His Dangerous Bride (The Brides of Paradise Ranch - Spicy Version Book 2) by Merry Farmer Read Free Book Online Page B

partner.”
    “Thanks.” Luke grinned, doing his best to pretend nothing was out of the ordinary below his belt. “I’m a lucky man.”
    “I’m sure you are.” Travis cleared his throat to end his laughing and gave Luke’s back one last thump before stepping away from him. “How is she?”
    Luke’s chest did a funny spasm, somewhere between squeezing and thundering. “She’s a dream,” he answered. “Beautiful, spunky, full of fire and vinegar.”
    “Good. She’d have to be to put up with the likes of you.”
    Even that friendly ribbing couldn’t dent Luke’s good mood. “She’s everything I could have asked for and more.”
    Travis’s expression shifted to mischief. “So how do you think she’ll feel about you heading out tomorrow to lead up the cattle drive?”
    Shock dropped like a rock into Luke’s gut, quickly followed by the sensation of pride and victory exploding through him. His jaw dropped, and it was a moment before he could form the words, “Really? You’re going to let me lead the drive?” It didn’t seem possible for one man to have as much luck as he was having that day.
    “Franklin says you’ve earned it,” Travis said, giving Luke an approving nod. “He’s been impressed with the commitments you’ve made recently, that saloon fight notwithstanding.”
    “I swear, I won’t let anything like that happen ever again. I just want to do a good job, prove myself, be a leader.” Luke could have danced, his soul felt so light. Marrying Eden had worked. One little “I do,” and he’d gotten both the promotion he’d been dying for and the promise of loving whenever he wanted it.
    “Now, I should explain that for this first drive, you and I will be leading it together,” Travis went on.
    Luke’s exaltation slipped by a hair. “Together?”
    Travis held up his hands. “It’s nothing personal. This is the way things are usually done. You’re an experienced cattleman, but since you’ve never led a drive before and this one will be longer than the others we’ve done, you’ll be shadowing me.”
    “Shadowing?” Maybe he’d started his celebration too soon.
    “This time,” Travis stressed. “Just in case we run into any problems.”
    Luke rocked back on his heels and studied his friend. Was he really being given the promotion he wanted so badly or not? It sounded a little to him like he was still under someone else. “Well, all right. If that’s the way things are done.”
    “They are.”
    Travis opened his mouth to go on, but the bedroom door clicked open and Eden swept into the room. Luke’s heart dropped to his feet at the sight of her. She’d taken off her traveling jacket and fluffed her hair up a bit, but she was the same gorgeous, spritely, bright-eyed wife that had left him in an embarrassing state ten minutes ago.
    And she gave Travis a glance that was a little too appreciative, as far as Luke was concerned.
    “Hello, who are you?” she asked, sashaying up to Luke’s side.
    Travis twitched into a grin that just kept growing and growing the more he looked at Eden. “I’m Travis Montrose. And you must be Mrs. Luke Chance.” He held out a hand.
    Eden took it, shook, and leaned forward to say, “That’s Eden Chance to you.” She even added a wink.
    Luke’s good mood thumped to the ground. He scowled. “Travis was just going.”
    “Was he?” Eden blinked innocent eyes up at Luke, clasping her hands behind her back.
    “He was,” Luke growled.
    Damn him, Travis chuckled. “I was.” He nodded to Eden. “Ma’am.” Before turning, he winked at Luke. “Enjoy your wedding night. You’ve earned it.”
    Luke was caught between wanting to puff up his chest and gloat, and wanting to give Travis a black eye. It would do no good giving the man who he would be working so closely with for the next couple of weeks an injury, so he swallowed his jealousy and nodded as Travis shut the door. But Lord help him, if anyone ever looked at his wife like that again,