One Pink Rose; One White Rose; One Red Rose by Julie Garwood

to wager?”
    â€œA dollar.”
    â€œShall we make it more interesting and wager five dollars?”
    â€œFive dollars, it is,” he agreed.
    â€œI want you to know I wouldn’t agree to this if I thought the gentleman I’m going to give my attention to would end up with hurt feelings, but what I’m about to do is harmless. Wouldn’t you agree?”
    The thought of Jack Hanrahan getting his feelings hurt made Travis choke on his laughter. “Yes, it’s harmless. Have we got a bet, then?”
    â€œAs long as it isn’t dangerous,” she hastily qualified.
    â€œI won’t let it be dangerous.”
    â€œWhat are the rules?”
    â€œNo rules,” he replied. “Just a time limit. Is ten minutes enough time to turn a man into a blithering simpleton, or do you need more time?”
    â€œTen minutes will be just fine. Are you sure you don’t want to set some other rules? I don’t want you to accuse me of not playing fair.”
    â€œNo other rules,” he insisted. “Just flirt with the very next man you see,” he told her before he slowly turned her around.
    He heard her indrawn breath and was a little surprised she didn’t scream. She took a step back toward him.
    â€œYou want me to flirt with . . . him?”
    â€œHis name’s Jack Hanrahan, and he was the next man you saw, wasn’t he?”
    â€œYes, but . . .”
    Her shoulders were now pressed against his chest. He leaned down close to her ear and drawled out, “Did I happen to mention Jack’s an avowed woman hater?”
    She closed her eyes. “No, you did not. Is he dangerous?”
    â€œHe won’t hurt you, or any other female, for that matter, but he sure won’t be nice to you either. Folks say he has the personality of a rattlesnake, but I think that’s a rotten thing to be saying about snakes. They’re much sweeter. Do you want to admit defeat now, give me your five dollars, and be done with it?”
    It was the combination of arrogance and laughter in his tone that swayed her. She straightened her shoulders and her resolve. Come hell or high water, she was going to get the man who looked like a barbarian to hang on her every word.
    â€œHe will be my finest challenge,” she announced. “Stay here, Travis, and observe.”
    â€œWait a minute. How will I know you’ve won?” he asked with another chuckle he couldn’t contain, for the possibility of Jack being swayed by a woman was downright hilarious.
    â€œTrust me. You’ll know when I’ve won.” She adjusted the folds of her skirt, straightened the collar on her blouse, and then took a deep, God-help-me breath.
    Travis kept right on grinning as he watched her drag her feet toward her prey. He knew she had to be worried. Jack did look like a hungry bear who had just come out of his cave. He usually smelled like one too, and Travis couldn’t help but think Emily was actually courageous to try to win him over. She was also being foolish and stubborn, of course, because she refused to admit that men were too intelligent to be taken in by a helpless woman.
    â€œBe sure to do that thing with your eyes, Emily,” he called out, pretending to be helpful.
    She turned around. “What thing?”
    â€œThat twitching thing you did when we were in Pritchard. Jack will love that.”
    She wasn’t amused. She whirled around and hurried toward the man she was determined to tame. By the time she reached him, her heart felt as though it was lodged in the back of her throat.
    Whatever it was she was saying wasn’t working. Jack kept right on scowling, God love him, and Travis could have sworn he heard him growl each time he shook his head at her.
    Although ten full minutes hadn’t passed, Travis decided to suggest to Emily that she give up. It really was hopeless, after all. He was just about to call out to her when One-Eyed