Free Hell on Heels by Victoria Vane Page A

have anticipated from Monica Brandt was a tearful breakdown.
    â€œFirst off,” he said, “you can’t ever help someone who won’t help themselves. Get that straight from the start, Ms. Brandt. He’s got to want it for himself. Maybe that’ll come in time, but right now he’d probably rather be dead.”
    She glared back at him. “How can you say such a callous thing?” He was relieved to see her pupils flare. He could deal with her pissed off, but he wasn’t sure he could handle her softer side.
    â€œBecause it’s the truth,” he replied evenly. “I’m a like-minded man, and that’s exactly how I’d feel if I were in his boots.”
    â€œBut that doesn’t make any sense at all. At least he’s alive!”
    â€œBut what kind of life is he going to have? This man is used to greeting each day at sunrise. For over fifty years he’s worked his own ranch. Now he’s confined to a bed. Adjustment is going to be a process. It’s going to take him some time . . . if he ever does adjust at all. One thing’s for damn sure, you can’t force your will on him.”
    Her face registered outrage, but then she suddenly crumbled, throwing herself against him with a sob. “I’m not ready to lose him, Ty. I can’t!” Just as he feared, her emotional reaction ambushed him. At a loss, he just held her in his arms and let her wail. “It’s not fair,” she bawled. “We’ve only had a few years together. We’re still getting to know each other.”
    He cupped her head and stroked her back, making soothing noises he didn’t even recognize, but after only a minute or two, she managed to pull herself back together.
    She pushed away, palming her red-rimmed eyes with a sniff. “That was damned embarrassing. I’m sorry I did that to you, Ty. It’s just—”
    â€œThere’s no need to be embarrassed,” he reassured. “You’re human. You’re allowed to feel. Hell, I’m damned glad to know you do.”
    â€œDo you think you can get through to him?” she asked. “I sure can’t.”
    â€œI dunno.” He gave a fateful shrug. “But I promise I’ll try. I told you he means as much to me as he does to you. We’re about the only family he has, you and me.”
    â€œThank you, Ty. I believe that now. I’m sorry I doubted you in the beginning—”
    â€œI don’t hold grudges,” he stemmed the apology. “Let’s just move forward and try to cooperate from here on out, if only for Tom’s sake.”
    She returned a fierce look. “Don’t mistake emotion with weakness, Ty. Don’t think for a minute that you can sweet-talk me into changing my mind about selling the hotel.”
    She still tried to play tough, but her body language told Ty she wasn’t as self-assured as she pretended to be. On the outside Monica Brandt was all ballsy bravado, but once you got beneath the surface, she was nothin’ more than a mouse that roared.
    He suppressed a smile. “I’d never make that mistake, Sugar.”
    â€œGood. Then we’ll talk again tomorrow.”
    Ty watched her walk away, enjoying the view. She was the most contradictory and confounding woman he’d ever known. Seeing more of what simmered beneath her surface only increased his fascination with her.
    With a shake of his head, he knocked on Tom’s door. As Monica had warned, Tom didn’t even turn his head to acknowledge Ty’s entrance. He was staring out the window at the gurgling fountain in the middle of a small walled courtyard. Ty waited a minute or two and then walked around to the far side of the bed, inserting himself into Tom’s line of vision.
    â€œHey, ol’ man. I hear you’re being one stubborn sonofabitch, but I guess that’s to be expected.”
    Tom didn’t meet his gaze, but the left