Chapter Sixteen
Abby paused, a heaping platter of fried chicken in her hands, and surveyed the table. This was the first time they’d had company over to eat since she and Tate had married and she wanted everything to be perfect.
She’d found a white linen tablecloth in the cedar chest in their room and it was now spread over the table. Sparkling dishes were arranged with military precision in front of each seat. She only wished there had been fresh flowers to use as a centerpiece. She’d planted some in the garden, but they were just starting to come up.
Placing the chicken next to the other bowls, she did a rapid inventory of the food. Mashed potatoes, homemade biscuits, gravy, corn on the cob, baked beans and cole slaw. Would it be enough? She nibbled her bottom lip fretfully. She knew how much Tate and Buddy could put away and today there would be a third male at the table.
A low whistle sounded from behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder. Tate had just come through the back door, his smile slow and sexy as his gaze ran over her. Abby blushed furiously even as her heart flipped over at the sight of him. Did he really get handsomer every day, or was it just the way she was looking at him now? Handsomer, she decided. And sexier. “How’s the colt?”
He crossed the room and scooped her into his arms. “Not even half as pretty as you are.” He inhaled deeply. “You smell so damn good.”
She grinned up at him, sliding her arms around his neck. “That’s fried chicken you smell.”
“No, that’s you.” He nuzzled her ear. “New dress? I don’t remember seeing that one before.”
“Um.” Her eyes drifted closed. “I made it.”
His lips trailed down and around to her nape. “New hairdo, too.”
Abby’s eyes opened. He sounded altogether too casual for some reason. “You don’t like it?”
“I love it. As a matter of fact, you look fantastic.”
She relaxed, her lips curving up in a smile. “So do you.”
“Me?” He pulled back and gazed down at her. “I’m not the one that’s all dressed up. This is the way I look every day.”
“I know.” Abby leaned into his body. “You look fantastic every day.”
“Is that right?” He was smiling now, too, as his lips brushed hers. “Even when I’m not wearing clothes?”
His low voice sent shivers down her back. “Especially when you aren’t wearing clothes,” she murmured.
“Guess I’m going to have to start going naked more.”
Abby laughed at the image of Tate working around the ranch buck-naked. “That could be dangerous.”
“That’s me. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my woman happy. Walk through fire. Fight tigers. Face heavy machinery bare-assed naked.”
Abby went still, all traces of laughter fading from her face. His woman? He couldn’t have meant that the way it sounded. He was just teasing her.
“Hey,” he lifted her chin and ran his thumb over her lips. “That was supposed to be funny.”
“I know.” She gave him a wan smile then slipped out of his arms. “Do you think that will be enough food or should I fix something else?”
His gaze lingered on her for a second then turned to the table. “I think it depends. Did you invite ten other people and forget to tell me about it? ‘Cause if you did, we may have a problem.”
“It’s just Joe.” She went to the oven and took the apple pies out, setting them on a trivet to cool.
“Then I think there’s probably enough.” His hand touched her arm. “Abby, did I say something wrong?”
“No, of course not.” She went to the table and straightened the silverware.
Tate hesitated. “Do you need help with anything?”
“No, it’s all ready.”
“Well, I guess I’ll go get washed up.”
“Okay.”
She didn’t even look up, Tate noted as he went into the bathroom. Something had upset her. One minute everything had been fine and dandy, and the next she wouldn’t even look at him.
His mind ran back over every word he’d said. She’d been laughing right up until he made that comment about heavy machinery. He replayed his own words and suddenly groaned.
His woman. Abby must have thought he was making fun of her, although he wasn’t sure how she’d reached that conclusion. Tate stared at his own reflection in the mirror.
Why had he said it? True, she was a woman and, technically speaking, she was his. But he’d never been the possessive type. It had sort of just slipped out all by itself. He certainly hadn’t meant anything by it.
Or maybe he had. Maybe somewhere down inside he was starting to think of Abby as his property. Hell, no wonder she’d gotten upset. He’d be mad too if someone started acting like they owned him. He’d do better, he vowed. No chest pounding, no dragging her off to bed at the drop of a hat. Tate grinned. Well, at least not more than twice a day.
