CHRISTMASCOWBOY

DianaPalmer

Chapter1

ItwastheholidayseasoninJacobsville,Texas.Gailycoloredstrandsoflightscrisscrossedthemain
street, and green garlands and wreaths graced each telephone pole along the way. In the center of
town, all the small maple trees that grew out of square beds at intervals along the sidewalk were
decoratedwithlightsaswell.

Peoplewerebundledincoats,becauseeveninsouthTexasitwascoldinlateNovember.Theyrushed
alongwithshoppingbagsfulloffestivelywrappedpresentstogounderthetree.AndoveronEast
MainStreet, the OptimistClub had itsyearly Christmas tree lotopen already. Afamily of four was
browsing its sawdust-covered grounds, early enough to have the pick of the beautifully shaped fir
trees,justafterThanksgiving,

DorieWaynegazedathersurroundingsthewayachildwouldlookthroughastorewindowattoys
shecouldn'tafford.Herhandwenttothethinscardownanotherwiseperfectcheekandsheshivered.
How long ago it seemed that she stood right here on this street corner in front of the Jacobsville
Drugstore, and backed away from Corrigan Hart. It had been an instinctive move; at eighteen, he'd
frightenedher.Hewassoverymasculine,amaturemanwithacoldtemperandanironwill.He'dset
hissightsonDorie,whofoundhimfearfulinsteadofattractive,despitethefactthatanysinglewoman
hereaboutswouldhavegonetohimonherknees.

Sherecalledhisjetblackhairandpale,metalliceyes.She'dwonderedatfirstifitwasn'therfairness
thatattractedhim,becausehewassodark.Doriehadhairsoblonditwasalmostplatinum,anditwas
cutshort,fallingintonaturalthickwaves.

Hercomplexionwasdelicateandfair,andshehadbiggrayeyes,justashadedarkerthanCorrigan's.
Hewasveryhandsome—unlikehisbrothers.Atleast,thatwaswhatpeoplesaid.Doriehadn'tgottento
meet the others when she left Jacobsville. And only Corrigan and three of his brothers lived in
Jacobsville.ThefifthHartmalewasn'ttalkedabout,ever.Hisnamewasn'tevenknownlocally.

CorriganandthreeofhisfourbrothershadcomedowntoJacobsvillefromSanAntonioeightyears
agototakeovertherichcattleoperationtheirgrandfatherhadlefttotheminhiswill.

It had been something of a local joke that the Harts had no hearts, because they seemed immune to
women.Theykepttothemselvesandtherewasnogossipaboutthemwithwomen.Butthatchanged

when Dorie attended a local square dance and found herself whirling around the floor in Corrigan
Hart'sarms.

Never one to pull his punches, he made his intentions obvious right at the start. He found her
attractive.Hewasdrawntoher.Hewantedher.Justlikethat.

There was never any mention of marriage, engagement or even some furtive live-in arrangement.
Corrigan said often that he wasn't the marrying kind. He didn't want ties. He made that very clear,
becausetherewasneveranydiscussionsoftakinghertomeethisbrothers.Hekeptherawayfrom
theirranch.

Butdespitehisaversiontorelationships,hecouldn'tseemtoseeenoughofDorie.

HewantedherandwitheverynewkissDoriegrewweakerandhungrierforhim.

Thenonespringday,hekissedherintooblivion,pickedherupinhisarmsandcarriedherrightinto
herownbedroomtheminuteherfatherleftforhisweeklypokergame.

Despitethedruggingeffectofmasterfulkissesandthepoignanttremblinghisexperthandsaroused,
Doriehadcometohersensesjustbarelyintimeandpushedhimaway.Dazed,he'dlookeddownat
herwithstunned,puzzledeyes,onlybelatedlyrealizingthatshewastryingtogetaway,notcloser.

Sheremembered,red-facedevennow,howhe'dpulledawayandstoodup,breathingraggedly,eyes
blazing with frustrated desire. He'd treated her to a scalding lecture about girls who teased. She'd
treatedhimtooneaboutconfirmedbachelorswhowouldn'ttakenoforananswer,especiallysince
she'dtoldhimshewasn'tthesleep-aroundsort.

Hedidn'tbuythat,he'dtoldhercoldly.Shewasjustholdingoutformarriage,andtherewasnohope
inthatdirection.Hewantedtosleepwithher,andshesureseemedtowanthim,too.Buthedidn'twant
herforkeeps.

Doriehadbeeninlovewithhim,andhisemotionalrejectionhadbrokensomethingfragileinsideher.
Butshehadn'tbeenabouttolethimseeherpain.

He'dgoneon,inthesamevein.Oneinsulthadledtoanother,andoncehe'dgottenreallyworkedup,
he'dstormedoutthedoor.Hispartingshothadbeenthatshemustbenutsifshethoughthewasgoing
tobuyherbeingavirgin.Therewasnosuchthinganymore,evenattheyoungageofeighteen.

Hisrejectionhadcloseddoorsbetweenthem.Doriecouldn'tbearthethoughtofstayinginJacobsville
andhavingeverybodyknowthatCorriganHarthadthrownherasidebecauseshewouldn'tsleepwith
him.Andeverybodywouldknow,somehow.

Theyalwaysknewthesecretthingsinsmalltowns.

ThatverynightDoriehadmadeuphermindtotakeuphercousinBelinda'soffertocometoNew
Yorkandgetintomodeling.CertainlyDoriehadthelooksandfigureforit.Shemightbeyoung,but

shehadpoiseandgraceandanexquisitefaceframedbyshort,wavyblondhair.Outofthatface,huge
grayeyesshonelikebeacons,mirroringhappinessorsorrow.

Afterthatsordidevening,Doriecutherlossesandboughtabusticket.

She'dbeenstandingrighthere,onthisverycorner,waitingforthebustopickherupinfrontofthis
drugstore,whenCorriganhadfoundher.

Herabruptwithdrawalfromhimhadhaltedhiminhistracks.Whateverhe'dbeengoingtosay,her
shamedrefusaltolookathim,combinedwithherbackwardsteps,stoppedhim.Shewasstillsmarting
from his angry words, as well as from her own uninhibited behavior. She was ashamed that she'd
givenhimsuchlicensewithherbodynowthatsheknewtherehadonlybeendesireonhispart.

Hehadn'tsaidasinglewordbeforethebusstoppedforher.Hehadn'tsaidawordasshehurriedly
gavehertickettothedriver,gotonthebusandwaitedforittoleavewithoutlookinghiswayagain.
He'dstoodthereinthetricklingrain,withoutevenaraincoat,withhishandsdeepinhisjeanpockets,
andwatchedthebuspullawayfromthecurb.ThatwashowDoriehadrememberedhimallthelong
years,alonelyfadingfigureinthedistance.

She'dlovedhimdesperately.Butherownself-respectwouldn'tlethersettleforafurtiveaffairinthe
goldfish-bowlatmosphereofJacobsville.She'dwantedahome,ahusband,children,everything.

Corriganhadonlywantedtosleepwithher.

She'dgone,breathlessandsickatheart,allthewaytoNewYorkCity,swearingherfathertoabsolute
secrecyabouthermovements.

Therehadbeenaletter,afewweeksafterherarrival,fromherfather.Init,hetoldherthathe'dseen
Corrigan only once since her departure, and that he was now hot in pursuit of a rich divorcee with
sophisticationdrippingfromherfingers.IfDoriehadanypartingregretsaboutherdecisiontoleave
town,thatwastheendofthem.Corriganhadmadehisfeelingsplain,ifhewasseeingsomewoman
already.

Doriewonderedifherfatherhadn'tsaidsomethingunpleasanttoCorriganHartabouthisdaughter's
sudden departure from home. It would have been like him. He was fiercely protective of his only
child,especiallysincethedeathofhermotherfromheartdiseasesomeyearspast.Andhisopinion
aboutphilanderingmenwasobvioustoeveryone.

Hebelievedintheold-fashionedsortofcourtship,thekindthatendedinmarriage.

Onlyahandfulofconventionalpeoplewereleft,hetoldDorieoverandover.Suchpeoplewerethe
cornerstonesofsocialorder.Iftheyallfell,chaosreigned.Amanwholovedawomanwouldwantto
giveher,andhischildren,hisname.AndCorrigan,headded,hadmadeitcleartothewholetownthat
he wanted no part of marriage or a family. Dorie would have been asking for heartbreak if she'd
givenintoCorrigan'sselfishdemands.

Herfatherwasdeadnow.Doriehadcomehomeforthefuneralaswellastodisposeofthehouseand
property and decide her own future. She'd started out with such hopes of becoming a successful
model.Hereyesclosedandsheshiveredunconsciouslyatthememories.

"Dorie?"

Sheturnedatthehesitantsoundofhername.Thefacetookalittlelongertorecognize."Abby?"she
said."AbbyClark!"

"AbbyBallenger,"theotherwomancorrectedwithagrin."ImarriedCalhoun."

"Calhoun!"Doriewasmomentarilyfloored.TheyoungerBallengerbrotherhadbeenarounderanda
half,andhewasmarried?AndtoAbby,ofallpeople,theshyandsweetgirlforwhomCalhounand
Justinhadsharedguardianshipfollowingthedeathoftheirparents.

"Surprising,isn'tit?"Abbyasked,huggingtheotherwoman."Andthere'smore.Wehavethreesons."

"Ihaven'tbeenawaythatlong,haveI?"Dorieaskedhesitantly.

"Eightyears,"camethereply.Abbywasalittleolder,butshestillhadthesameprettygray-blueeyes
and dark hair, even if it had silver threads now. "Justin married Shelby Jacobs just after I married
Calhoun.Theyhavethreesons,too,"

sheaddedonasigh."Notagirlinthebunch."Dorieshookherhead."Forheaven'ssake!""Weheard
thatyouwereinmodeling..."Hervoicetrailedawayasshesawtheobviouslongscarontheonce-
perfectcheek."Whathappened?"

Dorie'seyeswereallbutdead."Notmuch.Idecidedthatmodelingwasn'tforme."

Shelaughedatsomeprivatejoke,"Iwentbacktoschoolandcompletedacourseinbusiness.NowI
workforagroupofattorneys.I'mastenographer."Hergazefell.

"Jacobsvillehasn'tchangedabit."

"Jacobsvilleneverchanges,"Abbychuckled."Ifinditcomforting."Thelaughterwentoutofhereyes.
"Weallheardaboutyourfather.I'msorry.Itmusthavebeenablow."

"He'd been in the nursing home near me for some time, but he always said he wanted to be buried
here. That's why I brought him home. I appreciated so many people coming to the funeral. It was
kind."

"Isupposeyounoticedonemissingfaceinthecrowd?"Abbyaskedcarefully,becausesheknewhow
persistentCorriganHarthadbeeninhispursuitofDorie.

"Yes."Shetwistedherpurseinherhands."AretheystillmakingjokesabouttheHartboys?"

"More than ever. There's never been the slightest hint of gossip about any of them and a woman. I

guessthey'realldeterminedtodiesingle.EspeciallyCorrigan.He'sturnedintoarecluse.Hestaysout
attheranchallthetimenow.He'sneverseen."

"Why?"

Abbyseemedevasive."Hedoesn'tmixandnobodyknowsmuchabouthislife.Odd,isn'tit,inatown
thissmall,wherewemostlyknoweachother'sbusiness,thatheisn'ttalkedabout?Buthestaysoutof
sightandnoneoftheotherboyseverspeakabouthim.He'sbecometheoriginallocalmystery."

"Well,don'tlookatmeasifI'mtheanswer.Hecouldn'tgetridofmefastenough,"shesaidwitha
twingeofremainingbitterness.

"That'swhatyouthink.Hebecameaholyterrorintheweeksafteryoulefttown.

Nobodywouldgonearhim."

"Heonlywantedme,"Doriesaiddoggedly.

Abby'seyesnarrowed."Andyouwereterrifiedofhim,"sherecalled."Calhounusedtojokeaboutit.
YouweresuchaninnocentandCorriganwasarounder.Hesaiditwaspoeticjusticethatrakesgot
caughtbyinnocents."

"IrememberCalhounbeingarake."

"He was," Abby recalled. "But not now. He's reformed. He's the greatest family man I could have
imagined,adotingfatherandawonderfulhusband."Shesobered.

"I'm sorry things didn't work out for you and Corrigan. If you hadn't taken off like that, I think he
mighthavedecidedthathecouldn'tlivewithoutyou."

"Godforbid,"shelaughed,hereyesquickandnervous."Hewasn'tamarryingman.

He said so, frequently. And I was raised...well, you know how Dad was. Ministers have a decidedly
conventionaloutlookonlife."

"Iknow."

"I haven't had such a bad time of it," she lied, grateful that her old friend couldn't read minds. She
smiled."IlikeNewYork."

"Doyouhaveanyonethere?"

"Youmeanaboyfriend,orwhatdotheycallit,asignificantother?"shemurmured,

"No.I...don'thavemuchtodowithmen."

TherewasastrangelyhauntedlookaboutherthatAbbyquicklydispelledwithanofferofcoffeeand

asandwichinthelocalcafe.

"Yes,thanks,I'mnothungrybutI'dlovesomehotchocolate."

"Great!"Abbysaid."I'vegotanhourtokillbeforeIhavetopickmytwooldestboysupatschooland
theyoungestfromkindergarten.I'llenjoyyourcompany."

The cafe was all but empty. It was a slow day, and except for a disgruntled looking cowboy sitting
aloneatacornertable,itwasdeserted.

Barbara,theowner,tooktheirorderswithagrin."Nicetohavepleasantcompany,"

shesaid,glaringtowardthecowboyinthecorner."Hebroughtalittleblackcloudinwithhim,and
it'sgrowing."Sheleanedcloser."He'soneoftheHartemployees,"

shewhispered."Or,hewasuntilthismorning.ItseemsthatCorriganfiredhim."

Thesoundoftheman'snamewasenoughtomakeDorie'sheartrace,evenaftersomanyyears.But
she steeled herself not to let it show. She had nothing left to offer Corrigan, even if he was still
interestedinher.Andthatwasalaugh.Ifhe'dcaredevenalittle,he'dhavecometoNewYorklooking
forherallthoseyearsago.

"Firedhim?"Abbyglancedatthemanandscowled."Butthat'sBuckWyley,"sheprotested."He'sthe
Harts'foreman.He'sbeenwiththemsincetheycamehere."

"HemadearemarkCorrigandidn'tlike.Hegotknockedonhispantsforhistroubleandsummarily
fired."Barbarashrugged."TheHartsareallhigh-tempered,butuntilnowIalwaysthoughtCorrigan
wasfair.WhatsortofbossfiresamanwithChristmasonlythreeweeksaway?"

"EbenezerScrooge?"Abbyventureddryly.

"Bucksaidhecutanothercowboy'swagestotheboneforleavingagateopen."Sheshookherhead.
"Funny,we'veheardalmostnothingaboutCorriganforyears,andallofasuddenhecomesbackinto
thelightlikeasmolderingmadman."

"SoInoticed,"Abbysaid.

Barbara wiped her hands on a dishcloth. "I don't know what happened to set him off after so many
years.Theotherbrothershavebeenmorevisiblelately,butnotCorrigan.I'dwonderedifhe'dmoved
awayforawhile.Nobodyevenspokeofhim."

SheglancedatDoriewithcuriouseyes."You'reDorothyWayne,aren'tyou?"sheaskedthen,smiling.
"IthoughtIrecognizedyou.Sorryaboutyourpa."

"Thanks,"Doriesaidautomatically.ShenoticedhowBarbara'seyeswenttothethinscaronhercheek
andflittedquicklyaway.

"I'llgetyourorder."

BarbarawentbackbehindthecounterandAbby'spuzzledgazewenttothecorner.

"Havingabadday,Buck?"shecalled.

He sipped black coffee. "It couldn't get much worse, Mrs. Ballenger," he replied in a deep, pleasant
tone."Idon'tsupposeCalhounandJustinarehiringoutatthefeedlot?"

"They'dhireyouinaminute,andyouknowit,"Abbytoldhim.Shesmiled."Whydon'tyougoout
thereand..."

"Oh,thedevil!"Buckmuttered,hisblackeyesflashing.Hegottohisfeetandstoodthere,vibrating,
asatall,leanfigurecamethroughtheopendoor.

Dorieactuallycaughtherbreath.Thetallmanwasfamiliartoher,evenafterallthoseyears.Dressed
intightjeans,withhand-tooledbootsandachambrayshirtandaneat,spotlesswhiteStetsonatophis
blackhair,helookedformidable,evenwiththecanehewasusingforsupport.

Hedidn'tlookatthetablewhereDoriewassitting,whichwasontheothersideofthecafefromBuck.

"Youfiredme,"Bucksnappedathim."Whatdoyouwant,anotherpunchatme?Thistime,you'llget
itbackinspades,gimpylegornot!"

CorriganHartjuststaredattheman,hispaleeyeslikechromesparklinginsunlight.

"ThosepurebredAnguswegotfromMontanaarecominginbytruckthismorning,"

hesaid."You'retheonlyonewhoknowshowtousethemasterprogramforthecomputerizedherd
records."

"Andyouneedme,"Buckagreedwithacoldsmile."Forhowlong?"

"Twoweeks,"camethecurtreply."You'llworkthatlongforyourseverancepay.Ifyou'restillofa
mindtoquit."

"Quit,hell!"Buckshotback,astonished."Youfiredme!"

"I did not!" the older man replied curtly. "I said you could mind your own damned business or get
out."

Buck'sheadturnedandhestaredattheothermanforaminute."IfIcomeback,you'dbetterkeepyour
fiststoyourselffromnowon,"hesaidshortly.

Theothermandidn'tblink."Youknowwhyyougothit."

BuckglancedwarilytowardDoneandaruddycolorranalonghishighcheekbones."Inevermeantit
theway,youtookit,"heretorted.

"You'llthinktwicebeforeyoupresumetomakesuchremarkstomeagain,then,won'tyou?"

Buckmadeamovementthathisemployertookforassent.

"AndyourChristmasbonusisnowhistory!"headded.

Buck let out an angry breath, almost spoke, but crushed his lips together finally in furious
submission.

"Gohome!"theoldermansaidabruptly.

Buckpulledhishatoverhiseyes,tossedadollarbillonthetablewithhiscoffeecupandstrodeout
withbarelyatipofthehattothewomenpresent,mutteringunderhisbreathashewent.

The door closed with a snap. Corrigan Hart didn't move. He stood very still for a moment, as if
steelinghimself.

Thenheturned,andhispaleeyesstaredrightintoDorie's.Buttheangerinthemeclipsedintoalook
ofsuchshockthatDorieblinked.

"Whathappenedtoyou?"heaskedshortly.

Sheknewwhathemeantwithoutasking.Sheputahandself-consciouslytohercheek."Anaccident,"
shesaidstiffly.

