Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cowboy Takes a Wife (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (11 page)

“I’m not sure I should, but Janice can take care of herself. Janice, this is Drake Terrell,
Jackson
’s best friend from college. He’s an international attorney. Drake, my best friend, Janice Dedrick.”

“I’ve heard of you, Mr. Terrell. You are being modest if you’re saying you are just an international attorney. If I’m not mistaken, you also do sensitive negotiations for our country and its allies.”

“Few people are aware of my other commitments. I’d rather it stay that way.”

Samantha saw the change in his face. His hawk-like features were more defined, and his eyes no longer looked mysterious. They made her shiver. He would be a dangerous man to cross.

Janice didn’t smile. “I apologize.” She glanced around. “No one is close enough to have heard. I was told about you in strictest confidence. I’m sure Samantha won’t tell anyone.”

“Let’s head to my ranch, Janice.” Samantha saw
Jackson
herding the adults into several large cars and some of the men into trucks. “Everything seems to be in control here. We have a lot to discuss to plan my wedding. If you’ll excuse us, Drake?”

He nodded his head and stepped back. But Samantha felt his hard stare all the way to the car and was sure Janice did, too.

* * * *

Samantha watched as Janice unpacked her bag in the guest room. She didn’t miss the slight tremble in her friend’s hands.

“He upset you.”

“Who?”

“Janice, we’ve known each other too long for you to pretend. Drake Terrell upset my unflappable friend. I must admit he strikes me as dangerous.”

“He didn’t scare me.”

“Then what? You haven’t given a man a second thought since your fiancé died in that car crash a month before your wedding.”

“That was four years ago.”

“I know. So?”

“He’s too good looking, too sure of himself, just too much.”

“Watch out, my friend, that sounds a lot like attraction.”

“Let me change and then we’ll ride to the place you’re talking about having your wedding.”

“Changing the subject. All right. I’m going to check with
Jackson
and see if he needs any help. Meet you at the barn in thirty minutes.”

Samantha slipped into Gramps’ office for privacy. He’d ridden out with his foreman earlier.
Jackson
’s phone rang several times before a woman answered.

“Stone’s residence. May I help you?”

“I’d like to speak with
Jackson
.”

“Who’s calling?”

“Samantha Riley.”

“Oh, Miss Riley, I’m sorry I didn’t recognize your voice. This is Anna Murphy. I came down to help Mr. Stone with all his guests. You just missed him. He and most of the others went horseback riding. The children are here playing games under the supervision of several nannies he hired for the weekend.”

“He certainly has all the activities well planned.”

“Shall I tell him you called?”

“Yes, Mrs. Murphy. Thank you.”

“Please call me Anna. Nice talking with you.”

Samantha hung up the phone.
He could have asked if Janice and I wanted to go riding. But, I guess we did leave rather abruptly. He and I really haven’t resolved our disagreement from the other night.
She shrugged her shoulders and stretched. Glancing at her watch, she decided it was time to head to the barn and pick out a horse for Janice.

When she stepped inside the shadowy interior, a small furry ball scampered to her feet. She knelt and picked up the bundle of energy. “I must decide on a name for you.” The pup barked as though in agreement. Ever since the puppy wet the carpet, Maria had sent her to the barn until she was trained not to ruin the furniture and floors. Samantha had been so busy that one of the older ranch hands had offered to work with the pup.

“Who’s that?” Janice asked. She walked up beside Samantha.

“
Jackson
brought her back from
Houston
as a surprise for me. I can’t seem to think of an appropriate name.”

Janice reached out to take the puppy from Samantha and laughed when the small pup licked her face. “The only name that fits is Sunshine. Even in this dark barn, her golden coat glows.”

“You can put her down. She won’t run away. I thought you might like this gray mare, Tilley. She’s older and very gentle.”

“Good. Horses are scary. They’re so tall, and I’m so far from the ground when I’m on their back. I never ride except when I visit you and you insist. Let’s get this over with.”

“We can go by truck.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Janice brightened. “I’m anxious to see this special place.”

Samantha led the way through the barn to the back where the old truck had been parked. “I slipped my keys in my pocket just in case.” She swung into the driver’s side. “Hold on. The road is bumpy.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Janice mumbled.

About three miles out, Janice relaxed in her seat. “This isn’t bad.”

“You spoke too soon.” Samantha turned the wheel to the right, and the lane narrowed to two ruts and the bumps began. By the time they rode several miles, Janice held the side of the door in a tight grip.

“Are we close?”

“Almost there.”

“What’s so special about this place?”

“Wait. I want to see your initial reaction.”

Samantha slowed and parked on the right of the narrow drive.

“We’ll walk from here.”

