An Heir For The Texan

“I meant six years ago, after the reading of Dad’s will.”

“How did you know we hooked up then?”

“Georgie called me a few months later and asked how she could get in touch with you. By that time you’d already married Abby. When I told her about that, she was upset. In other words, you broke her heart. Again.”

Yeah, he probably had, and he’d never been proud of it. “It was just one night, Dallas, and I didn’t marry Abby until four months later, so I wasn’t cheating on either Georgie or Abby. Besides, I married Abby on a whim.”

“A whim involving a woman you barely knew.”

Only a partial truth. “Not so. I’d known Abby for years. I just didn’t date her on a regular basis.”

“But you did date Georgie at one time, and she’s not the kind of woman to take sex lightly.”

He was inclined to agree but decided not to give Dallas the pleasure of knowing he was right. “Georgie and I agreed no promises, no expectations, the last time we were together.”

“Maybe you didn’t have any expectations, but I suspect she did. She’s always loved you, brother. I wouldn’t be surprised if she still did, although I don’t get why she would after the way you’ve treated her.”

He didn’t welcome his brother’s counsel or condemnation. “You’re a fine one to talk, Dallas. You left a trail of broken hearts all over the country.”

“Yeah, but it only took one woman to set me straight.”

“A woman you married because you wanted to keep control of the ranch.”

Dallas leaned against the porch railing. “In the beginning, that was true. But it didn’t take me long to realize Paris could put an end to my wicked ways.”

He’d thought that about Abby, too, but his ex-wife hadn’t been as sure. In the end, they realized they’d had no choice but to go their separate ways after rushing into a marriage that should never have taken place. “I’m glad for your good fortune, Dallas. But I don’t think that woman exists for me.”

Dallas’s expression turned suddenly serious. “If you open your eyes, you might just see you’ve already found her. In fact, you ran into her today.”

With that, Dallas went back inside, leaving Austin to ponder his words. True, he’d always had a thing for Georgie, but he’d chalked that up to chemistry. And she’d always been a beautiful woman, even during her tomboy phase. But he couldn’t see himself with her permanently. See himself with anyone for that matter.

He’d already wrecked one marriage and he wasn’t going to wreck another. He refused to fail again.

That said, if he and Georgie decided to mutually enjoy each other’s company down the road, he wouldn’t hate it. As long as she understood that he wasn’t in the market for a future.

When it came to Georgia May Romero—and his ever-present attraction to her—keeping his hands to himself would be easier said than done.

* * *

“How’s your first day as the Calloway vet going, Georgie girl?”

Fine...until he’d walked into the main barn dressed in chambray and denim, looking like every gullible girl’s dream. Yet when she decided to accept Dallas’s job offer, she’d known seeing Austin would be a strong possibility. In fact, that had been part of her reasoning to sign on as the resident veterinarian—to size him up, but only when it came to his life, not his looks. However, she was still a bit shaken over their encounter yesterday, and she was bent on ignoring him today.

For that reason, and many more, she continued putting away her equipment in the duffel without looking at him. “I was just vaccinating the pregnant mares.”

“At least we only have four this year, not ten like in years past.”

“True.” Georgie straightened and patted the bay’s muzzle protruding through the rail. “I remember when this one was born, and that had to be fifteen years ago. We’re both getting on up there in age, aren’t we, Rosie? They should really give you a break from the babies.”

Georgie sensed Austin moving toward her before he said, “She keeps churning out prime cattle horses, but hopefully Dallas will decide to retire her from the breeding program after this year.”

“Good, although I’m sure she’ll have no trouble foaling this year. Dallas did ask me to be here when Sunny foals since she’s a maiden mare. I told him I’d try, although horses have given birth without help for centuries. Of course, I expect to have to pull a few calves in the future.”

When he didn’t respond to her rambling, she faced him and met his grin. “Do you find some sort of warped humor in that?”

He braced his hand on the wooden frame and leaned into it, leaving little distance between them. “No. It’s just strange to see you doing your animal doctor thing.”

Boy, did he smell good, like manly soap, as if he’d just walked out of the shower. She imagined him in the shower...with her. Slick, wet bodies and roving hands and... Good grief. “Are you worried I’m not qualified?”

