Two to Wrangle by Victoria Vane Read Free Book Online Page B

civility?”
    â€œDon’t you think Tom’s death might be a good opportunity to draw up a truce?” She stared up at him with innocent baby blues, but he wasn’t buying it.
    â€œWhat do you want from me, Delaney?”
    â€œWe need to talk, Ty. We’ve got some unfinished business.”
    â€œNo we don’t.”
    â€œYes we do,” she insisted. “Look, I know the timing is horrible, but Uncle Phil wants an answer. I can maybe put him off for another week, but he’s not going to wait forever. If you don’t decide soon, he’s gonna take his gazillions and move on to another investment. I don’t think you’re in a position to take that chance. Do you?”
    Ty scowled back at her. “How would you know what kind of position I’m in?”
    â€œI know you don’t have many options,” she said. “You’ll never get a conventional loan large enough to renovate the hotel. It’s too risky without a big corporate name behind you.”
    â€œIf I went into business with him, he could sell his share anytime he wants to anyone he chooses. I can’t have that, Delaney. I’m not taking that chance.”
    â€œIf you want to gain a controlling interest in the place, you’ll need to come up with another twelve million. So what are you going to do?”
    â€œAs it turns out, I have a controlling interest.”
    â€œHow?” Delaney asked.
    â€œTom’s will. You’re looking at the new CEO of Brandt Morgan. No one can sell the place out from under me anymore but I still need money to renovate.”
    â€œHow are you going to get it?” she asked.
    â€œFuck.” He tossed his hat on table and clawed a hand through his hair. “I don’t know.”
    â€œUm, what if you took on a silent partner, someone you already have a vested interest with?”
    â€œLike who?”
    Her lips stretched into a broad smile. “Me, of course. You know I’m good for it, Ty. All I have to do is sell some of my oil stock. I could have millions in the bank within two weeks.”
    â€œAnd what’s in it for you?”
    â€œWell,” she hesitated and then took a deep breath. “Remember a while back I said I had a favor to ask? Something I wanted to talk about when the time was ripe? Well, I think this is the ripest it’s ever gonna get.”
    â€œWhat is it, Delaney? Quit hedging.”
    â€œAll right. You want it straight out. I’ll give it to you.” Her eyes met his levelly. “I want a baby, Ty.”
    Ty’s head jerked back in disbelief. “What the fuck did you just say?”
    â€œYou heard me right. I want a ba-by.”
    â€œWhat the devil put that harebrained idea into your head?”
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe my cows did.”
    â€œThe cows?”
    â€œYes. They all look so happy with their babies. Please, Ty! Just hear me out. Can’t we just talk about this like two rational adults?”
    â€œThat’s a tall order when one of us is out of her ever-lovin’ mind.”
    â€œLook, it’s not like I’m asking for us to get back together. It’s just a little sperm, Ty. How hard can that be? Hell, you’ve probably wasted enough of it over the years to populate half of Oklahoma.”
    He returned a glower. “I’d never be so reckless. I’ve never gotten a woman pregnant.”
    â€œI didn’t say you had . I just said you could have , given all the ones you’ve slept with.”
    â€œIt’s probably only a fraction of the number you think I’ve been with.”
    â€œWhatever.” She waved a hand. “It’s water under the bridge.”
    â€œLook, we hashed through this once before when we were married. I’m no more ready to settle down now than I was back then . . . and we ain’t married anymore, Delaney, in case you forgot. And I have no intention of changing that. I’ve been