Read Online Stone Cold Charade (A Stone Family Novel) by Kathleen Royce - Free Book Online

reputation. He didn’t give a damn what the old man thought
about the time he spent with her, or for that matter, what he thought about
him. He never had. However, Alex’s reputation was something he refused to
chance.
    He was old enough to know what was
happening between them and the ramifications, even if Alex didn’t. He had to
keep a wall between them; it became increasingly difficult to be with her
without letting her see the desire he fought for her. They needed space, or at
least he did. Max kept threatening marriage, and if he found out Ty had seduced
her, he would find himself in front of the preacher before he could yell
trapped! The old goat would take great pleasure in firing him! Max knew how
much he needed this job.
    He was twenty-four with nothing to show
for his life so far. His dreams and ambitions were all he had. He just required
a way to shape them into a reality. Even if he were the marrying type, he
couldn’t let that hangman's noose slide around his neck. Considering whom she
was, people would always presume he had married her for her wealth. He had more
respect than that, for her, and himself. They had no future.
    He would make his own way. A cousin of
his, high ranked in the military, kept pestering him about the money he could
earn for college if he enlisted. He never planned on leaving Wilkinson. With
Jenny's graduation from high school, he was seriously considering his options.
He just wanted to be sure that Jenny could survive on her own before he made
any decisive plans about his future. After his mother, Ruth’s, death from
pneumonia when he was seventeen, he had little choice but to grovel for a full
time job from Max as soon as he graduated, willingly choosing the
responsibility of raising his kid sister.
    Gazing at Alex with her new boyfriend,
he knew without a doubt that he was incapable of remaining in Wilkinson. One
day Alex would fall in love, marry, and have kids of her own. He would never
fit into her world. She needed someone in her social class, not a cowhand. Ty
glided toward the couple who, after exiting the dance floor, were making for
the refreshment table crammed with sodas and snacks.
    “Does your grandfather know where you
are?” he asked curtly. He intentionally stepped in front of Alex and her
partner, blocking their path. His dark eyes slid with quiet distain over her.
Jamming his lean hands into the pockets of his jeans, he rocked on the balls of
his feet while waiting for her answer.
    “Of course he does. I don’t keep secrets
about where I go. Max would start having Frank tail me if I did,” she fired
back, annoyed with his big brother act.
    Alex’s whole attitude was one of indifference.
Moving past him toward the punch bowl, she could feel him dogging her steps.
What did he want now? Alex knew he couldn’t tolerate being in the same room
with her. He didn’t want to be anywhere near her so why was he suddenly making
the time to chat? As she poured a drink, he stood there looking like he had all
the time the world. Why was he following her around? Had her grandparents asked
him to spy on her? Was that it?
    “Was there something you wanted?” she
challenged.
    Noticing the hostile looks he kept
sending Dane when he thought she wasn’t looking added to her annoyance. Nothing
was making any sense! Except maybe that he thought she and Dane were here
together. Was Ty playing the big brother to protect her from Dane? She had only
danced with him to keep him company until his girlfriend arrived.
    Ty ignored her question, turned
abruptly, and went to Amanda’s side as she strolled eloquently into the room.
Clasping the striking blonde by the waist, he led her out onto the dance floor.
Purposely shunning Alex, he left her standing there like an unwanted
interruption without even bothering to say a cordial goodbye.
    The long sequined red dress that Amanda
wore appeared to have been spray painted on her very elegant, willowy body. She
was around the same age as Ty