And your fear of them.
Dont be absurd.
Then why are you freaking out over Sydneys idea?
Cole peered at his brother, squinting in the dying light of the sunset. Are you seriously suggesting I marry a stranger and give her the Thunderbolt?
Shes from a museum, not some crime family. Im only suggesting you hear her out.
Katie appeared in the doorway, a big wooden salad bowl clasped in her hands. Hear who out?
Sydney, said Kyle.
Oh, good, said Katie. Were just in time.
Sydney appeared behind her with a basket of rolls, and Cole did an involuntary double take. Shed removed her jacket and her silk, butter-yellow blouse highlighted the halo of her rich, auburn hair. Her rounded breasts pressed against the thin fabric, and a small flash of her stomach peeked out between the hem of her blouse and the waistband of her skirt.
Can you open the wine? Katie asked Cole.
Uh, sure, said Cole, with a mental shake, telling himself to quit acting like a teenager. He reached for the corkscrew.
I was the high bid on Night-Dreams, he said to his brother, not so subtly changing the direction of the conversation.
Kyle shot him a knowing grin but played along. Planning to use Sylvester as a sire?
Cole popped the cork on the bottle of merlot. Come next spring, its the start of a whole new bloodline.
After Sydney set the rolls down on the table, Cole automatically pulled out her chair. She accepted with a smile of thanks, and the scent of her perfume wafted under his nose.
That reminds me, said Kyle from the other side of the table. I need your signature on a contract with Everwood. He transferred the sizzling steaks from the grill to a wooden platter. Gave me my price. Hell take all the beef we can supply.
Cole masked a spurt of frustration by focusing on the wine-pouring. He hated that Kyle had to run to him for every little signature. His brother was an incredibly talented cattleman, and the tradition that put the ranch solely in the name of the eldest son was archaic and unfair.
Way to go, he said to Kyle, setting out the glasses. You always were the brains of the outfit.
Kyle scoffed. Yeah, right.
Cole pulled out his own chair and held up his glass in a toast to his brothers advantageous deal. Im dead serious about that.
Are we going to talk shop all night? asked Katie, sitting down.
Simultaneously, Cole said yes while Kyle said no. They both sat down.
Sydney leaned forward. Maybe we could talk about my shop.
Im deeding you half the ranch, Cole said to Kyle, without so much as glancing in Sydneys direction.
Those words had the effect he was looking for. The air went flat-dead silent. The barbecue hissed once, and a sparrow chirped from the poplar trees.
I talked to a tax lawyer in Dallas last week, Cole continued, reaching for a roll. About our options.
Cole, Kyle cautioned.
I figure we can subdivide along Spruce Ridge, then follow the creek bed to the road.
Kyle planted the butt of his steak knife on the wooden table. Stop.
Im going to do it, said Cole.
Oh, no, youre not.
You cant stop me.
Boys, Katie interrupted.
Oh, yes, I can, said Kyle. I wont accept.
Its not up to you. Cole took a breath. The guilt on this one had been burning inside him for a long time. He wasnt about to back off. Sometimes a man has to put his foot down and make decisions that are in the best interest of his family.
Was that a slam? asked Kyle.
No.
It sounded like a slam.
Cole dropped the roll to his plate, regretting his choice of words. I didnt mean that. I meant, a man needs his own land.
Kyle? Katie tried again. Cole?
You saying all these years I havent had my own land.
You saying all these years I havent had my own land.
That threw Cole. Of course not.
There you go.
What about your kids?
Kyle clenched his jaw but remained silent.
Cole hoped that meant his brother was running low on arguments. You need to build a legacy for your kids. He rushed on. You need to leave them something. If you wont think of yourself, think about your children.
Sydneys hand touched Coles thigh. His muscle immediately convulsed and he shot her a stunned look.
Lets move on, said Kyle, a steely thread to his voice.
Cole looked back at his brother. Lets agree to go to Dallas and talk to the lawyers.
Sydneys fingernails tightened, jolting Coles nervous system.
What the hell was she doing?
Its not just you anymore, Cole said to Kyle. You have a family-
Sydney pinched him. It actually hurt.
He swung his gaze back to her, but caught Katies expression on the way.
He stopped.
He stared at his sister-in-laws white lips. Katie?
Kyle pulled back his chair as Katie started to tremble.
Katie stood and Kyle rose with her.
What? Cole jumped up. Whats wrong?
Katie gave a little shake of her head and waved away their concern. Im fine.
Youre not fine, said Cole.
She placed her hand on Kyles arm. Im really okay. Im just going to get a glass of water.
Kyle put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. You sure? he whispered.
She nodded. Really. The less fuss, the better. Ill be right back.
Kyle watched her disappear into the kitchen.
