Free Millionaire on Her Doorstep by Stella Bagwell Page B

Maureen to be a geologist. Even more, what had really called her out here to New Mexico. And him.
    â€œI don’t have one.”
    â€œIt’s not normal for you to come home early to
work in the stables. Your lunch must have been sour.”
    â€œIf it was sour, the acid in my stomach took care of it.”
    â€œI don’t doubt that. You must be full of the stuff.”
    He jammed the polishing cloth into the back pocket of his jeans and turned to face his sister. “Are you trying to tell me I’m not the charming man I usually am?”
    The redhead laughed heartily. “You look like you could commit murder. I don’t know why you came down here in such a mood.”
    â€œWhere would you have me go? A bar, so I could drown the acid with alcohol?”
    She made a face at him and he frowned back at her. No one knew him like his twin. The two of them had always shared a closeness that superseded the normal bonds between siblings. If Anna was hurting, he sensed it. If he was in pain, Anna knew it.
    â€œNo, I don’t want you in a nasty ole bar,” she said. The colt began to jig nervously away from her. She tugged on the lead rope and forced him back to her side. “What’s the matter anyway? Are you having it out with the new geologist Daddy hired?”
    Adam cocked a wary brow at her. “Having it out?”
    She frowned at him. “You know what I mean. Daddy said you two had a row the first moment you laid eyes on each other.”
    â€œHumph,” he snorted. “We got that all straightened out. I’ve forgiven her for breaking my ankle.” He just couldn’t forgive her for being so beautiful, so damn tempting.
    â€œHow generous of you,” Anna said sweetly, then
motioned for him to follow her. “I need some help with this little devil. Will you hold him while I clip his mane?”
    Adam groaned. “Why do you want to get me killed?”
    Anna laughed. “You look like you need to be put out of your misery. Come on.”
    â€œYou’re so funny,” he retorted, but followed her and the horse down to the grooming pen anyway.
    As expected, the yearling put up a good fight. By the time Anna turned off the clippers, Adam had been bitten, stomped and rope burned. His sister tried not to giggle at the look of disgust on her brother’s face, but a few spurts of laughter managed to escape in spite of her efforts.
    â€œI’m sorry, Adam, but I did offer to let you do the cutting while I did the holding.”
    He carefully peeled away the loose hide hanging from his forearm. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll survive.”
    Her giggles subsided. “Actually, it’s your state of mind that’s worrying me.”
    â€œWell, I apologize for not dancing around with a happy smile on my face. It’s been a hard week, and I have things on my mind.”
    Anna thoughtfully tapped a finger against her chin. “And you’re sure it has nothing to do with Maureen York?”
    â€œNothing,” he barked.
    â€œAnd it doesn’t bother you that she’s staying here on the ranch?”
    â€œHell, no! She stays in her room, and I do as I please. We don’t even see each other.”

    Anna looked at him with wide, knowing eyes. “Oh, well, no wonder you’re so grouchy.”
    â€œWhat is that supposed to mean?” he growled.
    Anna quickly grabbed the yearling’s lead rope and trotted away from her brother. “Nothing,” she called cheerily over her shoulder.
    â€œAnna, you’re crazy!” he yelled back at her.
    â€œThat’s better than being lonely.”
    Lonely? Hell, what’s she talking about now? Adam grumbled to himself. Just because she was head over heels in love with her new husband didn’t mean he was pining for a mate.
    Â 
    â€œI realize I’m rushing you,” Maureen said to the real-estate agent, “but I need the house as quickly as