by Leanne Banks
Brick snickered. “That’s not totally bad. If she underestimates you, you can make it work in your favor.”
“Yeah,” Troy said, not convinced. “Listen, do you know anything about Sin’s family background?”
“Not much,” Brick said. “Lisa mentioned that Sin’s mother died a long time ago, and Sin’s never been close with her father, although I think Lisa said he’s supposed to be loaded.”
“Loaded?” Troy repeated.
“Yeah. Owns a bunch of land in Texas. A cattle ranch or something. I think.”
Senada gazed into her closet, searching for the best dress to wear tonight. It was almost like selecting a weapon. Thumbing past the white shirtwaist dress and the bubblegum-pink flowing A-line, she hesitated at the black one. Although the barbecue would be held outside, guests would be dressed in everything from Western attire to cocktail dresses.
The black dress.
Senada pulled it out and looked at it, a black formfitting cotton knit that stretched to her calves. It might have been fairly conservative if not for the illusion sleeves and midriff, and the slit up the right leg.
Designed to drop a man at fifty paces, it was what she’d always referred to as her slut-for-a-night dress. Her father would hate it.
She chuckled under her breath. Well, that was good enough for her. She tossed it on the bed and reached for matching heels. It was too hot, so she would skip nylons.
Padding into the bathroom, she swung her hair up into a wide black onyx clip, then pulled out her eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. If she really wanted to get her father’s goat, she would haul out all the war paint, but even Senada was past that. Applying her makeup, she planned her jewelry. She would keep it simple and let her wicked dress do the talking.
She glanced at the little clock in the bathroom. Time for her blood test and insulin. She’d made progress. She could perform the blood test with a wince, and now she only squeaked when she gave herself the shot for the insulin. After that time Troy overheard her, she’d forced herself to get a grip.
Quick prick for the blood test. She pulled out the syringe and frowned. Sitting down on the closed commode, she measured two fingers over on her left thigh and fought the quick, sharp surge of horror. She took a deep breath, held it, then jabbed her thigh. “Oh!
“Done, all done” she told herself, as if she were a nurse trying to soothe a child after a shot. She stood and caught sight of herself holding the needle in front of the mirror. The resemblance to her mother was strong: long dark hair, dark exotic eyes and full lips. The stubborn chin and high cheekbones, however, came straight from her dad.
Senada looked at the syringe and considered the significance of it. One more reason, she thought, for her father to reject her. She was a fool to go tonight. But Senada was no stranger to doing something foolish, so she tossed the syringe and went to the bedroom to pull on her dress. She was just putting in her earrings as the doorbell rang. Troy. Her stomach fluttered and she scowled. She wasn’t the stomach-fluttering type. Stepping into her black high-heeled sandals, she walked to the door and opened it, not even glancing at Troy. “Come on in. I’ll be just a minute,” she said, turning back to her room.
“Gotta grab my purse.”
She threw a lipstick and a glucose stick in her purse. Great combination, she thought wryly, then reentered the living room. “Thanks for wait—” She broke off when she caught sight of Troy.
His broad shoulders were set off by a white, white shirt with a silver Western slide. Black jeans molded his narrow hips and long legs to black boots. Topping it off was black hair, tanned skin and searing violet eyes that were consuming her like a wildfire.
Senada felt scorched. She gave a little shake of her head. This was ridiculous. She swallowed and prayed for a little moisture in her mouth. “Hi,” she said, nodding her head. “You look good. Didn’t know Pendletons could do ‘cowboy.’ The only thing you’re missing is the hat.”
“We’re adaptable.” He flicked his gaze over her and stepped forward. “Who do you want to kill tonight?”
Senada shrugged, surprised again at his perceptiveness. “Why would you say that? I’m just out for a little fun,” she said with a smile as she sauntered toward him. “Nothing wrong with having a little fun, is there?”
He stepped directly in front of her, put his finger under her chin and stared straight into her eyes. “You’re full of it, Sin. You’re dressed like the feminine equivalent of a cocked gun, and you know it.” He bent down to boldly brush a kiss over her lips. “But it’ll be damn fun to watch. Let’s go.” He smiled, and his white teeth matched his shirt. “Angel.”
Senada’s laugh caught in her throat. She knew he was joking, but the last person who’d called her angel had been her mother. They got into the car, and he asked her a few questions about the Circle K Ranch. Senada gave short answers. The miles flew by, and the closer they drew to the ranch, the tighter the knot in her stomach grew. They turned into the entrance, and Senada took a quick breath.
Troy threw a questioning glance in her direction. “You okay?”
Senada sharply reined in her churning emotions. “Fine,” she murmured, “just fine.” She drank in the sight of the new fences, well-fed cattle and new buildings. She gasped at the sight of the house. The addition was far larger than the original sprawling ranch.
Troy looked at her again. “Problem?”
She took a careful breath. She was going to have to get a grip. “No problem,” she said in a firm voice, hoping her insides would take the hint.
He parked in a graveled area, and Senada joined him as they walked toward the crowd gathered in the backyard.
“You know many of these people well?” Troy asked.
