Lady Be Good Part 39

She regarded him steadily. "That's what happened, isn't it?"

For a moment he simply stared at her, then he erupted. "That's not what happened! I can't read his mind! I didn't know that was all he was waiting to hear from me."

"All!"

"I didn't mean it like that! I only mean-"

With a violent shove, she pushed herself away from him and rushed blindly forward, not thinking about where she was going, just knowing that she'd lost the dignity she'd been trying so hard to maintain, and hating him for it.

"Emma!"

Tears were clouding her vision, tears she couldn't let him see. When had she turned into such a crier? Her weakness made her furious all over, especially when she heard him coming up behind her. "Don't you dare touch me! Don't you ever touch me again!"

He pulled her to a stop and swept her into his arms, up against his sweaty golf shirt. "Listen to me! I love you, Emma! I don't know how to say it any plainer."

She drew strength from her fury and looked him straight in the eye. "Save your breath because I don't love you! I never did! It was all s.e.x."

Something devastating came over his features, something that made her feel ashamed. But she wasn't the guilty party, and her anger, combined with a strong sense of self-preservation, rescued her. She spun away from him.

As she began to march toward the house, she saw that they were all gathering by the gate to watch, these nosy, impossible Texans. And not just Kenny's family. The Beaudines had shown up, too! All of them were- She was suddenly flying through the air as Kenny picked her up and grabbed her beneath the knees. He began to run. Run! With a full-grown woman in his arms!

The soles of his shoes struck concrete. She felt the muscles in his arms bunch, and then she was flying. Flying through the air as he threw her into the deep end of the Traveler family swimming pool.

The water closed over her head. She sank ... rose ... sputtered ... and blinked her eyes until she could see through the strands of wet hair.

Kenny stared down at her from the side of the pool with the most tragic, stricken look on his face she'd ever seen. As she tried to make sense of it, his body straightened and he dove in after her, shoes and all.

Her own sandals slipped from her toes as she began to tread water, waiting for him to surface.

He came up sputtering and desperate. "I love you!" he cried. "And it doesn't have anything to do with golf, or the tour, or anything except what's inside me! And you love me! It's not just s.e.x. You've got too much integrity for that."

She stared at the inky hair plastered to his head, the water streaming down his gorgeous, tanned face, his dark, spiked lashes, and eyes that smoldered with intensity. "I'm sorry I figured it out at an inconvenient time, but when have I ever done anything conveniently? And I finally do have it figured out. I have all kinds of things figured out." He regarded her searchingly. "I know I'm asking for a lot. The idea of spending the rest of your life with somebody who's been as unstable as me has to be scary, but you've got a lot of grit, and you can do it if you set your mind to it." He paused. "Can't you?"

She was too stunned to speak.

Despite her lack of response, he wasn't giving up, and he continued treading water as he tried to convince her. "I know I might never mean as much to you as that school of yours, but a school can't give you what I can. A school can't give you kids, and a school can't walk along the Pedernales with you in the evening, and a school can't make you laugh." His voice softened, then grew husky. "I can do all those things, Emma, and a lot more. Just give me a chance."

Despite the chill of the pool water, warmth was beginning to spread through her. Why hadn't she remembered that Kenny never did things like other people? That was what made him so infuriating and so wonderful.

The weight of his heavy golf shoes had pulled him lower in the water than she was, but he continued speaking in those urgent, desperate tones. "We're married, sweetheart. The ceremony might have happened in a seedy Vegas chapel, but I didn't take those vows lightly when I was saying them, and I'm not taking them lightly now. If you don't feel married, we'll do it all over again, right here in Wynette, or we can go back to England and get married there, whatever will make you understand that this is real. We're attached to each other now, and that's the way it has to be."

Attached. This man was attached to her. This man was attached to her.

"I know how much that school means to you. Maybe I can-I don't know-buy it or something. I could take out some loans, pick up more endors.e.m.e.nts. We'd have to sell the ranch, but I'm willing to do that if it'll make you happy."

He'd knocked the breath right out of her. He was willing to sell his ranch to buy St. Gert's? She couldn't imagine-couldn't think-but her spirits had begun to fly. At the same time, seeing that desperation in his eyes had become intolerable, and she managed to speak.