His come-hither expression melted into a frown. “I have no reason to believe you’re not qualified since you went to the best vet college in the country. I guess I’m just used to you riding horses, not giving them shots. It’s going to take a while to adjust to the new you.”

“I’m the same old me, Austin.” And that had never been more apparent than when she continued to react to him on a very carnal level. “Only now I have a career that I’ve talked about since we were climbing trees together.”

He reached out and tucked one side of her hair behind her ear. “Do you remember that one time we were in the tree near the pond on your property? You were twelve at the time, I believe.”

What girl didn’t remember her first kiss, even if it had been innocent and brief? “If you’re referring to that day when you tried to put me in a lip-lock, I definitely recall what happened next.”

His grin returned. “You slugged me.”

“I barely patted your cheek.”

“I almost toppled out of the tree. You didn’t know your own strength.”

He hadn’t known how much she had wanted him to kiss her, or how scared she had been to let him. “That kind of thing was not at the top of my to-do list at that time.”

“Maybe, but I found out kissing had moved to number one on the list that summer after you came back from camp.”

She felt her face flush. “I was fourteen and you were fifteen and a walking case of hormones.”

He inched a little closer. “You had hormones, too. They were in high gear that first night we made out behind the gym after the football game.”

She shivered over the recollection. “Big deal. So you managed to get to first base.”

His blue eyes seemed to darken to a color this side of midnight. “Darlin’, I got to second base.”

“Your fumbling attempts weren’t exactly newsworthy.”

Oddly, he didn’t seem at all offended. “Maybe I was a little green that first time, but I got better as time went on.”

Her mind whirled back to that evening full of out-of-control chemistry. She didn’t want to acknowledge how vulnerable she’d been that particular night, and many nights after that when they’d met in secret. How completely lost she had been for three whole years, and she hadn’t been able to tell one solitary soul. “We were so reckless and stupid and darn lucky. If my father would have ever found out I was with a Calloway boy—”

“He would’ve shot first and asked questions later. He’d probably do that now.”

Time to turn the subject in a different direction. “I’d hoped that after J.D. died, my father would’ve buried the hatchet and been more neighborly to you and the brothers.”

“Ain’t gonna happen,” Austin said. “Last month he called the sheriff when one of our heifers ended up on his property. He blamed us for not maintaining the shared fence line when it’s his responsibility, too.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

“I’m surprised he approves of you working for the enemy.”

“Actually, he doesn’t know because I haven’t told him.” Just one more secret in her arsenal.

Austin pushed away from the wall, giving her a little more room to breathe. “That’s probably wise. It’s not fun to suffer the wrath of George Romero. But he’s bound to find out eventually.”

She shrugged. “Yes, but it really doesn’t matter. I’m all grown up now and I make my own decisions, not him.”

He winked. “Yep, you’re all grown up for sure.”

Her heart executed a little-pitter patter in her chest. “I need to get back to work now.”

“Me, too. If I don’t get busy soon, I’m going to suffer the wrath of Dallas.”

If she didn’t leave soon, she might be subjected to another journey into their shared past, including their sex life. Former sex life. “I’ve got a very busy day ahead of me, so I’ll see you later.”

He moved closer, as if he didn’t want her to leave. “Then business is good?”

“So far.” Yet she wouldn’t be tending to livestock for the remaining hours. She would be sending her son off on a trip without her for the first time since his birth.

“I’m glad you’ve returned, Georgie,” he said as he finally stepped back. “And by the way, if you’re not busy this evening, Maria wants you to have dinner with us. All the usual suspects will be there. Have you met Worth or his mom, Jenny?”

“No. I haven’t had the opportunity yet.”

“All the more reason for you to come.”

But being close to Austin was the best reason to decline. “I’m not sure I’ll be finished with everything before dinnertime.”

“We don’t usually eat until around seven. If you decide to join us, and we really hope you will, just show up. We’ll set a place for you.”

If she agreed, she would have to spend even more time with him, all the while trying to conceal her true feelings. If she didn’t, she would insult Maria. “I’ll think about it.”

He grinned, started away then said without turning around, “I’ll see you tonight.”

