Hawk's Way by Joan Johnston Page B

he’s part of any gang of rustlers.”
    But she couldn’t help thinking about the night Jesse had been gone until three in themorning. Where had he been? What had he been doing? And Jesse hadn’t wanted her to call the police when she had spotted someone suspicious on her property. He had said he would rather tell Dallas about it. Had he?
    Adam had given her a lot to think about, and Honey was quiet for the rest of the journey to the restaurant in Hondo. Hermannson’s Steak House was famous for its traditional Texas fare of chicken-fried steak and onion rings. A country band played later in the evening, and she and Adam danced the Texas two-step and the rousing and bawdy Cotton-eyed Joe.
    Adam was always good company, and Honey couldn’t help laughing at his anecdotes. But she was increasingly aware that the end of the evening was coming, when Adam would renew his proposal and she would have to give him her answer. She felt a somberness stealing over her. Finally Adam ceased trying to make her smile.
    â€œTime to go?” he asked.
    â€œI think so.”
    She tried several times in the car to get out the words I can’t marry you. It wasn’t as easy being candid as she wished it was.
    Adam wasn’t totally insensitive to her plight, she discovered. In fact he made it easy for her.
    â€œIt’s all right,” he said in a quiet voice. “I guess I knew I was fooling myself. When you didn’t say yes right away I figured you had some reservations about marrying me. I guess I hoped if I was persistent you’d change your mind.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Honey said.
    â€œSo am I,” Adam said with a wry twist of his mouth. “I suppose it won’t do any good to warn you again about that drifter you hired, either.”
    â€œI’ll think about what you said,” Honey conceded. She just couldn’t believe Jesse had come to the Flying Diamond to steal from her. She had to believe that or die from the pain she felt at the thought he had simply been using her all this time.
    The inside of the house was dark when they drove up, but it was late. Honey was grateful that she wouldn’t have to confront Jesse tonight about the things Adam had told her.
    â€œGood night, Adam,” Honey said. She felt awkward. Unsure whether he would want tokiss her and not willing to hurt him any more than she already had by refusing if he did.
    Adam proved more of a gentleman than she had hoped. He took her hand in his and held it a moment. The look on his face was controlled, but she saw the pain in his eyes as he said, “Goodbye, Honey.”
    She swallowed over the lump in her throat. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. “I’m sorry,” she said again.
    â€œDon’t be. I’ll survive.” Only he knew how deeply he had allowed himself to fall in love with her, and how hard it was to give up all hope of having her for his wife.
    Slowly he let her hand slip through his fingers. He came around and opened the car door for her and walked her to the porch. As he left her, his last words were, “Be careful, Honey. Don’t trust that drifter too much.”
    Then he was gone.
    Honey let herself into the dark house and leaned back against the front door. Her whole body sagged in relief. She had hurt a good man without meaning to, though she didn’t regret refusing his proposal.
    â€œYou were gone long enough!”
    The accusation coming out of the dark startled Honey and she nearly jumped out of her shoes.
    â€œYou scared me to death!” she hissed. “What are you doing sitting here in the dark?”
    â€œWaiting for you.”
    As her eyes adjusted to the scant light, she saw that Jesse was no longer sitting. He had risen and was closing the distance between them. Escape seemed like a good idea and she started for the stairs. She didn’t get two steps before he grasped her by the shoulders.
    â€œYou didn’t bring