“For what it’s worth, I’m not such a bad guy.”

True enough, Chloe agreed, but there must be a reason Jake Braddock hadn’t been given full custody of Brianna.

“You don’t believe me?” Jake asked.

“Sure I do.” She tried to force sincerity into her smile, yet a veil of scepticism slid over his angular face. He didn’t object, which she appreciated. She wasn’t up for a confrontation until after she’d had her morning coffee.

She decided to flirt and make him squirm a little, but she’d have to put that on hold and take care of her morning caffeine addiction. Though her craving for a hot cup of java was calling her, she glanced over her shoulder to find Jake’s eyes locked on her.

A grin tugged at her lips as she returned to her quest for coffee. Jake Braddock was her favourite type of challenge.

And he’d just thrown down the gauntlet.

To Bob and Betty Astleford. I couldn’t have handpicked better parents. I love you, Mom and Dad.

JUDY DUARTE

always knew there was a book inside her, but since English was her least favourite subject in school, she never considered herself a writer. An avid reader who enjoys a happy ending, Judy couldn’t shake the dream of creating a book of her own.

Her dream became a reality in March of 2002, when the Cherish line released her first book, Cowboy Courage. Since then, she has sold nineteen more novels.

Her stories have touched the hearts of readers around the world. And in July of 2005, Judy won a prestigious Reader’s Choice Award for The Rich Man’s Son.

Judy makes her home near the beach in Southern California. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she’s spending time with her somewhat enormous, but delightfully close family.

You can contact Judy at: JudyDuarte@sbcglobal. net or through her website www. judyduarte. com.

Dear Reader,

Can you believe it’s July already?

It’s time for barbecues, picnics and fun in the sun. I don’t know about you, but during the lazy days of summer, I take a book to the pool or the beach and escape for an afternoon. And I hope that’s what you’ll do with The Cowboy’s Lullaby.

For those of you who have been fans of THE BAYSIDE BACHELORS series, this is another for your collection. Only this story isn’t about a one-time delinquent who made good. Instead, it’s about Chloe Haskell, Joe Davenport’s sexy, kindhearted neighbour. Chloe is far more heroic and loveable than people give her credit for being. Still, she has a journey to make that will earn her the right to have her own happily ever after.

I hope you enjoy reading The Cowboy’s Lullaby as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Wishing you romance,

Judy

The Cowboy’s Lullaby

JUDY DUARTE

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

Chapter One

Jake Braddock was nursing a Monday-morning hangover and brewing a pot of coffee when the call came in, telling him that his stepmother, Desiree, had passed away.

“What do you mean she passed away?” he asked the hospital spokeswoman. Desiree hadn’t even reached her fortieth birthday. “What happened?”

“Officially the cause of death was pneumonia. But it was cancer related.”

Cancer?

Jake pulled out the black-and-chrome bar stool nearest to the phone line and took a seat, raking a hand through his hair. He cursed the throbbing in his head, which was now pounding like a son of a gun.

“I didn’t know she was sick,” he muttered. Not really. Well, not that sick.

A week or so ago, when she’d returned from San Diego for the last time, Jake had taken a good hard look at her and noticed dark circles under her eyes and a wan complexion. When he’d suggested she see a doctor, she’d said not to worry, that she was under medical care.

He’d suspected she was ill, but he hadn’t had any idea that her condition was terminal.

“I, uh…” He stumbled over an explanation. “She and I…weren’t very close.”

Apparently not, the silence seemed to say.

He cleared his throat, hoping to clear his head, as well. “Let’s start over. I knew she was sick, but she never mentioned cancer.”

Or told him that she was dying.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” the woman said. “Mrs. Braddock made all of her arrangements, so there isn’t anything for you to do. I’m just following hospital protocol by notifying the next of kin.”

“Then, I guess, that’s me.”

“And Chloe Haskell in San Diego.”

Jake stiffened. “Who the hell is Chloe Haskell?”

“I don’t know, sir. Mrs. Braddock listed the two of you as her next of kin.”

“What about her daughter?” he asked.

“Would that be Ms. Haskell?”

“No, it wouldn’t.” Well, hell. Maybe it was. He supposed Desiree could have another child. Older, maybe. Grown. Like him. He hadn’t really known his stepmother that well, other than the fact she’d been a topless dancer before marrying his old man.

Either way, now he’d have to tell Brianna, his nearly five-year-old half sister, that her mommy had died. Of course, he’d have to find her first. Desiree had been traveling back and forth to San Diego for the past couple of months, but last week she’d returned to Dallas without the child.

And that was odd.

Jake might have issues with Desiree about a lot of things, but he’d come to realize she was a devoted mother. At least, that had been his opinion before she’d left Brianna in San Diego.

When he’d questioned her about it, she’d said, “Brianna is staying with a dear friend. She’s happy and well cared for.”

Jake didn’t know much about his stepmother’s friends, although he suspected they all worked at the same San Diego strip club Desiree used to manage, so he had good reason to feel uneasy.

Maybe Brianna was with Chloe—whoever she was.

“There’s no one else on my contact list,” the spokeswoman said. “Just you and Miss Haskell, whom I’ve already called.”

The hospital had notified someone other than Jake first?

He cursed, although he wasn’t sure whether it was at the news he’d just heard or the hammering in his head and the bile swirling in his gut.

“I’m sorry,” the woman on the line said. “Is there someone I can call for you? Perhaps a grief counselor from hospice?”

“No. This is just a…” He was going to say it was a shock, but he bit back the rest of his sentence. Desiree was his stepmother, and she lived…well, she used to live just an hour or so away from him. Her death and the fact that she’d been suffering from cancer for God-only-knew-how-long shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Not if she’d kept him more in the loop.

Of course, once his sixty-year-old father met her on a cruise ship, Jake and his wishes had been bypassed entirely. Talk about a midlife crisis. His old man’s had been a humdinger.

Gerald Braddock had always been conservative in everything he did, but he’d fallen head over heels for a former topless dancer, who was twenty-eight and young enough to be his daughter. And he’d married her faster than a spinning tassel on a pastie.

Okay, so his dad had seemed happier in the past six years than Jake had ever seen him before, but that was probably because of Brianna, the daughter he’d fathered with his new wife.

An only child, Jake had always wanted a brother or sister, but he hadn’t planned on getting one when he was twenty-eight. Still, Brianna was a cutie and had quickly wrapped her big brother around her little finger.

Jake didn’t see her as often as he would have liked for several reasons. For one thing, his business ventures kept him busy. And for another, he tried to avoid Desiree whenever he could.

Desiree broached him about it a couple of times, implying she wanted to be on friendlier terms, but even after he’d gotten over the shock of his father’s second marriage, he just couldn’t bring himself to accept his new stepmother as a part of the family.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” the hospital spokeswoman added.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

When the line disconnected, Jake continued to grip the receiver as though he could somehow gain control of everything that had slipped out of his hands—first his father’s marriage and then his death.

And now this.

Jake had never liked Desiree. Of course, if truth be told, he’d never given her a chance, even though his father had repeatedly asked him to. But how could he when the young woman had married his old man for money?

The proof came when she hightailed it to an attorney to amend the trust the day after Gerald Braddock’s funeral.

