Montana Wrangler Read Free Page A

Her focus on her career, and her ambition to move up to a position of manager of one of Elite Hotel’s European properties didn’t leave room for marriage or raising a family. Maybe someday, of course. But not in the foreseeable future.
    So far no man had made an effort to tempt her to change her mind.
    She watched as they sat down together to eat their sandwiches, then remembered Grandpa and the snack she’d promised him. Hurriedly, she got the coffee going and found a plate for the home-baked cookies.
    She was just pouring his mug of coffee when Grandpa came into the kitchen.
    â€œSince everybody is here, guess it’s time we all had a talk.” He sat at the head of the table and placed a large manila envelope beside him.
    Paige delivered his coffee and cookies.
    â€œSit down here, child.” Grandpa indicated the seat next to him. “It’s important you hear what I got to say.” He glanced down the table. “You, too, boy. Pay attention now.”
    An uneasy feeling raised the hair on her nape as Paige slipped onto the chair. Grandpa sounded so serious; something monumental must be on his mind. Could his health be failing? He seemed especially tired and stooped, which wasn’t like the grandpa she knew. Maybe he was going to sell the outfitting business and retire?
    â€œNow then, we all know that Krissy could be reckless sometimes, but she did do some planning ahead. I’ll give her credit for that. ’Course, I did prod her a bit.” Clearing his throat, he pulled some papers from the envelope. “Your ma loved you, Bryan. Don’t you ever forget that.”
    The boy poked his finger into his sandwich, making a hole in the soft bread.
    â€œAfter your parents passed on a few years ago, Paige, I sat Krissy down to have a long talk about Bryan.”
    The boy looked up. “What’d you say?”
    â€œHang on a minute, son. I’m getting to that.” His hand shook as he took a sip of coffee. “The point is she wanted to make sure Bryan was well taken care of if something should happen to her.”
    A band tightened around Paige’s chest. Her little sister had actually worried about what would happen to her son if she had died prematurely. Grandpa must have been very persuasive. A swell of love for him and her sister filled her chest.
    â€œShe made arrangements for Bryan?” she asked.
    â€œYep.” Grandpa nodded and patted the papers he’d pulled out of the envelope. “She wrote out sort of a will, not that she had much money to leave to anyone. But she had her son. If worse came to worst, she wanted to be the one to name the person who’d raise her son. Be his guardian.”
    Paige’s breath lodged in her throat. Maybe Krissy had finally named the boy’s father and wanted him to care for his son. Take responsibility at long last.
    Grandpa shoved the papers toward Paige. “Krissy wanted you to raise him, child. Raise him like he was your own.”
    Paige’s mouth opened. Not a sound came out. She’d been named Bryan’s guardian ?
    Why in the world—
    She’d always assumed Grandpa would be there if anything—
    She couldn’t possibly—
    Looking to the other end of the table, she realized Jay and Bryan were as shocked as she was. Both of them struck dumb.
    As if the words Grandpa had spoken had finally registered, Bryan’s eyes widened. His face turned red. He leaped to his feet.
    â€œI don’t want her to be my guardian!” he screamed. “I want my mom!” Knocking over his chair, Bryan raced from the room and out the back door.
    Stunned, Paige sent up a heartfelt prayer. Please, Lord, what am I supposed to do now?

Chapter Two
    P aige pushed back her chair. “I’d better go after him.”
    â€œNo, I’ll go.” Jay stood, yanking Bryan’s chair upright again. His brows and mouth drew into a disapproving scowl. “You and Henry need to