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“And?”
Jenny swallowed. “He was rude to me.”
“What?” She poked Jenny in the shoulder. “Get out of here. That doesn’t sound like Quincy. You probably were just upset and misunderstood him.”
“No. It was very clear what he said.”
“And what would that be?”
“He said that Paxton’s fiancée was going to be staying for a while and it would be best for everyone if I didn’t come back to Rebel Ranch.”
“You’re joking.”
“I wish I was.”
“After all the work you put in on his horses—for free, I might add—he’s got some nerve.”
“I’ll have to return White Dove.”
“The paint he gave you? You love that horse.”
The ache in Jenny’s chest ballooned into something she didn’t understand. All she knew was that it hurt that Quincy had treated her as he never had before. She couldn’t keep the horse he’d given her for her birthday. A birthday that Paxton had forgotten. Funny, how that little detail still stung. She would have to find the strength to return the horse.
“Keep her. Quincy would want you to have White Dove, unless he asked you to return her.”
“No, he didn’t say that, but it’s clear I’m not welcome at the ranch anymore.”
“Let me get this straight. Are you upset that someone is taking your place with Paxton? Or are you upset that Quincy asked you not to return to Rebel Ranch?”
Jenny didn’t know, and that was why she was so confused and conflicted. She’d expected some consolation from Quincy, someone to understand how she felt. But what was she expecting? That he would side with her over his family? That was insane. The Rebels were fiercely loyal.
Lindsay got to her feet. “Let’s go check the water troughs and then we’ll open that bottle of wine we’ve been saving and toast good ol’ Paxton and his new love. Ten bucks she’s a blonde with fake boobs.”
A smile tugged at Jenny’s lips. Her sister sometimes had a fun side. Getting to her feet, she said, “You’re on. But we’ll probably never get to see her.”
“Yeah. That’s probably best.”
Was it? Like Quincy had said, Jenny just couldn’t let it go. She had to see Paxton face-to-face to end this relationship that had existed for over fifteen years. She couldn’t end it by just walking away. That wasn’t in her nature. Paxton Rebel was going to deal with her one way or another, and she didn’t care if Quincy liked it or not.
* * *
QUINCY DIDN’T SLEEP MUCH. His mind was caught in a vortex of Paxton’s crazy life, and like Grandpa had said, there were some things a brother didn’t do. Tortured by his own feelings, he got up at five to help Falcon, Egan and Jericho put meat on the pit for the barbecue that evening.
His mom had invited all of Paxton’s friends from high school and some from the rodeo circuit. It was going to be a big night. Quincy was hoping he could slip away for a while and miss the whole thing. That would be his kind of party.
About midmorning, he and Elias set up tables and chairs on the large deck off the den. His mom and Falcon were busy in the kitchen. Falcon was making his special barbecue sauce.
Eden and Rachel, Egan’s wife, put tablecloths and votive candles on the tables. Quincy wondered where the bride-to-be was. She and Paxton had come in late last night, but no one had met her except their mother. He supposed she was sleeping in.
He and Elias were headed to the kitchen when they heard a feminine voice.
“Is anyone here?”
Quincy looked to the top of the stairs, as did Elias. A tall blonde stood there in white shorts and a bright green top that barely covered her ample breasts. Long, straight blond hair flowed down her back. Model flashed across his mind, like a woman in one of those lingerie catalogs. Paxton’s fiancée was gorgeous.
“Damn, is that her?” Elias asked. “I think I just met my fantasy.”
She floated down the stairs as if she was on a runway. Stopping two steps from the bottom, she held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Lisa Garber. Paxton’s fiancée.”
Elias removed his hat and bowed from the waist. “It’s a pleasure, ma’am. I’m Elias, Paxton’s brother.”
“Yes, Paxton said he had six brothers.”
“And you’ll get to meet every one of us.”
“I’m so excited,” she gushed like a little girl. “I’ve never been on a ranch and I can’t wait to meet everyone.”
Elias thumbed toward Quincy. “This here’s Quincy, another brother.”
Lisa fanned her face. “My, so many handsome brothers. What’s a girl to do?”
“Nice to meet you,” Quincy said, and wondered what it was about the woman that annoyed him. It didn’t take long for him to figure it out. Her voice, sort of a sugary squeal that could get real tedious. When a woman looked like Lisa, though, the voice didn’t matter. He was sure Paxton would agree.
“Have you seen Paxton?” she asked.
“Isn’t he upstairs with you?” Elias nodded upstairs.
Lisa leaned over and whispered, “Your mother wouldn’t let us sleep together in her house. That’s really old-fashioned, but Paxton said we had to follow her rules and I didn’t want to make waves. I really missed my Teddy Bear.”
Elias laughed before he could stop himself and then coughed and tried to cover it up.
“I’m sure he’s at the bunkhouse,” Quincy told her.
“Oh, is that where the cowboys live?”
“Sort of.”
Quincy had a suspicious feeling Paxton hadn’t told this woman a thing about his life, except that he was a rodeo cowboy who lived in Texas on a big ranch.
Paxton came through from the kitchen, interrupting the conversation. Quincy and Elias stared. It wasn’t often they saw Paxton dressed up. He wore starched jeans and a white starched shirt and his hair was slicked back. Quincy could swear he smelled cologne.
A fun and exciting bull rider, and a ladies’ man to boot, Paxton could smooth talk any woman into anything he wanted.
“Hey, babe.” He took Lisa into his arms and they shared a long kiss.
“There’s a bedroom upstairs,” Elias said with a snicker in his voice.
Paxton turned to them. “Quincy, talk to Mom about her rules. I don’t want to sleep away from Lisa.”
