Chapter1

Theofficewasinchaos.MelodyCartmaneyedthewindowledgewithkeenspeculationandwondered
ifstandingouttheremightgetherafew

minutes' reprieve. She glanced toward her newly married third cousin, Logan Deverell, and his
beamingwife,Kit,anddecidedthatshe

couldn'tspoiltheirhoneymoon.

"You'll cope," Kit promised in a whisper. "Just tell everyone he'll be back in touch with them next
weekandthatTomWalkeris

handlingallhisaccountsuntilhereturns."

"HashetoldMr.Walkerthat?"Melodyasked,acutelyawareofMr.Walker'stemper.Tomhadstarted
outinNewYorkCity,but

circumstanceshadbroughthimtoHouston.Texas,he'doncesaid,remindedhimalittleofhisnative
SouthDakota.Melodyhadoften

wondered if he'd been brought up by a mountain lion there, because on occasion he could give a
prettygoodimitationofone.

"Honest."Kitputherhandoverherheart."IswearLoganspoketohimfirstthistime.Iheardhimwith
myownears."

"That'sallrightthen.HonestlyheseemedlikesuchanicemanwhenIfirstmethim.ButItookhim
thatclientofMr.Deverell'sandfound

himinvolvedingivinganotherclientthebum'srushoutthedoor.Ourclientandtheotherclientboth
ranforit,andIwaslefttofacethe

music. He never used a bad word or the same word twice, but I was three inches shorter when I
escapedfromhisoffice."

"Loganisyourthirdcousin.Can'tyoucallhimLogan?"

Melodyglancedtowardthebig,darkmanonthetelephoneinhisoffice."Notwithoutaheadstart,"
shesaidfinally.

"Anyway,hedidn'tvolunteerTomwithoutmentioningittohimthistime,soyouwon'tgetyourears
burned.

Thinkyoucanhandle

everythingforaweek?"

"IfIcan'tcopebynow,I'llneverbeableto,"Melodysaid,andherbravesmilemadeherlookalmost
pretty.

Shewasatallwoman,very

country-looking in some ways, with freckles and a softly rounded face that was framed by long,
blond-streakedlightbrownhair.Hereyeswere

brown, with tiny flecks of gold in them. If she took the time, she could look very attractive, Kit
thought.ButMelodyworejumperswithlongsleeved

blouses, or tailored suits, and always in colors that were much better suited to the coloring of
someonewithdarkhairandanequally

darkcomplexion.

"You'dlikeTomifyougottoknowhim,"Kittoldher."Heknockedthatmanoutthedoorforsome
prettyblatantsexualharassmentofhis

secretary.He'sonlybadtemperedwhenheneedstobe,andhe'sallaloneexceptforamarriedsister
backhomeandanephew.Hedoesn'teven

gooutwithwomen"

"Icanseewhy...!"

"Notnice,"Kitchided."He'sagood-looking,intelligentthan,andhe'srich."

"Icanthinkofatleastoneaxmurdererwiththesame

description.Ireadabouthiminthere."Shegesturedtowardoneofthesupermarkettabloids.

Kit's eyes fell to the tabloid on Melody's desk, its cover carrying color photos of a particularly
gruesomemurder."Doyouactuallyread

thisstaff?"Kitaskedwithagrimace."Thesephotosareterrible!"

"I thought you were a detective," Melody said. "Aren't detectives supposed to be used to stuff like
that?"

Kitsmiledsheepishly."Well,Idon'tdetectthosesortofcases."

"Idon'tblameyou.ActuallyIdidn'tbuyitforthegrislypictures.Iboughtitforthisniftyreducing
diet.

Doesn'titlookinteresting?You

don'tgiveupanyfoods,yousimplycutdownandcutoutsweets."

"Youaren'tfat,Melody,"theotherwomanpointedout.

"No,I'mjustbig.IdowishIwereslenderandwillowy,"shesaidwistfully.

"Thereisn'tathingwrongwiththewayyouare."

"That'swhatyouthink!ActuallyI—"

Asuddencommotioninthehallcutheroff.SheandKitturnedjustasEmmettDeverellandhisthree
childrenwalkedin.Thekidswere

wearing costumes left over from their Thanksgiving Day play last month—Indian costumes. These
wereprettyauthenticandshewouldn't

reallyputitpastthetriotobarbecuesomebodyoverhotcoals.

Guy, the eldest, stood beside his father and glared at Melody. But Amy and Polk, the younger kids,
madeabeelinefortheirfavorite

personintheoffice.

"Hi,Kit!"theysaidinunison."Hello,Melody.CanwesitandwatchTVwithyouforawhile?"

"Please?" Amy ventured, looking up at Melody with eyes that were the same shade of green as her
father's.

"We'llbeeversogood.Emmett

hastogetourairplanericketsandPolkandIdon'twanttogototheairport.Wegottobeintheparade
intherodeo!"

"Youalllookverynice,"Melodytoldthem.

Guyignoredher.

PolkhadalreadyturnedontheTVandwasstaringatthescreen."Aw,gee,BigBirdisn'tonrightnow,
Amy,"

hesaidmiserably.

Melodyglancedatthekids,noticingagainhowmuchtheyallfavoredtheirfather.Guycameclosest.
Hewastall,too,withaleanfaceand

darkhair.Amylookedalotlikehermother,Adell,exceptforthosegreeneyes.Allthekidshadthem.

ThelasttimeEmmetthadbeenintheoffice,he'dsavagedMelody.TheSanAntoniorancherhatedher

andmadenosecretofthefact.He

didn't approve of her working for Logan, who was a relative of his as well, but by blood, not
marriage,asMelodywas.Melodyhadhad

severaldaystorememberandburnoverhisattitude.Shewasthroughbeingintimidatedbyhim.He
mightbealmostagenerationolderthan

shewas,buthewasn'tgoingtowalkonherfeelingsanymore.

"AmyandPolkwanttostaywithyouwhileIgototheairport,"Emmettsaidicily.Hedidn'tmention
leavingGuy,becauseGuydisliked

MelodyasmuchasEmmettdid.

Melodycockedaneyebrow,andtriedtostaycalm.Shewasmeltingwithfearinside,butshewasn't
goingtolethimknowit."AmIbeing

asked?"sherepliedformally.

Emmett'spalegreeneyesglitteredather."Yes,ifyouwantthewholetenyards."

"Inthatcase,AmyandPolkarewelcometowatchTVwhileyou'regone,"shesaid,triumphantwith
hersmallvictory.

Emmettdidn'tlikethechallengeinherdarkeyes,orthattinysmirk.Ifthosekidshadn'tbeengiving
himhellallmorning,hewouldn'tevenbe

here.Hewassurlywithbadtemper.

"Youwon'thelpthemrunawayoranything?"heasked,

withasarcastic,pointedreferencetoherpartinhisex-wifeAdell'ssuddendeparturewithMelody's
brother,Randy.

He wasn't going to do that to her, she promised herself. She wasn't going to let him play on her
conscience.

Hereyessettledonthetabloid

andittriggeredamemory;somethingKithadelaboratedonsinceherreturnfromEmmett'shousein
SanAntonio.Shesmiledsweetlyand

pickedupthetabloid."Haveyouseenthelatestonthataxmurder,Mr.Deverell?"sheasked,andstuck
thegoryfrontpageunderhis

arrogantnose.

Heturnedgreeninstantly."Damnyou...!"Hechokedbeforebismaddashtotherestroom.

MelodyandPolkandAmyandKitchuckledhelplessly.Guyglaredatthemandwalkedouttofindhis
father.

"He has a stomach of glass," Melody pronounced, recalling Kit's revelations about how easily
Emmettcouldbemadeillwitheventalkof

gory things. Amazing, for a rancher who was also something of a rodeo star. It was one of many
paradoxesaboutEmmettthatwouldhave

fascinatedalessprejudicedwoman.Shetookthepaperandstuckitintoherpurse.Shecoulduseitas
atalismanagainstfutureattackby

Emmett."Makeyourselvescomfortable,kids,"shetoldAmyandPolk.

"Thatwasadirtytrick,"Kitlaughed.

"He deserved it. Nasty, arrogant beast," she muttered, glaring at the door into the hall as if he were
hidingtherewaitingtopounce."Ifhe

can'ttakeit,heshouldn'tdishitout."

Kit was trying not to laugh too hard. Logan joined them, affectionately slipping an arm around his
wife."Ifwecan'tdishwhatout?"

"MelodymadeEmmettsick,"Amyvolunteered."Lookwhat'soneducationaltelevision,Melody!It's
'ReadingRainbow'!"

"Good,good,"Melodysaidabsently.

"HowdidyoumakeEmmettsick?"Loganaskedcuriously.

"Never mind. We women have to have our secret weapons, especially when it comes to people like
yourcousinEmmett,"Kittoldhim.

"Melody,I'vegivenyouanumberwherewecanbereachedifyouneedtocontactus."

"I'llonlyuseitifthere'sanemergency,"Melodypromised.

Kitsmiledather."Iknowthat."

"Anddon'tletTomgiveyoufits,"Logantoldher."He'snotabadthan.Itwasmyfault.Ishouldhave
toldhimhewasbeingvolunteered

tohandlemyclientsthatafternoon,butIwasinarushtogetmarried."

"Iremember."Melodychuckled."It'sokay.I'llmanage."

"Ifyoucan't,youmightturnthosekidslooseonhim,"Logansuggested.

"Don'tgiveheranyideas.Wehavetoleave,rightnow,"Kitsaidmirthfully,tuggingatherhusband's
arm.

"Takecare,Melody."

"Yes, and don't let my cousin walk on you," Logan added. "You're my secretary, not his paid baby-
sitter.Keepthatinmind."

"Iwill."

"Solong."

Theywalkedoutthedoorjustasapale,subduedEmmettwascomingbackinwithGuyathisheels.

"Thatwasn'tfair,"Guysaidangrily,glaringatMelody.

"Youkidsdidittohim,"shepointedout."Kittoldmeallaboutit."

"We'refamily.You'renot!"

"Yes,sheis,"Amyargued."She'souraunt.Isn'tthatright,Emmett?"

Helookedevenworse."I'llbebackforAmyandPolkaboutthreeo'clock,"hesaidwithoutanswering
thequestion.

"Butisn'tsheouraunt?"Amypersisted.

"She'sourstepaunt,"Polktoldher.

"Oh." She was satisfied and went back to watching TV. "Do take care of Emmett, Guy, and don't let
himgetrunoverbyanybuses."

"Idon'tneedtakingcareof,"Emmettmuttered."Butshemight,"headdedwithaglareatMelody.

"Watchit,"Loganadvisedsottovoce."Sheslippedthattabloidintoherpurse."

"Turncoat!"Kitgasped,hittingherhusband'sshoulder.

"Wemenhavetosticktogether,"Logantoldher,chuckling."Intoday'sworld,there'snothingmore
endangeredthanamale.Anyday

now,thewomen'slibmovementwillstartpassingouthitlistsandorganizingdeathsquadstowipeout
men."

"Wouldn't surprise me." Emmett sighed. "The way it looks, we're evolving into an Amazon society
wheremenwillbeusedtoprocreate

thespeciesandthenefficientlybeputtodeath."

MelodyeyedEmmett."Whataninterestingidea."

"Shameonyou!"Kitchuckled."Honestly,theradicalsjustgetallthepublicity.Mostwomen'slibbers
justwantafairshake—equalpay

andequalrights.What'ssoterribleaboutthat?"

"Andtherearemenwhoarejustasprejudicedagainstwomen."LogandrewKitclose."Haven'tyou
everheardofthebattleofthesexes?

It'sbeenaroundsincetimebegan.It'sjustgettingbetterpress."

"Isupposeso."Melodysighed."Maybemenaren'tendangeredafterall."

"Thankyou,"Emmettsaidtersely."I'mgladtoknowthatIwon'thavetostandguardatmyfrontdoor
towardoffwomendeath

squads."

"Oh,Iwouldn'tgothatfar,"Melodyadvised.

"Wouldn'tyou?"Emmettmuttered."AndIthoughtyouwerealittleshrinkingviolet."

"MorelikeaVenusflytrap,actually,"sherepliedbrightly."Ithoughtyouweregoingtotheairportto
getticketshome?"

"Notice how much enthusiasm she put into that question?" Logan asked with pure relish. "And you
saidwomenwouldn'tleaveyoualone.

Thismustberefreshingforyou."

Emmettdidn'tlookrefreshed.Helookedasifhemightexplodemomentarily."Let'sgo,Guy.Havea
nicehoneymoon,youtwo,"he

addedtoLoganandKit."Idon'tthinkmuchofmarriage,butgoodluckanyway."

"Ourmamaranoffandlefthim,"Amyvolunteered."Emmettdoesn'twanttomarryanybody."

"But he must," Polk said with a serious frown. "Isn't he always bringing those real glittery, pretty
ladieshome?"

"Don'tbesilly,"Guysaidurbanely."Thosearegood-timegirls.Youdon'tmarrythem."

"What'sagood-timegirl?"Amyasked.

"Just the same as a good-time boy, only shorter," Melody said with icy delight, and she smiled at

Emmett.

Hewenttwoshadesdarker.

"Timetogo,"Kitsaidquickly."Emmett,canwegiveyoualift?We'regoingstraighttotheairport."

"Yes,"Logansaid,takinghistallcousin'smusculararminabighand."Comealong,Guy.Seeyouin
aweek,Melody.Ifyouhaveany

problems,callme.AndifyoucouldcheckonTansyinthehospital,I'dappreciateit.Chrisiswatching
outforher,butyoucan'thavetoo

manyobserverswheremymotherisconcerned."

"CertainlyIwill,"Melodyagreed."Idon'thavemuchtodointheevenings,anyway."

"Ididn'tthinktherewouldbeathanthatbrave,"Emmettagreed.

Melodyreachedforherpurse.Emmettsparedheraglance

thatpromisedretributionbeforehemadeaquickexitwiththeothers.

ThechaosbegantocalmwithLogan'sexit.Thetelephonesrangforanhourortwo.Afterthat,there
wereonlyafewcallsandtwoclients

who came in person to ask about their investments. Melody had the figures. It was only a matter of
pullingthemup—herbosshadgivenher

permissionbeforeheleft—andshowingthemtothevisitors.

Thekidswereamazinglygood.Theywatchededucationalprogrammingwithoutapeep,excepttoask
forchangeforthesoftdrinkmachine.

Melody gave it to them and then listened worriedly for sounds of the machine being mugged.
Fortunatelytherewasnosuchnoise,andshe

settleddowntothefirstpeaceshe'dhadallday.

ShemanagedtoclearherdeskofworkbeforeEmmettshowedup,late,topickupthekids.

"Aw,dowehavetogo?"Polkgroaned."Mr.Rogersiscomingon!"

"Yes,wehavetogo.We'releavingforhomeinthemorning,thankGod.Onlyonemoreeventtogo
tonight—

barebackbroncriding."

"Isn'tthatoneofthemostdangerousevents?"Melodyasked.

His eyebrows arched under the wide-brimmed Stetson he hadn't bothered to remove from his dark
hair."Anyrodeoeventisdangerousifa

contestantisstupidorcareless.I'mneither."

She knew that already. He was something of a legend in rodeo. He wouldn't be aware that she'd
followedhiscareer.Shewasarodeofan,

butEmmett'sattitudetowardherhadkepthersilentaboutherinterestinthesport.

"Thankyouforlettingusstaywithyou,Melody,"Amysaid,smilingupather.

Melodysmiledback.Shelikedthelittlegirlverymuch.

Shewasopenandwarmandloving,despitehermischievousnature.

Emmett saw that smile and felt it all the way to his toes. He couldn't have imagined even a minute
beforethatasmilecouldchangeaplain

faceandmakeitradiatebeauty.ButhesawtherealityofitinMelody'ssoftfeatures.Involuntarilyhis
eyesfelltoherbody.Shewaswhata

kindthanwouldcallvoluptuous,herformandshapeperfectlyproportionedbutjustatadpastslender.
Adellhadbeenbacon-thin.Melodywas

herexactopposite.

ItirritatedhimthatheshouldnoticeMelodyinthatway.Shewasnothingtohimexceptaturncoat.She
andherbrotherhaddisruptedand

destroyedhislife.Notonlyhis,butbischildren'saswell.Hecouldeasilyhavehatedherforthat.

"Isaid,let'sgo,"hetoldthechildren.

"Okay."Polksighed.

"I'llwaitinthehall,"Guymurmured.HeavoidedevenlookingatMelody.

"Guyhatesyou,"Amytoldherwithblunthonesty."ButIthinkyou'rewonderful."

"Ithinkyou'rewonderful,too,"Melodyreplied.

Amy grinned and walked up to her father. "We can go now, Emmett. Can I write to my friend
Melody?"

"We'll talk about it," Emmett said noncommittally. "Thanks for watching them," he said as an
afterthought.

"Oh,itwasmypleasu...re!"Shetrippedoveratomahawkthatsomeonehadleftlyingonthefloorand
endeduponherback.Guypicked

uptheweaponandthekids,andEmmett,madeacirclearoundherpronebody.Sheglaredupatthem,
tryingnottothinkhowasacrificial

victiminanIndianencampmentmighthavefelt.InthoseIndiancostumes,thekidslookedeerie.

"Whose tomahawk?" Emmett asked as he reached down and pulled Melody up with a minimum of
strain.Hishand

madeherstingle.Shewonderedifhe'dfelttheexcitementofthecontact,too,becausehecertainlylet
goofherfast.

"It's mine, Emmett," Amy said, sighing. She looked up at him, pushing back her pigtails, and her
greeneyeswereresigned."Goahead

andhitme.Ididn'tmeantomakeMelodyhurtherself,though.Ilikeher."

"Iknowyoudidn'tmeanit,"Melodysaid,andsmiled."It'sokay,nothingdented."

"Nexttime,bemorecarefulwhereyouputthatthing,"Emmettmuttered.

"That'sright,Amy,"Melodysaid,nodding."Betweenyourfather'searswouldbeagoodplace."

Heglaredather."Youdidn'thearthat,Amy.Let'sgo,kids."

Heherdedthechildrenoutthedoorandclosedit.Melodysatbyherselfwithnoringingphones,no
blaringtelevision,nolaughingchildren.

Herlifeandtheofficeweresuddenlyempty.

She closed up precisely at 5:00 p.m. and went by the grocery store to get enough for the weekend,
whichwasjustbeginning.Thanksgiving

Dayhadbeenquietandlonely.She'dhadaturkeybreast,butsheandAlistairhadfinisheditofffor
supperthenightbefore.Soshebought

groundbeefforhamburgersandasmallbeefroastandvegetablestomakestewand,later,soup.She
livedonabudget,whichmeantthatshe

bypassed steak and frozen eclairs. She would have loved to indulge her taste for both. Maybe
someday,shethoughtwistfully...

ShefedAlistair,herbigmarmaladetabby,andthenmadeherselfalightsupper.Sheateitwithlittle
enthusiasm.Thenshecurledupwith

Alistaironthesofatowatchamovieontelevision.Duringthelastscene,averyinterestingstandoff

betweenamurdererandthepolice,the

telephonestartedringing.Shegrimaced,hatingtheinterruption.Ifsheansweredit,she'dsurelymiss
theendofthemovieshe'dbeenwatchingfortwohours.Sheignoreditatfirst.Theonlypeoplewho
evertelephonedher

werepeoplewhoweresellingthings.Butwhoeverwascallingwouldn'tgiveup.Itstopped,briefly,
onlytostartringinginsistentlyagain.This

timeshewasafraidnottoanswerit.ItmightbeKitorLoganorTansyorevenherbrother.

Shepickedupthereceiver.''Hello?''

"IsthisMissMelodyCartman?"acrisp,professionalvoiceasked.

"Yes."

"I'mNurseWilloughby.WehaveaMr.EmmettDeverellhereatcitygeneralhospitalwithamassive
concussion.He'sonlyjustregained

consciousness. He gave us your name and asked us to call and have you pick up his children at the
MellengerHotel."

Melody stood frozen in place. The only thing that registered was that Emmett was hurt and she'd
becomeababysitter.Shecouldhardly

saynoorargue.Concussionswereterriblydangerous.

"Thechildrenare...where?"

"AttheMellengerHotel.Roomthreehundredandsomething.He'sveryfoggyatthemomentandina
greatdealofpain."

"Hewillbeallright?"Melodyasked,hatingherselfforbeingconcerned.

"Wehopeso,"camethecrispreply.

"TellhimthatI'lllookafterthechildren,"shesaid.

"Verywell."

Thephonewentdeadbeforeshecouldaskanotherquestion.Shestaredaroundherlikesomeoneina
trance.Whereintheworldwasshe

goingtoputthreerenegadechildren,oneofwhomhatedher?Andhowlongwasshegoingtohave
them?

Foroneinsanemoment,shethoughtaboutcallingAdell

andRandy,butshedismissedthatideaatonce.Emmettwouldneverforgiveher.Atthemoment,he
deservedalittleconsideration,she

supposed.

Shegothercoatandtookacabtothehotel.ItwasverylatetobedrivingaroundHouston,andher
littlecarwasunreliableinwetweather.

Houstonwasnotoriousforflooding,andtherainwascomingdownsteadilynow.

She asked at the desk for Emmett's room number, quickly explaining the circumstances to a
sympatheticdeskclerkaftergivingEmmett's

conditionandthehospital'snumber,sothatmanagementcouldcheckherstoryiftheyfelttheneedto.
Infact,theydid,andshedidn'tblame

them.Thesedays,onesimplycouldn'tturnoverthreechildrentoatotalstrangerwhomightormight
notintendthemharm.

Whenshegottothehotelroom,thereweremuffledsoundsfromwithin.Melody,whoknewthekids
alltoowell,knockedbrieflybutfirmly

onthedoor.

Therewasasuddensilence,followedbyascuffleandawail.Thedoorflewopenandamatronlylady
withfrazzledhairalmostfellon

Melodywithrelief.

"Areyoutheirmother?"theelderlywomanasked."I'mMrs.Johnson.Heretheyare,safeandsound,
myfeewillbeaddedtothehotelbill.

Youaretheirmother?"

"Well,no,"shebegan.

"Oh,myGod!"

"I'mtotakechargeofthem,"Melodyadded,becauseitlookedasifthewomanmightbepreparingto
haveaheartattackonthespot.

Awaverysmilereplacedthehorroronthewoman'slinedface."ThenI'lljustbeoff.Goodnight!"

"Chicken,"Amymuttered,peeringaroundMelodytowatchthewoman'sincrediblyfastretreat.

"Whathaveyouthreebeenupto?"Melodyasked,glaringatthem.

"Nothingatall.Melody,dear,"Amysaidsweetly,andgrinned.

"Shejustwasn'tusedtokids,Iguess,"Polkadded.Hegrinned,too.

Behindthemthereweretheremainsoftwofoam-filledpillowsandwhatappearedtobetheropesthat
closedtheheavycurtains.

"Wehadapillowfight,"Amyexplained.

"Andthenwewentskiinginthebathroom,"Polksaid.

Melodycouldbarelyseethebathroom.Thedoorwasajarandthefloorseemedtobesoaked.Shewas
beginningtounderstandherpredecessor's

agile retreat. Days and days...of this. She wouldn't have an apartment left! And all because she felt
sorryforathanwhohadtobeherworstenemy.

"Whyareyouhere?"Guyaskedbelligerently."Where'sDad?"

Thatbroughtherbacktoheroriginalpurposeforbeingthere.Emmett'saccidentShesatdownonthe
sofa,tossingherpursebesideher,whileshestruggledtofindtherightwordstotellthem.

"Something'shappened,"Guysaidwhenhesawherface.Hestiffened."What?"

Even at such a young age, he was already showing signs of great inner strength, of ability to cope
withwhateverlifethrewathim.AmyandPolk

lookedsuddenlyvulnerable,butnotGuy.

"Your father has a brain concussion," Melody told them. "He's conscious now, but in a lot of pain.
He'llhavetostayinthehospitalforadayorso.

Meanwhile,hewantsyoutocomehomewithme."

"Hehatesyou,"Guysaidcoldly."Whywouldhewantustostaywithyou?"

"BecauseI'mallyou'vegot,"Melodyreplied."Unlessyou'dratherIcalledthejuvenileauthorities...?"

Guy'smassiveself-confidencefailed.Heshruggedandturnedaway.

Amy climbed onto Melody's lap and clung. "Our daddy will be all right, won't he?" she asked
tearfully.

"Ofcoursehewill,"Melodyassuredher,gatheringherclose."He'sverytough.Itwilltakemorethan
aconcussiontokeephimdown."

"Yes,itwill,"Polksaid.Heturnedawaybecausehislowerlipwastrembling.

"Let'sgetyourthingstogetherandgo,"Melodysaid."Haveyouhadsomethingtoeat?"

"Wehadpizzaandchocolatesundaes."

Melodycouldimaginethattheelderlyladyinchargeofthemhadagreedwithanymenuthatwould
keepthemquiet.Butshe'dhavetogetsome

decentfoodintothem.Thatwouldgivehersomethingtoworktoward.Meanwhile,shefoundherself
actuallyworryingaboutEmmett.Thefirstthing

shewasgoingtodowhentheygottotheapartmentwasphonethehospitalandgetanupdate.Surely
Emmettwasindestructible,wasn'the?

Shelookedatthechildrenandfeltasurgeofpityforthem.Sheknewhowitfelttobealone.When
theirparentshaddied.

Randyhadworkedat

twojobstosupportthem,whileMelodywasstillinschool.She'dcarriedhershareoftheload,butit
hadbeenlonelyforbothofthem.Shehoped

thesechildrenwouldn'thavethesameordealtofacethatsheandRandyhad.

Chapter2

ThenurseondutyinEmmett'swardtoldMelodythatEmmettwouldhavetobeconfinedforatleast
twodays.Hewasbarelyconscious,but

theywerecautiouslyoptimisticabouthiscondition.

Melody was assured that she and the children would be allowed to see him the next day, during
visitinghours.Inthemeantime,shescoured

herapartmenttofindenoughblanketsandpillowsforthreesleepychildren.Sheputtwoofthemin
herbed,andoneofthemonacotthathad

belongedtoRandywhenhewasaboy.Shesleptonherownpulloutsofabed,andwasdelightedto
findthatitwasn'tterriblyuncomfortable.

Itwasfortunatethatshehadtheweekendtolookafterthechildren.Havingtojugglethem,alongwith
herjob,wouldhavebeenareal

headache.She'dhavecoped.Buthow?

Theyhadachangeofclothing.Gettingthemtochange,though,wasthetrick.

"Thisisn'tdirty—"Guyindicatedashirtlimpanddingyandsmellyfromlongwear"—andIwon't
changeit."

"I'mallright,too,"Polksaid,grinningather.

"We're fine, Melody," Amy agreed. She patted the woman's hand in a most patronizing way. "Now,
youjustgetdressedyourselfand

don'tworryaboutus,allright?"

Melodycountedtoten."We'regoingtoseeyourfather,"shesaidcalmly."Don'tyouwanthimtothink
youlooknice?"

"Oh,Emmettnevernoticesunlesswegonaked,Melody,"Amyassuredher.

"And sometimes not even men," Polk said with a chuckle. "Dad's very absentminded when he's
rodeoing."

"Hesuredoesn'tseemtonoticewhatthethreeofyougetupto,"shesaidquietly.

"Welikeourdadjustthewayheis,"Guysaidbelligerently."Nobodybad-mouthsourdad."

"Iwasn'tbad-mouthinghim,"Melodysaidthroughherteeth."Canwejustgotothehospitalnow?"

"Sure,"Guysaid,foldinghisthinarmsoverhischest."ButI'mnotchangingclothes."

Shethrewupherhands."Oh,allright,"shemuttered."Haveityourway.Butifyourclothessetoffthe
sprinklersystem,I'mclimbing

intoabroomclosetsonobodywillknowwhobroughtyou."

Atthehospital,Melodyherdedthemofftheelevatoranddownthehalltothenurses'station.

"Lookatallthegadgets."Polkwhistled,peeringoverthecounteratthecomputers."Wouldn'tIloveto
playwiththat!"

"Biteyourtongue,"Melodysaidunderherbream.Shesmiledatanapproachingnurse."I'mMelody
Cartman.

YouhaveanEmmett

Deverellonthisfloorwithaconcussion...?"

Aloudroar,followedby,"You'renotputtingthatdamnedfilingunderme!"caughttheirattention.

"Indeed we do," the nurse told Melody. "Are you a concerned relative anxious to transfer him to
anotherhospital?"sheaddedhopefully.

"I'mafraidnot,"Melodysaid."Thesearehischildrenandtheywanttoseehimverymuch."

"Doyouhavehimtiedupinoneofthosewhitetilings?"Amyasked.

"No," the nurse said with a wistful sigh. She turned. "Come on, I'll take you down to his room.
Perhapsadiversionwillimprovehis

mood."

"Ireallywouldn'tcountonit,"Melodyreplied.

"Iwasafraidyouweregoingtosaythat.Hereweare."

"Dad!"Guyexclaimed,runningtohisfatherasapracticalnurselaiddownatrailoffiregettingout
thedoor.

"Howareyou?"

Emmettstaredathiseldestblankly.Hispalegreeneyeswerebloodshot.Hisdarkhairwasdisheveled.
Therewasahugebumponhis

foreheadwithstitchesandredantisepticlacingit.Hewaswearingawhitepatternedhospitalgownand
lookingasifhe'dliketoeathalfthe

staffraw.

"It'salmostnoon,"heinformedMelody."Whereinhellhaveyoubeen?Getmeoutofhere!"

"Don'tworry,Dad,we'llspringyou,"Guypromised,withawaryglancetowardthenurse.

"Youcan'tleavetoday,Mr.Deverell,"theyoungnursesaidapologetically."Dr.Millersaidthatyou
muststayforatleastforty-eight

hours.You'vehadaverysevereconcussion.Youcan'tgowalkingaroundthestreetslikethat.It'svery
dangerous."

Emmettglaredather."Ihateithere!"

The nurse looked as if she might bite through her tongue trying not to reply in kind. She forced a
smile."I'msureyoudo.Butyoucan't

leaveyet.I'llleaveyoutovisitwithyourfamily.I'msureyou'regladtoseeyourwifeandchildren."

"She'snotthehellmywife!"Emmettraged."I'drathermarryapitviper!"

"Iassureyouthatthefeelingismutual,"Melodysaidtothenurse.

Thewomanleanedcloseonherwayoutthedoor."Dr.Millerescaped.Whenhecomesback,I'llbeg
onmykneesforsedationforMr.

Deverell.Iswear."

"Godblessyou,"Melodysaidfervently.

"Whatareyoumumblingabout?"Emmettdemandedwhenthenurseleft."Andwhyhaven'tthesekids
changedclothes?Theysmellof

pizzaanddirt!"

"Theywouldn'tchange,"shesaiddefensively.

"You'rebiggerthantheyare,"hepointedout."Makethem."

Sheglancedatthekidsandshookherhead."Notme,mister.IknowwhenI'moutnumbered.I'mnot
goingtoendmydaystiedtoapost

imitatingbarbecue."

"Theydon'tburnpeopleatthestake,"hesaidwithexaggeratedpatience."Thatwasjustgossipabout
thatladymotoristtheykidnapped."

"That'sright,"Polksaid."Gossip."

"Anyway,shegotloosebeforeshewasverysinged."Amysighed.

MelodygaveEmmettaspeakinglook.Itwastotallywasted.

"Areyoureallyokay?"Guyaskedhisfather.He,ofthethreechildren,wasthemostworried.Hewas
theoldest.Heunderstoodbetterthan

theydidhowserioushisfather'sinjurycouldhavebeen.

"I'mokay,"Emmettsaid.Hisvoicewasdifferentwhenhespoketothechildren;itwassofter,more
tender.

HesmiledatGuyandMelody

couldn'tremembereverbeingonthereceivingendofsuchasmile."Howaboutyoukids?"

"We'refine,"Amytoldhim."Melodyhasaveryniceapartment,Emmett.Welikeitthere."

"Shehasacat,"Polkadded."He'sabigorangetabbynamedAlistair."

"Alistair?"Emmettmused.

"He was a very ordinary-looking cat," Melody said defensively. "The least he deserved was a nice
name."

Heleanedbackagainsthispillowsandclosedhiseyes."Saintsdeliverus."

"I don't think the saints like you very much, Mr. Deverell, on present evidence," she couldn't resist
saying.

Onebloodshotpalegreeneyeopened."Thesaintsdidn'tdothistome.Itwasahorse.Averynasty-
temperedhorsewhoseonlypurposein

lifeistomaimpoorstupidcowboyswhoaredimenoughtogetonhim.Iletmyselfgetdistractedand
Icameofflikealoosehat."

Shesmiledgentlyatthedescription."I'msurethehorseiscryinghiseyesoutwithguilt."

Thesmilechangedher.Helikedwhathesaw.Shewasvulnerablewhenhereyestwinkledlikethat.He
openedtheothereye,too,andfor

onelongmomenttheyjustlookedateachother.Melodyfeltwarningbellsgooffinherhead.

"Whencanyoucomehome,Emmett?"Amyasked,herbigeyesonherfather.

Heblinkedandlookeddownather."Twodaystheysaid,"hereplied."God,I'msorryaboutthis!"He
glancedtowardMelody."Ihad

norighttoinvolveyouinmyproblems."

Thatsoundedlikeawholesaleapology.Perhapstheheadinjuryhaderasedhismemorysothathe'd
forgottenherpartinAdell'sescape.

"I don't mind watching the children for you," she said hesitantly. She pushed back her hair with a
nervoushand."They'renotrouble."

"Ofcoursenot,theywereasleepallnight,"hereplied."Don'tletthemoutofyoursight."

"Aw,Dad,"Polkgrumbled."We'llbegood."

"Surewewill,"Guysaid.HeglancedatMelodyirritably."Ifwehaveto."

"It'sonlyforadayortwo,"Emmettsaid.Hewasfeelingfoggierbytheminute."I'llreimburseyou,of
course,"hetoldMelody.He

touchedhisheadwithanunsteadyhand."God,myheadhurts!"

"Iguessitdoes,"Melodysaidgently.Shemovedclosertothebed,concerned."ShallIcallthenurse?"

"They won't give me anything until the doctor authorizes it, and he's in hiding," he said. His eyes
closed.

"Can'tsayIblamehim.Iwas

prettyunhappyaboutbeinghere."

