The Rancher and His Unexpected Daughter by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online

call from somebody interested in having me draw up a will,” she told him. “They decided I was too expensive.”
    â€œAre you?”
    â€œIf I lowered my rates much more, I’d be doing the work for free, which is apparently what they hoped for. The man seemed to assume that since I’m Native American, I handle pro bono work only and he might as well get in on the ‘gravy train,’ as he put it.”
    Harlan’s gaze sharpened. “You get much of that?” he asked.
    He said it with a fierce undertone that suggested he didn’t much like what he was hearing. Janet shivered at the thought of what Harlan Adams might do to protect and defend those he cared about.
    â€œSome,” she admitted. “I haven’t been around long enough to get much.”
    â€œMaybe it’s time I steered a little business your way.”
    She suspected that was an understated way of saying he’d butt a few heads together if he had to. She understood enough about small towns to know that asign of approval from a man like Harlan would guarantee more clients coming her way. As much as the idea appealed to her, she felt she had to turn it down. Barry had always held it over her head that her career had taken off in New York because of his contacts, not the reputation she had struggled to build all on her own.
    â€œNo,” she insisted with what she considered to be sufficient force to make her point even to a man as stubborn as Harlan appeared to be. “I need to make it on my own. That’s the only way people will have any respect for me. It’s the only way I’ll have any respect for myself.”
    â€œNoble sentiments, but it won’t put food on the table.”
    â€œJenny and I won’t starve. I did quite well in New York. My savings will carry us for a long time.”
    â€œIf your practice was thriving there, why’d you come here?” Harlan asked.
    â€œGood question,” Jenny chimed in in a sleepy, disgruntled tone.
    â€œYou know the answer to that,” she told her daughter quietly.
    â€œBut I don’t,” Harlan said. “If it’s none of my business, just tell me so.”
    â€œWould that stop you from poking and prodding until you get an answer?”
    â€œProbably not,” he conceded. “But I can be a patient man, when I have to be.”
    Janet doubted that. It was easier just to come clean with the truth, or part of it at least. “My divorce wasn’t pleasant. New York’s getting more and moredifficult to live in every day. I wanted a simpler way of life.”
    She shot a look at Jenny, daring her to contradict the reply she’d given. Her daughter just rolled her eyes. Harlan appeared willing to accept the response at face value.
    â€œMakes sense,” he said, studying her with that penetrating look that made it appear he could see straight through her. “As far as it goes.” He grinned. “But, like I said, I can wait for the rest.”
    Before she could think of a thing to say to that, a tall, lanky cowboy strolled up. He looked exactly like Harlan must have twenty or so years before, including that flash of humor that sparkled in his eyes as he surveyed the gathering on the porch.
    â€œLooks right cozy,” he commented, his amused gaze fixed on his father. “Anything going on here I should know about?”
    â€œWatch your mouth,” Harlan ordered. “Janet and Jenny, this tactless scoundrel is my youngest, Cody. Son, this is Janet Runningbear and her daughter Jenny.”
    Cody winked at Jenny, who was regarding him with blatant fascination. “Don’t tell Daddy, but just so you know, I’m the brains behind White Pines.”
    â€œIf that were true, you’d have better control over your manners,” Harlan retorted.
    Janet chuckled listening to the two of them. Talk about a chip off the old block. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that any