Once Upon a Mail Order Bride - Linda Broday Page 0,75

in Ridge’s opinion. “So now what?”

“I suppose we wait. I wrote to Zelda after our marriage and haven’t gotten a reply, which worries me. I’d like to find out how she and the boy are faring.”

Ridge moved her hair aside and kissed the back of her neck. “Say the word, and I’ll take you to her.” Her scars showed above the edge of the towel wrapped around her. He silently called Jancy every name but the Son of God. New Messiah, his ass!

“I know.” Addie’s words were soft. “I want to make sure it’s safe first. Ridge, what are we going to do with Tiny and Pickens? We can’t keep them locked up forever.”

“Jack’s going to load them up in a few days and take them to Lost Point. Sam Legend will do what he can under the law to hold them, but he’ll probably have to turn them loose.”

“Then we’ll be in the same situation as before.” Addie let out a sigh. “When will we be safe from those hunting us?”

“I wish I knew. We’ll just have to stay on our toes. If it’s within my power, I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

“It’s crazy, sitting around discussing this.” Addie rose. “Let’s do something fun. Want to watch King perform?”

“You’re not going without me, and I’m getting hungry. We need to eat.”

But Addie was already heading for a large cedar tree for a private moment.

By the time she threw on his shirt and he tugged on trousers, the sun was full strength overhead. A few clouds began to gather as they ate the ham he’d packed, and he hoped a storm wasn’t brewing.

After they ate, Addie led King over, grinning wide. “Prepare to sit and be amazed.”

He never ceased to be amazed where his lady was concerned. “I’m ready.”

She pulled a red streamer from her saddlebag and took the bridle off King’s head. The horse seemed to know what was coming. He pricked his ears and nickered, his tail raised high.

“Come, boy.” Addie raised the streamer high and began to make a series of turns, laughing and calling him. King followed every movement exactly, intent on his mistress. Clothed in only his shirt, Addie stopped in front of the buckskin and lifted her arms high. King lowered his front legs, bent at the knees, his head dropping to only inches above the ground.

“Very good,” Addie murmured. She lowered her arms, and when King stood tall, she ran, trailing the colorful streamer behind her.

Ridge clapped. He’d never seen anything like this. “You have an amazing friend,” he called.

She laughed and used the ribbon to put the buckskin through a series of intricate turns and circles. The bond between woman and animal was so strong, Ridge got a lump in his throat watching them work together. Damn her father for refusing to let her have a horse. She was worth more than a thousand Ezekiels.

How Ridge loved her. She was his whole world, and he doubted she even knew it.

* * *

After hours of swimming in the clear pool and making love in the grass, Addie’s bones had turned to exhausted masses of quivering jelly. She could get used to being Ridge’s wife. This had been a perfect day, despite the dark clouds building.

A weight had lifted from her shoulders to have her past out in the open. She had nothing more to hide. Her marriage seemed solid. Not perfect, but it now had a firm foundation of honesty on which to build.

She lay naked on her stomach, soaking up Ridge’s soft touch and whispers of love. Groggy from the emotion-filled hours they’d passed together, she felt like a sleepy kitten and didn’t want to move.

“We should head for home.” Ridge kissed his way down the long curve of her back, then patted her behind. “We’ll probably get drenched before we get there, from the looks of that sky.”

“I don’t care. This has been the best day of my entire life.” Ridge had declared his love for her, loudly and clearly. She hadn’t mistaken that. Addie stood, clutching the towel. “We’re quite scandalous out here in the open, naked as jaybirds, me letting you do all manner of things.”

“Do tell, Mrs. Steele.” He gave her a threatening scowl and started toward her, teeth bared in pretend play.

Addie shrieked and ran, laughing and dodging his long reach until he finally caught her. Breathless, she stared into his face. It was a lot more fun being in his arms than playing