Chapter Seven

Teddy snapped the magazine from her hand. In the background was a seedy-looking character, yet at the same time so nondescript he hadn’t even noticed him. He wouldn’t have stood out except he was in every picture—in some way too close to Susan. This had to be the stalker. It was too much of a coincidence that this guy was everywhere Susan had been. All this time they were beginning to think he was gone and he’d been even closer than ever.

He clenched his jaw and struggled to keep his annoyance with himself under control.

Susan shook and trembled next to him.

Teddy quickly gathered her into his arms and kissed her head. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” Fear had his voice harsher than he wanted. “We’re going to the ranch. Tonight.”

She nodded and he closed his eyes, realizing she was really scared if she wasn’t going to argue about it.

“Max, take us to the penthouse and then wait; we’re heading right out to the airport.”

Teddy locked the doors to the car and pulled Susan onto his lap. Her body was trembling, and he rubbed her back and kissed her forehead while he dialed Cord’s cell phone. When his brother’s voice mail picked up he left a curt message, then pressed her against his chest, holding her tight all the way back to her apartment. After making the guards go up ahead of them to check the apartment out, he followed a few minutes later with Susan tucked next to him. “I’m going to pack some things and we’re leaving.”

“Teddy, I can’t just up and leave like this.”

He glanced at her, glad to see the color returning to her face. “Oh, yeah, you can.” He skimmed over her soft gray sweatsuit that she’d worn from the gym. “You don’t even have to change clothes.”

He stripped off his T-shirt and headed to his bedroom, mentally deciding what to pack to get them out of here as quickly as possible.

He hoped she was doing the same. If he had his way, she wasn’t coming back here until that loon was caught, anyway. Her next show was months and months away, and even then, if the wacko wasn’t behind bars, maybe she’d have to give up on the show. It wasn’t worth her life.

“I’m not going,” she said from the doorway.

He turned and planted his hands on his hips and stared.

“I can’t keep running from him. He can’t ruin my life. If it was you, you wouldn’t run.”

“I’m a man. It’s different.”

“Don’t give me that. I have to stay and hold my ground.” She smiled slightly. “What kind of cowboy do you think my daddy raised, anyway?” She walked into the room and sat down on the side of the bed.

“You stay, I stay,” he said firmly.

She smiled, and he tucked an errant strand of hair back behind her ear. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her cheek. He only meant to comfort her, nothing more. But when she turned her head and his lips met hers, he was lost.

The softness of her mouth under his was impossible to resist and, just like potato chips, he couldn’t stop at just one taste. Her lips opened for him and he pulled her closer. Susan’s tongue danced along his, stroking and tasting as if she too was unable to resist the embrace. In response to her eagerness, his groin hardened and all thought of the packing they were supposed to be doing fled from his mind.

Digging his fingers into her hair, he pulled the band off and let the silken strands trail over his hand like a waterfall.

Susan moaned, kissing him urgently and pressing against him. Without stopping to think, Teddy pushed her to the bed and settled between her legs. Susan’s hips bucked up in invitation, urging him on. When he rubbed against her moist heat, she cried out and dug her hands into his back to hold him tighter.

As the lower part of their bodies rubbed and pressed into each other, Teddy roughly jerked the zipper of her sweatshirt down, exposing her breasts to his sight and his taste. Lowering his head, he pulled one ripe hard nipple into his mouth. Her fingers threaded into his hair and cradled his head, her nails digging into his scalp as he suckled and kissed her breasts.

Susan wiggled against him urgently as he feasted on one breast and then the other.

Lifting away from the sweet confection, he kissed her mouth once more and slid his flattened hand down her stomach to the waistband of her soft sweatpants. Somewhere in the back of his mind he realized he was almost out of control. His body throbbed with an intensity he hadn’t experienced in many years. Generally, he had no problem setting the pace of lovemaking, but with Susan, he was half out of his mind with desire.

When his fingers found her hot and wet, he growled deep into his throat. Susan shuddered and jerked under his touch, tearing her mouth from his to pant heavily as he stroked between her legs.

“Teddy…please…” she murmured.

Her hands awkwardly searched for the snap to his jeans. Impatient to be inside her, Teddy pushed off her to stand at the end of the bed. Susan raked her hands through her hair and drew a deep breath. Keeping his gaze on her, he unzipped his jeans and stepped free of them. His erection tented his boxers and her eyes lowered to the protrusion.

Lying on the bed, her sweatshirt fallen open to either side of her and her sweatpants low on her hips, she looked wanton and sexy as hell. For half a second, he wondered where was the self-doubt—where was the little voice inside him telling him that what was about to happen with her was wrong? All he felt was eagerness to be with her. In an odd way, he’d imagined this moment most of his life, even when he told himself he despised her.

Suddenly the jangling of his cell phone from the living room filled the silence. His eyes widened.

Susan shook her head telling him without words to ignore it.

“I can’t. It’s gotta be Cord, and if we don’t answer—who knows what he’ll do.” Cussing the fates, his brother and everything else, he sprinted from the room, knowing the proverbial cold water had been tossed on the moment.

“Yeah,” he barked into the phone.

“T-Teddy?” Maria’s hesitant voice drifted softly through the phone.