Hischinlifted.ThetensioninthecafewassothickthatAbbyshifteduncomfortablyatthetable.

"Youdon'tmodelnow,"hecontinued.

Thecertaintyinthestatementmadehermiserable."No.OfcourseIdon't."

Heleanedheavilyonthecane."Sorryaboutyourfather,"hesaidcurtly.

Shenodded.

Hisfaceseemedpinchedashestaredather.Evenacrosstheroom,theheatinthelookwastangibleto
Dorie.Herhandsholdingthemugofhotchocolatewentwhiteattheknucklesfromthepressureof
themaroundit.

HeglancedatAbby."Howarethingsatthefeedlot?"

"Muchasusual,"sherepliedpleasantly."CalhounandJustinarestillturningawaybusiness.Nice,in
theflatcattlemarketthisfall."

"Iagree.We'veculledasmanyheadaspossibleandwe'reventuringintonewareasofcrossbreeding.
Nothingbutpurebredsnow.We'rehopingtopioneeranewbreed."

"Goodforyou,"Abbyreplied.

His eyes went back to Done. They lingered on her wan face, her lack of spirit. "How long are you
goingtostay?"heasked.

Thequestionwasvoicedinsuchawayitseemedlikeachallenge.Hershouldersroseandfell."UntilI
tieupallthelooseends,Isuppose.They'vegivenmetwoweeksoffatthelawfirmwhereIwork."

"Asanattorney?"

Sheshookherhead."Astenographer."

Hescowled."Withyourheadforfigures?"heaskedshortly.

Hergazewaspuzzled.Shehadn'trealizedthathewasawareofheraptitudeformath.

"It'sawaste,"hepersisted."You'dhavebeenanaturalatbookkeepingandmarketing."

She'doftenthoughtso,too,butshehadn'tpursuedherinterestinthatfield.

Especiallyafterherfirstattemptatmodeling.

Hegaveheracalculatingstare."ClarisseMarstonhasopenedaboutiqueintown.

Shedesignswomen'sclothesandhasthemmadeupatalocaltextileplant.Shesellsalloverthestate."

"Yes," Abby added. "In fact, she's now doing a lot of designing for Todd Burke's wife, Jane—you
know,hersignaturerodeolineofsportswear."

"I'veheardofit,eveninNewYork,"Dorieadmitted.

"ThethingClarissedoesn'thaveissomeonetohelpherwithmarketingandbookkeeping."Heshook

hishead."Itamazesmethatshehasn'tgonebelly-upalready."

Abbystartedtospeak,butthelookonCorrigan'sfacesilencedher.SheonlysmiledatDorie.

"This is your home," Corrigan persisted quietly. "You were born and raised in Jacobsville. Surely
havingagoodjobherewouldbepreferabletobeingastenographerinNewYork.Unless,"headded
slowly,"there'ssomereasonyouwanttostaythere."

Hiseyeswereflashing.Dorielookedintothefilmonhercoolinghotchocolate."Idon'thaveanyone
inNewYork."Sheshiftedherlegs."Idon'thaveanyonehere,either,now."

"Butyoudo,"Abbyprotested."Allyourfriends."

"Ofcourse,shemaymissthebrightlightsandexcitement,"Corrigandrawled.

Shelookedathimcuriously.Hewastryingtogoadher.Why?

"IsJacobsvilletoosmallforyounow,citygirl?"hepersistedwithamockingsmile.

"No,itisn'tthatatall,"shesaid.Sheclearedherthroat.

"Comehome,"Abbycoaxed.

Shedidn'tanswer.

"Stillafraidofme?"Corriganaskedwithaharshlaughwhenherheadjerkedup.

"That'swhyyouleft.Isitwhyyouwon'tcomeback?"

She colored furiously, the first trace of color that had shown in her face since the strange
conversationbegan.

"I'mnot...afraidofyou!"shefaltered.

Butshewas,andheknewit.Hissilvereyesnarrowedandthatfamiliar,mockingsmileturneduphis
thinupperlip."Proveit."

"MaybeMissMarstondoesn'twantabookkeeper."

"Shedoes,"hereturned.

Shehesitated."Shemightnotlikeme."

"Shewill."

Sheletoutanexasperatedsigh."Ican'tmakeadecisionthatimportantinafewseconds,"shetoldhim.
"Ihavetothinkaboutit."

"Takeyourtime,"hereplied."Nobody'srushingyou."

"Itwouldbelovelyifyoucameback,though,"Abbysaidwithasmile."Nomatterhowmanyfriends
wehave,wecanalwaysuseonemore."

"Exactly,"Corrigantoldher.Hiseyesnarrowed.

"Ofcourse,youneedn'tconsidermeinyourdecision.I'mnottryingtogetyoutocomebackformy
sake.ButI'msurethereareplentyofotherbachelorsleftaroundherewho'dbedelightedtogiveyou

awhirl,ifyouneededanincentive."

Hisleanfacewassohardandclosedthatnotoneflickerofemotiongotawayfromit.

Abbywaseyeinghimcuriously,butshedidn'tsayaword,notevenwhenhergazefelltohishandon
thesilverknobofthecaneandsawitgowhitefromthepressure.

Heeaseduponthehandle,justthesame."Well?"

"I'dliketo,"Doriesaidquietly.Shedidn'tlookathim.Odd,howhisstatementhadhurt,afterallthose
years.Shelookedbackonthepastwithdesperationthesedays,wonderinghowherlifewouldhave
beenifshehadn'tresistedhimthatnighthe'dtriedtocarryhertobed.

She hadn't wanted an affair, but he was an honorable man, in his fashion. Perhaps he would have
followedupwithaproposal,despitehisobviousdistasteforthemarriedstate.Orperhapshewouldn't
have.Theremighthavebeenachild...

Shegrimacedandliftedthecupofchocolatetoherlips.Itwastepidandvaguelydistasteful.

"GoseeClarisse,whydon'tyou?"headded."You'venothingtolose,andalottogain.She'sasweet
woman.You'lllikeher."

Didhe?Shedidn'tdarewonderaboutthat,orvoicehercuriosity."Imightdothat,"shereplied.

Thetapofthecaneseemedunusuallyloudasheturnedbacktothedoor."Givethebrothersmybest,"
CorrigantoldAbby.Henoddedandwasgone.

OnlythendidDorielookup,hereyesonhistall,muscularbodyashewalkedcarefullybacktothe
bigdouble-cabbedblackranchpickuptruckhedrove.

"Whathappenedtohim?"Dorieasked.

Abbysippedherownhotchocolatebeforesheanswered."Ithappenedtheweekafteryoulefttown.He
wentonahuntingtripinMontanawithsomeothermen.

Duringaheavy,latespringsnow,Corriganandanothermanwentoffontheirowninafour-wheel-
driveutilityvehicletoscoutanothersectionofthehuntingrange."

"And?"Dorieprompted.

"Thetruckwentoverasteepinclineandoverturned.Theothermanwaskilledoutright.Corriganwas
pinnedandcouldn'tgetfree.Helaytheremostofthenightandintothenextdaybeforethepartycame
lookingforthemandfoundhim.Bythattime,hewasunconscious.Theimpactbrokehislegintwo
places,andhehadfrostbiteaswell.Healmostdied."

Doriecaughtherbreath."Howhorrible!"

"They wanted to amputate the leg, but..." she shrugged. "He refused them permission to operate, so
theydidthebesttheycould.Thelegisusable,just,butitwillalwaysbestiff.Theysaidlaterthatitwas
amiraclehedidn'tloseanytoes.

Hehadjustenoughsenselefttowraphimselfinoneofthosethinthermalsheetsthemenhadcarried
onthetrip.Itsavedhimfromadangerousfrostbite."

"Poorman."

"Oh, don't make that mistake," Abby mused. "Nobody is allowed to pity Corrigan Hart. Just ask his
brothers."

"Allthesame,heneverseemedthesortofmantolosecontrolofanything,notevenatruck."

"Hewasn'thimselfbuthedidn'tlosecontrol,either."

"Ibegyourpardon?"

Abbygrimaced."Heandtheotherman,theonewhowasdriving,hadbeendrinking.

Heblamedhimselfnotonlyforthewreck,butfortheotherman'sdeath.Heknewthemanwasn'tfitto
drive but he didn't try to stop him. They say he's been punishing himself ever since. That's why he
nevercomesintotown,orhasanysociallife.He'swithdrawnintohimselfandnobodycandraghim
backout.He'sbecomeahermit."

"But,why?"

"Whywashedrinking,youmean?"Abbysaid,andDorienodded.Still,Abbyhesitatedtoputitinto
words.

"Tellme,"camethepersistentnudgefromDorie.

Abby'seyeswereapologetic."Nobodyknows,really.Butthegossipwasthathewastryingtogetover
losingyou."

Chapter2

"Buthewantedtoloseme,"Dorieexclaimed,shocked."Hecouldn'tgetoutofmyhousefastenough
whenIrefused...refusedhim,"sheblurted.Sheclaspedherhandstogether."Heaccusedmeofbeing
frigidandatease..."

"Corriganwasarounder,Dorie,"Abbysaidgently."Inthismodernage,eveninJacobsville,alotof
girlsareprettysophisticatedateighteen.Hewouldn'thaveknownaboutyourfatherbeingaminister,
becausehe'dretiredfromthechurchbeforetheHartscametotakeovertheirgrandfather'sranch.He
wasprobablysurprisedtofindyoulessaccommodatingthanothergirls."

"Surprisedwasn'ttheword,"Doriesaidmiserably."Hewasfurious."

"Hedidgotothebusdepotwhenyouleft."

"Howdidyouknowthat?"

DianaPalmer

"Everybodytalkedaboutit,"Abbyadmitted."Itwasgenerallythoughtthathewenttheretostop

you."

"Hedidn'tsayaword,"camethequietreply.

"Notoneword."

"Maybehedidn'tknowwhattosay.Hewasprobablyembarrassedandupsetaboutthewayhe'dtreated
you.Amanlikethatmightnotknowwhattodowithaninnocentgirl."

Dorielaughedbitterly."Surehedid.Youseeheroffandhopeshewon'tcomeback.

Hetoldmethathehadnointentionofmarrying."

"Hecouldhavechangedhismind"

Dorieshookherhead."Notachance.Henevertalkedaboutusbeingacouple.Hekeptremindingme
thatIwasyoungandthathelikedvariety.Hesaidthatweshouldn'tthinkofeachotherinanyserious
way,butjustenjoyeachotherwhileitlasted."

"ThatsoundslikeaHart,allright,"Abbyhadtoadmit."They'realllikeCorrigan.

Apparently they have a collective bad attitude toward women and think of them as minor
amusements."

"Hepickedonthewronggirl,"Doriesaid.Shefinishedherhotchocolate."I'dneverevenhadareal
boyfriend when he came along. He was so forceful and demanding and inflexible, so devoid of
tendernesswhenhewaswithme."Shehuddledcloserintohersweater."Hecameatmelikearocket.I
couldn't run, I couldn't hide, he just kept coming.'' Her eyes closed on a long sigh. "Oh, Abby, he
scaredmetodeath.I'dbeenraisedinsuchawaythatIcouldn'thaveanaffair,andIknewthatwasall
hewanted.Iran,andkeptrunning.NowIcan'tstop."

"Youcould,ifyouwantedto."

"TheonlywayI'dcomebackiswithawrittenguaranteethathewantednothingmoretodowithme,"
shesaidwithacoldlaugh."Otherwise,I'dneverfeelsafehere."

"Hejusttoldyouhimselfthathehadnodesignsonyou,"Abbyremindedher,"Hehasotherinterests."

"Doeshe?Other...womeninterests?"

Abbyclaspedherfingerstogetheronthetable."Hegoesoutwitharichdivorceewhenhe'sinneedof
company,"shesaid."That'sbeengoingonforalongtimenow.

Heprobablywastellingthetruthwhenhesaidthathewouldn'tbotheryou.Afterall,it'sbeeneight
years."Shestudiedtheotherwoman."Youwanttocomehome,don'tyou?"

Caughtoffguard,Dorienodded."I'msoalone,"sheconfessed."Ihaveboltsandchainsonmydoor
andIlivelikeaprisonerwhenI'mnotatwork.Irarelyevergooutside.Imisstreesandgreengrass."

"There'salwaysCentralPark."

"Youcan'tplantflowersthere,"shesaid,"orhaveadogorcatinatinyapartmentlikemine.Iwantto
sitoutintherainandwatchthestarsatnight.I'vedreamedofcominghome."

"Whyhaven'tyou?"

"BecauseofthewayIleft,"sheconfessed."Ididn'twantanymoretroublethanI'dalreadyhad.Itwas
badenoughthatDadhadtocomeandseeme,thatIcouldn'tcomehome."

"BecauseofCorrigan?"

"What?"Foraninstant,Dorie'seyeswerefrightened.Thentheyseemedtocalm.

"No,itwasforanotherreasonaltogether,thosefirstfewyears.Icouldn'triskcominghere,whereit's
soeasytofindpeople..."Sheclosedupwhensherealizedwhatshewassaying."ItwasaproblemI
had,inNewYork.That'sallIcantellyou.

Andit'sovernow.There'snomoredangerfromthatdirection.I'msafe."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Youdon'tneedtoknow,"Doriesaidgently."Itwouldn'thelpmatterstotalkaboutitnow.ButIwould
liketocomebackhome.Iseemtohavespentmostofmylifeontherun."

What an odd turn of phrase, Abby thought, but she didn't question it. She just smiled. "Well, if you
decidetocomeback,I'llintroduceyoutoClarisse.Justletmeknow."

Doriebrightened."Allright.Letmethinkaboutitforadayortwo,andI'llbeintouchwithyou."

"Good.I'llholdyoutothat."

Forthenexttwodays,Doriethoughtaboutnothingelseexceptcomingbacktoherhometown.While
shethought,shewanderedaroundthesmallyard,lookingattheemptybirdfeedersandthesquirrel
feeder nearby. She saw the discarded watering pot, the weed-bound flower beds. Her father's long
absencehadmadeitsmarkonthelittleproperty.Itneededalovinghandtorestoreit.

Shestoodverystillasanideaformedinhermind.Shedidn'thavetoselltheproperty.Shecouldkeep
it. She could live here. With her math skills, and the bookkeeping training she'd had in business
school,shecouldopenasmallbookkeepingserviceofherown.Clarissecouldbeaclient.Shecould
haveothers.

Shecouldsupportherself.ShecouldleaveNewYork.

Theideatookwing.ShewassoexcitedaboutitthatshecalledAbbythenextmorningwhenshewas
surethattheboyswouldbeinschool.

Sheoutlinedtheideatoherfriend."Well,whatdoyouthink?"sheaskedenthusiastically.

"Ithinkit'sagreatidea!"Abbyexclaimed."Andtheperfectsolution.Whenareyougoingtostart?"

"Nextweek,"shesaidwithabsolutecertainty."I'llusetheChristmasvacationIwouldhavehadasmy
notice. It will only take a couple of days to pack up the few things I have. I'll have to pay the rent,
becauseIsignedalease,butifthingsworkoutasIhopetheywill,thatwon'tbeaproblem.Oh,Abby,
it'slikeadream!"

"NowyousoundmoreliketheDorothyIusedtoknow,"Abbytoldher."I'msogladyou'recoming
home."

"SoamI,"Doriereplied,andevenasshesaidit,shetriednottothinkofthecomplicationsthatcould
arise. Corrigan was still around. But he'd made her a promise of sorts, and perhaps he'd keep it.
Anyway,she'dworryaboutthatsituationlater.

A week later, Dorie was settled into her father's house, with all her bittersweet memories of him to

keephercompany.She'dshippedherfewbigthings,likeherpiano,homebyamovingservice.Boxes
stillclutteredtheden,butshewasbeginningtogetherhouseintosomesortoforder.

Itneededanewroof,andsomepaint,aswellassomeplumbingworkontheleakybathtubfaucet.But
thosewereminorinconveniences.Shehadagoodlittlenestegginhersavingsaccountanditwould
tideherover,ifshewascareful,untilshecouldbeself-supportinginherbusinessagain.

ShehadsomecardsandstationeryprintedandputanadintheJacobsvilleweeklynewspaper.Then
shesettledinandbegantoworkintheyard,despitethecoldweather.Shewasfindingthatgriefhadto
beworkedthrough.Itdidn'tendatthefuneral.Andthehousewasaconstantreminderoftheolddays
whensheandherfatherhadbeenhappy.

SoitwasashocktofindCorriganHartonherdoorstepthefirstSaturdayshewasinresidence.

Shejuststaredathimatfirst,asifshe'dbeenstunned.Infact,shewas.Hewasthelastpersonshe'd
haveexpectedtofindonherdoorstep.

Hehadabouquetofflowersinthehandthatwasn'tholdingthecaneandhishat.

Hepreferredthembrusquely.

"Housewarmingpresent,"hesaid.

Shetooktheprettybouquetandbelatedlystoodaside."Wouldyouliketocomein?

Icouldmakecoffee."

Heacceptedtheinvitation,placinghishatontherackbythedoor.Hekeptthecaneandshenoticed
thatheleanedonitheavilyashemadehiswaytothenearesteasychairandsatdowninit

"Theysaydampweatherishardoninjuredjoints,"sheremarked.

Hispaleeyesspearedintoherface,withanequalmixtureofcuriosityandirritation."They'reright,"
hedrawled."Walkinghurts.Doesithelptohavemeadmitit?"

"Iwasn'ttryingtoscorepoints,"sherepliedquietly."Ididn'tgettosaysointhecafe,butI'msorry
yougothurt."

Hisowneyeswerepointedonthescarthatranthelengthofhercheek."I'msorryyoudid,"hesaid
gruffly."Youmentionedcoffee?"

Thereitwasagain,thatbluntnessthathadfrightenedhersomuchateighteen.

Despitetheeightyearsinbetween,hestillintimidatedher.

She moved into the small kitchen, visible from the living room, and filled the pot with water and a
pre-measuredcoffeepacket.Aftershe'dstarteditdripping,andhadlaidatraywithcups,saucersand

thecondiments,sherejoinedhim.

"Areyousettlingin?"heaskedaminuteaftershe'ddroppeddownontothesofa.

"Yes,"shesaid."It'sstrange,afterbeingawayforsomanyyears.AndImissDad.

ButIalwayslovedthishouse.Eventuallyitwillbecomfortingtolivehere.OnceIgetovertheworst
ofthegrieving."

Henodded."Welostbothourparentsatonce,inaflood,"hesaidtersely."Irememberhowwefelt."

Helookedaroundatthehighceilingsandmarkedwalls,andtheopenfireplace.Henoddedtowardit.
"Thatisn'tefficient.Youneedastoveinhere."

"Ineedalotofthingsinhere,butIhavetoeat,too,"shesaidwithafaintsmile.

