The Rancher's Hand-Picked Bride

“I don’t play matchmaker for my clients. I merely tell them if what they see is what they’re getting or if there’s a hidden side to the person they’re dating that they should be aware of.”

Morning Hawk rose, approached Gwen and took her hands in hers. “Please, do this for me and promise me that you won’t tell Jess I’ve guessed his game.”

“I don’t feel right taking money for this.”

“Don’t be silly. You’ll be doing your usual investigation.” Morning Hawk’s expression became sage. “Besides, if this prodding of mine does make him decide to get married, you wouldn’t want to let him fall into the clutches of the wrong woman just because you refused to help me weed out the bad ones.”

Gwen wanted to say that she was sure Jess could take care of himself, but Morning Hawk had planted just enough of the seed of guilt to force her to admit that if he did pick unwisely it could be partially her fault. “Even if we warn him, I doubt he’ll listen to us,” she said, wishing she’d never gotten involved in this in the first place.

“At least we’ll know we tried,” Morning Hawk countered. “Now I want your promise that you’ll keep this conversation between the two of us.”

“I owe you a large debt, but you’re asking a lot. I don’t like to deal in lies.”

“These are just little white ones and for a good cause.”

“I’m not so sure Jess would see it that way.”

“Please. I’ve communicated with the spirits and they’re leading me now just as they led you to me years ago.”

Memories of that dark night so long ago when fear had caused Gwen to run from her home came vividly back to Gwen’s mind.

“Promise me you’ll see this through,” Morning Hawk coaxed.

“It’s against my better judgment, but all right,” Gwen relented, adding, “I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t owe you so much.”

“You’ll see, you’re doing the right thing.” Morning Hawk gave Gwen’s hands a motherly squeeze. “Now eat some breakfast. You’ve got work to do.”

Gwen leaned back in her chair and stretched. She’d moved a table and chair into her bedroom and set up her computer there, then spent all morning checking the easily available records pertaining to the women Jess had chosen.

At first, she’d locked her door. But both Lilly and Morning Hawk had dropped by to see her for various reasons and, not only had it been inconvenient to have to get up and unlock the door each time one of them knocked, but the look of surprise they’d given her when they’d discovered she had locked the door had made her feel foolish. And so, in the end, she’d not only left the door unlocked but open as well.

Bootfalls in the hall warned her of someone approaching. Even before she turned her head to see who had come to a halt in the doorway of her room, she knew it was Jess. The hairs on the back of her neck had always prickled slightly when he was around and right now they felt like the spines on a cactus. Suddenly she found herself wishing the door was not only locked but bolted as well. Silently she cursed herself for allowing him to have such a strong effect on her.

“You sure you aren’t cramped in here?” he asked.

Gwen turned and grinned dryly. “You’ve never been in one of the rooms at Mrs. O’Grady’s boardinghouse, have you?”

“Can’t say as I have.”

No, of course he wouldn’t have ever been there, she mocked herself, her grin vanishing. Mrs. O’Grady ran a clean, respectable place but it was way across the tracks from anywhere the Logans would go. Except maybe Jess’s brothers. They’d probably been in the neighborhood chasing down criminals. She rose, her manner crisply businesslike. “This room suits me just fine.”

Jess studied her. “Sounds like you’ve lived in some pretty tough neighborhoods. Now I understand the bat.”

She met his gaze. “You don’t understand anything.” The moment the words were out, she regretted them.

Jess’s gaze narrowed. “What don’t I understand?”

“Look, I’m hungry. I’m going to see if Lilly has lunch ready.” Her tone let him know she considered their conversation over.

Jess shook his head. “I’ve never met a woman as closemouthed as you.”

“Most men would be grateful for that. Isn’t ‘women talking too much’ one of your major complaints?” He was still blocking the doorway. Normally she would have pushed past, but recalling the effect of contact with him, she chose not to get too close. “Would you mind moving out of my way?”

Jess took a couple of paces back into the hall.

Passing him, she headed toward the kitchen, only to hear his footfalls behind her. She glanced impatiently over her shoulder, then stopped and turned back. “Do you have some reason for dogging my tracks?”

“I came to tell you that Lilly has lunch ready,” he replied in an easy drawl.

As usual, in Jess Logan’s presence, she’d overreacted. She handled being around other men just fine…always remaining in cool control. But he seemed to bring out the worst in her, causing her to suddenly be terse and impolite. It’s not him; it’s me, she admitted grudgingly. Something about him threatened her control. He was so darn…virile. This thought shook her and she shoved it from her mind. “Thanks,” she said in a level tone. Wanting to put distance between them, she again started down the hall.

Jess fell into step beside her. “Didn’t you get bored sitting in that room all morning? You could have said you wanted to do some visual surveillance and run into town.”

“I was doing my preliminary workups.”

He frowned. “What for? This is just a game to pacify Morning Hawk.”

“She’ll expect to see some paperwork.”

