NoonecanresistabookbyDianaPalmer!
“Nobodydoesitbetter.”
—NewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorLindaHoward
“Palmerknowshowtomakethesparksfly…heartwarming.”
—PublishersWeeklyonRenegade
“Acompellingtale…[thatpacks]anemotionalwallop.”
—BooklistonRenegade
“Sensualandsuspenseful.”
—BooklistonLawless
“DianaPalmerisamesmerizingstorytellerwhocapturestheessenceofwhataromanceshouldbe.”
—AffairedeCoeur
“NobodytopsDianaPalmerwhenitcomestodeliveringpure,undilutedromance.Iloveherstories.”
—NewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorJayneAnnKrentz
“Thedialogueischarming,thecharacterslikableandthesexsizzling.”
—PublishersWeeklyonOnceinParis
DearReader,
WillofSteelstartedouttobeadifferentsortofbookaltogether,acomedyaboutayounggirlanda
policechiefwhocametogetherbecauseoftheirrespectiveuncles’wills.Butthatisn’thowitturned
out,asyouwilldiscover.
Authorsknowthatcharacterstendtotakeonlivesoftheirown,oncetheyarecreated.Youcanhavea
patternforabook,buttheheroandheroinecanreviseittotheirownliking.No,I’mnotcertifiable:
thisisactuallyhowthecreativeprocessworks.SoIplotthebook,andthecharacterswriteittheir
ownway.
RourkewasinToughtoTameandDangerous,andhepoppedupagaininthisbook,withabitmore
background.Ididn’tinvitehim:hejustcamealongfortheride.He’soneofthosemenIcan’tgetrid
of.CashGrierwasanother.He’llgetabookofhisowndowntheline,Iguess.
Thanksforyoursupportandyourkindness,andalltheprayersandhugs.Iamdoingwell,although
I’malittlelessmobilethanIusedtobe.Chronicillnessforceschanges,notmanyofthemwelcome.I
amgratefultohaveloyalfansandlaptopcomputersandathoughtfulhusbandandunderstanding
family.Thoseareblessingsworthrubiesinthisworld.Themostbeautifulrubyismygranddaughter,
Selena,butIwon’tgoonaboutthat,althoughIcould!
Muchlovetoallofyou,andthanksagainforstayingaroundandreadingmybooks.You’rethe
reasonIcan’tstopwritingthem.
Love,
DianaPalmer
D
IANA
P
ALMER
WILLOFSTEEL
SelectedBooksbyDianaPalmer
SilhouetteDesire
ThatBurkeMan#913
Beloved#1189
AManofMeans#1429
ManinControl#1537
BossMan#1688
IronCowboy#1856
TheMaverick#1982
WillofSteel#2054
SilhouetteSpecialEdition
MattCaldwell:TexasTycoon#1297
Carrera’sBride#1645
HeartofStone#1921
SilhouetteBooks
ALong,TallTexanSummer
LoneStarChristmas
“ChristmasCowboy”
LovewithaLong,TallTexan
SilhouetteRomance
Calhoun#580
Justin#592
Tyler#604
Sutton’sWay#670
Ethan#694
Connal#741
Harden#783
Evan#819
Donavan#843
Emmett#910
Regan’sPride#1000
Coltrain’sProposal#1103
ThePrincessBride#1282
Callaghan’sBride#1355
DIANAPALMER
Withmorethanfortymillioncopiesofherbooksinprint,DianaPalmerisoneofNorthAmerica’s
mostbelovedauthorsandconsideredoneofthetoptenromanceauthorsintheUnitedStates.
Diana’shobbiesincludegardening,archaeology,anthropologyandmusic.Shehasbeenmarriedto
JamesKyleforoverthirty-fiveyears.Theyhaveoneson,Blayne,whoismarriedtotheformer
ChristinaClayton,andagranddaughter,SelenaMarie.
Tothereaders,allofyou,manyofwhomaremyfriendsonmyFacebookpage.Youmakethisjob
wonderfulandworthwhile.Thankyouforyourkindnessandyoursupportandyouraffectionthrough
allthelongyears.Iamstillyourbiggestfan.
Contents
One
H
eneverlikedcominghere.Thestupidcalffollowedhimaround,everywherehewent.Hecouldn’t
gettheanimaltoleavehimalone.Once,he’dwhackedthecalfwithasoftfirtreebranch,butthathad
ledtorepercussions.Itsownerhadalottosayaboutanimalcrueltyandquotedthelawtohim.He
didn’tneedhertoquotethelaw.Hewas,afterall,thechiefofpoliceinthesmallMontanatownwhere
theybothlived.
Technically,ofcourse,thiswasn’ttown.ItwasabouttwomilesoutsidetheMedicineRidgecity
limits.AsmallranchinHollister,Montana,thatincludedtwoclear,coldtroutstreamsandhalfa
mountain.Heruncleandhisunclehadowneditjointlyduringtheirlifetimes.Thetwoofthem,best
friendsforever,hadrecentlydied,hisunclefromaheartattackandhers,aboutamonthlater,inan
airplanecrashenroutetoacattleman’sconvention.Thepropertywassettogoupontheauction
block,andaCaliforniarealestatedeveloperwasskulkinginthewings,waitingtoputinthewinning
bid.Hewasgoingtobuildarichman’sresorthere,bankingonthosepuretroutstreamstobringin
thebusiness.
IfHollisterPoliceChiefTheodoreGraveshadhisway,themanwouldneversetfootonthe
property.Shefeltthatway,too.Butthewilyoldmenhadplacedaclauseinboththeirwillspertaining
toownershipofthelandinquestion.Theclauseinheruncle’swillhadbeenasourceofshockto
Gravesandthegirlwhentheamusedattorneyreaditouttothem.Ithadprovokedawarofwords
everytimehewalkedinthedoor.
“I’mnotmarryingyou,”JillianSanderstoldhimfirmlytheminutehesteppedontheporch.“I
don’tcareifIhavetoliveinthebarnwithSammy.”
Sammywasthecalf.
Helookeddownatherfromhisfarsuperiorheightwithfaintarrogance.“Noproblem.Idon’t
thinkthegrammarschoolwouldgiveyouahallpasstomarrymeanyway.”
Herpertnosewrinkled.“Well,you’dhavetogetpermissionfromtheoldfolks’home,andI’ll
betyouwouldn’tgetit,either!”
Itwasastandingjoke.Hewasthirty-onetoheralmosttwenty-one.Theywerecompletely
mismatched.Shewassmallandblondeandblue-eyed,hewastallanddarkandblack-eyed.Heliked
gunsandworkingonhisoldtruckwhenhewasn’tperforminghisdutiesaschiefofpoliceinthe
smallMontanacommunitywheretheylived.Shelikedmakinguprecipesfornewsweetsandhe
couldn’tstandanythingsweetexceptpoundcake.Shealsohatedgunsandnoise.
“Ifyoudon’tmarryme,Sammywillbefeaturedonthemenuinthelocalcafé,andyou’llhave
toliveinthewoodsinacave,”hepointedout.
Thatdidn’thelpherdisposition.Sheglaredathim.Itwasn’therfaultthatshehadnofamilyleft
alive.Herparentshaddiednotlongaftershewasbornofaninfluenzaoutbreak.Herunclehadtaken
herinandraisedher,buthewasnotingoodhealthandhadheartproblems.Jillianhadtakencareof
himaslongashewasalive,fussingoverhisdietandtryingtoconcoctspecialdishestomakehim
comfortable.Buthe’ddiednotofillhealth,butinalightairplanecrashonhiswaytoacattle
convention.Hedidn’tkeepmanycattleanymore,buthe’dlovedseeingfriendsattheconferences,and
helovedtoattendthem.Shemissedhim.Itwaslonelyontheranch.Ofcourse,ifshehadtomarry
Rambo,here,itwouldbelesslonely.
Sheglaredathim,asifeverythingbadinherlifecouldbelaidathisdoor.“I’dalmostrather
liveinthecave.Ihateguns!”sheaddedvehemently,notingtheonehewore,old-fashionedstyle,on
hishipinaholster.“Youcouldblowaholethroughaconcretewallwiththatthing!”
“Probably,”heagreed.
“Whycan’tyoucarrysomethingsmall,likeyourofficersdo?”
“Iliketomakeanimpression,”hereturned,tongue-in-cheek.
Ittookheraminutetogettheinsinuation.Sheglaredathimevenmore.
Hesighed.“Ihaven’thadlunch,”hesaid,andmanagedtolookasifhewerestarving.
“There’sagoodcaférightdowntown.”
“Whichwillbeclosingsoonbecausetheycan’tgetacook,”hesaidwithdisgust.“Damnedest
thing,weliveinatownwhereeverywomancooks,butnobodywantstodoitforthepublic.Iguess
I’llstarve.Iburnwater.”
Itwasthetruth.Helivedontakeoutfromthelocalcaféandfrozendinners.Hegloweredather.
“Iguessmarryingyouwouldsavemylife.Atleastyoucancook.”
Shegavehimasmuglook.“Yes,Ican.Andthelocalcaféisn’tclosing.Theyhiredacookjust
thismorning.”
“Theydid?”heexclaimed.“Whodidtheyget?”
Sheavertedhereyes.“Ididn’tcatchhername,buttheysayshe’stalented.Soyouwon’tstarve,I
guess.”
“Yes,butthatdoesn’thelpoursituationhere,”hepointedout.Hissensuallipsmadeathinline.“I
don’twanttogetmarried.”
“NeitherdoI,”sheshotback.“I’vehardlyevendatedanybody!”
Hiseyebrowswentup.“You’retwentyyearsold.Almosttwenty-one.”
“Yes,andmyunclewassuspiciousofeverymanwhocamenearme,”shereturned.“Hemadeit
impossibleformetoleavethehouse.”
Hisblackeyestwinkled.“AsIrecall,youdidescapeonce.”
Sheturnedscarlet.Yes,shehad,withanauditorwho’dcometodothebooksforalocallawyer ’s
office.Theman,mucholderthanherandmoresophisticated,hadcharmedher.She’dtrustedhim,
justasshe’dtrustedanothermantwoyearsearlier.Theauditorhadtakenherbacktohismotelroom
togetsomethingheforgot.Orsohe’dtoldher.Actuallyhe’dlockedthedoorandproceededtotryto
removeherclothes.Hewasveryniceaboutit,hewasjustinsistent.
Buthedidn’tknowthatJillianhademotionalscarsalreadyfromamantryingtoforceher.She’d
beensoafraid.She’dreallylikedtheman,trustedhim.UncleJohnhadn’t.Healwaysfeltguiltyabout
whatshe’dbeenthroughbecauseofhishiredman.Shewasunderage,andhetoldhertostayaway
fromtheman.
Butshe’dhadstarsinhereyesbecausethemanhadflirtedwithherwhenshe’dgonewithUncle
Johntoseehisattorneyaboutalanddeal.She’dthoughthewasdifferent,nothinglikeUncleJohn’s
hiredmanwhohadturnednasty.
He’dtalkedtoheronthephoneseveraltimesandpersuadedhertogooutwithhim.Infatuated,
shesneakedoutwhenUncleJohnwenttobed.Butshelandedherselfinveryhotwaterwhentheman
gotoverlyamorous.She’dmanagedtogethercellphoneoutandpunchedin911.Theresulthad
been…unforgettable.
“Theydidgetthedoorfixed,Ibelieve…?”shesaid,lettinghervoicetrailoff.
Heglaredather.“Itwaslocked.”
“There’ssuchathingaskeys,”shepointedout.
