Table of Contents

Cover Page

Excerpt

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Epilogue

Copyright

“Many Me.”

Megan realized that her jaw must have dropped, because she suddenly became aware of the fact that her mouth was dry. Her thoughts raced around in her head like a rioting crowd of protesters.

Travis Kane was suggesting she marry him? Travis Kane?

“Marry you?” she finally repeated weakly.

“I know you think I’m crazy,” he replied hurriedly, “but just hear me out. We’ll treat it like a business arrangement. We’ll set a time limit—say for one year. At the end of that time we’ll review the situation, decide if we want to continue the partnership. If we don’t, well—who knows what will have happened by then.”

He flashed that killer smile of his and she could feel herself succumbing to his reasonable tone…

Dear Reader,

We all know that Valentine’s Day is the most romantic holiday of the year. It’s the day you show that special someone in your life—husband, fiancé…even your mom!—just how much you care by giving them special gifts of love.

And our special Valentine’s gift to you is a book from a writer many of you have said is one of your favorites, Annette Broadrick. Megan’s Marriage isn’t just February’s MAN OF THE MONTH, it’s also the first book of Annette’s brand-new DAUGHTERS OF TEXAS series. This passionate love-story is just right for Valentine’s Day.

February also marks the continuation of SONS AND LOVERS, a bold miniseries about three men who discover that love and family are the most important things in life. In Reese: The Untamed by Susan Connell, a dashing bachelor meets his match and begins to think that being married might be more pleasurable than he’d ever dreamed. The series continues in March with Ridge: The Avenger by Leanne Banks.

This month is completed with four more scintillating love stories: Assignment: Marriage by Jackie Merritt, Daddy’s Choice by Doreen Owens Malek, This Is My Child by Lucy Gordon and Husband Material by Rita Rainville. Don’t miss any of them!

So Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Reading!

Lucia Macro

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Silhouette Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

Megan’s Marriage
Annette Broadrick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ANNETTE BROADRICK

believes in romance and the magic of life. Since 1984, when her first book was published, Annette has shared her view of life and love with readers all over the world. In addition to being nominated by Romantic Times as one of the Best New Authors of that year, she has also won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best in its Series for Heat of the Night, Mystery Lover and Irresistible; the Romantic Times WISH award for her heroes in Strange Enchantment, Marriage Texas Style! and Impromptu Bride; and the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Awards for Series Romance and Series Romantic Fantasy.

One

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

The sudden sound of a voice when she thought she was alone startled Megan O’Brien, causing her to sway. She grabbed the wooden frame of the windmill she was repairing to regain her balance before she looked down the fifty feet or so to the ground.

A late model pickup truck sat several hundred feet away. The relentless wind bringing spring to the central hills of Texas must have muffled the sound of the engine. Otherwise, Megan would have had some warning that she was no longer alone on that part of the family ranch.

However, no warning could have effectively prepared her for the sudden sight of the man standing directly below her, his Stetson shoved to the back of his head, his hands braced against his slim hips. Travis Kane was the last person she wanted to find glaring up at her while she clung precariously to the outdated relic that provided water—when it worked—to the cattle pastured on this section of the Circle B Ranch.

She stared at him with a sense of dread and frustrated dismay, wondering what Travis Kane was doing on the ranch. What could he possibly want with her?

“You got something against living to see your next birthday, woman?”

Anger at his high-handed, arrogant and demanding attitude shot through her. Who did he think he was, anyway, criticizing her, yelling at her? She rested her forehead against a crossbar, fighting to control the strong surge of emotion.

What more could happen for her to have to deal with? She sighed in disgust. For the past several weeks she’d been battling first one calamity, then another. She felt like a punchdrunk fighter, reeling from one disaster to another, unable to successfully cope with any of them.

The frozen gears of the windmill had been one more thing that had to be faced. When she’d discovered there was no water in the holding tank, she’d wondered just how many more things could happen. Well, now she knew. Travis Kane could show up.

Megan couldn’t think of anyone she’d less rather see than the neighbor who’d spent most of their lives delighting in making her life miserable. Well, he didn’t need to worry. Trying to run the ranch on her own had certainly added to her woes over the years, all without his help. She didn’t need any more aggravations, thank you very much.

She glanced back at the rusted gears. The piece was shot—past being repaired. Somehow, she’d have to scrape up the money to buy a replacement part. The cattle had to have water out there, no question about it.

With a shrug at the silent question of where she might find some spare change for the part, she gave up her task for the moment. Concentrating on her footing, Megan began the long climb down the side of the wooden structure to the man whom she’d thought a scourge during her childhood.

“Couldn’t you find an easier way to kill yourself than breaking your blasted neck?” he growled near her ear once she was within range. He wrapped his hands around her waist and swung her to the ground.

As soon as her booted feet touched the ground, she pulled away and turned to face him. From this position, she had to look up at the tall, dark-haired male who had spent their childhood causing her nothing but grief and frustration. She’d known him all her life—twenty-four years. Their families operated neighboring ranches.

The unexpected presence of Travis Kane was all she needed to complete a perfectly rotten day, that capped off a worse month and an abysmal year. She hadn’t seen him in over two years. Twenty years would have been even better.

“What are you doing here? What do you want?” she asked, lifting her straw hat from her head and running her fingers through her short blond hair.

Although it was only April, the hot Texas sun was already causing her to perspire, despite the brisk breeze. She could feel a trickle of moisture slide down the valley between her small breasts.

Megan resettled her hat and watched him through narrowed eyes, waiting for some answers. She didn’t have any time to waste on the man.

Despite his obvious irritation, Travis responded with a reluctant lopsided smile and shook his head. He tilted his hat forward so that it now sat low on his forehead, drawing her reluctant attention to his unforgettable eyes. They shone from beneath the shadowed brim with a resilient and mocking good humor, their deep purplish blue color reminiscent of the bluebonnets that covered Texas during a moist spring. Unfortunately Texas hadn’t seen enough moisture in much too long.

“Well, howdy to you, too, sweetheart,” he drawled, eyeing her grimy coveralls and worn shirt with the torn-out sleeves. “It plumb touches my heart to witness your excitement and enthusiasm at seein’ me after all this time.” He leaned against the windmill and propped- a booted foot against one of the upright supports. “Can’t you drum up a little neighborly affection for an ol’ friend, honey?”

Megan peeled off her work gloves and shoved them into a back pocket of her coveralls. “You always were a pain in the posterior, Kane. I can’t see where much has changed since the last time I saw you.”

He gave her a level-eyed stare, his smile fading. “You know, I thought you had more sense than to clamber around like that out here by yourself. If you were to slip and fall nobody would know about it.”

She turned away from him and started toward Daisy, who she’d left nibbling on a patch of sun-dried grass.

“You don’t need to concern yourself about me.” When she saw that he was following her, she added, “If I were you, I’d worry about my own neck. I hear you’re still working the rodeo circuit. Not exactly a safe occupation to have.”