His confidence drove her crazy. He drove her crazy. But right then she had only one immediate concern... Her son’s impending departure.

Two

Georgie climbed into her truck and headed home to face what would probably prove to be one of the most difficult times of her life. After she pulled into the drive and slid from the cab, Chance rushed out of the door and ran to her as fast as his little legs would let him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and stared up at her, his grin showing the space where he’d just lost his first tooth. “Mama, did you see the rolling house?”

Georgie glanced to her right to find the massive RV parked on the dirt road leading to the barn. “I see that, baby. It’s huge.”

Chance let her go and rocked back and forth on his heels, as if he was too excited to stand still. “Aunt Debbie said I could ride up front with Uncle Ben and she could stay in the back and play cards with Grandma.”

No doubt the wily pair would be engaging in poker. “That sounds like a plan. Are you packed?”

He nodded vigorously. “Uh-huh. I gotta get some toys.” He grabbed her by the hand and jerked her forward with his usual exuberance. “Come on, Mama.”

“All right, already. Just hold your horses.”

Chance released his grasp on her and threw open the front screen door. Georgie followed him inside to find her mother’s sister, Debbie, decked out in a blue floral sundress and an inordinate amount of jewelry, and her Uncle Ben wearing a yellow polo and white shorts that revealed his usual golf tan that ran from the top of his bald head to his beefy legs. Not exactly December attire, but luckily the region had yet to experience any significant cold weather. But that was all about to change in the next two days, according to the forecast.

“Georgia May!” Debbie said as she crossed the room and drew Georgie into a hug. “You are still as pretty as ever.”

Georgie stepped back and smiled. “You look great, too, Aunt Debbie. I love the blond hair.”

Debbie patted her neatly coifed bob. “Glad you like it. I just wish I could say the same for my husband. When I got it done, he didn’t say a word. I don’t think he’s even noticed.”

“I noticed, woman.” Uncle Ben crossed the room, picked Georgie up off her feet, hugged her hard and then put her back down. “You’re still no bigger than a peanut, Georgie. And don’t listen to Deb. She knows I’m jealous because she still has all her hair.”

“So how are you enjoying retirement?” Georgie asked.

“Love it,” Ben said. “We just drove all the way from California.”

Debbie smiled. “Los Angeles was so wonderful and warm, but the traffic was horrible.”

Chance tugged on Georgie’s hand to garner her attention. “Can we go now, Mama?”

Georgie swallowed around an annoying lump in her throat when she thought about watching him leave without her. “Don’t you need to pick out some toys?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Don’t bring too many things, Chance.” Her directive was lost on her child as he sprinted out of the room.

“Your place is really precious, Georgie,” Debbie said as she surveyed the area. “And it’s been so well done.”

Quite the change from when Georgie had first seen it—a basic two-bedroom, one-bath rental with outdated everything. But the appeal had been in the ten surrounding acres, complete privacy and the four-stall red barn. “You can thank Mom for the restoration. She had the hardwoods refinished, put new carpet in the bedrooms, remodeled the kitchen, including appliances, and redid the entire bathroom before I moved in. As much as I appreciated the effort, I do think it was overkill for a house I don’t own.”

Right on cue, Lila Romero breezed into the room, her silver hair pulled back in a low bun, her peach slacks and white blouse heralding her classic taste in clothing. “I couldn’t let you live in squalor, dear daughter.”

Leave it to Lila to overexaggerate. “It wasn’t that bad, Mom.”

“It wasn’t that good, either.” Lila turned to her sister and sighed. “Georgie is such a nervous Nellie, I’m surprised she’s actually allowing my grandson to go with us to Florida.”

Ben turned to Georgie. “He’ll be fine, pumpkin. I used to fly big jets holding hundreds of passengers, so rest assured, I can handle a forty-five-foot motor home.”

Georgie took some comfort in knowing her son would be on the ground in good hands, not in midair. “I trust you, Uncle Ben. I’m more worried that Chance will drive you insane with all his energy.”

Aunt Debbie patted her cheek. “Honey, we have eight grandchildren. We’re used to high energy. We’ll be stopping along the way and—”

“If he acts up, we’ll lock him in the toilet.” Uncle Ben topped off the comment with a teasing grin.

