Chapter 12: PLAN
It shouldn't have been irresistible, Rose told herself later. She shouldn't have automatically reached up and placed her hand on Andrew's. Later on, tossing between white sheets in the quiet bedroom, she would wonder why she had gone like a magnet to him and let him weave her through the crowd and take her in his arms. She would tell herself that he didn't have a clue that she was the same woman who fell into his arms last February, who tiptoed out of his hotel room and thought she'd never ever have to divulge what she'd done. She would close the curtains against Texas moon and promise herself to be gone within forty-eight hours, no matter what Francisca said or did.
But for now, she was in his arms. He didn't smile.
Instead he counted the beats out loud for her to follow as he held her waist and her hand and guided her through the steps.
They danced two fast songs without stopping for breath, with Andrew holding her several inches away from his body so she could look at her feet and count the beats along with him.
She only stumbled twice. Then an enthusiastic Texan knocked her against Andrew's hard chest, and she suddenly forgot how to count to two.
"WHAT ARE YOU going to do with her?"
Andrew ignored the question and nodded toward the six horses prancing in the corral. "What are you going to do with 'them'?"
Bobby leaned against the fence watched Andrew sip his streaming mug of coffee. "I'll get the job done," Bobby promised. "Francisca wants to see what I do. You are not going to go back on the deal, are you? I mean, you are taking the auntie off to see quilts or stuff like that, right?"
Andrew rested his arms on the railing of the fence and tried to hide his smile. He looked at the horses instead of the kid. "Antique shops," he said. "We are heading to South to Marysville."
"Marysville?" Bobby voice brightened. "That's two hours from here."
"Yeah." Andrew had gotten out of Texas guide book he'd bought last week and altered his plans for the ancient auntie. There were plenty of stores closer to the ranch, but Andrew wasn't interested in making this a short day. Not for what he intended, which was to keep Rose with him until dark. "We might not be back for dinner," he said, Turning toward Bobby. "But I'm sure you don't mind."
"Heck, no," the kid said, grinning like he'd just won a round of poker. "Francisca and I can figure out something to do."
"Not with Mrs Martin watching you, you won't."
The kid shrugged. "I can figure something out."
"Keep your hands off the girl until you know if you are getting married." Andrew held Bobby's gaze.
"Or the only place I'm going today is to town to order more feed."
"Geez, Andrew," Bobby groaned. "This isn't fair."
"So?" Andrew took another sip of coffee and wondered what he would do if the boy didn't agree.
He'd be hard pressed to give up his day with Rose, but he damn well wasn't going to leave her with Bobby thinking he could do whatever he wanted with his guest. If Rose thought her niece and Bobby were having sex in the barn-and anywhere else they damn well pleased-he'd never get her to go off with him again. "You can save the fireworks for your wedding night."
"I'd better get married pretty damn soon," Bobby grumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets and turning toward the house. "Come on, Gus," he said, as the dog galloped around the corner of the feed shed.
"You will survive," Andrew said, thinking of his own sleepless night knowing Rose was within driving distance.
"I didn't think you'd be like this, Andrew."
He wasn't sure why he was acting this way, either, expect he wanted Bobby married and settled as soon as possible. And he wanted Rose back in his bed. And as soon as possible. "The ladies are our guests. 'your' guests," Andrew amended. "There's no way the aunt is going to leave you alone with Francisca if she thinks you are up to no good."
"Well, I want the aunt to like me."
"Yesterday's roll in the dirt wasn't exactly getting off to the right start." He clapped the boy on the shoulder and started off toward the ranch house.
"Let's go see if the women are up yet." He looked at his watch. "I wouldn't mind being on the road by nine. And you promised to do my work, too, today, so I could haul Aunt Roro around, remember?"
"Yeah."
"There's bill to pay," Andrew reminded him as they approached the back door. "And you will need to balance the accounts and..."
"Whoa," Bobby yelped. He hesitated before the door and didn't let Gus inside. "You are piling it on aren't you?"
Andrew shrugged and tried not to laugh. Just a typical Saturday, kid. Your are usually so hung over from Friday night that you sleep until afternoon on Saturday. It's good to see you up so early."
Bobby swore under his breath, but grinned the second the door opened and Francisca was on the other side smiling at him
"I thought I heard you," she said, looking extremely pretty in faded jeans and a pink tank top.
Andrew felt sorry for Bobby until he reminded himself of the havoc the young man had caused since he was twelve and discovered girls.
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