by Tina Leonard
Suzy frowned. “Let me be perfectly clear on something. I am not here for anyone’s amusement. Nor did your father seem like the type to be so underhanded. I’m shocked you would suggest it,” she said to Pete. “And I’m annoyed that you don’t refute it,” she told Dane.
Both brothers shrugged.
“I think you two are troublemakers,” Suzy said, “and if you’re trying to run me out of this house to spite your father, a man I know neither of you got along with, I suggest you take your problems up with Mr. Morgan.” She took a deep breath, set the pot on the stove. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to feed my children.”
Suzy felt her hands tremble ever so slightly. Nicole and Sandra clung to her legs, probably sensing the tension in the room. She had a good mind to call Mr. Morgan and directly ask him what his sons were up to—but decided against it just as quickly. A check had been included with the letter in which Mr. Morgan had hired her, with a very generous three months’ salary.
She’d deposited the check. For the first time, she was feeling more comfortable financially. Mr. Morgan had given each of her children what he called inheritances, money that was tucked away in savings accounts for their education. What business arrangements existed between Mr. Morgan and herself were none of his sons’ business. It was the brothers’ fault if they felt uncomfortable around her—they should be ashamed of the stories they’d concocted about their own father!
“Suzy, maybe we jumped to conclusions,” Dane said. She ignored that and went on stirring oatmeal into the pot. “You don’t know Pop like we do, though.”
“It doesn’t matter. Your story is implausible. There’s no way your father knew you’d be here, Dane. You didn’t even know Pete was coming to stay.” She glanced at him. “I don’t want to be dragged into your family issues, and from the way I see it, you have issues with your father. He doesn’t really have them with you.”
Dane and Pete stared at her, their jaws slightly slack. She could tell she had shocked them—but wasn’t that a good thing? These men were taking some childish anger out on an old man who cared for them deeply. “It’s none of my concern,” she said, putting brown sugar and butter into bowls. “Let’s just go on like none of this ever happened.” Even though it had already been said—and Dane had even kissed her! “As far as Pete’s idea of a chaperone, it’s a good one. I’ll take care of that.”
Dane didn’t look too happy, and Pete seemed to realize he’d caused his brother some type of predicament, but what he didn’t realize was that Suzy herself had been reminded of her own mother’s direct criticism of her “looseness.” Suzy was an embarrassment to her wealthy family. She glanced at the brothers—too handsome and too cocky for their own good!—as she seated her daughters at the table and put their bowls in front of them.
Without another glance at the men staring hungrily at the children’s breakfast, Suzy began humming under her breath.
PETE SIGHED AS HE AND HIS brother went out to one of the barns. “Sorry if I’m cramping your love nest. I assumed you’d be alone.”
Dane held in a groan. “I didn’t realize I had company, either, until yesterday. Needless to say, Pop’s probably laughing in the French countryside, enjoying the grapes and the excellent cuisine.”
“I bet. You know, I’ve never liked this place. It was never a home. We were too far from town to have friends, and Pop was too busy to be a father. I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the money.”
“Got yourself in a bind?” Dane asked curiously, and Pete nodded.
“You, too?”
“Yeah,” Dane said, thinking about his partner. “You’d think with Pop as a role model, I wouldn’t have gotten sucked into a con game, but I did. Lost my savings.” Dane shook his head. “And now it seems we’re getting sucked into another.”
“Not me,” Pete said. “I never got a letter from Pop asking me to look out for a woman. I figure I’m in the clear by now.”
Dane shook his head. “If I were you, I’d be even more wary.”
Pete stopped in the motion of slinging a saddle across a wooden horse. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve always feared the unknown most with Pop.” Dane grinned at his brother, enjoying the chance to have the upper hand, if only for a moment. “I know what my full downside is—Suzy. The other shoe has yet to drop for you.”
“Maybe Suzy’s my dream girl,” Pete said, then laughed at Dane’s shocked expression. “Oh, come on, Pop’s not picky about who pairs up with whom, just as long as we pair up with some woman and provide him with grandchildren.”