On Jake’s part, the issue had little to do with greed. He’d been successful in his own right. He also held fifty-one percent of the stock in Braddock Enterprises, a Dallas company that oversaw various oil and petroleum-related business ventures. He didn’t like to boast, but the value of each share had nearly doubled since he’d taken the helm.

So it wasn’t the money he was after. Jake just didn’t like the idea that his father had been hoodwinked by a woman who didn’t fit into his social sphere. A woman who’d convinced him to spend more time at the ranch and less in the city, where he had a spacious, luxury home that was much closer to the office.

Of course, Desiree had absolutely no class when it came to high-society expectations, so it was no wonder his dad had gravitated toward the ranch and started playing cowboy, even though he was in his sixties.

He was also playing daddy, a small voice reminded him. And doing a better job of it the second time around.

Jake’s thoughts immediately turned to Brianna, to the orphan who needed him to step up to the plate and play daddy now.

But he didn’t know where to find her.

He could hire a P.I., but a call to Desiree’s attorney might provide an immediate answer. He pulled out the phone book and thumbed through the pages until he found a number for Brian Willoughby, Esquire.

A receptionist answered and, when he told her why he’d called, she put him on hold.

Seconds later, the attorney came on the line. “Hello, Mr. Braddock. I’ve been expecting your call.”

Yeah, well, it looked like everyone in the world knew about Desiree’s cancer—everyone but Jake. And the whole sorry, rotten mess put him in a foul mood. Hell, he’d felt better when he’d only had a hangover to deal with.

“I was sorry to hear that Desiree passed away,” Willoughby added.

He’d already heard? The pounding in Jake’s head grew more insistent. “How did you find out about her death so soon?”

“Ms. Haskell called a few moments ago.”

Jake had the urge to hurl the telephone receiver across the room. Who the hell was that woman?

“Fortunately,” Willoughby said, “Desiree took utmost care in dealing with the legalities.”

“That doesn’t surprise me in the least.” Jake figured she’d been itching to get her hands on the money and take control of the company the moment she stepped foot on that cruise ship and scoped out Gerald Braddock.

Damn. He still couldn’t fathom the two of them together.

“Desiree was a courageous woman,” Willoughby said. “And strong. I came to admire her a great deal.”

“Well, since you seem to have such a clear understanding and appear to be more aware of what’s going on than I am, tell me where I can find my sister.”

“She’s in San Diego with Ms. Haskell. And from what I understand, she’s doing as well as can be expected.”

“If you’d be so kind as to give me an address, I’ll get a flight out today and pick her up.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Jake bristled. “What are you talking about?”

“Desiree has left temporary custody of Brianna to Ms. Haskell, at least until the will is read. However, there are a few stipulations and particulars I need to discuss with both of you at the reading regarding joint custody. And unfortunately, I’m not available until Friday morning. Ms. Haskell said that works for her. I hope it fits your schedule, too. Otherwise, we’ll have to postpone our meeting until next week.”

“I’d rather not put this off any longer than necessary.” Jake was already reaching for his Blackberry, eager to call in his own attorney. No, make that an entire law firm. This was crap. And he would contest the will at the top of his legal lungs.

The fact that Desiree had expected people from two different states to share custody of a child ready to enter kindergarten suggested that her mental state had been fading toward the end. The legal dream team he was about to put together ought to have a heyday with that issue and use it to put a stop to all of this pretty damn quick.

Jake didn’t have a problem sharing the estate with Brianna, but he wouldn’t share control with anyone else—especially a friend of his stepmother.

“Do you have a telephone number or an address for that woman?” he asked.

“You mean Ms. Haskell?”

“Yeah.” Jake grabbed a pen and scratched out 146 Tahiti Circle, Bayside, California. “I thought she was in San Diego.”

“From what I understand, that’s a suburb.”

Then, when Willoughby recited her number, he jotted it down, even though he had no intention of calling.

He was going to fly to California as soon as possible. Brianna lost her father last year and her mother today. She needed to be with family, with someone who loved her.

And that someone was her big brother, Jake.

Chloe Haskell hadn’t been to the park in nearly ten years and wished she’d come sooner.

There was something liberating about swinging back and forth like a child again, allowing the summer breeze to muss her hair. She supposed there were some who would criticize a grown woman for enjoying herself in a playground, but Chloe couldn’t care less. She was doing this for Brianna—and for the woman who should have been swinging beside the child instead.

“Let’s go all the way up to Heaven,” Brianna said.

If only they could.

Desiree had been a wonderful mother, a devoted friend.

Brianna must miss her terribly.

Chloe missed her, too. She and Desiree had been more like sisters than friends, even though they hadn’t seen each other as often as they should have.

In retrospect, Chloe wished that she had taken time for personal visits to Dallas, but in her defense, she’d been busy, first attending college, then opening her own business. So the two women had kept in contact via long phone calls and e-mails.

There wasn’t much they hadn’t discussed over the past six years. When Chloe had decided to lease the old five-and-dime store in downtown Bayside and put in a dance studio, she’d called Desiree for advice. And Desiree, who’d retired once she’d moved to Dallas, shared the joys of married life with the wonderful older man she adored.

Of course, she also confided in Chloe about the problems she’d faced as a stepmother to her husband’s son, a “kid” who vowed never to accept her.

When Desiree was blessed with a daughter and at last had the family she’d been waiting for, Chloe had been thrilled for her and sent gifts regularly—little dresses and outfits she’d picked up, books, a toy or two.

It was hard not to envy Desiree’s good fortune—until her luck took a nasty turn.

First her husband suffered a massive heart attack and died, then, a couple of months ago, she brought Brianna out to California for what Chloe and the child believed was a special visit, a vacation of sorts.

But the reunion had been bittersweet.

“I need to ask you a favor,” Desiree had told Chloe, as little Brianna played in the colorful indoor playground at Burger Bob’s.

“Anything.” Chloe withdrew the straw of her chocolate shake and licked a dollop from the end. “You know that.”

Desiree wrapped the remainder of her burger into the bright yellow paper it had come in and pushed it aside. “I need you to take care of Brianna for me.”

“Of course,” Chloe’d said. “I’d love to babysit.”

“I’m afraid it’s more permanent than that.”

A cold chill that had nothing to do with the shake crept over Chloe, and she’d sensed Desiree’s explanation before she could utter the words.

Desiree tore at the edge of her napkin, then peered at Chloe with glistening eyes. “My cancer came back.”

While Chloe was in high school, Desiree had been diagnosed with lung cancer. When she’d completed her medical treatment and was in remission, Chloe’s father, who’d been first her employer and later a business associate, had sent her on an all-expenses-paid cruise to Alaska, where she met Gerald Braddock.

“And it’s terminal,” Desiree’d added.

The reality and the implication of the diagnosis slammed into Chloe, releasing a torrent of shock and grief. “You need to get a second opinion.”

“I’ve seen three different doctors, hoping for another diagnosis and more options. But they all agree. There’s nothing that can be done.”

The silence threatened to draw them into an emotional whirlpool, and it was all Chloe could do to hang on and not let it carry her away. Not while Brianna played just a few feet away.

