Do You Take This Enemy? Read Online Free PDF Page A

she saw that flash of amusement in his expression.To her relief he stepped to one side, leaning a shoulder against her pickup, looking relaxed, sexy and curious.
    â€œLet’s go to dinner and talk about my proposal,” he suggested. “We can go to San Antonio. It’s a big enough city that we can find a spot where no one will know us.”
    â€œThis is so absurd. I don’t know why I’m listening to you.”
    â€œBecause you’re intelligent and you know I’m making a good offer. You’re listening because when we get near each other, both of us almost go up in flames. Which surprises me as much as it does you.”
    â€œWill you stop!”
    One corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked grin. “I have all sorts of reasons why this would benefit you. I just want a chance to present my case. And don’t tell me a Ryder can’t exist in proximity to a Brant. What do you think goes on at rodeos and cattle sales? I’ve rubbed elbows with your kin, including your dad. We don’t like it, but we do it. We can talk without bringing down the wrath of our kinfolk. Now, how about tomorrow night?”
    She debated only a few seconds because she was intrigued and she knew there was a possibility of solving a lot of problems for her father. “Yes, I’ll go with you to dinner.”
    â€œGood. I’ll pick you up around seven. Will your father let me set foot on the place?”
    â€œYes, if I want you to.”
    â€œSo I don’t have to wear my gun?”
    â€œDon’t you dare be packing!” she gasped.
    â€œSorry. I couldn’t keep from teasing you,” he said, touching her cheek while his dark eyes twinkled. “I’ll be there in my best suit at seven, and we’ll go to San Antonio so we won’t see anyone we know. That suits me fine, too.”
    â€œHave you ever not gotten your way?”
    â€œYes,” he replied. She heard the harsh note in his voice while his expression became solemn.
    â€œWell, what happened? That must have been a dilly.”
    â€œWhen my wife got pneumonia and died. When my folks died.”
    â€œYour wife and your parents?” She could hear the pain in his voice. “I’m sorry,” she said.
    â€œYeah. See you at seven at your house.” He turned away and in long strides went around his pickup.
    â€œGabe,” she said, hurrying after him, too aware of using his first name. “Let me tell Julian goodbye.” She moved past Gabe, going to the back of the pickup.
    â€œWow, you have a lot of cars,” she said, leaning over the side of the pickup. “Which one is your favorite?”
    Julian held up a blue one. As she talked to him about his cars, she felt Gabe standing nearby, watching and listening to her. After a few minutes, she smiled at Julian.
    â€œI have to go now, Julian. It was nice to meet you.”
    â€œThank you. It was nice to meet you,” he said politely and she turned to look at Gabe.
    â€œYou’ve taught him well,” she told him.
    â€œI try. See you tomorrow night.”
    â€œWho takes care of Julian?”
    â€œI have a nanny,” he replied.
    She nodded and walked away, hearing him talk to his son. When she climbed into her pickup, Julian was buckled in again and Gabe had started the engine. Making a sweeping turn, he drove away while she watched. She was still surprised—tomorrow night she had a dinner date with Gabe Brant.
    The man ran roughshod over all her arguments. Marry him—it would be like getting a dictator in her life. They were strangers and already he was getting his way. And his flirting struck nerves. There was a chemistry between them. She was surprised he felt it, but she had felt it around him all her life.
    She threw up her hands. She had to tell Mrs. Farrin, which would be bad, but telling her father about her dinner date would be much worse.
    Â 
    That night as they ate thick steaks, Ashley set