Lone Star Heartbreaker by Anne Marie Novark Read Free Book Online Page B

cactus huddled in clumps. Large groups of cattle grazed on brownish-green Bermuda grass, while others rested beneath the shade of the mesquites.
    Al and al , a bucolic scene that tugged at something deep inside Caitlyn. A peaceful sense of contentment spread through her, the likes of which she hadn't felt since before her mother had died. She inhaled deeply, breathing in the fresh dry air redolent with nature's smel s.
    As Caitlyn rounded a bend in the road, the big ranch house appeared in the distance, stately against the backdrop of the Double Mountains. She had flown over the mountains countless times these past several weeks. There were actual y three mountains, but from the ground only two were visible from most angles. Even though she'd barely settled in at Lone Star Wings, she already loved the mountains. Whenever she felt lonely or the weight of her past threatened to push her down, Caitlyn had only to gaze at the Double Mountains and her demons shrank back into the nether regions of her brain.
    As the ranch house loomed before her, she was surprised to see four pickup trucks parked in and around the surrounding yard. One of the trucks belonged to Pete. Ruth hadn't mentioned there'd be other people here tonight. What had happened to girls' night?
    Caitlyn parked the scooter, unstrapped the bag of laundry from the seat and made her way to the front door. Thick white columns supported the big wrap-around porch where four white Shaker-style rockers sat facing the magnificent view of the Double Mountains. Before she had time to knock, Ruth was ushering her into the house.
    "Change of plans, dear," she said, taking hold of Caitlyn's elbow and urging her through the living room. "I know I said we'd have a girls' night, but when I saw Tyler this afternoon, I was bound and determined to get him out of that apartment and make him socialize a little bit. I hustled him out to my truck and brought him home with me."
    Ruth's eyes twinkled. "I kidnapped him, when al 's said and done. I hope you don't mind too badly. I made a big pot roast and invited the family over for a Sunday dinner. Come on in and meet everyone. Of course, not Tyler and Pete, because you already know them. I mean everyone else. Then I'l show you where the laundry room is."
    In a daze, Caitlyn fol owed her hostess through the comfortably furnished living room toward the back of the house. Ruth was a sweet old woman, but she did tend to talk a lot. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but it was sometimes difficult to fol ow the threads of her conversation.
    Loud voices sounded from the back of the house, and as they neared the kitchen, Caitlyn recognized Pete's voice, but none of the others. Male and female laughter made it sound like a party was going on. A baby's squeal and a young girl's voice added to the cacophony of the family get-together.
    "Here we are, dear." Ruth let go of Caitlyn's elbow after urging her into the middle of the kitchen and the center of attention. Nine pairs of eyes zeroed in on her, making Caitlyn feel like she was on exhibit.
    Ruth's kitchen was huge and old-fashioned, exactly how Caitlyn imagined a big old farm kitchen should look. Rectangular in shape, the wal s were knotty pine with built-in shelves at one end, lots of brown tiled counter space and custom-built cabinets, also of pine, at the other. The refrigerator looked brand new, but the gas stove had to be going on fifty or sixty years old--very retro.
    A large oak table dominated the room, with bench seats on both sides and ladder-backed chairs at the ends. Tyler sat at the foot of the table with his injured leg propped up on the edge of one of the benches. A young girl, who looked to be twelve or thirteen, sat on the bench next to Tyler's booted foot.
    The resemblance between Tyler, the girl and the three men--who had to be his brothers--was remarkable. The McCades were big and powerful men; their presence dominated the room. They had golden brownish hair, olive