Saxon's Lady by Stephanie Janes Read Free Book Online

Springs instead of selling it before you left town. Why in hell did you go into hock for a pile of foreign furniture?" Garth was truly dumbfounded.
    Devon ambled over to the love seat and threw herself down on it. She stroked the black leather fondly. "I've told you why. It's beautiful and I love it."
    He glared down at her. "You'd never have done something like this back in Hawk Springs. You were too sensible."
    "True. I had other responsibilities at the time. But this past year I've been responsible for no one but myself. It's been great. I've discovered that there is a very unsensible side to my nature. You're lucky you arrived when you did," she added with mocking seriousness. "I was going to start shopping for a car next week. One of those cute little two-seater import models. Something with dash and flair. Just like my furniture."
    "You're right. It's a good thing I got here when I did. I can just see something like that sitting in the drive at the ranch. About as useful as a hole in a rowboat." He shot her a glowering look and then sighed. "All right, we'll have to make arrangements for this stuff to be shipped down to Hawk Springs. I don't know what the hell we're going to do with it when it gets there. Put it into storage until we can arrange to sell it, I guess."
    "Over my dead body." Devon glanced at her precious Italian furniture, feeling goaded. It was ridiculous, but the furniture was rapidly becoming a symbol of some sort. "Actually, I think it will look rather interesting in your living room."
    Garth's eyes narrowed. "Over my dead body. It looks like it would fall apart if someone breathed on it heavily. That chair looks about as comfortable as a packing crate and there isn't any place to put your feet. Don't the Italians believe in recliners? And how's a man supposed to stretch out on that miniature sofa?"
    Devon took a deep breath. "The furniture and I go together, Garth. We're part of a package."
    The contest of wills was shorter-lived than Devon would have believed.
    "I don't really want to make a federal case out of this, Devon," Garth said quietly.
    "Neither do I . But I want my furniture."
    "Why is it so important to you? Because it represents the freedom you think you've been enjoying this year? Or is it a kind of security blanket for you?"
    "Maybe I just don't like having all my decisions made for me," Devon suggested softly. When he flicked her a quick, questioning glance she added with a smile, "You tend to do that, Garth. You're so accustomed to making decisions and you're so good at it that you just assume you should make them for everyone around you."
    His expression was stony. "Any decisions I make for you are in your best interests, honey."
    "Thank you," she murmured. "Keep in mind that any decisions I might make for you are in your best interests."
    There were a few seconds of silence while Garth tried to absorb the alien notion of anyone making decisions for him. He clearly couldn't quite grasp the concept. Instead, he must have decided Devon was amusing herself. He smiled his slow, serious smile and reached down to tug her to her feet.
    "I see that your stubborn streak hasn't changed a bit during this past year." He raised his hands and speared his fingers through her hair, his gray eyes gleaming intently. "Don't fight me every step of the way, Devon. There's no reason to. Everything's already been decided. All the important decisions were made a year ago when you said you'd marry me. You're going to come back to Hawk Springs with me and we're going to make a home together. It's what we both want."
    "Do we?" she asked uncertainly.
    "Yes. And I think deep inside you know it. This year apart has been a mistake in some ways. It's put doubts in your head and made you wonder about what you're doing, but you'll stop fretting when you're settled in Hawk Springs. It's where you belong, sweetheart. And Lord knows , I've waited long enough to bring you home."
    "Garth?"
    "Do you have any idea," he