Chapter Thirteen

"Gavin, who was the woman who just left your office? She's walking down the road with Ed Anderson."

Gavin looked up from the notes he was writing to be typed up later. "Father, that was Penny Burkart."

"Really?" His father's eyes were predatory. "I've heard that Ed and Carol have taken her in and claimed her as a member of the family."

"It seems that way," Gavin agreed.

"A member of that very rich family."

"I'm already working on that, father. She came in for a loan. Pride kept her from taking the money from the Anderson's, though they offered. I was quite friendly with her."

"You need to be more than friendly, son." Benjamin Hendershot insisted.

"She wasn't real receptive," Gavin admitted. Or pretty. Damn, she'd been nothing more than a skinny stick of a woman with a completely unremarkable face. He liked the looks of Maggie Anderson better but no man in his right mind would attempt to woo that wild she-devil.

Benjamin walked to the desk and slammed his hand on it. "Then you make her receptive," he insisted. "Our family is struggling thanks to your gambling debts. We need the money we would gain from your marriage into such a wealthy family."

Marriage? To Penny? He could only imagine how horrid a view that would be to wake up to each morning. But his father was right. Their family was struggling, and it was his fault. Gavin never could pass up a good bet or high stakes poker match. He never let anyone in town know of his addiction and only gave in to his vices in bigger cities where he wasn't recognized.

His father had been growing increasingly impatient with him lately and insisting that Gavin find a rich family to marry into. At first his father had been thinking of forcing Gavin to attempt to woo Maggie Anderson. Penny, while a much homelier woman to look at, seemed much more of a lady.

"I told her I would see her in a few days to sign the paperwork...."

Gavin's father cut him off. "No. You will go see her now. Invite her to lunch and offer to take her home. You need to make this work Gavin. Your mother and I are nearly bled dry and we cannot pay the newest debt you've amassed."

"I know you can't, father." Problem was, Gavin couldn't either.

"Those men will kill you, Gavin, if you do not do something quick. There will be nothing your mother and I can do to stop them."

He winced. "I know."

"Then go out there and handle this, son. You need to become a part of that family, marry that girl, and take care of your debts."

Gavin rubbed his face roughly as his father left his office. He had dug himself one hell of a hole and now he was scrambling to find a way out of it. His father was right. The loan shark he owed money to would eventually grow tired of waiting and kill him to prove a point to anyone else who attempted to ignore a debt.

Penny was his best hope if he wished to continue breathing. He could always use the Anderson's money to pay his debt and then divorce the woman later. Or remain married to her for access to the money and keep much prettier mistresses.

Shoving himself to his feet, Gavin ran his hand over his hair, adjusted his suit jacket, and strode from the bank. Penny and Ed Anderson were nearing their cart. Gavin waved an arm.

"Penny? I'd like to speak with you!"

She turned quickly, and Gavin was again struck by her homeliness. Could he truly bring himself to marry the woman? Yes. In order to continue breathing, he could. "Is something wrong, Mr. Hendershot?"

Gavin smiled, approaching her. "Of course not, Penny. And, I thought I told you to call me Gavin?"

She smiled but it was close-mouthed. Adjusting her god-awful hat on her head, Penny replied, "What can I do for you, Gavin?"

Gavin made a mental note to burn that hat and every gaudy dress the woman owned the moment they were married. "Have lunch with me."

Penny's eyes, an uninteresting shade of gray with green, seemed pained. She shook her head. "I don't think...."

"I insist." He plastered a charming smile to his face. "I find you to be a mesmerizing woman, Penny, and I'd love to have more time to speak with you about things other than business."

She glanced at Ed and Gavin realized the man was eyeing him thoughtfully. "If you want to go, Penny, I don't see what harm could come from it. You may even have a good time."

Gavin thought he saw suspicion written on Penny's face as she stared hard at Ed. Then again, Gavin didn't know Penny well enough to confidently guess her emotions.

It was taking the woman ridiculously long to accept his invitation. That irritated Gavin. Did she think she was above him? Penny should be thankful he was showing her any attention at all. He was confident no other man ever would.

Finally, the woman nodded. "How will I be getting home?"

"I could stay in town until you're done..." Ed began.

Gavin waved his hand. "Nonsense, Mr. Anderson, I'm sure you have things to do at the ranch. I can accompany Miss Burkart home when we're finished."

"Okay then." Ed smiled and stepped away from them. "I'll see you at home these evening, Penny."

Once they were alone, Gavin held out his arm. "Come along then, Penny. Let's go get lunch and get to know one another."

***

Ace had been impatiently waiting all morning for Penny and his daddy to return from town. He had tried to catch Penny that morning, but he'd been held up in the field when Jeremiah had been late to take over watch.

