Read Online Rustler's Heart (A Kinnison Legacy Novel) by Amanda McIntyre - Free Book Online

fast and unexpected that it rattled him for a moment. “Yeah, for a kid.”
    A smile curled the corner of Sally’s lip.
    “What’s with the smirk?”
    She raised her brow. “Well, first off, she’s of age, which means she’s no kid, as you put it. And honey, you didn’t take your eyes off of her during the entire ceremony.”
    “You’re reading into things,” he stated flatly, averting his eyes. He knew she was spot on with her observation. He’d not been able to keep his brain focused on much else since she walked across the lawn in that dress. All afternoon he’d been battling his wayward thoughts about Liberty.
    Sally tapped his shoulder. “Oh, look. Angelique is talking to Dalton.”
    Grateful at least, that they’d changed the topic, he twirled Sally, so he could see Dalton’s reaction. Never mind that it might have given him the chance to search that side of the room for Liberty.
    “Would you look at that slug.” She craned her head to look over her shoulder and released a frustrated sigh. “He could have at least asked her to dance.”
    “Dalton doesn’t dance.”
    “Well, he ought to learn.”
    Rein grinned down at her. “Forever the optimist.”
    “What is it going to take for a girl to win that guy’s heart?”
    Rein blinked, drawing back in genuine surprise. “Wait a second, are you interested in Dalton?”
    Indignation flashed in her wide green eyes. “Hell, no. Dating one of you was plenty for me.”
    “Hey, it wasn’t so bad.”
    She glanced up at him and smiled. “Not bad, just not right.”
    He nodded and wondered if Sally ever pondered why it hadn’t worked between them. Not until Sally had ended the relationship and they had chosen to remain friends, did Rein realize he’d started dating her in a rebound move after Caroline left him. Though they did have fun together, at the time when it would have been natural for the relationship to progress to the next level, neither felt the spark between them that ought to be there.
    He studied the scene, watching Michael Greyfeather’s niece attempt to engage Dalton in a conversation. The poor thing had no idea that given his mood, getting him to speak at all was akin to talking to a mule. His body language. On the other hand, spoke volumes—arms crossed, staring straight ahead-a proverbial, immovable force not to be reckoned with. “In answer to your question. Maybe a two-by-four?”
    Sally’s laughter filtered through the music as their dance ended.
    “I’m parched.” He nodded toward the refreshment table. “Betty’s got her special homemade lemonade over there. Can I get you some?”
    “I’m good, thank you. Think I’ll go talk to Angelique. She might need an ear to vent to after that little display of wills. I bet he doesn’t even remember her. She used to have a wicked crush on him.”
    Rein blinked in surprise. He remembered her as a shy girl with long dark hair and knew that back in middle school she’d had to move away with her mother after a scandalous divorce. “I heard Michael telling Wyatt that things haven’t been easy for her. Apparently, that’s why Emily was under their guardianship.”
    Sally nodded. “She’s been through a ton of crap, Rein. You wouldn’t believe it. And it started with her mom. But this isn’t the time or place for such talk and besides, I’m not sure that Angelique is ready to make what she’s been through public knowledge, you know?”
    Rein understood. He had some things he’d never shared with anyone but his brothers. He glanced again at Dalton. No, he wouldn’t have noticed her in school. She wasn’t his type, and apparently still wasn’t, but that didn’t make him discerning, just a fool, because she’d grown up to be a fine-looking woman.
    The unfortunate truth, Rein thought reluctantly was that Dalton hadn’t changed much since high school. He still considered himself a free spirit, loved having a good time, and wasn’t ready yet to be tied down. The woman who