Family Ties (Hidden Secrets) by P. J. Belden Read Free Book Online Page A

proudly.
    We shook hands on the deal.  I didn’t mention about my brother drawing up a contract; somehow I knew he wouldn’t do it if I did.  The waiter came over then and took our orders.  We talked about everything we could think of.  I was amazed with how much we had in common.  What was really intriguing was learning that the ranch has been his family for a long time.  He has worked on the ranch since he was old enough to walk.  His story was amazing.  This was one of the reasons I wanted to own a ranch. It was a legacy, something to hand down to my children.
    If I ever had any that is.
    The thought made me frown.
    “ What’s the long face for?”
    My head shot up and I gave him a questioning look.
    “You frowned suddenly there.  What were you thinking about?”
    “ Oh, nothing.  So if this is a busy time of the year for you, why did you come here?”
    He looked at me for a minute, his eyes burning into mine.  Tobey hasn’t said anything for a while, it was making me uncomfortable.  Men never made me feel uncomfortable.  I was confident when it came to men, but this man… He had me on edge.
    “ I wanted to meet you, of course.  I’ve heard a lot about you and of course your music is great.” He shrugs.
    Something told me there was more to that story than that, but I left it alone.
    “What was it like growing up with your family?”
    “ Just what you would think it would be like; crazy, irritating, and fun.  I love my siblings and would do anything in the world for them.  My brother and his fiancée are expecting their first soon.  I’m excited to be an aunt.” I said with a little clap of my hands.
    Tobey laughed softly.  “Okay best memory?”
    “Hmm, now that is a tough one.” I really had to think about this one. “Oh, I know, I was performing at a center near here.  Whenever I’m close, my family will come and see my shows.  This show was not long ago and my brother Carson performed a special song he wrote just for his fiancée and then proposed.  It’s my best memory in my life.” I sighed just thinking about his proposal.
    “ Your brother’s proposal was your best memory? You don’t have one that affects you?”
    “ How do you figure it didn’t affect me?  She is going to be my sister-in-law.  My brother is beyond happy and the proposal was romantic and inspiring.  Just because it didn’t directly involve me doesn’t mean it didn’t affect me.”
    It was his proposal to Colleen that had me rethinking things in my life.  Made me start questioning what happiness was and what I really wanted out of life.  Not that my life was horrible, but it was lonely.  I could have whatever guy I wanted and for a while there I did, but the thing is all the things my brother and sister talked about never happened.There weren’t sparks, or irresistible pulls…nothing.  That was what I wanted.
    Looking at Tobey, a feeling fluttered in my stomach.  It was an alien feeling and I had no idea what it was, but something told me that Tobey was different.  Different how? That I wasn’t sure of just yet, but I would soon figure it out.  I hope because it was driving me crazy.
    “ I’m sorry Mary.  It wasn’t my intentions to offend you.  It’s just shocking that your best memory isn’t even about you.  Do you have any that are about you?”
    “ No, I guess not,” I shrug.
    “ Your career isn’t one of your best memories?”
    “ No, I mean don’t get me wrong, I love doing what I do.  It’s not that at all.  I guess it has created more bad things than good things.” I said, unable to meet his eyes.
    After a moment of silence, he clears his throat. “My funniest memory is also one of my best memories.  My buddy was helping me on my ranch.  We were younger about sixteen or so, when some girls from school stopped by to pick up some stuff for their families. My buddy decided he was going to try and show off.  He wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing and