Winter Harvest (10 page)

"Dad, he didn't." By Robert's frown and dark eyes, Victoria couldn't tell what he thought.

"We need to kick him off the farm." Andrew would not let up.

Robert studied her with a serious expression on his face. "Did he accost you, Victoria?"

"No. Our sleeping together was a mutual decision." She wanted to sink into the floor. Why couldn't Andrew just let it go? Hadn't she been humiliated enough?

"Did he touch you in an inappropriate way?" Robert continued to stare her down.

"Dad, please." She looked away. "I wouldn't call it that."

"What would you call it, then? You were drunk and hurt, and he took advantage of you." With an evil grin, Andrew stepped closer. "Is that any better?"

"Andrew, shut up. Please, Daddy, just let it go. I feel stupid enough."

"I'm sorry sweetheart, but I can't. Traye did you wrong, and now he has to make it right."

An evil smile on his lips, Andrew puffed out his chest.

"He's going to have to marry you now." Robert readjusted his body in bed and grimaced. "I won't accept anything less."

Both Victoria and Andrew gasped. "What?"

"That's a terrible idea." Andrew looked from Victoria to his father. "He needs to be kicked off the farm, not welcomed into the family."

"I won't marry him, Dad," Victoria said, her heart pounding. "You can't force us into marriage just because we made a horrible mistake."

"You
will
marry him," her father demanded. "You already love him, and he'll learn to love you too."

"I know Victoria and I haven't agreed on much of anything of late, but she's right." Andrew walked up behind Victoria and put his hands on her shoulders. "You can't expect them to marry over this."

"But I do." Robert slammed both his fists against the bed. "Now, it's settled."

"You can settle it all you want, but I will
not
marry him. That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard." She had expected a lot of things out of this conversation, but her father's demanding she marry Traye wasn't one of them. What had happened to her family?

"Call Traye and tell him I want to talk to him."

"Daddy, no. Please leave it alone."
Damn. Why hadn't she stayed home last night?

"Honey, what he did was wrong. If he wants you in his bed, he has to marry you." Robert pointed to the door. "Now, go get him."

"I'm begging you not to do this. Getting married has to be our decision, not yours."

"He has to do right by you." Robert grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I've always thought of him as a son, and then he does this?"

"He
didn't do anything.
I
did. I got drunk and tried to get him to fall for me. I caught him at a weak moment. It was humiliating." Well actually, only the outcome had been. The sex had been just as she'd dreamed it would be, and she'd never forget it.

Her father met her eyes. "Sweetheart, you can't force a man to have sex. If he hadn't wanted it, it wouldn't have happened. I gave him a home. We took him in several times, in fact. So he will marry you."

"No. I don't want him like this." Victoria shook her head. "He'll grow to hate me. I'll grow to hate
him
. It's over for me. I'm moving on."

Robert nodded. "You're moving on with him. You already love him, don't you?"

"Not like this, I won't."
What the hell had just happened?
Victoria wanted Traye, but she didn't want to be stuck in a marriage her father had ordered. Eager to flee, she rose and walked toward the door. None of this had turned out as she'd planned. "Daddy, I'm going home now. I'll come back later. You need your rest."

"He
will
marry you, Victoria. I'll see to it," Robert bellowed.

"No. I won't marry him. He doesn't want me. I wish last night had never happened." Ready to run, Victoria opened the door.
What had she done? Her father never treated her like this.
She slipped out with him still roaring behind her.

In her haste, she ran smack into Traye. He wrapped his arms around her, and without thinking, she did the same. She sucked in his scent and rested her head on his chest. He squeezed her against him, and her nipples puckered. Her hands traveled to his tight butt.

"You didn't learn anything from this morning?" Andrew's voice brought Victoria back to reality with a jolt. "You've turned this family up-side-down."

She jerked out of Traye's arms. His green eyes crinkled with worry, and she longed to dive back into his embrace. She fought against his rejection and the doom she'd brought down on both of them. Too late to keep him out of the fray.
Why should I care anyway?
He's not innocent in all of this.

