Mara McBain (6 page)

“Don’t let them drive you crazy. You’re my wife. You worry about pleasing me.”

She leaned back into his chest and nodded under his chin. “I’m only thinking of you, big man. I want to make you proud.”

“Big man, huh?” he asked with a little chuckle and nuzzled the top of her head.

“It’s a fitting endearment for you,” she said, wishing she could see his face.

She felt his lips curve against her scalp, and he nodded.

“You make me proud. Regardless of what you’ve been told, you’re a good wife.”

“You deserve better.”

“You work hard, and you’re eager between the sheets. A man can’t ask for much more,” he said with a wicked chuckle and then stepped back and swatted her bottom. “No more fishing for compliments.” 

Gen bit her lip as she watched Cole help the petite woman from the truck and reach back in to pick up an adorable toddler. The little girl had raven pigtails, perfect bow lips, and a porcelain complexion that made her look like a doll. She was a miniature version of her mother. They were breathtaking. She reached up to smooth her hair and silently chided herself. Nothing she could do at this moment would make a difference.

“Trey, this is my wife, Rose, and our daughter, Lilly. Rose, my nephew Trey and I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting this wife,” Wade introduced.

Trey held his hand out. Gen hesitated on the threshold and then stepped to his side.

“This is my wife, Genevieve.”

“Now with the introductions out of the way maybe we can sit down to dinner. I for one am famished,” Wade said, stepping past his wife and up the steps.

Trey blocked his path.

“My brother is not your porter. You will help carry your bags.”

Holding her breath, Gen waited for the older man to back down. The look on his face was stunned and indignant. For a long moment it seemed as if he would argue the point with Trey, but he must have finally realized that it wasn’t a request. He turned back to the truck so quickly Cole had to side step him with the little girl in one arm and a large suitcase in his other hand.

“I’ll help,” she whispered, starting forward. Trey’s hand pulled her up. She looked to him in askance.

“Take the baby and Rose in the house. We will get the bags,” he said, his gaze still on his uncle.

Swallowing an ingrained
yes, sir
, Gen nodded and gave his hand a squeeze before opening her arms to take the little girl from Cole. Settling the doll on her hip, she offered an arm to the weary mother. Rose took it gratefully, leaning heavily on her as they mounted the porch and went inside.

The next few minutes were spent dodging a whirl of coats, boots, and baggage as the men carried everything upstairs and Gen put dinner on the table. The meal of ham, mashed potatoes, gravy and fresh bread that had seemed more than sufficient a few hours ago now seemed a little lacking with company at the table. She should’ve made a vegetable. Shaking her head, she added butter and a jar of apple jelly to the table. It was too late now.

Wade pulled out the chair at the head of the table. Gen laid a hand on his arm and motioned to another chair.

“Please sit here. What can I get you to drink?”

“Excuse me, young lady?”

Gen straightened at the man’s tone so that she looked down at him.

“I asked you to please sit here and inquired what you would like to drink with your meal,” she repeated patiently. “Trey sits at the head of the table, as is customary in most households.”

Trey took the chair out from under his uncle’s hand and sat down.

“Pull the stick out of your ass and sit down or don’t eat, but I’m starved.”

Cole took a seat at the other end of the table and looked at the standoff expectantly. Wade’s pale eyes burned into her for a moment, but he sat down. Gen wet her lips as she turned away to fill the rest of the cups and glasses. She had a feeling she’d just made an enemy.

Sliding a knife around the edges of the pan, Gen popped the last loaf of bread free and wrapped it carefully. She smothered a yawn into her shoulder as she mentally checked off preparations for the next day. Breathing in the rich scent of apples and cinnamon, she turned off the stove and set the pan to the side to cool. Another yawn stretched her jaw, and Gen leaned against the counter to rub at tired eyes. It had been a long day. She jumped as warm hands landed on her shoulders, but smiled into Trey’s chest as he just pulled her forward into a hug.

