The buzzer sounded and Jack jumped off, grabbing his black hat from a clown. Another clown headed the bull off toward the gate, but at the last second, it turned for one last jab at Jack.
Jack never moved. He held his ground, staring down the bull until the last second. Then Jack jumped up onto the rail. This time the clowns were successful at shooing the bull away from another encore. Dane's breath left him in a pained rush.
"Wow," Cricket said, 'I never saw anything like that in my life!"
She'd seen lots of rodeos, no doubt, so she could only be talking about Jack, and the way he'd hung on, cheating the bull of his victory. Dane watched as Cricket stepped closer to the rail, her gaze caught by Jack, who sat calmly dusting oi( his hat. After a moment, he glanced up, spying Cricket. A slow grin spread over Jack's face—until he realized Cricket wasn't alone, and that she was, in fact, surrounded by his own brothers.
Then he melted into the breezeway.
Dane realized Jack had never glanced up when the
announcer called his score. Once he'd beaten the bull, he was done.
"He's gone.'' Pete said. "We'll not see him again today."
Cricket whirled. "Who was it 7*
"Our brother." Dane said tightly. "The best one."
But he knew Pete was right. Jack was gone.
"This family experiment isn't going to work," he told Pete. "We weren't meant to be a functioning family unit."
"I know." Pete said. "Come on. Let's get in Pris-cilia's box."
"Dane?" Suzy's voice came to him, shifting the blur of anger and guilt he felt. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," he said, holding Suzy's daughter tighter in his arms.
"That was cool to get to see your brother ride," Suzy said. "A moment later and we would have missed him." She followed him up into an enclosed seating area and he helped her set the children carefully on the long plank seats.
"Yeah, cool." he said. His mind was buzzing. What was it that drove them, all of the brothers, to run from their feelings for Pop? Why not just dig in their heels, ride the bull of fate until all the bad memories just wore away? Wasn't that what forgiveness was all about 7
"Suzy," he said suddenly, "let me get you some popcorn. Cricket, can you watch the girls for a minute?"
Cricket nodded, and Priscilla said. "I'll help, too." and that made Pete light up. Quite the love triangle, Dane thought, but it didn't matter, because he had other plans
than participating in the useless fairy tale of romantic love. "Suzy," he said as they walked down the stairs again, "I've got a business proposition for you:' He halted in the breezeway and she looked up at him curiously.
"Business proposition?" she repeated.
He told his heart to quit thundering—business deals were conducted every day and this was the only way to get to Mexico and the land of gentle palm trees without being Pop's lackey. Pop didn't get it, anyway—his dream was never going to happen. "Yes. This one's pretty simple as business propositions go." He took a deep breath, shook his head to clear it, checked his conscience for guilt—none—and bit the proverbial bullet.
"If you marry me for one year," he said, "I'll split my inheritance with you."
Chapter Seven
Su/y stared up at Dane, wondering if he was having some type of meltdown after seeing his brother. It was the only thing she could think of that would make him utter such a far-fetched proposal. Coldness tinged his words, letting her know that this was a man who was running from something. "Dane, you don't want to marry me."
'1 don't want to marry anyone," he said, "but the truth is, I need you, Suzy."
She shook her head. "You don't need anyone."
He put his hand on her arm for just a split second, warming her skin. "I do need you. You're the woman my father wanted me to marry. I'm simply falling in with his plan like a good soldier."
"You don't believe that," she said. "Your father is many things, but a matchmaker isn't one of them."
"Don't kid yourself. He had this all planned. At this point, I think he's a saint for giving me a way out.'"
"I don't understand." She really didn't. He had a wild look in his eyes—the same expression his brother Jack
had worn when he rode the bull—and she had the feeling that this man, this Dane Morgan, was the same man who'd stolen a kiss from her.
'it's complicated. But if I marry you, I'll get my money. And I need to do that so that I can get out of here for good."
