Read Online Texas-Sized Temptation by Sara Orwig - Free Book Online Page B

Altheda to let her know we’re coming. I told you about Altheda last night. She’s the resident housekeeper and cook. And you’ll meet Cecilia, too. She was Grandmother’s companion and secretary and long before that, a nanny for me. She’s almost part of the family and feels like an great-aunt. I really might as well have been anonly child. I can hardly count Will as a sibling even though, legally, he is.”
    â€œI don’t blame you. I wouldn’t count Will as a sibling either, but then I have strong feelings about Will, just as he does about me. I’m still astonished he sold to me.”
    â€œI’m sure all Will was thinking about was the money he would get. He wouldn’t have cared whose money it was.”
    â€œActually, I think he thought he was getting the best of me by getting my money while I got the ranch. Besides, I was the highest bidder—by far.”
    â€œI’m sure he’d view the sale that way. The money was the best of the deal to him.”
    Jake reached for his coffee. “So does the photography go on hold when you’re at the ranch?”
    â€œAt the moment, I’m between jobs and I had cleared my schedule, so this is fine. I have to get back to the city soon. I only intended to be here a few days, mainly to see you and discuss the sale.”
    â€œI had to get away from Dallas, as well as make myself unavailable to my dad. Now I’m especially glad I did. I just made this decision at the last minute. Your private detective must be a good one. He also must have access to my office or someone very close to me.”
    â€œIt’s not difficult to learn your whereabouts. You don’t hide what you do. You flew in your plane and your pilot had a flight plan filed.”
    Jake nodded. “Interesting. No, I’ve never had to hide from anyone, so I’m not overly cautious. I keep a relatively low profile anyway.”
    She laughed. “Right. How many times have I seen your picture on society pages with beautiful women on your arm?”
    â€œThose hardly count.”
    â€œThe pictures or the women?” Before he could answer, shesaid, “I’m teasing you. I know you meant the pictures.” She went on. “I know a few things about you from the detective. You have close friends you play golf and basketball with. Let’s see if I can remember, Tony Ryder is one close friend. You mentioned your friend Nick Rafford. Those are the ones I recall.”
    â€œThey’re my best friends. Plus my brother. I have a bet with those guys, not my brother, but the others. When we were all bachelors we agreed to each bet a million that we would not marry. The last to marry wins the pot.”
    She laughed. “So if you marry, you lose a million dollars in a bet and if you don’t marry you lose millions in your inheritance. You’ll lose either way, Jake. How did you get yourself into that?”
    He grinned. “I think the million is the smallest loss. Also, the least likely.”
    â€œAnd your friend Nick is married?”
    â€œMarried a woman who was guardian of his baby nephew and she and Nick had a baby. Now he’s married and the father of two.”
    â€œMay you have such great fortune,” she teased and Jake rolled his eyes.
    â€œActually, Nick’s really happy. It’s been good for him. His dad is ecstatic, which is why my dad is so eager. Tony’s dad is just as bad. I’m a buffer for Gabe. Dad always focuses on me while Gabe squeaks by without as much interference. Heaven help him if I marry and get out of Dad’s sights. Enough about that.”
    â€œI can’t imagine such a thing. Grandmother let me make so many of my choices with little direction from her.”
    â€œBe thankful.” He finished his coffee. “Did you sleep well?”
    â€œYes, great,” she said, having no intention of telling him she couldn’t get him out of her thoughts;