Diana Palmer Texan Lovers: Calhoun / Justin / Tyler / Sutton's Way / Ethan / Connal

“Come and have coffee with us,” Shelby invited. “Tyler needs cheering up. We had a bad blow yesterday, and an even worse one today.”

Abby looked up at him. He did seem reticent. And moody, which was totally unlike him. “I’m sorry. Can I help?”

“You little doll,” he murmured, and touched her hair gently. “No. But thanks for the offer. How’s Calhoun?”

Abby averted her eyes. “He’s fine, I guess. He and Justin are both at home.”

“No problems the other night after Calhoun got you home?” Tyler persisted with a teasing smile.

“Only the usual lecture,” Abby said. She managed a shaky smile as all four of them went down the street and entered a small cafeteria.

They were quickly seated, and the waitress brought four cups of coffee and a pitcher of cream.

Shelby cast a glance at Abby and laughed softly. “You devil,” she teased.

“I just wanted to see how the other half lived,” Abby sighed.

“I did my best to help you,” Misty sighed. “On the other hand, weren’t you lucky that it was Calhoun and not Justin who came after you? Calhoun is a little more easygoing.”

“Not lately, he isn’t,” Abby said tautly.

At the mention of Justin, Shelby became quiet and shy. Abby felt sorry for her. Justin had never gotten over Shelby’s defection. He probably never would, and Shelby had to know that.

“How is Justin?’ Tyler asked casually. Too casually.

“He goes to work and comes home and goes to work and comes home,” Abby said as they added cream and sugar to their coffee.

Misty yawned. “What an exciting life.”

“He’s lonely, I suppose,” Abby said deliberately. “He never goes anywhere.”

“I know somebody else like that,” Tyler murmured with a hard glance at Shelby, who shifted restlessly in her seat.

“How’s the horse business going?” Abby interrupted, posing the question to Tyler as she sipped her coffee.

“Going bust, I’m afraid,” he said heavily. “Dad made some bad investments before he died. So far, I’ve managed to meet the payments. This month I defaulted.” His face hardened. “I’m going to have to sell Geronimo.”

“Oh, Tyler, I’m sorry.” Abby grimaced. “He was your favorite.”

“Mine, too,” Shelby said with a sigh. “But we can’t keep him and pay off Dad’s debts. I don’t suppose you’d want him, Abby?”

“I don’t ride that well,” Misty confessed.

“If I can talk Justin into it I’d like to have him,” Abby said gently.

“Thank you, Abby, but that wouldn’t be a good idea,” Shelby replied. “Justin would go right through the roof if you asked him.”

“Like a rocket,” Tyler said, smiling at Abby. “No, we’ll do it through an agent. We won’t have any problems selling him. I’d rather know who he was going to, that’s all. Some people want a horse strictly for breeding purposes. They look at dollars and cents, not at the horse itself.”

“I’ve got a cousin in Texas,” Misty piped up. “She’s trying to hold on to the ranch all by herself. It’s a horse ranch,” she added. “Does that tell you anything?”

He smiled. “Enough. I’d appreciate it if you’d put her in touch with me.”

“I’ll give her your number, if you don’t mind.”

“Fine.”

Lights gleamed in Shelby’s black hair as she lifted the cup and finished her coffee. Abby wondered at her elfin beauty, and thought it strange that a man like Justin could attract such a lovely woman when he wasn’t handsome or even very personable. Then Abby remembered how kind he’d been to her in Houston, and the way he’d supported her with Calhoun. On the other hand, maybe it wasn’t so surprising that he could attract her. What was surprising was that he’d ever let her go. It made Abby uncomfortable, thinking about how two people could be so much in love one day and bitter enemies the next. Love didn’t last, after all.

“Tyler, we’d better go. I’ve got to call Barry Holman about those bonds and securities we’re selling,” Shelby said gently. “I’m sorry. I’d love to stay and talk. We hardly ever see each other these days, and I guess Justin would burn the house to the ground before he’d let me through the front door to visit you.”

Tyler sighed. “He holds a grudge longer than any man I’ve ever known, that’s for sure. And without reason.”

“No,” Shelby pleaded, her green eyes seeking his. “Please don’t. Abby owes him her loyalty. Don’t put her in the position of having to defend him.”

“Sorry,” he said, his green eyes glittering with controlled rage. Then he smiled at Abby. “There’s a square dance at the dance hall next Friday night. How about going with me?”

Abby hesitated. Justin would be furious, and she didn’t like to think about what Calhoun might say or do. He was so unpredictable lately. On the other hand, going out with Tyler would show Calhoun that she wasn’t going to make eyes at him any more….

“Don’t do it,” Shelby pleaded. “Can’t you see, it will only make things worse.”

“For whom?” Tyler shot back. “Could the situation possibly be any worse for you? My God, you’re living like a nun!”

Shelby put her napkin down with calm, steady fingers. “The way I live is no one’s concern except my own.” She stood up. “Abby, Justin would come down on your head like Judgment. He isn’t the man he was. I’d hate to see you caught in the cross fire.”

“I’m not afraid of him, Shelby,” Abby said gently. “Not much, anyway. I’m trying to get out from under Calhoun’s thumb. Tyler and I would kind of be helping each other.”

“You see,” Tyler told his sister. “And here you were thinking I was just doing it to irritate your ex-fiancé.”

“Well, aren’t you?” Shelby said challengingly.

He lifted his chin arrogantly. “Maybe.”

“Sometimes I wonder if Mom and Dad didn’t find you under a cabbage leaf,” Shelby muttered.

“Not a chance,” Misty mused, looking him up and down. “He’s much too big.”

“Tease,” he said, flirting lazily with Misty as he did with most women. But Tyler was deep, like Shelby, and if there was a special woman, nobody knew except himself. He was discreet about his love life.

“Justin used to laugh, you know,” Shelby told Abby as they walked out together, with Misty and Tyler talking together ahead of them. “He wasn’t always cold and hard and unyielding. Not until I gave him back his ring and made him bitter.” She clutched her purse against her breasts. “Abby, don’t hurt him,” she pleaded, her eyes soft and gentle. “Don’t let Tyler hurt him. He hides it, but he’s so vulnerable….”

“I know that,” Abby said gently. She touched the taller woman’s arm, stung by the look in Shelby’s eyes. Yes, she was vulnerable, too, and Abby sensed that Shelby was still in love with Justin, even now…. “I’m sorry that things have gone so badly for both of you. Justin doesn’t have women, you know. If you live like a nun, he lives like a monk. There isn’t anyone.”

Shelby’s lower lip trembled. She looked away, her head tilting to stop a tear from escaping. “Thank you,” she managed huskily.

Abby wanted to say more, but the others were waiting impatiently. “Ready to go?” she called brightly to Misty. “Okay. Can you keep it under ninety going home? Honest to goodness, I don’t think that car knows any legal speeds!”

“I’m a good driver,” Misty informed her haughtily. “You just come with me and I’ll prove it. So long, Tyler. Shelby.”