“WhileIwasfindingone,you’dhavebeen…”
Sheflushedagain.Shemoveduncomfortably.“Yes,well,Ididthankyou.Atthetime.”
“Andatravelingmathematicianlearnedthedangersoftryingtoseduceteenagersinmytown.”
Shecouldn’treallyargue.She’dbeensixteenatthetime,andTheodore’squickreactionhad
savedherhonor.Theauditorhadn’tknownherrealage.Sheknewhe’dneverhaveaskedheroutifhe
hadanyideashewasunderlegalage.He’dbeentheonlymanshehadarealinterestin,forherwhole
life.He’dquitthefirmheworkedfor,soheneverhadtocomebacktoHollister.Shefeltbadaboutit.
Thewholefiascowasherownfault.
Thesadthingwasthatitwasn’therfirstscaryepisodewithanolderman.Thefirst,atfifteen,
hadscarredher.She’dthoughtthatshecouldtrustamanagainbecauseshewascrazyaboutthe
auditor.Buttheauditorbecametheicingonthecakeofherwithdrawalfromtheworldofdatingfor
good.She’dreallylikedhim,trustedhim,hadbeeninfatuatedwithhim.Hewasn’tevenabadman,
notlikethatotherone…
“Thejudgedidlethimgowithaseverereprimandaboutmakingsureofagirl’sageandnot
tryingtopersuadeherintoanillegalact.Buthecouldhavegonetoprison,anditwouldhavebeenmy
fault,”sherecalled.Shedidn’tmentionthemanwhohadgonetoprisonforassaultingher.Teddidn’t
knowaboutthatandshewasn’tgoingtotellhim.
“Don’tlooktometohaveanysympathyforhim,”hesaidtersely.“Evenifyou’dbeenoflegal
age,hehadnorighttotrytocoerceyou.”
“Pointtaken.”
“Youruncleshouldhaveletyougetoutmore,”hesaidreluctantly.
“Ineverunderstoodwhyhekeptmesoclosetohome,”sherepliedthoughtfully.Sheknewit
wasn’tallbecauseofherbadexperience.
Hisblackeyestwinkled.“Oh,that’seasy.Hewassavingyouforme.”
Shegapedathim.
Hechuckled.“Hedidn’tactuallysayso,butyoumusthaverealizedfromhiswillthathe’d
plannedafutureforusforsometime.”
Alotofthingswerejustbecomingclear.Shewasspeechless,foronce.
Hegrinned.“Hegrewyouinahothousejustforme,littleorchid,”heteased.
“Obviouslyyouruncleneverdidthesameforme,”shesaidscathingly.
Heshrugged,andhiseyestwinkledevenmore.“Oneofushastoknowwhattodowhenthetime
comes,”hepointedout.
Sheflushed.“Ithinkwecouldworkitoutwithoutdiagrams.”
Heleanedcloser.“WantmetolookitupandseeifIcanfindsomeforyou?”
“I’mnotmarryingyou!”sheyelled.
Heshrugged.“Suityourself.Maybeyoucanputupsomecurtainsandlayafewrugsandthe
cavewillbemorecomfortable.”Heglancedoutthewindow.“PoorSammy,”headdedsadly.“His
futureisless,shallwesay,palatable.”
“Forthelasttime,Sammyisnotabull,he’sacow.She’sacow,”shefaltered.
“Sammyisabull’sname.”
“ShelookedlikeaSammy,”shesaidstubbornly.“Whenshe’sgrown,she’llgivemilk.”
“Onlywhenshe’scalving.”
“Likeyouknow,”sheshotback.
“Ibelongtothecattleman’sassociation,”heremindedher.“Theytellusstufflikethat.”
“Ibelongtoit,too,andno,theydon’t,youlearnitfromraisingcattle!”
Hetuggedhiswide-brimmedhatoverhiseyes.“It’suseless,arguingwithablondfencepost.I’m
goingbacktowork.”
“Don’tshootanybody.”
“I’venevershotanybody.”
“Ha!”sheburstout.“Whataboutthatbankrobber?”
“Oh.Him.Well,heshotatmefirst.”
“Stupidofhim.”
Hegrinned.“That’sjustwhathesaid,whenIvisitedhiminthehospital.Hemissed.Ididn’t.And
hegotsentencedforassaultonapoliceofficeraswellasthebankheist.”
Shefrowned.“Hesworehe’dmakeyoupayforthat.Whatifhegetsout?”
“Tentotwenty,andhe’sgotpriors,”hetoldher.“I’llbeinanursinghomeforrealbythetime
hegetsout.”
Shegloweredupathim.“Peoplearealwaysgettingoutofjailontechnicalities.Allheneedsisa
goodlawyer.”
“Goodlucktohimgettingoneonwhatheearnsmakinglicenseplates.”
“Thestateprovidesattorneysforpeoplewhocan’tpay.”
Hegasped.“Thankyoufortellingme!Ididn’tknow!”
“Whydon’tyougotowork?”sheasked,irritated.
“I’vebeentryingto,butyouwon’tstopflirtingwithme.”
Shegasped,butforreal.“Iamnotflirtingwithyou!”
Hegrinned.Hisblackeyeswerewarmandsensuousastheymethers.“Yes,youare.”Hemoved
astepcloser.“Wecoulddoanexperiment.Toseeifwewerechemicallysuitedtoeachother.”
Shelookedathim,puzzled,forafewseconds,untilitdawnedonherwhathewassuggesting.
Shemovedbacktwosteps,deliberately,andherhighcheekbonesflushedagain.“Idon’twanttodo
anyexperimentswithyou!”
Hesighed.“Okay.Butit’sgoingtobeaverylonelymarriageifyoukeepthinkingthatway,
Jake.”
“Don’tcallmeJake!MynameisJillian.”
Heshrugged.“You’reaJake.”Hegaveheralonglook,takinginherraggedjeansandbulky
graysweatshirtandbootswithcurled-uptoesfromuse.Herlongblondhairwaspinnedupfirmly
intoatopknot,andsheworenomakeup.“Tomboy,”headdedaccusingly.
Sheavertedhereyes.Therewerereasonsshedidn’taccentuateherfeminineattributes,andshe
didn’twanttodiscussthepastwithhim.Itwasn’tthesortofthingshefeltcomfortabletalkingabout
withanyone.ItmadeUncleJohnlookbad,andhewasdead.He’dcriedabouthislackofjudgmentin
hiringDavyHarris.Butitwastoolatebythen.
Tedwasgettingsomesortofvibrationsfromher.Shewaskeepingsomethingfromhim.He
didn’tknowwhat,buthewasalmostcertainofit.
Histeasingmannerwentintoeclipse.Hebecameapolicemanagain.“Istheresomethingyou
wanttotalktomeabout,Jake?”heaskedinthesofttoneheusedwithchildren.
Shewouldn’tmeethiseyes.“Itwouldn’thelp.”
“Itmight.”
Shegrimaced.“Idon’tknowyouwellenoughtotellyousomethings.”
“Ifyoumarryme,youwill.”
“We’vehadthisdiscussion,”shepointedout.
“PoorSammy.”
“Stopthat!”shemuttered.“I’llfindherahome.IcouldalwaysaskJohnCallisterifheandhis
wife,Sassy,wouldletherlivewiththem.”
“Ontheirranchwheretheyraisepurebredcattle.”
“Sammyhaspurebredbloodlinesonbothsides,”shemuttered.“Hermotherwasapurebred
HerefordcowandherfatherwasapurebredAngusbull.”
“AndSammyisa‘blackbaldy,’”heagreed,givingitthehybridname.“Butthatdoesn’tmake
herapurebredcow.”
“Semantics!”sheshotback.
Hegrinned.“Thereyougo,throwingthoseone-dollarwordsatmeagain.”
“Don’tpretendtobedumb,ifyouplease.Ihappentoknowthatyougotadegreeinphysics
duringyourstintwiththearmy.”
Heraisedboththickblackeyebrows.“ShouldIbeflattered?”
“Why?”
“Thatyoutakeaninterestinmybackground.”
“Everybodyknows.Itisn’tjustme.”Heshrugged.
“Whyareyouasmall-townpolicechief,withthatsortofeducation?”sheaskedsuddenly.
“BecauseIdon’thavethetemperamentforscientificresearch,”hesaidsimply.“Besides,you
don’tgettoplaywithgunsinalaboratory.”
“Ihateguns.”
“Yousaid.”
“Ireallymeanit.”Sheshivereddramatically.“Youcouldshootsomebodybyaccident.Didn’t
oneofyourpatrolmendrophispistolinagrocerystoreanditwentoff?”
Helookedgrim.“Yes,hedid.Hewasoffdutyandcarryinghislittle.32wheelguninhispants
pocket.Hereachedforchangeanditfelloutanddischarged.”Hepursedhislips.“AmistakeIcan
guaranteehewillnevermakeagain.”
“Sohiswifesaid.Youareonemeanmanwhenyouloseyourtemper,doyouknowthat?”
“Thepistoldischargedintoadisplayofcans,fortunatelyforhim,andweonlyhadtopay
damagestothestore.Butitcouldhavedischargedintoachild,oragrown-up,withtragicresults.
Therearereasonswhytheymakeholstersforguns.”
Shelookedathispointedly.“Thatonesureisfancy,”shenoted,indicatingthescrollworkonthe
softtanleather.Italsosportedsilverconchosandfringe.
“Mycousinmadeitforme.”
“Tanika?”sheasked,becausesheknewhiscousin,afull-bloodedCheyennewholiveddown
nearHardin.
“Yes.”Hesmiled.“Shethinkspracticalgearshouldhavebeauty.”
“She’sverygifted.”Shesmiled.“Shemakessomegorgeousparflechebags.I’veseenthematthe
tradingpostinHardin,neartheLittleBighornBattlefield.”Theywererawhidebagswithbeadedtrim
andfringe,incrediblybeautifulandusefulfortransportingitemsintheolddaysfornativepeople.
“Thankyou,”hesaidabruptly.
Sheliftedhereyebrows.“Forwhat?”
“FornotcallingittheCusterBattlefield.”
Alotofpeopledid.HehadnothingagainstCuster,buthisancestrywasCheyenne.Hehad
relativeswhohaddiedintheLittleBighornBattleand,later,atWoundedKnee.Custerwasasorespot
withhim.Sometouristsdidn’tseemtorealizethatNativeAmericansconsideredthatpeopleother
thanCuster ’stroopswerekilledinthebattle.
Shesmiled.“IthinkIhadaSiouxancestor.”
“Youlooklikeit,”hedrawled,notingherfaircoloring.
“MycousinRabbyishalfandhalf,andhehasblondhairandgrayeyes,”sheremindedhim.
“Iguessso.”Hecheckedthebigwatchonhiswrist.“I’vegottobeincourtforapreliminary
hearing.Bettergo.”
“I’mbakingapoundcake.”
Hehesitated.“Isthataninvitation?”
“Youdidsayyouwerestarving.”
“Yes,butyoucan’tliveoncake.”
“SoI’llfryasteakandsomepotatoestogowithit.”
Hislipspulledupintoasmile.“Soundsnice.Whattime?”
“Aboutsix?Barringbankrobberiesandinsurgentattacks,ofcourse.”
“I’msurewewon’thaveonetoday.”Heconsideredherinvitation.“TheCallistersbroughtmea
flutebackfromCancúnwhentheywentontheirhoneymoon.Icouldbringitandserenadeyou.”
Sheflushedalittle.ThefluteanditsconnectionwithcourtingintheNativeAmericanworldwas
quitewell-known.“Thatwouldbenice.”
