Chapter 13 #2
She stirred around noon to see the pale sunshine filtering through the thick drapes. Blinking her eyes open, she sat up when she realized that the space next to her was empty and there was a tray on the bedside table, with a note.
"Had to step out for a while. Will be back in a few minutes. You were sleeping so peacefully, did not want to wake you. Eat. Your husband."
Pulling herself up, she reached for the tray and found crispy toast, still slightly warm, and a slice of their wedding cake. There was also a thermos of tea.
Yawning hugely, she poured tea into the cup and took a sip, a smile touching her lips. Last night and this morning had been magical. She still felt the imprint of his body on hers. She did not miss going to exotic places for their honeymoon. This was perfect.
She would finish the meal. Touching a hand to her stomach, she spoke sternly to the child growing inside her, warning him about being on his best behavior for the rest of the day.
"It would not look good for you to start acting up and have me hurling. I'm on my honeymoon and me and your dad require this special time to make memories. So, the least you can do is cooperate." With that said, she went to take a shower.
He came back while she was getting dressed.
"Hi."
"Hi." Bending, he kissed the back of her neck as she finished tidying her hair. "I thought you'd still be asleep. I kept you up all night."
"I'm completely revived. Where were you?"
"Jack wanted a word. He was very contrite about interrupting my honeymoon, but it was important." He stepped back to remove his jacket and went to sit on the sofa.
"What was it?" Julianne pulled the shawl around her shoulders and joined him on the sofa. She supposed it wasn't anything much to worry about, because he looked calm and serene.
"Jeff fell off his horse last night and broke his right arm." He slid his arm around her shoulder to pull her close, pausing when she reared back to stare at him.
"Oh, but that's awful."
"It would have been if it was his neck." His voice was grim. "He was riding drunk. He could have killed himself and injured a very fine animal. He's been here long enough to know better, and when he's back from the hospital, I'm going to break the other arm."
Julianne eyed him for a minute. He certainly did not look calm now.
"What was he thinking?"
"Obviously he wasn't." With a sigh, he reached over and pulled her closer.
"He's young and stupid and was trying to impress some girl.
" He rubbed his lips over her left temple, breathing her in.
He had hated leaving her in bed and was alarmed and certainly amazed at how much he was dependent on her.
"It must be love," she murmured with a laugh. "It's the cause of most of the silly things we tend to do."
"Or lust." He turned her in his arms. "How about a long drive? I have to warn you that fall is now in full gear. It rained late last night and the weather has turned."
"A drive sounds wonderful."
"Your mother-in-law and I had a long talk and a bracing drive. And you look like a woman who's very satisfied. I take it the cowboy took care of business?"
"That's none of yours," Julianne told him with a laugh as she settled back on the sofa. They had come back early this morning because Bryson had some meetings to attend. But it did not feel as if the honeymoon was over.
"I'll try and wrap things up early so I can come home and spend some time with my wife."
His wife. She was his wife and it still took some getting used to. She had arrived to find Barbara already gone for the day to some charity breakfast that had to do with the corporation of cowboys and their families. She never knew there was such a thing!
Anyway, she was happy she did not have to face the woman yet. She had told Bryson they were getting along, but she still could not put it out of her mind that the woman had tried to pay her off.
"Spoilsport," he complained.
"You went for a drive with Barbara?" She cocked a brow at him in surprise. "How did that go?"
"Rather well. She was the one who did the driving and for a woman with a stick up her ass, she certainly knows her way around a four-wheel drive.
" Brian grinned in remembrance. "And she knows this place like the back of her hand.
I had no idea the McNabs were instrumental in actually building the place, the town. "
His eyes were lit with excitement. "I always thought it was a dinky little town with mostly cattle and bushes.
But it's quite a beautiful place. And that poor woman, the things she told me about that awful husband of hers.
" He stretched his long legs out and crossed them at the ankle. "You knew she came here from Ireland?"