“It sucks,” Desiree had said. “It really does. I’ve waited for years to have a child, and now I’m going to leave her. And miss watching her grow up. But if there’s anyone in this world who will love and care for Brianna the way I would have done, it’s you.”

“I…” Chloe had been dumbstruck. Desiree was only thirty-four—ten years older than Chloe. “Of course I’ll take Brianna. I’ll love her like my own. But maybe there’s something that can be done, something experimental. A promising new treatment. Perhaps one of the doctors in San Diego—”

“I’m afraid there isn’t anything that can be done.”

And she’d been right. In less than four weeks, Desiree had died.

The memory of that day faded as little Brianna drew Chloe back to the present.

“Too bad we can’t go to Heaven,” Brianna said. “Mommy loves chocolate. And so does Daddy. We could take them some of the brownies we made.”

“From what I understand, they have all the dessert anyone could ever want in Heaven. But you’re right. We have too many to eat all by ourselves. Maybe we can share them with someone else.”

Under the circumstances, Brianna seemed to be taking her mother’s death fairly well. Of course, Desiree had been preparing her for the past month. And then the two of them had shared a tearful, final goodbye more than a week ago.

Sacrificing her last days must have been tough for Desiree. But she hadn’t wanted Brianna’s memories to be tainted by a hospital setting or seeing her mother connected to tubes and wires. So she left the girl with Chloe more than a week ago, then went home to die.

There was a child psychologist in Dallas whom Desiree had been taking Brianna to see, and Chloe had every intention of following through on those appointments. The little girl seemed to be doing okay, but Chloe didn’t want her have any problems down the road.

“Tell me again how you met my mommy,” Brianna said.

Chloe had known better than to be entirely truthful, especially with a child. So she stretched things a bit. Softened them.

“My father owned a…dance place,” Chloe said. “And your mommy came looking for a job. I was a little girl, like you, and I thought she was the most beautiful dancer I’d ever seen.”

Why tell the child that Chloe’s father owned a bar and strip club? Or that on the day Desiree had shown up, she’d been sporting a black eye, a swollen jaw and a split lip?

“And then,” Brianna said, adding to the story she’d already heard several times, “when your daddy needed someone to watch you, she was the bestest babysitter in the whole, wide world.”

“That she was.”

Chloe’s father, Ron Haskell, was a gambler at heart and had won a seedy bar and strip club in a poker game. During the early years, when Chloe hadn’t been much older than Brianna, she spent a lot of time at the club, where the cocktail waitresses and dancers used to look after her. Desiree, who loved children, gladly babysat whenever Ron asked her. Before long, she and Chloe had developed a strong, loving bond.

Desiree, who’d had a lousy childhood and absolutely no family support, had learned to rely on her available resources—her beauty, her body and an ability to read her customers and alter her dances to fulfill their fantasies. Too bad it took her ages to hone the same ability when it came to reading her lovers and realizing she was a loser magnet when it came to romance.

All Desiree had really wanted was love and a family, yet, that dream had remained out of reach for years. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t successful in other ways.

Ron wasn’t a businessman, yet Desiree was a natural. And soon, thanks to her advice and managerial skills, the club began to turn a decent profit.

Desiree also prodded Ron to invest in other properties. With her innate business savvy and refusal to allow him to gamble all the profit away, Ron died a wealthy man.

“And because my mommy was so pretty and smart,” Brianna said, reciting her version of what Chloe had been asked to repeat several times already, “and because she was a good dancer, you’re making a book about her.”

“It’s not exactly a book. It’s more like a journal of memories that you can read when you get older.” Chloe had titled it Lessons from Desiree, which might be a bit lame, but creating it was somehow helping her deal with the loss of her best friend.

“And I get to write in it, too,” Brianna reminded her. “As soon as I go to school and learn how to spell.”

“That’s right, Breezy.”

They pumped their feet, swinging in silence for a while, the wind blowing Chloe’s long, curly hair and whipping a red strand across her cheek. It was probably a tangled mess right now, but she didn’t care.

She shot a sideways glance at Brianna, and when their gazes met, the child grinned. “You sure are a good swinger, Chloe. Just like my mom.”

“Your mom was a wonderful teacher.”

Brianna nodded, then scanned the small playground and gasped. “Oh! I need to get off. Can you help me?”

“Sure.” Chloe jumped from her seat, landing upright in the sand. She walked to the back of Brianna’s swing and slowed it to a stop. “What do you want to do now? You’re not ready to go back to the house, are you?”

“No. I want to play with Jenny and Penny. And they finally got off the teeter-totter and are climbing the slide. I want to do that, too.” Once her feet touched the ground, the little blonde, who favored her mommy, ran across the sand to join the two new playmates she’d recently met.

When Chloe had been a child, she hadn’t had many friends her own age, something she sorely missed, so it was nice to see Brianna socialize.

Gosh, it was just plain nice to have Brianna around.

Yes, they’d had—and would continue to have—moments of sadness and tears, but Chloe was determined to do everything in her power to ensure that Brianna grew up happy and loved.

Still, at times, Chloe feared she may have bitten off more than she could chew in the agreement she’d made with Desiree. But not when it came to motherhood, a new role she’d easily fallen into. Her reservations stemmed from staying in Texas for six weeks, as Desiree had asked her to, and facing the legalities and trouble she was bound to run into when she met Brianna’s stepbrother.

And the day of reckoning was closing in on her.

On Friday morning she would meet Jake Brad-dock in Dallas at Brian Willoughby’s office.

Years ago Desiree had taught Chloe to always put her best foot forward, especially when facing adversity. And that meant dressing to the nines, carefully applying makeup and holding her head up high. That particular piece of advice was in Lessons from Desiree and labeled #1: “Always look your best.”

And on Friday morning, Chloe intended to do just that. She would walk right into that meeting and take the upper hand.

Still, a feeling of dread settled over her whenever she thought about it.

Thank goodness she had a few more days to prepare mentally for the confrontation, which she expected the meeting to be. She’d promised to abide by Desiree’s wishes and she would insist that Jake comply with them, too.

Spotting a shiny glimmer in the sand, she stooped and reached for it.

A quarter.

Her father always said finding coins was a sign of luck, so when she and Brianna headed to the market later this afternoon, she’d have to buy a lottery ticket.

Just at that moment, Brianna squealed from atop the slide. “Jake!”

Chloe turned to see the little blonde slide to the bottom, lickety-split, then scamper toward a tall, well-dressed man approaching the playground with a sexy, Texas swagger.

Uh-oh.

She’d never met Jake Braddock, but she’d been told he had a young, brash J. R. Ewing aura. And this particular dark-haired man, with his expensive Western wear, had a stance that boasted money and power.

She brushed the quarter against the black fabric of her shorts, then tucked it into her pocket. She’d thought she had a couple of days before their confrontation, but it looked as though her time had run out.

She just hoped her luck hadn’t run out, as well.

Chapter Two

At the sound of Brianna’s voice, Jake picked up his pace and strode toward his baby sister. “Hey, munchkin. I’ve missed you.”

She hurried to meet him and lost a flip-flop in the sand. Faltering only a moment, she ran on without it.

When she reached him, he lifted her into his arms, catching a whiff of gumdrops. At least Ms. Haskell had kept her clean and shampooed.

