He didn’t speak. His eyes were on his plate. “I haven’t been very good to you over the years. I’ve been selfish and overbearing. Do you think you care enough to put up with me, Kit?” he asked raising a curiously still face to hers. “Suppose you were only phys-The Case of the Missing Secretary 399 ically infatuated? After all, you knew nothing of men before last night.”
Did he mean that? Or was he looking for a way out? She panicked and it showed in her eyes. “Now what’s wrong?” he asked gently. “You’re sorry about what happened, aren’t you?” she blurted out.
“In a way,” he had to admit. “I let you go to my head. I had no right to put you in that position. Despite the fact that I didn’t let you get pregnant, you gave me something that you were saving for marriage.” “In which case, you would have had it anyway,” she told him.
“Yes.” He studied his fork. “But in the proper sequence. I find that I’m more conservative than I realized. I cheated you of a proper wedding night. I’m sorry.”
“It wouldn’t have been any different, really.” She faltered. “I’d have been more nervous, I suppose…”
“You’re still nervous.” He caught her cold hand in his and warmed it. “Why?”
She couldn’t quite explain it. “I’m shy, that’s all. I’ve never slept with a man before.” He chuckled. “Are you sure it’s that?” She glared at him. “You don’t have to make fun of me.”
“Was I?” He sobered at once. “You’re right. I shouldn’t tease you about something that profound.” His eyes slid down to the shirt she was wearing and lingered there until her breathing quickened. “I used to watch you sometimes and wonder what you looked like under your clothes. I was careful not to let you know, of course.”
She smiled faintly. “I used to watch you and wonder what you looked like under your shirt.” “Now you know.”
“0h, yes.”
Her eyes were faintly acquisitive. They made his body begin to throb all over again. He got up and stood over her. With a smooth motion, he pulled the T-shirt over his head and tossed it over a chair.
Kit’s lips parted. “Oh, Logan,” she whispered, her eyes as hun-gry as the hands she lifted to caress him with. “Logan, I love to touch you…!”
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He groaned, lifting her into his arms. His mouth took hers roughly, claiming it. “I want you,” he said harshly.
She clung, not protesting, as he carried her into the bedroom and came down beside her on the bed. She didn’t say a word as he unfastened the shirt and removed it and her bra and leaned above her, studying her bare breasts with hot, hungry eyes. “Make love to me,” she whispered. “I want you, too.”
“And hurt you?” he asked, forcing his eyes up to hers. “Because it would.”
“I don’t care,” she told him. Her eyes smoothed over the broad, hair-roughened muscles of his chest. “I love you. It will be all right.”
“You have a lot to learn about bodies and intimacy, little one,” he said quietly. He held her eyes and unsnapped the jeans. The sound of the zipper was loud in the room. He slid his hand under them. “Let me show you what I mean.”
He touched her, intimately, and watched her flinch. He wasn’t rough. It was only that her body was new to passion, and very sensitized.
“You see, Kit?” he asked gently. “Remember how we were together last night, and try to imagine how it would feel when I went into you.” She went scarlet and gasped at the imagery.
“I know. It’s blunt talk. But this kind of thing gets unmanageable. I can’t start and then stop.” “No…”
He looked at her with aching need, his breath lodged in his chest as he withdrew his hand and smoothed it up her belly to her breasts and softly caressed them. “You are every dream I’ve had in my life,” he whispered roughly.
With trembling hands she felt for a fastening and found it, moved it. His eyes widened and he gasped. His hand caught her wrist. “No!” he said roughly.
“You want to,” she breathed. She lifted her mouth to his and kissed him, feeling his hold begin to slacken. “You know you want to, Logan. You want to…!”
He groaned and gave in to her. There were times, he thought blindly, when surrender was positively a virtue.
Chapter Nine Logan drove Kit home late that afternoon, reluctant to let her go. But she’d insisted that she had chores to do, to get ready for work the next day.
“At lunch, we’ll take out that marriage license,” he told her firmly as he left her at her door. “You’ll never get away again.”
She smiled lovingly. “As if I’d ever want to,” she said. “Am I dreaming?” she added somberly, searching his dark eyes. “I must be. I couldn’t be this happy otherwise. I’ll wake up…”
He was thinking the same thing as his eyes caressed her radiant face. “No, you won’t,” he said tenderly. He bent and brushed his mouth gently over hers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” “You aren’t sorry?” she asked worriedly.
