Wildflower Read Online Free Page B

foreman. Or was. ‘Sides, with your pa so sick, you had enough on your mind. The rustlers are getting more aggressive, too. They’re going after medium-sized spreads and not just the small ones. I plan to move the herd to the east pasture this week.”
    “Thought we were wintering that pasture for the fall.”
    “We were, but it’s closer so the men spend less time riding to and from the herd for their shifts and more time guarding it.”
    She rubbed a gloved hand across her forehead. Why hadn’t she had the good sense to be born a boy? If she had, things might be different now. Maybe her father wouldn’t be dead. Maybe rustling wouldn’t be a threat. Maybe she wouldn’t be forced to marry someone who didn’t want her. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.
    She shrugged off the mental despair. “I’m only one person. I can leave once the men are back in their saddles.”
    “You might be only one person, but no one knows these parts better than you. And you’re good with cattle, Matt. Damn good.”
    “Not as good as Roscoe and you let him go.” She shook her head again. “You don’t need me.”
    “Let me be the judge of what I need.”
    “Why is it so dang important that I stay?” The truth chilled her bones. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Just what do you reckon is going to happen between us once we’re married?”
    A tense silence charged the great prairie as they stared at each other.
    “I won’t bed you,” she declared in a hushed voice. “Even if I stay, I won’t bed you.”
    Anger flared in his eyes right before he looked away. “I’m not asking you to.”
    A cut to her pride, but she refused to show it. “Good.” She turned again toward the cookhouse. “So long as that’s clear.”
    “It is. And you’ll stay until after the drive.”
    “I will. Now let’s go get this marriage thing done.”
    Head down against another cold slap of wind, she had to wonder if she hadn’t just made a deal with the devil.
    ~ ~ ~
    Lucifer was having a good, hard laugh at Logan’s expense. He was marrying Matt, but wouldn’t be able to touch her.
    Hell’s fire !
    Gene’s body wasn’t even cold, and the girl wanted to hightail it out of Indian Territory. Logan knew leaving was what she wanted, so it shouldn’t have surprised him. Yet it did.
    Or maybe it was his body’s reaction that surprised him.
    He hadn’t expected his blood to thump through his veins in anticipation of marrying her. Hadn’t expected buried need to swell his cock at the chance of claiming the woman he’d only allowed himself to dream about. A chance which would never be realized if she had anything to say about it.
    At least she was staying until after the drive. Three months. He didn’t hold much hope she’d change her mind, but it was possible. He laughed to himself. Right. Like lassoing the wind was possible.
    He didn’t know who was more stunned at the announcement he and Matt were marrying; the preacher, the old cook or the neighbors. Not that it mattered. The simple ceremony was over in a matter of minutes. No rings were exchanged because none were had. He made a mental note to buy her a band the next time he went to town.
    “I now pronounce you man and wife,” Wilson intoned. “You may kiss your bride.”
    Logan put his hand on Matt’s shoulder and angled her toward him. He hadn’t even held her hand during the hastily repeated vows. Cupping her cheek, he lowered his head. Wariness grew in her Kentucky clover eyes.
    He brushed the satiny skin of her cheek with his lips. A faint gasp escaped her. He repeated the caress on the other cheek. The bright anxiousness in her eyes locked onto his heart and squeezed. He was just about to settle his mouth against hers when the loud clanging of a dropped pot made her jump away.
    All eyes landed on Chuck who had the decency to cringe, if only a little bit. “Sorry, folks,” he apologized. “Handle slipped.”
    Chuck set about wiping up the spilled stew from the table as Logan turned to