Roping A Runaway Bride Read online

  Several of the men made choking sounds, too.

  "What's the problem?” Sarah asked in a bewildered tone.

  Rafe grimaced. “This coffee's saltier than Hades!"

  Sarah frowned. “It can't be."

  Rafe picked up his cup and passed it to her. What was she trying to do, get back at him for their cuddle this morning? Somehow this childish trick didn't seem like her style, although a week ago he might have thought differently. “Try it.” He watched her taste it. Her eyes widened with surprise.

  "Oh, good grief! I must have mixed up the salt and sugar canisters.” Sarah stood up and started to gather up the cups. “I'm so sorry. I'll go get some fresh cups."

  Rafe couldn't help chuckling. So much for her cooking attempts. They were hit and miss but he sure admired the dedication she put into learning something new. He had to admit that he probably wouldn't have learned something from her world of photography as easily.

  Tab Whittacker, a tall blonde older cowboy, ginned and said, “Hey, Rafe, maybe your wife is dosing you with saltpeter. That's one way to keep a good man down."

  This brought a series of guffaws from the hands. Rafe frowned at the lingering glance Tab gave Sarah as she rushed from the room. Oh, hell. He was getting jealous. Tab was a good hand, and he knew enough not to poach. Rafe smiled, going along with the ribbing. He watched Sarah blush as she entered the room, and thought back to the evening before. He'd almost had her last night. It was a tantalizing taste of what was to come.

  Sarah put a fresh bowl of sugar on the table and walked around, distributing the cups. Rafe watched as Zeke grudgingly took the cup she proffered him. Zeke, who was as close to Rafe as a father, still didn't trust her. He hoped the two would mend their rift because Rafe was counting on her coming to the realization that this was where she belonged by summer's end.

  Rafe's hand lingered on hers for a moment. He felt her pulse race. “So, are the boys right? Are you trying to slip saltpeter into me?"

  Anger flared momentarily in her eyes but then she smiled back at him. “It wouldn't hurt."

  The men at the table responded with laughter. Rafe watched her take her seat at the table with complete aplomb, seemingly unfazed by the sexual double entendre. Yes, sweet Sarah was definitely more than he'd bargained for.

  * * * *

  * * * *

  After Sarah finished the breakfast dishes, she went to the bedroom for her camera. Mandy watched her as she walked back into the kitchen with it.

  "What are you gonna do with that?” Mandy asked.

  Sarah smiled at the little girl's natural curiosity while she began to load the Nikon Camera with thirty-five millimeter film. It was nice to experience old familiar things through a child's bright inquisitive eyes. “I'm going to take a few pictures of ranch life."

  "Why?” There was more than a hint of interest in Mandy's voice.

  Sarah noted Mandy's lingering glance at the inner workings of the expensive camera. “I'm a nature photographer, honey. It's what I do for a living."

  Mandy tilted her head and leaned forward to get a closer look. “I never heard of that."

  Sarah held the camera still so Mandy could get a good look. “If you'd like, I'll give you a few photography lessons."

  Mandy grinned and clapped her hands. “Yes, yes, please."

  Sarah grabbed the sack lunch she'd packed and followed Mandy out the door. They walked toward the corral where there was some kind of commotion going on. “Let's see what's happening, Mandy."

  In addition to her Endangered Species Shoot she decided to do a series called “Western Life,” and feature Rafe's ranch and men. It would give her something productive to do and keep her mind off Rafe.

  "Are we going to ask Zeke to saddle us some horses to take us on our picnic and hike?” Mandy asked.

  Sarah winced at the thought. She'd been afraid of horses since childhood. “No, I don't think so, Mandy. I'm not very comfortable around horses."

  "Why?” Mandy gazed up at her inquisitively.

  "I had a bad experience on a horse once. So if you don't mind, honey, I'd rather walk.” Sarah thought back to her grandfather's insistence that she take riding lessons because it was expected of a young lady, and shuddered. She'd been terrified of the hulking beasts and as a result had a bad fall, breaking a leg. Thankfully after that he hadn't pressed the issue.

