brides for brothers 03 - cowboy groom by judy christenberry Read Free Book Online

her up the wide steps. Punching the doorbell, he leaned against the gray stone wall, staring down at her.
    “What are you looking at?”
    “All that bright red hair. You’re kind of like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, aren’t you?”
    His reply took her by surprise, and the temper he always teased her about flared. “How dare you? My hair—”
    The door swung open, and a uniformed maid stared at them. Then she recognized Brett. “Mr. Randall! Come in. Miss Sanders is expecting you.”
    Brett smiled at the maid before turning back to Anna. “After you, Miss O’Brien.” He winked at her.
    Anna suspected he’d teased her on purpose, to distract her from the nerves building in her stomach. It bothered her that her weakness was so evident to him. Raising her chin, she preceded him into the mansion.
    The house on the Randall ranch was huge, but it was a home, warm and welcoming. Anna realized the decor of the Sanders mansion was elegant, but it left her feeling cold and distant. She couldn’t help but wonder whether Brett noticed the difference between the two houses.
    The maid was leading them into a sitting room when a tall man came down the stairs. “Brett! Good to see you again, son.”
    “Hello, Donald. How are you?” Brett said, extending a hand. After they greeted each other, Brett reached back to bring Anna forward. “Anna, let me introduce Senator Sanders, Sylvia’s father. Donald, this is Anna O’Brien.”
    “How do you do, Miss O’Brien,” the senator said, but there was the hint of a question in his greeting.
    Anna nodded, but said nothing.
    “Anna’s a midwife, and she’s going to deliver Janie’s twins,” Brett added.
    “I see.”
    Anna felt uncomfortable. It was obvious Senator Sanders still didn’t understand why she was there with Brett. She wasn’t going to explain. In fact, she wasn’t sure why she was there.
    “Is Sylvia ready?” Brett asked.
    “You know my little girl,” the senator said, smiling at Brett. “She’s prompt to a fault. I wouldn’t stand for any tardiness while she was growing up.”
    “Yes, sir, and I appreciate that,” Brett assured him with a grin.
    Anna wanted to point out that the lady who was prompt to a fault still hadn’t put in an appearance. But she knew better.
    “Come on in and have a drink. I’ve got a smooth bourbon that you’ll enjoy.” Senator Sanders led the way into the sitting room.
    Anna again held her tongue. With a father who had been an alcoholic, she abhorred drinking of any kind. But at least Brett wouldn’t be driving.
    “No thanks, Donald. I’m still full from lunch.” Brett looked at Anna. “How about you, Anna?”
    “No, thank you.”
    “Well, I hate to drink alone, but you forced me into it,” their host said jovially, crossing the room to a small bar built into a cabinet.
    He invited them to sit down, and they chatted for several minutes. At least, Brett and the senator did. Anna kept quiet and counted the minutes until she could escape the stuffy atmosphere. And if Brett Randall ever asked her to accompany him again, she knew what her answer would be.
    “Lover, I’m so sorry,” Sylvia trilled as she rushed through the door. “I had to take a phone call, but I’m packed and ready now.”
    “Good. We need to get started,” Brett said, rising. “You remember Anna from the restaurant, don’t you, Sylvia?”
    Anna wasn’t sure if Sylvia was genuinely shocked by her presence or wanted Brett to think she was. It didn’t much matter. The real shock would come when Sylvia saw the car. Anna tried to hide her grin. The thought shouldn’t give her so much satisfaction, but it did.
    “Anna? Oh, yes, the midwife. Are we dropping you somewhere, dear?”
    “No, I’m returning to the ranch with you.”
    Whatever niceness Sylvia had been exhibiting disappeared, replaced by a coldness that chilled the room. “Oh?” She turned to Brett. “I don’t understand.”
    And she doesn’t sound like she wants to, either.