Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Paige Cameron Read Free Book Online Page A

she did, he took long strides along her walkway and climbed into the car. She watched until his taillights went out of sight. A slight chill ran along her spine at the realization she was alone.
    Silly, he checked everything . She walked into her bedroom and began to undress. After slipping on her nightgown, she crawled into bed and lay alert to all the noises outside her window. A car horn honked in the far distance. Wind ruffled the limbs of the tall oak right outside her room. She’d never felt so alone. She waited for the phone call.
    When she blinked her eyes and saw ten o’clock and the sun shining, she couldn’t believe she’d slept so sound. Of course, she hadn’t gotten home until after two. With two emergencies in one night and all the emotion flowing between her and Drake, she’d been exhausted. She glanced at her phone. No phone calls, either. Maybe her tormenter had given up and was pestering someone else. Not that she’d wish him on another person.
    She took a shower to get more fully awake, and then brewed a cup of coffee. She’d just taken her first sip when the phone rang.
    “Janice, Drake here.”
    “Hi. How is the house after the fire? Are you going to be able to rebuild, or have to raze it?”
    “I’m going to be meeting with a man I know about rebuilding the portion that burned. He has his own company, and I trust him. Sorry to say, but I’m going to be busy all day. The police and fire marshal have both checked the house, and later tonight, I have to fly to Washington . I’ll be in touch. Wish I had time to see you. Stay safe, love.”
    “Don’t worry about me. You’re the one who has had terrible luck. They say it comes in threes, so you should be all right after this.”
    “Still, watch yourself. I should be back by Wednesday or Thursday. I’m thinking we might fly to Jackson ’s for a visit. What do you think?”
    “I’d love it. I haven’t seen Samantha in months.”
    “Good. Plan on taking a few extra days, plus the weekend. I have several things I want to show you.”
    “How deliciously mysterious. Have a good trip.”
    He laughed. “I love your quirky humor. It’s much needed today.”
    She hung the receiver back in place and put her coffee in the microwave for a warm-up. Well, she had the whole day to rest. She’d always enjoyed having a quiet day to catch up on reading, gardening, and various chores around the house. But today unease had settled on her like a heavy cloak she couldn’t remove.
     
    * * * *

    Janice put her purse in the desk drawer and sank into her comfortable office chair. She’d come in early. Yesterday seemed to go on forever, but she’d slept well last night and hadn’t received any more calls.
    Several files had been placed on her desk. She started to open the first one when she realized a newspaper was underneath the files. It was unusual for her to get a paper. The delivery boy must have left it on her desk by mistake.
    She opened the folded paper and the front page picture jumped out at her. Drake’s house burned in the background. Drake held her in his arms. Thank goodness the only thing showing was the top of her head. She recalled him moving her around. She’d thought he’d been protecting her from being exposed to the firemen and policemen. But he must have seen the reporter. The caption read, Who is the mystery woman with billionaire Drake Terrell? He protected her identity from the bystanders and hustled her off in his private limo.
    Thank goodness they hadn’t identified her. She definitely didn’t want the notoriety. After giving the picture a last glance, she noted a small sticky note to the right of the article. Shaky, faint lines of words had her squinting to read the message.

    “Do you like having your picture in the news? Too bad they didn’t show your whoring face.”

    Janice dropped the picture and looked around her room. He’d been in her office. She buzzed her secretary. “Come in, please.”
    Her secretary, an