Dane stopped his work to give his brother a full glaring. “What is a secret agent going to do with a wife?”
“Be very happy,” Pete said. “I’m thinking about settling down.”
Dane laughed. “Like hell you are.” His brother was only thirty and still had the call of the wild written all over him. Tough and sinewy, with glacial dark eyes and cheeks sculpted by demons—at least that’s what Pop had always said—Pete was no ladies’ man.
No man for a lady, and certainly not for a lady like Suzy.
“Feel like a gentle wager?” Pete asked.
Dane raised a brow. “As a former Texas Ranger, I should say no, but curiosity compels me to ask what you have in mind.”
“Suzy falls for me, and you owe me a night of babysitting her little angels so I can romance their mother.”
“That’s heinous,” Dane said, feeling a flicker of jealousy that shook him. “Betting on a woman’s feelings is ungentlemanly.”
Pete laughed. “Bro, you’re taking a leaf out of Gabriel’s book.”
“Meaning?”
“You’re already down for the count.”
Dane snorted and grabbed some neatsfoot oil to clean and shine the saddle. He completely ignored Pete and his dumb observation. The thing that Pete didn’t know was Dane was moving to Mexico where the palm trees waved and the sun shone hot, the tortillas were soft and the ladies were sweet. He hated Texas and nothing—and no one—was ever going to entice him to stay for long.
Unlike Pete, whose job chasing international baddies might be wearing thin. Maybe Pete’s wandering feet were beginning to cool off.
“Listen, Pete,” he said suddenly and abruptly, as if to underline his own mental game, “If you’re frustrated and lonely and looking for a good time, by all means, put on your best show for Suzy. And I might add she’s probably not the only single woman in town. Best part is, these days all roads lead to town pretty quickly, and you’ve got a shiny truck to get you there for all the womanizing you can stand during your break.”
Pete laughed and went looking for something in the barn. Dane put the whole incident out of his mind for a moment, then took a pocketknife out of his back pocket. With a careful stroke, he notched two lines on the wood rail beside the saddle.
Only three hundred sixty-three more days to go.
CRICKET JASPER HAD KNOWN Suzy Winterstone a long time, and if Suzy said she needed help, then Suzy needed help. So without hesitation Cricket packed her bags and headed out from Fort Wylie to spend a week with Suzy at an old house in the deep country.
Cricket wasn’t sure why Suzy wouldn’t come back to Fort Wylie. The Winterstones weren’t the most affectionate clan, but that they missed their only daughter, Cricket was certain. They were still mad about the unplanned pregnancy, but that was over two years past. Surely it was time to put all those hot emotions in the past.
Cricket could feel forgiveness since she was a deacon. And Suzy was like a sister to her—she wanted Suzy to be happy. Family matters weren’t important at the moment, Cricket decided, and parked her little Volkswagen beside the two big trucks in the Morgan ranch driveway, and the smaller, older car that Cricket recognized as Suzy’s.
Suzy came out on the porch, waiting with a big smile and her two little girls beside her. Cricket hadn’t seen the girls since they were born—just tiny babies—so she hurried to sweep them into her arms. “I’m
so glad to see you, Suzy. And these two little dumplings!”
Suzy smiled, grateful her friend had arrived. “Thank you so much for coming out.”
“No problem,” Cricket told her with a hug. “The minute you said you needed help, I penciled in vacation time….” Her words trailed off as two large men walked toward the house from an outlying barn. “My goodness, they grow them big in the country, don’t they?”
Suzy frowned. “At least the Morgans seem to be larger than life. They’re the reason I need help.”
“They live here?” Cricket’s eyes were huge.
She nodded. “You’ll quickly understand why their father despairs of them.”
“Well, I—” Cricket glanced at the men again. “Do you have to live here with them?”
“I didn’t know they’d be here when I took the position. I’ve deposited my three months’ salary, and frankly, I need the money. Not to mention I was eager to find a position where I could stay home with my children while they’re so young.”
“Three months,” Cricket murmured.