Teddy sank to the couch. Oh, God, not now. The timing couldn’t be worse. His body throbbed for the woman lying in the other room, and he suddenly had to be a father figure.

He forced a smile into his voice. “Hi, baby girl,” he crooned. The young girl sounded like she’d been crying, and he felt ten times the heel for not being happy to hear from her. “What’s wrong, honey?”

A sound caught his attention and he glanced up to see Susan standing in the doorway. A horrified expression froze her face. She clasped her sweatshirt closed and turned on her heel. Her slamming door echoed down the hall.

Teddy dropped his head to his hands and tried to focus on the little girl’s problem.

“Then she called me a bad name and said I was ugly as a frog.”

“Sweetheart, that’s not true. You’re beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Those others are just being mean. They’re jealous because you’re prettier than they are.”

Teddy’s libido had a hard time settling down and his guts ached with unspent need. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the conversation, his mind was down the hall wondering what Susan was doing. Or rather what he wasn’t doing with Susan. If he had known when the phone rang who it was, would he have answered it? The question niggled at him, bringing up all the self-doubt about whether he truly was cut out to be a father.

Listening and making the appropriate soothing responses to Maria, he finally calmed her enough to get off the phone, but he couldn’t bring himself to follow Susan. This was getting much too complicated. He had a lot of responsibility waiting at home. There was no way he should be starting anything with the one woman he had absolutely no future with. It was good that Maria had called; it had prevented something from happening that he would have come to regret.

Still, he had to resolve this, whatever this was.

Susan didn’t answer when he knocked on her bedroom door, but seconds later, he heard the shower in her bathroom start. Sadness settled in his heart and he turned back to his own room to change. They might not be leaving for the ranch tonight, but they were still going this weekend and he might as well finish getting his things together.

With any luck once they were home, Cord, Florence, or one of her sisters could convince her that she was better off in Texas than here with the wacko.

****

Susan reached for her carry-on as she watched Teddy chat with the stewardess. He winked and thanked her warmly for the special treatment. Susan rolled her eyes as the girl blushed and smiled warmly back at him. Was there any woman in this world who didn’t fall for Teddy Weston?

She averted her gaze when his eyes met hers. Even she wasn’t immune. She’d kidded herself if she ever thought she was. All it had taken the other day was one kiss and she’d been half-naked with her legs spread for him. The stress of staying in New York the past four days, watching over her shoulder for the wacko, had obviously strung her out emotionally.

She closed her eyes and pressed a hand to her head—now he had her calling the stalker a wacko, too. She needed to get away from him. He was driving her insane. All she wanted to do was get to the ranch, crawl into bed, and not get up until the nightmare was over. A delicious thought of Teddy crawling in there with her flashed across her mind, and Susan frowned. Her focus had to be on getting through this problem and getting on with her life. Cord and the NYPD were in touch and were running the pictures from the magazines through the entire database of known stalkers both in New York and other areas of the country. Right now, there was nothing she could do, or so they said, except stay on the ranch and lay low.

She’d regretted her decision about not going home when they first discovered the magazine photos. What was the saying Flo always said about words spoken in haste or something or other? She shook her head; it was too hard to remember. But she couldn’t have very well told Teddy she’d changed her mind and wanted to go home after telling him what a big strong cowboy she was.

Stepping from the plane into the hot Texas sunshine, Susan slipped on her sunglasses as they crossed the tarmac to the terminal. Just inside the door, she immediately spied Buck waiting for them.

“Welcome home, you two.”

For some reason the sight of Teddy’s enormous brother with his arms crossed over his chest looking very safe and unstoppable was her undoing. Susan opened her mouth to greet him, but her lower lip trembled and her eyes filled with tears.

Buck unfolded his arms. “Hey, hey. Now come on, Susan, don’t do that to me. You know I can’t do the tears thing. Oh, hell.”

Susan couldn’t stop the tears. Buck represented home and safety, all in one big strong cowboy package. As Teddy’s brother’s large hands awkwardly patted her back, she pressed her face into his chest.

“It’s okay, kiddo. You’re in Texas now. Nothing can touch you here.”

He cupped her shoulders in his hands and pulled her back to stare down in her face. “You crying because you’re glad to be home, or is Teddy being his usual jackass self?”

Susan sniffled and shifted her purse higher on her shoulder. Tossing her head, embarrassed at her display, she twisted her head to see what was taking Teddy so long to get off the plane. He waved at the crew as he caught up with them.

Buck chuckled. “Does he ever go anywhere that he doesn’t make new friends?”

“You should have seen him in New York. Half the city is in love with him.”

“Yeah, he does attract the women.”

Susan smirked. “Not just women.”

Buck’s eyes widened as Teddy reached their side. “What are you two whispering about?” He glanced from one to the other.

Buck slapped him on the shoulder. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Susan was just telling me how you took New York by storm.”

Teddy frowned. “Freakin’ city. Elevators everywhere; I mean everywhere.”

“How’s Sara?” Susan climbed into the front seat of Buck’s truck and scooted to the middle. Teddy’s thigh pressed against hers, but she couldn’t go anywhere to escape him. Buck was over six-foot-five, and as he slid behind the wheel, he took up more than his share of the driver’s seat.

