Hanchart Land

by Becky Barker

  Luke grasped Susan's arm, but she gently disengaged it. "Go ahead," she explained. "I'll be out in a minute." He looked ready to argue, but decided against it and joined the exodus from the room.

  Susan caught Linda's eye before she could leave. "May I have a minute?" she asked.

  Linda and Dan exchanged glances. She nodded, and he followed the others from the room, leaving the two of them alone.

  "I know our decision to marry is a hard one for you to accept," Susan began when it was quiet again. "But Luke and I are committed to making our marriage work."

  Linda's temper flared. "You were married to Shane for two years, and I never once saw you look at him the way you looked at Luke just now," she charged, her eyes filling with more angry tears. "If it's Luke you love, then why did you marry Shane and deprive him of real love and happiness the last years of his life?"

  Susan could never tell her the whole truth, but she decided on a carefully disguised version. "I know this will be hard to believe since Shane did everything he could to keep the truth from people, but our marriage was strictly one of convenience."

  Linda gasped as if she'd been slapped. "How dare you say that? It's a lie or Shane would have told me. He told me everything."

  "It's not a lie." At least not entirety, Susan mentally corrected, and then braced herself for Linda's reaction to her next statement. "Shane asked me to marry him because John was threatening to cut him out of his will if he didn't settle down."

  "That's not so!" Linda charged, but her tone was less vehement.

  "I know you loved him, Linda, but you weren't totally blind to his faults. He drank too much and threw far too many wild parties." The older woman didn't dispute the facts. "So you decided to get married?" Her tone was disbelieving. "He just said 'let's get married' and you agreed?"

  "I was desperate for a home and some security for Butch," Susan managed without choking on the part of the explanation that was a total lie. "Shane and I came to an agreement. I took care of the cooking and housekeeping, and he kept a roof over our heads."

  "That's it?" the older woman exclaimed. "You just sold yourself for the price of a home? How could you sleep with a man you didn't love? Was the attraction purely physical or was it just for the Hanchart name?"

  Susan flinched, but couldn't deny the accusation without telling the truth. Her private life was none of Linda's business, yet she owed it to Luke to explain.

  "Shane and I were never in love, and we were never lovers."

  Linda's eyes and mouth opened wide in astonishment. "You expect me to believe that? I knew my brother better than anyone else in the world. I saw the way he was with you, he was a devoted husband."

  "You saw what Shane wanted you to see," Susan countered. "You loved him and everyone wanted him to be happily married, so he pretended he was."

  "And I'm to believe he either lived as a celibate in a loveless marriage, or he found someone else to satisfy his needs and was an adulterer? That takes a lot of nerve, especially since he can no longer defend himself."

  Susan's tone hardened. "You can accept what I've told you or not, but for the sake of the family, you might give it some thought."

  "And I suppose you think this little chat will just make everything better," was Linda's haughty reply.

  Her arrogance finally snapped Susan's calm. "The only person I care about is Luke. I'm promising if you do or say anything to humiliate, hurt or malign him, I'll never forgive you, and you'll live to regret it."

  "You dare to threaten me?" Linda asked, instantly furious.

  The door to the office was shoved inward, and John entered the room, startling them both into silence.

  "Ladies," he nodded. "I slipped in the side door to avoid the crowd gathering out back. I thought I'd mention your voices are starting to carry." The censure in his tone had them both blushing.

  "Our family isn't nearly as big as it once was," he continued. "There's only a few of us left, so I'm expecting the two of you to work out your differences."

  "Did you hear the cock-and-bull story she's trying to feed me?" asked a petulant Linda.

  "I heard part of it," he said. "I thought there was something strange about Shane getting married so soon after I threatened to disinherit him, but I'd hoped it was for the best."

  Linda went pale and stared at John as if he'd grown an extra head. "You actually threatened to disown him?"

  John nodded. "That much of Susan's story I can vouch for," he assured her.

  "How could you?"

