Winter Harvest (14 page)

The realization shocked her.

She owed it to herself to at least give Evan a chance and see where it might lead. He came from a stable, loving family; he also loved his parents, had an older brother he admired, and a sister he adored. He didn't have any demons. He knew who he was and what he wanted. She experienced no push-pull with him. He had her rolling with laughter, and she loved it.

"So I might as well just ask."

"Ask what?" Victoria widened her eyes

He looked at her. "Will you go out with me? Besides here, I mean. Maybe to a nice restaurant or the comedy club or something."

"Evan, I'd love to go out with you. Anywhere is fine."

His smile engulfed his face. "Great."

"How about dinner and a movie to start with? A comedy would be great."

"Sounds good." He handed her his cell phone. "Punch in your number."

"Not wasting any time, are you?"

"Hell, no. Why give you a chance to change your mind when you see what an idiot you agreed to spend time with?"

"You're far from an idiot." She handed him her cell and took his. "I've enjoyed this day more than I ever thought possible."

"Good." He touched her arm.

Victoria bit her lip to stop herself from frowning. Why couldn't she get the same jolt she did from Traye? "Listen, I'm going to try and make my way to the ladies room. Will you be here when I return?"

"I'm not going anywhere."

Victoria smiled and nodded. She hopped from the bar stool and weaved her way through the crowd. She managed to get to the entryway of the bathrooms, only to stop short. In front of her and to her right stood Traye with his arms crossed over his chest. He peered down at her with icy eyes. Determined to ignore him, she took a deep breath and stepped forward.

He had no place in her heart now, but no matter how much she enjoyed Evan, Traye would always be in the back of her mind.

As she brushed by, he grabbed her arm. His firm grip prevented her from shaking him loose. He leaned in to whisper in her ear, his soft warm breath sending erotic shock waves to her lower belly. Her breasts ached for his touch. Who was she fooling? Evan's touch, although it was nice, didn't make her want to jump into his arms and bury her head in his neck. She liked his fun, carefree mannerisms, but he didn't turn her legs to jelly and her heart to mush. Like a drug she couldn't have if she hoped to survive, Traye had her hooked.

"Take your hands off me," she snapped.

"What are you up to?"

"I'm not up to anything." She jerked her head away from him and narrowed her eyes. "You don't own me. I'm free to talk to anyone I want. Now… let go of me."

"You belong to me, Victoria. Stringing that punk along to punish me is a rotten thing to do. It won't work."

Anger burned in her soul. She finally managed to jerk her arm free. Leaning in close to him, she kept her voice soft even though she pronounced every word with distinction when she said, "I don't belong to anyone, least of all
you
. I'm not using Evan to punish you. If you're jealous or hurt or angry, I couldn't care less. It means nothing to me. I don't know who you've become -- or have you always acted this way? No matter. I don't like you very much at the moment. Maybe you'll become your father after all."

"Look, I know you're pissed at me, but that was uncalled for." Pain flashed in Traye's eyes, and he jerked away. "I'm nothing like my father, and I never will be. Making me jealous is not the answer."

"I don't care. Get it through your head that I'm moving on."

"So you say. You've chased me for years, and if you love me as much as you claim, you won't be able to move on just like that." He gave her a wink. "I'm in your blood now, just as much as you're in mine. We belong together."

"Why? Because my father says so? You're too late." She hoped he believed her more than she believed herself. "I want someone who wants me heart and soul, and for now that appears to be Evan. If not, I'll enjoy him while I can. Now, for the last time, you and I are done. I want you to leave me alone."

Not waiting for him to reply, she charged into the bathroom, not only needing to relieve herself, but to also to get herself under control.

When she finally managed to get over Traye and move on, she'd lock him away inside her heart... the safest place she knew.

A few minutes later, she returned to Evan's side, and her body relaxed again while they talked and joked for another two hours.

*****

Wanting to put his fist through the bar's brick wall, Traye stomped over to Andrew. He smirked. Traye itched to slug him. If he couldn't hit the wall, Andrew's face would be a good substitute. Hell, Andrew didn't care about his own love life.