“Doc says if nothing happens by Monday, he’s going to have to induce.” He sounded nervous.

Susan glanced at him. “Everything went so fast with Beau and Mason; I wonder what’s the holdup?”

Buck sighed and pulled out into traffic. “Doc told her it was probably a girl and she was going to make us wait while she took her sweet time.”

“Sounds like someone else I know,” Teddy drawled.

Susan jammed him with her elbow. “A girl? Is he certain? Oh, Buck, wouldn’t that be wonderful?” She sighed. How great would it be to have a niece to spoil, to buy fancy dresses for, and baby dolls. When she was older, she could even help her with makeup and boys.

“That’s great. We’ll be here for her big entrance, huh?”

“Most likely, unless you’re heading home on Monday.”

Susan opened her mouth to say she wasn’t sure, but Teddy quickly spoke up.

“We’re not going back any time soon. It’s safer here. Besides, I got some things to tend to and need to be in Texas.”

Susan was annoyed, but this wasn’t the time or place to argue with him about their return plan.

Silently, she watched as the city faded away and, before long, they were passing through the Double B arches. Home. She half listened to the two brothers talk over her head about the ranch. While Cord ran things from the office, Teddy, Buck, and Sara were the ones out on the land every day.

Susan imagined that, with Sara not working, Buck was missing having Teddy around.

“They poured the foundation yesterday,” Buck said to Teddy. “You should be able to see it from the hill.”

“Great! I wasn’t sure if they’d be able to, with the rain you’ve had and all.” Teddy’s voice seemed excited and he sat up straighter.

“Want me to stop?” Buck asked.

“Do you mind? I want to take a look.”

Susan sighed. “Is this going to take long? I’m really tired.”

The truck rolled to a stop and Teddy opened the door without glancing at her. “Then stay in the truck.” The door shut firmly behind him.

The Weston brothers stomped out through the dirt up to what she could see was the beginning of a huge house. Teddy’s hands were gesturing and Buck was nodding. Curiosity got the better of her and Susan jumped out of the truck. She made her way over to where they stood staring at the wooden structure.

“I’ve ordered an enormous bay window for the kitchen. I want the kids to be able to sit there and read when the weather isn’t so great,” Teddy said as Buck nodded.

“What kids?” she asked.

“My kids,” Teddy commented absently, but his focus was apparently on the vision of the house in his mind. “Then upstairs, for my room, I want it similar to the one Grant and Charli have, with the ceiling and walls almost completely windows. I want to look out and see nothing but the ranch when I’m sleeping or whatever.” He grinned at his brother, who chuckled.

“What about the outside? I heard you’re putting in a pool.”

Teddy nodded. “Yeah. I know you don’t have one, but I thought it would be nice instead of traipsing to the big house every time the kids want to swim. This way it would be up here for Beau and Mason and…” He trailed off, looking to Buck.

“Right now the names are narrowed down to Sam and Annie.” Buck answered.

“Oh, naming the baby after Sam! That’s wonderful,” Susan interjected. “What about Florence?” Susan asked.

Buck laughed. “Flo said if we named a baby after her, she’d have our hides. I guess she’s never liked her name. Sara said maybe Anna Florence or something. You know for Mama and Flo.”

“Anna Florence. I like it. We’ll call her Annie.”

Buck nodded. Teddy walked away, and he followed. Susan heard him telling Buck where the large family room would be and the spot for the fireplace.

Susan stared after him, only now putting together that Teddy had talked about having kids. With who? With the twins? Buck couldn’t know about the two women, did he? If he did, didn’t he think it was weird? And what about her sister? Did Sara realize who Teddy planned on living with right next door to her and her impressionable young kids?

Susan chewed her lip. If she told Sara what Teddy intended to do and it caused a huge family issue, then once again she’d be the bad guy, at least in Teddy’s eyes. But, at the same time, didn’t she have a responsibility to her little nephews?

“Come on, Miss Broadway, you were in such a hurry, let’s go.”

Teddy’s voice broke into her musings. She stepped up on the running board to climb into the truck. His large hand cupped her backside and shoved her in. Hissing in her breath, she glared at him as she settled herself in the middle once again. Teddy winked and grinned broadly.

Buck didn’t seem to notice anything as he turned the truck back onto the ranch road. They passed by his house and Susan noted the new, humongous swing set in the yard.

“I see the boys got some new toys.”

“Yeah, courtesy of Grandma Flo. She insisted the boys needed more things to keep them busy. She had an entire crew of ranch hands out there for days constructing that monster. But the boys love it.”

Susan couldn’t wait to see Flo. Their beloved housekeeper meant home, love, and security. From her vanilla scent to the wrinkles in her old face, she was as close to a mother as Susan had now, and she missed her. It had only been a little over a month since they’d been home last, but it seemed like forever.

As the truck stopped in front of the main house, Susan couldn’t get out of the truck fast enough. She pushed the heavy front door open, and the scent of barbecue mingled with bread baking filled her senses. Not pausing, she followed the aromas to the kitchen. As Flo turned from the stove, Susan met her gaze.