He heard Abby’s laughter as soon as he stepped out of the bathroom. Good. She was back to normal again. He glanced at the clock, wondering if Joe was going to make it on time. The wondering lasted just long enough for him to reach the kitchen door.
His best friend was standing hip-shot, one hand braced on the countertop while he grinned at Abby. She had her whole face buried in a gigantic bouquet of flowers and her delighted laughter still rang through the kitchen.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful, Joe.”
“Nowhere near as pretty as you are, Abby. You’re looking mighty fine today.”
Tate’s jaw clenched when she blushed.
Obviously flustered, Abby turned to the cabinet. “I’ll just put these in a vase— Tate!” She smiled at him. “Look what Joe brought. Aren’t they lovely?”
“I suppose.” He stepped farther into the kitchen. “Joe.” He gave him a curt nod then glanced at Abby. “I didn’t know you liked roses. You should have said something. We could have picked some up in town the other day.”
She filled a vase with water and added the flowers, adjusting them carefully. “I don’t think I knew. At least it never occurred to me.” She touched one of the petals with a gentle finger.
“No need to go buy any. Mama’s flower bed hasn’t been cleaned out since she moved in with my sister. I’ll bring you some starts tomorrow. She planted every kind of rose bush she could get her hands on.”
“Are you sure?” Abby was looking at Joe doubtfully. “I’d hate for you to ruin her flowers.”
“Won’t hurt them at all. In fact, it’ll do them good to thin the bed out some.”
“In that case, I’d love to have them.”
Tate watched as she carried the flowers to the table and put them in the middle. When the hell had her walk gotten so damn sexy? The extra pounds she’d put on in the past few weeks had filled out her curves, softened the lines of her body. And the outfit she had on emphasized every one of them.
He took a fast peek at Joe to see if he’d noticed. He’d noticed all right. His gaze appeared to be glued to Abby’s bottom. Reflexively, Tate’s hands clenched at his sides and he moved to block Joe’s line of sight.
Abby straightened, looking surprised when she almost ran into Tate’s chest. She gave him a slightly puzzled smile, her gaze running over his face. “Everything is ready. Why don’t you two sit down and I’ll get Buddy.”
Silence fell as the men took their places at the table. Joe cleared his throat.
“Sorry I came down on you so hard Friday, Hoss. Guess I need to learn when to keep my mouth shut.”
“No problem.” Tate suddenly became interested in the silverware.
“Hell, I can tell you’re still mad at me.”
“I’m not mad.”
“Okay.” Joe was staring at him speculatively, a half-smile playing on his lips. “Hear you got a new colt.”
Tate’s head came up. “Where did you hear about that?”
“Abby told me when I called yesterday.”
And just why hadn’t she mentioned to him that Joe had called? He was still worrying about that when Abby and Buddy came in. He’d barely registered their presence when Joe was out of his chair like he’d been sitting on springs.
As Buddy claimed the chair on one side of the table, Joe pulled the other one out and held it for Abby. She hesitated, like she wasn’t quite sure what to do, then sat down, smiling her thanks as Joe scooted her up to the table.
Tate glared at him. “Since when did you develop manners?”
“When the lady deserves them,” Joe shot back.
Buddy was looking back and forth between the two men. Apparently he decided not to comment for once, and started helping himself to the food, passing each item on as he got done with it.
“How’s that truck running, Squirt?”
“Fantastic!” Buddy beamed at Joe. “I got the insurance on it yesterday and I’m driving it to school Monday so I can get the tags after classes.” He dived into the food on his plate. “I’m thinking about getting it painted at the end of the summer. I should have enough money saved up by then. But I can’t decide what color to put on it.”
“Abby, what’s your favorite color?” Joe smiled at her.
“Blue,” she said promptly.
Now why the hell hadn’t he known that, Tate thought? She was his wife, damn it. He should know things like that. His irritation was increasing in leaps and bounds.
“There ya go, Buddy,” Joe continued. “Paint it blue.”
“Well, I was kind of leaning toward red, but blue might be okay.” Buddy tilted his head thoughtfully. “Yeah. That metallic blue, the one with the glittery specks in it.”
“Don’t forget that the biggest part of what you make is going in your college fund.”