Traye had wanted this to happen. He'd known Victoria would be here when Andrew had asked him to come. He'd figured that if he proposed to her in a crowd of people, she'd listen and give in with open arms. His plan had even included him going down on bended knee. The whole town would have witnessed it.

Instead, his mother's ring burned a hole in his pocket. He'd searched for it all night after forgetting where he'd hidden it. Once he found it, he dusted it off and shined it until it gleamed. He had hoped Victoria would accept it, because he couldn't afford a different one and had nothing else to give her. Now it didn't matter. The ring had to be cursed.

He stuck his hand into his pocket and squeezed the ring until his hand hurt. On one of his father's drunken rages, he had thrown the ring at Traye and screamed at him about his mother's sins. Although anger had almost choked him at times, Traye had held on to the ring and kept it safe because it was the only thing he had left of her. Now with his father gone, too, it had become the one thing he had left of both of them. His father had torn the place apart on many nights looking for it during his drunken rages, forgetting he'd whipped it at Traye that one time. The ring had once belonged to Traye's grandmother, a woman Traye had never met. He had no idea if he even had any other extended family out there somewhere. If they were anything like his parents, he didn't care to know. The O'Connors were the only family he needed.

Now he had to convince Victoria to marry him.

Andrew smirked at him. "Didn't go well?"

"Screw you, Andrew."

"Hey, I'm not the one who keeps you begging. Walk away, man. You're starting to look real pathetic."

"Who the hell is this Evan?" Traye glared at him through narrowed eyes. "Where'd she meet him?"

"How should I know?"

"She chased after me for years. I admit, I thought it was kind of cute. I liked it, but this is uncalled for."

"Yes." Andrew sipped from his drink and eyed him over his tub glass. "It is."

"I don't know what she wants from me anymore. Who does she think she is, flirting with another guy in front of me? Why would I want marry someone like that?"

"Exactly."

"This isn't like her."

"I'm telling you, this
is
my sister. You just never saw what she's really like until now. I can't believe it took you this long."

Traye's anger grew as Victoria laughed, talked with, and touched the red headed guy. Her head dropped back, and her peal of laughter carried all the way across the room. His gut churned. He clenched his teeth.
Damn her
.

Just like that, she was over Traye, slaughtering what they'd shared. He didn't want to marry her, yet he did. Why had she even bothered to make him fall for her? What was her purpose? Why did she keep saying he wasn't the Traye she loved? Of course he was.

Liza stepped into his line of vision and broke his trance.

"Hi, baby," Andrew said to her. "Victoria's at it again -- and after all this time, I think Traye's finally seeing the light."

"Oh, good. She's such a spoiled brat, isn't she?" Liza turned to watch Victoria.

Traye turned his attention to Liza and studied her fake eyelashes and dyed hair. With her snarky attitude, he had hard time being civil to her. Victoria had her beat by a mile.

"Don't talk about her like that," he growled.

Andrew rolled his eyes. "Traye, stop it. Liza's right. You have to see it now."

"I don't know what's going on with Victoria, but I still don't want to hear either of you talking trash about her." He pointed toward Liza with disdain. "You got that?"

"Hey, don't speak to Liza that way," Andrew snapped.

The two men glared at one another until Traye became distracted by Victoria's giggle and looked away. He wanted to throw her over his shoulder and carry her far away from the red haired dude.

"Look, Liza and I'll forget you said that. I know Victoria has you tied up in knots, and my father's crazy demands don't help. You two were done before you even got started. Accept it. She's making a fool out of you." When Andrew put his arm around Liza, she didn't lean into him but stood stiff as a board. Andrew dropped his arm.

Traye couldn't argue with him. He knew he loved Victoria, and he believed she still loved him. No way could she change her mind so fast. Andrew had played him, too, so Traye couldn't trust him, either. Maybe Victoria shared more of Andrew's traits than he'd realized. He squeezed the ring in his fist again.
No.
Victoria and Andrew were
not
alike. She wouldn't come to him today, and maybe not tomorrow, but he couldn't believe she would ever really walk away.

