PAPERHUSBAND
DianaPalmer
Chapter1
Thesummersunwasrising.Judgingbyitsplaceinthesky,DanaMobryfiguredthatitwasabout
eleveno'clockinthemorning.Thatmeantshe'dbeeninherpresentpredicamentforovertwohours,
andthedaywasgrowinghotter.
Shesighedwithresignedmiseryassheglancedatherelevatedrightlegwhereherjeanswere
hopelesslytangledintwoloosestrandsofbarbedwire.Herbootedfootwasenmeshedinthestrands
ofbarbedwirethatmadeupthefence,andherleftlegwaswrappedinitbecauseshe'dtwistedwhen
shefell.She'dbeentryingtomendthebarbed-wirefencetokeepcattlefromgettingout.Shewas
usingherfather'stoolstodoit,butsadly,shedidn'thavehisstrength.Attimeslikethis,shemissed
himunbearably,anditwasonlyaweeksincehisfuneral.
Shetuggedattheneckofhershort-sleevedcottonshirtandbrushedstrandsofherdampblondhair
backintoitsneatFrenchbraid.Notsoneatnow,shethought,disheveledandunkemptfromthefall
thathadlandedherinthismess.Nearby,oblivioustohermistress'sdilemma,herchestnutmare,Bess,
grazed.Overhead,ahawkmadegracefulpatternsagainstthecloudlesssky.Farawaycouldbeheard
thesoundoftrafficonthedistanthighwaythatledaroundJacobsvilletothesmallTexasranchwhere
Danawastangledinthefencewire.
Nobodyknewwhereshewas.Shelivedaloneinthelittleramshacklehousethatshe'dsharedwithher
father.They'dlosteverythingafterhermotherdesertedthemsevenyearsago.Afterthatterribleblow,
herfather,whowasraisedonaranch,decidedtocomebackandsettleontheoldfamilyhomeplace.
TherewerenootherrelativesunlessyoucountedacousininMontana.
Dana'sfatherhadstockedthisplacewithasmallherdofbeefcattleandraisedatruckgarden.Itwasa
meagerliving,comparedtothemansionnearDallasthathermother'swealthhadmaintained.When
CarlaMobryhadunexpectedlydivorcedherhusband,he'dhadtofindawayofmakingalivingfor
himself,quickly.DanahadchosentogowithhimtohisboyhoodhomeinJacobsville,ratherthan
endurehermother'sindifferentpresence.Nowherfatherwasdeadandshehadnoone.
She'dlovedherfather,andhe'dlovedher.They'dbeenhappytogether,evenwithoutahugeincome.
Butthestrainofhardphysicallaboronaheartthatshehadnotevenknownwasbadhadbeentoo
much.He'dhadaheartattackafewdaysago,anddiedinhissleep.Danahadfoundhimthenext
morningwhenshewentintohisroomtocallhimtobreakfast.
HankhadcomeimmediatelyatDana'sfranticphonecall.Itdidn'toccurtoherthatsheshouldhave
calledtheambulancefirstinsteadoftheirnearest,andveryantisocial,neighbor.ItwasjustthatHank
wassocapable.Healwaysknewwhattodo.Thatdayhehad,too.Afteraquicklookatherfather,he'd
phonedanambulanceandherdedDanaoutoftheroom.Laterhe'dsaidthatheknewimmediatelythat
itwashourstoolatetosaveherfather.He'ddoneastintoverseasinthemilitary,wherehe'dseen
deathtoooftentomistakeit.
MostpeopleavoidedHaydenGrantasmuchaspossible.Heownedthefeedandmillstorelocally,and
herancattleonhishugetractsoflandaroundJacobsville.He'dfoundoilonthesameland,solackof
moneywasn'toneofhisproblems.Butashorttemper,alegendarydislikeofwomenandareputation
foroutspokennessmadehimunpopularinmostplaces.
HelikedDana,though.Thathadbeenfascinatingfromtheverybeginning,becausehewasa
misogynistandmadenosecretofthefact.Perhapsheconsideredhersafebecauseoftheage
difference.Hankwasthirty-sixandDanawasbarelytwenty-two.Shewasslenderandofmedium
height,withdarkblondhairandaplainlittlefacemadeinterestingbythehugedarkblueeyesthat
dominatedit.Shehadafirm,roundedchinandastraightnoseandaperfectbowofamouththatwasa
naturallightpink,withoutmakeup.Shewasn'tpretty,butherfigurewasexquisite,eveninbluejeans
andafadedcheckedcottonshirtwiththetwobuttonsmissing,tornoffwhenshe'dfallen.She
grimaced.Shehadn'ttakentimetosearchforabrainthecleanwashthismorningbecauseshe'dbeen
inahurrytofixthefencebeforeheronlybullgotoutintotheroad.Shelookedlikeajuvenile
stripper,withthefirm,creamycurvesofherbreastsverynoticeablewherethebuttonsweremissing.
Sheshadedhereyeswithherhandandglancedaround.TherewasnothingformilesbutTexasand
moreTexas.Sheshouldhavebeenpayingbetterattentiontowhatshewasdoing,butherfather'sdeath
haddevastatedher.She'dcriedforthreedays,especiallyafterthefamilyattorneyhadtoldherabout
thathumiliatingclauseinthewillhe'dleft.Shecouldn'tbeartheshameofdivulgingittoHank.But
howcouldsheavoidit,whenitconcernedhimasmuchasitconcernedher?Papa,shethought
miserably,howcouldyoudothistome?Couldn'tyouhavesparedmealittlepride!
Shewipedstraytearsaway.Cryingwouldn'thelp.Herfatherwasdeadandthewillwouldhavetobe
dealtwith.
Asoundcaughtherattention.Inthestillnessofthefield,itwasveryloud.Therewasarhythmtoit.
Afteraminute,sheknewwhyitsoundedfamiliar.Itwasthegaitofathoroughbredstallion.Andshe
knewexactlytowhomthathorsebelonged.
Sureenough,aminutelateratallridercameintoview.Withhisbroad-brimmedhatpulledlowover
hislean,darkfaceandtheelegantwayherode,HankGrantwasprettyeasytospotfromadistance.If
hehadn'tbeensonoticeable,thehorse,Cappy,was.Cappywasapalominowithimpeccable
bloodlines,andhebroughthandsomefeesatstud.Hewasremarkablygentleforanungeldedhorse,
althoughhecouldbecomenervousattimes.Still,hewouldn'tallowanyoneexceptHankonhisback.
AsHankreinedinbesideherpronebody,shecouldseetheamusedindulgenceinhisfacebeforeshe
hearditinhisdeepvoice.
"Again?"heaskedwithresignation,obviouslyrecallingtheothertimeshe'dhadtorescueher.
"Thefencewasdown,"shesaidbelligerently,blowingastrandofblondhairoutofhermouth."And
thatstupidfencetoolneedshandslikeawrestler'stoworkit!"
"Sureitdoes,honey,"hedrawled,crossinghisforearmsoverthepommel."Fencesdon'tknowbeans
aboutthewomen'sliberationmovement."
"Don'tyoustartthatagain,"shemuttered.
Hismouthtuggedup."Aren'tyouinapeachypositiontobethrowingoutchallenges?"hemurmured
dryly,andhisdarkeyessawfartoomuchastheysweptoverherbody.Forjustaninstant,something
flashedinthemwhentheycametorestbrieflyontherevealedcurvesofherbreasts.
Shemoveduncomfortably."Comeon,Hank,getmeloose,"shepleaded,wriggling."I'vebeenstuck
heresincenineo'clockandI'mdyingforsomethingtodrink.It'ssohot."
"Okay,kid."HeswungoutofthesaddleandthrewCappy'sreinsoverhishead,leavinghimtograze
nearby.Hesquattedbyhertrappedlegs.Hiswornjeanspulledtightagainstthelong,powerful
musclesofhislegsandshehadtogritherteethagainstthepleasureitgaveherjusttolookathim.
Hankwashandsome.Hehadthatsortofmasculinebeautyabouthimthatmadeevenolderwomen
sighwhentheysawhim.Hehadarider'sleanandgracefullook,andafacethatanadvertisingagency
wouldhaveloved.Buthewasutterlyunawareofhisownattractions.Hiswifehadrunoutonhimten
yearsbefore,andhe'dneverwantedtomarryanyoneelsesincethedivorce.Itwaswell-knowninthe
communitythatHankhadnouseforawomanexceptinoneway.Hewasdiscreetandtight-lipped
abouthisliaisons,andonlyDanaseemedtoknowthathehadthem.Hewasremarkablyoutspoken
withher.Infact,hetalkedtoheraboutprivatethingsthathesharedwithnobodyelse.
Hewassurveyingthedamage,hislipspursedthoughtfully,beforehebegantotrytountangleher
fromthebarbedwirewithglovedhands.Hankwasmethodicalineverythinghedid,single-minded
anddeliberate.Heneveractedrashly.Itwasanothertraitthatdidn'tgounnoticed.
"Nope,thatwon'tdo,"hemurmuredandreachedintohispocket."I'mgoingtohavetocutthisdenim
togetyouloose,honey.I'msorry.I'llreplacethejeans."
Sheblushed."I'mnotdestituteyet!"
Helookeddownintoherdarkblueeyesandsawthecolorinhercheeks."You'resoproud,Dana.
You'dneveraskforhelp,notifitmeantyoustarvedtodeath."Heflippedopenhispock-etknife."I
guessthat'swhywegetalongsowell.We'realikeinalotofways."
"You'retallerthanIam,andyouhaveblackhair.Mine'sblond,"shesaidpointedly.
Hegrinned,assheknewhewould.Hedidn'tsmilemuch,especiallyaroundotherpeople.Sheloved
thewayhiseyestwinkledwhenhesmiled.
"Iwasn'ttalkingaboutphysicaldifferences,"heexplainedunnecessarily.Hecutthedenimloosefrom
thewire.Itwasagoodthinghewaswearinggloves,becausethebarbed-wirewassharpand
treacherous."Whydon'tyouuseelectrifiedfencelikemodernranchers?"
"BecauseIcan'taffordit,Hank,"shesaidsimply.
Hegrimaced.Hefreedthelaststrandandpulledherintoasittingposition,whichwasunexpectedly
intimate.Herblousefellopenwhensheleanedforwardand,likeanymale,hefilledhiseyeswiththe
sightofherfirm,creamybreasts,theirtipshardandmauveagainstthesoftpinkmounds.Hecaught
hisbreathaudibly.
Embarrassed,shegraspedtheedgesofhershirtandpulledthemtogether,flushing.Shecouldn'tmeet
hiseyes.Butshewasawareofhisintentstare,ofthesmellofleatherandfaintcolognethatclungto
hisskin,ofthecleansmellofhislong-sleevechambrayshirt.Hereyesfelltotheopeningathis
throat,wherethickblackhairwasvisible.She'dneverseenHankwithouthisshirt.She'dalways
wantedto.
Hisleanhandsmoothedagainsthercheekandhisthumbpressedherroundedchinup.Hiseyes
searchedhershyones."Andthat'swhatIlikebestaboutyou,"hesaidhuskily."Youdon'tplay.Every
moveyoumakeishonest."Heheldhergaze."Iwouldn'tbemuchofamanifI'dturnedmyeyesaway.
Yourbreastsarebeautiful,likepinkmarblewithhardlittletipsthatmakemefeelverymasculine.You
shouldn'tbeashamedofanaturalreactionlikethat."
Shewasn'tquitesurewhathemeant."Natural...reaction?"shefaltered,wide-eyed.
Hefrowned."Don'tyouunderstand?"
Shedidn't.Herlifehadbeenaremarkablyshelteredone.She'dfirstdiscoveredherfeelingsforHank
whenshewasjustseventeen,andshe'dneverlookedatanyoneelse.She'donlydatedtwoboys.Both
ofthemhadbeenshyandalittlenervouswithher,andwhenoneofthemhadkissedher,she'dfoundit
distasteful.
Shedidwatchmovies,someofwhichwereveryexplicit.Buttheydidn'texplainwhathappenedto
peoplephysically,theyjustshowedit.
"No,"shesaidfinally,grimacing."Well,I'mhopeless,Iguess.Idon'tdate,Ihaven'tgottimetoread
racynovels...!"
Hewaswatchingherveryclosely."Somelessonscarryahighprice.Butit'ssafeenoughwithme.
Here."
Hetookherownhandand,shockingly,easedthefabricawayfromherbreastandputherfingerson
thehardtip.Hewatchedherbodyashedidit,whichmadetheexperienceevenmoresensual.
"Desirecausesit,"heexplainedquietly."Aman'sbodyswellswherehe'smostaman.Awoman's
breastsswellandthetipsgohard.It'sareactionthatcomesfromexcitement,andnothingatalltobe
ashamedof."
Shewasbarelybreathing.Sheknewherfacewasflushed,andherheartwasbeatinghertodeath.She
wassittinginthemiddleofanopenfield,lettingHanklookatherbreastsandexplaindesiretoher.
Thewholethinghadafantasyqualitythatmadeherwide-eyed.
Heknewit.Hesmiled."You'repretty,"hesaidgently,removingherhandandtuggingtheedgesofthe
blousebacktogether."Don'tmakeheavyweatherofit.It'snatural,isn'tit,withus?Italwayshasbeen.
That'swhyIcantalktoyousoeasilyaboutthemostintimatethings."Hefrownedslightly."Iwanted
mywifeallthetime,didIevertellyou?Shetauntedmeandmademecrazytohaveher,sothatI'ddo
anythingforit.ButIwasn'trichenoughtosuither.Mybestfriendhititbiginrealestateandshewas
alloverhimlikeaduckonabug.Idon'tthinksheeverlookedbackwhensheleftme,butIdidn't
sleepforweeks,wantingher.Istillwanther,fromtimetotime."Hesighedroughly."Andnowshe's
comingback,sheandBob.They'regoingtobeintownforafewweekswhilehegetsridofallhis
investments.He'sretiring,andhewantstosellmehisracehorse.Hellofagall,isn'tit?"hemuttered
coldly.
Shefelthispainanddidn'tdarelethimseehowmuchitdisturbedher."Thanksforuntanglingme,"
shesaidbreathlessly,todiverthim,andstartedtogetup.
Hishandstayedher.Helookedstudiousandcalculating."Don't.Iwanttotrysomething."
Hisfingerswenttothesnapsofhischambrayshirtandheunfasteneditalldownhischest,pullingthe
shirttailoutofhisjeansashewent.Hischestwasbroadandtanned,thickwithhair,powerfully
muscled.
"Whatareyoudoing?"shewhispered,startled.
"Itoldyou.Iwanttotrysomething."Hedrewheruponherknees,andunfastenedtheremaining
buttonsonhershirt.Helookedsearchinglyatherexpression.Shewastooshockedtoprotest,and
thenhepulledherclose,lettingherfeelforthefirsttimeinherlifetheimpactofaman'sseminudity
againstherown.
Hersharpbreathwasaudible.Therewaswonderinhereyesassheliftedthemtohisinfascinated
curiosity.
Hishandswenttoherribcageandhedrewherlazily,sensuously,againstthatroughcushionofhis
chest.Ittickledherbreastsandmadethetipsgoharder.Shegraspedhisshoulders,bitinginwithher
nailsinvoluntarilyasallherdreamsseemedtocometrueatonce.Hiseyeswereblazingwithdark
fires.Theyfelltohermouthandhebenttowardher.
Shefeltthehardwarmthofhislipsslowlyburrowintohers,partingthem,teasingthem.Sheheldher
breath,tastinghimlikesomerarewine.Dimlyshefelthishandgobetweenthemandtenderlycaress
oneswollenbreast.Shegaspedagain,andhisheadliftedsothathecouldseehereyes.
Histhumbrippledoverthehardtipandsheshiveredallover,helplessinhisembrace.
"Yes,"hewhisperedabsently,"that'sexactlywhatIthought.Icouldlayyoudownrighthere,right
now."
Shebarelyheardhim.Herheartwasshakingher.Hisfingerstouchedher,teasedherbody.Itarched
towardhim,desperatenottolosethecontact.
Hiseyeswerealloverherface;herbarebreastspressedsocloseagainsthim.Hefeltthetouchallthe
waytohissoul."Iwantyou,"hesaidquietly.
Shesobbed,becauseitshouldn'thavebeenlikethis.Herownbodybetrayedher,givingawayallits
hard-keptsecrets.
Buttherewasahesitationinhim.Hishandstilledonherbreast,hismouthhoveredoverhersashis
darkeyesprobed,watched.
"You'restillavirgin,aren'tyou?"heaskedroughly.
Sheswallowed,herlipsswollenfromthetouchofhis.
Heshookhergently."Tellme!"
Shebitherlowerlipandlookedathisthroat.Shecouldseethepulsehammeringthere."Youknew
thatalready."Shegroundoutthewords.
Hedidn'tseemtobreatheforaminute,thentherewasaslow,raggedexhalingofbreath.Hewrapped
herupinhisarmsandsatholdingherclose,rockingher,hisfaceburiedinherhotthroat,againsther
quickpulse.
"Yes.Ijustwantedtobesure,"hesaidafteraminute.Hereleasedherinchbyinchandsmiledruefully
ashefastenedherblouseagain.
Shelethim,dazed.Hereyesclungtohisasiftheywerelookingforsanity.
Hermouthwasswollen.Hereyeswereasroundasdarkbluesaucersinafacelividwithcolor.Inthat
momentshewasmorebeautifulthanhe'deverknownhertobe.
"Noharmdone,"hesaidgently."We'velearnedalittlemoreabouteachotherthanweknewbefore.It
won'tchangeanything.We'restillfriends."
