A Daring Proposal

A Daring Proposal

Published by Sandra S. Kerns, LLC at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Sandra S. Kerns

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. No part of this book may be copied without permission from the author, except for excerpts used in reviews. To request permission, please contact the author at sandra@sandrakerns.com. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

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The Masters Men Series

Her Master Defender

Her Master Detective

Her Master of Hearts

Last Chance for Love,A Masters Men Christmas Story

Her Master Diver

Her Master Match

The Colorado Skies Series

Dream Stalker

Rose of Steele

Callaghan's Conundrum

The Butterfly Connection

Eenie Meanie Minie No!

Harlan's Haven

Butterfly Bride

The Colorado Dreams and Desires Series

A Daring Proposal

Gathering Clouds

Coming Soon - The Bury Patch

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Dear Reader,

Even in thoroughly proofed and meticulously edited books, errors and typos can slip through. If you find an error in my book, please feel free to send a personal note to me at sandra@sandrakerns.com. I endeavor to give you the best book possible and am always interested in your comments.

Happy reading,

Sandra

Acknowledgements

Thank you to J. Clintsman for endless editing and

to Stephanie for her insights into the world of ranching.

~~~~

CHAPTER ONE

Three steps down the center aisle, in her painfully pink maid-of-honor gown, Chaney’s smile faltered. If not for the bride waiting behind her, she would have turned around and marched out the front doors. No, she wouldn’t give the surprise best man the satisfaction. She kept walking. She moved her focus to the groom. The fire burning in her eyes should make her soon-to-be brother-in-law burst into flames any minute.

He knew how she felt about Jed. Her sister did too. How badly Jed had hurt her. Okay, maybe they didn’t know how badly he hurt her. No one knew that. However, everyone knew she wanted nothing to do with him.

Besides, didn’t she have enough problems with the ranch, their father’s death, and Belle’s wedding? Chaney reached the front of the church. She turned to watch her sister walk down the aisle, and all her anger melted away.

Belle looked every bit the fairytale bride. The white as high-peak snow antebellum gown and jeweled tiara veil were perfect. The smile on her face brightened as she walked toward the man she loved. An odd mix of joy and jealousy knotted in Chaney’s stomach.

She wasn’t jealous of Belle. Her sister’s happiness meant the world to her. The jealousy came from knowing love wasn’t in the cards for her. Shaking off the stupid self-pity, she turned as her sister reached the groom’s side. Doing so put Jed in her line of vision again.

How dare he meet her gaze and smile? The knot in her stomach intensified, but Chaney didn’t let the pain show. This day belonged to Belle. Turning her gaze back to her sister, she clenched her jaw and prayed for strength while the bridesmaids whispered and giggled behind her. There was no mistaking what man they were whispering about. Women always fawned over Jed.

Even you.

Her hand strangled the bouquet she held with the unwelcome reminder of her and Jed’s past. A quick glare over her shoulder silenced the girls. As she turned back, the preacher asked who gave Belle’s hand in marriage.

I do. Chaney’s face flushed when the words croaked out of her dry throat. It should be their father giving his favorite daughter away. He hadn’t liked Belle’s choice of husband. Marrying the son of the man their father had quarreled with as long as she could remember should have been an insult. The only explanation was their father had been too sick to fight about it by the time Steve asked for Belle’s hand. They had no doubt waited until after he died to decide on the best man. If Dad had known they were planning to have Jed stand up, there would have been hell to pay. Dad made no bones about his feelings toward the man. He would have forbidden it.

The ridiculous thought had her hiding a grin behind a fake cough. Dad had never said no to Belle. To be honest, Chaney couldn’t remember ever saying it to her sister either. Even if she had known about Jed’s part in the wedding, she wouldn’t have this time. When their mother died soon after Belle’s birth, Chaney made Belle’s happiness her main goal.

At least you’ve succeeded at one thing.

The reminder of what a shambles the rest of her life was, made her pull her shoulders back, and stand taller. She didn’t know the meaning of the word quit. It didn’t matter what absurd challenges her father, Belle, or anyone else threw at her. She’d never backed down from a dare in her life, and she wasn’t about to start now. With renewed determination, she met Jed’s gaze straight on, daring him to look away first.