“Oh, they’ll be here a year,” Suzy told her. “Dane was here first, then Pete showed up, suggesting I needed a chaperone.”
Cricket gasped. “The nerve!”
“I think it’s a good idea.” Suzy eyed the men as they approached the porch. “Something also tells me I need an objective opinion of my situation.”
“And you think my eyes are objective?” Cricket gave the men a thorough once-over. “Looks like you’re living in heaven on earth to me.”
“Hello,” Pete said to Cricket, a grin lighting his face, although Suzy had to admit that Dane’s expression was just as impressed. Tall and dark to Suzy’s more cheerful blond roundness, Cricket caught and held every man’s eye. She had a long, lean graceful body, a sweet smile and big brown eyes—a tall Audrey Hepburn with her own independent carriage.
Men found the combination alluring. But Cricket had never been interested in much outside her church duties.
“This is Cricket Jasper, my best friend and Nicole’s and Sandra’s godmother,” Suzy said, smiling at the men’s dumbstruck expressions. “She’s going to stay with me for a week. Stay with us,” she amended, not feeling the slightest bit guilty for putting such luscious bait in front of the two very large tomcats.
“Your chaperone, I presume?” Pete said, grinning at Suzy. “Nice. I mean, it’s nice to meet you, Cricket.”
But Dane shot Suzy a glare. “While it’s nice to meet you, Cricket, and you’re welcome at the Morgan ranch, please round out our happy foursome in a guest capacity. I personally do not require a chaperone—for any reason.”
Chapter Four
“Whew,” Pete said as Dane stomped into the house, “please pardon my brother’s boneheaded manners. Texas doesn’t agree with him, and some days he’s a wee bit moody.” Then he whispered to Cricket, “It passes by noon. On his better days.”
Suzy looked at Pete. “Did I mention Cricket is a deacon in her church?”
Pete blinked. “So she is a chaperone.”
“Yes,” Suzy said, dragging her friend away. “Come on, before you fall under the spell.”
Cricket followed willingly. “I don’t think it was a spell. I’m immune to those. I think it was shock. Not sure I’ve ever seen so much man in one pair of boots.”
“It’s okay,” Suzy said. “The feeling will pass once you realize that they’re bona fide womanizers.”
“Too bad,” Cricket said. “You know who’d be perfect for that lanky one back on the porch?”
Suzy stopped, gathering her girls to her. “I’m afraid to ask.”
“Priscilla Perkins.”
Suzy glanced up at Cricket. “The Priscilla Perkins whom you despised on sight because she lured your brother away from his fiancée?”
“That was Thad’s fault,” Cricket said. “He should have had stronger morals. But men and morals are not always secure friends, and heaven knows Priscilla has more than her share of charms.”
Suzy shook her head. “I wouldn’t wish either of these men even on Priscilla Perkins.” Actually, Dane was the kind of man she’d hate to see Priscilla throw her cap at, because he was darling in a sort of hotheaded, sexy way. And he’d kissed her, which she hated to admit had been the hottest kiss she’d ever experienced. But truthfully, Dane was all knotted up and probably had no idea how he’d got that way. Pete seemed like he was meant for wild times and outrageous women—an explosive combination at best.
“Are there any more of them?” Cricket helped Suzy take the girls out back where a patch of sunlight was barely warming the January-cold grass. “The brothers?”
“The youngest, Gabriel, is married and lives close to town. Mr. Morgan was thrilled about the wedding—he’s crazy about Laura and her children. I’ve never met Gabriel, but he’s not as mulish as his brothers, apparently.” Suzy smiled. “And Mr. Morgan mentioned an eldest son whom he never sees, with whom he has a difficult relationship.” She looked at Cricket, sympathy in her eyes as she picked out a ball for the girls to try to roll. “I could tell it hurt him a lot that he and Jack are estranged.”
“How did you meet Mr. Morgan?”
“I was a nurse at the hospital when Mr. Morgan was brought in one day. He has—” she lowered her voice and glanced around to make certain there were no Morgan men around “—some health issues.”
