Chapter Eleven
Within the hour, they were pulling up to the ranch house, and Jared was helping her from the truck.
“Jerry, will you take these bags up to my room?”
“No problem, and congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you.”
Another ranch hand walked toward them, gaining Jared’s attention.
“Hey, Boss, we got a problem.”
“I’ll be right there,” he hollered and watched the ranch hand nod and turn back toward a barn. “Let’s get you into the house.”
Sky put a hand on his chest to stop him. “I can do that, Jared. You need to go. I’ll see you later.”
Jared studied her eyes to make sure she was sincere. “If you’re sure, I’ll go deal with the problem and a few other things and be back.”
“No problem. I’m going to lie down for a bit.”
“Abby is making a special dinner for us tonight, so be down in the dining room at or before six. It’s just after two now.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you there.”
Jared leaned down and kissed her hard before pulling away and turning to walk to the barn.
Sky made it into the house and to her room. She looked at the clock on the bedside table and decided she had time for a long nap, and she lay down. Even with all the excitement of the day, she was out between one minute and the next.
Sky was jolted awake by the alarm clock.
She sat up, dragged her legs to hang over the bed, and looked around groggily. She wondered how long it would be before she caught up with her sleep. She’d been asleep for three and a half hours and still felt exhausted.
Sky knew a shower would help to wake her, but first, she needed to grab some of the bags in Jared’s room because she wanted to find a beautiful dress to wear that night.
Fifteen minutes to six, Sky was in front of her mirror, putting on some of the makeup the saleslady had suggested and shown her how to use.
“Why are some of your bags in here?”
Sky screeched and spun around. Her hand went to her chest as she fought for her breath. Her heart seized at the expression on his face. She didn’t understand why Jared was so angry.
“So, I could find something nice to wear tonight.” She exhaled as he relaxed.
“I know we have a lot to talk about, but we need to get to the dining room before Abby starts yelling.”
Sky chuckled. “I can’t see that sweet woman yelling at anybody.”
Jared snorted. “Just wait.”
Jared was pulling out Sky’s chair when Abby came into the room carrying two large plates.
“Thank you, Jared, for being on time for once,” Abby said sarcastically.
Jared laughed at the look of surprise on Sky’s face.
“See, I told you she could get mean.”
Abby chuckled and turned to Sky. “But never with you, Honey. Only big obnoxious cowboys that don’t know how to tell time.”
A gruff laugh spilled out of Jared. “Abby, do you see what you’re doing to Sky?”
“Sorry, dear, but this man is notorious for being late.”
“But I always have a good excuse.”
“Yeah, I’ll give him that. Now, maybe he’ll be on time more since he has someone to come home to at night.”
Sky smiled at the way the two bantered with each other. It would take a while before she got used to it, but she looked forward to watching them like this for a long time.
“Thank you, Abby, for the wonderful food. It looks delicious.” Her plate held a rib-eye steak, a baked potato, and asparagus.
On the side was a small salad, and on the other sat a scrumptious-looking chocolate cake on a small plate.
Abby had even gone and made the table look romantic with a white tablecloth and crystal glasses, silver, and China.
It was beautiful, but Sky was uncomfortable with how intimate it made the atmosphere.
They didn’t know each other well enough for that.
“You’re very welcome. I’m going to head home and give you both some privacy. Just leave the dishes, and I’ll get them in the morning.” Abby turned at the door. “By the way, congratulations, you two.”
“Thank you, Abby,” they both said in unison.
Sky jumped when a warm hand landed on her arm.
“Sky, look at me.” He nodded when she immediately lifted her eyes. “You will never have a reason to fear me.”
She relaxed a bit. “I know that, or I am pretty sure. It’s just that I’ve never done this, and I don’t know how to act.”
“I want to see you relax and enjoy being with me.”
Sky turned her hand and grasped his. “I’ll try.
“Good. Now eat.”
Several minutes of silence went by as they both dug into their meal.
