Lionhearted

Prologue

Leo Hart felt alone in the world. The last of his bachelor brothers, Rey, had gotten married and
movedoutofthehousealmostayearago.ThatleftLeo,alone,withanar-thritichousekeeperwho
came in two days a week and threatened to retire every day. If she did, Leo would be left without a
biscuit to his name, or even a hope of getting another one unless he went to a restaurant every
morningforbreakfast.Consideringhisworkschedule,thatwasim-practical.

Heleanedbackintheswivelchairathisdeskintheofficehenowsharedwithnoone.Hewashappy
forhisbrothers.Mostofthemhadfamiliesnow,exceptnewlymarriedRey.SimonandTirahadtwo
littleboys.CagandTesshadaboy.CorriganandDoriehadaboyandababygirl.Whenhelooked
back,Leorealizedthatwomenhadbeenamissingcommodityinhislifeoflate.ItwaslateSeptember.
Roundup was just over, and there had been so much going on at the ranch, with business, that he'd
hardlyhadtimeforanightout.Hewasfeelingit.

Evenasheconsideredhisloneliness,thephonerang.

"Whydon'tyoucomeoverforsupper?"Reyaskedwhenhepickedupthereceiver.

"Listen,"Leodrawled,grinning,"youdon'tinviteyourbrotherovertodinneronyourhoneymoon."

"WegotmarriedafterChristmaslastyear,"Reypointedout

"LikeIsaid,you'restillonyourhoneymoon,"cametheamusedreply."Thanks.ButI'vegottoomuch
todo."

"Workdoesn'tmakeupforalovelife."

"You'dknow,"Leochuckled.

"Okay.Buttheinvitation'sopen,wheneveryouwanttoacceptit."

"Thanks.Imeanit."

"Sure."

Thelinewentdead.Leoputthereceiverdownandstretchedhugely,bunchingthehardmusclesinhis
upperarms.Hewasthebossasmuchashisbrothersontheirfiveranchproperties,buthedidalotof
thedailyphysicallaborthatwentwithcattleraising,andhistall,powerfulbodywasevidenceofit.He
wonderedsometimesifhedidn'tworkthathardtokeepdeep-buriedneedsatbay.Inhisyoungerdays,
womenhadflockedaroundhim,andhehadn'tbeenslowtoacceptsensualinvitations.Buthewasin
histhirtiesnow,andcasualinterludeswerenolongersatisfying.

He'd planned to have a quiet weekend at home, but Marilee Morgan, a close friend of Janie
Brewster's,hadcajoledhimintotakingheruptoHoustonfordinnerandtoseeaballetshehadtickets
for.Hewaspartialtoballet,andMarileeexplainedthatshecouldn'tdriveherselfbecausehercarwas

in the shop. She was easy on the eyes, and she was sophisticated. Not that Leo was tempted to let
himselfbefinagledintoanysortofintimacywithher.Hedidn'twanthercarryingtalesofhisprivate
lifetoJanie,whohadanobviousanduncomfortablecrushonhim.

HeknewthatMarileewouldneverhaveaskedhimtotakeheranyplaceinJacobsville,Texas,because
itwasasmalltownandnewsofthedatewouldinevitablygetbacktoJanie.Itmighthelpshowthegirl
thatLeowasafreeagent,butitwouldn'thelphisfriendshipwithFredBrewstertoknowthatLeowas
playingfastandloosewithJanie'sbestfriend.Somebestfriend,hethoughtprivately.

ButtakingMarileeoutwouldhaveonereallygoodcon-sequence—itwouldgethimoutofadinner
date at the Brewsters' house. He and Fred Brewster were friends and business associates, and he
enjoyed the time he spent with the older man. Well, except for two members of his family, he
amended darkly. He didn't like Fred's sister, Lydia. She was a busybody who had highfalutin ideas.
Fortunately, she was hardly ever around and she didn't live with Fred. He had mixed feelings about
Fred'sdaughterJanie,whowastwenty-oneandbristlingwithpsychologyadviceafterhergraduation
from a junior college in that subject. She'd made Cag furious with her analyses of his food
preferences, and Leo was becoming adept at avoiding invitations that would put him in her line of
fire.

Notthatshewasbadlooking.Shehadlong,thicklightbrownhairandaneatlittlefigure.Butshealso
hadacrushonLeo,whichwasveryvisible.Heconsideredhertotallyunacceptableasaplaymatefor
amanhisage,andheknockedbackherattemptsatflirtingwithlazyskill.He'dknownhersinceshe
wastenandwearingbracesonherteeth.Itwashardtogetthatimageoutofhismind.

Besides,shecouldn'tcook.Herrubberchickendinnerswereinfamouslocally,andherbiscuitscould
beclassifiedaslethalweapons.

ThinkingaboutthosebiscuitsmadehimpickupthephoneanddialMarilee.

Shewascurtwhenshepickedupthephone,buttheminutehespoke,hervoicesoftened.

"Well,hello,Leo,"shesaidhuskily.

"WhattimedoyouwantmetopickyouupSaturdaynight?"

Therewasafainthesitation."Youwon't,uh,mentionthistoJanie?"

"IhaveaslittlecontactwithJanieasIcan.Youknowthat,"hesaidimpatiently.

"Justchecking,"sheteased,butshesoundedworried."I'llbereadytoleaveaboutsix."

"SupposeIpickyouupatfiveandwe'llhavesupperinHoustonbeforetheballet?"

"Wonderful!I'lllookforwardtoit.Seeyouthen."

"Seeyou."

Hehungup,butpickedupthereceiveragainanddialedtheBrewsters'number.

Asluckwouldhaveit,Janieanswered.

"Hi,Janie,"hesaidpleasantly.

"Hi,Leo,"sherepliedbreathlessly."WanttotalktoDad?"

"You'lldo,"hereplied."IhavetocancelfordinnerSaturday.I'vegotadate."

Therewasthefaintestpause.Itwasalmostimperceptible."Isee."

"Sorry,butit'salong-standingone,"helied."Ican'tgetoutofit.IforgotwhenIacceptedyourdad's
invitation.

Canyougivehimmyapologies?"

"Ofcourse,"shetoldhim."Haveagoodtime."

Shesoundedstrange.Hehesitated."Somethingwrong?"heasked.

"Nothingatall!Nicetalkingtoyou,Leo.Bye."

JanieBrewsterhungupandclosedhereyes,sickwithdisappointment.She'dplannedaperfectmenu.
She'd practiced all week on a special chicken dish that was tender and succulent. She'd practiced an
exquisitecremebruleeaswell,whichwasLeo'sfavoritedessert.Shecouldevenusethelittletoolto
caramelizethesugartopping,whichhadtakenawhiletoperfect.Allthatwork,andfornothing.

She'd have been willing to bet that Leo hadn't had a date for that night already. He'd made one
deliberately,togetoutoftheengagement.

Shesatdownbesidethehalltable,herapronalmoststiffwithflour,herfacewhitewithdustingsofit,
herhairdisheveled.Shewasanythingbutthepictureofaperfectdate.Andwasn'titjustherluck?For
the past year, she'd mounted a real campaign to get Leo to notice her. She'd flirted with him
shamelessly at Micah Steele's wedding to Callie Kirby, until a stabbing scowl had turned her shy. It
had angered him that she'd caught the bouquet Callie had thrown. It had embarrassed her that he
glaredsoangrilyather.Monthslater,she'dtried,shyly,everywileshehadonhim,withnosuccess.
She couldn't cook and she was not much more than a fashion plate, according to her best friend,
Marilee, who was trying to help her catch Leo. Marilee had plenty of advice, things Leo had
mentionedthathedidn'tlikeaboutJanie,andJaniewastryingherbesttoimproveintheareashe'd
mentioned.Shewasevenoutontheranchforthefirsttimeinherlife,tryingtogetusedtohorsesand
cattleanddustanddirt.Butifshecouldn'tgetLeotothehousetoshowhimhernewskills,shedidn't
havealotofhope.

"Whowasthatonthephone?"Hettie,theirhousekeeper,calledfromthestaircase."WasitMr.Fred?"

"No.ItwasLeo.Hecan'tcomeSaturdaynight.He'sgotadate."

"Oh."Hettiesmiledsympathetically."Therewillbeotherdinners,darlin'."

"Ofcoursetherewill,"Janiesaidandsmiledback.Shegotoutofthechair."Well,I'lljustmakeitfor
youandmeandDad,"shesaid,withdisappointmentplaininhervoice.

"It isn't as if Leo has any obligation to spend his weekends with us, just because he does a lot of
businesswithMr.Fred,"Hettieremindedhergently."He'sagoodman.Alittleoldforyou,though,"
sheaddedhesitantly.

Janiedidn'tanswerher.Shejustsmiledandwalkedbackintothekitchen.

Leo showered, shaved, dressed to the hilt and got into the new black Lincoln sports car he'd just
bought. Next year's model, and fast as lightning. He was due for a night on the town. And missing
Janie'sfamousrubberchickenwasn'tgoingtodisappointhimonebit.

Hisconsciencedidnaghim,though,oddly.MaybeitwasjusthearingJanie'sfriend,Marilee,harpon
thegirlallthetime.Inthepastweek,she'dstartedtellinghimsomedisturbingthingsthatJaniehad
saidabouthim.HewasgoingtohavetobemorecarefularoundJanie.Hedidn'twanthertogetthe
wrongidea.Hehadnointerestinheratall.Shewasjustakid.

HeglancedinthelightedmirroroverthesteeringwheelbeforeheleftthesprawlingHartRanch.He
hadthickblond-streakedbrownhair,abroadforehead,aslightlycrookednoseandhighcheekbones.
Buthisteethweregoodandstrong,andhehadasquarejawandanicewidemouth.Hewasn'tallthat
handsome,butcomparedtomostofhisbrothers,hewasahunk.Hechuckledatthatrareconceitand
closedthemirror.Hewasrichenoughthathislooksdidn'tmatter.

Hedidn'tfoolhimselfthatMarileewouldhavefoundhimallthatattractivewithouthisbankroll.But
shewasprettyandhedidn'tmindtakinghertoHoustonandshowingheroff,likethefishingtrophies
he displayed on the walls of his study. A man had to have his little vanities, he told himself. But he
thoughtaboutJanie'sdisappointmentwhenhedidn'tshowupforsupper,herpainifsheeverfound
outherbestfriendwasstabbingherintheback,andhehatedtheguilthefelt.

Heputonhisseatbelt,putthecaringear,andtookoffdownthelongdriveway.Hedidn'thaveany
reasontofeelguilty,hetoldhimselffirmly.Hewasabachelor,andhe'dneverdoneonesinglething
togiveJanieBrewstertheimpressionthathewantedtobethemaninherlife.Besides,he'dbeenon
hisowntoolong.AculturaleveninginHoustonwasjustthethingtocuretheblues.

ChapterOne

LeoHartwashalfoutofhumor.Ithadbeenalongweekasitwas,andnowhewasfacedwithtrying
to comfort his neighbor, Fred Brewster, who'd just lost the prize young Salers bull that Leo had
wantedtobuy.Thebullwastheoffspringofagrandchampionwhosepurchasehadfiguredlargelyin
Leo'simprovedcross-breedingprogram.HefeltassadasFredseemedto.

"He was fine yesterday," Fred said heavily, wiping sweat off his narrow brow as the two men
surveyedthebullinthepasture.Thehugecreaturewaslyingdeadonitsside,notamarkonit."I'm
nottheonlyrancherwho'severlostaprizebull,butthesearedamnedsuspiciouscircumstances."

"Theyare,"Leoagreedgrimly,hisdarkeyessurveyingthebull."It'sjustathought,butyouhaven't
had a problem with an employee, have you? Christabel Gaines said they just had a bull die of
unknowncauses.ThishappenedaftertheyfiredamannamedJackClarkacoupleofweeksago.He's
workingforDukeWrightnow,drivingacattletruck."

"Judd Dunn said it wasn't unknown causes that killed the bull, it was bloat. Judd's a Texas Ranger,"
Fredremindedhim."Iftherewassabotageontheranchheco-ownswithChristabel,Ithinkhe'dknow
it.No,Christabelhadthatyoungbullinapasturewithalotofcloverandshehadn'tprimedhimon
hay or tannin-containing forage beforehand. She won't use antibiotics, either, which would have
helpedpreventtrouble.Evenso,youcantreatbloatifyoucatchitintime.Itwasbadluckthatthey
didn't check that pasture, but Christabel's shorthanded and she's back at the vocational school full-
time,too.Notmuchtimetocheckonlivestock."

"Theyhadfourotherbullsthatwerestillalive,"Leopointedout,scowling.

Fred shrugged. "Maybe they didn't like clover, or weren't in the same pasture." He shook his head.
"I'mfairlysuretheirbulldiedofbloat.That'swhatJuddthinks,anyway.HesaysChristabel'sunsettled
byhavingthosemoviepeoplecomingnextmonthtoworkoutashootingscheduleontheranchand
she'stheonlyonewhothinkstherewasfoulplay."Fredrubbedahandthroughhissilverhair."Butto
answer your question—yes, I did wonder about a disgruntled ex-employee, but I haven't fired
anybody in over two years. So you can count out vengeance. And it wasn't bloat. My stock gets
antibiotics."

"Don'tsaythatoutloud,"Leochuckled."IftheTremayneshearyou,there'llbeafight."

"It's my ranch. I run it my way." Fred looked sadly toward the bull again. He was having financial
woesthelikesofwhichhe'dneverfaced.HewastooproudtotellLeotheextentofit.“Thisbullisa
hell of a loss right now, too, with my breeding program under way. He wasn't insured, so I can't
afford to replace him. Well, not just yet," he amended, because he didn't want Leo to think he was
nearlybroke.

"That'soneproblemwecansolve,"Leoreplied."I'vegotthatbeautifulSalersbullIboughttwoyears
ago, but it's time I replaced him. I'd have loved to have had yours, but while I'm looking for a
replacement,youcanborrowmineforyourbreedingseason."

"Leo, I can't let you do that," Fred began, overwhelmed by the offer. He knew very well what that
bull'sservicescost

Leoheldupabighandandgrinned."Sureyoucan.I'vegotanangle.Igetfirstpickofyouryoung
bullsnextspring."

"You devil, you," Fred said, chuckling. "All right, all right. On that condition, I'll take him and be
muchobliged.

ButI'dfeelbetteriftherewasamansittingupwithhimatnighttoguardhim."

Leostretchedsoremuscles,pushinghisStetsonbackoverhisblond-streakedbrownhair.Itwaslate
September,butstillveryhotinJacobsville,whichwasinsoutheasternTexas.He'dbeenhelpingmove
bullsallmorning,andhewastired."Wecantakecareofsecurityforhim,"Leosaideasily."I'vegot
twocowboysbangedupinaccidentswhocan'tworkcattle.They'restillonmypayroll,sotheycansit
overhereandguardmybullwhiletheyrecuperate."

"Andwe'llfeedthem,"Fredsaid.

Leochuckled."Nowthat'swhatIcallarealnicesolu-tion.Oneofthem,"heconfided,"eatsforthree
men."

"Iwon'tmind."Hiseyeswentbacktothestillbullonemoretime."Hewasthebestbull,Leo.Ihadso
manyhopesforhim."

"Iknow.Butthereareotherchampion-siredSalersbulls,"Leosaid.

"Sure.Butnotonelikethatone,"hegesturedtowardtheanimal."Hehadsuchbeautifulconformation
—"Hebrokeoffasamovementtoonesidecaughthisattention.Heturned,leanedforwardandthen
gapedathisapproachingdaughter."Janie?"heasked,asifhewasn'tsureofheridentity.

JanieBrewsterhadlightbrownhairandgreeneyes.

She'dtriedgoingblondonce,butthesedaysherhairwasitsnaturalcolor.Straight,thickandsleek,it
hungtoherwaist.Shehadanicefigure,alittleontheslenderside,andprettylittlepertbreasts.She
evenhadnicelegs.

Butanyonelookingatherrightnowcouldbeforgivenformistakingherforayoungbullrider.

Shewascoveredwithmudfromheadtotoe.Evenherhairwascakedwithit.Shehadasaddleover
onethinshoulder,leaningforwardtotakeitsweight.Theseparationbetweenherbootsandjeanswas
imperceptible.Herblouseandarmswerelikewise.Onlyhereyeswerevisible,hereyebrowsstreaked
wherethemudhadbeenhaphazardlywipedaway.

"Hi,Daddy,"shemutteredasshewalkedpastthemwithaforcedsmile."Hi,Leo.Niceday."

Leo's dark eyes were wide-open, like Fred's. He couldn't even manage words. He nodded, and kept
gapingatthemuddollwalkingpast.

"Whathaveyoubeendoing?"Fredshoutedafterhisonlychild.

"Justridingaround,"shesaidgaily.

"Riding around," Fred murmured to himself as she trailed mud onto the porch and stopped there,
callingfortheirhousekeeper."Ican'trememberthelasttimeIsawheronahorse,"headded.

"NeithercanI,"Leowasforcedtoadmit.

Fredshookhishead."Shehasthesespellslately,"hesaidabsently."Firstitwasbalinghay.Shewent
out with four of the hands and came home covered in dust and thorns. Then she took up dipping
cattle."Heclearedhisthroat."Bettertoforgetthataltogether.Nowit'sriding.Idon'tknowwhatthe
hell's got into her. She was all geared up to transfer to a four-year college and get on with her
psychologydegree.Thenallofasudden,sheannouncesthatshe'sgoingtolearnranching."Hethrew
uphishands."I'llneverunderstandchildren.Willyou?"

heaskedLeo.

Leochuckled."Don'taskme.FatherhoodisoneroleinlifeIhavenodesiretoplay.Listen,aboutmy
bull,"hecontinued."I'llhavehimtruckedrightover,andthemenwillcomewithhim.Ifyouhaveany
moreproblems,youjustletmeknow."

Fredwasrelieved.TheHartsownedfiveranches.No-bodyhadmorecloutthantheydid,politically
andfinancially.Theloanofthatbullwouldhelphimrecouphislossesandgetbackonhisfeet.Leo
wasagentleman."I'mdamnedgrateful,Leo.We'vebeenhavinghardtimeslately."

Leo only smiled. He knew that the Brewsters were hav-ing a bad time financially. He and Fred had
swappedandtradedbullsforyears—althoughlessexpensiveonesthanFred'sdeadSalersbull—and
theyfrequentlydidbusinesstogether.Hewasgladhecouldhelp.

HedidwonderaboutJanie'soddbehavior.She'dspentweekstryingtovamphimwithlow-cutblouses
anddresses.ShewasalwaysaroundwhenhecametoseeFredonbusiness,waitinginthelivingroom
inaseductivepose.NotthatJanieevenknewhowtobeseductive,hetoldhimselfamusedly.Shewas
twenty-one,buthardlyintheclasswithherfriendMarileeMorgan,whowasonlyfouryearsolder
thanJaniebutcouldgiveMataHarilessonsinseduction.

HewonderedifMarileehadbeencoachingherintorn-boyishantics.Thatwouldbeamusing,because
latelyMarileehadbeenusingJanie'stacticsonhim.Theformertom-boy-turned-debutantehadeven
finagled him into taking her out to eat in Houston. He wondered if Janie knew. Sometimes friends
could become your worst enemy, he thought. Luckily Janie only had a crush on him, which would
wear itself out all the faster once she knew he had gone out with her best friend. Janie was far too
youngforhim,andnotonlyinage.Thesoonersherealizedit,thebetter.Besides,hedidn'tlikeher
newcompetitivespirit.Whywasshetryingtocompetewithherfatherinranchmanagementallofa
sudden? Was it a liberation thing? She'd never shown any such inclination before, and her new

appearance was appalling. The one thing Leo had admired about her was the elegance and
sophisticationwithwhichshedressed.Janieinmuddyjeanswasacompleteturnoff.

HeleftFredatthepastureanddrovebacktotheranch,hismindalreadyonwaysandmeanstofind
outwhathadcausedthathealthybull'ssuddendemise.

Janiewaslisteningtotheirhousekeeper'stiradethroughthebathroomdoor.

"I'llcleanitallup,Hettie,"shepromised."It'sjustdirt.Itwillcomeout."

"It'sredmud!Itwillnevercomeout!"Hettiewasgrumbling."You'llberedfromheadtotoeforever!
People will mistake you for that nineteenth-century Kiowa, Sa-tanta, who painted everything he
ownedred,evenhishorse!"

Janielaughedasshestrippedofftherestofherclothesandsteppedintotheshower.Besidesbeinga
keenstudentofWesternhistory,Hettiewasallfireandwind,andshe'dblowoutsoon.Shewassucha
sweetheart.

Janie's mother had died years ago, leaving behind Janie and her father and Hettie—and Aunt Lydia
who lived in Jacobsville. Fortunately, Aunt Lydia only visited infrequently. She was so very house-
proud, so clothes conscious, so debutante! She was just like Janie's late mother, in fact, who had
raised Janie to be a little flower blossom in a world of independent, strong women. She spared a
thought for her mother's horror if she could have lived long enough to see what her daughter had
wornatcollege.There,whereshecouldbeherself,Janiedidn'tweardesignerdressesandhangout
withtherightsocialgroup.Janiestudiedanthropology,aswellasthepsychologyherauntLydiahad
insistedon—andfeltfreetoinsist,sinceshehelpedpayJanie'stuition.

ButJaniespentmostofherweekendsandafternoonsburiedinmud,learninghowtodigoutfragile
piecesofancientpotteryandprojectilepoints.

Butshe'dgoneonwiththepretensewhenshewashome—whenAuntLydiawasvisiting,ofcourse—
proving her worth at psychology. Sadly, it had gone awry when she psychoanalyzed Leo's brother
Callaghan last year over the asparagus. She'd gone to her room howling with laughter after Aunt
Lydia had hung on every word approvingly. She was sorry she'd embarrassed Cag, but the impulse
hadbeenirresistible.Herauntwassogullible.She'dfeltguiltyafterward,though,fornottellingAunt
Lydiahertrueinterests.

Shefinishedhershower,driedoff,andchangedintonewclothessothatshecouldstartcleaningup
thefloorswhereshe'dtrackedmud.Despitehercomplaints,Hettiewouldhelp.Shedidn'treallymind
housework.NeitherdidJanie,althoughherlatemotherwouldbehorrifiedifshecouldseeheronly
childonthefloorwithascrubbrushalongsideHettie'samplefigure.

Janie helped with everything, except cooking. Her ex-pertise in the kitchen was, to put it mildly,
nonexistent.

But, she thought, brightening, that was the next thing on her list of projects. She was undergoing a

majorself-improvement.Firstshewasgoingtolearnranching—evenifitkilledher—andthenshe
wasgoingtolearntocook.

Shewishedthistransformationhadbeenheridea,butactually,ithadbeenMarilee's.Theothergirl
hadtoldher,inconfidence,thatshe'dbeentalkingtoLeoandLeohadtoldherflatlythatthereasonhe
didn't notice Janie was that she didn't know anything about ranching. She was too well-dressed, too
chic,toosophisticated.Andtheworstthingwasthatshedidn'tknowanythingaboutcooking,either,
Marileeclaimed.SoifJaniewantedtolandthatbig,hunkyfish,shewasgoingtohavetomakesome
majorchanges.

Itsoundedlikeagoodplan,andMarileehadbeenherfriendsincegrammarschool,whentheMorgan
familyhadmovednextdoor.SoJanieacceptedMarilee'sadvicewithgreatpleasure,knowingthather
bestfriendwouldneversteerherwrong.Shewasgoingtostayhome—notgobacktocollege—and
shewasgoingtoshowLeoHartthatshecouldbethesortofwomanwhoappealedtohim.She'dwork
sohardatit,she'dhavetosucceed!

Not that her attempts at riding a horse were anything to write home about, she had to admit as she
moppedherwaydownthelongwoodenfloorofthehall.Butshewasarancher'sdaughter.She'dget
betterwithpractice.

Shedidkeeptrying.Aweeklater,shewasmakingbiscuitsinthekitchen—ortryingtolearnhow—
whenshedroppedthepaperflourbaghardonthecounterandwasdustedfromheadtotoewiththe
whitesubstance.

ItwouldhavetobejustthatminutethatherfathercameinthebackdoorwithLeointow.

"Janie?"herfatherexclaimed,wide-eyed.

"Hi,Dad!"shesaidwithabiggrin."Hi,Leo."

"Whatinblazesareyoudoing?"herfatherdemanded.

"Puttingtheflourinacanister,"shelied,stillsmiling.

"Where'sHettie?"heasked.

Their housekeeper was hiding in the bedroom, suppos-edly making beds, and trying not to howl at
Janie'spitifulefforts."Cleaning,Ibelieve,"shesaid.

"AuntLydianotaround?"

"PlayingbridgewiththeHarrisons,"shesaid.

"Bridge!"herfatherscoffed."Ifitisn'tbridge,it'sgolf.Ifitisn'tgolf,it'stennis...Isshecomingover
todaytogooverthosestockswithmeornot?"hepersisted,becausetheyjointlyownedsomeofhis
latewife'ssharesandcouldn'tsellthemwithoutLydia'spermission.Ifhecouldeverfindtheblasted

woman!

"Shesaidshewasn'tcomingoveruntilSaturday,Dad,"Janieremindedhim.

Heletoutanangrysigh."Well,comeon,Leo,I'llshowyoutheonesIwanttosellandletyouadvise
me.

They'reinmydesk...damnbridge!Ican'tdoathinguntilLydiamakesuphermind."

LeogaveJanieacuriousglancebuthekeptwalkinganddidn'tsayanotherwordtoher.Minuteslater,
heleft—

outthefrontdoor,nottheback.

Janie's self-improvement campaign continued into the following week with calf roping, which old
Johnwasteachingheroutinthecorral.Sinceshecouldnowlooptheropearoundapracticewooden
cowwithhorns,shewaspro-gressingtolivestock.

She followed John's careful instruction and tossed her loop over the head of the calf, but she'd
forgottentodigherheelsin.Thecalfhadn't.Hejerkedheroffherfeetandproceededtorunaround
theringlikeawildthing,tryingtogetawayfromthehumanslitheringafterhimatabreak-neckpace.

Ofcourse,LeowoulddriveupnexttothecorralintimetoseeJohncatchandthrowthecalf,leaving
Janiecoveredinmud.Shelookedlikearoaddisaster.

ThistimeLeodidn'tspeak.Hewastoobusylaughing.Janiecouldn'tspeak,either,hermouthwasfull
ofmud.

She gave both men a glare and stomped off toward the back door of the house, trailing mud and
unspeakablestuff,fum-ingthewholewhile.

A bath and change of clothes improved her looks and her smell. She was resigned to finding Leo
gonewhenshegotout,soshedidn'tbothertodressuporputonmakeup.Shewanderedouttothe
kitcheninjeansandalooselong-sleeveddenimshirt,withherhairinalopsidedponytailandherfeet
bare.

"You'llsteponsomethingsharpandcrippleyourself,"Hettiewarned,turningfromthecounterwhere
shewasmakingrolls,heramplearmsuptheelbowsinflour.

"I have tough feet," Janie protested with a warm smile. She went up and hugged Hettie hard from
behind, loving the familiar smells of freshly washed cotton and flour that seemed to cling to her.
HettiehadbeenaroundsinceJaniewassix.Shecouldn'timaginelifewithoutthegray-haired,blue-
eyedtreasurewithherconstantlydisheveledhairandworriedexpression."Oh,Hettie,whatwouldwe
dowithoutyou?"sheaskedonasigh,andclosedhereyes.

"Getaway,youpest,"Hettiemuttered,"Iknowwhatyou'reupto...JanieBrewster,I'llwhackyou!"

ButJaniewasalreadyoutofreach,danglingHettie'sapronfromonehand,hergreeneyesdancing
withmischief.

"Youputthatbackonmeoryou'llgetnorollstonight!"Hettieragedather.

"Allright,allright,Iwasonlykidding,"Janiechuckled.ShereplacedtheapronaroundHettie'sgirth
andwasfasteningitwhensheheardthedooropenbehindher.

"Youstopteachingherthesetricks!"Hettiegrowledatthenewcomer.

"Who,me?"Leoexclaimedwithtotalinnocence.

Janie'shandsfumbledwiththeapron.Herheartranwild.Hehadn'tleft.She'dthoughthewasgone,
andshehadn'tbotheredwithherappearance.Hewasstillhere,andshelookedlikelastyear'sroast!

"You'lldropthatapron,Janie,"Leoscoldedplayfully.

Janie glanced at him as she retied the apron. "You can talk," she chided. "I hear your housekeepers
keepquittingbecauseyouuntieapronsconstantly!Onekeptabroomhandle!"

"Shebrokeitonmyhardhead,"hesaidsmugly."Whatareyoumaking,Hettie?"

"Rolls,"shesaid.SheglancedwarilyatLeo."Ican'tmakebiscuits.Sorry."

Hegaveherahardglare."JustbecauseIdidsomethingalittleoffbeat..."

"Carried that little chef right out of his restaurant, with him kicking and screaming all the way, I
heard,"Hettiemused,eyestwinkling.

"Hesaidhecouldbakebiscuits.Iwasonlytakinghimhomewithmetolethimproveit,"Leosaid
belligerently.

"That'snotwhathethought,"Hettiechuckled."Ihearhedroppedthecharges...?"

"Nervouslittleguy,"Leosaid,shakinghishead."He'dneverhaveworkedout,anyway."Hegavehera
longlook."Yousureyoucan'tbakeabiscuit?Haveyouevertried?"

"No,andIwon't.Ilikeworkinghere,"shesaidfirmly.

Hesighed."Justchecking."Hepeeredoverhershoulderfondly."Rolls,huh?Ican'trememberwhen
I'vehadahomemaderoll."

"TellFredtoinviteyoutosupper,"Hettiesuggested.

HeglancedatJanie."Whycan'tshedoit?"

Janiewastongue-tied.Shecouldn'tthinkatall.

The lack of response from her dumbfounded Leo. To have Janie hesitate about inviting him for a
meal was shocking. Leo scowled and just stared at her openly, which only made her more nervous
and uncertain. She knew she looked terrible. Leo wanted a woman who could do ranch work and
cook,butsurelyhewantedonewholookedpretty,too.Rightnow,Janiecouldhavequalifiedforthe
FrumpoftheYearaward.

Shebitherlowerlip,hard,andlookedasifshewereabouttocry.

"Hey,"hesaidsoftly,inatonehe'dneverusedwithherbefore,"what'swrong?"

“Have to let this rise," Hettie was murmuring after she'd covered the dough and washed her hands,
oblivioustowhatwashappeningbehindher."MeanwhileI'mgoingtoputanotherloadofclothesin
thewasher,darlin',"shecalledtoJanieoverhershoulder.

Thedoorintothediningroomclosed,buttheydidn'tnotice.

Leo moved closer to Janie, and suddenly his big, lean hands were on her thin shoulders, resting
heavilyoverthesoftdenim.Theywerewarmandverystrong.

Herbreathcaughtinthebackofherthroatwhileshelookedupintoblackeyesthatweren'tteasingor
playful.

Theywereintent,narrow,faintlyglittering.Therewasnoexpressiononhishandsomefaceatall.He
lookedintohereyesasifhe'dneverseenthem,orher,before—andshelookedterrible!

"Comeon,"hecoaxed."Tellmewhat'swrong.Ifit'ssomethingIcanfix,Iwill."

Herlipstrembled.Surely,shecouldmakeupsomething,quick,beforehemovedaway!

"Igothurt,"shewhisperedinashamefullie."Whenthecalfdraggedmearoundthecorral."

"Didyou?"Hewasonlyhalflistening.Hiseyeswereonhermouth.Itwastheprettiestlittlemouth,
likeapinkbow,fullandsoft,justbarelypartedoverperfect,whiteteeth.Hewonderedifshe'dbeen
kissed,andhowoften.

Sheneverseemedtodate,oratleast,hedidn'tknowaboutherboyfriends.Heshouldn'tbecurious,
either,butMarileehadhintedthatJaniehadmoreboyfriendsthanotherlocalgirls,thatshewasareal
rounder.

Janie was melting. Her knees were weak. Any minute, she was going to be a little puddle of love
lookingupathisknees.

Hefeltherquiverunderhishands,andhisscowlgrewdarker.IfshewasassophisticatedasMarilee
said she was, why was she trembling now? An experienced woman would be winding her arms
aroundhisneckalready,offeringhermouth,curvingherbodyintohis...

His fingers tightened involuntarily on her soft arms. "Come here," he said huskily, and tugged her
rightupagainsthistall,muscularbody.OfalltheHarts,hewasthetallest,andthemostpowerfully
builtJanie'sbreastspressedintohisdiaphragm.Shefelthimtautenatthecontact,felthiscuriosityas
he looked down into her wide, soft, dazed eyes. Her hands lightly touched his shirtfront, but
hesitantly,asifitembarrassedhertotouchhimatall.

Heletoutasoftbreath.Hisheadwasspinningwithforbiddenlongings.Janiewasbarelytwenty-one.
Shewasthedaughterofamanhedidbusinesswith.Shewasoff-limits.Sowhywashelookingather
mouthandfeelinghisbodyswellsensuouslyatjustthebrushofhersmallbreastsagainsthim?

"Don't pick at my shirt," he said quietly. His voice was unusually deep and soft, its tone unfamiliar.
"Flattenyourhandsonmychest"

Shedidthat,slowly,asifshewerejustlearninghowtowalk.Herhandswerecoldandnervous,but
theywarmedonhisbody.Shestoodverystill,hopingagainsthopethathewasn'tgoingtoregainthe
senses she was certain he'd momentarily lost. She didn't even want to breathe, to do anything that
woulddistracthim.Heseemedtobeinatrance,andshewasfeelingdreamscometrueinthemost
unexpectedanddelightfulway.

Hesmiledquizzically."Don'tyouknowhow?"

Her lips were dry. She moistened them with just the tip of her tongue. He seemed to find that little
movementfascinating.Hewatchedhermouthalmosthungrily."How...to...dowhat?"shechoked.

Hishandwenttohercheekandhisthumbsuddenlyranroughlyoverherlips,partingtheminawhip
ofurgent,shockingemotion."Howtodothis,"hemurmuredashisheadbentShesawthefaintsmile
onhishardmouthashislipsparted.Theybrushedagainsthersintinylittlewhispersofcontactthat
weren'tnearlyenoughtofeedthehungerhewascoaxingoutofher.

Hernailscurledintohisshirtandhetensed.Shefeltthickhairoverthewarm,hardmusclesofhis
chest.Closer,shefeltthehard,heavythunderofhispulsethere,underhersearchinghands.

"Nice,"hewhispered.Hisvoicewastautnow,likehisbodyagainsther.

She felt his big hands slide down her waist to her hips while he was playing with her mouth in the
mostarousingway.Shecouldn'tbreathe.Didheknow?Couldhetellthatshewasshakingwithdesire?

Her lips parted more with every sensuous brush of his mouth against them. At the same time, his
hands moved to her narrow hips and teased against her lower spine. She'd never felt such strange
sensations.Shefeltherbodyswell,asifithadbeenstungalloverbybees,butthesensationproduced
pleasureinsteadofpain.

He nibbled at her upper lip, feeling it quiver tentatively as his tongue slid under it and began to
explore.Oneleanhandslidaroundtothebaseofherhipsandslowlygatheredthemintohis,inalazy
movementthatmadehersuddenlyawareofthechangingcontoursofhisbody.

Shegaspedandpulledagainsthishand.

He lifted his head and searched her wide, shocked green eyes. "Plenty of boyfriends, hmm?" he
murmuredsarcastically,almosttohimself.

"Boy...friends?"Hervoicesoundedasifshewerebe-ingstrangled.

His hand moved back to her waist, the other one moved to her round chin and his thumb tugged
gently at her lower lip. "Leave it like this," he whispered. His mouth hovered over hers just as it
parted,andshefoundherselfgoingontiptoe,leaningtowardhim,almostbeggingforhismouthto
comedownandcoverhers.

But he was still nibbling at her upper lip, gently toying with it, until he lilted her chin and his teeth
tuggedsoftlyatthelowerlip.Hismouthbrushedroughlyoverhers,teachingittofollow,toplead,
thentodemandsomethingmoreurgent,morethoroughthanthisslowtorment.

Hernailsbitintohischestandshemoaned.

Asifhe'dbeenwaitingpatientlyforthattinylittlesound,hisarmsswallowedherupwholeandhis
eyes,whentheymethers,glitteredlikecandlelightfromdeepinacave.

Hishandwasinherponytail,rippingawaytherubberbandsothathecouldcatchstrandsofitinhis
strongfingersandangleherfacejustwherehewantedit.

"Maybeyouareoldenough..."hebreathedjustbeforehismouthplungeddeeplyintohers.

She tautened all over with heated pleasure. Her body arched against him, no longer protesting the
sudden hard-ness of him against her. She reached up to hold him, to keep that tormenting, hungry
mouthagainstherlips.Itwaseverydreamshe'deverdreamed,comingtrue.Shecouldhardlybelieve
it was happening here, in broad daylight, in the kitchen where she'd been trying so hard to learn to
makethingsthatwouldpleasehim.Butheseemedtobepleased,justthesame.Hegroanedagainsther
lips, and his arms were bruising now, as if he wasn't quite in control. That was exciting. She threw
cautiontothewindsandopenedhermouthdeliberatelyunderthecrushofhis,invitinghimin.

Shefelthistonguegodeepintothesoftdarkness,andsheshiveredashismouthdevouredhers.

Onlythesoundofadoorslammingpenetratedthethicksensualfogthatheldthembothinthrall.

Leoliftedhishead,slowly,andlookeddownintoafacehedidn'trecognize.Janie'sgreeneyeswere
likewetemeraldsinherflushedface.Herlipswereswollen,soft,sensual.Herbodywasclingingto
his.Hehadheroffthefloorinhishungryembrace,andhisbodywasthrobbingwithdesire.

Heknewthatshecouldfeelhim,thatsheknewhewasaroused.Itwasasecretthing,thatonlythetwo
ofthemknew.Ithadtostaythatway.Hehadtostop.Thiswaswrong...!

Heletgoofherslowly,easingherback,whilehesuckedinalong,hardbreathandshiveredwitha
hunger he couldn't satisfy. He became aware of the rough grip he had on her upper arms and he

relaxeditatonce.He'dnevermeanttohurther.

He fought for control, reciting multiplication tables silently in his mind until he felt his body
unclenchandrelax.