She and Janice strolled along the rutted pathway and turned left to a wider opening, not exactly a road but more a trail. The trees were thicker in this area, and ahead Samantha saw what, in her mind, she called her wedding cathedral. A long line of tall trees created a canopy over the trail, and at the end was a hill where a small waterfall flowed gently into the creek below. Sunlight sparkled off the silver water, and the sounds of the falls created their own music.

Secretly, Samantha had dreamed of being married in this spot, early in the morning as the sun rose and flooded the area with light. She glanced at Janice and saw a reflection of how she must have looked the first time her grandmother brought her here.

“A natural sacred place,”
her grandma said. She had spoken in hushed tones. “Around the world I believe there are places like this fashioned by nature to remind man of his deep attachment to all things.”

Janice had tears in her eyes when she faced Samantha. “It is the most perfect spot for a wedding.”

“I think so.” Samantha sat on the grassy area by the creek. Janice joined her. Each quiet, caught up in their own thoughts.

Finally, Samantha took a deep breath. “Let’s head back. There are plans to make and places to go,” she said, smiling across at her friend.

They’d just gotten to the truck when Samantha heard a horse snort. She glanced around and saw
Jackson
riding his mare across the dusty path to the right of them. “
Jackson
, where is your company?”

“My foreman is taking them to the ranch for a light lunch and rest. We’ll gather in the family room for cocktails at six. Until then I have a few free hours. We need to talk.”

“I’ve got to take Janice back.”

“How about Janice drives herself back, and you get up here with me?”

“I can’t desert her out here in the wilderness.”

“Really, Sam. I’m quite grown up. I’m sure I can find my way back to the ranch house. It was only one turn.” Janice must have seen her hesitation. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

Jackson
leaned down. “Take my hand. Put your foot on my boot, and I’ll pull you up in front of me.”

Samantha glanced from her friend to him. “All right. If you get lost, Janice, it’s your own fault.” She put her hand in
Jackson
’s. He quickly pulled her into his arms.

They waited a minute to see Janice get the truck turned around and headed back.
Jackson
tightened his arm around Samantha’s waist. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “Now I have you all to myself.”

She caught her breath as sharp desire shot straight down her body. “Where are we going?”

“All the men are working on the fence along the west section. Your grandfather stopped by on his way to that same area. We’ll go east where we can be sure of privacy.”

Samantha leaned back in his embrace as they rode along. His wide chest and strong arms encircled her. She drew in a deep breath. His spicy, earthy male fragrance filled her lungs. They rode across a vast field covered with pink, white, and blue wildflowers waving in the breeze. Her earlier sense of peace held her in its cocoon.

“How much farther?” she asked.

“Just around this bend. You remember this place.”

Samantha glanced around at him. “We used to picnic here years ago.”

“Anna packed us a lunch. I’ve got the food in my saddlebag. There’s our spot.” He nodded toward a small grove of trees. The creek, which ran through the ranch, gurgled over rocks, and circled around one side of the oaks. They rode toward the shade.
Jackson
helped Samantha down and then tied his horse to a tree, close enough to the stream for his stallion to take a drink.

Samantha unpacked the food and several bottles of water. She spread out the blanket and opened several small containers holding sliced chicken, chips, and fruit.

“Looks good.” She sat waiting for
Jackson
. His horse had drunk some water and now chewed on an apple he’d given him.

Jackson
strolled across to Samantha. “This is a pleasant place to eat and discuss our misunderstanding the other night.” He sat down across from her.

“You were right. I ought to have told you, but it’s so important that no word get out until I’ve decided who will replace me. No one has any idea of my plans except Drake, Mrs. Haverty, and a couple of CEOs of companies I do business with overseas.”

“Who will replace you?”

He smiled at her. “I’m hoping you’ll help me decide. The main reason I’m having this weekend get-together is to see the man and woman I’m considering under informal circumstances. I want to see their interaction with the others and their families.”

She nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

He lay back and put his hands behind his head, staring up at the clear blue sky. “I’m not totally sure why my giving up the business upset you. I’d hoped you might be pleased.”

“When I asked you to marry me, I pictured you traveling with your business and only coming home occasionally. I’d be busy with the two ranches. We’d have a modern, sensible marriage without all the turmoil.”

He turned toward her. “By turmoil, I assume you mean sex.”

“Well, yes.” She felt her face redden. He grinned at her with the sexy smile that always made her ache for his touch.

“And after being in
turmoil
with me a time or two, do you still feel that way?”

Not ready to admit that her feelings might be different, she quickly changed the subject. “Sit up and eat. Anna fixed this great lunch for us.” Even to her, her voice sounded tight and husky.