NewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorDianaPalmerreturnstoWyoming
with a new romance featuring one of the ruggedly handsome Kirk
brothers.

RanchownerCaneKirklostmorethanhisarminthewar.Helosthisway,battlinghisinnerdemons
by challenging any cowboy unfortunate enough to get in his way. No one seems to be able to cool
himdown,exceptbeautifulBodieMays.Bodiedoesn’tmindsavingCanefromhimself,evenifheisa
littletootemptingforherownpeaceofmind.

ButsoonBodie’stheonewhofindsherselfinneedofrescuing—only,she’safraidtotellCanewhat’s
reallygoingon.Howcanshetrustsomeoneasunpredictableasthisfiercecowboy?Whenhersilence
onlyendsupgettingherintoevendeeperhotwater,it’suptoCanetosavetheday.Andifhedoesit
right,hewon’tberidingoffintothesunsetalone.

PraiseforthenovelsofNewYorkTimesandUSATODAYbestselling

author

“Palmerdemonstrates,yetagain,whyshe’sthequeenofdesperadoquestsforjusticeandtruelove.”

—PublishersWeeklyonDangerous

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“ThepopularPalmerhaspennedanotherwinningnovel,aperfectblendofromanceandsuspense.”

—BooklistonLawman

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“DianaPalmerisamesmerizingstorytellerwhocapturestheessenceofwhataromanceshouldbe.”

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Desperado

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WyomingTough

Comingsoon

MidnightRider

DearReader,

IwantedtodoCaneKirk’sstoryfromtheminuteIfoundhimlurkinginmybrain.Hewasamanwith
seriousissues.Butthen,amanwithoutasingleflawwouldbeboring.

Thestorydevelopedonthecomputerscreeninfrontofmyeyes.Ihadabasicplot,butthecharacters
themselveswrotethisbook.Ihavetoadmitthatthepartabouttheroosterisn’texactlymadeup.Ihad
oneofthoseproblemroostersmyselfnottoolongago.

OnedayIlookedoutmyfrontdoorandsawaredroosterandtwowhitehensgrazingonmylawn.I
liveintown,sothiswasratherasurprise.Ithoughtthey’dgohomeandthatwouldbetheendofit.
Thenextdaytheywereback.Itriedputtingthemoutthegateandclosingit.Theyjustcameback in
the minute I opened it. So the hens moved out back and laid me two nice eggs every day, and the
roosterwentbacktowhereverhecamefrom.Exceptthathestartedreappearingatopmyseven-foot-
tallsolidwoodfenceeverymorningatdaylightlikeclockwork.

Ichasedhimoutoftheyarddaily.Buthestartedtofightback.Hehadspursandhecouldfly.Igot
spurredtwicebeforeIfiguredouthowtoprotectmyself.Ilearnedtocarryagarbagecanlidoutwith
me to keep him at bay. So I was running him all over the yard (I can’t exactly run—I was sort of
hobbling him all over the yard), and it was upper eighties in temperature. We hobbled, then we
wobbled, then he was walking and panting and I was walking and panting, but I couldn’t get closer
thansevenfeetawayfromhim.Inevercouldouthobbleoroutwalkhim.Buttherearesitesontheweb
that can teach you the way of the rooster and how to catch one. No, it’s not what you think. I like
chicken soup, but I’m not eating such a valiant feathered opponent. He retired with his laurels to a
moresuitablelocation.

Anyway,IfeelforpoorCortBranntattheendofthisbook.Whenyougettoit,you’llknowwhy.

Asalways,thankyousomuchforyourkindnessandyourloyaltyoverthelongyears.

Yourbiggestfan,
DianaPalmer

ToCinzia(noicecreamtrucks!)andVondaandCath,andallmyDPGirls!

Contents

CHAPTERONE

OLINDA

AYS

WAS

HAVING

ahardtimeconcentratingonherbiologytextbook.Shehadn’tsleptwell,

worrying about her grandfather. He was only in his early sixties, but he was disabled and having
difficultiespayinghisutilitybills.

She’d come home for the weekend from her college in Montana. The trip was expensive,

consideringthegasittooktogetherbackandforthinherbeat-upbutserviceableoldtruck.Thank
Godshehadapart-timejobworkingforaconveniencestorewhilecollegewasinsession,orshe’d
neverhaveevenbeenabletoaffordtocomehomeandseeabouthergrandfather.

It was early December. Not too long before Christmas, and she was having final exams the next

week. Really cold weather would come soon. But Bolinda’s stepfather was making threats again,
aboutturninghergrandfatheroutofthehousethathadoncebeenBolinda’smother ’s.Herdeathhad
left the old man at the mercy of that fortune-hunting fool who had his fingers in every evil pie in
Catelow,Wyoming.Bolindashivered,thinkinghowimpossibleitwasgoingtobeforher,tryingto
payoffherusedtextbooksthatshe’dchargedonhercreditcard.Nowshewasgoingtohavetotryto
payforhergrandfather ’sutilitybill,aswell.Gaswassoexpensive,shethoughtmiserably.Thepoor
old man already had to choose between groceries and blood pressure meds. She’d thought about
askingherneighbors,theKirks,forhelp.ButtheonlyoneofthemsheknewwellwasCane,andhe
resentedher.Alot.Itwouldbediceyaskinghimformoney.Ifsheevendared.

Notthathedidn’towehersomethingforallthetimesshe’dsavedpeoplefromhiminthelittletown

ofCatelow,Wyoming,nottoofarfromJacksonHole.CanehadlostanarmoverseasintheMiddle
East,afterthelastbigconflictbutwhilehewasstillintheservice.He’dcomehomeembitteredand
icy cold, hating everyone. He’d started drinking, refused physical therapy, refused counseling and
thengonehogwild.

Everycoupleofweeks,hetreedthelocalbar.TheotherKirkbrothers,MalloryandDalton,always

paidthebillsandtheyknewtheownerofthetavern,whowaskindenoughnottohaveCanearrested.
ButtheonlypersonwhocoulddoanythingwithCanewasBolinda,orBodieasherfriendscalledher.
EvenMorie,MalloryKirk’snewwife,couldn’tdealwithadrunkenCane.Hewasintimidating.

NotsomuchtoBolinda.Sheunderstoodhim,asfewotherpeopledid. Amazing, considering that

shewasonlytwenty-twoandhewasthirty-four.Thatwasonebigagedifference.Itneverseemedto
matter.Canetalkedtoherasifshewerehisage,oftenaboutthingsthatshehadnobusinessknowing.
Heseemedtoconsiderheroneoftheguys.

Shedidn’tlooklikeaguy.Shewasn’tlargelyendowedinthebradepartment,ofcourse.Herbreasts

weresmallandpert,butnothinglikethewomeninthoseguymagazines.Sheknewthat,becauseCane
haddatedacenterfoldmodelonceandtoldBodieallabouther.Anotherembarrassingconversation
whenhewasdrunkthatheprobablydidn’tevenremember.

Sheshookherheadandtriedagaintoconcentrateonherbiologytextbook.Shesighed,runninga

handthroughhershort,wavyblackhair.Herodd,palebrowneyeswererivetedtothedrawingsof

internalhumananatomy,butshejustcouldn’tseemtomakeherbrainwork.Therewasgoingtobea
finalnextweek,alongwithanorallab,andshedidn’twanttobethestudenttryingtohideunderthe
tablewhentheprofessorstartedaskingquestions.

She shifted on the carpeted floor, on her stomach, and tried again to concentrate. Music started

playing.Strange.Thatsoundedlikethemusicalringofhercellphone,thethemefromtheStar Trek
movie…

“Hey, Bodie, it’s for you!” her grandfather called from the next room, where she’d left her cell

phoneinhercoatpocket.

Shemutteredsomethingandgottoherfeet.“Whoisit,Granddaddy?”

“Idon’tknow,sugar.”HehandedBodie’scellphonetoher.

“Thanks,”shewhispered.“Hello?”shesaidintothephone.

“Uh,MissMays?”cameahesitantvoiceovertheline.

Sherecognizedwhowascallingimmediately.Shegroundherteeth together. “I won’t come!” she

said.“I’mstudyingforabiologytest.I’vegotalab,toboot…!”

“Aw,please?”thevoicecameagain.“They’rethreateningtocallthepolice.Ithinkthey’lldoitthis

time.Thenewspaperswouldhaveafieldday…”

Therewasapregnantpause.Herlipsmadeathinline.“Oh,damn!”shemuttered.

“Darby says he’ll come get you. In fact,” the cowboy added hopefully, “he’s sitting right outside

yourhouserightnow.”

Bodie stomped to the window and looked out the blinds. There was a big black Kirk ranch truck

parkedinthedriveway,withthelightsonandtheenginerunning.

“Please?”thecowboyaskedagain.

“Allright.”Shehungupinthemiddleofhis“Thankyou!”

She grabbed her jacket and her purse and slipped into her boots. “I have to go out for an hour. I

won’tbetoolong,”shetoldhergrandfather.

RafeMays,usedtothedrill,pursedhislips.“Youshouldgetcombatpay,”hepointedout.

Bodierolledhereyesandwalkedoutthedoor.“IhopeIwon’tbelong,”shesaidbeforeshepulled

itshut.

***

GOT

INTO

THE

TRUCK

.DarbyHanes,theKirks’longtimeforeman,gaveherawistfulsmile.

“Iknow.I’msorry.Butyou’retheonlypersonwhocandoanythingwithhim.He’stearingupthe

bar.They’regettingtiredoftheweeklyroutine.”Hepulledoutintotheroad,aftermakingsureshe
hadherseatbelton.“HehadadatelastnightupinJacksonHole.Endedbadly,I’mguessing,fromall
thecussinghedidwhenhegothome.”

Shedidn’treply.ShehatedknowingaboutCaneKirk’sgirlfriends.Heseemedtohavealotofthem,

even with his disability. Not that it made any difference to her. Cane would still be Cane no matter
what.Shelovedhim.She’dlovedhimsinceshegraduatedfromhighschool,whenhepresented her
withabouquetofpinkroses,herfavorite,andabottleofveryexpensivefloralperfume.He’deven
kissedher.Onthecheek,ofcourse,likeatreasuredchildmorethanlikeanadult.Hergrandfatherhad
workedfortheRanchoRealuntilhishealthfailedandhehadtoquit.ThathadbeenwhileCanewas
stillinthemilitary,afterthesecondGulfWar,beforetheterribleroadsidebombhadrobbedhimof
mostofhisleftarm,andalmostofhislife.

ShesupposedCanewasfondofher.Itwasn’tuntillastyearthateveryonehaddiscoveredheralmost

magicalabilitytocalmhimwhenhewentondrinkingsprees.Sincethen,whenhewentonbenders,
Bodie was recruited to fetch him home. There had been a brief period of time when he’d gone to
therapy,beenmeasuredforaprosthesisandseemedtobeadjustingnicelytohisnewlife.

Andthenithadallgonesouth,forreasonsnobodyknew.Hisbarcrawlshadbecomelegendary.The

expensewasterrible,becausehisbrothers,MalloryandDalton,hadtopickuptheexpense.Canegota
monthlycheckfromthearmy,butnobodycouldenticehimtoapplyfordisability.Hewenttoshow
cattle,withacowboywhohandledthebigbullsforhim,andhewastheideamanfortheKirkranch.
He was good at PR, worked to liaison with the national cattlemen’s lobby, kept up with current
legislationthataffectedthecattleindustryandgenerallywasthespokesmanfortheKirkranch.

Whenhewassober.

Latelyhewasn’t.Notalot.

“Anyideawhathappened?”Bodieaskedcuriously,becauseDarbywouldknow.Hekneweverything

that went on around the Rancho Real, or “royal ranch” in Spanish, named by the original owner, a
titled gentleman from Valladolid, northwest of Madrid, Spain, who started it way back in the late
1800s.

Darbyglancedatherandgrimaced.Itwasdarkandverycold,evenwiththeheaterrunningandthe

oldbutserviceablecoatBodiewaswearing.

“I have an idea,” he confessed. “But if Cane ever found out I told you, I’d be standing in the

unemploymentline.”

She sighed and fiddled with the fanny pack she wore in lieu of carrying around a cumbersome

purse.“Shemusthavesaidsomethingabouthisarm.”

He nodded faintly. “That would be my guess. He’s really sensitive about it. Funny,” he added

solemnly,“Ithoughthewasgettingbetter.”

“Ifhe’dgetbackintherapy,mentalandphysical,he’dimprove,”shereplied.

“Sure,buthewon’teventalkaboutit.He’ssinkingintohimself,”headdedquietly.

“There goes that theoretical physics mind working overtime again,” she teased, because most

peopledidn’tknowaboutDarby’sdegreeinthatfield.

Heshrugged.“Hey,Ijustmanagecattle.”

“I’ll bet you sit around in your room at night imagining the route to a new and powerful unified

fieldtheory.”Shechuckled.

“OnlyonThursdays,”hesaid,laughingoutloud.“Atleastmychosenfieldofstudydoesn’tleave

mecoveredinmudandusingshovelsandtrowelsinholesaroundthecountry.”

“Don’tknockanthropology,”shesaidfirmly.“We’llfindthemissinglinkoneday,andyoucansay

you knew me before I was famous, like that guy in Egypt who’s always in documentaries about
pharaohs’tombs.”Sheliftedherroundedchin.“Nothingwrongwithhonestwork.”

Hemadeaface.“Diggingupbones.”

“Bonescantellyoualot,”shereplied.

“So they say. Here it is,” he added, nodding toward the little out-of-the-way bar that Cane

frequented.Outfrontwasastopsignthatlocaldrunksoftenusedfortargetpracticewhentheywent
drivingaroundinfour-wheel-drivevehicleslateatnight.Nowitsaid“S....p.”Thetwomiddleletters
werenolongerrecognizable.

“Theyneedtoreplacethat,”shepointedout.

“What for? Everybody knows it means stop,” he said. “Why waste good metal and paint? They’d

justshootitupagain.Notmuchinthewayofentertainmentthisfaroutinthecountry.”

“Gotapoint,Iguess.”Shesighed.

Heparkedinfrontofthebar.Therewereonlytwovehiclesoutthere.Probablythoseofemployees.

Everybody with any sense would have left when Cane started cursing and throwing things. At least,
thatwasthepattern.

“I’llkeeptheenginerunning.Incasesomebodycalledthesheriffthistime,”hemused.

“Caneandthesheriffarebestfriends,”sheremindedhim.

“That won’t stop Cody Banks from locking him up if someone files a complaint for assault and

battery,”hestated.“Thelawisthelaw,friendshipnotwithstanding.”

“Iguess.Maybeitwouldknocksomesenseintohim.”

He shook his head. “That’s been tried. Mallory even let him stew in a cell for two days. Finally

bailedhimout,andhewentbackanddiditagainthatsameweekend.Ourblacksheepthereisoutof
control.”

“I’llseewhatIcandotoreinhimin,”shepromised.

She got out of the truck, ran a hand through her short black hair and grimaced. Her brown eyes

weresomberasshehesitatedontheporchforjustaminute,andthen,finally,openedthedoor.

Themesswasbad.Tablesknockedover.Chairseverywhere.Onewasupsidedownbehindthebarin

apileofglass,andtheplacesmelledlikewhiskey.Thiswasgoingtobeanexpensivemess,too.

“Cane?”shecalled.

AthinmaninaHawaiianshirtpeeredoverthebar.“Bodie?ThankGod!”

“Whereishe?”sheasked.

Hepointedtothebathroom.

She went toward it. She was almost there when it slammed open and Cane walked out. His long-

sleevedbeigeWesternshirtwiththefancyembroiderywasstainedwithblood.Probablyhisown,she
thought,notingthecakedbloodaroundhisnose,whichwasbruised,andhissquarejaw.Hissensual
mouthhadacutjustatthecorner,wherebloodwasalsovisible.Histhick,short,slightlywavyblack
hairwasmussed.Hisblackeyeswerebloodshot.Eveninthatcondition,hewassoattractivethathe
made her heart pound. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with long powerful legs encased in tight
jeans;hisbigfeetinbootsthatstillhadthemirrorpolishonthemdespitehisexploits.Hewasthirty-
fourtohertwenty-two,butrightnow,heseemedmuchyounger.

Heglaredather.“Whydotheyalwaysbringyou?”hedemanded.

Sheshrugged.“Myunusualabilitytosubduechargingtigers?”shesuggested.

Heblinked.Thenhechuckled.

Shewentforwardandtookoneofhisbighandsinhers.Theknuckleswerebruisedandswollenand

smearedwithblood.Shecouldn’ttellifitwashisorsomebodyelse’s.“Mallory’sgoingtobemad.”

“Malloryisn’thome,”hesaidinaloudwhisper.Heevengrinned.“HeandMoriewenttoLouisiana

toseeabull.Theywon’tbebackuntiltomorrow.”

“Tank won’t be happy, either,” she added, using the nickname that family used for Dalton, the

youngestbrother.

He shrugged. “Tank will be knee-deep in those old Tom Mix silent cowboy movies he likes. It’s

Saturday night. He makes popcorn, takes the phone off the hook, locks himself in and saturates
himselfwithblack-and-whitecinema.”

“That’swhatyoushouldbedoing,insteadofwreckingbars!”shemuttered.

Hesighed.“Aman’sgottohavesomerecreation,kid,”hesaiddefensively.

“Notthissort,”shesaidfirmly.“Comeon.PoorSidwillhavetocleanupthismess.”

Sidcamearoundthebar.Hewashuge,anddangerous-looking,buthekeptafewstepsawayfrom

Cane.“Whycan’tyoudothisathome,Cane?”hegroaned,lookingaround.

“Because we’ve got delicate objets d’art in glass cabinets,” Cane replied reasonably. “Mallory

wouldkillme.”

Sidglaredathim.“WhenMr.Holstenseesthebillforreplacingallthis—”hewavedhishand“—

youmaybegettingavisit…”

Cane pulled out his wallet and pressed a wad of hundreds into the bartender ’s hand. “If that’s not

enough,youletmeknow.”

Sidgrimaced.“Itwillbeenough,butit’stheprincipleofthething!Whycan’tyougouptoJackson

Holeandwreckbars?”

Caneblinked.“ItwouldtaketoolongtogetBodieupthere.I’dbearrested.”

“Youshouldbe!”

Cane’sblackeyesnarrowedandhetookastepforward.

Sidbackedup.

“Oh,comeon,”Bodiegrumbled.ShetuggedonCane’shand.“I’mgoingtofailbiologybecauseof

you.Iwasstudyingforexams!”

“Biology?You’remajoringinanthropology,”heargued.

“Yes, but I still have to pass the minimum required courses of study, and that’s one of them! I

couldn’tputitoffanylongersoIhadtotakeitthissemester!”

“Oh.”

“Seeyou,Sid.Hopenotsoon,”sheaddedwithalaugh.

Hemanagedasmile.“Thanks,Bodie.Especiallyfor…”HegesturedtowardCane.“Youknow.”

“Oh,yes,Idoknow.”Shenodded.

ShepulledCaneoutthedoorandontotheporch.“Where’syourcoat?”sheasked.

He blinked as the cold air hit him. “In the truck, I think. I don’t need it. ’S’not cold,” he said, his

voicebeginningtoslur.

“It’sbelowfreezingouthere!”

Hegaveherawoozylookandgrinned.“I’mhot-blooded.”

Sheavertedhereyes.“Comeon.Darby’swaiting.I’lldriveyourtruckouttotheranch.Where’sthe

key?”

“Rightfrontpocket.”

Sheglaredathim.“Goingtogetitforme?”

“No.”

Herbowlipsmadeathinline.“Cane!”

“Gofish,”heteased.

SheglancedaroundhimatDarby.

“No,”hesaid,puttinghishandoverhispocket.“Notgivingittohim.”

“Cane!”

“Not!”herepeated.

“Oh,allright!”

Shepushedhishandasideanddugintohispocketforthekeys,hatingthedeep,sensualsoundthat

cameoutofhisthroatasherfingersclosedaroundthem.Shewasflushingandhopedhecouldn’tsee.
Thecontactwasalmostintimate, especially when he suddenly stepped closer so that her small, pert
breastsflattenedagainsthisbroadchest.

“Nice,”hewhispered,hislipsbrushingthethickwavesofhershorthair.“Smellspretty.Feelsgood,

too,” he added, his one good hand pushing her chest against his so that he could feel the sudden
hardeningofhernipples.

Shegasped.

“Yes,youlikethat,don’tyou?”hewhispered.“Iwishmyshirtwasoff,andIcouldfeelyourbare

breastsagainstmychest....”

Shegraspedthekeysandjerkedawayfromhim,herfaceblazing.“Youshutup!”shesaidunderher

breath.

He made a face. “’How dare you!’” he mimicked in a high-pitched tone. “How Victorian you

sound.”Helaughedshortly.“Iknowallaboutyoucollegegirls.Youallsleeparoundandyouwant

taxpayerstomakesureyougetbirthcontrolsoyoucandoit.”

Shedidn’treply.Lotsofpeoplethoughtthesamething.Shewasn’tgettingintoanotherfightwith

him,whichwaswhathewanted.Hewasgoadingher.Odd,he’dneverdoneitinsuchasensualway
before.Itwasaffectingher,andshedidn’tlikeit.

“Goon,getin,”shemuttered,almostforcinghimintothetruckbesideDarby.

“Andfastenyourseatbelt!”sheadded.

Hegaveheranotherwoozysmile.“No.Youdoit.”

Sheletoutacusswordandthenflushedandapologized.

“Noneedtosaysorryforthat,”Darbymuttered,glaringatCane.“Ifeelthesameway.”

Caneglaredathim.“Notridingwithyou!”

HegotoutofthetruckinspiteofBodie’sprotests,andwhenDarbygotouttotrytoforcehimin,he

raised a fist and got into a fighting stance. It reminded both of them that he had a black belt in an
Asianmartialartdiscipline.

“Oh,allright,youcanrideinyourowntruckandI’lldrive!”Bodieraged.

Hegrinned,havinggottenhisway.Hewentlikealambtohisowntruck,waitedforBodietoflick

theremoteandlethimin.Heevenfastenedhisseatbelt.

Shestartedthetruck,wavingDarbytogoahead.

“You’remoretroublethancattle!”shetoldCane.

Hesmiledather.“Youthinkso?Whydon’tyouslideoverherenexttome?”headdedwitharaised

eyebrow.“Wecandiscusscattle.”

“I’mdriving.”

“Oh.”Heblinked.“Okay,I’llslideovernexttoyou…”Hestartedtounfastenhisseatbelt.

“You do that and I’m calling Cody Banks!” she told him, digging out her prepaid cell phone and

showingittohim.“Youwearaseatbeltwhenthetruckisinmotion.It’sthelaw!”

“Thelaw.”Hescoffed.

“Yes,well,youunfastenthatbeltandI’mcallinghim,justthesame.”

Hemadeafacebuthestoppedfiddlingwiththebelt.Hestaredather,hisfacehard,hisblackeyes

snapping. Actually she only had about five minutes of phone time left on the device, and she didn’t
wanttowasteitcallingthesheriffwhenshemightneeditforemergencies.Canecouldaffordahigh-

techcellphoneandaplantogowithit.Bodiewasluckytohaveevenacheapone.

“Whathappenedthistime?”sheasked,notsureshereallywanted an answer. But at least it would

keephimtalking.

Hisjawtautened.

“Comeon,”shecoaxed.“Youcantellme.YouknowIwon’trepeatit.”

“MostofwhatItellyou,youwouldn’tdarerepeat,”hemuttered,avertinghiseyes.

“Yes.”

Shewaited,notpushing,notprodding,notevencoaxing.

Heseemedtosoberalittle.“Ihadonthedamnedprosthesis.Looksreal,right?Atleast,untilyou

getcloseup.”Helookedoutthewindowatthepassingdarksilhouettesofbaretreesandpasture.“I
tookheruptomyroom.It’sbeenalongtime.Iwashungry.”FortunatelyforBodie,hecouldn’tsee
the brief anguish that skirted across her face. “I started to take off my shirt and when she saw the
strapsthatheldtheprosthesisinplace,shestoppedmedead.Shesaiditwasnothingpersonal,shejust
couldn’tdoitwithamanwhowascrippledlikethat.Shehadtohaveawholeman.”

“Oh,Cane,”shesaidsoftly.“I’msorry.”

“Sorry.Yes.Shewassorry,too.Itookoffthedamnedprosthesisandthrewitatthewall.ThenIflew

home.”Helaidhisheadbackagainsttheheadrest.“Icouldn’tthinkaboutanythingelse.Thelookon
herface,whenshesawthatthing…hauntedmeallday.Bysundown,Icouldn’tstanditanymore.Ihad
togetthatmemoryoutofmymind.Hadto!”

Shebitherlowerlip.Whatcouldshesay?Ofallthethingstohappen.Shehatedknowingthathehad

women. That wasn’t even her business. But for a woman to treat him that way, after all he’d been
through,asifhewaslessthanamanbecausehelostpartofhisarmfightinginaconflictsanctioned
byhiscountry.Itwasunthinkable.

“Ican’tlivelikethis!”heburstout.“Ican’tgothroughtherestofmylifebeinghalfaman,being

pitied…!”

Shestoppedthetruck.“Youstopthat!”shesaidharshly.“You’renothalfaman!You’reahero!You

ranrightoverthedamnedIED,knowingitwouldblowup,tosavethemedicsinthejeepbehindyou!
Youknewyourvehiclehadbetterarmor,youknewthebombwouldexplodewhenthecolumnwent
past. You made a sacrifice, saved God knows how many lives by saving those medics. And some
stupidwomanmakesaremarkoutofignorance,andyouthrowawaythatheroism,thatactofgutsy
courage,likeausedtissue.Well,Iwon’tletyoudoit!Iwon’t!”

Hegapedatherthroughadrunkenhaze.Heshookhishead.

Shestartedthetruckgoingforwardagain.Herfacefelthot.

“Howdoyouknowthat,aboutme?”

“Tanktoldme,”shesaidgently.“ThelasttimeIhadtogogetyoufromabar.Hesaiditwastragic,

notonlywhathappenedtoyou,butthatyouwantedtoforgetsomethingthatwonyouasilverstar.”

“Oh.”

Shedrewinalongbreath.“Whydoyoudatewomenlikethatinthefirstplace?”

“Mostofthewomenaroundherearemarriedorugly.”

Sheglaredathim.“Thanks,fromtheuglybrigade,Imean.”

“Ididn’tmeanyou,”hesaideasily.Hepursedhislipsandstudiedher.“You’renotugly,butyour

breastsaretoosmall.”

Thetruckalmostranofftheroad.“Cane!”sheexclaimed.

“Don’t worry about it, a lot of men like small breasts. I just like nice big ones. And a soft, sweet

bellytosinkagainstwhenIgetinsideallthatdelicate,wet…”

“Cane!”sheexclaimedagain,flushing.

“Oh,comeon,youknowaboutthat,”hesaid,leaninghisheadback.“Nothingsocushyasawoman

liftingtoyouoncoolsheets,feelingyouthrustintoher,swellingandswellinguntilyouburstandshe
criesoutwiththepleasure.”

“Igetsexeducationinschool!”

“Well,yougetthebasics,buttheydon’ttellyouhowgooditfeels,dothey?Orthatmencomein

differentsizesandshapes.I’mwell-endowedmyself.Nottoobig,butIcan…”

“Willyoupleasestop?”sheraged.

Heglancedather.“Gettingaroused,arewe?”Hechuckledinadeep,soft,sensualtone.“You’renot

reallymytype,kid,andyou’retooyoung,butIcouldmakeyougetofflikeamachinegunfiring.”

Sheswallowed,steppingonthegas.

“ButIdon’tthinkyourgrandfatherwouldeverforgiveme.That’sprobablywhyyougotocollege

outofstate,sohewon’tknowwhatyou’reupto.Howmanylovershaveyouhad?”

“Can’t we talk about the weather?” she asked, trying not to sound desperate. She was aroused,

unbelievablyaroused.Hewouldn’tknowit,butshewasstillavirgin.Despitethat,theimagerywas
givingherrealproblems.

Hestretchedandgrimaced.“Sure.It’scold.”

“Thankyou.”

“Doyoulikethemantogetontop,ordoyouliketogetontop?Icangodeeperthatway,”hesaid

aseasilyasifhewasdiscussingtheweather.

Shegroaned.

“Realdeep,infact,”hemurmured,gettingdrowsy.“Irememberthisonewoman,shewassmalland

IwasafraidI’dhurther.Butshegotontopandpumpedmelikeashotgun,screamingthewholetime.
Wewentallnightlong.”Hegrinned.“Shelikedtotrynewpositions.Soonetime…”

“I don’t want to hear about your sexual acrobatics, Cane!” Her voice was high-pitched and

desperate.

Herolledhisheadagainsttheheadrestsothathecouldseeherface.“Jealous?”

“Iamnotjealous!”

Hesmiled.Butthesmilefaded.“You’dhavetogetontop,”hesaidcoldly.“Idon’thavetwoarmsto

proponanymore.Idon’tevenknowifIcoulddoitnow.Iwantedtofindout.IwantedtoseeifIcould
stillbeaman....”

“Cane,therearemenallovertheworldwhohavelostarmsandlegsandwhocanstillhavesex,”

shepointedout,tryingtorestrainherembarrassment.“Peoplefindaway!”

Hedrewinalongbreath.“Iwon’thavethenervetotryagain,”hesaidinahauntedtone.“ShesaidI

wasacripple.”Hiseyesclosed.“Acripple.Shewantedawholeman....”

Shepulledupatthefrontofthehouseandblewthehorn.ShealmostjumpedoutwhenTankcame

ontothefrontporch.

CHAPTERTWO

“D

AMN

ANE

,”T

ANK

,akaDalton,mutteredunderhisbreathashehelpedBodiegethisbrotherout

ofthetruckandupontotheporch.“Whydoyoudothistoyourself?”

“Hedoesshare,”Bodiereplied.“Hedidittothebaralso.”

Daltongroaned.

“Ipaidthebartab,andextra.”Canesighed.Hepulledawayfromhisbrother.“Iwanthertotakeme

upstairs.”HepointedtoBodie.

“Noway.Ihavetogohome.I’mstudyingforbiologyfinals.”

“Won’tgoifyoudon’tgowithme,”Canesaidobstinately.

Daltongrimaced.HelookedatBodie,pleadingly.

“Oh,allright.ButthenIhavetogohome,andsomebodywillhavetodriveme.”

“I’lltakeyouhome,”Daltonpromised.Hesmiled.“Thanks.”

Sheshrugged.“You’rewelcome.”

ShegotunderCane’sgoodarm,shimmeringalloveratthefeelofthatpowerfulbodysocloseto

hers,andguidedhimupthesteps.

“Youoweme,pal,”shemuttered.

Hishandslidoverherarm,hisfingersaccidentallybrushingtheroundedundersideofherbreastin

theprocess,anddraggingahelplessshockofpleasurethatechoedfromherthroat.

“Mmm-hmm,”hemurmured.

Shegothimintohisroom.Hepushedthedoorclosedbehindthemandletherguidehimtothebed,

butwhenhewentdown,hepulledherwithhim.

“Now,”hebreathed,hishandunderherback.“Iwanttofindoutsomething....”

Sheopenedhermouthtoaskwhatandhiswassuddenlyteasingaroundit,nibblingatherupperlip,

teasingtheundersidewithhistongue.Themasteryofthecaressleftherhelpless.Shejustlaythere,
shocked,tempted…tinglingalloverwithnewsensations.

He unsnapped the bra and, leaning on the stump of his left arm, proceeded to unbutton his shirt

while his lips were playing with hers. Seconds later, he’d pushed up her shirt and bra and his bare,
hair-matted,muscularchestwaspressingdownagainstskinthathadneverbeentouched.

“Small,”hegroaned,“butfirmandsoftandsweet.”

Histhumbandforefingerwereteasingthenipple,makingithard.Sheshivered.

“Yes.”Hebenthisheadandhismouthsuddenlyopened,hotandmoist,rightontopofthenipple.He

pulledatittenderly,raspeditagainsthistongueandfinallytookallofherintohismouthandsuckled
her.

She came up off the bed shuddering, trying to contain the hoarse, pulsing cry of pleasure that

accompaniedtheaction.

Hisleanhandwasbehindher,pushingintoherjeansasheshifted,sothathecouldbringherhips

intointimatecontactwithhim.Shefelthimswell,feltthesizeandpowerofhim,inacontactshe’d
never shared with a man in her whole life. Repressed, raised religiously by a grandfather whose
moralswerestillVictorian,she’dkeptherselfchaste.Nowthisman,thisplayboy,wastryingtouse
herlikeoneofhiswomen,makeherintohistoy,tosalvetheegothatanotherwomanhadhurt.

Shewastryingtorememberallthatwhileonelonglegcurledaroundherandhismouthgrewmore

insistent.Shewassoengrossedinnewsensationsthatshebarelyheardtheknockonthedooruntilit
wasrepeated,loudly.

“Cane!Bodieneedstogohome!”

Bodie sat bolt upright, gaping down at Cane, whose expression was a cross between shock and

shame.

“Onmyway!” shecalled,hoping hervoicedidn’t soundas unsettled as she felt. She fumbled her

brabackinplace,pulledhershirtdownandstaredatCaneinshock.

Hismouthwasswollenfromitslongcontactwithherbody.Hisbreathingwasfast.Butthealcohol

suddenlyseemedtocatchupwithhim.Hestaredather,blinked,startedtospeakandfellbackontothe
bed,snoring.

Shegotupandopenedthedoor.

Tanklookedinpastherandsighed.“ThankGod,”hemused.“Iwasafraidhemighttrytogetoutof

hand.”Helookedherover,andapparentlydidn’tseeanythingtoconcernhim.Shewasmussed,but
thatcouldhavecomefrommanhandlingCaneintobed.Orsosheguessed.

“He’sahandfulallright.IthoughtI’dnevergethimintothebed.He’sheavy!”shemuttered,trying

tobluff.

“Yes,heis.”Heshookhishead.“Iwishhe’dstoppickingupwomeninbars,”headdedcoldly.“At

hisage,heshouldbethinkingaboutafamily.”

“Somemenneversettledown,”shereplied,goingaheadofhimdownstairs.“Heseemstobeoneof

those.”

“You never know. We’re in your debt, again,” he emphasized, and smiled gently. “Isn’t there

somethingwecandoforyou?”

Shesmiledandnodded.“Yes.Drivemehome,please.Istillhavetostudy.”

“Comeon.Yes,Irememberfinals.Nofun.”

“Yes,butIonlyhaveonemoresemestertogo.IfIpasseverything,Igetmydegree.”

“Thenwhat?”

“Then, on to my master ’s.” She sighed. “With digs in between and a nice full-time job this next

summertohelppayforitall.”

“Wecould…”

Sheheldupahand.“You’vedonesomuchforGranddaddy.Youdon’tneedtodoanythingforme.

I’mhappytohelpout,anywayIcan.You’reanicefamily.”

Hesmiled.“Thanks.Yourgranddadwasoneofthebestwranglersweeverhad.Shamehehadtogo

andgetold,”headdedgently.

“Ifeelthesameway!”

***

DROVE

HER

HOME

.Shewent inside, just in time to catch her grandfather in a conversation on the

telephone.

“ButwherewouldIgo,Will?”hewasaskingheavily.“Thiswasmydaughter ’splace…yes,Iknow

youownit.ButIcan’tpaythatmuchinrent!MylittlemonthlycheckfromtheKirkshelps,butI’m
stilltryingtogetondisability…yes,Iknow.Iknow.Allright,I’lltrytocomeupwithit.Youwouldn’t
really…?Hello?”

Shewalkedintothediningroom.Hewasstandingbythetelephonetablethathadbelongedtoher

great-grandmother,withthefreedomphoneheldinhishand,frozen.

“Granddaddy?Whatisit?”

He glanced at her, started to speak, thought better of it and just hung up the phone. “Aw, nothing.

Nothing at all. You go back and work on that biology. I’m going to read a book. See you in the
morning.”Heevenmanagedasmile.

“Yousleepwell,”shesaid.

Hehesitated.“Oh,didyougetCanehomeokay?”

Shenodded.“Tankdrovemeback.Canepassedout.”

Hesighed.“Cane’sagoodboy.Tragic,whathappenedtohim.”Heshookhishead.“Justtragic.”He

wentintohisroomandclosedthedoor.

Bodie went into her own room and sank down on the side of her bed, speechless from what had

happenedinCane’sbedroom.He’dneveroncetouchedher.He’dtoldherthings,shockingthings,like
theintimatedetailsofhisdates.Butthiswasdifferent.Thiswasthefirsttimehe’dtreatedherasan
adultwoman.

She didn’t know whether to be outraged, angry or flattered. He was much older than she was. He

wasrichandhandsome.Hehadadisabilitythatmadehimforgethowdishyhereallywastowomen.
But she couldn’t forget the look on his face just before he sank back into the pillows unconscious.
Thathadbeenshame.Realshame.

She sighed. Her whole life had changed in the course of one night. She’d had her mind on

education,ongettingdegrees,gettingajobinherfield,makingsomeworthyandfamousdiscovery
that would set the world of anthropology on its ear. Now, all she could think about was the feel of
Cane’smouthonherbody.

Shecouldn’taffordtoletthosethoughtscontinue.Shewaspoor.Hergrandfatherwasevenpoorer,

and it sounded as if her stepfather had been making threats to him about raising the rent. She
grimaced.WillJoneswashorrible.Hekeptallsortsofexplicitmagazinesaroundthehouse,andher
mother had been furious at the cable and satellite bills because he watched pornography almost
aroundtheclock.She’dkeptacloseeyeonBodie,madesurethatshewasneveralonewiththeman.
Bodiehadwonderedaboutthat,butneverreallyquestionedit,untilhermother ’sdeath.

Thedayafterthefuneral,whichherstepfatherhadactuallyattended,dry-eyed,hemadeanintimate

remark to her about her body. He said he knew about college girls and he had a new way to make
money,nowthathermotherwasn’taroundtodisapprove.Ifshe’dcooperate,he’dsharetheproceeds
withher.Hewasstartinganinternetbusiness.Hecouldmakeherastar.Allshehadtodowasposefor
afewphotographs....

Shocked and still grieving for her mother, she’d left his house immediately and gone to her

grandfather ’srentedhomewithonlyasmallsuitcasecontaininghergreatestlittletreasuresandafew
clothes.Hergrandfather,grim-faced,hadneveraskedwhyshe’dmovedinwithhim.Butfromthen
on,theywereateam.Herstepfatherhadtriedtocoaxherback,butshe’drefusedandhunguponhim.
Hehadafriendwholikedher.Thefriend,Larry,wantedtogooutwithher.Shedidn’tlikethelookof
him,orthewayhespenttimewithherstepfather.Sheimaginedthathehadthesametasteinreading
matterandfilmviewingastheolderman.Itgaveherthecreeps.Sheopenedherbiologytextbookand
sprawledonthebed.Shewasn’tgoingtothinkofthesethingsrightnow.She’dfacethemwhenshe
hadto.Atthemomentherprioritywaspassingbiology,asubjectshelovedbutwasneverreallygood
at. She recalled her first biology exam. She could understand the material; her professor was an
excellentteacher.Butshegroundherteethtogetherduringtheoralbiologylab.Herprofessor,akind
butterrifyingmaninawhitelabcoatduringorals,hadgrinnedwhensherattledofftheinformation
aboutcirculationthroughthelymphaticsystem.Ithadbeenharrowing.Butthatwasonlyatest.She
wascertainthatthefinalwouldbemuchworse.

She sighed, closing her eyes and smiling. Her physical anthropology class was her favorite. She

was actually looking forward to that final. Her roommate, Beth Gaines, a nice girl with whom she
livedinasmallapartmentoffcampus,wasinthesameanthropologyclass.They’dspentdaysbefore
Bodiecamehomefortheweekend,grillingeachotheronthematerial.

“Bones,bones,bones,”Bethgroanedasshewentoverthedentitionyetanothertime.“Theseteeth

were in this primate, these teeth were in a more refined primate, this was in homo sapiens…
aaaahhhhhh!” she screamed, pulling at her red hair. “I’ll never remember all this!” She glared at
Bodie,whowasgrinning.“AndI’llneverforgiveyoufortalkingmeintotakingthisclasswithyou!
I’mahistorymajor!WhydoIneedaminorinanthropology?”

“Because when I become famous and get a job at some super university as a professor, you can

comeandteachtherewithme.”Shewiggledhereyebrows.“I’llhaveconnections!Waitandsee!”

Bethsighed.Herexpressionwasdoubtful.

“Onlyafewmoreyearstogo,”Bodieteased.

Beth’sgreeneyesnarrowed.“I’mnottakinganymoreanthropologyclasses,period.”

Bodiehadonlygrinned,aswell.Herbestfriendwaslikeherself, out of step with the world, old-

fashioned and deeply religious. It was hard to be that way on a modern college campus without
gettinghassledbymoreprogressivestudents.ButBethandBodiestucktogetherandcoped.

Bodieopenedhereyes.Shewasnevergoingtogetthisbiologycommittedtomemorybythinking

aboutotherthings.

Shefrownedasmusicstartedplaying.Shegotuptoanswerhercellphone,whichwasplayingone

oftheStarTrekthemes.

Bodieopenedit.“Hello?”

Therewasapause.“Bodie?”

Herheartskipped.“Yes.”

Shemovedtothedoorandpusheditshut,soshewouldn’tdisturbhergrandfather.

“Aboutearliertonight,”Canebeganslowly.

“Yes?”Shewasbeginningtosoundlikeabrokenrecord.

Heclearedhisthroat.“IfIsaidanythingoutoftheway,I’msorry.”

Shehesitated.“Youdon’tremember?”sheasked.

Helaughedsoftly.“Iwasprettymuchdrunkoutofmymind,”hesaidwithalongsigh.“Honestto

God, I remember getting into the truck with you. The next thing I remember is waking up with a

poundingheadacheandsosickthatIhadtoruntothebathroom.”Hehesitatedagain,whileBodie’s
heartfelllikelead.Allthat,andhedidn’trememberanything?

“Youshouldstoptreeingbars,”shesaidquietly.

“IfI’mgoingtohavememorylosslikethis,yes,Iguessyou’reright.”

“Andmorespecifically,youshouldstoptryingtopickupwomeninbars,”shesaidwithabitein

hersoftvoice.

Hesighed.“Rightagain.”

“Youneedtogetbackintotherapy.Bothkinds.”

Therewasalonghesitation.

“You’renotdoingyourselforyourbrothersanyfavorsbybehavinglikethat,Cane,”shetoldhim.

“Oneday,payingoffthedamagewon’tbeenoughandyou’llhaveapolicerecord.Thinkhowthat
wouldlookinthenewspaper.”

There was a sound, like a man sitting down in a leather chair. The sound leather made was no

strangertoBodie,who’dwishedallheryounglifeforachairsofancyforhergrandfather.Hiseasy
chairwascloth,fadedandwithtornspotsthatBodiekeptsewingup.

“You’re not the only person who came home from the military with problems of one sort or

another,”shecontinued,butinalesshostiletone.“Peoplecope.Theyhaveto.”

“I’mnotcoping…verywell,”heconfessed.

“Youhavetohaveapsychologistthatyoulikeandtrust,”shesaid,recallingherfriendBeth’sentry

intotherapyoverachildhoodincident.“Idon’tthinkyoulikedyourlastoneatall.”

“Ididn’t,”hesaidcurtly.“Smartguy,neverhadapainorinjuryinhislife,saidyoujusthadtopull

yourselftogetherlikeamanandfacethefactthatyou’recrippled....”

“Oh,forheaven’ssake!”sheexclaimed.“Youshouldhavewalkedrightoutthedoor!”

“Idid,”hemuttered.“TheneverybodysaidIwasn’ttryingbecauseIquittherapy.”

“Youshouldhavetoldwhyyouquit,andnobodywouldhavesaidanything,”sheshotback.

Hesighed.“Yes.IguessIshouldhave.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be on the road in the morning with Big Red for that cattle show?” she

askedsuddenly,namingtheirprizebullwhowasontheshowcircuit.He’dwonallsortsofawards.
Cane took one of the ranch cowboys along with him on the road, to help manage the big bull who
was,however,gentleasalambonthelead.HavinganothermanwhocouldhelpifBigRedgotoutof
handwasasmartprecaution.

“I’mheadedoutlater,infact.IjustwantedtomakesureIhadn’tabusedyourtrust,”headdedgently.

“Notgoodpolicy,toalienateyouronlycaretaker.”

“TankorMallorycouldsavebarsfromyouiftheyhadto,”shepointedout.

“Well,yes,butnotwithoutsomebrokenteeth.Youcandoitwithfewerbruises.”

“NicetoknowI’museful,”sherepliedwithasmileinhervoice.

Therewasanotherpause.Hedidn’tliketalkingonthetelephone.Hediditreluctantlyatbest.“You

datinganybodyfromthatcollegeyougoto?”heaskedsuddenly.

Herheartjumped.“Why?”

“Justcurious.”

“I’mtoobusystudyingtorunaroundwithmen,”shemuttered.“Iwasn’tblessedwiththesizebrain

allyouKirkboyshave.Ihavetodigformygrades.”

“Weallhavedegrees,”headmitted.“Butwehadtodigforours,too.Well,maybenotMallory.He’s

justsmart.”

“Heis.”

“Whendoyougobacktoschool?”

“Tomorrowmorningbeforedaylight,”shesaidheavily.“Myfirstfinalisafterlunchtomorrow.It’s

finalsallweek.”

Therewasanotherpause.“Youcomingbackhomeafteryoufinishthose?”

“Yes. I’ll be here until the first of the year, through the holidays. Granddaddy would be all alone

withoutme.Weonlyhaveeachother.”

“Andyourstepfather,”hesaid,butwithoutanywarmthinhistone.

“WillJonesisnotpartofmyfamily,”shebitoff.“Notatall.”

“Can’tsayIblameyoufornotclaiminghim,”headmitted.“Noneofuseverunderstoodwhatyour

mothersawinhim.”

NotforworldswouldBodieadmitwhathermotherhadsaid,thatsheknewshewasdyinganditwas

worthputtingupwithhernewhusband’squirksbecausehewaswell-to-doandwaswillingtopayher
medicalbillsandtakecareofBodie.Ithadbeenalittlemorecomplicatedthanthat.Bodiehadspent
the past two years getting undressed in bathrooms and locking her door at night to prevent any
unwantedattentionfromhermother ’shusband.Thenwhenhermotherdied,everythinghadcometoa
headjustafterthefuneralandshe’dgonetoGranddaddy’shomeforgood.

“There’snoaccountingfortaste,”Canesaid.

“Truly.”

“Itwasmoney,wasn’tit?”heaskedsuddenly.“Shewassickforalongtimeandcouldn’twork.”

Bodie’sheartskipped.Herbowlipsmadeathinline.“Somethinglikethat.”

“Shewasproud,”hesaidunexpectedly.“Notthesortofpersontoeveraskforhelp.”

Shedidn’treply.

“Allright,Iwon’tpry,”hesaidafterthesilence.“So,IguessI’llseeyouwhenyoucomehome.”

“Yes,”shesaid,hesitant.

“If I said or did anything to upset you, I’m sorry,” he added. “I wish I could remember, but the

wholenight’sablur.Tanksaidyoulookedalittleruffledwhenhedroveyouhome.”

“Ishouldhavelookedruffled!”sherepliedwithspirit.“Tryingtowrestleahuge,heavymanontoa

bedwhenhe’sdeadweightwouldcausemostpeopletolookruffled!Andthenyoupassedout…”

“Oh.”Helaughed,softly,deeply.“Okay.That’sreallywhatIwantedtoknow.”

Shewasblushing.Thankgoodnesshecouldn’tsee.“So,youdon’towemeanyapologies,”shesaid.

“Iguessnot.Ihadthisreallycrazydreamtonight…butitwasjust a dream, I guess, after all.” He

laughed,whileBodiebithertongue.“Damnedwomanhurt myfeelingsso bad,”hesaid inaheavy
tone.“Itakethingshard.”

“Womencomeinallshapesandsizesanddispositions,”shepointedout.“Idon’tthinkwomenwho

hangoutinbarslookingformenareparticularlysensitive.Justmytwocents.”

“Youwanttoknowwhatthey’relookingfor,I’lltellyou…”

“Don’t!”

“It’smoney,”hesaidflatly.“Itwasafive-starhotel,andalotofrichmenhaveanightcap.Shewas

waiting for a patsy to show up, and I walked in. If she’d seen an empty sleeve, she probably never
wouldhavecomenearme,withherhang-upsaboutdisability,”hesaidcurtly.“IguessIshouldtoss
thatdamnedprosthesisinthetrashcan.Iwould,exceptIcouldbuyacarwithwhatitcost.”

“They’reworkingonprostheticsthatcanbedirectlyconnectedtonerveendings,sotheyworklike

realhands,”shetoldhim.“Thewholefieldofprostheticsisveryexciting,withalltheadvances....”

“Andwhywouldyoubereadinguponthat?”heaskedsuddenly.

Shehesitated.“BecauseIhavethisidiotfriendwhothinkshe’sdisabled,”shefiredrightback.

Heburstoutlaughing.“Arewefriends?”

“Ifweweren’t,whywouldIberescuingyoufrombarsandcertainarrest?”shewonderedoutloud.

He sighed. “Yeah,” he replied. “I guess we are friends.” He paused. “You’re barely twenty-two,

Bodie,”hesaidgently.“I’mthirty-four.It’sanoddfriendship.Andjustsoyouknow,I’mnotinthe
marketforachildbride.”

“YouthinkI’dwanttomarryyou?”sheexclaimed.

Therewasahesitation.Shecouldalmostfeeltheoutrage.He’dbethinkingimmediatelyshedidn’t

wanttomarryhimbecauseofhisarm.

“Justbecauseyouknowatibiafromafibulawhenyoudigitup,right?”shecontinuedquicklyina

sardonic tone. “And because you know how to pronounce Australopithecus and you know what a
foramenmagnumis!”shesaid,referringtothelargeholeatthebaseoftheskull.

Heseemedtakenaback.“Well,Idoknowwhatitis.”

“You wait,” she said. “When I finish my master ’s work and get into the PhD program in

anthropology,I’llgiveyouarunforyourmoney.”

“That’salongcourseofstudy.”

“Iknow.Yearsandyears.ButIdon’thaveanyplanstomarry,either,”sheadded,“andcertainlynot

toamanjustbecausehecantellanatlasfromasacrum.Sothere.”

Helaughedsoftly.“Iusedtolovetodig.”

“Youcangetpeopletodigforyou,andstilldoit,”shesuggested.“Infact,whenyou’redoingthe

delicatework,itdoesn’treallyrequiretwohands.Justatoothbrushandatrowelandnoaversionto
dustandmud.”

“Isuppose.”

“Youshouldn’tgiveupsomethingyoulove.”

“Bonesandmud.”

“Yes.”Shelaughed.“Bonesandmud.”

“Well,I’llthinkaboutit.”

“Thinkaboutthetherapist,too,wouldyou?”sheasked.“I’vealreadylinedupasummerjobatadig

inColoradonextyearaftergraduation.I’llbeawayforseveralweeks.Nobodytorescueyoufrom
bar brawls,” she added pointedly. “And depending on which specialization I choose, I might go
overseasforPhDwork,doclassicalarchaeologyintheMiddleEast....”

“No!”hesaidflatly.“Don’teventhinkaboutit.I’lltalktoyourgrandfatherifyouevenconsiderit.”

Shewassurprisedandflatteredbytheprotest.Sheknewhewasrememberingwhathadhappenedto

himinIraq,withtheroadsidebomb.“Cane,Iwouldn’tbeworkinginacombatzone,”shesaidsoftly.
“Itwouldbeatadigsite,withsecuritypeople.”

“I’ve seen the quality of some of their security people,” he came back. “Rent-a-Merc,” he said

sarcastically.“Notevenrealmilitary—independentcontractorswhoworkforthehighestbidder.And
I wouldn’t trust them to guard one of our culls!” he said, alluding to the non-producing cows who
weresoldatauctioneachbreedingseason.

“Sellingoffpoorcowsbecausetheycan’thavebabies,”shemuttered.“Barbarian!”

Helaughedroundly.“Listen,ranchesrunonoffspring.Nocowkids,noranch,getit?”

“Igetit.Butit’sstillcowinsensitivity.Imagineifyoucouldn’thavekidsandsomebodythrewyou

offtheranch!”

“I imagine they’d have a pretty hard time harnessing me,” he admitted. “Besides, that’s not

somethingI’lleverhavetoworryabout,I’msure.”Hehesitated.“Youwantkids?”

“Of course, someday,” she qualified, “when I’m through school and have my doctorate and have

somesuccessinmyprofession,sothatIcanaffordthem.”

“Ithinkitmightbeaproblemifyouwaituntilyou’removingaroundwithawalker,”hesaid.

“Itwon’ttakethatlong!”

“Generally speaking, if you wait to have kids until you can afford them, you’ll never have any.”

Therewasapause.“Ihopeyoudon’tplantodowhatalotofcareerwomendo—haveachildfroma
donoryoudon’tevenknow.”

She made a huffing sound. “If I have kids, I plan to have them in the normal way, and with a

husband,howeverunpopularthatideamaybethesedays!”

Helaughed.“Statistically,marriedpeoplestillhavetheedgeinchildbearing.”

“Civilization falls on issues of religion and morality,” she stated. “First go the arts, then go the

morals,thengothelawsandoutgoesthecivilization.Egyptunderthepharaohs,Rome…”

“Ihavetoleaveprettysoon.”

“Iwasjustgettinguptospeed!”sheprotested.“Where’smysoapbox…?”

“Anothertime.Istudiedwesternciv,too,youknow.”

“Yes.Sorry.”

Hehesitated.“You’resurethatnothing…happened?”heaskedagain.

“Cane,youweretoodrunkforanythingtohappen,”shereplied.“Whyareyousoconcerned?”

“Mengetdangerouswhentheydrink,honey,”hesaid,andherheartjumpedandskippedinaflurry

ofdelight,becausehe’dneverusedpetnames.“Iwouldn’twanttodoanythingout-of-the-way.Maybe
it’s a bad idea to let my brothers keep calling you when I go on a bender. One day, I might do
somethingunspeakableandwe’dbothhavetolivewithit.”

“Theanswertothatisthatyoustopgettingdrunkinbars,”shesaidinadrolltone.

“Spoilsport.”

“Youcandrinkathome,can’tyou?”

“It’s the ambiance of bars. I don’t have that at the ranch. Besides, Mavie would throw me out the

backdoorandpeppermewithpotatopeelingsifIeventriedit.”

“Yourhousekeeperhasgoodsense.”

“Goodsomething.Atleastshecancook.

“Well,IguessI’llletyougo,”hesaidafteraminute.

“Youbecarefulontheroad,”shesaidsoftly,inatonefarmoreintimatethanshemeantittobe.

“You be careful, too,” he added. His own tone was oddly tender. “Wear a coat when you go out.

Temperature’sdropping.”

“Inoticed.”

Softbreathingcameovertheconnection.“IguessIshouldgo.”

“Yousaidthat,”shereplied,andherowntonewasasreluctantashis.

Helaughedsoftly.“IguessIdid.Well…goodnight.”

“Goodnight,Cane.”

“Ilikethewayyousaymyname,”hesaidsuddenly.“Bye.”

Hehungupabruptly,asifheregrettedwhathe’djustletslip.Herheartwaspoundinglikemadwhen

sheputupthephoneandopenedherbedroomdoor.Shefeltasifherfeetweren’teventouchingthe
floor.

Allthesame,shedidmanagetogetthematerialmemorizedforherbiologyfinal.Shegotupvery

earlythenextmorningtodrivebacktoschoolinherbatteredoldvehicle.

Shekissedhergranddaddygoodbye.

“Goodluckonthosefinals,”hetoldherashehuggedher.

Shegrinned.“Thanks.I’llneedit.I’llseeyounextweekend.”

Hemanagedasmile.“Missyouwhenyou’renothere,girl.”

She was touched. “I miss you, too. I won’t be away that long, and then we’ll have the Christmas

holidaystogether.I’llmakecakesandpies…”

“Stop!I’mstarvingalready,”heteased.

Shegrinnedagainandkissedhimagain.“See?Somethingtolookforwardto.”

***

INALS

WERE

EVERY

BIT

gruelingasshe’dimagined.Herfirstwasbiology.Alabratwaslaidouton

adissectingboardwithpinsstuckinvariousportionsofitsanatomy,designatingwhichpartswereto
belabeledanddiscussedontheexam.

She felt that she’d sweated blood on the written portion, however, especially trying to recall the

methodologyofthePunnettSquare,usedtopredictheritabilityofgenetictraits.Thatwasonepartof
the textbook section that she had problems with. But she hoped she remembered enough of the
materialtoslideby.

Thenextexamwasphysicalanthropology.Thatonedidn’tworryher.Shelovedthesubjectsomuch

thatshewasinherelementwhenshestudiedit.Shebreezedthroughthetest.Onlytwotogoatthat
point,Englishandsociology.

***

INALLY

THE

EXAMS

WERE

finished, the teacher evaluation forms at the end of each class were filled

outandturnedinandshewaspackingtogohome.

“Youshouldstayheretonight…comeoutwithustocelebrate,”Bethtoldherwithagrin.“Ted’sgot

thisfriendHarvey.He’sreallynice,you’dlikehim.Youneverdate,”sheaccused.

Bodie just shook her head as she went back to her packing. She wasn’t going to tell her friend

anythingaboutCane,forfearofbeingteased.Itwastooearlyinherchangedattitudetowardhimfor
that.“Ihaveacareerinmind.Notimeforromanticactivities.”

“There’stheholidays,wecouldgooutthen,”Bethpersisted.

Bodieshookher headagain.“I’m goinghomefor theholidays and it’s just too far to drive back

withgaspriceswhattheyare.I’mreallysorry,”shesaidwhenherfriendlookeddisappointed.

“Well, I’m going home, too, to Maine,” she agreed. “But after the first of the year, when the new

semesterstarts,youreallyshouldmeetHarvey.He’sjustsocute!”

“PoorTed!”

“No! I mean, he’s cute. My Ted is gorgeous,” she added, wiggling her eyebrows. “He wants to

marryme.”

“Really?”

“Really.”Shesighed.“Idon’tknowwhattodo.Ireallywanttogoontodomymaster ’sworkin

history,butTedwantstogetmarriednow.”

“Youshoulddowhatyouwantto,”Bodieadvised.

“MarryingTediswhatIreallywanttodo.Tedandseveralbabiesandanicehousewithafence,”

shesaiddreamily.

“Babies.”Bodielaughed.“Iwantone,too,butnotforyearsyet.I’mgoingtobesuccessfulfirst.”

Bethgaveheralookthatshedidn’tsee;hernosewasinhersuitcase.

“That’swhyyouwon’tdate,”Bethguessed.“Ifyoufallinlove,thatcareer ’sgoingonholdfora

while.”

“Mindreader,”Bodiesaid.“Nowgodressforyourdateandletmefinishpacking.”

“Tedwantstogodancing.Ilovetodance!”

“Ididn’tnotice,”Bodiesaiddryly,becauseitwasafamiliartheme.

“Okay.Well,youdrivesafely.I’llseeyouinJanuary.IhopeyouhaveagreatChristmasandNew

Year.”

“Thanks.Ihopeyoudo,too.AndthatTedbuysyouanicebigdiamond,”Bodieteased.

“Onhissalary?Fatchance.Buttheringdoesn’tmatter.”Shesighed.“AllIwantisTed.”

Bodiejustsmiled.

CHAPTERTHREE

ODIE

’

HOMECOMING

WAS

met with a sense of urgent misery by her grandfather ’s sudden bout of

indigestion.Hetookadoseofbakingsoda,anold-time recipe he’d learned from his grandmother,
butitdidn’tseemtobeworking.

Bodiewasworriedenoughtogethimtotheirfamilydoctor,whodiagnosedsomethingthatstood

herhaironend.

“Ithinkit’shisheart,”Dr.Banessaidgently.“Hisbloodpressureisabnormallyhighandhehasa

murmur.I’mhavingmynursedoanelectrocardiogram.Ineedtosendhimtoaspecialist.Wehavea
goodoneupinBillings,Montana,andhecandoanecho,asoundpicture,ofyourgrandfather ’sheart
toseeiftherearecloggedarteries.”

Bodie’sexpressionwaseloquent.“Hegetsapensionfromtheranchheusedtoworkfor,”shesaid,

rememberingtheKirkbrothers’kindnessinthatact.“He’sjustnoweligibleforsocialsecurity,butit
won’tstartuntilJanuary.He’stryingtogetdisability,too,butit’salongprocess.Wejustdon’t have
anymoney,andthere’snoinsurance.”

Hepattedheronthearm.“Wecanmakearrangementsaboutthat,”heassuredher.“Iknowyou’re

getting through school on scholarships and grants and student loans,” he said. “And you work at a
part-timejobnearthecollegetopayforyourexpenses.Iadmireyourworkethic.”

“IlearneditfromGranddaddy.”Shesighed.“Hewasalwaysasticklerforearningthingsinsteadof

beinggiventhem.”

“He’safineman.We’lldowhatwecanforhim.Ipromise.”

Shesmiled.“Thanks.”

“Youcancomeinwithhimwhenwegettheresultsofthetracewe’redoing.Won’tbelong.”

“Thanks.”

***

BOUT

HOUR

LATER

, she went into the doctor ’s office with her grandfather. The doctor was very

somber.

“I’vehadmyreceptionistmakeyouanappointmentwithaheartspecialistinBillings,”hetoldthe

old man. “Now, don’t start fretting,” he warned. “We can do a lot of things to help a failing heart.
You’llhaveoptionsandyou’llbeabletodecide…”

“Whatdidyoufind?”theoldmanaskedshortly.“Anddon’tsoft-soapme.”

Thedoctorgrimaced.Heleanedbackinhischair.“Ithinkit’sheartfailure.”

“Oh,no,”Bodiegroundout.

“Ifiguredtherewassomethingprettybadwrong,”theoldmanagreed,lookingnomoreupsetthan

he’dbeenallalong.“I’vehadsomepaininmychestandleftarm,andalotofbreathlessness.That
sortofthing.WillIdierightaway?”

“Noonecantellyouthat.Icantellyouthatit’sactuallyafairlycommonconditionatyourage,and

not necessarily a death sentence. There are medical options. Drugs. Surgical intervention if it will
help.”

“Nosurgery,”theoldmansaiddoggedly.“Nobody’scuttingonme.”

“Granddaddy,”Bodiebegan.

“Won’t change my mind,” Rafe Mays told her flatly. “I’ve had a long life, a good life. No sense

tryingtopropupabodythatwon’tworkrightanymore.”

“You’llhavegreat-grandchildrenoneday,”Bodiesaidfirmly.“Iwantthemtoknowyou!”

Helookedather.“Great-grandkids?”

“Yes!”shesaid.Sheglaredathim.“Soyou’lldowhatthedoctorssay,orelse.”

Theoldmanchuckled.“Justlikeyourgrandmother,”hesaid.“Mywifewaslikethat.Orderedme

around,toldmewhattodo.I’vemissedthat,”headded.

“I’llorderyouaroundmore,”Bodiepromised.“Youhavetotry.Please.Forme.”

Hegrimaced.“Okay.ButI’mnotgettingcuton.Period.”

Bodielookedatthedoctorwithananguishedexpression.

“Wecandoalotwithdrugs,”hereplied.“Waitandgettheresultsofthetests.Thenwecanallsit

downandmakedecisions.Don’tanticipatetomorrow.Okay?Imeanbothofyou.”

Theybothnodded.

“Gohomeandgetsomerest,”thedoctorsaid,standingup.“Youknow,mostbadnewsisacceptable

when the newness of it wears off. It takes a day or two, but what seems unbearable at first will be
easiertomanageonceyouhavetimetogetusedtotheidea.Ican’tgetthattocomeoutthewayIwant
itto,”hesaidirritably.

“Iunderstand,anyway,”Bodieassuredhim.“Thanks.”

“Thanksalot,”theoldermansaid,andshookhandswiththedoctor.“Iappreciateyougivingitto

mestraight.That’swhyIcometoyou,”headded,andchuckled.“Can’tabidebeingliedtoandtreated
likeathree-year-old.”

“Iunderstand,”thedoctoragreed.

Bodiefollowedhergrandfatheroutthedoor.Shefelttheweightoftheworldonhershoulders.

***

WAS

MUCH

WORSE

whentheygothome.Herstepfatherwasinthelivingroom,waitingforthem.It

wasunsettlingtonoticethathe’dusedakeytogetin.Itwashermother ’sproperty.Themanhadno
righttocomebarginginwithoutaninvitation,evenifhedidowntheplace!

Bodiesaidso,atonce.

WillJonesjuststaredatthemwithahaughtyexpression.ThewayhelookedatBodie,inherwell-

fittingbutfadedjeansandsweatshirt,waschilling.Sheglaredathim.

“Gotnorighttobargeintomyhome!”theoldmansnapped.

Jonesshiftedhisposition,inGranddaddy’schair,anddidn’tspeak.

“Whyareyouhere?”Bodieasked.

“Therent,”herstepfathersaid.“I’vejustraiseditbytwohundred.Ican’tmanageonthatpitifullittle

life insurance policy your mother took out. I wouldn’t even have had that, if I hadn’t been insistent
beforeshegotthecancer,”hesaidcurtly.

“There’sareallyeasyanswer,”Bodieshotback.“Getajob.”

“Iwork,”themanreplied,andwithanoddsmile.“Igetpaid,too.ButIneedmore.”

More to buy his porno, he meant, because Bodie’s mother had remarked how expensive it was,

considering the amount he bought. It turned Bodie’s stomach. She wanted to order him out of the
house, remind him that it had been in her family for three generations, like the land. But she was
unsureofherground.Hergrandfathercouldn’tbeupset,notnow,whenhewasfacingtheordealof
hislife.Shebithertongue,tryingnottosnap.

“I’lltakecareofit,”shetoldherstepfather.“Butthebank’sclosedbynow.Itwillhavetowaituntil

tomorrow.”

“Oh,youcanwritemeacheck,”hesaid.

Shedrewinalongbreath.“Idon’thaveenoughinmycheckingaccount.I’llhavetodrawitoutof

mysavingsaccount.Idon’tevenwritechecks.Iuseadebitcardforgroceriesandgas.”Heroldtruck
neededtires,butthey’dhavetowait.Shecouldn’taffordtoletGranddaddylosehishome.Not now,
ofalltimes.

Shewouldhavetoldherstepfatherwhathishealthwaslike,butsheknewitwouldn’tdoanygood.

WillJoneshadbeenwatchingoldmoviesontelevisionathomewhenhermotherdied,withBodieat
herbedside,inthehospital.Bodieandhergrandfatherhadmadeallthearrangements.Herstepfather

saidhecouldn’tbebotheredwiththat,althoughhewasquicktocalltheinsurancecompanyandempty
her mother ’s savings account. He’d also been quick to produce a will with her mother ’s signature,
leaving everything her mother had to him. That had been strange, because Bodie’s mother had
promisedeverythingtoher.Perhapsshe’dhadachangeofheartonherdeathbed.Peopledid. Bodie
hadn’tfeltbitteratherformakingherhusbandthebeneficiaryofherproperty;afterall,he’dpaidher
medicalbills.

“I’ll come by in the morning, first thing,” her stepfather said irritably. “You’d better have the

money.”

“Bankdoesn’topenuntilnineo’clock,”shepointedoutwithcoldeyes.“Ifyoucomebeforethen,

youcanwait.”

He stood up and moved toward her, his dark eyes flashing angrily. He was overweight, unkempt,

withbrownhairthatlookedasifhenevercleanedit.Shemovedbackastep.Hisscentwasoffensive.

“Don’tlikeme,huh?”hemuttered.“Somefineladyyouare,right?Well,pridecanbecured.You

waitandsee.Igotarealgoodcureforthat.”

He glanced at the old man, who looked flushed and unhealthy. “I never should have let you stay

here.Icouldgettwicetherentfromsomeonebetteroff.”

“Sureyoucould,”Bodiedrawledcoldly.“Ijustknowthereareadozenrichpeoplewhocouldn’t

waittomoveintoahousewithatinroofthatleaksandaporchyoucanfallrightthrough!”

Heraisedhishand.Sheraisedherjaw,daringhim.

“Bodie!”hergrandfathercalledshortly.“Don’t.”

She was trembling with anger. She wanted him to hit her. “Do it,” she dared, hissing the words

throughherteeth.“I’llhavethesheriffatyourplacefiveminuteslaterwithanarrestwarrant!”

Heputhishanddownandlookedsuddenlyafraid.Heknewshe’ddoit.Heknewitwouldbetheend

ofhislifeifshedid.

Heliftedhisface.“No,”hesaidinsolently.“Hell,no.I’mnotgivingyouachancetomakemelook

badinmytown.Besides,Iwouldn’tsoilmyhand.”

“Goodthing,”shereturnedicily,“becauseI’dhurtyou.I’dhurtyoubad.”

“We’llseeaboutthat,oneday,”hetoldher.Helookedaroundtheroom.“Maybeyou’dbetterstart

looking for another place to live. Government housing, maybe, if you can find something cheap
enough!”

Bodie’s small hands were clenched at her sides. Now he was trying to make her hit him. It was a

goodstrategy:turnherownthreatsbackonher.Butshewastoosavvyforthat.Sheevensmiled,tolet
himknowthatshe’dseenthroughhisprovocation.

Heglaredather.“IcanthrowyououtanytimeIlike.”

“Youcan,”Bodieagreed,“whenyoucanprovenon-paymentofrent. I’ll require a receipt when I

give you the money. And if you want to throw us out for any other reason, you’d better have due
causeandawarrant.Andthesheriff,”sheaddedwithacoolsmile,“becausehe’llberequired.”

Heletoutafuriouscurse,turnedandslammedoutofthehouse.

Granddaddy was looking very pale. Bodie ran to him and eased him down into his chair. “Easy,

now,I’msorry,Ishouldn’thavesaidanything…!”

Shestopped,becausehewaslaughing.“Damn,girl,ifyouaren’tjustlikemymotherusedtobe,”he

said.“WhenIwasaboy,shetookalengthofropetoamanwhotriedtotakeoneofourcows,saidit
hadstrayedontohislandanditbelongedtohim.Shelaidintohimwithitandbeathimtohis knees,
andtheninvitedhimintoherhousetousethephonesohecouldcallthelawandhaveherarrested.”
Hiseyestwinkled.“Hispridewasbustedsobadthathenevercamebackontotheplace.Wasn’tgoing
toadmittoanyonethatawomanbeathimup.”

“Mygoodness!”

“You’renamedforher.ShewascalledEmilyBolinda,andhernicknamewasBodie,too.”

“I’dforgottenthat,”sheconfessed,smiling.“Youokay?”

Henodded.“Justabitbreathless.Listen,he’sgoingtogetusoutofhereonewayoranother.You

knowthat.Itisn’tthemoney.It’srevenge.Hehatesme.Itriedmybesttokeepherfrommarryinghim.
Itoldherwe’dfindawaytogetenoughtosupportyouandher,butshewouldn’tlisten.Shewanted
things for you. She knew there was no money for cancer treatments, and no insurance, and she did
what she thought was best for both of us.” He shook his head. “It was wrong thinking. We’d have
managedsomehow.”

Shesatdownoppositehim.“It’snotright,thatpeoplecan’tgettreatmentbecausethey’repoor.Not

right,whensomepeoplehavetenhousesandtwentycarsandridearoundinchauffeuredlimousines
andothersarelivingincardboardboxes.Taxesshouldbefair,”shemuttered.

“Not arguing with that,” he assured her. He sighed. “Well, when do we have to go see that

specialist?”

“I’mjustgoingtocallthedoctor ’sreceptionistandfindout,”shepromised,andgotupandwentto

thephone.

Shewasveryworried.Notonlyabouthergrandfatherbutaboutthethreatsherstepfatherhadmade.

Hewasgoingtobleedthemdry.Ifhecouldn’tfindawaytodoitwiththerent,he’dfindanotherway
to humiliate Bodie. He’d always hated her, because she saw through his act to the filthy man
underneath. He’d had plans for her mother ’s possessions, especially two pieces of jewelry that had
been in the family for four generations and were worth a good bit of money. One, a ring, had
emeralds and diamonds; there was a matching necklace. Bodie had them locked away. She’d never

have sold them, not for worlds. They were her legacy. Her mother had given them to her months
beforeherdeath.Butherstepfatherknewaboutthemandwantedthem.Hewasfuriousthathecouldn’t
findalegalwaytoobtainthem.He’dtriedtoarguewiththelawyerthatallherpropertybelongedto
him,asherhusband,butthelawyerpointedhimtoahandwrittennote,witnesses,thathermotherhad
givenBodie—probablyanticipatingthatWillmighttrytoreclaimthem.ThenoteentitledBodietothe
jewelry.Nowayaroundthat,thelawyerassuredWill.Nolegalway.

Soitwaswar.Notonlydidhewantthejewelry,buthisyoungermalefriendwantedBodie.She’d

laughedwhenhe’daskedheroutonadate.Sheknewwhathewaslikebecausehermotherhadtold
her.Helikedtodateprostitutesandfilmthem.She’dsaidthatWillJoneshadactuallymentionedthatit
would be fun to film him with Bodie, and her mother had had a screaming, furious argument with
himoverthecomment.Overherdeadbody,she’draged,andforonce,Joneshadbackeddown.Butit
hadchilledBodietothebone,knowingthathe’deventhoughtupsuchasleazyintention.

Shehatedthemanwithapassion.Once,she’dthoughtofgoingtotheKirkbrothersandaskingfor

help.Buttheywerejuststartingtogetoutofthehole.She’dheardthatthey’dcomeintoawindfall
fromthesaleofseveraloftheirprizepurebredbullsandthattheirbusinesswasgrowingbyleapsand
bounds. That had increased when Mallory had married one of the heirs to the enormous Brannt
fortune.MorieBranntwasthedaughterofKingBrannt,whowasoneoftherichestranchersinTexas.
He’d provided Mallory with two seed bulls rumored to be worth millions. In fact, they were kept
under lock and key with a twenty-four-hour guard around them. No way was Mallory risking his
prizebulls.

***

APPOINTMENT

WITH

the specialist had been set up for the following Monday. It was quick work,

thereceptionistsaid,becausethespecialistwasusuallybookedmonthsinadvance.ButRafeMays’s
heartproblemwassoworryingtothedoctorthatthespecialisthadpromisedtoworkhimin.

Meanwhile,shewenttothebankanddrewouttherentmoney.Hersmallsavingswerewreckedin

theprocess.She’dhavetotrytogetapart-timejobhereuntilschoolstartedagain.Thentherewould
bemoremedicinestobuy,groceries....

Shefeltlikecrying,butshecouldn’tlethergrandfatherseehowdespondentshewas.Therewasno

money.Theylivedfromchecktocheck,withnoluxuries,notevenahotdogandfriesonoccasion
fromafast-foodjoint.Bodiecookedplainfare,thecheapestfoodshecouldprepare,andplannedone
dishtolastatleasttwodays.

Itwasafrugal,painfulexistence.Shefrequentlyfeltguiltyatgoingtocollegeatall.Butwhenshe

graduated,shecouldatleastgetajobthatpaidaprofessionalwage,sothesacrificesnowwouldbe
worth it. Master ’s work might have to wait a bit, though. In June, after graduation, if she got her
bachelor ’sdegreeinanthropology,shewasgoingtogetafull-timejobandseeifshecouldcatchup
thebillsabitbeforeshewentbacktoschool.Shemighthavetodothework/studything,andwork
one year and study the next. Plenty of people did that. She could do it, too, if it meant leaving
Granddaddybetteroffandlessworried.Sheknewthattheirfinancialsituationwasasfrighteningto
himasitwastoher.

He’dsuggestedaskingtheKirks,butreluctantly.Shedidn’tmentionthatTankhadofferedtohelp

and she’d turned him down. She couldn’t even ask Tank right now; he was on an extended trip to
Europeonranchbusiness.MalloryandMoriehadgonesomewhereoutofthecountry,aswell.

“You’refriendswithCane,sortof,”heremindedher.“Wouldn’thurttojustaskhim.”

She shifted uncomfortably. “He’s really sensitive about people asking him for money, especially

lately.”Shedidn’taddthatCanehadalmostbeenavictimofawomanwhowantedit,whenshe’dtried
topickhimupinthebar.

“Iguessheis.Withhisdisability,likelyhethinksthat’sallwomenseeinhimnow,”heconceded.

NotforworldswouldBodiehavementionedthatnowomaninherrightmindwouldturndowna

manthatattractive,disabilityornot.Canewassosexythatmemoriesoftheirbriefencounterstillleft
hertossingandturningatnight.Herwholebodyglowedwhenshethoughtofhimtouchingher.

Sheclearedherthroat.Noreasontogodownthatroad,especiallywhenCanedidn’tevenremember

whathadhappened.Thatwasamercy,foralotofreasons.

“We’llgetby,”Bodiepromisedhergrandfather.

Hiseyesnarrowed.“Don’tyoueventhinkofgivingupcollege,”heinstructedfirmly.“Workedtoo

hard,toolong,tohaveonepersoninmyfamilywithadegree.Ididn’tevenfinishhighschool.Hadto
go to work when my mother got sick. It’s a trap. You think you can go back and finish your
schooling,butonceyoumakemoney,allsortsofthingscomeupthatneedsit,”headdedsolemnly.
“Youleavenow,youwon’tgoback.Andthatwouldbeapity,Bodie.Arealpity.”

Shesmiled,wentandhuggedhimtight.“Okay.”

Hechuckledandhuggedherback.

“Youandmeagainsttheworld,”shesaidwhenshedrewaway,herpalebrowneyesweresmilingas

wellasherlips.

“That’showitgoes,Ireckon.”Hesighed.“Don’twanttogoseeanyspecialist,”hesaidheavily.“I

don’tlikepeopleIdon’tknow.Supposehewantstothrowmeinahospitalandcutonme?”

“Wewon’tlethim,”shelied.

Heseemedtocalmdownthen,asifhethoughtshecouldseethefuture.

“Onedayatatime,Granddaddy,”shesaidgently.“Stepbystep.”

Hehesitated.Thenhenodded.

***

SPECIALIST

WAS

MAN

only a few years younger than Bodie’s grandfather. To the old man’s

surprise,hewasledintoanexaminationroomwherehewashookeduptosomesortofmachinethat
looked right at his heart through his chest. They called it an echocardiogram, a sonogram of the
heart.

“DamndestthingIeversaw,”hetoldBodiewhiletheywaitedforthecardiologisttoreadtheresults.

“Theyletmelookatthescreen.Icouldseeinsidemybody!”

“Newtechnologyreallyisamazing,”sheagreed.Shewassittingnervouslyontheedgeofherchair.

She’dhadalongtalkwiththereceptionistwhilehergrandfatherwashavinghistest,aboutmonthly
payments. The bill was going to be staggering. It was a testament to Bodie’s salesmanship that the
paymentplanhadbeenagreedon.Therewasnoquestionoffurthereducationafterthisnextsemester.
Then,too,shehadtomakesurethathergradesheldup,sothatshe’dpassallhersubjectsandbeable
tograduate.Somanyworries.Shewonderedhowintheworldshewasgoingtomanageanyofit.

“Don’tchewonthemnailslikethat,”hergrandfatherinstructed.“You’llhavethemgnawedoffinto

thequick.”

“Oh.”Shedrewherfingeroutofhermouth.“Sorry.I’mjustnervousabit.”

“Yeah.Me,too.”

Shegotupandfoundamagazinetoread,somethingabouthuntingandfishingthatshethenpassed

totheoldman,whoseemedtofinditmuchmoreinterestingthanshehad.

Whiletheywaited,shelookedaroundthewaitingroomatotherpeople.Someofthemhadthesame

worried,drawnexpressionsthatsheandhergrandfatherwerewearing.Itgaveherasortofcomfort,
toknowthattheyweren’ttheonlypeopleherewithanxieties.

Timedraggedon.Shestoppedwatchingtheclock.Thereweresomanypeopleinthewaitingroom.

Then,suddenly,timespedupandpeoplestartedgoingbackintotheexaminationrooms.Andfinally,
thenursecalledhergrandfather ’sname.

Bodiewentwithhim,preparedtofightherwayinifshehadto.Butthenurseonlysmiledandput

thembothinthedoctor ’soffice,infrontofhisdeskandpaddedchair.

Dr. McGillicuddy came in, preoccupied, reading a tablet PC on the way. He glanced at the two

worriedpeoplefacinghim.

“We’renotgoingtorecommendoperatingonyou,”hetoldtheoldmanatonce,andthismessage

wasreceivedwithgreatsighsofreliefandtearsfromBodie.

“Notthatitisn’tafairlybadsituation,”hesaidashesatdownandputthetabletaside.Heclaspedhis

fingersinfrontofhim.“Itisheartfailure,”hesaid.

“Oh,no!”Bodieburstout,horrified.

He held up a hand. “Not what you’re thinking. Not at all. It can be treated with medication and

lifestylechanges.Itdoesn’tmeanhe’sacandidateforafuneralhome.”

Bodieshivered.She’dbeensoafraid!

Hergrandfathersmiledather.“She’smyrightarm,”hetoldthedoctor.“Ordersmearound,takes

careofme.Feedsmegood,too.”

“Nofriedfoods,”thedoctorsaid.“Everythinglowfat.Goeasyonbeefandfattymeats,especially

saltymeatswithpreservatives.Lotsofvegetablesandfish.”

Theoldmanmadeaface.“Ihatefish.”

“You can learn to like it. I did,” the specialist said, glowering. “Anyway, my nurse will get the

relevantinformationfromyouonthewayout.You’llhavethreeheartmedicinestotake.Iwantyou
backhereintwomonths,soonerifyouhaveanyunusualsymptoms.We’llseehowthedrugswork,
first. If they arrest the progress of the disease, we’ll be in good shape. If they don’t, we can make
decisionsthenabouthowtoproceed.”

Thatsoundedominous,butBodiedidn’treact.Shejustsmiled.“Soundsgood.”

“Yes,itdoes,”hergrandfathersaidheavily.“Ihatethethoughtofhospitalsandbeingcuton.I’mnot

muchkeeneronsomeofthosetestsmyregulardoctormentioned.”

“Iknow,Ispoketohimearlier,”theothermanrepliedquietly.“Hesaidyou’dfighttoothandnailto

preventmedoingaheartcatheterization.”

“No,Iwouldn’tfight,I’djustgohomeandtakethephoneoffthehook.”Theoldermanchuckled.

“SoIheard.Youknow,it’sthebestwaytofindoutexactlywhat’s going on. If you have clogged

arteriesoranyotherproblems…”

“Yourtechniciansaidmyarterieslookedfineonthatthingabobmachine,”hereturned.

“They do,” the specialist conceded. “I won’t insist on a catheterization right now. But we did a

baselinemeasurementofyourheartinanX-rayandwe’lltakeothersaswegoalong,tocompare.If
yourbloodpressureshootsupunexpectedly,ifyourheartenlarges,thatwillmeantheroadaheadis
dangerousandwehavetotakeprecautions.”

Theoldmanshifted.“Flyinghorse.”

Thespecialistblinked.“Sir?”

“OldstoryIheard,”hesaid.“Thekingwasgoingtoexecutethisguy,andhesaidwait,ifyouletme

liveforanotheryear,I’llteachyourhorsetofly.Thekingwasdubious,buthesaid,well,okay,what
haveIgottolose?Guywalksout,andhisfriendsays,areyoucrazy,youcan’tteachahorseto fly!
Thecondemnedmanlaughed.Hesaid,inayear,thehorsecoulddie,Icoulddie,thekingcoulddie…
orImightactuallyteachthehorsetofly.Moralofstory,timecanbringhope.”

“I’llrememberthat,”thespecialistsaidwithasmile.“Nicestory.”

“ItwasinaseriesIwatchedontelevision,aboutthatKingHenryVIIIofEngland,alongtimeago.

Neverforgotit.”

“I can see why.” The specialist stood up and extended his hand. “You go home and take your

medicineandcallmeifyouhaveanyproblems.Betteryet,callmynurses,”hesaidwithachuckle.
“TheyknowmorethanIdo!”

Bodieandhergrandfatherlaughed.

***

“W

ELL

THAT

WAS

RELIEF

,”hetoldBodieonthewayhome.“Iwasscaredstiffhewasgoingtowant

tooperateonme.”

“Me,too,”Bodieconfessed.“It’ssucharelief!”

***

WAS

UNTIL

they got to the drugstore and presented the prescriptions. She asked her

grandfathertogoandgetacanofpeachestotakehomeforsupper.Whilehewasdiverted,sheasked
theclerkhowmuchthemedicinewouldbe.

Shealmostpassedoutatthefigure.“Youhavegottobekidding,”sheexclaimedinahorrifiedtone.

“Sorry,not,”theyoungmanrepliedsympathetically.“Look,”hesaidsoftly,“wecanfillthegeneric

versionofallthreeofthem.Itwillstillbealot,butnotquiteasmuch.”

Hegaveheranewfigurethatwasthewholerentamountforthenextmonth.Shefeltsickallover.

Theclerkwinced.“It’shard,Iknow,”hesaid.“Ihaveanelderly mother who has a bad heart. We

havetobuyhermedicine.Ifitwasn’tformyjob,andmywife’s,she’dhavetogowithout.Hersocial
securitywon’tpay for more than a fraction of them, even though she gets them filled at a discount
pharmacyandforasmallamountofmoney.”

“People shouldn’t have to choose between heat and food and medicine and gas,” Bodie said in a

hauntedtone.

“Tellmeaboutit,”theclerkagreedwholeheartedly.

She drew in a breath. She was thinking about those two expensive pieces of jewelry at home and

howfarthemoneyforthemwouldgotowardpayingtherentandmedicinebills.Shecouldn’tlether
grandfatherdieforlackofmoney.Shewouldn’t.

Sheliftedherchin.“Goaheadandfillthem,”shesaidquietly.“IhavesomeheirloomjewelryIcan

sell.Itwillmorethanpayforthem.”

“I hate that for you,” he said. “I had to sell my grandmother ’s engagement ring to pay for a car

repair.”Hiseyesweresad.“Itwouldhavegonetomydaughteroneday.”

“Intheend,they’rejustthings,though.”Sheglancedathergrandfatherdowntheaisleandsmiled

gently.“Peoplearemuchmoreimportant.”

“Ican’targuewiththat.We’llhavethemforyouinaboutahalfhour,ifthat’sokay.”

“Thatwillbefine,”sheassuredhim.

***

DROVE

HER

GRANDFATHER

home. Then she dug the necklace and ring out from under her bed,

where they’d lived in a photograph box since she moved in. She looked at them lovingly, touched
them, then closed the box. Sentiment was far too expensive at the moment. She’d rather have her
grandfatherthanprettythingsfromadifferentdayandage,evenifitwasgoingtowrenchherheart
to sell them. Her mother had loved them, shown them to her from her childhood…explained the
legendsthatsurroundedthem.Bodiehadgrownuplovingthem,aswell,asaconnectiontoalong-
agoplacesomewhereinSpain.

Butitwasunlikelythatshe’dhavechildren.Shedidn’treallywanttogetmarried,notforyears,and

shewasn’tsureabouthavingachildeventhen.Orsoshetoldherself.Itmadeiteasiertotakethebox
intotown,toapawnshop,andtalktotheclerk.

***

“M

ISS

ARE

YOU

SURE

youwanttodothis?”heasked.“Theseareheirlooms…”

“Ihaveto,”shesaidgently.“Mygrandfatherisveryill.Wecan’taffordhismedicine.”

Themangrimaced.“Damnedshame,”hesaid.

Bodiestaredatthejewels,vaguelyawareofsomeonecomingintothestorebehindher.“Yes,”she

said.“Iknow.”Shewasfightingtears.

“Well,IpromiseyouIwon’tsellthemtoanybody,”hetoldher.“I’lllockthemuptightuntilyou

canaffordtogetthemback.Howaboutthat?”

“Youwould…dothat?”sheasked,surprised.“Butitmightbemonths…”

“SoI’llwaitmonths.”Hesmiled.

Shehadtofighttospeak,pastthelumpinherthroat.Itwassokind!“Thankyou,”shemanagedto

say.

“You’rewelcome.Holdontothat,”headded,slidingaticketacrosstoher.“You’llneedit.”

Shesmiled.“Thankyouverymuch.”

Hecountedoutanumberofbills,morethanshe’dexpectedtogetforthejewelry.“Youbecareful

withthat,”headded.

Shestuffeditintoherpocketbook.“Iwill.”

“Seeyouinafewmonths,”hesaid,andsmiledagain.

“Okay.That’sadeal.”

Sheturned,almostcollidingwithacowboy.Shedidn’tlookuptoseewhoitwas.Plentyofranches

inthearea.Shedidn’tknowwhoworkedformostofthem.

Thecowboywatchedhergooutoftheshopandfrowned.“Wasn’tthatBodie?”heaskedtheclerk,

whowashisbrother-in-law.

“Surewas.Hergranddad’sinbadshape.Shecouldn’taffordhismedicinesoshepawnedherfamily

treasures.”Heshowedthemtotheotherman.“Hellofashame.”

“Yes.Itis.”

Thecowboyopenedhiscellphoneandmadeacall.

CHAPTERFOUR

ODIE

BOUGHT

HER

grandfather ’smedicinewithpartofthemoneyshe’dgottenfromthejewelry.The

restshehidunderherbedforanemergency.Shewouldhavetofindapart-timejobwhileshewasout
ofschool,anythingtohelpbringinafewmoredollars.

Butshescouredthewantadsandcouldn’tfindanybodywhowashiring,eventemporarily,forthe

holidays.ShecouldgetajobupatJacksonHole,maybe,inoneoftheshops,butthesuddensnows
had closed everything down and at least one road into the area had been shut down. So driving up
thereeventoapplywasoutofthequestionnow.Notthatherjunkyoldpickuptruckwouldevenmake
itthatfar,shemuseddarkly,orthatshecouldaffordthegastogobackandforth.

Shecheckedatthetwolocalrestaurantsandthefast-foodjointstoseeiftheyneededanyone,even

towashdishes,butnobodywashiring.

Shewentbackhomedejected,havingwastedtwelvedollarsworthof gas that she could ill afford

just to look for work. She did put in applications in a couple of places, but the managers weren’t
encouraging.

Indesperationshelookedforranchwork.NotontheKirkplace,thatwouldbetoohumiliatingeven

to ask, but on two other area ranches. One rancher did have work, driving heavy machinery. But
Bodiehadnotraininganditwasn’taskillshewaseagertolearn.Soshewentbackhomeindefeat.

Hergrandfatherseemedtoreactwelltothemedicineafterthefirstfewdays.Heperkedupandhad

moreenergy,andhewaslessbreathless.Bodiesmiledandpretendedthateverythingwasallright,but
shewasveryworried.Sheworkedpart-timeataconveniencestoreinBillingsnearthecollege she
attended,butthatwasalongcommute.Shecouldn’tevenaffordthegas. She didn’t know how they
were going to afford the medicine next month, or pay the increased rent that Will Jones was
demanding,orevenhaveenoughforChristmaspresents.Shewentintoherroom,closedthedoorand
cried. She’d never felt so despondent, and she didn’t dare let her grandfather see how worried she
reallywas.Itwasliketheendoftheworld.

But she dried her eyes and went into the kitchen to cook, resolved that God was in control of

everything,anyway,andwouldprovidesomehow.Itwasfaiththatkepthergoingthroughtheworstof
times.Often,itseemedthatfaithwasallshehadtoholdonto.

Shewentoutintothebackyardandcutdownasmallsprucetree,foundanantiquatedoldtreestand

and put the tree in it. They had decorations that her mother had stored, some of which were three
generationsold.Decoratingthetreecheeredherupandthetreemadethelivingroomlookalivewith
color.

Atleast,itcheeredherupuntilWillJonescametothedooranddemandedmoneyforcuttingdown

oneofhistrees.

“Yourtrees?”Bodieexclaimed.“Mymotherplantedthosetreesbeforeshegotsick…!”

“It’smyhouse,mylandandmytrees,andyouowemefiftydollarsforthattree,”WillJonessaid

haughtily.“That’swhattheychargeinthosetreelots.”

Bodie felt the blood drain out of her face. She hadn’t even thought about cutting the tree. They’d

doneitforyears.Infact,hermotherhadplantedthemforjustthispurpose.

“You can add it in with the rent,” the man said coldly, and he smiled. “How are you managing,

anyway?Youdon’thaveajob.Iguessallthateducationmakesyoutoogoodtogetarealjob,don’t
it?”

“I’veappliedforjobsallovertown,”Bodiesaidinaquiettone.

“Iguessallthebossjobsaretaken,huh?”hetaunted.

“You’llgetyourmoney,”Bodiesaidcoldly.

Jones looked around the room, trying to find something to complain about. “Needs dusting,” he

mutteredwhenhedrewafingeracrossthediningroomtable.

“Ihaven’tcleanedhousetoday.Iwaslookingforwork,”sheremindedhim.

“Notmanyjobsgoing,Iguess.Igotone.”Hegaveheraleeringstare.“Yougetdesperate,youjust

comeseeme.”

Shecouldguesswhatsortofjobitwas.“Icanmanage.”

“MyfriendLarryreallylikesyou,”hesaid.“Alot.He’dliketospendsometimewithyou,atmy

place.You’dbechaperoned,ifthat’swhatworriesyou.”Helaughedashesaidit,andBodiefeltsick
toherstomach.Shecouldimaginewhathewastalkingabout.He’dmentionedinthepasthowhe’d
lovetofilmherwithhisfriendLarry.

“Youcanpickawomanuponastreetcornerforthatsortofwork,”Bodiesaidcoldly.

Hegaveherahardlook.“You’resolily-white,aren’tyou?”hescoffed.“Upstandingyoungwoman,

neverputafootwrong,won’tplayaroundwithanymen.Yougay?”heasked.

“No,”shesaid.“ButIwouldn’tbeashamedtoadmitit,ifIwas.”

He made a sound in his throat. “Everybody knows about you college girls,” he said sarcastically.

“You’relikethem—youjustdon’twantanybodyaroundheretoknowit.”

“I’mnotlikethat,”shesaid.“I’mapersonoffaith.”

“St. Bolinda,” he muttered. “Well, you might get a shock one day. It wouldn’t hurt you to learn a

littlehumility.Lookingdownonotherpeople,makingoutlikeyou’resomuchbetterthantheyare,
withyoursterlingmorals.Youneedtakingdownapeg.”

“Andyou’rejusttheguytodoit,right?”sheaskedwithabiteinhervoice.

“MaybeIam,”heshotback.“You’reonlyallowedtostayhereifyoupayrentanddowhatIsay.”

He looked around the house. “Maybe the house needs fixing and you and your old family member
willhavetoleavewhileitgetsdone.Maybeitwilltakeayearorsotodoit,too.”Hewasthinking
aloud.Hesmiledwithcontempt.“Nobodywouldsayyou’dbeenevictedifIdidthat,andyouwouldn’t
havealegallegtostandon.”

“Anybodycouldseethatthehouseisn’tinthatbadashape!”sheshotbackangrily.

“Middle of the night, something could happen to the roof,” he said, pursing his lips thoughtfully.

“Couldn’tproveathing,either.”

Shefeltherbloodruncold.Shecouldn’taffordtherenthere,howwouldsheafforditsomeplace

else? The cost of moving alone was out of her reach right now. She had just a few dollars, barely
enoughforgroceriesandgas.Shefelttheterrorallthewaytothepitofherstomach.

Andheknewit.Hesmiledevenmorewidely.“Scaresyou,don’tit?”hemused.“Good.Youthink

about that. You don’t keep me happy, why you could have to move tomorrow. It could be an
emergency.”

“I’dtell,”shesaid.

“Tellwhat?”

“Whatyoujustsaidtome,”sheretorted.

“Yeah?Proveit.”Andhelaughed.

Shejuststoodthere,horrified.

“Yep.Maybeyou’llneedthoserepairsrealsoon.AndIwanttobepaidforthattreeby,let’ssay,the

weekend.” His face went hard. “Otherwise, you’ll come over to my house on Saturday and spend a
littletimewithLarry.Notabigthingtoask,isit?Justspendafewhourswithmyfriendandme.”

“I’lldiefirst,”shesaidhuskily.

Hiseyebrowsarched.“Yeah?Can’taffordyourgrandfather ’smedicinenow,howwillyouaffordit

next month? How about the rent next month?” He pursed his lips again. The way he looked at her
chilledherblood.“Icouldmakeallthoseproblemsgoaway.Evenputyourgrandfather ’smedicine
onmycreditcard.You’dbegratefulforthat,now,wouldn’tyou?”

Shecouldn’tevenspeakshewassoangry.

“Youjustthinkaboutit,”headdedwithashortlaugh.“You’llcomearoundtomywayofthinking.”

She’d starve first, she’d die first, she was still thinking of things she’d do first when he left. Her

grandfather, out watering his roses, hadn’t heard a word of it. He came back in a minute later,
frowning.

“WasthatWill?”heaskedangrily.“Whatdidhewant?Wepaidhisrent.”

“Icutdownatree.”

“Oh,myGod,he’snotgoingtochargeusforthetreemyowndaughterplantedonherownland?”

She forced a smile. “Of course not. Everything’s fine. How about a piece of cake and some

decaffeinatedcoffee?”sheaskedinnocently.

ShedebatedgoingtotheKirks.Anything,evenhumblingherpride,wasbetterthanherstepfather ’s

solution.She’dpawnedhermother ’sjewelry.Therewasn’tanythingelseofvaluethatshecouldeven
pawn.Nojob,nomoney,nohopeandGranddaddywithaconditionthatcouldkillhimquickly.

Inthemiddleofherdespondency,heroldtruckdevelopedanoisethatsoundedverymuchlikethe

brakeswouldneedrelining.Shehadnomoneyforrepairs.Ifonlyshehadsomerealskill,someway
ofmakingextracash!Butdiggingupoldthingswasn’treallygoingtohelpatthemoment.

Shesighedandrubbedtherockinherpocket.Itwassomethingherlatemotherhadgivenher.Her

grandmother,whohadarockcollectionthatwassizable,hadpickeditupneartheplaceshelivedasa
girl. The rock had been in the family for three generations now. Bodie called it a “worry stone,”
becausesheusedittosootheherselfwhenshewasupset.Sheloveditssmoothcontours.Itwasheavy
foritssize.Shewonderedwhyitwassoheavy.Maybeithadsomesortoforemixedinwithit.She
didn’t study geology. She wished she had. Many of her grandmother ’s rocks were perched on
windowsillsinsidethehouse.Bodiedidn’tevenknowwhatsortofrockstheywere.Shedidn’tcare.
Theyweretreasurestoher.

“You’rebroodingagain,girl,”hergrandfatherobservedwhenshejoinedhiminthelivingroom,

herhandbusyinherjeanspocket.“Gotthatrock going.” He chuckled. “Your grandmother used to
carryitaroundinherownpocketandrubitwhenshehadsomethingonhermind.Guessitrunsinthe
family.”

“Iguessso.”Bodielaughed.Shepulleditoutandturneditover.Therockwasoddlyheavy,shaped

sortoflikeawedge.Ithadadarkgraycoloranditwasshinyontheoutside.Inside,whereapiecewas
brokenoff,sheglimpsedadifferentcomposition.“Iwonderwhatsortofrockitis.”

“It’sjustarock,sugar,”hesaid,sighing.“Yourgrandmotherlikedunusuallookingones,butnone

ofthemhaddiamondsinside.Pity.”

Shelaughedandrepocketedthestone.“Yes.Itreallyis.”

Heshovedhishandsintothepocketsofhisfadedandstainedbluejeans.Hishairwaswhite.Hewas

tallandthin,andhelookedpale.

“Youokay?”sheasked,worried.

Heshrugged.“Justalittleindigestion.MustbethatMexicanstuffwehadlastnight.”Herubbedhis

stomach.“Iloveit,butthosespicesareprettyhot.”

Shegrimaced.“Sorry.Ididn’trealizeI’dputsomuchchilipowderinit.”

“Notyourfault.Youlikethingshot.Iusedto,butmyoldtastebudsdon’tworksogoodanymore.”

Shesmiled.“Justthesame,I’lltoneitdownanotchnexttime.”

Hegrinned.“Thanks.”

Shepickeduphercoat.“I’mgoingoutforabit.”

“Thattrucksquealslikeapig,”hecommented.“Thebrakesmaybegoing.Youbecareful.Needto

havethosebrakesrelined,anyway.”

Notforworldswouldshehavetoldhimthatshedidn’thavethepriceofafulltankofgas,much

less anything for repairs. His retirement check that the Kirks provided wasn’t due until after
Christmas, and they still had to get through utility bills. Her grandfather ’s social security wouldn’t
startuntilJanuary.Thatwouldbetoolittletoolate,especiallywiththetruckapparentlydying.

Shegroanedwhenthebrakessquealedatastopsign,becausetherewasadeputysheriffinhiscar

behindher.Buthedidn’tstopher.Sheletoutabreathofreliefasshedrove,cautiously,towardthe
Kirkranch.Sheknewthiswasgoingtobeamistake,butshewasoutofoptions.

Whenshepulledupatthefrontporch,shedidn’tseeanyvehiclesaround.Thatwasanominousstart

to what seemed like the worst sort of idea, anyway. She hadn’t seen Cane since that night she’d
broughthimhomefromthebar,orspokentohimsincehisunexpectedphonecall.Actually,shewas
nervous about seeing him again, and her heart was pounding like mad when she rang the doorbell.
Shealmostwishednobodywashome.

Butthatwascowardice.Shehadtofindsomewaytosolveherfinancialproblemsbeforeshewas

forcedtodowhatWillwanted.Robbingabankwouldbeeasierforher,butshecouldn’tmanagea
solutionthatwouldspareherprideinanywayatall.JustaskingCaneKirkforaloanwasgoingtobe
traumatic enough. She had no collateral, so going to a bank was useless. She had to consider her
grandfather.Hewasthemostimportantthinginherwholeworld.She’ddoanythingtokeephimsafe;
even, as a last resort, going out with her stepfather ’s friend. Even then, she promised herself, if
anything off-color was even mentioned, she’d leave and find some other way to pay for her
grandfather ’smedsifshehadtobegajobdiggingditches.

She waited, breath hushed, but no sound came from inside the house. She started to push the

doorbell again, grimaced as she thought how painful it would be to even ask Cane for help, and
turnedonherheel.Shemightaswellgohomeandfindaprettydressandgetreadytogoonadate
withLarry.Shemadeanawfulface.Themanwashorrible.Justhorrible.Nosanewoman…

“Hi,there.”

ShejumpedatthesoundofCane’sdeepvoicebehindher.

She turned around, flushed. “Oh. Hi. You startled me.” She put a hand to her chest, flushed and

laughednervously.“Ithoughtnobodywashome.”

“I was out back looking at Darby’s new whittling knife. His sister sent it. An early Christmas

present,hesaid.”Hecockedhisheadandstudiedher.“Youneedsomething?”

Wasitthatobvious,shewonderedsilently.Shebitherlip.“Iwasjustwondering…”

“Hey,there,”Darbyinterrupted,comingupontheporchfrombehindCane.“Iheardthatgod-awful

racket your truck was making. Your brakes are going, girl. Need to get that seen about before you
haveawreck.”