Ittroubledhimthathe'dlostcontrolsoabruptly,andwithawomanheshouldneverhavetouched.He
hadn'tmeanttotouchherinthefirstplace.Hecouldn'tunderstandwhyhe'dgoneheadfirstatherlike
that.Hewasusuallycoolwithwomen,especiallywithJanie.

Thewayshewaslookingathimwasdisturbing.Hewasgoingtohavealotofexplainingtodo,and
hedidn'tknowhowtobegin.Janiewasyearstooyoungforhim,onlyhisbodydidn'tthinkso.Now
hehadtomakehismindgethimselfoutofthispredicament.

"Thatshouldn'thavehappened,"hesaidthroughhisteeth.

Shewashangingoneveryword,deaftomeanings,deaftodenials.Herbodythrobbed."It'slikethe
flu,"shesaid,dazed,staringupathim."Itmakesyou...ache."

Heshookhergently."You'retooyoungtohaveaches,"hesaidflatly."AndI'moldenoughtoknow
better than to do something this stupid. Are you listening to me? This shouldn't have happened. I'm
sorry."

Belatedly,sherealizedthathewasbacktracking.Ofcoursehehadn'tmeanttokissher.He'dmadehis
opinion of her clear for years, and even if he liked kissing her, it didn't mean that he was ready to
rushoutandbuyaring.

Quitetheopposite.

Shesteppedawayfromhim,herfacestillflushed,hereyesfullofdreamsshehadtohidefromhim.

"I...I'msorry,too,"shestammered.

"Hell,"hegrowled,ramminghishandsintohispockets."Itwasmyfault.Istartedit."

Shemovedoneshoulder."Noharmdone."Sheclearedherthroatandfoughtforinspiration.Itcame
unexpectedly.Hereyesbegantotwinklewickedly."Ihavetotakelessonswhenthey'reoffered."

Hiseyebrowsshotup.Hadheheardhersaythat,orwashedelusional?

"I'mnot the promqueen," she pointedout. "Men aren't thickon the groundaround here, except old
bachelorswhochewtobaccoanddon'tbathe."

"Icallthatprejudice,"hesaid,relaxingintohumor.

"I'llbetyoudon'thangoutwithwomenwhosmelllikedirtyhorses,"shesaid.

Hepursedhislips.Likehers,theywerefaintlyswollen."Idon'tknowaboutthat.ThelasttimeIsaw

you,Irecall,youwereneck-deepinmudandsh—"

"Youcanstoprightthere!"sheinterrupted,flushing.

Hisdarkeyesstudiedherlonghair,likingitsthickwavesanditslightbrowncolor."Pityyourname
isn'tJeanie,"hemurmured."StephenFosterwroteasongaboutherhair."

Shesmiled.Helikedherhair,atleast.Maybehelikedheralittle,too.

Shewasprettywhenshesmiledlikethat,hethought,observingher."DoIgetinvitedtosupper?"he
drawled,lostinthatsoft,hungrylookshewasgivinghim."Ifyousayyes,Imightconsidergiving
youafewmorelessons.Beginnerclassonly,ofcourse,"headdedwithagrin.

ChapterTwo

Janiewassureshehadn'theardhimsaythat,buthewasstillsmiling.Shesmiledback.Shefeltpretty.
Nomakeup,noshoes,disheveled—andLeohadkissedheranyway.Shebeamed.Atleast,shebeamed
until she remembered the Hart bread mania. Any of them would do anything for a biscuit. Did that
extendtohomemaderolls?

"You'relookingsuspicious,"hepointedout.

"A man who would kidnap a poor little pastry chef might do anything for a homemade roll," she
remindedhim.

Hesighed."Hettiemakeswonderfulrolls,"hehadtoadmit.

"Oh,you!"Shehithimgentlyandthenlaughed.Hewasimpossible."Okay,youcancometosupper."

Hebeamed."You'reanicegirl."

Nice.Well,atleasthelikedher.Itwasastart.Itdidn'toccurtoher,then,thatamanwhowasseriously
interestedinherwouldn'tthinkofherasjust"nice."

Hettiecamebackintotheroom,stilloblivioustotheundercurrents,andgotoutaplasticbowl.She
filled it with English peas from the crisper. "All right, my girl, sit down here and shell these. You
staying?"sheaskedLeo.

"ShesaidIcould,"hetoldHettie."Thenyoucangoawaywhilewegetitcooked."

"I'llvisitmybull.Fred'sgothiminthepasture."Leodidn'tsayanotherword.Butthelookhegave
Janiebeforeheleftthekitchenwaspositivelywicked.

Butifshethoughtthelittleinterludehadmadeanyper-manentdifferenceinherrelationshipwithLeo,
Janiewasdoomedtodisappointment.Hecametosupper,buthespentthewholetimetalkinggenetic
breedingwithFred,andalthoughhewaspolitetoJanie,shemightaswellhavebeenonthemoon.

He didn't stay long after supper, either, making his excuses and praising Hettie for her wonderful
cooking.HesmiledatJanie,butnotthewayhehadwhentheywerealoneinthekitchen.Itwasasif
he'dputthekissesoutofhismindforever,andexpectedhertoactasifhe'dnevertouchedher.Itwas
disheartening.Itwasheartbreaking.Itwasjustlikeoldtimes,exceptthatnowLeohadkissedherand
shewantedhimtodoitagain.

Judgingbyhisattitudeoversupper,shehadabetterchanceoflandingamovierole.

ShespentthenextfewweeksrememberingLeo'shungrykissesandachingformoreofthem.When
she wasn't day-dreaming, she was practicing biscuit-making. Hettie muttered about the amount of
flourshewasgoingthrough.

"Janie,you'regoingtobankruptusinthekitchen!"theolderwomanmoanedwhenJanie'sfifthbatch
ofbiscuitscameoutlookinglikeskeetpigeons."That'syoursecondbagofflourtoday!"

Janiewasgloweringatherlatesteffortonthebakingsheet."Something'swrong,andIcan'tdecide
what.Imean,Iputinsaltandbakingpowder,justliketherecipesaid..."

Hettiepickeduptheemptyflourbagandreadthelabel.Hereyestwinkled."Janie,darlin',youbought
self-risingflour."

"Yes.So?"sheaskedobliviously.

"Ifit'sself-rising,italreadyhasthesaltandbakingpow-derinit,doesn'tit?"

Janieburstoutlaughing."Sothat'swhatI'mdoingwrong!Handmeanotherbagofflour,couldyou?"

"Thisisthelastone,"Hettiesaidmournfully.

"Noproblem.I'lljustdrivetothestoreandgetsomemore.Needanything?"

"Milkandeggs,"Hettiesaidatonce.

"We'vegotfourchickens,"Janieexclaimed,turning,"andyouhavetobuyeggs?"

"Thechickensaremolting."

Janiesmiled."Andwhentheymolt,theydon'tlay.Sorry.Iforgot.I'llbebackinajiffy,"sheadded,
peelingoffherapron.

She paused just long enough to brush her hair out, leaving it long, and put on a little makeup. She
thrustherarmsintohernicefringedleatherjacket,becauseitwasseasonablycooloutsideaswellas
raining, and popped into her red sports car. You never could tell when you might run into Leo,
becausehefrequentlydashedintothesupermarketforfrozenbiscuitsandbutterwhenhewasbetween
cooks.

Sureenough,asshestartedforthecheckoutcounterwithhermilk,eggsandflour,shespottedLeo,
head and shoulders above most of the men present. He was wearing that long brown Australian
drover'scoathefavoredinwetweather,andhewassmilinginafunnysortofway.

ThatwaswhenJanienoticedhiscompanion.Hewasbendingdowntowardaprettylittlebrunettewho
waschat-teringawayathisside.Janiefrowned,becausethatdarkwavyhairwasfamiliar.Andthen
sherealizedwhoitwas.LeowastalkingtoMarileeMorgan!

Sherelaxed.MarileewasherMend.Surely,shewastalkingheruptoLeo.Shealmostrushedforward
to say hello, but what if she interrupted at a crucial moment? There was, after all, the annual
JacobsvilleCattleman'sBallintwoweeks,theSaturdaybeforeThanksgiving.Itwasverylikelythat
MarileewasdroppinghintsrightandleftthatJaniewouldloveLeotoescorther.

Shechuckledtoherself.ShewasluckytohaveafriendlikeMarilee.

IfJaniehadknownwhatMarileewasactuallysayingtoLeo,shemighthavechangedhermindabout
theotherwoman'sfriendshipandalotofotherthings.

"Itwassoniceofyoutodrivemetothestore,Leo,"MarileewascooingatLeoastheywalkedout.
"MywristisreallysorefromthatfallItook."

"Noproblem,"hemurmuredwithasmile.

"The Cattleman's Ball is week after next," Marilee added coyly. "I would really love to go, but
nobody's asked me. I won't be able to drive by then, either, I'm sure. It was a bad sprain. They take
almostaslongasabrokenbonetoheal."Sheglancedupathim,weighingherchances."Ofcourse,
Janie'stoldeverybodythatyou'retakingher.Shesaidyou'reoverthereallthetimenow,thatit'sjusta
matteroftimebeforeyoubuyheraring.

Everybodyknows."

Hescowledfiercely.He'donlykissedJanie,hehadn'tlproposedmarriage,forGod'ssake!Surelythe
girlwasn'tgoingtogetpossessivebecauseofakiss?Hehatedgossip,especiallyabouthimself.Well,
Janiecouldforgetanyinvitationsofthatsort.Hedidn'tlikeaggressivewomenwhotoldliesaround
town.Notonebit!

"Youcangowithme,"hetoldMarileenonchalantly.

"Despite what Janie told you, I am no woman's property, and I'm damned sure not booked for the
dance!"

Marileebeamed."Thanks,Leo!"

Heshrugged.Shewasprettyandhelikedhercompany.Shewasn'toneofthosewomenwhofeltthe
need to constantly compete with men. He'd made his opinion about that pretty clear to Marilee in
recentweeks.ItoccurredtohimthatJaniewassuddenlytryingtodojustthat,whatwithcalfroping
andranchworkandhardriding.Odd,whenshe'dnevershownanysuchinclinationbefore.Buther
self-assured talk about being his date for the ball set him off and stopped his mind from further
reasoningabouthersuddenchangeofattitude.

HesmileddownatMarilee."Thanksfortellingmeaboutthegossip,"headded."Bestwaytocurbitis
todisproveitpublicly."

"Ofcourseitis.Youmustn'tblameJanietoomuch,"sheaddedwithjusttherightamountofaffection.
"She's very young. Compared to me, I mean. If we hadn't been neighbors, we probably wouldn't be
friendsatall.Sheseemsso...well,sojuvenileattimes,doesn'tshe?"

Leofrowned.He'dforgottenthatMarileewasolderthanJanie.Hethoughtbacktothosehard,hungry
kisseshe'dsharedwithJanieandcouldhavecursedhimselfforhisweakness.Shewasimmature.She
wasbuildingawholeaffaironakissortwo.Thenherememberedsomethingunexpectedly.

HeglanceddownatMarilee."Yousaidshehadmoreboyfriendsthananybodyelseintown."

Marileeclearedherthroat."Well,yes,boyfriends.Notmenfriends,though,"sheadded,coveringher
bases.ItwashardtomakeJanielookjuvenileifshewasalsoaheartbreakingrounder.

Leofeltplacated,Godknewwhy."There'sadifference."

Marileeagreed.Atinyvoiceinhermindchidedherforbeingsomeantoherbestfriend,butLeowas
arealhunk,andshewasasinfatuatedwithhimasJaniewas.Allwasfairinloveandwar,didn'tthey
say?Besides,itwashighlyunlikelythatLeowouldeveraskJanieout—but,justincase,Marileehad
plantedanicelittlesuspicioninhismindtopreventthat.Shesmiledasshewalkedbesidehimtohis
truck,dreamingofthefirstofmanydancesandbeinginLeo'sarms.Oneday,shethoughtecstatically,
hemightevenwanttomarryher!

Janiewentthroughtwomorebagsofflourwithattemptsatbiscuitsthatbecamebetterwitheachfailed
try.

Finally,afterseveraldays'work,shehadproducedanediblebatchthatimpressedevenHettie.

Inbetweencooking,shewasgettingmuchbetteronhorseback.Now,mountedonherblack-and-white
quarter horse, Blackie, she could cut out a calf and drive it into the makeshift corral used for
doctoringsickanimals.Shecouldthrowacalf,too,withsomethinglikeprofessionalism,despitesore
musclesandfrequentbruises.Shecouldrope,afterafashion,andshewasridingbetterallthetime.At
leastthechafingofherthighsagainstthesaddlehadstopped,andthemuscleshadacclimatizedtothe
newstressbeingplacedonthem.

Saturday night loomed. It was only four days until the Cattleman's Ball, and she had a beautiful
spaghetti-strapped lacy oyster-white dress to wear. It came to her ankles and was low-cut in front,
leavingthecreamyskinofhershouldersbare.Therewasaside-slitthatwentupherthigh,exposing
herbeautifullonglegs.Shepairedthedresswithwhitespikedhighheelssportinganklestrapswhich
she thought were extremely sexy, and she had a black velvet coat with a white silk lining to defend
againstthecoldeveningair.Nowallshelackedwasadate.

She'dexpectedLeotoaskhertotheballafterthosehungrykisses,despitehiscoolnesslaterthatday.
But he hadn't been near the ranch since he'd had supper with her and her father. What made it even
morepeculiarwasthathe'dtalkedwithherfatheroutontheranchseveraltimes.

He just didn't come to the house. Janie assumed that he was regretting those hard kisses, and was
afraidthatshewastakinghimtooseriously.Hewasavoidingher.Hecouldn'thavemadeitplainer.

Thatmadeitaprettygoodbetthathewasn'tplanningtotakehertoanyCattleman'sBall.Shephoned
Marileeindesperation.

TheotherwomansoundeduneasywhensheheardJanie'svoice,andshewasquicktoaskwhyJanie
hadphoned.

"I saw you with Leo in the grocery store week before last," Janie began, "and I didn't interfere,
becauseIwassureyouweretryingtotalkhimintotakingmetotheball.Buthedidn'twantto,did
he?"sheaddedsadly.

Therewasasoundlikesomeoneswallowing,ontheotherendofthephone."Well,actually,no.I'm
sorry."

Marileesoundedasifshewerestranglingonthewords.

"Don't feel bad," Janie said gently. "It's not your fault. You're my best friend in the whole world. I
knowyoutried."

"Janie..."

"IhadthisbeautifulwhitedressthatIboughtspecially,"Janieaddedonasigh."Well,that'sthat.Are
yougoing?"

Therewasatensepause."Yes."

"Good!AnybodyIknow?"

"N...no,"Marileestammered.

"Youhavefun,"Janiesaid.

"You...uh...aren'tgoing,areyou?"Marileeadded.

Her friend certainly was acting funny, Janie thought. "No, I don't have a date," Janie chuckled.
"There'll be other dances, I guess. Maybe Leo will ask me another time." After he's got over being
afraidofme,sheaddedsilently.

"Ifyouseehim,"shesaidquickly,"youmightmentionthatIcannowcutoutcattleandthrowacalf.
AndIcanmakeabiscuitthatdoesn'tgothroughthefloorwhendropped!"

Shewaslaughing,butMarileedidn't.

"Ihavetogettothehairdresser,Janie,"Marileesaid."I'mreallysorry...abouttheball."

"Notyourfault,"Janierepeated."Justhaveenoughfunforbothofus,okay?"

"Okay.Seeyou."

ThelinewentdeadandJaniefrowned.SomethingmustbeverywrongwithMarilee.Shewishedshe'd
beenmorepersistentandaskedwhatwasthematter.Well,she'dgoovertoMarilee'shouseafterthe
dancetopumpherforallthelatestgossip,andthenshecouldfindoutwhatwastroublingherfriend.

Sheputtheballtothebackofhermind,despitethedisappointment,andwentouttogreetherfatheras

herodeinfromthepasturewithtwoofhismen.

Heswungout ofthesaddle atthebarn andgrinnedat her."Just thegirlI wantedtosee," hesaidat
once.Hepulledouthiswallet."I'vegottohavesomemoreworkgloves,justtorethelastpairIhad
apartonbarbedwire.

Howaboutgoingbythehardwarestoreandgetmeanotherpairofthosesuede-palmedones,extra
large?"

"My pleasure," Janie said at once. Leo often went to the hardware store, and she might accidentally
runintohimthere."Bebackinajiffy!"

"Don'tspeed!"herfathercalledtoher.

She only chuckled, diving into her sports car. She remembered belatedly that she didn't have either
purseorcarkeys,orherfacefixed,andjumpedrightbackoutagaintorectifythoseomissions.

Tenminuteslater,shewasparkinghercarinfrontoftheJacobsvilleHardwareStore.Withawildly
beating'

heart, she noticed one of the black double-cabbed Hart Ranch trucks parked nearby. Leo! She was
certainitwasLeo!

Withherheartpounding,shecheckedhermakeupintherearviewmirrorandtuggedherhairgently
awayfromhercheeks.She'dleftitdowntodaydeliberately,rememberingthatLeohadsomethingof
aweaknessforlonghair.Itwasthickandclean,shininglikeasoftbrowncurtain.Shewaswearinga
longbeigeskirtwithridingboots,andagoldsatinblouse.Shelookedprettygood,evenifshedidsay
soherself!NowifLeowouldjustnoticeher...

ShewalkedintothehardwarestorewithherbreathcatchinginherthroatassheanticipatedLeo'sbig
smileatherapproach.HewasthehandsomestoftheHartbrothers,andreally,themostpersonable.
Hewaskindnessitself.Sherememberedhissoftvoiceinherkitchen,askingwhatwaswrong.Oh,to
havethatsoftvoiceinherearforever!

Therewasnobodyatthecounter.Thatwasn'tunusual,theclerkswereprobablywaitingoncustomers.
ShewalkedbacktowherethegloveswerekeptandsuddenlyheardLeo'sdeepvoiceontheotherside
ofthehighaisle,unseen.

"Don'tforgettoaddthatrollofhogwiretotheorder,"hewastellingoneoftheclerks.

"Iwon'tforget,"JoeRowland'spleasantvoicereplied."AreyougoingtotheCattleman'sBall?"Joe
addedjustasJaniewasabouttoraisehervoiceandcalltoLeoovertheaisle.

"IguessIam,"Leoreplied."Ididn'tplanto,butaprettyfriendneededarideandI'mobliging."

Janie'sheartskippedandfellflat.Leoalreadyhadadate?Who?Shemovedaroundtheaisleandin
sightofLeoandJoe.Leohadhisbacktoher,butJoenoticedherandsmiled.

"Thatfriendwouldn'tbeJanieBrewster,byanychance?"Joeteasedloudly.

The question made Leo unreasonably angry. "Listen, just because she caught the bouquet at Micah
Steele's wedding is no reason to start linking her with me," he said shortly. "She may have a good
familybackground,shemaybeeasyontheeyes,shemayevenlearntocooksomeday—miraclesstill
happen.Butnomatterwhatshedoes,orhowwell,sheisnevergoingtoappealtomeasawoman!"he
added."Havingherspreadingludicrousgos-sipaboutourrelationshipallovertownisn'tmakingher
anymoreattractivetome,either.It'sadeadturnoff!"

Janiefeltashocklikeanelectricjoltgothroughher.Shecouldn'tevenmoveforthepain.

Joe,horrified,openedhismouthtospeak.

Leomadearoughgesturewithoneleanhand,burningwithpent-upanger."Shelooksliketherough
side of a corncob lately, anyway," Leo continued, warming to his subject. "The only thing she ever
hadgoingforherwereherlooks,andshe'sspentthelastfewweekscoveredin,mudordustorbread
flour. She's out all hours proving she can compete with any man on the place and she can't stop
braggingaboutwhatagreatcatchshe'smadewithme.She'salreadytoldhalfthetownthatI'makiss
shortofbuyingheranengagementring.Thatis,whensheisn'tputtingitaroundthatI'mtakingherto
theCattleman'sBall,whenIhaven'tevendamnedwellaskedher!Well,she'sgothereyeonthewrong
man. I don't want some half-baked kid with a figure like a boy and an ego the size, of my boots! I
wouldn'thaveJanieBrewsterforawifeifshecamecompletewithastableofpurebredSalersbulls,
andthat'ssayingsomething.Shemakesmesicktomystomach!"

Joehadgonepaleandhewasgrimacing.Curious,Leoturned...andtherewasJanieBrewster,staring
athimdowntheaislewithafaceastragicasifhe'djusttakenawhit-tlingknifetoherheart.

"Janie,"hesaidslowly.

Shetookadeep,steadyingbreathandmanagedtodraghereyesawayfromhisface."Hi,Joe,"she
saidwithawanlittlesmile.Hervoicesoundedchoked.Shecouldn'tpossiblylookforgloves,shehad
to get away! "Just wanted to check and see if you'd gotten in that tack Dad ordered last week," she
improvised.

"Notjustyet,Janie,"Joetoldherinagentletone."I'mrealsorry."

"Noproblem.Noproblematall.Thanks,Joe.Hello,Mr.Hart,"shesaid,withoutreallymeetingLeo's
eyes,andsheevenmanagedasmilethroughhertattereddignity."Nicedayout,isn'tit?Lookslikewe
mightevengetthatrainweneedsobadly.Seeyou."

.Shewentoutthedoorwithherheadhigh,asproudlyasaconqueringarmy,leavingLeosicktohis
stomachforreal.

"Whythehelldidn'tyousaysomething?"LeoaskedJoefuriously.

"Didn'tknowhow,"Joerepliedmiserably.

"Howlonghadshebeenstandingthere?"Leopersisted.

"Thewholetime,Leo,"camethedreadedreply."Sheheardeveryword."

Asiftopunctuatethestatement,fromoutsidecamethesuddenraucoussquealoftiresonpavementas
Janietookofftowardthehighwayinaburstofspeed.Shewasdrivingherlittlesportscar,andLeo's
heartstoppedasherealizedhowupsetshewas.

Hejerkedhiscellphoneoutofhispocketanddialedthepolicedepartment."IsthatGrier?"hesaidat
once when the call was answered, recognizing Jacobsville's new assistant police chief's deep voice.
"Listen,JanieBrewsterjustlitoutoftownlikeascaldedcatinhersportscar.She'supsetandit'smy
fault,butshecouldkillherself.HaveyougotsomebodyoutontheVictoriaroadwhocouldpullher
overandgiveherawarning?Yeah.

Thanks,Grier.Ioweyouone."

He hung up, cursing harshly under his breath. "She'll be spitting fire if anybody tells her I sent the
policeafterher,butIcan'tlethergethurt."

"Thoughtshelookedjustamitetoocalmwhenshewalkedoutthedoor,"Joeadmitted.Heglancedat
Leoandgrimaced."Nosecretaroundtownthatshe'sbeensweetonyouforthepastyearorso."

"Ifshewas,I'vejustcuredher,"Leosaid,andfelthisheartsink."Callmewhenthatordercomesin,
willyou?"

"Surething."

Leoclimbedintohistruckandjustsatthereforaminute,gettinghisbearings.Hecouldonlyimagine
howJaniefeltrightnow.Whathe'dsaidwascruel.He'dlethisotherirritationsburstoutasifJanie
weretoblameforthemall.WhatMarileehadbeentellinghimaboutJaniehadfinallybubbledover,
that was all. She'd never done anything to hurt him before. Her only crime, if there was one, was
thinkingthemoonroseandsetonLeoHartandtakingtoomuchforgrantedonthebasisofonelong
kiss.

He laughed hollowly. Chances were good that she wouldn't be thinking it after this. Part of him
couldn'thelpblamingher,becauseshe'dgonearoundbraggingabouthowhewasgoingtomarryher,
and how lucky he was to have a girl like her in his life. Not to mention telling everybody he was
takinghertotheCattleman'sBall.

ButJaniehadneverbeenonetobragaboutheraccomplishments,orchasemen.Theonlytimeshe'd
triedtovampLeo,infact,hadbeeninherownhome,whenherfatherwaspresent.She'dnevercome
ontohimwhentheywerealone,orawayfromherhome.She'dbeenold-fashionedinherattitudes,
probablyduetothestrictwayshe'dbeenraised.Sowhyshouldshesuddenlydepartfromalifetime's
habitsandstartspreadinggossipaboutLeoalloverJacobsville?Herememberedatleastoncewhen

she'd stopped another woman from talking about a girl in trouble, adding that she hated gossip
becauseitwaslikespreadingpoison.

Hewipedhissweatybrowwiththesleeveofhisshirtandputhishatontheseatbesidehim.Hehated
whathe'dsaid.Maybehedidn'twantJanietogetanyideasabouthiminaseriousway,buttherewould
havebeenkindermethodsofaccomplishingit.Hedidn'tthinkhewasevergoingtoforgetthelookon
herfacewhensheheardwhathewassayingtoJoe.Itwouldhaunthimforever.

Meanwhile,JaniewassettingnewspeedrecordsoutontheVictoriaRoad.She'dalreadymissedthe
turnoffthatledbacktowardJacobsvilleandherfather'sranch.Shewasseething,hurting,miserable
and confused. How could Leo think such things about her? She'd never told anybody how she felt
abouthim,exceptMarilee,andshehadn'tbeenspreadinggossip.Shehatedgossip.Whydidheknow
solittleabouther,whenthey'dknowneachotherforyears?Whathurtthemostwasthatheobviously
believedthoseliesabouther.

Shewonderedwhocouldhavetoldhimsuchathing.HerthoughtswentatoncetoMarilee,butshe
chided herself for thinking ill of her only friend, her best friend. Certainly it had to be an enemy
who'dbeenfillingLeo'sheadfulloflies.But...shedidn'thaveanyenemiesthatsheknewof.

Tears were blurring her eyes. She knew she was going too fast. She should slow down before she
wreckedthecarorranitintoafence.Shewasjustthinkingaboutthatwhensheheardsirensandsaw
bluelightsinherrearviewmirror.

Great,shethought.JustwhatIneed.I'mgoingtobearrestedandI'llspendthenightinthelocaljail....

Shestoppedandrolleddownherwindow,tryingunob-trusivelytowipeawaythetearswhilewaiting
fortheuniformedofficertobenddownandspeaktoher.

Hecameasasurprise.Itwasn'tapatrolmansheknew,andsheknewmostofthembysightatleast.
Thisonehadblackeyesandthickblackhair,whichheworeinaponytail.Hehadano-nonsenselook
abouthim,andhewaswearingabadgethatdenotedhimastheassistantchief.

"MissBrewster?"heaskedquietly.

"Y...yes."

"I'mCashGrier,"heintroducedhimself."I'mthenewassistantpolicechiefhere."

"Nicetomeetyou,"shesaidwithawaterysmile."Sorryithastobeunderthesecircumstances."She
heldoutbothwristswithasigh."Wanttohandcuffme?"

Hepursedhislipsandhisblackeyestwinkledunexpectedly.Hedidn'tlooklikeamanwhoknewwhat
humorwas."Isn'tthatalittlekinkyforaconversation?Whatsortofmenareyouusedto?"

Shehesitatedforjustasecondbeforesheburstoutlaughing.Hewasn'tatallthemanheappearedto
be.Sheputherhandsdown.

"Iwasspeeding,"sheremindedhim.

"Yes,youwere.Butsinceyoudon'thavearapsheet,youcanhaveawarning,justthisonce,"headded
firmly.

"Thespeedlimitisposted.It'sfiftyonallcountyroads."

She peered up at him. "This is a county road?" she emphasized, which meant that he was out of his
enforcementarea.

Nodding, he grinned. "And you're right, I don't have any jurisdiction out here, so that's why you're
getting a warning and a smile." The smile faded. "In town, you'll get a ticket and a heavy scowl.
Rememberthat."

"Iwill.Honest."Shewipedathereyesagain."Igotalittleupset,butIshouldn'thavetakenitoutonthe
road.

I'msorry.Iwon'tdoitagain."

"Seethatyoudon't."Hisdarkeyesnarrowedasifinmemory."Accidentsaremessy.Verymessy."

"Thanksforbeingsonice."

Heshrugged."Everybodyslipsonceinawhile."

"That'sexactlywhatIdid..."

"Ididn'tmeanyou,"heinterrupted.Hisleanfacetookonafaintlydangerouscast."I'mnotnice.Not
ever."

Shewasintimidatedbythatexpression."Oh."

Hewaggedafingerathernose."Don'tspeed."

Sheputahandoverherheart."Neveragain.Ipromise."

Henodded,walkedelegantlytohissquadcaranddrovetowardtown.Janiesatquietlyforaminute,
gettingherselfbacktogether.Thenshestartedthecarandwenthome,makingupanapologyforher
father about his gloves without telling him the real reason she'd come home without them. He said
he'dgetanewpairthenextdayhimself,noproblem.

Janiecriedherselftosleepinamiserablecocoonofshattereddreams.

Asluckwouldhaveit,HarleyFowler,CyParks'sforeman,camebyinoneoftheranchpickuptrucks
theverynextmorningandpulleduptothebackdoorwhenhesawJaniewalkoutdressedforriding
andwearingabroad-brimmedhat.Harley'sbossCydidbusinesswithFredBrewster,andHarleywas
afrequentvisitortotheranch.HeandJaniewerefriendly.Theyteasedandplayedliketwokidswhen

theyweretogether.

"I'vebeenlookingforyou,"Harleysaidwithagrinashepausedjustinfrontofher."TheCattleman's
BallisSaturdaynightandIwanttogo,butIdon'thaveadate.Iknowit'slatetobeasking,buthow
aboutgoingwithme?Unlessyou'vegotadateoryou'regoingwithyourdad...?"headded.

Shegrinnedback."Ihaven'tgotadate,andDad'sawayonbusinessandhastomisstheballthisyear.
ButIdohaveaprettynewdressthatI'mdyingtowear!I'dlovetogowithyou,Harley!"

"Really?"Hisleanfacelitup.HeknewJaniewassweetonLeoHart,butitwasrumoredthathewas
avoidingherlikemeaslesthesedays.Harleywasn'tinlovewithJanie,buthegenuinelylikedher.

"Really,"Janiereplied."Whattimewillyoupickmeup?"

"Aboutsix-thirty,"hesaid."Itdoesn'tstartuntilseven,butIliketobeontime."

"Thatmakestwoofus.I'llbeready.Thanks,Harley!""Thankyou!"hesaid."SeeyouSaturday."He
wasoffinacloudofdust,wavinghishandoutthewindowashepulledoutoftheyard.Janiesighed
with relief. She wanted nothing more in the world than to go to that dance and show Leo Hart how
wronghewasaboutherchasinghim.Harleywasyoungandnicelooking.Shelikedhim.Shewould
goandhaveagoodtime.Leowouldbeabletoseeforhimselfthathewasofftheendangeredlist,and
he could make a safe bet that Janie would never go near him again without a weapon! As she
considered it, she smiled coldly. Revenge was petty, but after the hurt she'd endured at Leo's hands,
shefeltentitledtoalittleofit.Hewasnevergoingtoforgetthisparty.Never,aslongashelived.

ChapterThree

TheannualJacobsvilleCattleman'sBallwasoneofthenewersocialeventsoftheyear.Ittookplace
theSaturdaybeforeThanksgivinglikeclockwork.Everycattlemanformilesaroundmadeitapoint
toattend,evenifheavoidedallothersocialeventsfortheyear.TheBallengerbrothers,Calhounand
Justin,hadjustaddedanotherfacilitytotheirgrowingfeedlotenterprise,andtheylookedprosperous
with their wives in gala attire beside them. The Tremayne brothers, Connal, Evan, Harden, and
Donald, and their wives were also in attendance, as were the Hart boys; well, Corrigan, Callaghan,
Rey and Leo at least, and their wives. Simon and Tira didn't attend many local events except the
brothers'annualChristmaspartyontheranch.

AlsoattheballwereMicahSteele,EbScott,J.D.Langley,EmmettDeverell,LukeCraig,GuyFenton,
Ted Regan, Jobe Dodd, Tom Walker and their wives. The guest list read like a who's who of
Jacobsville,andthereweresomanypeoplethattheorganizershadrentedthecommunitycenterforit.
Therewasalivecountry-westernband,abuffettablethatcouldhavefedaplatoonofstarvingmen,
andenoughliquortodrownaherdofhorses.

Leohadahighball.Sincehehadn'tdonemuchdrinkinginrecentyears,hisfourbrothersweregiving
him strange looks. He didn't notice. He was feeling so miserable that even a hangover would have
beenanimprovement.

Besidehim,Marileewasstaringaroundtheroomwithwide,waryeyes.

"Lookingforsomebody?"Leoaskedabsently.

"Yes,"shereplied."Janiesaidshewasn'tcoming,butthatisn'twhatyoursister-in-lawTessjusttold
me."

"Whatdidshesay?"

Marileelookedworried."HarleyFowlertoldherhewasbringingJanie."

"Harley?" Leo scowled. Harley Fowler was a courageous young man who'd actually backed up the
town's infamous mercenaries—Eb Scott, Cy Parks and Micah Steele—when they helped law
enforcement face down a gang of drug dealers the year before. Harley's name hadn't been coupled
with any of the local belles, and he was only a working-class cowboy. Janie's father might be
financiallypressedatthemoment,buthiswasafoundingfamilyofJacobsville,andthefamilyhad
plentyofprestige.Fredandhissister-in-lawLydiawouldbepickyaboutwhoJaniemarried.Not,he
thoughtfirmly,thatJaniewasgoingtobemarryingHarley....

"Harley'snice,"Marileemurmured."He'sCyParks'sheadforemannow,andeverybodysayshe'sgot
whatittakestorunabusinessofhisown."WhatMarileedidn'taddwasthatHarleyhadaskedherout
severaltimesbeforehisraidonthedruglordwiththelocalmercenaries,andshe'dturnedhimdown
flat.She'dthoughthebraggedandstruttedalittletoomuch,thathewastooimmatureforher.She'd
eventoldhimso.Ithadmadeherabitterenemyofhis.

Nowshewasrathersorrythatshehadn'tgivenhimachance.Hereallywasdifferentthesedays,much
morema-tureandveryattractive.NotthatLeowasn'tadish.ButshefeltsoguiltyaboutJaniethatshe
couldn'tevenenjoyhiscompany,muchlesstheparty.IfJanieshowedupandsawherwithLeo,she
wasgoingtoknoweverything.Itwasn'tconducivetoahappyeveningatall.

"What'swrong?"Leoaskedwhenhesawherexpression.

"Janie's never going to get over it if she shows up and sees me with you," she replied honestly. "I
didn'tthinkhowitwouldlook..."

"Idon'tbelongtoanybody,"Leosaidangrily."It'sjustaswelltoletJanieknowthat.Sowhatifshe
doesshowup?Whocares?"

"Ido,"Marileesighed.

Just as she spoke, Janie came in the door with a tall, good-looking, dark-haired man in a dark suit
witharuffledwhiteshirtandblackbowtie.Janiehadjusttakenoffherblackvelvetcoatandhungit
ontheracknearthedoor.

Under it, she was wearing a sexy white silk gown that fell softly down her slender figure to her
shapelyankles.

Thespaghettistripslefthersoftshouldersalmostcompletelybare,anddippedlowenoughtodraw
anyman'seyes.Shewaswearingherthick,lightbrownhairdown.Itreachedalmosttoherwaistin
back in a beautiful, glossy display. She wore just enough makeup to enhance her face, and she was
clingingtoHarley'sarmwithobviouspleasureastheygreetedtheBallengersandtheirwives.

Leo had forgotten how pretty Janie could look when she worked at it. Lately, he'd only seen her
coveredinmudandflour.Tonight,herfiguredreweyesinthatdress.Herememberedthefeelofher
inhisarms,theeagerinnocenceofhermouthunderhis,andhesuddenlyfeltuneasyatthewayshe
wasclingingtoHarley'sarm.

Ifhewasuncomfortable,Marileewasevenmoreso.ShestoodbesideLeoandlookedasifshehated
herself.HetookanotherlongsipofhisdrinkbeforeheguidedhertowardHarleyandJanie.

"Nosensehiding,isthere?"heaskedbelligerently.

Marileesighedmiserably."Nosenseatall,Iguess."

Theymovedforwardtogether.Janienoticedthemandhereyeswidenedanddarkenedwithpainfor
aninstant.

Leo'sharshmonologueatthehardwarestorehadbeenenoughtowoundher,butnowshewasseeing
that she'd been shafted by her best friend, as well. Marilee said Janie didn't know her date, but all
along,apparently,she'dplannedtocomewithLeo.Nowondershe'dbeensocuriousaboutwhetheror
notJaniewasgoingtoshowup.

Everything suddenly made perfect sense. Marilee had filled Leo up with lies about Janie gossiping
abouthim,sothatshecouldgethimherself.JaniefeltlikeanutterfoolHerchinlifted,butshedidn't
smile.HergreeneyeswerelikeemeraldshardsastheymetMarilee's.

"H...hi,Janie,"Marileestammered,forcingasmile"Yousaidyouweren'tcomingtonight."

"Iwasn't,"Janierepliedcurtly."ButHarleywasatalooseendanddidn'thaveadate,soheaskedme."
Shelookedupatthetall,leanmanbesideher,whowassomeyearsyoungerthanLeo,andshesmiled
athimwithgenuineaffectioneventhroughhermisery."Ihaven'tdancedinyears."

"You'lldancetonight,darlin',"Harleydrawled,smilingwarmlyashegrippedherlongfingersinhis.
Helookedelegantinhisdinnerjacket,andtherewasafaintarroganceinhismannernowthathadn't
beenapparentbefore.

HeglancedatMarileeandtherewasbarelyveiledcontemptinthelook.

Marileeswallowedhardandavoidedhispiercinggaze.

"Ididn'tknowyoucoulddance,Harley,"Marileemurmured,embarrassed.

Heactuallyignoredher,hisnarrowgazegoingtoLeo"Niceturnout,isn'tit?"heaskedtheolderman.

"Nice,"Leosaid,buthedidn'tsmile."Ihaven'tseenyourbosstonight."

"Thebabyhadacold,"Harleysaid."HeandLisadon'tleavehimwhenhe'ssick."Helookeddownat
Janie deliberately. "Considering how happy the two of them are, I guess marriage isn't such a bad
vocationafterall,"

hemused.

"Forsome,maybe,"Leosaidcoldly.HewasopenlyglaringatHarley.

"Let'sgetonthedancefloor,"HarleytoldJaniewithagrin."I'manxioustotryoutthatwaltzpattern
I'vebeenlearning."

"You'llexcuseus,I'msure,"Janietoldthewomanwhowassupposedtobeherbestfriend.Hereyes
wereicyassherealizedhowshe'dbeenbetrayedbyMarilee'ssupposed"help"withLeo.

