Texas Midnight. Caroline Burnes

the better. He preferred to deal with her himself.

      He turned his attention to Gabriel’s lovely eyes. “You’re very beautiful. But then, you already know that.”

      “Want to go for a walk in the moonlight?” she asked, pressing a little closer to him.

      Jeremy felt his body’s sudden desire to do exactly that. He and Gabriel, alone beneath the moon in a field of bluebells. It was the stuff of fantasies. But he hesitated. His last breakup had been unpleasant, and he’d vowed not to get involved with a woman until he completed the sequel to his novel. In his opinion, women and writing didn’t mix well. Both of them were jealous mistresses.

      “I was actually thinking of going home,” he said.

      “It’s only midnight,” Gabrielle whispered. “Come on, Jeremy.” Her voice was almost a purr. “Let’s have a little privacy.”

      He briefly tightened his hold on her shoulders. “Ah, you’re a tempting woman,” he said. He bent to brush his lips across her neck. “But I’ve taken a vow to finish my next book before I allow myself the luxury of a woman’s company.”

      She laughed. “A vow. How monastic! Do you write in a robe?”

      He joined in her laughter. “You have a definite way of painting a picture,” he said. “Maybe you should write.”

      She turned away from him. “There are too many writers in Texas already. By the way, I was sort of expecting Blane Griffin to be here. I read somewhere that you two were best friends.”

      Jeremy tried not to react. His friendship with Blane was over, and all because of a woman. It was one more reminder not to allow the very tempting Gabriel to lead him off the path toward his next novel. Besides, he needed to talk with Henry.

      “Blane and I grew up together,” he said. “And I do have to go home. My editor isn’t happy with my latest book. We need to have a conversation.”

      “At midnight? What am I, a pumpkin?”

      There was frustration in her voice, and he put his hands on her shoulders and held her gently. “I’d like to get to know you better, Gabriel, but I’ve worked for twenty years for this opportunity. I can’t afford to mess it up because I meet a woman who makes writing a second choice.”

      She turned in his arms. “Do I do that?”

      “I’m afraid you could,” he said, brushing a strand of her dark hair from her face. “I’m known to be a man who likes a gamble, but I’m walking away from this one. I’d like to call you, later, when I’m free to…pursue this.”

      She stared into his eyes. “That’s your decision.” Her lips curved into a forced smile. “Not mine. I don’t put my life on hold for any man. Not even Jeremy Masterson, famous author.”

      “You are a spunky little thing,” he said, leading her toward the doorway and the party that was in full swing. “I’ll call you when I come up for air. I promise.”

      Jeremy never saw the hand that came out of nowhere and slapped Gabriel across the face. He did, however, recognize the sultry voice of Lucinda Estar.

      “You conniving little witch.” Lucinda made a grab for Gabriel’s hair, but Jeremy caught her wrist. It had been a long, emotional day, and Lucinda was the finishing touch.

      “Lucinda, you’re drunk,” he said in a monotone. “Straighten up before you humiliate yourself.”

      “I don’t have to work at that. You’ve done a thorough job of it. Every time I turn my back, you’re with some cheap little tramp,” she said, her voice slurring a little. She was unsteady on her feet, and Jeremy found himself in the uncomfortable position of supporting her so she didn’t fall.

      Gabriel gave him a long, pitying look. “I didn’t realize you had a full plate.” She walked away without looking back.

      “You told me you had to finish your book,” Lucinda said, her voice growing louder. “What was she? Research? You dumped me for her?”

      The entire party had ground to a halt, and everyone was staring at him and the drunken woman he held up. Jeremy searched the room with his eyes until he finally saw Ellie. She hurried to his side, her face clearly showing her concern. “Please call Blane,” Jeremy said.

      “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Ellie asked.

      “No choice. He needs to collect Lucinda before she does more damage to herself.”

      “Or you,” Ellie said archly. “Your personal life is going to catch up with you, Jeremy.”

      “I don’t need a lecture, I need some help.” Jeremy didn’t mean to snap but his patience was gone. He slid Lucinda onto a sofa.

      “Do you really think Blane wants her back? Again?”

      Jeremy heard the hardness in Ellie’s tone. She’d never said anything about his rash affair with Lucinda. She didn’t have to. Everyone in Texas knew it had ruined his lifelong friendship with Blane Griffin.

      “Just call him. He can make up his mind if he wants her or not.”

      “And you?” Ellie asked.

      “I’m going home.”

      Jeremy didn’t have a chance to take more than one step before he felt the hand on his shoulder. “Running away again?”

      He turned toward the angry face of Blane Griffin. “I’m not running, I’m withdrawing. Let’s don’t do this, Blane. Lucinda’s drunk, and you and I have both had more than a couple. This isn’t the time to try to settle our differences.”

      “I turn my back, and she’s over here, tracking after you like a dog in—” He broke off and turned away.

      Jeremy looked around the room at his friends who’d come to celebrate the success of his book. He and Blane had started out in the writing business together. His career had taken a sudden swing up, but Blane was still toiling in the trenches. “Can I get a couple of drinks here?” he said to one of his friends.

      In a moment he had two bourbons in his hand. He offered one to Blane. “Let’s have a toast. To the future. I’m sure your bestseller is just around the corner.”

      His old friend’s gaze held his for a moment. “You’re one helluva hypocrite,” Blane said, putting the drink down without tasting it. He grabbed Lucinda’s arm, hauled her off the sofa and stalked toward the door. Then he turned back abruptly, his lean face hard. “My star is rising, Jeremy. It’s you who needs a toast, not me. I’ve just spoken with your editor, and he’s buying my book. He thinks it’s better than your sequel. So when you decide to pour liquor and offer up a toast of hope, maybe you should drink it to yourself.”

      With Lucinda firmly in his grasp, Blane walked out.

      Jeremy felt like a fool. He’d intended to mend fences with Blane, but what he’d done was widen the breach. The toast had probably been an idiotic idea, but it had been sincere.

      A hush had fallen over the party. He turned to see Ellie staring at the doorway through which Blane had just departed. Picking up one of the drinks, he said, “To cowboys, literature and a bit of moon madness. We all suffer from it now and again.” He downed the bourbon and was relieved to see the tension break and the party pick up again.

      “What book did Blane sell Henry?” Ellie asked, suddenly appearing at his shoulder.

      “I’m not certain. Henry said something about something set around—”

      “The Alamo?”

      Jeremy arched his eyebrows. “That was it.”

      “Back when Blane was in a slump over Lucinda, I talked with him some about his book.” Ellie laughed. “Who would have thought Henry would buy it?”

      “I’m glad for him,” Jeremy said.