Hemadeitsoundlikeaquestion."Of...ofcourse,"shestammered.
Hestoodup,refasteninghisownshirtandtuckingitbackinashelookedatherwithanew
expression.Possession.Yes,thatwasit.Helookedasifshebelongedtohimnow.Shedidn't
understandthelookorherownreactiontoit.
Shescrambledtoherfeet,movingthemtoseeifanythinghurt.
"Thewiredidn'tbreaktheskin,fortunatelyforyou,"hesaid."Thosejeansareheavy,toughfabric.
Butyouneedatetanusshot,justthesame.Ifyouhaven'thadone,I'lldriveyouintotowntogetone."
"Ihadonelastyear,"shesaid,avoidinghiseyesasshestartedtowardBess,whowaseyeingthe
stallionalittletoocuriously."You'dbettergetCappybeforehegetsanyideas."
HecaughtCappy'sbridleandhadtosoothehim."You'dbettergetheroutofherewhileyoucan,"he
advised."Ididn'tthinkyou'dberidinghertodayorIwouldn'thavebroughtCappy.Youusuallyride
Toast."
Shedidn'twanttotellhimthatToasthadbeensoldtohelpsettleoneofherfather'soutstandingdebts.
Hewatchedherswingintothesaddleandhedidlikewise,keepingthestallionagooddistanceaway.
Theurgetomatewasn'tonlyahumanthing.
"I'llbeovertoseeyoulater,"hecalledtoher."We'vegotsomethingstotalkover."
"Likewhat?"sheasked.
ButHankdidn'tanswer.Cappywasfidgetingwildlyashetriedtocontrolthestallion."Notnow.Get
herhome!"
Sheturnedthemareandgallopedtowardtheranch,forgettingthefenceinherheadlongrush.She'd
havetocomebacklater.Atleastshecouldgetoutofthesunandgetsomethingcoldtodrinknow.
Onceshewasbackinthesmallhouse,shelookedatherselfinthebathroommirrorafterashower
andcouldn'tbelieveshewasthesamewomanwho'dgoneoutintothepastureonlythismorning.She
lookedsodifferent.Therewassomethingnewinhereyes,somethingmorefeminine,mysteriousand
secretive.Shefeltalloveragaintheslow,searchingtouchofHaydenGrant'shardfingersand
blushed.
Therehadbeenarareandbeautifulmagicbetweenthemoutthereinthefield.Shelovedhimso
much.Therehadbeennootherman'stouchonherbody,neveranothermaninherheart.Buthowwas
hegoingtoreactwhenheknewthecontentsofherfather'swill?Hedidn'twanttomarryagain.He'd
saidsooftenenough.AndalthoughheandDanahadbeenfriendsforalongtime,he'ddrawnbackat
oncewhenhemadeheradmitherinnocence.He'dwantedanaffair,obviously,butdiscoveredthatit
wouldbeimpossibletojustifythatwithhisconscience.Hecouldn'tseduceaninnocentwoman.
Shewentintoherbedroomandputonblueslacksandaknitshirt,leavingherfreshlywashedand
driedhairloosearoundhershoulders.He'dsaidtheywouldtalklater.Didthatmeanhe'dheardgossip
aboutthewill?Washegoingtoaskhertochallengeit?
Shehadnoideawhattoexpect.Perhapsitwasjustaswell.She'dhavelesstimetoworry.
Shewalkedaroundthelivingroom,hereyesonthesad,shabbyfurniturethatsheandherfatherhad
boughtsomanyyearsago.Therehadn'tbeenanymoneyinthepastyearforre-upholsteryornew
frills.They'dputeverythingintothosefewheadofbeefcattleandtheherdsire.Butthecattlemarket
waswaydownandifabadwintercame,therewouldbenowaytoaffordtobuyfeed.Shehadtoplant
plentyofhayandcorntogetthroughthewinter.Buttheirbesthandhadquitonherfather'sdeath,and
nowallshehadweretwopart-timehelpers,whomshecouldbarelyaffordtopay.Ablindwoman
couldseethatshewouldn'tbeabletokeepgoingnow.
Shecouldhaveweptforherlostchances.Shehadnoeducationpasthighschool,norealwaytomake
aliving.Allsheknewwashowtopullcalvesandmixfeedandselloffstock.Shewenttotheauctions
andknewhowtobid,howtobuy,howtopickcattleforconformation.Sheknewmuchlessabout
horses,butthathardlymattered.Sheonlyhadoneleftandthepart-timemankeptBess—andToast,
untilhewassold—groomedandfedandwatered.Shedidatleastknowhowtosaddlethebeast.Butto
Dana,ahorsewasatooltousewithcattle.Haydencringedwhenshesaidthat.Hehadpurebred
palominosandlovedeveryoneofthem.Hecouldn'tunderstandanyonenotlovinghorsesasmuchas
hedid.
Oddly,though,itwastheironlyrealpointofcontention.Inmostotherways,theyagreed,evenon
politicsandreligion.Andtheylikedthesametelevisionprograms.Shesmiled,rememberinghow
manytimesthey'dsharedsimilarenthusiasmsforweeklyseries,especiallysciencefictionones.Hank
hadbeenkindtoherfather,too,andsopatientwhenamanwho'dgivenhislifetobeingacountry
gentlemanwassuddenlyfacedwithlearningtobearancherattheageoffifty-five.ItmadeDanasad
tothinkhowmuchlongerherfather'slifemighthavebeenifhe'dtakenupalessexhaustive
profession.He'dhadagoodbrain,andsomuchstilltogive.
Shefixedalightlunchandapotofcoffeeandthoughtaboutgoingbackouttoseeaboutthatdowned
fence.Butanotherdisasterwouldjustbetoomuch.Shewasdisaster-pronewhenHankwasanywhere
nearher,andsheseemedtoberapidlygettingthatwayevenwhenhewasn't.He'drescuedherfrom
madbulls,trappedfeetincorralfences,oncefromarattlesnakeandtwicefromfallingbalesofhay.
Hemustbewonderingiftherewasn'tsomewayhecouldberidofheronceandforall.
Itwasniceofhimnottomentionthoseincidentswhenhe'drescuedherfromthefence,though.
Surelyhe'dbeentemptedto.
Tempted.Shecoloredalloveragainrememberingtheintimacythey'dshared.Inthesevenyears
they'dknowneachother,he'dnevertouchedheruntiltoday.Shewonderedwhyhehad.
Thesoundofacaroutsideonthecountryroadbroughtheroutofthekitchenandtothefrontdoor,
justintimetoseeHank'sblackluxurycarpullintothedriveway.Hewasn'taflashysortofman,and
hedidn'tgooverboardtosurroundhimselfwithluxuriousthings.Thatmakeofcarwashisone
exception.Hehadafascinationforthebigcarsthatneverseemedtowaver,becausehetradedhisin
everyotheryear—foranotherblackone.
"Don'tyougettiredofthecolor?"she'daskedhimonce.
"Why?"he'drepliedlaconically."Blackgoeswitheverything."
Hecameupontotheporch,andtheexpressiononhisfacewasoneshehadn'tseenbefore.Helooked
ashealwaysdid,neatlydressedandclean-shaven,devastatinglyhandsome,buttherewasstilla
difference.Aftertheirbriefinterludeoutinthepasture,theatmospherebetweenthemwasjustalittle
strained.
Hehadhishandsinhispocketsasheglanceddownatherbodyintheprettyruffledbluesundress.
"Isthatformybenefit?"heasked.
Sheblushed.sheusuallykickedaroundinjeansorcutoffsandtanktops.Shealmostneverwore
dressesaroundtheranch.AndherhairwasIongandloosearoundhershouldersinsteadofinits
usualbraid.
Sheshruggedindefeat."Yes,Iguessitis,"shesaid,meetinghiseyeswitharuefulsmile."Sorry."
Heshookhishead."There'snoneedtoapologize.Noneatall.Infact,whathappenedthisafternoon
gavemesomeideasthatIwanttotalktoyouabout."
Herheartjumpedintoherchest.Washegoingtopropose?Oh,glory,ifonlyhewould,andthenhe'd
neverevenhavetoknowaboutthatsillyclauseinherfather'swill!
Chapter2
Sheledthewayintothekitchenandsetoutaplatterofsaladandcoldcutsanddressinginthecenter
ofthetable,onwhichshe'dalreadyputtwoplacesettings.Shepouredcoffeeintotwomugs,gavehim
oneandsatdown.Shedidn'thavetoaskwhathetookinhiscoffee,becauseshealreadyknewthathe
haditblack,justasshedid.Itwasoneofmanythingstheyhadincommon.
"Whatdidyouwanttoaskme,Hank?"sheventuredafterhe'dworkedhiswaythroughahugesalad
andtwocupsofcoffee.Hernerveswerescreamingwithsuspenseandanticipation.
"Oh.That."Heleanedbackwithhishalf-drainedcoffeecupinhishand."Iwonderedifyoumightbe
willingtohelpmeoutwithalittleplayactingformyex-wife'sbenefit."
Allherhopesfellatherfeet."Whatsortofacting?"sheasked,tryingtosoundnonchalant.
"Iwantyoutopretendtobeinvolvedwithme,"hesaidfrankly,staringather."Onthismorning's
showing,itshouldn'tbetoodifficulttolookasifwecan'tkeepourhandsoffeachother.Shouldit?"
heaskedwithamockingsmile.
Everythingfellintoplace;hisoddremarks,his"experiment"outthereinthepasture,hiscurious
behavior.Hisbelovedex-wifewascomingtotownandhedidn'twanteveryonetoknowhowbadly
she'dhurthimorhowhe'dgrievedatherloss.SoDanahadbeencastashisnewlove.Hedidn'twanta
newwife,hewantedanactress.
Shestaredintohercoffee."Idon'tguessyoueverwanttogetmarriedagain,doyou?"sheaskedwith
studiedcarelessness.
Hesawrightthroughthatdeviouslittlequestion."No,Idon't,"hesaidbluntly."Oncewasenough."
Shegrimaced.Herfatherhadplacedherinanintolerableposition.Somehow,hemusthavesuspected
thathistimewaslimited.Otherwisewhyshouldhehavegonetosuchlengthsinhiswilltomakesure
thathisdaughterwasprovidedforafterhisdeath?
"You'vebeenactingfunnysinceyourfatherdied,"hesaidsuddenly,andhiseyesnarrowed."Isthere
somethingyouhaven'ttoldme?"
Shemadeanawkwardmotionwithoneshoulder.
"Didhegointodebtandleaveyouwithnothing,isthatit?"
"Well..."
"Becauseifthat'sthecase,Icantakecareoftheproblem,"hecontinued,unabashed."Youhelpmeout
whileBetty'shere,andI'llpayoffanyoutstandingdebts.Youcanthinkofitasajob."
Shewantedtothrowherselfdownonthefloorandscream.Nothingwasworkingout.Shelookedat
himinanguish."Oh,Hank,"shegroaned.
Hescowled."Comeon.Itcan'tbethatbad.Spititout."
Shetookasteadyingbreathandgottoherfeet."There'sasimplerway.Ithink...you'dbetterreadDad's
will.I'llgetit."
Shewentintothelivingroomandpulledoutthedeskdrawerthatcontainedherfather'swill.Shetook
itintothekitchenandhandedittoapuzzledHank,watchinghislean,eleganthandsunfastenthe
closureonthedocument.
"Andbeforeyoustartscreaming,Ididn'tknowanythingaboutthatclause,"sheaddedthroughher
teeth."Itwasasmuchashocktomeasit'sgoingtobetoyou."
"Clause?"hemurmuredashescannedoverthewill."Whatclause...Oh,myGod!"
"Now,Hank,"shebeganinanefforttothwartthethreatenedexplosionshesawgrowinginhislean
face.
"Godinheaven!"Hegottohisfeet,slammingthewillbackonthetable.Hisfacehadgonefrom
ruddytowhiteinthespaceofseconds."WhatahellofachoiceI'vegot!ImarryyouorIendupwith
astockcarracetrackontheedgeofmybarnwheremymaresfoal!Movingthedamnedthingwould
costhalfamilliondollars!"
"Ifyou'lljustgivemeachancetospeak,"shesaidheavily."Hank,theremaybeawaytobreakthe
will—"
"Oh,sure,wecansayhewascrazy!"Hisblackeyeswereglitteringlikediamonds.
Sheflushed.Hewasflagrantlyinsultingher.Shemightlovehim,butshewasn'ttakingthatkindof
treatment,evenfromhim.Shegottoherownfeetandglaredupathim."Hemusthavebeen,towant
metomarryyou!"sheshouted."Whatmakesyouthinkyou'resuchaprize,Hank?You'reyearstoo
oldformeinthefirstplace,andinthesecond,whatsanewomanwouldwanttomarryamanwho's
stillinlovewithhisex-wife?"
Hewasbarelybreathing.HisangerwassoapparentthatDanafeltherkneesgowobbly,despiteher
spunkywords.
Hisblackeyesslewedoverherwithcontempt."Imightlikelookingatyourbody,butacoupleof
kissesandalittlefondlingdon'twarrantamarriageproposalinmybook."
"Norinmine,"shesaidwithscaldedpride."Whydon'tyougohome?"
Hisfistsclenchedathisside.Hestillcouldn'tbelievewhathe'dreadinthatwill.Itwasbeyondbelief
thatherfather,hisfriend,wouldhavestabbedhiminthebackthisway.
"Hemusthavebeenoutofhismind,"hegrated."Icouldhavesettledatrustonyouorsomething,he
didn'thavetospecifymarriageasaconditionforyoutoinheritwhat'srightfullyyours!"
Sheliftedherchin."Icanhardlyaskwhathisreasoningwas,"sheremindedhim."He'sdead."The
wordswerestarkandhollow.Shewasstillinthemidstofgriefforthepassingofherparent.Hank
hadn'tconsideredthatshewashurting,shethought,ormaybehejustdidn'tcare.Hewastooangryto
berational.
Hebreatheddeliberately."Youlittlecheat,"heaccused."You'vehadacrushonmeforyears,andI've
toleratedit.Itamusedme.Butthisisn'tfunny.Thisislowanddeceitful.I'dthinkmoreofyouifyou
admittedthatyouputyourfatheruptoit."
"Idon'tgiveadamnwhatyouthinkofme,"shechoked.Herpridewasintatters.Shewasfighting
tearsofpurerage."Whenyou'vehadtimetogetovertheshock,I'dlikeyoutoseemyattorney.
Betweenthetwoofyou,I'msureyoucanfindsomewaytostraightenthisout.BecauseIwouldn't
marryyouifyoucamewithasubscriptiontomyfavoritemagazineandanewFer-rari!SoIhada
crushonyouonce.That'sancienthistory!"
Hemadeasoundthroughhisnose."Thenwhatwasthatthismorningoutinthepasture?"hechided.
"Lust!"shethrewathim.
Hepickeduphishatandstudiedherwithcoldcontempt."I'llseewhatIcandoaboutthewill.You
couldcontactyourmother,"headdedpointedly."She'swealthy.I'msureshewon'tletyoustarve."
Shefoldedherarmsacrossherbreasts."Iwouldn'taskmymotherforatissueifIwasbleedingto
death,andyouknowit."
"Thesearedesperatecircumstances,"hesaidpointedly,alittlecalmernow.
"Mycircumstancesarenolongeranyofyourbusiness,"shesaidinavoicethatwasdisturbingly
calm."Goodbye,Hank."
Heslammedhishatoverhiseyesandwenttothefrontdoor,buthehesitatedwiththedoorknobinhis
handandlookedoverhisshoulder.Shewaspaleandhereyeswereshimmering.Heknewshewas
grievingforherfather.Itmustbescary,too,tohaveherinheritancewrappedaroundanimpossible
demand.Ifhedidn'tmarryher,shewasgoingtoloseeverything,evenherhome.Hewinced.
"Goodbye,"sherepeatedfirmly.Hereyesstartledhimwiththeircoldbluedarkness.Shelookedasif
shehatedhim.
Hedrewinashortbreath."Look,we'llworksomethingout."
"I'mtwenty-twoyearsold,"shesaidproudly."It'spasttimeIstartedtakingcareofmyself.IfIlosethe
ranch,I'llgetagrantandgobacktocollege.I'vealreadycompletedthebasiccourses,anyway."
Hehadn'tthoughtthatshemightgoaway.Suddenlyhislifewasevenmoretopsy-turvythanbefore.
Bettywasonherwaybacktotown,Dana'sfatherhadtriedtoforcehimintoamarriagehedidn'twant
andnowDanawasgoingaway.Hefeltdeserted.
Heletoutawordthatshe'dneverheardhimuse."Thengo,ifyouwantto,andbedamned,"hesaid
furiously."Itwillbeapleasurenottohavetorescueyoufromhalfadozendisastersaday."
Heslammedthedooronhiswayoutandshesankintoachair,feelingthesuddenwarmwetnessofthe
tearsshe'dbeentooproudtolethimsee.Atleastnowsheknewhowhefeltabouther.Sheguessed
thatshe'dbewell-advisedtolearntolivewithit.
Therestofthedaywasanightmare.Bytheendofit,shewassickofthememoriesinthehouse.Grief
andhumiliationdrovehertothetelephone.ShecalledJoe,theoldestofhertwopart-timeworkerson
theranch.
"I'mgoingawayforacoupleofdays,"shetoldhim."IwantyouandErnietowatchthecattleforme.
Okay?"
"Sure,bosslady.Whereyougoing?"
"Away."
Shehungup.
