Fire Brand

by Diana Palmer

  “I’m not thrilled with the idea of you for a stepson,” Courtland shot right back, “but we all have our crosses to bear.”

  “You haven’t leveled with me,” Bowie said abruptly. “There are no Courtlands in Jackson.”

  “I didn’t say I was from Jackson; I said I lived there.”

  “There are no Courtlands living there who own ranches.”

  Courtland stuck his hands in his pockets and pursed his lips. “You’ve done your homework. All right, I’ll give you a little more rope. I moved to Jackson when my wife died. Up until then, I lived and worked in San Antonio.”

  “Courtland can’t be your legal name,” Bowie returned.

  “You’re sharp.” Courtland lit another cigarette. “No, it’s not all of my legal name. But I’m not on the run, and there’s nothing about my past that I’m ashamed of.”

  “I don’t like lies.”

  “Neither do I, son,” Courtland said quietly. “But sometimes a little subterfuge is necessary. You’ll understand it all one day. Now, shall we go back inside before your neighbors carry our dirty linen home and give it to their wives?”

  Bowie shrugged. “For Aggie’s sake, I suppose we should present a united front.” He glared at the older man as they started back to the house. “But don’t expect me to call you Daddy.”

  “God forbid,” Courtland said easily. He glanced sideways at Bowie. “I don’t suppose you’d go away if I offered you a quarter?”

  Bowie had to stifle a grin. “No.”

  Courtland shrugged. “It was worth a try.”

  Aggie was waiting nervously on the patio, her dark eyes full of fear and sadness.

  “We didn’t come to blows,” Courtland assured her, sliding an affectionate arm around her shoulders. “But don’t offer him any quarters to make himself scarce. You can take it from me that he can’t be bribed.”

  Aggie smiled nervously. “I’m sorry,” she told Bowie. “I should have told you.”

  Bowie studied her quietly. “No harm done.” He glanced at Courtland. “But I hope you like milking cows.”

  “What?” Aggie asked.

  “Never mind,” Bowie said. “I guess I’ll go circulate. Where’s Gaby?”

  Aggie grimaced. “She’s gone to bed. I had words with her,” she said miserably. “I didn’t mean what I said.”

  “You can patch it up in the morning,” Courtland said. “Come on. Let’s see about our guests.”

  Bowie watched them go, still half mad and undecided. He put out his cigarette in the silent butler, talked to a couple of people on his way out of the room, and then sauntered up the staircase.

  He knocked on Gaby’s door and waited. Barely a minute passed before she opened it. She hadn’t undressed, and her eyes were red-rimmed and miserable.

  The evidence of tears on her face bothered him. He couldn’t remember ever seeing her cry. “Aggie didn’t mean it,” he said gently.

  “I guess not,” she said, forcing a smile. “But it hurt.”

  “You’ll patch it all up tomorrow, honey. I was going to invite you to go sightseeing in the morning, but I’ve got a meeting in Phoenix.” He smiled. “You could come with me.”

  “I have to do an interview,” she concocted. She needed a little breathing space, and she wanted to get Johnny’s story done. She wondered if Bio-Ag had a Tucson office. She decided to go by the newspaper office in the morning and see if Bob Chalmers could help her do some digging. It would save her a flight to Los Angeles if she could luck up on some official nearby.

  “Okay,” he said, searching her eyes. “I may go on up to Canada for a day or two, as well, but I’ll be back early next week,” he added pointedly. “So don’t get any ideas about haring back to Phoenix for good.”

  “Would you really mind?” she asked with downcast eyes. “I don’t know if I can...” She shrugged helplessly.

  He tilted her sad eyes up to his, and his own narrowed. “That’s something you and I will find out together,” he said quietly. “But there isn’t going to be any pressure, or any repeats of what happened outside. The next time we make love, I’ll make damned sure I don’t pin you.”

  She tingled from head to toe, because he didn’t sound as if he intended to give up on her. She managed a shy smile. “Okay.”

  He bent and brushed his lips over hers in a caress that was as reassuring as it was tender. “You excite me more than any woman I’ve ever known,” he breathed against her mouth. “You can’t imagine what it’s like to touch you and know that no other man ever has.”

