Heart of Texas Volume 1: Lonesome Cowboy. Debbie Macomber

invited me to play poker with him and his friends tonight,” he explained to justify his absence. “The game’s over at the Double Z bunkhouse.”

      She forgave him with a brave smile. “Have fun.”

      “Will everything be all right here?” He watched Richard walk past Rocket and give the old dog a vicious shove with his foot. His anger flared again, but he said nothing.

      “Everything’s going to be just fine,” Richard answered on her behalf. “Grady can be downright stubborn at times, but he’ll come around. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure big brother doesn’t hassle her.” He placed his arm around his sister’s shoulders and squeezed hard. Savannah winced and Laredo battled the urge to grab the man by the shirtfront and jerk him away.

      * * *

      Although Laredo didn’t see Savannah again that evening, it didn’t mean she wasn’t on his mind. He worried about her dinner with her brothers, which burdened his concentration to the point that he lost at poker. Twenty bucks was more than he could afford to throw away in a poker game. By the end of the evening he regretted accepting Wiley’s invitation.