Page 41 of Snow Kisses

His hands gripped the steering wheel until his fingers went white. “Don’t make it any harder than it already is,” he said under his breath. “Let’s forget today ever happened, Abby.”

“That suits me,” she said. She stared out the window as he started the truck and gunned it back onto the road. She wasn’t going to cry, she wasn’t. She’d thrown her pride at his feet once too often already. He couldn’t wait to be rid of her, and she was just as anxious to get away from him. The torment of loving him was too much. As far as he was concerned, she was just a city girl amusing herself by playing up to him, and nothing was going to convince him otherwise. What a horrible opinion he had of her. Only a man who thought her utterly contemptible could have treated her as he had.

She drew in a shaky breath. It had been so beautiful at first, feeling the hunger raging in him, knowing that he wanted her that much. Until he told her what he really thought, and she realized that it was only physical desire with him after all. Why hadn’t she remembered what he’d said the night before about sex being a lousy foundation for a relationship? Well, she rememberednow, and she wouldn’t forget again. She’d harden her heart and grit her teeth and pray that the three weeks left would go by in a rush. Cade would never get close enough to hurt her again. She was going to make sure of that.

Chapter Ten

Melly’s wedding day was a flurry of last-minute preparation, with caterers all over the house and wedding guests arriving in droves even as Abby was helping her sister get into the wedding gown she’d designed.

“It’s just heaven.” Melly sighed, looking at herself in the mirror. The dress had a keyhole neckline, and it was lavishly trimmed with appliquéd Venice lace. The veil of illusion net that went with it fell from a Juliet cap down to drape over an elegant train. The sleeves were pure lace, the skirt a fantasy of satin and chiffon and more lace, and the Empire waistline featured a row of the most intricate tiny roses in contrasting oyster white. With Melly’s blond hair and fair skin, it was sheer magic.

“I can’t believe I actually finished it on time,” Abby murmured as she made a last tuck in the hem.

“I can’t believe you actually designed it,” her sister replied. “Abby, it’s the most gorgeous thing! Jessica will just die.”

“I hope not,” came the amused reply. Abby sighed, thinking about what might have been. She’d have to refuse that attractive offer now. It would only have worked if she had stayed in Montana. And, of course, that was impossible. Cade had done everything but move away to keep the distance between them. He wasn’t ever at home now, finding excuse after excuse to be up with the dawn and out until bedtime. Sometimes he even camped out with the men in the line cabins, shocking Calla, who gave up on keeping his supper for him and started sending his meals up with Jeb and the boys.

“Melly, be happy,” she said suddenly, breaking out of her reverie.

Melly turned, her eyes sparkling and full of love and excitement, her hands trembling with anticipation. “How could I help but be, when I’m marrying Jerry?” she asked. Her joy faded slightly though, when she looked at Abby. “Darling, what’s gone wrong between you and Cade?”

“Nothing that hasn’t always been wrong,” she replied with a cool smile. “Don’t you worry about me on your wedding day! Let’s get you married, okay?”

“Are you sure you can cope with the computer and all the extra work?”

“I can cope,” Abby said quietly. Impulsively, she hugged Melly. “I want years and years of happiness for you. I only wish our parents could be here, to see what a beautiful bride you make!”

“Maybe they’re watching,” came the soft reply. “Did you see the flowers, Abby? Wasn’t it grand of Cade to let us have the wedding here? All those guests…”

“…will probably have the opportunity to take a look at the bulls he’s selling while they’re on the place,” Abby finished with a bitter smile.

“Shame on you,” Melly said gently. “You know how generous Cade is.”

Abby flushed and turned away. “We see him in different ways, though. I wonder if he’ll show up for the ceremony?”

“He’s best man—he’ll have to.” Melly laughed. “Think you can walk down the aisle on his arm without tripping him?”

“I’ll fight the temptation, just for you. You’ll listen for the music?”

“I’ll listen. See you downstairs.”

Abby smiled. “See you downstairs.”

She walked out into the hall, checking her own long, V-necked lavender gown for spots or wrinkles. It was sleeveless, and her hair was pinned elegantly atop her head. She carried a bouquet of cymbidium orchids, and she was shaking with nerves. This would be her first wedding, and while she was honored to be her sister’s maid of honor, she would rather have been an observer. The hardest thing of all was going to be standing beside Cade at that altar.

She went down the stairs and stopped dead when she caught sight of a redheaded Amazon standing in the doorway. Ignoring the ranch wives, some of whom she knew, she made a beeline for the newcomer, knowinginstinctively who she was. Cade, watching from the cleared-out living room where the ceremony would take place, scowled darkly when he saw her bypass the country women to rush to the elegantly dressed newcomer.

“You’ve got to be Jessica Dane,” Abby said immediately.

The towering redhead grinned. “How’d you guess? It was my beaming smile, right?” She laughed, towering over Abby in her three-inch heels. Barefoot, Jessica would have been almost six feet tall. With her red hair and pale skin and big black eyes, she would have drawn eyes anywhere, even without the mink stole and vivid green silk dress she was wearing with matching shoes and bag.

“You must be Abby, then,” Jessica said, extending her hand in a firm, warm handshake. “Come on out to my car for a minute, and let me show you what I brought! Have we got time?”

“A few minutes, anyway.” Abby laughed. She went out with Jessica without a backward glance, unaware of the dark scowling face watching her.

“These were just some of my lines,” Jessica said when they were seated in the Lincoln Continental’s comfortable interior, and Abby thumbed through several catalogs, admiring the fashions.

“They’re very good,” she said finally.

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