“I didn’t think I would see you until a lot more days,” Brianna said, giving him a pint-sized hug that squeezed the heart right out of him.

“Yeah, well, I didn’t want to wait.” He brushed a kiss upon her cheek.

“You know what?” she asked. “Mommy went to see Daddy in Heaven.”

“I heard,” he whispered against her hair, his voice cracking with grief for her loss. “And I came to take you home with me.”

“Are you taking Chloe, too?” she asked. “She said I’m going to live with her.”

Over Jake’s dead body. And he’d lined up a legal team to make sure that wouldn’t happen.

“Hello, there,” a sultry, female voice said.

Jake turned to face a tall, shapely redhead who reminded him of Julia Roberts in her Pretty Woman days.

A scattering of freckles across her nose gave her a girlish appeal. But as his gaze dropped to a yellow bikini top and a pair of black shorts, he realized there was nothing remotely childlike about her body.

Damn.

Without a conscious thought, he zeroed in on a pair of long legs that could wrap around a guy, making his hormones kick up a notch and his brains leave town—permanently.

Double damn.

“Mr. Braddock?” she asked, reminding him it was his turn to respond.

He cleared his throat. “Yes.” And she had to be Ms. Haskell. Chloe. Desiree’s “dear” friend.

For a man who prided himself in maintaining control, he was having trouble finding his words.

“I’ve heard about you,” she said.

He expected her to continue with one of those standard remarks, something about it being a pleasure to finally meet him. But since she didn’t utter anything more, he wasn’t sure what she’d heard about him.

In his attempt to distance himself from his stepmother, he’d neglected to consider what Desiree might think of him, what she might confide in her friends.

Not that it really mattered, he supposed.

Chloe shifted her weight and placed a hand on a shapely hip. He tried to read her body language, but his gaze merely locked on an impish spark in those green eyes, the hint of a pair of dimples, the fullness of her lips.

“Since we have an appointment in Dallas on Friday,” she said, “it’s a bit of a surprise to see you in California.”

“I realize that, but I wanted to see my sister. I think it’s best if she has family near her right now.”

“Chloe’s my family, too,” Brianna said. “Mommy told me. They’re the same as sisters.”

“Oh, yeah?” Jake responded, sensing the showdown to come and prepared for it.

Yet when he glanced at Brianna, at the smile she wore, he realized this wasn’t the time or place for a confrontation. Maybe he’d better tread easy, make nice. Lay on the charm until he could take Brianna home, then let the attorneys fight it out.

Brianna tapped him on the shoulder. “Could you please put me down? I lost my shoe.”

He placed her on the ground, and she half hopped, half walked to get her missing pink flip-flop.

His full attention returned to Chloe, even though her presence had been nearly overwhelming once she’d come on scene.

“I have temporary custody of Brianna,” she said, “until we meet in Dallas.”

“Okay. But you’ll have to forgive me for being concerned about her. All of this came as quite a shock.”

Chloe crossed her arms under her breasts, causing them to swell before his eyes.

Didn’t she have some kind of cover-up to wear?

He fingered the collar of his crisp white shirt and adjusted the knot of his tie. According to the weather report, it wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near as warm in Bayside as it had been in Dallas, but it seemed as though he’d brought the heat and humidity with him.

“Brianna is doing as well as can be expected,” Chloe said. “Desiree tried hard to prepare her.”

“How can you prepare a five-year-old for something like death?”

“It’s difficult for anyone, I suppose.” Her voice was soft, laced with something. Grief? Compassion?

Whether it was sincere or not, he couldn’t say. “I’m sure you can understand why I wanted to come and check on her. And why I want to take her home.”

“She is home.”

Before he could object, Brianna ran back and grabbed one of each of their hands. “Are you going to spend the night with us? We’re having brownies for dinner. Chloe and I made them all by ourselves.”

“I, uh…” He glanced at Chloe, feeling as awkward as an adolescent on hormone overdrive.

“It would be nice if you stayed for dinner with us,” she said. “But from what I understand, you’re a very busy man. So maybe we ought to take a rain check. Brianna and I will be flying to Dallas on Thursday evening and will be staying for a while. You can spend some time with her then.”

She’d welcomed him to dinner politely, then blew him off at the same time, making it clear that she wasn’t going to allow him to take Brianna without him making a scene—something he wasn’t about to do.

Not if it caused Brianna any unnecessary sadness. She’d had far too much already.

“Maybe we can go to Buckaroo Roundup for dinner on Friday night,” he told the child.

She brightened. “That will be so fun. I like to ride the pony in the game room. Will you get me a bunch of tokens?”

“You bet.” A grin tweaked his lips. Score one for the home team. He’d make up for lost time as soon as they got back on his turf. Maybe he’d have to throw in a visit to the toy store, too. There was a lot he needed to make right.

In his attempt to avoid Brianna’s mother, he’d inadvertently steered clear of his little sister, too. And he regretted it. Especially now.

“You’ll like Buckaroo Roundup, too,” Brianna told Chloe. “They have ponies and other rides in the back room.”

His gaze locked on Chloe’s, and he sensed a don’t-underestimate-me vibe.

He wouldn’t. But she’d better not underestimate him, either. If she messed with the bull, she’d have to watch for the horns.

It was out of character for him to step down from a fight, to fly all the way to California, then leave without taking Brianna with him. But he didn’t want the little girl to sense the power struggle brewing. He’d just bide his time—until Friday.

So he tossed his adversary a what-the-hell grin. “I’ll see you in a couple of days, then.”

Jake might have lost this minor skirmish, but he was determined to win the war.

And win custody of his sister.

After all, Chloe shouldn’t be looking after—or influencing—a little girl.

What kind of woman wore a bikini to the park and fed brownies to a child for dinner, anyway?

As he strode toward the rental car he’d parked near the entrance of the condominium complex, he fought the urge to take another look at his pretty opponent. She had an attractive face and a dynamite body, but he doubted she had one maternal bone in her.

He just hoped she didn’t have much fight in her, either. He planned to put a stop to this foolish custody thing by the end of the week.

In spite of his determination to climb into his vehicle and not look back, curiosity won out, and he turned, only to find her eyes locked on him.

He tipped his head, acknowledging her. And in return, she lifted her hand and fluttered her fingers in a wave. Then she crossed her arms, causing her breasts to stretch the limits of that bikini top.

The summer breeze blew a corkscrew strand of red hair across her face and she swiped it away.

He couldn’t deny that looking at her caused his hormones to pump or his blood to heat. Heck, she’d have that effect on any man, he supposed.

But Jake had learned to control his impulses.

His old man might have fallen gray-head-overboot heels for a topless dancer, but Jake had more sense than that.

Still he had to tear his gaze away from her and force himself to head for his car.

On Friday, at a quarter to twelve, Chloe and Brianna sat at a table in the restaurant of the Dallas hotel in which they’d stayed last night, waiting for Mrs. Davies to arrive.

Barbara Davies was the housekeeper at the Brad-dock ranch and had been hired by Desiree’s husband shortly before he passed away. Since Brianna would need a sitter while Chloe was at the attorney’s office, Barbara was asked to meet them at the hotel.