That certainly wasn't the marriage proposal she'd dreamed of receiving. Suzy wrinkled her nose. "As much as I'd like to help you, I don't want to marry you. Something tells me it would be a very bad idea, and I try to avoid bad ideas."
"Neither of us is a fan of getting hitched. That's why we're perfect for each other," he pointed out.
But Suzy wasn't so sure. "We're not perfect for each other." She began walking down the breezeway to break the spell between them. "Believe me, I'd love to have the money, but not that badly."
Catching her hand, he spun her toward him, ignoring the passersby who briefly stared at them. "Then consider what having my last name might mean to your daughters."
That was a cruel twist—one that went to the heart of the regret she held inside her. Of course she wanted Sandra and Nicole to have a father's last name. But lots of children didn't have the perfect family life, and she'd made peace with the fact that her girls would have to learn to be proud of being raised by a single mother. People in the town o( Union Junction knew she was a good person, so she'd put the worry out of her mind.
Or so she'd thought, until Dane dangled her most secret desire in front of her like a golden key. She lifted her chin, pulled her hand from his. ''Listen, buster, I don't know you well enough for you to presume such a personal conversation with me," she said bravely. "Leave my daughters out of this. Your problem is your own. I'm sorry I can't help/' She waited, her heart thundering, knowing that if she turned and walked away again, he'd simply catch her hand one more time—and this time, she might say yes.
She did want to say yes. She wanted what he offered.
Yet something warned her that there w as a baited hook inside the shimmering waters of the proposal he offered.
"I should have asked you more romantically," he said, "but I'm not a very romantic guy, first off, and second, I'm trying to live more in the moment these days."
She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I wouldn't have said yes if you'd had a truck full of roses."
"I'm not asking you to hang with me for the long haul. Just a year," he said. "Only three hundred sixty-three days, actually. There's no downside to this for you."
"I beg to differ," she said coolly. "It would be cheating your father. And I'm not going to do that."
"Cheating my father?"
She nodded. "Josiah has been very good to me and my girls. He's given us a home and employment and college money. You can't know how much that means to me." She hesitated, then decided to be completely honest. "My parents don't want anything to do with my
girls. Perhaps knowing that, you can understand how much it means to have your father's total acceptance and even affection for my children. So you see," she said, softening her voice, "I really couldn't participate in scamming your dad."
For a moment, Dane stared at her, shaking his head, she thought, in amazement or consternation, or perhaps it was genuine puzzlement. Maybe he simply couldn't figure out why she felt such loyalty to Mr. Morgan.
"You'll get it all figured out one day, Dane. The right answer will come to you. In the meantime, let's get you that popcorn and water for the girls."
He blinked, following her quite a bit more docilely than she'd expected. "They can't have popcorn?"
"I've got animal crackers in my purse I'm going to give them."
He stopped her again. "Why did you come with me?"
Because I wanted to, I wanted to know why your face was frozen with unhappiness. Now I know — hut I wish I didn 7.
When she d
idn't reply, a loose, slow grin spread over his face. "You like me, Suzy Winterstone," he said with a wink, "even if you deny it."
She rolled her eyes. "I won't deny it, I won't admit it, I don't even care what you think. You are just what your father said—an arrogant ass."
Dane tugged her blond hair gently and grinned.
Suzy's breath caught as the sexy man touched her. then she pushed her darkest secret deeper inside her.
She might like him, but there would never be anything between them.
"What was going on with you two out there?" Pete demanded. "You took forever, so I came to see what the holdup was before the girls started crying for their mother, and you and Suzy were standing out there whispering like naughty children."
Dane scooted in next to his brother, noticing that the suddenly silent Priscilla and the stone-quiet Cricket were seated in front of them with Suzy's children. He felt as if he wasn't part of the girls'club, and he sort of wished he was. He wondered if Suzy would tell her friends about his proposal—he hoped she would so that they could convince her that marrying him was a great idea. "We had some things to settle. Remember, she is the housekeeper."