  "You know he was spoiled and headstrong," John reminded. "Don't make him a martyr in death. If he hadn't married and settled down, he'd have paid a higher price for his wild lifestyle."

  Linda didn't respond. Her expression hardened and she gave them a terse "excuse me" before exiting the room, leaving John and Susan to stare after her with equally troubled expressions.

  "Sometimes Linda's pretty full of herself, the family power and wealth," he explained, turning his attention to her. His eyes, so much like Luke's, pierced her with steely intensity. "She could easily be convinced you married Shane for the family's wealth and social standing. Much as I hate to contradict your story, I don't believe it."

  Susan sighed and gave him a slight smile. His words both worried and warmed her. She didn't want him insisting on answers, yet his faith in her personal integrity was heartening. She knew he wanted to hear the truth, but she couldn't give it to him.

  When she didn't respond, he continued, "Have you told Luke the same story you just gave Linda?"

  She looked him directly in the eyes. "Luke's a little too much like his grandfather," she explained wryly. "I doubt he'd believe it either."

  "And you don't want to tell him the real truth?"

  "I'd rather cut off my tongue." He was momentarily startled by her vehemence, and then he threw back his head and roared with laughter. Susan relaxed a little and smiled at the happy sound.

  "Oh, that's rich," John managed when his amusement lessened. "Well I guess I'll have to leave it to you young' uns to work out. Just take some advice from an old man, don't leave it too long. It'll just fester."

  He offered his arm. "I'm late for a surprise party."

  "You're the guest of honor, you're supposed to be late," she teased, tucking her hand through the crook of his elbow. "How else can you be surprised?"

  John grumbled that his ears were too old to tolerate people shrieking and he never had cared for stupid gag gifts. As they made their way through the house, the sound of the crowd grew louder. Susan separated herself from him in the kitchen where Rosa was still busily preparing food.

  "It's about time you two showed up," said the housekeeper. She gave Susan a thorough once-over and decided she was unharmed by her wedding night or her initiation into the family fold.

  "Susan, could you please take this plate of meat out to Juan at the barbecue? Linda will be making her little birthday speech soon, John, so you’d better get ready to be surprised and appreciative."

  "Ready as ever," he grumbled.

  The women exchanged grins as he went out the door, looking as though he was throwing himself to the wolves. His appearance sent up a cheer from their guests.

  "He really loves these parties," Rosa whispered. "He'd die before admitting it, but I know be looks forward to it every year."

  Susan picked up a plate of meat. "I'm sure he does," she agreed, but she certainly wasn't looking forward to it herself.

  Chapter Eight

  Susan unconsciously straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin as she stepped out of the house onto the patio. Colored banners and balloons were strung all over the backyard and pool area, adding to the gaiety of the beautiful summer evening. A throng of people stood around laughing, talking and sipping cold beverages. As expected, half the community was in attendance.

  It was still hot for a spring evening, but the sun's heat would soon be waning and they might get lucky enough to have a cool evening breeze. By dark, dozens of carefully str
ung lanterns would be lit to add a golden glow to the celebration.

  She searched for Luke and found him talking with a group of men. She recognized them, but didn’t really know them well. They were local ranchers who belonged to the Cattlemen's Association. He was past-president and a highly respected member. He was also a good friend and neighbor.

  Luke had been watching for her, and his gut tightened the instant she stepped into view. Resentment flared along with his body's urgent response, and then he wrote it off as a natural reaction after a night of passion. Especially a night of passion that had been preceded by too many months of celibacy.

  The evidence of Susan's physical discomfort had kept him from satiating himself with her last night, but it was just as well. He needed to keep a tight rein on his control where she was concerned. He’d realized how easily thoughts of her could intrude on every aspect of his life. He’d thought once he possessed her, it would ease the emotional grip she had on him, but that theory had gone out the window. Once he’d made love to her, he’d wanted more. Their marriage wasn’t going to be an easy proposition if he let his desire for her get out of hand.

