Husbands on Horseback

Chapter1

Thesummersunwasrising.Judgingbyitsplaceinthesky,DanaMobryfiguredthatitwasabout
eleveno'clockinthemorning.Thatmeantshe'dbeeninherpresentpredicamentforovertwohours,
andthedaywasgrowinghotter.

Shesighedwithresignedmiseryassheglancedatherelevatedrightlegwhereherjeanswere
hopelesslytangledintwoloosestrandsofbarbedwire.Herbootedfootwasenmeshedinthestrands
ofbarbedwirethatmadeupthefence,andherleftlegwaswrappedinitbecauseshe'dtwistedwhen
shefell.She'dbeentryingtomendthebarbed-wirefencetokeepcattlefromgettingout.Shewas
usingherfather'stoolstodoit,butsadly,shedidn'thavehisstrength.Attimeslikethis,shemissed
himunbearably,anditwasonlyaweeksincehisfuneral.

Shetuggedattheneckofhershort-sleevedcottonshirtandbrushedstrandsofherdampblondhair
backintoitsneatFrenchbraid.Notsoneatnow,shethought,disheveledandunkemptfromthefall
thathadlandedherinthismess.Nearby,oblivioustohermistress'sdilemma,herchestnutmare,Bess,
grazed.Overhead,ahawkmadegracefulpatternsagainstthecloudlesssky.Farawaycouldbeheard
thesoundoftrafficonthedistanthighwaythatledaroundJacobsvilletothesmallTexasranchwhere
Danawastangledinthefencewire.

Nobodyknewwhereshewas.Shelivedaloneinthelittleramshacklehousethatshe'dsharedwithher
father.They'dlosteverythingafterhermotherdesertedthemsevenyearsago.Afterthatterribleblow,
herfather,whowasraisedonaranch,decidedtocomebackandsettleontheoldfamilyhomeplace.
TherewerenootherrelativesunlessyoucountedacousininMontana.

Dana'sfatherhadstockedthisplacewithasmallherdofbeefcattleandraisedatruckgarden.Itwasa
meagerliving,comparedtothemansionnearDallasthathermother'swealthhadmaintained.When
CarlaMobryhadunexpectedlydivorcedherhusband,he'dhadtofindawayofmakingalivingfor
himself,quickly.DanahadchosentogowithhimtohisboyhoodhomeinJacobsville,ratherthan
endurehermother'sindifferentpresence.Nowherfatherwasdeadandshehadnoone.

She'dlovedherfather,andhe'dlovedher.They'dbeenhappytogether,evenwithoutahugeincome.
Butthestrainofhardphysicallaboronaheartthatshehadnotevenknownwasbadhadbeentoo
much.He'dhadaheartattackafewdaysago,anddiedinhissleep.Danahadfoundhimthenext
morningwhenshewentintohisroomtocallhimtobreakfast.

HankhadcomeimmediatelyatDana'sfranticphonecall.Itdidn'toccurtoherthatsheshouldhave
calledtheambulancefirstinsteadoftheirnearest,andveryantisocial,neighbor.ItwasjustthatHank
wassocapable.Healwaysknewwhattodo.Thatdayhehad,too.Afteraquicklookatherfather,he'd
phonedanambulanceandherdedDanaoutoftheroom.Laterhe'dsaidthatheknewimmediatelythat
itwashourstoolatetosaveherfather.He'ddoneastintoverseasinthemilitary,wherehe'dseen

deathtoooftentomistakeit.

MostpeopleavoidedHaydenGrantasmuchaspossible.Heownedthefeedandmillstorelocally,and
herancattleonhishugetractsoflandaroundJacobsville.He'dfoundoilonthesameland,solackof
moneywasn'toneofhisproblems.Butashorttemper,alegendarydislikeofwomenandareputation
foroutspokennessmadehimunpopularinmostplaces.

HelikedDana,though.Thathadbeenfascinatingfromtheverybeginning,becausehewasa
misogynistandmadenosecretofthefact.Perhapsheconsideredhersafebecauseoftheage
difference.Hankwasthirty-sixandDanawasbarelytwenty-two.Shewasslenderandofmedium
height,withdarkblondhairandaplainlittlefacemadeinterestingbythehugedarkblueeyesthat
dominatedit.Shehadafirm,roundedchinandastraightnoseandaperfectbowofamouththatwasa
naturallightpink,withoutmakeup.Shewasn'tpretty,butherfigurewasexquisite,eveninbluejeans
andafadedcheckedcottonshirtwiththetwobuttonsmissing,tornoffwhenshe'dfallen.She
grimaced.Shehadn'ttakentimetosearchforabrainthecleanwashthismorningbecauseshe'dbeen
inahurrytofixthefencebeforeheronlybullgotoutintotheroad.Shelookedlikeajuvenile
stripper,withthefirm,creamycurvesofherbreastsverynoticeablewherethebuttonsweremissing.

Sheshadedhereyeswithherhandandglancedaround.TherewasnothingformilesbutTexasand
moreTexas.Sheshouldhavebeenpayingbetterattentiontowhatshewasdoing,butherfather'sdeath
haddevastatedher.She'dcriedforthreedays,especiallyafterthefamilyattorneyhadtoldherabout
thathumiliatingclauseinthewillhe'dleft.Shecouldn'tbeartheshameofdivulgingittoHank.But
howcouldsheavoidit,whenitconcernedhimasmuchasitconcernedher?Papa,shethought
miserably,howcouldyoudothistome?Couldn'tyouhavesparedmealittlepride!

Shewipedstraytearsaway.Cryingwouldn'thelp.Herfatherwasdeadandthewillwouldhavetobe
dealtwith.

Asoundcaughtherattention.Inthestillnessofthefield,itwasveryloud.Therewasarhythmtoit.
Afteraminute,sheknewwhyitsoundedfamiliar.Itwasthegaitofathoroughbredstallion.Andshe
knewexactlytowhomthathorsebelonged.

Sureenough,aminutelateratallridercameintoview.Withhisbroad-brimmedhatpulledlowover
hislean,darkfaceandtheelegantwayherode,HankGrantwasprettyeasytospotfromadistance.If
hehadn'tbeensonoticeable,thehorse,Cappy,was.Cappywasapalominowithimpeccable
bloodlines,andhebroughthandsomefeesatstud.Hewasremarkablygentleforanungeldedhorse,
althoughhecouldbecomenervousattimes.Still,hewouldn'tallowanyoneexceptHankonhisback.

AsHankreinedinbesideherpronebody,shecouldseetheamusedindulgenceinhisfacebeforeshe
hearditinhisdeepvoice.

"Again?"heaskedwithresignation,obviouslyrecallingtheothertimeshe'dhadtorescueher.

"Thefencewasdown,"shesaidbelligerently,blowingastrandofblondhairoutofhermouth."And
thatstupidfencetoolneedshandslikeawrestler'stoworkit!"

"Sureitdoes,honey,"hedrawled,crossinghisforearmsoverthepommel."Fencesdon'tknowbeans

aboutthewomen'sliberationmovement."

"Don'tyoustartthatagain,"shemuttered.

Hismouthtuggedup."Aren'tyouinapeachypositiontobethrowingoutchallenges?"hemurmured
dryly,andhisdarkeyessawfartoomuchastheysweptoverherbody.Forjustaninstant,something
flashedinthemwhentheycametorestbrieflyontherevealedcurvesofherbreasts.

Shemoveduncomfortably."Comeon,Hank,getmeloose,"shepleaded,wriggling."I'vebeenstuck
heresincenineo'clockandI'mdyingforsomethingtodrink.It'ssohot."

"Okay,kid."HeswungoutofthesaddleandthrewCappy'sreinsoverhishead,leavinghimtograze
nearby.Hesquattedbyhertrappedlegs.Hiswornjeanspulledtightagainstthelong,powerful
musclesofhislegsandshehadtogritherteethagainstthepleasureitgaveherjusttolookathim.
Hankwashandsome.Hehadthatsortofmasculinebeautyabouthimthatmadeevenolderwomen
sighwhentheysawhim.Hehadarider'sleanandgracefullook,andafacethatanadvertisingagency
wouldhaveloved.Buthewasutterlyunawareofhisownattractions.Hiswifehadrunoutonhimten
yearsbefore,andhe'dneverwantedtomarryanyoneelsesincethedivorce.Itwaswell-knowninthe
communitythatHankhadnouseforawomanexceptinoneway.Hewasdiscreetandtight-lipped
abouthisliaisons,andonlyDanaseemedtoknowthathehadthem.Hewasremarkablyoutspoken
withher.Infact,hetalkedtoheraboutprivatethingsthathesharedwithnobodyelse.

Hewassurveyingthedamage,hislipspursedthoughtfully,beforehebegantotrytountangleher
fromthebarbedwirewithglovedhands.Hankwasmethodicalineverythinghedid,single-minded
anddeliberate.Heneveractedrashly.Itwasanothertraitthatdidn'tgounnoticed.

"Nope,thatwon'tdo,"hemurmuredandreachedintohispocket."I'mgoingtohavetocutthisdenim
togetyouloose,honey.I'msorry.I'llreplacethejeans."

Sheblushed."I'mnotdestituteyet!"

Helookeddownintoherdarkblueeyesandsawthecolorinhercheeks."You'resoproud,Dana.
You'dneveraskforhelp,notifitmeantyoustarvedtodeath."Heflippedopenhispock-etknife."I
guessthat'swhywegetalongsowell.We'realikeinalotofways."

"You'retallerthanIam,andyouhaveblackhair.Mine'sblond,"shesaidpointedly.

Hegrinned,assheknewhewould.Hedidn'tsmilemuch,especiallyaroundotherpeople.Sheloved
thewayhiseyestwinkledwhenhesmiled.

"Iwasn'ttalkingaboutphysicaldifferences,"heexplainedunnecessarily.Hecutthedenimloosefrom
thewire.Itwasagoodthinghewaswearinggloves,becausethebarbed-wirewassharpand
treacherous."Whydon'tyouuseelectrifiedfencelikemodernranchers?"

"BecauseIcan'taffordit,Hank,"shesaidsimply.

Hegrimaced.Hefreedthelaststrandandpulledherintoasittingposition,whichwasunexpectedly

intimate.Herblousefellopenwhensheleanedforwardand,likeanymale,hefilledhiseyeswiththe
sightofherfirm,creamybreasts,theirtipshardandmauveagainstthesoftpinkmounds.Hecaught
hisbreathaudibly.

Embarrassed,shegraspedtheedgesofhershirtandpulledthemtogether,flushing.Shecouldn'tmeet
hiseyes.Butshewasawareofhisintentstare,ofthesmellofleatherandfaintcolognethatclungto
hisskin,ofthecleansmellofhislong-sleevechambrayshirt.Hereyesfelltotheopeningathis
throat,wherethickblackhairwasvisible.She'dneverseenHankwithouthisshirt.She'dalways
wantedto.

Hisleanhandsmoothedagainsthercheekandhisthumbpressedherroundedchinup.Hiseyes
searchedhershyones."Andthat'swhatIlikebestaboutyou,"hesaidhuskily."Youdon'tplay.Every
moveyoumakeishonest."Heheldhergaze."Iwouldn'tbemuchofamanifI'dturnedmyeyesaway.
Yourbreastsarebeautiful,likepinkmarblewithhardlittletipsthatmakemefeelverymasculine.You
shouldn'tbeashamedofanaturalreactionlikethat."

Shewasn'tquitesurewhathemeant."Natural...reaction?"shefaltered,wide-eyed.

Hefrowned."Don'tyouunderstand?"

Shedidn't.Herlifehadbeenaremarkablyshelteredone.She'dfirstdiscoveredherfeelingsforHank
whenshewasjustseventeen,andshe'dneverlookedatanyoneelse.She'donlydatedtwoboys.Both
ofthemhadbeenshyandalittlenervouswithher,andwhenoneofthemhadkissedher,she'dfoundit
distasteful.

Shedidwatchmovies,someofwhichwereveryexplicit.Buttheydidn'texplainwhathappenedto
peoplephysically,theyjustshowedit.

"No,"shesaidfinally,grimacing."Well,I'mhopeless,Iguess.Idon'tdate,Ihaven'tgottimetoread
racynovels...!"

Hewaswatchingherveryclosely."Somelessonscarryahighprice.Butit'ssafeenoughwithme.
Here."

Hetookherownhandand,shockingly,easedthefabricawayfromherbreastandputherfingerson
thehardtip.Hewatchedherbodyashedidit,whichmadetheexperienceevenmoresensual.

"Desirecausesit,"heexplainedquietly."Aman'sbodyswellswherehe'smostaman.Awoman's
breastsswellandthetipsgohard.It'sareactionthatcomesfromexcitement,andnothingatalltobe
ashamedof."

Shewasbarelybreathing.Sheknewherfacewasflushed,andherheartwasbeatinghertodeath.She
wassittinginthemiddleofanopenfield,lettingHanklookatherbreastsandexplaindesiretoher.
Thewholethinghadafantasyqualitythatmadeherwide-eyed.

Heknewit.Hesmiled."You'repretty,"hesaidgently,removingherhandandtuggingtheedgesofthe
blousebacktogether."Don'tmakeheavyweatherofit.It'snatural,isn'tit,withus?Italwayshasbeen.

That'swhyIcantalktoyousoeasilyaboutthemostintimatethings."Hefrownedslightly."Iwanted
mywifeallthetime,didIevertellyou?Shetauntedmeandmademecrazytohaveher,sothatI'ddo
anythingforit.ButIwasn'trichenoughtosuither.Mybestfriendhititbiginrealestateandshewas
alloverhimlikeaduckonabug.Idon'tthinksheeverlookedbackwhensheleftme,butIdidn't
sleepforweeks,wantingher.Istillwanther,fromtimetotime."Hesighedroughly."Andnowshe's
comingback,sheandBob.They'regoingtobeintownforafewweekswhilehegetsridofallhis
investments.He'sretiring,andhewantstosellmehisracehorse.Hellofagall,isn'tit?"hemuttered
coldly.

Shefelthispainanddidn'tdarelethimseehowmuchitdisturbedher."Thanksforuntanglingme,"
shesaidbreathlessly,todiverthim,andstartedtogetup.

Hishandstayedher.Helookedstudiousandcalculating."Don't.Iwanttotrysomething."

Hisfingerswenttothesnapsofhischambrayshirtandheunfasteneditalldownhischest,pullingthe
shirttailoutofhisjeansashewent.Hischestwasbroadandtanned,thickwithhair,powerfully
muscled.

"Whatareyoudoing?"shewhispered,startled.

"Itoldyou.Iwanttotrysomething."Hedrewheruponherknees,andunfastenedtheremaining
buttonsonhershirt.Helookedsearchinglyatherexpression.Shewastooshockedtoprotest,and
thenhepulledherclose,lettingherfeelforthefirsttimeinherlifetheimpactofaman'sseminudity
againstherown.

Hersharpbreathwasaudible.Therewaswonderinhereyesassheliftedthemtohisinfascinated
curiosity.

Hishandswenttoherribcageandhedrewherlazily,sensuously,againstthatroughcushionofhis
chest.Ittickledherbreastsandmadethetipsgoharder.Shegraspedhisshoulders,bitinginwithher
nailsinvoluntarilyasallherdreamsseemedtocometrueatonce.Hiseyeswereblazingwithdark
fires.Theyfelltohermouthandhebenttowardher.

Shefeltthehardwarmthofhislipsslowlyburrowintohers,partingthem,teasingthem.Sheheldher
breath,tastinghimlikesomerarewine.Dimlyshefelthishandgobetweenthemandtenderlycaress
oneswollenbreast.Shegaspedagain,andhisheadliftedsothathecouldseehereyes.

Histhumbrippledoverthehardtipandsheshiveredallover,helplessinhisembrace.

"Yes,"hewhisperedabsently,"that'sexactlywhatIthought.Icouldlayyoudownrighthere,right
now."

Shebarelyheardhim.Herheartwasshakingher.Hisfingerstouchedher,teasedherbody.Itarched
towardhim,desperatenottolosethecontact.

Hiseyeswerealloverherface;herbarebreastspressedsocloseagainsthim.Hefeltthetouchallthe
waytohissoul."Iwantyou,"hesaidquietly.

Shesobbed,becauseitshouldn'thavebeenlikethis.Herownbodybetrayedher,givingawayallits
hard-keptsecrets.

Buttherewasahesitationinhim.Hishandstilledonherbreast,hismouthhoveredoverhersashis
darkeyesprobed,watched.

"You'restillavirgin,aren'tyou?"heaskedroughly.

Sheswallowed,herlipsswollenfromthetouchofhis.

Heshookhergently."Tellme!"

Shebitherlowerlipandlookedathisthroat.Shecouldseethepulsehammeringthere."Youknew
thatalready."Shegroundoutthewords.

Hedidn'tseemtobreatheforaminute,thentherewasaslow,raggedexhalingofbreath.Hewrapped
herupinhisarmsandsatholdingherclose,rockingher,hisfaceburiedinherhotthroat,againsther
quickpulse.

"Yes.Ijustwantedtobesure,"hesaidafteraminute.Hereleasedherinchbyinchandsmiledruefully
ashefastenedherblouseagain.

Shelethim,dazed.Hereyesclungtohisasiftheywerelookingforsanity.

Hermouthwasswollen.Hereyeswereasroundasdarkbluesaucersinafacelividwithcolor.Inthat
momentshewasmorebeautifulthanhe'deverknownhertobe.