Quincy shrugged. “Her house. Her rules. You can always sleep in the bun—”
“That’s okay,” Paxton cut him off, and Quincy knew his brother had definitely not told Lisa where he really lived. But that wasn’t his problem and Quincy was going with his plan to get away from the party as soon as he could.
As he walked toward the kitchen, he thought Paxton had traded something real for something fluff. But then Paxton always went for the looks. Beautiful women gravitated toward him and he took advantage of that. Jenny was beautiful in a natural, sweet way that would last a lifetime. It was a shame Paxton couldn’t see that.
His mom made sandwiches for lunch and introduced Lisa to the family. Quincy went back to the house to check on Grandpa, needing to get away from the circus.
“You have to wear your white shirt tonight, Grandpa.”
“Fiddle-faddle. I can wear what I want.”
“Mama wants everyone to look nice.”
“Then, I really will wear whatever I please.”
His mom and Grandpa didn’t get along, which was a source of tension for the whole family. Quincy hoped his grandpa would comply, but that was like whistling Dixie in Bangor, Maine. No one was listening or cared.
The day passed quickly and Quincy made several trips to the house to help his mother, as did all his brothers. The food was ready and the tables were set. Now they waited for the guests to arrive. Quincy even managed to get Grandpa into his white shirt and nice boots. Quincy also wore his best duds.
Eden and Phoenix were in charge of music and had the stereo blaring loudly in the den. Falcon’s wife, Leah, his daughter, Eden, and Egan’s wife, Rachel, had decorated the house, and everything looked festive with streamers, balloons and candles. Guests started to arrive and his mother, Paxton and Lisa went to the front door to greet them.
Although Quincy was busy handing out drinks, he kept one eye on the door, hoping Jenny wouldn’t make an appearance. Phoenix was up to his usual tricks in the den. After supper, he rolled back the area rug and he and Eden started dancing. Paxton and Lisa joined them.
Before the crowd got too noisy, his mother called everyone to attention and welcomed Lisa into the family again. They clapped and cheered and Phoenix turned up the music. The party was on.
Quincy was serving beers to some rodeo guys when he noticed Jenny at the front door. His heart sank. This wasn’t good. Paxton and Lisa were dancing close together to a slow number and Phoenix, Eden and Zane were clapping and cheering. Jenny, in jeans and boots, a look on her face Quincy had never seen before, walked straight toward them.
His mother motioned to Quincy and Quincy groaned inwardly. Why was this his battle? Being a dutiful son, he walked toward his mother.
“Do something,” she whispered. “Jenny doesn’t need to be here. She’s going to get hurt.”
“Mom, I don’t know what I can do.”
She gave him one of those looks he knew well.
“Okay.”
The music stopped as Jenny walked up to the couple. Paxton and Lisa drew apart and came face-to-face with Jenny.
Color drained from Paxton’s face and sweat popped out on his forehead.
“I’m Jenny Walker. Congratulations.” She held out her hand.
“Thank you,” Lisa replied, taking the outstretched hand. “Are you a friend of Paxton’s?”
“I dated him for over fifteen years.”
Not a sound was heard in the room as Jenny made the declaration. Even the half-drunk cowboys went quiet. Quincy paused behind Jenny. She had a right to say what she wanted and he wasn’t going to stop her.
“Oh.” Lisa looked at Paxton.
“Jenny...”
“You remembered my name. How nice. It would have been nice if you’d had the guts to answer my calls and I wouldn’t have had to come here.”
“Jenny, this isn’t the time—”
“No, it isn’t. I would’ve had the decency to call you if I had fallen in love with someone else. It’s a shame you didn’t feel the same way. Fifteen years of my life I shared with you and it didn’t matter.” She glanced at Lisa. “You’re welcome to him and I wish you a happy life.”
The last word was shaky and Quincy took Jenny’s elbow and led her from the room and out the front door. They stood in the sultry September heat staring at each other.
She brushed back her hair and a telltale tear appeared on her cheek. “What is she? A model or something?”
“I don’t know.”
Dark eyes glistening with tears glared at him. “Oh, you know. You just won’t share with me anymore. And that’s okay. I understand.” She gulped a breath as if she’d run a mile and Quincy got a whiff of liquor.
“Have you been drinking?”
“Yeah. It took a couple of glasses of wine to get enough courage to come over here. Stupid, huh?”
The hurt on her face and in her voice cramped his gut, and all he wanted to do was hold her and let her know someone cared about her, but he couldn’t do that. That line between family loyalty and his love for Jenny was getting thinner and thinner.
She raked her hands through her hair. “Oh, crap, I don’t think I combed my hair.”
“You look beautiful” slipped out before he thought about it.
There was an awkward pause for a second. Then she said, “Since you’re usually nice to everyone, I won’t take that personally.”
There was nothing he could add to that. He really shouldn’t have said it in the first place.
“Now I’m going home to finish off that bottle of wine. Tomorrow is the start of the rest of my life. A life without Paxton and without the Rebel family. You don’t have to worry about me coming over here and causing trouble because this will be my last visit.”
“Jenny...”
“You were right. I spend too much time over here and, like I said, tomorrow I start over with a clean page and a bright smile for a new future. I’ll return White Dove first thing in the morning.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I can’t keep the horse.”
“Why? I gave her to you! And she’s pregnant.”
“I’m cutting all ties, Quincy.” A feather of a hiccup left her throat. “And that means I can’t accept the gift. I’ll just leave her in the pen at the barn.”
She loved the horse, and he knew this was hurting her and he didn’t know how to make it better. Even though her mind was set, he couldn’t accept it.
“The horse will always be yours.”
