The Cowboy's Duet

Teddy Weston’s worn boots barely hit the three steps of the back porch before he ripped open the screen door and marched inside. Like a dog on a trail, he followed the delectable smell into the large kitchen.

His eyes popped at the sight of the long-time housekeeper, Florence, straightening from the oven, a steaming tray of cookies in hand.

He slapped his hands together. “I knew it. Oatmeal!”

Flo ignored him and slid the hot tray to a cooling rack. Even at twenty-six years old, Teddy hesitated before reaching for one. The older woman was lightning-fast with her spatula, and more than once the back of his hand had felt its sting. This time, however, she merely shook her head as he rescued one gooey-soft treat from the tray.

Teddy shoved it in his mouth, wincing at how hot the familiar cinnamon-oatmeal creation felt in his mouth. “God, that’s good!” He closed his eyes briefly, then reached for another. “What’s the occasion? It’s not my birthday.”

Florence shrugged and slipped another full tray of cookie dough into the oven. “Your brother asked me to bake them.”

Teddy frowned. “Which brother?”

She brushed a loose strand of gray hair back and turned to the sink with the now empty mixing bowl. “Cord.”

Teddy munched on a third cookie, a fourth in his hand, and started to respond, but one glare from Flo had him chewing and swallowing first. “Cord hates oatmeal cookies. Why would he want them?” He pulled a carton of milk out of the refrigerator and shifted his gaze to her. With her back to him as she rinsed utensils in the sink, he quickly lifted the carton to his mouth.

“Get a glass,” Flo ordered without turning around.

He smiled. “Just testing; wanted to make sure you weren’t getting senile or something.” Reaching in the cupboard, he pulled down a tall glass and filled it before setting the empty carton back in the refrigerator. “So, why’d Cord want the cookies?”

“I don’t question. Cord asks for so little from me that I was glad to oblige.”

Teddy rolled his eyes. His oldest brother was second only to God in the old woman’s eyes.

“Does he have a new girlfriend who has a weakness for oatmeal cookies?” He paused as dread washed over him. Or maybe he was going to ask Teddy to do something that required some sweetening up first. The last time Cord had Flo bake special cookies was right before he told him he’d have to ride fence line in the pouring rain. He glanced out the window at the bright blue skies, but it didn’t do anything to change his suspicions.

“Where’s Cord? In the office?”

Florence nodded. “Yep, said to let him know when you got back.” She gave him a pointed look.

Teddy shook his head. “You never saw me. I mean it, Flo, I wasn’t here.” He snagged three more cookies from the pile and hightailed it out the back door as if the devil himself were chasing him. He didn’t stop until he was on the other side of the horseshoe driveway. Once safe inside the other house, the one where he and his three brothers grew up, he tossed his hat on the hook on the wall and clambered up the staircase to his bedroom.

Cord and his unspoken request were quickly forgotten as he sat down at the desk in his room to face his laptop. Maybe today was the day he’d get some news.

“My penis doesn’t need any help. It’s working just fine,” he scoffed, deleting all the junk e-mail. A quick glance through the rest of his inbox didn’t reveal anything new since he’d checked last night.

Teddy sighed and pushed to his feet, the uneaten cookies left on the desk as he paced the room. Standing in front of his window, he looked out over the vast ranch yard. All the money and prestige of his family’s name hadn’t budged the adoption process—it continued to move at a snail’s pace.

Even though everyone had warned him it could take months, maybe even a year or more, he was impatient. The thought of those three kids being in the Children’s Home orphanage any longer than necessary drove him crazy. How could it be if someone wanted to give kids a home it had to be so hard to do? You would think the Board of the orphanage would be excited for them to have a family, a future.

His cell phone chimed. Teddy closed his eyes for a second, knowing who the text would be from. On a deep breath, he opened them back up, grabbed his phone and glanced at the note.

Can you see me in the den when you get a chance?

That was Cord; not quite an order, but not a request to be ignored, either.

Resigning himself to whatever his brother was going to want, Teddy walked back downstairs and retraced his steps to the main ranch house. The fact that Cord was in charge of the Double B, and that he in effect worked for his oldest brother, never usually bothered him. Unlike the way it occasionally chafed his other two brothers, not being the guy in charge was just how Teddy wanted it.

Except maybe at times like these.

Not that he even knew what Cord wanted, but he somehow knew if there were oatmeal cookies involved, it wasn’t going to be anything good.

He gave Flo a wry look as he passed back through the kitchen and down the hall to the large wooden doors of the den. This room was the heartbeat of the ranch’s operations. And just like Cord’s predecessor, Beau Sampson, it was the place where all the work got done, decisions were made, and tough conversations took place.

Teddy gave a brief knock and pushed open one of the doors. Cord was behind his desk typing furiously on a laptop as Teddy walked in and shut the door behind him.

“What’s up?” He reached the front of the desk, shoved his hands in his pocket and waited for his brother.

“Have a seat. Did you see Flo made oatmeal cookies?”

Teddy curled his lip as he obediently sank into the soft leather armchair. “Yeah, imagine, her making those for me today.”

Cord grinned. “Strange, huh? Must be Thursday is oatmeal cookie day or something.”

“Yeah…or something.” Teddy propped one ankle up on his knee and waited.

“Did you hear anything back from the Board?”

“No, and it’s bullshit that it’s taking this long.”

“You knew it was going to be like this. They can’t let those kids out for adoption until they are absolutely certain there are no living blood relatives who will take them.”

“Yeah, that and the fact that they think I’m a weirdo for wanting to adopt as a single man.”

“There’s that too. The world is full of nut jobs, you know that. They have to be careful. You wouldn’t want them to be anything else.”

“I suppose.”

Cord narrowed his eyes. “You better be absolutely certain of this. Those kids have been through a rough time.”

Teddy dropped his leg down. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life than I am about giving those children a home. Speaking of, have you heard anything more from the land surveyors?”

