The Reluctant Texas Rancher (Harlequin American Romance) (13 page)

A tense silence fell.

Finally, Kelsey bit her lip. “We just want you to know there are options.”

“My name will be cleared,” Travis stated firmly.

The Andersons cast hesitant looks at Liz.

Suddenly, she knew where this was going. Anxiety choked her throat. “You’re concerned that Travis asked me to represent him, instead of going with a big and powerful Houston law firm,” she said hoarsely. And having already said as much to him, to no avail, they were now prepared to appeal to her.

Sagely, Brady commented, “It would seem that path would level the playing field a lot more than the one he is on now.”

Kelsey leaned toward her oldest son. “You’ve worked so hard for so long to get where you are in your law career. We don’t want to see you pushed off the fast track and forced to give up all that hard-won success.”

Awash with hurt and embarrassment, Liz interjected, “I don’t want that, either. And if it would make you feel better, I will recuse myself from this situation.”
If for no other reason than to regain my dignity.

Travis scowled and nudged her leg under the table. “No, you won’t!” he countered.

Heat flowed through her. Liz moved her leg back so they were no longer touching. “Travis…”

A muscle worked in his jaw as he captured her hand and held tight. “Mom. Dad. I’m sorry this situation has embarrassed you. It’s humiliated the heck out of me, too.” He leaned forward penitently. “It’s also my fault. I used poor judgment. Instead of holding out for something better—something like you and Dad have—I got involved in a casual relationship that I knew from the outset was destined to end. Possibly even badly…” He huffed in frustration, his gaze direct. “Well, it has. Not for the reasons I would have assumed, but still in a way that’s created havoc in my life.”

Brady’s scowl deepened. He started to speak.

Travis cut him off. “Liz is doing a fine job representing me.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of her wrist. “I have faith in her. And if you respect me at all…” he paused to let his words sink in “…you’ll accept my judgment on this and trust her, too.”

Maternal worry clouded Kelsey’s eyes as she got up to pour them all more coffee. “Have you thought about what an uncomfortable position Liz is now in?” she demanded, glaring at her son.

“It was one thing when the two of you were little more than old acquaintances. But now…” When his mother sat down again, her expression turned pleading. “Travis, if this doesn’t go well, it can and will affect your relationship.”

Just as his single-minded ambition once had.

“Your parents are right.” Liz wrenched her hand from Travis’s and struggled to her feet.

Much as she was loath to admit it, his parents weren’t blowing hot air.

Travis had been playing cowboy and living on the Four Winds as a way of escaping. But soon the depositions would bring them sharply back to reality.

And the truth was, Travis belonged in a big, fancy law office, in the heart of Houston, along with all the other power players.

She might be content to live in a small town, helping those around her with problems large and small. Travis never would be. Not in the long term, anyway.

Liz inhaled a shuddering breath. “Since I’ve been representing you, the situation has gotten even more perilous and complex.”

Travis’s head lifted in surprise.

“Olympia is determined to make you pay for being unable to get her the business deal she wanted.” To the point the oil heiress appeared ready to do and say anything.

Travis pushed his empty dessert plate away and downed the rest of his coffee. “The truth is on our side.”

Unfortunately, Liz knew, truth did not always prevail in court.

“Hargett is acquainted with her family. He says Olympia can be vicious when crossed,” Kelsey interjected. “He’s worried you aren’t as prepared as you should be.”

Liz knew they weren’t even close. What if her emotions got in the way of the defense she was crafting? What if she screwed up?

Kelsey went on, “All your father and I are saying, Travis, is that if there is something between you and Liz—and it seems that there is—why risk that?”

“Why not let someone else handle your defense?” Brady said.

So that if the attempt to prove the accusations false failed, someone else would take the blame, Liz thought. She and Travis could go on....

“Look,” Travis said, standing in turn. He glared at his parents. “Just because you love me does not give you the right to try to run my life.”

“That’s not what we’re doing,” Kelsey protested, visibly upset.

“Really?” he countered, circling around the table to take Liz’s hand. Clasping her fingers tightly, he drew her out from beneath the pavilion. “Because it sure as heck seems like it is!”

“I’m sorry,” Liz said miserably when they reached the driveway.

He reached the passenger door, suddenly growing very quiet, very serious. “Don’t be. This has nothing to do with you.”

She stared at him, her stomach twisting with a combination of tension and nerves.

“It’s always been like this,” Travis continued in frustration. He lounged against the side of the truck, arms folded in front of him.

In a low, furious voice he confided, “Because I’m the oldest, I’ve always been expected to be perfect, to live up to the image my parents have of me in their heads. I’m expected to set an example, Liz. And I have. All the way through high school and college and law school, I was damn near perfect.”

