Free Maverick Wild (Harlequin Historical Series) by Stacey Kayne Page B

bottle.
    “I can imagine,” Cora said, well aware that their mother had died giving birth to them, and wondering if such thoughts often drove Chance to drink. Fear and disappointment warred over the possible answer. “It must have been frightful.”
    “It was damn terrifying is what it was.”
    Chance rolled his shoulders against the tension still pinching his spine. He hadn’t just been afraid for his sister-in-law. Losing Skylar would have destroyed his brother, just as their mother’s death had killed part of their father. It just wasn’t safe to let a woman have such control over a man’s life.
    He reached out and poured a couple of inches of whiskey into each glass. “This will help to settle your nerves.”
    He nudged the second glass toward Cora Mae. She sat straight as a fence post, her wide gaze locked on the small glass.
    “I don’t drink spirits.”
    “Neither do I.” He grimaced as he picked up the shot of whiskey. “A toast to the prettiest little girls to ever grace God’s earth.” He clicked his glass against the one sitting in front of Cora Mae, closed his mind to memories of the past, and sent the flaming liquid down his throat.
    “I hate the stuff,” he said, chasing the burn and bitter taste with a deep breath. “But my nerves need some fast soothing.”
    He slid Cora Mae’s glass closer. “Your turn.”
    Eyes already the size of saucers drew even wider and he couldn’t help but smile.
    “Go on,” he urged. “Give a toast and toss it back.”
    “It will help?”
    “Would I lie to you?”
    “Hmm?” She pinned him with a narrowed gaze. “Let me think… ‘Just jump in, Cora Mae, it’s only knee-deep.’ ”
    The image of orange braids and pink bows slipping beneath the surface of the pond flashed in Chance’s mind. His laughter was instant. “We did teach you how to swim that summer.”
    “After you nearly drowned me!”
    “You won’t drown in that shot of whiskey.”
    “Whiskey?” Cora picked up the glass and took a strong sniff. The scent didn’t seem entirely repugnant, in fact, it smelled strangely sweet.
    “You were hoping for something else?”
    Chance’s teasing grin was far too charming. She laughed and shook her head. “I can assure you I’ve never consumed liquor of any sort. How fitting that the first time should be with you.”
    His smile widened. “Should I dare you, for old-time’s sake?”
    She laughed again, thinking his shot of whiskey must have worked. He certainly seemed relaxed, reclined in his chair, a smile on his lips.
    “Oh, very well.” She sighed and raised her glass.
    “Don’t forget to toast,” he said, amusement shining in his eyes.
    This was the side of him she had desperately missed, sweet yet utterly mischievous.
    “To Grace and Emily,” she said mockingly, certain drinking whiskey in the name of their infant nieces made it nonetheless improper. With a last uncertain look at the alarmingly pleasant man beside her, she swallowed the golden liquid, which burned its way down her throat like molten molasses.
    “See? Not so bad.”
    “Not bad?” she wheezed, then coughed as tears rushed to her eyes.
    “You always were gullible,” he said with a chuckle.
    “I was never gullible. I simply trusted you.” She licked a coating of surprisingly sweet vapor from her lips.
    “Want another?”
    “Certainly not!”
    “You catch on fast enough. And from what I recall, you got even with us on several occasions.”
    “I wouldn’t have been much of a little sister if I couldn’t best you some of the time.”
    Chance folded his arms on the table as his mind filled with memories of running through the woods, water splashing over moonlight, Cora Mae’s wild giggles. “Sometimes I need reminding that the past wasn’t all bad.”
    “You and Tucker were the brightest spot in my childhood.”
    The sadness reflected in her eyes hinted of her life after he’d left, of a promise he’d failed to keep. He wanted to see a harmless little