Be My Texas Valentine (11 page)

For the umpteenth time, Rue Ann asked herself why she was marrying the man. She didn’t love him, would never love him. But her father had handpicked Theodore to be her mate, and no one ever dared cross the powerful Devlin Spencer, who ruled the Texas Senate and his family with an iron fist.

No one crossed him without serious repercussions anyway.

Besides, weren’t security and comfort good enough reasons to marry? Some people had tied the knot for less. All she had to do was smile and pretend. She could do that. Except for the months she’d known Logan Cutter, she’d done that most of her life.

Failing to see the man in question, she relaxed. With a bit of luck, he wouldn’t show up.

Maybe he’d stayed at his ranch, the one bought and paid for with her father’s money, and would pass on this social affair. Though, given Celeste’s penchant for parties and the like, Rue Ann couldn’t see the woman missing an opportunity to gloat.

And maybe Logan had given up trying to talk to her. They really had nothing to say to each other. He’d made his choice. He could offer no excuse that would undo the moment of his betrayal.

The musicians had finished warming up and launched into a waltz. The beautiful strains of the fiddle reached into that quiet place in her soul and calmed her jitters. She swayed to the rhythm, enjoying the feel of her ruffled satin skirt swishing around her ankles.

She didn’t object when Theodore swung her out into the midst of dancing couples.

For once she didn’t have to pretend. She loved waltzing. And good fiddle music just added the icing on the cake. The only problem was her partner. Theodore was cold, stiff, and unyielding. It was like dancing with a fence post bound with leather that had been left out in the elements until it was dry and cracked and beyond hope.

She closed her eyes. If she tried really hard, she could imagine the arms around her were the kind that could heat a woman’s blood. Strong and caring, they could easily carry the burdens of the world.

For a second she allowed herself to feel cherished.

These arms should belong to—

“I can’t believe this,” Theodore spat angrily, interrupting her daydream. “He has a lot of gall showing up here.”

Rue Ann’s eyes flew open. “Who?”

She followed his gaze to the barn entrance, and her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach.

Logan Cutter stood with his feet apart as though bracing himself for trouble. His dark hair, shining with a deep luster in the lamplight, brushed the collar of his coat, which had seen plenty of wear. And his defiant, stormy gaze met hers across the crowded floor.

Rue Ann sucked in her breath as doom settled over her.

Then her gaze lit on Celeste Wiggins, gorgeous in the latest fashion, a formfitting gown that seemed designed from nothing more substantial than moonbeams and starlight. The satiny folds sparkled and shimmered with each movement. The woman clutched Logan’s arm as though she feared he’d take off, running straight for Rue Ann.

“Did you know he was coming?” Theodore’s punishing grip on her wrist left her wincing.

“You’re hurting me.” Rue Ann struggled, breaking free. She drew herself up and shot her intended a glare. “Believe it or not, I’m not privy to Mr. Cutter’s comings and goings. I’m the last one he’d share his plans with.”

“He has no business here,” Theodore snapped. “I’ll wager he’s only interested in spying on you.”

“What a foolish statement. It’s no surprise that he’d come. You know how Celeste thrives on social occasions, no matter the circumstances.” Although she strongly suspected Logan would’ve preferred to stay far removed from the festivities if the black scowl was any indication.

“Your father will be furious. There’s no love lost between them. It’s high time Cutter got it through his head that you belong to me,” Theodore snarled, again grasping her wrist. Wrenching her to him, he set off across the dance floor to another waltz.

Rue Ann struggled to keep her feet under her. When at last she gained her footing, she ordered, “Stop this instant. Get it straight right now. I’m not your or anyone else’s property.”

She was so busy trying to make her point that she didn’t see the dark-haired figure until he politely tapped Theodore’s shoulder.

“The lady isn’t a sack of potatoes to be manhandled.” The low timbre of Logan’s voice held warning.

Theodore drew himself up and glared. “This is a private matter and I’ll thank you to keep out of it. You forget that Rue Ann is engaged to me, not you, Cutter.”

“The only thing I’m forgetting is how good it would feel to knock you from here to Galveston and back, and that’s because I haven’t done it yet. I can rectify that situation in about two seconds ... Teddy.”

Theodore’s face turned a ruddy color at Logan’s derisive tone.