ItonlytookherafewminutestomakeareservationatamoderatelypricedHoustonhoteldowntown,
andtopacktheancientgrayBroncoshedrovewithenoughclothesfortheweekend.Shewasonher
wayinnotime,havinglockedupthehouse.Joehadakeyifheneededtogetin.
Shespenttheweekendwatchingmoviesoncableandexperimentingwithnewhairstyles.Shedrifted
aroundtheshopsdowntown,althoughshedidn'tbuyanything.Shehadtoconservehermoneynow,
untilshecouldapplyforagrantandgetintocollege.Onanimpulseshephonedacoupleofcolleges
aroundtheareaandrequestedcatalogsbesenttoherhomeaddressinJacobsville.
Therunawayweekendhadbeensomethingofanextravagance,butshe'dneededtogetaway.Shefelt
likeatouristasshewanderedaroundalltheinterestingspots,includingthefamedSanJacinto
monumentandthecanalwhereshipscameandwentintotheportcity.Heavyraincameonthesecond
day,withflashflooding,andshewasforcedtostayanextradayoruseherBroncoasabarge,
becausethestreetsnearthehotelweretoofloodedtoallowsafetravel.
ItwaslateMondaybeforesheturnedintothelongdrivewayofherranch.Andthefirstthingshe
noticedassheapproachedthefarmhousewastheproliferationoflawenforcementvehicles.
Shocked,shepulledupandturnedofftheignition."What'shappened?Hassomeonebrokenintomy
home?"sheaskedthefirstuniformedmanshemet,adeputysheriff.
Hiseyebrowswentup."Youlivehere?"heasked.
"Yes.I'mDanaMobry."
Hechuckledandcalledtotheotherthreemen,oneofwhomwasaJacobsvillecitypoliceman."Here
sheis!Shehasn'tmetwithfoulplay."
Theycameatalope,bringingaharassed-lookingJoealongwiththem.
"Oh,MissMobry,thanktheLord,"Joesaid,wringingherhand.Hishairwasgrayerthanever,andhe
lookedhollow-eyed.
"Whatever'swrong?"sheasked.
"TheythoughtI'dkilledyouandhidthebody!"Joewailed,lookingnervouslyatthelawofficers.
Dana'seyeswidened."Why?"
"Mr.Grantcameoverandcouldn'tfindyou,"Joesaidfrantically."Itoldhimyou'dgoneaway,butI
didn'tknowwhere,andheblewupandstartedaccusingmeofallsortsofthingsonaccountofI
wouldn'ttellhimwhereyouwere.Whenyoudidn'tcomebackbytoday,hecalledthelaw.I'msoglad
toseeyou,MissMobry.Iwasafraidtheyweregoingtoputmeinjail!"
"I'msorryyouwereputthroughthis,Joe,"shesaidcomfortingly."IshouldhavetoldyouIwasgoing
toHouston,butitneveroccurredtomethatMr.GrantwouldcarewhereIwent,"sheaddedbitterly.
Thedeputysheriffgrinnedsheepishly."Yeah,hesaidyou'dhadanargumentandhewasafraidyou
mighthavedonesomethingdrastic..."
Sheglaredathimsofuriouslythathebrokeoff."Ifthatisn'tconceit,Idon'tknowwhatis!Iwouldn't
killmyselfoverastuck-up,overbearing,insufferableegotistlikeMr.GrantunlessIwasgoofy!DoI
lookgoofy?"
Heclearedhisthroat."Oh,no,ma'am,youdon'tlookatallgoofytome!"
Whilehewasdefendinghimself,Hankcamearoundthesideofthehousetoseewherethesearch
partyhaddisappearedto,andstoppedwhenhesawDana."Sothereyouare!"hebeganfuriously,
bare-headedandwild-eyedashejoinedher."Whereinhellhaveyoubeen?Doyouhaveanyideahow
muchtroubleyou'vecaused?"
Sheliftedherchin."I'vebeentoHouston.SincewhenisgoingtoHoustonacrime?Andsincewhen
doIhavetoinformyouofmywhereabouts?"
Hesnorted."I'maconcernedneighbor."
"You'rearoyalpainintheneck,andIlefttowntogetawayfromyou,"shesnapped."Idon'twantto
seeyouortalktoyou!"
Hestraightenedhisshouldersandhismouthcompressed."Aslongasyou'reallright."
"YoumightapologizetopoorJoewhileyou'reaboutit,"sheaddedpointedly."Hewasbeside
himself,thinkinghewasgoingtojailfordoingawaywithme."
"Ineversaidanysuchthing,"hemuttered.HeglancedatJoe."HeknowsIdidn'tthinkhe'ddoneyou
in."
Thatwasascloseashewaslikelytocometoanapology,andJoeaccepteditwithlessrancorthan
Danawouldhave.
"Thanksforcomingout,"Hanktoldthedeputyandtheothers."ShewasmissingfortwodaysandI
didn'tknowwhereshewas.Anythingcouldhavehappened."
"Oh,heknowsthat,"thecitypoliceman,MattLovett,saidwithagrin,jerkinghisthumbatthedeputy
sheriff."Heandhiswifehadanargumentandshedroveofftohermother's.Onthewayhercardied.
Sheleftitontheriverbridgeandcaughtarideintotowntogetamechanic."
“Matt...!"thedeputygrumbled.
Mattheldupahand."I'mjustgettingtothebestpart.Hewentafterherandsawthecarandthought
she'djumpedoffthebridge.Bythetimeshegotbackwiththemechanic,thecivildefenseboyswere
outtheredraggingtheriver."
"Well,shemighthavebeeninthere,"thedeputydefendedhimself,red-faced.HegrinnedatHank.
"AndMissMobrymighthavebeeneatenbyoneofheryoungsteers."
"Orcarriedoffbyaliens,"Mattmused,tongueincheek."That'swhyourpoliceforceisalwaysonthe
job,MissMobry,toofferprotectiontoanycitizenwhoneedsit.I'ddearlylovetoprotectyouata
movieonenightnextweek,"headdedwithtwinklinggreeneyes."Anynightyoulike.Agoodmovie
andanicebigburgerwithfries."
Dana'seyesweretwinklingnow,too.
Hanksteppedinbetweenherandthepoliceman."Ithinkshe'llneedsomerestaftertoday'sexcitement,
butI'msuresheappreciatestheoffer,Matt."
Thewordsdidn'tmatchthedarkthreatinhiseyes.Matthadonlybeenteasing,althoughifhe'dreally
wantedtotakeDanaout,allthethreatsintheworldwouldn'thavestoppedhim.
"You'reprobablyright,"Mattagreed.HewinkedatDana."Buttheofferstands,justthesame."
Shesmiledathim.Hereallywasnice."Thanks,Matt."
Thelawenforcementpeoplesaidtheirfarewellsandwentofftobiggertasks,leavingDanaandJoe
andHankstandingaimlesslyinthefrontyard.
"I'llgethomenow,MissMobry.Sogladyou'reallright,"Joesaidagain.
"Thanks,Joe,"shereplied."I'msorryforallthetroubleyouhad."
"Nottoworry."
Heambledoff.DanafoldedherarmsoverherbreastsandglaredfuriouslyatHank.
Hehadhishandsdeepinhispockets.Helookedmoreuncomfortablethanshe'deverseenhim.
"Well,howwasItoknowyouhadn'tdonesomethingdesperate?"hewantedtoknow."Isaidsome
harshthingstoyou."Heavertedhiseyes,becauseitdisturbedhimtorememberwhathe'dsaid.Inthe
fewdaysDanahadbeenmissing,he'ddonealotofremembering,mostlyabouthowbigapartofhis
lifeDanawas,andthelongfriendshiphe'dsharedwithher.He'dhadnorighttobelittlethefeelings
shehadforhim.Infact,ithadrockedhisworldwhenherealizedhowlonghe'dbeendeliberately
ignoringthem.HewastornbetweenhislingeringloveforBettyandhisconfusedfeelingsforDana.
Itwasanemotionalcrisisthathe'dneverhadtofacebefore.Heknewhewasn'thandlingitverywell.
Danadidn'tbudgeaninch."I'vealreadydecidedwhatI'mgoingtodo,incaseyouhadanylingering
worries,"shetoldhimcoolly."Ifyoucanfindaloophole,awayforustobreakthewill,I'mgoingto
selltheplaceandgobacktoschool.Ihavecatalogscomingfromthreecolleges."
Hisfacewentrigid."Ithoughtyoulikedranching."
Shemadeanamused,bittersound."Hank,Ican'tevenuseafencetool.Ican'tpullacalfwithouthelp
fromJoeorErnie.Icanfeedlivestockandtreatwoundsandcheckfordiseases,butIcan'tdoheavy
liftingandfixmachinery.Idon'thavethephysicalstrength,andI'mrunningoutofthefinancial
meanstohireitdone."Shethrewupherhands."IfIeventriedtogetajobatsomeoneelse'sranch,
withmylackofskills,they'dlaughatme.HowintheworldcanIrunaranch?"
"YoucansellittomeandI'llrunitforyou,"hesaidcurtly."Youcanrentthehouseandstayhere."
"Aswhat?"shepersisted."Caretaker?Iwantmorethanthatfromlife."
"Suchas?"heasked.
"Neveryoumind,"shesaidevasively,becauseareadyanswerdidn'tpresentitself."Didyoutalkto
mylawyer?"
"No."
"Thenwouldyou,please?"
Hestuckhishandsintohispockets."Listen,Dana,nocourtinJacobsvilleisgoingtothrowoutthat
willonthegroundsthatyourfatherwasincompetent.Hismindwasassoundasmine,andheknew
businessinsideout."
Herheartfell."Hemighthavebeentemporarilyupsetwhenheinsertedthatclause."
"Maybehewas,"heagreed."Maybehe'dhadsomechestpainorapremonition.I'msurehemeantitas
awaytomakesureyouweren'tleftalone,withnosupport,afterhewasgone.Buthisreasonsdon't
matter.Eitheryoumarrymeorwebothstandtoloseahellofalotofmoney."
"Youdon'twanttomarryme,"sheremindedhimwithpainfulpleasure."Yousaidso."
Hedrewinalong,wearybreathandsearchedherwanlittleface."God,I'mtired,"hesaid
unexpectedly."Mylifeisupsidedown.Idon'tknowwhereI'mgoing,orwhy.No,Dana,Idon'twant
tomarryyou.That'shonest.Butthere'salotridingonthatwill."Hemovedhisshoulders,asiftoease
theirstiffness."I'dratherwaitafewweeks,atleastuntilBetty'svisitisover.Butthere'satimelimitas
well.Amonthafteryourfather'sdeath,Ibelieve,alltheconditionsofthewillhavetobefulfilled."
Shenoddedmiserably.
"Inaway,itwouldsuitmetobemarriedrightnow,"hereflectedsolemnly."Idon'twantBettytosee
howbadlyshehurtme,orhowmuchIstillwanther.Imightbetemptedtotryandbreakupher
marriage,andthat'snotthesortofmanIwanttobe."
"Whataboutherhusband?"
"Bobdoesn'tcarewhatshedoes,"hereplied."He'stotallyindifferenttoherthesedays,andhe'sno
longerafinancialgiant.Idon'tthinkitwouldtaketoomuchefforttogetherawayfromhim.Butshe
leftmebecausehehadmoremoney,don'tyousee?"headdedpointedly."MyGod,Ican'tletmyself
becaughtinthatoldtrapagain,regardlessofwhatIfeelforher!"
Shefeltsorryforhim.Imaginethat.Shelinkedherhandstogetheroverherstomach."Thenwhatdo
youwanttodo,Hank?"sheaskedquietly.
"Getmarried.Butonlyonpaper,"headdeddeliberately,hisdarkeyessteadyandfullofmeaning.
“DespitethephysicalattractionIfeltforyououtinthepasturethatday,Idon'twantaphysical
relationshipwithyou.Let'sgetthatclearattheoutset.Iwantadocumentthatgivesyoutherightto
sellmethatland.Inreturn,I'llmakesurethefigureyoureceiveisabovemarketprice,andI'llputyou
throughcollegetoboot."
ItsoundedfairenoughtoDana,whowaswrungoutfromtheemotionalstress."AndIgettostayhere,
inmyownhouse,"sheadded.
"No."
Hereyebrowsshotup.
"I'llwantyoutostayupatthehomeplacewithme,"hereplied,"aslongasBettyandBobareintown.
Eventhoughthisisalegalmarriage,Idon'twantBettytoknowthatI'monlyapaperhusband."
"Oh,Isee,"shereplied."Youwantustopretendthatit'sanormalarrangement."
"Exactly."
Shedidn'twanttoagree.He'dhurtherfeelings,madehorribleremarks,insultedherandembarrassed
herwithtoday'swoman-hunt.Butsheneededtobeabletoselltheranch.Itwouldbeherescapefrom
theemotionalpovertyoflovingwheretherewasnohopeofreciprocation.
"Okay,"shesaidafteraminute."Willwehavetogetabloodtestandalicenseatthecourthouse?"
"We'llflytoLasVegasandgetmarriedoutthere,"hetoldher."Assoonaswe'vecompletedthelegal
maneuversandBettyissafelyoutofmyhair,we'llgetadivorcethere,whichwillbejustaseasy."
Easymarriage.Easydivorce.Dana,withherdreamsofreturnedloveandbabiestoraise,feltthepain
ofthosewordsallthewaythroughherheart.
"Anannulmentwillspareyouanyhintofscandalafterward,"hecontinued."Youcangetyourdegree
andfindsomeonetospendyourlifewith.Orpartofit,"headdedwithamockingsmile."Idon'tthink
anybodyhasillusionsaboutmarriagelastinguntildeaththesedays."
Herparentshaddivorced.Hankhaddivorced.ButDanahadseencoupleswho'dstayedtogetherand
beeninloveforyears.TheBallengerbrotherswiththeirhappymarriagescameinstantlytomind.
"I'mnotthatcynical,"shesaidafteraminute."AndIthinkthatchildrenshouldhavebothparents
whilethey'regrowingupifit'satallpossible.Well,"sheadded,"aslongasitisn'tadaily
battleground."
"Wasyourfamilylikethat?"heaskedgently.
Shenodded."Mymotherhatedmyfather.Shesaidhehadnoambition,nointelligence,andthathe
wasasdullasdishwater.Shewantedpartiesandholidaysallthetime.Hejustwantedtosettledown
withagoodbookandnibblecheese."
Shesmiledsadly,rememberinghim,andhadtofighttheeasytearsthatsprangsoreadilytohereyes.
"Don'tcry,"hesaidshortly.
Sheliftedherchin."Iwasn'tgoingto,"shesaidroughly.Sherememberedhimholdingherather
father'sfuneral,murmuringcomfortingwordssoftlyatherear.Buthehadlittlepatiencewith
emotion,asarule.
Hetookadeepbreath."I'llseteverythingupandletyouknowwhenwe'llgo,"hesaid.
Shewantedtoargue,butthetimehadlongpassedforthat.Shenodded.Hewaited,butwhenshedidn't
sayanythingelse,hewentbacktohiscar,gotinanddroveaway
Chapter3
LasVegassatrightinthemiddleofadesert.Danahadneverbeenthere,andthesightofitfascinated
her.Notonlywasitlikeaneoncity,buttheglitterextendedeventothepeoplewhoworkedatthe
nightspots.Danafoundthewaywomendressedonthestreetsfascinatingandalmostfelloutthe
windowofHank'shiredluxurycartryingtolookatthem.Itwasn'tuntilheexplainedwhattheydid
foralivingthatshegaveuphersurveillance.Itwasinterestingtofindthatwhattheydidwaslegaland
thattheycouldevenadvertisetheirservices.
"Hereweare,"hesaidgruffly,stoppingatoneoftheall-nightweddingchapels.
Itlookedflashy,butthen,sodidtherestofthem.Hankofferedheranarmbutsherefusedit,walking
besidehimwithherpursetightinherhand.Shewaswearingasimpleoff-whitesuit.Shedidn'thavea
veilorevenabouquet,andshefelttheiromissionallthewaytohertoes.Itwassoverydifferent
fromthewayshe'denvisionedherweddingday.
Hankdidn'tseemtonoticeorcare.Hedealtwiththepreliminaries,theysignedadocument,he
producedaringthatshedidn'tevenknowhe'dbought.Fiveminuteslater,theywereofficially
married,ring,coolkissandall.Danalookedupatherhusbandandfeltnothing,notevensorrow.She
seemedtobenumbfromheadtotoe.
"Areweflyingrightback?"sheaskedastheygotintothecaroncemore.
Heglancedather.Sheseemeddevoidofemotion.Itwasherweddingday.Hehadn'tgivenhera
choiceaboutherweddingring.Hehadn'tofferedtobuyherabouquet.Hehadn'tevenaskedifshe
wantedachurchwedding,whichcouldhavebeenarranged.He'dbeenlookingatthewholemessy
businessfromhisownpointofview.Danahaddeservedsomethingbetterthanthisicy,clinical
joining.
“Wecanstayatoneofthethemehotelsovernight,ifyoulike,andtakeinashow."
Shedidn'twanttoappeareager.Theonlyshowshe'deverseenwasatamovietheaterinVictoria.
"Well,"shesaidhesitantly.
"I'llintroduceyoutotheone-armedbandit,"headded,chucklingatherexpression.
"Ifyouthinkwecould,"shemurmured,andthatwasasfarasshewaswillingtocommitherself."But
Ididn'tpackanythingforanovernightstay."
"Noproblem.Thehotelhasshops."
