LITMIR.BIZ

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took time to make their decision. Because it’s permanent. In fact, they have an obligation to Emma to do everything possible to determine what’s best. They came up with the idea to get summer jobs and an apartment to see if they can handle it.”

      “Of all the irresponsible—”

      “They think they are being responsible.”

      “Not them. You,” he said, looking down at her.

      She stood suddenly, brown eyes blazing. “How dare you judge me? You don’t even know me. I agreed to care for the baby because I’d innocently said something to put the idea in their heads. And that was only after suggesting they leave the baby with you—”

      He blinked. “You did?”

      “Yes. But Holly adamantly refused.”

      “For crying out loud,” he snapped. “I’m family—”

      She held up her hand. “I’m just telling you what she said. Don’t bite off the messenger’s head. They were upset and threatened to take off. I didn’t think that was a good alternative for anyone, especially the baby. And Dan said you knew and approved of the idea.”

      “I didn’t.”

      “I’m only telling you what he told me.”

      “And you didn’t think to run it by me first?” he demanded.

      “He’s adult enough to be a father, I figured he could make this decision on his own.” She folded her arms over her chest.

      “You should have figured it was a dumb thing to do and mentioned it to someone,” he said.

      “You mean ratted them out to you.”

      Jake let out a long breath as he ran his fingers through his hair again. When he got his hands on that kid—

      His brother had screwed up big time. Déjà vu all over again. Was the trait wired into their DNA? He’d raised Dan after their parents died and he’d done his level best to see Dan didn’t make the same mistakes Jake had. For all the good it had done. But that was a completely different issue. Jake intended to see that lightning didn’t strike the Fletcher men twice.

      “You might want to cut him some slack, Jake. He’s got a lot to think about. So does Holly.” Rachel walked to the door and opened it.

      Was she throwing him out? The idea of it almost made him laugh as he looked at her five-feet-nothing, one-hundred-pounds-soaking-wet frame. What made her think he was okay with any of this and would leave? Why should he believe she didn’t know where his brother was? What if she was lying? Jake had been burned in the past. He got the feeling Rachel was turning up the heat.

      “I’ll say one thing for you.”

      “What’s that?” she asked.

      What could it hurt to bait a hook and go on a small fishing expedition? “You’re a lousy liar.”

      “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

      “So you’d rather be a good liar?” he asked, one eyebrow quirking up.

      “That’s not what I meant.” She blew out a long breath and shook her head. “I really and truly have no idea where those kids have gone.”

      “Have it your way.” He picked up his hat from the couch and put it on. “Makes no difference to me.”

      “Good.”

      “It doesn’t change the fact that I’m taking Emma back to the ranch with me.”

      Chapter Two

      He was taking Emma to the ranch? Over her dead body, Rachel thought. She’d wondered if this day could get any worse. Now she had her answer. Apparently the gods eagerly pounced on her negative challenge and made it so. She wanted to rephrase—could this day get any better?

      Jake Fletcher better leave and take his sweeping pronouncements with him. She had given Holly a solemn promise to keep the child until she returned. Rachel knew how deeply a betrayal could cut. No way was this man taking Emma back to his ranch—or anywhere else for that matter.

      Rachel closed her front door, then moved to block the hallway that led to the room where Emma was napping. Looking up at him, way up, she knew there was no way she could stop him if he decided to do this. But she was prepared to bluff him as best she could.

      She folded her arms over her chest. “I’m not going to let you take Emma out of this apartment, Jake.”

      “Oh?”

      “Like I told you, Holly gave her to me for safekeeping.”

      “I’m not going to hurt her.”

      “That’s your interpretation.”

      He shook his head. “You accused me of making judgments about you without information. Well, right back at you, Rachel. What kind of man do you think I am? I would never hurt a child, especially my own niece.”

      “There are lots of ways you could hurt her. Like keeping her from her mother,” Rachel said.

      She couldn’t see his eyes because the brim of his black hat shadowed them. But Jake’s mouth thinned.

      “What makes you think I would do that?”

      “What I think doesn’t matter. It’s what Holly believes. She made me promise not to give Emma to you. She thinks you’re planning to take the baby away from her.”

      He put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “That’s the last thing I’d do.”

      “Unfortunately I am not the person you have to convince,” Rachel pointed out. “But here’s the deal. I gave Holly my word that I would take care of Emma until she comes back. She made me specifically swear that I wouldn’t hand the baby over to you for any reason.”

      “Why would she think I was planning to take Emma?” he asked.

      “Because taking over is what you do, Jake.”

      “And how do you know this?”

      “I saw it for myself. You insisted on being at the childbirth classes. What was that about? And when Holly wouldn’t follow your command to get married, you tried to talk her into going to the ranch after she left the hospital with the baby, even though she made it clear she didn’t want to go anywhere with you. You questioned everything she did from the way she held the baby to how Emma was dressed. It’s plain as day you don’t trust her. Next you’ll probably check into the electronic surveillance ankle bracelets they make prisoners wear.”

      “After this stunt they’ve pulled, it’s not a bad idea,” he said.

      “The point is, you’re always there, not giving them a chance to breathe.”

      “I’m supporting my brother,” he said, an edge to his voice.

      “That’s commendable. But his actions speak volumes. He left with Holly. I think the two of them have had about all the support from you they can stand.”

      “His actions leave a lot to be desired. He put his child in the care of an outsider,” he said.

      “An outsider maybe. But it was his decision to make, not yours,” she pointed out. “That means I have permission from him as well as Holly to care for their baby until we have some word from them. And that’s what I intend to do.”

      The muscle in his lean cheek contracted. “You’re interfering in a family situation.”

      She chose to ignore the interfering remark. “You and Dan are family, but Holly hasn’t got anyone except me.”

      Rachel promised herself she would never take in another person in need. Ever. But now that she was up to her eyes in alligators on Holly’s behalf, she would go to the mat on the issue of protecting Holly’s

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