To Love and Cherish Read Free Page A

“We came down to tell them about our engagement.”
    King’s eyes seemed to explode at the statement. “You and Shelby?” he asked curtly, as if the idea was ridiculous.
    â€œMe and Shelby,” Danny nodded. “Well, aren’t you going to congratulate us?”
    The older man took a long draw from his cigarette, studying Shelby’s flushed face. “Where do you plan on living? San Antonio? I can’t seeShelby settling for life on a ranch when she’s so used to night life,” he bit off.
    Shelby bit her lip and turned her face into Danny’s shoulder, hating her own weakness, the tears that threatened. Danny’s hand contracted on her arm.
    â€œDo you have to attack her before she gets her feet on the ground good?” Danny challenged hotly.
    â€œI’m not attacking her,” King said mildly. “I just can’t see her fitting in here,” he added darkly.
    Danny put his arm around Shelby’s thin shoulders. “Let’s go tell the folks, honey,” he said gently. “Come on.”
    She pressed close against Danny’s side, not looking at King as they walked past him.
    â€œShelby…” King began.
    She kept her eyes lowered. “I’ll only be here for the week, King,” shesaid in a voice that was little more than a whisper. “I won’t get in your way.”
    â€œOh, hell!” King growled. He turned on his heel and stalked away toward the ranch office just down the road from the house.
    â€œBuck up,” Danny told her with a brotherly hug and grin. “The worst part’s over. It’ll be downhill now.”
    Kate Brannt came into the hall to greet them, hugging her son and then Shelby with a warm affection that made her feel part of the family.
    â€œYou look lovely, my dear, but far too thin,” Kate teased, shaking her silver head with a smile. “Modeling is causing you to waste away.”
    Shelby smiled. “At least I don’t have to worry about getting fat,” she laughed.
    â€œI think she looks fantastic,” Danny said. “By the way, Mom, we’re getting married.”
    Kate’s face froze, and Shelby saw a curious hesitation, and something like pain, touch the thin patrician features. It wasn’t that Kate didn’t approve of her, Shelby knew, but something was definitely wrong.
    The older woman recovered quickly, placing an affectionate arm around Shelby to draw her into the living room with its brown and beige decor. The air-conditioning felt delicious after the taste of southern Texas heat that was unusual for this time of the year.
    â€œI’m delighted that we can finally get you into the family,” Kate said, and there was genuine feeling in her voice. “It just comes as a bit of a shock. You and Danny always seemed more like brother and sister to me.”
    Danny chuckled and sent a knowing wink at Shelby. “Did we, now?” he asked, tongue-in-cheek.
    Kate sat down on the dark brown brocade sofa, motioning Shelby to a seat beside her.
    â€œHave you told Kingston?” Kate asked hesitantly.
    So that was it, Shelby thought, she was worried about how her eldest son was going to react to the engagement. The whole family must know about his prejudice….
    â€œWe told him,” Danny said with a heavy sigh. He plopped down in an armchair across from the sofa.
    â€œAnd?” his mother probed gently.
    Danny shrugged. “He made some sarcastic remark about Shelby not adapting to ranch life, and when she promised to keep out of his way while she was here, he threw out a cuss word and stomped off into the sunset.”
    Kate’s eyes closed briefly. “I see.”
    â€œI wish I did,” Shelby said. “I don’t understand him.”
    â€œI do,” the older woman said quietly. “I only wish I could help.” The pained look left her face and she smiled. “Enough about that. Tell me all the news.