The Sheriff's Son Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    As a nurse, Justine had been schooled to remain calm in a crisis. She’d seen people broken and bleeding and dangerously close to death, but she’d forced herself to be collected and focus on her job. Yet just the act of dialling Roy’s number had her hand shaking and her breaths coming in shallow little jerks. It wasn’t right that one man could have so much of an effect on her, she thought with self-disgust. Especially when he’d been out of her life for years now.
    It rang four times, and Justine was on the verge of hanging up when he answered.
    â€œSheriff Pardee.”
    â€œRoy.”
    He knew instantly that it was Justine. No other woman had ever said his name quite like she did. He closed his eyes and gripped the receiver.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThis is Justine.”
    â€œI know.”
    Her shaky legs forced her to take a seat on the edge of the bed. “I—I’m calling about the twins.”
    â€œI didn’t think you were calling to ask me for a date,” he said dryly.
    Her nostrils flared as she closed her eyes. She wished she could get her hands around his throat! No—she instantly changed her mind. She didn’t want to touch him. Ever! If she did, she didn’t know what she’d do. Kiss him? Claw him? Break down in tears? She wasn’t going to test herself.
    â€œI don’t know how you ever won the sheriff’s election,” she muttered.
    To Justine’s amazement, he chuckled. The sound sent little shivers of nerves tumbling through her stomach.
    â€œI won it because the majority of the people in Lincoln County like and trust me.”
    Even if you don’t. Justine could hear the unspoken words hovering on the line between them.
    Knowing she’d never get anywhere with him if she allowed her temper to get the better of her, she said, “I heard you got ninety percent of the vote. Are you sure you had an opponent?”
    â€œSomebody mentioned there was another guy running for the job. I didn’t notice.”
    His cockiness had Justine rolling her eyes. “Well, I’m glad to hear you’re so liked and well-thought-of around here,” she said, “because I’m going to…ask a favor of you.”
    Roy had been lying back in his leather recliner, but now his boots hit the floor with a loud thud. In his wildest dreams, he’d never expected Justine Murdock to want or need any sort of help from him. He didn’t know whether to tell her to go to hell, or silently thank God. In fact, for years now Roy had never been quite able to decide if he hated Justine or loved her.
    â€œA favor,” he repeated, his voice gone husky. “What kind?”
    She drew in a shaky breath. “It’s about the twins. Do you think it might be possible for us…I mean, my sisters and me…to keep them here until…you locate the real parents?”
    â€œWhy would you want to do that? I’m sure you and your family have plenty to keep you busy besides two demanding babies.”
    â€œOf course we do. But my sisters are infatuated with the babies, and since…Daddy’s death, well, I think it would be good for all of us to have them around.”
    Roy knew that Justine had been very close to her mother and father. She was probably still grieving over Tom’s death. If the babies could help ease the ache, what the hell, he thought. Even though she’d made his life miserable, that didn’t mean he wanted to rub salt in her wounds.
    â€œYou don’t have to sell me on the idea, Justine. I know I can trust the twins’ welfare to you and your family.”
    She couldn’t believe he’d so readily agreed to her request, and for a moment she didn’t know what to say.
    â€œJustine? Isn’t that what you wanted to hear?”
    â€œI—Uh, yes,” she finally managed to answer. “Is that all we have to do? Is your permission enough to keep them