“Yep, it’s all set. They’ll start digging this week.” Cord chuckled. “Maybe you better bake Flo some cookies when you tell her that you’re adopting three kids but moving out to your own place.”

Teddy grinned, but he knew Cord was right. Flo was going to be hurt. “If I stay here, she’d be all over them all the time and we both know she’s too old to raise more kids. It’s not like I’m leaving town. I’m moving five miles out on the property. Besides, it’s going to be great to live next door to Buck and Sara and their kids.”

Cord nodded. “I don’t disagree. But I think you underestimate her if you don’t think Flo is going to be putting those kids under her wing no matter how far away you move.”

Teddy pinned him with his gaze. “I want to do this myself. I know what everyone’s going to say about my ability to be responsible, and I’m going to prove them all wrong.”

Cord stared back and he shifted uneasily under his scrutiny. Since losing his father at a young age in the same plane crash that took their mother, his older brother had filled those shoes. His approval meant everything to him.

“You’re gonna be a great father.”

Teddy let his breath out and couldn’t help the smile that lifted his lips. The large pile of mail on the corner of the desk caught his eye. Maybe his answer was coming through the regular mail, and not e-mail. He leaned forward and lifted the large stack onto his lap.

“So, back to the original reason why I’m here. What’s up?” He sifted through the catalogs and letters addressed to his brother.

“We’ve got a situation.”

Teddy glanced up. “What kind of situation?”

Cord leaned forward. “This has to be kept between us, at least for now.”

Teddy was shocked at the fury on his brother’s face. He set the pile of mail back on the desk. “What’s going on?”

“I had a call from Susan’s agent today.”

Teddy scoffed. “Steve what’s-his-face?”

“Yeah. Apparently, the real reason Susan has been here so often is she’s hiding.”

“Well, that’s what happens when you become a big-time star. The fans will hunt you down and the paparazzi won’t leave you alone. It’s her problem.” Teddy had no sympathy for the spoiled diva. “She knew all along what was going to happen when she took herself to New York.” If he had his way, he’d never have any contact with her; unfortunately, their fathers had been partners in the Double B. With both of them dead now, Susan and her three sisters jointly owned the Double B with Teddy and his three brothers. Never seeing her again wasn’t an option.

“She’s not hiding from fans or the paparazzi, Teddy. Apparently, some lunatic is stalking her.”

A cold chill went through him. Even though she was the proverbial thorn under his saddle blanket, for all intents and purposes she was family, and no one hurt family.

“Steve told me she didn’t say anything because she knew we’d jump in and get involved.”

Teddy snorted. “Did you talk to the police?”

“Yeah, but the police won’t do anything until the guy actually does something. They can’t pin stalking on him. Apparently, they’re waiting until he does something serious. Which I’m not about to allow happen.”

“I agree. We have to do something.” Teddy had no idea what. He waited, hoping Cord had a plan. After several moments of silence, he asked, “What are we gonna do?”

“I’ve got a team of bodyguards ready to protect her, but Steve said she’d never go for it. It draws way too much attention.” Cord folded his hands in front of him on the desk. “Besides, I think someone needs to be with her, up close and personal. Every minute of the day and night. It’s tough to find the right person who will truly care about her and what happens, and doesn’t just think of it as a paycheck.”

Teddy conjured up an image of the curvy brunette, something he rarely ever did. She had eyes the color of Texas bluebonnets that danced when she laughed or sang. And boy, could she sing. There was a time when…he shook himself out of those thoughts. Not a good place to go.

“I need you to go to New York and be that guy.”

His head snapped back and his jaw dropped. “Have you lost your mind? I’d rather be dragged buck naked through cactus and fire ants, and then left for the buzzards to get on a hot July afternoon.”

Cord tipped his head and glared.

He was going to have to try a different tactic or he was going to be living with the one woman on this earth that he definitely did not want to be shacked up with.

He wet his lips and leaned forward, trying to look ashamed instead of annoyed. “Cord, you know if I could I would, but...” Teddy lowered his voice and rubbed his thumb across the desktop. “There’s just too many damned elevators in that city.”

Cord scoffed. “You’re an ex-Marine; you saw combat. I’m not buying that your fear of elevators is the reason you can’t protect Susan.” He stood up and walked around to the front of the desk to lean his hips against the edge. “This is about that stupid feud you two have going, and frankly we’re all sick of it. It’s the past, Teddy, grow up. Hell, you probably don’t even remember what started the fight in the first place, it has to be…what? Five or six years ago?”

Teddy glared at his brother. “Ten, to be exact. And the past, as you refer to it, isn’t easy to forgive or forget.”

Cord shook his head. “It’s time you stepped up and took some responsibility in this family, especially as you’re considering taking on a whole new family.”

Teddy pushed to his feet. “Responsibility? Come on, Cord. As you said, I served my country, isn’t that enough? Besides, it’s very simple. Just make her keep her precious little Broadway sashaying ass here on the ranch until the cops catch the loon.”

“Susan has a life and a career in New York, Teddy. She can’t practice here like she can there. It’s her job.”

Teddy let his breath out in annoyance. “Maybe it’s time she got a new one.”

Cord ran his hands through his hair and Teddy watched as his brother’s impatience with him grew. He knew he wasn’t going to win the argument. Cord had made up his mind that he had to protect Susan, and that was all there was to it; he could see it in his brother’s eyes.

Teddy walked across the den to the large picture window. “I’d love to help you out, honest, but I’ve got this thing with the kids. I have to be here.”

Cord walked over to his side. Teddy turned to look him in the eye. Unlike their taller brothers, Tyler and Buck, Cord was the same build and height. They weren’t tall and lean, more stocky and solid. Built a bit like two bulls, their ranch foreman, Sam, always said.

Cord dropped his hand on his younger brother’s shoulder. “I promise, if anything comes up, if you have to get back here, I’ll get you back immediately. I’ll send the plane and take care of the Susan situation myself. But you heard the agency; this adoption process could take months.”