"Oh. So did you tell her how shiny you want the toaster to be? Did you explain what kind of potpourri you prefer in the house?" Dane stared at him. "Don't kid me. The two of you were jabbering away like your lives depended upon it."
"So?" Dane stuffed some popcorn into his mouth and glanced around to make sure everyone had their treats. "Truth is, I asked her to marry me."
"Yeah, right." Pete said. "Don't think so, bro. She'd have taken your head oil."
"You think?" She hadn't, and Dane felt strangely warmed by that.
"Yup. 'Cause she's got a thing for me."
Dane turned to peer at Pete suspiciously. "She might have a thing, but I doubt it's for you."
Pete shrugged. "It's true."
Dane ate some more popcorn, considering whether his brother was a liar or a great con man or just plain dumb to think Dane would believe such a tale. Why were all of his brothers so ornery?
He didn't have to ponder that hard; it was in the family tree. "Well, even if that's true, you'll just have to forget about her and pick someone else to fantasize about, like Priscilla or Cricket." He said their names softly so the ladies wouldn't overhear—odds were pretty good they wouldn't appreciate being discussed like ponies.
"Cricket's too good. I suspect Priscilla may be high-maintenance," Pete whispered.
"Your spy senses are all working today," Dane said, enjoying getting a dig in. "Pop assigned me to Su/y so you'll have to butt out."
"You're sounding pretty possessive for a guy who wants to reside in Mexico."
"You're sounding pretty weird for a spy who's probably got to be in Russia or the Congo next month."
"Actually," Pete said, "1 do have to leave soon. Could be any day."
Dane blinked, annoyed b the sadness that hit him. Putting his popcorn down on the seat beside him. he couldn't make himself look at Pete. "Work?"
"Something like that."
Great. He couldn't ask for details—it was all top secret Classified. Pete's leasing seemed somehow like a desertion. He didn't understand feeling that way, because if it were true that Pete liked Su/y. Dane should be relieved to have her all to himself. Shocked, he realized that the old man had gotten to him. It had snuck under his skin when he wasn't looking—the desire to spend time w ith his brothers again. A real family, just like Pop wanted. He supposed he should be grateful that he'd seen his brothers at all, but Jack didn't count, he hadn't even gotten to say hi to him. Dane had onl visited a moment with Gabriel, just long enough to snag some cookies. And now Pete was o\ back to Sp land where anything could happen. "Dang." Dane said, "guess I should be happy that you won't be around to annoy me."
"Guess so." Pete said.
He fell a lump in his throat. For some reason. Suzy turned around to look at him. and he couldn't swallow past the lump as she searched his face with her quick gaze. Then she turned back around to point out the next rider coming out of the chute for Sandra and Nicole. The girls got all excited, but Dane just felt sad. Maybe Pete had been right: the rodeo was a bad idea. It was a carnival of life he simply couldn't enjoy at the moment.
"Remember when you sneaked into my house in Watauga and sat down at the breakfast table?"
"Yep." Pete grinned. "The expression on your face was priceless."
"Drop in at the ranch any time," Dane said, managing to keep his tone airy. Tin better prepared for surprises these days."
Pete chuckled. "Good man."
"Of course, you could also just call to let me know you're coming," he said, but Pete shook his head.
"It would take all the tun out of it," Pete said.
There was more to life than fun. "I want Jack to drop in one day," he said. "I'd give my million just to see him for five minutes, talk to him like the old days."
Pete nodded. "Now that would be a surprise."
"Do you think Pop knew that his scheme of being the prodigal father with the great plan was doomed?" Dane asked. "There's just no way his dream would ever happen."
"I think," Pete said, "that hope springs eternal in the human breast. Let's just remember to be better fathers if we ever get the chance."