  He lifted his head and smiled at her expression. “Go to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Aggie really isn’t mad?”

  He shook his head. “She’s just under the spell of the Teton man,” he mused. His face hardened. “Courtland came out to talk. He says he expected Aggie to tell me before she made the announcement.”

  “Yes,” she agreed. “He told her so at breakfast yesterday.”

  He shifted, his eyes cold. “If I knew him, I might like him,” he said grudgingly. “But I don’t know him, and I don’t want Aggie mixed up with a man on the take. Anyway, she’ll get over him.”

  “What are you planning?” she asked suspiciously.

  His lips pursed. “Curious? Well, hold your breath, honey. That’s going to be my little secret. Good night.”

  She watched him walk away with open curiosity. Poor Aggie. She turned back into her room, smiling a little at the hope that had come out of such a surprising night.

  CHAPTER TEN

  GABY HARDLY SLEPT at all. Her dreams were of Bowie, and hopelessly erotic. She tossed and turned until dawn, and when she woke, the sheets were damp with perspiration. She remembered the night before, the way Bowie’s body had tautened and hardened when hers was pressed against it. She felt her skin go hot as she savored the memory. If only he hadn’t grown so demanding. But his lack of restraint had brought back painful memories. She knew about lack of control and terror: she’d always associated them with men. Bowie couldn’t possibly understand what overpowering ardor did to her. She closed her eyes and saw blood...

  She dressed quickly and left the room, forcing herself not to remember the past. She was safe now; she had to remember that. The terror wasn’t ever going to touch her life again, because she’d covered her trail very well. That gave her an odd kinship with Mr. Courtland. He, too, had secrets. She wondered if his were as dangerous as her own.

  She went downstairs reluctantly. Aggie would still be angry at her. That had hurt, along with the harsh words. She and Aggie had never argued before. Bowie would be there too, and she was nervous of him, even though she was bathed in excitement because of the newness of their fragile relationship.

  He looked up when she came in the door. His eyes, as he smiled, were soft and full of lazy appreciation.

  She reacted to that appraisal by tripping over her chair at fìrst as she tried to sit in it.

  She felt very feminine in her white culottes and red polka dot blouse. She was wearing boots with the outfit, and had her hair loose around her shoulders.

  Bowie looked his usual handsome self, but he wasn’t wearing casual clothing. He had on a pale tan suit with a patterned shirt and tie, dressed for travel.

  Aggie was staring at her. Gaby averted her gaze as she reached for the coffee carafe.

  Aggie remained unusually quiet. Bowie ate a huge breakfast, obviously enjoying the tension he was creating with his irritating replies to Ned Courtland’s conversation. In fact, he was sick of the whole damned situation, and Courtland was number one on his list of straws that broke the camel’s back. His continued presence at Casa Río was like a rash.

  “Are you going somewhere, dear?” Aggie asked with a cool smile.

  Bowie lifted his face and smiled mocking
ly. “How astute of you to guess, Aggie,” he replied. “I’m going to Phoenix, to a meeting. I’ll be there overnight, and I may go from there back to Canada to check on my gang.”

  “I thought you were having a holiday,” Aggie mused, smiling to herself.

  “It started out that way.” He finished his eggs and took a sip of coffee. “I’ll be back Monday or Tuesday. And Gaby isn’t going anywhere.”

  “Just up to Tucson,” Gaby replied, her eyes lifting shyly to his and then dropping to her plate.

  “Oh, Gaby,” Aggie said miserably. She shrugged. “I thought you and Ned and I might all go sightseeing together,” she began in a conciliatory tone.

  “I’m afraid I can’t today,” Gaby said tautly.

  “Giving up so soon?” Courtland asked Bowie with a smile guaranteed to enrage him.

  “Nothing of the sort,” Bowie assured him. “I expect to do some hunting while I’m away, so enjoy it while you can.”

  Ned smiled to himself. “Oh, I expect to, don’t worry.”

  With a cold glare in Bowie’s direction, Aggie slammed her fork down beside her plate and stood up. “Gaby, could I see you for a moment?”

