The Cowboy

the evening and had liked them both although she had sensed a certain reserve in Julie. Rafe's sister was a pretty creature with light brown hair, her mother's delicate bone structure and dark, intelligent eyes.
    Sean Winters was a tall, thin man who had an easygoing smile and quick, expressive features. He greeted Margaret with a smile.
    "How's it going, Margaret? Cassidy find you? He was looking for you a few minutes ago," Sean said.
    "He found me. He's inside helping my father with the ice. It's a lovely party, isn't it?"
    "Well, hardly the sort of bash we weird, bohemian types usually enjoy. No kinky sex, funny cigarettes or heavy metal music, but I'm adjusting," Sean said.
    Margaret laughed but Julie looked stricken.
    "Don't say that," Julie whispered tightly.
    Sean shrugged. "Honey, it's no secret your brother isn't all that enthusiastic about having an artist in the family."
    Julie bit her lip. "Well, he's going to have one in the family, so he better get used to the idea. I won't have him insulting you."
    "He didn't insult me. He just doesn't think I'm good enough for you."
    "He's tried to play the role of father for me ever since Dad died," Julie explained apologetically. "I know he means well, but the trouble with Rafe is that he doesn't know when to step back and let someone make their own decisions. He's been giving orders around here so long, he assumes that's the way the world works. Rafe Cassidy says jump and everyone asks how high. He's totally astounded when someone doesn't." Julie glanced at Margaret. "The way Margaret didn't last year."
    "I don't know what you mean," Margaret said calmly. "I followed orders last year. Rafe said to get out and I went."
    Julie sighed. "Yes, but you were supposed to come back."
    "So I've been told. On my hands and knees."
    "Would that have been so hard?"
    "Impossible," Margaret assured her, aware of the sudden tightness in her voice. Her pride was all she'd had left last year. She'd clung to it as if it had been a lifeline.
    "My brother was in bad shape for a long time after you left. I've never seen him the way he was this past year and I admit I blamed you for it. I think I hated you myself for a while, even though I'd never met you. I couldn't stand what you'd done to him." Julie's dark eyes were very intent and serious.
    Margaret understood the reserve she'd sensed in Rafe's sister. "It's natural that you'd feel protective of your brother."
    "It was a battle of wills as far as Rafe was concerned. And he lost. He doesn't like to lose, Margaret."
    Margaret blinked. "He lost? How on earth do you figure that?"
    "He finally realized that the only way you were going to come back was for him to lower his pride and go and get you. It was probably one of the hardest things he's ever done. Mom says now that it was good for him, but I'm not so sure."
    "Lower his pride?" Margaret was flabbergasted by that interpretation of events. "You think that's what Rafe did when he went to Seattle to fetch me down here?"
    "Of course."
    "Julie, it wasn't anything like that at all. Not that it's anyone else's business, but the truth is, I was virtually blackmailed and kidnapped. I didn't notice Rafe having to surrender one square inch of his pride."
    "Then you don't know my brother very well," Julie said. She put her hand on Sean's arm. "But I shouldn't say anything. It's between you and Rafe. Mom may have been right, maybe Rafe did need the jolt you gave him. He's accustomed to having things his way and it's no secret that people cater to him. But that doesn't change the fact that he's human and he can be hurt. And he's got a thing about loyalty."
    "I don't think you need to worry about protecting your big brother," Sean murmured. "Something tells me he can take care of himself."
    Julie groaned. "You're right. Besides, right now I've got my own problems with him. To tell you the truth, Margaret, I'm inclined to sympathize with you at the moment. Rafe can be extremely bullheaded when it comes to his own opinions. I haven't dared tell him yet just how serious Sean and I are. He thinks we're just dating casually, but the truth is Sean and I are going to get married whether Rafe approves or not."
    "Give Rafe a chance to know Sean." Margaret smiled at the artist. "He's really fairly reasonable about most things, once you get his full attention."
    "If you say so."
    "I'm sure you know as well as I do that folks in the business world have a hard time understanding people in the art