Free The Enchanted Land by Jude Deveraux Page A

angrily thrusting his arms into it. “There is a name for women like you—women who kiss a man like you kissed me in the hall, who allow a man to get worked up and then refuse him.” His eyes were very angry. “You’ve said no to me several times, but this will be the last time. I’ll not ask you again.”
    Now it was Morgan’s turn to get angry. “I made you a business offer, nothing more. I made that clear from the beginning. I’ve not wanted your advances, so what right do you have to be angry with me? I have kept my part in our bargain.”
    Seth’s face softened. His eyes, though, were still angry, his voice a harsh whisper. “You are right, you havekept your part.” There was a look of sadness about him now. “As old as I am, I never learn—there are two kinds of women, my silly sisters and the calculating Cynthia. Somehow I thought you were different, but now I know just where you fit.” His voice lowered. “I will see that you get your beloved Trahern House, and I will bother you no more.”
    Her hair was loose, her dress unbuttoned, showing the shadow of a breast. Abruptly, he turned and left the room.
    Morgan stared at the door, tears gathering strength.
     
    Nora was disturbed the next morning to see the coolness between Seth and Morgan. Jake noticed it too, but neither said anything.
    Tearful goodbyes were said, and both Nora and William forced money on the reluctant Morgan.
    At last Morgan sat on the wagon beside Jake, while Seth rode ahead on his horse. Jake talked incessantly about New Mexico, about Kansas City, about anything that came to his head. Morgan listened and bounced on the wagon seat, and watched Seth’s broad back. Morgan realized that no matter how big the horse was, Seth would probably make it look like a pony. “It would probably take a draft horse to look big in proportion,” she muttered.
    “What was that?” Jake looked toward her.
    “I was looking at Seth,” she answered, blushing.
    Jake smiled, showing his three teeth, and began to talk about Seth. “Sure glad that boy got married. Tired of running that ranch myself while he keeps going into town for a woman.” Then it was his turn to be embarrassed, “Uh, sorry, Mrs., uh, Morgan.”
    Morgan hadn’t thought about the possibility of another Cynthia waiting for him in New Mexico. “Jake, does Seth have a girl in New Mexico?”
    “Well, there is one that seems to have set her cap forhim. A young lady whose father owns quite a bit of Santa Fe.” Jake looked at Morgan and grinned. “She’d fill out that big dress of yourn and half of another one like it. You sure are a mighty little thing.”
    Jake was so natural that Morgan felt no resentment. “I guess Seth likes women like that—big, I mean.”
    The smile vanished from his face. “I can’t say as he likes any women. He seems more to use them than anything. Oh, he’s nice to them, and they sure like him, but he never seems to think anything about any of them after he leaves them.” He paused. “Now me,” and his grin returned, “I’ve been in love so many times.” He laughed and slapped his thigh. “I remember a gal in Louisville once, had black hair and eyes. I was so in love with her that I couldn’t eat for three weeks. Thought I’d die without her.” He seemed to enjoy just thinking about the woman.
    “What happened?” Morgan asked.
    “Oh … she left me for some rich guy, but she’ll never forget me, that much I know.”
    Morgan was quiet awhile.
    “You don’t think Seth’s ever been in love?”
    “Well, I used to work for his daddy, and I’ve been around Seth since he was about nine years old, and as far as I know, he ain’t never been in love. Too bad, too. You miss a lot in life when you don’t fall madly in love at least once a year.”
    Morgan was quiet after that, just sitting, listening to Jake and watching Seth move to the rhythm of his horse.
    The first days were easy. At night they stopped at local inns where a hot meal and