  Right now, he wanted to know what had happened between his wife and his cousin. Had Linda tried to intimidate Susan? Called her names and chastised her for being the cause of so much gossip and speculation? Should he have stayed behind and shielded Susan from Linda’s hatefulness? Or, was it better to let the two women work out their own differences? He didn’t have any experience in husbandly duties, so he’d have to trust his instincts. And since he didn’t know the whole truth about Susan and Shane’s marriage, his instincts told him not to interfere. Still, he was curious.

  Their gazes met, the question flashing between them, but Susan’s expression didn’t give him a hint of what she was thinking. She was too damned good at hiding her feelings. He watched as she made her way to the barbecue, smiling and casually greeting people on the way. Her head was high and she looked more confident than she had earlier. He wondered if it was an act or if she was feeling smug about keeping the Hanchart name and all the perks that went with it. Had she privately taunted Linda with her new status in the family? Part of him didn’t think she’d do such a thing, but the other part of him faced the fact that he didn’t know her well enough to be sure.

  Maybe the two of them had been discussing Shane. Why did that stick in his craw even more? He’d thought about little else all day. About Susan’s obvious fear of intimacy, her story about the rape and the memory of Shane looking like he’d been beaten with a ball bat. There were also the stories of Shane’s whoring around during his marriage. He’d always wondered why his cousin slept with other women if his marriage bed was as hot as he boasted.

  It all made a crazy kind of sense, yet it contradicted everything he’d believed for the past few years. It would take him a while to get his head around it. He’d believed Susan was a sexually experienced woman, but he’d changed his mind when faced with her fears. He’d felt her trembling in his arms and sensed her panic. He’d heard the quiver in her voice when she’d tried to explain. He felt like smashing something every time he thought about Shane taking her by force. Just thinking about it now made his hands clench into fists and his teeth grind in frustration.

  Or maybe she was playing him for a fool. Maybe she was a great little actress. It would be well worth her while to pretend. Had she just been pretending to enjoy his loving? Had all her sexy responses been faked? His body tightened at the memory of their bodies locked together in the heat of passion. No, he didn’t think any woman was that good an actress. He’d been with women who enjoyed sex, but never one who returned his loving with so much guileless enthusiasm. Maybe any man could make her just as wanton, but nothing about her actions had been fake.

  "If I were single and a few years younger, I'd have to come a courtin' that one," said Pete Rudger, a longtime friend of John's.

  The others laughed, teasing him about being decades too old instead of just years.

  Luke felt a shot of irritation when he realized his friends had been watching him watch Susan. He hadn’t noticed the conversation had come to a halt until Pete’s comment broke the silence. They probably wondered why his attention had drifted for so long. He didn't welcome their speculation, but he couldn’t blame them for their curiosity.

  "Found any way to get around that clause in Shane's will?" asked Pete, airing the subject that had been the talk of the community since the news hit the grapevine.

  "I guess the fact that Susan’s here means you’ve found a way to fight Matthews in this latest battle,” said another rancher. “You’re not gonna let him win, are ya?"

  "Yes and no," Luke responded to their questions in order without elaborating. They'd all know the details soon enough, so he excused himself and left them to discuss other matters.

  Meanwhile, Susan was making her way around the patio greeting guests. She knew most everyone, had known them all her life, and yet didn't feel she knew anyone very well. These last few years she'd done her best to fade into the background. That still suited her just fine, but she owed it to Luke to make an effort at socializing. These were his lifelong friends and neighbors.

  After a short while, she turned toward a portable stage that had been set up for the band. Linda was tapping a microphone to quiet the crowd and get their attention.

  She was a gracious hostess as she welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming to help celebrate John's birthday. No one would ever guess she'd been in a temper and tears just minutes ago. Susan had to admire her for her confidence and composure.

  Linda and her granddad shared a few teasing remarks, and then she turned the microphone over to him. John repeated the welcome and thanks. "I guess if ya'all enjoy the parties enough, I'll have to keep having birthdays," he teased. "I'm figurin' on livin' 'til about a hundred."

