Roughneck Cowboy Read Free Page A

outside. There was no doubt in Travis’s mind that the man was Dominick Cartwright. He stood tall and straight with dark hair and a white mustache. “Matt? What’s going on out there?” He headed toward the group.
    â€œDuke and I will take care of it, Dad!” the cowboy shouted.
    Travis’s mother hadn’t mentioned a third child in herdiary entries, so he had no idea who Duke was, but the cowboy must be Matt—his mother had mentioned an older brother by that name. As his father drew closer, Travis suddenly wanted to run. To pretend he’d never learned of his mother’s secret. To reject the idea that he was part of a family he hadn’t known existed most of his life.
    Charlie hopped out of the truck and joined Travis, sliding her hand into his. He squeezed his daughter’s fingers embarrassed by the need for her support.
    Despite the fact that there must be more than thirty years difference in their ages, the old man’s chiseled face was a dead ringer for the one that met Travis in the mirror each morning. They shared the same nose, high cheekbones and thick, black eyebrows. If there was any doubt, the pronounced Adam’s apple sealed the deal.
    â€œDominick Cartwright?” Travis said, cursing the break in his voice.
    The old man stiffened. “Who are you?”
    Disappointment stabbed Travis, but he squelched the feeling. Now was not the time to feel. “Travis Cartwright. According to my mother, Charlotte Keegan- Cartwright, I’m your son.”
    Dominick stumbled back and the other men steadied him. Masculine hands covered in a network of thick veins clenched into fists. He opened his mouth, then shut it so tightly his lips vanished beneath the mustache as he stared at Travis.
    Unfazed by the tension between the adults, Charlie asked, “Are you my grandpa?”
    Before Dominick had a chance to answer, Duke said, “Help Dad inside, Matt.”
    Travis’s brother took Dominick’s arm and led himaway. Once the two were out of earshot, Duke said, “You better be for real or you’ll have a lot to answer for.”
    Travis nodded toward the house, where a group of women and children had gathered on the front porch. “I don’t want to intrude. Charlie and I will return in a couple of days.”
    â€œNo one drops a bomb like you just did and walks away. C’mon.”
    He was grateful Charlie hadn’t released his hand as they followed Duke. If he wasn’t so agitated, he’d laugh at himself—the big, bad roughneck afraid of a few rich people.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Duke?” one of the women asked when they neared the porch steps.
    â€œWe’ll talk inside.”
    The crowd filed into the house, then Duke motioned Travis and Charlie ahead of him. They joined the others in the crowded foyer. Dominick stood to the side, staring into space.
    After a tense silence, Charlie blurted, “How come no one’s talking?”
    A pregnant woman with blond hair smiled. “I’m Renée.” She set her hand on the shoulder of a young boy. “This is my son, Timmy.” The woman motioned across the foyer. “You’ve met my husband, Duke.”
    A tall woman with long black hair and a quizzical expression stepped forward. “I’m Samantha.”
    My sister . Travis and Samantha shared the same dark eyebrows, olive skin and jet-black hair. Unlike his brother, Matt, whose blue eyes, brown hair and paler complexion favored their mother.
    Samantha slipped her arm through the man’s nextto her and hugged a little boy close. Both males wore identical eyeglasses. “My husband, Wade, and our son, Luke.”
    â€œI’m Amy, Matt’s wife.” A petite woman with curly hair motioned to two little girls. “Our daughters, Rose and Lily.” The girls giggled and hid behind their mother’s legs.
    â€œI’m Charlie.”
    â€œThat’s a weird name for a