"That's the second time you've thrown me in a pool."

He looked devastated. "You were getting ready to walk away for good, and it was the only thing I could think of to do."

"Throw me in the pool?"

He nodded, his expression an endearing combination of anxiety and stubbornness. "I had to."

Only Kenny Traveler, the terror of Wynette, Texas, could try to convince a woman that he loved her by throwing her, fully dressed, into a swimming pool. "Yes, well, you've managed to ruin my very favorite pair of sandals."

He grew still, then said softly, "I'll buy you a hundred more."

Oh, no, he wasn't going to get around her that easily! Not after what he'd put her through. "That's not the point. The point is, I liked those sandals. They were Italian. And you're sinking."

His eyes were still wary. "You got something to say?"

"I certainly do. But I prefer to say it on dry land."

He thought for a moment, then shook his head unhappily. "I'll do anything for you, but I can't let you out of the water until we get this settled. You're still too mad at me, and you might decide to run away again."

"You're sinking," she pointed out again. "It's your shoes," she added.

"Don't you worry about it."

She was getting tired, but she continued to tread. "Very well. In the first place, you will not be selling the ranch. The very idea. And in the second place-"

"What about St. Gert's?"

Even though his gaze hadn't lost any of its seriousness, she thought she detected a spark of hope there. "I have to put St. Gert's behind me."

"You love that old school, sweetheart. Maybe I can find another way to come up with the money. The season's just heating up, and there are some fat purses out there. If I get lucky, I might be able to pull off a couple of big wins."

She could feel herself succ.u.mbing to his sweetness, but she wouldn't surrender yet, not until she'd finished stating her position. "I have no intention of letting you buy St. Gert's for me, although I appreciate the offer. I know if I think hard enough I'll come up with another plan."

He immediately looked wary.

"I finally understand that I can't dedicate my entire life to an inst.i.tution, although I still have to think about the girls." She pushed the wet hair from her eyes. "Moving on to my next point ... point number two. You'll need to put aside any aversion you might have to a working wife because I love teaching, and I won't give up my profession."

He studied her closely. "Will you give it up long enough to have my babies?"

She could barely resist throwing herself in his arms. "Certainly."

"Then I don't have any objection."

She knew she was making this too easy for him, but the vision of little violet-eyed children so thoroughly entranced her that she could barely pull herself back together. "Point number three ..." She cleared her throat. "This one's important, so pay attention, please. If at any time-any time!-I feel the need to publicly defend you, I will do so, do you understand?"

He blinked. "Just please don't kill anybody."

She needed something difficult. Something that would be nearly impossible for him to agree to. Just one small something to repay this rogue of a husband for all the upheaval he'd put her through.

And then she knew exactly what it would be.

"Come along, Kenny. We have somewhere to go." As she set out for the side of the pool, she was delighted with how officious she'd made herself sound, but when he caught her ankle and turned her back around, she was disappointed to see that he was smiling instead of gritting his teeth.

"You're determined to have your pound of flesh, aren't you?"

She could no longer repress her own smile. "They were my very favorite sandals."

His grin spread until it seemed to envelop her, too. And his eyes were so full of love that she felt as if she were floating. Then he sobered. "I love you, my sweet Lady E. You know that now, don't you? Please tell me you know it." She heard the urgency behind his words, and she nodded. "And please tell me you still love me."

She nodded again, and he curled her body against him. Groaning, he cupped her chin in one hand. "I've been so d.a.m.ned stupid." He rubbed his thumb over her cheek as if he were memorizing her face, then sealed his mouth over hers.

His kiss was a promise from a man who didn't make promises lightly. It was also a covenant that joined them forever, and she understood that he was giving himself to her in every way he knew how. In his kiss, she tasted all their tomorrows, saw their children, felt his pa.s.sion and tenderness. She was being offered everything she'd dreamed of having but had given up believing could be hers.

They finally separated, if only to breathe.

"First he half drowns her," Shelby drawled, "then he kisses her. You've got strange ways with women, Kenny."

They both looked up to see that the entire family as well as the Beaudines had gathered around the pool to watch them.

"At least he didn't spank her," Torie said.

Dex wrapped his arm around her shoulders and smiled.