Anditdid.Heoutfittedherwithagown,abagandeverythinginthewayoftoiletriesthatsheneeded.
Shenoticedthathedidn'tbuyanypajamas,butshethoughtnothingofit.Surelythey'dhaveseparate
rooms,anyway.
Buttheydidn't.Thereweretoomanyconventionsintown,andtheygotthelastsuitethehotelhad—
onewithaking-sizebedandashortsofa.
Hankstaredatthebedruefully."Sorry,"hesaid."Butit'sthisorsleeponthefloor."
Sheclearedherthroat."We'rebothadults.Andit'sonlyapapermarriage,"shestammered.
"Soitis,"hemused,buthisdarkeyeshadnarrowedastheyassessedherslender,perfectfigureand
herememberedthesightofherinthepasturewithherblouseopenandthefeelofherbreastspressed
hardintohisbarechest.
Sheglancedup,meetingthathot,intentstare.Sheflushed."I'mnothavingsexwithyou,Hank,"she
saidshortly.
Hiseyebrowswentup."DidIask?"hedrawledsarcastically."Listen,honey,thestreetsarefullof
primewomen,ifI'msoinclined."
Hereyesblazedathim."Don'tyoudare!"sheraged."Don'tyoudare,Hank!"
Hebegantosmile."Well,well,aren'twepossessivealready?"
"That'snotthepoint.Youmadeavow.Untilwehaveitundone,we'remarried."Shestaredather
shoes."Iwouldn'tgorunningtosomegigoloonmyweddingnight."
"Ofcourseyouwouldn't."Hemovedcloser,hishandsfindinghersmallwaist,andbroughthergently
tohim.Hisbreathfeatheredherforehead."Icanhearyoubreathing,"hewhispered."Nervous?"
Sheswallowed."Well...yes...alittle."
Hislipsbrushedherhair."There'snoneed.It'sabigbed.Ifyoudon'twantanythingtohappen,it
won't."
Shefeltdisappointedsomehow.Theywerelegallymarried.Shelovedhim.Didhereallynotwanther
atall?
Hetiltedherfaceuptohisdark,curiouseyes."Ontheotherhand,"hesaidsoftly,"ifyouwantto
knowwhatit'sallabout,I'llteachyou.Therewon'tbeanyconsequences.Andyou'llenjoyit."
Shefeltthewordstotheverytipsofhertoes.Butshewasn'tgoingtobewonoverthateasily,evenif
shedidwanthimmorethanhernextbreath.
"Nodice,huh?"hemusedafteraminute."Okay.Supposewegodownstairsandtryourluck?"
"Suitsme,"shesaid,anxioustogoanywhereawayfromthatbed.
Sotheywenttheroundsinthecasinoandplayedeverythingfromtheone-armedbanditstoblackjack.
TheglitterycostumesofthedancersonstagefascinatedDana,likeeverythingelseaboutthisfantasy
city.Sheateperfectlycookedsteak,watchedtheshows,andgenerallyhadawonderfultimewhile
Hanktreatedherlikeacherisheddate.Infact,that'swhatitwas.They'dneverbeenouttogetherinall
theyearsthey'dknowneachother.Duringthatoneeveningtheymadeupforlosttime.
Theyreturnedupstairsjustaftermidnight.Danahadgoneoverboardwithpinacoladas,theonedrink
shecouldtolerate.Butshe'dunderestimatedtheamountofrumthebartenderputinthem.Shewas
weavingatthedoor,toHank'spatentamusement.
Heslidthecodedcardintotheslotandwhentheblinkinggreenlightindicatedthatitwasunlocked,
heopenedthedoor.
"Homeagain,"hemurmured,standingasidetoletherenter.
Shetuggedupthestrapofherblackdressthathadslippedoffhershoulder.Liketherestofher
abbreviatedwardrobe,itwastheresultoftheafternoon'squickshoppingtrip.Inadditiontotheknee-
lengthcocktaildressandhose,shehadafartoorevealingblacknightgownandnorobe.Shehoped
Hankwasagreeabletolettingherundressinthedark.
"Youcanhavethebathroomfirst,"heinvited."I'lllistentothenews."
"Thanks."Shegatheredhergownandunderwearandwentintothebathroomtoshower.
Whenshecameout,Hankwassittingontheedgeofthebed.He'dremovedeverythingexcepthis
slacks.Hegotup,andshehadtosuppressashiverofpleasureatthesightofhimbarefromthewaist
up.Hehadmusculararmsandasexydarkchestwithawedgeofcurlingblackhairrunningdownit.
Hishairwasmussedanddownonhisforehead.Helookedrakishbecauseheneededashave.
"GoodthingIpackedmyrazor,"hemused,holdingupasmallpouchthathadbeenintheattachecase
healwayscarriedwhenhetraveled."Ihavetoshavetwiceaday."Hisdarkeyesslidoverherbodyin
theabbreviatedgown,lingeringwhereherarmswerecrosseddefensivelyoverthethinfabricthat
didn'tquitecoverherbreastsfromview."We'remarried,"heremindedher."AndI'veseenmostof
you."
Sheclearedherthroat."Whichsideofthebeddoyoulike?"sheaskedshyly.
"Theright,butIdon'tmindeitherone.Youcanhavefirstpick."
"Thanks."
Sheputherdiscardedclothingonachairandclimbedinquickly,pullingthecoversuptoherchin.
Heliftedaneyebrow."Stayjustlikethat,"hecoaxed,"andwhenIcomeout,I'lltellyouanicefairy
tale."
Sheglaredathimthrougharosyhaze."I'llprobablybeasleep.Ihaven'teverhadsomuchtodrink."
Henoddedslowly."Thatmaybeagoodthing,"hesaidenigmatically,andwentintothebathroom.
Shewasn'tasleepwhenhecameout.She'dtriedtobe,buthermindwouldn'tcooperate.Shepeered
throughherlashesandwatchedhimmovearoundtheroomturningoutlights.Hehadatowelhooked
aroundhishipsandasheturnedoutthelastlamponhissideofthebed,shesawhimunhookthe
towelandthrowitoverthebackofthevinyl-coveredchair.
Shestiffenedasheclimbedinbesideherandstretchedlazily.
"Icanfeelyoubristling,"hemurmureddryly."It'sabigbed,honey,andIdon'tsleepwalk.You're
safe."
Sheclearedherthroat."Yes,Iknow."
"Thenwhyareyoushivering?"
Herolledoverandmovedcloser.Shecouldfeeltheheatofhisbodythroughherthingown.She
trembledevenmorewhenhislonglegbrushedagainsthers.
"Shivering,"hecontinued,movingcloser,"andbreathinglikeanOlympicrunner."Heslidalongarm
underherandbroughtherslidingrightoveragainsthim."Ihaven'tforgottenthesignswhenawoman
wantsme,"hewhisperedashishandssmoothedthegownrightdownherbody."Andyouwantme,
Dana."
Shestartedtoprotest,buthismouthwasalreadycoveringhers.Heturnedandpulledhertohim,so
thatshefelthisnudebodyallthewaydownhers.Hewaswarmandhard,andeveninherinnocence
shewasawarethathewantedherbadly.
Hisleanhandssmoothedoverherflatbelly,tracingdowntothejunctureofherlonglegs.Histhumb
easedbetweenthemandhetouchedhersoftlyinaplacethatshehadn'tdreamedhewould.
Shejerked.
"No,"hesaidgently."Don'tpullback.Thisisn'tgoingtohurt.It'sonlygoingtomakeiteasywhenI
takeyou."Hisfingerswereslowandsensualandinsistent.Sheshivered,andthepressuregrew.His
mouthteasedoverherpartedlipswhilehetaughtherbodytoyieldtobuildingpleasure.
"Doesitfeelgood?"hewhispered.
"Yes,"shesobbed.
"Don'tfightit,"hebreathed.Hismouthsliddowntoherbreastsandexploredtheminasilencethat
grewtenseasthemovementofhishandproducedstaggeringsensationsthatarchedherbodylikea
bow.
Hewasdoingsomething.Itwasn'thisfingernow,itwaspartofhisbody,andhewaseasingdownand
pushing,penetrating...!
"Ithurts,"shewhisperedfrantically.
"Here,"hewhispered,shiftingquickly.Hemovedagain,andsheshivered,butnotwithpain."Yes,
that'sit,"hesaidquickly."That'sit,sweetheart!"
Shewasunconsciouslyfollowinghislead,lettinghimpositionher,buffether.Shefelthisskinsliding
againstherown,heardthesoftwhisperofitevenasthesensationsmadehermindspin.Shewas
makingsoundsthatshedidn'trecognize,deepinherthroat,andclingingtohimwithallherstrength.
"I...wish...!"shechoked.
"Wishwhat?"hebitoff,fightingforbreath."Whatdoyouwant?I'lldoanything!"
"Wish...thelight...wason,"shemanagedtosay.
"Oh,God..."hegroaned.
Hetriedtoreachthelightswitch,butjustatthatmoment,ashockofpleasurecaughthimoffguard
andbitintohisbodylikeasweet,hotknife.Hegaveupanythoughtofthelightanddroveagainsther
withallhismight,holdingherthrashinghipsasshewentwithhimonthespiralofpleasure.Heheard
hercryoutandthankedGodthatshewasabletofeelanything,becausehisonlysanethoughtwasthat
ifhedidn'tfindreleasesoon,hewasgoingtodie...
"Dana!"hecriedoutashefoundwhathecraved,shudderingandshudderingashegavehimselftothe
sweetnessofecstasy.
Herhandssoothedhimasshecamebackdownagain,shiveringintheaftermath.Shestrokedhishair
andhisnape,pressingtenderkissesonhischeeks,hiseyes,hisnose.
"Itwasgood,"shewhispered."Itwassogood,sosweet.Oh,Hank,doitagain!"
Hecouldn'tgetenoughbreathtolaugh."Sweetheart,Ican't,"hewhisperedhuskily."Notjustyet."
"Why?DidIdosomethingwrong?"sheaskedplaintively.
Heturnedhisheadandkissedhersoftmouth."Aman'sbodyisn'tlikeawoman's,"hesaidgently."I
havetorestforafewminutes."
"Oh."
Hekissedherlazily,stretchinghisstrainedmusclesanddrawingadeepbreathbeforehelacedher
closeagainsthimagainandsighed.
“Didithurtverymuch?''hemurmureddrowsily.
"Alittle,atfirst."Shestretchedagainsthim."Heavens,it'sjustlikedying,"sheremarkedwithwonder.
"Andyoudon'tcareifyoudie,becauseit'ssogood."Shelaughedwickedly."Hank,turnonthelight,"
shewhispered.
"Ithoughtyouwereaprude,"hetaunted.
"No,IthinkI'mavoyeur."Shecorrectedhim."Iwanttolookatyou."
"Dana!"
"Anddon'tpretendtobeshocked,becauseIknowyouaren't.I'llbetyouwanttolookatallofme,
too."
"IndeedIdo."
"Well,then?"
Heturnedonthelightandpeeledthecoversaway.Shelookedathimopenly,coloringjustalittleat
thesightofhisblatantnudity.Hedidn'tblush.Hestaredandstared,fillinghiseyeswithher.
"God,whatasight,"hemurmuredhuskily.Heheldouthisarms."Comehere."
Sheeasedintothem,felthimpositionherandlifther,andthenbringherdownoverhimtofitthem
togetherinaslow,sensualintimacy.
"Now,"hewhisperedhuskily,movinghishandstoherhips."Let'swatcheachotherexplode."
"Arewe...goingto?"shewhisperedback,movingslowlywithhim.
Henodded,becausehecouldn'tmanagewords.Hisblackeyessplinteredasthesensationsbeganto
buildalloveragain.Hislastsanethoughtwasthathemightneverbeabletogetenoughofher....
Hewasdistantthenextmorning.Danahadexpectedanewandwonderfulclosenessbecauseoftheir
intimacyinthenight,butHankwasquietandreservedinawayhe'dneverbeenbefore.
"Issomethingwrong?"sheaskedworriedly.
Heshrugged."Whatcouldbewrong?"Hecheckedhiswatch."We'dbettergetamoveon.Ihavean
appointmentintheofficelatethisafternoon,andIcan'taffordtomissit.Gotyourstufftogether?"
Shenodded,stillalittlebewildered."Hank...youaren'tsorryaboutlastnight,areyou?"sheasked
uneasily.
"Ofcoursenot!"hesaid,andforcedasmile."I'mjustinahurrytogethome.Let'sgo."
Andsotheyleftandwenthome.
Chapter4
Danapeeredagainatthethickgoldweddingringonherhand.They'dbeenbackinJacobsvillefor
twoweeks,andshewaslivinginhisbigsprawlingbrickmansionnow.Thehousekeeper,MissTilly,
hadbeenwithHaydenforalongtime.Shewasthinandfriendlyandsecretlyamusedatthehigh-
handedmannerHaydenhadmanagedhiswedding,butshedidn'tsayaword.Shecookedandcleaned
andkeptoutoftheway.
Danawasuneasyatfirst.Herbrand-newhusbanddidn'twearaweddingband,andshedidn'tliketo
suggestittohimforfearofsoundingpossessive.Butitmadeheruncomfortabletothinkthathedidn't
wanttoopenlyindicatehisweddedstate.Surelyhewasn'tthinkingofhavingaffairsalready?
Thatwasanaturalthought,becausedespitehisardorinLasVegasontheirweddingnight,hehadn't
touchedhersince.He'dbeenpolite,attentive,evenaffectionate.Buthehadn'ttouchedherasalover.
Hewaslikeafriendnow.He'dinsistedonseparatebedroomswithoutanyexplanationsatall,andhe'd
withdrawnfromherphysicallytothepointthathewouldn'teventouchherhand.ItworeonDana's
nerves.
Hisbehaviorbegantomakesensethenextmorning,however,whenTillywenttoanswerthedoorbell
andastrangecoupleenteredthehouseasiftheybelongedthere.
"Where'sHank?HesawBobatthebankandinvitedhimtolunch,"thewoman,astrikingbrunette,
announcedflatly."Didn'thesayhe'dbebackbythistime,Bob?"sheaskedthemucholder,slightly
baldingmanbesideher.Helookedpaleandunhealthy,andheshrugged,asifhedidn'tmuchcare.He
glancedatDanawithanapologeticsmile,butheseemedsappedofenergy,evenofspeech.
"Idon'tknowwhereheis.Ijustgothome,"Danasaid.Shewasveryconsciousofherappearance.She
waswearingjeansandbootsandadustyshirt,becauseshe'dbeendowntoherownplacetocheckon
hersmallherdofcattle.Shesmelledofhorsesandherhairwasn'tasneatinitsbraidasithadstarted
out.
"Andwhoareyou,thestablegirl?"thewomanaskedwithamockingsmile.
Danadidn'tlikethewoman'sattitude,heroverpolishedlook,orthereekofherexpensiveperfume
thatshemusthavebathedin.
"I'mMrs.HaydenGrant,"sherepliedwithcurtformality."Andjustwhodoyouthinkyouare,to
comeintomyhomeandinsultme?"sheaddedforgoodmeasure,withsparksinherblueeyes.
Thewomanwasshocked,notonlybythenameshe'dbeengiven,butbythatquickhostility.
Shefumbledherwords."I'mBettyGrant.Imean,BettyCollins,"sheamended,rattledandflushed."I
didn'tknowHank...hadremarried!Hedidn'tsayanythingaboutit."
"We'veknowneachotherforyears,butwe'veonlybeenmarriedafewweeks,"Danareplied,furious
atHankforputtingherinthispositionsounexpectedly.Hehadn'tsaidanythingabouthisex-wife
payingavisit."Tilly,showthemintothelivingroom,"shetoldthethinhousekeeper."I'msureHank
willbealong,"sheaddedcurtly."Ifyou'llexcuseme,Ihavethingstodo."Shesparedthemanasmile,
becausehehadn'tbeenimpolite,butshesaidnothingtoBetty.Herfeelingshadbeenlaceratedbythe
woman'sharshquestion.
Shewalkedtothestaircaseandmounteditwithoutabackwardglance.
"Sheisn'tverywelcoming,"Bettytoldherhusbandwithacoldglancetowardthestaircase.
"Shewasn'texpectingyou,"Tillysaidwithirritation.She'dneverlikedtheex-Mrs.Grantandshe
likedherevenlessnow."Ifyou'dliketowaitinhere,I'llbringcoffeewhenMr.Grantcomes."
Bettygavethehousekeeperanarrow-eyedlook."Youneverlikedme,didyou,Tilly?"
"IworkforMr.Grant,madam,"sherepliedwithdignity."Mylikesanddislikesareofconcernonlyto
him.AndtoMrs.Grant,ofcourse,"sheaddedpointedly.
AsthebloodwasseepingintoBetty'scheeks,thehousekeepersweptoutoftheroomandclosedthe
door.ShewentdownthehalltothekitchenandalmostcollidedwithHayden,who'dcomeintheback
door.
"Whoa,there,"hesaid,rightingher."What'sgotyousofiredup?"
"Yourex-wifejustslitheredin,withherhusband,"shesaidgrimly,noticingthepainedlookthe
statementbroughttohisface."She'salreadyhadabiteofMrs.Grant,whichshegotback,with
interest,"sheaddedwithasmile.
Hesuckedinhisbreath."GoodLord,IforgottophoneandtellDanaI'dinvitedthem.Isshevery
upset?"
"Well,sir,"Tillychuckled,"she'sgotatemper.Neverraisedhervoiceorsaidabadword,butsheset
Bettyrightonherheels.Bettyaskedifshewasthestablegirl."