The housekeeper tipped her head and propped her hands on her hips. “When I heard what was going on and you hadn’t told us, you are lucky I was here and you were in New York. I’d have taken the wooden spoon to your behind.”

Susan tried to smile at Flo’s scolding, but her lip trembled and tears filled her eyes.

With a clucking sound, the older woman crossed the room and jerked her into open arms. Susan clung to her and let the tears fall. She was home and safe, and for the first time since she left the ranch, she knew she was going to be fine.

After indulging in a few minutes of pure selfish comfort, she pulled away and gave an embarrassed laugh. “That’s twice already since I’ve been home that I started crying.”

Flo pulled a tissue out of her apron pocket and handed it to her. “Crying is good for the soul; it refreshes you. Nothing wrong with a good cry, baby girl.”

Susan dabbed at her eyes and turned away. “It’s been a rough week.”

Flo gently pushed her into a chair, and soon a cup of hot tea and a dish of peach cobbler sat in front of her.

She started to shake her head no and resist the lure of the sweet, calorie-laden delight, but the hot, fruity scent teased her nostrils and Susan gave in without much resistance.

“Do you want some ice cream on that?”

“Oh, God, no,” she mumbled around a mouth full of peaches.

“Diane called earlier,” Flo said a few minutes later.

Susan sipped her tea and set her spoon down, pushing the half-eaten cobbler away. “I haven’t called her since Teddy showed up on my doorstep.”

Flo chuckled. “Ohhh, to be a fly on the wall of that apartment. I told Sammy there ain’t no way both of you were coming out of that situation alive.”

She grinned. “Who’d you put bets on?”

“Now, you know the good Lord don’t allow no wagerin’.”

Susan rolled her eyes. “Okay, who did Sam put his money on?”

“He said you’d bring Teddy to his knees.”

The vision that popped into her head was a bit more risqué than what she knew Flo meant. Something along the lines of her in a very short skirt and high heels while Teddy’s hand slid up her thigh.

“What’s going on in here?”

Teddy plopped down in the chair opposite her and pulled her half-eaten cobbler over toward him. She let it go without an argument—better for her waistline if he finished it anyway. He winked, and after her little fantasy a second ago, her cheeks flamed.

Teddy finished the cobbler in three spoonfuls and Flo replaced it. “Thanks. I’m starved!”

Picking up his spoon again, he waved it in the housekeeper’s direction. “You know, when she actually has groceries in her place, Susan can cook. I was kind of surprised.”

“Why does that surprise you? All my girls can cook.” Flo set a mug of strong coffee down in front of him.

Teddy glanced at Susan. She didn’t look happy; she was fidgeting the way she did when she was uncomfortable. When her gaze caught him staring, she lifted her eyebrow as if to ask him what was wrong. He shrugged in response, and she turned her focus to the window.

Back to Flo’s question, he waited until he swallowed the forkful of hot fruit in his mouth. “Well, when I first got to her apartment, there was no food. I mean nothing to eat at all.”

Susan turned back toward him. “I’m rarely there. Food goes to waste. It makes more sense to order out or go out.”

“I’m sure if Susan had a family and someone to cook for she would. Who’d want to cook just for themselves?” Flo picked up the plates from the table. “Was New York as bad as you thought it would be?”

Teddy started to make a smart comment, but thinking back, he realized it hadn’t all been awful. “Susan was a great little tour guide and showed me parts of New York that were really kind of cool.”

Flo grinned. “Sounds to me like this feud you two had going has ended.”

Teddy watched until Susan turned toward him. An immediate memory of how she looked in that gray tracksuit, the top unzipped, her mouth kissed swollen by his kisses and her hair mussed, came to mind.

Her eyes darkened and her tongue snaked out to wet her lower lip. His jeans tightened in response.

Clearing his throat, he answered the housekeeper. “Yeah, we kind of worked it out.”

Susan’s eyes widened, then she smiled. Was his forgiveness really that important to her? The way her face lit up, it certainly seemed that way. He had the distinct impression if Flo hadn’t been standing right there, she’d be all over him.

Teddy looked away. No matter how much that idea appealed to him, he had to stop thinking they should be indulging in anything that even remotely resembled a physical relationship. Being back home, he needed to completely focus once again on seeing the necessary process through to obtain custody of those kids. A fling with Susan had nowhere to go but bad, no matter how much they’d both enjoy it while it lasted. He was about to become a single father, and he had to keep focused on that route, and that route only.

He stood up and settled his hand on Flo’s shoulder. “That was delicious, as always.”

“Hold on there, you aren’t leaving without giving me an update on what’s happening with this loony-tune.”

Teddy glanced at Susan. “There’s not much more to tell than what you already know. We’re working with the police to try to identify this guy, but until he actually does something they can’t charge him with anything.”

Flo picked up the plates from the table and turned to the sink. “You need to just keep yourself here until this is all settled then.”

Susan opened her mouth to protest, but Teddy shook his head. No point in upsetting Flo.

“We’ll make sure she’s safe—don’t you worry about anything.” Turning to Susan, he said, “Cord wants to see us in the den once we get settled.”

As they walked out of the kitchen to the hallway, Susan stopped and turned to face Teddy. “How much are we going to tell him?”

