Page 30 of In Bed with the Rancher

She leaned away and stepped back. She put her hand against her cheek. “Oh, my heavens, you’re Wade.” He smiled.

“Oh, that naughty boy. Your brother just can’t stop his pranks,” she said, laughing. “None of us even noticed. We all thought he was you. He copies you well. Well, you’re home and fine, so don’t be mad at him and his games. I’m sorry you got caught in that terrible storm. Would you like a drink before dinner? The others will be here shortly. George told me Lucy just got here.” She frowned. “Oh, dear, if you’re Wade, and you are, Olivia is coming with Wynn.” She patted his arm. “Now don’t get angry with your twin. He likes his little jokes and no one was hurt. You didn’t even know that he’s been telling us he’s you until you arrived here, did you?”

“No, Mom, I didn’t know about Wynn’s little joke.” He didn’t hide his sarcastic tone.

“Be nice, Wade. We’ll have a party tonight.”

“Mom, the woman who saved me and got me out of that canyon in a terrible storm lives here in Dallas. Actually not too far away. She saved my life. I’d like to invite her to dinner tonight and let the family meet her.”

“That would be lovely. You should have just brought her with you.”

“So you don’t mind if I invite her now?”

“We’d be delighted to meet her. By all means, go call her.”

“Thanks,” he said.

“What about Olivia? Wynn is bringing her tonight.”

“And he’ll take her home tonight and that’s fine.”

“Oh, my. He’ll have to tell her he’s not you.”

“Olivia will adjust,” he said, certain Olivia already knew.

“Go make your call. If you want a drink, get one. I’m going to see about dinner. Oh, it’s so good to have you home. To have all of you here.” She laughed and shook her head. “Naughty Wynn. He just can’t resist a little fun.”

Wade watched her go, hurrying to oversee the Sterlings’ first-class cook. His mother loved to cook and putter around in the kitchen and they had lost more than one good cook because of that. That was understandable, since cooking was her hobby. But he couldn’t understand why she always forgave and excused Wynn. And if he quizzed her about it, she always said he was just like his uncle, Ethan Sterling, their dad’s younger brother. Wade remembered when he’d once asked his dad about their uncle and he said she was correct. Wynn was just like his Uncle Ethan and their mother had dated Ethan first. She had been in love with Ethan when he was killed in a motorcycle wreck.

Wade pulled out his phone and called Ava. His pulse jumped at the sound of her voice.

“Hi. We just talked, so what’s up?”

“Mom wants me to invite you to come for dinner. I can’t wait to see you. I feel like I told you goodbye hours and hours ago.”

She laughed. “Are you sober?”

“Yes, I’m just wound up at the thought of getting you here.”

“It’ll take me a little while to change.”

“That’s okay. Text me when you’re almost here and I’ll go out on the porch and watch for you.”

“That’s a deal. See you in about an hour, okay?”

“Fine. An hour. And then when you leave, I’ll go with you if that’s okay with you.”

“Of course it’s okay,” she said in a sultry voice that made him want to be with her right then. “I can’t wait.”

“Don’t tempt me to skip out early. Mom loves having company for dinner.”

“Goodbye. I’m going to get ready now.”

“I am so ready,” he said in a husky voice.

“Oh, my.”

Wade smiled. He would be with her soon and with her tonight. All night. Images of their lovemaking last night flashed in his mind, but he banked them before he got aroused.

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