Matt (The Cowboys) (45 page)

“I’m keeping my options open,” Toby said. “There must be lots of other girls who’d like to meet me.”

“Like I said, ruined already,” Isabelle said.

“Don’t you two worry about a thing,” Will said. “I’ll keep an eye on them.”

“That’s what really worries me,” Matt said.

“Just get out of here,” Isabelle said. “If you come back before a week is up, I’ll close the door in your face.”

It took several minutes for Matt and Ellen to kiss and hug everybody good-bye, especially since Tess had to hug them a half dozen times each, but finally they were in the buggy, driving down the lane, waving until the ranch house disappeared behind the willows along a bend in the creek.

“Nervous?” Matt asked.

“No. You?”

“No, but I do feel strange. I haven’t been away from the boys since they came to the ranch.”

“That’s exactly why Isabelle insisted we go away by ourselves, even though she was disgusted you decided to make it a business trip as well.”

“I couldn’t stand the thought of so much pleasure all at once. I’m going to have to work up to it.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“I’m not,” he said, turning serious. “I never thought I could ever be this happy. I was certain something would go wrong. And it did.”

“Matt, I’ll never—”

“I’m not complaining. I’m just explaining why I’m having trouble getting used to everything being perfect.” He smiled and put his arm around her. “But don’t worry, I’m a fast learner.”

Ellen put both arms around him and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Where are we going?”

“Isabelle told me about this wonderful hotel in San Antonio. She says the food is perfect. Jake says the beds are soft.”

Ellen chuckled. “Jake would remember the beds.”

“I’ve been thinking about them, too.”

She tilted her head back until she could look into his eyes. “You have?”

“Well, I’m not very experienced yet.”

“I think you’re wonderful.”

“I’ll get better, but I need practice. Lots of concentrated practice somewhere I can do things over and over again until I get them right.”

Ellen stifled a giggle. “You think this concentrated practice is really necessary?”

“Definitely, Jake says a man should strive to do everything to the best of his ability. I’d hate to let Jake down.”

Ellen couldn’t keep that giggle inside. “I didn’t realize this had anything to do with Jake.”

“It doesn’t. It’s just the principle.”

“Just the principle, huh?”

Matt took his eyes off the trail long enough to give her one of the patented grins that warmed her down to her toes. “Not entirely. I thought you might enjoy it a little. Do you think you could?”

She smiled up at him. “I’ll do my best.”

He smiled back. “That’s good enough for me.” He cracked the whip and the horses broke into a trot. “Giddy up, you slowpokes. My gal’s got business in San Antonio, and she’s mighty impatient to get to it.”

She punched him. No self-respecting woman could let her husband think she was anxious to make love to him, but she was glad he’d put the horses into a trot. If they didn’t reach San Antonio soon, she’d have to drag him into the bushes. Even a respectable married woman could wait only so long.

About the Author

Leigh Greenwood is the award-winning author of over fifty books, many of which have appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Leigh lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Please visit his website at
http://www.leigh-greenwood.com/
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