Slow Talkin' Texan

Porter Wyman. Letter to Reader Title Page About the Author Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Copyright

Porter Wyman.

She didn’t want to think about him. She didn’t want to think about any man, not in a personal way. Generic thoughts about him and his baby were harmless. But dwelling on the man himself was not a good idea.

What was there about the rancher turned businessman that had snagged her attention in the first place? Admittedly, he was good-looking in a rugged sort of way, with his dark hair, chocolate eyes and athletic build. But attractive or not, a slow-grinning man who had an infant to raise wasn’t for her.

For so long she hadn’t given any man the time of day, much less anything else. And she wasn’t going to give Porter anything else, either.

Dear Reader,

Hectic life? Too much to do, too little time? Well, Silhouette Desire provides you with the perfect emotional getaway with this month’s moving stories of men and women finding love and passion. So relax, pick up a Desire novel and let yourself escape, with six wonderful, involving, totally absorbing romances.

Ultratalented author Mary Lynn Baxter kicks off November with her sultry Western style in Slow Talkin‘ Tuan. the story of a MAN OF THE MONTH whose strong desires collide with an independent lady—she’s silk to his denim, lace to his leather...and doing all she can to resist this irresistible tycoon. A small-town lawman who rescues a “lost” beauty might just find his own Christmas bride in Jennifer Greene’s heartwarming Her Holiday Secret. Ladies, watch closely as a Thirty-Day Fiancé is transformed into a forever husband in Leanne Banks’s third book in THE RULEBREAKERS miniseries.

Don’t dare miss the intensity of an innocent wife trying to seduce her honor-bound husband in The Oldest Living Married Virgin, the latest in Maureen Child’s spectacular miniseries THE BACHELOR BATTALION. And when a gorgeous exmarine shows up at his old flame’s ranch to round up the “wife who got away,” he discovers a daughter he never knew in The Re-Enlisted Groom by Amy J. Fetzer. The Forbidden Bride-to-Be may be off-limits...but isn’t that what makes the beautiful heroine in Kathryn Taylor’s scandal-filled novel all the more tempting?

This November, Silhouette Desire is the place to live, love and lose yourself...to sensual romance. Enjoy!

Warm regards,

Joan Marlow Golan

Senior Editor, Silhouette Desire

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Slow Talkin’ Texan

Mary Lynn Baxter

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MARY LYNN BAXTER

A native Texan, Mary Lynn Baxter knew instinctively that books would occupy an important part of her life. Always an avid reader, she became a school librarian, then a bookstore owner, before writing her first novel. Now Mary Lynn Baxter is an award-winning author who has written more than thirty novels, many of which have appeared on the USA Today list.

One

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

“For Pete’s sake, it won’t kill you. Not one time, anyway.”

Ellen Saxton flashed her sister, Megan Drysdale, a put-out look. “It’s easy for you to say. After all, you have a child.”

“So?” Megan responded with a grin, which called marked attention to a dimple embedded in her left cheek.

Ellen gave her another look, followed by an unladylike snort. “So you know how to take care of one.”

Meg was a part-time worker in the nursery in the small Baptist church she’d been active in for several years. According to her, the nursery was always shorthanded and in need of substitute helpers.

“Think of this as just another adventure in your life,” Meg said, her lips twitching.

“Oh, brother.” Ellen rolled her eyes and watched her sister shift a precious two-year-old girl in her arms, then rock her. For sure, Meg had a knack with children.

Ellen felt a pang of envy for something she had missed in life and would more than likely never experience. By choice, she reminded herself quickly:

“Honestly, sis,” Meg said, “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to change a baby’s diaper.”

“Well, it ought to,” Ellen muttered more to herself than to Meg, while she turned her attention to the twenty-month-old baby boy in her charge.

His name was Matthew, and though he was a beautiful baby, even to her novice eyes, she hoped he wouldn’t dirty his diaper while in her care. However, she feared that was wishful thinking. Besides, Meg wasn’t about to let her get by without experiencing that side of motherhood.

Her next words confirmed that thought. “Just poke a finger inside his diaper and see if he’s wet.” Meg paused, then smiled a mischievous smile. “Or otherwise.”