# # #

Jed held Chaney’s stare across the space between them. Her features remained calm, but her gaze held no warmth. Angry heat, yes. Warmth, no. Not when aimed at him, but every time she looked at Belle, her demeanor softened. When she glanced his way, hard didn’t quite define it.

It was obvious she hadn’t known he was the best man. The hate heating those caramel eyes was proof. Of course, she’d probably been too busy with her precious ranch to ask about details. He knew exactly how important the ranch was to her. God he hated that place.

Still, the heart he thought dead except regarding his daughter had been jump-started seeing Chaney again. The way the light through the stained glass windows danced on her sun-streaked brown hair. Her trim but well-proportioned body was temptation personified. The warmth of her melted caramel eyes . . . .

Warmth? Hah! Her eyes were hot. The kind of hot that would burn the flesh off a man from twenty paces. If luck were on his side, most of the wedding traditions would be overlooked. Like the bridal dance, and riding to the reception together. Being that close to Chaney might break the tight rein he kept on his control these days.

May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Sampson.

The preacher’s pronouncement jerked Jed back to the ceremony. He joined the rest of the congregation in applauding the happy couple, while berating himself for letting his mind wander. At least he’d focused on the ceremony long enough to hand Steve the rings. When his cousin and Belle started down the aisle, Jed’s gaze once again found Chaney.

He took the few steps to meet her in the center of the aisle. Offering his arm, he swore sparks shot through the sleeve of his tuxedo at her touch. Obviously, the disastrous ending to their relationship hadn’t dulled his awareness of her.

Was there ever any doubt?

Steve told me you knew, he whispered.

Of course I knew. Who else would Steve ask to stand up for him?

Jed couldn’t hold back his grin. You never were a very good liar.

It doesn’t matter. You would do anything for Steve. I would do anything for Belle. So, here we are. She lifted her chin toward the new couple. This is their day. It’s not about us.

True enough. There were only two people Jed would do anything for: his daughter and Steve. Coming to Colorado to stand up for his cousin, despite all the unpleasant memories brought on by the place, was easy compared to what he needed to do for his daughter. However, he had to do something or his ex would take Ashley out of his life for good. It wasn’t because his ex cared about their daughter. No, to Johanna their daughter was a tool. A tool she could use to hurt Jed. If there was anything his ex loved, it was causing him pain.

He and Chaney reached the foyer of the church. Her hand disappeared from his arm as she ran to her sister, wrapping her in a hug. Jed remembered many such moments when they were younger. The two women were very close despite their differences. Watching them had often made him long for a sibling. Of course, to have siblings you had to have parents. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to push the old depressing thoughts down. He had enough going on without reliving a hopeless childhood.

Hey, big guy. Can a bride get a kiss?

Jed’s eyes popped open and he smiled easily at the cheerful blonde before him. He stepped up to his new cousin and gave her a kiss then hugged and slapped Steve on the back. After a minute, he stepped back and allowed others to congratulate the couple. Eventually, the church emptied and the wedding party returned to the sanctuary for a half hour of picture taking.

While he smiled and laughed, his mind churned with ways to win the upcoming custody battle. He watched the photographer take one last picture of the happy couple in front of a stained glass window. Love, as much as the sun through the glass, made the air around them radiant. He turned and saw the colored light cast a soft glow on Chaney’s face. His heart clenched for a moment as an outrageous idea came to him.

# # #

I know what the will says, Mr. Burton. It’s branded on my brain, Chaney hissed into the phone. Although it was late afternoon, the bright Colorado sunshine sent a glare to the polished marble floor of the country club’s entryway. The glare felt like a spike in her head. She rubbed her temple trying to relieve some of the headache as she listened for another minute.

No, I’m sure I made it clear to you and Mr. Pike when he read the will, I am not interested in selling and I’m definitely not interested in discussing it during my sister’s wedding reception. She pushed the end call button.

