Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

“ M agnolia,” Roman uttered as he strode briskly to her side.

She rose to her feet as he embraced her in a hug. She stood with her hands close to her sides, her body stiff. As Roman released her, she looked at Lucas who wore a stony expression. Now that the shock had run its course, a scalding anger was taking its place. “What’re you doing here?” she hissed. The nerve of Roman, showing up unannounced at her grandfather’s house on Christmas Eve. And worse, was the knowledge that her grandfather had given him such a warm reception. Then again, she’d known that it would be effortless for Roman to gain her grandfather’s favor. The two of them were cut from the same cloth.

“Pull up a chair,” her grandfather said to Roman. Roman did so, scooting his chair annoyingly close to hers. She reached for Lucas’s hand and clasped her fingers through his. “I’m with Lucas now,” she said, shooting Roman a dark look.

Roman let out an agonized sigh. “I’m so sorry about what happened.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You mean because you cheated on me? Don’t try to deny it. I saw you with her at the restaurant. You touched her face, gazed into her eyes with that disgusting moon-eyed expression.”

“I made the biggest mistake of my life. I never should’ve gone to dinner with Jill. She was an old friend who was in town. She asked me to take her out to dinner for old time’s sake.” He gave her a plaintive look. “The dinner meant nothing to me.”

Magnolia couldn’t believe her ears. A high-pitched giggle circled her throat. “You lying snake! I know what I saw.”

Roman ran a hand through his hair. “I made a mistake,” he said remorsefully. “That’s what I came here to tell you.” His voice hitched. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to take me back. I just had to tell you how I feel.”

Her head swung back and forth. “You came all this way to tell me that?”

“Yes,” he said contritely.

“Why didn’t you just call and save yourself the trip?” she barked.

“Because I had to see you in person.” Tears rose to his eyes. “Magnolia, I can’t eat. I can’t sleep.” His eyes pleaded with hers. “I love you.” His voice cracked. “We’re supposed to get married … the day after tomorrow. Please, give me another chance. I promise, you won’t regret it.”

Had Roman always been so soft around the edges? So privileged? No wonder she’d never been able to let herself truly love him. She needed a man’s man—a man who wasn’t afraid to draw a line in the sand and take a stand. A man who would keep her on her toes. A man who would make her want to be a better person. She was a princess in many ways, and maybe she always would be, but she could be a better princess than she’d been before. She could learn to step out of her comfort zone to help strangers, just as Lucas had done without so much as a blink. She could learn to love her neighbors as herself. She could learn to be a part of a community, especially if that community were Remember.

Magnolia felt curiously detached from Roman’s emotions. However, she was keenly aware of Lucas. She could feel the vibrations of his leg bobbing up and down. It was time to set the record straight, loud and clear. “Roman, I don’t love you. I never did.” She winced at the shock that streaked over Roman’s face. Nevertheless, it felt good to get the words out. To be honest with herself and with Roman. “I needed a fiancé to fulfill the terms of my trust, and you fit the bill. I’m sorry. I did you a disservice. No wonder you felt the need to run into the arms of another woman. It was never going to work with us.”

Roman blinked. “What trust?” He looked at Grandfather. “I—I don’t understand.”

Grandfather held up a hand. His voice was mild, conversational. “No need to rehash everything now. We can talk more about it over dinner, after everyone has had a chance to settle down.”

“No!” Magnolia blurted. “I don’t want Roman to stay for dinner. The two of us are through!”

Grandfather gave her a look so sharp it could have cut through steel. “This is my house, and Roman is my guest. I insist that he stay for dinner. In fact, he can stay as long as he likes.”

“Thank you, sir,” Roman said respectfully.

Grandfather acknowledged the comment with a nod and smile. It was sickening to see the rapport between Grandfather and Roman. Why couldn’t her grandfather see how amazing Lucas was? He was more of a man in all the ways that counted than Roman Abbott would ever be.

“Fine,” Magnolia huffed, “have it your way, but it won’t change a thing. Trust fund or not, I’m marrying Lucas, and that’s final.” This earned her the slightest of smiles from Lucas. A ray of light pierced the heavy haze of gloom around her heart. She and Lucas were doing it—standing together to face down the foes. She didn’t know how any of this was supposed to look in the future, as she couldn’t fathom the thought of actually not getting her inheritance, nor could she stand the thought of not having Lucas in her life. It was like she’d been walking in murky clouds for most of her adult life, and now that she’d come out into the sunlight and realized how great it could be … well, she never wanted to go back to the other. Seeing Roman and Lucas side by side, it was no contest. She wanted Lucas, heart and soul!

“Kathleen will show you to your rooms,” Grandfather cut in. “Dinner will be served promptly at six p.m.” His eyes snapped to Lucas. “Don’t be late!”