“Yeah, you were,” Liz recalled in open admiration. So much that she’d been left feeling not just too young for him, but unworthy....

He dipped his head in acknowledgment of her compliment, all the while holding her gaze.

“Editor of
Texas Law Review,
top in my class. Really good job with a big firm. I was on the fast track to huge success.” His lips curved ruefully, in a way that did funny things to her insides.

“And then I screwed up.” He shrugged his shoulders. “And my parents can’t accept it.”

She edged closer, her arms folded, too. “I think they’re just worried about you,” she murmured compassionately.

As am I.

He reached out and pried her hand loose, covering them with his. His usual confidence was back. “I’ll be all right, Liz…no matter what happens.” His fingers tightened. “I’ve got the job on the Four Winds and a place to live.”

Which was so much less than what he was meant for, she realized sadly.

She drew a breath, lifted her chin. “You’ve also got the offer from your grandfather.”

Which would ensure a seven-figure salary and a lot of power and prestige.

“And the offer from your parents.” If being a rancher was truly what he wanted. And Liz wasn’t sure it was.

Clenching his jaw, he opened the passenger door. “I’m not taking either of those.”

Liz delayed climbing inside the cab. Emotions rioting, she gripped the armrest. “Why not?”

Travis wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her into the seat, the same way he’d lifted her against the wall when he’d made love with her.

“Because there is no dignity in nepotism.” He let her go, stepped away. “I’m not falling back on the family coffers. I’ve got too much self-respect for that.” He leaned inside the cab, cupped her face in his palm. “I want to live my own life, my own way.”

He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her on the mouth, in full view of the Double Deal ranch house and anyone who might be passing.

Liz clutched at his shirt. He kissed her again.

“Starting now,” he promised in a husky voice.

Her heart pounding, Liz flattened her palms on his chest. “Travis,” she moaned. If he didn’t stop…

He tangled his tongue with hers, dragging his fingers through her hair. “Let’s go somewhere we can be alone. A hotel in San Angelo, maybe…”

How Liz wished they could forget everything and just go off somewhere, close out the world and make love. Over and over again.

But the lawyer in her knew it would be a very bad path to take.

Ignoring the weightless feeling in her tummy and the ache between her thighs, she shook her head and straightened. “No, Travis. I have work to do. And so do you.”

Chapter Thirteen

Liz walked into the Four Winds kitchen a little past eight o’clock, her thoughts still focused on the recent talk with Travis and his parents. Although they hadn’t come right out and said so, their concern made her wonder whether she was helping Travis get his life back, or merely standing in the way of his inevitable departure. One thing was sure: she did not have a documented pattern of behavior that would hold up in court and prove Olympia Herndon had set out to use—and possibly destroy—Travis’s career, for the oil heiress’s own gain.

Her emotions in turmoil, Liz looked at Faye Elizabeth, who was reading through a stack of what appeared to be business papers at the kitchen table.

Aware that it was past time for her to do her own ranch chores, Liz said, “Just let me change clothes and I’ll go out and bring the goats in.”

Her grandmother sipped her tea. “Not necessary. Reba and J.T. have already put them in the barn.”

Surprise rendered Liz momentarily speechless. “J.T. is here? Again?” The irascible widower was certainly getting out more. In what appeared to be a good way this time.

Faye Elizabeth nodded. “He and your mother went for a walk. He has some important decisions to make and he wanted her opinion.”

Liz focused on the two sets of plates and silverware next to the stove. Regret mixed with guilt as she realized yet another mistake on her part.

Faye Elizabeth rose. “Sit down. I’ll fix your plate.”

“I’m so sorry, Grandma…I already ate,” she said sheepishly. “So did Travis. His parents invited us to their ranch at the last second, I forgot to tell you.”

Waving off the error, Faye Elizabeth grabbed a potholder and lifted a cast-iron skillet out of the oven. In it were two chicken-fried steaks, crisp and golden-brown. In a smaller one was cream gravy. A third held two generous helpings of mashed potatoes on one side, green beans on the other. “No problem.” She began putting the food in airtight containers. “We’ll have it for lunch tomorrow. It’ll save me from cooking then.”

Liz set her briefcase down on a chair. Springing into action, she grabbed a white chef’s apron from the hook in the pantry. “At least let me help with the dishes....”

Liz carried the three empty skillets to the farmhouse-style sink and set them down. Out the window, she could see Travis striding toward the dogs, who were running to greet him.

He knelt down as he reached them, and both, tails wagging, bounded into his arms, licking him under the chin.