“Those are calculated risks, Megan, whereas what you do is—” He waved his hand, as though at a loss to understand her.

She gathered up her horse’s reins. “Look, Kane. I don’t have the time or the energy to chat. I’ve got work to do.”

“Damn it, Megan. I’m trying to talk some sense into your head. Will you listen?”

“I don’t have time for you, Kane,” she muttered.

He grasped her arm and turned her so that she was facing him. “You never do. As far back as I can remember you’ve brushed me off, treated me like I’m invisible. Well, fine, maybe I was a pest when we were kids. I’ll give you that. I used to enjoy getting a reaction from you. You always were fun to tease.” He waved his hand at the windmill. “But this is serious stuff, Megan. You have no business being out here by yourself, risking your neck that way. If nobody else will tell you, then I certainly will!”

His eyes glittered with suppressed feeling.

Megan glanced away from him before saying, “I’m deeply touched by your concern for my safety. Thank you for your no doubt well-meant advice on how I manage the ranch, Kane. I’ll be sure to file it along with other words of wisdom that have come my way over the years.”

She spun away from his grip and vaulted up in the saddie.

“Hold on for a minute, will ya?” he said, laying his hand across both of hers where they held the reins. “Don’t be in such a hurry. I came lookin’ for you because there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Enough was enough! She didn’t like to be manhandled and this was the third time he’d touched her since he’d shown up, uninvited, for this little social call.

She glared at his hand and fastidiously lifted it away from hers as though it were a snake. “Really? Well, I do appreciate the effort you’ve made to indulge in a neighborly visit, but I’m afraid I’m busy. Sorry, Travis. Maybe some other time,” she added, thinking about the possibility of hell freezing over.

“What’s wrong with the windmill?” he asked, ignoring everything she’d just said to him. He’d stuck his thumbs into the back pockets of his snug-fitting jeans, nodding over his shoulder.

She didn’t have to follow his gaze. “It’s worn-out, like everything else on the place. I’m going to have to order a new part.”

“Why didn’t you have Butch check it for you? Isn’t that why you have a hired man, to do some of the more physical work around here?”

Megan wanted to scream at him, but she didn’t. She held on to her temper, which wasn’t easy, but she had learned long ago that losing her temper gave the other person the edge. She needed all the advantages possible around Travis. He had an unerring ability to get under her skin.

In a carefully even tone, she said, “It’s not your business, but I’ll tell you anyway. I was up there because the ranch is my responsibility. If there are any risks to be taken, I’ll take them. Besides, Butch is too old to be climbing around up there.”

Travis returned his gaze to her. “Better not let Butch hear you say that. He doesn’t think there’s anything he can’t do.”

Megan knew that he was right. Butch was one tough bird. “Maybe so, but I happen to know that his rheumatism has been acting up. He has no business taking chances.”

“Neither do you.”

So, they were back to that. She turned Daisy’s head and started back down the track toward the barn. “Somebody has to do it.”

“Damn it, Megan, will you wait up for a moment? I’m serious. I want to talk—”

She pulled on the reins. “You? Serious? Don’t make me laugh. You’ve never been serious about anything a day in your life.”

She gave her horse a nudge in her ribs and leaned forward, a signal that she was ready to move. Daisy, like the sweetly trained animal she was, responded beautifully, leaving Travis behind in a cloud of dust.

It was all Megan could do not to laugh out loud, especially after she heard his muttered remarks between the sounds of his coughing.

However, the urge to laugh was quickly gone. There was no reason to be taking her bad mood out on Travis, despite her dislike of him. It wasn’t his fault that she felt like such a failure.

She couldn’t shake the sense of impending doom that was with her from the time she opened her eyes each morning until she fell asleep exhausted each night.

Whether she liked it or not, she and her sisters were going to lose the ranch. It was only a matter of a few weeks now before the mortgage was due. Despite all her efforts, she would have to tell the bank manager that she couldn’t make this year’s payment. The O’Briens of Agua Verde County, Texas, were going to lose the Circle B after the ranch had been in the family for four generations.

Megan had been in charge of the place for the past eight years. She’d done everything she could to pull them through this bad patch, but it was more than a patch. For the past three years everything had been going from bad to worse.

She’d done everything she could, but it wasn’t enough. It was never enough.

Butch was waiting for her when she arrived at the barn. “Did your company find ya?” he asked when she got off the horse. “I wasn’t sure what to tell him other than you’d taken off to the hills somewhere. Where ya been?”

“Yeah, he found me. I was checking the southeast pasture and discovered there was no water in the holding tank. The windmill’s frozen up. There’s no way to fix it without ordering a new part for it.”

“You want me to crawl up there and check it out, just in case something can be done?”

She shook her head. “I already did. The whole thing is worn-out. I need to replace the entire rig, but I can’t. A new part will get us through the worst of the heat. Maybe by fall I can—” She stopped because there was no use talking about the fall. By then, the ranch would no longer be theirs…unless she could somehow produce a miracle.

A sense of futility swept over her.

They both turned at the sound of an engine and watched as a late-model pickup with Travis behind the wheel appeared. He made a sweeping turn and stopped in front of the house.

“Somebody mentioned to me yesterday that Travis was back in town for a few days,” Butch said, rolling a handmade cigarette. “It kinda surprised me when he showed up, asking for you. I didn’t think the two of you were exactly on good speaking terms.”

She turned away from the house and led Daisy into the barn. Butch followed her, placing the newly formed cigarette behind his ear. “We’re not,” she said, leading Daisy into her stall, “but you know how Travis is. He just naturally thinks he’s God’s gift to us all and that we should feel honored that he decides to visit.”

Butch uncinched the saddle and lifted it off the horse while Megan wiped her down. “So what did he want?”

She shrugged without looking around. “He said he wanted to talk to me about something. I can’t imagine what.”

“Maybe he got wind of the trouble you’ve been having. You reckon he might want to buy this place from you?”

She poured some grain into the feed trough of the stall. “He’s not that stupid. Why would he want a place like this? He’s never home. Besides, the Kanes already own a large portion of the county. Why would Travis take on another spread?”

“’Cause his pappy’s young enough and healthy enough to be running their place for a long time, yet. Travis never was one to want to answer to anybody, not even his dad.” Butch grinned at the thought. “Most especially his dad, if you want to know the truth.” He stepped out of the stall and held the door open for her.

She motioned to the nearly empty feed storage bin as they retraced their steps to the barn door. “Did you remember to pick up the grain at the feed store today?” she asked, ignoring the fact that Travis now was leaning against the front fender of his pickup truck, watching, and making no effort to join them.

Butch took his time lighting his cigarette, then he removed his hat and carefully smoothed down his sparse and receding hair before replacing his battered hat. “Yeah, I got the feed. It’s still in the back end of my truck. Ol’ man Brogan said that unless you pay something on the account, he can’t give you any more credit after this.” He recited the message without inflection, studying the horizon.

“So what else is new?”

