Heart Of A Texan. Charlene Sands

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СКАЧАТЬ a detective?”

      Jared’s lips quirked up. “Nothing that drastic. You have a wife. And she’s a nurse. And if she happened to see Bella Reid’s medical chart...”

      “I can’t ask Lauren to do that.”

      “You don’t have to. I will. She owes me a favor.”

      * * *

      “Paul, what am I going to do?” Bella mumbled under her breath, staring at the phone in her hand. She’d just hung up with the Beaumont Club. They’d needed a chef and she’d been a day late and a dollar short. They’d just called to inform her the job she hadn’t even had a chance to interview for had been filled.

      Whenever she needed guidance, she’d talk to her husband. If anyone heard her, they would understand. She was a widow with a beautiful child to raise, a woman whose heart was broken the day that helicopter crashed, and she liked to think that Paul was listening to her. That he would somehow see how hard she was trying.

      Her dream of working as a chef in some capacity was slowly fading.

      Yesterday she’d seen an ad online for a dental receptionist. Maybe she should apply for that. The salary wouldn’t buy her a house, or rent her an apartment, but it would allow her some financial independence.

      Her shoulders sagging, she walked in to check on Sienna. Her baby was napping peacefully, her little olive-skinned cheeks rosy at the moment. Bella was ready to slide in next to her child on the tiny bed and try to catch a nap.

      If only.

      She was still debating that, watching Sienna’s chest rise and fall rhythmically, when someone buzzed from the lobby. She pushed the button before it buzzed twice. “Yes?”

      “It’s Cooper Stone. I’d like to speak to Bella Reid.”

      “This is Bella.”

      “May I come up to see you?”

      Bella leaned her shoulder against the door. “What is it? Is everything all right with your brother?”

      “That’s what I want to speak to you about. I promise it’ll only take a minute.”

      Her curiosity more than anything had her beeping him in. “Come up.”

      “Thanks,” he said.

      And just a few minutes later she was showing Cooper Stone to the sofa in Amy’s living room.

      “Hi,” he said, taking off his black cowboy hat as soon as he sat down. Bella sort of loved that about Texans. They wore hats like other people wore shoes. And only took them off when absolutely necessary.

      “Hello, Cooper.” She sat, too. “I have to admit I’m a little bit shocked that you’re here. How did you find me?”

      “Don’t be frightened,” Cooper said sincerely. “It’s nothing bad. It’s just that my brother—”

      “What about Jared?” She had a vested interest in his well-being and was anxious to hear about his recovery. It was sort of strange how she’d bonded with the person whose life she’d saved. She’d only been with him a few short hours, yet images of that night popped in and out of her mind at all times of the day and night. Thoughts of his health nagged at her.

      “He’s doing as well as can be expected,” his brother said. “He’s young and strong and he’ll heal eventually.”

      “I see. That’s good news. So then why are you here?”

      “It’s just that—” Cooper scrubbed a hand over his jaw “—he can’t seem to get you off his mind. He wasn’t all too coherent that first night and he can barely remember you at the hospital and...well...I think he needs to see you and thank you personally. It’s important to him.”

      “I, uh, understand, but that’s not really necessary.”

      “It is to him,” Cooper said, his face somber. “Believe me, if it wasn’t I wouldn’t be here right now.”

      “You still haven’t told me how you found me.”

      Cooper’s mouth twisted and he let out a deep sigh, making it obvious he didn’t want to divulge the information. “My wife...is a nurse.”

      He didn’t have to say more. Though she was surprised that her personal contact information had been breached, she wasn’t angry. She should be, but she just plain wasn’t. Cooper wasn’t there for nefarious reasons. He was there on behalf of his brother, who could’ve died a few days ago.

      “Lauren, my wife, is a good woman,” he began, “and she loves Jared, too. It took a lot of arm-twisting, if that makes you feel any better. I hope you’ll consider coming to the ranch to see my brother. I can drive you myself or I can send a car for you.”

      Suddenly, Sienna ambled into the room, her soft black hair mussed. She clutched her stuffed bunny rabbit in one hand and rubbed her eyes with the other. “Hi, baby girl. Did you have a nice nap?”

      Her child eyed the stranger cautiously, making a wide berth around him to get to her mommy. Bella knew the look; her daughter was wary and shy of strangers. She considered that a good thing and picked her up. Immediately, Sienna buried her face in her chest. “Sorry, she’s a bit shy.”

      “She’s adorable,” Cooper said, a twinkle in his eye. “My wife, Lauren, is pregnant. Our baby is due in early spring.”

      Lauren, the wife who’d rifled through her personal files. “Congratulations. It’s exciting. Is this your first?”

      He nodded. “Yep, it’s our first. How about you? Do you have any other children?”

      “No, my husband died last year. It’s just the two of us.”

      “I’m sorry to hear that. Must be hard being a single mother.”

      “It is. But I have great friends who help out. Amy, the woman who was with me the night of the accident, is letting us stay here until I can find employment. She’s been wonderful.”

      “So this isn’t your home?”

      “It’s where we live, for the time being.”

      His head slanting to the right, he studied her as if puzzling something out. “What kind of work do you do?”

      I’m the disowned heiress of Forte Foods. “I’m a cook. Well, a chef really, but right now, I’d sling hash in the local diner if it would pay my bills.” She smiled to wipe away Cooper’s concerned expression and furrowed brow. That’s all she’d say on the subject.

      “Mommy, I hungry.” The tiny voice echoed against her chest.

      “Okay, sweetie. I’ll make you something to eat.”

      Cooper rose from his seat and grabbed his hat.

      She stood and gestured to Sienna. “So now you see why I can’t just pick up and come to your ranch today?”

      “I СКАЧАТЬ