Texas Twist (Texas Montgomery Mavericks) by Cynthia D’Alba Read Free Book Online Page A

lifted her eyebrows. “About?”
    “A couple of things about Angus’s house. Where the water shut-off valves are in case of an emergency, things like that.”
    Caroline nodded. “Good idea.”
    Travis followed Paige into the hall. “Listen, I don’t know how to tell you this—”
    “You mean that you told your brother he could live in that house also?” Paige asked.
    “Yeah. That’d be it.” Travis removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “I had no idea that Caroline had rented it to you. I’m sorry. My little brother is going through a rough patch and—”
    “I know. I’ve seen his rough patch, mostly passed out at Leo’s.”
    “Look,” Travis said, his eyes bright with an idea. “Let Cash stay. I’ll pay you to keep an eye on him.” When she arched her eyebrows in question, he continued. “No. Not like that. Just make sure he has food in the house. Somewhere to sleep. Neither of us can make him not drink, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t keep liquor in the house.”
    “So you’re asking me to be a spy for you? Report what Cash is doing? I can’t do that. Won’t do that.”
    “No. Nothing like that. God, I don’t want reports.” He chuckled. “But with you there, I won’t have to worry if he’s eating or dead on the floor.”
    When she hesitated, he added. “I know about your degrees in psychology and nursing. Caroline was impressed with your education. She told me about you while you were interviewing with the clinic. So I figure with your education, you’d understand what Cash is going through. Be able to help him deal, or at least you probably won’t kill him like the rest of us want to.” He touched her arm. “He’s fallen into a deep hole, Paige. A really deep place. I would be there for him more if I could, but with Caroline and the new babies and all…I just need a little help. Please.”
    “Okay, Travis.” She put her hand over his resting on his arm. “I’ll figure out some way to make it work. It’ll only be temporary anyway. I’m supposed to start a graduate nurse practitioner program in the fall provided I can get all my financing in order.”
    “I think I can help there. How does this sound? No rent since Cash isn’t paying any. That’s only fair. I’ll pay you a thousand a month, which should cover his food, utilities and whatever. You can save the rest for your fall tuition.”
    “Deal.”
    His gaze went over her shoulder. “Speak of the devil.”
    Paige turned to see Cash striding toward them. So not fair that her heart rate doubled just seeing him. His limp drove an arrow into her gut.
    “What are you doing here?” His lips twisted into a snarl. “Running to tattle to Caroline? I told you to leave her alone with this.”
    “My God, Cash. What the hell is wrong with you?” Travis snapped. “Paige is a good friend of my wife’s.”
    Cash whipped around to face his brother. “I told her not to bother Caroline with anything right now.”
    “You mean anything like your moving into Caroline’s uncle’s house?” Travis held up a hand before Cash could reply. “Paige didn’t say a word to Caroline. In fact, she didn’t say a word to me. Caroline just mentioned that she’d rented the house to Paige. My wife doesn’t know that I lent the house to you.”
    Cash raked his fingers through his hair. “So what now?”
    “Your brother has made me a very fair offer. We’ll share the house.”
    “Share?” Cash whipped his gaze toward her.
    His steamy stare was as if a hot desert wind had blown across her face. Beads of moisture popped on her brow.
    “That’s right,” Travis said. “Share. Paige will pay the same rent you are paying, which happens to be nothing.”
    “It’s not going to be forever.” Paige fought the rise of panic churning in her gut. Tightening a hold on her emotions, she continued. “I’ll be going back to school in the fall, so we’re talking only four months or so.” Her mouth tugged into a forced