Desert Rain (11 page)

Lincs eyebrows shot up.

No matter how mature you think Beth is, Holly said, I doubt that she likes having
breakfast with your most recent amour.

If Im sleeping double, I sleep somewhere else, he said bluntly.

Oh.

Youll be the first in my bed at home,nin‡. And the last.

His fingers wound in her long black hair. Gently he pulled her toward him and tilted her
face to receive his lips.

Just as his mouth touched hers he whispered, Marry me today. We could be in Mexico in less
than an hour.

Before Holly could answer, Linc pulled her against him, kissing her so thoroughly she
couldnt breathe. She returned his kiss with a passionate abandon that made both of them
tremble.

When he finally ended the kiss, he watched her with eyes that were clear and certain.

I wont hear anything except yes, he said. So if you want to argue, youll just have to wait
until after the party. Truce, remember?

Holly wanted to say yes more than she had ever wanted to do anything in her life. She had
always known that she loved Linc. Now she was learning just how much.

But until he knew that Holly was also Shannon, she couldnt accept promises he might not
want to keep.

Ill wait until our truce ends to say yes, she said. Then we can go to Mexico or the moon
or anywhere, so long as were together.

Lincs face became very still.

Why wait if its yes? he asked.

When the truce ends, you may want to withdraw the offer.

You think well have a horrible fight right away? he asked, smiling crookedly.

I know we will, she said, unsmiling. But if you want me afterward, youve got me.

Linc slid his fingers between the towel and Hollys breasts.

Do I have to wait that long? he asked, caressing gently.

She drew in a quick breath.

Only for the marriage, she said huskily. The woman you could have had anytime since dawn.

Beths voice came down the hallway.

Linc? she called. Are you in the shower yet?

Slowly he withdrew his hand, but otherwise made no move to separate himself from Holly.

In here, Linc called.

Beth breezed into the room, saw Linc with his arms around Holly, and grinned with open
delight.

Does this mean that after six years Im finally going to have Holly as a sister? Beth asked.

Im working on it, he said. Shes damn near as stubborn as I am.

Try one of your famous truces, retorted Beth.

I did. Midnight tomorrow, she says yes.

Beth whooped and threw her arms around both Holly and Linc. They each put an arm around
her and hugged her in return.

Midnight, huh? Beth asked, laughing. Cool. Just like Cinderella!

Linc laughed aloud, but Hollys answering smile was a little forced. Midnight hadnt been
Cinderellas finest hour.

Holly? Beth called. Can I come in?

Holly glanced toward the bedroom door. She had chosen to stay in the guest bedroom across
the hall from the master bedroom, rather than in the master bedroom itself.

It was one thing to be engaged to Linc.

It was quite another to have Linc keep his little sister on a tight leash and then leave
the leash off himself entirely.

Come on in, Holly said.

The door flew open. Beth came in with a rush.

Linc told me to tell you hell be in the barn for a while, Beth said. One of his best
horses needs him.

A while, hmm? Holly said. She smiled slightly. I remember Linc and his prize Arabians.
Could be five minutes or five hours, right?

Its the mares first foal, Beth explained. She cant decide whether to lie down and have it
or stand around and look surprised. It could be all night.

Holly sighed and buttoned her freshly washed blouse.

Then wed better think about getting some food out to Linc, Holly said. Breakfast was a
long time ago.

Beth grinned. I already took him three sandwiches and a quart of coffee. Hes lucky to have
a sister like you. Thats what I keep telling him. Smiling, Holly tested her hair.

Finally, she muttered. Dry enough to braid. Her fingers flew, deftly weaving long strands
of hair into an intricate pattern. You make that look so easy, Beth said after a minute.

What?

Your braid. It looks so smart. But mineugh.

Beth held up one of her own long braids as though it was a dead snake.

You have pretty hair, Holly said.

Ha, Beth said succinctly. Pigtails or ponytails. Yuck.

There are other things you can do with long hair if you dont want to cut it.

I want to cut it, but Linc wont let me.

Hollys eyebrows rose in black arches.

No makeup, Beth said in a rush, no cool clothes and the same hairdo I had six years ago.

Linc again?

The younger girls full mouth twisted into a grimace.

Linc, Beth agreed. I didnt mind for a while, but now . . .

Her voice faded. An expression of wistful yearning came over her face.

A boy? Holly asked, already knowing the answer.

Beth smiled shyly and nodded her head.

Who is he? Holly asked.

Jack. My best friends older brother.

How much older?

You sound just like Linc!

Holly smiled. Thats because we both love you.

Jack just turned eighteen and Ill be sixteen in a few months so theres really only two
years. Hes not too old for me!

Of course not. Beth smiled with relief.

Im glad you feel that way, she said. Linc doesnt. And the way he makes me dress just makes
me look like Im in kindergarten.

If Jack is worth your time, Holly said, he wont care about your clothes or hair. Beths
mouth flattened into a stubborn line that reminded Holly of Linc.

Thats what my brother says, Beth muttered.

Hes right.

