Читать книгу A Rancher's Vow - Patricia Rosemoor - Страница 13

Silver Springs, New Mexico

Curly-Q Ranch

For a moment, he glanced at Prudence Prescott Quarrels, who did look beautiful, he supposed, as all brides should on their wedding day.

“Congratulations!” He slapped the groom on the back. “You have yourself some new wife there.”

“Thanks.” Grinning like an idiot, Chance Quarrels pumped his hand. “I think so, too.”

“So what are your plans? Where are you gonna settle down?”

“Right here on the Curly-Q, of course.”

“Hmm. I thought your pa had a full house right now, with your brother Bart and his kids.”

“We’ll be staying with Pru’s sister until we work something out.” Chance was obviously distracted. “Listen, I’d better get back to Pru before she accuses me of deserting her again.”

“You go on then.”

Smiling to himself, he watched the unsuspecting cowboy hurry to his new wife’s side—he was a fool in love with no thoughts but those prompted by his youthful libido.

They would all be unsuspecting today, he knew, looking around at the crowd of more than a hundred. A day of celebration. Of giving thanks.

No one would be thankful before the night ended, however. He’d see to that.

He chuckled to himself as he moved to his vehicle through the knots of relatives and friends and neighbors, well-wishers all. They were also lambs, so to speak, without a suspicious thought in their heads.

And why should there be any doubt-sayers on such a glorious mid-November day?

He swept his gaze over the grounds until he found his real quarry. Emmett Quarrels. Look at him smiling, puffing out his chest in pride…

The fear of God had not been put into the old man yet. Unbelievable as it seemed, Quarrels was not getting the message that his situation was serious.

This message would be closer to home and delivered right under his nose. Under everyone’s noses. He’d be right in their midst and no one would be able to point a finger his way. No one would even suspect him.

That was the beauty of his plan.

From the back of his vehicle, he dug out the special wedding present that he’d hidden under a tarp and strolled along the buildings with the elegantly wrapped package tucked under one arm. No one even looked at him twice.

A very unique wedding present, indeed, he thought with a wry laugh.

They’d all get a blast out of it later.