Texas OilMan's Bride (Mail Order Bride Series) by Susan Leigh Carlton Read Free Book Online Page B

family is firmly rooted in Texas though.  They’re in both the oil and cattle business.”
     
    “Your last name is Ingram, isn’t it?  THE Ingram family?”
     
    “Yes, don’t tell anyone, please.  No one knows, not even Bill.  I want to make it on my own, without relying on the family name.”
     
    Rebecca laughed heartily.  “Johnny should be intimidated by you.  Not only are you beautiful and intelligent, you’re rich.  I’d love to see his face when he finds out.”
     
    Laura pleaded.  “Please don’t tell anyone.  I just want to be me.”
     
    “Girl, I like you.  I’d love to have you for a sister-in-law, and a friend. We could really have some fun together.  If only I had another brother.”
     
    “Thank you, Rebecca.  I’d like to be your friend.  I appreciate you keeping my secret.”
     
    “We’d better get back to the table before they send out a search party,” Rebecca said.
     
    When they returned to the table, they were surprised to see Johnny sitting there.  They couldn’t know he had watched for some time, from just inside the door,  “I didn’t know you were going to be in town, Becky,” Johnny said.
     
    “I had some business to take care of with one of the other companies, and when I called Bill to tell him, he invited me to dinner.”
     
    “Are you going to be staying at my place?” he asked.
     
    “If you promise to be nice I’d like to,” she said. 
     
    “I’ll leave a light on for you then.”
     
    Later…
     
    “I need to get going,” Laura said.
     
    “I’ll walk you home,” Johnny said, missing the distressed look on Chuck’s face.  Chuck had planned to escort her home.
     
    In front of her building, Laura said, “Thanks for seeing me home.  I appreciate it.”
     
    She started to walk up the steps.  Johnny grabbed her arm, and pulled her into his arms.  Cupping his hand behind her head, he kissed her.  Firmly.  Roughly.  His breathing heavy, he released her.  She slapped his face.  “What do you think you’re doing.  You had no right to do that.”
     
    “I guess it would be all right if I were Chuck,” he said.
     
    She started to swing again, but he caught her arm.  Looking into her blue eyes, he said, “I apologize.  You’re right, That was totally uncalled for.  I’m sorry, don’t know what came over me.  You were here, and you were going inside.  I’m not the type of person that forces himself on a woman.”
     
    “I accept your apology.  Good night, Johnny.”
     
    He stood outside the building long after the light had come on in her apartment, then trudged home.
     

Chapter 9:  A Troubled Couple
    Standing in the shadows behind a curtain, Laura looked at the man standing in front of her building.  I don’t understand this man , she thought.  He treats me as if I have the plague, then shows up and insists on walking me home, and then he kisses me like that.  It was a nice kiss.  I could have enjoyed it under normal circumstances.  I do like him.  I wish I understood where he’s coming from. 
     
    His sister says he’s intimidated by me.  How can I be a threat to him.  He’s the expert here and all I want to do is learn from him.   She turned a lamp on and drew the curtains, then went to her bedroom. 
     
    Johnny watched the silhouette draw the curtains.  There was nothing left to see, so he turned and slowly made his way home.  The house was dark when he arrived.  More than an hour later, he heard the door open, and then close, as Rebecca came in.  He came out of his bedroom and found her in the kitchen.
     
    “You didn’t let me know you were coming to town,” he said.
     
    “We didn’t exactly part on the best of terms,” she said.  “I wasn’t sure I would even see you this trip until Bill suggested we stop in at the Gusher, after we had dinner.”
     
    “You seem to be seeing a lot of him.  Is it serious?” he asked.
     
    “I don’t know,” she said.  “It could be.  I