  “I’m not quite finished,” Gaby said stiffly.

  Aggie squared her shoulders. “Please?” she added.

  Gaby got up, dreading the confrontation as she followed the older woman into the hall.

  “I’m sorry,” Aggie said curtly. “I didn’t sleep all night after the things I said to you.” She suddenly burst into tears and pulled Gaby close. “Oh, Gaby,” she wailed. “I’m sorry I ever started this. It’s not going to work. Ned’s poor and I’m not, and even though I love him, I don’t know if I can live the way Ned does,” she added in a worried whisper. “What if I fall flat on my face? I’ve never done housework, you know, and I can’t even cook. I’ll be a liability!”

  Gaby patted her shoulder gently as she hugged her. “Aren’t you worrying about things that may be a long way down the road?” Gaby asked softly. “Why don’t you just enjoy yourself and try to live one day at a time?”

  Aggie pulled away and wiped her eyes on the back of her hand. “I’m not enjoying myself, though. Bowie’s making sure of it. Every meal is like civilized warfare!” She looked up at Gaby. “You aren’t thinking of leaving, are you? Please don’t go. Bowie will come back with both barrels blazing and I’ll have no peace. You won’t let him have a clear field to torment me, will you? Even to get even for the things I said last night? I didn’t mean them, darling, I didn’t!”

  Gaby was too soft-hearted to bear grudges, especially against Aggie. She could feel the older woman’s pain. “I know that,” Gaby said with a gentle smile. “You’re just in love, that’s all.”

  “Love hurts,” Aggie sobbed. “It’s not what the poets say.”

  “It is. You’ve just been reading the wrong poets. I’ll take Bowie off your hands,” she promised. “Now stop worrying, or Ned will think you’ve got cold feet.”

  “I have,” Aggie confided. “I don’t know if this is what I really want, and Bowie won’t give me any time to find out.”

  “He’s going away,” Gaby said, trying to feel relief when she was miserable at the thought. “You’ll have some time alone with Ned, really you will.”

  Aggie sighed. “I don’t think time is going to work in my favor. I never should have pulled the engagement announcement off like I did. Bowie’s furious, and he’s going to make Ned pay for it. They were out by the corral talking last night, and I think they argued. Bowie is still riding him, and Ned seems amused about that. And the two of them are talking in riddles, have you noticed?”

  “Your Mr. Courtland is a shrewd man,” Gaby said. “I imagine he and Bowie laid their cards on the table last night. That may help to defuse the situation—which is not to say that they’re ever going to be bosom buddies.”

  “I suppose not.” She studied Gaby quietly. “Bowie is attracted to you, have you noticed?”

  Gaby sighed. “Attracted, yes. But that’s all, and I’m not... I’m not much good around men, Aggie.” She laughed nervously. “Can you really imagine a man as handsome and eligible as Bowie getting serious about a woman who looks the way I do?”

  “But you’re lovely, Gaby,” Aggie said, and meant it. “You have a sweet nature, and you’re very independent. You have wonderful qualities.”

  She lowered her eyes. “Aggie—there are things about me that you and Bowie don’t know.”

  Aggie touched her hair gently and smiled. “Whatever it is, it wouldn’t matter to me. I love you. You’re my baby girl.”

  Gaby had to fight back tears. “I love you, too.” She averted her gaze and pulled herself together. “Now, that’s enough mushy stuff.” She laughed self-consciously. “I’ve got to get going. I have to find the man who owns this agricultural operation and find out a few things.”

  “That would be a good idea. Meanwhile, Ned and I will have a little time to get to know each other. Originally, that was why I invited him here. I thought it would be a nice, peaceful visit.” She grimaced. “I could kick myself.”

  “Bowie does love you,” she said. “He just doesn’t know how to express it.”

  “Couldn’t you teach him how?” Aggie asked with a smile. “It might be the very thing for both of you.”

  “Don’t rush me,” Gaby said, smiling. “And Bowie and I may yet square off over the land deal.”

