Mara McBain (12 page)

“Sorry, baby,” he gasped.

She smiled as he lowered his forehead against her chest, still fighting to regain his air. Running her fingers through his hair, she carefully worked through the tangles, enjoying the sensation. His lips brushed her breast, and she kissed the top of his head. When he looked back up at her the shy, crooked smile was in full evidence. Her heart twisted. Damn but he was a handsome man and even more so when he smiled.

“You should smile more often,” she whispered.

His head cocked slightly to the side, as if he was considering her words. His eyes drifted shut as she stroked his hair. The throaty, purring noise was back. It seemed to take an effort to force his eyes open again.

“Why do you say that?”

“You’re very handsome when you smile.”

“Compared to the rest of the time?” he asked, a frown drawing his brows together over the bridge of his nose.

Gen’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She shook her head at him, trying desperately to force words from a throat suddenly dry as dust. Trey’s frown cracked, and he started to laugh. The warm sound washed over her. Dear God, if there was anything more beautiful than that lopsided grin it was the music of his laughter.

“What’s that silly smile for?” he asked, grinning down at her.

“I just found something I like even better than your smile,” she admitted.

Her husband actually blushed. Shaking his head at her, he still smiled as he winked. “I’ll never understand women, but if it makes you happy.”

“It does,” she confirmed with a giggle.

“I aim to please, Mrs. McCade,” he said, giving a roll of his hips before moving off of her.

“You’ve hit the mark so far.”   

That got another chuckle from him as he stood. “Come on. If we shower together it will save time.”

“I better hurry. Cole will be waiting for breakfast,” Gen said, glancing at the clock as she fumbled for her robe.

“Doing the morning chores solo will take him a little longer. We have time for a shower,” Trey said, wrapping her in the crook of his arm as he headed for the bathroom.

Wrapping the denim and flannel coat tight around her, Gen stepped off the porch. Her breath vaporized in front of her face. Shrugging off the chill, she turned back for her husband. He had told her during breakfast that he wanted to go for a walk, but that was all he’d said. Her couple of questions had been met with silence so she’d wisely bit her tongue. Jumping off the porch, Trey took her hand and started around the house toward the pasture.

When they reached the fence, he let go to put a hand on a thick post and clear the obstacle in a practiced leap before reaching back to sweep her over. He held her high over his head for a moment. Looking down at him, she felt like she could fly. She couldn’t hold back a little giggle as she threw her arms wide and he spun in a circle. He was going to make such an amazing daddy someday. He let her slide down his body, but when her feet touched the ground, he pulled her close and continued walking.

She liked the way he kept her close. His warmth was a blessing in the autumn chill. Horses wandered over to nuzzle at Trey’s pockets in hope of a treat, but he just rubbed soft muzzles and scratched their ears as they walked. Gen wanted to ask where they were going, but was reluctant to break their easy silence. They cleared the far fence the same way they had the first one and followed a worn path through the trees. When a pretty white farmhouse came into view, she smiled. This had to be the original McCade home.

The sturdy farmhouse had the same inviting wraparound porch that Trey’s home had, this one with large flower boxes that sat empty at the moment. The yard and house appeared to be well cared for, and the barn had gotten a recent coat of paint. An orange tabby curled through Trey’s legs as they walked up the steps, and she was reminded of his purr. She smiled as they bypassed the front door and followed the porch around to enter through a side door.

As she’d anticipated, they stepped into a roomy country kitchen. Decorated in blue and white checks with large East facing windows that let in the morning sun, the room exuded warmth and charm. Her fingers slid along the worn butcher-block island counter, imagining the hands that had smoothed its scarred surface over the years. Trey used his boot to hook a stool hidden under the counter’s edge and sat down. Gen smiled looking at that large, capable hand laying where she could picture his smaller one over the years.

“What’re you thinking?” he asked, breaking their silence at last.

“You look so natural here,” she said softly. “I was just picturing you as a little boy.”

He nodded, stroking the wood under his palm. His look was far away. “I spent a lot of hours right here, helping Mama, doing school work, or just talking about my day.”

Gen stepped closer, letting her hand rest on his hard thigh. “You miss her a lot.”