"Noharmdone,"hesaidgently."We'velearnedalittlemoreabouteachotherthanweknewbefore.It
won'tchangeanything.We'restillfriends."

Hemadeitsoundlikeaquestion."Of...ofcourse,"shestammered.

Hestoodup,refasteninghisownshirtandtuckingitbackinashelookedatherwithanew
expression.Possession.Yes,thatwasit.Helookedasifshebelongedtohimnow.Shedidn't
understandthelookorherownreactiontoit.

Shescrambledtoherfeet,movingthemtoseeifanythinghurt.

"Thewiredidn'tbreaktheskin,fortunatelyforyou,"hesaid."Thosejeansareheavy,toughfabric.
Butyouneedatetanusshot,justthesame.Ifyouhaven'thadone,I'lldriveyouintotowntogetone."

"Ihadonelastyear,"shesaid,avoidinghiseyesasshestartedtowardBess,whowaseyeingthe
stallionalittletoocuriously."You'dbettergetCappybeforehegetsanyideas."

HecaughtCappy'sbridleandhadtosoothehim."You'dbettergetheroutofherewhileyoucan,"he
advised."Ididn'tthinkyou'dberidinghertodayorIwouldn'thavebroughtCappy.Youusuallyride
Toast."

Shedidn'twanttotellhimthatToasthadbeensoldtohelpsettleoneofherfather'soutstandingdebts.

Hewatchedherswingintothesaddleandhedidlikewise,keepingthestallionagooddistanceaway.
Theurgetomatewasn'tonlyahumanthing.

"I'llbeovertoseeyoulater,"hecalledtoher."We'vegotsomethingstotalkover."

"Likewhat?"sheasked.

ButHankdidn'tanswer.Cappywasfidgetingwildlyashetriedtocontrolthestallion."Notnow.Get
herhome!"

Sheturnedthemareandgallopedtowardtheranch,forgettingthefenceinherheadlongrush.She'd
havetocomebacklater.Atleastshecouldgetoutofthesunandgetsomethingcoldtodrinknow.

Onceshewasbackinthesmallhouse,shelookedatherselfinthebathroommirrorafterashower
andcouldn'tbelieveshewasthesamewomanwho'dgoneoutintothepastureonlythismorning.She
lookedsodifferent.Therewassomethingnewinhereyes,somethingmorefeminine,mysteriousand
secretive.Shefeltalloveragaintheslow,searchingtouchofHaydenGrant'shardfingersand
blushed.

Therehadbeenarareandbeautifulmagicbetweenthemoutthereinthefield.Shelovedhimso
much.Therehadbeennootherman'stouchonherbody,neveranothermaninherheart.Buthowwas
hegoingtoreactwhenheknewthecontentsofherfather'swill?Hedidn'twanttomarryagain.He'd
saidsooftenenough.AndalthoughheandDanahadbeenfriendsforalongtime,he'ddrawnbackat
oncewhenhemadeheradmitherinnocence.He'dwantedanaffair,obviously,butdiscoveredthatit
wouldbeimpossibletojustifythatwithhisconscience.Hecouldn'tseduceaninnocentwoman.

Shewentintoherbedroomandputonblueslacksandaknitshirt,leavingherfreshlywashedand
driedhairloosearoundhershoulders.He'dsaidtheywouldtalklater.Didthatmeanhe'dheardgossip
aboutthewill?Washegoingtoaskhertochallengeit?

Shehadnoideawhattoexpect.Perhapsitwasjustaswell.She'dhavelesstimetoworry.

Shewalkedaroundthelivingroom,hereyesonthesad,shabbyfurniturethatsheandherfatherhad
boughtsomanyyearsago.Therehadn'tbeenanymoneyinthepastyearforre-upholsteryornew
frills.They'dputeverythingintothosefewheadofbeefcattleandtheherdsire.Butthecattlemarket
waswaydownandifabadwintercame,therewouldbenowaytoaffordtobuyfeed.Shehadtoplant
plentyofhayandcorntogetthroughthewinter.Buttheirbesthandhadquitonherfather'sdeath,and
nowallshehadweretwopart-timehelpers,whomshecouldbarelyaffordtopay.Ablindwoman
couldseethatshewouldn'tbeabletokeepgoingnow.

Shecouldhaveweptforherlostchances.Shehadnoeducationpasthighschool,norealwaytomake
aliving.Allsheknewwashowtopullcalvesandmixfeedandselloffstock.Shewenttotheauctions
andknewhowtobid,howtobuy,howtopickcattleforconformation.Sheknewmuchlessabout
horses,butthathardlymattered.Sheonlyhadoneleftandthepart-timemankeptBess—andToast,
untilhewassold—groomedandfedandwatered.Shedidatleastknowhowtosaddlethebeast.Butto

Dana,ahorsewasatooltousewithcattle.Haydencringedwhenshesaidthat.Hehadpurebred
palominosandlovedeveryoneofthem.Hecouldn'tunderstandanyonenotlovinghorsesasmuchas
hedid.

Oddly,though,itwastheironlyrealpointofcontention.Inmostotherways,theyagreed,evenon
politicsandreligion.Andtheylikedthesametelevisionprograms.Shesmiled,rememberinghow
manytimesthey'dsharedsimilarenthusiasmsforweeklyseries,especiallysciencefictionones.Hank
hadbeenkindtoherfather,too,andsopatientwhenamanwho'dgivenhislifetobeingacountry
gentlemanwassuddenlyfacedwithlearningtobearancherattheageoffifty-five.ItmadeDanasad
tothinkhowmuchlongerherfather'slifemighthavebeenifhe'dtakenupalessexhaustive
profession.He'dhadagoodbrain,andsomuchstilltogive.

Shefixedalightlunchandapotofcoffeeandthoughtaboutgoingbackouttoseeaboutthatdowned
fence.Butanotherdisasterwouldjustbetoomuch.Shewasdisaster-pronewhenHankwasanywhere
nearher,andsheseemedtoberapidlygettingthatwayevenwhenhewasn't.He'drescuedherfrom
madbulls,trappedfeetincorralfences,oncefromarattlesnakeandtwicefromfallingbalesofhay.
Hemustbewonderingiftherewasn'tsomewayhecouldberidofheronceandforall.

Itwasniceofhimnottomentionthoseincidentswhenhe'drescuedherfromthefence,though.
Surelyhe'dbeentemptedto.

Tempted.Shecoloredalloveragainrememberingtheintimacythey'dshared.Inthesevenyears
they'dknowneachother,he'dnevertouchedheruntiltoday.Shewonderedwhyhehad.

Thesoundofacaroutsideonthecountryroadbroughtheroutofthekitchenandtothefrontdoor,
justintimetoseeHank'sblackluxurycarpullintothedriveway.Hewasn'taflashysortofman,and
hedidn'tgooverboardtosurroundhimselfwithluxuriousthings.Thatmakeofcarwashisone
exception.Hehadafascinationforthebigcarsthatneverseemedtowaver,becausehetradedhisin
everyotheryear—foranotherblackone.

"Don'tyougettiredofthecolor?"she'daskedhimonce.

"Why?"he'drepliedlaconically."Blackgoeswitheverything."

Hecameupontotheporch,andtheexpressiononhisfacewasoneshehadn'tseenbefore.Helooked
ashealwaysdid,neatlydressedandclean-shaven,devastatinglyhandsome,buttherewasstilla
difference.Aftertheirbriefinterludeoutinthepasture,theatmospherebetweenthemwasjustalittle
strained.

Hehadhishandsinhispocketsasheglanceddownatherbodyintheprettyruffledbluesundress.

"Isthatformybenefit?"heasked.

Sheblushed.sheusuallykickedaroundinjeansorcutoffsandtanktops.Shealmostneverwore
dressesaroundtheranch.AndherhairwasIongandloosearoundhershouldersinsteadofinits
usualbraid.

Chapter2

Sheledthewayintothekitchenandsetoutaplatterofsaladandcoldcutsanddressinginthecenter
ofthetable,onwhichshe'dalreadyputtwoplacesettings.Shepouredcoffeeintotwomugs,gavehim
oneandsatdown.Shedidn'thavetoaskwhathetookinhiscoffee,becauseshealreadyknewthathe
haditblack,justasshedid.Itwasoneofmanythingstheyhadincommon.

"Whatdidyouwanttoaskme,Hank?"sheventuredafterhe'dworkedhiswaythroughahugesalad
andtwocupsofcoffee.Hernerveswerescreamingwithsuspenseandanticipation.

"Oh.That."Heleanedbackwithhishalf-drainedcoffeecupinhishand."Iwonderedifyoumightbe
willingtohelpmeoutwithalittleplayactingformyex-wife'sbenefit."

Allherhopesfellatherfeet."Whatsortofacting?"sheasked,tryingtosoundnonchalant.

"Iwantyoutopretendtobeinvolvedwithme,"hesaidfrankly,staringather."Onthismorning's
showing,itshouldn'tbetoodifficulttolookasifwecan'tkeepourhandsoffeachother.Shouldit?"
heaskedwithamockingsmile.

Everythingfellintoplace;hisoddremarks,his"experiment"outthereinthepasture,hiscurious
behavior.Hisbelovedex-wifewascomingtotownandhedidn'twanteveryonetoknowhowbadly
she'dhurthimorhowhe'dgrievedatherloss.SoDanahadbeencastashisnewlove.Hedidn'twanta
newwife,hewantedanactress.

Shestaredintohercoffee."Idon'tguessyoueverwanttogetmarriedagain,doyou?"sheaskedwith
studiedcarelessness.

Hesawrightthroughthatdeviouslittlequestion."No,Idon't,"hesaidbluntly."Oncewasenough."

Shegrimaced.Herfatherhadplacedherinanintolerableposition.Somehow,hemusthavesuspected
thathistimewaslimited.Otherwisewhyshouldhehavegonetosuchlengthsinhiswilltomakesure
thathisdaughterwasprovidedforafterhisdeath?

"You'vebeenactingfunnysinceyourfatherdied,"hesaidsuddenly,andhiseyesnarrowed."Isthere
somethingyouhaven'ttoldme?"

Shemadeanawkwardmotionwithoneshoulder.

"Didhegointodebtandleaveyouwithnothing,isthatit?"

"Well..."

"Becauseifthat'sthecase,Icantakecareoftheproblem,"hecontinued,unabashed."Youhelpmeout
whileBetty'shere,andI'llpayoffanyoutstandingdebts.Youcanthinkofitasajob."

Shewantedtothrowherselfdownonthefloorandscream.Nothingwasworkingout.Shelookedat
himinanguish."Oh,Hank,"shegroaned.

Hescowled."Comeon.Itcan'tbethatbad.Spititout."

Shetookasteadyingbreathandgottoherfeet."There'sasimplerway.Ithink...you'dbetterreadDad's
will.I'llgetit."

Shewentintothelivingroomandpulledoutthedeskdrawerthatcontainedherfather'swill.Shetook
itintothekitchenandhandedittoapuzzledHank,watchinghislean,eleganthandsunfastenthe
closureonthedocument.

"Andbeforeyoustartscreaming,Ididn'tknowanythingaboutthatclause,"sheaddedthroughher
teeth."Itwasasmuchashocktomeasit'sgoingtobetoyou."

"Clause?"hemurmuredashescannedoverthewill."Whatclause...Oh,myGod!"

"Now,Hank,"shebeganinanefforttothwartthethreatenedexplosionshesawgrowinginhislean
face.

"Godinheaven!"Hegottohisfeet,slammingthewillbackonthetable.Hisfacehadgonefrom
ruddytowhiteinthespaceofseconds."WhatahellofachoiceI'vegot!ImarryyouorIendupwith
astockcarracetrackontheedgeofmybarnwheremymaresfoal!Movingthedamnedthingwould
costhalfamilliondollars!"

"Ifyou'lljustgivemeachancetospeak,"shesaidheavily."Hank,theremaybeawaytobreakthe
will—"

"Oh,sure,wecansayhewascrazy!"Hisblackeyeswereglitteringlikediamonds.

Sheflushed.Hewasflagrantlyinsultingher.Shemightlovehim,butshewasn'ttakingthatkindof
treatment,evenfromhim.Shegottoherownfeetandglaredupathim."Hemusthavebeen,towant
metomarryyou!"sheshouted."Whatmakesyouthinkyou'resuchaprize,Hank?You'reyearstoo
oldformeinthefirstplace,andinthesecond,whatsanewomanwouldwanttomarryamanwho's
stillinlovewithhisex-wife?"

Hewasbarelybreathing.HisangerwassoapparentthatDanafeltherkneesgowobbly,despiteher
spunkywords.

Hisblackeyesslewedoverherwithcontempt."Imightlikelookingatyourbody,butacoupleof
kissesandalittlefondlingdon'twarrantamarriageproposalinmybook."

"Norinmine,"shesaidwithscaldedpride."Whydon'tyougohome?"

Hisfistsclenchedathisside.Hestillcouldn'tbelievewhathe'dreadinthatwill.Itwasbeyondbelief
thatherfather,hisfriend,wouldhavestabbedhiminthebackthisway.

"Hemusthavebeenoutofhismind,"hegrated."Icouldhavesettledatrustonyouorsomething,he
didn'thavetospecifymarriageasaconditionforyoutoinheritwhat'srightfullyyours!"

Sheliftedherchin."Icanhardlyaskwhathisreasoningwas,"sheremindedhim."He'sdead."The
wordswerestarkandhollow.Shewasstillinthemidstofgriefforthepassingofherparent.Hank
hadn'tconsideredthatshewashurting,shethought,ormaybehejustdidn'tcare.Hewastooangryto
berational.

Hebreatheddeliberately."Youlittlecheat,"heaccused."You'vehadacrushonmeforyears,andI've
toleratedit.Itamusedme.Butthisisn'tfunny.Thisislowanddeceitful.I'dthinkmoreofyouifyou
admittedthatyouputyourfatheruptoit."

"Idon'tgiveadamnwhatyouthinkofme,"shechoked.Herpridewasintatters.Shewasfighting
tearsofpurerage."Whenyou'vehadtimetogetovertheshock,I'dlikeyoutoseemyattorney.
Betweenthetwoofyou,I'msureyoucanfindsomewaytostraightenthisout.BecauseIwouldn't
marryyouifyoucamewithasubscriptiontomyfavoritemagazineandanewFer-rari!SoIhada
crushonyouonce.That'sancienthistory!"

Hemadeasoundthroughhisnose."Thenwhatwasthatthismorningoutinthepasture?"hechided.

"Lust!"shethrewathim.

Hepickeduphishatandstudiedherwithcoldcontempt."I'llseewhatIcandoaboutthewill.You
couldcontactyourmother,"headdedpointedly."She'swealthy.I'msureshewon'tletyoustarve."

Shefoldedherarmsacrossherbreasts."Iwouldn'taskmymotherforatissueifIwasbleedingto
death,andyouknowit."

"Thesearedesperatecircumstances,"hesaidpointedly,alittlecalmernow.

"Mycircumstancesarenolongeranyofyourbusiness,"shesaidinavoicethatwasdisturbingly
calm."Goodbye,Hank."

Heslammedhishatoverhiseyesandwenttothefrontdoor,buthehesitatedwiththedoorknobinhis
handandlookedoverhisshoulder.Shewaspaleandhereyeswereshimmering.Heknewshewas
grievingforherfather.Itmustbescary,too,tohaveherinheritancewrappedaroundanimpossible
demand.Ifhedidn'tmarryher,shewasgoingtoloseeverything,evenherhome.Hewinced.

"Goodbye,"sherepeatedfirmly.Hereyesstartledhimwiththeircoldbluedarkness.Shelookedasif
shehatedhim.

Hedrewinashortbreath."Look,we'llworksomethingout."

"I'mtwenty-twoyearsold,"shesaidproudly."It'spasttimeIstartedtakingcareofmyself.IfIlosethe
ranch,I'llgetagrantandgobacktocollege.I'vealreadycompletedthebasiccourses,anyway."

Hehadn'tthoughtthatshemightgoaway.Suddenlyhislifewasevenmoretopsy-turvythanbefore.

Bettywasonherwaybacktotown,Dana'sfatherhadtriedtoforcehimintoamarriagehedidn'twant
andnowDanawasgoingaway.Hefeltdeserted.

Heletoutawordthatshe'dneverheardhimuse."Thengo,ifyouwantto,andbedamned,"hesaid
furiously."Itwillbeapleasurenottohavetorescueyoufromhalfadozendisastersaday."

Heslammedthedooronhiswayoutandshesankintoachair,feelingthesuddenwarmwetnessofthe
tearsshe'dbeentooproudtolethimsee.Atleastnowsheknewhowhefeltabouther.Sheguessed
thatshe'dbewell-advisedtolearntolivewithit.

Therestofthedaywasanightmare.Bytheendofit,shewassickofthememoriesinthehouse.Grief
andhumiliationdrovehertothetelephone.ShecalledJoe,theoldestofhertwopart-timeworkerson
theranch.

"I'mgoingawayforacoupleofdays,"shetoldhim."IwantyouandErnietowatchthecattleforme.
Okay?"

"Sure,bosslady.Whereyougoing?"

"Away."

Shehungup.

ItonlytookherafewminutestomakeareservationatamoderatelypricedHoustonhoteldowntown,
andtopacktheancientgrayBroncoshedrovewithenoughclothesfortheweekend.Shewasonher
wayinnotime,havinglockedupthehouse.Joehadakeyifheneededtogetin.

