“There is something I need to tell you. I talked to Jack’s lawyer today. There will be a reading of Jack’s will at his office in San Angelo Friday at one o’clock. He would like you to be there.”
“Me? Why should I be there?”
“The only thing he said was that he wanted all the beneficiaries to be there.”
“But Jack didn’t even know of my existence until almost three weeks ago.”
“You know as much as I do about it. Tess is to attend, as well as Rudy and Tige and Juana.”
“I guess I will still be here. I should probably rest the herd a week or two before driving the horses back to the Turkey Track. If it is okay with you, I might leave Dancer here until Buster gets her bred. I might cut out a few more fillies for Buster’s services. I would pay you, of course.”
“I wouldn’t dream of charging you a fee. It would be Buster’s pleasure. But I think you should hold off any decisions till after the meeting with the lawyer anyway.”
“It is okay for me to stay here then—in the house?”
“Of course, I don’t even know how long I have the right to stay.”
“Jack wouldn’t have kicked you out of the house.”
“I don’t think so, but I don’t know for sure. The Bill of Rights mentions nothing about the right to an inheritance, and I don’t have any claim. Whatever Jack did would never change the way I feel about him. He prepared me to move on if that is the way it is going to be.”
She had not realized she had finished her glass of wine while they sat there, but it had relaxed her some. She held out her glass. “I think I would like another.”
She noticed that Jordy’s glass was still half full when he handed hers back. He cautioned, “You don’t want to drink this one so fast, string it out a bit.”
She put the glass on the table and began to take off her shoes. “My feet are killing me. I am a boots kind of gal.” She tossed the shoes aside and tucked her feet under her legs. Not too ladylike, she supposed.
Jordy said, “You did a fabulous job today. I had no idea you had such a beautiful singing voice, and you spoke so eloquently. I don’t want you to take this wrong, but you were a stunning woman out there in that Texas sun.”
She was a bit taken aback, but she sensed no disrespect in his tone. Besides, what woman wants to be told she looks like a dirty rag mop? “Thank you. I had never seen you in a suit before. You clean up good yourself. I guess we did well enough under the circumstances.”
Jordy said, “I need to ask you something.”
“Yes?”
“Would you prefer I move to the bunkhouse during your stay?”
“Why on earth would I want you to do that?”
“Think about it. There are just two of us sleeping in this house. We might get by for a night, but after that folks will start to talk. Our ranch people will just speculate, but by the time the story reaches town it will be fact.”
“Are you dangerous?” She almost hoped that he was.
“I’m a man, and you are a tempting woman, but I would never take advantage of you. I’m not that virtuous, but all I would be able to think about was what Jack would say about my behavior. Heck, he would probably send a thunderbolt down to strike me dead if I got out of line.”
“Then you will stay here. I don’t want to be alone in this big house. That would feel creepy.”
“Rudy might make me move out when he gets back anyhow. We will take it a day at a time, I guess. You must be tuckered out. I want to go check on Thor before I go to bed. You can go ahead and get ready for bed if you like.”
“That’s a long trip to check on the dog.”
“Not that far.”
“I want another glass of wine.”
“Sierra, are you sure? I don’t think you’re used to this, and you’ve been drinking too fast. You’re not drinking water.”
“Never mind, I’ll pour my own.”
“No, I’ll pour your wine, but you’re going to have a headache in the morning.”
She had almost decided to forego the third drink, but when Jordy tried to talk her out of it, she became more determined. When he handed her the glass, she could see he had shorted her some. That annoyed her, and she drank it in two swallows. Was that ladylike? Hell, who cared?
“I have to run in to town in the morning,” Jordy said. “Anything you want me to pick up?”
“Do you want company?” When she asked, she thought she may have made another promise for the day, but she could not remember what it was.
“I’ve got private business. I’m going to stop at Tess’s along the way and tell her about the meeting with the lawyer.”
“Not wanted. Thas what you shaid. Leave me alone, She-aira.” She knew she was saying something stupid, but her brain was not in control of her mouth. “Never liked me. But I saw your eysh. You wanted in She-aira’s bloomers. Just like Carlos. I’m going to bed, and you keep your hansh and pishel to home.”
She dropped the wine glass and it shattered on the floor. Then she struggled to get up, unable to get her feet from beneath her legs. She was aware of Jordy slipping his hands beneath her shoulders and lifting her from the chair. Her body collapsed against his, and she felt Jordy’s arms slip around her and pull her tight against him. She lifted her head and pressed her lips against his, aware of his response when her tongue played with his lips. Suddenly, her stomach rebelled, and a wave of nausea swept over her. She pulled back, vomited down the front of her dress and on Jordy’s suit before she fainted away.
Chapter