“Itwould?”
“Ithoughtyouwereleaving.”Shedidn’tquitetrustthatsmile.
“IguessIam.Aboutsix?”
“Yes.”
“I’llseeyouthen.”Hepausedwithhishandonthedoorknob.“ShouldIwearmytuxedo?”
“It’sjuststeak.”
“Nodancingafterward?”heasked,disappointed.
“Notunlessyouwanttobuildabonfireoutsideanddancearoundit.”Shefrowned.“IthinkI
knowoneortwostepsfromthewomen’sdances.”
Heglaredather.“Ballroomdancingisn’tdonearoundcampfires.”
“Youcandoballroomdances?”sheasked,impressed.
“OfcourseIcan.”
“Waltz,polka…?”
“Tango,”hesaidstiffly.
Hereyestwinkled.“Tango?Really?”
“Really.OneofmyfriendsintheservicelearneditdowninArgentina.Hetaughtme.”
“Whatanimagethatbringstomind—”shebegan,tongue-in-cheek.
“Hedidn’tteachmebydancingwithme!”heshotback.“Hedancedwithagirl.”
“Well,Ishouldhopeso,”sheagreed.
“I’mleaving.”
“Youalreadysaid.”
“Thistime,Imeanit.”Hewalkedout.
“Six!”shecalledafterhim.
Hethrewupahand.Hedidn’tlookback.
Jillianclosedthedoorandleanedbackagainstit.Shewasalittleapprehensive,butafterall,she
hadtomarrysomebody.SheknewTheodoreGravesbetterthansheknewanyothermen.And,despite
theirquarreling,theygotalongfairlywell.
ThealternativewastoletsomecorporationbuildaholidayresorthereinHollister,anditwould
beadisasterforlocalranching.Resortsbroughtinallsortsofamusement,plushotelsandgas
stationsandbusinesses.Itwouldbeaboonfortheeconomy,butHollisterwouldloseitsrural,small-
townappeal.Itwasn’tsomethingJillianwouldenjoyandshewascertainthatotherpeoplewouldfeel
thesame.Shelovedtheforestswiththeirtalllodgepolepines,andtheshallow,diamond-brighttrout
streamswhereshelovedtofishwhenshehadfreetime.OccasionallyTheodorewouldbringoverhis
spinningreelandjoinher.Thenthey’dworksidebyside,scalingandfilletingfishandfryingthem,
alongwithhushpuppies,inavatofhotoil.Hermouthwatered,justthinkingaboutit.
Shewanderedintothekitchen.She’dlearnedtocookfromoneofheruncle’sraregirlfriends.It
haddelightedher.Shemightbeatomboy,butshehadanaturalaffinityforflourandshecouldmake
breadfromscratch.Itamazedherhowfewpeoplecould.Thefeelofthedough,softandsmooth,was
agifttoherfingertipswhenshekneadedandpunchedandworkedit.Thesmelloffreshbreadinthe
kitchenwasadelightforthesenses.Shealwayshadfreshhomemadebuttertogoonit,whichshe
purchasedfromanelderlywidowjustdowntheroad.Theodorelovedfreshbread.Shewasmakinga
batchfortonight,togowiththepoundcake.
Shepulledoutherbinofflourandgotdownsomeyeastfromtheshelf.Ittookalongtimeto
makebreadfromscratch,butitwasworthit.
Shehadn’tchangedintoanythingfancy,althoughshedidhaveonanewpairofbluejeansanda
pinkcheckedshirtthatbuttonedup.Shealsotuckedapinkribbonintoherlongblondhair,whichshe
tidiedintoabunontopofherhead.Shewasn’telegant,orbeautiful,butshecouldatleastlooklikea
girlwhenshetried.
Andhenoticedtheminutehewalkedinthedoor.Hecockedhisheadandstareddownatherwith
amusement.
“You’reagirl,”hesaidwithmocksurprise.
Sheglaredupathim.“I’mawoman.”
Hepursedhislips.“Notyet.”
Sheflushed.Shetriedforacomebackbutshecouldn’tfumbleoneoutofherflusteredmind.
“Sorry,”hesaidgently,andbecameseriouswhenhenotedherreactiontotheteasing.“That
wasn’tfair.Especiallysinceyouwenttoallthetroubletomakemefreshrolls.”Heliftedhisheadand
sniffedappreciably.
“Howdidyouknowthat?”
Hetappedhisnose.“Ihaveasuperlativesenseofsmell.DidIevertellyouaboutthetimeI
trackedawantedmurdererbythewayhesmelled?”headded.“Hewaswearingsomegosh-awful
cheapcologne.Ijustfollowedthescentandwalkeduptohimwithmygunout.He’dspentawhole
daycoveringhistrailandstumblingoverrockstothrowmeoffthetrack.HewassoshockedwhenI
walkedintohiscampthathejustgaveupwithoutafight.”
“Didyoutellhimthathissmellgavehimaway?”sheasked,chuckling.
“No.Ididn’twanthimtomentionittoanybodywhenhewenttojail.Noneedtogivecriminalsa
heads-upaboutsomethinglikethat.”
“NativeAmericansaregreattrackers,”shecommented.
Heglowereddownather.“Anybodycanbeagoodtracker.Itcomesfromtraining,not
ancestry.”
“Well,aren’tyoutouchy,”sheexclaimed.
Heavertedhiseyes.Heshrugged.“Baneshasbeenatitagain.”
“Youshouldassignhimtoschoolcrossings.Hehatesthat,”sheadvised.
“No,hedoesn’t.Hisnewgirlfriendisawidow.She’sgotalittleboy,andBaneshassuddenly
becomehishero.He’dlovetoworktheschoolcrossing.”
“Still,youcouldfindsomeunpleasantdutytoassignhim.Didn’thesayoncethathehatesbeing
ontrafficdetailatballgames?”
Hebrightened.“Youknow,hedidsaythat.”
“See?Anopportunitypresentsitself.”Shefrowned.“Whyarewelookingforwaystopunish
himthistime?”
“HebroughtinanewbookontheLittleBighornBattleandshowedmewhereitsaidCrazy
Horsewasn’tinthefighting.”
Shegavehimadrolllook.“Oh,sure.”
Hegrimaced.“Everysooften,somewriterwhoneversawarealNativeAmericangetsabunch
ofhearsayevidencetogetherandwritesabookabouthowhe’stheonlyonewhoknowsthetruestory
ofsomefamousbattle.ThisguyalsosaidthatCusterwasnutsandhadahandintheposttrader
scandalwheretraderswerecheatingtheSiouxandCheyenne.”
“NobodywhoreadsextensivelyaboutCusterwouldbelievehehadahandinsomethingso
dishonest,”shescoffed.“HewenttocourtandtestifiedagainstPresidentUlyssesS.Grant’sown
brotherinthatcorruptiontrial,asIrecall.Whywouldhetakesuchariskifhewaspersonally
involvedinit?”
“Mythoughtsexactly,”hesaid,“andItoldBanesso.”
“WhatdidBanessaytothat?”
“Hequotedtheauthor ’sextensivebackgroundinmilitaryhistory.”
Shegavehimasuspiciouslook.“Yes?Whatsortofbackground?”
“He’sanexpertintheNapoleonicWars.”
“Great!WhatdoesthathavetodowiththecampaignontheGreasyGrass?”sheasked,which
referredtotheLakotanameforthebattle.
“Notadamnedthing,”hemuttered.“Youcanbebrilliantinyourownfieldofstudy,butit’s
anotherthingtodoyourresearchfromastandingstartandcometoallthewrongconclusions.Banes
saidtheguyusedperiodnewspapersandmagazinesforpartofhisresearch.”
“TheLakotaandCheyenne,asIrecall,didn’twriteaboutcurrentevents,”shemused.
Hechuckled.“No,theydidn’thavenewspaperreportersbackthen.Soitwasallfromthe
cavalry’spointofview,orthatofpoliticians.Historyisthestoryofmankindwrittenbythevictors.”
“Truly.”
Hesmiled.“You’reprettygoodonlocalhistory.”
“That’sbecauseI’mrelatedtopeoplewhohelpedmakeit.”
“Me,too.”Hecockedhishead.“IoughttotakeyoudowntoHardinandwalkthebattlefieldwith
yousometime,”hesaid.
Hereyeslitup.“I’dlovethat.”
“SowouldI.”
“There’satradingpost,”sherecalled.
“Theyhavesomebeautifulthingsthere.”
“Madebylocaltalent,”sheagreed.Shesighed.“Igetsotiredofso-calledNativeAmericanart
madeinChina.NothingagainsttheChinese.Imean,theyhaveaboriginalpeoples,too.Butifyou’re
goingtosellthingsthataresupposedtobemadebytribesinthiscountry,whyimportthem?”
“Beatsme.Asksomebodybetterinformed.”
“You’reapolicechief,”shepointedout.“Thereisn’tsupposedtobeanybodybetterinformed.”
Hegrinned.“Thanks.”
Shecurtsied.
Hefrowned.“Don’tyouownadress?”
“Sure.It’sinmycloset.”Shepursedherlips.“Iworeittograduation.”
“Spareme!”
“IguessIcouldbuyanewone.”
“Iguessyoucould.Imean,ifwe’recourting,itwilllookfunnyifyoudon’twearadress.”
“Why?”
Heblinked.“Yougoingtogetmarriedinbluejeans?”
“Forthelasttime,Iamnotgoingtomarryyou.”
Hetookoffhiswide-brimmedhatandlaiditonthehalltable.“Wecanargueaboutthatlater.
Rightnow,weneedtoeatsomeofthatnice,warm,freshbreadbeforeitgetscoldandbutterwon’t
meltonit.Shouldn’twe?”headdedwithagrin.
Shelaughed.“Iguessweshould.”
Two
T
hebreadwasasdeliciousashe’dimagineditwouldbe.Heclosedhiseyes,savoringthetaste.
“Youcouldcook,ifyou’djusttry,”shesaid.
“Notreally.Ican’tmeasurestuffproperly.”
“Icouldteachyou.”
“WhydoIneedtolearnhow,whenyoudoitsowellalready?”heaskedreasonably.
“Youlivealone,”shebegan.
Heraisedaneyebrow.“Notforlong.”
“Forthetenthtimetoday…”
“TheCaliforniaguywasintowntoday,”hesaidgrimly.“Hecamebytheofficetoseeme.”
“Hedid?”Shefeltapprehensive.
Henoddedashebitintoanothersliceofbutteredbreadwithperfectwhiteteeth.“He’salready
approachedcontractorsforbidstobuildhishousingproject.”Hebitthewordsoffashewasbiting
thebread.
“Oh.”
Jet-blackeyespiercedhers.“Itoldhimabouttheclauseinthewill.”
“Whatdidhesay?”
“Thathe’dheardyouwouldn’tmarryme.”Shegrimaced.
“Hewasstruttingaroundtownlikeatomturkey,”headded.Hefinishedthebreadandsipped
coffee.Hiseyesclosedashesavoredit.“Youmakegreatcoffee,Jake!”heexclaimed.“Mostpeople
wavethecoffeeoverwater.Youcouldstandupaspooninthis.”
“Ilikeitstrong,too,”sheagreed.Shestudiedhishard,leanface.“Iguessyouliveonitwhen
youhavecasesthatkeepyououtallnighttracking.Therehavebeentwoorthreeofthosethismonth
alone.”
Henodded.“Ourwinterfestivalbringsinpeoplefromalloverthecountry.Someofthemsee
theminingcompany’sbankrollasaprimetarget.”
