The Cowboy's Return Read Online Free PDF Page A

walked into the room. “Mama…” Her voice trailed away when she saw him. “Oh, it’s you.”
    “Hi, Jilly.”
    Jilly glanced at her mother then back at Tripp. “Hi.”
    “Mr. Daniels was just leaving,” Camila said.
    Tripp turned back to the sofa and retrieved his hat. “I just wanted to make sure I didn’t frighten you the other day.” The excuse sounded lame to his own ears, but he found he couldn’t say anything that would hurt this young girl. He’d have to sort this out with Camila, but at the moment, her dark eyes were about to sear him into a pile of ashes.
    Jilly reached down and picked up her dog, who was making soft noises at her feet. “No. I’m fine.”
    Tripp nodded. “Good.”
    He headed for the door.
    “Mr. Daniels?” Jilly asked.
    He looked back. “Yes.”
    “Are Mr. and Mrs. Daniels okay?”
    Tripp was taken aback for a second. “Their health’s not very good but they’re okay.”
    “Do they need anything?”
    This time he didn’t know what to say. He’d never met anyone like Jilly before, except… For a moment he was shaken by the thought.
    “Because I run errands for a lot of people,” Jilly informed him. “And if they need anything, I can pedal it out there. It doesn’t take long.”
    Don’t do this, Jilly. Baby, don’t do this. Camila’s heart broke at the entreaty in her daughter’s voice. Jilly wanted to help the Danielses. It was very evident Jilly wanted to know her father’s family and Camila had to let it happen. But she would fiercely guard her daughter’s feelings.
    “I’ll remember that,” Tripp said and placed his hat on his head. At the door, he spoke to Camila. “I’m sorry if my visit has disturbed you. I didn’t mean to do that.”
    “Goodbye.” She closed the door, unable to deal with anything else right now but her daughter.
    “I’m sorry, Mama,” Jilly said as Camila walked into the living room.
    Camila sat on the sofa, bracing herself to tell Jilly about Patrick. She looked at her daughter. “Never be afraid to talk to me.”
    “I’m not, Mama.”
    “But you’re curious about your father and his family, so let’s talk about it.” She patted the spot beside her.
    “Okay.” Jilly nestled into Camila’s side and Camila wrapped an arm around her. Button curled into a ball on her lap.
    “Did my daddy look like Mr. Daniels?”
    “Some.” Camila ran her fingers through Jilly’s dark tresses. “They have the same blond hair and blue eyes, but Tripp was the handsome older brother. Girls noticed him and he was popular. Patrick, on the other hand, was very shy and always felt overshadowed by his big brother. They lived on a ranch, but Patrick was never interested in horses or cows. He always had his head in a book and when he got his first computer, well, he found his joy. He was going to be a computer engineer.”
    “But he got killed?”
    “Yes.” Camila’s hand stopped. She could still feel that pain of long ago when she’d been told of Patrick’s death.
    “And you and he were in love?”
    She chose her words carefully. “Patrick and I were very good friends. We had been since kindergarten. Patrick was my protector. When kids said bad things about me or Benita, he’d always take up for me. He had a very big heart and I loved him for that.” She hadn’t been in love with Patrick, though—that’s what had caused the problem. She’d cared for him a great deal and had been so grateful for his support. But Patrick had wanted more.
    “Why do the Danielses think you’re so bad?”
    Her hand curled into a fist and she dreaded this part, but she wasn’t going to lie to Jilly.
    Before she could find the words, Jilly asked, “Is it because Benita’s been married so many times?”
    “That’s part of it.”
    “Is it because she worked in a bar and danced when men asked her to?”
    “Partly.”
    “But that’s not fair. Benita’s a fun person and she’s always happy. She’s not a bad woman.”
    Camila tucked hair behind