Luke lowered his fork. “Texas has an army?”
“Nearly three hundred men. After a few Texans drove off the Mexican troops at Gonzales, Sam Houston decided to form an army. We elected Austin commander. I’ll fill you in later. Right now, I want to know more about your nanny.” Travis turned to Shannon. “Where are you from, Miss McKinley? That’s not a Texas accent I’m hearing.”
Shannon laughed. “Indeed, it isn’t. I’m from Scotland, and please call me Shannon. As yer bother informed me, there is no need fer formality in Texas.”
It was Travis’s turn to laugh. “Luke told you correctly, but, if you don’t mind me asking, why are you so far away from home?”
Luke’s fork hit the plate. “For Christ sake, Travis, don’t be so nosey.”
“Just curious,” he shot back. “I’m sure you’ve not bothered to ask her anything, but you have to admit it isn’t every day we see a foreigner.” Travis’ gaze once again shifted to Shannon with a bemused smile on his lips.
“What’s a foreigner? Toby asked.
“Travis means somebody not form ‘round here,” Luke answered.
“Yer country has always fascinated me,” Shannon admitted. “When my uncle died, his solicitor was able tae find a job fer me,” she paused, “and since I’m fond of children, I thought ‘twould be a good way tae do both of the things I wanted tae do.” She took a sip of tea, then asked. “And what line of work are ye in?”
“I could listen to you talk all day.” Travis grinned, then answered. “I travel around a lot.”
“He’s a drifter,” Luke snapped.
“I am not.”
Toby frowned. “What’s a drifter?”
Travis glanced at his nephew. “A drifter is someone who doesn’t know where he’s going. However, I always know where I’m going, so I’m not a drifter.”
Shannon had finished the apple pie that had been served for dessert. It had been a fine meal and Travis had proved a welcome addition at the table. He could liven up a meal. She wondered at the difference in the two men.
“Perhaps, I should put the children tae bed,” Shannon said as she stood. “That way ye can have a private conversation.” She didn’t bother to add and finish your arguing.
“But we want to talk to Uncle Travis,” Molly protested.
Travis stood too. “I'm going to stay a couple of days, so we’ll have plenty of time to talk, Molly.”
“Then we shall see ye tomorrow,” Shannon said. “Children...” She held out her hand for them.
Molly and Toby kissed their father and Travis good night, then met Shannon at the door.
She turned and said, “Good night, Luke. Travis.”
“Miss Shannon,” Luke and Travis both said with a slight nod.
Luke’s frown told her he wasn’t too happy, but about what she couldn’t imagine. She wondered at Luke’s odd behavior as she and the children walked down the hall. He seemed irritated for no reason whatsoever. Unless . . . unless he truly was jealous.
“Do yer father and uncle argue all the time?” Shannon asked Molly.
“Yeah, but they call it discussing.”
“When we discuss like that, Pa gets mad,” Toby interjected.
Shannon laughed. Out of the mouth of bairns.
The men moved into the parlor to finish their conversation.
Luke was surprised at the stab of jealousy he’d felt when his brother had flirted with Shannon. He could never remember being jealous when his wife had been alive. He wondered if he should feel guilty. He poured whiskey into two glasses, handed one to Travis and then took the chair next to his brother. “Now tell me, what is this army you’re talking about? What do you think is going to happen?”
“The Texas Revolution has begun, you can bet your bottom dollar on that,” Travis stated. “It started with a single cannon blast in Gonzales. Don’t know how long it’ll go on, but Santa Anna will not go away without a fight and, probably, a nasty fight, at that.”
Luke nodded. “I agree. It’s time for independence. Our numbers have grown in Texas.”
“Yep,” Travis agreed, looking at the amber liquid in his glass. “We outnumber the Mexican settlers.”
“I’ve heard Santa Anna’s army is looting and burning. That’s all we need,” Luke stood, then walked over to the window before continuing, “It’s been bad enough fighting off the Comanche.”
