Read Online Texas Heat by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online

went protectively to his arm. She wanted to say something comforting but couldn’t find the words. It was Riley himself who saved the moment.
    â€œAunt Maggie, which horse will I have? And if I’m to ride the range, how many days will it take for my blisters to heal?”
    Maggie laughed, a light sound of relief. “About a good two weeks. For starters, I think you can ride Lotus. She’s fairly gentle and she likes an apple for any ride over thirty minutes. Later, you can ride Stormy. Your father’s riding gear is in his closet. From the looks of you, it’ll just fit.”
    Rand glanced over at Sawyer, who was still staring at the doorway through which Cole had stumbled. He knew her feelings for Maggie were unresolved. It was never easy being abandoned. Sawyer was quite sensitive on the subject of her mother. He found himself gulping his drink. Knowing this, how could he be such a heel? How could he add to her hurt?
    Â 
    There was a knock on Cole’s door and Riley was standing in the open doorway. “They sent me up to find you,” he explained. “I’m glad to meet you. I wanted to see you the last time I was here, but it just wasn’t possible.”
    â€œI lived with it,” Cole said sarcastically. His cousin stood head and shoulders above him had made him feel all of four years old. “I could live with it if you left right now. I don’t understand why you’re here to begin with.”
    Riley took a step backward as though he’d been dealt a physical blow. He’d never encountered such rudeness; it would never have been allowed in his grandfather’s house. But the old man had cautioned him not to bring shame on their family, and the boy answered quietly, “This was my father’s home. I never knew him; Sunbridge is as close to him as I can get. I’d like to know how he grew up here in Texas. I’d like to experience it for myself.”
    â€œWell, I don’t want to be here, and I sure as hell don’t want to live with some Japanese orphan. Don’t go getting any ideas we’re going to be buddies and that I’m going to ride the old south forty to help you chase down your father’s ghost.”
    Riley bristled. “I won’t ask you for anything. I didn’t come here to freeload, if that’s what you’re thinking. I can earn my keep.”
    â€œOh, yeah, and what’re you going to do? Ride the range, herd cattle, mend fences, muck the barn?”
    â€œIf I have to,” Riley said sharply. “You don’t have to like me, Cole”—there was an inner core of strength in his voice—“but I’m not going to let you walk all over me just because I’m a guest in your mother’s house. I can handle myself.”
    â€œLook how impressed I am. I was on the boxing team at school. You’re just what we need around here, a smart-ass with a black belt in karate.”
    Riley laughed. “Is that the same thing as being a wise-ass?”
    Cole didn’t laugh; he knew Riley was mocking him. Cole turned his back and took two steps away, the hackles on the back of his neck warning him that Riley could pound him to a pulp. He was ready for anything, ready to fight if Riley made a move. “Dumb Jap prick!”
    Cole turned suddenly, expecting Riley’s onslaught, but he found himself alone and facing an empty doorway. Cole swept his arm over the top of his dresser, finding small satisfaction in the tinkle of broken glass.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Maggie presided over the long, linen-draped table. If she noticed the vacant place beside hers, she gave no indication. Coleman’s presence, she decided, was almost incidental to this gathering. Smiling, she rose to offer a welcoming toast. “To our family, each one of us!”
    The chorus of enthusiastic responses pleased Maggie. “Wait,” she said, holding up her hand. “We have another toast. To