AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ivan scowled, his forehead creasing. “You know how I feel about gettin’ all dressed up.”
“It can be fun,” she said, remembering Sandy’s words and feeling like a hypocrite. Before Colton’s invitation, Cassie hadn’t been looking forward to the party, either.
“It’s a pain in the butt.”
“Since when?” she asked, knowing how her father loved a few drinks, a dance or two and a chance to see all his friends gathered together.
“Since that mule-headed mare decided to deliver.”
“Or since I decided to go with Colton,” she prodded, feeling there was more to it than he was admitting.
Ivan made a face. “As you’re so fond of tellin’ me, it’s your life. It goes without sayin’ how I feel about you going anywhere with Colton McLean. It was all I could do not to hang up on the bastard today—but I didn’t. Because of you.”
“Thanks.”
He bit the corner of his mouth. “I don’t suppose I can change your mind?”
“Not a chance.”
He sighed and turned his gaze to the table. He clamped his jaw hard, and a muscle worked furiously at the side of his neck. “I can’t give you any more advice, Cassie. Even if I did, you’re too stubborn to listen. But just”—at a sudden loss for words, he shook his head—“don’t rush into anything you can’t get out of.”
“I won’t,” she promised, wondering if being careful where Colton was concerned was possible and knowing in her heart that it didn’t matter.
* * *
Glaring at his reflection in the hallway mirror, wondering if he’d had one sane thought since making love to Cassie, Colton tugged at the impossible knot of his tie.
He hadn’t talked to her in two days, and it hadn’t been his choice. He’d known she wanted breathing room and, because he’d felt the same way years before, he’d given it to her.
He twisted his head, loosening the knot. His fingers were sweaty as he thought about the evening stretching out before him. Tonight Colton planned to enjoy every second of Cassie’s company. He’d even managed to talk to her father on the phone and keep his temper in check. Hurdle number one. There was just one more: Denver.
Colton heard the old truck rattle up the drive, and he braced himself. Denver had called last night with the news that he and Tessa would be arriving today. Curtis had left several hours earlier to pick them up at the airport. And now they were back.
Colton wasn’t looking forward to confronting Denver, but he didn’t have much choice. With a last scowl at the tie, he ripped it from around his neck and hurried downstairs and through the back door.
Before Curtis could crank on the emergency brake, Denver sprang from the cab and helped Tessa, her pregnancy in full bloom, from the truck.
They made a striking couple, Colton decided. Denver, tall and broad-shouldered with raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes, and Tessa, her hair a vibrant red-gold, billowing behind her, her skin tanned, the bridge of her nose dusted with a smattering of freckles. Together, fingers linked, they dashed up the path.
Colton tensed. His relationship with his older brother had always been volatile. Though they respected each other, and probably would defend each other to the death, there was always a keen sense of competition between them—a love-hate relationship that had mellowed only slightly over the years. Their pride and hot tempers often got in the way of their common sense.
Tessa dashed up to her brother-in-law and gave him a fierce hug. “Dad said
Red Wing foaled the other night!” she cried, her hazel eyes bright. “A colt! Brigadier’s first! I can’t wait to see him!” She turned her eager face up to her husband’s. “Come on.”
Denver looked about to argue, but the delight so evident on her face must have changed his mind. “Can’t it wait?”
“No! Denver, come on! You know how important this is!”
“Yeah, I know,” Denver said with a half smile. “Let’s check him out.”
Tessa was already heading toward the brood mare barn, striding ahead of her father and the two McLean brothers. Inside, in a large, straw-covered stall, Red Wing guarded the gangly bay colt. His eyes were round and wide, his nostrils flared, his ears twitching nervously.
Red Wing, usually calm and friendly, placed her body squarely between the intruders and her foal. Her ears flattened to her head, and she eyed everyone, including Tessa, suspiciously.
“Look at him,” Tessa cried, fairly glowing. “‘He’s gorgeous.”
Curtis laughed. “You wouldn’t have thought so if you’d been here when he was born.”
