Colton Cowboy Protector. Beth Cornelison

and Big J’s booming voice calling for the attention of his guests.

      “Sounds like it’s time for Greta’s big announcement. Want to go with me to watch?” She offered her hand to Seth, and he took it with a nod.

      “It’s just about her and Mr. Mark gettin’ married. I already know that stuff, but I’ll take you in there.”

      “Why, thank y—” Before she could finish, he was towing her toward the living room entrance. She stumbled a step or two as she rose too quickly from her crouch. Seth moved with a hurried, boy-like trot that had her hustling to keep up. When they reached the amassed guests in the living room, he wove his way among them, dragging Tracy by the hand and causing her to jostle through the crowd as he led her to the front of the assembly gathered around Greta, Mark and the senior Coltons. Embarrassed to have been so boldly brought to the front, Tracy tried to sidle to the right, away from Abra and Big J’s line of sight, but Seth tugged her arm, drawing her back to the center.

      “Abra and I were thrilled to welcome our darling Greta to the family twenty-six years ago,” Big J said to the room, his glass raised.

      Tracy hunched her shoulders, trying to duck lower and make herself less obvious. Could she squat next to Seth? When she tried to stoop, she bumped the lady behind her, who scowled.

      “Sorry,” she whispered.

      “After having four rowdy boys, we treasured our first and only baby girl,” Big J continued, beaming at Greta.

      Tracy cast a glance around the circle of onlookers, hunting for Jack’s rugged face. Her attention snagged on the cowboy who’d parked her car when she arrived. He stood in a corner, his arms crossed over his chest, with a crooked grin on his face as he watched the proceedings. But his amused expression faltered at Big J’s last statement. He ducked his chin, casting his gaze to the ground. For just a moment his brow wrinkled, so quickly Tracy almost missed it. But she was sure she’d seen a look that could only be described as hurt or crestfallen flicker across the cowboy’s handsome face. A moment later he gave his head a small shake and returned his attention to Big J. Tracy couldn’t help but feel a tug of sympathy for the man, without even knowing who he was or what had upset him.

      “She’s our pride and joy, and we are pleased to announce...”

      Tracy’s attention left the boisterous glee of the Colton patriarch, sensing rather than seeing Jack’s hot stare from across the room. Her gaze darted to his, drawn like a magnet to his bright green eyes. A tingle like an electric shock skittered through her, speeding up her pulse. Her mouth dried, and she wished for one of the drinks the guests had hoisted in salute to the bride-and-groom-to-be. Not just because she stood out all the more for her lack of a glass for toasting, but because she could use something to wet her throat. Preferably something alcoholic, to help calm the flutter of nerves jangling in her core.

      She was so entranced by Jack’s level stare that when the crowd around her cheered and clapped, she gave a startled jolt. Pulling her hand free of Seth’s, she joined the applause. Her appearance at the party with the boy had no doubt added to Jack’s consternation. If making peace with Jack in order to gain access to Seth was her goal, she wasn’t off to a good start. That needed to change. One way or another, she had to get past Jack’s defensiveness, break down his walls and prove to him he could trust her with his son.

      * * *

      As the party ended and the last guests and media crew were sent away with hospitable smiles, Greta found Tracy out by the pool. Tracy had been watching Seth goof around on the grassy lawn with the cowboy who’d been her parking valet.

      “Ready to go up and see your room?” Greta asked.

      “Sure. Thanks.” Tracy stood and smoothed the seat of her slacks, giving Seth and the handsome cowboy a last look. Remembering the expression of sharp disappointment that had crossed the man’s face at the engagement announcement, she aimed her thumb over her shoulder as she followed Greta inside. “Who is that roughhousing with Seth?”

      Greta glanced to the lawn. “Oh, that’s Daniel. Another uncle.”

      Tracy frowned. “I thought you only had four brothers.”

      “He’s a half brother.” She sighed and lowered her voice to a wry, conspiratorial whisper. “The product of an ‘indiscretion’ on my father’s part early in my parents’ marriage.” As she led Tracy through the living room Greta straightened an iron sculpture that had been knocked askew during the party. “When his mother died, Daniel came to live on the ranch.” She raised her eyebrows and angled her head. “Much to my mother’s chagrin. But my brothers and I count him as a full sibling and love having him here.” She sighed and shook her head. “Mother still won’t accept him, though.”

      “That explains the look, I guess,” Tracy muttered to herself.

      Greta’s clattering footsteps on the marble foyer slowed. “I’m sorry? What look?”

      Heat flushed Tracy’s cheeks. She didn’t need to be poking her nose in private family issues and stirring up problems while at the Lucky C. Her goal was to win favor and get to know her nephew, not be the conscience of the Colton clan.

      “Oh, nothing.” She forced a smile.

      But Greta stopped walking and faced her, arching a well-manicured eyebrow. “Fess up. What do you know?”

      Heaving a defeated sigh, Tracy wet her lips. “It’s just that...during your father’s speech...when he was announcing your engagement...”

      Her hostess’s forehead dented with apprehension. “Go on.”

      “Well...” Tracy shifted her weight from one foot to another, feeling like a grade school tattletale. “I saw a look cross his face when your father was talking about having four sons before you were born. Daniel looked...hurt.”

      Greta closed her eyes slowly and grimaced.

      “It was fleeting, and I could have imagined it, but...”

      “Big J did say four sons, didn’t he? I didn’t even catch it at the time, or I’d have said something.” Greta huffed in frustration. “No doubt he left Daniel out to appease Abra, but...poor Daniel. He denies to our faces that it still bothers him, but this kind of thing is bound to make him feel like an outsider. Damn it.” She grumbled the last under her breath as she resumed walking toward the wide stairs to the upper floors. “Thanks for telling me. I’ll apologize to Daniel later for—”

      “Oh, I...I can’t imagine he’d want his discomfiture pointed out. Or the fact that I noticed. I don’t want to be a source of trouble or strife in the family.”

      Greta flicked a dismissive hand. “I’ll leave your name out of it.”

      That was something, but Tracy thought about the icy look Jack had given her earlier at the announcement. “I have enough to deal with earning Jack’s trust. He really hated Laura a lot, didn’t he?”

      “Hated her? Heck, no. He loved her. More than he’ll ever admit to any of us. You know how men bury that kind of thing. I think what he puts out there as ill will toward Laura is the manifestation of his deep wounds. Her unhappiness at the ranch disappointed him. Her leaving him and their baby crushed him. Her distance and disinterest in their son after she left angered him. Laura hurt him on many levels, and he’s put up walls. But don’t be fooled. He never hated her. I think he wishes he could hate her. It’d make it easier to get over her abandonment.”

      “So his hostility toward me is—”

      “Fear, most likely.” Greta led her into a large, plushly appointed bedroom with a massive king-size sleigh bed, dark walnut furnishings and a recessed ceiling, framed with elegant crown molding.

      Tracy caught her breath, taking in the beautiful decor.

      “He’s fiercely protective of Seth,” Greta continued, apparently unaware of Tracy’s momentary rapture. “That boy is everything to him. The idea that you could want