To Tame A Texan Read Online Free PDF Page B

enveloped hers again. “All right, I’m ready.”
    â€œHere we go, then.”
    Unfortunately, both of them stepped forward at the same moment, leading to a tangle of feet that almost caused them both to fall.
    â€œUh, Lynnie, remember what I told you about allowin’ the man to lead?”
    â€œI forgot. It seems so unfair.”
    Ace sighed. “Just do it.”
    They took a few more hesitant steps to the music.
    â€œThere,” he said as he attempted to steer her around the floor, “you’re gettin’ the hang of it.” He pulled her closer so that her face was brushing against his wide shoulder.
    â€œI don’t like being held so close,” she complained.
    â€œAnd how do you think I feel about you gettin’ hog lard all over my coat?” he countered.
    â€œI imagine the little strumpets you usually hold in your arms have rubbed worse stuff on your body.”
    â€œI don’t know what a strumpet is, you prissy little prig,” Ace said against her rag-bedecked hair, “but I know when I’m bein’ insulted.”
    â€œGood for you,” Lynnie answered. “Now let’s make the best of this mess, shall we?”
    They made two awkward circles of the small room. The music ended, and the crowd of relatives applauded.
    Cimarron Durango smiled encouragement. “Why, you two dance beautifully together. Didn’t they, folks?”
    Everyone murmured approval, but Lynnie didn’t see it in their faces. They all looked dubious at best.
    â€œWell,” Lynnie said, “I suppose that’s quite enough practice. It’s getting late, and I’ve got a long way to go to get ready.”
    â€œA long, long way to go,” Ace said, looking her over.
    Her big sister looked doubtful. “Are you sure, Lynnie? After all, when all those young men ask you to dance . . .”
    â€œIt’s quite enough,” Lynnie assured her. Lynnie’s plans didn’t include dancing very much tonight. She had her own agenda—important plans.
    â€œCan I go now?” Ace asked.
    His mother shot him a hard look, but Lynnie saw it. “It’s all right, Aunt Cimarron. I want to take a bubble bath before I dress.”
    â€œBe sure and wash the hog lard off,” Ace muttered as he turned away.
    She could just kill him. But of course, if she did that, she wouldn’t have anyone to escort her tonight.
    â€œI think this calls for another drink,” Trace said, “down in the hotel bar.”
    Uncle Maverick and Ace perked up. “Count us in.”
    â€œWhy is it?” Cimarron said, “that with men, everything calls for a drink?”
    â€œOh, let them go,” Cayenne said, and waved them out the door. The men scattered like spooked quail.
    Cimarron came over to hug Lynnie. “You two danced beautifully together. Why, I can’t tell you how thrilled my son is to be escorting you tonight.”
    You can’t tell me because he really isn’t, Lynnie thought. “Aunt Cimarron, it’s nice of you to say that, but we both know Ace wouldn’t be eager to take me to a chicken-plucking. I don’t know what you did to get him to agree to take me, but I’m grateful for it.”
    Cimarron and Cayenne exchanged glances. Lynnie knew that look; she’d seen it before. Do you suppose there’s any chance that at this social event we’ll finally find someone to marry this prim old maid and get her off our hands? After all, she’s twenty years old and getting a little long in the tooth, with no prospects in sight.
    Oh, why couldn’t these two women see that there were so many more things that were important besides marrying some big brute of a cowboy and producing a bevy of children? Well, after tonight, they’d know.
    With that, Lynnie retreated to the bathtub to soak and make her plans.
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    The three men sat in the bar a long time—too long. They talked about