brides for brothers 03 - cowboy groom by judy christenberry Page A

minutes as she’d watched Sylvia slink down in the back seat and hide her face any time another car passed them. Not until they were on the freeway, out of her neighborhood, did she assume a normal position. Then she’d asked Brett to explain his comment about a bet.
    “Ah, that’s a surprise for you. Our first child will be delivered free of charge because of my astute bet.” Brett’s smile was genial, but it wasn’t reciprocated.
    Sylvia’s reaction came as no surprise to Anna. She’d already decided Sylvia didn’t have a maternal bone in her body and would welcome pregnancy as much as a beauty queen would want to wallow in a hog pen.
    “I see,” Sylvia said, obviously trying hard to keep her tone modulated. “The offer of free care is most generous of you, Anna. If we’re on the ranch at that time, I’m sure I’ll appreciate your assistance.”
    Brett pounced on her. “Of course we’ll be living there, Sylvia. All the Randalls are born on the ranch. Even Janie, with twins, is having them on the ranch.”
    “Uh, Brett, that may not be true,” Anna hurriedly said. “Things get tricky with twins. They come early, you know, and may need special care.” She didn’t want him to be disappointed if Janie and the babies had to be in the hospital. He’d spoken with so much pride.
    “But that’s why you’re there,” he replied simply, smiling at her.
    The confidence in his voice warmed her heart, but she had to be honest. “Brett, I’m there to calm Pete, and to provide emergency care in case there’s not enough time to reach the hospital or something else happens.” She preferred not to think about what could occur. Births were unpredictable.
    “You’ll manage,” he murmured, smiling at her again.
    She could lose herself in those laughing brown eyes, she realized. Maybe Sylvia’s visit was the best thing for her, whether Janie and Megan wanted it or not. Sylvia would be a constant reminder not to lose her heart to Brett Randall.
    After all, he had already made his choice. While Sylvia might become her least favorite person, Anna had nothing to do with the Randall family. She ignored the sudden dip in her spirits. There was going to be another Randall wedding, this one between Brett and Sylvia.
    And that was one wedding she wouldn’t be attending.
    “S O ?” J ANIE ASKED as soon as she and Megan had dragged Anna into the television room.
    Brett and Jake were carrying Sylvia’s bags upstairs to the bedroom prepared for her, with Sylvia following them.
    “So what?” Anna stalled.
    “Come on, Anna. We want to know what you think of her,” Megan explained.
    “She’s very beautiful.” Anna had already decided to stay out of Randall business. Most particularly Brett Randall business. And she wasn’t going to mention to anyone her suspicion that Sylvia had future plans for Brett that didn’t include living with her in-laws. It was even possible that Anna had misinterpreted her words. It could be that Sylvia didn’t like the idea of Anna delivering any future children.
    Janie shot her a look of mock disgust. “You’re no help at all.”
    Megan, it appeared, wasn’t as ready to give up. “Do you like her?”
    Anna had always been painfully honest. How was she to tactfully answer this question?
    While she pondered her words, Janie crowed, “You don’t, do you?”
    “I didn’t say that!”
    “Your face did. Don’t ever play poker with the boys, Anna, ‘cause you’d lose all your money.”
    “I’m not likely to play cards with them,” Anna assured Janie, anxious to escape their private conversation. “Did I have any calls?”
    “Nope. No one is in labor. Amazing, isn’t it?” Janie said. “So, tell us why you don’t like her.”
    Anna sighed. Janie wasn’t going to let her get away. “It’s just that…Sylvia didn’t like the fact that Brett was eating with us when—”
    “Wait a minute. Brett was eating with you?” Megan asked, her eyebrows rising.
    “Well, yes. He