LITMIR.BIZ

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the night. A few days later, I was still reeling from that discovery when I got word of Barry’s death. All together, it knocked me for a loop.”

      The skepticism on his face disappeared as he shook his head. “That’s understandable.”

      Not wanting him to see the despair in her eyes, she glanced out the windshield. She wasn’t a loser or a whiner. She’d always kept her back straight and her chin high. And that strong woman was the one she wanted Jett Sundell to see.

      “I was still going around like a zombie trying to come to terms with everything when I got a letter from Finn Calhoun saying he’d like to meet me. That’s when Frankie Cantrell, my employer on the Chaparral Ranch, suggested that I make the trip out here. In fact, she and her family even treated me to this trip.”

      He nodded. “Finn told me about his friend Barry sending him a picture of you. He said you looked enough like him to be his sister. And I admit there’s a strong resemblance—I recognized you right away. I just hadn’t been aware Finn had written to you until a few days ago, when you called the ranch’s business office.”

      Suddenly clearing his throat, he twisted the key in the ignition and the engine sprang to life. “It’s getting cool. We need the heater.” As he fiddled with the controls on the dashboard, he said, “I apologize again if I sounded like I’m cross-examining you, Sassy. It’s just that families like the Calhouns...well, they can sometimes be the objects of—”

      “Con artists,” she finished flatly. “Gold diggers or nutcases. I appreciate it’s your job to shield them from that sort of thing. But Finn did invite me to come for a visit. It’s not like I took it upon myself to make this trip. Actually, if Frankie hadn’t pushed me, I wouldn’t be here at all. And it’s not really like I expect anything. But it’s been a rough few weeks and this was a chance to get away—to have a bit of a rest from everything else that’s going on. And maybe discover some information that could help me find my birth family.”

      After studying her for a long, thoughtful moment, he said, “What are you going to do, then? Disappoint her by racing back home?”

      “You don’t understand. I—” She paused, unable to come out with the real crux of her problem.

      “Look,” he said impatiently. “If you’re getting cold feet about meeting the Calhouns, then don’t. They’re just normal folks like you and me.”

      Under any other circumstances, Sassy would have burst out laughing. She’d been raised in a very modest home. And after her adoptive parents died, all she’d been left with had been a small amount of money from their life insurance, a few changes of clothing and an old pickup truck. For the past seven years she’d supported herself by working as a maid for the Cantrells. And though she hardly lived in poverty, she was so far down the totem pole from folks like the Calhouns that it was ridiculous.

      “Normal? Jett, their normal would be a far cry from mine. But that’s not the reason I’m having second thoughts about meeting the Calhouns.” She drew in a deep, bracing breath. “Okay, I’ll just go ahead and say it. A few minutes ago the doctor told me that I—I’m pregnant.”

      A look of confusion washed over his face. “Pregnant? Are you saying you didn’t know until just now?”

      Just getting the word out gave her a measure of relief. “I’ve not been feeling exactly like myself lately, but I put it down to stress. The news about the baby was quite a shock. So maybe you can understand why I think I should go home to New Mexico.”

      “Why?” he insisted. “Is there an immediate problem with your health?”

      She pressed fingertips to her forehead and tried to slow the chaotic spin of her thoughts. “No. But surely you can see why my mind isn’t exactly on meeting Finn and the other Calhouns right now.”

      “I can see that you’re probably anxious to get home and share the news with your husband.”

      Even though she had no reason to be embarrassed, a blush moved over her cheeks. He didn’t understand. And why should he? During the brief conversations she’d had with this man, she’d never mentioned whether she was single or married. She’d never really clarified her relationship with Barry, either. And now, because she was pregnant, he’d simply assumed she had a husband.

      “That would be nice—if I had a husband. But I don’t. The baby’s father is—was Barry Landers.”

      His brows shot up. “Barry Landers! I didn’t realize you were that close.”

      The blush on her face grew even hotter. “We were more than friends. And now— The baby changes everything.” Bending her head, she closed her burning eyes. “Meeting with the Calhouns doesn’t seem that important anymore.”

      Suddenly she felt his hand settle on her shoulders, and even through the thickness of her coat she could feel its warmth spreading through her, reminding her that she wasn’t completely alone.

      “Besides your adoptive parents, do you have any other family?” he asked gently.

      His words brought her head up and she stared at him through misty eyes.

      “As I said, all my grandparents are deceased. There’re two distant cousins up in Oregon. I’ve never met them, though.”

      He grimaced. “Then the way I see it, you being pregnant makes meeting the Calhouns even more important. If they can help you find your real parents, it would be good for the baby to have roots and a medical history.”

      Fishing a tissue from her coat pocket, she dabbed her eyes, then lifted her chin. “That’s true. But I figure that snow falling in Death Valley would be more likely to happen than me learning I belonged on a branch of the Calhoun family tree. And so do you.”

      Her reply put a clever arch to his brow. “Did I agree to that assumption?”

      What was he doing, she wondered, playing some sort of game with her? With this man it was hard to tell exactly what he was thinking or feeling.

      “Not exactly. But—”

      He put the truck in reverse and quickly backed out of the parking slot as though everything had just been settled. “Call the hotel and cancel your reservations. You’re going home with me.”

      Dumbfounded, Sassy stared at him. “What are you talking about? I’m not going home with you. I barely know you.”

      He suddenly chuckled and the sound helped to ease her tense nerves.

      “If you’re worried about my character I’ll stop by the sheriff’s department. Rafe, one of the Calhoun brothers, works as a detective in Carson City and the outlying county. He, or any of the other deputies, can vouch that I’m a man of honor.”

      “I don’t need a character reference! I hardly think a prominent family like the Calhouns would employ a sleazeball for their lawyer. I’m thinking of all the bother I’ll cause your family by barging into your home.”

      “That might be so—if I had a family. But I’m a bachelor.”

      Even though he had that wild and free look about him, the news that he was a single man set her back somewhat. At his age a man usually had a wedding band on his finger and kids at home. Clearly Jett Sundell was not the typical sort.

      “Even so, I’m not sure that going to your house is the right thing to do.”

      “Actually, it’s more than a house,” he corrected her. “It’s a ranch. The J Bar S. And before you jump to conclusions, it’s nothing like the Calhouns’. Just a little spread of my own. But it’s comfortable. And I think the solitude is just what you need. Besides, if you decide to faint again I want to be around to catch you.”

      For some reason, his show of concern brought another rush of moisture to her eyes. She blinked it away and swallowed hard. “I’m not going to faint again,” she said flatly.

      “How do you

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