Chapter Twelve

Tyler fiddled with his Stetson where it rested on his knee. He glanced at his brother. How could he look so comfortable and at ease in this office?

“Here you go Cord, black and strong just as you like it.” Their attorney’s secretary, Sue Ann Richardson, brought in a tray of coffee. “I also baked these muffins this morning and thought you might want one.” She beamed at Cord, and Tyler bit back a grin. Some things in Sweet Meadow never changed.

“Thanks, SueAnne, your lemon muffins are legendary.” Cord smiled and took one off the platter.

The woman’s entire face lit up. She handed one to Tyler but he waved her off with his hand. “No thanks, not good for my figure, you know.” He winked to soften his rejection.

“Oh, go on, as if any of you Weston boys need to worry about your looks.” She directed the last part to Cord.

A red flush crept up the back of his brother’s neck.

“Jake’s on his way,” she continued. “He had to stop off at his Mama’s place. She’s having some ‘issues’, don’t you know.” Her voice had lowered as if confiding in them, but Tyler knew damn well Sue Anne had probably told half the town already what ‘issues’ Jake’s mother was having.

When she closed the door, he turned to his older brother. “If she was a puppy, her tail would be wagging and there’d be a puddle on the floor. That girl has it bad for you.”

Cord shifted in his chair and set the rest of his muffin on the tray. “She’s got it bad for any eligible guy over twenty and under eighty. Then again, I’m not so sure about the under eighty part. SueAnne’s wanted a husband since she was five years old.”

“She sure can bake.” Ty nodded to the full plate of treats.

“Yep, and run her mouth, too. No thanks.” Cord took a long drink of his coffee, grimaced and set it back on the tray. “Bake maybe, but she can’t make coffee that’s for dang sure.” He picked up the rest of his muffin and took a bite. “Listen, let’s talk a minute before Jake gets here.”

Tyler frowned. They’d already discussed everything. “Talk about what?”

“You know. Chase’s plan was for you to move back there, work under him some more, and take it over.”

“Yeah, but things have changed.”

Cord held his gaze. “I understand, but do you know things with you and Beth are going to work out? I’d hate to see you pass this by when it could just be the answer to what you’ve always wanted.”

“I want Beth.”

Cord twisted in his chair and faced him. He clasped his hands loosely and dangled them between his legs. “I’m going to be straight with you, and then you make up your own mind.”

Tyler nodded. Here comes the fatherly lecture that Cord was famous for.

“You left home because you couldn’t work under me or Buck anymore. You hated that we knew your business, all that you were about, and that we had no problem, as family, with voicing our opinion.”

Tyler nodded. “Yeah.”

“Nothing’s changed, Ty. We’re still the same annoying family you grew to resent. I have the responsibility of this family on my plate, I have a business to run, and I can’t spend time molly-coddling you if you don’t like a direct order or we hit heads on something.”

Tyler knew he’d have a struggle if he had to turn to his brother for permission with everything he did, but he had an idea for a new horse project in partnership with Sara. He’d only mentioned it briefly to Cord so far but...

As if reading his mind, Cord added, “And the horse project with Sara hasn’t even been brainstormed yet.”

Was he going back on his promise to listen? Tyler focused on Beth and a life with her, but the old resentment surfaced.

Cord tipped his head. “Who writes the checks? What happens when you think we need a bigger facility or a purchase that I don’t agree with? I know you, Ty. I know how hot-headed you get when you’re told ‘no’.”

“I’m not five. It’s not like I’m going to throw a temper tantrum.” He impatiently brushed the dirt from the brim of his hat.

Brown eyes bore into his. “No, but you might take off.”

Tyler glared back.

His brother raked a hand through his hair, a sure sign he had more to say and wasn’t sure how best to do it. “I know you and Beth—”

“We’re not your business.”

Cord leveled him with a harsh glare. “Those girls are my business. I have an obligation to each of them and I won’t let them down.”

Tyler scoffed and rolled his eyes. “First of all, they’re grown women. They don’t need you to hover over them and make sure they eat their cereal each morning.”

“You don’t get it, do you? You really don’t.” Cord stood. “I thought maybe this past year away you’d grown up, but you’re still the same wet behind the ears brat you were when you left.”

Tyler stood and faced him, glaring down. “I’m not going to let her down.”

“You already did, and, quite frankly, I think you will again. It’s only a matter of time. What I’m saying is, you really should think about this position at the Circle S. It would solve all your problems. You’d be the boss with no one to answer to. Not to mention, you and Charli get on just fine; she doesn’t want the control of the business and so would defer to you.”

“I’m not leaving Beth.”

Cord threw up his hands and walked to the window. “Maybe it’s time you sat down with Beth and asked her what she wants. In my way of thinking, if she loves you like you say she does, then she could go with you.” He turned around. “Maybe that’s the solution, Ty; you and Beth both head out and have your own life away from us.”

He shook his head. “She’ll never leave Sweet Meadow, and I won’t ask her to. She has her practice here.”

“She’s a damn good vet; she can start a practice there.”

Tyler would love nothing more, but he wasn’t about to ask Beth to do that.

A piece of him wondered if she would. Would she go with him, knowing how much this position would mean to him? In the time he’d been at the Circle S, he’d formed a bond with Chase. His former employer showed him respect, and they’d worked great together. He already knew everything there was to know about the spread. A couple times Chase had even gone out of town and he’d taken over, but only for a week or so, never longer than that. He admitted the offer was a good one but he couldn’t put that choice on her shoulders. It wasn’t fair.

The door opened and Jake walked in. The older man glanced at the two brothers and sighed. “Now what? You Westons are the most ornery, stubborn men I’ve ever met.”

“Second only to you, huh, Jake?” Cord replied. “How’s your Mama?”

The lawyer slipped his reading glasses on and sat behind his desk. “Driving me crazy, that’s how she is. But I’m sure Sue Anne filled you all in on that, so let’s get down to business.” He lifted the papers and then gazed at Tyler over the top. “You do realize that Chase intends for you to be in charge of all this?”

