LITMIR.BIZ

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hotheaded kid who’d left West Texas all those years ago.

      The fireworks were over, the last of the red, white and blue from the finale already fading from the dark sky. Dozens of people had started trudging toward the lineup of cars and trucks that stretched for a quarter mile down the private road leading to the highway. He tried in vain to keep track of Kate’s movements, but he lost her in the crowd. Although he figured she had to be headed for the safety of the house. Poor kid. He hoped she wasn’t stopped by too many people.

      Shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans, he strode in the same direction, staying clear of the lighted areas, not anxious for anyone to recognize him and start shooting the bull. He wouldn’t mind running into Clint or Joe, although he knew enough to keep his mouth shut about what he’d just seen. Whatever happened with the engagement, whether she was foolish enough to give the guy a second chance or send him packing, it was up to Kate to deliver the news to her family.

      Man, he hoped she did the smart thing. Nah, he didn’t have to worry. Kate had more pride and gumption than to take back the bastard. She’d cut him loose. Unfortunately, that was the easy part. The next few days of second-guessing and painful self-doubt was the stage he didn’t envy her. The pointless replaying of conversations that had left her uneasy, of the excuses he’d given that she so readily and irrationally accepted. Mitch knew the drill. He’d been there himself once.

      Mitch rubbed the tension building at the back of his neck. Damn, he wished he hadn’t headed to the bunkhouse. He needed to focus on the rustling problem, and now all he could think about was rearranging that jerk’s face.

      

      AFTER BEING STOPPED TWICE, Kate raced though the kitchen door and upstairs to her bedroom. More people would undoubtedly be looking for her to give their thanks and bid her good-night. She didn’t care. Better they couldn’t find her than breaking down in front of them.

      If no one mentioned her engagement, she’d probably be okay, but she hadn’t been willing to take the chance. Word would spread soon enough that the wedding was off. Not even if Dennis got down on his knees and begged forgiveness, or took out a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle announcing to the world what a jerk he’d been and pleading for a second chance would she give in.

      She locked her bedroom door, leaned back against it and slowly sank to the floor. How could Dennis have been so callous? It was horrible enough that he’d betrayed her, but in her own backyard? The throbbing at her temples intensified until the pain blurred her vision. She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to cry, the searing sting of tears burning the backs of her lids.

      The hazy image of the woman he’d been kissing edged into Kate’s mind. She hadn’t gotten a very good look at the blonde and couldn’t say if she knew her or not. Everything had happened so fast. But she recalled the short skirt and the bleached, teased hair. The kind of woman the cowhands picked up in the local bar for a night.

      Kate shuddered. Ironically, one of the problems she’d had with Dennis was that he was a bit of a stuffed shirt. Conservative and proper to a fault, even for a school principal. His goal was to become superintendent of schools for the West Texas district. She understood he needed to protect his image, but how often had she tried to get him to loosen up when they were alone? Yet he’d risked everything by compromising himself at the side of the damn bunkhouse.

      Drawing her legs up, she hugged her knees to her chest, hoping to ease the pressure there. She felt hollow and empty and so terribly stupid. How could she not know this man? She’d been dating Dennis for nearly two years. Even when they had no time to share dinner or go to a movie or a play, she saw him every day at school.

      “Oh, God.” She covered her mouth with her hand, afraid she was going to be sick.

      How would she be able to face him? It was one thing to have to announce that their engagement was off, but how could she expect to do her job? Go to her classroom and teach knowing his office was right down the hall, ignore the other teachers gossiping in the lunchroom and giving her pitying looks. She had a month and a half before the school year started, she reminded herself calmly. It did no good.

      What a bastard. How many times had he told her how perfect she was for him? How good they were together? What he’d really meant was that she could help his career, she realized with a fresh stab of pain.

      Her parents had left Kate and her two brothers a vast and profitable ranch. In the thirteen years since their deaths, under her older brother Joe’s leadership, the Sugarloaf had become the second-largest ranch in the county. Although none of them had been politically active, the Manning name meant something in the community. Enough to help Dennis become superintendent of the district.

      Anger squeezed out the hurt, and she slowly pushed herself up. Good thing she’d dragged her feet over ordering the invitations and meeting with the caterers. Her excuse had been that she needed to prepare for the July Fourth weekend, but the truth was, she’d effortlessly organized the festivities for the past ten years. Had instinct regarding Dennis’s motives made her cautious? She couldn’t deny the doubt that had plagued her lately, which she’d attributed to prenuptial jitters and fatigue.

      The phone rang, startling her. It was him. She knew it without question, yet she moved to the nightstand to check the Caller ID, anyway. She stared at the familiar cell number, her anger snowballing with each incessant ring. Stupid jerk. Did he really think she’d be willing to talk to him at this point? Or ever?

      Finally, the ringing stopped, and she exhaled slowly. Her gaze caught on the pretty pink tote bag sitting near her closet door, and a fresh wave of pain and anger swept over her. Fueled by a fury she didn’t recognize, she grabbed the bag of sexy lingerie she’d bought a week ago. The impulsive purchase had been the only thought she’d given to the wedding. Ironically, the lingerie was to have been for the honeymoon. Because she’d so desperately wanted to light a fire under Dennis. Boring, straitlaced Dennis, who’d always seemed to prefer watching the news channel to cuddling with her.

      With a whimper, she took the bag with her as she started yanking open dresser drawers. Why, she didn’t know, because she doubted she’d find a pair of scissors. There was one in the kitchen and probably a pair in the laundry room, but she couldn’t wait to cut up the stupid black lace teddy.

      How many times had she reasoned with herself that Dennis simply wasn’t the passionate sort? His kisses were tame, his sexual appetite bordering on nonexistent. Yet he’d been all over the blonde as if he was a starving man. Obviously Kate was the one lacking, the one he found inadequate.

      She swallowed back a sob. Screw him. He wasn’t worth a single tear.

      The phone rang again, and without even checking to see who it was, she picked up the receiver and slammed it down. But before she got to the door, it rang again. Was he insane? Was he going to call all night? Her nerves couldn’t take it. This time after she slammed it, she picked up the receiver again and laid it beside the phone. Clint and Joe used their cells more than the landline. She doubted they’d realize the phone was off the hook. She was the one who was going to go mad if she had to listen to the warning buzz another second.

      The tote bag still clutched to her breasts, her gaze darted to the dresser. Her car keys. Hadn’t she left them there? No, they were in her purse. She grabbed the brown leather strap and swung the bulky pocketbook over her shoulder. She had to get out of here. No one would miss her. Not until morning. The problem was, she didn’t know where to go.

      She hesitated at the door, her hand on the doorknob, her palm suddenly clammy.

      Mitch. He’d be staying at his family’s ranch alone tonight. Her breath caught in her throat. Could she really do that? Just show up? Her gaze lowered to the scrap of black lace lying in the tote bag, and she suddenly recalled their hug. She briefly closed her eyes and replayed how good his arms had felt around her, how close he’d held her. How fast he’d made her heart beat.

      No, that’s not what she wanted right now. Besides, he’d never considered her as anything other than a pesky kid sister, and the last thing her bruised ego needed was more rejection. She stiffened, her hold on the doorknob a death grip.

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