Page 32 of In Bed with the Rancher

He more than had a feeling Lucy’s theory was right. In fact, he was certain Wynn did it to get Olivia. How long was she fooled? he wondered and smiled because he doubted if it was long at all.

At Jack’s suite Wade knocked on the open door and walked in when Jack told him to enter. “Well, you made it back,” Jack said with a glance as he pulled neatly folded black and brown socks out of a drawer.

“Looks as if you came home to get a few things.”

“That and Mom twisted my arm to get us to come home to welcome you on your first night back.”

“Being here in this house, seeing family members—I don’t know if that’s what did it or if it was just a matter of time, but I have my memory back. I’m not Wynn.”

Jack stopped what he was doing and whirled around to stare at him. “You’re Wade?” his brother asked, doubt in his voice.

“I think I am.”

“Dang. You are,” he said, staring at Wade. “You sure are. I just glanced at you before, but I can always see it if I pay attention and really look. And that’s the way you would answer,” Jack said. “Wynn would have said, ‘I know I am.’ That damn Wynn, what did he have to gain other than to fool every—? Oh, wow,” he said, suddenly quiet as he stared at Wade. “He wanted Olivia.”

“I have no claims on Olivia. I do remember her now, but I’m not interested in settling down with Olivia. Frankly, that’s how I realized my identity. The thought came to me that I haven’t ever wanted to marry and Olivia was beginning to talk about marriage. I don’t want to take the chance on having a kid like Wynn,” he said, remembering being with Ava and thinking it would be good to have a baby with her. He looked at his brother. “Jack, that’s exactly what ran through my mind and I realized I’m Wade.”

Jack shook his head. “I should have caught on. At the time Mom just told me Wade was home and Wynn was in Nashville and I had no reason to doubt that.”

“I understand, Jack. Don’t blame yourself.”

“But, Wade, about that no-kids thing—I’ve thought that myself sometimes. I don’t want to marry someday and have a kid like Wynn. But I realize that isn’t going to happen. Neither one of us would have a kid like Wynn, because we wouldn’t tolerate his antics, unlike Mom, who thought he was cute and encouraged him.”

“That’s true,” Wade said.

“While you were away he brought Olivia to dinner several times. I gotta say he knows how to impersonate you and it’s actually too bad he’s going to stop now because he’s a whole lot nicer to have around when he’s trying to pass himself off as you.”

Wade actually laughed at that, as did Jack. He knew it was the truth.

His brother sobered quickly, though. “What about Dad? When this comes out, it may give him another stroke.”

“Maybe I can get in touch with Dad and break the news that I’m Wade a little more gently to him.”

“I think that would be good. You’re perfect for that. Ah, now Wynn will just go back to being his usual rotten self.” He shook his head. “I’m amazed Mom didn’t fall all over you and cry with joy since she thought you’re her darling Wynn.”

“I’d already realized I’m Wade. When I told her he’s been impersonating me, she just laughed.”

“Speaking of Wynn, here he comes.”

Wade saw Jack looking out the front window and walked over to watch. He saw his twin get out and circle the car to hold open the door and Olivia stepped out. Wade remembered her and was thankful again that he’d regained his full memory.

He also noticed that Olivia was stunning with her long straight blond hair framing her face. She wore a pale blue dress that clung to a curvy figure and had a short skirt that showed off her legs. The deep vee neckline revealed an ample bosom and a diamond pendant sparkled at her throat.

When he saw her, he could appreciate her beauty, but other than that, he didn’t feel anything. Seeing her just made him think about Ava and wish they were through with dinner and he could leave with her.

“I don’t know how you can keep from going downstairs and punching him out for telling everyone that he was Wade Sterling. Do you think Olivia will be angry?” Jack asked.

Wade shook his head. “Naw. I don’t care to punch him and, frankly, I’ll bet Olivia knows. I doubt if he could fool her. It’s Dad I worry about the most. I’m not angry. Wynn solved a situation for me. I’m so relieved to have my memory back that I don’t give a damn about what shenanigans he pulled.

“I didn’t know I’d lose my memory, but I have it back now, so things should settle.”

“Yeah, after Dad gets through blowing his lid over Wynn taking your identity.”

“I’m remembering other times when he’s done this, but he never involved the family in it.”

“Yeah, he’s never done it on this scale. You know he was actually on local television and all sorts of media as you?”

Wade nodded. “I’ll get even with him someday.”

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