Tyler let his breath out. “Yeah, yeah, I know. But I’m not going to be. I’ll help Cord and Chase find someone to oversee the property. If I need to, I’ll fly out there a few times a year, maybe even once a month, but I’m not moving there.”

Jake glanced at Cord, and Tyler’s temper rose.

“I think Chase intended you to be on the property managing it. I don’t know if the deal is going to be the same if you aren’t there.”

Tyler shook his head. “It’s not like we asked for this. He wanted to know it was in good hands—his words. I’m not moving to Abilene.”

Jake nodded and read through the papers, then slipped off his glasses and leaned back in his chair. “I gotta tell you, Tyler, as your attorney, this is a sweet deal. Adding this to the Double B holdings is going to be a tremendous amount of wealth down the road. Chase wants his daughter’s future protected and he trusts you to do that. I would seriously think about this before turning it down flat.”

Tyler glared at the other man. “I’m staying. I plan to make a life here with Beth.”

Jake steepled his hands. “And what does Beth say about all this?”

“Beth has a thriving business here. She has patients, friends, and her family around her; she wants to settle here.”

“And you? Do you like being surrounded by family? Folks you grew up with, known all your life; folks who have no problem knowing and/or getting into your business.”

This again. “In a perfect world, maybe not,” he replied honestly. “But I’m part of this family. Maybe you don’t believe it, but in the time I was away I grew up. A lot. I learned what I want and what I don’t want, and I’m ready to make this commitment.” He turned to Cord. “I let you down once. I won’t do it again. I have strong plans and ideas. I’ll make this work and I’ll make her happy. I promise.”

Cord held his gaze and then put his hand out. “Okay.” He grinned and nodded. “Okay, then.”

Tyler clasped his brother’s firm handshake.

Cord laughed and pulled Tyler into a quick hug and then turned to Jake. “Here’s what we’ll do. Tyler and I will head to Abilene in a few weeks, and we’ll spend some time going through everything with Chase, and find out exactly what he needs. We’ll review his current staff, see who’s there. If no one makes sense to groom as an overseer, then we’ll start the process of looking for someone. There’s good men out there who would jump at this chance.”

“You think Chase will go along with that?” Jake asked.

Cord nodded. “Yeah, I’ll talk to him. I’ll assure him it will be under our control. I’ll fly out there if I have to every month. Hell, it’s only an hour by helicopter.”

Tyler raised one eyebrow. “Charli would certainly be more than happy to have you visit often.”

Cord ran his hand around his reddening neck. He regained his composure and shook his head. “I need to talk to her, too. She’s a brilliant chef who, for some reason, is wasting her talents sitting around her father’s ranch.”

That’s his brother, making sure everyone lives up to their potential.

“Yeah, as if you need someone else to take responsibility for,” Jake quipped.

Cord shrugged. “Chase and my father were friends and he’s been good to us over the years. He’s devoted his entire life to raising his daughter and building the business. For some reason, Chase is obsessed that he’s going to die young like our father. He deserves to be able to spend some time fishing or doing whatever he wants to. He can’t do that unless he knows we’re taking care of things. He trusts us and we won’t let him down.”

****

“This was a great idea.” Susan picked up the plates from the table and walked to rinse them. “It’s so rare the three of us get to spend time together alone.”

Beth cleared the condiments and put them in Sara’s refrigerator.

“I can’t believe it took us until now to find time.” Sara pushed her chair back.

“Don’t,” Beth scolded.

“We’ve got this. Relax, would you?” Susan shook her head as she accepted the silverware Beth handed her.

“I’m so sick of everyone thinking I need to rest all the time,” Sara groused, but pulled out another chair and settled her feet on it.

Her hands rested on her swollen stomach and Beth couldn’t stop staring.

Sara caught her look. “It’s amazing isn’t it?”

Beth brought the tray of leftover Christmas cookies to the table. Going down on one knee, she put her hands on her sister’s belly. As if on cue, the baby kicked, and she smiled up at Sara. “I never get tired of feeling that.”

Her sister smirked. “Well I do—especially at three in the morning.”

Beth bit her lip. “I can’t help but wonder what Mama and Daddy would have thought.”

Susan brought the cups over. “I think Daddy would have been beside himself with worry, and Mama would be acting the same way Flo does, as if it was the first baby born on earth.”

She stood up. “How about the work Sam did on the cradle, did you see that? I mean, that thing’s been through how many babies and it looks like it was just built yesterday.”

Sara reached for a cookie. “Well, all I know is this was not the way I thought life was going to work out. Everyone thought it would be you getting pregnant first. Hell, this was the farthest thing on my radar.”

Beth poured the hot tea that had been steeping and the cinnamon fragrance filled the room. “What does Flo always say? Something about the road of life never being straight?” She shook her head. “I don’t know, something like that. But yeah, two years ago, I never would have thought things would be the way they are.”

“What I wouldn’t give for a cup of coffee,” Sara complained, pulling the hot mug towards her.

“How are things with you and Tyler?” Susan sank to a chair. “That Christmas morning snow stunt was quite the romantic feat if you ask me.”

Beth flashed back to the wonder of seeing all that white snow. It had been something she’d dreamed of and wished for her entire life. Riding in the wagon with him had been magical. The kiss he gave her afterward still curled her toes. She picked up her tea, took a sip of the too-hot liquid and winced. “To be honest, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster.”

Susan and Sara exchanged a knowing glance.

Beth frowned. “What?”

“Teddy seems to think he had a big scoop.” Susan lifted one eyebrow. “He said that you and Tyler decided to have ‘a friends with benefits’ type of relationship.”