  Feeling someone's scrutiny, Sarah looked up and saw Zeke listening. Tab and Travis gazed at her intently from their perches on the fence. She didn't like being spied upon but she supposed she was a novelty to the men. At her notice, the younger men turned away but Zeke scowled at her.

  "That's okay. I like to walk, too.” Mandy ran ahead stopping to clamber up the side of the corral.

  Sarah took in the flurry of activity as they drew near the corral. Men hung around the railing, cheering and watching what was going on in the center. Sarah gasped when she saw a wild, black horse jump off the ground and turn in a half circle. It took her half a second to realize Rafe was astride the animal. Sarah winced at the jarring leaps that shook his body. He could be killed. The horrible thought held her motionless. The horse jumped to the left and pitched to the right. Rafe went flying off the furious animal, landing on his behind in the sand.

  Rafe let out a laugh, got to his feet and walked over to the horse that threw him. He crooned softly to the wild-eyed animal. Sweet sounds came from Rafe's mouth as he put a hand on the horse's shoulder and stroked his palm down its quivering side. It calmed, ears coming forward. Who would've thought such sweet coaxing sounds could come out of the man's throat?

  Sarah scowled, she couldn't be jealous of a stupid animal, could she? She had to turn away from the sight, unsettled by Rafe's carefree attitude. She'd been terrified, and he'd acted like he was having the time of his life. She angrily picked up the camera from its neck strap and began to snap a series of shots. Tab climbed on the back of a fresh horse and she got several great shots of his handsome face. This would definitely sell. The sunlight glinted off Tab's blond hair and muscular, tanned body.

  She smiled, loosening up now that she was in her own element, and moved on to the other busy men. Turning a little farther to the right, she brought Rafe's scowling face into focus. He strode toward her at a furious pace. Sarah snapped off a final shot of his angry face. It would be a keepsake to put this fiasco in proper focus after she left.

  Rafe stopped a few paces in front of her, a frown furrowing his brow. “I thought you specialized in nature photography?"

  Sarah was surprised by his angry reaction and embarrassed by the attention it was drawing. The men nearby stopped what they were doing and looked their way. She let the camera dangle from its neck strap and leaned against the wooden corral. There was no way she was going to let him get to her this time. “There are horses in the shots."

  Rafe crossed his dusty arms in front of his chest and scowled down at her. “There are also cowboys and you're in their way. Knock it off."

  Sarah cocked an eyebrow at his imperious tone. Could the man actually be jealous? She decided to egg him on to see if it was true. “Maybe I should do a beefcake catalog, ‘Men of the West'."

  Rafe put his foot on the bottom rung of the corral and leaned toward her. His expression became more determined, but his voice grew softer. “I said no. Go take pictures of prairie dogs or something."

  Sarah couldn't help staring at the way his worn jeans conformed to the shape of his well-muscled body. He was a walking advertisement for hot, cowboy love, and all she had to do was say the word and she could have him.

  She was tempted. Instead she sighed, turned her back on him. “Fine. I don't have to put up with your foul temper. Come on, Mandy, let's go out onto the south pasture for our picnic."

  Rafe was actually jealous. But what did it mean? Was he really beginning to care for her? She grinned as she heard his parting words because they sounded as confused as she felt.

  "Damned fool woman."

  * * * *


  * * * *

  Sarah took a shot of a hawk swooping majestically overhead while Mandy picked wildflowers nearby. Suddenly, the pristine silence was shattered by the thunder of hooves. She looked to the left. A speeding black horse barreled down on them, followed by several other dark dusty shapes. Sarah shouted, “Get behind the tree, Mandy.” She heard Mandy's high-pitched scream and saw her duck behind the big oak tree they'd spread their lunch under.

  Sarah froze momentarily, then started to climb onto the first branch of the tree for safety when Rafe came into view on his horse, Umbriago. He leaned and Umbriago veered in front of the wild horses, changing their path just in the nick of time. Rafe muttered what could have been a curse or a prayer as the horse stopped short and he turned in the saddle to look at her.

  Sweat ran down his face and his breath was coming hard. A nerve pulsed tightly in his jaw as he sidled his horse up next to her. Reaching up he plucked her out of the tree and pulled her effortlessly onto the saddle in front of him. As he held her close, Sarah was enveloped by the scent of cologne, sweat, and horses.

