Page 38 of Colorado Bride

But now was different.She’d had six months to sow her wild oats and sow them she had.

In fact now she needed to get married, because her lack of discretion with Richard had taken root and in about seven months she’d have the result of that particular liaison.She had to get Ben to marry her and then she had to convince him the baby was his child, how she would do that she didn’t know but she had to try.

Rory showed up on time and he had bathed and shaved.She was amazed at the transformation.He was downright good looking.He’d combed back his hair and it wasn’t nearly the dirty blond she’d thought it was but was a nice golden blond.His brown eyes were the color of the whiskey she would offer him.He had a great smile, but had yellowed teeth, which didn’t matter anyway; she didn’t plan on kissing him.

“Rory.Thank you for stopping by.Come in, please.”

She stood back and let him into her living room.This house wasn’t as big as the one she’d had before she left with Richard, but the price was right.

As he passed she got a whiff of sandalwood.Her favorite.Oh, she was a wicked woman, but she’d just decided to take him to her bed.He’d be much more pliable that way.

“Have a seat on the sofa.Would you like some refreshment?We have coffee, tea or aged bourbon whiskey.”

“Whiskey…uh…please.”He sat on the edge of the sofa cushion

“Certainly.”

She went to the liquor cabinet and poured him two fingers.Just enough to wet his whistle and not enough to get him drunk.Although a man who drinks as much as he does wouldn’t get drunk on six fingers much less two.

“So what is it you want me to do and what are you willing to give me to do it?”

“Cutting right to the chase.Very well, I like a man who doesn’t beat around the bush.I want you to kidnap and dispose of the new Mrs.Ben Logan.I’m willing to pay you five hundred dollars.”

She sat down next to him.

“And we’ll seal the bargain in my bed.”

He downed the liquor in two swallows and cocked his eyebrow.

“Miss Mills, you know my price and it appears I can be had.Shall we retire to your bedroom now and complete this transaction?”

“Yes, I believe we shall.”

She put his empty glass on the table, stood and took his hand, leading him to her bedroom.

True to his word when they got home from town Ben started teaching Emily to ride, beginning with saddling the horse.He brought Champagne out into the middle aisle of the barn, making sure her little one didn’t try to follow.

“First, put a blanket on her back.This protects her from getting sores where the saddle rubs on her.Next, take the saddle, hook the right stirrup over the horn and place the equipment on her back.Move it up so it sits just behind her shoulders.See this little hump?”He patted the horse on the bump he was talking about.“That should be covered by the very front of the saddle.Now you try it.”

Emily tried, she really did, but the saddle was too heavy for her to lift that high.

Frustrated she asked, “Does this mean I can’t ride?”

Ben smiled.“No, it just means you only ride with me, which is how I want it anyway.I’ll saddle her for you.”

He finished equipping the horse including the bridle.

“Now, notice we’re on the left side of the horse.You always mount from this side.This routine makes it easier but the original reason we mount on the left was because the early riders wore their swords on the left and couldn’t mount from the right.”

“Really?”She petted the mare’s shoulder.“I never would have guessed that.”

“Now grab the saddle horn, put your left foot in the stirrup and pull yourself up, swinging your right leg over the back.Sit in the saddle and put your right foot in the stirrup.”

She huffed and strained.Finally on the third try she managed to mount Champagne and grinned from ear to ear.

Ben grinned back.

“Very good.Now, take the reins in your hand and move with the horse as she walks.”He led Champagne out of the barn and then in a circle in front of it.“That’s right, with her, not against her.Good.Very good.You may be a natural.”