She pushed back her short, wavy platinum hair and curled up on the sofa in her jeans and gray
sweatshirtandsocks.Hershoeswereunderthesofa.Evenincoldweather,shehatedwearingshoes
aroundthehouse.

Heseemedtonoticethatandfounditamusing,judgingbythetwinkleinhispaleeyes.

"Ihateshoes,"shesaid.

"Iremember."

That was surprising. She hardly remembered the girl she'd been eight years ago. It seemed like a
lifetime.

"Youhadadog,thatdamnedlittlespaniel,andyouwereoutinthefrontyardwashinghimoneday
whenIdroveby,"herecalled."Hedidn'tlikeabath,andyouweresoaked,barefeet,cutoffs,tanktop
andall."Hiseyesdarkenedashelookedather."Itoldyoutogointhehouse,doyouremember?"

"Yes."Theshortcommandhadalwayspuzzledher,becausehe'dseemedangry,notamusedashedid
now.

"Ineversaidwhy,"hecontinued.Hisfacetautenedashelookedather."Youweren'twearinganything
under that tank top and it was plastered to you," he added quietly. "You can't imagine what it did to
me...AndtherewasthatdamnedBobbyHarrisstandingonthesidewalkgawkingatyou."

Bobbyhadaskedheroutlaterthatday,andshe'drefused,becauseshedidn'tlikehim.Hewasanolder
boy;herfatherneverhadlikedhim.

"Ididn't realize," shesaid, amazed thatthe memory should beso tame now,when his odd behavior
hadactuallyhurtinthepast.Sheactuallyflushedatthethoughtthathe'dseenherthatwaysoearlyin
theirrelationship.

"Iknowthat,now,eightyearstoolate,"hesaidabruptly.

Shecockedherhead,studyinghimcuriously.

He saw her gaze and lifted his eyes. "I thought you were displaying your charms brazenly for my
benefit,andmaybeevenforBobby's,"hesaidwithamockingsmile.

"That'swhyIactedthewayIdidthatlastnightwedated."

Herfacethinnedwithdistress."Oh,no!"

"Oh,yes,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepwithbitterness."Ithoughtyouwereplayingmeforasucker,Dorie.
ThatyouwerepretendingtobeinnocentbecauseIwasrichandyouwantedaweddingringinsteadof
anaffair."

Thehorrorshefeltshowedinherwanface.

"Yes,Iknow,"hesaidwhenshestartedtoprotest."IonlysawwhatIwantedtosee.Butthejokewason
me.BythetimeIrealizedwhatahellofamistakeI'dmadeaboutyou,youwerehalfwayonabusout
oftown,Iwentafteryou.ButIcouldn'tmanagetherightwordstostopyou.Mypridecutmythroat.I
wasneverthatwrongaboutanyonebefore."

Sheavertedhergaze."Itwasalongtimeago.Iwasjustakid."

"Yes. Just a kid. And I mistook you for a woman." He studied her through narrow lids. "You don't
lookmucholderevennow.Howdidyougetthatscar?"

Herfingerswenttoit.Thememoriespouredoverher,hotandhurting.Shegottoherfeet."I'llsee
aboutthecoffee."

Sheheardaroughsoundbehindher,butapparentlyitwasn'tsomethinghewantedtoputwordsto.She
escapedintothekitchen,foundsomecookiestoputinabowlandcarriedthecoffeebacktothecoffee
tableonasilvertray.

"Fancystuff,"hemused.

Sheknewthathehadequallyfancystuffathisplace.She'dneverbeenthere,butshe'dcertainlyheard
about the Hart heirlooms that the four brothers displayed with such pride. Old Spanish silver, five
generations old, dating all the way back to Spain graced their side table. There was crystal as well,
anddozensofotherheirloomsthatwouldprobablyneverbehandeddown.NoneoftheHarts,itwas
rumored,hadanyambitionsofmarrying.

"This was my grandmother's," she said. "It's all I had of her. She brought this service over from
England,theysaid."

"Ours came from Spain." He waited for her to pour the coffee. He picked up his cup, waving away
cream and sugar. He took a sip, nodded and took another. "You make good coffee. Amazing how
manypeoplecan't."

"I'msureit'sbadforus.Mostthingsare."

Heagreed.Heputthecupbackintothesaucerandstudiedheroveritsrim."Areyouplanningtostay
forgood?"

"I guess so," she faltered. "I've had stationery and cards printed, and I've already had two offers of
work."

"I'mbringingyouathird—ourhouseholdaccounts.We'vebeensharingthemsinceourmotherdied.
Consequentlyeachofusinsiststhatit'snotourturntodothem,sotheydon'tgetdone."

"You'dbringthemtome?"sheaskedhesitantly.

Hestudiedherbroodingly."Whyshouldn'tI?Areyouafraidtocomeouttotheranchanddothem?''

"Ofcoursenot."

"Ofcoursenot,"hemuttered,glaringather.Hesatforward,watchingheruneasymovement."Eight
years,andIstillfrightenyou."

Shecurledupevenmore."Don'tbeabsurd.I'mtwenty-six."

"Youdon'tlookoractit."

"Goahead,"sheinvited."Beasbluntasyoulike."

"Thanks,Iwill.You'restillavirgin."

Coffeewenteverywhere.Shecursedroundly,amusinghim,asshesearchedfornapkinstomopupthe
spill,whichwasmostlyonher.

"Whyareyou?"hepersisted,baitingher."Wereyouwaitingforme?"

Shestoodup,slammingthecoffeecuptothefloor.Itshatteredwithapleasantlyloudcrash,andshe
thankedgoodnessthatitwasanoldone."Yousonofa...!"

He stood up, too, chuckling. "That's better," he mused, watching her eyes flash, her face burn with
color.

Shekickedatapotteryshard."Damnyou,CorriganHart!"

Hemovedcloser,watchinghereyelidsflutter.Shetriedtobackup,butshecouldn'tgofar.Herlegs
wereagainstthesofa.Therewasnoplacetorun.

Hepausedastepawayfromher,closeenoughthatshecouldactuallyfeeltheheatofhisbodythrough
herclothingandhis.Helookeddownintohereyeswithoutspeakingforseverallongseconds.

"You'renotthechildyouusedtobe,"hesaid,hisvoiceassmoothasvelvet."Youcanstandupfor
yourself,evenwithme.Andeverything'sgoingtobeallright.

You'rehome.You'resafe."

Itwasalmostasifheknewwhatshe'dbeenthrough.Hiseyeswerequietandfullofsecrets,buthe
smiled.Hishandreachedoutandtouchedhershorthair.

"Youstillwearitlikeaboy's,"hemurmured."Butit'ssilky.JustthewayIrememberit."

Hewasmuchtooclose.Hemadehernervous.Herhandswentoutandpressedintohisshirtfront,but
insteadofmovingback,hemovedforward.Sheshiveredatthefeelofhischestunderherhands,even
withtheshirtcoveringit.

"Idon'twantalover,"shesaid,almostchokingonthewords.

"NeitherdoI,"herepliedheavily."Sowe'llbefriends.That'sall."

Shenibbledonherlowerlip.Hesmelledofspiceandleather.Sheusedtodreamabouthimwhenshe
firstlefthome.Overtheyears,he'dassumedtheimageofaprotectorinhermind.Strange,whenhe'd
oncefrightenedhersomuch.

Impulsivelyshelaidhercheekagainsthischestwithalittlesighandclosedhereyes.

Heshiveredforaninstant,beforehisleanhandspressedhergentlytohim,inanonthreateningway.
Hestaredoverherheadwitheyesthatblazed,eyesthathewasthankfulshecouldn'tsee.

"We'velostyears,"hesaidhalfunderhisbreath."ButChristmasbringsmiracles.

Maybewe'llhaveoneofourown."

"Amiracle?"shemused,smiling.Shefelteversosafeinhisarms."Whatsort?"

"Idon'tknow,"hemurmured,absentlystrokingherhair."We'llhavetowaitandsee.Youaren'tgoing
tosleep,areyou?"

"Notquite."Sheliftedherheadandlookedupathim,alittlepuzzledatthefamiliarityshefeltwith
him."Ididn'texpectthatyou'deverbecomfortabletobearound."

"Howso?"

Sheshrugged."Iwasn'tafraid."

"Whyshouldyoube?"hereplied."We'redifferentpeoplenow."

"Iguess."

Hebrushedastrayhairfromhereyebrowwithalean,surehand."Iwantyoutoknowsomething,"he
said quietly. "What happened that night...I wouldn't have forced you. Things got a little out of hand,
and I said some things, a lot of things, that I regret. I guess you realize now that I had a different
pictureofyouthantheonethatwasreal.Butevenso,Iwouldn'thaveharmedyou."

"IthinkIknewthat,"shesaid."Butthankyoufortellingme."

Hishandlayalongsidehersoftcheekandhismetalliceyeswentdarkandsad."Imournedyou,"he
saidhuskily."Nothingwasthesameafteryou'dgone."

Sheloweredhereyestohisthroat."Ididn'thavemuchfuninNewYorkatfirst,either."

"Modelingwasn'tallitwascrackeduptobe?"

Shehesitated.Thensheshookherhead."Ididbetterasastenographer."

"Andyou'lldoevenbetterasafinancialexpert,righthere,"hetoldher.Hesmiled,tiltingupherchin.
"AreyougoingtotakethejobI'veofferedyou?"

"Yes,"shesaidatonce.Hergazedrewslowlyoverhisface."Areyourbrotherslikeyou?"

"Waitandsee."

"Thatsoundsominous."

Hechuckled,movingslowlyawayfromhertoretrievehiscanefromthechair.

"They'renoworse,atleast."

"Aretheyasoutspokenasyou?"

"Definitely."Hesawherapprehension."Thinkofthepositiveside.Atleastyou'llalwaysknowexactly
whereyoustandwithus."

"Thatmustbeaplus."

"Aroundhere,itis.We'rehardcases.Wedon'tmakefriendseasily."

"Andyoudon'tmarry.Iremember."

Hisfacewenthard."YouhaveplentyofreasontorememberthatIsaidthat.ButI'meightyearsolder,
andalotwiser.Idon'thavesuchconcreteideasanymore."

"You mean, you're not still a confirmed bachelor?" She laughed nervously. "They say you're taken

withthegaydivorcee,justthesame."

"Howdidyouhearabouther?"heaskedcurtly.

Hislevel,challenginggazemadeheruneasy."Peopletalk,"shesaid.

"Well, the gay divorcee," he emphasized, his expression becoming even more remote, "is a special
case.Andwe'renotacouple.Despitewhatyoumayhaveheard.

We'refriends."

Sheturnedaway."That'snoconcernofmine.I'lldoyourbookkeepingonthosehouseholdaccounts,
andthankyouforthework.ButIhavenointerestinyourprivatelife."

Hedidn'treturnthecompliment.Hereachedforhishatandpercheditonhisblackhair.Therewere
threadsofgrayathistemplesnow,andnewlinesinhisdark,leanface.

"I'msorryaboutyouraccident,"shesaidabruptly,watchinghimleanheavilyonthecane.

"I'llgetby,"hesaid."Mylegisstiff,butI'mnotcrippled.IthurtsrightnowbecauseItookatossoffa
horse,andIneedthecane.Asarule,Iwalkwellenoughwithoutone."

"Irememberthewayyouusedtoride,"sherecalled."IthoughtI'dneverseenanythinginmylifeas
beautifulasyouastrideahorseatafastgallop."

Hisposturewentevenmorerigid."Youneversaidso."

She smiled. "You intimidated me. I was afraid of you. And not only because you wanted me." She
averted her eyes. "I wanted you, too. But I hadn't been raised to believe in a promiscuous life-style.
Which,"sheadded,lookingupathisshockedface,"wasallyouwereofferingme.Yousaidso."

"Godhelpme,Ineverknewthatyourfatherwasaministerandyourmotheramissionary,"hesaid
heavily."Notuntilitwasfartoolatetodomeanygood.Iexpectedthatallyoungwomenwerefree
withtheirfavorsinthisageofno-consequencesintimacy."

"Itwouldn'tbeofnoconsequencetome,"shesaidfirmly."Iwasneveronetogowiththecrowd.I'm
stillnot."

"Yes,Iknow,"hemurmureddryly,givingheralong,meaningfulglance."It'sobvious."

"Andit'snoneofyourbusiness."

"Iwouldn'tgothatfar."Hetiltedhishatoverhiseyes."Ihaven'tchangedcompletely,youknow.Istill
goafterthethingsIwant,evenifIdon'tgoasfastasIusedto."

"Iexpectyoudo,"shesaid."Doesthedivorceeknow?"

"Knowwhat?ThatI'mpersistent?Sureshedoes."

"Goodforher."

"She'sabeauty,"headded,proppingonhisstick."Ofanagetobesophisticatedandgoodfun."

Herhearthurt."I'msureyouenjoyhercompany."

"Ienjoyyoursasmuch,"herepliedsurprisingly."Thanksforthecoffee."

"Don'tyoulikecookies?"sheasked,notingthathehadn'ttouchedthem.

"No,"hesaid."Idon'tcareforsweetsatall."

"Really?"

Heshrugged."Weneverhadthemathome.Ourmotherwasn'tthehomeysort."

"Whatwasshelike?"shehadtoask.

"Shecouldn'tcook,hatedhouseworkandspoutedcontemptforanywomanwhocouldsewandknit
andcrochet,"hereplied.

Shefeltcold."Andyourfather?"

"Hewasagoodman,buthecouldn'tcopewithusalone."Hiseyesgrewdark."Whenshetookoffand
deserted him, part of him died. She'd just come back, out of money and all alone, from her latest
lover.Theyweretalkingaboutareconciliationwhenthefloodtookthehousewhereshewasliving
rightoutfromunderthem."Hisfacechanged,hardened.Heleanedheavilyonthecane."Simonand
CagandIweregrownbythen.Wetookcareoftheothertwo."

"Nowonderyoudon'tlikewomen,"shemurmuredquietly.

Hegaveheralong,levellookandthendroppedhisgaze.Shemissedthecalculationinhistonewhen
headded,"Marriageisold-fashioned,anyway.Ihaveadog,agoodhorseandahousefulofmodern
appliances.Ievenhaveahousekeeperwhocancook.

Awifewouldberedundant."

"Well,Inever,"sheexclaimed,breathless.

"Iknow,"hereplied,andtherewassuddenlyawickedglintinhiseyes."Youcan'tblamethatonme,"
headded,"Godknows,Ididmybesttobringyouintotheageofenlightenment."

Whileshewasabsorbingthatdryremark,hetippedhishat,turnedandwalkedoutthedoor.

Shedartedontotheporchafterhim."When?"shecalledafterhim."Youdidn'tsaywhenyouwanted

metostart."

"I'llphoneyou."Hedidn'tlookback.Hegotintohistrucklaboriouslyanddroveawaywithoutevena
waveofhishand.

Atleastshehadthepromiseofajob,shetoldherself.Sheshouldn'treadhiddenmessagesintowhat
hesaid.Butthepasthe'dsharedwithher,abouthismother,leftherchilled.Howcouldawomanhave
fivesonsandleavethem?

Andwhatwasthesecretaboutthefifthbrother,Simon,theonenobodyhadeverseen?Shewondered
ifhe'ddonesomethingunspeakable,orifhewasintroublewiththelaw.Therehadtobeareasonwhy
thebrothersneverspokeofhimmuch.

Perhapsshe'dfindoutoneday.

Chapter3

Itwasthenextdaybeforesherealizedshehadn'tthankedCorriganfortheflowershe'dbrought.She
sent a note out to the ranch on Monday, and got one back that read, simply, "You're welcome." So
muchforolivebranches,ifonehadbeenneeded.

Shefoundplentytokeepherbusyinthedaysthatfollowed.Itseemedthatallherfather'sfriendsand
thepeopleshe'dgonetoschoolwithwantedhertocomehome.Everyoneseemedtoknowapotential
client.Itwasn'tlongbeforeshewasuptoherearsinwork.

ThebiggestsurprisecameThursdaymorningwhensheheardthesoundofmanyheavyfootstepsand
lookedupfromherdesktofindthreehuge,intimidatingmenstandingonherporchjustbeyondthe
glass-fronted door. They'd come in that big double-cabbed pickup that Corrigan usually drove, and
shewonderedifthesewerehisbrothers.

She went to open the door and felt like a midget when they came tromping inside her house, their
spursjinglingpleasantlyonbootsthatlookedasifthey'dbeenkeptinaswamp.

"We'retheHarts,"oneofthemsaid."Corrigan'sbrothers."

Asshe'dguessed.Shestudiedthemcuriously.Corriganwastall,butthesemenweregiants.Twowere
dark-haired like Corrigan, and one had blond-streaked brown hair. All were dark-eyed, unlike him.
None of them would have made any lists of handsome bachelors. They were rugged-looking, lean
and tanned, and they made her nervous. The Hart boys made most people nervous. The only other
localfamilythathadcomeclosetotheirreputationsforfierytempersweretheTremayneboys,who
were all married and just a little tamer now. The Harts were relative newcomers in Jacobsville,
havingonlybeenaroundeightyearsorso.ButtheykepttothemselvesandseemedtohavetiestoSan
Antoniothatwerehardtobreak.

Whatlittlesocializingtheydidwasalldonethere,inthecity.Theydidn'tmixmuchinJacobsville.

Notonlyweretheytooruggedforwords,buttheyalsohadthemostunusualfirstnamesDoriecould
rememberhearing.Theyintroducedthemselvesabruptly,withoutevenbeingaskedfirst.

Reynard was the youngest. They called him Rey. He had deep-set black eyes and a thin mouth and,
gossipsaid,theworsttemperofthefour.

The second youngest was Leopold. He was broader than the other three, although not fat, and the
tallest. He never seemed to shave. He had blond-streaked brown hair and brown eyes and a
mischievousstreakthattheothersapparentlylacked.

Callaghan was the eldest, two years older than Corrigan. He had black eyes like a cobra. He didn't
blink.Hewastallerthanallhisbrothers,withtheexceptionofLeopold,andhedidmostofthebronc-
breakingattheranch.HelookedSpanish,morethantheothers,andhehadthebearingandarrogance
of royalty, as if he belonged in another century. They said he had the old-fashioned attitudes of the
past,aswell.

HegavethebroaderofthethreeapushtowardDorie.Heglaredoverhisshoulder,buttookoffhis
hatandforcedasmileashestoodinfrontofDorie.

"YoumustbeDorothyWayne,"Leopoldsaidwithagrin."Youworkforus."

"Y...yes,IguessIdo,"shestammered.Shefeltsurrounded.Shemovedbackbehindthedeskandjust
staredatthem,feelingnervousandinadequate.

"Willyoutwostopglaring?"Leopoldshotathistaciturnbrothers."You'rescaringher!"