“It isn’t just you, you’ve got to know that. Everybody in the county’s been hit hard by this drought. It’s been rough. They’re all having to supplement the feed to keep the stock fed.”

“I know.”

“Ranching’s never been a way to get rich, missy. It’s a hard life.”

“You aren’t telling me anything I don’t already know, Butch.” Megan rubbed the back of her neck. “However, the ranch is my life. It’s the only one I know. It’s Mollie’s and Maribeth’s home.”

He awkwardly patted her shoulder. “You’ve done a fine job, missy. A fine job. You took on way too much responsibility trying to look after the girls and run this place all by yourself, but you showed everybody you could do it. Don’t feel bad if you have to give up now.”

She stiffened at the mention of her sisters. “We’ve done just fine so far on our own. You just said it’s nobody’s fault the drought’s lasted so long. Well, it isn’t my fault that all our equipment seems to be breaking down at once, or that the blasted well for the house ran dry last month and we had to drill another one.”

“I never said it was anybody’s fault. Don’t start gettin’ so prickly. All I’m sayin’ is that a young gal like you shouldn’t have to be shoulderin’ such a heavy burden. You should be out enjoying life with friends of your own.”

She gave an unladylike snort. “My friends are mostly married and busy raising families. At least Mollie and Maribeth are old enough to look after themselves.”

He nodded toward Travis. “So when are you goin’ over to find out why he’s hanging around here? He don’t look like he’s plannin’ on going anywhere anytime soon, so ignorin’ him isn’t going to help ya none.”

Once again she looked over to where Travis waited—his long legs crossed at the ankles, his arms folded across his chest—still leaning against his truck.

She glanced to the west before she spoke again. “I don’t suppose this day could get any worse than it already has. I’ll go see what it’s going to take to get rid of him.”

“I wish I had the money you needed. I’d sure give it to you if I did have it,” Butch said in a gruff voice.

She patted his arm and smiled. “I know, Butch.”

“I watched you girls grow up. I seen every one of you in diapers, following your folks around, playing with one another. Rory and June were always so proud of their girls. They wanted the very best for you. Always.”

“I know. Sometimes life just works out different from what we plan…what we want.” Straightening her shoulders, Megan turned away from Butch and headed toward the house, where Travis stood waiting.

Megan was aware of Travis watching her as she crossed between the barn and the house. She was well aware of what he saw—a skinny blond with a mop haircut, a plain face with a mouth too wide and, from the feel of it, a glowing, sunburned nose covered with a smattering of freckles.

Her coveralls were old, faded and wearing thin in some places, while her work boots were too scuffed to be able to tell their original color.

A regular fashion plate, that’s what she was. She was also exhausted and totally out of sorts.

“So what are you hanging around for?” she demanded as she approached him. “What do you want?”

He slowly straightened in his lazy, loose-limbed way. “I told you. I want to talk to you.”

She fought to control her impatience. She couldn’t think of anything that this man could say to her that she would want to hear, unless he planned to announce that he was moving away from Agua Verde County and determined never to return.

Megan came to a stop a couple of feet in front of him and folded her arms across her chest. “What about?”

He glanced toward the house. “Couldn’t we go inside and talk? This may take a while.”

She didn’t want to invite him inside. She didn’t want Travis Kane anywhere around her, the house, or the ranch. Unfortunately, at the moment, she couldn’t think of a single reason he would accept for asking him to leave.

There was no help for it. She’d just have to put up with him and the uncomfortable, itchy way she always felt whenever she had to be around him.

Megan stepped around him and led the way up the steps to the wide porch that led into the kitchen. “C’mon in. Mollie’s probably got some tea made.”

She walked into the large room that was the heart of the house. The kitchen doubled for the family conference room, the homework room, the problem-solving room, or for whatever reason the three O’Brien sisters needed to gain help and support from each other.

The place looked worn and frayed, now that she was looking at it through the eyes of a visitor. Any spare cash she managed to accumulate went back into the running of the ranch, unless it provided necessities for a sixteen-and eighteen-year-old to finish their high school educations.

She found the pitcher of tea, filled two glasses full of ice, poured the tea, then set the glasses on the round table situated in the middle of the room.

Megan waited until Travis sat down before she picked a chair across the table from him and carefully lowered herself. Lordy, Lordy, but she was tired. Not only was she not sleeping well at night, but she was also pushing herself harder with each passing day as though through sheer force of will she could turn the ranch’s fortunes around.

Her body ached with every movement. She longed for a long soak in the tub and promised herself that particular reward for tonight in exchange for having to deal with Travis now.

Travis Kane had always caused problems in her life since she was a kid riding on the school bus. Why should anything be different now?

“So when did you get into town?” she asked, not really caring, but determined to curb her impatience and make a stab at being polite.

“Wednesday night.”

“Mmm,” she responded as noncommittally as possible. She picked up her glass and took a long; refreshing swallow of iced tea.

Travis waited until she looked at him before he leaned forward, his weight on his forearms resting on the table, and said, “I happened to run into Maribeth at the post office this morning.”

She eyed him for a moment, waiting for him to continue. When he didn’t, she prompted him with, “Did you?”

“She said y’all are having some problems.”

She made a mental note to have a long discussion with her youngest sister about not discussing private family matters with outsiders. Striving for nonchalance, Megan shrugged and studied the ice cubes floating in the amber liquid. “No more than anyone else around these parts. Looks like the drought’s about to do the whole county in.”

Megan made herself look at Travis, only then noticing that he’d removed his hat. Up close, his unusual eyes were even more noticeable, if possible, what with the stark contrast between their bright color and his tanned face.

“Megan—” he began, then paused, as though searching for words.

Megan knew that Travis had always had a way with words, so his hesitation surprised her. “What?” she finally asked.

“Maribeth says that since the new management took over at the bank, you don’t think they’re going to be willing to work with you on the mortgage payments anymore.”

She could feel her jaw tighten at more evidence of her sister’s loose-lipped ways. She took another drink of her tea before responding. “Maribeth has a big mouth,” she finally muttered through clenched teeth.

He placed his glass between his palms and rotated it around and around in a circle. “Megan, I know you have no use for me. I’m not certain why, exactly. I mean, I know I used to give you a bad time when we were kids, but that was all part of growing up. I never meant anything bad by my teasing. I always thought of us as friends, even if we haven’t seen much of each other in the past few years. I always thought that, if you ever needed anything, you’d know that I’d help you out in any way I could.”

She shot out of her chair, knocking it over on the floor. “Is that why you’re here? You think we’re some kind of neighborhood charity case? Is that it? Well, you couldn’t be-”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” he said, coming to his feet, his hands held out in front of him. “Damn, woman, do you have to go off like that over every little thing? What’s the matter with you, anyway? Why would you take offense at an honest offer of help?”

She could feel her face flaming, which didn’t help her temper in the slightest. “We don’t need your help. We’re doing just fine,” she muttered, picking up her chair and replacing it on its legs. She sank into the chair and grabbed her glass with both hands.