A wide grin split his handsome face. He ruffled their fur, massaging them with his palm.

Knowing all too well the magic of his touch, and the impact it had on her, Liz sighed.

Damn, but she had gotten used to seeing him every day. At breakfast and dinner. In the barn. On horseback.

In his bed…

Hair rumpled, muscles taut. His eyes telling her that he wanted her and only her. Right then, right there…

Liz inhaled a jerky breath.

Trying not to think about what life would be like on the Four Winds without him, she picked up a bottle of dish soap and squirted a generous portion on the bottom of each pan, then began running the water.

Faye Elizabeth appeared at her elbow, drawing Liz’s attention away from the window and the man striding off toward the corral, dogs in tow. She peered into Liz’s face. “That must have been one stressful get-together at the Double Deal,” she remarked sagely.

Liz really didn’t want to talk about it. She picked up the nylon scrubber sponge and went to work on the crustiest skillet, rubbing with all her might.

She had to stop thinking about making love with Travis. And wishing she could be beneath the sheets with him right now.

“What makes you say that?” She shifted and forced herself to ignore the fluttering in her middle.

“You just put soap and water in three of my favorite cast-iron pans.”

Liz gasped and slapped a sudsy hand against her chest. She muttered a silent curse. “I wasn’t supposed to get them wet.” She cringed and slanted a look at the family’s premiere cook. These pots and pans were as precious as gold to the accomplished chef. “Was I…?”

Faye Elizabeth shook her head. “You clean them with salt and paper towels, and then rub them down with oil.”

Feeling more inept than ever on the home front, Liz dumped out the water. Simply washed and dried and left that way, the pans would rust. “I’ll dry them off, clean them correctly and reseason them in the oven,” she volunteered.

Faye Elizabeth pulled her away from the sink. “I can do that later.” She peered at Liz in concern. “You need to take a deep breath and tell me what’s going on that has you so flustered.”

Her grandmother guided Liz through the mudroom and out onto the back porch.

Liz sat down and turned her glance away from the sight of Travis putting out feed for the horses. Being careful not to violate client confidentiality, she explained the Andersons’ concern. “And they’re right, because if Travis had taken money from his family and hired a big-name attorney from a big Texas firm to defend him, he’d have a lot more resources at his disposal right now.” Liz sighed and dropped her head in her hands. “Maybe I have taken on more than I can handle. And I’m being out-lawyered even as we speak.”

Her grandma patted her on the back. “It’s not like you to be so down on yourself. Usually you thrive on working to help the underdogs in any situation. You’re so confident and focused on the law.”

Liz knew that, too. Which meant her personal ties to Travis were getting in the way of her ability to do her job.

She cast another glance at Travis. Looking every inch a Texas cowboy, instead of a city lawyer, he was pumping water into the troughs.

Liz turned back to her grandmother and sighed in frustration. “Travis’s whole future is at stake.” As, in a way, was hers.

Faye Elizabeth frowned. “Your clients’ futures are always at stake. That’s why they come to you in the first place.” She searched Liz’s face. “What’s different this time?”

What indeed?

“Unless…” her jaw dropped “…you’re falling in love with him?”

Liz looked into her grandmother’s eyes. The usual disapproval and wariness were curiously missing. Instead, Liz saw only tenderness.

“
Are
you falling in love with him?” Faye Elizabeth pressed.

Was she?
Liz wrinkled her nose. “I thought you disapproved of me seeing him.”

Faye Elizabeth snorted. “I’m always wary of you getting hurt.”

“Then…?”

“Let’s just say he’s been so persistent in his pursuit of you, he’s beginning to grow on me.” She sized Liz up. “And, by the way, you didn’t answer my question.”

Liz flushed and resisted the urge to glance again at the only man she had ever cared about so deeply. “Because I don’t know how to answer it.”
I don’t know how I feel. And right now, with the deposition looming, I’m not sure I want to know.

The door to the porch opened, and Reba and J.T. walked out of the house. Saved by another member of the family, Liz thought, in relief. She vaulted to her feet. “Hi, you two.” She noted that they both looked happier than she had seen them in a while.

Plus her mom was not moving nearly as stiffly as before, which must mean her sciatica was abating.

Reba sat down on the edge of a white wicker chair. “Did you see the contracts on the kitchen table from Hill Country Donkeys?”

The ones Faye Elizabeth had been reviewing? “I did,” Liz said with a nod.

Reba continued soberly, “I was out there earlier today, looking at a couple of donkeys. But there are a few clauses in the contract that I think might be deal-breakers, so—”

She stopped in midsentence as out in the barn a ruckus of baas and bleats rent the air, and all hell broke loose.