Theyseemedtomakeanefforttorelax,althoughitdidn'tquiteworkout,

"Nevermind,"Leopoldmuttered.Heclutchedhishatinhishand."We'dlikeyoutocomeouttothe
ranch," he said. "The household accounts are about to do us in. We can't keep Corrigan still long
enoughtogethimtobringthemtoyou."

"HecameoverSaturday,"shesaid.

"Yeah,weheard,"Leomused."Roses,wasn'tit?"

Theothertwoalmostsmiled.

"Roses,"sheagreed.Hergrayeyeswerewideandtheydartedfromonegianttoanother.

"Heforgottobringyouthebooks.Theofficeisinahel...heckofamess,"Leocontinued."Wecan't
makeheadsnortailsofit.Corriganscribbles,andwe'vevolunteeredhimtodoitmostly,butwecan't
readhiswriting.HeescapedtoaherdsaleinMontana,sowe'restuck."Heshruggedandmanagedto
lookhelpless."Wecan'tseeifwe'vegotenoughmoneyintheaccounttobuygroceries."Helooked
hungry. He sighed loudly. "We'd sure appreciate it if you could come out, maybe in the morning,
aboutnine?Ifthat'snottooearly."

"Oh,no,"shesaid."I'mupandmakingbreakfastbysix."

"Makingbreakfast?Youcancook,then?"Leopoldasked.

"Well,yes."Shehesitated,buthelookedreallyinterested."Imakebiscuitsandbaconandeggs."

"Pigmeat,"theonecalledReynardmuttered.

"Steak'sbetter,"Callaghanagreed.

"Ifshecanmakebiscuits,theotherstuffdoesn'tmatter,"Reynardretorted.

"Will you two shut up?" Leopold asked sharply. He turned back to Dorie and gave her a thorough
appraisal,althoughnotintheleastsexual."Youdon'tlooklikeabookkeeper."

"Nicehair,"Reynardremarked.

"Badscaronthatcheek,"Callaghanremarked."Howdidithappen?"

Heavens,hewasblunt!Shewasalmoststartledenoughtotellhim.Sheblurtedthatithadbeeninan
accident.

"Tough,"hesaid."Butifyoucancook,scarsdon'tmattermuch."

Hermouthwasopen,andLeopoldstompedonhisbigbrother'sfoot,hard.

Callaghanpoppedhimoneonthearmwithafistthesizeofaham."Cutitout!"

"Don'tinsulther,shewon'tcome!"

"Ididn't!"

Reynardmovedforward,elbowingtheothertwooutoftheway.Hehadhisownhatinhishand.He
triedtosmile.Itlookedasifhehadn'thadmuchpracticeatit.

"We'dlikeyoutocometomorrow.Willyou?"

Shehesitated.

"Nowseewhatyou'vedone!"LeopoldshotatCallaghan."She'sscaredofus!"

"We wouldn't hurt you," Reynard said gently. He gave up trying to smile; it was unnatural anyway.
"WehaveoldMrs.Culbertsonkeepinghouseforus.Shecarriesabroomstickaroundwithher.You'll
besafe."

Shebitbackalaugh.Buthereyesbegantotwinkle.

"Shecarriesthebroomstickbecauseofhim,"Reynardadded,indicatingLeopold.

"Helikesto..."

"Nevermind!"Leopoldsaidicily.

"Iwasonlygoingtosaythatyou..."

"Shutup!"

"If you two don't stop, I'm going to lay you both out right here," Callaghan said, and looked very
muchasifhemeantit."Apologize."

Theybothmurmuredreluctantapologies.

"Allright,that'sthat."Heputhishatbackon."Ifyoucancomeatnine,we'llsendoneoftheboysfor
you."

"Thankyou,I'dratherdrivemyowncar."

"I'veseenyourcar.That'swhyI'msendingoneoftheboysforyou,"Callaghancontinueddoggedly.

Hermouthfellopenagain."It'sa...aniceoldcar!Anditrunsfine!"

"Everybody knows Turkey Sanders sold it to you," Callaghan said with a disgusted look. "He's a
pirate.You'llbeluckyifthewheelsdon'tfalloffthefirsttimeyougoaroundacurve."

"That'sright,"Reyagreed.

"We'llstopbyonourwayoutoftownandtalktohim,"Leopoldsaid,"He'llbringyourcarbackin
andmakesureit'sperfectlysafetodrive.He'lldoitfirstthingtomorrow."

"But..."

Theyputtheirhatsbackon,gaveherpolitenodsandstompedbackoutthewaythey'dcome.

Callaghan paused at the front door, with the screen open. "He may talk and act tough, but he's hurt
prettybad,insidewhereitdoesn'tshow.Don'thurthimagain."

"Him?"

"Corrigan."

Shemovedforward,justastep."Itwasn'tlikethat,"shesaidgently."Hedidn'tfeelanythingforme."

"Andyoudidn't,forhim?"

Sheavertedhergazetothefloor."Itwasalongtimeago."

"Youshouldn'thaveleft."

Shelookedbackup,hereyeswideandwounded."Iwasafraidofhim!"

Heletoutalongbreath."Youwerejustakid.Wetriedtotellhim.Eventhoughwehadn'tseenyou,we
knewaboutyoufromotherpeople.Wewereprettysureyouweren'tthesortofgirltoplayaround.
Hewouldn'tlisten."Heshrugged."Maybewecorruptedhim.Youmightaskhimsometimesaboutour
parents,"headdedcoldly."Kidsdon'tgrowuphatingmarriagewithoutreason."

There was a lot of pain in his lean face. He was telling her things she'd never have dared ask
Corrigan.Shemovedforwardanotherstep,awareoftheothertwotalkingoutontheporchinhushed
whispers.

"Ishestill...likethat?"

Hiseyeswerecold,butastheylookedintohers,theyseemedtosoftenjustalittle."He'snotthesame
manhewas.You'llhavetofindouttherestforyourself.

Wedon'tinterfereineachother'slives,asarule."Hisgazewentoverherwanface."You'vebeento
hellandback,too."

He was as perceptive as his brother. She smiled. "I suppose it's part of becoming an adult. Losing
illusionsanddreamsandhope,Imean."Shelockedherfingerstogetherandlookedupathimquietly.
"Growingupispainful."

"Don'tletgo,"hesaidsuddenly."Nomatterwhathesays,whathedoes,don'tletgo."

Hersurprisewidenedhereyes."Why?"

Hepulledhishatloweroverhisforehead."Theydon'tmakewomenlikeyouanymore."

"Likeme?"Shefrowned.

Hisdarkeyesglittered.Hesmiledinawaythat,ifshehadn'tbeenhalf-crazyaboutCorrigan,would
havecurledhertoes,"Iwishwe'dmetyoubefore,"hesaid.

"You'dneverhavegottenonthatbus."Hetiltedthehat."We'llsendJoeyforyouinthemorning."

"But..."

Thedoorclosedbehindhim.Hemotionedtotheothertwoandtheyfollowedhimdownthestepsto
thefour-doorpickuptruck.Ithadabigcab.Itwasstreamlinedandblack,andithadamenacinglook
not—unlikeCorriganHart'sbrothers!

Shewonderedwhythey'dallcometogethertoaskhertogoouttotheranch,andwhythey'ddoneit
whenCorriganwasgone.Shesupposedshe'dfindout.Shedidwonderagainaboutthefifthbrother,
themysteriousonethatCorriganhadmentioned.NoneofthesemenwerenamedSimon.

Later, the telephone rang, and it was Turkey Sanders. "I just wanted you to know that I'm going to
havethatcarIsoldyoupickedupinthemorningandputtorights,"hesaidatonce."Iguarantee,it's
goingtobethebestusedcaryou'veeverdriven!Ifyouwould,justleavethekeysinit,andI'llhaveit
pickedupfirstthing.

Andifthere'sanythingelseIcandoforyou,littlelady,youjustask!"

Hesoundedmuchmoreenthusiasticthanhehadwhenhe'dsoldhertherustylittlecar."Why,thank

you,"shesaid.

"Noproblem.Noneatall.Haveaniceday,now."

Hehungupandshestaredblanklyatthereceiver.Well,nobodycouldsaythatlivinginJacobsville
wasn't interesting, she told herself. Apparently the brothers had a way with other businessmen, too.
She'd never have admitted that the car had worried her from the time Turkey had talked her into
buyingit,forwhatseemedlikeahighpriceforsuchawreck.Shehadadriver'slicense,whichshe
hadtohaverenewed.ButneverhavingownedacarinNewYork,itwasuniquetohaveoneofher
own,evenifitdidlookliketenmilesofbadroad.

Itwasacold,blusterymorningwhenapoliteyoungmandroveupinablackMercedesandheldthe
dooropenforher.

"I'mJoey,"hetoldher."Thebrotherssentmetofetchyou.Isureamgladyoutookonthisjob,"he
added."Theywon'tgivemeanymoneyforgasuntilthatcheckbook'sbalanced.I'vebeenhavingto
syphonitoutoftheirtruckswithahose."Heshookhisheadruefullyashewaitedforhertomoveher
longdenimskirtcompletelyoutofthedoorframesothathecouldclosethedoor."Ihatethetasteof
gasoline."

Heclosedthedoor,gotinunderthewheelandtookoffinacloudofdust.

Shesmiledtoherself.Thebrotherswerestrangepeople.

Theranchwasimmaculate,fromitswhitewoodfencestotheranchhouseitself,alongelegantbrick
homewithasprawlingmanicuredlawnandaswimmingpoolandtenniscourt.Thebunkhousewas
brick,too,andthebarnwassobigthatsheimagineditcouldholdanentireherdofhorses.

"Big, huh?" Joey grinned at her. "The brothers do things on a big scale, but they're meticulous—
especiallyCag.Herunstheplace,mostly."

"Cag?"

"Callaghan.Nobodycallshimthatinthefamily."

Heglancedinherdirection,amused."Theysaidyou'rethereasonCorrigannevermarried."

Herheartjumped."Nokidding?"

"Oh,yeah.Hedoesn'tevenlookatwomenthesedays.Butwhenheheardthatyouwerecomingback,
heshavedandboughtnewclothes."Heshookhishead."Shockedusall,seeinghimwithoutabeard."

"Ican'timaginehimwithone,"shesaidwithsomeconfusion.

"Pityabouthisleg,buthe'selegantonahorse,justthesame."

"Ithinkhegetsaroundverywell."

"Betterthanheusedto."Hepulledupinfrontofthehouse,turnedofftheengineandwentaroundto
helpherout.

"It'srightinhere."

He led her in through the front door and down a carpeted hall to a pine-paneled office. "Mrs.
Culbertsonwillbealonganyminutetogetyousomecoffeeorteaorasoftdrink.Thebrothershadto
gettoworkorthey'dhavebeenheretomeetyou.

Noworry,though,Corrigan'shome.He'llbehereshortlyandshowyouthebooks.

He'stryingtodoctoracolt,downinthebarn."

"Thankyou,Joey."

Hetippedhishat."Mypleasure,ma'am."Hegaveheracursoryappraisal,noddedandwentbackout
again.

He'dnosoonergonethanashort,plumplittlewomanwithtwinklingblueeyesandgrayhaircamein,
rubbing her hands dry on her apron. "You'd be Miss Wayne. I'm Betty Culbertson," she introduced
herself."CanIgetyouacupofcoffee?"

"Oh,yes,please."

"Cream,sugar?"

"Ilikeitblack,"shesaid.

Theolderwomangrinned."Sodotheboys.Theydon'tlikesweets,either.Hardtogetfataroundhere,
exceptongravyandbiscuits.They'dhavethoseeverymealifI'dcookthem."

Thequestionsthebrothershadaskedabouthercookingcamebacktohaunther.

"Noneofthembelieveinmarriage,dothey?"sheasked.

Mrs.Culbertsonshookherhead."They'vebeenbachelorstoolongnow.They'resetintheirwaysand
noneofthemhavemuchtodowithwomen.Notthattheyaren'ttargetedbylocalbelles,"sheadded
withachuckle."Butnobodyhasmuchluck.

Corrigan,now,he'smellowed.Ihearit'sbecauseofyou."

WhileDorieflushedandtriedtofindtherightwordstoanswerher,adeepvoicediditforher.

"Yes,itis,"Corrigansaidfromthedoorway."Butsheisn'tsupposedtoknowit."

"Oops,"Mrs.Culbertsonsaidwithawickedchuckle."Sorry."

Heshrugged."Noharmdone.I'llhavecoffee.Sowillshe.AndifyouseeLeopold..."

"I'll smash his skull for him, if I do," the elderly woman said abruptly, and her whole demeanor
changed.Herblueeyesletoffsparks."Thatdevil!"

"Hediditagain,Iguess?"

Shemadeanangrynoisethroughhernose."I'vetoldhimandtoldhim..."

"You'dthinkhe'dgettiredofhavingthatbroomstickthrownathim,wouldn'tyou?"Corriganasked
pleasantly.

"Oneofthesedayshewon'tbequickenough,"Mrs.Culbertsonsaidwithanevilsmile.

"I'lltalktohim."

"Everybody'salreadytalkedtohim.Itdoesnogood."

"Whatdoeshedo?"Dorieaskedcuriously.

Mrs. Culbertson looked at Corrigan, who'd started to answer, with eyes that promised culinary
retribution.

"Sorry,"hesaidabruptly."Ican'tsay."

Mrs.CulbertsonnoddedcurtlyandsmiledatDorie."I'lljustgetthatcoffee.Bebackinajiffy."

SheleftandCorrigan'sdarkeyesslidoverDorie'sprettyfigure.

"Youlookverynice,"hesaid.Hiseyesliftedtoherwavyhairandhesmiledappreciatively."Ialways
lovedyourhair.Thatwasafirstforme.UsuallyIlikeawoman'shairlong.Yourssuitsyoujustasit
is."

Herslenderhandwenttotheplatinumwavesself-consciously."It'seasytokeeplikethis."Sheshifted
totheotherfoot."Yourbrotherscametothehouseyesterdayandaskedmetocomeouthereandlook
atthehouseholdaccounts.Theysaythey'restarving."

"Theylooklikeit,too,don'tthey?"heaskeddisgustedly."GoodGod,starving!"

"Theywereverynice,"shecontinued."TheytalkedtoTurkeySandersandhe'srepairingmycar."

"Hismechanic'srepairingyourcar,"hetoldher."Turkey'shavingatoothfixed."

Sheknewsheshouldn'task.Butshehadto."Why?"

"HemadearemarkthatCagdidn'tlike."

"Cag.Oh,yes,he'stheeldest."

He brightened when he realized that she remembered that. "He's thirty-eight, if you call that old."
Anticipatinghernextquestion,headdedblithely,"Leo'sthirty-four.I'mthirty-six.Rey'sthirty-two."

"SoCaghitTurkeySanders?"

Heshookhishead.

"Thenwhobrokehistooth?"

"Leo."

"Caggotmad,butLeohitTurkeySanders?"sheasked,fascinated.

Henodded."HedidthattosavehimfromCag."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Cag was in the Special Forces," he explained. "He was a captain when they sent him to the Middle
Eastsomeyearsback."Heshrugged."Heknowstoomuchabouthand-to-handcombattobeletloose
inatemper.Sowetrytoshieldpeoplefromhim."

Hegrinned.“LeofiguredthatifhehitTurkeyfirst,Cagwouldn't.Andhedidn't."

Shejustshookherhead."Yourbrothersare...unique,"shesaidfinally,havingfailedtofindagood
wordtodescribethem.

Hechuckled."Youdon'tknowthehalfofit."

"Dotheyreallyhatewomen?"

"Sometimes,"hesaid.

"I'llbetthey'resoughtafter,"shementioned,"especiallywhenpeoplegetagoodlookatthisranch."

"The ranch is only a part of the properties we own," he replied. "Our people are fourth-generation
Texans, and we inherited thousands of acres of land and five ranches. They were almost bankrupt
whentheoldmandied,though,"hemused."Hedidn'treallyhaveaheadforfigures.BrokeGrandad's
heart.Hesawtheendofhisempire.Butwepulleditoutofthefire."

"SoIsee,"sheagreed.

"Theonlyproblemis,noneofusaremarried.Soifwedon'thavedescendants,who'sgoingtokeep
theempiregoing?"

Shethoughtofthemostterribleanswertothatquestion,andthengotthegiggles.

Heraisedaneyebrow.

Sheputahandoverhermouthuntilshegotherselfbackundercontrol."Sorry.Iwasonlythinkingof
thatmovieaboutthemanwhogotpregnant...!"

Hegaveheralevellook,unsmiling.

Sheclearedherthroat."Wherearetheaccounts?"

Hehesitatedforaminute,andthenopenedthedeskdrawerandtookoutasetofledgers,placingthem
onthespotlesscherrywooddesk.

"Thisisbeautiful,"sheremarked,strokingthesilky,high-polishedsurface.

"It was our grandfather's," he told her. "We didn't want to change things around too much. The old
gentlemanwasfondoftheofficejustthewayitis."

She looked around, puzzled by the plain wood paneling. There were no deer heads or weapons
anywhere.Shesaidso.

"Hedidn'tliketrophies,"hetoldher."Neitherdowe.Ifwehunt,weuseeverypartofthedeer,butwe
don'thavetheheadsmounted.Itdoesn'tseemquitesporting."

Sheturnedasshepulledoutthedeskchair,andlookedathimwithopencuriosity.

"NoneofyourbrothersarelikeIpicturedthem."

"Inwhatway?"

She smiled. "You're very handsome," she said, averting her eyes when his began to glitter. "They
aren't.Andtheyallhaveverydarkeyes.Yoursaregray,likemine."

"They favor our mother," he said. "I favor him." He nodded toward the one portrait, on the wall
behindthedesk.ItlookedearlytwentiethcenturyandfeaturedamanverylikeCorrigan,exceptwith
silverhair.

"Sothat'swhatyou'lllooklike,"sheremarkedabsently.

"Eventually.Notforafewyears,Ihope."

Sheglancedathim,becausehe'dcometostandbesideher."You'regoinggray,justatthetemples."

He looked down into her soft face. His eyes narrowed as he searched every inch of her above the
neck."Graywon'tshowinthatbeautifulmoponyourhead,"hesaidquietly."It'llblendinandmakeit
evenprettier."

Thecommentwassoftlyspoken,andsopoeticthatitembarrassedher.Shesmiledself-consciously
andhergazefelltohisshirt.Itwasopenatthecollar,becauseitwaswarminthehouse.Thickblack
hair peered over the button, and unwanted memories of that last night they'd been together came
flooding back. He'd taken his shirt off, to give her hands total access to his broad, hair-roughened
chest.Helikedherlipsonit...

Sheclearedherthroatandlookedaway,hercolorhigh."I'dbettergettowork."

