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Jacob to thank for bringing back some of the light in her eyes. She hadn t realised how much
she truly needed to be back on a horse, but apparently Jacob had. His ability to read her and
her moods was scary at times. He just had a way of anticipating her needs and her wants,
sometimes before even she could.
After what felt like hours, she dug her heels into Cobalt s flanks, urging her to slow
down. Whipping her head around, she signalled to Jackson and he nodded back. She trotted
towards a small stream and dismounted before tethering Cobalt to a nearby tree so that she
could take a break.
Slipping down onto the grass, she leaned back against a large tree, enjoying the
comfort of the shade as the scorching Texas sun beat down upon them. Drawing her legs up,
she wrapped her arms around them, holding herself in a tight ball.
 You look so much like your mother. It s amazing.
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58
The blood froze in her veins and she immediately stiffened at the latent meaning in his
words. As a child, he d probably seen her mother in his home on more than one occasion and
knew her face well.
 I m sorry. I I didn t mean. I mean...that was stupid of me to say.
She turned to stare at Jackson. His face was flushed red with embarrassment.
She offered him a reassuring smile.  It s okay. It s no secret, she whispered, before
turning once again to stare out at the rolling hills of dry grass.
 Dad did his best to be discreet about their relationship, and I was young then so I
really don t know much. I just remember how everything changed after she was gone, he
said as he sat down next to her.
She glanced at him.  Do you believe the rumours that your dad died of a broken
heart?
Jackson nodded, his eyes now distant as he followed her gaze towards the golden
horizon.  He did. He was so lost after she died. He let out a deep sigh.  I never really
listened to what other people said that she used dad, although for awhile I too wasn t
absolutely certain that she didn t do what everyone said she did. But I know dad certainly
didn t listen to the words of gossipers. He loved her.
She fixed her gaze upon Jackson.  Jacob doesn t believe that. That my mother didn t
set him up.
Jackson turned to stare at her, his eye gaze thoughtful.
 Jacob still blames your mom for dad s death. He thinks her supposed betrayal killed
him. The rest of us always had our doubts, but Jacob was closest to dad so it hit him the
hardest. The rest of us were always willing to believe that your mother wasn t guilty.
 My mother didn t give Titan Corporations insider information. She was framed after
her death, Jackson, I know it. I m almost certain my father did it so that in death he could
finally do what he hadn t been able to do during her life. Destroy her love for your father,
she said quietly and ducked her head.
 You don t have to try to convince me. He let out a ragged breath.  It wasn t until
you came here that I finally realised it was time to let go of the past. What our parents did or
didn t do has nothing to do with us. He shrugged.  Jacob seems to be the only person who
thinks differently.
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY S DAUGHTER Nadia Aidan
59
A bitter smile lifted her lips.  I know. We ve argued about that a few times. He seems
to think the women in my family are all whores and users, she said dryly.
Jackson sighed.  He can be a bit self righteous at times.
She smiled at the truth of Jackson s words, but didn t respond to his comment.
 My mother loved your father. I know she would never have done anything to hurt
him.
 I know. And you being here has helped the rest of us realise this. Maybe Jacob will
too one day.
She furrowed her brow as she stared back at him.  I don t get it. If he hates my family
so much then why am I here? Why not just refuse to sell back my land and move on? Why
bring me into his home, and pretend that he feels anything but disdain towards me?
A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth.  I don t know how or why Jacob came
up with this particular arrangement. At the time, we all had our reservations about his idea.
His eyes flashed with mischief as a wicked grin crossed his face.  But then you walked
through that door and the rest of us were just so smitten with you that none of us protested.
She snorted at his words, trying to keep her eyes from rolling. She didn t believe him
for one second.
 I know your bastard of an ex-husband tried to convince you otherwise, but you re
beautiful, and believe me we didn t agree to Jacob s plan until after you walked into our
office that day, he added when she lifted a single brow, her expression sceptical.
She shook her head at his words, still not quite believing that he was telling the
truth that they all desired her in some way.
 It s true. We thought Jacob was crazy for even suggesting it, but then you strolled in
and all of a sudden we were convinced that it was a brilliant idea. He chuckled softly.  I
know you may not believe it, but I can assure you, what Jacob feels for you is far from hate. I
think he s falling for you, but he can t quite convince himself to let go of the past long enough
to admit it.
She shook her head.  Jacob isn t falling for me. I doubt I ve had any positive influence
on him at least when it comes to his views regarding my family.
His eyes twinkled with amusement.  You would be surprised by just how much
power you hold over my brother.
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY S DAUGHTER Nadia Aidan
60
As they rode back towards the house, Jackson s words haunted her. She was less
convinced than he was. Jacob may not still hate her or her family, but she knew damn well he
wasn t falling for her either. With Jackson s words ringing in her head, she was now more
confused than ever.
* * * *
Her concerns about her relationship with Jacob continued to haunt her two weeks
later. She hadn t seen him since he d left for Dallas. And she was now pretty certain that he
was purposely staying out of town in order to avoid having to see her, and that just really
pissed her off.
She didn t know what his deal was, but she hated that he d shut her out when it
seemed as if they were just making progress. He d called several times while he was away.
While she was cordial when they spoke, in no way did she overflow with the enthusiasm she
actually felt whenever she heard his voice. In truth, she was hurt and angry with him, and
just wasn t in the mood for pleasantries when so much lay unspoken just beneath the surface.
She could hear the confusion in his voice at her distant tone when they spoke, but he
held back from questioning her. She was glad that he did. She wasn t sure how she would
answer him. She didn t know what was happening between them and it scared her. She
wanted to let down her guard with him, but she just didn t trust him and the more time she
spent away from him the more convinced she became that she shouldn t.
She shook her head trying to clear her mind and lifted her glass of wine to her lips.
She would not ruin her celebration dinner with thoughts of Jacob. She d come to Houston
two days ago to enter contract negotiations with a publisher. Impressed with her column,
they d offered her a contract to write a self-help book for divorced women, looking to enjoy
life and their new found singledom. At times she felt like such a fraud as a columnist because [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]