Duncan's Bride by Linda Howard Page A

his divorce. He was breathtaking in it. She glanced at Christine, who still wasn’t breathing.
    â€œChristine, this is Reese Duncan. Reese, my best friend, Christine Rizzotto.”
    Reese gave Christine a half smile and touched his fingers to the brim of his hat. “I’m pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
    She was still ogling him, but she managed a weak, “And you, Mr. Duncan.”
    He picked up two of Madelyn’s suitcases, nodded to Christine, and carried them out. Christine’s breath escaped her with a whoosh. “That man is…is potent,” she half gasped. “Now I understand.”
    Madelyn knew how she felt, and fingered the string of pearls around her neck. The nervousness was coming back.
    Robert’s pale eyes were cool when he was introduced to Reese, which bothered Reese not at all. They were polite to each other. Madelyn hadn’t hoped for anything more. Their personalities were both too strong to allow for easy companionship.
    It wasn’t until everyone had checked out that she realized what he had said and turned to him in bewilderment. “You said you’d put the suitcases in the car. You don’t have a car.”
    â€œI do now. You’ll need something to drive when I have the truck out on the range. It isn’t new, but it’s dependable.”
    She was overwhelmed, and her throat tightened. It was a white Ford station wagon, a useful vehicle on a working ranch. She’d had a car while she’d been in college in Virginia, but that had been years ago, and shehadn’t had any need for one in the city. With money so tight for Reese, this was a big gesture for him to make. If she had thought about it she would have bought her own car, but she hadn’t.
    The judge was waiting for them in his chambers. Madelyn opened her purse and got out the ring she’d bought for Reese, slipping it on her finger and closing her hand into a fist to keep it on. The judge saw her do it, and smiled. Christine took her purse from her, and after clearing his throat twice, the judge began.
    Her hands were cold. Reese held her left one, folding his hard, warm fingers over hers to share his body heat with her, and when he felt her shaking he put his arm around her waist. He repeated the vows, his dark-textured voice steady. She learned that Gideon was his first name, something she hadn’t known before and hadn’t gotten around to asking. When it was her turn, she was surprised to hear her own vows repeated just as evenly. He slipped a plain gold band on her finger, and the judge smoothly continued, having seen Madelyn take out Reese’s ring. Reese started with surprise when the judge did the ring ceremony again, and Madelyn slid a gold band over his knuckle. It was a plain band, like hers, but he hadn’t expected a ring. He hadn’t worn one before. The wedding band looked odd on his hand, a thin ring of gold signaling that he was now a married man.
    Then he kissed her. It was just a light touch of the lips, lingering only a moment, because he didn’t want to start kissing her now. He was under control, and he wanted it to stay that way. It was done. They were married.
    Madelyn was quiet as they drove Robert and Christine back to the airport. Their flight was already beingcalled, so they didn’t have time to do more than hug her fiercely. Reese shook Robert’s hand, and a very male look passed between the two men. Madelyn blinked back tears as both Christine and Robert turned back to wave just before they disappeared from view.
    They were alone. Reese kept his arm clamped around her waist as they walked back to the car. “You look like you’re about to collapse,” he growled.
    She felt light-headed. “I may. I’ve never been married before. It’s a nerve-racking business.”
    He put her in the car. “Have you had anything to eat today?”
    She shook her head.
    He was cursing when he slid