AlmostHome by India Masters Read Free Book Online Page B

man
get close to her.
    “So, your pa’s doing time.”
    Haley sighed. “Hard time. Ten to fifteen for a knife fight
in a bar.”
    “Do you see him much? How long’s he been in?”
    “I used to, but I haven’t visited in a while. He’s been in
going on nine years now. Figured him being locked up was my ticket out from
under. I’ve supported him and Conner most of my life. Not no more.”
    “Good. That’s good.” Her silence and sudden fascination with
the view outside the passenger window spoke volumes about Haley’s frame of
mind. Had to figure she was dreading what was coming. Probably a little sick to
her stomach at the prospect of revealing too much to him. Fearful of what he
might think. Anxious about her brother’s behavior. If her brother was the type
of man Wyatt suspected, there were sure to be fireworks. He just hoped Haley
could stick to her guns. The ride continued, mostly in silence, until they got
closer and she gave him directions down miles of dusty Texas road.
    If the brother didn’t have much to recommend him, neither
did the place he called home. They passed under a rusting archway, a cattle
guard rattling beneath the tires. Wyatt could tell Haley was embarrassed by the
place because she refused to look at him when they pulled up next to a
ramshackle barn. He shut off the engine and hurried around to open the truck
door for her. Her mouth popped open in surprise at the gesture and that damn
near broke Wyatt’s heart. Had no one ever treated her like a lady? He offered
his hand and she looked at it for a minute before taking it.
    “I try to be a gentleman, Haley, and a gentleman always
helps a lady from a vehicle.”
    “A lady,” she whispered. “I swear.”
    He put his hands on her waist and swung her down from the
tall four-wheel drive, making her laugh. “I give you my word, I’ll never treat
you as anything but.” He could see she struggled with meeting his gaze, but did
it.
    “Thank you.”
    He was just about to lean in for tender kiss when he heard a
screen door slam. Shit.
    “Whoo-wee, that’s a fine-looking rig. Looks like you come up
in the world, Haley girl.”
    Wyatt clenched his teeth when she winced. For that alone, he
wanted to kick Conner Kilpatrick’s ass. There was a subtle meanness in the tone
of the brother’s voice that instantly put Wyatt’s back up. The urge to protect
Haley had his fists balling at his sides but he swallowed it down. She wouldn’t
appreciate him stepping in, no matter how badly the brother needed to learn some
respect. Instead of going with his first instinct, he let Haley step away and
turned to get his first look at Haley’s brother.
    He was a good-looking fellow, at least he figured women
would think so. Tall and rangy, he had the same golden-blond hair as Haley, the
same brown eyes, though Haley’s lacked the calculation Wyatt saw in the
brother’s. Clad only in a pair of worn jeans and flip-flops, he swaggered down
the drooping stairs and sauntered toward them. Wyatt immediately put an arm
around Haley’s shoulders and tucked her in close. Her spine straightened and
she nodded to her brother.
    “Conner. I come for the mares.”
    The younger man scratched his bare belly. “I kin see the
trailer.” He smiled then, one he probably took for charming but held all the
allure of a rattler ready to strike. “At least come inside for a glass of tea
and a word or two. Hell, I ain’t seen you for weeks. Been wondering where you
got to.”
    “A glass of tea would hit the spot,” Wyatt said, extending
his hand. “Wyatt Brody. I’m Haley’s neighbor.”
    The brother’s dark brown eyes narrowed calculatingly.
“Neighbors, huh? Didn’t know my big sis had set down roots.” His gaze settled
on Haley. “Where you living girl?”
    “Nowhere near here. How’re the mares?”
    “The damn mares are fine,” Conner said with a flash of
anger. “All you ever care about is your damn horses.” He took a deep breath,
then offered up an