Page 45 of Secret Baby for the Triplets

Andy rolls his eyes. “Whatever, Toby. It’s your ranch, you run shit the way you boys do. I don’t have much of a say in it.”

Frowning, I focus my full attention on him. “What are you going on about now? Lana was only there temporarily until we filled the administrator position, Andy. You both knew the job wasn’t permanent. What are you implying?”

“Uh-huh. And it’s just a coincidence that this woman is on your arm now? I see how it is. No different than when your mama was here, or your granddaddy before her. You Collins always favor whoever you like best, and to hell with everyone else. That’s how it’s always been. Well, I guess that sums it up perfectly—to hell with everyone, right?” He snickers.

Anger surges through me at the mention of my mother and grandfather, but Andy knows enough to duck out of harm’s way after dropping a bombshell like that. He leaves without looking back.

I have half a mind to go after him, but Emerson appears beside me.

“There you are! I thought you might have gotten distracted by something prettier,” she teases.

I turn to her, my face flushed red and furious. Her smile fades, and she puts her hand on my arm. “Hey, what’s going on?”

I force a smile I don’t feel. We walk over to the barbecue area and pick up a plate with a burger. “Nothing. Here. Eat something.” I lean in and kiss her cheek covertly before whispering, “Don’t forget, you’re eating for two now.”

Blushing, she pulls back and looks around, pursing her lips nervously. “I won’t.”

He’s a lucky bastard, that baby’s father,I realize.

Emerson’s going to make a wonderful mom.

CHAPTER12

Brock

Iwould never tell either of my brothers, but I carefully monitor Emerson’s progress throughout the days on the ranch. Her hospital visit worried me for more reasons than I cared to admit.

Even when she’s not with me, I make sure I keep a careful eye on where she’s going next and who she’s with.

At first, I told myself it was just a liability issue, but I quickly came to realize that it’s more than that. I find myself checking her color and seeing how much she’s eating. I’m being as covert as possible, but I started asking her to join us for lunches at the house just to make sure she’s consuming enough calories.

She’s smart enough to call me on my nonsense, but she still takes me up on the meals.

“You know, I am taking the doctor’s orders seriously,” she informs me as we head up the hill to the house for lunch one afternoon.

“I’m sure you are,” I reply, casting her a surprised look. “I didn’t say you weren’t.”

“Are you going to tell me that’s not why you’ve been inviting me over every day?”

Heat spirals its way up my spine, and I pretend to check out the training sessions as we walk by. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Uh-huh,” she laughs. “Not that I don’t appreciate it—and you. All of you.”

I slow down and peer at her. “Have you been going to all your appointments, Emerson?”

“Of course.”

I stop fully now and look at her. “You know, if you need someone to go with you, or if you want someone there with you… I mean, just for moral support or whatever.” I clear my throat and keep walking. “We can arrange for that.”

She doesn’t say anything, but I sense she’s smiling. “Thank you. Both Owen and Toby offered, too.”

I stop in my tracks, my eyes narrowing slightly. “Have they?”

Her green eyes meet mine, and I swear I read a challenge there. “Is that a problem for you?”

“No, of course not. They should be offering their help. And you should accept it. You’re not alone here. I keep telling you that you’re part of the Pine Sky Ranch family now. We take care of our own.”

A smirk quirks on the corners of her lips, but she doesn’t comment, almost as if she doesn’t buy into my company line. We enter the house, and Owen sits at the dining room table, poring over his cell phone.

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