LITMIR.BIZ

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      “And you think my eyes are objective?” Cricket gave the men a thorough once-over. “Looks like you’re living in heaven on earth to me.”

      “Hello,” Pete said to Cricket, a grin lighting his face, although Suzy had to admit that Dane’s expression was just as impressed. Tall and dark to Suzy’s more cheerful blond roundness, Cricket caught and held every man’s eye. She had a long, lean graceful body, a sweet smile and big brown eyes—a tall Audrey Hepburn with her own independent carriage.

      Men found the combination alluring. But Cricket had never been interested in much outside her church duties.

      “This is Cricket Jasper, my best friend and Nicole’s and Sandra’s godmother,” Suzy said, smiling at the men’s dumbstruck expressions. “She’s going to stay with me for a week. Stay with us,” she amended, not feeling the slightest bit guilty for putting such luscious bait in front of the two very large tomcats.

      “Your chaperone, I presume?” Pete said, grinning at Suzy. “Nice. I mean, it’s nice to meet you, Cricket.”

      But Dane shot Suzy a glare. “While it’s nice to meet you, Cricket, and you’re welcome at the Morgan ranch, please round out our happy foursome in a guest capacity. I personally do not require a chaperone—for any reason.”

      Chapter Four

      “Whew,” Pete said as Dane stomped into the house, “please pardon my brother’s boneheaded manners. Texas doesn’t agree with him, and some days he’s a wee bit moody.” Then he whispered to Cricket, “It passes by noon. On his better days.”

      Suzy looked at Pete. “Did I mention Cricket is a deacon in her church?”

      Pete blinked. “So she is a chaperone.”

      “Yes,” Suzy said, dragging her friend away. “Come on, before you fall under the spell.”

      Cricket followed willingly. “I don’t think it was a spell. I’m immune to those. I think it was shock. Not sure I’ve ever seen so much man in one pair of boots.”

      “It’s okay,” Suzy said. “The feeling will pass once you realize that they’re bona fide womanizers.”

      “Too bad,” Cricket said. “You know who’d be perfect for that lanky one back on the porch?”

      Suzy stopped, gathering her girls to her. “I’m afraid to ask.”

      “Priscilla Perkins.”

      Suzy glanced up at Cricket. “The Priscilla Perkins whom you despised on sight because she lured your brother away from his fiancée?”

      “That was Thad’s fault,” Cricket said. “He should have had stronger morals. But men and morals are not always secure friends, and heaven knows Priscilla has more than her share of charms.”

      Suzy shook her head. “I wouldn’t wish either of these men even on Priscilla Perkins.” Actually, Dane was the kind of man she’d hate to see Priscilla throw her cap at, because he was darling in a sort of hotheaded, sexy way. And he’d kissed her, which she hated to admit had been the hottest kiss she’d ever experienced. But truthfully, Dane was all knotted up and probably had no idea how he’d got that way. Pete seemed like he was meant for wild times and outrageous women—an explosive combination at best.

      “Are there any more of them?” Cricket helped Suzy take the girls out back where a patch of sunlight was barely warming the January-cold grass. “The brothers?”

      “The youngest, Gabriel, is married and lives close to town. Mr. Morgan was thrilled about the wedding—he’s crazy about Laura and her children. I’ve never met Gabriel, but he’s not as mulish as his brothers, apparently.” Suzy smiled. “And Mr. Morgan mentioned an eldest son whom he never sees, with whom he has a difficult relationship.” She looked at Cricket, sympathy in her eyes as she picked out a ball for the girls to try to roll. “I could tell it hurt him a lot that he and Jack are estranged.”

      “How did you meet Mr. Morgan?”

      “I was a nurse at the hospital when Mr. Morgan was brought in one day. He has—” she lowered her voice and glanced around to make certain there were no Morgan men around “—some health issues.”

      Cricket’s eyes went wide. “His sons don’t know?”

      Suzy shook her head. “He doesn’t want them to know. He’s hoping they’ll all come home and want to stay one day.”

      “Be a family.”

      “At least try.” Suzy looked at her little girls with pleasure. “I can’t argue with the plan. My mother and father certainly have no desire whatsoever to be a family.”

      Cricket winced. “I think they regret some of their words—”

      “Don’t.” Suzy rose, taking the ball with her. It was now the middle of the afternoon. She needed to put the girls down for a quick nap and start their dinner. “Unlike Mr. Morgan, I don’t believe in fairy tales.”

      Cricket’s eyes went wide. “Suzy!”

      “Why don’t you bring in your luggage,” Suzy said, unwilling to think about the past. “I plan to enjoy every moment of your time here, so first I’m going to show you to a room, and then put the girls down to nap, and then you and I are going to sit and girl chat.”

      A window opened on the second floor. Dane poked his head out, staring down at them. Suzy was pretty sure the lord of the manor’s mood hadn’t improved any by the scowl on his face.

      “Can I assume you’ve commandeered the master suite?”

      Suzy put her hands on her hips. “You may assume that.”

      “And where is Cricket sleeping?”

      “In the room next to mine.”

      “I can sleep wherever,” Cricket said hurriedly. “Suzy, I don’t want to put anyone out.”

      “This place is like a castle. There are plenty of rooms. Let me see what his problem really is.” She returned his scowl. “Why do you care where Cricket sleeps?”

      “I don’t. Pete wants to know.”

      Suzy looked at Cricket. “It’s all about communication.”

      “He just wants to know where he should sleep,” Dane explained. “He didn’t know you were in Pop’s old room.”

      “I took the master because it was big enough for me and the girls, and your father said I should since he wasn’t planning on returning any time soon. And besides, there’s a huge lock on the door. He said I’d be safer that way.”

      Dane considered that. “Are you saying you’ve spoken to my father recently?”

      She nodded. “Yesterday afternoon after you left. I wanted him to know I was accepting the job.”

      “You didn’t tell him I was here, did you?”

      “I mentioned it,” Suzy said, not sure why it mattered. “Is there a problem?”

      “There are problems,” Dane said, “but they’re really not your concern.” He slammed the window down.

      Cricket looked at her. “Those boys are a symphony in human frailty.”

      Suzy laughed. “I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s go get you settled.”

      The window shot back up. “Now, listen,” Dane said, “did my father tell you about the nice strong lock on the bedroom door before or after you told him I was here?”

      She shrugged. “Before. He said he’d feel better knowing the girls and I were tightly locked up since we’re so far out in the country. Why?”

      He thought about that, seeming satisfied after a moment.

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