“Chancewouldbeafinething,”shesaidheavily.“IjustpaidforGranddaddy’snewheartpills.Not

muchleftoverforbrakes,I’mafraid.”

“PullitintotheshedandhaveBillyrelinethosebrakes,willyou?”CanetoldDarbyatonce.“Check

therestofitwhileyou’reatit.”

“Surething,”Darbysaid,holdinghishandoutforthekeys.

“Oh,no,really…!”shetriedtoargue.

“Givehimthekeys,”Canedirected.Heraisedhiseyebrowsandgrinned.“Unlessyouwantmeto

fishthemout.”

ShescrambledthemoutofherpocketanddashedthemintoDarby’shand.Bothmenchuckled.

“Iseemtorecallmakingyougofishformykeys,thelasttimeyoucamehere,”Caneremarked.

“Atleastyou’restayingoutofbars,lately,Igather?”sheshotback,herpalebrowneyestwinkling.

He chuckled again. “Somewhat. I’ve got to ride fence. You can come with me. It’ll pass the time

while they get your truck squared away.” He gave it a contemptuous look. “Paint’s the only thing
holdingthedoorson,”hesaidscathingly.

“It’saverynicetruck,”sheargued.“Itjusthassomelittleflaws.”

“Yeah,likeanenginethatonlyhitsontwocylindersandacarburetorthatbackfireseverytimeyou

startit.”

“Theradioworksfine!”sheretortedafteraminute,havingsearchedhardforonevirtueshecould

ascribetoherride.

Helaughed.“Okay.Pointtoyou.”

Theywalkedintothebarn.“Hey,Roy,saddlePirateforher,willyou?”heasked.

“Surething,boss.”

The mare that Cane usually rode was already saddled and hitched to a stall nearby. Pirate was an

olderhorse,neuteredandquiet.

“Youstilldon’tthinkIcanride,”shemuttered.

“Hell, you can ride Buzzsaw if you like,” he stated mildly. “I just don’t want to have to pay the

hospitalbillswhenhethrowsyouintoatree.”

Shemadeathinlinewithherlips.“IcouldridehimifIwantedto.”

“Right.”

“Somepeoplearen’tgoodonhorses.”

“Likeyou,collegekid,”hejoked.

“Iknowhowtodateprojectilepoints,”shemurmured.

“Me,too.Wecanhaveacompetitiononeday.”

Shesighed.Itwasapointlessargument,andshedidn’twanthimtogetoutofthegoodmoodhewas

in.Shehatedhavingtoaskforhelp.Buthecouldseetheshapehertruckwasin.He’dprobablyguess
she was in over her head with her grandfather. He might even offer help and save her pride. She
hopedhewould.

***

DIDN

’

MENTION

money. They rode lazily across the fields, where a light coat of snow had

fallenthatmorning.Itwasgoingtobegonebyafternoon,becausethetemperaturewasalreadyabove
freezing.Itjustlookedpretty,againsttheleaflesstreesandthedullbeigeofstubblewherewheathad
grownearlierintheyear.

“MaybeitwillsnowforChristmasthisyear,”shesaid.

“Notlikely,”hereplied.

“Itcouldhappen.”

Heshrugged.“Isuppose.”

She fingered the reins, feeling the rocking chair movement of the horse. He was old, but he was

gentleandtrustworthy.Shewasnevergoingtobeagoodrider.Shehadn’tthecorrectseat,forone
thing,andforanother,shewasmostlyafraidofhorses.Shewasn’tgoingtoadmitthattoacattleman,
however.

“Whyisyourgrandfathertakingheartpills?”heaskedoutoftheblue.

“He has heart failure, the doctor says,” she replied heavily. “I’ve been worried sick. They’ve got

himonthreeorfourmedicinestokeepitundercontrol,andtheysayit’snotgoingtobefatal.Scared
usbothtodeath.Hethoughtitwasjustindigestion.SodidI.”

Hereinedinhismountandstaredathercuriously.“Isn’theoldenoughforsocialsecurity?”

Shesighed.“ItstartsinJanuary.Atleastthatwillhelp.”

“Insurance?”

Sheshiftedrestlessly.Thiswasgettingpersonal,anditwashurtingherpridetotalkaboutit,more

thanshe’dthoughtitwould.“Yes,hedoeshavethat,”shelied.“Andithelpspayforhismedicine,too.
Sodoesthatcheckyouguyssendhimeverymonthforretirement.Youdon’tknowhowgratefulheis
forthat.”

Hisdarkeyesnarrowedonherface.Hedidn’tsayanything.Hemovedthehorseforwardagain.

Theyspottedafencepostthathadbeenknockedhalfdownbyafallentree.Canedismounted,lifted

thesmalltreeoffwithhisonegoodarmandtosseditaside.Herightedthefencepost,glaringatthe
wayitsat.

“Damn.IneedashovelandsomebodytoholdthewirewhileInailitback.”Heglancedather.

“Idon’tcarryashovelinmypocket.Sorry.”Shetwistedherlipsandhereyestwinkled.Itmadeher

feelproudthathedidn’tseemdisturbedbynotbeingabletodothejobalone.Hisdisabilityseemedto
affecthimlesswhenhewaswithher.

Hemadeafaceather.Hepulledouthiscellphone,calledDarbyandtoldhimthelocationofthe

postthatneededresetting.

“Bettergettoitthisafternoonortomorrow,”Canesaidoverthephone.“Justincaseanynervous

cattledecidetorunthisway.Highway’sprettycloseby.”

Helistened,chuckled.“Right.Seeyou.”Heclosedthephoneandrepocketedit.“Hesaiditwouldbe

badluckifaconvertibledrovebyandacowdecidedtohitcharide.”

Shelaughed.“Therewasthisstoryonthenews,aboutacowthatgotloosefromaslaughterhouse

and was spared. The guy who wrote the story called it a cow. It was a steer.” She shook her head.
“Peoplewhodon’tliveonthelandjustdon’tknowthedifference.”

“AsIrecall,Ihadtoeducateyouonthesubject.Youthoughtayearlingheiferwasacow.They’re

notcowsuntilthey’retwoyearsoldandthey’vebeenbred.”

Shegavehimaspeakinglook.

“We’renotallbornknowingranchvernacular,Iguess.”

“Really!”

“Let’s ride down this way. We’ve had a lot of trees go down this fall. Weather ’s gone crazy, it

seems.”

“Yes,Inoticed.”

“I’vegottogetDarbytofindusanicetreetocutdownforChristmas,todecorate.”Heglancedat

her.“You’vegotyoursupalready,Iimagine.”

She laughed. Her mania for the yearly Christmas tree was well-known locally. “Yes, I do.” She

didn’taddthatshe’dhadtopayherstepfatherforcuttingitdown.“IloveChristmas.It’smyfavorite
holiday.”

Hegotbackintothesaddle,laboriously.Shepretendednottonotice,tosavehispride.Itwasreally

hardforacowboytobemissingpartofan arm. Even with the prosthesis, mounting wouldn’t have
beenmucheasier.Itdidn’thavetheabilitytolift.

“Iwasthinking,”shebegan,tryingtofindawaytoapproachthesubject.

“Don’tdotoomuchofthat,”headviseddryly.“Itcanbedeadly.”

Hesoundedgrim.Shereinedintheoldhorseandstaredathim.“Whatmakesyousaythat?”

Herodeovertoasmallstreamthatranthroughtheproperty,dismountedandletthehorsedrink,

stillholdinggingerlytothereins.Shedidlikewise.

“You’velivedwiththatproblemforsometimenow,”shepointedout,indicatinghisarm.“You’re

copingverywell,itseemstome,exceptforanoccasionalboutofalcohol.”

“Looks are deceiving.” He sighed, looking out over the barren landscape. “That’s how I feel

inside,”hecommented,indicatingthebarelookofthepasture.“Dead.Useless.”

“Ifyouloseyourbrain,that’showyou’dfeel,sure,”shesaid,movingtofacehim.Hewassomuch

tallerthatherheadwasbarelyuptohisshoulder.“Butyou’restillabletodoalotofstuff.Youcan
show cattle, you can market them, you can talk to potential buyers, all those things. That’s a real
skill.”Shemoveduncomfortably.“I’mnotgoodwithpeople.I’mshyandit’sreallyhardformeto
talktopeopleIdon’tknow.”

“Youtalktome.”

“Sure.Iknowyou.Well,asmuchasyoucanknowapersonyouseefromadistance,”shequalified.

“Youdon’tmakemefeelawkward.”

“Idon’t?”Hemovedastepcloser,sothatshecouldfeeltheheatandpowerofhisbody.Herbreath

caught,andhelaughedsoftly,deeply.“Areyousureaboutthat,Bodie?”

He smelled of spice. She loved the cologne he used. He was always immaculately clean, even his

fingernails.Ashemovedcloser,bothhersmallhandspushedintothesoftfabricofhisshirtandshe

feltthickhairandmuscleunderneath.

Hisgoodhand spearedintoher short,thickblack hairand tilted her face up, so that he could see

thosepalebrowneyesatpoint-blankrange.Hewasn’tsmilingnow.

“You have eyes like a wolf I saw once, up close,” he said quietly. “Ran into him way back in the

forestwhenIwashuntingdeeronefall.Damndestthing,hecamealmostrightuptome,staredatme
foraminute,andturned and trotted away. Big fella, too, gray and powerful. I never saw an animal
likehim.”

“Don’tNativeAmericanssaythattheyhavetotemanimals?”sheasked.“Maybeawolfisyours.”

Hishandbecamecaressinginherhair.“IonlyhaveadropofNativeblood.Lakota,theysay.I’ve

never been sure.” He smiled tenderly. “Maybe we should have somebody do a family history, for
whenthekidscomealong.Ilovekids.”

“Me,too,”shemanagedtosay.

His dark gaze fell to her mouth. “You’re so young, Bodie,” he murmured huskily. “Probably too

youngforwhatI’mabouttodo.”

“Whatareyou…abouttodo?”shewhisperedbrokenly,hangingathislips.

“This…”

Hebentanddrewhislipsgentlyacrosshermouth,teasingittoopen,justalittle.Thenhismouth

camedownonit,hard,twisting,demanding.Shegaspedintohislips,shockedatthepleasurethatshot
throughherasshetastedhim.

“Why does this feel so familiar?” he whispered. But he didn’t answer his own question. His hand

sliddowntoherbackandforcedherbodyintothehardeningcontoursofhisown.“Oh,whatthehell,
I’mstarving…!”

Hismouthcrusheddownoverhersandhepulledheragainsthim.Herhandsworkedfeverishlyat

buttons until she got them against his skin, spearing into the thick hair that covered his chest. She
openedhermouth,incitinghim,invitinghim,tocomeinsideit.Andhedid.Histonguethrustintothe
darksoftness,andshecriedoutandshivered.

“Yes,youlikethat,don’tyou?”heaskedagainstherlips.

He backed her into a tree and his hips crushed down against hers, letting her feel the sudden

swellingofhisbody.“Youknowwhatthatis,too,don’tyou?”hegroundoutagainstheropenmouth.

Sheshiveredashemovedagainsther.Hismouthwashungry,hotandhard,forcingherlipsapart,

moving insistently between them. His hand went to the front of her jeans and started to move the
zipperdown.

Shewantedtoresist.Shereallydid,butherbodywasonfire.She’ddreamedofhavinghimdothis

again,she’dburnedfromthememoryofthelasttime,thetimehedidn’tevenremember.

“Cane,”shemoaned,andarchedherbackhelplesslyashermouthansweredthedemandofhis.

Andthen,suddenly,hewentstillagainsther.Somedeepburiedinstinctmadehimstopandpullback.

Hewasflushedandbreathless,andhiseyeswereblazingashelookeddownather.

The accusation in his eyes made her uneasy. “You started it,” she accused shakily as he moved

quicklyaway.

“Youinvitedit,”heshotback,furiousthathe’dgivenwaytotemptation.

She shivered, cold now that she didn’t have the heat of him against her body. She watched him

absently do the shirt buttons back up again. His face was like stone. He was coldly furious, and it
showed.

“Whydidyoucomehere?”heaskedsuddenly.

Sheflushed.“I…Well,I…”

“Youdidn’tjustshowupatmydoor,”hecontinuedwithvisiblesuspicion.“Youcameherelooking

forsomething.Whatdoyouwant,Bodie?Spititout,”hesaidicily,whenshehesitated.

Sheswallowed.“Iwaswonderingifyoucouldloanmesomemoney.”

Theexpressiononhisfacewassodistastefulandcontemptuousthatsheknewshe’ddamnedherself

inhiseyesforever.She’dreducedherselftothelevelofthatwomaninthebarwhowantedhimfor
whathehad,anddismissedhimbecausehewasdisabled.

Hesmiled.Itwasthemostchillingsmileshe’deverseenonhislips.

“Andwhatwouldyoubewillingtodoforit?”heaskedwithcontempt.“Moreofwhatwejustdid?

Wouldyougotobedwithmeformoney?Earnitonyourback?”hedemandedheatedly.

She moved back a step. “I’m sorry,” she choked out—humiliated by his tone, by the way he was

lookingather.Shewentasredasabeet.“I’msorry!I’llmanage.Itwasastupidthingtodo.I’llleave
the horse at the barn. And thanks for what you asked Darby do for the truck, but I’ll just manage,
really!”

“Manage.Onbrakesthatdon’twork?”hegritted.

Sheswungintothesaddle,clumsilybecauseshewassoembarrassed.“I’msorry,”shesaid,fighting

tears. Her whole life was going down in flames because she’d been stupid. “I’m so sorry! I should
neverhaveaskedyouthat!”

“Why not? The only thing women ever want from me is money, isn’t it? Because that’s the only

thingthatwouldmakeawomanevenconsidersleeping with a cripple!” He was furious, absolutely

furious.“Ithoughtyouwere different, you little tease.” He spat the words. “You’re no better than a
callgirl,Bodie.Acommonprostitute,willingtodoanythingformoney!”

Sheswallowed,hard,sickatheartandcoldinside.Tearsstunghereyes.“I’msorry,”shemanaged.

She turned the horse, clumsily, and rode off quickly before she said or did anything even more

stupid.

***

ANE

STOOD

AND

WATCHED

her,confusedandunsettledbywhathadhappenedbetweenthem,becauseit

seemedsofamiliar,asifitwasn’tthefirsttimehe’dtouchedher,kissedherlikethat.Hekeptgoing
backtothatnighthewasdrunk.Hecouldn’trememberwhathe’ddone,buthehadafeelingthathe’d
donesomethingandthatithadencouragedBodietoaskhimforaloan.

For money! She was just like every other damned woman, out for what she could get. He was

furious, not only that he’d been suckered into kissing her that way, but because she’d put him in a
positionwherehefeltguiltythathe’dsentherawayupset.

He pulled out his phone, called Darby, spoke to him quickly. He hung up, mounted his horse and

rodeslowlybacktowardthebarn.Hedidn’twanttogettherebeforeDarbyleftwithBodie.Rightnow
hedidn’tcareifheneversawheragain.

CHAPTERFIVE

ODIE

WAS

CRYING

LONG

beforeshegotbacktothebarn.Butshewipedhereyesonthetailofherratty

oldgrayhoodieandtriedtosmilewhensheencounteredDarby.

“Justleavehimrightthere,we’lldealwithunsaddlinghim,”theoldermansaidwithsomeconcern.

“Comeon.I’lldriveyouhome.We’llhaveyourtruckbacktherefirstthinginthemorning.Gotafew
morelittlethingstodotoit,”hesaidwithakindlysmile.

“No,it’sokay,I’lljusttakeithomenow,”sheprotested.

“Bodie,we’vegotthetiresoff,”hesaidwithagentlesmile.“Youcan’tdriveityet.”

“Oh.”

“Comeon.”Heledhertooneoftheranchpickupsandhelpedherintothepassengerseat.Hedrove

off. Just as they left the yard, she saw Cane coming toward the barn slowly. It was obvious that he
didn’twanttohavetosayanythingelsetoher.

Shebitherlipsohardthatitdrewblood.

“Cane has moods,” Darby said gently. “You know that. He’s as likely to bite your head off as to

smileatyousomedays.Itisn’tpersonal.Hegetstothinkingaboutthemilitaryandwhathappenedto
him,andhejustdoesn’tdealwithitwell.”

“Heneedstogetbackintotherapy.”

“Hedid.Lastedaweek.Thenhegotintoanargumentwiththepsychologistandwouldn’tgoback.”

Heglancedatherandwinced.“Youhavetonottakethingssohard,Bodie.Look,onceyouhitthirty-
fiveyouwon’tgiveadamnanymore,”headdedwithachuckle.“Youwon’tgetsoupsetoverthings
thathappenandyouwon’tlettheworldbotheryouasmuch.Trustme.”

Shesighed.“IwishIwasthirty-fivenow,then,”shesaidheavily.Shegrimaced.“Iaskedhimfora

loan.Gosh,ofallthestupidthingstodo!”

“Aloan?”

Shehadtotellsomebody.Itwaskillingher!“Grandaddy’sgotheartfailure,Darby.Hehastotake

theseexpensivepillsandnowmystepfather ’sraisedtherent.Heevenchargedmefiftydollarsfora
tree I cut down that Mama planted, to decorate for Christmas. He says he’s going to do something
drastictothehousesohecansayitneedsrepairsandthrowusout.”Shefoughttears.“DearGod,I’ve
tried every way I know to get a job, but nobody’s hiring except Jake Hall, and he needs a heavy
equipmentdriver.Ijustcan’tlearnthatsortofwork.I’ddodishes,scrubfloors…Ican’tgetanything.
We’reoutofmoneyandtheonlywayIcangetanyistodowhat…whatmystepfatherwants.”

“Whichis?”heaskedcoldly.“Tellme,Bodie.”

“HewantsmetospendsometimewithhisfriendLarrythisSaturday,”shesaidheavily,“andtake

picturesofus.Nothingreallybad,justsomeposedones…”Shehurriedoverthatpartofit.“Hesays
if I’ll just do that he’ll make it right about the rent and help pay for Granddaddy’s medicine. I can
work near my college in January, I’ve got a job there set up for when the semester starts, but until
then, I can’t do a thing.” She slumped. “The rent will come due before then. I’ve pawned my
grandmother ’sjewels,I’vesoldeverythingIcanselltogetmoney,butnotenoughtosettletherent
withWill.”Shetastedbloodonhertonguefromherlip.ShecouldstilltasteCanethere, too, and it
wasunsettlingtorememberthepleasurehe’dgivenher,evenifhefeltcontemptforherafterward.

“Damn!”Darbybitoff.“Listen,kid,Ihavealittlemoneysaved…”

“No.”Sheglaredathim.“Absolutelynot.I’dhaveaskedTankifhewashome,andhewouldn’thave

mademefeellikeaprostitutefordoingit.Heevenoffered,before.HeknewIwashavingahardtime
withGranddaddy.”Herfacewenthard.“I’llneverforgethowCanelookedatme,whathesaidtome.
I’llneverforgivehim!”

“Itwastoosoonafterthatwomentossedhimoverforbeingdisabled,Iguess,”Darbysaid,seething

insideathisboss’sactions.

“AtleastyouguyswillgetmytruckingoodenoughshapethatIcandriveit,”shesaid.“Thanksfor

doingthat.”

“Wedowhatwecantohelpout,”Darbysaid.“IcouldcallDalton…”

“No.” She drew in a long breath and smiled at him as he pulled up at her porch. “Granddaddy

doesn’t know what’s going on. He thinks we’re square with Will on everything, that we have no
financial problems. I don’t want to tell him. He’s in really bad shape, even with the medicine.” She
shrugged. “I don’t even know how long I’ll get to have him around. He gets breathless, his heart
beat’s funny, he’s pale and sick to his stomach a lot.” She winced. “I need to take him back to the
doctor, but they want to be paid up-front these days. I told Cane we had insurance. We don’t have a
thing. I’ve got the heart specialist’s bill to see to monthly now, as well as our local doctor…” She
lookedathimwithpuredesperation.“Howarepeoplesupposedtoliveinaneconomylikethis?Why
doesn’tthegovernmentdosomething?”

“I guess they’re afraid they won’t get reelected if they do anything wrong, so they just don’t do

anything. It’s all about going back into office, not about helping people.” He shook his head. “We
should only elect poor people to public office, you know,” he said philosophically. “They’d know
whatitwasliketolivefrompaychecktopaycheck,andthey’ddothingstohelptheworking people
andthedisabled.”

“Chancewouldbeafinething.”Sheopenedthedoor.“Thanksforlistening,Darby.Youwon’tsay

anythingtoCane?”

“Notifyoutellmenotto,”herepliedafterapause.

“I’mtellingyou.Idon’twantpity.I’lldowhatIhavetodo,sothatGranddaddydoesn’thavetolive

inashelteroronthestreet.”Herfacesetinhardlines.“IhopeWillgetshisjustdesertsoneday.”

“Peopledogetbackwhattheyhandout,evenifittakesyears,”Darbysaidquietly.“Butdon’tyou

doanythingdesperate,youhearme?GivemeadayortwotoseewhatIcanfigureout.Okay?”

Shesmiled.“Okay,”shelied.“Thanks,Darby.Thanksalot.”

“Mypleasure.IwishIcoulddomore.”

Shewatchedhimdriveaway.TomorrowwasSaturday.Shehadonenicedress.Shecouldstomacha

littlediscomfortformoney,ifitwouldkeephergrandfatheralive.Shecouldneverlethimknow.It
wouldkillhim.Butshewasstrong.Shecoulddowhatshehadtodo,uptoapoint.Shewasn’ttaking
thedressoff,notevenifWilldidevictthem....

***

ARBY

WENT

BACK

AND

helpedhismenfixupthetruckforBodie,butitwasinreallybadshape,and

theworktookuntillateSaturdayafternoon.

Darbyhadworriedaboutwhattodo,becausehewassureBodiewouldgoovertoWill’shouseand

doanythingheasked,withinreason,ifitwouldsavehergrandfatheraroofoverhishead.Hewasn’t
abouttoapproachCane.Theothermanwassurlyanddistantandsnappedifanyonespoketohim.

But Dalton came home, thank God, just as Darby finished working on the truck. He went

immediatelytoseetheyoungestoftheKirkbrothers.

“Ineedtotalktoyou,”hetoldTank.

“Sure.What’sup?Canedrinkingagain?”heaskedworriedly.

“It’snotCane,it’sBodie,”hesaidquietly,andthenhetoldhimwhathadhappenedthedaybefore,

and what Will wanted Bodie to do. “She’s likely heading over there pretty soon,” he concluded.
“She’lldowhatevershehasto,inordertokeeparoofoverRafeMays’shead.”

“Damn!AndCaneletherwalkintothat?”Tankexploded.

“He doesn’t know. She made me promise not to tell him anything after he was so mean to her,”

Darbyreplied.“ButIdidn’tpromisenottotellyou,”headded.

TanklaidabighandonDarby’sshoulder.“Thanks,pal.Ioweyouone.I’dbettergetovertoWill

Jones’splacebeforehedoessomethingtoherthatallthepsychologistsonearthcan’tfix.”

“Ioweyouoneforthat.I’mfondofher.”

Hesmiled.“Me,too.”

He went into the house, picked up the phone and called Rafe Mays. “Hi, Rafe. It’s Tank. Is Bodie

there?”

“No,”theoldmanreplied,soundingodd.“IthinkshewenttoWill’shouse.Worriesmesomething

fierce,Iknowwhatthatsnake’scapableof.Tank,shewon’ttellmewhat’sgoingon,butIoverheard
hertellingWillhe’dbetterkeephispromisenottothrowusoutofthishouse.He’smakingthreats,
andshe’sjustaninnocent,youknow.Damn!”Hecoughed.“GotindigestionsobadIcan’thardlytalk.
I’mgoingtotakeadoseofbakingsodaandseeifitwon’tgeteasy.Tank,canyougooverthereand
makesureWill’snotdoinganythingtomygirl?”heaskedweakly.“Ihatetoask,butI’mtoosickto
doitmyself.Gotnowaytogo,either,hertruck’sgone.”

“It’soverhere,”Darbysaid.“We’refixingitforher.”

“ThatLarrycametogether,”headdedcoldly.“Shewasalldressedup,whiteintheface.Shesaid

shereallywantedtotalktoLarryandherstepfather,thatshewashavingdinnerwiththem.It’smore
thanthat.Shelookedscaredtodeath…!”

“I’monmyway.Youjustsittight,anddon’tworry,okay?”

Theoldmansighed.“Thatlittlegirlismywholelife,Tank,”hesaidheavily.“Don’tletthemhurt

her.”

“YouknowIwon’t.Takeiteasy.I’llseeyousoon.”

“Youtellher…Iloveher.”

“I’lldothat,too.”

Hehungup.Odd,thewayRafesounded.Itwasdisturbing.Butatthemoment,Bodiewasthemore

urgentproblem.

“Youhome?”Caneaskedashecameintotheroom.Heblinked.Tankwaslivid.“What’sgoingon?”

“Bodie’ssellingherselftoWillJonesfortherentpayment,”hesaidbluntly.“Ihearsheaskedyou

foraloanandyousentherpacking,soshe’sdoingwhatshehastodotokeepWillfromthrowingher
grandfatheroutonthestreet.”

“GoodGodAlmighty!”Caneexploded.“Sheneversaidanythingaboutthat!”

Tank glared at him. “Maybe she figured you were smart enough to know that she wouldn’t ask

anyoneformoneyifshewasn’tdesperate.”

“Shehasajobnearhercollege…”

“It’spart-timeandshedoesn’tworkthereexceptduringschool.Shetriedtogetajobaroundhere,

even cleaning out barns, and there was nothing available. Will’s threatened to do something to the
housesohecanevictthem.They’dhavetoliveonthestreet,andhergrandfather ’sinbadshape. He
has heart failure and all sorts of medicine that she can’t afford, either. Will even charged her for a
treeshecutdownonhermother ’splaceforChristmas!”

Cane felt two inches high. He’d never get over this if she was assaulted by Will and his stupid

friend,tryingtogetenoughmoneytostayafloat.Whyhadn’theaskedherwhatsheneededthemoney
for?Probably,hethought,becausehe’dfeltsoguiltyatmakingadvancestoher.Shewasveryyoung.
Butthatwasnoexcusetotreatherthewayhe’dtreatedher.

“Whereareyougoing?”CaneaskedasTankstartedoutofthehouse.

“TosaveBodie.”

“I’mgoingwithyou,”Canesaid,andfollowedhimout.

***

HEN

THEY

GOT

WillJones’shouse,allthelightswereoninside.Tankpoundedonthefrontdoor.

“Justaminute!”Willraged.

Tankpoundedagain.

Willcametothedoor,flushedanddisconcerted.“Mr.Kirk?”hefaltered.

“Inviteusin.Thatwayyouwon’thavesomanyfracturestoexplain,”Canesaid,edginginfrontof

hisbrother.

“But,uh,it’snotconvenient…”

Cane shouldered in past him. On the sofa, a young man with his shirt unbuttoned was getting up.

Bodie was sitting there, white-faced and disheveled, with her dress pulled off one shoulder and her
hairruffled.Shewascrying.

“DearGod,”Canewhispered.Hewenttoherandstartedtopullherup.Shewincedandjerkedaway

fromhishand,shivering.Canefroze,sicktohisstomach.“Tank!”

Dalton went around him, picked Bodie up in his arms and carried her to the door. He stopped,

staringcoldlyatWill.“Theremaybechargespending.IfIwereyou,I’dgetagoodlawyer.”

Canefollowedclosebehindhim.Astheystartedoutthedoor,heglancedatthesidetable.Therewas

a laptop computer with a camera hooked up to it. On the screen was Bodie, being kissed by Larry,
withhershoulderexposed.Healmostexplodedwithanger.Withouteventhinking,hebrushedagainst
thetablewithhishipandaccidentally,onpurpose,pusheditontothefloor.Itlandedwithacrash.

“Youbrokemycomputer!I’llsueyou!”Willragedashepickeditup.

“Accident.Sosorry, butI’llgladly replaceit,”Cane toldhim icily. “I’ll have my attorney contact

you.Andthesheriff.”

“Wait!”Willwasflustered,almostshaking.“Wait,wecanworkthisout!Shecameherevoluntarily,

youjustaskher!”

“Whataboutherrent?”Caneaskedcoldly.

“Whatrent?”Willsaidunsteadily.“Imean,it’spaidupfortwomonths.Shedon’towemeanything.

Notanything.Notnothing.I’llsweartoit!”

“You’llneedto,”Canetoldhim.Heturned,hisblackeyesonBodie’savertedface.“Let’sgo.”

HeheldthedooropenforTank.Bodiewassobbing.Canehadneverfeltsolowinhiswholelife.

Tankputherbesidehim,withCaneontheotherside,andhedroveherbacktohergrandfather ’s

house.Buttroublewaswaiting.

WhenhegotouttoopenthedoorandtrytoexplainthingstoRafe,hefoundtheoldmanlyingon

thefloorinthelivingroom.Hewasicycold.

Tank came back out, hesitating as he opened the door. “No, don’t get out, Bodie,” he said gently.

“Oh,God,there’snonicewaytosaythis.Yourgrandfather ’s…gone.He’sgone,baby.I’msosorry!”

“Gone? You mean he went out…?” She was so shocked that words weren’t making sense. “You

mean,mygranddaddy…isdead,Tank?”shewhispered.“He’sdead?”

Tanknodded.“I’llcalltheEMTsandthesheriffandstayherewithhimuntiltheygethere.Yougo

homewithCane.Youcanstaywithusuntil…wegetthingssortedout.”

“He’s dead. He’s dead.” She was white. She started shaking. Her whole life had fallen apart in the

pastfewminutes.Shefeltemptyandnumbinside.

“I’lltakeyouhome,”Canesaidgently.Hewouldhavecomfortedher,butsheslidawayfromhimas

hegotbehindthewheelandstartedthetruck.Sheactedasifshecouldn’tbeartoevenlookathim.He
didn’tblameher.Herlifehadbeenshattered.

***

ANE

TOOK

ODIE

HOME

the ranch, opened the door and hated having only one arm because he

couldn’tjustpickherupandcarryherinsideandholdher.

Shegotoutofthetruck,herheadbowedandlookingsodefeatedthatitmadehimsick.Hewantedto

gobackandbeattheeverlovinghelloutofWillJonesandhisfriend.

Mavie came out onto the porch and hugged Bodie close, rocking her as she cried. “What

happened?”sheaskedCane.

“Hergrandfather ’sdead,”hesaid,leavingouttherestfornow.

“Oh, you poor baby. Come on. Let’s get you inside and upstairs to bed. I’ll loan you some

nightclothes,okay?”

“Thanks,Mavie,”Bodiechokedout.“It’sjust,itwassosudden!Hesaidhehadindigestion,thatit

wasjustastomachache.I’dneverhavelefthim…!”

“Itwouldn’thavemadeanydifference,Bolinda,”Canesaidgently.“Itwasprobablyinstantaneous.

Mygrandfatherdiedlikethat.Hejustfelldown.It wasoverin seconds.Iwas standingrightbeside
himandIcouldn’tdoathing.”

Shedidn’tlookathim.“Thanks,”shesaidweakly.“Thathelps,alittle.”

“I’msorry.”Hebitoffthewords.“Reallysorry.”

Sheknewhemeantmorethansorryforhergrandfatherdying,butshedidn’tsayanything.Shejust

nodded.

Mavie helped her up to bed. Bodie was crying so hard that she could barely see where she was

going.Behindher,downthestairs,sheheardCanecursing.

***

ANE

WAS

SICK

HEART

.He’dtreatedBodielikeaprostitutenegotiatinganightinamotel,andthere

was nothing, nothing, he could do to fix the heartache he’d created for her. She’d gone to her
stepfather ’shouseanddonethingsshe’dneverforgetinanattempttosavehergrandfather ’shome.
Nowhergrandfatherwasdead,andBodiehadtolivewithherself.Itwasn’tgoingtobeeasy,notfora
womanwhohadbeentotallyinnocentandapersonoffaith.

AllthatcouldhavebeenavoidedifCanehadn’tbeensuchapainintheneck.He’dbeensmarting,

still,fromtherejectionofthatwomaninthebarwho’donlywantedhismoney.Butdamnit,heknew
Bodiewasn’tlikethat! He knew she wasn’t the sort of woman to ask for money on a whim, or for
somethingfrivolous.Heevenknewhergrandfatherhadhearttrouble.Ithadn’toccurredtohimhow
badherfinancialsituationreallywasuntilnow,whenitwastoolatetodoheranygood.

Hesatdownheavilyonthesofa.HewasrememberingthatphotographonWillJones’scomputer,

andthesightofBodie’stragicwhiteface,numbwithtears.Hiseyesclosedonashudder.Hehoped
that computer ’s hard drive wasn’t recoverable, after he’d crashed it onto the floor. At least Bodie
wouldbesavedwhatevernotorietyWillhadplanned.Therewasgossipthathehadsomecovertporn
websitethatheproducedimagesfor.Obviouslyhe’dplannedtouseBodieandhisfriendtoprovide
him with more content. God only knew what he really had in mind. Bodie was so innocent that she
probablydidn’trealizejusthowfarthemanmighthavegoneifCaneandTankhadn’tshownupathis
door.

He leaned back against the sofa with a sigh. It was a horrendous mess. Bodie was all alone now,

withouthergrandfather,probablywithoutevenaplacetoliveifWillhadhisway.Hehadlegaltitleto
theproperty.Nodoubthe’dtosseverythingBodieownedthatwasstillthere....

Hejerkedouthiscellphoneandcalledhisbrother.

“Getamover,quick,”hetoldTanksolemnly.“WillisboundtothrowoutBodie’sfewthingsifhe

getsthechance.”

“I’llmakesure hedoesn’tget thechance,”Tank saidcoldly. “We’ll move the furniture out of the

guest bedroom and put it in storage. We can put Bodie’s things there. I’ll make sure it’s all safely
transported. The sheriff’s on his way. Cody Banks is a good friend of mine,” he added with a cold
laugh. “I’ll tell him what Will’s been doing. I’m sure there’s some statute that will cover it, even if
Bodie’snotunderage.”

“HavehimcheckoutWill’sISP,”headvised.“Andseeifhehasasocialnetworkingpagethatfeeds

intohiscovertwebsite.”

“Icandothat,too.Ifhe’sgotevenonephotographofanunderagefemaleonit,he’llbearrested.”

“I wish we could make sure of that,” Cane said heavily. “It’s all my fault. All my fault. If I’d just

thoughtbeforeIspoke…”

“Hindsightisawonderfulthing,”Tankagreed.

“We’llhavetohelpherwiththefuneralarrangements,”headded.“Shewon’thaveaclue.Hewasa

veteran,sotherewillprobablybealittlemoneyfromthemilitarytohelp,butI’mfairlycertainthat
shewon’thaveaburialpolicy.”

“Actuallyshewill,”Tankremindedhim.“WeboughtapolicyforRafewhenheworkedforus,and

I’vekeptitonautomaticpaymentseversince.”

“ThankGod.”

“Yes, because regardless of what you think of her, Bodie will turn her nose up at any offer of

charity,”hisbrothersaidquietly.“She’sproud.”

“Rubitin.”Canegrimaced.

“Ishould,”Tankreplied.“You’remybrotherandIloveyou,butBodiewillhavetolivewithwhat

she did forever. We did get there in time to save her from anything really traumatic, but what
happenedisbadenoughinitself.She’llconsiderthatwhatshedidwassellherselfformoney,evenif
itwasforanoblepurpose.Itwon’tbeeasyforhertolivethatdown.Especially,”headdedangrily,“if
WillstartsanyrumorstotheeffectthathehasspecialphotosofBodieinacompromisingposition.”

“Wecouldsuehim.”

“Whatfor,exactly?”Tankaskedreasonably.“HecansaythatBodiewentoverthereandposedfor

pictures of her own free will and that she’s of age. And with reservations, that’s exactly what
happened.Shewon’tlie,eventoprotectherownhonor.”

“Damn.”

“Letmetalktothesheriff,”Tankreplied.“NowayisJonesgettingawaywiththis.”

“Rafe was worried sick about why she went over there,” Cane said. “I imagine she’ll think she

helped him have that fatal heart attack, as well.” He sighed. “I wish Morie was home,” he added
heavily.“Bodieneedshermorethaneverrightnow.”

“I’llcallMal,”Tanksaid,alludingtotheirelderbrother.“When he knows what’s happened, he’ll

comehome.”

“Goodidea.”

“Meanwhile,I’llhandlethisifyou’llcallthefuneralhomeandgettheprocessstarted.Wecantake

Bodieoverthereinthemorningtogooverthearrangements.”

“Rafehadalotoffriends,”Canerecalled.“Itwillbeafullhousefortheservices.”

“Iagree.”

“Thanks,”Canesaidafteraminute.“Forwhatyoudid.”

“ThankDarby,”Tankreplied.“Bodietoldhimeverythingandmadehimswearhewouldn’ttellyou.

Buthedidn’tpromisenottotellme.”

“Shedidn’twantmetoknow?”Canefaltered.

“Apparentlyshethoughtyouhatedher.”

“DearGod.”Hesworesoftly.

“She’s naive, in the nicest sort of way,” Tank said. “She doesn’t even date anyone. She’s had no

experienceofmenatall.Thatwillmakewhathappenedharderforher.”

Canedidn’tdarementionwhathadhappenedbetweenhimselfandBodie,buthethankedGodnow

thatithad.Atleastshehadn’tbeentotallyinnocentofmenwhenthatslimytoadputhishandsonher.
ShewouldrememberhowtenderCanehadbeenwithher,evenifhe’dbeenatotalfoollateron.He’d
lovedkissingher.He’dloveditsomuchthathe’dbeenscaredtodeathofwhereitmightlead.He’d
beenhurttoomanytimes,andhewasoverlysensitiveaboutsaddlingawomanwithhisdisability.

HisowninsecuritieshadhelpedlandBodieinthismess,asmuchashisunreasonablebehavior.He

wantedtomakeituptoher.Hejustdidn’tknowwheretostart.

***

ODIE

CRIED

HERSELF

sleep.Maviesatwithherforalittlewhile,beforeshehadtogodownstairs

andmakesupperforthebrothers.

Canewalkedintoherroom,leavingthedooropen.Hesatdowninachairbesidethehugequeen-

sizebedandjuststaredather,wincingattheravagedlittlefaceinitsframeofthick,wavyblackhair.
He reached out with his one good hand and tenderly smoothed a loosened strand back into place
behindherear.Shelookedsoveryvulnerable.

Herecalledanightwhenhe’dbeenvulnerable,anddrunk.She’dbroughthimuphereandhelped

him down onto the bed. Things were a bit hazy after that, but the sight of her in bed was bringing
memoriesbackintofocuswithstartlingclarity.

He’d kissed her that night. He’d kissed her with furious, feverish passion and pulled her down

againsthisbody,inhisownbed.He’dstripped her shirt away and held her bare breasts against his
chest,felthershiverandheardhermoanwithpleasure....

Howcouldhe haveeverforgotten suchanexperience? Hisdark eyebrows dipped together above

the high bridge of his nose as he watched her sleep and remembered the forbidden pleasure they’d
shared.

She’d never mentioned it. He’d even phoned her to make sure nothing terrible had happened,

because he couldn’t remember. She’d lied and said he was too drunk to do anything, but he hadn’t
been.He’dmadelovetoher.He’dalmostgonetoofar.Howcouldhehaveforgottensomethingso
shattering?

Bodieinhisarms,lovinghim,holdinghim,wantinghim.Bodie,whowasinnocent,experiencing

passion for the first time with a man too drunk to appreciate her vulnerabilities, treating her as an
experienced woman, showing her things that should have come much later in their turbulent
relationship.

Itwastoolatetogobackanddoitover.But,inaway,itwasablessing.Thatsickeningboy,Larry,

had a taste of Bodie, but not the first sweet taste of her innocence. That was owned by Cane, who
wouldtreasureitforhiswholelife.

At least she would have something of him to remember that, perhaps, wasn’t as distasteful as he

thoughtitwas.Hedidrememberthatshehadn’tfoughthim,notevenatfirst.She’dmeltedintohimas
if she’d only just discovered pleasure. He could remember even now the taste of her mouth, the
softnessofherskinunderhishands,thefeelofhersweetyoungbodytwistingunderhisasshetried
togetevenclosertohim.

Theonlythingthathadsavedherwasthathe’dbeendrinking.Ifhe’dbeensober,hemightnothave

beenabletostop.

Nowthathehadthememory,nowthatheknewhowintimatethey’dbeen,hewassurprisedthathe

hadn’t been able to recover that night sooner. But perhaps he’d been hiding from her, protecting
himselffromthepossibilityofyetanotherheartache.Bodiewasyoungandimpressionable,andthere
hadbeenatimewhenshefoundhimveryattractive.

Notthatshewouldeveragain,hethoughtwithsomethinglikedesperation.She’dhatehimforever

forwhathe’ddonebyrefusinghershyrequestforhelp.She’dbethinkingthatshe’dneverhavehad
to go to her stepfather in the first place, or lose her grandfather who was worried sick about her.
She’dbethinkingthatCanehadfailedher.Ashe’dfailedhimself,somanytimessincehisinjury.

Hetookalonglookatwhathewasdoingtohimselfandthepeoplearoundhim,andhedidn’tlike

it. He’d been so focused on his own needs and feelings and inadequacies that he’d totally ignored

thoseofhisfamily,andBodie.

Itwastimetostartlookingoutward,tostopfeelingsorryforhimselfandputhislifebacktogether.

Thefirststepinthatprocesswastostopgoingon bendersandget himselfbackon track.Heowed
thattoBodie.Andtohimself.

Hegotupfromthechair,bentandbrushedhismouthtenderlyoverBodie’sdarkhair,solightlythat

shewouldn’tfeelit.“I’msorry,honey,”hewhisperedhuskilyashestaredathersleepingface.“So
sorry.IsweartoGod,I’llmakeitalluptoyou,somehow.”

Hewentoutoftheroomandclosedthedoor.

Downstairs again, he opened his cell phone and got the telephone number for the local funeral

home.Therewasonlyoneintown.AtleasthecoulddothismuchforBodie.Hecouldtakesomeof
theburdenaway.

CHAPTERSIX

AFE

AYS

HAD

LIVED

in Catelow his whole life. Locally he was quite well-known. So the funeral

homewasfullfromthetimethewakewasannouncedinthenewspaperandonthelocalradiostation.

Bolinda,inablackdressthatMoriehadinsistedonbuyingforher,receivedvisitorsinthecarpeted

roominthefuneralhome.Fromtimetotime,sheglancedattheclosedcoffinwherehergrandfather
rested.Hehadwanteditthatway.“Nofolksfilingpastgawkingatme,ifyouplease,”he’dbeenfond
ofsaying.

Peoplewerekind.Somesharedstoriesfromtheoldman’spast,whenhewasyoungandhandsome

and had the pick of the local single women. He’d pursued Bodie’s grandmother with flowers and
chocolatesandevenanicepalominohorsebeforehefinallywonher.Bodieknewthatstorybyheart,
butitwasoddlycomfortingtohearittold.Itwasasifhergrandfatherlivedoninthememories of
peoplewhohadcaredforhim.

“It’s time, you know,” Cane said from beside her. He was wearing a dark suit with the prosthesis

he’dswornhe’dneverputonagain.Withhisblackhairandsnappingblackeyesinthatsmootholive
complexion, he was the handsomest man Bodie had ever known. He could have made a fortune in
modeling,butshe’dneverhavetoldhimthat.Helikedhisruggedimage.

“Timeforwhat?”shefaltered,havingbeendistractedbyhisamazinggoodlooks.

“Time,”herepeated.“Ididn’tdotheoreticalphysicsincollege,likeourbrainyfriendoverthere—”

heindicatedtheranchforeman,DarbyHanes“—but Idoknow alittleabout theconceptsinvolved.
Allthepeoplewe’velovedandlostarestillalive,youknow—they’rejustseparatedfromusbytime.”

Shestaredathim,tryingtounderstandwhathewassaying.

“Listen,”hesaid,“whenyouplotaposition,youneedlatitudeandlongitude.Thatgivesyouafixon

the target. But in the broader sense of things, you also need a time. For example, if you went to
Laredo,Texas,today,andlookedforaparticularaddress,you’dfindit.Butifyouwenttothesame
location,ifyoucouldgobackintimetwohundredyears,chancesaregoodthatyouwouldn’tfindit
backthen.YouseewhatImean?”

Shewasgraspingit.“IfIcouldgobackintimeamonth,mygrandfatherisstillalive,there,inthe

past.”

Hesmiledtenderly.“Yes.Timeseparatesusfromthem.Justtime.”

Incrediblyitmadeherfeelbetter.Thecomfortwasvisibleinher relaxed posture, the light in her

softbrowneyes.

Canetouchedhercheekwithjusthisfingertips,standingcloseenoughthatshecouldfeeltheheat

andstrengthofhisbody.“You’llgetthroughthis,”hesaid,hisvoicedeepwithfeeling.“Weallhave

togothroughit, losing the older ones in our family. It’s never easy. But it’s part of the process of
life.”

Sheswallowed.“Thanks,”shesaidsoftly.Butshedrewbackalittle,rememberingwithoutwanting

to,thethingshe’dsaidtoherwhenshe’dhesitantlyaskedhimforaloan.

He knew that and didn’t take offense. He drew in a long breath. “This isn’t the time,” he said

tenderly.“ButI’msorry.I’msosorry.Iseemtohavespentthelastcoupleofmonthsmakingyourlife
amisery.”Hefrowned.“Idon’tevenknowwhy.You’vealwaysbeenkindtome.I’mnotthesortof
manwholikeshurtingwomen.Ineverwas,evenbeforethishappened.”Heindicatedtheprosthesis.

Sheswallowed.“Ihadtodothings…”Shestoppedandbitherlip.

Canelookedhunted.“Tank’sgotthesheriffafteryoursleazystepfather,”hesaidbluntly.“Ihopehe

findsenoughtoputhimawayforlife.”

“Will’s very careful,” she said coldly. “There’s a girl in town who knows him. She works at the

grocerystoreandshetalkedtomeabouthimonce.Shesayshechecksidentificationbeforehefilms
anybody,justtomakesureheisn’tcrossingthelineinanyway.Itwouldbeacrimeifhedidn’tget
lockedup,”sheaddedwithmoreiceinhertones.

“Itwouldbeashameifhedidn’t,”Canereplied.“Thereareallsortsofwaystotripuppeoplewho

thinktheycanbendthelaw.”

Shegavehimalonglook.“I’llbetyouknowmostofthem,”shesaidwiththefirsthintofhumor

he’dseeninherinalongtime.

Hesmiled.Itmadehiseyesglowsoftlywithfeeling,andhelookedatherinawaythathehadn’t,

before.Shecouldn’tquitedecidewhatitmeant,butshewastryingtowhenanotherfriendcameupto
hertoexpresshiscondolences.Canemeltedbackintothecrowd.

***

HAT

NIGHT

ODIE

SAT

theedgeofherbed,inherpajamasthatlookedmorelikeasweatset,and

stared into space. She didn’t really believe in ghosts, but she was afraid to turn out the light. Her
grandfatherhadlovedher;sheknewthat,asmuchasshelovedhim.Buttherewereallthesestories
peopletoldofthingsinthedarkafteralovedonedied.Shewasnervous,andgrieving,andupset.

Therewasalighttaponthedoor.Canecamein,carryingacupofhotchocolate.Hehadn’tbeento

bed,either.Hewasstillwearingjeansandasoftblueshirt,butinhissockfeetinsteadofboots.His
blackhairwasalittleruffled,asifhe’dworrieditwithhishand.

“Ifiguredyouwouldn’tbeasleep,”hesaid.“Here.It’sgotmarshmallows,too.”

She caught her breath. She loved hot chocolate, but especially with the tiny marshmallows in it.

“Howdidyou…?”

“Maviemadeit.”Hechuckled.“Ijustofferedtransportservice.”

She managed a smile as she took it from him and sipped it, closing her eyes with delight. “It’s

wonderful.Thanks.Toyouboth.”

Heshrugged.“Ididn’tsleepfortwonightsafterourmotherdied,”hesaid.“Itwasalongtimeago.

Wewereinourteens.Shehadcancer.”

“Sodidmymother.ItwasterriblewhenIlosther.”

Henodded.“Nobodyunderstands,unlessthey’vebeenthroughit.It’salongprocess.Sometimesthe

treatments work. Sometimes they don’t. We always thought our mother just gave up. She was a sad
sortofperson.Shelivedforhersons,butshehadnoreallifeoutsidethehome.I’veoftenwondered
ifshehaddreamsofbeingsomethingelse,maybeanartist,becauseshelovedtodraw.Shegaveup
herdreamstoraiseus.”

“Shedidawonderfuljobonthethreeofyou,”Bodiesaidquietly.“Doesn’tthathavevalueinour

societyanymore?DoeseverywomanhavetogooutandbecomeCEOofsomemajorcorporation,
orahighmilitaryofficer,orapoliticianatthenationallevel?Isn’titacceptableforawomantojust
haveafamilyandteachthemvaluesandkeepthemsafeandhappythroughtheirchildhood?”

“Iwouldn’tknow,”hesaid.“I’veneverhadchildren.”

Sheavertedhereyes.“Iwouldliketooneday,”shesaidsoftly.“Iwanttodigupdinosaursandmake

mymarkintheworld,inasmallway,”sheaddedwithalaugh.“ButIwantafamily,too.NoreasonI
can’tdoboth.Childrenareportable.Oneofmyfriendshasparentswhoareanthropologists.Theygo
allovertheworld,andthekidsgowiththem.They’remostlyhome-schooled,butthey’rewayahead
of kids their own level in the educational system.” Her eyes were dreamy. “I wouldn’t mind that.
Carrying my kids to dig sites, I mean, even though I’d be digging up dinosaurs instead of cultural
artifacts.”

ThethoughtofBodiewithkids,someotherman’skids,madehimbristle.Hegloweredather.

Hereyeswidened. “Listen,justbecause youdon’twant toget married is no reason to look at me

likeI’mnuts,”shepointedout.

Heavertedhiseyes.“Iwasn’t.”

“Yes,youwere.”

“Stopthat.I’mnotarguingwithyou.Nottonight.”

“Ah.You’reintrucemode.”

Helaughedshortly.“Somethinglikethat.”Hestudiedherpale,drawnface.“I’msorryitwentdown

likethis,thatyoudidn’thavetimetosayapropergoodbyetoyourgrandfather.Butrememberwhat
Tanktoldyou.Rafesaidtotellyouhelovedyouverymuch.Ithinkheknewwhatwascoming.He

wantedtobesurethatyouknew.”

Tearsstunghereyes.Shebitthembackandsippedherhotchocolate.Shecouldn’ttasteitverywell

withthetearscloggingherthroat.Shedidn’tlookupagainuntilshe’dfinishedit,andthetearswere
onlythreateningtooverflow.Shedidn’twanttoshowweaknessinthefaceoftheenemy.Shecouldn’t
forgetwhatCanehadsaidtoherbeforeshewenthome.Herpridewasstilllacerated.

Hedrewaspotlesswhitehandkerchieffromhispocketandplaceditagainsthereyes,shockingher

intolookingup.Hisexpressionwasgrim.

“I’mtryingtothinkupwaystomakeupforwhatIsaid…whatIdid,”hefaltered.“I’mgoingtostop

drinking,Bodie.I’mgoingtogetbackintotherapy.Willthathelp?”

