To Wed and Protect by Carla Cassidy Read Free Book Online Page B

rotten.” He took another deep drink, then continued. “I should have the last of this pulled down in the next hour or so, then first thing tomorrow morning I’ll start on the new structure.”
    â€œIt will be nice to be able to walk out the front door and not be afraid of falling through the porch.”
    â€œYou know, I’d be glad to give you an estimate on some new kitchen cabinets. If I build them from pine, they’d be relatively inexpensive.”
    â€œNew cabinets would be wonderful,” she said thoughtfully. “I’ve been afraid to put too many canned goods in the ones that are there because they look so weak.”
    â€œI’ll work up an estimate and you can decide if you want to go ahead then.”
    â€œOkay,” she agreed, then sighed. “There’s so much work here that needs to be done.”
    â€œAnd Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he replied with one of his killer smiles.
    â€œYou’re right. And hopefully we’ll be here a long time and eventually get the house done the way we want it.” She returned his smile with one of her own.
    â€œPatience isn’t one of my strong suits.”
    â€œI’ve never been one to want to wait for what I want, either,” he replied with a wicked grin that instantly drew heat into her cheeks.
    He held out his empty glass to her. As she took it from him, their fingers touched and Abby felt a spark of electricity tingle in the air between them. She took another step back from him and clutched the glass tightly in her hand.
    There was a silence, an uncomfortable one that she instantly worked to fill. “You mentioned last night at the diner that you had to stay here in Inferno for several months and work on your family dude ranch so your brothers and sisters wouldn’t default. So, you have a big family?”
    â€œTwo brothers and one sister. And we’ve recently added a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law.” He swiped a hand through his thick hair, and Abby tried not to notice how handsome he looked with the afternoon sun playing on his features.
    He had strong, bold features. Midnight dark brows, a straight Roman nose, high cheekbones and a sensual mouth. He was once again clad in customary tight, worn blue jeans that rode low on his hips.
    â€œWhat about you? Big family? Small family?” he asked.
    â€œNo other family. Just me and the kids.”
    A frown creased his forehead. “I might as well have no family. We aren’t very close.”
    â€œDo they all live here in town?” she asked curiously.
    Luke nodded. “Yeah, Matthew lives at the family homestead. Mark and his wife, April, and son live on a house Mark built on the ranch. Johnna and her husband, Jerrod, live in a house here in town.” His frown deepened. “So, we’re all here, but we might as well live a million miles away from one another.”
    â€œYou don’t realize how lucky you are to have brothers and a sister,” Abby replied. “My sister died a year ago, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t wish I had spent more time with her, talked to her more often.”
    As always, thoughts of Loretta brought with them a dark, dangerous well of grief. If only she’d known what had been going on in Loretta’s life. If only she’d known the danger. Abby had encouraged her to make the break that had ultimately resulted in her death.
    Before Abby could plunge into the dark depths of despair, she mentally shook away thoughts of the sister she missed so much. “Take my advice, Luke and don’t waste time where your family is concerned. Enjoy their company while you still have them.”
    He nodded, his gaze steady, thoughtful as it lingered on her. “So, you lost your sister a year ago. That means you had two tragedies about the same time?”
    â€œTwo?” She looked at him blankly.
    â€œYour husband and your