“It’s the otherwise that has me concerned”

Meg laughed outright. “You really ought to loosen up a bit, you know.”

“I wish I could.”

“You can. Now that you’re no longer married to that jerk, you have no reason to be strung out. Just pick up Matthew and cuddle him. You’ll feel yourself mellow out.”

Ellen shook her head. “Why bother him when he’s content to sit on the floor and play with the toys?”

“Suit yourself,” Meg said with a grin, “but if you’re thinking what I think you are, you can think again.”

“Now what would that be?” Ellen’s tone was sugar-coated with innocence.

“Don’t play the dumb-blonde with me. It won’t work. We may only have two babies, but you’re not cutting out.”

Ellen gave her a sheepish look followed by a resigned sigh. “Give it a rest, okay? I gave my word, and though I wish I were home drinking a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper, I’m not going to leave you in the lurch.”

“Praise the Lord.”

“Having said that, you know you could handle them both. You’re punishing me for something. I just haven’t figured out what yet.”

“Think of it as calling in a favor,” Meg responded with a wink.

“Now that I can buy.”

Meg shifted the suddenly squirming child to the other arm before narrowing her gaze back on Ellen. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. When it’s all said and done, I owe you much more than you owe me.”

“Hey, we’re not keeping score here.” Ellen reached over and wiped the slobber off of Matthew’s chin.

Meg chuckled. “See, you do know what you’re doing.”

“I wouldn’t take that to the bank.”

“Well, maybe your expertise does lie more in the workplace than in the homeplace, but—”

“But still, I’m not getting off the hook. Right?”

Meg grinned down at Matthew. “Right. But I’ll concede that choosing a career over motherhood was the right thing for you. However, it’s not too late for you to change your mind.”

“I’m happy with my life as it is, thank you.”

“I’m glad, now that I’ve lured you closer to me and my family.”

Ellen gave a vigorous nod, agreeing with her sister wholeheartedly on that account. But the move from the booming town of Tyler, Texas, to this small, historic town of Nacogdoches hadn’t been an easy one. Still, Ellen wasn’t complaining. She’d found a prime location and opened her second coffee/gift shop, called Coffee, Anyone?

She was excited about that latest venture, despite the warnings that such a business might not take hold in a town of this size. She had merely ignored the naysayers and gone forward with enthusiasm.

To date, that positive attitude had paid off. According to the gossip hounds, her shop was now the place to go. Ellen was thrilled, of course, and hoped the excitement would last.

Opening a new business and getting it operational in just six months had been taxing, and she was exhausted. That was why she’d been reluctant to help Megan on Sunday, her only day off. While she’d done her best to finagle a way out, Meg wouldn’t take no for an answer. Then again, the feeling that she owed Meg more than she could ever repay had been a huge motivator.

Thank goodness there were only two babies in their care. Meg had chosen the little girl, because she was the most hyper. Matthew, on the other hand, had so far been content to remain on the floor and play with the toys that surrounded him.

Ellen glanced at her watch and breathed a sigh of relief. If all went according to plan, in thirty more minutes church would be over and her obligation ended. Her thoughts were interrupted by her sister’s voice.

“I know this is probably a no-no, but have you heard from your ex?”

Ellen avoided looking at her sister, and when she spoke, her answer was succinct. “No.”

“Oops. Did I hit a sore spot? I have a habit of putting my big foot in my mouth.”

Ellen forced a smile. “That you do, sis dear. But in this case, you didn’t. Besides, he doesn’t want to talk to me any more than I want to talk to him. We’re history.”

“God, I hope so. You deserve to be happy, something that would never have happened if you’d stayed with him.”

“Speaking of husbands, how’s Ralph?”

“The same. Gone all the time,” Meg admitted with brutal frankness.

Ralph was a truck driver who Ellen thought preferred being on the road rather than tending to responsibilities at home. Apparently Meg agreed, though she’d never voiced her displeasure before.

“How’s his health?” Ellen asked, her concern growing.

“The doctor can’t seem to get his diabetes under control. And his driving that truck all over the country doesn’t help the situation.”