After he finished, Jared sat back and studied Sky. She was dressed in one of the flowery dresses they’d bought that day. She’d left her hair down to fall over her shoulders and down her back. She had used some makeup, eyeshadow, lipstick, and mascara that enhanced her features.
She didn’t need it because she was a beautiful woman. His eyes slid over her. He felt a tranquil emotion, unlike anything he’d ever felt, spread through him. It would have bothered him if he hadn’t already decided to enjoy his time with her, but not to let her distract him from the ranch.
Her beauty would make it much easier to have sex with her. He had been resigned to sleeping with an unattractive woman for the rest of his life, but now he had her. It definitely wasn’t a hardship looking at Sky.
“What’s wrong?”
Jared pulled his gaze back to her eyes. “Absolutely nothing. I was admiring how beautiful you look tonight.”
Sky bowed her head and used her napkin to dab at her mouth. “Jared, you really don’t have to give me fake compliments because you think you have to. I know what I look like.”
A scowl pulled his brows together. “And tell me what you think you look like.”
Sky set her napkin on the table.
“I’m short and plump. My skin is too fair, and I tend to look ghostly. My hair is...” She faltered at the look in Jared’s eyes. He seemed to be getting angrier with every word she said.
“And your hair is what?” he bit out.
“My hair is muddy brown,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Is that it, Sky?”
Her stomach tightened at the threat in his voice. She was unable to talk, so she just nodded.
Jared studied her for a long moment. “Are you finished with your meal?”
He was going to deal with this situation as soon as she was rested. He guessed it was her father who was the one to put such stupid ideas in her head, using them as a way to control her. She really didn’t know how pretty she was.
Again, she nodded.
“You only took a few bites of your cake.”
Sky cleared her throat. “I’m just too full to eat another bite.”
“All right. We have a few things to discuss.”
“Like what?”
“You will be sleeping in my bed tonight and every night from now on.”
Sky gasped. “Jared, wait, we just met. I don’t feel comfortable with that.”
“We are not having sex tonight. But I want you to get used to me in bed with you.”
“Why not in a few days?” she asked frantically.
“Because, even though I won’t touch you, I still want you beside me.”
Jared bent toward her and took one of her hands. “Breathe, Baby. Everything is going to be fine.” He watched as she gained some control before asking, “I know we don’t know each other very well, but do you trust me at all?”
Sky thought about that for a bit before she nodded, a little surprised that she actually did. “I just realized how much I do trust you and in such a short amount of time.”
“Do you trust me enough to know if I say I won’t touch you, I won’t?”
Sky studied him. “Yes, I guess I do.”
“Good, I’m glad that’s out of the way. Now, let me go on to the next subject. You know, before, when I said you couldn’t go outside until tagging was done and the extra men left?”
“Yes.”
“I feel very strongly about it, so don’t disobey me.”
Sky looked at the determination in his eyes. “Okay. How long, do you think?”
“Another few days. After they’ve left, you can come outside. I still don’t want you around the men, so stay on the east side of the house unless I’m with you.”
The thought of another man touching her made a flash of anger, unlike any he’d ever felt, rush through him. He didn’t even want them looking at her.
While he was trying to fight his acute jealousy, a feeling of dread filled her senses.
“Are you telling me I can only go to one side of the house?”
Jared nodded and watched her with a hooded expression.
“Forever?”
“Only until I know you’re not going to get in trouble or cause a commotion.”
“How will I do that, exactly?”
Jared tightened his grip on her hand when she tried to pull away from him. “Watch your tone of voice. And you’ll stir things up just by being you.” He held up a hand when she went to speak. “Remember, I told you on the phone, I wanted a wife who stayed out of my way during the day.”
Her shoulders and her spirits fell. “Yes, I remember.”
“You’ll have me all night if there are no complications outside.” His voice lowered and became gruff with imagined passion.
“So, you want me to stay in the house and help Abby?”
Jared shook his head. “Absolutely not. I pay her to take care of the house and cook. She’s got a lot of pride, and I don’t want you making her feel bad.”
