To Love and Cherish Read Free

terribly,” she returned laughingly. Her eyes closed and she sighed. “I’d love to live here,” she murmured. “Just endless fields and horses to ride and peace and quiet. Iwouldn’t even mind seeing a camera again.”
    â€œPeace and quiet you won’t find this particular weekend,” he warned her. “There’s a fiesta. And a barbecue. Even a river race.” He glanced at her. “And a square dance.”
    Her big, dark eyes lit up. “I’d love the square dance if I can find a partner.”
    â€œDon’t look at me,” he said in mock terror. “You know how fumble-footed I am.” He glanced at her strangely. “King knows the steps.”
    She turned her oval face toward the car’s window and the smile left her lips.
    â€œSorry,” he said sheepishly.
    â€œIt’s all right.”
    â€œI wish the two of you got along better.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. Anyway,” she recalled with a smile, “he won’t be there.”
    Danny looked guilty. “Uh, Shelby, there’s just one thing I forgot to mention….”
    Before he could finish the sentence, there was a roar behind them and the sound of a horn. Danny glanced into the rear view mirror and a wild, daredevil light came into his green eyes.
    â€œLooks like a race,” he murmured, and Shelby recognized the private road that led to Skylance as Danny jerked the steering wheel and turned the small sports car off the main road onto the ranch road.
    Danny’s hand worked the gearshift feverishly, the force of speed throwing Shelby back against the cushy leather seat. The roar behind them got louder and the low-slung black Porsche came alongside, hesitated, then shot forward like a black bullet giving an insolent long honk as it easily outdistanced the little Jaguar and vanished around a curve into the grove of towering oak and pecan trees.
    Shelby had recognized the other car, and her accusing dark eyes met Danny’s as he pulled up in front of the 19th century Victorian house that was the Brannt homeplace.
    â€œSorry,” Danny said genuinely. “But I knew you wouldn’t come with me if I leveled with you, and I needed you here with me. I’ll tell you the real reason later.”
    â€œWhat makes you think I’ll be speaking to you later?” she asked half-amusedly as she watched Kingston Brannt emerge with cat-like grace from the black Porsche.

Two
    H e was as intimidating as ever. Tall, lean, whipcord muscled, and as elegant as any male model in the brown slacks and cream colored sports shirt he was wearing. He approached the car lighting a cigarette, but his fingers froze on the lighter as he looked into the Jag and spotted Shelby sitting next to his brother. His face went harder than stone, but his eyes evenat the distance began to catch fire. Shelby stiffened instinctively and fought down an urge to get out of the car and run. She was more afraid of King than she’d ever been of any human being. She’d never understood why, but the fear was real and definite. Especially after her last visit here.
    â€œHey, calm down,” Danny said gently, noticing the rigid set of her slender body, the wide-eyed panic in her flushed face.
    King finished lighting his cigarette and pocketed the lighter with ill-concealed violence. He watched Danny get out of the car and greeted him warmly, but his eyes were still on Shelby, never wandering even when Danny came around to help her out of the little car.
    She moved away from the door stiffly, hanging onto Danny’s hand as if salvation depended on it.
    â€œHello, Shelby,” King said quietly.
    She couldn’t meet those smouldering dark eyes. Her gaze went no higher than his firm, hard mouth.
    â€œHello, King,” she replied.
    â€œWe weren’t expecting you,” he persisted, with a sharp glance at Danny.
    â€œMom and Dad were,” Danny corrected with a smile.