  He was the most reassuring thing she'd ever smelled in her life. She slumped against him, feeling his heartbeat thunder in his hard, muscular chest. As she lay trembling against him, it began to slow. She was too stunned to even worry about being astride a horse.

  Rafe's voice shook. “My God, woman. You could have been killed."

  Sarah mumbled against his chest. “I know. Thank you for saving me.” She heard the sound of running feet and saw Mandy racing toward them, tears running down her face.

  Rafe turned the horse so it faced her. “Mandy, baby, are you okay?"

  "Yes, Aunt Sarah saved me."

  "I guess that's one more thing to thank you for, wife,” Rafe husked.

  Tab rode up followed by several other hands.

  Rafe said, “Mandy, honey, go back to the house with Tab."

  Tab bent down to scoop up Mandy after giving Sarah a thorough once over. “Everything okay here, boss?"

  Rafe said tightly, “No harm done. They're both just a little shaken up."

  "I can't think how that latch came loose, Rafe. Sorry about that,” Tab added, apologetically.

  "It's not your fault. Somebody must have bumped it."

  Rafe turned to look at Sarah as Tab rode away. “I've got a question for you. Why didn't you get out of the way sooner?"

  Sarah clung to the bouncing saddle and closed her eyes. “I'm scared of horses. I guess I kind of froze."

  "Of all the damned fool things,” Rafe said sourly. “Tomorrow, I'll get you used to them."

  Sarah gritted her teeth. Riding a horse wasn't part of the deal. “I won't get on a horse."

  He chuckled, drawing her up close against him. “In case you haven't noticed, wife, you're on a horse now."

  Sarah scowled at his mocking tone and overly friendly hands, but didn't dare pull away from his embrace for fear of falling.

  Rafe abruptly reined up the horse. Sarah gasped as he swung her off the saddle. Before she could let out the panicked scream caught in her throat, she was standing. She slumped to the ground. Rafe slid out of the saddle and picked her up. He brushed the gravel off the seat of her jeans. “Are you sure you're okay, wife?"

  Sarah pulled away embarrassed by her weakness. “I'm fine."

  His eyes narrowed as he looked her over. “No, you're not.” He scooped her up and carried her all the way back to the house, going inside and placing her on the sofa. Grabbing an afghan off a chair, he carefully covered her with it, tucking it in around her.

  Sarah frowned up at him. “Rafe, really, I'm not some china doll you have to coddle. I'm perfectly fine."

  "I say you're not fine.” Rafe frowned. “Besides, if I want to coddle you, I'm going to coddle you. Now you just sit back and relax and I'll brew you a cup of the tea you like so much. Then I'll go up and check on Mandy."

  Flustered, Sarah sat up. “Oh my gosh, Mandy. I'd better go check on her."

  Rafe gently pushed her back. “I'll take care of it. You sit tight."

  Rafe carried a tray into the living room fifteen minutes later. “Mandy's fine. She was more worried about you than anything else. She's down for her afternoon nap, so you should have some quiet time."

  Rafe set the tray down on the coffee table and handed Sarah a cup of the fragrant tea she enjoyed. How out of place this big cowboy looked pouring tea and how endearing, Sarah thought fondly. “Those horses that stampeded, were they the ones you were breaking?"

  "Yeah. I'm still trying to figure out how they got out of the paddock. I suppose in all the commotion someone forgot to make sure the gate was latched and then something must have spooked them.” He added regretfully, “I'm awful sorry for putting you in danger, Sarah."

  Sarah reached out to touch his arm feeling his contrition. “It wasn't your fault, Rafe. Don't blame yourself."

  "I don't see it that way. I'm your husband. I'm supposed to take care of you. To say nothing of Mandy."

  "But we're not really man and wife,” Sarah said wistfully.

  "We could be.” Rafe gazed at her intently before exiting the room.

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  Chapter Four

  Rafe wandered into the kitchen for a cool drink. He'd been going over his books, a job he didn't relish, and he felt totally wiped out. He'd been having a run of bad luck the last few months, ranging from broken equipment to torn fence lines that hurt his bottom line.

