The Inheritance

By Marie Ferrarella

You loved the Maitlands––now discover a new branch of the family!

Independent rancher Rafe Maitland had never met his wealthy relatives––and planned to keep it that way. But when matriarch Megan Maitland's lovely personal assistant arrived on his doorstep, determined to ensure his presence at the family reunion, Rafe showed he could be as demanding and crafty as any other Maitland. Because the price for his company was a marriage of convenience––and all to keep custody of the little girl he'd inherited....

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Jul 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781460833582

Marie Ferrarella

This USA TODAY bestselling and RITA ® Award-winning author has written more than two hundred books for Harlequin Books and Silhouette Books, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website at www.marieferrarella.com.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The last thing Rafe Maitland wanted to see at the end of a long, hard day, spent mostly in the saddle overseeing the hundred and one things that went into running a smooth ranching operation for his boss, was a prim, proper-looking woman standing in front of his door wearing a slate-gray suit, sensible shoes and oversize glasses.

His annoyed gaze swept quickly over her. The woman was clutching some kind of briefcase.

Saleswoman?

As he walked toward her, feeling every one of the twelve hours he’d put in since before dawn, the ends of his temper unraveled a little more with each step he took. Never one to run off at the mouth, he was feeling even more uncommunicative than usual. He just wanted a long, hot shower and some time to himself before the evening had a chance to unfold in front of him. Half an hour by himself. Was that too much to ask?

Apparently so.

The woman looked like someone’s timid maiden aunt, right down to her brown hair, which was pulled back in what, in his book, amounted to a no-nonsense hairdo. A woman’s hair should be soft, flowing, Rafe thought critically. Tempting a man to run his fingers through it, not silently ordering hands off.

Who was she and what the hell was she doing here in the middle of almost nowhere?

If he’d had put in an order for a woman on his doorstep, it would have been the vibrant, curvaceous type. And soft, the kind of soft that made a man’s mouth water, not the kind of soft that indicated an untoned body.

Not that he had the energy for the former type of woman these days, he thought. Not with the hours he was putting in on what amounted to next to no sleep. He figured the sleep would come once he got used to being a substitute parent. And Bethany finally got used to having him around and stopped calling out for her parents.

That was the worst of it, hearing her crying the baby words in the middle of the night and knowing that when he appeared, it wouldn’t cause her to stop, to smile the way she had when either Lil or Rory had come to scoop her out of her crib. He was just her godfather, not her parent. But he intended to be much more. All he needed was a little time. And luck.

Rafe swallowed the weary, sad sigh that materialized out of nowhere before it had a chance to escape. He didn’t allow himself to display signs of weakness—even if he was ready to drop in his tracks.

His eyes narrowed as he arrived at his doorstep. The woman looked as if she wanted to flinch but was struggling not to. What was that about? Mentally, he shrugged away the stray bit of curiosity.

Nope, he certainly had enough on his plate without having to put up with any sort of an intrusion. Seeing her open her mouth, he stopped her before she could launch into some kind of a sales pitch.

Sorry if they misdirected you at the main house, ma’am, but whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying, so you might as well leave.

Greer Lawford gripped the handle of the leather briefcase she was holding in both hands a little more tightly as the word went through her. Ma’am. The polite address made her wince inwardly. It also made her feel a thousand years old instead of thirty and a great deal older than this handsome, rugged-looking cowboy standing in front of her. She was hot, somewhat irritable even though she was at the tail end of the long trip she’d been on since yesterday morning and, quite honestly, more than a little tense. She had no intention of being cavalierly dismissed, or even of accepting no for an answer.

Greer was, quite simply, on a mission. Sent by her employer, Megan Maitland, she had been told to do whatever it took to lure this somewhat larger-than-life specimen of manhood to Austin, Texas, and keep him there as the rest of the clan gathered together for what promised to be a huge family celebration.