Beth’s face flamed and she shifted in her chair. Her relationship, or whatever it was, wasn’t anyone else’s business. She bit her lip again. Then again, maybe her sisters could help—after all, who knew her better than these two? “Okay, I’m going to put something out here, and I don’t want anyone passing judgment or whatever, just tell me what you think, understand?” She leaned forward and glanced fearfully at her pregnant sister. She knew Susan wouldn’t judge, but Sara was far more conservative, more of a mother figure than she liked to believe.

Taking a fortifying drink, she hesitantly began her confession, “Tyler and I, well, things happened the night I lost Cole’s horse and the foal. I was upset, he was there, it happened.” She glanced at each of them, but neither seemed surprised. She lifted her hands in resignation. “Let me guess, that’s old news around the family gossip chain, right?”

Sara shrugged.

Beth frowned. “Fine. Anyway, we both were confused about everything. Obviously when he left, I was devastated, broken-hearted, but what I didn’t know...was that he thought I had abandoned him too.” She glanced outside, remembering the first time she read the note and the horrid ache of thinking how hurt he must have been when she didn’t show up. “He left me a note, but I never read it, not until recently. In the note, he had asked me to meet him in Abilene that first September.”

Susan leaned forward. “You never read his note? How could you not read it? I mean God, Beth, he left and you weren’t even curious?”

She studied her mug instead of the accusations evident by her sister’s tone. “I thought it was going to be lots of ‘I’m sorry and don’t hate me,’ and all that. Frankly, I didn’t want to hear it, so I shoved it in my desk drawer. As time went by, I thought of it but figured whatever he had to say was best left in the past.” Leaning back, she pushed her hair out of her eyes. “Anyway, in the note he wanted me to join him at the Circle S at the end of the summer.” She shrugged. “Obviously I didn’t show.”

Sara winced, one hand on her back as she shifted in her seat. “So, you were hurt that he left, and he was hurt that you didn’t show up?”

Beth nodded. “Pretty much. Turns out, we were both to blame for what happened. I still believe he should have called me. I mean, I would have. Of course, I never would have left in the first place.”

Susan reached across and touched Beth’s hand. “Get back to the story.”

She couldn’t sit still and pushed her chair back to stand. To give her a minute to organize her thoughts, she grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “We both acknowledged that we have a hard time keeping our hands off each other. Since neither of us is with anyone else, we figured what’s the harm in sleeping together as long as we both know it’s only for the sex.”

Sara snorted. “He said that to you? That he only wanted you for sex?”

Beth twisted off the top of the water. “No, that was my idea. I was trying to keep from getting hurt again. I thought I could live for the moment, have a fling, be like every other woman today.”

Susan shook her head. “That works if it’s not someone you have such a history with. Honestly, Beth, did you really think you could do that and keep your emotions out of it?”

She nodded. “Stupid, I know, but yeah, I really did.”

Once again, she watched her sisters exchange a serious glance at each other as she slipped back into her chair. “Christmas Day, when Chase dropped that bombshell on everyone, I thought Tyler knew all about it. I thought that he was lying to get me back or sleep with him.”

“How on earth does your brain work?” Susan sat back and crossed her arms over her ample chest. “Why would he do that when you just said it was your idea?”

“I know, I know.” She set her bottled water on the table and reached for a cookie. “I don’t know what I was thinking....I don’t know what to think. It’s just....this whole Circle S thing, that’s a pretty big coincidence don’t you think? That Chase wants him to run the whole ranch and Tyler claiming he knew nothing about it?

“According to Charli, even she didn’t know anything about it.” Sara bit into a gingerbread man. “Chase has been known to make rash decisions; at least that’s what Daddy always said.”

“So, you guys don’t think he knew about it?”

Susan shook her head. ‘I doubt it. I would be surprised, especially if Cord didn’t know. It would have made sense if Chase had discussed it with Cord first, but he didn’t. I know that for a fact because he told me outright.”

“You and Cord having private meetings now?” Sara teased.

Susan reddened. “He was up late one night when I came in from a date. He’s still pretty lathered up over Diane and was talking about going to go to Paris, can you believe that?” She shook her head. “I talked him out of it. Don’t get me wrong, I hate this marriage of hers too, but she is not twelve. This is her life and if that’s what she wants...”

“Henri’s slime,” Sara bitched. “If I wasn’t in this condition, I think I’d be tempted to go over there, too, and knock a little sense into that sister of ours. Mark my words, this is going to be bad. Something isn’t right about her marrying this guy.”

Susan waved her hand. “Oh, stop. Just because he’s not from Texas doesn’t make him a bad guy.”

Sara raised one eyebrow, and Beth took a long drink of her water. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

“Okay, back to you, Tyler, and sex.” Susan pulled the plate of cookies away from Sara who glared. “Do you want to be as big as a house?”

Their round sister stuck her tongue out.

Beth chuckled and continued. “After brunch on Christmas, I was furious and he knew it. He followed me over to the clinic and tried to talk. We fought, then one thing led to another and pretty soon we were on the floor.”

“And you decided the sex was too good to worry about being mad?” Susan urged, grinning from ear to ear.

“Yes, and no. He stopped. I mean at the worst possible time, he stops and says, “We’re not taking this any further until you believe that I had no idea what Chase was planning.”

Beth swallowed, remembering the hurt that filled his eyes when she couldn’t answer honestly. Shame flooded her with the memory of how much she wanted him that day and that he walked away.

“I didn’t believe him, so he said he didn’t want this arrangement anymore; that it was all or nothing for him. I told him I chose nothing then, and he left.” She drew a deep breath. “I haven’t spoken to him since.” She was shaking as she finished and couldn’t look at either of her sisters. She was embarrassed, but also confused. When they didn’t say anything, she glanced from one to the other. “Was I wrong? I mean, I didn’t believe him. Maybe I do now since you guys seem to think he wouldn’t know, but...I didn’t believe him at that moment.”

“If all you wanted was a sexual relationship, why did it even matter about all that?” Sara asked.

