Long, Tall Texans by Diana Palmer

Author:Diana Palmer [Palmer, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Romance, Love Stories, Contemporary, Short Stories (single author), Cowboys, Texas, Ranchers, Ranchers - Texas, Cowboys - Texas
ISBN: 9780373484591
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2002-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

"Calhoun probably thought Shelby was uncomfortable sitting by herself with nobody to dance with," Abby added.

Tyler sighed, his eyes wandering quietly over Abby's distracted expression as she looked toward the other couple on the floor. And all at once a lot of things became clear for him. Foremost was that Abby was jealous. Her eyes weren't any softer than Justin's. If she wasn't already in love with Calhoun, she was well on the way to it. Tyler felt all his chances slipping away, and there wasn't a thing he could do about it.

The evening wore on, and the tension rose. Calhoun seemed to enjoy dancing with Shelby. Abby stuck with Tyler. Justin sat and drank quietly by himself after he finished his business with the other gentleman, who left. The tall man began to look more coldly violent by the minute.

Toward the end of the dance, Calhoun left Shelby long enough to saunter over to Abby, who was sipping ginger ale while Tyler spoke to someone he knew at a nearby table. Abby hadn't been watching Calhoun, because he was making her miserable. He didn't smile at her anymore. He hated her, she was sure of it. So when Calhoun appeared in front of her, Abby grew flustered and nervous and almost spilled her drink.

Calhoun saw the nervous motion, and it gave him hope. "How about dancing one with me?" he asked quietly.

She looked up, her eyes searching his face almost hungrily. "No, I'd better not," she said softly.

He caught his breath at the wounded sound in her voice. "Abby, why not?" he asked.

"It might hurt Shelby's feelings," she said, and turned away, searching the room desperately for Tyler. "I can't imagine where Tyler got to," she added huskily.

Calhoun looked like a radio with the transistors removed. He blinked, doubting that he'd really heard what she'd just said. Shelby might be hurt? Surely she didn't think---It suddenly dawned on him that if Abby was crazy enough to imagine he was getting involved with Shelby, Justin might, too.

He turned toward the table where Justin was sitting like a statue, and whistled under his breath. "Oh, my God," he breathed. "I've done it now."

Abby didn't say another word. She watched Calhoun move through the crowd toward Justin and wondered absently if his life insurance was paid up. Justin looked murderous.

There were two full ashtrays in front of Justin, and one half-empty whisky glass. The older man drank on occasion, but usually not when he was angry. If he did, he limited himself to one drink. The glass was what told Calhoun how angry his older brother was.

Calhoun sat down across from him, leaning back to study the older man. "She was lonely," he told Justin.

Justin drained his glass and rose, his eyes blacker than Calhoun had seen them in a long time. "Then I'll see what I can do about it."

While Calhoun was catching his breath, Justin walked to Shelby's table. He didn't say a word. He looked at the woman until her face colored, then simply held out his hand.

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