Chaney slapped her cell phone closed. Why couldn’t she take one day off from ranch problems? Allow herself to relax and enjoy Belle’s happiness? Before she could shove the offending instrument in the stupid frilly purse that matched her dress, or come up with any answers, she heard Jed’s deep whiskey voice behind her.

Problems?

A shiver of awareness raced over her body. Awareness she’d been fighting since riding in the limo with him from the church to the reception. If she were honest with herself, she’d been fighting it since the moment she saw him at the front of the church.

Turning, she aimed a saccharine sweet smile in his direction. Dear God, did you have to give him the good looks to go with that damned voice?

Is there some reason you’re eavesdropping on my calls? The word eavesdropping brought with it another consideration. Maybe it wasn’t Belle who’d set her up. Maybe Jed saw this as a way to make her pay for always putting the ranch first when they were involved. He had always hated the ranch. Could he know about her father’s ridiculous demands? Could he be responsible for all the problems she was having there?

Get a grip girl. The guy isn’t interested in you or your struggling ranch. He’s only interested in Jed.

I wasn’t eavesdropping. His tone had changed from whiskey smooth to gravel-filled aggravation in a heartbeat.

Like most women, Chaney preferred the smooth whiskey tone. That voice sent shivers up her spine and heat pooling low in her belly. For her peace of mind today, aggravation was a safer bet. Besides, causing him some discomfort made seeing him a little easier. She smiled again.

No problem. Ranch business, she told him. His rugged features and piercing blue eyes turned hard when she mentioned the ranch. She took another moment to enjoy the small victory. He pulled a hand from his pocket and plowed furrows in his wheat colored hair. She recognized the old habit to be a tell for his frustration. Chaney noticed, though an untrained eye would probably miss it, when he lowered his hand, his shoulders dropped a bit, as if in acceptance or defeat.

Defeat? Jed has never been defeated in his life. That was true enough, but retaining the ability to irritate him gave her strength. After ruining her life, he deserved a little irritation.

They want to start the wedding dance and Belle asked me to find you.

Well, why didn’t you say so? We don’t want to upset the bride. A real smile pulled at her lips. She would do anything to keep Belle’s belief in love alive. Even dance with the man who taught her happily-ever-afters didn’t exist. Someone had to believe, so it might as well be Belle.

Sooner than Chaney liked, she and Jed were gliding across the dance floor of the country club’s ballroom as if the past twelve years had never happened. A masterful dancer, his movements were fluid and smooth. The same as his lovema . . . Chaney stopped the thought abruptly. Her body and Jed’s didn’t belong in the same state, forget pressed against each other in passion. He had made that painfully clear when he left. As she shook her head to free herself of all the excruciating memories, she saw the bridesmaids on the edge of the dance floor. They were making kissy faces and pointing at Jed. When he twirled her again, one of them mouthed, I dare you. Thankful for the damned three-inch heels her sister insisted on that gave her enough height to see over his shoulder, she glared at the girls. Another bridesmaid flapped her arms like a chicken. Before Chaney could think what to do about it, she realized Jed was talking to her.

What? Chaney stared up at his face. Her concerns of a few minutes ago returned followed quickly by embarrassment. He couldn’t know, could he? Belle swore she wouldn’t tell anyone.

I asked you to marry me. He leaned close, his lips brushing her ear. I dared you.

His last words had a wave of relief washing over her. He didn’t know anything about her predicament. I’m not a child anymore, Jed. I don’t take dares.

He shrugged under the well-fitting tux. Her hands rode the rise and fall of muscles bringing more unwelcome memories to her mind. Hot summer afternoons with Jed at Miller’s Pond after everyone else had gone home. She pushed the damned memory down as if she were stomping on a scorpion.

You can’t blame a man for trying.

Right, like you’re interested in marrying me. Lord, was that her sounding like a petulant child? She didn’t want Jed interested in her.

She knew he had divorced thanks to Steve’s constant updates, despite her insisting she wasn’t interested. He had also said it had been nasty. Jed’s problem. She had enough of her own troubles courtesy of her father’s will, a surly foreman, misfiled orders at the feed store, not to mention livestock counts that were way off base. She didn’t need to add Jed Sampson to the mix. If it hadn’t been her little sister’s wedding day, Chaney would ring Belle’s neck for keeping Jed’s part in the day a secret.

