The Secret Child & The Cowboy CEO by Janice Maynard

me.”
    And then she broke down. Her body was sore, her feet rubbed raw, her emotions shredded. When Mac enfolded her in his big arms, she put her head on his shoulder and sighed. She hadn’t realized until this very moment what a hole there had been in her life without his wise counsel and unconditional love.
    He held her in silence for a few minutes, and then they went to his study and sat side by side on the oversize leather sofa.
    Mac studied her face. “Talk to me, girl. Are you okay?”
    Bryn managed a smile. “I’m fine…really. All I need is a shower and some clean clothes.”
    Then she bit her lip. “We’re going to have to settle some things, Mac. I don’t want to be away from Allen much longer. You’re recovering on schedule. I know the grief is tough, but physically you’re doing well. With lots of rest and healthy food, you’ll be back to your old ornery self in no time. But I can’t be here with Trent. It’s an impossible situation.” And with Jesse’s parentagenow in question her quest to secure Allen’s future might be a moot point.
    Mac leaned back, his arms folded across his chest. “It’s my house,” he said gruffly. “I invite whom I please.”
    She shook her head in desperation. “You don’t understand what he thinks of me, Mac.”
    â€œHe’s wrong.”
    Her heart caught in her chest. Did he really believe her? After all this time? She hardly dared to hope.
    Mac’s expression was bleak. “I suspected as soon as you left six years ago that I had made a mistake. But bringing you back to marry Jesse would only have made things worse. You deserved far better. And Jesse needed…well, who knows what Jesse needed. So many things…”
    â€œDid you and Jesse ever discuss me?”
    He shrugged. “Not directly. But I think he knew I was suspicious of his take on the story.”
    â€œBut you never put him on the spot and asked outright if he had lied?” That was what hurt so much.
    The conversation had tired him. He was gray in the face suddenly and clearly exhausted.
    Though it frustrated her, Bryn put her own feelings aside for the moment. She was here to help him, not make his life more upsetting. She took him by the hand. “Never mind,” she said softly. “It can wait a few more days. Let’s get you into bed for a nap.”
    He allowed her to lead him back to the bedroom, but he was still agitated. “You can’t leave, Brynnie. Swear to me you’ll stay.”
    She tucked him in and smoothed the covers. “We’ll have to take it a day at a time, Mac. I can’t promise more than that.”
    Â 
    After settling Mac for his afternoon rest, Bryn retreated to her room. She had no desire to run into Trent. She was still aching from the knowledge that he believed she had seduced Jesse.
    She spent part of the afternoon on the phone with Beverly.
    Her aunt picked up on the tone in her voice. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œWell, Mac seems to have softened. I think he believes Allen is his grandson, but I haven’t had the heart to press the paternity issue yet. Mac’s really frail, and Trent is either hostile or suspicious or both.”
    â€œYou’d think that Trent would want the test to prove that you’re lying and let his family off the hook.”
    â€œI think he’s afraid I’ll manipulate Mac’s emotions and get him to change the will regardless.”
    â€œI didn’t get the impression that Mac was so gullible.”
    â€œHe’s not, definitely not. But the heart attack has changed him.”
    â€œIt will all work out, honey.”
    â€œI hope so. But there’s more. I found some letters that seem to indicate Jesse might not be Mac’s son.”
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    Dinner that evening was painfully uncomfortable. Mac’s animated conversation was so out of characterthat Trent kept shooting