Maybe. But why doI have to be the one to testLincs theories? Besides, Beth added bitterly,
when he goes out with a woman, he sure doesnt pick the plain ones.

Remembering Cyn, Holly could hardly disagree.

You arent plain, Holly said.

The younger girl turned and looked at Holly with level eyes.

Im as plain as a post, Beth countered.

The tone of her voice and her stance told Holly that Beth believed every word of what she
was saying.

Youre not plain at all, Holly said firmly.

Beth gave her a sidelong glance and said nothing.

Your smile alone is beautiful enough to turn heads, Holly added.

Oh, my teeth are straight, the younger girl said grudgingly, and my skin is clear. Other
than that, Im . . . plain.

Holly measured Beth as though seeing her for the first time.

The younger girls eyes were the glowing, pale turquoise of a rain-washed desert sky. Her
lips were full, ready to smile or pout or laugh. Her skin was smooth, lightly tanned, and
glowing with health. At fifteen, she had a lovely, lithe, feminine figure.

With a discreet amount of makeup, the right clothes, and another hairstyle . . .Holly
thought.Yes, she would be a knockout.

Is that what Linc is afraid of?

Holly? Beth waved her hand in front of Hollys face. Anybody home? Come on, Holly said,
holding out her hand. Beth took it instantly. Where are we going? she asked.

Palm Springs. Huh? Why? If we hurry, well have an hour or two before the shops close.

Shops?

Clothes, Holly said succinctly.

Oh, yeah. You look about my age in that get-up, except for your hair.

Holly glanced in the mirror. Rumpled blue shirt and ragged jeans. Clodhopper shoes, no
makeup, and her hair pulled back from her face.

Shes right, Holly thought.I barely look old enough to drive. Ruefully, she shook her head
and patted her pockets to make sure her credit cards were in place. If Roger sees me like
this, Holly said under her breath, hell disown me. Whos Roger? Beth asked instantly. My
boss. Oh. What kind of work do you do? Im a model. Beth took a quick breath. Dismay showed
clearly on her young features. Does Linc know? she whispered. Yes, Holly said, but he
doesnt really believe it. Holly Beths voice broke. I know. Do you? she asked in a strained
voice. Linchates models. His mother and mine were both models. Uh-huh. I know. Beth made a
distressed sound. Holly smiled at Lincs sister with a cheerfulness that was pure bravado.
Lets go shopping, Holly said. Are you coming to the Arabian Nights party? Wouldnt miss it.
Knowing Linc, Ill bet you need something special to wear for the party. Glumly Beth
nodded. But he wont let me buy anything unless hes along. You wouldnt turn down a gift
from me, would you?

A gift?

Party clothes.

The younger girl brightened.

Oh, Beth said. Would you really?

Watch me. Does Linc still keep his car keys in the dish by the back door?

Uh-huh.

Holly drove one of Lincs cars, a bronze BMW coupe that was built for twisting mountain
roads. The air was sultry. Vague hints of thunder muttered among the clouds and
mountaintops.

As soon as Holly reached Palm Springs, she turned to Beth. Where to? Holly asked. Oh,
there are lots of places. Sure, but wheres the best one?

For you? Beth asked.

For both of us.

The younger girl grinned.

Turn left at the next light, she said eagerly.

Beths choice was Chez Elegance. The small, exclusive boutique featured clothes that were
suitable for teenagers as well as women over twenty.

Discreetly Holly checked the styles and fabrics at random. She was relieved to see that
even the most avant-garde designs depended on quality rather than shock alone for their
impact.

Beth went from rack to rack with an innocent greed that made Holly smile. See something
you like? Holly asked. Everything, she said, sighing. This is the coolest store, but Linc
never lets me buy anything here. Too expensive? Too advanced, Beth said sarcastically.

Trust me, Holly said. When Im through, you wont look like any more than you already are.
Or any less.

An hour later they emerged from the shop with a loose, off-white silk blouse and a
floor-length silk skirt of the same pale turquoise as Beths eyes. There were thin,
matching turquoise ribbons to braid into her hair. Delicate silver sandals with modest
heels completed the outfit.

Beth was ecstatic. As soon as they were out on the sidewalk, she clutched the packages to
her body and whirled around and around, crowing her delight.

What a wonderful homecoming present, Holly! I cant wait for the party! Jacks coming with
his parents! Wait until he sees me! Hell

Beths exuberant words stopped abruptly when she bumped into someone. Watch those big feet
of yours, Cyn snapped. Holly and Beth turned around as one. Sorry, mumbled Beth.

Theres nothing wrong with her feet, Holly said coolly. She handles them better than you do
your tongue.

Cyns narrowed eyes took in Hollys blouse and jeans and shoes.

A new ranch hand? Cyn asked, turning to Beth.

The younger girl smiled with pure malice.

Didnt Linc tell you this morning when he called from the barn? Beth asked innocently.
Holly is going to be Mrs. Lincoln McKenzie.

Cyns face changed, older now. And much harder.

