The Sheikh's Secret Son by Kasey Michaels

presence was, perhaps, a little intimidating.
    And he had not liked the way everyone had looked at Eden when they entered the house, their eyes more full of questions than clouded by the dilemma of Matthew and young Taylor.
    In fact, Ryan Fortune, Eden’s uncle, and definitely the patriarch of the Fortune tribe, had eyed him asclosely as Nadim watched the ambitious Minister of Public Funds. The scrutiny had almost made Ben feel guilty, as if he had committed some crime, one of which he was not yet aware. One he could be punished for at any moment. Punished for, and then banished.
    Yet Ryan Fortune was all smiles when they reached him on the porch, telling Ben again how grateful he was that he had brought his niece to the Double Crown.
    â€œEden is with Claudia now, and they’re having a woman-to-woman talk, I believe. Eden has always been very good with that sort of thing. If she hadn’t gone into law, I believe she might have made a fine diplomat. However, as she’s probably going to be with Claudia for some time, she asked that I say her good-nights for her,” Ryan said.
    Ben was familiar with the term “bum’s rush,” and he was pretty sure he was suddenly close to the “Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry” speech.
    â€œUncle Ryan?” Holden said, seemingly caught between surprise and embarrassment. “It’s only nine o’clock. Surely you aren’t saying Ben should leave already?”
    â€œNo, of course not,” Ryan Fortune said, looking at his nephew with an intensity that probably had the man wondering if he had a coffee stain on the front of his white shirt. “It’s just that we’ve had aproblem at the saw mill, Holden. Somebody forgot to latch something or other, and somehow logs have…have escaped. I think you might want to get on the horn, contact the manager up there and find out the extent of the damage before something else happens and things get worse. ”
    Holden stood very still for a moment, his eyes shifting from side to side, then said quickly, “Of course, of course. I’ll get right on it, Uncle Ryan. Ben,” he then said, turning to extend his hand to Ben, who kept his face carefully emotionless, “I hate to rush away like this, but I do have to take care of this. Uncle Ryan will make sure you and your staff know the way back to San Antonio. Although we’d all be pleased to have you visit again soon, if you can manage to include us in your schedule.”
    â€œI am sure that would be possible, Holden, especially as you have promised me a day-long ride around this fine property. As it is, I should be getting back to the hotel. Nadim, my advisor, will be keeping a light on, you understand, pacing and worrying like an old hen with one chick. That amuses me, but I cannot soothe my conscience with the thought that he deserves a little worry from time to time.”
    Within five minutes, the assembled Fortunes had said their good-nights and Ben found himself back in his limousine, the driver making his way slowlyover the dark, twisting road that led back to the main gates. He lowered the side window, reluctant to leave the smells of grassland and meadows, wondering if Eden truly had been too involved with her cousin’s wife to personally bid him good-night.
    There was something going on at the Fortune ranch. Something that included Matthew Fortune’s new problem, but it was not limited to that problem. Ben had been raised to scent out intrigue, and there had been intrigue aplenty tonight, easily sniffed out over the aroma of fine food, over the lush smells of the night.
    Somewhere, deep inside himself, he could not dismiss the niggling feeling that he had something to do with that air of intrigue, of nervousness, of a secret not meant to be shared.
    The limousine came to a gentle stop and the glass divider between Ben and the hired American driver slid down. “Yes?” Ben asked,