"I did." Julianne hid her amusement at his involved expression.
It seemed Brian had found another lost cause.
He was good at adopting the injured and people who had been through emotional upheaval.
It was one of his many weaknesses. It was also why he got involved with people who were usually damaged.
In his quest to try and "fix" them, he would end up frustrated and exhausted when they remained broken.
But it was also one of his most endearing qualities.
"She still has family there."
Brian nodded. "That man who shall remain nameless went for a visit and stole that girl's heart.
She could have married some Irish lad with a voice like an angel and wistful green eyes, but he captured her heart and whisked her away from her family with promises he never intended to keep.
He dazzled her with his looks and charm.
She was blonde and looked good enough to grace his arm and his table and bear his heir.
" He shook his head. "Heartless bastard. "
He started when she burst out laughing.
"Darling, it's not comedy. It's tragic."
"You should have been an actor," she pointed out, her laughter erupting. "You're good."
Her mirth was infectious and had him joining her. "Don't think I haven't thought about it."
"You promise to call me as soon as you feel the first twinges of pain?"
"I promise. And if you don't leave, your pilot is going to have a fit. The sky is leaden. I wish you would stay longer."
He bent over to kiss her on the lips. She and Barbara were out in the cruel wind and biting cold waiting to see him off.
The gorgeous cowboy, as he secretly labeled her husband, had said a terse goodbye and gone on his way.
The man definitely did not like him. He could live with that, Brian mused.
The two women in the McNab household adored him and that was good enough.
He was surprised at how much his heart was wrenching because he was leaving.
The extra week had flown by so quickly, he could scarcely believe it was already over.
And he had had a tremendous time with the promise to both women he would be back in no time.
He actually meant it. He was also thinking of buying one of those cozy little cottages on the hill, the ones Barbara had pointed out to him on their drive.
"Life calls, darling." He hugged her tight. "Take care of the little bun cooking in your oven and remember that I call dibs on being godfather."
"Of course. Now go. I'm going to worry until you call and tell me you've landed."
"It's bright and sunny where I'm going." He kissed the tip of her nose before turning to Barbara. Taking her hands, he drew her in for a kiss. "And you, darling, take care of my best friend. I'm leaving you in her care."
"I will." She smiled at him softly, still amazed at how maternal she felt. "Promise not to be a stranger."
"I won't. All right, enough prevaricating." With one last wave, he headed for the car.
They watched until the taillights had disappeared before stepping in out of the cold.
"I was hoping you would join me for lunch, if you're feeling up to it," Barbara offered stiffly as soon as they entered the foyer.
Sending her a surprised glance, Julianne removed her jacket and handed it to the waiting maid before responding. "I think that's a good idea."
She saw the tension leave the woman's shoulders and realized that Barbara had expected her to refuse the invitation.
"Good." She nodded briskly. "We will eat in the blue salon."
"She's genuinely trying." Her husband had been true to his word and had come home for supper. Much to his mother's delight, he ate with them at the dining table, after getting cleaned up.
Now they were upstairs getting ready for bed and Julianne was telling him about having lunch with his mother.
"I'm happy for that." He loved watching her nightly ritual and was happy he was here to witness it. Usually, he would come in when she was already in bed. In a short period of time, it seemed they had fallen into the familiar habit of being husband and wife.
He still could not believe she was his, all his. He wasn't supposed to wear his ring out on the ranch but could not seem to part with it. He was going to have to leave it behind for certain filthy tasks, but otherwise, he wanted to be branded.
"Lewis arrived safely?"
She sent him an amused look in the mirror. "Was that concern I heard in your voice?"
His grimace had her laughing. "It was simply a matter of courtesy. The guy happens to be your best friend and was a guest at our home."
"If you say so."
Rolling to his feet, he crossed the room to pick her up and carry her to bed. "Enough talk. I have something else in mind."
"I'm sure you do." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she brought him down on top of her.