A full minute passed. Her stomach grew tighter as the conversation continued.
“So, what would you like me to do during the day?” She wanted to kick him when he looked dumbfounded at her.
“I don’t care as long as you follow the rules and don’t bother me unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“Let me get this straight,” she said and ignored his impatient growl. “I am to do nothing until you come in?”
“I don’t like the way you’re talking. I want you to relax during the day. Why is that so bad?” he asked, dumbfounded.
Anger sizzled between them.
“Would you like to do nothing but sit around each day with no purpose?”
“Your purpose is to give me children. So, until you do that, you’ll have to find something to do in the house.”
Sky swallowed. His voice had gradually gotten colder and harder.
“What if I don’t get preg—”
“Enough,” he growled. “We are done talking about this.” Jared stood and held his hand out to Sky.
“Let’s go into the office, and I’ll show you how to get on the computer.
There are thousands of games or different websites you might like.
” He pulled her silently behind him. “Take this time to learn something you’ve always wanted to learn.
Quilting, reading, writing, and if you’re really desperate, you can alphabetize the library. ”
Sky looked around the office/library. There had to be thousands of books. How would she even begin a job like this? Jared sat her in his office chair.
“This is your password to get on the computer. You have your own account, so you don’t have to worry about messing anything of mine up.”
Sky let that go. She was too tired to fight him anymore. She listened as he droned on about how to use a computer.
“Jared, you don’t have to teach me. I’ve taken several college courses that pertain to computers.”
“I didn’t know that. How close are you to a degree?”
Sky was self-conscious about talking about something so personal and important to her.
“Several courses left.”
“There you go. You could finish your degree online.” He frowned when she just gave him a small nod, not showing any excitement, and sat quietly. “What degree are you going for?”
“Accounting and a minor in computers.”
Jared’s brows snapped together. “Wow, that’s ambitious.”
And there it was. Disbelief that she was smart enough to get a degree, much less a hard one like accounting. Even though she was expecting it, it still hurt.
Jared crouched and frowned when she shied away from him.
“Sky, look at me.”
Sky turned her head because his arrogant voice broke no argument. She waited while he stared at her as if trying to answer his silent question.
Something was bothering him about her. He knew she was acting different, but he guessed that was partly due to exhaustion and maybe anger at the rules he’d set for her. He stood and looked down at her. Her only movement was to turn her head away from him.
“Stand up, Honey.” He took a step back when she stood. “It’s getting late. Why don’t you head on up to bed? I have a few things to do down here, and then I’ll be up.”
Sky nodded and started to step around him when he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“You forgot my kiss.”
Sky swallowed and raised her face.
He pressed his lips firmly to hers, then lifted his head.
He was pleased when she stayed still with her eyes closed, waiting for another kiss.
He pressed his lips against hers again, deepening it until they were both breathless.
Jared finally broke the kiss and then turned her toward the door with his hands on her shoulders.
“Go on up.”
Sky silently walked toward the door.
“And Sky...”
Sky turned back.
“You’d better be in my bed. Do you understand?”
She nodded. “Yes, I understand.”
“All right. Good night.”
Sky walked out and slowly made her way up the staircase. She paused on the landing, unsure which way to turn or what she needed to do. Her things were in the guest room, but he wanted her in his room. She decided to grab what she would need for that night and put everything else away tomorrow.
She walked out of his bathroom after a quick shower and her bedtime routine. Sky walked around to the other side of the bed, guessing he would want the side closest to the bathroom.
Sky lay down under the blanket and looked around.
Oh, good heavens. She felt like a toddler in their parents’ bed.
Compared to her size, the bed seemed huge.
Instead of feeling happy about the space she would have between them, it made her feel even lonelier than she had earlier.
She turned away from the bathroom. Her gaze roamed out into the night, letting the light of the stars bring her any sense of peace she could acquire.
Sky hadn’t thought she’d be able to sleep after her nap, but within minutes her eyes drooped down, and she drifted into a deep but fitful sleep.