Dane blinked. He watched as Pete's gaze slid to Sandra and Nicole, and then Su/y. Dane's hackles rose, chasing off all the warmth he'd been feeling about his brother just moments before.
There it was, that strange, territorial emotion again, something telling him that those little girls needed him to be their father in the worst way.
Convincing Suzy would be difficult, but he had a lot of experience with difficult.
"On the other hand," Pete said slowly, "I think I'll hang around just a little longer."
When they leet the RODEO a lew hours later, the little girls were worn out. Pete carried Sandra, and Dane carried Nicole, and as they thanked Priscilla for sharing her box, a funny thing happened.
"You should let us return your kindness, Priscilla," Su/y said. "Come out and stay with Cricket and me at the ranch for a few days."
Dane blinked, caught by surprise. The house was certainly filling up. He glanced at Suzy, wondering if she was deliberately inviting roadblocks because of his business proposal to her. She wouldn't look at him, and he knew that the nurse was definitely meting out his medicine. He'd kissed her, he'd proposed to her and now he was going to get slipped into the psych ward.
"I'd love to!" Priscilla exclaimed. "And I happen to have some time off this week."
"What do you do?" Dane asked, curious, since Pete seemed frozen to the ground and lacking manners.
"I'm a manners coach," Priscilla said brightly. "An etiquette consultant."
Pete's jaw dropped. Dane held in a snicker. He could just see Pete telling Priscilla that he held a dangerous job that involved spying—not polite, probably—stealing— not socially acceptable and possibly even the odd
assassin's role—not done in the best circles. "Great," Dane said, "come on out. The more the merrier."
He didn't really mean it, he'd like to have Suzy to himself, but if Suzy wanted to put space between him and her, he had three hundred sixty-three days to change her mind. One week of Pete and he'd probably look great by comparison. As Priscilla accepted the invitation with a smile, Dane saw Pete's rather glazed eyes light on Priscilla's lips and then move lower for just a fraction of a second.
Ah. Miss Manners and the Cold-Hearted Spy. Life was about to get interesting.
Life was so boring once Priscilla came to stay at the ranch that Dane thought he was going to go mad. He and Pete had both moved to sleeping at the foreman's quarters far away from the fun. They'd offered to do so for the comfort of the ladies, and frankly, they didn't need to be in on every hen session, but he'd been hoping for one or two. Pete was behaving like a restless bear, and Dane hadn't seen the little girls in over twenty-four hours so he was starting to feel weird. As if he mis
sed them. He missed the action, the constant motion of small feet.
But then he remembered how quickly and gratefully Suzy had accepted the men's offer to sleep in the guest quarters and was sorry he'd had the gentlemanly urge. "You're driving me mad/' he said to Pete.
"It was a dumb idea you had, sticking us out here, a good half mile from the ladies," Pete replied.
"You said it was a great idea!"
"Well, it was dumb."
"How was I to know we'd never get invited up there?" Dane asked, stung. "I thought they'd be so happy we gave up the house that they'd invite us to dinner, maybe for a hay ride— n
"Right. I think that went out the window with your marriage proposal," Pete observed. "It feels sort of awkward around here."
Dane flung himself onto a sofa. "I don't care. I'm still ticking off days, so my goals are being met."
"Yeah?" Pete lounged across from him. "Still don't understand why I never got an assignment."
"Pop must have run out of eligible females with children."
Pete sat up. "You're right."
Dane shrugged. "So what if I am?"
"It means Pop's not matchmaking for me."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing, in your calculation?"
Pete grinned. "It means the field is wide-open."
Dane didn't like the sound of that. "So?"
"Suzy turned you down."
"So?" Dane repeated, glaring. "She might not next time."
"And she might not turn me down at all," Pete told him.
"Oh, yes. I see. The spy and the little mother, who
will be so happy that her husband is away on dangerous assignments all the time, where he can't be reached and is no help in raising Sandra and Nicole. Don't think so."
The Texas ranger's twins Page 5