"Inoticed."

Hemanagedaweakchuckle.''IfLoganhadbeenathome,youwouldn'tbelandedwiththosekids...."

Hewasasleep.

"Is he going to be okay?" Amy asked. She was chewing her lower lip, looking very young and
worried.

Melodysmoothedbackherhair."Yes,he'llbefine,"sheassuredthegirl."Comeon.We'llgohome
andI'llmakelunchforallofyou."

"Iwantahotdog,"Polksaid."SodoesAmy."

"Ihatehotdogs,"Guyreplied."Idon'twanttostaywithyou.I'llstayherewithDad."

"Youaren'tallowedto,"Melodypointedout.

Hetookanangrybreath.

"I don't like it any more than you do," she murmured. "But we're stuck with each other. We'd better
go."

Theyfollowedherout,reluctantly.Shestoppedlongenoughtoassurethenurseatthedeskthatshe'd
bringthekidsbackthenextdayto

visittheirfather.ShewasconcernedenoughtoaskifitwasnaturalforEmmetttogotosleep,andwas
toldthatthedoctorwouldcheckto

makesurehewasallright.

Guy'sdislikeofMelodyextendedtoherapartment,hercat,herfurnitureandespeciallyhercooking.

"Iwon'teatthat,"hesaidforcefullywhensheputhotdogsandbunsandcondimentsonthetable."I'll
starvefirst."

Sheknewthatitwouldgivehimtheupperhandifshestoopedtoarguingwithhim,soshedidn't."Suit
yourself.Butwe'llhaveicecream

fordessertandyouwon't.It'sa

houserulethatyoudon'tgetdessertifyoudon'teatthemaincourse."

"Ihateicecream,"hesaidtriumphantly.

"No,hedoesn't,"Amysaidsadly."Hejustdoesn'tlikeyou.Hethinksyoutookourmomaway.She
won'tevenwritetousortalktous

onthetelephone."

"That'sright,"Guysaidangrily."It'sallbecauseofyou!Becauseofyourstupidbrother!"

He got up, knocking over his chair, and stomped off into the bathroom, slamming the door behind
him.

Melodytookabiteofherownhotdog,butittastedlikesomuchcardboard.Itwasgoingtobealong
twodays.

Shedidn'tknowhowtrueherpredictionwasgoingtobe.Guysulkedfortherestoftheday,whileshe
andtheothertwochildrenwatched

television and played Monopoly on the kitchen table. While they were going past Go for the tenth
time,Guyopenedtheapartmentdoorand

deliberatelyletAlistairout...

Melodydidn'tdiscoverthathercatwasmissinguntilshestartedtoputhisfoodintohisdish.

She looked around, frowning. "Alistair?" she called. The big cat was nowhere in sight. He couldn't
havegoneoutthewindow.The

apartment was on the fourth story and there was no balcony. She searched the apartment, including
underthebed,butshecouldn'tfindhim.

"Haveanyofyouseenmycat?"sheasked.

"Notme,"Amymurmured.ShewaswatchingcartoonswithPolk.

"Me,neither,"hesaidabsently.

Guywasstaringoutthewindow.Hejerkedhishead,whichsheassumedmeanthehadn'tseenthecat.

But he looked odd. She frowned. Alistair had been curled up on the couch just before Guy had
stormedoffintothe

bathroom.Shehadn'tseenthecatsince.Butsurelytheboywouldn'thavedonesomethingsoheartless
astoletthecatout.Surelyhe

wouldn't!

MelodyhadfoundAlistairinanalleyonherwayhomefromworklateonerainyafternoonlastyear.
He'dhadastringtiedaroundhis

neckandwaschoking.She'dfreedhimandtakenhimhome.Hewasflea-infestedandpitifullythin,
butatriptotheveterinarianandsome

healthful food had transformed him. He'd been Melody's friend and companion and confidant ever
since.

Tearsstunghereyesasshesearchedagain,hervoicesoundingfranticasshecalledherpet'sname
withincreasingurgency.

Amygotupfromthecarpetandfollowedher,frowning."Can'tyoufindyourcat?"

"No,"Melodysaid,hervoiceraspy.Shebrushedatatearonherface.

"Oh,Melody,don'tcry!"Amysaid.Shehuggedher."Itwillbeallright!We'llfindhim!Polk,Guy,"
shecalledsharply."Comeon.Help

ushuntforMelody'scat!Shecan'tfindhimanywhere!"

"Sure,"Polksaid."We'llhelp."

They scoured the apartment. Guy looked, too, but his cheeks were flushed and he wouldn't meet
Melody'seyes.

Indesperation,Melodywenttothetwoapartmentsnearbytoaskherneighborsifthey'dseenhercat,
butnoonehadnoticedhim.Therewas

an elevator and a staircase, but there was a door that led to the stairwell and surely it would be
closed...

Allthesame,shechecked,andwasdisturbedtofindthatthestairwelldoorwasproppedopenwhile
workmencarriedmaterialstoan

apartmentdownthehallthatwasbeingrenovated.

Leavingthechildrenintheapartment,sherusheddownthestepslookingforAlistair.Shecalledand
called,buttherewasnoanswer,andhe

wasnowheretobefound.

Defeated,Melodywentbacktotheapartment.Herexpressionwassomorosethatthechildrenknew
withoutaskingthatshehadn'tfound

thecat.

"I'msorry,"Amysaid."Iguessyoulovehimalot,huh?"

"He's all I have," Melody said without looking up. The pain in her voice was almost tangible. "All
I...had."

Guyturnedupthetelevisionandsatdownveryclosetothescreen.Hedidn'tsayaword.

Melody cried herself to sleep that night. Randy had Adell, but Melody had no other family. Alistair
wastheonlyrealfamilyshehadleft.She

was so sick at heart that she didn't know how she was going to stand it. Dismal images of Alistair
beingrunoverorchasedbydogsand

childrenmadehermiserable.

She got up early and fixed bacon and eggs before she called the children. They were unnaturally
quiet,too,andateverylittle.Melodywas

preoccupied all through the meal. When it was over, she went outside to search some more. But
Alistairwasnowheretobefound.

Later,shetookthekidstothehospitaltoseeEmmett.Hewassittingupinachairlookingimpatient.

"Getmethehelloutofhere,"hesaidimmediately."I'mleavingwhethertheylikeitornot!"

Heseemedtomeanit.Hewasfullydressed,inthejeansandshirtandbootshe'dbeenwearingwhen
they'dtakenhimtothehospital.The

shirtwasbloodstainedbutwearable.Helookedpale,evenifhesoundedinchargeofhimself.

"Whatdidthedoctorsay?"

"HesaidIcouldgoifIinsisted,andI'minsisting,"Emmettsaid."I'lltakethekidsandgobacktothe
hotel."

Melodywentclosertohim,clutchingherpurse."Mr.Deverell,don'tyourealizewhatariskyou'dbe
taking?

Ifyouwon'tthinkof

yourself,dothinkofthekids.Whatwilltheydoifanythinghappenstoyou?"

"Iwon'tstayhere!"hemuttered."Theykeeptryingtobatheme!"

Shemanagedafaintsmileeventhroughhermisery."It'sforyourowngood."

"I'mleaving,"hesaid,hisflintypalegreeneyesglaringstraightintoherdarkones.

She sighed. "Well, you can come back with us for today," she said firmly. "I can't let you stagger
aroundHoustonalone.Mybosswould

neverforgiveme."

"Thinkso?"Henarrowedoneeye."Idon'tneedhelp."

"Yes,youdo.Onemorenightwon'tkillme,Isuppose,"sheadded.

"Hercatranaway,"Amysaid."She'sverysad."

Emmettscowled."Alistair?Howcouldherunaway?Don'tyouliveinanapartmentbuilding?"

"Yes.I...Hemusthavegottenoutthedoor,"shesaid,staringdownatherfeet."Thestairwelldoorwas
open,wheretheworkmenwere

goinginandoutofthebuilding."

sorry,"hesaidshortly.Heglancedatthekids.AmyandPolkseemedverysympathetic,butGuywas
surlierthaneverandhislowerlipwas

prominent.Emmett'seyesnarrowed.

Haveyoucheckedyourselfout?"Melodyasked,changingthesubjecttokeepfromburstingintotears.

"Yes."Hegottohisfeet,alittleunsteadily.

"I'llhelpyou,Dad,"Guysaid.Heproppeduphisfather'sside.Hewouldn'tlookatMelody.

"Didyoudriveortakeacab?"heaskedher.

"Idrove."

"Whatdoyoudrive?"

"AVolkswagen,"shetoldhim.

Hegroaned.Shesmiledforthefirsttimethatday.Astallashewas,fittinghiminsidehersmallcar,
eveninthefrontseat,wasgoingtobean

interestingexperience.

Anditwas.Hehadtobringhiskneesupalmosttohischin.PolkandAmylaughedatthepicturehe
made.

"PoorEmmett,"Amysaid."Youdon'tfitverywell."

"Firstyoushovegorypicturesundermynose.Thenyoustuffmeintoatincanwithwheels,"Emmett
beganwithameaningfulglancein

Melody'sdirection.

"Don'tinsultmybeautifullittlecar.Itisn'tthecar'sfaultthatyou'retootall,"sheremindedhimasshe
startedhercar."Andyouwere

horribletome.Iwasonlygettingeven."

"Iamnottootall."

"I hope you aren't going to collapse," she said worriedly when he leaned his head back against the
seat."Iliveonthefourthfloor."

"I'mallright.I'mjustgroggy."

"Ihopeso,"shemurmured.Sheputthecaringearandreversedit.

Guyhelpedhimintotheelevatorandupstairs.AmyandPolkgotontheotherside,andbetweenthem,
theymaneuveredhimintoMelody's

apartmentandontohersofa.

Thesleepingarrangementsweregoingtobeinteresting,shethought.ShecouldputEmmettandthe
boysinherbedroomandsheandAmy

could share the sleeper sofa. It wasn't ideal, but it would be adequate. What wouldn't was managing
somepajamasforEmmett.

"Idon'twearpajamas,"hemuttered."Youaren'tgoingtobeinthebedroom,soitwon'tconcernyou,"
headdedwithaglitterygreen

stare.

She turned away to keep him from seeing the color in her cheeks. "All right. I'll see about getting
somethingtogetherforsandwiches."

Atleast,hewasn'tpickyaboutwhatheate.Thatwasamixedblessing.Perhapsitwastheconcussion,
makinghimsoagreeable.

"Thisisn'tbad,"hemurmuredwhenhe'dfinishedofftwoeggsaladsandwiches.

"Thankyou,"shereplied.

"I hate eggs," Guy remarked, but he was still eating his sandwich as he said it. He didn't look at
Melody.

"And me," Melody added for him. He looked up, surprised, and her steady gaze told him that she
knewexactlyhowhercathadmanaged

togetoutthedoorandlost.

Heflushedandputdowntherestofhissandwich."I'mnothungry."Hegotupandwentintotheliving
roomwithAmyandPolk,who

wereeatingonTVtables.

Emmettranabighandthroughhisdarkhair."I'msorryaboutyourcat,"hesaid.

"SoamI."Shegotupandclearedawaythedishes."There'scoffeeifyou'dlikesome."

"Iwould.Black."

"I'llbetyoudon'teatcatsuponsteak,either,"shemurmured.

Hesmiledatherassheputamugofsteamingcoffeebesidehishand."Smartgirl."

"Whydoyourideinrodeos?"sheaskedwhenshewassittingdown.

Thequestionsurprisedhim.Heleanedbackinhischairfingeringthehotmug,andconsideredit."I
alwayshave,"hebegan.

"Itmustbehardonthechildren,havingyouawayfromhomesomuch,"shecontinued."Evenifyour
housekeeperdoeslookafter

them."

"They'reresourceful,"hesaidnoncommittally.

"They'reruined,"shereturned."Andyouknowit.EspeciallyGuy."

Hiseyesnarrowedastheymethers."They'remykids,"hesaidquietly."AndhowIraisethemisnone
ofyourbusiness."

"They'remynephewsandniece,"shepointedout.

Hisfacewenttautunderitsdarktan."Don'tbringthatup."

"Whydoyouhavetokeephidingfromit?"sheaskedmiserably."Randy'smybrother.Ilovehim.But
hecouldn'thavetakenAdellifshe

hadn'twantedtogowithhim...!"

"MyGod,don'tyouthinkIknowthat?"heaskedwithbridledfury.

Shesawthepaininhisface,inhiseyes,andsheunderstood."But,itwasn'tbecausesomethingwas
lackingin

you,"shesaidsoftly,tryingtomakehimunderstand."ItwasbecauseshefoundsomethinginRandy
thatsheneeded.Don'tyousee,itwasn't

yourfault!"

His whole body clenched. He grimaced and lifted the cup, burning his lips as he forced coffee
betweenthem.

"It'snoneofyourbusiness,"he

saidgruffly."Letitalone."

Shewantedtopursuethesubject,butitwouldn'tbewise.Sheletitgo.

"There'salittleicecream,"shetoldhim.

Heshookhishead."Idon'tlikesweets."

JustlikeGuy,butshedidn'tsayit.Guyhatedher.Hehatedherenoughtolethercatoutthedoorand
intothestreet.Hereyesclosedon

awaveofpain.Itwasjustaswellshewasn'tmooningoverEmmett,becauseshewascertainthatGuy
wouldn'tletthatsituationdevelop.

"Youshouldbeinbed,"shetoldEmmettafteratenseminute.

"Yes,"heagreedwithoutheatandthenstoodupslowly."TomorrowI'lltakethekidsbacktothehotel,

andwe'llgetaflightouttoSan

Antonio.We'llallbeoutofyourhair."

Shedidn'targue.Therewasnothingtosay.

Chapter3

Earlierintheday,Melodyhadtelephonedthenearestveterinarian'sofficeandanimalshelter,hoping
thatAlistairmightturnupthere.Butthe

veterinarian'sreceptionisthadn'theardofanylostcats,andtherewasonlyanewpart-timegirlatthe
animalshelterwhowasn'tvery

knowledgeableaboutrecentacquisitions.Infact,she'dconfided,they'dhadafiretheweekbefore,and
everythingwasmixedup.Theladywho

usuallyrantheshelterwasinthehospital,havingsufferedsmokeinhalationtryingtogettheanimals
out.

Shewasverysorry,butshedidn't

knowwhichcatswerenewacquisitionsandwhichwereoldones.

Melodywassorryaboutthefire,butshewasevenmoreworriedabouthercat.Shewentoutintothe
hallonelasttimetocallAlistair,in

vainbecausehedidn'tappear.Shejusthadtoacceptthathewasgone.Itwasn'teasy.Itwasgoingtobe
similartolosingamemberofher

family,andpartofherblamedGuyforthat.Hemighthateher,butwhyhadhetakenoutthathatredon
hercat.Alistairhaddonenothingto

hurthim.

Melody slept fitfully, and not only because she was worried about Alistair. The couch was
comfortable,asarale,butAmywasarestless

sleeperanditwashardtododgelittleflailingarmsandlegsandnotwakeup.

Just before daylight, she gave up. She covered the sleeping child, her eyes tender on the little oval
facewithitslightbrownhairandstraight

nose so reminiscent of Adell. Amy's eyes, though, were her father's. All the kids had green eyes,
everysingleone.Adell'swereblue,andher

hairwaslightbrown.Amywastheonewhomostresembledhermother,despitehertomboywaysand
thetemperthatmatchedherfather's.

ThatphysicalresemblancetohermothermusthavebeenverypainfultoEmmettwhenAdellfirstleft
him.

Guyseemedtobehisfavorite,and

itwasn'tsurprising.Guylookedandactedthemostlikehim.Polkwasjusthimself,bespectacledand
slight,withnorealdistinguishingfeature

excepthisbrain.Heseemedtobefarandawaythebrainsofthebunch.

She pulled on her quilted robe, her long hair disheveled from sleep, and went slowly into the
bathroom,yawningassheopenedthedoor.

Emmett'sdarkeyebrowsleveredupwhenshestoppeddeadandturnedscarlet.

"Sorry!"shegasped,jerkingthedoorbackshut.

She went into the living room and sat down in a chair, very quickly. It was disconcerting to find a
nakedthansteppingoutofhershower,

evenifhedidhaveabodythatwouldgraceacenterfoldinanywomen'smagazine.

Hecameoutaminutelaterwithatowelwrappedaroundhisleanhips.Hehadanathlete'sbody,wide
shoulderedandnarrowhipped,andhis

legswereincredible,Melodythought.Shestaredathimpie-eyed,tryingtoactsophisticatedwhenshe
wasjustshortofstar-struck.

"I'msorry,"hesaid."Ididn'tthinktolockthedoor.Iassumedthiswasalittleearlyforyoutobeup,
andIneededashower."

"Ofcourse."

Hefrownedashestareddownather.Shewasdoingherbestnottolookathim,andhercheekswere
flaming.Hewasanexperiencedthan,

andhe'dbeenmarried.Heunderstoodwithoutwordswhyshewasreactingsoviolentlytowhatshe'd
seen.

"It'sallright,"hesaidgently,andhesmiledather."There'snothingtobeembarrassedabout."

Sheswallowed."Right.Wouldyoulikesomebreakfast?"

"Anythingwillsuitme.I'llgetdressed."

Shenodded,butshedidn'tlookashestrodebackintothebedroomandgentlyclosedthedoor.

Shegotupandwenttothekitchen,surprisedtofindthatherhandsshookwhenshegotthepansout
andbegantoputbaconintoone.

Emmett came back while she was breaking eggs into a bowl. He was wearing jeans and a white T-

shirt,whichstretchedoverhispowerful

muscles.Hewasn'twearingshoes.Helookedrakishandappealing.Shepretendednottonotice;her
memorywasgivingherenoughtrouble.

Melodywasn'tdressedbecauseshe'dforgottentogetherclothesoutofthebedroomthenightbefore.
Thathadbeenanunfortunateoversight,

becausehewasstaringquiteopenlyatherinthelonggreengownandmatchingquiltedrobethatfit
muchtoowellandshowedanalarming

amount of bare skin in the deep V neckline. She wasn't wearing makeup, but her blond-streaked
brownhairandfreckledpaleskingaveher

enoughcolortomakeherinterestingtoathan.

Emmettrealizedthatshemustnotknowthat,becauseshekeptfiddlingwithherhairaftershe'dsetthe
eggsasideandstartedtoheatapan

tocookthemin.

"Wherearetheplates?"heasked.Hedidn'twanttoaddtoherdiscomfortbystaring.

"They're up in the cabinet, there—" she gestured "—and so are the cups and saucers. But you don't
haveto..."

"I'm domesticated," he said gently. "I always was, even before I married." The words, once spoken,
dispelledhisgoodmood.Hewent

aboutsettingthetableanddidn'tspeakagainuntilhewasfinished.

Melodyhadscrambledeggsandtakenupthebaconwhilethebiscuitswerebaking.Shetookthemout
oftheoven,surprisedtoseethatthey

weren'tovercooked.Peopleinthekitchenmadehernervous—Emmett,especially.

"Youcouldn'tgettoyourclothes,couldyou?"hemused."Ishouldhaveremindedyoulastnight."

Itwasanintimateconversation.Havingathaninherapartmentatallwasintimate,andafterhaving
methiminthealtogetherinthe

bathroom,Melodywasmorenervousthanever.

"That'sallright,I'lldresswhentheboysgetup.Youcouldcallthem...?"

"Notyet,"hereplied."Iwanttotalktoyou."

"Aboutwhat?"

Hemotionedherintoachairandthensatdownacrossfromher,hisbig,leanhandsdanglingbetween
hiskneesashestudiedher."About

whatyousaidlastnight.I'vebeenthinkingaboutit.DidAdelltellyouthatitwaslovingRandy,not
hatingme,thatbrokeupourmarriage?"

Melodyclaspedherhandsinherlapandstaredatthem."Shesaidthatshemarriedyoubecauseyou
werekindandgentleandobviously

caredabouthersomuch,"shetoldhim,becauseonlyhonestywoulddo."WhenshemetRandy,atthe
servicestationwhereshehadhercar

workedonandboughtgas,shetriedtopretenditwasn'thappening,thatshewasn'tfallinginlove.But
shewastooweaktostopit.I'mnot

excusingwhatshedid,Emmett,"shesaidwhenhelookedhaunted."Thereshouldhavebeenakinder
way.

AndIshouldhavesaidnowhen

Randyaskedmetohelpthem

get away. But nothing will change what happened. She really does love him. There's no way to get
aroundthat."

"Isee."

Helookedgrim.Shehatedthewoundedexpressiononhisleanface.

"Emmett,"shesaidgently,"youhavetobelieveitwasn'tbecauseofyoupersonally.Shefellinlove,
reallyinlove.Thebiggestmistakeshe

madewasmarryingyouwhenshedidn'tloveyouproperly."

"Doyouknowwhatthatis?"heaskedwithabittersmile."Loving'properly'?"

"Well,notreally,"shesaid."Ihaven'teverbeeninlove."Thatwastrueenough.She'dhadcrusheson
moviestars,andonceshe'dhada

crushonaboybackinSanAntonio.Butthathadbeenaverylukewarmrelationshipandtheboyhad
gonecrazyoveracheerleaderwhowas

morewillinginthebackseatofhiscarthanMelodyhadbeen.

"Why?"heaskedcuriously.

Shesighed."YoumusthavenoticedthatI'moversizedandnotveryattractive,"shesaidwithawistful
smile.

Hefrowned."Aren'tyou?Whosays?"

Colorcameandwentinhercheeks."Well,noone,butI..."

Itdisturbedhimthathe'dsaidsuchathingtoher,whenshe'dbeentheenemysinceRandyhadspirited
Adellaway."Havethekidsgiven

youanytrouble?"

"JustGuy,"sherepliedafteraminute."Hedoesn'tlikeme."

"Hedoesn'tlikeanybodyexceptme,"hesaideasily."He'sthemostinsecureofthethree."

Shenodded."AmyandPolkareverysweet."

"Adellspoiledthem.ShefavoredGuy,althoughhetookitthebestofthethreewhensheleft.Ithinkhe
lovedher,buthenevertalks

abouther."

"He'saveryprivateperson,isn'the?Divorcemustbe

hardoneveryone,"shereplied."Myparentslovedeachotherforthirtyyears—untiltheydied.There
wasneveranyquestionofthemgettingadivorce

orseparating.Theywerehappy.Sowerewe.Itwasablowwhenwelostthem.Randywoundupbeing
partbrotherandpartparenttome.Iwasstill

inschool."

"Thatexplainswhyyouweresoclose,Isuppose."Hecockedhisheadandstudiedher."Howdidthey
die?"

"Inafreakaccident,"shesaidsadly."Mymotherwasinverybadhealth—asemi-invalid.Shehadwhat
Dadthoughtwasalightheartattack.He

gotherintothecarandwasspeeding,tryingtogethertothehospital.Helostcontrolinacurveand
wreckedthecar.

Theybothdied."Sheaverted

hereyes."Therewasanoilslickontheroadthathedidn'tsee,andalightrain...justenoughtobring
theoiltothesurface.RandyandIblamed

ourselvesfornotinsistingthatDadcallanambulanceinsteadoftryingtodrivehertotheemergency
roomhimself.TothisdayIhaterain."

"I'msorry,"hesaidkindly."Ilostmyparentsseveralyearsapart,butitwasprettyroughjustthesame.

Especiallymymother."Hewassilentfora

moment. "She killed herself. Dad had only been dead six months when she was diagnosed with
leukemia.Sherefusedtreatment,wenthomeandtook

ahandfulofbarbituratesthatthey'dgivenherforpain.Iwasinmylastfewweeksofcollegebefore
graduation.Ihadn'tstarteduntilIwasnineteen,

so I was late getting out. It was pretty rough, passing my finals after the funeral," he added with a
roughlaugh.

"Icanonlyimagine,"shesaidsympathetically.

"I'dalreadybeenrunningtheranchandgoingtoschoolasacommutingstudent.That'swhereImet
Adell,atcollege.ShewassympatheticandI

was so torn up inside. I just wanted to get married and have kids and not be alone anymore." He
shrugged."Ithoughtmarriagewouldeasethepain.

Itdidn't.Nobodycareslikeyourparentsdo.Whenthey

die,you'realone.Except,maybe,ifyou'vegotkids,"headdedthoughtfully,andrealizedthathehadn't
reallypaidenoughattentiontohisownkids.

He frowned. He'd avoided them since Adell left. Rodeo and ranch work had pretty much replaced
parentingwithhim.Hewonderedwhyhehadn't

noticedituntilhegothitinthehead.

"Do you have brothers or sisters?" Melody asked unexpectedly. She hadn't ever had occasion to
questionhisbackground.

Now,suddenly,shewas

curiousaboutit.

"No,"hesaid."Ihadasister,theysaid,butshediedafewweeksaftershewasbom.Therewasjustme.
Mydadwasarodeostar.Hetaughtme

everythingIknow."

"Hemusthavebeengoodatit."

"So am I, when I'm not distracted. There was a little commotion before my ride. I wasn't paying
attentionanditwasalmostfatal."

"Thekidswouldhavemissedyou."

"Maybe Guy would have, although he's pretty solitary most of the time," he replied. His eyes
narrowed."AmyandPolkseemveryhappytostay

withanybody."

Sothetrucewasover.Shestaredathim."Theyprobablywerehalfstarvedforalittleoftheattention
yougiverodeoing,"

shereturnedabruptly.

"Youseemtospendyourlifeavoidingyourownchildren."

"You'reoutspoken,"hesaidangrily.

"Soareyou."

Hisgreeneyesnarrowed."Notveryworldly,though."

Shewouldn'tblush,shewouldn'tblush,shewouldn't...!

"Theeggsaregettingcold,"sheremindedhim.

The color in her face was noticeable now, but she was a trooper. He admired her attempt at
subterfuge,evenashefelthimselftensingwithfaint

pleasureathernaivete.Herobviousinnocenceexcitedhim."Ihavetomakealiving,"hesaid,feeling
oddlydefensive.

"RodeoiswhatIdobest,and

it'sprofitable."

"Yourcousinmentionedthattheranchisprofitable,too."

"Onlyifitgetsaboostinleantimesfromothercapital,andtimesareprettyleanrightnow,"hesaid
shortly.

"It'sthekids'legacy.Ican't

affordtoloseit."

"Yes, but there are other ways of making money besides rodeo. You must know a lot about how to
managecattleandhorsesandaccounts."

"Ido.ButIlikeworkingformyself."

She stared pointedly at his head. "Yes, I can see how successful you are at it. Head not hurting this
morning?"

"Ihaven'ttakenafallthatbadbefore,"hemuttered.

"You'regettingolder,though."

"Older!MyGod,I'monlyinmythirties!"

"Emmett,you'resoloud!"Amyprotestedsleepilyfromdeepinherblankets.

"Sorry,honey,"hesaidautomatically.HisgreeneyesnarrowedandglitteredonMelody."Icanrideas
wellasIeverdid!"

"AmIarguing?"sheaskedinmocksurprise.

Hegotupfromhischairandtoweredoverher.''Nobodytellsmewhattodo."

"Iwasn't,"sherepliedpleasantly."Butwhenthosekidsreachtheirteens,doyoureallythinkanyone's
goingtobeabletomanagethem?

Andwhatifsomethinghappenstoyou?Whatwillbecomeofthem?"

Shewasaskingquestionshedidn'tlike.He'dalreadystartedtoaskthemhimself.Hedidn'tlikethat,
either.

Hewentofftowardthe

bedroomtocalltheboysanddidn'tsayanotherword.

Melody worried at her own forwardness in mentioning such things to him. It was none of her
business,butshewasfondofAmyandPolk.

Guywasatrial,buthewasintelligentandhehadgrit.Theyweregoodkids.IfEmmettwokeupin
timetotakepropercareofthem,they'dbe

goodadults.Buttheywereheadingfortroublewithoutsupervision.

***

Emmettcamebackwearingacheckedshirtandblackboots.Beingfullydressedmadehimfeelbetter
armoredtotalktoMissBossyinthe

kitchen.

"They'regettingup,"hemuttered,sitting.

"I'llwarmeverythingwhentheygetinhere."Shebusiedherselfwashingthedishesandcleaningthe
sinkuntiltheboyscameoutofher

room, dressed. Then she escaped into the bedroom and closed the door. Emmett's stare had been

provokinglyintimate.She'dfeltundressedin

frontofthoseknowingeyesandshewonderedwhyhehadsuddenlybecomesodisturbingtoher.

Seeing him without his clothes had kindled something unfamiliar in her. She'd never been curious
aboutmenthatway,evenifshediddaydream

aboutloveandmarriage.ButEmmett'spowerfulshouldersandhair-roughenedchestandflatstomach
andlong,muscularlegs,alongwithhis

blatant masculinity, stuck in her mind like a vivid oil painting that she couldn't cover up. He hadn't
evenhadawhitestreakacrosshiships.

Thatwasoddlysensual.Ifhesunbathed,hemustdoitasheslept:withoutanythingon.Helookedvery
muchlikeoneofthosemarblestatues

she'dseenphotographsof,buthewasevenmorethrillingtolookat.Shereproachedherselfforthat
thought.

She looked at the rumpled bed where Emmett had lain with the boys and her pulse raced. Tonight
she'dbesleepingwherehisbodyhadrested.

Shewonderedifshe'deversleepagain.

Aftershewasdressed,shewenttothekitchenandwarmedthefoodbeforesheputitonthetable.The
kidsallatehungrily,evenGuy,

althoughhewouldn'tlookatMelody.Hewasjustassullenanduncommunicativeasever.

But now, Melody was avoiding looking at him, too. Guy noticed her resentment and was surprised
thatitbotheredhim.Hewasguiltyabout

thecataswell.Ithadbeenanugly

cat,allscarredandbigandorange,butithadpurredwhenhepettedit.Hisconsciencestunghim.

HehadtorememberthatMelodywasresponsibleforhismother'sdeparture.He'dlovedhismother.
She'dgoneaway,soithadtobebecause

ofhim.He'dgivenherahardtime,justashe'dbeengivingMelodyone.He'dbeenmuchmorecaring
abouthisfathersincehismotherleft,

becauseheknewitwashisfaultthatshe'drunawaywiththatRandyCartman.Ifhe'dbeenabetterboy,
anicerboy,hismotherwouldhave

stayed.Maybeifhecouldkeephisfathersingle,hismotherwouldcomeback.

Blissfullyunawareofhisson'smistakenreasoning,Emmettsmiledattheboy.Hewasabitcurious

aboutGuy'sbehavior.Theboyand

Melodywererestrainedwitheachother.Melody'seyeswereaccusing,andGuy'swereguilt-ridden.It
wasn'tabigjumpfromthat

observationtothesubjectofthecat.

HecouldaskGuyaboutit,butitwouldbebettertolettheboybringituphimself,whentheywere
awayfromhere.IfitwastruethatGuy

reallyhadletthecatout...

Hewassorrythathe'dspentsomuchtimeavoidinghischildren.Adell'sbetrayalwasn'ttheirfault.If
AdellgenuinelylovedRandy,and

hadleftonlybecauseofthat,noonewastoblameforwhathadhappened.Leastofallthekids.

Emmettfeltbetterabouthimself,andthem.Hehadalotofomissionstomakeupfor,andhedidn't
knowwheretostart.

Thekidsfinishedbreakfastandwenttowatchtelevision.EmmettinsistedonhelpingMelodycleanup.

Hedriedwhileshewashedandrinsed."Tellmeaboutthecat,"hesaid.

Herfacestiffened.

"Comeon."Heproddedgently.

Shesighedheavily."Ifoundhimlastyearinanalley,"shesaidfinally."Hehadastringtiedaround
hisneck.

He

was thick with parasites, and half starved. It took him a long time to learn to trust me. I thought he
neverwould."Shewashedthesameplate

twice."We'vebeentogethereversince.I'llmisshim."

"Hemaystillturnup,"hetoldher.

Sheshookherheadsadly."Itisn'tlikely.Therearesomanystreets..."

''Ifhewasastreetcatwhenyougothim,he'sstreetsmart.Don'tgiveuponhimyet."

Shesmiled,butshedidn'treply.

"Whatyousaidaboutthekids,"hebegan,glancingtowardthelivingroomtomakesuretheyweren't
listening."IguessmaybeI'vebeen

negligentwiththem.Ithoughttheywereadjustingtomybeingawaysomuch.Butthisconcussionhas
mademeapprehensive."Hestaredat

her quietly. ' 'Adell isn't likely to be able to handle all three of them with a stepfather, even if she
wouldn'tmindvisitationrights.They'dbe

splitup,withnoplacetogo."

"Adelllovesthem,youknowshedoes,"shereplied.

"ShegaveupwhenIrefusedtoletherseethem.Ineverwouldhavegivenup."

"Adellisn'tyou,"sheremindedhim."Sheisn'treallyafighter."

"That's probably why she said yes when I proposed to her," he said angrily. "I was overbearing,
becauseIwantedhersomuch.IfI'dgiven

herachoice,she'dprobablyhaveturnedmedown."

"Youhavethreefinechildrentoshowforyourmarriage,"shesaidsoftly.

He looked down into her quiet dark eyes and something stirred deep inside his heart. He began to
smile.

"You'vebeenasurprise,"he

saidabsently.

"Sohaveyou,"shereplied.

Henoticedthatshe'dthrownawayaboxofcatfood."Didyoumeantodothat?"heasked,liftingit.

Shegrimaced."Well,he'sgone,isn'the?"sheaskedhuskily.

Sheturnedtoputawaytheplatesandhemoved,butshecaughtherfootonachairlegandtripped.

Hecaughthereasily,hisreflexeshonedbyyearsofranchwork.Hisleanhandsonherwaistkindled
exquisitelittleripplesonherskin.Shelooked

upintohiseyesandhergazehungthere,curious,alittlesurprisedbythestrengthoftheneedshefelt
tobeheldcloseagainsthimandcomforted.

Heseemedtounderstandthatneedinhereyes,becausehereactedtoitimmediately.Takingtheclean
colorfulplasticplatesfromherhandina

silence broken only by the blaring television, he set them on the table. Then he pulled her quite
roughlyintohisarms.

Sheshiveredwithfeeling.Never,shethought,neverlikethis!Shewasfrightened,butshedidn'tpull
away.Shelethimholdher,closedhereyes

anddelightedinthesecurityshefeltforthisbriefmoment.Itmadetheacheinherheartsubside.His
shirtsmelledofpleasantdetergentandcologne,

anditfeltwonderfultobeheldsocloselytohiswarmstrength.

