Jenny by Bobbi Smith

Jenny had always
been rich, while her own family had had to work hard
for their money. It seemed to Mira that she had been
in love with Cole forever, but Jenny was the woman
Cole had proposed to. When Jenny had walked out
on him at the wedding, Mira had been completely
shocked. She didn't understand how any woman
could not want Cole. She'd been trying to win his
love ever since Jenny had gone, but he'd made it plain
he wasn't going to get involved with anyone again.
That was why she'd come up with her plan to trap
him, and she was going to enjoy every minute of the
trapping!
    When Mira had learned that things were going
badly on the Lazy S, it had given her great satisfaction. Jenny Sullivan deserved every miserable, rotten thing that happened to her, but now that her rival
had come back, Mira was upset. The farther Jenny
stayed from Durango and Cole-the happier Mira
would be.
    Mira wondered suddenly if Cole had been over at
the Sullivan place. She was tempted to ask, but didn't.
She had her own ways of finding things out.

    Damn that woman! Thoughts of Jenny's return enraged Mira and made her all the more determined to
lure Cole to her bed. If she could manage it, she was
going to arrange to spend the night at the Branding
Iron tonight. Surely, if she was alone with him, she
could arouse him enough to get him to make love to
her.
    Mira knew her father had started drinking earlier
in the day and had passed out by late afternoon. He'd
never miss her if she stayed away all night, and her
brother was off whoring in town someplace, so she
was free to do whatever she pleased-and it pleased
her to be there with Cole.
    Cole's mood had not been good on the ride home,
and finding Mira waiting for him didn't improve it
any. He needed some time alone. He stopped at the
front door, hesitant to take her inside with him.
    "Was there something else you needed, Mira?" He
wasn't sure why she had stayed on so late waiting for
him. The news of the upcoming social was not that
exciting or important to make her so vigilant.
    "Only to see you again," she said seductively.
    She stopped and turned to look up at him. She gave
him her most enticing look, wanting him to take her
in his arms and kiss her. When he didn't respond
immediately, she kept her disappointment hidden.
    "As late as it is..."
    Cole was not in the mood to be with anyone tonight, not after having held Jenny that afternoon, and
he was certainly not going to get seriously involved with another female. He knew that was what Mira
wanted marriage.

    "I know it's late. If I'd realized you were going to
be gone so long, I wouldn't have stayed on. Now that
it's dark, though, do you think I should head home
alone or spend the night here with you?" She made
the question sound innocent.
    Cole hesitated. With no other woman to chaperone
them, it would be awkward for her to stay, but he
didn't know how he could just send her on her way.
    "It's up to you. I can have one of the men ride with
you, if you'd like. I wouldn't want to put your reputation at risk."
    Mira was so frustrated with Cole, she was ready to
curse out loud. Only a flash of distant lightning and
the accompanying rumble of thunder saved her from
being forced to leave.
    "I guess I'd better stay. I'm sure my father will
understand when I explain everything," she lied.
    Cole wasn't so sure, and he wasn't about to set
himself up for trouble. In a way, he regretted that he'd
ever let anything come of his casual acquaintance
with Mira. He knew she wanted much more from him
than he ever planned to give.
    "Let's go in. I'll see about fixing up the extra bedroom for you."
    She didn't protest his offer but played along. She
was delighted that she'd be staying the night. What
was going to happen next was anyone's guess, but
she was ready and eager for anything.

    They sat in the parlor and talked for a while. Then
Cole went to make sure the bedroom was ready for
her. He was startled