Teasing Annie (The Temptation Saga 2)

“Oh!” Dusty rammed her fisted hands into Dallas’s chest. “You make me so damn mad! You have no idea what she’s been through, why she made the decisions she made.”

“And you do?”

“Yes. She told me everything. She cried in my arms, the poor thing. And you tossed her out like garbage. I hope you spend the rest of your life alone, Dallas McCray. It’s better than you deserve.”

“Dusty,” Zach said, pulling his wife away from his brother. “What did Annie tell you?”

“I won’t break her confidence.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” he said, “but don’t you think you should tell Dallas?”

“No, I don’t. He doesn’t care, and I gave Annie my word.”

“She tried to tell me this afternoon,” Dallas said. “I wouldn’t listen.”

“You’re a fool.”

“Maybe I am. Was it bad?”

“Was it bad? You really haven’t got a clue, do you? Do you think every woman is like Chelsea? Deceptive and shallow?”

“Damn it, Dusty, answer me. Was it bad?”

“It was the worst, and I’ve got news for you. I would have done the same thing in her shoes. Maybe even worse, come to think of it.” Two tears streamed down Dusty’s crimson cheeks. “Sometimes life deals you a rotten hand, and you find yourself willing to do things you never thought you’d do to get out of it.” She sniffed and took the red bandana Zach offered her. “When I got sick, I remember thinking I’d do anything to be well. I mean anything. Deceptive. Illegal. I didn’t care. I would have sold my soul to the devil himself if it would have made me well again.” She wiped her eyes. “Neither of you will ever understand that because you’ve both had silver spoons in your mouths your whole lives!”

“Her marriage was bad, huh?” Zach said.

“Yes. Of course it was. I can tell you that much. It was worse than bad.”

“Then why did she stay in it?”

“Probably for the same reason Dallas stayed with Chelsea for ten years. She didn’t want to fail at what was supposed to be the most important relationship of her life.” She turned her angry eyes on Dallas. “You’re more alike than you think you are, you and Annie. You two were a match made in heaven, and you threw her away.”

“God,” Dallas said, his stomach knotting. “He hurt her, didn’t he?”

Dusty nodded. “I won’t say any more than that. I can’t believe this never occurred to you.”

Visions of Annie’s beautiful body lying battered tormented Dallas’s mind. His body trembled and his stomach lurched. For a moment, he thought he was going to be sick. “I don’t understand how a man could hurt a woman. His wife. A cowboy wouldn’t. A gentleman wouldn’t.”

“God, you two have been so sheltered!” Dusty ranted. “You make me sick! Not all men are gentlemen, Dallas. And I hate to break it to you, not all cowboys are either. You know this. You’re not stupid.”

“She seems so together. So strong.” Dallas shook his head. “Like she hasn’t had any bad stuff in her life.” How could he have been so wrong?

“What do you want her to do? Sit around wallowing in self-pity? Where would I be if I had done that?”

“Damn,” Dallas said. “Damn.”

“You should have let her explain. She’s not Chelsea, Dallas. She’s Annie. She’s sweet, and kind, and smart, and wonderful. She has so much to give, and she wanted to give it to you. And you sent her away.”

“Shit.” Dallas plunked down in a chair and cupping his head in his hands. “What have I done?”

“Sounds like you’ve fucked up, brother,” Zach said. “Royally. Course it’s not the first time.”

“Can it, Zach, and help me figure out what to do.”

“Damn, you are dense. Go after her, for God’s sake.”

“Right. Go after her. I’ll go after her. Oh my God, what if she won’t have me?” The fear of it sank into his heart like a rusty blade.