Page 6 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

The man's smile was tight.

I bowed my head and started walking in the direction everyone else had gone. I was fascinated by the fact that the man walking beside me was the foreman of a ranch. From everything I'd read, that was a very important responsibility.

I was even more fascinated by the man who had that responsibility. Jos was very powerful, his chest broad and muscular under his blue shirt. He had an air of authority about him and the appearance of one who demanded instant obedience.

A hundred different questions flew through my head.

I didn't ask a single one.

When we reached our destination, I found myself standing in a large office. It was the view beyond the windows that drew my attention first. I could see a fenced pasture, full of horses. I ached to go investigate. I'd never been close to a horse before.

I didn't move.

"Mitsuaki," my father started, drawing my attention away from the view out the window. "This is Judge Thomas. Bart, this is my son, Mitsuaki Montgomery Cross."

I gave the judge a respectful bow. "Good day, sir."

Another man in a suit stood beside the judge. He smiled at me when our eyes met. "I'm Walter Evans, your father's attorney."

I repeated my bow to him.

"Monty, I have the papers you asked for right here," the attorney said as he laid them out on the desk. "I just need your signature here." He pointed to a spot on the document. "And Jos's signature here." He pointed again.

Monty leaned over the desk and read over the papers before signing them. Jos did the same. The lawyer flipped through a few pages before having Jos sign again and then held the pen out to me. "I need you to sign, too."

I glanced at my grandfather's lawyer. When the man gave me a slight nod, I signed right where my father's attorney indicated. I didn't bother reading it. What would be the point? It wasn't like I could refuse to sign.

The lawyer looked the papers over after I signed them and then smiled as he handed them to the judge. "I think that's everything you need."

The judge signed the papers as well before smiling at everyone. "Shall we get started then?"

Mr. Sato opened his briefcase and pulled out a stack of papers. He handed them to Mr. Evans. "Here are all of Mitsuaki's papers. If you have any questions, my number is on the cover letter."

Mr. Evans nodded, but absently so. He was already going through whatever papers Mr. Sato had handed him.

"Mitsuaki, can you come stand over here?" Jos asked.

I glanced at Mr. Sato again. When the man gave me a nod, I went to stand next to the big ranch foreman. I tried to not look as if I was confused as hell, but I was as confused as hell.

Americans were weird people.

The judge smiled at both of us. "I'm afraid there are some words I am expected to say even under these circumstances."

Jos nodded. "It's fine."

I glanced between the two men, wondering what was happening. When I looked over to Mr. Sato, the man's lips were pressed tight. I swallowed painfully and bowed my head, not saying a word.

"Jos, do you accept Mitsuaki Montgomery Cross as your—"

"I do."

"Okay." The judge chuckled. "Mitsuaki, do you accept Joseph James Nash Cross as your—"

"He does," Mr. Sato said.

The judge frowned as he shot the lawyer a dark look. "I have to hear it from Mitsuaki."

Mr. Sato's lips thinned even more and anger flashed in his eyes. I felt a ball of nervousness start to knot in my gut. Mr. Sato wasn't a bad man, but he wasn't a very forgiving one either. If hereported to my uncle that I had refused something, there would be hell to pay.

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