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  “That woman was nothing but a money-grabbing cow after a rich stud. I’m glad I kicked the bucket in time to stop the wedding. And for your information, I changed my will right after your engagement, although Topaz was mentioned in the old will as well for a considerable amount of money and your mother’s jewelry.”

  “Why didn’t you ever tell us about her? About her mother?”

  “If Juanita would have married me, things would have been different, but she didn’t want to move to the ranch and I couldn’t uproot my sons and move to Mexico. It was better none of you knew about my other life.”

  “So even if you’d lived and saw me married and then died, Topaz would have inherited everything.”

  “Yes. I just told you, I changed the will a few months back when you put that ring on the greedy one’s finger. Did she give it back to you? Damn thing cost you a fortune.”

  “No.”

  “Figures. Money-grabbin’ whore!”

  “Father, you’re going too far. Rachel is—”

  “The whore you claim Topaz to be. Son, you’re as dumb as a box of rocks. You weren’t in love with that woman. You were mesmerized by her plastic surgeon’s work and her makeup-plastered face. The woman is fucking science fiction. Every time I saw that woman coming through the door, she reminded me of an inflatable doll. Right now, you can’t see what’s right in front of you and you’re denying what your heart’s telling you.”

  “You don’t know anything.”

  “Oh? From here, I can hear your thoughts, read your heart, hear and see everything you all do. Like the night in the stables when you almost took her.”

  Chad shifted uncomfortably on the bale of hay. “I stopped, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, and you’d better be glad you did or I’d have tanned your hide.”

  Chuckling, Chad said, “Yeah, right.”

  “Good. I made you laugh. Now git inside and go apologize to that little lady and from now on, treat her with the respect she deserves. Remember, I’ll be watching you. Watching you…watching you…”

  His father’s voice faded. Chad shook his head several times. It couldn’t have been real. Because of his frustration and anger, he’d imagined his father talking to him. Nothing but a voice in his head.

  Now that he was calm, he remembered Topaz’s beautiful face, the blood streaming down it. It wasn’t intentional. If she hadn’t thrown herself at him, she would have been fine.

  “But is she fine, son? I suggest you go to the house and check on her.”

  This time, his father’s voice sounded right next to his ear. And was that his breath I felt on my face? And my imagination that I smelled the rich aroma of a cigar? “You keep talking to me and you’ll have me believing this is real,” he muttered.

  “Oh, it’s real alright. I’ll be around every now and then to check on my boys. You’ll hear me again. Maybe you’ll even see me one of these days.”

  This time the cigar smoke was too real. Chad jumped up and made for the doors.

  “Right, son. Go check on the little gal, although your two brothers and Corky are doing a good job taking care of her.”

  Although there was no wind and it was a rather balmy night, Chad suddenly felt a breeze while he walked back to the house, and carried on the wings of that breeze, his father’s cigar smoke wafted into his nostrils. He was on the verge of believing that what he’d experienced was real and not part of his imagination.

  He found Topaz in the kitchen with his brothers and Corky hovering over her. “Is she alright?” he asked in a gruff tone.

  “Yes. No thanks to you,” Johnny said. “That handle hit her hard. I think she should see a doctor.”

  “I’m fine. Remember, I’m a nurse. I don’t have a concussion and the cut doesn’t need stitches. I was just a bit dizzy, that’s all. It’s gone now.”

  “I insist you see a doctor,” Chad said. He noticed how pale she was. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hit you intentionally. If you hadn’t thrown yourself at—”

  “The tree would have been toast. I hope it’s still standing?” Topaz asked.

  “Yes. I won’t cut it down.”

  “Is that a promise?”

  “I promise. But I’m still not in agreement about Rachel being on the guest list.”

  “Give it up, brother,” Sam said. “Let it rest.”

  “I’ll leave the party in Corky and Topaz’s hands. From now on, I bow out. And you’d best get to bed, Topaz. If you don’t feel better in the morning, I’ll take you to the doctor myself.”