“Nottomentiontheskeet-and-trap-shootingregionalchampionships,”shesaid.“I’veheardthat
thievesactuallyfollowtheshootersaroundandgetlicenseplatenumbersofcarswhoseownershave
theexpensiveguns.”
“They’retargets,allright.”
“Whywouldsomebodypayfivefiguresforagun?”shewonderedoutloud.
Helaughed.“Youdon’tshootincompetition,soit’snousetryingtoexplainittoyou.”
“Youcompete,”shepointedout.“Youdon’thaveagunthatexpensiveandyou’reatriple-A
shooter.”
Heshrugged.“Itisn’tthatIwouldn’tliketohaveone.ButunlessItakeupbankrobbing,I’mnot
likelytobeabletoaffordone,either.ThebestIcandoisborrowoneforthebigcompetitions.”
Hereyespopped.“Youknowsomebodywho’llloanyouafifty-thousand-dollarshotgun?”
Helaughed.“Well,actually,yes,Ido.He’spolicechiefofasmalltowndowninTexas.Heused
todoshotguncompetitionswhenhewasyounger,andhestillhasthehardware.”
“Andheloansyouthegun.”
“Heisn’tattachedtoit,likesomeownersare.Although,you’dnevergethimtoloanhissniper
kit,”hechuckled.
“Excuseme?”
Heleanedtowardher.“Hewasacovertassassininhisshadypast.”
“Really?”Shewasexcitedbythenews.
Hefrowned.“Whatdowomenfindsofascinatingaboutmenwhoshootpeople?”
Sheblinked.“It’snotthat.”
“Thenwhatisit?”
Shehesitated,tryingtoputitintowords.“Menwhohavebeeninbattleshavetestedthemselvesin
awaymostpeopleneverhaveto,”shebeganslowly.“Theylearntheirownnatures.They…Ican’t
exactlyexpressit…”
“Theylearnwhatthey’remadeof,rightwheretheyliveandbreathe,”hecommented.“Under
fire,you’realwaysafraid.Butyouharnessthefearanduseit,attackwhenyou’dratherrun.Youlearn
themeaningofcourage.Itisn’ttheabsenceoffear.It’sfearmanagement,atitsbest.Youdoyour
duty.”
“Nicelysaid,ChiefGraves,”shesaidadmiringly,andgrinned.
“Well,Iknowathingortwoaboutbeingshotat,”heremindedher.“Iwasinthefirstwaveinthe
secondincursionintheMiddleEast.ThenIbecameapoliceofficerandthenapolicechief.”
“Youmettheotherpolicechiefatoneofthoseconventions,I’llbet,”shecommented.
“ActuallyImethimattheFBIacademyduringatrainingsessiononhostagenegotiation,”he
corrected.“Hewasteachingit.”
“Mygoodness.Hecannegotiate?”
“HedidmostofhisnegotiationswithagunbeforehewasaTexasRanger,”helaughed.
“HewasaRanger,too?”
“Yes.Andacyber-crimeexpertforaTexasD.A.,andamerc,andhalfadozenotherinteresting
things.Hecanalsodance.HewonatangocontestinArgentina,andthat’ssayingsomething.Tango
andArgentinagotogetherlikecoffeeandcream.”
Sheproppedherchininherhands.“Amanwhocandothetango.Itbogglesthemind.I’veonly
everseenacoupleofmendoitinmovies.”Shesmiled.“AlPacinoinScentofaWomanwasmy
favorite.”
Hegrinned.“Notthe‘governator ’inTrueLies?”
Sheglaredathim.“I’msurehewasdoinghisbest.”
Heshookhishead.“IwatchedRudolphValentinodoitinanoldsilentfilm,”hesighed.“Real
style.”
“It’sabeautifuldance.”
Hegaveheralonglook.“There’sanewLatindanceclubinBillings.”
“What?”sheexclaimedwithpuresurprise.
“Nokidding.AguyfromNewYorkmovedoutheretoretire.He’dbeeninballroom
competitionmostofhislifeandhegotbored.Soheorganizedadancebandandopenedupadance
club.PeoplecomeupfromWyomingandacrossfromtheDakotasjusttohearthebandanddothe
dances.”Hetoyedwithhiscoffeecup.“SupposeyouandIgoupthereandtryitout?Icanteachyou
thetango.”
Herheartskipped.Itwasthefirsttime,despiteallthebanter,thathe’deversuggestedtakingher
onadate.
Hescowledwhenshehesitated.
“I’dloveto,”sheblurtedout.
Hisfacerelaxed.Hesmiledagain.“Okay.Saturday?”
Shenodded.Herheartwasracing.Shefeltbreathless.
Shewassoyoung,hethought,lookingather.Hehesitated.
“Theydon’thavegrammarschoolonSaturdays,”shequipped,“soIwon’tneedanexcusefrom
theprincipaltoskipclass.”
Heburstoutlaughing.“IsthathowIlooked?Sorry.”
“I’malmosttwenty-one,”shepointedout.“Iknowthatseemsyoungtoyou,butI’vehadalotof
responsibility.UncleJohncouldbeahandful,andIwastheonlypersontakingcareofhimformost
ofmylife.”
“That’strue.Responsibilitymaturespeopleprettyquick.”
“You’dknow,”shesaidsoftly,becausehe’dtakenwonderfulcareofhisgrandmotherandthen
theunclewho’downedhalfthisranch.
Heshrugged.“Idon’tthinkthere’sachoiceaboutlookingafterpeopleyoulove.”
“NeitherdoI.”
Hegaveheranappraisinglook.“Yougoingtotheclubinbluejeansandashirt?”heasked.
“Becauseifyouare,Iplantowearmyuniform.”
Sheraisedbotheyebrows.
“OrhaveyouforgottenwhathappenedthelasttimeIworemyuniformtoasocialevent?”he
added.
Shegloweredathim.
“IsitmyfaultifpeoplethinkofmeasatargettheminutetheyrealizewhatIdoforaliving?”he
asked.
“Youdidn’thavetoanointhimwithpunch.”
“SureIdid.Hewassohotunderthecollaraboutaspeedingticketmyofficergavehimthathe
neededinstantcoolingoff.”
Shelaughed.“Yourpatrolmanisstilltellingthatstory.”
“Withsomeexaggerationsheaddedtoit,”Theodorechuckled.
“Itcuredtheguyofcomplainingtoyou.”
“Yes,itdid.ButifIwearmyuniformtoadanceclubwherepeopledrink,there’sboundtobeat
leastoneguywhothinksI’matarget.”Shesighed.
“Andsinceyou’rewithme,you’dberightinthethickofit.”Hepursedhislips.“Youwouldn’t
liketobefeaturedinariot,wouldyou?”
“NotinBillings,no,”sheagreed.
“Thenyoucouldwearaskirt,couldn’tyou?”
“Iguessitwouldn’tkillme,”shesaid,butreluctantly.
Henarrowedhiseyesashelookedather.Therewassomereasonshedidn’tlikedressinglikea
woman.Hewishedhecouldaskheraboutit,butshewasobviouslyuncomfortablediscussing
personalissueswithhim.Maybeitwastoosoon.Hedidwonderifshestillhadscarsfromher
encounterwiththeauditor.
Hesmiledgently.“Somethingdemure,”headded.“Iwon’texpectyoutolooklikeapoledancer,
okay?”
Shelaughed.“Okay.”
Helovedthewayshelookedwhenshesmiled.Herwholefacetookonaradiancethatmadeher
pretty.Shedidn’tsmileoften.Well,neitherdidhe.Hisjobwasasomberone,mostofthetime.
“I’llseeyouaboutsix,then.”
Shenodded.Shewaswonderinghowshewasgoingtoaffordsomethingnewtoweartoafancy
nightclub,butshewouldneverhaveadmittedittohim.
SheranintoSassyCallisterintownwhileshewastryingtofindsomethingpresentableonthe
bargaintableatthesinglewomen’sclothingstore.
“You’relookingforadress?”Sassyexclaimed.She’dknownJillianallherlife,andshe’dnever
seenherinanythingexceptjeansandshirts.Sheevenworeapantsuittochurchwhenshewent.
Jillianglaredather.“Idohavelegs.”
“Thatwasn’twhatImeant.”Shechuckled.“IgatherTed’stakingyououtonarealdate,huh?”
Jillianwentscarlet.“Ineversaid…!”
“Oh,weallknowaboutthewill,”Sassyrepliedeasily.“It’ssensible,forthetwoofyoutoget
marriedandkeeptheranchinthefamily.Nobodywantstoseesomefancyresortbeingsetuphere,”
sheadded,“withoutsidersmeddlinginourlocalpoliticsandthrowingmoneyaroundtogetthings
thewaytheythinktheyshouldbe.”
Jillian’seyestwinkled.“Imagineyoucomplainingabouttherich,whenyoujustmarriedoneof
therichestmeninMontana.”
“YouknowwhatImean,”Sassylaughed.“AndI’llremindyouthatIdidn’tknowhewasrich
whenIacceptedhisproposal.”
“Amultimillionairepretendingtobearanchforeman.”Jillianshookherhead.“Itcameasa
shocktoalotofuswhenwefoundoutwhohereallywas.”
“Iassureyouthatitwasmoreofashocktome,”cametheamusedreply.“Itriedtobackoutof
it,buthewouldn’tletme.Hesaidthatmoneywasanaccessory,notacharactertrait.Youshouldmeet
hisbrotherandsister-in-law,”sheaddedwithagrin.“Herparentsweremissionariesandherauntisa
nun.Oh,andhergodfatherisoneofthemostnotoriousex-mercenarieswhoeverusedagun.”
“Mygoodness!”
“Butthey’reallverydown-to-earth.Theydon’tstrut,iswhatImean.”
Jilliangiggled.“Igetit.”
Sassygaveherawiselook.“Youwantsomethingniceforthatdate,butyou’restrainedtothe
gillstryingtomanageonwhatyouruncleleftyou.”
Jillianstartedtodenyit,butshegaveup.Sassywastoosweettolieto.“Yes,”sheconfessed.“I
wasworkingforoldMrs.Rogersatthefloristshop.Thenshediedandtheshopclosed.”Shesighed.
“Notmanyjobsgoinginatownthissmall.You’dknowallaboutthat,”sheadded,becauseSassyhad
workedforafeedstoreandwasassaultedbyherboss.Fortunatelyshewasrescuedbyhersoon-to-be
husbandandtheperpetratorhadbeensenttojail.ButitwastheonlyjobSassycouldget.Hollisterwas
verysmall.
Sassynodded.“Iwouldn’twanttoliveanyplaceelse,though.EvenifIhadtocommutebackand
forthtoBillingstogetajob.”Shelaughed.“Iconsideredthat,butIdidn’tthinkmyoldtruckwould
getmethatfar.”Hereyestwinkled.“ChiefGravessaidthatifheownedapieceofjunklikeIwas
driving,he’dbethefirsttoagreetomarryamanwhocouldaffordtoreplaceitforme.”
Jillianburstoutlaughing.“Icanimaginewhatyousaidtothat.”
Shelaughed,too.“Ijustexpressedthethoughtthathewouldn’tmarryJohnCallisterforatruck.”
Shecockedherhead.“Hereallyisacatch,youknow.TheodoreGravesisthestuffoflegendsaround
here.He’shonestandkindheartedandaverymeanmantomakeanenemyof.He’dtakecareofyou.”
“Well,heneedsmoretakingcareofthanIdo,”camethedrollreply.“AtleastIcancook.”
“Didn’tyouapplyforthecook’sjobattherestaurant?”
“Idid.Igotit,too,butyoucan’ttellTheodore.”
