LITMIR.BIZ

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going to be the one to change it.”

      She nodded. “Just as soon as I can dig up a million dollars in funding, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

      He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “Why you?”

      Lucinda shrugged, not even sure if his eyes were open to see it. “They’re my people. I’m fortunate, so I have an obligation to give something back.”

      “That makes some noble kind of sense, I suppose.”

      “Glad you think so.” She didn’t like talking about herself or her clinic to someone like him. It felt too much like hinting around for a donation, so she quickly changed the subject. “What’s been keeping you awake nights, Holden Fortune? Too many visits to the salad bar at the babe buffet?”

      When he didn’t answer, she opened her eyes to see him staring at her, one eyebrow cocked. “‘Babe buffet’?”

      “Sure. I’ve heard you have a different course every night and still haven’t managed to sample every dish in Texas.”

      “Sheesh. My reputation is that bad, huh?”

      “Worse,” she said.

      “Well, it’ll probably surprise you to know I’m thinking about settling down. Getting married, even.”

      Her eyes popped open wider and she sat up in the chair. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

      “Nope. I’m dead serious.”

      Something in her belly clenched just a little. “I…didn’t realize you were seeing anyone…special.”

      “I’m not.”

      “Then…then who’s this woman you’re planning to marry?”

      Holden shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet.”

      She frowned at him. “Excuse me?”

      He sent her a look of exasperation. “My father’s will came with a catch. I can’t inherit until I marry a—and I quote—‘woman of good reputation.”’

      She tried to stifle a snort of disbelief, but it came out all the same.

      “Yeah. I thought it was pretty unbelievable, too,” he said.

      “Hell, Holden, what’s unbelievable is that any woman of good reputation would have you.”

      He slanted a narrow gaze on her. “I’d take offense at that remark if it wasn’t the God’s honest truth.”

      “At least you admit it.”

      “So, you wouldn’t even consider it, huh?”

      It was not a proposal. She knew that. It was sarcasm. But it still made her heart do an odd little flip-flop in her chest. “Not on your life,” she replied, her tone level.

      He shrugged. “Hell, it was worth a try.” He sighed deeply, shaking his head. “So what would I have to do to make a woman of good reputation give me a shot, do you think?”

      “Oh, come on. The greatest Romeo in Texas is asking me for advice on how to win a woman?”

      “Well, yes. A real woman. I don’t need any help with bimbos, you know. Real women are a whole other breed.”

      She tilted her head to one side. “At least you’re aware there’s a difference.”

      “So?”

      Lucinda leaned back again. “So…you’d have to change your ways, I suppose. Promise not to cheat. Real women, as you call them, are not fond of sharing.”

      “It would be an effort, but I could give it a try.”

      She rolled her eyes. “I imagine this woman you choose would have a lot of trouble with all the others you’ve had. You know, she’d probably believe you were constantly comparing her to them. You’d have to convince her she was…special. So special that the first time you were with her you forgot every other woman you ever had.”

      Holden’s brows lowered. “That would be piling it on a bit, don’t you think?”

      “Maybe. For you. I guess the most effective thing you could do would be to actually love the woman, but I suppose that’s beyond your…range, as well, hmm?” He only stared at her blankly. She sighed. “I thought so.” Then she shrugged. “I guess my best advice to you, Holden, is to make a business arrangement with some woman. Find one you think you might be able to stand for, uh, how long would you need to be married to inherit?”

      “A year,” he said.

      “A year, then. I’m sure some woman somewhere would be willing to play the part of happy bride for a year, then let you off the hook. For the right price, I mean.”

      He nodded slowly. “So you think the only way I could get a decent woman to marry me would be to pay her?”

      She shrugged. “It was just a thought.”

      Soft footsteps outside made Lucinda look up. The door opened and Lily peered inside. “Holden, Sheriff Grayhawk would like to speak to you now.”

      He glanced at Lucy, then at the two in the bed. “I don’t really want to leave you here alone,” he told her. “If they wake up again…”

      “I’ll stay with her, Holden,” Lily said softly. Holden looked at her, looked at Lucy, lifted his brows.

      “We’ll be fine,” Lucinda assured him. “The sedative shouldn’t wear off for hours anyway.”

      “All right. If you’re sure.”

      “I am.”

      Holden started for the door, then paused. “Lucy…do me a favor and don’t leave for a while. I’d really like to continue this conversation.”

      She shrugged. “If my beeper goes off, I don’t have much choice in the matter,” she said. “But I’ll hang around as long as I can.”

      “Good,” he said, looking at her oddly. “Good.” He left the room and closed the door.

      Three

      “Do you mind if I give you some unsolicited advice?” Lily asked in her soft voice.

      Lucinda sat back in her place, watching Claudia and Matthew closely, though she didn’t expect either of them to wake anytime soon. “Advice? About what?”

      “About Holden.”

      Lucinda blinked and quickly averted her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re—”

      “I’m not blind, Lucinda. And you don’t have what I would call a…poker face.”

      Lucinda shook her head slowly. “You’re imagining things, Lily.”

      “Be careful with him,” she went on. “He’s trying very hard to be just like his father. And his father was…not a nice man.”

      Lucinda’s brows went up. “You knew him well, then?”

      “Cameron? I knew him. Thirty years ago when I first came here to work for the family. He and Ryan—they couldn’t have been more different. Cameron used women and threw them away.”

      Lucinda tilted her head, facing Lily squarely. “And you think Holden is the same way?”

      “I think Holden has reached a crossroads. Time will tell which path he chooses. But right now, he’s dangerous, Lucinda. Particularly to a woman who might be…vulnerable to him.”

      Lucinda lifted her brows. “Well, I certainly don’t fall into that category.”

      With a gentle smile, Lily said, “Good. He can’t hurt you, then.”

      Taking a deep breath,

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