Just Married

  “This doesn’t look like it’ll be a problem. Do you want me to have it delivered?”

  If he did, there was a chance she’d send someone out with it and not come herself. “I can take it with me now.”

  “Sure thing.” With the piece of paper in hand, Candy paraded around the store, collecting items.

  Carl followed her. “How have you been?” he asked conversationally. He tucked his thumb inside his belt loop and struck a casual pose. He didn’t think she would be honest enough to admit she’d been lonely without him, but it would be a nice touch if she had.

  “Good,” she answered absently, gathering together his goods and stacking them on the counter. “How about yourself?”

  “Fine, just fine.” He tried to make it sound as though he hadn’t a care in the world. “I decided to buy the Gaudette spread. I put earnest money down on it Wednesday.”

  “Congratulations.” She glanced his way and smiled approvingly. She did seem genuinely pleased. Many an afternoon had been spent with her, reviewing his ideas for the property. He was taking her advice on a number of suggestions she’d offered.

  “It looks like the deal will close within six weeks.” He felt good about having made that decision. “I thought you’d want to know that I’ve decided not to cut down those apple trees.” He’d made the concession because she felt so strongly about those trees. One of them needed to extend an olive branch first.

  “That’s great. If you want a recommendation for someone to prune them, let me know. Hank Harris over at the nursery does an excellent job with that sort of thing.”

  “I appreciate knowing that.”

  She tallied his order and he paid her. There didn’t seem to be much more to say. “See you later.”

  “Have a good day.”

  “You, too.” Carl headed toward the door, then hesitated. He wasn’t ready to leave yet. He hadn’t told her any of the things he’d wanted to say. It was a shame to come all the way into town for a load of supplies he didn’t need.

  With a bag tucked under his arm, he followed Candy to the back of the store. She was three rungs up a ladder, shuffling salt blocks from one shelf to another. The sight of her derriere thrust at eye level tantalized him to the point of distraction and he found it necessary to look away.

  “I’d like to talk to you,” he suggested, making sure his voice contained just the right amount of friendliness, but not overly much.

  “Anytime,” she said, twisting around and glancing down at him.

  “How about a cup of coffee?”

  “When?”

  When did she think he meant? “Now suits me.”

  “Sorry, Carl, I can’t. Eric Kitsap is stopping by.”

  “The veterinarian?”

  “We’re driving into Chicago this afternoon.”

  “What for?” he demanded. What Carl knew about Eric Kitsap he didn’t like. Mainly that he was a young buck who looked as if he had plenty of wild oats yet to sow. Carl wanted it understood, right now, that he wasn’t about to let Candy anywhere within a hundred feet of the new veterinarian.

  She glared down at him. “That’s none of your business, Carl Saks.”

  “I’m making it my business.”

  She sighed heavily. “As it happens, we’re attending a dinner.”

  “Over my dead body.” He clenched his teeth, ready to do battle right then and there if necessary.

  The friendliness had left Candy’s eyes, replaced by a chill that would have caused a lesser man’s blood to run cold.

  Then it dawned on him that he was doing it again, playing right into her hands. Candy had set him up on purpose, just to make him jealous. He nearly fell for it. The woman was crafty—he’d say that for her. Well, he wasn’t a dummy. He’d let her stew in her own juices.

  “You’re absolutely right,” he said, backing away. “It isn’t any of my business. You could date a different man every night of the week if you wanted.”

  Candy moved down two rungs on the ladder so that they were eye level. It demanded every ounce of self-control Carl possessed not to bring her into his arms. His knees felt weak for need of her.

  “Is that what you want, Carl?” The question was so softly asked that for a moment he thought he imagined it. “Do you want me dating other men?”

  She was about to set him in another trap. He couldn’t very well confess that it did plague him for her to see another man. Nor could he lie and not have her know it was a bold-faced fabrication.

  She stared at him intently, awaiting his reply.