He nodded unnecessarily, his eyes narrowing as he stared out the window. When he didn’t say anything, she gave him a little space, taking the few steps to peek into the foyer and through to the living room. Though his fieldstone home was larger, it seemed Trey had stayed very true to what he was familiar with in laying out his home. Both houses exuded warmth that spoke of a close knit family and invited visitors. Her fingers followed the stripe of wallpaper in the tidy foyer. Where Trey used a deep wine that was rich and masculine all at once, his mama had decorated in shades of blue.

“You know, when my daddy married my mama and brought her back here from Texas, she didn’t know a soul other than him,” Trey said slowly.

Gen turned from the doorway. He was watching her. She held her breath, wondering where his thoughts were going.

“They started this farm from nothing, just the two of them. Her family was half a country away and his turned their backs on him because he chose a path they didn’t approve of. They didn’t have anyone else to rely on but each other. That and a lot of backbreaking work forged a bond between them. They were partners, lovers, and best friends. They had the strongest marriage I’ve ever seen,” he said, his voice dropping into the deep bass that made her knees weak.

He took off his Stetson and laid it on the island beside him. She bit her lip as he spun it on its crown. When he looked up, she knew she was lost. His eyes burned into her.

“I want that, Gen.”

“I want that too,” she whispered before she could stop herself. She bit her lip. Did he mean with her? Could she really be what he wanted? He held his hand out to her, and she took it shakily.

“We have to start with honesty, darlin',” he said, inordinately interested in watching his thumb stroke the top of her hand. He cleared his throat. “While I didn’t lie to you, I haven’t been completely honest either. I let you believe a lie.”  

  Her lungs burned, and her stomach started to churn again as she waited. What could a man like Trey have to tell her that he would be worried about? He wet his lips and took a breath, his gaze still fixed on their hands.

“Catherine didn’t die,” he said softly.

Confusion washed over her. Not dead? Cold dread knotted in her chest. Catherine was still alive. Was he still married? Her knees trembled as she felt her new life slipping away. She shook her head in pleading denial. His hand tightened on hers and he looked up, desperation in his eyes that she’d never seen there before.

“Please give me a chance to explain,” he whispered hoarsely.

Hesitating, she searched his face. Dizziness washed over her. Her whole life could fall apart with his next words, but she owed him at least a chance to speak before she crumbled. She focused on the lips framed by his soft golden goatee and nodded.

He bowed his head for a moment and rubbed at the back of his neck. His eyes were haunted when he looked up. He shook his head.

“I thought I could be what she wanted. I tried,” he said awkwardly. “I would’ve done anything for her, but none of it was right. She was ashamed to be a farmer’s wife. The new house wasn’t fancy enough. I needed a haircut. I didn’t fit in with her friends, but she had her heart set on me for reasons only God knows, and I thought I was in love.”

He paused and, for a moment, she thought he was done, but he shook himself from his memories and continued.

“She wasn’t used to physical labor,” he snorted. “Hell, she wasn’t used to work at all, but I didn’t expect her to help on the farm. I bought her a little Buick Coupe and she spent a lot of time in town. Her friends were there, and she loved to socialize and shop. We had a woman come in that cleaned the house and started meals. My mama couldn’t understand it, but I just wanted Catherine to be happy. Then, one day, I went into town to get a part for the baler and saw her coming out of the hotel with another man. Seems I was okay to pay the bills, including the hotel,” he said wryly. “But she was looking for something I couldn’t give her. I filed for divorce.”

“Oh thank God,” Gen breathed. She blushed, covering her mouth as Trey’s eyebrows shot up. She closed her eyes, shaking her head. Dear Lord had she said that out loud? She hit her knees, hands resting pleadingly on his thighs. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it like that,” she said desperately.

Trey stared down at her, bemusement stamped on his handsome features. “How many different ways are there to mean that?”

“I thought you were married.”

“I am married,” he said dryly. “To you.”

“Which I am sure you are regretting at the moment,” Gen mumbled, feeling her cheeks heat up again.

“You got that wrong, darlin',” he said, pulling her up into his lap. “There’re things I regret, but you ain’t one of them. I made a lot of mistakes the first time around and I’ve made my fair share with you, but if you’re willing to try, I think we can have that marriage we were talking about.”  

