Only You by Kate Kelly Read Free Book Online Page A

her hand on Claire’s arm. “I don’t think he hates you, Claire.”
    “No? Then why hasn’t he come to the ranch to see me? He has his own plane, for heaven’s sake.”
    Maggie’s heart clenched when she saw tears in her friend’s eyes. She could remember only twice seeing Claire cry in all the years she’d known her. She threw her arms around Claire’s thin shoulders and rocked her back and forth. “I’m so sorry he’s acting like a pinhead. For what it’s worth, I think he cares about you.”
    Claire snorted and pulled away. “Sure, and kicking me out of his life is the perfect way to express how he feels.” She swiped at the tears that continued to roll down her face. “I slept with him, you know.”
    Maggie staged a theatrical gasp. “You broke the cardinal rule of never sleeping with the boss? Claire Montgomery, I’m shocked.” Claire was always the one to not only follow the rules, but to make a few up as well. She could be a real stickler sometimes. Her saving grace was her ability to laugh at herself, and her compassion for other people’s shortcomings. Ethan had obviously pushed her beyond her limits on both counts.
    “How was it?” Maggie couldn’t resist asking. Claire didn’t usually put up with too much BS from anyone. She wanted to know what it was about Ethan that had captured Claire’s heart.
    A dreamy smile drifted over Claire’s face. “Unbelievable.”
    And there was the answer to her question. Apparently, the Cooper boys were both talented. “Good enough to put up with his crap?”
    Claire’s expression sharpened. “No one is that good. If he’d tell me what’s going on, maybe I could put everything in perspective. But he’s left me dangling, and at the same time as he’s woven this legal web around me. Why not let me go?”
    “I hate to see you suffer like this. Call and ask him what’s going on. Barring that, why don’t you say the hell with the contract? I’ll pay you the twenty thousand you’re hanging in there for, and you can work for me.”
    Claire smiled at her fondly. “Doing what?”
    “Organizing my life. Obviously, I’m not very good at it.”
    “You’re going to be fine, Maggie. You don’t need me telling you how to live your life. But thanks for the offer. I appreciate the gesture.”
    “It’s not a gesture. I’m serious. If I’m pregnant, I need to buy a home and settle down somewhere. I’m going to need your help, whether I pay you or not. Just keep it in the back of your mind. The offer stands, but no pressure. Okay?”
    “Thank you, but it’s more complicated than that. I have to pay Ethan twenty thousand if I break the contract. So, I’d not only sacrifice my bonus, I’d owe him a lot of money.”
    “I have to wonder if the contract is legal. How could you sign a contract like that? It’s not like you at all.”
    “Because that’s what he does to me. He makes me crazy. I can’t think when I’m around him. And I loved my job. I was good at my job.”
    Maggie looked away when she heard the emotion in her friend’s voice. She hadn’t meant to embarrass her. “How about dating other men?” She was ashamed to admit she was testing her friend. But, really, how could Claire live in the same house as JD and not be attracted to him?
    “I’ve tried. All I accomplished was making myself more miserable.”
    She was dying to ask Claire if she’d gone out with JD, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask. Claire wouldn’t have, anyway, what with JD being Ethan’s brother. She’d have some kind of rule for something like that. Thou shalt not date a former lover’s brother .
    “Promise me one thing, Maggie.”
    “Anything.”
    “I know things could get complicated between you and JD, but please don’t leave until I can sort out what’s going on with Ethan. I love Sammie, but she’s so out there lately. I need you here and on my side.”
    Maggie squeezed Claire’s hand. “I’ll stay for as long as you need me.” Now all she