Page 35 of Bryson

"Why don't I get that for you?" he suggested. "My treat. You know how I love to shop and I happen to have better taste in everything. You hate shopping, and let's face it, darling, you tend to pick the first thing you see because of how impatient you are. Let me do this as part of my wedding present."

"Remind me when I see you to punch you for that insulting comment, and yes, I think that's a splendid idea. Just pick something and shoot it to me." She smiled as the magnificent mare the ranch had recently acquired pranced around the paddock, tossing its reddish-brown mane arrogantly. It was also mating season, and she had witnessed some of it just the other night.

"You sound happy."

"I am." She sighed softly. "I love him, Bri. After what we went through in the past, I decided that here is where I belong."

"And how's the old bitch taking it?"

Julianne let out a startled laugh. "She's holding it together and we don't hate her and want her to burn at the stake anymore."

"We don't?" The disappointment in his voice had her doubling over.

"No," she told him with a shake of her head. "When I see you, I'll explain. I'm still wary around her, but she told me some things that had me sympathizing with her and she loves her son, there's no doubt about that."

"So you two are bosom buddies now?" Brian asked her suspiciously.

"Nothing so drastic. Let's just say that for the man I love, I'm willing to bend over backwards. And put myself in her shoes. She had a terrible marriage and bore through it. I might not understand... well yes, I do understand the need to stick it out when your child is involved and I'm not in a position to judge."

"Despite her many faults, she raised a very good man. Bryson is nothing like the man who fathered him." Her eyes caught sight of the man under discussion, and she felt her breath catching. He was magnificent. Sitting so straight and tall in the saddle, issuing instructions. He made her very proud and hot and bothered.

"Happy to know there's harmony at home. And that's going to be your home, darling, so bear that in mind. I also know I don't have to worry about you taking crap from the witch of the ranch. You're strong." He sighed gustily. "Just know that I'm going to miss you like crazy. Who will annoy the hell out of me when I pick up a totally unsuitable partner?"

"Oh, I still reserve the right to do all of that. And I'm a phone call away. Oh, Brian, I'm getting married."

"And soon to be a mother. How does that feel?"

"Scary," she admitted with a laugh. "But wonderful at the same time."

"Those are perfectly natural reactions, or so I'm told. Now darling, get off the phone so I can go and spend my hard earned money." He laughed at her indelicate snort. "Well, I did earn some of it by the sweat of my brow. Can't wait to see you."

Hanging up the phone, Julianne leaned her head back and watched the progress going on outside.

"It's just a small ceremony and I would like you to be there." Bryson looped the reins of his horse around the tree stump and took off his hat. It was hot as a bitch, as if the summer had decided that it was not through with them yet. He was hot and tired and sweating through his pores.

But it was a good day. The branding was going well, and they had managed to fix the perimeter fence where they had discovered another precise cut. It bothered him that someone was out to make trouble. But he could not think of that now. He was getting married in a week, and that was something to celebrate.

He turned towards the man who had raised him and taught him everything he knew. Jack might not be blood, but he was more of a father than the one whose blood he shared.

"You want me there," Jack repeated gruffly, his fingers worrying the brim of his well-worn hat. They had drifted a little ways from the rest of the men to have this conversation.

"Of course. You mean a lot to me, Jack. You've always been there for me. I owe you a hell of a lot." Bryson cleared his throat and turned away to scan the horizon and give them both a chance to recover from the rush of emotions. "Looks like we're going to have some rain."

"Hot as hell and the clouds are heavy. I would be honored to stand with you, boy."

Bryson nodded.

"That there is a fine young lass. She's not after your money and does not put on airs like the simpering blonde you were going out with."

Bryson turned to give him an amused stare. "You didn't like Sara-Lee?"

"Too nice and always smiling. Ms. Julianne is the real deal. Beautiful without being vain and she looks you right in the eyes. You did good."

"I did." Bryson nodded with a smile. "Now it's time for me to find a ring."

Chapter 11

The examination was taking too long, Bryson thought dazedly as he watched the doctor run the instrument over Julianne's stomach. Apparently, he was not the only one worried. She was gripping his hand with hers in a death grip as they both watched the monitor. They were getting married in two days, hopefully. He did not want anything to go wrong. He kept expecting something to come up, something to do with the ranch, that he could handle, but not if anything was wrong with her.