LITMIR.BIZ

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not counting the umpteen times in grade school. I’m not an idiot; I just look like one.”

      The two young men argued and teased as they quickly completed dressing for the wedding, finally donning split-tailed coats and pearl-gray gloves. Their long strides carried them to a side door of the sanctuary where Wakiza was waiting with a frown and a nervous tic of one eye.

      “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show,” Wakiza spoke arrogantly as one accustomed to being obeyed instantly. Frasier shrugged his shoulder and walked on past, but Daniel stopped and glared at his cousin. When Frasier loudly cleared his throat, Daniel walked on in without comment or change of expression.

      I wouldn’t have shown, you piece of manure, if your sweet mother hadn’t asked me.

      Out of respect for Aunt Catherine Daniel kept quiet and continued on into the sanctuary.

      Daniel suffered in silence as picture after picture was snapped following the elaborate, formal ceremony, shuddering as he thought of standing in a receiving line and agonizing through a sit-down dinner. Oh, how he longed to be riding across the range.

      Reluctant to be caught in what he considered inane conversation, he was relieved when Frasier beckoned him to a table of groomsmen, other young men and their dates.

      “Why the doom and gloom expression? This is supposed to be a joyous occasion,” Peter Falcon called to Daniel.

      Sue Grayson, a bridesmaid, gazed at Daniel with adoration. “You’re the best looking man here, and the best man at that. Smile and lighten up.”

      Ira Ferguson leaned over to see around a couple of people. “I have a question that has bothered me since I first knew that people got married. Why isn’t the best man the one getting married?” His date playfully smacked him across the back of his head. The others groaned.

      “Hey, look at all the lovely girls ogling you, Danny boy. As far as I know, all of your male relatives, who are of age, are now married, and that leaves you, ole buddy. There’s dozens of mamas here dying for you to notice their sweet young daughters in hopes you’ll marry them and make them rich,” Frasier chortled

      “Humph. All the mamas and their sweet young daughters can just look in another direction. I hope they’ll all be happy. None of these girls care about me as an individual,” he said gloomily. “They only want my family name and the wealth that goes with it.”

      “Sure, and they know your pretty face will give them beautiful children that they can flaunt and brag about.”

      “Frasier,” Daniel muttered through gritted teeth, “you’ve been my college roommate and friend most of our lives. We’re as close as most brothers, but I’ll rearrange your pretty face if you don’t back off and drop the subject.”

      “Sorry, ole friend. Yeah, I love you, too. I was just teasing you a little trying to ease the tension. You’ve been tied in knots all day. Care to share with me what’s eating you?”

      “I’m the one who needs to apologize,” Daniel spoke softly. “Dad thinks that because I’ve completed college, and a graduate program, I should be entering the family business, but I’d rather make it on my own as a photojournalist.”

      “You are his oldest son and he expects you to carry on the family name and eventually take over the family businesses. Which part of the business does your dad want you working? Oil, cattle, shipping? What?”

      “We didn’t get to that. When I told him what I wanted to do, he threw a major fit. In fact, I thought he was having a heart attack. Mom thought so, too, and she ordered me out. We haven’t spoken since yesterday afternoon.”

      “Gee buddy, I’m sorry. You know you’re a strange duck. Most fellows would take advantage of the wealth and easy life it offers. Even if your name would be on an office door, you wouldn’t really be required to do much work. I’m sure you’d have loads of people working under you and plenty of time for your personal interests. I’m in business with my dad.”

      “Your situation is different,” he answered Frasier. “More than likely you’ll probably open your own branch in a few years, but I’m expected to be on the ranch for the rest of my life. I honestly do appreciate the advantages I’ve had, but I need to make my own way or I’ll never respect myself. I’m not turning my back on my family. I’ll always be there for any of them. Sure I could hold a token position and in addition do all the social things my parents do, but that doesn’t interest me. I’m grateful that I was born into a loving, caring family, but Dad’s forgetting the pride he took in building what he has through his and mom’s own sweat, blood and tears.”

      Daniel’s mouth twisted in a half smile. “My sisters are the cutest twins in Texas, or anywhere, and my little brother is a - holy terror,” he ended with a chuckle. “I’d rather work at what I enjoy doing and make a name for myself and not by my family’s influence.”

      “Oookaay. I admire you for wanting to be independent, but come on, couldn’t you stay in your dad’s good graces? Once you get out in the cold, cruel world, you might find that you need and want, dear old Dad’s help.”

      Daniel jumped when soft arms came around his neck from behind. He looked up into the beautiful, laughing face of his sister. He grinned and patted her arm as she leaned to kiss his cheek. She wiggled the fingers of one hand at Frasier.

      “Hello Adrianna,” Frasier winked at her.

      “How do you know which twin is which?” Adam Rogers asked raising one eyebrow. “I can’t tell them apart.”

      “I lived near them when they were born and have known them all their lives,” Frasier explained. “They’re identical, but if you’re around them often, you can recognize the differences.”

      Adrianna smiled and acknowledged everyone. Laying her cheek against Daniel’s she said, “Are you coming now? Dad wants to get home and check on the new bull.” She rolled her eyes and gave a fake shiver. “I wish he’d put that monster farther out in another field.” She explained to those sitting near them, “He’s a big sucker and he bellows every time he sees one of us.”

      “The monster bull will be moved soon, and his name is Noir D’Oro. That means gold of the night,” Daniel told those around him. “He’s coal black and worth a fortune to us. No, I’m not leaving yet. Frasier and I will bring Ryan to spend the night. We’ll be there later.”

      “Hey, pretty girl. What runs all around that bull’s pasture yet never moves?” Joel Hardy asked. She shook her head. “A fence,” he screamed with laughter while the group groaned and the girls on either side of him smacked his arms.

      “That’s so juvenile,” his girlfriend scolded.

      Adrianna waved to all of them and skipped off with a dimpled smile.

      “Oh, I’m in love,” Luke Walker grabbed at his chest pretending to fall off his chair. “Wow! That tall, statuesque, beautifully shaped figure and those gorgeous gray eyes with long, dark lashes and waist-length honey-blond hair. And, oh, those dimples; Daniel, you’re probably fighting admirers away daily.”

      “No. We have armed guards all over the place, and vicious dogs running loose,” Daniel teased.

      “Besides they’re only fourteen, but tall for their age which makes them look more mature. I hope it will be many years before I have to worry about admirers.” Daniel leaned toward Frasier and lowered his voice. “Back to your comment about wanting Dad’s help. Maybe so, but I’d like to be allowed to make an effort to support myself. And to answer an earlier comment of yours, yes, I’d like to marry someday and have children of my own. I wish I could meet a nice girl who isn’t impressed with my family name or wealth. Dear Lord, why can’t a girl fall for me just because I’m me?” Daniel slumped down in his seat.

      Frasier reached across the table and placed his hand on Daniel’s. “Don’t be discouraged. Everyone knows you’re a great person and you do have a family that loves you. You’re intelligent,

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