Marileegrimaced."Oh,Janie,"shegroaned."Letmeexplain...."

ButJaniewasn'tstayingtolistentoanyhalfheartedex-planations."Nicetoseeyou,Marilee.You,too,
Mr.

Hart,"sheaddedwithcoldlyformalemphasis,notquitemeetingLeo'seyes.Butshenotedthequick
firmingofhischiseledlipswithsomesatisfactionatthewayshe'daddressedhim.

"WhydoyoucallhimMr.Hart?"Harleyaskedastheymovedaway.

"He'smucholderthanweare,Harley,"shereplied,justloudlyenoughforLeotohearherandstiffen
withirritation."Almostanothergeneration."

"Iguessheis."

Leotookabigswallowofhisdrinkandglaredafterthem.

"She'llneverspeaktomeagain,"Marileesaidinasubduedtone.

He glared at her. "I'm not her personal property," he said flatly. "I never was. It isn't your fault that
she'sbeengossipingandspreadingliesallovertown."

Marileewinced.

He turned his attention back to Janie, who was headed onto the dance floor with damned Harley. "I
don'twanther.WhatthehelldoIcareifshelikesHarley?"

Themusicchangedtoaquick,throbbingLatinbeat.MattCaldwellandhiswife,Leslie,wereouton
thedanceflooralready,makingeverybodyelselooklikerankbeginners.Everybodyclappedtothe
rhythm until the very end, when the couple left the dance floor. Leo thought nobody could top that
displayuntilHarleywalkedtothebandleader,andthebandsuddenlybrokeintoaStrausswaltz.That
waswhenHarleyandJanietookthefloor.

Then,evenMattandLesliestoodwatchingwithadmiration.

Leo stared at the couple as if he didn't recognize them. Involuntarily, he moved closer to the dance
floortowatch.He'dneverseentwopeoplemovelikethattomusicbesidesMattandLeslie.

Therhythmwassweet,andthemusichadasweepingbeautythatJaniemirroredwithsuchgracethat
it was like watching ballet. Harley turned and Janie followed every nuance of movement, her steps
matchinghisexactly.

Her eyes were laughing, like her pretty mouth, as they whirled around the dance floor in perfect
unison.

Harley was laughing, too, enjoying her skill as much as she enjoyed his. They looked breathless,
happy—young.

Leofinishedhisdrink,wishinghe'daddedmorewhiskeyandlesssoda.Hisdarkeyesnarrowedas
theyfollowedthecouplearoundthedancefloorastheykepttimetothemu-sic.

"Aren'ttheywonderful?"Marileeaskedwistfully."Idon'tguessyoudance?"

Hedid.Buthewasn'tgettingonthatfloorandmakingafoolofhimselfwithMarilee,whohadtwo
leftfeetandthesenseofrhythmofapossum.

"Idon'tdancemuch,"Leorepliedtersely.

Shesighed."It'sjustaswell,Isuppose.Thatwouldbeahardacttofollow."

"Yes."

Themusicwoundtoapeakandsuddenlyended,withJaniedrapeddownHarley'ssidelikeaboltof
satin.Hismouthwasalmosttouchinghers,andLeohadtofightnottogoontothefloorandthrowa
punchattheyoungerman.

Heblinked,surprisedbyhisunexpectedreaction.Janiewasnothingtohim.Whyshouldhecarewhat
shedid?

Hadn'tshebraggedtoeveryonethathewastakinghertothisverydance?Hadn'tshemadeitsoundas
iftheywereinvolved?

Janie and Harley left the dance floor to furious, genuine applause. Even Matt Caldwell and Leslie
congratulatedthemontheexquisitepieceofdancing.Apparently,Harleyhadbeentakinglessons,but
Janieseemedtobeanatural.

But the evening was still young, as the Latin music started up again and another unexpected couple
tookthefloor.ItwasCashGrier,thenewassistantpolicechief,withyoungChristabelGainesinhis
arms.OnlyafewpeopleknewthatChristabelhadbeenmarriedtoTexasRangerJuddDunnsinceshe
was sixteen—a marriage on paper, only, to keep herself and her invalid mother from losing their
familyranch.Butshewastwenty-onenow,andthemarriagemusthavebeenannulled,becausethere
she was with Cash Grier, like a blond flame in his arms as he spun her around to the throbbing
rhythmandshematchedherstepstohisexpertones.

Unexpectedly,asthecrowdclappedandkepttimeforthem,handsomedark-eyedJuddDunnhimself
turned up in evening dress with a spectacular redhead on his arm. Men's heads turned. The woman
was a supermodel, internationally famous, who was involved at a film shoot out at Judd and
Christabel'sranch.Gossipflew.JuddwatchedChristabelwithGrierandglowered.Theredheadsaid
somethingtohim,buthedidn'tappeartobelistening.Hewatchedthetwodancerswitharigidposture
andanexpressionmoreappropriateforaduelthanadance.Christabelignoredhim.

"WhoisthatmanwithChristabelGaines?"MarileeaskedLeo.

"CashGrier.HeusedtobeaTexasRangersomeyearsago.Theysayhewasingovernmentservice
aswell."

LeorecalledthatGrierhadbeenworkinginSanAntoniowiththedistrictattorney'sofficebeforehe
took the position of assistant police chief in Jacobsville. There was a lot of talk about Grier's
mysteriouspast.Themanwasanenigma,andpeoplewalkedwidearoundhiminJacobsville.

"He'sdishy,isn'the?HedancesapasodobleevenbetterthanMatt,imaginethat!"Marileesaidaloud.
"Ofcourse,Harleydoesamagnificentwaltz.Whowouldeverhavethoughthe'dturnouttobesucha
sexy,matureman..."

Leo turned on his heel and left Marilee standing by herself, stunned. He walked back to the drinks
tablewitheyesthatdidn'treallysee.Thedancefloorhadfilledupagain,thistimewithaslowdance.
Harley was holding Janie far too close, and she was letting him. Leo remembered what he'd said
about her in the hardware store, and her wounded expression, and he filled another glass with
whiskey.Thistimehedidn'taddsoda.Heshouldn'thavefeltbad,ofcourse.Janieshouldn'thavebeen
sopossessive.Sheshouldn'thavegossipedabouthim...

"Hi,Leo,"hissister-in-lawTess,saidwithasmileasshejoinedhim,reachingforaclearsoftdrink.

"Nobooze,huh?"heaskedwithagrin,notingherchoice.

"Idon'twanttosetabadexampleformyson,"sheteased,becausesheandCaghadalittleboynow.
"Actually,Ican'tholdliquor.Butdon'ttellanybody,"sheadded."I'mthewifeofatoughex-Special
Forcesguy.I'msupposedtobearealhell-raiser."

He smiled genuinely. "You are," he teased. "A lesser woman could never have managed my big
brotherandanalbinopythonallatonce."

"Hermanthepython'slivingwithhisownmatethesedays,"sheremindedhimwithagrin,"andjust
between us, I don't really miss him!" She glanced toward her husband and sighed. "I'm one lucky
woman."

"He'soneluckyman."Hetookasipofhisdrinkandshefrowned.

"Didn'tyoubringMarilee?"sheasked.

Henodded."Herwristwasstillbotheringhertoomuchtodrive,soIlethercomewithme.I'vebeen
chauffeuringheraroundeversinceshesprainedit."

Boy, men were dense, Tess was thinking. As if a woman couldn't drive with only one hand. She
glancedpasthimatMarilee,whowasstandingbyherselfwatchingasanewrhythmbeganandJanie
moved onto the floor with Harley Fowler. "I thought she was Janie's best friend," she mentioned
absently."Youcannevertellaboutpeople."

"Whatdoyoumean?"

Sheshrugged."IoverheardhertellingsomeonethatJaniehadbeenspreadinggossipaboutyouand
herallovertown."Sheshookherhead."That'snottrue.Janie'ssoshy,it'shardforhertoeventalkto
most men. I've never heard her gossip about anyone, even people she dislikes. I can't imagine why
Marileewouldtellliesabouther."

"JanietoldeverybodyIwasbringinghertotheball,"heinsistedwithascowl.

"MarileetoldpeoplethatJaniesaidthat,"Tesscorrected."Youreallydon'tknow,doyou?Marilee's
crazyaboutyou.ShehadtocutJanieoutofthepicturebeforeshecouldgetclosetoyou.Iguessshe
foundtheperfectwaytodoit."

Leostartedtospeak,buthehesitated.Thatcouldn'tbetrue.

Tessreadhisdisbeliefandjustsmiled."Youdon'tbelieveme,doyou?Itdoesn'tmatter.You'llfind
outthetruthsoonerorlater,whetheryouwanttoornot.I'vegot'tofindCag.Seeyoulater!"

Leowatchedherwalkawaywithconflictingemotions.Hedidn'twanttobelieve—hewouldn'tbelieve
—thathe'dbeenplayedforasucker.He'dseenJanietryingtobecomeacattlemanwithhisowneyes,
trying to compete with him. He knew that she wanted him because she'd tried contin-ually to tempt
him when he went to visit her father. She flirted shamelessly with him. She'd melted in his arms,
meltedundertheheatofhiskisses.

Shehadn'tmadeasingleprotestattheintimatewayhe'dheldher.Shefeltpossessiveofhim,andhe
couldn'treallyblameher,becauseitwashisownlapseofself-controlthathadgivenhertheideathat
hewantedher.

Maybe he did, physically, but Janie was a novice and he didn't seduce innocents. Her father was a
businessassociate.Itcertainlywouldn'tbegoodbusinesstocuthisownthroatwithFredbymakinga
casualloverofJanie.

Hefinishedthewhiskeyandputtheglassdown.Hefeltlight-headed.Thatwaswhatcameofdrinking
when he hadn't done it in a long time. This was stupid. He had to stop behaving like an idiot just
becauseFredBrewster'slittlegirlhadcuthimdeadinthereceivinglineandtreatedhimlikeanold
man.HeforcedhimselftowalknormallybuthealmosttrippedoverCagontheway.

Hisbrothercaughthimbytheshoulders."Whoa,there,'hesaidwithagrin."You'rewobbling."

Leopulledhimselfup."Thatwhiskeymustbe200proof,"hesaiddefensively.

"No.You'rejustnotusedtoit.Leaveyourcarherewhenit'stimetogo,"headdedfirmly."TessandI
willdropMarileeoffandtakeyouhome.You'reinnofitstatetodrive."

Leosighedheavily."Iguessnot.Stupidthingtodo."

"What,drinkingorhelpingMarileestabJanieintheback?"

Leo'seyesnarrowedonhisolderbrother'slean,hardface."DoesTesstellyoueverything?"

Heshrugged."We'remarried."

"IfIevergetmarried,"Leotoldhim,"mywifeisn'tgoingtotellanybodyanything.She'sgoingto
keephermouthshut."

"Notmuchdangerofyourgettingmarried,withthatattitude,"Cagmused.

Leosquaredhisshoulders."Marileelooksreallygreattonight,"hepointedout.

"She looks pretty sick to me," Cag countered, eyeing the object of their conversation, who was

standing alone against the opposite wall, trying to look invisible. "She should, too, after spreading
thatgossiparoundtownaboutJaniechasingyou."

"Janiedidthat,notMarilee,"Leosaidbelligerently."Shedidn'thaveanyreasontomakeitsoundlike
wewereengaged,justbecauseIkissedher."

Cag'seyebrowslifted."Youkissedher?"

"Itwasn'tmuchofakiss,"Leomutteredgruffly."She'ssogreen,it'spathetic!"

"Shewon'tstaythatwaylongaroundHarley,"Cagchuckled."He'snoplayboy,butwomenlovehim
sincehehelpedourlocalmerkstakeonthatdruglordManuelLopezandwon.Iimaginehe'lleducate
Janie."

Leo's dark eyes narrowed angrily. He hated the thought of Harley kissing her. He really should do
somethingaboutthat.Heblinked,tryingtofocushismindontheproblem.

"Don'ttripoverthepunchbowl,"Cagcautioneddryly."AndforGod'ssake,don'ttrytodance.The
gossipswouldhaveafielddayforsure!"

"IcoulddanceifIwantedto,"Leoinformedhim.

Cagleaneddownclosetohisbrother'sear."Don't„wantto.'Trustme."Heturnedandwentbackto
Tess,smilingasheledherontothedancefloor.

LeojoinedMarileeagainstthewall.

Sheglancedathimandgrimaced."I'vejustbecometheBubonicPlague,"shesaidwithamiserable
sigh."JoeHowlandfromthehardwarestoreisherewithhiswife,"sheaddeduncomfortably."He's
tellingpeoplewhatyousaidtoJanieandthatIwasresponsibleforhergettingtheroughsideofyour
tongue."

Heglanceddownather."Howisityourfault?"

Shelookedathershoesinsteadofathim.Shefeltguiltyandhurtandashamed."IsortoftoldJanie
thatyousaidyou'dlikeherbetterifshecouldrideandropeandmakebiscuits,andstopdressingup
allthetime."

Hestiffened.Hefeltthejoltallthewaytohistoes."Youtoldherthat?"

"Idid."ShefoldedherarmsoverherbreastsandstaredtowardJanie,whowasdancingwithHarley
andapparentlyhavingagreattime."There'smore,"sheadded,steelingherselftoadmitit."Itwasn't
exactlytruethatshewastellingpeopleyouweretakinghertothisdance."

"Marilee,forGod'ssake!Whydidyoulie?"hedemanded.

"She'sjustakid,Leo,"shemurmureduneasily."Shedoesn'tknowbeansaboutmenorreallife,she's

beenprotectedandpampered,she'sgotmoney,she'spretty...."Shemovedrestlessly."Ilikeyoualot.
I'molder,moremature.Ithought,ifshewasjustoutofthepictureforalittlebit,you...youmightstart
tolikeme."

Now he understood the look on Janie's face when he'd made those accusations. Tess was right.
Marileehadlied.

She'dstabbedherbestfriendintheback,andhe'dhelpedherdoit.Hefeltterrible.

"You don't have to tell me what a rat I am," she continued, without looking up at him. "I must have
beencrazytothinkJaniewouldn'teventuallyfindoutthatIwaslyingabouther."Shemanagedtomeet
hisangryeyes.

"Shenevergossipedaboutyou,Leo.Shewantedyoutotakehertothispartysomuchthatitwasall
shetalkedaboutforweeks.Butshenevertoldanybodyyouweregoingto.ShethoughtIwashelping
herbyhintingthatshe'dlikeyoutoaskher."Shelaughedcoldly."ShewasthebestfriendIeverhad,
andI'vestabbedherintheback.She'llneverspeaktomeagainaftertonight,andIdeservewhateverI
get.Forwhatit'sworth,I'mreallysorry."

Leowasstilltryingtoadjusttothetruth.Hecouldtalkhimselfblueintheface,butJaniewouldnever
listentohimnow.Hewasgoingtobeaboutaswelcomeasaflyatherhousefromnowon,especially
ifFredfoundoutwhatLeohadsaidtoandabouther.Itwoulddamagetheirfriendship.Ithadalready
killedwhateverfeelingJaniehadforhim.Heknewthatwithoutthewounded,angryglancesshesent
hiswayfromtimetotime.

"Yousaidyoudidn'twantherchasingyou,"Marileeremindedhimweakly,tryingtofindonegood
thingtosay.

"Nodangerofthatfromnowon,isthere?"heagreed,bitingoffthewords.

"Noneatall.Soalittlegoodcameoutofit."

Helookeddownatherwithbarelycontainedanger."Howcouldyoudothattoher?"

"Idon'tevenknow."Shesighedraggedly."Imusthavebeentemporarilyoutofmymind."Shemoved
away from the wall. "I wonder if you'd mind driving me home? I...I really don't want to stay any
longer."

"Ican'tdrive.Cag'stakingushome."

"Youcan'tdrive?Why?"sheexclaimed.

"IthinkthepolitewayofsayingitisthatI'mstinkingdrunk,"hesaidwithglitteryeyesblazingdown
ather.

Shegrimaced.Noneedtoaskwhyhe'dgottenthatway."Sorry,"shesaidinadequately.

"You'resorry.I'msorry.Itdoesn'tchangeanything."HelookedtowardJanie,consciousofnewand
painfulregrets.Itallmadesensenow,herself-improvementcampaign.She'dbeendraggedthrough
mud, thrown from horses, bruised and battered in a valiant effort to become what she thought Leo
wantedhertobe.

He winced. "She could have killed herself," he said huskily. “She hadn't been on a horse in ages or
workedaroundcattle."HelookeddownatMarileewithablackscowl."Didn'tyourealizethat?"

"Iwasn'tthinkingatthetime,"Marileereplied."I'vealwaysworkedaroundtheranch,becauseIhad
to. I never thought of Janie being in any danger. But I guess she was, at that. At least she didn't get
hurt."

"That'swhatyouthink,"Leomuttered,rememberinghowshe'dlookedatthehardwarestore.

Marileeshruggedandsuddenlyburstintotears.Shedashedtowardtheladies'roomtohidethem.

Atthesametime,HarleyleftJanieatthebuffettableandwenttowardtherestroomshimself.

Leo didn't even think. He walked straight up to Janie and caught her by the hand, pulling her along
withhim.

"Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"sheraged."Letgoofme!"

Heignoredher.Heledherrightoutthesidedoorandontothestonepatiosurroundedbytowering
plants that, in spring, were glorious in blossom. He pulled the glass door closed behind him and
movedJanieoffbehindoneoftheplants.

"Iwanttotalktoyou,"hebegan,tryingtogethismud-dledmindtowork.

Shepulledagainsthishands."Idon'twanttotalktoyou!"shesnapped."Yougorightbackinthereto
yourdate,LeoHart!YoubroughtMarilee,notme!"

"Iwanttotellyou..."hetriedagain.

Sheaimedakickathisshinthatalmostconnected.

He sidestepped, overbalancing her so that she fell heavily against him. She felt good in his arms,
warm, delicate and sweetly scented. His breath caught at the feel of her soft skin under his hands
wherethedresswaslow-cutinback.

"Harleywill...bemissingme!"shechoked.

"Damn Harley," he murmured huskily and the words went into her mouth as he bent and took it
hungrily.

His arms swallowed her, warm under the dark evening suit, where her hands rested just at his rib
cage.Hismouthwasardent,insistent,onherpartedlips.

Heforcedthemapart,nippingtheupperonewithhisteethwhilehishandsexploredthesoftnessof
herskin.Hewasgettingdrunkonherperfume.Hefelthimselfgoingtautasheregisteredthehunger
hewasfeelingtogetherevencloser.Itwasn'tenough....

Hishandswenttoherhipsandjerkedthemhardintothethrustofhisbigbody,sothatshecouldfeel
howarousedhewas.

Shestiffenedandthentriedtotwistaway,franticattheweaknesshewasmakingherfeel.Hecouldn't
dothis.

Shecouldn'tlethimdoit.Hewasonlymakingapoint,showingherthatshecouldn'tresisthim.He
didn'tevenlikeheranymore.He'dbroughtherbestfriendtothemosttalked-abouteventintown!

"You...letmego!"shesobbed,tearinghermouthfromhis."Ihateyou,LeoHart!"

Hewasbarelyabletobreathe,muchlessthink,buthewasn'tlettinggo.Hiseyesglittereddownather.
"Youdon'thateme,"hedenied."Youwantme.YoutrembleeverytimeIgetwithinafootofyou.It's
so noticeable a blind man couldn't mistake it." He pulled her close, watching her face as her thighs
touchedhis."Awoman'spassionarousesaman's,"hewhisperedroughly."Youmademewantyou."

"YousaidImadeyousick,"shereplied,hervoicechokingontheword.

"Youdo."Hislipstouchedherear."Whenamanisthisaroused,andcan'tsatisfythehunger,itmakes
himsick,"hesaidhuskily,withfaintinsolence.Hedraggedherhipsagainsthisroughly."Feelthat?
You'vegotmesohotIcan'teventhink...!"LeobrokeoffabruptlyasJaniestompedonhisfoot.

"Doesthathelp?"sheaskedwhilehewashobblingonthefootherspikedheelhadn'tgoneinto.

She moved back from him, shaking with desire and an-ger, while he cursed roundly and without
inhibition.

"That'swhatyougetformakingnastyremarkstowomen!"shesaidfuriously."Youdon'twantme!
Yousaidso!YouwantMarilee.That'swhyyou'retakingheraroundwithyou.Rememberme?I'mthat
gossipingpestwhorunsafteryoueverywhere.ExceptthatI'llneverdoitagain,youcanbetyourlife
onthat!Iwouldn'thaveyouonicecream!"

Hestooduneasilyonbothfeet,glaringather."Sureyouwould,"hesaidwithavenomoussmile.His
eyesglitteredlikeadiamondbackuncoiling."Justnow,Icouldhavehadyouintherosebushes.You'd
havedoneanythingIwanted."

Hewasright.Thatwaswhathurtthemost.Shepushedbackherdisheveledhairwithatremblinghand.
"Notanymore,"shesaid,feelingsick."NotwhenIknowwhatyoureallythinkofme."

"Harleybroughtyou,"hesaidcoldly."He'saboyplayingatbeingaman."

"He'sclosertomyagethanyouare,Mr.Hart!"sheshotback.

Hisfacehardenedandhetookaquicksteptowardher.

"That'swhatyou'vesaidfromthestart,"sheremindedhim,neartears."I'mjustakid,yousaid.I'm
justakidwithacrush,justyourbusinessassociate'speskydaughter."

He'dsaidthat.Hemusthavebeenoutofhismind.Lookingathernow,withthatpainfulmaturityin
herface,hecouldn'tbelievehe'dsaidanysuchthing.Shewasallwoman.AndshewaswithHarley.
DamnHarley!

"Don't worry, I won't tell Dad that you tried to seduce me on the patio with your new girlfriend
standingrightinsidetheroom,"sheassuredhim."Butifyouevertouchmeagain,I'llcrippleyou,so
helpmeGod!"

Shewhirledandjerkedopenthepatiodoor,slammingitbehindherasshemovedthroughthecrowd
towardthebuffettable.

Leostoodaloneinthecolddarknesswithasorefoot,wonderingwhyhehadn'tkepthismouthshut.If
abadsituationcouldgetworse,itjusthad.

ChapterFour

Jamie and Harley were back on the dance floor by the time Leo made his way inside, favoring his
sorefoot.

Marileewasstandingatthebuffettable,lookingasmiserableashefelt.

“Harley just gave me hell,” she murmured tightly as he joined her. “He said I was lower than a
snake‟sbelly,anditwouldservemerightifJanieneverspoketomeagain.”Shelookedupathim
withred-rimmedeyes.“Doyouthinkyourbrotherwouldminddroppingusoffnow?Hecouldcome
rightback…”

“I‟llaskhim,”Leosaid,soundingabsolutelyfedup.

He found Cag talking to Corrigan and Rey at the buffet table. Their wives were in another circle,
talkingtoeachother.

“Could you run Marilee home now nad drop me off on the way back?” he asked Cag in a subdued
tone.

Corrigangapedathim.“You‟veneverleftadanceuntilthebandpackedup.”

Leosighed.“There‟safirsttimeforeverything.”

Thewomenjoinedthem.CagtuggedTessclose.“IhavetorunLeoandMarileehome.”

Tess‟seyebrowswentup.“Now?Whysoearly?”

Leoglared.Hisbrothersclearedtheirthroats.

“Nevermind,”Cagsaidquickly.“Iwon‟tbeaminute…”

“ReyandIwouldbegladtodoit…”Meredithvolunteered,withanodfromherhusband.

“No need,” Dorie said with a smile, cuddling close to her husband. “Corrigan can run Leo and
Marileehomeandcomerightback.“Can‟tyou,sweetheart?”sheadded.

“SureIcan,”heagreed,lostinherprettyeyes.

“Butyoutwodon‟tusuallyleaveuntilthebanddoeseither,”Leopointedout.“You‟llmissmostof
therestofthedanceifyoudriveus.”

“Corriganpursedhislips.“Oh,we‟vedoneourdancingforthenight.Haven‟twe,sweetheart?”he
prompted.

Dorie‟seyestwinkled.Shenodded.“Indeedwehave!I‟lljustcatchupontalkuntilhecomesback.We
canhavethelastdancetogether.Don‟tgiveitathought,Leo.”

Leo was feeling the liquor more with every passing minute, but he was feeling all sorts of
undercurrents.Thewomenlookedpositivelygleeful.Hisbrotherswereexchangingstrangelooks.

Corrigan looked past Leo to Cag and Rey. “You can all come by our house after the dance,” he
promised.

“Whatfor?”Leowantedtoknow,frowningsuspiciously.

CorriganhesitatedandCagscowled.

Rey cleared his throat. “Bull problems,” he said finally, with a straight face. “Corrigan‟s advising
me.”

“He‟sadvisingme,too,”Cagsaidwithagrin.“He‟sadvisingbothofus.”

Allthreeofhtemlookedguiltyashell.“IknowmoreaboutbullsthanCorrigandoes,”Leopointed
out.“Whydon‟tyouaskme?”

"Becauseyou'reinahurrytogohome,"Corriganimprovised.“Let'sgo."

LeowenttogetMarilee.Shesaidasubdued,hurriedgoodbyetoCagandReyandthentheirwives.
Leowaitedpatiently,vaguelyawarethatCagandReywerestandingapart,talkinginhushedwhispers.
TheywerebothstaringatLeo.

AsMarileejoinedhim,Leobegantogettheidea.Corriganhadsacrificeddancingsothathecould
pumpLeoforgossipandreportbacktotheothers.Theyknewhewasdrinking,whichheneverdid,
andthey'dprobablyseenhimhobblebackintotheroom.Thenhe'dwantedtoleaveearly.Itdidn'ttake
amindreadertoputallthattogether.Somethinghadhappened,andhisbrothers—nottomentiontheir
wives—couldn'twaittofindoutwhat.HeglaredatCorrigan,buthisbrotheronlygrinned.

"Let'sgo,Marilee,"Leosaid,catchingherbythearm.

Shegaveonelast,hopefulglanceatJanie,butwaspointedlyignored.ShefollowedalongwithLeo
untilthemusicmutedtoawhisperbehindthem.

When Marilee had been dropped off, and they were alone in the car, Corrigan glanced toward his
brotherwithmischievoussilveryeyesandpursedhislips.

"You'relimping."

Leohuffed."Youtrywalkingnormallywhensomecrazywoman'striedtoputherheelthroughyour
damnedboot!"

"Marileesteppedonyou?"Corrigansaidmuchtoocarelessly.

"Janiesteppedonme,onpurpose!"

"Whatwereyoudoingtoheratthetime?"

Leo actually flushed. It was visible in the streetlight they stopped under waiting for a red light to
changeonthehighway.

"Well!"Corriganexclaimedwithaknowingexpression.

"She started it," he defended himself angrily. "All these months, she's been dressing to the hilt and
waylayingmeeverytimeIwenttoseeherfather.Shedamnednearseducedmeonthecookingtable
in her kitchen last month, and then she goes and gets on her high horse because I said a few little
thingsIshouldn'thavewhenshewaseaves-dropping!"

"You said a lot of little things," his brother corrected. "And from what I hear, she left town in a
dangerousrushandhadtobesloweddownbyournewassistantchief.Infact,youcalledandasked
himtodoit.Goodthinking."

"Whotoldyouthat?"Leodemanded.

Corrigangrinned."Ournewassistantchief."

"GriercankeephisnoseoutofmybusinessorI'llpunchitforhim!"

"He'sgotproblemsofhisown,ordidn'tyounoticehimstepoutsidewithJuddDunnjustbeforewe
left?"

Corrigan whistled softly. "Christabel may think she's her own woman, but Judd doesn't act like any
disinterestedhusbandIeversaw."

"He'sgotaworldfamousmodelonhisarm,"Leopointedout.

"Itdidn'tmakeaspeckofdifferenceoncehesawChristabelonthatdancefloorwithGrier.Hewas
readytomakeascenerightthere."HeglancedatLeo."Andhewasn'tdrinking,"heemphasized.

"IamnotjealousofJanieBrewster,"Leotoldhimfirmly.

"TellthattoHarley.HehadtobepersuadednottogoafteryouwhenJaniecamebackinsideintears,"
Corriganadded,lettingslipwhathe'doverheard.

Thatmadeitworse."Harleycanmindhisowndamnedbusiness,too!"

"Heis.HelikesJanie."

"Janie'snotgoingtofallforsomewet-behind-the-earswould-beworld-saver,"Leoraged.

"He'skindtoher.Heteasesherandpicksather.Hetreatsherlikeaprincess."Hegavehisbrothera
wryglance.

"I'llbethewouldn'ttrytoseduceherintherosebushes."

"Ididn't!Anyway,thereweren'tanydamnedrosebushesoutthere."

"Howdoyouknowthat?"

Leosighedheavily."Becauseiftherehadbeen,I'dbewearingthem."

Corriganchuckled.Havinghadhisownproblemswiththecourseoftruelove,hecouldsympathize
withhisbrother.Sadly,Leohadneverbeeninlove.He'dhadcrushes,he'dhadbriefliaisons,butthere
hadneverbeenawomanwhocouldstandhimonhisear.Corriganwasasfascinatedastheirbrothers
withthesuddenturnofevents.LeohadtoleratedJanieBrewster,beenamusedbyher,buthe'dnever
been involved enough to start a fight with her, much less sink two large whiskeys when he hardly
eventouchedbeer.

"She'sgotatemper,fancythat?"Corrigandrawled.

Leosighed."Marileewastellinglies,"hemurmured."ShesaidJaniehadstartedallsortsofgossip
aboutus.I'dkissedher,andlikedit,andIwasfeelingtrapped.Ithoughtthekissgaveherideas.And
allthetime...Damn!"

hegroundout."Tessknew.ShetoldmethatMarileehadmadeupthestories,andIwouldn'tlisten."

"Tessissharpasatack,"hisolderbrotherremarked.

"I'masdullasausednail,"Leoreplied."Idon'tevenknowwhenawomanischasingme.Ithought
Janiewas.

And all the time, it was her best friend Marilee." He shook his head. "Janie said I was the most
conceitedmansheevermet.MaybeIam."Heglancedoutthewindowatthesilhouettesofbuildings
theypassedinthedark.

"ShelikesHarley.Thatwouldhavebeenfunnyafewmonthsago,buthekeepsimpressivecompany
thesedays."

"Harley'smatured.Janiehas,too.Ithoughtshehandledherselfwithdignitytonight,whenshesawyou
with Marilee." He chuckled. "Tira would have emptied the punch bowl over her head," he mused,
rememberinghisredheadedsister-in-law'stemper.

"Simon would have been outraged," he added. "He hates scenes. You're a lot like him," he said
unexpectedly, glancing at the younger man. "You can cut up, but you're as somber as a judge when
you'renotaroundus.

Especiallysincewe'veallmarried."

"I'mlonely,"Leosaidsimply."I'vehadthehousetomyselfsinceReymarriedMeredithandmoved

out,almostayearago.Mrs.Lewisretired.I'vegotnobiscuits,nocompany..."

"You'vegotMarilee,"hewasreminded.

"Marileesprainedherwrist.She'sneededmetodriveherplaces,"Leosaiddrowsily.

"Marileecoulddrivewithonehand.Idrovewithabro-kenarmonce."

Leo didn't respond. They were driving up to the main ranch house, into the driveway that made a
semicirclearoundthefrontsteps.Thesecuritylightswereon,sowastheporchlight.Butevenwith
lightsoninthefrontroomsofthesprawlingbrickhouse,itlookedempty.

"You could come and stay with any of us, whenever you wanted to," Corrigan reminded him. "We
onlyliveafewmilesapart."

"You'veallgotfamilies.Children.Well,exceptMeredithandRey."

"They'renotinahurry.Rey'stheyoungest.Therestofusarefeelingouragesabitmore."

"Hell,"Leogrowled,"you'reonlytwoyearsolderthanme."

"You'rethirty-five,"hewasreminded."I'llbethirty-eightinacoupleofmonths."

"Youdon'tlookit."

"Dorieandthebabieskeepmeyoung,"Corriganadmittedwithawarmsmile."Marriageisn'tasbad
asyouthinkitis.Youhavesomeonetocookforyou,acompaniontoshareyoursorrowswhenthe
worldhitsyouinthehead,andyourtriumphswhenyoupunchback.Nottomentionhavingawarm
bedatnight"

Leoopenedthedoorbuthesitated."Idon'twanttogetmarried."

Corrigan'spaleeyesnarrowed."DoriewasjustalittleyoungerthanJaniewhenIsaidthesamething
toher.Imistookherforanexperiencedwoman,madeaveryheavypass,andthensaidsomeinsulting
thingstoherwhenshepulledbackatthelastminute.Isentherrunningforthenearestbus,andmy
pride stopped me from carrying her right back off it again. She went away. It was eight long years
beforeshecamehome,beforeIwasabletostartoverwithher."Hisfacehardened."Youknowwhat
thoseyearswerelikeforme."

Leodid.Itwaspainfuleventorecallthem."Younevertoldmewhysheleft."

Corriganrestedhisarmoverthesteeringwheel."SheleftbecauseIbehavedlikeanidiot."Heglanced
at his brother. "I don't give a damn what Marilee's told you about Janie, she isn't any more
experiencedthanDoriewas.Don'tfollowinmyfootsteps."

Leowouldn'tmeettheolderman'seyes."Janie'sakid."

"She'llgrowup.She'smakinganicestart,already."

Leobrushedbackhisthick,unrulyhair."Iwaswayoutoflinewithhertonight.Shesaidshenever
wantedtoseemeagain."

"Givehertime."

"I don't care if she doesn't want to see me," Leo said belligerently. "What the hell do I want with a
mud-coveredlittletomboy,anyway?Shecan'tevencook!"

"NeithercanTira,"Corriganpointedout."Butshe'saknockoutinaneveninggown.SoisourJanie,
evenifsheisn'tasprettyasMarilee."

Leoshrugged."Marilee'slostagoodfriend."

"Shehas.Janiewon'tevertrustheragain,evenifshecanforgivehersomeday."

Leoglancedbackathisolderbrother."Isn'titamazinghoweasyitistoscrewupyourwholelifeina
fewun-guardedminutes?"

"That'slife,compadre.I'vegottogo.Yougoingtobeokay?"

Leonodded."Thanksfortheride."HegloweredatCorrigan."Iguessyou'reinahurrytogetback,
right?"

Corrigan'seyestwinkled."Idon'twanttomissthelastdance!"

Orthechancetotellhisbrotherseverythingthathadhappened.But,whatthehell,theywerefamily.

"Drivesafely,"LeotoldCorriganasheclosedthecardoor.

"Ialwaysdo."Corriganthrewuphishandanddroveaway.

Leo disarmed the alarm system and unlocked the front door, pausing to relock it and rearm the
system.He'dbeenthevictimofamugginglastOctoberinHouston,andithadbeenRey'snewwife,
Meredith,whohadsavedhimfromnoworsethanaconcussion.Butnowheknewwhatitwastobea
victimofviolentcrime,andhewasmuchmorecautiousthanhe'deverbeenbefore.

Hetossedhiskeysonhischestofdrawersandtookoffhisjacketandshoes.Beforehecouldmanage
therest,hepassedoutonhisownbed.

JanieBrewsterwasveryquietonthewayhome.Harleyunderstoodwhy.HeandJanieweren'tanitem,
buthehatedseeingawomancry.He'dwanted,verybadly,topunchLeoHartforthat.

"Youshouldhaveletmehithim,Janie,"heremarkedthoughtfully.

She gave him a sad little smile. "There's been enough gossip already, although I appreciate the
thought."

"He was drinking pretty heavily," Harley added. "I noticed that one of his brothers took him and
Marileehomeearly.Niceofhimtofindadesignateddriver,inthatcondition.Helookedasifhewas
barelyabletowalkwithoutstaggering."

Janiehadseenthemleave,withmixedemotions.Sheturnedhersmalleveningbaginherlap."Ididn't
knowhedrankhardliquoratall."

"Hedoesn't,"Harleyreplied."EbScottsaidthathe'dneverknownLeototakeanythingharderthana
beerincompany."Heglancedather."Thatmusthavebeensomemixeryouhadwithhim."

"He'dbeendrinkingbeforeweargued,"shereplied.Shelookedoutthedarkenedwindow."Oddthat
Marileeleftwithhim."

"Youdidn'tseethewomensnubher,Iguess,"hemurmured."Servedherright,Ithought."Hiseyes
narrowedangrilyashemadetheturnthatledtoherfather'sranch."It'slowtostabafriendintheback
likethat.WhateverherfeelingsforHart,sheshouldhaveputyourfeelingsfirst."

"Ithoughtyoulikedher,Harley."

Hestiffened."Iaskedheroutonce,andshelaughed."

"What?"

Hestaredstraightaheadattheroad,thecenterofwhichwaslitbythepowerfulheadlightsofthetruck
hewasdriving."ShethoughtitwashilariousthatIhadthenervetoaskhertogoonadate.ShesaidI
wastooimmature."

Ouch, she thought. A man like Harley would have too much pride to ever go near a woman who'd
dentedhisegothatbadly.

Heletoutabreath."Thehellofitis,shewasright,"heconcededwithawrysmile."Ihadmyheadin
theclouds,braggingaboutmymercenarytraining.ThenIwentupagainstLopezwithEbandCyand
Micah."Hegrimaced."Ididn'thaveaclue."

"Weheardthatitwasafirefight."

Henodded.Hiseyeswerehaunted."Myonlyexperienceofcombatwasmoviesandtelevision."His
leanhandsgrippedthewheelhard."Therealthingisless...comfortable.Andthat'sallI'llsay."

"Thank you for taking me to the ball," she said, changing the subject because he'd looked so
tormented.

Hisfacerelaxing,heglancedather."Itwasmypleasure.I'mnotreadytosettledown,butIlikeyou.
Anytimeyou'reatalooseend,wecanseeamovieorgetaburger."

Shechuckled."Ifeelthesameway.Thanks."

Hepursedhislipsandgaveherateasingglance."Wecouldevengodancing."

"Ilikedwaltzing."

"IwanttolearnthoseLatindances,likeCaldwellandGrier."Hewhistled."ImagineGrierdoingLatin
dances!

EvenCaldwellstoodbackandstared."

"Mr.Grierisaconundrum,"shemurmured."Notthemanheseems,onthesurface."

"Howwouldyouknow?"heasked.

Sheclearedherthroat."HestoppedmeforspeedingoutontheVictoriaroad."

"Goodforhim.Youdrivetoofast."

"Don'tyoustart!"

