Free Brazen by Bobbi Smith Page B

Maguire?"
    "No. I hadn't heard that."
    "He did, and now he's trying to buy the Bar T, but I
don't want to sell to him. I don't want to sell to anyone.
Casey loves the Bar T.The ranch is her whole life. That's
why I came to you."
    "What do you want from me?"
    "Do you know what could happen if McQueen gets
hold of the Bar T? He could cut off your water supply.
How long can you last without water."
    "He wouldn't do that."

    "You want to bet? I've got a feeling he will if he gets
the chance. But I don't intend to give him that chance.
That's why I came here to you. I want to make a
deal-a deal that will protect us both."
    "You want me to buy you out?"
    "No. Look at you. I may not have long to live, but you
might as well be dead already," Jack pointed out harshly.
"You can't run the Circle D the way you used to. How
would you run both ranches?"
    "Why, you-" Anger surged within Frank at Jack's brutal words.
    "Shut up and listen to me. I have a plan that can save
us both."
    "I don't need you to save me from anything, Turner."
    Jack had feared he would react this way that the hatred and mistrust between them would never end. Now,
it seemed they would both ultimately be destroyed by it.
    "All right. You've just proved to me that you're as stupid
as I always thought you were." Jack got to his feet to go.
"I'll leave. Enjoy your life. Just remember you were
warned."
    He started from the bedroom, his mood despairing as
he faced the devastating truth of his future.
    "I don't like threats," Frank ground out.
    "I wasn't threatening you." Jack looked back at him.
"I'm just telling you what I know. You've got Michael back
with you now, but once I'm gone, Casey will be left all
alone. I thought I had a plan that would protect our
ranches, but since you're not interested-"
    "Why do you care about my ranch?"

    "I don't care about you or your ranch," Jack snarled
bluntly. "I care about my daughter."
    "What's your plan?" Frank interrupted him.
    "You're willing to listen?"
    "Start talking."
    Jack faced him fully. "It's simple. All you have to do is
convince Michael to marry Casey."
    "What?" Frank stared at him in complete shock.
    "You heard me. It's the only way. United, our ranches
will prosper, otherwise..."
    "Michael and Casey married? That's crazy."
    "You think so?"
    "I know so. There's a simpler way. If you're in such
deep financial trouble, sell the Bar T to me."
    "No. I told you before, I don't want to sell."
    "No?" Frank couldn't believe Jack had turned him
down.
    "That's right," Jack went on. "I have to make sure Casey
is protected."
    "From what I understand, your daughter is perfectly
capable of taking care of herself."
    "I'm sure she thinks so, too, but you and I both know
the ways of the world. She'll be one woman, all alone."
    "How does Casey feel about your trying to marry her
off this way?" Frank knew the outspoken young hellion
wouldn't appreciate her father's interference.
    "She doesn't know I'm here. This is strictly between you
and me for now. I haven't even told her the truth about
my health, and I'm not going to. She knows I've been ill,
but she doesn't know how bad it really is."

    "If she doesn't know, how can you expect her to go
along with the marriage?"
    "Casey will do anything to save the Bar T."
    "Even marry Michael?"
    Jack ignored his question. "What about Michael? Is he
back here to stay? Does he care enough about you and
the Circle D to-"
    "Marry your daughter?" Frank remembered the run-in
Michael had had with her down at the river. "Honestly,
after what happened between them in the past, I don't
think he's too fond of her."
    "This isn't about the past," Jack said somberly, meeting
Frank's gaze again. "It's about the future the future of
the Bar T and the Circle D.Think about what I've said. I
don't have much time, and I can't say anything to Casey
until I know what you're willing to do."
    Frank said nothing more. He was lost in thought.
    Jack turned and let himself out. He