Read The Unclaimed Baby for Free Online Page B

you’ve heard about the baby that was dropped off on the doorstep.”
    â€œDaddy told me just now. He wants to hear the whole story. So do I, but in my case it’ll have to wait for another time. You go on up to the main house and fill him in, then come back here when you’re done.”
    Cord stood up and started for the door, but Cody stopped him.
    â€œYou know, if you’d mentioned what happened, I’d have given you the job without asking a million and one questions. The fact that you helped out my daughter and that poor little abandoned baby would have been enough.”
    Cord nodded. “I suspected as much, sir. I wanted to get the job on my own.”
    Cody regarded him with approval. “An admirable decision. I think you’re going to work out just fine. Now get on up to the house before Daddy comes looking for you. Once he’s here, he won’t be able to resist telling me how to do things.”
    â€œI imagine that would be time-consuming, sir.”
    Cody grinned. “You have no idea.”
    Cord had seen the main house in the distance when he’d driven up to White Pines a few hours earlier. It reminded him of a Southern plantation. Cody had explained that was exactly what it was, almost a replica of the burned-to-the-ground home that his ancestors had left behind when they’d fled the South after the Civil War.
    He parked in front of the house and climbed the steps, which had already been cleared of snow. Before he could ring the bell, the door swung wide and an older version of Cody with white hair and stooped shoulders held out a hand.
    â€œYou must be Cord. Come on in. I’ve heard all about the goings-on in town last night.”
    â€œI gather Los Piños has an active grapevine.”
    â€œI can’t swear for the town, but this family does,” Harlan Adams said with pride. “There’s not much that goes on that I don’t know about.” He started down the hall and beckoned for Cord to follow. “Let’s go in the kitchen if you don’t mind. If I’m right there, I have half a chance of getting a decent cup of coffee, instead of that pitiful decaf everybody’s been insisting I drink the last few months.”
    In the huge kitchen, Harlan Adams glanced around, poked his head into what was apparently a large walk-in pantry and gave a nod of satisfaction. “Good, the housekeeper’s gone. If you’ll grab a couple of cups from that cupboard over there, I’ll pour.”
    Cody found two large mugs and put them on the table, hiding his amusement that one of the most powerful men in Texas was having to sneak a cup of real coffee in his own home.
    â€œAre you sure you ought to be drinking this?” he asked.
    â€œOf course not. My daughter, the one who’s gota fancy medical degree now, got a notion that the real stuff is bad for my heart. I’m way past eighty now. It’s my opinion that if I want a cup of coffee, then by God, I ought to have one. Age should have some privileges.”
    â€œJust don’t keel over on my watch,” Cord said.
    The old man’s blue eyes twinkled merrily. “I’ll guarantee that, if you’ll keep my little secret.”
    â€œDone.”
    â€œSo tell me about this baby you and Sharon Lynn found.”
    â€œWhat have you heard?”
    â€œPitifully little. I tried to wheedle more information out of my grandson, but he’s the sheriff and as tight-lipped as an old maid when it comes to an investigation. All I know for sure is that Sharon Lynn talked him into leaving the baby with her for the time being. I’ve called a judge to make it official that she can provide temporary guardianship for the child, while Justin does his poking around.”
    Cord gave a little nod of satisfaction. “She’ll take good care of her.”
    â€œWell, of course she will. The girl has a heart as big as Texas. Trouble is, she’s mighty