"Traye, I see the wheels turning. She's got some weird spell over you. Let her go and move on."

"I will. For today." He looked at Andrew. "Maybe you're right, and she never actually loved me. Or maybe she changed her mind." Traye shrugged. "She can always change it back. For now, though, she needs space, and I don't feel like staying here anymore. I'm shoving off."

"Are you going to let go of this crazy marriage crap?"

"I don't know." Traye looked at Andrew and smiled.

Before Andrew could protest, he walked away and made it outside in record time. The pungent scent of moist earth met his nostrils when he took a deep breath. The promise of spring hung in the air. Would Victoria be back in his life before he had to be out in the fields day and night? He shivered. In a few months, he wouldn't have time to pursue her. She'd find her way to Evan, whoever he was, or maybe someone else.

At the moment, Traye didn't want to think about the nagging question in his mind, but it wouldn't disappear. He'd love to give up on Victoria and walk back in time to when things were simpler. Yet his love still burned strong. He couldn't go back in time, and walking away wasn't an option anymore. He needed to come up with a plan.

Chapter Eleven

Victoria checked the lasagna one more time. Perfect. She wanted everything to go smoothly today. What was with her nerves? She'd been seeing and talking to Evan every day since the dart tournament. She'd never been this much into any guy other than Traye. Evan had a way of making her enjoy every minute of her life, making him Traye's true opposite. Still, Traye filled her dreams, and her heart skipped a beat every time she saw him. She never had the same reaction when she was with Evan, but she tried to ignore that fact.

After spreading garlic butter on the french bread, she wrapped it in tinfoil and stuck it into the oven to warm. She got out her mother's fancy china from the hutch. This dinner was symbolic for her. Her father had to accept she would not marry Traye. Maybe not Evan, either. Evan made her believe she could move on, even if she did have to settle for adoration instead of a soul mate. Sometimes she felt as if her father's demand had been a good thing. It had made her see the truth. Even Traye seemed to have backed off. Although she was relieved, she couldn't help wishing he had fought a little harder. Their last encounter at Jerry's had left a bitter mark on her heart. His wounded eyes still haunted her. She'd stopped herself from going to see him to try to make it better several times. Luckily Evan had kept her distracted enough to prevent her from doing something stupid.

Victoria tossed the salad, stopping when her ringing cell phone interrupted her. She reached for it, and a smile tugged at her lips when she saw Evan's name on the screen.

"Hey, you."

"I'm here. Quick -- let me in before your father sends out the Dobermans."

Her laughter rang out. "Stop it. Come to the door."

"I'm sure I'm what's for lunch, instead of getting to actually eat something."

She opened the door, and he raced in. He looked around to make sure no prying eyes were around before he leaned in to give her a gentle kiss. She loved his sweet nature. He was a little overdressed in his polo shirt and black dress slacks, but she didn't have the heart to tell him. Even she wore jeans and a camp shirt.

"Where is everyone?" He brushed a stray hair off her check.

"Dad's in his office, and Andrew's around here somewhere. Come into the kitchen. Everything's just about done."

"Smells good."

"Nervous?" She entwined her fingers with his.

"A little."

"Want a drink?"

He chuckled. "Ah, sure. Brandy, straight up."

"Really?"

"No, silly. I don't want to be a drunken idiot when I meet your father. Give me something like soda or water."

"How about wine? We're having it with the lasagna and garlic bread."

"My favorites."

"Of course." She poured him a glass, handed it to him, then went to check her bread. "Everything's ready. I wonder where Andrew is." She picked up her cell to text him. Sometimes on a farm, texting made locating everyone much easier. "I know Liza is supposed to be here. You're going to love her."

"Really? I'm not getting that vibe from you."

"You aren't." She leaned in to whisper in his ear. "She's a witch."

She drew back with a nod and put a finger against her glossed lips. His laughter filled the room, and he gave her another quick kiss. She had to admit his kisses didn't curl her toes like Traye's did; they turned her insides warm and fuzzy instead. Although the chemistry was different, she'd learn to live with it.

"This dinner is going to be awesome."