Page 8 of Texas-Sized Secrets

The small Hispanic woman stood framed in the doorway as if she’d anticipated Mona’s call.“Sí, hija.”

“Mr. Bryson will be staying in the house. Would you mind putting fresh sheets on the guest bed?”

The older woman shot Reed a penetrating look. “Are you sure he can be trusted?”

Mona tipped her head to the side and stared at Reed. “Can you?”

With her looking at him with a spark in her dark eyes, Reed wasn’t so sure himself. She was beautiful in both an earthy and exotic way, with no need for makeup or fancy clothing. At that moment, he wanted to leave before he did something stupid like develop a hankerin’ for this woman who insisted on waging a battle against all odds. But to leave her now didn’t sit right in Reed’s book. She was one woman trying to do it all.

“I’m a man of my word.” He shifted his hat to his other hand. “Now let me get this straight. My job is to help find your cattle rustlers?”

“That’s right.”

“What about Parker Lee?”

“If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you’d continue playing the part of my live-in to keep him off my back.”

Not that he wanted anything out of her but his paycheck, but Reed couldn’t help asking, “What’s in it for me?”

“You get to eat Rosa’s good cooking instead of fending for yourself with the boys in the bunkhouse.”

Reed’s mouth twisted. “Having had the opportunity to taste their cooking, I’d be honored to pretend to be your boyfriend.”

Rosa crossed her arms over her chest. “Just remember, there are three people in this house besides you. Don’t try anything with Miss Mona, or you’ll have to answer to me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He turned to Mona. “Is there anything else I should know?”

Mona chewed her lip for a moment before shaking her head. “No.”

“Yes, there is.” Rosa moved forward to stand beside Mona. “Tell him.”

“No.” Mona’s face flushed and a thin sheen of perspiration coated her skin. “It’s none of his business.”

Curious now, Reed waited.

“If he’s to help protect you and Rancho Linda, he needs to know everything.”

“That’s right.” Reed didn’t like the way Mona fidgeted. What else was she hiding?

“No.” She wrapped an arm around her belly, her face turning a sickly shade of gray-green. “None of the hands know and the fewer people who do know the better.”

Rosa grabbed Mona’s arms. “You can’t continue to ignore the fact and, if you’re not careful, you’ll hurt yourself and…others. Look at you. You can’t even keep food down.”

“It doesn’t change anything. I still have a job to do and Iwillfind the cattle rustlers.”

“You need to tell him.”

“No.” Tears welled in her eyes and she shot a panicked look at Reed. “Ah hell.” Mona clamped a hand to her mouth and ran from the room.

Reed could hear her being sick in the bathroom and he started to follow her.

A hand on his arm stopped him.

“Let me go. She’s obviously sick.” When he tried to move past the woman, her grip tightened. “What’s wrong with her? That’s the third time since we met she’s lost it.”

“Mr. Bryson. If you really want to help Miss Grainger, you need to understand…she’s pregnant.”

Chapter Four

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