Hisfacegrewcoldandhard."Howdoesshelook?"
"Dana?"
Heshookhishead."Betty."
"Shelooksveryrich,veryhaughtyandverypretty,justassheusedto."Shefrowned."Sir,youaren't
goingtoletherknockyouoff-balanceagain,areyou?"
Hecouldn'tanswerthat.ThememoryofBettyinhisbedhadtormentedhimeversincethedivorce,
despitetheecstasyDanahadgivenhimthatonenightthey'dhadtogether.
"No,"hesaidbelatedly."CertainlyI'mnotgoingtogiveheranyropetohangmewith."
"MightthinkabouttellingDanathat,"Tillymused."Shewon'ttakekindlytothekindofshockshejust
got.Especiallyconsideringthesleepingarrangementsaroundhere."
Heopenedhismouthtoreplyhotly,butshewasalreadythroughthedoorandintothekitchen.He
glaredafterher.Tilly'soutspokennesswasirritatingattimes.Shewasright,whichdidn'thelpthe
situation.
"Bringatrayofcoffeetothelivingroom,"hebellowedafterher.
Therewasnoreply,butheassumedthatsheheardhim.So,probably,hadhalfthecounty.
Hestrolledintothelivingroom,tryingnottothinkabouthowitwasgoingtoaffecthimtoseeBetty.
Hewasn'taspreparedashe'dthought.Itwasanuttershock.She'dbeentwentywhenshelefthim,a
flightygirlwholikedtoflirtandhavemenbuyherprettythings.Tenyearshadgoneby.Thatwould
makeherthirtynow,andshewasasprettyasever,moremature,muchmoresensuous.Theyears
rolledawayandhewashungryforthiswomanwho'dteasedhimandthentakenhimovercompletely.
Shesawhisreactionandsmiledathimwithherwholebody."Well,Hank,howareyou?"sheasked,
goingclose.
Withherhusbandwatching,shereachedupandkissedhimfullonthemouth,takinghertimeaboutit.
Shelaughedsoftlywhenhedidn'tdrawback.Shecouldfeelthetensioninhim,anditwasn'trejection.
Hehatedhavingherknowhowhefelt,buthecouldn'tresisttheurgetokissherback.Hedid,
thoroughly.Hisskillmusthavesurprisedher,becausehefelthergaspjustbeforeheliftedhishead.
"My,you'vechanged,lover!"sheexclaimedwithahuskylaugh.
Hesearchedhereyes,lookingforemotion,love.Butitwasn'tthere.Itneverhadbeen.Whateverhe
feltforher,Bettyhadneverbeenabletoreturn.Hervictorioussmilebroughthimpartiallybackto
hissenses.Tenyearswasalongtime.He'dchanged,sohadshe.Hemustn'tlosesightofthefactthat
despiteherexquisitebodyandseductivekisses,she'dlefthimforaricherman.AndnowHankwas
married.Danawashiswife,ineverysenseoftheword.
Heblinked.Forthespaceofsecondshe'dkissedhisex-wife,Danahadgonerightoutofhismind.He
feltguilty.
"Youlookwell,"hetoldBetty.HiseyesshiftedfromhertohisfriendBobinthedistance.Heheldout
hishand."Howareyou,Bob?"heasked,butwithoutthewarmthhecouldhavegiventhemanbefore
thedivorce.
Bobknewitandhissmilewasstrainedasheshooktheprofferedhand."I'mdoingallright,Iguess,"
hesaid."Slowingdownalittle,butit'stimeIdid.How'veyoubeen?"
"Prosperous,"Haydenrepliedwithafaint,mockingsmile.
"SoI'veseen,"theoldermansaidcongenially."You'vemadequiteastiramongbreeders,andIhear
oneofyourtwo-year-oldswilldebutthisyearatthetrack."
"That'sthelongandshortofit.How'sthepoultrybusiness?"
"I'vedivestedmyselfofmostofmyholdings,"Bobsaid.Hegrimaced."IwassobusytravelingthatI
didn'trealizeI'dlostcontroluntiltherewasaproxyfightandIlostit,"headded,withoutlookingat
Betty."ThenIhadaminorstroke,andevenmysharesweren'tworththetrouble.We'reliving
comfortablyondividendsfromvarioussources."
"Comfortablyishardlytheword,"Bettyscoffed."Butwe'vegotoneprizepossessionleftthatmayput
usintheblackagain.That'sonereasonwe'reheretoday."ShesmiledflirtatiouslyatHank,who
lookedveryuncomfortable,anddeliberatelyleanedbackagainsthisdeskinaseductivepose."When
didyougetmarried,Hank?Whenyouheardweweremovingbackhere?"
Hisfacehardened."That'shardlyamotivetogetmarried."
“Iwonder.Yournewbrideisfrightfullyyoung,andsheseemstopreferthegreatoutdoorstobeinga
hostess.Shewasn'tveryfriendly.Isshethelittlefarmgirlwhosefatherjustdied?She'snotevenin
yourleague,socially,isshe?"
"Oh,Iwouldn'tsaythat,"cameavoicefromthedoorway.
Hankturnedhisattentiontohiswifeanddidn'trecognizeher.Herblondhairwasdownaroundher
shoulders,cleanandbright,andshewaswearingasilksundressthatevenmadeBobstare.
Shewaswearingjustenoughmakeup,justenoughperfume.Hank'seyeswentdowntoherlong,
elegantlegsandhefelthiswholebodygorigidasherememberedhowitfelttokissher.Hisface
reflectedthememory,toBetty'sdismay.
Danawalkedin,herbodyswayinggracefully,andtookHankpossessivelybythearm.Shewas
delightedthatshe'dboughtthisdesignerdresstowearforHank.Theoccasionhadn'tarisenbefore,so
she'dsavedit."Ithoughtyou'dforgottentheinvitation,"shesaididly,glancingatBetty."We'reso
newlymarried,yousee,"sheaddedwithindulgentaffection.
Betty'sfacehadflushedagainwithtemper.Shecrossedherlegsassheleanedbackfurtherintothe
desk.Hereyesnarrowed."Verynewlymarried,wehear.IwasjustaskingHankwhytherush."
Danasmileddemurelyandherhandflattenedonherstomach."Well,I'msureyouknowhow
impetuousheis,"shemurmuredhuskily,anddidn'tlookup.
Thegesturewasenough.Bettylookedasifshemightchoke.
Hankwassurprisedathiswife'simmediategraspofthesituation,andherprotectiveinstincts.He'd
beenhorribletoher,andhereshewassavinghispride.He'dbeensettogorightovertheedgewith
Bettyagain,andherewasDanatodrawhimbacktosafety.Consideringhiscoolnesstohersincetheir
marriage,andspringingthissurpriseonhertoday,itwasdamneddecentofher.
Hisarmcontractedaroundherwaistandhesmileddownatherwithgenuineappreciation.“Achild
wasourfirstpriority,butwesortofjumpedthegun,"headded,lyingthroughhisteethashehelped
thingsalong."We'rehopingforason."
BoblookedwistfulwhileBettyfumed."I'dhavelikedachild,"hetoldthem."Itwasn'tonthecardsfor
us,though."
"Childrenareanuisance,"Bettymurmured."Littleirritationsthatgrow."
"Aren'tyouluckythatyourmotherdidn'thavethatopinion?"Danareturnedsmoothly.
Bettystoodup.She'dbeenexpectingapushover,andshewasgettingoneuntilthevenomouschild
bridewalkedinandupsethercart.Thingsweren'tgoingatallaccordingtoherplan."HasBobasked
youabouttheracehorse?HehopedyoumightbewillingtocomedowntoCorpusChristiwithusand
takealookathim,Hank,"shesaid,gettingstraighttothepoint."He'saprovenwinner,withgood
bloodlines,andwewon'trobyou.We'llmakeyouagoodprice."
Whyhadn'therealizedthatBettymighthavehadanulteriormotivewhenBobhadallbutinvited
himselfandBettyforlunch?He'dthoughtshe'dputBobuptoitbecauseshewantedtoseehimagain,
perhapsbecauseshe'dregrettedthedivorce.Butitwasjustlikeoldtimes.Shewasaftermoneyand
sawhimasawaytofeatherhernest—andBob's.Herbodyhadblindedhimagain.Angrilyhedrew
Danacloser."Idon'tthinkDanawouldfeeluptotravelingrightnow,"Hankreplied,continuingwith
thefictionofpregnancy.
"Wedon'thavetotakeherwithus,"Bettysaidcurtly.
Boblaughed."Betty,they'renewlyweds,"hesaidwithnoticeableembarrassment."Whatareyou
tryingtodo?"
"Thatwouldhavebeenmynextquestion,Mr.Collins,"Danarepliedquietly."AlthoughI'lltellyou
rightnowthatmyhusbanddoesn'ttravelwithoutme."Shecaughthishandinhers,andhewas
surprisedathowcolditwas,andhowpossessive.
“Oh,youdon'tsurelythinkI'mafteryourhusband,"Bettyscoffed."I...we...onlywanttoseeour
racehorseplacedingoodhands.NobodyknowsthoroughbredhorseslikeHank."Sheshiftedher
posture,foreffect.Shehadaperfectfigureandshedidn'tmindlettingitshowwheneverpossible,ifit
wastoherbenefit."Youmustbeveryinsecureinyourmarriage,dear,ifyoudon'ttrustyourhusband
outofyoursightwithamarriedwomanandherhusband.Andthat'sratherasadstatementaboutyour
relationship."
Danaflushed.ShecouldtellthatHankwassuddenlysuspicious.Helookeddownatherwithnarrowed
eyes,asifhe'dtakenBetty'staunttoheart.Andhishandwasdeadinhers,asifhefeltnothingwhenhe
touchedher.
Danafelthiswithdrawal.Shedrewherfingersaway.Somuchforthepretense,shedecided."Hank
andIhaveonlybeenmarriedfortwoweeks,"shesaid.
"Yes,dear,butifyou'repregnant,ithardlymeansyou'veonlybeensleepingtogethersinceyou
married,orcan'tIcount?"sheaskedpointedly.
WhichputDanabetweenarockandahardplace.Shecouldn'tadmitthatsheandHankhadonlyslept
togethersincetheirwedding,unlessshewantedtomakeherselfaliaraboutthepregnancy.She
glancedatHank,who'dstartedthefabrication,buthewasn'thelpinghernow.Infact,helookedasif
hehatedbeingtiedtoherwhenBettywaswithinhisgrasp.Herhusbanddidn'tseemtobejealousat
all.Itwasafrighteningthoughttoawomaninlovewithahusbandwhosemotivesforthemarriage
hadbeensuspectfromthestart,andwhohadadmittedthathestillfeltsomethingpowerfulforhisex-
wife.He'dsaid,too,thathehadnolovetoofferDana;onlyaffection.
"Besides,itisn'tasifI'mtryingtobreakupyourmarriage,"Bettycontinued."BobandIarein
terriblefinancialshape.That'sonereasonwe'rehavingtogiveupourholdingsalloverTexasand
ourracehorse.EvenifHankdoesn'twanttobuythehorse,hemightbeabletohelpusfindsomeone
who'llwanthim.Surelyyoudon'tbegrudgeusalittleadvice,foroldtimes'sake?It'sonlyCorpus
Christi,afterall,notsomeforeigncountry.Itwouldonlymeananightawayfromhome."
Hankwaswavering,soBettyadvancedonBobanddrapedherselfagainsthimwithaseductivesmile,
asifshewasmakinghimanoffer."Tellhim,honey,"shedrawledseductively.
Bob'sfaceburnedwithcolorashelookedatherandheshiftedrestlessly."Comeon,Hank,"hesaid.
"Thestablewherethishorseiskeptisrightdowntheroad,abouttenmilesfromwherewelive.We've
gotplentyofroom.Youcanspendthenightandcomebacktomorrow."Hesmiledweakly."Wereally
can'taffordtowaitanylonger.I'vehadsomehealthproblems,soIhavetogetthissettlednow.We
weregoodfriendsonce,Hank."
You'rebeingsuckered,Danawantedtoscream.She'susinghimtogettoyou,she'sbribinghimwith
herbodytocoaxyoudowntoCorpusChristisoshecanseduceyouintobuyingthathorse.
HankfeltDana'stension.Hiseyesnarrowedashelookeddownatherandrecognizedthejealousy,the
distrust.HewasfeelingmuchtoothreatenedalreadybyBetty,andhewaspuzzledbythestormy
indecisionhisownfeelingsbrewedinsidehim.Hefelttrappedbetweentwowomen,onewhomhe
wantedtothepointofmadnessandtheotherwho'ddiscardedhisheartandnowseemedtowanthim
again—despiteherhusband.
HeglancedfromDana'sset,angryfacetoBetty'scoaxingoneandfelthimselfwavering.
"Yourwifedoesn'thaveyouonaleashorsomething,doesshe?"Bettyaskedpointedly.
Thatdidit.
Chapter5
Maleprideasserteditself."Icanspareadayortwo,"HaydentoldBobwithameaningfulglaredown
intoDana'sflushedface."Afterall,we'recivilizedpeople.Andthedivorcewasyearsago.It'sstupid
toholdagrudge."
Bettybeamed.She'dwonandsheknewit."Whatanicethingtosay,Hank.Butyoualwayswere
sweet."
Danafeltleftout.Theothertwotookovertheconversation,andinnotimetheywererecallingold
timesandtalkingaboutpeopleDanahadnevermet.ShepouredthecoffeethatadisgruntledTillyhad
broughtonatray,withcake,andservedittotheguests.Butshemighthavebeeninvisible,forallthe
attentionHankpaidher.Afterafewminutessheexcusedherselfandlefttheroom,withoutbeing
realysurethathe'devennoticedherabsence.
TillywasheadedtowardthekitchenwithhertrayrightaheadofDana'sretreat,mutteringtoherself
aboutmenwhocouldn'tseetheirownnoses.NormallyTillyamusedDanabytalkingtoherself,but
shewasfartoopreoccupiedtodaytonotice.
Shewentupthestairstotieroomsheoccupiedaloneandbegantopack.IfHankwasgoingaway,so
wasshe.She'dhadenoughofbeinganextrapersoninhislife,inhishouse.Ifshe'dhadanyhopesthat
hemightonedaylearntoloveher,they'dbeenkilledstonedeadwiththearrivalofhisex-wife.
Anyonecouldseehowhestillfeltabouther.Hewassobesottedthathehadn'tevennoticedDanaonce
Bettyflashedthatfalsesmileathim.Well,lethimleavewithhisex-wife,onwhateverpretextheliked,
andgoodlucktohim!
Ittookhertenminutestopack.Shethrewoffthesundressandputonjeansandaknittopandher
boots.Shebraidedherhairandlookedinthemirror.Yes,thatwasmorelikeit.Shemighthavebeena
societygirlonce,butnowshewasjustapoorrancher.Shecouldlookthepartifsheliked,andHank
surelywouldn'tmissherifsheleft,notwhenBettywasready,willingandable.
Apparentlyitdidn'tmatteratalltoHankthatBettywasstillmarried,avaricious,andonlyusingHank
tomakeaprofitonthathorse.Godknewhecouldaffordtobuyit,andthewomanlookedasifshe
wouldn'tmindcomingacrosswithalittlepaymentinkindtoreimbursehim.
Shewasgoingthroughdrawerstomakesureshehadn'tleftanythingwhenthedooropenedandHank
walkedin.
He'dexpectedtofindhercrying.Shehadasensitivenatureandhe'dbeenunkindtoher,especially
downstairsinfrontoftheirguests.Betty'sremarkshadmadehimfeellikeapossessionofDana's,and
he'dreactedinstinctivelybyshuttingDanaout.Nowhewassorry.Hisconsciencehadnippedhim
whenshewalkedoutwithsuchquietdignity,withoutevenlookingathim,andhe'dcometofindher,
tocomforther,toapologizeformakingherfeelunwelcome.Butapparentlyitwasgoingtotakea
littlemorethananapology,ifthosesuitcaseswereanyindicationofherintentions.
"Goingsomewhere?"heaskedpolitely,andwithoutasmile.
"I'mgoinghome,"shesaidwithquietpride."YouandIbothknowthatthiswasamistake.Youcanget
adivorcewheneveryoulike.Thewillonlyrequiredapapermarriage.Thepropertyisnowmineand
IpromiseyouthatIwon'tsellittoanyenterprisethatmightthreatenyourhorses."
Hehadn'tbeenpreparedforthis.Hestaredatherwithmixedfeelings.
"It'sabighouse,"hesaid,becausehecouldn'tthinkofanythingelsetosay.
"YouandTillywon'tmissme.She'sbusywithdomesticthingsandyou'reneverhere,anyway."She
didn'tmeethiseyesasshesaidthat,becauseshedidn'twanthimtoseehowmuchhisfrequent
absenceshadmadeherfeelunwanted."IthoughtImightgetadog."
Helaughedcoldly."Toreplaceahusband?"
"Itwon'tbehardtoreplaceahusbandwhowon'tevensleepwithme...!"Shestoppeddead,cold,asshe
realizedthatthedoorwasstandingopenandBettywasrightthere,listening.
Herabruptcessationofconversationandherhorrifiedgazecausedhimtoturn,too.
Bettywasn'tevenembarrassed.Shesmiledvictoriously."Iwaslookingforabathroom.SorryifI
interruptedanything."
"Thebathroom'sdownthehall,asyouknow,thirddoorontheright,"Hanksaidshortly.
"Thankyou,darling."HereyessweptoverthesuitcasesandDana'spaleface,andshesmiledagainas
sheleftthem.