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Gen leaned in for a kiss. “That sounds like the best offer I’ve had since you asked me to come to Virginia.”

Hip pressed to her husband’s in the truck, Gen enjoyed the sun streaming through the windshield as they made their way into town. With work slowing down on the farm, Trey had decided to make the trip that he’d mentioned the week before. Their supply list was staggering. He’d caught her trying to pare it down and growled at her to let him worry about money. It had been the first hint of displeasure from the big man since throwing his uncle out, and she’d hurried to soothe things over. The last several days had been heavenly and she wanted nothing to change that. She didn’t know if it was getting rid of house guests or their heart-to-heart, but Trey had been a lot more relaxed. 

Thanksgiving was coming, and he’d reassured her that though it would only be the three of them, he wanted her to put on a full feast. She couldn’t deny her excitement. This would be her first chance to prepare a holiday meal on her own and to do it for her new husband, in their beautiful home, was going to be idyllic. Trey had a turkey all fattened up, and she had already been eyeing the pumpkins in the cellar, her mouth watering at the thought of making pies.

Trey parked the truck downtown within easy walking distance of most of the shops. Gripping her list, she waited for him to get out. When he didn’t move, she glanced up in askance. His brow furrowed over his nose, a glower darkening his handsome features.

“Remember what I said about other men.”

“I’m not Catherine,” she said softly.

He glared down at her, and she fought the impulse to cringe. Maybe yes, sir would’ve been appropriate in this case. She swallowed hard and was just getting ready to offer an apology when he finally spoke.

“You’d best pray you’re not.”

The chill in his voice froze her in place as he slid out of the truck, slamming the door shut in his wake. She blinked, trying to slow the hammer of her heart. Taking a deep breath, she peeked at her brother-in-law who sat silent beside her.

“Good thing big brother doesn’t think of me as a man,” he whispered with a teasing wink and climbed out the passenger door, holding it open for her.

Biting back a mixture of hurt and anger, Gen regarded the list in her lap, making no move to get out of the truck. Mutely, she extended the list toward the open door.

“What’re you doing, little sister?” Cole asked softly.

“I’m staying where he left me.”

Cole rubbed the back of his neck in a gesture so like his brother. He glanced toward the back of the truck where Trey had been delayed talking to the banker.

“I don’t think he’s going to like that.”

“I didn’t like having the truck door slammed in my face.”

Cole winced. “I understand, and I actually agree with you, but I’m not sure now is the right time to make your stand. How about you slide out of there and you and I head into the store and make him follow, huh? That way if he doesn’t like it, he can just blame me.”

Gen bit her lip and finally glanced over at Cole. He offered her a big, boyish grin that was really difficult to deny. Maybe she was overreacting. He tilted his head toward the store in invitation, blue eyes sparkling. Shaking her head, she took his hand and let him tug her across the seat. Stepping up onto the sidewalk, she pulled the collar of her old wool coat a little closer and patted the twist she’d secured her hair in.

“You look beautiful.”

Snapping her head around, Gen looked at her husband in surprise. The look on his face took her breath away. She felt the blush begin to creep up her neck. His moods were dizzying, but she couldn’t deny how his words affected her. 

“Thank you,” she whispered, taking his proffered arm and trying to ignore Cole’s eye-roll.

“The pleasure’s all mine, darlin',” he said, steering her toward the grocery. “Let’s get the staples out of the way so we can spend the afternoon shopping for the more enjoyable things.”

Gen stroked his bicep to draw his attention. “Honestly, with the things I found in your mother’s closet, I should be set for the winter. I thought I was going to need sewing supplies, but I found her mending bag. It had everything I needed and even some extra material.”

“I’m glad you could put some of it to use, but there are still things I would like to buy for my wife.”

“Please don’t waste your money on me. I have never seen a man work as hard as you do,” she said, tugging on his arm until he stopped.

“A man works to take care of his family. I promised you I would take good care of you and I will,” Trey said, his jaw setting in a stubborn jut.

Gen blew out a sigh of frustration and stepped in front of her husband, resting her hands on his forearms to try and hold his attention. 