“Iwon’t.Butwhycan’tI?”
Jilliansighed.“Incasethingsdon’tworkout,Iwanttohaveameansofsupportingmyself.He’ll
takeitpersonallyifhethinksIgotajobbeforeheevenproposed.”
“He’sold-fashioned.”
“Nothingwrongwiththat,”Jillianrepliedwithasmile.
“Ofcoursenot.It’sjustthatsomemenhavetobehitovertheheadsothey’llacceptthatmodern
womencanhaveoutsideinterestswithoutgivingupfamily.Comeoverhere.”
ShetookJillian’sarmandpulledhertooneside.“Everythinginhereisathree-hundred-percent
markup,”shesaidunderherbreath.“IloveJessie,butshe’sover-priced.You’recominghomewith
me.We’rethesamesizeandI’vegotaclosetfullofstuffyoucanwear.Youcanborrowanythingyou
like.Heck,youcanhavewhatyoulike.I’llneverwearallofitanyway.”
Jillianflushedredandstammered,“No,Icouldn’t…!”
“Youcouldandyou’regoingto.Nowcomeon!”
JillianwastransportedtotheCallisterranchinaJaguar.Shewassofascinatedwithitthatshe
didn’thearhalfofwhatherfriendwassaying.
“Lookatallthesegadgets!”sheexclaimed.“Andthisisrealwoodonthedash!”
“Yes,”Sassylaughed.“Iactedthesameasyou,thefirsttimeIrodeinit.Myoldbatteredtruck
seemedsopitifulafterward.”
“Ilikemyoldcar.Butthisisamazing,”shereplied,touchingthesilkywood.
“Iknow.”
“It’ssoniceofyoutodothis,”Jillianreplied.“Theodorewantedmetowearaskirt.Idon’teven
ownone.”
Sassylookedatherbriefly.“Youshouldtellhim,Jilly.”
Sheflushedandavertedhereyes.“Nobodyknowsbutyouandyourmother.AndIknowyou
won’tsayanything.”
“NotunlessyousaidIcould,”Sassyreplied.“Butitcouldcauseyousomeproblemslateron.
Especiallyafteryou’remarried.”
Jillianclenchedherteeth.“I’llcrossthatbridgeifIcometoit.ImaynotmarryTheodore.We
maybeabletofindawaytobreakthewill.”
“One,maybe.Two,never.”
Thatwastrue.Botholdmenhadleftironcladwillswithclausesaboutthedispositionofthe
propertyifTheodoreandJillianrefusedtogetmarried.
“Theoldbuzzards!”Jillianburstout.“Whydidtheyhavetocomplicatethingslikethat?
TheodoreandIcouldhavefoundawaytodealwiththeproblemonourown!”
“Idon’tknow.Neitherofyouiswell-off,andthatCaliforniadeveloperhastonsofmoney.I’ll
bethe’salreadytryingtofindawaytogettooneofyouaboutbuyingtheranchoutrightonceyou
inherit.”
“He’llnevergetit,”shesaidstubbornly.
Sassywasgoingtocommentthatrichpeoplewithintentsometimesknewshadywaystomake
peopledowhattheywantedthemto.Butthedeveloperwasn’tlocalandhedidn’thaveany
informationhecouldusetoblackmaileitherTheodoreorJillian,soheprobablycouldn’tforcethem
toselltohim.He’djustsitandwaitandhopetheycouldn’taffordtokeepit.Fatchance,Sassythought
solemly.SheandJohnwouldbailthemoutiftheyhadto.Nowaywassomeout-of-statefatcattaking
overJillian’sland.Notafterallshe’dgonethroughinheryounglife.
MaybeitwasagoodthingTheodoredidn’tknoweverythingabouthisfuturepotentialwife.But
Jillianwassettingherselfupforsomerealheartbreakifshedidn’tlevelwithhim.Afterall,hewasin
lawenforcement.Hecoulddigintocourtrecordsandfindthingsthatmostpeopledidn’thaveaccess
to.Hehadn’tbeenintownwhenJillianfacedherproblems,he’dbeenawayattheFBIAcademyona
trainingmission.AndsinceonlySassyandhermother,Mrs.Peale,hadbeeninvolved,nobodyelse
excepttheprosecutingattorneyandthejudgeandthepublicdefenderhadknowledgeaboutthecase.
Notthatanyofthemwoulddiscloseit.
Shewasprobablyworryingunnecessarily.ShesmiledatJillian.“Youareright.He’llneverget
theranch,”sheagreed.
Theypulledupatthehouse.Ithadbeengivenamakeoveranditlookedglorious.
“You’vedonealotofworkonthisplace,”Jilliancommented.“Irememberwhatitlookedlike
before.”
“SodoI.Johnwantedtogototallygreenhere,sowehavesolarpowerandwindgenerators.
Andtheelectricityinthebarnrunsonmethanefromthecattlerefuse.”
“It’sjustfantastic,”Jilliancommented.“Expensive,too,I’llbet.”
“That’strue,buttheinitialcapitaloutlaywasthehighest.Itwillpayforitselfovertheyears.”
“Andyou’llhavelowerutilitybillsthantherestofus,”Jilliansighed,thinkingabouther
upcomingone.Ithadbeenacolderthanusualwinter.Heatingoilwasexpensive.
“Stopworrying,”Sassytoldher.“Thingsworkout.”
“Youthink?”
Theywalkeddownthehalltowardthemasterbedroom.“How’syourmother?”Jillianasked.
“Doinggreat.Shegotglowingreportsfromherlastcheckup,”Sassysaid.Thecancerhadbeen
containedandhermotherhadn’thadarecurrence,thankstoJohn’sinterferenceatacriticaltime.
“Shealwaysasksaboutyou.”
“YourmotheristhenicestpersonIknow,nexttoyou.HowaboutSelene?”
ThelittlegirlwasoneMrs.Pealehadadopted.Shewasingrammarschool,veryintelligentand
withdefinitegoals.“She’sreadingbooksabouttheAirForce,”Sassylaughed.“Shewantstobea
fighterpilot.”
“Wow!”
“That’swhatwesaid,butshe’sveryfocused.She’sgoodatmathandscience,too.Wethinkshe
mayendupbeinganengineer.”
“She’ssmart.”
“Very.”
Sassyopenedtheclosetandstartedpullingoutdressesandskirtsandblousesineverycolor
underthesun.
Jillianjuststaredatthem,stunned.“I’veneverseensomanyclothesoutsideadepartmentstore,”
shestammered.
Sassychuckled.“NeitherdidIbeforeImarriedJohn.Hespoilsmerotten.Everybirthdayand
holidayIgetpresentsfromhim.Picksomethingout.”
“Youmusthavefavoritesthatyoudon’twanttoloan,”Jillianbegan.
“Ido.That’swhythey’restillinthecloset,”shesaidwithagrin.
“Oh.”
Sassywaseyeingherandthentheclothesonthebed.“Howaboutthis?”Shepickedupa
patternedblueskirt,verylongandsilky,withapalebluesilkblousethathadpuffysleevesanda
roundedneckline.Itlookeddemure,butitwasawitchyensemble.“Trythaton.Let’sseehowit
looks.”
Jillian’shandsfumbled.She’dneverputonsomethingsoexpensive.Itfitherlikeaglove,andit
feltgoodtomovein,assomanyclothesdidn’t.Sheremarkedonthat.
“Mostclothesontherackaren’tconstructedtofitexactly,andthelessexpensivetheyare,the
worsethefit,”Sassysaid.“Iknow,becauseIboughtclothesoffthesalesrackallmylifebeforeI
married.Iwasshockedtofindthatexpensiveclothesactuallyfit.Andwhentheydo,theymakeyou
lookbetter.Youcanseeforyourself.”
Jilliandid.Glancinginthemirror,shewasshockedtofindthattheskirtputlessemphasisonher
fullhipsandmoreonhernarrowwaist.Theblouse,ontheotherhand,madehersmallbreastslook
justalittlebigger.
“Now,withyourhairactuallydownandcurled,insteadofscrewedupintothatbun,”Sassy
continued,pullingouthairpinsasshewentandreachingforabrush,“you’lllooksodifferentthat
Tedmaynotevenrecognizeyou.Whatadifference!”
Itwas.Withherlongblondhaircurlingaroundhershoulders,shelookedreallypretty.
“Isthatme?”sheasked,shocked.
Sassygrinned.“Sureis.”
Sheturnedtoherfriend,fightingtears.“It’ssoniceofyou,”shebegan.
Sassyhuggedher.“Friendslookoutforeachother.”
Theyhadn’tbeenclosefriends,becauseSassy’shomeproblemshadmadethatimpossible
beforehermarriage.Buttheyweregrowingclosernow.Itwasnicetohavesomeoneshecouldtalk
to.
Shedrewawayandwipedathereyes.“Sorry.Didn’tmeantodothat.”
“You’reaniceperson,Jilly,”Sassytoldhergently.“You’ddothesameformeinaheartbeat,if
oursituationswerereversed,andyouknowit.”
“Icertainlywould.”
“I’vegotsomecurlers.Let’sputupyourhairinthemandthenwecansnapbeans.”
“You’vegotbeansinthemiddleofwinter?”Jillianexclaimed.
“Fromtheorganicfoodmarket,”shelaughed.“Ihavethemshippedin.Youcantakesomehome
andplantup.Tedmightlikebeansandhamhocks.”
“Evenifhedidn’t,Isurewould.I’llbetit’syourownpork.”
“Itis.Welikeorganicalltheway.Putyourjeansbackonandwe’llwashyourhairandsetit.It’s
thinenoughthatitcandrywhilewework.”
Anditdid.Theytookthecurlersoutacoupleofhourslater.Jillianwassurprisedatthe
differenceafewcurlsmadeinherappearance.
“Makeupnext,”Sassytoldher,grinning.“Thisisfun!”
“Funandeducational,”Jilliansaid,stillreeling.“Howdidyoulearnallthis?”
“Frommymother-in-law.Shegoestospasandbeautyparlorsallthetime.She’sstillgorgeous,
eventhoughshe’sgaininginyears.Sitdown.”
Sassyputherinfrontofafluorescent-litmirrorandproceededtoexperimentwithdifferent
shadesoflipstickandeyeshadow.Jillianfeltasspoiledasifshe’dbeentoanexclusivedepartment
store,andshesaidso.
“I’mstilllearning,”Sassyassuredher.“Butit’sfun,isn’tit?”
“ThemostfunI’vehadinalongtime,andthankyou.Theodoreisgoingtobeshockedwhenhe
showsupSaturday!”shepredicted.
Shockedwasanunderstatement.Jillianinablueensemble,withherlonghairsoftandcurling
aroundhershoulders,withdemuremakeup,wasarevelationtoamanwho’donlyeverseenher
withoutmakeupinraggedjeansandsweatshirtsor,worse,baggyT-shirts.Dressedup,inclothesthat
fitherperfectly,shewasactuallypretty.
“Youcancloseyourmouth,Theodore,”sheteased,delightedathisresponse.
Hedid.Heshookhishead.“Youlooknice,”hesaid.Itwasanunderstatement,comparedtowhat
hewasthinking.Jillianwasaknockout.Hefrownedashethoughthowhernewlookmightgodown
intown.Therewereacoupleofyoungermen,nice-lookingoneswithwealthybackgrounds,who
mightalsofindthenewJillianahotitem.Hemighthavecompetitionforherthathecouldn’thandle.
Jillian,watchinghisexpressionschange,wassuddenlyinsecure.Hewasscowlingasifhedidn’t
actuallyapproveofhowshelooked.