Hefrowned."Whatwashedoingoutthere?Hedoesn'thavejurisdictionoutsideJacobsville."

"Idon'tknow.Buthe'sverypleasant."

Hehesitated."There'ssome,shallwesay,unsavorygos-sipabouthimaroundtown,"hetoldher.

"Unsavory,how?"sheasked,curious.

"It'sprobablyjusttalk."

"Harley!"

Heslowedforaturn."Theysayhewasagovernmentassassinatonepointinhislife."

Shewhistledsoftly."You'rekidding!"

He glanced at her. "When I was in the Rangers, I flew overseas with a guy who was dressed all in
black,armedtotheteeth.Hedidn'tsayawordtotherestofus.Ilearnedlaterthathewasbroughtover
foraveryselectassignmentwiththeBritishcommandos."

"WhathasthatgottodowithGrier?"

"That'sjustthething.IthinkitwasGrier."

Shefeltcoldchillsrunningupherarms.

"Itwasseveralyearsago,"hereiterated,"andIdidn'tgetacloselook,butsometimesyoucantella

manjustbythewayhewalks,thewayhecarrieshimself."

"Youshouldn'ttellanybody,"shemurmured,uneasy,becauseshelikedGrier.

"I never would," Harley assured her. "I told my boss, but nobody else. Grier isn't the sort of man
you'devergossipabout,evenifhalfthethingstheytellaretrue."

"There'smore?"sheexclaimed.

Hechuckled."HewasintheMiddleEasthelpingpinpointthelaser-guidedbombs,hebrokeupaspy
ringinManhattanasacompanyagent,hefoughtwiththefreedomfightersinAfghanistan,hefoiled
an assassination attempt against one of our own leaders under the nose of the agency assigned to
protectthem...younameit,he'sdoneit.IncludingastintwiththeTexasRangersandalongcareerin
lawenforcementbetweenoverseaswork."

"Averyinterestingman,"shemused.

"Andintimidatingtoourlocallawenforcementguys.InterestingthatJuddDunnisn'tafraidofhim."

"He's protective of Christabel," Janie told him. "She's sweet. She was in my high school graduating
class."

"Judd's too old for her," Harley drawled. "He's about Leo Hart's age, isn't he, and she's just a few
monthsolderthanyou."

HewasinsinuatingthatLeowastoooldforher.Hewasprobablyright,butithurttohearsomeone
sayit.NorwasshegoingtoadmitsomethingelsesheknewaboutChristabel,thatJuddhadmarried
thegirlwhenshewasjustsixteensothatshewouldn'tloseherhome.Christabelwastwenty-oneand
Juddhadbecomeherworstenemy.

"Sorry,"Harleysaidwhenhenoticedherbroodingexpression.

"Aboutwhat?"sheasked,diverted.

"IguessyouthinkImeantLeoHart'stoooldforyou."

"Heis,"shesaidflatly.

Helookedasifhemeanttosaymore,butthesadexpressiononherfacestoppedhim.Hepulledinto
herdrivewayanddidn'tsayanotherworduntilhestoppedthetruckatherfrontdoor.

"Iknowhowyoufeelabouttheguy,Janie,"hesaidthen."Butyoucanwantsomethingtoomuch.Hart
isn'tamarryingman,evenifhisbrotherswere.He'sabadrisk."

Sheturnedtofacehim,hereyeswideandeloquent."I'vetoldmyselfthatahundredtimes.Maybeit
willsinkin."

He grimaced. He traced a pattern on her cheek with a lean forefinger. "For what it's worth, I'm no
stranger to unreturned feelings." He grimaced. "Maybe some of us just don't have the knack for
romance."

"Speakforyourself,"shesaidhaughtily."IhavethemakingsofaDonJuanette,asLeoHartisabout
todiscover!"

Hetappedhercheekgently."Stopthat.Runningwildwon'tchangeanything,excepttomakeyoumore
miserablethanyouare."

She drew in a long breath. "You're right, of course. Oh, Harley, why can't we make people love us
back?"

"WishIknew,"hesaid.Heleanedforwardandkissedherlightlyonthelips."Ihadfun.I'msorryyou
didn't."

Shesmiled."Ididhavefun.AtleastIdidn'tendupattheballbymyself,orwithDad,tofaceLeoand
Marilee."

Henodded,understanding."Whereisyourdad?"

"Denver,"sherepliedonasigh."He'stryingtointerestacombineininvestingintheranch,butyou
can'ttellanybody."

Hescowled."Ididn'trealizethingswerethatbad."

Shenodded."They'reprettybad.Losinghisprizebullwasahugefinancialblow.IfLeohadn'tloaned
himthatbreedingbull,Idon'tknowwhatwe'dhavedone.AtleasthelikesDad,"sheaddedsoftly.

ItwasHarley'sopinionthathelikedFredBrewster'sdaughter,too,orhewouldn'thavebeenputting
awaywhiskeylikethattonight.Buthedidn'tsayit.

"CanIhelp?"heaskedinstead.

Shesmiledathim."You'resosweet,Harley.Thanks.Butthere'snotmuchwecandowithoutahuge
grubstake.

So,"sheaddedheavily,"I'mgoingtogiveupschoolandgetajob."

"Janie!"

"Collegeisexpensive,"shesaidsimply."Dadcan'treallyafforditrightnow,andI'mnotgoingtoask
himtotry.There'sajobgoingatShea's..."

"You can't work at Shea's!" Harley exclaimed. "Janie, it's a roadhouse! They serve liquor, and most
nightsthere'safight."

"Theyservepizzaandsandwiches,aswell,andthat'swhatthejobentails,"shereplied."Icanhandle
it."

It disturbed Harley to think of an innocent, sweet girl like Janie in that environment. "There are
openingsatfast-foodjointsintown,"hesaid.

"You don't get good tips at fast-food joints. Stop while you're ahead, Harley, you won't change my
mind,"shesaidgently.

"Ifyoutakethejob,I'llstopinandcheckonyoufromtimetotime,"hepromised.

"You'reasweetheart,Harley,"shesaid,andmeantit.Shekissedhimonthecheek,smiled,andgotout
ofthecab."Thanksfortakingmetotheball!"

"Nosweat,Cinderella,"hesaidwithagrin."Ienjoyedit,too.Goodnight!"

"Goodnight,"shecalledback.

Shewent inside slowly,locking the doorbehind her. Her stepsdragging, she feltten years older. It
hadbeenarealbustofaneveningallaround.ShethoughtaboutLeoHartandshehopedhehadthe
kingofhangoversthenextmorning!

The next day, Janie approached the manager of Shea's, a nice, personable man named Jed Duncan,
aboutthejob.

Hereadoverherresumewhileshesatinaleatherchairacrossfromhisdeskandbitherfingernails.

"Two years of college," he mused. "Impressive." His dark eyes met hers over the pages. "And you
wanttoworkinabar?"

"Letmelevelwithyou,"shesaidearnestly."We'reinfinancialtrouble.Myfathercan'taffordtosend
mebacktoschool,andIwon'tstandbyandlethimsinkwithouttryingtohelp.Thisjobdoesn'tpay
much,butthetipsaregreat,fromwhatDebbieConnortoldme."

Debbiewasherpredecessor,andhadtoldheraboutthejobinthefirstplace.BehonestwithJed,she'd
advised,andlayitonthelineaboutmoney.SoJaniedid.

He nodded slowly, studying her. "The tips are great," he agreed. "But the customers can get rowdy.
Forgiveme for beingblunt, Miss Brewster,but you've had asheltered upbringing. Ihave to keep a
bouncerherenow,eversinceCalhounBallengerhaditoutwithacustomeroverhisward—nowhis
wife—andbusteduptheplace.NotthatCalhounwasn'tintheright,"headdedquickly."Butitbecame
obviousthathottempersandliquordon'tmix,andyoucan'trunaroadhouseongoodintentions."

Sheswallowed."Icangetusedtoanything,Mr.Duncan.Iwouldreallylikethisjob."

"Canyoucook?"

Shegrinned."Twomonthsago,Icouldn't.ButIcannow.Icanevenmakebiscuits!"

Hechuckled."Okay,then,youshouldbeabletomakeapizza.We'llagreethatyoucanworkfortwo
weeks and we'll see how it goes. You'll waitress and do some cooking. If you can cope, I'll let you
stay.Ifnot,orifyoudon'tlikethework,we'llcallitquits.Thatsuityou?"

Shenodded."Itsuitsmeverywell.Thankyou!"

"Doesyourfatherknowaboutthis?"headded.

Sheflushed."Hewill,whenhegetshomefromDenver.Idon'thidethingsfromhim."

"It'snotlikelythatyou'llbeabletohidethisjobfromhim,"hemusedwithachuckle."Alotofour
patronsdobusinesswithhim.Iwouldn'tliketomakemoreenemiesthanIalreadyhave."

"Hewon'tmind,"sheassuredhimwithasmile.Shecrossedherfingerssilently.

"ThencomealongandI'llacquaintyouwiththejob,"Jedsaid,movingaroundthedesk."Welcome
aboard,MissBrewster."

Shesmiled."Thanks!"

ChapterFive

Fred Brewster came home from Denver discouraged. "I couldn't get anybody interested," he told
Janie as he flopped down in his favorite easy chair in the living room. "Everybody's got money
problems,andthemarketisdown.It'sabadtimetofishforpartners."

Janiesatdownonthesofaacrossfromhim."Igotajob."

Hejuststaredatherforaminute,asifhedidn'thearher."Youwhat?"

"Igotajob,"shesaid,andsmiledathim."I'llmakegoodmoneyintips.Istarttonight."

"Where?"heasked.

"Arestaurant,"shelied."Youcanevencomeandeatthere,andI'llserveyou.Youwon'thavetotip
me,either!"

"Janie,"hegroaned."Iwantedyoutogobackandfin-ishyourdegree."

Sheleanedforward."Dad,let'sbehonest.Youcan'taffordcollegerightnow,andifIwent,itwould
have to be on work-study. Let me do this," she implored. "I'm young and strong and I don't mind
working.You'llpulloutofthis,Dad,Iknowyouwill!"sheaddedgently."Everybodyhasbadtimes.
Thisisours."

Hescowled."Ithurtsmypride..."

Shekneltathisfeetandleanedherarmsoverhisthin,bonyknees."You'remydad,"shesaid."Ilove
you.Yourproblemsaremyproblems.You'llcomeupwithananglethatwillgetusoutofthis.Idon't
haveasingledoubt."

Thosebeautifuleyesthatweresolikehislatewife'sweakenedhisresolve.Hesmiledandtouchedher
hairgently."You'relikeyourmother."

"Thanks!"

Hechuckled."Okay.DoyourwaitressbitforafewweeksandI'lldoublemyeffortsongettingusout
ofhock.

Butnolatehours,"heemphasized."Iwantyouhomebymidnight,period."

Thatmightbeaproblem.Butwhybotherhimwithcom-plicationsrightnow?

"We'll see how it goes," she said easily, getting to her feet. She planted a kiss on his forehead. "I'd
bettergetyousomelunch!"

Shedashedintothekitchenbeforehecouldaskanymorequestionsabouthernewemployment.

But she wasn't so lucky with Hettie. "I don't like the idea of you working in a bar," she told Janie
firmly.

"Shhhh!''Janiecautioned,glancingtowardtheopenkitchendoor."Don'tletDadhearyou!"

Hettiegrimaced."Child,you'llendupinabrawl,sureasGodmadelittlegreenapples!"

"Iwillnot.I'mgoingtowaitressandmakepizzasandsandwiches,notgetinfights."

Hettiewasn'tconvinced."Putmenandliquortogether,andyougetafighteverytime."

"Mr.Duncanhasabouncer,"sheconfided."I'llbefine."

"Mr.Hartwon'tlikeit,"shereplied.

"NothingIdoisanyofLeoHart'sbusinessanymore,"Janiesaidwithaglare."Afterthethingshe's
saidaboutme,hisopinionwouldn'tgethimacupofcoffeearoundhere!"

"Whatsortofthings?"Hettiewantedtoknow.

Sherubbedherhandsoverthesuddenchillofherarms."ThatI'malying,gossiping,man-chaserwho
can'tleavehimalone,"shesaidmiserably."HewastalkingaboutmetoJoeHowlandinthehardware
storelastweek.

Iheardeveryhorribleword."

Hettiewinced.SheknewhowJaniefeltaboutthelastoftheunmarriedHartbrothers."Oh,baby.I'mso
sorry!"

"Marileelied,"sheaddedsadly."Mybestfriend!ShewastellingmewhattodotomakeLeonotice
me,andallthetimeshewasfindingwaystocutmeoutofhislife.Shewasactuallyattheballwith
Leo. He took her..." She swallowed hard and turned to the task at hand. Brooding was not going to
helphersituation."Wantasandwich,Hettie?"

"No, darlin', I'm fine," the older woman told her. She hugged Janie warmly. "Life's tangles work
themselvesoutifyoujustgivethemenoughtime,"shesaid,andwentawaytoletthatbitofhomespun
philosophysinkin.

Janie was unconvinced. Her tangles were bad ones. Maybe her new job would keep Leo out of her
thoughts.Atleastshe'dneverhavetoworryaboutrunningintohimatShea's,shetoldherself.After
Saturdaynight,hewasprobablyoffhardliquorforlife.

BySaturdaynight,Janiehadfourdaysofworkunderherbeltandshewasgettingusedtotheroutine.
Shea's opened at lunchtime and closed at eleven. Shea's served pizza and sandwiches and chips, as
well as any sort of liquor a customer could ask for. Janie often had to serve drinks in between
cookingchores.Shegottorecognizesomeofthecustomersonsight,butshedidn'tmakeahabitof

speakingtothem.Shedidn'twantanytrouble.

Her father had, inevitably, found out about her nocturnal activities. Saturday morning, he'd been
ragingatherforlyingtohim.

"Idoworkinarestaurant,"she'ddefendedherself."It'sjustsortofinabar."

"Youworkinabar,period!"hereturned,furious."Iwantyoutoquit,rightnow!"

It was now or never, she told herself, as she faced him bravely. "No," she replied quietly. "I'm not
givingnotice.

Mr.DuncansaidIcouldworktwoweeksandseeifIcouldhandleit,andthat'sjustwhatI'mgoingto
do.Anddon'tyoudaretalktohimbehindmyback,Dad,"shetoldhim.

Helookedtormented."Girl,thisisn'tnecessary!"

"Itis,andnotonlybecauseweneedthemoney,"she'dreplied."Ineedtofeelindependent."

He hadn't considered that angle. She was determined, and Duncan did have a good bouncer, a huge
mancalled,predictably,Tiny."We'llsee,"he'dsaidfinally.

Janiehadwonherfirstadultargumentwithherparent.Shefeltgoodaboutit.

Harley showed up two of her five nights on the job, just to check things out. He was back again
tonight.Shegrinnedathimassheservedhimpizzaandbeer.

"How'sitgoing?"heasked.

Shelookedaroundatthebarewoodfloors,theno-frillssurroundings,thesimplewoodentablesand
chairsandthelongcounteratwhichmostofthecustomers—malecustomers—sat.Thereweretwo
gamemachinesandajuke-box.Therewereceilingfanstocirculatetheheat,andtocooltheplacein
summer. There was a huge dance floor, where people could dance to live music on Friday and
Saturdaynight.Thebandwasplayingnow,lazyWesterntunes,andacouplewascirclingthedance
flooralone.

"Ireallylikeithere,"shetoldHarleywithasmile."IfeelasifI'mstandingonmyowntwofeetfor
thefirsttimeinmylife."Sheleanedcloser."Andthetipsarereallynice!"

Hechuckled."Okay.Nomoreargumentsfromme."HeglancedtowardTiny,ahugemanwithtattoos
onbotharmsandabaldhead,who'dtakenanimmediatelikingtoJanie.Hewasreassuringlyclose
whenevershespoketocustomersorservedfoodanddrinks.

"Isn'theadoll?"Janieasked,smilingtowardTiny,whosmiledbackalittlehesitantly,asifhewere
afraidhisfacemightcrack.

"That'snotaquestionyoushouldaskaman,Janie,"heteased.

Grinning,sheflippedherbarclothathim,andwentbacktowork.

LeowentlookingforFredBrewsterafterlunchonMon-day.He'dbeenoutoftownataconvention,
andhe'dlosttouchwithhisfriend.

Fredwasinhisstudy,balancingfiguresthatdidn'twanttobebalanced.HelookedupasHettieshowed
Leoin.

"Hello,stranger,"Fredsaidwithagrin."Sitdown.Wantsomecoffee?Hettie,howabout...!"

"Noneedtoshout,Mr.Fred,it'salreadydripping,"sheinterruptedhimwithachuckle."I'llbringitin
whenit'sdone."

"Cake,too!"hecalled.

Therewasagrumble.

"ShethinksIeattoomanysweets,"FredtoldLeo."MaybeIdo.Howwastheconvention?"

"It was pretty good," Leo told him. "There's a lot of talk about beef exports to Japan and improved
labelingofbeeftoshowcountryoforigin.Somediscussionofartificialadditives,"heconfidedwith
achuckle."Youcanguesswherethatcamefrom."

"J.D.LangleyandtheTremaynebrothers."

"Gotitinoneguess."LeotossedhiswhiteStetsonintoanearbychairandsatdownintheonebeside
it.Heranahandthroughhisthickgold-streakedbrownhairandhisdarkeyespinnedFred."Butaside
fromtheconvention,I'veheardsomerumorsthatbotherme,"hesaid,feelinghisway.

"Oh?" Fred put aside his keyboard mouse and sat back. He'd heard about Janie's job, he thought,
groaninginwardly.Hedrewinalongbreath."Whatrumors?"heaskedinnocently.

Leoleanedforward,hiscrossedarmsonhisknees."Thatyou'relookingforpartnershere."

"Oh.That."FredclearedhisthroatandlookedpastLeo."Justafewlittlesetbacks..."

"Why didn't you come to me?" Leo persisted, scowling. "I'd loan you anything you needed on the
strengthofyoursignature.Youknowthat."

Fred swallowed. "I do...know that. But I wouldn't dare. Under the circumstances." He avoided Leo's
piercingstare.

"Whatcircumstances?"Leoaskedwithresignation,whenherealizedthathewasgoingtohavetopry
everyscrapofinformationoutofhisfriend.

"Janie."

Leo's breath expelled in a rush. He'd wondered if Fred knew about the friction between the two of
them.Itwasapparentthathedid."Isee."

Fred glanced at him and winced. "She won't hear your name mentioned," he said apologetically. "I
couldn'tgotoyoubehindherback,andshe'dfindoutanyway,soonerorlater.Jacobsvilleisasmall
town."

"Shewouldn'tbelikelytofindoutwhenshe'sawayatcollege,"Leoassuredhim."Shehasgoneback,
hasn'tshe?"

Therewasgoingtobeanexplosion.Fredknewitwithoutsayingaword."Uh,Leo,shehasn'tgone
back,exactly."

His eyebrows lifted. "She's not here. I asked Hettie. She flushed and almost dragged me in here
withoutsayinganythingexceptJaniewasn'taround.Iassumedshe'dgonebacktoschool."

"No.She's,uh,gotajob,Leo.Agoodjob,"headded,tryingtoreassurehimself."Shelikesitvery
much."

"Doingwhat,forGod'ssake?"Leodemanded."Shehasnoskillstospeakof!"

"She'scooking.Atarestaurant."

Leofelthisforehead."Nofever,"hemurmuredtohimself.Itwasawell-knownfactthatJaniecould
burnwaterinapan.HepinnedFredwithhiseyes."Wouldyouliketorepeatthat?"

"She'scooking.Shecancook,"headdedbelligerentlyatLeo'sfrankastonishment.“Hettiespenttwo
monthswithherinthekitchen.Shecanevenmake..."hestartedtosay"biscuits"andthoughtbetterof
it"...pizza."

Leowhistledsoftly."Fred,Ididn'tknowthingswerethatbad.I'msorry."

"Thebulldyingwasnobody'sfault,"Fredsaidheavily."ButIusedmoneyIhopedtorecouptobuy
him, and there was no insurance. Very few small ranchers could take a loss like that and remain
standing.Hewasachampion'soffspring."

"Iknowthat.I'dhelp,ifyou'dletme,"Leosaidearnestly.

"Iappreciateit.ButIcan't."

There was a long, pregnant pause. "Janie told you about what happened at the ball, I suppose," Leo
addedcurtly.

"No. She hasn't said a single word about that," Fred replied. He frowned. "Why?" He understood,
belatedly, Leo's concerned stare. "She did tell me about what happened in the hardware store," he
addedslowly."There'smore?"

Leo glanced away. "There was some unpleasantness at the ball, as well. We had a major fight." He
studiedhisbighands."I'vemadesomeseriousmistakeslately.IbelievedsomegossipaboutJaniethat
I should never have credited. I know better now, but it's too late. She won't let me close enough to
apologize."

Thatwasnews."Whendidyouseeher?"Fredasked,playingfortime.

"IntownatthebankFriday,"hesaid."Shesnubbedme."Hesmiledfaintly.Ithadactuallyhurtwhen
she'd given him a harsh glare, followed by complete oblivion to his presence. "First time that's
happenedtomeinmylife."

"Janieisn'tusuallyrude,"Fredtriedtojustifyherbehavior."Maybeit'sjustthenewjob..."

"It'swhatIsaidtoher,Fred,"theyoungermanrepliedheavily."Ireallyhurther.Lookingback,Idon't
knowwhyIeverbelievedwhatIwastold."

Fredwasreadingbetweenthelines."Marileecanbeveryconvincing,Janiesaid.Andshehadacase
onyou."

"It wasn't mutual," Leo said surprisingly. "I didn't realize what was going on. Then she told me all
thesethingsJaniewastellingpeople..."Hestoppedandcursedharshly."IthoughtIcouldseethrough
lies.IguessI'mmorenaivethanIthoughtIwas."

"Anymancanbetakenin,"Fredreassuredhim."Itwasjustbadluck.Janieneversaidawordabout
youinpublic.She'sshy,althoughyoumightnotrealizeitShe'dneverthrowherselfataman.Well,
notforreal,"heamendedwithafaintsmile."Shediddressupandflirtwithyou.ShetoldHettieitwas
thehardestthingshe'deverdoneinherlife,andsheagonizedoveritfordaysafterward.Notthemark
ofasophisticatedwoman,isit?"

Leo understood then how far he'd fallen. No wonder she'd been so upset when she overheard him
runningdownheraggressivebehavior."No,"hereplied."IwishI'dseenthroughit."Hesmiledwryly.
"Idon'tlikeaggressive,sophisticatedwomen,"heconfessed."Callitafatalflaw.IlikedJanietheway
shewas."

"Harmless?"Fredmused.

Leoflushed."Iwouldn'tsaythat."

"Wouldn'tyou?"Fredleanedbackinhischair,smilingattheyoungerman'sconfusion."I'vesheltered
Janietoomuch.Iwantedhertohaveasmooth,easypaththroughlife.ButIdidhernofavors.She's
notadress-updoll,Leo,she'sawoman.Sheneedstolearnindependence,self-sufficiency.Shehasa
temper,andshe'slearningtousethat,too.Lastweek,shestooduptomeforthefirsttimeandtoldme
what she was going to do." He chuckled. "I must confess, it was pretty shocking to realize that my
daughterwasawoman."

"She'sgoingaroundwithHarley,"Leosaidcurtly.

"Why shouldn't she? Harley's a good man—young, but steady and dependable. He, uh, did go up
againstarmedmenandheldhisown,youknow."

Leodidknow.Itmadehimfurioustoknow.Hedidn'thangoutwithprofessionalsoldiers.He'dbeen
in the service, and briefly in combat, but he'd never fought drug dealers and been written up in
newspapersasalocalhero.

FreddeducedallthatfromthelookonLeo'sleanface."It'snotlikeyouthink,"headded."Sheand
Harleyarefriends.Justfriends."

"DoIcare?"cametheimpassionedreply.HegrabbeduphisStetsonandgottohisfeet.Hehesitated,
turningbacktoFred."Iwon'tinsist,butJaniewouldneverhavetoknowifItookaninterestinthe
ranch,''headdedfirmly.

Fredwastempted.Hesighedandstoodup,too."I'veworkeddoubleshiftsforyears,tryingtokeepit
solvent I've survived bad markets, drought, unseasonable cold. But this is the worst it's ever been. I
couldlosethepropertysoeasily."

"Thendon'ttaketherisk,"Leoinsisted."Icanloanyouwhatittakestogetyoubackintheblack.And
I promise you, Janie will never know. It will be between the two of us. Don't lose the ranch out of
pride,Fred.

It'sbeeninyourfamilyforgenerations."

Fredgrimaced."Leo..."

TheyoungermanleanedbothhandsonthedeskandimpaledFredwithdarkeyes."Letmehelp!"

Fred studied the determination, the genuine concern in that piercing stare. "It would have to be a
secret,"hesaid,weakening.

Leo's eyes softened. "It will be. You have my word. Blake Kemp's our family attorney. I'll make an
appointment.Wecansitdownwithhimandworkoutthedetails."

Fred had to bite down hard on his lower lip to keep the brightness in his eyes in check. "You can't
possiblyknowhowmuch..."Hechoked.

Leoheldupahand,embarrassedbyhisfriend'semotion."I'mfilthyrich,"hesaidcurtly."Whatgood
is money if you can't use it to help out friends? You'd do the same for me in a heartbeat if our
positionswerereversed."

Fredswallowednoticeably."Thatgoeswithoutsaying."Hedrewinashakybreath."Thanks,"hebit
off.

"You'rewelcome."Leoslantedhishatacrosshiseyes."I'llphoneyou.Bytheway,whichrestaurantis
Janieworkingat?"headded."Imightstopbyforlunchoneday."

"Thatwouldn'tbeagoodideajustyet,"Fredsaid,feelingguiltybecauseLeostilldidn'tknowwhat
wasgoingon.

Leoconsideredthat."Youcouldberight,"hehadtoagree."I'llletitrideforafewdays,then.Until
she cools down a little, at least." He grinned. "She's got a hell of a temper, Fred. Who'd have
guessed?"

Fredchuckled."She'sfullofsurpriseslately."

"Thatsheis.I'llbeintouch."

LeowasgoneandFredlettheemotionout.Hehadn'trealizedhowmuchhisfamilyranchmeantto
him until he was faced with the horrible prospect of losing it. Now, it would pass to Janie and her
family,her children. Godbless Leo Hartfor being a friendwhen he neededone so desperately. He
grabbedatatissueandwipedhiseyes.

Lifewasgood.Lifewasverygood!

FredwasstillupwhenJaniegothomefromwork.Shewastired.Ithadbeenalongnight.Shestopped
inthekitchentosaygood-nighttoHettiebeforeshejoinedherfatherinhisstudy.

"HettiesaidLeocameby,"shesaidwithoutherusualgreeting.Shelookedworried."Why?"

"Hewantedtocheckonhisbull,"heliedwithoutmeetinghereyes.

Shehesitated."Didhe...askaboutme?"

"Yes,"hesaid."Itoldhimyouhadajobworkinginarestaurant."

Shestaredatherfeet."Didyoutellhimwhichone?"

Helookedanxious."No."

She met his eyes. "You don't have to worry, Dad. It's none of Leo Hart's business where I work, or
whateverelseIdo."

"You'restillangry,"henoted."Iunderstand.Buthewantstomakepeace."

Sheswallowed,hearingalloveragainhisvoicetauntingher,baitingher.Sheclenchedbothhandsat
hersides.

"Hewantstoburythehatchet?Good.Iknowexactlywheretoburyit."

"Now,daughter,he'snotabadman."

"Of course he's not. He just doesn't like me," she bit off. "You can't blame him, not when he's got
Marilee."

Hewinced."Ididn'tthink.Youlostyouronlyfriend."

"Some friend," she scoffed. "She's gone to spend the holidays in Colorado," she added smugly. "A
rushedtrip,Iheard."

"I imagine she's too ashamed to walk down the main street right now," her father replied. "People
havebeentalkingabouther,andthat'snolie.Butshe'snotreallyabadwoman,Janie.Shejustmadea
mistake.Peopledo."

"You don't," she said unexpectedly, and smiled at him. "You're the only person in the world who
wouldn'tstabmeintheback."

Heflushed.Guiltoverwhelmedhim.WhatwouldshesaywhensheknewthathewasgoingtoletLeo
Hart buy into the ranch, and behind her back? It was for a good cause, so that she could eventually
inheritherbirthright,buthefeltsuddenlylikeatraitor.Hecouldonlyimaginehowshe'dlookathim
ifsheeverfoundout....

"Whyareyoubrooding?"sheteased."Youneedtoputawaythosebooksandgotobed."

Hestaredatthecolumnsthatwouldn'tbalanceandthoughtabouthavingenoughmoneytofixfences,
repairthebarn,buyextrafeedforthewinter,buyreplacementheifers,affordmedicineforhissick
cattleandveterinar-ian'sfees.Thetemptationwasjusttoomuchforhim.Hecouldn'tlettheranchgo
tostrangers.

"Do you ever think about down the road," Fred murmured, "when your children grow up and take
overtheranch?"

She blinked. "Well, yes, sometimes," she confessed. "It's a wonderful legacy," she added with a soft
smile."WegobacksuchalongwayinJacobsville.Itwasoneofyourgreat-uncleswhowasthefirst
foremanoftheJa-cobsranchpropertieswhenthefounderofourtowncamehereandboughtcattle,
after the Civil War. This ranch was really an offshoot of that one," she added. "There's so much
historyhere!"

Fred swallowed. "Too much to let the ranch go down the tube, or end up in the hands of strangers,
liketheJacobsplacedid."Heshookhishead."Thatwassad,toseeShelbyandTythrownofftheir
ownproperty.Thatranchhadbeenintheirfamilyoverahundredyears."

"Itwasn'tmuchofaranchanymore,"sheremindedhim."Moreofahorsefarm.ButIunderstandwhat
youmean.I'mgladwe'llhavetheranchtohanddowntoourdescendants."Shegavehimalonglook.
"Youaren'tthinkingofgivingitupwithoutafight?"

"Heavens,no!"

Sherelaxed."Sorry.Butthewayyouweretalking..."

"I'ddoalmostanythingtokeepitinthefamily,"Fredassuredher."You,uh,wouldn'thaveaproblem

withmetakingonapartneroraninvestor?"

"Ofcoursenot,"sheassuredhim."SoyoufoundsomeoneinColoradoafterall?"sheaddedexcitedly.

"Somebodywho'swillingtobackus?"

"Yes,"helied,"butIdidn'thearuntiltoday."

"That'sjustgreat!"sheexclaimed.

He gave her a narrow look. "I'm glad you think so. Then you can give up that job and go back to
college..."

"No."

Hiseyebrowswentup."But,Janie..."

"Dad, even with an investor, we still have the day-to-day operation of the ranch to maintain," she
remindedhimgently."Howaboutgroceries?Utilities?Howaboutcattlefeedandhorsefeedandsalt
blocksandfencing?"

Hesighed."You'reright,ofcourse.I'llneedtheinvestmentforthebigthings."

"Ilikemyjob,"sheadded."Ireallydo."

"It'sabadplaceontheweekends,"heworried.

"Tinylikesme,"sheassuredhim."AndHarleycomesinatleasttwoorthreetimesaweek,mostlyon
FridaysandSaturdays,tomakesureI'mdoingallright.IfeelassafeatShea'sasIdorightherewith
you."

"It'snotthatImindyouworking,"hesaid,tryingtoexplain.

"Iknowthat.You'rejustworriedthatImightgetinovermyhead.Tinydoesn'tletanybodyhavetoo
muchtodrinkbeforehemakesthemleave.Mr.Duncanisemphaticaboutnothavingdrunksonthe
place."

Fredsighed."IknowwhenI'mlicked.ImayshowupforpizzaoneSaturdaynight,though."

Shegrinned."You'dbewelcome!Icouldshowyouofftomycustomers."

"Leo wanted to know where you were working," he said abruptly. "He wanted to come by and see
you."

Herfacetautened."Idon'twanttoseehim."

"SoIheard.Hewas,uh,prettyvocalaboutthewayyousnubbedhim."

Shetossedbackherhair."Hedeservedit.I'mnobody'sdoormat.Heisn'tgoingtowalkalloverme
andgetawaywithit!"

"Hewon'tlikeyouworkingatShea's,nomatterwhatyouthink."

"Whydoyoucare?"sheaskedsuspiciously.

Hecouldn'ttellherthatLeomightrenegeontheloanifheknewFredwaslettingherworkinsucha
dive.Hefeltguiltyassinfornotcomingclean.Buthewassoafraidoflosingtheranch.ItwasJanie's
inheritance.Hehadtodoeverythinghecouldtokeepitsolvent.

"He'smyfriend,"hesaidfinally.

"Iusedtothinkhewasmine,too,"shereplied."Butfriendsdon'ttalkabouteachotherthewayhewas
talkingaboutme.AsifI'devergossipabouthim!"

"Ithinkheknowsthatnow,Janie."

She forced the anger to the back of her mind. "I guess if he knew what I was doing, he'd faint. He
doesn'tthinkIcancookatall."

"Ididtellhimyouhadacookingjob,"heconfided.

Hereyeslitup."Youdid?Whatdidhesay?"

"Hewas...surprised."

"Hewasastonished,"shetranslated.

"It bothered him that you snubbed him. He said he felt really bad about the things he said, that you
overheard.

He,uh,toldmeaboutthefightyouhadattheball,too."

Herfacecolored."Whatdidhetellyou?"

"Thatyou'dhadabadargument.Seemedtoticklehimthatyouhadatemper,"headdedwithachuckle.

"He'llfindoutIhaveatemperifhecomesnearmeagain."Sheturned."I'mgoingtobed,Dad.You
sleepgood."

"You,too,sweetheart.Goodnight."

Hewatchedherwalkawaywithasilentsighofrelief.Sofar,hethought,sogood.

ChapterSix

ThefollowingWednesday,LeometwithBlakeKempandFredBrewsterinKemp'soffice,todrawup
theinstrumentofpartnership.

“I‟llneverbeabletothankyouenoughforthis,Leo,"Fredsaidastheyfinishedaroughdraftofthe
agreement.

"You'dhavedoneitforme,"Leosaidsimply."Howlongwillittakeuntilthosepapersarereadyto
sign?"heaskedKemp.

"We'llhavethembyMonday,"Kempassuredhim.

"I'llmakeanappointmentwithyourreceptionistonthewayout,"Leosaid,rising."Thanks,Blake."

The attorney shook his outstretched hand, and then Fred's. "All in a day's work. I wish most of my
businesswasconcludedthiseasily,andamiably,"headdedwryly.

Leo checked his watch. "Why don't we go out to Shea's and have a beer and some pizza, Fred?" he
askedtheotherman,who,curiously,seemedpaler.

FredwasscramblingforareasonthatLeocouldn'tgotoShea's."Well,because,uh,becauseHettie
madechili!"

herememberedsuddenly."Sowhydon'tyoucomehomeandeatwithme?We'vegotMexicancorn
breadtogowithit!"

Leohesitated."Thatdoessoundprettygood,"hehadtoadmit.Thenheremembered.Janiewouldbe
there. He was uncomfortable with the idea of rushing in on her unexpectedly, especially in light of
recentcircumstances.

He was still a little embarrassed about his own behavior. He searched for a reason to refuse, and
foundone."Oh,forPete'ssake,Ialmostforgot!"headded,slappinghisforehead."I'msupposedto
havesupperwithCagandTesstonight.We'regoingintogetherontwonewSantaGertru-disbulls.
HowcouldIhaveforgotten...gottorun,Fred,orI'llnevermakeitontime!"

"Sure,ofcourse,"Fredsaid,andlookedrelieved."Haveagoodtime!"

Leochuckled."Igettoplaywithmynephew.That'sfun,allright.Ilikekids."

"Youneverseemedthetype,"Fredhadtoadmit

"I'm not talking about having any of my own right away," Leo assured him. "I don't want to get
married.ButIlikeallmynephews,nottomentionmyniece."

Fredonlysmiled.

"Thanksfortheofferofsupper,anyway,"hetoldtheoldermanwithasmile."SorryIcan'tcome."

Fred relaxed. "That's okay, Leo. More for me," he teased. "Well, I'll go home and have my chili.
Thanksagain.

IfIcaneverdoanythingforyou,anythingatall,youonlyhavetoask."

Leosmiled."Iknowthat,Fred.Seeyou."

Theypartedintheparkinglot.Leogotinhisdouble-cabbedpickupandgunnedtheengine.

Fredgotintohisowntruckandrelaxed.Atleast,hethought,hedidn'thavetofaceLeo'sindignation
today.

Withluck,Leomightneverrealizewhatwasgoingon.

Leo,honesttothecore,phonedCagandcagedaninvitationtosuppertodiscussthetwonewbullsthe
brothers were buying. But he had some time before he was due at his brother's house. He brooded
overFred'sdeadbull,andChristabel's,andhebegantowonder.Hehadabullfromthatsamelot,a
newlineageofSalersbullsthatcamefromaVictoriabreeder.Tworelatedbullsdyinginamonth's
timeseemedjustabittoomuchforcoincidence.Hepickedupthephoneandcalledinformation.

CagandTesswerestilllikenewlyweds,Leonotedashecarriedtheirtoddleraroundthelivingroom
aftersupper,grinningfromeartoearasthelittleboy,barelyayearold,smiledupathimandtriedto
grabhisnose.

Theysatclosetogetheronthesofaandseemedtoradiatelove.Theywerewatchinghimwithequal
interest.

"Youdothatlikeanatural,"Cagteased.

Leoshiftedthelittleboy."Lotsofpractice,"hechuckled."Simon'stwoboys,thenCorrigan'sboyand
theirnewgirl,andnowyourson."Heliftedaneyebrow."ReyandMereditharefinallyexpecting,too,
Ihear."

"They are," Cag said with a sigh. He eyed his brother mischievously. "When are you planning to
throwinthetowelandjoinup?"

"Me? Never," Leo said confidently. "I've got a big house to myself, all the women I can attract, no
responsibilities and plenty of little kids to spoil as they grow." He gave them an innocent glance.
"WhyshouldIwanttotiemyselfdown?"

"Justathought,"Cagreplied."You'llsoongettiredofgoingallthewaytotowneverymorningfora
freshbiscuit."CaghandedthebabybacktoTess.

"I'mthinkingoftakingacookingcourse,"Leoremarked.

Cagroared.

"IcouldcookifIwantedto!"Leosaidindignantly.

Tessdidn'tspeak,buthereyesdid.

