The Dangerous Gift Read Online Free PDF Page B

realize you knew Ryder.”
    Jared’s casual tone didn’t fool her. He clearly didn’t like her talking to Ryder. “Jealous, Jared? No, of course you’re not. You don’t see me as a potential lover. Besides, you have Darleen.”
    Jared’s face darkened. “Jen, you’re upset. Let’s not talk about this now.”
    “Somebody need ice?” A sultry voice drew both their gazes to the open door.
    “Hey, Darleen. Over here, please.” Jared smiled at the blonde Amazon.
    Jennie’s nemesis sashayed across the room and dropped the cloth full of ice into Jared’s large hands. She made the simple task seem like foreplay. Jennie turned away in disgust.
    “Had a little too much to drink, honey?” Darleen’s sickly sweet tone ramped up Jennie’s anger. Her face heated. She looked to Jared for support.
    “Don’t think Jen’s much of a drinker.” Jared shared a smile with Darleen. Stung by his lack of loyalty, Jennie felt her eyes flood with angry tears.
    Darleen’s eyes narrowed. “Think you need your bed, honey. I’ll ask Ryder to carry you upstairs.” How dare Darleen treat her like a child? “Jared, you need to be with your guests. I’ve told the caterers to keep the drinks flowing, but they’ve started to clear away the leftovers, and I think some of your guests are fixing to leave. It’s been a long day.”
    “Okay, Darleen. I’ll go. Take care of Jen.” Jared headed for the office door, and Jennie didn’t miss the older woman’s triumphant smile.
    “Jared, I’ll join you when I’ve spoken to Ryder.” Darleen’s proprietary attitude made Jennie tremble with fury. Darleen had effortlessly slipped into the hostess role, and Jared didn’t contradict her. “Ryder, I need you to carry Jennie upstairs. I need to go back to the wake and support Jared. It’s been a trying day for us all.” Darleen bestowed a cool smile on Jennie and followed Jared out of the office.
    Jennie bit her lip. Darleen clearly felt at home at the ranch. There must be more to her relationship with Jared than he’d admitted. Ryder picked her up, despite her halfhearted protests that she could make it upstairs on her own. She wanted to go back to the wake and show Darleen she was perfectly capable of supporting Jared, but her headache from crying and drinking alcohol on an empty stomach and her throbbing ankle forced her to accept Ryder’s help and escape upstairs before she embarrassed herself further.
    The bedroom door creaked, and the bed’s softness rose up and enveloped her as Ryder relinquished her to its depths.
    “You can open your eyes now. Darleen’s gone.”
    Jennie turned her head away from him and opened her eyes. The bed dipped, and Ryder placed the ice pack against her throbbing ankle. “Give this an hour to work its magic and rest. You should be okay to walk on it later.” Reluctantly, she turned in the direction of Ryder’s deep voice. His hazel eyes fringed with long eyelashes, a few shades darker than his hair, fell short of attractive because of their inherent coldness. Jennie suppressed a shudder, deciding it must be delayed shock from her fall.
    “Thanks. I’ll be fine now.”
    Ryder’s eyes remained devoid of expression. “Oh, so you’re done with me now.”
    Jennie scrambled around in her fuzzy mind for a suitable response. “No, of course not. I thought you’d want to—”
    “Like I said, so easy to tease. I’m joking. I’ll pop by to check up on you in a couple of days, if you’re still here.” Ryder stood up and smiled down at her.
    Jennie’s face heated. “Where else would I be? Come for dinner. I’ll get Jared to arrange it.”
    “Look forward to it. Take care. No more accidents.” Ryder smiled as he left her room.
    “I’ll do my best.” Jennie waited for the door to close before she sat up. Bad move. Now that she’d invited Ryder to dinner, Darleen would invite herself too. But maybe it could work to her advantage. She could see how Darleen and Jared interacted. With Ryder