“What do you mean, how much? He knows pretty much all of it. It’s not like I haven’t talked to him.”

Her blue eyes flickered and he frowned. What was going on inside that head of hers now?

Teddy leaned his back against the oak banister of the staircase. Keeping his voice down so Cord couldn’t hear them through the closed door he asked, “What’s wrong?”

“As soon as we’re in front of him, he’ll know we’re not fighting anymore,” she whispered.

He raised his eyebrow. That was the problem? Was she embarrassed about the few times they’d come close to doing more than kissing? “Don’t worry, Madame Broadway, no one back home needs to know that you went slumming with a cowboy.”

Susan stepped forward until she stood right in front of him. Those same blue eyes sparked with anger. “As if you were just some cowboy I’d picked up for the night! You’re such a moron!” she hissed. “Do you really want him knowing our personal business? He runs enough things around here. Does he really need to tell us that this thing between us is a bad idea?”

“There’s a thing between us?” Teddy grinned and grabbed her upper arms, hauling her against him.

Susan squeaked and glanced at the door. “That’s what I mean. Let go!” Her voice was barely a whisper, but her curvy body wiggled against him as she tried to escape his embrace.

The den door opened and his oldest brother walked out. Cord shook his head. “I thought maybe that time together would have made you two stop fighting, but I see nothing has changed.”

Teddy dramatically set her aside. “It’s her. She’s always throwing herself at me.” He shuddered and walked into the den, ignoring her.

Too keyed up to sit, he chose to stand in front of the large window that overlooked the front pasture. He longed to get on a horse and just ride for hours. His mind whirled with what was going on with the kids, Susan’s stalker, and his reaction to her the second she was near him. She wasn’t going to sit tight in Texas for very long, which meant he’d have to go back to New York. Something he really had no interest in doing.

When had his life become so complicated? Was it only a few months ago that he was just a singing cowboy who loved the thrill of a different woman every few weeks? He watched Susan gracefully settle into the corner of the couch, her legs tucked up under her; he had a sudden flashback to the night they’d written his latest song. She looked vulnerable then, as she did now. As she brushed her thick hair back, he could feel it under his fingers, springy and soft, and he could smell the citrus and fresh scent. Her skin had the same scent. He tore his gaze away as Cord settled in the leather chair across from her.

“So? I see neither of you have killed off the other yet.”

Susan shrugged. “We had to live in the same apartment; we had to make some peace.”

Teddy took his casual cue from her. “Well, except for her trying to kill me with elevators. You know, there should be a law about that.”

Cord held up his hand. “I get it about the elevators. What’s the latest news on the stalker?”

“You know as much as we do. The other day when we discovered he’d been shadowing us almost night and day, I wanted to get her right back here. But she decided she had to finish up a few things.”

Susan glared. “I can’t just walk away from my responsibilities. You know it’s not just me who gets paid to be on that stage—there’s a lot of people who’d be out of work if I don’t perform.”

Teddy crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah, and what if the wacko gets you? Then what? They won’t be out of work then?”

“That won’t happen. Between the bodyguards and you, he can’t get to me.”

“I need to be here. I have responsibilities here too, you know.” Teddy was getting annoyed. He was tired of hearing how much she had to be responsible for in New York. Was she really that selfish, to think only she mattered?

Cord shook his head and chuckled. “For some reason, I was afraid throwing the two of you together in the same apartment was going to turn into something sexual. What a fool I was.” He stood up and sat down next to her on the small couch. “Listen, I know what you’re saying, Susan. You have an incredible career, and I’m trying hard to work around that. But for right now, I’m asking you, as your family, to please stay put here in Texas. I’ve got a bad feeling in my gut about this guy, and I don’t want you somewhere we can’t protect you.”

“You two think he can’t get on a plane and come here? Do you really think he doesn’t know exactly what I’m doing, if he was able to follow me so closely before?”

Teddy let Cord deal with her for now.

“I do know that, and I’ve stepped up security around the ranch. If you go off the property, I don’t want you going alone. Make sure you have Teddy with you or any of the rest of us.”

Susan rubbed her temples with the pads of her fingers. Teddy watched, wishing Cord would leave them alone so he could talk to her in a way she’d understand, or maybe he wanted his brother to leave so he could kiss her senseless.

“I know you need to rehearse. Why don’t we bring your entire crew here and you could take over the theatre in town. Brad would have no problem with that. I would make it worth his while.”

The very thought of her being anywhere near that pain-in-the-ass Brad Connors made Teddy see red. Susan and the owner of the local theatre group had had an on-again-off-again fling for years. He knew damn well whenever she was home she was usually sleeping with the weasel. The thought of the two of them together made his stomach clench.

“I gotta get a shower. I’ve been trying to talk sense into her for weeks. She’s your issue now.” Teddy walked across the den to the door, waiting for them to stop him, but neither seemed to pay any attention.

Back outside, he crossed the horseshoe driveway and walked the short distance to the house of his childhood. With Buck and Tyler both married and living on their own, the house was a lot quieter than when he and his brothers were all there together. Though Flo and Sam had moved into the house after the death of his parents, they’d moved back to their own house on the ranch once the boys were of age. Not that it mattered; Flo would mother them until the day she died, no matter which house she lived in.

