Page 26 of Secret Baby for the Triplets

At the back of my mind, I hear laughter and smell her very perfume… but it’s different somehow. A blonde squeals in my memory as I fuck her. I flush with humiliation. The memory of Vegas overcomes me in a tidal wave, and I almost choke on it.

What a time to be thinking about that! Toby is rubbing off on me more and more every day.

My head whips toward her, but Emerson’s auburn head turns downward to check her tablet, comparing notes. Shrugging off my unbidden and completely inappropriate thought, I slide my chair away from Emerson, determined to put space between us.

As I suspected, she’s an incredibly quick study, asking questions when necessary, but mostly absorbing the tasks without much effort.

We make our rounds to the barn and stables later in the morning to check on inventory and supplies. I introduce Emerson to the ranch hands and trainers, ensuring she’s known to the staff.

The staff greets Emerson politely, but no one shows her any more or less interest than average, making me wonder what I’m seeing in her.

Andy keeps his distance as we amble by, and I narrow my eyes, wondering if my ranch manager is going to be a problem. I make a mental note to have Toby speak with him later.

I won’t have the men giving Emerson a hard time here.

As the blazing Texan sun hits high noon, we retreat to the office just as Owen also circles back to join us.

“Lunch?” he calls to me as Emerson slips inside the building.

I’m half-tempted to ask her to join us, but it doesn’t seem appropriate to invite her back to the house on her first day, if at all. I’m not sure I trust myself around her when I can’t seem to stop thinking about her in various inappropriate positions.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Sure,” I agree. “Let me tell her.”

We pop our heads inside and I find her already behind the computer, working on an inventory order without direction.

“You can take lunch if you want,” I tell her. “We’re not formal around here, and I won’t always be here to direct you, so take breaks as you need them.”

She nods absently, half looking up from the computer screen. “I’m all right for now,” she replies, flashing Owen a smile. “But go on ahead. I have more than enough to keep me occupied here for the rest of the day, at least.”

Impressed with her dedication, I hesitate. “I can give you directions to the grocery store, but we made sure the coach house was stocked with a few staples, so you do have food there.”

“Thanks.” She raises her head and smiles brilliantly, the sight tightening my chest.

My brother and I retreat to the outer office and out the front door, the two of us heading toward the house on the hill.

“How’s she working out?” Owen asks. “Any regrets yet?”

“Not at all,” I answer honestly. “She’s every bit as quick as I thought she would be. She doesn’t make mistakes, and she asks questions if she’s not sure.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to add my private thoughts about her, that I feel like I know her, but I keep it to myself. It feels stupid to admit, even though the feeling won’t go away.

In the northern corral, I catch sight of Toby leaning over the gate, chatting with one of the trainers, and frown. “Does that boy ever do any work?” I mutter.

“Maybe if you stopped referring to him as a boy, he’d do more work,” Owen comments dryly.

“Maybe if he stopped acting like a boy, I would,” I fire back.

“Cut him some slack,” Owen warns.

I yell out. “Hey!”

Our younger brother turns toward us and waves enthusiastically.

Owen gives me a look. “Seriously, give it a rest for a day, would you? Let’s just keep the peace around here for now—especially after what happened with Andy.”

Toby scampers toward us and joins us for the last part of the conversation. “What happened with Andy this morning?”

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