"Thecatwillshowup,"hesaidatherear,hisvoicedeep,soothing."Don'tloseheart."

She had to force herself to draw away from him. It was embarrassing to allow herself to be
comforted.Shewasusedtobearingthingsbravely.

Shemanagedawansmile."Thanks,"shesaidhuskily.

Henodded.Hepickeduptheplatesandhandedthembacktoher."I'llgetthekidspacked,"hesaid.

Hemovedoutofthekitchen.Hewasdisturbedandvaguelyaroused.Hedidn'twanttothinkabouthow
hisfeelingshadchangedsincehis

concussion.ThatcouldwaituntilhewasmorelucidandoutofMelody'sverydisturbingpresence.

Guy had noticed the embrace and he remarked on it when Emmett joined the children in the living
room.

"Losingthecatupsether,"Emmettsaid,andthatexplanationseemedtosatisfyGuy.Atthesametime,
theboy'sfacewentalittlepaler.

Later, Emmett promised himself, he was going to have to talk to Guy about that cat. He had some
suspicionsthathesincerelyhopedwerewrong.

He and Guy weren't close, although they got along well enough. But lately the boy was standoffish
andseemedtonotwantaffectionfromanyone.

Hebossedtheothertwoaroundandwhenhewasn'tdoingthat,hespenthistimebyhimself.Hedidn't
askforanything,leastofallattention.Butas

Emmettponderedthat,hebegantowonderifGuy'ssolitaryleaningsweren'tbecausehewasafraidto
getattached.He'dlosthismother,whomhe

adored,toastranger.PerhapshewasafraidoflosingEmmett,too.

Emmett could have told him that people don't stop loving their children, whether or not they're
divorced.He'ddonehiskidsaninjustice,probably,

bynotlettingAdellnearthem.Hebegantorethinkhisentireposition,andhedidn'tlikewhathesaw.
He'dbeenpunishingeveryoneforAdell'sdefection.

Perhapshe'dbeenpunishinghimselfaswell.Melodyhadsaidsometilingsthatdisturbedhim.That
mightnotbebad.Itwastimehecameto

gripswiththepast,andhiskids.Fatehadgivenhimasecondchance.Hecouldn'taffordtowasteit.

Chapter4

itonlytookherreluctanthouseguestsafewminutestopackandbereadytoleave.

"Youcouldstayanotherdayifyouneedto,"MelodytoldEmmettandherdarkeyeswereworried.

"Concussionscanbedangerous."

"Indeedtheycan,"hesaid."ButtheheadacheisgoneandI'mnotfeelingdisorientedanymore.Believe
me,Idon'ttakechances.I'mall

right.I'dnevertakethekidswithmeifIwasn'tsure."

"Ifyou'resurethen,"shesaid.

"Besides," he added ruefully, "we've given you enough trouble. Thank you for taking care of those
kidsforme.Andforyourhospitality."

Heopenedhiswalletandputtwotwenty-dollarbillsonthetable."Forgroceries,"hesaid.

"Theydidn'teatfortydollarsworthoffood,"shereturnedangrily.

"Thebaby-sittercostthatmuchfortwohours,muchlesstwodays,"hesaid,puttinghiswalletaway."I
won'targue.

Idon'twanttobeunderanyobligationtoyou.Inmyplace,you'dfeelexactlythesame,"headdedwith
asmilewhenshestartedtoprotest

again.

Shewouldhavefeltthesameway,shehadtoadmit.Reluctantly,shegavein."Allright.Thankyou,"
shesaidstiffly."Ihopeyou'llbeall

right,"sheadded.Shecouldn'tquitehideherworryforhim.

Herconcerntouchedhim."Iwill.I'vegottheworld'shardesthead."Heguidedthekidsoutthedoor.
"We'llgetacab,"headdedwhen

sheofferedtodrivethem.

"I'llmissyou,Melody,"Amysaidsadly.ShehuggedMelodywarmly."Can'tyoucomewithus?"

"I'vegotajob,"Melodysaidsimply.Shesmiledandkissedthelittlegirl'sforehead."ButI'llmissyou,
too.

Youcouldwriteme,ifyour

daddoesn'tmind."

"Me,too?"Polkasked.

Shesmiled."You,too."

Hebeamed.Guydidn'tsayaword.Hestuckhishandsintothepocketsofhisjeansandtrailedafter
AmyandPolk.

"I'llsaygoodbye,then,"Emmettsaidquietly.HesearchedMelody'seyes,feelingoddlydisconcerted
atthethoughtofnotseeingher

again.Hescowled,hisexpressionsteadyandintent,andajoltofpurepleasuresearedthroughhimas
helethisgazefallslowlytohermouth.It

wassilkyandsoftlooking,andhewonderedhowitwouldfeeltosmoothherbodyagainsthisand
kissherblind.

Hedraggedhisgazeaway.Hemuststillbeconcussed,hedecided,tobeconsideringthat!Anysuch
thoughtswerearoadtodisaster.She,of

all women, was off-limits. He would never forget Adell and Randy. The past would destroy any
thoughtofarelationshipwithMelody.

"Goodbye,"hesaidstiffly,andfollowedthekidsintotheelevator.Guylookedoverhisshoulder,and
therewassomethinginhiseyesthat

mingledstrangelywiththehostility.He

lookedasifhewereabouttosaysomething,butEmmett'sgentlehandonhisshoulderguidedhimout
thedoor.

Theapartmentwasquietandlonelywitheveryonegone.Melodygotherclothesreadyforworkthe
nextday,butshediditwithoutanyreal

interest.Withasinkingheart,shewashedAlistair'sbowlsandputthemoutofsight.Tearsstungher
eyesatthethoughtofneverseeing

himagain.She'dneverdreamedthatachildcouldbesovindictive.

Backatthehotel,Guywastotallyuncommunicativeuntilthatnight.AfterAmyandPolkwenttobed,
hesatdownonthecouchnexttohis

father.

"Something'sbotheringyou,"Emmettremarkedquietly.

Guyshrugged."Yeah."

"Wanttotellmeaboutit?"

Theboyleanedforward,restinghiselbowsonhiskneesinapositionthatEmmettoftenassumed.

"IletMelody'scatout.'-'

Emmett'sheadlifted.Hewasn'treallysurprised.He'dsuspectedthisbecauseofGuy'sbehavior."That
wascruel,"hereplied,"aftershewas

kind enough to take care of all three of you. The cat was special to her. Like Barney is to you," he
added,mentioningthemongrelpupthat

Guywasfondofbackhome."Trytothinkhowyou'dfeelifsomeoneletBarneyoutinthestreets..."

Guyburstintotears.ItwasthefirsttimeinmemorythatEmmetthadseenthathappen.Evenwhenhis
motherleft,Guyhadn'tcried.

Awkwardly Emmett pulled the boy against him and patted his back. He wasn't too good at being a
parentmostofthetime.Thekidsmade

him uncomfortable with their woes and antics, which was really why he spent so much time away
fromhome.Nowhewonderedifhe'dbeen

neededmorethanherealized.Thekidshadn'thadanyonetotalktoabouttheirmotherintwoyears,
oranybodytoleanon.He'dassumed

that they hadn't needed that. But they were only children. Why hadn't he realized how young they
reallywere?

"Whydidyouletthecatout?"EmmettaskedGuygently.

"BecauseIhateher!ShehelpedMomleave!"Guychoked."She'snothingbutatroublemakingwitch!"
Helookedup,alittle

uncertainly."Youcalledherthat!"headdeddefensively,becausehisfatherdidn'tlookpleasedabout
whathe'dsaid.

Emmettgroaned."Yes,Idid,butitwasbecauseIwashurting.Nobodymadeyourmotherleave.She
wentawaybecausesheneverreally

lovedme."Itwaspainfultosaythat,butnowthatitwasout,itdidn'thurtsomuch."Shedidfallin
love,butwithanotherthan,andshe

couldn'tlivewithouthim.That'snotyourfaultormineorMelody's.It'sjustlife."

Guy sniffed, and pulled away, wiping his tears on the back of his hand. "Melody cried all night. I
heardher.Ithoughtitwouldserveher

right,becauseofMom.Butitmademefeelawful."

"Itmadeherfeelprettyawful,too."

"Iknow."Helookedupathisfather."What'llIdo?"

Emmettthoughtforaminute."Gotobed.I'vegotanidea.We'lltalksomemoretomorrow."

"We'regoinghome,aren'twe?"

"Yes.Tomorrowafternoon.Butfirst,inthemorning,Iwanttomakeafewphonecalls."

Hemadeeightphonecallsbeforehegottheinformationhewanted.Hisheadhadstoppedthrobbing
andhefeltmuchbetter.Leavingthekids

withababy-sitter—nottheelderlyoneoftwonightsago—hewentdownstairsandhailedacab.

Melodywasjusthangingupthetelephonewhensheheardtheouterofficedooropen.Shelookedup
withasmilereadyfortheclientcomingin.

Butitwasn'taclient;itwasEmmett.

Andunderhisarmwasabig,straggly-lookingorangetabbycat.

"Alistair!"

Shescrambledupfromthedesk,tearsofjoystreamingdownherface."Alistair!Oh,Alistair...!"

ShetookthecatfromEmmettandkissedAlistairandhuggedhimandpettedhimandstrokedhimin
suchdelightthatEmmettfelteven

worse than he had when Guy told him what he'd done. Seeing Melody vulnerable like this touched
him.Itwasasshockingasithadbeentosee

Guyintears.

"Wheredidyoufindhim?"shechoked,big-eyed.

Hetouchedhercheekgently."Atthelocalpound,"hesaid.Hedidn'taddthattheshelterhadbeenina
stateofchaosandthecathad

inadvertentlybeenscheduledforprematuretermination.Thatwouldn'tdoatall."Isupposeyouknow
thatitwasGuywholethimout"

"Iknow,"shesaid.

"It's my fault more than his," he murmured reluctantly. "I've blamed everyone for Adell, especially
you.Icouldn'tstandtoadmitthatshe

leftbecauseofme,becauseshedidn'tloveme.Istayedawaytoomuch.Thekidsandtheloneliness
killedourmarriage."

"Notthekids,"shereplied,clutchingAlistair."Adelllovesthechildren.She'dlovetohavethemvisit,
but..."

Shepaused.

"But I wouldn't let her near them. That's right," he agreed tersely. "I hated her, too. Her, and your
brotherandyou.Everybody."

"Youwerehurt,"shesaidsoftly,hereyessearchinghis."Weallunderstood.EvenAdell."

Hisjawwenttaut.Hetookadeepbreathandlookedoverherhead."We'reflyingoutthisafternoon.I
havetogo."

"Thank you for my cat," she said sincerely. In a fever of gratitude and without thinking of the
consequences,shereachedupandtouched

hersoftlipsferventlytohischin.

Shockedatthelookitproducedonhislean,darkface,andnotalittlebyherownbehavior,shedrew
backatonce.

He looked down at her curiously, stunned. When she began to step away, his lean hand caught her
shoulderandstoppedtheslow

movement.

"No,"hesaidhesitantly,searchinghersoft,darkeyeswhilehisheartbegantoraceinhischest."Not
yet,Melody."

Whileshewasgettingherbreath,helethisgazedropabruptlytohersoft,partedmouthandhisbig
handmoveduptoherchin,gently

cuppingitashetiltedherfaceup.

Histhumbmovedhesitantlyoverherfulllowerlip."I've...wondered,"hewhisperedashisheadbegan
tolower."Haven'tyou?"

Shedidn'tgetthechancetoreply.Hismouthslowlyclosedonherswithtender,confidentmastery.It
wasfirm,andhard,andalittlerough.Shelet

hereyescloseandstoppedbreathing.She'dbeenkissed,butjustthetouchofathan'slipshadnever
beenquitesovivid.Ithadtobebecauseofthe

antagonismthey'dfeltforeachother,shethoughtdizzily.

But her knees were going weak and her heartbeat went wild when she felt his teeth gently nip her
lowerlip.

Sheheardhisbreathingchangeeven

ashisheadliftedafractionofaninch.

"Openit,"hesaidroughly,hishandslidingintothethickhairathernape."Openyourmouth...!"

Hislipscrushedintoherswithsuddenviolence,hungermakinghimlessconsiderateofherneedsand
moreawareofhisown.Witharough

groan,hemadeherlipsparttoadmithis,andhistongueprobedinsistentlybetweenthem.

Shocked,hergaspgavehimwhathewanted—accesstohermouth.Hemadeasatisfiedsoundinhis
throatandpenetratedthesoft,warmdarkness

pastherlipswithslowthrusts.

Shegaspedandclutchedathimaswavesofphysicalpleasurebuffetedheruntriedbody.Hermouth
pushedupward,tomeethisardor

headlong. And Alistair chose that instant to insist physically on being put down, his claws digging
intoherarm.

ShepulledawayfromEmmett,breathlessandpuzzledby

theviolenceinhiseyes.Hishandletgoofherhair.Shelookedawaywhilesheputthebattle-scarred
oldtomcatonhisfeetanddazedly

watchedhimleapintoherchairandbegintobathehimselfwithmagnificentabandon.

ShetooksteadyingbreathsandslowlylookedatEmmett.Heseemedasshakenasshefelt.Herdark
eyesstaredupintohisturbulentgreen

oneswithmutecuriosity.

Thedelighthefeltwasfartoodisturbing.Hecouldgetinoverhisheadherewithnotroubleatall.
Thechemistrywasthere,justashe'd

knownitwassomewhereinthebackofhismind.Hewassorryaboutthat.Ofallthewomenhe'dever
wanted,Melodywasthefirstonethat

heabsolutelycouldnothave.

Heforcedhimselftobreathenormally,topretendthatitwasnaturalforhimtofeelthisarousedfrom
acasualkiss.Hehadtoforceback

theimpulsetodragheragainsthim.

Helaughedalittleangrily."I'mgladthecatturnedup,"hesaidwhenhewantedtoaskhowshefelt,if
herbodywasthrobbingasmadlyas

bisownwas.Hehadtokeephishead,talknormally."Thanksforthehospitality."

"That's all right." She could barely speak. She cleared her throat. "Thank you for finding my cat.
He...hereallyisallIhave."

Histhroatfelttight.Hehadtostoplookingathermouth.Hisbroadshoulderssquared."Guy'ssorry
forwhathedid.I'llmakesurehe

doesn'tdoitagain."

"Youwon't...bemeantohim?"

Hecockedaneyebrow."Idon'thaveabullwhip."

Sheflushed."Sorry,"shesaidsheepishly.

Hemanagedashortlaugh."Idon'tbeatmykids.Can'tyoutell?"

Shesmiledathim,herlipsstilltinglingwithpleasurefromthehungerofhismouth.

He smiled back. She looked delectable when she smiled. He wanted her. No! He couldn't afford to
thinklikethat.

"Well...goodbye."

"Goodbye,"hesaid.Hehesitatedforaninstant.Shemadehimwantthingshe'dforgottenheneeded.
Therehadbeenwomen,butthisonetouchedhiminwaysnooneelseeverhad.Hewantedtotell

herthat,buthedidn'tdare.Therewasnofutureinarelationshipbetweenthem.Surelysheknew,too,
thatithadbeenanimpulse,amad

momentthatwasbetterforgottenbybothofthem.

Withatipofhisbroad-brimmedhat,heturnedabruptlyandleftwithoutlookingback.

Melody stroked her cat with a hand that trembled. "Oh, Alistair." She sighed, cuddling him. "I've
missedyousomuch!"

Alistair butted bis head against her and purred. She laughed, imagining that he was telling her he'd
missedher,too.Shemurmuredasmall

prayer of thanks and carried him into the bathroom. He'd have to stay there until it was time to go
home.

Perhapsshecouldfindhimpartofa

sandwichandasaucerofmilklatertokeephimhappy.

Emmettwassetupontheminutehewalkedintothehotelroom.

"Didyoufindhim?"Guyaskedimpatiently.

Emmettputofftellinghimlongenoughtomakehimsweat.Objectlessonsstayedinthemind."Yes,I
foundhim,"hesaid,andwatched

the young face lose its pallor. "No thanks to you," he added firmly. "He was scheduled to be put
down."

"I'msorry,"Guysaidtightly.Hewastryingnottohopefortoomuch.Lastnight,hisfatherhadbeen
approachableforthefirsttimein

memory. It had felt good to be cared about. But now Emmett seemed distant again, and Guy was
feelingthetransitionalltoomuch.

Emmett turned away. He didn't see the wounded look on the young face, or the hope that slowly
drainedoutofit"Yougotasecond

chance.Mostpeopledon't.Rememberhowitfelt.Thatwayyouwon'tbetemptedtodosuchacruel
thingagain."

"Youhateher,"Guymuttered."Yousaidyoudid,"headdeddefensively.

"I know." Emmett hesitated. "I'll try to explain that one day," he told his son, and somewhere in the
backofhismindhewasremembering

theincrediblesoftnessofMelody'sinnocentmouthunderhislips.

He paid the baby-sitter, packed the suitcases and took his kids home. Maybe when he was back in
familiarsurroundings,hecouldput

Melodyoutofhisthoughts.

MelodycheckedonTansyDeverellSundayevening.Tansyhadbeendischargedfromthehospitaland
hadbeenmovedtoLogan'shouse

whereshehadaprivatenurseuntilKitandLogangotbacksothatshewouldn'tbeinthehousealone.

Spendingtheeveningwiththeelderly

ladytookhermindoffherownproblems.

"I saw Emmett before they released him," Tansy mused with twinkling eyes when she was in a

comfortablebedatLogan'shouse."Two

nursesthreatenedtoresign,Ibelieve?"

"Ihearditwasthree,andthedoctor."Melodychuckled."Isn'thesomething?Andthosekids...!"

"ThosekidswouldsettledownifGuywould,"Tansyreplied."He'stheringleader.Heleadsandthe
othertwofollow.Guy'ssaidtheleast

abouthismotherleavingthem,butIthinkithithimthehardest—almostashardasithitEmmett.They
bothblamethemselves,whenitwas

noone'sfault."

"ItoldEmmettthat,"Melodyremarked."Heactuallylistened.Idon'tknowifhebelievedmeornot,
buthewas...well,lessvolatile

afterthat."

"Emmett's always been explosive," the elderly woman recalled. "He was high-strung and forceful
whenhewasyounger,arealhell-raiser.

Adell was sheltered and shy. He just walked right over her. He was devastated when his mother
committedsuicideandhewantedawifeanda

familyrightthen.HepickedAdellandrushedhertothealtar.Shenevershouldhavemarriedhim.He
wastheexactoppositeofthekindofthansheneeded.Shedidn'twantafistfulofchildrenrightaway,
but

Emmettgavehernorealchoice.He'slivedtoregrethisrashness.I'msorryforthewaythingsturned
outforhim.He'sasad,lonelythan."

"Andaverybitterone,"Melodyadded."Hehatedme."

"Pasttense?"Tansyfishedgently.

"Idon'tknow.Hewasverydifferentwhenheleft,"shereplied,frowninginconfusion.

"Ihopehe'llgohomeandrethinkhislifeafterthis,"Tansysaid."Hehadaclosecallthatcouldhave
endedtragically.Thekidsdeservea

bettershakethanthey'regetting.Ifhedoesn'twakeupprettysoon,he'llneverbeabletocontrolthem
whentheygetolder."

"Ithinkheknowsthat."

"Thenlet'sbothhopehe'lldosomethingaboutit.They'resweetkids."

Melody only nodded. She didn't want to go into any details about why she could have cheerfully
excludedGuyfromthatdescription.

"It's great to be back." Kit sighed when she stopped by the office Monday morning with a weary-
lookingLogan."Youreallyneeda

vacationfromavacation.Wehadsomuchfun!"ShestaredafterLogan,who'dgoneintohisofficeto
takeatelephonecall.

Melody stared at her grimly. "I'm glad you did," she said, emphasizing the "you." "Emmett landed
himselfinthehospitalwithaconcussion

overtheweekend.Guesswhogottolookafterthosekids."

"Oh,Lord,"Kitsaidonamoan."Youpoorthing!"

"Ikeptremindingmyselfthatthey'remyniecesandnephews,"Melodyremarked."Butitwasavery
longweekend."Shedidn'tmention

Alistair'sadventureorGuy'spartinit.

"I'mreallysorry.Ifwe'dbeenintown,allofuscouldhavesplitthemup."

"Ishuddertothinkoftheconsequences,"Melodymused.

"Icanseethemnow,tryingtogettoeachotherthroughdowntownHoustonattwointhemorning."

"Hmm.Youmighthaveapointthere."Sheglancedatherwatch."Ihavetogettowork,orImaynot
haveajob.Haveaniceday,"she

called,pausingtoblowakissatherhusbandthroughtheopendoorofhisoffice.

Melodywonderedattheobviouslylovingrelationshipthemarriedcouplehad,andfeltafaintenvy.
Probablyshe'dneverknowanythinglike

that.Emmetthadkissedher,butithadbeenpassionate,notloving.Shepermittedherselftodreamfor
justamomentabouthowitwouldhave

felttobelovedhalftodeath.Thenthephonerangandsavedherfromanymoremalingering.

During the time Logan and Kit had been away, Melody hadn't been forced to call on Tom Walker.
Thatwasablessing.Hestrolledintothe

officelateronthedayLogancameback,alittlecurious,becausehe'dexpectedtohavesomeoneto
adviseinLogan'sabsence.

"IsupposeIhadyoubuffaloed?"hemusedinadeepvoicewithaveryfaintcrispnorthwesternaccent,
hisdarkeyestwinklingasthey

metMelody's."Thatwasjustbadtimingbefore,whenLoganlefttown.I'dalreadyhadahellofaday.
Youcaughttheoverflow.I'msorryif

I'veputyouofffinancialadvisorsforlife."Therewasafaintqueryinhisscrutiny.

"You haven't," Melody said, and smiled back. "But we really didn't have anyone with an emergency
thistime.

Aren'tyouglad?"

"Iguessso,"hesaidwearily."It'sbeenalongweek.Howwasthehoneymoon?"heaskedLogan,who
joinedthemintheouteroffice.

"Nothinglikeit.Getmarriedandfindoutforyourself,"hesaid,chucklingasheshookTom'shand.

The older than's face closed up. "Marriage is not for me," he said quietly. "I'm not suited for it.
Besides,whenwouldIhavetimefora

wife?"headdedwithamockingsmile."I

workeighteenhoursoutofeverytwenty-four.Inmysparetime,Isleep."

"Thatwillgetoldoneday,"Logantoldhim.HewasobviouslythinkingaboutKitandhisheartwasin
hisface.

"Timecanpassyoubyif

youdon'tpayattention."

Tom turned away. "I've got a client due. I just wanted to stop by and welcome you back. I'll be in
touch."

"Don'tforget,we'rehavingdinnerwiththeRowenaMarshalpeoplenextSaturdayattheSheraton."

"HowcouldIforget?Ms.Marshalherselfphonedtoremindme,"hesaidwithanipinhistone."After
expressingoutragethatherbusiness

partner had dared to approach us about changing their investments without her knowledge. If you
recall,Iwasagainsttakingtheiraccountinthe

first place. It's been nothing short of a headache. They should have used one firm, not split their
investmentsbetweentwo.Itriedtotellthem

that,too.Ms.Marshalwouldn'tlisten."

"Mrs.Marshal,"Logancorrected.

"Areyousure?Whenwouldshefindtimeforahusbandandfamily?"Tommuttered."Thatcosmetic

companyseemstokeepherasoccupied

asinvestmentskeepme."

"Sheandherhusbandaredivorced,"Loganreplied."OrsoIhear."

Tomdidn'tsayaword,butoneeyebrowwentup."AmIsurprised?Howcouldamerethancompete
withthepowerandprestigeofowning

oneoftheFortune500companies?"

"I'msurethere'smoretoitthanthat,"Loganreplied.

Tom shrugged. "There usually is. Well, we'll see what they want to do after we talk to them. If you
wanttheaccount,youcanhaveitwithmy

blessing.Tellherthat,wouldyou?"

Loganchuckled."WhathaveIeverdonetoyou?"

Tomshookhishead."Seeyou."

Loganwatchedhimleavewithnarrow,curiousdarkeyes.Tomwasarealpuzzleeventothepeople
whoknewhimbestHehadafeelinghis

friend and the lovely Mrs. Marshal were going to strike sparks off each other from the very
beginning.

HeturnedtoMelody,whowassortingfiles."Anythingthatcan'twaituntiltomorrow?"hemused.

"Why, no, sir," she said with a mischievous smile. "In fact, I think I can now run the office all by
myself,adviseclientsonthebest

investments,speaktocivicorganizations..."

"IcancallEmmettandtellhimyoumisshavinghimandthekidsatyourapartment,andthatyou'd
likehimtocomeback,"hesuggested.

Shestuckbotharmsupintheairoverherhead.

HechuckledandlefttopickupKitatheroffice.

Emmettwaswonderingifhisagewasbeginningtoaffecthim.Hewasnoticingthingsabouthiskids
thathadescapedhimformonths.They

didn'ttakeregularbaths.Theydidn'thavenewclothes.Theydidn'tdotheirhomework.Theyplayed
reallynastyjokesonpeoplearoundthe

ranch.

"You haven't noticed much, have you?" the housekeeper, Tally Ray remarked dryly. "I've done my
best,butastheykeepremindingme,I

don'thaveanyrealauthoritytoorderthemaround."

"We'llseeaboutthat,"hebeganirritably.

"Whydon'tyouseeaboutthat?BecauseI'mretiring.Here'smynotice.Ididn'tminddoinghousework,
butIdrawthelineatbeingaparttime

mothertothreekids.Iwanttoenjoymygoldenyears,ifyouplease."

"Butyou'vebeenhereforever!"heprotested.

"Andthat'swhyI'mleaving."Shepattedhimontheshoulder."Oneweekisallyouget,bytheway.I
hopeyoucanfindsomebodystupid

enoughtoreplaceme."

Emmettfelttheworldcomingdownonhisshoulders.Nowwhatwashegoingtodo?

HephonedTansy,supposedlytocheckonherprogress,butreallytogetsomemuch-neededadvice.

"You'replayingwithfire,youknow,"Tansytoldhim."Livingontheedgeisonlyforpeoplewithno
realresponsibilities.Thosekidsneed

you."

"Sodoestheranch.HowcanIkeepitwithoutadditionalcapital?"

"Getajobthatdoesn'thavetherisksofrodeo."

"Where?"heaskedbelligerently.

"Takedownthisnumber."

Shegaveittohimandhejotteditdownwithapencil."Whatisit?"

"It'sTedRegan'snumber,"shereplied."HestillneedssomebodytomanagehisranchinJacobsville
whilehe'sinEurope.Itwon'tbea

permanentjob,butitwouldkeepyougoinguntilyoudecidewhatelseyou'dliketodowithyourlife."

"Jacobsville."

"That'sright.It'sasmalltown,butcloseenoughtoHoustonthatyoucouldbringthekidstoseeme.

You'dhavetimetospendwiththem.You'd

haveasecondchance,Emmett."

Hecoulduseone,buthedidn'twanttoadmitit."That'sanidea."Hedidn'taddthatitwasgoingtoget
himclosertoMelodythanSan

Antoniowas.Hedidn'tknowwhyitexhilaratedhimtothinkofbeingcloseenoughtoseeherwhenhe
liked,butitdid.

"CallTedandtalktohim,"Tansysuggested.

"Isupposeitwouldn'thurt"

It didn't. Ted Regan knew Emmett's reputation in rodeo and he didn't need to ask for credentials or
qualifications.HeofferedEmmettthejob

onthespot,ataregularsalarythatwastwicewhathewaspullingdownontherodeocircuit.

"Besides, it may turn into a full-time job," Ted continued in his deep, Texas drawl. "My present
managerjustquitIdon'tknowifIcan

spreadmyselfthinenoughtomanagetheranchandkeepupwithmypurebredbusiness.I'mbuying
andsellingcattlelikehotcakes.Ihaven't

gottimefortheday-to-dayroutineofranching."

ThatwaswhatworriedEmmett.Ifhelefthisownranch,he'dhavetoletWhitmanageitforhim.Whit
wasgood,butcouldheholdit

together?

"We'llhavetotalkaboutthatlater,butIwillthinkabouttheoffer,"Emmettpromised."Andthanks,I'll
takethejob."

"I'mglad,"Tedreplied."Iknowyou'lldoitright."HegaveEmmettadatetoreportandconcludedthe
finepointsoftheagreement.

Whenhehungup,Emmettcalledthekidstogetherandsatdownwiththem.

"We'regoingtomovetoJacobsvilleandI'mgoingtomanagearanchthere,"hebegan.

Guyglaredathisfatherwithpale,angryeyesinafaceasleanandstrongasEmmett's."Well,I'mnot
movingtoJacobsville,"hesaid

curtly."Ilikeithere."

Amytookhercuefromhereldestbrother,whosepaleeyesdaredhertogoagainsthim."Me,too,"

Amysaidquickly,althoughnotas

belligerently."I'mnotgoing,either,Emmett!"

EmmettlookedatPolk.Polkdidn'tsayaword.Hejustlookedattheothertwo,grinnedandnodded.

Chapter5

Onlyaweekago,Emmettmighthavelosthistemperandsaidsomeunpleasantthingstothekids.But
he'dmellowedjustalittlesincehis

concussion.Hewassurehecouldhandlethechildren'smutiny.Hesmiledsmugly.Itwasjustamatter
ofoutsmartingthem.

"Therearehorsesthere,"heremarked."Lotsofhorses.Youcouldeachhaveoneofyourown."

"Weliveonaranch,Emmett,"Amyremindedhim."Wealreadyhaveahorseeach."

"There'stheAstrodomeinHouston,"headded.

"There'stheAlamohere,"Guysaid.

"Andtheplacewheretheyfilmallthemovies,outsidetown,"Polkadded.

"Allourfriendsarehere,"Amywailed.

Hewaslosingground.Hebegantolosesomeself-confidence."Youcanmakenewfriends,"hetold
them.

"Therearelotsofkidsin

Jacobsville."

"Wedon'twantnewfriends."Amybegantocry.

"Oh, stop that!" Emmett groaned. He glared at all three of them. "Listen, don't you want us to be a
family?"

heasked.

Amystoppedcrying.Hereyeswereredbuttheyliftedbravely."Afamily?"sheechoed.

"Yes,afamily!"Hepushedbackhisunrulydarkhairfromhisbroadforehead."Ihaven'tbeenmuch
ofafathersinceyourmotherleft

us,"heconfessedcurtly."Iwantustospendmoretimetogether.Iwanttobeabletostayathomewith
you.

IfItakethisjob,Iwon'tbe

away all the time at rodeos. I'll be home at night, all the time, and on weekends. We can do things
together."

Guy stared at him warily. "You mean, things like going to movies and goofy golf and baseball
games?Thingslikethat?"hesaidslowly,

hardlyabletobelievethathisfatheractuallymightwanttospendanytimewiththem.Thatwasn'tthe
impressionhe'dbeengivingsincetheir

motherhadleft.

"Yes,"Emmettsaid."Andifyouhadproblemsthatyouneededtotalktomeabout,I'dbethere."

"WhataboutMrs.Ray?"

"She'sresigning,"Emmettsaidsadly."Shesaysshe'sreachedtheagewheresheneedspeaceandquiet
andflowerstogrow.Sowe'dhaveto

replaceherevenifwestayhere."

GuyandAmyandPolkexchangedresignedglances.Theydidn'twanttheriskofahousekeeperthey
couldn'tcontrol.Therewasalwaysthat

one chance in a million that their father might come up with someone they couldn't frighten or
intimidate.

"Melodycouldstaywithus,couldn'tshe?"Amyaskedsuddenly.

"Sure!"Polkagreed,beaming.

Guy's complexion went pale. He muttered something under his breath and got up and went to the
windowtostareoutit.Heknewfor

certainthatMelodywouldn'twanthimaround,evenifshedidliketheothertwo.She'dneverforgive
himforwhathe'ddonetohercat.Besides,heremindedhimselfforcibly,hedidn'tlikeher.Itwasher
faultthathedidn'thaveamother

anymore.

Emmett found the suggestion warming, if impractical. He'd done a lot of thinking about Melody
himself.

"Melodyhasajob,"Emmettsaid.

ItsurprisedhimthatthekidsfounditsoeasytopictureMelodyaspartoftheirlives.Itsurprisedhim
evenmorethathedid,too.

"Jacobsville isn't very big, is it?" Guy asked without looking at his father. "There's not much to do
there,Iguess."

"You're old enough to start learning how to manage a ranch," Emmett told him. "You can come

aroundwithmeandlearntheropes."

Guy'susuallytaciturnfacebrightened.Heturned."Icould?"

"Yes."Emmett'seyesnarrowed."I'llhavetoturnthingsovertoyouoneday,"headded."Youmightas
wellknowoneendofaropefrom

theotherwhenthetimecomes."

Guyfeltasifhe'dbeenofferedanewstartwithhisfather.Itwasagoodfeeling.Guylookedathis
siblings.

"I'llgo,"hesaid,bisexpression

warningthemthatthey'dbetteragree.

Amy and Polk stood close together. "I guess it would be nice to have you at home all the time,
Emmett,"Amysaidsoftly."Itwouldbe

'speciallyniceifyoudidn'thavetorideanymoremeanhorses."

"Wedon'twantyoutodie,Dad,"Polkagreedsolemnly."You'resortofallwe'vegot."

Emmett'sleanfacehardened."Maybeyou'resortofallI'vegot,too.Everthinkofitlikethat?"

Guy looked uncomfortable and Polk just smiled. But Amy slid onto his lap and hugged him. She
lookedupwithsoft,lovingeyes."I'mglad

you'reourdaddy,Emmett,"shesaid.

Atthatmoment,sowashe.Very,veryglad.

Itcouldn'tlast,ofcourse,allthatpeaceandaffection.TheymovedtoJacobsvilleandtheyhadn'tbeen
inthebigsprawlingranchhouse

twohourswhenthecookstartedscreamingbloodymurderandranoutofthehousewithherapron
overherhead.

"What'sthematter?"Emmettcalled.

"There'sasnakeinthesink!There'sasnakeinthesink!"