Buddy frowned at the tone of Tate’s voice. “Geesh, who put a burr under your saddle? I know where the money’s going. I can sand the truck down myself, and get the paint at a discount down at Jepson’s Body Shop. I don’t think that’s gonna ruin my future educational plans.”
Abby was looking at him strangely, too, and Tate decided it might be better to just shut up for the rest of the meal. Even though he seemed to have lost his appetite, he forced himself to eat while the others chatted. It was the longest meal of his life.
Joe scooted his chair back and rubbed his stomach. “Abby, that was the best meal I’ve had in years. If you ever need a job, you can come cook for me any time.”
“She doesn’t need a job,” Tate muttered.
Abby shot him a quelling look before smiling at Joe again. “Thanks, Joe. You know you’re welcome to come by anytime. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get this cleaned up.”
Joe stood. “I’ll help you. Least I can do to pay for my meal.”
Tate leaped to his feet so fast his chair almost turned over. “If she needs help, I’ll give it to her.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Abby threw her hands up in the air. “Tate, can I talk to you in private for a minute?”
Like he had much choice, he thought darkly as Abby practically dragged him down the hall to his office. And it wasn’t helping a bit that he could hear the sounds of hysterical laughter coming from the kitchen.
As soon as they were inside, Abby closed the door and turned on him. “What in the name of God has gotten into you? Joe is your best friend and you’ve been downright rude to him this evening. Is there something I don’t know about? Did you two have a fight?”
“Not exactly.” Even to himself he sounded sullen.
“Then what’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Tate, look at me,” she ordered. “You barely spoke a word during the whole meal and when you did you almost bit Buddy’s head off. Don’t stand there and tell me nothing is wrong.”
“Okay.” Tate tried to collect his thoughts. He wasn’t sure he could tell her what was wrong. Hell, he wasn’t even sure he knew, but she didn’t act like she was going to leave him alone unless he came up with something.
“I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
“Joe? You don’t like the w-way…” She sputtered to a halt, staring at him in amazement. She propped her hands on her hips. “Just out of curiosity, how is he looking at me?”
This was going from bad to worse in a hurry. “I don’t know. I just don’t like it. You’re my wife, not his. Can’t I offer to help with the dishes without causing a major catastrophe? It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve helped you.”
She was still staring at him suspiciously. “No, but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen you so eager to do it that you knocked a chair over trying to get to the sink.”
“I didn’t knock the chair over.”
“You came awfully close.” She stepped nearer. “Are you feeling okay? Do you have a temperature?” She put her hand on his forehead.
Tate almost groaned. “Abby, I’m not sick.” But maybe he’d just thought of a way out of this. “I think I’m just tired. Neither one of us have been getting a lot of sleep lately.” And they both knew why.
When she flushed, Tate couldn’t stop his smile.
“Maybe you should go to bed early tonight.”
He pulled her into his arms, his lips brushing hers. “I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day. Especially if you go with me.”
“I’d love to.”
Tate sighed happily when she kissed him back, long and hard. How could he go from feeling so miserable one minute, to on top of the world in two seconds flat? Maybe Abby was right. He just might be coming down with something.
* * * * *
Abby put the last of the dishes away then glanced around the kitchen to make sure everything was in order. She’d settled the dispute over who got to help her by running everyone out of the kitchen. Even now she could hear the murmur of voices from the front porch. Mostly Joe’s and Buddy’s, true. But at least Tate was adding an occasional comment.
She shook her head in bewilderment. Now that she thought about it, he’d been acting kind of strange since he’d gotten home Friday evening. Maybe it had something to do with Diane getting married.
Whatever the problem was, Joe and Buddy both seemed to think it was pretty funny. As soon as Tate and Abby had walked back into the kitchen they’d dropped their conversation like it was a ticking bomb. But that hadn’t stopped them from practically bursting out laughing every time they looked at each other.
When Tate had demanded to know what was so funny, it had set them off again. Even as they wiped tears of laughter off their faces, they had denied everything.
Abby hung the dishcloth over the draining pan to dry, thinking about the conversation with Tate in his office. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the man was jealous. But of course, that was a silly idea. Why would he be jealous of a woman he hadn’t wanted to marry in the first place?
As soon as she appeared on the porch, Tate shifted to make room for her next to him on the swing. When she sat down, he draped his arm casually across her shoulders and shot Joe what she would have sworn was a defiant look.