And whatever Megan Maitland wanted, the matriarch of the Maitland family was accustomed to getting. Not because she was pandered to, or because of any supposed divine right of the moneyed class, but because Megan Maitland’s heart was always behind her requests and everyone took pleasure in making her happy. Greer was no exception.

That this latest request involved gathering together all the heretofore unknown factions of the Maitland clan under one large roof at one time just made Greer that much more determined to see it happen. She’d never had a family and felt she could be forgiven if she acted as though the Maitland family were her own. She had dutifully sent out all the invitations, but when Robert Maitland’s estranged branch of the family had not responded, she’d taken it upon herself to ferret them out even before Mrs. Maitland had said anything. She saw it as a challenge. Rafe Maitland, the youngest, had been her first target.

She felt her palms grow just the slightest bit damp. This was about Christmas, she told herself, the time for peace and goodwill toward men. Even somewhat hostile ones like this one appeared to be.

I’m not selling anything, she told him firmly, watching as he opened the door to his small ranch house. Very quickly, she scooted inside before he had a chance to close it. The interior was sparsely furnished, and what furniture there was, was dark, wooden and massive. It suited him, she thought. She turned to look up at him. I’m Greer Lawford—

She got no further than that. Rafe raised one brow quizzically as he looked at her.

Greer? It sounded like the name of some long-ago screen siren. What kind of a name is that?

A short one, Greer answered tersely.

She gripped her briefcase more tightly, her knuckles aching a little. The man looked like one of those rough-and-tumble cowboys who used to populate the Saturday morning serial westerns of long ago. The kind who brooked no nonsense and listened only to his inner voice, rather than to anything anyone around him had to say. An alpha male, carved out of rock. That, no doubt, included his head.

But Mrs. Maitland wanted this man at the party and Greer was bound and determined to prove herself invaluable to the matriarch she had come very quickly to hold in the highest regard.

A look of disinterest and dismissal slipped over his face and he began to walk away from her. Surprised, Greer strode quickly to catch up and placed herself in front of him.

My name, she continued, isn’t important—

The look in his green eyes darkened. And, no offense, unless you’re here to hand me a million dollar check, neither is your reason for being here.

He wanted her gone and his temporary solitude restored. Pulling the tails of his work shirt out of his jeans, Rafe started unbuttoning it, figuring that would be the end of it.

Greer blinked at being so summarily dismissed. She tried not to watch the progress his fingers were making with the buttons on his shirt, or take any note of the hard, smooth chest that was beginning to emerge from beneath the parting material.

Feeling just the slightest bit shaky, she cleared her throat. It was obvious the man hadn’t gotten the invitation, otherwise he would have guessed the reason for her sudden appearance.

Aren’t you even mildly interested why I’m here?

Nope. And he meant it. Being curious just got you in trouble and he’d had more than his share of trouble in his life. Like now. What I’m interested in is getting cleaned up.

Finished unbuttoning his shirt, Rafe looked at her expectantly. Why wasn’t the woman with the improbable name taking her cue and leaving? He couldn’t be any clearer about his disinterest unless he gave her the bum’s rush.

The woman, her eyes rather wide behind her oversize light-gray-rimmed glasses, remained where she was.

Rafe unnotched his belt and loosened it.

Greer noticed a shift in the temperature within the room. It was definitely getting warmer. She could feel a blush beginning to climb up her body. The embarrassment that caused just heightened the color altering her skin tone.

Are you planning on getting undressed? She congratulated herself on not swallowing nervously before she asked the question.

His eyes met hers as he sat down on the arm of the overstuffed wine-colored leather sofa. The aged furniture creaked slightly. Rafe gripped one boot and pulled it off. Never took a shower with my clothes on if I could help it.

The second boot came off. Her nerve endings frayed a little more as it hit the floor with a thud.

Oh, God, the next minute he was going to take off his jeans. She wasn’t sure which way to avert her eyes and called herself an idiot for feeling this unsettled at her age. But the feeling wouldn’t leave.

