Colter Gamblers: Gambling On A Heart Part 10

"Okay. I guess. But I still think I need someone to pound sense into me."

He laughed and looked around the reception area. "Here I thought someone already had done that." He met her gaze, and in typical Logan directness, asked, "What's going on with you and my big brother?"

She groaned. "Please, tell me your aunt Winnie isn't already ordering the china for our wedding."

"Not quite, but she is as happy as a lark. Mom, on the other hand, would like to hire a hit man. You aren't one of her favorite people."

"Tell your mother she can save her money and avoid jail time because nothing is going on between Zack and me. We're friends. If you can call barely tolerating each other a friends.h.i.+p." She leaned her backside against the antique desk in her reception area.

"But you'd like to be more?" Logan sat his designer suit clad, six foot, two-inch frame on the replica of a Victorian couch in front of the windows. He outstretched his arms over the back of the sofa and rested a custom-booted foreleg on his knee. He was totally relaxed as he watched her squirm.

Other than their last names and the above average height and good looks, Zack and Logan were polar opposites. Zack had blond hair and blue eyes; Logan's hair was brown and his eyes were green. Zack was more serious, while Logan didn't take much seriouslyunless it dealt with domestic and estate law or music. Many considered Logan the more successful of the two brothers in spite of Zack's rodeo wins, military service, being the county sheriff, and his substantial bank account. Tracy knew Logan's dream wasn't about battling it out in divorce court for the Dallas rich. Logan wanted to sing his way to the top. Every Friday and Sat.u.r.day night and every chance he got, he played guitar and sang lead with his band Texas Justice. And looked absolutely nothing like the wealthy lawyer sitting in her salon at this moment.

"You know I'd like to be more." Lying to Logan was impossible. "But he's still in love with a dead woman. Also, Jake's trying to make it an issue."

"Are you so sure he loves Lisa?"

His question gave her pause, but she refused to let the implication cause her hope. "It doesn't matter. He'll never forgive me."

"I forgave you, and so will Zack."

"You forgave me for breaking your brother's heart. It was his heart I broke. I think that's a little different, don't you?"

Logan shrugged and straightened to peer into her eyes. "Maybe. But I know my brother thinks about you. At the Fourth of July ball, he couldn't keep his eyes off you. And then, there was the wedding. The man was in torture with that dance. Just as I planned him to be." She narrowed her eyes at him, and he chuckled. "He wanted you, T.C. He wanted you so d.a.m.ned bad he was afraid that touching you would be the match to the fuse."

Logan's words rea.s.sured her a little, but she also knew Zack. He'd never forgive her because he still believed the worst about her, that she was a cheater. "I know he wants me. There's no denying the sparks flying between us. But I want more than just s.e.x." She closed her eyes. "G.o.d, if I'd only known what he'd felt for me, Logan, our lives would have been so different."

"Sure." He didn't seem convinced. "You'd be saving lives and Zack would be risking his on some half-crazed horse. But neither of you would have your kids. And I, for one, wouldn't ever wish Mandy away. I'd bet you wouldn't Bobby either."

The sigh she thrust out was from her soul. "You're right, of course. Can I wish Jake away, then?"

Logan chuckled, and then became serious. "Let me see that letter you got from his lawyer. Preston Tilley, right?" Tracy nodded, and he let out a disgusted huff. "Yeah, he's a shark, but Lance and I are the best family law attorneys in the Big D. And I do mean Dallas," he sang the last, causing her to laugh.

She left him to return with the letter from Jake's lawyer. As she handed Logan the overlarge envelope, she said, "The court date is next Friday. Can we be ready?"

"Shouldn't be a problem." Logan read the letter and then looked up at her. "Since when have you been promiscuous and not a good judge of character?"

With her hands pressed into her hips, Tracy paced again. "That's what burns me up. The last man I had s.e.x with was Jake Parker. Before him, your brother took my virginity when we were both seventeen, and then I got involved with Jake. I haven't slept with any of the jerks I've dated since him. Sure there's been quite a few, and I'll admit the last few men were a bit shady, but Bobby hasn't ever met any of them. I only go out when he's with Jake. Dammit! I'm tired of being considered the town floozy because I made a mistakewhen I was eighteen!" She slapped her fists against her thighs and faced Logan. "And then there's that whole business about you and me having an affair... Ugh!"

Logan stood, took her by the shoulders, and spoke gently. "Tracy, listen to me. Jake can't win."

She wanted to believe him. "Jake told me he won't tolerate Bobby being around Zack. He plans on using Zack's PTSD to prove his thing about the men I dated not being safe, just because he reprimanded Bobby at the wedding. He also brought up my taking in Dylan."

"Have you talked to Bobby about any of this?"

"No." Shaking her head, she said, "Besides, he's with Jake this week."