His eyes were intense, and Teddy knew there wasn’t much point in arguing, but he had to, for his own sake.

“Send someone else.”

“Who? Tyler’s busy in Abilene on the Circle S. He and Beth do enough traveling. Sara’s due with baby number three any day, so no way is Buck leaving her side. There is no one else.”

“Why can’t you go?”

“I’ve got commitments up to my eyeballs the next two months. You’re the only one with nothing on your plate right now, and frankly, your skills as a Marine are the other reason you’re the best choice. If something were to happen…”

Teddy cut him off. “What about my gig at the LoneStar?”

“You’re grasping at straws, Teddy. You and I both know the job at the LoneStar is completely voluntary. You show up, you play. You aren’t there, they use the jukebox.”

Teddy’s chest felt as if someone had their boot in the middle of it, and he knew who that was. He was going to New York. He knew it and his brother knew it. The entire conversation was pointless and the whole softening him up with oatmeal cookies was pointless too. Their parents might not have lived long enough to raise them completely, but they’d instilled enough family values in them to know that you take care of your own. Like it or not, Susan was theirs, and the duty fell to him.

He grimaced. “There’s a picnic at the Children’s Home in three weeks. This better be wrapped up by then.”

“If it isn’t, I’ll make sure Susan knows she has to fly home with you. I’ll tell her whatever story you want me to, unless you want to tell her the truth about the kids.”

He shook his head. The last thing he needed was her scorn at his idea. He could hear her snide comments already.

He pushed his worn Stetson back and wagged his finger at Cord. “It’s a bunch of crap that I have to interrupt my life just so that little pain in my ass can get on stage and perform.”

“I promise you won’t have to stay there any longer than necessary.”

He turned to leave, but before he got to the door, Cord called to him.

“I know it goes without saying, but I want you at her side every minute of the day and night.”

The images those words conjured up didn’t make him feel any better about this trip. For some reason, no matter how much his mind and heart were hardened to Susan, his body betrayed him when she was around. Time and her actions hadn’t managed to thwart his desire for the sexy singer, which only served to make this entire situation annoy him even more.

“She’s going to love that.”

****

Susan stared at her sister from across the room. Sara moved around the kitchen with a comfort that was amazing. Only three years ago, her older sister wouldn’t have been caught dead in such a domesticated role.

“I wish you weren’t going back until after the baby’s born.” Sara turned from the counter and set a plate of fruit and cheese on the table. She picked up a piece and set it on the high chair tray of the not-quite-two-year-old.

Susan smiled as Mason grabbed the piece of melon and shoved it in his mouth. “I’ve stayed away as long as I can. I’ve got a show coming up and I can only practice on Brad’s stage in town for so long.”

Sara plopped into a chair opposite her and closed her eyes.

“You okay?”

Her sister nodded and let her breath out. “You’d think by the third one I’d be used to the twinges and kicks, but they still knock your breath out.” Her hands smoothed the front of her oversized T-shirt over her large belly.

Susan stared as her sister’s abdomen rippled. She couldn’t even imagine how that felt, to have something living inside your body. Not to mention how that little life was going to get out!

She looked away at her nephew and grinned. She had to admit, though, Sara and Buck had the most beautiful little boys she’d ever seen. “Is it true you forget all the pain once you hold them in your arms?”

Sara snorted. “No.” She reached over and handed her son another piece of melon. Her green eyes were soft and misty as she stroked his hair back from his face. “But I will say it’s worth every bit of agony you go through. Doesn’t he look just like Buck?”

Susan nodded. “Yeah, he’s definitely all Weston, isn’t he? But Beau resembles our side more—don’t you see Daddy in him?” she added about her oldest nephew.

“Flo said the same thing.”

Susan’s cell phone chimed and she reached across the table for it. “That’s weird. It’s Teddy.” She glanced at Sara as she answered. “Hello?”

“Where are you?”

“Sara’s. Why?” How could he possibly need to know where she was? Teddy made it his entire life’s goal to stay as far away from her as he could.

“What time is your flight tomorrow morning?”

“Noon. Why?” She shrugged in Sara’s direction at the look of curiosity on her sister’s face.

“What airline? Come on, Susan, I’m busy. Just give me the damn details.”

“I don’t need a ride from you. I’d rather ride a horse from here to the airport than ride with you.”

“I’m not driving you to the airport. I’m going with you to New York.”

“You’re going to New York?” She made a face at Sara who looked as shocked as she was.

“Cord seems to think I have to play bodyguard, so I’m stuck babysitting you.”

“Oh, no, that’s not happening.”

“Don’t be a diva pain in my ass. I can’t think of anything I’d rather not do than this, but it’s done. So be a good girl and give me the damn flight details.”

His derogatory tone sparked the anger that always bubbled beneath the surface when they had any kind of interchange. “Go to hell. You are the last person I want in charge of my safety.”

“Good. That’s great—you tell Cord. I’ve got work to do. See you.”

He hung up and Susan was left holding the phone, her mouth open. “Apparently Cord told Teddy he has to go back with me to play bodyguard.”

Sara nodded. “I know he’s worried. We all are. I told you before, I think you need to cancel this upcoming show. It’s not worth your life.”

Susan bit her lip. Teddy as a bodyguard? What the heck was Cord thinking? Yeah, he could shoot to kill, but it would be her in the crosshairs! Teddy couldn’t stand her, not just disliked her but deep down inside his gut hated her. There was no way he would have her best interest at heart. How did Cord think that was a good idea?

She pushed to her feet and reached for her purse on the chair next to her. “I better go straighten this out with Cord.” Sara didn’t get up and Susan rested her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “I’ll stop by in the morning on the way to the airport.”

“You’re a bullhead.”

Susan dropped a kiss on her nephew’s head and let her fingers linger in his short, dark hair. Her throat closed, but she pushed back the tears. “Runs in the family. I’ll be careful. I promise.”

****

“Susan darling, I love what you’ve done with the place, it’s absolutely gorgeous.”

