Read Online Malachite (The Jewels of Texas Historical Romance Series Book 5) by Ruth Ryan Langan - Free Book Online Page B

broken and that the things he most wanted in life were usually denied him. But the thought of this mustang made his heart quicken.
    It would be dangerous to show them just how interested he was. “Maybe I’d consider it after all. I’d like a chance at that stallion and his harem.”
    “You would?” Diamond glanced around the table at her sisters, who were suddenly grinning like conspirators. “That’s fine. Then we’d like to invite you to stay here in Pa’s house.”
    They could see Malachite’s enthusiasm cool by degrees. “No.” He shook his head. “I told you before. I want no part of Onyx Jewel’s house.”
    “But you’re his son. We’re inviting you to help with his ranch...” Adam’s hand on her arm had Diamond pausing. She swallowed back the rest of what she’d been about to say. She was learning, in dealing with this large, diverse family, that she couldn’t call all the shots. Sometimes she had to take a step back or risk interfering in something that wasn’t her business. “Where will you stay?”
    He glanced at Millie. “If Mrs. Potter doesn’t object, I’d like to stay at her boardinghouse.”
    “No.” Millie spoke quickly. Too quickly. She could feel everyone staring at her in surprise. Feeling her cheeks redden, she said, “I don’t mind a boarder for a night or two. But what you’re talking about is much longer. It could be...”
    “Months.” He pinned her with that steely gaze. “And I’d be willing to pay you generously.”
    For a moment Millie felt trapped. How dare he spring this surprise on her in such a public manner? Still, the thought of a paying boarder... “What do you consider generous, Mr. Jewel?”
    “You charged me fifty cents for last night. I’ll pay you a dollar a day. With the first month paid in advance.”
    “Thirty dollars...” She was mentally calculating. Oh, the food she could buy. The warm winter coats. Several cords of wood for the fireplaces.
    He’d made it impossible for her to refuse. She felt the stares of the others, and the heat rose to her cheeks. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Byron’s face contorted with rage.
    “I’ll remind you—” Byron’s voice was choked with.anger “—he will be spending that time hunting Diablo. Do you want the curse brought upon you and your children?”
    “If anyone is to be cursed,” Malachite said easily, “it should be me. Not Mrs. Potter and her family. If you believe in such things.”
    Both men turned to study Millie.
    A part of her was angry. She’d already had a taste of Malachite’s arrogance. But another part of her was secretly excited. Because of the money, she told herself firmly. Not because of the man.
    She lifted her head and returned the looks of the others. This was, after all, strictly business. She had her children to think of. In the little town of Hanging Tree, there would be few paying customers over the winter months. The cowboys from the nearby ranches would spend their snowbound nights in the bunkhouse. On their occasional foray into town, they’d rather warm themselves with whiskey at Buck’s saloon than settle for a hot meal at her place. This was a matter of survival.
    “I’d be happy to rent you a room, Mr, Jewel.”
    He knew from her tone, from the challenging look in her eyes that she meant not a word of it. But he’d correctly read her need for money.
    He merely nodded.
    “Done.” Diamond’s smile was warm. “Welcome to the family business, Malachite.”
    As the others got to their feet to offer their congratulations, Malachite glanced over their heads to see Millie, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright with challenge.
    For reasons he didn’t want to explore too deeply, that seemed the sweetest victory of all.
    * * *
    “I’ll accompany you back to town, Millie.” Byron’s unhappiness had grown in direct proportion to Malachite’s happiness. He’d watched as Cal McCabe and Adam Winter had started toward the bunkhouse to give this newcomer