vitamins and minerals.
I hear the Jacobses are having financial problems, Abby remarked absently.
He glanced at her. Since the old man died last summer, theyre close to bankrupt, in fact Tylers borrowed all he can borrow. If he cant pull it together now, he never will. The old man made deals Ty didnt even know about. If he loses that place, its going to be damned hard on his pride.
Hard on Shelbys, too, she remarked.
He grimaced. For Gods sake, dont mention Shelby around Justin.
I wouldnt dare. He gets funny, doesnt he?
I wouldnt call throwing punches at people funny.
Ive seen you throw punches a time or two, she reminded him, recalling one particular day not too long before when one of the new cowhands had beaten a horse. Calhoun had knocked the man to his knees and fired him on the spot, his voice so cold and quiet that it had cut to the bone. Calhoun didnt have to raise his voice. Like Justin, when Calhoun lost his temper he had a look that made words unnecessary.
He was an odd mixture, she thought, studying him. So tenderhearted that hed go off for half a day by himself if he had to put down a calf or if something happened to one of his men. And so hotheaded at times that the men would actually hide from his anger. In temperament, he was like Justin. They were both strong, fiery men, but underneath there was a tenderness, a vulnerability, that very few people ever saw. Abby, because shed lived with them for so many years, knew them better than any outsider ever could.
How did you get back so fast? she asked to break the silence.
He shrugged. I guess Ive got radar, he murmured, smiling faintly. I had a feeling you wouldnt be sitting at home with Justin watching old war movies on the VCR.
I didnt think youd be back before morning.
So you decided youd go watch a lot of muscle men strip off and wiggle on the stage.
Heaven knows I tried. She sighed theatrically. Now Ill die ignorant, thanks to you.
Damn it all, he laughed, taken aback by her reactions. She made him laugh more than any woman hed ever known. And lately hed found himself thinking about her more than he should. Maybe it was just his age, he thought. Hed been alone a long time, and a woman here and there didnt really satisfy him. But Abby wasnt fair game. She was a marrying girl, and hed better remember that. No way could he seduce her for pleasure, so he had to keep the fires banked down. If he could.
Justin was in his study when they got back, frowning darkly over some figures in his books. When he looked up, his craggy face was devoid of expression, but his dark eyes twinkled when he glanced from Calhouns irritated expression to Abbys furious one.
How was the art show? he asked her.
It wasnt an art show, Calhoun said flatly, tossing his Stetson onto the coffee table. It was a male strip show.
Justins pencil stopped in midair as he stared at Abby. His shock was a little embarrassing, because Justin was even more old-fashioned and reactionary than Calhoun about such things. He wouldnt even talk about anything intimate in mixed company.
A what? Justin asked.
A male revue, Abby countered, glaring at Calhoun. Its a kind ofvariety show.
Hell, Calhoun retorted, his dark eyes flashing. Its a strip show!
Abby! Justin scolded.
Im almost twenty-one, she told him. I have a responsible job. I drive a car. Im old enough to marry and have children. If I want to go and see a male variety show she ignored Calhouns instantly inserted strip show I have every right.
Justin laid his pencil down and lit a cigarette. Calhoun glared at him, and so did Abby, but he ignored them. The only concession he made to their disapproval was to turn on one of the eight smokeless ashtrays theyd bought him for Christmas.
That sounds like a declaration of war, Justin remarked.
Abby lifted her chin. Thats what it is. She turned to Calhoun. If you dont stop embarrassing me in front of the whole world, Ill move in with Misty Davies.
Calhouns good intentions went up in smoke. Like hell you will, he countered. Youre not living with that woman!
Ill live with her if I want to!
If you two would Justin began calmly.
Over my dead body! Calhoun raged, moving closer. She has parties that last for days!
just try to communicate Justin continued.
She likes people! Shes a socialite! Abbys eyes were almost black now as she clenched her fists by her side and glared up at Calhoun.
you just might Justin went on.
Shes a featherbrained, overstimulated eccentric! Calhoun retorted.
COME
TO AN UNDERSTANDING! Justin thundered, rising out of his chair with blazing eyes.
They both froze at the unfamiliar sound of his raised voice. He never shouted, not even when he was at his angriest.
Damn, I hurt my ears, Justin sighed, putting his palm to one while he glared at his brother and Abby. Now, listen, this isnt getting you anywhere. Besides that, any minute Maria and Lopez are going to come running in here thinking someones been murdered. Just as he finished speaking, two robed, worried elderly people appeared, wide-eyed and apprehensive, in the doorway. Now see what youve done, Justin grumbled.