Texas Pride by Bárbara McCauley Read Free Book Online

was looking at him he would have promised her anything. Her eyes darkened to a smoky, deeper shade of blue, and the unexpected need he felt for her shifted to an ache. But he wasn’t the only one affected, he realized. He recognized the desire in her eyes, as well, mixed with surprise. It was like looking into a mirror.
    They both stepped away at the same time.
    â€œYou’re the boss,” he said, and heard the strained sound of his voice. “I’ve seen enough today, anyway. I’ve got to get back to Cactus Flat and round up a crew.”
    â€œHow are you going to do that?” she asked with a sigh. “I’ve already seen what’s available.”
    He smiled. “I’ve been around this business a few years more than you. I know where to look. I’ll set it up and be back tomorrow with my things.” He began to head down the street.
    â€œDylan.”
    He turned back at the quiet summons. Jessica walked toward him, hands in her pockets, her cheeks bright red.
    â€œThere’s something I think you should know,” she said, staring down at her boots. “Something that might make a difference to your desire to work here.”
    He didn’t want her to say it. If she admitted this physical attraction between them, it would only make things more difficult. If they said nothing, it would be easier to pretend it didn’t exist. Yeah, right.
    â€œLook, Jessica,” he said, “I already know.”
    â€œYou do?”
    He nodded. “And I admit it’s pretty intense. But if we just ignore it, it won’t get in the way.”
    She stared at him. “Ignore it?”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œYou can do that?”
    â€œSure.” He started to feel awkward, discussing it like this.
    â€œIt doesn’t frighten you?” she asked in amazement.
    It scared the hell out of him. But he wasn’t ready to admit that, either. “I can deal with it,” he said, determined to make himself believe it. “After all, we are both rational mature adults and—”
    â€œDylan, that’s wonderful.” She smiled. “Few people even believe in them, let alone accept them.”
    He was really missing something here. “Accept who?”
    â€œLucas and Meggie.”
    â€œLucas and Meggie?”
    â€œThe ghosts of course. According to the town records, they died in the church fire the night before their wedding. They’re still here.”
    He simply stared at her.
    She furrowed her brow. “What did you think I was talking about?”
    He shifted uncomfortably. “The ghosts. Right.”
    â€œSo you don’t mind?” she asked.
    â€œWell, I...” Did he mind? She’d obviously lost hers. “Let’s just say I’m not quite convinced yet.”
    She smiled slowly. “You stick around, you will be,” she said. “But don’t worry. You don’t bother them and they won’t bother you. Right, Hannibal?”
    Hannibal barked twice.
    â€œThanks for the warning,” he muttered.
    He shook his head, watching as Jessica chased Hannibal back to the hotel. He looked at the church, remembering the strange gust of wind.
    Ghosts.
    Yeah. Sure.
    Never a dull moment, he thought, wondering what other little surprises Jessica Stone had up her sleeve.
    * * *
    If there was one thing Dylan hated more than anything else, it was parties. The first two months he’d been married he’d been forced into an endless stream of socializing with people he didn’t know, and certainly didn’t care about. He’d never been one for idle conversation, and from his experience, the talk at family gatherings was as idle as it came.
    He should have known that the Stone family would not fit that mold.
    The second he’d stepped into Jake’s house he felt as if he’d been whisked into a tornado. Three little girls ran past, shrieking, and when Jessica called to one of them, a