“Yeah. You just wanted him for sex, and you said yourself that you wouldn’t get involved emotionally because you thought he might leave again.” Susan waved a dismissive hand. “Seems to me like you made a huge issue out of something that, frankly, wasn’t even your business.”

Beth’s mouth dropped open and her heart pounded. “How can you say it isn’t my business? It is my business when he’s been telling me he’s moving home for good. When he’s telling me that he doesn’t want to be on the Circle S and he wants me and…”

“Right. He’s been saying all that, but you’ve been saying you don’t want him back or believe him. Why the heck shouldn’t he agree to have sex with you if that’s the best you’re going to offer?” Susan rolled her eyes. “First of all, come on, he’s a guy. Second, he probably thinks if he gets you back with him that way, he can eventually win your heart again.”

Susan stood up, crossed the room and picked up two wrapped packages off the counter. She brought them back to the table.

“Look kid, you love him, plain and simple or you wouldn’t be so worked up over all of this.” Sara leaned her elbows on the table. “You’ve always loved him and he loves you. The rest is simply details. I think you should go to him and tell him you want to take it one day at a time, but that you’re ready and willing to put the past behind you and start fresh. Today. Put away what happened when you were kids or what happened two years ago, and you each admit you both made a mistake. Be a grown up, Beth. Have a mature relationship with this guy who, for all his faults, worships the very ground you walk on, and as an added bonus, gets you hot.”

Beth stared with an awed grin at her older sister. Never in her life had she strung so many words together, or in such a well, almost flowery manner.

Susan seemed just as shocked. Then she laughed. “Wow, when did you turn into Diane?”

Sara reddened. “It’s not just Beth who had to grow up the past few years. I almost lost Buck because of my pride.” Her eyes welled and she brushed at them with an impatient hand. “Don’t make that mistake.”

“Okay, so say I take him back? How about this Circle S deal, what about that?” Beth swallowed hard, although her heart was hopeful that maybe her sisters were right. Maybe there was still a chance with Tyler. And Sara was right—she loved him, always had, always would.

Sara shrugged. “This ranch is everything to me, but if Buck said to me tomorrow, ‘I’m moving to Alaska because that’s where I need to be’, well, I’d be having a papoose right now instead of a baby.”

Susan and Beth both eyed her skeptically, and then burst out laughing.

“You’re full of crap,” Beth said.

Sara grinned. “Okay, bad analogy, I’m not moving to Alaska. But you get my point. You need to figure out what you want more: being a vet here at home or being a vet and with Tyler, wherever he needs to be.”

Beth held her gaze. She was right. She was absolutely right. Had her pride blinded her to something so simple?

Susan smiled and handed them each a flat package. “On a lighter note, I wanted to give you this for Christmas but they didn’t come in time.” Her blue eyes sparkled and she looked as if she was going to bust out of her seat, she was so excited. “Open them!”

Feeling suddenly lighter and even a bit giddy, Beth picked up the package and gingerly peeled back a corner of the wrapping.

Sara ripped into hers. “This is fantastic,” her older sister cried out.

Beth glanced up and saw the music CD her sister held. She quickly finished opening hers. Susan’s picture on the cover was beautiful—more so for its simplicity. Unlike her usual sexy pose and gorgeous evening gowns, the cover reflected her sister barefoot and dressed in jeans and a soft sweater.

“It’s a collection of lullabies. Open it up.” Susan hurried out of her chair and picked a sharp knife off the table. Grabbing the CD from Beth she slit the cellophane and handed it back to her then did the same for Sara.

Beth opened the plastic cover. She pulled out the pamphlet of songs inside. Her eyes filled as she noticed the dedication and she glanced at Sara. “Listen,” she commanded. “To my brand new baby niece or nephew, I love you and you’re not even here yet. This is for you. Love, your Aunt Sues.”

Tears streamed down Sara’s face and Beth started to cry too. Susan stood up and moved behind Sara’s chair to wrap her arms around her shoulders. “I was so mad when it didn’t come in time for Christmas, but this seemed like a more perfect time.” She sniffled and straightened.

“Aunt Sues?” Sara wrinkled her nose, reading the pamphlet herself.

She shrugged. “I hate Susie, and Susan is too stuffy. I decided I liked Sues. Auntie Sues.”

Beth read the selections. Most were traditional lullabies, but a few she didn’t recognize. “Did you write some new stuff for this?”

“Yep, I didn’t even know I could write something like that. I woke up one night to this melody flowing through my head. I took out the guitar and put it on paper.” She turned around and leaned back against the counter. “After that, a few more came, and I thought, hmm this could be pretty cool.”

“Thank you.” Sara said, sniffling.

“Somehow I think giving birth to a CD is a lot easier than what you’re going to go through.”

“It won’t be any big deal. How much worse can it be than being kicked by a horse?”

Beth raised one eyebrow. “It’s a different kind of pain.”

Sara rubbed her stomach. “I’ll just be happy when he or she is finally here.”

Susan hugged her sister. “I’m glad that it all worked out so I had this time off in between shows so I could be home until the baby gets here.”

Sara awkwardly pushed to her feet. “I gotta pee,” she announced and walked through the kitchen to the small bathroom off the laundry room.

Beth put a piece of foil over the remainder of the cookies. “This was great, Susan, but I gotta get back to the clinic. The paperwork is piling up.” She shook her head. “Neither of us is very good at office work.”

“You know, I’d love to help out if I wasn’t already committed to the community theatre. They have a show tonight.”

Beth shrugged. “On New Year’s Eve? I thought you were singing with Teddy tonight?”

“I am, but that’s not until after nine. I told the cast I’d be there for the dinner show and then I’d have to scoot out.”

“You amaze me. Don’t you ever get tired?”

The back door flew open. Buck stomped in and swept his hat from his head. “Wow, look at the beauties in my kitchen.” He wiggled his eyebrows and rubbed his hands together. “Okay, it’s been a while since I had a threesome, but I’ll try to keep up.”

Susan walked across the room and patted his cheek. “Your wife would cut off your private parts, sauté them in garlic, and force feed them to you.”