“Itisn’ttoorevealing,isit?”sheworried.
Heclearedhisthroat.“Jake,you’recoveredfromstemtostern,exceptforthehollowofyour
throat,andyourarms,”hesaid.“Whatdoyouthinkisrevealing?”
“Youlooked…well,youlooked…”
“Ilookedlikeamanwho’sconsideringthefightahead.”
“Excuseme?”
Hemovedastepcloserandlookeddownatherwithpureappreciation.“Youreallydon’tknow
whataknockoutyouare,alldressedup?”
Herbreathcaughtinherthroat.“Me?”
Hisbighandsframedherfaceandbroughtituptohisdancingblackeyes.“You.”Herubbedhis
noseagainsthers.“Youknow,Ireallywonderifyoutasteasgoodasyoulook.Thisisasgoodatime
asanytofindout.”
Hebenthisheadashespokeand,forthefirsttimeintheirrelationship,hekissedher,righton
themouth.Hard.
Whateverheexpectedherreactiontobe,therealityofitcameasashock
Three
J
illianjerkedbackawayfromhimasifhe’doffendedher,flushingtotherootsofherhair.She
staredathimwithhelplessmisery,waitingfortheexplosion.Theauditorhadcursedabluestreak,
calledhernames,sworethathe’dtelleveryboyheknewthatshewasahopelesslittleicicle.
ButTheodoredidn’tdothat.Infact,hesmiled,verygently.
Shebitherlowerlip.Shewantedtotellhim.Shecouldn’t.Thepainwasalmostphysical.
Hetookherflushedfaceinhisbighandsandbentandkissedhergentlyontheforehead,thenon
hereyelids,closingthem.
“Weallhaveourownsecretpain,Jake,”hewhispered.“Onedayyou’llwanttotellme,andI’ll
listen.”Heliftedhishead.“Forthetimebeing,we’llbebestbuddies,exceptthatyou’rewearinga
skirt,”headded,tongue-in-cheek.“Ihavetoconfessthatveryfewofmybuddieshaveuseda
women’srestroom.”
Ittookheraminute,thensheburstoutlaughing.
“That’sbetter,”hesaid,andgrinned.Hecockedhisheadandgaveheraverymaleappraisal.
“Youreallydolooknice.”Hepursedhislipsashecontemplatedtheensembleanditsprobablecost.
“They’reloaners,”sheblurtedout.
Hisblackeyessparkledwithunholyglee.“Loaners?”
Shenodded.“SassyCallister.”
“Isee.”
Shegrinned.“Shesaidthatshehadawholeclosetofstuffsheneverwore.Ididn’twantto,but
shesortofbulldozedmeintoit.She’salotlikehernewhusband.”
“Hewearspetticoats?”heaskedoutrageously.
Sheglaredathim.“Womendon’twearpetticoatsorhoopskirtsthesedays,Theodore.”
“Sorry.Wrongera.”
Shegrinned.“Talkaboutlivinginthedarkages!”
Heshrugged.“Iwasraisedbymygrandmotherandmyuncle.Theyweren’tforthcomingabout
women’sintimateapparel.”
“Well,Iguessnot!”
“YouruncleJohnwasthesamesortofthrowback,”heremarked.
“Sowebothcomebyithonestly,Isuppose.”Shenotedhisimmaculatedarksuitandthespotless
whiteshirtandbluepatternedtiehewaswearingwithit.“Youlooknice,too.”
“IboughtthesuittoweartoJohnCallister ’swedding,”hereplied.“Idon’toftenhavethe
occasiontodressup.”
“Me,neither,”shesighed.
“Iguesswecouldgoafewplacestogether,”hecommented.“Iliketohuntandfish.”
“Idonotlikeguns,”shesaidflatly.
“Well,inmyprofession,they’resortofanecessity,Jake,”hecommented.
“Isupposeso.Sorry.”
“Noproblem.Youusedtolikefishing.”
“It’sbeenawhilesinceIdippedapoor,helplesswormintothewater.”
Hechuckled.“Everythinginlifehasapurpose.Aworm’sistohelppeoplecatchdeliciousfish.”
“Thewormmightnotshareyourpointofview.”
“I’llask,thenexttimeIseeone.”
Shelaughed,andherwholefacechanged.Shefeltbetterthanshehadinages.Theodoredidn’t
thinkshewasalostcause.Hewasn’tevenangrythatshe’dgonecoldathiskiss.Maybe,shethought,
justmaybe,therewasstillhopeforher.
Hisblackeyeswerekind.“I’mgladyouaren’twearinghighheels,”hecommented.
“Why?”
Heglanceddownathisbigfeetinsoftblackleatherboots.“Well,thesearen’tastoughasthe
bootsIwearonthejob.I’dhatetohaveholesinthemfromspikedheels,whenyousteponmyfeeton
thedancefloor.”
“Iwillnotsteponyourfeet,”shesaidwithmockindignation.Shegrinned.“Imighttripover
themandlandinaflowerpot,ofcourse.”
“Iheardaboutthat,”hereplied,chuckling.“PooroldHarrisTwain.I’llbethe’llneverstickhis
legsoutintothewalkwayofarestaurantagain.Hesaidyouwereprettyliberallycoveredwithpotting
soil.Youwentinheadfirst,Ibelieve…?”
Shesighed.“Mostpeoplehavetalents.Mineislackofcoordination.Icantripovermyownfeet,
muchlesssomeoneelse’s.”
Hewonderedaboutthatclumsiness.Shewasverycapable,inherownway,butsheoftenfell.He
frowned.
“Now,see,you’rethinkingthatI’maklutz,andyou’reabsolutelyright.”
“Iwaswonderingmoreaboutyourbalance,”hesaid.“Doyouhaveinnerearproblems?”
Sheblinked.“Whatdomyearshavetodowiththat?”
“Alot.Ifyouhaveaninnereardisturbance,itcanaffectbalance.”
“Andwheredidyougetyourmedicaltraining?”shequeried.
“Ispendsometimeinemergencyrooms,withvictimsandperpsalike.Ilearnalotabout
medicalproblemsthatway.”
“Iforgot.”
Heshrugged.“Itgoeswiththejob.”
“Idon’thaveearaches,”shesaid,andavertedhereyes.“Shouldn’twegetgoing?”
Shewashidingsomething.Alot,maybe.Heletitgo.“Iguessweshould.”
“ALatindanceclubinBillings.”Shegrinned.“Howexotic!”
“Theowner ’sevenmoreexotic.You’lllikehim.”Heleanedcloser.“Hewasagunrunnerinhis
wildyouth.”
“Wow!”
“Ithoughtyou’dbeimpressed.SowasI.”
“Youhaveaninterestingcollectionofstrangepeopleinyourlife,”shecommentedonthewayto
histruck.
“Goeswiththe—”
“Job.Iguess.”Shegrinnedwhenshesawthetruck.“Washedandwaxedit,huh?”sheteased.
“Well,youcan’ttakeanicewomantoadanceinadirtytruck,”hestated.
“Iwouldn’thaveminded.”
Heturnedtoheratthepassengersideofthetruckandlookeddownathersolemnlyinthelight
fromthesecuritylamponapolenearby.Hisfacewassomber.“No,youwouldn’t.Youdon’tlookat
bankaccountstojudgefriendships.It’soneofalotofthingsIlikeaboutyou.Idatedawoman
attorneyonce,whocameheretotryacaseforaclientindistrictcourt.Whenshesawthetruck,the
oldoneIhadseveralyearsago,sheactuallybackedoutofthedate.Shesaidshedidn’twantany
importantpeopleinthecommunitytoseeherridingaroundinapieceofjunk.”
Shegasped.“No!Howawfulforyou!”
Hishighcheekboneshadafaintflush.Herindignationmadehimfeelwarminside.“Something
you’dneverhavesaidtome,asbluntasyouare.Itturnedmeoffwomenforawhile.NotthatIeven
likedher.Butithurtmypride.”
“Asifavehiclewasanystandardtobaseacharacterassessmenton,”shehuffed.
Hesmiledtenderly.“Small-townpolicechiefsdon’tusuallydriveJaguars.AlthoughthisguyI
knowinTexasdoes.Buthemadehismoneyasamerc,notinlawenforcement.”
“Ilikeyoujustthewayyouare,”shetoldhimquietly.“Anditwouldn’tmattertomeifwehadto
walktoBillingstogodancing.”
Hegroundhisteethtogether.Shemadehimfeeltaller,moremasculine,whenshelookedathim
likethat.Hewasstrugglingwithmoreintenseemotionsthanhe’dfeltinyears.Hewantedtograbher
andeatheralive.Butsheneededcarefulhandling.Hecouldn’tbeforwardwithher.Notuntilhecould
teachhertotrusthim.Thatwouldtaketime.
Shefeltuneasywhenhescowledlikethat.“Sorry,”shesaid.“Ididn’tmeantoblurtthatoutand
upsetyou…”
“Youmakemefeelgood,Jake,”heinterrupted.“I’mnotupset.Well,notforthereasonsyou’re
thinking,anyway.”
“Whatreasonsupsetyou?”
Hesighed.“Tobeblunt,I’dliketobackyouintothetruckandkissyouhalftodeath.”Hesmiled
wrylyathershockedexpression.“Won’tdoit,”hepromised.“JusttellingyouwhatIreallyfeel.
Honestyisasidelinewithmostpeople.It’sfirstonmylistofnecessities.”
“Mine,too.It’sokay.Ilikeitwhenyou’reupfront.”
“You’rethesameway,”hepointedout.
“Iguessso.MaybeI’mtooblunt,sometimes.”
Hesmiled.“I’dcallitbeingforthright.Ilikeit.”
Shebeamed.“Thanks.”
Hecheckedhiswatch.“Gottogo.”Heopenedthedoorforherandwaiteduntilshejumpedup
intothecabandfastenedherseatbeltbeforeheclosedit.
“ItimpressesmethatIdidn’thavetotellyoutoputthaton,”hesaidashestartedtheengine,
noddingtowardherseatbelt.“Idon’tridewithpeoplewhorefusetowearthem.Iworkwrecks.Some
ofthemarehorrific,andtheworstfatalitiesarewhenpeopledon’thaveonseatbelts.”
“I’veheardthat.”
Hepulledoutontothehighway.“Herewego,Jake.Ourfirstdate.”Hegrinned.“Ourunclesare
probablylaughingtheirghostlyheadsoff.”
“Iwouldn’tdoubtit.”Shesighed.“Still,itwasn’tniceofeitherofthemtorigthewillslikethat.”
“Iguesstheydidn’texpecttodieforyearsandyears,”hecommented.“Maybeitwasajoke.
Theyexpectedthelawyertotelluslongbeforetheydied.Excepthediedfirstandhispartnerhadno
senseofhumor.”
“Idon’tknow.Ourunclesdidliketomanipulatepeople.”
“Toomuch,”hemurmured.“TheybrowbeatpooroldDanHarperintomarryingDaisyKane,
andhewasmiserable.Theythoughtshewasasweet,kindgirlwho’dneverwantanythingmorethan
togoonlivinginHollisterfortherestofherlife.”
“Thenshediscoveredafascinationformicroscopes,gotasciencedegreeandmovedtoNew
YorkCitytoworkinaresearchlab.Danwouldn’tleaveHollister,sotheygotadivorce.Goodthing
theydidn’thavekids,Iguess.”
“Iguess.EspeciallywithDanlivinginawhiskeybottlethesedays.”
Sheglancedathim.“Maybesomewomenmaturelate.”
