Heartland by Sherryl Woods Page B

rejection, Steven boldly followed her into the shower where he made a very tempting, seductively murmured offer to scrub her back. That delayed their departure to the farm by an hour. When they finally got downstairs, Jennifer was practically dancing around the room in impatience.
    â€œYou took forever, Aunt Lara,” she chided.
    â€œSorry, sweet pea. We’re ready now.”
    Jennifer regarded Steven eagerly. “Are you coming, too?”
    â€œYou bet I am,” he said.
    â€œHe saved your sister,” Lara reminded her. “Of course, he wants to see how she’s doing.”
    â€œOh boy, then let’s hurry, Aunt Lara. I want Mr. Drake to meet my mommy and daddy, too.” She bounded down the lane ahead of them, turning repeatedly to urge them to hurry. Lara caught her excitement and found herself tugging on Steven’s hand.
    But once the farmhouse was in sight and Lara could hear the angry voices all the way across the yard, her anticipation turned to dread. A heated exchange between her brother and sister-in-law would have been distressing enough under any circumstances, but it was especially so because she obviously was the subject of this one. She clung more tightly to Steven’s hand. She suddenly wanted to take Jennifer and turn back, but it was too late. It would be cowardly to run, and there was no point to it.
    â€œStay out of it, Megan!” Tommy snapped, his voice carrying clearly. “I don’t trust Drake. You weren’t here when it happened. You don’t know what that man did to her. He very nearly destroyed her. He’s obviously the kind of man who gets his kicks from going around seducing women and then walking out on them.”
    Lara gazed at Steven in mute apology.
    â€œHe’s only saying what he feels,” Steven said. “I can’t condemn him for that. Besides, it’s true. I did hurt you terribly.”
    â€œYes, but that’s in the past. My God, you just saved his child. He should at least give you—” Before she could complete the thought, Megan’s equally furious voice cut through the air.
    â€œI think you’re misjudging him. I see what he’s doing for Lara now. Didn’t you see how they looked at each other last night? He loves her and she loves him. If you’d really wanted to help her, you’d have spent the last years trying to get them back together, instead of encouraging her anger.”
    â€œShe had every right to be angry.”
    â€œOf course, she did. But it didn’t give her a moment’s satisfaction, did it? Can’t you be glad that she’s finally happy? For the first time since you brought me here to live when we got married, your sister actually seems ready to live life again. If you can’t be supportive, you’re the one who ought to stay out of it.”
    Jennifer turned a distraught face up to Lara. “Why are Mommy and Daddy fighting?”
    â€œIt’s just a disagreement, baby,” she said, then set her chin at a defiant tilt. “And I think it’s just about time it ended.”
    Lara threw open the screen door and marched into the kitchen. Tommy and Megan glanced up guiltily, their faces flushed.
    â€œEnough!” Lara declared. “I will not have the two of you fighting over the way I live my life.” She faced Tommy and said more gently, “It is my life, you know. I have the right to make this choice, whether you approve or not.”
    Tommy’s gaze went from her to Steven and back again. Finally his angry expression relaxed, and some of the tension went out of his shoulders. “I just don’t want you to be hurt again, Sis.”
    â€œIt won’t happen, Tommy,” Steven said, drawing the younger man’s attention. He put an arm possessively around Lara’s waist. “I’ve done my best to explain to Lara what happened back then, and she’s accepted my word. I’m back in her life to