Fresh from the shower and bare-chested, he smelled divine. Wrapping her arms around his solid waist, she luxuriated in his warmth and strength. His big hand trailed up and down her back, and she hummed in pleasure.

“You about done?”

She nodded into his chest and yawned again. He chuckled.

“The bread’s done. I just need to put those apples away so I can warm them up in the morning to go over pancakes for those that want them.”

“That’s a good idea,” he said with a little grunt as he leaned over to look in the saucepan. “You don’t believe in letting anything go to waste do you?”

Gen giggled as she was forced to lean with his big body, but sobered at the question and shook her head.

“When you spend three years wondering where your next bite is going to come from, you learn to make every scrap count,” she said solemnly. “Getting tired of apples are you, big man?”

“Lucky for you, I love apples,” he rumbled, pulling the pins holding her hair free so it tumbled down over her shoulders.

She sighed as his blunt fingers massaged her scalp and trailed through her long tresses.

“Your hair is beautiful. You should leave it down.”

“It’s orange and terribly unfashionable. I just couldn’t bring myself to bob it when everyone else did.”

“Yeah, me neither,” Trey deadpanned.

Gen laughed and playfully smacked his chest. Trey looked down and then back at her.

“Did you just hit me?”

She stopped breathing. Searching his face she prayed for him to crack a smile. Finally she saw the sparkle in his eyes that he couldn’t hide. She would’ve fallen to her knees in gratitude if she hadn’t been holding on to his waist. Leaning forward, she kissed the spot. He grinned.

“All better?” she asked.

“Much,” he agreed, playing with her hair again. “Let’s wrap this up so we can head to bed, Mrs. McCade.”

Smiling to herself, Gen hastily pulled a bowl down from the cupboard and scraped the apples into it. Covering and setting it aside, she started dishwater.

“Just let 'em soak.”

Hesitating, she tucked the bread pans down into the sudsy water and looked back at her husband. He’d sat the apples in the refrigerator and was standing in the doorway. He turned off the kitchen light and crooked a finger at her. Shaking her head, she shut off the water and crossed the room wiping her hands on her skirt. He took her hand and headed up the stairs.

Gen wrapped her arms up around him and stroked his broad shoulders as her husband pressed her into the pillows, nuzzling the side of her neck.

“I would’ve never guessed this would become my favorite part of the day,” she murmured, kissing his ear.

Trey pushed up to look down at her. She felt the blush start to creep over her body at his stare. She was grateful when his eyes dropped.

“Exactly which part is your favorite,” he asked, pushing her nightgown aside.

She closed her eyes as his mouth closed around a nipple. Pressing her lips into his hair, she struggled to stifle the little whimpers that he was dragging from her.

“Is it that, or maybe this?” he mumbled, shifting to rub his hot arousal against her.

“Please. They’ll hear,” she whispered even as her body writhed under him.

“Baby, this is my house. I don’t give a damn what they hear,” he said with a low chuckle. “Every house makes sounds. If they don’t like the ones in mine they can find somewhere else to sleep.”

The crisp smell of autumn assailed her nostrils as Gen crossed the yard, her hand clasped in Trey’s warm grasp. Brutus trailed behind. She’d just been in the process of starting breakfast when her husband had stuck his head in the backdoor and beckoned to her. It felt so good to escape the confines of the house. She bit her lip in shame at the thought. After living in the shantytown, a solid roof over her head was something she was never going to take for granted again, but there was still that little part of her that whispered even a gilded cage could begin to feel like a prison.

The chicken coop’s gloom carried unexpected warmth as they stepped inside. She smiled in delight at a tub of fluffy chicks under a warming lamp. Trey cleared his throat and she looked up at him. He looked uncomfortable.

“I shouldn’t have kept you cooped up in the house. My mama would’ve never stood for that,” he said, looking somewhere over her head. He cleared his throat again. “It’d be best if you didn’t go too far into the woods, not knowing the area and all. You said Brute was good company. I’d like it if you’d take him with you if you leave the yard.”

