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both boots, but the bronc wheeled and snorted, bucking right toward him. Cade timed it perfectly
while Bess sat shivering with fear. He waited until the horse was. almost on him, then he dashed past
it and leaped onto the corral, quickly easing over the fence and out of harm's way. There was a lot of
laughter from the other competitors, and he was patted on the back while everyone waited for his
time. They called it out, and the crowd went wild. He had the best score of the day. There were only
two other competitors after him, both of whom were thrown before the first two seconds of their
rides. Cade took top money and got a second place in calf roping. Bess sat in the stands beaming with
pride, and when the awards were given out, she stood in the shelter of Cade's arm with her whole
heart in her face as she looked up at him. That night she lay in his arms on the sofa, curling close, and
listened to him talk about the competition. He was still winding down from the physical exertion of it,
even though he'd borrowed her bathroom to have a long, hot shower. He was stiff and sore, and Bess
had rubbed his broad shoulders and back with alcohol, trying to ignore his sensual innuendos when
her hands stopped at the waistband of his jeans. "We'll live at Lariat," he said, looking down at her
quietly. "Yes, I know." "I guess it will take a lot of adjusting for you," he said, leaning back to smoke
his cigarette. "There aren't many frivolities, and the plumbing leaves a lot to be desired." She felt
chills down her spine. She didn't know what else to say to convince him that his lack of wealth didn't
matter to her. It never had. She loved him. "Cade, I'll be happy at Lariat," she said. "I hope I can make
you happy too." He sighed and bent to kiss her gently. "Well, we'll see how it works out," he said
noncommitally. He glanced at his watch. "I've got to get back to the hotel. I'll be over early if you'll
fix breakfast." She got up, hesitating. "You . . . you don't want to stay?" she asked, looking so shyly
curious that he smiled involuntarily. He pulled her hands to his broad, bare chest, smoothing them
over the thick hair on it. "Yes, I want to stay, sore muscles and all," he replied. "But I'm not going to.
We're going to do it by the book. One lapse was enough, and I don't want people looking at you the
way your next-door neighbor did this morning because of me." That had disturbed him, more than he
wanted to admit. He didn't want people thinking Bess was easy. "You mean Senora Lopez?" She
smiled gently. "She's a very nice, very religious lady who doesn't approve of the modern world."
"Neither do I," he replied. He touched her mouth. "I feel bad about the way things have gone with you
and me, Bess," he said worriedly. "I hate having so little control that I can't wait until our wedding
night. I can't undo what happened, but I can prevent it from happening again until we're married." She
linked her arms around his neck with a tiny sigh. "I feel the same way, really. But I . . ." She lowered
her face. "I'm a little afraid. Getting married is a big step." She looked up quickly. "I want to marry
you very much. I just hope I can be what you want me to be." As she finished, she saw the lines of
stress vanish from his face. "You will be." He bent and kissed her warmly. "See you at breakfast."
"Okay. Good night." She let him out and watched him go with sad eyes. Thursday, she thought
dreamily, she'd never have to watch him leave again. He was at the apartment early the next morning,
just as she'd dressed and was starting breakfast. It was as if they'd never been apart, she thought,
watching him finish the last of his bacon. But there was an exquisite newness about their relationship
that made her glow. Just to look at him fed her heart. What they were sharing now was precious.
Being together was the end of the rainbow. Holding hands, looking at each other openly, caring. She
felt as if she'd found the end of the rainbow, and it was Cade. Ail the long, lonely years were gone
and forgotten as if they'd never been. She hated sleeping because it took her away from Cade. He was
her whole life so suddenly, and apparently was enjoying it as much as she was. That was what was so
beautiful, so incredible, that he expressed his feelings every time he looked at her or kissed her. If it
was only desire, it was a tender kind of desire that put her first. She wondered if Cade realized how
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