"Oh,forGod'ssake,woman,whatkindofsnakeisit?"Emmettgrumbledabsently,moreconcerned
aboutthebookshe'dbeengoingover

thanthisgray-hairedwoman'shystericsoversomesmallreptile.

"It'stwentyfeetlong!"

"This is Texas," Emmett explained patiently. "There aren't any twenty-foot-long snakes here. You're
thinkingofboaconstrictorsand

pythons.Theycomefromthejungle."

"Hey,Dad,lookwhatwefoundinthebarn!"Guycalled,grinning.

Hecameoutwithahugeblack-and-whitestripedsnake.Itwasn'ttwentyfeetlong,butitwasatleast
six.

"Aaaaahhhhhhhhh!"thecookscreamedandstartedrunningagain.

"Goputitbackinthebarn,"Emmetttoldthem.

"Butit'sjustakingsnake,"Polkprotested.

"Andhe'sveryfriendly,Emmett,"Amyagreed.

"Put it back in the barn or she'll never come back. I'll have to cook and we'll starve," he explained,
gesturingtowardthefiguregrowing

smallerinthedistance.Hescowled."Asitis,I'llhavetorunhertogroundinthetruck.Neversaw
anyonerunthatfast!"

"Spoilsport,"Guymuttered.Hepettedthesnake,whichdidn'tseemtomindbeinghandledintheleast.

"Comeon,Teddy.It'sbacktothe

corn bin for you, I guess. I had hoped we could let him sleep with us. In case there were any mice
inside,"

hesaid,justifyinghisreply.

Emmettcouldseethewoman'sfaceifshestartedtomakeupabedandfoundthesnakewithitshead
onthepillow.

"Betternot,"hereplied."I'llloadmypistol.Ifyouseeamouse,I'llshootitforyou."

"Thesnake'sabetterbet,thewayyoushoot,"Guydrawled.

Emmettgloweredathim,buttheboyjustgrinned.Heandtheotherkidstookthesnakeouttothebarn.

Halfamiledowntheroad,

Emmettcaughtupwiththecookandpart-timehouseke6per,Mrs.Jenson.Afterswearingthatthekids
wouldneverdoanysuchthingagain,

hecoaxedherintocomingbackandfinishingthosedelicioussalmoncroquettesshe'dstartedtomake.

It was a hard adjustment, being home all the time. Emmett discovered that fatherhood wasn't
somethinghecouldtakeforgrantedanymore.

Hehadtoworkatit.Alltheproblemsthechildrenhadatschool—problemsthatpoorMrs.Rayhad
handledbefore—werenowdumpedsquarely

inhislap.

Polk had a terrible time with fractions, and refused to do them at all in school. Amy had attitude
problemsandfoughtwithherclassmates.

Guy was belligerent with his teachers and wouldn't mind, spending hours and hours at in-school
suspension.

Alltheseproblemswithteachers

eruptedinEmmett'sface,nowthathehadsolechargeofthechildren.

"Whycan'tyoukidsjustgotoschoolandgeteducatedlikeotherchildrendo?"heasked.Hehadnotes
fromthreeangryteachersinhis

hand,andhewaswavingthematthechildrenwhiletheywatchedtelevisionandpretendedtolisten.

"It'snotmyfaultIcan'tdofractions.TheteachersaysI'mnotmathematical,"Polksaidwithaproud
smile.

"AndIhaveabadattitude,onaccountofIdon'thaveamommyandmydaddyisneverhomeandI
needdisciplineandattention,"Amy

saidsmartly.

That stung. Emmett brushed it off and tried to pretend he hadn't heard it. "What's your excuse?"
EmmettaskedGuy.

Guyshrugged."Beatsme.Mrs.Bartleyseemstohavetroublerelatingtomeorsomething."

Emmett'seyesnarrowed."Thatwouldn'thaveanythingtodowiththemouseyoustuckinherpurse
beforelunchyesterday?"

"Awww,Dad,itwasonlyalittlemouse!"

"You have to stop that sort of thing," Emmett said firmly. "We need a little more discipline around
here,Icanseethatrightnow."

"You bet, Emmett," Amy agreed readily. She propped her hands under her chin and stared at him.
"He'sright,isn'the,guys?''sheaskedher

brothers.

"It isn't our fault that the educational system is in chaos," Polk reported. "We're just the innocent
victimsofbureaucracy."

Guynodded."That'sright."

Emmett sat down and crossed his long legs. "Victims or not, I'll thank you to start minding your
mannersatschool.OrImightjustforget

topaytheelectricbill.Howwouldyouwatchtelevisionthen?"heconcludedsmugly.

Amysighed."Well,Emmett,Iguesswe'djusthavetowatchitbycandlelight."

MelodyhadputthechildrenandEmmettforciblyoutofhermindseveraltimesovertheweeksthat
followed.

Christmascameandwent.She

exchangedcardsandpresentswithRandyandAdell,butitwasstillalonelytime.

Itdisturbedherthatshekeptstaringatdark-hairedmenbecausetheylookedalittlelikeEmmett.

Rememberinghowhe'dkissedherbefore

hewentbacktoSanAntoniodidn'thelphernerves,either.Sheseemedtowalkaroundinaperpetual
stateofnervousness,jumpingwhenpeople

cameintotheoffice.

"Youareacase,"Kitsaid,shakingherheadwhenMelodyleapedbackfromthefilingcabinetasshe
cameintotheofficeafterwork.

"Nerves,"Melodyagreed."Ihavenerves.Itcomesfrommollycoddlingnervousinvestorsallday.It's
awonderIhaven'tshakenmydesk

apart."

"Workisallitis,hmm?"Kitasked.

"Ofcourse,"Melodyreplied.

The dark-haired woman only smiled. "Have you heard that Emmett and the kids moved to
Jacobsville?"

Melodystoppedfilingandstaredather."Theydid?"

"Emmett'saccidentmusthavemadehimdosomehardthinkingabouthislife.HephonedLoganlast
nightandsaidhe'sgivenuprodeoto

manageTedRegan'scattleranchinJacobsville."

"Hashesoldhisownranch?"

"Hehiredamanager.Isupposehe'llmakemorethanenoughtokeephisownplacegoinguntilthe
economygetsabitbetter.Meanwhile,

he'shavingplentyoftimewithhiskids."

"Theyallneedthat,"Melodyreplied."Guyespecially."

"Youdon'tlikeGuy,doyou?"

"Idon'treallydislikehim.Buthehatesme.Hecan'tforgetthatIhelpedhismotherleave.Ican'tsayI
blamehim.Divorceishardon

littlechildren."

"It'shardonanykindofchildren,evenbigones,"Kitreplied."Whydon'tyougohome?I'lltakeover
hereuntilLogan'sreadyto

leave."

"Howniceofyou!"

"Well,notreally.Ienjoyspendingtimewithmyhusband.Sincewebothworkatdifferentjobsnow,
everysecondisprecious."

Melodyenviedherthathappiness,butshedidn'tmindanearlynight.Shesaidso.

''You'redoingaterrificjobhere,''Kitsaidbeforesheleft."Webothappreciateyou."

Melody grinned. "You're only saying that because I don't wear blouses cut to my knees or have a
breathyvoice."

"That,too."Kitchuckled.

Melodywavedandwentbacktoherlonelyapartment.Atelephonecallfromherbrothershockedher
speechless.

"You never phone me," she reminded Randy. "I even had to call you at Christmas. Is something
wrong?"

"Youknowmeprettywell,don'tyou?It'snotthatanythingiswrong.It'sjustthat...wehaveasortof
awkwardsituation,"hebegan

slowly.

"Randy?"shepersisted.

There was an audible sigh. "I don't know how to tell you, and you can't tell anyone...especially not
LoganorTansy.Notyet."

"Whynot?"

"BecauseifitgetsbacktoEmmett,Idon'tknowwhatwe'lldo!"

Shewasgettingworried."Randy,whatisit?"shesaidproddingly.

"Well,it'slikethis.Adell'spregnant."

Melodyrememberedbelatedlycongratulatingherbrother,butthenewswasacomplicationthatwasn't
goingtomakethingseasierforEmmett

andthekids.Anewchildinamixedfamilyalwaysbroughtturmoil.Itwasashame,too,whenEmmett
andthekidshadjustgottensettled

intoanewlifeinJacobsville.

Ontheotherhand,shewasgoingtobeanauntagain,andarealonethistime,becauseRandywasher
ownblood.Itwouldbehisfirstchild.

Shecouldn'tbesadaboutthat.ButshehurtforEmmett.Itwasn'tgoingtobeeasyforhimtolearnthat
hisex-wifewaspregnantbythethan

who'dtakenherfromhim.Itwasgoingtocauseallsortsofproblems.

EmmettstoppedoutsideLogan'sofficeandhesitated.Hehadn'twantedtocomehere,butMelodywas
playingonhissenses.He'dmissedher.

Christmas, even with the kids, had been oddly lonely for him this year. There was a hollow place
insidehimthatacasualdatecouldn'tfillany

longer.He'dbroodedoverwhatdoaboutit,andhe'dfinallycometotheconclusionthatheneededto
seeMelodyagain,tomakesurehewasn't

overreactingtoher.

He'd looked for days for an excuse to show up here. He'd finally found one, in the guise of letting
Loganinvestsomemoneyforhim.Buthe

hadn't telephoned first. He wanted to know if Melody was as attracted to him as he was to her. The
elementofsurprisewasgoingtotellhim

that.

Heopenedthedoorandwalkedin.Shewastypingatthecomputer.Shedidn'tseehimatfirst,notuntil
heclosedthedoorandthesound

distractedher.

Shelookedupwithherusualwelcomingsmileforclients,butitfellshortwhenshesawthethanin
thegraysuitandStetsonstandingjust

insidethedoor.

"Emmett!"shesaidinvoluntarily.

Thelightinhereyescouldn'tlie.Emmettsmiled,becauseshewasgladtoseehimanditshowed.He
likedthewayshelookedinthatfigurehugging

beigedress,withherlonghairinaneatFrenchbraidandherdarkeyeswarminherfreckledface.

"Hello,"hereplied.Hemovedclosetothedesk,feelinghisbodythrob,hisheartraceashedrankin
thesightandscentofherfromscant

inchesaway.Hisvoicedroppedanoctaveinvoluntarilyinreaction."Youlookwell."

"Iam.I'mfine.Howaboutyou?"sheaskedworriedly.

"No more problems. I have a hard head," he replied. His eyes slid over her face and down to the
mouthhe'dpossessedbrieflysolongago.It

madehimhungrytorememberhoweagerandwillingshe'dbeen.

"Emmett'."

TheexclamationcamefromLogan,who'dwalkedoutwithalettertofindhiscousinstandingover
hisflustered

secretary.

"Hello, Logan," Emmett said, extending a hand. "You look prosperous," Logan murmured with a
smile."Whatbringsyouto

Houston?"

"Ineededsomeadvice.Iwasabouttomakeanappointment..."

"Noneedforthat.I'mnotbusyrightnow.Comeonin."HehandedthelettertoMelodyandtriednotto
noticethatherhandswere

trembling.Emmettobviouslyhadapowerful

effectonher.

"Iwantedtoseeyouaboutsomeinvestments,"Emmett

saidwhentheyweresittinginLogan'soffice.

"Imaginethat,"Logansaidthoughtfully."Yousaidyoudidn'ttrustthestockmarket."

"I'vechanged,"theotherthanreplieddoggedly."Indeedyouhave.Howisit,beingafull-timefather?"

Emmetttossedhishatontoa

nearby chair. "It's hell," he said flatly. "I get all the hassles now. I never realized how much trouble
threelittlekidscouldbe.Infact,they're

never

outoftrouble."

"Nowthatyou'rehomeatnight,thatwillchange,Iimagine,"camethedrollreply."You'vespentalot
ofavoidingthem.""You

knowwhy."

Logannodded."Yes,Ido.Areyoufindingyourwayofthepit,Emmett?"heaskedkindly.

Emmett ran a lean hand through his thick, dark hair. "Maybe. I don't know. A lot of things have
changedsinceIhadthefall.Maybe

Iwaslookingatitallthewrongway.""Divorceisn'teasyonanyone,"Logansaidquietly."Itwould
killmeifKitleftme,forany

reason.Idon'tknowifIcouldtakeitifitwas.foranotherthan."

"That'showIfelt.IthoughtIlovedAdell,"hesaidheavily."Ireallydid.ButnowI'mnotsureitwasn't
justhurtpride."

"Havingherrunoutinthemiddleofthenightwiththe

otherthaninvolvedcouldn'thavehelped."

"It didn't. I guess maybe I understand why she did it now, though. She isn't a fighter," he added,
echoingthewordsMelodyhadspoken.

"SheprobablyfiguredI'dplayonhersympathyandtalkheroutofitifIhadthechance."Hesmiled
faintly.

"That'swhatwouldhave

happened.Shenevercouldstanduptomeinafight."Heleanedback."It'sallwaterunderthebridge.I
havetogoonliving.Sodoesshe.

Iwanttomakesomeprovisionsforthekids,incaseanythinghappenstome.That'sreallywhyI'm
here.

I'vegotalittlesparecashandI

wanttoputitwhereitcangrow."

Loganconsidereditforamoment,hiseyesnarrowed."Allright.I'vegotafewideas.Howlongare
yougoingtobein

town?"

"Untiltomorrow,"camethesurprisinganswer."Mrs.Jensonislivingin,sothatshecanwatchthekids
whileI'maway.I...haveafew

otherthingstodowhileI'mintown.""WherecanIreachyou?"

Emmettgavehimthenumberathishotel."Untilsix,"hesaid."Imayhaveplansfortheevening."

"Oh,"Logansaidwithachuckle."Confinementgettingtoyou,isit?Igathertheplanshavesomething
todowitha

woman.""Well,yes."

"FromwhatIremember,thekidswouldmakeanysortofrelationshipimpossible.Ihaven'tforgotten
thattheyweretryingtotakeoff

thedoorofthebathroomwhenKitandIwereinthere,atyourranch."

Emmettgrinnedatthedarklyaccusingstare."Sotheydid.Goodthingthescrewdriverwastoobig,
wasn'tit?"

Logangaveintolaughter.Emmettwasasincorrigibleashiskids.

Heshowedtheotherthanout,butEmmettseemedstrangelyreluctanttoleave.Perhapshewantedto
tellMelodysomethingaboutthe

children,Logandecided,sohesaidhisgoodbyesandwentbackintohisoffice.

Melody was typing nonsense into the computer, because Emmett's stare made her too nervous to
function.

"Istheresomethingyouneededtoaskme?"shesaidfinally,darkeyesliftingtohis.

"Yes,"hesaidwithahuskylaugh."Whatareyoudoingfordinner?"

Doing for dinner. Doing for dinner. The words passed through her mind with very little effect. She
staredathimblankly.Thetelephone

rangloudlyandshejumped,fumblingthereceiveralloverthedeskbeforeshefinallygotittoher
earandgavethecorrectresponse.

"I'll put you through to Mr. Deverell," she said breathlessly, and buzzed Logan to give the caller's
identity.

Whensheputthereceiverbackdown,shewasstillveryvisiblyshaken.

EmmetthadhisStetsonbythebrimandhewaswatchingherwithahalf-amusedlookthatglitteredin
hisgreeneyes."Lookingforexcuses

nottogo?"heaskedsoftly.

"Oh,no!"sherepliedhuskily."Butwhy?"

"Whynot?"

Herpulsestartedtorunaway.Shewantedtorefuse.Sheshould.Butsomehowshecouldn't."I..what
time?"

sheasked.

"Six."

"Thisisn'tagoodidea,youknow,"shesaid."I'mstillRandy'ssister,andthepasthasn'tchanged.Not
atall."

Hemovedclosertothedeskandhisleanhandtoyedwithanotepadonitspaper-litteredsurface.His
palegreeneyes

searchedherdarkonesquietly."That'strue.MaybeI'vechanged.Ienjoyyourcompany.Iwanttotake
yououtforameal.That'sall,"he

addedflatly."Youwon'thavetofightmeoffoverdessertandcoffee."

Shelaughednervously."Thatwasthelastthoughtinmymind."

He didn't believe that. But she relaxed, and he felt glad that he'd said it. He didn't want to make her
uneasy.

She'dbeentoomuchonhis

mind lately and he wanted to find a way to purge her from it. Perhaps closer acquaintance would
solvetheproblemforhim.Oftenwomenwho

seemedniceweren't,andtheycouldn'tkeepuptheactwhenathantookthetimetogettoknowthem.

Melodywasrelievedbyhisbluntstatement.Therehadbeenatimeortwowhenshehadfoundherself
havingtotalkherwayoutofa

difficultsituation.

"I'llseeyouatsix,then,"hesaid.

HestucktheStetsonbackonhisheadandwenttothedoor.Hepausedthereandturned."I'mrabidly
old-fashionedinonerespect.Ilike

dresses."

Shegrinnedimpishly."Yes,buthowdoyoulookinadress?"sheaskedcuriously.

Hispaleeyessplinteredwithgoodhumor."Wearwhatyoudamnedwellplease,then,"hemused."See
youlater."

Melody owned one nice dress. It was black with a silvery draped bodice and spaghetti straps. It
flatteredherfull-figuredbodywithoutmakingher

sexiness blatant. She coiled her hair around the top of her head and wore more makeup than usual.
Thefinaltouchwashighheels.Mostmenshe

datedwereherheightorshorter.ButEmmettwasverytall,andshecouldgetawaywithwearinghigh
heelswhenshewentoutwithhim.

Shelikedthewayshefeltwhenshewasdressedup;veryfeminineandsensuous.

Now,shewondered,whyshouldshethinkofherselfas

sensuous? She had to douse that thought before Emmett read it in her face. She didn't want any
complications.

He was prompt. The doorbell sounded exactly at six. She opened the door and there he was, very
elegantindarkslacksandawhitedinner

jacketwitharedcarnationinthebuttonholeofhislapel.Thestarkwhitecontrastedhandsomelywith
hislean,darkfaceanddarkhair.Hehadona

cream-coloredStetsontosetofftheelegance.

"Youlookverynice,"shesaidhuskily.

"Stolemyline,"hemused,grinningather."Readytogo?"

"I'lljustgetmywrapandmypurse."

She draped a black mantilla over her shoulders and picked up her small black crepe purse. She
checkedtomakesureAlistairhadwaterand

catfood.Hewascurleduponthecouchasleep,soshedidn'tdisturbhim.

Emmett waited while she locked the door before he took her hand in his and led her along the
corridor.

Ifsomeonehadtoldherthatholdinghandscouldbeapowerfulaphrodisiacshemighthavelaughed,
butwithEmmett,itwas.Hislean,

strong hand curled into her fingers with confident possession. Beside him she felt protected and
unexpectedlyfeminine.Shecouldn'tremember

everfeelingthatwaywithanotherdate.

HesawherexpressionasheledherintotheemptyelevatorandpushedtheDownbutton.He'dletgo
ofherhandtodothat.Nowheleaned

elegantlyagainsttherailinsidetheelevatorasitstartedtomoveandjustwatchedher,registeringthe
conflictingemotionsthatwashedoverher

face.

Thetensionbetweenthemwaschaotic.Shecouldbarelybreatheasshemethiseyesandfeltherknees
goweak.

"Youlooklovely,"hesaid,hisvoicedeep,hiseyesfaintlyglittery."Blackprovidesabackdropforall
thecolorinyourhairandyour

face."Hiseyesfelltoherdrapedbodiceandlingeredthere,makingherfeelshiveryallover.

"HowdoyoulikeJacobsville,youandthechildren?"sheaskedquickly,hopingtodistracthim.

"What?Oh,sofar,sogood.It'snopicnic,butIthinkwe'reallgettingthehangofit.It'sgoingtobe
thebestthingthateverhappenedto

thechildren,"headdedquietly."Ihonestlydidn'trealizehowmuchoutofhandthey'dgotten."

Helookedbroodyforaminute,andMelodywonderediftherewasn'tmoretoitthanthat.Butbefore
shecouldvoiceheropinions,the

elevatordooropenedandtheywereontheirwayout.

Hestopped,takingherhandbackinhisandholdingitwarmlywhilehesearchedhereyes."Ilikeit
betterlikethis.Don'tyou?''heasked

softly,andhedidn'tsmile.Hiseyesdroppedtohermouth."Fornow,"headded,verygently.

Chapter6

1 he cool air on her face felt good as they left the apartment house and walked down the street.
Melodywasstillvibratingfromtheheady

experienceofbeingonadatewithEmmett.He,ontheotherhand,seemedperfectlynonchalant.Her
heartwasracinglikeamadthingwhile

theywalked,handinhand.

Heledhertothecarandunlockedit,butwhenhepartiallyopenedherdoor,hestoodstill,sothatshe
couldn'tgetpasthim.Shewassoclose

that she could smell his tangy cologne feel the warm strength of his body. It made her react in an
unexpectedway,andshemovedbackagainst

thecaralittleself-consciously.

"You'renervousofme.Why?"heasked.

Shetwistedherbaginherhandsandlaughed."I'mnot,really."Sheshrugged."It'sjustthatit'sbeena
longtimesinceI'vebeenoutfor

theevening."

He tilted her face up to his quiet eyes. His thumb smoothed against her chin and her full lower lip,
makingsensationafter

sensation wash over her. She wasn't fooling him. He read quite accurately her helpless physical
responsetohim.Whateverelseshewas,she

wasn'texperienced.Thatwasuniquetoathanwhodeliberatelychosewomenfortheirsophistication
anddisinterestininvolvement.Melodywas

different.

"That'stheonlyreason?"hesaid,probingsoftly.

Shecouldn'thideherexpressionquicklyenough."Well...maybenottheonlyone,"shesaiddemurely.

He smiled with pure delight. He bent and his lips brushed gently across her wide forehead. She
smelledofsoapandskincreamandfloral

cologne.Themingledscentsappealedtohissenses."There'snothingtoworryabout,"hesaidquietly.

"Nothingatall."Hemovedawayfrom

her then, still good-natured. "I hope you like a smorgasbord of choices. This restaurant has
internationalfare."

Thechangefromtendernesstocompanionshipwasunset-ding,butMelodymanagedtheshift."Ilove
internationalfare,"shesaid.

He opened the car door the rest of the way and helped her inside. All the way to the restaurant, the
mostintimatethinghediscussedwasthe

stock market and the state of the economy. By the time they disembarked, Melody could have been
forgivenforthinkingshe'ddreamedthat

gentlekissintheparkinglot.

It wasn't a terribly ritzy place to eat. The food was very good and moderately priced, but Melody
didn'thavetoworryifherclothesweregood

enoughtoweartoit.Thethoughtmadehersmile.

Emmettcockedaneyebrow."Privatethoughts?"

"IwasjustgladthatI'mproperlydressedforthisplace,withoutbeingunderdressed,"sheconfessed
onalaugh."Idon'thavethewardrobe

forthoseFrenchrestaurantswheretheydon'tevenbothertoputthepricesonthemenus."

Hechuckled."I'veeateninacoupleofthose,"hereplied.

"Ineverfeltverycomfortableinthem,though.MyideaagoodlunchisaMcDonald'shamburger."

"GoodoldScottishcooking,"shemused,tongue-in-cheek.

Helaughedwithherashesampledhisraresteak."You'reremarkablygood-humored."

"Oh,Ilikelaughter,"shetoldhim."Lifeistooshorttogoaroundwithalongfacecomplainingabout
everything."

He studied her over a bite of nicely browned steak. ' 'You manage to work for my cousin without
complaints?"

"Well...notmany,"shesaid."Andhe'smycousin,too,youknow."

Hiseyesgrewsomberandtheyfelltohisplate."Soheis."

"Youlooksoremote."Shehesitated."Oh,Isee.YouwerethinkingthatAdellwasrelatedtohimby
marriage,andshe'sstillrelatedtohim

becauseshe'smarriedtoRandy—"Shebrokeoff,flushing.

Heputdownhisfork.Hisappetitehadgone.He'dthoughthewasgettingoverAdell'sdefection,but
apparentlythewoundswerestillopen.

"I'msorry,"shesaidwithagrimace."I'veruineditallbybringingthemup,haven'tI?"Shelaiddown
herownfork."Itwon'twork,

Emmett,"shesaidsuddenly,withoutstoppingtochooseherwords."Therearetoomanyscarsforus
tobeabletogetalong.You'renever

goingtobeabletoforgetaboutRandyandAdell."Thatwastrue—andhedidn'tevenknowwhatshe
did,either,aboutAdellbeingpregnant.She

feltguilty.

Heliftedhiseyestoherface.Itmadehimangrythatshe'dassumedthathewasromanticallyinterested
inher.Itmadehimmoreangrythat

he'd actually been thinking along those lines until she'd dragged Randy and Adell into the
conversation.

Helashedoutinfrustration."Aren'tyoutakingtoomuch

forgranted?MyGod,thiswasonlyadinnerinvitation,notaproposalofmarriage!"hesaidangrily.
Hiseyescalmed."Oristhatwhatyou

thoughtImightbeconsideringbyaskingyouout?"Hesmiledatherembarrassmentwithouthumor.
"DoIreallyseemthesortofthanwho

can'twaittogetmarriedasecondtime?"

Shehadtoforcedownthehopesshe'dbeennursingsincehisinvitationtothismeal.Heobviouslyhad
coldfeetaboutanyrelationship

betweenthem,andhewashidingitinsarcasm.Sheknewthatassurelyasifhe'dtoldherso.

"Ofcoursenot,"shelied."Thatisn'twhatIwasthinkingatall.Ionlymeantthattakingmeoutisn'ta
goodidea."

"For once, we agree on something." He lifted his coffee cup to his firm lips, averting his gaze. He
musthavebeenoutofhismindtohave

come up to Houston in the first place. Asking Melody out had been another temporary mental
aberration.Hehadenoughtroublealreadywithout

rushingouttosearchformore.

"Areyoufinished?"heaskedwhenhe'ddrainedhiscup.

Shewasgladshehadn'twanteddessert.Heseemedtobeinaflamingrushtoleave.Shewaseagerto
obligehim.Theeveninghadbeenan

unmitigateddisaster!

Hedroveherbacktoherapartmentinafurioussilence,withouteventuninginasongontheradioto
breakthetension.Melodydidn'tfeel

anymoreinclinedtowardconversationthanheseemedto.

She rode up in the elevator beside him without looking to the side. He paused at her door, sighing
angrily.

"Thankyouforaninterestingevening,"shesaidtightly.

"Itwasgratitudeforkeepingthekids,"hesaid,hiswordsasclippedasherown."That'sall.Itwasa
belatedthank-youforkindnesses

rendered."

"Andacceptedinthesamevein,"shesaid."Nocomplicationswanted."

"That'sright,andyourememberit,"hesaidthroughhisteeth."You'rethelastdamnedcomplicationI
needrightnow!"

"DidIoffertobeone?"sheasked,aghast.

"Whether you did or not is beside the point! I've got kids who can't get along with anyone because
theydon'tgetanyloveathome.Their

fatherdoesn'tgiveadamnaboutthemandtheirmotherranawaywithyourdamnedbrother!"

Theangershe'dfeltwassuddenlygoneasshesawthroughthefuriouswordstothehurtbeneathit.He
waswounded.Shewonderedifhe

knewhowobviousitwas,anddecidedthathedidn't.Herdarkeyeslosttheirglareandbecamegentle.
Shereachedoutwithunexpected

braveryandtookoneofhisbig,leanhandsinhers.

"Comeinsideandhavesomecoffee,Emmett,"shesaidgently."Youcantellmeallaboutit."

Hemustbedaft.Hekepttellinghimselfhewasasheletherleadhimlikealambintothesoftlylit
kitchen.

Heperchedhimselfonhertalleststoolandwatchedbroodinglywhileshefilledthecoffeemakerand
turnediton.

Shesatdownatthecounternexttohim,hermantillaandpursedepositedonthekitchentableuntilshe
hadtimetomovethem.

"What'swrongwiththechildren?"sheasked.

Hesighedheavily."Polkwon'ttrytodohismath.Guycan'tgetalongwithhisteacher.Amycan'tget
alongwithanybody,andher

teachersendsmethisdamnednotethatsaysshedoesn'tgetenoughattentionathome."

"Andyou'redoingthebestyoucan,onlynobodyknowsitbutyou,andthosewordshurt."

Heliftednarrowed,woundedeyestohers."Yes,ithurts,"hesaidflatly."I'vedonemybesttoprovide
forthem.AllI'vehadsinceAdell

walkedoutisahousekeeper.Now,I'mtryingtoputthingsright,butIcan'tdoitovernight!"

Shesmoothedherfingersgentlyoverthebacksofhis

strong, lean hands. "Why don't you write Amy's teacher a note and tell her that," she suggested.
"Teachersdon'treadminds,youknow.

They have to be told about problems. They're people, too, just like you and me. They can make
allowances,whentheyknowthesituation."

Herelaxed.Histall,broad-shoulderedformseemedtoslump."I'mtired,"hesaid."It'sashock.New
surroundings,newpeople,anew

jobwithmoreresponsibilitiesthanI'vehadinyearsandthekidsontopofit.IguessIgotsnarledup
initall."

"It'sperfectlyunderstandable.Don'tthekidslikeitbetter,havingyouhome?"

"I don't know. Guy's still standoffish. I've tried to get him interested in things around the ranch, but
he'sshyingawayfromme.He's

notadjustingverywelltoschool,becausetheteacherwantshimtomindandhewon't.Hecan'tseem
toconform,andhistemperishisworst

enemy. Amy and Polk aren't much better, but at least I can handle them when they're not driving
schoolofficialsbatty."

"Betterthemthanyou?"sheteased.

Hechuckledreluctantly."Notreally.I'llhavetoboneuponfractionsandspendsometimewithPolk.
MaybeIjusthaven'tfoundtheright

tackwithGuyyet.Helikesranching,butwedon'thavemuchincommonoutsideit."

"Emmett, hasn't it occurred to you that these problems could be nothing more than pleas for
attention?"sheasked."RandyandIusedto

getintoallsortsoftroublewhenDadgottoowrappedupinMother'sillnesstonoticeus.It'sachild's
naturetowanttobeloved,tohave

proofofthatlove."

"Not only a child's, Melody," he said unexpectedly. His eyes searched hers from much too close.
"Evenadultscangooffthedeepend

whennoonegivesadamnaboutthem."

"Youknowthekidsloveyou."

"I know." His chest rose and fell heavily and his eyes grew intimate, holding hers for much longer
thannecessary,makingherownpulserace.

"The,uh,thecoffee'sready,Ithink,"shesaid.Hervoicesoundedhusky,evenshaky.Shedraggedher
eyesawayfromhisandwenttoget

thecoffee.

She took down cups and saucers from the cabinet, and while she got the coffee service together,
Emmettmovedaroundthelivingroom,

restlessandunsettled.Hiseyessearchedoutthebooksinherbookcase,theframedprintsonthewall.
Heseemedtobenoticingeverything,

takinginventoryofherlikesanddislikes.

He was thumbing through a volume of poetry when she put the coffee things on the dining-room
table.

Heputthebookdownandjoinedheratthetable.Sheputcreamandsugarintohers.Helefthisown
black.

"I'vegotsomecookiesaroundheresomewhere,"sheoffered.

"No need. I don't have much of a sweet tooth," he said. He stared into his coffee. "How did you
know?"

"Knowwhat?"

Helookedupwitharuefulsmile."ThatIneededtotalkaboutthekids."

"Youpickedafightfornoreason,"shemurmureddryly."Iusedtohaveafriendinschoolwhodid
thesamething.Sheneversaidwhat

wasbotheringher.ShepickedfightsuntilImadehertellme."Shefingeredtherimofhercoffeecup.
"Ormaybeyoudidn'texactlypicka

fightfornoreason,"sheaddedsadly."Youaren'toverRandyandAdell,really."

Hemovedrestlesslyinthechair."It'sgoingtotaketime."

Hereyesliftedtohis.Hedidn'tknowthatAdellwaspregnant.Howwasshegoingtotellhim?How
couldshetellhim?

Hesawthatcuriousexpressionandscowled."There's

something,"hesaidslowly."Somethingyou'reholdingback.Whatisit?"

Sheavertedhergazetothecoffeecup."Nothing."

"Nowyousoundlikeoneofthekids."Hemovedhercoffeecupoutofherreachandcaughtherhand
inhisoverthesmalltable."Out

withit.YoumademetalkwhenIdidn'twantto.It'syourturn."

"Emmett..."

Henoddedreassuringly."Comeon."

Shewinced.Herbig,darkeyeswerefullofsadness,sorrow.''Adell...ispregnant.''

Hedidn'treactatallforaminute.Heletgoofherhandandsatbackinhischair.Heletoutalong,
roughbreath."Well."

"You'dhavefoundoutsoonerorlater.Ididn'twanttohavetobetheonetotellyou."

Helookedather."Youdidn't?Why?"heasked,lettingtheshockofwhathe'dlearnedpassoverhim
forthemoment.

"Youresentmeenoughalreadybecauseofmybrother,"shesaidmiserably.

Hiseyessearchedherwan,sadface."DoI?"hewonderedaloud.Itdidn'tfeellikehatred.No,notat
all.

Hedrainedhiscoffeecup,andshetookit,andhers,intothekitchen.Shefeltterrible.Workinghelped
sometimes,soshebusiedherself

loadingthedishwasher.Therewasn'tmuch,butshe'dsavedlastnight'spotsandpanstomakeaload.

Behindher,shefeltEmmett'seyes

and could only imagine the torment he must be feeling. She wanted to console him, but she didn't

knowhow.

Afteraminute,Emmettgotupandpoisedhimselfagainstthekitchencountertowatchherwork.He
didn'twanttothinkaboutAdellbeing

pregnantbyhernewhusband.Hewasn'tgoingtolethimselfdothatnow.Laterwouldbetimeenough.

Melodywasgracefulforsuchatallwoman,hethought

reluctantly,watchingherhandsassheputthedishesintothedishwasher.

Shenoticedthelookshewasgetting.ItmadehertingleHe'dlongsincetakenoffhisdinnerjacketand
tieandStet-son.Hislong-sleeved,

pristine white shirt was partially unbuttoned and the sleeves were rolled up. He looked elegant and
rakish,andMelodywassurprisedthathe

seemedtofinhersointeresting.He'dbeenmarried,andsheknewverywellthatwomenstillchased
him.Hehadmoreexperiencethanany

thanshe'deverdated.Itmadehernervoustore-memberhowvulnerableshewaswithhim,howeasily
hecouldoverruleherandtake

anythinghewanted.Shehopeheruneasedidn'tshowtoomuch.

