Read Online Her Texan Temptation by Shirley Rogers - Free Book Online

Jake’s college sweetheart, whom he’d left when he’d had to comehome and raise his siblings when his parents had been killed.
    It was obvious to everyone who met him that Matt was Jake’s son. Tall and muscled from working on the ranch, he had his father’s height and build.
    “Yeah,” Deke agreed. He lifted his glass and took a long drink of the tea. “He’s going on fifteen now and already looking forward to driving. Catherine is the principal at the high school.”
    “I’d heard that.” She ate a spoonful of the soup, then said, “I haven’t talked to Ashley in a while. How are the kids?”
    His eyes softened. “The twins are into nearly everything. She has her hands full keeping up with them and their little brother, Taylor. But Ashley’s doing a fantastic job of mothering them.”
    After saving Ashley from the advances of a drunken cowboy, Ryder had spent the night with her. Though he hadn’t meant to steal her virtue, when he later found out she was pregnant, he’d convinced her to live at the Bar M until the baby was born. They’d ended up falling in love, getting married and having twins.
    Ashley living with them had been one of the best things that had ever happened to the family, especially Deke. He’d loved having a woman around the house, and Ashley had doted on him.
    Mary Beth was very aware that Deke’s entire demeanor had changed when he spoke of his sister-in-law. Stunned by sudden feelings of jealousy, she tried to think of something to say to steer the subject in another direction. “Um, I got a chance to meet Catherine’s sister at Jake and Catherine’s wedding. She seemed really nice.”
    She didn’t know why she’d even brought up Bethany St. John. Sitting back in her chair, Mary Beth admonishedherself. She’d brought up another woman who was actually available to him!
    Well, she didn’t really care. She had no reason to feel even remotely possessive of Deke.
    Deke smiled as he reached for his third sandwich. “She left for Virginia right after the wedding. As a matter of fact, I took her to the airport on my way to San Antonio. She’s really sweet, a lot like Catherine,” he went on, and his eyes twinkled.
    “I only talked with her a few minutes,” she admitted. In her mind she pictured Deke with Bethany. Sweet, he’d said. And beautiful, Mary Beth thought to herself, her lips tightening. She wished that she’d never brought the woman up. Bethany St. John looked like Catherine, with thick chocolate-brown hair and a voluptuous figure. Even though he spoke casually about her, surely Deke had noticed. Any normal man within a few feet of her would have.
    He finished the last bite of his sandwich. “She’s planning to visit in the spring. I’ll make sure you get a chance to get acquainted.” He finished his glass of tea. “Oh,” he said, changing the subject, “I used what was left of the hay. If you tell me where the rest is stored, I’ll move it into the barn.”
    Mary Beth sat up straight, then fiddled with her spoon. “I knew it was getting low.”
    Deke looked at her. “You don’t have any more?”
    She shook her head, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. “I was going to pick some up a couple of days ago.” Her gaze dropped to the table.
    “You’re not growing it?” Deke asked, curious. It wasn’t like Mary Beth to not plan ahead. Or was it? He was discovering there was a lot about her he didn’t know.
    A lump formed in her throat. She managed to swallowpast it, but her teeth worried her lower lip. “I haven’t had much success. I’ve been buying it in town. At least I was until my truck broke down. I tried to figure out what was wrong with it, but never could get the darn thing started. Clyde was going to take a look at it.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Now, he’s quit. I guess in all the confusion, I forgot to get the hay.” She’d have to call the feed store and have it brought out, which would cost money she didn’t have to spare.
    Deke