Forrest, Dawn - Sweet Water Wedding: Sharing Shannon (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (11 page)

“What I said, well it just popped out. I didn’t mean to lead you on.” She winced. “Can we just forget it and start again?”

Not likely.
“Fine, because I need to wheedle lots of information out of you about Rachael for my best man’s speech.” He comically wiggled his eyebrows, hoping to put her at ease.

“I can help you with that, but my first loyalty is to Rachael, so I’ll be very selective.” She grinned up at him.

“Yeah, I thought so. I’ll have to come up with a cunning plan to extract the intelligence I need.”

“Let me guess, something concerning a lot of alcohol?”

“Damn you’re good.” He wagged his finger at her. “I can see I’m gonna have to up my game. Was I that obvious?” he teased, feeling pleased that they were freely interacting.

She gave an exaggerated sigh, “I’m thinking subtlety isn’t a strong point.”

He laughed and nodded. “Maybe not, but I can do devious.”

“Devious or deviant?”

“Now, sugar, just how much has Rachael said about me?” He cocked his head to one side and shifted away from the doorframe.

“Actually, James, I know very little about your family, perhaps you could fill me in. Obviously Rachael’s told me a bit about Joshua and Meadow Ridge County, but to be honest she’s been uncharacteristically mean with the details.” She gave a mock look of indignation.

James laughed. “Well I’ll tell you what I know in return for some speech material.”

“It’s a deal. I must say that I’m looking forward to meeting your brother. A man who can hold Rachael’s attention and respect must be worth knowing.”

“He’s a good man, the best,” he said sincerely.

“They’ll be a perfect match then.”

“They are. You have to see it to believe it. It’s quite sickening,” he joked. “While you’re waiting would you be interested in a mini tour of the ranch? I know you’re an environmental consultant, but does that make you a green hippy? Are you going to wallop me with daffodils if you don’t like the way we run our well sites, or worst still inundate me with a strongly worded leaflet campaign?” He affected a shudder.

“Har har, very funny.” She groaned sarcastically. “I am a definite shade of green, but I’m not against development per se, just development that’s not sustainable. Look, I flew here on a plane, so I can’t really be a hardcore true environmentalist. I contribute to projects such as native tree planting schemes and the like, to try to offset my carbon footprint, but there’s always an imbalance. I do what I can within the constraints of everyday living, as do a lot of others. I’d love to see the ranch.”

He held out his hand and smiled warmly. “Come on then, I’ll introduce you to Sweet Water.”

Without hesitation she slipped her hand into his and accepted his help up. He felt a small thrill at the feel of her slender fingers entwined with his. Keeping a hold of her hand he led her through the house to the front door.

“Here, take my sister Janet’s spare hat, we don’t want that pale skin getting burned.” He plucked a straw cowboy hat from a peg and carefully placed it on her head, absentmindedly tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers briefly grazed her neck as he put both hands on her shoulders, leaned back and regarded her at arm’s length. “Just like a cowgirl, all you need now are the boots.”

She smiled. “Thanks, with my skin it’s either ghost, tomato, or,” she shuddered and grimaced, “more freckles.”

“Freckles look cute,” he offered.

“Yeah, on a six-year-old.”

He shook his head with a smile. “My Irish Granddaddy used to say that a face without freckles was like a night sky without stars.”

She looked pleasantly surprised at his comment.

“Irish? Well that explains your gift of the gab.”

“To be sure,” he said, affecting an Irish accent.

Not wanting to overdo the charm, he dropped his arms and held the door open.

“This way, if you please.”

He couldn’t help appraising her slim waist and nicely rounded, pert ass as she walked past him murmuring a thank-you and looking a bit perplexed. What he really wanted to do right now was wrap her legs around his head and wear her like a feedbag. He tried to clear his mind of such thoughts and launched into a brief description of the ranch.

“There has been a house here as far back as 1840, but nothing remains of the original except for a small cellar. Rydens have been here since 1880 and the family slowly consolidated the Ranch to the size it is today, twelve thousand acres plus five hundred on long-term lease. The main activities are cattle and oil, although we have a few fields of crops, mainly for supplementary animal feed.” He slipped his hand lightly under her elbow to guide her down the steps to the yard, pointing out the buildings and what they were. “This is the main nerve center of the ranch, but because it’s a large spread we have a few satellite bases scattered around, some with temporary buildings and modern conveniences, like where the oil wells are concentrated. Others are little more than camp sites, usually near a source of water.”

“I’d like to see those.”

“The best way to get a feel for the place is on horseback. I’d be happy to take you on a tour but it’ll take a few days to see a good cross section.”

“Thanks that would be great. I can ride and I’m dying to try out an American saddle. I’ve heard they’re really comfortable. Maybe I could take a wee tour after the wedding? If you don’t have time perhaps one of your men could take me?”

Like hell.
“I should be able to spare a few days and I’d like to personally check on the spread. Want to see the horses?”

They went to the stables and paddock area, and he introduced her to the men working on the fencing. He noticed that they shyly gave Shannon appreciative glances. He was unprepared for the twinge of possessiveness that tweaked his tail.

