When he came out, Parker was still standing there.
“You made my efforts at security look pretty bad, coming in like you did. How did you manage to do that?”
“I’m professionally trained to get in and out of places without anyone knowing about it, courtesy of the United States government. So don’t feel too bad, okay? Unless enemy infiltrators decide to take over the country by starting with this ranch, your security is just fine.”
He turned away and left Parker standing there, a frown seemingly etched permanently on the man’s face.
Rafe figured it probably wouldn’t hurt for him to brush up a little on his people skills now that he was back in the States. He could see that he certainly wasn’t winning many points around here. Then again, he had no plans to teach any Dale Carnegie courses as a second career, either.
His immediate plans were to find out what had happened to Dan.
Mandy watched Rafe slam out of the house. What was she going to do if she wasn’t able to better handle her reactions to him? It was obvious that he had no intention of leaving until the mystery of Dan’s disappearance was solved.
She should be feeling relief that she could turn the matter over to someone as capable as Rafe appeared to be. There was nothing to be gained by her continuing to stay on at the ranch. Her life was in Dallas, after all. She could go home, return to her job and wait there for developments.
She had come to the ranch when Tom first notified her about Dan’s disappearance, thinking it would help her peace of mind to be closer to where he had disappeared. She had thought that if and when Dan did show up, he would return to the ranch. Unfortunately, now that Rafe had arrived there was no more peace of mind to be found.
This morning had certainly proven that. They couldn’t be in the same room without arguing. Which was ridiculous. She generally got along with everyone, but Rafe seemed to deliberately bait her with his caustic remarks.
As if his attitude wasn’t irritatmg enough, there had been a moment there when she’d suddenly felt as though he was about to kiss her. She’d looked up at him and seen something in his eyes that had started her heart racing. She must have imagined it, though. He’d turned away as though nothing had happened.
Oh, but something had happened to her. She’d been thrown back into all those confusing feelings she’d had for Rafe McClain when she’d been a teenager.
Her thoughts drifted back to that time in her life...when she had been fifteen and in love for the first time.
After weeks of feverish anticipation, the night had finally arrived for the big barbecue celebrating the high school graduation of Dan and Rafe. Mandy could scarcely contain herself. Her mother had allowed Mandy to choose the dreamiest dress she’d ever owned to wear to the party. She loved the soft pink color, but more important to her was the fact that the neckline barely hung on each shoulder, the sleeves puffing out and thereby disguising her rather bony shoulders. The dress accented her small waist, then flared in a full-skirted way to her knees, with flouncing petticoats beneath it.
Mandy took a last look at herself in the mirror before going outside. She no longer looked like a child. In this dress, she appeared to be a full-fledged woman—attractive, seductive and alluring. She leaned closer and slowly smiled at her reflection...and blinked...startled at the sensuality she portrayed. Wow, she scarcely knew herself.
She patted her hair, swept up in a coil with an ornamental comb, blew herself a kiss and strolled out of her room.
She paused once she reached the patio. There had never been a more beautiful Texas night, she decided. The stars looked as though they’d been freshly polished and hung, glittering on the black velvet backdrop of sky.
She breathed deeply and smiled. The giant barbecue smoker had been going long enough that the scent permeated the area.
A large dance floor had been laid down on the back lawn, surrounded by the live oak trees that shaded the house and surrounding area from the blazing Texas sun. Lines of Chinese lanterns stretched from tree to tree, casting colorful lights and adding a festive atmosphere.
People would soon be arriving, bringing casseroles, salads and desserts. Her mom and dad had been planning this party for weeks. Their friends, neighbors and all the members of the graduating class and their families were invited. Her dad was in charge of seeing there was enough barbecued brisket, ribs and chicken for everyone.
Mandy wondered if her folks would do this again in another two years when she graduated. If so, she hoped that Dan and Rafe would be there to help her celebrate.
Rafe had mentioned the possibility of his going into the military sometime this summer, but Dan wanted him to stay at the ranch and go to college. Dan had talked about possible scholarships that were available. Rafe would certainly qualify because his grades were excellent.
Mandy didn’t want Rafe to leave. Her dad had promised her that as soon as she turned sixteen he would allow her to go on single dates. He was still living in the Stone Age, insisting that she could only go out with a group until that time, preferably one that included Dan. Neither she nor Dan liked that idea at all. But once she was sixteen, she hoped that Rafe would ask her out on a date.
Of course he had no idea how she felt about him. She’d made sure that no one did. If Dan got a hint that she had a crush on Rafe, he would never let her forget it. He’d taunt and embarrass her every chance he got.
People would be arriving any minute, but for now it was just her parents and the hands making sure there were enough tables, chairs and picnic tables outside for people to have a place to sit and eat.
Mandy wandered away from the lights so that she could enjoy the luminous heavens. She loved living on the ranch away from the city lights. It gave her a sense of belonging to the land that she had never felt whenever she visited anywhere else.
From her sheltered position, Mandy spotted Dan and Rafe when they came out of the house. They looked so grown up in their Western-styled summer suits. She’d never seen Rafe dressed so formally. He’d chosen a light beige, which set off his bronzed skin tones. Rafe and Dan were opposites in coloring, opposites in personality, but were as close as brothers, closer, even, because they never really quarreled.
Dan had been the team quarterback for the past two years. Because of the extra time it took for him to practice and play, Rafe had covered for him here at the ranch, doing the work they’d both been assigned without complaint.
Rafe showed no interest in sports. He’d always been a loner and seemed to prefer his own company even when he was on the ranch. He probably wouldn’t have come to the party if her mother hadn’t insisted that the party was for both of them.
A couple of hours later Mandy found herself on the dance floor, having the time of her life. It must be the dress. All of Dan’s classmates seemed to suddenly discover her tonight and were giving her the rush.
She loved the attention. She hoped Rafe had noticed.
When she looked around for him, she saw him standing with her dad and some of his friends, listening to them talk. With newfound courage, Mandy walked up to him and in front of her dad and everyone else said, “When are you going to dance with me, Rafe?”
His ears reddened and one of the men chuckled, causing Rafe to stiffen slightly. “How about now?” he replied in a husky voice.
He held out his hand.
Mandy couldn’t believe it. He was actually going to dance with her. She almost laughed out loud, but that wouldn’t do. She smiled, the smile she’d been practicing in front of the mirror, and grasped his hand.
He felt warm, which wasn’t surprising. Even though it was after ten o’clock, it was probably still eighty degrees outside. He looked as if he’d like nothing more than to remove his Western string tie, unbutton his collar and toss aside his jacket.
That was the first thing