Two Texas Hearts

‘‘But I lied to you.’’

‘‘I figure you had your reasons.’’

The lines in his face were hard and unyielding, but he’d settled her toppling world once more with his words. It didn’t matter that he couldn’t love her; he was offering her a harbor, a solid ground she’d never known. A shelter from the witchin’ luck if only for a while.

‘‘Thank you,’’ she whispered, wondering how a man so kind could seem so cold. She’d never love him, or any man, but she’d be his wife if he wanted. She’d stay here until the house was legally hers forever, and then she’d give it to him. Not because he paid Andrew, but because he was willing to fight for her. No one had ever done that. ‘‘I was so frightened,’’ she whispered. ‘‘Not of Andrew Adams, but that you’d make me leave.’’

Winter’s arms closed around her shoulders and pulled her suddenly against him. He should have, he told himself. The one thing he couldn’t stand was a liar. But he couldn’t make her leave, and he didn’t even want to think about why.

She hugged his waist as if holding on for life. Neither said a word as they held each other.

Closing her eyes, she pressed her cheek against the wall of his chest. With her lie, she’d ended what they’d started between them, but he would still stand at her side.

THIRTEEN

‘‘MORNIN’, WYATT.’’ WINTER DROPPED HIS ARM FROM Kora’s shoulder as Wyatt Mitchell stepped through the back door. His greeting was short of friendly, but Kora’s nearness managed to take the edge off his anger. He couldn’t very well start swearing at the gambler when Kora’s arm still rested around his waist.

Dear God, he thought, does the woman have any idea of the effect she has on a man? Just as she’d misjudged the amount he’d offer for marriage, she’d mismeasured on how much he’d forgive to keep her. He’d been angry with her lie last night, but all it took was one look at her eyes this morning, and he knew he wanted her to stay.

He told himself she belonged to him. She’d made the deal for six months, not him. And he never gave up anything that was his. But Win knew it was far more. Just the thought of Andrew Adams getting close enough to touch her made Win furious. He’d keep her from the man even if he had to send her out of Texas.

‘‘Mr. McQuillen.’’ Wyatt nodded nervously as he twisted his hat in his hands. ‘‘Mrs. McQuillen.’’ His expression left no doubt that breakfast was the last thing he thought he’d be doing with Win McQuillen after last night. ‘‘I’d like to apologize, sir. I assure you the stop Jamie and I made on our way back from town wasn’t planned. We just thought to rest the horses a few minutes and enjoy the stars.’’

Winter fought the urge to say that he didn’t know it was necessary to remove one’s clothing to enjoy the night sky. But, again, Kora’s nearness stopped him. She probably had no idea of what went on with Jamie and, it appeared, any man Jamie could hold still long enough to undress.

As Wyatt and Jamie moved to the table, Kora stepped away from Winter. She gave him the ‘‘be nice’’ glance males learn to recognize from a woman’s eyes by the time they walk until they’ve settled into their graves. Winter wasn’t going to be fool enough to ignore the look.

Kora lifted the platter of bacon and eggs from the warmer above the stove. ‘‘I’m glad you could join us for breakfast, Wyatt. Since it’s only the four of us this morning, I thought we’d sit in the kitchen, like family.’’

‘‘Thank you,’’ Wyatt said, nursing his arm.

‘‘That shoulder still bothering you?’’ Kora asked. ‘‘I could take a look at it.’’

‘‘No!’’ Wyatt almost shouted. ‘‘It’s doing fine.’’

Wyatt smiled at Kora with a mouth that looked to Winter as if it had a few too many teeth. The gambler made a grand effort of helping her with the platters and pulling out her chair while Winter watched. It didn’t take much thought to know what Kora was doing. Winter knew she hoped the gambler would marry Jamie. But Winter wouldn’t bet a cathouse token on that possibility.

Reluctantly he took his place at the table. He knew he should probably do something like offer to let Wyatt call him by his first name. After all, the man was probably only five years his junior and he might be in the family soon. Assuming he was still ‘‘in the family,’’ Win thought.

Winter ate without tasting the food as Jamie rattled on about her trip to town, and Wyatt divided his time between openly flirting with Jamie and subtly flirting with Kora. Winter frowned, thinking he seemed to be the only one at the table aware that a range war could break out at any point.

Suddenly he jerked and shoved himself away from the table. ‘‘I have to go,’’ he mumbled. ‘‘It’s time I was in the saddle.’’

Looking at Wyatt, Winter offered his hand. ‘‘I assume you’ll be going back with the doc now that Cheyenne is out of danger.’’

Wyatt stood and took the offered hand. ‘‘I will. But I may be back if I’m welcome.’’ His gambler’s polish gave little away.

Glancing at Kora, Winter said, ‘‘You’re welcome here.’’

Kora winked at her sister.

‘‘I’ll be back a little after dark.’’ Winter reached for his hat.

Kora walked with him to the door. ‘‘I’ll keep supper warm no matter how late and don’t worry about Cheyenne. I’ll look in on him often.’’

Thanking her with a nod, he walked out of the house. She was doing it again, he thought, playing the perfect wife. He fought the urge to reach for her. She had a kind of quiet strength that fascinated him.

The next few days passed in a maze of work. He had a fresh horse brought to him by midafternoon so he could stay in the saddle sixteen hours or more. Kora was up each morning by the time he dressed and had a huge breakfast ready for him, but he’d ride in so late at night that the evening meal was usually waiting for him on the kitchen table. He’d eat alone and fall asleep most nights without even undressing.

Winter wasn’t aware of her coming into the study every night, but he couldn’t help but notice the signs that she’d been there. Clean clothes were always on the chair. An extra blanket appeared the night it turned colder than usual. The fire never died as it would have if not tended.

At breakfast she was formal. She told him of Doc Gage’s visits every few days and of how Wyatt always accompanied him. Cheyenne was getting restless, but strangely didn’t seemed to mind her brother, Dan, dragging his chair up the stairs and sitting in the corner of his room each day. The two men had one thing in common. Both liked to be alone, and somehow that bonded them.

During the third week of Kora’s stay, the weather turned warm. No more reports of riders or shootings happened and Winter began to relax. He even started to believe that the ranchers south might have killed their infected herds, or found another way besides crossing the Panhandle to get them to market.

Winter decided to ride in early and have supper with Kora. He’d sent a man over to Adams’s farm and learned that Adams had spent half the money he’d gotten from Winter to stall the bank’s foreclosure and the other half on supplies, including a large share of whiskey.

Logan had checked around enough to know that Andrew Adams would not make a fit husband for any woman.

The lawyer in town told Logan that since Kora hadn’t signed the same name to the proxy it was worthless. The old man had been dead set against Winter picking Kora, but somehow she’d won him over.

At sunset when Winter walked through the back door, Kora was in the kitchen. She glanced up at him with those bluer than blue eyes and smiled. For a moment it was hard for him to imagine himself ever being without her. She looked so much like she belonged not only in the house, but in his life.

‘‘I was hoping you’d make it in early tonight.’’ She wiped a strand of hair away with a floured hand, leaving a white streak across her cheek. ‘‘I made a special dinner. Cheyenne thinks he can make it down to the table. He’ll be happy you’re here.’’

‘‘And you?’’

‘‘I’m glad, also. I hoped to have a chance to talk to you tonight.’’ She paused and pulled a pie from the oven. ‘‘