Page 30 of Secret Baby for the Triplets

“I don’t want to push my luck, but I’ll invite you as soon as I can,” I vow.

“Will and me,” she pushes.

“You and Will.” I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see it.

It might not be a bad idea to have a police deputy sniffing around the potential fathers to see if he feels anything off about them. But not before I can find out which one of them is the father of my baby.

“I have to get back to it,” I tell Mae.

“Wait, are you still working? It’s almost six o’clock!” Mae complains. “What kind of hours do they have you working?”

“I’m fine. Everything is fine,” I reassure her with a laugh. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

We hang up and I retreat to the inner office apologetically. “I’m sorry. My best friend didn’t realize I’d left Austin.”

“Your friends are welcome to come here on your off time,” Owen interjects without looking up from his work, his left hand scribbling frantically on a notepad.

I’m not sure what to address first.

“You… you heard my conversation?” I ask warily.

“Were you trying to be quiet?” He glances up. “You didn’t do a very good job. Next time you need privacy, I suggest you go outside. The walls are far too thin in here.”

I’m not upset because he’s right. I wasn’t trying to be quiet. But he also should have pretended not to listen, right?

I decide not to dwell on it.

“I can invite people here?” I ask tentatively, reclaiming my chair as he begins scribbling again.

He nods, his strong hands taking rapid-fire notes. “Sure. You live here.”

Pausing again, he looks at me. “You might even want to wander into the bunkhouse one night. The ranch hands always have something going on, if you’re someone who likes to have a full social calendar.”

My heart skips as his eyes stray toward my lips, and I look away. “I don’t go out much. But I would like to see my mom and friend, Mae.”

I catch the gleam of appreciation in his eyes, but there’s also a shadow of doubt, like he doesn’t believe me.

Unexpectedly, I reach across the table and take his writing hand. Startled, he gawks at me.

I observe him with interest. “You’re left-handed. I never noticed that before.”

His eyes narrow, and I flush again, realizing how bizarre my statement sounded. “I mean, I just—we’ve been working together all day. I’m surprised I didn’t realize it.” I release his hand.

He slides his fingers back over my arm and pulls me closer. “I do know you, don’t I?”

My smile fades, and I pull back, alarmed and flustered as I stand. “I think I should call it a night.” I gather my purse from under the desk. “I’m starving. I’m going into town to find something to eat. Good night.”

I don’t give him a chance to answer as I rush out the door.

One of these days, they’re going to see it. They’re going to look me in the face and recognize me as the woman from Vegas. And then what?

By then, I better have figured out a better plan than whatever the hell I’m doing now because this isn’t going to last.

But why does it feel so comfortable and right, working alongside them?

I bet working with Toby tomorrow will change my mind. He’s the triplet who will ruin the image of the Collins brothers for me, no doubt.

CHAPTER8

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