She was pleased with the new look of her condo, too. After arriving back in town the day before, she had instantly decided she needed to have some key people over for a cocktail party. Showing off the new décor of her home was a good excuse to make certain all the appropriate people knew she was back.

“Thank you, sweetie. I decided it was time for a complete redo.” Susan air-kissed the cheeks of Tiffany Vanderpelt. “My sister, Diane, guided me through the process long distance. She’s in Paris you know, doing some huge interior design project.”

“I simply must get the phone number of her firm here in New York. Our place in the Hamptons is simply dreadful. In fact, I told Michael if we don’t do something soon, we might as well sell it because I’ll never go there as long as it looks the way it does.”

Reaching for another glass of champagne, Susan smiled politely while she cringed inside. Tiffany was the third wife of a very wealthy music producer and spent all her time spending his money on their several homes and herself. The house in the Hamptons had been completely redecorated only a year before and certainly was in no need of it now.

“I’ll be happy to e-mail you her contact information.”

“Oh, darling, send it to Michael. I simply don’t do e-mail. It’s so tedious, you know.”

Refraining from rolling her eyes, Susan smiled sweetly. “Oh, there’s Steven. I have to speak with him. I think the Blackwalls are over in the far corner; why don’t you say hello.”

Tiffany swiftly moved away, and Susan hurried to the door to greet her agent. “What took you so long?” She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.

Steve Blackstone was short but handsome with dark skin. He was cunning, slick, and brilliant when it came to managing her career. She’d met him through a friend of her late mother’s and he’d been her agent ever since. After laying ground rules that included no sleeping together, they’d struck up a friendship that worked.

“I told you I’d be here at seven; I’m actually twenty minutes early.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m just jumpy these days, I guess.” Not jumpy enough to agree to have Teddy come back with her, however. She shuddered, thinking of that fool idea of Cord’s.

“If you would have just cooperated with everyone, you wouldn’t have to be jumpy. You’d have your own personal bodyguard here with you.” He grabbed a glass of champagne and finished it in two swallows. “Mmmm, Dom. Good stuff.” He grabbed another. “Who’s the tall brunette talking to Spielberg?”

Susan followed his gaze. “Tiffany Vanderpelt.”

Steve’s grin widened.

“Leave her alone. She’s happily married.”

His weakness for beautiful women was Steve’s biggest character flaw, but as long as he kept her career at the top of his list, Susan didn’t care who he had in his bed this week. But hooking up with Tiffany would not be good for either of them.

“Honey, there’s no one happily married in this business. You know that.”

A commotion from the other side of the room drew her attention.

Steve whistled under his breath. “Looks like someone followed you home from Texas.”

Her heart sank and she closed her eyes, hoping to dispel the image of the cowboy walking through her door as if he owned the place. Opening them again, she watched in horror as Teddy smiled and tipped his hat. He reached her side and she slammed her hands on her hips and glared.

“Hey, SusieQ. Nice party.”

A tuxedo-dressed man appeared with a tray of champagne and he frowned. “Got a beer?” The waiter nodded, walked away and reappeared mere moments later with a frosted mug of beer. “Thanks, buddy. Here’s looking at you.” Lifting his glass, Teddy drank half of it, then let his breath out on a long sigh.

Conscious of the curious onlookers, Susan smiled sweetly. “Did you have a good flight?”

“Very pleasant, actually, quite uneventful.” His tone was dramatically polite as if they were barely acquainted with one another.

She clenched her jaw to keep from screaming and curled her fist into her hand to keep from slugging him. “I thought we had decided you weren’t coming to New York.”

“No, you decided that. We didn’t decide anything. In fact, I don’t even remember talking about it with you.”

Straightening her back, knowing she’d get nowhere by arguing with him anyway, she turned to her agent. “Steve, you remember Teddy Weston from back home?”

“Certainly do, good to see you again, Ted.”

Teddy grasped the other man’s hand.

Steve winced, but laughed. “Easy there, cowboy, I’m not used to roping little doggies the way you are.”

“Sorry about that. I forget my own strength sometimes.” His wide grin revealed a perfect set of white teeth.

Susan cringed, knowing he was playing up the big, dumb cowboy role as his way of getting even with her for having him in New York. As if this was what she wanted! Idiot.

“Susan, you should introduce Teddy around. I’m going to hit the little boys’ room.”

He moved away and Teddy finished his beer, setting it on the tray nearby. “Little doggies? Little boys’ room? I hope he’s a better agent then he is a conversationalist.”

Susan patted her newly styled hair. “Better than yours.”

“Ohh, isn’t that mature.” He caught her elbow in his firm grasp. “Come on, Madame Broadway, introduce me around so everyone knows I’m here.”

Conscious of the stares, they moved through her apartment. Susan put on an award-winning performance as she introduced him as her old friend from back home and even talked about the years they sang together at the local bar. She wasn’t sure what annoyed her more, the way she couldn’t rattle him or the way he slipped into the party as if this type of event was an everyday occasion to him.

What didn’t surprise her were the heated gazes and the blatant invitations from women. Clenching her jaw, she looked on as yet another busty blonde slid a slip of paper into his hand. Damn him. If he was going to be here, he better not embarrass her.

After sharing an anecdote with one of the cast members from her latest show, Teddy slid an arm along her shoulders and leaned down close to her ear. “Show me your bedroom.”

The weight of his arm along her bare skin together with his breath in her ear put all her senses on alert. His husky invitation chased shivers to dance along her spine, but when she turned to look at him, the coolness of his gaze replaced the shivers of desire with cold chills.

“Why?” Susan snapped. “There’s no reason you need to be in there.”

He raised his eyebrow. “Trust me, I have no interest in doing anything in there except scoping it out.”

Susan’s face burned, but rather than stand there and argue with him during her party, she turned and marched down the long hall to her room. Behind her, she heard whispered snippets of conversation, all of them wondering about their relationship. It actually wasn’t a bad idea to let them think he was her lover and had followed her to New York.

