Someone Like You (Night Riders) Read Free Page B

learn to drink with moderation.”
    She supposed that was possible, but all the men she knew drank too much. “We need refreshments for our visitors,” she said to Margarita when the young servant entered the room. “Luis and I will have lemonade.”
    “I will, too,” Broc said.
    Maria turned to Rafe. “What would you like?”
    “Water will be fine.”
    “We have a wide selection of wines, and your father’s liquor cabinet is just the way he left it.”
    Rafe put up his hands. “I seldom drink spirits.”
    “He’s not much fun at a party,” Broc said. “He remembers everything we do.”
    “Water for Mr. Jerry,” Maria said, dismissing Margarita. An awkward silence would have ensued if Rafe hadn’t asked Luis what he was learning. In a few minutes Rafe had coaxed more out of the boy than anybody but herself. Maria wondered if Rafe might be less of an ogre than Dolores had said. Maybe he’d changed over the years. When she thought Luis had talked enough, she intervened.
    “Did you have a difficult journey? I’ve never been out of the valley, but I’m told the places south of here can be extremely hot.”
    “You get used to the heat in Texas.”
    “What were you doing in Texas?”
    “We’re cowhands for a friend who has a large cattle ranch.”
    “We’re a little more than that,” Broc started to explain, only to be interrupted by Dolores’s entrance.
    Dolores paused in the doorway before surging into the parlor, the rich fabric of her dress rustling softly. Maria thought her sister’s lips were too scarlet, her cheeks too heavily rouged, her brows and lashes too dark, but she looked magnificent.
    “Rafe,” she exclaimed with a brilliant smile that lit up her face and caused her eyes to sparkle, “it’s so good to see you.” She advanced toward him, her hands outstretched. Broc got to his feet, but Rafe didn’t move.
    Maria was familiar with anger, but she’d never seen the white-hot rage on Rafe’s face. It was so virulent, even Dolores felt it. She appeared to stumble as though hit by something solid. She recovered but came to a stop a few feet from Rafe, her outstretched hands falling to her sides. She made a valiant attempt to recapture the smiling enthusiasm of her entrance, but the result was forced.
    “I see you’ve lost none of your looks.” His tone was sharp enough to cut. “What poor fool do you have your talons into now?”
    Maria had never approved of the way her sister ignored her husband and flirted with handsome men, but she was proud of the way Dolores regained her poise.
    “It’s flattering to know you think I’m still attractive.” Her smile was back in place. “You always were a very critical judge.”
    “I was nineteen and a fool.”
    “I haven’t been nineteen for a very long time,” Broc said, “and I still think you’re beautiful.”
    When Broc spoke, Dolores turned, screamed, and stumbled backward. That brought Rafe to his feet with a growl of fury so fierce, Luis clutched Maria’s hand. Dolores put one hand to her throat in a dramatic gesture, leaned against a table for support, and managed a tremulous smile.
    “My God, you scared me half to death. I didn’t see you when I came into the room.”
    The welcoming smile remained plastered on Broc’s face. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    “Of course not. I’m sorry I didn’t notice you, but I was so excited to see Rafe I didn’t have eyes for anyone else.”
    “This is Broc Kincaid. He works with Rafe in Texas.” Mariahoped her interruption would give Dolores time to recover her composure.
    “Pleased to meet you.” Dolores was careful not to look at Broc when she spoke. The way her fingers nervously picked at her heavy silver and turquoise necklace belied her words.
    Maria was irritated when Dolores chose a chair so Broc was out of her line of vision. “I was sorry you couldn’t be here for your father’s funeral,” she said to Rafe, “but we didn’t know how to contact you. The