The classical Christmas music playing in the background was a stark contrast to the dark emotions churning a storm inside of Lucas. The table of the elaborate dining room was set formally with so much silverware that Lucas had no idea which ones he was supposed to use for what. He’d watched everyone else, faking it until he made it. The dinner was several courses. They were on the main course now. The menu consisting of prime rib, fluffy mashed potatoes, and crisp vegetables was better than any expensive restaurant he’d been to, but he couldn’t enjoy a bite. He glared across the table to where Magnolia was sitting next to Roman. The seats had been assigned by Benjamin, with name cards on each of the plates. Benjamin was sitting at the head of the table. On his right was Roman, with Magnolia beside him. Eric Stanford, a thickly set man with a short neck and square face was seated to the right of Magnolia. On Benjamin’s left was Oscar, Magnolia’s father, with Lucas sitting beside him. Just as Magnolia predicted, Lucas did like Oscar. He had silver hair like Benjamin, but his body type was different. He was slightly taller and thinner. Unlike Benjamin who could’ve passed for a frumpy college professor, Oscar was clean shaven and impeccably dressed. He gave off more of a high-profile businessman aura.

Everything in Lucas wanted to jump up this instant, rush around the table, and grab Magnolia’s hand so he could take her away from this stifling pretense. But that wasn’t going to happen. The very fact of where Magnolia was sitting right now was evidence of the control her grandfather wielded over her. This was Benjamin’s world, and he had full control. Would that control be enough to wrench Magnolia away from Lucas? The old man was certainly doing everything in his power to bring that to pass. Lucas reached for his water and took several swallows. What he wanted to do was to punch a few holes through the wall. He didn’t know how much longer he could sit here and watch Magnolia laugh and talk to Roman. Looking at them both, it was painfully clear that Magnolia and Roman were from the same world. They understood one another. Lucas was the outsider here.

“Down, tiger,” Oscar urged in a low tone. “At the rate you’re going, you’ll shatter your glass.”

Lucas looked at the glass he was holding, forcing himself to relax his grip.

“Tell me about yourself,” Eric prompted as he pinned Lucas with squinty, bovine-like eyes. “What type of work do you do on the ranch?” All the attention turned to Lucas. Magnolia gave him an encouraging smile, tinged with a faint ring of worry like she was afraid he might say something to hurt their situation. After that little get-to-know-you session in Benjamin’s study and now with this ridiculous seating arrangement, Lucas knew that it didn’t matter what he said. He and Magnolia were doomed. Benjamin had already made up his mind, and Eric was merely a puppet, intent on carrying out whatever orders Benjamin decreed. Lucas sat up straight in his seat, meeting the eyes of all in the group. He refused to be quelled by their disdain. “Whatever needs doing. I supervise many of the day-to-day activities—feeding cattle, mending fences, making sure our equipment is in proper working order, assisting the vet to make sure our herd remains healthy.”

“Sounds like grueling work,” Eric observed.

“It can be,” Lucas answered.

“The ranch where you work is in Tennessee?” Benjamin asked.

Lucas nodded. “Yes.”

“Do you plan to continue working on the ranch after you and Magnolia wed?”

The frosty note of challenge in Benjamin’s voice crawled under Lucas’s skin. He glanced at Magnolia, wondering how much he should divulge of his ambitions.

“Lucas and I haven’t made any concrete plans yet,” Magnolia cut in diplomatically. “The good news is that my job is online, so I can live anywhere.”

Benjamin turned to Oscar, his brows bunched. “How do you feel about Magnolia leaving New Orleans?”

“Magnolia’s an adult,” Oscar answered in a smooth, congenial tone. “I know that whatever she decides will be the right decision for her.”

“Thanks,” Magnolia said as the two shared a smile.

Benjamin’s face turned a shade darker as he scowled. A second later, his countenance brightened. “Roman, you’re planning on getting your doctorate degree. Is that correct?”

“Yes, I’ve applied to several programs, with Harvard being at the top of the list. I hope to one day teach there.”

“Now, that’s a career one can be proud of,” Benjamin said heartily as he shot Lucas a superior sneer that said You’ll never measure up .

Lucas’s blood began to boil. He’d about had all he could take of Benjamin Bentley and his disdainful attitude. He balled his hand around his napkin. “This country was built by hardworking men and women who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. I will never apologize for who I am or what I choose to do for a living.”

Silence descended over the group with the density of thick soup.

Magnolia caught Lucas’s eyes from across the table and said meaningfully, “I’m proud of you for the man you are and would never ask you to be anything different.”

Her words had the magical effect of deflating Lucas’s anger. He needed to get control of his emotions and stop letting Benjamin bait him.

Benjamin grunted. “A noble sentiment, but it won’t hold up in the face of reality.” He looked at Magnolia. “Can you honestly tell me that you’d rather end up with that—” he gestured toward Lucas “—that ranch hand—instead of Roman? Open your eyes, Magnolia. Roman loves you for who you are. The two of you have a history together. You’re upset with him because you misunderstood the situation. Roman wasn’t stepping out on you. You heard him earlier in the study. The other woman was an old friend.”

Magnolia’s face turned blood red. “Stop it!” she warned Benjamin. “I’ve made my decision.”

“It’s true,” Roman chimed in. “I do love you.” His voice trembled. “I’ll do anything to prove it to you. Give me another chance.” He reached for Magnolia’s hand. “Please,” he uttered.

Indignation blazed a hot inferno through Lucas as he rose to his feet and threw down his napkin. If he stayed here a minute longer, he was going to punch Roman and Benjamin Bentley into next week. “Excuse me,” he barked as he turned and stalked out of the room.