The Texas Rancher's New Family. Allie Pleiter
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Название: The Texas Rancher's New Family
Автор: Allie Pleiter
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Вестерны
isbn: 9781474069731
isbn:
“That’s silly!” Sophie said as the pair of girls burst into laughter.
“He said nothing on his ranch would ever have that name,” Audie shared through giggles.
The sound of two girls’ laughter, even at the expense of her brother for his now-infamous worry over Audie’s naming choice, melted Tess’s heart. If joy had a sound, Tess thought it would be very much like those two right now. Did Bardo have friends to laugh with?
“What’s so funny over here?” came Cooper’s voice from behind them. “And who’s this big fella?”
Tess let Audie, who never tired of introducing Daisy and Russet to guests, do the honors. “He’s Russet,” her niece said, pointing to the young male bison.
“Audie named him,” Sophie offered. “And not Rainbow Sparkle.” More giggles.
Cooper raised one eyebrow and scratched his chin. “I’m guessing there’s a story there?” he said to Tess.
“I’ll fill you in later,” Tess replied.
“And this is Daisy.” Audie continued. “She’s the bison who kept going over to visit your ranch when the mean man owned it.”
“I’d heard a few of your bison took a shine to wandering about,” Cooper said to Audie with a teasing tone and a wide smile. The first smile Tess had seen on him tonight, as a matter of fact.
“The cat in the barn had kittens two weeks ago,” Audie said to Sophie. “Wanna go see if they’ll play with us?”
No little girl on the planet could say no to that request. Within seconds Sophie and Audie were racing off toward the barn, chatting and laughing as if they’d known each other for months instead of hours.
“She ratted you out, you know,” Tess said as they watched the pair amble off.
Cooper merely adjusted his hat on his head and made a grunting sound.
“According to her, ‘Daddy didn’t want to come.’ And we had a ‘different of opinion.’”
Cooper put one boot up on the corral fence. “Well, I was warned.”
“You were also invited. And they’re having a ball, Sophie and Audie.”
He looked at her. “I’m glad for that, really I am.”
He didn’t have to say that he wasn’t sure it was worth the full-out inquisition he was putting up with tonight to give Sophie that fun. His aggravation with the questioning was clear to everyone—except, maybe, Sophie and Audie.
Tess didn’t want this to be the last time Cooper Pine set foot on the Blue Thorn Ranch. There had to be a way to bridge the gap between her family and his. “Honestly, Cooper, I don’t get the secrecy. It’s only hurting you, making folks suspect the worst.”
She should have kept her mouth shut. Cooper’s face fell sharply. “I don’t owe you—any of you—more explanation than what I’ve said. No matter how nice you are to Sophie.”
Tess pushed off the corral fence where she’d been leaning. “I would not use Sophie to get to you, ever. I’m not that kind of person, and we’re not that kind of family. Sophie will always be welcome here no matter what kind of circus you decide to put on over there.”
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