Hisleanhandcaughtherarm,verygently,andhepulledherbackaround.Hisfreehandwenttothe
snapsthatheldtheshirttogether.Helookedintoherstartledeyesandslowly,onebyone,heflicked
thesnapsapart.

"What...areyou...doing?''shefaltered.Shecouldn'tbreathe.Hewasweavingspellsaroundher.She
feltweak-kneedalready,andthesightofthatbroadchestcompletelybaredrewafaintgaspfromher
lips.

Hehadherbytheelbows.Hedrewhertohim,sothatherlipswereonalevelwithhiscollarbone.She
couldhearhisheartbeat,actuallyhearit.

"Itwaslikethis,"hesaidinaraw,raggedtone."ButIhadyourblouseoff,yourbreastsbare.Idrew
youtome,likethis,"hewhisperedunsteadily,drawingheragainstthelengthofhim,"andIbent,and
tookyouropenmouthundermyown...likethis..."

Itwashappeningalloveragain.Shewaseightyearsolder,butapparentlynotonedaylessvulnerable.
Heputhercoldhandsintothethickhaironhischestandmovedthemwhilehishardmouthtookslow,
sweetpossessionofherlips.

Henudgedherlipsapartandhesitatedforjustasecond,longenoughtolookintohereyesandseethe
submissionandfainthungerinthem.Therewasjustthehintofasmileonhislipsbeforeheparted
themagainsthersoftmouth.

Chapter4

She had no pride at all, she decided in the hectic seconds that followed the first touch of his hard
mouth.Shewasatotalwashoutasaliberatedwoman.

His hands had gone to her waist and then moved up to her rib cage, to the soft underside of her
breasts.Hestrokedjustunderthemuntilsheshiveredandmoaned,andthenhishandsliftedandtook
possession;blatantpossession.

He felt her mouth open. His own answered it while he touched her, searched over her breasts and
foundthehardnipplesthatpushedagainsthispalms.

Hismouthgrewrougher.Shefelthishandsmovearoundher,feltthecatchgive.

Herblousewaspushedupwithashiveringurgency,andsecondslater,herbarebreastswereburiedin
thethickhairthatcoveredhischestandabdomen.

Shecriedout,dragginghermouthfromhis.

Helookedintohereyes,buthewouldn'tlethergo.Hishardfacewasexpressionless.Onlyhiseyes
were alive, glittering like gray fires. He deliberately moved her from side to side and watched her
faceashedidit,enjoying,withacompletelymasculinedelight,thepleasureshecouldn'thide.

"Yournipplesarelikerocksagainstme."Hebitoffthewords,holdingherevencloser."Itookyour
breastsinsidemymouththenightwemadelove,andyouarcheduprightoffthebedtogivethemto
me.Doyourememberwhatyoudidnext?"

Shecouldn'tspeak.Shelookedathimwithmingleddesireandfear.

"Youslidyourhandsinsidemyjeans,"hewhisperedroughly."Andyoutouchedme.

That'swhenIlostcontrol."

Hermoanwasoneofshame,notpleasure.Shefoundhischestwithhercheekandpressedcloseto
him,shivering."I'msorry,"shewhisperedbrokenly."I'msosorry...!"

Hismouthfoundhereyesandkissedthemshut."Don't,"hewhisperedroughly.

"I'mnotsayingittoshameyou.Ionlywantyoutorememberwhyitendedthewayitdid.Youwere
grassgreenandIdidn'tknowit.Iencouragedyoutobeuninhibited,butI'dneverhavedoneitifI'd
knownwhataninnocentyouwere."Hismouthslidoverherforeheadwithbreathlesstendernesswhile
hishandsslidtoherlowerbackandpulledherevencloser."Iwasgoingtotakeyou,"hewhispered.

His hands contracted and his body went rigid with a surge of arousal that she could feel. His legs
trembled."Istillwantto,Godhelpme,"hebreathedathertemple.

"I'veneverhadthesortofarousalIfeelwithyou.Idon'tevenhavetoundressyoufirst."Hishands
begantotrembleashemovedhersensuallyagainsthiships.

Hismouthsliddowntohersandsoftlycoveredit,liftingandtouchingandprobinguntilsheshivered
againwithpleasure.

"Ithoughtyouknew,"shewhimpered.

"Ididn't."Hishandsmovedtotheverybaseofherspineandliftedhergentlyintothehardthrustof
hisbody.Hecaughthisbreathatthewaveofpleasurethatwashedoverhimimmediately."Dorie,"he
breathed.

Shecouldn'tthinkatall.Whenhetookoneofherhandsandpressedittohislowerbody,shedidn't
evenhavethewilltoprotest.Herhandopenedandshelethimmoveitgentlyagainsthim,onfirewith
theneedtotouchhim.

"Eightyears,"shesaidshakily.

"And we're still starving for each other," he whispered at her mouth. His hand became insistent.
"Harder,"hesaidandhisbreathcaught.

"This...isn'twise,"shesaidagainsthischest.

"No,butit'ssweet.Dorie...!"Hecriedouthoarsely,hiswholebodyshuddering.

Herhandstilledatonce."I'msorry,"shewhisperedfrantically."DidIhurtyou?"

Hewasn'tbreathingnormallyatall.Hisfacewasburiedinherthroatandhewasshakinglikealeaf.
Shebrushedhermouthoverhischeek,hischin,hislips,hisnose,whisperinghisnameassheclung
tohim.

Hishandgrippedherupperthigh,anditwassobruisingthatshewasafraidshewasgoingtohaveto
protest.Hefoughtforsanity,embarrassedbyhisweakness.

She was still kissing him. He felt her breasts moving against his chest, intensifying the throbbing,
hellishachebelowhisbelt,

Heheldherfirmlyinplacewithhandsthatshook.

She subsided and stood quietly against him. She knew now, as she hadn't eight years ago, what was
wrongwithhim.Shefeltguiltyandashamedforpushinghimsofaroutofcontrol.

Herfingerstouchedhisthick,coolhairlovingly.Herlipsfoundhiseyelidsandbrushedsoftlyagainst
them.Hewasvulnerableandshewantedtoprotecthim,cherishhim.

Thetendernesswasdoingstrangethingstohim.Hestillwantedhertothepointofmadness,butthose
comforting little kisses made his heart warm. He'd never been touched in such a way by a woman;
he'dneverfeltsocherished.

Shedrewback,andhepulledhercloseagain.

"Don'tstop,"hewhispered,calmernow.Hishandshadmoveduptothesilkenskinofherback,andhe
smiledunderthewhisperofherlipsonhisskin.

"I'msosorry,"shewhispered,

Hisfingersslidundertheblouseagainanduptoexplorethesoftnessofherbreasts."Why?"heasked.

"Youwerehurting,"shesaid."Ishouldn'thavetouchedyou..."

Hechuckledwickedly."Imadeyou."

"I still can't go to bed with you," she said miserably. "I don't care if the whole world does it, I just
can't!"

Hishandsopenedandenfoldedherbreaststenderly."Youwantto,"hemurmuredashecaressedthem.

"OfcourseIwantto!"Hereyesclosedandsheswayedclosertohishands."Oh,glory,"shemanaged
tosaytightly,shivering.

"Yourbreastsareverysensitive,"hesaidatherlips."Andsoftlikewarmsilkundermyhands.I'dlike
tolayyoudownonmygrandfather'sdeskandtakeyourblouseoffandputmylipsonyouthere.But
Mrs. Culbertson is making coffee." He lifted his head and looked into her dazed, soft gray eyes.
"ThankGod,"hewhisperedabsentlyashesearchedthem.

"ThankGodforwhat?"sheaskedhuskily.

"Miracles,maybe,"hereplied.Hesmoothedtheblouseupagainandhiseyessketchedherprettypink
breasts with their hard dark pink crowns. "I could eat you like taffy right now," he said in a rough
tone.

Theofficewassoquietthatnotasoundcouldbeheardabovetheshiverofherbreathasshelooked
upathim.

Hispaleeyeswerealmostapologetic."IthinkIhaveadeathwish,"hebeganhuskilyashebent.

She watched his mouth hover over her breast with a sense of shocked wonder. Her eyes wide, her
breathstoppedinherthroat,shewaited,trembling.

Helookedup,then,andsawhereyes.Hemadeasoundinthebackofhisthroatandhismouthopened
ashepropelledhercloser,sothathehadheralmostcompletelyinthatwarm,moistrecess.

Shewept.Thepleasuregrewtounbearableheights.Herfingerstangledinhishairandshepulledhim
closer.Shegrowledsharplyatthesensationsshefelt.Herhipsmovedinvoluntarily,searchingforhis
body.

The suction became so sweet that she suddenly arched backward, and would have fallen if it hadn't
beenforhissupportingarm.Shecaughtherbreathandconvulsed,herbodyfrozeninanarcofpure
ecstasy.

Hefeltthedeepcontractionsofherbodyunderhismouthwithragingpride.Hismouthgrewalittle
rough,andtheconvulsionsdeepened.

Onlywhenhefeltherbegintorelaxdidhelifthisheadandbringherbackintoastandingposition,
sothathecouldlookatherface.

Shecouldn'tbreathe.Shesobbedasshelookedupintohispaleeyes.Thetearscame,hotandquick,
whensherealizedwhathadhappened.Andhe'dseenit!

"Don't,"hechided-tenderly.Hereachedforahandkerchiefanddriedherredeyesandwipedhernose.
"Don'tbeembarrassed."

"Icoulddieofshame,"shewept.

"Forwhat?"heaskedsoftly."Forlettingmewatchyou?"

Herfacewentred."Inever,never...!"

He put a long forefinger against her lips. "I've never seen a woman like that," he whispered. "I've
never known one who could be satisfied by a man's mouth suckling at her breast. It was the most
beautifulexperienceI'veeverhad."

Shewasn'tcryingnow.Shewasstaringathim,hereyeswideandsoftandcurious.

Hebrushedbackherwildhair."ItwasworthwhatIfeltearlier,"hemurmureddryly.

Shecoloredevenmore."Ican'tstayhere,"shetoldhimwildly."Ihavetogoaway..."

"Hell, no, you don't," he said tersely. "You're not getting away from me a second time. Don't even
thinkaboutrunning."

"But,"shebeganurgently.

"Butwhat?"heaskedcurtly."Butyoucan'tgiveyourselftomeoutsidemarriage?Iknowthat.I'mnot
askingyoutosleepwithme."

"It'sliketortureforyou."

"Yes,"hesaidsimply."Butthealternativeistonevertouchyou."Hishandslidoverherblouseandhe
smiledgentlyattheimmediateresponseofherbody."Ilovethis,"hesaidgruffly."Andsodoyou."

Shegrimaced."OfcourseIdo,"shemuttered."I'veneverletanyoneelsetouchmelikethat.It'sbeen
eightyearssinceI'veevenbeenkissed!"

"Samehere,"hesaidbluntly.

"Ha! You've been going around with a divorcee!" she flung at him out of frustration and
embarrassment.

"Idon'thavesexwithher,"hesaid.

"Theysayshe'sverypretty."

Hesmiled."Sheis.Prettyandelegantandkind.ButIdon'tfeeldesireforher,anymorethanshefeels
itforme,Itoldyouwewerefriends.Weare.Andthat'sallweare."

"But...but..."

"Butwhat,Dorie?"

"Mendon'tstopkissingwomenjustbecausetheygetturneddownonce."

"Itwasmuchworsethanjustgettingturneddown,"hetoldher."Iranyououtoftown.Itwasrough
livingwiththat,especiallywhenyourfathertookafewstripsoffmeandtoldmeallaboutyourpast.I
felttwoincheshigh."Hiseyesdarkenedwiththepainofthememory."Ihatedhavingmadeanenemy
ofhim.Hewasagoodman.ButI'dneverhadmuchinterestinmarriageorletanyonegetascloseto
measyoudid.Ifyouwereafraid,sowasI."

"Cagsaidyourparentsweren'tahappycouple."

Hiseyebrowlifted."Henevertalksaboutthem.That'safirst."

"Hetoldmetoaskyouaboutthem."

"Isee."Hesighed."Well,Itoldyoualittleaboutthat,butwe'regoingtohavetotalkmoreaboutthem
soonerorlater,andaboutsomeotherthings."Heliftedhisheadandlistenedandthenlookeddownat
herwithawickedgrin."Butforthepresent,you'dbetterfastenyourbraandtuckyourblousebackin
andtrytolookasifyouhaven'tjustmadelovewithme."

"Why?"

"Mrs.Culbertson'scomingdownthehall."

"Oh,mygosh!"

She fumbled with catches and buttons, her face red,, her hair wild as she raced to put herself back

together. He snapped his shirt up lazily, his silvery eyes full of mischief as he watched her frantic
effortstoimproveherappearance.

"LuckyIdidn'tlayyoudownonthedesk,isn'tit?"hesaid,chuckling.

Therewasataponthehalf-closeddoorandMrs.Culbertsoncameinwithatray.

Shewassointentongettingittothedeskintactthatshedidn'tevenlookatDorie.

"Hereitis.SorryItooksolong,butIcouldn'tfindthecreampitcher."

"Whodrinkscream?"Corriganaskedcuriously.

"ItwastheonlyexcuseIcouldthinkof,"shetoldhimseriously.

Helookeduneasy."Thanks."

ShegrinnedathimandthenlookedatDorie.Hereyesweretwinklingasshewentbackout.Andthis
timesheclosedthedoor.

Dorie's face was still flushed. Her gray eyes were wide and turbulent. Her mouth was swollen and
whenshefoldedherarmsoverherchest,sheflinched.

Hiseyeswenttoherblouseandbackupagain."WhenIfeltyougoingovertheedge,itexcitedme,
andIgotalittlerough.DidIhurtyou?"

Thequestionwasmatter-of-fact,andstrangelytender.

Sheshookherhead,avertinghereyes.Itwasembarrassingtorememberwhathadhappened.

Hecaughtherhandandledhertothechairsinfrontofthedesk."SitdownandI'llpouryouacupof
coffee."

Shelookedupathimalittleuneasily."Issomethingwrongwithme,doyouthink?"

sheaskedwithhonestconcern."Imean,it'sunnatural...isn'tit?"

Hisfingerstouchedhersoftcheek.Heshookhishead."Peoplecan'tbepigeonholed.Youmightnot
be that responsive to any other man. Maybe it's waiting so long. Maybe it's that you're perfectly
attunedtome.Imightbeabletoaccomplishthesamethingbykissingyourthighs,oryourbelly."

Sheflushed."Youwouldn't!"

"Whynot?"

Thethoughtofitmadehervibrateallover.Sheknewthatmenkissedwomeninintimateplaces,but
shehadn'tquiteconnectedituntilthen.

"Theinsideofyourthighsisveryvulnerabletobeingcaressed,"hesaidsimply.

"Nottomentionyourback,yourhips,yourfeet,"headdedwithagentlesmile.

"Lovemakingisanart.Therearenosetrules."

Shewatchedhimturnandpourcoffeeintoaceramiccup.Hehandedittoherandwatchedthewayher
fingersdeliberatelytouchedhisashedrewthemaway.

Hewantedhersomuchthathecouldbarelystandupstraight,butitwasearlydaysyet.Hehadtogo
slowlythistimeandnotpushhertoohard.Shehadafearnotonlyofhim,butofrealintimacy.He
couldn'taffordtoletthingsgotoofar.

"Whatsortofthingsarewegoingtotalkaboutlater?"sheaskedaftershe'dfinishedhalfhercoffee.

"Cabbagesandkings,"hemused.Hesatacrossfromher,hislonglegscrossed,hiseyespossessive
andcaressingonherface.

"Idon'tlikecabbageandIdon'tknowanykings."

"Thensupposeweliedowntogetheronthesofa?"

Her eyes flashed up to see the amusement in his and back down to her cup. "Don't tease. I'm not
sophisticatedenoughforit."

"I'mnotteasing."

Shesighedandtookanothersipofcoffee."There'snofutureinit.Youknowthat."

He didn't know it. She was living in the past, convinced that he had nothing more than an affair in
mindforthem.Hesmiledsecretivelytohimselfashethoughtaboutthefuture.Fatehadgivenhima
secondchance;hewasn'tgoingtowasteit.

"Aboutthesebooks,"hesaidinabusinessliketone."I'vemadeaneffortwiththem,butalthoughIcan
domath,mypenmanshipisn'twhatitshouldbe.Ifyoucan'treadanyofthenumbers,circlethemand
I'lltellyouwhattheyare.Ihavetomeetaprospectivebuyerdownatthebarninafewminutes,butI'll
besomewhereclosebyallday."

"Allright."

Hefinishedhiscoffeeandputthecupbackonthetray,checkinghiswatch."I'dbettergo."Helooked
down at her with covetous eyes and leaned against the arms of her chair to study her. "Let's go
dancingtomorrownight."

Her heart jumped. She was remembering how it was when they were close together and her face

flushed.

Hiseyebrowliftedandhegrinned."Don'tlooksoapprehensive.Thetimetoworryiswhennothing
happenswhenIholdyou."

"Italwaysdid,"shereplied.

Henodded."Everytime,"heagreed."Ionlyhadtotouchyou."Hesmiledsoftly.

"Andviceversa,"headdedwithawickedglance.

"Iwasgreen,"sheremindedhim.

"Youstillare,"heremindedher.

"Notsomuch,"sheventuredshyly.

"We both learned something today," he said quietly. "Dorie, if you can be satisfied by so small a
caress,trytoimaginehowitwouldfeelifwewentalltheway."

Hereyelidsflickered.Herbreathcamelikerustlingleaves.

He bent and drew his mouth with exquisite tenderness over her parted lips. "Or is that the real
problem?"heaskedathermouth."Areyouafraidoftheactualpenetration?"

Herheartstoppeddeadandthenranaway."Corrigan!"Shegroundouthisname.

Hedrewbackabreathsothathecouldseehereyes.Hewasn'tsmiling.Itwasnojoke.

"You'dbettertellme,"hesaidquietly.

Shedrewherlowerlipinwithherteeth,lookingworried.

"Iwon'ttellanyone."

"Iknowthat."Shetookalongbreath."WhenmycousinMarywasmarried,shecametovisitusafter
thehoneymoonwasover.She'dbeensohappyandexcited."

She grimaced. "She said that it hurt awfully bad, that she bled and bled, and he made fun of her
becauseshecried.Shesaidthathedidn'tevenkissher.Hejust...pushedintoher...!"

Hecursedunderhisbreath."Didn'tyoutalktoanyoneelseaboutsex?"

"Itwasn'tsomethingIcoulddiscusswithmyfather,andMarywastheonlyfriendIhad,"shetoldhim.
"Shesaidthatallthethingstheywriteaboutarejustfiction,andthattherealityisjustlikehermother
oncesaid—awomandealswithitforthepleasureofchildren."

Heleanedforwardonhishands,shakinghishead."Iwishyou'dtoldmethiseightyearsago."