Chance ran back into the room, his arms full of stuffed animals, miniature trucks and his special blue pillow. “I’m ready. Can we go now?”

Georgie fought back the surge of panic. “Can I at least have a hug, baby boy?”

As if she sensed her daughter’s distress, Lila took the toys from her grandson’s grasp. “I’ll put these in the RV while you tell your mama goodbye.”

In that moment, Georgie appreciated her mother more than she could express. “Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome, honey. Take your time.”

After her family filed out the exit, Georgie knelt down on Chance’s level and brushed a dark lock from his forehead. “You’ll be a good boy, right?”

“I’ll be good. I’ll brush my teeth and go to bed on time. And I’ll mind Grandma.”

“Are you going to miss me?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Mama.”

She drew him into her arms. “I’m going to miss you something awful, too. I love you, sweetie.”

“I love you, Mama.”

Georgie held him tightly until he began to wriggle away. “I gotta go now, okay?” he said, his hazel eyes flashing with excitement.

“Okay.” She kissed his cheek and straightened. “Eat some vegetables while you’re gone.”

He wrinkled his nose. “Do I hafta?”

“Just a little. That’s better than nothing.”

After taking him by the hand, Georgie led her son to the RV where she earned one more hug, one more kiss and an understanding smile from her aunt. Chance scurried up the stairs with Debbie following behind him, and once he had disappeared, Georgie turned to her mother. “You’ll call me later, right?”

Lila raised her hand as if taking an oath. “I swear I will report back to you on a regular basis. And I also swear I will not sell my grandson for gas money.”

Georgie felt a little foolish. “I’m sorry, Mom, but this is the first time we’ve been away from each other for any length of time. He’ll be gone for two weeks.”

“Two weeks’ worth of amusement parks that he’ll dearly love.” She laid a palm on Georgie’s cheek. “I know it’s hard, honey, yet there comes a time when you have to let go a little. I learned that the hard way with you.”

“I know, Mom. It’s just so difficult.”

“It is for both myself and your father, even if he doesn’t show it.”

“I wouldn’t know since he’s clearly still refusing to speak to me, much less see me or Chance.”

“He’ll come around, and that reminds me...” Her mother hesitated a moment, which gave Georgie pause. “Speaking of fathers and their children, have you given any more consideration to telling Chance’s father about him?”

She’d been considering it nonstop. “I’m still on the fence about that. The hows and the whens and whether or not it would serve any purpose at this point in time.”

“Honey, it would serve a major purpose. It would give your son the opportunity to know his dad. They deserve to know each other.”

With that, Lila climbed on board and closed the door without awaiting her daughter’s response.

As Georgie watched the RV drive away in a cloud of dust, she felt more alone than she had since she’d realized she would be raising a child on her own.

She could stay at home this evening, missing her baby boy. Or she could go to the Calloways for dinner. Then again, that would mean facing Austin while reuniting with his family. Several years had passed since she had seen Maria and the boys, and the thought of eating a frozen dinner held little appeal.

Decision made. Wise or not, she would go.

* * *

“She’s not coming.” That reality had become apparent to Austin with every passing moment.

Dallas stopped rocking the back porch glider and shot him a hard look in response to the comment. “You don’t know that, Austin. Dinner isn’t even on the table yet.”

Austin pushed off the wooden chair and stared out at the fence row lined with mesquites. “Georgie is never late. If she’d decided to be here, she would’ve already shown up.”

“For a man who claimed five minutes ago, twice, that he didn’t care if she stepped foot through the door, you sure seem concerned.”

He spun on his brother and glared at him. “I just don’t like people to go back on their word.”

Dallas leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees. “So she told you she’d be here for sure?”

He had him there. “Maybe not in so many words, but she did seem open to the idea.”

“That’s a stretch from saying yes.”

Austin muttered a few curses as he collapsed back into the chair. “Doesn’t matter one way or the other. I was just being nice when I asked her.”

“You were wishful thinking, Austin. You can protest all you want but you’ve always had a thing for her. You still do.”

