Rustler's Heart (A Kinnison Legacy Novel) (7 page)

“Liberty, around here, a change in Betty’s breakfast menu can cause a stir in town. Don’t worry about the opinion of others. Once they get to know you, they’ll warm up.” Aimee smiled. “I can remember when people didn’t think that Wyatt could ever change from the sullen hermit he used to be. The townsfolk called him, The Grinch.”

“Wyatt, a Grinch? Preposterous.” She grinned and Aimee shrugged.

“I guess part of me likes to think that maybe I had something to do with the change in his demeanor. Ultimately, Wyatt had to realize there was more to him than he allowed himself to be.”

“He’s still a little tightly wrapped around the edges, but he seems happy. Love must agree with him.”

“It can be a powerful thing.” She eyed Liberty. “Are
you
happy with the way you look?”

Liberty walked over to the dresser mirror and gazed at her reflection. In the short time she’d been at the ranch, she felt more rested. Even her skin glowed. The color of the dress and the style suited her athletic build. She eyed it, figuring with the right heels and hairstyle, Rein MacKenzie would be convinced that she wasn’t the little girl he thought her to be.

***

Thank God they’d thought to install the cattle fans in the rafters. Even with both doors open at either end of the barn, the fancy jacket was too hot for Rein. Just as soon as they cut the cake and the traditional toasts were made, he wasted no time crawling out of the black tuxedo jacket, unbuttoning his collar, and rolling up the sleeves on his dress shirt.

“I’m going to get some of Betty’s lemonade. You want anything?” He clapped Dalton on the shoulder. His brother eased back in his chair, nursing a beer as he quietly observed the celebration in front of him. The entire town had practically turned out for the reception after the family and friends ceremony.

“No, I’m good.” He didn’t look up.

“You okay, man?” Rein stood next to his brother’s chair. Dalton had been unusually quiet since the ceremony. His toast to the new couple had been simple, straightforward. Then again, Dalton wasn’t necessarily a sentimental guy.

“It’s just weird to think of him being married, you know? And me, going to be an uncle.”

Rein slapped his hand on Dalton’s shoulder. “Hey, we’re all getting older, bro.”

“Yeah, I just hope they make it.”

Words that came from a past so much different than Rein’s. His parents had their moments, sure, but they loved each other. They were a family. Rein had to live with what had been taken from him every day. He took a deep breath, forcing away the complicated memory on this otherwise happy day. “They will, Dal and you’ll make a damn fine uncle, you’ll see.” His brother nodded and clasped Rein’s hand briefly.

A few moments later, Rein stood at the refreshment table with a glass of Betty’s homemade special brew in hand. He took in the sight around him, the soft white tulle and sparkling tiny white lights in the rafters, the electric pillar candles in mason jars on the tables. Sally had really come through in transforming the old barn into a wedding night to remember. His gaze caught Wyatt and Aimee nose-to-nose on the dance floor, wrapped in an intimate embrace. He’d never seen Wyatt so happy. It was about damn time.

“Hey, cowboy, how about you take this dress out for a spin. I want to get as much use out of it as possible.” Sally tapped his shoulder and smiled up at him. He set down his empty glass, and led her to the dance floor. The music and the spiked lemonade slipped through his veins. He sighed and looked down at Sally. “You did an incredible job with all this, lady.”

“Why thank you, sir. Anything for those two, right?” She looked at the newlyweds, oblivious to anyone else in the room “Have you ever seen Wyatt smile so much?”

“I know. I’ve never seen him like this.”

“About damn time.” They both said at once and then laughed. It was strange at times being around Sally. They’d shared a brief, but not an intimate, past. Rein had on more than one occasion, wondered why. Tonight however, his mind wandered aimlessly, jumping from one thought to another, and more often than not, landing on Liberty.

“Liberty certainly seems like a nice girl.”

Rein’s gaze darted to hers. Had she read his mind? The comment came so fast and unexpected that it rattled him for a moment. “Yeah, for a kid.”

A smile curled the corner of Sally’s lip.

“What’s with the smirk?”

She raised her brow. “Well, first off, she’s of age, which means she’s no kid, as you put it. And honey, you didn’t take your eyes off of her during the entire ceremony.”

