Free Crockett's Seduction by Tina Leonard

he’s got vengeance on the brain,” Mason told her.
    Then he reached down with big hands to separate the brothers. “That’s enough,” he said. “Last, if you’re gonna ride, you’ll need some juice in your battery.”
    Breathing heavily, the two brothers glared at each other. They actually looked to be in pretty good shape, Valentine decided. Clearly Mason knew what he was doing.
    But none of this would have happened if Last felt more secure in his family, or if he’d developed a better relationship with his daughter.
    The best thing was for her to slip away.
    “Have it your way, Last,” she heard Crockett say as she walked back to the stands. “It’s your buckle to win.”
    “And I will,” Last said.
    “Or break something trying,” Mason intoned.
    “Yeah? Crockett didn’t break anything. Don’t ever say I should do something because of Annette and Valentine.”
    “I meant you shouldn’t ride the bull because they were here, dumbass. You shouldn’t scare them. You’re too hotheaded these days. And I didn’t break anything because I’m a good rider, not because I’m avoiding love.”
    So much for the family curse, Valentine observed as she hurried away. She didn’t believe in silly superstitions—then she stopped in her tracks.
    Not too long ago, Valentine and her sister, Nina, had gone to great lengths to keep their heirloom bed in the family. It was supposedly charmed with baby-making powers. Valentine believed in the charm. And that meant she was just as superstitious as Crockett and the rest of the Jeffersons.
    “Nothing good can come of this,” she muttered as she walked to where her friends and family were sitting.
    “We’re going to take a break for a while,” she said, picking up Annette.
    “Where are you going?” Mimi asked.
    “We’re going to take a tiny walk while D-A-DD-Y antagonizes the great hairy B-U-L-L.”
    “Head over to my kitchen,” Delilah Honeycutt, Marvella’s sister, called from one row up. Her longtime trucker boyfriend, Jerry, sat next to her, nodding. “There are fresh strawberries on the counter, as well as some just-baked cookies. They won’t be as good as yours, but they’ll tide you over. Help yourself to the fridge, as well.”
    Valentine smiled. “Thank you so much.”
    “Borrow one of the rooms upstairs for a N-A-P,” Delilah suggested, nodding at Annette.
    “I appreciate that.” It was a very generous offer, and Valentine was relieved. “Thank you, Delilah. See you all later.”
    She headed off. “You’re a sweet baby,” she whispered to Annette. “Your daddy is being a gorilla, but his brothers will get him out of his hair suit. Eventually. And what did you think about your Uncle Crockett riding that mean ol’ bull?”
    Annette didn’t answer, but she stuck her fist in her mouth.
    “I’ll get one of Delilah’s delicious cookies,” she said, letting herself into the cool beauty salon. “There was a time when I didn’t think I’d ever be inside this shop,” she murmured. “I’m so glad times are changing.”
    The door opened behind her. “Hey,” Crockett said, closing the door. “You bailing?”
    Valentine nodded, happy in spite of herself to see him. “I kind of have to. You?”
    “Nah. I’ve got to be brave. I’ll either be mopping up a brother or giving him my buckle.”
    Valentine looked into his eyes. “Just give it to him.”
    He chuckled. “Last would not accept a victory that way.” Rubbing a thumb along her chin, he asked, “Why are you so anxious to protect him?”

Chapter Eight
    Valentine pulled away from Crockett’s touch. “I’m looking out for him for the same reason you are.”
    Crockett doubted that, but he told himself his jealousy was ill-founded. “I suppose I should be happy that you care about my family.”
    She moved farther into the kitchen. “I’m surprised you care what I think. Did I just imagine the silent treatment you gave me this morning?”
    Touchy. He couldn’t blame her; there