The Tycoon's Tots by Stella Bagwell Read Free Book Online Page B

gry.”
    She let out a dry little laugh as she lifted Anna from the chair and placed her into the stroller. Once she’d straightened from her task, she looked Wyatt square in the eyes. “I know all about having money and not having money. Your sister took all of ours away. But you know, I still think I’m far richer than you’ll ever be.”
    In that instant Wyatt knew he wasn’t dealing with just any woman. Chloe Murdock wasn’t typical or gullible or easily impressed. She wasn’t like any woman he’d ever known. So how did he ever expect to get through to her?
    Without a backward glance, she pushed the stroller out of the little café and headed toward her pickup. She was only a few steps away from the door when Wyatt’s hand came down on her forearm. She whirled on him, her green eyes flashing with outrage.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” she asked, glancing pointedly to where his fingers snared her arm.
    â€œI’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that to you back there.”
    She told herself not to look at him, but her eyes betrayed her. “Forget it. It’s ridiculous for us to think we could talk civilly about anything. We’re on opposite sides.”
    â€œNo. That’s where you’re wrong. We both want what’s best for the twins, don’t we?”
    She contemplated his question for a moment, then nodded. “I hope you really mean that.”
    â€œI do.”
    Most of her anger faded as quickly as it had flared. Yet she moved toward the pickup anyway. It was time for her to go home and get away from this man.
    â€œChloe?”
    With Adam cradled in her arms, she glanced at him. “Yes?”
    â€œDid my sister really take all your money?”
    She could see he was appalled by the very idea. And she couldn’t help thinking the Murdock family weren’t the only ones Belinda had duped.
    Chloe gave one rueful nod of her head. “Once the ranch account was depleted, Daddy borrowed several thousand dollars from Harlan. He wasn’t Rose’s husband then. Just a friend and neighbor. But he loaned Daddy the money, accepting the Bar M as collateral. All of that money went to Belinda, too.”
    Dear Lord, what had his sister been thinking? What was she doing with the money and why would she have wanted to take from these people? She’d had so much of her own.
    â€œThen technically the ranch belongs to your brother-inlaw, Harlan?”
    Chloe frowned at him. “There’s no technically about it. After he and Rose married, he was generous enough to dissolve the loan. You see, there is no yours or mine in our family. It’s strictly ours.”
    One corner of his mouth cocked upward. “I’ve always heard it was bad business to be partners with family members.”
    She gave him a weary look. “We’re not talking about business here, Wyatt. We’re talking about our home.”
    Not wanting to let things go at that, Wyatt followed as she pushed the stroller to the pickup.
    Chloe opened the door, then turned around to retrieve the twins from their stroller.
    â€œOh!” She gasped as her face nearly collided with Wyatt’s chest. “I didn’t know you were back there.”
    Amused by her surprise, Wyatt’s eyes took their time going over every feature of her face. “There was something else I wanted to talk to you about.”
    He was standing so close she could see the pores in hisdark skin, the granite flecks radiating out from his pupils and the uneven line of his very white teeth. The wind had ruffled his black hair, sending two straight locks spilling over his forehead. The faintest hint of sandalwood and musk emanated from his pale blue shirt, reminding Chloe even more of his maleness.
    â€œDon’t you think we’ve already said it all?”
    A faint smile touched his face. “I wanted to see if it would be okay with you if I came out to the ranch again