Free Cardwell Ranch Trespasser by B. J. Daniels

bed.
    “You always were a slob,” she said, turning to look at him. “You have to leave. Now.”
    “I wish I could, but I spent every dime I had just to get here to see you.”
    How had she known that was the case? She reached into her shoulder bag. “Here’s enough to get you back home and a little extra so you won’t starve on the way. The next flight is this afternoon. Be on it.” With that she started to leave. “And Rick. No drugs.”
    “Come on, you know I’m clean. Anyway, you need my help.”
    She stopped next to him. “No, I don’t. I know what I’m doing.”
    “You and I used to make a pretty good team, as I recall. I’m probably the only person you can truly trust.”
    “Unless you get drunk or high and shoot your mouth off.”
    “I’ve kept your secrets all these years, drunk or sober. Come on, there’s a bond between us that not even you can deny.” He touched her shoulder.
    She pulled away. “I mean it. Don’t buy drugs with that money.”
    “Don’t try to kill that blonde woman again.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Remember when you and I were little more than kids and I almost drowned? I know you, remember?”
    “Then you know to stay out of my business, don’t you.”
    By the time she returned to the ranch, Hud was busy saddling horses. She drove into the yard, but didn’t get out of the truck right away. She liked watching him, watching the muscles in his arms and back, imagining being in those arms. Desire hit her like a sucker punch. She wanted him, and she’d always made a habit of getting what she wanted, any way she had to.
    “Best get dressed,” Hud called to her, as she climbed out of the truck. “Dana’s put out some clothes for you to wear in your room.”
    She smiled. “Thanks.” Inside she went right to her upstairs room. She could hear Dana in the kitchen with the kids. How could the woman stand that noise all the time?
    She quickly dressed in the Western attire her cousin had so thoughtfully put out for her, right down to the cowboy boots. Fortunately or unfortunately they were close enough in size that all the clothes fit.
    “They’re my prebaby clothes,” Dana said when Dee came downstairs in them. “I knew they would fit you.”
    They did, she thought, as she caught a glimpse of herself in the front window reflection. At a glance, she could pass for Dana. A slightly skinnier version, but still...
    Dana had made her a breakfast sandwich since she’d apparently missed the usual ranch breakfast. She couldn’t believe how these people ate. It was no wonder Dana hadn’t gotten back to her pretwins weight.
    Breakfast often consisted of pounded and floured fried deer steaks, hash browns, milk gravy, biscuits and eggs. She’d never seen anything like it in her life. There would be changes if she were running this house.
    There would have to be a lot of changes. She realized with a start that she hadn’t thought this through. Getting Hud would be hard enough. But what to do with Dana and the kids? Dana would have to go. So would the kids. She wasn’t interested in having them even come visit on weekends or summers.
    She thought of Rick. Maybe he could be helpful after all. She was debating calling him to tell him they should talk, when she looked out and saw with a groan that Hud was saddling five horses.
    “I see Hud has saddled a bunch of horses,” she said nonchalantly to her cousin over the screaming of the children. “Did you decide you could go on the ride with us after all?”
    Dana smiled but shook her head. “I need to spend some time with my babies.”
    “Then Mary and Hank are going?” She was amazed that she finally remembered their names. They were cute kids. If you liked kids.
    “No,” Dana said with a laugh. “They’re too young for this ride.”
    Just then the front door opened. She turned and was unable to hide her shock as Hilde came in duded out in Western attire. “Hilde?”
    “Dee,” the young