“May I remind you two that I haven’t gotten to the part of the ceremony in which you kiss the bride?”
Asa lifted his head and loosened his hold. “Just getting in some practice.”
He didn’t look the least embarrassed while Elizabeth wished for a hole to crawl into.
“I’d say you’re finished practicing and ready to move on.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to tell the judge what she thought of him. With a tip of his finger, Asa forestalled her plan, shutting her mouth and answering the judge. “Then I suggest we get this wedding underway so the moving on is nice and legal. Ready, darlin’?”
There was absolutely nothing in the man’s voice to make her think he was amused, but as sure as she was choking on frustration, she knew Asa MacIntyre was having a good old time. She searched his face for confirmation, but the only indication to his mood was the way his eyes crinkled at the corners.
If he dared laugh out loud, she decided, she’d kill him, and the ranch be damned. She’d found two husbands in as many days. Surely it wouldn’t be that hard to locate a third. He didn’t laugh, more the pity, and his vows were clear as a bell.
Never hesitate, girl, or you’ll show yourself for the weak female you are.
Her father’s voice rang in her ears. She locked her gaze with MacIntyre’s and made sure her vows were just as clear. She didn’t let herself think of anything beyond the moment, otherwise she knew she’d crumble into a useless ball of waffling indecision. Just when she didn’t think she could stand anymore, Judge Carlson snapped his Bible shut.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
As Asa placed his lips on hers, a shiver went down her spine.
The ranch was safe. Now there was only the price to pay.
Chapter Three
They arrived at the ranch at sundown. Even to Elizabeth’s loving eyes, the two-story ranch house looked bad. The place was in such a dire need of white wash, it was the dingy gray of poorly washed linens. The repair she’d made on the front steps fell in a shadow, which only served to enhance how much she’d botched that particular job. Someone had left the supplies on the porch, and chickens were now pecking at the dried corn scattered over the wood porch. One of the dogs or a coon had gotten into the bag of bacon, and, in search of more, had torn open the rest of the sacks. She wanted to cry. Instead, she squared her shoulders, and said, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s a nice setting with those mountains in the background.”
The tactful response surprised her.
“Father said my Mamma called those mountains our Guardians. That they loomed over us like that to scare away evil.”
“Yup. They could sure do that.”
The buckboard stopped at the watering trough in front of the barn. The thirsty horse blew over the water. Asa’s horse, tied behind, whinnied hopefully. Asa jumped down and strode around front.
“Could you hop down and bring Shameless up with old Willoughby here?”
Catching her skirts in hand, she did as asked. “I didn’t know his name was Willoughby.”
“Occurred to me on the ride here that he had the look of a Willoughby.”
As she brought his horse up beside the other, she couldn’t help asking, “What does a Willoughby look like?”
He handed her the reins of the horse harnessed to the buckboard. “Like this.”
He didn’t smile as he said it and, this close to the trough, she could see why. The water was brackish with bits of green slime drifting across the surface. She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her.
“I gave orders…”
She let the disclaimer trail off as Asa headed for the well pump. What did it matter if she gave orders? The fact that her hands had allowed the horse’s water to stand this long was humiliating testimony as to what they thought of her authority.
He returned with two buckets and set one in front of each horse. She tightened her grip on Shameless’ reins. Whatever angle her husband wished to attack from, she had no defense. The ranch was a mess. She’d failed to control anything.
His finger tipped her face to his in a gesture that was becoming familiar. She fought the urge to close her eyes. She deserved this.
“You scooting my gaze because you’re embarrassed?”
“Wouldn’t you be?”
“Yeah, but I’m not a woman trying to keep a ranch together by myself.”
Willoughby jerked his head free to reach the water. She jerked her chin out of Asa’s reach with no less urgency. Grinding her teeth for control, she shoved the reins into his hands. Useless. The man saw her as useless. “From the quiet, the men haven’t ridden in yet.”
“How many are there?”
“Ten when I left.”
His left eyebrow rose. “Should I be expecting more or less?”