Buck winced and shifted his feet. “Where is the love of my life?”

“In the bathroom.” Beth reached past him for her coat on the hook. “Are you guys going to finish getting the fencing done on that corral?”

Buck lifted the foil on the cookies and grabbed one. “It’s done. You now have two smaller corrals both inside and out.”

Beth smiled. “Thank you. That’s perfect. Have you, um, seen Tyler anywhere today?”

“Yeah, he was helping us, but I don’t know where he is now. Maybe taking a shower.”

Sara walked back into the room and Beth watched as her sister’s green eyes glowed when she spotted her husband. Buck’s did the same as he closed the space between them and leaned down to kiss her lips. “Hmm, better than sugar cookies.”

“Look what Susan did,” Sara crossed the room and picked up the CD to show to him.

“I gotta go,” Beth said, heading to the door. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow.” She waved to Sara and turned to Susan. “I’ll probably see you at the LoneStar later.”

“Sounds good.”

Beth hurried to the truck and climbed inside. For some reason, she had this strong urge to see Tyler. Her sisters were right; she needed to just let things happen as they should without worrying so much about what it all meant, or the past, or even the future.

****

Tyler strolled through the LoneStar amazed at how many people fit into the bar. The pool tables were pushed away, the dart boards were removed and the dance floor was widened out of necessity. It was New Year’s Eve and everyone wanted to be on the floor, not sitting and watching.

He grabbed a beer and leaned against a pole to watch his brother’s band work themselves up to a particularly rousing tune. When it ended, he clapped with the rest of the room as Susan joined Teddy on stage. She was dressed to the nines in a long black evening gown and heels so high it seemed impossible she could even walk on them.

Susan wrapped her hands around the microphone and belted out a bluesy number that impressed the heck out of him. Sometimes he forgot she was a hell of a singer and actress.

Drinking his beer, Ty was astonished as always at how Susan and his brother could perform together and convince the audience they got along. They sang duets as if they were lovers. Their bodies moved as if they were one. But it was all a show: Teddy thought Susan was the biggest phony on the planet, and she thought the singing cowboy was an idiot. It was testament to their professional abilities that they could perform together as if they adored each other.

Across the room, he heard someone call Beth’s name. A jolt of heat went through his body. Ever since Christmas, he’d steered clear of her. Not that it was difficult, she hadn’t exactly been around. He wanted to talk to her, but what could he say? They had reached a point where he wanted more than she was willing to give. He had two options: he could wait it out until she realized he wasn’t going anywhere and give him another chance, or he could...well, there really wasn’t any other option. That was the only choice. Give her a bit of space and wait it out.

If Beth didn’t want him back, didn’t trust him enough to try again, then he’d have to face that fact eventually. He hoped he wouldn’t have to. Even if she didn’t believe in them, he did.

He turned towards the doorway and his mouth went dry. Beth stood there in a red dress, his favorite color. The neckline, held up by thin gold chains, dipped low on her chest. Each step she took revealed a flash of leg all the way to her thigh. She walked straight to him, holding his gaze as her hips swayed.

Tyler straightened and pushed away from where he’d been leaning against the post. Her hair framed her face and her bright blue eyes were beautifully huge. She looked like a woman who’d spent a considerable amount of time to look smoking hot. Gut wrenching need slammed through him, and he couldn’t see or hear anything except her.

He didn’t move towards her, choosing to enjoy the visual instead. When she finally reached the spot on the floor directly in front of him, the smile she gave from under her lashes was smoking hot, too.

“Hey, cowboy.” Her voice was soft and sultry.

Tyler cleared his throat. “Hey, yourself.”

She wet her lips and his attention honed in on her moist red mouth.

His tongue dried right up, but he managed to squeak out, “You look amazing.”

“It’s New Year’s Eve. I was in the mood to celebrate.”

His gaze lowered to the creamy swell of her breasts. The red silk of her neckline rested on them, giving only a teasing glimpse. “I love red,” he said huskily.

“I know you do.” She tossed her head. “Dance with me?”

He had no idea what had come over her, but he wasn’t going to question the look in her eye. She took his hand, and he set his beer down to follow her to the dance floor. She settled against him as she had all their life. His body sprang to hard arousal when she brushed her thighs against his. She tipped her head back and laughed.

Tyler held her gaze. “You take my breath away,” he whispered.

She shifted in his arms and threaded her fingers through his hair. “I expect you to return the favor before the night’s over.”

Tyler wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He pulled her closer and danced her around the floor, grasping the moment—and her—with both hands holding on tight.

When the music ended, they broke apart and clapped as Teddy approached the microphone on stage. “Thanks, folks. We’ll be taking a short break. But don’t worry, we’ll be here all night to help you usher in the New Year.”

“I’m going to freshen up,” Beth said, indicating the ladies' room.

“I’ll get us a drink.” Tyler turned away but Beth touched his arm. He looked back, and she reached up to frame his face in her hands. She went up on tiptoe and he leaned down, their lips meeting briefly before she slipped away. At that moment, he didn’t care what had gotten into her, he just hoped that it stayed.

Grinning devilishly, Beth finished in the ladies' room and stepped back into the bar area. Not too far in front, seated at a table by himself, was Cole. Her smile faltered. He wasn’t looking her way so she could have slipped past him without a word, but that didn’t feel right.

Taking the few steps to stand next to him, she set her hand on his shoulder. He jerked and stared up at her. “Hi,” she said softly.

He stood. “Hi. Happy New Year.”

Beth hugged him and winced when he hugged her back, hard.

He released her to grab hold of her hand. “It’s packed in here tonight.”

Hand still in his, she slipped into the chair across from him. A prickle of unease raced up her spine; Tyler must have seen her by now and was probably watching. The last thing she needed was him to think she was coming on to Cole when she’d planned tonight to be all about Tyler.

