each day until school started. After all, he was her responsibility. And she felt she was losing control. For eight hours a day, with Paul beside her, she could pretend nothing had changed.
“’Morning. Hester,” she called as she gave the woman a hug.
“’Morning to you, Susan. You are such a ray of sunshine. I love your smile.”
“It’s easy to smile with all the help you give me. I hope I’m not leaving too early for you. I don’t want to lengthen your day.”
“Lawsy, child, I’ve been up since six. Your husband had breakfast at six-thirty. Didn’t you notice he was gone?”
Susan flushed bright red. “Uh, yes, of course, but I didn’t know when he took breakfast,” That sneak, all his talk about having to get up early to help her with her old car.
“’Morning,” Zach called from the door, spinning Susan around. He immediately kissed her, making her knees weak.
“I—Hester said you’ve already had breakfast.”
“That I have, and done a little work. But I’m going to have another cup of coffee with you.”
She wasn’t going to let him think she hadn’t figured out his lie. “I thought you slept late.”
“I never said that, honey,” he told her with a grin.
“You two sit down. Your eggs are ready,” Hester ordered, ignoring their conversation.
“Hester, Paul should be down any minute. Then we’ll leave for the city as soon as he’s eaten.”
“When will you take him for registration?” Hester asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to ask Kate about the best day to take off.” Susan frowned, worrying about another day off from work.
“Hey, I can take Paul and Manuel to school,” Zach offered. “How old is Manuel’s sister? Does she need to register, too? I can take Rosa with me.”
“Josefina is five. She’ll start kindergarten this year,” Susan replied. “Are you sure you have time? I don’t want to cause a conflict with your work schedule.”
“I’m sure.”
Paul entered the kitchen, still in his pajamas and rubbing his eyes.
Susan greeted him with a hug. “Why aren’t you dressed, sweetie? We’ll need to leave in a few minutes.”
Zach frowned. “Paul’s going with you? Why?”
“Because he’s my responsibility,” she assured him sharply. Of course, with Rosa at the ranch, she was going to have to make other arrangements for his care until school started, but she’d find a way.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Panl, wouldn’t you rather stay here on the ranch?” Zach asked.
“Yeah! Me and Manuel can explore and—”
“Paul!” Susan swallowed and tried to calm down. “That’s too much work for everyone.”
Hester was watching her from the stove, and Paul’s big eyes were on her. Zach raised one eyebrow as he, too, stared.
“Susan,” he finally said, “Rosa and her three children will be here with Hester. What’s one more?”
“Rosa is supposed to help Hester with the house.”
“She will And will probably have more time if Paul is here to play with Manuel. Besides, I have some jobs for the boys. Everyone on a ranch has chores to do.”
Paul’s excitement about work took Susan aback.
“I don’t think—”
“Please, Susan! Please? I’ll be very good.”
Anger filled her at being put in the position of the bad guy. And she knew where to lay the blame. “Very
As soon as she finished her breakfast, without any more conversation on her part though the other three chatted, she rose. “Zach, could you walk me to my car?”
“With all the pleasure in the world, honey,” he assured her with a grin.
She’d see if he was still thinking of pleasure when she finished with him.
 
Zach followed Susan out the door, enjoying the view as her trim hips swung in a mesmerizing rhythm. She seemed upset, but he didn’t think it could be anything serious. Things were going too well.
He changed his mind when she swung around to glare at him. “Zach Lowery,
I
am Paul’s guardian! Not you. I make decisions about him. Don’t put me in the position of being the bad guy again.”
He gave a shrug of exasperation. “Honey, it didn’t make sense for you to drag the little guy all the way into the city when he could stay here and enjoy himself.”
“Then ask me in private,” she flung back. “I make the decisions about my family.”
He leaned over and kissed her briefly. “Okay. I get the picture. Drive carefully.” Then he opened the door to her vehicle, hoping to avoid any further tirades.
“You—you frustrate me so much! Don’t be so nice!”
He cupped her cheek. “Honey, you don’t know what frustration is until you’ve tried mine.” He kissed
her again, and she wrenched away from him and got in, slamming the door.
Standing there, his hands on his hips, he watched her race down the long drive, hoping she calmed down before she reached the main road.
Then he went back in the house to explain to Paul that they were going to have to be careful not to upset Susan. He was beginning to think that might be a lifelong goal for him.
 
At lunch, Hester took a tray into Pete and then invited Rosa and her children, Zach and Paul to sit down to eat After everyone had been served, she said, “We had a strange phone call this morning.”
“Yeah?” Zach replied, but his thoughts were on Susan.
“Someone asking for Susan Greenwood.”
His head snapped up. “Who was it?”
“I don’t know. I said she’d married you and her name was Susan Lowery now.”
He exchanged a worried look with Rosa. “What did the person say?”
“Well, she sort of gasped and asked me if I was sure. Then she wanted to know how to get here.” She took a bite of meat loaf. “I figured it couldn’t be some old girlfriend of yours, so I told her.”

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