Time for a subject change. “Tyler mentioned that Fort called you earlier today. What did he want?”

Dallas sighed. “A part of the proceeds from Texas Extreme.”

Austin couldn’t believe his stepbrother’s nerve. “He’s never even stepped foot on this place. Why the hell does he think he’s entitled to any profit aside from what the will stated?”

“Because he’s a greedy jackass, and that’s what I pretty much told him.”

“I just hope he doesn’t make this into some legal issue.”

“That’s why we have attorneys on retainer.” Dallas checked his watch. “Looks like it’s dinnertime, and that means your girlfriend probably isn’t coming.”

“No big deal.”

Dallas smirked. “Yeah, right. That’s why you look so damn disappointed.”

He’d obviously been too transparent. “You’re full of it, Dallas.”

“You’re foolin’ yourself, baby brother.”

“Am not.”

“Are, too.”

His frustration began to build. “I really don’t care if she shows up or not.”

When the bell rang, Austin shot off the chair, strode through the hallway leading to the den, then stopped short before going any farther. Truth was, he had no idea who might be at the door. Probably one of the hands. Maybe even a neighbor. Or a brother.

“Georgia, it’s so good to see you!”

Okay, so Maria confirmed it was her. No need for him to rush into the room and have her thinking he was anxious to see her again. Even if he was.

On that thought, he took his time as he headed toward the front of the house to the sounds of excited voices. He stopped off in the kitchen, grabbed and uncapped a beer from the fridge, then continued on through the dining room where the food had been laid out like a banquet. He paused at the arched opening to take a drink and watch the women circling Georgie, bombarding her with compliments and questions. He wouldn’t blame her if she backed out the door and left for the sake of her sanity.

Jenny glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him. “Oh, Austin, sugar, she is just precious,” she said, like she’d been presented a puppy.

Then the feminine wall parted, revealing a full view of the revered guest dressed in a pale blue sweater and jeans tucked into knee-high boots. Her long, black hair, gathered up on top and secured in a clip, fell around her shoulders in soft curls.

Precious wasn’t the description that came to Austin’s mind. Sexy was much more like it. She might be small in stature, but she had an abundance of curves that would kill a lesser man. He’d had the good fortune to explore that territory on more than one occasion. He’d like to do a little exploring tonight. Slowly. With his mouth.

He felt the stirrings down south, thanks to his sinful thoughts, and realized if he didn’t get a grip, he’d have to step outside.

Austin took another swig of beer and moved forward. “Glad you could come.”

She sent him an overly sweet smile. “I wouldn’t have missed good home cooking for the world.”

Maria hooked an arm through Georgie’s. “Mija, you are welcome anytime. Now let’s go have a seat.”

“Let’s,” Jenny said. “We don’t want the food to get cold.”

Austin didn’t want to sit through the upcoming interrogation, but it was too late to turn back now. After all, Georgie might need a protector. Nah. She could hold her own better than most.

“I’ll go get Dallas,” Paris said as they wandered toward the dining room.

Austin trailed behind the threesome, all the while watching the sway of Georgie’s hips. She had a butt that wouldn’t quit, and he better quit thinking about that butt or he’d have to stay at the table long after dinner was done.

Jenny gestured toward the place at the head of the table. “Georgie, you sit here since you’re the guest of honor.”

Georgie looked a little flustered. “That’s not necessary. I’ve sat at this table many times before.”

Maria pulled out the chair. “Tonight it’s necessary, mija. Like Jenny said, you’re a special guest, even if you are practically family. We’re all about hospitality around here.”

“So true,” Jenny said. “I came here for a weekend to let Fort meet his brothers, and I haven’t gone back to Louisiana since.”

“No matter how many times I’ve asked her to go,” Maria muttered.

Jenny frowned. “Hush up, Maria. You know you like me being here to help out with the place.”

“She likes your mint juleps,” Austin added.

Maria hinted at a smile. “Bad as I hate to admit it, those would be hard to give up.”

Following a spattering of laughter, Georgie took a seat while Maria and Jenny claimed the chairs on either side of her. Austin held back until Paris and Dallas came in and chose the two of the three remaining spots, leaving him the space at the opposite end of the table from Georgie.