Her high-heeled shoes sank into the thick wine-colored carpet of her bedroom. Teddy shut the double doors behind them. Turning to face her unwanted protector, she clasped her hands in front of her.

Teddy pinned her with a stare. “Do you know how easily I got past the security guard in this building?”

“Henry? He’s old, but a nice guy. He must have thought you didn’t look dangerous.”

“Neither do most nutcases—look dangerous, that is. He lets anybody up here. We’re going to change that.”

Did he seriously think he was going to step in and start ordering everyone around, including her? No way would she stand for that. “You can’t get Henry in trouble, he’s old,” Susan protested. “It’s been his job forever.”

“We won’t get him in trouble. We’ll just get him some helpers. Some great big helpers.”

“Whatever.” She bit back her frustration, mindful once again of the party going on. But inside, she struggled not to scream her frustration at him. The very fact that he had to be here at all was enough to make her lose it.

She picked up her lipstick and turned to fix her makeup. In the mirror, she watched him lift her dust ruffle, check under the bed, then get up and fling open her walk-in closet doors.

“What are you doing?” Lipstick still in hand, she glared at him in the reflection.

“I’m checking to see how secure we can make this room. We need a room we can lock you in, like a safe room.”

“I’m not about to become a prisoner in my own home,” she declared indignantly.

“You will if you have to. If I decide it’s not safe to be out there, then you’ll be in here.”

“Who do you think you are, giving me orders?”

Teddy faced her across the width of the king-sized bed. “I’m the man who’s going to keep that delectable little fanny of yours safe until they catch this wacko.”

Susan bit down on her tongue to keep herself from commenting on the fact that he found her fanny delectable. Tossing back her hair, she tried to appear in control as her stomach knotted in fear. Arguing with him, it was easy to forget Teddy wasn’t just here on a visit but here to protect her from a very real threat.

“He hasn’t been seen since I left New York. I think he’s moved on to someone else.” She recapped her lipstick and straightened the low-cut neckline of her dress.

Reflected in the mirror, his eyes focused on her cleavage and she whipped around to face him. He raised his eyebrow as if to challenge her to say something, before his attention shifted to the photo on her nightstand. She watched as he picked it up.

Taken when they were still kids, both their families stood under the Double B arches. The photo was taken only days before a plane crash took her mother’s life along with his parents’. Back then, she and Teddy were friends. They’d composed music together, sang together, even shared a couple of sweet teenage kisses.

Then it all changed.

She watched the expression in his eyes go from soft to hard in an instant and could only imagine he was thinking along the same lines.

He set the photo back on her nightstand. “We’re not taking any chances until we know for sure.”

The few weeks she’d been in Texas, she’d slowly gotten over the jumpiness and the fear of someone following her. She’d even slept in the dark without a light on, but now, back here, the fear crept back in. As much as she detested the thought of Teddy being here, part of her was relieved to have someone she knew by her side.

“This bed is great. Is this the one Diane found?”

Susan blinked at his sudden mood switch. “Yeah, she had it shipped from an antique place in Maine.”

“I heard you talking about it to Cord.”

His large hand wrapped around one of the posts and Susan found herself staring at his fingers as they caressed the carved wood. Teddy had amazing fingers. He could make a guitar do things she could only dream of doing. His hand brushed the white satin of her bedspread, smoothing the material. Butterflies flitted in her stomach. An instant image of those same hands touching her skin flashed through her mind. She’d been sixteen, Teddy seventeen. He’d been her first kiss, and her one and only heartbreak. Her mouth slipped open as she lost her breath.

Teddy’s attention snapped back to her. He crossed the room to stand in front of her. “I’m here. Get over it. Work with me and we’ll get through this. Work against me and I’ll make every second I’m forced to be here hell for you, too.”

Her mouth slipped open again at his mood shift, not to mention his rudeness. She spun toward the door. “I’m not stupid; the sooner we get this over with—the sooner you leave.”

“Stupid no, cunning yes,” he said quietly.

Susan stiffened her back at his jab. Reaching the door, she yanked it open. “I have to get back to my guests.”

It seemed like every head in the room turned to watch the two of them emerge. Realizing how it appeared, she lifted her chin. The last thing she needed was a story about the two of them spending time in her bedroom while a cocktail party went on without her.

Mortified, she watched Teddy pretend to adjust his belt.

“I think I need another beer now, darlin’.”

****

Hours passed increasingly slow. Holding the beer in his hand, without really drinking it, Teddy scanned the room, taking in all the guests. From his position near the door, everyone entering or leaving had to literally move past him; exactly how he wanted it.

Tipping back his beer, he stared for the hundredth time at the portrait over the mantle. An oil of Susan and her three sisters took up a large portion of the wall. He knew there was no way Sara would have sat for something like that, so it must have been created from a photograph. All four women were beautiful in their own right, but Susan’s image drew his attention again and again. The soft, subtle smile that just touched her lips and the mesmerizing light in her eyes captured his attention. She looked real, natural—the way she did when she was young and living at home.

Looking from the painting to the real thing, he couldn’t believe how different she was here, with these people. They were so fake; how could she stand it?

He watched her toss her hair and laugh, but it wasn’t a natural, happy laugh, more rehearsed, staged. It made him want to sneak up behind her and tickle her to get an honest reaction. He knew, though, she wouldn’t find it amusing and he’d pay dearly.

Damn, but she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. He’d been half in love with her when they were kids. He’d loved singing with her and thought she felt the same. It could have led almost anywhere…

He twisted his lips and finished off his beer. No point going down that road again.

She’d sold him down the river and he’d never forgive her for it. If she’d been a man, he would’ve pulverized her.

“Well, hi there, cowboy. You new in town?”

Teddy turned and smiled appreciatively at the tall redhead who stood next to him. “You might say that, ma’am.’’ He touched the brim of his hat in that Hollywood-cowboy way he knew made women swoon.

