Serenity's Deception (Texas Sorority Sisters Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

over, Rueger taunted and laughed, gathering a crowd of kids around her to add to the chorus, until Jason had enough.
    At the time, Jason didn’t know who Orphan Annie was, let alone what the word orphan meant, just knew he didn’t like the Rueger twin teasing and calling her names.
    When he saw Billy Jo’s determination not to cry, but couldn’t hold back the quiver of her chin, he plowed into Rueger shoving him to the ground. He told him … hush your mouth or you’ll get more where that came from. Afterward, he went and stood by her, trying his best to get her to talk, but she wouldn’t. Now the woman seemed to have plenty to say.
    Aunt Maddy, what were you thinking when you wrote your idiotic will?
    All his troubles had come to roost in this one dynamite package sitting in front of him. If he didn’t handle the bundle with kid gloves, everything just might explode in his face.  
    “I’m sure I don’t know the half of your problems—” Billy Jo paused glancing down at her hands.
    Trust me you don’t.
    “—but the children stand to lose the most.” She released a heavy breath looking up at him. “Please. Would you mind sitting down? I’m getting a crick in my neck, and I’ve always had an aversion to someone towering over me. And at my height, most people do.” A soft smile rested on her lips as she motioned toward a chair. Not the one he’d vacated earlier.
    A grin tugged at him over her little quip and that she was doing her best to move him out of her personal space. He wondered what she’d do if he didn’t comply. Logical thought didn’t come easy in close proximity to Billy Jo and his non-compliance would appear like he didn’t want to cooperate. Relinquishing his urge to goad her more, he moved to his original seat, one chair away, his full attention on her face. Bad move. Be alert.
    Her brow wrinkled, she was doing that thing with her teeth—gnawing on the inside of her lip. “Let’s think about this logically.”
    He wanted to shake her. She could push his buttons like no other woman could. “You’re one exasperating woman. What do you think I’ve been trying to do?” He heard a small chuckle, then witnessed her resignation.
    “I know. And—I—I apologize.”
    He narrowed his eyelids wondering what she was up to. Filled with doubt, he gave a nod. “Accepted.”
    “Thanks. The way I see it, we have two choices.”
    “Yes. And I like neither of them.” Especially when it involves you in the mix.
    “I agree. But there aren’t many avenues open to us. Only two.”
    Again he noticed her slight hesitation. Was she playing him? Seeing if she could make him vulnerable? She’d see. He couldn’t be easily duped by a woman. Billy Jo and his late wife Lindsey had done their work well. Trusting the fairer sex wasn’t something he did any more.
    Still not convinced the children’s welfare was the inducement to Billy Jo’s willingness to come back to a place obviously abhorrent to her. He figured the money had done the trick. Who in their right mind would give up five hundred mill and change.
    “I’m listening.”
    With determination in her eyes, she apparently was willing to give one last grand heave-ho to persuade him. What she couldn’t know … he didn’t need persuasion, he needed the inheritance and would do what he must to save his property and livelihood.
    “We can each either walk away or compromise. Act like the adults we are. Move into Rose Mansion—separate wings, of course.” He saw a look flitter across her face, but she banked her eyes to hide her thoughts. “I don’t see why this can’t work as long as we both stick to a plan.”
    “Of course.” He could give her many reasons why, even with the separation of the east and west wings, it wouldn’t work—mainly her and him. No way in heaven or earth could he live under the same roof with Billy Jo. He couldn’t do this.
    But he had to.
    He’d give it one more try. “Okay. I want your promise if we agree, and