The dance thing didn’t thrill her either. She hadn’t danced since she was eighteen. The night before she learned she was pregnant. The last time she and Jed had stolen away to her great-grandfather’s old cabin. The night before Jed left without a word.

Now here she was in his arms again.

After losing the baby, Chaney had sewn her heart back together with a steel mesh encasement. She wouldn’t allow anyone close enough to break it ever again. Needing space to reinforce the barrier, she pulled back from Jed’s familiar hold.

Seeing those two together makes you believe anything is possible.

Jed’s words brought her back from her painful memories. Glancing at her little sister, a smile easily spread on her face.

That’s Belle. She spreads love and happiness wherever she goes.

Some of the credit for that goes to you, I’m sure.

Chaney laughed and missed a step causing them to stumble. A few heads turned their way silencing her as no gag could. Then she looked up and saw Jed’s confused gaze.

I guess you’ve been gone so long you forgot what a hellion I am. Sweetness and light were never my strong points. I guarantee you, I haven’t changed. His fathomless blue eyes considered her in silence for a long minute before he pulled her closer. Against her better judgment, Chaney didn’t resist.

I don’t know, I remember your lips as being pretty sweet, and . . . His arm tightened around her waist a second before her toes lifted off the dance floor, … you never did weigh anything.

Put me down, she hissed.

With her feet firmly on the floor again, she decided it was time to put him in his place. Fair is fair. He wants to walk down memory lane; I’ll give him something to remember.

Trying to find someone to fulfill the stipulations of her father’s will without giving up control of the ranch had used up all the patience she could muster. She needed to control some part of her messed up life, even if only a few moments worth. She wound her arms tightly around his neck pulling his head closer to hers. Drawing on the steel in her spine, she gave him a small smile before closing the distance between them.

His kiss was as good as she remembered, yet it was like nothing she’d ever experienced. Jed’s lips fit hers like a well-worn roping glove. The way his arms immediately tightened around her and his heart pounded, or was that her heart? She didn’t care. Warmth flooded her body and she pressed as close as possible. Wanting more. Needing more. She hadn’t felt this alive since....

Reality crashed over her. She broke the kiss. The eyes staring down at her were dark, like storm clouds rolling over the Rockies. With passion? Desire? Love?

Wake up and smell the manure, Chaney. If Jed ever desired you, it was for a quick roll in the loft. Love never entered his mind.

I lied.

Lied? he asked, his voice definitely whiskey toned, but a bit rough around the edges.

I do still take dares.

At his continued confusion, she nodded toward the bridesmaids giving her the thumbs up from the side of the dance floor.

I know I shouldn’t let the society girls of Crescent get to me, but sometimes I forget how old I am. Besides, they called me chicken.

Jed’s features eased. A grin pulled at the corners of those scrumptious lips and he pulled her close again. She felt her resolve to keep her distance waiver.

You never could stand being called chicken.

Still can’t, she said as the music ended. Trying to step out of his embrace she found herself held fast by the iron band he called an arm. Is there a problem? she asked, knowing she needed to get away from him soon to rebuild her defenses.

Where did you learn to kiss like that? he asked as the next song began.

Chaney couldn’t believe the unhappy frown on his face. If she thought she had truly affected him, it would be a great boon to her ego. Her ego, which had taken a huge beating with the reading of her father’s will. Travis McBride had made it clear he didn’t believe his oldest daughter could attract a man without the ranch as a dowry. The reminder caused her lighthearted reply to sound more forced than she would have liked.

Practice, she said. Obviously, surprised by her answer his hold loosened. Chaney twirled out of his embrace. Then she forced herself to walk, not run away.

# # #

Jed watched her weave her way across the dance floor. Her long silky hair, normally pulled out of her way into a braid or ponytail, fell softly over her shoulders. Had he really imagined the caramel warmth in her eyes? The thoughts held him immobile until guests bumped into him on the dance floor. He started to follow her and demand to know just whom she’d been practicing with. Thankfully, the stupidity of the thought stopped him. Chaney didn’t owe him any explanations. The ones he owed her would never see the light of day. Even if they did, he doubted she would believe them.

