Chapter Six
LUKE WAS SLUMPED INa rocking chair on his front porch, drinking and staring morosely at the setting sun, when he saw a wagon crest the hill from town. He straightened, his eyes narrowing on the familiar face of the man behind the reins.
At last, his meddling brother had come to see what his interference had wrought.
Matt and his wife, Rebecca, were the only people in the world Luke gave a damn about. But he was hard-pressed to find a smile for them today.
He’d been betrayed in the worst possible way. Matt had made him see his life for the pitiful shambles it was. He’d never forgive the bastard.
He stood as Matt bounded up the porch steps and pulled him into a crushing embrace. “Luke,” he exclaimed. “God, it’s good to see you. It’s been too long.”
Luke stiffened and disengaged himself. “Not nearly long enough.”
Matt exchanged a glance with Rebecca. “I told you he’d be angry, sweetheart.” To Luke, he said, “Come on, let’s go inside. Then you can yell at us all you want.”
“Us?” Luke glared at Rebecca. “You had a hand in this, Becky?”
She took his hand, leading him into the house. “I’m sorry, Luke. We only wanted to help. We never thought things would turn out this way.”
Luke followed his sister-in-law into the parlor. “What did you think would happen?” He whirled to face his brother. “And you, Matt. How could you? You chose me a wife like you’d pick a new stud for the ranch. This is my life! Don’t you think I should have some say in the matter?”
Matt flushed and pulled the sheet off the sofa where Sarah had sat the day she arrived. A cloud of dust flew up and he grimaced. “Christ, Luke. You’ve lived here for two years. Don’t you think it’s time you took the damned covers off the furniture?”
“You’re changing the subject,” Luke fired back. “Don’t you think I could have found a wife if I’d wanted one?”
Matt shook his head. “You don’t knowwhatyou want. This house is a perfect example. How can you live like this? What are you hiding from?”
Luke had bought the house completely furnished, after the previous owner had been unable to make a go of things. But once he’d moved in, he hadn’t had the energy to make the place his own. He’d been far too aware of the fact that he had no one to share it with and never would.
“I’m not hiding.” Luke ran his hand through his hair in agitation. He was too incensed to sit. “God. Why are you doing this to me?”
Rebecca’s dark eyes filled with tears, but Matt’s face was grim and relentless. “We’re worried about you. I can’t bear to watch you waste away in whiskey and self-doubt.” He blew out an exasperated breath. “Maybe sending that girl up here wasn’t the wisest thing I’ve ever done, but at least it made you angry. At least now you’re feelingsomething.”
“You don’t have the faintest idea what I feel. You still have both of your legs, you son of a bitch.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Luke regretted them. He sounded pathetic.
Matt turned away, shaking his head in disgust. “I’m tired of feeling sorry for you, Luke. After all this time, I hoped you’d finally pull yourself together.”