Still, she couldn’t just walk past the other man without saying something. “Yeah, it’s really hopping.”

“You look beautiful.” Cole stared into her eyes Beth lowered her gaze and pulled her hand back. “I don’t know what to say to you. I feel like…”

“Don’t, okay? You don’t have to say anything.” He shook his head. “Look, I know you never felt, well, what I felt for you. I knew that going in. If I get hurt, it’s my own problem. You did nothing wrong.”

She frowned and tipped her head. “Why do I feel so rotten about this, then? I mean, you were—are—such a good friend and...”

Cole leaned back in his chair and fiddled with the label on his beer bottle. “I just want to know you’re happy, that’s all.”

Beth ducked her head. She hoped to be before the end of the night. Returning Cole’s gaze she nodded. “I’m taking things one day at a time.”

She reached over and covered his hand again just as a tall brunette she’d never seen before appeared next to the table.

Cole smiled as he stood. “Beth, this is Ginny.”

Beth stood and held out her hand. “Hello. Sorry, am I in your chair?”

The other woman glanced from Beth to Cole and back again, but her smile was warm when she said, “Not a problem. Will you join us?”

Beth saw the grin on Cole’s face directed at Ginny, not her, and gave a small laugh. “Uh, no. Thank you, but no. I’m with someone.”

“Ginny’s staying at the ranch for a few days. Doc met her parents on one of the cruises and invited them all to spend New Year’s with us.”

Beth nodded. “Ah, I see. So Doc’s still in town?”

“Yeah, he—they—are all leaving day after tomorrow.”

“I’ll try to give him a call before he leaves, but if I don’t see him, please give him my best.”

She stared back at Cole wondering why she had this pang in her heart. Was she jealous that Cole had already replaced her? Wow. How spiteful am I? She smiled at both of them. “Happy New Year.”

He squeezed her shoulder and kissed her cheek. “You too, Beth. I’m sure I’ll see you next week.”

She nodded to the other woman who had already slipped into the chair she’d vacated. “Have a nice visit to Sweet Meadow, Ginny.”

“Thank you. Nice meeting you.”

Beth gave a small wave and headed towards Tyler.

“Everything okay?” he asked, handing her a drink.

She nodded and sipped the rum and coke. “Yeah.” Tilting her head, she smiled. Whatever next year held for the two of them, she wasn’t going to worry about it. She was ready to live for today. Tonight, Tyler wasn’t going to walk away from her.

“Buck called.”

Her head jerked up. Was something wrong with Sara? “Is something wrong?”

“No, they’re fine,” he assured her with a knowing grin. “He just said Sara’s really tired—and annoyed that it was New Year’s Eve and they weren’t going out. He’s trying to keep her entertained.”

“We should take them a plate of Bill’s ribs on the way home.”

“I asked him if he wanted me to, but he said they’d probably be asleep right after midnight.”

“I was there this afternoon, and she did look tired. How weird is that, the two of them home on New Year’s Eve?”

Tyler grinned. “I never thought I’d see the day. They used to help Bill clean up and then go out for breakfast with him and keep on going after that.”

“Isn’t it weird how life turned out? I mean, did you ever think Sara would be the one who had the first baby? Or the two of them would be married? And how about Diane? Living in Paris, married to some French guy.” Beth wrinkled her brow, thinking about how much had changed in two short years.

Tyler shifted his feet. “You didn’t say anything about us? Did you ever imagine that we’d be the way we are?”

Beth wet her lips and set her drink on the bar. She covered Tyler’s hand with her own. “Let’s not talk about the past tonight. I want to be here with you, right now.” She tossed her head and gave him what she hoped was a sexy smile. “Pretend we’ve only just met or that we’ve been dating a short time and it’s our first New Year’s Eve. What would you be thinking about?”

Tyler linked their fingers together and tugged her closer. “I’d be thinking that you look sexy as hell, and every guy in this room hates my guts because you’re with me.” He pulled her even closer and slipped an arm around her waist to bring her up against him. “I’d be wondering if I was going to get a kiss at midnight.”

Beth traced her finger down his cheek and across his bottom lip. “A kiss? Is that all you’d be hoping for?”

Tyler’s lips parted and he kissed the tip of her finger. “Well, I guess that would entirely depend on the lady. I mean, it would be rude for me to hope for anything more if we’d only just met.”

Beth smiled. “Let’s make this a bit easier then, this is our fourth or fifth date, and up until tonight, we’ve only indulged in some serious kissing.”

Tyler pulled her hand from his face and kissed the middle of her palm. He gazed up over her fingers, his brown eyes dark and intense. “Dance with me.”

The thought of being held in his arms again on the dance floor and being pressed against him as they moved sent a shiver down her spine. “Yeah,” she whispered, already following him.

Susan sang a country song about cheaters and lovers and broken hearts as Beth wrapped her arms around Tyler’s neck and leaned into him. His hands were low around her waist and his fingers brushed her rear end. Head tucked against his chest, they didn’t speak.

With every brush of his thighs, the hardness of his erection pressed into her body, making her aware of every inch of her partner. She closed her eyes and focused on how good it was to let go of her resentment and anger and enjoy being with Tyler again. She wet her dry lips and lifted her head. Tyler immediately crushed them with his own.

She threaded her fingers into his hair and pulled his head even closer to her, responding without holding anything back. Her breasts tingled beneath her thin dress. She pressed into him and twisted to rub them against his chest. Tyler growled, his large hands sliding down to cup her rear end and lift her inches off the floor.

The song ended and they broke their kiss, Beth slid down his body until her feet hit the hardwood floor. Her entire body was on fire, from the warmth of the room, to the embers he ignited inside her. The next song was a much faster beat and Tyler took her hand and spun her around into the excited pace. Beth got into the rhythm, swaying her hips and shimmying in time to the music. She danced close to him and then pulled back as he reached for her. Laughing, she enjoyed herself in a way she hadn’t in a very long time.

