The Secret Child & The Cowboy CEO by Janice Maynard Read Free Book Online Page B

okay? Tell me, dammit.” The words came out more harshly than he had intended. She flinched, and then her expression went from vulnerable to stoic.
    â€œI’m fine,” she said. “No problem. Let me go. Get out of my way.”
    He ground his teeth. “Don’t be stupid. You’re standing on loose gravel. I’ll help you.”
    â€œNo.” A single word. Two small letters. But the vehemence behind it made him feel like dirt.
    Unfortunately, this was not a situation where he was willing to put her pride first. He didn’t waste time arguing. He scooped her into his arms and took a deep breath. She went nuts, shrieking and struggling until her flailing knee nearly unmanned him.
    â€œBryn.” His raised voice was the same one he used to put the fear of God into his employees when necessary. “Be still, damn it. Unless you want to kill us both.”
    She went limp in his arms, and he stepped backward carefully, keenly aware that one misstep on his part might send them hurtling down the mountain. When they were finally on firm, flat ground, he set her gently on her feet.
    â€œC’mon,” he said gruffly, grabbing up their belongings and stuffing them in his pack. “We’re done here.”
    Bryn lifted her chin. “I’ll find my own way back,” she said. And she turned away and started down the mountain while he stood with his mouth open, watching, incredulous, as she did just that.
    His temper boiled. He lunged after her, closing the distance in four long strides. He grabbed her arm, trying to keep a lid on his fury and losing the battle. “Don’t be an idiot.”
    When she stopped dead, he had to pull up short to avoid knocking her over. He expected her eyes to be shooting sparks at him, but if she had been angry earlier, that emotion was long gone. Her eyes were dull. “Areyou keeping count of those insults, Mr. Sinclair?” She jerked her elbow from his grasp and kept going.
    They walked side by side, traversing the wide trail in silence. He noticed for the first time that she was limping slightly. No doubt the result of a blister from not having the proper footwear for the rough terrain. Stubborn woman. He ground to a halt and stopped her, as well, by the simple action of thrusting his body in front of hers. He put his hands on her shoulders, feeling her fragile bones. “You can’t walk back to the house. It’s almost five miles. You’re not wearing hiking boots.”
    Her eyes were wet with unshed tears. “I don’t care,” she cried. “Leave me alone.”
    â€œI wish to God I could,” he muttered. As they reached the Jeep, he reached in his pocket and extracted his handkerchief. “You’ve got some dirt on your face. Let’s call a truce, Bryn. Please. For twenty minutes. That’s how long it will take us to get home.”
    Bryn knew what it was like to have your heart broken. But the blow-up that happened six years ago paled in comparison to the utter despair now flooding her chest. Jesse’s lies had been worse than she thought. He had poisoned his brother’s mind so thoroughly, Bryn had no hope of making Trent see the truth.
    While he maneuvered the vehicle over the rough trails, she ignored him. They completed the journey back to the house in silence. Without speaking, Trent dropped her by the front door before heading around back to the garage.
    Bryn tried to slip inside unnoticed, but Mac caughther sneaking down the hall past the kitchen. Julio had left, and Mac was fixing himself a cup of coffee.
    His bushy eyebrows went up. “What in the hell happened to you, Brynnie? You look like something the cat dragged in.”
    Hearing the affectionate nickname stung her battered heart. She opened her mouth to explain, but was overtaken by a wave of grief. “Trent thinks I seduced Jesse,” she said on a hiccupping half sob. “He’ll never forgive