The Dangerous Gift Read Online Free PDF Page A

name. “Open up the Unicorn to guests who want a taste of ranch life. The ranch’s profitability suffered with the fall in cattle prices. Annie wanted to diversify and grow.”
    “Clever lady.” Ideas flooded Jennie’s mind. “Perhaps I could help.”
    Harry nodded. “Discuss it with Jared.”
    Jennie gave an unladylike snort, which she quickly suppressed into a more delicate cough. Jared didn’t want her to stay and certainly wouldn’t want her to help with his new project.
    Jared appeared, alone, his handsome face marred with a thunderous expression. She shuddered. Now what?
    Harry followed her anguished gaze. “Speak of the devil. Jared, over here.”
    Mourners offering their condolences slowed Jared’s journey. He was polite but brief in his responses and reached Harry and Jennie quickly. Jared frowned as his gaze searched Jennie’s face. Her mind dwelled briefly on the cause of his grumpiness. Perhaps he wanted to spend time with his blonde Amazon rather than her?
    Harry got up. “I’ll circulate now you’re here. Make sure you take care of her. She’s fragile today, like you and me.”
    Jared took Harry’s place. “I saw the card. Did you even read it before you ran off? Why didn’t you show it to me?”
    Jennie’s face heated. Her stomach churned. She didn’t deserve Jared’s anger. “You seemed busy. Who was at the office door?”
    Jared leaned back in his chair. He wouldn’t look at her. “A friend.”
    Jennie suppressed her tears. “I didn’t recognize her.”
    “Her name’s Darleen. She owns the neighbouring ranch.” Jared’s bored tone implied the information was of no importance.
    “You must know each other pretty well.” Jennie wouldn’t be put off. She’d seen them kissing and wanted to know why.
    “Darleen worries about me. She didn’t realize I’d gone to find you.” Jared still didn’t look at her.
    “Do you think?” Jennie jumped up and leaned back against the porch rail with a sigh.
    “We’re just neighbours, Jen…”
    Jared’s intransigence fueled Jennie’s anger. “More like friends with benefits.” Now she sounded jealous. Very mature, Jennie.
    Jared’s eyes heated, then softened. “She’s a drama queen, like you. She wanted to pay her condolences in person. Nothing more.” Clear blue eyes stared back and dared her to contradict him. Jared’s image blurred as Jennie’s teary eyes betrayed her.
    “You kissed her.”
    “Jen, don’t do this. Not here.” Jared ran his fingers through his short-cropped hair.
    Jennie looked around her, aware they were the focus of avid interest. “Let’s go someplace else. I need some space and privacy.”
    Jared took a breath. “I can’t abandon everyone again. This will have to wait until after the wake.” He leapt up and covered Jennie’s hands with his own much-larger one. “If you read the note, it must have scared you. I’ll find out who sent it and make them sorry they did.”
    “I did read it. I wanted to show it to you—” Jennie gulped and brushed tears from her cheeks, “—before I saw you kissing what’s-her-name…Darleen. Someone must know about Annie and Ralf’s will. Otherwise, why threaten me?”
    “It looks that way. Leave it to me, Jen. I’ll sort it,” Jared said in harsh, hushed tones. “In case you’re interested, Darleen kissed me, not the other way round. I couldn’t push her away. It would have hurt her feelings.”
    “You managed it with me.” Jennie turned away, her survival instincts kicking in. She must escape from Jared before she made a fool of herself. “I need some water.”
    “Fine. Sit down. I’ll fetch you some.” Jared pointed her in the direction of the swing seat and walked into the crowd of mourners.
    Jennie immediately regretted her emotional outburst. What chance did she have with Jared if he was already seeing someone else? She leaned back into the comfy seat and closed her eyes, searching for calm in her troubled mind.
    “You look like you want to