Chapter 10 #2
"Mrs. McNab... Barbara," she amended when the woman turned to look at her. "I know this might be distressing for you..."
"No." Barbara shook her head hastily, stealing a glance at her son.
After the conversation with Julianne yesterday, she had spent almost the entire night coming to grips with the fact that the woman her son was involved with was here to stay and, most importantly, he loved her and it seemed that she loved him too.
She would be foolish to stand in the way of them being together.
Not to mention that there was a baby involved.
"No," she stated unequivocally. "It's not distressing.
You and I got off to a bad start, but I want to make amends for it.
You make my son happy and that's what's important.
" She eased out a breath and turned her gaze back to her son.
"All I'm saying is that there is absolutely no need for haste.
We could do this thing in the right way. .."
"The way you did?" he asked with raised brows.
"White dress, a lavish ceremony with hundreds of guests?
I saw the pictures, Mother, and it did not do you a world of good.
That was all for show. I want a marriage; the wedding is just something formal to bind us together in the eyes of God and man.
" He took Julianne's hand and linked their fingers.
"In my eyes, we're already married. This is just making it legal. "
"Mrs. McNab... Barbara." Julianne had seen the flash of pain on the woman's rigid features when Bryson mentioned the meaningless ceremony and felt compassion.
She was beginning to understand the woman now and appreciate what she had gone through.
"What your son is so tactlessly saying is that we want to stay away from all the fuss.
The ceremony itself should be intimate and private.
The reception will be open to everyone on the ranch and the people in town. "
"We're not even certain the doctors will clear it yet. I'm still not out of the woods yet and we want to keep things as simple as possible."
"What she said." Lifting their joined hands, he kissed the back of hers before letting go and crossing the room to perch his hip on his mother's desk.
"And I would very much like your blessing and for you to tell us you're on board.
" He took her hands in his, a smile touching his lips. "That would mean the world to me."
She became flustered and to Julianne's amazement, she saw the woman blushing in pleasure.
"Of course, you have no need to wonder about such a thing.
" She squeezed his hands; the love she felt for him blazing in her eyes.
"Julianne should not have to worry about any of the details.
An intimate ceremony at the courthouse and then a luncheon.
" She looked over at Julianne. "Is there anyone you would like to invite? "
Julianne nodded. "Brian, he's my family. Thank you."
Barbara inclined her head regally. "Now darling, let me get started."
Leaning down, he kissed her cheek tenderly. "You're the best mom a son could ever hope for."
She felt the thickness in her throat at his words and squared her shoulders. "With a son like you, it's quite easy. Now shoo."
She watched them leave and had to blink back the tears. Moving behind the desk, she placed her first phone call. She had been recruiting Sara-Lee to drive a wedge between the couple; it was time for that to end.
"Of course I'll be there," Brian chided as soon as she made the call.
"Where on earth would I be otherwise? So, things are sorted out now?
I'm happy for you, honey. You've landed yourself quite a catch.
The firm will miss you, of course, but you're right where you belong.
" He paused. "Knowing you, I suspect that you're not just going to be a wife and mother, you want something more. "
Curling her legs beneath her on the window seat, Julianne gazed out at the scene unfolding in front of her.
It was branding season and the flurry of activities fascinated her.
She was also amazed at what it took to get a ranch running.
Bryson had kissed her goodbye and ordered her to take it easy before heading out the door.
She was going to be the wife of a rancher, not just an ordinary one, but one in charge of a multi-billion dollar business.
It was a little overwhelming. As his wife, she would be expected to be in charge of so much.
Which reminded her that she was going to have a talk with Barbara.
Things did not have to change. The woman was used to running the household and she had no intention of changing that.
"For now, I just want to carry a healthy baby, something that's proving to be difficult. And now I have to think about getting a dress. Nothing fussy, no frills, and nothing white. Something simple and elegant."
"Why don't I get that for you?" he suggested.
