Heart of Texas Series Volume 1: Lonesome CowboyTexas Two-StepCaroline's Child

  “No, Grady, I don’t.”

  It damaged his pride that she’d so casually disregard his warning. “Fine, then, for all I care, you can marry Richard.” Not giving her a chance to respond, he stalked away, absolutely certain that any hope of a relationship was forever ruined.

  His fears were confirmed less than an hour later when he left the barn and saw her again. She was in her car with the driver’s window rolled down. Richard was leaning against the side of the vehicle, and the sound of their laughter rang in the twilight.

  The unexpected twist of disappointment and pain caught Grady off guard. Well, that certainly answered that.

  Caroline must have noticed him because Richard suddenly looked over his shoulder. Grady didn’t stick around. It was too hard to pretend he didn’t care when he damn well did. His stride was full of purpose as he crossed the yard and stormed into the house, sequestering himself in the office.

  His emotions had covered the full range in a single day. He’d taken Caroline to lunch and afterward felt…ecstatic; there was no other word for it. Before dinner he’d been like a kid, thrilled to see her again so soon. Now, just a few hours later, he’d been thrown into despair, convinced beyond doubt that he’d lost whatever chance he might have had with her.

  It was enough to drive a man to drink. He sat in the worn leather desk chair and pulled open the bottom file drawer. His father had kept a bottle of bourbon there for times when nothing else would do, and Grady had followed the same practice. The bottle was gone—which had happened before. Grady suspected Richard, with good reason, but at the moment he didn’t really care. He wasn’t much of a drinking man. A cold beer now and then suited him just fine, but he’d never enjoyed the hard stuff.

  The knock on the office door surprised him. “Who is it?” he barked, not in the mood for company.

  “Richard.” His brother didn’t wait for an invitation but opened the door and sauntered in. He immediately made himself at home, claiming the only other chair in the room. He leaned back, locked his fingers behind his head and grinned like a silly schoolboy.

  “So what’s up with you and Caroline?” he asked.

  Grady scowled. The last person he wanted to discuss with his brother was Caroline. “Nothing.”

  His denial only served to fuel Richard’s amusement. “Come on, Grady, I’ve got eyes in my head. It’s obvious you’ve got the hots for her. Not that I blame you, man. She’s one nice-looking woman.”

  Grady didn’t like Richard’s tone of voice, but prolonging this conversation by arguing with him would serve no useful purpose. “Listen, Richard, I’ve got better things to do than sit around discussing Caroline Daniels with you.”

  “I don’t imagine it would take much to talk her into the sack, either. She’s already been to bed with at least one man—what’s a few more? Right?”

  Grady ground his teeth in an effort to control his irritation. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to discuss Caroline.” He stood and walked over to the door and pointedly opened it.

  “I wouldn’t mind getting into her bed myself one of these days,” Richard went on.

  Despite everything he’d promised himself, Grady saw red. He flew across the room and dragged his brother out of the chair, grabbing him by the front of his shirt.

  Richard held up both hands. “Hey, hey, don’t get so riled! I was only teasing.”

  Grady’s fingers ached with the strength of his grip. It took a moment to clear his head enough to release his brother.

  “You don’t want to talk about Caroline, fine,” Richard said, backing toward the door. “But you can’t blame a guy for asking, can you?”

  * * *

  DRIVING HOME, Caroline realized she not only distrusted Richard Weston, but thoroughly disliked him. Before she’d left the Yellow Rose, he’d gone out of his way to let her know that Grady had asked Nell Bishop, a local widow, to the Cattlemen’s Dance earlier in the summer. What was particularly meaningful about the information was that Caroline knew how hard Savannah had tried to convince Grady to invite her. He almost had. She remembered he’d come into the post office a few days before the dance, but within minutes they’d ended up trading insults. That was unfortunate. He had mentioned the dance, though, leaving her to wonder.

  Their verbal exchanges were legendary. Only in the past couple of weeks had they grown comfortable enough with each other to manage a civil conversation.

  Now this.

  Caroline didn’t believe Richard. She strongly suspected that almost everything out of his mouth was a lie. If the story about Nell was true, she would’ve heard about it. To the best of her knowledge Nell hadn’t even attended the dance. Not that it was unusual for her to avoid social functions—it was widely known that Nell continued to grieve for Jake, the only man she’d ever loved. He’d been her high-school sweetheart, and their affection for each other had been evident throughout the years. Caroline had often wondered if Nell would remarry.

  “Ask her.” Caroline spoke the words aloud without realizing it.

  “Ask who, Mommy?” Maggie looked at her mother.

  “A friend.” She left it at that.

  “About what?”

  “Nothing.” She smiled at her daughter and changed the subject.

  As it turned out she had the opportunity to chat with Nell sooner than she’d expected. The following afternoon on her way home from work Caroline stopped at the local Winn-Dixie for a few groceries.

  She collected what she needed and pushed her cart up to the checkout stand—behind Nell.

  “Howdy, friend,” Nell said cheerfully. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “Nell!” Caroline didn’t disguise her pleasure. “How are you?”

