Two weeks ago, Ally would have been totally intimidated by the notion of going to Greta and Shane McCabe’s open house. Now she was looking forward to it. Hoping that someday she would be part of the loving clan…and not just an invited guest. The telling expression on Hank’s face indicated he felt that way, too.
Bursting with joy, Ally flung back the covers. “I’m headed for the shower right now.”
An hour later, they were heading out the door.
“One question,” Ally said, when they arrived at their destination. She knew what their relationship felt like in private, but in public she needed to be clear-in case questions arose. “As far as everyone else is concerned…are you just my ride for the evening?” Or was he as ready as she was to go public with their romance?
Hank’s gaze drifted over her before returning ever so slowly to her face. He made no effort to hide the emotion brimming in his eyes. “Are you kidding?” He pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. “You’re a lot more than that, Ally Garrett. You’re my future.”
And you, Ally thought, are mine.
Smiling, he took her hand and led her toward the front door.
Moments later, they were mingling inside.
Ally couldn’t help but note that Lulu Sanderson kept catching Hank’s eye. Every time the divorcée did she flashed a secret smile. The confident way Hank looked at her in return told Ally there was something going on between him and Lulu.
Pushing aside the niggling feeling of uneasiness, Ally continued making her way among the guests, at first with Hank, then by herself after his father asked for his help bringing in more firewood.
Hank’s mother appeared at Ally’s side. Looking as beautiful and put-together as always, Greta engulfed her in a hug. “How are you doing, darlin’?”
Ally basked in the easy maternal affection and smiled back. Greta would be a dream mother-in-law. Not that anyone was anywhere close to talking marriage yet.
“Good,” Ally replied. At least I was before we walked in the door and I saw whatever-it-is going on between Hank and Lulu again… Whatever he’s chosen not to share with me. Again…
Greta arched a silver-blond brow. “That son of mine treating you right?”
Ally noted the matchmaker’s gleam in her eyes. Obviously, Hank’s mom had either been told or figured out on her own that Ally and Hank were romantically involved. That had to be a good sign, didn’t it?
Greta clasped her arm and leaned in close to confide, “Just so you know, honey…I haven’t seen Hank this happy in years. And it’s all due to you. So keep up the good work. It’s about time someone put a spring in that boy’s step and a light in his eyes.”
I hope it’s all due to me, Ally thought, looking at Lulu, who was standing next to a group of her old high school friends at the buffet table. But what if it wasn’t? What if the real reason behind Hank’s happiness was the ranch? And the fact that she couldn’t sell it via the traditional route, and had decided not to sell to Corporate Farms?
Oblivious to the troubling nature of Ally’s thoughts, Greta checked out the fast-diminishing spread on the buffet with a frown. She propped her hands on her hips. “Speaking of loved ones, have you seen my husband lately?”
Ally nodded, glad to talk about something else. “He stepped outside a few minutes ago with Hank, to get more firewood.”
“Would you mind getting Shane? Tell him to meet me in the kitchen when he does. I need his help carving the brisket.”
Ally nodded. “No problem.”
Given the crowds of people, she figured the easiest way to reach him was to go out the front door and walk around. Ally grabbed her coat and headed outside. She was halfway around the porch surrounding the entire first floor when she heard the rise in men’s voices.
“I don’t understand why you won’t take our money, if the Garrett ranch is what you want,” Shane said, sounding as if he had very little patience left.
Hank harrumphed. “I don’t need it, Dad. I’ve worked out everything on my own.”
“Then the rumors going around town are true?” Shane demanded, sounding even more upset. “You are going to marry Lulu Sanderson for her money.”
A brief silence followed. “If I was going to marry anyone for her money, I’d marry Ally Garrett,” Hank snapped. He was obviously exasperated. “But that’s not necessary with the plan I have.”
Of course it wasn’t, Ally thought, reeling backward in shock. She was ready to give Hank everything he could ever want, without so much as a promise of a ring on her finger. But Hank didn’t know that yet.
Deciding the conversation was over, she started forward once again, only to hear Shane McCabe say, “But Lulu is involved in this plan of yours…”
The grim note in Shane’s voice stopped Ally in her tracks once again.
“Not that it’s any of your business,” Hank retorted, just as tautly, “but yes, Lulu is an integral part of my future plans, too.”
Ally’s heart sank. She ran a trembling hand over her eyes.
“You have to see you can’t have Ally and a deal with Lulu, too,” his dad argued.
“I don’t see why not,” Hank scoffed, confident as ever.
“It’ll never work,” Shane insisted with the paternal wisdom for which he was known.
“Yes,” he argued, as tears misted Ally’s eyes, “it will, Dad. The real question is when are you going to start believing in me again-with the trust and faith you gave me when I was a kid?”
And when, Ally mused, was she going to learn she would always-always-take second place to the family ranch?
“I do believe in you, son,” Shane insisted.
“Then why are you standing here tonight, trying to loan me the down payment and whatever collateral I need to purchase Mesquite Ridge?” Hank countered bitterly.
And why wouldn’t he take the offer? Ally wondered. Surely receiving money from family was better and more honorable than whatever it was Hank had cooked up with Lulu Sanderson.
“Your mother and I want you to be happy,” Shane soothed. “We want you to have kids. You and Ally seem like a good match.”
Ally leaned against the side of the house. I thought so, too. Obviously, she’d been wrong. Otherwise Hank would have confided some of this to her.
The voices came a little closer. “Lulu and I are a good match, too, Dad. Just not in the way you’d expect.”
Or want to hear, Ally thought.
Realizing she had witnessed enough, she marched briskly on around the corner of the house. Both men took one look at her face and realized she’d overheard enough to be deeply disturbed. Knowing she had to talk to Hank privately first, Ally said quietly, “Shane? Greta is looking for you. She needs your help in the kitchen.”
He nodded briefly at Ally, his glance conveying a thousand apologies as well as compassion. For Shane, too, knew what it was like to be emotionally shut out of Hank’s life at precisely the moment when Hank should have been opening up the most. To family, friends and especially the woman in his life. The woman he had pretended meant everything to him! Not, Ally thought miserably, that Hank had ever come right out and said he loved her, either. What if he didn’t? What if it was just passion keeping them together? A passion that might not last?
Ever the gentleman and congenial host, Shane said, “I’m sorry if I misstepped or have in anyway said or done anything to make you uncomfortable here this evening.” Shane cast another meaningful look at his son. “I was only trying to help.”
There was no question of the elder McCabe’s gallantry. Ally dipped her head in acknowledgment. “I know. I appreciate what you were trying to do, sir.” Even if Hank didn’t.
With a last rueful look at his son, Shane went inside. Ally stood facing Hank. She put her wounded feelings aside and faced him like the savvy businesswoman she still was. “Is it true that Lulu Sanderson is going to be an integral part of the deal you’re proposing to me tomorrow?”