Shehandedhimthecup.“Itwouldbethebestthing,foryou.Yourfamilylovesyou.It’snotfairto

putthemthroughhellbecauseofwhathappenedtoyouoverseas.”Shesearchedhisblackeyesquietly.
“Iknowit’sbeenrough.Butyouhavetotrytomoveon.There’sawholeworldouttherethatyou’re
notevenseeing.You’rehiding,insideyourself.”

“Stopthat.”Heavertedhisface.Hiseyeswerestormy.

“See?”shesaid.

Heturnedandglaredather.“Stopreadingmymind.”

“Sorry.Notintentional.”Shesmoothedbackherhair.“I’mafraidtogotosleep,isn’tthatstupid?”

“Not really. I didn’t want to turn out the lights for two days after my mother died. I wasn’t really

afraidofthedark.Iwasjust…uneasy.”

“That’s how I feel. My grandfather would never hurt me. I know that.” She laughed. “Ancient

memoriesoftaboosandspiritualism,perhaps.”

Henodded.“Perhaps.”

Shesighed.“Well,thanksforthehotchocolate.ThankMavie,too.”

Heturneddownthecovers,tuggedherarmsothatshegotunderthem.“Moveover.”

Sheblinked.“What?”

“Moveover.”

Surprised,shecomplied.Heslidintobedbesideher,laidbackonapillowandmovedwhatwasleft

ofhisotherarmsothatitwasaroundherhead.

“Nowgotosleep,”hesaid,andreachedtoturnoutthebedsidelampwithhisgoodhand.

Shewasstiffasaboard,andshocked.

“Thedoor ’swide-open,”heremindedher,noddingtowardit.“EvenifIhadtheimpulse,Iwouldn’t

actonitwhenyou’regrievingandfrightened.Imaybearogue,butIhopeyouthinkbetterofmethan
that.”

Sherelaxed,justalittle.“Whatwillyourfamilythink,though?”sheworried.

“That I’m doing something Quixotic,” he murmured, alluding to Don Quixote and his habit of

misplacednobility.“Protectingthevulnerable.”

“AmIvulnerable?”

He turned his head on the pillow. His black eyes pierced hers. “You were the night I got drunk,

weren’tyou,Bodie?”heaskedinadeep,huskywhisper.

Sheturnedred.“Yousaidyoudidn’tremember,”sheaccused.

“Ididn’t.Notuntiltheotherday.”Hisheadrolledbackonthepillowsothathecouldstareupatthe

ceiling.“Notuntilitwastoolate,andI’dsaidthingsIcan’ttakeback,promptedyouintoadecision
thatwillscaryouforlife.”

Sheswallowed.“Oh.”Shewasrememberingthatnightwithbrutalclarity.He’dbeenalittlerough

withher,butsotenderandsweetthathermindreeledwithpleasure.

“Wasitthefirsttime?”heaskedtautly.

Shehesitated.Itwasn’tsomethingshewantedtoadmit,leastofalltohim.

Hisheadturnedonthepillow.Inthelightfromthehall,hecouldseeherface.“Wasit,Bodie?”

Shebitherlowerlip.“Yes.Inever…Imean…”shesaidhesitantly.

Somethingflashedinhiseyes.Heturnedherfaceuptohiswithatenderhand,caressinghercheek

ashebenttokisshereyesshut.“Atleast,”hewhispered,“youhadsomethinguntaintedbeforeWill’s
friendputhisfilthyhandsonyou,evenifIwasdrunkatthetime.”

Shestartedtospeak,buthismouthmovedsoftlyontohers,tastingitwithreverence,withaching,

breathlesstenderness.

“Softlittlerosebud,”hewhisperedagainsthertightlips,“soafraidtoopenitspetals…”

“Iam…!”

Hechuckledasherindignantreplygavehimjusttheopeninghewanted.Hepressedherlipsback

underhis,openingthemtoakissthatwasasreverentasitwasmasterful.Henibbledatherupperlip,
teasedthemoistundersidewithhistongue,inawaythatmadeherbodygotightintheoddestplaces.

Shegasped.

Hedrewback,hisbreathalittleunsteadyonhermouth.“Ifyouwereafewyearsolder,andIwasa

biggerrakethanIalreadyam,I’dgetupandlockthedoor.”

Shewasallatsea.Shehadnorealexperienceofmen,exceptwithhim,andshewasn’tsurewhathe

wasinsinuating.“Youmeanyou’dlockmein…?”

His mouth ground down into hers hungrily. “I mean I’d lock myself in here with you and start

takingoffyourclothes!”hebitoff.

Shegaspedunderhisdemandingmouthasherolledtowardher.

His hand was under her shirt, moving up, when footsteps sounded on the staircase. Luckily he

wasn’ttoofargonetohearthem.

He moved onto his back, grimacing, and forced himself to breathe normally. “Please try to look

likeyou’reasleepsothatmybrotherdoesn’tthrowmeouttheclosestwindow,”hesaidwitharough
attemptathumor.

“Ishouldhelphim,”shemanagedtoreply.Butshedidclosehereyesandtrytolookinnocent.

Thefootstepsstopped attheopen doorabruptly.There wasa soft explosion of breath, and then a

softerchuckle.Thefootstepsstartedupagain.

Caneletoutthebreathhe’dbeenholding.HeturnedhisheadsothathecouldseeBodie’sshocked

eyes,veryclosetohis.

“Youwouldn’tthrowmeoutawindow,”hemused,hiseyestwinkling.“You’dhavenobodytoteach

youhowtokiss.”

“Cane!”shemutteredangrily.

His thumb moved over her soft mouth. “God, I love kissing you,” he whispered. “You’re too

damnedyoungandI’moutofmymindtoevenbelookingat you. I’ve hurt you, sent you running,
gottenyouintoonehellofamesswithmytemper…”

“Youforgotthepartwhereyoucalledmeabuddingprostitute,”shesaidangrily.

Hesighed.“Yeah.Iforgotthatpart.”

Helookedsoguiltythathemadeherfeelguiltyforbringingitup.Shegrimaced.“Sorry.Itstings.”

“Iwantedyou.”

Sheblinked.“Excuseme?”

Herolledover,facingher.“Iwantedyou,”hesaidquietly.“Wewerealone,Iwasachingforrelief

afterIkissedyou,andfrankly,you’dhaveletmedoanythingIliked.Iwouldhavelikedtodoalot.”
Hisjawtautened.“IsaidthingsIdidn’tmean,tomakeyourun.I’msorry.Ishouldhavebeenhonest

withyouaboutit.ButIcanusuallyonlybethathonestwhenI’mdrunk.”Helookedatherchininstead
ofmeetinghereyes.“You’retooyoung,Bodie,”hesaidflatly.“Youhaven’tevenlivedyet.”

“Youwantme,”sherepeatedit,faintlyshocked.

“Yeah.”

“Younever…said.”

Hegaveheraspeakinglook.“Youcouldn’ttellbyhowhardIgotwhenIwaskissingyou,then?”

Shegasped.“CaneKirk!”shemuttered,andhithim.

Hegrinned.“Wantmetodemonstrateitagain?”

Shestartedtospeakwhenthefootstepssoundedinthehallagain.

“We’reasleep,”heremindedher,andturnedontohisback,closinghiseyes.

Thefootstepssoundedodd.Thatwaswhenherealizedthattherewasmorethanonesetofthem.He

didn’tdarelook.

There were soft exclamations from at least two people. More subdued chuckling. After a minute,

during which Cane hoped they wouldn’t look too closely at the people in the big bed, the footsteps
movedawayagain.

WhenheglancedatBodie,hereyeswereopenandshewastryingnottolaugh.

“What?”heasked.

“Yourbrothers,MorieandMavie,”shesaidbreathlessly.“Youshouldhaveseentheirfaces.”

“How…?”

“Iwaslookingpastyourchest,”shesaid.“Theycouldn’tseeme.”

Heshookhishead.“Isupposewedolookodd.”

Shelaidherheadonhisshoulder,againstwhatwasleftofhisarm.“Thankyou,”shewhispered.

“Forkissingyou?”heteasedlightly.

“Forbeingnoble,”sherepliedquietly.“ForcaringthatIwasinherealoneandscaredofthedark…

andnotmakingfunofme.”

Hehadn’thadawomaninhisarmssincetheaccident.Hewasafraidhewouldn’tbeabletomake

love again or that he’d fumble and make a fool of himself with some worldly-wise female who’d
laughathim.ButBodiedidn’tmakehimuncomfortable.Sohecurledhiselbowaroundher,thestump

againstherwaist.Shedidn’tevenflinch.

“Itdoesn’tbotheryou?”heaskedtautly.

“Don’tbesilly.”Shesighed.“Whyshouldit?”

“There’snohand,”hesaidthroughhisteeth.

“Lots of men have lost arms and legs in the war and during the occupation,” she said, her voice

sounding a little drowsy now. “Many of them were married. I don’t think it would matter to the
womentheycamehometo.”

Heblinked.

Shenuzzledcloser.“WoulditmattertoyouifIwasmissinganarm?”

“No.”Hesaiditinstantly,withoutthinking.

Shesmiled.

Hischestroseandfellheavily.Hewasconflicted.PartofhimwasdelightedthatBodiecouldaccept

himasaman,asawholeman,andnotbedisparaging.Butanotherpartwasuneasyandapprehensive
aboutgettingseriouswithher.She’djustsufferedamajorloss,compoundedbyherveryunpleasant
experiencewithherstepfatherandhisfriend.Shewasn’tthinkingaboutitrightnow,safeinCane’s
arms.Butitwouldbeinhermind,andwhenthenumbnessworeoff,thatblessednumbnessthateased
bereavedpeoplethroughtheworstpartofthepainandanguish,shewouldhavetodealwithit.She
might hate Cane for his part in her disgrace. She might blame him for losing her grandfather and
forcinghertolowerherprideinanattempttosavetheroofovertheirheads.

Shemight.But rightnow,she wascurledtrustingly inhis arms, drifting off to sleep. And he was

holdingher,likeprecioustreasure,drinkinginthefaintscentofrosesthatclungtohersoftskin.

Tomorrow might bring more heartache, more problems. Tonight he was safe, she was safe, they

were together and experiencing a new tenderness in their relationship that felt like a bright new-
mintedpennyonaspringday.Hefeltreborn,fullofhopeandsubduedpassion.

He wasn’t going to think about any of it tonight. He was going to savor Bodie in his arms, close

againsthisheartandlettomorrowwait.Thismightbetheonlytimehe’dhaveBodietohimself,ever
again.Hewasn’tgoingtowasteasecondofthenightinworriedpossibilities.Heclosedhiseyes.He
evensmiled.

***

MORNING

,whenBodiewoke,shewasalone.Shethoughtatfirstthatshe’d dreamed about

Caneholdingherwhilesheslept.Butthenshenoticedtheemptycupthathadheldhotchocolate,and
sawthedentinhersparepillowwhereCane’sheadhadrested.Impulsively,smiling,sheburiedher
faceinit.Thespicyscentofhiscolognestillclungtoit.Shedrankitin.

She got out of bed and then she remembered. Today they were burying her grandfather. All the

brighthappinesswasgone,likealightswitchbeingclickedoff.Shewasgoingtobealonefortherest
ofherlife.Thelastlivingmemberofherfamilywasdead.Shehadnohomeleft,becauseWillJones
hadpossessionofherhouse.Allherthings,andGranddad’s,werehereinthisroomorintheKirks’
storagebuilding.

For some insane reason, she remembered the Christmas tree that she’d cut and paid for, and

decoratedwithsuchoptimismandlove.Shesatdownonthebedandburstintotears.

“Oh,mygoodness,”Moriesaidfromthedoor.ShewenttoBodieandhuggedhertight,rockingher

astheysattogetheronthebed.“Ithoughtitwouldhityousoonerorlater,”sheaddedgently.“It’sall
right.Really.”

“MyChristmastree,”shechokedout.“It’ssuchastupidthingtocryabout.ItwasoneMamaplanted

before she died, so we could have live trees. I cut it down and Will Jones made me pay him for it,
becauseitwasonhisland…”

“Thatdog!”Moriemuttered.

“Ithadourolddecorationsonit.Someofthemweremygrandmother ’s.They’reallgone…!”

“Theyarenot,”Mallorysaidfromthedoorway.Hewalkedin,smilinggentlyathiswife.“Morie

remembered the decorations, so we called Tank and had them strip them off the tree. They’re in a
box, along with all your other odds and ends, in the barn shed. They’ll be safe. The building is
temperaturecontrolled,sotherewillbenodamagetothem.”

“Yes,becauseourprizebreedingbullslivethere,too,”Moriesaid.

“Oh,that’ssokind!”AndBodieburstintotearsagain.

“We’ve got you another dress to wear to the funeral,” Morie told her gently. “Don’t fuss. If our

situationswerereversed,you’ddoitformeinaheartbeatandyouknowit.Everything’sarranged,
eventheburialplotinthechurchcemeterywhereyourgrandmother,yourfatherandyourmotherare
buried.”

“Youshouldseetheflowers,”Tanksaidfromthedoorway.Hewaswearingasuitandlookedvery

dashing.Hehadthesamedarkeyesandhairthathisbrothersshared.“Thechurchisfullalreadyand
thefloristisstoop-shoulderedfromcarryingthemin.You’llhavealotofthingstoplant.”

“Yes,andIhopemycollegedormwillallowmetodigupthefloorforthat,”Bodiesaidwithfaint

humor.

“Youcanplantthemhere,”Moriesaidgently.“They’llbeherewheneveryoucancomehome,and

yourroomwillbeherewaitingforyou.”

Sheliftedherheadandlookedattheolderwomanblankly.

“You’rehome,now,Bodie,”Malloryadded,smiling.“Wehadafamilymeeting.”Heshrugged.“So

you’re now officially part of the family. This is your place in the world, when you’re not away at
collegeorondigs.”

Thetearsweredrowningher.“Idon’tknowwhattosay,”shechokedout.“Youguysaresosweet!”

“ItwassortofCane’sidea.”Tankchuckled.

“Hesaidyoucouldn’tliveinamotel.”Morienodded.

“Althoughweofferedtosetyouupatentontheroadinfrontof Will Jones’s place and have the

localnewspaperdoawrite-uponhowhestoleyourmother ’slandfromyou,”Mallorysaidwithpure
venom.

“Which we agreed we weren’t going to talk about, yes?” Morie told her husband with wide,

speakingdarkeyes.

“Sorry,”Mallorymurmured.“Couldn’tresistit.”

“Will Jones will get his just deserts one day,” Tank promised. “The sheriff has some promising

leadsonayoungladywhoisrumoredtobeunderage.Ifitpansout,Will’sgoingtojail.”

“Itcouldn’tpossiblyhappentoanicerman,”Bodiesaidbetweensobs.

“We’realsohavingourattorneyslookintothelegalityofyourmother ’swill,”Tanktoldher.“We

think there may have been some irregularities, especially since your mother said very specifically
thatherpropertywastogotoyouonherdeath.”

“Hehadawill,”Bodiebegan.

“Willscanbeforged,sweetheart,”Morietoldhergently.

“It would be nice to have my house back,” Bodie said. “But it’s just a house, you know. When I

finish undergraduate studies, I’ll go on to master ’s and then doctorate schools. I won’t be around
much.”Shewipedhereyesonthehemofhershirt.“Butthanksforlettingmehaveaspaceformy
stuff.”Shemanagedawaterysmile.“Weallhavetohaveourstuff.”

Theychuckled.

“He’s got more stuff than most people.” Morie indicated her husband, giving him an affectionate

grin.

“I’molderthanmostpeople,”Mallorysaideasily.

“Dear old man,” Morie murmured. She got up and kissed her husband’s chin. “We should get

dressed.Wehavetoleavesoon.”

“Someofusarealreadydressed,andlookdashing,”Tanksaid,strikingapose.

“Ha!”Canesaidfromthedoorway.“Inyourdreams.Now,whenwespeakofdashingmen…”He

indicatedhimself,deckedoutinanavybluesuitwithaspotlesswhiteshirtandpatternedtie.

“Conceitrunsinyourfamily,doesn’tit?”Moriemurmuredagain.

Canemadeafaceather.“CanIhelpitifIhavesomuchtobeconceitedabout?”

Bodielaughed.

Hegaveherateasingsmile.“Tellthem.Ihavequalities.”

“Hedoes,”shehadtoadmit.

“Yes,anditwasniceofyoutoleavethedooropen,”MorietoldCane.“Someofushadsuspicions

aboutyourmotivesforsharingBodie’sbed.”

“Wickedgirl,”Caneshotback.“Iwasthesoulofchivalry.”

EverybodylookedatBodieforverificationofthatboast.Whensheflushed,theyallburstintopeals

oflaughter.

“Hence the open door,” Cane said with a worldly sigh. He chuckled. “We’d better let her get

dressed,”headded,moresolemnly.“Onelasthurdletogetthrough,Bodie.”

Shenodded.

“Youhavedecisionstomake,also,”Tankremarked.

“Ido?”Shethoughtshe’dmadethemall,aboutmusicandthecasketandtheministers.Shesaidso.

“No,”Tankclarified.“AbouthowyouwantustohandleitifWillshowsupatthefuneralhome.”

“Hewouldn’tdare,”Bodieexclaimed.“Hedidn’tcometothewake!”

“Yes,buthelivesinthecommunityandtherewillbesomenastygossipifhedoesn’tcometohis

ownfather-in-law’sfuneral.Usuallyhedoesn’tcarefortheopinionofotherpeople.Butinthiscase,
hejustmight.”

“I’ll have the funeral director ask him to leave,” Bodie decided solemnly. “Granddaddy wouldn’t

likehavingthatmanathisfuneral.HehatedWill.”

“AlotofpeoplehateWill,”Tankreplied.“He’shadahandineverybitofnastinessthateverwent

downinthiscommunity,fromwhatpeoplewhogrewupherehavetoldus.He’sneverbeenarrested,
buthe’sbeeninvestigated.Theycouldjustneverfindenoughevidencetobringhimtotrial.”

“Thatcanchange,”Canesaid.

“Yes.”Tanksmiled.“Getmoving,Bodie.Afterthefuneral,we’llhaveahousefulofpeoplecoming

tohelpuseatthewagonloadsoffoodourneighborsbrought.Weliveinonehellofaniceplace.”

Bodie smiled, too. “One of my earliest memories was of Mama baking cakes and making

casserolesforpeoplewhohaddeathsinthefamily.Thewholechurchalwaysgottogether.Theyhada
listofmemberstheycalledwhoprovidedmealsforthefamilymembers.”

“That’swhywelovelivinghere,”Malloryreplied.“Okay.Everybodyout.”

“Thanks,”Bodiesaidastheyfiledout.“Thanksalot.”

Cane paused at the doorway. “You’d do it for us, honey.” He smiled at her reaction to the

endearment,andclosedthedoor.

CHAPTERSEVEN

ODIE

CRIED

THROUGHOUT

the brief ceremony, her eyes on the closed casket, surrounded by what

seemed to be mountains of colorful flowers. There were a lot of poinsettias since it was nearly
Christmas,redonesandwhiteones,inprofusion.Thatbroughthometherealizationthatshewouldn’t
be sharing the holidays with her grandfather, and she cried even more. She was suddenly aware of
Cane’sarmaroundher,holdingherclose.

“Holdon,”hewhisperedinherear.“Almostdone.”

Shenodded.

There was a final prayer and the pianist played “Amazing Grace” as the pallbearers moved the

casketthroughasideroomtothewaitinghearse.

As Bodie turned with Cane, she saw her stepfather standing across the aisle from them. Her eyes

shotfireathim.Canelookedatthemanandjerkedhisheadtowardthefrontdoorwithcoldmeaning.

Will wasn’t brave enough to stand up to a younger man with evident hostility. He shrugged and

movedtothedoorway,slowlyenoughtomakeCanewanttogoafterhim.

That unpleasantness dealt with, Bodie followed the pallbearers with Cane holding tightly to her

hand.HehelpedherintothelimousineandwenttospeakquietlytoTankandMallory.Bodiecouldn’t
hearwhatwassaid,butshewasfairlycertainithadsomethingtodowithherstepfather.

***

HERE

WAS

BIG

CROWD

at the cemetery as there had been at the church. Cane held Bodie’s hand

possessively, oblivious to the amused attention of several bystanders, while the final prayers were
said.

Ablanketofred,whiteandbluerosescoveredthecasket,apresentfromtheKirks,acknowledging

RafeMays’sserviceinVietnamasadecoratedwarveteran.Thewholeareawascoveredwithsprays
and wreaths in beautiful bright colors. Christmas colors. The sky was dark and foreboding and
weather forecasts mentioned the possibility of snow. Bodie wouldn’t have minded. She loved snow,
despitethehardshipsitpresentedforranchersandtownsfolkalike.

Withthelastprayercompleted,membersofthecommunityfiledbytoshakeBodie’shandorhug

herandvoicetheircondolences.Ittookalongtime,andwarmedherhearttohavesomanypeople
cometopaytheirrespects.

She stood alone at the graveside for a few minutes, saying her own private goodbye to her

grandfather.

“I’llmissyouallmylife,”shewhispered.“Iloveyou,Granddaddy.”

Tearsstunghereyes.Shewipedthemaway,tookalastlookatthecasketandturnedtoleave.Itwas

hardtowalkaway.Itwasevenhardernottolookback.

***

ATER

HOME

WITH

mountainsoffoodonthediningroomtableandabuffetlineformedbecauseall

thecowboyswhoworkedfortheranchalsowereinvitedtothefeast,Bodiefilledaplatewithfried
chickenandmashedpotatoesandpeas.Shewasn’treallyhungry,butitwouldhavebeenaninsultnot
toeat,whenpeoplehadgonetoallthistroubletomakedinnerforthefamily.Sinceeveryoneknew
that Bodie was living at the Kirk ranch—there were no secrets at all in small communities—they
deliberatelymadeenoughsothattheKirksandthecowboyscouldeat,aswell.Itwasakindnessthat
Bodieacknowledgedwithhumility.Shehadn’trealizedjusthowkindherneighborsreallywereuntil
now.

“Thatwasquiteaturnout,”MalloryKirksaidastheysataroundthebigdiningroomtable,working

their way through desserts that included cakes and pies and puddings. “Your grandfather had more
friendsthanIevenrealized.”

“He was born here,” Bodie reminded him, forcing a smile. “His name is on that big veterans’

monumentdowntown.”

“We were grateful that he came with the ranch when we bought it,” Tank added, sipping black

coffee.“Hekneweverythingabouttheday-to-dayoperations, and he taught Darby how to organize
thework.”

“Yes,hedid,”Darbyreplied.“Hewasagoodman,Bodie.”

Shesmiled.“Thanks.”

“HetaughtmehowtoswimwhenIwasaboy,”oneoftheolderranchhandspipedin.

“Didhe?”

“Yup.”Hiseyestwinkled.“ItoldhimIdidn’tknowhow.Hepickedmeupandthrewmeheadfirst

intoawaterhole.”

“Goodheavens!”Bodieexclaimed.“Andyoudidn’tdrown?”

“Well,drowningwasagoodincentivetolearntoswim.Istarteddog-paddlingonthespot.Notthat

RafewouldhavestoodbywhileIdied,”headded.“HesaidhewouldhavejumpedinaftermeifI’d
gottenintrouble.Saidthatwashowhisdadtaughthimtoswim.”HeeyedBodieandpursedhis lips.
“Canyouswim?”

“Yes!”shesaidatonce.

Everybodylaughed.

***

Later,

WHILE

ALLORY

andMoriewatchedthenews,BodiesatinthelivingroomwithTankwhilehe

triedoutanewpieceofsheetmusiche’dboughtonline.

“Ireallylikethat,”shesaidwhenhefinished.

“Me, too,” he agreed. He turned on the piano bench. “Any requests?” he inquired with a tender

smile.

“Yes,”Canesaidfromthedoor.“Stopplaying.”

Tank made a face at him. “You’re only jealous because I mastered ‘Rach Three’ and you never

could,” he added, referencing a nightmare of a piece composed by Rachmaninoff that very few
classicallytrainedpianistscouldmaster.

“IcouldhavelearneditifI’dwantedto,”Canereturned.Buthedidn’tflyupatTankforthememory

ofanearliertimewhenhehadtwohandsandhecouldplayalmostaswellasTank.AlltheKirkswere
musical.

“No patience,” Tank told Bodie, nodding at his brother. “Mom almost had to tie him to the piano

benchtomakehimlistentothepianoteacher.”

“Iwasalwaysmoreinterestedinoutdooractivities,”Canereturned.Hesatdownonthesofabeside

Bodieandcrossedhislonglegs.

“LikeshootingotherboyswithBBguns,”Tankpointedoutdryly. “Almost landed us in a lawsuit

once.”

“Heshotmefirst,”Caneargued.“Hejustliedaboutit.Ineverlie.”

“That’s absolutely true.” Tank sighed. “I asked him to tell a little white lie, just once, to keep a

determinedwomanfrompursuingme.HetoldherIwashomeandevenbroughtmethetelephone.”

“Justhelpingyouout,”Canedrawled.“Runningawayfromaproblemneversolvedit.”

BodieandTankalmostbittheirtonguesthroughtryingnottomentionthatdrinkingcertainlycame

underthatheading.

Canegloweredatthem.“I’mturningoveranewleaf,”hesaiddefensively.“Isetupanappointment

withanewtherapistandIgotMavietopourallmyagedScotchwhiskeydownthedrain.”Hemadea
face.“Sheactuallylaughedwhileshewasdoingit.”

“That’scommitment,”Tankhadtoagree.

CanelookeddownatBodiespeculatively.“I’mworkingonsomethingalittlemoreaddictivethan

alcohol.”

“Areyou?”Tankpretendedinnocence.“What?”

Cane’sblackeyestwinkled.“Thatwouldbetelling.Weren’tyouplaying?”

Tankturnedbacktothekeyboard.“Infact,Iwas.Thenewsoundtracksarenice,butyoujustcan’t

beatRachmaninoff’s‘SecondPianoConcerto.’”Hebegantoplayit.

CanelookeddownintoBodie’seyesforsolongthatsheflushedandavertedherface.Hechuckled

softlyunderhisbreath.

***

HAT

NIGHT

SHE

TOSSED

andturned,butshedidfinallysleep.Herdreamsweretroubled,though,and

shewentdowntobreakfastwithdarkcirclesunderhereyes.

“Well,youlooklikedeathwarmedover,”Caneremarkedasshesatdownbesidehimandreached

forthecupofcoffeehepouredforher.

“Couldn’tsleepuntilaboutthreethismorning,”sheconfessed.

“Baddreams?”

“Fearofbaddreams,”shesaidquietly.

“They’llpass,”Mallorysaidgently.“Itonlyneedstime,Bodie.”

“Iknow.”Shesmiledathim.“I’msogratefultoallofyou.Iwouldn’t even have a roof over my

head…”

“Nonsense,” Tank returned. “Half the town offered you that, at the funeral. A lot of people were

fondofRafe.”

“Isupposeso.”Shetoyedwithhereggs.

“Don’tturnyournoseupatmyrare,carefullynurturedcage-free,home-growneggs,”Maviesaid

assheslidaplatterofcrispybaconandperfectlycookedsausagealongsidetheplatterofhomemade
biscuits.“Iserenademyhenseverydaytogetthoseeggs.”

“Yes, she does, I’ve seen her standing in the henhouse playing her violin,” Cane said, tongue in

cheek.

Maviebrandishedaservingspoon.“You’reinenoughtroublewithoutlookingformore,”shetold

him.

“Whatdidhedo?”Bodiewonderedaloud.

“HewalkedoffwithawholeplatterofcookiesIbakedfordesserttonightandateeveryone,”Mavie

saidindignantly.

“Lies,”Canesaid,tastingthesausageonhisplate.“Youmadethemjustforme.”

“Ididnot!”

“YousaidyourselfthatIneededfeedingup,”hepointedout.

“Yes,butnotwithcookies!Youwon’teveneatagoodbiscuit.”

“I’mallergictobiscuits,”hereplied.

“Nobodyisallergictobiscuits.”

“Iam.Watchthis.”Hepickedupabiscuitandspunitoffhisplateontothetablecloth.“Seethat?I

havebiscuitapprehensiondisorder.Veryrare.It’sevenmorenoticeableiftheyhavebutteron.”

Mavieburstoutlaughing.“Igiveup.”

“Youmightaswell,”Tankreplied.“Nobodywinsanargumentwithhim.”

“Idid,once,”Mallorysaid.

“Well,chemistryisn’tmyfield,”Canedrawled.

“It wasn’t a chemistry issue,” Mallory replied. He finished his coffee. “I was barely in middle

schoolatthetime.Yousaidthatmethanewasn’texplosive.Tanklitamatchandprovedyouwrong.”

“Hedamnednearblewupthecowwhoprovidedhimwiththerawmaterials,”Caneaccused.

“Ah, childhood.” Mallory sighed, smiling pleasantly. “They got such a whipping from Dad.” He

smiled.“Happymemories.”

“Heputusuptoit,”Canesaid,pointinghisforkatMalloryandglowering.“HetoldTanktotellme

methanewasn’tdangerous.HeknewI’dargue.Ialwaysargued.”

“Youstilldo.”Tankchuckled.

“OnlywhenIknowI’mright.”

“Onlyallthetime,”Tankmused.

Canemadeaface.“Well,anyway,itwasaninstructiveexperiment.Anditgotmeoutofcleaningthe

stallsinthebarnforquitesometime.”

“Forawholeweek,”Malloryagreed.

“My grandfather said you guys were experimenting with a way to use methane gas to power the

electricityinthebarn.”

“We are,” Mallory replied. “It was an expensive setup, but it’s saving us a fortune in power bills.

Imagine.Moderntechnologyisimpressive.”

“Whycan’ttheydothatotherplaces?”Bodiewondered.

“Well,therearesomeplaceswherelandfillsuseitforpower,”Canesaid.“Butthesetup,asMallory

said,isquiteexpensive.Onlylargecitiescanutilizetheconcept.”

“Wouldn’titbeniceifgarbagecouldbeusedtosolveourenergywoes?”shewonderedaloud.

“Nice,indeed.”

“What a subject for breakfast conversation,” Morie exclaimed, joining them at the table with an

emptycup.

Mallory kissed her tenderly and poured coffee into it for her. “We were discussing energy

concepts.”

“SoIheard.”Sheglancedup.“Howareyoudoing,Bodie?”

Bodiesmiled.“Alittleblue.ButI’llmend.”

“Ofcourseyouwill.Itjusttakestime.”

Cane pursed his sensual lips. “I have to drive over to Jackson Hole to talk to a man about a bull.

Wanttocomealong?”heaskedBodie.

Shewassurprised.Butitwasapleasantsurprise,anditshowed.“Well,I…sure.”

Hechuckled.“Wewon’tbelong.Iwanttolookatoneofhisyearlings.Thesire’sbeenwrittenupin

majorranchingjournals.Iwanttoseeformyself.”

“Ilikecattle,”Bodiesaid.

“Sodowe.”Mallorychuckled,too.

“We’llgoafterbreakfast,”CanetoldBodie.

Shesmiledandnodded.Itwouldbegoodtohavesomethingtokeephermindoffhergrandfather.

AnditwasathrilltohaveCaneseekingouthercompany.Thatinitselfwasunusual.

***

ANE

DROVE

ONE

THE

ranchpickups,hisonehandmanagingthesteeringwheeleffortlessly.

“The rancher ’s name is Bill Sanders,” he told her. “He’s a third generation rancher. His father

almost lost the ranch to a development corporation a few years ago. They wanted to build a hotel
complexonhisland.Hewenttocourtandfoughtthemfortwoyears.Intheend,hewon.Theywentto

anotherpartofthestate,wherepeoplewerelessresistanttochange.”

“JacksonHoleisprettydeveloped,isn’tit?”shewondered.“Lotsofhotelsandstuff.”

“Yes. It’s commercialized these days. The Teton mountain range is so famous that people come

fromallovertheworldjusttolookatit.Plus,it’sunspoileduphereinthispartofthestate.Freshair
andwaterarenothingtosneezeat.”

“Yes.MygrandfathersaidthatI’dlivetoseepeoplegotowaroverwater.Ithoughtthatwasfunny

whenIwasyoung.Now,itdoesn’tseemsofar-fetchedatall.”

He glanced at her, smiling. She looked very pretty in a green turtleneck sweater and jeans. It was

warm in the truck, so her old leather jacket was spread over her legs. “You look nice, Bodie. You
alwaysdo.”

Shesmiledback.“Thanks.”

Heturnedhisattentionbacktotheroad.“Ithoughtwemighthavelunchontheway.Iknowthislittle

placethatservessomeofthebestbarbecueinWyoming.”

“Ilovebarbecue,”shenoted.

“Yes,Iknow.SodoI.Thehotter,thebetter.”

“Istillhavetastebuds.Theycanmakeitmilder,can’tthey?”sheasked.

“Asmildasyoulike,honey,”hesaid,theendearmentcomingsonaturallythathedidn’tevennotice.

Bodiedid.Canedidn’tuseendearments,nottoanyone.Itwasathrilltohearhimusethemwithher.

PerhapshejustfeltsorryforherorguiltyabouthisbehaviorbeforeRafeMaysdied.Whateverthe
reason,itmadeherheartlift.

“WithFrenchfries,”sheadded.

Hegrinned.“Can’teatbarbecuewithoutfries.Theymaketheirown.Nofrozenonesoutofbags.”

“Wow.”

“Andtheowner ’smotherbakescakesfortherestaurant.SomeofthebestonesI’veevertasted.”

“Nowyou’remakingmehungry,”shepointedout.

Hechuckled.“Good.Youcouldusealittlemeatonthosebones.”

“Iamnotthin.”

“Yes,youare,abit.Nowonder,consideringwhatyou’vebeenthroughlately.”Hisfacehardened.“I

wishyou’dtoldmeallofit,Bodie.IwentoffhalfcockedandsaidthingsI’llneverforgivemyself

for.IfI’dknownhowbadthingswereatyourplace,I’dneverhavespokentoyousoharshly.”

Sheswallowed.“Itwaspride,”sheconfessed.“Ididn’twanttoadmitthatIcouldn’ttakecareofmy

ownfinances.”

“Nobodycouldfunctionwiththatsortoftragedylooming.”Heglancedather.“Oneofthecowboys

saidyouevenpawnedyourgrandmother ’sjewelrytopayforRafe’smedicine.”

That smarted. She ground her teeth together. “I didn’t have a choice,” she said after a minute.

“Jewelry, even heirlooms, well, are just things. People are more important. Besides, the pawn shop
guypromisedhewouldn’tsellthem.ItoldhimI’dbeabletoredeemthemearlynextyear.”

Hedidn’treply.Buttherewasasecretsmileonhislipsthathedidn’tlethersee.

***

RESTAURANT

WAS

truckstop,fullofbeefytruckdrivers.Theparkinglotwasfullofsemis,lined

uplikeducksinarow.

“Youneversaiditwasatruckstop,”Bodieremarked.

Hechuckledasheheldthedooropenforher.“Nobodyknowswherethebestfoodisbetterthana

trucker.Longhaulsliketheymake,youliveforgoodfood.”

SeveralmenlookedupwhenBodiewalkedinwithCane.Shefeltuncomfortable.Sheonlysawone

woman,sittingwithaverytall,oldermaninabackbooth.

Canefrowned.Herreactiondisturbedhim.“Hey,it’sokay,”hesaidgently.

Shebitherlip.Oneofthetruckerswasgivingheralookthatmadeherfeelundressed.Hepunched

hiscompanionandjerkedhisheadtowardBodie.Theothermanlookedatherforalongminuteand
thensmiled,andnotinaniceway.

BodiemovedalittleclosertoCane.

Hestoppeddead,staredatthetruckerandnarrowedhiseyes.Thetruckersuddenlynoticedhisfood

andstoppedlookingatBodie.

“Let’sgo,”Canesaidcurtly.Hecaughtherhandandledheroutoftherestaurant.“Whatthehellwas

that all about?” he asked curtly. He stopped at the truck and looked down into her eyes. “I’ve never
seenmenreactthatwaytoyoubefore.”

“Me, neither,” she said uneasily. “I’m not wearing anything revealing, am I?” she wondered,

insecurityinhertoneasshestudiedherownclothing.“Gosh,IfeltlikeIwasonofferorsomething.”

Hedrewinalongbreath.HewasrememberingWillJones’scomputer. The man was a techie. He

coulddoanythingonline.ButTankhadseentheimageonthecomputerscreenandhesaidthatWill’s
friend Larry had just been kissing Bodie. That was all. Still, it would have been traumatic for an

innocent,whowasdoingsomethingagainstherwilltotrytosavehergrandfatherfrombeingevicted.

“You think I’m cheap, don’t you?” Bodie asked in an anguished tone. “That was how those men

lookedatme,likeIwasastreetwalker....”

Hepulledherintohisarms,wrappedheruptightandrockedheragainsthispowerfulbody.“Idon’t

know what was going on in there, but no sane man would ever liken you to a scarlet woman,” he
whisperedinherear.“Leastofall,me.Iknowbetterthananyothermanonearthhowinnocentyou
are.”

Herhearttrippedandranawaywithher.Shefeltbreathless,excited,asshe’dneverbeeninherlife.

Hishandsmoothedherdark,softhair.“You’vehadonetoomanyupsetsalready.We’llfindanother

placetoeat.Onewherefamiliesgo,nottruckers.Okay?”

Shemanagedasmile.“Okay…”

“Hey,”adeepvoicecalledtothem.

Theyturned.Atall,burlymanwithawomanbesidehimcameuptothem.BodienoticedthatCane’s

posturechanged,justslightly,ashemovedintoabalancedstance.Sherecalledthathehadabeltin
martialartsandthatTanksaidhetaughtitwhenhewasintheservice.Didheperceiveathreat?

TheothermancameuptothemandhesitatedwhenhesawBodie’sdrawn,paleface.“Theownerof

this place is a friend of mine. Don’t know what caused those two men to make you feel
uncomfortable, but the owner tossed them out. You come back and have a nice meal. Don’t let two
idiotsputyouoffsomeofthebestfoodinWyoming.”

Thewomansmiled.“Icouldseehowuncomfortableyouwere,”shetoldBodie.“MyhusbandandI

do these long hauls together. I drive while he sleeps and vice versa.” She looked up at the big man
lovingly.“We’vebeenmarriedtenyears.Doesn’tseemthatlong.”

Herhusbandchuckled.“Nottome,either,darling.”HelookedatBodie.“Comeonbackinside.You

can sit with us. If anybody gives you a hard time, I’ll teach them some manners.” He turned his
attentiontoCaneandchuckledagain.“Sawyougointothatfightingstance.Iwouldn’ttackleyou,”he
added, unaware of Cane’s irritation that another man offered to help Bodie because Cane was
disabled.“Youlookprettydangerous.”

ThatwaswhenCanerecalledthathewaswearingtheprosthesisandtheothermandidn’trealizehe

wasdisabled.Herelaxedvisibly.“Onlywhensomethingthreatensmybestgirl,”hesaidgently,and
smileddownatavisiblyflusteredBodie.

“I’mthesameway.Comeon.Thisbarbecueisn’tsomethingyouwanttomiss!”

He led the way back in with his wife. Cane and Bodie sat with them, aware of apologetic glances

fromtheothermenpresent,andorderedplatesofbarbecue.Bythetimetheyfinished,theywereona
first-namebasiswiththeirrescuersandevensomeofthetruckerssittingnearby.

***

“W

ELL

THAT

WAS

surprise,”BodiemusedwhentheywerebackontheroadtoJacksonHole.

“Wasn’tit?”Hesmiled.“Peoplecanbenice.I’llbehonest,Ididn’tknowwhattoexpectwhenthat

humanmountaincamebarrelingouttowardus.Ithoughtitwasgoingtomeanafight.”

“Me,too.ButIwasn’tafraid.Youcanhandleyourself.”

“Yeah.Meandmyonearm.”

“Stopthat,”shemuttered,glaringathim.“You’remissingahand.Thatdoesn’tmakeyouanylessa

man.Whenthechipsaredown,I’dbetonyouagainstanybodyelseinafight.”

Helookedsurprised.“Youwould?”

“Ofcourse.”

Heshiftedalittlebehindthewheel.Hischinlifted.Shedidn’tknowit,buthe’dfeltverydefensive

whenhethoughttheothermanwasinsinuatingthathecouldn’tprotectBodie.Now,hefeltbetter.She
hadnodoubtsabouthisabilitytotakecareofher.Itmadehimfeeltwofeettaller.

“I’msorryforwhathappenedtoyouoverseas,”shesaidgently.“Iknowyoudon’tliketotalkabout

it,butyoudidaverybravething.Idon’tknowanyoneelsewhowouldhavebeenwillingtomakea
sacrificelikethattosavelives.Well,maybeyourbrothers,”sheamended.“Butthepointisit’slikea
firefighter rushing into a building to save a child.” She glanced at his hard face and away again. “I
thinkyou’rethebravestpersonI’veevermet.”

Heactuallyflushed.Hecouldn’tevenanswerher.

“There,I’vestuckmytoesinmymouthagain,haven’tI?”sheaskedaloud,grimacing.“Ican’tseem

tofindtherightwords…!”

“Ithinkyoufoundjusttherightwords.”Heputonthebrakesatafour-waystopandturnedtolook

at her. “I have trouble expressing myself, too. I’m defensive about the way I am. When that trucker
saidhe’dhandleitifsomeothermanbotheredyou,ithurtmypride.IthoughthewassayingIwasn’t
manenoughtodoit.”Helaughedhollowly.“ThenIrealizedhedidn’tknowIwasmissingpartofmy
arm.Thisthinglooksprettyreal.”Henoddedtowardhisleftarm,wheretheprosthesismadeitlook
verynormal.

“Youtakeoffensesometimeswhenpeoplearen’ttryingtohurtyou,”shesaidhesitantly.

“Likewiththatfancywomaninthehotel?”heasked,hisfacegoinghard.Helookedbothwaysand

putonthegas.

Bodiedidn’tsayanything.

“What?”heprodded.

“Ididn’tthinkyouwerethatsortofman,”sherepliedtautly.

“Whatsort?”

“Thekindofmanwhopickedupwomen,”shesaidquietly.“Okay,soI’mlivinginthedarkages.I

know it goes on. But it seems reckless. You don’t know anything about people like that. She might
havejustwantedmoneyfromyou,butshemighthavegivenyouadrugtoknockyouout,orevenhad
aboyfriendwaitingnearbytobeatyouupandrobyou.”

“Boy,doyouhavetrustissues,”hepointedout.

“Idon’tpickupmeninbars,”sheretorted.

“Yes,youdo.”Heglancedather.“You’vebeenpickingmeupinbarsforyears.”

“You’re not listening,” she replied, exasperated. “Listen, women who play around with men can

haveallsortsofdiseases,evenfatalones.Howwouldyouknow?Doyouaskforahealthcertificate
beforeyou…”Shecouldn’t even say the words. She turned her attention out the window. “I guess I
don’tbelonginanymodernworld,anywhere.Ithinkpeopleshouldgetmarriedfirst.”

Heclearedhisthroat.“Well,youhavetorememberthatalotofpeoplethesedaysdon’thavethose

old-fashionedattitudes.”

“Inoticed.”

“Andwhetheryouapproveornot,peoplewilldowhattheyplease.”

“I’mnotaprude,”shesaid.Shemovedrestlessly.“Ijusthaveamoretraditionaloutlookonlife.”

“Shutdownthetheaters.Closethebars.Pouroutallthealcohol.Liveinahousewithapicketfence,

wearanapron,haveadozenkids.”

Sheflushed.“Don’tmakefunofme,please.”

He chuckled. “It’s hard not to, honey. You really are a little dinosaur. Where did you get those

strangeattitudesfrom?”

Sheturnedtowardhim.“Frommyfather,whowasaMethodistminister,”shesaid,hereyesfrankly

hostile,moresowhenhelookedsurprised.“Heraisedmetobelievethatcertainthingswerewrong
evenifthewholeworldsaidtheywereright.Helivedhisfaith.Hewasn’tahypocrite,mouthingoff
aboutvaluesandtakingfact-findingtripstoLasVegas.”

Hefrowned.Helookedbacktowardtheroad.“Younevertalkaboutyourfather.”

“Hurtstoomuch,”shesaidheavily.“Iwasridingwithhim.Therewasiceandsnowontheroads,

andweweregoingoveramountainpass.Theroadwasclosed,butoneofhiscongregationmembers
hadjustcomehomefromthehospitalandwashavingacrisisoffaith.Hefeltthetripwasnecessary.”

She swallowed. The memory was hard. “There was a deer. It was just suddenly there, in the road. I
grabbedthewheel…”Shebitherlowerlipsohardthatitbled.“Weranofftheroadandhitatree.He
diedinstantly.”Sheclosedhereyes.“Ikilledmyfather.”

CHAPTEREIGHT

SOON

COULD

, Cane pulled over to the side of the road, into a deserted parking lot, and

abruptlypulledBodieintohisarms.Heheldher,rockedher,kissedherdarkhairwhileshecried.

“Youdidn’tkillhim,”hesaidatherear.“Itwasanaccident.”

“Ijerkedthewheel…!”

“Bodie,”hesaidsoftly,kissinghereyesfreeoftears,“ifyou’reapersonoffaith,thenyoubelieve

inactsofGod,don’tyou?”

“Well,yes.”

“Honey, when your time’s up, it’s up. Doesn’t matter where you are, what you’re doing.” He

smoothedbackherdarkhairandbrushedhismouthoverhers.“Itwashistime.Simpleasthat.You
wereaninstrument,maybe.Thatdoesn’tmakeyouamurderess.”

“Ilovedhimsomuch,”shewhispered.“Mamadid,too.Shegrievedforsolong.Sheneverblamed

me. But I always wondered if the cancer didn’t come from a broken heart. It’s not rational, but it’s
howIthought.Ilostmyfather,andmymother,andnowmygrandfather.Mywholefamily,Cane.”

“Notallofit.Youstillhaveus.”

Shesmiledwetly.“Thanks.”

Hepulledoutahandkerchiefandhandedittoher.“Wipeyoureyes.PeoplewillthinkImadeyou

cry.”

Shemadeaface.“Youdo.Allthetime.”

Hegloweredather.“OnlywhenIdon’tknowwhatI’mdoing.”

Shedrewinacalmingbreath.

“AndI’msorry.Reallysorry.”

Shemanagedasmileforhim.“Me,too.”

Hetiltedherfaceupandsearchedhereyesforsolongthatshewentbeet-redinhercheeks.

“Ilikemakingyounervous,”hesaidinadeep,slowvoice.

“Notnice.”

“I’mnevernice,”hepointedout.Hisgazefelltohersoft,sensitivemouth.“Notever…”Evenashe

spokehisheadbent,andhismouthcrusheddownhardoverhers.“Youstilltasteofbarbecuesauce,”
hewhispered.

“I…do?”

Hechuckledsoftly.“Thatwasn’tacomplaint.”Hesatupandlookedintherearviewmirror.“We’d

bettergetbackontheroad.”

“Martiansaretrackingus?”shewonderedwithagrin.

“Idon’tthinkdeputysheriffsareMartians,”hesaid,ashepulledbackontothehighway.“ButIdon’t

wanttofindout,either.”

“Goodidea,”shereplied.

Hegrinnedather.“Allthesame,ifhispatrolcarstartstolevitate,I’mgoingtobreakmanyspeed

limitsgettingusoutofhere!”

***

HEY

WENT

THE

RANCH

andlookedattherancher ’syearlingbulls.Canewasimpressed.Hemade

arrangementstohavetwoofthemtruckedbacktotheranch,andheheldBodie’shandthewholetime
he was talking. Once in a while, he looked down at her with such tenderness in his eyes that she
flushed.Thatamusedhim.Butnotinabadway.

Shewassohappythatherheartwasoverflowing,andsherememberedsomethinghermotherwas

fondofsaying:afterthecut,thekiss.Hergrandfather ’sdeath,hertraumaticexperiencewithWill,had
beenthecut.This,Canepayingattentiontoher,wantingtobewithher,thatwasthekiss.Itwasmind-
shattering.

Whentheygothome,CanestoppedatthehardwarestoreinCatelowtoordersuppliesfortheranch.

Itwassuchasmallcommunitythatmosteverybodykneweverybodyelse,andtheirfamilieshadbeen
acquaintedforgenerations.TheKirkswererelativenewcomerstothecommunity,butBodie’speople
hadbeeninitforoverahundredyears.

“Jack’sgrandfatherusedtosellhardwaresuppliestomygrandfatherwhenhewasfirstmarried,”

Bodie whispered to Cane, indicating the man behind the counter. “Gossip was that they got in a
terriblefightoverawomanandbruisedeachotherup.Thentheybecamebestfriendsandignoredthe
woman.”Shelaughed.

“Goodthingforyourgrandmother,”Caneteased.

Shenodded.“Averygoodthing.Shelovedmygrandfatherdearly.ShewasoneofthebestcooksI

everknew.I’dlovetobeagoodcook,”sheremarkedwithasigh,“butI’mtoobusytryingtogetan
educationtolearn.”

Shehadn’tthoughtaboutschooluntilthen.Therehadbeensomuchgoingoninherlife,somany

upsetsandamajortragedy.Fromthetimehergrandfatherwasdiagnosedwithheartfailureuntilnow,
things had been unsettled and frightening. The episode with her stepfather and his friend had only
madethingsworse.

“You’re brooding again,” Cane murmured. “You have to stop that. I know all too much about

broodingandtheresults.”

“Inyourcase,”sheremarkedwithtwinklingeyes,“broodingresultsinbrokenthings.”

Heshrugged.“Weallhandlestressinourownindividualways.”Heleaneddown.“Atleastusually

it’sjustbrokenbottlesandglassesinsteadofbrokenjaws.”

“Usually.”Shelaughed.

Hegrimaced.“Well,therearetimes…”

“CanIhelpyou?”Jackasked,noticingthetwopeopleathiscounter.

“Yes. I have a list,” Cane said, handing it to the man. “It’s a little larger than our usual order, but

we’renotinahurrythistime.Someofourmenwillbeonvacationforaweek,sowewon’tbedoing
asmuch.”

“We’veheardaboutthebenefitsattheRanchoReal.”Jackchuckled.“MaybeIshouldlearntoridea

horseandhityouupforajob.BeacolddayinahotplacewhenIgetofferedaweekoffwithpay.”

Cane smiled. “We work our employees hard. We feel they should derive some benefit from their

sacrifices.”

“Two weeks paid vacation a year, retirement, insurance....” Jack ticked them off on his fingers. “I

knowrancherswhopayhalfwhatyoudoandpeoplewho takeChristmasday offgeta day’scutin
pay.”

“We’ve been lucky,” Cane commented diplomatically. “A lot of ranchers are hurting in this flat

economy.Theydowhattheyhavetodo,tostayinbusiness.”

“That’strue,”Jackreplied,nodding.“Nobodyhasjobsecurity.Notevenus.We’rejustfortunatethat

no big-time franchise wants to set up business in such a small community, or all these little shops
wouldgounder.I’veseenithappenelsewhere.”

“SohaveI,”Canesaid.“It’sarealshame.”

“Well, we can have most of this by next week,” Jack said, glancing at the list. “These tools are

specialized and we’ll have to get them from a supplier back East, so it will take maybe ten days.
Unlessyouwantitovernighted,”headded.

“Notnecessary.Justgiveusacallasitcomesin,andwe’llsendsomebodyintotowntopickitup.”

“Mypleasure,”Jacksaid.“Andthanksforthebusiness.”

“Wealwaystradelocallywhenit’spossible,”Canetoldhim.“Wewanttokeepyouopenasmuchas

youdo.”

Jackchuckled.“Yes.Mywifeandkidsappreciateit,aswell.”

Canejustsmiled.

***

THE

WAY

BACK

THE

ranch,hewasthoughtful.

“You’reveryquiet,”Bodieremarked.