“It makes you wonder why we want to live here,” Travis grumbled. “I don’t expect you to leave the children, but I thought you’d want to know what’s happening.”
“Of course, I want to know.” Luke digested the information. “Maybe, I should hire a few more men for protection. Of course most have volunteered for the army, so finding trustworthy men has been tough.”
“I can imagine,” Travis said nodding. “At least, you solved one of your worries. You found a nanny.”
Luke swung back from the window and slugged down his drink. “She goes back next week.”
Travis gaped at him as if Luke had lost his mind. “And why is that? She didn’t run out the first week, and that, in itself, is a miracle. You know how many others you’ve tried.”
“She’s too young. I advertised for someone older, and she lied to get the job.”
“Like you’ve never told a lie,” Travis shot back, then he smiled. “She’s what . . . a little younger than Ruth?”
Luke nodded and sat down. “But she’s even smaller than Ruth. I don’t want to watch Shannon die, too.”
“Are you sure that’s what the problem is?” Travis asked, determined not to let the subject drop. He knew his brother well. “I don’t think so. You’re afraid to have someone so tempting around you,” Travis got up and poured himself another drink. “For Christ sake! It isn’t right that you’re alone, Luke. It’s been three years.”
“I know how long it’s been,” Luke snapped, his mouth thinning with displeasure. “You don’t know what it’s like to love someone then lose her.”
“You’re right, I don’t,” Travis stated then took an abrupt step toward him, “but I do know that when I first saw you tonight, it was the first time in a long time you looked like you were alive again . . . the brother I used to know.” Travis leaned toward his brother. “Life goes on. If it doesn’t, you might as well have climbed into that hole with Ruth.”
Luke leapt to his feet and held up a hand to silence Travis. “Mind your own damned business!” He slammed his glass on the table. “As you said, you’ve never loved anyone. I’ll see you in the morning.”
That’s all Luke needed, he thought as he strode out. His damned nosy brother giving him advice, the brother who’d never stayed long in one place. The one always looking for adventure and another woman.
How would Travis know what it felt like to love someone and then have them jerked out of your life? And the guilt . . . there was always the guilt for bringing his wife to this savage land.
As soon as the back door slammed and the cool air surrounded Luke, he could feel some of the tension ease out of his shoulders. He breathed in the cool night air. Winter was just around the corner. They might have a few more warm days ahead but summer was gone. This meant he’d be spending more time in the house with his lovely nanny.
Then again, maybe not.
The stage would be back in Cottonwood two days from now. His original plans were to put Shannon back on the stage; however, now that these battles were taking place, he needed to ride with his brother to see what he could do to help. After all, he didn’t want to be ruled by Mexican government. Texas needed her freedom, and he needed to do his small part.
Did he dare leave his children with Shannon? He smiled as he thought of how she had tamed them, something the other nannies had not been able to do. The children were different now, and he liked their behavior so much better than when they were running wild. He’d even bet that the kids liked Shannon more than they let on. And he had to admit, he trusted her. She was sweet and caring, and beautiful.
Luke
sighed. He couldn’t decide what to do about Shannon. Would she be able to survive Texas’s harsh winters? Or would she get sick and die as his wife had, leaving the children and him alone again? Then he’d have two deaths haunting him. Luke rubbed the back of his neck. Making decisions had never been a problem in the past. Why was he having so much trouble now?
Letting his hands fall to his sides, Luke glanced up at the full moon. It bathed everything he owned, everything he was proud of building up from nothing. Having worked so hard, Luke wondered if it had been worth it. If he’d stayed back in St. Louis, Ruth might still be alive and his life would be so very different than it was today.
But what life?
He’d have a position in her father’s bank being bored out of his mind. He needed wide open spaces, the sun on his face and the wind in his hair.
He’d always heard that God moved in mysterious ways – now he wondered where he was heading with his life. He couldn’t go on as he’d been doing. He was tired, and for a brief moment he wondered what it would be like to be like his brother and not have a care in the world. A shadow of annoyance crossed his face and he sighed . . . that wasn’t who he was.