“Maybe the doctor can get through to him.”

“He won’t listen. Besides, I don’t know what we’d do if he did get off the road, though he’s not getting the good hauls like he used to.”

“Meggy, I sense something’s going on that I need to know about.”

“No more than usual. It’s just that Kyle’s seventeen and needs his dad around. It’s all I can do to keep the bit in his mouth. I love him, but sometimes I could strangle him. And Ralph, too.”

Ellen almost flinched visibly on hearing the pain and frustration in her sister’s voice. Cutting another glance at Meg, she saw those emotions on her face, as well.

While Meg had never lost the weight after Kyle was born, at thirty-five she was still an attractive, brown-eyed brunette. But Ellen sensed that her sister was under more stress than she let on, suspecting the family was not only short on unity but funds, as well.

However, Ellen was reluctant to voice those thoughts. Meg was both proud and private, but when and if she needed help, hopefully she would ask for it.

Though they were as different in looks and personality as two sisters could be, they were close, having lost their parents within a year of each other—one to cancer and the other to a stroke. That tragedy had created a bond that would never be broken.

Suddenly Matthew let out a wail, jerking her back to the moment at hand. Shoving a strand of strawberry blond hair out of her face, Ellen got out of the chair, leaned over and hauled him into her arms.

Meg grinned. “He’s quite a chunk, isn’t he?”

“You can say that again. If I had to carry him around for any length of time, I think he’d break my arms.”

“You’d get used to it.”

“I doubt that.” Then, to Matt, she said, “Hey, kid, mind your manners and stop wiggling.”

“You might as well ask for a million dollars,” Meg said. “Him being still ain’t gonna happen.”

“I guess I’d best check his diaper.” Ellen’s tone was resigned. “Maybe that’s what’s wrong with him.”

“Probably.”

Ellen gave Meg a pleading look. “I’ll hold Miss Prissy if you’ll change him for me.”

“Not on your life. He’s yours for the duration.”

“I’ll remember this.”

Meg laughed. “I’m sure you will—for more reasons than one.”

“Oh, all right, have your fun. I’m a big girl. I can take it.”

“Go for it, sis.”

Ellen made a face at Meg before she carried Matthew across the room to the changing station and laid him down. Immediately he started crying and flinging his arms and legs about.

“Hey, sweetie, hold your horses, okay? This won’t take long, I promise.”

Somehow Ellen managed to get his diaper, which was indeed wet, off. In fact, it was soaked. Much to her relief, that was all he’d done.

From behind, Ellen heard her sister chuckling. Without turning, she said, “Behave yourself and get your butt over here and help me.”

“You don’t need me. You’re doing just fine.”

“How can you say that when he’s squirming so hard I can’t get the clean diaper under him?” Ellen asked.

“You’ll manage.”

“Megan,” Ellen said through clenched teeth, “I swear if this kid pees on me, I’ll—” Suddenly she broke off with a loud cry as a stream of liquid shot up and landed first on her chin and then on her yellow silk blouse.

For a moment Ellen froze. Then she let out a loud cry of her own. “Yuk!”

“Uh-oh, looks like he had an accident.” Meg’s voice quivered with laughter. “I can’t believe the little fellow did that.”

“Yes, you can,” Ellen spat, fighting to get the diaper under Matt and the tabs in place. Once that was done, she whipped around to face her sister, only to stop and stare at the doorway.

A man with a wide grin splayed across his face filled the space. That grin turned lazy as his eyes toured her body. Ellen flushed, conscious of the ugly stain front and center on her blouse.

Flustered and unnerved by this stranger’s stare, which seemed to make fun of her ineptness, she snapped her eyes off him and back onto the still-squirming baby.

“Need any help?” he asked.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Ellen responded in a scoffing tone, thinking it unlikely that this rangy cowboy was any more adept at changing a diaper than she was. “Everything’s under control.”

“Are you sure about that?” he drawled

“Yes, I’m sure,” Ellen said coldly.

Megan stood and cleared her throat. “Uh, Ellen, this is Porter Wyman, Matthew’s daddy.”