"You'reefficient,"heremarked.

Shesmiled."Oh,I'mverydomestic.Ihadtolearnearly.Mymotherwasaninvalidforyearsbefore
sheandDaddied.RandyandIwould

havestarvedifIhadn'tbeenabletocook."

Hisfaceclosedupatthementionofhisex-wife'snewhusband.

Melodyputdetergentintothedishwasherandstarteditrunning.HereyesflickedtoEmmettandaway.
"Yes,Iknow,youhatemybrother

asmuchasyouhateme."

Hisgreeneyeswerecompletelywithouthostilityforonceashestudiedher.Theblackdressshewas
wearingsuitedherfaircomplexion.Its

fitemphasizedherfullbreastsandhipsandsmallwaist,andthemilky-whitesoftnessofhershoulders
withtheirscatteringoffreckles.He

likedwhathesawwhenhelookedather,evenifitwasagainsthisbetterjudgment.

"Idon'thateyou,"hesaidquietly.

"Pulltheotherone,Emmett."

She'dturnedandwasstartingoutthedoorwhenhemovedwithsurprisingspeedandblockedherway.
"Ilikethewayyousaymyname.

Sayitagain."

His arm was across the doorway, almost touching the tips of her breasts. She tensed at the sensual
threatofit."Thisisn'twise,"shesaid

seriously,meetinghisgreeneyeslevelly.

Oneeyenarrowed.Hisgazeonherfacewasintent,curious."Isn'tit?Maybenot.We'reyearsapart—
almostageneration.Funny,Ialways

thoughtyouwereolder.Idon'tknowwhy.Youseemverymatureforawomanjustbarelyoutofher
teens."

"Ihadtogrowupfast.MayIgetby,please?"

Hecouldseeherbreathingquicken."Whyareyouafraidofme?"

Hereyesdartedupanddownagain.Hercheekscolored."AmI?"

Hereachedoutandcaughtherbythewaist.Hetugged,pullingherslowlytohim,sothathermouth
waspoisedjustunderhis.

"Maybe intimidated is a better choice of words," he murmured. His hands slid up her rib cage with
slowsensuality,makingherflinchatthe

suddenpleasureoftheirtouch."Iknowahellofalotmorethanyoudoaboutthis,don'tI,littleone?"
Hisbreathwaswarmonherparted

lips."Isthatwhat'swrong?"

"Yes,"shewhisperedbreathlessly.

Helookedathermouthinsteadofhereyes.Ittrembled,pinkandsoftlikesomepastelflower,waiting
tobetouched.Shewassoyoung,he

thought.Shereallywasoff-limitstoathanhisage.

Butevenashethoughtit,hislipsmovedthescantinchesnecessarytobringthemrightdownoverher
whisperedgasp,andtookpossessionof

thatpetal-pinkmouth.

Shegraspedhisshirtfrontandstiffenedinsurprise.

"Shh,"hewhisperedagainstherlipswhileheworkedwithsensuousmasteryatpartingthem."You're
safe.

You're

perfectlysafe.Therewon'tbeanythingtoregret.Relaxforme."

She'dbeenkissed.She'dbeenkissedplentyoftimes,andevenbyhim!Therewascertainlynoreason
whyEmmett'smouthshouldbeso

differentfromanyotherthan's.

But,itwas.HerwholebodyfeltasifitcontractedwhileEmmett'swarm,strongarmsenvelopedher
andhistongueslowly,tenderly

impaledhermouthasithadoncebefore.Shestiffenedagainasthethrobbingpleasurebegantomake
herfeelunwanted,unwelcomesensations.

Shefoughtthem.

Hefelttheresistance,asslightasitwas,andliftedhisdarkhead.

"You're still holding back from me," he said, his voice tender if a little unsteady. "I'm not going to
hurtyou."

"Itmakesmefeelfunny,"shereplieddizzily.

Hisnosebrushedlazilyagainsthers."Where?"

"Inmystomach..."

"Good,"hewhispered.Hislipseasedbackdownandbrushedhersapart,teasingittomakehermouth
followhisinasensualdaze.His

handsslidtoherhipsandcontractedinastrangelyarousingrhythm,pullingandpushing,brushing
herlegsagainsthis.

Sheshivered.Hefeltthatandliftedhisheadtosearchherwide,curiouseyes.

"You're so young," he said quietly. He took a slow, steadying breath. "And so responsive that I'm
likelytotakeadvantageofit."

Desire had her in its grip. She wasn't afraid. She was hungry. "How?" she asked in a breathless
whisper,andhereyesclungtohishardmouth

asshespoke."Whatwillyoudotome?"

Hisfingerseasedupherribcageandcametorestagainstthesoftswellofherbreasts.Henibbledat

hermouth.Oneleanhandslowly

cuppedherandbegantocaressherwithtendermastery.Shestartedtostiffenuntilthedarkdelightof
itmadehergobonelessinhisembrace.Shecouldhaveresistedhisdesire,butnotherown.Hewas
yearsbeyondherinexperience,and

shereactedwithhelplesscuriosityandneed.

Henibbledtenderlyatherlowerlip."Iknow.It'sforbiddenterritory,isn'tit?"hewhisperedintoher
partinglips."Nicegirlsdon'tletmen

dothis.Exceptthattheydo,Melody,"hebreathedashedrewherevencloser."Thisispartandparcel
ofbeinghuman."Histhumbdrew

suddenly, tenderly, across her taut nipple, a fiery touch that caused her whole body to clench. Her
nailsbitintohimandshegasped."IfIhurt

you,Iwanttoknowit,"hewhispered."Becauseit'sonlymeanttoarouse,nottobruise."

She shivered, but she didn't back away. She felt as if she had pulses where she'd never suspected,
throbbingandhot."Itdidn'thurt,Emmett,"

she admitted huskily, although she was too shy to look at him. She closed her eyes and hid them
againsthisshirtfront."Doitagain."

He hadn't expected this kind of honesty, or as much cooperation. It ate at his control. His hand
swallowedher,makingmagiconherbody.She

gave in without a sound, and he felt ten feet taller. He paused just long enough to unfasten his shirt
halfwaydownhischestanddragherhand

insideit,againstthedamptangleofhairoverthewarm,hardmuscles.

Thefeelofhisbodylikethatmadeherpulsethrob."You'rehairy,"shewhispered.

"I'mlikethisallover,"hewhisperedroughly.Hishandmoveddowntoherhips.Theotheronejoined
it.Hepulledherintotheblatant

arousalofhisbodyandheldhertherefirmlybutgently."It'sallright.Bestill,"hesaidwhenshetried
unsuccessfullytopullaway.Hesearched

herface,findingshycuriositythere."Haveyouneverfeltaman'sbodyinfullarousalbefore?''

"No,"shemanagedtosay,embarrassed.

"There'safirsttimeforeverything,"hesaidsoftly,loweringhishead."Ineedoblivionandyouneed
teaching.Thinkofitas

a...reciprocalexchange."

"Itisn'tagoodidea,"shesaidunsteadily.

"Iknow.Butitwillbesweet."

Anditwas.Thesweetestkindofexchange,savagelytenderandviolentlyarousing.

Hernailsthrustgentlyintothehairatthebackofhisheadwhilehekissedherandslowlycaressedher
breastswithhandsthatheldafaint

tremoratthelicensetheywerebeinggivensogenerously.

Inturn,shewaslearningabouthisbody,enjoyingthefeelofthethickthatofhairoverwarm,firm
muscles.

Shesmoothedherhands

sensually up and down his chest with delight while he taught her the intricacies of openmouthed
kissing.Bythetimehebegantobrushagainst

herrhythmicallywithhiships,shewaswhimperingwiththesamedesirethatwasridinghim.Butit
couldn'tgoon.Hewasfastreachingthepoint

ofnoreturn,andseducingherwasimpossible.

Shefeltswollenfromheadtotoe,throbbing,whenhefinallyliftedhisheadtolookintohermisty,
half-closedeyes.Hewasmorearousedthan

hecouldrememberbeinginrecentyears.Hisbodythrobbedpainfullywiththeneedforrelease.

He pushed her hips away from his and took her face in his hands before he kissed her again, with
growingtenderness.

Shestartedtomovecloser,buthecaughtherbythewaistandkeptheraway.

Hereyesaskedthequestionthatherswollenlipswouldn'tform.

"Doestheterm'playingwithfire'ringanychimes?"heaskedwithforced,huskylaughter.

"Idon'tcare,"shesaidunsteadily.Herfacecolored,butshedidn'tlookaway."Ilikethewayyoufeel."

His face tautened. "I like the way you feel, too, but a few minutes of feverish sex isn't going to
improveoursituation.AndIdidpromiseyou

that there would be nothing to regret." He forced himself to let her go and move away. He lit a
cigarette.Hehardlysmokedthesedays,but

heneededsomethingtosteadyhisnerves.

"Afewminutesoffeverishsex?"shesaidwithafeebleattemptathumorassheleanedbackagainst
thecounterandstaredathimfroma

facethatheldlingeringtracesofdesire.

Heglancedatherandlaughed,too."Yes,well,itmaybecrude,butitwasallIcouldthinkofatthe
time.Ihadtosaveyoufromyourself.

Not to mention, from me." His eyes were bold on her breasts, assessing their taut peaks before his
gazeliftedagaintoherflushed,excited

face."You'reaquickstudy."

"IsthatwhatIam?"

"That, and alarmingly innocent, for all your response just now," he added, the laughter leaving his
eyes,tobereplacedwithquiet

introspection."Whyareyoustillavirgin,Melody?"

Shedidn'tbothertodenyit.SheknewalltoowellfromwhatKithadtoldherthathewasdefinitelyno
novice.Womenapparentlyfell

overthemselvestryingtoclimbintobedwithhim."I'moversizedandold-fashionedandplain,didn't
younotice?"sheasked,stungbythe

question.

"Don'ttakeoffense,"hesaidquietly."Itwasn'tasarcasticquestion.Ifyouwanttoknowthetruth,''he
added,hisvoicegoingsensual

andsoft,andhisgreeneyesglittery,ashelookedather,"itexcitesmetothepointofmadness."

She drew a slow breath. "That's a new observation," she replied. "Most people think I'm crazy or
fanaticallycareful.Thetruthisthatnobody

everputonenoughpressuretomakemecareless."

"Untilnow?"heaskedgently.

Shestartedtodenyit,butthatwaspointless.Heknew.Shesawitinhiseyes.

"Untilnow,"sheechoed.

Heliftedthecigarettetohislipsandblewoutafaintcloud

of smoke. Half angrily, he turned on the faucet and held the barely touched cigarette under it,
extinguishingit.Hetossedthefinishedremainsinto

thetrashcanandstoodstaringdownatit.

"I used to smoke a pack a day. I've lost my enthusiasm for it. Addiction is unwise." He turned and
staredatherintently."Anykindof

addiction."

"Smokingisbadforyou.Inevereventriedit."

"Goodforyou."Hetookthealmostfullpackageoutofhispocketanddroppedthatintothetrashcan,
too."Ihavetogo."

Shedidn'twantthat.Shefeltasudden,acutesenseoflossthatwaspuzzling.

Shemovedoutofthekitchenandprecededhimtothefrontdoor.Butwhenshewouldhaveopenedit,
hisbig,leanhandflattenedonits

surfaceandpreventedher.

"WhatareyoudoingSunday?"heaskedabruptly,andagainsthisbetterjudgment.

Chapter7

Melodyfeltthefloorgivingwayunderherfeet,andrealizedthatitwasbecauseherheartwasbeating
sofast.Foraminuteshethoughthe

mightbejoking.Buthedidn'tlookasifhewere,andtherewasanewsoftnessinhisgreeneyes.

"Why?"Hervoicesoundedlikeacroak.

He'd buttoned his shirt and put his dinner jacket back on. He finished with his tie and picked up his
Stetsonbeforeheansweredher."Iwant

youtospendthedaywithussothatIcanshowyoutheranch,"hesaidquietly."AmyandPolkhave
talkedaboutyousincewelefthere.They

actuallyaskedifyoucouldn'tcomeandlookafterthemwhenourhousekeeperquitinSanAntonio,"
headdedwithasmile."Theythink

you'regreat."

"Ithinkthey'regreat,too."Shehesitated."I'dloveto.ButGuywouldn'tlikeit."

"I know," he said easily. "Guy's been distrustful of everyone since his mother left." He grimaced,
rememberingwhatshe'dtoldhim

aboutAdell."Iwouldn'tdaretellhim

she'spregnant—himortheotherkids.NotuntilIhavetimetopreparethem,"

"They'lladjust,"shesaidsoftly."It'samazingwhatpeople,evenlittlepeople,candowhentheyhave
to."

"Iguessso."Hesearchedherdarkeyesforalongtimeandlaughedsoftly."Ihatedyouthatnightyou
helpedAdellmeetRandyatthe

airporttoleaveme,"herecalled."Isaidsometerriblethingstoyou.IguessIscaredyouprettygood,
too,whenIwentafterRandy."He

shiftedrestlessly."I'm

sorry."Thebelatedapologywasunexpected,aswastheinvitationtoJacobsville.

"Peopleinpainlashout,"shesaidsimply."Iunderstood."

"Allthesame,youbackedawayfrommewhenIfirstcametotownwiththekids."

"Self-protection,"shemused."Survivalinstinct."

"Yes,wellInoticethatit'sdoneanosedivetonight,"hemurmured,lettinghiseyesfalltothewrinkled
blackfabricofherbodicethathis

exploringhandshaddisturbed.

Sheclearedherthroat."WhattimeSunday?"

"I'llpickyouupaboutten.Ordoyougotochurch?"

"Ido,usually.ButI'llplayhookySunday.Icoulddrivedown,"sheadded.

"Ihatetheideaofhavingyouontheroadsalone,"hesaid."It'sagoodlongdrivefromJacobsvilleto
Houston."

Shesmiled.Hewasbeingprotective.Shedidn'tmindonebit.Itwasnicetobecaredabout,tohave
someoneworryaboutherwelfare.These

days,thatwasunusual."Okay,"shesaidgently.

Hischestroseandfellheavily.Hesmiledbackather."Canyouride?""Alittle.""Playcheckers?"

Sheblewonhernailsandbuffedthemonhersleeve.

"World champion class," she informed him. He lifted an eyebrow. "Well, we'll see about that!" She
grinned.

"Okay."Hereyesnarrowed.

"You'llbesure

youtakematchesandropesawayfromthosekidsbeforeI

getthere?"

"I'll confiscate everything incendiary," he swore, hand over his heart. "Also sharp objects, blunt
instrumentsandlisteningdevices."

"TheysoundlikearenegadebranchoftheCIA."Heleanedclose."Theyare.Juveniledivision."She
laugheddelightedly."They'regood

kids,Emmett,"shesaid."Allthreeofthem."

"Guy was honestly sorry about the cat," he said with emphasis. "He's never done cruel things.
Mischievous,yes,buttheyalwaysdrewtheline

atdeliberatelyhurtingpeople.Helearnedsomethingfromit.""I'mglad.""Sunday,then?"

Shenodded.Hereyessketchedhisfacewithsofthunger.Hereturnedthelook,buthedidn'ttouchher

again.Itwasawrench,becausehe

wantedto.Thefeelofherbodyinhishandshadmadehimweak-kneed.Hiseyesslowlydraggedover
herandhefelthimselfgoingtaut.He

hadtogetoutofherebeforehedidsomethingstupid.

"Ihavetogo.Goodnight,"hesaidsoftly."Goodnight."

Heopenedthedoorandturned,silhouettedinthehalllight."Wearjeansandboots,"hecautioned."If
wegoriding,it'ssafer.""I'll

remember."

He winked at her, producing an odd jerky sensation in the region of her heart. Then he tipped his
Stetsondownoverhisthick,darkhairand

walkedaway,whistlingtohimself.Melodyclosedthedoorreluctantly.Shecouldhavestoodwatching
himallthewaytotheelevatorwiththegreatestpleasure.

AmyandPolkhadbeenlookingforwardtoMelody'svisitallweek.WhenshedroveupwithEmmett,
theyopenedhercardoorandranintoher

arms, laughing and talking together. Guy didn't move off the porch. He stood there, a little
belligerent,withhishandstightinhisjeanspockets,

glaring.

Melodynoticedhimthere,andthoughthowlikehisfatherhelooked.ItwoundedherthatsheandGuy
wereenemies.Itwasgoingtomake

any relationship she tried to form with Emmett impossible. Emmett probably knew it, too, she
thought.Butperhapsfriendshipwasallhehadin

mind. Then she remembered the way he'd kissed her and what he'd said about her innocence. No.
Friendshipwouldn'tbeallofit.

Fielding Amy and Polk, Emmett opened the door for all of them. Mrs. Jenson, looking harassed,
stayedjustlongenoughtomeetMelody

andthenbeatahastyretreattothekitchen.

"Whatdidyoudo,trytotiehertothetelevision?"Emmettaskedhisangelicbrood.

"Not at all, Emmett," Amy assured him, smiling up at them. "Melody, how do you like our new
house?"

"It'sverynice,Amy,"Melodyreplied."Hello,Guy,"sheaddedcoolly.

Guyonlyshruggedanddidn'tlookather.

He pretended to be watching television intently while Polk and Amy showed Melody all their
treasuresandschoolpapers.Justasifshewas

alreadytheirmother,hethoughtbitterly.Well,hewasn'tgoingtoshowheranythingofhis!Melody
hatedhim,andhecertainlyhatedher.

Shewasn'thismother.Shewasn'tevergoingtobe!

Heglancedatherfromhispaleeyes,andhismindbeganworking.Itwasn'tcertainyet.Hehadtime.
Hehadtorememberthat,andnot

panicbecausehisfatherhadbrought

herdowntotheranch.Hecouldgetherrightoutofhisfather'slifeifhejustkepthishead.Theone
thinghecouldn'taffordtodowasletthings

getseriousbetweenthem.Hismotherwouldcomebackoneday.She'dgettiredofhernewhusband
andcomehome,andthey'dallbeafamily

again.Guywassureofit.Hejusthadtostophisfatherfromgettinginvolvedwithanyotherwoman
untilthathappened.Andhewould,too.

MelodywasblissfullyunawareofGuy'splotting,andfranklygladwhenhewanderedofflatertoplay
withhisdog,Barney.

"Wecangoridingafterlunch,ifyoulike,"Emmettsaid,smilingatherwhileAmyandPolkturned
theirattentionbacktoanaturespecialon

television.

"I'dlikethat."

"Comeon.I'llshowyoumyhorses."Heheldouthishand.Sheputhersintoit,tinglingatthecontact.
Helookedgood,shethought,in

jeansandablue-checkedshirtandboots.Hewastallandleanandshelovedlookingathim,touching
him.

He was doing some looking of his own. She was wearing yellow jeans and a matching yellow knit
sweaterthatsuitedherfaircomplexion.

Shewalkedjustinfrontofhimtowardthefrontporchandhiseyesnarrowedonthefitofthosejeans.
Hehadtodosomequickmental

exercisestostopthephysicalreactionhisinterestprovoked.

"It'sbeautifulhere,"shesaid,gazinglovinglyaroundatthelong,barehorizonandthewhite-fenced
acreagethickwithred-coatedcattle.

Therewereliveoakandpecantreesallaroundthehouse,alongwithpinesandthickglossy-leaved
bushes.

"Iguessitis.Imissmyownplace."Hestockhishandsintohispocketsandstaredoutatthebarn."I
guessthisplacewillbelushandgreen

whenspringcomes.Rightnow,itlooksabitbarren.Andthere'snomesquite,"hemuttered.

"Don'ttellmeyoumissthethornsonthemesquite,"sheteased.

Thelightinherfacemadehimhungryforthingshedidn'trealizehewanted.Hetookhishandsoutof
hispocketsandcapturedoneofherhandsin

his."Comeonandseethehorses."

"Okay!"

Hesmiledandledherouttothebarn.Asmallcalfwasrestinginastallbyhimself.Emmettexplained
thatthecalf'smotherhaddiedandhewas

malnourished before he'd been found. They were feeding him up before they went through the
processoftryingtopairhimwithafostermother.

Downtheaislefromthecalfinaseparatesectionofthehugebarn,hehadseveralsaddlehorsesanda
studAppaloosastallioninseparate

quarters.Thestallionwasn'tkeptwiththeotherhorses.Emmettexplainedthatitwasbecausehewas
toovolatile.

"I love Apps," he said wistfully, gazing at the big animal, which was mostly splashy red and with
whitespots."They'rebeautiful,buttheyhave

unpredictablequalities."

"Justlikepeople,"sheteased.

He glanced down at her from under the wide brim of his gray working hat. "Just like people," he
agreed.Helethiseyesrundownherbodyboldly.

"Youbothermeintightjeans.Ididn'tknowyouweregoingtolooksosexy."

Shelaughedself-consciously."Well,Inever,"shemurmured.

"Iknowyou'venever,"hemurmureddryly."That'sanotherthingthatexcitesme."

"You'llturnmyheadifyouaren'tcareful,"shesaid,tryingtolightentheatmosphere.

"I'mtiredofbeingcareful."Hedrewupabootedfootandresteditonthelowestrungofagate.''In
betweenworkandmorework,you'reallI

think about lately," he said matter-of-factly, watching her with glittery green eyes. "I don't look at
otherwomen.Ihaven'tsleptwithanyonesincelongbeforeIgotthrownoffthatbronc."

Shewasalmostafraidtoask,butshehadtoknow."Becauseof...me?"

Henoddedslowly."Becauseofyou."Hesighedheavily."Melody,you'rebarelytwenty.It'sahellofa
jumpfromyouragetomine,andI'vegota

built-in family. I can't seduce you because my conscience won't let me. I can't stay away from you
becauseyou'reobsessingme.Knowthatold

sayingaboutbeingcaughtbetweenarockandahardplace?Idon'thaveanytroubleunderstandingit
thesedays."

Shemethiseyessteadily."Youwanttosleepwithme."

He frowned lightly, his expression whimsical. "I hadn't thought about sleeping, exactly," he said
meaningfully.Hescowledandhiseyesnarrowed

thoughtfully."Ontheotherhand,Iwouldn'tmindholdingyouallnightinmyarms.Ihaven'twanted
todothatsinceIwascourtingAdell."Hepushed

hishatbackfromhisforehead,andhislevelstaredidn'twaver."Infact,tobebrutallyfrank,whatI
wantedtodowithAdellwasprettylimited.

It's...differentwithyou."

Thatwasnice.Shebegantosmile.Shefeltadeliciouskindlingofjoydeepinsideherself.Hehadto
carealittle,fortheretobeadifference.She

wantedhim,too,butitwasmuchmorethanaphysicalneed.Thethoughtoflyingcloseinhisarmsall
nightgaveherawarm,comfortingsortof

pleasure.

"Youdon'twearpajamas,"shesaidabsently.

Hiseyebrowswentup.

Sheflushed,rememberinghowhelookedwithoutclothes."Sorry!Iguessmymindwaswandering."

"Oh?Wherewasitwandering?"

She traced the grain of the wood on the gate. "I was thinking about sleeping with you," she said
quietly."Ihaven'tbeenheldinalongtime.

Not...byanyonewhocaredaboutme."

"NeitherhaveI."

Sheglancedathim."Oh?"shesaidwithacold,speakinglook,becauseshe'dheardabouttherodeo
groupiesofthepastyear.

Hisbroadshouldersliftedandfell."Beingheldinasexualfrenzyisn'tthesame."Hescowled."AndI
thinktherehastobemoretoamarriage

than good sex. That's new for me. Adell and I had nothing in common except desire and a love of
children."

"That'sprettyimportant,isn'tit?"sheasked.

"Yes. But common interests, mutual respect—those things make a relationship last." He smiled
wistfully,studyingher."Funny,Icouldnever

talk to Adell the way I can to you. She liked sex, but she was ice-cold in the daylight, as if it
embarrassedherthatshehadphysicalneeds."

"Ithinkalotofwomenarelikethat,"shesaid.

Hetiltedherchinup."Areyougoingtobe?"heasked,smilingindulgently."Willyouwantthelights
outthefirsttime?"

Sheconsideredthat."Ihaven'tletanybodyseemewithoutmyclothes,exceptmydoctor,"shesaid."I
thinkitwillbeembarrassing,andI'll

beself-conscious,becauseI'mbigandalittleoverweight..."

Hetouchedhermouthwithaleanforefinger.Hewasn'tsmiling."Youaren'toverweightoroversized.
Youlooklikeawomanshould,"he

said."Idon'tknowwhyyouthinkmenshouldgolustingafterskinandbones.Thereareexceptions,
butmostofuslikeawell-rounded

figurewithbigbreasts."

Sheflushed,buthewouldn'tletherlookaway.

"Don'tbeembarrassed,"hesaidgently."There'snothingwrongwithyou.Nothingatall."

"Thanks,"shesaidhuskily.ItwasunusualtofeelsmallerthananAmazon.Shesmiledathim.Hereyes
turnedtowardthedoorsofthebarn,

towardtheoutside,whichwassunlit

andpeaceful."Itmustbenicetoliveonaranch,"shesaidwithunconsciouswistfulness."Iknowit's
hardwork,butyou'resofaraway

fromtechnology."

Helaugheduproariously.

"What'ssofunny?"

"Waituntilyouseethemain-framecomputerinmyoffice,"hemuseddryly."Nottomentionthestate-
of-theartjetprinter,thefax

machine,thecolorhandscanner,thephotocopierandthemodem."

Shestaredathimblankly.

"I have to buy and sell cattle, keep up with sales reports, tally information about the herds and the
cross-breedingprogram.I'minconstant

contactwithbreedersandbuyers,theNationalCattlemen'sAssociation,theTexasbranchofit,notto
mentionveterinariansandstateofficials

—"

"Butyouraisecattle,don'tyou?"shefaltered.

"Raising cattle is big business these days, honey," he said, the endearment, which he never used,
comingsonaturallywithherthathehardly

noticedhe'dsaidit.

Shenoticed,though.Herfacecoloredandhereyesbrightened.

Hetouchedherhair,fingeringitsthick,elegantlengthintheFrenchplait.Hewonderedhowitwould
feeltorunhisfingersthroughitsthick,

loosenedstrandsatnight.Shedidn'tusuallywearitdown."Honey,"herepeated."It'sanendearment
thatsuitsyou.Yourhairlookslike

wildflowerhoneyinspots,allgoldenandglowinginthesunlight,Melody."

Ashespoke,hemovedcloserandhisheadbegantobend.Hebrushedhismouthoverhersuntilhe
coaxedittoopen.Thenhekissedher

withpiercinghunger,withpossession.

Seconds later, she was riveted to every inch of him, held so close that she could feel him in an
intimacythey'donlysharedoncebefore.

"God!"Hegroundoutthesingleword,andhishand

slippedunderheryellowknitsweatertoraidhersoftfemininity.Hekissedherhungrilyforalong
fewsecondsandthenliftedhisheadto

look into her dazed eyes while his hand felt for the catch to her bra and snapped it with practiced
efficiency.

Heglancedaroundthemtomakesuretheyweren'tbeingobserved.Then,whilehewatchedher,his
handmoveduptosoftlycaressher

barebreast.Hefeltitswell,feltitstipgohardandhotinhisdamppalm.

"Yourbreastsareveryfull,"hewhisperedhuskily."Ilovetouchingthemlikethis."

"Emmett,"sheprotestedweakly,andhidherfaceagainsthischest.

Shewasshy,butnotatallinhibitedorcoquettish.Helovedthathonesty.Hisleanhandcoveredher
completely,andhesearchedforher

mouthuntilhefoundit.

Shefelthotallover.Shaky.Throbbingwithakindoffever.Shemoanedfaintly.

"Yes,"hesaidroughly."Itisn'tenough,isit?"

Hishandswenttothehemofthesweaterandabruptlypusheditup,alongwithherloosebra.Thenhe
stoodandstaredatherwithan

expressionshe'dneverseenonaman'sfacebefore.Sheblushed,becausecertainlynomanhadever
lookedatherbarebreastsbefore.

"Baby,"hesaidunsteadily,"youareawalking,blushingworkofart!"

He made her feel beautiful. She watched him watching her and couldn't manage to feel any
embarrassment.

Hiseyeswereexplicitandvery,

veryflattering.

Hishandsshookasheforcedhimselftopullthefabricdown.Hecouldn'tbesurethosekidsweren't
hidingoutsomewherenearbyandhe

couldlosehisheadmuchtooeasilyifhedidwhathewantedto.

Hermistyeyesaskedaquestion.

Heavoidedmeetingthemwhilehereachedbehindherandrefastenedthebraunderthecoverofher
sweater.

"Idon'thavealotofcontrolwithyou,"heconfessedquietly."Idon'twanttopushmyluckandspoil
things."

"Youonlylookedatme,"shewhispered.

"Thatwasn'tallIwantedtodo,though,"hesaidbluntly.Hemethereyes."Iwantedtoputmymouth
onyourbreastsandtasteyouwithmy

tongueandmyteeth.AndifI'ddonethat,I'dhavetakenyoustandingup,righthere."

Shestaredathimblankly."Youwould...biteme?"sheaskeduncertainly.

He laughed at her expression. "Not like that, for God's sake! I'd nibble you." He shook his head,
becauseshesoobviouslydidn't

understand."Melody,you'reincredible.Justincredible.Haveyoudoneanythingwithamanbeyond
kissinghim?"

Shegloweredathim."Doesitmatter?"

"Yes,itdoes.Idon'twanttoscareyou."

"DidIactscared?"sheasked,big-eyed.

Hesmiled,delighted."No."

"I'm not afraid of you. I'm a little intimidated because I've never felt anything so overpowering
before.ButIenjoyhavingyoutouchme."

Sheloweredhereyestohisbroadchest."I...wouldliketomakelovetoyou,Emmett."

Hedidn'tsayanything.Afteraminute,shewashorrifiedthatshe'dgonetoofar,saidtoomuch,been
tooblatant.

Shestartedtoturnaway,buthecaughthersoftlyroundedchinandturnedherfacebacktohis.

"Iwantthat,too,"hesaidtautly."Andthatcomplicatesthingsroyally.Ihavethreechildren.Youmight
havenoticed...?"

"They'reprettyhardtomiss,"sheagreed.

''Andthenthere'stheveryobviousfactofyourvirginity.''Hebrushedathisjeans."Listen,Iknowit
isn'tmodernorsophisticated,butIwas

raisedtothinkofinnocenceassomething

toospecialtomakeanentertainmentof.Doyouunderstand?Myparentsalwayssaidthatadecentman
didn'tmakeaplaythingofan

innocentwoman,notwhenthereweresomanyaroundwhoknewthescoreandweren'tlookingfor
marriage.Butifamanseducedavirgin,he

marriedherandmadeherthemotherofhischildren.I'mafraidIstillfeelthatway.Idon'tsleepwith
womenwhoaren'texperienced.

Notever."

"Isee."Sheshiveredalittle,wrappingherarmsaroundherchest.Hewastellingherthattheyhadno
future.She'dhoped.Howshe'd

hoped!Butshehadtoretainasmuchofherprideasshecould.Sheforcedasmile."Well,noharm
done.Doyouthinkwecouldhave

somecoffee?"

Hefeltherpainasifithadbeenhisown.Amazing,hethought,thatshecaredsomuchthathiswords
couldwoundher.Hediscovered

thathecouldn'tbeartohurther.

Hepulledherintohisarmsandheldher,feelingherstiffposture.Heknewwhattodoaboutthat.His
handslidsensuouslydowntoherhips

andmovedheragainsthiminaslow,sweetrotation.Shetriedtomoveaway,buthewouldn'tlether.
"Thishasn'thappenedwithanyone

sinceIfirstfoundyouworkinginLogan'soffice,"hewhisperedatherear."Doyoufeelhowcapable
Iamrightnow?Idon'tevenhaveto

workuptowantingyou.Itouchyou,andIcantakeyou.You'dhavetobeamantoappreciatehow
sweetthatimmediateresponseis."

"You just got through saying..." "That I don't sleep with virgins," he finished for her. He smiled
againstherforehead."That'sright.Why

don't you rip my shirt open and kiss me to death? You could push me down in the aisle here and
ravishme,ifyouliked.""Emmett,"she

saiduncertainly,liftingherfacetohis."I'llgetsomethingtousethefirstfewmonths,"hesaidmatter-
of-factly, "so that you have plenty of time to decide whether or not you want to let me make you
pregnant.''

Shestoppedbreathing.Hereyeswentwideandshocked,andherheartbeganbeatingagainstherrib
cage.

"Wh...

what?"

"Threeisprobablytoomanyalready,"hemurmured."Andtheworldiscertainlyoverpopulated.ButI
wouldlovetogiveyouababy,"he

whispered."Imaynotbethebestfatheraround,andI'vegotalottolearn,butIlovekids.Wecould
havejustonetogether,withhoneybrown

hair,"headdedthoughtfully,studyingher."Thatwouldbeunique.Wouldn'tyouliketotouchme?"he
addedhuskily,draggingher

handtohischest."I'dlikeit."

"Emmett,Ican'tgetpregnant!"

"Yes,youcan,"hesaid."It'seasy.Allwehavetodoisnotuseanythingwhenwemakelove."Helifted
hisheadandfrowneddownat

her."Didn'tyoutakehealthclassesin

school?"

"That'snotwhatImeant!Ican'tgoaroundgettingpregnant!"

"Youcanifyou'remarried,"heremindedher.

"I'mnotmarried!"

"Youwillbe."Hebenthisheadandkissedher,slowlyandwithadeepeninghunger."Ican'twaitlong,
either,"

hesaidunsteadily."Some

mencangoformonthswithoutsex,butIcan't.Ihavetohaveit.I'veabstainedsincejustbeforeKit
andLogangotmarried,whenIfirst

realizedthatIwantedyou.Butit'sbeenalong,dryspell,Melody."Hemoanedagainsthermouth.His
handsbecameinsistent."Verylong."

She melted into him. It wasn't a conscious decision, but she wanted him so badly that she couldn't
manageanyreasonstotellhimshe

wouldn'tmarry him. Thekids, the consequences,all took a backseat to histhrobbing need and her

desperationtosatisfyit.

