The Drifter Read Online Free PDF Page A

coarse. “That night you weren’t, lady. In fact, I really believed I had a full-blooded woman on my hands. Instead, I discover you’re a cowardly little girl. But that’s okay. You were still the best lay I’ve ever had.”
    Tears filled her eyes. “You’re being crude on purpose.”
    â€œI’m a trucker, sweetheart. We’re all crude. Haven’t you heard that?”
    She turned away from the taunt in his eyes. With her back to him she transferred Bartholomew to the other breast.
    â€œSo tell me.” He ran a finger up her spine over the damp material of her thin cotton blouse and she shivered. “What brings you to Arizona? Got a hunger for some of that trucker loving?”
    She fought down her rage so that she wouldn’t frighten Bartholomew again. “If my hands were free, I’d slap your face for suggesting that,” she snapped.
    â€œThat isn’t the reason you flew all the way out here? Shucks, I’m just a dumb trucker, so I can’t imagine any other reason. You don’t need money, and you don’t want my name. What else could you be after besides my body?”
    â€œWill you stop that?” she hissed.
    â€œListen, Ms. Drake, and listen good. You’ve just stepped off that plane with my baby and announced that everyone thinks his daddy is some sperm-bank donor. You just lost the right to dictate to me! Now tell me what you came for and save us both some time. Then I can put you on the next plane to New York and get on with my life.”
    She shuddered. If she’d thought he would react in the easy, civilized way her other male friends might have, she’d sadly miscalculated. In her heart she’d known what to expect, though. A man who could love with such thoroughness could hate just as thoroughly. She kept her back to him and took a deep breath. “I need to know something about your family’s medical history. An incident with a friend of mine convinced me that’s it’s irresponsible of me to raise Bartholomew without knowing if he’s genetically predisposed to any life-threatening diseases.”
    â€œI’m surprised you didn’t send me a form to fill out.”
    She’d thought of it. “I was afraid you’d ignore a form.” Or barrel back to New York and confront her. “Also it seemed a little...cold.”
    â€œReally? So instead, you traipse out here, dangle my son in front of me while you get your information and whisk him away again. You’re all heart, Amanda.”
    Amanda gritted her teeth and prayed for the strength to get the information she needed without killing the man who possessed it. “I’ve tried to handle this so that it’s best for all of us. Someday you might even realize that.”
    â€œI assume you didn’t tell anyone the real reason you decided to come out to Arizona, then,” he said.
    â€œI said I needed a vacation and I’d heard good things about this guest ranch.”
    His dry laugh held no humor. “Your friends and family must be even dumber than I am to fall for that one. An Arizona ranch in July? With a baby?”
    â€œI’ve always had a fascination with the West. My maternity leave isn’t up for another two weeks, and the agency suggested I take a little trip. My mother thought I should go to Colorado instead, but I told her I wanted to see one of those giant cactus with the arms, like the one they have back at the airport.” She remembered the name she’d been trying to think of. “Saguaros.”
    â€œYou pronounce the name with a silent g,” he corrected.
    â€œOh.”
    His voice gentled. “But I said it wrong when I first got here, too.”
    Bartholomew’s tug at her nipple grew gradually weaker. Amanda eased him away from her breast and refastened her clothing before holding him against her shoulder and patting his back. Soon his burp came, loud as a