Read Online Do You Take This Enemy? by Sara Orwig - Free Book Online Page B

outside, she paused and turned to face Josh. “Now please tell me what happened.”
    â€œYour dad collapsed, but he didn’t lose consciousness. Otherwise we would have called an ambulance. And probably should have. Ashley, he isn’t well.”
    â€œI know that,” she said softly, fighting back tears.
    Josh gazed at her solemnly while wind caught locks of his brown hair. “I’m glad the doctor is coming. I wanted to take your dad to the hospital, but he wouldn’t hear of it and he wouldn’t let anyone call an ambulance. Even when he’s sick, your dad can be pretty forceful.”
    â€œI know that, too. Thank you so much for taking care of him.”
    â€œI was glad to, but he needs to see someone. He could hardly breathe for a while there. He just crumpled. Sorry to worry you, but you better know what happened.”
    â€œI’m glad to know.” They paused beside Josh’s green pickup. “He works harder than he should,” Ashley added, lost in thought about her father.
    â€œYeah, I can understand. This size ranch takes a heap of attention.”
    She tilted her head to study Josh. “I want to ask you something. You’ve known Gabe Brant all your life, haven’t you?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œWell, he’s proposed to me.”
    Josh’s dark brows arched, otherwise, he didn’t look surprised. “A Brant and a Ryder getting married?”
    â€œIt would be a paper marriage. But I have to give it thought.”
    â€œWhy in blue blazes would Gabe want to do that?”
    â€œHe wants more land.”
    â€œOf course,” Josh said. “That sounds like Gabe. Since he lost Ella, he’s eaten up with ambition. I work hard because I have to. Gabe works hard because he’s driven by grief.”
    â€œI’m sorry if that’s why, although Dad thinks he was always that way.”
    Josh grinned. “No Ryder has kind thoughts about a Brant and vice versa.” His grin faded. “You’re considering Gabe’s offer. What do you get out of it?”
    â€œSomeone to help run this ranch—and the Ryder money.”
    Josh looked beyond her. “A paper marriage is a damned weird thing, but he may have made you a good offer. Your dad probably needs help badly, and Gabe has the money and resources to get any ranch running smoothly. That’s why y’all were out together last night?”
    â€œYes, it is.”
    â€œI should have guessed. Gabe has told me he’ll never love anyone again after Ella. I’ve never seen a man grieve like he has. ’Course, losing his parents too was another big blow.” Josh looked over his shoulder, his gaze taking stock of the ranch. “Why doesn’t Gus just take over?”
    â€œDad won’t let him. Gus has always worked for Dad, and Dad just doesn’t know how to step down and turn it over to Gus, and Gus isn’t going to take charge until Dad tells him to.”
    â€œI can see that. Well, I can tell you one thing, Ashley, Gabe will live up to his promises. He’s my best friend, and he’ll keep his word.”
    â€œYou feel sure about that?”
    â€œI’d trust him with my life. You can count on him to do what he promises. On the other hand, if there’s something he’s not telling you, that’s another matter. I’d get everything straight and clear going into it because he is ambitious and right now, he’s trying to drive his grief away with work.”
    â€œThanks for your opinion. I was going to tell him no tonight,” she said, glancing back at the house, “but seeing my dad like this, I think I just changed my mind. Dad’s more important than the ranch.”
    â€œI would say a marriage of convenience to Gabe might be the lesser of two evils unless you don’t think you can stand to have him around. There are sure no guarantees with love—look at my dad and his six