"Victoria, what's wrong? You're pale. Does your head hurt?" Traye reached for her.

She backed away and hugged her waist. "My head is fine. I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I never thought you'd reject me. Last night was a mistake."

"I'll say." Andrew stepped between them. "Now Dad is demanding you marry her."

"What? Traye rubbed his hand over his face, then looked at Victoria. "You told him?"

"No." She shook her head. "Andrew did. Only it didn't end in the way he intended. Just remember you have no obligation to me."

"If you're smart, you'll run." Andrew walked up to stand toe to toe with Traye. "Leave the cabin, leave town, and keep running. You both screwed this up. So just go."

"Never."

"I won't stick around for this." Victoria backed up. "I already told Dad no, so don't let him rope you into anything. We did what we did, and it's over. All of it. We both need to move on with our lives. Andrew, either you come with me now, or you can find your own way home. I refuse to stay here."

"Go ahead. I want to see this." With a smirk on his face, he jerked his arm toward Traye. "Maybe it'll knock some sense into this idiot."

"Whatever. I'm going home. You can ride with Traye." She ran as fast as she could to the truck, jumped into it, and grabbed the steering wheel. Then she screamed. What had she done? Why had Andrew and her father destroyed the one night she'd had with Traye?

*****

Traye walked into Robert's room ahead of Andrew and almost turned around to walk back out. Robert's glare and clenched jaw stopped him short. This would not be good. In one night, Traye had destroyed everything he held dear. How could he make it right again? How could he earn back Robert's respect? What had caused such fear in Victoria's eyes?

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Stop right there." Robert held up his hand. "I don't want to hear your pathetic story. You touched my daughter, and now you're going to do right and marry her. I'll accept nothing less."

"I still think this is wrong." Andrew stepped around Traye, pushed him aside, and stood over his father. "Just let him leave, Dad."

"Stay out of this, Andrew. It has nothing to do with you."

"The hell it doesn't." He flung his arm at Traye. "Why does he have to marry her? It's not like she hasn't had other men."

"Traye's different."

"Why? Because she's drooled over him all his life?"

Traye was tempted to slip from the room. They probably wouldn't even notice. He stayed, though, because part of him wanted to hear why Robert was so adamant he marry Victoria. That wouldn't be such a bad thing, actually. She loved him, and she'd gotten under his skin. Truth be told, his heart skipped a beat every time he saw her now.

"That's exactly why," Robert said, his tone adamant. "He took advantage of her, knowing how nuts she was over him. Then he expects to just walk away and leave her hanging?"

"Dad, come on."

Traye stepped up and drew Robert's attention. "It's okay. I'll do it. I'll marry her."

"You just want to keep taking advantage of us," Andrew snapped.

Traye turned to him. "I do not. This is my way of making it right. I'll treat her well and make her happy."

"Good. Then it's settled." Robert gave a satisfied nod.

Andrew shook his head in disgust. "It'll blow up in both their faces, and no one will be happy. You just wait and see."

"Traye, it won't be easy to get her to agree." Robert ignored Andrew. "She swore she won't let me force her into marriage. You'll have to make it special and turn that stubborn head of hers."

"Yes, sir." Relieved Robert appeared calm and happy, Traye relaxed his tight muscles. He was warming up to the idea with great speed. "I'll work on it."

"Good. Now both of you get out of here, so I can rest."

Traye and Andrew walked out, but as soon as they were out of earshot, Andrew stopped Traye. "Don't do this. It's a huge mistake."

"What is your problem?" Traye frowned.
First you're elated to get me kicked of the farm, and now you act as if you care about me.
No matter what Andrew thought, he couldn't deny his feelings for Victoria anymore, and with Robert's blessing, he believed they both could be happy. What could go wrong? She loved him. Shouldn't be a problem getting her to say yes. Then he'd be back in Robert's good graces and back into the only family he'd ever known. He lifted his chin in challenge. "I'd never go against your father."

"Even if he's wrong?"

"Why do you think he's wrong?" Traye couldn't wait to hear what Andrew would come up with.

