Her Texan Temptation Read Online Free PDF

tiny butterflies were having a party inside it. “I’m not trying to be difficult.”
    “Sure could’ve fooled me.” His eyes stayed on hers.
    “I appreciate everything you’ve done. I’m just not used to having someone around helping.”
    “Like your father?”
    Mary Beth wanted to say no. She really did. But that wouldn’t have been an honest answer. Her father had never been around when she and her mother had needed him. He’d only cared about money. Money he never seemed to have. Feeling her spirits fall, she tried to hold the bitter feelings at bay. “Yeah.”
    “I can understand how hard it’s been.”
    She swallowed hard. Deke didn’t know. No one had any idea that she held bitter feelings toward her father. Shamefully, she hadn’t even wanted to come back when she’dheard he was ill. But if she hadn’t, people would’ve talked. The lump that had lodged in her throat refused to move when she swallowed.
    An awkward moment of silence filled the room. She looked at Deke, and his mouth quirked up at one corner. Mary Beth found the sight much too appealing. He started to speak, stopped himself as if considering his words, then sighed.
    “What?”
    He waited a moment, then asked, “Why haven’t you cleaned out your father’s things?”
    She stilled. “What…what do you mean?”
    “I wasn’t snooping,” he said quickly. “I was looking for some pillows, and I went into your father’s bedroom, thinking that you’d made it your room since his death.”
    “You went into his room?”
    He nodded. “I guess you’ve had a rough time.”
    “Losing my father, you mean?” She wasn’t sure what to say. He was expecting her to tell him all about how she’d cried, how hard it had been to lose someone she’d loved. So hard that she hadn’t been able to bring herself to go through his belongings.
    She had felt grief. Not the unbearable kind she’d felt when her mother had died. But it had been grief, tempered with resentment and anger. Resentment because Hank Adams had never let her close to him, anger because he hadn’t loved her.
    “I just haven’t had the time to finish it,” she said quietly. “Taking care of the ranch has been a priority. His room and clothing can wait.”
    “It’s been two years,” Deke pointed out, his expression thoughtful. “You haven’t had time in two years to go through his things?” He wasn’t sure he believed her and sensed she was putting it off. He wondered why.
    She looked away from his probing eyes. “I just said so, didn’t I?”
    “Don’t get testy,” Deke retorted, but his words came with another smile.
    “I’m not.”
    “Are, too,” he returned.
    Mary Beth squeezed her eyes closed, fighting the sting of tears. She couldn’t let Deke know how hard it had been for her to keep the ranch going. Her stupid idea of taking over and trying to make it a success was literally blowing up in her face. Very soon it was going to come crashing down around her.
    More in control, she opened her eyes and looked at him. “Look, I really appreciate what you’ve done, but I’m tired and I’d like to rest.” She glanced at her watch and was astonished at how much time had passed since Deke had arrived. “Besides, it’s getting late, and I’m sure you have other things to do.”
    Instead of getting up, he settled himself more into the soft chair, sitting back comfortably and stretching his legs out in front of him. “I thought I’d hang around a while. You know, to make sure you’re okay.” Maybe he’d stay and make her something to eat for dinner.
    Mary Beth yawned and leaned back against the pillow. She fought closing her eyes. “That’s not necessary. I’ll be fine now.”
    “Stop arguing and try to rest,” Deke suggested.
    “You don’t need to stay,” she murmured, and her eyelids drifted shut. She wanted him to leave. Maybe when he did, her pulse would go back to a normal beat. Having Deke McCall around was dangerous to her heart. He’d