“C’mon, Megan, it’s me you’re talking to. Needing help isn’t anything to be ashamed of. We all need help at one time or the other.”

She looked up at him and knew she was making a complete fool of herself. Why didn’t that surprise her? She had never learned to act naturally around this man, not even when they were kids. “I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I’m just tired, that’s all. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

He sat down once again. “I know this is a tough time for you. I think you’ve done a hell of a job holding this family together. I just want you to know that I’m here to help you, if you’ll let me. I’ve got money just sitting in the bank, drawing interest. I figure you could use it to help get over this bump in the road. Let’s face it, we’re bound to get some rain sometime. Cattle prices will be coming up. I figure you could be using the money since I don’t need it right away.”

Megan couldn’t sit there any longer, facing him. She got up from the table and walked over to the counter, her back to him. Never had her temper made her so ashamed. It didn’t matter what Travis had done in the past, or how uncomfortable she felt around him. He had driven all the way out here to offer her a helping hand. And what had she done? Ignored him, left him standing in her dust, been rude and unsociable for no good reason.

It wasn’t his fault that his good looks had seemed to make his life so much easier, that his irresistible grin had made all the girls carry on about him in school, or that she had received a great deal of teasing because they lived near each other.

It wasn’t his fault that she didn’t like him.

She picked up the iced tea pitcher and brought it back to the table, filling both their glasses. “I’m sorry for being so rude,” she said, sitting down again. “It’s really very kind of you to offer to help.” Megan couldn’t make herself look into those eyes. Hadn’t they haunted enough of her dreams over the years without her being confronted with them now?

Travis leaned back in his chair and smiled at her in silent acknowledgment. “Dad tells me this new bank management team seems to be more concerned about their asset and liability reports than they are about the welfare of the people in the county. So you may be right about them,” he said.

“Can you blame them? With some of the banks in the state going under, it’s no wonder they’re concerned.”

“Have you spoken to them at all?”

She nodded.

“Did you offer to make interest only payments?”

“They aren’t willing to do anything but accept full payment of all money due or to foreclose. Those are my options.”

He muttered something under his breath that she couldn’t understand, which was probably just as well.

Megan straightened in her chair. “Why do you care?” she finally voiced the nagging question that had been gnawing at her throughout the conversation. “Travis, you know as well as I do that we aren’t friends. We’ve never been friends. It seems to me you probably expected me to fail. You never had a very good opinion of me, either, as I recall.”

He rubbed his jaw. “I guess you’re right. As far back as I can remember you’ve treated me like some piece of trash that was cluttering up your immediate area. I should be gloating about now that the high-and-mighty princess is taking a nosedive.”

“Exactly.”

They looked at each other for a long time without speaking. After several minutes of silence, Travis sighed. “I guess I deserved your haughty treatment, though, didn’t I? I used to treat you pretty badly—pulling your hair, grabbing your books, making fun of your friends…”

“You made it clear what you thought of me, that’s for sure.”

“Would it help to remind you that I’ve grown up a little since then?”

He gave her that heart-melting smile of his that had gotten him out of all kinds of trouble as a kid.

“No,” she said baldly.

“Oh.” He looked around the kitchen before meeting her steady gaze. “The thing is, I was really shaken when Maribeth told me what was happening with y’all. I’d lost touch with you since high school. I mean, all that stuff I did to you was years ago. I’ve been on the road for the past eight years.”

She knew that. He’d been two years ahead of her in school. She’d been sixteen the year he graduated. He’d been president of the student body, captain of the football team, homecoming king. By the time he’d graduated, he’d been driving to school for two years. So they were talking about behavior of more than ten years ago…almost half a lifetime.

“Will you let me help you, Megan? Please? Then I’ll know you’ve forgiven me for all that childish stuff I used to pull. I can’t stand by and watch you lose this place, not when I could help you. Surely you can understand that.”

She couldn’t believe she was having this conversation. Especially with Travis Kane, of all people. Of course she wasn’t going to accept his offer, but the very fact that he’d made it blew her away.

Her silence seemed to spur him on. “You’ve done a hell of a job, Megan…keeping everything going. You were just a kid when you took over here. The girls were still in grade school back then, weren’t they?”

“Yes.” She looked away, absently drawing designs in the moisture collecting on her glass.

“When is the mortgage due?”

She glanced back at him, grateful that he had changed the subject. “The first.”

“It’s paid annually?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s no time to try to sell stock.”

“Not at the current prices. Who knows if they’re ever coming up. Nobody seems to be eating beef these days, according to present market indicators. I’ve been hanging on, hoping the drop is only temporary. If I sold at today’s prices I’d lose everything I’ve invested in this herd.”

“So will you let me loan you the money?”

“I appreciate the offer, Travis. I mean that. It was kind of you to hang around today when I was being so—rude. But, in the long run, borrowing the money from you isn’t going to help. I would just owe another debt I couldn’t pay.” She rubbed her forehead where a headache was forming. “I’ve thought and thought about it. There’s just no way out of it, no reason to prolong any of this.” She forced herself to smile. “You know, it’s kinda funny when you think about it. Paddy O’Brien won this place in a card game more than a hundred years ago, closer to a hundred thirty-five.” She wondered if he knew that. “My illustrious ancestor was a riverboat gambler at the time. Didn’t know a thing about ranching.”

He didn’t seem particularly surprised, but then few families in the county had histories that weren’t known by all their neighbors.

“You’ve always been a gambler, too, Megan,” Travis said in a tone more gentle than she’d ever heard from him. “Don’t forget that. You’re a fighter. A survivor. You never give up.”

An unexpected lump formed in her throat. “Is that how you see me?”

“Of course. Why are you so surprised?”

“I always thought—” She decided not to tell him what she’d thought his opinion of her was. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”

He hitched his chair closer to the table and leaned toward her. “Look, if you don’t want to owe me money, then I have a suggestion on how you could buy yourself some time—so that you could pay this year’s mortgage payment, wait on the market to sell your cattle, maybe investigate other stock you might choose to bring in. It would give you some breathing room.”

She eyed him warily. “What do you suggest I do, win the lottery?”

“Nope. Marry me.”

Two

Megan realized that her jaw must have dropped because she suddenly became aware of the fact that her mouth was dry. She groped for the glass in front of her, draining it while her thoughts raced around in her head like a rioting crowd of protesters.

Travis Kane was suggesting that she marry him? Travis Kane? How could he be sitting there watching her so calmly?

“Marry you?” she finally repeated weakly.

