Under the Cowboy's Control

ced the day before seemed completely to have disappeared. Letting her go to her room alone the night before had almost broken him. He wanted to get this deal tied up and completed before he went insane.

"You look much better today, Angel."

Selena turned to face him, a smile on her face. "Yes. I'm fine."

"Is the pain gone completely? Could we make the trip to Laredo today?" Today was Monday, and he didn't want to put off something that would get him one step closer to his goal.

Twin dimples formed on her cheeks. " Si. I am ready. I have made a list."

"A list?" Travis couldn't think of why she would need a list at the courthouse.

"Yes. A list for supplies." She indicated the kitchen with her hand. "For food."

Understanding hit Travis. His mind was on one track. And it would stay on one track until he had her under him.

"Then let's go."

The trip to Laredo was accomplished in under forty minutes. Selena couldn't help but compare it to the trip she had made weeks before. The big, black truck ate up the miles, and Selena leaned back in comfort in the bucket seat. This truck bore no resemblance whatsoever to the farm truck she had ridden in before. The dash was wood grain, and the seats were made of leather so soft, she sunk down and had to concentrate to keep her eyes open. This truck was the Texas equivalent to a rich man's Lexus or Porsche. She looked over at Travis behind the wheel and tried to contain a hint of guilt for what she was doing.

Was she taking the easy way out? Was she using him for her own ends? Trading sex for safety and food?

Marriages of convenience were as old as time. And she already had strong feelings for him. She just prayed she wasn't committing a sin.

They were in and out of the courthouse in no time. Her papers were all in order, her social security card enabling her to get a marriage license without a hitch. There was a three day mandatory waiting period in Texas, so they would have to go home with the license, but without the marriage taking place.

Selena felt a mild sense of shock when they walked down the courthouse steps and Travis said, "We'll come back Thursday and get married."

She agreed in a mild voice and he hustled her back into the truck, opening the passenger door for her and holding her hand as she stepped in.

She watched the streets of Laredo in a daze until they pulled into the parking lot of a fashionable building. She registered the jewelry store in front of them as he was bustling her inside.

It was still early, and the manager didn't have any other customers.

Travis walked in and asked to see engagement rings. The manager beamed and started pulling out diamond rings on black velvet trays. The trays came from the middle of the case, between the smaller rings and the larger diamonds.

Travis gave the manager a slight nod and pointed to the large diamonds. No words were spoken between them, but the manager straightened and pulled the larger tray from the display case.

Selena saw the exchange between the two men and tried to contain the shock and exhilaration that screamed up her spine. She hadn't even thought of getting a ring, and here he was trying to buy her a big one. "No, Travis, please, not those."

Travis turned from the rings back to her. "Why not?"

"Be-because, they c-cost too much. I don't need--"

He cut her off by reaching out and dragging her to him. He laced his arm behind her back and teased softly, "I can probably afford it."

There was humor in Travis's voice and confidence in his movements. His eyes glittered into hers. "Take a look."

Travis turned her toward the rings. "Pick one, baby." He raised his eyes to the man behind the counter. "I want a set for her, and a plain gold band for me. Can we get them sized and ready for pickup on Thursday?"

"Yes, of course, sir. Not a problem."

Half an hour later, Selena looked down at her finger as they were leaving the shop.

Miraculously, the set that Travis wanted for her and she loved and agreed on, fit her perfectly already. The huge diamond glittered on her finger.

In Mexico, she came from a wealthy family. But she had never owned anything that compared to the ring on her finger. A two-caret diamond with smaller baguettes surrounding it, it was set in platinum and sparkled as it caught the sun.

Her excitement was intensified by the knowledge that he was going to wear a ring, too. A ring that would mark him as her husband.