Page 13 of Texas Daze (Texas Montgomery Mavericks)

Each man retook his seat once Cora Bell wasseated.

“Not that I’m explaining anything to Dr. Montgomery or Ms. Montgomery,” Eli said to Lydia and Paige. “You are both aware that keeping up with medical advances istough,”

Both women acknowledged his comment withanod.

“I sure do,” Dr. Lydia Henson-Montgomery said “I’m doing a six-week advance training on burns later this year. How much longer will Hankbegone?”

“Just three months. The course was an intensive six-month program. When I talked to him last, he was exhausted. Said he might want to take a couple of additional weeks off at the end before he came back.” Eli shrugged. “Fine with me if he does. Things here are flowingnicely.”

Talk turned away from medicine and onto the weather, as safe a topic as can be and one that held the attention of all the ranchers and farmers in the area. Rubber chicken was served and consumed, along with bottles of red and white wine to help wash it down. The cheesecake held no appeal, so Marti passed it offtoEli.

“No cheesecake,” he asked withastonishment.

“I’ve eaten my horse’s weight in that stuff. I’moverit.”

Eli ate his piece and hers and then moaned. “Shouldn’t have done that. I’ll have to add a couple of extra miles to my jogtomorrow.”

“You want to start that exercise program tonight?” Marti asked with a tilt of her toward the dance floor. “Music’sstarting.”

Eli shoved back his chair and held out a hand. “Trip the light fantasticwithme?”

“Man. That’s anoldone.”

“Blame my grandmother,” he said with a laugh. “She loved todance.”

Grasping his hand, she stood. “Leadon.”

His hand was broad, and thick, and very warm. Her breath caught. Her heart galloped across her chest. She licked her lips nervously. Luckily for her, he was leading her to the dancefloor so his back was toward her and couldn’t see her reaction to his touch. Once on the floor, he twirled her and caught her with a hand at her waist.Holycrap.

Eli was a smooth dancer, guiding her around the floor with a polished ease that hinted at either hours of dances or formal instruction. She wasn’t sure which, maybe both. Interestingly, she wasn’t surprised at how he danced. Everything about the way he carried himself and spoke to others hinted at an exclusive, meaning wealthy, background. But if that was true, why was he here in this podunk little town? She loved Whispering Springs, but she grew up here and knew all the town’s secrets. What did her town look like through the eyes of an outsider? Not just a person from outside Whispering Springs, but outside ofTexas?

When the first slow song began, he pulled her flush to his body and she completely lost her train of though. He wrapped his arm around her waist, settling his hot fingers against the flesh uncovered by the deep vee design of the dress’s back. Her insides melted as lust pooled low inhergut.

If he could do that with a touch, heaven help her if he kissed her. She might go up in theflames.

They swayed to the music, her head resting on his broad shoulders. His masculine scent filled her nose as she drew in a deep breath. His cologne was a spicy aroma she’d never smelled on a man. But then, wasn’t it true that how a cologne smelled on one man might be different on another because of body chemistry? Whatever it was, the scent blended with all his oozing testosterone to make her dizzywithlust.

As the song came to end, he leaned her into a deep dip. When he pulled her up, he hugged her and then released her, much to her disappointment. “How about somefreshair?”

Before she could answer, a male voice said, “Well, I’m surprised you’d show your face at thisevent.”

Marti’s heart dropped. “Hello,Mr.Roth.”

Eli’s arm wound around her shoulder and he eased her closertohim.

“Your grandmother would be so ashamed that you would sully her event by coming.” He made the comment with his nose so high in the air, Marti could almost count his nosehairs.

“Sir—” Eli started, but Marti stopped him with a gentle elbow inhisside.

“My grandmother was my greatest champion, as I am hers. She would be proud that I am here representing the Jenkinsfamily.”

Roth scoffed. “I notice your parents aren’t here. Probably still embarrassed by you. Of course, it is their fault that you turned out the wayyouhave.”

Roth’s wife tugged at his arm. “That’s enough, Teddy.Let’sgo.”

“Yes,Teddy,” Eli said with a sneer. “That really isenough.”

Roth looked at Eli. “I hear you are a respectable man with an excellent future. Don’t waste it on a whore like this.” He gave Marti the evil eye and walked away with his wife, who looked over her shoulder and mouthed, “I’msorry.”

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