Texan's Wedding-Night Wager / The Oilman's Baby Bargain. Charlene Sands
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sat upon Dream Catcher, the five-year-old mare who had been born at TCC’s stables when Cara had been living with Kevin. Though she had grown up with horses on her parents’ estate, Cara had forgotten how much she loved riding. She and Kevin had taken an occasional ride in their early years of marriage, before he’d been too obsessed with work to take the time.
The day Dream Catcher was born, Cara had rushed to the stables and the moment she’d seen the feisty little filly, she’d fallen a little bit in love. To sit upon the sweet mare and ride off into the hills of Maverick County with Kevin seemed almost like a dream.
The Texas sun lowered on the horizon and cast hues of orange-gold over the valley as they rode in silence. There was a quiet settle to the land, a peace like nothing Cara had experienced for a long time. She’d been so caught up in the fast pace of Dallas that she’d forgotten what it was like to be with nature. Kevin seemed to understand that, setting the slow pace and enjoying the scenery. There was an odd sense of comfort being here with him. She could almost forget his blackmail and his manipulation.
Almost.
She slid a glance his way and let go a little sigh. Looking just as comfortable atop a horse as he was cutting a deal in his downtown office, Kevin acclimated well. Dressed in solid Wranglers, a blue plaid shirt and black Stetson, her husband dressed down very nicely.
“You’re staring at me,” he said with a grin.
“Oh, you’d like to think so.” Caught, Cara averted her gaze, hiding her own grin.
“I know so. See anything you like?”
Cara sobered at his question. “I don’t know, Kevin. Do I?”
Kevin clucked his jaw a few times. “You need to lighten up, Cara. Enjoy the scenery.”
“And you think you’re part of that scenery?”
“Me?” he said, lowering the brim of his hat. “No, ma’am. I wouldn’t presume.”
Cara chuckled. Okay, maybe she should just lighten up. She didn’t like Kevin’s blackmail, but she could enjoy the ride. If for no other reason than that she was atop Dream Catcher on a glorious, latesummer evening.
“I see a whole lot I like,” Kevin said quietly, after a minute.
Cara sensed his gaze on her, and a burning heat crawled up her neck. She didn’t dare look at him. A lump formed in her throat. She didn’t trust herself to respond.
They rode in silence until the dirt path led them to a rise. “Wait here,” Kevin said mysteriously, and clicked his mare into a trot. He rode on about ten yards to the peak of the rise, then turned toward her. “Okay, come on up.” He gestured with a wave.
Dream Catcher followed the path in a trot, until Cara met Kevin at the top of the rise. Looking into his eyes first, then following the direction of his gaze, Cara gasped at the view below. “Oh, Kevin. This is amazing.”
A small, well-kept cottage on the TCC property was lit outside by at least a hundred pillar candles. A table, dressed in white linen, was set with fine china, crystal wineglasses and lilies of every variety.
“It’s beautiful.” Tears stung her eyes. Why couldn’t he have done something like this years ago when their marriage was shaky, when she needed attention, when she needed to know she was more important than his business? Oh, Kevin, she thought, why are you doing this now, when it’s too late? The question plagued her, but she pushed it out of her mind.
Lighten up, Cara. This is temporary.
“I’m glad you like it.” Kevin pushed his horse on, and Dream Catcher followed him down the other side of the rise. When they reached the cottage, Kevin dismounted. He walked over to Cara and reached for her. She slid down the left side of the horse into Kevin’s arms. He held her, their gazes entwined, as luminous candles lit the background.
“You were always gorgeous in candlelight, babe.”
Cara smiled, the compliment warming her heart.
Kevin tilted his head, the brim of his Stetson grazing her forehead. She braced herself for the kiss, tightening up inside in anticipation.
Kevin brushed his lips over hers in the lightest feather-touch of a kiss, then backed away. Cara blinked, a little surprised.
He took her hand. “Have a seat.” He guided her to the table and pulled out a chair for her. “I’ll see to the horses.”
She watched him take the reins of both horses and go behind the cottage. When he returned and sat down, a chef appeared at the table wearing a white coat and tall hat, a waiter standing just behind him. “I hope you enjoy the meal Mr. and Mrs. Novak,” the chef said.
“I’m sure we will,” Kevin returned, with a nod.
Cara sat quietly while the waiter served their first course, a little pastry puff filled with light cheese and raspberries. She took her first bite and closed her eyes. “Oh…this is heaven.”
When she opened her eyes, Kevin’s gaze was on her, watching her enjoy the pastry with a gleam in his eyes. “The chef came highly recommended.”
Cara was again tempted to ask, why was he going to so much trouble? But she’d already decided that she would just go with the flow and see where that would take her, so she remained silent on the subject. “I can see why. He’s already got my vote for Chef of the Year.”
Kevin poured them each a glass of wine.
“You said something about needing my advice?” Cara sipped her wine and the smooth liquid warmed her inside. “But you haven’t said a word about it yet.”
Kevin lifted his glass to his lips and sipped. “It’s not a pleasant subject, Cara. I hate to spoil the night, but yes, I do have something I’d like to tell you. It’s regarding Alex Montoya and the recent fire at Brody Oil and Gas. I think it was set deliberately.”
“You think Alex did it?” Cara’s voice elevated with disbelief. Sure, the Brody brothers had issues with Alex, and vice versa, from their teen years, but Cara never thought Alejandro Montoya capable of something as criminal as arson.
“I do, Cara. I’d like your opinion about this. Hear me out.”
Kevin gave a detailed description of what had transpired between Lance, Mitch and Alex through the years, and then added a final note about how Alex had managed to hamper his newest revitalization development. He explained how Alex had helped back a faction that had that particular area in Somerset declared historic, thus killing the project. “I have no proof regarding the fire, but you know everyone involved. What do you think?”
Cara shook her head. She thought about the accidental meeting she’d had with Alicia just yesterday. Alicia would be devastated if her brother was involved with the fire in any way. “My gut instincts tell me Alex wouldn’t do anything so drastic. It’s not his style, Kevin. Yes, I can see him behind the scenes, working to preserve the Somerset area. He may have even done that to spite you, but that’s not a criminal act.”
“No, it just caused me a major headache and financial losses.”
“You may not agree with me,” she said with a shake of her head, “but I don’t think Alex had anything to do with the refinery fire.”
“Okay, noted. You and Darius are the only ones. Lance, Mitch, Justin and I all think he’s behind it.”
Cara sipped her wine. “Maybe you’re not being objective. Maybe you want to blame Alex. Maybe you’re so pissed at him, you want him to be guilty.” Kevin winced and Cara continued. “Revenge can be sweet, isn’t that what you always said?”
“No, I never said that.”
Cara blinked and leaned forward. “Oh, sorry, that must have been the other husband I married nine years ago.”
“Must have been.” With a smug look, Kevin