Believing Brianna should be around people she was familiar with during this difficult time, Desiree had given the housekeeper a raise and secured her services through a three-year employment contract.

“Barbara comes across as stuffy and snooty,” Desiree had said, “but she’s good with Brianna. And she’s loyal.”

Chloe didn’t care for snobs, but she would have to trust Desiree on this one.

“There she is.” Brianna waved at a salt-and-pepper-haired matron in her late fifties.

The pleasantly plump woman smiled at the child and strode toward their table, waddling as she approached.

Chloe stood to introduce herself, but decided to wait until Barbara had addressed Brianna.

“Welcome back to Texas,” the woman told the child. “I’ve missed you, honey. That big old house isn’t the same without your smile.”

“I missed you, too. Did you feed my fish while I was gone?”

“I most certainly did. And I cleaned their bowl again this morning.” The woman turned to Chloe, her gaze assessing her in rapid fashion, her nose drifting upward in a self-righteous manner. Or had that only been Chloe’s imagination?

Either way, she reminded herself of Desiree’s acceptance of the woman and reached out her arm in greeting. “How do you do?”

Mrs. Davies took her hand in a firm grip. “Very well, thank you.”

“You’re a bit early,” Chloe said.

“Mr. Braddock always insisted on punctuality, and fortunately, I pride myself on being timely.”

“Well, good. Why don’t you join us for lunch?”

“I had a late breakfast, but maybe I’ll have a cup of tea.” The housekeeper took a seat and placed her black handbag at her feet. Then she glanced at her wristwatch. “From what I understand, the meeting is in an hour. Will you have time to eat, change clothes and drive to the office?”

“I’m only going to have a salad,” Chloe said. “And I’m already dressed.”

The woman’s brow twitched and her lips tensed. She fingered the silver cross on her necklace. “I see.”

Apparently she didn’t agree with Chloe’s choice of apparel—a form-fitting black dress. The stuffy/ snobby type rarely did. But then again, Desiree had given the woman her stamp of approval, so Chloe would reserve judgment.

“I suppose it might be more appropriate to wear something a bit more conservative,” Chloe admitted. “But I gave up dressing to impress others years ago.”

And she had the emotional scars to prove it, although she kept them hidden. Still, every now and again, they crept to the forefront, reminding her of who she was and where she’d come from.

In spite of the money her father had managed to parlay in his dealings and the prestigious private school he’d sent her to, life had been tough for her as a child. Her classmates at Preston Prep had not only been cliquish, but mean. And no matter how hard Chloe had tried to conform, dressing to their standards, it hadn’t mattered one bit. So she’d given up and had decided to wear whatever she darned well pleased.

Either way, the boys seemed to flock around her. And she’d soon learned how to use that to her advantage—advice she’d learned from Desiree, actually.

Lessons from Desiree #2: “Be proud of your assets and make the best of them.”

Chloe had not only taken that bit of wisdom to heart, she’d also put her own spin on it: if you’ve got it, flaunt it.

“You look pretty,” Brianna said. “Just like Mommy.”

Chloe cupped the child’s cheek. “Thanks, honey. I can’t think of a nicer compliment than that.”

Over lunch, Brianna chattered away about the friends she’d met in Bayside, as well as her visits to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

“I’m glad you had a good time,” Barbara said. “I plan to take my niece and nephew on a trip someday. Maybe I ought to consider the San Diego area.”

Twenty minutes later, after finishing the last of her salad, Chloe blotted her lips with the napkin, then reached for her purse and gave Mrs. Davies the key to their room. “We’re in 1410.”

“Are you going now?” Brianna asked.

“I need to visit the ladies’ room first and freshen my makeup. Then I’m off so I can get this meeting out of the way.” Chloe didn’t need to look at Mrs. Davies to sense the woman’s disapproval, yet old habits were tough to break, and she stole a peek anyway.

Yep. Brow furrowed, expression severe.

Over the years, and after innumerable disappointments, Chloe no longer gave a rip about what people thought of her, but sometimes, the lonely child within couldn’t refrain from seeking approval and respect.

But there was no way on earth she’d try to be someone or something she wasn’t. Not today. So she’d made up her mind to pull out all the stops when it came to dressing for this meeting. She’d done it for Desiree.

And for herself.

“Brian Willoughby and Jake Braddock are both rather conventional,” Mrs. Davies said.

“Good.” Chloe couldn’t help but smile as she scooted her chair back and stood. “Then this meeting ought to be interesting.”

“To say the least,” the older woman responded.

“Have fun with Mrs. Davies,” Chloe told Brianna. Then she placed a kiss on the little girl’s cheek, leaving a faint pink mark. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

As she strode toward the restroom, she tugged at the hem of the knit dress that had hiked up when she’d been sitting. It was something she’d wear clubbing, if she were inclined to do that sort of thing. As it was, even though she owned the proper nighttime wardrobe, her evenings were pretty quiet. Or as Desiree would say, pleasantly boring.

Chloe ought to be nervous about facing Jake Brad-dock again, she supposed. But sometimes it was fun to be a bit naughty and rebellious.

Especially around conservative men who valued being in control of those around them.

Jake sat in Willoughby’s office, waiting for Desiree’s “dear” friend to arrive. He glanced at his watch.1:32 p.m.

Some women didn’t consider themselves late until fifteen minutes had passed, but punctuality was important to him.

And Chloe Haskell was late.

When a buzz sounded on the intercom, the attorney responded. “Yes.”

“Ms. Haskell is here,” a woman’s voice said.

“Please show her in.”

Willoughby stood, and Jake followed suit. But when the attractive redhead swept into the room, wearing a curve-hugging, black knit dress and spike heels, Jake nearly dropped back in his seat.

Mercy. At any moment he expected to hear music in the background and Roy Orbison break out in song at the sight of her.

Hands down, Chloe was a hell of a pretty woman.

And too damn sexy for words.

“Please have a seat,” Willoughby said.

“Thank you.” She moved toward the chair next to Jake with the grace of a dancer, her eyes glimmering with sexual confidence.

Jake might have braced himself for a fight, but he hadn’t realized he’d have to buck his libido, too.

Interestingly, Willoughby didn’t seem to be the least bit fazed by her. And why was that?

Jake supposed it was because Desiree had always carried herself in a similar manner, and her attorney had grown used to it.

Well, Jake wouldn’t get used to it. Looking at Chloe all dolled up like that left him a bit unbalanced. And he didn’t like having the urge to stare.

Fortunately, Willoughby got them all back on track by reading the will. And per Desiree’s wishes, the estate was split between Jake and Brianna, which Jake didn’t have a problem with. But Desiree had appointed Chloe to look after Brianna’s holdings and her best interests until she was of age.

What kind of ogre had Desiree thought he was?

Jake would never put his own interests ahead of his sister’s, so his stepmother’s distrust cut him to the quick.

Chloe shifted in her seat, drawing his attention, then crossed a leg over her knee, flashing a lovely stretch of thigh. “What about custody of Brianna?”

Jake tore his gaze away from the sexy redhead and focused on the attorney. Chloe had only been granted temporary custody. Surely, Desiree knew the best person to have permanent custody was Jake.

“Desiree appointed you two as joint guardians,” Willoughby said.