  The declaration was greeted with a rousing cheer, laughter and applause. Susan scanned the crowd for Luke again, but couldn't find him. Then she felt the warmth of his touch at her back. All the fine hairs on her neck prickled with sensual pleasure. It excited her to just have him close.

  He stepped beside her, keeping a hand on the small of her back, sending heat spiraling through her body. She turned her head to him and smiled, feeling less isolated with him close. It seemed impossible she'd become so addicted to his solid presence in so few hours.

  "I have a special announcement to make this evening," John was saying. "It's my duty as the patriarch of the family and my great pleasure as a proud granddad to announce Luke's marriage."

  A collective gasp went through the crowd with all eyes searching for the man in question. Susan felt heat invading her face, and cursed her fair complexion. She wanted to look cool and collected, but it was hard to do when her cheeks were spotted with hot color. She knew she must look like a blushing bride even though everyone would scoff at the idea.

  "Luke and Susan were married right here at the house last night," he continued, "with Reverend Thompson doing the honors. I'd like to wish the newlyweds a long and happy future. And maybe even mention my desire for a few more great-grandchildren to spoil."

  After the slightest of hesitations, everyone started to cheer and clap their hands with a few loud whistles added. Luke and Susan were bombarded with congratulations. She saw doubt and speculation in their guest's eyes, but tried not to be unnerved by it. There were the expected comments.

  "We had no idea you were even dating!"

  "Well, aren't you the secretive ones?"

  "When did all this come about?"

  "Why didn't you let anyone know?”

  "You should have told us, we'd have thrown a party." Some of the congratulations were genuinely sincere and Susan appreciated them. She was hugged and kissed and patted on the arm and back. Other people, mostly women, weren't so pleasant. One dared to remark she obviously hadn't been a merry widow. Luke quickly showed his disfavor with a polite, but sharp retort, issuing a warning to anyone whose comments edged too cl
ose to rudeness.

  For all intents and purposes, the announcement went over well, but being the center of attention was still a strain. John seemed to sense when they'd had enough, and loudly declared it was time to eat. The bulk of the crowd started shifting toward the food-laden tables.

  Caroline Adkens approached when the crowd surrounding them thinned. The other woman was a tall, shapely redhead wearing a yellow shorts outfit that showcased her long legs. Although not classically beautiful, she was very attractive with an aura of raw sensuality that often appealed to men.

  It didn't appeal to Susan. She stiffened, mentally preparing for more malicious feminine digs, but Caroline wasn't interested in her. Her gaze locked on Luke. She gave him a congratulatory hug and managed to press her breasts against his chest for an indecent amount of time.

  Susan was ready to peel the woman off, when Luke did it himself. He grasped her shoulders and gently, but firmly set her aside. Caroline's eyes flashed with satisfaction, as though she was certain the feel of her body had the power to disturb him.

  Susan fumed at the thought. He didn't appear overly affected by the other woman, but was he? He was a deeply sensual man. He'd left no doubt in her mind about that. Maybe that's why Caroline had appealed to him in the first place. Had they shared the same kind of intense loving she’d experienced last night?

  The possibility made her feel a surge of red hot jealousy that was so powerful it alarmed her. She'd never been the jealous, possessive type. She didn't want to be any more dependent on him than she already was. Nor did she want to be bombarded by emotional reactions as passionate as jealousy.

  A glance at Luke quickly jolted her back to reality. His eyes were cool and watchful, the arrogant tilt of his brow mocking her reaction. Susan realized her expression was tight with distaste, and she made a determined effort to relax.

  Then Luke turned his attention back to Caroline. "You'd better get something to eat before it's gone," he told her, his dismissal doing nothing to smooth their guest's ruffled feathers.

  "I think I'll hit the bar first," she said. "I can really get into a party mood once I've had some of your private stock bourbon.”