"I'llmarryyou,"shesaidhuskily."I'mprobablycrazy,andIknowyouare,andIdon'tknowhowI'll
managebeingamothertothreekidswhenoneofthemhatesme.ButIguessI'llcope,ifyou're

actuallyproposingandnotkiddingaround."

Heliftedhisheadandsearchedhereyes.Hishandsonherhipswerefirmandbold.Hegroundher
bellyintohisinblatantneed."Doesit

feellikeI'mjoking?"heaskedunsteadily,

"No."

Hebrushedherlipswithhisandwhisperedsomethingsoexplicitthatsheflushedandburiedherface
inhishotthroat.

"ShockedthatIcantalktoyouthatway?"heaskedroughly."I'llmakeyoulikeit,though.I'llmake
youlikewhatIwastalkingabout,

too."

Shepressedcloser.Herlegstrembled."Iknowthat,"shebreamed.

Hisheadlifted.Hesearchedhereyes.''Onceyouagree,therewon'tbeanygoingback."

"No."

"Okay,then.We'llgoandtellthekids."

"Notyet,"shepleaded."Notforatleastaweekortwo.Iwantyoutobesure,Emmett."

"I already am," he said quietly. It was quick, maybe too quick, but he didn't have a thought of
hesitating.

Whatheknewaboutherwas

morethanenough.They'dhaveagoodlifetogether.Hecaredforherandheknewitwasmutual.

"For the children," she hedged. "Let's give them a little time. Just a little, to get used to seeing us
together,anddoingthingswiththem,

beforewehitthemwithit."

Hegroaned."HowmuchdoyouthinkIcanstand?"

Shesmiledgently."I'llbeverycarefulnottomakeitanyworseforyouthanitis."

Hesighedroughly."Allright.Butjustaweekortwo."

Shenodded."That'sfine."

Chapter8

Melodywentthroughthenexttwoweeksinakindofdaze.She'dneverfeltasclosetoanyoneasshe
felttowardEmmettandAmyandPolk.They

wentriding and tomovies and ballgames. They went torodeos. They watchednew releases on the
VCRatherapartmentandonhisatthe

ranch.Allthewhile,theygrewcloserastheytalkedaboutthemselvesandtheirhopesanddreams.

Therewasnothingphysical.Emmettwasrestrainedtothepointofmadness,onlykissingherlightly
whenhetookherhome.Henever

deepenedthekissesortouchedherormadesuggestiveremarks.Exceptforthewayhelookedather
now,theymighthavebeennothingmorethan

friends.

TheonesadnessMelodyhadwasthatGuywasmorewithdrawnthanever,andshecouldn'thelpbut
thinkhewasplottingagainstthem.

Amy and Polk had looked worried a time or two, as if they had something on their minds. Melody
wastemptedtotrytopryitoutofthem,but

therewasneveranopportunity.

Guydidfindonewaytoirritateher.Hefoundeveryphotographhehadofhismotherandputthemall
inplainview.HetalkedaboutAdellat

everyopportunity.Behindtheirritatingbehaviorwasfear,butitdidn'thelpMelodytoknowit.Guy
hadbecomeherenemy,andshedidn't

knowhowtodealwithhim.

"Youaren'tgivingMelodyachance,areyou?"EmmettaskedGuylateoneeveningafterhe'dtaken
MelodyhomeandAmyandPolk

hadgonetobed.

Guydidn'tlookathim."Ithoughtyoustilllovedmymother."

Hefrowned."What?"

Guyshiftedonthechair."Youwererealmadwhenshewentaway,butyouusedtotalkaboutherall
thetime.Iknowyoumissher.Sodo

we."Helookedupathisfather."Whydon'tyoutellheryouwanthertocomeback?Shemight.Maybe

shedoesn'tlikeherhusband.Maybe

she'dlikeareasontocomeback!"

Emmettcouldn'ttellhimaboutAdell'spregnancy.Itwouldbethelaststrawfortheboyrightnow.He
grimaced.Hehadn'tknownthat

Guywasnursingsuchfutilehopes.NowonderhewasresentfulofMelodyandupsetaboutherbeing
aroundallthetime.

"Son," he began slowly, "you have to understand that sometimes even people who care about each
othercan'tlivetogether."

"Butyouandmymotherdid,"Guyreturned."Youwerehappy,Iknowyouwere!"

That was desperation. Guy was growing up so fast, Emmett wasn't sure how to handle it. All that
rodeoing,whenhiskidshadneededhim

andhe'dturnedawayfromthem,wascomingbacktohaunthimnow.

"Yourmotherwasn'thappywithme,"Emmettsaidquietly."That'stherootofthewholematter.She
lovesRandy,"headded,grittinghis

teeth as he made the grudging admission. "There is no chance, whatsoever, that she'll ever divorce
himandcomebacktous.Youhaveto

acceptthat."

"No!"Guystoodup."She'smymother!Shedidn'twanttogo,youmadeher!Youwereneverhome!"

Emmetttightenedthereinonhistemper."That'strue,"hesaidquietly."Maybemyactionshelpedher
makethedecision.Butthefactis,if

she'dlovedme,she'dneverhaveleftme.Youdon'trunawayfrompeopleyoulove."

Guy'slowerUptrembled."Shedidn'tloveme?"

"Notyou!Me!"

Guy averted his eyes. "I don't like Melody. Does she have to keep coming around here?" he said,
changingthesubject.

"I'mgoingtomarryher."

Guylookedhorrified.Hegapedathisfather."Youcan't!Youcan'tdothat!WhataboutMom?"

"Yourmotherismarried,"hesaidflatly."I'msureshestilllovesyouandAmyandPolk,butshewon't
becomingback.You'regoingto

havetotakeitlikeamanandlearntolivewithit.Lifeisn'tacartoonoramovie.Thingsdon'talways
workouttoahappyending."

"Idon'twantMelodyhere!"Guysaidharshly."She'snotgoingtobemymother!"

Emmettfeltexasperated.Arguingwasgettinghimnowhere.Hestoodupabruptly."I'llmarrywhomI
please,"hesaidflatly."Ifyou

don'tlikeit,that'stough.Butyou'dbetternotgiveheranytrouble,"headdedwithquietmenace."If
hercatdisappearsagain,oranything

happenstoherthatupsetsher,I'llholdyouresponsible."

Guy flushed, averting his head. The cat haunted him. He couldn't tell his father how sick he'd been
whenheknewAlistairmighthave

diedbecauseofhim.

"Iwon'tbotherherstupidcat,"hesaidshortly.

Emmettsighedwearily."Theotherkidsloveher,"hesaid."She'skindandgentleandifyou'dgiveher
halfachance,she'dcare

aboutyou,too.Butyou'retheoriginal

toughguy,aren'tyou?"hisfatherasked."You'reMr.Cool:Nobodyisgoingtogetclosetoyou.Not
evenme."

Guyavertedhiseyes.

"I'vedoneeverythingIcanthinkoftoreachyou,"Emmettcontinued."Includinginvolvingyouinthe
routineofrunningaranch,but

you'retoobusyorthere'satelevisionprogramonoryouhavetoplaywithBarney."

"You'reonlydoingitbecausesheisn'taround,"Guysaidicily."You'dratherbewithherthanme."

Emmett smiled half amusedly. "When you're a few years older, the reason will become perfectly
obvioustoyou."

Guyflushed."Iknowaboutgirls.There'sthisoneatschool,butshethinksI'muglyandstupid.She
saidso,infrontofhergirlfriends.I

hategirls!"Hestuckhishandsintohisjeansandglaredathisfather."EspeciallyMelody!"

Emmettcouldonlybarelyrememberbeingelevenyearsoldandhatinggirls.Hesmiledfaintly."Well,
I'mmarryingherwhetheryoulikeit

ornot,"hesaidpleasantly.

Guy turned and stormed off into his room and slammed the door. Emmett lifted an eyebrow.
Parenting,hedecided,wasnotajobforme

weakhearted.Hewasgoingtohavetofindsomewaytogettothatboy,whiletherewasstilltime.

Thenextweekend,EmmettandMelodymadeaformalannouncementtoAmyandPolk.Theyknew.
Guyhadtoldalreadythem,andthey

wereunusuallyreserved,glancingattheirolderbrotheruncertainly.

"Willyoulivewithus,Melody?"Amyasked.

"Yes,"Melodysaidquietly."Ihopewe'llbegoodfriends.Idon'thaveafamily,youknow,"sheadded
withoutlookingatthem."Onlymy

brother."

"Yeah,herbrotherwhostoleourmother!"Guyburstout."Well,Idon'twantyouhere...!"

"Gotoyourroom,"Emmettsaid.Hisvoicewaslowand

veryquiet,butthelookinhiseyesmadeGuyobeywithoutanotherword.

"Guysaidyou'llbemeantous,"AmytoldMelodyworriedly."Hesaidyouwereonlypretendingto
beniceuntilyouhookedEmmett."

Melody went down on her knees in front of the little girl and studied the green eyes in the softly
tannedthinfaceframedbypigtails.

"Amy, do you know how you feel with different people? I mean, you feel happy around some, and
nervousandunhappyaroundothers?"

Amyfrowned."Iguessso."

"Well,sometimeswhenwedon'tknowpeopleverywell,wehavetotrustourfeelingsaboutthem.I
can'tpromiseyouthatI'llneverbeangry,

thatI'llneverlosemytemper,thatI'llneverhurtyourfeelings.I'mjustaperson,andI'mnotperfect.
ButI'llloveyoualot,ifyou'llletme,"

sheaddedwithasmile."Allofyou.IknowI'llneverbeyourrealmother,butIcanbeyourfriendand
youcanbemine."

Amy seemed to accept that, and to relax. She smiled. "Polk and I think you're the greatest. Guy just
doesn'twantyouaroundbecausehe

thinksEmmettandourmotherwillgetmarriedagainsomeday."Shegrimaced."Buttheywon't."

Melodywonderedatthewisdominthatsmallvoice.Amywassomethingofaconundrum.Attimes
sheseemedmucholderthanhereight

years.

"DoyouloveEmmett?"Amyaskedoutoftheblue.

Melodyblushed,embarrassed.

"Yes.Doyou?"Polkseconded,joiningAmy,hiseyeslargeunderthespectaclesashesmiledather.

Emmettpursedhislips,andhiseyestwinkled."That'sit,kids,makehertellyou!"

Melodyglaredathim."Youcanbequiet."

"Iwanttoknow,"hepersisted.Hechuckledsoftly."Nevermind,then.I'llfindoutformyself,later."

ThatwentrightoverAmy'sandPolk'sheads,thankgoodness.Theybegantotalkaboutschooland
soonafterward,supperwasputonthe

table.Guy'swastakentohisroombyanirritableMrs.Jenson,becauseherefusedtocomeout.

Theboy'sbehaviorwastheoneregretinMelody'smindwhenEmmettleftthekidswithMrs.Jenson
anddroveherbacktoHouston.

"Heisn'tgoingtoacceptit,"shesaid,whentheywereinherapartmentandthedoorwasclosed.She
lookedupatEmmettworriedly."I

can'tcomebetweenyouandyourson...Emmett!"

He'dliftedheroffthefloorinmidspeechandcarriedherwithoutawordintothedarkbedroom.He
laidhergentlyonthecoverletandslid

ontoitbesideher.Whenshetriedtospeak,hismouthcoveredherprotestinglips.Secondslater,she
couldn'tspeakatall.

Guyandhisattitudewereforgottenintheslow,tendermomentsthatfollowed.Emmetteasedherout
ofherdressandslipsogentlythat

she hardly noticed, and his warm mouth moved slowly over every inch of her, kindling
unmanageablesensationsthatquicklymadeher

writheandmoan.

Hereyesgrewaccustomedtothesemidarkness,sothatwhenheremovedherbra,shecouldseehis
eyesglitterashelookedather.

"SometimesIthinkIdreamedyou,"hesaidhuskily.Thenhisheadbent,andwhathe'doncedescribed
toherbegantohappenallatonce.His

warmmouthnibbledtenderlyathertautnipplesbeforeitmovedhungrilyovertheswollensoftness
aroundthem.Heheldherandcaressedher

tothepointofmadness,andwhenhishandsinvadedthemostintimatepartofher,shewashelpless,
enslaved.

He whirled her body against the length of his and enveloped her while he kissed her mouth into
submission.

Theabrasionofhisjeansand

shirtagainstherunclothedskinwasasexcitingasthemouththatwastutoringherown.

Sheclungtohimwhenheliftedhishead.Hewasbreathingroughlyandhischestwasshakingwiththe
beatofhisheart.Againsther

stomach,shecouldfeelthehard,impatientmalenessofhim.

"Emmett?"shewhisperedunsteadily.

"Doyouwantme?"heaskedinaharsh,huskytone.

"Oh,yes,"shesaidhonestly.

"Allofme,rightnow?"

"Yes!"

Hesatup,anditwasaneffort.Hishandshotoutandtheroomexplodedinlight.

Forashockedinstant,Melodylayonthecoverletdisoriented.Thenshesawhimlookingatherbody,
atthesoftpinknuditythatherthinwhite

briefsdidnothingtodisguise,atthetaut,swollenevidenceofherdesire.Shewentscarletandbegan
toliftherhandstoherbreaststohide

them.

He shook his head, and his hands caught hers. "You're mine," he said quietly. "We're engaged. That
givesmetherighttolookatyoulike

this.Infact,itgivesmeafewotherrightsthatI'mdamnedtemptedtoexercise."Hishotgazefellto
herstomachandlower,toherlong,

elegant legs. His hand followed his eyes, and she gasped and moved restlessly, helplessly, on the

coverlet.

Heeaseddown,hisfacesomber,almoststern,ashisfingerstrespassedgentlypasttheelasticband.He
touchedherandshefoughthim,

wincing.

"Easy,"hesaidgently."Itisn'tsupposedtohurt."

"It...does!"

Hebentandbrushedhislipstenderlyagainstherwildeyes,hercheeks,hertremblingmouth."You're
frightened.There'snoneed.Noneat

all.Whenithappens,itwillbeaseasyasfallingintowater,aseasyasbreathing.Yourbodyissoftand
elastichere,"hewhispered."Itwillabsorbmine,likeagloveabsorbingahand."

The analogy made her shiver. He kissed her flickering eyelids, tracing her long lashes with his
tongue."Idon'twantyoutobeafraidofme.I

promisethatIwon'thurtyou,inanyway."

Shelookedathimworriedly,hereyesbiganduncertain.

He nodded. "I suppose I knew all along that it would take more than words." He reached over and
turnedoffthelampbeforeheslidalongside

heragain."Itwillbeeasierforyouinthedark,won'tit?"hewhispered.

She didn't understand what he meant until it began. The soft, stroking motion kindled explosive
feelingsinheruntriedbody.Shetriedtofight

thematfirst,butthetideofpleasureheinducedwasasoverwhelmingaslifeitself.Shegaveintoit,
gloriedinit,weptandwrithedand

moanedinananguishofhot,buildingtensionthatfinallysplinteredintothemostincrediblesurgeof
pleasureshe'deverimaginedinher

wildestdreams.

He gathered her close and held her trembling body, fighting his own demons even as he banished
hers.Hislipssmoothedoverherhotface,

tenderlycalmingher.

"That,magnified,"hewhisperedatherear,"iswhatI'mgoingtogiveyouonourweddingnight."

Sheclungtohim,dazed."Ineverdreamed...!"

"You'remorethanIeverhopedfor,"hesaidquietly,cradlingherinhisarms."Youdon'tteaseorplay
games,doyou?Andyou'renot

ashamedtofeelwhatIcangiveyou,ortoadmitthatyoudofeelit."

Shetouchedhisleancheekandfeltthemusclestautinit."IliketothinkI'llbeabletogiveitback,
whenIknowhow,"shemurmured

shyly.

He kissed her with aching tenderness. "You will," he said quietly. "Lovemaking should be mutual. I
won'tevertakemypleasureatyour

expense."

Hewasasurprisinglyconsiderateman.Shehadafleetingglimpseofhimasalover,andherbody
movedunconsciouslyonthecoverlet.

"Iwantyou,too,verybadly,"hesaid,feelingandunderstandingthemovement."Butwe'llwaituntil
afterwe'remarried.Idon'twanta

tarnished memory of our first loving. Hors d'oeuvres, on the other hand," he murmured wickedly,
"areperfectlypermissible."

Hebentandnuzzledhismouthoverherbreast,feelingherinstantresponse,hearingherurgentcry.

Itcouldn'tlast.Hewastoohungryforher,andtheriskgrewbytheminute.Finallyhegroanedand
gottohisfeet,shiveringalittlewith

theeffort.

"I'dbettergohomewhileIstillcan,"hemusedwryly."Don'tgetup.Andtrynottofaint.I'mgoingto
turnonthelight."

Shewouldhaveprotestedatthebeginning,butitdidn'tmatternow.Heknewheralmostaswellasa
lover.

Thelightcameonandshelaythere,lettinghimlookather.Thebriefshe'dstrippedfromherwere
tossedontothefootofthebed.There

wasnothingbetweenherandhisnarrow,hungrygreeneyes.

"I hope you don't believe in divorce," he said in a faintly strangled tone. "Because you'd have to
changeyournameandmovetothe

jungletoescapeme."

Shestretcheddeliberately,gloryinginthegrowingtautnessofhislean,fitbody.Shecouldimagine

howitwasgoingtofeelgrindingintohers,

andherlipspartedonarushofbreath.

"Thatgoesdoubleforyou,"shewhispered."You'llbelongtome,too,whenwe'remarried."

"It'smorethandesireforyou,isn'tit?"heaskedquietly.

"Yes."

He searched her eyes. "For me, too, Melody," he replied. "It's more than enough to start with. I'll
arrangetheceremonyfornext

Saturday."

"Allright."

"I'llmakesureI'vegotwhatweneedtokeepyoufromgettingpregnantrightaway,"headded.

"Icanseemedoctorandgethimtoputmeonthepill,"shebegan.

Hesatdownonthebedbesideher,hiseyestroubled.Hedrewthecoveroverherpronebodywitha
rueful,reluctantsmile."Toomuch

temptation can kill even a strong man," he said dryly. The smile faded. "Listen, I know the pill is
prettyfoolproof,andeverybodysaysit's

safe.ButIfeeluncomfortableaboutlettingyoutakechanceswithyourhealth."

"If I don't take the pill... Well, I've heard that some men don't like using what they have to use," she
saidhesitantly.

Hetouchedherfacetenderly."Well,I'mnotsomemen,"herepliedhonestly,"AndIbelievepregnancy
shouldn'tbeanaccident."

"Iknow."Shetracedhishandwhereitlayonthecoverbesideherhead."Thekidswillneedtime,too,
togetusedtomebeforewestart

creatingnewcomplications."

"Inthemeanwhile,Icantakecareofit."

"Ifyou'rethatworriedaboutthepill,youcancomewithmeandtalktothedoctoryourself,"shesaid.
"Thereareotherways."

"Howdoyoufeelaboutit?"heasked.

Sheflushedandavertedhereyes.

Heturnedherfaceback."It'stooseriousanissuetoevadebecauseofmodesty.Howdoyoufeelabout
it?"

She searched his hard face. "I'm not afraid to take the pill. I don't think it's so risky. And I want to
be...very,veryclosetoyouwhenwelove

eachother,"shesaidhuskily."Ascloseaswecangetwhenwefittogether."

Hisfacewentruddy.Heactuallyshivered.

"Oh,Emmett,Iwantyou...!"Shedrewhimdownandkissedhimwithhelplessurgency,feelinghim
throwoffthe

covers as he levered himself over her. His knee urged her legs apart and he slid between them,
shakingashepusheddown,lettingherfeel

himintotalintimacy.

Hegroanedharshly,hisbodystillingsuddenlyasthedangerofthesituationcutthroughhisdesirefor
her.

Herbodywasnewtopleasureandhungryforit.Heunderstoodherheadlongrushtowardit,buthe
hadtoprotectherfromadangershe

stilldidn'tunderstand.

"Liestill.Lord,baby,please...!"

His hands forced her a few inches away from his tormented body. She moaned, but he persisted.
"Melody,ithurtsme."Hegroundout

thewords.

Shelaystill,curious.Herbigeyesfoundthepallorofhisfaceevenasshefelthimtremble.

"Hurts?"sheaskeduncertainly.

He dragged her hand up against him. "Here," he said huskily. "It hurts like hell. You've got to stop
movingagainstme.Allright?"

"Yes." But she didn't move her hand, even when his withdrew. She moved back a little and looked
downwithopencuriosity.

Hesawherexpressionandsighedheavily."Allright.Here."

Herolledoverontohisbackandlaythere,stoicallylettingherlookandtouchandexperiencehim.
Heshiveredalittle,buthertouchsoothed

morethanitwounded.

Shedrewawayalmostatonce,embarrassedbyherownboldness,andsmiledathim.

Hethrewthecoverletather.Sheunderstoodwithoutwords,wrappingherselfupinittoremovethe
threatwithawickedsmileonher

face.

"Witch,"heaccused.

"Youlikedit,"shesaidrightback.

Hestretched,wincedandputhishandsunderhisheadwhilehestudiedher.Hisbodybegantorelax,
butslowly.

"Whenyou'rethroughhavinganatomylessons,I'llleave,''hesaidpointedly.

Hereyebrowslifted."Youcallthisananatomylesson?"sheaskedwithamocksurprise."WhenI'm
totallynudeandyou'relyingtherewith

allyourclotheson?"

"I'mmodest,"heinformedher.

Shepursedherlipsandstaredathisjeans."Takethemoff.Idareyou."

Helaughedwithpuredelight."No!Damnit,woman,haveyounoshame?"

"Shameisforpeoplewhodon'twanttohavesexwithotherpeople."Sheleanedcloser,fanningthe
coverletbetweenherbreasts."I'm

famished!"shewhisperedwithamockleer.

Hechuckledatheruninhibiteddisplay.''Comehere,youtorment."

He pulled her down and kissed her, but with slow, sweet tenderness, not passion. ' 'I adore you,'' he
whispered.''AndItakeitbackaboutthe

jungle.Ifyoueverwanttogetawayfromme,ithadbetterbeMars."

"I'llkeepthatinmind."Shekissedhimback."Ireallydon'tmindtakingthepill."

Henodded."It'syourbody.Ithastobeyourdecision."Hesmiledruefully."Havingjustdiscovered
you,Idon'twanttorisklosing

you."

Thatmadeherfeelwarmallover."Youwon't,"shesaidsoftly.Shepushedbackhisthick,darkhair.
"CanIloveyou?"

Hethrewhisarmsouttoeithersideandclosedhiseyes."Goahead."

Shehithim."YouknowwhatImean."

Hesearchedherfaceforalongmoment."You'reserious."

"Yes."Shetracedhischinandthenhismouthashereyesleveredbackuptoholdhis.

He smoothed his hands over her shoulders, under the coverlet, savoring her magnolia-petal skin.
"Loveisimportanttoawoman,isn'tit?"he

askedwithfaintcynicism.

"It'simportanttomostmen,too,"shesaidsoftly.Hereyeswerewarmandsteady,withoutdeceit."I'm
goingtoloveyouanyway.Ijust

thought it would be polite to ask. But if you're going to be difficult about it, just pretend you don't
noticethatI'mcrazyaboutyou."

He sighed and smiled. "It would be pretty difficult to miss. Even your breasts blush when I look at
you."

"Theydonot...Emmett!"

Shemadeagrabforthecover,butitwastoolate."See?"heasked,noddingtowardthefaintruddy
colorbelowhercollarbone.Butthe

smilefadedalmostatonce.Hetouchedherreverently."Youaresoincrediblylovely,"hewhispered,
almostchokingontheemotionhefelt.

Heclosedhiseyesanddraggedhimselfoffthebed."Ihavetogo.Now.Immediately.Withoutdelay."

Shehadtofightbackasmileathisdesperatelook.Shepulledthecoverbackaroundherandgotup,
lookingsosmugthathegloweredat

her.

"Proudofyourself?"hemuttered,blatantlyarousedandwithnowaytohideitfromthenewwisdom
inhertwinklingbrowneyes.

Sheglanceddownandbackup."Yep,"shesaid,grinning.

Helaugheddefeatedly,shakinghishead."I'moutofhere."

"Until Saturday," she reminded him pertly as she walked with him to the door. "After that, you're

mine!"

"And you're mine," he returned. He caught the doorknob and glanced down at her with quiet
introspection,takinginherflushedface,her

swollenmouth,herjoy-filledeyes.Hissoulseemedtoclenchatthepleasureitgavehimtowanther.

Shesawthattensionandunderstoodit."Iwon'teverhurt

you," she said suddenly, dead serious. "But I'll love you until it hurts. If you really don't want that,
you'dbettersaysonow.OnceI'velived

withyou,Ihonestlydon'tknowifIcanletgo..."

Hepressedhisfingersagainstherlips."Youwon'thaveto,"hesaidquietly."Lovedoesn'tcomewith
money-backguarantees.It'sarisk.

We'lltakeittogether."

"Allright."

Hesighedgently,andhesmiledather."Sleepwell."

"No,Iwon't,"shesaid.

"NeitherwillI."Hiseyesdarkened."Idowantyousodesperately,"hesaidhuskily,emotionthrobbing
inhisvoice.

"Thenstaywithme,"sheinvitedquietly.

"Iwantto,"hesaidfervently."Butwe'lldothingsproperly.Notforoursakes,butforthechildren's.A
whiteweddingmaybeold-fashioned

inthisunstructuredsociety,butIwantoneforus."

Shesmiledathim."SodoI.ButI'ddoanythingforyou."

Incredible, the burst of inner light he felt at the words. He smiled, a little dazedly as he let it ripple
throughhim."Anything?"hemurmured.

She studied him. "Well, almost anything. I wouldn't kiss a snake or eat a chocolate covered ant for
you."

Hebentandkissedherquickly."Okay.Nokissingsnakesandeatingants.Nowgoodnight!"

"Goodnight."

He winked at her and went out the door. She locked it behind him. On second thought, she mused

privately,ifitwasn'tavenomoussnake,

andshecouldkeephereyesclosedwhileshekissedit...

EmmetthadjustfinishedarrangingthesmallservicewhenGuycameintohisoffice,hishandsinhis
backpockets,lookingrepentantbutstill

belligerent.

"Well?"Emmettaskedcurtly.

Guy'sthinshouldersroseandfell."I'msorry,"hesaidstiffly.

"Forwhat?"

"WhatIsaid.ThewayIacted."Guystaredatthefloor."Mymomreallywon'tcomeback?"

"No."

He took a slow, audible breath before he glanced at his father. "But she didn't go away because of
me?"

"Ofcoursenot,"Emmettsaid."Shelovesallyoukids.Ifyouwanttoknow,Iwouldn'tlethernearyou
aftersheleft,"heconfessed

heavily."Iwaswrong,too.Deadwrong.Ifyouwanttoseeher,talktoher,it'sallright."

Guydidn'tsayanythingforaminute."Melodyhatesme,doesn'tshe?"

"No.Itisn'tinhernaturetohatepeople,"Emmettsaidquietly."Butyouhaven'tgoneoutofyourway
toendearyourselftoher,either."

"Yeah.Shewon'tforgetaboutthecat,Iguess."

"Ifyoumeetherhalfway,itwon'tmatteratall,"Emmettsaid."Youhavetocompromise.I'mahellof
abadteacher,inthatrespect,butI'm

learning.We'llbothhavetolearn."

"Okay.I'lltry."

Emmett smiled. "And you might reconsider getting used to the business side of ranch work," he
added.

Guyshrugged."IguessIcould."Heglancedwarilyathisfather.Emmettlookedprettydifferentlately.
Helookedhappy.

"Thingsgoingbetteratschool,arethey?"

"SinceIbeatupBuddyHaskell,they'regoinggreat,"Guysaidsimply.

"Youwhat?"

"He made a remark about smelly ranchers who walk around all day in cow...well, in manure." Guy
correctedhimself,grinning.''Hesaid

yousmelledlikethat,soIpastedhimone.Theteacherwastoobusytalkingtotheotherteachersto
evennotice."Hechuckled."Hetoldherhe

walkedintoadoor."

Emmettlookedskyward."Now,listen,here..."

"Homeworktodo,"Guysaidquickly."Havetogetonit,rightnow.I'mhelpingPolkwithfractions."
Hefrowned."Isn'titamazingthat

hecandomultiplicationinhisheadbuthecan'taddafourthandahalf?"

"He'llbearocketscientistoneday,"Emmettreplied.

"Godhelpusifhecan'tdofractionsbythen,"Guymused.Helefthisfathersittingthereandwentto
gethisbooks.

EmmettfeltaglimmerofhopethatGuywouldchangehisattitude.IfGuycamearound,itwouldbe
clearsailingforsure.ExceptthatAdell

waspregnant,andheshouldhavetoldtheboy.Well,therewasnoneed,andplentyoftimeforhimto
finditout.Plentyoftime,now.

Chapter9

1heweddingwasheldatthelocalMethodistchurch.TedRegancamedownforit,andsodidTansy,
LoganandKitDeverell.AmywasflowergirlandPolkcarriedtheringsonapillow.Guysatstiffly
on the pew reserved for family, having declined belligerently at any sort of participation in the
wedding.

Despitethetalkhe'dhadwithhisfather,he'dstillhopedthathismothermightcomealongatthelast
minuteandstoptheservice,saythatshewaswrong,thatshelovedhisfatherandwantedtomarryhim
again.

But it didn't happen. Nobody wanted him, he thought suddenly. His mother had run away and never
evenphonedorwritten,andnowhisdadwantedsomebody'scompanybesideshis.Heglancedathis
brotherandsister,soradiantatthethoughtoftheirnewstepmother.He'dhavetomakethemostofit.
Hewassorrythathe'dmadethingssohardforMelody.Hehopedthathisdadwasright,andshedidn't
haveavengefulnature.

Ashewatched,Emmettspokethewords,puttheringon

Melody'sfingerandliftedhershortveil.Helookedatherforalong,longtimebeforehefinallybent
andkissedher.Itwasthegentlestkiss

she'deverhadfromhim,oneofrespectandaffectionanddelight.Shegaveitbackinthesameway,
brimmingwithjoy.

Aftertheservice,TedReganstoppedlongenoughtocongratulatethem.Havingheardhimcalled"old
manRegan,"Melody'sfirstglimpseof

himwasasurprise.Hewasn'told,buthedidhaveprematurelysilverhair,agreatshockofit,combed
tooneside.Hehadpaleblueeyesanda

long, lean, very tanned face. He reminded her of the actor, Randolph Scott, an impression that was
emphasizedwhenhespokeinaslow

Texasdrawl.

"Can'tsayI'veeverwantedtomarryanybody,"Tedmused,"butIguessit'sallrightforsomepeople.
Bestofluck.Don'teventhink

about going back to San Antonio," he added as he shook Emmett's hand and his blue eyes glittered
likecoldsteel."I'llhuntyoudownanddrag

you back here at the end of a rope if you even try. You've accomplished more in a month than any
otherforemanI'vehiredaccomplished

inayear.I'llevengiveyouahalfinterestintheplaceifthat'swhatittakestokeepyou."

Emmett felt a foot taller. Marrying Melody was delight enough, but praise from tight-lipped Ted
Reganwassome-thingofararityand

acceptedwithpride.

"Thanks,"Emmetttoldtheotherman,whowasastallandfitashewashimself,despitethefactthat
Tedwasalmostfortyyearsold."Ilike

myjobalot.Ican'tthinkofanythingthatwouldmakemequitatthemoment."Hefrowned."Maybeif
acowfellinthewell..."

"I don't think you could staff a calf down that wellhead," Ted reminded him. "Unless it was cooked
andgroundup."

"Pointtaken.I'llstayforaspell."

"Good." He clamped his white Stetson back on his head and tilted it at a rakish angle. "I'm off to
Coloradoforthe

nationalcattlemen'smeeting.Moredamnedpoliticsthanhorsesintheindustrythesedays."Hewalked
off,shakinghishead.

"He'snevermarried?Really?"Melodyaskedhernewhusbandasshewatchedthetallmanwalkaway.

"Theysaymereisn'tawomaninsouthTexasbraveenough,"Emmettsaidunderhisbreath."He'svery
pleasantincompany,buthecan

scorchleatherwhenhe'supset.We'vegottwooldcowboyswhohideinthebarneverytimehestops
bytocheckthebooks!"

"Youdon't,"sheimplored.

He chuckled, drawing her against his side as they moved lazily toward the car where the kids were
waiting.

"Oh,TedandIgetalongpretty

well. Peas in a pod, you know." He glanced at her mischievously. "Or didn't you know that I can
scorchleather,too,onoccasion?"

Sheleanedcloser."I'llsettleforhavingyouscorchmetonight,"shewhispered.

Hedrewinabreath."Lady,thatkindoftalkwillgetyouravishedonthehoodofthecar,"hesaidwith
anuncomfortablelook."Shameon

you,sayingsuchthingstoaman,andnearachurch,too!"

"No better place for it," she said gently. "We're married. With my body, I thee worship...?" She

wiggledherhandwiththeplaingold

bandshe'daskedforonherthirdfingerunderhisnose.

"Shameless,"herepeated.

"Yes.Andtonightyou'llbeonyourkneesgivingthanksthatIam,"shesaidsmugly.

Heglancedather."You'llbetheoneonyourknees,beggingformercy."

Shegrinnedathim."Promise?"Shewiggledhereyebrows.

Helaughedoutloudandhuggedher.Probablyshewasbluffing,buthedidn'tmindatall.He'dnever
beensohappy

inallhislife.ExceptforGuy'sattitude,heamended,watchingtheboy'sfaintlyreticentstareasthey
approachedhim.

Guy'sfacesetinfamiliarlines,unsmilingandresentful,andEmmettlosthistemperatthatlook,not
realizingthatGuywas

nervousandintimidatedbecausehewantedtocongratulatethembutwasuncertainofthereactionhe
wasgoingtogetfromMelody.

Emmettwasn'tabouttolettheboyputadamperonMelody'sweddingday.Bestwaytoavoidtrouble
waswithagoodstrongoffensive,he

thought."Putasockinit,"hetoldGuywhenheopenedhismouthtospeak."Oryoucangoandpaya
visittothatmilitaryschoolwe'vetalked

about"

MelodywasshockedatthethreatandtheexpressionitproducedonGuy'sface.

Shestartedtoprotest,butEmmettstoppedher.

