Chapter 14

They took the jeep because he ruefully told her that he had been forbidden to ride just now. And repairs were going on all over the ranch. He had suggested the drive because he wanted to show her ‘his special place'.

He had driven for a few miles when he stopped at a patch of land where they came upon a white picket fence that was closed. Shutting off the vehicle, he alighted, coming around to help her out.

"Where is this?"

Linking his fingers through hers, he walked towards the gate and swung it open to reveal the most beautiful bower of flowers she had ever seen.

"It's where my mother is buried." Drawing her towards the towering trees that seemed to give shade with their overhanging branches, he gestured towards the black gilded headstone that read: ‘Precious and beloved wife, mother and daughter-in-law'.

"She adored flowers started the greenhouse and insisted on growing organic vegetables. Her gardens were always a showpiece and her roses won first prize every single year." He told her proudly.

"It might be because of her standing in town." She teased him, admiring the splash of colors and the beguiling scent of them.

He squeezed her hand, his expression somber. "She was beloved. And had the most generous spirit I had ever seen. She was kind and compassionate and insisted on full health benefits for all the ranchers, including their children. She would organize treats for them and even had people coming in to teach them different arts."

"She was sophisticated without being a snob and she laughed a lot. It helped that she was also loved. Dad adored her and when they were together you could see it. He was always touching her and was so proud of her, that it was almost embarrassing." She glanced at him, her expression wistful.

"It's something to be proud of. I never had that. Yes, my parents loved each other somewhat, but it was a kind of selfish love that excluded others. I swore to myself that when the time comes for me to be with someone, I would avoid anything like that."

"I brought a blanket and something for lunch. I thought we could sit here for a little bit." Letting go of her hand, he went to the jeep to grab the things.

Putting the basket down, he spread the fluffy blue blanket on the lush grass and drew her down. Propping his back against the thick tree trunk, he pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Whenever I have a very difficult decision to make, I would come here and believe she was listening to me."

His hand wandered up and down her arm slowly as he gazed at the headstone. "I lost a couple of men to a freak accident just last year and I questioned myself and my ability to lead them. Gramps and Dad assured me it was not my fault, but I didn't believe them."

"Why not?"

Tipping his head down, he smiled into her eyes, the love inside him blooming. "It was a chaotic year. We had lost several crops due to heavy rains and a terrible winter and several of the animals had fallen ill due to a mysterious disease.

The men had gone to investigate the well over on the east side and somehow had managed to slip and fall inside the damn thing. It appeared that the ground there was boggy after days of rain and we weren't aware of the danger."

He shook his head, the sadness still washing over him. "It bothered me for weeks and I could not get over the tragedy. They had wives and children. We provided for them, but their men folks were gone and nothing we did could ever compensate for that."

"Is that ranch life is all about?"

Tipping his head down, he searched her face and saw the unspoken question there.

"I am never going to take unnecessary risks."

"Like you did a few days ago? You went after your men and could have been killed." Tipping her chin up, he met her gaze squarely. "I am a cowboy. These men work for me, for us. Every single day, they get up at dawn and are on the job.

Countless things can happen. We have machinery that can be dangerous if handled the wrong way. A few years ago, one of the men got trampled by a horse and we had to put that horse down. Someone fell off a roof at one point and other things can happen.

It's a hell of a big place and some of the lands are uncharted territory." He stroked her chin. "I have been at this since I was a child and I know the risks and what to avoid. More now than ever, I have everything to live for, so I am going to be mindful of that."

His voice had deepened, and his eyes darkened. "You mean everything to me, and I believe I have proven that much to you." Bending his head, he brushed his lips against hers, sending tremors through her body.

"Did you bring her here?" She asked when he finally lifted his mouth from hers.

"No." His heart was beating like a drum inside his chest and his body felt shattered.

"Somehow it never felt right, and she kept going on and on about how foolish it was not to let go of the dead." He shook his head. "The signs were all there and I refused to see them."

"What about us?" She lifted her hand to touch the strong jaw. "I am an outsider Taj and worse than that, I am an actress, a public figure. What are your instincts saying about us? And I would like you to be honest."

"Have I ever lied to you before?" he asked her quietly. "My instincts are telling me that you are already my wife. We have not said the vows yet, but my soul is aligned with yours. The first time I saw you that early morning, I knew you, I recognized you and knew that you were the one. It might sound fanciful, but I am being honest."

She shook her head. "How is this going to work?" She cried. "I am not certain that living in a small town is something I can ever do."

"We have a private jet and a helicopter- "He grinned at the look on her face when he mentioned the machine she had traveled in when he was in the hospital. "Whenever you have to go somewhere, I will take you. I am also a licensed pilot."

"Of course you are." She murmured dryly, settling back in his arms. "I have to go back home soon."

"Then we will go together."

Turning her head, she stared at him. "Afraid that I am never coming back?"

"Something like that and I would also like to meet your mother and see your former home."

"Former home?" She arched a brow at him.

"Yes. Former."

"My mother is a bit of a difficult person."

"I am an ace in dealing with difficult people. I want her to like me, darling."

