His by Valentine's Day by Starla Kaye Read Free Book Online Page B

progress. "I'm fine. Just let me get dressed and we'll go--"
    "You are not going anywhere!" Cade commanded from the doorway. The hardness in his brown eyes and the firm set of his strong jaw told her he'd not only seen her action but also that he'd heard what Scott said. He nodded toward her second-in-command. "Terrell and I will handle the problem."
    Scott looked from Cade to Shawna and back to Cade. His entire body had gone stiff.
    Before he could say anything, Shawna attempted to regain control of her noodle-like legs. "I'm capable of--"
    Cade pinned her with a knowing look. "You're capable of what? Of taking two steps and falling flat on your face? Or maybe you'll manage to not wear yourself out, get dressed, storm out of the house intending to take control, and then collapse in front of your men?"
    To her horror, tears filled her eyes. She blinked them away, mortified that the men had seen them. Darn it all. Cade was right. She was of no help now. The realization only hurt her bruised ego more and made her lash out at Scott. "I asked you before, when did this happen?"
    He barely even flinched at the fury in her tone. "Yesterday."
    Yesterday? And he hadn't come to tell her until now? "What took you so long to come to me?"
    Scott's glance slid to Cade. "Boss man didn't want you disturbed. He's made that real clear lately. So Alan, the men and I have been dealing with the situation." He blew out a huff of frustration. "But I decided it was time you knew about the incident."
    "Damn straight." She slumped down on the side of the bed because it was either that or give in to her slowly collapsing legs.
    Cade's jaw had tightened even more, a vein pulsing in his neck. After a second he said through gritted teeth, "Why the hell hasn't someone told me about this before now?"
    Scott held himself rigid. "You've been all tied up taking care of Shawna. We've dealt with this before." He met Shawna's gaze and said calmly, "Alan has been dealing with the authorities since we found out."
    The answer only seemed to make Cade more upset, even if every word Scott had said was true. Cade had barely left her house since he'd arrived three days ago. He'd catered to her every need--whether she wanted him to or not. Sadly, she'd kind of liked being spoiled and taken care of. But she needed to put an end to that, and take some kind of control of her job again.
    "Scott is right." She held Cade's angry gaze. "This isn't a problem you've faced in some boardroom. This is ranch business. Bad business, yes. But we have dealt with this before."

    Cade stared at Shawna, bone deep angry. He was having a hell of a day. First the arguments with Shawna over her wanting to return to her job too soon, ending with a necessary spanking. Then the frustrating conversation with the potential buyer for the ranch. Followed by dealing with his guilt over costing all of these good people their livelihoods...their "home," as Shawna kept insisting. He'd felt like shit since talking to Arnold and realizing what he was about to do. And then he'd discovered Terrell had snuck past him to come see Shawna in spite of his orders to leave her alone. Now this disaster.
    "This is my business, dammit. You two need to remember that I own the ranch. You work here, but I own the place. What happens here matters to me." You matter to me. All of you matter to me. Thoughts which surprised him and that he didn't know how to deal with at the moment.
    He watched Terrell's eyebrows lift in surprise and noted a hint of respect flash in the tough cowboy's eyes. But it was Shawna's reaction that got to him.
    She'd grown pale, silent. Horribly silent before she whispered, "For now. You own the ranch for now. You care for now." Then she crawled back onto the bed and pulled the covers over her. "Fine. You two go take care of everything. It's clear I'm not needed."
    "Shawna," Terrell protested and glowered at Cade. "Of course you're needed. But you've been sick."
    She turned away from them, but not