  “The agricultural project? Yes, I know about it.” Aggie sighed. “It would do so much for the economy, but Bowie will die before he lets go of a single acre of Casa Río.” She frowned thoughtfully. “You know, Gaby, if he didn’t have controlling interest in the ranch, he might try to see the other side of the issue.”

  “Don’t do anything silly,” Gaby pleaded, afraid that Aggie might think of making Ned Courtland a present of part of her shares in the ranch. That would be the last straw.

  “Not to worry, dear.” She patted Gaby’s shoulder. “I was just thinking out loud. Now, let’s get back before they miss us.”

  The two men were finishing their breakfast, and actually talking, in a way.

  “... I can’t move them to high pastures because there aren’t any,” Bowie was explaining with exaggerated patience. “This isn’t the Tetons. Our mountains down here are just big, rocky hills.”

  “The house backs up into a canyon,” Courtland pointed out as he finished his eggs. “Good water, plenty of shade. You could utilize that.”

  Bowie’s eyes narrowed. “Possibly.” He stared at Courtland. “You know a lot about cattle for a horseman.”

  “A rancher worth his salt had better know a lot about both. Ranching goes back three generations in my family.” He stared at his plate. “I suppose it will end with me. There were only the three of us kids, and my sisters never married.” He looked bitter for a minute, then looked up and saw Aggie, and smiled. His whole face changed, softened. “Everything okay?” he asked her.

  She smiled like a girl. “Everything’s fine,” she said and winked at Gaby.

  Bowie drained his coffee cup and stood up. “I hope you noticed that I’m leaving without the quarter,” he said to Courtland. He leaned over and kissed his mother absently on the forehead. “Montoya will be skulking around, so don’t you and the Teton man start sneaking into dark corners with the doors shut,” he said firmly, ignoring Courtland’s surprised chuckle behind him. He glanced at the older man. “I know your kind,” he said. “Just keep in mind that my shotgun is loaded and standing in a corner.”

  Courtland smiled. “In that case, I’ll stake Montoya out on an anthill and carry your mother upstairs.”

  Aggie laughed with pure delight, almost clapping her hands with glee. “I’ll get you some rope, Ned!” she said.

  “My secretary knows where I’ll be if you need to reach me,” Bowie told his mo
ther. He dug his car keys out of his pocket and his black eyes went homing to Gaby. He wanted to ask her to walk out with him, but she looked nervous and uncertain this morning.

  He settled for a warm smile. “Keep an eye on these two,” he mused. “I’ll see you when I come home.”

  “Take care,” she said softly. Her eyes were puzzled, because she couldn’t read any emotion in his at all, and he managed not to sustain that look for very long, either.

  He dragged his eyes away and went out the door.

  “Couldn’t you put your story off until tomorrow and keep us company?” Aggie asked when Bowie had driven away.

  Gaby forced a smile as she finished her coffee. “I wish I could, but I don’t get paid for lying around. I’ll be back by dark. I want to drive into Tucson and talk to some people.”

  “All right, dear. Be careful.”

  During the long drive up to Tucson, Gaby tried not to think about Bowie at all. She turned up the radio and drowned herself in country-western music. Maybe he’d decided that kissing her was self-defeating. She couldn’t really blame him. She’d probably hurt him badly last night, and he didn’t want to risk being that vulnerable with her again. But it made her uncertain and wary. It was hard to reconcile what he’d said last night with his behavior this morning. And she didn’t really want to start worrying about it. She had too much to do.

  There definitely was a field office of the Bio-Ag Corporation in Tucson. Mr. Barry hadn’t told her so at the meeting in his realty office, but Bob Chalmers had ferreted out the information for her when she had stopped by to see him on her way out of town that morning. Gaby had to search to find the office, and when she got there, she discovered it was very small and in an out-of-the-way building near the barrio. Since it was Saturday, she hadn’t really expected to find the office open, but it was.

  “Hello. How may I help you?” the very young secretary asked with a smile.

  “I’d like to see Mr. Terrance Highman Samuels, Jr., please, if he’s in,” Gaby said, smiling back. That was a calculated bluff, because she knew the vice president in charge of acquisitions was supposed to be in Los Angeles.