Eighteen
Chapter One
When he spotted the blonde across the room, Sam felt as if he’d been hit upside the head with a tire iron. For a minute all he could do was stare at her. And she stared back. He wasn’t sure what was going on between them, but he aimed to find out. She was a beauty.
Sam made a beeline through the crowd toward her. The closer he got, the more sure he was that he might have to arrest her. He figured she must have stolen those eyes from heaven. They were big and blue and reeled him in as pretty as if he were a black bass on a twelve-pound line.
“Hello,” he said to her, flashing his best smile. “I’m Sam Outlaw, Belle’s brother.” He figured that the blonde knew Belle since this shindig was given in honor of her buying and becoming publisher of the Wimberley Star newspaper.
She smiled back. “I’m Skye Walker, Gabe’s sister.”
“Gabe’s sister?” Gabe Burrell was an old friend of Sam’s, the host of the party and the guy who was hot for his sister, Belle. “If I’d known that Gabe’s little sister looked like you, I’d have been beating down your door. Wonder why he never told me?”
She laughed, a soft chuckle that was both sweet and sensuous. “He told me about you. And so did Belle. You’re the youngest of the Outlaw brothers and a Texas Ranger.”
“Yes, ma’am. That’s me. How about a dance?” It was the best way he could think of to get her into his arms.
Skye’s eyebrows lifted as she glanced around the room. “There’s no music and no dance floor.”
“Darlin’, I’m not one to let a little thing like that stop me. There’s an empty spot behind the buffet table, and I’ll hum.” He grabbed her hands and pulled her to him.
A big German shepherd who’d been lying beside her suddenly rose, hackles up. His teeth were bared and a low growl rumbled in his throat.
“Take your hands off me,” Skye said.
“Honey, I’m harmless. Honest.”
The dog growled again.
Sam dropped his hands.
“Sit, Gus.”
The dog sat. But he didn’t take his eyes off Sam.
“He yours?” Sam asked.
She nodded. “He’s very protective. Excuse his manners. Gus, Sam is a friend.”
No stranger to animals, Sam tentatively held out the back of his hand for the dog to sniff. Gus didn’t seem interested in getting acquainted. He merely eyed him suspiciously, as if waiting for a reason to take a plug out of his butt.
“May I get you a drink?” he asked.
She held up her wineglass. It was full.
“Okay. How about you get me one?”
Skye looked amused. “What would you like?”
“Anything you want to give me.”
She caught the eye of a kid with a tray and motioned for him. She plucked a glass from the tray and handed it to Sam. “Champagne. In honor of Belle’s new position. Cheers.” She clinked her flute against his.
Sam sipped. “Mmm. The good stuff. Have you raided the food yet? I just got here, and I’m starved.”
“Can’t have that. Let’s find something to take the edge off.” She walked to the spread on the table. He and Gus followed. She handed him a plate and took one for herself.
“Skye, dear, who is this darling man? I swear he’s as tall as the door. And just as solid I suspect.” The middle-aged woman dressed in purple sparkles flashed a big smile up at him and held out her hand. “I’m Flora Walker, Skye and Gabe’s mother. I’m guessing that you must be Sam. I must have missed you when you came in.”
“Yes, ma’am. Sam Outlaw. I just got here.”
“You look a lot like your daddy,” Flora said. “And your brother Cole.”
“Yes, ma’am. All the Outlaws look pretty much alike. Mama says we’re like peas in a pod.” He grinned. “Except for a few things. Cole’s the oldest. Frank’s the prettiest.”
Flora laughed. “And you’re full of the devil.”
“No, ma’am. That’s J.J. I’m the sweetest.” He winked.
Flora cocked her head this way and that, studying him for a moment, then she reached up and patted his cheek. “You are sweet, dear boy, but you’ve got a streak of the devil in you, too. I like you, Sam Outlaw. You must let me paint you sometime. Look after Skye. I don’t doubt that you can. I’m going to circulate.” She fluttered her fingers and waltzed off to a group nearby.
Feeling as if a whirlwind had just picked him up and set him down, Sam watched Flora go. “Fascinating woman.”
“Yes, she is,” Skye said. “Salmon?”
“Beg pardon?”
“Would you like some salmon?” She’d shoveled some up on a serving spoon.
“Sure.” She put some on his plate.
“Aren’t you having any?”
She shook her head. “I’m a vegetarian.”
“Really? You know, I don’t think I’ve ever met a vegetarian before.”
She smiled. “I can’t believe that. They may be scarce in Naconiche, but Austin is full of vegetarians.”
“Guess we don’t eat at the same places. I’m big on barbecue, Tex-Mex and hamburgers. And I don’t live in Austin anymore.”
“Oh, that’s right. Belle said that you’ve been transferred to San Antonio. Do you like it there?” She piled his plate with roast beef and hers with some pasta salad.
“Haven’t seen enough of it yet to tell.”
When their plates were full, they found a quiet table in a corner and sat down. Gus tagged along. He didn’t look any friendlier.
Trying to make points with the dog, Sam broke off a piece of roast
