Texas Forever (The Tylers of Texas 6)

Luke expected her to jump off the fence and hurry to meet the newcomer. But she stayed put, as if sending some silent message, while the big vehicle stopped briefly at the house, then swung around the barn and parked a stone’s toss away. The driver’s side door opened. The man who climbed out and came around the vehicle was young, tall, nice looking, and neatly dressed in a fresh button-down shirt and jeans. But the expression on his face was sour with disapproval.

“What are you doing out here, Erin?” he demanded. “I thought you’d be in the house.”

“And what are you doing here, Kyle?” she shot back. “I told you I’d see you after the funeral.”

“I know. But I was worried. You must be grieving for that old man. I want to be here for you.”

“I am grieving. But I’m dealing with it in my own way, and I don’t need anybody to help me be sad. Anyway, you scarcely knew him.”

“I did so know him. He was always here when I came for you.”

“So what was his name?” she challenged him.

“Jasper. See?”

“What was his last name?”

He floundered a moment and came up blank.

She gave him a knowing look. “You can go, Kyle. I’ll see you when the funeral’s done.”

He glanced around, as if looking for some excuse to stall. That was when his gaze fell on Luke. “You haven’t introduced me to the new hired help,” he said.

“I didn’t know you expected me to,” Erin said. “Luke, this is my friend Kyle Cardwell, whose father manages the syndicate ranch east of here. Kyle, this is Mr. Maddox, the farrier who’s going to be working on our horses.”

Kyle’s eyes narrowed as he looked down at Luke, who was bent over the foal he was trimming. “A farrier, huh? My father might have some work you can do. I’ll ask him.”

Luke released the foal and straightened to his full height, towering over the young man by three inches and outweighing him by a good thirty or forty pounds. “Right now I’m working full time for the Tylers,” he said. “If your father needs me, have him check back later on, in case I have an opening.”

“Sure.” Kyle turned back to Erin. “Walk me to the car,” he said, taking her arm. She seemed to stiffen slightly, but she didn’t resist as he escorted her around to the far side of the vehicle. Luke could no longer see them, but without blocking his ears, there was no way to avoid hearing their voices.

“I don’t like the idea of your being alone with that man, Erin,” Kyle said. “It might not be safe.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Kyle, I was watching him work and trying to learn from what he was doing. That’s all.”

“Maybe so. But you’re too trusting. I can just imagine what was on that man’s mind, with you sitting there on the fence and nobody else around. I don’t want you spending time with his kind.”

“His kind?” Luke could hear the mounting fury in her voice. “What kind is that?”

“You know. Lower class. Lax morals. You’re going to be my wife someday. It’s in your best interest, and mine, for me to keep you safe from men like him.” There was a pause. “Now come on. Get in the vehicle, and I’ll drive you back to the house. We can spend some time and talk.”

“No.” Erin’s voice was flat with tightly controlled anger. “You don’t own me, Kyle. And you can’t give me orders. Now get in the car and leave before I do something we’ll both regret.”

“Fine. But only if you kiss me first.”

“Just go. I’m not in the mood for—”

Luke heard sounds of muffled protest, then silence. Maybe the lovebirds had settled their differences. In any case, unless he heard screams, whatever was happening on the other side of that SUV was none of his business.

A moment later, he heard a metallic thump, like something being shoved against a car door. “What’s gotten into you, Kyle? Don’t you ever try that again!” Erin’s voice crackled with rage. “Now get out of here!”

“All right, for now,” Kyle muttered. “But you’re mine, Erin. Don’t forget that. If any other man lays a hand on you—”

“Damn it, just go!”

A car door opened and slammed shut. An instant later, the SUV roared away. Erin stood in its wake, a cloud of powdery dust settling around her. Her hat was on the ground. Her shirt was pulled partway open to reveal a glimpse of creamy breast and lace-edged white bra. Luke tore his gaze away, aware that he mustn’t be caught feasting his eyes on the boss’s daughter.

Facing away from him, she buttoned her shirt and tucked it in at the waist before she picked up her hat and turned back toward him. “I’m sorry you had to hear that,” she said.