Hank'sfacehadnoexpressioninitatall.Danapickeduphersuitcase."I'lltakethiswithme.Ifyou
wouldn'tmind,couldyouhaveoneofthemendropofftherestofmythings?I'vestillgotmyBronco
inthegarage,Ihope?"
"Ihaven'tdoneanythingwithit."
"Thanks."
Shewalkedpasthim.Hecaughtherarm,feelingthestiffness,thetensioninher.
Hisbreathwaswarmathertemple."Don't,"hesaidthroughhisteeth.
Shecouldn'taffordtoweaken,tobecaughtupinsomesordidtriangle.Bettywantedhim,andhe'd
alwayslovedherandmadenosecretofit.Danawasanextrapersoninhislife.Shedidn'tfit.
Herdarkblueeyesliftedtohisbrownones."Pityisn'tagoodreasontomarry.Neitherisbreakinga
will.Youdon'tloveme,anymorethanIloveyou,"sheadded,lyingthroughherteeth,becauseshe'd
alwayslovedhim.Hereyeslowered,"Idon'twanttostayhereanymore."
Hishanddroppedherarmasifitwasdiseased."Getout,then,ifthat'swhatyouwant.Ineverwould
havemarriedyouinthefirstplaceexceptthatIfeltsorryforyou."
Herfacewasevenpalernow."Andthere'sthewayyoufeelaboutyourex-wife,"shereturned.
Hestaredatherblithely."Yes.There'sBetty."
Ithurttohearhimadmitit.Shewentpasthimwithoutlookingup.Herbodywasshaking,herheart
wasburstinginsideher.Shedidn'twanttoleavebutshehadnochoice,ithadbeenmadeforher.Even
asshewentdownthestaircase,shecouldhearBetty'ssoftlyquestioningvoiceasshespoketoHank.
Danaheadedforthefrontdoor,andavoicecalledtoherfromthelivingroom.
"GoodLord,youaren'tleaving,areyou?"Bobasked,aghast."Notbecauseofus?"
Shestaredathimwithoutexpression."Yes,I'mleaving.You'reasmuchavictimasIam,Iguess,"she
said.
Hismouthopenedtorefuteit,andthesadnessinhiseyeskilledthewords.Heshruggedandlaughed
shortly."IguessIam.ButI'velivedwithitfortenyears,withtakingBettyawayfromHankwithmy
checkbook.Funnyhowlifepaysyoubackforhurtingotherpeople.Youmaygetwhatyouwant,but
thenyouhavetolivewithit.Somechoicescarrytheirownpunishment."
"Don'ttheyjust?"shereplied."Solong."
"Shedoesn'treallywanthim,"hesaidsoftly,sothathisvoicedidn'tcarry."Shewantsawaytoliveas
highasweusedto,onanunlimitedbudget.I'velostmybankrollsoI'vebecomeex-pendable.It'shis
moneyshewants,nottheman.Don'tgiveupifyoulovehim."
Sheliftedherchin."Ifhelovedme,I'dstay,I'dfighthertomylastbreath,"Danareplied."Buthe
doesn't.I'mnotbraveenoughtohavemyhearttornoutbytherootseverydayofmylife,knowing
thathelooksatmeandwantsher."
Bobwinced.
"That'swhatyou'vedonefortenyears,isn'tit?"shecontinuedperceptively."You'remuchbraverthan
Iam,Mr.Collins.Iguessyoulovehersomuchthatitdoesn'tmatter."
"Itisn'tlove,"hesaidcoldly,withthemostutterself-contemptshe'deverheardinaman'svoice.
Shesighed.Theneedsofmenwerealienandinexplicabletoher."Iguesswe'rebothoutofluck."She
glancedtowardthestaircasewitheyesthatgrewdarkwithpain."WhatafoolIwastocomehere.He
toldmehehadnothingtogiveme.Nothingexceptwealth.Whatanempty,emptylifeitwouldhave
been."
BobCollinsscowled."Moneymeansnothingtoyou,doesit?"heasked,asifhecouldn'tcomprehend
awomanwantingapoorman.
Shelookedathim."AllIwantedwasforhimtoloveme,"shesaid."There'snoworsepovertythanto
bebereftofthat,fromtheonlypersonyoucareaboutintheworld."Shemadealittlefaceandturned
away."Takecareofyourself,Mr.Collins."
Hewatchedhergo,watchedthedoorclose,likethelidonacoffin.Oh,youfool,hethought,youfool
Hank,togiveupawomanwholovesyoulikethat!
Danasettledbackintoherhousewithoutanygreatdifficulty,exceptthatnowshemissedmorethan
justherfather.ShemissedHank.Hehadn'tbeenhomemuch,probablybecausehewasavoidingher,
butatleasthe'dgivenhertheillusionofbelongingsomewhere.
Shelookedatherbarehandsasshewasheddishes.She'dlefttheringsbehind,bothofthem,onher
dresser.Shewonderedifhe'dfoundthemyet.Shehadnoreasontowearweddingringswhenshe
wasn'tawifeanymore.Hankhadmarriedherbecausehedidn'twantBettytoknowhowhefeltabout
her.Buthisex-wifewassoeagertohavehimbackthatablindmancouldseeit.He'dnevermadeany
secretofhisfeelingsforBetty.Whatanirony,thathiswifeshouldcomebacknow,ofalltimes,when
Danamighthavehadsomelittlechancetowinhisheart.Bettyhadwalkedinandtakenhimover,
withoutastruggle.ShewonderedifshecouldeverforgetthelookinHank'sdarkeyeswhenhe'd
staredathisex-wifewithsuchpainandlonging.Hestilllovedher.Itwasimpossiblenottoknowit.
HemighthaveenjoyedsleepingwithDana,butevenso,he'dnevershownanygreatdesiretorepeat
theexperience.
Sheputawaythedishesandwenttowatchtheeveningnews.Herfatherhadlikedthistimeoftheday,
whenhewasthroughwithwork,whenthey'dhadanicemealandhecouldsitwithhiscoffeeand
listentothenews.HeandDanawoulddiscusstheday'seventsandthenturnoffthetelevisionand
read.She'dmissedthatatHank'seleganthouse.Itwasemptyandcold.Thetelevisionwasinhisstudy,
notinthelivingroom,andshe'dneverfeltcomfortabletrespassingintheretowatchit.Shehadnone
ofherownfavoritebooks,andhiswereallabouthorsesandlivestockandgenetics.Heread
biographies,too,andthereweresomehardcoverbestsellersthatlookedasifthey'dneverbeen
openedatall.
Hankdidn'tmaketimetoreadforpleasure,shesupposed.Mostofhismaterialseemedtobebusiness-
related.
Shecurledupinherfather'sarmchairwithtearsstinginghereyes.Shehadn'tgivenwaytotearsinall
thetimeshe'dbeenmarried,andshewasn'tgoingtocaveinnow,either,butshefeltentitledtoexpress
alittlemiserywhiletherewasnoonetoseeher.
Shedabbedattears,wonderingwhyHankhadtriedtostopherfromleavingsincehe'dsaidhedidn't
wantheranymore.Maybeitwasthethoughtofendingtheirbriefmarriagesosoon.Itwouldbehard
ontheprideofamanlikethattohavefailedmorethanonceasahusband.
Afterawhile,shegotupandturnedonamovie.Itwasoneshe'dseenhalfadozentimesbutsheonly
wantedthenoiseforcompany.Shehadtoconsiderwhatshewasgoingtodofortherestofherlife.
Atthispoint,shewascertainthatshecouldn'tgoontryingtokeepthewolffromthedoorwhileshe
foughttomaintainthesmallcattleranch.Shedidn'thavetheworkingcapital,theproperfacilitiesor
themoneytotradeformorelivestock.Thebestwaytogowouldbetojustsignthewholethingover
toHankbeforeitbankruptedher,andusethetrustfundhermotherhadgivenhertopayforacollege
education.Withthat,shecouldfindajobandsupportherself.Shewouldn'tneedhelpfromanyone;
leastofallfromareluctanthusband.TherewasnoalimonyinTexas,butHankhadaconscienceand
he'dwanttoprovideforherafterthedivorce.Shewantedtobeabletotellhimshedidn'twantit.
Herplanstemporarilyfixedinhermind,sheturnedherattentiontothemovie.Itwasnicetohave
thingssettled.
HaydenGrantdidn'thaveanythingsettled,leastofallhismind.HewasonthewaytoCorpusChristi
withBobandBetty,onlyhalflisteningtotheradioashefollowedbehindthecouple,theyintheir
Mercedes,heinhisLincoln.
Hecouldhavegoneinthecarwiththem;somethinghethoughtBettywassecretlyhopingfor.Buthe
wantedtobealone.Hisex-wifehadfouledeverythingupwithheruntimelyreappearance.Hertaunts
hadcausedhimtobecrueltoDana,who'dhadnothingfromhimexceptpain.He'dforcedherinto
marriagewhethershewanteditornot,seducedherinafeverofdesire,andthenbroughtherhome
andliterallyignoredherfortwoweeks.Lookingback,hecouldn'texplainhisownirrational
behavior.
Sincethenighthe'dbeenwithDana,hisonlythoughthadbeenofhowsweetitwastomakeloveto
her.Hehadn'tdreamedthathecouldwantanyonesomuch.Buthisfeelingshadfrightenedhim
becausetheyweresointense,andhe'dwithdrawnfromher.Betty'sinterventionhadbeenthecoupde
grace,puttingawallbetweenhimselfandDana.
Butdesirewasn'ttheonlythinghefeltforhisyoungwife,andforthefirsttimehehadtoadmitit.He
rememberedDanaattheageofsixteen,cuddlingawoundedpuppythatsomecruelboyhadshotwith
arifleandcryingwithangerassheinsistedthatHankdrivehertothevet's.Thepuppyhaddied,and
Hankhadcomfortedtheyounggirlwhoseheartsoundedasifitmightbreak.Danahadalwaysbeen
likethataboutlittle,helplessthings.Herheartembracedthewholeworld.Howcouldhehavehurther
so,awomanlikethat?
Hegroanedoutloud.Hewonderedifhe'dlosthisreasonwithBetty'sreturn.He'ddreadeditbecause
hethoughthewasstillinlovewithBetty.Hewasn't.HeknewitquitesuddenlywhenhesawDanawith
tearsinhereyesandhersuitcaseinherhand.Danahadlivedwithhimfortwoweeks,andhehadn't
eventouchedhersincetheirweddingnight.Hethoughtofitwithincredulity.Nowherealizedwhat
hisbehaviorhadmasked.He'dbeenafraidoffallingsodeeplyinlovewithherthatitwouldbeasit
hadbeenwithBetty.ExceptthatDanawasn'tmercenary.Shewantedhim,andseemedtobeashamed
offeelingthatway.Butshehadatenderheart,andshe'dcaredabouthim.Ifhe'dtried,hemighthave
madeherlovehim.Thethought,oncedreaded,wasnowtheessenceofheaven.
Itwastoolate,though.He'dletherleaveandhewouldn'tbeabletogetherback.He'dlosther.What
thehellwashedoingdrivingtoCorpusChristiwithtwopeoplehedidn'tevenlike?
Ashethoughtit,herealizedthattheywerealreadydrivingintoitscitylimits.Itwastoolatetoturn
backnow.He'ddowhathe'dpromised,hethought,butafterthat,hewasgoinghometoDana.
Whateverittook,hewasgoingtogetherback.
Ifonlyithadbeenthateasy.They'dnosoonergottenoutofthecarattheCollins'swhitebrick
mansionwhenBobgroanedandthenfell.Hediedrightthereonthegreenlawnbeforetheambulance
couldgettohim,despiteHank'sbesteffortstorevivehim.He'dhadanotherstroke.
BettywenttopiecesandHankfoundhimselfintheironicpositionofarrangingafuneralforhisex-
wife'ssecondhusbandandhisformerfriend.
Backhome,DanaheardaboutBobCollins'sdeath;itwasallovertheradio.He'dbeenaprominent
maninthestate'spoultryindustryandwaswell-knownandliked.Hisfuneralwasverybigandmany
importantpeopleattendedit.DanasawnewspaperclippingsofHanksupportingthegrievingwidow.
Shecouldn'timaginethatcold-eyedwomangrievingforherhusband.IfBettywascrying,itwas
becauseBob'slifeinsurancepolicyhadprobablylapsed.
Danachidedherselfforheruncharitablethoughtsandthrewthenewspaperintothetrash.Well,one
thingwascertain,HaydenGrantwouldbeaskingforadivorcesothathecouldremarrythewoman
hereallyloved.IfBettywaswhathewanted,heshouldhaveher.Danarememberedwhatshe'dsaidto
BobCollinsaboutnotwantingtoeatherheartoutfortherestofherlifewithamanwhowanted
someoneelse.PoorBob,who'ddoneexactlythat,steadfastly,fortenlongyears.Danaofferedasilent
prayerforhim.Atleastnowperhapshewouldhavepeace.
Twolongweekspassed,withnowordfromHank.Thenextmorning,Danawenttoseethefamily
lawyerandaskedhimtoinitiatedivorceproceedings.Itwouldmeandippingintohersmalltrustfund
topayforit,butthatdidn'tmatter.ShewantedHanktobehappy.
"Thisisn'twise,"theattorneytriedtoadviseher."You'vebeenupsetandsohashe.Youshouldwait,
thinkitover."
Sheshookherhead."I'vedoneallthethinkingIcareto.Iwantthedeedsmadeupformysignature
anddeliveredtoHank,alongwiththedivorcepapers.I'mthrowinginthetowel.Betty'sfreenowand
Hankdeservesalittlehappiness.Godknowshe'swaitedlongenoughtogetherback."
Theattorneywincedashelookedatthevulnerable,palewomansittinginfrontofhim.She'd
suffered,judgingbythethinnessofherfaceandthoseterribleshadowedblueeyes.Hecouldn't
imagineamancrazyenoughtoturndownalovethatviolentandselfless.Butifshewasright,that's
exactlywhatHaydenGranthadalreadydone.Hesighedinwardly.Talkaboutthrowinggoldawayin
favorofgloss!Somemenjustdidn'tknowtheirluck.
"I'llhaveeverythingreadybytomorrowmorning.You'reabsolutelysure?"
Shenodded.
"Thenconsideritdone."
Shethankedhimandwenthome.Thehousewasveryemptyandshefeltthesame.Therewouldbea
newlifeaheadofher.Shewasclosingaveryfirmdoorontheoldone,startingtomorrow.That
thoughtwasfixedfirmlyinherminduntilthemorningcameandshebegantothrowupasifshewere
dying.Shemadeittotheattorney'sofficetosignthepapers,butshewastoosicktotravel.
Fearfulthatshehadsomevirusthatwouldpreventherplanstomove,shemadeanappointmenttosee
Dr.LouColtrain,anewlymarriedmemberofthelocalmedicalcommunity.
Louexaminedher,askedpertinentquestionsandbegantowhistlesoftlywhileDanalookedather
withhorror.
"Itmusthavebeensomeweddingnight,"Lousaid,tongueincheek,"becauseyou'veonlybeen
marriedamonthandIknowHaydenGrant.Hewouldn'thavetouchedyouuntiltheringwasinplace."
"Lou,you'reawful!"Danagroaned,flushing.
"Well,I'mright,too."Shepattedtheyoungerwomanontheshoulder."It'stwoweekstooearlyfor
teststotellusanythingpositive.Comebackthen.Butmeanwhile,youwatchwhatmedicationsyou
takeandgetplentyofrest,becauseI'veseentoomanypregnanciestomistakeone.Congratulations."
"Thanks.Butyou,uh,won'ttellanyone,right?"Danaaskedgently.
"Yoursecretissafewithme."Thedoctorchuckled."Wanttosurprisehim,Iguess?"
"That'sright,"Danasaidimmediately,thinkingwhatasurpriseitwouldhavebeen.
"Comebackandseemeintwoweeks,"Lourepeated,"andI'llsendyoutoJackHowardupin
Victoria.He'sthebestobstetricianIknow,andit'salotcloserthanHouston."
"Thanks,Lou."
"Anytime."
Danawenthomeinacloudoffearandapprehensionandjoy.Shewasalmostcertainlypregnant,and
hermarriagewasintatters.Butsheknewwhatshewasgoingtodo.Firstshehadtofindherwayto
Houston,getanapartmentandfindajob.She'dhandedthedeedstoherfather'spropertyandthe
divorcepetitionovertotheattorneyfordisposition.Presumably,he'dhavealreadyforwardedthemto
HankinCorpusChristiincareofthebereavedMrs.Collins.She'dburnedherbridgesandtherewas
nogoingback.
UnawareofwhatwasgoingoninCorpusChristi,DanasetoutforHoustonthenextmorning,
painfullyworkingoutafuturewithoutHankwhileatallmanwithshockeddarkeyeswasserveda
divorcepetitionandcursedheruntilhewenthoarse.
Hankjerkedupthephone,oblivioustoBetty'sshockedstare,anddialedthephonenumberofthe
attorney,whowasalsoafriendofhis.
"Luke,whatthehell'sgoingon?"hedemanded,shakingthedivorcepapersatthereceiver."Ididn't
askherforthedeedstotheranch,andIsureashelldon'trememberaskingforadivorce!"
"There,there,oldfellow,calmdown,"Lukesaidfirmly."Shesaiditwasthebestthingforbothof
you.Besides,you'regoingbacktoBettyanyway."
"Iam?"heasked,shocked.
