To Win Her Love by Mackenzie Crowne Read Free Book Online

Russell mix danced in circles as she hopped on one foot and attempted to free herself.
    “Murphy! Settle down before you knock me on my ass.”
    Big, dark chocolate eyes gleamed at her above his doggy grin. She rolled her eyes and shrugged a shoulder to readjust the slipping strap of her laptop case. Lifting her gaze in time to catch the taillights of the cab disappearing at the end of the drive, she eyed the two sets of fresh tracks leading up to the house, then off again. Her lower lip stung beneath her chewing teeth. Jake’s SUV was nowhere in sight, but with three hours left to go until the terms of the will went into effect, she couldn’t relax.
    He’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the farm or the girls yesterday, but what about the money? Jake might never have to worry about where his next meal came from, but Pete’s estate was worth millions. Would a man walk away from that kind of money simply for spite? Or would V convince him to change his mind?
    Why had he made no mention of the will and its bizarre stipulations during their online conversation following his surprising apology? The omission concerned her as much as his flirtatious tone. What was up with all those darlin’s he tossed around, and what the hell had happened to the angry giant who stomped out of the room yesterday, his hair standing on end? What did it mean?
    God, if he showed up at the farm tonight…Ugh! The implications were terrifying to consider. Maintaining the secret of her paternity had never been a problem before, but then, she’d never been around anyone who might make the connection. A pro football star, for heaven’s sake. One lit by the glare of interest from the league’s front office. How the hell had this happened? Evil forces had converged to spin a chilling version of her worst nightmare. If the situation wasn’t so worrying, she’d have to laugh at the irony but, as things stood, laughing was the last thing she felt like doing.
    God, what a mess! She dragged her suitcase up the walk, her shoulders sagging as if the weight of the world pressed down on them. With her other hand, she juggled a small duffle bag and Murphy’s leash. Her laptop banged against her hip as the dog danced at the end of the strap, tugging her up the porch steps.
    The front door opened and the leash ripped from her fingers with his excited lunge. Her grip loosened on the duffle. She dropped the suitcase handle in a scramble to save her laptop, catching the leather satchel before it thudded to the porch’s wooden planks.
    “Auntie Gracie!”
    She grinned at the shrieked greeting and braced for impact as dark-headed munchkins charged into the cold night air. Two small bodies slammed into her legs. Four skinny arms wrapped around her thighs. Dual peals of excitement pierced the quiet night. Evil gremlins and nightmare scenarios temporarily flew from her mind as her sister’s eyes twinkled at her over her nieces’ identical smiles.
    She squatted to squeeze the twins close in a group hug. Murphy squirmed close to lick every inch of exposed skin. Over giggles and a slurping tongue, Gracie’s heart settled into the joyful cadence of love.
    Angel was the first to pull back from the hug. She peered at Gracie’s mouth in the low light. “That’s pretty lipstick.”
    “Isn’t it great? It’s called Pomegranate Passion.”
    Angel’s head bobbed in agreement. Gracie pressed her mouth to her niece’s cheek. She pulled back a moment later, leaving behind a perfectly shaped lipstick tattoo.
    Angel dove for Gracie’s purse, rummaging in the side pocket to pull out her compact. She popped the top open to study her reflection critically then looked up with a wide smile. “Can I put some on my lips? I promise not to make a mess.”
    Gracie laughed. A future diva, Angel already had an eye for fashion and a passion for makeup. “I don’t see why not, as long as you wash it off before going to bed.”
    Angel squealed and danced from foot to