Read At Home in Stone Creek (Silhouette Special Edition) for Free Online Page A

need to switch on the bedside lamp, send golden light spilling over the features she knew so well—the hazel eyes, the well-defined cheekbones, the strong, obstinate jaw—but just barely. Leaving the tray behind, she rose out of the chair and made her way slowly toward the door, afraid of stepping on Mrs. Wiggins, frolicking at her feet like a little ghost.
    Reaching the hallway, Ashley closed the door softly behind her, bent to scoop the kitten up in one hand, and let the tears come. Silent sobs rocked her, making her shoulders shake, and Mrs. Wiggins snuggled in close under her chin, as if to offer comfort.
    Was Jack truly in danger of dying?
    She sniffled, straightened her spine. Surely Tanner wouldn’t have agreed to bring him to the bed-and-breakfast—to her—if he was at death’s door.
    On the other hand, she reasoned, dashing at her cheek with the back of one hand, trying to rally her scattered emotions, Jack was bone-stubborn. He always got his way.
    So maybe Tanner was simply honoring Jack’s last wish.
    Holding tightly to the banister, Ashley started down the stairs.
    Jack hadn’t wanted to live in Stone Creek. Why would he choose to die there?
    The phone began to ring, a persistent trilling, and Ashley, thinking of Olivia, dashed to the small desk where guests registered—not that that had been an issue lately—and snatched up the receiver.
    â€œHello?” When had she gotten out of the habit of answering with a businesslike, “Mountain View Bed and Breakfast”?
    â€œI hear you’ve got an unexpected boarder,” Brad said, his tone measured.
    Ashley was unaccountably glad to hear her big brother’s voice, considering that they hadn’t had much to say to each other since their mother’s funeral. “Yes,” she assented.
    â€œAccording to Carly, he was sick enough to arrive in an ambulance.”
    Ashley nodded, remembered that Brad couldn’t see her, and repeated, “Yes. I’m not sure he should be here—Brad, he’s in a really bad way. I’m not a nurse and I’m—” She paused, swallowed. “I’m scared.”
    â€œI can be there in fifteen minutes, Ash.”
    Fresh tears scalded Ashley’s eyes, made them feel raw. “That would be good,” she said.
    â€œPut on a pot of coffee, little sister,” Brad told her. “I’m on my way.”
    True to his word, Brad was standing in her kitchen before the coffee finished perking. He looked more like a rancher than a famous country singer and sometime movie star, in his faded jeans, battered boots, chambray shirt and denim jacket.
    Ashley couldn’t remember the last time she’dhugged her brother, but now she went to him, and he wrapped her in his arms, kissed the top of her head.
    â€œOlivia…” she began, but her voice fell away.
    â€œI know,” Brad said hoarsely. “They’re inducing labor in the morning. Livie will be fine, honey, and so will the baby.”
    Ashley tilted her head back, looked up into Brad’s face. His dark-blond hair was rumpled, and his beard was growing in, bristly. “How’s the family?”
    He rested his hands on her shoulders, held her at a little distance. “You wouldn’t have to ask if you ever stopped by Stone Creek Ranch,” he answered. “Mac misses you, and Meg and I do, too.”
    The minute Brad had known she needed him, he’d been in his truck, headed for town. And now that he was there, her anger over their mother’s funeral didn’t seem so important.
    She tried to speak, but her throat had tightened again, and she couldn’t get a single word past it.
    One corner of Brad’s famous mouth crooked up. “Where’s Lover Boy?” he asked. “Lucky thing for him that he’s laid up—otherwise I’d punch his lights out for what he did to you.”
    The phrase Lover Boy made Ashley flinch.