A Match Made in Texas Read Online Free PDF

financially take care of her and her son for the rest of their lives.
    Which was why Bri had no intentions of ever getting married. She had money. She could adopt kids. And she’d had more than her fair share of men. This was proven minutes later when her cell phone rang. She grabbed it from her purse and looked at the number before answering.
    “Hi, Brant.”
    “So you got there.” The words were as straightforward and dry as her oldest brother. He didn’t wait for her reply before he continued. “I don’t think you’ll need to stay long. Just long enough for things to quiet down. I can’t remove the picture from the Internet, but I sure as hell can call in some favors and keep the story from hitting the newspapers and television. For now, you need to lie low. Stay away from the guests as much as possible.”
    “No fraternizing with the guests,” she repeated.
    “And I wouldn’t be letting your friends know where you are,” he continued. “Or do any social networking.”
    “No friends or social networking.”
    “And I don’t want you learning any dances from Minnie—”
    The phone beeped with an incoming call, and Bri glanced at the number.
    “Can you hold on, Brant?” she said. “It’s Billy.” She clicked over to the other line. “Hey, Billy.”
    “Hey, yourself. Did you get to Miss Hattie’s okay?”
    “Safe and sound.”
    “Good. Shirlene and I are getting ready to board the cruise ship, but I wanted to check in with you first.” There was a long pause, and Bri could just picture Billy running a hand through his hair. “Look, Bri, Shirlene doesn’t think I should push you. But if the sonofa… if he forced you, I’m going to break every bone in his—”
    “No,” Bri cut in. “Jared didn’t do anything.” It was a half lie. Jared hadn’t forced her to go to Mexico. Or cliff jump. He had posted the half-naked picture of her on the Internet. And he was stalking her.
    Bri flopped down on the bed.
    Men.
    “It doesn’t make sense,” Billy said. “An innocent young lady just doesn’t decide to do something like that out of a clear blue sky.”
    Bri could’ve argued that she wasn’t that innocent, but instead she kept her mouth shut. Partly because she knew Billy was too hardheaded to believe her and partly because she couldn’t stand to corrupt the saintly picture he held of her. She might think that men were a bunch of Neanderthals, but she adored her family of cavemen.
    “Listen, Billy,” she said, “Brant’s on the other line so I’ll let you get on with your vacation. Have fun, and kiss Shirlene and kids for me. Did you want me to check on Jesse while you’re gone? I would imagine that he’s pretty upset about missing the trip.”
    “Not as upset as Shirlene. Personally, I think the kid failed his last test on purpose just so he wouldn’t have to go on the Disney cruise. So there’s no need to worry about him. He’s staying at his friend’s, and I have the entire town keeping an eye out.” He paused. “Listen, Shirlene’s waving so I better go. Love you, Bri.”
    “Love you, too.” She clicked back to Brant. “Sorry. What were you saying?”
    “I just want you to keep to yourself until Elizabeth and I can get there,” Brant said. “We would be there sooner but Minnie said the Henhouse was full. And I refuse to sleep out in the barn with that ex-con Minnie hired to drive—”
    The phone beeped again. Glancing at the number, Bri made her excuses.
    “I’ll call you later, Brant. Beau’s calling.” She pressed the button. “Hi, Beau.”
    “Hey, Bri.” Beau’s congenial voice came through the receiver. “Are the hens taking good care of you? I’m sorry I wasn’t there to welcome you, but Jenna got a bee in her bonnet about building a girls’ school in Africa. And since we didn’t take a honeymoon, I figure it wouldn’t hurt to let her have her way.”
    A wall of guilt washed over Bri. “I’m so sorry I didn’t make the wedding, Beau. I guess