"I'vegivenyoumoreropethanyou'veearned,"hetoldGuycoldly."Iwon'tpleadwithyouanymore.
Melodyismywife.Ifyoucan't

acceptthat,agoodprivateschoolisthebestanswer.Ienjoyedit.Youmight,too."

Guy'spallorwasobvious.Heswallowed."Idon'twanttogoawaytoschool,"hesaidheavily.

"That'syouronlyotheroption,"Emmettsaid.

Guy'sheadliftedwithwhatpridehecouldmanage."I'mreadytogohomewhenyouare."Heglanced
atMelodyandaway.

"Congratulations,"hesaidinaghostlytone,andturnedtogetintothebackseatwithanexcitedAmy
andPolk.

Melody'sheartachedforhiswoundedpride."Oh,Emmett...!"shemoaned.

Heavertedhisgazefromherpleadingeyes."Someboystakeafirmhand,"hesaidcurtly."I'vebeen
toolenientwithallthreeofthem,and

they'vegonewild.It'sneverpleasanttogettheupperhandbackonceyou'velostit."Helookedather.
"Iwon'thurttheboy.Iwon'tsend

himawayunlessIhaveto.Butyoumustseethatallowinghimtopersecuteyouanddictatetomeis
impossible.He'sonlyelevenyearsold."

"Iknow.But..."

Hebentandkissedhergently."Itwilltaketime.Webothknewthatfromthebeginning.Stoptryingto
gulpdownthefuture.Wehaven't

begun."

"Allright.I'lltry."

Shewasn'tgoingtogiveup,though.She'dwaituntilhewaslesstenseandthenapproachhimabout
Guy.

Shereallycouldn'tlethimsend

theboyawaybeforeshe'deventriedtomakefriendswithhim.ItwasGuy'shomeaswellasEmmett's
andhers.Thelookontheboy'sface

hauntedher.

TheytookthekidshomeandabeamingMrs.JensoncongratulatedthemwhileMelodychangedintoa
simplegraydressfortravel.Theywere

goingtohaveathree-dayhoneymoondowninCancun.Thekidswerebitterlydisappointedthatthey
couldn'tgo,butMelodypromisedAmyand

Polkthatthey'dgoasafamilyverysoon.Amyhadremarkedthatsheguessednewlymarriedpeople
didneedalittletimealone.Aremarkthat

sentEmmettintogalesoflaughter.

Guydidn'tspeaktohisfather.MelodystoppedjustinfrontofhimasEmmettwassayinggoodbyeto
theotherkids.

"Hewon'tdoit"wasallshesaid.Shesmiled."Itwillbeallright,youknow."

Guywasshocked.Hecouldn'tevenspeak.Hehadn'texpectedhertosayanythingtohimaftertheway
he'dtreatedher.Nowheneededto

talk,andhecouldn't

Itwastoolate,anyway.Shewasgone,withhisfather.

"Theylooknicetogether,don'tyouthink?"Amyaskedwithasigh.SheglaredatGuy."You'regoing
togetitwhenEmmettgetsback.You

wereawfulattheirwedding."

"I'mnotgoingtogetit,butyouareifyoudon'twatchyourmouth,"Guysaid,daringher.

"Willyoutwostopfighting?Look,Alistairlikestoplay

withastring!"Polkcalled,danglingastringwhilethecatplayedwithit.

Thebigtabbywasstayingattheranch,andMrs.Jensonhadironcladordersnottolethimout.Guy
wenttostandbyPolkandAmywhilehe

watchedthecat.HehopedAlistairhadaforgivingnature,aswellasMelody,orthingscouldgetreal
hectichere.

Cancunwasavision.Thecolorsoftheseaandtheblisteringwhiteofthebeach,themodernMexican
architecturewithexaggeratedMayan

motifsmadeapotpourriofimagesthatMelodyfoundfascinating.She'dbeentoMexicobefore,but
nevertothisparticularpartofitDespite

thecrowdoftourists,shedrankintheatmospherewithdelight.

Emmett looked good in white swimming trunks. She admired his long, tanned legs with covetous
eyes,nottomentionhisbroad,hair-matted

chest and arms and flat stomach. He was delicious, and a lot of other women seemed to think so,
becausetheykeptwalkingbywiththeir

flabby,white-skinnedhusbands,staringunashamedlyathim.

"One more time, lady, and I'm going to leap up and crown you with my tanning lotion," Melody
mutteredunderherbreath.

"Whatwasthat?"Emmettaskedwithoutopeninghiseyes.

"Thatskinnybrunette.Shekeepswalkingby,leeringatyou."

"My,my,areyoujealous?"heteased.

Shestaredathimwithoutblinking."Whydon'tyougobacktotheroomwithmeandfindout?"

Hisheartbegantobeatwildly."We'veonlybeenhereanhourorso.Ithoughtyoumightbetootired,"
hesaidgently.

Sheshookherheadveryslowly.Herlonghairwasloosened,blowingsoftlyintheoceanbreeze.She
searchedhisgreeneyes."Iwant

you,"shewhispered.

Hisbodyreactedsharplyandhelaughedwithself-consciousdelight."Damnit,woman...!"

"Recitemultiplicationtables,"shewhisperedwithagleefulsmile.

Heglaredather."You'dbetterhavepackedsomethingthatpreventsmultiplication,becauseIforgot
to."

"I did." She'd decided on the pill, despite his objections, because she felt it was the safest way to
preventachilduntiltheywereready.She

stood up, holding out her hand. "I've waited twenty years," she murmured dryly. "I do hope you're
goingtobeworthit."

Hegottohisfeet,hispaleeyesshimmeringwithakindofknowledgethatmadeherblush."Honey,I
canguaranteeit."

Hetookherhandandtheywentbacktotheroominatense,delicioussilence.

She went straight into his arms the minute the door closed, determined not to admit that she was
nervousofhimthisway.Itwasbroad

daylight,butwaitinguntiltonightwouldhaveinhibitedbothofthem.Besides,shethoughtasshelifted
herfacetolookathim,shelovedhim.

Itwouldbeallright,aslongashedidn'tcompareherwithanyofhispastlovers.Shehopedthatshe
wasgoingtobeenoughforhim,because

despiteherbravado,shefeltvaguelyinadequate.

Butthatfearwasquicklyforgottenwhenhebenttokissher,andtheheatofhisbodyandtheskillof
hismouthandhandsturnedher

nervousresponseintosensualfever.

Heeasedherontothebedandveryefficientlymovedeverythingoutofhisway,sothathernudebody
wascradledtohisintheslow

preliminarytotheirfirstloving.

"Shh,"hewhisperedwhenshebegantowritheandpullathim."Notsofast,littleone.Don'tgulpit.
Sipit.

Slowdown."

"Itaches,"shewhisperedunsteadilyashismouthteasedandtormentedhers."Iacheallover."

"SodoI,"hesaidonsoft,unsteadylaughter."Butwe'rebuildingtoonehellofanexplosion,andit's
toosoonforyou,despitewhatyou

think.No,don'ttouchmelikethat,notyet,"hesaidsoftly,stillingherhand."Thisisallforyou.My
turnwillcomelater,whenI'vesatisfied

youtothetipsofyourprettypinktoes.Kissme,sweetheart."

Hecoaxedhermouthbackuptohisandhishandsmovedagain,tastingherbodyashismouthtasted
herlips,andthensettledhungrilyonher

breastsandhersoft,flatstomach,experiencing,exploringher,makinghercrazyforhispossession.

"Ican't...bearit...!"Shewhimperedfinally,anguishinherwide,hauntedeyes."Oh,please...!"

"Allright,"hewhisperedtenderly,movingoverher."Gently,littleone,"hebreathed."Gently,gently."

Heheldherfirmly,hisfaceabovehers,hismuscularbodycordingashepositionedherandbeganto
movedown.Hewasafraidofhurting

her,evenasitexcitedhimbeyondbearingtobeherfirstlover.Butshedidn'tflinch,didn'tfight.She
laythere,shivering,hereyesopenand

fixedwithpainandwonderonhistautfaceasheinvadedthesweet,warmsoftnessofherinnocence
andwasslowly,painstakinglyengulfedby

it.

Sheflinchedandhegrimaced,stillinguntilsherelaxedagain.Hecouldbarelybreathe."Isitbad?"he
managedtoask.

"Itwas.It'snotnow."Sheclosedhereyesandwilledherbodytoaccepthim.Anditdid,abruptly,and
generously.Sheletoutalongsigh

ofrelief.

Hemovedascloseashecouldthen,fightingahellishsurgeoftensepleasurethatbeggedforrelief.

"Itdoesn'thurtanymore,"shewhisperedshyly.Imagine,talkingtoamanwhileyouweredoingthis!

"That'swhatyouthink,"hegroaned.

"Oh, Emmett," she breathed. She lifted to him, watching him shiver. She liked his reaction. She felt
suddenlyconfident,allwoman.She

liftedagain.Heprotested,buthedidn'ttrytostopher.Hisfaceclenchedandhebreathedroughly.She
lovedhim.Itwasgoingtobeso

beautiful.

"Witch!"hegroaned.

"Doyoulikeit?"sheteased,movingsensually.

"I'llshowyouhowmuchIlikeit,"hebreathedwithasmilingthreat.Hewhippedoverontohisside,
takingherwithhim.Hisstrong,lean

handscaughtherhipsandhelaughedwithsomethingsavage,untamed,inhispaleeyesasheslidone
longlegbetweenbothofhersand

begantorockherinthatdeepintimacy.

Shegaspedaspleasurebegantostingherbodywithburstsofthrobbingheat.

"Didyouthinkyoucouldmatchmesoquickly?"hewhisperedwithpassionatetendernessasheteased
hermouthwithbis.Andallthewhile,

his hands pulled and pushed and teased while he invaded her trembling innocence. He watched her
facethewholetime,enjoyingthestunned

wonderofherdarkeyes."Howdoesthisfeel?"hewhispered.

Shecriedoutattheshockofpleasurethatcamewiththemovement.Herhandscaughtathispowerful
arms,butthegreatwavesof

sensationkeptcoming,fasterandfaster,hiswholebodyaninstrumentofpleasureasheheldherand
quicklydeepenedhispossession,

laughinglikeadevilashedroveherdownintothefiresoffulfillmentandwatchedherbodysplinter
intoecstasyagainstthehardwhipofhis

passion.

Only when she began to cry out in a hoarse, sobbing oblivion did he allow himself the delight of
joiningherinthatloftyplaneofmindless

joy.

Theexplosionsofpleasuresurgedthroughhimliketidalwaves,lifting,slammingintohim,burning
himinfeverish

delight.Hecalledhername,againandagain,clutchinghertohimashegaveintosatiation.

Itwasn'tlikeothertimes,otherwomen.Heshivered,buthecouldn'tstop.Hisleanhandspulledher
intohim,overhim,andhemoved

helplesslyunderhersoft,warmbody,coaxinghermouthdowntocoverhisashebegantherhythm
alloveragain.

She hadn't imagined what it would be like. He was inexhaustible, incoherent in his passion, but the
skillandmasterywerebeyondherdreams.

He raised her to levels she couldn't have pictured, gave her endless ecstasy, made her alternately
wantonandexhaustedasthedayturnedfinallyto

night.

Whenshewastootiredtoturnherheadtokisshim,shefellintoadeep,dreamlesssleep.

Asweetsmellandthefeeloflightdisturbedher.Lightshoneintohereyes.Sheputupahandandfelt
thewarmthofsunlightfilteringin

throughtheVenetianblinds.

Sheopenedhereyes.Emmettwasholdingawarmpastryunderhernose,lettinghersmellit.

"Hungry?"heaskedsoftly,smilingather.

Hewasfullydressedandshewaswearingasheerbluenightgown.Shedidn'trememberputtingiton,
butshemusthave.Shesmiledback

athim."Starved.Oh!"

Shemovedandgrimaced.Hechuckledwickedly,becauseheknewwhyshe'dgrimaced.

"Areyousore?"heaskedwithmocksympathy.

"Yes,I'msore,"shemurmured,blushing."Ihopeyourbackisbroken..."

Hekissedhergently,stemmingthewords."You'rethebestloverI'veeverhad,"hewhispered.

"ButIcouldn'tbe,"sheprotested."Ididn'tknowanything."

"Yes,youdid,"hereplied,kissinghereyelidsshut."Youknewhowtoloveme,andyoudid.Itwasthe
mostbeautiful,themostexquisitely

fulfillingnightofmylife.EvenMars

won'tbefarenoughforyoutoruntogetawayfrommenow.I'vejustbeenfartheroutthanthatin

yourarms."

She sighed and snuggled closer to him. "Now I know what they meant, when they said it was like
eatingpotatochips."Shelaughed

delightedly."Oh,Emmett,Ilikeit!"

"I'mglad.SodoI."Heliftedhisheadandcockedaruefuleyebrow.''Isupposeforafewdaysnow
we'llbegoodfriendsand

companions."

Shepeeredathimthroughherlonglashes."Inhealthclass,nobodyeversaidyougotsore."

"Thatwasmyfault,"hesaid,andlookedguilty."Ishouldhavestoppedafterthefirsttime.I'msorry.It
hadbeenalongtimeandyouwentto

myhead.ButIshouldhavehadmorecontrol."

"Iwasn'tcomplaining,"shesaidsincerely."Ilovedit.I'ddoitalloveragainifIcould."

"SowouldI.That'sthehellofit."Hebrushedhismouthgentlyagainsthers."Wasitworththewait?"
heaskedseriously,searchingher

soft,darkeyes.

"Yes,"shewhispered."Itwasworthwaitingallmylifefor."

"For me, too," he replied tersely. "My God, I never dreamed it would feel like that with you." He
touchedherfacegently."Mrs.

Deverell,"hesaidashekissedherforeheadwithachingtenderness."Mrs.MelodyDeverell."

Sheloopedherarmsaroundhisneckandnuzzledherfaceintohiswarmthroat."I'mstillsleepy."

Hervulnerabilitymadehimstrong,madehimachewithtenderness.Hebentandliftedher,carrying
hertothearmchair.Hesatdownwith

herinhislapandputdownthepastry.Thenheliftedacupofhotcoffeetoherlips.

Shesippedit,staringathimcuriously.

"Whatdoyouwanttodotoday?"heaskedquietly.

"Staywithyou."

Hesmiled."Whatelse?"

"Nothing,"shesaid."Onlythat."Shereachedupandputherlipsgentlytohis."Iloveyousomuch.
Morethananythingoranyoneinallthe

world."Shekissedhimagainandfelthimtremble.

He put the coffee cup down and turned her against his broad, bare chest. He held her gently,
undemanding,foralongtime,staringacrossher

brightheadtothewindow."Gotosleep,"hebreathedathertemple."I'llholdyouwhileyousleep."

Shesmileddrowsilyandcurledclosertohim,restinghercheekonhisshoulder.

Shesleptandhewatchedher,fascinatedbythecolorinherface,thesoftsighofherbreathagainsthis
throat,thetrusting,tenderpostureofher

bodyinhisarms.Hethoughtthathe'dneverbeensohappyinallhislife.

Butwiththatfeelingcameaquietregretthattheirfirstintimacyhadbeensoturbulent.She'dgivenin
tohim,lovedhim,respondedcompletelyto

his fierce ardor. He should have given her tenderness instead of raw passion. It was just that it had
beensolongandhe'dwantedhersodesperately.

Hecouldn'tholdback.

Now,lookingdownathersleepingface,hefeltanachingneedtocradleheragainsthiminbedand
showherthemostexquisitekindof

tenderness.

Nexttime,hepromisedhimself.Thethingwas,shewouldn'tbecapableofintimacyforseveraldays;
probablynotuntiltheywenthomeagain.He

grimaced. Well. Better late than never. After a minute, he closed his eyes and fell asleep himself,
wrappedinherwarmthandlove.

When Melody and Emmett drove up at the front door of the ranch house, Guy was peering out the
window.He'dworriedhimselfsickabouthowhe

wasgoingtokeepEmmettfromshippinghimofftoamilitaryschool.Hedidn'tknowhowhewas
goingtocopewithsomanychangesatonce.

He was no longer part of his own family. Now he was going to be an outsider in Emmett and
Melody's,anunwantedburden.AmyandPolkwere

ecstatic.TheywouldacceptMelodyandloveherandbelovedbyher.Hewasn'tsurethathecouldfit
in.Shemightstillbepretendingtocareabout

him, until she was settled with his father. Some of his friends at school had stepparents. He'd heard
someterriblestoriesaboutthat.Oh,why,why,

didpeoplehavetogetdivorced?heagonized.

Melody had hugged Amy and Polk and greeted Mrs. Jenson. She came into the house, looking for
Guy.Heglancedatherwarily.

"Howareyou?"sheasked.

He shrugged, painfully shy. She looked radiant. It was a contrast of some magnitude to the way he
looked,andfelt.

"Guy.Youmightatleastsayhello,"Emmettsaid,interferingalltooquickly,hisgreeneyesflashing.

"Hello,"Guyreplied,droppinghiseyes.

MelodyputherfingersagainstEmmett'shardmouth."Let'sgetourclotheschanged.Iwanttopassout
thepresents,"shesaid,beforeEmmett

coulddoanymoredamagetoherfragilerelationshipwithGuy."Ibroughtstuffforallofyou,"she
toldthechildren."EvenMrs.Jenson."

"Why, how sweet of you, Mrs. Deverell!" the older woman exclaimed. She hadn't anticipated liking
Emmett'syoungwife.

Butthewomanwasnot

whatsheexpected.Shebeamed."I'lljustfixsomecoffeeandcake."

ShewentofftowardthekitchenwithanexcitedAmyandPolk,whileGuysatdownonthesofa,idly
strokingAlistair.Thecatseemedtolikehim.It

was forever following him around and purring. He was glad something liked him. Even Amy and
Polkhadbeenresentfulandunkindsincethewedding.

Hefeltaloneintheworldexceptforthiscathe'dbeensocrueltointhebeginning.

"I'mgladyoulikeme,Alistair,"hetoldthetabby.

Alistairlookedupwithhalf-closedgreeneyesandpurredevenlouder.

"You can't be cruel to him," Melody told Emmett gently when they were cloistered in the master
bedroom.

"He'lltry.Iknowhewill,andso

willI.Youcan'texpecthimtobeinstantlyhappy,Emmett.It'shardforhim.Reallyhard."

Hesighedheavily,drawinghergentlytohim."I'mimpatient.Tooimpatientsometimes."Hesearched
hersofteyesandsomethingalien

flaredinhisashetouchedherface."Ican'tbearthethoughtoflettinganythingoranyonehurtyou,"
hesaidhesitantly.Hedrewherclose,

feelinghersoftresponsetothewordsashebenttokissher.'Ican'tbeartoletyououtofmysight..."

Shekissedhimback,hungryforhimbecauseeventhoughthey'dbeenpassionateloversthatonetime,
theyhadn'tbeenabletomakelove

againbecauseithadtakensuchalongtimeforhertorecoverfromhisardorthatfirstday.

Histall,powerfulbodybegantovibrate,toharden."Iwantyou,"hechoked,andhismouthbecame
insistent.

"Tonight,"shepromised,smilingathim."Oh,Emmett,tonight...!"

Whentheyrejoinedthefamily,severalhecticminuteslater,MelodywasflushedandshyandEmmett
wasgrindinghisteeth.Buthelooked

atherwithwonderanddelight.Itgotbetterandbetter,hethought.Thewallswerethick,butshewas
stillalittleshy.He'dhavetohavea

radioonorsomethingtonight.Tonight.Hisbodybegantothrobandhewentoffintothekitchento
seeaboutcoffee.

Melodypassedoutpresents:asetofMexicancoinsandacupandstring-tiedballtoyforAmy;abook
ontheMayansandafewreplicated

artifacts for Polk, who seemed bent on being an archaeologist. And for Guy, a serape and a
pocketknifewithahand-carvedhandle.

Guywasspeechless.He'dwantedapocketknifeofhisownforages,becausehelovedtowhittlethings
outofwood.Hewasforeverborrowing

his father's. Melody had noticed. Imagine that, he thought regretfully. He'd been terrible to her, but
she'dgonetoalotoftroubletobuy

somethinghereallywanted.

Helookedupather,shyly.

"Doyoulikeit?"sheasked,frowning."Iwasn'tsure..."

"It'sgreat!"hesaidslowly."Thanks."

"Don't abuse the privilege," Emmett told him firmly. "You can't use it to carve your initials in the

wallsormakedevicesoftorturetouse

onunsuspectingtourists."

Guygrinned."Sure,Dad."

Itwasthefirsttimehe'dseentheboysmileinweeks.HeglancedatMelodyandnodded.She'dknown,
andhehadn't,thewaytohisson's

heart.Hehadalottolearnabouthisownchildrenandhisnewwife.

Amytuggedathissleeve."Emmett,itwasveryniceofyoutothinkofusonyourhoneymoon,"she
said,smilingradiantlyathim.

"Itsurewas!"Polkenthused."Lookatthisatl-atl,"hesaid,displayingtheuseoftheAztecthrowing
stickthatlookedsomethinglikean

arrowonaslabofbamboo."AncientAztecsusedtohuntwiththese,didyouknow?"

"I know about dinosaurs and Pleistocene animals," Emmett corrected him. "My minor was
paleontology,notarcheology."

"Archeologyisabranchofanthropology,"Polksaidauthoritatively."I'mgoingtostudyitwhenIget
outofhighschool.Justthink,Dad,

maybeI'llbetheonetofindthefirstHomoErectusremainsintheUnitedStates!"

Emmettfrowned."There'snoproofthatHomoErectuseversetfoothere."

"Yet,"Polksaid.Andgrinned.

AmytuggedonEmmett'ssleeveagain."Emmett?"

"Hmm?"hemurmured,stilldistractedbyPolk'squestion.

"AreyouandMelodygoingtohaveanybabies?"

Emmettstaredather."What?"

"Babies. You know. People have sex and they get babies." She grinned. "I learned about that on
television.Therewasthismovieanditshowed

whatpeopledoinbedtogether."Shefrowned."DoyouandMelodyhavesex?"

MelodywentscarletandEmmettactuallyblushed.

"Shutup,Amy!"Guymuttered."HonesttoGod,areyouevergoingtogrowup?Comeon,let'sgo
outsideandplaywithPolk'satl-atl"

"It'smine!Ididn'tsayyoucouldplaywithit!"Polkraged,hisglassessparkling.

"I'llletyouseemyknife,"Guyoffered.

Thesmallerboyhesitated."Well..."

GuyputanarmaroundPolkandledhimtowardthedoor."Justthink,Polk,Icanwhittlearrowsfor
thatatl-atl.Ifwesetupafortjustdownpast

thebarn,wecanlieinwaitforthatnasty-temperedoldbull..."

"YoushootonearrowatthatbullandI'llstopyourallowanceforever!"Emmettcalledafterthem.

"Aw,Dad!"Guygroaned.

"Imeanit!"

Amywentwiththeboys,gloweringatherfather."Emmett,you'renotthesamemansincewemoved
downhere.Youneverletushavefun

anymore."

"Consideringwhatyoupeoplecallfun,it'samiracleIhaven'thadtobailallthreeofyououtofjail!"

Amyjustshookherheadandwentoutbehindtheboys.

"See?"Melodytoldhim."Guywillcomearound.Itwilltaketime,that'sall.He'salreadyloosening
up,didn'tyounotice?"

Hehad.Guywasmuchmorelikehisoldself,liketheboyhe'dbeenbeforeEmmetteversawMelody
inLogan'soffice.Hedrewhercloseandkissed

hersoftly."Allright.Igive

in."Heeasedheracrosshislaponthesofaandkissedhermorethoroughly,feelingthewarmthand
tendernessofitrightthroughhisbody.

"Iloveyou,"shewhispered,smilingagainsthismouth.

"Kissme...!"

He gathered her up and devoured her until they were both trembling. His mouth slid down to her
throatandheheldher,shivering.Hewasafraid.

He'd never been so afraid. She obsessed him, delighted him, made him whole. He'd lost his father,
whomheidolized.Hismotherhadkilledherself.

Adellhadlefthim.IfhelostMelody...!

"Emmett!"sheprotestedgently,becausehisarmswerebruisingher.

Heliftedhisdarkheadandlookedather.Theexpressiononhisface,inhiseyes,touchedherdeeply.

She reached up to press soft, tender kisses against his fearful eyes, his cheeks, his nose, his mouth
untilshefelthimbegintorelax.Thenshedrew

backandsearchedhiseyes.

"Emmett,Iwillneverleaveyou,"shewhispered,andputherfingersoverhismouthwhenhetriedto
speak."Never,"sherepeated,understanding

whatwasbotheringhim.Sheputhermouthagainsthisandheldon,feelinghimshiverashegathered
heragainsthimandkissedherquietdesperation.

Sheknewthenthathefeltsomethingpowerfulforher,evenifhe'dneversaidso.Shesmoothedhis
hairandlayquietlyinhisarmsuntilthebrunt

ofhispassionwasspent.Thenshecurledagainsthim,trustingly,andsighed.

He stared over her head toward the door, a little less horrified than he'd been. How shocking, he
thought,todiscoversolateinlifethathe'dnever

knownwhatlovewas.Atleast,notuntilnow.

Chapter10

EmmettwantedtotellMelodywhathefelt.Hewantedtoshoutittotheworld.Buthecouldn'tmanage
it.Hefeltchokedupwiththe

knowledge.Helookeddownatherandhisheartseemedtoswelltothepointofbursting.

"You delight me," he whispered huskily. His hand touched her hair, her cheek. "Oh, God, I'd do
anythingforyou...!"

Shedrewhismouthdowntohersagainandkissedhimtenderly.

"Coffee'son,"Mrs.Jensonsaidwithawickedsmileasshecameintotheroomwithatray."Isuppose
younewlywedswouldratherlive

onkissesthancake,buthereitis,anyway.Ifyouneedanythingelse,justcall."

"Thanks,Mrs.Jenson,"Emmettmurmured.

MelodyshylyclimbedoffEmmett'slaptositbesidehimonthesofa."Yes,indeed,itlooksdelicious!"
shesaidenthusiastically.

"Couldyoupeekoutthewindowoccasionally?"Emmett

called to Mrs. Jenson. "Just to make sure the kids aren't making shish kebab of any of old Man
Regan'scattle?"

"Why do you think the curtains aren't drawn?" she asked, tongue-in-cheek. "All the same, they're a
nicebunchofkids.Theywentdownto

MarkGary's cabin yesterdaywith a stragglybunch of old silkflowers they found.His dog got run
overintheroadandtheyfeltsorryfor

him.GuyevenofferedtogivehimBarneybecausehewassoupset."

Emmettwastouched.Hedidn'tseemtoknowhisownkidsatall."Thatwasniceofthem."

"Yes,itwas.They'vegotalotofheart."Shetwistedherapron."Ofcourse,merewasthisonelittle
incidentwhileyouwereaway."

"Little?"heaskedhesitantly.

She shifted. "Well, you know how they feel about that inspector who comes out here—the one who
yelledatBarneyandmadeAmycry?

Theoneeverybodyinthecountyhates?"

Emmett'sfacehardened."IhadwordswithhimaboutupsettingAmy."

"Youweren'there,"shepointedout."HemadearemarkthatGuydidn'tlikeaboutthatbigAppaloosa
stallionofyoursthatGuyadores.

Thenhemadeacoupleofremarksaboutyou."

"Whatdidtheydo?"Emmettaskedwithresignation.

"Nothingreallyvicious..."

"Whatdidtheydo?"herepeated.

Shegrimaced."Theyputapotatoinhistailpipe."

"Didhetakeitout?"

Sheclearedherthroat."Hewastoobusyatthetime."

"Doingwhat?"

"Tryingtogetthesnakeoutofhisfrontseat."

Emmettburiedhisfaceinhishands."Oh,myGod!"hewailed."He'llshutusdownforsure!"

"Idon'tthinkso."

Therewashope?Heliftedhishead."Why?"

"Well,thekidshadsomefoodcoloringtheygotoutofthecabinet.Theysortofcoloredthesnakeup
beforetheyputitinthecab.Idon't

likesnakes,youknow,butitwasrealpretty.Sortofblueandpinkandyellowandgreen,withpolka
dots."

Sheshrugged."Itseemsthatthe

gentlemanwentbacktohisofficeandtoldthemhe'dbeenshutupinhiscarwithablueandpinkand
yellowandgreenpolka-dottedsnake

bythreemidgetcommandos."Shewipedherhandsonherapron."Ihearhe'shavingtherapy.There's
thisnewinspector.He'srealnice,andhe

likessnakes.We,uh,didn'tlethimseeGuy's,ofcourse.Thefoodcoloringwillwearoff,eventually."

Emmetthadn'tstoppedlaughingwhenshegotbacktothekitchen.

Melodycouldhardlycontainherself.Shehopedthatthekidsnevergotitinforher!

Guywasnervousaroundhisfather.Hehadn'tforgottenthethreataboutmilitaryschool,andtherewas
theincidentwiththesnake.Hewas

sureMrs.Jensonhadmentionedit.

BecausehewasuncertainofhispositionnowthatMelodywasinresidence,hetriedtokeepoutof
everyone'sway.

Thatnight,animpatientEmmetthustledthekidstobedandturnedoffthetelevisionlongbeforethe
newswasduetocomeon.

Heheldouthishand,hiseyesquietandtenderastheymetMelody's.

"You look impatient, Mr. Deverell," she said demurely as he tugged her along the hall toward their
bedroom.

"Impatient,desperateandafewotherthings.HowIwishthesewallsweresoundproof,"hemuttered
underhisbreath.Heclosedthedoorand

locked it before he turned on the radio by the bed to a country-western station. He looked down at
Melody,whowasblushing.Hedrewher

against

him and bent to brush his mouth sensuously over her own. "We're starving for each other," he
whispered."Idon'twanteavesdroppers,and

webothgetprettyvocalwhenweletgoinbed."

"Yes."Sheshiveredashishandssmootheddownherbody."It'sbeensolong—!"Hervoicebroke.

"Eons."Heliftedherontothebedandfollowedherdown.

Tendernessstillwasn'tpossible,hethoughtastheroombegantospinaroundthem.Notyet...!

Later,whentheanguishofwantingeachotherwasspent,hearousedheragain,buttenderlythistime.
Hemovedagainstherinasoft,sweet

rhythmthatwasunlikeanythingthey'deverdonetogether.Allthewhile,helookedintohereyesand
smoothedawayherdamphair,kissedher

forehead,hernose,hercheeks,hereyes.Untilspeechwasnolongerpossible,hewhisperedbroken
endearmentsandpraise.

Whenthespiralcaughtthem,herbodyconvulsedviolently,despitetheslow,gentlerhythm,andshe
begantosobunderthewarmcrushof

his mouth. The rainbow of sensation made her cry out and he was vaguely aware of the radio

drowningoutthesoundashismusclescorded

andhishipsarchedviolently,convulsively,againsther.

They were both shaking with reaction when the room came back into focus. She was crying softly,
becausetheforceoftheecstasyhe'dgiven

herhadbeendevastating.

"Iwantedtogiveyoutenderness,"hewhisperedwithexhaustedregret."Iwantedittobesoftandslow
andgentleandIcouldn't...!"

"But it was," she protested. She lifted up, resting her arm across his damp, throbbing chest as she
lookeddownintohiseyes."Emmett,it

was!"

"Notatthelast,"hesaidthroughhisteeth.

"Oh.Then.Well,ofcoursenot,"shemurmuredshyly.Shesmiledathimwickedlyandlaugheddeep
inherthroat.

"You lose control," she whispered. "I like to watch you cry out, and know that it's because of me,
becauseofthepleasureyougetfrommy

body."

Hetouchedherfacewithwonder."Iliketowatchyouforthesamereason.Melody,"hesaidquietly,"I
neverwatchedbefore.The

pleasureIgavenevermatteredthatmuchbefore."

"I'mglad."Shedrewherfacegentlyagainsthis,wrappinghimupinthesweetnessofheradoration.
"I'ddieforyou,Emmett,"she

whispered.

Hedrewherdownandenvelopedherhungrily.Hishandsinherhairwereunsteadyasheusedthemto
turnherheadsothathecouldfind

hermouth.Hislipstrembled,too,withtherageoffeelingsheunleashedinhim.

Incredibleman,shethoughtdizzily.Somuchaman...

She eased her hips over his and coaxed his body into deep intimacy, pressing soft kisses over his
hair-roughenedchestassheshiftedoverhim

until he groaned. He lay like a pagan sacrifice, and she sat up, feeling the power of her own

femininityashewrithedandmoanedbeneaththeslow

movementofherhips.

"Iloveyou,"shewhispered,increasingthepressure."Iloveyou,Emmett,Iloveyou!"

Hisleanhandsbitintoherhipsandhearched,cryingouthelplesslyasshefulfilledhimand,inthe
process,herself.Inthebackofhermind

she was grateful for the radio. If those kids had heard... She moved again and he lost the ability to
thinkatall.

Breakfastwasuncomfortableforthewholenextweek.

"Yousuremustlikecountry-westernmusicalot,Emmett,"Amymuttered."Butdoesithavetobeso
loud?"

"Allthosewailingcowboys,"Polksaidwithashakeofhisunrulyhair.

"Soundsmorelikerockmusicthancountry,"Amyagreed.

Melody's face was scarlet. She didn't dare look at Emmett. The muffled laughter coming from the
headofthetablewasbadenough.

"I'lltrytokeepthevolumedown,"Emmettpromiseddryly."Ithelpsussleep."

"That'sright,"Melodyagreed.

"Bill Turner wants me to go hunting with him Saturday," Guy remarked. "We're going after
squirrels."

"No,"Melodysaidabruptly.

Guyglaredather."IcangoifIwantto."

"No,"shesaidflatly."Emmett?"

Heglancedatherandfrowned.Shewasgivinghimmutedsignalsthathedidn'tunderstand.Butifshe
wasthatvehementaboutit,mere

hadtobeareason.

"Dad?"Guyaskedbelligerently.

"Melodysaidno,"Emmettreplied."Eatyoureggs."

"She'snotmymother!"Guyburstout."Shecan'ttellmewhattodo!"

"She'smywife,andthehellshecan'ttellyouwhattodo!Thisisherhousenow,justasmuchasit's
mineandAmy'sandPolk'sand

yours!"