"That'swhatDanatoldme.Seehere,Hank,you'rethrowingoveragoodwoman.Sheneverthought
ofherselfonce.Itwaswhatyouwanted,whatyouneededtomakeyouhappythatsheconsideredwhen
shearrangedallthis.Shesaiditwouldgiveyouaheadstartonallthehappinessyou'dmissedouton
tenyearsago,andshewasgladforyou."
"Gladforme."HelookedatthepapersandglancedirritablyatBetty,who'dbeenpracticing
bereavementfortwoweekswhiletryingtoentangleHankinherwebagain.Shehadn'tsucceeded.He
wasuntanglingBob'sfinancesforher,andtheywereinonemajormess.Ithadtakentimehedidn't
wanttospendhere,butforBob'ssakehe'dmanagedit.Nowheonlywantedtogohomeandreclaim
hiswife,buthewasholdingproofthatshedidn'twanttobereclaimed.
"Sheknewyou'dbehappytohavethematterdealtwithbeforeyoucameback,"hecontinued."Listen,
ifyoudon'tcontestthedivorce—andwhyshouldyou,right?—Icangetitthroughinnotime."
Hankhesitated,breathingdeliberatelysothathewouldn'tstartswearingatthetopofhislungs.The
wordsonthepagesblurredinhissightasherememberedthelasttimehe'dseenDana.Hementally
replayedthecruel,hatefulthingshe'dsaidtoher.Nowondershewasdivorcinghim.Shedidn'tknow
howhefelt;he'dnevertoldher.Shethoughthehatedher.Whatalaugh!
"Canyouholditbackforafewweeks?"heaskedtheattorney."I'vegotsomethingstountangledown
hereforBob'swidow,andIcan'tgetbackhomeforaweek,possiblylonger."
"Ican,butshewon'tlikeit,"Lukesaid.
"Don'ttellher."
"Hank..."
“Don'ttellher,''herepeated.''LeaveitaloneuntilIgetback."
Therewasaheavysigh."Ifsheasksme,point-blank,Iwon'tlietoher."
"Thenmakesureshedoesn'thavetheopportunitytoaskyou."
"I'lltry."
"Thanks."
Hehungup.Hefeltsick.God,whatamesshe'dmadeofhislife!
Bettysidledcloseandleanedagainsthisarm,wearingawispynegligee."Poorolddear,isshe
leavingyou?"sheaskedsoftly."I'msorry.Whydon'tyoucomeupstairswithmeandI'llkissyou
better?"
Helookedatherasifhehadn'theardcorrectly."Betty,yourhusbandwasburiedweekbeforelast,"he
said.
Sheshrugged."He'drunoutofmoneyandhewasbarelyabletogetaroundbyhimself."Shesmiled
inashallow,childlikeway,andherealizedthatshewasjustthat—childlike.Shehadnodepthof
emotionatall,justasetofwantsandneedsthatshesatisfiedthebestsheknewhow,withherbody.
He'dlivedwithherfortwoyears,achedforherfortenmore,andhe'dneverknownthesortof
personshereallywasuntilhebecameinvolvedwithDana.Nowhecouldseetherealdifference
betweenthetwowomen.
Heremovedherhandfromhisarm."Ihavesomethingstofinish,"hetoldher."We'lltalklater.
Okay?"
Shesmiled."Okay,lover."
Chapter6
IttookallofanothertendaysforHaydentowrapuptheoddsandendsofBob'slifeandgethis
affairssafelyintothehandsofagoodlocalattorney.Bobhadanattorney,butthemanhadbeen
evasiveandalmostimpossibletolocate.Finallyithadtakenthethreatoflitigationtogethimtoturn
overneededdocuments.Andafterward,theman—whohadadegreeinlawfromaninterestingbut
unaccreditedlawschooloverseas—hadvanished.ItwasnowonderthatBobhadlostmostofhis
money.Thecharlatanhadembezzledit.Fortunatelytherewouldbeenoughleft,addedtothelife
insurance,tokeepBettyfairlysecureifshewascareful.
Itwasonlyasheexplainedthingstoherandsherealizedthathewasn'tgoingtoproposemarriage
thatshecameapartforreal.
"Butyouloveme,"sheexclaimed."Youalwayshave.Lookathowquicklyyoumarriedthatchildjust
soIwouldn'tthinkyouwerecarryingatorchforme!"
"Itmighthavestartedthatway,"herepliedquietly."Itdidn'tendthatway.Ican'taffordtoloseher
now."
"Oh,she'sgotmoney,Iguess."
Hefrowned."No.Shehasn'tadimeintheworld.Doyoualwaysascribemercenaryreasonstoevery
decision?"
"OfcourseIdo,"shesaid,andsmiledfaintly."Securityisthemostimportantthingintheworld.I
didn'thaveanythingwhenIwasachild.Iwenthungrysometimes.Ipromisedmyselfitwouldnever
happentome."Shemadeanawkwardgesturewithhershoulder."That'swhyIleftyou,youknow.
YouwereheadingintodebtandIwasscared.Ididloveyou,inmyway,buttherewasBobandhehad
alotofmoneyandhewantedme."Shesmiled."Ihadnochoice,really."
"Idon'tsupposeyoudid."HewasrememberingthatDanahadnothing,andshewasgivinghimthe
onlythingofworthinherpossession,thosedeedstotheland,sothathewouldn'tfacethethreatof
somedangerouslynoisyneighbor.Hecouldhavekickedhimselfforlettingherwalkoutofthehouse
inthefirstplace.
"Ifeltsortofsorryforher,"sheaddedthoughtfully."Sheisn'tsophisticated,isshe?Shewasafraidof
me."Hereyebrowsmet."Whywon'tyousleepwithher?"
Heavertedhereyes."That'snoneofyourbusiness."
"Itis,inaway.Youwon'tsleepwithme,either.Why?"
Hegrimaced."Idon'twantyou,"headmittedreluctantly."I'msorry."
"Youusedto,"sherecalled."Youwantedmeallthetime.IthoughtitwasgoingtokillyouwhenI
walkedout."
"Itdamnedneardid.Butthingshavechanged."Hiseyesweresadandquiet."Iamsorry,Betty.For
yourloss,foreverything."
"Bobwasn'tabadman,"shesaid."Iwasfondofhim.IguessI'llmisshim,inaway."Shelookedup.
"You'resureaboutnotwantingme?"
Henodded.
Shesighedandsmiledagain."Well,that'sthat.AtleastI'llhaveenoughmoneytomakeendsmeet,
thankstoyou.AndI'mstillyoungenoughtomakeagoodthirdmarriage!"
Onthatnote,hesaidhisgoodbyesandwentbacktothemotelwherehe'dbeenstaying.Itfeltniceto
havetheweightofBetty'sdisastrousfinancesoffhisshoulders,althoughhe'denjoyeduntanglingthe
mess.Nowhewasgoingtogohomeandworkonhisownproblems.
Helookedatthedivorcepetitionandthedeedsandhiseyesnarrowed.Danahadwastednotimeatall
turningovertheranchtohim.Hebegantofrown.Wherewasshegoingtolivewithoutherhouse?
Hepickedupthephoneanddialedtheattorney'snumber,buthewastoldthatLukewasincourtona
caseandcouldn'tbereached.Reallyworriednow,hedialedtheMobryranchnumber.Itrangtwice
andthelinewasconnected.Hestartedtospeak.Justashedid,amechanicalvoiceinformedhimthat
thenumberhadbeendisconnected.
Frustratedandworried,hisnextcallwastohisownhouse,wherehefoundTilly.
"Allright,whatthehell'sgoingon?WheredidDanago?"hedemandedwithoutpreamble.
"Shewouldn'tletmecallyou,"Tillysaidstiffly."Ibegged,butshewouldn'tbudge.Igavemyword.
Couldn'tbreakit."
"Whereisshe?"
"She'sleft,"camethetersereply."SaidyouhadthedeedsandthatJoeandErniewouldkeepwatch
overtheplaceuntilyoumadeotherarrangements,butyou'dhavetopaythem."
"Oh,tohellwiththeranch!"hesnapped."Whereisshe?"
"Tookacabtothebusstation.GotthebustoHouston.Idon'tknowwhereshewentfromthere."
Hoperaiseditshead."Houston!Tilly,you'reawonder!"
"There's,uh,somethingelse.ThenursewhoworksforDr.LouColtrainisacousinofmine.Seems
DanawenttoseeLoubeforeshelefttown.Ifyoudon'tfindherprettysoon,you'regoingtobe
lookingfortwopeopleinsteadofone,"shesaid,andhungup.
Hestaredatthetelephoneblanklyandfeltalltheblooddrainingoutofhisface.Danawaspregnant?
Hecountedbacktotheirweddingnightandrealizedthatneitherofthemhadeventhoughtabout
precautions.HisDanawasgoingtohaveababy,andshe'dlefthim!Whatanidiothe'dbeen!
Hecalledtheairport.Houstonwasagoodplacetostart,thankstoTilly,who'dsavedhimhoursof
tracking.Butitwasabigcity,andhedidn'tevenknowwheretostart.Hecursedhimselfforevery
painfulthinghe'deversaidtoher.Itcouldn'tbetoolatetoconvinceherhowmuchhecared,itjust
couldn't!
HesoonrealizedhowimpossibleitwasgoingtobetolocateDanainHouston.Shehadalittlemoney,
butitwouldsoonrunoutifshedidn'tgetajob.Hehadtofindherquickly,sohewentstraighttoone
ofthebetter-knownHoustondetectives,andtoldhimeverythingheknewaboutDanaincludinga
description.
"Doyouhaveaphotoofyourwife,Mr.Grant?"DaneLassiteraskedthemanacrossthedeskfrom
him.AformerTexasRanger,Danehadbuilthisagencyfromscratch,andnowithadafinenational
reputationfordoingtheimpossible.
ThequestionstartledHank,whohadn'texpectedit.Helookeduncomfortable."No,"hesaid.
Theothermandidn'tcomment,buthiseyesweresteadyandcurious.Nowonder,becausethetable
behindLassiter'sdeskcarriedafamilyphotoofthedetective,hisattractivewifeandtwoyoungsons
wholookedjustlikehim.
"We'renewlyweds,"Haydenfeltconstrainedtoexplain."Itwasaquickmarriage."
Danedidn'tsayaword.Hewasbusywritingthingsdown."Didsherunaway,Mr.Grant?"heasked
suddenly,andhisblackeyespinnedtheotherman.
Haydentookasharp,angrybreath."Yes,"hesaidthroughhisteeth."IdidsomethingstupidandI
deservetoloseher.ButIdon'tthinkIcanstandto,justthesame."Heleanedforwardandrestedhis
forearmsonhissplayedlegsinadefeatedposition."Andshe'spregnant,"headdedthroughhisteeth.
Hank'spredicamentsoundedveryfamiliartoDaneLassiter.Heknewallaboutpregnantwomenwho
ranaway.
"We'llfindher,"Danetoldtheman,notsodistantnow."You'vegivenussomegoodleads,we'llcheck
themout.WherecanIreachyou?"
Haydengavethenameofalocalhotel."I'llbehereuntilIhearfromyou,"headded,andhehadthe
lookofamanwhoplannedtostaythereuntiltheturnofthecenturyifthat'showlongittook.
"Okay.I'llgetrightonit."Hestoodupandshookhands."Womenneedalotoftenderness.Theyget
hurteasily,andtheykeepsecrets,"hesaidsurprisingly."Butifithelps,youlearnhowtocopewithit
afterawhile."
Haydensmiled."Thanks."
Daneshrugged.Hesmiledback."I'vebeenmarriedalongtime.Nobodystartsoutinparadise.You
sortofhavetoworkuptoit."
"I'llrememberthat.IhopeIgetthechancetofindoutfirsthand."
IttooktwodaysforDanetotrackDanatoasmallboardinghouseoutsideHouston.Duringthattime,
Haydenlostsleepandthoughttorturouslyofallthethingsthatcouldhavehappenedtohiserrant,
pregnantwife.Itdidn'timprovehistemper,orhisheartache.
WhenDanecalled,hewasoverthemoon.HewastednotimeatallgettingtoMrs.Harper'sBoarding
House,butwhenhepulledupatthefrontstepsintheLincolnhe'drentedattheairportonhisarrival
inHouston,hedidn'tknowquitewhattosay.Hestaredatthebigwhitehousewithlongingand
apprehension.Hiswifewasinthere,butshedidn'twanthim.She'dtriedtodivorcehim,hadmoved
hereandshe'dmadeagoodefforttoeraseherpresencefromhislife.Shehadn'tevensaidawordto
himaboutherpregnancy.Howdidhetalktoher,whatdidhesaytocanceloutallthehurtshe'ddealt
her?
Hegotoutofthecarandapproachedthehouseslowly.Hisstepsdragged,becausehedreadedwhat
wascoming.Hewentupandrangthedoorbell.Aplump,smilingelderlywomanopenedthedoor.
"MayIhelpyou?"sheaskedpolitely.
"I'mHaydenGrant,"hesaidinasubduedtone."Mywifeliveshere,Ibelieve.HernameisDana."
"MissMobryisyourwife?"sheasked,puzzled."ButI'msureshesaidshewasn'tmarried."
"She'sverymuchmarried,"hereplied.Heremovedhiscream-coloredStetson,belatedly,andletthe
handholdingitdroptohisside.'I’ldliketoseeher."
Shegnawedonherlip,frowning."Well,she'snothereatthemoment,"shesaid."Shewenttoseethat
newadventuremovieplayingattheshoppingcenter.WithMr.Coleman,thatis."
Helookedvaguelyhomicidal."Who'sMr.Coleman?"heaskedshortly.
"Heliveshere,too,"shestammered,madenervousbytheblackglitterofhiseyes."He'saverynice
youngman..."
"Whichshoppingcenterandwhichmovie?"hedemanded.
Shetoldhim.Shedidn'tdarenotto.
Hestompedbacktohiscar,slammedintoitandskiddedonhiswayoutthedriveway.
"Oh,dear,oh,dear,"Mrs.Harpermumbled."IwonderifIshouldn'thavementionedthatDavidis
elevenyearsold..."
SadlyunawareoftheageofDana's"date,"Hankdrovetotheshoppingcenter,parkedthecarandwent
straighttothetheater.Asluckwouldhaveit,thefeaturewasjustending,sopeoplewerepouringout
ofthreeexits.Hestood,glaring,untilhespottedDana.
Shewastalkingtoasmallboyinabaseballcap,herfaceanimated,smiling.Hisheartjumpedashe
watchedhercomeoutofthebigbuilding.Helovedher.Hehadn'tknown.Hehonestlyhadn'tknown.
Hisheartacceleratedwildly,buthiseyesbegantoglowfromwithin,quietandwatchfulandadoring.
Danawastoofarawaytoseehisexpression.Butshespottedhimatonceandstoppeddeadinher
tracks.Theboywassayingsomething,butshewasn'tlistening.Herfacewasstarkwhite.
Hankapproachedher,alerttoanysuddenmovement.Ifshetriedtorun,he'dhaveherbeforeshegot
threesteps.
Butshedidn'trun.Sheliftedherchinasifinpreparationforbattleandherhandsclenchedthesmall
purseshewasholdingagainstthewaistofherdenimskirt.
"Hello,Dana,"hesaidwhenhewaswithinearshot.
Shelookedathimwarily."Howdidyoufindme?"sheasked.
"Ididn't.Adetectiveagencydid."
Shelookedpaler."Isignedallthenecessarypapers,"shetoldhimcurtly."You'refree."
Hestuckhishandsdeepintohispockets."AmI?"
DanaturnedtoDavidandhandedhimafive-dollarbill."Whydon'tyougobackinthereandplaythe
arcademachineforaminuteortwowhileIspeaktothisman,David?"sheasked.
Hegrinned."Sure,MissMobry,thanks!"
Hewasoffatalope.
"Soyoucamewiththeboy,notwithsomeotherman,"Hankmurmuredabsently.
Sheflushed."AsifI'dtrustmyownjudgmentaboutmeneveragain!David'smotherisatwork,soI
offeredtotreathimtoamovie."
"Youdolikekids,don'tyou?"heasked,andhiseyeswereverysoftastheyfelltoherwaistline.
"That'sfortunate."
"Thatisn'twhatI'dcallit,"shesaidstubbornly.
Hesighed.Hedidn'tknowwhattosay,butthiscertainlywasn'ttheidealplacetotalk."Look,suppose
yougofetchtheboyandwe'llgobacktoyourboardinghouse?Didyoudrivehere?"
Sheshookherhead."Wegotacitybus."Shewantedtoargue,buthelookedasifhewasgoingtodig
hisheelsin.Shecouldn'tunderstandwhyhewashere,whenBettywasfree.Perhapsthat'swhathe
wantedtoexplain.Sheseemedtohavenochoicebuttodoashesaid,forthetimebeing,atleast.
"Acitybus!"hemuttered,andinhercondition!Buthedidn'tdarementionthatheknewabouther
pregnancy.Notyet."Gettheboy,"hesaidshortly."I'lltakeyouhome."
ShewenttofindDavid,andHankdrovethembacktotheboardinghouse.Davidthankedherand
desertedher.Mrs.Harperhovered,butahardglarefromHankdispatchedhersoonenough.
HeclosedthedoorbehindherandsatdownintheonechairinDana'sroom,whilesheperchedonthe
bedalittlenervously.
"Where'sBetty?"shewantedtoknow.
"InCorpusChristi,Iguess,"hesaid."I'malone."
"Youwon'tbealoneforlong,"sheremindedhim."You'regettingmarriedagain."
"I'malreadymarried,"hesaidquietly."Ihaveayoungandveryprettywife."