Teddy picked up the stack of mail left on the small table in the foyer and tossed out the junk. The magazines he kept and carried up to his room. It felt odd to be alone. He’d been in New York almost five weeks with Susan constantly by his side. It was weird not to know she was in the next room or would be calling out to him while he took a shower, asking where he wanted to eat, or any other conversation she needed to have while he was busy. He had to admit, as much as he hadn’t wanted to be there, living with her hadn’t been all that difficult. Almost enjoyable.

As he shaved, he stared at himself in the mirror. What would it be like if this had happened even six months or a year ago? The day the phone call from Maria interrupted their lovemaking, there was no doubt they would have finished what they had started. He tapped his razor on the sink. He wanted Susan physically, but inside there was a connection he’d never had with another woman. Probably it was their shared past, but something disturbing told him it went even deeper. Susan understood his music completely and totally. Sometimes it was eerie how in tune she was to what worked and what didn’t. She really was a brilliant artist, and he respected her in a way he never had anyone else. Even the members of his own band, the Scoundrels, couldn’t give him advice like she could, and he’d been playing with them for over a decade.

Teddy finished shaving and wiped his face. Life was getting way too complicated. Susan was probably the one woman in the world he could possibly imagine spending his life with, and yet she was the last person he needed in his life. She was New York, fast-paced, parties and paparazzi. He was a local singing cowboy. His future was waiting for him at the Children’s Home, and he was ready for it. He didn’t want her life…which was what had started the entire fight so many years ago.

Back then, she thought he was afraid his music wasn’t any good so she’d snuck some of his songs to play for a slimy record producer. She thought they’d offer him a huge recording contract and he’d take off and set Nashville on fire. The other man told her the song was no good and then promptly stole it. Another singer recorded it and it shot to the top of the charts. The fact that it backfired on her and someone stole it was only a small part of his anger. Her betrayal, and maybe even the fact that she understood him so little, to think he’d want all that, that’s what really infuriated him. That’s why a relationship with her was a bad idea no matter how good it was physically. They might have reached a small peace treaty, but their goals in life—their outlooks—were still completely opposite. Thinking anything good could come from being together was nuts.

It was good that they’d come back to the ranch and away from the intimacy of her apartment. Nothing physical would happen between them here, not between Flo and Cord watching, not to mention all the other family members who bounced in and out of the picture. Nope, this was good. Susan would be busy with rehearsals, and Cord or someone else could keep an eye on her so he could get back to his own life.

Like tonight—he was free to go to the LoneStar, eat a huge steak, drink a few long necks, and sing with his band. Back to life as he liked it. The past six weeks would simply blur into a distant memory.

****

“I’m so glad you decided to come with us.” The tall, redheaded Charli slammed the truck door shut and slipped her arm across Susan’s shoulders.

She looked up at her good friend, then over at Charlie’s new husband, Dr. Grant Clark. “I didn’t really know I decided it. Somehow you just swept me along.”

Grant laughed. “That’s what she does best. How the heck I ended up married to her I have no idea, but here I am, too.”

“You were the one who insisted we make it legal.”

Grant grabbed his wife and pulled her up against him. Susan’s heart melted at the look of complete adoration on the man’s face. What was it like to have a man love you that much? As the couple kissed, she left them alone and walked into the bar.

Teddy’s band was playing. His voice filled her ears as he sang a fast-paced honky-tonk number that had the dance floor packed. For a second, she watched him, knowing he couldn’t see her. He looked better in blue jeans and a black T-shirt than any man she’d ever met. His onstage presence sizzled as he came alive, singing and playing his guitar. He was an amazing performer, but she liked him even better when he was kicked back on her couch, strumming his guitar and singing…just for her. As she watched, he bent down from the small stage and took the red bandana a busty brunette handed him. He wiped his brow and winked at her before shoving it in his back pocket.

Obviously, everything was back to the way it used to be. She turned away and headed toward the bar.

“Hey, Bill.”

“Well, howdy, Miss Susan. What can I get you?” The LoneStar’s owner and bartender wiped the bar off in front of her. “Is that stool clean? Don’t sit down, now, until I wipe it off.” He leaned over the bar and swiped at the stool, knocking the peanut shells to the floor.

Susan laughed and sat down. “Come on, Bill, you know I don’t care. How about a beer? Got anything light?”

“Sure do. Teddy sounds great tonight. Looks like that vacation he took did him good. I haven’t seen him this on fire in months.”

Susan nodded and turned around to watch the band again. This time the song was a slow, sultry ballad, and she was drawn by the intensity with which Teddy sang. It wasn’t lost on the audience, either, from the way the women were transfixed. He had them where every singer longs to have them, right in the palm of his hand.

Susan took a long drink of her beer. It didn’t make sense to her why he never wanted to take his career to another level—he could easily have given today’s country singers a run for their money. Tossing her head as if she could erase the thoughts, she turned to look toward the door and frowned. What was keeping Charli and Grant?

Did they go back to the truck? Or decide they’d rather be alone after all and head back home? What must that be like? To have someone you wanted so desperately that plans were changed on a dime because you needed to be together, just the two of you.

