Owned for Christmas by Willa Edwards Read Free Book Online Page A

heart sank a foot at his words. Her chest was suddenly too tight for her to breathe.
    “But so is Dallas,” he continued. “So are you. I don’t have any plans to change that.”
    “But what about everything Grant said last night?” She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. Her voice was tentative, wavering, but Daniel didn’t seem to notice.
    “About him needing me back on the ranch?”
    She nodded. She’d seen the hurt on Daniel’s face after Grant had accused him of not caring about his family, of not caring about this ranch. It clearly wasn’t true, but his brother’s words had still cut him.
    “He never said anything like that when my dad was sick. I swear I didn’t realize he wanted me home,” Daniel explained, though he didn’t have any reason to justify his actions to her. She knew him too well to think he could ever ignore anyone he cared about, especially his family.
    “I just figured he could handle it and if he couldn’t he’d tell me. I guess I was wrong. I guess I should have come home more. I just didn’t want to come home and be in the way. I didn’t want to live out the rest of my days in my brother’s shadow.”
    The pain in his eyes almost melted her heart. She knew that feeling, the sense that you were never enough, that you could never be what someone else wanted. That feeling had become her best companion after Grant had left her. She cupped his cheek in her hand, hoping to sooth some of his pain with the light touch.
    “It’s not that I didn’t want to help. It’s just that Grant is so much better at all this stuff than I am. He always was. Ever since we were kids. Do you know he used to win rodeo championships, cattle herding awards?”
    Kate shook her head. But she didn’t find it hard to imagine. Grant had always been very competitive.
    “He was great. And he loved it. Even in Dallas, he couldn’t stay away from horses, but as much as I love Tulip”—he petted the horse’s nose and she gave a happy little snort—“I like working in an office. I like working with other people. I like attending meetings. And the free cake on someone’s birthday is almost worth the commute. Does that make me a bad person?”
    She shook her head. “I think you’re a very good person.” Much better than I deserve . She held his head, leaning up on her tiptoes to plant a soft kiss on his lips. He twisted an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and she melted into him. His sweet kisses created a warm glow deep inside her. It always felt so good in his arms. Right. Perfect. She hoped he felt the same.
    The sound of a throat clearing jarred them from their quiet world. They pulled away from each other, looking toward the sound. Grant stood behind them. His dark, penetrating eyes focused on Kate. Her heart thumped crazily, and her insides twisted a little tighter. Just his presence had her whole body reacting.
    Why did this all have to be so complicated? Her heart and body both desired two different things. She couldn’t let this bizarre attraction to Grant rob her of the happiness she had found after he’d left her. She wouldn’t.
    “Mom’s looking for you.” He glared at Daniel.
    Kate almost sighed in relief to have his focus directed somewhere else.
    “Something about what to make for dinner and she mentioned ham.”
    “She said she’d make a honey-glazed ham for dinner.” Daniel’s eyes burned with excitement. If there was a man whose heart lived in his stomach, it was Daniel. Kate would have to take notes from Gale on how to make all his favorites once they got back to Texas. She liked this delighted little boy side of him.
    “I promised I’d help her get it out of the freezer.” Hesitant and suddenly concerned, he gazed at Kate, as if he was afraid to leave her alone.
    “Go ahead. I’ll be fine.” Kate pushed him toward the door. She’d survive without him for a few minutes. There was no reason to get between him and his food.
    “Don’t worry.” Grant