Two

More mortified than she’d ever been in her life, Ellen stood transfixed and watched as Matthew’s daddy, six feet of muscle and brawn, tipped his hat, then sauntered toward them.

The instant Matthew saw his daddy, he squirmed, waved his arms and grinned from ear to ear.

“Whoa, little boy.” Ellen held on to him for dear life, fearing he was going to leap out of her arms.

“He’s a handful, I’ll admit,” Porter said, reaching to take him from Ellen.

Feeling splotches of color invade her cheeks, Ellen kept her face averted. She had no idea what this man was thinking, but she could guess. All the more reason not to be on the receiving end of those brown eyes that reminded her of dark chocolate.

“Hey, son, you and me need to have a talk,” Porter said in a gravelly voice that sounded as if he could easily have been a drinking man.

Ellen knew better. He was in too good shape physically, especially his midsection. Even though it was disguised under a cotton shirt, she bet it would resemble an old-time washboard. Realizing the direction her thoughts had taken, her color heightened.

“Yeah, son, when we get home, we’ve got to talk about manners.”

“I’ll have to say, he pulled a boner,” Meg chimed in, laughter threatening to bubble over.

“Shame on you.” Porter gave his son a playful tug on the chin before transferring his gaze to Megan.

“How ’bout introducing me to your friend my son just assaulted?”

Ellen forced herself to look at her sister, then at Porter. They were having a good laugh at her expense, and she wanted to turn up her nose at them. But she knew that would make the situation worse for her. She kept her features devoid of emotion. Yet she couldn’t help but bristle inside.

“Actually she’s my little sister,” Meg said with a devilish smile.

“Ah, I see. Well, does she have a name?”

“It’d be nice if y’all would stop talking about me as if I weren’t in the room.” Ellen heard the sharp primness in her tone, but she didn’t care. To hell with both of them.

“That she does,” Meg said, as if Ellen hadn’t spoken. “Porter, meet Ellen Saxton.”

Porter again tipped his Stetson, and his smile burgeoned, showing a row of perfect white teeth that added an extra dimension to his attractiveness. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Same here,” Ellen said, telling an outright lie.

“Sorry about the uh, accident,” Porter said, his gaze narrowing on her.

Again Ellen wondered what was going on behind those incredible eyes, then mentally kicked herself for caring. It wouldn’t bother her if she never saw him or his kid again. She just wished he would take Matthew and leave. Her patience with this entire episode was wearing thinner than a piece of rotten thread.

“That’s okay,” Ellen finally said. “It happens with babies.”

Porter’s gaze held steady. “So you know.”

“Not from experience.” Ellen’s response was stiff.

“Ah, that’s too bad.”

That’s your opinion, she wanted to lash back. But she didn’t; she curbed her tongue, not giving a damn what he said or thought.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Meg said with a chuckle. “My sister’s not the motherly type.”

Porter shifted his eyes back to Ellen. “Well, anyhow, tell the cleaners to send me the bill for your blouse.”

“That’s not necessary,” Ellen said. “It’s no big deal.”

“I insist,” Porter said, a hint of steel in his tone, though his pleasant demeanor didn’t change.

Ellen shrugged. “Fine.”

Porter looked at her for another long moment, then turned to Meg. “So how are things with you and your family?”

“I guess all right.”

An eyebrow quirked. “You don’t sound so sure.”

“Thanks for asking.”

“You bet,” Porter said.

Ellen noticed how cleverly her sister had sidestepped the question. She swallowed a sigh, wishing Meg would confide in her, unable to squelch the feeling that something was not quite right with Meg and her family.

“We’re outta here.”

Porter walked over and reached for Matthew’s diaper bag. “Much obliged for taking care of my kid.”

Later Ellen was sure it was just her imagination, but she could have sworn his eyes lingered on her a bit longer than necessary.

After he’d gone, silence filled the room, though not for long. The little girl’s parents came for her, but once they were gone and the sisters were finally by themselves, Meg laughed outright, pointing at the dark stain on Ellen’s blouse.

Ellen glared at her. “If you don’t put a lid on it, I just might strangle you.”

Meg laughed that much harder.

“Megan, I’m warning you!”