“She may, but I don’t. I figure if I’m interested enough in a person, I’ll find out what I need to know myself, in my own way.”

“That’s exactly what a lot of the women I end up working for said the first, second and third times around before they finally realized how devious some people can be and came to me.”

“I’m not the victim type.”

Gwen had to admit that was her feeling, too. Still, a cautionary cord in her caused her to say, “Anyone can be a victim when it comes to love.”

“I suppose. But I’m willing to take my chances.”

She told herself to drop the subject, but heard herself countering with, “Don’t forget the old adage, The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

“So, I’ll just have to make sure that when I fall, the woman I choose will be the kind who won’t let me get hurt.”

Gwen found herself hoping that same thing. What startled her was the strength of that hope. It came very close to feeling actually protective of him.

“You got hurt? A fence barb get you?” Morning Hawk questioned sharply, catching the last three words as Gwen and Jess entered the kitchen. “Let me see.”

“We were talking about women.” Jess’s gaze leveled on his great-grandmother. “I don’t intend to get hurt by one. And especially not because I let someone push me into something I’m not ready for.”

“I’m just giving you a little nudge. I’m not shoving you off a cliff.”

Lilly eyed the group, her hands on her hips. “If you ask me, I think Jess should be left alone and allowed to get married when he’s ready and not before.”

Jess gave Lilly an approving look. “Thanks.”

Lilly’s gaze focused on Morning Hawk. “Meddling in other people’s business, especially their love life, can bring results you least expect,” she warned. Then clamping her lips shut to indicate she’d said all she felt she needed to say on this subject, she returned to putting food on the table.

Morning Hawk regarded the housekeeper indulgently, then turned to Gwen. “You should go out with Jess this afternoon. You need to know as much about him as possible to find the right match.”

“I really don’t think tagging along after him is necessary,” Gwen protested, silently cursing the elderly woman for what she considered pushing this charade much further than was necessary. “Besides, I don’t know how to ride.”

Morning Hawk regarded her patronizingly. “Then it’s time you did.”

“I really…”

“You might as well give up now,” Jess interrupted. “She’s not going to stop until she has her way.”

“But I’m sure you’re much too busy to teach me how to handle a horse.”

“I feel certain you of all people will pick it up very quickly,” Jess returned. “All you need to do to make a horse behave is let him know that you’re not scared of him and consider yourself in command. You’re too tough to be afraid or to give an inch in your authority.”

He made her sound hard as nails. And the truth was that she prided herself on being just that. But for some reason, hearing him say it made her feel subhuman. “Some people don’t have it as easy as others. They have to learn to be tough to survive.” Immediately she clamped her mouth shut. Why was she always blurting out things in front of him that she’d never said aloud to anyone else before? Beetles, she cursed mentally.

“I didn’t mean to sound critical,” Jess apologized. Then he added, “Well, maybe I did a little. I’m used to women showing at least a semblance of a soft side.”

Back in control, Gwen managed a shrug of indifference. “Well, just consider me one of the guys.”

“That’s an excellent idea.” Morning Hawk broke in, smiling broadly at Gwen and then turning her grin on Jess. “Men always tell each other things they wouldn’t tell a female and Gwen needs to know as much about you as possible to find the perfect match.”

Both Gwen and Jess frowned at her delight, then turned their attention to their food.

Chapter Four

With an outward show of confidence to mask her inward trepidation, Gwen entered the fenced grazing area adjacent to the stables with Jess. Jess whistled. A large black stallion looked their way. Gwen had the distinct feeling the animal had known they were there all along, but was waiting to hear them announce themselves. Then with an easy grace, the horse turned in their direction and approached.

Gwen took an involuntary step backward as the animal reached Jess and bent his head toward the cowboy.

“Afternoon, Raven. Looks like we’re going to have company on this ride.” In an aside to Gwen, Jess added, “He won’t bite. You can step forward again.”

She hated the fact that she’d shown even a moment’s cowardliness in front of him. With a long step closer, she placed herself right next to the beast. “Good boy,” she said firmly, and patted his neck the way she’s seen people do in the movies.

“I can’t believe you live in Texas and haven’t learned to ride,” Jess commented, as he slipped the lead halter on Raven.

Raven moved slightly and, with every ounce of control she could muster, Gwen managed to stop herself from jumping away. Instead, she sidestepped as gracefully as her shaky legs would allow. “I’ve never had any need to.”

Jess smiled. “I told you there’s no reason to be skittish around Raven. He’s a lot gentler than he looks.”

Gwen continued to eye the horse cautiously. “I prefer to stay away from anything too big for me to throw.”

Jess’s smile broadened. “So that’s why you’ve always kept me at arm’s length.”

A confident smiled curled one corner of her mouth. “Oh, I can throw you. I have a black belt in karate.”

Jess continued to grin. “Maybe someday we’ll just have to see about that.”