"She does not even like me."

"I want to at least try." Lowering her down on the blanket, he started to unbutton her blouse.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" he asked with a grin as he finished opening the blouse up.

"We are out in the open and it's broad daylight."

"I thought you Hollywood types are used to baring your flesh in public." He was busy unfastening the clasp of her jeans.

"We are, but this Hollywood type is not used to having sex in a public place, in broad daylight." She was already dissolving as he stroked his fingers over the tautness of her stomach.

"We are completely sheltered, and the men know better than to disturb us."

"You told them we were coming here?" she bit off a moan as he kissed her nipple through the sheer lace of her bra.

"I mentioned it to Ben, yes." Unhooking the bra, he eased it off her shoulders and resumed toying with the rigid flesh. "He knows enough to make certain they are kept away."

"We have a bed." She whispered, fingers digging into his hair.

"But this is more fun. With the wide-open sky and the beauty of nature all around us- "

"And your mother's grave a few feet away, seems a little sacrilegious."

His deep chuckle warmed her skin as he pulled the shirt over his head.

"She would have understood."

Her hands wandered over his smooth chest, fingers gently touching the bruises that were still evident. "You could have died." She whispered huskily.

"But I am still here, and I promise that I always will be."

"You had better be."

"I promise," Covering her body with his, he took her lips in a searing kiss that was a prelude to the heated lovemaking to follow.

*****

"Where is he?" Theodore dragged his hat off his head and raked his fingers through his damp hair. The air outside was muggy and humid. The stickiness after a particularly dreadful storm.

"Out with Dani." Thomas glanced up from the book he was reading, marking the page with his finger.

"I see. Shouldn't he be resting?" Walking over to the recessed cabinet, he touched a button and reached for a glass and a bottle of scotch.

"He looked fine to me." Putting away his book, he watched as his son moved to sit on a chair in front of the desk. "You still don't like her."

"I don't trust her with my son's heart." He muttered.

"She is in love with him."

"And we thought that woman was in love with him too."

"No." His father shook his head. "I warned him from the very first time that woman was not right. My instincts are never wrong in these matters. When Marion came here, I knew she was right for you. Dani loves Taj and I have a feeling she is going to make him a terrific wife."

"Wife?" Theodore's head jerked upright. "He has proposed?"

"He has."

"And she said yes?"

"Not yet."

Rising, Theodore walked over to the window to stare out at the dazzling sunshine. It was difficult to believe that only a few days ago, it was pouring down rain. Now the earth was practically dried up and there was steam coming from the ground. "She might not say yes." He muttered.

"I think she will, and I would advise you to get on board with the relationship. I have never seen my grandson so happy and she is the cause of it. You can relate. Marion brought out that light inside you and Dani does the same for your son."

Turning to face his father, Theodore swirled the liquid in his glass thoughtfully. "I don't want to see him hurt."

"The boy is not a boy anymore and I for one am looking forward to seeing some tiny feet running up and down in this big old rambling house. It's time."

"We'll see."

*****

"Shall we tell them the news?"

"Taj- "

"I am trying to persuade this woman of mine to let us have a June wedding."

They were having dinner in the formal dining room, and she had dressed for the part. She had told him she did not feel comfortable staying with him while his grandfather and father were in the same house.

"I thought you were the one who wanted to shack up." He had teased her.

"Stop using my words against me."

Giving him an exasperated look, she glanced at the other two men at the table. "We are still trying to work things out."

"What is there to work out?" Theodore asked, picking up his wine glass and taking a sip as he stared at her. "Either you love him enough to say yes or not."

"Dad- "

"No." Dani shook her head to cut Taj off. "I can answer for myself." Giving Theodore a level glance, she continued. "You don't trust me; I get it and I know why. I might understand your reservations and the lack of trust because you do not know me.

I am a straight shooter, and I am here because I want to be. This was not something I planned and I- "She took a fortified sip of her wine. "I am a city girl, and I am torn." She turned to look at Taj who sat there still, his eyes on her.

"Before I met you, it was simple for me. My career was the most important thing in my life and without a doubt, I knew that it was my calling. It was also my escape from the life I had, and I enjoyed every minute of it." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "But now I cannot go back to that life. Ever since I met you, I have been torn."

"And now?" He asked her hoarsely.

"I love you, you idiot. I have never been in love before and it's scaring the shit out of me."

Grinning at her confused expression, he sidled his chair closer and took her hands. "We spent all night and day together and your first declaration of love, his here and now. In front of my father and grandfather?" He chided her gently.

"It just came out. What am I going to do?" She whispered.

"You are going to marry me and become my willing and obedient wife." His grin widened as she cast him a pulverizing glance through shimmering dark brown eyes. Lifting her hands to his lips, he kissed them tenderly.

"Sweetheart, I am with you, no matter what you decide, and as I said before as long as you are with me, I am okay. You don't have to give up your career. I kinda love having a sexy diva as my girl."

"You would," she muttered darkly. Squeezing his hands, she moved forward onto her chair and placed her forehead on his. "God help us." She whispered.

"He will." Tilting her head up, he kissed her softly.