He was tired of the distance between himself and the princess. His mama, Patricia, and Maggie had told him all the ways he needed to change, but dammit, what could was all that gonna do if he wasn't even on speaking terms with the woman? At the sound of a wagon approaching, Ace threw down the rake he'd been using on the stalls and rushed out of the barn.

"Where the hell is Penny?" Ace demanded, as his father stepped down from the wagon.

"I reckon she's in town, son," Ed replied. "Michael, will you take care of the cart and horses?"

"Of course, sir," Michael agreed. Ed started toward the house, but Ace was on his heels.

"You left her in town alone? Why?"

"She wasn't alone," Ed countered, stopping to look at his son. "I left her safely in the company of Gavin Hendershot."

Ace's jaw popped. "Gavin Hendershot?"

His daddy seemed amused. "Yes, you know Gavin. He's the bank owner's son...."

"Yeah. Yeah. I know Gavin. Why the hell is she with Gavin?"

Ed smoothed out his mustache. "She went to the bank to see about getting the loan for the business she's wanting to start."

Damn. Ace would have liked to have been with her for that. He'd been excited and hopeful for her and her business ever since it had been mentioned over supper a few nights ago.

"Did she get it?"

"Get what?"

Ace wondered if his daddy was being difficult on purpose. "The loan. Did Penny get the loan?"

"Oh yes," Ed's eyes were full of pride. "She was approved rather quickly."

Ace smiled. "That's damn good." Then his lips pulled down. "But why is she in town with Gavin Hendershot? Are they working on the paperwork?"

"No." Ed shook his head. "They're working on their appetites."

A rather carnal image of Penny flashed in Ace's mind, causing a low growl to emit from his throat. "What?"

When Ed's laughter filled the air, Ace knew his father was being difficult on purpose. It only served to rile his temper. "He wanted to take her to lunch and spend some time getting to know her," Ed admitted. "He seems quite taken with her. I believe his words were, 'quite a woman'."

Hell, Ace knew she was quite a woman! And she was his woman! Not that scrawny, good for nothing, banker's son, Gavin Hendershot. "Why would you let her go to lunch with him?"

Ed shrugged, mischief shining in his eyes. "Why wouldn't I? Penny is a good girl and deserves to be happy. Gregory isn't interested in her and you told me you weren't interested....."

"When the hell did I say that?" Ace demanded.

His daddy feigned shock. "Are you interested in her? I had no idea."

Ace grumbled under his breath. His daddy was a damn liar. Ace knew that his mama and daddy shared everything with each other. That meant the other man was fully aware of the conversation Ace had shared with the women of the family just a few days ago. "She's mine, pa. She doesn't need to be out having lunch with Gavin Hendershot."

Ed chuckled. "Well, if she's yours then you need to be doing something about that instead of avoiding the woman. She doesn't seem to have any idea at all."

Ace threw his hands up. "They told me to show her I could change! I've been busy doin' that!"

Ed shook his head. "Son, for someone who has had so much experience with women, you sure are stupid."

Ace quirked his brow. "Thanks."

"Well you are! You gotta talk to the woman!"

"She don't wanna listen!"

"She was angry and in a temper. You can't talk to a woman when she's angry and in temper. You gotta wait 'til she cools down. She's cooled down by now. Now, your silent treatment just tells her you aren't interested anymore."

Ace's head spun. "That's complicated."

Ed nodded solemnly. "Women are." He smiled and patted Ace on the arm. "Don't worry, son. She didn't seem too eager to have lunch with the banker man. I practically had to twist her arm to get her to go. When she gets home, talk to the woman."

Ace nodded, and his father was chuckling and shaking his head as he walked away. Damn, the next few hours were gonna drag by.... The thought of Penny spending time out with another man just didn't set well with him—it made him feel damn near murderous.

It seemed Ace's plans of speaking with Penny were doomed to fail as Jeremiah rode back in. The man's face was a nice shade of pale green and he was slumped over his horse. "Ace?" he moaned. "Take my shift.... I ain't feelin' good."

"Where's Michael? Or Jose? Can't Frank do it?"

Jeremiah slid from his horse, barely managing to stand on his own feet as he swayed side to side. "Michael's busy with Ed's horses, Jose is repairing fence line in the south pasture, and Frank is rounding up some of the cattle in the north pasture." Jeremiah's eyes widened just before he gagged, bent over, and lost the contents of his stomach in the dirt at Ace's feet.

Ace plugged his nose, pulled his bandana from his pocket and tossed it to Jeremiah to clean up his face. "Alright, Jeremiah. Go on and get some rest. I'll take your damn shift."

Talking with Penny would have to wait until tomorrow. Jeremiah's shift wouldn't end until ten at night and Penny would be in bed by then. Gavin Hendershot better enjoy his damn lunch with Penny because after tomorrow, his time with her would be through. 

A/N: I promise, y'all, there will be Penny and Ace action in the next chapter! And in many many chapter after that! We aren't even close to done with this story!