"That's not what I meant. I'll have to speak with him. If anyone has ever been destructive around Bobby, it's been Jake. I've seen that b.a.s.t.a.r.d when he's coaching. Jake will not win, Tracy. Not if we bring up all the lies he's told you and how manipulative he is."

"Logan, you know that's water under the bridge." Tracy averted her gaze and rubbed her hands over her dark denim skirt. "I could have left him long before I did. I should have when you came to me, before Zack married Lisa, but I just had Bobby." She sighed and turned away. "h.e.l.l, I could have said no when he wanted to have s.e.x the first time."

"Why didn't you?" There wasn't any censure to his tone; oddly, it was gentle understanding.

"You know why." G.o.d, how many times had she asked herself that question?

Logan sat back on the couch. "Yes, I know as your friend. Now, tell me because I'm your lawyer."

Heaving in a breath, she sat down beside him and folded her hands in her lap. "He tricked me into believing Zack was sleeping with Dawn Madison. He told me he went to your parents' house and walked in on him and Dawn having s.e.x. Dear G.o.d, he even explained exactly what they were doing." The sting of tears burned her sinuses as the memory replayed. "I didn't doubt him because I knew your parents were away. And..." The angry fire was dying, extinguished by pain and shame. She swallowed hard. "Zack was known for being a player. I just figured he was tired of me and decided to move on. I thought he was cheating on me. Zack was my first serious boyfriend, and I never understood what he saw in me." The sob was out before she could stop it. "I could never compete with someone as beautiful as Dawn. Jake wanted me, and I guess I lost all perspective. He told me he loved me." Logan wrapped her up in his arms and held her to his chest.

"I'm sorry, T.C.," he murmured into her hair.

She pulled away and stood again. "d.a.m.n, I was so stupid!"

He regarded her for a long time before he said with a note of incredulity, "Tracy, you really believe that, don't you?"

"What? That I'm stupid? I know I am."

"No, you are not. And that wasn't what I meant. I was talking about Zack not possibly loving you and having a fling with Dawn because you think she's prettier than you."

Now she was puzzled. Logan knew she didn't believe that lie anymore. Not after Logan showed Tracy the ring Zack had bought her with his rodeo prize money. Prior to Zack's first National Finals Rodeo, he'd given the ring to Logan to sell to help him pay for college, even though he already had a college fund that sent him to Stanford University. Tracy had just given birth to Bobby and had been sucked totally into Jake's lies. Logan had helped her realize the awful truthentirely too late.

He stood and took her into his arms again. "Tracy, when you finally figure it out, you'll understand. But no one can explain it to you."

She looked up at him and pressed on a smile as stiff as Mr. Potato Head's. "Have you taken up fortune telling, too?"

Logan touched her nose with his index finger in such a brotherly way her heart ached. She loved Logan with the same bone-deep affection she felt for her brother. "No, but I know this for certain. Jake's hoping to use the past to his advantage, and his sudden interest in Bobby has everything to do with you becoming a rich woman. Tracy, according to that letter, Jake wants you to pay him child support and alimony if he wins custody."

The cold lump in her belly expanded. "I know."

With a gleam in his green eyes, Logan said, "All of Jake's antics stink of opportunism at its lowest. May I make a suggestion?"

"Yes." She was still reeling. Jake only wanted to take Bobby away from her for her money?

"I suggest the first thing we do is convert your name back to your maiden name. Otherwise, it seems like you still want to be married to him."

She opened her mouth to protest his observation, but shut it again. Why hadn't she ever changed her name back to Quinn? The reason she explained to her family and friends seemed so lame now. Was it really because of Bobby? Or had she kept the Parker name to punish herself?

Smiling, she asked, "When can I start signing your checks as Tracy Quinn?"

He sn.i.g.g.e.red and raised a brow. "I'm not cheap."

"I know, and I expect to pay you whatever your going retainer is. I didn't let you to take my case before because, one, I couldn't afford you, and two, I didn't want Jake spreading gossip that we're lovers."

"Not a good image." Logan winced.

"I agree. No offense, but you aren't my type."

"No, tall, blond and crazy is more like it."

She shook her head. "Always a comedian, aren't you?" Logan shrugged, and she laughed. "Now answer my question. How soon can we get my name changed?"

He flopped back down on the couch, dwarfing the thing. "I have to go back to Dallas for a meeting, so I'll put in the paperwork later today. We'll have to wait on the Social Security office. But if you want to start using your maiden name as soon as I get the papers filed, go for it. It will be legal soon enough."

"You're the best," she proclaimed and hugged him again. "Thanks, Logan."

"Hey, we Cartwrights stick together."

She sat beside him. "I'm not a Cartwright."

He waved his hand and puffed air between his teeth in dismissive gesture. "Technicalities. You will be soon enough. Then we'll be changing your name again."

She couldn't help but laugh. "You're a dreamer."

