Redheaded Stranger: A Cowboy Love Story (Bluebonnet, Texas) Read Online Free PDF Page B

sorry. I know this must come as quite a shock—"
    "That’s not what I meant. I meant after the hateful scene he created at Thanksgiving." She frowned, her eyes on Darrach. Deep inside, I felt the first stirrings of regret. "There isn’t a person in this family he didn’t insult. He owes all of us an apology."
    "I know. He told me."
    "Everything?" Her auburn eyebrows shot up and disappeared under her bangs.
    "Well, the bruised ribs would have been difficult to hide," I countered. He’d also come home with a busted lip. Maybe he’d deserved it, but he was also my husband. I didn’t like seeing him hurt. "And what he left out, your husband told me."
    Jerrod chuckled but she only frowned more. "Relax, Maggie. Just relax a minute." Turning to me, he added, " Why are you here? Besides needing to punish my son. Tell her what you told me at the door."
    I blew out a deep breath before meeting his gentle blue eyes. Darrach continued to hop up and down and blow bubbles at him. "Because of him. Because of those pictures on the wall." I pointed over his shoulder to the wall of photos. "Because I had hoped when my husband came home for Thanksgiving that he’d tell you about us, not blow his cool like he did, and leave such a God-awful mess in his wake."
    " Mess would be an understatement," Maggie snapped, drawing my attention back to her. "He sent you here because of Betti didn’t he?"
    "Ma’am, I swear to you he didn't send me. I left him ." And how many times would I have to say it before she believed me? "He has no clue I’m here. I mean, I’m sure he’ll figure it out, but this was my idea and mine alone. After your husband came to visit, I asked Alex to tell you all about Darrach and I, to bring us here for an anniversary present, but he refused and gave me some garbage about it being too soon after Thanksgiving. I gave him every opportunity to tell me about Betti and the miscarriage, and he didn't. He lied, repeatedly . I am very disappointed in my husband, just as I know you both are."
    She nodded, as if she was finally satisfied, then stood and crossed to where Mr. Boudreaux sat. "Well, are you going to share that baby or not?"
    "He needs to nurse soon," I cautioned.
    Mrs. Boudreaux sat and then turned to face me. "Young lady, I’m going to be blunt." Beside me, her husband chuckled. Obviously not a rare occurrence. "After everything my children and husband, forgive me Jerrod," she added with a nod, "have put me through this year, your showing up here unannounced is the least of my problems. But I had hoped for a quiet Christmas. With Alexander on the way, I can see that's not going to happen."
    My face felt as if it were on fire. I’d been well and truly chastised for my impetuousness.
    "Isn't your anniversary soon?" Jerrod asked.
    "Today."
    "Well, you are most welcome to spend the holidays with us, as is this baby," she added gently as Darrach leaned over and patted her cheek.
    "I'll call him. Make sure he's coming," Jerrod offered. "I think Keilana is right. I think it’s past time we cleared the air once and for all. And frankly," he added, his eyes on Darrach, "I have a few bones to pick with him myself."
    He stood up, Darrach firmly entrenched in his arms. "I’ll be right back."
    "Are you going to share that baby or not, Jerrod?" Maggie asked as he stepped past her.
    " Not ."
    I couldn’t hold back a snort of relieved laughter as he disappeared around a corner.  My mother-in-law just shook her head and grinned. "He loves his grandbabies. You watch, he’ll have that one on a horse inside of twenty-four hours."
    "Oh, dear God."

Chapter Five: Alex
    T he minute Alex hit the kitchen door, he knew Keilana was gone. Some of the cabinets had been left open, the pantry door hung open, and Darrach’s baby food was out of order. And, of course, his Tahoe was gone. He’d frantically searched their townhouse, every horrible thing that could go wrong running through his head on a perverse loop.
    The townhouse wasn’t