Peeking up into the rafters in search of what he was finding so fascinating, Gen struggled to find the right words. Why did the man have to find
yes, sir
so offensive when sometimes it was the only answer that applied?
Yes, sir. Whatever you say, sir. I just want to go outside, warden sir.
She giggled, and his head jerked down. She bit her lip. His brows drew together over his strong nose, and she wondered how he could say he was nothing to look at. She’d never get tired of the strong lines of her husband’s face.

“Thank you.”

His frown deepened, and she tried again.

“Thank you for reconsidering and for looking out for me. I promise not to go far, and I will be very glad for Brute’s company and protection. He reminds me of someone.”

Trey snorted at that and relaxed. He glanced to the doorway where the big dog waited patiently.

“We both act like an ass at times and then regret it. He’s just better at admitting it.”

Gen laughed, and she swore Brutus smiled at them.

“If unexpected company shows up, I want you to get to the house. If they’re male, you don’t talk to them,” he said, his voice hardening on the last part.

It was her turn to frown. He’d said last night that he had a jealous streak. Now he didn’t want her speaking to men. She was hardly anything desirous. What about in town? 

“That part’s not open for discussion, Gen,” he said, the rumbles of his voice making the hair on her nape stand on end. “I don’t care if they speak to you first. You keep your pretty mouth shut. I’ll take care of it.”

The tension in the small space was smothering and she nodded hastily, hoping to appease him.

“What if you aren’t there?” she asked softly.

“If I’m not there it isn’t likely you will be,” he said flatly.

“Or if it’s in a store?”

“Store clerks can’t be helped at times, but it better stay on topic. Let me put it this way for you: I’m a possessive man by nature, and I’ve been burned. If I catch your eye straying, you’ll both regret it.”

Swallowing hard at the chill in her husband’s eyes and voice, Gen nodded in adamant agreement. “I understand,” she whispered, wanting to tell him that she couldn’t imagine another man turning her head when he was around, but she was afraid he would see it as an empty compliment. Being perceived to be blowing smoke up the big man’s ass at the moment didn’t seem the wisest move. What did he mean he’d been burned?

“The reason I brought you out here is you were saying you wanted to help out more around here. My mama always took care of the chickens. If it’s a task you’d be willing to take over it would help me out,” he said, changing the subject and jerking her from thought.

“I would like that. Anything I can do to take some of the burden off your shoulders.”

“My shoulders are fine, darlin'. Or at least nothing that an occasional rub won’t cure,” he said, offering her a little smile. “I’m not afraid of hard work, but if doing this is something you would like to do, that’s another thing.”

“I would like that a lot.”

He nodded as if that settled everything and turned to pick up a basket. Gen chewed on her bottom lip as they gathered eggs together. Her husband’s mercurial mood shifts were dizzying at times.

Cole was pouring coffee when they made it back to the kitchen. Wade and Rose were sitting at the table, and Lilly was wailing in her mother’s arms. Mouthing
sorry
at Cole, Gen hurried to start the pancakes and eggs. Her brother-in-law just winked at her.

“What can I do to help, darlin'?”

Gen and Cole both snapped around to gape at Trey. He started to glower at them and then shrugged with a boyish grin that made Gen’s heart flutter.

“I’m not completely useless in the house outside the bedroom.”

Gen choked trying to smother a laugh. Cole snorted into his coffee and spun for the sink which made Gen laugh harder. Tears trickled down her cheeks, and Trey shook his head at her, his pale blue eyes crinkling in the corners.

“Are you going to need some of these?” he asked, picking up the egg basket.

“I am,” Gen squeaked out, biting her lip to try and control her giggles.

“I’ll wash them up then,” he said, giving her a light kiss on the forehead before he headed for the mudroom sink. 

“What can I do?”