“I can’t believe this—” Rue Ann began, only to be interrupted by her father.

“Gentlemen, take it outside. This isn’t the time or place.” Devlin Spencer glared his disapproval.

“With pleasure,” Logan directed his wintry smile at Theodore. “After you ... Teddy.”

Rue Ann died with mortification. Two grown men were fighting over her as if she were some kind of prize they gave out at the county fair. She looked for a hole to crawl into. But she saw nothing except some bales of hay scattered around the barn for guests to sit on. Not exactly a place to hide.

Just then Celeste swept regally into their midst and fixed a cold stare on Rue Ann. “I hope you’re satisfied now. See what you caused?” Then she turned to her escort. “Logan dearest, can you please get me a cup of punch? I’m ever so parched.”

For a second Rue Ann thought Logan would refuse Celeste. At last he sighed and addressed Theodore. “This isn’t over. We’ll meet again. In the meantime you’d best watch yourself. You’re too dumb to know how to treat the best thing you’ll ever have.” Then he swung to Rue Ann. “Miss Spencer, it’s good seeing you again.”

Rue Ann’s heart broke into a million pieces as she watched him walk away with Celeste clutching his arm.

Conflicting emotions consumed Logan as he moved toward the refreshment table with Celeste stalking ahead as though to blaze a trail. The way she kept glancing over her shoulder to make sure he was following made him feel like an obedient dog. Celeste’s rigid spine told of her anger.

Logan couldn’t help it. He couldn’t have lived with himself if he’d turned his back on Theodore Greely’s mistreatment of Rue Ann.

He itched for a chance to pummel the obnoxious man. Someone needed to teach Teddy how to treat a lady. But on the other hand, Rue Ann had chosen, albeit not wisely, the man whom she wanted to marry. He needed to drop the matter and let fate chart her course.

But could he do that?

The churning in his gut said that would be about as possible as lassoing the moon.

“What was the meaning of that little display?” Celeste demanded in an icy tone when they reached the refreshment table. “Rue Ann Spencer is not your problem. I’ll not have you chasing after her like some buck in rutting season.”

Logan planted his heels. “You can find someone else to court you if you want. You should’ve learned by now I’ll be no lapdog for you or anyone.”

Celeste faced him, placed her hands on his chest, and wheedled, “Now, Logan, you know I didn’t mean to criticize you. I was merely trying to bring your attention to the fact that you humiliated me back there in front of the entire town.” She puffed out her bottom lip. “I don’t know how I’ll hold my head up. Surely you care about my reputation?”

“Of course I care. It wasn’t my intention to bring you pain and humiliation. But you should understand what kind of man I am. I can’t, I won’t, sit idly by and watch someone mistreating a woman.”

“Rue Ann Spencer, you mean,” she uttered stiffly.

“Don’t put words in my mouth, Celeste.”

“Let’s just drop the whole thing, shall we?”

“Suits me fine.” He grabbed a glass of punch and thrust it into her hands. As much as he hated to admit it, Celeste was right and he knew it. He couldn’t go around making sure Rue Ann received the respect and care she deserved. The woman made it perfectly clear that she wanted nothing to do with him. The more he tried, the more he’d look like a fool.

But he found himself searching for her across the crowded dance floor and wishing for things long past.

Their golden hour had come and gone and not a blamed thing had changed.

Chapter 3

Two days after the Williamsons’ party, Logan Cutter rode into Shiloh to pick up some books he’d ordered from back East and get more materials for his fence. Seemed there was no shortage of things needing fixing on his place, which he’d named The High Lonesome. It seemed an apt name to call it.

His lack of funds to keep things in working order wore on him. It was nothing new, though. He’d had a rough go all his life, the least of which was monetary. Those kinds of struggles were small in comparison to the pain lodged inside that ate at him.

Even after twenty-eight years, he could still hear his father deriding and taunting him. Zachary Cutter would sneer and say, “Prove you’re a man. Prove you have my blood in you.”

To this day when Logan looked in a mirror, he saw a scrawny kid still trying to prove he was good enough.

Maybe by the time he got to be an old man, he’d have nothing left to prove. He hoped so. But for now he had to show the world, more importantly the town of Shiloh, that he was made of the right stuff.

