The Bull Rider's Baby Bombshell. Amanda Renee

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СКАЧАТЬ continued to read the contract. But she had. Wes Slade was the donor and the father of Jade’s biological children. Her sister had fertilized Jade’s eggs with the man she despised more than anyone.

      * * *

      A FEW HOURS LATER, Jade stood in front of the check-in clerk at the Silver Bells Ranch lodge. The woman whispered into the phone. “One of Wes’s fans is here to see him.”

      “Excuse me. I am no fan of his.”

      The clerk cupped the mouthpiece and whispered, “She may be an ex-girlfriend.”

      “Are you kidding me?” Jade reached over the counter and snatched the phone. “This is Jade Scott. I need to speak to Wes concerning my sister, Liv. It’s...um...an emergency of sorts.”

      Still reeling from her discovery, Jade needed absolute confirmation Wes was the triplets’ father. She prayed he had backed out or that Liv had changed her mind at the last second. Anything...just not this.

      “Oh hey, Jade. It’s Garrett, Wes’s brother. It’s been what, ten years or more? I saw your sister and the triplets last week. They sure are beautiful. Reminded me of my two when they were born.”

      You have no idea. Jade swallowed hard. “I’m staying with the kids for a few days while Liv is—is away on business. She’s unreachable today and I have a problem at the house. Since she and Wes are friends, I’m thinking he might have some ideas.” At least Jade assumed they were friends. Who would ask a casual acquaintance to father their children?

      “He’s out with our guests on a trail ride. He should be back soon. You’re welcome to wait or maybe I can help you.”

      “Uh, um. No. I appreciate the offer, but I need Wes. I don’t mind waiting.” Yeah, she did. The longer she waited, the more questions churned in her brain. “Where’s the best place I can catch him?”

      “The stables.” Garrett paused. “Do you have the girls with you? I’m sure my daughter would love to me—”

      “They’re with the sitter.” The last thing Jade needed was to introduce the triplets to their cousin.

      The entire time Liv had been pregnant, Jade kept her part in the process tucked neatly away in the dark recesses of her brain. Surprisingly, Liv had carried to almost thirty-seven weeks. The day of her sister’s scheduled cesarean, Jade had been by her side in the operating room, cheering her on. But the moment Jade had held those tiny bundles of perfection and stared into their blue eyes, reality hit. She was the biological mother of three little girls and she had wrestled with it during the rest of her stay in town. They were Liv’s children. Not hers. It wasn’t until she was on a plane flying back to LA three weeks later that she finally breathed easier. Once she had returned to her normal routine, any lingering thoughts of being their mother faded and she gladly slipped into the role of auntie.

      Until today.

      She needed to find Liv...fast.

      * * *

      GARRETT TOOK THE reins as Wes dismounted. “Thanks for helping out.”

      “No problem.” Wes didn’t mind filling in for other employees while he was visiting the ranch, considering they had covered for him plenty during his last few months of employment on Silver Bells. It had been an unbearable period in his life and he’d wanted nothing more than to get away from Saddle Ridge. And he had. He’d moved to Texas and escaped the drama he once called home.

      “Oh, I almost forgot.” Garrett snapped his fingers. “You have a visitor. Do you remember Jade Scott?”

      Wes damn near tripped at the mention of her name. Even though he couldn’t think of one person he despised more than Jade, it was her sister he didn’t want to think about.

      “What is she doing here?”

      “I guess she’s babysitting the triplets while her sister’s away on business. She has some emergency at Liv’s house. I offered to help, but she insisted on talking to you.”

      “Keep your distance from the Scotts.” Wes swallowed hard. This was exactly why he hadn’t wanted to come home for his brother Dylan’s wedding and his niece and nephew’s christenings. “They can call someone else. I have no business with Liv or Jade.”

      “What’s with the attitude?” Garrett asked. “I thought you and Liv were good friends. Besides, it’s too late. Jade’s about ten steps behind you.”

      Wes turned to see her weaving through the ranch guests walking back to the lodge. His stomach somersaulted at the sight of her and he wasn’t sure if it was because of their past or how much she had transformed since high school. The mean girl who had once made his life miserable had gone from a rough, chip-on-her-shoulder teen to a California knockout.

      Sleek, rich mahogany waves replaced the frizzy curls she used to have. But that body and those curves...good Lord Almighty! Her black polka-dot chiffon blouse revealed just enough of her ample cleavage to make any man look twice, and her tailored black pants hugged her hips in perfection. She exuded an edginess combined with old Hollywood glamour and if she had been any other woman on the planet, he would have moved in for the kill. Their past made her off-limits and his connection to her sister sealed that deal.

      “Wes.” Deep blue eyes held his gaze before traveling the length of him and back.

      Transfixed upon her matte ruby-red lips, it took every ounce of strength he had left to respond. “Jade.”

      “Hey, kids. A conversation requires more than that.” Garrett laughed. “Try hello, how are you.” He nudged his brother in Jade’s direction before walking away.

      “What do you want?” Wes hadn’t meant his tone to be as harsh as it sounded.

      “It’s about Liv. Is there someplace private we can talk?”

      Wes stiffened. “I have work to do.” He turned to tend to his horse, but it wasn’t there. Silently, he cursed his brother.

      “I thought you were on vacation from your job in Texas.”

      He reeled to face her. “Who told you that?”

      “The rodeo school where you work.” She stepped toward him and wobbled in her ranch-inappropriate four-inch heels. He reached for her arm to steady her and instantly regretted the contact. “I looked you up online. I need your help.”

      Wes released her and rubbed his palm, wanting to erase all traces of her from his body. “On second thought, I don’t care what your reasons are. I’m asking you as politely as possible to leave.”

      “Wes, please.” A half-foot shorter, even in those ridiculous heels, she stared up at him.

      “What could you possibly need my help with?”

      “Tell me I can trust you first.”

      “No. You can’t trust me, so let’s end this now. Goodbye, Jade.” The intoxicating scent of her perfume wasn’t enough to entice him to hear more.

      “I know.”

      It wasn’t so much the words, but the firm way she said them that СКАЧАТЬ