Texas Rebels: Paxton. Linda Warren

to get out and make a life for herself, and still Ira wouldn’t accept her back into the family.”

      “She’s my first cousin and I’d love to meet her. Gran said I have lots of cousins and I haven’t met any of them.”

      “I can tell you for certain that Rosie—that’s what everyone calls her—would love to meet you. She’s that kind of person, sweet, loving and giving. And beautiful.”

      “Do you have a crush on her?”

      He laughed out loud and the sound echoed through the trees. The geese squawked and flapped around in the water at the interruption. It was in the forties, but his laugh warmed her through and through.

      “The Rebel boys made a pact a long time ago to stay away from each other’s girlfriends. Actually, it was something our father told us to do—to never go against our brothers.”

      He scooted on the bench to face her. “I think you’re avoiding telling me what happened to you. You’ve talked around it, but you haven’t actually said why you’re so weak.”

      She clasped her hands in her lap. “Maybe because it makes me sound impulsive and immature.”

      He poked a finger into his chest. “You’re looking at Mr. Immature.”

      “I can’t believe that. You always seem so confident and in control.”

      “Oh, man, I used to think that way, too. There’s nothing like being knocked off my pedestal. I’ve led a pretty selfish life riding the rodeo circuit, drinking and partying. And then there were the girls.”

      “I can imagine.”

      “Okay, don’t get snotty. What I’m going to tell you is going to change the way you think of me.”

      “How do you know I think about you?” She blinked. “Oh, you think I might have a crush on you because every girl you meet does.”

      He frowned. “No, it’s not that. It’s about immaturity. My immaturity.”

      She settled back and listened.

      “I had this high school girlfriend and we dated for years and then I started riding the circuit and we didn’t see each other that often. And then there were a lot of girls all chasing after me. I cheated on Jenny and slept with other girls. I felt bad about it and told her and you know what she did?”

      “I don’t have a clue.”

      “She forgave me.”

      “She must really love you to be that forgiving.”

      “I lost my father about the same time Jenny lost her mother and we had a connection because of that. We consoled each other and cried together, but it wasn’t love. Jenny and I were just best friends. I met this actress in Los Angeles and I asked her to marry me. And I didn’t tell Jenny. She was devastated with the news. I was a jackass because I couldn’t tell her the truth.”

      “You’re a jerk.”

      His eyes crinkled mischievously. “Oh, but this has a happy ending.”

      Was he married? She hadn’t even thought of that. She’d swallowed hard. “She forgave you again.”

      “No. There’s just so much a woman will take and Jenny had reached her limit. My brother Quincy was there to console her.”

      “I thought you said the Rebel boys didn’t—”

      “Yeah, but in this instance it was right. They fell in love, and when I found out, I acted like a fool and hit Quincy. Now, if you knew Quincy you’d know he has a soft heart, but he wasn’t going to walk away and let me have Jenny. The truth is Jenny didn’t want me anymore and I realized I didn’t want her, either. We just kept holding on to that relationship for some reason and it wasn’t working. We both knew that and we finally said goodbye. Quincy and Jenny got married and they’re expecting their first child in March.”

      The relief she felt at his words was insane. Why would she care that he wasn’t married? She couldn’t imagine any woman giving up Paxton, though. He was just too charming and handsome. But what woman enjoyed being cheated on? Remi certainly didn’t. Her dream man was a cad. And a Rebel.

      He leaned closer. “So, you see, I win on the immaturity thing, but I’ve turned over a new leaf and I’m trying to make better decisions for the future. Do you think a bad boy can change?”

      She met the gleam in his eyes with a strength she didn’t know she possessed. There was something about the mischief deep in his eyes that changed her whole way of thinking. But she had enough sense not to let it show.

      “No.”

       Chapter Five

      The word slid across Paxton’s cheek like a chunk of ice. Cold. Cold. Cold. The woman didn’t have a sense of humor.

      “Hey, I was just kidding.”

      “I wasn’t.” The temperature of her voice dropped another degree.

      He studied her face, the tight lips and the frosty eyes. “You really believe the guy who helped you to your feet in Port Aransas is a bad guy?”

      “I think you’re a charmer and a ladies’ man.”

      “Listen, I know I’ve lived a rough life, but I’m trying to change. I would think you’d at least give me the benefit of the doubt.”

      “What does it matter what I think? We’ll never see each other again.”

      She was right. What did it matter?

      “You’re right. We’re two strangers talking, but I’ve been doing most of the talking. You’ve talked about everything except what happened to you. What happened?”

      She wrapped her arms around her waist as if to ward off the memories.

      “I know it was a motorcycle accident.” He didn’t know why he was pushing it, but he wanted her to talk and share something about her life.

      Her eyes were enormous in her pale face. “How do you know that?”

      He saw no reason not to be honest. “My mother told me.”

      “You asked or was it a topic of conversation?”

      He rubbed his hands together. “I asked because I was curious as to why a girl stubbornly refuses to admit she’s not completely well.”

      She pulled her coat tighter around her. “You know, you’re very pushy.”

      “And charming.” He smiled his best smile and her lips twitched. Maybe she did have a sense of humor.

      “Mmm. It’s a long story and you said you have to get back to work.”

      He stretched out his legs and crossed his boots at the ankles. “I’ve decided to take some time.”

      “You’re not going to stop, are you?”

      “Probably not.”

      “Since you were so nice opening the chute and helping me in Port Aransas, I’ll tell you. But I want you to know I’m not completely stupid. I had my phone and was going to call the hotel to ask for help.”

      “That’s good to know.” But his guess was she would have struggled for hours before doing that.

      “I told you my parents are very protective. They don’t seem to think I can live my life on my own and I’ve tried hard to be independent. I have my own apartment, a good job, and I don’t take any money from them. But they still can’t help trying to take care of me.”

      She shoved her hands into her pockets as if the next part was difficult. “I was dating this guy, Chuck, and my parents didn’t like him. We were arguing about it one day at my apartment