“All right, I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not, not in the least,” Ellen retorted, though she was having a hard time keeping a straight face herself.

“All I can say is, you got christened whether you wanted to or not.”

“Funny.”

“I thought so.”

“You’re making a big deal out of nothing. And so, sister dear, I’m leaving.” Ellen’s tone was huffy as she made her way to the door, but not before grabbing her purse and slinging it over her shoulder. She’d begun to smell herself and feared she was about to be sick to her stomach.

“Hey, hold your horses,” Meg cried.

Ellen stopped and swung around. “Why? I upheld my end of the bargain. I helped you out Now I’m going home.”

“Aren’t you the least bit curious about Porter Wyman?”

“Should I be?”

“Yeah, as a matter of fact you should.”

“why?”

“I figured that was obvious.”

“Well, you figured wrong.”

“God, sis, I know you’re divorced, but I didn’t think you were dead.”

Ellen counted to ten. “I hardly think my lack of curiosity about your friend qualifies me as a cadaver.”

“Well, you know what I mean.”

“Nope, sorry, I don’t.”

“Look, I know you’re not still carrying a torch for your ex.”

“Megan, what’s this all about? I’m tired. I stink. I want to go home. I want a bath.”

Meg laughed again. “You stink, huh?”

“Boy, you’re sure full of piss and vinegar today. Too bad Ralph’s not home to take some of that starch out of you.”

“We’re talking about you, not me.” Meg paused, grinning again. “I saw the way Porter looked at you.”

In spite of herself, Ellen flushed, then wished she could reach her own backside so she could kick it. “And just how was that?”

“You know.”

Ellen’s lips thinned. “No, I don’t know, and what’s more, I don’t care. For heaven’s sake, Meg, the man’s married with a baby. If he was looking at me, then he’s a cad.”

“Oh, but you’re wrong. He has every right to look at you, or any other woman he pleases. You see, he’s not married.”

Ellen frowned. “Then whose baby is that?”

“His.”

“His, but—” Ellen clamped her lips shut. This was a subject she wasn’t interested in pursuing, though Meg certainly was. Maybe if she indulged her, then she could go home and get that coveted bath.

“Right after Matt was born, Porter’s wife, Wanda, hauled ass.”

Ellen’s mouth flopped open. “You’re kidding.”

“I wouldn’t kid about something like that. The scandal stood this town on its ear.”

“What made her do such a thing?”

Meg lifted her shoulder in a shrug. “Gossip had it she couldn’t handle motherhood or being tied down, which, in my book, translates into not wanting to be married.”

Ellen shook her head, trying to take it all in. “You never know what goes on behind closed doors. Maybe there were reasons why she didn’t want to stay married to him.”

Meg snorted. “I don’t believe that for a second. She was just trailer trash when they tied the knot, and even though she married money, she couldn’t break that trashy mold.”

“You mean he has money?”

“Tons.”

“Could’ve fooled me. He looked like he shops at the nearest Goodwill. Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” Ellen hastened to add, “if that’s the best you can do.”

“Around here, jeans and boots hardly qualify as Goodwill duds.”

Ellen sighed. “Whatever.”

“Porter’s probably the richest man in town.”

“That blows my mind.”

Megan grinned. “Besides being rich, he’s the most sought after bachelor in the county.”

“Good for him.”

“Still not interested?”

“Not in the least.”

“Sure about that?”

“Deadbang sure.”

“He’s a damn good catch.

“Then let someone else go fishing.”

“cut.”

Ellen gave her a cheeky grin. “Thought so myself.”

“Of course, I’ve been told he’s sworn off women, that he’s only interested in raising his son.”

“Kudos to him.”

“Heavens, sis, you’re a hard nut to crack. Aren’t you the least bit interested in how he got all his money?”

“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me anyway.”

“Right.”

“Then get it over with,” Ellen said in a bored tone.

“He owns a huge farm equipment store, plus thousands of acres of prime ranch land.”

“So he’s a real East Texas cowboy.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

“Down girl. Nothing’s wrong with that He’s just not my type, even if I were interested in a man, which I’m not.”

“I hope that creep you were married to hasn’t turned you off men for good.”