Read Online A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch by Michelle Major - Free Book Online Page A

touch her skin directly.
    â€œI don’t want to bother you. If you’re about to go out or in the middle of something...”
    â€œReading a book.”
    â€œReading?”
    He raised his brows. “A book. You’ve heard of them? I’m partial to American history.”
    She covered her face with her hands. “Of course,” she said through her fingers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think...”
    â€œThat someone like me would spend his free time in such literary pursuits?”
    Her hands lowered. “Not at all. But you’re handsome, single and if Millie’s reaction was any indication, at no loss for female companionship. I thought you’d be out or with someone.”
    â€œI
am
with someone.”
    Her gaze shot around the small apartment. “I’m sorry,” she said again and he wanted to smile at how adorable she looked.
    â€œYou, Olivia.” He reached forward and tapped one finger on the tip of her nose. That tiny bit of contact he could handle. “I’m with you right now.”
    â€œOh.” She bit down on her lower lip and he stifled a groan.
    â€œSit down. I’ll pour you a glass.”
    He took a wine opener from a drawer and got to work.
    â€œWhat smells like cookies?” she asked as she slid into one of the chairs around the small kitchen table.
    His back stiffened. “That would be...um...cookies. Oatmeal raisin to be exact.” He glanced over his shoulder to see her reaction.
    â€œI’ll admit to being surprised that you bake,” she said with a small smile. “I don’t know a lot of manly man bakers.”
    â€œManly man,” he repeated. “That’s funny.” He poured the cabernet into a glass and put it in front of her. “I’ve baked since I was a kid. I was pretty sickly then, bad asthma, allergies, regular bronchitis. I missed a lot of school and couldn’t be outside too much. My mom and I would bake to pass the time.”
    â€œIt’s hard to imagine you a sickly kid.”
    He wiggled his eyebrows. “I grew out of it.”
    He saw her swallow reflexively and smiled again. She made him smile more than he had in years. He put a plastic container on the table and opened the lid. “Try one. I like breads and cakes, too, but cookies are my favorite.”
    She hesitated, then picked out one of the cookies. “They’re still warm.” She examined the cookie for several seconds before taking a small bite. Her eyes widened. “They’re really good. Amazing, actually.”
    Logan felt an unfamiliar swell of pride. “Thank you. I’m not sure they go well with wine.”
    â€œEverything goes well with wine,” Olivia corrected him and took another bite, moaning softly.
    Logan turned quickly to the refrigerator, took out a beer, then sat across from her. It was better if the lower half of his body was hidden at this moment.
    He watched her eat the rest of the cookie, marveling again at the elegance of her long fingers.
    â€œI really am sorry about earlier,” she said after she finished. “Millie’s my half sister. Although I’ve known about her for decades, we only met recently. Our relationship is so new it barely exists.”
    â€œYou’ve known about her but never actually met? How is that possible?”
    Olivia shrugged. “She was my dad’s best-and worst-kept secret.” She took another cookie from the container, her full attention focused on it. “My father was a US senator for many years. He and my mother married while he was in law school at Harvard. It was practically an arranged marriage. Her family had the money and connections he needed to start his political career.” She broke off a small piece. “It’s eerily similar to my story with Craig. I’m not sure my parents ever really loved each other.”
    After taking a bite, she picked up the wineglass, twirling the stem