After several more fast paced songs, the music slowed once more, but before she could feel his arms wrapped around her again, Tyler grabbed her hand and pulled her off the floor and through the door to the back patio. A few couples were enjoying the fresh air and in some cases, each other, so they moved to the shadowed farther end.

The cool air on her hot skin was a welcome relief and she fanned her face. Leaning against the wooden railing, she braced both arms behind her, knowing it jutted her chest forward. It didn’t escape Tyler’s notice. Tossing her head, she glanced up innocently. “So, Cowboy, what do you think?”

He lifted his eyes from her chest, slowly. “About what?” He moved closer and rested his elbow on the same railing.

His body half turned towards, she watched him stare again at her cleavage. “Everything. The night, the band...the company?”

Tyler lifted one eyebrow. “I’m thinking that one more dance and I’m not going to be responsible for what I might do to you.”

Beth shifted until she faced him and slid both hands up his chest to toy with the collar of his shirt. “What do you want to do to me?”

He slipped his arms around her waist, leaned back against the railing and brought her into the circle of his thighs. “Feel that?”

Beth pressed into him. “Is that for me?”

“Always.” Tyler cupped her face in his hands and tipped her head back. He slanted his mouth over hers, gently brushing her lips. He wet his lips and teased the seam of hers. Beth sighed and met his kiss with her own. She tugged at his shirt and brought him down to her as she arched closer.

Fireworks went off in the back of her mind and lights flashed behind her eyes. She’d forgotten how hot a kiss could be, how incredibly aroused she could get from making out with Tyler. For so many years, they’d made love and had wild passionate sex, but it’d been years since they indulged in some good, old-fashioned, melt-your-bones kisses. When he broke off and buried his face in her neck, holding her tight against his body, they were both having trouble catching their breath.

“It’s not very private out here, Angel,” he whispered against her neck, before pulling her ear lobe into his hot mouth.

“Ahh,” Beth moaned as his lips sent spirals of desire racing up and down her spine. Between her legs, warmth pooled and her nipples itched to be touched.

He kissed his way down her neck to her shoulder and over to the pulse point near the base of her throat.

Beth wiggled against him. “Where’s your truck?”

Tyler pulled back, his eyes widened in mock shock. “My truck? Why would you want to know where my truck is parked?”

She trailed her hands down to his chest once more and teased the button on his dress shirt. Looking up from under her lashes, she wet her lips. “I was thinking it might be a more private place to ….talk.”

Tyler raised his hand to stroke her hair and tuck it behind her ear. He caressed her cheek and brushed his thumb over her swollen mouth. Beth opened her lips and drew his thumb inside and suckled. His harsh intake of breath encouraged her and she slid her tongue around the tip of his thumb, looking up at him with hunger in her eyes. She released him and pressed her breasts into his chest.

He cleared his throat and, in one fluid movement, pushed away from the railing with her hand in his, headed towards the steps leading to the ground. Beth laughed at his rush and hurried to keep up with him. When she reached the stairs, Tyler simply reached up and plucked her down.

They walked around the building, wincing at the glare of the lights in the parking lot. “I’m way in the back,” was all he said as he held tight and led her through the people coming in and the vehicles parked everywhere.

Tyler unlocked the door to his truck and held the passenger side open. The look in Beth’s eyes told him she wasn’t changing her mind. He had no idea what had come over her tonight, but he liked it.

He helped her in, but before he could close the door, she turned in the seat and grabbed him. Kissing him hard she pressed her body against him. The slippery material of her dress slid under his hands and he wanted desperately to touch her skin. But they were still way too close to the bar, and he wasn’t going to fool around with her here where they could be interrupted.

He took her arms from around his neck. “You impatient hussy,” he teased.

“You love it and you know it,” she bantered, and swung her legs inside the truck.

Tyler closed the door. Nope, no clue what had gotten into her, but he was not questioning this. It felt too damn good to have fun with her again. When she’d danced and her eyes sparkled, she was the old Beth he’d loved and lost and just maybe had found again. Whatever he had to do from this point on to keep her this way, he was going to do.

He ran around to the driver’s side and climbed in. Starting the truck, he turned to find her smiling at him.

“Where are we going?”

Tyler slid his arm along the seat and turned to face her. “I’ve got something I want to show you.”

She smoothed the material of her dress on her knees. “I hope it’s good,” she sassed.

“I’ll do my best,” he promised, and pulled the truck out of the parking lot. For several minutes they drove in silence. What was she thinking? She wasn’t changing her mind was she? He was enjoying this little pretend game, especially if she meant what she said and wanted to focus on the future and not the past. His conscience pricked, reminding him that she didn’t trust him. He pushed the thought back. If Beth wanted to focus on right now and pretend they were on a date like any other couple, then that’s what he would do.

Next to him, he felt her slip out of her seat belt and slide across the seat. He glanced over as she settled against him, resting her hand on his thigh. His blood pressure skyrocketed.

Beth had always loved to tease him while he drove. She thought it was the funniest thing in the world to torment him until he was forced to pull over. He hardened instantly, knowing what her next move was going to be. Sure enough, it was only a short few seconds later that her hand slid to the inside of his thigh and then covered his straining zipper.

“Behave,” he cautioned, and brushed her hand away.

“I’m not doing anything,” she lied.

Her fingers slipped the button on his khaki pants open and he caught his breath as she slid his zipper down. Her hands in his boxers were warm and soft. “Beth,” he warned, but it was a half-hearted complaint. She squeezed and pleasure shot through him until it became difficult to concentrate on driving. He took one hand off the wheel and searched for her legs. Slipping his hand under the edge of her dress, he teased the softness of her knees and caressed the skin of her inner thighs.

She hissed as he covered her damp panties, his fingers stroking across the moistness.

“Ty…” she moaned.

“I’m not doing anything,” he lied as he slid his finger beneath the elastic of her panties.