Shespenttheweekendwatchingmoviesoncableandexperimentingwithnewhairstyles.Shedrifted
aroundtheshopsdowntown,althoughshedidn'tbuyanything.Shehadtoconservehermoneynow,
untilshecouldapplyforagrantandgetintocollege.Onanimpulseshephonedacoupleofcolleges
aroundtheareaandrequestedcatalogsbesenttoherhomeaddressinJacobsville.

Therunawayweekendhadbeensomethingofanextravagance,butshe'dneededtogetaway.Shefelt
likeatouristasshewanderedaroundalltheinterestingspots,includingthefamedSanJacinto
monumentandthecanalwhereshipscameandwentintotheportcity.Heavyraincameonthesecond
day,withflashflooding,andshewasforcedtostayanextradayoruseherBroncoasabarge,
becausethestreetsnearthehotelweretoofloodedtoallowsafetravel.

ItwaslateMondaybeforesheturnedintothelongdrivewayofherranch.Andthefirstthingshe
noticedassheapproachedthefarmhousewastheproliferationoflawenforcementvehicles.

Shocked,shepulledupandturnedofftheignition."What'shappened?Hassomeonebrokenintomy
home?"sheaskedthefirstuniformedmanshemet,adeputysheriff.

Hiseyebrowswentup."Youlivehere?"heasked.

"Yes.I'mDanaMobry."

Hechuckledandcalledtotheotherthreemen,oneofwhomwasaJacobsvillecitypoliceman."Here
sheis!Shehasn'tmetwithfoulplay."

Theycameatalope,bringingaharassed-lookingJoealongwiththem.

"Oh,MissMobry,thanktheLord,"Joesaid,wringingherhand.Hishairwasgrayerthanever,andhe
lookedhollow-eyed.

"Whatever'swrong?"sheasked.

"TheythoughtI'dkilledyouandhidthebody!"Joewailed,lookingnervouslyatthelawofficers.

Dana'seyeswidened."Why?"

"Mr.Grantcameoverandcouldn'tfindyou,"Joesaidfrantically."Itoldhimyou'dgoneaway,butI
didn'tknowwhere,andheblewupandstartedaccusingmeofallsortsofthingsonaccountofI
wouldn'ttellhimwhereyouwere.Whenyoudidn'tcomebackbytoday,hecalledthelaw.I'msoglad
toseeyou,MissMobry.Iwasafraidtheyweregoingtoputmeinjail!"

"I'msorryyouwereputthroughthis,Joe,"shesaidcomfortingly."IshouldhavetoldyouIwasgoing
toHouston,butitneveroccurredtomethatMr.GrantwouldcarewhereIwent,"sheaddedbitterly.

Thedeputysheriffgrinnedsheepishly."Yeah,hesaidyou'dhadanargumentandhewasafraidyou
mighthavedonesomethingdrastic..."

Sheglaredathimsofuriouslythathebrokeoff."Ifthatisn'tconceit,Idon'tknowwhatis!Iwouldn't
killmyselfoverastuck-up,overbearing,insufferableegotistlikeMr.GrantunlessIwasgoofy!DoI
lookgoofy?"

Heclearedhisthroat."Oh,no,ma'am,youdon'tlookatallgoofytome!"

Whilehewasdefendinghimself,Hankcamearoundthesideofthehousetoseewherethesearch
partyhaddisappearedto,andstoppedwhenhesawDana."Sothereyouare!"hebeganfuriously,
bare-headedandwild-eyedashejoinedher."Whereinhellhaveyoubeen?Doyouhaveanyideahow
muchtroubleyou'vecaused?"

Sheliftedherchin."I'vebeentoHouston.SincewhenisgoingtoHoustonacrime?Andsincewhen
doIhavetoinformyouofmywhereabouts?"

Hesnorted."I'maconcernedneighbor."

"You'rearoyalpainintheneck,andIlefttowntogetawayfromyou,"shesnapped."Idon'twantto
seeyouortalktoyou!"

Hestraightenedhisshouldersandhismouthcompressed."Aslongasyou'reallright."

"YoumightapologizetopoorJoewhileyou'reaboutit,"sheaddedpointedly."Hewasbeside
himself,thinkinghewasgoingtojailfordoingawaywithme."

"Ineversaidanysuchthing,"hemuttered.HeglancedatJoe."HeknowsIdidn'tthinkhe'ddoneyou
in."

Thatwasascloseashewaslikelytocometoanapology,andJoeaccepteditwithlessrancorthan
Danawouldhave.

"Thanksforcomingout,"Hanktoldthedeputyandtheothers."ShewasmissingfortwodaysandI
didn'tknowwhereshewas.Anythingcouldhavehappened."

"Oh,heknowsthat,"thecitypoliceman,MattLovett,saidwithagrin,jerkinghisthumbatthedeputy
sheriff."Heandhiswifehadanargumentandshedroveofftohermother's.Onthewayhercardied.
Sheleftitontheriverbridgeandcaughtarideintotowntogetamechanic."

“Matt...!"thedeputygrumbled.

Mattheldupahand."I'mjustgettingtothebestpart.Hewentafterherandsawthecarandthought
she'djumpedoffthebridge.Bythetimeshegotbackwiththemechanic,thecivildefenseboyswere
outtheredraggingtheriver."

"Well,shemighthavebeeninthere,"thedeputydefendedhimself,red-faced.HegrinnedatHank.
"AndMissMobrymighthavebeeneatenbyoneofheryoungsteers."

"Orcarriedoffbyaliens,"Mattmused,tongueincheek."That'swhyourpoliceforceisalwaysonthe
job,MissMobry,toofferprotectiontoanycitizenwhoneedsit.I'ddearlylovetoprotectyouata
movieonenightnextweek,"headdedwithtwinklinggreeneyes."Anynightyoulike.Agoodmovie
andanicebigburgerwithfries."

Dana'seyesweretwinklingnow,too.

Hanksteppedinbetweenherandthepoliceman."Ithinkshe'llneedsomerestaftertoday'sexcitement,
butI'msuresheappreciatestheoffer,Matt."

Thewordsdidn'tmatchthedarkthreatinhiseyes.Matthadonlybeenteasing,althoughifhe'dreally
wantedtotakeDanaout,allthethreatsintheworldwouldn'thavestoppedhim.

"You'reprobablyright,"Mattagreed.HewinkedatDana."Buttheofferstands,justthesame."

Shesmiledathim.Hereallywasnice."Thanks,Matt."

Thelawenforcementpeoplesaidtheirfarewellsandwentofftobiggertasks,leavingDanaandJoe
andHankstandingaimlesslyinthefrontyard.

"I'llgethomenow,MissMobry.Sogladyou'reallright,"Joesaidagain.

"Thanks,Joe,"shereplied."I'msorryforallthetroubleyouhad."

"Nottoworry."

Heambledoff.DanafoldedherarmsoverherbreastsandglaredfuriouslyatHank.

Hehadhishandsdeepinhispockets.Helookedmoreuncomfortablethanshe'deverseenhim.

"Well,howwasItoknowyouhadn'tdonesomethingdesperate?"hewantedtoknow."Isaidsome
harshthingstoyou."Heavertedhiseyes,becauseitdisturbedhimtorememberwhathe'dsaid.Inthe
fewdaysDanahadbeenmissing,he'ddonealotofremembering,mostlyabouthowbigapartofhis
lifeDanawas,andthelongfriendshiphe'dsharedwithher.He'dhadnorighttobelittlethefeelings
shehadforhim.Infact,ithadrockedhisworldwhenherealizedhowlonghe'dbeendeliberately
ignoringthem.HewastornbetweenhislingeringloveforBettyandhisconfusedfeelingsforDana.
Itwasanemotionalcrisisthathe'dneverhadtofacebefore.Heknewhewasn'thandlingitverywell.

Danadidn'tbudgeaninch."I'vealreadydecidedwhatI'mgoingtodo,incaseyouhadanylingering
worries,"shetoldhimcoolly."Ifyoucanfindaloophole,awayforustobreakthewill,I'mgoingto
selltheplaceandgobacktoschool.Ihavecatalogscomingfromthreecolleges."

Hisfacewentrigid."Ithoughtyoulikedranching."

Shemadeanamused,bittersound."Hank,Ican'tevenuseafencetool.Ican'tpullacalfwithouthelp
fromJoeorErnie.Icanfeedlivestockandtreatwoundsandcheckfordiseases,butIcan'tdoheavy
liftingandfixmachinery.Idon'thavethephysicalstrength,andI'mrunningoutofthefinancial
meanstohireitdone."Shethrewupherhands."IfIeventriedtogetajobatsomeoneelse'sranch,
withmylackofskills,they'dlaughatme.HowintheworldcanIrunaranch?"

"YoucansellittomeandI'llrunitforyou,"hesaidcurtly."Youcanrentthehouseandstayhere."

"Aswhat?"shepersisted."Caretaker?Iwantmorethanthatfromlife."

"Suchas?"heasked.

"Neveryoumind,"shesaidevasively,becauseareadyanswerdidn'tpresentitself."Didyoutalkto
mylawyer?"

"No."

"Thenwouldyou,please?"

Hestuckhishandsintohispockets."Listen,Dana,nocourtinJacobsvilleisgoingtothrowoutthat
willonthegroundsthatyourfatherwasincompetent.Hismindwasassoundasmine,andheknew
businessinsideout."

Herheartfell."Hemighthavebeentemporarilyupsetwhenheinsertedthatclause."

"Maybehewas,"heagreed."Maybehe'dhadsomechestpainorapremonition.I'msurehemeantitas
awaytomakesureyouweren'tleftalone,withnosupport,afterhewasgone.Buthisreasonsdon't
matter.Eitheryoumarrymeorwebothstandtoloseahellofalotofmoney."

"Youdon'twanttomarryme,"sheremindedhimwithpainfulpleasure."Yousaidso."

Hedrewinalong,wearybreathandsearchedherwanlittleface."God,I'mtired,"hesaid
unexpectedly."Mylifeisupsidedown.Idon'tknowwhereI'mgoing,orwhy.No,Dana,Idon'twant
tomarryyou.That'shonest.Butthere'salotridingonthatwill."Hemovedhisshoulders,asiftoease
theirstiffness."I'dratherwaitafewweeks,atleastuntilBetty'svisitisover.Butthere'satimelimitas
well.Amonthafteryourfather'sdeath,Ibelieve,alltheconditionsofthewillhavetobefulfilled."

Shenoddedmiserably.

"Inaway,itwouldsuitmetobemarriedrightnow,"hereflectedsolemnly."Idon'twantBettytosee
howbadlyshehurtme,orhowmuchIstillwanther.Imightbetemptedtotryandbreakupher
marriage,andthat'snotthesortofmanIwanttobe."

"Whataboutherhusband?"

"Bobdoesn'tcarewhatshedoes,"hereplied."He'stotallyindifferenttoherthesedays,andhe'sno
longerafinancialgiant.Idon'tthinkitwouldtaketoomuchefforttogetherawayfromhim.Butshe
leftmebecausehehadmoremoney,don'tyousee?"headdedpointedly."MyGod,Ican'tletmyself
becaughtinthatoldtrapagain,regardlessofwhatIfeelforher!"

Shefeltsorryforhim.Imaginethat.Shelinkedherhandstogetheroverherstomach."Thenwhatdo
youwanttodo,Hank?"sheaskedquietly.

"Getmarried.Butonlyonpaper,"headdeddeliberately,hisdarkeyessteadyandfullofmeaning.
“DespitethephysicalattractionIfeltforyououtinthepasturethatday,Idon'twantaphysical
relationshipwithyou.Let'sgetthatclearattheoutset.Iwantadocumentthatgivesyoutherightto
sellmethatland.Inreturn,I'llmakesurethefigureyoureceiveisabovemarketprice,andI'llputyou
throughcollegetoboot."

ItsoundedfairenoughtoDana,whowaswrungoutfromtheemotionalstress."AndIgettostayhere,
inmyownhouse,"sheadded.

"No."

Hereyebrowsshotup.

"I'llwantyoutostayupatthehomeplacewithme,"hereplied,"aslongasBettyandBobareintown.
Eventhoughthisisalegalmarriage,Idon'twantBettytoknowthatI'monlyapaperhusband."

"Oh,Isee,"shereplied."Youwantustopretendthatit'sanormalarrangement."

"Exactly."

Shedidn'twanttoagree.He'dhurtherfeelings,madehorribleremarks,insultedherandembarrassed
herwithtoday'swoman-hunt.Butsheneededtobeabletoselltheranch.Itwouldbeherescapefrom
theemotionalpovertyoflovingwheretherewasnohopeofreciprocation.

"Okay,"shesaidafteraminute."Willwehavetogetabloodtestandalicenseatthecourthouse?"

"We'llflytoLasVegasandgetmarriedoutthere,"hetoldher."Assoonaswe'vecompletedthelegal
maneuversandBettyissafelyoutofmyhair,we'llgetadivorcethere,whichwillbejustaseasy."

Easymarriage.Easydivorce.Dana,withherdreamsofreturnedloveandbabiestoraise,feltthepain
ofthosewordsallthewaythroughherheart.

"Anannulmentwillspareyouanyhintofscandalafterward,"hecontinued."Youcangetyourdegree
andfindsomeonetospendyourlifewith.Orpartofit,"headdedwithamockingsmile."Idon'tthink
anybodyhasillusionsaboutmarriagelastinguntildeaththesedays."

Herparentshaddivorced.Hankhaddivorced.ButDanahadseencoupleswho'dstayedtogetherand
beeninloveforyears.TheBallengerbrotherswiththeirhappymarriagescameinstantlytomind.

"I'mnotthatcynical,"shesaidafteraminute."AndIthinkthatchildrenshouldhavebothparents
whilethey'regrowingupifit'satallpossible.Well,"sheadded,"aslongasitisn'tadaily
battleground."

"Wasyourfamilylikethat?"heaskedgently.

Shenodded."Mymotherhatedmyfather.Shesaidhehadnoambition,nointelligence,andthathe
wasasdullasdishwater.Shewantedpartiesandholidaysallthetime.Hejustwantedtosettledown
withagoodbookandnibblecheese."

Shesmiledsadly,rememberinghim,andhadtofighttheeasytearsthatsprangsoreadilytohereyes.

"Don'tcry,"hesaidshortly.

Sheliftedherchin."Iwasn'tgoingto,"shesaidroughly.Sherememberedhimholdingherather
father'sfuneral,murmuringcomfortingwordssoftlyatherear.Buthehadlittlepatiencewith
emotion,asarule.

Hetookadeepbreath."I'llseteverythingupandletyouknowwhenwe'llgo,"hesaid.

Shewantedtoargue,butthetimehadlongpassedforthat.Shenodded.Hewaited,butwhenshedidn't
sayanythingelse,hewentbacktohiscar,gotinanddroveaway

Chapter3

LasVegassatrightinthemiddleofadesert.Danahadneverbeenthere,andthesightofitfascinated
her.Notonlywasitlikeaneoncity,buttheglitterextendedeventothepeoplewhoworkedatthe
nightspots.Danafoundthewaywomendressedonthestreetsfascinatingandalmostfelloutthe
windowofHank'shiredluxurycartryingtolookatthem.Itwasn'tuntilheexplainedwhattheydid
foralivingthatshegaveuphersurveillance.Itwasinterestingtofindthatwhattheydidwaslegaland
thattheycouldevenadvertisetheirservices.

"Hereweare,"hesaidgruffly,stoppingatoneoftheall-nightweddingchapels.

Itlookedflashy,butthen,sodidtherestofthem.Hankofferedheranarmbutsherefusedit,walking
besidehimwithherpursetightinherhand.Shewaswearingasimpleoff-whitesuit.Shedidn'thavea
veilorevenabouquet,andshefelttheiromissionallthewaytohertoes.Itwassoverydifferent
fromthewayshe'denvisionedherweddingday.

Hankdidn'tseemtonoticeorcare.Hedealtwiththepreliminaries,theysignedadocument,he
producedaringthatshedidn'tevenknowhe'dbought.Fiveminuteslater,theywereofficially
married,ring,coolkissandall.Danalookedupatherhusbandandfeltnothing,notevensorrow.She
seemedtobenumbfromheadtotoe.

"Areweflyingrightback?"sheaskedastheygotintothecaroncemore.

Heglancedather.Sheseemeddevoidofemotion.Itwasherweddingday.Hehadn'tgivenhera
choiceaboutherweddingring.Hehadn'tofferedtobuyherabouquet.Hehadn'tevenaskedifshe
wantedachurchwedding,whichcouldhavebeenarranged.He'dbeenlookingatthewholemessy
businessfromhisownpointofview.Danahaddeservedsomethingbetterthanthisicy,clinical
joining.

“Wecanstayatoneofthethemehotelsovernight,ifyoulike,andtakeinashow."

Shedidn'twanttoappeareager.Theonlyshowshe'deverseenwasatamovietheaterinVictoria.

"Well,"shesaidhesitantly.

"I'llintroduceyoutotheone-armedbandit,"headded,chucklingatherexpression.

"Ifyouthinkwecould,"shemurmured,andthatwasasfarasshewaswillingtocommitherself."But
Ididn'tpackanythingforanovernightstay."

"Noproblem.Thehotelhasshops."

Anditdid.Heoutfittedherwithagown,abagandeverythinginthewayoftoiletriesthatsheneeded.
Shenoticedthathedidn'tbuyanypajamas,butshethoughtnothingofit.Surelythey'dhaveseparate

rooms,anyway.

