Almost a Family by Stephanie Bond Page A

to guarantee a developer couldn't gobble them up."
    Chad jumped out of the car to explore before it came to a complete stop.
    She laughed, and Bailey grinned. Then an awkward silence followed, during which Virginia realized it was the first time they'd been alone since the previous night.
    She put the car in park and switched off the ignition.
    "Look, Ginny," Bailey began, "about last night—"
    "No need to apologize," she interrupted, keeping her voice light and carefree. She even managed to laugh. "I've forgotten it already."
    He scowled. "I wasn't going to apologize, and I haven't forgotten it."
    The low rumble of his voice sent a thrill along Virginia's spine, unraveling threads of desire. The person least interested controls the situation. Self-preservation kicked in. "It was no big deal, Bailey, you're making too much of a harmless kiss. Let's just get past it."
    "A harmless kiss?" he repeated. "Is that all it was to you?" He exhaled in exasperation, then clasped her hand. "Look at me, Ginny, and tell me last night meant nothing to you."
    Tell him, her heart pleaded. Tell him he's the only man you've ever loved.
    Go ahead, her head teased. Trade a few months of pleasure for another decade of pain when he tires of you, except now with Chad, you'll have to see him every week and keep the wound fresh.
    She pulled her hand from his, looked deep into his cobalt-blue eyes, and said in her calmest voice, "Last night meant nothing to me, Bailey."
    Hurt narrowed his eyes, but she didn't flinch. His ego was a little bruised, that was all. He obviously wasn't used to his sexual advances being rejected.
    Bailey expelled a long, noisy breath. "Rita says I'm pretty dense sometimes, that I have to be hit over the head with the truth." He laughed harshly. "I guess she's right." The smile he offered her seemed resigned. "So... where do we go from here?"
    "Nowhere," she replied casually, her heart splintering. "We'll need to keep up appearances for Chad's sake, but that shouldn't be too difficult."
    He worked his mouth, pursing his lips. "Appearances... you mean pretend to like each other?"
    "Not pretend—I'd like to think we can be friends."
    He turned in his seat to look out the window, across the farm, in the direction of their meadow. Her nerve endings tingled, her muscles tensed for his response. She drew a deep breath for strength—she wasn't sure how much more resistance she had in her.
    Finally he turned back to her and gave her a watery smile, then surprised her by extending his hand. "Friends it is," he said softly.
    Virginia stared at his broad, tanned fingers, trying to push aside the memories of the fire his hands had unleashed the previous night. She slipped her hand inside his and squeezed slightly in a firm handshake. Bravo, Virginia.
    "Hey, you two!" Rita's voice startled her. She jerked around to see the petite brunette shaking her finger at them through the car window. "Aren't you coming in? You can hold hands out here!"
    A flush burned Virginia's cheeks as she withdrew her hand from Bailey's clasp. He said nothing as they climbed out of the car, but a frown creased his dark brow.
    Chad came running up with his sandy-haired cousin at his heels, his face consumed with a grin. "Jean Ann says there are fifteen cows and four horses!"
    Bailey's expression lifted instantly. "Do you ride?"
    Chad's face fell. "No."
    "Well, I guess we'll have to fix that, won't we?"
    Virginia couldn't help smiling when her son's face lit up.
    "Can you teach me?" he asked Bailey.
    Bailey pulled at his chin. "I could, but Ginny used to be the real horseman in the family." Her expression must have mirrored Chad's one of surprise, because he added, " 'Fess up, Ginny, you ran our little stable single-handedly."
    "But I haven't ridden in years."
    Chad frowned. "I want you to show me, Bailey," he said earnestly, "not some girl."
    Virginia bit her lip, telling herself she was going to have to stop letting these two men hurt her.
    "Son," Bailey said,