  “Great. I’ve been working hard on getting the word out that I’m turning Twin Canyons into a dude ranch. The brochures were mailed to travel agents last week.”

  Caroline admired her ingenuity. “That’s terrific.”

  The grocery clerk slid Nell’s purchases over the scanner, coming up with the total. She paid in cash, then glanced around. “Jeremy!” she called. “Emma.” She reached for the plastic bags, giving a good-natured shrug. “I warned those two not to wander off. I know exactly where to find them, too—the book section. They’re both crazy about books, especially The Baby-sitters Club books and that new series of kids’ Westerns by T. R. Grant. I can’t buy them fast enough.”

  Caroline recognized both series. T. R. Grant was the current rage; even Maggie had wanted Caroline to read her his books. Maggie was still a bit young for them, but it wouldn’t be long before she devoured Grant’s books and The Baby-sitters Club by herself.

  “Have you got a moment?” Caroline asked, opening her purse to pay for her own groceries.

  “Sure.” Nell waited while Caroline finished her transaction. “What can I do for you?”

  As they walked toward the book display at the far end of the Winn-Dixie, Caroline mulled over the best way to approach the subject of Nell and Grady. She wasn’t sure why she’d allowed Richard to upset her, especially when she believed it’d all been a lie. Not that she’d blame Grady for being attracted to Nell. In fact, at one time she’d believed they might eventually marry. They seemed right together somehow; both were ranchers and both had struggled against what seemed impossible odds.

  In the back of her mind Caroline had always suspected that when the time was right, they’d discover each other. Grady and Jake had been good friends, and Grady had been a pall bearer at Jake’s funeral. Grady and Nell were close in age and would make a handsome couple. Grady was an inch or two over six feet, with a broad muscular physique not unlike Jake’s. There weren’t many men who’d suit Nell physically, since she was nearly six feet herself.

  “I hope you don’t think I’m being nosy, but I heard a
rumor…” Caroline blurted before she lost her nerve. This was even more embarrassing than she’d feared.

  “About what?” Nell frowned.

  Caroline drew a breath and held it until her lungs ached. “About you and Grady Weston.”

  Nell frowned again. “Me and Grady?”

  Caroline nodded.

  “Grady’s a friend,” Nell said. “I’ve always liked him and if I were ever to consider remarrying, I’d certainly think about Grady.”

  Caroline broke eye contact. This wasn’t what she’d wanted to hear.

  “He’s a good man and he’d make an excellent husband and father,” Nell continued, then asked a probing question of her own. “Is there any reason you’re asking?”

  “Not really.”

  “He asked me to the dance last month,” Nell added, as if she’d suddenly remembered.

  So it was true. Caroline’s spirits sank.

  “In fact, I received two invitations to the dance within a few hours.” This was said with a note of amusement.

  “Two? Grady and who else?”

  Nell’s mouth widened in a smile. “You aren’t going to believe this, but both Grady Weston and Glen Patterson asked me to the dance.”

  “Glen?” That was a kicker, considering he was now engaged to Ellie Frasier. Those two were so deeply in love it was difficult to imagine that little more than a month ago Glen had invited Nell and not Ellie to the biggest dance of the year. In the end he’d gone by himself and then he’d practically come to blows with Richard over Ellie. Richard—always the spoiler.

  “I don’t know what was in the air that day,” Nell murmured. “Grady and Glen calling me up like that.”

  “Did you go to the dance?”

  “Briefly,” Nell said, “but Emma had an upset stomach that day. I made an appearance, said hello to some friends I don’t see often and left shortly after the music started.”

  “Grady was there,” Caroline said, fondly recalling their one dance. Ladies’ choice, and she’d been the one to approach him. Those few short minutes in Grady’s arms had been wonderful. Afterward she’d hoped he’d ask her to dance himself, but he’d wandered back to where he’d been sitting with Cal Patterson and hadn’t spoken to her again. Caroline had felt bitterly disappointed.

  “…any reason?” Nell asked.

  Caroline caught only the last part of the question. “Reason?” she repeated.

  “That you’re asking about me and Grady?”

  “Not really,” she said, then figured she owed her friend the truth. “He asked me to lunch the other day.”

  “And you went?”

  Caroline nodded.

  “And you had a good time?”

  “A great time,” Caroline admitted.

  Nell shifted the weight of the groceries in her hands. “Listen, Caroline, if you’re worried about there being anything romantic between me and Grady, don’t give it another thought. Grady’s one of the most honorable men I know, but—” her voice dipped with emotion “—I’m still in love with Jake.”

  “Oh, Nell.” Caroline hugged her friend.

  “Oh, damn it all,” Nell said, blinking furiously. “I’ve got to scoot. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

  “Sure.” It would be good to sit down and talk with her friend. Both their lives were so busy it was difficult to find the time.

  “Jeremy. Emma.” Nell called her children again, and the two came running.

  Caroline waved them off and headed toward the parking lot, deep in thought. So, what Richard had told her was true. This was what made him dangerous. He tossed in a truth now and then just to keep everyone guessing. But for once, she wished he’d been lying.

