Free Lorraine Heath by Sweet Lullaby

hers.
    “I thought you’d never ask,” she said, smiling, her hips swaying in motion to the music as they walked back into the barn, hand in hand.
    “Don’t you think you’ve had enough whiskey?”
    Frank turned around, his jaw set. “I’m a grown man.”
    “And you’re going to look like a grown fool if you keep drinking like that,” Rebecca said.
    He studied his boots—polished earlier, now scuffed—before he brought his eyes back up to her. “Goddamn, Reb. She won’t even dance with me. That Ruth. I asked her real polite like you told me to and she just laughed and said no. Why won’t she dance with me?”
    Rebecca understood some of his frustration. She had been attracted to Brett the first time she saw him, riding in from the north. “I don’t know, Frank. Some women in this world can’t look beyond the surface of a man. And it’s usually their loss. I notice she spends a lot of time sittingon the side, waiting. I’m not sure I’d want to spend my life with someone who sat on the side. I’d rather have someone who was right in the middle, whooping it up every time.”
    Frank’s brows drew together. “But she sure is pretty, Reb.”
    “Pretty fades in time. And when it’s gone, you’re only left with what was underneath.”
    Frank nodded, his mouth puckering. “I’m going to ask her one more time anyway.”
    Watching him tromp off, she realized how fortunate she’d been. Brett had returned her feelings in equal measure.
    “It’s about time beautiful women started coming to Texas,” said a voice that was resonant and suave. Rebecca turned, feeling an immediate aversion to the man as his brown eyes slowly traveled the length of her, assessing her attributes.
    “And unfortunately, it appears I’m too late. I assume you’re married?”
    She gave him a small smile that was as cold as she could muster. “Yes, I am.”
    “Don’t worry, my dear. That won’t be a deterrent to our relationship. It will only make it more challenging.”
    Rebecca released a short laugh. “I assure you, sir, we will never have a relationship.” Turning on her heel, she walked off and went to find Jake.
    “Carrie says the doctor in town is sober one day a week,” he said as soon as she walked up. “I’m not having a drunk deliver your baby.”
    Jake looked so disgruntled that Rebecca touched her fingertips to the corner of his turned-down mouth, trying to force his lips into a smile.
    “It’ll be all right. I know you can do it.”
    “Reb, this is different. You’re not a horse that means almost nothing to me. If I do something wrong—”
    “Well, look what the devil drug up. My father’s bastard. Come to claim your land in Texas, have you?”
    Jake felt as though he had been poleaxed as he slowly turned around, coming face to face with Ethan Truscott, thenemesis of his past. Brown eyes met brown and Jake was surprised that after three years, he could still feel so much hatred directed towards him.
    “You know, pretty lady, you really ought to show more common sense in selecting the company you keep. I don’t imagine your husband would be pleased to find out you’re spending time in the presence of this bastard.”
    Rebecca took great pleasure in realizing the man she had recently snubbed was standing before them now. It would give her the chance to really put him in his place. “On the contrary, I don’t think my husband would mind at all.” She pressed up against Jake’s side. “Would you, Jake?”
    Jake slipped his arm possessively around his wife. He’d never felt so proud in all his life. “No, I wouldn’t mind at all. Can’t say I’d be pleased, though, if I found you in the company of Ethan Truscott.”
    Ethan shifted his eyes from Rebecca to Jake. “She’s your wife?” He snorted. “What whorehouse did you pick her up in?”
    Jake released his hold on Rebecca and she quickly moved her hand to his chest to stay him. “Jake!” He looked at her.
    “It’s not worth it,” she