Page 197 of Backlash

“Champagne or Scotch?”

Colton glanced sideways at his host.

“Scotch,” Nate decided, taking his place as bartender at a mirrored bar and pouring Cassie a glass of champagne. He handed them their respective drinks, then tugged at the strings surrounding his throat. “Damned things. I don’t know why Paula insists we dress up.”

“It’s just her way of keeping you in line,” Cassie teased, sipping from her glass.

“I s’pose. Sure is a bother, though.” Nate poured himself a stiff shot and

took a swallow. “Sorry to hear about all your trouble with Black Magic. A damned shame, that’s what it is. Lost twice in two years and now strangles. Sometimes ranchin’ can be a real bitch.” He shook his head and smoothed his hair.

Cassie stiffened, expecting Colton to argue about the horse being stolen, instead he just nodded affably, though his jaw was clamped tight.

The doorbell pealed, and Nate, catching Paula’s eye, finished his drink quickly. “Duty calls,” he muttered, sauntering toward the foyer and leaving Colton and Cassie in a room crowded with neighboring ranchers and townspeople.

Cassie knew almost everyone. She smiled and waved, made small talk and mingled. Colton didn’t leave her for a minute. More than a few people glanced their way, and some of the ranchers’ smiles seemed forced. She felt hateful undercurrents in the air.

Matt Wilkerson’s lips had flattened at the sight of Colton, and Vince Monroe’s smile had fallen from his face.

Then Cassie saw Jessica Monroe sliding Colton secretive glances.

Jessica’s blond hair spilled over her shoulders in luxurious waves, and her white satin-and-lace dress seemed almost bridal. She sipped champagne, giggled and kept her arm looped through Ryan Ferguson’s, though her gaze wandered over the crowd and lingered on Colton. Colton didn’t seem to notice.

“Cassie!” Beth Simpson waved from the far side of the room. She’d already kicked off her shoes and was seated in an apricot-colored velvet chair. Her dress, a billowing amber-and-yellow print, spilled over her distended belly.

Glad to see a friendly face, Cassie waved back and wound her way through the knots of people to her friend. “I thought you were supposed to be in the hospital,” she said, remembering the gossip she’d heard in town. “What’re you doing here?”

“Waiting for my water to break,” Beth grumbled. “I did go into County General, but it was false labor. I felt like a fool, too, since this”—she tapped her abdomen—“isn’t my first.”

“Well, you fit right in,” Cassie observed just as Denver and Tessa walked into the room. Tessa looked absolutely radiant. Her face was glowing; her strawberry-blond hair shimmered under the dimmed lights. “It looks like we’ve got an epidemic of pregnant ladies,” she joked.

Beth laughed, but Cassie’s eyes were drawn to Colton’s older brother. Denver was as handsome as ever. Even though he’d suffered several plastic surgeries after the fire, he was as ruggedly good-looking as Colton. He never left Tessa’s side as they wended through the crowd.

A few faces turned his way, and a few people exchanged meaningful glances. Ryan Ferguson noticed him and stopped dancing with Jessica. Hatred seemed to radiate from his body, and he took a step forward, but Jessica’s hand restrained him.

Denver didn’t seem to notice.

Tessa spied Colton and Cassie and, dragging her recalcitrant husband behind her, made a beeline across the room. Colton shifted closer to Cassie, keeping one arm around her waist as Tessa joined them. “I can’t thank you enough,” she said breathlessly, her hazel eyes shining on Cassie. “Dad says you single-handedly delivered Red Wing’s colt.”

“Not so single-handedly. Red Wing did all the work, and Colton helped.”

“Did you?” Tessa arched one fine brow at her brother-in-law.

“I just took orders,” Colton clarified.

“That I’d like to see!” Tessa said, giggling as Denver, standing behind her, wrapped possessive arms around her thick waist.

“I guess I owe you, too,” Denver conceded, though he didn’t smile and his blue eyes were dead serious. “You managed to save Black Magic and a couple of others.”

“We all did.” Cassie started to relax, but she felt Colton’s muscles stiffen. “Hopefully you won’t have any other cases.”

Denver’s eyes narrowed. “What about the other ranchers in the valley. Has anyone else had a problem?”

Cassie bristled, taking the hint. “None that I know of.” When Denver didn’t seem convinced, she added, “Craig and I talked about it—since strangles is so contagious. He’s afraid that Black Magic linked up with some wild horses who have the disease.”

“Just let me know if you hear of any other cases,” Denver said before Tessa sent him a killing look.

“You, husband dear, have a one-track mind. Cassie didn’t come here to discuss her work and, except to thank her for helping out at our ranch, neither did I. Let’s dance.”

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