“Taking good care of me is relative, Trey. I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything about Catherine, other than she was a complete fool to let a man like you go. I’m not her. You need to judge me for me.  Stop and think where I come from. My life with you is more than I ever dared dream of. Your home that you said wasn’t fancy enough for your first wife, is a mansion in my eyes. You’re concerned that some other man will turn my head, and I can’t imagine a man that would compare with you. I pray every night that I can be worthy of you. Your distrust hurts. I love you.”

Trey stared down at her looking like he’d been pole axed. He rubbed the back of his neck, a scowl narrowing his eyes.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he muttered. “I guess once you’ve been burned—”

Gen shook her head, dismissing that argument. “I understand that she hurt you, but you don’t like me judging you based on my father’s actions. How is this any different?”

Flinching, Trey stepped back. He opened his mouth and then looked at the people streaming around them on the sidewalk and shook his head. Taking her elbow, he silently escorted her down the sidewalk. They crossed a couple streets before stepping onto the school playground at the edge of town. Releasing her arm, Trey swept off his cowboy hat to run a hand over his head.  

“You said you wanted honesty,” she said softly, settling into a swing.

“And I do,” he said with a decisive nod. “You deserve the same courtesy. Love wasn’t part of our deal. I didn’t promise that and I can’t.”

Catching her breath, Gen focused on the dirt oval at her feet. Slowly, she backed up and picked up her feet. The feeling of flight brought to mind her leap of faith from the tree and Trey sweeping her over the fence. She swallowed the lump in her throat. He was right. He hadn’t promised love. She hadn’t even allowed herself to dream of that rare emotion, but there it was, and she had stupidly let it out of the bag. “I’m not asking you to confess to something you don’t feel. I was just trying to make you understand that, while I will respect your wishes where it comes to other men, you have nothing to worry about. You’re more man than I’ve ever dared hope for. I told you from the beginning that I thought you were getting short changed in this arrangement.”

“Look, sometimes I’m too honest for my own good, but I meant what I said the other day. I want the kind of marriage my parents had. You and I’ve worked well around the place this last week. I enjoy your company. You’ve said yourself we’re good between the sheets,” he said, smirking a little at the last one. “Just give it some time.”

“That sounds fair to me,” Gen agreed, forcing a small smile to her lips. He was giving her so much, what difference did love make? 

Cole pushed off the side of the truck as his brother and Gen came back down the walk. Outwardly composed, tension seemed to vibrate between the two. He shook his head. His brother was a good man, but he had no finesse with the fairer sex.

“I put our feed order in at the mill. We can pick it up on the way out of town,” he said.

Trey nodded and continued toward the store. Cole tried to catch Gen’s eye, but she seemed inordinately fascinated with the sleeve of her husband’s coat. Following them into the grocery store, he trailed along through the aisles carrying a basket his brother handed him. He smothered a smile. Gen stuck ruthlessly to the list and actively searched for a bargain. Trey just picked things up and put them in the basket, earning him questioning looks from his wife. Who knew grocery shopping could be entertaining?

They were loading the boxes into the back of the truck when Gen suddenly bolted off the sidewalk. Tires barked and horns blared. Cole barely caught the horrified expression on his brother’s face before Trey charged after his wife, his big hands extended commandingly to oncoming traffic as he ran.

“Gen! Look out!” Cole bellowed as a delivery truck rumbled down the street. His heart hammered as he dodged cars in his brother’s wake.

The driver saw Gen just as Trey reached her. He pushed his wife out of the way as the truck ground to a halt with a cowboy on its front bumper. Scowling at the driver, Trey smashed his fist down on the hood as he jumped down. Gen batted away helping hands as good Samaritans rushed to her aide. Scrambling up, she hurled herself into the waiting arms of a stunning brunette. The girls squealed as they hugged one another joyously.

Trey tore Gen away from the other girl, spinning her around to face his furious and twisted visage.

“Have you lost your damn mind?” he roared.

Gen didn’t have time to answer as a ladies handbag smacked Trey upside the head hard enough to stagger him and knock his hat off.

“Hey! Hands off, hoss!” the curvaceous brunette snapped, thrusting Gen behind her and raising the purse again.

“Adrienne, no!” Gen cried, grabbing her friend’s arm. “That’s my husband.”

