Free Cowboy in My Pocket by Kate Douglas Page A

seem ta like her, and I think the hands are all half in love with her.”
    “How can they have an opinion? They don’t know her,” Tag muttered, turning his back on Lee and the little girl.
    “Neither do you, but that didn’t stop you from marrying her.”
    “It’s not quite the same.”
    “Shhh.” Coop glanced in all directions then back at Tag. “No one but you an’ me knows that for a fact.”
    “Which reminds me,” Tag said, turning around so that he could watch Lee. She’d taken the little girl’s hand, and the two of them were walking over to where a couple of kittens played in front of the open barn door. The full skirt of her wedding gown billowed out around her ankles, exposing her bare feet. She’d tucked the train up in back to form a jaunty bustle that bounced with every step she took.
    Tag couldn’t take his eyes off her.
    “Reminds you of what,” Coop prompted.
    Tag blinked, and dragged himself back. “I wanted to tell you . . . the license really was a nice touch. I hadn’t thought of that, but when Buck pulled it out for us to sign, I swear I heard Gramma Lenore sigh from clear across the room. What made you think of phony’n up a license?”
    “Uh, well, I jest wanted to be sure it looked all legal. Your grandmother and I signed it, as your witnesses.” Coop stared out across the yard, watching Tag’s bride as intently as he did. “Hate to go to all this work and not have it look believable, ya know.” He coughed and cleared his throat.
    “Yeah, well, I’m glad you thought of it. Now I’m just wondering how long we’re going to have to pretend to stay married. Gramma tell you when she’s planning to go home?”
    “Nope,” Coop said. “She brought luggage, though, so she’s not goin’ home tonight. I’m guessing she’ll stay on through roundup, maybe till your birthday.” Coop grinned and tipped his hat to Lee as she climbed the steps to the porch, then he turned and headed into the house.
    Tag stared at the door as it swung shut behind him.
    “Is something wrong? Tag?” He looked as pale as a ghost. Lee stopped just in front of him and rested her hand on his forearm. He drew her into a light embrace. “It was a beautiful wedding, Tag. Thank you. Your grandmother is just wonderful. I feel as if I’ve known her forever.”
    He grunted in response. Lee reached up and cupped the side of his face with her hand. His skin felt cold and clammy, like he might be coming down with something.
    “Tag, are you all right?”
    “Yeah,” he said, closing his eyes a moment, then dropping his arms from around Lee’s waist. “I’m fine, Lee. Fine and dandy. Couldn’t be better.”
    Without another word he turned and headed to the barn.
    What had put Tag in such a strange mood? She’d overheard him and Coop talking about Lenore staying on. Could that be it? It was their honeymoon, after all, and a grandmother might not be a welcome guest at such a time.
    Except, as far as Lee knew, they weren’t even sharing a room, much less a bed. Tag hadn’t made himself completely clear on that subject. It had to be something else.
    Something nagged at the back of Lee’s mind, something about researching material and finding answers. Then she remembered . . . the way to find answers was to go to the source. It looked like she was going to have to talk to Tag. Smiling, welcoming any chance at all to get to know her new husband better, Lee headed for the barn.
     
    TAG STROKED the velvety muzzle on the big old bay gelding. Dandy had been a fixture on the ranch for well over twenty years and he’d listened to more of Tag’s problems than any friend should have to hear. At least that was what Tag always said to him before he opened up and dumped his worries on the big horse’s broad shoulders.
    But what could he say? This mess was so huge even Dandy’s calm acceptance couldn’t help. Lenore was here to stay. Tag definitely hadn’t counted on carrying out this charade for more than a few