T
RAVIS
AND
THE
DOGS
RACED
to the barn. He got there ahead of Liz, but just barely. Reba, J.T. and Faye Elizabeth were fast on her heels. He slid open the heavy doors and let the two dogs inside.

In the middle of the barn, a rumble was going on.

All twelve goats seemed to be involved in some way. Whether hiding along the edges, as two of the smaller ones were, or pressing in between the largest female and only male—aka Queenie and Buck—they were baaing and bleating, kicking and butting.

The dogs ran around the edges, barking at them to stop. For all the damn good it did, Travis noted in frustration.

Queenie went after Buck with all her might, shoving him against the wall. When that failed to make him back down, she rammed her horns into his side. Her opponent recoiled, bleating loudly. Blood ran down his side.

Liz shouted in distress, “Travis! Buck’s hurt!”

“I see that!” he yelled back. Grimacing, he waded through the flock, shoving goats aside until he got to Queenie. Head down, she was going after Buck once again, so Travis quickly grabbed her, one hand around her middle, the other behind her neck so she couldn’t spear him with her horns. Ignoring her furious response, he lifted her off her feet and carried her to a birthing stall at the far end of the building, pushed her inside and firmly closed the heavy wooden door.

Pounding ensued as the goat kicked and butted, trying to get out.

The other animals scattered.

J.T., Faye Elizabeth and Reba enlisted the help of the still-barking dogs and herded the rest of the goats outside to the fenced pasture closest to the barn. Only Buck remained.

Speaking soothingly, Liz approached him.

The billy goat stared at her, bleating softly, blood dripping down his side. Liz sighed and shook her head. “He’s going to need stitches.”

Travis’s mood was as grim as he moved in to assist. “I’ll help you get him to the vet.”

T
O
L
IZ
’
S
RELIEF
, Kurt McCabe met them at his office in town. The vaunted local vet sedated the injured animal and asked them about what had happened while he cleaned and stitched up the wound.

Relaxing in Travis’s steady, calm presence, Liz told their old school pal the whole story. “Thank heaven Travis was there to help out. None of us would have been strong enough to intervene in the fight. He’s really good in a crisis.”

Kurt sent Travis a wry, sidelong look that seemed to ask,
And what have you been up to, buddy, besides romancing the local lady lawyer?
“Really?” he deadpanned.

Liz resisted the urge to sink through the floor. Aware she had just given too much away, she sucked in a breath and continued her tale. “Anyway, we haven’t had goats on the property for a long time, but I don’t recall anything like this ever happening before.” Deciding she was standing too close to Travis, she paced restlessly to the other side of the room, ostensibly for a better view. “Of course, I don’t remember having any bucks on the property before. I think we just had females.”

Travis chuckled. Once again, he and Kurt exchanged man-to-man grins.

“In keeping with the Four Winds tradition, I suppose?” Travis joked.

“What’s the saying?” Liz countered in her best country drawl, returning his teasing glance. “Don’t go fixin’ what ain’t broke to begin with?”

“Uh-oh, cowpoke. Sounds like you may not be bunking there for very much longer, after all,” Kurt teased. “Too much testosterone for the Four Winds.”

Travis frowned and looked at Liz, as if daring her to declare the same.

Aware she was beginning to depend on him more and more—maybe too much—she shrugged. “I’ll have to ask my mom if you’re why she dared bring a male into the herd this time. Although I have to say, it seems like Buck here was on the losing end of the battle with Queenie.”

“Happens sometimes,” Kurt said.

Travis and Liz looked at the vet, who finished stitching, then bandaged the wound. “Goats are hierarchical. Every herd has a dominant female and a head buck. They’ll both fight for the top position among their gender, but they don’t usually fight the opposite sex.”

“Then why do you think she keeps going after him?” Liz asked.

Kurt shrugged. “Can’t really say. Maybe she’s a bully and entertains herself by pushing others around. Maybe she just likes to be dominant, or to fight and win.”

He stripped off his gloves and stepped over to the sink to wash his hands. “Whatever the reason, you’ve got a problem here, because it may not be in her nature to behave any differently, no matter what herd she’s in.” Kurt paused. “She’s two years old, so she’s been around awhile. Does she have a history of this behavior?”

“I don’t know.”
If I had been pulling my weight, running the ranch, I would know the answer to this and many other questions,
Liz thought. Knowing she couldn’t undo the past but only handle things more responsibly in the future, she added, “But I’ll find out.”

It was dark when Liz and Travis started back to the ranch, leaving the sedated billy goat at Kurt’s office. En route, she got the number of the farm Queenie had come from and called them. She talked briefly to the owner.