Page 22 of One Texas Night...
As they joined the line that was forming, Jared fell into step beside Ryan. “We’ll leave the old married men to themselves. At the moment they’re looking at kid pictures.” Ryan grabbed a plate and began piling on food.
“Ryan, I’ve been to Houston. The house is filled with such beautiful old things that I—”
“Jared, don’t even ask again. None of us want anything,” Ryan said, shaking his head and smiling. “Do what you want with your inheritance.”
“All right. Soon you won’t even have a choice.”
“Suits me fine.” He added more to his plate. “In August I’m riding in a rodeo in Tombstone. Any chance you’ll be participating, too?”
“That rodeo is not on my calendar, so maybe you’ll win one this year.”
Ryan grinned. “Now if I can just find a third one, I’ll have a banner year with my winnings.”
“That’s a positive outlook,” Jared teased as Ryan again turned his attention to the food spread before them.
Jared thought he might get through breakfast and away without Sloan mentioning his sister again, but as they left the restaurant, Sloan turned to him. “Hey, buddy, sorry I bugged you about Allison.”
Jared laughed as he shook his head. “No, you’re not sorry. If I left here for Houston, you’d call me tonight and start quizzing me.”
Sloan shrugged. “Maybe so. I just have to take care of my family. She’s an innocent, and you’re a wild man who would break her heart in every way.”
“As I recall, your sister’s over twenty-one, and I suspect she can take care of herself plenty well.”
“Allison is a worrier just like I am.”
“What’s this? Worry runs in the family? Worry is not an inherited trait, my friend.”
“The propensity to worry may be inherited.” He reached out to shake hands with his friend. “It was good to see you, Jared.”
“You too, though I feel sorry for Virginia and Megan when they start dating. What a dad you’ll be for your girls to bring some boy home to.”
Sloan smiled. “Maybe I’ll mellow out by then.”
“You’ll be worse. I’ll call you about that property.”
“Okay. See you,” Sloan said as Jared walked away to his car. He felt no guilt for not telling Sloan that Allison was also in Dallas. Sloan would find out soon enough, and besides, it would save him from worrying.
His thoughts shifted to Allison and his step quickened. He was going to the office for a couple of appointments, but he wanted to get through with them and get home as soon as he could. He wanted to be with her, and he already missed her as if they had been separated days instead of overnight.
* * *
Throughout the morning, Allison prowled the first floor of his mansion. Marline cooked, but had already told Allison that she and Stan would leave at noon. Jared had said he would have to be gone until late afternoon, which suited her. For the afternoon she would be alone and probably could work faster. Later, she would be alone with Jared, a prospect that made her tingle.
His home was beautiful. She far preferred it to his inherited mansion. There was more light, more windows, giving the house an airier feel. The antiques he had took her breath away. Apparently they had the same taste, and Jared had acquired some fantastic furniture and pieces.
At two o’clock she was in the study when she heard the bell at the front door. If Jared had expected someone, he would have told her. She assumed it was a delivery that had been approved to get past the gatekeeper.
On her way to the door, she glanced out a window and saw a long black limo at the curb, and her curiosity grew. Was Jared out there with a limo?
When she opened the door, she looked into the light brown eyes of the most beautiful auburn-haired woman she had ever seen. Tall, with a full figure, she wore a clingy white suit. Allison knew instantly she was facing Dawn Rainsford, whose eyes narrowed as she stared at Allison.
“Are you living here?” she asked in the same throaty voice Allison had heard in her movies.
“Yes, I am,” Allison replied, startled and biting back the introduction she had started to make. Silence stretched between them.
“Is Jared home?”
“He’s at the office.” Dawn eyed her from head to toe, looking with haughty disdain on her T-shirt, jeans and jogging shoes. When her eyes met Allison’s gaze again, Allison noted her lashes were thick, too long to be real, but beautiful.