Cricket’s eyes went wide. “His sons don’t know?”
Suzy shook her head. “He doesn’t want them to know. He’s hoping they’ll all come home and want to stay one day.”
“Be a family.”
“At least try.” Suzy looked at her little girls with pleasure. “I can’t argue with the plan. My mother and father certainly have no desire whatsoever to be a family.”
Cricket winced. “I think they regret some of their words—”
“Don’t.” Suzy rose, taking the ball with her. It was now the middle of the afternoon. She needed to put the girls down for a quick nap and start their dinner. “Unlike Mr. Morgan, I don’t believe in fairy tales.”
Cricket’s eyes went wide. “Suzy!”
“Why don’t you bring in your luggage,” Suzy said, unwilling to think about the past. “I plan to enjoy every moment of your time here, so first I’m going to show you to a room, and then put the girls down to nap, and then you and I are going to sit and girl chat.”
A window opened on the second floor. Dane poked his head out, staring down at them. Suzy was pretty sure the lord of the manor’s mood hadn’t improved any by the scowl on his face.
“Can I assume you’ve commandeered the master suite?”
Suzy put her hands on her hips. “You may assume that.”
“And where is Cricket sleeping?”
“In the room next to mine.”
“I can sleep wherever,” Cricket said hurriedly. “Suzy, I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“This place is like a castle. There are plenty of rooms. Let me see what his problem really is.” She returned his scowl. “Why do you care where Cricket sleeps?”
“I don’t. Pete wants to know.”
Suzy looked at Cricket. “It’s all about communication.”
“He just wants to know where he should sleep,” Dane explained. “He didn’t know you were in Pop’s old room.”
“I took the master because it was big enough for me and the girls, and your father said I should since he wasn’t planning on returning any time soon. And besides, there’s a huge lock on the door. He said I’d be safer that way.”
Dane considered that. “Are you saying you’ve spoken to my father recently?”
She nodded. “Yesterday afternoon after you left. I wanted him to know I was accepting the job.”
“You didn’t tell him I was here, did you?”
“I mentioned it,” Suzy said, not sure why it mattered. “Is there a problem?”
“There are problems,” Dane said, “but they’re really not your concern.” He slammed the wind
ow down.
Cricket looked at her. “Those boys are a symphony in human frailty.”
Suzy laughed. “I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s go get you settled.”
The window shot back up. “Now, listen,” Dane said, “did my father tell you about the nice strong lock on the bedroom door before or after you told him I was here?”
She shrugged. “Before. He said he’d feel better knowing the girls and I were tightly locked up since we’re so far out in the country. Why?”
He thought about that, seeming satisfied after a moment. “Just checking.” The window shut again. Suzy looked at Cricket, who shrugged.
“Think you’ll last a year?” Cricket asked. “I’m not sure I could swim in all these undercurrents.”
“I’ll last,” Suzy said. “Swimming’s my only choice.”
“WHAT EXACTLY DOES A DEACON DO?” Dane asked Pete as they did chores in the barn.
“Depends,” Pete said, “marry you, bury you, discuss spiritual stuff with you and so forth. Why? Got a thing for Deacon Cricket?”
“No!” Dane slid a glance at his brother. “Do you?”
Pete sighed. “I would, if I was able. But since I’m not, I don’t torture myself. I’m looking for a peachy blonde.”
Since Suzy probably qualified as a “peachy blonde,” Dane didn’t want more information than that. “So, are you really hanging around here for a while?”
“Sure. What’s better than family?” Pete grinned. “As long as Pop’s not around, that is.”
“Jack planning on showing up?”
“Wouldn’t bet the farm on that ever happening.”
Dane moved some tack to the other end of the barn while he digested his thoughts. “Since you’re the only one who really knows how to find Jack, why don’t you tell him the old man isn’t here and he might as well pay a call on the rest of us slobs? We’ll get Gabriel and Laura out here, let everybody have a grand old time getting to know each other again. Not that I’m suggesting we go overboard to please Pop but, hell, I’m ready to see the king of the rodeo.”
