Read Online Texas Pride by Bárbara McCauley - Free Book Online Page A

in Dylan’s stomach. He refused to allow himself to think about the rancher and Jessica. He’d gotten in enough trouble with that already tonight. “Myrna mentioned there were some people in Cactus Flat opposed to Jessica’s youth center. Are you expecting trouble there?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Jared tossed down the stick and stood. “Just keep your eyes open, pal. It could be anybody.”
    Dylan nodded grimly and straightened.
    â€œWe’re also going to have to be careful that Jessica doesn’t find out about our arrangement,” Jared added. “Annie and Savannah will be widows, and Lord only knows what she’ll do to you.”
    Considering Jessica’s imagination, her retribution was a scary thought, Dylan decided. “We’ll just have to make sure she doesn’t find out, then, won’t we?”
    Jared nodded. “Thanks again for coming, Dylan. There’s no one I trust more than you to take care of my little sister.”
    â€œI think I can survive a few weeks in a ghost town,” Dylan said. “I’d be rotting in a South American prison if it wasn’t for you.”
    Grim-faced, Jared shook his head. “That was a raw deal you got. Everyone on that rig knew it was the operations manager who killed that girl in the hit-and-run.”
    â€œBut you were the only one who did anything about it.” Dylan looked at Jared. “You could have lost your job, too, or even ended up in the cell next to mine.”
    â€œI didn’t give a damn about the job, and there was no jail worse than the one I put myself in after my brother died and I’d convinced myself I could never be with Annie,” Jared said quietly. “But now that we’re together and the baby is coming, I sure am glad that you and I both got out of there.”
    They were quiet for a moment, remembering. It was a past neither man wanted to dwell on.
    â€œSpeaking of getting out—” Jared looked around “—I’d better go. If Jessie sees us, that jail cell might not look so bad, after all.”
    They said good-night, then Jared got into his truck and drove away. Dylan watched the taillights until they disappeared into the night, then turned and started back to the hotel. He thought of Jessica there, lying in bed, her long slender body stretched across the sheets. His hands and throat tightened at the image.
    Jared’s words echoed in Dylan’s mind. There’s no one I trust more than you to take care of my little sister.
    Didn’t Jared realize that his “little sister” was a full-grown woman? A damn sexy one. He had to know that any man would want to take Jessica to bed.
    Of course he knew, Dylan thought with a heavy sigh. That was why Jared had called him. Because he trusted him, not only to keep Jessica safe, but to keep his distance. And Dylan knew he’d already betrayed that trust.
    He stared up at the brilliant half-moon overhead. He heard the lonely howl of a coyote, and the scent of mesquite filled the cool night air.
    And suddenly the stifling humidity and primitive conditions of the mosquito-infested jungles of South America were damn appealing.
    * * *
    Jessica was checking on a tray of biscuits in the oven of the hotel’s antique cast-iron wood-burning stove when Dylan finally made his appearance the next morning. Hannibal jumped up from the corner he’d settled into and padded over to greet him.
    Traitor, she thought, watching as Hannibal wagged his tail. She glanced casually at Dylan, noting that his dark hair was slicked back, still damp from the shower, his clean denim shirt rolled to the elbows. He hadn’t shaved, and the rugged look, combined with his jeans and work boots, was pure male.
    Her heart skipped and she swore silently. She was tired and stressed and cranky as hell, but she was also determined not to let the man know he had even the slightest effect on her.
    His expression