The Rancher's Plus-One by Joanne Rock
Author:Joanne Rock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-03-03T13:28:55+00:00
* * *
Retreating to the villaâs kitchen to retrieve the dessert after a delicious meal prepared by Levi, Kendra glanced back at the patio table and its occupants.
Quinton. Gavin. And, of course, Levi.
All three of them with the tall, proud bearing she recalled in their father, Duke. But whereas Quinton and Levi shared their French Creole motherâs darker hair and skin tone, Gavinâs coloring was lighter, his medium brown dark hair longer. Levi was the sole Kingsley son to inherit his fatherâs blue eyes, but that wasnât what drew Kendraâs attention to him at the head of the table again and again.
Levi commanded the gathering with the easy air of someone whoâd been in charge for a lifetime. His manner was milder than either of his more outwardly passionate brothers. Yet they both looked to him like the rudder sure to steer true.
And yes, she couldnât deny that quality in him drew her as well. Sheâd wearied of being the only person in her family to make careful, considered choices. While Levi had definitely overstepped with his decision to purchase Gargoyle King to âhelpâ her family, sheâd had time to reflect on his motives and she could see the situation from his perspectiveâunderstand that he hadnât intended the act as a betrayal of her trust. He really thought that he was helping at the time.
How many people in her life had ever done something with the main purpose of helping her? Sheâd been stunned to realize that Levi had bought out her dad for her sake. Even as sheâd been angry that he would make an offer like that without consulting her, another part of her had been touched at the effort heâd made to alleviate her worries.
Which was why sheâd ended up in a lip-lock that replayed at length in her dreams at night. Fortunately, she knew better than to act on those feelings these days. Even if Levi had meant well when heâd turned her life upside down, heâd still charged in without consulting her first, deciding what was in her best interest without her. And that all seemed a little too close to what her mother sought in a man for Kendraâs comfort. She refused to be a decorative accessory in a rich manâs life.
Tearing her eyes from where Levi sat outside, Kendra opened the refrigerator and slid out the covered tray sheâd prepared earlier. The dessert board had been her sole contribution to the meal. Strawberries and blueberries fresh from the farmersâ market, alongside cheeses and chocolates.
She popped a blueberry in her mouth as she carried the treat-laden silver platter out of the house and onto the patio overlooking the pool. Levi passed her as he headed into the kitchen, his arms full of the dishes heâd cleared from the table. Quinton was opening a bottle of port with a corkscrew while Gavin paired his phone to an outdoor speaker. As the soft strains of a jazz tune filled the patio, the outdoor lights strung around the deck flickered on from some unseen timer system.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor(2129)
Jericho by Ann McMan(1381)
Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore(1025)
The Wife and the Widow by Christian White(975)
The Way Back to You by Sharon Sala(973)
Conard County Justice (Conard County: The Next Generation Book 42) by Rachel Lee(963)
Big Sky Summer by Miller Linda Lael(927)
Dance Away with Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips(814)
His Plan for the Quintuplets by Cathy Gillen Thacker(799)
Their Nine-Month Surprise by Laurel Greer(773)
Summer at Lake Haven by RaeAnne Thayne(768)
7 The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare by Lilian Jackson Braun(740)
A Coldwater Warm Hearts Wedding by Lexi Eddings(735)
Daring to Fall by T. J. Kline(734)
Secrets from a Happy Marriage by Maisey Yates(728)
The Second Chance Tea Shop by Fay Keenan(721)
Blackwood by Michael Farris Smith(715)
Baby Lessons by Teri Wilson(713)
Renegade's Pride by B.J. Daniels(711)