The door opened and Charli walked in holding her husband’s hand. The look on Grant’s face told Susan all she needed to know. The couple headed to the dance floor without stopping by the bar.

When the song ended, Teddy’s voice came over the speakers. “We’re going to grab a beer, folks, and be back in about fifteen minutes.” He turned to his band and spoke to them before hopping off the stage.

A girl caught his arm. Teddy laughed at something she said and touched her cheek with his hand. Susan wanted to tear across the room and shove her, hard. When his gaze lifted to hers, Susan couldn’t help the little leap her heart gave. He gave her a halfhearted smile and a brief wave, but he didn’t cross the room to talk to her, so she spun back around to the bar.

Her heart sank. Were they back to this? She’d just ordered her second beer when he stepped up next to her. Bill set a large tray of drinks on the countertop.

“Thanks, Bill.” He took the loaded drink tray and started to walk away. At the last minute, he glanced back over his shoulder. “You coming over to say hi to the guys?”

“Sure.” She slipped off the barstool and followed him across the room.

“Well, if it isn’t the prettiest star in Texas. How are you, darlin’?” Rusty, the best drummer in all of Texas in her opinion, kissed her cheek. Grinning, she took one of the beers from Teddy’s tray and handed it to him.

“You gonna sing tonight?” he asked.

“I don’t think so, not tonight.”

“Well, if you change your mind, you let us know. We’ll even kick this amateur off the stage and let you have it to yourself,” Tucker, the bass player, teased.

Susan’s gaze met Teddy’s, but he didn’t extend the invitation.

“We’ll see,” she finally replied. “You guys sound terrific. I’m going to enjoy being part of the audience tonight.”

She gave a little wave and, without looking back, stepped away from the small stage. It was apparent that Teddy didn’t want her there, even if he didn’t say anything. His cool attitude and lack of conversation was loud and clear.

She spotted Charli and Grant seated at a large table with Beth and Tyler and went to sit down in an empty chair across from her youngest sister.

“I thought you weren’t coming down?” Beth asked.

Susan shrugged. “I called Sara to see about going over there, but she was going to bed. So I figured I’d come by and see the band.”

“I can’t believe how big she is this time. She’s never been this uncomfortable in her pregnancies before.” Beth shook her head and sent a curious glance at her husband.

Tyler slid his arm around his wife’s shoulders. The two looked like they were up to something. Wait, was Beth pregnant? She opened her mouth to ask, but then the band started up again and she would’ve had to shout her theory to the whole bar to be heard.

Tamping down her curiosity for now, she turned as Teddy began to sing an older country hit that fit his voice to perfection. When he hit the chorus, the bar went crazy. She knew it was one of his favorites; it was evident in the way he really got into it. His eyes half closed, his body relaxed as he sang the haunting lyrics as if he lived them himself. No wonder women threw themselves at him. If he was half as tender in bed as he was on stage, it’s a wonder any woman got away with her heart intact.

Frustration settled inside her. She wanted him. There was no use denying it anymore. But the reality was, just like when they were young, there was absolutely no way a relationship would end on anything other than a bad note. The enjoyment of the physical side couldn’t possibly be worth the heartache that would follow.

“Uh-oh. Watch out, Susan.”

She twisted around, wondering what Tyler was talking about.

He leaned closer. “Cole Pritchard just walked in.”

The local rancher was a neighbor and long time family friend. “What’s wrong with Cole?”

Tyler laughed. “Nothing, except he’s already dated Sara and Beth, and now here another Sampson sister sits, all unattached. I guarantee he makes a beeline for you.”

Beth elbowed her husband. “Stop it. Cole’s a great guy. You make him sound desperate.”

“He is desperate. He’s made it very clear he’s looking for a Mrs. Pritchard. You’re just lucky I came back in time to save you that life.”

Beth opened her mouth to say something, but Tyler pulled her onto his lap and kissed her. Susan looked away. Was there nothing but amorous couples here tonight?

Teddy caught her stare and, for a few seconds, it seemed as if he sang only to her. The words to the song were sexy and suggestive, and she squirmed in her seat. If he came off the stage right now, grabbed her hand, and pulled her to the parking lot, she’d be putty in his hands.

“I see you’re wiggling in that chair. Wanna dance?”

Like cold water being tossed on her, Cole’s voice at her side drew her out of her erotic fantasy. She wanted to say no, but the puppy dog look in his brown eyes had her nodding. Cole was harmless. She’d known him since she was in grade school. Plus, there was still some tension when he was around Beth and Tyler. It was probably a good idea to get him on the dance floor and away from their table.

As the strong, redheaded rancher took her in his arms, she forced herself to stop listening to Teddy’s lyrics. “So, how’ve you been, Cole?”

“Good. Busy.” He shrugged. “You know how it is, never enough hours in the day.”

Susan smiled in understanding. Cole’s ranch was small and he ran it with only a minimal group of ranch hands.

“How’s Doc?”

Cole’s father had been the only veterinarian in their hometown of Sweet Meadow for decades before he finally retired five years ago and handed over the practice to Beth and her partner Grant.

“I can’t believe it, but I think he’s met someone.”

Susan’s eyes widened. “Seriously? That’s wonderful. Don’t you think? I mean, it’s been a long time since your mom passed.”