Leostuffedhishandsinhispockets."Well,Idon'treallywantto,"heconceded."Anditisalongway
totown.

But I can manage." He sprawled in an easy chair. "There's something I want to talk to you about—
besidesournewbulls."

"What?"Cagasked,sensingconcern.

"Fred'sbigSalersbullthatdiedmysteriously,"Leosaid."ChristabelandJuddDunnlostone,too,a
youngbull.”

"Juddsaysitdiedofbloat."

"Isawthecarcass,hedidn't.HethinksChristabelmadeitup,Godknowswhy.Hewouldn'tevencome
downfromVictoriatotakealookatit.Itwasn'tbloat.Butshedidn'tcallavetout,andtheydidn'tfind
any marks on Fred's bull." He sighed. "Cag, I've done a little checking. The bulls are related. The
youngherdsireofthesebullsdiedrecentlyaswell,andtheonlychampionSalersbullleftthat'sstill
walkingisourtwo-year-oldbullthatIloanedtoFred,althoughit'snotrelatedtothedeadones."

Cagsatupstraight,scowling."You'rekidding."

Leoshookhishead."It'ssuspicious,isn'tit?"

"YoumighttalktoJackHandleyinVictoria,therancherweboughtourbullfrom."

"Idid."Heleanedforwardintently."Handleysaidhefiredtwomenearlierthisyearforstealingfrom
him They're brothers, John and Jack Clark. One of them is a thief, the other has a reputation for
vengeancethatbogglesthemind.WhenoneformeremployerfiredJackClark,helosthisprizebull
andallfouryoungbullshe'dgotfromit.Noapparentcauseofdeath.Handleycheckedandfounda
pattern of theft and retribution with those brothers going back two years. At least four employers
reportedsimilarproblemswiththeftandfiring.

There'sapatternofbulldeaths,too.ThebrothersweresuspectsinarecentcaseinVictoria,butthere
was never enough evidence to convict anyone. Until now, I don't imagine anyone's connected the
dots."

"Howthehelldotheykeepgettingawaywithit?"Cagwantedtoknow.

"There'snoproof.Andthey'rebrawlers,"Leosaid."Theyintimidatepeople."

"Theywouldn'tintimidateus,"Cagremarked.

"Theywouldn't.Butdoyouseethecommonthreadhere?Handleycrossedthebrothers.Hehadanew,
expensiveSalersbullthathebredtosomeheifers,andhesoldalltheyoungbullsthisyear,exceptfor
his seed bull. His seed bull, and all its offspring, which isn't many, have died. Christabel Games's
young bull was one of Handley's, like Fred's. And Jack Clark was fired by Judd Dunn for stealing,
too."

Cagwasscowling."Wherearethebrothersnow?"

"IaskedHandley.HesaysJohnClarkisworkingonaranchnearVictoria.WeknowthatJack,theone
withareputationforgettingeven,isrighthereinJacobsville,drivingacattletruckforDukeWright,"
Leosaid."IcalledWrightandtoldhimwhatIknow.He'sgoingtokeepaneyeontheman.Icalled
Judd Dunn, too, but he was too preoccupied to listen. He's smitten with that redheaded supermodel
who'sinthemoviethey'remakingonChristabel'sranch—TippyMoore,the'GeorgiaFirefly."'

"He'lllandhard,ifImakemyguess,"Cagsaid."She'splaying.Heisn't."

"He'smarried,too,"Leosaidcurtly."Somethinghedoesn'tseemtoremember."

"HeonlymarriedChristabelbecauseshewasgoingtolosetheranchafterherfatherbeathernearly
to death in a drunken rage. Her mother was an invalid. No way could the two of them have kept it
solvent,"Cagadded.

"That'snotarealmarriage.I'msurehe'salreadylookedintoannullingitwhensheturnstwenty-one."

"Shewastwenty-onethismonth,"Leosaid."Poorkid.She'sgotarealcaseonhim,andshe'sfairly
plainexceptforthosesoulfulbrowneyesandanicefigure.Shecouldn'tcompetewiththeGeorgia
Firefly."

"SoaskyourselfwhatdoesasupermodelworthmillionswantwithalittlebittyTexasRanger?"Cag
grinnedTessgavehimaspeakinglook."Asahappilymarriedwoman,IcantellyouthatifIwasn't
hunguponyou,JuddDunnwouldmakemymouthwater."

Cagwhistled.

Leo shrugged. "Whatever. But I think we should keep a close eye on our Salers bull, as well as
Wright'snewcattle-truckdriver.HandleysaysClarklikestodrink,soitwouldn'thurttokeepaneye
outatShea's,aswell."

Cagfrownedthoughtfully.“YoumighthaveawordwithJanie..."

"Janie?"

"JanieBrewster,"hisbrothersaidimpatiently."Tellherwhatthemanlookslikeandhaveherwatch
himifheevershowsupoutthere."

Leostaredathisbrother."Willyoumakesense?WhywouldJaniebeatShea'sroadhouseinthefirst
place?"

Realizationdawned.Caglookedstunned,andthenuncomfortable.

Tessgrimaced."Hedoesn'tknow.Iguessyou'dbettertellhim."

"Tellmewhat?"Leogrumbled.

"Well,it'slikethis,"Cagsaid."Janie'sbeenworkingatShea'sforacoupleofweeks..."

"She'sworkinginabar?"Leoexplodedviolently.

Cagwinced."Now,Leo,she'sagrownwoman,"hebegancalmly.

"She'sbarelytwenty-one!"hecontinued,unabashed."She'sgotnobusinessworkingarounddrunks!
WhatthehellisFredthinking,tolethergetajobinaplacelikethat?"

Cag sighed. "Talk is that Fred's in the hole and can hardly make ends meet," he told Leo. "I guess
Janieinsistedonhelpingout."

LeogottohisfeetandgrabbeduphiswhiteStetson,hislipsinathinline,hisdarkeyessparking.

"Don'tgooverthereandstarttrouble,"Cagwarned."Don'tembarrassthegirlwithherboss!"

Leodidn'tanswerhim.Hekeptwalking.Hisfootsteps,quickandhard,describedthetemperhewasin.
Heevenslammedthedooronthewayout,withoutrealizinghehad.

Cag looked at Tess worriedly as Leo's car careened down the driveway. "Should I warn her?" he
askedTess.

Shenodded."Atleastshe'llbeprepared."

Cag thought privately that it was unlikely that anybody could prepare for Leo in a temper, but he
pickedupthephonejustthesame.

Shea'swasn'tcrowdedwhenLeojerkedtoastopintheparkinglot.Hewalkedintotheroadhousewith
blood in his eye. Three men at a table near the door stopped talking when they saw him enter.
Apparentlytheythoughthelookeddangerous.

Janiewasthinkingthesamething.She'dassuredCagthatshewasn'tafraidofLeo,butitwasalittle
different when the man was walking toward her with his eyes narrow and his lips compressed like
that.

Hestoppedatthecounter.Henotedherlongapron,herhandswithadustingofflour,apencilbehind
herear.

Shelookedbusy.Therewerethreecowboysatthecounterdrinkingbeersandapparentlywaitingfor
pizzas.Ateenageboywaspullingapizzaonalongpaddleoutofabigovenbehindher.

"Getyourthings,"hetoldJanieinatonehehadn'tusedwithhersinceshewastenandhadgotteninto
a truck with a cowboy who offered her a trip to the visiting carnival. He'd busted up that cowboy
prettybad,andforreasonsJanieonlylearnedlater.She'dhadaveryclosecall.Leohadsavedher.But
shedidn'tneedsavingrightnow.

She lifted her chin and glared at him. The night of the ball came back to her vividly. "How's your
foot?"sheaskedwithsarcasm.

"Myfootisfine.Getyourthings,"herepeatedcurtly.

"Iworkhere."

"Notanymore."

Shecrossedherarms."Youplanningtocarrymeoutkickingandscreaming?Becausethat'stheonly
wayI'mleaving."

"Suitsme."Hestartedaroundthecounter.

Shepickedupapitcherofbeeranddumpedthecontentsonhim."Nowyoulistentome...Leo!"

Thebeerdidn'tevenslowhimdown.Hehadherupinhisarmsandheturned,carryinghertowardthe
door.Shewaskickingandscreamingforallshewasworth.

ThatattractedTiny,thebouncer.Hewasusuallyonthejobbysix,buthe'darrivedlatetoday.Togive
himcredit,theminutehesawJanie,heturnedandwenttowardthebigmanbullyingher.

HesteppedinfrontofLeo."Putherdown,Leo,"hedrawled.

"Youtellhim,Tiny!"Janiesputtered.

"I'mtakingherhomewhereshe'llbesafe,"Leoreplied.HeknewTiny.Themanwassweet-natured,
butaboutabeershortofasix-packonintelligence.Hewasalsoasbigasahouse.Itdidn'thurttobe
polite."Sheshouldn'tbeworkinginabar."

"Itisn'tabar,"Tinysaidreasonably."It'saroadhouse.It'saniceroadhouse.Mr.Duncandon'tallow
nodrunks.

YouputMissJaniedown,Leo,orI'llhavetohityou."

"He'll do it," Janie warned. "I've seen him do it. He's hit men even bigger than you. Haven't you,
Tiny?"sheencouraged.

"Isurehave,MissJanie."

Leo wasn't backing down. He glared at Tiny. "I said," he replied, his voice dangerously soft, "I'm
takingherhome."

"Idon'tthinkshewantstogo,Mr.Hart,"cameanewsourceofinterferencefromthedoorwaybehind
him.

He swung around with Janie in his big arms. It was Har-ley Fowler, leaning against the doorjamb,
lookingintimidating.Itwouldhavebeenajokeayearago.ThenewHarleymadeitlookgood.

"Youtellhim,Harley!"Janiesaidenthusiastically.

"Youkeepstill,"Leotoldherangrily."You'vegotnobusinessworkinginaroughjointlikethis!"

"YouhavenorighttotellmewhereIcanwork,"Janieshotrightback,red-facedandfurious."Won't
Marileemindthatyou'reherepesteringme?"sheaddedviciously.

Hischeekswentred."Ihaven'tseenMarileeintwoweeks.Idon'tgiveadamnifIneverseeheragain,
either."

Thatwasnews.JanielookedasinterestedasHarleyseemedto.

Tinywasstillhovering."Isaid,putherdown,"hepersisted.

"DoyoureallythinkyoucantakeonTinyandmeboth?"Harleyaskedsoftly.

Leowasgettingmad.Hisfacetautened."Idon'tknowaboutTiny,"hesaidhonestly,puttingJanieback
onherfeetwithouttakinghiseyesoffHarley."Butyou'reapieceofcake,son."

As he said it, he stepped forward and threw a quick punch that Harley wasn't expecting. With his
mouthopen,Harleytumbledbackwardoveratable.LeoglaredatJanie.

"Youwantthisjob,keepit,"hesaid,ice-coldexceptfortheglitterinthosedarkeyes."Butifyouget
sluggedduringabrawlorhassledbyamorousdrunks,don'tcomecryingtome!"

"As...asifIever...would!"shestammered,shockedbyhisbehavior.

HeturnedaroundandstalkedoutthedoorwithoutgivingHarleyasingleglance.

Janie rushed to Harley and helped him back to his feet "Oh, Harley, are you hurt?" she asked
miserably.

Herubbedhisjaw."Onlymypride,darlin',"hemurmuredwitharoughchuckle."Damn,thatmancan
throwapunch!Iwasn'treallyexpectinghimtodoit"Hiseyestwinkled."Iguessyou'realittlemore
importanttohimthananyofusrealized."

Sheflushed."He'sjusttryingtorunmylife."

TinycameoverandinspectedBarley'sjaw."Gonnahaveabruise,Mr.Fowler,"hesaidpolitely.

Harleygrinned.Hewasagoodsport,andheknewajealousmanwhenhesawone.Leohadwantedto
deckhimattheballoverJanie,buthe'drestrainedhimself.Now,maybe,hefeltvindicated.ButHarley
wishedtherehadbeenagentlerwayofdoingitHisjawwasreallysore.

"The beast," Janie muttered. "Come on, Harley, I'll clean you up in the bathroom before it gets
crowded.Okay,guys,fun'sover.Drinkyourbeerandeatyourpizzas."

"Yes,mother,"oneofthemendrawled.

ShegavehimawickedgrinandledHarleytotheback.Shewasnotgoingtoadmitthethrillithad
givenherthatLeowasworriedaboutherjob,orthatpeoplethoughthewasjealousofHarley.Butshe
feltitallthewaytoherbones.

LeowasluckynottogetarrestedforspeedingonhiswaytoFred'shouse.Hehadthesportscarflat-
outonthefourlanethatturnedontotheVictoriaroad,andheburnedrubberwhenheleftthetarmac
andturnedintoFred'sgrav-eleddriveway.

Fredheardhimcomingandknewwithoutadoubtwhatwaswrong.

HestoodontheporchwithhishandsinhisjeanpocketsashestudiedthedarkeningskybehindLeo,
whowasalreadyoutofthecarandheadedfortheporch.HisStetsonwaspulleddownrightoverhis
eyes, cocked as they said in cowboy vernacular, and Fred had never seen Leo look so much like a
Hart.Thebrothershadareputationforbeingtoughcustomers.Leolookeditrightnow.

"Iwantheroutofthatdamnedbar,"LeotoldFredflatly,withoutevenaconventionalgreeting."You
canconsideritatermoftheloan,ifyoulike,butyougetherhome."

Fredgrimaced."Ididtrytotalkheroutofit,whenIfoundoutwhereshewasworking,"hesaidinhis
owndefense."Leo,shestoodrightuptomeandsaidshewasoldenoughtomakeherowndecisions.
WhatdoIsaytothat?She'stwenty-oneandshetoldmeshewasn'tgivingupherjob."

Leocursedfuriously.

"What happened to your shirt?" Fred asked suddenly. He leaned closer and made a face. "Man, you
reekofbeer!"

"OfcourseIdo!Yourdaughterbaptizedmeinfrontofacrowdofcowboyswithawholepitcherof
thedamnedstuff!"Leosaidindignantly.

Fred'seyesopenedwide."Janie?MyJanie?"

Leolookeddisgusted."Sheflungthepitcheratme.Andthenshesetthebounceronmeandappealed
toHarleyFowlerforaid."

"Whydidsheneedaid?"Fredaskedhesitantly.

"Oh,shewaskickingandscreaming,andtheythoughtshewasintrouble,Iguess."

"Kicking...?"

Leo'slipscompressed."Allright,ifyouhavetoknow,Itriedtocarryheroutofthebarandbringher
home.Sheresisted."

Fred whistled. "I'd say she resisted." He was trying very hard not to laugh. He looked at Leo's
clenchedfists.

One,therightone,wasbleeding."Hitsomebody,didyou?"

"Harley,"hereturneduncomfortably."Well,heshouldn'thaveinterfered!Hedoesn'townJanie,she's
not his private stock. If he were any sort of a man, he'd have insisted that she go home right then.
Instead, he stands there calmly ordering me to put her down. Ordering me. Hell! He's lucky it was
onlyonepunch!"

"Oh, boy," Fred said, burying his face in his hand. Gos-sip was going to run for a month on this
mixer.

"Itwasn'tmyfault,"Leoargued,wavinghishands."Iwentintheretosaveherfrombeinginsulted
and harassed by drunk men, and look at the thanks I get? Drenched in beer, threatened by ogres,
giggledat..."

"Whogiggled?"

Leoshifted."ThislittlebrunettewhowassittingwithoneoftheTremaynebrothers'cowboys."

Fredclearedhisthroat.Hedidn'tdarelaugh."Iguessitwasasighttosee."

Grimacing,Leoflexedhishand."DamnednearbrokemyfingersonHarley'sjaw.Heneedstolearn
tokeephismouthshut.Justbecausehe'snotafraidofdruglords,heshouldn'tthinkhecantakemeon
andwin."

"I'msureheknowsthatnow,Leo."

Leotookadeepbreath."YoutellherIsaidshe'sgoingtogiveupthatjob,onewayortheother!"

"I'lltellher."Itwon'tmatterthough,hethoughtprivately.Janiewasmorethanlikelytodigherheels
inbigtimeafterLeo'svisittoShea's.

Leogavehimalong,hardstare."I'mnotmeanwithmoney,Idon'tbegrudgeyouthatloan.ButI'm
notkiddingaroundwithyou,Fred.Janie'sgotnobusinessinShea's,evenwithabounceronduty.It's
a rough place. I've been there on nights when the bouncer didn't have time for a cup of coffee, and
there'sbeenatleastoneshooting.It'sdangerous.Evenmoredangerousrightnow."

Somethingintheyoungerman'stonemadeFreduneasy."Why?"

"Fred,youdon'tbreatheawordofthis,eventoJanie,understand?"

Frednodded,curious.

Leo told him what he'd learned from Handley about the Clark brothers, and the loss of the related
Salersbulls.

Fred'sjawflewopen."Youthinkmybullwaskilleddeliberately?"

"Yes,Ido,"Leoadmittedsolemnly."I'msorrytotellyouthat,becauseIcan'tproveitandneithercan
you.

Clarkisshrewd.He'sneverbeencaughtintheact.Ifyoucan'tproveit,youcan'tprosecute."

Fredletoutanangrybreath."Ofallthedamnedmean,lowthingstodo!"

"Iagree,andit'swhyI'mputtingtwomenoverheretowatchmybull,"headdedfirmly."Nosorry
cattle-killerisgoingtomurdermybullandgetawaywithit.I'mhavingvideocamerasinstalled,too.
Ifhecomesnearthatbull,I'llhavehishideinjail!"

Fredchuckled."Don'tIwishhe'dtry,"hesaidthoughtfully.

"So do I, but I don't hold out a lot of hope," Leo returned. He moved his shoulders restlessly. The
muscleswerestretched,probablyfromJanie'sviolentsquirming.Herememberedwithoutwantingto
thefeelofhersoftbreastspressedhardagainsthischest,andheached.

"Uh,aboutJanie,"Fredcontinuedworriedly.

Leostaredathimwithoutspeaking.

"Okay,"theoldermansaidwearily."I'lltrytotalksomesenseintoher."Hepursedhislipsandpeered
upatLeo."Ofcourse,shecouldbealotofhelpwheresheisrightnow,"hemurmuredthoughtfully.
"WiththeClarkmanroamingaroundloose,thatis.Shecouldkeepaneyeonhimifhecomesinto
Shea's.Ifhe'sadrinkingman,that'stheonlyjointaroundthatsellsliquorbythedrink."

"Shedoesn'tknowwhathelookslike,"Leosaid.

"Can'tyoufindoutandtellher?"

Leosighed."Idon'tlikeherbeinginthelineoffire."

"NeitherdoI."Fredgavetheothermanacuriousscrutiny."YouandHarleyandIcouldarrangeto
dropinfromtimetotime,justtokeepaneyeonher."

"She'llhavetoaskHarley.Iwon't."

"You'rethinkingaboutit,aren'tyou?"Fredpersisted.

Leowas.Hiseyesnarrowed."Mybrotherscoulddropinoccasionally,andsocouldourranchhands.
TheTremayneswouldhelpusout.IknowHarden.I'lltalktohim.Andmostofourcowhandsgointo
Shea'sontheweekend.I'lltalktoourcattleforeman."

"IknowCyParksandEbScott,"Fredtoldhim."They'dhelp,too."

Leoperkedup.Withsomanywillingspies,Janiewouldbelookedafterconstantly,andshe'dnever
knowit.Hesmiled.

"It'sagoodidea,isn'tit?"

Leoglaredathim."Youjustdon'twanttohavetomakeJaniequitthatjob.You'rescaredofher,aren't
you?

What'sthematter,thinkshe'dtrytodrownyouincheapbeer,too?"

Fredburstoutlaughing."Youhavetoadmit,it'sashocktothinkofJaniethrowingbeeratanybody."

"Iguessitis,atthat,"Leoseconded,rememberinghowshyJaniehadbeen.ItwasonlyafterMarilee
hadcausedsomuchtroublewithherliesthatLeohadconsideredJanie'slackofaggression.

Inthepast,thatwas,heamended,becausehe'dneverseensuchaggressionashe'dencounteredinlittle
JanieBrewsterjustanhourago.

Heshookhishead."ItwasallIcoulddonottogetthrownonthefloor.She'sahandfulwhenshe's
mad.Idon'tthinkI'veeverseenherlosehertemperbefore."

"There'salotaboutheryoudon'tknow,"Fredsaidenigmatically.

"Okay,shecanstay,"Leosaidatonce."ButI'llfindoutwhatClarklookslike.I'llgetapictureifIcan
manageit.MaybeGrieratthepolicestationwouldhaveanidea.He'ssweetonChristabelGaines,and
shelostabulltothisdude,sohemightbewillingtoassist."

"Don'tgetJuddDunnmad,"Fredwarned.

Leoshrugged."He'stoostuckonhisprettymodeltocaremuchaboutChristabelrightnow,orGrier,
either. I don't want any more bulls killed, and I want that man out of the way before he really hurts
somebody."

"Haveyoutalkedtohisboss?"

"DukeWrightdidn'thaveacluethathisnewtruckdriverwassuchanunsavorycharacter,"Leosaid,

"andhewaskeentofirehimonthespot.Ipersuadedhimnotto.Heneedstobewherewecanwatch
him.Ifheputsafootwrong,wecanputhimaway.Iloveanimals,"Leosaidinanuncharacteristically
tendermood."Especiallybulls.Thekindwekeeparegentlecreatures.Theyfollowusaroundlikebig
dogsandeatoutofourhands."Hisfacehardenedvisibly."Amanwhocouldcold-bloodedlykillan
animallikethatcouldkillamanjustaseasily.IwantClarkoutofhere.Whateverittakes.ButJanie's
goingtobewatched,allthetimeshe'sworking,"Leoaddedfirmly."Nobody'sgoingtohurther."

Fred looked at the other man, sensing emotions under the surface that Leo might not even realize
werethere.

"Thanks,Leo,"hesaid.

Theyoungermansquaredhisshouldersandshrugged"I'vegottogohomeandchangemyshirt."He
lookeddownathimselfandsmiledruefully."Damn.Imayneverdrinkanotherbeer."

"Ittastesbetterthanitwears,"Fredsaid,deadpan.

Leogavehimahaughtylookandwenthome.

ChapterSeven

LeostoppedbyCashGrier'sofficeatthepolicestationinJacobsville,catchingthenewassistantchief
ofpoliceonhislunchhour.

"Comeonin,"Grierinvited.Heindicatedhisbigdesk,whichcontainedascatteringofwhiteboxes
with metal handles. "Like Chinese food? That's moo goo gai pan, that's sweet-and-sour pork, and
that'sfriedrice.Helpyourselftoaplate."

"Thanks,butIhadbarbecueatBarbara'sCafe,"Leoreplied,sittingdown.Henotedwithlittlesurprise
thatthemanwasadeptwithchopsticks."IsawToshiroMifunecatchflieswiththosethingsinoneof
the'SamuraiTrilogy'films,"hecommented.

Grier chuckled. "Don't believe everything you see, and only half of what you hear," he replied. He
gaveLeoadark-eyedappraisaloverhispaperplate."You'rehereaboutClark,Iguess."

Leo'seyebrowsjumped.

"Oh,I'mpsychic,"Griertoldhimstraight-faced."IlearnedthatwhenIwasintheCIAknockingoff
enemygovernmentagentsfromblackhelicopterswithasniperkit."

Leodidn'tsayaword.

Grierjustshookhishead."Youwouldn'tbelievethestuffI‟vedone,tohearpeopletalk."

"You'remysterious,"Leocommented."Youkeeptoyourself."

Griershrugged."Ihaveto.Idon'twantpeopletonoticethealiensspyingonme."Heleanedforward
confidentially."Youseethem,too,don'tyou?"heaskedinabushedtone.

Leobegantogetit.HestartedlaughingandwassecretlyrelievedwhenGrierjoinedhim.Theother
manleanedbackinhischair,withhisbootedfeetproppedonhisdesk.HewasasfitasLeo,probably
inevenbettercondition,ifthemusclesoutlinedunderthatuniformshirtwereanyindication.Grier
wassaidtomovelikelightning,althoughLeohadneverseenhimfightThemanwasanenigma,with
hisblackhairinarawhideponytailandhisscarredfacegivingawaynothing—unlesshewanteditto.

"That'smorelikeit,"Griersaidashefinishedhislunch."IthoughtI'dmovetoasmalltownandfit
in."Hesmiledwryly."Butpeopleareallthesame.Onlythescenerychanges."

"ItwasthesameforCyParkswhenhefirstmovedhere,"Leocommented.

Griergavehimanarrowlook."Areyouaskingaquestion?"

"Makingacomment,"Leotoldhim."Oneofourlocalguyswasinthemilitaryduringaconflictafew
yearsback,inaspecialforcesunit,"headdeddeliberately,recountingsomethingCyParkshadtold
himaboutHarleyFowler."Hesawyouonaplane,outofuniformandarmedtotheteeth."

Grier began to nod. "It's a small world, isn't it?" he asked pleasantly. He put down his plate and the
chopsticks with deliberate preciseness. "I did a stint with military intelligence. And with a
few...governmentagencies."HemetLeo'scuriouseyes."Howfarhasthatgossiptrav-eled?"

"It got to Cy Parks and stopped abruptly," Leo replied, recalling what Cy had said to Harley about
looselips.

"Jacobsvilleisasmalltown.Weconsiderpeoplewholiveherefamily,whetherornotwe'rerelatedto
them.

Gossipisn'tencouraged."

Grier was surprised. He actually smiled. "If you asked Parks, or Steele, or Scott why they moved
here,"hesaidafteraminute,"Iimagineyou'dlearnthatwhattheywantedmostwasanendtositting
withtheirbackstothewallandsleepingarmed."

"Isn'tthatwhyyou'rehere?"Leowantedtoknow.

Griermethiseyeslevelly."Idon'treallyknowwhyI'mhere,orifIcanstayhere,"hesaidhonestly."I
thinkImighteventuallyfitin.I'mgoingtogiveitagoodtryforsixmonths,"headded,"nomatter
howmanyrubber-neckedyahoosstandoutsidemyofficetryingtoheareverydamnedwordIsay!"he
raisedhisvoice.

Thereweresudden,sharpfootfallsandthesoundofscur-rying.

Leochuckled.Grierhadn'tevenlookedatthedoorwhenheraisedhisvoice.Heshruggedandsmiled
sheepishly."Idon'thaveeyesinthebackofmyhead,butIlovetokeeppeopleguessingaboutwhatI
know."

"Ithinkthatmaybepartoftheproblem,"Leoadvised.

"Well,itdoesn'thurttokeepyoursenseshoned.Now.WhatdoyouwanttoknowaboutClark?"

"I'dlikesomewaytogetaphotoofhim,"Leoconfessed."AfriendofmineisworkingatShea's.I'm
goingtoask herifshe'll keepaneye onwhohe talksto, whathedoes, ifhecomes inthere.She'll
needtoknowwhathelookslike."

Griersoberedatonce."That'sdangerous,"hesaid.

"Clark'sbrotheralmostkilledamanhesuspectedofspy-ingonhim,upinVictoria.Hemadesome
threats,too."

Leofrowned."Whyareguyslikethatonthestreets?"

"Youcan'tshootpeopleorevenlockthemupwithoutdueprocesshereindieStates,"Griersaidwith
awistfulsmile."Pity."

"Listen, do they give you real bullets to go with that gun?" Leo asked, indicating the .45 caliber
automaticinashoulderholsterthatthemanwaswearing.

"Ihaven't shot anybodyin months," Grierassured him. "I wasa cyber crimespecialist in the D.A.'s
officeSanAntonio.Ididn'treallybeatupthatguyIwasaccusedofharassing,IjusttoldhimI‟dkeep
fliesoffhimifhedidn'tlevelwithmeabouthisboss'sillegalmoneylaundering.Ihadaccesstohis
computerizedfinancialrecords,"headdedwithatwinkleinhisdarkeyes.

"Iheardaboutthat,"Leochuckled."Apparentlyyouusedsomeaccesscodesthatweren'tinthebook."

"Theyletmeoffwithawarning.WhentheycheckedmyID,Istillhadmyold'company'card."

Leojustshookhishead.Hecouldn'timagineGrierbeingintroubleforverylong.Heknewtoomuch.
"Allthatspecializedbackground,andyou'rehandingoutspeedingticketsinJacobsville,Texas."

"Don't knock it. Nobody's shot at me since I've been here." He got up and opened his filing cabinet
withakey.

"Ihavetokeepitlocked,"heexplained."Ihavecopiesofdocumentsaboutalientechnologyinhere."
HeglancedatLeotoseeifhewasbuyingitandgrinned."DidyoureadthatbookbytheAirForce
guywhodiscoverednightvisionataflyingsaucercrash?''Heturnedbacktothefiles."Hell,Ishould
writeabook.WithwhatIknow,govern-mentsmighttopple."Hehesitated,frowned,withafilefolder
inhishand."Ourgovernmentmighttopple!"

"Clark?"Leoprompted.

"Clark.Right."Hetookapaperfromthefile,replacedit,closedthecabinetandlockeditagain."Here.
Youdon'thaveacluewherethisphotocamefrom,andIneversawyou."

Leo was looking at a photograph of two men, obviously brothers, in, of all things, a newspaper
clipping.

Incredibly,they'dbeenhonoredwithagoodcitizenawardinanotherTexastownforgettingaherdof
escapedcattleoutofthepathoftrafficandbackintoafencedpasturewithbrokenelectricfencing.

"Neattrick,"Griersaid."Theycutthewiretostealthecattle,andthenwereseenroundingthemup.
Everybodythoughttheyweresavingthecattle.Theyhadatractortrailertruckjustdowntheroadand
told people they were truck drivers who saw the cattle out and stopped to help." He laughed
wholeheartedly."Canyoubelieveit?"

"Canyoucopythisforme?"

"That'sacopyoftheoriginal.Youcanhaveit,"Griertoldhim."I'vegottwomore."

"Youwereexpectingtrouble,Igather,"Leocontinued.

"Two expensive bulls in less than a month, both from the same herd sire, is a little too much
coincidence even for me," Grier said as he sat back down. "When I heard Clark was working for
DukeWright,Iputtwoandtwotogether."

"There'snoproof,"Leosaid.

"Notyet.We'llgivehimalittletimeandseeifhe'llobligeusbyhanginghimself."Helacedhislean,
stronghandstogetheronthedeskinfrontofhim."Butyouwarnyourfriendnottobeobvious.These
aredangerousmen."

"I'lltellher."

"AndstopknockingmenovertablesinShea's.It'soutsidethecitylimits,soIcan'tarrestyou.ButI
can have the sheriff pick you up for brawling," Grier said abruptly, and he was serious. "You can't
abductwomeninplainsightofthepublic."

"Iwasn'tabductingher,Iwastryingtosaveher!"

“Fromwhat?"

"Fistfights!"

Grier lost it. He got up from his desk. "Get out," he invited through helpless laughter. "I have real
worktodohere."

"IfHarleyFowlersaidIhithimwithoutprovocation,he'slying,"Leocontinueddoggedly."Henever
shouldhaveorderedmetoputherdown,andleavemyhandsfreetohithim!"

"You should just tell the woman how you feel," Grier advised. "It's simpler." He glanced at Leo's
swollenhand.

“Andlesspainful."

Leodidn'treallyknowhowhefelt.Thatwastheproblem.HegaveGrierasardoniclookandleft.

HeworriedaboutlettingJaniegetinvolved,evenfromthesidelines,withClark.Ofcourse,theman
mightnotevencomenearShea's.Hemightbuyabottleanddrinkontheranch,inthebunkhouse.But
itwasn'talongshottothinkhemightfrequentShea'sifhewantedcompanywhilehedrank.

HedislikedanythingthatmightthreatenJanie,andhedidn'tunderstandwhyhehatedHarleyallofa
sudden.

Butshewasinagreatpositiontonoticeamanwithoutbeingobvious,andforeveryone'ssake,Clark
hadtobewatched.Amanwhowouldkillhelplessanimalswascapableofworse.

HewentlookingforherSundayafternoon,inamistingrain.Shewasn'tathome.Fredsaidthatshe
was out, in the cold rain no less, wandering around the pecan trees in her raincoat. Brooding, was

howFredputit.Leoclimbedbackintohispickupandwentafterher.

Janiewasoblivioustothesoundofanapproachingtruck.Shehadherhandsinherpockets,hereyes
onthegroundaheadofher,lostinthought.

It had been a revelation that Leo was concerned about her working at Shea's, and it had secretly
thrilledherthathetriedtomakeherquit.Buthe'dwashedhishandsofherwhenshewouldn'tleave
willingly, and he'd hurt her feelings with his comment that she shouldn't complain if she got in
trouble. She didn't know what to make of his odd behavior. He'd given her a hard time, thanks to
Marilee.Butshehadn'tbeenchasinghimlately,soshecouldn'tunderstandwhyhewassobossyabout
herlife.Andshedidfeelguiltythathe'dsluggedpoorHarley,whowasonlytryingtohelpher.

Thetruckwasalmostontopofherbeforeshefinallyheardtheengineandjumpedtothesideofthe
ranchtrail.

Leopulledupandleanedovertoopenthepassengerdoor."Getinbeforeyoudrownoutthere,"he
said.

Shehesitated.Shewasn'tsureifitwassafetogetthatclosetohim.

Hegrimaced."I'mnotarmedanddangerous,"hedrawled."Ijustwanttotalk."

Shemovedclosertotheopendoor."You'reinaverystrangemoodlately,"shecommented."Maybe
thelackofbiscuitsinyourlifehasaffectedyourmind."

Botheyebrowswentupunderhishat.

Sheflushed,thinkingshe'dbeentooforward.Butshegotintothetruckandclosedthedoor,removing
thehoodofherraincoatfromherlong,damphair.

"You'llcatchcold,"hemurmured,turninguptheheat.

"It'snotthatwet,andI'vegotalinedraincoat"

Hedrovedowntheroadwithoutspeaking,madeaturn,andendedupinafieldontheHartranch,a
placewheretheycouldbecompletelyalone.Heputthetruckinpark,cutofftheengine,andleaned
back against his door to study her from under the wide brim of his Stetson. "Your father says you
won'tgiveupthejob."

"He'sright,"shereplied,readytodobattle.

Hisfingerstappedrhythmicallyonthesteeringwheel."I'vebeentalkingtoGrier,"hebegan.

"Nowlistenhere,youcan'thavemearrestedbecauseIwon'tquitmyjob!"sheinterrupted.

He held up a big, lean hand. "Not about that," he corrected. "We've got a man in town who may be
involvedinsomecattlelosses.Iwantyoutolookatthispictureandtellmeifyou'veeverseenhimin

Shea's."

Hetookthenewspaperclippingoutofhisshirtpocket,unfoldedit,andhandedittoher.

Shetookitgingerlyandstudiedthetwofacessurroundedbycolumnsofnewsprint."Idon'tknowthe
manontheleft,"shereplied."ButtheoneontherightcomesinSaturdaynightsanddrinksstraight
whiskey,"shesaiduneasily."He'sloudandfoul-mouthed,andTinyhadtoaskhimtoleavelastnight."

Leo'sfacetightened."He'svindictive,"hetoldher.

"I'llsayheis,"sheagreedatonce."WhenTinywentouttogetintohiscar,allhistireswereslashed."

Thatwasdisturbing."Didhereportittothesheriff?"

"Hedid,"shereplied."They'regoingtolookintoit,butIdon'tknowhowthey'llproveanything."

Leo traced an absent pattern on the seat behind her head. They were silent while the rain slowly
increased, the sound of it loud on the hood and cab of the truck. "The man we're watching is Jack
Clark,"hetoldher,"themanyourecognizeinthatphoto."Hetookitbackfromher,refoldedit,and
replaceditinhispocket."Ifhecomesbackin,we'dlikeyoutoseewhohetalksto.Don'tbeobvious
aboutit.TellTinytoletitslideabouthistires,I'llseethatthey'rereplaced."

"That'sniceofyou,"shereplied.

Heshrugged."He'sprotectiveofyou.Ilikethat."

Hiseyeswerenarrowanddarkandveryintentonherface.Shefeltnervouswithhimallatonceand
foldedherhandsinherlaptotryandkeephimfromnoticing.Itwaslikeanotherworld,closedup
withhiminatruckinarain-storm.Itoutmatchedhermostferventdreamsofclosecontact.

"Whatsortofcattledeathsdoyoususpecthimof?"sheaskedcuriously.

"Yourfather'sbull,forone."

Herintakeofbreathwasaudible."WhywouldhekillDad'sbull?"shewantedtoknow.

"ItwasoneoftheoffspringofabullhekilledinVictoria.Heworkedfortheowner,whofiredhim.
Apparentlyhisideaofproperrevengeisfar-reaching."

"He'snuts!"sheexclaimed.

Henodded."That'swhyyouhavetobecarefulifhecomesbackin.Don'tantagonizehim.Don'tstare
athim.

Don'tbeobviouswhenyoulookathim."Hesighedangrily."Ihatethewholeideaofhavingyouthat
closetoalunatic.IshouldhavedeckedTinyaswellasFowlerandcarriedyououtofthereanyway."

Hislevel,penetratinggazemadeherheartrace."I'mnotyourresponsibility,"shechallenged.

"Aren'tyou?"Hisdarkeyesslidoverherfromheadtotoe.Hisheadtiltedbackatafaintlyarrogant
angle.

She swallowed. He looked much more formidable now than he had at Shea's. "I should go," she
began.

He leaned forward abruptly, caught her under the arms, and pulled her on top of him. He was
sprawledoverthefrontseat,withonelong,powerfullegbracedagainstthepassengerfloorboardand
theotherontheseat.Janielandedsquarelybetweenhisdenim-cladlegs,pressedintimatelytohim.

"Leo!"sheexclaimed,horriblyembarrassedattheintimateproximityandtryingtogetup.

Heloopedanarmaroundherwaistandheldherthere,studyingherflushedfacewithalmostclinical
scrutiny.

"Ifyoukeepmovinglikethat,you'regoingtodiscoverthemajordifferencebetweenmenandwomen
inavividwayanyminute."

Shestilledatonce.Sheknewwhathemeant.She'dfellthatdifferencewithappallingstarknessatthe
ball.Infactshewasalreadyfeelingitagain.Shelookedathimandherfacecoloredviolently.

"Itoldyou,"hereplied,pursinghislipsashesurveyedthedamage."My,my,didn'tweknowthatmen
areeasilyarousedwhenwe'relyingfulllengthontopofthem?"hedrawled."Wedonow,don'twe?"

