His mother flushed. “Well, of course, I didn’t mean that. Forgoodness sakes, Harlan, I was just trying to think ahead and make some plans. I waswondering if we should have another party, perhaps for New Year’s Eve.”
Luke shuddered at the thought. “Not on my account,” he saidwith absolute sincerity.
“I think a quiet celebration is more in order this year,”Harlan said, regarding him with something that might have been understanding. “Ithink we had enough chaos around here last night to last till next year.”
“Chaos?” Mary repeated, red patches of indignation in hercheeks. “I worked for weeks to make sure that we had a lovely party for ourfriends on Christmas and you thought it was chaos?”
Harlan sighed. “I didn’t mean any disrespect, dear. Yourparties are always well attended. They’re the high point of the social seasonaround the whole state of Texas. Everyone knows that. I just think one is enough.”As if he sensed that his fancy verbal footwork hadn’t yet placated her, he added,“Besides, I know first-hand how much the planning takes out of you.”
Mary sighed heavily, her expression put-upon. “I suppose a quietfamily occasion would be nice for a change. Perhaps for once Jordan and Cody can bepersuaded to leave their current paramours at home.”
“I doubt that will be a problem,” his father said.“Jordan claims to be fed up with the social whirl and Cody’s trying to put adamper on Melissa’s enthusiasm for a spring wedding. I suspect they’ll behappy to come alone.”
“That was certainly the impression I got from them, too,”Jessie chimed in. “I never thought I’d see the day when those two would turnup anywhere without a woman, but they seemed almost relieved to be on their own lastnight.”
After the initial awkwardness and minor bickering, the rest of the eveningsettled into something astonishingly comfortable. Dinner passed quickly with quietconversation about old friends and plans for the next few days of the holidays.
“The McAllisters’ annual party is tomorrow night,” Maryreminded them. She looked at Luke and Jessie. “I’m sure you’ll bothwant to come.”
“Not me,” Jessie said at once. “I’m not quite upto partying yet, but the rest of you go.”
Luke noticed that Jessie claimed a lack of energy only when it suited herpurposes. She’d always hated the stuffy McAllisters and the collection of rich andpowerful they dutifully assembled periodically to prove their own worth to theneighbors.
“I believe I’ll stay here, too,” he said, studiouslyavoiding Jessie’s gaze.
His mother opened her mouth to protest, but to his surprise, his fatherdefended his decision. “Mary, leave him be. If it were up to me, I’d stayhome, too, but I know you won’t have it.”
“Well, for goodness sakes, it’s social occasions like thisthat make the kind of business contacts you need,” his mother grumbled. “Ishould think Luke would be aware of that, as well.”
Luke settled back in his chair, his decision reinforced by hisfather’s surprising understanding. “I prefer to make my business contacts inan office, Mother. That way there’s no confusing my intent. As I recall, the lasttime I tried to do business at one of these social occasions, Henry Lassiter thought Iwas going to trade a herd of cattle for his daughter’s hand inmarriage.”
Next to him, Jessie choked back a laugh. Her eyes sparkled withundisguised merriment. “How on earth did you extricate yourself fromthat?”
“Thank goodness I didn’t have to,” he said, laughing atthe memory. “Janice Lassiter was as appalled as I was. She told her father in nouncertain terms that she was not a piece of property he could trade in to get a prizebull and a few cows. I have to admit I found her a bit more intriguing after she saidthat.”
To his surprise his mother’s mouth curved into a smile. “Younever told us that story.”
“Of course not,” Luke said. “Do you realize howembarrassing it was to realize that I’d made some innocent remark that gotmistaken for a marriage proposal? It’s not something a man wants gettingaround.”
Jessie leaned close and whispered, “There are some women who mighteven take you up on an innocent remark even without the offer of the cattle. Those arethe ones you really have to watch your step with.”
Luke shifted and stared at her, his blood suddenly thundering in hisveins. He could feel his cheeks flush and prayed that his very observant father waswatching something else at the moment. If Luke meant anything at all to Angela, who wassound asleep in her grandfather’s arms, the little munchkin would wake up andstart screaming right now to divert attention.
She didn’t, which meant he had to hide his reactions as best hecould.
Why had he never noticed that sweet, demure Jessie was a master oftorment? She must have had poor Erik in a daze from the day they’d met. Or perhapshis brother had been made of sterner stuff than he’d ever realized.
“Watch yourself, darlin’,” he murmured in an aside hehoped couldn’t be overheard. “You’re just begging fortrouble.”
Jessie turned her deceptively innocent gaze on him. “Who’sgoing to give it to me, Lucas?”
Good question. For him to tangle with her in the way he longed to, the wayshe was taunting him to, he was the one who would be in real trouble. Up to his neck init, as a matter of fact, and drowning fast.
Chapter Fourteen
If it weren’t for the half dozen servants scattered around, Luke and Jessie would have had the house to themselves the following evening, once his parents had gone off to the McAllisters’ party. For some reason, Jessie found being alone with Luke at White Pines oddly intimate and very disconcerting. Acknowledging her feelings for Luke at his ranch had been one thing. Admitting them here, where she and Erik had spent their entire married life, was something else entirely.
Frankly, she was still surprised that Luke had conspired to be alone with her. When she’d left his ranch, she had been all but certain she would never see him again unless she arranged it. Now, not only had he followed her to White Pines, he seemed unwilling to let her out of his