“I’m giving Shannon a short tour of the ranch, so carry on without me,” he explained curtly.

“Oh, please don’t let me interrupt your work. I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You’re no bother, darlin’, it’s my pleasure.” He had an idea and quickly steered her away toward a work truck. “I’ll take you to Look Out hill to get a good view of the ranch house and surrounding range.” He opened the truck door turned on the engine. “Wait a minute to give the AC time to work before getting in because it’s hotter than hell in the cab. Be careful that you don’t brand yourself with the seat belt buckle. I just need to have a quick word with Isabella, our housekeeper.”

James walked swiftly to the house and phoned Josh. He explained that Shannon had turned up and suggested that they surprise Rachael by meeting on Look Out hill and having a picnic lunch. Josh said that they were only twenty minutes away and he’d meet them there. James asked him to pick up the picnic from the house on the way and then hung up to find Isabella, who was cleaning upstairs. He asked her if she wouldn’t mind making a little picnic for four people with a few beers thrown in. Although he wanted to spend some time alone with Shannon, he thought that it might be a good idea to chalk up some brownie points, figuring he’d need them later. He also wanted to get further into Rachael’s good books as she could be an important ally. When he returned Shannon was still waiting outside of the truck.

“You look happy,” she commented.

“Got a surprise for you later, but interrogation ain’t allowed,” he said as he gave her his best friendly-guy grin.

He opened the truck’s door for her and, with hands spanning her waist, boosted her up into the passenger seat. It took all his self-restraint not to cop a feel. Keeping his hands balled into fists he stepped back and shut the door before walking over to the driver’s side and jumping in.

* * * *

James drove the big utilitarian ranch truck down a track heading in the opposite direction from the way she had arrived.

“It’s only a fifteen minute drive. Feel free to ask any questions.”

Do you have a girlfriend? Do you have a big cock and can you use it? How many times can you come in a night? Are you good at eating pussy?
Oh crap!

“I read that land fragmentation, due to urbanization and the conversion of natural rangelands and crop land to improved pastures, has resulted in a significant loss of natural habitat. It’s apparently the biggest threat to wildlife and the long term viability of agriculture in Texas.”
Oh, God, I’m babbling like an uptight geek.
Not only a ginger but also a nerd.

“Yeah, unfortunately that’s true although it tends to be more of a problem with smaller ranches of five hundred acres or less. Larger ranches of two thousand acres or more tend to keep the natural range. The Nature Conservancy of Texas is trying to consolidate large tracts of land to protect the natural habitat, but obviously it’s costly.” He sounded knowledgeable and not at all put off by her comments.

“Do you have an environmental management plan for the ranch?”

“Nope, but it might be a good idea. Know someone who could do it?” He was watching the dirt road but she could see the corners of his mouth turn up in a cheeky grin.

“Oh I’m sure that I could come up with a name.”

What was she playing at? She was supposed to be here for a month at the most and taking a break from work.
The ranch would make a very interesting piece of research.
The thought snuck in from nowhere. No, with regret she realized that was a much longer term commitment, and she didn’t have the time or the resources.

James pointed out little things of interest along the way like the new calves, water holes, and old-fashioned, wind driven water pumps. She found his voice pleasant to listen to as they rattled along the track heading toward a small copse of trees on the brow of a hill. They came to the top and stopped just on the edge of the trees, in a patch of shade. James dived out and opened her door before she’d even unclipped her seat belt.

“The view is pretty good from here.” He sounded excited and pleased to be showing her the sight.

As she got out and looked around, she saw that he wasn’t kidding.

“Would you look at that. The ranch looks like a doll’s house from up here.” She smiled, taking in the beautiful open vista of the rangelands. The sky seemed farther away than anywhere she’d been before.

“If you look through these binoculars you can see the woods where Rachael’s cabin is located.” He handed her the binoculars and stood behind her pointing over her shoulder to where she should look. Shannon became hyper aware of his proximity, and it felt good, too good. She took a deep breath to steady herself and savored the slow, delightful shiver creeping down her spine. In the distance she could see a trail of dust following a vehicle moving along the same dirt road they’d used.

“Hey look, someone’s heading this way.”

“Mmm, I wonder who that could be.” He murmured close to her ear and she had to actively remember to breathe.

He didn’t appear too curious or concerned. Gently taking her hand he led her into the trees. Shannon gasped because in the middle were three graves side by side. The middle grave was Eleanor Ryden; either side was Peter Ryden and John Ryden.

“Our parents died in a car crash eleven years ago. Dad Peter and Mom died instantly, Dad John a few days later in hospital. Josh was twenty-one, I was seventeen, and Janet was only ten. Josh dropped out of college to look after us. He completed the course and final exams two years later, but by then he’d already been successfully running the ranch and our other business concerns. I went to college and got my degree in Engineering. Now I like to be hands-on at the well sites and around the ranch. Josh is a great brother but has been so much more, especially to Janet. He literally took on the role of our parents. He held it all together.”

“I’m sorry for your loss; it can’t have been easy for any of you. Not that it’s any consolation, but this is a beautiful place to rest.”