  He frowned, and then growled out the truth. “It bothers the hell out of me, but if the price of having you exclusively means a ring through my nose, then I say you can date every man in town, because I’m not willing to sacrifice my freedom for you or any other woman.”

  He thought he saw moisture form in her eyes, but then was sure he was mistaken. The woman was nothing if not proud.

  “That answers that,” she said and turned away from him.

  With nothing more to say, Carl wandered outside. He didn’t experience a sense of triumph the way he should. Instead, the loneliness he’d experienced in the past week seemed to yawn even wider.

  Lesley hummed softly to herself as she washed the few dishes they’d dirtied over breakfast. Soon they would head back to Sleepy Valley, and the following day she was scheduled to return to the office.

  Her time with Zane had been idyllic and she hated it to end. These few days in the cabin would be all the honeymoon they would have.

  Between the renovation project, Mrs. Applegate and Carl, the house would hum with activity. Her own work schedule was hectic. It was unlikely Lesley would be able to share much uninterrupted time with Zane again for a number of weeks. Especially since she would be making the ninety-minute drive to and from the office every day.

  Zane moved behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. He turned her in his arms for a slow, warm kiss. After the past few days and nights of lovemaking, they were familiar with each other’s bodies. There was no reason to be reticent, no reason for either of them to be shy.

  “The car’s packed.”

  “I’ll be finished here in a few minutes.” Pressing her head to his shoulder, she whispered, “I don’t want to go back, Zane. I want to stay here forever with you.”

  “I feel the same.” He glanced longingly at the faux bear rug where they’d first made love.

  “Zane,” she whispered, reading her husband’s mind. “What are you thinking?”

  “Do you need to ask?” His grin was sexy enough to curl her toes.

  “Now?”

  He chuckled. “Yes, now.”

  Lesley offered no resistance when he carried her to the rug that had initiated their lovemaking. She’d lost count of the number of times they’d made love in the past few days. In no way did his injuries impede his lovemaking.

  She knew he was eager for them to start their family—she was too. It was a subject they’d discussed frequently—but Zane seemed to be on a mission to accomplish the deed in record time.

  Wrapping her arms around her husband, Lesley hugged him to her breast, her heart pounding wildly as they joined they became one.

  When they’d finished, Zane buried his face in her neck as he struggled to bring his breathing under control. Closing her eyes, she savored the moments they’d shared.

  In the silence that followed, he held her close. It didn’t trouble her that he’d never spoken of love. The words weren’t important; he’d proved it in other ways. She was aware that once their physical hunger had been sated, they would need to learn to communicate on other levels, but for now this was enough.

  During the three-hour drive back to Sleepy Valley, Lesley propped her head against Zane’s shoulder. Neither spoke much. Zane seemed as aware as she about what changes their life would take upon their return.

  Mrs. Applegate was on the porch to greet them when Zane pulled into the driveway. The housekeeper threw open her arms as though t
hey’d been away for years instead of a few days.

  “Welcome home,” she called out, then rushed down the stairs and hugged Lesley.

  “Thank you. It’s good to be home.”

  Zane tucked his arm around Lesley’s waist. “How’s everything been here?”

  “Good. No trouble.”

  “Great.” Together they walked into the house. Zane moved to the library and started sorting through the mail.

  “I’ve got a special dinner all planned for you two this evening.” Mrs. Applegate clenched her hands together as she described in details each course, starting with wild rice mushroom soup.

  “It isn’t necessary to go to all that trouble, Mrs. Applegate,” Lesley admonished. She should have known better.

  The woman looked offended. “Of course it is. By the way, your things arrived and I took the liberty of unpacking them in the master bedroom.”

  “Thank you.” Lesley’s eyes followed Zane. He was poring over a letter and frowning heavily.

  “Bad news?” she asked, joining her husband.

  He didn’t answer.

  “Zane?”

  He looked at her as though she hadn’t spoken. “Is there a problem?” she queried a second time.