Shehithisshoulder,tryingtoholdontoherdignityaswellashertemper."Youletgoofme!"

"Spoilsport,"hechided.Heshiftedhersothatherheadfellontohisshoulderandhecouldlookdown
intoherwide,startledeyes."Relax,"hecoaxed."Whatareyousoafraidof?"

Sheswallowed.Theclosenesswaslikeadrug.Shefeltswollen.Herlegstrembledinsidethepowerful
cage his legs made for them. Her breasts were hard against his chest, and they felt uncomfortably
tightaswell.

He looked down at them with keen insight, even moving her back slightly so that he could see the
hardtipspressingagainsthisshirt.

"Youstop...lookingatthat!"sheexclaimedwithoutthinking.

He lifted an eyebrow and his smile was worldly. "A man likes to know that he's making an
impression,"hesaidoutrageously.

Shebitherlowerlip,stillblushing."You'remakingtoomuchofanimpressionalready,"shechoked.

Heleanedcloseandbrushedhismouthlazilyoverherpartedlips."Mybodylikesyou,"hewhispered
huskily.

"It'smakingveryemphaticstatementsaboutwhatitwantstodo."

"You need...to speak...firmly to it," she said. She was trying to sound adult and firm, but her voice
shook.Itwashardtothink,withhismouthhoveringlikethat.

"Itdoesn'tlistentoreason,"hemurmured.Henibbledtenderlyatherupperlip,partingitinsistently
fromitscompanion.Hisfreehandcameuptoteasearoundthecornersofhermouthanddownher
chintotheopeningherv-neckedblousemadeinsideherraincoat

Hismouthworkedonherlipswhilehishandsfreedherfromtheraincoatandslowly,absently,from
herblouseaswell.Shewashardlyawareofit.Hismouthwasdoingimpossiblyeroticthingstoher
lips, and one of his lean, strong hands was inside her blouse, teasing around the lacy edges of her
brassiere.

The whole time, one long, powerful leg was sliding against the inside of her thigh, in a way so
arousingthatshedidn'tcarewhathedidtoher,aslongashedidn'ttrytogetup.

Herhandshadworkedtheirwayintohisthick,softhair,andshewasliftingup,tryingtogetcloserto
those slow, maddening fingers that were brushing against the soft flesh inside her bra. She'd never
dreamed that a man could arouse her so quickly with nothing more invasive than a light brushing
stroke of his hand. But she was on fire with hunger, need, aching need, to have him thrust those
fingersdowninsideherfrillybraandcloseonherbreastItwastorturetohavehimteaseherlikethis.
He was watching her face, too, watching the hunger grow with a dark arrogance that was going to
makehersquirmlaterinmemory.

Right now, of course, she didn't care how he looked at her. If he would just slide that hand...down
a...coupleof...

inches!

Shewassquirminginanotherwaynow,twistingherbodyardently,pushingupagainsthisstroking
fingers while his mouth nibbled and nipped at her parted lips and his warm breath went into her
mouth.

The rain was falling harder. It banged on the hood, and on top of the cab, with tempestuous fury.
Inside, Janie could hear the tormented sound of her own breathing, feel her heartbeat shaking her
madly,whileLeo'spracticedcaressesgrewslowerandlazieronhertautbody.

“Willyou...please...!"shesputtered,grippinghisarms.

"WillIplease,what?"hewhisperedintohermouth.

"T...t...touchme!"shecried.

Henippedherupperlipardently."Touchyouwhere?"hetormented.

Tearsoffrustrationstunghereyesastheyopened,meetinghis."You...know...where!"

Heliftedhishead.Hisfacewastaut,hiseyesdarkandglittery.Hewatchedhereyesashishandslowly
moved down to where she ached to have it. She ground her teeth together to keep from crying out
whenshefeltthatbig,warm,stronghandcurlaroundherbreast.

Sheactuallyshuddered,hidingherfaceinhisthroatasthetinyculminationrackedherslenderbody
andmadeithelpless.

"Youare,"hebreathed,"themostsurprisinglittletreasure..."

His mouth searched for hers and suddenly ravished it while his hand moved on her soft flesh,
molding it, tracing it, exploring it, in a hot, explosive silence. He kissed her until her mouth felt
bruised and then she felt his hand move again, lifting free of her blouse, around to her back,
unhookingthebra.

Shedidn'tmind.Shelifteduptohelphimfreethecatch.Shelookedupathimwithwild,unsatisfied
longing,shiveringwithreactiontotheforceofthedesirehewasteachingher.

"Itwillchangeeverything,"hewhisperedashebegantomovethefabricawayfromherbody."You
knowthat."

"Yes."Sheshivered.

Bothhandsslidagainstherribcage,carryingthefabricupwiththemuntilheuncoveredherfirm,tip-
tiltedlittlebreasts.Helookedatthemwithpurepleasureanddelight.Histhumbsedgedoutandtraced
thewide,softnipplesuntiltheydrewintohard,duskypeaks.Hismouthachedtotastethem.

She shifted urgently in his arms, feeling him turn toward her, feeling his leg insinuate itself even
moreintimatelyagainsther.Helookedintoherdazedeyesashishandpressedhardagainstthelowest
partofherspineandmovedherrightinagainstthefiercearousalshe'donlysensedbefore.

She gasped, but he didn't relent. If anything, he brought her even closer, so that he was pressed
intimatelytoherandthesensationsexplodedlikesensualfireinherlimbs.

"Leo!"shecriedout,shivering.

"YouturnmeonsohardthatIcan'teventhink,"hegroundoutashebenttoheropenmouth."Ididn't
meanforthistohappen,Janie,"hegroanedintohermouthasheturnedherunderhimontheseatand
pressedhishipsdownroughlyagainsthers."Feelme,"hewhispered."Feelmewantingyou!"

She was lost, helpless, utterly without hope. She clung to him with no thought for her virtue or the
future.Shewasdrowninginthemostdeliciouseroticpleasureshe'deverdreamedofexperiencing.
She could feel him, feel the rough, thrusting rhythm of his big body as he buffeted her against the
seat.Somethinghitherarm.Shewastwistedinhisembrace,andonelegwasalmostbentbackwardas
hecrushedherunderhim.Anyminute,limbsweregoingtostartbreaking,shethought,andeventhat

didn'tmatter.Shewantedhim...!Shedidn'trealizeshe'dsaiditalouduntilsheheardhisvoice,deep
andstrained.

"Iwantyou,too,"hewhisperedback.

Shefelthishandbetweenthem,workingatherjeans,Hishandwasunfasteningthem.Shefeltit,warm
and strong, against her belly. It was sliding down. She moved to make it easier for him, her mouth
savageunderthedevouringpressureofhislips...

Leoheardtheloudroarofanapproachingengineinhislastlucidsecondbeforehewentinoverhis
head.HefrozeagainstJanie'swarm,welcomingbody.Hisheadlifted.Hecouldbarelybreathe.

He looked down into her wide, misty eyes. It only then occurred to him that they were cramped
together on the seat, his body completely covering hers, her bra and blouse crumpled at her
collarbone,herjeanshalfwaydownoverherhips.

"Whatthehellarewedoing?!"heburstout,shocked.

"Youmeanyoudon'tknow?"shegaspedwithunconscioushumor.

He looked at the windows, so fogged up that nothing was visible outside them. He looked down at
Janie,lyingdrowsyandsubmissiveundertheheavycrushofhim.

Hedrewhishandawayfromherjeansandwhippedontohisbacksothathecouldhelphersitup.He
slidbackintohisownseat,watchingherfumbleherclothesbackonwhilehelistened,shell-shocked,
totheloudtoneofahornfromtheothervehicle.

Janiewasamess.Herlipswereswollen.Hercheekswereflushed.Herclotheswerewrinkledbeyond
belief.

HerhairstoodoutallaroundfromthepressureofhishandsinitHewasrumpled,too,hishairas
muchashers.

His hat was on the floorboard somewhere, streaked with water from her raincoat and dirt from the
floormats.

Hisshirthadobviousfingermarksandlipstickstainsonit.

Hejuststaredatherforalongmomentwhiletheothervehiclecametoastopbesidehistruck.He
couldn'tseeanything.Allthewindowswerethicklyfogged.Absently,heduginthesidepocketofthe
doorfortheredraghealwayscarried.Hewipedthefogfromthedriver'swindowandscowledashe
sawhisbrotherCagsittinginanotherranchtruck,withTessbesidehim.Theyweretryingnottostare
andfailingmiserably!

ChapterEight

Belatedly,Leorolledthewindowdownandglaredathisbrotherandsister-in-law."Well?"heasked
belligerently,

"Wejustwonderedifyouwereallright,"Cagsaidclearinghisthroatandtryingveryhardnottolook
atJanie,

"Thetruckwassittingouthereinthemiddleofnowhere,butwedidn'tseeanybodyinside."

"That'sright,"Tesssaidatonce."Wedidn'tseeanybody.Atall.Oranything."

"Notanything."Cagnoddedvigorously.

"IwasshowingJanieaphotooftheClarkman,"Leosaidcurtly.Hepulleditoutofhispocket.Itwas
crumpledandslightlytorn.Heglaredatit,tryingtostraightenit"See?"

Cagclearedhisthroatandavertedhiseyes."You,uh,shouldhavetakenitoutofyourpocketbefore
youshowedittoher...I'mgoing!"

Cagpoweredhiswindowupwithaknowinggrinandgunnedtheengine,takingoffinasprayofmud.
Leolethisownwindowbackupwithflattenedlips.

Janie was turned away from him, her shoulders shaking, Odd little noises that she was trying to
smotherkeptslippingout.Shewasabouttobursttryingnottolaugh.

Heleanedbackagainsttheseatandthrewtheclippingather.

"It's not my fault," she protested. "I was sitting here minding my own business when you got
amorous."

He pursed his swollen lips and gave her a look that would have melted butter. "Amorous. That's a
goodwordforit."

She was coming down from the heights and feeling self-conscious. She picked up the clipping and
handed it back to him, belatedly noticing his white Stetson at her feet. She picked it up, too, and
grimaced."Yourpoorhat."

He took it from her and tossed it into the small back seat of the double cab. "It will clean," he said
impatiently.

Shefoldedherhandsinherlap,toyingwiththestreakedraincoatthatshe'dproppedoverherlegs.

"Marileecausedalotoftroublebetweenus,"hesaidafteraminute,surprisingherintomeetinghis
sombergaze."I'msorryaboutthat."

"YoumeanIdon'treallymakeyousick?"sheaskedinathinvoice.

Hewinced."IwasfuriousaboutwhatIthoughtyou'ddone,"heconfessed."Itwasalie,Janie,likeall
theotherterriblethingsIsaid.I'msorryforeveryoneofthem,ifitdoesanygood."

She toyed with a button on her raincoat and stared out the window at the rain. It did help, but she
couldn'tstopwonderingifhehadn'tmeantit.Maybeguiltbroughttheapologyoutofhim,ratherthan
anyrealremorse.Sheknewhedidn'tlikehurtingpeople.

Alongsighcamefromtheothersideofthepickup."I'lldriveyoubackhome,"hesaidafteraminute,
andputthetruckingear."Fastenyourseatbelt,honey."

The endearment made her feel warm all over, but she didn't let it show. She didn't really trust Leo
Hart.

He turned back onto the main road. "Fred and going to mob you with company at Shea's," he said
conversationally."Betweenus,weknowmostoftheranchersaroundJacobsville.YoucanaskHarley
tokeepdroppinginfromtimetotime,andFredandIwilltalktotheothers."

Shegavehimaquickglance."Harley'sjawwasreallybruised."

Hiseyesdarkened."Hehadnobusinessinterfering.Youdon'tbelongtodamnedHarley!"

Shedidn'tknowwhattosay.Thatsoundedverymuchlikejealousy.Itcouldn'tbe,ofcourse.

Hisdarkeyesglancedoffhers."Doyousitaroundinparkedtruckswithhimandlethimtakeyour
blouseoff?"

heaskedsuddenly,furiously.

"Idonot!"sheexploded.

He calmed down at once. He shifted in the seat, still uncomfortable from the keen hunger she'd
kindledinhispowerfulbody."Okay."

Her long fingers clenched on the fabric of the coat. "You have no right to be jealous of me!" she
accusedangrily.

''Afterwhatwejustdid?'heaskedpleasantly.“Inyourdreams,Janie."

"Idon'tbelongtoyou,either,"shepersisted.

"Youalmostdid,"hereplied,chucklingsoftly."Youhavenoideawhataclosecallthatwas.Cagand
Tesssavedyou."

"Excuseme?"

Hegaveheraruefulglance."Janie,Ihadyourjeanshalfoff,orhaveyouforgottenalready?"

"Leo!"

"I'mnotsureIcouldhavestopped,"hecontinued,slowingtomakeaturn."Andyouwerenodamned
helpatall,"headdedwithaffectionateirony,"twistingyourhipsagainstmeandbeggingmenotto
stop."

Shegasped.Herfacewentscarlet."Ofalltheblatant...!"

"That'showitwas,allright,"heagreed."Blatant.Fortherecord,whenamangetsthathard,it'stime
to call a halt any way you can, before you get in over your head. I can tell you haven't had much
practiceatit,butnowisagoodtimetolistentoadvice."

"Idon'tneedadvice!"

"Likehellyoudon't.OnceIgotmymouthonyoursoftbelly,you'dneverhavebeenabletomakeme
stop."

Shestaredathimwithslowlydawningrealization.Sherememberedthehot,exquisitepleasureofhis
mouthonherbreasts.Shecouldonlyimaginehowitwouldfeeltolethimkissherthere,onherhips,
onherlonglegs....

"Youknowfartoomuchaboutwomen,"shegritted.

"Youknowabsolutelynothingaboutmen,"hecountered.Hesmiledhelplessly."Iloveit.Youwerein
over your head the minute I touched you with intent. You'd have let me do anything I wanted." He
whistledsoftly.

"Youcan'timaginehowIfelt,knowingthat.YouwerethesweetestcandyI'veeverhad."

He was confounding her. She didn't know what to make of the remarks. He'd been standoffish,
insulting,offensiveandfuriouswithher.Nowhe'ddoneacompleteabout-face.Hewasactingmore
likealoverthanabigbrother.

Hisdarkeyescutaroundsidewaysandsizedupherexpression."Doyouthinkthingscanjustgoback
to the way they were before?" he asked softly. "I remember telling you that it was going to change
everything."

Sheswallowed."Iremember."

"Italreadyhas.Ilookatyouandgetaroused,alloveragain,"hesaidbluntly."Itwillonlygetworse."

Herfaceflamed."Iwillnothaveanaffairwithyou."

"Great.I'mgladtoknowyouhavethatmuchself-control.Youcanteachittome."

"Iwon'tgetinatruckwithyouagain,"shemuttered.

"I'llbringthecarnexttime,"hesaidagreeably."Ofcourse,we'llhavetoopenbothdoors.I'llnever
beabletostretchoutinthefrontseatthewayIdidinthecabofthistruck."

Herfingersclenchedontheraincoat."Thatwon'thap-penagain."

"ItwillifItouchyou."

Sheglaredathim."Youlistenhere...!"

He pulled the truck onto a dirt road that led through one of Fred's pastures, threw it out of gear,
switchedofftheengineandreachedforJaniewithaneconomyofmotionthatlefthergasping.

Hehadheroverhislap,andhismouthhitherswiththeforceofagustofwind.Heburrowedintoher
parted lips while one lean hand went to her spine, grinding her into the fierce arousal that just the
touchofherhadprovoked.

"Feelthat?"hemutteredagainstherlips."Nowtrytostopme."

Shewentunderinadazeofpleasure.Shecouldn'tevenpretendtoprotest,notevenwhenhisbighand
foundherbreastandcaressedithungrilyrightthroughtheclothofherblouse.

Herarmswentaroundhisneck.Sheliftedcloser,shivering,asshefelttheachinghungerofhisbody
echoinherown.Shemoanedhelplessly.

"OfallthestupidthingsI'vedonelately..."Hegroaned,too,hisbigarmswrappingheruptightasthe
kisswentonandonandon.

He moved out from under the steering wheel and shifted her until she was straddling his hips, her
bellylyingagainsthisarousedbodysoblatantlythatsheshouldhavebeenshocked.Shewasn'tHefelt
familiar to her, beloved to her. She wanted him. Her body yielded submissively to the insistent
pressureofbothhishandsonherhips,draggingthemagainsthisinafeverofdesire.

Theapproachingroarofatruckengineforthesecondtimeinlessthananhourbroughthisheadup.
HelookeddownintoJanie'sheatedface,atthepositiontheywerein.

HisdazedeyeswentoutthewindshieldintimetoseeFred'soldpickupcomingdownthelongpasture
roadaboutaquartermileaheadofthem.

HeletoutawordJaniehadonlyheardTinyuseduringheatedargumentswithpatrons,andabruptly
putherbackinherownseat,pausingtoforcefullystrapherintoherseatbelt.

She felt shaky all over. Her eyes met his and then went involuntarily to what she'd felt so starkly
againstherhun-grybody.Sheflushed.

"Nexttimeyou'llgetabetterlook,"hesaidharshly."IwishIcouldexplaintoyouhowitfeels."

Shewrappedherarmsaroundherbody."Iknow...howitfeels,"shewhisperedunsteadily."Iacheall
over."

The bad temper left him at once. He scowled as he watched her, half-oblivious to Fred's rapid
approach.Hecouldn'ttakehiseyesoffher.Shewasdelicious.

Shemanagedtomeethiswide,shockedeyes."I‟msorry."

"Forwhat?"heaskedhuskily."Youwentinheadfirst,justlikeIdid."

She searched his eyes hungrily. Her body was on fire for him. "If you used something..." she said
absently.

He actually flushed. He got back under the steering wheel and avoided looking at her. He couldn't
believewhatshewassaying.

Fredroaredupbesidethemandpulledontothehardgroundtolethiswindowdown.

"Rain'sstopped,"hetoldLeo."IthoughtI'drunovertoEbScott'splaceandhaveatalkwithhimabout
gettinghiscowboystofrequentShea'satnight."

"Goodidea,"Leosaid,stillflushedanddisheveled.

Fred wisely didn't look too closely at either of them, but he had a pretty good idea of what he'd
interrupted."Iwon'tbelong,sweetheart,"hetoldJanie.

"Okay,Dad.Becareful,"shesaidinahuskyvoice.

Henodded,grinned,andtookoff.

Leostartedtheengine.Hewasstilltryingtogethisbreath.Hestaredatthedirtpathaheadinsteadof
atJanie."Icouldusesomething,"hesaidafteraminute."Butlovemakingisaddictive,Janie.Onetime
wouldbeabeginning,notacure,doyouunderstand?"

Sheshookherhead,embarrassednowthatherbloodwascooling.

Hereachedoutandcaughtoneofhercoldhandsinhis,intertwiningtheirfingers.“Youcan'timagine
howflatteredIam,"hesaidquietly."You'reavirgin,andyou'dgiveyourselftome..."

Sheswallowedhard."Please.Don't."

Hishand contracted. "I'lldrive you home.If you weren't workingnext Saturday, wecould take in a
movieandhavedinnersomewhere."

Herheartjumpedupintoherthroat."M...me?"

Helookeddownatherwiththebeginningsofpossession."Youcouldwearthatlacywhitethingyou
woretotheball,"headdedsoftly."Ilikeyourshouldersbare.Youhavebeautifulskin."Hiseyesfell
toherbodiceanddarkened."Beautifulbreasts,too,withnicenipples..."

"LeoHart!"sheexclaimed,horrified.

Heleanedoverandkissedherhungrily."I'llletyoulookatmenexttime,"hewhisperedpassionately.
"Thenyouwon'tbesoembarrassedwhenwecomparenotes."

Shethoughtofseeinghimwithoutclothesandherwholefacecolored.

"IknowwhatIsaid,but..."sheprotested.

He stopped the truck, bent, and kissed her again with breathless tenderness. "You've known me half
yourlife,Janie,"hesaid,andhewasserious.Hesearchedherworriedeyes."AmIthekindofman
whotakesadvantageofagreengirl?"

Shewasworried,too."No,"shehadtoadmit.

Hisbreathingwasunevenashestudiedherflushedface.

"Ineverwould,"heagreed."YouwerespecialtomeevenbeforeIkissedyouthefirsttime,inyour
ownkitchen."Hisheadbentagain.Hismouthtrailedacrosshersinsoft,bitinglittlekissesthatmade
hermoan."Butnow,afterthetasteofyouI'vejusthad,I'mgoingtobeyourshadow.Youdon'teven
realizewhat'shappened,doyou?"

"Youwantme,"shesaidhuskily.

Histeethnibbledherupperlip."It'salittlemorecom-plicatedthansex."Hekissedheragain,hard,
andliftedhisheadwithflatteringreluctance."Lookupaddictioninthedictionary,"hemused."It'san
eye-opener."

"Addiction?"

His nose brushed hers. "Do you remember how you moaned when I put my hands inside your
blouse?"

Sheswallowed."Yes."

"NowthinkhowitwouldfeelifI'dputmymouthonyourbreast,rightoverthenipple."

Sheshivered.

He nodded slowly. "Next time," he promised, his voice taut and hungry. "You have that to look
forwardto.

Meanwhile,youkeepyoureyesandearsopen,anddon'tdoanythingatworkthatgivesClarkahint

thatyou'rewatchinghim,"headdedfirmly.

"I'llbecareful,"shepromisedunsteadily.

Hiseyeswerepossessiveonhersoftface.“Ifhetouchesyou,I'llkillhim."

Itsoundedlikeajoke.Itwasn't.She'dneverseenthatlookinaman'seyesbefore.Infact,thewayhe
waswatchingherwasalittlescary.

Hisbighandslidunderhernapeandbroughthermouthjustunderhis."Youbelongtome,Janie,"he
whisperedashisheadmoveddown."Yourfirstmanisgoingtobeme.Believeit!"

Thekisswasasarousingasitwastender,butitdidn'tlastlong.Heforcedhimselftolethergo,to
moveaway.

Hestartedthetruckagain,putitingear,andwentbackdownthefarmroad.Buthishandreachedfor
hers involuntarily, his fingers curling into hers, as if he couldn't bear to lose contact with her. She
didn'tknowit,buthe'dreachedadecisioninthosefewseconds.Therewasnogoingbacknow.

JackClarkdidshowupinthebar,onthefollowingFri-daynight.

Janiehadn'ttoldanyofthepeoplesheworkedwithabouthim,feelingthatanymentionofwhatshe
knewabouthimmightjeopardizehersafety.

Butshedidkeepacloseeyeonhim.Themanwasrangyanduncouth.Hesataloneatacornertable,
lookingaroundasifheexpectedtroubleandwasimpatientforittoarrive.

AcowboyfromCyParks'sspread,oneofHarleyFowler'smen,walkedtothecounterandsatdown,
orderingabeerandapizza.

"Hey,MissJanie,"hesaidwithagrinthatshowedamissingfronttooth."Harleysaidtotellyouhe'd
beinsoontoseeyou."

"That'ssweetofhim,"shesaidwithagrin."I'lljustputyourorderin,Ned."

ShescribbledtheorderonaslipofgreenpaperandputituponthelongstringforNick,theteenage
cook,withaclothespin.

"Where'smydamnedwhiskey?"Clarkshouted."Ibeensittingherefiveminuteswaitingforit!"

JaniewincedasNickglancedatherandshrugged,indicatingthepizzalisthewasfarbehindon.He'd
takentheorderandgotbusyallofasudden.Tinywasnowhereinsight.Hewasprobablyoutback
havingacigarette.

Nickwasuptohiselbowsindoughandpizzasauce.JaniehadtogetClark'sorder,therewasnobody
elsetodoit.

Shegotdownashotglass,pouredwhiskeyintoit,andputitononeofthesmallservingtrays.

She took it to Clark's table and forced a smile to her lips. "Here you are, sir," she said, placing the
shotglassinfrontofhim."I'msorryittooksolong."

Clark glared up at her from watery blue eyes. "Don't let that happen again. I don't like to be kept
waiting."

"Yes,sir,"sheagreed.

She turned away, but he caught her apron strings and jerked her back. She caught her breath as his
handslidtotheonestiedatherwaist.

"You'rekindofcute.Whydon'tyousitonmylapandhelpmedrinkthis?"hedrawled.

Hewasalreadyhalf-lit,shesurmised.Shewouldhaverefusedhimthewhiskey,ifTinyhadbeenclose
by,despitethetroublehe'dalreadycaused.Butnowshewascaughtandshedidn'tknowhowtoget
away.Allherworstfearswerecomingtohaunther.

"Ihavetogetthatman'sdrink,"shepointedtoHarley'scowboy."I'llcomerightback,okay?"

"Thatboycangethisdrink."

"He'smakingpizza,"sheprotested."Please."

Thatwasamistake.Helikeditwhenwomenbegged.Hesmiledather.Itwasn'tapleasantsmile."I
said,comehere!"

Hejerkedherdownonhisthin,bonylegsandshescreamed.

In a flash, two cowboys were on their feet and heading toward Clark, both of them dangerous
looking.

"Well, looky, looky, you've got guardian angels in cow-boy boots!" Clark chuckled. He stood up,
draggingJaniewithhim."Stayback,"hewarned,catchingherhairinitsbraid."Orelse."Heslapped
her,hard,acrosstheface,makinghercryout,andhishandwentintohispocketandcameoutwitha
knife.Heflickeditandabladeappeared.Hecaughtheraroundtheshouldersfrombehindandbran-
dishedtheknife."Stayback,boys,"hesaidagain."OrI'llcuther!"

Theknifepressedagainstherthroat.Shewasshaking.

She remembered all the nice self-defense moves she'd ever learned in her life from watching
televisionorlisteningtoherfathertalk.Now,sheknewhowuselesstheywere.Clarkwouldcuther
throatifthosementriedtohelpher.Shehadvisionsofhimdraggingheroutsideandassaultingher.
Hecoulddoanything.Therewasnobodyaroundtostophim.Thesecowboysweren'tgoingtorush
himandriskherlife.IfonlyLeowerehere!

She was vaguely aware of Nick sliding out of sight to-ward the telephones. If he could just call the

sheriff,thepolice,anybody!

HerhandswenttoClark'swrist,tryingtogethimtoreleasethepressoftheblade.

"You'rehurting,"shechoked.

"Really?"Hepressedharder.

Janiefelthisarmcuttingoffthebloodtoherhead.Thensherememberedsomethingshe'dheardofa
femalevictimdoingduringanattack.Ifshefainted,hemightturnherloose.

"Can't...breathe..."shegasped,andclosedhereyes.Hemightdropherifshesagged,hemightcuther
throat.

Shecoulddie.Butthey'dgethim.Thatwouldalmostbeworthit...

Sheletherbodysagjustassheheardashoutfromthedoorway.Shepretendedtoloseconsciousness.
Inthenextfewhecticseconds,Clarkthrewhertothefloorsohardthatshehitrightonherelbowand
herhead,andgroanedaloudwiththepainofimpact.

Atthesamemoment,LeoHartandHarleyFowlerexplodedintotheroomfromthefrontdoorand
wentrightforClark,knifeandall.They'dbeenintheparkinglot,talkingaboutJanie'ssituation,and
hadcomerunningwhentheyheardthecommotion.

HarleyaimedakickattheknifeandknockeditoutofClark'shands,butClarkwasgoodwithhisfeet,
too.HelandedaroundhousekickinHarley'sstomachandputhimoveratable.Leosluggedhim,but
hetwistedaround,gotLeo'sarmbehindhimandsenthimoveratable,too.

Thetwocowboysheldback,awareofLeo'ssizeandHarley'scapability,andthefactthatClarkhad
easilyputbothofthemdown.

Therewasasuddensilence.JaniedraggedherselfintoasittingpositionintimetowatchCashGrier
comethroughthedoorwayandapproachClark.

Clarkdivedfortheknife,rolled,andgottohisfeet.HelungedatGrierwiththeblade.Theassistant
police chief waited patiently for the attack, and he smiled. It was the coldest, most dangerous smile
Janiehadeverseeninherlife.

Clarklungedconfidently.Griermovedsofastthathewaslikeablur.

Secondslater,theknifewasinGrier'shand.Hethrewit,slammingitintothewallnexttothecounter
sodeepthatitwouldtakeTinyquitesometime,afterthebrawl,topullitoutagain.Heturnedbackto
Clarkevenastheknifehit,fellintoarelaxedstance,andwaited.

Clarkrushedhim,tipsyandfuriousatthewaytheoldermanhadtakenhisknifeaway.Griereasily
sidesteppedtheintendedpunch,didaspinningheelkickthatwouldhavemadeChuckNorrisproud,

andproceededtobeatthelivinghelloutofthemanwithlightningpunchesandkicksthatquicklyput
himonthefloor,breathlessanddrainedofwill.Itwasoverinlessthanthreeminutes.Clarkheldhis
ribsandgroaned.Grierstoodoverhim,notevenbreathinghard,hishandgoingtothehandcuffson
hisbeltHedidn'tevenlookwinded.

LeohadpickedhimselfupandrushedtoJanie,proppingheragainsthischestwhileshenursedher
elbow.

"Isitbroken?"heaskedworriedly.

She shook her head "Just bruised. Is my mouth bleeding?" she asked, still dazed from the
confrontation.

Henodded.Hisfacewaswhite.Hecursedhisownhelplessness.Betweenthem,heandHarleyshould
havebeenabletowipethefloorwithClark.Hepulledoutawhitelinenhandkerchiefandmoppedup
thebleedinglipandthecutonhercheekfromClark'snails.Abig,badbruisewasalreadycomingout
ontheleftsideofherface.

Bynow,GrierhadClarkagainstawallwithaminimumoffuss.Hespreadtheman'slegswithaquick
movementofhisbootedfeetandnimblycuffedhim.

“I‟llneedawillingvolunteertoseethemagistrateandfileacomplaint,"Grierasked.

"Righthere,"Harleysaid,wipinghismouthwithahandkerchief."IexpectMr.Hartwilldothesame."

"Youbet,"Leoagreed."ButI'vegottogetJaniehomefirst."

"Norush,"Griersaid,withClarkbytheneck."Harley,youknowwheremagistrateBurrWileylives,
don'tyou?

I'mtakingClarkbytherenow."

"Yes,sir,Ido,I'lldriverightoverthereandswearoutacomplaintsoyoucanholdthat...gentleman,"
Harley agreed, substituting for the word he really meant to use. "Janie, you going to be okay?" he
addedworriedly.

Shewaswobbly,butshegottoherfeet,withLeo'ssup-port."Sure,"shesaid.Shemanagedasmile.
"I'llbefine."

"I'llgetyou!"ClarkragedatJanieandLeo."I'llgetbothofyou!"

"Notrightaway,"Griersaidcomfortably."I'llhavethejudgesetbailashighasit'spossibletoputit,
andwe'llseehowmanyassaultchargeswecanpress."

"Countonmefortwoofthem!"Janievolunteeredfear-lessly,wincingasherjawprotested.

"Butnottonight,"Leosaid,curlinghisarmaroundher."Comeon,honey,"hesaidgently."I'lltake

youhome."

TheyfollowedGrierwithhisprisonerandHarleyoutthedoorandovertoLeo'sbigdouble-cabbed
pickuptruck.

Heputherinsidegentlyandmovedaroundtothedriver'sseat.Shenoticedthen,forthefirsttime,that
hewasinworkingclothes.

"Youmusthavecomerightfromwork,"shecommented.

"We were moving livestock to a new pasture," he replied. "One of the bulls got out and we had to
chasehimthroughthebrush.Doesn'titshow?"headdedwithanodtowardhisscarredbatwingchaps
andhismuddyboots."Imeanttobehereanhourago.HarleyandIarrivedtogether.Justinthenickof
time,too."

"Two of Cy Parks's guys were at the counter," she said, "but when Clark threatened to cut me, they
wereafraidtorushhim."

Hecaughtherhandinhisandheldittight,hiseyesgoingtothebloodonherface,herblouse,her
forearm. She was going to have a bruise on her pretty face. The sight of those marks made him
furious.

"I'llbeallright,thankstoallofyou,"shemanagedtosay.

"Weweren'tahellofalotofhelp,"hesaidwitharuefulsmile."EvenHarleydidn'tfarewell.Clark
musthaveamilitarybackgroundofsomesort.ButhewasnomatchforGrier."Heshookhishead."It
waslikewatchingamartialartsmovie.IneverevensawGriermove."

Shestudiedhimwhilehestartedthetruckandputtheirseatbeltson."Didhehurtyou?"

"Hurtmypride,"hereplied,smilinggently."I'veneverbeenputacrossatablesofast."

"Atleastyoutried,"shepointedout."Thankyou."

"Ishouldneverhaveletyoustayinthere,"hesaid."It'smyfault."

"Itwasmychoice."

Hekissedhereyelidsshut."Mypoorbaby,"hesaidsoftly."I'mnottakingyoutoyourfatherinthis
condition,"

headdedfirmly,notingthebloodonherblouseandface."I'lltakeyouhomewithmeandcleanyou
up,first.

We'llphonehimandtellhimtherewasalittletroubleandyou'llbelate."

"Okay,"shesaid."Buthe'snowimp."

"Iknowthat."Heputthetruckingear."Humorme.Iwanttomakesureyou'reallright."

"I'mfine,"sheargued,butthenshesmiled."Youcancleanmeup,anyway."

Hepursedhislipsandsmiledwickedly."BestofferI'vehadallnight,"herepliedashepulledoutof
theparkinglot.

ChapterNine

Thehousewasquiet,deserted.Theonlylightwastheoneinthelivingroom.LeoledJaniedownthe
hall to his own big bedroom, closed the door firmly, and led her into his spacious blue-tiled
bathroom.

Thetowelswereluxurious,sea-blueandwhite-stripedbluetowels,faceclothsandhandtowels.There
weresoapsofallsorts,ahugeheatedtowelrack,andawhirlpoolbath.

Hetuggedhertothemedicinecabinetandturnedhersothathecouldseeherface."You'vegotabad
scratch here," he remarked. He tilted her chin up, and found another smaller cut on the side of her
throat,thankfullynotcloseenoughtoanarterytohavedonemuchdamage.

Hishandswenttoherblouse.Shecaughtthem.

"It'sallright,"hesaidgently.

Sheletgo.

Heunfastenedtheblouseandtosseditontothefloor,lookingheroverforothermarks.Hefounda
nasty bruise on her shoulder that was just coming out. He unfastened the bra and let it fall, too,
ignoringhereffortstocatchit.

Therewasabruiserightonherbreast,whereClarkhadheldherinfrontofhim.

"Thebastard,"heexclaimed,furious,ashetouchedthebruise.

"Hegotafewbruises,too,fromGrier,"shesaid,tryingtocomforthim.Helookeddevastated.

"He'dhavegottenmorefromme,ifIhadn'twalkedrightintothatpunch,"hesaidwithself-contempt.
"Ican'trememberthelasttimeItookastupidhitlikethat."

Shereachedupandtouchedhisleanfacegently."It'sallright,Leo."

Helookeddownatherbarebreastsandhiseyesnarrowedhotly."Idon'tlikethatbruise."

"Igotaworseonewhenmyhorsethrewmelastmonth,"shetoldhim."Itwillheal."

"It'sinabadplace."

Shesmiled."Sowastheotherone."

Heunzippedherjeansandshepanicked.

Hedidn'ttakeanynotice.Hebentandremovedhershoesandsocksandthenstrippedthejeansoffher.
Shewaswearinglittlelacywhitebriefsandhishandslingeredonthem.

"Leo!"shescreeched.

Hegrimaced."Iknewitwasgoingtobeafightalltheway,andyou'reinnoconditionforanother
one."Heun-braidedherhairandletittangledownhershoulders.Heturnedandstartedtheshower.

"Icandothis!"shebegan.

Hishandswerealreadystrippingoffthebriefs.Hestoppedwithhishandsonherwaistandlookedat
herwithbarelycontainedpassion."Ithoughtyou'dbeinaclassofyourown,"hesaidhuskily."You're
a knockout, baby." He lifted her and stood her up in the shower, putting a washcloth in her hand
beforeheclosedtheslidingglassdoor."I'llgetyourthingsinthewash."

Shewastooshell-shockedtoaskifheknewhowtouseawashingmachine.Well,youfoolshetold
herself,youstoodtherelikeastatueandlethimtakeyourclothesoffandstareatyou!Whatareyou
complainingabout?

Shebathedandusedtheshampooontheshelfintheshowerstall,scrubbinguntilshefeltlesstainted
byClark'sfilthytouch.

Sheturnedofftheshowerandclimbedout,wrappingherselfinoneofthesea-bluetowels.Itwassoft
andhuge,bigenoughforLeo,whowasagiantofaman.Itswallowedherupwhole.

Beforeshecouldwonderwhatshewasgoingtodoaboutsomethingtowear,heopenedthedoorand
walkedrightinwithablackvelvetrobe.

"Here,"hesaid,jerkingthetowelawayfromherandholdingouttherobe.

Shescurriedintoit,red-facedandembarrassed.

Hedrewherbackagainsthimandsherealizedthatshewasn'ttheonlyonewho'djusthadashower.
He was wearing a robe, too. But his was open, and the only thing under it was a pair of black silk
boxershortsthatlefthispowerfullegsbare.Hischestwasbroadandcoveredwiththick,curlinghair.
Heturnedheruntilshewasfacinghim,andhiseyeswereslowandcurious.

"You'llhavebruises.Rightnow,Iwanttotreatthosecutswithantibioticcream.Thenwe'lldryyour
hairandbrushitout."Hesmiled."It'slongandthickandglossy.Iloveyourhair."

Shesmiledshyly."Ittakesalotofdrying."

"I'mnotinahurry.Neitherareyou.IphonedyourdadandtoldhimaslittleasIcouldgetawaywith."

"Washeworried?"

Heliftedaneyebrowasheduginthecabinetfortheantibioticcream."Aboutyourvirtue,maybe,"he
teased.

"HethinksI'vegotyouheresoIcanmakelovetoyou."

Shefeltbreathless."Haveyou?"sheaskeddaringly.

Heturnedbacktoherwiththecreaminonebighand.

Hiseyeswentoverherlikehands."Ifyouwantit,yes.Butit'suptoyou."

Thatwasalittlesurprising.Shestooddocilelywhileheappliedthecreamtohercutsandthenputit
away. He hooked a hair dryer to a plug on the wall and linked his fingers through her thick light
brownhairwhileheblewitdry.Therewassomethingveryintimateaboutstandingsoclosetohim
whilehedriedherhair.Shethoughtshe'dnevergetoverthedelightofit,aslongasshelived.Every
timeshewashedherhairfromnowon,she'dfeelLeo'sbighandsagainstherscalp.Shesmiled,her
headback,hereyesclosedblissfully.