  Thoughtfully, he gazed after her as she left the kitchen, followed by Corky. The proud way she carried herself, the cute way she tossed her head to the side in defiance and that delicious little ass that swayed a little as she walked. He couldn’t help but feel his cock stir.

  Thinking about his father’s words, or at least if that was really his father, he begrudgingly had to admit he’d been treating Topaz like a complete asshole. She wasn’t trash. Far from it. Her flirting wasn’t really flirting. She presented herself exactly the way she was, friendly, giving and though he admired her outward strength and the way she’d stood up to him, he felt there was a very warm, loving heart beating inside her more-than-sexy chest. He shifted uncomfortably on his chair as his erection grew and strained against his tight jeans.

  “Have you heard from the PI?” Sam interrupted his thoughts.

  “Yes. He hasn’t found out anything else. I doubt he will.”

  “Ah! So you finally have to admit that Topaz isn’t the money-grabbing whore like you thought she was,” Johnny said, a satisfied smirk on his face.

  “I’ll claim the fifth amendment on that one,” Chad said.

  “You’re a stubborn son of a bitch,” Sam told Chad and punched him playfully. “I’m off to shower.”

  Johnny stood and started to follow his brother out of the kitchen. “John, wait a minute,” Chad said and when Johnny turned to face him, “Do you believe in ghosts, little brother?”

  “Why do you ask? Seen one lately?” Johnny chuckled.

  “Don’t be stupid. I’m serious. Do you?”

  “Actually, I do.”

  “Ever seen any?”

  “No, but I’ve heard things.”

  “Really? Want to tell me about it?”

  “Some other time, Chad. My favorite program is starting in a minute.”

  Chad nodded and was left alone in the kitchen with his thoughts in turmoil. When Rachel broke off their engagement, she’d torn his heart to shreds. He was in love with her. But was I? Did I ever feel the lust for Rachel that I’d felt for Topaz that night in the stables? No. Rachel wasn’t a virgin. They’d often had sex and that’s what it was, just plain sex. Rachel wasn’t much into it as she’d admitted to him. It was a necessary evil to keep a man happy. I thought she’d change in time, but would she have? Did she love me? Or was she just after money, like Father told me just now? She wasn’t a virgin to start with but had sworn she’d never fooled around once, that she must have lost her virginity from riding horses so much.

  It was strange that thinking about her didn’t turn him on anymore. Neither did it cut into his heart like it had at first. Rachel’s cool beauty was replaced by an olive-skinned face, a little elfin face that could grace the cover of any magazine without needing makeup, by mysterious gypsy eyes. Again, he felt that strange stirring in his heart, his soul and knew that he had more than a sexual interest in the young woman who had stolen their inheritance. And so did both his brothers. Observing them with her, he’d noticed the expressions in their eyes and realized that both Sam and Johnny were falling in love with Topaz.

  “Damn, I can’t allow that. It’ll cause an impossible situation. Maybe she’ll meet a nice young man at the Christmas party,” he muttered and adjusted his cock aching to spring free.

  “Who? Mizz Topaz?” Corky asked as she returned to start preparing a tray.

  “How is she, Corky?”

  “I’m going to warm up some milk and soup for he
r. Sleep will be the best healer, Master Chad. Whatever were you thinking of going out there like a crazy madman? I’m glad your daddy wasn’t around to see it.”

  “Oh, but he was.”

  “Master Chad, you’re joking me.”

  “No, Corky. Father spoke to me in the barn.”

  “Did he now? I hope he told you off good. You had better apologize to Mizz Topaz in the morning.”

  “I will. Matter of fact, I think I’ll take her Christmas shopping.”

  “You’d best see first if she’s okay. You might need to take her to a doctor. She’s a stubborn little wench. Thinks she’s fine.”

  “Maybe she is. She is a nurse, Corky.”

  “And those are the worst for taking care of themselves,” she told him as she left the kitchen.

  Chapter Six

  Corky would have helped her undress, which Topaz rejected nicely. She felt okay. Her head ached, but that would pass. “Corky, I’m fine. Really, I am. I’ll go to bed, I promise.”

  “I’ll be back with a glass of warm milk, Mizz Topaz.”