Sheflushed."Idivorcedyou."
Heshookhishead."Istoppedit."
"Why?"sheaskedmiserably,hereyeseloquentinafacelikericepaper."Youdon'thavetostay
marriedtomenowthatshe'sfree!"
Hewinced.Hereachedoverandtouchedhercheek,butshejerkedawayfromhim.
Heavertedhisfaceandstareddownatthefloor."Idon'twanttoremarryBetty."
Shestaredathisavertedfeatures,unconvinced."You'venevergottenoverher,Hank,"shesaidsadly.
"Yousaidyourselfthatpartofthereasonyoumarriedmewassoshewouldn'tknowhowyou'd
grievedsinceshedivorcedyou."
"MaybeitwastheoldstoryofwantingwhatIcouldn'thave,orthegrassbeinggreenerontheother
sideofthefence,"heventured.
Shedrewinalongbreath."Ormaybeitwasjustthatyouneverstoppedlovingher,"sheadded,and
theeyesthatsearchedhiswerewistfulandsad."Oh,Hank,wecan'tlovetoorder.Wehavetosettlefor
whatwecanhaveinthislife."Hereyeswenttothefloor."I'llgobacktoschoolandworktowardmy
degreeandI'llbehappy."
Hiseyessliduptohers."Withoutme?"heaskedbluntly.
Shewasn'tsurehowmuchheknew.Sheblinkedandgatheredherscatteredwits."Doesn'tBettywant
tomarryyou?"sheaskedsuspiciously.
"Morethanever,"heaffirmed.
“Thenwhat'stheproblem?''
"Itoldyou.TheproblemisthatIdon'twanttomarryher."
"Idon'tunderstand,"shesaiduneasily.
Hesmiledwistfully."Iusedtoenvyothermentakingtheirsonsoncampingandfishingtripswith
them.IneverthoughtImighthaveoneofmyown.Butagirlwouldbenice,too.Iguessgirlscanfish
andhuntaswellasboyscan,ifthey'resoinclined."Hiseyesliftedtohers."Youliketoshoot,asI
recall."
"Idon'tliketohunt,"shereplied,uneasyatthewayhewastalkingaboutkids.Hecouldn'tpossibly
know...Heshrugged."I'llteachyoutoshootskeet."
"Okay,butIwon'tcookthem."
Hechuckled."Concretewon'ttenderize."
"Iknowwhataskeettargetismadeof."Shedrewinanotherbreath.Thewayhewastouchingher
madehertoestingle."Bettymightchangehermindabouthavingachild."
Heshookhishead."Andevenifshedid,shewouldn'twantitorloveit.Youwill.You'llwantourkids
andspoilthemrottenifIdon'twatchout."Hiseyeslifted."Tilly'salreadylookingforwardtoit.She's
boughtafoodprocessorsoshecanmakefreshbabyfoodforhim."
Sheflushed."She'sjumpingthegun."
"No,sheisn't,"hesaidwithagrin."Tilly'skintoDr.LouColtrain'sofficenurse."
"Oh,myGod!"shesaidinaburst.
Heshrugged."SoIknow.Theworldwon'tendbecauseyoudidn'ttellme."Hiseyesdarkened."I'm
sorrythatImadeitsoroughonyouthatyoudidn'tfeelyoucouldtellme."
Sheglaredathim."I'mnotgoingback."
Hisshouldersseemedtofall."IknowI'vemadealotofmistakes,"hesaid."Youhavetomake
allowances.Untilacoupleofweeksago,IthoughtIwasstillinlovewithmyex-wife.Ihadtogetto
knowheragaintorealizethatshewasanillusion.TherealityofBettywasprettyharsh,afteryou."
"Idon'tunderstand."
"Don'tyou?"Hesighed."Well,Dana,IsupposeImadeanidolofheraftersheleft.Theonethatgot
awayisalwaysbetterthananythingthat'sleft."
"Youdidn'tactlikesomeonewhowasn'tinlovewithhisex-wife,"sheremindedhimasallthepainful
thingshe'dsaidtoherreturnedinaflashoffanger.
"AllittookwastwoweeksinCorpusChristitocureme,"hereturned.Heleanedforwardwithhis
forearmsrestingonhiskneesandstaredatthefloor."She'sshallow,"hesaid,glancingatDana.
"Shallowandselfishandspoiled.AndI'dbeenawayfromhersolongthatIforgot.Itcuttheheartout
ofmewhenIrealizedthatyouwentawaybecauseyouthoughtIwantedBettyinsteadofyou.I'msorry
forthat."
"Youcan'thelpwantingsomeoneelse..."
"Iwantyou,Dana,"hesaidwithaquizzicalsmile.
Sheclaspedherhandshardatherwaist."You'rejustmakingthebestofit,aren'tyou?Youknowabout
thebabyandhowIfeelaboutyouandyou'resorryforme."
Hisheartjumped."Howyoufeel?"heprompted.
"YouknowthatI’minlovewithyou,"shesaid,avoidinghispenetratinggaze."ThatIhavebeensince
Iwasseventeen."
Hisheartwasn'tjumpinganymore,ithadstopped.Hebarelycouldbreathe.Hecertainlywasrobbed
ofspeech.
Shejerkedoneshoulderassheassumedhissilencewasoneofregretforhersake,becausehehad
nothingtogiveher."Shameful,isn'tit?Iwasstillakid.Icouldn'tevenletboyskissme,becauseIkept
thinkingaboutyou.I'velivedlikeanunalltheseyears,waitingandhoping,andithastohappenlike
this...youhavetobeforcedintomarriagejustwhenyourex-wifeisfreeagain."
Hehadn'tknownthatshelovedhim.He'dknownshewantedhim,whichwasaverydifferentthing
altogether.Hewasstunnedforamoment,andthenoverwhelmed,overjoyed.
"I'msorry,"shesaidonalongbreath."Iguesswe'rebothtrapped."
"You'llneedsomematernityclothes,"heremarked,clearinghisthroat."Thingstowearwhenwegive
parties.Afterall,I'marichman.Wewouldn'twantpeopletothinkIcouldn'taffordtodressyou
properly,wouldwe?"
Shefrowned."I'mnotcomingback..."
"Wecanturnthatthirdguestroomintoanursery,"hecontinued,asifshehadn'tspoken."It'snext
doortothemasterbedroom,andwecanleavethedooropenatnight.I'llgetamonitor,too,"headded
thoughtfully."Soifthebabyhasanyproblemsatnight,itwillsetoffanalarmnexttoourbed.Orwe
couldgetanurseforthefirstmonthortwo.Wouldyoulikethat?"
He'dmadeherspeechlesswithplans."Ihaven'tthoughtaboutanyofthat,"shestammered.
"Don'tyouwantasettledlifeforourbaby,withamotherandfatherwholovehim?"hepersisted.
Hecutthegroundrightoutfromunderherwiththatlastquestion.Whatcouldshesay?Ofcourse,she
wantedasettledlifefortheirchild.ButifHankstilllovedBetty,whatkindoflifewould
itbe?
Hereyesmirroredallherworries.Hetouchedhercheek,andthensmoothedbackherdisheveledhair.
“IwastryingtoliveinthepastbecauseIdidn'thavemuchofapresent,orafuture,unlessyoucount
makingmoney.That'snolongertrue.Ihavesomethingtolookforwardtonow,somethingto
challengeme,keepmegoing."Hesmiled."IguessTillywillmakememiserableforaweek,paying
mebackforthewayItreatedyou.Iwon'tbeallowedtoforgetonerottenthingIsaidtoyou,andshe'll
burnthebananapuddingeverytimeIaskhertomakeit."Hesighed."Butitwillbeworthit,ifyou'll
justcomehome,Dana.Tilly'sallaglowatthethoughtofhavingababyinthehouse."
"We'vealreadydiscussedthis,"shebegan.
Hebentanddrewhislipstenderlyacrosshers."Notreally,"hemurmured."Openyourlipsalittle,I
can'ttasteyoulikethis."
"Idon'twa..."
"Ummm,that'sit,"hewhisperedgently,anddeepenedthekiss.
Sheforgotwhatshewastryingtothinktosaytohim.Herarmscurleduparoundhisneckandshelet
himliftheroverhislegs,sothathecouldholdhergentlyacrosshisbody.Hewasgentleandslow,
andverythorough.Whenhefinallyliftedhishead,shecouldn'tthinkatall.
"I'mgoingtolikebeingafather,"heassuredher."Iwon'tmindsittingupwithyouwhenhe'steething
orgivingbottlesorchangingdiapers."
"That'snice."
Hesmiled."Doyouhavealottopack?"
"Justafewskirtsandblousesandshoes.ButIhaven'tsaidI'mgoingwithyou."
"What'sholdingyouback?"heaskedgently.
"Youhaven'texplainedwhyyoudon'twantBettyback."
"Oh.That."Heshrugged."Idon'tloveher.I'mnotsureIeverdid.Iwantedher,butthere'sabig
differenceinlustandlove."
"Areyousure?"
"ConsideringthesortofmanIam—andIthinkyouknowmeprettywellbynow—doyouthinkI'm
capableofmakinglovetoonewomanwhenI'minlovewithsomeoneelse?"
Shesearchedhiseyes."Well,no,Idon'tthinkso.You'reprettyold-fashionedlikethat."
Henodded."SohowcouldIhavemadelovetoyousocompletelythatonetimeifI'dreallybeenin
lovewithBetty?"
"I'msuremostmenwouldn'thaverefusedsomethingthatwasoffered."
"We'retalkingaboutme.WouldI?"
Shegrimaced."No."
“Thatbeingthecase,makinglovetoyouwassomethingofadeclarationofmyfeelings,wasn'tit?"
Itwas.Shecaughtherbreath."Oh,mygoodness.Ineverconsideredthat."
"NeitherdidIuntilIwaswellonmywaytoCorpusChristi,"headmitted."Icalleditguiltand
remorseandmisplacedemotion,Ideniedittoyouandmyself.Butintheend,IcamebackbecauseI
lovedyou.Andyouweren'tthere."Hesmiledsadly."Ithoughtyou'dfightBetty.Ineverexpectedyou
torun."
"Ididn'tthinkyouwantedme.Womenonlyfightwhentheyknowthey'reloved.Ididn't."Shesearched
hiseyes,fascinated."Idon'tguessyou'dliketo...sayit?"
Hegrimaced."Notreally."
"Oh."
"ButIcould.Ifitmattersthatmuch."Helookeddownatherstomach."Iguesskidsliketohearit,too,
don'tthey?"
Shenodded."Allthetime."
Heclearedhisthroat."Okay.Givemeaminutetogetusedtotheidea."
Shesmiledwithexcitementandgrowingdelight."Youcanhaveasmuchasyouneed."
"Okay.I...loveyou."
Hereyebrowsrose.
"Iloveyou,"herepeated,andthistimeitsoundedasifhemeantit.Hestareddownatherwithwonder.
"ByGod,Ido,"hewhisperedhuskily."Withallmyheart,Dana,evenifIdidn'trealizeit."
Shemovedcloserandslidherfaceintohishotthroat,curlingintohimlikeakitten."Iloveyou,too,
Hank."
Hesmiledcrookedly,staringpastherheadtothedoor.Hehadn'texpectedittobesoeasytoconfess
hisdeepestemotions.He'dneverdoneitbefore,notevenwithBetty.Hisarmscontracted."Iguess
we'renotthefirstpeoplewhoeverfellinlove."
"Itfeelslikeit,though,doesn'tit?"sheaskeddrowsily."Oh,Hank,Iwishmydadwasstillalive,so
he'dknow."
Hishandsmoothedoverherhair."Heknows,Dana,"hesaidathertemple,hisvoicedeepandquiet
andloving."Somehow,I'msureheknows."
Shecurledcloser."Perhapshedoes."
Chapter7
Thebabywasbornattwoo'clockinthemorning.Tillysatintheemergencyroomcubicleinherrobe
andslippers,herhairincurlers,glaringatthedisheveledmanacrossfromherwhowassittingup,
pale-faced,ontheexaminationtablethankingthedoctorforhisnewson.
"It'saboy!"heexclaimedwhenthedoctormovedoutofsight."AndDana'sfine!Icanseeherassoon
astheybringheroutoftherecoveryroom!"
"Yousawheralready,"shemutteredathimandcockedaneyebrowathisredface."Justbeforeyou
fainted..."
"Inever!"hesaid."Itrippedoverthatgowntheymademewearinthedeliveryroom!"
"Theonethatonlycametoyourknees?"sheaskedknowingly."Danawaslaughingsohard,shedidn't
evenhavetopush.Thebabyjustpoppedrightout."
"I'vehadahecticnight,"hebegandefensively.
"Sure,denyingthatitwaslaborpains,rightupuntilherwaterbroke.'It'sjustfalselabor,sweetheart,
you'reonlyeightmonthsandthreeweeksalong,'yousaid.Andtherewewere,rushinghertothe
hospitalbecauseyouwereafraidtowaitforanambulance,meinmynightgown,too!Andthenweno
soonergetherintothedeliveryroomwhenyouseethebabycomingoutandfaintdeadaway!"
Heglaredather."Ididn'tfaint,Itripped...!"
Sheopenedhermouthtoarguejustasanursepeekedaroundthecorner."Mr.Grant,yourwifeis
askingforyou."
"I'llberightthere."
"Areyoufeelingallrightnow?"sheasked.
"1tripped,"hesaidfirmly.
ThenurseandTillyexchangedamusedglances,buthedidn'tseethem."Yes,sir,Iknowyoudid,but
wecan'toverlookanyfallinahospital."
"Sure.Iknewthat"
Hefollowedthenursedownthehalluntilshestoppedataprivateroomandstoodasidetolethim
enter.
Danawassittingupinbedwiththeirsoninherarms,tearsofpurejoyinhereyesasshewatchedthe
nursestuffHankintoagownandmask.
"Hospitalrules,"hemuttered.
"Yes,sir,butallforbaby'sprotection,andweknowyoudon'tmind,"sherepliedwithagrin.
Hechuckled."Ofcoursenot."
Shetiedthelasttieandlefthimwithhissmallfamily.
"Areyouokay?"sheasked.
Henodded."Justalittleshaky,andIdidnotfaint,"headded.
"Ofcourseyoudidn't,darling,"sheagreed."ComeseewhatI'vegot."
Shepulledbacktheflannelandexposedaperfectlittleboy.Hiseyesweren'tevenopenjustyet,andhe
lookedtiny.
"He'sgoingtogrow,isn'the?"Hankaskedworriedly.
"Ofcourseheis!"
Hetouchedthetinyhead,fascinated.Thebabywassmallerthanhe'dexpected,sofragile,sonew.
Tearsstunghiseyesashelookedathisveryownson.
Secondslater,thetinymouthopenedandbegantocry.Danachuckledasshefumbledwiththegown
andgotitoffoneshoulder,exposingafirm,swollenbreast.WhileHankwatched,spellbound,she
guidedthetinymouthtoahardnippleandcaughtherbreathashebegantosuckle.
Flushed,shelookeduptofindanexpressionofpurewonderonherhusband'sface.
"Iknowwetalkedaboutbottlefeeding,"shebegan.
"Forgetwesaidaword,"hereplied.Hestoodoverher,hiseyessofulloflovethattheysparkledwith
it."Ihopeyoucandothatforayearorso,becauseIlovewatchingit."
Shelaughedalittleself-consciously."Ilovefeelingit,"sheconfessed,strokingthetinyhead."Oh,
Hank,we'vegotababy,”shebreathedecstatically."Areal,live,healthylittleboy!"
Henodded.Hewastoochokedforspeech.
"Iloveyou."
Hetookasteadyingbreath."Iloveyou,honey,"hereplied.Hiseyessearchedhershungrily."Withall
myheart."
"Mypaperhusband,"shemurmured.
"Remembering?"heteased."Me,too.ButIfeelprettyfleshandbloodrightnow."
“Youlookit,too."Shedrewhimdownandkissedhimthroughthemask."Haveyouforgottenwhat
dayitis?"
Hefrowned."Well,inalltheexcitement..."
"It'syourbirthday!"
Hiseyebrowsarched."Itis?"
"Yes,itis."Shegrinnedathim."Likeyourpresent?"sheadded,noddingtowardthebabyfeedingat
herbreast.
"Iloveit,"hereturned."DoIgetoneoftheseeveryyear?"heteased.
"Iwon'tmakeanypromises,butwe'llsee."
"That'sadeal."
Tillyjoinedthemminuteslater,stillinhergownandrobewithherhairincurlers.
"GoodLord,haven'tyougonehomeyet?"Hankasked,aghast.
Shegavehimanamusedgrin."How?"
"Youcould..."hepursedhislips."Nomoneyforacab,andyoucan'tdrive."
"Gotit."
Helookedsheepish."I'lldriveyouhomerightnow."HebentandkissedDanaandhischild."I'llbe
backassoonasIdropoffTilly.Anythingyouwantmetobringyou?"
Shenodded."Strawberryicecream."
"I'llbebackinaflash!"
Andhewas.Foryearsafterward,thesmallhospitalstafftalkedaboutthedayyoungDonaldMandel
Grantwasborn,whenhisprouddadsatisfiedDana'scravingforstrawberryicecreambyhavinga
truckloadofthemostexpensivemadedeliveredtothehospital.Danasaidthatitwasashametheir
babywastooyoungtoenjoyit,butHankpromisedthathewouldn'tmissout.Hankhadjustpurchased
anicecreamcompany,andhewaswaitingfortheirson'sfirstbirthdaypartywithpureglee!