The Right Twin For Him (O'Rourke Family 2) Read Online Free Page A

strong, firm grip. It was comforting. A man ought to have hands that did hard work and had the calluses to prove it.
    Boy, was she a dope.
    “I’m through with men. That’s all,” she said hastily, trying to send her thoughts in another direction.
    Patrick seemed like a good guy, but it didn’t change anything. She was through with both men and romance. She’d feel melancholy for a while, which was natural, then she’d get back to normal.
    Beth opened her mouth, but whatever she’d planned to say was lost when the door of the shop opened and a woman walked inside, wrestling a baby carriage ahead of her. With an apologetic glance, Beth went to assist the customer, who was casting curious looks from Beth to Maddie and back again.
    More customers came into the store, and Beth rushed over to Maddie. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I’ll put the Closed sign out and get rid of everyone.”
    “No.” Maddie was secretly grateful for the interruption. Finding a sister was the last thing she’d thought would happen when she left New Mexico—not that it was certain they were sisters, she reminded herself. “Don’t do that. I’ll come back tomorrow…or call. I’m staying at the Puget Bed and Breakfast Inn just outside of town.”
    “You could stay with us. We’ve bought a wonderful old house and it’s huge. We’re remodeling so it’s a little dusty, but we’ve got lots of space.”
    Maddie shifted uncomfortably. Beth might well be her sister, but she didn’t know the O’Rourkes or what they expected of her. What she did know was how difficult it would be to stay in the same house with two newlyweds who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Being a third wheel—on what should have been her own honeymoon—didn’t sound like fun.
    Besides, Beth would undoubtedly want to know more about her almost-a-wedding. She would ask with the best of intentions, but it was too humiliating.
    No.
    She couldn’t talk about Ted and the way he’d cheated on her. Not with Beth. It would be easier confessing to Patrick than tell a woman whose husband obviously thought the sun rose and set in her eyes. Maybe Patrick could help her understand men better, because right now she didn’t have a clue about the opposite sex.
    Oh, yeah, that was a great idea.
    Maybe she could ask his opinion about her less-than-generous bustline. He could tell her if it was really inadequate or just sort of inadequate. Heat crawled up Maddie’s face at the thought. She was losing her mind—totally bonkers.
    “Take it easy,” Patrick murmured in her ear.
    Maddie realized she was gripping his fingers with the fierce hold of a drowning woman. With an effort she let go and shook her head.
    “That’s kind of you, but I can’t,” she said to Beth. “Uh, stay with you. But thanks. I’ll call tomorrow.”
    Beth’s face fell with disappointment, Kane seemedthoughtful, and Maddie deliberately didn’t look at Patrick. She backed out of the shop and hurried up the street, her only thought to get away.
    This just wasn’t her week.
    Patrick looked at his sister-in-law’s upset face and his brother’s worried eyes, and sighed.
    He was going to get in deeper with Maddie, he just knew it. Beth was ready to welcome her with open arms, while Kane was concerned about his pregnant wife getting upset. Somebody would have to run interference.
    That would teach him to take the afternoon off. Officially he worked Monday through Friday, but lately he’d been at the station seven days a week. Right now he was researching radio transmitters, trying to determine the best way to double KLMS’s receiving area. It was a big investment, but it would pay off if he planned right.
    “I’ll go talk to her,” he said, trying not to sound reluctant. He liked Maddie, but getting messed up with her would play hell with his peace of mind.
    The reward for his offer was a kiss on the cheek from Beth and an approving nod from his brother.
    Well…maybe it wouldn’t be