Page 46 of Fairy Tale Husband

For the hour following Peter’s departure, Wynne finished setting the dining room table, turning their conversation over in her mind as she did so. She kept coming back to the same concern. Why hadn’t Jake told her what to expect? Was he just going to drop it on her right before their guests arrived? It didn’t make sense.

By midafternoon, everything was ready. The silverware shone, she’d polished the fine cherry wood table to a lustrous finish and arranged the flowers Peter had given her in a silver bowl as a centerpiece. All she had left to do was shower and dress.

Jake entered the bedroom just as she emerged from the bathroom. “I saw the table. You’ve done a wonderful job. Thanks.”

“I wouldn’t want Randolph to have room to complain.”

He grinned. “That won’t stop him. But I appreciate it, even if he doesn’t.”

“Have Dusty and the boys left?” she asked.

“Just now. They’re thrilled at the idea of camping overnight with real cowboys. Chick was so excited, Ithought the words would bust right out of him.”

“He’s going to talk soon. Iknow he will.” Every day the knot of tension and grief that gripped his small body eased a little more. She literally lived for the day when the dam holding back his words finally burst wide open. “Everyone’s been so good to him. You. The townspeople. Dusty and the other wranglers. He feels comfortable with all of you. More importantly, he feels safe.”

“I’m glad. He’s a good kid who’s had a rotten break.” He took a deep breath, as though gathering strength, and approached. “Listen, Ineed to talk to you,” he said, coming up behind and slipping the towel from herhead.

Here it comes, she thought. Now he’ll tell me the truth about this dinner. “Is there a problem?”

“No problem. But I think you should know. Judge Graydon may ask you some questions.”

“What sort of questions?”

“About our marriage.” He combed his fingers through her damp hair, caressing her nape. “He’s a nosy old man, so just humor him, okay?”

“But you want me to answer his questions?”

“Yes. I’ll cut him off if he goes too far.”

She turned around, about to reveal what Peter had told her. Then she looked into Jake’s eyes, the words dying on her lips unborn. Fierce pride and determination glittered within his golden gaze and in that instant she discovered the answers to all her earlier questions. He hadn’t told her the truth about the dinner because he was protecting her, she realized with a sense of wonder, trying to shield her from potential hurt, just the he had when Randolph had accosted her at Belle’s. Just the way he had with the snake. He hoped to pull off tonight without her ever having realized the true purpose of the evening.

Her knight was geared for battle.

“Oh, Jake,” she whispered. “Have I ever thanked you for coming into my life?”

He shut his eyes, the muscles knotting in his jaw. “Every day, elf.”

She slid her arms around his neck. “It can’t possibly be often enough.” More than anything she wanted to whisper three tiny words. Three precious, life-altering words. Ilove you. Though it would give her intense joy to speak them, it would cause him intense pain and conflict. And she wouldn’t make his life more difficult, not after all he’d done for her and the boys. Unable to resist, she gave him a soft, gentlekiss.

He groaned, his arms tightening around her. “We don’t have time for this, do we?”

“Not really. Not if we want to greet our guests when they arrive.”

“We could always leave the front door open and put out a make-yourself-at-home sign. If we’re long enough, the judge won’t even have to ask—” He shut his eyes, his mouth forming a thin, tautline.

“What we’ve been up to?” she finished lightly.

He released his breath in a gusty sigh. “Yeah.”

“How could they doubt it?” she teased. “What woman could possibly resist a man like you?”

His laugh rumbled close to her ear. “You’re pretty damned irresistible yourself. Put some clothes on, wife, while I take a shower. Otherwise, I’ll say to hell with our guests and take you to bed for the next twenty-four hours.”

“Tempting, Mr. Hondo. Very tempting.”

He kissed her, an intense, passionate kiss that told her more clearly than words how much he wanted her. It gave herhope.

Or was it falsehope?

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