“Are you a friend of Susan’s?”

“Yes, ma’am. Our daddies were business partners. She’s being nice enough to let me spend some time on her couch on my way through.” He exaggerated his Texas drawl and watched as she bought it hook, line, and sinker. His lips twitched in amusement. This was his comfort zone and it gave him some semblance of satisfaction to flirt with the sexy redhead.

The woman held her hand out. “I’m Sophie Richardson. Susan and I did some theatre together a few years back and we’ve stayed close.”

Sophie’s eyes were an unnatural aqua color and weren’t anymore real than the perky breasts that spilled from the neckline of her cocktail dress. At least back home the floozies, as Flo called them, were one hundred percent real.

“Something making you smile?” She moved closer.

“Just in a good mood, I guess.” He tipped his beer back and took a drink.

“Really? You must be enjoying the party.”

“Nope, actually I hate them. But I do enjoy meeting new people.”

“Are you going to be in town long? I would be more than happy to show you some sights.”

I bet I know the type of sights you’d like to show me. Teddy was already bored and ready for her to move on. Where was Susan? He frowned until he spied her standing in a far corner. The two men standing with her had their arms around each other.

I’m sure not in Texas now.

Turning back to Sophie, he shook his head. “That’s mighty nice of you, Miss Sophie. But I’m afraid I’m going to be pretty tied up during my stay. Susan likes me to keep my calendar open in case she, um, needs me.”

The woman’s perfectly arched eyebrow rose, and she lifted her fluted glass as she glanced in Susan’s direction. “I see. I didn’t realize you were that type of friend.”

“We’re very close.” He leaned toward her and winked.

The redhead let her gaze drift downward before returning to look in his eyes. “That’s a shame.”

Sophie moved away and Teddy watched her go, not with regret, but definitely with appreciation for the view of her backside.

Susan’s agent, Steve, appeared next to him. “Having a good time?”

Teddy grimaced. “How long do these shindigs usually last?”

The other man laughed. “This could easily go all night.”

“Hell!” Teddy glanced at his watch. It was already after one a.m. He’d been up since four this morning, and even though he often played in the bar until well after two, this was different. He was bored out of his mind.

The strains of a piano started and he jerked his head up to see Susan seated at the huge, baby grand piano in the far corner of her apartment. Her voice came out pure and clean and his heart squeezed. She completely mesmerized him.

Her head lifted and their eyes met and held. Everyone else faded to the background. When the song ended, she held the final note in her trademark style. The crowd around her burst into applause.

Teddy took a long drink of his beer and purposely turned his back to her. The temptation to sit down with her and sing was too strong, and he wanted no part of that world with her.

For the next hour or so, she sang, sometimes alone, sometimes with others, but they were all songs from her latest album, nothing from the past. Then again, he figured this wasn’t exactly a country-music-loving crowd. While he enjoyed her music and her voice never ceased to amaze him, he would much rather hear her sing something with some twang; that’s when Susan’s voice really took on a life of its own. At least in his opinion.

The final guests took their leave just after four. Susan immediately pushed off her high heels. He watched as her red-tipped toes burrowed into the thick carpet.

“I didn’t think this thing would ever end,” he groused.

She shrugged. “It’s a typical New York party. Most of these people will sleep all day today and get up tonight and do it all over again.”

“Pretty far from home, isn’t it?”

Susan closed her eyes and rubbed her hand along the back of her neck. She looked so vulnerable and young. For a second he got this old urge to pull her into his arms and hug her. Teddy shook it off quick.

Gruffer than he meant to he snapped, “Can we finally go to bed?”

She tipped her head and looked at him with a wry smile. “What a warm invitation.”

He held her stare. For a second, the sexual tension between them zinged to the surface. Temptation rose up, but he pushed it back before it could even get a fair start.

“Considering the number of men who were sniffing around you tonight, I highly doubt you need me to fulfill that particular need.”

“I noticed you weren’t lacking for female attention, either,” she tossed back.

“Is there a woman in this town who isn’t made up of a million fake parts? I’d be going to bed with a supermodel and waking up with some alien species.”

Susan laughed. Teddy surprised himself when he laughed with her. She moved past him. “Take your pick of bedrooms.” She opened her door and turned to face him. “Any, that is, except mine.”

After a few minutes’ decision, Teddy pulled the blankets from the guest bedroom and headed to the couch. Sleeping basically in front of her bedroom door assured him that he was guarding her as close as he possibly could without climbing in bed with her. He pulled the heavy drapes closed on her large picture windows. With any luck, he could get a few hours sleep even though the sun was going to come up shortly.

He glanced toward her closed bedroom door. What did she sleep in? A fancy silk nightie or an old T-shirt? Maybe she slept completely nude, which was his usual preference.

Why was he even wondering about such things? He tossed the pillow onto the leather sofa and dropped his pants. Yanking off his T-shirt, he kept his boxers on, then settled down, pulling a blanket over him.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he pictured Susan in that big bed all by herself. She was so tiny; she probably didn’t even make a bump in the middle of the mattress.

He tossed to his side, punched the pillow, and tried to focus on his mission. Drawing on his military training, he did what he could to clear his mind and think about why he was here. If this psycho really did make a move on her, he needed to have all his wits about him so he could get her out of the situation as quick as possible. If he had any doubt about why he didn’t want to be here—tonight’s party brought it home. All those fake people seeming to want something from her, or at least from the people she knew. How could she stand them? He’d put a hundred bucks down on a bet that not one of them cared about Susan Sampson the person, only the star and what she could do for them. What kind of life was that? He tossed to his other side. Why did he care? She’d walked away from everyone who loved her, to be a big star. She got what she wanted, the good and the bad.

****

Susan quietly opened the bedroom door and froze at the sight of Teddy snoring on her couch. When she first woke up, she’d all but forgotten Teddy was in the apartment with her. But then last night’s events drifted back to her mind. She thought he was sleeping in the next bedroom, though, so seeing his half-naked body on her butter-colored couch was a surprise.