With a grin of resolution pulling at his lips, he shook off the charge her kiss had given him. She’d shot down his proposal. Nothing else mattered. He caught sight of his uncle waving him over and grudgingly made his way to the older man.

Dale didn’t look as hard as Jed remembered, granted, his memories were jaded by the night he’d left town. He’d been back once before to attend his aunt’s funeral. At that time, his uncle barely spoke to anyone. If Dale ever loved anyone, it had been her. Her loss had no doubt been hard on him. Not that his uncle would admit it. His features may have softened with age, looking at his still straight posture and rock hard stare, Jed doubted his demeanor had changed.

That was quite a performance out there.

Jed didn’t say a word. He knew nothing he said would make a difference anyway. He simply stood beside Dale and stared unseeing at the people on the dance floor. He and his uncle had barely spoken since Jed left twelve years ago. Since that time, he only talked to Steve. If his cousin hadn’t asked him to be part of the wedding, he wouldn’t be here now. He also wouldn’t have made a fool of himself daring Chaney to marry him. Damn Steve.

Just because her father’s gone, doesn’t mean you can come back and everything between you two will be the same. You know how he felt about you.

Hate is hard to forget.

That it is. Not to side with the man, but back then you were looking for a way to prove you weren’t worthy of anything or anyone. You took the surest road to that end.

Jed didn’t say anything. As much as he wanted to deny it, the words held more than a grain of truth. Oh, he had loved Chaney. He would never deny that. He did have to admit his original interest in their relationship had been colored by the fact it would tick her father off.

Son, if I thought for one moment, it would have been better for you to stay here and face down McBride, I’d a backed you as if you were my own. Truth is you needed to go. You didn’t think you needed anybody. I figured some time on your own, away from everyone that cared for you, would show you how wrong you were.

Jed didn’t bother taking his gaze from the dance floor. He didn’t believe his uncle really cared about him. He decided to keep the conversation going on the outside chance he was wrong. You could have said something before now.

If Dale had said something back then, Jed might have had the support he needed when his marriage fell apart and he never would have lost custody of Ashley. Instead, he had been alone. His ex used his deployment as a way to get their daughter back. He could still hear Ashley begging him not to let her go as her mother took her away from his apartment. Reliving the experience wasn’t going to help him now. He released a breath and returned his attention to his uncle’s reply.

Probably, but I’m better at giving orders than explanations, Dale said with a chuckle, drawing Jed’s gaze to him. I’m not saying this to upset you. I’m also not apologizing for letting you leave.

Now that Jed believed. His uncle never apologized for anything. Nevertheless, something in those blue eyes that reminded Jed of his father eased some of the ill will Jed harbored toward the man.

Anyway, what I mean is, maybe I should have said something all those years ago, but I can’t change the past. Dale turned.

Jed followed his uncle’s gaze to the doorway where Chaney stood. He couldn’t imagine what Dale planned to say. He didn’t have to wait long to find out.

If you still love her, do your best to win her back, he said, and then turned his full attention back to Jed. He raised a hand to Jed’s shoulder. If you don’t, then as much as it hurts me to say it, you should probably leave. That girl’s had more hurt than she deserves. Don’t give her anymore. His uncle squeezed Jed’s shoulder before walking away.

Jed stared after him in shock. Dale never cared about Jed’s feelings one way or the other. He sure as hell had never called him son as he’d done a few minutes ago.

Shaking his head Jed decided it must be some kind of emotional thing tied with weddings. People said and did things they didn’t normally do. Like Chaney kissing him.

Not to mention me daring her to marry me. What the hell was I thinking?

Custody.

The single word brought him crashing back to the ugly reality he called life. From the moment he’d seen Chaney walking down the aisle, he knew she could solve all his problems. He had known in that moment that a simple dare could change everything. Everything wrong could be set right. Someone bumped into him, and he realized he was in the middle of a crowded room staring at nothing. Taking a deep breath, he walked toward the