Guygotupfromthetable."Ihateher!"heraged.Heturnedandranoutofthehouse.He'dwantedto
gohuntingmorethananythingin

theworld.Itwouldhavebeenthefirsttimehe'devershotarifle,everhunted.He'dbeensureEmmett
wouldlethimgo,andnowthat

interferingwomanwastellinghimhecouldn'tandEmmetttookhersideagainsthis!Hehatedher!He
ranoffintothesmallwoodedgladepast

the barn and stayed mere for the rest of the afternoon, refusing to budge even when Amy and Polk
cametofindhim.

"Whydidn'tyouwanthimtogo?"EmmettaskedMelody

afterGuyandtheothertwohadgone."Isitthethoughtofshootingasquirrelthatbothersyou?"

"It's the thought of Bill shooting him," she replied worriedly. "Emmett, the weekend before we
married,Billwasoutbeyondthebarn

witha.22rifleshootingwildlyallaroundtheplace.Hewasn'tevenaimingatanything.Iyelledathim
whenoneofthebulletswhizzedpast

meandhestopped."

"Whydidn'tyoutellme?"hedemanded.

"Hebeggedmenotto.Hesaidyoumightfirehim."Shelookedupathim."Hepromisedhewouldn't
doitagain,andhehasn't,buthe's

carelessandhaphazard.WouldyoureallytrustGuy'slifetosomebodylikethat?"

"No,certainlynot.I'lltalktoGuylater."

"Thanks."Shegrimaced."IguessI'mpublicenemynumberoneagain,"shesaidmiserably.

"He'llunderstandwhenIexplainit.Allthesame,"hesaidwithagloweringlook,"he'snotgoingto
talktoyoulikethat."

"Look at you bristle." She sighed, resting her chin on her hands. "A conceited woman would think
you'reheadoverheelsinlovewithme."

Hestaredatherlevelly."Iamheadoverheelsinlovewithyou,"hesaidmatter-of-factly.

Herbreathstoppedinherthroatasshemetthesoftsensualityofhiseyesandgotlostintheirgreen
depths.

"Youwhat?"shefaltered.

"Iloveyou,"herepeated."Adoreyou.Worshipthegroundyouwalkon."Hegrinned."Wecouldgo
intothebedroomandIcouldtell

you some more. But it's broad daylight and the radio's unplugged. And Mrs. Jenson won't confuse
wailingwithcountrymusic,"headded,

tongue-in-cheek.

Sheblushed,laughing."Well,youdoyourshareofthat,too.Itisn'tallme!"

"I know," he said shamelessly. He sighed warmly and smiled at her. "I like just looking at you with
yourclothesoff.Beingabletomake

lovetoyouisabonus."

''IusedtothinkIwasoversizedandplainbeforeyoucamealong,"shemurmured.

"Notanymore,I'llwager,"hemurmured,staringpointedlyatherbreasts."Ifyou'reoversized,long
livebiggirls."

Shelaughed."Emmett!"

Hegrimaced."Ihavetogotowork.Idon'twantto,"headded,whenhegotupandpausedtokissher
onhiswayout."ButIdon'tget

paidforkissingyou."

"Pity,"shewhispered."Whenyoudoitsowell!"

Hechuckled."Sodoyou."

"Emmett?"

Hepaused."Hmm?"

"Iloveyou,too,"shesaidsolemnly.

Hesmiled."Youtellmethatwithyourbody,everytimeweloveeachother."Hetracedalinedown
herstraightnose."Iwastellingyou,the

sameway,butyoudidn'trealizeit,didyou?"

Sheshookherhead.Hereyesblazedwithfeeling."Icouldwalkonacloud..."

"SocouldI."Hebentandkissedherverysoftly."Oneday,whenthesharpedgewearsoffthehunger,
maybeI'llbeabletomakeloveto

youastenderlyasIwanttoinmyheart,"hewhispered."Rightnow,Ican'ttonedownthedesireIfeel
foryou.IfIhaveanyregret,it's

that."

"Have I complained?" she asked softly. "I want you just as badly, Emmett. It will keep." She smiled.
Shebeamed."Ididn'tknowyou

lovedme!"

"Well,youdo,now."Hepulledhishatlowoverhiseyes."Don'tletitgotoyourheadjustbecauseI
walkintofencepostsstaringatyou

likealove-struckboy."

Sheputherhandoverherheart,oneofhisfavoritepostures,andgrinnedbackathim."WouldIdo
that?"

His green eyes glittered with mischief. "We'd better find a rock station to listen to tonight," he
murmureddryly.

Shelaughedwithpuredelightashewinkedandwentoutthedoor.Shehadtheworld,shethought.She
hadthewholeworld.Emmettloved

her!Everythingwasgoingtobeperfectnow.

Theeuphorialasteduntilsuppertime,whenshewenttofeedAlistair.Andshecouldn'tfindhim.

Shelookedthroughthehouse,inallhisfavoriteplaces,buthewasn'tanywheretobeseen.Itwascold
outsideandthreateningrain.Surely

hewouldn'thavegoneoutvoluntarily!Hehatedtheoutdoors.Hehatedgettingwetevenmore.

ThensherememberedthatGuyhadbeenangrywithher.Thelasttimehe'dbeenangrywithher,he'd
letAlistairout,andshealmosthadn't

gothimback.Buttheboywouldn'tbethatcruelagain,wouldhe?

Shecamebackintothediningroom,whiteinthefaceandobviouslytroubled.

"What'swrong?"Emmettasked,pausingwithabowlofmashedpotatoesinhishandandanuplifted
spoonoverhisplate.

"Alistair'smissing,"shesaidunsteadily.

Shedidn'tlookatGuy,buteveryoneelsedid.

"Ididn'tlethimout,"Guysaid.Hefeltfrightened.Hehadn'tbeennearthebigcat.Helikedhim,now.
Thelastthinghe'deverwant

to do was hurt the animal. But everybody, including his father, was giving him looks like daggers.
EverybodyexceptMelody,whocouldn'tseem

tolookathimatall.

"Ididn't!"Guyrepeated."Ihaven'tevenseenhimtoday...!"

"YouweremadbecauseMelodydidn'twantyoutogohuntingwithBill,"Emmettsaidcurtly.

"Ididn'tlethercatout!"Guygottohisfeet."Dad,I'mnotlying!Ididn'tdoit!Whywon'tyoubelieve
me?"

"Because the last time you got mad at Melody, you turned him out into the streets of Houston,"
Emmettsaidicily."Andhewoundupatthe

city pound, where instead of being put with new arrivals to be offered for adoption, he was
accidentallymixedinabunchscheduledfor

immediatetermination!"

Melody'sgaspwasaudible.Emmetthadnevertoldherthat.Sheshivered,andGuysawit,andfeltsick
alloveragain.Shelooked

devastated.Hewassorryhe'dbeensoangryaboutBill.

He'dcomplainedtooneofthecowboysaboutbeingdeprivedofthehuntingtrip,andthecowboyhad
toldhim,tongue-in-cheek,thatBill

couldn't get anybody to go with him after he'd accidentally wounded his last hunting partner. He'd
addedthatBillhaddamnednearaccidentally

shot Melody herself a couple of weeks back, too. Guy hadn't known that. It had surprised and men
pleasedhimthatMelodyhadarguedabout

letting him go. He wanted to ask her about it over supper and apologize. He'd been about to, when
Melodycouldn'tfindAlistair.Andrightnow

Guyfeltindangerofbecomingtheentreeinsteadofafellowdiner.

Emmett put the mashed potatoes down. "Let's go," he said, tossing his napkin onto the table.
"Everybodyoutside.We'regoingtofind

Alistairifittakesallnight.Then,"headdedwithacoldglareathiseldestson,"youandIaregoingto

havealongtalkaboutthefuture."

"Youcan'tsendmetomilitaryschool."Guychoked."Iwon'tgo!"

"You'll go," Emmett said, and kept walking. Melody barely heard him. She was too frightened for
Alistairtonoticemuchofwhatwas

beingsaid.Guyhadseemedsofriendly,untilshe'darguedoverthathuntingtrip.Hewasnevergoing
toaccepther.Hehatedher.Hehadto,inordertoputherpetatriskasecondtime.Shewasdevastated.

SowasGuy.Hewasgoingtobebanishedbecauseofsomethinghehadn'tevendone.Hewasgoingto
besentaway.Militaryschool.

Demerits.Uniforms.Nosisterandbrothertoplaywith.Noranch.

"No,"hesaidtohimself."No,Iwon'tgo!"

The others had gone out the door. Guy rushed to his room and got the few things he couldn't do
without,includinghisallowance.Hewent

back through the house, his heart pounding like mad, into his father's study. There was a small
telephonejournal,whereimportantnumbers

werekept.Hismother'snumberwasthere.He'dalwayswantedtouseit,buthehadn'thadthenerve.
Nowhedid.Hehadabsolutelynothing

lefttolose.

Thephonerangandrang,andGuywatchedthedoornervously,chewingonhislip.Hedidn'twantto
becaught.Hehadtogetaway,buthe

needed a place to go. His mother was his only hope. She loved him. He knew she did, even if his
fatherdidn't.

"Hello?"

"Mom?"Hisvoicewavered."Mom,it'sme.Guy."

"Guy!"Therewasexcitementinhersoftvoice."Howareyou?Doesyourfatherknowyou'recalling
me?"sheaddedhesitantly.

"Mom,he'sgotanewwife,"hebegan.

"Yes,Iknow.Randy'ssister."Shedidn'tevensoundupset."Melodyissweetandkind.She'llbegoodto
you.

I'mhappythatyour

fatherhasfinallyfoundsomeonehecanreallylove,Guy..."

"But she hates me," he wailed. "She blames me for stuff I don't do. Look, can I come and live with
you?Theydon'treallywantme

here!"

Therewasapause."Son,youknowI'dlovenothingbetter.Ireallywouldlovetohaveyou.But,you
see...I'mpregnant.AndI'mhavinga

hardtime.Ican'treallylookafteryourightnow,havingtostayinbedsomuch.Butafterthebaby
comes..."

sheadded."Guy?Guy?"

Therewasnothingbutadialtoneontheotherendoftheline.

Guystoodlookingatthereplacedreceiver.Hismotherwaspregnant.Shewasgoingtohaveababy.
Notbisfather'sbaby.Randy'sbaby.That

meant she was certainly never going to come back. She would have another family of her own,
Randy'schildren.

Now, Guy thought numbly, he had no one at all. His father was remarried and would have other
children,too.

Hismotherdidn'twanthim.

Hehadnobodyinthewholeworld.

Heturnedandwalkedoutthefrontdoor.Therainwasstartingtocomedowninsheets.Itwascold,
andhisjacketwasn'twaterproof,but

hereallydidn'tcare.Hehadnothinglefttolose.Hishome,hissecurelife,hisfather,hismother,his
familywereallnothingbutmemories.He

wasunwantedandunloved.

Well, he thought with bitter sorrow, perhaps he could make it alone. He had twenty dollars in his
pocketandhedidn'tmindhardwork.

Therehadtobesomeplacehecouldgowherenobodywouldcareabouthisage.

Hestartedwalkingacrossthefieldtowardthemainhighway.Hedidn'tlookback.

"Alistair!" Melody wailed. They'd been searching for half an hour, with no success at all. The big
tabbycathadn'tturnedupyet.

"Youwon'tstopmethistime,"Emmettsaidangrilyastheypausedjustinsidethebarn."Guywon'tbe
hurtbyalittlediscipline.I'mgoing

toenrollhiminthesamemilitaryschoolwhereIwentwhenIwasaboy."

"Buthewasgettingusedtome,"Melodysaidmiserably.

"Iknowhewas.Ishouldn'thavesaidanythingaboutBill..."

"Andlethimgooffwiththemanandgetkilled?"Hestaredather."Melody,partofbeingaparentis
knowingwhentosaynofora

child'sowngood.Youhavetoexpectrebellionandtantrums,andnotletyourselfbeswayedbythem.

Parentingisaroughjob.Lovingachild

isn'tenough.Youhavetopreparehimtoliveinahostileworld."

"Iguessthere'smoretoitthanIrealized."Shelookedupathim."Guyissolikeyou,"shesaidgently.
"Icareabouthim.Idon'twant

himtobehurt."

"NeitherdoI,buteducationisn'tapunishment.Iminkhe'lllikeit.Iwashomesickatfirst,butIlovedit
afterthefirsttwoweeks.Ifhe

doesn'ttaketoit,"headdedquietly,"hecancomebackhome."

Shesmiledthroughhersadness."You'reaniceman."

"I'mawetman,"hereplied."Let'slookforafewmoreminutes..."

"Emmett!"Amyshouted."Emmett,he'shere,he'shere!"

"What?"Hewentintothebarn,followingherexcitedvoice.

EmmettandMelodypeeredoverintothecorncribandthere,curleduponsomehay,wasasleepy,
purringAlistair.

"Oh,youmonster!"Melodygrumbled.Shepickedhimupandcradledhimclose,murmuringsoftlyto
him.

"Found your cat, did you?" Larry, the eldest of the cowboys, asked with a smile. "Meant to tell you
he'dgotout,butwehadafewhead

getlostandIhadtogohelphuntthem.HeranoutpastmewhenIwastalkingtoEllieJensoninthe
kitchen.

Guessmyspursspookedhim,"he

addedruefully."Noharmdone,though,Isuppose,wasmere?I'llbemorecarefulnexttime,boss."

Hetippedhishatandwenttoputupthetackhewascarrying,waterdrippingoffhishat.

EmmettandMelodyexchangedhorrifiedglances.

"Guy!"shewhispered.

Hedrewinadeepbreath."Well,IguessI'lleatcrowforamonth,"hemuttered."Comeon.Imightas
wellgetitoverwith."

Butitwasn'tthateasy.Theywentbackintothehouseandthetelephonewasringingoffthehook.Mrs.

Jensonhadgonehomeanhourearlier,

andGuywasapparentlyunwillingtopickupthereceiver.

Emmettgrabbeditup."Hello?"

"Emmett!ThankGod!It'sAdell,"shesaid.

Hearinghervoicethrewhimoffbalance.He'davoidedtalkingtoherfortwoyears.Now,itwaslike
hearinganywoman'svoice.

"Hello,Adell,"hesaidpleasantly."WhatcanIdoforyou?"

"It's Guy," she said. "I've been trying to get you for a half hour. Guy called, and he sounded pretty
desperate.

Hewantedtocomeandlive

withme,butIblurtedoutaboutthebaby,andhehungup.I'msoworried.Ididn'tmeantotellhimlike
that,Emmett.Ididn'tmeanittosound

asifIdidn'tlovehimorwanthim...!"

"It'sallamisunderstanding,"Emmettsaidgently."Nowdon'tworry.He'shidinginhisroomandwe'll
getitstraightenedout.He'llbefine."

"Iknewitwouldbehardforthekidswhenyougotmarriedagain,butMelody'ssosweet,"shesaid
softly.

"She'sjustwhatthefourofyou

need.Theboyswillworshipherwhentheygetusedtoher,andsowillAmy."

"Theyalreadydo,"hesaid."I'vebeenprettybullheadedoverthis,Adell.I'msorry."

"Ididitthewrongway,"sheconfessed."IranwhenIshouldhavestoodupandbeenhonestwithyou.I
guessifwe'dreallylovedeach

otheritwouldhavebeendifferent.

ButIdidn'tknowwhatlovewasuntilRandycamealong."Shehesitated."IhopeyouknowwhatI'm
talkingabout."

"Idonow,"hesaid,staringquietlyatMelody."Oh,yes,Iunderstandnow."

"LetmeknowaboutGuy?"

"Ofcourse.Adell,I'mgladforyouandRandy,aboutthebaby."

"We'reecstatic,"shesaid."Icanhardlywait.Ababymightbejustthethingforthekids."

"Youcanbringitdowntomeetthemwhenit'sborn,"hesaid.

"Thanks. I will. But what I meant was if you and Melody had one of your own eventually, it would
bringthemclosertoher."

HestaredatMelodyandflushedasthegloryoffatheringherchildmadehiskneesweak.

"Emmett?"Adellcalled.

"What?Oh.Yes.Youcancallthekidsorwritetothemifyouwant,"hesaidabsently."Theycancome
andvisit,too,whenit's

convenient.OryouandRandycancomedownhere.TellhimIwon'thithim."

"Heknowsthat.Webothfeltguiltyoverwhathe'ddonetoyou,foralongtime.I'mgladitworked
out."

"SoamI.I'llhaveGuycallyouback."

"Thatwouldbenice.TellhimIlovehim,andthatIdidn'tmeanhewasn'twelcomehere."

"I will." He hung up, his eyes slow and warm on Melody's face. "Adell thinks I should make you
pregnant,"hemused.

Shecaughtherbreath."Well!"

Hemovedtowardher,andpausedtoframeherfaceinhisbig,leanhands."IthinkIshould,too,"he
whispered."Notrightaway,notuntil

we'rereallyafamily.ButI'dlikeitverymuchifwehadachildtogether,Melody."Hebentanddrew

hislipssoftlyoverhers.

"So would I." She clung to him, giving him back the kiss. She smiled warmly. "But for now, we'd
bettertellGuythatheisn'tgoingtobe

banishedtoSiberia."

"Goodpoint."

They went to his room and knocked. There was no answer. With a rueful smile, Emmett pushed it
open,butGuywasn'tthere.

Emmett looked around. Some of Guy's favorite possessions were missing, including that whittling
knifethatMelodyhadgivenhim.He

lookedatherwithfearinhiseyes.

"He'srunaway,hasn'the?"sheaskedwithfaintpanic.

Hisfacewasgrim."I'mafraidthat'sjustwhathe'sdone,"hereplied.

Chapter11

Jacobsville seemed to be a long way from anywhere, Guy thought, huddled miserably in his jacket
whilerainpoureddownonhisbarehead

andsoakedhissneakers.Hewascoldandgettingcolderbytheminute.Heshouldhavetakentimeto
searchfortheraincoathecouldneverfind,

buthe'dbeenafraidsomeonewouldtrytostophim.

After a few wet minutes, he managed to flag down a family of Mexicans driving toward Houston.
WithhismeagerSpanish,painstakinglytaught

to him by his bilingual father, he made them understand that he was on his way to his family. They
smiledandnoddedandgesturedhimintothe

crowded car of smiling, welcoming faces. People, he thought, were generally pretty nice. He was
pleasantlysurprised.Toobadhecouldn'tsay

thatforhisownfamily.They'dprobablyfindMelody'scatdeadandnobodywouldspeaktohimfor
therestofhislife.Itwasn'thisfault,but

heguessedmaybehedeserveditforwhathe'ddoneinHouston.

TheMexicanfamilystoppedatVictoriatogetgas,and

GuyhadsecondthoughtsaboutcontinuingontoHouston.Hemightaswelltrytofindaplacetostay
here.

Victoriawasbigenoughthathe

couldgetlostinit

Hefoundavacantlotwhereasmallbuildingstoodwithitsdoorajar.Itwasstillraining.Hedarted
intotheshackandcameface-to-face

withacoupleofmenwholookedasifmurdermightbetheirfavoriteSundaypastime.

IttookforeverjusttogetthekidsintoEmmett'sBroncoandstrappedin.Allthewhile,therainwas
gettingworseandMelodywas

chewing on her fingernails. They'd called the local police and a bolo went out over the air to law
enforcementvehicles.EmmetthadaCBunit

andascannerintheBronco,andthescannerwasturnedonsothatthey'dhearimmediatelyifGuywas
spotted.

Emmett was actually able to track the boy down the highway at the end of the ranch road, until the
footprintsabruptlystopped.

He got back into the vehicle, his hat dripping water. "This is as far as he walked," he said tersely,
turningtowardMelody."ThankGodforthick

mud and a light drizzling rain. I tracked him to the other side of the road. He's headed that way,
towardVictoria."

Hewheeledthevehiclearoundintheroadandsetoffwithgrimdeterminationtowardthecity.

"IhopetoGodwhoeverhewasridingwithneededgas,andthathefoundsomedecentpersonandnot
aperverttogetintothecarwith.

"He'sasmartboy,"Melodysaidgently,touchinghisarm."He'llbeallright,Emmett.Iknowhewill."
Shegrimaced."Oh,it'smy

fault!"

"No,it'snot,"hesaidtersely."Ittakesalittleworktoturnfivepeopleintoafamily.Itdoesn'thappen
overnight,youknow."

"I'mlearningthat.Allthesame,Guy'smoreimportantto

me than Alistair, even if I do love the stupid cat," she added quietly, staring worriedly through the
mistywindshield.

Ittookforevertogetintothecity.ThenEmmettstoppedatthenearestgasstationbeforeheproceeded
tothenextfew.Theywerealmostatthe

far end of town before an attendant remembered a bareheaded boy in a leather bomber jacket and
jeansandsneakers.

"Hewasprettywet,"themansaidwithagrin."CameinwithafamilyofMexicans,buthedidn'twant
togoontoHoustonwiththem.I

hadtoexplain.KidspokereallylousySpanish,"hemurmuredsheepishly.

"Didyouseewhichwayhewent?"

"No.I'msorry,butwegotbusyandIdidn'tnotice.Can'thavegottenfar,though.It'sonlybeentenor
fifteenminutes,andhedidn'thitch

anotherride,I'msureofthat."

"Thanks.Thanksalot.OkayifIleavetheBroncoherewhilewelookforhim?"

"Sure,it'sokay!Justparkitanywhere.I'lllookoutforit."

"Muchobliged."

Emmettpulleditoutofthewayandparkedit.Heturnedtotheothers."We'regoingtospreadoutand
gooverthisareaoftownliketar

paper.Amy,yougowithMelody.Polk,withme.Ifyoufindhim,singout."

"Allright,Emmett,"Amysaidpolitely."We'llfindhim."

"God,Ihopeso,"hesaidheavily.Itwasalreadydark.Thestreetlightswereablessing,butanycity
wasdangerousatnight.Theyhadto

findtheboysoon,ortheymightneverfindhim.

They piled out of the Bronco and Emmett paused to look hard at Melody. "Don't go anywhere you
don'tfeelcomfortable.Idon'tlikehaving

anyofusoutonthesestreetsatnight.Staywhereit'slighted.Ifyougetintrouble,scream.I'llhear
you."

Shesmiledupathim."AmyandIbothwill,"shemused.

"Icanscreamgood,Emmett,"Amysaid."Wanttohearme?"

"Notjustyet,thanks,"hemurmured,tuggingapigtail."Getgoing."

Melody and Amy went down one street, Emmett another. They met a policeman cruising by, and
Emmettstoppedtotalktohim.He

explainedthesituation.

"Wegottheboloontheradio,"thepatrolman,anelderlyman,replied."We'rewatchingforhim.He's
prettysafeifhe'sstillinthisarea.

Hopeyoufindhim."

"SodoI,"Emmettsaidquietly."He'sgotthewrongendofthestick.Hethinkswedon'tcareabouthim
becausewehavetosayno

sometimes."

"Prisonsarefullofkidswhonevergotsaidnoto,"thepolicemanmused."Mighttellhimthat."

"He'llgetanearful,afterhegetshuggedhalftodeath,"Emmettsaidwithawrysmile.

"That'showIraisedmyfour.One'salawyernow."Withatwinkleinhiseyesheadded,"Ofcourse,
theothersarerespectable..."

Emmettlaugheddespitehisfearsandliftedhishandasthepatrolcarpulledawayintothedarkness.

Downthestreet,Melodywashuddledinhercoat,drawingAmycloserastherainbegantofallagain.
Shelookedandlooked,andfound

nothing.Finally,yieldingtodefeat,sheturnedandguidedAmybacktowardtheservicestation.

Theshackintheemptylothadcaughthereyeearlier,butshehadn'tpaiditmuchmindbecauseshe
wassureGuywouldbetryingto

makesomedistance.

Now,shewasn'tsocertain.

"Let'stakealookinthere,justincase,"shetoldAmy."Stayclose."

"Okay,Melody."

Theymovedquicklytowardtheshack,andastheyapproachedit,loudvoicescouldbeheard.There
wasaviolentthumpingnoise,andthe

ramshackle door suddenly moved and Guy came tearing out of it. His face was bleeding and his
jacketwashalfoff.Athin,dirtymanwas

holdingthehalfthatwasoff,draggingatit.

"Isaid,Iwantthedamnedjacket!"thesurlyvoicerepeated.

"It'sGuy!"Amyexclaimed.

"Yes."Melody'seyesblazedwithanger.Shewasneversohappyforhersize."Staybehindme,"she
calledasshebrokeintoarun.

Guywasfightingtheman,buttheotheronehadastickandwasraisingit.

"Youleavemysonalone!"Melodyyelledatthem.Themenstoppedsuddenlyandgapedather.Sodid
ashocked,delightedGuy.Whilethey

were gaping, she sailed right into the one who had Guy by the sleeve, performed a jump kick
accompaniedbyacrythatwouldhavemade

herinstructorapplaudandlandedherfootsquarelyintotheattacker'sgut.

Guy barely had time for one astonished look at her threatening stance. Loosened by the man's
collapse,Guyturnedquicklytoplaceahard

kickintheotherman'sgroinbeforehecouldbringdownthestickhewasholdingupandthenplanted
ahardfistrightintohischeek.The

secondmanwentdownwithalittlecryofpainandlandedunconscious.

"Areyouallright?"MelodyaskedGuy,dragginghimclosetohughim.''Oh,youholyterror,ifyou
everdoanythinglikethisagain...!"She

wasbarelycoherent,cryingandmumbling,searchinghisfaceforcutsandbruises,brushingbackhis
unrulydamphair.Butthewholetimeshe

washoldinghimashismotheroncehadwhenhestumbledandfell,whenhewashurtorafraid.Big
boysweren'tsupposedtolikethis

sortofthing,of

course, much less tolerate it. And he was going to twist away from her any minute now and make
somecurtremark.Butjustforaminuteorso,

itwouldn'thurttobehuggedandcriedover.

"Howdidyoudothat?"heasked,aghast.

"Oh,that.Well,Ihaveabeltintaekwondo.Justabrown.Ineverfinishedmytraining."

"Justa brown!" He caught his breath. "That was great! Like watching Chuck Norris or Jean Claude
VanDamme,"headded,naminghis

twoidols."Listen,couldyouteachmesomeofthat?"

"You and the other kids, too," she promised. "Then next time, you'll be prepared." She grimaced as
shestudiedhim."Listen,Alistair'sfine,

oneofthemenaccidentallylethimout,"shesaidmiserably,drawingback."I'msosorry.Allofusare
sorryforblamingyou.Forheaven's

sake,you'remoreimportantthanacat,evenifhewastheonlyfriendIhad!Yourfatherwasfrantic,
andsoweretherestofus!"

Guyfeltstrange.Hesortofsmiledandcouldn'tstop."I'mallright."Helookeddownatthesquirming,
groaningmen."Uh,itmightnotbea

badideaifweleave,"hesuggested,takingherarm."YouandIwereprettymuchamatchforthem,
butwe'veAmytothinkabout."

"You'reright.IdowishIhadagun,"shemuttered,glaringatthem.

"Canyoushootone?"Guyaskedonthewaydownthe

street.

"SureIcanshoot,"shesaid."I'vewonawards."

"Really?"

"You still can't go hunting with Bill," she said curtly, glaring at him. "He'd kill you. He's not
responsiblewithagun.Ifyougohunting,

I'lltakeyou,oryourfatherwill.Orwe'llallgo.ButI'mnotshootinganything,evenifIdogoalong,
andIcouldn'tskinasquirrelifmylife

dependedonit."

"Wewouldn'tgohuntingtokillstuff,"Guysaid."We'dgohuntingsothatwecangrumbleabouthow
colditwasandhowmuchbig

gamegotaway.Andsothatwecansitandtalkawayfromcarsandhornsandclocks."

"Oh."

Heshrugged."Itwouldbeallrightifyoucamealong,Iguess.Wecouldshootattargets."

"Icanshoot,too,"Amysaid."IhaveabowandarrowthatEmmettmademe."

"Polkcanbringhisatl-atl,"Guyremarked."We'dbethemostdangerousfamilyinthewoods."

Melodylaughed.Shefeltexhaustednow.Theycametothestreetwheretheservicestationsatonthe
corner,andtherewereEmmettand

Polkcomingtowardthem.

"Guy!"Emmettshouted.

The boy ran to him, and Emmett lifted him off the ground in a bear hug. "My God, you are
something!IwishI'dhityouharderwhenyou

werealittlekid!"

"Iguessyoushouldhave,allright,"Guymurmured,fightingtears."I'msorry,Dad...!"

"I'msorry,"Emmettcorrectedgrimly.Heputtheboydown."We'reallsorry.Ifyouhadanyideahow
worriedwewere!"Hisgreeneyes

begantoglitter."Son,ifyouever,everdoanythinglikethistousagain,I'll...I'll...!"

"He'stryingtothinkupsomethingbadenoughtothreatenyouwith,"Melodytranslated,grinningat
him."Itmaytakeawhile."

"SomemenwerebeatingupGuy,Emmett,"Amysaidexcitedly."Melodyknockedoneofthemout,

andGuyhittheotherone.They're

lyinginthedirtbackthere."

"You'dbettershowmethosemen,"Emmettsaid.TheremarkAmyhadmadeaboutMelodywentright
overhishead.Hewasincensed

thatanyoneshouldhithischild."Whyweretheybeatingonyou?"Emmettaskedslowly.

"Theywantedmyjacket,"Guysaid,grimacing."Ishouldhavehadbettersensethantogointherein
thefirstplace,butIwaswetandmiserableandIdidn'tthink.

Theyweretramps,Ithink—

maybehitchhikers."

"Let'scheckthisout,justincase,"Emmettsaid,andhelookedprettydangerous,Guythoughtasthey
walkedtogethertowardtheshack.

Butapolicecarcamebybeforetheyreachedit.Emmetttoldtheofficerwhathadhappened,andhe
wastoldthattherehadbeensometrouble

withtransientslately.Hewenttocheck,butthemenwerelonggone.Whichwasjustaswell.

ThefightingDeverellsclimbedbackintotheirBroncoandwenthome.

Alittlelater,withthreeexhaustedkidstuckedupinbedbeforetheymanagedtorehashtheexciting
incident,Melodylaycurledupin

Emmett'shardarms,smilingwithpureblissafterthemosttenderlovingshe'deverknown.

"ThisiswhatIwantedittobeonourweddingnight,"hesaiddrowsily."ButIwastoodesperatefor
you."Hebentandbrushedhis

mouthlovinglyoverhersoftlips,smiling

warmly.

"When we get around to making a baby, I want it to be like it was tonight," she whispered into his
warmthroat."We'veneverbeen

closerthanthis."

"Iknow."Hecradledherbodytobisandstretchedlazily."Guy'sgoingtobeAlistair'schampionfrom
nowon,Iimagine,"he

murmured.

"Friendstotheend.Alistair'ssleepingwithhim."

"He'syourchampion,too.YoushouldhaveheardhimtellingPolkwhatyoudidtothattramponhis
behalf."

Heglancedather."Polk

told him what you said, about his being more important to you than Alistair. He's been strutting all
night."

"He'saveryspecialboy.Buthe'smuchmoresensitivethanhelooks."Shetracedhisthickeyebrows.
"We'llhave

Emmett

to remember that. Both of us. And no military school. If he goes, I'm going with him." "For
protection?"

"Laughifyoulike,butI'mabrownbeltintaekwondo.""What?"

Sheshrugged,smilingathissurprise.''Didn'tyouwonderhowIwasabletodropamanthatsizeso
easily?

Ididn'thaveanythingelseto

doonlongwinternights,soIenrolledinaKoreankarateclass.Itwasveryeducational."

"Nowonderyoudidn'tbalkwhenIaskedyoutogowithAmytolookforGuy.Iworriedaboutdoing
that.

Menaregoingtofeel

protectiveabouttheirwomen.It'stheirnature."

"Iknowthat.Idon'tmind.JustaslongasyouknowthatI'mnothelplessallthetime."Sherolledover
andkissedhischest,feelinghis

breathcatchasherlipspressedthroughthethickhairtothehard,warmfleshbeneathit."Ofcourse,"
shewhispered,"therearetimeswhen

Ireallyenjoybeinghelpless."

"Isthisoneofthem?"hemurmured,coaxinghermouthcloser.

"Ithinkso."

"Good.Let'sbehelplesstogether..."

Herolledheroverandveryquickly,thefriendlybanter

turnedtosomethingmuchmoreseriousandintense.

RandyandaverypregnantAdellcametovisittwomonthslater.Thechildrenacceptedhercondition
withoutcomment,andtherewereno

problems.

By the time Emmett and his family drove Adell and Randy back to the airport, they were friends.
Randy,wholookedsomuchlikehis

sister,wasobviouslytheendofAdell'srainbow.

"Nicetoseethemsohappy,"EmmettremarkedasheandMelodywatchedtheothercouplewalkoff
towardtheloadingramp,armsclose

aroundeachother.

"Yes,isn'tit?"Melodyaskedwithasigh."Emmett,I'msohappyIcouldburst."

"SoamI."Hebenttokissher,verysoftly."Andthekidsweresogood,weren'tthey?Icouldhardly
believetheywerethesamebunchthat

putontheirThanksgivingIndiancostumesandattackedthatcarofFloridatouriststhatgotlostonthe
placelastweek.Wereallyaregoingto

havetostartenforcingsomenewcodesofbehavior."

"Oh,maybenot,"Melodysaid."They'vebeensogoodtoday..."

"Excuseme?"

AuniformedsecurityguardwithagrimexpressiontappedonEmmett'sshoulder.

"Yes?"Emmettaskedpolitely.

"Someonesaidthosemightbeyourkids...?"

Hegesturedtowardtheconcourse.Emmettnoticedthreethings.Anemptypetcarrier.Ascreaming,
runningwoman.Threelaughingchildren

holding equal parts of an enormous, friendly python. It looked almost identical to a Far Side®
cartoonbyGaryLarsonthatthetwinshadjust

beenlookingatinthebookhe'dboughtthemearlier...

Emmett didn't dare do what he felt like doing. Hysterical laughter was not going to help him. He

lookedatthesecurityguard.Heputhis

handoverhisheart."Officer,"hesaidpleasantly,"Ihaveneverseenthosekidsbeforeinmylife...."

Melodygavehimaglarethatwasgoodfortwoheadachesandalonelynight,andwentrunningdown
theconcourseafterthechildren.

TableofContents

Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11