“I am sure she would not be in a confessing mood.” He handed her the drink and went to take his seat. He opened his mouth to tell her but decided against it and they started a conversation about bonds and portfolio.
Chapter 4
Sophie felt the misery engulfing her. She had given herself a pep talk and a reminder that even though she was pregnant for him, he did not owe her anything. He was free to live his own life and she should not be concerned about his carrying on. She was a stranger to him and had popped into his life a few months ago. The fact that she was carrying his baby did not change anything. But it did! How it did! She had had her first glimpse of Marie Langston and felt her heart sinking to the bottom of the sandals she had donned with her faded denims and plain cotton t-shirt. Her hair was brushed back from her face and secured in a tidy bun at the nape of her neck. She had not even bothered with makeup because it was too hot for artifice and she was not one for it anyway. But her first glimpse of the woman who had changed into an off the shoulder turquoise shimmery thigh length dress and strappy green and blue sandals had left her looking as plain as dishwater. Sapphires blazed at her lobes and around her left wrist. She was easily the best dressed woman among the several hundred present and had eyes turning wherever she went. Sophie found herself hating her as the evening progressed because she insisted on touching Hunter every time that he came near her, which was often. He had not once glanced in her direction, much less come over to her.
She was standing with the rest of the household staff and she supposed that was where she belonged. Sophie had decided that as soon as it was prudent to do so, she was going to leave and go into her suite. She was starting to feel a little drained and wilted and nauseous. The meal she had taken to the room with her had hardly been touched and she was not feeling hungry. Besides, the scent of the succulent displays of food on the various tables was turning her stomach and making it hard for her to stop the nausea.
“Howdy,” A loud voice sounded just at her elbow and she turned to see a tall man with a swagger and a wide smile splitting his attractive tanned face standing next to her. She barely returned the smile, as she was not in the mood for company.
“Hi.”
“Name is Trevor Bunting,” he thrust out a large calloused hand and Sophie put her small one in his automatically.
“Sophie Witter.” She murmured.
“The dainty lady who’s responsible for the delicious spread!” He pumped her hand enthusiastically. “I am here from Louisiana and staying at the local hotel. Here to try and get me a deal with some cattle and well-bred horses. McTaggart breeds the best horseflesh and they are worth every penny he asks for them.” His hazel eyes glinted as he stared at her. “I am going to be forward and ask if I could see you before I leave. I am spending a week to tie up business and then I am off to home.” His eyes twinkled. “Don’t worry little lady, I am free, single and not engaged.”
“I am not.”
“Oh?” His expression fell. “Excuse me for assuming but I saw you here by your lonesome….”
“I would love to have dinner.” She said swiftly as she caught a glimpse of Hunter with his arm around Marie’s shoulder, his ash blonde head bent as he whispered something in her ear that made her laugh. She ignored the knot inside her chest as she tore her gaze away from the beautiful couple. She was the one who had forced herself into their relationship. She had heard the whispers going around about the couple and hints about their being unofficially engaged.
Joe himself had told her in confidence that she had been at the ranch several times and stayed the night. “Frankly don’t know what the boss sees in her. She is one uppity lady and tends to look down her nose at the staff.”
“You would?” Trevor looked at her uncertainly. “I thought you said you were attached.”
“I am not actually- “She ended with a brief laugh. “It’s complicated.”
“But you would not mind going to dinner with me?”
“I would love to.”
*****
“Something for luck,” Marie said softly as she untied her silk scarf from around her neck and tied it around his right wrist.
“I don’t need luck.” Hunter told her with a cocky smile. “I have expertise on my side.”
“Well consider this a bonus.” She touched his jaw gently with a touch of possessiveness. She had noticed the women eyeing him, especially the ones from out of town and she could not blame them. Hunter McTaggart was certainly a looker and was an expert lover. Her skin heated at the thought of him wrapped around her later in that big bed of his.
He was about to respond when he lifted his head and saw Trevor Bunting having an animated conversation with Sophie. Even though he had avoided having anything to do with her, he had been acutely aware of her ever since she had made her way outside. She walked over to the table to check on things and he had noticed that she avoided the various meats that she had prepared.
“Darling?”
He forced himself to concentrate on the conversation he was having with Marie. “Yes?”
“I think you are up. Is the appropriate term - ‘break a leg?’” she smiled at him prettily.
“I would think not.” He took one last look at the couple who were still talking before turning and vaulting over the rails. Whistling for his horse, he swung his leg over the saddle and adjusted the reins. He took one more look over at where the couple were still having a conversation. With a set determined look on his face, he swung the rope around his head and landed it around the cow, dragging it to tighten it around the animal’s neck. He had done so during a full gallop and had the crowd cheering enthusiastically.
Sophie who was still standing next to Trevor who had insisted on getting her a plate and a chair had been watching with bated breath each time he roped a steer.
“He is good, isn’t he?” Trevor murmured as he took a bite of the Southern fried chicken.
“He is.” She agreed as she nibbled on a freshly baked bread roll, ignoring the sliced ham and fried chicken. Her belly was roiling, and she was not going to take the chance of disgracing herself in front of everyone.
“And the best part is yet to come.”
*****
It was hard to get away from Marie and even more so after the blue ribbon was placed on his wrist. A foundation had been set up for needy children and the proceeds would go to the children’s home in town. He wanted to find a way to go over to her without focusing attention on them, but he had yet to find a way around it. Marie was clinging to him as if he was her possession and it was beginning to annoy him. He could also see that Trevor was catering to Sophie’s needs, fetching her food and drinks from the table and being very solicitous. It was grating on his nerves.