"You'dhavelaughed,"shereplied."Youdidn'tbelieveIwasinnocentanyway."

Helookedupintohereyes."I'msorry,"hesaidheavily."Lifeteacheshardlessons."

Shethoughtaboutherownexperiencewithmodeling."Yes,itdoes."

Hegottohisfeetandlookeddownatherwithaworriedscowl."Don'tyouwatchhotmovies?"

"Thosewomenaren'tvirgins,"shereturned.

"No.Idon'tguesstheyare."Hiseyesnarrowedashesearchedherface."AndIdon'tknowwhattotell
you.I'venevertouchedaninnocentwomanuntilyoucamealong.Maybeitdoeshurt.ButIpromise
you,itwouldonlybeonetime.Iknowenoughtomakeitgoodforyou.AndIwould."

"Itisn'tgoingtobethatway,"sheremindedhimtersely,denyingherselfthedreamsofmarriageand
childrenthatshe'dalwaysconnectedwithhim."We'regoingtobefriends."

Hedidn'tspeak.Hisgazedidn'tfalter."I'llcheckbackwithyoulateraboutthebooks,"hesaidquietly.

"Okay."

He started to turn, thought better of it and leaned down again with his weight balanced on the chair
arms."DoyourememberwhathappenedwhenIstartedtosuckleyou?"

Shewentscarlet."Please..."

"It will be like that," he said evenly. "Just like that. You won't think about pain. You may not even
noticeany.YougoinheadfirstwhenItouchyou.AndIwasn'teventakingmytimewithyoutoday.
Thinkaboutthat.Itmighthelp."

Hepushedawayfromheragainandwenttothedesktopickuphishat.Heplaceditonhisheadand
smiledatherwithoutmockery.

"Don'tletmybrotherswalkoveryou,"hesaid."Ifoneofthemgivesyouanytrouble,layintohim
withthefirsthardobjectyoucangetyourhandson."

"Theyseemverynice,"shesaid.

"Theylikeyou,"hereplied."Buttheyhaveplans."

"Plans?"

"Nottohurtyou,"heassuredher."Youshouldneverhavetoldthemyoucouldcook."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Mrs. Culbertson wants to quit. They can't make biscuits. It's what they live for, a plateful of
homemadebutteredbiscuitswithhalfadozenjarsofjamandjelly."

"Howdoesthatconcernme?''

"Don'tyouknow?"Heperchedhimselfagainstthedesk."They'vedecidedthatweshouldmarryyou."

"We?"

"We'reafamily.Mostlywesharethings.Notwomen,butwedosharecooks."Hecockedhisheadand
grinned at her shocked face. "If I marry you, they don't have to worry about where their next fresh
biscuitiscomingfrom."

"Youdon'twanttomarryme."

"Well,they'llprobablyfindsomewayaroundthat,"hesaidpointedly,

"Theycan'tforceyoutomarryme."

"Iwouldn'tmakeanybetsonthat,"hesaid."Youdon'tknowthemyet."

"You'retheirbrother.They'dwantyoutobehappy."

"Theythinkyou'llmakemehappy."

Sheloweredhereyes."Youshouldtalktothem."

"Andsaywhat?ThatIdon'twantyou?Idon'tthinkthey'dbelieveme."

"Imeant,youshouldtellthemthatyoudon'twanttogetmarried."

"They'vealreadyhadameetinganddecidedthatIdo.They'vepickedoutaministerandadressthat
theythinkyou'lllooklovelyin.They'vedonearoughdraftofaweddinginvitation..."

"You'reoutofyourmind!"

"No,I'mnot."Hewenttothemiddledeskdrawer,fumbledthroughit,pulleditfurtheroutandreached
forsomethingpushedtotheverybackofthedesk.Heproducedit,scannedit,noddedandhandeditto
her."Readthat."

Itwasaweddinginvitation.Hermiddlenamewasmisspelled."It'sEllen,notEllis."

Hereachedbehindhimforapen,tooktheinvitationback,madethechangeandhandeditbacktoher.

"Whydidyoudothat?"sheaskedcuriously.

"Oh,theylikeeverythingneatandcorrect."

"Don'tcorrectit!Tearitup!"

"They'lljustdoanotherone.Thepaperswillprintwhat'sonthere,too.Youdon'twantyourmiddle
namemisspelledseveralthousandtimes,doyou?"

Shewasallbutgaspingforbreath."Idon'tunderstand."

"I know. Don't worry about it right now. There's plenty of time. They haven't decided on a definite
dateyet,anyway."

Shestoodup,wild-eyed."Youcan'tletyourbrothersdecidewhenandwhoyou'regoingtomarry!"

"Well,yougostopthem,then,"hesaideasily."Butdon'tsayIdidn'ttellyouso."

Hepulledhishatoverhiseyesandwalkedoutthedoor,whistlingsoftlytohimself.

Chapter5

First she did the accounts. Her mind was still reeling from Corrigan's ardor, and she had to be
collectedwhenshespoketohisbrothers.Shedecipheredhisscribblednumbers,balancedthebooks,
checkedherfiguresandputdownatotal.

They certainly weren't broke, and there was enough money in the account to feed Patton's Third
Army.Sheleftthemanotesayingso,amusedatthepatheticpicturethey'dpaintedoftheirfinances.
Probably,thereasonforthatwaspartoftheirmasterplan.

Shewentoutsidetolookforthemaftershe'ddonethebooks.Theywereallfourinthebarn,standing
close together. They stopped talking the minute she came into view, and she knew for certain that
they'dbeentalkingabouther.

"I'mnotmarryinghim,"shetoldthemclearly,andpointedatCorrigan.

"Okay,"Leosaideasily.

"Thethoughtnevercrossedmymind,"Reyremarked.

Cagjustshrugged.

Corrigangrinned.

"I'mthroughwiththebooks,"shesaiduneasily."Iwanttogohomenow."

"Youhaven'teatenlunch,"Reysaid.

"It'sonlyeleveno'clock,"shesaidpointedly.

"Wehaveanearlylunch,becauseweworkuntildark,"Cagvolunteered.

"Mrs.Culbertsonjustleft,"Reysaid.Hesighed."Sheputsomebeefandgravyintheoventowarm.
Butshedidn'tmakeusanybiscuits."

"Wedon'thaveanythingtoputgravyon,"Leoagreed.

"Can'tworkallafternoonwithoutabiscuit,"Cagsaid,nodding.

Corrigangrinned.

DoriehadthoughtthatCorriganwasmakingupthatstoryaboutthebrothers'

maniaforbiscuits.Apparentlyitwasthegospeltruth.

"Justonepanfull,"Leocoaxed."Itwouldn'ttakefiveminutes."Heeyedherwarily.

"Ifyoucanreallymakethem.Maybeyoucan't.Maybeyouwerejustsayingyoucould,toimpressus."

"That'sright,"Reyadded.

"Icanmakebiscuits,"shesaid,needled."YoujustpointmetothekitchenandI'llshowyou."

Leogrinned."Rightthisway!"

Halfanhourlater,thepanofbiscuitsweregonesofastthattheymighthavedisintegrated.Leoand
Corriganwereactuallyfightingoverthelastone,pulleditapartintheirrush,andendedupsplittingit
whiletheothertwosattheregloating.

They'dhadmorethantheirsharebecausetheyhadfasterhands.

"Nexttime,you'vegottomaketwopans,"Corrigantoldher."Onedoesn'tfillLeo'shollowtooth."

"Inoticed,"shesaid,surprisinglytouchedbythewaythey'deatenherbiscuitswithsuchenjoyment.
"I'llmakeyouapanofrollstogowiththemnexttime."

"Roils?"Leolookedfaint."Youcanmakehomemaderolls?"

"I'llseeabouttheweddingringsrightnow,"Reysaid,wipinghismouthandpushingawayfromthe
table.

"I'vegotthecorrectedinvitationinmypocket,"Cagmurmuredashegotup,too.

Leojoinedtheothertwoatthedoor."TheysaidtheycangetthedressherefromParisintwoweeks,"
Leosaid.

Doriegapedatthem.Butbeforeshecouldopenhermouth,allthreeofthemhadrushedoutthedoor
andclosedit,talkinganimatedlyamongthemselves.

"But,Ididn'tsay...!"sheexclaimed.

"There,there,"Corrigansaid,deftlyaddinganotherspoonfulofgravytohisownremaininghalfofa
biscuit."It'sallright.Theyforgottocalltheministerandbookhim."

Just at that moment, the door opened and Leo stuck his head in. "Are you Methodist, Baptist or
Presbyterian?"heaskedher.

"I'm...Presbyterian,"shefaltered.

He scowled. "Nearest Presbyterian minister is in Victoria," he murmured thoughtfully, "but don't

worry,I'llgethimhere."Heclosedthedoor.

''Justaminute!"shecalled.

The doors of the pickup closed three times. The engine roared. "Too late," Corrigan said
imperturbably.

"Butdidn'tyouhearhim?"sheburstout."Forheaven'ssake,they'regoingtogetaminister!"

"Hardtogetmarriedinchurchwithoutone,"heinsisted.Hegesturedtowardherplatewithaforkto
theremainingchunkofbeef."Don'twastethat.It'soneofourownsteers.Cornfed,nohormones,no
antibiotics,noinsecticides.Werunaclean,environmentallysafeoperationhere."

Shewasdiverted."Really?"

"We'rerenegades,"hetoldher."Theygroanwhentheyseeuscomingatcattleconventions.Usually
wegowithDonavan.He'sjustlikeusaboutcattle.HeandtheBallengerbrothershavegoneseveral
roundsovercattleprodsandfeedadditives.

He'smellowedabitsincehisnephewcametolivewithhimandhegotmarried.Buthelikestheway
wedothings."

"Iguessso."Shesavoredthelastofthebeef."It'sreallygood."

"Beatseatingpigs,"heremarked,andgrinned.

Sheburstoutlaughing."YourbrotherCaghadplentytosayonthatsubject."

"He only eats beef or fish. He won't touch anything that comes from a pig. He says it's because he
doesn'tlikethetaste."Heleanedforwardconspiratorially."ButIsayit'sbecauseofthatmoviehewent
tosee.Heusedtoloveaniceham."

"Whatmovie?"

"Theonewiththetalkingpig."

"Cagwenttoseethat?"

"Helikescartoonsandsentimentalmovies."Heshrugged."Odd,isn'tit?He'sthemoststaidofus.To
lookathim,you'dneverknowhehadasenseofhumororthathewassentimental.He'sliketheothers
in his lack of conventional good looks, though. Most women can't get past that big nose and those
eyes."

"Acobrawitharabbit,"shesaidwithoutthinking.

Hechuckled."Exactly."

"Doeshehatewomenasmuchastherestofyou?"

"Hard to tell. You haven't seen him in a tuxedo at a social bash. Women, really beautiful women,
followedhimaroundallnightdroppingtheirroomkeysathisfeet."

"Whatdidhedo?"

"Keptwalking."

Sheputdownherfork."Whatdoyoudo?"

Hesmiledmockingly."Theydon'tdroproomkeysatmyfeetanymore.Thelimpputsthemoff."

"Baloney,"shesaid."You'rethehandsomestofthefour,anditisn'tjustlooks."

He leaned back in his chair to look at her. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Does the limp bother
you?"

"Don'tberidiculous,"shesaid,liftinghergaze."Whyshouldit?"

"Ican'tdanceverywellanymore."

Shesmiled."Idon'tevergotodances."

"Whynot?"

Shesippedcoffee."Idon'tlikementouchingme.

Hiseyeschanged."Youlikemetouchingyou."

"Youaren'tastranger,"shesaidsimply.

"MaybeIam,"hemurmuredquietly."Whatdoyouknowaboutme?"

She stared at him. "Well, you're thirty-six, you're a rancher, you've never married, you come from
SanAntonio."

"And?"

"Idon'tknowanymorethanthat,"shesaidslowly.

"Wewereacoupleforseveralweeksbeforeyoulefttown.Isthatallyoulearned?"

"You were always such a private person," she reminded him. "You never talked about yourself or
yourbrothers.Andweneverreallytalkedthatmuchwhenweweretogether."

"Wespentmoretimekissing,"herecalled."Iwastoowrappedupintryingtogetyouintobedtocare
howwellwekneweachother,"hesaidwithself-contempt."Iwastedalotoftime."

"Yousaidthatweshouldn'tlookback."

"I'mtryingnotto.It'shard,sometimes."Hemovedforwardtotakeherhandsunderhisonthetable."I
like classical music, but I'm just as happy with country or pop. I like a good chess game. I enjoy
science fiction movies and old Westerns, the silent kind. I'm an early riser, I work hard and I don't
cheatonmytaxreturns.Iwenttocollegetolearnanimalhusbandry,butInevergraduated."

Shesmiled."Doyoulikefriedliver?"

Hemadeahorribleface."Doyou?"

She made the same face. "But I don't like sweets very much, either," she said, remembering that he
didn't.

"Goodthing.Nobodyaroundhereeatsthem."

"Iremember."Shelookedaroundatthecomfortablybigkitchen.Therewasanewelectricstoveanda
huge refrigerator, flanked by an upright freezer. The sink was a double stainless-steel one, with a
window above it overlooking the pasture where the colts were kept. Next to that was a dishwasher.
Therewasplentyofcabinetspace,too.

"Likeit?"heasked.

Shesmiled."It'sadreamofakitchen.I'llbetMrs.Culbertsonlovesworkinginhere."

"Wouldyou?"

Shemethiseyesandfeltherownflickeringattheintensityofhisstare.

"Ifyoucanmakehomemadebread,youhavetobeanaccomplishedcook,"hecontinued."There'sa
high-techmixerinthecabinet,andeverygourmettoolknowntoman.Orwoman."

"It'sverymodern."

"It'sgoingtobeverydesertedinaboutthreeweeks,"heinformed.

"WhyisMrs.Culbertsonquitting?"

"Herhusbandhascancer,andshewantstoretireandstayathomewithhim,foraslongashe'sgot,"
hesaidabruptly.Hetoyedwithhiscoffeecup."They'vebeenmarriedforfiftyyears."Hetookasharp
breath,andhiseyeswereverydarkastheymethers."I'vebelievedallmylifethatnomarriagecould
possiblylastlongerthanafewyears.Peoplechange.Situationschange.Jobsconflict."Heshrugged.

"ThenMrs.Culbertsoncameheretowork,withherhusband.AndIhadtoeatmywords."Helowered
hiseyesbacktothecup."Theywereforeverholdinghands,helpingeachother,walkingintheearly
morningtogetherandtalking.Shesmiledathim,andshewasbeautiful.Hesmiledback.Nobodyhad
tosaythattheylovedeachother.Itwasobvious."

"Myparentswerelikethat,"sherecalled."DadandMomlovedeachotherterribly.

Whenshedied,Ialmostlosthim,too.Helivedforme.Butthelastthinghesaidonhisdeathbed—"
sheswallowed,fightingtears"—washername."

He got up from the table abruptly and went to the window over the sink. He leaned against it,
breathingheavily,asifwhatshe'dsaidhadaffectedhimpowerfully.

And,infact,ithad.

Shewatchedhimthroughtears."Youdon'tlikehearingabouthappymarriages.

Why?"

"BecauseIhadthatsamechanceonce,"hesaidinalow,dulltone."AndIthrewitaway."

Shewonderedwhothewomanhadbeen.NobodyhadsaidthatanyoftheHartbrothershadeverbeen
engaged.Buttherecouldhavebeensomeoneshehadn'theardabout.

"You're the one who keeps saying we can't look back," she remarked, dabbing her eyes with her
napkin.

"It'simpossiblenotto.Thepastmakesusthepeopleweare."Hesighedwearily.

"Myparentshadfiveofusintenyears.Mymotherhadn'twantedthefirstchild.

Shedidn'thaveachoice.Hetookawayhercheckbookandkeptherpregnant.Shehatedhimandusin
equal measure. When she left it was almost a relief." He turned and looked across the room at her.
"I'veneverbeenheldwithtenderness.Noneofushave.It'swhywe'rethewayweare,it'swhywedon't
havewomenaround.Theonlythingweknowaboutwomenisthatthey'retreacherousandcoldand
cruel."

"Oh,Corrigan,"shesaidsoftly,wincing.

His eyes narrowed. "Desire is a hot and unmanageable thing. Sex can be pleasant enough. But I'd
gladlybeimpotenttohaveawomanholdmethewayyoudidinmyofficeandkissmyeyes."Hisface
wentashardasstone."Youcan'timaginehowitfelt."

"ButIcan,"shereplied.Shesmiled."Youkissedmyeyes."

"Yes."

Helookedsolost,solonely.Shegotupfromthetableandwenttohim,pausedinfrontofhim.Her
handspressedgentlyagainsthisbroadchestasshelookedupintohiseyes.

"YouknowmoreaboutmethanI'veevertoldanyoneelse,"hesaidquietly."Nowdon'tyouthinkit's

timeyoutoldmewhathappenedtoyouinNewYork?"

She sighed worriedly. She'd been ashamed to tell him how stupid she'd been. But now there was a
biggerreason.Itwasgoingtohurthim.Shedidn'tunderstandhowsheknewit,butshedid.Hewas
goingtoblamehimselfalloveragainforthewaythey'dseparated.

"Notnow,"shesaid.

"You'reholdingback.Don'tlet'shavesecretsbetweenus,"hesaidsolemnly.

"Itwillhurt,"shesaid.

"Mosteverythingdoes,thesedays,"hemurmured,andrubbedhisthigh.

Shetookhishandandhelditwarmly."Comeandsitdown."

"Notinhere."

He drew her into the living room. It was warm and dim and quiet. He led her to his big armchair,
droppedintoitandpulledherdownintohisarms.

"Now,tellme."hesaid,whenhercheckwaspillowedonhishardchest.

"It'snotanicestory."

"Tellme."

Sherubbedherhandagainsthisshirtandclosedhereyes."Ifoundanadinthepaper.Itwasoneof
thosebigadsthatpromisethestars,justthethingtoappealtoanaivecountrygirlwhothinksshecan
justwalkintoamodelingcareer.Icutouttheadandcalledthenumber."

"And?"

She grimaced. "It was a scam, but I didn't know it at first. The man seemed very nice, and he had a
studio in a good part of town. Belinda had gone to Europe for the week on an assignment for the
magazine where she worked, and I didn't know anyone else to ask about it. I assumed that it was
legitimate."Hereyesclosedandshepressedcloser,feelinghisarmcomearoundhertightly,asifhe
knewshewasseekingcomfort.

"Goahead,"hecoaxedgently.

"Hegavemeafewthingstotryonandhetookpicturesofmewearingthem.ButthenIwassitting
there,justinatwo-piecebathingsuit,andhetoldmetotakeitoff."Hisbreathingstilledunderherear.
"Icouldn't,"shesnapped."Ijustcouldn'tlethimlookatmelikethat,nomatterhowgoodajobIcould
get,andIsaidso.

