Texas Heat by Bárbara McCauley Read Free Book Online Page A

stare at Emma. “You mean, this is...she’s my husband’s—”
    Jessica stood quickly. “Emma, why don’t we go wash some of that chocolate off your face? When we’re done, if it’s okay with your aunt, we can go out to the barn and feed Jake’s new calf.”
    â€œIs it okay, Aunt Savannah? Can I?” Emma asked eagerly.
    â€œOf course you can, sweetie.” Savannah forced herself to smile at her niece. “I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
    Emma chattered all the way down the hall. When they were out of earshot, Myrna turned to Jake. “Would you please explain to me what’s going on?”
    Jake had known he’d have to deal with his stepmother sooner or later, he’d just hoped it would be later. Dammit. Why couldn’t she have stayed in Houston like she was supposed to? “Emma is J.T.’s daughter, Myrna. Her mother died eight months ago and Emma lives with Savannah now. I’ve invited them to stay here for a while.”
    â€œStay here?” Myrna looked genuinely confused. “You’ve invited my husband’s illegitimate child to stay here? ”
    Jake saw the indignant lift of Savannah’s chin and stiffness in her shoulders. It was all he could do not to throttle his stepmother. “Emma is my sister, Myrna—”
    â€œOur sister,” Jared added sharply, rising from his seat.
    Jake stood a step closer to Myrna. “ Our sister,” he repeated. “And I might remind you that she has Stone blood in her veins.”
    Distress deepened the lines around Myrna’s eyes. “Jake, surely you can understand my reaction. It’s not easy to have J.T.’s—” she hesitated, as if searching for another word “—indiscretion waved under my nose like this.”
    â€œEmma,” Jake said through clenched teeth. “Her name is Emma. You refer to her as anything other than her given name, and so help me, I’ll personally show you the door.”
    Myrna clutched a hand to her throat, then looked at Savannah. “Miss Roberts, forgive me. I meant no offense. It’s just that this has all come as a shock to me. I had no idea that you and...Emma were staying here.”
    â€œI understand your surprise, Mrs. Stone.” Savannah shot Jake a heated look. “But you needn’t worry yourself about it. We’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
    Jake’s head turned sharply. “What are you talking about?”
    Savannah gathered up a few dirty dishes. “There’s an afternoon flight tomorrow. I’m sure we’ll be able to catch it.” Ignoring the dark look on Jake’s face, she moved around him and deposited the dishes in the sink. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll join my niece in the barn.”
    She’d barely made it off the front porch before Jake’s hand took hold of her arm and pulled her around to face him.
    â€œWhat the hell do you think you’re doing?” he snapped.
    â€œI’m going to the barn.”
    â€œYou know what I mean. We had an agreement.”
    â€œThat’s right, we did.” Savannah put her hands on her hips and leaned forward. “I told you that if you or anyone in your family hurt Emma, we’d be gone before you could blink.”
    â€œMyrna was supposed to be in Houston. I had no idea she’d turn up here today.”
    â€œI’m not talking about Myrna. I’m talking about you. You never considered what might happen or how Emma would feel if your stepmother showed up. You only thought about what you wanted.”
    His eyes narrowed as he stared down at her. “Okay. I messed up.”
    â€œYou got that right, mister.” The air was dry outside and a hot wind whipped her hair in front of her face, but she ignored it. She leaned even closer to Jake and lifted her face to his. “When Angela died I made a vow that nothing was ever going to hurt Emma