Please, Greer said rather loudly, her hand on his arm, stilling any further progress that would fuel her embarrassment, if you’d just hear me out.

He had to admit that he found the pink blush that was even now furiously climbing up her neck rather intriguing as well as amusing. If he’d been given to placing bets, the way his late father had with a remarkable and unalterable passion, Rafe wouldn’t have guessed that the pushy woman before him was a blusher. The women of his acquaintance didn’t turn pink unless they’d spent too much time in the sun.

Time was running out. Alyssa would be here shortly with Bethany and he wanted to get cleaned up before then. He damn well wouldn’t get a chance once he was alone with the toddler. At a little more than one, Bethany had conquered walking a month ago and was into everything from the moment she set foot in the house unless he deposited her in her playpen. He knew he was living on borrowed time. Any day now, Bethany was going to discover a way to escape the small, confining area.

All right— he glanced at his watch —you’ve got five minutes. Talk.

Despite her background in the high-tech professional world she used to inhabit, Greer wasn’t accustomed to talking fast. That was why she enjoyed working for Megan; she liked having time to lay things out.

You’re going to time me?

Yup. His eyes returned to his watch. And you’re wasting it.

Like a marathon swimmer who’d heard the gun go off, Greer took a deep breath and plunged in. I represent Megan Maitland—

A muscle twisted in Rafe’s rigid jaw. Never heard of her.

The abrupt dismissal pulled her up short. It took Greer a little more than a beat to recover. She’s your aunt.

Rafe moved his shoulders in an indifferent shrug, his eyes flat. As were his feelings regarding that distant side of the family. Contrary to what he’d just said, he had heard of Megan Maitland. And her family. And her clinic. He’d made the connection after tossing away the invitation he’d received in the mail nearly a month ago. He didn’t want to get dragged into anything, especially not now.

Denial seemed the best way to go.

Sorry.

Greer supposed it was possible that the man hadn’t heard of Megan Maitland. If he’d been living in a cave for the last twenty-five years. Still, it wasn’t her place to call him a liar.

Ever the diplomat, she pretended she believed him and patiently explained, She and her family run Maitland Maternity in Austin, Texas.

Greer watched his generous lips draw together in slight disdain. She couldn’t tell if it was in response to her, her tone, or what she’d just said.

I know where Austin is. Don’t know where the Maternity is and don’t rightly think I’ll be needing that information anytime soon. He peeled off his thick gray socks and let them drop over his discarded boots.

Panic made a second appearance, assaulting her stomach. Any second, the man was going to start taking off his jeans, she just knew it. Desperation fueled her determination. Will you listen to me and stop talking for a minute?

Rafe’s eyes gave nothing away as he offered her a small salute. Yes, ma’am.

Greer pressed her lips together, trying not to dwell on how much she despised hearing that term applied to her. She’d heard it, time and again, years before she ever thought she deserved it. Years before she was ready for it. She hated the idea that she’d grown into a ma’am without ever having been a miss in anyone’s eyes. She couldn’t help feeling that somehow she’d arrived on the doorstep of settled maturity without having reaped the joys of youth along the way.

Mrs. Maitland is throwing a Christmas party this December—

Rafe snorted disparagingly. That was no concern of his. Good time for it.

Greer purposely ignored the blatant disdain in his voice. —and she’d like you to attend. Actually, she’d like you to arrive there as early as possible so that she could get to know you.

Standing up, he towered over her. His eyes holding hers, Rafe shoved his hands into his pockets. It caused his unsnapped jeans to sink dangerously low on hips that seemed rock solid.

Why me?

Her mouth went dry. Greer was having a great deal of difficulty in not noticing just how lean and hard Rafe Maitland was, how his years in the saddle had left him with a body that seemed sculpted out of granite.

Greer dropped her eyes to study the lone pillow haphazardly thrown onto the sofa, pretending to be interested in its Navajo pattern.

Well, not you alone. You and all the other Maitlands. She raised her head and looked up at him, wondering if his older brother and sister were going to be this difficult. Mrs. Maitland wants this to be a family reunion.