Joe grinned at her. “Heard Hank brought you some chickens, Abby. How’s it going?”
She smiled ruefully. “Remind me to give you some eggs before you leave. I had no idea a dozen eggs a day would mount up that fast.”
“Didn’t have any trouble getting them? Most city slickers don’t know a thing about gathering eggs.”
Holding her hand up, she studied it. “Well, I did get a few bites the first couple of days, but I think they’re getting used to me. At least, now they just ignore me unless I’ve got food.”
Joe laughed. “Chickens can’t bite. No teeth. They peck.”
“They sure do,” Abby responded fervently. She suddenly became aware that Tate was surreptitiously tugging on the hem of her skirt. And if he didn’t stop he was going to pull it right off of her. The elastic she’d used in the waist was already slipping down. She slapped at his hand and he stopped, giving her a hurt look.
Still smiling, Joe stood. “Well, guess it’s time for me to head home. If Tate yawns one more time he’s going to suck down a bumblebee and I’d really hate to see him choke.”
Buddy leaped to his feet. “I’ll walk you to the truck.”
“Thanks, Squirt. Abby, thanks for dinner. One of these days I’ll return the favor if you aren’t afraid I’ll poison you.” He touched the brim of hat. “Goodnight, and I’ll run those roses by tomorrow. Tate.” He gave him a curt nod.
Buddy glanced back at the porch to ensure they were out of earshot before he spoke. “I only want to know one thing. What the heck did you do to get him that jealous?”
Joe laughed. “Squirt, I don’t have a clue, but it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. I would have bet good money that Tate didn’t have a jealous bone in his body.”
Buddy cackled, holding his sides for support. “Did you see him trying to pull Abby’s skirt down?”
“He caught me looking at her legs,” Joe howled gleefully.
“You were doing it on purpose.” The teenager wiped tears from his eyes.
“Dang right, I was. You don’t expect me to miss an opportunity like this do you? It’s the most fun I’ve had in years. And you know what’s even funnier? He doesn’t even know what’s wrong with him. That brother of yours is about as dumb as a sheep when it comes to some things.”
Buddy finally got himself under control. “Just don’t push him too far, Joe. Not much telling what he’ll do.”
“Don’t you worry none, Squirt. I’ll ease up on him in a few days. Maybe by then he’ll figure out what’s going on.” He opened the truck door and climbed in. “’Night.”
“’Night, Joe.”
Buddy waited until the truck pulled into the driveway then walked back to the porch. Tate and Abby were still sitting on the swing.
“You gonna tell me what you two were howling like hyenas over?”
“Me and Joe?” Buddy gave him an innocent look. “Not a thing.”
Tate glowered at him and Buddy decided discretion was the better part of valor. “I’ve still got a little homework to do. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
When he was safely inside the house, Abby started shifting on the swing.
“What are you doing?”
She frowned at Tate. “Trying to get my skirt back up. You pulled it half off.”
Suddenly she was on his lap and the skirt was sliding in the wrong direction. “Tate!”
He gave her a wicked grin. “I’d much rather you took it off than put it back on.”
“But I’m not wearing a slip and we’re right out in the open!”
“Yeah, I noticed that. But it’s almost dark. Why waste time going upstairs?” His fingers ran around the edge of her panty leg.
“Buddy—”
“Will be upstairs the rest of the night.” He reached the goal he’d been searching for.
“Oh…” Abby breathed the word out on a sigh of pleasure.
Tate gave a sigh of his own when she arched into him, her head buried in his neck. His lips brushed her temple even as his fingers continued their task. “That’s it, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Just let go. I love the way you feel, Abby. I could do this forever. And you like it too, don’t you? Especially when I do this.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Oh, Tate.”
When she climaxed in his hand he was ready for her. He held her thrashing body tightly to him and captured her scream with his lips. Abby always screamed when she climaxed and nothing in the world had ever tasted sweeter to him.
He cuddled her limp form until she began to stir, his hands running over her soft skin.
“I can’t believe you did that,” she spoke into his neck. “And you didn’t even…well, you know.”
“Wife,” he said with a smile, “I’m just getting started. This is one night you’re gonna remember for a long, long time.”