“I know you think I’m crazy,” he replied hurriedly, as though afraid she was going to demand that he leave, “but listen to me for a minute. Just hear me out. It won’t be considered a loan that way. I’ll be making an investment that may or may not work out, but whatever happens, you’ll have the money you need, plus some left over. You’ll have enough to repair that blasted windmill and whatever else’s broken down. You’ll have the money to hire extra help, which I’m sure you could use. We’ll treat it like a business arrangement, like a partnership contract, or something. We’ll set a time limit—say one year. Twelve months. At the end of that time we’ll review the situation, decide if we want to continue the partnership. If we don’t, well—who knows what will have happened by then?” He flashed that smile of his and she could feel herself succumbing. “I mean, the drought can’t last forever. Things are bound to pick up and you won’t have to be worried all the time about—”

“What’s in all of this for you?”

He’d been talking rapidly but he stopped at her question as though a hand had been clamped over his mouth. He swallowed, eyeing her cautiously. “For me?” he repeated, as though puzzled by the question.

“Uh-huh. Why are you willing to be so generous? If you want the ranch, why don’t you just make me an offer on the place and we can talk about it?”

“Megan, there’s no way you’d ever sell this place and we both know it. This is your home. I don’t want it. Ranching doesn’t fit in with my life-style. You know that. Besides, if you sold the place, where would you and the girls live?”

She couldn’t believe she was sitting there at the kitchen table having this conversation, and with Travis Kane, of all people. “If we were to sell the ranch, we would have the money to move anywhere. If the bank forecloses, I’m not sure where we’ll go,” she admitted. “But we’d find a place somewhere. We certainly wouldn’t starve.”

“This way you could stay here and still have the money you need to make repairs and—”

“You didn’t answer my question. Why would you make such an offer? What do you expect to get out of this?”

The look he gave her was definitely wary. “A wife?” he offered a little hesitantly.

“C’mon, Travis. The last thing you could possibly want is to get married. You need a wife like you need another hole in your head. And even if you’ve suddenly decided that marriage appeals to you, you certainly don’t want to be married to me, of all people!”

He fidgeted. There was no other word for it. He pulled his earlobe, scratched his nose, fussed with his collar, then shoved his hair off his forehead. Finally he muttered, “Don’t underestimate yourself, Megan.”

Seeing his nervousness gave her some comfort, but not much. “Are you saying you’re in love with me?”

He straightened in his chair. “Umm—well, would you believe me if I told you I was?”

“Absolutely not,” she immediately responded.

He flexed his shoulders in another restless movement. “Then I’m not in love with you.”

She gave him an approving nod. “Well, at least you’re being honest.”

He cleared his throat and took a long drink from his glass without meeting her gaze.

She studied him for several minutes in silence. “You can’t be serious,” she finally said.

“I am,” he argued. “Try me.”

“Try you?” she repeated suspiciously. “Would you care to explain what you mean by that remark?”

“It’s just a figure of speech and you know it. I’m willing to prove to you that I’m serious, that I’m making an offer in good faith. I want to help you. That’s what friends are for—to help each other.”

“You make it sound like some kind of a game!” She leaned back in her chair and deliberately deepened her voice. “Hey, there’s not much going on in my life these days. Maybe I should get married!” In her normal voice she added, “Life is always a joke to you. Admit it!”

“Well, what about you? You always look at life so blasted seriously all the time. Can’t you lighten up a little, once in a while, have some fun?”

“Of course you would see things that way. Life’s always been easy for you. You’ve never had to be responsible about anything or for anyone. You’ve never been serious about anything in your entire life.”

“A few things,” he murmured.

“Such as?”

“I’ve taken my rodeoing serious. I’ve won some good prize money. I take that serious enough. It’s the money I’m willing to offer to you, money that I’ve worked hard to earn. You don’t hear me joking about that, do you?”

Grudgingly she said, “Okay, I’ll go along with that one.”

“I take my friendships seriously, as well. I know I haven’t been home much these past few years but whenever I’m in town, I’ve always made a point of checking on you, to make sure you and the girls were okay. As I recall, a couple of years ago I actually asked you to go to the movies with me. As also I recall, you were quick enough about turning me down.”

“Going to a movie would have meant an hour’s drive to the next town.”

“Is that why you turned me down?”

She stared at him. “I get up early. I can’t stay out late at night. I didn’t figure you meant it, anyway. You were just trying to get a reaction out of me, like always. You’ve always been the biggest tease I’ve ever known, Travis, bar none.”

“You don’t date at all, do you?”

She looked down at her shirt and coveralls, then at him. “Of course I do. Why, I’ve got men lined up outside the door, impatiently waiting their turn to take me out. A stunning creature like me has to fight ’em off.”

Travis frowned. “Don’t, Megan.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t make fun of yourself that way. You’re a very attractive woman. Just as important, you’re a very warm and loving woman, protective of your family, willing to do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe.”

She narrowed her eyes and peered at him. “Did you by any chance get kicked in the head by one of those bulls you ride or something, Travis? I can’t believe what I’m hearing coming out of your mouth. Are you sure you don’t have me confused with someone else?”

“What I think is that we haven’t spent much time together in. the past several years and that there’s a lot you don’t know about me. Obviously what you do know doesn’t impress you much. So how about giving me a chance to prove to you that I can make a good husband?”

A shiver ran over her at the word husband. Travis Kane? She would have to be out of her mind to consider marrying him, of all people. For any reason.

Even if it means saving the ranch? a little voice whispered inside her head.

For the first time in her life she finally understood what the preacher was talking about when he chose the subject of temptation for his Sunday sermons.

Temptation was a mighty insidious thing. It teased and tantalized, making all her beliefs dance and jump around, stand on tiptoe and fall over.

Travis Kane had been a pest as a kid, and his constant need to tease her had come close to breaking her heart in high school. Of course he’d never known the crush she’d developed on him back then. She had no intention of ever letting him know.

What would the star-struck girl back then have done if she’d known that someday in the future the ever-popular Travis Kane would actually come to her and propose marriage.

As a friend.

He didn’t love her, of course. Hadn’t he just said so?

But then, she didn’t love him, either. She knew better.

So. It would be a business deal, that’s all. It would have an expiration date.

“A year, you said?”

“It can be longer, if you want.”

“Oh, no. A year would be fine. It would give me some breathing space, like you said. I’d have some time to make plans, decide whether I should try to sell the place. After that, I could—” She paused, her thoughts finally leading her to ask, “I, uh—I guess you’d expect to live here, then?” She laughed nervously and answered her own question. “Well, of course you would. We’d be married and it would look strange to everybody if you continued to live at home with your folks.” She knew she sounded rattled because she was. This was the most bizarre thing that had ever happened to her. Even more bizarre was the fact that she was actually considering accepting his outlandish offer… because the alternative was too painful for her to face. She’d been praying for a miracle, hadn’t she? She just hadn’t realized before God’s strange sense of humor.

“I’m not home all that much, anyway, Megan,” Travis was saying, quietly. “I’m still following the rodeo circuit.”

“Oh, that’s right!” she replied, unable to hide her obvious relief. “Well, that would work out okay.” She went on, hopping up from the table. She began to pace. “I mean, we’ve got plenty of room,” she said with an expansive wave of her arm. “Why, this old house rambles in all directions. There’s several bedrooms…” She came to an abrupt halt, her voice trailing off. She eyed him uncertainly. “Would you expect to share my room?”