Maybe things would look different in the morning.
Instead of going back in the house, Luke decided to look over his new stallion which Wilson had put in the coral earlier today. As he shuffled toward the coral, Luke couldn’t seem to get his brother’s words out of his head. He hated to admit it. Travis had been right about him. Luke had been living like a dead man.
He worked. He slept. Then he got up the next morning and started all over again. He didn’t think he had been capable of feeling anything until Shannon had walked, no stormed, into his life. With that thought, he smiled for the first time today, and a bit of tension seeped out of his body.
When the corral came into view, Luke stopped. For there standing on the fence clinging to the top rail like a child was the object of his thoughts. He had to admit Shannon was like a breath of fresh air.
Her fiery red hair smoldered in the moonlight and reminded him of low-burning embers. His body hardened and that disgusted him. He might be a man but he should have better control over his emotions. He was no better than one of his bulls.
“How do you like my new horse?”
Shannon swung around a little surprised to find Luke walking up behind her, “Hello. Hope ye dinna mind me lookin’ at yer horse? He’s beautiful.”
She turned back to face the pen, grabbing the top rail with her arms. “Look how proudly he holds his head, but I believe he’s a bit shy. Canna get him tae come tae me.”
“I bet he’s the first male you’ve not been able to charm,” Luke commented wryly.
Surprised by his off-handed comment, Shannon climbed down from the railing then turned and leaned against the fence before she spoke. Luke was hard on the outside, but she’d bet if she could break through his protective shell, she’d like what she found. “Canna say I’ve done tae well with his master.”
Luke propped his boot on the rail next to her and leaned on his knee. “Maybe better than you know.”
Shannon couldn’t believe it, Luke was flirting with her! “Yer in a strange mood tonight,” she said with a smile. “Ye want tae talk about it? I’m a good listener.”
“It’s just that . . .” he paused, “you’re not what you seem.”
Shannon wasn’t sure what she’d expected him to say, but it most certainly wasn’t that. “Yer disappointed in me.”
“Of course not,” he answered quickly. “Well, maybe, at first, because you lied to me. But then, you’ve actually done very well with the children. At least, they haven’t run you off as they did the others.” He smiled. His eyes were dark and unfathomable, then he added, “Yet.”
“Much to yer disappointment.” Shannon laughed. “’Twasn’t fer lack of them not tryin’. I believe Molly and Toby are . . . shall we say . . . mischievous. They want attention.”
Shannon appeared so pretty in the moonlight, so tempting, Luke thought. Her closeness was like a drug to him. “You might be right,” he admitted. “They miss their mother.”
“And their father.”
Luke reached out and touched her face. Feelings he thought long dead roared to life. He struggled to hold himself back as his fingers slid down the side of her face to rest under her chin, tilting it up so he could see into her eyes. “Why did you come barreling into my life?”
A strange inner excitement filled Shannon and her skin tingled where he touched her. He was strong and rugged, yet his touch was gentle. Isn’t this what she wanted? Could he one day love her? “Because you needed me,” she whispered.
“I guess I did.” As his warm breath brushed her cheek, he lowered his mouth to hers. Just before kissing her, he murmured in a husky voice, “I really shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Aye,” Shannon agreed as she gazed at him from beneath flirtatiously lowered lashes. “Unless ye want to.” The way Luke looked at her made her knees go weak. She couldn’t deny this deep compelling attraction she felt for him. And kissing Luke was a rash and reckless thing to do, but necessary if she was going to seduce her cowboy. She’d found what she wanted. She had to make him want her.
With a smothered moan, Luke’s arms tightened around her as his mouth opened hungrily over hers. He coaxed her lips open, then his tongue plunged inside her mouth creating the most luscious feeling Shannon had ever felt.