"Now that's settled," His grandfather began in a gruff voice that had them turning towards him. "We should make plans for the wedding." He looked at his son for confirmation.

"I think we should have it outdoors near the arbor where your mother is buried. She should be part of the ceremony." He smiled at them fleetingly. "Congratulations you two." His light blue eyes wandered over Dani's face.

"I think you will be good for him."

"I think so too." Rising, Taj drew her out of her chair. "And if you would excuse us, I think we need to celebrate this wonderful news in private."

"I will send up a bottle of the finest champagne with one of the maids," Theodore called after them.

"Thanks, Dad."

"What?" Theodore inquired when he noticed his dad looking at him.

"That was very well done."

Shrugging, Theodore reached for his glass and took a sip. "You were right of course. They love each other." A smile played around his lips. "They remind me of Marion and I." he laughed softly. "She would have liked Dani."

"I do believe that's the first time you ever called her by name."

"I suspect so." He mused. "She is no pushover."

"No, she isn't." His father agreed with a fond smile. "And she is so right for him. They are happy."

His son nodded. "Something I have been praying for Taj for a long time. She is going to make him a very good wife."

"And very soon, we hope, she will make this place ring with the sounds of children laughing. I am hoping for four."

His son's eyebrows lifted. "Four?"

"Yes." The older man grinned. "Two of each. This place is too damn big, and I want to be able to bounce my great-grandchildren on my lap."

"The thought of being a grandfather is appealing to me."

"Then shall we drink to that?"

Theodore eyed him for a moment and then smiled. "Just this once."

*****

"We could use the jet."

Her upper body was sprawled on his taut stomach, her hair streaming over one shoulder as she propped her head on her elbow.

The champagne had been sent up and the bottle was almost finished. He had celebrated the news of their engagement, by making love to her until she was almost in tears. He could do that to her every time, and it scared her just a little.

"Sounds lovely."

"When do we leave?" His green eyes were focused on her exquisite face, softened by the intense passionate lovemaking they had just indulged in.

Work was going on all around the ranch and usually he would be out overseeing matters, but being here with her was just what he wanted. For the first time in his life, his responsibilities as a rancher were not uppermost in his mind.

"What's on your mind?" he asked her quietly. He was settled back against the pillows and watching her closely. For an actress, she had a very expressive face, and he could see that something was bothering her.

"My mother. And I don't like the fact that you are able to read me so easily."

He grinned at her disgruntled look. "I happen to love you excessively and because I am so besotted, I can read every nuance of your expression."

When she rolled her eyes at him, he could not help but laugh. "What about your mother?"

"I have to tell her before we go."

"Naturally. What's the problem?"

"The problem is – I don't want her living with us."

"She currently lives with you now?"

She nodded. "When her career ended, she started coming around and complaining that she did not have enough money to sustain her lifestyle." Shifting slightly, she made herself more comfortable.

"She had not been saving and her ostentatious lifestyle put her in a lot of debt. I am the complete opposite. I adore clothes and have a passion for art, but buying paintings and antiques are more like an investment for me."

She shrugged. "Anyway, I had no choice but to have her live with me." Her eyes met his. "She interferes in every aspect of my life, and this was a woman who did not give a damn whether I was alive or not when I was growing up."

Tucking the hairs from her face, he trailed a finger down her cheek. "This is a very big ranch." He reminded her gently.

"I am not sure I want her here."

"She might not want to live here."

"Oh, she will," Dani said wryly. "You are a multi-billionaire, and she is going to want to be part of it. When I first started making a name for myself, she courted the press, promising them stories about me for a price. It was only when I threatened to cut off her supply of money, that she reluctantly gave it up."

She shook her head. "She is my mother and my feelings for her are ambivalent. I have not loved her Taj for a very long time, which has bothered me. I used to ask myself the question- she is my mother, am I not supposed to love her?"

"After what she put you through, it's only natural for you to feel the way you do." Tucking his fingers under her chin, he stared at her levelly.

"I will not have you beating yourself up about something like that. Being a parent is a privilege and a responsibility. Yours shirked theirs and almost ruined your life. The fact that you turned out so wonderfully well, had nothing to do with them."

She felt the tears again and the lump forming inside her throat. "I find it incredibly amazing that since the short time I have met you, I have cried more times than I ever did in my entire life. I am not certain it's a good thing."

His smile turned whimsical as he stoked her cheek. "I think it's a very good thing. It means you are not the quick-ass diva people think you are."

"And that right there is ruining my reputation." She grumbled. Her expression softened. "I told you I loved you in front of your family, now I am telling you in the privacy of this very masculine bedroom. I love you, Taj Bryne. You are the man I never dared dream of and more. I want to be with you for the rest of my life and I don't want to wait."

"In that case, shall we elope to one of those tacky chapels in Vegas and get hitched?" he asked huskily.

"And have your father and grandfather hated me? No. I want a proper wedding where I will be wearing a horrendously expensive off-white dress with all the trimmings."

"Expensive?" He lifted a brow at her.

"We can afford it." She pointed out, just as he hauled her up on top of him.