“Iwasthinking.”

“Aboutwhat?”

“Afamily.”

Sheblinked.

Heglancedatherandlaughedalittleself-consciously.“I’veneverthoughtaboutsettlingdown.A

wife,kids,theresponsibilityformaintainingafamily…it’sprettyextreme.”

Herheartsank,butshesmiled,anyway.“Idon’tthinkit’saresponsibilitythatpeoplereallychoose.

Itsortofchoosesyou,intherightsetting.”

“In other words, some woman gets her hooks into you and holds out with promises of nightly

delightuntilshegetsaweddingringonherfinger.”

Hesoundedsobitterthatsheknewitwasasituationhe’ddealtwithinthepast.

“Well,therearewomenwithideals,”shebegan.

He glanced at her with a world-weary smile. “Ideals are dispensable in the right situation, Bodie.

Andyouknowit.”

She went red. She averted her face and folded her arms over her chest defensively. She’d never

forgetwhatshe’dbeenforcedtodo,tryingtosavehergrandfather.Nowshehadtolivenotonlywith
thedecision,butthecontemptoftheonemanintheworldwhoseopinionreallymattered.

“IdidwhatIthoughtIhadtodo,”shesaidtightly.“Willwasthreateningtothrowusintothestreets,

andmygrandfather ’sheartconditionwassodangerous…”

“Oh,myGod!”

Heturnedthetruckontothesideoftheroadandcuttheengine.“Ididn’tmeanthat,”hebitoff,his

facetautwithanguish.“Bodie,Ididn’tmeanitlikethat!”

Sheswallowed.Shecouldn’tlookathim.“Ididahorriblething.IdidtellthemI’donlygosofar.I

let Larry kiss me…” She closed her eyes. “It was awful. I hated having him touch me, having Will
filmit…hepromisedmeitwasonlyforprivateuseandnobodywouldeverknow.He’dletusstayin
the house if I did it just that one time, and he’d pay my grandfather ’s pharmacy bill. I still had the
specialisttopayandnomoneyleftforanything....”Shebitherlip.“Ifeltlikeaprostitute!”

Hewantedtodragherintohisarmsandcomforther.Butifhedid,whileshewasdealingwiththat

memory,onehe’dhelpedhermakewithhisbadattitude,itwouldtarnishwhatwasbuildingbetween
them.

“Listen,”hesaidheavily,“Iknowwhyyoumadethedecision,andsodoyou.Itwasasacrificeyou

madeforloveofyourgrandfather,notforthesakeofmoney.Anditwasmyfault.Doyouthinkit’s
any easier for me to live with what you had to do? I lie awake nights thinking what a fool I was,
thinkingofthedamageIdidtoyoubecauseIclassedyouwiththatwomanwhoonlywantedmoney
fromme.It’samistakeIkeepmaking,”hegroaned.

Shewipedhereyes.“You’vehadyourowntragediestoworkthrough,”sheconceded.

“Yes.”Helookedoutthewindshield,hiseyesdarkandsad.“I’mnotdealingwithanyofit.Notwith

the accident, not with the loss of my arm, not with…anything.” He leaned his head back against the
seat.“Ican’ttalkaboutitwithanybody.Idon’ttrustpeople.Thetherapiststheysendmeto,they all
wantmetoopenupatonceandstartspillingoutmyprivatethoughtstothem,likeI’monsomesocial
networkingpage.”Hisfacewenttautagain.“Youcan’timaginehowrepulsiveitistome,readingthe
mostintimatethingsaboutotherpeopleonapagethatthewholeworldhasaccessto.Whatthehellis
wrong with people? They can’t tell such things to their families? They have to share sordid stories
withthewholeworldtofeelabsolution?”

“Don’taskme.Idon’tdosocialnetworking.Ihaveaprivatepage,forfriendsonly.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And your friends don’t share what you tell them with their friends?” he

askedcynically.

Shestaredathim.Shefeltuneasy.“Well,Idon’tknow…”

“Andjusthowmuchprivateinformationdoyousharewiththem?”

She shifted on the seat. “Not much. I mean, I haven’t really done much that anybody would find

interesting.It’smostlystuffaboutschoolandnewsinanthropology,mythoughtsonnewfinds,that
sortofthing.Nothingyou’dsaywasreallypersonalorintimate.”

“Kudostoyou,”hesaid.“Iknowaguywhopostedarantabouthisboss.Thebossreaditandfired

him.He’sstilloutofwork.”

“Iseewhatyoumean.Aboutsharingtoomuchinformation,Imean.I’llbemorecareful.”

“See that you do. Once that information is out there, it’s out there. You can wipe it out, but not

withoutspecializedcomputerservices.Someonelikeourcattleforeman,RedDavis,coulddothat.”
Hechuckled.“EventheCIArespectshisabilities.”

“Howdoyouknowthat?”sheaskedcuriously.

“Oh,theytoldus,thenighttheytookhimoffinhandcuffsforhackingtheirfilesonAlQaeda.”He

laughed.“Theystillarrestedhim,though.”

“Whathappenedthen?”sheasked,fascinated.

“Hemanagedtotalkhiswayoutofit,bysharingalittleprogramhe’dwritten.Ihavenoideawhatit

did,butapparentlyitwasadoptedasanewtooloftheintelligencegatheringtrade.Theytriedtohire
him.Hesaidhelikedcattlebetterthanoffices,andhecamehome.”

Shelaughed.“Goodforyou,thatwas.”Shesighed.“MyfriendBethoncepostedaphotographof

herself in her undies that only her fiancé was supposed to see,” Bodie recalled suddenly. “And it
turnedupallovertheinternet.Shehadtowritetoabouttensitesandbegthemtotakeitdown.”

“Idiocy,”hepronounced.

Shenodded.“Beth’sreligious,butshe’sreallynotasstaunchlysoasIam.Herfiancé,Ted,is.”She

laughed.“Hewashorrified.Hewon’tevensleepwithheruntilthey’remarried.”

“Isee.”

Shegloweredathim.“Yes,he’sholdingoutforaweddingring.See?It’smen,too,sometimes,not

justwomen.Peopleoffaithhaveadifferentviewoftheworld.”

“Nothingwrongwithafriendlynightinsomekindstranger ’sbed,”hesaid,justtoirritateher.

She glared at him with pure venom. “Sure. Go right ahead. Share an anonymous encounter, risk

STDsandGodknowswhatelsetheninflictthemonsomeinnocentwomanwho’sneverindulgedat
all.Doallthatwithaclearconscienceandnoremorse.Andimaginehavingitshowuponasocial
networkoneday,andhavingyourfamilyseeit.”

Hestudiedherquietly.“Youpaintonesadpicture.”

“Itissad.Peoplethinkfreesexisacounterpointtoalifeofchastity,devotiontooneperson,alife

togetherthatincludeschildrenandsecurityandlove.”

“Somepeopledon’tthinkthatmagicformulaexists.”

“Well,itdoes,”sheretorted.“Andyoudon’tfinditinbarswithstrangewomen.”

Hiseyesnarrowedcoldly.“Pointtoyou,”hereturned.

Herlipsmadeathinline.“Youhitmefirst.”

“Ineverraisedahandtoyou!”

“Yes,youdid.Yousaididealscanbesoldoutfortherightreason!”

Heturnedhiseyesawayandstartedthetruck.Hismouthwasathinlineashepulledbackontothe

highway.Hedidn’tsayanotherwordallthewayhome.

Morie was on the porch when they drove up. She knew with a look that there had been one hot

argumentbetweenthetwotaciturnpeoplegettingoutofthetruck.

“Somethingwrong?”sheaskedgently.

“I’mnotgettingmarried,”Canesaidharshly.

“Nobodyaskedyoutogetmarried!”Bodieshotback.

“Furthermore,I’llsleeparoundifIfeellikeit,andIwon’thaveaguiltyconscienceorcatchsome

socialdisease!”

“Fine!DowhatyoupleaseandseeifIcare!”

Heturnedandstompedofftowardthebarn.

MoriestartedtospeaktoBodie,butshethoughtbetterofit.Theyoungerwomangrimaced,gave

heranapologeticlookandwentquicklyuptoherroom.

***

WAS

GRIM

THE

DINNER

table.Bodieatewithouttastinganythingandwouldn’tevenlookatCane.

He,inturn,pretendedshewasn’tinthehouse.Itmadethingsdifficultfortherestofthefamily.

Afterdessert,theyfiledintothelivingroom.Butinsteadofturningonthetelevision,Tanksatdown

atthepiano.

“Ithinkalittlemusicmighthavesoothingproperties,”heremarked,withapointedglancefroma

silentCanetoastiffandunapproachableBodie.“Calmingsavagebreastsandsuch.”

“Ithoughtitwassavagebeasts,”Mallorymurmured,tongueincheek.

“Whatever.” Tank began to play Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.” As the

powerful music filled the room, Bodie uncrossed her arms and sat, entranced, at the impromptu
concert.Thebeautyoftheselectionbroughttearstohereyes.Itdideverysingletimesheheardit.

BythetimeTankfinishedplaying,shewasopenlywipinghereyes.SowasMorie.

“Iswear,yougetbetterbytheday,”Canetoldhisbrother,andheevensmiled.“It’sagift,tobeable

toplaylikethat.”

“Yes,”Mallorysaidwithpursedlipsandtwinklingdarkeyes.“Infact,he’salmostasgoodasIam.

I’vebeenpracticingformonths.He’sslackedoff.”Hechuckled.

“Challengehim,”Morieprodded.“Goon.Doit.”

Mallorymadeagrimace,butTankstoodupandgaveaflourishwithhishand,indicatingthepiano

seat.

“Well,allright,”Mallorysaidashemovedtositatthepiano.“Butifhestartslookingaroundfora

sharpobjecttouseonhimself,somebodybepreparedtostophim.Egosareseriousthings.”

Everybodylaughed.

Mallorydrewhisfingersoverthekeys,thoughtforamomentandthenlaunchedintothebeautiful

themesongofthemovieAugustRush,presentingMarkMancina’shaunting,exquisitecombinationof
harmonyanddiscord.

Whenhefinished,hestoodupandbowed.

Tankmadeaface.“Okay.Isurrender.Anybodygotawhitehandkerchief?”

Morielaughed.“Iheardtheorganthemeplayedinatheater.Itabsolutelyrockedtheseats.It’sone

ofthefinestcompositionsI’veeverheard.”

“What’syourfavoritepiece,Bodie?”Tankasked.

Sheshiftedinherchair.“You’lllaugh.”

“Wewon’t,”Tankpromisedandsmiledather.“Comeon.Give.”

“‘TheFirebird’byIgorStravinsky.”

“Iwon’tlaugh,”Caneremarked.“That’soneofmyfavorites,too.”

Mavie, bringing second cups of coffee in on a tray, smiled as she sat it down. “I’m for Harry-

GregsonWilliams.ThemusicfortheNarniamovies?”

“Oh,yes,”Bodieenthused.“Beautiful!”

“Don’t forget ‘Basil Poledouris’—the theme from the original Lonesome Dove television

miniseries,andmovieslikeRedOctober,”Mavieremarked.“Hewasalwaysoneofmyfavorites.”

“JerryGoldsmith,thethemesfromPattonandTheSecretofNIMHandvariousStarTrekmovies,”

Tankadded.

“Respighi,‘PinesofRome:PinesNearaCatacomb,’”Bodiesaidwithagrin.“IcanheartheRoman

legionsmarchingwhenIhearit.”

“IlikeDebussy,”Morieadded.

“NothingwrongwithTobyKeith,”Mavieinterjectedasshestartedtoleave.“WishIwasrichand

famous,andI’dcallupaboyIusedtodateandaskhim‘Howdoyoulikemenow?’”Shelaughed
afteralludingtooneofKeith’smorefamousearlysongs.

“I like one of Brad Paisley’s songs about being so much cooler online.” Bodie chuckled. “Great

video.There’sanotherone,wherehe’stryingtobeasingingstaronaTVtalentshowandWilliam
Shatneristhejudge.It’shilarious!”

“Musicmovestheworld,”Malloryagreed.“I’vealwaysbeenfondofJamesHorner—whodidthe

DonJuanDemarcotheme,andAlanSilvestri’sPolarExpress.”

“HowardShore—TheLordoftheRingstrilogy,”Caneinserted.

“DavidArnold,LastoftheDogmen,”Tankcountered.“AndTrevorRabin,whodidRace to Witch

Mountain. ‘The Rock,’ Dwayne Johnson, was in that one. My favorite actor—well, him and Vin
Diesel.”

They all laughed. Tank was a die-hard action film fan, and he watched professional wrestling

weekly.

“Speaking of which,” Mallory remarked, checking the television listing, “they’re rerunning Pitch

Black,thatsci-fimovieVinstarredin.”

“See if you can find The Chronicles of Riddick anywhere,” Tank replied. “It’s the sequel to Pitch

Black—myfavoritemovie.Ithassomeincrediblespecialeffects,too.”

Malloryturnedonthetelevisionandstartedsearchingthroughthepaidmovieon-demandlistings.

“It’sinthere,”Moriesaid.“Irecordedit.Lookinthatsection.It’soneofmyfavorites,too,”shetold

Tank.

Canegotupfromhisseatandstretched.“IthinkI’llgoforadrive.I’mtoowiredtositdownand

relax.”

Bodiedidn’tlookup.Shehalfhopedhe’daskhertogoalongandmaybetheycouldmakeup.But

hedidn’tevenlookather.Hejustwalkedout.

Themensatdowninfrontofthetelevisionasthemoviestarted.MoriemotionedtoBodieandled

herintothestudyandclosedthedoor.

“Okay,what’sgoingonwithyouandCane?”sheaskedgently.“Iknowyou’veargued.”

Bodiebitherlip.“Itwasastupidthing.Hegottotalkingaboutmarriageandhowhe’drathersleep

around than settle down, and I shot back at him that some women did still have morals about such
things.HethrewupwhatIdidtome,”shesaidfinallyandwithalong,wistfulsigh.“I’mnevergoing

toliveitdown,Iguess.Iwasonlytryingtosavemygrandfather.Ididn’tevenaccomplishthat....”

“Oh,Bodie,nobodyblamesyouforwhathappened,”Moriesaid,hugginghertight.“Listen,noone

issoperfectthatwecanaffordtothrowstonesatanybodyelse.Lifeisaboutforgiveness.Youknow
morethanmostpeopleaboutanthropology.Hunter-gathererslivedingroupsoflessthanfiftypeople,
incloseproximity.Peopledidhaveconflicts.”

“Yes, but they had to resolve them,” Bodie agreed. “If one man killed another man, he brought

offerings to the family of the dead man and tried to make amends. There were punishments, but
people were rarely banished forever, even for terrible offenses.” She smiled. “They were more
tolerant,aswell.Thereweremeninthecommunitywhodidn’twanttohunt,whopreferredthelife
thewomenlived.Sotheywerepermittedtodowhattheypleasedwithoutcensure.People got along
becausetheyhadto.Theirsurvivaldependedonit.”

“You’re going to make a wonderful instructor one day,” Morie told her. “If you need help with

tuition,I’lltakecareofit,”sheadded,“anddon’tfuss.YouknowIcanaffordit.”

Bodieflushed.“It’sverykindofyou…”

“Itisn’t.Myfamilyfundsscholarshipsattwocolleges,”shesaid.“We’reverybigoneducation.It

wouldbemypleasuretohelpinanywayIcan.You’refamily,”shesaidgently.

“That means so much to me right now,” Bodie said, and from the heart. “I’m still used to getting

alongwithoutmygrandfather.It’shard.”

“I loved my granddaddy, too,” Morie told her. “He was such a funny man. He and my dad would

havetheseridiculousarguments.Momtoldmethattheywerehavingdinnerwhenshewasdatingmy
uncleDanny,longbeforeshemarriedDad,andmyfatherletoutacussword.Hisdadpulledhimup
forit,andmygrandmotherpipedinandsaidthathe,mygrandfather,cussedatthetable,too.AndBig
Jim,mygranddaddy,said,‘thehellIdo!’”Shelaughed.“Hewaswonderful.Hetaughtmetofish.”

“TheysayyourfatherwasaholyterrorwhenhewasCane’sage,”Bodieremarked.

“Hewas.Hestillhasaterribletemper.HeandMalloryhithead-onatthecattlesale,”sherecalled.

“Mallorysaidthathewasn’tmarryingintoanyfamilythatmyfatherbelongedto.Fortunatelyforme,
hechangedhismind.”Shelaughedsoftly.

“Mallory is terrific. So is Tank,” she replied. “He should marry some really nice girl and settle

down.”

“He’s still dealing with his own tragedy,” Morie told her quietly. “He isn’t as obvious with his

problemsasCaneis,butifyoustandnearhimwhenacarbackfires…”

“Hedivestotheground,”Bodiereplied.“Iknow.”

Moriesighed.“Ididn’t.Ilaughed,andDarbytoldmewhathappenedandwhyTankreactedthatway.

Ifeltverysmall.It’sratherodd,thatTankwentthrough thewarin theMiddleEast andcamehome

unscathed,onlytogetshottopiecesbyaMexicandrugcartelwhilehewasaborderagent.”

“It’sscary,”Bodiesaid.“Andamiraclethathelived.”

“Iexpecthehasinjuriesthataren’tapparent,”Moriesaidthoughtfully.“Maybescarshe’safraidto

showtoawomanhedoesn’tknow.”ShegaveBodieacuriouslook.“Helikesyou.”

“Ilikehim,too,”Bodiesaid,smiling.“He’slikethebigbrotherIneverhad.”

“Isee.”

“CaneislikethebigbrotherI’mgladIneverhad,”Bodieaddedcoldly.

“No,Idon’tthinkyouconsiderhimabrother,”Moriemusedaloud,andsmiledatBodie’sscarlet

blush.“Ithoughtso.”

“Well,ifIdon’t,it’sdefinitelygoingtobeone-sided,”Bodiesaidfirmly.“I’mnotgettingserious

aboutamanwhoseeswomenaspartyfavors!”

“Somementaketimetosettledown.”

“Thatonewillneversettledown,”Bodiesaidcurtly.“Hethinksmarriageisforidiots.Heevensaid

so.”

“He might change his mind, with the right incentive,” Morie coaxed. “Give it time, Bodie. He’s

dealingwithhisownissuesrightnow.”

“He won’t talk to the mental health people,” Bodie confided. “He said he can’t open up to them

instantly,liketheywanthimto.”

“Then,hemightdobettertotalktosomeonehetrusts,”Moriesuggested.

“Likehisbrothers,youmean?”

“Likeyou,Bodie,”Moriesaid.

The younger woman laughed hollowly. “He won’t talk to me about anything personal unless he’s

beendrinking,”shesaid.

“Everconsiderthatmaybehegetsdrunksothathecantalktoyouandtellyouaboutthingsthatare

botheringhim?Thingshe’dneverhavetheinclinationtospeakofwhenhe’scoldsober?”

BodiethoughtbacktosomeofthemoreintensesubjectsCanehadspokentoheraboutwhenhewas

inhiscups.Sheblushedwhensherecalledthemoreintimateones.

“Sohedoes,doesn’the?”Moriepersisted.

“I don’t know. Maybe he does. But I don’t have the experience to deal with all that,” she replied

worriedly.“Idon’tknowwhattotellhim,howtohelphim.”

“WhatifIgotyouintouchwithapsychologistIknow?Shemightbeabletogiveyousomeadvice

onhowtodealwithit.”

“Thatmightbehelpful.ButIdon’twanttomakethingsworseforhimbysayingthewrongthing.”

“I’msureshewon’tadviseyoutopsychoanalyzehim.”Morielaughed.“Butshecantellyousome

thingsthatmighthelp.”

Bodienodded.“Okay,then.Ithink…”

Morie’s phone went off, with the theme of a popular movie. She pulled it out of her jeans and

openedit.“Morie,”shesaidintothereceiver.

“Mrs. Kirk, can you send somebody over here to get Cane?” the worried bartender of a nearby

establishmentaskedplaintively.“He’swreckingtheplace!”

Bodie,overhearingtheplea,grimaced.

“I’llsendsomeonerightover,”Moriepromised.“Andwe’llmakeitallrightfinancially,okay?”

“Okay.Butpleasehurry!”

“That’syourcue,”MorietoldBodie.Shegrimacedagain.“Sorry.I’llgetDarbytodriveyou.”

“Gethimtohidethetiretool,”Bodieadvisedgrimly.“Thetemptationjustmightbetoomuchfor

me!”

CHAPTERNINE

STARTED

SNOW

DarbypulledupinfrontofthecountrybarandgrillwithBodie.

“Now,don’thithim,”Darbyadvisedasheopenedthedoorforher.

“Chancewouldbeafinething,”shemuttered.

Shestrodeintothebar.Itwasverylate,andonlyacoupleofmenwerestillthere.Onthebarwasa

shattereddisplayofglassesandbottles.

But Cane was nowhere in sight. She frowned and went to speak to the bartender. “Isn’t Cane Kirk

here?”sheaskedtentatively.

Hegloweredather.“Comeandgone,”hesaid.Hewavedhishandaroundtheroom.“Hundredsof

dollarsworthofdamage,again.Listen,Bodie,youtellhisbrothersifhedoesthisonemoretime,I’m
callingthelaw.Enoughisenough.Isympathizewiththeman,Ido,butwe’regoingtolosecustomers
ifthisdoesn’tstop.Besidesthat—”hesighed“—maybeafewdaysinjailwillturnhimaround.”

Shegrimaced.“Idon’tthinkso,”sheconfessed.“He’stotallyoutofcontrol.Doyouhaveanyidea

wherehemighthavegone?”sheadded,worriednow,becauseifCanewasthatdrunkanddriving,he
couldkillhimselforsomebodyelse.

“Noidea,”thebartenderreplied.“Exceptthathestartednorth,towardJacksonHole.”

“Thanks,Sid,”shetoldhimwithawansmile.

“Hey,noproblem.I’msorryaboutyourgrandfather,”hesaidgently.“Hewasagoodman.”

“Yes.Hewas.”

“Thatstepfatherofyours,”hemuttered.“There’stalkofaninvestigation.Theysayhe’soperatinga

pornsiteandusingunderagegirls.”

Her eyes widened. “Will?” she stammered, horrified. She’d known he filmed things for his own

amusement,butshehadnoideahewascapableofsomethinglikethat.

“He’sdenyingit,ofcourse,butoneofthegirlswasforcedtocomeforwardbyhermother.Shewas

sixteenwhenshewasposingforWill,althoughshesaidshenevertoldhimherrealage.Notthathe
asked.Damnedshame.Sweet,innocentgirl,nowherbody’splasteredallovertheinternet,thanks to
Will,insomeshamefulways.Oratleast,that’sthegossip,”heelaborated.“Idon’tvisitwebsiteslike
that.Butplentydo.Evenaroundhere.”

“Can’ttheytakethepicturesofherdown?”Bodieasked.ShewasworriedincaseWilldoctoredthe

film he had of her and put it out in some obscene fashion on the web, to get even with her for
involvingtheKirkbrothers.

“Notreally,”Sidreplied.“They’vespreadaroundtoofar,orthat’swhatthesherifftoldme.Hesaid

hedidn’tknowwhatshecoulddoaboutit,exceptherparentscouldsueWill.Butit’sgoingtomake
thingsreallyhardonheraroundhere.Hermothersaidsheguessedshe’dsendhertocollegeupin
Oregon, where hopefully nobody will recognize her. She’s changed her hair color and all.” He
shrugged.“Maybeitwillhelp.”

“Poorkid!”

He nodded. “Adult judgment requires age,” he said quietly. “Will’s friend Larry sweet-talked her,

promisedherafilmcareer…saidhehadconnectionsontheWestCoast.Sheandherfamilyarepoor.
She wanted more. So she did what they said. Now here she is, her reputation in tatters, her family
disgraced.”Hewipedataspotonthebar.“Thingis,whatpeopledohaseffectsoneveryonearound
them.Liketossingarockintoariver.Ripplesspreadoutfarfromtheimpact.”

Shesmiled.“You’reaphilosopher,Sid.”

“Learnalotabouthumannature,workinginaplacelikethis.”

“HavetheyarrestedWill?”

He shook his head, and his face hardened. “Can’t get enough evidence to indict just yet. But the

girl’s willing to testify, and her mother says they’re getting an attorney. Even if Will doesn’t get
prosecutedforlackofevidence,they’regoingtosuehimallthesame.”Helaughedhollowly.“Can’t
see what good it will do, except to bring what he’s doing out in the open. Can’t get blood out of a
turnip.”

“Sotheysay.”Shelookedaroundagain.“Mallorywilltakecareofthebill,”shepromised.

“SomebodyneedstotakecareofCane,”Sidsaid.“Heneedshelp.”

“Everybodyknowsthatexcepthim.”

“Iguesssomefolkarehardheaded.”

“Iguesstheyare.Thanks,Sid.”

Henodded.“Hopeyoufindhim.”

“IfIdo,he’llhopeIdidn’t,”shesaidwithjustatouchofbelligerence.

Sidlaughed.“Attagirl.”Hegrinned.“Gogethim!”

“Iintendto.”Shewentbackouttothetruck.Darbyfrownedassheclimbedinbesidehim.“Where’s

Cane?Youneedhelpgettinghiminthetruck?”heaskedher.

“He’snotthere,”shesaid.“Somebodysawhimgonorth,towardJacksonHole.We’dbetterdrive

alongthehighwayandseeifhestoppedandpassedout.”

Whatshedidn’tsaywasthattheymightfindhiminsomeothercondition.Darbyknewit,too.He

startedthevehiclewithoutawordandpulledoutonthehighwaytowardJackson.

***

HEY

WENT

SLOWLY

.Itwasverydark,nomoon,andtheyhadtolookonbothsidesofthehighwayfor

Cane’struck.Theroadwasdesertedthistimeofnight.Itwasn’tunusualtodriveformanymilesand
neverevenseeanothervehicle.Itwassomeofthemostopencountryinthestate,beautifulandwild.It
hadsnowed,buteventhefaintglimmerofreflectedlightfromthesnowdidn’thelpthemspotCane’s
truck.

“Maybehewenthome,”Darbyspeculated.

He stopped the truck and used his cell phone, which was connected to a communications system

installedinthevehicle.Itallowedeveryoneinthevehicletohearbothsidesoftheconversationandit
washands-free.

“Mal?”heaskedwhenMalloryanswered.“AnychanceCanecamehome?”

“No.Wasn’theatthebar?”Malloryqueried.

“Hewasalreadygonewhenwegotthere.SomebodysawhimstarttowardJacksonHole,sothat’s

thedirectionwe’reheadedin.”

Mallorywasquiet.“Heshouldn’tbedrivingatall.”

“Itotallyagree,”Darbysaid.“Butwehavetoconvincehim.”

“Easiersaidthandone,”Malloryrepliedheavily.“I’llwakeupsomeofthemenandsendthemout

tohelpyousearch.Hecouldbeonanyofthesideroadsthatleadnorth.”

“Thanks,boss,”Darbyreplied.

“He’smybrother,wartsandall,”Malloryremindedhim.“Can’tturnmybackonfamily,evenifI’m

tempted.Buthe’sgoingtogetathumping,Ipromiseyou.Thiscan’tcontinue.We’vealreadyletitgo
ontoolong.”

“Sidsaidheneededmorethananightinjailtotakealookathislife,”Bodiejoinedin.“It’sdrastic,

I know, but he’s never going to change unless he has something to turn him around before it’s too
late.”

“Iagree,”Darbysaid.“Insteadofpickingupthepiecesandpayingthebills,weshouldletthesheriff

dohisjob.”

Therewasahesitation.

“You know I’m right, Mal,” Darby said after a minute of silence. “We’re doing him no favors,

lettinghimgetawaywiththisbehavior.”

“Isupposeyou’reright,”Mallorysaidheavily.

“Itmightbebettertogethimintorehab,”Bodiecountered.Shecouldn’tbearthethoughtofCanein

jail,nomatterwhatshe’dsaidinanger.

“Yes,”Mallorysaid.“Itmight,indeed.Okay,I’llsendtheboysout.Keepintouch.”

“Willdo,”Darbyrepliedandcutoffthephone.HeglancedatasilentBodie.“Goingtobealong

night,”heprophesized.

***

WAS

OWBOYS

FROM

RanchoRealjoinedthesearchparty,eachonetakingadifferentroadonthe

manybranchesthatledfromtheJacksonhighway.BodieandDarbykeptalongthemainroad,their
eyespeeledforanysignofaranchtruckofftheroadinaditchorinthemedian.

Afteranhouroffruitlesssearching,Bodiewastiredandsleepyandoutofsorts.

“Ireallydowanttothumphim,”shemuttered.

“Mallorywilldothat,whenwefindhim.”Hechuckled.Hesobered.“It’sworrying,”hesaid.“Cane

used to be the most levelheaded one of the Kirks. He was the marketing specialist, the go-to guy.
Mallory had to take over after Cane was injured. Then, when Mallory got involved in the daily
operations and Tank retired from the Border Patrol after his own trauma, Tank took over the
marketing. Cane was left with showing cattle. It’s rather demeaning, for a man with his brain. He
graduatedtopofhisclassinanthropology,”headded,surprisingBodie.“Brilliantman,withagreat
future. He was invited to a dig in Egypt, and it would have made him famous after the newer
discoveriesthere.Buthewenttowarinstead,becameapatriot.Itwasahugesacrificethathemadeof
hislife.”

“I didn’t know, about his grades. He was a summa?” she asked, referring to the highest honor

graduates,summacumlaude.

“Yes.”

“What a waste of a good life,” she murmured. “All because he lost an arm. You know, a lot of

peoplecamehomefromtheMiddleEastmissingarmsorlegs.Theylearnedtodealwithitandgeton
withtheirlives.Idon’tunderstandwhyCanecan’t.”

“Pride.”Darbysighed.“He’stooproudtoaskforhelp.Wehadtoforcehimtotakeamanwithhim

tohelpshowthecattle.Hetriedit,butoneofthebullsbalkedandknockedhimdown.Hedidn’thave
enoughstrengthinhisonegoodarmtostopit.Humiliatedhim,especiallywhenadrunkbuyermade
aremarkaboutthe‘cripple.’”

“Whatabozo,”shemuttered,angry.

“Hedidapologize,afterCaneknockedoutoneofhisfrontteeth,”Darbymused.

“GoodforCane!”

Helaughed.“Butitdidn’tshieldhimfromthefactthathejustwasn’tphysicallyabletodealwitha

hugebullinanarena.”

“Iguessnot.Itwouldhavehurthim.”

Darby nodded. “The way women treat him hurts more,” he said bluntly. “He’s had two bad

experiences,overthatlostarm.Nowhe’svindictive.Hetakesitoutonyou.”

Sheswallowed.“Yeah.Inoticed.”

Heglancedather.“You’vegotguts,tostickaroundhere.Welikethecompany,butyoushouldn’t

takeanygufffromCane.”

She managed a smile. “I don’t, really.” She sighed and looked out the window intently. “Isn’t

Christmassupposedtobeatimeforbeingkindtoyourfellowman?”

“Supposed to be,” he replied. “Maybe we should stand Cane up in the living room next to the

Christmastreeanddecoratehimwithholly.”

She laughed at the word picture. “Wouldn’t that be a hoot? We could use rope and spurs for

decorations.”

“He’dbepurty,allright,”hedrawled.“NotlonguntilChristmas…Oh,dearGod!”

He stopped the truck in midsentence. There, on the side of the road, was the ranch truck. It was

upsidedown,steamrisingfromtheengineinthecold.

Darbypulledontothesideofthehighway,cuttheengineandfollowedBodie,running,tothewreck.

“Don’tlook!”Darbytoldherfirmly,tryingtoheadheroff.Hehadahorriblefeelingthathewas

goingtofindCane’smangledbodyinside.Hewantedtospareher.

“Inyourdreams,”shebitofffrantically.Shedivedforthedoor,upsidedownwiththeglassbroken

out.“Helpme!”shecried.

Darby helped her force open the door. Inside, Cane was still strapped into his seat, his head

bleeding,hiseyesclosed,hispowerfulbodyslumped,hangingupsidedown.

Darbyfumbledwiththeseatbeltbutcouldn’tbudgethemechanism.Hepulledouthispocketknife

andcutit,easingCanedownandpullinghimgentlyfromthewreckage.

Bodiehovered,worried.

“Iknow,we’renotsupposedtomoveaccidentvictims,”Darbyrepliedgrimly,“butinthatposition

hewasinevenmoredanger.Getmyblanketoutofthetruck,we’llcoverhimup.I’llcallforhelp.”
Hepulledouthiscellphone.

Bodie,frozeninplace,lookedatCane’sstillformwithhorror.

“Hurry,”Darbysaidgently.

Sheran.

Darbycheckedtheyoungerman’sinjuriesashedialed.

“CarsonCounty911,”avoicecameovertheintercom.“Whatisyouremergency?”

Darby explained the situation, and tried to pinpoint the location. “Just a sec,” he said, putting the

operatoronholdwhileheusedtheGPSinhisphone.Hegaveherthecoordinates.Itwassuchabig
statethatarescueunitwouldhavefitstryingtofindthembylandmarks.Itwasastraightstretch of
highway,withnosignificantlandmarksanywhereinsight.

The operator was asking him questions. He pulled out Cane’s wallet and gave her everything he

could.

“Wehaveaunitenroute,”theoperatorsaidaminutelater.“Stayontheline.”

“Youbet,”Darbyreplied.

BodiehadreturnedwiththeblanketwhileDarbywastalkingto911.ShepulleditgentlyoverCane,

grimacing as she saw all the blood. It brought back horrible memories of the wreck in which her
fatherhaddied.He’dbeenbleeding,too,justlikethis.Nobodyhadbeenabletosavehim.Itwastoo
much trauma for her, all this stuff that had happened in her life in the past two weeks. Her
grandfather ’s death, the funeral, before that, the episode with Will. Now, here was Cane, possibly
mortallyhurt,andafterthey’dquarreled.Hislastmemoryofherwouldbeoneofdisgustandanger.
Andshecouldneverchangeit.Ifhedied,thelightwouldgooutoftheworld.Howwouldshegoon?

Darby watched her with visible compassion. “Don’t give up on him, girl,” he told Bodie. “He’s a

Kirk.He’stough.”

She bit her lip and nodded, but tears were rolling down her cheeks. “How long?” she asked

plaintively.

“Ourunit’sabouttenmilesfromyou,”theoperatorsaidgently,overhearing.“They’recomingas

fastastheycan.Holdon.”

Bodie’stearsfellfaster.“Thanks,”shewhispered,hervoicechoked.

“That’swhatwe’reherefor,”theoperatorreplied.

“Look,Bodie,”Darbysaid,indicatingCane.

Theyoungermangroanedandhemovedhishead.

“Bestill,”Bodiesaid,smoothingbackhisbloodstainedhair.“It’sallright.It’sallright,Cane.”

Heblinked.Thealcoholfoggedhismindandhisreflexes.Hetriedtositup,butBodiepushedhim

gentlybackdown.

“Youhavetobestill,”Bodietoldhim.“TheEMTsareontheirway.”

Caneswallowed.HelookedupatBodieandfrowned.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”heaskedcurtly.

Somuchforhopinghe’dforgottentheirlastargument.“Tryingtosavelives,”shesaidpertly.

HemadearoughsoundinhisthroatandglancedatDarby.“Howbadisit?”

“Truckseemstobetotaled,”Darbysaidphilosophically.“AndI’dsayyou’regoingtobeinsome

troublewhenthesheriff’sdeputygetshere.”

Bodiepaled.“Sheriff’sdeputy?”sheaskedhuskily.

Darbynodded.“TheyalwayssendalawenforcementunitwiththeEMTs,incasethere’strouble.”

“I’llshowthemtrouble,”Canesaid,disoriented.

“Youshutup,”Bodiesaidcurtly.“Iftheylockyouup,I’llgoseethejudgeandbeghimtoputyou

awayforfiftyyears!”

“Youcoldhearted,acid-tonguedlittle…!”Canebegan.

“Ahhh-ahhh!”Darbyintervened.“Noneofthat,”hesaidfirmly.

Cane glared at them both, but he shut up. He frowned. There was a lot of pain. He moved and

winced.“Damn,”hewhispered,hisgoodhandgoingtohisribcage.“IthinkI’vegotabustedrib.”

“Well, let’s hope it’s not the same one you got when the bull kicked you six months ago,” Darby

replied.

Cane drew in laboring breaths and looked up at the night sky. “There’s Orion,” he remarked

heavily.“Itlooksrealbright,doesn’t…”Hiseyesclosed.

“Didhefaint?”Bodieaskedfrantically.“Howcanhefaintwhenhe’slyingdown?Cane!Cane?”

“Concussion,mostlikely,”Darbysaid,andnowhewasreallyworried.

“Turnhishead,”theoperatoradvisedquickly.“Incasehethrowsup.Youdon’twanthimaspirating

thatintohislungs.”

“Goodidea.”DarbyreacheddownandgentlyturnedCane’sheadtotheside.

Itwasjustintime.Theyoungermansuddenlylurchedandheavedintothegrass.Whenhefinished,

hecollapsedbackintotheground,unconscious.

“Oh,dearGod,”Bodiesobbed.

“Don’tpanic,”Darbysaidgently.“Concussioncanbetreated.”Hewascarefulnottoaddthathe’d

seenmendieofconcussionslessobviousthanCane’s.Bodiewasscaredtodeathalready.Noneedto
addtoherworry.

***

CANT

MINUTES

LATER

, flashing red-and-blue lights came into focus over a rise in the road. Darby

stood up and flagged them down. They could see the wreck, but they couldn’t see Cane, who was
prone. The sheriff’s deputy got out of his car as the EMTs jumped from their truck and ran to the
patient.

Darbygreetedthemanandwoman,uniformed,astheybentoverCane.

“He was conscious for a couple of minutes,” Darby told them. “Then he lapsed into

unconsciousness,threwupandwentoutagain.”

TheEMTswenttoworkonhim.Oneranforagurneyandwheeleditover.

“Youcanhangupnow,”the911operatorsaidkindly.“Ihopeeverythingworksoutokay.”

“Thanksamillion,”Darbytoldher.“Youguysareworthyourweightingold.”

“Thankyou,”sherepliedwithachuckle.“I’lltellmysupervisoryousaidso.”

Shehungup.

TheEMTsgotCaneintothetruckandfedaneedleintothearteryathiselbowtostartadrip.They

werealreadyintouchwithadoctorintheemergencyroom,describingCane’ssymptomsandgetting
orders.

“We’llfollowyoutothehospital,”Darbysaid.“I’llphonehisbrotherstocomeandadmithim.”

“Thanks,”thedriversaid.“Don’tspeed,”hecautioned.“Wedon’tneedanotherwreck.”

Darbynodded.“Iwon’t,”hepromised.

Beside him, Bodie was going insane. She wanted to force her way into the ambulance, to sit with

Cane, to take care of him. It drove off, and she stood watching it, too upset even for tears as she
contemplatedafuturewithoutthathardheaded,difficultmanintheambulance.Itdidn’tbearthinking
about.

The sheriff’s deputy had been getting 28s and 29s on the wrecked truck—wants and warrants—

checkingthedamageandcallingforatowtrucktopickitupandbringittoimpound.

“Goingtobesomecharges,I’mafraid,”thedeputytoldDarby.“I’msorry,butDWIisnolaughing

matter.I’vepulledtoomanyvictimsoutofwreckslikethis,manyoftheminvolvinginnocentpeople.
Evenchildren.They’retheworst.”

“Iimagineso,”Darbysaid.“He’sluckytobealive.”

“Verylucky,consideringthedamage.Drivecarefully,”hetoldDarby.“Youfamily?”

“Inasense,”Darbysaid.“Iworkforhim.”

Bodiedidn’taddanything.Lettheofficerthinkwhatheliked.She’dbeenragingthatCaneneededto

belockedup,butnowthatitwasapossibility,shewassorryanddepressed.Sheturnedawaytoward
thetruck.“Canwego?”sheaskedDarbyworriedly.

“Yes.Rightnow.Seeyou,”hecalledtothedeputy.

Thedeputynoddedandwentbacktohispatrolcar.

Darbydrovetothehospital,whichwasinJacksonHole.Untilthen,Bodiehadn’trealizedhowfar

they’dcome.

“Thisismilesfromhome,”shetoldDarby,surprised.

“Yes.I’mjustgladhedidn’tkillhimselforsomebodyelse.”He’dalreadydialedtheKirkranchand

waswaitingforsomeonetoanswer.

“Mallory,”cameavoiceovertheline.“Thatyou,Darby?Didyoufindhim?”

“Yes.Hewasinawreck.Abadone,”Darbysaidgently.

“Ishealive?”Malloryshotback,horrified.

“Yes,butconcussedandunconscious,”Darbyreplied,hisvoicegrim.“You’dbettergetDaltonand

getuptothemedicalcenterinJacksonHoleasfastasyoucan.”Hedidn’twanttosaythat,toworry
Bodie any more, but it was imperative that he make Mallory understand how bad things were.
Mallory,too,hadseenheadinjuriesleadtodeath.ThefamilymightnothavemuchtimetoseeCane,
ifthathappened.

“We’realreadyontheway,”Mallorysaid.“I’llcallyouwhenwegettothehospital.”

“Drivecarefully,”Darbysaid.

“How’sBodie?”Malloryinquiredgently.

Darbyglancedather,sittingstiffandterrifiedbesidehim.“Holdingup.Butnotwell.”

“We’llbetheresoon.”

Malloryhungup.

“You have to have faith,” Darby told his companion in a gentle tone. “Cane’s tough. He really is.

He’llbeatthis.”

Sheswallowed.“Iyelledathim.”

“Hey.Heyelledatyoufirst,”hereturned.“Don’tdothat.Don’tpunishyourself.”

Sheclosedhereyes.“Ifhedies…”

“Heisn’tgoingtodie,”hesaidfirmly.“Believeit.”

Sheshiftedintheseat.“I’lltry.”

“Andfastenthatseatbelt,”headdedcurtly.

“Oh.”Sheputiton.“Ididn’trealize…”

“You’reupset,”hesaidsoftly.“Yes,Iknowthat.Caneisonehugepainintheneck.Butnoneofus

wanttolosehim.”

“Notevenme,”sheagreed.

Especiallyyou,bythelookofit,Darbythought,buthedidn’tsayitaloud.He’dneverrealizedhow

muchCanemeanttothequietyoungwomanbesidehim.Thatwasatragedyinthemaking.Canewasa
rounder.Hewasn’tthesortofmantosettledownandraisekids.He’dbreakBodie’sheartandleave
hernumb,giventhechance.Darbyhopedshealreadyknewthat,becausehewasn’tgoingtosayitto
her.HehadasoftspotforBodie,likealltheKirks.ItwasapitythatCanewassohostiletowardher.A
realshame.

***

ARBY

AND

ODIE

SAT

in the emergency room waiting area. Well, Darby sat. Bodie paced, arms

foldedacrossherchest,herfacedrawnandwhitewhiletheywaitedfortheresidentwhowasworking
onCanetocomeoutandtellthemsomething.

“Why is it taking so long?” Bodie worried, casting glances at the door behind which the medical

personnelweredealingwithCane.

“Tests,Iimagine,”Darbyreplied.“They’llhavetofindouttheextentofthedamagebeforetheycan

treatit.”

“Concussion,”shemurmured.“Howdotheytreataconcussion?”

“Dependsonhowbaditis,”herepliedevasively.

“Whatifit’srealbad?”

“ICU,”hespeculated.“Maybeforacoupleofdays,untilhe’sstabilized.”

“ICU,”shemurmuredagain.Sheglancedtowardthetreatmentareaagain.“It’stakingsolong,”she

repeateddully.

ThedooropenedandMallory,DaltonandMoriecamethroughit,allwearingworriedexpressions.

MoriewentatoncetoBodieandhuggedherclose.“Youpoorthing,”shewhispered.“I’msosorry

youhadtoseeit.”

Bodie broke down. The sympathy was too much for her shattered reserve. “I yelled at him,” she

cried.“IsaidIhopedtheylockedhimup…!”

“Andwhatdidhesaytoyoubeforeyousaidthattohim?”Morieaskedwisely.

Bodiepulledawayandwipedathereyeswithatissuefromaboxplacedstrategicallyinthewaiting

room.“Hesaidalot,”shereplied.

“Ithoughtso.”SheturnedtoDarby,whowastalkingtotheothermeninahushedtone.“Howbadis

it?”sheaskedthem,keepingherarmaroundBodie.

“Thedoctorshaven’tcomeout,butIbelievehehadamassiveconcussion,”Darbysaidquietly.“It

couldgoeitherway.”Hecouldn’tpullpuncheswiththebrothers,buthehatedhavingBodieknowjust
howdesperateCane’ssituationreallywas.

“Hecoulddie?”Bodieasked,andherpalebrowneyesweredrenchedintears.

“There is that possibility,” Mallory said grimly. “But let’s try to think positively. He’s got good

medicalcare,andhewasconsciouswhenyoufirstfoundhim,”headded,indicatingthatDarbyhad
filledhiminonthedetailsearlier.

“He was very conscious,” Bodie said. “Then he just went out like a light, threw up and went out

again.”

“Notagoodsign,”Tankmurmured,shovinghishandsintohisjeans.Hisownfacewasastautas

Mallory’s.He’dseencombat.He’dseenmendieofheadinjuries.Heknewtheprognosis,orpossible
prognosis,betterthananybodyelseintheroom.

“They have excellent staff here,” Mallory replied gently. He patted his brother on the shoulder.

“He’saKirk.He’scomethroughworsethanthis.”

“Iknow.”Daltonstretched.“Well,itwouldn’thurttosayaprayer.Theygotachapelhere?”

“I’llasksomeone,”Moriesaid,andwentlookingforthechaplainservice.

Bodiefoldedherarmsacrossherchest.Shewasalreadypraying.Hard.

***

HEY

WENT

THE

CHAPEL

andstayedthereforseveralminutes,silentandworriedsick,whileoneof

thechaplainsstooddiscreetlyoutsidetheroom,waitingforthem.Whentheycameout,sheescorted
thembacktothewaitingroomandstayedwiththem.

Itwasakindness,butMalloryunderstooditbetterthananyoneelse.Thechaplainhadspokenwith

thedoctortreatingCane.Whensheputawayherphone,herfacewasgrimbeforesheforcedasmile
andsaidencouragingthings.

ButMalloryknew whyshewas hovering.Theydidn’t expectCane to live. The chaplain might be

needed by the family, which was why she stayed with them. It was vaguely terrifying, despite the
comfortofit.

Mallory didn’t say what he was thinking. Bodie was already near collapse as minutes turned to

hours,andstillthedoctordidn’tcomeouttospeaktothem.

“Doyouthinkyoucouldcallthemagainandseewhat’sgoingon?”Malloryaskedthechaplain.

“CertainlyIcan,”shesaidsoftly.“Justamoment.”Shewenttouseastationarytelephone,insteadof

her cell phone. That worried Mallory. She obviously didn’t want them to overhear what she was
saying,orwhatshemightbetold.

Around them, people came and went, some with hopeful faces, some in tears. A family sitting

nearbyglancedatBodieandthewoman,anelderlylady,smiledsoftly.Itwasanunspokencomfort.
Peopleindesperatesituations,afraidforlovedones,becamefamilyinawaythatwasinexplicableto
thosewhohadn’texperiencedit.Bodiesmiledback,tryingtoconveyherownsympathy.

Inside, she was shaking. This was as bad as losing her grandfather. His death had been quick,

mercifulinitsway.Butsherememberedthedoctor ’soffice,theterrorshe’dfelt.Itwaslikethis.Only
thiswasworse.Waiting.Thewaitingwasterrible.Itwastorment.

Sheglancedtowardthechaplain,whohadherbackturnedtothefamily.Shewaslistening,nodding,

noddingsomemore.Finallyshehungup.Herexpressionwasbrieflyworriedandtense.

SheturnedandcamebacktowardtheKirks.Bodiewatchedherwalkwithstarkterrorinhereyes.

Thatlookonthechaplain’sdrawnface—itmeantCanewasn’tgoingtomakeit.Itmeanthewasgoing
todie…!

CHAPTERTEN

ODIE

’

HEART

BEAT

concertwiththechaplain’s steps, harder and harder. Her eyes clouded. Don’t

sayit,shewantedtosayaloud.Don’ttellus.Justletushope.Letushope…!

ShegroundherteethtogetherandstoodrigidlyalongwiththeKirks,whowerealsodreadingher

approach.

Butthechaplaindidn’tstopatthem.Sheonlysmiledandwentpastthem,totheelderlywomanwho

was waiting, nearby. She spoke gently. The woman burst into tears, and the chaplain hugged her,
whisperingwordsofcomfort.Besideher,anelderlymanwasalsocrying.Theyspokeagaintothe
chaplain,noddedandwalkedoutoftheroom,slowly.

ThechaplaincamebacktotheKirks.“I’msorry.Iwasgettingnews about your brother when the

physiciantoldmethey’dlostthewoman’smother.Shewasveryold,butthatdoesn’tmatterwhenyou
lovesomeone.”

“I’msosorry,”Bodiesaid,lookingaftertheelderlycoupleastheylefttheroom.

“SoamI.Now.Aboutyourbrother,”thechaplainsaid,andshesmiled,“he’sconsciousandyelling

atthedoctor.Itisaconcussion,butnotfatal.They’removinghimtoICUovernight,tobesure.It’s
justaprecaution,”sheassuredthem.“Iwouldn’tlietoyouifitwasadiresituation.”

“Thanks,”Mallorysaid.Daltonnodded.Moriesmiled.

Bodieletthetearsrolldownhercheeksunashamed.“Thanks!”sheadded.

Thechaplainsmiledagain.“Thisiswhatwe’reherefor,tomakethingsalittleeasierforthefamily.

I’mgladIhadgoodnewsforyou.”

“Soarewe,”Mallorysaid.“AlthoughI’msorryfortheotherpeople.”

“Weallare,”Moriesaid.

“Deathandlifeareoppositesidesofthesamecoin,”thechaplainreplied.“Wedealwithbothhere.

It’snicewhenIcangiveahappyreport,insteadofasadone.”

“Niceforus,certainly.Whencanweseehim?”Malloryasked.

“I’llfindout.They’removinghimtoICUnow.Itwilllimitthenumberofpeoplewhocangointo

two,I’mafraid,”sheaddedasshewalkedaway.

“Tank and Bodie,” Mallory and Morie said almost at the same time. They laughed at their

coordination.

“I’m…notfamily,though,”Bodiestammered.

“Yes, you are,” Morie said gently. “Cane may be an idiot, but you have feelings for him. We all

knowit,evenifhedoesn’t.YougowithTank.”

“Thanks,”shesaid,hereyesliftingtoMallorytoincludehim.

“I’llseehimlater,withMorie,”hesaidsoftly.“Tellhimthat,”hetoldTank.“He’smorefondofyou

thantherestofus.Itwilldohimgoodtoseeyou.”

Tanksmiled.“Okay.”

Bodie wiped her eyes again and managed a smile. Thank God. Cane would live, even if he never

wantedtogetmarriedorhaveafamily,evenifhehatedher.Hewouldlive.Itwasenough.Fornow.

When they were finally allowed into the cubicle in ICU where Cane was lying on white sheets,

coveredwithalightblanket,Bodiehadtogritherteeth.HermotherhadbeeninICUjustatthelast,
connectedbytubesandwirestoallsortsofmachinerythatmaderegularbeepingsounds.Therewas
anoxygentubeinCane’snose,adripIVinhisarm.Hehadcutsonhisheadandstitchesjustbelow
hishairline.Hewaswhiteasasheetandhiseyeswereclosed.Bodielookedatthethick,blacklashes,
andwonderedattheexpressionon his face. He was always so tense, so wired. He never seemed to
relax and his face reflected that stress. But here, on the bed in the hospital, all the harsh lines were
softened.Helookedyounger,handsomer.Helookedalmostfragile.