He stared at her for a long moment, seeing her with eyes that knew all about her. Everything. “Not if I died in my sleep.” “You’re sure that you want to marry me?”
“Kit, do you think we’ve had enough of each other yet?” he mused. “I could go to you on my deathbed, don’t you know? I’m in over my head, and so are you. Marriage is the only way for us.” “Your mother and brother…” “Will be delighted. Especially my mother.” He frowned. “Which reminds me. Kit, you have to find my mother.” “First thing tomorrow, I promise.” “My future wife, Jane Bond.” “How about Shirley Holmes?”
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He chuckled. “Our kids will be born wearing trench coats and following the doctor around the delivery room.”
She flushed. The thought of having a child was delightful-in wedlock. “I like children.”
“I used to, before I got to know Emmett’s,” he said dryly, “I imagine we won’t be so intimidated by our own.” He frowned “You were afraid last night that I might accidentally make you pregnant.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “I don’t want to bring a child into the world without a stable relationship. I don’t think you do, either.”
“I don’t suppose I do, Kit.” He held her gently by the shoulders. “I’m no less conservative than you are, and I agree that children shouldn’t be accidents. That’s irresponsible.”
She studied his face with eyes that adored it. “It’s hard not to give in when you love someone,” she said quietly. “I don’t think I ever really understood losing control until last night. I couldn’t say no. I couldn’t stop.” “For what it’s worth, neither could I. I’ll take care of you, Kit.” “I’ll take care of you, too,” she promised. He started to speak, but she put a soft hand over his mouth.
“It’s not shameful to let a woman care about you and try to protect you,” she told him.
He kissed her fingers. “Isn’t it? All right.” He sighed. “I’ll work on it.”
She smiled and reached up to kiss his square chin. “Good night, Logan.” “Goodnight.”
The next morning, she started right out on her quest to find Tansy. But complications erupted before she’d even begun. Tess couldn’t come in, so the office was shorthanded. And when she tried to find Tansy, the trail led to a medical center on the outskirts of Houston. To top off the confusion, Emmett and his three children came ca-reening into the office just before Logan was due to pick up Kit.
“Emmett said we must come and see you, Kit.” Amy grinned. Polk and Guy grouped around her as well, while a smug Emmett stood beside the desk with his white Stetson in hand, looking rather
The Case of the Missing Secretary 403 elegant in a gray business suit. The children were less presentable, though. Amy was wearing a stained and wrinkled dress. The boys had on jeans with holes at the knees and their hair needed washing.
“What are you doing here?” Kit asked, aghast.
“We came to see Tansy. She said we were welcome anytime,” he added, his pale green eyes twinkling in his lean face, “and I’m in town for a rodeo. We thought the kids could stay with her while I work.” He frowned. “But she’s not at home.”
“I’m looking for her,” Kit said, without mentioning the medical center. She was reasonably certain that Logan didn’t know about it, either, and until she found out what the problem was, she couldn’t tell him. She didn’t want him worried until there was something definite to worry about. Tansy might, after all, just be getting a checkup.
“She’s done another flit, has she?” Emmett mused, pursing his firm lips. “Looks like it. Oh, there’s Logan!”
Logan came in the door, saw Emmett and the kids and began scowling.
“Hi, Cuz,” Emmett said pleasantly. He rammed his hands into his pockets. “We came to stay with Tansy, but she isn’t home.”
“Don’t expect to stay with me,” Logan said with no hint of welcome. “I don’t have room for you.” “Logan!” Kit exclaimed.
“Don’t mind him,” Emmett said imperturbably, smiling at Kit. “He’s only jealous because he hasn’t got any kids. Thought any more about marrying me, sweet thing?”
“She’s marrying me,” Logan said with a violent glare. He moved to Kit’s side and caught her close. His sheer size was intimidating even without the black scowl he gave Emmett. “So get any thoughts m that direction right out of your mind.” “I was afraid it might come down to this.” Emmett grimaced. Ever since those kids overheard you two in the bathroom, I’ve expected to hear wedding bells.”
Kit blushed and Logan glared at the grinning, innocent-looking children. ‘Well, I’ve got to get signed up. What am I going to do with the
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kids?” Emmett groaned. “I was counting on being .able to-leave them with Tansy for the afternoon.” “Can’t you take them with you?” Kit asked.