Her arms moved around his neck. She clung to Luke, caressing the back of his neck in slow lazy circles as she enjoyed the kiss. She became lost in a swirl of emotions. Shannon had heard her sisters talking about men and kissing, but she had never thought it could be so wonderful. . . so pleasurable. Most certainly the few kisses she had experienced in England were so formal that they were non-existent compared to this.
Luke pulled back and gazed at her. She could tell he felt something for her, whether he wanted to or not.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” he finally said.
“Ye dinna enjoy it?”
Luke looked at her as if she’d said something stupid. “Of course I did.” He sighed. “More than you know.”
“Well, I’ll no apologize for carin’ for ye, Luke Griffin.”
“Oh, Shannon, if only life were so simple,” he murmured then released her. “You can’t stay out here.”
“I can if ye want me.”
“I—I,” Luke paused, shook his head, then headed for the barn. “Go back to the house, Shannon,” he called over his shoulder, but she also heard him say to himself. “I don’t know what I want.”
Shannon watched Luke’s back and shook her head. She could feel her heart fluttering. That was one forevermore stubborn cowboy. Would he ever be able to let his wife’s memory go? Tears stung her eyes as she realized that she’d come to love Luke and his children . . . difficult as they were. What would she do if he sent her away?
Chapter 8
All night long Shannon tossed and turned, her mind still on Luke.
Would he send her away now that he knew she was a temptation? Would he treat her coldly in the morning?
He seemed to have enjoyed the kiss as much as she had. Luke was a wonderful kisser. He made her feel things she’d never felt before. And in that one unguarded moment, she saw that he felt the same as she did. A small sigh slipped out.
Oh how she wished she had one of her sisters to talk to. They would know what to do.
Longing to be with her sisters, Shannon began to dream about the last time she’d seen them. They had just come to America . . .
Shannon, Brooke and Jocelyn stood on the rolling deck of the Flying Lady, watching the American shoreline grow bigger, wondering what adventure awaited them.
Shannon, with her romantic notions, believed there was someone out there just for her, preferably a cowboy.
Brooke who didn’t believe in love said, “From what I’ve seen men and women use each other to get what they want. If you don’t have money, y
ou have to depend on others. I’m going to make something of my life, and there isn’t a man alive I’ll let stand in my way.” That was Brooke – determined. The strong one.
Once Brooke had told Shannon that as a young girl she’d had visions of true love dancing in her head, but they were soon dashed in the harsh light of reality. Sometimes life didn’t turn out liked you hoped.
Now Shannon could agree.
And then there was her real cousin Jocelyn who had met Brooke at boarding school. Jocelyn didn’t believe in love either. Unfortunately, of the three of them, she’d tasted love and what had it gotten her? A broken heart and tossed out of her father’s house. So she’d turned to her uncle, Jackson Montgomery, and he had taken her into his home where she was reunited with Brooke.
After Jackson Montgomery, Duke of Devonshire, entered Brooke’s life, everything had changed. He understood that she wasn’t living the life she wanted. Whoever started out wanting to be a courtesan?
It was true that he’d kept Brooke in a townhouse he’d bought just for her, but Jackson wasn’t like the other men. She’d told them that he had been her friend, never as much as hinting at sexual relations. It seemed as though in some strange way, he saw the good in Brooke and wanted to protect her. When he’d taken in his nieces, Jocelyn and herself, who were very close to Brooke’s age, they had become a family of sorts as the girls had bonded with each other and became sisters with Brooke as the older bossy sister.
Jackson had promised that he’d leave Brooke and the girls well taken care of. So, when he’d died, he’d left Brooke Moss Grove, his American plantation, and enough money for the young women to leave England and make a fresh start in America. Shannon and Jocelyn had wanted no part of the plantation. He also left the incomparable Mr. Jeffries, the solicitor in charge of his affairs, to help the women travel and get settled.
They had been standing by the ship’s rail when Shannon shook Brooke’s arm, bringing her back from her musings. “Where is Mr. Jeffries?” Shannon paused, then added. “Ye seem tae be daydreamin’ a lot lately.”
Western Seduction (The Seduction Series Book 2) Page 9