UntilheopenedhiseyesandsawBodie.“Whydidtheyletherinhere?”heaskedwithicedripping

fromeveryhuskysyllable.

Bodiestoodherground.Shedidn’tsnapathim.Shedidn’tsayanything.

“SheandDarbyfoundyou,”Tanksaid.“Stopgrumbling.Theysavedyourlife.Iftheyhadn’tfound

you,itwouldhavebeentoolatebymorning.”

Caneblinkedandshiftedonthebed,groaning.“Ibustedaribtheysaid.”

“You busted three, I heard,” Tank replied complacently. “Well, you fractured three. You’ll be

wearingaribbeltanddoingverylittleuntilafterthenewyear.”

“IhadashownextweekinDenver,”hemuttered.

“RedDaviswillshowthebulls,”Tankrepliedeasily.“He’sgoodatit.”

“He’ll hack into the FBI files at night and get arrested,” Cane grumbled. “My bulls will be left in

theirstallswhilewetrytospringDavisandarrangetransporthome.”

“Wewon’tlethimtakehislaptopalong,”Tankpromised.

“TheFBI,too?InadditiontotheCIA?”Bodieasked,fascinated,assherecalledwhatDarbyhadtold

heraboutthedaringcattleforeman.

“Helikestowalkinfire.”Tankchuckled.“TheFBIwaslastyear.Buthewastakenoffinhandcuffs

threemonthsagobytheCIAforjusthacking their main website. He talked his way out of that. But
nowhe’stryingtodigoutclassifiedinformationaboutaspecificterrorismincidentfromtheCIA.”
Heshookhishead.“Iknowoneoftheiragents.Davisreally,really,shouldn’tmesswiththoseguys.”

“Theyshouldofferhimajobintheircyberterrorismunit,”Bodieremarked.

“Theyalreadydidandheturnedthemdown.Biteyourtongue,girl,”Canemurmured.“He’sthebest

handwe’vegot,nexttoDarby.”

He spoke to her without venom. At least he was going to be civil, she thought. “Sorry,” she

whispered,avertinghereyes.

“Whencanyougetmeoutofhere?”Caneasked,noddingtowardalltheequipment.“Ifeellikea

cyborg.”

“They’rekeepingyouinhereovernight,”Tanktoldhim.

“Yeah.SotheycansavemeifIstarttoslipaway,right?Iknowallaboutconcussions.Onekilled

JamieFranklin,”headded.

“Jamiewasoldandhegotkickedintheheadbyabullandstomped,aswell,”Tankreplied.

“ThatwasbackinArizona,”Canerecalled.“Yearsago,whenwewereteenagers.”

“Wereyoueverateenager?”Bodiemused,studyinghim.

“Iwasevenakid,once,”hereturned.

Shemanagedasmile.“Hardtoimaginethat.”

Canesearchedhertautfaceforaminutethenturnedhisattentionbacktohisbrother.“I’msleepy.

Didtheygivemesomething?”

Tanknodded.“Forpain.You’regoingtobeallright.Honest.”

Canesmiledwanlyandclosedhiseyes.“Okay.Ifyousayso.”Hisvoiceslurred.Afteraminute,he

driftedoff.

Tank walked out. But Bodie didn’t follow. She stood by the bed, staring at Cane, frowning and

frightened.

ShesmoothedbackCane’sthickblackhairwithatenderhand,bitinghertongue.“I’msorry,”she

whispered.“Sorryforitall.”

Hedidn’tstir.Shebentanddrewherlipssogentlyoverhisforehead,carefultobarelytouchhim.

Tearsstunghereyes.“Youhavetolive,”shewhispered.“Ican’tlive…ifyoudon’t.Youknow?”

She swallowed, hard, and forced herself to turn and leave the room. But she wouldn’t leave the

hospital.Shesatinthewaitingroomwhiletheotherswentforfood.Theyfinallyforcedherintothe
cafeteria to have a sandwich, but she went right back to the waiting room, even when they told her
they had a motel room nearby for the night. She just smiled and settled into her chair even more
firmly.Theygaveupeventuallyandlefther.

***

THE

WEE

HOURS

THE

morning, a veteran nurse spotted her sitting there. Cane Kirk was at a

critical stage. The nurse had seen many cases like his, concussions that went suddenly wrong,
tragicallywrong.Canewasslipping.

SheapproachedBodieandsmiled.“How’sitgoing?”

Bodienotedthefloralpatternofthewoman’sshirtandthestethoscopesheworearoundherneck.A

nurse,shedecided.“Notsogood,”sherepliedandforcedasmile.“I’mworriedaboutmy…friend,in
ICU.”

“Wouldyouliketositwithhimforalittlewhile?”thenurseasked.

Bodieblinked.“Ithoughtthatwasn’tallowed—thatwecouldonlyseehimeveryfewhours,andjust

briefly…?”

Thenursesmiled.“Wemakeexceptionssometimes.Comeon.I’llclearitwithmysupervisor.”

It took a lot of convincing, but the older woman knew, as her nurse did, that the patient wasn’t

responding the way she would have liked. She’d already phoned the attending physician and asked
himtostopbytheroomwhenhewasfree.Sosheunderstoodtheurgencyofthenurse’srequest,and
the reason for it. The young woman was pale and drawn, obviously involved somehow with the
patientlyingsostillinthecubicle.Thewomanthoughttheywereallowingthevisitforhersake,but
theywerereallydoingitforthepatient,togivehimeverychancetopullthrough.

“Allright,”thesupervisorsaidafteraminute.“Butyoumustbeveryquietandnotgetinthewayof

mynurses.Andonlyforafewminutes.”

Bodienodded.“I’llbelikeamouse.Honest.Thanks,”shestammerednervously.

Thesupervisorsmiled.Hadsheeverbeenthatyoung?“You’rewelcome.”

Thenurse,relieved,usheredBodieintoCane’scubicle.

Bodiecurledupinachairbesidethebed,inherbluejeans.ShenotedthatCanehadlostcolor,and

helookedreallybad.Thenursedidherobservations,chartedthemandglancedatBodie.

“There’salwayshope,”shetoldtheyoungerwomangently.

Bodienoddedagain.

WhenshewasalonewithCane,shemovedthechaircarefullyclosertothebedandcurledupinit

again,lookingsmallandveryvulnerabletothenursemonitoringthecubiclesatthecentraldesk.She
reachedoutandslidherfingersaroundCane’sbig,warmhand,holdingittight.TheIVneedleand
tubeweretapedtoaboardaroundthehand,toholditsteadysothathedidn’tupsetthedrip.

Herfingersmovedgentlyoverhis.“Somanyarguments,”shesaidsoftly.“Youalwayswinthem,

because I never know how to fight back. And I’ve wished terrible things on you. But I never meant
them.Ithinkyouknow.Ithinkyoualwaysknew.”

Hedidn’tstir.Sheknewhecouldn’thearher.Hewasn’trespondingatall.

Her fingers curled tighter around his. “You have to fight, Cane,” she whispered brokenly. “So a

womanturnedyoudownbecauseyoulostanarm.Youwereahero.Yousacrificedyourselftosave
your men. That should count for something! Even with a stupid woman who couldn’t see past the
prosthesis....”

Shehadtostop.Shewaschokingonemotion.ShehatedthethoughtofCanewithotherwomen,she

hatedit!Buthe’dalreadymadesurethatsheknewshehadnoplaceinhislifeorhisfuture.She,with
hertarnishedidealsandstubbornillusions,wassodifferentfromhim.

“Youcanmeetnicewomen,”shesaid,hurtingasshesaidthewords.“Youjustdon’tfindthemin

bars,mostly.Youcouldgotocattlemen’smeetings.Lotsofnicewomentherewholovethelandand
animals,whocouldloveyou....Ofcourse,youdon’twantthat,doyou?Youdon’twanttobeloved.
Youjustwant…womenfromtimetotime.”

She swallowed. She stared at his hand, lying so still with her small fingers curled around it. “It’s

yourlife.Ihadnorighttosaythings,tojudgeyou.IfI’dbeenthroughwhatyouhave,maybeI’dbe
thesame.”Shehesitated.“Well,no,Iwouldn’t.YouthinkI’mold-fashionedandoutofstepwith the
world,andIguessIam.Butsomepeoplehavetobeconventional,tokeepsocietysolvent,youknow.
It’sorder,faith,duty,thatkeepusfromrevertingtosavagery.”

Shesmiled.“Iknow,I’mbeingphilosophical.Stupid.I’mjusttryingtoexplainhowIfeel.Notthatit

matterstoyou,Iknow.YouthinkI’manidiot.”

She smoothed over his fingers. His hand was beautiful. Big and sculpted, with flat, immaculate,

trimmed nails. Olive complexion. He was so handsome that he made her ache. When his body had
beenwhole,peoplesaid,womenfollowedhimeverywherehewent.Heneverhadanytroublegetting
a date. That Cane wouldn’t have looked twice at Bodie. But, in his present condition, with his ego
bruised, perhaps he’d come on to her simply because he wanted reassurance that a woman, any
woman, could still think of him as a man. He’d touched her, kissed her…said outrageous things to
her.She’drespondedtothembecause…

She swallowed, hard. Because she loved him. She felt the blood drain out of her face. It was

hopeless. He was never going to be able to return those feelings. He didn’t really want love, or
marriage. Bodie would never be able to settle for a loose arrangement, even if he went crazy and
offeredherone.

“Aren’t we a pair?” she asked him huskily. “You’re the original Don Juan and I’m like someone

raisedinaconvent.”

Hedidn’tstir.Shebentherheadtohishandandkissedthebackofit,tenderly.“Ijustwantyouto

live,” she whispered. “Even if you spend the next twenty years racking up notches on your bedpost
witheverysinglewomanyoucanfind.Itwillbeenoughifyou’realiveandinthesameworldwith
me.Really,itwill.”

Sheliftedherheadandlookedathim.Odd,thatheseemedlesspale.Shesqueezedhishandashard

as she dared. “I’ve never… Well, I’ve never really done anything with men, except with you.
EverythingIknow,youtaughtme.”Shelookeddownathishand.“Iknowyoudon’tlikeme.Igetin
yourway,I’mrude,I’mvolatile.”Sheswallowed.“I’mnotpretty,Idon’thavesocialskills,I’llnever
winprizesforbeingwittyorbrilliant.ButIloveyou.”Shelaughed,notlookingathisface.“Forall
thegooditdoeseitherofus.Ican’tevertellyou.Itwouldmakeyoudoubleoverlaughing.Ormaybe
it would insult you. I don’t know. It’s my secret, anyway,” she whispered brokenly. “My burden.
Nobody will ever know except me. I’ll pretend that it doesn’t matter when you call me names and
laughatmymoralsandsnapatme.ButeachtimeI’lldiealittlemoreinside....”

Shesatbackinthechairandtookadeepbreath.“Youjusthavetolive,that’sall,”shesaidfirmly,

fightingtears.“Itwasneveraboutmeormyfeelings.Youcan’thelphowyouare.Somemenjustlike
beautifulwomen,nothingwrongwiththat.ExceptthatI’mnotbeautiful.”Shelaughedhollowly.“I’m
likeacomfortableoldshoethatyouhideintheclosetwhenpeoplecomeby.Idon’tthreatenyouin
anyway.I’dnevertossoffinsultsatyoubecauseyou’redisabledormakeyoufeelsmall.I’mjustthe
girlnextdoorwho’salwaysaroundwhenyouneedsomeonetotalkto.”

She smoothed over his big hand with the tips of her fingers. “You do talk to me, too, don’t you?

About the most embarrassing things, too,” she said, smiling. “At first I didn’t know what you were
talkingaboutuntilIlookedituponline.”Shesighed.“Gosh,youweregraphic.Iguessitcouldcount
as sex education, what you told me.” She blushed and stared at his immaculate fingernails, tracing
them with her fingers. “It’s about as close as I’ll ever get to that sort of thing. I’m not a good-time
girl.Notevenforyou.I’mold-fashionedandsetinmyways.I’llneverfitanywhere.”Sheswallowed
again.“SoI’llbeafamousanthropologistoneday,”shemusedandlaughedsoftly.“MaybeI’llgetto
teachstudentsatsomefamousuniversityorsomething.OrmaybeI’lldigupthemissinglinkorfind
somethingcontroversial.”Shelookedupathisstillface.“You’resobeautiful,Cane,”shewhispered.
“Justbeautiful.Inevergettiredoflookingatyou.”

Hestirred,justbarely,andhisthick,darkeyebrowsdrewtogether.

She worried for a minute that he might actually be hearing her, but she knew he was asleep. His

heartbeatsoundedonthemonitor,strongandsteady.Well,maybealittlefast,butthatwasbecauseof
theheadinjury,sheimagined,puttingstressonallhissystems.

Therewasagentletaponthedoorfacing.

“Timetogo,I’mafraid,”thenursesaidsoftly.“I’llgiveyouanotherminute.”Shesmiledandleft.

“They’remakingmeleave,”BodietoldCane.Shegrimaced.“I’dstaywithyouallnightifthey’dlet

me.I’dneverleaveyou.”Hervoicebroke.Shestoodup.“Youhavetofight,doyouhearme?”she
managedgruffly.“Youhave to! Don’t you dare give up! If you do, I’ll…I’ll…” She swallowed her
tears.“Idon’tknowwhatI’lldo,”shewhispered,fearmakinghervoiceshake.“Ican’t…livewithout
you.”

Hestirredagain.Therewasasoftexplosionofbreathfromhim,buthedidn’topenhiseyesandshe

wascertainthathedidn’treallyhearher.Shehopednot.Shewassuddenlyembarrassedatwhatshe
wassayingsoopenly.

“Well,I’vegottogo,”shesaidinawhisper.“Tomorrowyou’llbeawakeandyellingatpeople,just

likeoldtimes.Yes.You’llbefinetomorrow.Iknowyouwill.”

Shebentoverandpressedherlipstohisforehead,besidethestitches.“Sleepanddreamofallthose

beautiful women out there, just waiting for you to wake up and take them on dates. You’ll find one
somedaythatyoucanlove,maybe.You’llbehappy.That’sallIwant.Ijustwantyoutoliveandbe
happy.Whateverittakes.”Shestoodup,herfacedrawnandpale.

Cane’sfacewasdifferentsuddenly.Ithadmorecolor.Hisbreathingwasstronger.Hisheartbeatwas

stronger.Itwasodd,whenshe’dcomeintotheroomatfirsthe’dlooked…paleanddangerouslystill.

“Theotherswillbebacktoseeyoutomorrow,”shesaidquietly.“Iwon’tcomeback.Youneedto

getwell.Ijust…makeyouangry,upsetyou.That’sthelastthingyouneed.Sleepwell.Solong,Cane.”

Sheturnedandleft,refusingtolookback.Shewassickatheart.Scaredtodeath.

Thenursewaswaiting.Shewassmiling.“Hisvitalsignsareimproving,”shesaidsoftly.“They’re

gettingstrongerbytheminute.”

Bodielookedatheroddly.“IthoughthelookedalittlebetterwhenIleft.”

“Headinjuriesaretricky,”thenursesaidasshewalkedBodieoutoftheunit.“Sometimesittakesa

little boost to bring patients through.” She turned and looked at the younger woman. “It isn’t
scientific,butsometimesthehumantouchcanmakethedifference.”

“Willhelive?Pleasesayyes.”Bodiechoked.

The nurse smiled again. “None of us can be certain of anything in cases like this. But what do I

think?Ithinkhe’llpullthroughjustfine.Nowyougogetsomerest,okay?”

“Okay,”Bodiesaid.Andshesmiledback.

But she didn’t leave the hospital. She sat up in one of the most uncomfortable chairs she’d ever

occupiedandsleptfitfully.

WhenMalloryandTankandMoriecamein,veryearly,shewasstillsittingthere.

“GoodLord,whydidn’tyoucomebacktothemotelandsleepinabed?”Tankexclaimedwhenthey

wokeher.

“Toofaraway,”shewhispered,andmanagedasmile.“Thenursesletmesitwithhimforawhile

lastnight.”

“Didthey,”Mallorysaid,surprised.

She nodded. “Can we ask somebody how he is this morning?” she wondered aloud, still worried.

“I’mnotfamilysoIdidn’tknowwhotoask.”

“I’llfindout,”Mallorysaid,andwenttowardthedesk.

“Youlookterrible,”Morietoldher,holdingherhand.“It’sbeenalongnightforallofus.”

“Verylong.”Bodiesighed.

Mallorywasbackinaminute,smiling.“Hewantsbaconandeggs,”hesaid,andlaughedoutloud,

prompting the others to laugh with him. “The doctor says he’s almost out of danger. They’ll be
movinghimoutintoaroomlaterthismorning.”

“Oh,thankGod,”Bodieexclaimed,burstingintotears.

Moriehuggedher.“Now,willyougobacktothemotelandgetsomepropersleep?”sheasked.

“Ofcourse,”Bodiesaid,andstoodupwithasigh.

“Youcancomebackandseehimlater,”Tankmused,smiling.

“No,that’snotagoodidea,”Bodiesaidgently.“Ijustupsethim.That’sthelastthingheneeds,inhis

condition.Heneedstogetwell.”Sheforcedasmile.“IthoughtI’dgobacktotheranch,ifnobody
minds?”

“Nobodyminds,”Mallorysaidquietly.“Ifyou’resurethat’swhatyouwant?”

“It’swhat’sbestforCane,”shereplied.

“I’ll drive you,” Morie said. She reached up and kissed Mallory. “I’ll be back in an hour or two,

okay?”

“Okay.Drivecarefully.”

“YouknowIwill.”Asecretsmilepassedbetweenthem,missedbyeverybody,asifsomethingwas

goingonthattheothersweren’tprivyto.

“AnythingyouwantustotellCane?”Tankasked.

“Just…thatI’mgladhe’sbetter,”Bodiesaid.“Justthat.”

“Seeyoulater,then,”Tanksaid.

Shenodded,followingMorieoutofthebuilding.

Canewassubduedwhenhisbrotherswentintoseehim.Hewasquietandthoughtful,andhedidn’t

saymuch.

“Yougoingtobeokay?”Tankaskedworriedly.

“I think so,” Cane said. “Where’s Bodie?” he asked, glancing past his brothers with an odd

expressiononhisdrawnface.“Wouldn’ttheylethercomeinwithyou?”

“Morietookherbacktotheranch,”Malloryrepliedquietly.

Cane’sfacegrewhard.“IsshedisappointedthatImadeit?”

“Whatavilethingtosay,”Tankmuttered.

“Especiallyconsideringthatshespentthenightinthelobby,”Malloryaddedcoolly.

Caneavertedhiseyes.“Guiltyconscience,probably,”hesaidirritably,“fromstartingafightwith

mebeforethewreck.”

“Yousnappedatherfirst,I’llremindyou,”Tanktoldhim,withabiteinhisvoice.“Shedoesn’tstart

trouble.Youdo.”

Caneglaredathim.“Showswhatyouknow!She’salwayssnipingatme,alwaysonaboutmarriage

andkidsandpicketfences…!”

“Ikindoflikethosethings,”Tanksaidsolemnly.“AndBodie’sasweetkid.She’sgotaheartasbig

asWyoming.”

Cane’sblackeyesflashed.“She’stooyoungforyou.”

Tank’seyebrowsarchedup.“I’myoungerthanyoubytwoyears.”Hepursedhislips.“Justrightfor

her.Besides,shelikesme.”

Cane’sfacewenthardasstone.“Ifyouhaveanythingtodowithher,I’llneverspeaktoyouagain!”

“WhatIdowithherismybusiness,”Tankshotback.

Mallorymovedinbetweenthem.“Thisisahospitalandyou’reinnoconditiontostartafight,”he

toldCanefirmly.“You’reheretogetbetter.”

Canemadeasounddeepinhisthroat.HeglaredatTank,whoglaredrightback.

“She’spoorandyou’vegotmoney,”CanetoldTankafteraminute,withunusualvenominhistone.

“It’seasytolovearichman,isn’tit?”

“Youthinkmoneyismyonlyattribute?”Tankgrowled.

“Iknowit’smine,”Canebitoff.Helaybackonthepillowsand looked up at the ceiling. “It’s the

onlythingaboutmethatwomenlike.”

MalloryandTankexchangedworriedlooks.

“IwishIhadadrink,”Canegrumbled.

“You’regoingintorehabwhenyougetoutofhere,”Mallorysaidshortly.“I’vehadenough.You

needtostopwallowinginself-pityandgetalife.”

Canegapedathim.SodidTank.

“Imeanit,”Malloryrepliedtersely.“You’remybrotherandIloveyou.I’mnotgoingtostandby

whileyouself-destruct.Youneedtocometogripswiththefactthatyou’redisabledandlearntocope.
Theworldhasn’tended.You’restillalive.Youweresparedforareason.Youneedtofindoutwhatit
was.”

Canewasstillgapingathim.

Malloryshifteduncomfortably.“Yes,I’mgettingreligious,”hesaidself-consciously.“Stressdoes

thattopeople.We’vebeenoutofourmindswithworry.Weweretoldthatyoumightnotmakeit.We
didn’ttellBodie,butsherefusedtoleavethehospitaljustthesame.”Hejerkedhisheadtowardthe
door.“ThedoctorsaidthattheICUnursewasconcernedenoughtoletBodiesitinherewithyoufora
fewminutes.Whatevershesaidtoyou,itbroughtyoubackwhenyouweredriftingaway.Youcan’t
find anything better to do than insult her, but she’s very likely the reason you’re well enough to
grumbleaboutherthismorning.”

Caneavertedhiseyes.Hewashearingsomethinginthebackofhismind,asoftvoice,lacedwith

tears,whisperingtohim.Herememberedwithajoltwhathe’dheard.Bodiehadsaidthatshe…

Hecaughthisbreath.Hecouldn’tevensaythewordsintheprivacyofhisownthoughts.Itwastoo

overwhelming. What she’d said shamed and embarrassed him. It tantalized him with possibilities. It
madehimfeel…wholeagain.Butshewasn’thereandhewasbeingunreasonablebecausehewanted
Bodieandshe’ddesertedhim.

The nurse came in, smiling. “We’re moving you to a room, Mr. Kirk. Sorry, but you’ll have to

leavewhilewegeteverythingready.Youcanseehimagaininafewminutes.”

Mallorychuckled.“Noneedtoapologize.We’llseeyoulater,”hetoldCane.

“Icouldusesomecoffee,”Tankremarked.

“Me,too,”Canereplied.

“No,”thenursesaid.“Notjustyet.Nocaffeine.”

Canemadeafaceather.

Shelaughed.“Ifyou’renice,youcanhaveicecreamforlunch.”

Cane’seyebrowslifted.Hegrinnedather.“Okay.I’llbegood.”

Shesmiledback,flushingalittle,becausehewasveryhandsome.

Canesawherinterestandhisblackeyestwinkled.

Mallory and Tank shook their heads. Cane was already getting back to normal, flirting with the

nurse.Itwasn’tagoodsignforpoorBodie.

***

ATER

SETTLED

HIS

ROOM

, Cane was more animated, although his fractured ribs were giving him

someproblems.

“Thatsurehurts,”hemurmured,touchingtheribbelt.

“Itwillgeteasier,”Tanksaid.“Ihadbrokenribs,aftertheshoot-out,”hesaid.Itwasthefirsttime

he’dspokenofitinalongtime.

Canefrowned.“I’dforgotten.Sorry.”

Tankshrugged.“Itgetseasier.Onceyoufaceit.”

Canegrimaced.“Ihaven’tdonethat.Notyet.”

“Isn’titabouttimeyoudid?”Tankaskedgently.“Breakingupbarsandwreckingcarsisn’tgoingto

doitforyou.”

“Which reminds me, we had a call from the sheriff’s deputy who worked the wreck last night,”

Mallorysaidsolemnly.“You’rebeingchargedwithdrivingundertheinfluence.”

Cane sighed, grimacing as it lifted his rib cage and provoked more pain. “Nothing less than I

deserve,”heconfessedsheepishly.“Bettercallourattorneys.I’mgoingtoneedrepresentation.”

“Alreadydid,”Malloryreplied.“Hesaidit’spossiblewemightpleaditdownifyou’llpromiseto

gethelp.”

Canelookedirritated,buthedidn’tspeak.Hemovedhisheadonthepillow.“I’vetriedtogethelp,”

hesaidafteraminute.“Theysendmetopeoplewhohangoutonsocialnetworksandexpectmeto
talktothemlikeanoldfriendassoonaswe’reintroduced.”

“Youneedtotalktosomeoneyoutrust.”

“Ha!”Caneexclaimed.“Well,thatwillbeashortlist.”

“Howaboutus?”Tankasked.“We’reyourfamily.Wewon’tjudge.”

Canemadeaface.“Yes,we’refamily,andwe’reclose.ButtherearethingsI…can’ttellyou.”

“Wecanfindaprivatepsychologist.”

Cane glared at Mallory when he suggested it. “Same problem I had with the military one. I can’t

openuptosomebodyIdon’tknow.Therearetrustissues.”

“There’soneotherpossibility,”Mallorysaid.

Tankglaredathim.“Badidea,”hemuttered.

Canestaredathisbrothers.“What’sabadidea?”

“You’realwaystalkingtoBodiewhenyougetdrunk,”Mallorysaidwithaquietsmile.“Whycan’t

youtalktoherwhenyou’resober?”

CHAPTERELEVEN

“I

NOT

TALK

ODIE

!”Caneexploded.“NotevenwhenI’mdrunk.”

“That’snotwhatIhear,”Malloryreplied.

Caneavertedhiseyes,flushedwithanger.“She’sjustakid.”

“Okay,”Mallorysaid,placatinghim.“Badidea.Youwereright,”hesaidtoTank,whoseemedto

relaxalittle.

“Bodie’s got her own problems,” Tank said quietly. “She’s still dealing with the loss of her

grandfather.AndiftheydochargeWilloverhiswebsite,someofthosepicturesofBodiemayturnup
somewhere.Iftheydo,she’llneverliveitdown.Itwilldestroyher.”

“Wait.Whatcharges?”Caneasked,blinking.

“There’sgossipthatthesheriff’sinvestigatorfoundenoughtoindictWillJonesfortraffickingin

pornographyinvolvingunderagewomen.”

“Finally!”Canesaid.“That’sgreatnews.”

“Yes, except that it will put Bodie on the firing line,” Tank returned curtly. “Will had a movie

camerahewasusingtofilmherwithhisbuddy.Youknockedthecomputeroffandprobablybroke
theharddrivewiththeimages,buthestillhasthecameraandwhatever ’sonit.”

“Ifheputsanyimagesofherontheinternet,he’dbetterbewearingbodyarmor,”Canesaidinsuch

acoldtonethathisbrothersstaredathiminsurprise.

Neither of them said anything, but Tank looked irritated. Mallory knew that his youngest brother

wasnursingfeelingsforBodie.ButjudgingfromthewayCanereacted,itwasagrowingpossibility
thathehimselfhadfeelingsforher,aswell.Feelingshewasn’tadmitting.

“Isn’titagoodideatoheadofftrouble?”Caneasked,thinkingaloud.“Findacomputerexpertwho

cansearchforanyimagesofBodieandwipethem?”

MalloryandTanklookedateachother.“RedDavis,”theysaidinunison.

Canenodded.

“I’llgethimonitASAP,”Malloryreplied.“Goodidea.”

“Exceptthatit’sabiginternetandsearchstringsaren’talwaysreliable,”Tanksaidworriedly.“I’d

hatetohaveBodieexposedlikethatforpeopletosee.”

“SowouldI,”Malloryadded.

“It’s her own damned fault,” Cane said angrily. “She should have told Will to take his computer

fantasiesandgotohellwiththem.”

“She could have, if any of us had known how strapped for cash she and her grandfather were,”

Mallorysaidreasonably.

“And,”Tankaddedwithvenom,“ifyouhadn’tsentherrunningandmadeherfeelcheapforasking

youforhelp.”

“Ithoughtshewasbeingfrivolous,”Canebitoff,“likeeveryotherdamnedwomanwhocomeson

tomeandwantedmoneyjustbecauseIhaveit!”

“Bodie’s not like that, Cane,” Tank told him flatly. “And if you can’t see it, then that’s your loss.

She’sonefinewoman.”

“She’sakid,”Caneemphasized,andhewouldn’tmeethisbrother ’seyes.

“Somekid,”Tankchuckled.“There’sacommunitydancethisSaturday.I’mgoingtoaskhertogo

withme.”

“Likehellyouare!”Caneflashedfuriously.“You’renotdatingher!Notwhilethere’sabreathinmy

body!”

“Well,shewon’tdateyou,”Tanksaidsmugly.“Notafterhowyou’vetreatedher.”

Caneavertedhiseyes.“Ihavemydoubtsaboutthat,”hesaidquietly.HewasrememberingBodie’s

softvoice,lacedwithtears,whisperingtohiminthesilenceofthehospitalroom.“Ireallydo.”

Thebrothersexchangedpuzzledglancesandthenchangedthesubject.

***

ODIE

WAS

FEEDING

THE

chickenswhenthebigcardroveup,withCaneinthebackseatnursinghisribs.

Shecarriedthebucketwiththechickenfeedinitwithher,standingquietlybythefrontstepsasthe

mengotoutofthecar.Shewaswearingjeansandagraysweatshirt.Shelookedverysmall,andtired
—andflushedwithsubduedexcitement.

“Howareyou?”sheaskedCanehesitantly.

Heglaredather.“Better,nothankstoyou!”

Sheflushedandturnedonherheeltogobacktothechickens,fightingtears.

“Bodie,”Canegroundout.“Comeback.I’msorry.”

Shestopped,butshedidn’tgoback.“It’sokay,”shesaidinahuskytone.“I’vegot…chorestodo.

Gladyou’rehome.”Shekeptwalking.

“Damn!”Canegroundout.“Damn!”

“Keepitup,”Tankmused,smiling.“Helpsmeout,alot.”HeturnedandstartedafterBodie.

“Youaskher,andI’mmovingoutofthehouse!”Canethreatened.

“Yourchoice.”Tankkeptwalking.

“Calmdown,”Mallorytoldhisinjuredbrotherfirmly.“Youwon’tsolveanyproblemsbyyellingat

thetopofyourlungs.Comeinsideandlet’sgetyousettled.Youdon’tneedtostartafighttheminute
yousetfootontheplace.”

Canedidn’treply.Hewassickandsoreandhurting,andhehatedTank.Hereallyhatedhim.Tank

wasgoingtosootheBodie’swoundedfeelings.Shemightturntohim,inherheartache.Canewasso
unsettledbythethoughtthathetrippedonthestepsandhadtohaveMallorycatchhim.

“Okay,uptobed,”Mallorysaidfirmly.“You’reinnoshapetodoanythingyet.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Cane let the older man help him up the staircase to his room. “Tank wants

her,”hemutteredcoldly.

“She’s very pretty,” Mallory said simply. “And Tank’s been alone a long time. You don’t want

Bodie.Youshouldbehappythatyourbrotherisfinallygettinginvolvedwithsomeone.”

Caneturnedandstaredathisolderbrother.“She’smine,”hebitoff.“Mine!”

Mallory’seyebrowsarchedinsurprise.

“AndI’mnotgivingherup,”Caneadded.“NotuntilshetellsmeherselfthatIhaven’tgotachance

withher.Andthat,”hesaidcurtly,“isn’tevenapossibility.Shelovesme.”

“Andyouknowthat,how?”Malloryqueriedsoftly.

“Because she told me so, in the hospital, when she thought I was unconscious,” Cane replied, his

voicesubduedandquiet.“Iwasslipping.Ifeltmyselfgoing.Thensheheldmyhandandtalkedtome,
toldmetofight,toldmeIcouldn’tgiveupanddie.”Heshifteddownontothebedwithaheavysigh.
HelookedupatMallorywithpurewonderinhistone.“ShesaidthatIwasthehandsomestmanshe’d
everknown.”

Mallorysmiled.“You’renotbad,”heconceded.“Notapatchonme,ofcourse.”

Cane laughed, as he was meant to, because Mallory might be tough and capable, but he was the

ugliestofthethreebrothersandeveryoneknewit.

“Niceofhertoboostyourspirits,”Mallorysaid.

Caneflushed.“Shewasn’tsayingitforthatreason.Shemeantit,”hereplied.

“Thenyoudon’thavetoworryaboutTankcuttinginonyourterritory,doyou?”Malloryasked.

“Isupposenot.”HelaybackonthebedafterMallorypulledoffhisstreetshoesforhim.“Thanks,”

hesaid.

Mallorysmiled.“You’rewelcome.”

“Ishouldn’thavesnappedatherlikethat,”Canesaidsadly.“Idon’tknowwhyIgoforherthroat

everychanceIget.Imean,she’stheonlypersonoutsidemyfamilywhoevergaveadamnaboutme.
She’srescuedmefrombarbrawlshalfadozentimes.SheandDarbycamelookingformeafterIleft
thebar,savedmylife.FirstthingIsaytoherisaninsult,afterallthat.”

“Couldbethatyou’reconflicted,”Mallorysuggested.“YouknowhowBodiefeels.Buthowdoyou

feel?”

Caneliftedhiseyestotheceilingandfrowned.“Idon’twanttogetmarried.”

“Well,Bodie’snotthesortofgirlyoucanhavealooserelationshipwith,”Mallorycautioned.“She

doesn’tjustdolipservicetoherideals.Shereallyfeelsthem.”

“Iknowthat.Itcomplicatesthings.”Hesighed.“Iwanther,”heconfessed.“Ihaveforalongtime,

eversinceshewasoldenoughforthatsortofthing.I’vekeptithidden,untilrecentdays.”Heglanced
atMallory,whosatdownonthebedbesidehim.“Shedoesn’tcarethatI’m…disabled,”hesaidaftera
minute.“Imean,shereallydoesn’tmindit.Notlikethatwomaninthebarwhosaidshecouldn’tsleep
withaone-armedmanbecausethethoughtofitwasrepulsivetoher.”Heclenchedhisteethtogether.
Thememorystillhurt.

“Youneverusedtoresorttotryingtopickupwomeninbars,”Malloryremindedhim.Hisownface

hardened.“AndI’llremindyouthatthatsortofwomanisn’tlikelytousesoftsoapwithanyman—
anymorethanaprostitutewould.Nowomanwhodoesn’tcareforamanisgoingtobesympathetic.”

“Unlessthepriceisright,”Canesaidcynically.

“Moneytalks.”

“Itshouts.”

Mallorynodded.Hecockedhishead.“Youknow,asyougetolder,thatplayboyimageisgoingto

loseitssheen.You’llseekidsplayingintheyardherewhenminecomealong,Tank’sifhemarries
someone.You’llbeleftbehind,livingfrombedroomtobedroom,withnobodytocomehometowho
givesadamnifyouliveordie.It’saprettydismalpicturefrommypointofview.”

“Marriage is a trap. Not for you,” Cane added quickly. “You and Morie are like soul mates. I’m

happyforyou.ButIcan’tgiveupmyfreedomforanywoman.”

“Whatisfreedom?”Malloryaskedphilosophically.

“I can come and go as I please. Date anyone I please. Sleep with anyone I please.” He laughed

hollowly.“ExceptthatIdon’tpleaseanybody,likethis.”Heindicatedwhatwasleftofhisarm.Hebit
his lip and drew in a deep breath. “Mal, I haven’t…slept with a woman since this happened,” he
confessedheavily.

Mallorywasshocked.“You’vebeenveryvocalaboutapproachingwomen....”

“Approaching, yes. Trying to prove that I could still function as a man.” Cane averted his eyes.

“Nobodywantsmelikethis.”

“That’snottrue.”

Canesighed.“Bodiedoes,Iknow,”hesaid.“Butshecomeswithstringsattached.Aweddingring.

Marriage.Afamily.”HelookedatMallory.“I’mnotreadyforthat.”

“You’rethirty-fouryearsold.You’reruiningyourlife,Cane.Drinkingisn’tgoingtohelp.It’sjust

goingtolandyouinjaileventually.Thewreckwasawarning.Youweretappedontheshoulderand
reprimanded.Somewheredowntheline,tragedyiswaitingforyou.Andforus,becausewe’reyour
familyandweloveyou.Thisisn’tanexperienceIeverwanttorepeat.Youdon’tknowwhatittook
outofus,inthehospitalwaitingtoseeifyoulivedordied.”

Cane frowned. He hadn’t considered the feelings of the other people around him. He’d only been

concerned with himself. He felt suddenly guilty as he recognized the unfamiliar strain on his
brother ’sface,thenewlinescarvedintoitoverthefraughtfewdays.

“IthinkI’mbeginningto,”Canesaidquietly.

“Yourbehaviordoesn’tjustaffectyou,”Mallorycounseled.“Itaffectseveryonewholovesyou.”

“I’vebeenprettyselfish.”

“You’vebeentroubled,”Malloryrepliedgently.“Iknowwhatyou’vegonethroughbecauseofthe

accident.TankunderstandsevenbetterthanIdo,becausehe’sbeentherehimself.ButTankiscoping
andyou’renot.Idon’twantyoutoendupinjail.”

Canesmiledwanly.“Thanks.I’mnotkeenonthatideamyself.”

“Soyouhavetogethelp,”Malloryfinished.“Godknowswecanaffordaprivatetherapist,we’ve

beenveryluckyinourdiversifiedstocksandinvestments,nottomentionthepriceswecommandfor
ourseedbulls.”

“It’sthesameoldproblem,”Canereplied.“Ican’ttalktostrangers.”

“Thenwe’llfindsomeoneyoucantalkto,”Mallorypromised.“Justworkwithme.”

Canehesitated.“Okay,”hesaidfinally.“Ononecondition.”

Malloryraisedhiseyebrowsinquisitively.

“GetoutthereandkeepTankawayfrommygirl!”Canesaid.

Mallorychuckled.Hegottohisfeet.“I’llfindsomethingforhimtodo.”

“Thanks.And…askBodietocomeuphere,willyou?”Canesaid,hesitationinhistone.

“I’llask.”Heemphasizedthelastword.

“TellherI’msorryagain.Thenaskher.”

Mallorychuckledagain.“Okay.Anythingformybrother.”

“Youguysreallyarethebest.AndI’msorryIputyouthroughthis,”Canesaidquietly.“I’mgoing

totrytogetmyselfbackontrack.”

“That’sallIask,”Malloryreplied.“I’llbeback.”

Hewalkedout,leavingthedooropen.

Canestaredafterhim,quietandreserved.Hedidn’tknowwhathewasgoingtosaytoBodie,buthe

couldn’t let Tank muscle in on his territory. Bodie was his. He was never going to let go of her.
Somehow,he’dcometotermswiththedistancethatseparatedthemonmoralissues.Itwasn’tasifhe
was overwhelmed with women who thought he was the handsomest man in the world. He smiled,
rememberingBodie’ssoftvoiceinhisear.This,hethoughtashenotedthesmallChristmastreeliton
atableinhisroom,wasgoingtobeaChristmastoremember.Onewayortheother.

***

ANK

WAS

HELPING

ODIE

feedthechickens.

“AtleastIdon’thavetoworryaboutputtingmyhandonasnakeinhereinwinter.”Bodiechuckled.

“Ofcourse,Idon’thaveanyeggs,either.”Shesighed.“Iwishchickenslaidyear-round.”

Tanklookedaroundthehenhousethoughtfully.“Weneedtoputanewroofonthisthing.Can’thave

ourgirlsgettingwet,”headdedwithachuckle,indicatingthemixedflockmillingaroundtheyard.

“I love chickens,” Bodie remarked. “Granddaddy used to keep them, when Mama was still alive,

beforeshemarriedWillJones.Imisshavingthem.Thissortofmakesupforit.Andthesehensare
friendly.”Shereacheddown and petted one. It made that odd sound that hens made when they were
contented,almostlikeitwastalkingtoherinahappyway.

“Ilikechickens,too,”Tankremarked.“Imisstheeggs.Store-boughtonesjustdon’ttastethesame.”

“Idoagree.”

Tank looked out over the huge yard. “I’m sorry Cane was so curt with you. I guess he doesn’t

realizeyousatupwithhimallnightinthehospital.”

“Cane’salwayscurtwithme,”sherepliedsoftly.“IguessI’mgettingusedtoit.It’snothisfault.He

likesbeautifulgirls.”

Tank turned to face her. “What’s wrong with you?” he teased, smiling as he studied her elfin

features,herpalebrowneyes,hershort,blackhair.“Ithinkyou’redishy.”

Sheflushedandavertedhereyes.ItwasthefirsttimeTankhadeversaidanythingpersonaltoher.It

wasflattering,butsheonlyhadbrotherlyfeelingsforhim.Shedidn’tknowwhattosay.

“Easy, now,” he said gently, sensing her discomfort. “I was only making a comment. Even a big

brothercancommentthathisbabysisterispretty.Right?”

Shelookedup,reliefinherfeatures.Shesmiledshyly.“Right.”

“Besides—” he sighed, shoving his hands into his jean pockets and looking wistful “—Cane’s

alreadythreatenedtopummelmeifIflirtwithyou.”

Herheartjumpedintoherthroat.“What?”

“Hesaid—”

“Bodie?”Malloryinterrupted.

Sheturned,tornbetweenwantingtoknowwhatTankhadbeenabouttotellherandbeingrudeto

Mallory.“Yes?”shestammered.

“Canewantstotalktoyou.”

Bodie’seyeswidened,butshedidn’tmove.“What,he’sthoughtupanotherinsultandwantstoshare

it?”sheasked,tryingtosoundfacetious.

“Hesaidtoapologizeagainforhisbadmanners,”Malloryrepliedwithasmile.“Ifheinsultsyou,

throwitrightbackathim.He’samanwho walks all over people he can buffalo. Don’t let him get
awaywithanything.”

Shedrewinalongbreath.“Idotry.He’sveryforceful.”

“Weallare.”Tankchuckled.“Butyoucancope.”

“You think so? I wonder.” She handed Tank the container with the chicken feed. “Can you finish

feedingthegirls?”sheasked.“AndwatchoutforCharlie.”

Heblinked.“Charlie?”

She indicated a preening red rooster nearby. “I always carry a stick when I come out here. He’s

spurred me a couple of times. Lucky for me, jeans are thick.” She indicated the stick, which was a
smallbrokenlimb.“Iusethatforprotection.Doesn’thurthim,butmakeshimbackoff,”shesaid.

“I’vehadtouseitatimeortwo,becauseMorieandMaviehavestoppedcomingouthereatall,”

Mallory confessed. “Until you came along, I had to feed the girls. Nice to know Charlie’s met his
match.”

“Youshouldgivehimtosomebodyandgetanicerrooster,”Tankcommented.

“No such thing as a nice rooster,” Mallory said dryly. “I’ve never seen one who wouldn’t attack

anythingmoving,especiallyaroundaflockofhens.They’reveryprotective.”

“Also very tasty,” Tank said with pursed lips. “Remember when we were kids and that big white

roosterattackedmeanddrewblood?”

Mallorylaughed.“Dadwentrightoutandwrunghisneck.Wehadhimforsupperthatnight.”

“Hesaid‘wasn’tanyroosterhurtinghisbaby,’”Tankreminisced.Hesighed.“BestchickendinnerI

everhad.”

“Well,youcan’teatCharlie,”Bodiesaidfirmly.“Thehenswouldmourn.”

“Wecanalwaysgetanotherrooster,”Tankteased.

Shemadeafaceathim.“I’llgoseewhatCanewants.”Shesighed.SheglancedatMallory.“ShouldI

takethestickwithme?”shewonderedaloud.

Bothmenlaughed.

***

ANE

WATCHED

ODIE

ENTER

the room. She hesitated at the door, her brown eyes worried and

uncertain.

“Iwon’tbite,”hesaidquietly.Hisblackeyesscannedherfacewithanintensityshedidn’tremember

fromanypastencounters.“Comeon.”

Shemovedintotheroom,tothefootofthebedandstayedthere.“Howareyou?”sheaskedsoftly.

“Better.Ribsstillhurt,head’sstillrocky,butI’mbetter.”

Shenodded.“I’mglad.Everybodywasworried.”

“Youleftme.”

Sheflushed.Thewayhesaiditwaslikeanaccusation,asifitmatteredthatshehadn’tgonebackto

seehiminthehospitalafterthenightshe’dstayedbyhisbed.Thatwassheerfantasy.Canedidn’tcare
abouther.Heneverhad.

“Iwasjustupsettingyou,”shestammered.“Youdidn’tneedthat.”

Hisblackeyesstabbedintohers.Theynarrowedwithspeculation.“Youtalkedtome.”

Shewentscarlet.Sheswallowed,visiblyupset.“Thenurseswereworried,Ithink,”shehedged.“I

justtoldyoutogetbetter.That’sall.”

“Isit?”

Shedidn’tlikethelookonhisface.Itwasdifferent.Shefeltsuddenlyvulnerable.Howmuchdidhe

remember?Hadheheardherembarrassingspeech?

Hetookpityonher.Hedidn’twanttomakeherfeelanyworsethanhealreadyhad.Shethoughther

feelingswereawell-keptsecret.Hedecideditmightbebettertoletherkeepherillusions,especially
since his own feelings were so conflicted. He didn’t really know what to say to her. He just liked
lookingather,forsomeoddreason.Shegavehimpeace.

“Idon’trememberanyofit,”Caneliedwithastraightface.“Maltoldmeyousatwithmemostof

thenight.”

Shelookedrelieved.“Justforafewminutes.Thenurseletmein.Ithinktheywereconcernedthat

youwereslipping.”

“Iwas,”heconfided.“Ifeltit.ThenIheardyourvoice,”headdedinadeep,velvetytone,“telling

me not to give up. I remember that, at least,” he said to reassure her, because she was looking
threatenedagain.“Itbroughtmeback.”

Shesmiled.“I’mglad.”

“You don’t have any excitement in your life past dragging me out of bars, huh?” he teased, and

laughed.

Sheshrugged.“It’sadirtyjob,butsomebodyhastodoit.”

Caneshiftedonthebed.“Comearoundhere,willyou?I’mgettingacrickinmynecktryingtosee

you.”

Shewasn’tkeenongettinganycloser.Hemadehernervousandhewouldbeexperiencedenoughto

knowthesignsifhegotagoodlookatthem.Shewasmorevulnerablethanshe’deverbeenbefore.
Butshewentbecausehewantedherto.

“Sitdown,Bodie.”

Shestartedtodropintoanearbychair.

“No,”hesaid,hisvoiceloweringanoctave.Hepattedthebed.“Here.Rightnexttome,sothatIcan

seeyoureyes.”

Shewasalmosttremblingwithexcitement.Itwasdisturbing,thatlookonhisface,thatdarkinterest

inhiseyes.Shesatdownbesidehim.Hisarmwentacrossherlap,hishandrestinggentlyonherhip.

“WhatwasTanksayingtoyououtside?”heaskedpointedly.

“Oh.Hewas—hewasjusthelpingmefeedthechickens,”shestammered.Hishandwassmoothing

overherroundedhipwithsomeoddfamiliarity.Sheshouldprobablyprotest.Histhumbwasmoving
againstherbellywhereitjoinedherhip,andthesensationsitcausedwerebecomingvisible.

“Washenow?”Caneasked.Hesmiled.HecouldseewhathistouchdidtoBodie.Shecouldn’thide

it.Shewasn’tpretendingbecausehehadmoney. She was really, violently, attracted to him. It didn’t
mattertoherthathewasmissinganarm.Shewantedhim.Hisheartjumpedasherealizedjusthow
deepherfeelingswent.

Histhumbmoveddowninthefurrowbetweenherthighandherhip,moreintimatenow.“Whatdid

hesaytoyou?”heasked,hisvoicealmostpurring.

Bodiewasslippingawayintosomesensualfantasywhilehetouchedherinawaythatsheshould

protest.“He,uh,hesaid…”

“Hesaidwhat?”

Sheshivered.Shereallyshouldsaysomething.Thiswasgetting…intimate!

Shegasped.Shegrabbedhishand.“Cane,”shewhispereduneasily.

“Too far too soon? Okay.” His hand slid up, but under the hem of her sweatshirt, around her rib

cage. His fingers lingered there while his thumb eased under the band of her bra. “How about this,
then?”

Shewasshaking.Histouchreducedhertomeltedflesh.“Howabout…what?”shefaltered,hermind

centeredonthesensationsthatthumbwasarousingasitmovedeverclosertoaveryhardnipple.

“Bodie?”hewhispered.

“Wh-what?”

“Leancloser,baby.”

Sheobeyedhimmindlessly,onehandgoingtothepillownexttohisblackhair,topropherselfup

sothatshedidn’tfall.

Asshemoved,sodidhe.Hishandpushedthebraoutofhiswayandcuppedherfull,firmbreast

hungrily.

Shemoanedsoharshlythathefelthisbodygorigidwithdesire.

“Good…God,”hewhisperedagainreverently,shuddering.“Bodie!”

Hepulledherdownbesidehim,ignoringthesharppaininhisribsasherolledoverandpushedup

hersweatshirtandherbrasothathecouldseehersoft,pink,perfectbreasts.“Beautiful,”hebreathed
roughly.“God,you’resobeautiful,honey....”

He bent and smoothed his mouth over her breast, lingering where the hard tip thrust up into his

openlips.Hedrewitinside,workingitwithhistongue,whileBodiestiffenedandgaspedandmade
noisesthatalmostpushedhimovertheedge.Hewassohungrythatheforgotthedoorwasstanding
wide-open.

Footstepsonthestaircasewentunnoticedbyhim,butBodie,eveninherdazedstate,heardthem.

“Somebody’s…coming,”shesaid,pushingatCane’shead.

“Somebody’saboutto,really,”hewhisperedblatantly,andsuckledher,hard.

Shehadtofighttodrawawayfromhimintime,andheprotested,shuddering.Shegottoherfeet

andjerkedthesweatshirtdownjustasMaviecameinthedoorwithatray,mercifullyconcentrating
onnotspillingthecoffeesothatshedidn’tpayattentiontoaflushedandveryembarrassedBodie.

Cane was quick. He groaned and held his rib cage. “God it hurts!” he moaned, diverting Mavie

whileBodiegotherbrafastenedagainandsmoothedherruffledhair.

“Youpoorthing,”Maviesaidworriedly.“Don’tyouhavesomethingforpain?”

“Yes, on the table here. Can you open the bottle for me?” he asked, and sounded so helpless that

Bodiehadtofightbackashockedlaugh.

“Of course I can,” Mavie cooed. Even she, at her age, wasn’t immune to Cane’s charm when he

chosetoexerciseit.Shesmiled.“Hereyougo.Ibroughtcoffeeandasliceofpoundcake,too.Bodie,
Ididn’trealizeyouwereuphere.Wouldn’tyoulikecoffeeandcake,too?”

“Yes,”Bodiesaid.“ButIcangetmyown,noneedtomakeyouclimbthatstaircasetwice.I’llsee

youlater,Cane,”sheaddedquickly,withoutlookingathim.

“Youbetyouwill,”hereplied,andhisvoicewaslikebrushedvelvetinherearsasshefledfromthe

room.

***

POURED

COFFEE

WITH

ashakinghandandtookit,andasliceofcake,tothediningroomtable.She

wasn’t going back into Cane’s room unless she took somebody with her for protection. Good
heavens, the man was potent! He’d lured her close, touched her, kissed her, and all she’d done was
helphimgetherclothesoutoftheway.

Somuchfortryingtoresisthim.Ifheputonthepressure,shewasgoingtogounderlikeasackof

sand.She’dneverbeabletosaveherself.

Thatbeingthecase,shewasgoingtohavetobeinventive,andfindwaystokeephimatbay.Ithad

beenanearthing.IfMaviehadn’tshownupwhenshedid,thingsmighthavegottencompletelyoutof
hand.

