The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

you, you'd just get yourself all tangled up in it."

    She shook her head in wry wonder. "You are always so sure of yourself, aren't you?"

    "I am when I know what I want." Rafe came to a halt in the middle of the dance floor. "And now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to make the big announcement. I've been assigned to do the honors."

    "Doesn't it seem a little odd that you're announcing your own mother's engagement?"

    "We live in interesting times." He kissed her forehead. "Be back in a few minutes."

    The crowd broke into loud applause and cheers as Rafe grabbed a bottle of champagne, vaulted up onto the diving board and strode out to the far end. He held up the bottle in his hand to get the crowd's attention.

    "You all know why you're here tonight, but I've been told to make it official," he began with a grin. "I would therefore like to say that it gives me great pleasure to do as my Mama tells me and announce her engagement to one smooth-talking cowboy named Connor Lark."

    A roar of approval went up. Rafe gave the crowd a couple of minutes to grow quiet once more before he continued.

    "I'm here to tell you folks that I've got no choice but to approve of this match. It's not just because I've had Lark checked out and decided he can take care of my Mama in the style to which she has become accustomed—"

    The crowd interrupted with a burst of applause.

    "And it's not just because she seems to actually like the guy or the fact that he's crazy about her. No, folks, I am giving my heartfelt approval to this match because Lark has informed me that if I do not, he will personally drag me out into the desert and stake me out over an anthill. Folks, I am a reasonable man. I want you to know I can hardly wait for Connor Lark to marry my mother."

    Laughter filled the air as Rafe let the cork out of the champagne bottle with a suitable explosion. Again the crowd yelled approval. Connor, standing at the side of the pool next to Bev, grinned broadly at Rafe as he held a glass up to be filled with bubbling champagne.

    Rafe filled the glass with a flourish and then a second one for his mother and everyone toasted the guests of honor. Connor finished his drink in one swallow and kissed his fiancée. Then he gave a whoop and grabbed her hand.

    "Honey, let's dance," Connor crowed, sweeping Bev into a waltz. She laughed up at him with undisguised delight.

    "They make a great couple, don't they?" Rafe leaped lightly down from the diving board and went to stand beside Margaret. He put an arm around her shoulder and drew her close to his side.

    "Yes," Margaret said, her eyes on her father's face. "They do. I think they're going to be very happy."

    "No happier than you and me, Maggie, love, you'll see." Rafe kissed her soundly and then dragged her over to the section of the patio that was being used for dancing. He smiled down into her eyes as he whirled her into the Western waltz.

    A moment later the patio was filled with dancing couples and Margaret gave herself up to the joy of the music that flowed around her like champagne.
Yes
, she allowed herself to think for the first time in a year,
yes, she could be very happy with Rafe
. She could be the happiest woman in the world.

    R afe saw H atcher hanging back as the last of the guests took their leave. He scowled at his assistant, wondering if Doug had followed orders two hours ago and laid off the booze.

    "You sober enough to get behind the wheel, Hatcher?" he asked bluntly as the two men stood isolated on one side of the front drive.

    "I'm fine," Hatcher muttered. "Haven't had anything but soda for the past couple of hours. Just wanted to tell you I left the Ellington file in your study. You'd better take a look at it as soon as possible."

    Rafe eyed him. "Something new come up?"

    Hatcher nodded, his eyes sliding away to follow the last car out of the drive. "Today. I've updated the file so you can take a look for yourself. I didn't want to say anything before the party. Seemed a shame to ruin it for you."

    "Since when have I ever asked you to shield me from bad news? That's not what I pay you to do and you know it."

    Hatcher's jaw tightened. "I know, but this is different, Rafe."

    "What am I going to be looking at when I open the file?"

    Hatcher hesitated. "The possibility that we've got a leak."

    "Damn it to hell. You sure?"

    "No, not entirely. Could be a coincidence that Moorcroft came up with the numbers he did today, but we've got to look at the other