Heglancedback.“YougoingtodevelopafascinationwithmicroscopesandmovetoNew
York?”heaskedsuspiciously.
Shelaughedoutloud.“Ihopenot.Ihatecities.”
Hegrinnedagain.“Me,too.Justchecking.”
“Besides,howcouldIleaveSammy?I’msurethereisn’tanapartmentinabigcitythatwouldlet
youkeepacalfinit.”
Helaughed.“Well,theywould.Butonlyinthefridge.Orthefreezer.”
“Youbiteyourtongue!”sheexclaimed.“Nobody’seatingmycow!”
Hefrownedthoughtfully.“Goodpoint.I’mnotexactlysureIknowhowtofielddressacow.A
steer,sure.Butcowsare,well,different.”
Sheglaredathim.“YouarenotfielddressingSammy,soforgetit.”
Hesighed.“Theregomydreamsofanicesteak.”
“Youcangetoneattherestaurantintownanytimeyoulike.Sammyisforpetting,noteating.”
“Ifyousayso.”
“Ido!”
Helovedtowindherupandwatchtheexplosion.Shewassofulloflife,soenthusiasticabout
everythingnew.Heenjoyedbeingwithher.Therewereallsortsofplaceshecouldtakeher.Hewas
thinkingahead.Farahead.
“You’resmirking,”sheaccused.“Whatareyouthinkingabout?”
“Iwasjustrememberinghowexcitedyougetaboutnewthings,”heconfessed.“Iwasthinkingof
placeswecouldgotogether.”
“Youwere?”sheasked,surprised.Andflattered.
Hesmiledather.“I’veneverdatedanybodyregularly,”hesaid.“Imean,I’vehaddates.Butthis
isdifferent.”Hesearchedforawaytoputintowordswhathewasthinking.
“Youmean,becausewe’resortofbeingforcedintoitbythewills.”
Hefrowned.“No.That’snotwhatImean.”Hestoppedatanintersectionandglancedherway.“I
haven’thadregulardateswithawomanI’veknownwellforyearsandyears,”hesaidafteraminute.
“SomebodyIlike.”
Shebeamed.“Oh.”
HechuckledashepulledoutontothelonghighwaythatledtoBillings.“We’vehadourverbal
cut-and-thrustencounters,butdespitethatsharptongue,Ienjoybeingwithyou.”
Shelaughed.“It’snotthatsharp.”
“Nottome.Iunderstandthere’saformercustomerofthefloristshopwhereyouworkedwho
couldwriteatestimonialforyouaboutyouruseofwordsinafree-for-all.”
Sheflushedandfiddledwithherpurse.“Hewasobnoxious.”
“Actuallytheysaidhewasjusttryingtoaskyouout.”
“Itwasthewayhewentaboutit,”shesaidcurtly.“Idon’tthinkI’veeverhadamantalktome
likethatinmywholelife.”
“Idon’tthinkhe’lleverusethesamelanguagetoanyotherwoman,ifit’saconsolation.”He
teased.“Somuchforhisinflatedego.”
“Hethoughthewasirresistible,”shemuttered.“Braggingabouthisfastnewcarandhisdad’s
bankbalance,andhowhecouldgetanywomanhewanted.”Herlipsset.“Well,hecouldn’tgetthis
one.”
“Teenageboyshaveinsecurities,”hesaid.“Icanspeakwithconfidenceonthatissue,becauseI
usedtobeonemyself.”Heglancedatherwithtwinklingblackeyes.“They’repuffadders.”
Sheblinked.“Excuseme?”
“I’veneverseenonemyself,butIhadabuddyintheservicewhowasfromGeorgia.Hetoldme
aboutthem.They’rethesesnakeswithinsecurities.”
Sheburstoutlaughing.“Snakeswithinsecurities?”
Henodded.“They’reterrifiedofpeople.Soifhumanscometooclosetothem,theyriseupon
theirtailsandweavebackandforthandblowouttheirthroatsandstarthissing.Youknow,imitatinga
cobra.Mostofthetime,peopletakethematfacevalueandrunaway.”
“Whatifpeoplestandtheirgroundanddon’trun?”
Helaughed.“Theyfaint.”
“Theyfaint?”
Henodded.“Deadaway,mybuddysaid.Hetookafriendhomewithhim.Theywerewalking
throughthefieldswhenapuffadderroseupanddidhisactforthefriend.Theguywasabouttorun
foritwhenmybuddywalkedrightuptothesnakeanditfainteddeadaway.Ihearhisfamilyisstill
tellingthestorywithaccompanyingsoundeffectsandhilarity.”
“Afaintingsnake.”Shesighed.“WhatI’vemissed,byspendingmywholelifeinMontana.I
wouldn’thaveknownanybetter,either,though.I’veneverseenacobra.”
“Theyhavetheminzoos,”hepointedout.
“I’veneverbeentoazoo.”
“What?”
“Well,BillingsisalongwayfromHollisterandI’veneverhadavehicleIfeltcomfortable
aboutgettingtherein.”Shegrimaced.“Thisisaverydesertedroad,mostofthetime.IfIbrokedown,
I’dworryaboutwhomightstoptohelpme.”
Hegaveheracovertappraisal.Shewassuchaprivateperson.Shekeptthingstoherself.
Rememberingheruncleandhisweakheart,hewasn’tsurprisedthatshe’dlearnedtodothat.
“Youcouldn’ttalktoyouruncleaboutmostthings,couldyou,Jake?”hewonderedoutloud.
“Notreally,”sheagreed.“Iwasafraidofupsettinghim,especiallyafterhisfirstheartattack.”
“Soyoulearnedtokeepthingstoyourself.”
“Iprettymuchhadto.I’veneverhadclosegirlfriends,either.”
“Mostofthegirlsyouragearemarriedandhavekids,excepttheoneswhowentintothe
militaryormovedtocities.”
Shenodded.“I’mathrowbacktoanotherera,whenwomenlivedathomeuntiltheymarried.
Gosh,theworldhaschanged,”shecommented.
“Itsurehas,”heagreed.“WhenIwasaboy,televisionsetswerebigandbulkyandincabinets.
Nowthey’resothinandlightthatpeoplecanhangthemonwalls.AndmyiPoddoeseverythinga
televisioncando,rightdowntoplayingmoviesandgivingmenewsandweather.”
Shefrowned.“Thatwasn’twhatImeant,exactly.”
Heraisedhiseyebrows.
“Imean,thatwomenseemtowantcareersandmeninvolume.”
Heclearedhisthroat.
“Thatdidn’tcomeoutright.”Shelaughedself-consciously.“Itjustseemstomethatwomenare
morelikethewaymenusedtobe.Theydon’twantcommitment.Theyhavecareersandtheylivewith
men.Iheardanewscastersaythatmarriageistooretroaconceptformodernpeople.”
“Therehavealwaysbeenpeoplewholivedoutofthemainstream,Jake,”hesaideasily.“It’sa
choice.”
“Itwouldn’tbemine,”shesaidcurtly.“Ithinkpeopleshouldgetmarriedandstaymarriedand
raisechildrentogether.”
“Nowthat’sapointofviewIlike.”
Shestudiedhimcuriously.“Doyouwantkids?”
Hesmiled.“Ofcourse.Don’tyou?”
Sheavertedhereyes.“Well,yes.Someday.”
Hesighed.“Ikeepforgettinghowyoungyouare.Youhaven’treallyhadtimetoliveyet.”
“Youmean,getfascinatedwithmicroscopesandmovetoNewYorkCity,”shesaidwithagrin.
Helaughed.“Somethinglikethat,maybe.”
“Icouldneverseestuffinmicroscopesinhighschool,”sherecalled.“IwassoexcitedwhenI
finallyfoundwhatIthoughtwasanorganismandtheteachersaiditwasanairbubble.That’sallI
evermanagedtofind.”Shegrimaced.“Icamewithintwogradepointsoffailingbiology.Asitwas,I
hadthelowestpassinggradeinmywholeclass.”
“Butyoucancooklikeanangel,”hepointedout.
Shefrowned.“Whatdoesthathavetodowithmicroscopes?”
“I’mmakinganobservation,”hereplied.“Weallhaveskills.Yoursiscooking.Somebodyelse’s
mightbescience.Itwouldbeaprettyboringworldifweallweregoodatthesamethings.”
“Isee.”
Hesmiled.“Youcancrochet,too.Mygrandmotherlovedhercrafts,likeyoudo.Shecouldmake
quiltsandknitsweatersandcrochetafghans.Awomanofmanytalents.”
“Theydon’tseemtocountformuchinthemodernworld,”shereplied.
“Haveyoueverreallylookedatthemagazinerack,Jake?”heasked,surprised.“Therearemore
magazinesonhandicraftsthanthereareonrockstars,andthat’ssayingsomething.”
“Ihadn’tnoticed.”Shelookedaround.TheywerejustcomingintoBillings.Ahead,shecould
seetheawesomeoutlineoftheRimrocks,wheretheairportwaslocated,inthedistance.“We’re
here?”sheexclaimed.
“It’snotsofarfromhome,”hesaidlazily.
“Notatthespeedyougo,no,”shesaidimpudently.
Helaughed.“Therewasn’tanytrafficandwearen’toverlyblessedwithhighwaypatrolsatthis
hourofthenight.”
“Youcatchspeeders,andyou’relocallawenforcement,”shepointedout.
“Idon’tcatchthemontheinterstateunlessthey’redrivingonitthroughmytown,”hereplied.
“Andit’snotsomuchthespeedthatgetsthemcaught,either.It’sthewaythey’redriving.Youcanbe
safeathighspeedsanddangerousatlowones.Weavinginandoutoftraffic,ridingpeople’s
bumpers,runningstopsigns,thatsortofthing.”
“Isawthistelevisionprogramwhereanexperiencedtrafficofficersaidthatwhatscaredhim
mostwastoseeadriverwithbothhandswhite-knuckledandclosetogetheronthesteeringwheel.”
Henodded.“Thereareexceptions,butitusuallymeanssomeonewho’sinsecureandafraidof
thevehicle.”
“Youaren’t.”
Heshrugged.“I’vebeendrivingsinceIwastwelve.Kidsgrowupearlywhentheyliveon
ranches.Havetolearnhowtooperatemachinery,liketractorsandharvesters.”
“Ourranchdoesn’thaveaharvester.”
“That’sbecauseourranchcan’taffordone,”hesaid,smiling.“Butwecanalwaysborrowone
fromneighbors.”
“Smalltownsaresuchniceplaces,”shesaiddreamily.“Iloveitthatpeoplewillloanyouapiece
ofequipmentthatexpensivejustbecausetheylikeyou.”
“Iimaginetherearepeopleincitieswhowoulddothesame,Jake,butthere’snotmuchusefor
themthere.”
Shelaughed.“No,Iguessnot.”
Heturnedthecornerandpulledintoaparkinglotnexttoalong,lowbuilding.Therewasaneon
signthatsaidRed’sTavern.
“It’sabar?”sheasked.
“It’sadanceclub.Theydoservealcohol,butnotonthedancefloor.”
“Theodore,Idon’tthinkI’veeverbeeninabarinmylife.”
“Nottoworry,theywon’tforceyoutodrinkanythingalcoholic,”hetoldher,tongue-in-cheek.
“Andiftheytried,I’dhavetocalllocallawandhavethemarrested.You’reunderage.”
“Locallaw?”
“I’mnotsanctionedtoarrestpeopleoutsidemyownjurisdiction,”heremindedher.“Butyou
couldmakeacitizen’sarrest.Anybodycaniftheyseeacrimebeingcommitted.It’sjustthatwedon’t
adviseit.Couldgetyoukilled,dependingonthecircumstances.”