  Topaz didn’t have the heart to tell her she hated warm milk. After she stripped and put on a nightshirt, she crawled into the large bed and under the comforter. She was exhausted, not just because of the busy day, but the emotions, the stress and finally the bang on her head had done her in. All she felt like doing was going to sleep, but Corky was back in no time with a tray.

  Plumping up pillows behind her, she set the tray on the bed. “There, you drink this up now, Mizz Topaz. And eat a little bit, too.”

  The tray didn’t just have a glass of warm milk on it, but also a bowl of chicken soup and some crackers. And of course, Corky wouldn’t leave until she drank some milk and ate. After she forced a few mouthfuls of milk down, trying hard not to gag, and a bit of the soup, Corky was finally satisfied, took the tray and set it aside. She tucked her in like she was still a little girl, turned on the nightlight, turned the main light off and taking the tray, left the room.

  Topaz snuggled into the pillow and thought about Chad. He’d actually said he was sorry. But was he really? And how come the sudden change in attitude? Did I really see a softening of his eyes when he looked at me? Or was it my imagination? His face floated behind her closed eyelids. Those sweet, sensitive lips, that hadn’t been tight and grim, like they usually were, his beautifully sculptured face, the dark hair that tended to curl when it was damp. He had the power to grind her soul to powder and he didn’t know it. Out of all three of the men, her feelings for Chad were the strongest. Why? She had no idea. Maybe it was because of his rejection of her. Or maybe it was because she felt his pain. Should I tell him that I’ll have the lawyer make up an iron-clad will that can never be rewritten or contested, leaving everything to the Douglas brothers? Should I give the estate back to them under the condition that I can live out my life here?

  Her thoughts were in chaos. Her heart thudded against her ribs as she imagined the brothers in bed with her, not one, but the three of them. How can I have fallen in love with three men all at once? The situation had become impossible for her. Maybe she should just leave. “No, dammit! I’m not going to leave. Daddy John wanted me to have all this and live here and stay I will!” she hissed softly into the pillow as her brain turned to mush and she drifted off.

  * * * *

  Topaz awoke with a splitting headache. Gingerly, she felt her head. The area where the axe handle had hit her was very tender and felt puffy. It was all normal, she knew, but at the same time, it was sore.

  Glancing at her watch, she realized it was just two days before Christmas Eve and she’d slept late. For the first time in her life, she’d be at a fancy Christmas celebration. Sure, she and her mother had celebrated Christmas in Mexico, but this would be so different. And never ever had Daddy John been present for the Christmas season and now she knew why. A pang of jealousy shot through her that if her mother would have relented and moved to the ranch, these celebrations would have been a normal part of her life. But they weren’t and Christmas day had always been rather quiet, all families taking part in their own celebrations and she and her mother were usually alone on that day. This time I won’t be alone, but what is Christmas going to be like? Filled with anger? Resentment? Or will Chad at least mellow and make it bearable?

  Washing her hair was a chore trying not to touch the very tender area around the cut. She knew she shouldn’t be washing her hair just yet, but it felt grungy, blood matted in her hair. She hoped she hadn’t started it bleeding again, but when she dried her hair, she saw no blood on the towel.

  “Mizz Topaz, you shouldn’t be up and about. You had a nasty bang on that little head of yours. Go back to bed and I’ll bring you breakfast,” Corky told her when she entered the kitchen.

  “I’m fine, Corky. Really I am.”

  “And you washed your hair. Not good, Mizz Topaz.”

  “Corky, I’m a nurse, remember? I know what I’m doing.”

  “You might be good at taking care of others, but I sure as hell don’t think you’re good at taking care of yourself properly.”

  Topaz smiled. Corky sounded just like her mother right then. “I’m fine. What I need right now is a cup of coffee and a piece of toast. Corky, I’d like to decorate the house. Do you usually have a Christmas tree in the house? And decorations?”

  “Yes. It’s always done by now, but because Master John...”

  “I understand. But he’d like everything to be the same as always, I’m sure. Where are the decorations? And do you use a live tree or a fake tree?”

