The Texan's Bride Read Free Page A

throat.
    “I want a baby. I want to conceive, feel the life grow inside me and give birth to my son or daughter.”
    “Oh.” That pretty much obliterated every response from his mind.
    “Since Daddy died I’m all alone in the world. I have no relatives that I know of. I want someone to call my own…someone to love.”
    He heard the sadness in her voice and he felt himself weakening toward something he didn’t even understand. “If you’re talking about being artificially inseminated, as you pointed out, you don’t need my permission.”
    She slapped the folder in front of her, drawing his attention to the file. On it, he saw the words Jessie Hardin. He wasn’t aware she went by her married name.
    “Good grief, are you dense or what?” The first sign of emotion flashed across her pretty face. “Why would I need to go to a sperm bank? I have a husband.”
    The creases on his forehead became tighter. “You mean you’re asking me to donate…?”
    “No,” she interrupted him. “I want to have my husband’s child the old-fashioned way.”
    What! It took a moment for him to catch his breath.
    “You want us to make a baby?” he asked, motioning from her to him.
    “Yes. You asked what I wanted and that’s it.”
    His brow was so furrowed now he could barely think. “You do realize we’d have to have sex to accomplish that?”
    “Yes.”
    “Have you ever had sex?”
    Resentment flashed across her face. “Of course. I’m thirty years old.”
    “When, Jessie?” he probed. “When have you had sex? Your father had you guarded twenty-four hours a day even in college.”
    “There are ways to escape the guards,” she said with a lift of a dark eyebrow. “I’ve learned every trick in the book.”
    “Did Roscoe know?”
    “Of course not. The guards didn’t want to lose their jobs.”
    He placed his hands on his hips. “Who did you sleep with?” He had no idea why he was asking her this. It was none of his business, but for some unknown reason it seemed important.
    “I resent that question.” Like a shade being drawn to block the light, her eyes shut out any emotion other than anger. How he wished he could see beyond that veil of darkness.
    “I am your husband,” he reminded, just to needle her.
    She glanced at him. “Who I’ve slept with in the past is no concern of yours.”
    He nodded, conceding her that point.
    “We’re getting sidetracked,” she said. “Let’s get back to my request.”
    Cadde rubbed his jaw. “Frankly, Jessie, I’m surprised. You’ve never shown one sign of making this marriage legit in every way.”
    “Neither have you.” Her eyes held his like a trap held an animal.
    The thought made his tone sharper than usual. “It’s damn difficult to get close to an iceberg.”
    She bristled just as he knew she would. “And it’s even more difficult to attract a machine whose only focus is the oil business.”
    “Damn, Jessie, this is the longest conversation we’ve ever had.”
    She twisted the iced tea glass on her right. “I’d like an answer to my request.”
    The word request irritated him. “I’m not Roscoe and I don’t automatically grant your every wish.”
    “Fine,” she answered without pausing, “I’ll continue to block your proposals at Shilah.”
    “That’s not fair, Jessie.”
    “Whoever said life was fair?”
    He swiped his hand through his hair. “Honestly, Jessie, I’m not ready to be a father. I spend every waking minute I can trying to get Shilah back on its feet. Roscoe wasn’t feeling well his last year and made some bad decisions.”
    She stood in a quick movement. “My father never made a bad decision.”
    “Okay,” he replied to pacify her.
    “Don’t patronize me,” she snapped.
    He took a long breath, giving them both some time to cool off. “As I said, I’m not ready to be a father.”
    “You’re almost forty,” she shot back. “When will you be ready?”
    “When Shilah is making a steady profit.”
    “Oh, please,