"That's me." He lost some of the good-natured c.o.c.kiness. "Before you hear this through the infamous Colton Grapevine, of which Aunt Winnie is the president, I want it to come from me."

"Whoa! Don't tell me someone has finally la.s.soed the heart of Logan Cartwright."

He shook his head and smiled. "That'll be the day. After I win your case, I'm moving to Nashville."

"Wow. When did you decide to do this?"

"After the second song I wrote went to number one, but I'm not the singer singing it. Before I get too d.a.m.ned old to take the plunge, I'm closing my eyes and jumping in the deep end with the alligators."

Logan had been her best friend for years. They didn't advertise their relations.h.i.+p, mainly because the rumor mill would start churning out untrue stories about them. She was happy for him, but scared for him, too.

"Oh, don't look so glum," he quipped, and she let out a laugh at the face he made at her. "I've already got the lecture about how stupid this is from my ever practical big brother and father. The only one who isn't banning me from the next family photo is Mom."

Tracy folded her hands in her lap. "It's not that. I know you'll make it. I guess that's the problem. I'll miss you."

Suddenly it hit her that both of her best friendsDylan and now Loganwere moving on with their lives. Dylan had found Charli and was about to become a father. Logan had his music. But her life was still a mess. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "Is the band going, too?"

"No, I'm going alone."

"When are you leaving?"

He smiled. "I told you, after we win your case. Listen. I'm not disappearing. I'll be around." He winked and added, "Besides, Zack's here and looking for a friend."

She made a face, which included sticking her tongue out at himthe identical one he'd made earlier. He laughed and stood. After glancing at his expensive watch, he said, "I've got to get to Dallas. I have a meeting in three hours with one of my other clients. We're headed to court on Monday. And her case isn't as cut and dry as yours will be."

"Just sing to the judge. That should put him right where you want him." She was hugging him again when the bell rang above the door.

"Am I interrupting?" Zack said with a clear edge to his voice, and she jumped away.

Logan headed for the door, cuffing his older brother on the shoulder as he went. "Nope, she's all yours. Later 'gator."

"'Bye, Logan. Thanks." The tinkling of the bell above the door echoed in the silence as she stared at Zack. Her heart raced at the sight of him, and for one desperate heartbeat, she thought she'd conjured him. "Hi."

"Hey." He removed his hat and twisted it in his hands as he looked around. Finally, he said, "I just pulled Brent Parker over for speeding."

"I hope you really socked it to him."

Zack nodded and regarded her for a moment. She became very aware of him searching her eyes. Was he looking for something in particular? "Oh, I did."

"Too bad it was the wrong Parker brother."

"Speaking of brothers, I didn't realize you and Logan were close." The sharpness of his clipped words surprised her.

"He's a friend."

"Well, then." He glanced around again and his jaw set in what she suspected was irritation.

What right did Zack have to come off like the jealous boyfriend? Tracy propped her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what you're thinking, but Logan and I are just friends. I've asked him to take over my custody case with Jake. The a.s.shole is taking me to court again."

"What was I thinking?"

She lost the fire and dropped her hands to her sides. After tugging her lower lips between her teeth, she shrugged. "I don't know. I just don't want you to get the wrong idea about Logan and me. That's all."

Zack looked away. "Jake didn't take long to make a move."

"What do you mean?"

He met her puzzlement with something dark and dangerous clouding his blue eyes. "You're a rich woman now, Tracy. Surely, you can smell this skunk a mile away."

"Logan said the same thing." Sighing, Tracy leaned against the desk and folded her arms over her chest again. "Thank G.o.d I can now afford Dobbs, Cartwright and Cartwright. My old lawyer is a b.u.mbling idiot.

"So, Logan's taking on your case?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it."

They stared at each other for a long moment. Zack didn't seem to be in any big hurry to leave, but it was easy to see he had no clue what to do or say next. He twisted his hat in his hand and then put it on his head. She figured he was on his way out. Instead, he asked, "Hey, are you free for lunch? I was heading over to the diner when I saw Brent taking the turn at the intersection of Ferguson and Austin Streets like a bat out of h.e.l.l."

Her heart skipped a beat. Whatever had brought Zack into her shop, she wouldn't question it. "I don't have an appointment until one. Besides, Melissa will be here by then. So, yeah, lunch sounds great. Did you want me to meet you there?"

His deep laugh warmed her clear through. "You can come with me, if my ride isn't too intimidating."

"I don't mind." She couldn't tear her gaze from his, and before she thought about what she was saying, she asked, "Are you gonna handcuff me?"

The instant darkening of his eyes forestalled her embarra.s.sment. His slow Texas drawl set her insides on fire. "Would you like to be handcuffed?"

She swallowed back her response to him and the X-rated image his husky tone created. "Ah...let me grab my purse from the office."

His reverberating laughter followed her down the short hall. No, doubt about it, Zack wanted her body, but did he want her heart?

Chapter 8.