Gwen had never felt so tightly strung and the temptation to release some of her tension by proving to him right then and there that she wasn’t being flippant was strong. But even as her body prepared to toss him, something deeper stopped her. It was a very peculiar reaction to the thought of physical contact…something between excitement and terror. Again she recalled sharply the effect his hand had had on her arm and the currents of electricity his simple brushing against her in the kitchen had sent through her body. Drawing a deep breath, she shut down her body’s fight mode. “I don’t think so. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

Jess’s smile vanished, and he regarded her narrowly. “Don’t you ever joke or have any fun?”

“Not when I’m on a job.”

Jess turned to Raven. “I’d watch my step with her,” he warned the animal.

Raven snorted and nodded his head as if he’d understood.

Jess turned back to Gwen. “I’ll cut Lady Grace out for you. She has an easy lope.” Swinging up onto Raven’s bare back, he nudged the horse and they headed to the far side of the fenced area.

“Raven and his master are well paired,” she muttered, recalling the animal’s almost human reaction to Jess’s warning. Well, he and his master could mock her all they wanted. What any male thought about her—what any person thought, she corrected—didn’t matter to her.

A strong nudge on the middle of her back sent her forward. “What do you—” she growled, turning around to confront her assailant. The words died when she found herself face-to-face with a chestnut horse. And there was, she was sure, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

In spite of the animal’s size, she found herself thinking that he was like a little boy, playing a game. “Don’t think you can get away with pushing me around,” she warned him sternly.

He cocked his head to one side as if sizing her up.

Remembering what Jess had told her about handling horses, she placed her hands on her hips and said curtly. “Behave yourself.”

The chestnut straightened and took a step forward.

“Oh, great. A horse who bucks authority,” she muttered. Unable to stop herself, she took a step back only to find herself up against the fence.

The horse nudged her shoulder gently, then stepped back.

Suddenly realizing he was asking to be her friend, Gwen experienced an overwhelming sense of delight. “Okay, tough guy,” she said, moving forward and patting his neck. “Or should I say tough gal?”

“Tough guy was correct,” Jess said riding up with a gray mare on a lead rope.

Gwen continued to grin at the chestnut. “So, what’s his name.”

“Cantankerous.”

“Cantankerous?”

Jess dismounted. “He earned it.” Nodding toward the stables, he added, “Come on. We’ll get these horses saddled and you can have your first lesson.”

“See you later, buddy,” Gwen said, giving the chestnut a final pat on the neck, before falling into step beside Jess.

The gray she noticed seemed almost lethargic and definitely disinterested in her. An elitist, she decided. She’d never been fond of elitists. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Cantankerous was following and a hint of a smile played at the corner of her mouth.

“I’d rather ride the chestnut,” she heard herself saying without even realizing she’d been going to speak aloud. Inwardly, a nervous twinge spiked through her. What did she think she was doing? She was a novice rider. She didn’t need a horse that was unpredictable.

Jess frowned. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”

“I thought cowboys were supposed to feel a bond with their mounts. Well, I sort of feel that with Cantankerous.” She couldn’t believe she was arguing with him over which horse she should ride. She was no judge of horseflesh. Still, she thought she saw a plea in the chestnut’s eyes asking her to choose him.

“I suppose there could be a personality match between the two of you,” Jess conceded.

Gwen gave him a dry look. Then in a moment of honesty, she heard herself saying, “You could be right.”

Jess regarded her thoughtfully. “So you are capable of not taking yourself too seriously all of the time.”

“I have my moments,” she replied.

“Great.” He grinned. “There’s hope for you yet.”

His approval caused a warm glow to spread through her. So, maybe she did take everything a bit too seriously. Immediately her jaw tensed. She’d had to learn to be hard in order to survive. “I think I’m doing just fine exactly as I am.”

Jess frowned with impatience. “I was only suggesting that you could lighten up a little bit.”

Her shoulders stiffened with dignity. “And I choose to stay the way I am.”

“Stubborn,” Jess muttered, releasing Lady Grace.

Gwen breathed a sigh of relief as he turned his full attention to saddling the horses. In spite of her bravado, he made her want to relax her defenses and show the softer, more vulnerable side she kept hidden from view. Fear suddenly washed through her. No, her inner voice ordered. Every instinct screamed that lowering her defenses could be dangerous and the protective shield she kept around herself once again solidified.

“Time to mount,” Jess announced, cutting into her thoughts. “Always from the left,” he added.

“That part I know.” Rounding the horse, she grasped the horn of the saddle and tried to get her foot up into the stirrup. It was a stretch she couldn’t quite make. “I didn’t realize how tall he was,” she said looking around for a bucket to give her some height.

“Here, I’ll give you a hand up.” Jess cupped his hands in the shape of an open stirrup. “Hold on to the horn and get ready to swing up into the saddle when I give you a lift.”

Gwen nodded, firmed her hold on the horn, then slipped her foot into his hands. The contact unexpectedly caused her legs to weaken. She couldn’t believe it. He was wearing heavy gloves and she was wearing boots, yet heat was rushing through her as if they were touching skin against skin.

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