The wide expanse of blue Texas sky overhead and a gentle breeze seemed to hold promise. It was the kind of day that had fat, lazy cats curling up in the sun on windowsills and purring. Although the February day held a nip in the air, the sunshine reminded him spring was around the corner and none too soon. He’d had enough of winter. The cold months had seemed to drag on forever.

He drove his wagon onto Hayes Street and pulled up in front of the mercantile. Setting the brake, he was about to climb from the wagon box when he spied Theodore Greely emerging from Lady Alexandra’s establishment adjacent to the Red Slipper Saloon.

Logan’s eyes narrowed. Plainly, Teddy had passed the night in the company of a soiled dove. The man had draped his coat over his arm. His shirt was untucked and his vest unbuttoned.

Lady Alexandra had formed a very exclusive male establishment that catered to a man’s every need. He wondered what Rue Ann would say if she knew how Teddy spent his time. Doubtless, it would devastate her.

Should he try to warn her before she learned the hard way?

Every part of him yearned to protect the woman who’d spurned his love. But she’d made it crystal clear she wanted nothing more to do with him.

Logan released a deep sigh and climbed down from the wagon, tied the horses to the hitching post, and entered Shiloh’s only mercantile.

An hour later he emerged and loaded the fencing supplies in the wagon. Finished with that, he decided to pay a visit to the sheriff and let him know about a pack of wolves he’d seen that morning on the ridge overlooking his ranch. They’d been too far away to get a shot off. But Logan was sure they were the ones responsible for killing three of his cows.

He’d just passed Maggie’s Confectionery Shop when angry shouts on the other side of the street drew his attention.

Theodore was yelling at a scraggly mutt that had half an ear gone and an injured hind leg. From the way the poor dog’s ribs stuck out, it hadn’t eaten in a month of Sundays.

Before Logan could cross the street, Theodore delivered a hard kick to the animal. The blow sent the yelping dog into the street into the path of a horse and wagon, which had to quickly veer to miss it.

Long, purposeful strides carried Logan to the dog’s side. He lifted the animal in his arms and carried it to the sidewalk. A quick glance told him it was a female ... and she’d be having pups before too long.

After making sure the dog was out of harm’s way, he rose and settled his attention on his adversary. Without a word of warning, he drew back and slammed a fist into Theodore’s face. The man’s head snapped back.

When Theodore could speak, he bellowed, “Cutter, you’ve done it this time. I’m filing charges against you for assault.” He fumbled in his vest pocket for a handkerchief.

Logan’s silky reply held more than a measure of challenge. “I catch you laying a hand on this animal or any other again, I won’t stop with one blow. You’ll be a bloody pulp when I get through with you ... Teddy boy.”

Theodore dabbed his split lip with the monogrammed handkerchief and shrugged. “It’s just a no-account mutt. Besides, it was blocking the sidewalk.”

“You’d best heed my words if you want to keep drawing breath.” He turned his back on the man, effectively dismissing him.

Logan squatted down and ran his hands over the dog’s legs but didn’t detect any broken bones. However, a long, jagged cut ran the length of a hind leg and needed some attention. When he felt her ribs, the animal released a low whine.

“Sorry, little lady. Just be patient. I’m going to get you seen to.” Logan needed a good dog. She’d fit in well at The High Lonesome, seeing as how they were both misfits looking for someone to care just a little bit about them.

“What happened?” The woman’s voice belonged to Rue Ann. He glanced up and slammed into her vivid green eyes. She was breathless from hurrying.

He jerked his head toward Teddy. “Ask your intended.”

“I’m asking you, Mr. Cutter,” she said, putting her hands on her hips.

Rubbing his sore jaw, Theodore spoke up. “He hit me for no good reason, Rue. He’s a menace to law-abiding people. It’s time someone locked him up.”

“Is that true?” she asked.

If she meant he needed to be locked up, Logan probably wouldn’t argue with her. But he took exception to the menacing part.

Logan didn’t bother to reply. He gathered up the pregnant dog and carried her to his wagon. He needed to get far away from Rue Ann before he said something he’d regret. But she followed, nipping on his heels, her boots striking the packed dirt of the street. He found it telling that she left Teddy alone to nurse his wounded feelings.

“I want to know why you persist in tormenting Theodore.”