The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

You should have seen his stuff, Cassidy. Little bits of aluminum cans stuck all over his canvasses."

    That got a quick scowl out of Rafe. He glanced at Maggie. "How long did you date the weirdo?"

    "Jon was not a weirdo. He was a very successful multimedia artist who has since gone on to make more from a single painting than I make from a single book. I've got one of his early works hanging in my living room, if you will recall."

    Rafe's eyes narrowed. "That thing on your wall that looks like a collection of recycled junk?"

    "I'll have you know that if I ever get desperate financially I'll be able to hock that collection of recycled junk for enough money to live on for a couple of years. It was a terrific investment."

    "How long did you date him?" Rafe demanded again.

    "Jealous?"

    "Damn right."

    Margaret grinned. "Don't be. Jon was a wonderful man in many respects but it was obvious from the start we weren't meant for each other."

    "Yeah? How was it so obvious?"

    "He was a night person. I'm a morning person. And never the twain shall meet. At least not for long."

    "Glad to hear it."

    "The point is, our incompatibility had nothing to do with his profession. And you shouldn't judge your sister's boyfriend on his choice of careers. Besides, Julie's old enough to make her own decisions when it comes to men."

    "That's another point. He's too old for her."

    "He is not. He's thirty-five. The difference between their ages isn't much more than the difference between our ages, Rafe."

    "Okay, okay, let's drop this discussion. We're supposed to be celebrating an engagement here tonight." Rafe looked at Connor with a hint of desperation. "Need some help with the ice?"

    "Appreciate it," Connor said.

    Rafe gave Margaret a quick, hard kiss. "See you outside in a few minutes, honey."

    "Go ahead. Make your escape. But keep in mind what I said about giving Sean Winters a chance." Margaret fixed both men with a meaningful glance before she turned and headed for the door.

    "Whew." Rafe exhaled on a sigh of relief as he watched her leave the room. He stared after her departing figure for a moment, enjoying the sight of her neatly rounded derriere moving gently under her elegant cream silk skirt.

    "I know what you mean," Connor said. "Women get funny notions sometimes. Maggie tends to be real opinionated."

    Rafe took another sip of his Scotch. "Was she really torn up after she stopped seeing the artist?"

    Connor laughed and started for the kitchen. "Let me put it this way. One week after she'd stopped dating him she was dating a banker. One week after you and she broke up, she went into hibernation."

    Rafe nodded, satisfied. "Yeah, I know. If it makes you feel any better, Connor, my social life followed roughly the same pattern during the past year."

    "That's one of the reasons I agreed to help you get her back," Connor said. "Couldn't stand to see the two of you sufferin' like a couple of stranded calves. It was pitiful, just pitiful."

    "Thanks, Lark. You're one of nature's noblemen."

    O utside on the patio Margaret helped herself to another round of salad while she chatted easily with several of the guests. She was answering a barrage of questions concerning publishing when Rafe's sister materialized with her friend the artist in tow.

    Margaret had met Julie and Sean earlier in 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