Lone Star Courtship by Mae Nunn Page B

convention?”
    She shrugged and waited on the punch line.
    â€œThe caterer,” he deadpanned.
    â€œGood one.” She laughed at his silly one-liner.
    With humor sparkling in her eyes she was even more appealing. What wouldn’t a man do to win her heart?
    â€œBarrett, not everyone hates lawyers.”
    â€œThat’s only because not everyone’s met us.” He couldn’t resist the obvious opportunity to make her laugh again.
    â€œOuch! Now remember you said that and not me.” She wiped at the corners of her eyes where merriment gleamed after a fit of giggles.
    She sobered and pointed to the space between the sea and the sun.
    â€œOh, Barrett, look! How incredible.”
    The gap closed steadily as the ball of light drifted closer to the ocean’s surface. The steam engine powering the huge wheel of paddles quieted as guests moved to the starboard to fully appreciate the view. As the blaze of yellow-orange kissed the sea and quickly sank into the deep, three bells sounded followed by the applause of the guests.
    Thousands of tiny white lights sprang to life, twinkling like countless stars overhead. Live music drifted up from the deck beneath them and the two soon found themselves in privacy as diners went below to enjoy the unusual jazz.
    â€œWhat is that?” He tapped his fingers on the tabletop.
    â€œZydeco. It’s Louisiana folk music in keeping with the Cajun theme this evening. You picked a good night to get a taste of New Orleans. Literally!”
    â€œAnd it seems I picked the perfect companion, since you seem to know all about these things.”
    â€œGalveston celebrates Mardi Gras just like they do in New Orleans. I was lucky to be here during the season and got a firsthand introduction.” She trailed her fingers through colored beads pooled on the tabletop.
    â€œAnd I was expecting Texas to be full of cowboys and Indians.”
    Her hand stilled. How he wished he could recall the comment. “Well, we certainly unearthed plenty of that for you today, didn’t we?”
    She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the heel of her hand as if the memory of the day’s events had rushed painfully back into her mind. He had to do something to distract her from her worries. To atone.
    Anything.
    He shifted closer, placed his arm protectively around her and cupped her bare shoulder with his palm. She leaned into him, rested her head and nestled comfortably into the circle of his arm. A long sigh escaped from deep within her: a whoosh of pent-up emotion. Then a soft involuntary sniff punctuated the sigh, as if tears threatened. What to do?
    Without asking permission or giving himself time to second-guess, Barrett cradled Casey back enough to tip her face up to his. Her eyes were tightly closed, and moisture glistened where her dark lashes pressed together. He dipped his head, pressed his mouth close to her ear and whispered, “Just trust. The Father will work all things out for the best.”

    The words were a welcome breath of warm comfort on Casey’s ear. The events of the past two days had drained what was normally a limitless supply of energy. Now fatigue had her fighting back tears and in the arms of a man who was not much more than a stranger. A stranger who could be the key to her dreams or keep them locked up indefinitely.
    This is crazy, she told herself. I have to shake this off and get back to business. Too much is at stake to let this man get so close.
    And then what was innocent became intimate as he pressed his lips to hers.

Chapter Nine
    T he kiss was so unexpected, and so incredibly enjoyable, that it had to be imagined. Fatigue had finally overtaken her. She was hallucinating!
    The firm pressure of a mouth upon hers and the soft moan that was most decidedly male convinced her otherwise. She cracked one eye ever so slightly then squeezed it shut. Sure enough, she was lip-locked with the gorgeous Brit!
    Along with her