Page 59 of Wyoming Tough

“Sure,” she replied. “Just like you wanted to hear my side of it.”

He glanced from one family member to another, turned and walked slowly away. Gelly grabbed his arm at the front door and started talking before they even got halfway out it. But Mallory wasn’t listening.

“WELL, ICAN SEE WHY YOU HADto leave Wyoming,” Shelby said after the guests had gone home and they were sitting on Morie’s bed.

“He’s a pain,” Morie agreed. “But did you see the look on Gelly’s face when she realized who I was?” she mused. “It did my heart good.”

“She’s probably realized how much trouble she’s going to be in, as well,” Shelby replied. She studied her daughter’s face. “You really love that man, don’t you?”

Morie closed up like a sensitive plant at sundown. “I thought I did,” she replied. “But if he could take someone else’s word for my character, he doesn’t know me. He doesn’t want to know me. He’s happy living as a bachelor with his brothers.”

“I wonder.”

“I lived in dreams,” Morie said, fingering the expensive comforter. “I thought he was getting to know me and enjoying it, as I was. I thought he wanted me. All the time, he was just playing.”

“Why would he do that?” Shelby wondered aloud. “He doesn’t seem a frivolous man.”

Morie blinked. “He isn’t.”

“Perhaps he’s been hunted for his wealth, too.”

“He’s still being hunted for it, or didn’t you notice Gelly?” Morie laughed.

“A woman with an eye to the main chance, and quite cold-blooded, if you ask me,” Shelby agreed.

“Even his brothers suspected she was setting me up, but Mallory wouldn’t listen. He’s bull-headed to a fault!”

“Just like your father, dear.”

“I guess so.”

“You shouldn’t marry Daryl when you’re still in love with another man,” Shelby said abruptly. “It’s not fair to either of them.”

Morie didn’t answer. She was remembering the shock on Mallory’s face when he saw her in the beautiful gown, holding Daryl’s hand. It had been sweet vengeance. But it was a long step from that to forgiveness.

“How could I ever trust him again?” Morie wondered aloud. “Who’s to say that he wouldn’t do the same thing twice?”

Shelby kissed her cheek. “Love requires trust. Now I’m going to bed. We’ll talk some more tomorrow, okay? I’m very tired.”

“I know you are. Everything went perfectly. Well, except for Mallory walking in and spoiling the evening.”

“He held his own against your father, you know,” Shelby murmured drily. “That’s not easy. Most other men are terrified of him. Mallory wasn’t.”

Morie had noticed that. It made her proud. But she wasn’t going to say it.

“Sleep well,” she told her mother, and hugged her tight.

Shelby kissed her dark hair. “You, too, my darling. Good night.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“YOU CAN’T BELIEVE THEM!”Gelly exclaimed, almost hysterically. “She’s rich, so she can accuse me of things and I can’t defend myself!”

He glanced at Gelly in the seat of the corporate jet beside him. “Weren’t you just on the other end of that argument?”

She glowered at him. “She stole the egg. I know she did. You saw it in her bag!”

“I did, didn’t I?” He was still kicking himself mentally for believing Morie guilty in the first place.

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