“Excuse me?” Jake gripped the armrests of his leather seat. “That’s crazy. Desiree couldn’t have been in her right mind when she drew up that document. How in blazes can two people living in different states share custody of a child who will start kindergarten in the fall?”

“Let me read the letter she wrote, giving the details of her wishes.” Willoughby sorted through the pages before him, found what he was looking for and cleared his throat:

“Dear Jake and Chloe,

I’ve been dealt a crappy hand, but I’ll play it out to the end. I know this may be a bit out of the ordinary, but I hope you’ll understand where I’m coming from.

Brianna has lost her father and now me. No child should have to go through that, but I’ve tried to prepare her the best I can. Now it’s up to you. I know that you both love her. And interestingly enough, I believe that having the two of you share custody will be best for her. Jake, you favor your father in more ways than looks. And Chloe, you’re a lot like me. I’m hopeful that Brianna will be comforted by that.

I’m asking you to live together as a family at the ranch for six weeks. At the end of that time, I’d like you both to come to an agreement on how to make shared custody work.”

What? No way.

Jake wasn’t about to stay in the same house with a sexy redheaded bombshell who seemed to get off on taunting a man.

Willoughby continued to read:

“I realize you both are established in separate states, but maybe Brianna can spend the school year in Bayside and summer vacations, holidays and some weekends on the ranch. Either way, I know you both love her. And I expect you to learn to accept each other and become friends for Brianna’s sake.”

“A request like that can’t be legally binding,” Jake said.

“You’re right.” Willoughby placed the letter on his desk, then folded his hands over the handwritten note. “You don’t have to abide by her wishes, but she hoped you would agree for Brianna’s sake. It was Desiree’s sole desire to ease her daughter’s loss and help her to adjust to life without her parents. In fact, that’s why Brianna has been seeing a child psychologist in town for weekly visits, something Desiree also hoped you two will continue for a while.”

“Desiree explained her wishes to me weeks ago,” Chloe said. “And as difficult as it will be for me to remain in Texas, I promised her I would do so.”

“Well, she didn’t say squat to me,” Jake snapped. “I didn’t even know she had cancer. Or that she was dying.”

“Jake,” Willoughby said, “what’s done is done. But if Desiree told me once, she told me a dozen times. She wished the two of you had been closer.”

Jake raked a hand through his hair. Okay, so he’d been a bit…hardheaded. What would it have hurt to be…well, not friends, but…

He blew out a sigh. He should have taken the olive branch she’d tried to give him, but it was too damn late to do anything about it now. Either way, he wasn’t going to reveal his regret here. Or anywhere, for that matter.

“Desiree also asked that you return here in six weeks with your decision,” Willoughby added. “And, at that time, if you can’t agree, a preappointed third party is to evaluate the relationship between the child and each adult and determine who should be granted full custody, with fair visitation given to the other.”

“Who is the third party?” Jake asked.

“Desiree asked that the identity be kept secret so that there was no chance of influencing the decision. Of course, Mrs. Braddock was hopeful that it wouldn’t come to that.”

Jake suspected the psychologist was the person who would make the ultimate decision on custody. It only made sense. And, that being the case, maybe Jake ought to volunteer to take Brianna to her appointments so he could share his concerns with the doctor about Chloe’s ability to parent.

Willoughby reached into a manila envelope, withdrew something small and handed it to Chloe. “Here’s the key to the ranch.”

A chill hunkered over Jake, as he watched his father’s memories and essence be given to a stranger—at least, symbolically.

And what about Brianna?

Who would make sure she was okay during all of this?

Damn.

As it was, he had no choice but to agree with his stepmother’s foolish request to move back to the ranch temporarily. If they were all together, it would be easier for Jake to look out for Brianna’s best interests and make sure she was treated well.

And if she wasn’t?

Then he’d have firsthand evidence for the custody battle he would wage when Desiree’s fantasy family failed.

Chapter Three

The next morning Jake packed his bags, then threw them in the back of his Lincoln Navigator and headed for the ranch.

During the entire one-hour-and-fifteen-minute drive out of the city, he utilized his cell phone, informing his office staff and rescheduling as many meetings as possible. He’d do what he could from a distance, but there would be days when he’d have no choice but to make the trek back to Dallas.

Damn. His life would be out of whack for six long weeks.

Desiree had surely been out of her ever-loving mind when she’d cooked up this scheme. Not that he wouldn’t have put his life on hold indefinitely for Brianna or done whatever it took to make sure she adjusted to her loss. But he couldn’t figure out why Desiree had thrown Chloe into the mix. It hadn’t been necessary—unless this was some lame attempt to punish Jake. Of course, if she’d known how much he now regretted not coming around more often, she wouldn’t have bothered. His conscience would be punishing him for a long time to come.

Up ahead he spotted the entrance to the ranch and turned on his left blinker. Then he swung into the tree-lined, graveled drive and continued to the house.

The wooden fence, which surrounded the front portion of the property from the county road, had been bright white when his father had been alive, but it needed a fresh coat of paint. He’d have to see that it got done, because when the designated time passed and the custody issue had been settled, he was going to put this place on the market, something his father should have done years ago.

The Braddock Enterprises office was in the city, as was Jake’s townhouse, so there was no reason to keep the ranch.

He parked his SUV near the barn, removed his things—a leather briefcase and an overnight bag—then headed toward the front porch of the sprawling custom-built adobe house. His first inclination had been to open the front door without knocking, something he’d done when only his father had lived here. But times had changed.

As he climbed the front porch steps, the morning sun moved from behind a cloud, casting its light over him. A westerly breeze kicked up, and he caught a whiff of alfalfa. In the distance, a horse whinnied.

He almost felt like a kid again. Coming home.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The ranch had ceased being a home to him the day Desiree had moved in. The day his father had become another person.

Jake knocked lightly, and when no one responded, he rang the bell. It was discomfiting to know there was a stranger living here—even temporarily.

Footsteps from within sounded, and Barbara Davies, the housekeeper, answered the door.

He lifted the briefcase he held in one hand and the suitcase he held in the other. “Desiree’s orders.”

“Yes, I know.” She stepped aside, allowing him entrance. “She mentioned it to me a month or two ago.”

Again Jake was reminded that he hadn’t been privy to squat. And since he was probably to blame for refusing his stepmother’s offers of friendship, another rush of regret twisted a knot in his gut. There wasn’t much he could do about it now, though.

“Would you like to stay in the master bedroom?” Barbara asked. “I’ve got it ready for you.”

Since that room had been the one his father had shared with Desiree, and then hers alone, he wouldn’t feel comfortable in there. “No, I think I’ll stay in my own bedroom, the one I used as a kid.”

After his folks had split up, Jake lived with his dad, who insisted upon spending every weekend at the ranch to give his city-boy son a wholesome dose of reality.

There’d been some good times, Jake supposed, remembering the old fishing hole, horseback riding. But there’d been chores, too. Mucking out stalls, shoveling horse manure.

“Consider them character-building tasks,” his father had often said.

At the time Jake had been skeptical. He still was, he supposed.

As Mrs. Davies closed the door behind him, he was pulled from the nostalgic past and forced back to the awkward present.

