Page 21 of Texas Tall (The Tylers of Texas 3)

“This was after your mother was killed in that wreck, you understand,” Jasper began. “Bull loved his wife. He mourned her till the day he died. But there was another woman he loved, too. He sold the land because of her—and to protect you and Beau.”

Will nodded, knowing better than to speak.

“I’m telling secrets I swore not to tell,” Jasper said. “But since I might not be long for this world, maybe it’s time you heard. Bull got the woman pregnant. She knew she couldn’t expect him to marry her, so she went home to her people in Oklahoma. She left a letter meant for Bull, but Ferg Prescott got his thievin’ hands on it first. There were things in that letter that could’ve dirtied Bull’s reputation, if they came out, and hurt his children down the line.

“The blackmailing bastard offered Bull the letter in exchange for selling him that piece of land.” Jasper pushed to his feet, a signal that the story was done. “So now you know. That’s just one reason why I don’t trust the Prescotts, and there are plenty of others.”

“What about the woman?” Will asked, already guessing the answer.

; “Bull sent a man to find her and give her money for the baby. But he never saw her again.”

“She was Sky’s mother, wasn’t she? Does Sky know?”

“He does. I told him. And I reckon he’s told Lauren.” Jasper hobbled toward the kitchen door.

“One more thing,” Will said. “What about the Spanish gold? Is there anything to that old rumor?”

Pausing in the open doorway, Jasper turned and gave Will a dark glance. “I’ve told you enough,” he said. “That’s a story for another time—if I ever choose to tell it.”

* * *

Being with Drew was just the diversion Tori needed. Tonight’s date—pizza, cokes at the Burger Shack, and a silly romantic movie—had made her feel seventeen again. They walked out of the theater arm in arm.

Now what?

Wind blasted them as they walked down the block to his sleek gray Honda. “You’ve got school tomorrow. It’s probably past your bedtime.” Tori managed a nervous laugh. “I sound like I’m talking to Erin, don’t I?”

He ushered her to his car and opened the door, the perfect gentleman. “Actually, I’m not quite ready to turn in. How about a nice, grown-up beer at the Blue Coyote? We can wind down and talk a little. Sound good?”

“Sure,” Tori answered, hesitant but wanting to please him. She liked Drew, liked him a lot. But was she ready for what he might be leading up to?

They drove the few blocks to the last corner in town, where the cheap neon sign cast a blueish glow over the customers who wandered in and out. Late on a weeknight, the place wasn’t crowded. The big-screen TV above the bar was turned off, the classic country music muted and mellow with a throbbing underbeat.

Drew guided Tori to a quiet corner booth, his hand warm and possessive on the small of her back. They took their seats and ordered two Coronas from the tired-looking blond waitress. The girl came right back with their drinks. She looked too young to be working in a bar, but nobody seemed to care.

Tori studied him across the table. He was a handsome man, with regular features and light brown hair that almost matched his good-natured eyes. He wore a brown cashmere sweater under his fleece-lined wool jacket. Flawless conservative style.

“I had fun tonight,” she said. “Thanks for talking me into this.”

He reached across the table and captured her hand. “I’m hoping the night might get even better,” he said. “I’m falling hard for you, Tori. But before I crash and burn, I need to know where we’re headed. Are we ready for the ‘My place or yours’ question?”

Tori had sensed what was coming, but his words had still caught her off balance. Scrambling for a reply that would put him off, without driving him away, she averted her gaze for a moment and glanced around the room.

In the shadowed space behind the bar, a figure stood, holding a glass and a towel—a woman with a buxom figure and flame-red hair. Everybody knew who she was, of course. But what startled Tori was that Stella Rawlins was looking straight at her, those green eyes blazing with pure, murderous hatred.

CHAPTER 6

Chilled by Stella’s look, Tori shifted position, turning inward in the booth. Seated at an angle, she could no longer see the woman behind the bar. But she still felt the prickling awareness of those eyes, like a spider crawling up her back.

For the first time, she realized how wise Will had been to insist on keeping Erin safe at the ranch. Stella Rawlins was capable of anything, and now her hatred was focused on the Tylers.

As Will’s ex-wife and his lawyer, was she in danger, too? Maybe. But she refused to let that make a difference. She had her life and her work, and nobody, not even Stella, was going to intimidate her.

“Tori?” Drew’s polite voice broke into her thoughts. “Did I say the wrong thing?”

She pulled her attention back to him, choosing her words with care. “No, you said the perfect thing, Drew. I appreciate your honesty. I like you a lot—more than a lot. I like the way you make me feel and the way you always seem to be here for me.” She licked her lips, a nervous gesture. “When you kiss me, I feel all the right tingles. But I hope you’ll be patient a little longer. Right now, while I’m under so much stress, isn’t a good time to be swept into something new—not even if it’s something wonderful.”