Buttheydidn't.Thereweretoomanyconventionsintown,andtheygotthelastsuitethehotelhad—
onewithaking-sizebedandashortsofa.

Hankstaredatthebedruefully."Sorry,"hesaid."Butit'sthisorsleeponthefloor."

Sheclearedherthroat."We'rebothadults.Andit'sonlyapapermarriage,"shestammered.

"Soitis,"hemused,buthisdarkeyeshadnarrowedastheyassessedherslender,perfectfigureand
herememberedthesightofherinthepasturewithherblouseopenandthefeelofherbreastspressed
hardintohisbarechest.

Sheglancedup,meetingthathot,intentstare.Sheflushed."I'mnothavingsexwithyou,Hank,"she
saidshortly.

Hiseyebrowswentup."DidIask?"hedrawledsarcastically."Listen,honey,thestreetsarefullof
primewomen,ifI'msoinclined."

Hereyesblazedathim."Don'tyoudare!"sheraged."Don'tyoudare,Hank!"

Hebegantosmile."Well,well,aren'twepossessivealready?"

"That'snotthepoint.Youmadeavow.Untilwehaveitundone,we'remarried."Shestaredather
shoes."Iwouldn'tgorunningtosomegigoloonmyweddingnight."

"Ofcourseyouwouldn't."Hemovedcloser,hishandsfindinghersmallwaist,andbroughthergently
tohim.Hisbreathfeatheredherforehead."Icanhearyoubreathing,"hewhispered."Nervous?"

Sheswallowed."Well...yes...alittle."

Hislipsbrushedherhair."There'snoneed.It'sabigbed.Ifyoudon'twantanythingtohappen,it
won't."

Shefeltdisappointedsomehow.Theywerelegallymarried.Shelovedhim.Didhereallynotwanther
atall?

Hetiltedherfaceuptohisdark,curiouseyes."Ontheotherhand,"hesaidsoftly,"ifyouwantto
knowwhatit'sallabout,I'llteachyou.Therewon'tbeanyconsequences.Andyou'llenjoyit."

Shefeltthewordstotheverytipsofhertoes.Butshewasn'tgoingtobewonoverthateasily,evenif
shedidwanthimmorethanhernextbreath.

"Nodice,huh?"hemusedafteraminute."Okay.Supposewegodownstairsandtryourluck?"

"Suitsme,"shesaid,anxioustogoanywhereawayfromthatbed.

Sotheywenttheroundsinthecasinoandplayedeverythingfromtheone-armedbanditstoblackjack.

TheglitterycostumesofthedancersonstagefascinatedDana,likeeverythingelseaboutthisfantasy
city.Sheateperfectlycookedsteak,watchedtheshows,andgenerallyhadawonderfultimewhile
Hanktreatedherlikeacherisheddate.Infact,that'swhatitwas.They'dneverbeenouttogetherinall
theyearsthey'dknowneachother.Duringthatoneeveningtheymadeupforlosttime.

Theyreturnedupstairsjustaftermidnight.Danahadgoneoverboardwithpinacoladas,theonedrink
shecouldtolerate.Butshe'dunderestimatedtheamountofrumthebartenderputinthem.Shewas
weavingatthedoor,toHank'spatentamusement.

Heslidthecodedcardintotheslotandwhentheblinkinggreenlightindicatedthatitwasunlocked,
heopenedthedoor.

"Homeagain,"hemurmured,standingasidetoletherenter.

Shetuggedupthestrapofherblackdressthathadslippedoffhershoulder.Liketherestofher
abbreviatedwardrobe,itwastheresultoftheafternoon'squickshoppingtrip.Inadditiontotheknee-
lengthcocktaildressandhose,shehadafartoorevealingblacknightgownandnorobe.Shehoped
Hankwasagreeabletolettingherundressinthedark.

"Youcanhavethebathroomfirst,"heinvited."I'lllistentothenews."

"Thanks."Shegatheredhergownandunderwearandwentintothebathroomtoshower.

Whenshecameout,Hankwassittingontheedgeofthebed.He'dremovedeverythingexcepthis
slacks.Hegotup,andshehadtosuppressashiverofpleasureatthesightofhimbarefromthewaist
up.Hehadmusculararmsandasexydarkchestwithawedgeofcurlingblackhairrunningdownit.
Hishairwasmussedanddownonhisforehead.Helookedrakishbecauseheneededashave.

"GoodthingIpackedmyrazor,"hemused,holdingupasmallpouchthathadbeenintheattachecase
healwayscarriedwhenhetraveled."Ihavetoshavetwiceaday."Hisdarkeyesslidoverherbodyin
theabbreviatedgown,lingeringwhereherarmswerecrosseddefensivelyoverthethinfabricthat
didn'tquitecoverherbreastsfromview."We'remarried,"heremindedher."AndI'veseenmostof
you."

Sheclearedherthroat."Whichsideofthebeddoyoulike?"sheaskedshyly.

"Theright,butIdon'tmindeitherone.Youcanhavefirstpick."

"Thanks."

Sheputherdiscardedclothingonachairandclimbedinquickly,pullingthecoversuptoherchin.

Heliftedaneyebrow."Stayjustlikethat,"hecoaxed,"andwhenIcomeout,I'lltellyouanicefairy
tale."

Sheglaredathimthrougharosyhaze."I'llprobablybeasleep.Ihaven'teverhadsomuchtodrink."

Henoddedslowly."Thatmaybeagoodthing,"hesaidenigmatically,andwentintothebathroom.

Shewasn'tasleepwhenhecameout.She'dtriedtobe,buthermindwouldn'tcooperate.Shepeered
throughherlashesandwatchedhimmovearoundtheroomturningoutlights.Hehadatowelhooked
aroundhishipsandasheturnedoutthelastlamponhissideofthebed,shesawhimunhookthe
towelandthrowitoverthebackofthevinyl-coveredchair.

Shestiffenedasheclimbedinbesideherandstretchedlazily.

"Icanfeelyoubristling,"hemurmureddryly."It'sabigbed,honey,andIdon'tsleepwalk.You're
safe."

Sheclearedherthroat."Yes,Iknow."

"Thenwhyareyoushivering?"

Herolledoverandmovedcloser.Shecouldfeeltheheatofhisbodythroughherthingown.She
trembledevenmorewhenhislonglegbrushedagainsthers.

"Shivering,"hecontinued,movingcloser,"andbreathinglikeanOlympicrunner."Heslidalongarm
underherandbroughtherslidingrightoveragainsthim."Ihaven'tforgottenthesignswhenawoman
wantsme,"hewhisperedashishandssmoothedthegownrightdownherbody."Andyouwantme,
Dana."

Shestartedtoprotest,buthismouthwasalreadycoveringhers.Heturnedandpulledhertohim,so
thatshefelthisnudebodyallthewaydownhers.Hewaswarmandhard,andeveninherinnocence
shewasawarethathewantedherbadly.

Hisleanhandssmoothedoverherflatbelly,tracingdowntothejunctureofherlonglegs.Histhumb
easedbetweenthemandhetouchedhersoftlyinaplacethatshehadn'tdreamedhewould.

Shejerked.

"No,"hesaidgently."Don'tpullback.Thisisn'tgoingtohurt.It'sonlygoingtomakeiteasywhenI
takeyou."Hisfingerswereslowandsensualandinsistent.Sheshivered,andthepressuregrew.His
mouthteasedoverherpartedlipswhilehetaughtherbodytoyieldtobuildingpleasure.

"Doesitfeelgood?"hewhispered.

"Yes,"shesobbed.

"Don'tfightit,"hebreathed.Hismouthsliddowntoherbreastsandexploredtheminasilencethat
grewtenseasthemovementofhishandproducedstaggeringsensationsthatarchedherbodylikea
bow.

Hewasdoingsomething.Itwasn'thisfingernow,itwaspartofhisbody,andhewaseasingdownand
pushing,penetrating...!

"Ithurts,"shewhisperedfrantically.

"Here,"hewhispered,shiftingquickly.Hemovedagain,andsheshivered,butnotwithpain."Yes,
that'sit,"hesaidquickly."That'sit,sweetheart!"

Shewasunconsciouslyfollowinghislead,lettinghimpositionher,buffether.Shefelthisskinsliding
againstherown,heardthesoftwhisperofitevenasthesensationsmadehermindspin.Shewas
makingsoundsthatshedidn'trecognize,deepinherthroat,andclingingtohimwithallherstrength.

"I...wish...!"shechoked.

"Wishwhat?"hebitoff,fightingforbreath."Whatdoyouwant?I'lldoanything!"

"Wish...thelight...wason,"shemanagedtosay.

"Oh,God..."hegroaned.

Hetriedtoreachthelightswitch,butjustatthatmoment,ashockofpleasurecaughthimoffguard
andbitintohisbodylikeasweet,hotknife.Hegaveupanythoughtofthelightanddroveagainsther
withallhismight,holdingherthrashinghipsasshewentwithhimonthespiralofpleasure.Heheard
hercryoutandthankedGodthatshewasabletofeelanything,becausehisonlysanethoughtwasthat
ifhedidn'tfindreleasesoon,hewasgoingtodie...

"Dana!"hecriedoutashefoundwhathecraved,shudderingandshudderingashegavehimselftothe
sweetnessofecstasy.

Herhandssoothedhimasshecamebackdownagain,shiveringintheaftermath.Shestrokedhishair
andhisnape,pressingtenderkissesonhischeeks,hiseyes,hisnose.

"Itwasgood,"shewhispered."Itwassogood,sosweet.Oh,Hank,doitagain!"

Hecouldn'tgetenoughbreathtolaugh."Sweetheart,Ican't,"hewhisperedhuskily."Notjustyet."

"Why?DidIdosomethingwrong?"sheaskedplaintively.

Heturnedhisheadandkissedhersoftmouth."Aman'sbodyisn'tlikeawoman's,"hesaidgently."I
havetorestforafewminutes."

"Oh."

Hekissedherlazily,stretchinghisstrainedmusclesanddrawingadeepbreathbeforehelacedher
closeagainsthimagainandsighed.

“Didithurtverymuch?''hemurmureddrowsily.

"Alittle,atfirst."Shestretchedagainsthim."Heavens,it'sjustlikedying,"sheremarkedwithwonder.
"Andyoudon'tcareifyoudie,becauseit'ssogood."Shelaughedwickedly."Hank,turnonthelight,"
shewhispered.

"Ithoughtyouwereaprude,"hetaunted.

"No,IthinkI'mavoyeur."Shecorrectedhim."Iwanttolookatyou."

"Dana!"

"Anddon'tpretendtobeshocked,becauseIknowyouaren't.I'llbetyouwanttolookatallofme,
too."

"IndeedIdo."

"Well,then?"

Heturnedonthelightandpeeledthecoversaway.Shelookedathimopenly,coloringjustalittleat
thesightofhisblatantnudity.Hedidn'tblush.Hestaredandstared,fillinghiseyeswithher.

"God,whatasight,"hemurmuredhuskily.Heheldouthisarms."Comehere."

Sheeasedintothem,felthimpositionherandlifther,andthenbringherdownoverhimtofitthem
togetherinaslow,sensualintimacy.

"Now,"hewhisperedhuskily,movinghishandstoherhips."Let'swatcheachotherexplode."

"Arewe...goingto?"shewhisperedback,movingslowlywithhim.

Henodded,becausehecouldn'tmanagewords.Hisblackeyessplinteredasthesensationsbeganto
buildalloveragain.Hislastsanethoughtwasthathemightneverbeabletogetenoughofher....

Hewasdistantthenextmorning.Danahadexpectedanewandwonderfulclosenessbecauseoftheir
intimacyinthenight,butHankwasquietandreservedinawayhe'dneverbeenbefore.

"Issomethingwrong?"sheaskedworriedly.

Heshrugged."Whatcouldbewrong?"Hecheckedhiswatch."We'dbettergetamoveon.Ihavean
appointmentintheofficelatethisafternoon,andIcan'taffordtomissit.Gotyourstufftogether?"

Shenodded,stillalittlebewildered."Hank...youaren'tsorryaboutlastnight,areyou?"sheasked
uneasily.

"Ofcoursenot!"hesaid,andforcedasmile."I'mjustinahurrytogethome.Let'sgo."

Andsotheyleftandwenthome.

Chapter4

Danapeeredagainatthethickgoldweddingringonherhand.They'dbeenbackinJacobsvillefor
twoweeks,andshewaslivinginhisbigsprawlingbrickmansionnow.Thehousekeeper,MissTilly,
hadbeenwithHaydenforalongtime.Shewasthinandfriendlyandsecretlyamusedatthehigh-
handedmannerHaydenhadmanagedhiswedding,butshedidn'tsayaword.Shecookedandcleaned
andkeptoutoftheway.

Danawasuneasyatfirst.Herbrand-newhusbanddidn'twearaweddingband,andshedidn'tliketo
suggestittohimforfearofsoundingpossessive.Butitmadeheruncomfortabletothinkthathedidn't
wanttoopenlyindicatehisweddedstate.Surelyhewasn'tthinkingofhavingaffairsalready?

Thatwasanaturalthought,becausedespitehisardorinLasVegasontheirweddingnight,hehadn't
touchedhersince.He'dbeenpolite,attentive,evenaffectionate.Buthehadn'ttouchedherasalover.
Hewaslikeafriendnow.He'dinsistedonseparatebedroomswithoutanyexplanationsatall,andhe'd
withdrawnfromherphysicallytothepointthathewouldn'teventouchherhand.ItworeonDana's
nerves.

Hisbehaviorbegantomakesensethenextmorning,however,whenTillywenttoanswerthedoorbell
andastrangecoupleenteredthehouseasiftheybelongedthere.

"Where'sHank?HesawBobatthebankandinvitedhimtolunch,"thewoman,astrikingbrunette,
announcedflatly."Didn'thesayhe'dbebackbythistime,Bob?"sheaskedthemucholder,slightly
baldingmanbesideher.Helookedpaleandunhealthy,andheshrugged,asifhedidn'tmuchcare.He
glancedatDanawithanapologeticsmile,butheseemedsappedofenergy,evenofspeech.

"Idon'tknowwhereheis.Ijustgothome,"Danasaid.Shewasveryconsciousofherappearance.She
waswearingjeansandbootsandadustyshirt,becauseshe'dbeendowntoherownplacetocheckon
hersmallherdofcattle.Shesmelledofhorsesandherhairwasn'tasneatinitsbraidasithadstarted
out.

"Andwhoareyou,thestablegirl?"thewomanaskedwithamockingsmile.

Danadidn'tlikethewoman'sattitude,heroverpolishedlook,orthereekofherexpensiveperfume
thatshemusthavebathedin.

"I'mMrs.HaydenGrant,"sherepliedwithcurtformality."Andjustwhodoyouthinkyouare,to
comeintomyhomeandinsultme?"sheaddedforgoodmeasure,withsparksinherblueeyes.

Thewomanwasshocked,notonlybythenameshe'dbeengiven,butbythatquickhostility.

Shefumbledherwords."I'mBettyGrant.Imean,BettyCollins,"sheamended,rattledandflushed."I
didn'tknowHank...hadremarried!Hedidn'tsayanythingaboutit."

"We'veknowneachotherforyears,butwe'veonlybeenmarriedafewweeks,"Danareplied,furious
atHankforputtingherinthispositionsounexpectedly.Hehadn'tsaidanythingabouthisex-wife
payingavisit."Tilly,showthemintothelivingroom,"shetoldthethinhousekeeper."I'msureHank
willbealong,"sheaddedcurtly."Ifyou'llexcuseme,Ihavethingstodo."Shesparedthemanasmile,
becausehehadn'tbeenimpolite,butshesaidnothingtoBetty.Herfeelingshadbeenlaceratedbythe
woman'sharshquestion.

Shewalkedtothestaircaseandmounteditwithoutabackwardglance.

"Sheisn'tverywelcoming,"Bettytoldherhusbandwithacoldglancetowardthestaircase.

"Shewasn'texpectingyou,"Tillysaidwithirritation.She'dneverlikedtheex-Mrs.Grantandshe
likedherevenlessnow."Ifyou'dliketowaitinhere,I'llbringcoffeewhenMr.Grantcomes."

Bettygavethehousekeeperanarrow-eyedlook."Youneverlikedme,didyou,Tilly?"

"IworkforMr.Grant,madam,"sherepliedwithdignity."Mylikesanddislikesareofconcernonlyto
him.AndtoMrs.Grant,ofcourse,"sheaddedpointedly.

AsthebloodwasseepingintoBetty'scheeks,thehousekeepersweptoutoftheroomandclosedthe
door.ShewentdownthehalltothekitchenandalmostcollidedwithHayden,who'dcomeintheback
door.

"Whoa,there,"hesaid,rightingher."What'sgotyousofiredup?"

"Yourex-wifejustslitheredin,withherhusband,"shesaidgrimly,noticingthepainedlookthe
statementbroughttohisface."She'salreadyhadabiteofMrs.Grant,whichshegotback,with
interest,"sheaddedwithasmile.

Hesuckedinhisbreath."GoodLord,IforgottophoneandtellDanaI'dinvitedthem.Isshevery
upset?"

"Well,sir,"Tillychuckled,"she'sgotatemper.Neverraisedhervoiceorsaidabadword,butsheset
Bettyrightonherheels.Bettyaskedifshewasthestablegirl."

Hisfacegrewcoldandhard."Howdoesshelook?"

"Dana?"

Heshookhishead."Betty."

