Free Trail of Lust by Em Petrova Page B

today?"
    James passed the baby to Annabelle before jumping down from the wagon. He helped Annabelle out just as Xander climbed off the seat.
    "The big dinner's today, remember?” Xander moved toward his family, snaking an arm around Annabelle and James.
    Graham racked his brain, trying to figure out what dinner his cousin was talking about.
    "You don't remember, do you?” Xander laughed and shook his head. “It's only the biggest dinner of the year in our family, Graham. The celebration of our Grandfather Hollis's arrival in Texas."
    "Damnation, today?” Each year, the Hollis clan flocked together to share a day of relaxation in honor of the man who had brought them all here into this part of the country. While Graham loved listening to stories of his grandfather, who some said he resembled, it was also the last thing he wanted to do today. Thoughts of Kathleen tormented him. He wanted nothing more than to head into the stable and start his work. Maybe later catch a nap before riding across the fields to her house again.
    He doffed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. Would anyone notice if he shot out of here? Being surrounded by family was far from his idea of enjoyment at the moment.
    "Hell, why hadn't I noticed before now that you're all duded up, Graham?” Xander's voice annoyed him further. “Where you been, all dressed up like that?” He looked around. “Are you just coming home?"
    Graham glared at him. “Mind your mouth."
    "Won't matter if we do. Here comes Clay."
    "Fuck,” Graham said under his breath. Jamming his hat back on, he put his head down and started toward the house, hoping Clay passed without a word.
    "Well, here comes the eldest son of Robert and Felicia Hollis,” Clay drawled. He strutted a circle around Graham, gazing at his attire pointedly. “Why, brother, it looks as if you've been courtin'."
    Graham clenched his teeth and gave his brother his best “kick your ass” glare, but Clay just laughed.
    "Not courtin', I see. With your disposition, I don't know a woman in the county who would accept your attentions."
    "Shame on you, Clay,” Annabelle admonished, jostling the baby against her chest.
    Graham shot Annabelle a look of thanks before pushing past his brother. Inside the house, his mother met him. The slender woman wiped her hands on her apron as she hurried from the kitchen.
    "Is that a wagon I hear? Oh, Graham! I'm surprised you decided to dress for the festivities."
    "I didn't.” He ducked his head and practically fled to his room. Hiding Kathleen from his family was going to be harder than he thought. Of course, he wouldn't dress up every day, and doing so today gave away the secret that something was different, but the people who had loved him all his life would surely see a change in him. Hell, Annabelle had seen it. He could tell by the spark of interest in her eyes. She appeared to be happy for him.
    Shutting himself inside his cool room, he started peeling off his clothes. The lavender scents of Kathleen clung to each fiber and every shaft of hair covering his body. He stared at the washbasin, loath to remove her smell from his skin. He wanted to carry her with him all day—keeping her with him during the celebration she should rightfully attend.
    He grunted as need infused him. His cock lengthened against his will. Maybe he'd better wash to eliminate all traces of her. He didn't need to battle an erection all day. Fighting his brothers and cousins would be enough.
    At hearing the scuffling step, Kathleen whirled to see her father leaning heavily on Jenkins. His head lolled, and his lips were slack.
    "Oh, my Lord! What's happened to him?” She dusted her floury hands on her apron and rushed forward. Fear spread through her limbs. Had he had a spell of some kind? He didn't seem able to support his own weight or even focus on her.
    "Pa! What's wrong?” She gripped his shoulders and stared into his face. His pallor was greenish-gray.
    Then it hit her—the reek of