He scanned the living room, the leather furniture, the oak and glass-topped tables and shelves, the stone fireplace with its rough-hewn mantel, the colorful Southwestern art on white plastered walls. Desiree had redecorated when she’d moved in, but she hadn’t changed much since then.

“From what I understand,” the housekeeper said, “your old room is just the way you left it. I dust it twice a week, and although the sheets are clean, the bedding needs to be freshened. I’ll do that later this morning.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I take pride in my work,” she said. “And it’s no trouble at all.”

The warm aroma of cinnamon and spice drifted in from the kitchen, and his stomach rumbled, reminding him he’d only had an espresso earlier. “Something sure smells good.”

Mrs. Davies beamed. “It’s the zucchini muffins in the oven. Desiree told me you liked them. And they’re almost ready.”

How would Desiree have known that? he wondered. Had he mentioned it to her once? If so, it was odd that she’d remember. And that she’d pass that tidbit of information along.

On the other hand, he didn’t have a clue as to what kind of things Desiree had liked. He’d never noticed, never cared. And although it hadn’t bothered him before, he felt a bit remiss right now.

“I’ve made a lemon meringue pie, too,” the housekeeper added.

Another favorite of Jake’s.

It was as though Desiree was trying hard to make him feel welcomed, yet instead her efforts—or rather her predeath orders—only made him…uneasy. And undeserving.

“It’s pretty quiet in here,” he said, trying his best to shrug off his discomfort.

“Everyone else is still asleep.”

He glanced at his watch—10:07 a.m. Apparently, Chloe was a night owl. A lot of prima donnas were. He hoped that kind of attitude didn’t rub off on his little sister.

“How’s Brianna doing?” he asked.

“Last night was a bit rough. She had a crying spell, then had a difficult time falling asleep. Chloe read to her until at least eleven, which is when I finally turned in.”

Okay, so maybe he’d been wrong about the prima donna thing—at least, last night.

At the sound of footsteps padding along the hallway, Jake spotted Chloe entering the living room wearing a white sleeveless undershirt and low-riding sweatpants.

She yawned, then ran a hand through her tousled hair, an acrylic nail snagging on a rumpled red curl.

Seeing her like that, fresh out of bed, was more arousing that he cared to admit. And even though she was fairly well covered, she looked as sexy as hell, and he couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

He wanted to suggest she go back and put on a robe, but wouldn’t. No need for her to suspect the kind of effect she had on him.

“Good morning,” the housekeeper said, her voice as tight as the rubber band in a cocked and primed slingshot. “Now that you’re up, I’ll put on a pot of coffee and whip up some breakfast.”

“Thank you,” Chloe said. “I’m not much of an eater in the morning, but I’d love a cup of coffee.”

When they were alone, Jake set his bags on the floor and crossed his arms. It was time to lay it on the line, to find out what Chloe’s thoughts were about all of this and what he was up against. “I imagine that you aren’t any happier about things than I am.”

Chloe met his stare, lifting her chin a little. “You’re right.” She wasn’t at all pleased about leaving her dance studio and relying on someone else to look after her rental properties. And she wasn’t especially comfortable living in someone else’s house and having a live-in housekeeper/cook, either.

Mrs. Davies was nice enough, but she had an innate way of lifting her nose and arching a brow whenever Chloe did or said anything she considered unconventional. And since Chloe never paid much attention to social mores, the older woman’s nose and brow seemed to be in constant motion.

Then, to make matters worse, she had to deal with a man who was too conservative for his own good, a man she suspected would try to control her every chance he got.

She strode toward the cream-colored leather sofa and sat on the armrest. “But do you know what? If I had asked Desiree to make a sacrifice for me, she wouldn’t have thought twice about doing so.”

Jake didn’t respond.

“And whether you believe it or not,” Chloe added, “Desiree would have done the same for you.”

“We weren’t that close,” he said.

“I know. And I’m sorry for your loss. It was huge.”

He studied her for a moment with those baby-blue eyes that suggested a softness she doubted he had. “You’re probably right about that.”

His agreement took her aback, and she tucked an unruly strand of hair behind her ear.

“What did she tell you about me?” he asked, watching her intently. Too intently.

“Not much. Just that you reminded her of your father, a man she adored. And that she’d give anything to make you feel comfortable enough to visit the ranch more often.”

“I was busy.”

“She’d said that, too.”

He shifted his weight to one foot. “I made it for Christmas and holidays. It’s not like I was a complete stranger.”

Token visits, Desiree had told Chloe. And if she’d ever had any regrets about her marriage to Gerald Braddock, it was the fact that she’d unintentionally caused a rift of sorts between father and son.

“What else?” Jake asked.

“Actually, we didn’t discuss you all that much. I’d heard you were driven. And stubborn. But that you were handsome, too. Is that what you meant?”

He squirmed a bit at the physical description, which she couldn’t help spouting, even though it hadn’t really come up. But since Desiree had said he looked like his father, and Gerald Braddock was a gorgeous older man, Chloe had put two and two together.

However, her addition had come up short. She hadn’t realized just how attractive Jake was. How appealing she might find him. Or how she might, under different circumstances, be tempted to…well, maybe not pursue him romantically. But flirting was always fun.

She’d learned early on that men like him weren’t the kind to pin her heart on. Of course, she wasn’t sure just what type of man was the kind she could trust for the long haul.

“For what it’s worth,” Jake said, “I don’t know what negative things Desiree may have said about me, but I’m not a bad guy.”

Not entirely, Chloe supposed, but Desiree must have had a good reason not to give him full custody of Brianna.

“You don’t believe me?” he asked.

“Sure I do.” She tried to force sincerity into her smile, yet a veil of skepticism slid over his angular face.

He didn’t object, which she appreciated. She wasn’t up for a confrontation until after she’d had her morning coffee.

Still, her temporary housemate could be considered eye candy, with dark curly hair that brushed his collar, a complexion that suggested some Latin blood and eyes the color of Mission Bay.

Too bad he was so stuffy.

A rebellious spirit she sometimes used as a defensive ploy swept over her, and she decided to flirt and make him squirm—a game she’d played for years. Of course, she’d only mess with him like that when Brianna wasn’t around.

Before she could conjure a teasing remark, Barbara entered the room. “Coffee’s ready.”

“Good.” Chloe slid from her seat on the armrest and followed the housekeeper back to the kitchen.

She’d have to put the flirting on hold for the time being and take care of her morning caffeine addiction.

Yet, in spite of her craving for a hot cup of java, she glanced over her shoulder, only to find Jake rooted to the spot in which she’d left him, eyes locked on her. Or rather on her fanny, since his gaze had to travel upward to meet hers.

Apparently, she would be able to tease him without even trying, and a grin tugged at her lips. “Are you coming?”

“Not yet. I’m going to put away my things first.”

“Suit yourself.”

“I always do.”

She nodded, a full-on smile busting free, as she returned to her quest for coffee.

Jake Braddock would be fun and easy to taunt, but he probably wouldn’t be a good sport about it, which meant he was her favorite type of male challenge.

And he’d just thrown down the gauntlet.

Later that morning, after taking a walk out to the barn and talking to the ranch foreman, Jake returned to the house and headed into his father’s office, only to find Chloe seated at the desk, an open phonebook in front of her.

