Chapter 14
Beckett’s kiss had only been to show Mr. Dickinson that he was indeed married. It hadn’t meant anything more.
Hyacinth kept reminding herself of that as she squirmed on the chair in the lawyer’s office. Even so, the heat of Beckett’s touch had set off sparks inside her that were now sizzling in her blood.
The truth was, her blood burned all too easily for him, something she’d been realizing more and more with every passing day of their trip.
So many things seemed to fan the heat inside—an accidental bump of their bodies, her hand in the crook of his arm, one of his slow smiles, and his intense gaze upon her.
She was embarrassed to admit that sometimes, just seeing his strong profile sent a gust of warmth through her. Sometimes his low chuckle, the teasing glint in his eyes, or even his smirk had the power to ignite sparks.
She wasn’t sure why he could affect her that way, and she guessed it had to do with the fact that they’d been together almost constantly over the past days of traveling. Once they resumed a normal life, when they were back in Colorado, he would be busy and so would she in setting up their new home.
They’d talked at length about the house he intended to build.
He’d even sketched a design, and together they’d plotted out how many rooms, where everything would go, and what things they would need to purchase.
Beckett had seemed excited about the house and had hoped they could be fairly close neighbors to Sterling and Violet.
Hyacinth wasn’t all that keen on staying too near to her father or Violet and still longed to create a life away from them. However, if she and Beckett lived in their own place on Noble Ranch, then maybe that would be enough distance. She wasn’t sure, but she hoped so.
Mr. Dickinson cleared his throat. “Very well, Beckett. There are a total of five requirements, and all of them must be met if you want your full inheritance.”
Standing beside her, Beckett released a frustrated growl. “Five? That’s just fine and dandy.”
The lawyer leveled a stern look at Beckett. “I’m only doing as Sargeant requested.”
Beckett glared back. “Reckon we both know you’re an expert at finding loopholes anytime they’re needed.”
“Sargeant was a rare, good man. You know it, and so did everyone else.”
Beckett didn’t respond.
Hyacinth wasn’t sure what the two men were referring to—maybe to some of the conflicts that Double T had with the Mexicans.
Whatever the case, now that she and Beckett had gotten married and come all this way, they may as well do the remaining requested items on Sargeant’s list. “I’m sure the rest of Sargeant’s requirements are reasonable enough,” she offered.
“Doubt it,” Beckett grumbled under his breath.
Mr. Dickinson picked up the sheet again. “Number one was to get married by your thirtieth birthday and bring your wife back to the ranch, which we have established has happened.”
Beckett blew out a tense breath.
“The second item on Sargeant’s list,” Mr. Dickinson continued, “is that you must live on the Double T ranch for five years with your wife—”
“No how, no way!” Beckett’s protest reverberated through the law office and echoed the protest rising swiftly within Hyacinth. She may have just been thinking that living on the Noble Ranch in Colorado was too close to her father and sister, but that didn’t mean she wanted to move to Texas.
“Let me finish, Beckett.” Mr. Dickinson spoke calmly.
Beckett shook his head and began to cross to the door. “There’s not a chance in the hot flames of Hades that I’m staying.”
Hyacinth shot up and followed after him. Before he could reach the door, she latched onto his arm and jerked him to a stop. “Even though I’m not interested in living in Texas for five years either, we need to hear the whole list.”
He didn’t fight against her, thankfully. Instead, he scowled back at the lawyer. “Fine.”
Mr. Dickinson began reading the will again. “Number three says that you must have at least one child by your wife within the five years and that if you’re unable to conceive naturally born offspring by your wife, you will adopt.”
Oh my. Hyacinth could feel the flush working its way through her at the talk of conceiving a child.
She and Beckett had insinuated that they would eventually share the marriage bed, but they’d never actually discussed when that would happen.
She assumed he was waiting until after she begged him for a kiss.
However, with the requirement of having a child within a certain time frame, they wouldn’t be able to put off consummating their marriage forever.
She waited for Beckett to make a joke about how he would enjoy fulfilling the third stipulation, because it seemed like the kind of thing he would tease her about.
But he crossed his arms. “I told Sargeant I wouldn’t do either marriage or children, and he told me he’d make me. Reckon this is his way.”
Mr. Dickinson nodded. “You are correct on that score.”
Beckett released a mirthless laugh.
“Number four on his list says that you and your family must live on the ranch in the main house and that you must also manage all operations.”
Beckett didn’t respond this time except for his scowl to deepen.
She’d been wrong that Sargeant’s list would be reasonable. Instead, the fellow sounded much too controlling.
“The last number,” Mr. Dickinson said, “is that you must spend time once a week with Sunshine during the five years and provide for her every need, if she is ever in want.”
The final request wouldn’t be difficult, especially since Beckett had indicated that Sunshine had been an influential figure in his life, guiding him in a warm and motherly way. But all the others were too much.
Frustration radiated from Beckett’s tight muscles as he stared at the lawyer. “This was a wasted trip here. Might as well head back to Colorado as soon as I can arrange it.”
“Sargeant’s final words were this.” Mr. Dickinson lifted the paper and peered at a last handwritten paragraph.
“‘Beckett was like a son to me, the son I never had. I do believe he deserves to inherit the entirety of the ranch. He is the right person to lead the ranch and will be able to bring about a time of peace and prosperity that hasn’t yet been achieved. But in order for that to happen, Beckett must learn the value of a wife and family first. Until that happens, I doubt he will succeed.’”
