Long, Tall Texans: Calhoun by Diana Palmer Page B

likely taken Shelby home. And was still there...
    "Can we go home, Ty?" she asked huskily.
    "Are you sure that's what you want?" Ty asked, his voice full of sympathy.
    "I'm tired," Abby replied, and it was no lie. She really was. She was tired of watching Calhoun in action. First the blonde, now Shelby, and all in one week. But plain little Abby didn't figure in his world. She didn't even matter. She looked up at Ty, her eyes misty with unshed tears. "Do you mind?"
    "Of course I mind," he said gently. "But if that's what you want, we'll go."
    Abby didn't speak all the way home. It was unlike Calhoun to deliberately start trouble. It was almost as if he were getting back at Justin for something, but for what? Justin hadn't done anything to him.
    Tyler walked her up the steps onto the long front porch with its graceful arches and porch furniture.
    "Sorry the evening ended so abruptly," Tyler said. "But I hope you had fun."
    "I did, honestly," she said, smiling up at him.
    He took a deep breath and bent toward her hesitantly. When she didn't resist, he brushed his mouth gently against hers.
    There was no response, and after a minute he lifted his dark head.
    His green eyes searched hers, and he wasn't smiling. "You don't have a clue, do you, honey?" he asked gently. "And I think it's lack of interest more than just lack of experience."
    "You think I'm green as grass, too, I guess," she sighed miserably.
    He cocked an eyebrow and tweaked her chin with his lean fingers. "So that's how it is." He pursed his lips. "Well, little Abby, with some cooperation from you I could take care of the green part in about five minutes. But I think that's a lesson the man you're mooning over should teach you." He touched his lips to her forehead. "I hope he appreciates his good luck. You're a special girl."
    "He doesn't think so, but I'm glad you do." She looked up at him with a faint smile. "I wish it could be you."
    His expression hardened for just an instant before the old mocking humor came back. "So do I. Want to go to dinner one night? Just a friendly dinner. I know when a door's being closed, so you won't have any worries on that score."
    Her smile grew brighter. "You're a nice man."
    "Not always." He touched her cheek gently. "Good night."
    "Good night, Tyler. I had a good time."
    "So did I."
    He took the steps two at a time, and Abby stood quietly, watching him drive off. It was a long time before she turned and went into the house.
    She closed the front door and started toward the staircase, only to be stopped in her tracks by an off-key rendition of a Mexican drinking song. Somewhere in the back of her mind she recognized it as one Justin sang on the very rare occasions when he had had too many glasses of whiskey.

Chapter Seven
    Abby went all the way inside the house and closed the door. Then she slipped down the hall to the study and peeked in.
    Justin was holding a square whiskey glass. It was empty. He was sprawled on the leather sofa with his dark hair in his eyes and his shirt rumpled, one big boot propped on the spotless leather seat, singing for all he was worth. On the coffee table beside him were a smokeless ashtray, a crumpled cigarette pack, a fresh cigarette pack, and half a bottle of whiskey.
    "No puedo hacer..." He stopped at the sound of her footsteps and looked up at her with bloodshot eyes.
    "Oh, Justin," she moaned.
    "Hello, Abby. Want a snort?"
    She grimaced at the glass he held up. "It's empty," she told him.
    He stared at it. "Damn. I guess it is. Well, I'll fill it up, then."
    He threw his leg off the sofa, almost ending up on the floor in the process.
    Abby put down her purse and coat and helped him onto the sofa. "Justin, this won't help," she said. "You know it won't."
    "She cried," Justin murmured. "Damn it, she cried. And he took her home. I want to kill him, Abby," he said, his eyes blazing, his voice harsh. "My own brother, and I want to kill him because he went off with her!"
    She bit her lower lip. She