He’d just bet she did. Rafe scowled. Well, he had better things to do than dance like a wooden puppet because some rich dowager wanted to amuse herself and pull the strings.

Sorry, I’m not much on family and I’ve got all I can handle at the moment. His fingers resting on the tongue of his zipper, Rafe looked at Megan Maitland’s messenger, feeling the last of his patience leaving. Now, if that’s all…

Greer knew that part of her problem was that she appeared to be a complete pushover. But, in a way, that was also part of her strength, her secret weapon, because no one expected her to doggedly dig in. And she did. No, that’s not all. You’re supposed to say yes.

Now she was getting him angry. Why? Because some rich lady says I am?

Greer’s chin rose triumphantly. Then you do know who she is.

For a second, his attention fixed on the hint of a cleft in Greer’s chin. He shook off the sudden, unexpected impulse to run his finger along the indentation. He’d made a slip and he didn’t like making slips. Making slips was sloppy.

His brows drew together as his eyes darkened. Lesser men had backed down from him when he looked like that. That she

Reviews for The Inheritance

[scoutmomskf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Oldie but goodie. Megan Maitland is determined to bring her family members together for a family reunion - including the estranged ones. She has sent her personal assistant to convince one of those members to participate.Rafe has never met any of his relatives, and if they're anything like his father, he has no interest in doing so. His life is busy enough without adding unwanted relatives. He's the foreman of a busy ranch, and has recently become the guardian of a baby girl. He's determined to do right by his best friends' daughter, but the mother's aunt and uncle are trying to take her away. I really loved how he has bonded with little Bethany.Rafe has no interest in hearing what Greer has to say, but she refuses to leave without being heard. He's a bit intrigued by her determination, but has no intention of giving in. Until she offers to do whatever he needs to make it happen. He comes up with an idea that could help him, but also might run her off for good. So he makes the bargain that he will go if she will pretend to be his fiancee until the custody hearing is over. He's stunned when she agrees, but he's a man of his word and he'll follow through on his promise.I really enjoyed the relationship that grew between Rafe and Greer. They are two very different people. Rafe is self-reliant, a bit of a loner, and cynical about wealthy people. His father was a gambler flitted in and out of Rafe's life. His mother was a Vegas show girl with issues of her own. She wasn't the best mother, but she had her moments. When Greer arrives with her invitation, Rafe is sure that Megan has some kind of agenda, and doesn't believe Greer's glowing description of her boss. Rafe isn't particularly nice to Greer, trying to run her off. But he starts to admire her determination. He also discovers an unexpected attraction to her. Greer grew up in foster homes, always hoping to find a family of her own. She is impressed by the close relationships of the Maitlands, and by the adversity some have had to overcome to get there. She can't allow Rafe to throw away his chance to be part of it, so she accepts his "proposal".In having to pretend to be engaged, Rafe and Greer are forced into togetherness. As Rafe and Bethany arrive in Austin for their introduction into the family, Greer is there to help ease the way. I liked seeing Rafe's view of Greer change the more he got to know her, and start thinking about making their arrangement permanent. Greer dreams of the same thing, but has such a poor opinion of her own appeal that she doesn't believe it could ever happen. Her love for Rafe and Bethany really shines during the custody hearing, and I loved her passionate response to the judge's questions. Later, a makeover shows her what everyone else (especially Rafe) can already see. I loved Rafe's big moment, as he tries to express his feelings to her. His vulnerability is sweet and romantic. Greer's fears create a bit of a bump in the proceeding, and I loved seeing Rafe overcome them.As this is part of a continuity, there are a couple of unresolved storylines. A man from Megan's past has reappeared and wants back into her life. I suspect there is more to his arrival than just a desire to make amends. There is also someone who is vandalizing the new construction at the clinic. We see who, but as yet have no indication as to why. I will eventually track down and read the other books in the series to get the whole story.