"Shelooksveryrich,veryhaughtyandverypretty,justassheusedto."Shefrowned."Sir,youaren't
goingtoletherknockyouoff-balanceagain,areyou?"

Hecouldn'tanswerthat.ThememoryofBettyinhisbedhadtormentedhimeversincethedivorce,
despitetheecstasyDanahadgivenhimthatonenightthey'dhadtogether.

"No,"hesaidbelatedly."CertainlyI'mnotgoingtogiveheranyropetohangmewith."

"MightthinkabouttellingDanathat,"Tillymused."Shewon'ttakekindlytothekindofshockshejust
got.Especiallyconsideringthesleepingarrangementsaroundhere."

Heopenedhismouthtoreplyhotly,butshewasalreadythroughthedoorandintothekitchen.He
glaredafterher.Tilly'soutspokennesswasirritatingattimes.Shewasright,whichdidn'thelpthe
situation.

"Bringatrayofcoffeetothelivingroom,"hebellowedafterher.

Therewasnoreply,butheassumedthatsheheardhim.So,probably,hadhalfthecounty.

Hestrolledintothelivingroom,tryingnottothinkabouthowitwasgoingtoaffecthimtoseeBetty.
Hewasn'taspreparedashe'dthought.Itwasanuttershock.She'dbeentwentywhenshelefthim,a
flightygirlwholikedtoflirtandhavemenbuyherprettythings.Tenyearshadgoneby.Thatwould
makeherthirtynow,andshewasasprettyasever,moremature,muchmoresensuous.Theyears
rolledawayandhewashungryforthiswomanwho'dteasedhimandthentakenhimovercompletely.

Shesawhisreactionandsmiledathimwithherwholebody."Well,Hank,howareyou?"sheasked,
goingclose.

Withherhusbandwatching,shereachedupandkissedhimfullonthemouth,takinghertimeaboutit.
Shelaughedsoftlywhenhedidn'tdrawback.Shecouldfeelthetensioninhim,anditwasn'trejection.

Hehatedhavingherknowhowhefelt,buthecouldn'tresisttheurgetokissherback.Hedid,
thoroughly.Hisskillmusthavesurprisedher,becausehefelthergaspjustbeforeheliftedhishead.

"My,you'vechanged,lover!"sheexclaimedwithahuskylaugh.

Hesearchedhereyes,lookingforemotion,love.Butitwasn'tthere.Itneverhadbeen.Whateverhe
feltforher,Bettyhadneverbeenabletoreturn.Hervictorioussmilebroughthimpartiallybackto
hissenses.Tenyearswasalongtime.He'dchanged,sohadshe.Hemustn'tlosesightofthefactthat
despiteherexquisitebodyandseductivekisses,she'dlefthimforaricherman.AndnowHankwas
married.Danawashiswife,ineverysenseoftheword.

Heblinked.Forthespaceofsecondshe'dkissedhisex-wife,Danahadgonerightoutofhismind.He
feltguilty.

"Youlookwell,"hetoldBetty.HiseyesshiftedfromhertohisfriendBobinthedistance.Heheldout
hishand."Howareyou,Bob?"heasked,butwithoutthewarmthhecouldhavegiventhemanbefore
thedivorce.

Bobknewitandhissmilewasstrainedasheshooktheprofferedhand."I'mdoingallright,Iguess,"
hesaid."Slowingdownalittle,butit'stimeIdid.How'veyoubeen?"

"Prosperous,"Haydenrepliedwithafaint,mockingsmile.

"SoI'veseen,"theoldermansaidcongenially."You'vemadequiteastiramongbreeders,andIhear
oneofyourtwo-year-oldswilldebutthisyearatthetrack."

"That'sthelongandshortofit.How'sthepoultrybusiness?"

"I'vedivestedmyselfofmostofmyholdings,"Bobsaid.Hegrimaced."IwassobusytravelingthatI
didn'trealizeI'dlostcontroluntiltherewasaproxyfightandIlostit,"headded,withoutlookingat
Betty."ThenIhadaminorstroke,andevenmysharesweren'tworththetrouble.We'reliving
comfortablyondividendsfromvarioussources."

"Comfortablyishardlytheword,"Bettyscoffed."Butwe'vegotoneprizepossessionleftthatmayput
usintheblackagain.That'sonereasonwe'reheretoday."ShesmiledflirtatiouslyatHank,who
lookedveryuncomfortable,anddeliberatelyleanedbackagainsthisdeskinaseductivepose."When
didyougetmarried,Hank?Whenyouheardweweremovingbackhere?"

Hisfacehardened."That'shardlyamotivetogetmarried."

“Iwonder.Yournewbrideisfrightfullyyoung,andsheseemstopreferthegreatoutdoorstobeinga
hostess.Shewasn'tveryfriendly.Isshethelittlefarmgirlwhosefatherjustdied?She'snotevenin
yourleague,socially,isshe?"

"Oh,Iwouldn'tsaythat,"cameavoicefromthedoorway.

Hankturnedhisattentiontohiswifeanddidn'trecognizeher.Herblondhairwasdownaroundher
shoulders,cleanandbright,andshewaswearingasilksundressthatevenmadeBobstare.

Shewaswearingjustenoughmakeup,justenoughperfume.Hank'seyeswentdowntoherlong,
elegantlegsandhefelthiswholebodygorigidasherememberedhowitfelttokissher.Hisface
reflectedthememory,toBetty'sdismay.

Danawalkedin,herbodyswayinggracefully,andtookHankpossessivelybythearm.Shewas
delightedthatshe'dboughtthisdesignerdresstowearforHank.Theoccasionhadn'tarisenbefore,so
she'dsavedit."Ithoughtyou'dforgottentheinvitation,"shesaididly,glancingatBetty."We'reso
newlymarried,yousee,"sheaddedwithindulgentaffection.

Betty'sfacehadflushedagainwithtemper.Shecrossedherlegsassheleanedbackfurtherintothe
desk.Hereyesnarrowed."Verynewlymarried,wehear.IwasjustaskingHankwhytherush."

Danasmileddemurelyandherhandflattenedonherstomach."Well,I'msureyouknowhow
impetuousheis,"shemurmuredhuskily,anddidn'tlookup.

Thegesturewasenough.Bettylookedasifshemightchoke.

Hankwassurprisedathiswife'simmediategraspofthesituation,andherprotectiveinstincts.He'd
beenhorribletoher,andhereshewassavinghispride.He'dbeensettogorightovertheedgewith
Bettyagain,andherewasDanatodrawhimbacktosafety.Consideringhiscoolnesstohersincetheir
marriage,andspringingthissurpriseonhertoday,itwasdamneddecentofher.

Hisarmcontractedaroundherwaistandhesmileddownatherwithgenuineappreciation.“Achild
wasourfirstpriority,butwesortofjumpedthegun,"headded,lyingthroughhisteethashehelped
thingsalong."We'rehopingforason."

BoblookedwistfulwhileBettyfumed."I'dhavelikedachild,"hetoldthem."Itwasn'tonthecardsfor
us,though."

"Childrenareanuisance,"Bettymurmured."Littleirritationsthatgrow."

"Aren'tyouluckythatyourmotherdidn'thavethatopinion?"Danareturnedsmoothly.

Bettystoodup.She'dbeenexpectingapushover,andshewasgettingoneuntilthevenomouschild
bridewalkedinandupsethercart.Thingsweren'tgoingatallaccordingtoherplan."HasBobasked
youabouttheracehorse?HehopedyoumightbewillingtocomedowntoCorpusChristiwithusand
takealookathim,Hank,"shesaid,gettingstraighttothepoint."He'saprovenwinner,withgood
bloodlines,andwewon'trobyou.We'llmakeyouagoodprice."

Whyhadn'therealizedthatBettymighthavehadanulteriormotivewhenBobhadallbutinvited
himselfandBettyforlunch?He'dthoughtshe'dputBobuptoitbecauseshewantedtoseehimagain,
perhapsbecauseshe'dregrettedthedivorce.Butitwasjustlikeoldtimes.Shewasaftermoneyand
sawhimasawaytofeatherhernest—andBob's.Herbodyhadblindedhimagain.Angrilyhedrew
Danacloser."Idon'tthinkDanawouldfeeluptotravelingrightnow,"Hankreplied,continuingwith
thefictionofpregnancy.

"Wedon'thavetotakeherwithus,"Bettysaidcurtly.

Boblaughed."Betty,they'renewlyweds,"hesaidwithnoticeableembarrassment."Whatareyou
tryingtodo?"

"Thatwouldhavebeenmynextquestion,Mr.Collins,"Danarepliedquietly."AlthoughI'lltellyou
rightnowthatmyhusbanddoesn'ttravelwithoutme."Shecaughthishandinhers,andhewas
surprisedathowcolditwas,andhowpossessive.

“Oh,youdon'tsurelythinkI'mafteryourhusband,"Bettyscoffed."I...we...onlywanttoseeour
racehorseplacedingoodhands.NobodyknowsthoroughbredhorseslikeHank."Sheshiftedher
posture,foreffect.Shehadaperfectfigureandshedidn'tmindlettingitshowwheneverpossible,ifit
wastoherbenefit."Youmustbeveryinsecureinyourmarriage,dear,ifyoudon'ttrustyourhusband
outofyoursightwithamarriedwomanandherhusband.Andthat'sratherasadstatementaboutyour
relationship."

Danaflushed.ShecouldtellthatHankwassuddenlysuspicious.Helookeddownatherwithnarrowed
eyes,asifhe'dtakenBetty'staunttoheart.Andhishandwasdeadinhers,asifhefeltnothingwhenhe
touchedher.

Danafelthiswithdrawal.Shedrewherfingersaway.Somuchforthepretense,shedecided."Hank
andIhaveonlybeenmarriedfortwoweeks,"shesaid.

"Yes,dear,butifyou'repregnant,ithardlymeansyou'veonlybeensleepingtogethersinceyou
married,orcan'tIcount?"sheaskedpointedly.

WhichputDanabetweenarockandahardplace.Shecouldn'tadmitthatsheandHankhadonlyslept
togethersincetheirwedding,unlessshewantedtomakeherselfaliaraboutthepregnancy.She
glancedatHank,who'dstartedthefabrication,buthewasn'thelpinghernow.Infact,helookedasif
hehatedbeingtiedtoherwhenBettywaswithinhisgrasp.Herhusbanddidn'tseemtobejealousat
all.Itwasafrighteningthoughttoawomaninlovewithahusbandwhosemotivesforthemarriage
hadbeensuspectfromthestart,andwhohadadmittedthathestillfeltsomethingpowerfulforhisex-
wife.He'dsaid,too,thathehadnolovetoofferDana;onlyaffection.

"Besides,itisn'tasifI'mtryingtobreakupyourmarriage,"Bettycontinued."BobandIarein
terriblefinancialshape.That'sonereasonwe'rehavingtogiveupourholdingsalloverTexasand
ourracehorse.EvenifHankdoesn'twanttobuythehorse,hemightbeabletohelpusfindsomeone
who'llwanthim.Surelyyoudon'tbegrudgeusalittleadvice,foroldtimes'sake?It'sonlyCorpus
Christi,afterall,notsomeforeigncountry.Itwouldonlymeananightawayfromhome."

Hankwaswavering,soBettyadvancedonBobanddrapedherselfagainsthimwithaseductivesmile,
asifshewasmakinghimanoffer."Tellhim,honey,"shedrawledseductively.

Bob'sfaceburnedwithcolorashelookedatherandheshiftedrestlessly."Comeon,Hank,"hesaid.
"Thestablewherethishorseiskeptisrightdowntheroad,abouttenmilesfromwherewelive.We've
gotplentyofroom.Youcanspendthenightandcomebacktomorrow."Hesmiledweakly."Wereally
can'taffordtowaitanylonger.I'vehadsomehealthproblems,soIhavetogetthissettlednow.We
weregoodfriendsonce,Hank."

You'rebeingsuckered,Danawantedtoscream.She'susinghimtogettoyou,she'sbribinghimwith
herbodytocoaxyoudowntoCorpusChristisoshecanseduceyouintobuyingthathorse.

HankfeltDana'stension.Hiseyesnarrowedashelookeddownatherandrecognizedthejealousy,the
distrust.HewasfeelingmuchtoothreatenedalreadybyBetty,andhewaspuzzledbythestormy
indecisionhisownfeelingsbrewedinsidehim.Hefelttrappedbetweentwowomen,onewhomhe
wantedtothepointofmadnessandtheotherwho'ddiscardedhisheartandnowseemedtowanthim
again—despiteherhusband.

HeglancedfromDana'sset,angryfacetoBetty'scoaxingoneandfelthimselfwavering.

"Yourwifedoesn'thaveyouonaleashorsomething,doesshe?"Bettyaskedpointedly.

Thatdidit.

Chapter5

Maleprideasserteditself."Icanspareadayortwo,"HaydentoldBobwithameaningfulglaredown
intoDana'sflushedface."Afterall,we'recivilizedpeople.Andthedivorcewasyearsago.It'sstupid
toholdagrudge."

Bettybeamed.She'dwonandsheknewit."Whatanicethingtosay,Hank.Butyoualwayswere
sweet."

Danafeltleftout.Theothertwotookovertheconversation,andinnotimetheywererecallingold
timesandtalkingaboutpeopleDanahadnevermet.ShepouredthecoffeethatadisgruntledTillyhad
broughtonatray,withcake,andservedittotheguests.Butshemighthavebeeninvisible,forallthe
attentionHankpaidher.Afterafewminutessheexcusedherselfandlefttheroom,withoutbeing
realysurethathe'devennoticedherabsence.

TillywasheadedtowardthekitchenwithhertrayrightaheadofDana'sretreat,mutteringtoherself
aboutmenwhocouldn'tseetheirownnoses.NormallyTillyamusedDanabytalkingtoherself,but
shewasfartoopreoccupiedtodaytonotice.

Shewentupthestairstotieroomsheoccupiedaloneandbegantopack.IfHankwasgoingaway,so
wasshe.She'dhadenoughofbeinganextrapersoninhislife,inhishouse.Ifshe'dhadanyhopesthat
hemightonedaylearntoloveher,they'dbeenkilledstonedeadwiththearrivalofhisex-wife.
Anyonecouldseehowhestillfeltabouther.Hewassobesottedthathehadn'tevennoticedDanaonce
Bettyflashedthatfalsesmileathim.Well,lethimleavewithhisex-wife,onwhateverpretextheliked,
andgoodlucktohim!

Ittookhertenminutestopack.Shethrewoffthesundressandputonjeansandaknittopandher
boots.Shebraidedherhairandlookedinthemirror.Yes,thatwasmorelikeit.Shemighthavebeena
societygirlonce,butnowshewasjustapoorrancher.Shecouldlookthepartifsheliked,andHank
surelywouldn'tmissherifsheleft,notwhenBettywasready,willingandable.

Apparentlyitdidn'tmatteratalltoHankthatBettywasstillmarried,avaricious,andonlyusingHank
tomakeaprofitonthathorse.Godknewhecouldaffordtobuyit,andthewomanlookedasifshe
wouldn'tmindcomingacrosswithalittlepaymentinkindtoreimbursehim.

Shewasgoingthroughdrawerstomakesureshehadn'tleftanythingwhenthedooropenedandHank
walkedin.

He'dexpectedtofindhercrying.Shehadasensitivenatureandhe'dbeenunkindtoher,especially
downstairsinfrontoftheirguests.Betty'sremarkshadmadehimfeellikeapossessionofDana's,and
he'dreactedinstinctivelybyshuttingDanaout.Nowhewassorry.Hisconsciencehadnippedhim
whenshewalkedoutwithsuchquietdignity,withoutevenlookingathim,andhe'dcometofindher,
tocomforther,toapologizeformakingherfeelunwelcome.Butapparentlyitwasgoingtotakea

littlemorethananapology,ifthosesuitcaseswereanyindicationofherintentions.

"Goingsomewhere?"heaskedpolitely,andwithoutasmile.

"I'mgoinghome,"shesaidwithquietpride."YouandIbothknowthatthiswasamistake.Youcanget
adivorcewheneveryoulike.Thewillonlyrequiredapapermarriage.Thepropertyisnowmineand
IpromiseyouthatIwon'tsellittoanyenterprisethatmightthreatenyourhorses."

Hehadn'tbeenpreparedforthis.Hestaredatherwithmixedfeelings.

"It'sabighouse,"hesaid,becausehecouldn'tthinkofanythingelsetosay.

"YouandTillywon'tmissme.She'sbusywithdomesticthingsandyou'reneverhere,anyway."She
didn'tmeethiseyesasshesaidthat,becauseshedidn'twanthimtoseehowmuchhisfrequent
absenceshadmadeherfeelunwanted."IthoughtImightgetadog."

Helaughedcoldly."Toreplaceahusband?"

"Itwon'tbehardtoreplaceahusbandwhowon'tevensleepwithme...!"Shestoppeddead,cold,asshe
realizedthatthedoorwasstandingopenandBettywasrightthere,listening.

Herabruptcessationofconversationandherhorrifiedgazecausedhimtoturn,too.

Bettywasn'tevenembarrassed.Shesmiledvictoriously."Iwaslookingforabathroom.SorryifI
interruptedanything."

"Thebathroom'sdownthehall,asyouknow,thirddoorontheright,"Hanksaidshortly.

"Thankyou,darling."HereyessweptoverthesuitcasesandDana'spaleface,andshesmiledagainas
sheleftthem.