The last paragraph made Sargeant seem more rational. Even so, Hyacinth was disappointed in the requirements.
“Just because I don’t want either a wife or family”—Beckett spat the words—“doesn’t mean I’m not aware of their value.”
“You don’t want a wife?” Mr. Dickinson’s brows rose.
Surprise echoed through Hyacinth too, although she wasn’t sure why, since she suspected that without the marriage requirement, Beckett wouldn’t have taken a wife. After all, he’d been single all these years for a reason.
Beckett glowered at the lawyer. “You and Sargeant knew my position on marriage before I left. You both wrangled me into it.”
“So what are you telling me, Beckett?” Mr. Dickinson continued to probe. “That you’re planning to set aside your marriage now that you know the rest of the requirements?”
“You tricked me into it.”
“This wasn’t my plan. It was Sargeant’s, and I’m only doing as he asked.”
“It’s hogwash, and you know it.”
A strange hurt pricked Hyacinth’s heart. Would Beckett really set aside their marriage so easily?
She wanted to jump into the conversation and tell both men she hadn’t wanted to marry Beckett either.
Yes, she and Beckett had shared some sparks when they’d kissed—even with the kiss they’d just exchanged.
But beyond that, their relationship was one of convenience for both of them and nothing more.
Even as she tried to convince herself that it wouldn’t matter if Beckett dissolved their marriage, something pressed hard in her chest. Something that felt an awful lot like the desire to have more with him.
Beckett and Mr. Dickinson held gazes for a moment longer before Beckett opened the law office door. Then without another word to the lawyer, Beckett tugged her outside. He pulled the door closed with a bang and strode to the carriage with her in tow.
He helped her up and took the seat across from her, scowling the whole time.
As soon as the carriage started rolling, she could feel not only the hurt but also the anger toward Beckett rising inside her.
She didn’t understand her reaction. He hadn’t promised her a real marriage.
He hadn’t promised much of anything. That meant none of this was his fault. Why then did it sting like rejection?
The town passed by quickly, the main thoroughfare about the same length as Breckenridge’s, with the usual businesses.
Soon they were riding through the countryside again, the wheels of the carriage stirring up dust. Barren fields of waving grass filled the horizon, broken by clusters of trees here and there.
Beckett stared out the window, his hand on his revolver, his hat pulled low, and his expression grim.
What was he thinking?
“That went well,” she said.
He scoffed. “Yep. Real well.”
“So you had no idea Sargeant would require all the other things?”
“Not one lick.” Beckett didn’t take his gaze off the passing landscape.
“You’re not considering doing them?”
“Not a chance in this lifetime or the next.”
She’d figured as much. “Then why are we going to the ranch?”
He blew out a sigh. “Sunshine’s out there today, and I can’t leave without seeing her.”
The dry, dusty heat blew in the open carriage window, and Hyacinth picked up the fan she’d left on the seat, opened it, and pumped air on her overheated face.
“We’ll stay one night and leave tomorrow.”
She blew out a weary breath at the prospect of more traveling. Even if the private train car had made the trip more bearable, it had been long and tiring.
He shot a glance at her. “Actually, we’ll stay a few days to rest up and then go.”
“Thank you.” She appreciated that Beckett was sensitive to her needs at least some of the time. He’d proven himself to be considerate during their traveling, sensing when she was tired or hungry or hot and doing his best to make her more comfortable.
His gaze returned to the landscape, his handsome brow furrowed.
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out the way you wanted,” she offered.
“I should have known they wouldn’t.” His voice dripped with bitterness.
“I don’t understand why Sargeant would require so many things.”
“He once told me he’d make me get married and have children. And this here is his attempt to force me into it.”
Obviously, from the final paragraph of the will, Sargeant had insinuated that doing so would give Beckett purpose. But Sargeant had to know his stipulations would only push a stubborn man like Beckett further away.
“It would have been more civilized of him to lay it all out before we got married.”
“Don’t worry.” Beckett’s jaw twitched. “When we get back to the high country, I’ll give you an annulment.”
An annulment? She froze. When Mr. Dickinson had asked him about setting aside their marriage, Beckett hadn’t denied that he would. So she shouldn’t be surprised that he was offering her an annulment. At the same time, she didn’t understand why he was so eager to put an end to their marriage.
“Oh, fabulous. Thank you. An annulment will work wonders for me in finding a new husband.” After Beckett’s rejection, what other man would want her? Mr. Gray certainly wouldn’t want her back. Not after she’d walked away from him.
Beckett didn’t look at her. “You’ll be just fine. I’ll make sure everyone knows the annulment was all my fault.”
“What a gentleman.” She didn’t care that her tone was sarcastic and angry. She’d thought maybe she was beginning to care for Beckett. But he was the same as he’d always been—a big oaf—and she would be better off without him.
“Believe me,” he said, “you’ll be happier without me.”
“You’re absolutely right.” She fanned herself again and refused to look at him. “In fact, I won’t be happy until we return to Breckenridge and I’m free of you once and for all.”
He didn’t reply.
That was fine with her. She would be better off without Beckett. She should have known that from the start. So why had she let herself set aside her good reason and marry him?