“Not really,” she hedged. “Since I used to live in the area, I might end up seeing someone I knew from back then. But San Pedro’s one of those towns that kids leave as soon as they graduate from high school.”
He shrugged. “I guess Beulah County’s the same way.”
She smiled up at him. “But you stayed.”
“And you came back to San Pedro.”
“True.” Senada sighed. “Not one of my most rational decisions,” she murmured in a low voice. Her gaze swept past the tables of food and the band to the crowd of people. Her stomach knotted.
“Here comes your friend,” Troy said, gesturing toward Chris Grant as he walked in their direction.
“Hello, beautiful,” Chris said, taking Senada’s hands in his. “How come you never dress like this at the bar?”
Senada laughed and shook her head. “Can’t wear heels at work,” she said, completely missing the point. “My feet would declare a mutiny.”
Troy took a slow, careful breath. There was, after all, no rational reason for him to feel possessive. Holding on to a woman like Senada would be like trying to catch the wind.
Chris grinned and swept a half glance over Troy. “You should have told me you needed a ride. I would have been glad to come and get you.”
I’ll just bet.
She backed up a step. “Troy didn’t mind, did you?”
He slipped his arm around her waist. “Not at all. I love taking Senada for a ride.”
Sin rolled her eyes. “You’ve got a lot of guests here tonight. Is the boss going to show?”
Chris’s dispirited gaze clung to Troy’s hand on Senada’s hip. Troy decided it would take an act of God for him to remove it.
Chris adjusted his hat and shrugged. “I think Calhoun’s supposed to make some kind of announcement.”
Calhoun. Troy’s attention snagged on Senada’s last name.
“Is that so?” she asked. “Business or personal?”
“I dunno. He’s being secretive. Listen, you help yourself to the food, and if you need anything, anything at all, you let me know.”
“Thanks,” Troy said, even though he knew Chris hadn’t been talking to him. “We’ll do that.”
As soon as Chris left, he turned to Senada. “Who’s this
Calhoun guy?”
“His name’s Rex. Rex Calhoun. I think I’d like to get some food,” she said, and moved toward the tables.
“Any relation to you?” Troy continued, matching his stride to hers.
“Yes.” Her face tightened and she walked faster, clearly unsettled by his questions.
Troy already knew the answers, but he wanted her to tell him. Silly, but there it was.
“You gonna tell me what this is all about?”
Senada stopped midstride, staring toward the house where a middle-aged man and much younger blonde woman walked down the steps together.
Troy narrowed his eyes and repeated the question. “You gonna tell me what this is all about?”
In that split second, her expression went from confident woman to vulnerable little girl and back again. “I think you’ll find out soon enough.”
Chapter Seven
Senada drank in the sight of her father. She was unprepared for the way her heart jerked. Rex looked older, but just as hard as ever. Still big and lean, he walked with the same arrogantly determined stride. Right now, however, he deferred to the woman by his side.
A flood of memories raced through her mind and deeper. As a little girl, she remembered running to hug him when he came home. He would scoop her up in his strong arms and tell her she had the softest cheek in Texas.
She absently touched her cheek with her hand.
He’d always liked teasing her, pretending he’d stolen her nose, making a scary face when she interrupted him while he read the paper. She’d thought he was the strongest, best man in the world. She’d worshipped him.
Until the year her mother died.
A chill passed over her.
“Sin,” Troy said gently, “you want something to eat or drink?”
She blinked and looked at him. “I should get something. Let’s go. The barbecue looks good, doesn’t it?” Automatically filling her plate, she watched her father from the corner of her eye. His arm was around— She took a careful breath because she still couldn’t believe it. His wife. He’d finally remarried. She’d always believed he wouldn’t.
She took one bite of barbecue and drank water. Rex was making the rounds. She wondered what he would say when he saw her. He would recognize her, she thought, and she buried herself in the crowd like a coward. Suddenly she wasn’t sure she was ready for this. Her head started to pound.
Troy came toward her wearing a concerned expression on his face. “I lost you. Sin, I know you think this is none of my business, but you don’t look so good and—”
Someone let out a loud whistle. “Everybody listen up. Rex has got something to say.”
Senada tensed. She felt a little shaky, and she hated herself for having such an emotional reaction.
“I’d like to make an announcement. The reason I’m having this little shindig is to celebrate the fact that there’s going to be another Calhoun around here soon.” He looked down at his wife. “Sheree’s going to have a baby.” He looked over the crowd with a broad cocky grin.
“And we have reason to believe we’ll be having a—” His gaze finally met Senada’s, and he stumbled.
Senada took a gulp of water and wished with all her heart that it was Scotch.
“Having a what?” one of the hands prodded.
His wife laughed and shook her head. “First time I’ve seen Rex Calhoun speechless. Well, make that the second time. It looks like we’ll be having a son.”
Ah, a son, Senada thought bitterly. A son with none of her mother’s errant genes. She lifted her cup as if to toast him, nodded, then turned away. “Time to go,” she said to Troy. She dumped her plate in a trash can.
“Whoa,” he said, reaching for her arm. “Things have just gotten started. Are you sure you want to go?”
