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started when Dallas walked out
    the door.
    Smokey would have been very surprised and at the same
    time dismayed to learn that Buck had noticed Smokey's reaction
    to meeting Dallas, as well as her reaction to his departure.
    The thought saddened Buck. Not because he hoped that
    Smokey would fall for him, for he was in love with Greer
    Rittenhouse, but because Dallas was so sought after by the
    local females that he had his pick.
    Buck knew well that Dallas did not take advantage of his
    looks, but he also realized that his brother probably wouldn't
    give a girl like Smokey a second glance. It was unfortunate to
    Buck's way of thinking, because he saw something very special
    in Smokey Simmons, something he was quite sure the rest
    of the family had overlooked.
    "What time is Buck expecting us?" Smokey wanted to
    know.
    "Anytime," Jenny told her. "He doesn't work on Mondays,
    and he said we should plan to stay for lunch."
    As soon as Jenny fell silent, Smokey's mind wandered
    back to Dallas. She had been doing that since he left the night
    before, and she knew she was going to have to order her
    thoughts back into control. She had never felt this way before.
    Her father had said that when he'd seen her mother, it had
    been love at first sight for both of them. But Smokey knew she
    couldn't be feeling love. She was miserable, and wasn't love
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    supposed to make you sing and dance? At least she wouldn't
    have to see him today, but then didn't she want to see him?
    Suddenly she was more confused than ever.
    Stop it, Smokey, she thought sternly, trying to take herself
    in hand. Get your mind off of Dallas Knight.
    "Jenny," she said out loud, her voice just a tad desperate.
    "Where does Buck work?"
    "He owns and operates a small publishing company--
    Bridgeman Publishing. It was started by my maternal grandfather,
    Charles Bridgeman. Buck has worked there since he
    was a boy. My mother has no siblings, and my father already
    had a business of his own, so when Grandfather Bridgeman
    passed away he left everything to Buck. The company specializes
    in poetry and music."
    Smokey was surprised and fascinated with Buck's occupation,
    and she also thought it rather fitting. She couldn't stop
    her mind from straying to Dallas and wondering at the fact
    that he and Buck could be so different. Brothers, with seemingly
    nothing in common. Smokey pondered the matter until
    Buck's house came into view.
    Buck's house was as much a surprise as the man himself.
    He did not live on the ocean, but in a wooded area that would
    rival any ocean view for beauty. His house was a rustic one-story
    that at first glance did not seem to fit what Smokey knew
    of Buck.
    Buck, who seemed to be watching for them, led them
    immediately into a large, pleasant room that was lined with
    J&Qokshelves. Ever the gentleman, Buck helped the ladies with
    ' sweaters, but Smokey took little notice. Her eyes were
    ftin the room with near astonishment; it was so unlike *&te$ rough wood exterior.
    49
    The room was lovely. There were bookshelves everywhere;
    they literally lined the walls in tasteful elegance. The
    furniture was very ornate and colorful, and although many
    pieces didn't match, it was all artfully arranged. The effect was
    sophisticated, yet warm. The windows, nearly reaching the
    ceiling and gleaming with clean glass, were positioned in
    such a way that everyone had a beautiful view of the woods.
    "Do you like books?" Buck broke into her inspection.
    "I do, although I've never taken much time for reading."
    "Well," Buck seemed delighted, "read anything you like.
    Pick some out and take them home."
    Smokey, not used to such generosity, hesitated, but Buck's
    look of genuine warmth soon put her at ease.
    "Thank you, Buck," Smokey finally said graciously as she
    moved toward the shelves. She immediately pulled a large
    volume on American history, then she spotted a slim blue-bound
    book that made her heart thunder. The title was Kohls'
    Book of Etiquette. Still