Cole couldn’t hold back a strangled bark of laughter, but he gamely waded between the combatants as Trey straightened with murder in his gaze, and the raven-haired angel tilted her cute chin in challenge.

“Adri, stop!” Gen pleaded and slipped around the group to rescue Trey’s Stetson from the street. “I’m so sorry. She thought you were going to hurt me.”

“I’m about to strangle you both,” Trey growled, cramming his hat on his head. “What the hell did you think you were doing? You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”

“Don’t take him seriously. My brother would never hurt a woman. Gen just scared a few years off his life, and the big lug doesn’t deal well with fear,” Cole said, sweeping off his hat. “I’m Cole McCade.”

“Adrienne Lachance.”

Cole caught her dainty fingers and raised them to his lips, fighting to find his voice. He sucked in a breath as he stared down into her shimmering shamrock eyes. She was the most striking woman he had ever seen. He bit his tongue as a hard cuff to the back of his head bounced his chin off his chest.

“Put your tongue back in your mouth and act like you’ve seen a woman before,” Trey snapped.

“I’ve seen a woman before. Just perhaps not one this beautiful, and certainly not one that accomplished what a truck couldn’t and knocked you for a loop,” he said, winking at the little porcelain doll.

Adrienne laughed, and Cole was enamored. The sound held a smoky quality that threatened to turn him inside out.

“Behave, Adri, and don’t you dare try seducing my husband. Some things are sacred,” Gen chided, but gave her friend an adoring smile.

“No chance of that,” Trey grumbled.

Adrienne laughed again and hugged Genevieve. “I wouldn’t dream of it! Nothing means more to me than our friendship.”

“I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you,” Gen whispered, clinging to her. She kept her arm around her petite friend as she turned to Trey. “Maybe we should try this again. Adrienne Lachance, this is my handsome husband Trey McCade.”

Chivalry kicked in, and Trey took off his hat and shook hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet a friend of my wife’s. What do you keep in that purse, rocks?”

“If you make Gen smile the pleasure is all mine. I do apologize for the misunderstanding. She’s all I have, and I’m protective. As to my purse, it’s a blackjack,” Adrienne said with a small smile. “A girl can never be too careful.”

“Then it would seem we have something in common. I’m very protective of what’s mine. That’s why I would prefer if the silly thing didn’t run out in traffic.”

Cole laughed as his sister-in-law blushed prettily, and stepping into the crook of Trey’s arm, stroked his barrel chest in supplication. If the rumble of pleasure his brother emitted was any indication, it would seem her apology was accepted. 

“Where are you staying?” Cole asked.

“I actually haven’t acquired accommodations as yet. I arrived just a couple hours of ago and had only made a few inquiries looking for Gen. I remembered the destination, but unfortunately not your brother’s name.”

Cole glanced at Trey, but he was involved in a whispered conversation with his wife. He assumed Gen was asking his permission to extend hospitality. He didn’t have any such compunction.

“We would be honored if you would stay with us.”

Adrienne quirked a perfectly shaped eyebrow at her best friend and Gen nodded, having obviously received Trey’s blessing.

“Thank you. That is very generous of you, Mr. McCades,” Adrienne said with a beaming smile for both men.

“Let’s get her baggage. Gen and I have some shopping to do yet, but then we can all have dinner,” Trey suggested.

“A little retail therapy after a long trip and a hot meal sounds heavenly,” Adrienne said, hooking her arm through Cole’s. 

Fingers laced through Adrienne’s, Gen finished showing off her new home and pulled her to sit down on the couch. Adri squeezed her hand and smiled; her green eyes suspiciously bright.

“I’m so happy for you, little sister.”

“I’m so blessed. I never imagined anyone like him in my wildest dreams. I still don’t know what he’s doing with someone like me.”

“Someone like you?” Adrienne scoffed. “You mean smart, pretty, funny, sweet, and the hardest working girl I’ve ever met? Someone like that?”

Gen rolled her eyes and shook her head shyly.

“You really don’t see it do you?” Adrienne asked with a giggle. “Oh my Lord, you don’t. That man adores you.” 

“You’re crazy. His first wife was—well, she was like you. She was tiny, classy, and beautiful.” Gen bit her lip. “He wanted an ugly wife after her because he knew that no one would ever compare.”