The Sheriff's Son Read Online Free Page B

don’t know anyone who’s had twins in the past six months? An old friend or distant relative?”
    Kitty thought for a moment, then shook her head. “My old friends are too old to have babies, and most of my relatives live here on the Bar M.”
    Sighing, Roy glanced at Charlie, who was sidled up to him the way a tomcat would a warm stove. The sight of the trusting child disturbed Roy almost as much as the sight of Justine.
    Rising to his feet, he said, “Well, if neither of you can think of anything else, I’m going to get on the phone and find a place to take these babies tonight.”
    Roy headed out the door. Justine glanced at Kitty, then quickly placed the twin girl down on the pallet and followed him out on the porch.
    Hearing her footsteps, Roy turned, his brows arched with speculation.
    â€œWas there something else you wanted to tell me?” he asked.
    Justine met his eyes, moistened her lips, then glanced away. “Just that there’s no need for you to find a place for the babies to stay. We’d be happy to keep them here.”
    He didn’t say anything, just kept gazing at her through narrowed eyes.
    Justine heaved out a breath, then folded her arms across her breasts. “I love babies, but I wouldn’t go so far to steal a pair of them, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
    â€œYou don’t know what I’m thinking,” he said roughly.
    And she didn’t want to know, Justine thought hotly. “Well, think about this. There’s not exactly a plethora of orphanages around here. As far as I know, there’s not any. You probably know a few foster parents who’d be willing to take the babies in, but I doubt they would be any more capable than four grown women would be.”
    His gaze slanted downward from her face, to settle on the bulge of her breasts spilling over her folded arms.
    â€œDon’t forget to point out you’re an experienced mother,” he added sarcastically.
    At that moment, Justine was certain she hated this long-legged man with hard blue eyes and an even harder mouth.
    â€œIs there something wrong with being a mother?” she asked him challengingly.
    Roy didn’t know why he was behaving so churlishly. Just because seeing Justine again had thrown him off kilter, that didn’t mean he lacked manners.
    â€œNo. There’s nothing wrong with it,” he said. Then with a tired sigh, he lifted his hat and combed his fingers through his hair.
    The sun had set some minutes ago, and the sky over the ranch had turned dusky. The day had been a long one for Roy. He should be looking forward to going home, taking a hot shower and fixing himself a steak for supper. But not even the prospect of those things eased the weariness that had suddenly come over him.
    â€œI suppose it will be all right for the babies to stay here tonight,” he said after a moment. “I’ll have someone from social services come out to get them tomorrow.”
    He stepped off the porch. Justine suddenly realized he was going to leave. “You’re not going, are you?”
    A faint smile touched his lips, but not his eyes. For one brief moment, Justine felt a sadness she didn’t quite understand. She only knew that a long time ago, Roy had smiled at her. Really smiled. But she would never see that man again.
    â€œThere’s not much more I can do here tonight, other than speaking with your sisters. And since they obviously weren’t around when the babies were left, they may not know any more than your aunt. But just in case, I’ll question them later. Until then, if any of you come up with something, let me know.”
    He took a step toward a Bronco with the sheriff’s department seal painted on the side. Justine called after him.
    â€œHow long do you think it will take you to find out who did this?”
    He glanced over his shoulder at her. “Not long,” he said grimly.
    â€œBut