Miraculously, he spied the turnoff he’d been hoping for and turned the truck up the deserted road, or at least he hoped it was still deserted. Beth sat up straight and removed her hand from his lap. He put both hands on the wheel again and maneuvered the truck off the road and out of view.

“Where are we?”

“Just an empty road that doesn’t go anywhere anymore.”

She scooted back across the seat. “I don’t know if it’s safe to be out here alone with you, maybe we should go back to the bar.” She glanced up from under her lashes, her mouth curving into a sexy grin.

“Too late, babe, you teased me and tortured me all the way here. Don’t tell me you’re one of those girls who promises a guy everything and then says no?”

He reached for her, but the steering wheel got in his way. She giggled and he climbed out and jogged awkwardly around the front of the truck. He had a hard time walking because his pants were open, but he managed to open the passenger door. She turned around in the seat until her legs dangled off the side.

“You love playing games with me when I’m driving and can’t stop you, don’t you?” He slipped her shoes off her feet and tossed them to the floor of the truck then moved in closer. He wanted to see her naked, wanted her screaming his name on the night wind. He caressed her bare knees pushing the fabric of her dress up higher past her thighs. He stroked her soft skin and thumbed the hot moisture between her legs.

Beth whimpered and reached for him. “I didn’t know that bothered you when I touched you when you drove.”

“It does far more than bother me,” he growled.

The top to her dress seemed to be held up by two tiny clasps on the gold chains. He flipped them open, and the bodice fell to her waist, baring her breasts to the night air and his avid attention. Her nipples were rosy and puckered and he weighed them in his hands, brushing his thumbs across the erect peaks. Beth squirmed in his hands and he dropped a kiss on her lips.

“What’s wrong, Angel? Don’t you like that?

She arched, encouraging him, and he squeezed both in his palms, making her cry out with pleasure. He rolled her nipples between his thumb and fingers and gently tugged as she moaned.

“Ty, please,” she begged.

“Hmm, I don’t know. This is only, what...our fifth date? Do we go that far on date five? Are you that kind of girl?” he mused. He wet his finger and stroked her nipple once more.

She jerked in response and groaned again. “Only with you. I mean you are so strong and handsome, and you’ve swept me off my feet. All my convictions have gone right out of my head.”

He lowered his head and lifted one soft mound to his mouth. “I wouldn’t want you to ruin your reputation with a cowboy like me.” When he laid his tongue across the erect peak, she gasped.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind. It feels so good, and I want you sooo bad.”

Tyler took her nipple between his lips and suckled. She grabbed his head with both hands and fisted her fingers into his hair. He winced, but continued to feast on first one and then the other breast. Beth’s breathing was rapid and she arched and wiggled and cried out as he caressed and kissed her. Every erotic sound she made spurred him on, and he shoved his hand up her dress, pulled her panties off, and tossed them outside.

“Oh, those were new,” she protested.

He lifted his head. “Should I stop?” His fingers brushed the curly hair between her thighs and teased the swollen bud.

Beth shook her head furiously. “No, no it’s fine. I can buy another pair.” Her eyes rolled back in her head as he slid his finger inside and pressed. “Ohhhh,” she moaned.

When he stopped and stepped back for a second, her eyes flew open, but the worried gaze soon left when she realized he was shoving his pants down. Beth shimmied to the edge of the seat, wrapped her legs around his waist. He held her gaze as he shoved inside her. Her arms clung to his neck and her legs clamped tighter, drawing him closer. Thank God he’d removed her heels.

“There goes your reputation,” he grunted as he pumped into her.

She bucked against him, meeting him stroke for stroke. “What fun is a reputation anyway,” she gasped and cried out. “This is...ahhhh...”

Whatever she was going to say was lost as her body jerked and trembled in his arms. Her fingers dug hard into his shoulders. Tyler closed his eyes, focusing hard on joining her and within seconds, his body exploded. He called out her name and pounded harder into her as her body jerked against him.

He held her tight while she trembled and buried his face in her neck. His heart pounded and his breathing was erratic but he needed to say what was in his heart.. “I love you, Angel,” he whispered.

She stiffened and he instantly felt like a fool. This was supposed to be casual, and he’d ruined it. Regret swept through him as she leaned back. But the teasing glint in her eyes was far from the anger he expected.

“You don’t have to say that just because you jumped me on the fifth date.”

He smiled as relief flooded through him. He kissed her again, long and hard before extricating himself from her. He kissed her neck and nibbled at her ear lobe. She murmured and arched her neck. Between them, he could feel her pull her dress down to cover herself and he leaned back. Gently he lifted the bodice of her dress and reattached the tiny clips then bent to pull up his jeans.

Beth raked a hand through her hair and looked around. “Where’s my underwear?”

Tyler glanced behind him and spotted the scrap of red lace on the ground. He picked them up, dangled them in front of her and proceeded to shove them in his pocket.

“Hey!” She smacked him on the chest. “Give me those.”

He shook his head. “No way, that’s my souvenir. I think I’ll show all the guys down at the bar what I got for New Year’s.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Give me those panties.” But her voice was full of laughter as she lunged for him “Careful, you’re going to get hurt.” He pushed her gently back into the truck and closed the door. Settled behind the driver’s side, he made sure the panties were in the pocket she couldn’t reach.

“I can’t go back to the party with nothing on under this dress.” She yanked at the short skirt.

“Sure you can, and only I’ll know that under that skirt you’re completely naked.” The thought alone made him hard again. He started the engine but she put her hand on his thigh.

“I don’t want to go back to the party.”

He frowned. “Where do you want to go?”

She walked her fingers along his thigh. “Well, cowboy. My folks are gone for the night, and we have this amazing hot tub.” She blinked at him from under her lashes.

Tyler leaned over and kissed her hard. “A hot tub, huh? But, I don’t have a suit.”

Beth pulled his arm around her shoulders and snuggled next to him. “You don’t need one.”

He grinned and put the truck in gear. “This is one hell of a fifth date. I wonder what will happen on the sixth.”