Hank'sfacehadnoexpressioninitatall.Danapickeduphersuitcase."I'lltakethiswithme.Ifyou
wouldn'tmind,couldyouhaveoneofthemendropofftherestofmythings?I'vestillgotmyBronco
inthegarage,Ihope?"

"Ihaven'tdoneanythingwithit."

"Thanks."

Shewalkedpasthim.Hecaughtherarm,feelingthestiffness,thetensioninher.

Hisbreathwaswarmathertemple."Don't,"hesaidthroughhisteeth.

Shecouldn'taffordtoweaken,tobecaughtupinsomesordidtriangle.Bettywantedhim,andhe'd
alwayslovedherandmadenosecretofit.Danawasanextrapersoninhislife.Shedidn'tfit.

Herdarkblueeyesliftedtohisbrownones."Pityisn'tagoodreasontomarry.Neitherisbreakinga
will.Youdon'tloveme,anymorethanIloveyou,"sheadded,lyingthroughherteeth,becauseshe'd

alwayslovedhim.Hereyeslowered,"Idon'twanttostayhereanymore."

Hishanddroppedherarmasifitwasdiseased."Getout,then,ifthat'swhatyouwant.Ineverwould
havemarriedyouinthefirstplaceexceptthatIfeltsorryforyou."

Herfacewasevenpalernow."Andthere'sthewayyoufeelaboutyourex-wife,"shereturned.

Hestaredatherblithely."Yes.There'sBetty."

Ithurttohearhimadmitit.Shewentpasthimwithoutlookingup.Herbodywasshaking,herheart
wasburstinginsideher.Shedidn'twanttoleavebutshehadnochoice,ithadbeenmadeforher.Even
asshewentdownthestaircase,shecouldhearBetty'ssoftlyquestioningvoiceasshespoketoHank.

Danaheadedforthefrontdoor,andavoicecalledtoherfromthelivingroom.

"GoodLord,youaren'tleaving,areyou?"Bobasked,aghast."Notbecauseofus?"

Shestaredathimwithoutexpression."Yes,I'mleaving.You'reasmuchavictimasIam,Iguess,"she
said.

Hismouthopenedtorefuteit,andthesadnessinhiseyeskilledthewords.Heshruggedandlaughed
shortly."IguessIam.ButI'velivedwithitfortenyears,withtakingBettyawayfromHankwithmy
checkbook.Funnyhowlifepaysyoubackforhurtingotherpeople.Youmaygetwhatyouwant,but
thenyouhavetolivewithit.Somechoicescarrytheirownpunishment."

"Don'ttheyjust?"shereplied."Solong."

"Shedoesn'treallywanthim,"hesaidsoftly,sothathisvoicedidn'tcarry."Shewantsawaytoliveas
highasweusedto,onanunlimitedbudget.I'velostmybankrollsoI'vebecomeex-pendable.It'shis
moneyshewants,nottheman.Don'tgiveupifyoulovehim."

Sheliftedherchin."Ifhelovedme,I'dstay,I'dfighthertomylastbreath,"Danareplied."Buthe
doesn't.I'mnotbraveenoughtohavemyhearttornoutbytherootseverydayofmylife,knowing
thathelooksatmeandwantsher."

Bobwinced.

"That'swhatyou'vedonefortenyears,isn'tit?"shecontinuedperceptively."You'remuchbraverthan
Iam,Mr.Collins.Iguessyoulovehersomuchthatitdoesn'tmatter."

"Itisn'tlove,"hesaidcoldly,withthemostutterself-contemptshe'deverheardinaman'svoice.

Shesighed.Theneedsofmenwerealienandinexplicabletoher."Iguesswe'rebothoutofluck."She
glancedtowardthestaircasewitheyesthatgrewdarkwithpain."WhatafoolIwastocomehere.He
toldmehehadnothingtogiveme.Nothingexceptwealth.Whatanempty,emptylifeitwouldhave
been."

BobCollinsscowled."Moneymeansnothingtoyou,doesit?"heasked,asifhecouldn'tcomprehend

awomanwantingapoorman.

Shelookedathim."AllIwantedwasforhimtoloveme,"shesaid."There'snoworsepovertythanto
bebereftofthat,fromtheonlypersonyoucareaboutintheworld."Shemadealittlefaceandturned
away."Takecareofyourself,Mr.Collins."

Hewatchedhergo,watchedthedoorclose,likethelidonacoffin.Oh,youfool,hethought,youfool
Hank,togiveupawomanwholovesyoulikethat!

Danasettledbackintoherhousewithoutanygreatdifficulty,exceptthatnowshemissedmorethan
justherfather.ShemissedHank.Hehadn'tbeenhomemuch,probablybecausehewasavoidingher,
butatleasthe'dgivenhertheillusionofbelongingsomewhere.

Shelookedatherbarehandsasshewasheddishes.She'dlefttheringsbehind,bothofthem,onher
dresser.Shewonderedifhe'dfoundthemyet.Shehadnoreasontowearweddingringswhenshe
wasn'tawifeanymore.Hankhadmarriedherbecausehedidn'twantBettytoknowhowhefeltabout
her.Buthisex-wifewassoeagertohavehimbackthatablindmancouldseeit.He'dnevermadeany
secretofhisfeelingsforBetty.Whatanirony,thathiswifeshouldcomebacknow,ofalltimes,when
Danamighthavehadsomelittlechancetowinhisheart.Bettyhadwalkedinandtakenhimover,
withoutastruggle.ShewonderedifshecouldeverforgetthelookinHank'sdarkeyeswhenhe'd
staredathisex-wifewithsuchpainandlonging.Hestilllovedher.Itwasimpossiblenottoknowit.
HemighthaveenjoyedsleepingwithDana,butevenso,he'dnevershownanygreatdesiretorepeat
theexperience.

Sheputawaythedishesandwenttowatchtheeveningnews.Herfatherhadlikedthistimeoftheday,
whenhewasthroughwithwork,whenthey'dhadanicemealandhecouldsitwithhiscoffeeand
listentothenews.HeandDanawoulddiscusstheday'seventsandthenturnoffthetelevisionand
read.She'dmissedthatatHank'seleganthouse.Itwasemptyandcold.Thetelevisionwasinhisstudy,
notinthelivingroom,andshe'dneverfeltcomfortabletrespassingintheretowatchit.Shehadnone
ofherownfavoritebooks,andhiswereallabouthorsesandlivestockandgenetics.Heread
biographies,too,andthereweresomehardcoverbestsellersthatlookedasifthey'dneverbeen
openedatall.

Hankdidn'tmaketimetoreadforpleasure,shesupposed.Mostofhismaterialseemedtobebusiness-
related.

Shecurledupinherfather'sarmchairwithtearsstinginghereyes.Shehadn'tgivenwaytotearsinall
thetimeshe'dbeenmarried,andshewasn'tgoingtocaveinnow,either,butshefeltentitledtoexpress
alittlemiserywhiletherewasnoonetoseeher.

Shedabbedattears,wonderingwhyHankhadtriedtostopherfromleavingsincehe'dsaidhedidn't
wantheranymore.Maybeitwasthethoughtofendingtheirbriefmarriagesosoon.Itwouldbehard
ontheprideofamanlikethattohavefailedmorethanonceasahusband.

Afterawhile,shegotupandturnedonamovie.Itwasoneshe'dseenhalfadozentimesbutsheonly
wantedthenoiseforcompany.Shehadtoconsiderwhatshewasgoingtodofortherestofherlife.

Atthispoint,shewascertainthatshecouldn'tgoontryingtokeepthewolffromthedoorwhileshe
foughttomaintainthesmallcattleranch.Shedidn'thavetheworkingcapital,theproperfacilitiesor
themoneytotradeformorelivestock.Thebestwaytogowouldbetojustsignthewholethingover
toHankbeforeitbankruptedher,andusethetrustfundhermotherhadgivenhertopayforacollege
education.Withthat,shecouldfindajobandsupportherself.Shewouldn'tneedhelpfromanyone;
leastofallfromareluctanthusband.TherewasnoalimonyinTexas,butHankhadaconscienceand
he'dwanttoprovideforherafterthedivorce.Shewantedtobeabletotellhimshedidn'twantit.

Herplanstemporarilyfixedinhermind,sheturnedherattentiontothemovie.Itwasnicetohave
thingssettled.

HaydenGrantdidn'thaveanythingsettled,leastofallhismind.HewasonthewaytoCorpusChristi
withBobandBetty,onlyhalflisteningtotheradioashefollowedbehindthecouple,theyintheir
Mercedes,heinhisLincoln.

Hecouldhavegoneinthecarwiththem;somethinghethoughtBettywassecretlyhopingfor.Buthe
wantedtobealone.Hisex-wifehadfouledeverythingupwithheruntimelyreappearance.Hertaunts
hadcausedhimtobecrueltoDana,who'dhadnothingfromhimexceptpain.He'dforcedherinto
marriagewhethershewanteditornot,seducedherinafeverofdesire,andthenbroughtherhome
andliterallyignoredherfortwoweeks.Lookingback,hecouldn'texplainhisownirrational
behavior.

Sincethenighthe'dbeenwithDana,hisonlythoughthadbeenofhowsweetitwastomakeloveto
her.Hehadn'tdreamedthathecouldwantanyonesomuch.Buthisfeelingshadfrightenedhim
becausetheyweresointense,andhe'dwithdrawnfromher.Betty'sinterventionhadbeenthecoupde
grace,puttingawallbetweenhimselfandDana.

Butdesirewasn'ttheonlythinghefeltforhisyoungwife,andforthefirsttimehehadtoadmitit.He
rememberedDanaattheageofsixteen,cuddlingawoundedpuppythatsomecruelboyhadshotwith
arifleandcryingwithangerassheinsistedthatHankdrivehertothevet's.Thepuppyhaddied,and
Hankhadcomfortedtheyounggirlwhoseheartsoundedasifitmightbreak.Danahadalwaysbeen
likethataboutlittle,helplessthings.Herheartembracedthewholeworld.Howcouldhehavehurther
so,awomanlikethat?

Hegroanedoutloud.Hewonderedifhe'dlosthisreasonwithBetty'sreturn.He'ddreadeditbecause
hethoughthewasstillinlovewithBetty.Hewasn't.HeknewitquitesuddenlywhenhesawDanawith
tearsinhereyesandhersuitcaseinherhand.Danahadlivedwithhimfortwoweeks,andhehadn't
eventouchedhersincetheirweddingnight.Hethoughtofitwithincredulity.Nowherealizedwhat
hisbehaviorhadmasked.He'dbeenafraidoffallingsodeeplyinlovewithherthatitwouldbeasit
hadbeenwithBetty.ExceptthatDanawasn'tmercenary.Shewantedhim,andseemedtobeashamed
offeelingthatway.Butshehadatenderheart,andshe'dcaredabouthim.Ifhe'dtried,hemighthave
madeherlovehim.Thethought,oncedreaded,wasnowtheessenceofheaven.

Itwastoolate,though.He'dletherleaveandhewouldn'tbeabletogetherback.He'dlosther.What
thehellwashedoingdrivingtoCorpusChristiwithtwopeoplehedidn'tevenlike?

Ashethoughtit,herealizedthattheywerealreadydrivingintoitscitylimits.Itwastoolatetoturn
backnow.He'ddowhathe'dpromised,hethought,butafterthat,hewasgoinghometoDana.
Whateverittook,hewasgoingtogetherback.

Ifonlyithadbeenthateasy.They'dnosoonergottenoutofthecarattheCollins'swhitebrick
mansionwhenBobgroanedandthenfell.Hediedrightthereonthegreenlawnbeforetheambulance
couldgettohim,despiteHank'sbesteffortstorevivehim.He'dhadanotherstroke.

BettywenttopiecesandHankfoundhimselfintheironicpositionofarrangingafuneralforhisex-
wife'ssecondhusbandandhisformerfriend.

Backhome,DanaheardaboutBobCollins'sdeath;itwasallovertheradio.He'dbeenaprominent
maninthestate'spoultryindustryandwaswell-knownandliked.Hisfuneralwasverybigandmany
importantpeopleattendedit.DanasawnewspaperclippingsofHanksupportingthegrievingwidow.
Shecouldn'timaginethatcold-eyedwomangrievingforherhusband.IfBettywascrying,itwas
becauseBob'slifeinsurancepolicyhadprobablylapsed.

Danachidedherselfforheruncharitablethoughtsandthrewthenewspaperintothetrash.Well,one
thingwascertain,HaydenGrantwouldbeaskingforadivorcesothathecouldremarrythewoman
hereallyloved.IfBettywaswhathewanted,heshouldhaveher.Danarememberedwhatshe'dsaidto
BobCollinsaboutnotwantingtoeatherheartoutfortherestofherlifewithamanwhowanted
someoneelse.PoorBob,who'ddoneexactlythat,steadfastly,fortenlongyears.Danaofferedasilent
prayerforhim.Atleastnowperhapshewouldhavepeace.

Twolongweekspassed,withnowordfromHank.Thenextmorning,Danawenttoseethefamily
lawyerandaskedhimtoinitiatedivorceproceedings.Itwouldmeandippingintohersmalltrustfund
topayforit,butthatdidn'tmatter.ShewantedHanktobehappy.

"Thisisn'twise,"theattorneytriedtoadviseher."You'vebeenupsetandsohashe.Youshouldwait,
thinkitover."

Sheshookherhead."I'vedoneallthethinkingIcareto.Iwantthedeedsmadeupformysignature
anddeliveredtoHank,alongwiththedivorcepapers.I'mthrowinginthetowel.Betty'sfreenowand
Hankdeservesalittlehappiness.Godknowshe'swaitedlongenoughtogetherback."

Theattorneywincedashelookedatthevulnerable,palewomansittinginfrontofhim.She'd
suffered,judgingbythethinnessofherfaceandthoseterribleshadowedblueeyes.Hecouldn't
imagineamancrazyenoughtoturndownalovethatviolentandselfless.Butifshewasright,that's
exactlywhatHaydenGranthadalreadydone.Hesighedinwardly.Talkaboutthrowinggoldawayin
favorofgloss!Somemenjustdidn'tknowtheirluck.

"I'llhaveeverythingreadybytomorrowmorning.You'reabsolutelysure?"

Shenodded.

"Thenconsideritdone."

Shethankedhimandwenthome.Thehousewasveryemptyandshefeltthesame.Therewouldbea
newlifeaheadofher.Shewasclosingaveryfirmdoorontheoldone,startingtomorrow.That
thoughtwasfixedfirmlyinherminduntilthemorningcameandshebegantothrowupasifshewere
dying.Shemadeittotheattorney'sofficetosignthepapers,butshewastoosicktotravel.

Fearfulthatshehadsomevirusthatwouldpreventherplanstomove,shemadeanappointmenttosee
Dr.LouColtrain,anewlymarriedmemberofthelocalmedicalcommunity.

Louexaminedher,askedpertinentquestionsandbegantowhistlesoftlywhileDanalookedather
withhorror.

"Itmusthavebeensomeweddingnight,"Lousaid,tongueincheek,"becauseyou'veonlybeen
marriedamonthandIknowHaydenGrant.Hewouldn'thavetouchedyouuntiltheringwasinplace."

"Lou,you'reawful!"Danagroaned,flushing.

"Well,I'mright,too."Shepattedtheyoungerwomanontheshoulder."It'stwoweekstooearlyfor
teststotellusanythingpositive.Comebackthen.Butmeanwhile,youwatchwhatmedicationsyou
takeandgetplentyofrest,becauseI'veseentoomanypregnanciestomistakeone.Congratulations."

"Thanks.Butyou,uh,won'ttellanyone,right?"Danaaskedgently.

"Yoursecretissafewithme."Thedoctorchuckled."Wanttosurprisehim,Iguess?"

"That'sright,"Danasaidimmediately,thinkingwhatasurpriseitwouldhavebeen.

"Comebackandseemeintwoweeks,"Lourepeated,"andI'llsendyoutoJackHowardupin
Victoria.He'sthebestobstetricianIknow,andit'salotcloserthanHouston."

"Thanks,Lou."

"Anytime."

Danawenthomeinacloudoffearandapprehensionandjoy.Shewasalmostcertainlypregnant,and
hermarriagewasintatters.Butsheknewwhatshewasgoingtodo.Firstshehadtofindherwayto
Houston,getanapartmentandfindajob.She'dhandedthedeedstoherfather'spropertyandthe
divorcepetitionovertotheattorneyfordisposition.Presumably,he'dhavealreadyforwardedthemto
HankinCorpusChristiincareofthebereavedMrs.Collins.She'dburnedherbridgesandtherewas
nogoingback.

UnawareofwhatwasgoingoninCorpusChristi,DanasetoutforHoustonthenextmorning,
painfullyworkingoutafuturewithoutHankwhileatallmanwithshockeddarkeyeswasserveda
divorcepetitionandcursedheruntilhewenthoarse.

Hankjerkedupthephone,oblivioustoBetty'sshockedstare,anddialedthephonenumberofthe
attorney,whowasalsoafriendofhis.

"Luke,whatthehell'sgoingon?"hedemanded,shakingthedivorcepapersatthereceiver."Ididn't
askherforthedeedstotheranch,andIsureashelldon'trememberaskingforadivorce!"

"There,there,oldfellow,calmdown,"Lukesaidfirmly."Shesaiditwasthebestthingforbothof
you.Besides,you'regoingbacktoBettyanyway."

"Iam?"heasked,shocked.

