The Texas Rancher's Vow. Cathy Thacker Gillen

expression. “After a four-hour drive? I don’t think so, cowboy.”

      Matt knew it wasn’t likely he’d change her mind. When big sums of money were involved, people tended to stick around. “All right then.” He climbed out of the passenger seat and said a silent prayer, bracing himself for the inevitable emotional disaster that lay ahead. “Let’s go. My father is waiting for you.”

      Chapter Two

      Jen had barely stepped through the front door of the sprawling ranch house when she was greeted by a big, handsome bear of a man. Giving Jen a hint of what Matt would act like if he were actually happy to see her, Emmett clasped her hand warmly. “Miss Carson? Emmett Briscoe! Welcome!”

      Jen smiled at her host. His eyes were the same sky-blue as his son’s, his suntanned skin had a weathered appearance and his thick salt-and-pepper hair was cut short and combed neatly to one side. She was happy to note that Emmett was as welcoming in person as he had been on the phone. “Thank you.”

      When he released her hand and stepped back, Jen drew a breath and tried to get her bearings. Not easy when Matt was hovering close by.

      Working at ignoring him, Jen noted the interior of the ranch house was elegant, and as expensively put together as the stately abode itself.

      On the left side of the foyer was a sweeping staircase, to the right, a man-size living area. Two large brown sofas and several upholstered easy chairs formed a conversation area in front of a huge white limestone hearth. The dark oak floor was scattered with beautiful Southwestern rugs. Photos of a much younger Emmett, Matt and a woman Jen guessed was Matt’s mother, graced the mantel.

      Emmett walked to the bar and stepped behind it. “Please, sit down. Did you have any trouble finding the ranch?” he asked.

      Matt followed with implacable calm.

      Feeling anything but tranquil, Jen sank into a chair and crossed her legs at the knee. “None at all.” Deliberately, she ignored Emmett’s son, keeping her gaze on the older man’s face. “Your directions were perfect.”

      As if aware that their conversation would continue to be awkward with Matt present, Emmett turned to him. “I can take it from here,” he said easily.

      Matt looked from Jen to his dad and back, his glance speculative. “Actually,” he drawled politely, “if Miss Carson doesn’t mind, I’d like to stay and hear what she has to say.”

      Realizing it was a test, Jen forced herself to be as gracious as the situation required. Matt wanted to pretend he was willing to give her a fair shake? Well, the least she could do was pretend to play along. “I’d be happy to speak with you both,” she agreed, dipping her head.

      “Then it’s settled,” Matt said, his eyes fixed on hers in a way that made her stomach tighten.

      Emmett regarded his son for a long moment, and Jen sensed a lot more would be said had there not been a lady present. Wordlessly, the older man added ice to three glasses, topped them off with sparkling water, and passed them around.

      He gave Matt another long, warning look, then turned and led the way past the sweeping staircase and down a long hallway lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. “We’ll talk in the gallery,” Emmett said as they passed a beautiful outdoor courtyard, which was flanked by an ivy-covered retaining wall and the rest of the U-shaped, two-story house.

      When they reached a big open room, at the rear of the home, Jen looked around in awe, trying to take it all in. There was hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of art displayed, all of it set off by perfect lighting.

      Momentarily forgetting the family drama, she moved from one piece to another, studying them avidly.

      To her annoyance, Matt followed close behind her, as taut and on guard as his father was relaxed.

      Emmett sipped his water, watching them both. “You’ll have to forgive my son. He’s become ridiculously overprotective in his middle age.”

      Matt swung back around, his irritation apparent. “Only because I’ve needed to be,” he retorted in a low voice.

      Jen sucked in a breath, drawing in the sunshine-soap-and-leather scent of him.

      Nerves deep inside her quivered.

      Oblivious of her reaction, Emmett arched a brow in reproach. “We’ve both made mistakes when it comes to matrimony, Matt.”

      Both of them?

      Matt had indicated he wasn’t divorced.

      And if he wasn’t divorced…what was he?

      “It doesn’t mean there have to be any more,” Emmett continued sternly.

      Matt pinned Jen with his gaze. “I don’t want there to be.”

      Could you make it more obvious that you think I’m a threat? Jen wondered.

      “Nor do I.” Emmett stared at his son over the rim of his glass. “So unless you’d like to discuss this further…”

      Seeing an opening, Jen stepped between them.

      “What I’d really like to discuss is the reason I’m here.” Certain she had both men’s attention, she said sincerely, “This is an amazing collection.” She walked around, inspecting the shelves holding bronze statues and figurines, as well as the paintings on the walls. She turned and smiled at Emmett. “Whoever put it together has a very good eye.”

      He beamed with the enthusiasm of a true collector. “It was started by my grandfather. He was an early supporter of Remington, and countless others, and my father and I have continued the tradition.”

      “Well, y’all have done a wonderful job.” Jen moved from one to another. Some of the artists were famous, others more obscure, but each work on display was beautiful, detailed and original. “These are all pieces I would have picked.”

      She stopped, seeing one of her own first works, and for a second was speechless with surprise. She turned back to Emmett. “I didn’t know you had any of my sculptures.” Never mind this one.

      Emmett inched closer, still sipping his water. “It’s my favorite, to date.”

      Jen heard that a lot. The bronze sculpture depicted a small girl having her first horseback-riding lesson, while her doting mother stood nearby, holding the reins.

      “There’s a wistful, loving quality about it,” he murmured.

      Matt paused beside it, too. His guarded expression slipped just a tad.

      “Did you know your subjects well?” he asked, eyeing the bronze, then her. “It seems like a very emotional piece.”

      It was, but not for reasons either Briscoe would have assumed.

      Wishing he hadn’t noticed that, Jen acknowledged the unexpected compliment with a nod. She was way too aware of Matt’s physical presence, and turned away. So what if he had the kind of hot, powerful body no woman could ignore? He didn’t trust her, certainly didn’t respect her. And without that… There was no way she would let him draw her in.

      “I conjured this from my imagination,” she murmured in response to his question. Although she wished it had been real.

      Matt studied her, as if seeing beyond what she’d said to the yearning for family she felt inside.

      And maybe he did know, at least a little bit, she conceded. Emmett had said Matt’s mother had died years ago. Jen had lost hers, too.

      Being orphaned was hard at any age.

      But although Matt and she shared that experience, it wasn’t a bond she intended to pursue.

      Emmett looked from one to the other. He, too, knew there was more going on than what Jen said, but was kind enough to move on to safer territory. “You often work from photographs, don’t you?”

      Jen