“You’re reading into things,” he stated flatly, averting his eyes. He knew she was spot on with her observation. He’d not been able to keep his brain focused on much else since she walked across the lawn in that dress. All afternoon he’d been battling his wayward thoughts about Liberty.

Sally tapped his shoulder. “Oh, look. Angelique is talking to Dalton.”

Grateful at least, that they’d changed the topic, he twirled Sally, so he could see Dalton’s reaction. Never mind that it might have given him the chance to search that side of the room for Liberty.

“Would you look at that slug.” She craned her head to look over her shoulder and released a frustrated sigh. “He could have at least asked her to dance.”

“Dalton doesn’t dance.”

“Well, he ought to learn.”

Rein grinned down at her. “Forever the optimist.”

“What is it going to take for a girl to win that guy’s heart?”

Rein blinked, drawing back in genuine surprise. “Wait a second, are you interested in Dalton?”

Indignation flashed in her wide green eyes. “Hell, no. Dating one of you was
plenty
for me.”

“Hey, it wasn’t so bad.”

She glanced up at him and smiled. “Not bad, just not right.”

He nodded and wondered if Sally ever pondered why it hadn’t worked between them. Not until Sally had ended the relationship and they had chosen to remain friends, did Rein realize he’d started dating her in a rebound move after Caroline left him. Though they did have fun together, at the time when it would have been natural for the relationship to progress to the next level, neither felt the spark between them that ought to be there.

He studied the scene, watching Michael Greyfeather’s niece attempt to engage Dalton in a conversation. The poor thing had no idea that given his mood, getting him to speak at all was akin to talking to a mule. His body language. On the other hand, spoke volumes—arms crossed, staring straight ahead-a proverbial, immovable force not to be reckoned with. “In answer to your question. Maybe a two-by-four?”

Sally’s laughter filtered through the music as their dance ended.

“I’m parched.” He nodded toward the refreshment table. “Betty’s got her special homemade lemonade over there. Can I get you some?”

“I’m good, thank you. Think I’ll go talk to Angelique. She might need an ear to vent to after that little display of wills. I bet he doesn’t even remember her. She used to have a wicked crush on him.”

Rein blinked in surprise. He remembered her as a shy girl with long dark hair and knew that back in middle school she’d had to move away with her mother after a scandalous divorce. “I heard Michael telling Wyatt that things haven’t been easy for her. Apparently, that’s why Emily was under their guardianship.”

Sally nodded. “She’s been through a ton of crap, Rein. You wouldn’t believe it. And it started with her mom. But this isn’t the time or place for such talk and besides, I’m not sure that Angelique is ready to make what she’s been through public knowledge, you know?”

Rein understood. He had some things he’d never shared with anyone but his brothers. He glanced again at Dalton. No, he wouldn’t have noticed her in school. She wasn’t his type, and apparently still wasn’t, but that didn’t make him discerning, just a fool, because she’d grown up to be a fine-looking woman.

The unfortunate truth, Rein thought reluctantly was that Dalton hadn’t changed much since high school. He still considered himself a free spirit, loved having a good time, and wasn’t ready yet to be tied down. The woman who broke through the wall he’d slapped up to defend the pain of his past, would have to possess strength to match his will. Sensing Sally’s concern, however, he offered to speak to Dalton. “You want me to say something to him?”

“Nah, but I do like that two-by-four idea.” She pushed up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “We’re a couple of fine examples to talk about relationships, aren’t we?” He saw a flash of melancholy in her smile.

“Sally, I….”

She furrowed her brow and touched her finger to his lips. “Stop. You drove me crazy, you still do, but that’s another story. The
real
story is that there is this incredible woman standing over by the cake table that hasn’t stopped looking at you since we started dancing. Do you know her?”

Rein followed Sally’s gaze and met Caroline’s happy expression. She gave him a jaunty wave. “That would be, Caroline Richardson.”

“Really? Is she related to Hank?”

“His sister.” Rein waited for Sally’s reaction.

“Oh,
that
Caroline.”

“Yep.” He tossed Sally a side-look. “And I’d appreciate you not saying anything more. She asked to come with Hank. No one invited her.”

“Interesting though, you have to admit.” She offered an ornery grin.

Rein sighed and leaned forward to press a soft kiss on her forehead. “See you later.” He watched her walk away, grateful for her friendship. He cleared his throat, and prepared to speak to Caroline, deciding he couldn’t avoid her all night. Her smile welcomed him. She opened her arms and drew him close, kissing him European fashion on both cheeks. Despite the fact of standing in a horse-barn, she smelled exotic, still wearing that sweet French perfume she always wore.