Kenny gazed up at them with a mixture of annoyance and affection, and Emma realized she felt that same blend of emotions herself. They were so nosy, and so caring. Well, she'd always wanted a family, and it seemed she'd finally been given one.

"Would it be asking too much to have a little privacy?" Kenny growled.

"Not a good idea," Torie said. "If we leave you alone with her for much longer, you'll just screw everything up again."

Emma decided it was time to take her stand. "That's quite enough, Torie." With a great deal of reluctance, she detached herself from her husband and headed for the ladder.

"I'm just trying to look out for your best interests, Lady E," Torie said as Emma climbed out onto the deck.

"No, you're not. You're baiting your brother."

Kenny had climbed out behind her, and she shot him a warning glance, reminding him of their agreement. Then she returned her attention to his family.

"I want everyone to listen to me because I only plan to say this once. Kenny is a highly intelligent, extremely talented man. And contrary to public opinion, he is neither spoiled, lazy, nor incompetent. Am I making myself understood?"

They all stared at her. All of them except Dallie Beaudine, who tucked one hand in his pocket and smiled.

"Let me be even clearer," Emma went on. "Kenny and I plan to have children, and I've no intention of allowing them to grow up listening to stories of their father's youthful misdeeds. I am counting on every one of you to make that extremely clear to the good citizens of Wynette. To be more specific, if I hear another story from anyone in this family ... or in this town ... about Minnie Mouse cookies, stolen lunch money, school suspensions, miscellaneous property damage, or any other escapade I've yet to learn about, I will make certain that all of those dollars Kenny is pumping into local charities instantly dry up." She lifted her hand and snapped her fingers. "Just like that." She turned to Kenny, hoping he'd understand that enough was enough, and this simply had to be done. "So I don't recommend any of you testing me on this because I have a great deal of influence with my husband. Isn't that right, Kenny? And he will go along with my judgment on this matter."

Was she the only one who saw the crinkles of amus.e.m.e.nt forming around his eyes before he gave his family an apologetic shrug? "I'm sorry. She made me promise that she could defend me whenever she wanted. Who knew it'd go this far?"

Torie's nostrils flared with indignation. "How could you agree to something so lamebrained?"

Emma shot her a warning look.

"She was holding all the cards," Kenny replied.

Torie frowned, then sighed. "I'm sorry, Lady E, but this is going to spoil all kinds of fun."

"That's too bad," Emma replied. "You'll simply have to find someone else to be the b.u.t.t of your jokes because from now on Kenny Traveler is to be treated with respect, both inside and outside this family. Is that crystal clear?" Is that crystal clear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Yes, ma'am."

When the chorus finally stopped, she condescended to give them a satisfied nod. "Excellent."

Shelby leaned toward Torie and whispered, "Just tell me she's not going to make us call him Lord Kenny."

"Not," Emma replied, "as long as you don't upset me."

They regarded her warily. She turned to Dallie and smiled. "Thank you for looking out for him. We're very much in your debt."

Behind her, Kenny started to choke.

"My pleasure." Dallie's answering smile was as warm as the Texas sun.

She continued addressing him as she pounded Kenny on the back. "I a.s.sume you'll be issuing a press release announcing Kenny's return to the tour."

"First thing tomorrow."

"Would it be too much to ask if I could have some input into its content?"

Dallie looked at Kenny, who finally had his breath back. "Your wife seems to want to start writing your press releases."

Kenny looked a little embarra.s.sed, but not too much. "I'll talk to her."

For a moment, she allowed her cheek to rest on his sodden golf shirt. "It won't do you any good. You'll defend everyone in the world except yourself." She turned to the group. "In case the rest of you still don't understand this, Kenny doesn't believe he deserves to be defended. It's because he's still doing penance for his misguided youth." She gazed up at him. "But no longer. Promise me."

"Point number four?" he said.

She nodded.

He smiled. "I'd already made up my mind about that."

As Dallie's gaze returned to Emma, his eyes were filled with respect. "I'll have one of our PR people call you first thing tomorrow. The two of you can work it out on the phone."

"The three of us will work on it," Kenny said. "I have our future children to think about."

Emma smiled up at her husband. "Now," she said softly, "it's time for point number five."

"You're making me nervous."

"That's too bad." Emma locked the door behind her. "Where's that clothesline I bought?"