  “A live tree. I’ll have one of the hands fetch one. The decorations are up in the attic. Tiffy, after you’ve done the breakfast dishes, go up to the attic and get them, will you?”

  Topaz noticed the empty plates on the counter. “The men have already had their breakfast?”

  “Oh, yes, Mizz Topaz. They were up at the crack of dawn.”

  Topaz felt a pang of disappointment. She was actually looking forward to spending time with the Douglas men and she had to admit, all three of them.

  “It’s almost ten, Mizz. They’ll be in for coffee soon.”

  Topaz was halfway done with her coffee when the men piled into the kitchen arguing about some cows.

  “We’re missing at least twenty-five head. I swear we have cattle thieves in the area,” Chad said as he planted himself on a chair.

  “Cattle thieves? Isn’t that kind of old western movie style?” Topaz asked.

  “Believe me, rustling hasn’t gone out of style. Matter of fact, it’s on the rise. This little heist will cost us about twenty grand,” Chad told her.

  “See, that’s stuff I need to learn. Is there no way to stop them?”

  “We have surveillance cameras, but some of the far pastures don’t. They’re pretty smart nowadays. They anesthetize cattle with hypodermic darts. At least that’s one of the methods they use,” Chad told her. “We’ll need to send some hands out there at night to stand guard.”

  “Nice, just before Christmas,” Topaz said. “Can’t you just bring them in closer?”

  “Honey, do you realize how many head of cattle we have? How many horses?”

  Ye gads, he called me honey.

  “How do you feel this morning?” Sam asked.

  “Now that I’ve had coffee, I feel great. Head hurts a little.” She threw a sidelong glance at Chad. “I thought I’d decorate the house today. Is that alright with you?”

  “You’ll do no such thing. The help can take care of that. You just give them instructions. If you’re up to it, I’ll take you Christmas shopping. I’m sure you’d like to buy some gifts for friends at home. And I need to do my own Christmas shopping as well,” Chad said.

  “Yes, I do need to do some shopping, but Sam and Johnny”

  “I’ve already done mine,” Johnny told her.

  Sam nodded, leading her to believe he had as well.

  Go shopping with Chad? What had changed him? She tried to read his expression
, but as usual, his face was granite. Do his eyes have a kinder look to them? Or am I just wishfully hoping?

  “Why don’t you go and get your purse and we’ll go right now. You two go and take care of that broken fence. It needs to be fixed today,” he ordered his two younger brothers. “Wait for me in front,” he told Topaz as he strode out of the kitchen followed by Johnny and Sam.

  “You’ll melt that cement heart of his, Mizz Topaz. He’s coming around,” Corky said, smiling from ear to ear.

  “Well, at least he’s civil now. See, all it took was for me to get hit on the head. Is there anything you need, Corky?”

  “Thanks, Mizz. I’ve done all my shopping.”

  Chad was already waiting when she hurried down the front steps. Like a true southern gentleman, he got out of the truck to open the door for her. Once she was seated, he even put the seatbelt around her and snapped it in place. His face was close to her chest. His male aroma entered her nostrils and she felt her panties grow damp. His hand brushed her breasts for just a second as he adjusted the strap.

  “Comfortable?” he asked.

  “Yes, thank you,” she said, trying not to sound quivery although he’d turned her insides to jelly. Why does Chad have such an intense effect on me? More so than his two brothers? Sam and Johnny turned her into mush, but what Chad did to her libido was overwhelming and disturbing. Never mind her libido. Even though he’d treated her badly since she arrived, she couldn’t help but have feelings for the man. And now that she knew how badly he’d been hurt by another woman as well as losing his inheritance, she understood his bitterness even more.

  “Chad?”

  “Yes?”

  “Can we talk about the will for a moment? I want to make something clear.”

  “And that is?”

  Glancing at him, she noticed the sudden grim set of his lips. “I am going to ask Terry to draw up a will for me. If anything happens to me, I want to be sure the estate is yours and your brothers.”

  “I gather you haven’t taken the time to read the document?”

  “No,” she admitted in a small voice. “I hate legal stuff.”