  If his plan to open the ranch to tourists went through, he'd be sitting pretty. Everything hinged on an acceptance for an expansion loan from the bank. Now that he had a more stable home life things were looking up.

  Rafe saw Sarah and Mandy making sandwiches. Their heads bent together as they worked and Mandy giggled at something Sarah said. It made him smile. “Hey, what are my two girls up to?"

  Sarah's head shot up. “We're packing a picnic lunch.” Her radiant smile lit up the room.

  Mandy grinned and skipped up to him. “Aunt Sarah's teaching me how to use her camera. And we're gonna take a picnic lunch with us."

  Rafe sidled up to the table and grabbed one of the peanut butter cookies they had packed. He nibbled on it as he glanced at the fiery top of Sarah's bent head. She studiously ignored him. She'd been more watchful around him of late and he wasn't sure why. It was as if she was waiting for something.

  "It's mighty nice of you to teach Mandy photography, Sarah. Maybe I can take a few lessons from you, too."

  Mandy tugged on Rafe's sleeve, her cherubic face beaming. “Aunt Sarah is lots of fun. She's a really good teacher, too,” she chirped.

  "I'll just bet she is. I wonder what else she could teach me.” He watched Sarah's eyes narrow at the sexual undertone. She was still fighting the sexual attraction between the two of them.

  Rafe stood up, watching Sarah as she put the sandwiches into the picnic basket. He studied her beautiful face. Maybe he didn't know her as well as he thought he did. “So where are you ladies headed?"

  Sarah picked up her camera from the counter and hung it around her neck. “The north pasture. There are some interesting rock formations there, and a nice big shade tree to have our lunch under."

  She looked relieved to be on a safe subject. Rafe narrowed his eyes. He rather liked having her on edge. It made her more aware of him. “That sounds fine."

  Mandy tugged on his sleeve. “Hey, Uncle Rafe, why don't you come along with us?"

  He grinned at the horrified expression that washed across Sarah's expressive face. The tension had been building between them and it was at the boiling point. He had to admit he hadn't been the easiest fellow to live with of late. Being in a state of constant semi-arousal when she was around made him cranky. “Sorry, Mandy. I for one have to work on Sunday.” He saw Sarah's shoulders relax and the predatory male in him made him add, “But I might join you for lunch."

  Mandy grinned. “Promise?"

  He laughed and picked her up. “Promise.” He looked over
at Sarah, standing by the back door, camera slung around her neck, picnic basket in hand. She smiled softly as she watched him nuzzle Mandy's neck. His heart melted at her poignant expression. “I'll see you both at noon."

  Rafe rode his bay gelding over the ridge at quarter to twelve. He saw Sarah and Mandy lying on their bellies on the ground facing a prairie dog mound. He dismounted and tied the reins to a tree. He walked the rest of the way, not wanting to disturb their concentration.

  He saw that Mandy held the camera, patiently aiming it at the burrow. “Is this right, Aunt Sarah? I don't wanna mess it up."

  "That's right, honey. And don't worry about messing anything up, it's good to try new things. Now I'm going to show you how to adjust the lens.” She reached over and took Mandy's little hand, placing it on the mechanism. “See? You slide it like this to bring it into focus. Now look through the view finder and tell me when it gets crystal clear."

  "That's good right there,” Mandy said excitedly.

  Rafe saw a prairie dog sit up on its haunches and look around. Sarah and Mandy grew still.

  Sarah whispered, “Okay, honey, now hold your breath and snap the shutter."

  Mandy pressed her finger down on the shutter. Several shots whirred off in rapid progression. The alarmed prairie dog ducked back underground. Mandy jumped up, grinning. “Thanks, Sarah, that was so much fun."

  Sarah got to her hands and knees, giving Rafe a beautiful view of her generously curved derriere encased in faded jeans. He locked in on the sight like a thirsty man would water.

  Sarah stood and pulled Mandy close for a hug. “You're welcome. I'm glad we could spend time together."

  Rafe's heart stopped in his chest at the sight. Rafe stepped forward and rasped, “Your lunch guest has arrived, ladies. Are you two ready to eat?"

  Sarah spun toward him, her smile bright. “We were having a marvelous time, but now we're hungry.” She reached down to pat Mandy's head. “Right?"