Gen shot her brother-in-law a grateful look.

“If you could get the cinnamon apples out of the refrigerator and get those and a pan of syrup warming, I’d really appreciate it. I’m sorry breakfast is running a little late.”

“No worries, little sister. Mama always said anyone in a hurry is free to help,” Cole said, raising a brow at the table’s occupants that was ignored.

“I wish I’d gotten the chance to know your mama. She sounds like a wonderful woman,” Gen said, reaching over to give Cole’s arm a squeeze.

“She was the best. You would’ve loved her, and I think she would’ve taken right to you,” he said uncovering the apples. “She thought the sun, moon and stars rose and set on Trey’s ass. You have that in common.”

“I’m sure that isn’t true,” she said awkwardly. Toying with the edge of the sizzling pancake, she struggled for something else to say. How did a mother love one child more than another?

He finished what he was doing and then turned to look at her. She blushed. He obviously read the worry on her face, and he shook his head, hurrying to set her straight. 

“Oh, don’t take that wrong. My mama loved all three of us boys. Trey was just special. The brute would’ve ripped his heart out and laid it at her feet if he’d thought it would make Mama happy. When he loves it’s this completely selfless thing.” Cole said, blushing. “Of course that was before. I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Then stop trying,” Trey growled, bringing in a bowl of clean eggs.

“That was fast,” Cole said, ignoring his brother’s glare and putting the syrup on to warm.

“I’m hungry.”

“Food always motivates you. Dangle a ham sandwich in front of your face and you’d work all day long.”

“I’ll remember that,” Gen giggled, patting Trey’s flat belly.

He looked back and forth between her and Cole for a moment, and his frown slipped away. He opened his mouth as if to comment and was interrupted. 

“Is breakfast going to be served soon? Lilly is very cranky, and this applesauce isn’t very filling,” Rose asked, bouncing the little princess on her lap.

Genevieve blushed, swallowing the lump of shame that rose in her throat.

“The first batch of pancakes is just coming off the griddle. I apologize for the wait, Rose. I got sidetracked with other chores this morning.”

“More likely sidetracked dallying with her husband,” Wade grumbled, not far enough under his breath. 

“You rude bastard,” Cole snarled, his forward progress halted by his older brother’s hand in his collar.

“If you don’t like the way things are ran in my household feel free to get the hell out,” Trey said flatly. “The only one my wife needs to answer to, make happy, or damn well apologize to, is me. Is everyone clear on that?”

Gen caught herself nodding at the snap in his tone. Her hand shook violently as she flipped the pancakes onto a platter.

“I’m sorry,” Rose whimpered, the pregnant woman literally cringing before Trey’s anger.

“As you two have disposed of the niceties, I guess I can too. Pregnant or not, I don’t want to see you sitting on your ass expecting Gen to wait on you. It doesn’t work that way around here, princess. If you don’t work, you don’t eat. It was my daddy’s rule, and it’s mine as well,” Trey snapped and turned on his uncle, leveling a blunt forefinger at the older man. “If our schedule, menu, or sex life offends your snooty sensibilities, hit the door. This is a farm, city boy. There is always work to do. If you’re staying, you’ll be working. End of story. Anyone have anything they want to say?”

“Amen,” Cole said with a grin.

Trey snorted and clapped his brother on the shoulder affectionately and looked back at his uncle.

“Do we have an understanding?”

“I just need a little capital to get back on my feet, Trey. I’m sure that we can work something out. Of course we don’t mind helping out while we’re here,” Wade said, snapping his fingers at his sniffling wife in open annoyance.

“If that’s your way of asking for money, this ain’t a bank,” Trey said flatly.

“Now’s not the time to discuss it, but I’m sure if you hear me out you will understand the benefits for both of us.”

A low growl of frustration rumbled in Trey’s throat, and Gen sent up a prayer and stepped into the fray.

