Read Online Yours Again (River City Series) by Dee Burks - Free Book Online Page B

on for a few years here,” Charlie said. “It’s gotten kind
of ugly with some of the neighboring ranchers.”
    “Ugly?”
    “There’s
been some livestock killed . . .”
    “And
a few shots fired.” Darren said.
    “It
rained last night, I’m sure that helped.” Samantha offered.
    “Not
really. Too little too late for a lot of folks. Many are selling out, and others
are just doing without,” Charlie glanced at Taos and continued. “’Bout the only
decent water left is on our ranches.”
    “If
things are that bad for everyone, I’m sure we can shar-”
    “No.”
Taos slammed his empty cup on the table. “There’s barely enough to keep our own
head watered. It’s none of your concern anyway.”
    His
patronizing attitude felt like a slap in the face. She stiffened her back. How
could she have kissed those lips or wanted his hands on her last night? What
was she thinking? “What goes on within the borders of my ranch is my
business.”
    “It’s
not your ranch, yet.”
    “Excuse
me?”
    “I’m
sure you know the terms of you parent’s will.” Taos’s voice was cool and even.
    “What
terms?” her heart pounded in her throat.
    “You
inherit the land and house that your parents had along with the profit the land
has earned over the years.” He watched her closely as if waiting for a reaction.
    “So
what’s the problem?”
    “You
only get it if you marry or show up with an heir in tow. I’m assuming you plan
on marrying soon. Maybe to the same man who sent for you?”
    What? How could her parents do this? What were they thinking? She hopped up and paced
the length of the table. Thank goodness her investments had done so well. That
must have been why Mattie never pushed her to marry. She didn’t need the ranch
to live well. “I have to stay here, that’s how we planned it.”
    “We?”
He smiled and shook his head, “Like I said last night, you should be on the
stage somewhere.” He was so smug and sure of himself. Samantha stopped pacing and
met his glare.
This man was a stranger to her. That safe feeling she’d had since last night crumbled.
Taos couldn’t protect her from John. No, he wouldn’t protect her. She
was already alone. An empty feeling crept across her soul. Tears stung the back
of her eyes, and her lower lip quivered.
    Charlie
shook his head and reached for her hand. “Aw, Sammy, don’t cry. We’ll get this
all worked out. In the meantime, you’ll stay right here with us.” Darren nodded
his agreement and shot an angry look toward Taos.
    “I
want to see the will.” Her voice was barely a whisper; hot tears rolled
unheeded down her face. If she didn’t have a right to be here, she knew now
that Taos would never let her stay. He clearly thought nothing of her and
wanted her gone as soon as possible. How ridiculous it felt now that she
reveled in his touch last night; he would have cared more for her if she had actually
been a prostitute. Charlie pushed her toward a chair and poured her some more
coffee as Darren went to collect the papers.
    Samantha
captured Taos’s gaze with hers and silently pleaded with him. He grunted and
looked away. She stared at her fingers. How could he have changed so much? She
remembered him kind and giving, not cold and heartless. She needed to think
clearly.
    Darren
handed her a copy of her parents’ will and Samantha stared at the words. Her
mother’s handwriting. Large loops with a perfect, flowing penmanship. Tears
splashed on the pages as she turned them. There were only four, and the last
one held both her parents’ signatures. She ran a finger across the letters,
desperately wanting to touch the hands that made them. She never felt as alone
as she did right now.
    Taos
cleared his throat and tapped his finger on the table, motioning Tommy out of
the room.  
    Samantha
concentrated, scanning the pages until she found the passage concerning the
transfer to her: All aforementioned property, livestock, money and interest
earned will be