His broad, tanned chest rose and fell in a gentle rhythm. Yesterday, he’d complained about the women in New York being made up of fake parts—she couldn’t argue that his tanned, bulging muscles were a welcome sight. Something about a man’s body that you knew was created from hard, physical labor was completely different from the men who simply hit the gym. The light hair on his chest led a little path down, drawing her gaze to his boxers. The bulge between his thighs was prominent; she quickly shifted her gaze, only to have it trail down his hairy, muscular thighs to his bare feet. Even his feet were good-looking. There was something really wrong with being so damn perfect. No one had the right to have perfect feet.

“If you don’t quit staring, he’s going to stand up and salute you,” Teddy growled without opening his eyes.

She straightened her back and tightened the ties of her silk robe. “Don’t humor yourself. I was just going to get you a blanket, you look cold.”

He swung his legs over the side of the couch and sat up. The slit in his boxers gaped and Susan’s eyes widened.

“I need coffee, black and strong. No flavors, no decaf, no wimpy girl stuff.”

Letting her breath out on a frustrated sigh, she moved down the hallway to the kitchen. Please. As if she hadn’t spent half her life in Texas and knew how he liked his coffee.

“What time is it?” he called.

She glanced at the clock. “Almost ten.”

Fixing herself an espresso, she set the regular coffeemaker on to brew, making sure she added several extra heaping spoonfuls of grounds.

The bathroom door in the hall closed and the water soon started in the shower.

At the thought of his boxers hitting the floor and a buck-naked Teddy in her shower, her shaking hand sloshed the thick black liquid over the side of her small espresso cup.

What was wrong with her? She needed to get a grip. They were going to be together night and day for at least a week, if she had to guess, and she had better get her emotions under control.

It had been too long since she’d been in a sexual relationship. Her last one ended almost a year ago and, other than some casual kisses with Brad back home, she hadn’t been to bed with anyone since. “That’s all it is, sexual frustration.”

“What’s sexual frustration?”

Susan jumped and spun around. “Would you stop sneaking up on me?”

A towel slung around his hips, Teddy rubbed at his hair with another one. “Why were you talking about sexual frustration?”

“I was practicing my lines.”

He shook his head and reached for the cup of coffee she held out. His brown eyes twinkled. “Did you need to practice anything else? A love scene or two? I’d be more than happy to offer my services, all for the sake of the arts, of course.” He took a drink of his coffee.

“No, thank you.” She smiled sweetly and sat down at the small bistro table in her kitchenette.

Teddy left the room and she heard him move down the hall toward one of the bedrooms. He appeared a few minutes later dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt. He glanced around with a frown. “What’s for breakfast?”

Susan shrugged. “I don’t eat breakfast.”

“I do.”

“There’s the phone, call up the deli down the street and order something.”

He yanked open the refrigerator. “Don’t you even have some eggs or butter or anything?”

Susan shook her head, knowing the only thing in her refrigerator was some yogurt, a half-eaten carton of takeout salad from yesterday afternoon, and bottled water.

“I rarely eat here.”

“Where’s the stuff the caterers had last night?” He shut the fridge.

“They take it all with them. What would I do with it?”

“Feed your overnight guests. Jeez. And don’t tell me you never have any overnight guests here because I know better.”

“Actually, I rarely if ever have overnight guests. I like my privacy.” She finished her espresso and stood up, tossing him an apple from the dish. “Here, eat this. We’ll stop somewhere on the way to the theatre and feed you.”

Teddy caught the apple and crunched into it as Susan swept out of the room.

An hour later, she was just finishing dressing when she heard him pound on her door. “What?” she hollered.

“Are you coming out of there anytime soon?”

“I’m almost ready.”

She heard him mutter something and finished tying the scarf around her neck before joining him in the living room. “Are you wearing those boots and hat?” she asked, eyeing his attire.

“Yep.”

She didn’t bother to argue. “Fine.”

Reaching for her small purse, she moved to the door, but he blocked her way.

“I’m going first.”

“Whatever,” she huffed, but stepped back. This could get old, fast.

He opened the door and glanced down the hallway before reaching behind him. Susan hesitated slightly before slipping her hand into his. He linked their fingers as he led her to the elevator; his calloused skin against her own was strange, yet in an odd way felt completely natural. There was a time when his hand holding hers was as natural as breathing…but those days were long, long gone.

Hating the way her heart skidded at the memory, she pulled away.

“When we’re down on the street, I want you next to my side. Don’t pull away and don’t act annoyed.” He pushed the button and whistled as he waited for the car. “I want it to appear we’re together. Completely. Got it?”

She glared. “What do you mean together?”

“I think it’s a good idea if everyone thinks we’re a couple; it’s safer that way. Anyone watching will get the idea that I’m hanging around.”

“No way. I never agreed to that.”

Teddy shrugged. “You don’t have to agree, that’s how it’s going to be.”

The elevator doors opened and she stepped inside. Turning, she watched Teddy hesitate before following her. Was his hand trembling as he pushed the button to the lobby? She frowned and stared at his face, but he avoided her gaze. His back was to her and he folded his arms behind him, legs spread in a classic military stance.

For some reason his commanding attitude annoyed her even further and, without thinking twice, she reached past him and hit the emergency stop button. The elevator jerked to a halt.

Teddy’s head whipped around. To her satisfaction, his chocolate brown eyes widened and filled with panic.

“Hey. Don’t do that!”

He tried to reach the buttons, but she stepped in front of them. Ever since he’d been stuck in an elevator for several hours by himself as a kid, he’d been terrified of them. A fact she was well aware of. He’d be at her complete mercy now. “I am not going to pretend that we’re involved. It’s bad enough you have to be here at all.”

He eyed the buttons behind her. “Don’t you think if this creep thinks you have someone like me around, he might back off?”

“I haven’t heard or seen from him in over two months, now. He’s already backed off; you and Cord are just panicking.”