“You’re right. Now is not the time to discuss it,” she said, setting a platter of pancakes and a steaming bowl of scrambled eggs on the table. “If you gentlemen will have a seat, I’ll get the toppings and refill your coffee,” she continued, trying to still the tremor in hands and voice alike.

Something caught at her skirt under the table, and she froze realizing it was Wade’s fist. She stared down into the man’s chilling eyes. A vein in his forehead throbbed. For a moment she was afraid he would strike her. She flinched as he let go of her skirt and brought his hand up, but he just picked up his napkin. The little smile curving his thin lips told her he knew very well that he frightened her. The daring of the move with Trey so close unnerved her. She turned away from the table and nearly into her brother-in-law. Cole caught her lightly by the arm as she stumbled. His eyes, so like his brother’s, searched her face.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, sir. I mean, of course, Cole. Thank you. I’m sorry. Please take a seat and I’ll get the rest on the table,” she stammered.

She could feel Trey’s eyes on her as she moved around the kitchen. A lump in her throat threatened to turn to tears. She ached to press into Trey’s chest and hide there in his strong arms. She tried desperately to pull herself together as the cream saucer rattled in her hand. What was wrong with her? Her husband was the most imposing man she had ever seen. How could his average looking uncle terrify her? It was something in his eyes. He wasn’t right. She shivered.

Skirting around the table to refill the pancake platter, she stayed clear of Wade’s reach. She jumped at a touch to her hand, jerking it up to smother the half cry that escaped. Trey frowned at her, and she nearly broke.

“Sit.”

She barely caught the edge of her chair in her haste to obey him.

“Eat. You didn’t eat much last night,” he said, his frown becoming more fearsome by the moment.

Swallowing her protest, Gen chose a small pancake and took a bite. It tasted like rubber in her mouth, and for a horrible moment, she wondered if that was her husband’s point in making her eat. Looking around her, everyone else seemed to be enjoying their meal. Still feeling his stare, she tried to swallow. Her stomach protested. Pressing her lips together, she fought the burn at the back of her throat and breathed through her nose.

“Are you okay, dear? You look pale,” Wade said, leaning forward in feigned concern.

The glitter in his gaze made gooseflesh rise on her body. She glanced at Rose. Pity and fear shone in the other woman’s china blue stare.

“Maybe you just got overheated at the stove. Why don’t you step outside and get a breath of fresh air?” Cole suggested.

Gen could’ve hugged him. Instead, she graced him with a shaky smile and nodded. “You’re probably right. I’m just a little lightheaded. If you don’t mind, Trey?” she asked turning back to her husband.

Trey stood and offered his arm. She hesitated.

“Please, don’t interrupt your breakfast.”

“I’m done. I’ll walk with you,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.

“I hope for your sake, son, the woman isn’t pregnant,” Wade said with a little shudder. “Take it from me, besides their inconvenient shape, they become completely useless when they’re breeding.”

Trey stared at his uncle for a moment, disgust and confusion warring on his face.

“Damn coyotes have more couth,” he muttered, taking Gen’s arm and heading for the door. 

“Excuse us,” she whispered to the others as Trey pulled her outside.

He didn’t stop at the porch. He wrapped an arm around her, and they crossed the yard. Brutus trailed at their heels as they strolled down the lane toward the orchard. Gen leaned her cheek against his bicep as they walked. The fresh air was easing the roll of her stomach and clearing her head. With the space came the doubts. Was she overreacting? Wade’s contempt for women had pricked her Celtic temper from the start. Maybe it hadn’t been so smart to step on the man’s toes over the seating arrangement, but it had been his toes or Trey’s, and her husband’s foot was more likely to find her ass. Grabbing her skirt with everyone right there had been bold. Was she imagining the evil that rolled off the man? What was it about him that scared her so badly?

“You feeling better?” Trey rumbled.

Gen nodded against his arm. “I think I just needed some air.”

“And here I was hoping you just wanted a chance to dally with your husband.”