Cole shrugged. “I guess I kind of thought I’d be getting married, not the old man.”

She laughed and patted his shoulder. “It’ll happen, Cole. You’re one of the good guys. Some girl will come along and snap you up.”

“Yeah, right. Hey, listen. I know this is sudden, but I kind of wanted to ask you for a favor, if you wouldn’t mind.”

She sincerely hoped it didn’t involve a date. “What’s up?”

“I’ve been talking to the local judge, and he thinks there’s a real need for an alternative situation for some of these young kids that get themselves in trouble; you know, petty crimes, nothing major. Maybe like a work environment that would give them a skill.”

“You mean instead of jail time? You’re not thinking of having them out at your ranch, are you?” She wasn’t sure that was a good idea. After all, what kind of experience did Cole have with any of that?

He shrugged. “I don’t know; I’m thinking about it. But I need to get a background check done and some strong letters of reference, that type of thing, to even start the process.” Red stained his cheeks, but he held her gaze. “I hate asking you to use your position, but I think a letter from you speaking to my character might hold some clout.”

Susan smiled and poked at his chest. “So you want to use our friendship for your own gain. I see how you are, Cole Pritchard.”

Embarrassment tarnished his cheeks. “No, it’s not like that...I mean it.”

She laughed and touched his face with her hand. “I’m teasing; it’s fine. If this is something you want, then I think you should go for it. Is there anything else I can do? Let me know. I mean it.”

“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in going to dinner some evening to discuss it?”

“Hey, buddy, go get a beer on me.”

Susan hadn’t even noticed Teddy wasn’t the one singing anymore until he tapped Cole on the shoulder.

Cole rolled his eyes. “That’s my buddy for you, always taking the pretty ones away. How many times over the years have I heard, ‘Go get a beer, Cole,’ ‘Get lost, Cole,’ ‘Look the other way, Cole.’” His laughter didn’t quite reach the depths of his eyes, and Susan had the feeling the other man was tired of playing second fiddle.

Impulsively, she reached up and kissed his cheek. “Give me a call about that dinner.”

Cole gave Teddy a satisfied smirk and walked away.

She found herself pulled into Teddy’s arms as the band rolled into another slow ballad.

“Don’t you have to be up there singing with them?”

He shrugged. “They’ve been singing without me the entire time I’ve been in New York. Rusty does okay as lead singer when he has to. What was all that with Cole?”

“What do you mean? He asked me to dinner and I said fine.”

“What’s your hometown boyfriend going to think of that?”

Susan blinked. Was he talking about himself? “I didn’t know I had a boyfriend.”

Teddy held her gaze. “I thought you and Brad had some goofy understanding when you were home.”

Susan dropped her eyes and shrugged. “We had a thing off and on, but I haven’t been with him for over a year. I decided that Brad liked the idea of dating Susan Sampson, the star, not Susan Sampson the girl next door.”

Teddy pressed her harder against him as his hands drifted down to rest on the curve of her hips. “Hmmm, I definitely prefer the girl next door.” He dipped his head and nuzzled at her neck.

Shivers raced up her spine. She closed her eyes and pushed aside the curious part of her that wondered why he was suddenly getting cozy with her when a few minutes ago he was cold as ice. Teddy moved like a true dancer, the music a part of him in a way that few men could pull off. His hips swayed against her and she could feel his erection against her belly. Susan lost her breath and moved in closer, sinking her fingers into his thick hair. Heat pooled within her and desire raced up her spine.

The song was sexy and romantic, about two people standing at the proverbial fork in the road trying to decide whether to go down the path of love or not take the risk. Teddy lifted his head and she looked up. His eyes were dark and hooded and she lost her breath.

What was he thinking about? The other day in his bedroom when he’d kissed her, touched her?

His hands skimmed up her back and down again, caressing through her T-shirt. He dipped his head near her ear and his breath tickled her skin.

“You smell amazing,” he murmured. “You feel fantastic. You make me crazy, SusieQ.”

Her eyes drifted closed as he kissed the sensitive spot below her ear, his tongue darting out to taste her.

He groaned. “I don’t want it to be like this, but being with you is all I can think about.” He lifted his head and looked down.

Susan’s eyes darted open and her breath caught at the heat in his gaze as he pressed his forehead to hers.

“I want you.”

She swallowed hard, closing her eyes again as emotions rolled through her. She wanted him, too, but then what? Their lives were way too complicated; they had no business doing this together.

Teddy’s hands skimmed up her side and cradled her rib cage. A few inches more and he’d touch her breasts. Her teeth dug into her lower lip with her frustration. She ached to have him caress her, but not here in public. Not that he would. Teddy had way too much class for that, but God, she wanted nothing more. She closed her eyes. It was pointless to fight this feeling; she was giving in. When the song ended, she was going to suggest they get some fresh air. She wet her lips and opened her eyes. The song came to a close and they slowed their steps. Susan swallowed hard and lifted her chin. His chocolate brown eyes were dark with the same desire that was racing through her. “Will you—”

“Teddy, Susan,” Beth shrieked, racing up to them and grabbing their arms. “Buck just called. They’re heading to the hospital!”