Divine Deception by Marcia Lynn McClure

dismounted from two nearby horses and standing against the fence, obviously involved in easy conversation. The woman she recognized instantly, even at such a distance. The man had his back to Fallon, but she could see he had removed his shirt, most likely due to the heat of the day. Julia Salazares looked up and waved. Fallon waved in response, but her heart landed with a thud in the pit of her stomach as she realized who the woman’s companion was. Trader! He reached down and picked up the hood from its place on the ground, pulling it over his head, but not before Fallon glimpsed his long, dark brown hair. It was pulled together at the back of his neck and hung several inches below his shoulders. Conflicting emotions jumbled Fallon’s thoughts as she guided the horse toward them. Why was her husband in a secluded part of the fields with Julia Salazares and only half-dressed? She felt the hot sting of tears gathering in her eyes. Obviously, he was comfortable enough with Julia Salazares to remove his hood in her presence. Comfortable enough with her, but not with Fallon.
    “ Hello, Fallon!” Julia greeted as Fallon dismounted.
    “ Hello, Julia. It’s nice to finally meet you officially,” Fallon said, extending her hand to the Spanish beauty.
    “ I was just on my way over to see if you needed anything, Fallon. I heard about your frightful experience in town. I guess it’s fortunate that Trader happened to be in town as well.” Fallon looked quickly at Trader, who had returned to hammering the fence post. Julia looked at Trader and then back to Fallon. “Well, I guess I’ll be on my way. If you need something, Fallon, just let me know. Come over for a visit soon. You and I really should get to know each other a little better.” Julia flashed one of her dazzling smiles. Fallon felt hot anger rising in her ears at the sound of the woman’s melodic accent. It served only to enhance her already unusual beauty.
    “ Yes, we should, Julia,” Fallon said, forcing a smile.
    “ Well, we’ll talk later, Trader,” Julia said. She mounted her horse, waved goodbye, and rode off.
    Fallon felt betrayed and thus turned her hurt and painful envy toward Trader. “Well, I guess you had quite a good laugh at my expense!”
    “ What?” he asked, seeming oblivious to the reason for Fallon’s strong emotions.
    “ Letting me ramble on about how you came to my rescue, so to speak. When in fact, it was an accident you happened to be there at all!”
    “ I followed you into town, Fallon. Ben told me you went alone, and I—”
    “ How humiliating! As if it weren’t bad enough. I can still feel that man licking my face,” she exclaimed, clawing at her face, her eyes filling with tears. “And now! Now I ride out here and find you naked in a field with our seductress of a neighbor! I should’ve known. I should’ve known she was your…held your interest. The day I married you I should’ve known it! At our wedding reception, you were falling all over each other. But at least you were properly dressed!”
    “ That’s enough, Fallon,” Trader said calmly. “Julia and I have been neighbors for many years and—”
    “ And lovers too? I’m so ignorant! No wonder you didn’t want me for your wife in…in every respect! You’ve no need of any…you’ve no need to…you’ve got everything you need already!” Trader reached out and took Fallon firmly by the shoulders.
    “ Stop it! Just stop it! I think that degenerate did more than lick your face in that store. You’ve been hysterical ever since. I am not Julia’s lover—although it is quite flattering you would even imagine it to be so.” Fallon was furious at his mocking and pushed at his chest, stepping back and out of his grasp.
    “ Those moments in the store were the most horrible I’ve ever known, Trader! Worse even than being beaten or starved! How can you mention it?” She turned and picked up the reins to her horse.
    “ I’m sorry, Fallon,” he said,