Listening in on the extension again? she asked.

For a moment Beth looked uncomfortable.

Im not surprised, Cyn said. Plain girls like you have to be sly. They have nothing else
going for them.

Beth tried to hide how much Cyns words hurt, but couldnt. She simply wasnt old enough to
match insults with someone like Cyn.

If you take out those dark-blue contact lenses you always wear, Holly said distinctly, you
would see that Beth is beautiful.

Cyns laughter was as light and delicate as her perfume.

Youve got to be kidding, Cyn said. Shes almost as plain as you are. Havent you heard? Men
like their women soft, petite, and round in all the right places.

Especially the heels? Holly suggested.

Cyn turned on her like a cat.

Just because you saved Lincs life doesnt mean he wants you, Cyn said in a voice that
cracked with anger. Hell get tired of your Plain Jane innocence fast enough. Hes all man.
And face it, sweetie. You have all the sex appeal of a concrete slab.

Concrete slab? murmured Holly.

Her eyes were narrowed and every bit as hard as Cyns.

Come to the Arabian Nights ball, Holly invited. Watch men stand in line to talk to me. And
then Ill watch you wish youd never been so blind and bitchy as to call Beth plain. Got
that,sweetie?

Cyn stared at Holly in disbelief.

You couldnt get your mirror to look at you, much less a man, Cyn said.

Holly just smiled. The smile was as cold as her eyes.

Im coming to the ball, Cyn said, but the men will be looking at me, not you. See you
there. But you wont see me. Ill be buried in men.

The sound of Cyns laughter drifted on the air even after she was halfway down the block. I
hate her, Beth said in a strained voice. I dont know what Linc sees in her. Holly
grimaced. She knew exactly what Linc saw in Cyn. Hes accustomed to her, uh, face, Holly
muttered.

Beth touched Hollys arm in silent sympathy.

Im sorry, Beth said in a small voice. You didnt have to crawl out on a limb to defend me.
I know Im plain.

You are not plain, Holly said, emphasizing each word.

A wan smile was Beths only answer.

Guessing the source of her concern, Holly gave her a wink.

Come on, Holly said. Lets go to the hotel and pick up my stuff. Youre going to be almost
as surprised as Cyn when I do my caterpillar-to-butterfly act.

But nobody, Holly thought,is going to be as surprised as Linc when Shannon rather than
Holly shows up at the ball.

It wasnt a happy thought. Thunder burst overhead just as a gust of hot, humid wind washed
over the land. The wind smelled of

sand and dust and rain.

As one Beth and Holly hurried to the car.

They just beat the storm home. When Holly pulled into the driveway of the Mountains of
Sunrise, lightning was stitching through the clouds overhead.

Linc? called Holly, as she walked into the kitchen.

No one answered.

Still in the foaling barn, Ill bet, Beth said.

Holly nodded and sighed. She had decided on the drive back from Palm Springs to talk with
Linc. Somehow she had to prepare him for the transformation of Holly into Shannon.

If I can just find the words. And the courage,Holly admitted to herself.

Surely hell give me a chance to explain, to prove to him that not all models are heartless
bitches.

Wont he?

Holly? Are you okay? You look kind of odd.

Just a little tired.

You sure?

Holly nodded.

Beth hesitated, then headed for her own bedroom, packages in hand. She stopped in the hall
and looked over her shoulder.

Are you sure you wont let me pay you back? Beth asked. Daddy left me money in my own name,
even though Linc controls it until Im eighteen.

That outfit is my homecoming present for you.

Its an awfully expensive present.

Dont worry, honey, Holly said, smiling. Every penny of it is going to come out of Sandras
hide.

Yeah, Linc told me about that. What a bier, witch. She even kept my letters from you.

Hollys smile vanished. Without it, she looked remote, unapproachable, every inch the
fighter life had forced her to be.

You wrote to me, too? Holly asked softly. Sure. Except for Linc, you were the only one who
ever loved me.

Holly crossed the kitchen and hugged Beth hard, packages and all.

I still love you, Holly said fiercely. And I wrote to you.

Beths eyes were bright with emotion.

I love you, too, she said. I wish Sandra had never come. Linc would have been happier and
so would I.

So would I, Holly said, releasing Beth.

Smiling, Beth looked at her.

You know, Beth said, if it hadnt been for Sandra, I bet Id have been an aunt by now.

And Shannon would never have been born,Holly thought immediately.

Strangely, the idea disturbed her.

From the first, the glamorous Shannon mask had made Holly uneasy. That was why she had
chosen to work under a name other than her own.

But the name itself was part of Hollyher middle name, her mothers maiden name.

Shannon.

From the beginning, Shannon had grown out of Hollys own needs, whether she admitted it at
the time or not. Whatever Holly wasnt, Shannon was.

Shannon had never been orphaned at sixteen. Shannon had never wept to be beautiful so that
the man she loved would notice her. Shannon had never been awkward or too tall. Shannon
had never been lonely.

The list of their differences was endless.

Or is it?Holly asked herself for the first time.