Excerpt of Texas Rebels: Quincy by Linda Warren

Jenny brushed back her hair and a telltale tear appeared on her cheek. “What is she? A model or something?” “I don’t know.” Dark eyes glistening with tears glared at him. “Oh, you know. You just won’t share with me anymore. And that’s okay. I understand.” She gulped a breath as if she’d run a mile and Quincy got a whiff of liquor. “Have you been drinking?” “Yeah. It took a couple of glasses of wine to get enough courage to come over here. Stupid, huh?” The hurt on her face and in her voice cramped his gut and all he wanted to do was hold her and let her know someone cared about her, but he couldn’t do that. That line between family loyalty and his love for Jenny was getting thinner and thinner. She raked her hands through her hair. “Oh, crap, I don’t think I combed my hair.” “You look beautiful” slipped out before he thought about it. There was an awkward pause for a second. Then she said, “Since you’re usually nice to everyone, I won’t take that personally.” There was nothing he could add to that. He really shouldn’t have said it in the first place. “Now I’m going home to finish off that bottle of wine. Tomorrow is the start of the rest of my life. A life without Paxton and without the Rebel family. You don’t have to worry about me coming over here and causing trouble because this will be my last visit.” “Jenny…” “You were right. I spend too much time over here and, like I said, tomorrow I start over with a clean page and a bright smile for a new future. I’ll return White Dove first thing in the morning.” “What are you talking about?” “I can’t keep the horse.” “Why? I gave her to you! And she’s pregnant.” “I’m cutting all ties, Quincy.” A feather of a hiccup left her throat. “And that means I can’t accept the gift. I’ll just leave her in the pen at the barn.” She loved the horse and he knew this was hurting her and he didn’t know how to make it better. Even though her mind was set, he couldn’t accept it. “The horse will always be yours.” “Goodbye, Quincy. I’ll miss our talks.” Me, too. More than you’ll ever know. More than I can ever tell you.