Marriage at the Cowboy's Command Read Online Free Page B

means.”
    Yes. She knew. There was such a weak market for her horses, that several would be euthanized or sold to meat packers.
    â€œHassan would never…”
    â€œI think I know him better than you do. He wants to help you, but if you refuse his help you will leave him no choice but to make unpleasant decisions. Do you want to lose the ranch again, like your daddy did?” he continued. “Only, this time there won’t be a rich idiot like Robert Wakefield to marry and give it back to you.”
    â€œI haven’t lost it yet, thank you very much! You’re only rich because of your connections to Hassan. Well, I know the real you, and maybe I don’t think you’re so great. My mother warned me that you were just like Bubba.”
    Her mother had fired Luke because he was a thief. Cait hadn’t wanted to believe he’d stolen cash out of her father’s truck, but when Luke had never returned or contacted her to contradict her mother’s claim, the truth of his betrayal had seemed self-evident.
    â€œSo, you believed her?” Something flashed in his eyes. Was it pain? Or rage? “You’re wrong,” he said. “You don’t know me at all. You never did. And I didn’t know you, either, or I would never have been fool enough to mistake you for a sweet, innocent girl and fall in love with you.”
    His startling admission flashed through her like lightning. He’d never admitted he loved her, and she wasn’t about to believe him now. Believing him would only soften her heart toward him.
    Love. He didn’t know the meaning of the word.
    â€œLeave,” she whispered.
    Much to her surprise, he nodded. “Like I said…I’m going…for now. I intend to spend the afternoon talkingto your accountant. I had hoped to take you with me, but it seems our new business arrangement is going to take some getting used to.”
    He spun on his heel and strode toward the long black limo parked in front of her house.
    If only this would be the last she’d ever see of him. But he’d be back tomorrow, and while he was in town there was no telling what people might tell him about Daniel, especially if he asked the right questions. There had been talk at the time of her marriage—talk that had never completely died.
    Even if no one talked, if Luke moved in, he’d see Daniel on a daily basis. There was no way she could keep the truth a secret for long.
    Better that she control how he found out.
    She shut her eyes and sucked in a breath. She had to tell him the truth herself.
    â€œWait!” She ran after his tall, broad-shouldered figure.
    He turned and regarded her so coldly, a chill traced down her spine. How would she ever find the courage to tell him he had a son? But she had to. Period.
    â€œI’ll meet you in town…a little later…after I finish working with Ramblin’ Man,” she said. “What time’s your appointment?”
    He told her.
    She licked her lips and said she’d be there thirty minutes late. “After we get through talking with Bruce, there’s something I need to tell you. Something personal,” she whispered awkwardly, staring anywhere but at him. “It’s very important. Maybe we could have coffee at Jean’s Butterchurn. We can talk privately there.”
    His eyes narrowed. “This isn’t going to be good news, is it?”
    â€œI guess that will depend on how you take it,” she said. “It’s not altogether bad news, but it’s certainly not something I relish telling you.”
    Then she shook herself and stood straighter. No matter how much she dreaded her hour of confession, she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing how afraid she was.
    â€œWell, I’ve got a stallion to load,” she said briskly.
    â€œLater, then.” He turned and headed to his limo.

Two
    W hat the hell did she have to tell him that was so