At any moment, she expected him to simply manhandle her and haul her out of the way. Actually, the fact that he wasn’t showed just how terrified he was. Still, when he crossed his arms over his chest, his classic stubborn move, she knew she’d have to push even harder to get what she wanted.

Two could play the stubborn game. Like a five-year-old, she jumped, coming down hard in the small metal car and causing it to shake.

Teddy’s arms flew out to the sides to balance himself. His eyes darted around the car wildly. “Don’t do that!”

“We’re not going to pretend to be involved, got it?” She bent her knees as if to jump again.

His face was devoid of color and a bead of sweat broke out on his forehead. Glaring through narrowed eyes, he conceded. “Fine. Now get this thing moving and get me off it.”

With a satisfied smirk, Susan turned around to face the panel, released the emergency button, and hit the one for the lobby.

Suddenly, he was directly behind her, his body pressed into hers. Her breath caught at the feel of him against her.

“Don’t forget, darlin’,” he whispered, lips close to her ear. “I know your fears, too.”

The warm breath on her neck and groin pressed into her backside sent heat racing through her. Desire curled in her stomach, shocking her in its intensity.

Angry more at herself than his threat, she thrust her hips back hard, nailing him in the lower stomach. He grunted just as the elevator doors slid open. She started to sashay through them, but he grabbed her elbow and shoved her behind him.

Annoyed, she huffed, but let him lead the way out of the apartment building and into the waiting car. She introduced him to her driver, Maxwell, then sat back.

Immediately, Teddy began to interrogate the poor man. Susan rolled her eyes, then watched the city go by out the side window and thought back to the party the night before. It seemed as if it was a success. The Spielbergs said they both had a lovely time, and even the dreadful Miriam La Casa had commented that her new décor was charming. For Miriam that was huge.

The car slid to a stop and she glanced around to see why. The big golden arches reflected in the mirrored panes made her groan.

“Don’t tell me we’re stopping here?”

“Nah, we’ll go through the drive-through.” Teddy leaned up and instructed Maxwell on his huge breakfast order. “Want anything?” he asked over his shoulder.

“No.” Although the thought of the warm breakfast sandwich oozing with melted cheese and sausage sounded like heaven. Didn’t he have any idea how hard she had to work to keep her figure slim and trim? One egg sandwich and she’d have to spend an extra two hours in the gym.

“I was asking Max, not you. I know you’re a bird and eat nothing. At least not while everyone’s looking.” He turned back toward the driver. “But you know what, Max? When she’s alone, she inhales it. Seriously. Doritos, Twinkies, and don’t even let her get near barbecue, she’s a regular little piggy.”

Susan didn’t bother to comment on his ridiculous little stories—only because he was half-right; she had eaten quite a lot while she was home. And it was going to show if she didn’t get back to the gym soon. Now, that should be interesting, Teddy at my women’s gym.

After sipping black coffee and watching while both her driver and Teddy polished off hash browns, egg sandwiches, and a cinnamon bun each, Susan was thrilled to finally arrive at rehearsal. Teddy checked out her dressing room and instructed maintenance to get a new deadbolt system installed within the hour while she changed and hit the stage.

Most of the numbers she’d been able to practice on the small community stage back home, but the ones she hadn’t worked on were in serious need of practice. By mid-afternoon, she was drained and frustrated, but pushed on.

Stepping out into the center of the stage, she turned to her accompanist. “Let’s take it right from the beginning one more time, and then we’ll leave it.”

Stan nodded, and the first strains of the song started. Susan closed her eyes and tried to visualize how the dance routine had to go. Counting the beats in her head, she slowly opened her eyes once more and looked out into the audience at the empty seats. Teddy was in the fourth row, his long legs spread out in between the seats. While his posture looked calm and relaxed, even a bit lazy, the look on his face was intense. He stared at her as she began to sing and she fumbled the words.

Frustrated, she waved Stan to a stop. “Sorry, start from the top again.”

Once more, she sang, trying her best not to look at Teddy. When she turned her attention to him again, he was shaking his head. She frowned, but kept on singing. He shrugged and shook his head again.

Planting her hands on her hips, she stopped mid-note. “What?”

He dropped his feet to the floor and leaned forward. “That move you do at the end of the first chorus, it doesn’t work for me.”

Susan didn’t know whether to laugh or make a sarcastic remark. “What are you talking about? It’s perfectly choreographed. It’s fine.”

Again, he shrugged. “From where I’m sitting it looks awkward. I think you should rethink it.”

She hesitated. If it was anyone but him, she might have dismissed the entire thing, but Teddy knew his stuff. He knew it in a way that few professionals she’d encountered could master. If he said it was awkward, it needed to be reworked.

Striving to sound casual, she pushed her hair back off her face. “How would you change it?”

“Well, I see you doing this twist and then a right turn, not a step back. A right turn would flow right into the next rhythm.”

Susan tried to picture it but couldn’t. “I don’t see it.”

His boots hit the floor and he strode up to the stage. Susan heard a giggle and glanced behind her at the chorus. Rarely did she ever take advice from anyone once a number was set, and to see this cowboy striding to the stage to help her had to be more than amusing. They probably thought she was humoring her latest lover.

The whisperings intensified as his boots clopped across the stage and he reached her side.

His hands cupped her shoulders and he glanced to her pianist. “Pick it up right after that first part.” Teddy hummed the few chords. “Yeah, right there.” He stood in front of her and turned her body the way he wanted it to go. “Now, try this.”

His arm slid behind her waist and she automatically wrapped hers around him. Effortlessly, she followed him through the steps.

“That’s it. Isn’t that better? Do you see it?” He turned to the other dancers, who nodded and applauded.

“Okay, now you do it alone.” He jumped off the stage and moved back a few steps to watch.

Susan snapped her fingers to a beat of three and then sang, moving effortlessly into the new dance steps. When she spun around a second time, her gaze caught on something in the balcony.

She stumbled backward. “Oh no!”