Brides & Bargains. Maureen Child

During this time together, she vowed to learn as much as she could about the man she had lived with for a decade, and she would do whatever that required.

      “I found Fiona Shakir to be quite friendly,” she said, breaking the silence.

      “And clearly quite fertile.”

      “Would you please stop deriding her for choosing to have children?”

      He pushed aside his empty plate. “I’m not deriding her. I’m simply stating the obvious.”

      Nasira opted for a change of subject. “What should we do this afternoon?”

      His smile arrived as slowly as the sunrise. “I know what I would like to do for the remainder of the day.”

      Stay strong, Nasira. “I would like to hear your plans, as long as they involve remaining vertical.”

      “I’d say that’s altogether possible and in my opinion, preferable during a lengthy ride.”

      Images of being taken against a wall plagued her. “Need I remind you of our agreement?”

      He rubbed his chin. “I do not readily recall any clause prohibiting horseback riding.”

      She tossed her napkin at him and he caught it in one hand. “You cad.”

      “Cad? What did you think I meant?”

      She pushed back from the table and stood. “Do not play ignorant, Sebastian. Since you’ve arrived, every time you open your mouth, innuendo spills out.”

      He had the gall to grin. “Perhaps you only assume that because you’re having naughty sex thoughts.”

      That only heightened her irritation. “If that were the case, could you blame me?”

      He released a rough sigh. “No, I suppose I couldn’t. You have been greatly deprived, with the exception of last night. However, I would like to make up for that now if you will allow it.”

      She refused to give in so easily. “I appreciate the gesture, but you will have to make up for my deprivation without any expectations in regard to lovemaking.”

      He pushed the chair back, came to his feet and executed a bow. “My lady, I would be honored if you would join me for an equestrian adventure, and I promise no clothes will be shed.”

      She could not help but smile. “Yes, I will join you. And speaking of clothes, I will need to change into something more suitable.”

      He slapped his forehead with his palm. “I didn’t bring anything but slacks and loafers.”

      “Then perhaps we should find something else to do.”

      “No, I’ll travel into town to purchase appropriate clothing. Or perhaps I should say I’ll mosey into town.”

      “Is it worth that much effort?”

      He walked up to her and kissed her cheek. “You are worth the effort. And I need to pick up a few more items that will benefit us both.”

      Before Nasira could respond, Sebastian strode out of the kitchen, leaving her standing there, pondering what he had up his sleeve. She would simply have to wait and see.

      * * *

      Nasira waited for what seemed to be infinity for Sebastian to return, until her patience began to wane. Dressed in designer jeans and fashionable boots, she located the path that led to the pasture and made her way to the stable. She soon came upon a large white rock structure surrounded by paddocks that held grazing mares and a few precious foals. It appeared everything about the ranch fostered new life and that only fed her melancholy.

      When she entered the barn, Nasira found a lengthy aisle lined with stalls, mostly empty until she reached the end of the line where a beautiful bay stuck its head out of the top of the door.

      She cautiously approached to measure the horse’s reaction to her appearance. When she held out her hand and began stroking the thin white blaze between its eyes, she immediately received a soft nicker.

      “Can I help you, ma’am?”

      In response the unfamiliar voice, she turned her head to the right and spotted an older man with white-streaked hair peeking out from beneath his black baseball cap, whiskers scattered about his careworn face. She offered a smile and her hand. “I am Nasira Edwards, the Shakirs’ houseguest.”

      His face relaxed as he gave her hand a hearty shake. “Oh, yeah. I met your husband earlier. He told me the two of you might be wantin’ to take a ride today.”

      “And you are?”

      He raked off his cap and grinned. “I forgot my manners. I’m Hadley Monroe but most people call me Cappy. I prefer that.”

      An odd name but a very cheerful man. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Cappy. I assume you work for the Shakirs.”

      He settled the cap back on his head. “Yes, ma’am. I take care of the livestock and my missus, Annie, keeps the house. That gelding you’re scratchin’ is Gus, or that’s what I call him. He has some fancy name that’s about a mile long.”

      She glanced at the mesmerized horse and smiled. “Do you live nearby?”

      Cappy hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “If you go up those stairs back there, that leads to our place.”

      “Over the barn?”

      He chuckled. “It’s nicer than most people’s houses. The nicest place I’ve ever lived in. Mr. Darin and Mrs. Fiona are good people.”

      “Yes they are.”

      The sound of footsteps drew Nasira’s attention to the stable’s entry to see a tall man striding down the aisle. She recognized the confident gait, the lean, toned body, the charming smile and handsome face. She did not recognize the chambray shirt rolled up at the sleeves, the jeans encasing those long legs or the cowboy boots covering his feet.

      “Well, well,” she said as he stopped before her. “Has there been a British invasion in the western store?”

      Her husband’s smile expanded. “As they say, when in Rome.”

      “Or Royal.”

      “I’m attempting to blend in. Do you not approve?”

      She took a visual journey down his body and back up again. “Actually, I approve very much.”

      “I would think so since you seem to have an affinity for cowboys of late.”

      “Excuse me?”

      “Your friend, Mac, the manhandling rancher.”

      The jealousy apparently had not abated, and that somewhat shocked Nasira, as well as aggravated her. “Oh, nonsense, Sebastian. Please get over that.”

      Without offering a rejoinder, Sebastian reached around her and stuck out his hand for a shake. “Nice to see you again, Cappy.”

      “Good to see you, too, Buck.”

      That turned Nasira around to face the grinning graying ranch hand. “Buck?”

      “Cappy gives everyone a nickname,” Sebastian said. “Isn’t that right, Cappy?”

      The older man touched the bill of his cap. “Yesiree, Buck. I call ’em like I see ’em.”

      Sebastian slid his arm around Nasira’s waist. “What would you suggest for my wife?”

      Cappy rubbed his chin for a few moments. “I can only think of one thing that fits. Beauty.”

      Sebastian laughed. “That would definitely fit.”

      Nasira felt heat rise from her throat to her face. “Surely you can come up with something a bit more creative, Cappy.”

      The man grinned again. “Like I said, I call ’em like I see