Emmett looked hunted, the kids snickered. “I did that last time I rode in a rodeo here. I’m afraid too many people remember them.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Logan muttered darkly. “After all, hav-ing longhorn cattle standing in the middle of main street must be a common occurrence. Not to mention the two calves that invaded the local French boutique and tried on one of the designer dresses…” Kit hid a smile. Emmett shrugged. “Kids will be kids,” he said, smiling fondly at his brood.
“Those aren’t kids,” Logan replied. “They’re a commando group!” “Thanks Cousin Logan!” Guy said with a grin. “I have to leave them somewhere,” Emmett repeated.
“Don’t look at me,” Logan said tautly. “I’m taking Kit to get a marriage license.”
Emmett shrugged and looked so lost that Logan gave in. “All right. I know where we can leave them,” he said, without mentioning that he was going to volunteer poor Melody. It was probably a terrible mistake, but there really wasn’t anyone else available. Besides, Emmett had to face her sooner or later, and she had to face him. Today was a good time. “Come on.” “Logan…!” Kit protested squeakily.
“Keep quiet,” he said under his breath, “or we’ll get landed with them!”
Kit knew when to give up. She followed him out the door with the rest of them, waving discreetly to Doris as she left.
Melody was the only one left in Logan’s office, with Harriet in the hospital and Margo gone permanently. She was bent over the computer, her long honey-streaked hair hanging down around her flushed face, wearing a trim beige suit that was stained with coffee and newsprint from the Wall Street Journal.
“May I help you…?” she began, lifting soft brown eyes with a smile. She saw Emmett and the world tilted on its axis. Her expression was a study in quiet shock. Emmett’s normally pleasant, easygoing personality went into
The Case of the Missing Secretary 405 eclipse. He glared at her. He turned and stared furiously at Logan. “What the hell do you mean, bringing me here when she’s in res-idence?” he demanded. Melody swallowed, averting her eyes. “I work here,” she said stiffly.
“You never said she was going to be permanent,” Emmett told Logan, and there was frightening impact in those glittery green eyes when he turned to the other man. “What a hell of a relation you turned out to be, you damned turncoat!”
Logan glowered at him. “This is my office,” Logan reminded him. “She’s bright and capable, and I appreciate her talent.” “Her talent for what?” Emmett asked sarcastically.
“That isn’t fair,” Melody cried, glaring at him out of a white face. “It isn’t fair at all! I had nothing to do with your divorce!”
“Your brother eloped with my wife!” he said through his teeth. “Do you think I can stand the sight of you?”
So that was it. No one had told her why Emmett clammed up when Melody’s name was mentioned, but now she knew. Kit felt a surge of sympathy for Melody, who looked as if Emmett had struck her. “It’s hardly Melody’s fault,” Logan pointed out. “Did our mother leave because of you, lady?” Amy asked. “No!” Melody protested, coloring. “But it was your brother who took her away!” Guy muttered.
“All of you, shut up,” Kit said, intervening. She glared at Em-mett, a little intimidated by that hard, unyielding countenance but determined to protect Melody. “No human being is responsible for the acts of another. It’s terribly unfair of you to blame Melody for something her brother did.”
Emmett didn’t say another word. He glared at Melody. “I won’t leave my babies with that woman.” “Who asked you to?” Melody asked through numb lips. ^Let’s go, kids. You can come with me.” “I don’t want to go to the arena,” Polk muttered. “I hate cattle.” “You’re the son of a rancher,” Emmett began.
“I like computers, not cows.” Polk went to the desk and stood beside Melody, refusing to budge. “I want to stay here.”
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“There’s a television,” Amy enthused, walking to the corner of the waiting room. She switched channels, “Look, Sesame Street!” She turned it up and sat down.
Guy glared at his brother and sister. “Turncoats. I’ll go with you, Dad,” he said, standing beside his father.
“That’s my boy,” Emmett said. He gave Melody a furious scowl. “Amy, Polk, let’s go!”
Melody wanted to protest, but she could see that it wouldn’t do any good. Emmett had despised her ever since he’d discovered her with his wife Adell and her brother Randy. She’d helped them pack and was standing with them while they caught a plane. There had been a terrible scene. Adell had cursed Emmett, and Emmett had cursed Randy and Adell and Melody roundly, for everyone to hear. It had been terribly embarrassing, especially for eighteen-year-old Melody.