He took a deep breath and held it, his gaze never leaving hers. When he finally exhaled, he gave her a lopsided smile. “Whatever you’re comfortable with, Megan.”

“Oh.” She thought about the idea of sharing a bedroom with Travis Kane and shivered. “Well, I’m certainly not comfortable with the thought of sharing my room with you…or anybody…really.”

“I see.”

She began to pace once again. “Well, I mean, the whole idea takes some getting used to, you’ve got to admit. I never expected to get married so I’ve never given it much thought.”

“Why?”

She’d reached the window and was looking outside, wondering when the girls would be getting back from town, wondering how she could possibly explain to them what she was thinking about doing. She whirled around to face him, vaguely recalling his question. “Why what?” she repeated. “Why give it much thought? Because I’ve had other more important things to think about.”

Travis stretched his long legs out straight, then tipped his chair back and crossed his ankles. “No, I want to know why you never thought you’d get married.”

She threw her arms wide and grinned. “Who would be interested in marrying somebody like me who’s trying to keep a run-down ranch going as well as raise a couple of sisters? Nobody in his right mind is going to be interested in getting involved in a situation like that.” She eyed him speculatively.

“I am,” he said mildly.

She continued to study him. Had she found the fly in this particular ointment? Had he fallen off a bull onto his head one too many times and scattered his brain cells? He appeared rational enough, but his suggestion had all the earmarks of a crazy man. However, he’d been smart enough to place a time condition on the agreement. She smiled at him as she reminded him. “Yes, but only for a year. Believe me, after a year you’ll be more than ready to get away from this place.” She nodded, seeing more and more advantages to his wild suggestion. “By that time Mollie will have graduated from high school. Who knows? Maybe both of them will want to move into town. Or maybe to Austin or San Antonio.”

Suddenly feeling more lighthearted than she’d felt in weeks—no, more like months—Megan realized that she was starved. She went over to the refrigerator and opened the door. “Speaking of the girls, both of them stayed in town last night with friends. I don’t know when they’ll get home tonight, but I don’t intend to hold supper for them. I’m hungry.” She peered over her shoulder at him. “Do you want to stay and eat with me?”

He smiled and in a gentle voice, said, “I’d like that, Megan.”

She began to rummage around inside the refrigerator. “It won’t be anything fancy. Mollie’s the real cook around here. I just throw together some of the basics and—”

She straightened and backed away from the refrigerator with her hands full, then turned to find Travis immediately behind her. He took the dishes out of her hands and placed them on the nearby counter, then reached behind her and closed the refrigerator door.

“I think we should seal the bargain, don’t you?” he murmured, trapping her between him and the refrigerator.

Megan couldn’t remember ever having been caught so off guard. Before she could think, his lips were pressing against hers. A bolt of electrical shock went through her. Travis was kissing her. Travis Kane. Kissing her. Her…Megan O’Brien…tomboy…the girl who…

Her thoughts scattered as her senses took over. She became aware of the woodsy scent of his after-shave, the minty flavor of his mouth, the muscled wall of his chest as it pressed against hers, his uneven breathing as he tilted his head to another angle, teasing her with his tongue. Her eyes drifted closed, savoring all the new and glorious sensations that were sweeping over her.

She’d never been kissed by a man before, a man whose hands were tracing her spine, shaping her buttocks and pulling her closer so that she could feel—could feel…

Megan’s eyes flew open and she gave him a sudden shove. Caught off guard, he took a couple of quick steps back before regaining his balance.

They stared at each other, both of them breathing unevenly. Her heart felt as though it were going to leap out of her chest.

“It was just a kiss, Megan. That’s all,” he said quietly.

“Yeah, and Carlsbad Caverns is just a hole in the ground. That’s all,” she said, mimicking him.

“That’s true,” he replied, smiling.

She spun away and began to busy herself with making some sandwiches, doing her best to forget how she’d felt when Travis kissed her.

“I take it you don’t want me to kiss you,” he finally said in the silence that stretched between them.

She bit down on her lower lip, knowing that she couldn’t lie to him, but not knowing exactly what the truth was. Continuing to keep busy with their meal, she said, “It isn’t that. I—It’s just that—I mean, I don’t have a lot of experience in these things, and…” She couldn’t think of how to continue.

He kept his distance from her when he said, “And you think that I mind? Just because you’re innocent doesn’t mean—”

She turned and glared at him. “I’m not innocent!” She closed her eyes and swallowed. Now she was really giving him the wrong idea about her! She opened her eyes and tried again. “I mean—What I meant was that anyone raised on a ranch knows all about reproduction and sex and—Well, you know what I mean. It’s just that—” She waved her hand helplessly, not knowing how to explain how confused she was feeling at the moment.

He watched her intently. “Yeah, you’ve told me. You haven’t done much dating. I understand.”

She turned back to the counter, picked up the plate of sandwiches she’d prepared and carried it to the table. After refilling their glasses she motioned for him to sit down. “I don’t know what you expect from me, that’s all,” she finally muttered, sitting down across from him and looking everywhere but at him.

He reached for a sandwich and put it on his plate. “I don’t expect anything you don’t want to give,” he said in a careful tone of voice. “I realize that what I’m suggesting isn’t the usual way of doing things.”

“It’s crazy, that’s what it is. Who’s going to believe it? It doesn’t make any sense. I can’t believe I’m actually considering it!” She took a big bite out of her sandwich, concentrating on eating and trying to distance herself from the familiar stranger across the table from her. How could she know somebody so well and yet not know him at all? How could she hate him—well, resent him anyway—for not noticing her when he was the big man on campus and she had so wanted him to see her as a young woman, and not the tomboy he’d pestered on the bus for years. She’d been invisible to him then. So why now? Why was this happening all these years later?

“I have a suggestion,” he said, after finishing one of the sandwiches and reaching for another.

“What?” she asked suspiciously.

“I think we should keep the arrangement we’ve made just between the two of us. I think we’ll both be more comfortable that way. Why don’t we tell our families that we suddenly discovered our true feelings for each other and—”

“Nobody’s going to believe that! Everybody knows that I—That is, that we—uh—”

“Yes?”

“What I mean is, we’ve never even been seen together.”

“So maybe I’ve been writing you.”

“The girls know better.”

“Maybe I finally got up the nerve to confront you and admit how I feel about you.”

She covered her mouth and began to laugh, shaking her head. “Oh, no. The girls would see right through that!”

“Not if you helped me.”

“How?”

He watched her, his distinctive eyes glowing. “By pretending a little that you care for me, that we both want this.”

“Your folks will-”

“I’ll take care of my folks. You don’t need to worry about them.”

“Oh.” She looked at the forgotten sandwich on her plate. She realized that although her stomach had been growling she was no longer hungry.

“When do you want to get married?”

