She looked a little disappointed, and then nodded her head politely.
“I understand, señor,” she said, although the expression on her face said that she clearly didn’t. He sighed, stepping into the kitchen.
“Hello, Cat,” he said. She whirled to face him, her face filled with surprise and what might even be pleasure.
“Wade, how was your trip?” Cat asked. “I didn’t realize you were leaving.”
“I just needed some time to think,” he said, looking at her ruefully. “This little game of ours is getting out of hand. I wanted to cool off so I wouldn’t make a stupid mistake.”
“You mean, so that you wouldn’t sleep with me?” she asked quietly. “We’re playing with fire, Wade, but it feels so good. If I were a smart woman I’d be screaming at you right now, blaming you for taking advantage of me.” She gave a soft laugh. “But we both know that wasn’t what happened.”
He stepped closer to her, reaching out to touch her chin, tipping her face up to look at him.
“I don’t regret it a bit,” he said. “But that’s the kind of thing that should happen between married couples, Cat. Either that or with a whore. I don’t think you qualify as one of those.”
She blushed, and he leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. They stood still for long seconds, enjoying their closeness, and Wade felt his arousal stirring. No matter what he did, his body hungered for hers. He had a suspicion that nothing would ever change that.
“You know, what’s between us doesn’t just happen all the time,” he said. “We have the chance to build something special. We could be happy together.”
“Happy until you got bored?” she asked, her voice turning cool. “Ryan got bored.”
“Ryan was an idiot and a bastard,” Wade said, leaning back to study her face. He gripped her shoulders, squeezing just enough to catch her attention. “Ryan didn’t care about anybody but himself, and he never did. He was charming and he played you for a fool, but don’t judge me based on his actions. We’re two very different men.”
“I know you’re different,” she said, pulling away from him. “But I think it’s too late for me, Wade. I just don’t think I can trust anyone again, not after what I went through before. I’d rather be free to take care of myself.”
“Even if that means you’re lonely?” he asked.
“I think so,” she said, meeting his eyes. “I can’t take the risk, Wade. All I can offer you is my body, and only for a night or two, until I take the teaching job. That has to be enough.”
He pulled away from her, shaking his head and walking out of the kitchen. How could she be so damn stubborn? He slammed the door behind him as he strode onto the kitchen porch, leaving Maria staring after him with wide eyes.
If they gave her the teaching job tomorrow, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. One thing was certain—he wasn’t ready to give up. Wade hadn’t survived the War Between the States just to walk away from the woman he loved. Hell no.
Cat had better brace herself, Wade thought, because he’d already made up his mind. Time to play dirty.
* * * * *
Catherine braided her hair with care, making sure it was loose enough to frame her face before she pinned the braid around her head in a pretty coronet. She eyed her reflection in the tiny mirror, satisfied with the results. She looked well-groomed, but not too showy. Just like a respectable teacher should.
And Lord, her waist was nice and small with her corset on!
Smaller than she’d seen it in a while. It helped to have Maria there to pull it tight for her. She’d never managed it well on her own. Now if only she could breathe, Catherine thought ruefully. She pulled her new dress over her head, the loose fabric of the skirts floating down around her petticoats. It was a little bright, she had to admit. But she’d never found a blue so exactly like her eyes before, and there had been just enough fabric in stock at Milton’s store. She couldn’t say no to it. Maria’s quick fingers had helped with the detail work. Otherwise it never would have been done in time for the dance.
The dress was perfect on her, Catherine thought as she buttoned it up and across her bosom. Decorous enough for church, but pretty enough for a party. It covered her br**sts fully, but the fabric fitted closely enough to really show her figure to perfection. She couldn’t wait until Wade saw it.
Catherine finished dressing, and then pulled her biggest apron on over the gown. The last thing she needed was to get it dirty as she packed the food into the wagon.
Every woman within miles had spent the day cooking pies and cakes and enough fried chicken to feed an army. They’d eat well that night at the social, and she’d be darned if Sweet River Ranch wasn’t well represented at the supper tables.
The platform wagon and the buckboard both sat ready outside the kitchen, which surprised her at first. Usually they would only take one vehicle. Still, there was a lot of food, plus all the camping equipment, so it made sense. Most of the men would ride their horses into town, but Wade and his father must be driving. They needed room for Maria too.
The girl was already outside, talking brightly to José as he helped her load the baskets of food. Catherine understood a little Spanish, but the brother and sister were talking far too quickly for her to follow.
Then Wade walked out of the house, and she lost interest in trying. He wore a new suit, one he must have ordered in town, because she’d never seen it before. It was made of fine, dark brown wool, with a vest and jacket to match. He wore a new hat too, and his boots had been polished to gleaming brightness. He looked like a prosperous cattleman, the kind of ranching king he aspired to be one day. Not bad at all, she thought. She wanted to slip her hands inside that coat and see if this new side of Wade was as much fun to touch as the cowboy, but she forced herself to turn away, taking off her apron and folding it carefully. Time to let him see her pretty new dress. The expression on his face when she turned back around didn’t disappoint.
“You look beautiful, Cat,” he said, giving her a smile that went all the way to his eyes. “But I think you’re missing something.”
“What?” she asked. He held out his hand toward her, and she saw an exquisite pair of sapphire eardrops lying in his palm.
“Those are beautiful,” she whispered, reaching out to touch one of them. Her finger grazed his hand, and she shivered. His skin was hard, rough, and she knew just how good it would feel running across her flesh. She glanced up at him, eyes bright.