Only You Read Free

“I know the ethics are a little wonky with my idea, but I want a family of my own. I’m tired of being screwed around by other people, and I need to take matters into my own hands. I need to prove I have some control over my life.”
    “You’re going to be a wonderful mother, Maggie.” Sammie laid her head on Maggie’s shoulder.
    Claire’s expression softened. “Sammie’s right. You are. You’re going to be the fun mom on the block. And I’m going to be the honorary aunt who takes my niece to New York once a year.”
    “I’ve got dibs on spending Christmas together,” Sammie added. “Where do you think you’ll live?”
    “I haven’t a clue. Close to you two, I hope. It’s not like the Kennedys give two hoots where I settle.”
    Claire stood. “I guess we’ll figure out that part when we get to it, seeing as I’m stuck here for another six months. Ethan and his damned complicated contracts. I still haven’t a clue what he thinks he’s doing, but when I finally see him, I plan to find out.”
    Maggie had an idea what Ethan was up to, at least about stashing Claire away on his ranch, and she was pretty sure it had nothing to do with organizing whatever there was to organize around here. She suspected Ethan had plans for Claire, and she fervently hoped she’d be around when Mr. Cooper discovered Claire preferred to make her own plans. Sparks were likely to fly.
    Maggie slid forward. “I need a shower and to unpack. As soon as I’m mobile, I’ll visit JD and assure him I won’t be staying long. Especially if I can jump his bones right away.” She wiggled her eyebrows as a shiver worked its way through her.
    With his broad shoulders and heavily muscled arms, JD was the perfect male specimen, no argument there. But she had to admit it was sad that he lived in his brother’s house while his own sat empty. Deep waters indeed. Good thing all she was looking for was a couple of long, sultry nights of hot sex. She imagined she and JD Cooper could manage that and hopefully have fun. Then she’d be on her way, and JD would never know what hit him. 

JD eased his truck as close to the horse barn as he could and lowered the window. If he got out of the truck, Ethan’s head cattleman, Dave Winters, would want to talk for half the evening about the pink Porsche parked in front of the house. He whistled, and a few horses neighed in reply, and Dave came out of the shadowy interior of the barn.
    “That’s some car.” Dave tipped his cowboy hat to the back of his head.
    “Claire’s friend. I’m moving up to my house. I’ll be back in an hour. You can get me on my cell if you need anything.” He started to power the window up, but Dave clamped his hand on the edge to stop him.
    “You okay?”
    JD shoved his sunglasses up on his forehead and pinched the bridge of his nose. He hated when people talked to him with that mix of concern and pity in their voice. But he endured it because not very long ago, it had been a legitimate question. He slid his glasses back into place. “I’m okay. I should have moved months ago.”
    “You need help with anything, you call.”
    JD nodded. “You putting the new mare through her paces this afternoon?”
    “Some. She’s a big one, but she’s well behaved. It’ll be hard to find a buyer for her, though. She’s too big.”
     “I know it. We’ll find someone to fit.” He thought of Maggie with her long legs and wide smile and wondered if she rode. Horses. Aw, hell. A few minutes around the woman, and she’d already burrowed under his skin. He shoved the truck in reverse and started edging backward. “If you don’t have time, leave her. I’ll take her out later.”
    He knew he’d been foolish to buy those damned horses. But he couldn’t seem to stop himself. Just because they were flawed in some way didn’t mean there wasn’t a place for them somewhere. He cursed under his breath. Ethan was right. He had to give up and move on. He wasn’t a rancher, for