Free Winter Harvest by Susan Jaymes Page B

your deal is, Andrew, but I care about your sister. Maybe more than I have a right to. I had no plans to take her to bed. It just happened."
    "Oh, really? You just happened to jump her bones and soil her for life." Andrew touched his bruised lip. "I can't believe you did it. I don't think much of you anymore, but I never thought you'd stoop this low and bed my sister just to get into this family."
    "What are you talking about?" Traye sighed and touched his already swelling eye. "Are you that afraid I'll take over your life? You have it way better than I do."
    "That's right, I do." He couldn't quite pull off a smirk with his bruised lip. "And it's about to get even better."
    "You don't say." Traye studied him. Might as well play along. "Why is that?"
    "I'm going to tell Dad what happened here, and he's going to throw your sorry ass off this farm. I'll be free and clear of you for good, and Victoria will have plenty of time to recover from whatever this was." Andrew pointed toward the rumpled bed.
    "Look, it was a mistake. A weak moment. It won't happen again," Traye said. He'd just lied, but he could never tell Andrew how much he'd enjoyed the night with Victoria. Traye couldn't let Robert hear about this. He'd never get over the shame of letting his mentor down.
    "It's too late, my friend. You blew it this time."
    They both knew their friendship was over. Traye had to find a way to get to Robert first. Smooth it out before Andrew could spin his tale and make it even worse.
    "Did you even bother to look at your sister's bruised face?"
    "What, did you do hit her, too? She fought you, so you beat her up?"
    "Shut up. You know I'd never hit her. She came here drunk and fell down the front steps. I had to nurse her. Her clothes were soaked, and I think she had a concussion. I washed her up, got her sober, and watched over her."
    "Okay. Then why were you both naked?"
    "Forget it. You're not going to listen to me." Traye shoved his feet into his boots. "Your father will see the truth."
    "Don't count on it." Andrew looked around. "Where are your keys?"
    "Like I'm going to let you take my truck."
    "I have to get out of here somehow."
    "You can walk." Wanting to strangle Andrew, Traye put on his jacket.
    Andrew glared at him. "After what you did to Victoria, you owe me."
    "I'm beginning to see. I owe you nothing. I've given you way too much as it is. Go ahead and tell your father what you think is the truth. I'll do the same, and we'll see who he believes." Traye knew the idea was a longshot, but he couldn't let Andrew see how scared he was. With Victoria's help, maybe he could get himself out of this mess. At least now he knew Andrew was gunning for him. He'd have to trust Robert would see his side of the story.
    "Fine, I'll walk," Andrew said. "Won't be much longer, and you'll be gone anyway."
    "We'll see." Traye's heart sank. Chances were, Andrew was right. Traye might as well start looking for another job.
    Andrew left and started off down the lane. As the other man bucked the wind with his head down in snow up to his crotch, Traye felt some satisfaction.
    Once Andrew had gone a good long distance, Traye bundled himself up and went outside to shovel out his truck. With any luck, he'd come up with a solution for the mess his life had become. He'd just gone down in flames and been the one to light the match.
     
    *****
     
    Victoria struggled to keep the truck in Andrew's tracks. Wishing she could floor the vehicle and race back home, she bounced on the seat. Every jolt produced a groan from her lips. In her haste to leave, she hadn't realized how much her body still ached. Having the two men go after one another without any thought to her had fueled her anger. The battle centered around their male pride. Neither of them had even noticed her exit. No, they'd been too busy dodging each other's flying fists. Traye would never let her into his life now. His stupid integrity wouldn't allow it. He loved her. She'd felt it every time he'd