The Texan's Twins. Jolene Navarro

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      No one knew she was foolish enough to elope and marry a man her father didn’t even like, except the man standing in front of her. A parolee.

      Reid in prison? She was going to lose her lunch.

      Strong fingers gripped her elbow. Blinking, she focused on her friend. He was safe. James stepped closer. “Do you need to sit down? Are you sick? What’s wrong?”

      He led her to the large wooden bench by the front door. Looking over the uniformed shoulder, she found Reid. At some point, he had moved closer to her and now stood at the bottom of the steps, hands in his pockets.

      His expression was as hard as the cold stone of the Texas Hill Country. This man wasn’t her Reid.

      Her Reid had always had a smile and a spark in his eyes for her. The gray-green of his irises struck her, but they looked flat and cold now. His black hair was cropped close to his skull. What had he done to end up in prison, and why hadn’t he told her?

      She rubbed her head. “It hurts.”

      “I’m going to get you some water and aspirin. Don’t move.” James disappeared through the front door.

      Reid was as still as a snake trying to hide in the tall grass. He just stood there and stared at her, his full lips in a small snarl. Acting like a rescue animal that didn’t trust anyone, even the ones trying to help. He had no right to be mad at her. She was the injured party here.

      “Are you dating him?” Each word tight and low.

      Anger jolted through her. Standing, she took a step forward, then stopped. “Six years without a word and...that’s not any of your business.”

      There was a slight shift in his expression, but then the I-couldn’t-care-less face was back in place. He shrugged. “Are we still married?”

      “What?” Lowering her head into her hands, she dropped back onto the bench. She just couldn’t process this. “I got one call from you, telling me our marriage was a mistake. That was it. No way to get ahold of you to make sure you were all right. You were just gone. I thought you had gone back to New Orleans.”

      Through a haze of confusion, she studied his face. His throat tightened, but there was no other change in his expression. “You show up at my door, asking me if we’re still married. You can’t be real.”

      She’d thought a new parolee had been an answer to a prayer. Was this some horrible joke?

      Reid looked down the drive that had brought him here. “Baby, as soon as he comes back, I’ll tell him I can’t do it. He can take me back to the ranch.”

      “Which ranch?” Sweat slipped down her spine, causing her to shiver. His voice made her want to cry for everything he had taken from her. Baby. She used to love the way he called her baby with that accent.

      That voice carried her back to the days she loved just sitting and listening to him talk. He had been twelve when Katrina sent his family to Houston. The rhythm and sounds of New Orleans still rolled off each syllable. She shook her head. It didn’t change what he did. “Reid, I don’t understand. Why are you here?”

      “I took a job at Hausman Ranch. I’m a wrangler.” The door opened, and Reid retreated. She needed to talk to him, to find out where he’d been. Why had he left her? Prison. Why had Reid been in prison? Questions bombarded her brain faster than she could process them.

      Her nails cut into her palm. If she didn’t know yesterday, she didn’t need to know today. He was her past and needed to stay that way.

      James sat next to her. “Here, take this.”

      She took the painkiller he offered and the mason jar of ice water. Long slow drinks of the cool water soothed her burning throat. She needed time. Her brain was overloaded. “Thank you.” She cupped the large-mouth jar in both hands and studied the ice before risking a glance in Reid’s direction.

      He stood with his hands braced on the top of the car, head down. “Officer Bolton, can you take me back? She doesn’t want a convict working at her place.”

      James shook his head. “I bring her parolees all the time.” With narrowed eyes, James faced her again. “Plus, she needs someone with your skills. Danica, are you sure you’re okay? Do you want me to call Jackie or your dad?”

      “No!” Taking a deep breath, she willed her blood pressure to slow down. “I’m fine. I’ve been sitting all day working on the paperwork for the application. I didn’t eat lunch. I must have gotten up too fast. Just dizzy.”

      James didn’t look like he believed her. With one hand on her shoulder, he leaned closer. “Are you sure? You need to take better care of yourself.”

      She managed a smile. “Yes, I’m sure.”

      Reid turned. Leaving his profile for her to study. There was a harder edge to his jaw than she remembered. A scar that hadn’t been there before cut next to his ear. Her stupid heart missed a beat. No, no, no.

      With his back now leaning on the patrol car, he stared out across the five-hundred-acre sanctuary. He crossed his arms, causing his shirt to pull tight over his broad shoulders. He’d filled out, gotten stronger. He’s been in prison.

      “Reid was a pre-vet student from your old stomping ground over at A&M. In prison, there was a rodeo program, and he worked with large animals. He was able to finish an associate’s degree in animal husbandry. You need him to get the funding, right?” James turned to Reid. “She’s in a rough place, and the sanctuary needs the global certification to qualify for a grant that will give her the funds needed to keep the place running.”

      His gaze found her. “So, you’re the veterinarian?” A line formed between Reid’s eyes as he spoke.

      “I didn’t finish college. I had to come home my junior year.” Let him think about that.

      James kept talking as he stood. “No, she’s not the vet. Dr. Ortiz out of Uvalde serves as the vet. I sit on the Hill Country Wildlife Rescue Board. When I got your paperwork, it was a true gift from God. Thought I’d surprise her and get to play the hero. You know, save the day, keep the sanctuary open and all that.” He laughed. “Actually get a date.”

      “James.” She was not in the mood to deal with his jokes.

      Reid’s head jerked around, his sharp gaze penetrating. “Without my help, you might have to shut down?”

      She hated to admit it, but yes. She needed Reid McAllister. Well, the animals needed him. She didn’t want anything to do with him. With a nod, she got to her feet. “Yes.” She had to wonder at God’s timing.

      Bobby, the groundskeeper, came from behind the building. Even though he was pushing seventy, his tall frame moved with well-earned confidence. He outworked any of the younger guys she had on the property. The sun weathered his face, digging deep creases into his skin. With his steel gray mustache, Danica liked to think of him as her own Sam Elliott.

      The officer greeted him and shook his hand. “Reid, this is Robert Campbell. He lives here on the grounds and takes care of everything. Reid here has a degree in animal husbandry.”

      Bobby stepped forward and offered his hand. СКАЧАТЬ