She’d showered and changed. Her hair, once wild and free, had been swept into a twist. And she’d applied makeup, which some women needed but she didn’t. That’s the conclusion he’d easily come to this morning, when he’d seen her fresh out of bed.

She had a wholesome beauty about her. Too bad she didn’t realize a cosmetic company couldn’t bottle and sell what she’d been blessed with.

Her dark pink lipstick had been applied carefully—and thick. She wore it in a way that would definitely smear when a man kissed her. And for a moment he wondered if she did that on purpose. To keep men at bay.

Come here, big boy. But keep your distance.

He leaned against the doorjamb, studying her until curiosity got the better of him. “What are you doing?”

She glanced up. “Checking on something and getting an address. As soon as Brianna finishes her breakfast, I’m going to take her into town.”

“You mean the city?” he asked. Dallas was more than an hour away.

“No. Into Granger. How far is it from here?”

“About ten miles.”

She didn’t seem to be the small-town type. And even though he didn’t like people prying into his life, his plans, he couldn’t help himself from wondering what she was up to. But, hey, that’s only because she wanted to take Brianna with her. “What are you going to do in Granger?”

Her green eyes glimmered like those of a child who’d just been told the bus was heading to Seven Flags Over Texas for the day, rather than school. “I’m going to do some window shopping.”

Okay, so she wasn’t the open and talkative sort. “For what?”

“I’m not sure yet. Let’s just say it’s a surprise.”

Oh, yeah? Jake didn’t like surprises. And it made him suspicious, something else he didn’t like.

Maybe she planned a shopping spree for herself, rather than Brianna.

Well, if that was the case, he’d put a stop to that pretty damn quick, especially if she planned to use money from the trust. Braddock Enterprises wasn’t going to support Chloe and her spending whims.

She closed the phonebook and put it back in the drawer. Then she stood, a pair of black jeans fitting like a sleek leather glove. “Don’t worry. We’ll be back in an hour.”

Well, he was worried.

But then again, he didn’t need to be. Not if he followed her into town.

“Suit yourself,” he said.

“I always do.” She tossed his own line back at him along with a playful grin, then swept out of the office, her denim-clad hips swaying as she headed for the kitchen.

Six friggin’ weeks. She’d drive him nuts by then—if he let her.

Twenty minutes later Jake had followed Chloe and Brianna into town and now waited in front of the Granger Animal Shelter.

He had no idea what in the world they were doing inside, but he had a suspicion. She’d said she was merely window shopping, and he hoped that was her game plan. She’d better not be getting a pet, not if Jake was the one who’d be taking full custody of Brianna.

Curiosity got the better of him, and just as he reached for the door handle to let himself out of his vehicle, Chloe and Brianna walked out the front door.

Chloe carried a cardboard box with holes.

Oh, for Pete’s sake. He climbed out of the Navigator and made his way toward them.

“Jake!” Brianna said. “Guess what we have!”

Instead of guessing, he focused on Chloe, on the sunglasses that hid her eyes, on the dimples her grin created.

“What a surprise,” she said. “We didn’t expect you to follow us.”

“No, I’m sure you didn’t.” He nodded toward the box. “I suppose that’s the surprise.”

Brianna grinned from ear to ear. “Want to see him?”

The fact that the critter, whatever it was, had placed the bright-eyed smile on his sister’s face was reason enough to make him back down. And even though something like a pet adoption should have been discussed with him first, it was a relief to know their purchase was small enough to fit in that box.

“His name is Sweetie Pie,” Brianna said. “And he’s the bestest dog in the whole, wide world.”

Jake didn’t have the heart to tell her no.

Chloe unhooked the edge of the box, allowing it to open, and a mangy, wire-haired, tri-color dog poked its head out, whimpering and squirming, its tail beating against the cardboard container.

“Oops,” Chloe said, juggling the box. “Settle down, Sweetie Pie. You’ll make me drop you.”

“We have to keep him in the box until we get back to the ranch,” Brianna said. “That’s the rules. But once he’s at home, he gets to run around all he wants.”

As Chloe struggled to tuck the scraggly dog back into the cardboard carrier, Jake opened the back door of the car for his sister. She climbed into her seat, and he secured her. Then Chloe put the box on the rear floorboard.

Once the door was shut, his redheaded nemesis crossed her arms and arched an auburn brow. “So, you couldn’t help but follow us, huh?”

“I don’t like secrets.”

“Too bad. You’ve probably had some boring birthdays, then.”

“They were just fine.” Truth be told, he’d never had a surprise party, if that’s what she was getting at. And she made it sound as though he’d missed something. “So what’s the deal with the dog?”

“All kids need a pet.”

“Oh, yeah? Don’t you think they should be old enough and responsible enough to take care of them? Of course, if you’re planning to transport that dog back to California with you in six weeks, I’ll keep quiet.”

“Sweetie Pie will go wherever Brianna goes.”

“Then I’ll have to kiss up to Mrs. Davies, since she’ll be the one looking after the dog for me.”

“That’s left to be seen.”

They were heading for a face-off, which wasn’t appropriate here and now. A glance into the backseat told him Brianna was happy with her pet, so he decided not to make an issue out of it…yet.

“By the way,” Jake said, as Chloe turned to open the driver’s door of her car. “That’s the ugliest mutt I’ve ever seen. If you’re going to turn the ranch into a zoo, why not choose a better-looking critter?”

Her motions slowed, and she turned to face him again, her stance softening this time. Their gazes locked, and her eyes glistened. If he didn’t know better, he’d suspect she was tearing up. Hell, maybe she was.

The breeze sent a strand of her hair across her cheek and she brushed it aside. She cleared her throat, and her voice came out softer than he expected. “Because that little dog needed a home more than the rest of them. His number was up today.”

Jake had never been an animal person. Well, not as a grown-up, anyway. He’d found a stray shepherd-mix once, but his mom had refused to let him keep it. And he couldn’t blame her. She lived in a town house in the city.

And so did he.

“That dog—” he began.

“Sweetie Pie,” Chloe corrected. “He has a name.”

Jake crossed his arms. “Either way, my place isn’t geared for pets.”

She leaned her hip against the car door and crossed her own arms. “Whatever.”

Damn that woman. She was going to be the death of him.

“Listen,” she said, softening again, it seemed. “A pet will be good for Brianna. Especially now.”

“She already has fish.”

“She can’t cuddle with them.”

“Yeah, well, she won’t get flea bites from them, either.”

Chloe stood there for a moment, eyes glaring and rigidity returning to her stance. Then she chuckled softly. “Six weeks won’t be long enough, will it?”

It seemed too long to him. But he wasn’t entirely sure what she meant. “What are you talking about?”

“You and I are going to have a heck of a time learning how to compromise and put Brianna’s best interests ahead of our own.” Then she tossed him another smile and climbed into the car.

Jake stood silently by, as he watched her drive away.

Something told him she was right.

Even so, he realized, in spite of his objections and reservations, Brianna was sitting in Chloe’s backseat. And that ugly dog was heading back to the ranch.

So how come it felt more like a loss than a compromise?

And what was he going to do about it?

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.