Texas rich Read Online Free Page A

stranded. Please, let me help." He was so sincere, Billie just nodded.
    While Billie waited, she contemplated her predicament. She didn't want Agnes to know that she'd spent Saturday afternoon at the Navy Yard, much less that she'd been talking to a military man and had lost her friends. What if someone called or stopped bv the house to ask about her? What if Moss came to dinner? He'd surely tell Agnes how he'd met Billie.
    Moss returned dangling the keys to a 1938 Nash pariced near the guardhouse. Billie felt so grown-up when Moss held the door open for her. Agnes was going to have a fit. Nice girls didn't get into cars with strange boys. Or men. Moss Coleman, Lieutenant (j.g.), was no bo^^. Agnes wouldn't miss that fact. In spite of herself, Billie was excited and flattered.
    "How long will you be in Philly?" Bilhe asked when Moss had maneuvered through the traffic and swung out onto the main road.
    "Probably through the summer. At least, that's the way it looks right now. Or until I can get myself assigned to where the action is. Being an errand boy for a hotshot admiral isn't my idea of doing my part for the war effort. I'm a pilot, Billie, and a damn good one. That's what I want to do."
    Billie nodded. She knew all there was to know about a protective parent. Moss interpreted her expression correctly. "You too, huh?"
    "It's because I'm an only child. My father died when I was little. I suppose it's natural for a parent to be protective. They want what's best for us." To Moss it sounded like a recital of what her mother must have said hundreds of times. Just the way Seth Coleman had preached to him.
    "I've got a sister, but I'm the only son. Pap is up there in years and he's afraid for me. But I can't let his fear rub off on me. Flying is what I do and what I do best. I don't plan to run around for some two-star admiral whose only idea of action is signing papers and drinking scotch. Scotch that I have to procure for him."
    "What will you do?"
    "It's not what I'll do, Billie; it's when I'll do it! Pap can get me assigned to fat man's duty, but he can't keep me here. I can speak up for myself and there's not a damn thing he can
    {16}

    do about it. But I hate to hurt him. He's a great guy and I know how much I mean to him. It's just that sometimes I really feel the weight of that responsibility pressing down on me. Being the apple of ole Pap's eye isn't what it's cracked up to be." Moss could hardly believe he was telling her these things. He was used to keeping his personal life and his problems to himself.
    "Turn here. It's two blocks down and then take the next right. Gray-and-white house. I'll say a prayer you get what you want."
    Moss almost braked the car. Any other girl would have said she would keep her fingers crossed. This one was going to pray for him. Impulsively, he reached across the seat and took her hand. It felt small and fragile in his. He released it a moment later to shift gears and pull to a stop in front of the house. He glanced at his watch. "Five minutes to six," he armounced proudly, as though getting her home on time had been a monumental task.
    Billie wondered where her friends were. Were they worrying about her? "Would you like to come in and meet my mother? Oh, but you've probably got other things to do, and I do appreciate your taking the time to bring me home. I'm sorry I've been such a nuisance."
    "You, sweet Billie, are anything but a nuisance." He smiled, realizing he'd meant what he said. But Jesus, he didn't want to go in and meet her mother. He loved his mother but other people's made him nervous, especially girls' mothers. Hell, he was here... maybe she was afraid she was going to catch it and he could help matters. All in the line of duty. "I'd like to meet your mother," he lied.
    Billie almost fainted. That wasn't what he was supposed to say. Didn't he know she was only trying to be polite? She didn't wait for him to come around to open the door for her. Instead, she leaped out,