Then he got ugly. He told me that he was in the business of producing nude calendars and that if I

didn't do the assignment, he'd take me to court and sue me for not fulfilling the contract I'd signed.
No, I didn't read it," she said when he asked. "The fine print did say that I agreed to pose in any
mannerthephotographersaidformeto.IknewthatIcouldn'taffordalawsuit."

"And?"Hesoundedascoldasice.

She bit her lower lip. "While I was thinking about alternatives, he laughed and came toward me. I
couldforgetthecontract,hesaid,ifIwasthatprudish.Buthe'dhaveareturnforthetimehe'dwasted
onme.Hesaidthathewasgoingtomakemesleepwithhim."

"GoodGod!"

Shesmoothedhisshirt,tryingtocalmhim.Tearsstunghereyes."Ifoughthim,butIwasn'tstrong
enough.HehadmeundressedbeforeIknewit.Westruggledthereonthefloorandhestartedhitting
me."HervoicebrokeandshefeltCorriganstiffenagainsther."Hehadadiamondringonhisright
hand.That'showhecutmycheek.Ididn'tevenfeelituntilmuchlater.Heworemedowntothepoint
thatIcouldn'tkickorbiteorscream.Iwouldneverhavebeenabletogetaway.Butoneofhisgirls,
one of the ones who didn't mind posing nude, came into the studio. She was his lover and she was
furious when she saw him with me...like that. She started screaming and throwing things at him. I
grabbedmyclothesandran."

Sheshiveredeventhenwiththerememberedhumiliation,thefearthathewasgoingtocomeafterher.
"I managed to get enough on to look halfway decent, and I walked all the way back to Belinda's
apartment." She swallowed. "When I was rational enough to talk, I called the police. They arrested
himandchargedhimwithattemptedrape.ButhesaidthatI'dsignedacontractandIwasn'thappywith
themoneyheofferedme,andthatI'donlyyelledrapebecauseIwantedtobackoutofthedeal."

Hebitoffacurse,"Andthenwhat?"

"Hewon,"shesaidinaflat,defeatedtone."Hehadfriendsandinfluence.Butthestorywasabigdeal
locally for two or three days, and he was furious. His brother had a nasty temper and he started
making obscene phone calls to me and making threats as well. I didn't want to put Belinda in any
danger, so I moved out while she was still in Europe and never told her a thing about what had
happened.IgotajobinNewJerseyandworkedtherefortwoyears.ThenBelindamovedouttoLong
Island and asked me to come back. There was a good job going with a law firm that had an office
prettyclosetoherhouse.Ihadgoodtypingskillsbythen,soItookit."

"Whataboutthebrother?"heasked.

"Hedidn'tknowwheretofindme.Ilearnedlaterthatheandthephotographerwerehavingtrouble
with the police about some pornography ring they were involved in. Ironically they both went to
prisonsoonafterIleftManhattan.Butforalongtime,Iwasevenafraidtocomehome,incasethey
hadanyonewatchingme.Iwasafraidformyfather."

"Youpoorkid,"hesaidheavily."GoodGod!Andafterwhathadhappenedhere..."Histeethground
togetherasherememberedwhathe'ddonetoher.

"Don't,"shesaidgently,smoothingoutthefrownbetweenhisheavyeyebrows."Ineverblamedyou.
Never!"

Hecaughtherhandandbroughtittohismouth."Iwantedtocomeafteryou,"hesaid."Yourfather
stoppedme.Hesaidthatyouhatedtheverymentionofmyname."

"Idid,atfirst,butonlybecauseIwassohurtbythewaythingshadworkedout"

Shelookedathisfirmchin."ButIwouldhavebeengladtoseeyou,justthesame."

"Iwasn'tsureofthat."Hetracedhermouth."Ithoughtthatitmightbeaswelltoleavethingstheway
theywere.Youweresoyoung,andIwaswaryofcomplicationsinmylifejustthen."Hesighedsoftly.
"There'soneotherthingyoudon'tknowaboutme."

"Can'tyoutellme?"

Hesmiledsoftly."We'resharingourdeepestsecrets.IsupposeImightaswell.

Wehaveafifthbrother.HisnameisSimon."

"Youmentionedhimthefirsttimeyoucameover,withthatbouquet."

Henodded."He'sinSanAntonio.Justafteryoulefttown,hewasinawreckandafterward,inacoma.
Wecouldn'tallgoback,andleavetheranchtoitself.SoIwent.ItwasseveralweeksbeforeIcould
leavehim.BythetimeIgotback,youweren'tlivingwithBelindaanymoreandIcouldn'tmakeher
tellmewhereyouwere.

Soonafterthat,yourfathercamedownonmyheadlikeabrickandIlostheart."

"YoucalledBelinda?"

"Yes."

"Youwantedtofindme?"

Hesearchedhereyesquietly,"Iwantedtoknowthatyouweresafe,thatIhadn'thurtyoutoobadly.At
leastIfoundthatmuchout.Ididn'thopeformore."

Shetracedhiseyebrows,lostinthesuddenintimacy."Idreamedaboutyou,"shesaid."Buteverytime,
you'dcometowardmeandI'dwakeup."

Hetracedthearteryinherthroatdowntohercollarbone."Mydreamswereabitmoreerotic."His
eyesdarkened."Ihadyouinwaysandplacesyoucan'timagine,eachmoreheatedthantheonebefore.
Icouldn'twaittogotobed,sothatIcouldhaveyouagain."

Sheblushed."Atfirst,youmean,justafterIleft."

Hishandsmoothedontoherthroat."Foreightyears.Everynightofmylife."

She caught her breath. She could hardly get it at all. His eyes were glittering with feeling. "All that
time?"

He nodded. He looked at her soft throat where the blouse had parted, and his face hardened. His
fingerstrailedlightlydownontoherbodice,ontoherbreast."Ihaven'ttouchedawomansinceyou
leftJacobsville,"hesaidhuskily."Ihaven'tbeenamansincethen."

Herwideeyesfilledwithtears.ShehadagoodideaofwhatitwouldbelikeforamanlikeCorrigan
tobeincapablewithawoman."Wasitbecausewefought,atthelast?"

"Itwasbecausewemadelove,"hewhispered."Haveyouforgottenwhatwedid?"

Sheavertedhereyes,hidingtheminembarrassment.

"Youleftavirgin,"hesaidquietly,"butonlytechnically.Wehadeachotherinyourbed,"hereminded
her,"nakedineachother'sarms.Wedideverythingexceptgothoselastfewachinginches.Yourbody
wasalmostopentome,Iwasagainstyou,weweremovingtogether...andyoucriedoutwhenyoufelt
methere.Yousquirmedoutfromundermeandran."

"Iwassoafraid,"shewhisperedshamefully."Ithurt,andIkeptrememberingwhatI'dbeentold..."

"Itwouldn'thavehurtforlong,"hesaidgently."Anditwouldn'thavebeentraumatic,notforyou.But
youdidn'tknowthat,andIwastooexcitedtocoaxyou.

Ilostmytemperinsteadofreassuringyou.Andwespentsomanyyearsapart,sufferingforit."

Shelaidherhotcheekagainsthischestandclosedhereyes."Ididn'twanttorememberhowfarwe
went,"shesaidthroughamist."IhurtyouterriblywhenIdrewback..."

"Not that much," he said. "We'd made love in so many ways already that I wasn't that hungry." He
smoothedhersofthair."Iwantedanexcusetomakeyouleave."

"Why?"

Hislipstouchedherhair."BecauseIwantedtomakeyoupregnant,"hewhispered,feelingherbody
jump as he said it. "And it scared me to death. You see, modern women don't want babies, because
they'reatrap.Mymothertaughtmethat."

Chapter6

"That's not true!" She pressed closer. "I would have loved having a baby, and I'd never have felt
trapped!" she said, her voice husky with feeling. Especially your baby, she added silently. "I didn't
knowanyofyourbackground,especiallyanythingaboutyourmother.Younevertoldme."

Hischestroseandfellabruptly."Icouldn't.Youscaredmetodeath.MaybeIdeliberatelyupsetyou,to
makeyourun.ButwhenIgotwhatIthoughtIwanted,Ididn'twantit.Ithurtwhenyouwouldn'teven
lookatme,atthebusstop.IguessI'dshamedyousobadlythatyoucouldn't."Hesighed."Ithought
youweremodern,thatwe'denjoyeachotherandthatwouldbetheendofit.Igottheshockofmylife
thatlastnight.Icouldn'tevendealwithit.Ilostmyhead."

She lifted her face and looked into his eyes. "You were honest about it. You'd already said that you
wantednopartofmarriageorafamily,thatallyoucouldoffermewasanightinyourarmswithno
stringsattached.ButIcouldn'tmanagetostop,orstopyou,untiltheverylast.Iwasraisedtothinkof
sleepingaroundasasin."

Hisfacecontorted.Heavertedhiseyestokeepherfromseeingthepaininthem.

"Ididn'tknowthatuntilitwasmuchtoolate.Sometimes,youdon'trealizehowmuchthingsmeanto
youuntilyoulosethem."

His fingers moved gently in her hair while she stood quietly, breathing uneasily. "It wasn't just our
motherwhosouredusonwomen.Simonwasmarried,"hesaidafteraminute."Hewastheonlyone
ofuswhoeverwas.Hiswifegotpregnantthefirsttimetheyweretogether,butshedidn'twantachild.
Shedidn'treallywantSimon,shejustwantedtoberich.Hewascrazyabouther."Hesighedpainfully.
"Shehadanabortionandhefoundoutlater,accidentally.Theyhadafightonthewayhomefromone
ofherincessantparties.Hewreckedthecar,shediedandhelostanarm.

That'swhyhedoesn'tliveontheranch.Hecan'tdothethingsheusedtodo.He'sembitteredandhe's
withdrawnfromtherestofus."Helaughedalittle."Youthinkthefourofushatewomen.Youshould
seeSimon."

Shestirredinhisarms."Poorman.Hemusthavelovedherverymuch."

"Toomuch.That'sanothercommonproblemweseemtohave.Weloveirrationallyandobsessively."

"Andreluctantly,"sheguessed.

Helaughed."Andthat."

Helethergowithalongsighandstareddownatherwarmly."IsupposeI'dbettertakeyouhome.If
you'restillherewhentheboysgetback,they'lltieyoutothestove."

She smiled. "I like your brothers." She hesitated. "Corrigan, they aren't really going to try to force
youtomarryme,arethey?"

"Ofcoursenot,"hescoffed."They'reonlyteasing."

"Okay."

Itwasagoodthing,hethought,thatshecouldn'tseehisfingerscrossedbehindhisback.

Hetookherhome,pausingtokisshergentlyatthefrontdoor.

"I'llbealongtomorrownight,"hesaidsoftly."We'llgotoamovie.There'sanewoneeverySaturday
nightattheRoxydowntown."

She searched his eyes and tried to decide if he was doing this because he wanted to or because his
brotherswerepesteringhim.

Hesmiled."Don'tworrysomuch.You'rehome,it'sgoingtobeChristmas,youhaveajobandplenty
offriends.It'sgoingtobethebestChristmasyou'veeverhad."

Shesmiledback."Maybeitwillbe,"shesaid,catchingsomeofhisownexcitement.

Her gaze caressed his face. They were much more like friends, with all the dark secrets out in the
open. But his kisses had made her too hungry for him. She needed time to get her emotions under
control. Perhaps a day would do it. He was throwing out broad hints of some sort, but he hadn't
spokenonewordoflove.Inthatrespect,nothinghadchanged.

"Goodnight,then,"hesaid.

"Goodnight."

Sheclosedthedoorandturnedonthelights.Ithadbeenastrangeandwonderfulday.Somehow,the
futurelookedunusuallybright,despiteallherworries.

Thenextmorning,DoriehadtogointotowntoClarisse'sshoptohelpherwiththebookkeeping.It
wasunfortunatethatwhenshewalkedin,abeautifulwomanindesignerclothesshouldbestandingat
thecounter,discussingCorrigan.

"It'sgoingtobethemostgloriousChristmasever!"shewastellingtheotherwoman,pushingback
herred-goldhairandlaughing."CorriganistakingmetotheChristmaspartyattheColtrains'house,
andafterwardwe'regoingtoChristmasEveservicesattheMethodistChurch."Shesighed."I'mglad

to be home. You know, there's been some talk about Corrigan and a woman from his past who just
camebackrecently.Iaskedhimaboutit,ifhewasseriousabouther."Shelaughedgaily.

"Hesaidthathewasjustbutteringherupsothatshe'ddosomebookkeepingforhimandthebrothers,
thatshe'drunoutonhimonceandhedidn'thaveanyintentionoflettinghergetcloseenoughtodoit
again.ItoldhimthatIcouldfinditinmyhearttofeelsorryforher,andhesaidthathedidn'tfeel
sorryforheratall,thathehadplansforher..."

ClarissespottedDorieandcaughtherbreath."Why,Dorothy,Iwasn'texpectingyou...quitesosoon!"

"I thought I'd say hello," Dorie said, frozen in the doorway. She managed a pasty smile. "I'll come
backMonday.Haveaniceweekend."

"Whowasthat?"sheheardtheotherwomansayasshewentquicklybackoutthedooranddownthe
street to where she'd parked the car Turkey Sanders had returned early in the morning, very nicely
fixed.

She got behind the wheel, her fingers turning white as she gripped it. She could barely see for the
tears.Shestartedtheenginewithshakingfingersandbackedoutintothestreet.Sheheardsomeone
calltoherandsawtheredheadstandingonthesidewalk,withanoddexpressiononherface,tryingto
getDo-rie'sattention.

Shedidn'tlookagain.Sheputthecarintogearandspedoutoftown.

She didn't go straight home. She went to a small park inside the city and sat down among the gay
lightsanddecorationswithacrowdthathadgatheredforaChristmasconcertperformedbythelocal
highschoolbandandchorus.Thereweresomanypeoplethatonemoredidn'tmatter,andhertears
weren'tasnoticeableinthecrushofvoices,

Thelovely,familiarcarolswereoddlysoothing.ButherChristmasspiritwasabsent.

HowcouldshehavetrustedCorrigan?Shewasfallinginlovealloveragain,andhewassettingher
up for a fall. She'd never believe a word he said, ever again. And now that she'd had a look at his
beautifuldivorcee,sheknewshewouldn'thaveachancewithhim.Thatwomanwasexquisite,from
hercreamyskintoherperfectfigureandface.Theonlysurprisingthingwasthathehadn'tmarried
heryearsago.

Surelyawomanlikethatwouldn'thangaroundwaiting,whenshecouldhaveanymanshewanted.

Someone offered her a cup of hot apple cider, and she managed a smile and thanked the child who
helditouttoher.Itwasspicyandsweetandtastedgoodagainstthechill.Shesippedit,thinkinghow
horribleitwasgoingtobefromnowon,livinginJacobsvillewithCorriganonlyafewmilesaway
andthatwomanhangingonhisarm.

Hehadn'tmentionedanythingaboutChristmastoDorie,butapparentlyhehadhisplansallmapped
outifhewastakingthemerrydivorceetoaparty.Whenhadhebeengoingtotellherthetruth?Or

hadhebeengoingtoletherfinditoutallforherself?

She couldn't remember ever feeling quite so bad. She finished the cider, listened to one more song
andthengotupandwalkedthroughthecrowd,downthelongsidewalktowhereshe'dparkedhercar.
Shesatinitforamoment,tryingtodecidewhattodo.ItwasSaturdayandshehadnothingplanned
fortoday.Shewasn'tgoingtogohome.Shecouldn'tbearthethoughtofgoinghome.

Sheturnedthecarandheadeduptotheinterstate,ontheroadtoVictoria.

CorriganpacedupanddownDorie'sfrontporchforanhouruntilherealizedthatshewasn'tcoming
home.HedrovebacktotownandpulledupinfrontofTiraBeck'sbrickhouse.

Shecameoutontotheporch,injeansandasweatshirt,herglorioushairaroundhershoulders.Her
arms were folded and she looked concerned. Her frantic phone call had sent him flying over to
Dorie'shousehoursbeforehewasduetopickherupforthemovie.Nowitlookedasifthemovie,
andanythingelse,wasoff.

"Well?"sheasked.

Heshookhishead,withhishandsdeepinhisjacketpockets."Shewasn'tthere.Iwaitedforanhour.
There'snonoteonthedoor,nonothing."

Tirasighedmiserably."It'sallmyfault.Meandmybigmouth.Ihadnoideawhoshewas,andIdidn't
knowthatwhatIwastellingClarissewasjustabunchofbullthatyou'dhandedmetokeepmefrom
seeinghowmuchyoucaredforthewoman."

Shelookedupaccusingly."Seewhathappenswhenyoulietoyourfriends?"

"Youdidn'thavetotellherthat!"

"Ididn'tknowshewasthere!AndwehadagreedtogototheColtrains'partytogether,youandme
andCharlesPercy."

"Youdidn'tmentionthatyouhadadateforit,Iguess?"heaskedirritably.

"No. I didn't realize anyone except Clarisse was listening, and she already knew I was going with
Charles."

Hetiltedhishatfurtheroverhistiredeyes."God,thewebsweweave,"hesaidheavily."She'sgone
and I don't know where to look for her. She might have gone back to New York for all I know,
especially after yesterday. She had every reason to think I was dead serious about her until this
morning."

Tirafoldedherarmscloseragainstthecoldlookheshother."IsaidI'msorry,"

shemuttered."Itriedtostopherandtellherthatshe'dmisunderstoodmeabouttheparty,thatIwasn't
yourdate.Butshewouldn'tevenlookatme.I'mnotsureshesawme.Shewascrying."

Hegroanedaloud.

"Oh, Corrigan, I'm sorry," she said gently. "Simon always says you do everything the hard way. I
guessheknowsyoubetterthantheothers."

Heglancedathercuriously."WhenhaveyouseenSimon?"

"AtthecattleconventioninSanAntoniolastweek.IsoldalotofmyMontanaherdthere."

"Andheactuallyspoketoyou?"

Shesmiledwistfully."Healwaysspeakstome,"shesaid."Idon'ttreathimlikeaninvalid.Hefeels
comfortablewithme."

Hegaveheranintentlook."Hewouldn'tifheknewhowyoufeltabouthim."

Her eyes narrowed angrily. "I'm not telling him. And neither are you! If he wants me to be just a
friend,Icansettleforthat.Itisn'tasifI'mshoppingforanewhusband.Onewasenough,"sheadded
curtly.

"Simonwasalwaysprotectiveaboutyou,"herecalled."Evenbeforeyoumarried."

"HepushedmeatJohn,"sheremindedhim.

"Simonwasmarriedwhenhemetyou."