  * * *

  GRADY HAD BEEN PENSIVE ever since the night Caroline stayed for dinner, Savannah observed. He sat at the kitchen table, supposedly writing out an order for Richard to pick up at the feed store later that afternoon. But for the past five minutes, all he’d done was stare blankly into space.

  Savannah had to bite her tongue. Laredo had repeatedly warned her against any further matchmaking efforts between her brother and Caroline, but he might as well have asked her to stop breathing. Grady was miserable and Caroline hadn’t been any happier. If it was within her power to bring them together—these two people who were so obviously meant for each other—what possible harm could it do?

  Considering that thought, Savannah poured her brother a fresh cup of coffee.

  Grady glanced up and thanked her with an off-center smile.

  “Something on your mind?” she asked. If he voluntarily brought up the subject, all the better.

  “Nothing important,” he murmured and reached for the steaming mug. He raised it tentatively to his lips, then glanced at her as if tempted to seek her advice.

  Savannah held her breath, hoping Grady would ask her about Caroline. He didn’t.

  “The church dinner’s this weekend,” she said, speaking quickly.

  Grady responded with what sounded like a grunt, the translation of which she already knew. He wasn’t interested.

  Savannah glared at him. If she wrung his neck, she wondered, would he have any idea why? “Caroline’s bringing her applesauce cake,” she added casually. “Her mother’s recipe.”

  At the mention of her friend’s name, Grady raised his head. “Caroline’s going to the church dinner?”

  “Of course.” At last, a reaction. Her brother might be one of the most intelligent men she knew, but when it came to women he was the class dunce. “I’m bringing my chicken teriyaki salad,” she added, as if this was significant.

  “Is Laredo going?”

  “Yes, and Ellie and Glen and just about everyone else in town.”

  “Oh.”

  Savannah figured she was due a large heavenly reward for her patience. Oh. Was that all he could say? Poor Caroline.

  “It isn’t a date thing, is it?”

  Savannah didn’t know how to answer. If she let him assume everyone was bringing a date, it might scare him off. On the other hand, if she said nothing, someone else might ask Caroline.

  “This shouldn’t be such a difficult question,” Grady said, glaring at her.

  “Yes and no. Some people will come with dates and some won’t.”

  He mulled that over. “Does Caroline have a date?”

  Savannah had to restrain herself from hugging Grady’s neck and crying out for joy. He wasn’t as dense as she’d thought. “Not that I know of.” This, too, was said casually, as though she hadn’t the least bit of interest in Caroline’s social life.

  “Oh.”

  Grady was back to testing her patience again. She waited an entire minute before she ventured another question.

  “Are you thinking of inviting her and Maggie?”

  “Me?” Grady’s eyes widened as if this were a new thought.

  “Yes, you,” she returned pointedly.

  “I’m…thinking about it,” he finally said.

  Her face broke out in a smile and she clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful.”

  “What’s wonderful?” Richard asked, wandering into the kitchen. He reached for a banana, peeled it and leaned expectantly against the kitchen counter.

  Grady and Savannah exchanged looks. “The church dinner,” she answered for them both.

  “Yeah, I heard about that,” he said with his mouth full. “Either of you going?”

  “I think so.” Again Savannah took the initiative.

  “Then I’ll give some thought to attending, too.”

  Both Grady and Savannah remained silent.

  “I should probably have a date, though, don’t you think?” He pondered his own question. “Caroline. I’ll ask C
aroline,” he said triumphantly. “She’ll jump at the chance to go with me.”

  3

  “YOU’RE A DAMN FOOL, THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE,” Grady muttered as he barreled down the highway toward Promise, driving twenty miles over the speed limit.

  The reason for this hasty trip had to do with Caroline Daniels. By dinnertime he’d recognized that either he made his move now and invited her to the church dinner or let Richard beat him to the punch. Of course, he could have just phoned and been done with it, but that didn’t seem right, not when anyone on the ranch could pick up a telephone receiver and listen in on the conversation. By anyone, he meant Richard. Besides, Grady preferred to talk to Caroline in person; it seemed more…meaningful.

  He’d never been good at this courtship thing, but damn it all, he wasn’t going to let his brother cheat him out of taking Caroline and Maggie to that church dinner. Richard wasn’t interested in Caroline—Grady was sure of it—any more than he’d fallen head over heels in love with Ellie Frasier. His brother was far more concerned with cheating him out of the pleasure of Caroline’s company. Except that he had no intention of standing idly by and letting it happen.

  Once he’d made his decision, Grady knew he should act on it. Naturally there was always the risk that he’d arrive at Caroline’s with his heart dangling from his sleeve only to learn that Richard had already asked her out for Saturday night.

  Even knowing he might be too late didn’t stop him. He wanted to attend the dinner with Caroline and Maggie more than he’d wanted anything in a long while. It surprised him how much.

  The drive into town, during which he thought about the approach he’d take with Caroline, seemed to take no time at all. His goal was to ask her to be his date before Richard did, and at the same time keep his pride intact if she refused. No small task, considering past experience.

  He parked in front of Caroline’s small house and leaped out of the truck cab. Eager to get this settled, he took the steps up to her front door two at a time and leaned on the buzzer.