She jerked her head up. “I—uh—”

“If you want to wait a while and let everyone get used to the idea, that’s fine with me. An engagement would look more normal, anyway.”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“I want you to be comfortable with the idea.”

Her thoughts raced in all directions at once. “Well, if I’m going to make the mortgage payment on time—”

“You don’t have to marry me before you get the money. I’ll write you a check tonight that should cover it, plus whatever else you’re going to need for a while.”

“But I don’t want you to think—”

“Don’t worry about my thoughts, okay? Or my feelings. This is a straightforward business deal. I’m going to be going back out on the circuit next week and will be gone several weeks.” He paused, thinking. “Maybe we should announce our engagement now. I’ll get you a ring to wear, and we can start to plan the wedding. I assume you want to be married in the church.”

“The church?” she squeaked. “But isn’t that—I mean, for a business arrangement isn’t that being a little—” She waved her hand helplessly.

“It’s going to be a real marriage, Megan. Don’t you think it needs to start out in the church?”

This must be the way Alice felt when she fell down the rabbit hole. “But knowing it’s only going to be for a year makes it seem like a sham, somehow. I mean, if everybody’s there to see us get married, aren’t they going to wonder later why we decide to part?”

He washed the last bite of his third sandwich down with a long swallow of tea before replying. “In the first place, it’s none of their business. In the second place, the way things are these days, more marriages than not end up that way.”

She thought about that for a moment. “I suppose,” she acknowledged.

“This way you’ll have time to find a dress and decide what your sisters will wear.”

All of this was coming too fast and furious for her. Her head was swimming. “A dress! Travis, I haven’t worn a dress since my high school graduation!”

He grinned. “Well, maybe you can make an exception this one time. Of course if you feel more comfortable wearing your boots beneath it, go ahead.”

Megan forced herself to eat her sandwich while Travis chatted on as though he planned weddings on a regular basis and there wasn’t anything difficult about it. When she finished eating, he helped her clean up their dishes.

“Do you want me to be here when you tell the girls?” he asked, folding the dish towel he’d used and carefully hanging it on the rack.

“Uh, no,” she said quickly, jolted by the mere thought. “No, I can tell them. I’ve just got to decide how to bring it up.”

He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the kitchen counter. “We could go to town tomorrow and look at rings.”

She hid her hands behind her back. “Do you really think that’s necessary?”

“Rings?” he asked, lifting his brow slightly. “Yes, I do.”

“I mean, if we go into Agua Verde to look for rings, everybody in town will know about it within the hour.”

He grinned, reminding her of the mischievous boy he’d once been. Not a good omen at all, in her mind. “Well, that’s one way of getting the news out.”

She dropped her gaze to the floor, feeling horribly out of her element. She had no problem discussing anything at all about the ranch or the girls, but rings? Weddings? Marriage? She’d never given them a thought.

“Or…we could drive into Austin, if you like. We could make a day of it, maybe see a show. You know, make an occasion of it. Surely you can stay out late for one night.”

She looked up and caught his intent gaze. “Why are you doing this, Travis? I don’t understand. Why are you willing to tie yourself up in such a fashion? Surely you’ve met women during your travels that—”

“None that I’d marry.”

“But still-”

“I always intended to marry a hometown girl, didn’t you know?” he said, grinning once again.

“Then why didn’t you marry Carrie Schwarz? You dated her most of your senior year.”

He looked startled. “Carrie? Isn’t she married?”

“She is now, but she waited for you for years.”

He laughed. “I doubt that.”

“No. She did. She went away to college, but came home as often as she could, hoping to find you here. She found out during the Christmas holidays that first year that you were seeing Trish Kronig whenever you were in town.”

“You sure have a memory for names. I’d forgotten both of those girls.”

She walked back to the window and looked outside. It was dark. The yard light near the barn gave off a faint glow. “I’m sure they haven’t forgotten you,” she said quietly, reminding herself how easily a heart could be broken. Hadn’t she congratulated herself for not being pretty enough to get his attention back then? Hadn’t she considered herself lucky that she’d never gone through what those girls had? Where was her sane, sensible self now, when she really needed her?

He picked up his hat. “All that was years ago, Megan. I was just a kid back then.”

She turned to face him. “But now you’re all grown-up, huh?”

He flashed his devastating smile, his eyes sparkling. “God! I hope so, since I’m making plans to get married and settle down.”

“But you aren’t giving up the rodeo,” she said pointedly.

“Well, no, not yet. I only have a few years to ride. The rodeo makes an old man out of you real quick.”

“Or kills you.”

He settled his hat on his head. “Not me. I’m too mean and too tough to die.” He opened the screen door and stepped out onto the porch. “I’ll pick you up right after lunch tomorrow, if that’s okay with you?”

She paused for a moment. Now was the time to back out, if she was going to. Unfortunately she had a sinking feeling in her stomach that she was actually going to go through with this completely insane idea. Her options were limited. She’d prayed for a way to save the ranch and she’d been given one. The irony of her situation flooded over her.

She crossed her arms, hugging them against her. “All right, Travis. I’ll be ready,” she finally replied, silently acknowledging to herself that in all of her life she’d never made such a frightening decision. She and the girls wouldn’t lose the ranch, but marrying Travis Kane could end up costing her even more than her home in the long run.

Keeping her distance from him had protected her as a young girl. What could she use as protection now?

Three

Megan took a long, soaking bath after Travis left, trying to come to terms with what she had agreed to do. Eventually she got out and dried off, putting on her faded nightshirt and worn bathrobe, but she was too restless to go to sleep. Instead she curled up on the couch to watch television and wait for the girls to come home.

She was still on the couch, dozing, when she heard the family pickup truck coming up the lane. The thing rattled and roared, sounding more like a threshing machine than a vehicle for transportation.

She’d let Mollie take it into town last night, since both Mollie and Maribeth had wanted to spend the night with friends. They never complained about living twenty-five miles from town, but were always eager to go into town to visit their friends, or hang out at the local hamburger haven.

The girls didn’t complain about anything. She’d fought so hard to keep them when the county officials first suggested they might be placed in foster homes. She’d insisted that she could look after them and that with Butch’s help she could also run the ranch. After all, she’d been following her daddy around that ranch from the time she could walk. He’d have her sitting in the saddle in front of him on the back of his favorite mount or riding next to him in that old pickup.

She should have been a boy, but her dad never seemed to mind that he had girls. She remembered how he used to laugh when the other ranchers in the coffee shop would mention his harem.

There were times, like today, when the ache of missing her mom and dad was so painful she thought she might die from it. Maybe according to the calendar she was twenty-four years old, but she didn’t feel as if she’d ever gotten past sixteen when it came to knowing about men and how to socialize. In a few short hours her youthful teenage years had abruptly ended with the news that both parents had been killed in a fiery car crash outside of Fort Worth. Practically overnight she’d had to become both mom and dad to Mollie and Maribeth, as well as in charge of the Circle B Ranch. She’d had to become an adult in order to deal with all the officials who’d tried to separate the three of them. She’d fought hard to keep them all together—and she’d won. Tonight she’d made another decision to ensure her sisters’ continued well-being. Her peace of mind was a very small sacrifice to make to protect them.