Cole raked a hand through his hair, trying to sift through the turn of events. Im sorry, he said. What the heck
Can I help? Sydney asked Kyle.
Kyle closed his eyed and dropped back into his chair. He shook his head. Its the talk of kids.
Cole slowly sat, opening his mouth to ask for an explanation, but Sydneys fingers closed on his thigh again.
He felt like a bull in a china shop. What was he missing here?
She hoped to be pregnant by now, said Kyle.
Cole went cold.
Sydney tossed her napkin onto the table. I am going to make sure shes okay.
Both men rose with her.
After Sydney disappeared, Kyle moved restlessly to the rail, taking a long, steady swig of his wine.
Cole followed, not sure of what to say. He and Kyle didnt exactly have heart-to-heart talks about their sex lives, never mind their sperm counts. Was this a medical problem? Did they need to see a doctor?
Are you he began. Uh, do you
The doctor thinks its stress, said Kyle. But we dont know anything for sure, and Katies worried shell never have kids.
Cole could have kicked himself. And I was a big help.
Kyle snorted out a dry chuckle as he gazed out over the Blue Hills. Next time, watch my expression and grab a clue.
Next time Ill pay attention when Sydney mangles my thigh. Cole regretted his bull-headed stupidity. Is there anything I can do to help?
Get married and have some babies so Katie doesnt have this whole dynasty thing on her shoulders.
That would be a trick.
Hey, youve got a bona fide offer in my kitchen.
We could have a bona fide con artist in your kitchen. Besides, Sydney doesnt want babies, she wants the Thunderbolt. Im pretty sure this is a platonic offer.
Kyle turned to face Cole. He braced his elbow on the rail and a speculative gleam rose in his eyes.
What? asked Cole, dragging the word out slowly, trepidation rising.
You wouldnt really have to have babies with Sydney, said Kyle. Youd just have to let Katie think youll have babies with Sydney.
Thats insane. And even if it wasnt, Katie knew why Sydney was here. Theres no way theyd ever convince her they were having babies together.
No. Kyle shook his head. Its brilliant. You pretend to fall in love with her, pretend to marry her for real. She gets the brooch and Katie relaxes enough to get pregnant.
And I get a wife I dont know, who doesnt love me, wont sleep with me but takes my jewelry?
Kyle took another swig of his wine. Im sure youre not the first guy thats happened to.
Cole snorted.
Kyle clapped him on the shoulder. You get the satisfaction of knowing you put your foot down and made a decision that was best for your family.
Somehow I dont think this is me putting my foot down.
So youll do it?
I never said that. How could Cole justify getting married on the off chance it would help Katie get pregnant? Then again, how could he justify not getting married if there was a chance it could help Katie get pregnant?
Wed be lying to your wife, he pointed out to Kyle, looking for some loophole that didnt make him the bad guy.
No, we wouldnt. We wouldnt have to say a thing. Katies a hopeless romantic. Trust me, shes going to throw you and Sydney together no matter what you and I decide. All youd have to do is hang around and look besotted.
I dont do besotted.
Just look at Sydney the way you were looking at her before dinner.
I havent-
That was more aroused than besotted, Ill admit. But it should work.
Youre out of your mind.
Shes a babe, Cole. Its not like it would be this huge hardship.
Alarm crept into Coles system as Kyles words started to make some kind of bizarre sense. He couldnt consider this. Then again, he couldnt not consider this.
This is the dumbest plan Ive ever heard, he said. Take Katie on a vacation. She can relax on the beach. Ill pay.
Shell worry about you.
She doesnt have to worry about me.
I know that, and you know that, but Katie
It was Coles turn to gaze at the dark hillsides across the lake. You know, this morning things were looking pretty good for me. Id just bought a new mare. I was minding my own business, thinking about shoeing, thinking about building a new hay shed, maybe buying a combine
Kyle started to laugh.
Then along comes Sydney Wainsbrook and suddenly shes taking over my life.
Kyle? Katie called from the kitchen.
Yes, sweetheart? he called back.
Do you think its too late for Sydney to drive to Wichita Falls all by herself?
Of course its too late. Kyle waggled a victorious eyebrow at Cole. Its way too late.
Shes going to stay over, Katie called.
Sounds good.
I havent agreed to anything, Cole muttered to his brother.
You have the easy part, said Kyle. Just hang around and look besotted.
Im going home.
Come back for breakfast.
Nope.
Ill send Katie after you.
Good luck with that.
Three
Cole was steadfastly chowing down on hotcakes and coffee when a knock came on his cabin door.
Come in, he called gruffly, ready to take on Kyle or Katie or both.
But it was Sydney who poked her head around the door. Hey, Cole.
Cole cringed, cussing inside his head. Low blow, Kyle. Good morning, Sydney.
Cole cringed, cussing inside his head. Low blow, Kyle. Good morning, Sydney.