  He attempted to reassure her with a weak smile. It didn’t work. Whatever was in that letter had deeply distressed him. It troubled her that he wasn’t comfortable enough with her yet to share whatever it was.

  Mrs. Applegate outdid herself with dinner, and Lesley raved over the prime rib, but it didn’t escape the cook’s notice that neither Lesley nor Zane appeared to have much of an appetite.

  Following dinner, Zane returned to the library. Lesley followed and closed the doors.

  “You might as well tell me, you know.”

  His eyes rounded with surprise. “Tell you what?”

  “Something is obviously wrong. I noticed it when we first arrived home. As soon as you read that letter.” She motioned toward his desk.

  His response wasn’t really an answer. “I have to go away for a few days.”

  He didn’t offer any reasons, didn’t volunteer any details.

  “When?” she asked.

  “I don’t know—soon.”

  “How soon? Next week, next month…?” she persisted.

  He didn’t answer.

  “How long will you be away?”

  He hesitated. “A week, maybe longer.” Again he offered no additional information.

  She knew that he wasn’t any keener on going than she was on having him leave. But drilling him with questions he didn’t want to answer would serve no useful purpose.

  “I’ll miss you,” she said softly.

  The intensity with which his eyes darkened told her that he felt the same way.

  Chapter Nine

  THE PAIN IN ZANE’S LEG intensified as he continued with the physical therapy. He’d been working out three and four hours each day in an effort to build up his endurance. His routine rarely changed. He started with straight leg lifts, then leg curls, followed by hip adductions and toe and calf raises.

  Sweat broke out across his forehead as he gritted his teeth and focused his concentration on working his injured thigh, hoping to regain what mobility he could.

  The feeling of urgency drove him to push himself harder and harder. He had to leave Lesley soon. Much sooner than he wanted. He had to find Schuyler before the temptation to stay grew too strong to resist.

  In retrospect, Zane realized he’d been incredibly naive to think he could marry Lesley and not fall in love with her. When he’d learned about her relationship with Jordan Larabee, his feelings had been mixed. He strongly suspected she continued to hold some tenderness for the contractor. Being the noble, kind person that she was, Lesley had stepped aside in order to give Jordan and Molly the opportunity to give their marriage a second chance.

  A part of Zane had been relieved to know about Lesley’s involvement with Jordan. If she continued to love Jordan then she wasn’t as likely to care as deeply for him. After Zane was killed, she’d mourn his death, but it wouldn’t devastate her, and that comforted him.

  At the same time, Zane had nearly been consumed with jealousy. The thought of Lesley loving another man ate at him like a school of piranha. Again and again he forced himself to remember that they’d both gone into this marriage for specific reasons, none of which had to do with love.

  Now, without warning, the rules had changed. For the first time in his life, Zane Ackerman was falling in love.

  Attaching any romantic sentiment to their marriage was something he’d never intended. It was both foolish and dangerous to become emotionally involved with Lesley, and yet it seemed impossible not to love her.

  In the weeks since their wedding, Zane had grown accustomed to having his wife at his side. When she left for the office in the morning, he counted the hours until her return.

  Each night he anxiously anticipated her homecoming. By four o’clock he actively watched the time, wanting to be close by to personally welcome her home. He worried about the long commute, feared an accident, but said nothing.

  Following dinner, they often sat in the library and talked over coffee, sharing details of their day. Zane had come to appreciate her wit and her intelligence. More and more he realized how fortunate his child would be to have Lesley for his or her mother.

  Following their wedding, his nights, once filled with demons and nightmares, became Zane’s favorite part of the day. A thousand times he reminded himself he wasn’t a teenager and that his fierce physical need for her was sure to burn itself out soon. He was wrong. To this point it hadn’t happened. Zane tried to convince himself that the sole purpose in their lovemaking was to impregnate Lesley quickly. Once the deed was done, he would be free to go after Schuyler the way he’d vowed. Once he was certain Lesley carried his child, there would be no excuse to linger. At the rate with which he worked to that end, he didn’t think it would take more than a month or two. He actively prayed it wouldn’t.

