Page 98 of Texas Honor

She grabbed the pole and stalked out of the house, off toward the pond that was several hundred yards down the dirt, ranch road.

Becky giggled, holding her own pole over her shoulder as she and Gabe followed at a respectful distance. “Mama never used to get all funny like that,” she told Gabe. “She sure is different.”

“Yes, isn’t she?” Gabe grinned, watching Maggie’s straight back as she marched ahead of them.

“Can she fish?” asked Becky.

“I’m not sure,” he replied. “I think so. We’ll find out, though, won’t we, honey?”

“You bet!”

They sat on the banks of the pond for over two hours. When they returned to the house, Becky had a fish. Gabe had a fish. Maggie had wet jeans and a broken line.

“Poor Mama.” Becky sighed. “I’m sorry you didn’t catch anything.”

“She didn’t have an expensive rod and reel,” Gabe said, straight-faced.

Maggie aimed a kick at his very masculine seat and fell flat on hers when he whirled, anticipating it, and sidestepped.

The look on her face was comical. He grinned and extended a hand to help her up.

“Next time, don’t put so much spirit into it,” he murmured, delighted at the show of spunk. “You’re going to have a hard time sitting down. Again,” he added with an innocent glance.

She colored at the insinuation and fell quickly into step beside Becky, ignoring him.

“Isn’t this fun?” Becky said, holding up her stringer of one fish. “Just like a real family. I’m so glad I can stay here.”

Gabe glanced at her. “Me too,” he said. “It’s kind of nice, having my own daughter.”

Maggie felt warm at the thought of it. But she knew Dennis, and she was frightened. Gabe was formidable; but what could he do with a man like Dennis, who wouldn’t fight fair?

She worried at the problem without finding any resolution. She thought about mentioning it to Gabe but knew he wouldn’t listen. He wasn’t even taking the custody suit seriously, he was so certain of winning. Maggie wasn’t that certain. And she was afraid. Becky was her whole world. She’d do anything to keep Dennis from using her as a key to the trust. Anything!

Gabe made blood-test appointments for himself and Maggie, and the next day, after they left the doctor’s office, the couple applied for a license at the county courthouse. Then the waiting began.

Janet helped with the invitations, which were extended by telephone because there wasn’t time for anything elaborate.

“It will be fine, dear,” she assured Maggie. “We’re just inviting some friends from Houston—John Durango and his wife, Madeline. They’ve been married four years now, and have two boys. At first they thought their sons would be identical twins, but they’re very different. They don’t look anything alike.”

“That might be a blessing,” Maggie commented.

“I agree.” Janet studied the younger woman. “Are you and Gabriel going to have children of your own?”

“Yes,” Maggie said, smiling.

Janet nodded. “I’ll like that. I’ll like that very much.” And she went back to telephoning.

“What do the Durangos do?” Maggie asked Gabriel the next day just before he left to help finish the branding.

“Do?” He stared at her. “Hell, John owns an oil company.”

“Excuse me, I don’t read minds very well,” she muttered, glaring at him.

“Madeline is a mystery writer. She didThe Grinding Tower, which ran as a miniseries on television,” he added.

“That was one of my favorite books! You actually know the writer?”

“Well, I guess I do,” he said. “She’s just a person.”