Joan Johnston - Texas Woman

Sloan saw from the tension in Luke’s body and the way his eyes flew to Tomasita that he was surprised and disconcerted by this news. Thank goodness. She hoped he realized he was going to have to act quickly if he wanted Tomasita for himself.

“You must be devastated by the delay,” Angelique said to Tomasita, eyeing her thickened waist speculatively. “Perhaps Luke and I might come to the wedding?”

Sloan watched Tomasita stiffen at the way Angelique had invited herself to the wedding and also laid claim to Luke’s company.

“I won’t be going to Tomasita’s wedding,” Luke said.

Tomasita flushed, and Sloan wanted to grab Luke by the ears and shake him. Couldn’t he see the young Spanish woman was in love with him?

Cruz arrived at the door to a welcome greeting from Luke. Cruz took Angelique’s hand and said, “I am charmed, señorita. You are every bit as lovely as I had heard you were.”

Where had Cruz heard such a thing? Sloan wondered. She caught Angelique’s eye and flashed the message, This one’s mine! Only belatedly did she realize what she was admitting by making such a claim.

“Where’s Rip?” Sloan asked.

“He’s in bed,” Luke replied.

Sloan felt a sudden tension in her shoulders. “It’s barely suppertime. What’s he doing in bed?”

“He hasn’t been feeling well the past couple of days. He picked up a spring cold and can’t seem to shake it. You can check and see if he’s awake. It’s about the time he usually comes downstairs,” Luke said.

Sloan was already halfway up the stairs when she said, “I think I will. I’ll just put Cisco down for a nap first in the crib in Cricket’s old bedroom.”

Cruz watched Sloan go with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He hoped Rip wasn’t seriously ill. Rip’s death would force to a head the issue of who was to inherit Three Oaks.

Even if Rip willed the plantation to Luke, there was the distinct possibility Luke might deed it back to Sloan. If she ever got title to Three Oaks, she would have to make a choice.

And Cruz still was not sure she would choose him.

He turned to Luke and asked, “Is it only a cold that has Rip laid up?”

Luke shrugged. “So far as I can tell. I’m damn sorry to hear what happened, Cruz. I’ll send word to Lion’s Dare and Golden Valley. I know Sloan’s family will want to do everything they can to help.”

“Thanks, Luke. I appreciate the offer. When I turned the horses over to the man at the barn, he said Beaufort LeFevre is here.”

“I wrote Sloan a week ago about it. Didn’t she give you the message?”

Cruz frowned. “No. She did not.” He looked up the stairs. He would give Sloan a chance to get settled and then they were going to have a talk.

“Would you like to meet my father?” Angelique asked. “I’ll be glad to take you to see him. He’s staying in the bachelors’ quarters out behind the main house.”

Cruz smiled and extended his arm to Angelique, who placed her palm daintily upon it. “I would appreciate that.” He turned to Luke. “Will you see that Tomasita gets settled?”

“Yes, of course.”

With that assurance, and with another exchange of glances that said volumes and issued admonitions, Cruz turned with Angelique and walked out the front door.

Luke and Tomasita were left alone. Luke gestured to a rocker bench along one wall of the central hallway. “You look tired. Would you like to sit down?”

Tomasita laced her fingers together and gripped them hard in front of her. “I… No thank you.”

They stood there awkwardly for another moment before Luke said, “Are you all right? You weren’t hurt by the tornado?”

“No.” She looked up into his hazel eyes, but if he cared at all for her, his feelings were carefully hidden in their golden depths. She took a deep breath and said, “Your child and I are both fine.”

Luke completely lost his composure. Tomasita watched a myriad of emotions pass through his eyes, beginning with elation and ending with anger, before he regained control.

“I won’t ask if it’s mine. I guess there’s little doubt of that, as closely as Cruz has you watched.” His voice hardened as he asked, “Have you told the man you’re planning to marry that you’re carrying my child?”

“I do not plan to marry Don Ambrosio.”

“Sloan said-”

“I am going back to Spain.”

Luke felt as though he’d just been kicked in the gut. “You’re leaving Texas?”

“As soon as I can. I am going back to live in the convent.”

Luke grasped her arms in desperation. “You don’t belong in any damn convent!”

“Where else can I go? No gentleman of class will have me now that I am… And I cannot impose on Don Cruz forever.”

Luke frowned. “Does Cruz know about the baby?”

“I have not told him yet. When I do, I am sure he will understand my decision.”

Luke snorted. “Like hell. After he beats the pulp out of me, he’ll have us standing in front of a preacher so fast it’ll make your head spin.”

In a small voice, Tomasita asked, “Would that be so bad?”

Luke couldn’t meet her eyes. “Aw, hell.”

“I guess it would,” she said, sounding defeated. She turned to go back out the front door. “I should not have come here.”

Luke grabbed her arm and spun her back around. “Wait a minute. Where are you going?”

Her eyes flashed with anger. “None of your business!”

“I’m making it my business.”

“Like you made the blond woman- Angel, I heard you call her-your business?” she hissed. “Do you think I have no pride? I saw the way you let that woman put her hands on you! If you do not care enough to marry me, at least do not expect me to stay and watch you with your lover.”

“ Angel and I aren’t lovers,” he ground out, equally furious. “I might have bedded her once upon a time, but that’s all over and-”

Tomasita’s palm whipped around and slapped Luke hard. “I do not want to hear any more! I suppose you will be describing me the same way to your next conquest.”

Tomasita tried to pull herself from Luke’s grasp, but he held on and backed her up against the wall, holding her there with his body.

“What the hell did you do that for? I just got through telling you Angel and I aren’t lovers-”

“Anymore!” Tomasita interrupted. “Just like I am not your lover anymore.” She couldn’t stop the tears that started to spill. “I feel so…” She took a deep breath in an attempt to forestall the sob that sought release. “I feel so… dirty.”

Tomasita couldn’t look at Luke. She felt his hand on her chin forcing her face up, but she kept her gaze on the floor.

“Look at me, Tomasita.”

“No.”

“Then listen to me, mustang girl.”

“Pretty words will not help now, Luke,” she said, her heart pounding painfully after hearing his endearment. “What is done is done.”

“You don’t have to go back to Spain,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “I’ll take care of you.”

She allowed herself to hope. She lifted her gaze and met his eyes, that were now more green than gold. “You will marry me?”

His eyes darkened. “No. I didn’t say that.”

“I cannot accept less than that, Luke. Let me go.”

“Goddammit, you can’t leave me!”

“Why not? What are you offering me that has more honor than returning to the convent?”

“I’m telling you I want you to stay with me. I’m telling you I need you.”

Tomasita heard the agony in his voice. But what he was offering was not enough. “I could not bear the shame.”

Sloan was halfway down the stairs when she saw that Luke had Tomasita backed up against the wall. “What’s going on?”