Page 92 of The Texas Ranger: Saddled Up
“Fletcher is in the past. You’re my future.”
“That’s good because I could never go back to being just friends,” Bear said. “There is something I need to tell you.”
She met his gaze. “Like?”
“Deacon Clark is dead. I heard it yesterday. I wanted to wait until after your party to tell you.”
“He’s dead?” She looked confused as she lifted onto her knees. “Bear, this can’t be a coincidence.”
“What can’t be a coincidence?” He sat up, watching her stretch to take something out of the top drawer of her nightstand. She dropped an envelope into his lap. He opened it and took out the flash drive. “What’s this?”
“I believe Deacon sent this to me before…before he must have been killed. I want to tell you everything. I need to tell you everything.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Aasia woke up and fluttered her eyes open. She felt relieved after the long talk she and Bear had last night. She told him everything—her conversation with Bentley, and her suspicions of Deacon.
She rolled over and laid her hand on Bear’s shoulder. He opened his eyes and smiled. “Good morning.”
She started to respond when she heard muffled voices coming from downstairs. “Is that arguing?” Aasia said as she came more fully awake.
Climbing out of bed, she pulled on her robe and made her way downstairs.
Inside the living room Phoebe, who was still in her pajamas, looked disheveled as she faced someone who was standing near the door. As Aasia stepped off the stairs, she saw that it was one of the ranch hands from Creek’s Creek. Grimes. He looked even more disheveled than Phoebe.
He was the first to see Aasia and his mouth fell into a frown.
Phoebe turned and offered Aasia an apologetic gaze. “Sorry if we woke you.”
“What’s going on?” Aasia asked.
Grimes and Phoebe shared a glance before she said, “I didn’t want you to find out this way, but he’s the father of my baby.”
This floored Aasia. “Oh? How…?”
“I’ve been back in Texas longer than you think. Grimes and I met when I first got here.” Phoebe looked tired with dark circles under her eyes.
“I’m sorry to barge in like this but I needed to speak to Phoebe.” Grimes turned his worried gaze on her. “You won’t take my calls. We need to talk about this. I won’t let you give up the baby.Ourbaby. I should have a say in what happens.”
Phoebe blew out a long breath. “This is all your fault.”
Aasia squinted. “How’s this my fault?” Then she realized Phoebe was speaking to Bear who stood behind Aasia. She hadn’t heard him descend the stairs. “What are you talking about, Phoebe? Bear hasn’t done anything—”
“The hell he hasn’t. He was the one who told Grimes that I was considering giving the baby up for adoption,” Phoebe seethed.
Aasia looked from her sister to Bear. “Is this the truth?”
He tore a hand through his tousled hair. He looked amazing just having woke up from sleep, but Aasia didn’t let his sex appeal deter her. “He came to see me and told me that Phoebe was pregnant. I thought he already knew the details.”
“I told you that in confidence,” Aasia said quietly.
“I can’t believe you told him!” Phoebe threw up her hands.
“He would have found out yesterday after the party,” Aasia said.
“That’s different.” Phoebe wiped a tear from her cheek. “Well, there’s something you should know, sis.”
Grimes took a step toward her, placing his hand on her arm. “Don’t.”