"Don'tgotosleep,"heteasedasheputthehairdryerdown.

"I'mnot"

Shefelthislipsinherhairatthesamemomentshefelthishandsgodownoverhershouldersand
intothegapleftbytherobe.

Ifshe'dbeenabletoprotest,thatwouldhavebeenthetimetodoit.Butshehesitated,entrancedbythe
feelofhishandssoblatantlyinvadingtherobe,smoothingdownoverherhigh,tautbreastsasifhe
hadeveryrighttotouchherintimatelywheneverhefeltlikeit.

Secondslater,therobewasgone,shewasturnedagainsthim,hisrobewasonthefloor,andshewas
experiencingherfirstadultembracewithoutclothing.

She whimpered at the fierce pleasure of feeling his bare, hair-roughened chest against her naked
breasts.Hernailsbitintothehugemusclesofhisupperarmsasshesuckedinaharshbreathandtried
tostayonherfeet.

"Youlikethat,doyou?"hewhisperedatherlips."Iknowsomethingthat'sevenmoreexciting."

He picked her up in his arms and started kissing her hungrily. She responded with no thought of
denyinghimwhateverhewanted.

Hecarriedhertothebed,pausedtowhipthecoversandthepillowsoutoftheway,andplacedherat
thecenterofit.Hishandswenttothewaistbandofhisboxershorts,buthehesitated,grindinghisteeth
togetherashelookedathernuditywithachingneed.

Hemanagedtocontrolhisfirstimpulse,whichwastostripandburyhimselfinher.Heeasedontothe
bedbesideher,hischestpressingherdownintothemattresswhilehismouthopenedonhersoftlips
andpressedthemwideapart.

"I've ached for this," he ground out, moving his hands from her breasts down her hips to the soft

insideofherthighs."I'veneverwantedanythingsomuch!"

Shetriedtospeak,butoneofhishandsinvadedherinthemostintimatetouchshe'deverexperienced.
Hereyesflewopenandshegapedupathim.

"You'reoldenough,Janie,"hewhispered,movinghishandjustenoughtomakehertense."AndI've
waitedaslongasIcan."

As he spoke, he touched her delicately and when she protested, he eased down to cover her mouth
withhis.Hisfingerstracedher,probed,exploredheruntilshebegantowhimperandmovewithhim.
Itwasincredible.Shewaslyinghere,naked,inhisbed,lettinghimexploreherbodyasifitbelonged
to him. And she was...enjoying it. Glo-rying in it. Her back arched and she moaned as he found a
pressureandarhythmthatliftedheroffthebedonawaveofpleasure.

One of his long, powerful legs hooked over one of hers. She felt him at her hip, aroused and not
hidingit.

Throughthethinsilk,shewasasawareofhimasifhe'dbeennaked.

"Touchme,"hegroaned."Don'tmakemedoitall.Helpme."

Shedidn'tunderstandwhathewanted.Herhandswenttohischestandbegantodrawthroughthethick
hairthere.

"No,baby,"hewhisperedintohermouth.Hecaughtoneofherhandsandtuggeditdowntotheshorts
hewaswearing."Don'tbeafraid.It'sallright."

Hecoaxedherhandontothatpartofhimthatwasblatantlymale.Shegasped.Heliftedhisheadand
looked into her eyes, but he wouldn't let her hand withdraw. He spread her fingers against him,
grimacingasthewavesofpleasurehithimandclosedhiseyesonashudder.

Hisreactionfascinatedher.Sheknewsolittle."Doesit...hurt?"

"What?"heaskedhuskily."Yourhand,orwhatit'sdoing?"

"Both.Either."

Hepressedherhandcloser,lookingdown."Look,"hewhispered,coaxinghereyestofollowhis.It
wasintimate.Butnotintimateenoughforhim.

"Don'tpanic,baby,"hewhispered,leveringontohisback.Herippedofftheshortsandtossedthem
ontothecarpetHerolledontohissideandcaughtoneofherhands,insistentnow,drawingittohim.

Shemadeasoundasshelooked,forthefirsttime,atanarousedmalewithoutathingtoconcealhim
exceptherhand.

"Don'tbeembarrassed,"hewhisperedroughly."Iwouldn'twantanyotherwomantoseemelikethis."

"Youwouldn't?"

Heshookhishead.Itwasdifficultnottolosecontrol.Butheeasedherfingersbacktohimandheld
themthere.

"I'mvulnerable."

Her eyes brightened. "Oh." She hadn't considered that he was as helpless as she was to resist the
pleasureofwhattheyweredoing.

Hisownhandwentbacktoherbody.Hetouchedher,asshewastouchinghim,andhesmiledather
fascination.

Shecouldn'tbelieveitwashappeningatall.Shestaredupathimwithallheruntriedlongingsinher
eyes,onherraptface.Shebelongedtohim.Hebelongedtoher.Itwasincredible.

"Areyougoingto?"shewhispered.

Hekissedhereyelidslazily."Goingtowhat?"

"Takeme,"shewhisperedback.

He chuckled, deep in his throat. "What a primitive de-scription. It's a mutual thing, you know.
Wouldn'tyoutakeme,aswell?"

Hereyeswidened."IsupposeIwould,"sheconceded.Shestiffenedandshivered."Oh!"

Hiseyesdarkened.Therewasnomorehumoronhisfaceashistouchbecameslowlyinvasive."Will
youletmesatisfyyou?"heasked.

“Idon't...understand.''

"Iknow.That'swhatmakesitsodelicious."Hebentslowly,butnottohermouth.Hislipshoveredjust
aboveherwidenipple."ThisisthemostbeautifulthingI'veeverdonewithawoman,"hewhispered.
Hislipsparted.

"Iwantnothing,excepttopleaseyou."

Hismouthwentdownoverthetautnippleinaslow,exquisitemotionthateventuallyallbutswallowed
herbreast.Shefelthistonguemovingagainstthenipple,feltthefaintsuctionofhismouth.Allthe
while, his hand was becoming more insistent, and far more intimate, on her body. He felt her
acceptance, even as she opened her legs for him and began to moan rhythmically with every
movementofhishands.

"Yes,"hewhisperedagainstherbreastwhenhefeltthepulsingofherbody."Letme,baby."Helifted
hisheadandlookeddownintohereyesasshemoanedpiteously.

Shewaspulsating.Shefeltherbodyclench.Shewasslowlydriftingupintoaglorious,rhythmicheat
that filled her veins, her arteries, the very cells of her body with exquisite pleasure. She'd never
dreamedtherewassuchpleasure.

"Janie,touchme,here,"hewhisperedunsteadily.

Shefelthishandcurlingaroundherfingers,teachingher,insistent,hisbreathjerkyandviolentashe
twistedagainsther.

"Baby,"hechoked,kissingherhungrily."Baby,baby!"

Hemoved,hisbigbodyleveringslowlybetweenherlonglegs.Hekneltoverher,hiseyeswild,his
body shuddering, powerfully male, and she looked up at him with total submission, still shivering
from the taste of pleasure he'd already given her. It would be explosive, ecstatic. She could barely
breathefortheanticipation.

Shewaslost.Hewasgoingtohavehernow.Shelovedhim.Shewasgoingtogiveherself.Therewas
nothingthatcouldstopthem,nothinginalltheworld!

"Mr.Hart!Oh,Mr.Hart!Areyouinhere?"

Leo stiffened, his body kneeling between her thighs, his powerful hands clenching on them. He
lookedblindlydownintoherwide,dazedeyes.Heshudderedviolentlyandhiseyesclosedonaharsh
muffledcurse.

Hethrewhimselfontothebedbesideher,onhisbelly.Hecouldn'tstopshaking.Hegaspedatajerky
breathandclutchedthesheetbesidehisheadashefoughtforcontrol.

"Mr.Hart!"thevoicecameagain.

Hesuddenlyrememberedthathehadn'tlockedthebedroomdoor,andthecowboydidn'tknowthathe
wasn'talone.Evenashethoughtit,heheardthedoorknobturn."Openthatdoor...andyou'refired!"he
shouted hoarsely. Beside him, Janie actually gasped as she belatedly realized what was about to
happen.

Thedoorknobwasreleasedatonce."Sorry,sir,butIneedyoutocomeouthereandlookatthisbull.I
thinkthere'ssomethingwrongwithhim,Mr.Hart!Wegothimloadedintooneofthetrailersandput
himinthebarn,but..."

"Callthevet!"heshouted."I'llbetheredirectly!"

"Yes,sir!"

Footstepswentbackdownthecarpetedhall.Leoliftedhishead.Besidehim,Janielookedasshattered
ashefelt.

Tearswereswimminginhereyes.

Hegroanedsoftly,andpulledhertohim,gently."It'sallright,"hewhispered,kissinghereyelidsshut
"Don'tcry,baby.Nothinghappened."

"Nothing!"shechoked.

Hishandssmootheddownthelonglineofherback."Almostnothing,"hemurmureddryly.

Shewashorrified,notonlyatherownbehavior,butatwhathadalmosthappened."Ifhehadn'tcalled
toyou,"

shebeganinahigh-pitchedwhisper.

Hishandstangledinherlonghairandhebroughthermouthunderhis,tenderly.Henibbledherupper
lip. "Yes, I know," he replied gently. "But he did." He pulled away from her and got to his feet,
stretching hugely, facing her. He watched her try not to look at him with amused indul-gence. But
eventually,shecouldn'tresistit.Hereyeswerehuge,shocked...delighted.

"Now,whenwecomparenotes,you'llhaveammuni-tion,"heteased.

Sheflushedandavertedhereyes,belatedlynoticingthatshewasn'twearingclothes,either.Shetugged
thesheetupoverherbreasts,butitwasdifficulttofeelregretswhenshelookedathim.

Hewassmiling.Hiseyesweresoft,tender.Helookeddownatwhathecouldseeofherbodyabove
thesheetwithpride,lovingthefaintlovemarksonherbreaststhathismouthhadmade.

"Greenhorn,"hechidedatherscarletblush."Well,youknowalotmoreaboutmennowthanyoudid
thismorning,don'tyou?"

Sheswallowedhard.Hereyessliddownhim.Shedidn'tlookaway,butshewasveryflushed,andnot
onlybecauseofwhatshewasseeing.Herbodythrobbedinthemostdeliciousway.

"IthinkI'dbettertakeyouhome.Now,"headdedwitharuefulchuckle."Fromthispointon,itonly
getsworse."

Hewasstillpassionatelyaroused.Hewonderedifsherealizedwhatitmeant.Hechuckledatherlack
of comprehension. "I could have you three times and I'd still be like this," he said huskily. "I'm not
easilysatisfied."

Sheshiveredasshelookedathim,herbodyyielded,submissive.

"Youwantto,don'tyou?"heaskedquietly,readingherexpression."SodoI.Morethanyouknow.But
we'renotgoingthatfartogethertonight.You'vehadenoughtraumaforaFridaynight."

Hecaughtherhandandpulledherup,freeofthesheetandopentohiseyesasheleadherbackinto
the bathroom. He turned on the shower and climbed in with her, bathing both of them quickly and
efficiently,toherragingembarrassment.

He dried her and then himself before he put his shorts back on and left her to get her things. He'd
washedthemwhileshewasintheshowerthefirsttimeandputtheminthedryer.Theywerecleanand
sweet-smelling,andthebloodstainsweregone.

Butwhenshewenttotakethemfromhim,heshookhishead."Oneoftheperks,"hesaidsoftly."Iget
todressyou."

Andhedid,completely.Thenheledhertothedresser,andranhisownbrushthroughherlong,soft
hair,easingitbackfromherface.Thelookinhiseyeswasnew,fascinating,incomprehensible.She
lookedbackathimwithawe.

"Nowyouknowsomethingaboutwhatsexfeelslike,eventhoughyou'restillverymuchavirgin,"he
saidmatter-of-factly."Andyouwon'tbeafraidoftherealthinganymore,whenithappens,willyou?"

Sheshookherhead,dazed.

Heputthebrushdownandframedherfaceinhisbig,leanhands.Hewasn'tsmiling."Youbelongto
menow,"

hesaidhuskily."Ibelongtoyou.Don'tagonizeoverwhatyouletmedotoyoutonight.It'sasnatural
asbreathing.

Don'tlieawakefeelingshameorembarrassment.YousawmeashelplessasIsawyou.Therewon't
beanyjokesaboutit,anygossipingaboutit.I'llnevertellanotherlivingsoulwhatyouletmedo."

Sherelaxed.Shehadn'treallyknownwhattoexpect.Buthesoundedmoresolemnthanhe'deverbeen.
Hewaslookingatherwithastrangeexpression.

"Areyousorry?"sheaskedinahushedwhisper.

"No," he replied quietly. "It was unavoidable. I was afraid for you tonight. I couldn't stop Clark.
Neither could Harley. Until Grier walked in, I thought you'd had it. What happened in here was a
symptomofthefear,that'sall.Iwantedtoholdyou,makeyoupartofme."Hedrewinashakybreath
andactuallyshivered."Iwantedtogorightinsideyou,Janie,"hewhisperedbluntly."Butwe'llsave
thatpleasurefortherighttimeandplace.Thisisn'tit."

Shecoloredandavertedhereyes.

Heturnedherfacebacktohis."Meanwhile,"hesaidslowly,searchinghereyes,"we'llhavenomore
secrets,ofanykind,betweenus."

Shestoodquietlyagainsthim,watchinghisface."No-body'sseenmewithoutmyclothessinceIwasa
littlekid,"shewhispered,asifitwasafearfulsecret.

"Notthatmanywomenhaveseenmewithoutmine,"herepliedunexpectedly.Hesmiledtenderly.

Hereyebrowsarched.

"Shocked?"hemused,movingawaytopullclothesoutofhisclosetandsocksoutofhisdrawers.He
satdowntopullonthesocks,glancingatherwryly."I'mnotaplayboy.I'mnotwithoutexperience,
buttherewasalwaysalimitIwouldn'tcrosswithwomenIonlyknewslightly.Itgivespeoplepower
overyouwhentheyknowintimatethingsaboutyou."

"Yes,"shesaid,movingtositbesidehimonthebed,withherhandsfoldedinherlap."Thanks."

"Forwhat?"

Shesmiled.“Formakingitfeelallright.ThatI...letyoutouchmethatway,Imean."

Hefinishedpullingonhissocksandtiltedherfaceuptohis.Hekissedhersoftly."Iwon'tevertouch
anotherwomanlikethat,"hewhisperedintohermouth."Itwouldbelikecommittingadultery,after
whatwedidonthisbed."

Herheartflewupintotheclouds.Herwide,fascinatedeyessearchedhis."Really?"

Hechuckled."Areyouanxioustorushoutandexperi-mentwithanotherman?"

Sheshookherhead.

"Why?"

Shesmiledshyly."Itwouldbelikecommittingadultery,"sherepeatedwhathe'dsaid.

He stood up and looked down at her with possession. "It was a near thing," he murmured. "I don't
knowwhethertopunchthatcowboyorgivehimaraiseforinterruptingus.Ilostit,inthoselastfew
seconds.Icouldn'thavestopped."

"Neither could I." She lifted her mouth for his soft kiss. She searched his eyes, remembering what
he'dtoldher.

"Butthebookssayamancanonlydoitonce,"sheblurtedout,"andthenhehastorest."

Helaughedsoftly."Iknow.Butahandfulofmencangoallnight.I'moneofthem."

"Oh!"

Hepulleduphisslacksandfastenedthembeforeheshoulderedintoaknitshirt.Heturnedbacktoher,
smoothing his disheveled hair. "I was contemplating even much more explosive pleasures when
someonestartedshoutingmyname."

Thiswasinteresting."Moreexplosivepleasures?"sheprompted.

Hedrewherupagainsthimandheldherclose."Whatwedidandwhatwedidn'tdo,isthedifference

between licking an ice-cream cone and eating a banana split," he teased. "What you had was only a
smalltasteofwhatwecanhavetogether."

"Wow,"shesaidsoftly.

"Wow,"heechoed,bendingtokissherhungrily.Hesighedintohermouth."Iwasalmostwillingto
riskgettingyoupregnant,Iwassofargone."Heliftedhisheadandlookedather."Howdoyoufeel
aboutkids,Janie?"

"Ilovechildren,"shesaidhonestly."Howaboutyou?"

"Me too. I'm beginning to rethink my position on having them." His lean hand touched her belly.
"You'vegotnicewidehips,"hecommented,testingthem.

Shefeltodd.Herbodyseemedtocontract.Shesearchedhiseyesbecauseshedidn'tunderstandwhat
washappeningtoher.

"You can tell Shea's you're through," he said abruptly. "I'm not risking you again. If we can't keep
Clarkinjailfortheforeseeablefuture,wehavetomakeplanstokeepyousafe."

Herlipsparted.She'dallbutforgottenherhorribleexperience.Shetouchedherthroatandfeltagain
theprickoftheknife."Yousaidhewasvindictive."

"He'llhavetogetthroughme,"hesaid."Andwithagun,I'meverybithisequal,"headded.

Shereachedupandtouchedhishardmouth."Idon'twantyoutogethurt."

"I don't want you to get hurt," he seconded. His face twisted. "Baby, you are the very breath in my
body,"hewhispered,andreachedforher.

Shefeltbonelessashekissedherwithsuchpassionandfirethatshetrembled.

"IwishIdidn'thavetotakeyouhome,"hegroanedatherlips."Iwanttomakelovetoyoucompletely.
Iwanttolieagainstyouandoveryou,andinsideyou!"

Shemoanedathismouthasitbecamedeepandinsistent,devouringherpartedlips.

He was shivering. He had to drag his mouth away from hers. He looked shattered. He touched her
longhairwithahandthathadafainttremor."Amazing,"hewhisperedgruffly."ThatIcouldn'tseeit,
beforeithappened."

"Seewhat?"sheaskeddrowsily.

His eyes fell to her swollen, parted lips. "Never mind," he whispered. He bent and kissed her with
breathless tenderness. "I'm taking you home. Then I'll see about my bull. Tomorrow morning, I'll
comeandgetyouandwe'llseeaboutswearingoutmorewarrantsagainstClark."

"Youdon'tthinkClarkwillgetoutonbond?"sheaskedworriedly.

"NotifGriercanpreventit."Hereachedforhistruckkeysandtookherbythearm."We'llgooutthe
back,"hesaid."Idon'twantanyonetoknowyouwereherewithmetonight.Itwouldn'tlookgood,
evenunderthecircumstances."

"Don'tworry,nobodywillknow,"sheassuredhim.

Thenextmorning,FredBrewstercameintothediningroomlookinglikeathunderstorm.

"What were you doing in Leo Hart's bedroom last night when you were supposed to be working,
Janie?"heaskedbluntly.

Shegapedathimwithhermouthopen.Hewasfurious.

"Howintheworld...?"sheexclaimed.

"OneoftheHarts'cowboyswenttogethimaboutasickbull.HesawLeosneakingyououttheback
door!"Hescowledandleanedcloser."Andwhatthehellhappenedtoyourface?Leosaidyouhada
troublesomecustomerandhewasbringingyouhome!Whatthehell'sgo-ingon,Janie?"

She was scrambling for an answer that wouldn't get her in even more trouble when they heard a
pickuptruckroarupthedrivewayandstopatthebackdoor.Aminutelatertherewasahardrap,and
thedooropenedbyitself.

Leo came in, wearing dressy boots and slacks, a white shirt with a tie, and a sports coat. His white
Stetsonhadbeencleanedandlookedasifithadneverbeenintroducedtoamuddytruckmat.Hetook
offthehatandtosseditontothecounter,movingpastFredtolookatJanie'sface.

"Damn!"hemuttered,turninghercheeksothatthevi-oletbruisewasverynoticeable."Ididn'trealize
hehityouthathard,baby!"

"Hither?!"Fredburstout."Whohither,andwhatwasshedoinginyourbedroomlastnight?!"

Leoturnedtowardhim,hisfacecontemplative,hisdarkeyesquietandsomber."Didshetellyou?"he
asked.

"Inever!"Janieburstout,flushing.

"Oneofyourcowboysmentionedittooneofmycowboys,"Fredbegan.

Leo'seyesflashedfire."He'llbedrawinghispayattheendoftheday.Nobody,butnobody,tellstales
aboutJanie!"

Fatheranddaughterexchangedpuzzledglances.

"Whyareyousoshocked?"heaskedher,whenhesawherface."DoyouthinkItakewomentomy

house,ever?"

Shehadn'tconsideredthat.Herlipspartedonashockedbreath.

HeglancedatFred,whowasstillunconvinced."Allright,youmightaswellknowitall.JackClark
madeapassatherinShea'sandwhensheprotested,hepulledaknifeonher."Hewaitedforthatto
sinkin,andforFredtositdown,hard,beforehecontinued."HarleyandIgotthereaboutthesame
timeandheardyelling.Wewentin-sidetofindJaniewithaknifeatherthroat.WerushedClark,but
heputbothofusoveratable.Janie'sco-workerhadphonedthesheriff,butnoneofthedeputieswere
withinquickreach,sotheyradioedGrierandhetookClarkdownandputhiminjail."Hegrimaced,
looking at Janie's face, "She was covered with blood and so upset that she could hardly stand. I
couldn'tbringmyselftotakeherhomeinthatcondition,soItookherhomewithmeandcleanedher
upandcalmedherdownfirst."

FredcaughtJanie'shandinhisandheldithard."Oh,daughter,I'msorry!"

"It'sokay.Weweretryingtospareyou,that'sall,"shefaltered.

Leopulledacellphonefromhispocket,dialedanum-ber,andgothisforeman."YoutellCarlTurley
thathe'sfired.YougethimthehelloutoftherebeforeIgethome,orhe'llneedfirstaidtogetoffthe
ranch.Yes.Yes."

Hisfacewasfrightening."Itwastrue.Clark'sinjailnow,onassaultcharges.Ofcoursenothingwas
goingon,andyoucanrepeatthat,withmyblessing!JustgetTurleyoutofthere!Right."

Hehungupandputthephoneaway.Hewasvibratingwithsuppressedfury,thatoneofhisownmen
wouldgossipabouthimandJanie,underthecircumstances."Somuchforgossip,"hegritted.

"Thanks, Leo," Fred said tersely. "And I'm sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion. It's just that,
normally,amanwouldn'ttakeawomanhomewithhimlateatnightunlesshewas...well..."

"...planningtoseduceher?"Leosaidforhim.HelookedatJanieandhiseyesdarkened.

Sheflushed.

"Yes,"Fredadmitteduncomfortably.

Leo'sdarkeyesbegantotwinkleastheywanderedoverJanielikelovinghands."Wouldthisbeabad
timetotellyouthatIhaveeveryintentionofseducingheratsomefuturetime?"

ChapterTen

Fredlookedasifhe'dswallowedachicken,whole.Heflushed,tryingtoforgetthatLeohadloaned
himthemoneytosavehisranch,thinkingonlyofhisdaughter'swelfare."Now,lookhere,Leo..."he
began.

Leochuckled."Iwasteasing.She'sperfectlysafewithme,Fred,"hereplied.HecaughtJanie'shand
and tugged her to her feet. "We have to go see the magistrate about warrants," he said, sobering. "I
wanthimtoseethesebruisesonherface,"headdedcoldly."Idon'tthinkwe'llhaveanyproblemwith
assaultcharges."

Janie moved closer to Leo. He made her feel safe, protected. He bent toward her, his whole
expression one of utter tenderness. Belatedly, Fred began to understand what he was seeing. Leo's
face,tohim,wasanopenbook.

He was shocked. At the same time, he realized that Janie didn't understand what was going on.
Probablyshethoughthewasbeingbrotherly.

"Don'tyouwantbreakfastfirst?"Fredoffered,tryingtogethisbearingsagain.

Forthefirsttime,Leoseemedtonoticethetable.Hishand,holdingJanie's,contractedinvoluntarily.
Bacon,scrambledeggs,and...biscuits?Biscuits!Hescowled,lettinggoofJanie'sfingerstoapproach
thebreadbasket.

He reached down, expecting a concretelike substance, remembering that he and Rey had secretly
sailedsomeofJanie'searliereffortsatbiscuit-makingoverthetargetrangeforeachotherandused
them for skeet targets. But these weren't hard. They were flaky, delicate. He opened one. It was soft
inside.Itsmelleddelicious.

Hewasbarelyawareofsittingdown,draggingJanie'splateunderhishands.Hebutteredabiscuitand
putstraw-berryjamonit.Hebitintoitandsighedwithpureecstasy.

"Iforgotaboutthebiscuits,"Janietoldherfatherworriedly.

Fredglancedattheirguestandgrimaced."Maybeweshouldhavesaveditforasurprise."

Leowassighing,hiseyesclosedashechewed.

"We'llnevergettothemagistrate'snow,"Janiethoughtaloud.

"He'llrunoutofbiscuitsinabouttenminutes,atthatrate,"Fredsaidwithagrin.

"I'llgetanotherplate.Wecansplittheeggsandba-con,"Janietoldherfather,inwardlybeamingwith
pride at Leo's obvious enjoyment of her efforts. Now, finally, the difficulty of learning to cook
seemedwortheveryminute.

Leowentrightonchewing,oblivioustomovementaroundhim.

Thelastbiscuitwasgonewithawistfulsighwhenhebecameawareofhistwocompanionsagain.

"Whomadethebiscuits?"LeoaskedJanie.

Shegrimaced."Idid."

"Butyoucan'tcook,honey,"hesaidgently,tryingtosoftentheaccusation.

"Marilee said you didn't like me because I couldn't make biscuits or cook anything edible," she
confessedwithoutlookingathim."SoIlearnedhow."

Hecaughtherfingerstightlyinhis."Shelied.Butthosewerewonderfulbiscuits,"hesaid."Flakyand
softinside,delicatelybrowned.Absolutelydelicious."

Shesmiledshyly."Icanmakethemanytimeyoulike."

Hewaslookingatherwithpurepossession."Everymorning,"hecoaxed."I'llstopbyforcoffee.If
Freddoesn'tmind,"headdedbelatedly.

Fredchuckled."Freddoesn'tmind,"hemurmureddryly.

Leoscowled."Youlooklikeacatwithamouse."

Fredshrugged."Justastraythought.Nothingtoworryabout."

Leo held the older man's reluctant gaze and understood the odd statement. He nodded slowly. He
smiledsheepishlyasherealizedthatFredwasn'tblindatall.

Fredgotup."Well,I'vegotcattletomove.How'syourbull,bytheway?"headdedabruptly,worried.

"Colic,"Leosaidwithacoolsmile."Easilytreatedandnothingtogetupsetover."

"I'mglad.IhadvisionsofyoulosingyourstoClarkaswell."

"Heisn'tfromthesameherdasyourswas,Fred,"Leotoldhim."Butevenso,Ithinkwe'llmanageto
keepClarkpennedupforawhile.Whichremindsme,"headded,glancingatJanie."We'dbetterget
going."

"Okay.I'lljustgetthebreakfastthingsclearedawayfirst."

Leo sat and watched her work with a smitten expression on his face. Fred didn't linger. He knew a
hookedfishwhenhesawone.

Theysworeoutwarrantsandpresentedthemtothesheriff.Clarkhadalreadybeentransferredtothe
county lockup, after a trip to the hospital emergency room the night before, and Leo and Janie

stoppedintoseeGrieratthepolicestation.

Grier had just finished talking to the mayor, a pleasant older man named Tarleton Connor, newly
electedtohisposition.ConnorandGrierhadamutualcousin,asdidGrierandChetBlake,thepolice
chief.Chetwasoutoftownonpolicebusiness,soGrierwasnominallyinchargeofthings.

"Have a seat," Grier invited, his eyes narrow and angry on Janie's bruised face. "If it's any
consolation,MissBrewster,Clark'sgotbruisedribsandablackeye."

She smiled. It was uncomfortable, because it irritated the bruise. "Thanks, Mr. Grier," she said with
genuineappreciation.

"That goes double for me," Leo told him. "He put Har-ley and me over a table so fast it's
embarrassingtoadmitit."

"Why?"Grierasked,sittingdownbehindhisdesk."Themanwasamartialartist,"heelaborated."He
had a studio up in Victoria for a while, until the authorities realized that he was teaching killing
techniquestoex-cons."

Leo'sjawfell.

Griershrugged."Hewastheequivalentofablackbelt,too.Harley'snotbad,butheneedsalotmore
trainingfromEbScottbeforehecouldtakeonClark."Hepursedhislipsandhiseyestwinkledashe
studiedLeo'sexpression."Feelbetternow?"

Leochuckled."Yes.Thanks."

Grier glanced at Janie's curious expression. "Men don't like to be overpowered by other men. It's a
guything,"

heexplained.

"Anybodyeveroverpoweryou?"Leoaskedcuriously.

"JuddDunnalmostdid,once.Butthen,Itaughthimeverythingheknows."

"Youknowalot,"Janiesaid."Ineversawanybodymovethatfast."

"IwastaughtbyaguyupinTarrantCounty,"Griertoldherwithasmile."He'sontelevisionevery
week.PlaysaTexasRanger."

Janiegasped.

"Niceguy,"Grieradded."Andahellofamartialart-ist."

Leo was watching him with a twinkle in his own eyes. “I did think the spinning heel kick looked
familiar."

Griersmiled.Hesatup."AboutClark,"headded."Hisbrothercametoseehimatthecountylockup
this morning and got the bad news. With only one charge so far, Har-ley's, he's only got a
misdemeanor..."

"Wetookoutawarrantforaggravatedassaultandbat-tery,"Leointerrupted."Janiehadaknifeather
throatjustbeforeyouwalkedin."

"So I was told." Grier's dark eyes narrowed on Janie's throat. The nick was red and noticeable this
morning."Aninchdeeperandwe'dbevisitingyouatthefuneralhomethismorning."

"Iknow,"Janiereplied.

"Youkeptyourhead,"hesaidwithasmile."Itprobablysavedyourlife."

"CanyoukeepClarkinjail?"sheaskedworriedly.

"I'llaskJudgeBarnetttosetbailashighashecan.ButClark'sbrotherisn'tgoingtosettleforapublic
defender.

Hesaidhe'dgetJackthebestattorneyhecouldfind,andhe'dpayforit."Heshrugged."Godknows
whathe'llpayforitwith,"headdedcoldly."JohnClarkoweseverybody,uptoandincludinghisboss.
SodoesourlocalClarkbrother."

"Hemayhavetohaveapublicdefender."

"We'llsee.Butmeanwhile,he'soutofeverybody'sway,andhe'llstayput."

"Whatabouthisbrother?"Leowantedtoknow."IsJanieinanydanger?"

Griershookhishead."JohnClarkwentbacktoVictoriaafterhesawhisbrother.Ihadhimfollowed,
byoneofmyoff-dutyguys,justtomakesurehereallyleft.ButI'dkeepmyeyesopen,ifIwereyou,
justthesame.Theseboysarebadnews."

"We'lldothat,"Leosaid.

HedroveJaniebacktohisownranchandtookheraroundwithhimwhilehecheckedonthevarious
projectshe'dinitiated.Hepulledupatthebarnandtoldhertostayinthetruck.

Shewascuriousuntilsherememberedthathe'dfiredthemanwho'dinterruptedthemthenightbefore.
She was glad about the interruption, in retrospect, but uneasy about the gossip that man had started
aboutherandLeo.

He was back in less than five minutes, his face hard, his eyes blazing. He got into the truck and
glancedather,forc-iblywipingtheangeroutofhisexpression.

"He's gone," he told her gently. "Quit without his check," he added with a rueful smile. "I guess
CharlestoldhimwhatIsaid."Heshrugged."Hewasn'tmuchofacowboy,atthat,ifhecouldn'ttell

colicfrombloat."

Shereachedoutandputhernervousfingersoverhisbighandonthesteeringwheel.Heflinchedand
shejerkedherhandback.

"No!"Hecaughtherfingersinhisandheldthemtight"I'msorry,"hesaidatonce,scowling."You've
nevertouchedmevoluntarilybefore.Itsurprisedme.Ilikeit,"headded,smiling.

Shewasflushedandnervous."Oh.Okay."Shesmiledshyly.

Hesearchedhereyeswithhisforsolongthatherheartbegantorace.Hisfacetautened."Thiswon't
do,"hesaidinahusky,deeptone.Hestartedthetruckwithaviolentmotionanddrovebacktheway
they'dcome,turningontoaruttedpaththatledintothewoodsand,farbeyond,toapasture.Buthe
stoppedthetruckhalfwaytothepasture,threwitoutofgear,andcutofftheengine.

HehadJanieoutofherseatbeltandintohisbigarmsinseconds,andhishungrymouthwasonher
lipsbeforeshecouldreact.

She didn't have any instincts for self-preservation left. She melted into his aroused body, not even
protestingtheintimatewayhewaspressingherhipsagainsthis.Herarmscurledaroundhisneckand
shekissedhimbackwithenthusiasm.

Shefelthishandsgoingunderherblouse,againstherbreasts.Thatfeltwonderful.Itwasperfectlyall
right,becauseshebelongedtohim.

Heliftedhismouthfromhers,breathinghard,andwatchedhereyeswhilehishandscaressedher.She
wincedandhecaughthisbreath.

"I'msorry!"hesaidatonce,soothingthebruisehe'dforgottenabout."Ididn'tmeantohurtyou,"he
whispered.

Shereacheduptokisshiseyelidsshut,feelingtheshockthatranthroughhimatthesoftcaress.His
hands moved to her waist and rested there while he held his breath, waiting. She felt the hunger in
him, like a living thing. Delighted by his unexpected submission to her mouth, she kissed his face
softly,tenderly,drawingherlipsoverhisthickeyebrows,hiseyelids,hischeeksandnoseandchin.
Theymovedtohisstrongthroatandlingeredinthepulsatinghollow.

One lean hand went between them to the buttons of his cotton shirt. He unfastened them quickly,
jerkingthefabricoutofherway,invitinghermouthinside.

Her hands spread on the thick mat of hair that covered the warm, strong muscles of his chest. Her
mouth touched it, lightly, and then not lightly. She moved to where his heart beat roughly, and then
overtheflatmalenipplethatwasacounterparttoherown.Butthereactionshegotwhensheputher
mouthoveritwasshocking.

Hegroanedsoharshlythatshewassureshe'dhurthim.

Shedrewback,surprisingalookofanguishonhisleanface.

"Leo?"shewhispereduneasily.

"Itarousesme,"hegroundout,thenheshivered.

Shedidn'tknowwhattodonext.Helookedasifheachedtohaveherrepeatthecaress,buthisbody
wasastautasaropeagainsther.

"You'llhavetotellmewhattodo,"shefaltered."Idon'twanttomakeitworse."

"WhateverIdoisgoingtoshockyouspeechless,"hechokedout."But,whatthehell...!"

Hedraggedherfacebacktohisnippleandpresseditthere,hard."YouknowwhatIwant."

Shedid,atsomelevel.Hermoutheaseddownagainsthimwithasoft,gentlesuctionthatliftedhim
backagainsttheseatwithaharshlittlecryofpleasure.Hishandsatthebackofherheadwererough
andinsistent.Shegaveinanddidwhathewassilentlyaskingherfor.Shefelthimshudderandgasp,
his body vibrating as if it was overwhelmed by pleasure. He bit off a harsh word and trembled
violentlyforafewsecondsbeforeheturnedhermouthawayfromhimandpressedherunblemished
cheekagainsthischest.Hishandsinherhairtrembledastheycaressedherscalp.Hisheartbeatwas
ragingunderhermouth.

Hefoughttobreathenormally."Wow,"hewhisperedunsteadily.

Herfingerstangledinthethickhairunderthem."Didyoureallylikeit?"shewhisperedback.

Heactuallylaughed,alittleunsteadily."Didn'tyoufeelwhatwashappeningtome?"

"Youwereshaking."

"Yes.Iwas,wasn'tI?JustthewayyouwereshakinglastnightwhenItouchedyou..."

Her cheek slid back onto his shoulder so that she could look up into his soft eyes. "I didn't know a
manwouldbesensitive,there,likeawomanis."

Hebentanddrewhislipsoverhereyelids."I'msensitive,allright"Hislipsmovedoverhermouth
andpressedtherehungrily."Itisn'tenough,Janie.I'vegottohaveyou.Alltheway."

"Rightnow?"shestammered.

Heliftedhisheadandlookeddownatherinhisarms.Hewassolemn,unsmiling,ashemetherwide
eyes.Hisbodywasstillvibratingwithunsatisfieddesire.Deliberately,hedrewherhipscloseragainst
hisandletherfeelhimthere.

Shedidn'tprotest.Ifanything,herbodymeltedevencloser.

One lean hand went to her belly and rested there, between them, while he searched her eyes. "I
want...tomakeyoupregnant,"hesaidinaroughwhisper.

Herlipsfellopen.Shestaredathim,notknowingwhattosay.

Helookedworried."I'veneverwantedthatwithawoman,"hecontinued,asifhewasdiscussingthe
weather.

Hisfingersmovedlightlyonherbody."Notwithanyone."

Hewassayingsomethingprofound.Shehadn'tbelieveditatfirst,buttheexpressiononhisfacewas
hardtoexplainaway.

"Myfatherwouldshootyou,"shemanagedtosayweakly.

"Mybrotherswouldshootme,too,"heagreed,nodding.

Shewasfrowning.Shedidn'tunderstand.

He bent and kissed her, with an odd tenderness. He laughed to himself. "Just my luck," he breathed
againstherlips,"togetmixedupwithavirginwhocancook."

"Wearen'tmixedup,"shebegan.

His hand contracted against the base of her spine, grinding her into him, and one eyebrow went up
overaworldlysmileassheblushed.

Sheclearedherthroat."Wearen'tverymixedup,"shecorrected.

Henibbledatherupperlip.“IlookatyouandgetturnedonsohardIcanhardlywalkaroundwithout
bendingoverdouble.ItouchyouandIhurtallover.Idreamofyoueverysinglenightofmylifeand
wakeupvibrating."

Heliftedhisheadandlookeddownintohermistyeyes.Hewasn'tsmiling.Hewasn'tkidding."Never
likethis,Janie.Eitherwehaveeachother,orwestopit,rightnow."

Her fingers touched his face lovingly. "You can do whatever you like to me," she whispered
unsteadily.

Hisjawtautened."Anything?"

Shenodded.Shelovedhimwithallherheart.