"That'swhatDanatoldme.Seehere,Hank,you'rethrowingoveragoodwoman.Sheneverthought
ofherselfonce.Itwaswhatyouwanted,whatyouneededtomakeyouhappythatsheconsideredwhen
shearrangedallthis.Shesaiditwouldgiveyouaheadstartonallthehappinessyou'dmissedouton
tenyearsago,andshewasgladforyou."

"Gladforme."HelookedatthepapersandglancedirritablyatBetty,who'dbeenpracticing
bereavementfortwoweekswhiletryingtoentangleHankinherwebagain.Shehadn'tsucceeded.He
wasuntanglingBob'sfinancesforher,andtheywereinonemajormess.Ithadtakentimehedidn't
wanttospendhere,butforBob'ssakehe'dmanagedit.Nowheonlywantedtogohomeandreclaim
hiswife,buthewasholdingproofthatshedidn'twanttobereclaimed.

"Sheknewyou'dbehappytohavethematterdealtwithbeforeyoucameback,"hecontinued."Listen,
ifyoudon'tcontestthedivorce—andwhyshouldyou,right?—Icangetitthroughinnotime."

Hankhesitated,breathingdeliberatelysothathewouldn'tstartswearingatthetopofhislungs.The
wordsonthepagesblurredinhissightasherememberedthelasttimehe'dseenDana.Hementally
replayedthecruel,hatefulthingshe'dsaidtoher.Nowondershewasdivorcinghim.Shedidn'tknow
howhefelt;he'dnevertoldher.Shethoughthehatedher.Whatalaugh!

"Canyouholditbackforafewweeks?"heaskedtheattorney."I'vegotsomethingstountangledown
hereforBob'swidow,andIcan'tgetbackhomeforaweek,possiblylonger."

"Ican,butshewon'tlikeit,"Lukesaid.

"Don'ttellher."

"Hank..."

“Don'ttellher,''herepeated.''LeaveitaloneuntilIgetback."

Therewasaheavysigh."Ifsheasksme,point-blank,Iwon'tlietoher."

"Thenmakesureshedoesn'thavetheopportunitytoaskyou."

"I'lltry."

"Thanks."

Hehungup.Hefeltsick.God,whatamesshe'dmadeofhislife!

Bettysidledcloseandleanedagainsthisarm,wearingawispynegligee."Poorolddear,isshe
leavingyou?"sheaskedsoftly."I'msorry.Whydon'tyoucomeupstairswithmeandI'llkissyou
better?"

Helookedatherasifhehadn'theardcorrectly."Betty,yourhusbandwasburiedweekbeforelast,"he
said.

Sheshrugged."He'drunoutofmoneyandhewasbarelyabletogetaroundbyhimself."Shesmiled
inashallow,childlikeway,andherealizedthatshewasjustthat—childlike.Shehadnodepthof
emotionatall,justasetofwantsandneedsthatshesatisfiedthebestsheknewhow,withherbody.
He'dlivedwithherfortwoyears,achedforherfortenmore,andhe'dneverknownthesortof
personshereallywasuntilhebecameinvolvedwithDana.Nowhecouldseetherealdifference
betweenthetwowomen.

Heremovedherhandfromhisarm."Ihavesomethingstofinish,"hetoldher."We'lltalklater.
Okay?"

Shesmiled."Okay,lover."

Chapter6

IttookallofanothertendaysforHaydentowrapuptheoddsandendsofBob'slifeandgethis
affairssafelyintothehandsofagoodlocalattorney.Bobhadanattorney,butthemanhadbeen
evasiveandalmostimpossibletolocate.Finallyithadtakenthethreatoflitigationtogethimtoturn
overneededdocuments.Andafterward,theman—whohadadegreeinlawfromaninterestingbut
unaccreditedlawschooloverseas—hadvanished.ItwasnowonderthatBobhadlostmostofhis
money.Thecharlatanhadembezzledit.Fortunatelytherewouldbeenoughleft,addedtothelife
insurance,tokeepBettyfairlysecureifshewascareful.

Itwasonlyasheexplainedthingstoherandsherealizedthathewasn'tgoingtoproposemarriage
thatshecameapartforreal.

"Butyouloveme,"sheexclaimed."Youalwayshave.Lookathowquicklyyoumarriedthatchildjust
soIwouldn'tthinkyouwerecarryingatorchforme!"

"Itmighthavestartedthatway,"herepliedquietly."Itdidn'tendthatway.Ican'taffordtoloseher
now."

"Oh,she'sgotmoney,Iguess."

Hefrowned."No.Shehasn'tadimeintheworld.Doyoualwaysascribemercenaryreasonstoevery
decision?"

"OfcourseIdo,"shesaid,andsmiledfaintly."Securityisthemostimportantthingintheworld.I
didn'thaveanythingwhenIwasachild.Iwenthungrysometimes.Ipromisedmyselfitwouldnever
happentome."Shemadeanawkwardgesturewithhershoulder."That'swhyIleftyou,youknow.
YouwereheadingintodebtandIwasscared.Ididloveyou,inmyway,buttherewasBobandhehad
alotofmoneyandhewantedme."Shesmiled."Ihadnochoice,really."

"Idon'tsupposeyoudid."HewasrememberingthatDanahadnothing,andshewasgivinghimthe
onlythingofworthinherpossession,thosedeedstotheland,sothathewouldn'tfacethethreatof
somedangerouslynoisyneighbor.Hecouldhavekickedhimselfforlettingherwalkoutofthehouse
inthefirstplace.

"Ifeltsortofsorryforher,"sheaddedthoughtfully."Sheisn'tsophisticated,isshe?Shewasafraidof
me."Hereyebrowsmet."Whywon'tyousleepwithher?"

Heavertedhereyes."That'snoneofyourbusiness."

"Itis,inaway.Youwon'tsleepwithme,either.Why?"

Hegrimaced."Idon'twantyou,"headmittedreluctantly."I'msorry."

"Youusedto,"sherecalled."Youwantedmeallthetime.IthoughtitwasgoingtokillyouwhenI
walkedout."

"Itdamnedneardid.Butthingshavechanged."Hiseyesweresadandquiet."Iamsorry,Betty.For
yourloss,foreverything."

"Bobwasn'tabadman,"shesaid."Iwasfondofhim.IguessI'llmisshim,inaway."Shelookedup.
"You'resureaboutnotwantingme?"

Henodded.

Shesighedandsmiledagain."Well,that'sthat.AtleastI'llhaveenoughmoneytomakeendsmeet,
thankstoyou.AndI'mstillyoungenoughtomakeagoodthirdmarriage!"

Onthatnote,hesaidhisgoodbyesandwentbacktothemotelwherehe'dbeenstaying.Itfeltniceto
havetheweightofBetty'sdisastrousfinancesoffhisshoulders,althoughhe'denjoyeduntanglingthe
mess.Nowhewasgoingtogohomeandworkonhisownproblems.

Helookedatthedivorcepetitionandthedeedsandhiseyesnarrowed.Danahadwastednotimeatall
turningovertheranchtohim.Hebegantofrown.Wherewasshegoingtolivewithoutherhouse?

Hepickedupthephoneanddialedtheattorney'snumber,buthewastoldthatLukewasincourtona
caseandcouldn'tbereached.Reallyworriednow,hedialedtheMobryranchnumber.Itrangtwice
andthelinewasconnected.Hestartedtospeak.Justashedid,amechanicalvoiceinformedhimthat
thenumberhadbeendisconnected.

Frustratedandworried,hisnextcallwastohisownhouse,wherehefoundTilly.

"Allright,whatthehell'sgoingon?WheredidDanago?"hedemandedwithoutpreamble.

"Shewouldn'tletmecallyou,"Tillysaidstiffly."Ibegged,butshewouldn'tbudge.Igavemyword.
Couldn'tbreakit."

"Whereisshe?"

"She'sleft,"camethetersereply."SaidyouhadthedeedsandthatJoeandErniewouldkeepwatch
overtheplaceuntilyoumadeotherarrangements,butyou'dhavetopaythem."

"Oh,tohellwiththeranch!"hesnapped."Whereisshe?"

"Tookacabtothebusstation.GotthebustoHouston.Idon'tknowwhereshewentfromthere."

Hoperaiseditshead."Houston!Tilly,you'reawonder!"

"There's,uh,somethingelse.ThenursewhoworksforDr.LouColtrainisacousinofmine.Seems
DanawenttoseeLoubeforeshelefttown.Ifyoudon'tfindherprettysoon,you'regoingtobe
lookingfortwopeopleinsteadofone,"shesaid,andhungup.

Hestaredatthetelephoneblanklyandfeltalltheblooddrainingoutofhisface.Danawaspregnant?
Hecountedbacktotheirweddingnightandrealizedthatneitherofthemhadeventhoughtabout
precautions.HisDanawasgoingtohaveababy,andshe'dlefthim!Whatanidiothe'dbeen!

Hecalledtheairport.Houstonwasagoodplacetostart,thankstoTilly,who'dsavedhimhoursof
tracking.Butitwasabigcity,andhedidn'tevenknowwheretostart.Hecursedhimselfforevery
painfulthinghe'deversaidtoher.Itcouldn'tbetoolatetoconvinceherhowmuchhecared,itjust
couldn't!

HesoonrealizedhowimpossibleitwasgoingtobetolocateDanainHouston.Shehadalittlemoney,
butitwouldsoonrunoutifshedidn'tgetajob.Hehadtofindherquickly,sohewentstraighttoone
ofthebetter-knownHoustondetectives,andtoldhimeverythingheknewaboutDanaincludinga
description.

"Doyouhaveaphotoofyourwife,Mr.Grant?"DaneLassiteraskedthemanacrossthedeskfrom
him.AformerTexasRanger,Danehadbuilthisagencyfromscratch,andnowithadafinenational
reputationfordoingtheimpossible.

ThequestionstartledHank,whohadn'texpectedit.Helookeduncomfortable."No,"hesaid.

Theothermandidn'tcomment,buthiseyesweresteadyandcurious.Nowonder,becausethetable
behindLassiter'sdeskcarriedafamilyphotoofthedetective,hisattractivewifeandtwoyoungsons
wholookedjustlikehim.

"We'renewlyweds,"Haydenfeltconstrainedtoexplain."Itwasaquickmarriage."

Danedidn'tsayaword.Hewasbusywritingthingsdown."Didsherunaway,Mr.Grant?"heasked
suddenly,andhisblackeyespinnedtheotherman.

Haydentookasharp,angrybreath."Yes,"hesaidthroughhisteeth."IdidsomethingstupidandI
deservetoloseher.ButIdon'tthinkIcanstandto,justthesame."Heleanedforwardandrestedhis
forearmsonhissplayedlegsinadefeatedposition."Andshe'spregnant,"headdedthroughhisteeth.

Hank'spredicamentsoundedveryfamiliartoDaneLassiter.Heknewallaboutpregnantwomenwho
ranaway.

"We'llfindher,"Danetoldtheman,notsodistantnow."You'vegivenussomegoodleads,we'llcheck
themout.WherecanIreachyou?"

Haydengavethenameofalocalhotel."I'llbehereuntilIhearfromyou,"headded,andhehadthe
lookofamanwhoplannedtostaythereuntiltheturnofthecenturyifthat'showlongittook.

"Okay.I'llgetrightonit."Hestoodupandshookhands."Womenneedalotoftenderness.Theyget
hurteasily,andtheykeepsecrets,"hesaidsurprisingly."Butifithelps,youlearnhowtocopewithit
afterawhile."

Haydensmiled."Thanks."

Daneshrugged.Hesmiledback."I'vebeenmarriedalongtime.Nobodystartsoutinparadise.You
sortofhavetoworkuptoit."

"I'llrememberthat.IhopeIgetthechancetofindoutfirsthand."

IttooktwodaysforDanetotrackDanatoasmallboardinghouseoutsideHouston.Duringthattime,
Haydenlostsleepandthoughttorturouslyofallthethingsthatcouldhavehappenedtohiserrant,
pregnantwife.Itdidn'timprovehistemper,orhisheartache.

WhenDanecalled,hewasoverthemoon.HewastednotimeatallgettingtoMrs.Harper'sBoarding
House,butwhenhepulledupatthefrontstepsintheLincolnhe'drentedattheairportonhisarrival
inHouston,hedidn'tknowquitewhattosay.Hestaredatthebigwhitehousewithlongingand
apprehension.Hiswifewasinthere,butshedidn'twanthim.She'dtriedtodivorcehim,hadmoved
hereandshe'dmadeagoodefforttoeraseherpresencefromhislife.Shehadn'tevensaidawordto
himaboutherpregnancy.Howdidhetalktoher,whatdidhesaytocanceloutallthehurtshe'ddealt
her?

Hegotoutofthecarandapproachedthehouseslowly.Hisstepsdragged,becausehedreadedwhat
wascoming.Hewentupandrangthedoorbell.Aplump,smilingelderlywomanopenedthedoor.

"MayIhelpyou?"sheaskedpolitely.

"I'mHaydenGrant,"hesaidinasubduedtone."Mywifeliveshere,Ibelieve.HernameisDana."

"MissMobryisyourwife?"sheasked,puzzled."ButI'msureshesaidshewasn'tmarried."

"She'sverymuchmarried,"hereplied.Heremovedhiscream-coloredStetson,belatedly,andletthe
handholdingitdroptohisside.'I’ldliketoseeher."

Shegnawedonherlip,frowning."Well,she'snothereatthemoment,"shesaid."Shewenttoseethat
newadventuremovieplayingattheshoppingcenter.WithMr.Coleman,thatis."

Helookedvaguelyhomicidal."Who'sMr.Coleman?"heaskedshortly.

"Heliveshere,too,"shestammered,madenervousbytheblackglitterofhiseyes."He'saverynice
youngman..."

"Whichshoppingcenterandwhichmovie?"hedemanded.

Shetoldhim.Shedidn'tdarenotto.

Hestompedbacktohiscar,slammedintoitandskiddedonhiswayoutthedriveway.

"Oh,dear,oh,dear,"Mrs.Harpermumbled."IwonderifIshouldn'thavementionedthatDavidis
elevenyearsold..."

SadlyunawareoftheageofDana's"date,"Hankdrovetotheshoppingcenter,parkedthecarandwent
straighttothetheater.Asluckwouldhaveit,thefeaturewasjustending,sopeoplewerepouringout

ofthreeexits.Hestood,glaring,untilhespottedDana.

Shewastalkingtoasmallboyinabaseballcap,herfaceanimated,smiling.Hisheartjumpedashe
watchedhercomeoutofthebigbuilding.Helovedher.Hehadn'tknown.Hehonestlyhadn'tknown.
Hisheartacceleratedwildly,buthiseyesbegantoglowfromwithin,quietandwatchfulandadoring.

Danawastoofarawaytoseehisexpression.Butshespottedhimatonceandstoppeddeadinher
tracks.Theboywassayingsomething,butshewasn'tlistening.Herfacewasstarkwhite.

Hankapproachedher,alerttoanysuddenmovement.Ifshetriedtorun,he'dhaveherbeforeshegot
threesteps.

Butshedidn'trun.Sheliftedherchinasifinpreparationforbattleandherhandsclenchedthesmall
purseshewasholdingagainstthewaistofherdenimskirt.

"Hello,Dana,"hesaidwhenhewaswithinearshot.

Shelookedathimwarily."Howdidyoufindme?"sheasked.

"Ididn't.Adetectiveagencydid."

Shelookedpaler."Isignedallthenecessarypapers,"shetoldhimcurtly."You'refree."

Hestuckhishandsdeepintohispockets."AmI?"

DanaturnedtoDavidandhandedhimafive-dollarbill."Whydon'tyougobackinthereandplaythe
arcademachineforaminuteortwowhileIspeaktothisman,David?"sheasked.

Hegrinned."Sure,MissMobry,thanks!"

Hewasoffatalope.

"Soyoucamewiththeboy,notwithsomeotherman,"Hankmurmuredabsently.

Sheflushed."AsifI'dtrustmyownjudgmentaboutmeneveragain!David'smotherisatwork,soI
offeredtotreathimtoamovie."

"Youdolikekids,don'tyou?"heasked,andhiseyeswereverysoftastheyfelltoherwaistline.
"That'sfortunate."

"Thatisn'twhatI'dcallit,"shesaidstubbornly.

Hesighed.Hedidn'tknowwhattosay,butthiscertainlywasn'ttheidealplacetotalk."Look,suppose
yougofetchtheboyandwe'llgobacktoyourboardinghouse?Didyoudrivehere?"

Sheshookherhead."Wegotacitybus."Shewantedtoargue,buthelookedasifhewasgoingtodig
hisheelsin.Shecouldn'tunderstandwhyhewashere,whenBettywasfree.Perhapsthat'swhathe
wantedtoexplain.Sheseemedtohavenochoicebuttodoashesaid,forthetimebeing,atleast.

"Acitybus!"hemuttered,andinhercondition!Buthedidn'tdarementionthatheknewabouther
pregnancy.Notyet."Gettheboy,"hesaidshortly."I'lltakeyouhome."

ShewenttofindDavid,andHankdrovethembacktotheboardinghouse.Davidthankedherand
desertedher.Mrs.Harperhovered,butahardglarefromHankdispatchedhersoonenough.

HeclosedthedoorbehindherandsatdownintheonechairinDana'sroom,whilesheperchedonthe
bedalittlenervously.

"Where'sBetty?"shewantedtoknow.

"InCorpusChristi,Iguess,"hesaid."I'malone."