She finished her cake and washed it down with black coffee, just as Mavie came back down the

staircase,smiling.

“Heissuchacharmer!”Theolderwomanlaughed.AndMaviehardlyeverlaughed.Bodiehadto

fightdownatwingeofjealousy,despitethefactthatMaviewasoldenoughtobeCane’smother.

“Yes,heis,”Bodieagreed.Sheforcedasmile.“Thisisgreatcake,Mavie.”

“Thanks.I’mgladyoulikedit.Canewonderedifyou’dgobackupandtalktohimforawhile.”

Bodieswallowed,hard.“I’llgoinafewminutes,”shesaid,andsmiled.“Ireallyhavetofinishmy

choresoutside.”

“Oh,Mallorywoulddothemforyou,orevenTank.It’ssoniceofyoutohelpout,child.Youreally

pullyourweighthere.”

“Itryto.Ilikeworkingaroundtheanimals,”shesaidsoftly.“I’lljustfinishupandthenI’llgosee

Cane.”

“I’lltellhim.”

Bodie bolted for the back door. She would go back, but not until and unless she could persuade

someonetogoseeCanewithher.Nowaywasheluringherintoaphysicalrelationship.Shewasn’t
goingtojointhenotchesonhisbedpost,evenifshewasheadoverheelsinlovewithhim.

CHAPTERTWELVE

HRISTMAS

WAS

magical.ThewholefamilygatheredaroundtheChristmastreeinthelivingroom

and turned on a holiday special on television. They were all singing along to the familiar carols,
drinkinghotchocolateandeatingcake.MavieandDarbyHanesjoinedthemfortheevening.

CanesatonthesofawithBodiebesidehim.Onceinawhile,hisfingerstangledwithhers,unseen

bytherestofthefamily.Hisblackeyessearchedhers,lookingforsecrets,caressing,mysteriousand
thrilling.

Sincetheirencounterinhisbedroom,Bodiehadcarefullyavoidedbeingalonewithhim.He’dbeen

irritated at first, but he seemed to be all right with her caution once he understood that it wasn’t
coyness.Shewantedhim.Butshewasn’twillingtocompromiseherprinciplesbysleepingwithhim.
Hefoundhimselfoddlyproudofherforthatattitude,evenashewasfrustratedbyit.Hisbodywas
hungry for hers. It was all he thought about lately. He became aroused if he got close to her, even
whenshemethiseyesfromacrosstheroom.Ithadneverbeenlikethatbeforeinhislife.Womenhad
arousedhimfromtimetotimewhentheycameontohim.ButBodiecoulddoitfromadistance.

ShenoticedCane’schangingattitude.Itthrilledher,evenasit frightened her. Was he looking for

new ways to complicate their relationship? Was he still focused on seduction, with no thought of a
future between them? She didn’t know. She was just living one day at a time now, watching him,
wanting him, but hoping for a miracle that would make him love her. She could see that she was
attractive to him. That was thrilling, flattering. But attraction didn’t necessarily involve any finer,
deeperfeelings.Amancouldwantawomanwithoutlovingher.Bodiewasawareofthat,anditmade
hermorecautious.Shedidn’twanttojointheranksofCane’sone-nightstands.

Evenso,thewayhetouchedher,thewayhelookedather,meltedher.

Meanwhile,Tank,forreasonsnobodyunderstood,waskeepingclosetoBodie,aswell,teasingher

andflatteringherateveryopportunity.ItirritatedCaneandmadehimsnapathisbrother.Tankjust
grinned,asifCane’sfrustrationandjealousyamusedhim.

Cane’s ribs were still giving him fits. He couldn’t do anything that he really wanted to, and that,

unfortunately,includedseducingBodie.Amanwithfracturedribswasn’tinanyconditiontobecome
alover.Thatfrustratedhim,too.HewonderedifBodieknewthathecouldn’tmanageintimacyinhis
condition.Thewayshekeptpeoplearoundindicatedthatshedidn’t.Hewasconstantlyamazedathow
naiveshewasforawomanherage.

Helikedit,too.

Whentheothersfiledintothekitchentobringbackmorecoffee,Bodiewasleftmomentarilyalone

withCane.

“Nevermissanopportunityismymotto,”Canewhispered,catchingthebackofBodie’sheadwitha

firmhand.“Comehere.”

Hepulledhermouthunderhisandkissedherwithfurious,instantpassion,hismouthinsistentasit

openedhersandhistongueshotinsidewithslow,deepthrusts.

Shemoanedandpushedclosetohim.Hegroanedandjerkedaway,liftinghismouthandwincing.

“Oh,yourpoorribs!I’msorry,”shesaidhuskily.

Heswallowed,hishandgoingtohisribcage.“Notyourfault.Istartedit.”Helookedintohereyes

hungrily.“YoudorealizethatIcan’thavesexuntilmyribsheal?”

Shegapedathim,goingscarlet.

Helaughed.“Sorry.That’sblunt.WhatImeanis,youdon’thavetohavepeopletochaperoneyou.

Notforacoupleofweeks,atleast.Ican’tdoanything.Well,”hepurred,tugginghercloser,butnot
completely against him, “I can do some things,” he added, smoothing his hand blatantly over the
thrustofherbreastunderherprettyredblouse.“This,forinstance…”

Shecaughthishandasthesoundofvoicesneared.“Youcan’t…”

Hebentandkissedherquickly,drawingawayatthesametime.“Iwantto,”hewhispered,andhis

blackeyeslookedstraightintohers.“I’mgoingto,Bodie.That’sfairwarning.”

“Please,” she whispered, her eyes eloquent. “You know, you must know, that I can’t resist you.

Please don’t take advantage of something I can’t help. It’s like eating and drinking to you, but I’ve
never…Icouldn’tlivewithit,”shefaltered.

Hetouchedhermouthwithhisfingertips.“Iknowthat,sweetheart,”hesaidsoftly.“Iwon’thurtyou.

Well,maybealittle.Justatfirst,”headded,leaningtowardher,lingeringathersoft,fulllips.“WhenI
firstgoinsideyou…”

Shemadeahungry,helplesslittlesoundatthegraphicremark,andhislipsclosedonhers,tenderly,

hungrily.

“Thinkingaboutitmakesmehard,”hebreathedintohermouth.“Iwantyou,Bodie.Iwantyouso

damnedmuch!”

She shivered as his hand came up to smooth around her breast. Even through the soft fabric, her

bodyansweredhim,givingawaysecretsasthehardtipliftedtohisfingertips.

“I’llbetyou’reswelling,too,”hewhisperedashekissedher.“InthesameplaceIam…”

“Cane,”shegroaned.

“Ihaven’tdoneitsinceIlostmyarm,”heconfessedagainstheropenlips.“I’vebeenafraidtotry,

afraidofbeingridiculed.I’dtry,withyou,”headdedinasoftgroan.“Iwouldn’tbeembarrassedifI
fumbled.”

She opened her eyes and looked into his, anguish visible in her face. “I…can’t,” she choked out.

“I’msosorry…!”

“Youcan.”Hedrewbackandliftedhishandtoherface.Hetouchedherswollenlipstenderly,just

withhisfingertips.“Bodie,Ithinkyoushouldmarryme.”

“Wh-what?”

Her lack of confidence made him even hungrier. Her helpless pleasure was visible in her bright,

wideeyes.Itmadehimfeelmorelikeamanthanhe’dfeltsincethelossofhisarm.“Marryme,”he
repeated.

She almost said yes. She wanted to. But he wanted to prove he could still be a man, and she was

attractedtohim.Itdidn’tmeanhelovedher.

“Youdon’t…loveme,”shesaidbluntly.

Hesighed.“I’mfondofyou,”heinsisted.

Shebitherlip.“It’snot…enough.”

“Yes,itis,youlittleliar,”hemurmuredagainsthermouth.Hehadn’tlikedtheideaofproposingat

all.Butherresistanceaddedspicetothis.Hewantedher.Hewasn’tlikelytoattractanyotherwoman
whowantedmorethanhiswallet.Bodiewantedhim.Wantedhimbadly.Lovedhim.Ifhedidn’tmake
a move, Tank would. Tank was already infatuated with her. He couldn’t lose her to his brother. He
couldn’tloseheratall....

He crushed her mouth under his, forcing her head back against the sofa. “Marry me,” he ground

out.“Comeon.Sayyes.Sayit.Sayit!”Hepunctuatedeachdemandwithanotherhardkiss.

“Allright,”sheexclaimedbrokenly.“Allright.Yes.Yes!Iwill!”

“No,youwon’t,”Mallorysaidfirmlyashewalkedintotheroomandglaredathisbrother.“Cane,”

headdedwarningly.

But Cane was grinning from ear to ear. “She wasn’t saying yes to some illicit relationship,” he

informed his brother. He watched Tank as he walked into the room. “I asked her to marry me. She
saidyes.”

Tank’sfacefell.Cane’seyesglitteredwithdarktriumph.Hedidn’toftenwincompetitionswithhis

brother,buthe’dwonthisone,theimportantone.

“Well,congratulations,”Mallorysaid,takenaback.

“Welcometothefamily,babysis,”Tankadded,andforcedasmile.

“Thanks,” Bodie said huskily. She laughed self-consciously and moved a little apart from Cane.

Thingshadbeenheated.Nowshewastryingtocalmdownandlookcollected,whenshewasshattered
bytheunexpectedproposal.

“Bettertakegoodcareofher,”Tanktoldhisbrotherfirmly.Therewasanunheardthreat,aswell—

Tank would be waiting if Cane botched it. He wanted Bodie, too. Nobody else seemed to notice his
disappointment,butCanefeltit.Healsofeltalittleashamed.Heshouldn’tfeelasenseofvictoryat
hurtinghisbrother ’schanceswithawoman.ButBodiewasCane’s.Therewasnogettingaroundthat
fact.Itshowed.

“When?”Malloryasked.

Caneblinked.“Whenwhat?”

“Whenareyougettingmarried?”

Canehesitated.Hewasfeelingsuddenlytrappedbyhisownimpulsiveproposal.Butheglancedat

Tankandsawcynicismthere.Tankthoughthe’dputitoff,postponeit.Hewasinforashock.

“This week,” Cane said abruptly. “As soon as we can get a license and a minister.” He looked at

Bodie.“We’llhaveachurchwedding,evenifithastoberushed.We’llinviteeveryone.Well,almost
everyone,”headdedcoldly.“Noformerfamilymembers,”hesaid,indicatingherstepfather.

“Sosoon?”Bodiestammered.“But…butIhaveonemoresemestertogoatcollege,”shefaltered.

Canesmiled.“Andyou’llgo.Iwantyoutofinish.Youcancomehomeonweekends.We’llgiveyou

acartodrivebackandforth.Wecanuseyourtruckforscrapmetal,”headdedmaliciously.“Ihate
seeingyoudrivearoundinthatagingtincan.It’sdangerous.”

Shewasgoingtodefendhertruckuntilhesaidthat.Shebeamed.Hecaredaboutherthatmuch,at

least.Hedidn’twantherhurt.Itwasn’tmuch.Butitwasastart.

“Nohoneymoonjust yet,though,”Cane saidwitha hardsigh. “I’m a walking basket case for the

foreseeable future. You’ll have to help me down the aisle,” he told his brothers with a chuckle,
“becauseI’mnotgoinginawheelchair.”

“Youknowwewill,”Tanksaid,andtheaffectioninhiseyesmadeCanefeellessguilty.

Bodie was feeling less threatened. Cane couldn’t function just yet with his ribs and his leg in that

condition and she felt safe, for a while. She’d cope with her hang-ups when she had to, but for the
meantime,sheandCanecouldreallygettoknoweachother.Theycouldtalkwithouttheintrusionof
physicalpleasure,justforafewweeks.Itmighthelphimtounderstandher,tocareforhermore,if
hesawherasmorethanjustawaytophysicalsatisfaction.

Cane wasn’t used to talking to women. She knew instinctively that he was more interested in

bedroom antics than social chat. He probably hadn’t ever really been in love. She knew he’d been
brieflyinvolvedwithsomewoman who’d chosen a law career over him and went away, but they’d
neverbeenengagedandithadn’tbeenreallyseriousaccordingtoTank.

SheglancedatTankwithfleetingguilt.Shehadn’trealizeduntillatelythathewasreallyinterested

inher,andshewassorryaboutit.ButshelovedCane.Nothingcouldstopthat.

Tankknew.Hesmiledatherinawaythattoldherhewouldn’thavehardfeelingsagainstherorhis

brother.Shewasnowhislittlesisterandhe’dprotectherandcareforher,butnotflirtwithher.Never
again.

She looked back at Cane, who was watching her with a keen, unusual look. He smiled softly.

“You’reredasabeet,Bodie.”Hechuckled.

“I’veneverbeenproposedtobefore,”shestammered.

“Firsttimeforeverything.”

“Iguessso.”Shesearchedhisblackeyes.“Areyousure?”

Henodded.“I’mverysure.”Andsuddenly,hewas.Surethatitwastherightthingtodo,surethathe

cared enough for her to really try to make the marriage work. And if it didn’t work out, there was
alwaysdivorce,hemused.Odd,howpainfulthatthoughtwas.Hedidn’tloveBodie.Hewasveryfond
ofher.Woulditbeenough?Itwould.Hewascertainitwould.Almostcertain,anyway.

***

HEY

WERE

MARRIED

atthelocalchurchwheretheKirksattendedservices.Theminister,atall,silver-

haired man with kind dark eyes, performed the ceremony while the Kirk brothers, Morie, all the
ranchhandsandmorethanahandfuloflocalcitizenssatinthepews.

Bodieworeawhiteweddinggownwithsimplelinesandlaceaccents,andafingertipveilcovering

herradiantface.Shecarriedabouquetofpoinsettias,whichaccentedthestarkwhiteofhergownina
very artistic way. Cane wore a dark suit with a white shirt and patterned tie. He also wore the
prosthesis. He’d whispered to Bodie that they were having a professional photographer record the
event and he wanted it to look like he had two arms even if he didn’t. He smiled when he said it,
though,forthefirsttimetalkingabouthisdisabilitywithoutbitterness.

The photographer took his shots carefully and discreetly, without diverting attention from the

coupleatthealtar.

AfterCaneslidasimplewidegoldbandonBodie’sfinger,andsheslidoneontohis,theminister

pronouncedthemmanandwife.Caneliftedtheveilback,andlookeduponhisbrideforthefirsttime
ashiswife.

Hehadn’texpectedittofeelprofound.Butitdid.Hefrownedatthesuddensenseofpossessiveness,

protectiveness,thathefeltwithherallofasudden.

Sheworriedbecausehelookedangry.

Hebentandkissedherverytenderly.“Mrs.Kirk,”hewhisperedagainstherlips.

Sheflushedandlaughednervously.

Hegrinned.Justthatquickly,thetensionwasgone.

***

AVIE

HAD

CATERER

come in to provide a feast for the guests in the large fellowship hall. Bodie

stood next to Cane, all flustered and laughing, her face so radiant that she looked beautiful. Cane
smiledather.Hestillhadreservations.Hefeltconfined.Itwasafeelinghe’dneverexperienced.He
alsofeltpossessiveofhisnewwife,buthewasconfusedandhecouldn’tquitesortoutwhathereally
felt.

Bodieslidherfingersaroundhisalittlenervously.Shewasunsureofhim,andhelookedodd,asif

hewasn’thappyaboutthedecisionhe’dmadetomarryher.

“Iwon’tbepossessive,”shesaidunderherbreath.“Iwon’thoundyouor…ordemandthings.Ijust

wantedyoutoknowhowproudIamtobeyourwife.”

His heart swelled. He looked down at her with quite black eyes. “I wasn’t sure about this,” he

confessed,lookingattheirlinkedhands,attheweddingbandonherfinger.“Just…givemesometime
toadjust.”

“You’llhavelotsofitwhenIgobacktoschool,andgetoutofyourhair,”sheteasedlightly.

Hescowled.“Whataboutyourmaster ’swork?”

She shrugged. “I can start that anytime. I just want to finish my undergraduate work and get my

degree.ThereareallsortsofjobsIcoulddoevenwithjustaBachelorofSciencedegree,youknow.”

“Jobs.”

“Iwanttopullmyweightaroundhere,”shesaidfirmly.“I’mnotthesorttosocialize.Idon’treally

getalongwellwithmostpeople.”

Helaughedhollowly.“Me,neither,”hesaidinelegantly.

“Inoticed.”

Hepursedhislips.

“AndIreallywouldappreciateitifyoucouldrestrainyourselffromattackingpeopleinbars,just

fortheforeseeablefuture,”shesaiddemurely.

Hesighed.“IguessIcantry.”

“I know I’m not old enough to understand a lot of things,” she said, staring up at him. “But I can

listen. I know you don’t trust people you don’t know. You can trust me. I’d never say a word about
anythingyoutellmetoanotherlivingsoul.Notevenyourfamily.”

Hetwirledherhandinhis.“You’remyfamilynow,too.”

Herheartlifted.“Yes.IguessIam.”Shesmiledslowly.

Hechuckled.

***

FTER

THE

RECEPTION

, Cane and Bodie changed clothes and the Kirk brothers loaded two suitcases

into the hired limousine that was going to take them to Jackson Hole for a brief honeymoon in a
luxurioushotelsuite.Canehadwantedtotakehersomewhereexotic,buthisinjurieswerestillpainful
andtheymadeitdifficultforhimtoevenmove,muchlessgetonaplaneforanextendedtrip.

Bodiewasveryexcited.Shedidn’tcarewheretheywent.Sheonlywantedtobealonewithhernew

husband, even though she knew that Cane wasn’t going to be able to do much as a lover. It didn’t
reallymatter.Shewashappierthanshe’deverbeeninherlife.

***

LONE

THE

HOTEL

ROOM

,overlookingthesharpwhitecrestsoftheTetonMountains,Bodieputona

prettyreddressandwaitedfor Cane to come back up from the little store in the lobby. She’d been
lookingatbrochuresandfoundacoupleofplacesshewantedtogoandsee…ifhefeltuptoit.Itwas
almostlunchtime,sotheycouldgetsomethingtoeatalongtheway.TheKirkshadpaidthelimousine
driver ’s expenses to stay in the same hotel and be available to take them sightseeing. It would save
Bodiethetroubleofhavingtodrive,sinceCanewasn’tablejustyet.

Thirtyminuteslater,shewonderedwherehe’dgone.Shehadafearthattheoverwhelmingnewness

ofmarriagemightbewearingonhim.Shewentdownstairs,puttingtheroomcardkeyinherpocket
andlockingupbehindher,tolookforhim.

Hewasn’tinthesmallsouvenirshop.Worried,sheheadedfortheonlyotherplacehemightbe.The

bar.

Sureenough,hewasleaningagainstthebar,veryrelaxed,talkingtoanexceptionallyprettywoman

withlongblondhairwearingastarkwhitewooldressthatendedfiveinchesaboveherknees.Shehad
anexquisitefigureandbeautifullonglegs.

Bodiefeltdowdyinherinexpensive,off-the-rackreddress.She hesitated in the doorway, feeling

betrayed.Justmarried,andherhusbandwasinthebarmarkingtimewithanotherwoman.

Evenasshewatched,Canelaughedandbenthishead,andkissedtheblondewoman.

Bodie felt sick. She turned and went back up to the hotel room. She should have waited for an

explanation.Sheshouldhavebargedinandyelledathim.Sheshouldhavedone…something!

Whatshedidwasgrabhersuitcase,callthedriver,andgohome.

***

CELL

PHONE

RANG

WHEN

thelimousinewashalfwaythere.Shelookedatthenumber,recognized

Cane’scellphoneandturnedthephoneoff.

The driver ’s phone rang. She could see him talking, see him looking in the rearview mirror and

grimacing.Heopenedtheelectricwindowbetweenthem.

“Mrs.Kirk,yourhusbandsaidwouldyoupleaseturnonyourphone?”

“You tell my husband to go to hell with his new blonde friend!” she raged. “And close that

window!”

The driver flushed. He powered the window up, grimaced again, spoke into the phone, grimaced

oncemore,noddedandhungup.Hedrovesomberlyallthewaybacktotheranchandstoppedatthe
frontdoor.

Bodie was fighting tears. She’d never felt so humiliated in her whole life. It was worse because

whenshegotoutofthecarbothKirkbrothersandMoriewerewaitingforher.

“Cane’ssorry,”Moriesaidatonce,comingforwardwithaworriedexpression.“Reallysorry.He

wastalkingtosomeoneheknewfromthecattlemen’sassociation....”

“Yes,someoneblondeandsexyandknockoutgorgeous,inthebar,”Bodiesaidthroughherteeth.

“Hekissedher…!”

ShetookoffherweddingringandputitinMorie’shand.“Youwaitrightthere,”shetoldthedriver,

stillfuming.“You’redrivingmetoBillingsrightnow.”

“Bodie,”Morietriedtoreasonwithher.

“No,”Bodiesaidicily.“Iwasafool!IknewwhathewasandIfooledmyselfintothinkingitdoesn’t

matter.Butitmatters!I’mtheonlyonewhogotmarriedtoday.Hejustputonaweddingring.Heleft
mesittingintheroomwaitingforhimwhilehewaspassingthetimewithanotherwoman.Howdo
youthinkIfeelrightnow?”

Moriesighed.“Betrayed.”

“Exactly.I’mgoingtostaywithBethuntilclassesstartnextweek.I’msorry,”shetoldthebrothers.

“I’msosorry.Ijustcan’tdealwiththis.Imadeamistake.”

“Itjustneedstime,”Mallorysaidgently.“It’sabigstepforbothofyou.”

“EspeciallyforCane,”Tanktriedtoreasonwithher.

“Yes.Onewomaninsteadofseveral,Icanseehowbigastepthatwasforhim,”sheagreed.Shebit

herlip.Tearswerethreatening.“Ican’tstayhere.I’msorrytoruintherestoftheholidaysforyou.”

Moriehuggedherclose.“I’msorryit’sruinedforyou.Comeon.I’llhelpyoupack.WecanSkype

onNewYear ’sEve.Okay?”

Bodiechokedbacktears.“Okay.”

“Itwillbeallright,”Moriepromised.“You’llsee.”

***

ANE

CAME

HOME

FUMING

andcursingatthetopofhislungs.“Shewalkedoutonmeonourwedding

day!”heragedwhenhewasbackinthehouse.Hewasfuriousthathe’dhadtowaitalldaywhilethe
limodrivertookBodieallthe way to Billings and then came back to Jackson Hole for him. It was
aftermidnightwhenhegottotheranch.

Moriedartedupstairstoavoidtheconfrontationsheknewwascoming.Shedidn’tneedanymore

upsetsinherfragilecondition.

Malloryputhishandsonhishipsandglaredathisbrother.“Andyoudidnothingatalltodeserve

it.”

Cane frowned. “I went down to get a bottle of aspirin and when I got back to the room, she was

gone.Itriedtocallheronmycellphoneandshewouldn’tevenanswer.Icalledthedriverandhesaid
shesaidshewasleavingandshedidn’twanttotalktome.”Hethrewuphishands.“Idon’tknowwhat
thehellhappened!”

“Shewalkedintothebarandsawyoukissingabeautifulblondewoman,”Tanksaidicily.“That’s

whathappened.”

Caneavertedhisface.Hecouldn’ttellhisbrothersthetruth.He’dbeenfeelingtrappedinthehotel

andhe’dwantedtoescape.He’dusedLauratoshowBodiethathewasn’tabouttobehog-tiedbyany
woman,notevenhiswife.Now,hismanufacturedescapeclausewashittinghimrightinthegut.

“Bodiewentlookingforyou,”Malloryagreed,“andshethought…well,youcanimaginewhatshe

thought.You’veneverbeenaone-womansortofman.”

Cane was devastated at the way his muddled thinking had backfired. He’d seen Laura and they’d

started talking…he’d met her at a cattle convention several years back and they were friendly. Just
friendly.He’dseenBodiecomingoutoftheelevator.Ithadirritatedhimthatshe’dcomelookingfor
him,and,impulsively,he’dthoughtofawaytohitback.Butnowhefeltguilty,anddefensive.

“IwasjusttalkingtoLaura,”hesaid.

“Andkissingher,”Tankshotback.“Nicemove,onyourweddingday.”

“Listen,pal,”Canereturned,andmovedcloserbelligerently.

“No, you listen,” Mallory said icily, moving between them. “You blew it. Bodie’s gone back to

schoolandwhenshecanaffordit,she’sseeingadivorceattorney.Don’tworry,”headdedwhenCane
lookedevenmorefurious,“sheisn’tgoingtoaskforanythingexceptanannulment.Shewantedyou
tounderstandthat.”

Cane felt even worse. He’d failed Bodie, in the worst way. Of course he’d felt trapped, as if he’d

beendraggedtothealtar.Butithadbeenhisownidea,notBodie’s.Heronlyfaultwastolovehim.He
turned away from his brothers, feeling sick. He should have realized she might come looking for
him. Of course he should. He had. Then he’d deliberately let her find him in a compromising
situation, so that she’d leave him. He’d set himself up for it, because he felt trapped. Bodie and her
sterlingideals,Caneandhisblack-sheepmorals.She’ddeservedbetter.

He looked out the window at the threatening skies. “She won’t even have a way to get to work,”

Canesaidheavily.“Hertruck,ifyoucancallthatpieceofjunkatruck,isstillhere.”

“IhadDarbyandFredrunoneoftheranchpickupstotheapartmentshesharedwithBeth.”

ThewayhesaiditmadeCanestrangelyuneasy.Heturnedandlookedathisbrother.“Whatdoyou

mean,theonesheshared,pasttense?”

Mallorywassomber.“Therehavebeenafewdevelopmentstoday.”

“Developments?”

“WillJoneshasbeenbusy,”Tanksaidinanicytone.

Canehadapremonition.Hedidn’tevenwanttovoiceit.

Mallory took a deep breath. “The sheriff arrested Will a few days ago for trafficking in

pornographyandusinganunderagemodel.”

“That’sgoodnews.Isn’tit?”Caneasked.

“Itwas,untilwefoundoutjusthowangryWillwasaboutallhisproblems.Isupposehefiguredthat

Bodiewasthemostvulnerable,andheknewexactlyhowtomakeherpayforwhathappenedtohim.
Apparentlyhedidthissometimeago,andweonlyjustfoundout.”

Caneswallowed,hard.“Whatdidhedo?”

“This.”

Mallory turned his open laptop around. There, on the page, was a picture of a nude woman in a

grossposewithaman,herfacelaughingasshelookedintothecamera.ItwasBodie.

“She said she never posed in any such way for Will!” Cane exploded. “How could she do such a

thing?Didn’tsherealizeitwouldruinherinthiscommunity?”

“Cane,that’snotBodie.”

“Thehellit’snot!”Caneraged.“That’sherface!”

“Yes,butit’snotherbody,”Tankrepliedcoolly.“ItwaschangedwithPhotoshop.”

“And how would you know that, unless you’ve seen her without her clothes?” Cane demanded,

unreasonablyjealous.

“BecauseIknowageniuscomputertechandIhadhimdothelegworktofindout,”Tanksaid.

“RedDavis,”Malloryadded.“Wehadhimtracethephoto.WillputanoldpictureofBodie’sface

on this body. Davis even found the source of the picture. It was one her mother took on a digital
cameraandtransferredtothecomputerbeforeshedied.”

“I’llkillhim,”CanesaidinatonethatsentchillsupMallory’sspine.

“The law will take care of Will. I’ve got Davis working on the photograph. He had to provide a

copytolawenforcement,becauseit’sidentitytheftandthat’sanotherchargehe’llfaceincourt.But
Davisisworkingtheinternettofindeverytraceofthatphotographanderaseit.”

“Canhereallydothat?”Caneaskedthroughhisteeth.

“We hope so,” Tank said. “Davis is really good and he has contacts in government agencies who

dealwithcyberterrorism.He’scertainthathecangetridofthephotograph.”

“Doessheknow?”Caneasked,worried.“DoesBodieknow?”

Mallorywasgrim.“Shedidn’tuntilshewalkeduptoherapartmentandfoundallherthingssitting

onthedoorstep.Bethdidn’tevenspeaktoher.Sheleftanoteonthedoorsayingshewassorrybut
Bodiecouldn’tlivethereanymore.Shewasn’tlivingwitharoommatewhowasputtingnudepictures
ofherselfwithstrangemenallovertheinternet.Bodiewasshattered.”

“Whereisshenow?”Caneasked,evenmorefuriousatherroommate.

“We set her up in a hotel near the campus. I’m afraid her classmates will have found that link,

though,”Malloryrepliedquietly.

“I’m sure her so-called friend Beth will make sure they do,” Tank muttered. “Some friend! She

couldhaveatleastgivenherthebenefitofthedoubt.”

“Yes,likeBodiecouldhavegivenmethebenefitofthedoubt,”Canerepliedsomberly.“Talkabout

whatgoesaroundcomesaround,”headded.

“Well,thedamageisdone,”Tanksaid.“Nowit’suptoustodowhatwecanforBodie.”

“Isn’tshecomingbackhome?”Caneasked.

“You’rekidding,right?”Tankrepliedandevensmiled.“Shetoldthedrivershewasn’tgoingtobe

drivenawayinshameforsomethingshedidn’tdo,andshewasgoingrightuptothecampustotell

the whole world what her idiot stepfather did to her. In fact,” he added, going to the computer and
pullingupBodie’sFacebookpage,“she’salreadydoneit.”

Heindicatedthescreen.Bodiehadlaiditallout,herstepfather ’sultimatum,hergrandfather ’sdeath,

hershameatacceptinghisconditionsbutinadiscreetwaytopaytherent,rightuptoherdiscovery
that Will had paid her back for his arrest with a bogus photo, which even her friend, she’d added
acidly,believedwithoutquestion.

“Wow.”Canechuckled.“That’soneintheteethforfriendBeth.”

“Welldeserved,”Mallorysaid.

Canestaredatthescreenandfeltasenseofloss.Hewasrememberingtheincidentatthetruckstop,

thetruckersleeringatBodie—theymusthaveseenthephotographeventhatlongago.Poorkid…and
she didn’t even know. Bodie, with her sweet nature and innocence, pasted on computer screens all
overtheworldinalewdphotothatshehadn’tevenposedfor.Hewasashamedofhimselfforwhat
he’dthoughtwhenhefirstsawit.Howintheworldmustshebefeelingnow?

Herememberedhowcruelhe’dbeentoBodie,tothewifehe’dmarriedreluctantlyandbetrayedon

herweddingday.Firstthat,thentheinternetfiasco.Hewasmoreashamedofhimselfthanhe’dever
beeninhislife.

“Nowthequestionis,whatareyougoingtodo?”MalloryaskedCane.

He drew in a long breath. “I don’t know,” he said. His voice had lost all its self-confidence. “I

honestlydon’tknow.”

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

ODIE

HAD

BEEN

DEVASTATED

when she found her clothes in cardboard boxes, along with her small

treasures,sittingontheporchoftheapartmentshe’dsharedwithBeththroughalmostfouryearsof
college.Thenotehadmadehersick,becausesheknewatoncewhatWillhaddone.Sherecalled the
two drivers at the truck stop leering at her, and now she knew why. How long had that disgusting
photobeenmakingtheroundsoftheinternetalready?And,worse,howwassheevergoingtostopit?

Shetoldthedriverwhathadhappened.HephonedMallory,whospoketoBodiegentlyandthento

the driver. She was taken to a nearby hotel and installed there, and Darby left a truck outside in the
parking lot and gave her the keys. He also handed her an envelope with cash and told her to hush
whensheprotested.Shehuggedhim.

She went inside and opened her laptop and pulled up the photograph. Then she went into the

bathroomandthrewup.Ithadbeentheabsoluteworstdayofherlifenexttolosingherfather,and,
morerecently,hermotherandgrandfather.

***

THE

WEEK

BEFORE

classes began, she used her time to try to undo what Will had done to her

reputation.Herlittle-usedFacebookpagebecameapublicforumassheexplainedthemotivationfor
theviciousinternetattackbyherstepfather.Sheendedapostbypointingoutthatitwasneverkindto
pushsomeoneoutofyourlifewithouthearingbothsidesofthestoryfirst.

Bethcalledherthenightafterthepostwaspublished.

“You’reright,”Bethsaidquietly.“IwasunreasonableandI’mveryashamed.IsentTedaphotoof

meinmyunderwearthatwentallovertheinternetbeforeIgotitstoppedandyouweresupportiveof
me even though it was my fault. I judged you without asking you anything. I’m very sorry.” She
hesitated.“Willyoucomebackandsharetheapartment?”

“No,”Bodiereplied.“Thankyoufortheoffer,butI’mcomfortablehere.”

“I’mreallysorry,Bodie.”Theotherwomansoundedclosetotears.“EspeciallywhenIknowwhy

youposedforyourstepfatherinthefirstplace.Ididn’tknowyourgrandfatherhaddied....”

“Ididn’tposeforthephotograph,Beth.MystepfatherusedPhotoshoptochangeit.There’sproof

andhe’sbeingchargedfordoingit.”

“Oh!”Bethreallysoundedshockednow.“Oh,mygosh…!”

“Youbelievedwhatyousaw,didn’tyou?Igotochurch,Idon’tevendate.Butyoubelievedit,after

livingwithmeforalmostfouryears.”Bodie’svoicewaslessaccusativethansad.

“I’msosorry,”Bethsaidagain.

“Thanks.”Bodiehungup.

She and Beth had been friends, but never close ones. Still, it was hard to think that her roommate

hadbelievedsuchliesabouther.ShewonderedhowmanyoftheirclassmatesBethhadtalkedto.Well,
peoplewouldreadherpostsandknowthetruth.Somemightstillbelievewhatthey’dseen,andBodie
might take some heat for it. But she was going to get her degree, one way or the other, despite the
obstacles.

ShethoughtaboutCanewithmuchmoreheartache.She’dseenhimkissinganotherwoman.She’d

believedhewasbeingunfaithful.Perhapsshe,too,wasjudgingonscantevidence.Itwasasickening
thought. She’d told Mallory to tell Cane she was divorcing him, but she didn’t see an attorney. She
couldletCanedothat,whenhepleased.Shewasgoingtoputthepastawayandtrytogetonwithher
future.She’dneverstoplovinghim,buttrustwasanothermatter.Evenifhehadn’tplannedtocheat
onher,thefactremainedthathewasflirtingwithanotherwomanonhisweddingday.Shecouldn’t
getpastthat,nomatterhowhardshetried.

***

ODIE

USED

KYPE

TALK

toMorieonNewYear ’sEve.Shewasconcernedabouthersister-in-law.

ThatconcernmadeBodiefeelwarminside.Afteraminute,sheaskedthequestionshehadtoask.

“Howishe?”sheaskedtheotherwoman,whowasusingthecomputerinherbedroom,notwhere

Canecouldeavesdrop.

“Somber,”Morierepliedquietly.“Hegoesthroughthemotions,buthedoesn’tsmileanymore.He

hasgonebackintotherapy,withapsychologistwho’sacombatvet.Hesaystheguyiseasytotalkto,
andhe’shelpinghim.Hehasn’thadadrinksinceyouwentbacktoMontana.”

“That’sgoodnews,”Bodiesaidsoftly.“Hashe…talkedtoalawyer?”

“No.Hesaidyoucoulddivorcehimbuthe’snotdivorcingyou.Hethinksyoumightforgivehim

andcomehomeoneday.”

Bodie’sheartjumped.“Hesaidthat?”

“Well,notinthosewords,”Morieadmitted.“Buthesaidhe’snotseeingalawyer.”

Bodieshrugged.“Isee.”

“MalthinksCanediditdeliberatelybecausehegotcoldfeetaboutbeingmarried.Heknewyou’d

golookingforhim.Hemighthaveseenyoucomingdowntheelevator.”

“Youmean,hemighthavestagedthewholething?”Bodieaskedhesitantly.

“It’spossible,isn’tit?”Moriesaid.“Canewantedyou,buthewasn’tsureaboutgettingmarriedso

soon.Ontheotherhand,heknewTankwantedyou,too,andhewasafraidnottodosomething.But
thenwhentheringswereinplace,hefelttrappedandstartedlookingforexits.That’swhatMalthinks,

anyway.”

“It’snotsofar-fetched,”Bodiesaid.“So…there’sstillhope.”

“There’salwayshope,”Morierepliedgently.“Ihadarockyroadtomarriagemyself.Ittakestime

forpeopletolearntotrusteachother.Canedefinitelyhasfeelingsforyou.Hejustdoesn’tquiteknow
howtodealwiththem.He’sneverbeeninlove,tohearhisbrotherstellit.”

“Hejustwantsme,”Bodieblurtedout.

“Formen,that’sastart.”Morielaughed.“Bepatient.Justletlifehappen.”

“Goodadvice.”Shesighed.“Well,happyNewYear.I’mgoingtoregisterattheendoftheweekand

classesstartafter.Wishmeluck.”

“You don’t need luck. You’re smart. But I’ll wish you luck with your reluctant husband.” She

laughedagain.

“ThatI’llneed.ThankMalloryforthetruckandthehotelroom.I’llpayhimbackhoweverlongit

takes,IswearIwill!”

“Youdon’tneedtodothat.”Shehesitated.“DidyourfriendseeyourFacebookpage?”

“Yes.Shecalledtoapologize,butduringtheconversationshestumbledandadmittedshethoughtit

wasmeinthatphotographandthatIposedforit.”

“Somefriend.”

“That’s why I’m staying in the hotel. I dread classes. Some of my classmates may have seen the

photographsandnotseenmyFacebookpage.”

“You’lldealwiththat,”Moriesaid.“Ihavefaithinyou.Justholdyourheadhighandignorethem.”

“I’lltry.Youknow,it’shardlivingintheworld.”

“Yes.Butwecope.”

Bodiesmiled.“Wecope.Thanks.”

“You’rewelcome!”

***

FIRST

DAY

CLASSES

,Bodiewaswithdrawnandnervous.Butnobodysaidanythingtoherabout

theinternetphotos.She’dalreadygonetothedeanandtoldhimwhathappened,justincasetherewere
anyincidents.Heonlysmiledandsaidhisowndaughterhadbeenavictimofasimilarincident,and
thecasewasgoingtotrialsoon.Hetoldhernottoworryaboutit.Shelefthisofficeinbetterspirits.

Butthingsdidn’tgoaswellforBeth.Oddlyshecameinforcensurewhenwordgotaroundcampus

about what she’d done to Bodie. In fact, Bodie was walking to her class when she overheard one
commentinthehallway.

“Puttingherthingsoutintherain,likeshewassomehomelesspersonyoutookin,”awomanwho

wasn’tevenafriendtoBodiesnappedatBeth,whoflushed.“Andyoucallyourselfapersonoffaith?
Whatsortoffaithisthat?”Sheturnedandwalkedoff.

BethlookedatBodie,flushedevenmoreandalmostrantheother way. Two days later, word was

goingaroundthatBethhadleftthecampusandtransferredtoacollegebackEast.Bodiefeltsorryfor
her.She’dbeenangrythatBethbelievedWill’sfilthypropaganda,butshe’dneverhavewishedthaton
her.Afterall,BodiehadtakenCane’sphilanderingforgospelwithouthearinghissideofthestory.It
didn’tputherinabetterlight.

***

MONTH

AFTER

SHE

STARTED

classes, there had been no whispers, no gossip about her. Nobody had

trolled her or made her feel uncomfortable. She’d looked for traces of those photographs on the
internetandfoundabsolutelynothing,notevenareferencetothem.

She contacted Morie late one night. While she waited for Skype to connect them, she rubbed her

fingers over her lucky stone, liking its metallic feel. She really did have to have her friend in the
geologydepartmenthavealookatit.Shethought,andnotforthefirsttime,whatanunusuallyheavy
rockitwas.

“Hello,”Moriesaid,smiling.“How’sitgoing?”

“Muchbetter,”Bodietoldher.“Howarethingsthere?”

“Cane’sgotanewprosthesis,”Moriesaidwithpursedlipsandtwinklingeyes.“It’saprototype.His

psychologisthasafriendinAIresearch.Theprosthesisisbeingcreatedtolinktoaperson’sbrainso
thatit’scontrolledjustlikearealarm.Canewon’tletthemattachelectrodes,buthe’sseenitdonein
thelab.It’sveryrealistic.”

“He’sactuallywearingit?Wow!”Bodieexclaimed.

“He’shadahaircut.Heshaveseveryday.He’sboninguponanthropology,forsomereason,”she

addedwithachuckle.“Andhehasaphotoofyouinhisroom.Maviesawitandtoldme.”

Bodieflushed.“Well!”

“We’reallcominguptoseeyougraduate,youknow.”

Bodiemadeaface.“IfIgraduate.”Sheswallowed.“HowaboutWillandhisfriendLarry?”

“Both in jail,” Morie said surprisingly. “They were arrested on new charges yesterday and bond

hasn’tbeenset.RedDavisgottheevidencetoconvicthimandturneditovertothesheriffpersonally.

He’salsoerasedeverysingletraceofWill’snotoriousphotoofyoufromtheweb.”

“IloveRedDavis.”

“Sodoallofus.Hereallyshouldbeworkingforsomegovernmentagencyinsteadofbeingaranch

livestockforeman.”Moriechuckled.“Buthesayshedoesn’twanttohavetowearasuitandreportto
someguyinatie.”

“CanWillgetoutofjaildoyouthink?”Bodieaskedworriedly,becauseWillwasvindictive.“Even

iftheyputthebondhigh,he’salwaysgotthehouseandlandtoputupforit....”

“No, he doesn’t,” Morie said. “I was going to call you tonight, anyway, because this is the most

excitingthingthat’shappened.Whenthesheriff’sinvestigatortossedWill’shouse,hefoundalocked
boxandgotawarranttoopenit.Insidewasyourmother ’srealwill,leavingthehouseandthe land
andeverythingelsetoyou.It’sinthehandsofourlawyersandthey’rechallengingthefakewillthat
wasfiledafteryourmother ’sdeath.You’llbeawomanofproperty.”

Bodiesatdown.“Gosh!HowcanIeverthankyou?Ever?”

“You just graduate and come home, even if it’s just for a few weeks,” Morie said. She smiled

secretly.“I’vegotsomenews,too.”

“Whatisit?”

Shelaughed.“I’mpregnant.”

“Morie!I’llbeanaunt!”Shehesitated.“Well,Canewillbeanuncle.”

“You’llbeanaunt…you’restillmarriedtoCane.I’msoexcited!Thebaby’sdueinAugust.”

“I’mso,sohappyforyou.”

“We’reoverthemoon.They’llbeabletotellthesexsoon,butMalandIagreedthatwedon’twant

toknow.Wewantittobeasurprise.”

“Now,that’srestraint.”Bodielaughed.“Congratulations.I’llbetyourdadandmomaresoexcited

theycan’tstandit.”

“Theyare.EvenCort,”Moriesaid,shakingherhead.“Mybrotherisfullofsurprises.”

“How’shedoingwithOdalieEverett?”Bodieaskedcuriously.

Shesighed.“Odaliehasarealsuperioritycomplex.Shedoesn’twanttogoaroundwithamanwho,

touseherwords,smellslikecowdroppings.”

“GoodLord!Hermother ’snotlikethat,isshe?”

“No!HeatherEverettisanangel.Shecouldfindonenicethingtosayevenaboutthedevilhimself.

It’ssortoftragic.Cort’smooningoverOdalie,who’sofftoItalysoontostudywithafamousvoice
trainer,andthere’sthissweet,cowgirlishsortofneighborwho’ddieforhimandheneverseesher.”
Shefrowned.“Well,that’snotquitetrue.Heseeshereveryotherday.He’susuallycussingwhenhe
seesher....”

“Why?”Bodieasked,fascinated.

“She’sgotthispetrooster.Lovesher.Hatesmen.Sortoflikeourbigmeanroosteroutback,only

worse.Hegoesovertomyfolksplacewherethereareseveralhensbutnorooster,tovisit,yousee.
When he sees Cort in the yard, he goes at him, spurs and all. It’s sort of funny,” she said with a
helpless laugh. “Cort can’t catch the rooster. He’s sort of a hit-and-run artist. So Cort’s yelling his
head off, running after this big red rooster, and the rooster ’s running around making that funny
sound,likehe’slaughing.”

Bodieburstoutlaughing.“Oh,mygosh!”

“Itmayendbadly.Orinchickensoup.Orsomething.Anyway,youstudyhardandkeepintouch.I’ll

keepyoupostedonthingsaroundhere.”

“Thanks,Morie.Congratulationsagain.”Shehesitated.“IfCane’ssprucinghimselfup…isheseeing

thatgirlinJacksonHole,doyouthink?”

“Hehasn’tlefttheranchsinceyoudid.No.He’snotseeinganyone.Wantmyopinion?He’swaiting

forhiswifetocomehome.”Shesmiledgently.

Bodiecaughtherbreath.Herpalebrowneyesweresparkling.“Wow.”

“Yes.Surprising,isn’tit?Makeusproud.”

“I’lldomyverybest.Ipromise.”

***

WEEKS

WENT

rush. Bodie was so busy studying that she lost track of time. She was

determinedtograduate.Shehadnosociallife,eventhoughclassmatesinvitedhertomusicalconcerts
andspecialeventsaroundcampus.Shespenthernightsinherhotelroomstudying.

There had been a major development in her life, though. She took her lucky rock to the geology

departmentandwasastonishedtodiscoverthatitwaspartofameteorite,andthatitwasworthalmost
ahundredthousanddollars.

“I know a collector who’d pay that or more,” the geology professor, Dr. Gandres, told her. “It’s

quiteunusual,andverywellpreserved.Doyouwantmetogiveyouhisnumber?”

Shecouldonlynod.Shewasalmostinshock.

Hesmiledashewroteitdown.

“That’smorethangoldisworth,”shestammered.

“Yes.Collectorswillpayanythingforasuperiorspecimen.Bodie,youreallyshouldn’tbecarrying

itaroundinyourpocket,though.It’stoovaluable.”

Shelaughedhollowly.“Oh,yes,Idorealizethatnow.Thankyou!”

“Mypleasure.”

***

WENT

BACK

HER

hotelroominshock.Thatlittlerockwouldhavesparedheralltheturmoilof

the past weeks. It might have saved her grandfather ’s life. It would certainly have spared them so
manyupsets.Butshehadn’trealizeditwasvaluable.She’dalwayscarrieditaround,withoutknowing
whatsortofrockitreallywas.Nowthatsheknew,shealmostdidn’twanttopartwithit.Butitwould
payforcollege,agoodvehicleofherown,graduateschool—even,ifnecessary,adivorce.Itwould
makeherfinanciallyindependent.So,yes,shehadtosellit.Shepickedupthephoneand called the
collector.

***

WEEK

LATER

SHE

HAD

formidablecheckinherbankaccount.Shepaidherhotelbillandmovedinto

a modest apartment near campus that was in a private home with an elderly couple. She had Darby
comeandgettheranchtruckbecauseshehadasmall,goodusedcarofherownnow.

“What’sgoingon?”Morieaskedthatevening.

Bodielaughedasshesawherfriend’sfaceonSkype.“Remembermyluckyrock,theoneIalways

carriedaroundinmypocket?”

“Yes.Itwasveryunusual.”

“ItwaspartofameteoriteandIjustsolditforasmallfortunetoacollector.”

“Heavens!There’sthisshowonTVaboutpeoplewhohuntthoseforaliving.”

“Idon’twatchTV—notime.I’llhavetolookthatoneup,though.”

“You should. It’s fascinating. These two guys go all over the world looking for fragments.” She

hesitated.“Youstillhaveyourmother ’sproperty,youknow,thedeedswillbeinyourhandsinafew
weeksaccordingtotheattorneys.”

“They were in touch with me,” Bodie replied. “But I’m not selling the house and land, not for

anything.”

“Idon’tblameyou.Ahomeshouldstayinthefamily,ifpossible.”

“SoI’dstillhavebeenshortofcash.Iwanttopayyouallbackforallyou’vedoneforme....”

“Ifyoueventry,therewillbeabigscene.Ipromise,”Morieassuredher.

Shegrimaced.“Well,thankyou.”

“You’rewelcome.”Shepursedherlips.“You’regoingtohavecompanyFridaynight.”

Bodieblinked.“What?”

“I heard from a reputable source that someone’s driving up to Billings Friday to pay you a visit.

Someonetall,dark,handsomeanddetermined.”

“Cane?”Bodiegasped.

“Idobelievethatwashisname....”Morielaughed.

Bodiealmostdroppedthecellphoneinherexcitement.“Friday?He’scominghere?”

“Yes,heis.”

“Hedidn’tcallmeoranything,”Bodiefaltered.

Morielaughedagain.“Hethinkshe’sgoingtosurpriseyou.Sothiscallisaheads-up.”

“Thanksamillion,Morie.I’llputonmybestdress....”

“No,no.Youdon’tknowhe’scoming.Orhe’llknowwhotoldyou.”

“Wasn’tthinking,sorry.Darn!WhatwillIwear?WhatwillIsay?WhatwillIdo?”

“Calmdown,takeadeepbreathandjustletlifehappen.”

Bodietookadeepbreath.Shedidn’tcalmdown.Shewasflushedandnervousandmoreexcitedthan

she’dbeensinceCaneproposed.Hewascomingtoseeher.Wait…he’dsaidhedidn’twantadivorce.
But what if he really did? What if he was coming to ask her for one, what if that beautiful blonde
womanwasbackinhislife…?

“Don’t,”Moriesaidafterthelongsilence.“Stoptormentingyourself.Youhavetomeetthingshead-

on,sweetheart.Justwaituntilhegetsthereandtalktohim.”

“Soundssimple.”

“Itissimple.”

Bodietookanotherdeepbreath.“Okay,”shesaidfinally.“I’llpretendIdon’tknowathing.”

“Goodgirl.Andgoodluck.”

“You’rethebestfriendI’veeverhad.”

“Thanks.Samehere.I’lltalktoyousoon,okay?”

“Okay.”

Bodiehungup.Shewenttobedthatnight,butshedidn’tsleepuntilitwasalmostdawn.Whenthe

alarmclockwokeher,shehadcirclesunderhereyesandshehadtoruntomakeittoherearlyclass
ontime.

***

WEEK

SHE

THOUGHT

aboutwhatCanewouldlooklike,whathe’dsaytoher,whatthey’ddowhen

heshowedupatherapartment.Shewentthrougheverysinglescenarioshecouldimagine.Andshe
could think up lots. But her supposing caused more worry than ever. She was convinced that he
wanted to end their rocky relationship. He’d always said he didn’t want any part of marriage, but
Bodiehadcomeuponhisblindside.He’dmarriedhertokeepTankfromaskingher.Ithadbeena
brotherlycompetitionwithBodieastheprizeinCane’seyes.Shewassureofit.

She wondered how his ribs were doing. It had been long enough that they should be completely

healedbynow.Ifshepassedallhercourses,she’dgraduateinlessthanamonth.Thatbroughtanother
worry.Wherewouldshegowhenshegothome?Thensheremembered.Shewouldhaveherhouse,
theoneshe’dsharedwithGranddaddy,theonehermotherhadleftherthatWillhadstolen.

WillwasinjailwithLarry.ThatmeantalittlelesstroubleforBodie,alittlelessfearthatshemight

runintoherstepfatheratalocalstoreandhavetodealwithhim.Shestillbristledatherownactions.
Posing for a teasing photo. It was so out of character for her. But she’d done it to save her
grandfather. It had been useless. She could have saved herself the anguish of the consequences. But
she’ddonewhatshethoughtshehadtodo,atthetime.She’dhavedoneanythingforhergrandfather,
withinlimits.Shestillmissedhim,verymuch.Shealwayswould.