“Absolutely positive.” She shot a quick glance over her shoulder. Her father was being waylaid by many well-wishers, and that suited her just fine. She looked at Troy. “If you want to stay, I’ll see if I can find a ride with someone else.”
He looked exasperated. “I didn’t say that. I just thought—”
She held up her hands. “I really don’t have a problem with it.” She would walk if she had to!
Troy took her other hand in his and brought her up close. “Shut up for just a minute,” he said in a low voice. “Don’t you want to see your father?”
Tears sprang to her eyes. She squinted to keep them at bay. “I have seen him. I want to go.
Now.”
He took a deep breath. “You went to an awful lot of trouble to be here tonight.”
“I’m ready to go.” She worked hard to keep her voice level.
He nodded. “Okay.”
Weak with relief, Senada could have kissed him for agreeing without any more questions. It took just a few minutes to walk to the car, but during that brief time, Senada felt more shaky, more nervous.
Troy opened the car door, and she just stared at it.
He looked at her. “Something wrong?”
She put her hand to her head. “I don’t know.” Her doctor had told her something about these symptoms. Her dietician had warned her.
“Senada!”
She heard her father call her name and wished she could teleport herself to anywhere else.
“Senada.” He was out of breath when he reached her. His face was etched in shades of pain and hope. He shook his head. “Missy, it’s been years.”
She started to feel disoriented and swore. With her last remnant of sense, she reached in her purse and squirted the glucose in her mouth. “I need to sit down, Troy,” she murmured, feeling his strong arms support her almost before she got the words out. “Insulin reaction.”
The next few minutes were a blur. When her disorientation began to fade, her surroundings came into focus. Senada looked at the burgundy brocade sofa where she was reclining and wondered how she’d gotten there. She heard voices all around her, but couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. “Could I have some water, please?”
She glanced up and her gaze meshed with Troy’s. His violet eyes were concerned but steady. The steadiness calmed her.
He took her hand in his. “How you feelin’?”
“Better.” She nodded. “Thirsty.”
“We need some water in here,” Troy said, over the other voices.
“Should we get her to the hospital?” she heard her father ask.
Senada shook her head and winced. Her dietician had warned her she could end up with a killer headache if she had an insulin reaction. “I’m okay. I just need to eat something soon. That’s what got me into this mess to start with,” she said darkly. She’d been too nervous to eat as much as she should have.
One of the domestic staff brought her water.
Senada thanked the woman and quickly drank it. She swung her feet off the sofa and sat up. Still shaky, but much better. “I think I’d like to go home now.”
The voices went silent.
“Go home?” her father repeated, stepping in front of her. “What do you mean go home? For the first time in seven years, you are home.”
His booming voice caused a familiar flutter of nerves inside her. It gave her a moment’s pause before she caught herself. She was an adult now. “Actually, my home is in town. It’s a nice little two-bedroom house on a quiet street. I like it very much.”
Rex looked taken aback, then jutted out his stubborn jaw. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re sick.”
A rage of anger, determination and pride raced through her, stiffening her spine. She stood and met him eye to eye. “I’m not sick.”
“You nearly fainted in my driveway.” He gave a quick jerk of his head in Troy’s direction. “Your boyfriend here had to carry you to the house. He damn well wouldn’t let anyone else near you.”
Her headache intensified. She didn’t know which to argue first, Troy being her “boyfriend” or her fainting spell. She noticed her father looking at her dress and wondered if he was going to sta
rt in on that. “I think—”
“And what are you trying to do, wearing a dress like that? Start a riot?”
That tore it. “Well, of course. It’s my goal in life to start a riot wherever I go.”
Sheree, the young, pregnant wife, stepped closer to Rex and put her hand on his arm.
“Now, Rex, it’s been a long time since you and Senada have seen each other. You might want to try to keep your voice down and—”
“Keep my voice down!” he bellowed. “My daughter shows up for the first time in seven years in a see-through dress and nearly croaks on my driveway. And I’m supposed to keep my damn voice down!”
Senada shook her head and looked at Troy. “This is too much. Maybe,” she said, and seriously doubted it at the moment, “maybe we can try to talk another time. Best wishes on your marriage and pregnancy, Sheree. Just in case you’re concerned about the financial implications of my showing up, I haven’t accepted any money from Rex since I graduated from college.” She turned back to her father and gave a half smile. “Congratulations on your marriage and new baby, Daddy. I hope this time around you’re happier.”
She forced her feet into motion, headed for the front door. “I’d like to go now.”
Troy was at her side, his arm at her waist before she could blink, and his strength made everything inside her sigh in relief. “Can we get out before my father starts again?” she whispered as she stepped through the doorway.
Troy nodded. “You want me to stop somewhere on the way home to get you something to eat?”
She got into the car and shook her head. “No. I’ll just pull something out of the freezer. Won’t take more than five minutes.”
They drove in silence for several minutes, and Senada leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Troy finally broke the quiet. “It appears you and your father have had a volatile relationship.”
She laughed lightly. “He’s nitro. I’m glycerin. Doesn’t take much to make us explode when we’re together.”
“So why did you pick tonight to go see him?”