"Youwon'tbealoneforlong,"sheremindedhim."You'regettingmarriedagain."

"I'malreadymarried,"hesaidquietly."Ihaveayoungandveryprettywife."

Sheflushed."Idivorcedyou."

Heshookhishead."Istoppedit."

"Why?"sheaskedmiserably,hereyeseloquentinafacelikericepaper."Youdon'thavetostay
marriedtomenowthatshe'sfree!"

Hewinced.Hereachedoverandtouchedhercheek,butshejerkedawayfromhim.

Heavertedhisfaceandstareddownatthefloor."Idon'twanttoremarryBetty."

Shestaredathisavertedfeatures,unconvinced."You'venevergottenoverher,Hank,"shesaidsadly.
"Yousaidyourselfthatpartofthereasonyoumarriedmewassoshewouldn'tknowhowyou'd
grievedsinceshedivorcedyou."

"MaybeitwastheoldstoryofwantingwhatIcouldn'thave,orthegrassbeinggreenerontheother
sideofthefence,"heventured.

Shedrewinalongbreath."Ormaybeitwasjustthatyouneverstoppedlovingher,"sheadded,and
theeyesthatsearchedhiswerewistfulandsad."Oh,Hank,wecan'tlovetoorder.Wehavetosettlefor
whatwecanhaveinthislife."Hereyeswenttothefloor."I'llgobacktoschoolandworktowardmy
degreeandI'llbehappy."

Hiseyessliduptohers."Withoutme?"heaskedbluntly.

Shewasn'tsurehowmuchheknew.Sheblinkedandgatheredherscatteredwits."Doesn'tBettywant
tomarryyou?"sheaskedsuspiciously.

"Morethanever,"heaffirmed.

“Thenwhat'stheproblem?''

"Itoldyou.TheproblemisthatIdon'twanttomarryher."

"Idon'tunderstand,"shesaiduneasily.

Hesmiledwistfully."Iusedtoenvyothermentakingtheirsonsoncampingandfishingtripswith
them.IneverthoughtImighthaveoneofmyown.Butagirlwouldbenice,too.Iguessgirlscanfish
andhuntaswellasboyscan,ifthey'resoinclined."Hiseyesliftedtohers."Youliketoshoot,asI
recall."

"Idon'tliketohunt,"shereplied,uneasyatthewayhewastalkingaboutkids.Hecouldn'tpossibly
know...Heshrugged."I'llteachyoutoshootskeet."

"Okay,butIwon'tcookthem."

Hechuckled."Concretewon'ttenderize."

"Iknowwhataskeettargetismadeof."Shedrewinanotherbreath.Thewayhewastouchingher
madehertoestingle."Bettymightchangehermindabouthavingachild."

Heshookhishead."Andevenifshedid,shewouldn'twantitorloveit.Youwill.You'llwantourkids
andspoilthemrottenifIdon'twatchout."Hiseyeslifted."Tilly'salreadylookingforwardtoit.She's
boughtafoodprocessorsoshecanmakefreshbabyfoodforhim."

Sheflushed."She'sjumpingthegun."

"No,sheisn't,"hesaidwithagrin."Tilly'skintoDr.LouColtrain'sofficenurse."

"Oh,myGod!"shesaidinaburst.

Heshrugged."SoIknow.Theworldwon'tendbecauseyoudidn'ttellme."Hiseyesdarkened."I'm
sorrythatImadeitsoroughonyouthatyoudidn'tfeelyoucouldtellme."

Sheglaredathim."I'mnotgoingback."

Hisshouldersseemedtofall."IknowI'vemadealotofmistakes,"hesaid."Youhavetomake
allowances.Untilacoupleofweeksago,IthoughtIwasstillinlovewithmyex-wife.Ihadtogetto
knowheragaintorealizethatshewasanillusion.TherealityofBettywasprettyharsh,afteryou."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Don'tyou?"Hesighed."Well,Dana,IsupposeImadeanidolofheraftersheleft.Theonethatgot
awayisalwaysbetterthananythingthat'sleft."

"Youdidn'tactlikesomeonewhowasn'tinlovewithhisex-wife,"sheremindedhimasallthepainful
thingshe'dsaidtoherreturnedinaflashoffanger.

"AllittookwastwoweeksinCorpusChristitocureme,"hereturned.Heleanedforwardwithhis
forearmsrestingonhiskneesandstaredatthefloor."She'sshallow,"hesaid,glancingatDana.

"Shallowandselfishandspoiled.AndI'dbeenawayfromhersolongthatIforgot.Itcuttheheartout
ofmewhenIrealizedthatyouwentawaybecauseyouthoughtIwantedBettyinsteadofyou.I'msorry
forthat."

"Youcan'thelpwantingsomeoneelse..."

"Iwantyou,Dana,"hesaidwithaquizzicalsmile.

Sheclaspedherhandshardatherwaist."You'rejustmakingthebestofit,aren'tyou?Youknowabout
thebabyandhowIfeelaboutyouandyou'resorryforme."

Hisheartjumped."Howyoufeel?"heprompted.

"YouknowthatI’minlovewithyou,"shesaid,avoidinghispenetratinggaze."ThatIhavebeensince
Iwasseventeen."

Hisheartwasn'tjumpinganymore,ithadstopped.Hebarelycouldbreathe.Hecertainlywasrobbed
ofspeech.

Shejerkedoneshoulderassheassumedhissilencewasoneofregretforhersake,becausehehad
nothingtogiveher."Shameful,isn'tit?Iwasstillakid.Icouldn'tevenletboyskissme,becauseIkept
thinkingaboutyou.I'velivedlikeanunalltheseyears,waitingandhoping,andithastohappenlike
this...youhavetobeforcedintomarriagejustwhenyourex-wifeisfreeagain."

Hehadn'tknownthatshelovedhim.He'dknownshewantedhim,whichwasaverydifferentthing
altogether.Hewasstunnedforamoment,andthenoverwhelmed,overjoyed.

"I'msorry,"shesaidonalongbreath."Iguesswe'rebothtrapped."

"You'llneedsomematernityclothes,"heremarked,clearinghisthroat."Thingstowearwhenwegive
parties.Afterall,I'marichman.Wewouldn'twantpeopletothinkIcouldn'taffordtodressyou
properly,wouldwe?"

Shefrowned."I'mnotcomingback..."

"Wecanturnthatthirdguestroomintoanursery,"hecontinued,asifshehadn'tspoken."It'snext
doortothemasterbedroom,andwecanleavethedooropenatnight.I'llgetamonitor,too,"headded
thoughtfully."Soifthebabyhasanyproblemsatnight,itwillsetoffanalarmnexttoourbed.Orwe
couldgetanurseforthefirstmonthortwo.Wouldyoulikethat?"

He'dmadeherspeechlesswithplans."Ihaven'tthoughtaboutanyofthat,"shestammered.

"Don'tyouwantasettledlifeforourbaby,withamotherandfatherwholovehim?"hepersisted.

Hecutthegroundrightoutfromunderherwiththatlastquestion.Whatcouldshesay?Ofcourse,she
wantedasettledlifefortheirchild.ButifHankstilllovedBetty,whatkindoflifewould

itbe?

Hereyesmirroredallherworries.Hetouchedhercheek,andthensmoothedbackherdisheveledhair.
“IwastryingtoliveinthepastbecauseIdidn'thavemuchofapresent,orafuture,unlessyoucount
makingmoney.That'snolongertrue.Ihavesomethingtolookforwardtonow,somethingto
challengeme,keepmegoing."Hesmiled."IguessTillywillmakememiserableforaweek,paying
mebackforthewayItreatedyou.Iwon'tbeallowedtoforgetonerottenthingIsaidtoyou,andshe'll
burnthebananapuddingeverytimeIaskhertomakeit."Hesighed."Butitwillbeworthit,ifyou'll
justcomehome,Dana.Tilly'sallaglowatthethoughtofhavingababyinthehouse."

"We'vealreadydiscussedthis,"shebegan.

Hebentanddrewhislipstenderlyacrosshers."Notreally,"hemurmured."Openyourlipsalittle,I
can'ttasteyoulikethis."

"Idon'twa..."

"Ummm,that'sit,"hewhisperedgently,anddeepenedthekiss.

Sheforgotwhatshewastryingtothinktosaytohim.Herarmscurleduparoundhisneckandshelet
himliftheroverhislegs,sothathecouldholdhergentlyacrosshisbody.Hewasgentleandslow,
andverythorough.Whenhefinallyliftedhishead,shecouldn'tthinkatall.

"I'mgoingtolikebeingafather,"heassuredher."Iwon'tmindsittingupwithyouwhenhe'steething
orgivingbottlesorchangingdiapers."

"That'snice."

Hesmiled."Doyouhavealottopack?"

"Justafewskirtsandblousesandshoes.ButIhaven'tsaidI'mgoingwithyou."

"What'sholdingyouback?"heaskedgently.

"Youhaven'texplainedwhyyoudon'twantBettyback."

"Oh.That."Heshrugged."Idon'tloveher.I'mnotsureIeverdid.Iwantedher,butthere'sabig
differenceinlustandlove."

"Areyousure?"

"ConsideringthesortofmanIam—andIthinkyouknowmeprettywellbynow—doyouthinkI'm
capableofmakinglovetoonewomanwhenI'minlovewithsomeoneelse?"

Shesearchedhiseyes."Well,no,Idon'tthinkso.You'reprettyold-fashionedlikethat."

Henodded."SohowcouldIhavemadelovetoyousocompletelythatonetimeifI'dreallybeenin
lovewithBetty?"

"I'msuremostmenwouldn'thaverefusedsomethingthatwasoffered."

"We'retalkingaboutme.WouldI?"

Shegrimaced."No."

“Thatbeingthecase,makinglovetoyouwassomethingofadeclarationofmyfeelings,wasn'tit?"

Itwas.Shecaughtherbreath."Oh,mygoodness.Ineverconsideredthat."

"NeitherdidIuntilIwaswellonmywaytoCorpusChristi,"headmitted."Icalleditguiltand
remorseandmisplacedemotion,Ideniedittoyouandmyself.Butintheend,IcamebackbecauseI
lovedyou.Andyouweren'tthere."Hesmiledsadly."Ithoughtyou'dfightBetty.Ineverexpectedyou
torun."

"Ididn'tthinkyouwantedme.Womenonlyfightwhentheyknowthey'reloved.Ididn't."Shesearched
hiseyes,fascinated."Idon'tguessyou'dliketo...sayit?"

Hegrimaced."Notreally."

"Oh."

"ButIcould.Ifitmattersthatmuch."Helookeddownatherstomach."Iguesskidsliketohearit,too,
don'tthey?"

Shenodded."Allthetime."

Heclearedhisthroat."Okay.Givemeaminutetogetusedtotheidea."

Shesmiledwithexcitementandgrowingdelight."Youcanhaveasmuchasyouneed."

"Okay.I...loveyou."

Hereyebrowsrose.

"Iloveyou,"herepeated,andthistimeitsoundedasifhemeantit.Hestareddownatherwithwonder.
"ByGod,Ido,"hewhisperedhuskily."Withallmyheart,Dana,evenifIdidn'trealizeit."

Shemovedcloserandslidherfaceintohishotthroat,curlingintohimlikeakitten."Iloveyou,too,
Hank."

Hesmiledcrookedly,staringpastherheadtothedoor.Hehadn'texpectedittobesoeasytoconfess
hisdeepestemotions.He'dneverdoneitbefore,notevenwithBetty.Hisarmscontracted."Iguess
we'renotthefirstpeoplewhoeverfellinlove."

"Itfeelslikeit,though,doesn'tit?"sheaskeddrowsily."Oh,Hank,Iwishmydadwasstillalive,so
he'dknow."

Chapter7

Thebabywasbornattwoo'clockinthemorning.Tillysatintheemergencyroomcubicleinherrobe
andslippers,herhairincurlers,glaringatthedisheveledmanacrossfromherwhowassittingup,
pale-faced,ontheexaminationtablethankingthedoctorforhisnewson.

"It'saboy!"heexclaimedwhenthedoctormovedoutofsight."AndDana'sfine!Icanseeherassoon
astheybringheroutoftherecoveryroom!"

"Yousawheralready,"shemutteredathimandcockedaneyebrowathisredface."Justbeforeyou
fainted..."

"Inever!"hesaid."Itrippedoverthatgowntheymademewearinthedeliveryroom!"

"Theonethatonlycametoyourknees?"sheaskedknowingly."Danawaslaughingsohard,shedidn't
evenhavetopush.Thebabyjustpoppedrightout."

"I'vehadahecticnight,"hebegandefensively.

"Sure,denyingthatitwaslaborpains,rightupuntilherwaterbroke.'It'sjustfalselabor,sweetheart,
you'reonlyeightmonthsandthreeweeksalong,'yousaid.Andtherewewere,rushinghertothe
hospitalbecauseyouwereafraidtowaitforanambulance,meinmynightgown,too!Andthenweno
soonergetherintothedeliveryroomwhenyouseethebabycomingoutandfaintdeadaway!"

Heglaredather."Ididn'tfaint,Itripped...!"

Sheopenedhermouthtoarguejustasanursepeekedaroundthecorner."Mr.Grant,yourwifeis
askingforyou."

"I'llberightthere."

"Areyoufeelingallrightnow?"sheasked.

"1tripped,"hesaidfirmly.

ThenurseandTillyexchangedamusedglances,buthedidn'tseethem."Yes,sir,Iknowyoudid,but
wecan'toverlookanyfallinahospital."

"Sure.Iknewthat"

Hefollowedthenursedownthehalluntilshestoppedataprivateroomandstoodasidetolethim
enter.

Danawassittingupinbedwiththeirsoninherarms,tearsofpurejoyinhereyesasshewatchedthe
nursestuffHankintoagownandmask.

"Hospitalrules,"hemuttered.

"Yes,sir,butallforbaby'sprotection,andweknowyoudon'tmind,"sherepliedwithagrin.

Hechuckled."Ofcoursenot."

Shetiedthelasttieandlefthimwithhissmallfamily.

"Areyouokay?"sheasked.

Henodded."Justalittleshaky,andIdidnotfaint,"headded.

"Ofcourseyoudidn't,darling,"sheagreed."ComeseewhatI'vegot."

Shepulledbacktheflannelandexposedaperfectlittleboy.Hiseyesweren'tevenopenjustyet,andhe
lookedtiny.

"He'sgoingtogrow,isn'the?"Hankaskedworriedly.

"Ofcourseheis!"

Hetouchedthetinyhead,fascinated.Thebabywassmallerthanhe'dexpected,sofragile,sonew.
Tearsstunghiseyesashelookedathisveryownson.

Secondslater,thetinymouthopenedandbegantocry.Danachuckledasshefumbledwiththegown
andgotitoffoneshoulder,exposingafirm,swollenbreast.WhileHankwatched,spellbound,she
guidedthetinymouthtoahardnippleandcaughtherbreathashebegantosuckle.

Flushed,shelookeduptofindanexpressionofpurewonderonherhusband'sface.

"Iknowwetalkedaboutbottlefeeding,"shebegan.

"Forgetwesaidaword,"hereplied.Hestoodoverher,hiseyessofulloflovethattheysparkledwith
it."Ihopeyoucandothatforayearorso,becauseIlovewatchingit."

Shelaughedalittleself-consciously."Ilovefeelingit,"sheconfessed,strokingthetinyhead."Oh,
Hank,we'vegotababy,”shebreathedecstatically."Areal,live,healthylittleboy!"

Henodded.Hewastoochokedforspeech.

"Iloveyou."

Hetookasteadyingbreath."Iloveyou,honey,"hereplied.Hiseyessearchedhershungrily."Withall
myheart."

"Mypaperhusband,"shemurmured.

"Remembering?"heteased."Me,too.ButIfeelprettyfleshandbloodrightnow."

“Youlookit,too."Shedrewhimdownandkissedhimthroughthemask."Haveyouforgottenwhat
dayitis?"

Hefrowned."Well,inalltheexcitement..."

"It'syourbirthday!"

Hiseyebrowsarched."Itis?"

"Yes,itis."Shegrinnedathim."Likeyourpresent?"sheadded,noddingtowardthebabyfeedingat
herbreast.

"Iloveit,"hereturned."DoIgetoneoftheseeveryyear?"heteased.

"Iwon'tmakeanypromises,butwe'llsee."

"That'sadeal."

Tillyjoinedthemminuteslater,stillinhergownandrobewithherhairincurlers.

"GoodLord,haven'tyougonehomeyet?"Hankasked,aghast.

Shegavehimanamusedgrin."How?"

"Youcould..."hepursedhislips."Nomoneyforacab,andyoucan'tdrive."

"Gotit."

Helookedsheepish."I'lldriveyouhomerightnow."HebentandkissedDanaandhischild."I'llbe
backassoonasIdropoffTilly.Anythingyouwantmetobringyou?"

Shenodded."Strawberryicecream."

"I'llbebackinaflash!"

Andhewas.Foryearsafterward,thesmallhospitalstafftalkedaboutthedayyoungDonaldMandel
Grantwasborn,whenhisprouddadsatisfiedDana'scravingforstrawberryicecreambyhavinga
truckloadofthemostexpensivemadedeliveredtothehospital.Danasaidthatitwasashametheir
babywastooyoungtoenjoyit,butHankpromisedthathewouldn'tmissout.Hankhadjustpurchased
anicecreamcompany,andhewaswaitingfortheirson'sfirstbirthdaypartywithpureglee!

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