"My treat. You know how I love to shop and I happen to have better taste in everything.
You hate shopping, and let's face it, darling, you tend to pick the first thing you see because of how impatient you are.
Let me do this as part of my wedding present. "
"Remind me when I see you to punch you for that insulting comment, and yes, I think that's a splendid idea.
Just pick something and shoot it to me." She smiled as the magnificent mare the ranch had recently acquired pranced around the paddock, tossing its reddish-brown mane arrogantly.
It was also mating season, and she had witnessed some of it just the other night.
"You sound happy."
"I am." She sighed softly. "I love him, Bri. After what we went through in the past, I decided that here is where I belong."
"And how's the old bitch taking it?"
Julianne let out a startled laugh. "She's holding it together and we don't hate her and want her to burn at the stake anymore."
"We don't?" The disappointment in his voice had her doubling over.
"No," she told him with a shake of her head. "When I see you, I'll explain. I'm still wary around her, but she told me some things that had me sympathizing with her and she loves her son, there's no doubt about that."
"So you two are bosom buddies now?" Brian asked her suspiciously.
"Nothing so drastic. Let's just say that for the man I love, I'm willing to bend over backwards.
And put myself in her shoes. She had a terrible marriage and bore through it.
I might not understand... well yes, I do understand the need to stick it out when your child is involved and I'm not in a position to judge. "
"Despite her many faults, she raised a very good man.
Bryson is nothing like the man who fathered him.
" Her eyes caught sight of the man under discussion, and she felt her breath catching.
He was magnificent. Sitting so straight and tall in the saddle, issuing instructions.
He made her very proud and hot and bothered.
"Happy to know there's harmony at home. And that's going to be your home, darling, so bear that in mind.
I also know I don't have to worry about you taking crap from the witch of the ranch.
You're strong." He sighed gustily. "Just know that I'm going to miss you like crazy.
Who will annoy the hell out of me when I pick up a totally unsuitable partner? "
"Oh, I still reserve the right to do all of that. And I'm a phone call away. Oh, Brian, I'm getting married."
"And soon to be a mother. How does that feel?"
"Scary," she admitted with a laugh. "But wonderful at the same time."
"Those are perfectly natural reactions, or so I'm told. Now darling, get off the phone so I can go and spend my hard earned money." He laughed at her indelicate snort. "Well, I did earn some of it by the sweat of my brow. Can't wait to see you."
Hanging up the phone, Julianne leaned her head back and watched the progress going on outside.
"It's just a small ceremony and I would like you to be there." Bryson looped the reins of his horse around the tree stump and took off his hat. It was hot as a bitch, as if the summer had decided that it was not through with them yet. He was hot and tired and sweating through his pores.
But it was a good day. The branding was going well, and they had managed to fix the perimeter fence where they had discovered another precise cut.
It bothered him that someone was out to make trouble.
But he could not think of that now. He was getting married in a week, and that was something to celebrate.
He turned towards the man who had raised him and taught him everything he knew. Jack might not be blood, but he was more of a father than the one whose blood he shared.
"You want me there," Jack repeated gruffly, his fingers worrying the brim of his well-worn hat. They had drifted a little ways from the rest of the men to have this conversation.
"Of course. You mean a lot to me, Jack. You've always been there for me. I owe you a hell of a lot." Bryson cleared his throat and turned away to scan the horizon and give them both a chance to recover from the rush of emotions. "Looks like we're going to have some rain."
"Hot as hell and the clouds are heavy. I would be honored to stand with you, boy."
Bryson nodded.
"That there is a fine young lass. She's not after your money and does not put on airs like the simpering blonde you were going out with."
Bryson turned to give him an amused stare. "You didn't like Sara-Lee?"
"Too nice and always smiling. Ms. Julianne is the real deal. Beautiful without being vain and she looks you right in the eyes. You did good."
"I did." Bryson nodded with a smile. "Now it's time for me to find a ring."