He scoffed. "Forcing you to marry my sister? You can't tame her. Why throw yourself into a boiling pot?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Traye sent him a sideways glance as they had made their way out of the hospital and walked to the truck. The cold wind whipped around them, the blue sky belying the snowstorm of the night before. Brilliant sunshine reflected off the snow.

Andrew looked at Traye over the beat up hood. "I just don't want to see you get trapped. You'd never be able to get out of it with your pride intact. Dad won't allow it. Why would you do that to yourself?"

"Don't pretend you suddenly care. Marrying Victoria won't be like that. I already love and respect her. It'll be a good marriage. I have to do this."

"Where's your self-respect?"

Traye didn't answer until they both hopped into the truck. Then he glanced at Andrew. "I have plenty of self-respect, but I have more respect for your dad."

"Oh, Victoria will love that. Might want to keep it to yourself."

"She'll come around." Traye believed that with all his heart. "We'll have a good, strong marriage."

"I see your mind's set, but I still believe it's a big mistake. That it'll never work."

"Thanks for your vote of confidence."
Damn, you Andrew, for being such an ass.
His feelings didn't matter, though. As soon as Traye had agreed to marry Victoria, his love for her had flowed free. Now he had to see her.

Chapter Eight

Victoria pushed the cabin door closed at a snail's pace. This would be her last visit here. The disheveled bed mocked her and reminded her of her tryst with Traye. She walked over and let her body sink into the mattress, then grabbed the mangled sheet and brought it close to her chest. Even the anger couldn't stop her tears. She missed him already, and the knowledge of how special they were together didn't make it any easier.

Sneaking over here had been a mistake. Telling herself she needed to return his clothes had been a lie. She couldn't walk away without saying goodbye. The man could be so tender, but his pride got in their way. Or maybe his demons prevented him from allowing anyone in. Either way, she deserved to be loved. She wouldn't allow herself to settle for anything but total surrender. Her dream of marriage had died the minute Traye didn't stand up to Andrew. That had made her ache to have her mother's arms around her.

A vehicle rumbled up outside.
Damn
. A door slammed. Knowing she'd taken too long, she made a mad dash for the door. She peeked out the dirty window and caught Traye stomping up the steps.

"Crap." She'd thought he'd stay longer with her father.

Traye swung the door open and blocked her escape. He had a weak smile on his face. She wanted to jump into his arms, but held firm with her resolve to leave.

"Get out of my way." She tried to step around him, but he put out his arm to stop her. He ran a gentle finger down her cheek. Her body betrayed her, and she leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. Then she realized what she was doing and fought to keep her body rigid so she wouldn't melt into him. "Traye, don't. You made yourself perfectly clear last night. One night. It's daylight now. We're done."

"I'm glad you're here. I didn't expect to see you so soon. We need to talk. Things have changed."

"What things?"

"Step inside, and I'll tell you."

"Traye--" Her eyebrow rose. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Come on, just give me a few minutes. I have to say something you need to hear." He cocked his head, and his eyes begged her to stay. "Please."

"Fine." She couldn't turn down his request even though her gut told her to run. She pulled free of him and backed into the cabin hugging her waist tight. She leaned against the table. "My father still doing okay?"

"Oh, he's fine." Traye hung up his jacket and faced her. "Before he sent me home, he told me -- no, he
demanded
-- that I marry you. Of course, you knew that was coming, didn't you? I'm ruined in his eyes now, and this is the only way to restore how he looks at me."

"It's not my responsibility to restore your good character. He saw my face, and Andrew jumped at the chance to throw you under the bus. I didn't ruin you.
He
did. Besides, Dad can't force us to get married, and I refuse to do it anyway. So you're free."

"Free?" He searched her face with squinted green eyes. "How do you figure that?"

"I told you I wouldn't chase you anymore. Last night was fun, but I'm done. Now I'm going to leave so we can go on with our wonderful lives."

"How can you be so casual about this? My reputation on this farm is in tatters. You have a duty to help me make it right." He leaned toward her but didn't touch her.
"You're
the one who waltzed in here drunk off your butt and begged me to take you."