Lorraine Heath Read Online Free PDF Page A

feelings for Reb with his friend. Self-consciously, he cleared his throat.“Reckon it’s because I’m the lucky son-of-a-bitch that’s marrying Reb.”
    Frank’s eyes widened further, and Jake wondered how they managed to stay in his head. “Goddamn! Reb’s marrying you?”
    Jake couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face. “Yep.”
    Frank’s face fell and he looked like a mongrel pup that someone had just kicked out into the snow. “But what about your land in Texas?”
    Jake threw a glance around the bunkhouse before motioning Frank closer. “We’re still going,” he said in a hushed tone. “Only now Reb’s going with us.”
    “Is her father gonna like that?”
    “Probably not, which is why we need to keep quiet about it.”
    Nodding his understanding, Frank straightened his lanky frame. Then his face broke out into a broad smile. “Goddamn! You are a lucky son-of-a-bitch!”
    Jake had never seen so much cutlery set out beside one plate in his entire life. One fork, one knife, that’s all a man needed to eat a meal. He realized sitting at this table that all the decisions he and Reb had made that morning regarding their leaving had been easy. What was difficult was trying to decide which damn fork to pick up. It wouldn’t be so bad if they all looked the same, but they didn’t. If he picked up the wrong one, everyone would know. Dear Lord, she must have grown up making these decisions at supper every night.
    She cleared her throat and Jake’s gaze snapped from the silverware to a pair of blue eyes. She twirled a fork in her hand. Jake nodded slightly and picked up an identical fork. Lord, he hoped she wasn’t planning on bringing all this cutlery with her on the trail.
    “Now then, Jake,” Anderson began. “I had a meeting with my lawyer today and out of fairness to you, I have had my will rewritten to leave this ranch to any children that you and Rebecca have together, thereby assuring this unfortunate offspring takes nothing away from your own children.”
    Jake saw the fire ignite in Rebecca’s eyes. His own temper heated up, but he controlled it.
    “Mr. Anderson, I’ve always considered you a fair man, but this here doesn’t sound fair to me. With all due respect, sir, this child is Reb’s and is entitled to a part of this ranch.”
    “This child is another man’s leavings. Rebecca is damn fortunate you have chosen to overlook her transgressions and for that I intend to show my appreciation.”
    The fork clattered as it hit the china and Rebecca shoved her plate back. “I’m finished. May I be excused?”
    “No, you may not be excused. You’ll wait until your betrothed is finished before you leave this table.”
    Carefully, Jake set his fork down. “Actually, sir, I’m finished. I’m not used to such fine fare, and I need to be checking on that foal. If you’ll excuse us …”
    Anderson nodded. Neither Jake nor Rebecca could leave the table fast enough. Jake took her elbow when they reached the hall. “Let’s get some fresh air.”
    They walked outside, heading for the corral.
    “Has he been like that the whole time?” Jake asked.
    “When he talks to me. I guess I should be grateful he says as little as he does.” She spun around. “You understand why I can’t stay, don’t you?”
    “I understand,” he said solemnly.
    “Even though I’m getting married, he’ll never accept this child. He’ll always single him out…. I don’t want this child feeling different, Jake.”
    “He won’t.” He looked off into the night. It dawned on him that since he didn’t walk around with a large “B” branded on his forehead his parentage might not be as evident to everyone else as it was to him. Out of fairness, he realized he should at least tell Rebecca. He forced his gaze back to hers. “I’m a bastard, Reb. My mother was a …” He swallowed. It was just a word, but it was a word that should never be associated with a mother, especially his mother. “She