“Darling, How are you? I’m so sorry we’re late. There was a problem with a flap or some wing gadget, and it caused a delay. We snuck in just in time to see you lift the bride up behind Wyatt on his horse and ride off into the sunset.” She clasped her hands under her chin. “So, utterly romantic in a small town, sort of way.” She took a step back in approving assessment, stepping forward to brush invisible lint from his shirt. “And you look particularly handsome tonight, Mr. Mackenzie.”

Rein’s cheeks warmed. That damn well didn’t happen often. He’d hoped she’d forgotten how easily she could push his buttons, but it appeared she still had her touch.

“You’re looking well, Caroline.” He hadn’t expected that seeing her again would prove to be so awkward. He hadn’t really been sure what to expect. He eyed the refreshment table with its country-themed motif. “Have you tried this lemonade? Betty, she owns the diner in town and has,” he stepped around her as he spoke, “pretty much catered this whole affair tonight.” He surveyed the number of mixer choices and spotting the Jack Daniels, filled a blue mason jar with equal parts of both. He offered the same to Caroline. Her face puckered and she shook her head.

“Plain for me, thanks. Unless it’s good champagne. You know me and flying.”

“Oh, so you guys have to take off tonight?” Rein kept his eyes on his task, trying not to sound too anxious for her to leave, even though it was true. He caught the sight of Liberty a few feet away, offering to take a tray of dirty dishes from Betty. Despite the fact that he found her choices on some things to be odd, if not downright strange, it appeared she could hold her own and had an impressive work ethic. She didn’t mind stepping in to help, and she seemed to be fitting in well with her new-found family. Regardless of how busy he’d been this week, he’d taken notice of how well she’d adapted and concluded intellectually that it was the influence of his uncle’s vision that had given him such clarity.

“That one certainly isn’t from around here, is she?”

Rein hadn’t realized he’d been staring. He pulled from his reverie and handed Caroline her drink. “That’s Wyatt and Dalton’s half-sister.” He took a healthy swallow from his glass. “Her name’s Liberty.”

“You’re serious?” She gave him an incredulous look. “As in the Liberty Bell?”

Rein shrugged, wishing to avoid any conversation directly related to Liberty.

Caroline’s gaze was demure as she took a sip of her drink. “Strange name to give a child. Cute though. I suppose if you find that horrid Goth look at all attractive.”

A sweet buzz had taken over Rein’s brain. Probably not a good thing. “What’s a Goth look like, exactly?” Her snobbish attitude got to him, or maybe her perfume, then again, maybe it was the memory of how they were in bed. Whatever the reason, he felt edgy, restless and not up for Caroline’s verbal dissection of anyone from his life. She’d done that once before, only he hadn’t been smart enough to see it until they’d broken up.

She issued a condescending chuckle. “You still don’t get out much, do you?”

Apparently, her critical opinion of his rural lifestyle hadn’t changed. She’d never understood his purpose here at the ranch as anything but an inability to leave his “hick” town. “Why don’t you enlighten me, Caroline?” He took another sip to fortify his gentlemanly manners.

Oblivious to his pointed remark, she gingerly took a sip from the jar, looking awkwardly uncomfortable. Rein realized suddenly just how out of place she must feel and yet, had no real sympathy for her. He waited, anticipating the sharp scalpel of her tongue.

“Well, for starters, she’s wearing that heavy make-up, the first sign that she is not a conformist to proper societal protocol.” Caroline assessed Liberty from afar as though she was a professional in profiling.

Clearly, the woman had never bothered to do a self-evaluation. Rein gulped down half his jar, each moment becoming increasingly aware that Caroline had no thought to keep her voice down.

“And oh-my-god, that odd blue streak in her hair? Really? And did you notice that tattoo on her shoulder? Come on, she might have at least tried for the sake of her brother’s wedding to use a little cover up. It just shows she has no regard for family.”

He couldn’t remember anyone in the family making any comments about covering up any tattoo. “Tattoo?” He acted as though he hadn’t noticed, even though he must have traced it mentally a hundred times as he sat at the head table during supper and watched Liberty interact with Betty and her husband.