Hiseyesclosed.Hisarmsbroughthergentlyagainsthim,andhismouthburieditselfinherthroat,
pressingtherehotandhardforafewachingseconds.Thenhedraggedinaharshbreathandsatup,
puttingherbackinherseatandfasteningherseatbelt.

Hedidn'tlookatherashefastenedhisownbeltandstartedthetruck.Shesatbesidehimashepulled

out onto the highway, a little surprised that he didn't turn into the road that led to his house. She'd
expectedhimtotakeherthere.Sheswallowedhard,rememberingthewaythey'dpleasuredeachother
on his big bed the night before, remembering the look of his powerful body without clothes. She
flushedwithanticipateddelight.Shewasoutofhermind.Herfatherwasgoingtokillher.Shelooked
at Leo with an ache that curled her toes up inside her shoes, and didn't care if he did. Some things
wereworthdyingfor.

Leodroverightintotownandpulledintoaparkingspotinfrontofthedrugstore.Right,shethought
nervously,hewasgoinginsidetobuy...protection...forwhattheyweregoingtodo.Hewantedachild,
though,he'dsaid.

Sheflushedashegotoutofthetruckandcamearoundtoopenherdoor.

Hehadtounfastenherseatbeltfirst.Shedidn'tevenhavethepresenceofmindtoaccomplishthat.

Hehelpedheroutofthetruckandlookeddownatherwithanexpressionshecouldn'tdecipher.He
touchedhercheekgently,andthenherhair,andhersoftmouth.Hiseyeswerefoilofturmoil.

Hetuggedherawayfromthetruckandclosedherdoor,leadinghertothesidewalkwithonesmall
handtightlyheldinhisfingers.

Shestartedtowardthedrugstore.

"Wrongway,sweetheart,"hesaidtenderly,andledherrightintoajewelrystore.

Theclerkwastalkingtoanotherclerk,buthecameforward,smiling,whentheyenteredtheshop.

"MayIhelpyoufindsomething?"heaskedLeo.

"Yes,"Leosaidsomberly."Wewanttolookatweddingbands."

Janiefeltalltheblooddrainingoutofherface.Itfeltnumb.Shehopedshewasn'tgoingtopassout.

Leo'shandtightenedaroundherfingers,andslowlylinkedthemtogetherashepositionedherinfront
ofthecasethatheldengagementringsandweddingrings.

TheclerktookoutthetraythatLeoindicated.LeolookeddownatJaniewithquiet,tendereyes.

"Youcanhaveanythingyouwant,"hesaidhuskily,andhewasn'ttalkingsolelyofrings.

Shemethissearchinggazewithtearsglisteningonherlashes.Hebentandkissedthewetnessaway.

Theclerkavertedhiseyes.Itwaslikepeeringthroughaprivatewindow.Hecouldn'trememberever
seeingsuchanexpressiononaman'sfacebefore.

"Lookattherings,Janie,"Leosaidgently.

Shemanagedtofocusonthembelatedly.Shedidn'tcareaboutflashythings,likehugediamonds.She

wasacountrygirl,forallhersophistication.Hereyeskeptcomingbacktoasetofringsthathada
grapeleafpattern.

The wedding band was wide, yellow gold with a white gold rim, the pattern embossed on the gold
surface.Thematchingengagementringhadadiamond,butnotaflashyone,anditcontainedthesame
grapeleafpatternonitscircumference.

"Ilikethisone,"shesaidfinally,touchingit.

Therewasamatchingmasculine-lookingweddingband.ShelookedupatLeo.

Hesmiled."Doyouwantmetowearone,too?"heteased.

Hereyeswerebreathlesswithlove.Shecouldn'tmanagewords.Sheonlynodded.

Heturnedhisattentionbacktotheclerk."We'lltakeallthree,"hesaid.

"They'll need to be sized. Let me get my measuring rod," the clerk said with a big grin. The rings
were expensive, fourteen karat, and that diamond was the highest qual-ity the store sold. The
commissionwasgoingtobetasty.

"Itisn'ttooexpensive?"Janieworried.

Leobentandkissedthetipofhernose."They'regoingtolastalongtime,"hetoldher."They'renot
tooexpensive."

Shecouldn'tbelievewhatwashappening.Shewantedtotellhimso,buttheclerkcamebackandthey
wereimmediatelyinvolvedinhavingtheirfingerssizedandthepaperworkfilledout.

LeoproducedagoldcardandpaidforthemwhileJanielookedon,stillshell-shocked.

Leoheldherhandtightwhentheywentbacktothetruck."Nextstop,cityhall,"hemurmureddryly.
"Rather, the fire station—they take the license applications when city hall is closed. I forgot it was
Saturday."Heliftedbotheyebrowsatherstunnedexpression."Mightaswellgetitalldoneinoneday.
Whichremindsme."Hepulledouthiscellphoneafterhe'dputherinthetruckandphonedtheoffice
ofthedoctorsColtrain.WhileJanielistened,spellbound,hemadeanappointmentforbloodtestsfor
thatafternoon.ThedoctorsColtrainhadaSaturdayclinic.

Hehungupandslippedthephonebackintohispocketwithagrin."Marriagelicensenext,bloodtests
later, and about next Wednesday, we'll have a nice and quiet small wedding followed by," he added
huskily,"onehellofalongpassionateweddingnight."

Shecaughtherbreathatthepassioninhiseyes."Leo,areyousure?"shewantedtoknow.

Hedraggedherintohisarmsandkissedhersohungrilythatafamiliarcouplewalkingpastthetruck
actuallystaredamusedlyatthemforafewsecondsbeforehurryingonpast.

"I'msorry,baby.Ican't...wait...anylonger,"hegroundoutintohereagermouth."It'smarriageorI'm
leavingthestate!"Heliftedhishead,andhiseyesweretortured.Hecouldbarelybreathe."Oh,God,I
wantyou,Janie!"

Shefeltthetremorinhisbigbody.Sheunderstoodwhathefelt,becauseitwasthesamewithher.She
drewinaslowbreath.Itwasdesire.Shethought,maybe,therewassomeaffectionaswell,buthewas
dying to have her, and that was what prompted marriage plans. He'd said often enough that he was
nevergoingtogetmarried.

He saw all those thoughts in her eyes, even through the most painful desire he'd ever known. "I'll
makeyougladyousaidyes,"hetoldhergruffly."Iwon'tevercheatonyou,orhurtyou.I'lltakecare
ofyouallmylife.Allofyours."

It was enough, she thought, to take a chance on. "All right," she said tenderly. She reached up and
touchedhishard,swollenmouth."I'llmarryyou."

Itwasprofound,tohearhersayit.Hecaughthisbreathattheragingarousalthewordsproducedin
hisalready-torturedbody.Hegroanedashepressedhismouthhardintothepalmofherhand.

Shewasn'tconfidentenoughtoteasehimabouthisde-sireforher.Butitpleasedherthathewas,at
least,fiercelyhungryforherinthatway,ifnoother.

Hecaughthercloseandfoughtforcontrol."We'dbettergoandgetamarriagelicense,"hebitoff.
"We'vealreadygivenEvanandAnnaTremayneaneyeful."

"What?"sheaskeddrowsily.

"TheywerewalkingpastwhenIkissedyou,"hesaidwitharuefulsmile.

"They'vebeenmarriedforyears,"shepointedout.

Henibbedhisnoseagainsthers."Waituntilwe'vebeenmarriedforyears,"hewhispered."We'llstill
befoggingupwindowsinparkedtrucks."

"Thinkso?"sheasked,smiling.

"Waitandsee."

Heletgoofher,withobviousreluctance,andmovedbackunderthesteeringwheel."Herewego."

Theyappliedforthemarriagelicense,hadthebloodtests,andthenwenttorounduptheirfamiliesto
tellthemthenews.

Janie's aunt Lydia had gone to Europe over the holidays on an impromptu sightseeing trip, Fred
Brewstertoldthemwhentheygavehimthenews.“She'llbelividifshemissesthewedding,"hesaid
worriedly.

"Shecanbehereforthefirstchristening,"LeosaidwithagrinatJanie'sblush."YoucanbringHettie
withyou,andcomeovertotheranchforsuppertomorrownight,"headded,amusedatFred'slackof
surprise at the announcement. "I've invited my brothers to supper and phoned Barbara to have it
catered.Iwantedtobreakthenewstoallofthematonce."

"Hettie won't be surprised," Fred told them, tongue-in-cheek. "But she'll enjoy a night out. We'll be
alongaboutsix."

"Fine,"Leosaid,anddidn'toffertoleaveJanieathome.Hewaiteduntilshechangedintoaroyal-blue
pant-suitwithabeigetop,andcarriedherwithhimtotheranch.

HedidchoresandpaperworkwithJanierightbesidehim,althoughhedidn'ttouchher.

"Amanonlyhassomuchself-control,"hetoldherwithawistfulsigh."Sowe'llkeepourhandsoff
eachother,untilthewedding.Fairenough?"

Shegrinnedathim."Fairenough!"

Hetookherhomeaftertheyhadsupperatalocalrestaurant."I'dlovetohavetakenyouuptoHouston
foranightonthetown,"hesaidwhenhewalkedhertoherdoor."Butnotwithyourfacelikethat."He
toucheditsomberly."HereinJacobsville,everybodyalreadyknowswhathappenedoutatShea'slast
night. In Houston, people might think I did this, or allowed it to happen." He bent and kissed the
painfulbruise."NobodywilleverhurtyouagainaslongasIlive,"hesworehuskily.

Sheclosedhereyes,savoringthesofttouchofhismouth."Areyousureyouwanttomarryme?"she
asked.

"I'msure.I'llbealongaboutten-thirty,"headded.

Shelookedupathim,puzzled."Ten-thirty?"

Henodded."Church,"hesaidwithawickedgrin."Wehavetosetagoodexampleforthekids."

Shelaughed,delighted."Okay."

"See you in the morning, pretty girl," he said, and brushed his mouth lightly over hers before he
boundedbackdownthestepstohiscaranddroveoffwithawaveofhishand.

FredwasamazedthatLeodidtakehertochurch,andthencamebacktothehousewithherforalunch
of cold cuts. He and Fred talked cattle while Janie lounged at Leo's side, still astounded at the
unexpectedturnofevents.Fredcouldn'tbehappierabouttheupcomingnuptials.Hewasamusedthat
Hettie had the weekend off and didn't know what had happened. She had a shock coming when she
arrivedlaterintheday.

Leo took Janie with him when he went home, approving her choice of a silky beige dress and
matchinghighheels,pearlsinherearsandaroundherthroat,andherhairlongandluxuriousdown

herback.

"Yourbrotherswillbesurprised,"Janiesaidworriedlyonthewaythere.

Leo lifted an eyebrow. "After the Cattleman's Ball? Probably not," he said. Then he told her about
Corriganofferingtodrivehimhomesothathecouldpumphimforinformationtoreportbacktothe
others.

"Youwereveryintoxicated,"sherecalled,embarrassedwhensherecalledthefierceargumentthey'd
had.

“I‟d just found out that Marilee had lied about you," he confided. "And seeing you with damned
Harleydidn'thelp."

"Youwerejealous,"sherealized.

"Murderouslyjealous,"heconfessedatonce."Thatonlygotworse,whenyoutookthejobatShea's."
Heglancedather."I'mnothavingyouworkthereanylonger.Idon'tcarewhatcompromisesIhaveto
maketogetyoutoagree."

Shesmiledtoherself."Oh,Idon'tmindquitting,"sheconfessed."I'llhaveenoughtodoattheranch,
afterwe'remarried,gettingsettledin."

"Let'strynottotalkaboutthatrightnow,okay?"

Shestaredathim,worriedly."Areyougettingcoldfeet?"sheasked.

"I'll tell you what I'm getting," he said, turning dark eyes to hers. And he did tell her, bluntly, and
starkly.Henoddedcurtlyatherscarletflushanddirectedhisattentionbackattheroad."Justforthe
record,theword

'marriage'remindsmeofthewords'weddingnight,'andIgonuts."

Shewhistledsoftly.

"Solet'sthinkaboutfoodandcoffeeandmybrothersandtrynottostartsomethingnoticeable,"he
addedinadeeptone.“Becauseallthreeofthemaregoingtobelookingforobvioussignsandthey'll
laughtheplacedowniftheyseeany."

"Wecanrecitemultiplicationtablestogether,"sheagreed.

He glanced at her with narrow eyes. "Great idea," he replied sarcastically. "That reminds me of
rabbits,andguesswhatrabbitsremindmeof?"

"IknowtheGettysburgAddressbyheart,"shecountered."I'llteachittoyou."

"Thatwillputmetosleep."

"I'llmakebiscuitsforsupper."

Hesatupstraight."Biscuits?Forsupper?TogowithBarbara'snicebarbecue,potatosaladandapple
pie. Now that's an idea that just makes my mouth water! And here I am poking along!" He pushed
downontheaccelerator."Honey,youjustsaidthemagicword!"

Shechuckledtoherself.Marriage,shethought,wasgo-ingtobearealadventure.

ChapterEleven

NotonlydidCorrigan,Rey,andCagshowupforsupperwiththeirwives,Dorie,MeredithandTess,
butSimonandTiracameallthewayfromAustinonacharteredjet.Janiehadjusttakenoffherapron
afterproducingalargepanofbiscuits,addingthemtothedeliciouslyspreadtablethatBarbaraand
herassistanthadarrangedbeforetheyleft.

All four couples arrived together, the others having picked up Simon and Tira at the Jacobsville
airportontheway.

LeoandJaniemetthematthedoor.Leolookedunprepared.

"Allofyou?"heexclaimed.

Simonshrugged."Ididn'tbelievethem,"hesaid,pointingattheotherthreebrothers."Ihadtocome
seeformyself."

"Wedidn'tbelievehim,either,"Reyagreed,pointingatLeo.

TheyalllookedatJanie,whomovedclosertoLeoandblushed.

“If she's pregnant, you're dead,'' Cag told Leo pointedly when he saw the look on Janie's face. He
leanedcloserbeforeLeocouldrecoverenoughtoprotest."Haveyoubeenbeatingher?"

"Sheis most certainlynot pregnant!" Leosaid, of-fended. "And youfour ought toknow that I have
neverhitawomaninmylife!"

"But he hit the guy who did this to me," Janie said with pride, smiling up at him as she curled her
fingersintohisbigones.

"Notveryeffectively,I'mafraid,"Leoconfessed.

"That's just because the guy had a black belt," Janie said, defending Leo. "Nobody but our assistant
policechiefhadtheexperiencetobringhimdown."

"Yes,IknowGrier,"Simonsaidsolemnly."He'ssomethingofalegendinlawenforcementcircles,
eveninAustin."

"Hehasalienartifactsinhisfilingcabinet,andhewasagovernmentassassin,"Janievolunteeredwith
astraightface.

Everybodystaredather.

"Hewaskidding!"Leochuckled.

Shegrinnedathim.Hewrinkledhisnoseather.Theyexchangedlooksthatmadetheotherssuddenly

observant.

Allatonce,theybecameserious.

"Wecandoweddinginvitationsifwee-mailthemtonight,"Cagsaidoffhand.Hepulledalistfrom
hispocket.

"Thisisalistofthepeopleweneedtoinvite."

"Icangetthesymphonyorchestratoplay,"Reysaid,nodding."I'vegottheirconductor'shomephone
numberinmypocketcomputer."Hepulleditout

"WecanbuythegownonlineandhaveitovernightedherefromNeiman-MarcusinDallas,"Corrigan
volunteered."Allweneedisherdresssize.Whatareyou,asizeten?"

Janiebalkedvisibly,butnodded."Herecomesherfa-ther,"Doriesaidenthusiastically,notingthenew
arrival.

“I‟lle-mailtheannouncementtothenewspaper,"Tesssaid."TheyhaveaTuesdayedition,wecanjust
makeit.

We'llneedaphoto."

Therewasaflash.Tirachangedthesettingonherdigitalcamera."How'sthis?"Sheasked,showingit
toTessandMeredith.

"Great!"Meredithsaid."WecanuseLeo'scomputertodownloaditande-mailitstraighttothepaper,
sothey'llhaveitfirstthingtomorrow.Wecane-mailittothelocaltelevisionstationaswell.Come
on!"

"Wait for me! I'll write the announcement," Dorie called to Corrigan, following along behind the
women.

"Hey!"Janieexclaimed.

"What?" Tira asked, hesitating. "Oh, yes, the reception. It can be held here. But the cake! We need a
caterer!"

"Cagcancallthecaterer,"Simonvolunteeredhisbrother.

"It'smywedding!"Janieprotested.

"Ofcourseitis,dear,"Tirasaidsoothingly."Let'sgo,girls."

ThewomenvanishedintoLeo'sstudy.Themenwentintoahuddle.Janie'sfatherandHettiecamein
theopendoor,lookingshell-shocked.

"Nevermindthem,"Leosaid,drawingJanietomeetherparentandherhousekeeper."They'retaking
care of the arrangements," he added, waving his hand in the general direction of his brothers and
sisters-in-law.

"Apparently, it's going to be a big wedding, with a formal gown and caterers and newspaper
coverage."Hegrinned."Youcancome,ofcourse."

Janiehithim."Weweregoingtohaveanice,quietlittlewedding!"

"Yougotellthemwhatyouwant,honey,"hetoldJanie."Justdon'texpectthemtolisten."

Hettiestartedgiggling.Janieglaredather.

"Youdon'tremember,doyou?"thehousekeeperaskedJanie."Leohelpedthemdothesamethingto
Dorie,andTira,andTess,andevenMeredith.It'spaybacktime.They'regettingeven."

"I'mafraidso,"LeotoldJaniewithasmuggrin."Butlookatthebrightside,youcanjustsitbackand
relaxandnothavetoworryaboutasingledetail."

"But,mydress..."sheprotested.

Hepattedherontheshoulder."Theyhavewonderfultaste,"heassuredher.

Fredwasgrinningfromeartoear.Heneverwouldhavebelievedonemancouldmovesofast,but
he'd seen the way Leo looked at Janie just the morning before. It was no surprise to him that a
weddingwasforthcoming.Heknewamanwhowasheadoverheelswhenhesawone.

Bytheendoftheevening,Janiehadapprovedtheweddinggown,providedthestatisticsanddetailsof
herfamilybackgroundandeducation,andclimbedintothecarwithLeotolethimtakeherhome.

"TheringswillbereadyTuesday,theypromised,"hetoldheratherfather'sdoor.Hesmiledtenderly.
"You'llbeabeautifulbride."

"Ican'tbelieveit,"shesaidsoftly,searchinghisleanface.

He drew her close. "Wednesday night, you'll believe it," he said huskily, and bent to kiss her with
obviousre-straint."Now,goodnight!"

Hewalkedtothecar.Shedriftedinside,wrappedindreams.

Itwasahoneyofasocietywedding.Forsomethingsohastilyconcocted,especiallywithChristmas
approaching, it went off perfectly. Even the rings were ready on time, the dress arrived by special
overnight delivery, the blood tests and marriage license were promptly produced, the minister
engaged,presscoverageassured,thecatererontime—nothing,absolutelynothing,wentwrong.

JaniestoodbesideLeoattheHartranchatamakeshiftarchlatticedwithpinkandwhiteroseswhile
they spoke their vows. Janie had a veil, because Leo had insisted. And after the last words of the

marriage ceremony were spoken, he lifted the veil from Janie's soft eyes and looked at her with
smoldering possession. He bent and kissed her tenderly, his lips barely brushing hers. She had a
yellowingbruiseononecheekandshewascarefultokeepthatsideawayfromthecamera,butLeo
didn'tseemtonoticetheblemish.

"Youarethemostbeautifulbridewhoeverspokehervows,"hewhisperedashekissedher."AndI
willcherishyouuntiltheylaymedowninthedark!"

Shereachedupandkissedhimback,triggeringaburstofenthusiasticardorthathewasonlyableto
curb belatedly. He drew away from her, smiling sheepishly at their audi-ence, caught her hand, and
ledherbacktothehousethroughashowerofrice.

Thebrotherswereonthejobeventhen.Thepresswasdelicatelypromptedtoleaveafterthecakeand
punchwereconsumed,thesymphonyorchestrawascoaxedtoloadtheirinstruments.Theguestswere
delicatelyledtothedoorandthanked.Thenthebrotherscarriedtheirwivesawayinaflurryofgood
wishesand,atlast,thenewlywedswerealone,intheirownhome.

Leo looked at Janie with eyes that made her heart race. "Alone," he whispered, approaching her
slowly,"atlast."

Hebentandliftedher,tenderly,andcarriedherdownthehalltothebedroom.Helockedthedoor.He
took the phone off the hook. He closed the curtains. He came back to her, where she stood, a little
apprehensive,justinsidethecloseddoor.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said softly. "You're a priceless treasure. I'm going to be slow, and
tender,andI'mgoingtogiveyouallthetimeyouneed.Don'tbeafraidofme."

"I'mnot,really,"shesaidhuskily,watchinghimdivestheroftheveilandthehairpinsthatheldher
elaboratecoif-fureinplacewithsprigsoflilyofthevalley."Butyouwantmesomuch,"shetriedto
explain."WhatifIcan'tsatisfyyou?"

Helaughed."Youunderestimateyourself."

"Areyousure?"

Heturnedheraroundsothathecouldundothedelicatehooksandsnapsofhergown."I'msure."

Shelethimstripherdowntoherlacycamisole,whitestockingsandlacywhitegarterbelt,hereyes
feedingonthedelightedexpressionthatclaimedhisleanface.

"Beautiful,"hesaidhuskily."Iloveyouinwhitelace."

"You'renotbadinamorningcoat,"sheteased,likingthevestedgrayceremonialrighewaswearing.

"HowamIwithoutit?"heteased.

"Let'sfindout."Sheunbuttonedhiscoatandthenthevestunderit.Heobliginglystrippedthemofffor
her,alongwithhistie,andlefttheshirtbuttonstoherhands."You'vegotcufflinks,"shemurmured,
tryingtoreleasethem.

"I'll do it." He moved to the chest of drawers and put his cuff links in a small box, along with his
pocketchangeandkeys.Hepausedtoremovehisshirtandslacks,shoesandsocksbeforehecame
backtoher,insilkygrayboxershortsliketheoneshe'dwornthenighttheywerealmostintimate.

"Youare...magnificent,"shewhispered,runningherhandsoverhischest.

"Youhavenoideahowmagnificent,yet."Heun-snappedtheshortsandletthemfall,coaxinghereyes
tohim.

Heshiveredattheexpressiononherface,becausehewasfarmorepotentthanhe'dbeentheonetime
she'dlookedathimlikethis.

Whileshewasgaping,heunfastenedthecamisolewithadelicateflickofhisfingersandunhooked
thegarterbelt.Hestrippedthewholeofitdownherslenderbodyandtippedherbackontothebed
whilehepulledthestockingsoffwiththeremainderofherclothing.

He pulled back the cover and tossed the pillows off to the side before he arranged her on the crisp
whitesheets and stoodover her, vibratingwith desire, his eyeseating her nudebody, from her taut
nipplestothevisibletremblingofherlong,partedlegs.

Shewatchedhimcomedowntoherwithfaintapprehensionthatsuddenlyvanishedwhenhepressed
hisopenmouthdown,hard,rightonhersoftbelly.

He'dnevertouchedherlikethat,andinthenextfewfeverishminutes,shewentfromshocktogreater
shockashedisplayedhisknowledgeofwomen.

"No,youcan't,youcan't!"shesobbed,buthewas,hedid,hehad!

Shearcheduptowardhismouthwithtearsoftorturedecstasyrainingdownhercheeksinafirestorm
ofsensation,sobbingasthepleasurestretchedhertightasaropeunderthewarm,expertmotionsof
hislips.

Shegaspedasthewavebegantohither.Hereyesopened,andhisfacewasthere,hisbodysuddenly
rightoverhers,hishipsthrustingdown.Shefelthim,andthenlookedandsawhim,evenasshefelt
thesmallstabbingpainofhisinvasion.Thesightofwhatwashappeningnumbedthepain,andthenit
was gone all together as he shifted roughly, dragging his hips against hers as he enforced his
possessionofherinnocence.

Hernailsbitintohislongbackashemovedonher,insisting,demanding.Hisface,aboveher,was
strained,in-tent.

"AmIhurtingyou?"hegroundout.

"N...no!"shegasped,liftingtowardhim,hereyeswide,shocked,fascinated.

Helookeddown,liftinghimselfsothathecouldwatch

herbodyabsorbhim."Look,"hecoaxedthroughhisteeth."Look,Janie.Lookatus."

Sheglanceddownandherbreathcaughtattheintimatesightthatmethereyes.Shegasped.

"Andwe'vebarelybegun,"hebreathed,shiftingsuddenly,fiercely,againsther.

Shesobbed,shivering.

Hediditagain,watchingherface,assessingherreaction."Icanfeelyou,allaroundme,likeasoft,
warmglove,"hewhispered,hislipscompressingaspleasureshotthroughhimwitheverydeepening
motionofhiships."Takeme,baby.Takemeinsideyou.Takeallofme.Makemescream,baby,"he
murmured.

Shewasoutofhermindwiththepleasurehewasgivingher.Shewrithedunderhim,archingherhips,
pushingagainsthim,watchinghisface.Sheshiftedandhegroanedharshly.Shelaughed,throughher
owntorment,andsuddenlycriedoutasthepleasurebecamemoreandmoreun-bearable.Herhands
wentbetweenthem,inafeverofde-sire.

"Yes,"hemoanedashefelthertremblingtouch."Yes.Oh...God...baby...doit,doit!Doit!"

Shewasgoingtodie.Sheopenedhereyesandlookedathim,feelingherbodypulseasheshortened
anddeepenedhismovements,watchingherwithhismouthcompressed,hiseyesfeverish.

"Doit...harder,"shechoked.

He groaned in anguish and his hips ground into hers suddenly, his hands catching her wrists and
slammingthemoverherheadashemovedfiercelyaboveher,hiseyesholdinghersprisonerashis
bodyenforceditspossessionviolently.

She felt her body strain to accommodate him and in the last few mad seconds, she wondered if she
wouldbeableto...

He blurred in her sight. She was shaking. Her whole body rippled in a shuddering parody of
convulsions, whipping against his while her mouth opened, gasping at air, and her voice uttered
soundsshe'dneverheardfromitinherentirelife.

"Getit,''hegroaned."Yes.Getit...!"

He cried out and then his body, too, began to shudder rhythmically. A sound like a harsh sob tore
fromhisthroat.Hegroanedendlesslyashisbodyshiveredintocompletion.Seconds,minutes,hours,
aneternityofpleasurelater,hecollapsedonher.

Theybothshiveredintheaftermath.Shefelttearsonherface,inhermouth.Shecouldn'tbreathe.Her

body ached, even inside, and when she moved, she felt pleasure stab her in the most secret places,
whereshecouldstillfeelhim.

Shesobbed,hernailsbitingintothehandspinningherwrists.

Heliftedhishead."Lookatme,"hewhispered,andwhenshedid,hebegantomoveagain.

She sobbed harder, her legs parting, her hips lifting for him, her whole body shivering in a
maelstromofunbeliev-abledelight.

"Icangoagain,rightnow,"hewhisperedhuskily,holdinghereyes."Canyou?Orwillithurt?"

"Ican't...feelpain,"shewhimpered.Hereyesclosedonashiverandthenopenedagain,rightintohis.
"Oh,please,"shewhisperedbrokenly."Please,please...!"

He began to move, very slowly. "I love watching you," he whispered breathlessly. "Your face is
beautiful,likethis.Yourbody..."Helookeddownatit,watchingitssensuousmovementsinresponse
to his own. "I could eat you with a spoon right now, Mrs. Hart," he added shakily. "You are every
dreamofperfectionthatI'veeverhad."

"Andyou...aremine,"shewhispered.Shelifteduptohim,initiatingtherhythm,whimperingsoftlyas
thepleasurebegantoclimballoveragain."Iloveyou...somuch,"shesobbed.

Hisbodyclenched.Hegroaned,arched,hisfacegoingintoherthroatashisbodytookoverfromhis
mindandbuffetedherviolently.

Shewentovertheedgealmostatonce,holdingonfordearlifewhilehetookwhathewantedfrom
her. It was feverish, ardent, overwhelming. She thought she might faint from the ecstasy when it
throbbedintoendlesssatiation.Hewentwithher,everysecondoftheway.Shefelthimwhenhisbody
gaveupthepleasurehesought,felttherigor,heardthehelplessthrobofhisvoiceatherearwhenhe
shudderedandthenrelaxedcompletely.

Sheheldhimclose,drinkingintheintimatesoundandfeelandscentofhisbigbodyoverhersinthe
dampbed.

Ithadbeenalong,wildloving.She'dneverimagined,evenintheirmostpassionateencounters,that
lovemakingwouldbelikethis.

Shetoldhimso,inshywhispers.

Hedidn'tanswerher.Hewasstill,andquiet,forsuchalongtimethatshebecameworried.

"Areyouallright?"shewhisperedathisear.Overher,shecouldhearandfeelthebeatofhisheartas
itslowlycalmed.

Hisheadlifted,veryslowly.Helookedintoherwideeyes."Ilostconsciousnessforafewseconds,"
hesaidquietly.Hetouchedherlowerlip,swollenfromthefiercepressureofhismouthjustatthelast.

"Ithought...!

mightdie,tryingtogetdeepenoughtosatisfyusboth."

Sheflushed.

Heputhisfingeroverherlips.Hewasn'tsmiling.Hemoveddeliberately,lettingherfeelhim."You
aren't on the Pill," he said. "And I was too hot to even think of any sort of birth control. Janie," he
added,hesitantly,"IthinkImadeyoupregnant."

Hereyessearchedhis."Yousaidyouwantedto,"sheremindedhiminawhisper.

"Ido.Butitshouldhavebeenyourchoice,too,"hecontinued,soundingworried.

Shetracedhislong,elegantnoseandsmiledwithdeliciousexhaustion."Didyouhearmeshouting,
Leo,stopandruntothepharmacytobuyprotection!"

Helaugheddespitethegravityofthesituation."WasthataboutthetimeIwasyelling,'getit,baby'?"

Shehithischest,flushed,andthenlaughed.

"Youdid,too,didn'tyou?"heaskedwithasmuggrin."SodidI.Repeatedly."Hegroanedashemoved
slowlyawayfromherandfloppedontohisback,stretchinghissoremuscles."Damn,I'msore!AndI
toldyouIcouldgoallnight,didn'tI?"

Shesatup,tornbetweenshockandamusementasshemethisplayfuleyes."Sore?Mengetsore?"

"When they go at it like that, they do," he replied sar-donically. "What a wedding night," he said,
whistlingthroughhislipsashestudiedhernudebodyappreciatively."Iftheygavemedals,youcould
havetwo."

Hereyebrowsarched."Really?Iwas...Iwasallright?"

He tugged her down to him. "Women have egos too, don't they?" he asked tenderly. He pushed her
damp hair away from her cheeks and mouth. "You were delicious. I've never enjoyed a woman so
much."

"Ididn'tknowanythingatall."

Hebroughtherheaddownandkissedhereyelids."Itisn'tamatterofknowledge."

Shesearchedhiseyes."Youhadenoughofthatforbothofus,"shemurmured.

"Bodiesinthedark,"hesaid,makingitsoundunim-portant."Iwantedtohaveyouinthelight,Janie,"
hesaidsolemnly."IwantedtolookatyouwhileIwastakingyou."

"That'sasexistremark,"sheteased.

"Youtookmeaswell,"heconceded.Hetouchedhermouthwithalongforefinger."I'veneverseen
anything so beautiful," he whispered, and sounded breathless. "Your face, your body..." His face
clenched.“Andthepleasure.''Hiseyesclosedandheshivered."I'veneverknownanythinglikeit."His
eyesopenedagain."Itwaslove,"hewhisperedtoher,scowling."Makinglove.Reallymakinglove."

Herbreathcaughtinherthroat.Shetracedhissideburntohisear."Yes."

"DoyouknowwhatI'mtryingtotellyou?"heaskedquietly.

Shelookeddownintohiseyesandsawitthere.Herheartjumpedintoherthroat."You'retellingme
thatyouloveme,"shesaid.

Henodded."Iloveyou.IknewitwhenClarkassaultedyou,andIwentathim.IthurtmypridethatI
couldn'tmakehimbegforforgiveness.Icleanedyouupanddriedyourhair,andknewthatIloved
you,allatonce.Itwasaverysmallstepfromtheretoaweddingring."Hebroughtherstohislipsand
kissedittenderly."Icouldn'tbearthethoughtoflosingyou.Notafterthat."

She smiled dreamily. "I loved you two years ago, when you brought me a wilted old daisy you'd
picked out in the meadow, and teased me about it being a bouquet. You didn't know it, but to me, it
was."

"I'vegivenyouahardtime,"hetoldher,withobviousregret."I'msorry."

Sheleaneddownandkissedhimtenderly."Youmadeupforit."Shemovedherbreastsgentlyagainst
hischest

"Ireallycangoallnight,"shewhispered."Whenyou'verecovered,I'llshowyou."

He chuckled under the soft press of her mouth, and his big arms swallowed her. "When you're
recovered,I'llletyou.Iloveyou,Mrs.Hart.Iloveyouwithallmyheart"

"Iloveyouwithallmine."Shekissedhimagain,andthoughthowdreamsdid,sometimes,actually
cometrue.

Aweeklater,theycelebratedtheirfirstChristmastogetheratafamilyparty,towhichJanie'sfather,
aunt Lydia and Hettie were also invited. After kissing her with exquisite tenderness beneath the
mistletoe, Leo gave Janie an emerald necklace, to match her eyes he said, and she gave him an
expensivepocketwatch,withhisnameandhersengravedinsidethecase.

On New Year's Eve, the family gathered with other families at the Jacobsville Civic Center for the
firstannualcelebration.Alivebandplayedfavoritesandcouplesdancedonthepolishedwoodfloor.
Calhoun Ballenger had mused aloud that since Jacobsville's economy was based on cattle and
agriculture,theyshoulddropapairofhornsinsteadofaballtomarkthenewyear.Hewasred-faced
atthecelebration,whenthecityfatherstookhimseriouslyanddidthatverything.

WhileLeoandJaniestoodclosetogetheronthepatioofthesecondfloorballroomtowatchtheneon
setoflong-hornsgodowntothecount,asurprisingflurryofsnowcametumblingfromtheskyto
dusttheheadsofthecrowd.

"It's snowing!" Janie exclaimed, holding out a hand to catch the fluffy precipitation. "But it never
snowsinJacobsville!Well,almostnever."

Leo caught her close as the horns went to the bottom of the courthouse tower across the street and
benttohermouth,smiling."Onemorewishcometrue,"heteased,becauseheknewhowmuchshe
lovedsnow."HappyNewYear,mydarling,"hewhispered.

"Happy New Year," she whispered back, and met his kiss with loving enthusiasm, to the amused
glancesoftheotherguests.Theywere,afterall,newlyweds.

Thenewyearcameandsoonbroughtwithitunexpectedtragedy.JohnClarkwentbacktoVictoriato
gethisjailedbrotherafamousattorney,buthedidn'thaveanymoney.Sohetriedtorobabanktoget
themoney.HewascaughtintheactbyasecurityguardandaTexasRangerwhowasworkingona
case locally. Judd Dunn was one of the two men who exchanged shots with Clark in front of the
VictoriaBankandTrust.Clarkmissed.

Juddandthesecurityguarddidn't.Ballisticstestswererequiredtopinpointwhofiredthefatalbullet.

JackClark,stillinjailinVictoria,wasletoutlongenoughtoattendhisbrother'sfuneralinVictoria.
Heescapedfromthekindlysheriffsdeputywhowasbringinghimbackinonlyhandcuffsinsteadof
handcuffs and leg chains. After all, Jack Clark had been so docile and polite, and even cried at his
brother'sgrave.Thedeputywasre-wardedforhiscompassionbybeingknockedovertheheadtwice
withthebuttofhisown.38caliberservicerevolverandleftfordeadinadrivingraininthegrass
nexttotheVictoriaroad.Laterthatday,hissquadcarwasfounddesertedafewmilesoutsideVictoria.

It was the talk of the town for several days, and Leo and Janie stayed close to home, because they
knewClarkhadscorestosettleallaroundJacobsville.Theywereintheirownlittleworld,filledwith
love.Theybarelyheardallthebuzzandgossip.ButwhattheydidhearwasaboutTippyMooreand
CashGrier.

"Tippy's not Grier's sort," Janie murmured sleepily. They didn't do a lot of sleeping at night, even
now. She cuddled up in her husband's lap and nuzzled close. "He needs someone who is gentle and
sweet.Notaharpy."

Hewrappedherupcloseandkissedthetopofherhead."Whatwouldyouknowaboutharpies?"he
teased.

"You'rethesweetestsinglehumanbeingI'veeverknown."

Shesmiled.

"Well,exceptforme,ofcourse,"headded.

"LeoHart!"sheexclaimed,drawingback.

"You said I was sweet," he murmured, bending his head. "You said it at least six times. You were
clawingmybackrawatthetime,andswearingthatyouwerenevergoingtolivethroughwhatIwas
doingtoyou..."

Shetuggedhisheaddownandkissedhimhungrily."You'resweet,allright,"shewhisperedraggedly.
"Doitagain...!"

Hegroaned.Theywerenevergoingtomakeittothebed.Butthedoorswerelocked...whatthehell.

Anhourlater,hecarriedherdownthehalltotheirbedroomandtuckedherupnexttohim,exhausted
andstillsmiling.

"Atleast,"hesaidwearily,"HopefullyClarkwillgotoprisonforalong,longtimewhenhe'scaught.
Hewon'tbeinapositiontothreatenyouagain."

"Oryou."Shecurledcloser."DidItellyouthatMarileephonedmeyesterday?"

Hestiffened."No."

Shesmiled."It'sokay.Sheonlywantedtoapologize.She'sgoingtoEuropetovisithergrandmother
inLondon.

Itoldhertohaveanicetrip."

"London'salmostfarenoughaway."

She sighed, wrapping her arms around him. "Be gener-ous. She'll never know what it is to be as
happyasweare."

"Who will?" he teased, but the look he gave her was serious. He touched her hair, watching her
succumbtosleep.

He lay awake for a long time, his eyes intent on her slender, sleeping body. She made wonderful
biscuits,shecouldshootashotgun,shemadelovelikeafairy.Hewonderedwhathe'deverdonein
hislifetodeserveher.

"Dreams,"shewhispered,shockinghim.

"What,honey?"

TableofContents

Prologue
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven