Rachel's Cowboy Read Online Free Page A

don’t think there’s anything left for us. But thanks, anyway.”
    “That’s too bad,” Vanessa said, frowning.
    “I think I’ll go on to bed. I need to be up early.”
    “You’re leaving tomorrow?” Rebecca asked, surprised.
    “Yes, but I’ll be back next Thursday, so it won’t be a long trip. I’ll be gone in the morning before you get up,” she told her sisters.
    Rebecca spoke up. “Rachel, I’m worried about you.” She looked at Vanessa. “We both are. Why can’t you take some time off?”
    “After all, Jeff managed to get back some of the money your mother stole from you,” Vanessa added.
    Rachel was touched by their concern, but she knew what she had to do. She leaned over and kissed them goodbye. “Take care while I’m gone, you two.”
     
    J.D. HAD HIS DREAM .
    After a brief discussion Vivian agreed to sell him the ranch. She argued about the purchase price, thinkinghis offer too high rather than too low. He assured her he knew the value of the land. Besides, he pointed out, that wasn’t the way to do business. Herbert would turn over in his grave.
    “You’re right—he would, J.D. But Herbert didn’t understand what was important.”
    “I know, Vivian,” J.D. agreed. “He wasn’t nearly as smart as you.”
    Will laughed. “Well, it’s good to see we’re all in agreement.”
    J.D. felt his earlier tension seep away. He was among friends. “About Rachel… I didn’t mean to take advantage of her. She came— I mean, she indicated her interest and we shared a few moments. But I didn’t force her or anything.”
    “I never thought that, dear,” Vivian assured him.
    “And Rachel didn’t say anything like that,” Will added. “I think it was the surprise of seeing you suddenly in a place where she felt safe.”
    “Safe? What is threatening her?” J.D. demanded.
    Vivian explained briefly about Rachel’s mother.
    “Damn!” J.D. hung his head. When he looked up, he said, “I didn’t like that woman. She expected to be waited on hand and foot, and she did nothing. Madge just about threw her off the ranch.”
    “Yes.” Vivian nodded, her strawberry-blond hair shimmering in the light. “That sounds like an accurate description. Rachel had found out about her adoption and Rebecca just after she’d discovered her debt. It was such a betrayal. I think she went into shock. We’vetried to reassure her, but she’s independent. And worried about her future.”
    J.D. stared at his hosts. “That’s a hard knock.”
    “Yes, it is, but we’re trying to help her. And Will is still looking for the one brother we haven’t found. Just recently the girls received a letter from Jim, their oldest brother, but he won’t be home for a few months yet.”
    Thinking of Rachel and what she’d been through, J.D. felt inundated by emotions he couldn’t name—except for frustration. That one he could easily identify. Frustration because of how their time together had ended, frustration because there was no way to help her. Finally he changed the subject. “Now that we’ve agreed on the sale, what do we do?”
    Vivian looked at Will.
    “If you’ve got the money ready, then all we need is to get the papers ready. I think we can plan on closing next Friday. Will you go back to the ranch or stay here all week?”
    “As long as it’s all right with you two, I’ll go back to the ranch and work. I’ll return next Thursday so I’ll be here on Friday for the closing, whatever time it is.”
    “That will be great,” Will said, standing to shake his hand. Vivian gave him a kiss, and J.D. escaped from the house where Rachel was living.
    It was time to get back to his real life.
     
    A WEEK LATER , J.D. made the drive again to Dallas, this time to sign the papers that would make him owner of his home. There was excitement in him as he achieveda major goal. There was also an edginess that he would again have to face Rachel.
    Maybe she wouldn’t be back from the Bahamas. It would be a shock