Herexpressionclosed.Shedidn'tsayaword,butitwasthere,inherface.She'dhatedSimon'swife,
and the feeling had been mutual. Simon had hated her husband, too. But despite all the turbulence
betweenTiraandSimon,therehadneverbeenahintofinfidelitywhiletheywerebothmarried.Now,
it was as if they couldn't get past their respective bad marriages to really look at each other
romantically.TiralovedSimon,althoughnooneexceptCorriganknewit.ButSimonkeptsecrets.No
onewasprivytothemanymore,notevenhisownbrothers.HekepttohimselfinSanAntonio.Too
much,sometimes.

Tira was watching him brood. "Why don't you file a missing persons report?" she suggested
suddenly.

"Ihavetowaittwenty-fourhours.ShecouldbeinAlaskabythen."Hemutteredunderhisbreath."I
guess1couldhireaprivatedetectivetolookforher."

She gave him a thoughtful look and her eyes twinkled. "I've got a better idea. Why not tell your
brothersshe'sgonemissing?"

Hiseyebrowslifted,andhopereturned."Nowthat'saconstructivesuggestion,"heagreed,nodding,

and he began to grin. "They were already looking forward to homemade biscuits every morning.
They'llbehorrified!"

And they were. It was amazing, the looks that he got from his own kinfolk when he mentioned that
theirprizedbiscuitmakerhadgonemissing.

"It'syourfault,"Reysaidangrily."Youshouldhaveproposedtoher."

"Ithoughtyouguyshadallthattakencareof,"Corrigansaidreasonably."Therings,theminister,the
gown,theinvitations..."

"Everythingexceptthemostimportantpart,"Cagtoldhimcoldly.

"Oh, that. Did we forget to tell her that he loved her?" Leo asked sharply. "Good Lord, we did! No
wonder she left!" He glared at his brother. "You could have told her yourself if you hadn't been
chewing on your hurt pride. And speaking of pride, why didn't you tell Tira the truth instead of
hedgingyourbetswithabunchoflies?"

"BecauseTirahasabigmouthandIdidn'twantthewholetowntoknowIwasdyingofunrequited
loveforDorie!"heraged."Shedoesn'twanttomarryme.Shesaidso!Amanhastohavealittlepride
toclingto!"

"Prideandthosesortofbiscuitsdon'tmix,"Reystressed."We'vegottogetherback.Okay,boys,who
doweknowinthehighwaypatrol?Betteryet,don'tweknowatleastoneTexasRanger?Thoseboys
cantrackanybody!Let'spoolresourceshere..."

Watchingthemwork,CorriganfeltrelievedforhimselfandjustalittlesorryforDorie.Shewouldn't
standachance.

She didn't, either. A tall, good-looking man with black hair wearing a white Stetson and a Texas
Ranger'sstaronhisuniformknockedatthedoorofhermotelroominVictoria.Whensheanswered
it,hetippedhishatpolitely,smiledandputherinhandcuffs.

TheywerehalfwaybacktoJacobsville,herhastilypackedsuitcaseandherpursebesideher,before
shegotenoughbreathbacktoprotest.

"Butwhyhaveyouarrestedme?"shedemanded,

"Why?" He thought for a minute and she saw him scowl in the rearview mirror. "Oh, I remember.
Cattlerustling."Henodded."Yep,that'sit.Cattlerustling."Heglancedatherintherearviewmirror.
"Yousee,rustlingisacrimethatcutsacrosscountylines,whichgavemetheauthoritytoarrestyou."

"WhosecattlehaveIrustled?"shedemandedimpertinently.

"TheHartBrothersfiledthecharges."

"Hart...CorriganHart?"Shemadeafurioussoundunderherbreath."No.NotCorrigan.Them.Itwas

them!Themandtheirdamnedbiscuits!It'saput-upjob,"

sheexclaimed."They'vefalselyaccusedmesothattheycangetmebackintotheirkitchen!"

Hechuckledatthewayshephrasedit.TheHartbrothersandtheirmaniaforbiscuitswasknownfar
andwide."No,ma'am,Icansweartothat,"hetoldher.Histwinklingblackeyesshoneoutofalean,
darkly tanned face. His hair was black, too, straight and thick under that wide-brimmed white hat.
"Theyshowedmewhereitwas."

"It?"

"Thebullyourustled.Hisstallwasempty,allright."

Hereyesbulged."Didn'tyoulookforhimontheranch?"

"Yes,ma'am,"heassuredherwithawidesmile."Ilooked.Butthestallwasempty,andtheysaidhe'd
be in it if he hadn't been rustled. That was a million-dollar bull, ma'am." He shook his head. "They
couldshootyouforthat.ThisisTexas,youknow.

Cattlerustlingisaveryseriouscharge."

"How could I rustle a bull? Do you have any idea how much a bull weighs?" She was sounding
hysterical.Shecalmeddown."Allright.IfItookthatbull,wherewashe?"

"Probablyhiddeninyourroom,ma'am.IplantophonebackwhenwegettotheHartplaceandhave
themanagersearchit,"heassuredher.Hisrakishgrinwidened."Ofcourse,ifhedoesn'tfindabullin
yourroom,thatwillprobablymeanthatIcandropthecharges."

"Dropthem,thedevil!"sheflared,blowingawispofplatinumhairoutofhereyes.

"I'llsuethewholedamnedstateforfalsearrest!"

Hechuckledatherfury."Sorry.Youcan't.Ihadprobablecause."

"Whatprobablecause?"

Heglancedatherintherearviewmirrorwitharakishgrin."Youhadahamburgerforlunch,didn't
you,ma'am?"

Shewasopenlygaspingbynow.Themanwasalunatic.Hemustbeafriendofthebrothers,thatwas
theonlypossibleexplanation.Shegaveuparguing,becauseshecouldn'twin.Butshewasgoingtodo
someseriousdamagetofouruglymenwhenshegotbacktoJacobsville.

TherangerpulledupinfrontoftheHarts'ranchhouseandallfourofthemcametumblingoutofthe
livingroomanddowntothedriveway.EveryoneofthemwassmilingexceptCorrigan.

"Thanks, Colton," Leo said, shaking the ranger's hand. "I don't know what we'd have done without
you."

ThemancalledColtongotoutandopenedthebackseattoextricateafuming,mutteringDorie.She
glared at the brothers with eyes that promised retribution as her handcuffs were removed and her
suitcaseandpursehandedtoher.

"Wefoundthebull,"Cagtoldtheranger."He'dstrayedjustoutbehindthebarn.

Sorrytohaveputyoutothistrouble.We'llmakeourownapologiestoMissWayne,here."

Coltonstaredatthefumingex-prisonerwithpursedlips."Goodluck,"hetoldthem.

Doriedidn'tknowwheretostart.ShelookedupatColtonandwonderedhowmanyyearsshecould
getforkickingaTexasRanger'sshin.

Readingthatintentinhereyes,hechuckledandclimbedbackintohiscar."TellSimonIsaidhello,"
hecalledtothem."Wemissseeinghimaroundthestatecapitalnowthathe'sgivenuppublicoffice."

"I'lltellhim,"Cagpromised.

Thatbarelyregisteredashedroveawaywithawaveofhishand,leavingDoriealonewiththemen.

"Nicetoseeyouagain,MissWayne,"Cagsaid,tippinghishat."Excuseme.Cowstofeed."

"Fencestomend,"Leoadded,grinningashefollowedCag'sexample.

"Right.Me,too."Reytippedhisownhatandlitoutafterhisbrothers.

WhichleftCorrigantofacethemusic,anditwasallfuriousdiscordandbass.

Shefoldedherarmsoverherbreastsandglaredathim.

"Itwastheiridea,"hesaidpointedly.

"Arrestedforrustling.Me!He...thatman...thatTexasRangertriedtoinferthatIhadabullhiddenin
mymotelroom,forGod'ssake!Hehandcuffedme!"Sheheldupherwriststoshowthemtohim.

"Heprobablyfeltsaferthatway,"heremarked,observingherhighcolorandfuriousface.

"Iwanttogohome!Rightnow!"

He could see that it would be useless to try to talk to her. He only made one small effort. "Tira's
sorry," he said quietly. "She wanted to tell you that she's going to the Coltrains' party with Charles
Percy.Iwasgoingtodrive,that'sall.I'dplannedtotakeyouwithme."

"Iheardallaboutyour'plan.'"

Thepaininhereyeswashardtobear.Heavertedhisgaze."You'dsaidrepeatedlythatyouwantedno
partofme,"hesaidcurtly."Iwasn'tabouttoletpeoplethinkIwasdyingofloveforyou."

"Wouldn'tthatbeonefortherecordbooks?"shesaidfuriously.

Hisgazemethersevenly."I'llgetJoeytodriveyouhome."

Heturnedandwalkedaway,favoringhislegalittle.Shewatchedhimwithtearsinhereyes.Itwasjust
toomuchforoneweekend.

Joey drove her home and she stayed away from the ranch. Corrigan was back to doing the books
himself,becauseshewouldn't.Herpridewasraw,andsowashis.

Itlookedlikeacompletestalemate.

"We'vegottodosomething,"CagsaidonChristmasEve,asCorrigansatinthestudyallbyhimself
inthedark."It'skillinghim.Hewon'teventalkaboutgoingtotheColtrains'party."

"I'mnotmissingit,"Leosaid."They'vegotfivesetsofLionelelectrictrainsupandrunningonone
ofthemostimpressivelayoutsinTexas."

"Yourbrotherismoreimportantthantrains,"Reysaidgrimly."Whatarewegoingtodo?"

Cag'sdarkeyesbegantotwinkle."IthinkweshouldbringhimaChristmaspresent."

"Whatsortofpresent?"Reyasked.

"Abiscuitmaker,"Cagsaid.

Leochuckled."I'llgetabow."

"I'llgetoutthetruck,"Reysaid,shootingoutthefrontdoor.

"Shhh!"Cagcalledtothem."Itwouldn'tdotolethimknowwhatwe'reupto.We'vealreadymadeone
monumentalmistake."

Theynoddedandmovedmorestealthily.

Corriganwasnursingaglassofwhiskey.Heheardthetruckleaveandcomebackaboutanhourlater,
buthewasn'treallyinterestedinwhathisbrothersweredoing.They'dprobablygonetotheChristmas
partyoveratColtrain'sranch.

Hewasstillsittinginthedarkwhenheheardcuriousmuffledsoundsandadoorclosing.

He got up and went out into the hall. His brothers looked flushed and flustered and a little mussed.
Theylookedathim,wide-eyed.Leowasbreathinghard,leaningagainsttheliving-roomdoor.

"Whatareyouthreeuptonow?"hedemanded.

"WeputyourChristmaspresentinthere,"Leosaid,indicatingthelivingroom.

"We'regoingtoletyouopenitearly."

"It'ssomethingnice,"Cagtoldhim.

"Andveryuseful,"Leoagreed.

Rey heard muffled noises getting louder. "Better let him get in there. I don't want to have to run it
downagain."

"Runitdown?"Corrigancockedhishead."Whatthehellhaveyougotinthere?Notanotherrattler...!"

"Oh,it'snotthatdangerous,"Cagassuredhim.

Hefrowned."Well,notquitethatdangerous."Hemovedforward,extricatedLeofromthedoorand
openedit,pushingCorriganinside."MerryChristmas,"headded,andlockedthedoor.

Corrigan noticed two things at once—that the door was locked, and that a gunnysack tied with a
ribbonwassittinginachairstrugglinglikecrazy.

Outsidethedoor,thereweremuffledvoices.

"Oh,God,"hesaidapprehensively.

Heuntiedtheredribbonthathadthetopsecurelytied,andoutpoppedaragingmadDorothyWayne.

"I'llkillthem!"sheyelled.

Bigbootedfeetranforsafetyoutinthehall.

Corriganstartedlaughingandcouldn'tstop.HonesttoGod,hiswell-meaningbrothersweregoingto
bethedeathofhim.

"Ihatethem,Ihatethisranch,IhateJacobsville,Ihateyou...mmmfff!"

Hestoppedthefurioustiradewithhismouth.Amazinghowquicklyshecalmeddownwhenhisarms
wentaroundherandheeasedhergentlyoutofthechairanddownontothelongleathercouch.

Shecouldn'tgetenoughbreathtocontinue.Hismouthwasopenandhungryonherlipsandhisbody
wasashardasherswassoftasitmovedrestlesslyagainsther.

She felt his hands on her hips and, an instant later, he was lying between her thighs, moving in a
tender,achinglysoftrhythmthatmadehermoan.

"Iloveyou,"hewhisperedbeforeshecouldgetawordout.

Andthenshedidn'twanttogetawordout.

Hishandswereinsideherblouseandhewasfightinghiswayunderherskirtwhentheydimlyhearda
keyturninthelock.

Thedooropenedandthreepairofshocked,delightedeyespeeredin.

"You monsters!" she said with the last breath she had. She was in such a state of disarray that she
couldn'tmanageanythingelse.Theirpositionwassoblatantthattherewaslittleuseinpretendingthat
theywerejusttalking.

"That'snowaytotalktoyourbrothers-in-law,"Leostated."Thewedding'snextSaturday,bytheway."
He smiled apologetically. "We couldn't get the San Antonio symphony orchestra to come, because
theyhaveengagements,butwedidgetthegovernortogiveyouaway.He'llbealongjustbeforethe
ceremony."Hewavedahandatthemandgrinned."Carryon,don'tmindus."

Corriganfumbledforacushionandflungitwithallhismightatthedoor.Itclosed.

Outside,deepchucklescouldbeheard.

DorielookedupintoCorrigan'ssteelygrayeyeswithwonder."Didhesaythegovernor'sgoingto
givemeaway?Ourgovernor?ThegovernorofTexas?"

"Theveryone."

"But,how?"

"The governor's a friend of ours. Simon worked with him until the wreck, when he retired from
publicoffice.Don'tyoueverreadanewspaper?"

"Iguessnot."

"Nevermind.Justforgetaboutallthedetails."Hebenttohermouth."Now,wherewerewe...?"

Theweddingwasthesocialeventoftheyear.Thegovernordidgiveheraway;alongwithallfour
brothers, including the tall, darkly distinguished Simon, who wore an artificial arm just for the
occasion.DoriewasexquisiteinaParisgowndesignedespeciallyforherbyawell-knowncouturier.
Newspapers sent representatives. The whole world seemed to form outside the little Presbyterian
churchinVictoria.

"Ican'tbelievethis,"shewhisperedtoCorriganastheywereleavingontheirJamaicahoneymoon.
"Corrigan,that'sthevicepresidentoverthere,standingbesidethegovernorandSimon!"

"Well,theysortofwantSimonforacabinetposition.Hedoesn'twanttoleaveTexas.They'recoaxing
him,"

Shejustshookherhead.TheHartfamilywasjusttoomuchaltogether!

Thatnight,lyinginhernewhusband'sarmswiththesoundoftheoceanrightoutsidethewindow,she
gazedupathimwithwonderashemadethesoftest,sweetestlovetoherinthedimlylitroom.

Hisbodyroseandfelllikethetide,andhesmiledather,watchingherexcitedeyeswithsparksinhis
own as her body hesitated only briefly and then accepted him completely on a gasp of shocked
pleasure.

"Andyouwereafraidthatitwasgoingtohurt,"hechidedashemovedtenderlyagainsther.

"Yes." She was gasping for air, clinging, lifting to him in shivering arcs of involuntary rigor.
"It's...killingme...!"

"Already?" he chided, bending to brush his lips over her swollen mouth. "Darlin', we've barely
started!"

"Barely...?Oh!"

Hewaslaughing.Shecouldhearhimasshewashedupanddownonwavesofecstasythatbrought
unbelievable noises out of her. She died half a dozen times, almost lost consciousness, and still he
laughed,deepinhisthroat,ashewentfromonesideofthebedtotheotherwithherinatangleof
glorious abandon that never seemed to end. Eventually they ended up on the carpet with the sheet
trailing behind them as she cried out, sobbing, one last time and heard him groan as he finally
shudderedtocompletion.

They were both covered with sweat. Her hair was wet. She was trembling and couldn't stop. Beside
her,helayonhisbackwithonelegbentattheknee.

Incredibly he was still as aroused as he'd been when they started. She sat up gingerly and stared at
him,awed.

Hechuckledupather."Comedownhere,"hedaredher.

"Ican't!"Shewasgasping."Andyoucan't...youcouldn't...!"

"Ifyouweren'tthewalkingwounded,Isureashellcould,"hesaid."I'vesaveditallupforeightyears,
andI'mstillstarvingforyou."

Shejustlookedathim,fascinated."Ireadabook."

"I'mnotinit,"heassuredher.Hetuggedherdownontopofhimandbrushedherbreastswithhislips.
"Iguessyou'resore."

Sheblushed."Youguess?"

He chuckled. "All right. Come here, my new best friend, and we'll go to sleep, since we can't do
anythingelse,"

"We'reonthefloor,"shenoted.

"Atleastwewon'tfalloffnexttime."

She laughed because he was outrageous. She'd never thought that intimacy would be fun as well as
pleasurable.Shetracedhisnoseandbenttokisshislips.

"Wherearewegoingtolive?"

"Attheranch."

"Onlyifyourbrothersliveinthebarn,"shesaid."I'mnothavingthemoutsidethedooreverynight
listeningtous."

"Theywon'thavetostandoutsidethedoor.JudgingfromwhatIjustheard,theycouldhearyouwith
thewindowsclosediftheystoodonthetownsqua...Ouch!"

"Let that be a lesson to you," she told him dryly, watching him rub the nip she'd given his thigh.
"Nakedmenarevulnerable."

"Andyouaren't?"

"Now,Corrigan...!"

Shescreechedandhelaughedandtheyfelldownagaininatangle,closetogether,andthelaughter
gavewaytosoftconversation.Eventuallytheyevenslept.Whentheygotbacktotheranch,thethree
brothersweregoneandtherewasahastilyscrawlednoteonthedoor.

"We'resleepinginthebunkhouseuntilwecanbuildyouahouseofyourown.

Congratulations. Champagne is in the fridge." It was signed with love, all three brothers—and the
nameofthefourthwaspenciledin.

"On second thought," she said, with her arm around her husband, "maybe those boys aren't so bad
afterall!"

Hetriedtostopherfromopeningthedoor,butitwastoolate.Thebucketofwaterleftherwavyhair
straightandhernavybluecoatdripping.ShelookedatCorriganwitheyesthesizeofplates,herarms
outstretched,hermouthopen.

Corriganlookedaroundher.Onthefloorofthehallweretwotowelsandtwonewbathrobes,andan
assortmentofunmentionableitems.

Heknewthatifhelaughed,he'dbesleepinginthebarnforthenextmonth.Buthecouldn'thelpit.And
afteraglanceatthefloor—neithercouldshe.

TableofContents

Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6