Carrying the Rancher's Heir by Charlene Sands Read Free Book Online Page B

and covered it with hers, squeezing gently. “I won’t change my room. I’ll do up another one.”
    He glanced at her with those big brown eyes that she’d inherited and nodded. “Whatever makes my little girl happy.”
    Oh, if only that were true.
    â€œSo, where have you been off to every morning?”
    â€œI’ve been volunteering my time for a worthy charity.”
    Hawkins stared down at his bland broiled chicken, unable to work up any enthusiasm for the fare. He’d been eating fried chicken and mashed potatoes topped with sour cream and gravy until Callie had come home. She had to stifle a chuckle seeing him look like a little boy who didn’t want to eat his vegetables. He set his fork down and glared at her. “That charity have a name?”
    â€œPenny’s Song.” The entire community knew about Clayton Worth’s pet project. He’d started it on his own, but when the news got out, he’d received a good deal of support and a long volunteer list from the town.
    Her father frowned and narrowed his eyes at her. “You mean to tell me you’ve been going over to the Worths every day?”
    She wasn’t nearly as intimidated by him as he wanted her to be. She reminded herself that she was living here to make sure he didn’t dig himself into an early grave. She could move out anytime she wanted. She didn’t have to put up with hisruthless, conniving ways. But he was her father and she loved living on Big Hawk Ranch.
    â€œYes, that’s what I’m saying, Daddy.” She kept her voice calm. She wouldn’t argue the point. “I’m going to work with the children that come there. I hope to make a difference in their lives.”
    â€œThe Worths aren’t—”
    â€œIt’s not about the Worths. It’s about the children and what I want to do.”
    â€œYou’d rather go there and give away your services for free than work beside your own father?” He raised his voice with condemnation.
    â€œThat’s your point of view, Daddy. Not mine. I’m—”
    He slapped a hand down onto the table and it shook. “This ranch is your legacy, damn it.”
    Callie didn’t jump at his theatrics. She cut into her chicken and took a bite.
    He pushed away from the table, his face flushed with anger. “You can’t be going over there. I’m forbidding it. You know those Worths, they’d do anything to put me out of business. Been trying to for years.”
    â€œWhat I’m doing has nothing to do with the cattle business.” Callie took a steadying breath, determined to get through this meal without a fight. At least, on her part. Her father was chomping at the bit, ready to argue his way through their fruit salad dessert. “And you can’t forbid me to do anything anymore.”
    â€œCallie,” he warned in a tone that used to make Callie cringe. He rose from the table. “You know how I feel about those Worths.”
    She looked up at him. “I never understood that, Daddy. Yes, you’re competitors but you’re neighbors, too. And neither one of the ranches has been hurting. You’ve managed to keepBig Hawk Ranch on top. There’s room for everyone, isn’t there?”
    â€œWith thinking like that, you’d have us in the poorhouse before I turned around.”
    Callie tried a smile. “So maybe it’s best I don’t work for you.”
    Her father’s face flushed with even more color. “Callie, you’re trying my patience.”
    â€œDaddy, I don’t want to fight with you. Sit down. Eat your meal.”
    He glared at the food on his plate and wagged his finger. “You call that a meal? That’s horse feed.”
    Callie closed her eyes. Frustration mounted. She thought about the baby she carried—a Worth. She didn’t even want to think about her father’s reaction when he found out about his