***

RIDAY

AFTERNOON

,Bodiefinishedherlastclassanddrovebacktoherapartment.Shelookedaround

foracar,oraranchtruckfromWyoming,butshedidn’tseeasoulanywhere.Sheletoutasighof
relief.Atleastshehadalittletimetofreshenup,tidytheapartment,maybecookafewthingstoheat
uplaterifCanedecidedtostayforsupper.Whateverhehadtosay,theycouldhaveamealfirst.

Shehaditallplannedoutinhermind.Sheputherkeyinthelockandfrownedwhenshefoundthe

door already unlocked. She must have forgotten to lock it when she went to her classes. Stupid
mistake. Of course, the sweet elderly couple she lived with wouldn’t have let anybody into her
apartment.Sheknewthatforafact.Theywereveryprotectiveofher.

Soshewentintoherapartment,hunguphersweatercoat,hummingasoundtrackfromanewmovie

sheliked,tossedherpurseintoachair,wentintohersmallkitchenunit—andcameface-to-facewitha
maninjeansandachambrayshirtcookingsteaksonherstove.

Shecaughtherbreathandalmostpassedout.

Cane turned his head and grinned at her. He was so handsome that he made her heart stop. It had

beensolongsincethoseblackeyeshadtwinkledather,sincehe’dsmiledatall.Hesmelledofspice
and soap and his shirt was faultlessly pressed—Mavie’s work, no doubt. He looked like every
woman’sdreamoftheperfectman.Shecouldn’tstopstaring.Hereyeswerestarvedforhim.

“Ithoughtyoumightbehungry.Thoselateclassesarehardtoget through. What was it, physical

anthropology?”

Shenodded.Wordswouldn’tformcorrectlyinhermouth.

Heturnedthesteaksonelasttime,cutoffthestoveandforkedthemontoalargeplatter.Nearbywas

a bowl full of hash brown potatoes that smelled lovely, and a bowl of Brussels sprouts. All of that
togethermadeupBodie’sfavoritemeal,andheknewit.

“Surprisedtoseeme?”hemurmured,comingcloser.

Shenoddedagain.

He cupped her face in his hands. One of them was a prosthesis so cleverly constructed that it

actuallyfeltrealonherskin.

“Itwon’tfoolanyoneupclose,”hewhispered,lookingathermouth.“Butit’snotbadatadistance.

Itworkslikearealone.Lotsofleversandpulleysandthings....Oh,God,I’lldieifIcan’tkissyou!”

Hismouthhitherslikeastorm,furiouslyhungry,intense,hislips crushing hers apart as his arm

swallowedherwholeandrivetedhertothelengthofhispowerfulbody.

She whimpered at the anguish of passion he incited in her. She reached around him and pressed

evencloser,herlipsopeningtomeetthefeverishcrushofhisintheapartmentwherenothingfeltreal
anymoreexceptCaneinherarms.

Hegroaned.Therobotarmheldherwhiletheotheronefounditswaysurelyunderherblouseand

bra, and onto soft, firm flesh. He kissed her with pure intent, his lips teasing, provoking, while his
fingersbrushedlightlyoveranubthatgrewhardandalmostpainfulwiththesweettorment.Shelifted
towardhishand,hereyesclosed,hermouthclinging.

“Toomany…clothes,”hewhisperedroughly.“I’mstarvingtodeath!”

He tugged her into her bedroom, closed the door and piled down onto the unmade bed with her,

strugglingtogethershirtoff.Intheend,shehelpedhim,strippingdowntosoft,flushedskinwhilehe
watched,hiseyesintent,hungry.

Shelaybackonthepillow.Hehungaboveher,lookingatthesoftpinkbeautyofherbody.

“Allofit,”hesaidroughly.

Sheswalloweduneasily.

“Allofyours,”hesaid.“Thenallofmine.You’llhavetohelpme,Bodie,”hesaidinasoft,tender

tone.“Idon’tknowifIcandothis....”

“Ofcourseyoucandothis,”shewhispered.Hisinsecuritymadeherbold.Withoutthinkingabout

her modesty, which tormented her, she stripped off her jeans and then went to undress him. It was
exciting to take off his shirt, button by button, to see the thick hair that covered his chest, see the
musclesripplingasshepulleditoffhisarms.

Theprosthesiswasheldonwithaharness.Shelearnedtounfastenit,andnoticedhishesitation.

“I’mnotsure…”hebeganheavily.

“Men have lost limbs in wars since wars began,” she said tenderly. “And women have coped. I’ll

cope.Youwaitandsee.Youcanteachme.”

“Teachyou.”Helaughedhuskilyasherhandswenttohisbelt.“Yes,”hemurmured,bendingtoher

mouth.“Icandothat.”

It was difficult at first. She’d never even seen a man without his clothes, except in some furtively

concealedmagazinesagirlhadbroughttohighschoolonce.Shedidn’twatchforeignfilmsorhang
outonpornsites,soshewassomewhatlackinginwhatseemedtobecommonknowledgeformost
modernwomen.

“Youareatrip,honey,”hemusedasshefumbledoffthelastthingsthatcoveredthemboth.“What

aneducationthishasbeen.”

Sheswallowedandtriednottolookattheobviousplace.“Well,I’mrepressed…”

“Notforlong.Ipromiseyou.”Heeasedherbackonthesheets,onelonglegsweepingbetweenboth

of hers while he propped himself on what was left of his injured arm. He did it gracefully, without
clumsiness, and his other hand went to a place that lifted her right off the bed with mingled
embarrassmentandpleasure.

“Don’tpanic,”hewhisperedagainstherlips.“Thisistogetyoureadyforme.It’ssweetandsexy

andveryexciting.Don’tthink.Justrelaxandletmetouchyou.”

Shehadn’tplannedtobesoenthusiastic.Itseemedtocomenaturallywhenhefoundaspotthatmade

hermindexplodewithpleasure.Shearcheduptohishand,hereyeswideandshockedasshemoved
in ways she’d never dreamed she would. She wasn’t thinking any longer. She was all sensation,
burstingwithpleasure,writhingonthecleansheetsashebroughthertoasudden, shocking climax
andlookedintohereyeswhileithappened.

Hisfacewasflushedwithpleasure.“You’veneverfeltthat,”hesaid,surprised.

“No,”shechokedout.

“Then this,” he murmured, easing down between her legs, “is really going to blow your mind.

Moveyourlegsaroundmyhips.Letmeshowyouhowtolove.”

Shefollowedhislead,herbodyprotestingonlyalittleashebegantopenetrateitwithslow,steady

movements of his hips. All the time, he looked straight into her eyes. Once, embarrassed as the
pleasuregrew,shetriedtoclosethem.

“No,”hewhisperedfirmly.“Lookatme.Letmewatch.”

“It’s…sointimate…”shewhisperedbrokenly.

“You’re my wife,” he whispered back, moving deeper inside her with every long, slow thrust.

“You’reeverything.Sharethiswithme.Shareeverysecondofitwithme…!”

Shechokedbackascream.Suddenlyitwasurgent.Sourgent.Shegaspedasherhipsleapedupto

meetthedownwardthrustofhis,shefelthimgrowing,swellinginsideher.Histeethclenchedashis
hipsgrounddownintohers.

“So…sweet,”hebitoff.“Sosweet,Bodie,sosweet,sosweet…God!”

Heshotdowninsideherlikeagungoingoff,andshepushedupagainsthimashard,asfast,asshe

could, driving for the rhythm that would end the anguish of tension that was building, building,
building…!

“Cane!”Hervoicedidn’tevensoundlikehervoice.Itwassoalienthatshedidn’trecognizeit.

“Look…at…me!”hemanagedtosayinthelastfewseconds.

Shesawhisblackeyesdilateevenmoreashebegantoconvulseaboveherinrhythmicjerksthat

echoedthepistollikemovementofhiships.Whenheclimaxed,shefelthimburstinsideher,feltthe
heatofit,felthimbecomehersevenasherownbodyfellandfellthroughendlesslayersofpleasure
thatalmostsentherunconscious.Whateverherdreamsofintimacyhadbeen, the reality was so far
beyondthemthatshecouldn’tbelievethedifference.

Hecollapsedontopofher,sweating,shivering,hismouthonhertautbreasts.“Neverinmylife,”

hesaid.“Notlikethis.”

Sheheldhimtoher,swallowinghard.Shelookedpasthisblackhair.Thepleasurewasstillpulsing

inhersatisfiedbody,butasrealityslowlyasserteditself,sheremembered.

“Notevenwiththatlong-leggedblondefromJacksonHole?”shemanagedtosayathisear.

Heburstoutlaughing.

Itwasthelastthingsheexpected.

Heliftedhisheadandlookeddownather.Hewasstillinsideher.Heliftedjustalittletolethersee

howcompletelytheywerestilljoined.

“Iwouldn’tknow,”hewhispered.“BecauseIneverhadsexwithher.Shewasjustafriend’sdateata

cattleshowIwentto.”Hebrushedhismouthoverhers.“Isawyoucomingoutoftheelevator.Ihad
coldfeetandIfelttrapped.SoIdidsomethingincrediblystupid.”

“Stupid.” She was only repeating him, because he was moving slowly and her body was catching

fire.

“Ipretendedtobeinvolved.Iknewyou’drun.IthoughtitwaswhatIwanted.We’dgetdivorcedand

I’dbefree.ButI’mnotfree.”Hemovedagain,watchinghergasp.“Andneitherareyou.Webelongto
eachothersocompletelythatevenwhenwe’reapart,we’restilltogether.And,too,”hesaid,“there’s
this…”

He moved insistently, so that she began to arch up to him convulsively, her teeth clenched as

pleasurebitintoherlikeavise.Shecriedout.

“Youmademeawholeman,”hebreathed,kissingher.“AndImadeyouawoman.”

“Iwasalreadyawoman,Ithink,”shebitoff,laughingthroughthepleasure.

“Youwereavirgin,”hesaidintohermouth.“Sweetandchasteandshy.Ilovedit.I’llneverforget

howitfelt,howyoulookedwhenyouclimaxedforthefirsttime.”Hegroanedashemovedcloser.“I
want to do it over and over and watch you every time, as long as I live. As long as you live.” He
pushedhardintoher,hisblackeyesbitingintoherlightbrownones.“Iloveyou,Bodie.Iloveyou!”

Shetriedtotellhim,too,butthepleasurewassooverwhelmingthatshecouldonlyclingtohimand

weep.Itwasthemostexcitingthingshe’deverdone,andthesweetest.Shewentoveracliffandfell
intothemostexplosivepleasureshe’dexperiencedyet.Canefoundhisownfulfillment,butlongafter
she’dhadhersseveraltimes.

Shewantedtotalktohim,butallshecouldmanagewasanexhausted,“Iloveyousomuch.”

Heburiedhisfaceinherthroat.“Iloveyou,too,baby.I’llneverstop.”

Theyfellasleepinthedazedaftermath,withfoodstillsittingonplatesinthekitchen.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

WAS

AFTER

MIDNIGHT

whentheywokeup,showeredanddraggedintothekitchentofindfood.

“Howeverdidyougetinhere?”Bodieasked,wearinghisshirtwhileheworehisjeansandnothing

else. He was so comfortable with her now that he didn’t mind letting her see his injury. It was a
testamenttohisfeelingsforher.

“Ishowedthemthis.”Heflashedhisweddingband,andgrinned.“Itoldthemwe’dhadafightbutI

wantedtomakeup.Theyjustmelted.Nicefolks.”

“Verynice,”sheagreed.Shelookedathimwithwonder.

“Iknow,”hemurmureddeeply,slidinganarmaroundherwaisttodrawhertohim.“You’reinawe

ofmybedroomskills.”Hebentandkissedher.“Justthink,I’llevenimprovewithpractice.”

“Weshouldpracticeallthetime,”shewhisperedback,hugginghimclose.

“Ifwepracticetoomuch,thewaywehavetonight,we’llhaveasmallcompanionverysoon.”

Sheblinked.“Companion?”

“Whatwe’redoingishowpeoplemakebabies,Bodie,”heteased.

She stared at him blankly. Then she remembered. She had no means of birth control and she was

fairlycertainthathehadn’tusedit,either.

“Willitmatter?”heasked,andseemedconcerned.

Shepressedclose,shiveringatthethoughtofababy.Cane’sbaby.“Oh,no,”shesaidfervently.“It

won’tmatteratall!”

Hehuggedherclose.“Awifeandafamily.PeoplewhoknowmewillfaintathoweasilyIfitinto

thatscenario.”

“Ialmostdidfaint.Imagine,havingtoundressaman!”

Hechuckled.“Ithoughtyoudidverywellforawomanembarrassedoutofhermind.Butithadto

startsomewhere.”

“Yes.”

Hekissedherforehead.“ImadeyousteakandpotatoesandevenBrusselssprouts.”Helookedover

thetopofherheadandgrimaced.“Iexpectitwouldkillusifwetriedtoeatitnow.”

Shelaughed.“Howaboutbaconandeggsandbiscuitsinstead?”

“Lovely.”

Shekissedhim.“Comingrightup.”

***

HEY

ATE

AND

THEN

WENT

backtobed,buttheyweretootiredforanymoreexperimentation. In the

morningtheydressedanddrovehometoCatelow.

Moriewasontheporchwaitingwhentheywalkedupthesteps,holdinghands.

“Noneedtoaskhowthingswent,”sheteased,grinningatthemboth.

Theygrinnedback.

“Noneedatall,”Caneagreed.“Iseemtobehappilymarried.”HelookeddownataradiantBodie.

“Imaginethat.”

“It’s hard, but I’ll give it my best shot,” Morie said. “Come on in. Mavie’s been cooking all

morning.Shehasasurpriseforyou.”

Theywalkedintothekitchenandthere,onthetable,wasamagnificentweddingcake,completewith

abrideandgroomontop.

“Mavie!It’sbeautiful!”Bodieexclaimed.

“Iknowyouhadoneatthefellowshiphall,butitwasn’ttherightkind,”shesaid,brushingbackher

hairwithaflouryhand.“Iwantedyoutohaveaproperone,withthreelayersandabrideandgroom
ontop—notasheetcakefromthebakery.”

“Wedidn’tplanonasheetcake,”Morietoldthem.“Buteverythingwentwrong.”

“Youcansaythatagain,”Canerepliedheavily.“Ihelpedmessitallup.”

Bodiehuggedhim.“Youmadeituptome.Stopfloggingyourself.”

“Ineedashesandsackcloth,”Canemurmured.

“You need a shovel and a toothbrush,” Bodie replied. “I’ve decided where I want to go on our

honeymoonifIgraduate.”

“You’llgraduate,”Caneassuredher.

She sighed. “I hope. Anyway, there’s a special program in Colorado where you help established

archaeologistsinadig.”

“Ihaven’tbeenonadiginyears,”hesaid.Heshiftedrestlessly.“Ican’tuseashovelanymore.”

“You don’t need to. You can use a trowel. And I happen to know that you’ve been doing some

studying.”

Canelaughed.“Brushinguponbones,”heagreed.

“Soyoucanhelpdig.”

Hesighed.“You’reforcingmebackintotheworld.Iwasdoingaprettygoodjobofhidingfrom

it.”

“Notallowed,”Bodiesaid,smilingupathim.“Notanymore.”

Hebentandkissedher.“Okay,boss.”

Shemadeafaceathim.

Mavie picked up the cake and carried it into the dining room. Cane took Bodie’s hand in his and

followedafterher.

They took pictures with Morie’s digital camera and then they sat down and proceeded to make

inroadsintothecakealongwithcupsofFrenchvanillacoffee.

“This is wonderful,” Bodie exclaimed. “Absolutely delicious,” she murmured as she put another

biteofcakeintohermouth.

“No,I’mdelicious,”Caneadmonishedwithhisfork.“Thecakeisgood.”

Shelaughed.Sodidtheothers.

MalloryandTankcameinafewminuteslater,andnotedthesuddenintimacyofCaneandBodie.

“Canweassumethatyou’vemadeup?”Malloryaskedwithpursedlips.

“Yes, you can,” Cane assured him. “We’re going to graduate from college with honors and then

we’rehavingahoneymoondiggingupolddeadthingsinholesofdirt.”

Bodie hit him. “We’re going on a very dignified archaeological expedition,” she corrected. She

grinned.“Wherewe’lldigupolddeadthingsindirtholes.”

Theylaughed.Canehuggedherclose.

“Whateveryouwant,honey,”hesaid,andhiseyeswerepossessiveanddarkwithloveandpride.

“Yourememberthat,”shetoldhim,butshewasgrinning.

***

DID

GRADUATE

,magna cum laude, and the whole family drove up to Billings for the graduation

exercises. Afterward, with Bodie in her cap and gown, clutching her diploma, Cane strolled along
with her to speak to her favorite professors and meet some of her classmates. At least one of the
womengavehimaspeakinginvitation,butheturnedawaywithoutevenlookingatheragain.Hehad
eyesonlyforhiswife,hetoldBodie,andshewasmorecertainofhimnowthanshe’deverexpected
tobe.Hewasamaninlove.

They went to Colorado for two weeks, digging by day and loving by night. When they got back

home,theywerestiffandsore,buttheytoldthefamilythatitwasthemostfunthey’dhadtogetherso
far.Evenifitwasdiggingupbonesindirtholes.

***

ILL

WAS

CONVICTED

identity theft and trafficking in pornography, including exploitation of a

minor,alongwithhisfriendLarry.Hewasalsoindictedfortheftbywrongfultakingordisposition
ofpropertyforhidingBodie’smother ’swill.Thetwomenweresentencedtoseveralyearsinprison.
Bodiehadthedeedtoherfamilyhomeandproperty,andshefoundaniceelderlycouplewhoneeded
aplacetoliveandletthemstayrent-free.

Hermother ’sheirloomjewelryturneduponherdresserearlyone morning. She took it in to the

breakfasttableandshowedittoCane.“Ipawnedit,”shestammered.“Imeanttogoandgetitback…”

Hepulledhercloseandkissedher.“Oneofthecowboyssawyoupawnit.Evenbackthen,IknewI

couldn’tletyouturnlooseofsomethingsoimportant.Iboughtitandsworethepawnshopownerto
secrecy.Iwaswaitingfortherighttimetogiveittoyou.Ithinkthisistherighttime.”

Hesaiditwithastrange,wondrouslookinhiseyes.Asheheldhers,hishandwenttoherflatbelly.

“Isn’tittimeyoutoldme,Bodie?”hesaidashekissedher.

Shegasped.“Ionlydidthetestthismorning,”sheexclaimed,gapingupathim.

Hesmiled.“Isawthetestinthetrashcan.Icanreadcolorsonabox,too,youknow.Comeon.Tell

me.”

Shetookadeepbreath.Herfacewasradiant.“Wemadeababy,”shewhispered.

He drew her close, stared down into her wide eyes and bent and kissed her with breathless

tenderness.“Wemadelove.”Hetouchedherbellygently.“Reallove.”

Sheshiveredandpressedclose.“It’sscary,tobesohappy.”

Hekissedthetopofherhead.“Yes.Butwonderful.”

“Utterlywonderful.”Shelaughed.“Ihavetogotothedoctor,tomakesure.ButIjustknow.”

“Me,too.”Hehuggedherclose.“I’vebeenalotoftrouble,”he said against her soft hair. “Was I

worthit?”

“Wortheverytear,”sheassuredhim.Shelookedupintohisblackeyes.“I’msoproudofyou.Not

onewreckedbarinmonths!”

Heflushedalittle.“Yes,well,Idon’twanttoembarrassyou.”

Shebeamed.“Isthatwhy?”

Heshrugged.“ThatandthefactthatIfinallyhaveatherapistIcanrelateto.IguessI’mlearningto

cope,afterall.”

“Copingbeautifully,”shewhispered.

“Oh,soyoulikehowIcope,doyou?”hemused,hiseyestwinklingastheymethers.

“Youcopeinsomany…unusualways,”shesaid,clearingherthroatandflushingalittle.

Hechuckled.“Blamemywickedyouth.”

Sheleanedintohisarmsandlaidhercheekonhischest.“Ididn’tthinkitwouldbelikethat.Imean,

Ididn’tknowitkeptgettingbetter.”

“Better and better, every day.” He sighed. His arm contracted. “You’re the best thing that ever

happenedtome,sweetheart,”hewhispered.“AndIloveyoumadly.”

“Iloveyoumadly.”

Hebentandkissedherwithexquisitetenderness.“Ithink…”

“…thatdamnedroosterisgoingtoendupinastewpot,andI’llputherintherewithhim!”

CaneandBodielookedateachotherwithshockasatall,darkmanwithwavyhaircamestorming

intothehouse.HewaswearingjeansandbootsandasuitandawildlyexpensiveStetson.

“Oh.Sorry.”Hestopped,lookingself-conscious,andsmiled.“IthoughtMalsaidmysisterwasin

here.”

“Sheis,”Moriesaid,comingoutofthekitchenwithacupofcoffee.“Cort!Ididn’tthinkyouwere

cominguntilThursday.”

Shehuggedherbrother.

“Iwasn’t,butthedamnedchickenspurredmeandIlefttownsoIwouldn’tgetarrestedforassault.”

“Oh,Cort.”Morielaughed.“Isthatroosterstillafteryou?”

“Youcanlaugh,”hemuttered.“Thedamnedthingchasedmeintomyowndamnedhouse!Onmy

property!”

“Can’tyoujustcatchitandeatit?”Canechuckled.

“Chancewouldbeafinething,”Cortgrumbled.“Ihadeveryranch hand on the place chasing the

stupidrooster.Jackfellintothewatertrough.Billgotkickedbyabullwhenheranthroughthecorral
withoutlooking.Andygottheworstofit.Hejumpedattheroosterandlandedinabigpileof…well,
itwasbad.”

Moriediedlaughing.“PoorAndy!”

“SoIcameuphereearly,”Cortsaid,thengrimaced.“Ihopeyoudon’tmindifIstayforawhile.

I’mnotgoinghomeuntilIgetoverit.”

“Maybeabigchickenhawkwillcomebyandsaveyou,”Bodiesuggested.

“Nosuchluck.”

“Can’tyoujustsuetheowner?”Caneasked.

“The owner is a little cowgirl with only her great-aunt for company, on a miserable farm that’s

going bankrupt,” Cort confessed. “You can’t get blood out of a turnip.” He sighed. “Even so, the
neighborhoodlovesher.I’dneverheartheendofit.Dadwouldlosebusiness.”

“Dadsaidyoushouldjustshoottherooster,”Morieremindedhim.

“I tried!” Cort exclaimed. “I fired at point-blank range five times and missed every damned time!

Whenthepistolwasempty,thedamnedroosterchargedme.IsweartoGodhewaslaughingwhenI
finallygotintothehouse.Ididn’tevenhaveasticktofighthimoffwith!”

BodieandCaneburstoutlaughing.

“You’llbesafehere,”Morieassuredhim.“Ionlyhavehens.Well,Idohavearooster,buthiswings

areclippedandhe’sgotnospurssincelastweek.Honest.Allhecandoisthreatenyou.Thinkofhim
asatoothlesslion.”

“Well,that’sarelief.Imayneverleave,”headded.

“You’rewelcometostay,”Moriereplied.“Howaboutsomecake?”

“Howaboutsomecoffeetogowithit?”hepleaded.“I’vehadalongweek.”

“Mypleasure!”

***

ANE

AND

ODIE

SAT

THE

frontporchintheswinglaterthatevening,holdinghandsandwatching

thefirefliesdartbackandforthintheyard.Alltheflowerswereblooming.Thesmellofthemwas
subtleandsweetinthewarmnightair.

“Didyoueverthinkyou’dmarryme,waybackwhenwefirstmet?”Bodieaskedwithasmile.

“Actually, I thought about it a lot,” he confessed surprisingly. “But I wasn’t coping with the war

wound,orthedrinking,andyouweresoyoung.”Helookeddownather.“Ididn’trealizeatthetime
that you were an old soul in a young body.” He bent and kissed her. “In hindsight, maybe I’m too
youngforyou,”heteased.

Shekissedhimbackandsighed.“Ineverexpectedtobesohappy.”

“Honestly,honey,neitherdidI.”Hedrewherclose.“Youandababytolookforwardto.Andallthe

sweettimesahead.”

Shesmiledandpressedclose.“Yes.Allthesweettimesahead.”

Inthedistance,therewasthesoundofcarsgoingalongonthehighwaypastthelastfences.Butall

BodieheardwasthesoundofCane’sheart,beatingsureandstrongatherear.Sheclosedhereyesand
smiled,safeinthearmsofherfierceWyomingcowboy,tameatlast.

*****

IfyouloveDianaPalmer,don’tmissMIDNIGHTRIDER,acaptivatinghistoricalromancesetinturn-

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CHAPTERONE

SouthwesternTexas,1900

ALL

THE

WORLD

there was nothing Bernadette Barron loved more than her garden, despite the

asthmathatsometimessentherrunningfromitinthespringmonths.Therewereplentyofflowersin
southwestern Texas, and many occasions to fill her father ’s elaborate Victorian home with them.
ColstonBarronownedatleasthalfofValladolidCounty,whichwasmidwaybetweentheprosperous
cityofSanAntonioandthesmallercityofDelRioontheMexicanborder.

He had done extremely well for an Irish immigrant who got his start working on building the

railroads.Now,thirty-threeyearsafterhisarrivalintheUnitedStates,heownedtwo.Hehadmoney
toburn,butlittlefamilytospenditon.

Despitehiswealth,therewasonethingstilllackinginhislife—acceptance and respect from elite

society. His rude Irish brogue and lack of conventional manners isolated him from the prominent
families of the day, a situation he was determined to change. And Bernadette was going to be the
meansofit.

His beloved wife, Eloise, had died of an infection just after giving birth to Bernadette. His eldest

daughterhaddiedinchildbirth.Hisonlyson,marriedwithasmallchild,livedbackEast,workedasa
fishermanandkeptcontactwithhisfathertoaminimum.Albertwasindisgracebecausehe’dmarried
forlove,refusingthesocialmatchhisfatherhadplannedforhim.OnlyBernadettewasleftathome
now. Her brother could barely support his own small family, so running to him was not an option
unless she was able to work, which was impossible because her health was too precarious to allow
hertoholddownajob,suchasteaching.Meanwhile,shehadtocopewithherfather ’sfanaticalsocial
aspirations.

Itwasn’tthatBernadettedidn’twanttomarry,eventually.Shehadherowndreamsofahomeand

family.Butherfatherwantedtochooseherhusband—onthebasisofhissocialprominence.Wealth
alonewouldnotdo.ColstonBarronwasdeterminedtomarryoffBernadettetoamanwithatitleor,
if he were an American, to a man of immense social prestige. His first choice, a British duke, had
been a total loss. The impoverished nobleman was willing enough. Then he was introduced to
Bernadette,whohadappearedatthefirstmeeting,forreasonsknownonlytoherselfandGod,inher
brother ’statteredjeans,adirtyshirt,withtwoofherteethblackenedwithwaxandherlong,beautiful,
platinum hair smeared with what looked like axle grease. The duke had left immediately, excusing
himself with the sudden news of an impending death in the family. Although how he could have
knownofitinthisisolatedregionofsouthwestTexas…

All Colston’s mad raving hadn’t made Bernadette repent. She was not, she informed him saucily,

marryinganymanforatitle.Herbrotherhadleftsomeofhisoldclothesattheranch,andBernadette
wasn’t a bit averse to dressing like a madwoman anytime her father brought a marriage prospect
home.Today,though,shewasoffherguard.Inablue-checkeddresswithherplatinum-blondhairin
itsfamiliarloosebunandhergreeneyessoftwithaffectionfortherosesshewastending,shedidn’t

seemaviragoatall.Nottothemanwatchingherunseenfromhiselegantblackstallion.

Allatonceshefeltasifshewerebeingwatched…scrutinized…byapairoffierce,darkeyes.His

eyes,ofcourse.Amazing,shethought,howshealwaysseemedtosensehim,nomatterhowquietlyhe
cameuponher.

She got to her feet and turned, her high cheekbones flushed, her pale green eyes glittering at the

elegantblack-cladmaninhisworkingclothes—jeansandbootsandchaps,achambrayshirtundera
denimjacket,hisstraightblackhairbarelyvisibleunderawide-brimmedhatthatshadowedhisface
fromthehotsun.

“ShallIcurtsy,yourexcellence?”sheasked,throwingdownthegauntletwithawickedsmile.There

wasalwaysaslightantagonismbetweenthem.

EduardoRodrigoRamirezyCortesgaveheramockingnodofhisheadandasmilefromhisthin,

cruel-looking mouth. He was as handsome as a dark angel, except for the slash down one cheek,
allegedly garnered in a knife fight in his youth. He was thirty-six now, sharp-faced, olive-skinned,
black-eyedanddangerous.

Hisfather,atitledSpanishnobleman,hadbeendeadformanyyears.Hismother,abeautifulblond

SanAntoniosocialite,wasinNewYorkwithhersecondhusband.Eduardohadnomoreinheritedhis
mother ’slooksthanhehadabsorbedherbehaviorandtemperament.HewasinallwaysSpanish.To
theworkersonhisranchhewasElJefe,thepatronorboss.InSpain,hewasElConde,acountwhose
relatives could be found in all the royal families across Europe. To Bernadette, he was the enemy.
Well,sometimeshewas.Shefoughtwithhimtomakesurethathedidn’trealizewhatshereallyfelt
forhim—emotionsthathadbeenharderthesepasttwoyearstoconcealthanever.

“If you’re looking for my father, he’s busy thinking of rich San Antonio families to invite to his

ballamonthfromnextSaturdayevening,”sheinformedhim,silentlyseething.Fromtheshadowhis
brim made on his lean face, the black glitter of his eyes was just visible. He looked her over
insolentlyforsuchagentleman,andthendismissively,asifhefoundnothingtointeresthiminher
slenderbutroundedfigureandsmallbreasts.Hislatewife,sherecalled,althoughatitledSpanishlady
ofhighquality,hadbeennothinglessthanvoluptuous.Bernadettehadtriedtogainweightsothatshe
couldappealtohimmore,butherslenderframerefusedtoaddpoundsdespiteherefforts.

“HehashopesofanalliancewithatitledEuropeanfamily,”Eduardoreplied.“Haveyou?”

“I’d rather take poison,” she said quietly. “I’ve already sent one potential suitor running for the

border,butmyfatherwon’tgiveup.He’splanningaballtocelebratehislatestrailroadacquisition—
butmorebecausehe’sfoundanothertwoimpoverishedEuropeannoblementothrowatmyfeet.”

Shetookadeepbreathandcoughedhelplesslyuntilshewasabletogetherlungsundercontrol.The

pollensometimesaffectedher.ShehatedshowingherweaknesstoEduardo.

Hecrossedhisforearmsoverthepommelofhissaddleandleanedforward.“Agardenishardlya

goodplaceforanasthmatic,”hepointedout.

“I like flowers.” She took a frilled, embroidered handkerchief from her belt and held it to her

mouth.Hereyesaboveitweregreenandhostile.“Whydon’tyougohomeandflogyourserfs?”she
retorted.

“I don’t have serfs. Only loyal workers who tend my cattle and watch over my house.” He ran a

handslowlyoveronepowerfulthighwhilehestudiedherwithunusualinterest.“Ithoughtyourfather
hadgivenupthrowingyouateveryavailabletitledman.”

“Hehasn’trunoutofcandidatesyet.”Shesighedandlookedupathimwithmoreofherconcern

showingthansherealized.“Luckyyou,nottobeonthefiringline.”

“Ibegyourpardon?”

“Well,you’retitled,aren’tyou?”

Helaughedsoftly.“Inasense.”

“You’reacount—elconde,”shepersisted.

“Iam.ButyourfatherknowsthatIhavehadnowishtomarrysinceIlostmyson.Andmywife,”he

addedbitterly.

“Well,it’sreassuringthatyoudon’twanttogetmarriedagain,”shesaid.

Sheknewlittleofhistragedyexceptthatforaspaceofdaysafterit,the“iceman”hadbecomea

locallegendforhisrage,whichwasasmajesticashisbloodlines.Grownmenhadhiddenfromhim.
On one occasion Bernadette had encountered him when he was dangerously intoxicated and wildly
wavingarevolver....Nooneknewexactlywhathadhappened,exceptthatEduardohadcomehometo
findhisinfantsondead.Hiswifehaddiedsuddenlysoonafterwardofagunshotwoundtothehead.
Noarresthadeverbeenmade,nochargesbrought.Eduardoneverspokeofwhathadhappened,but
inevitablytherewerewhispersthathehadblamedhiswifeforthechild’sdeath,andthathehadkilled
her.Lookingathimnowshecouldalmostbelievehimcapableofmurder.Hewasashardamanas
she’deverknown,andoneshejudgedtobemercilesswhenhehadreasontobecomeangry.Herarely
losthistemperovertly,buthisicymannerwassomehowmorethreateningthanyelling.

Sheherselfhadseenhimshootamanwithcoldnerve,adrunkencowboyintownwho’dcomeat

himwithpistolsblazing.

Eduardohadn’tevenbotheredtoduck.Hestoodinahailofbulletsandcalmlytookaimandfired.

Themanwentdown,woundedbutnotdead,andhewasleftatthedoctor ’soffice.Eduardohadbeen
nicked in the arm and refused Bernadette’s offer of first aid. Such a scratch, he’d said calmly, was
hardlyworthafuss.

Shehadhopedagainsthopethatherfathermightonedayconsidermakingamatchforherwiththis

man.Eduardowastheveryreasonherheart beat. Just the thought of those hard, cool hands on her
bareskinmadehertingleallover.Butanalliancebetweenthefamilieshadneverbeendiscussed.Her
fatherhadlookedonlytoEuropeforherprospectivebridegrooms,notclosertohome.

“Youhavenowishtomarry?”heaskedsuddenly.

Thequestioncaughtherunaware.“Ihavebadlungs,”shesaid.“AndI’mnotevenpretty.Myfather

hasmoney,whichmakesmeveryeligible,butonlytofortune-seekers.”Shetwistedafoldofherskirt
unconsciouslyinherslender,prettyhands.“Iwanttobeworthmorethanthat.”

“Youwanttobeloved.”

Shockbroughthereyesup.Howhadheknownthat?Hedidknow.Itwasinhisface.

“Loveisarareandoftendangerousthing,”hecontinuedcarelessly.“Onedoeswelltoavoidit.”

“I’vebeenavoidingitsuccessfullyallmylife,”sheagreedwithsmotheredhumor.

His eyes narrowed. Still watching her, he pulled a thin black cigar from a gold-plated case in his

jacket.Hereplacedthecasedeftly,struckamatchtolightthecigarandthrewthespentmatchintothe
dustwithcarelessgrace.“Allyourlife,”hemurmured.“Twentyyears.Youmusthavebeentenwhen
yourfamilymovedhere,”headdedthoughtfully.“Irememberyourfirstrideonhorseback.”

She did, too. The horse had pitched her over its head into a mud puddle. Eduardo had found her

there,dazed.Ignoringthemudthatcoveredherfrontliberally,he’dtakenherupinthesaddlebefore
himanddeliveredhertoherfather.

Shenoddeduncomfortably.“Youwereforeverfindingmeinembarrassingsituations.”Shedidn’t

evenwanttorememberthelastone....

“HisnamewasCharles,wasn’tit?”heasked,asifhe’dreadhermind,andhesmiledmockingly.

Sheglaredathim.“Itcouldhavehappenedtoanyone!Buggyhorsesdorunaway,youknow!”

“Yes.Butthathorsehadthemarkofawhipclearlyonitsflank.Andthe‘gentleman’inquestionhad

youflatonyourback,strugglinglikealandedfish,andyourdress—”

“Please!”Sheheldahandtoherthroat,horriblyembarrassed.

Hiseyeswenttoherbodicewithasmilethatchilledher.He’dseenmorethanhercorset.Charles

hadroughlyexposedhersmallbreastsfrombeneathherthinmuslinchemise,andEduardohadhada
vividglimpseofthembeforeshestruggledtogetthemcoveredagain.Charleshadbarelyhadtimeto
speakbeforeelcondewasonhim.

In a very rare display of rage, the usually calm and collected Eduardo had knocked the younger

manaroundwithanutterdisregardforhisfamily’sgreatwealthuntilthesonoftheshippingmagnate
wasbleedingandbeggingonhiskneesformercy.He’dheadedfortown,walkingfast,andhehadn’t
beenseenagain.Naturally,Bernadette’sfatherhadbeengivenaverysmoothed-overexplanationfor
Charles’s absence and her own ruffled state. He’d accepted it, even if he hadn’t believed it. But it
hadn’tstoppedhimfromthrowingtitledmenather.

“Your father is obsessed,” Eduardo murmured, taking a puff from the cigar and letting it out

angrily.“Heputsyouatrisk.”

“If I’d had my pistol, Mr. Charles Ramsey would have been lying on the ground with a bullet in

him!”

Heonlysmiled.Tohisknowledge,Bernadettecouldn’tevenloada gun, much less shoot one. He

smoked his cigar in silence as he studied her. “Did you ever hear from the unfortunate Charles
again?”heaskedabruptly.

“Notoneword.”Shesearchedhishard,leanfaceandrememberedgraphicallyhowithadlooked

whenhehitCharles.“Youwerefrightening.”

“Surelynottoyou.”

“You’resocontrolledmostofthetime,”shesaid,underscoringthewordsmostofthetime.

Somethingmovedinhisface,somethingindefinable.“Anymaniscapableofstrongpassion.Even

me.”

Thewayhewaslookingathermadeherheartskip.Unwelcomethoughtscameintohermind,only

tobebanishedimmediately.Theyweretoodisturbingtoentertain.Shelookedawayandasked,“Are
youcomingtotheball?”

“IfI’minvited,”hesaideasily.

Her eyebrows arched. “Why wouldn’t you be? You’re one of the upper class that my father so

envies.”

Hislaughterwascold.“Me?I’mahalf-breed,don’tyouremember?”Heshiftedinthesaddle.“My

grandmother can’t make a match for me in Spain because my wife died under mysterious
circumstances and I’m staring poverty in the face. In my own way, I have as few opportunities for
marriageasyoudo.”

Shehadn’tthoughtofitthatway.“You’retitled.”

“Ofcourse,”heconceded.“ButonlyinSpain,andIhavenoplanstolivethere.”Hewaslookingat

her,butnowhismindwasworkingontheproblemofbankruptcy,whichwasstaringhimintheface.
Hislatefatherhadmadeafortune,buthisprofligatemotherhadthrownitaway.Shehaddrainedthe
financialresourcesoftheranch,andsincehe’dcomeofageEduardohadbeenhard-pressedtokeep
itsolvent.Onlyhismother ’smarriagetosomeminormillionaireinNewYorkhadstoppedherfrom
bleeding the ranch dry. She had forfeited her inheritance the day she remarried, but the damage
alreadyhadbeendone.

EduardostareddownatBernadetteandwheelsturnedinhismind.Herfatherwasrich.Hewanteda

titledson-in-law.Eduardowasupper-class, despite his mixed ancestry. Perhaps… Bernadette sighed
heavily, smothering another cough. “At least you’ll never have to worry about being married for

yourfather ’smoney.”

“And this idea of marrying a title and a respected name has no appeal at all for you?” he asked

slowly.

“None,”shesaidhonestly.Shegrimaced.“I’msotiredofbeingondisplay,likeabargainthatmy

father ’sofferingforsale,”shesaid,drawinginalong,laboredbreath.Shecoughedsuddenly,aware
ofarenewedtightnessinherchest.Shehadn’trealizedhowlongshe’dbeenamongherflowers,with
their potent quantities of pollen. “I have to go in,” she said as the cough came again. “The flowers
smellwonderful,buttheybothermylungswhenIspendtoomuchtimewiththem.”

Hescowled.“Thenwhyareyououthere?”

She coughed once again. “The house… My father has men repainting the ballroom. The paint

bothersme.”

“Thengoinginsidethefrontofthehouseishardlyasolution,isit?”

Shetriedtoclearherthroatenoughtoanswerhim,butthickmucuswasallbutchokingher.

Eduardothrewhiscigardownandswunggracefullyoutofthesaddle.Secondslater,heliftedher

intohisarms.

“Eduardo!” she cried, shocked at the unaccustomed familiarity, the strength and hard warmth of

those arms around her. She could see his eyes far too closely, feel his warm breath at her temple,
touch,ifshewished,thehard,cruelcurveofhisbeautifulmouth....

“Calmarte,” he murmured softly, searching her taut face. “I mean only to take you in through the

kitchentotheconservatory.Therearenobloomingplantstheretocauseyoudiscomfort.”Heshook
hergently.“Putyourarmsaroundmyneck,Bernadette.Don’tlielikealogagainstme.”

Sheshiveredandobeyedhim,secretlyallbutswooningatthepurejoyofbeingsoclosetohim.He

smelled of leather and exotic cologne, a secret, intimate smell that wasn’t noticeable at a distance.
Oddly,itdidn’tdisturbherlungsassomescentsdid.

Shelaidhercheekgingerlyagainsthisshoulderandclosedhereyeswithatinysighthatshehoped

hewouldn’thear.Itwasallofheaventobecarriedbyhim.Shehadn’tdreamedofsuchanunexpected
pleasurecomingtoheroutoftheblue.

Hisstrong,hardarmsseemedtocontractforaninstant.Then,alltoosoon,theyreachedthekitchen.

He put her down, opened the door and coaxed her through it. Maria was in the kitchen making a
chickendishforthemiddaymeal.Sheglancedup,flusteredtoseetheirlandedneighborinsideher
ownkitchenwithhishatrespectfullyinhishand.

“SeñorConde!Whatanhonor!”Mariagasped.

“IamonlyMr.Ramirez,Maria,”hesaidwithanaffectionatesmile.

She made a gesture. “You are el conde to me. My son continues to please you with his work, I

hope?”

“Yoursonisamasterwithunbrokenhorses,”hesaidinrarepraise.“Iamfortunatetohavehimat

theranch.”

“Heisequallyfortunatetoserveyou,SeñorConde.”

Obviously, Eduardo thought, he wasn’t destined to have much luck in persuading Maria to stop

usinghistitle.

Bernadettetriedtosmile,butthecoughcameback,worsethanever.

“Ay,ay,ay,”Mariasaid,shakingherhead.“Again,itistheflowers,andIfussandfussbutyouwill

notlisten!”

“Strong coffee, Maria, black and strong,” Eduardo instructed. “You will bring it to the

conservatory,yes?AndtheninformSeñorBarronthatIamhere?”

“Butofcourse!Heisinthebarnwithanewfoal,buthewillreturnshortly.”

“ThenIwillfindhimmyself,onceIhavemadeBernadettecomfortable.Iampressedfortime.”He

took Bernadette’s arm and propelled her down the long, tiled hall to a sunny room where green
plants, but no flowering ones, grew in profusion and a water garden flourished in its glassed-in
confines.

Shesatdownwithherfaceinherhands,strugglingtobreathe.

Hemutteredsomethingandkneltbeforeher,hishandscapturinghers.“Breatheslowly,Bernadette.

Slowly.”Hishandspressedhersfirmly.“Trynottopanic.Itwillpass,asitalwaysdoes.”

She tried, but it was an effort. Her tired eyes met his and she was surprised again at the concern

there.Howveryoddthatherenemyseemedattimes like her best friend. And how much more odd
thatheseemedtoknowexactlywhattodoforherasthma.Shesaiditaloudwithoutthinking.

“Yes,wedofightsometimes,don’twe?”hemurmured,searchingherface.“Butthewoundsalways

heal.”

“Notallofthem.”

Hiseyebrowslifted.

“Yousayharshthingswhenyou’reangry,”sheremindedhim,avertinghereyes.

“AndwhathaveIsaid,mostrecently,thatpiquesyou?”

She shifted restlessly, unwilling to recall the blistering lecture she’d received from him after her

unfortunateridewithCharles.

Hetiltedherfacebacktohis.“Tellme.”

“Youcan’tremember?”sheaskedmutinously.

“Isaidthatyouhadnojudgmentaboutmen,”herecalled.“Andthatitwasjustaswellthat…”His

mouthclosedabruptly.

“Iseethatyoudoremember,”shemutteredirritably,avoidinghisdark,unblinkinggaze.

“Bernadette,” he began softly, pressing her hands more gently, and choosing his words very

carefully, calculatingly, “didn’t you realize that the words were more frustration than accusation? I
barelyarrivedintimetosaveyoufromthatlout,andIwasupset.”

“Itwascruel.”

“Anduntrue,”headded.“Comeon,lookatme.”

Shedid,stillrecalcitrantandresentful.

Heleanedforward,hisbreathwarmonherlipsashespoke.“Isaiditwasjustaswellthatyouhad

moneyasyouhadsofewattributesphysicallywithwhichtotemptaman.”

Shestartedtospeak,buthisglovedfingerpressedhardagainstherlipsandstilledthem.“Thesight

of you like that, so disheveled, stirred me,” he said very quietly. “It isn’t a thing that a gentleman
shouldadmit,andIwastakingpainstoconcealwhatIfelt.Ispokeinfrustration.Ididn’tmeantohurt
you.”

Shewashorriblyembarrassednow.“Asifyouropinionofmy…ofmybodymatterstome!”

“Youhavelittleenoughself-esteem,”hecontinued,asifshehadn’tspokenatall.“Itwasunkindof

me to do further damage to it.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it tenderly. “Forgive
me.”

Shetriedtopullherhandaway.“Please…don’tdothat,”shesaidbreathlessly.

Helookedintohereyesandheldthemwithasuddenlyglittery,piercingstare.

“Doesitdisturbyoutofeelmymouthonyourskin,Bernadette?”hechidedverysoftly.

She was terribly uncomfortable and it was showing. The breathlessness now was as much

excitementasasthma,andhisexpressiontoldherthatheknewit.

His thumb smoothed over the back of her hand in a slow, sensuous tracing that made the

breathlessness worse. “You’re far too innocent,” he said huskily. “Like a Spanish maiden cloistered
withherduenna.Youunderstandyourownfeelingsevenlessthanyouunderstandmine.”

“Idon’tunderstandanything,”shechokedout.

“I realize that.” His fingers moved to her mouth and slowly, gently, traced its soft outline in a

silencethatthrobbedwithexcitementanddarkpromise.

It was the first intimate contact she’d ever had with a man and it unnerved her. “Eduardo,” she

whispereduncertainly.

Histhumbpressedhardagainstherlips,partingthem.Somethingflashedinhiseyesashefelther

mouthtrembleunderthesuddenroughcaressofhisthumbbruisingtheinsideofherlipsbackagainst
herteeth.

Shegasped,andhemadeasounddeepinhisthroat,somewherebetweenagroanandagrowl.

Thelaceatherthroatwasshakingwildly.Shesawhiseyesgothereandthen,inexplicably,toher

bodice. His breath drew in sharply. She looked down, curious even through her excitement, to see
whathadbroughtthatsoundfromhislips.

Shesawnothingexceptthesharppointsofhernipplesagainstthefabric,butwhyshouldthatdisturb

him?

Hiseyesmovedbackuptohers.Hisfingerstracedherchinandlifted it. His eyes fell to her soft

mouth. He moved, just enough to bring him so close that she could taste the coffee scent and cigar
smokeonhismouthasithoverednearhers.

Shehadaholdonhisdarkjacket.Shedidn’trealizehowtightaholditwasuntilshebecameaware

ofthecoolclothinherfingers.

“Bernadette,”hewhisperedinatoneshe’dneverheardhimusebefore.Shewasfrozenintime,in

space.Shewantedhismouthtocomedownandcoverhers.Shewantedtotasteit,asshe’dwantedto
so often in the past two years, even as she feared the change that it would bring to their turbulent
relationship. But at the moment, the blood was surging through her veins and she was hungry for
somethingshe’dneverknown.Thelackofrestraintmadeherreckless.

Involuntarily,sheleanedclosertohim,herlipsapproachinghisassheforgotallherupbringingin

theheatofsuddendesire.

Hewastemptedashehadn’tbeeninmanyyears.Hewaspainfullytempted.

Suddenly,hemurmuredsomethingviolentinSpanish,somethingshewascertainhe’dneverhave

given voice to if he’d suspected how fluent she was in Spanish. She’d never told him that she had
learnedhislanguage,forfearofhimknowingthereason—thatshewantedtospeakitbecauseitwas
hisnativetongue.

Hedrewback,hisexpressioncuriouslytautandodd.Hestaredatherwithnarrowedeyesandshe

flushed at her own forward, outrageous behavior and dropped her gaze to his jacket in a flurry of
embarrassment.

Tensionflowedbetweenthemasthesuddensoundofhardshoesontilebrokethepregnantsilence

likepistolshots.Eduardomovedawayfromher to the window and grasped the thick curtain in his
leanhandasMariacamethroughtheopendoorwaycarryingasilvertray.

***

WAS

LOOKING

,notattheoccupantsoftheroom,soBernadettehadafewprecioussecondsto

composeherself.Herhandsstillshookbadly,butshemanagedtoclasptheminherlapwhileMaria
putthecupsandsaucersalongwithapitcherofcreamandasugardishonthetableagainstthewall.
Shepouredthickcoffeeintothecupsandthenlaidnapkinsandspoonsbesidethem.Bythetimeshe
broughtthecoffeetoBernadette,theyoungerwomanwaspalebutsmiling.“Thankyou,Maria,”she
saidhoarsely,andtriedtosipthehotcoffee,almostburninghermouthintheprocess.

“Thisdiseaseofthelungsissomethingyoumustbecarefulabout,niña,”Mariasaidfirmly.“You

musttakebettercareofyourself.Isthisnotso,SeñorConde?”

He turned from the window and faced them with his usual composure. “Yes, it is,” he agreed,

althoughhisvoicesoundedhuskierthanusual.“Willyoustaywithher,Maria?”headdedcurtly.“I’ll
gofindherfathermyself.There’ssomethingIneedtodiscusswithhim.”

“Doyounotwantyourcoffee?”sheasked,surprised.

“Not at the moment, graçias.” He barely glanced at Bernadette. With a courteous nod, he left the

room.

“Whatoddbehavior,”Mariamurmured.

Bernadettedidn’tsayaword.She’dshamedherselfsobadlythatshewonderedifshe’deverbeable

tolookEduardointheeyeagain.Whycouldn’tshehavecontrolledherwildheartbeat,herscantbut
rapidbreathing,when he was so close? How could she have leaned so close to him, as if she were
begginghimtokissher?

Shegroanedaloud,andMariahoveredworriedly.“I’mallright,”sheassuredtheservant.“It’sjust

that…thatthecoffeeishot,”shesaidfinally.

“Thisisso,butitwillhelpyourlungs,”Mariacoaxedwithasmile.

Yes,itwouldhelpthelungs.Strongblackcoffeeoftenstoppedanattackofasthmastone-cold.

Butitwasn’tgoingtodomuchfortherenegadeheartthatwasbeatinglikeadruminherchestor

theshameshe’dbroughtonherselfinamomentofungovernedpassion.

AmazingthatshecouldfeelsuchemotionswithEduardo.Hedidn’tevenwanther.Butifhedidn’t,

thenwhyhadhecomesoclose,spokensoseductively? It was the first time since she’d known him
thathe’deverbehavedinthatwaywithher.Theyfoughtconstantly.Butthereweretimeswhenhehad
beentenderwithher,concernedforher,asevenherownfatherwasn’t.Butthis,today,wasdifferent.
He’d treated her for the first time as a woman he desired. It gave her an extraordinary feeling of
power,ofmaturity.

Sheletherselfdream,foraspaceofseconds,thathefeltthesamehelplessattractionforherthatshe

feltforhim.Onlyadream,butsosweet!

ISBN:9781459244443

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publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the
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Document Outline

Cover
Back Cover Text
Praise
Booklist
Title Page
Dear Reader
Dedication
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Excerpt
Copyright

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