“It’s Savannah. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she lied.

“If that’s the case, why haven’t you returned my calls?”

“I’m sorry, but I just didn’t feel like talking.”

Savannah hesitated, then blurted, “Good grief, what’s the matter with you two? You sound as miserable as Grady.”

Caroline had nothing to add to that.

“I’m coming over,” her friend announced.

“Savannah, no! Please.” But the line had already been disconnected and Caroline realized there was no help for it. Savannah Smith was a woman on a mission, and she wouldn’t rest until she’d done whatever she could to straighten things out between these two people she loved. Two people who loved each other, according to Savannah. Well, she was right. Caroline did love Grady and was confident he loved her. Just not enough.

Knowing Grady’s sister was coming to visit, Caroline washed her face and applied fresh makeup. The last thing she needed was for Savannah to return to the ranch with tales of Caroline pining away for want of Grady—however true that might be. She changed into a fresh shirt and jeans, then ran a comb through her hair.

Savannah arrived less than an hour later, storming into the house like an avenging angel. Caroline was ready with a fresh pitcher of iced tea, waiting for her in the sunny backyard patio. Maggie played contentedly in her sandbox, building castles with imaginary friends.

“All right,” Savannah said, the minute they sat down. “What happened?”

“You mean Grady didn’t tell you?”

Savannah gave a soft snicker and rolled her eyes. “All he’d say was that what happened is between you and him.”

“He’s right.”

“I can’t stand this, Caroline! He asked you to marry him, I know that much.”

“He told you?”

“He didn’t have to—I saw the diamond. Which means if he has it and you don’t, you must’ve turned him down. But that doesn’t make any sense. You love Grady.”

Caroline said nothing.

“You do love him, don’t you?”

“Yes.” But that wasn’t the issue.

“Then, Caroline, why would you reject him? I don’t understand. I know it isn’t any of my business, but it hurts me to see two people so obviously in love this unhappy.”

Caroline didn’t mean to start crying. The tears embarrassed her and she blinked rapidly, praying Savannah wouldn’t notice. But of course she did and wasn’t about to pretend otherwise.

Leaning forward, Savannah placed her hand on Caroline’s arm. “Oh, Caroline, please tell me. I want to help.”

“You can’t. No one can.”

Savannah wasn’t so easily dissuaded. “You helped me when Laredo left, don’t you remember? When he went back to Oklahoma, I was in so much pain I didn’t know if I’d survive it, and you were there for me. It wasn’t so much what you said, although I recall every word. It was your love and friendship that helped me through a horrible time. Let me help you now.”

Caroline cupped the cold glass of iced tea with both hands. “He did ask me to marry him, and you’re right, I refused.”

“But why?”

“He…he said he was free to ask me because he was finished dealing with his brother’s mistakes. Finished cleaning up after Richard.” She inhaled and didn’t exhale for several seconds. “I had to tell him. He has a right to know.”

“About Maggie?” Savannah asked gently.

As Caroline suspected, Savannah had guessed that Richard was Maggie’s father. She nodded.

“But why did you refuse his proposal?”

“I love Grady, but I don’t want him to consider Maggie and me a burden. Just one more responsibility he’s dealing with because of his brother. Another screwup in a long list.”

“Doesn’t Grady understand that Richard used you, too?”

“I’m not sure he does,” she breathed. “It was too much of a shock.”

Savannah sat back in her chair and tapped her finger against her lips. “Well, this certainly explains a great deal.”

“Grady would feel I’d broken a confidence by discussing this with you,” she felt obliged to remind her friend.

“You needn’t worry about that.”

“Why not?”

Savannah grinned. “My brother isn’t speaking to me at the moment.”

“Oh, Savannah.”

“Not to worry. He isn’t speaking to anyone.”

So Grady wasn’t taking this any better than she was. “He growls when one of us even dares to mention your name. Oh, and I heard him on the phone the other day. Apparently he was talking to Frank Hennessey because he said—or rather, shouted—that he wanted his bastard of a brother brought to justice.”

“I take it there’s no word about Richard?”

“None.” Savannah shook her head. “It’s as if he’s vanished off the face of the earth, and at this point I don’t really care. Richard deserves what he gets, as far as I’m concerned. Especially after this latest fiasco.”

Caroline frowned, not understanding. “What fiasco?”

Savannah sighed. “He didn’t tell you, did he?” She didn’t wait for a response. “Grady can be too noble for his own good sometimes. Richard charged eight thousand dollars’ worth of goods on the family accounts.”

“No.” Caroline felt sick to her stomach just knowing their brother was capable of something this underhand and cruel. Richard was well aware how long it had taken Grady to regroup after the family lost its money. Money stolen by Richard. Then, just when Grady was financially able to get back on his feet, up popped Richard again. Up pops the weasel.

“He paid off every bill with his own money. Laredo and I wanted to share the expenses with him, but Grady refused. Seeing that we’re newly married and building a home now, he wouldn’t hear of it. Laredo wouldn’t leave it at that—he said we’re all partners and the money should come out of the business. But Grady said no. I don’t have to tell you how stubborn he can be.”

“You see?” Caroline said. “For the last six years all Grady’s done is work to clean up Richard’s messes. I’d just be one more.”

“You don’t honestly believe that, do you?”

“Yes, Savannah, I do.”

“Then you don’t know my brother.” Savannah smiled slightly. “Give him time. Grady isn’t that easily discouraged. He may need a few days to work things out, but he’ll be back.”

Caroline wanted to believe it, but she was afraid to hope.

“He loves you and Maggie. Mark my words, he isn’t going to take no for an answer.”

Caroline shook her head helplessly. She’d seen the pain in Grady’s eyes, seen the shock and grief. She was just one more problem his brother had left behind, and he wanted out.

Caroline didn’t blame him.

11

GRADY WAS IN ONE BAD MOOD. HE’D BEEN angry and cantankerous all week, to the point that he could barely stand his own company. Wiley said he’d rather chase strays than put up with Grady’s foul temper and had left him to finish the repairs on the fence line by himself.

Grady had been doing the backbreaking work all afternoon, and although he’d managed to replace several rotting posts and make other fixes, his mind was a million miles away. Actually only about forty miles away. And while his hands were busy digging fence holes his thoughts were on Caroline.

“Damn it all to hell,” he muttered and threw down the shovel. He’d finally finished for the day. Sweat poured from his brow, and his chest heaved from the physical exertion. “Damn it,” he said again. He should be happy. The sale of the herd was scheduled and his financial problems would soon be over. Beef prices were up slightly. So why wasn’t he happy? All he could think about was one headstrong woman who was too damn proud for her own good. What in the hell did she mean when she said a marriage between them wouldn’t work? Why the hell not?

He could stand there stewing in the hot September sun or he could do something about it, Grady decided. Only he wasn’t sure what. He tossed his tools into the back of the pickup, then drove at breakneck speed toward the house.