  For the first time in his life, Zane felt completely and utterly content. It took him far longer than it should have to acknowledge he was happy, although it seemed to be obvious to everyone else. Even Mrs. Applegate took delight in telling him so.

  “I thought I’d find you in here.” Carl Saks strolled into the exercise room and broke into his thoughts. Carl hesitated before he asked, “Have you got a minute?”

  Zane was grateful for an excuse to quit and reached for a hand towel. “Sure.” He wiped the sweat off his face. “What’s on your mind?”

  Carl was looking almost haggard these days. They rarely talked, and since the wedding, his friend had taken to eating his meals alone. Zane knew it wasn’t anything personal. Carl was offering Zane this time to be with Lesley, and if he guessed right, Carl had his own love interest.

  “The bank phoned this morning and everything’s progressing smoothly with me buying the Gaudette property. It looks like I’ll be moving at the end of the week.”

  “That soon?” Zane didn’t realize he’d spoken aloud until Carl responded.

  “Actually, I’m grateful to have a place of my own.”

  Zane could well appreciate that, but he felt fortunate that Carl had stayed on this long. “It’s not going to be the same around here without you,” he said.

  “You’ve got Lesley now,” Carl said.

  A smile gladdened Zane’s heart at the thought of his wife. She’d be home soon, and he’d be leaving. He was going to miss her. In two days time he’d be leaving for a week. Zane dreaded going, hated the thought of seven torturous days and nights without her. But it was necessary if he was going to find Schuyler. The news he’d received gave him cause for concern. There was a possibility the terrorist had discovered Zane was alive.

  “Married life seems to agree with you,” Carl said. He walked over to the mini-refrigerator and helped himself to a cold beer. Zane opted for a soda.

  Zane shrugged, not sure how to answer his friend. His marriage
wasn’t a comfortable subject for Zane. “How are things going between you and—” He wasn’t allowed to finish the question.

  “They’re not,” Carl snapped. “She refused to sleep with me unless there was a ring around her finger.” He took a quick, deep swallow of beer. “The woman’s unreasonable, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m better off without her.”

  Zane had difficulty hiding a smile. “So she wants nothing less than marriage?”

  “Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous in your life?”

  Zane laughed outright. “I can’t say that I have.”

  The sarcasm flew over Carl’s head. His friend seemed to forget that Zane was a newlywed himself.

  “She’s been dating the new vet in town,” his friend continued, and his jaw tensed. “Apparently she’s hoping it’ll make me jealous. It isn’t going to work, but she doesn’t know that. I refuse to allow a woman to manipulate me. I told her up front that I’m not the marrying kind, and she best accept it right now ’cause I’m not changing my mind.”

  Carl’s face was flushed with anger by the time he finished.

  Zane held up both hands. “Peace. Peace.”

  “Sorry. I guess my feelings are more heated than I realized.” Then all at once Carl seemed to understand what he’d implied. “I’m real glad for you and Lesley, though,” he added quickly. “Frankly, I never thought I’d see the day that any woman could maneuver you to the altar. I guess it took someone like Lesley.” He hesitated. “Don’t get me wrong. I couldn’t be more pleased for you. Lesley’s a hell of a woman.”

  Zane didn’t want to talk about his marriage. “Thanks,” he said shortly.

  “I’ve got to tell you I was getting downright worried about you going after Schuyler,” Carl went on to say, more relaxed now. “It’s a suicide mission and we both know it.”

  Zane turned his back on his friend, unwilling to discuss his plans with Carl. He should have realized it wouldn’t be easy to fool his friend.

  “You have abandoned the idea, haven’t you?”

  It took Zane a long time to answer.

  “Haven’t you?” Carl stressed.