The kitchen screen door squeaked as one of the girls opened it. Megan could hear Maribeth chattering away. She smiled. Maribeth was such a live wire. Whatever thought crossed her mind popped out of her mouth. She seemed to run through life with her arms flung open wide, ready to embrace the world and everything in it.

She wore her bright red hair streaming over her shoulders and down her back, pulled away from her face by a large hair clip. Her wide brown eyes were her most expressive feature, mirroring her every thought.

Maribeth had been eight when their parents had died.

Although Mollie was two years older than Maribeth, Megan thought of Mollie as being almost as old as she was. Maybe it was because she was the quiet one in the family. She’d always been close to Mama. After Mama died, Mollie seemed to become less talkative than ever.

She was good in the house, keeping the place clean, cooking their meals while she still kept up her schoolwork.

Mollie was so bright. She deserved the chance to go on to college. Megan had tried so hard to put money away for Mollie’s education but there had never been enough to stretch. Mollie would be graduating from high school in a few short weeks. She’d already found a job clerking in one of the stores in town, but Mollie deserved so much more in life.

She was the real beauty in the family, with her creamy white skin and dark, auburn hair. Her eyes looked too blue to be real, as if she wore tinted contacts. She never seemed to be aware of her looks and was the only one in town who was surprised when she’d been named homecoming queen the previous fall.

“Hi, Megan!” Maribeth said, bouncing into the room. “What are you doing up? You’re usually sacked out in bed by this time of night.” Maribeth threw herself into the big overstuffed chair across from Megan.

Megan made a face and grinned. “You make me sound like an ol’ grandma. I’ve been known to stay up past nine o’clock on occasions.”

Mollie paused in the doorway. “You want something to drink? I bought a six-pack of soda.”

She glanced around, still smiling. “Mmm. Sounds good.”

“You’ll never guess who I saw in town today!” Maribeth announced dramatically, her eyes wide.

“Probably not,” Megan drawled. “So why don’t you tell me?”

“Travis Kane! I couldn’t believe it. Me and Bobby and Chris went to the post office for Bobby’s mom, and who should be walking out of the post office but Travis Kane, himself. You should have seen Bobby! He’s always dreamed of being able to ride wild bulls as well as Travis, not to mention his skill with calf roping. He was practically stuttering when Travis spoke to us.”

Mollie walked back in with three large glasses filled with ice cubes and soda. She offered one to Megan, who took one, then Mollie handed another to Maribeth.

“I know. Travis came out here today.”

Mollie looked around at her in surprise. “Travis Kane came out here? What in the world for?”

Instead of answering her, Megan looked at Maribeth. “Just what did you tell Travis about us, Maribeth?”

At least her youngest sister had the decency to blush. “Well, nothing, really. He was just asking about you and all and I told him—Well, I guess I may have mentioned that you were making yourself sick worrying about us maybe going to lose the ranch.”

Mollie sank down at the other end of the couch and stared at Maribeth. “Maribeth! You didn’t! You can’t go around telling everybody our business like that!”

“I wasn’t. Everybody already knows everything about us, anyway. It’s no secret that we’re probably going to lose the ranch. So what’s the big deal?”

Mollie shook her head in disgust. “Well, you don’t go around blabbing everything you know,” she replied.

Megan dropped her head back against the couch. “Oh, yes she does!” she said with a sigh.

“Well, he was asking about you and I was just trying to be polite and—”

“More than likely, you were trying to hold his attention just a little longer,” Mollie said. “You and Bobby would be charter members of his fan club if he had one.”

Maribeth swung her legs over the side of the chair. “Hey! That’s a great idea. Maybe we can start—”

“I was just joking,” Mollie said hastily. “Travis Kane certainly doesn’t need a fan club! His ego’s already big enough as it is.”

“You can say that again,” Megan muttered.

Maribeth stuck her bottom lip out. “I don’t know why y’all have to be so hateful about Travis. What has he ever done to make you both sneer at him so much?”

Megan shifted, pulling her knees up and resting her chin on them. She wasn’t comfortable with the turn in the conversation but she couldn’t think of any way to change the subject that wouldn’t be too obvious.

She was surprised when Mollie answered. She had seldom heard Mollie so vocal. “Because he thinks he’s God’s gift to women, that’s why. Always swaggering around in those tight jeans he wears, with his hat brim pulled down low over those fancy mirror sunglasses of his, giving all the girls that drop-dead gorgeous smile so they’ll swoon at his feet. I think he’s perfectly disgusting.”

Megan’s heart seemed to sink in her chest. “I had no idea you disliked him so,” Megan said quietly.

Mollie glanced around at her in surprise. “Well, you’ve never had much good to say about him, yourself! I remember when you were both in school, you used to come home complaining about him and calling him all kinds of names. Mama used to laugh at how mad you got at him, remember?”

“I was just a kid. He used to delight in teasing me on the school bus to and from school. Since it was almost an hour to get to town, he had plenty of time to think of ways to torment me.”

“Well,” Mollie replied, her cheeks flushed with color, “my friend Betsy told me about how he flirted with her older sister, carrying on until her sister fell in love with him, then he just dropped her like that, like she was nothing to him. He’s broken a lot of hearts in this county. I think he should go away and stay away!”

“Well, I think he’s definitely hunk-of-the-month material, myself,” Maribeth announced. “Just because you two don’t ever have any boyfriends doesn’t mean you shouldn’t appreciate a good-looking specimen like Travis when you get the chance. Bobby says—”

Megan just shook her head. “Here we go again. If Bobby says it, it must be gospel, right?”

“Well, he knows rodeos. He and his dad are always going to them. He’s seen Travis compete and says he’s totally awesome. That’s why he was named World Champion last year.”

Megan uncurled herself from the couch and stood. “Well, I think I’m going to take myself off to bed. You’re really making me feel my years, Maribeth,” she said, ruffling her sister’s long wavy hair. “I take it you had a good time in town.”

“Oh, yeah. Rita’s a lot of fun. Her mom said to tell you that anytime I want to spend the night in town, that I can stay with them.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear you didn’t totally wear out your welcome.”

She glanced at Mollie, caught her eye and nodded toward the hallway. “I’ll see y’all in the morning.”

Megan climbed the stairs to her bedroom. She hoped Mollie recognized her signal. She wasn’t going to be able to sleep tonight until she talked to her and tried to explain.

She hadn’t realized Mollie’s feelings toward Travis were so strong or so negative. Megan knew that she had herself to blame for some of that. She’d never kept her disdain for Travis hidden from Mollie or anyone else around home. Now she was going to be forced to provide some kind of explanation for the change in her attitude—without giving the real one. If Travis preferred people not to know the truth, she owed him that much.

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