Read Online After the Music by Diana Palmer - Free Book Online Page A

himself looked different in Western gear, except that his jeans were new and had a designer label, and his gray hat was smothered in feathers. Next to Thorn, in his worn and obviously used outfit, he seemed citified. "It's great out here," Al told his brother.
    "I'm glad you said that," Thorn drawled, cocking his hat over one eye. "I'll let you help us brand the replacement heifers."
    "It's not that great, Thorn," came the quick reply, with a grin.
    "So I figured. You need to get out here more often. Sitting behind that desk all the time isn't healthy. Neither is all the partying," he added with a pointed glance at Sabina.
    "Al doesn't party." She defended Al, not looking at Thorn. "He has parties."
    "Is there a difference?" he drawled.
    Al interrupted. "That's all over, anyway. When Sabina and I get married, I won't have the time anymore."
    That set the big man off. He reined in his horse and stared at Al until the shorter man visibly fidgeted.
    "Marriage is a big step. What about her career?" he asked pointedly. "Is she going to give it all up to stay home with you?"
    "So what if she wants to work? What's wrong with a woman being independent?" Al asked.
    "Not a damned thing," his brother agreed, "until her independence interferes with your own. Do you like the way other men leer at her in those body stockings she wears?"
    "I wouldn't call it leering," Al muttered.
    "Well, I would," Thorn said flatly. He crossed his tanned forearms over the pommel and glared at Sabina. "And what are you offering him? Your spare time? I understand you're on the road most of it."
    That was a question she hadn't thought about. Her music was part of her life, giving it up was impossible. But she was supposed to be engaged...it was time to think fast. "Well, I guess I'll just stay home and have babies," she sighed, and looked up in time to catch an odd expression in the oil baron's eyes. He let his gaze drop down her body, till he was eyeing her midriff. He frowned before he caught her eyes again. Incredibly, she blushed.
    "Are we going to see the rest of the ranch now?" she asked quickly. "I'm getting hungry."
    "The old timers," AI murmured with a grin, "used to butcher a cow along the way."
    "Beef on the hoof," Sabina said with an evil smile in Thorn's direction. "Walking steaks..."
    "Touch one of my purebred Herefords and I'll take your arm off," Thorn replied with a faint smile.
    "Spoilsport," she muttered. "Some host you are."
    "They're purebred, dammit!" Thorn laughed reluctantly.
    "Okay. Tell you what," she said agreeably. "I'll eat the registration papers with it."
    His blue eyes twinkled unexpectedly. Al had to stifle a smile of his own. It had been years since he'd seen Thorn like that. The older man was grim most of the time; he hardly ever cracked a smile. Sabina was working subtle witchcraft on Thorn.
    She sighed and shrugged. "Well, if I faint from lack of food, and fall onto a rattlesnake, and get bitten and die, just remember, it's all your fault."
    Thorn held back another laugh and turned his stallion. "Come on, for God's sake, and I'll feed you."
    He spurred his horse and rode ahead of them to open a gate. Sabina's eyes followed him helplessly, her heart spinning in her chest, a bright new feeling making her light-headed with elation.
    "He never laughs," Al said under his breath. "That's a first."
    "He's just forgotten how," Sabina said, and her eyes were soft on the tall man's back. "Jess said that deep inside he was a lonely man, and I didn't believe her. Now I do."
    "He's lonely from choice," he reminded her, concerned. "Don't go soft on him, Sabina. You never know with Thorn. He'll get your guard down, and then he'll strike. I've seen it happen far too often."
    "I'll be careful," she promised. After all, it was just a game, wasn't it? "Don't forget to invite me to the wedding."
    Al grinned. "You can give her away, if you like," he teased. She glared at him. "How did I ever get friends like you?"
    "Pure luck," he returned