“Iseewhatyoumean.”
Hegotoutandopenedherdoor,liftinghergentlydownfromthetruckbythewaist.Heheldher
justinfrontofhimforaminute,smilingintohersofteyes.“You’reaslightasafeather,”he
commentedsoftly.“Andyousmellpretty.”
Ashockedlittlelaughleftherthroat.“Ismellpretty?”
“Yes.Iremembermygrandmotherbyherscent.Sheworealight,flowerycologne.Irecognize
itifIsmellitanywhere.Shealwayssmelledsogood.”
Herhandsrestedlightlyonhisbroadshoulders.Hewasverystrong.Shelovedhisstrength,his
size.Shesmiledintohisdarkeyes.“Yousmellgood,too.Spicy.”
Henuzzledhernosewithhis.“Thanks.”
Shesighedandslidherarmsaroundhisneck.Shetuckedherfaceintohisthroat.“Ifeelsosafe
withyou,”shesaidsoftly.“Likenothingcouldeverhurtme.”
“Now,Jake,that’snotthesortofthingamanlikestohear.”
Sheliftedherhead,surprised.“Why?”
Hepursedhislips.“Wewanttohearthatwe’redangerousandexciting,thatwestiryouupand
makeyounervous.”
“Youdo?”
“It’safigureofspeech.”
Shesearchedhiseyes.“Youdon’twantmetofeelcomfortablewithyou?”shefaltered.
“Youdon’tunderstandwhatI’mtalkingabout,doyou?”hewonderedgently.
“No…notreally.I’msorry.”
Itwasearlydaysyet,heremindedhimself.Itwasdisappointingthatshewasn’tshakywhenhe
touchedher.But,then,shekeptsecrets.Theremustbeareasonwhyshewassoicyinsideherself.
Hesetherdownbuthedidn’tlethergo.“Somethingshavetobelearned,”hesaid.
“Learned.”
Heframedherfacewithhisbig,warmhands.“Passion,forinstance.”Sheblinked.
Itwaslikedescribingicetoadesertnomad.Hesmiledwistfully.“Youhaven’teverbeenkissed
insuchawaythatyou’ddietohaveithappenagain?”
Sheshookherhead.Hereyeswerewideandinnocent,unknowing.Sheflushedalittleand
shiftedrestlessly.
“Butyouhavebeenkissedinsuchawaythatyou’dratherundergotorturethanhaveithappen
again,”hesaidsuddenly.
Shecaughtherbreath.Hecouldn’tknow!Hecouldn’t!
Hisblackeyesnarrowedonherface.“Somethinghappenedtoyou,Jake.Somethingbad.Itmade
youlockyourselfawayfromtheworld.Anditwasn’tyourexperiencewiththetravelingauditor.”
“Youcan’tknow…!”
“Ofcoursenot,”heinterruptedimpatiently.“YouknowIdon’tpry.ButI’vebeeninlaw
enforcementalongtime,andI’velearnedtoreadpeopleprettygood.You’reafraidofmewhenIget
tooclosetoyou.”
Shebitdownhardonherlowerlip.Shedrewblood.
“Stopthat,”hesaidinatendertone,touchingherlowerlipwhereherteethhadsavagedit.“I’m
notgoingtotrytobrowbeatyouintotellingmesomethingyoudon’twantto.ButIwishyoutrusted
meenoughtotalktomeaboutit.YouknowI’mnotjudgmental.”
“Itdoesn’thaveanythingtodowiththat.”
Hecockedhishead.“Can’tyoutellme?”
Shehesitatednoticeably.Shewantedto.Shereallywantedto.But…
Hebentandkissedhereyelidsshut.“Don’t.Wehaveallthetimeintheworld.Whenyou’re
readytotalk,I’lllisten.”
Shedrewinalong,laboredbreathandlaidherforeheadagainsthissuitcoat.“You’rethenicest
manI’veeverknown.”
Hesmiledoverherhead.“Well,that’sastart,Iguess.”
Shesmiled,too.“It’sastart.”
Four
I
twastheliveliestplaceJillianhadeverbeento.Thedancebandwasonaplatformattheendofa
long,widehallwithapolishedwoodenfloor.Aroundthefloorwerebooths,nottables,andtherewas
abarinthenextroomwiththreebartenders,twoofwhomwerefemale.
Themusicwasincredible.ItwasLatinwithacapitalL,pulsingandnarcotic.Onthedancefloor,
peopleweremovingtotherhythm.Somehadonjeansandboots,otherswerewearingensemblesthat
wouldhavedonejusticetoaclubinNewYorkCity.Stillothers,apparentlytoointimidatedbythe
talentbeingdisplayedonthedancefloor,werestandingontheperimeteroftheroom,clappingand
smiling.
“Wow,”Jilliansaid,watchingaparticularlytalentedcouple,asilver-hairedleanandmuscular
manwithawillowyblondewomansomewhatyoungerthanhewas.Theywhirledandpivoted,
laughing,withsucheasygraceandelegancethatshecouldn’ttakehereyesoffthem.
“That’sRedJernigan,”hetoldher,indicatingthesilver-hairedman,whosethick,longhairwas
inaponytaildownhisback.
“Heisn’tredheaded,”shepointedout.
Hegaveheranamusedlook.“Itdoesn’trefertohiscoloring,”hetoldher.“Theycalledhimthat
becauseinanybattle,hewastheonemostlikelytocomeoutbloody.”
Shegasped.“Oh.”
“Ihavesomeoddfriends.”Heshrugged,thensmiled.“You’llgetusedtothem.”
Hewassayingsomethingprofoundabouttheirfuture.Shewasconfused,butshereturnedhis
smileanyway.
ThedanceendedandTheodoretuggedheralongwithhimtothedancefloor,wherethesilver-
hairedmanandtheblondewomanwerecatchingtheirbreath.
“Hey,Red,”hegreetedtheotherman,whogrinnedandgrippedhishand.“Goodtoseeyou.”
“Abouttimeyoucameupforavisit.”Red’sdarkeyesslidtothesmallblondewomanbesidethe
policechief.Hiseyebrowsarched.
“ThisisJillian,”Theodoresaidgently.“AndthisisRedJernigan.”
“I’mMelody,”theprettyblondewomansaid,introducingherself.“Nicetomeetyou.”
Redslidhisarmaroundthewomanandpulledherclose.“NicetoseeTedgoingaroundwith
somebody,”heobserved.“It’spainfultoseeamancomealonetoadanceclubandrefusetodance
withanyoneexcepttheowner ’swife.”
“Well,Idon’tlikemostmodernwomen.”Theodoreexcusedhimself.Hesmileddownata
grinningJillian.“IlikeJake,here.”
“Jake?”Redasked,blinking.
“He’salwayscalledmethat,”Jilliansighed.“I’veknownhimalongtime.”
“Shehas,”Theodoredrawled,smiling.“Shelikescattle.”
“Idon’t,”Melodylaughed.“Smellythings.”
“Oh,butthey’renotsmellyifthey’rekeptclean,”Jillianprotestedatonce.“Sammyisalways
neat.”
“Hercalf,”Theodoreexplained.
“Isheabull?”Redasked.
“She’saheifer,”Jillianinserted.“Alittleblackbaldy.”
RedandMelodyweregivingheroddlooks.
“AsanacquaintanceofmineinJacobsville,Texas,wouldsay,”Redtoldthem,“ifJohnnyCash
couldsingaboutagirlnamedSue,apersoncanhaveagirlanimalwithaboy’sname.”Heleaned
closer.“HehasafemalebordercollienamedBob.”
Theyburstoutlaughing.
“Well,don’tstandoverherewithusoldfolks,”Redtoldthem.“Getouttherewiththeyounger
generationandshowthemhowtotango.”
“Youaren’told,Bud,”Theodoretoldhisfriendwithtwinklingeyes.“You’rejustahairslower
thanyouusedtobe,butwiththesameskills.”
“WhichIhopeI’mnevercalledtouseagain,”Redrepliedsolemnly.“I’mstillonreservestatus.”
“Iknow.”
“Redwasabirdcolonelinspecops,”TheodoreexplainedtoJillianlaterwhentheyweresitting
atatablesamplingtheclub’sexquisitelycookedseasonedsteakandfancybakedsweetpotatoes,
whichitwasasfamousasforitsdanceband.
“Andhestillis?”sheasked.
Henodded.“HecandomorewithrecruitsthananymanIeverknew,andwithoutbrowbeating
them.Hejustencourages.Ofcourse,therearetimeswhenhehastogetalittlemorecreative,withthe
wildersort.”
“Creative?”
Hegrinned.“TherewasthisgiantofakidfromMilwaukeewhowasassignedtohisunitinthe
field.KidplayedvideogamesandthoughtheknewmoreaboutstrategyandtacticsthanReddid.So
Redturnshimlooseontheenemy,butwithcovertbackup.”
“Whathappened?”sheasked,alleyes.
“Thekidwalkedrightintoanenemysquadandfrozeinhistracks.It’sonethingtodothatona
computerscreen.Quiteanothertoconfrontarmedmeninreallife.Theywereaimingtheirweapons
athimwhenRedledasquadintorecoverhim.Tookabouttwominutesforthemtoeliminatethe
threatandgetCommandoCarlbacktohisownlines.”Heshookhishead.“Intheexcitement,thekid
had,shallwesay,neededaccesstoarestroomanddidn’thaveone.Sotheyhunganicknameonhim
thatstuck.”
“Tellme!”
Hechuckled.“Let’sjustsaythatitsuitedhim.Hetookitinhisstride,suckeduphispride,
learnedtofollowordersandbecamearealcredittotheunit.Helaterbecamemayorofasmalltown
somewhereupnorth,wherehe’sstillknown,toafavoredfew,as‘Stinky.’”
Shelaughedoutloud.
“Actually,hewasingoodcompany.IreadinabookonWorldWarIIthatoneofourbetter
knowngeneralsdidthesamethingwhenhisconvoyranintoaGermanattack.Poorguy.I’llbet
Stinkycringedeverytimehesawthatothergeneral’sbookonarack.”
“Idon’tdoubtit.”
Shesippedhericedteaandsmiled.“Thisisreallygoodfood,”shesaid.“I’veneverhadasteak
thatwassotender,notevenfrombeefmyuncleraised.”
“ThisisKobebeef,”hepointedout.“RedgetsitfromJapan.Godknowshow,”headded.
“Ireadaboutthose.Don’ttheyactuallymassagethebeefcattle?”
“Pamperthem,”heagreed.“Youshouldtrythatsweetpotato,”headvised.“It’sreallyaunique
combinationofspicestheyuse.”
Shefrowned,pickingatitwithherfork.“I’veonlyeverhadacoupleofsweetpotatoes,andthey
weremostlytasteless.”
“Justtryit.”
Sheputtheforkintoit,lifteditdubiouslytoherlipsandsuddenlycaughtherbreathwhenthe
tastehithertonguelikedynamite.“Wow!”sheexclaimed.“Whatdotheycallthis?”
“Redcallsit‘theultimatejalapeño-brown-sugar-sweet-potatodelight.’”
“It’sheavenly!”
Hechuckled.“Itis,isn’tit?Thejalapeñogivesitakicklikeamule,butit’snotsohotthateven
tenderfeetwouldn’teatit.”
“Iwouldneverhavethoughtofsuchacombination.AndIthoughtIwasagoodcook.”
“Youareagoodcook,Jake,”hesaid.“ThebestIeverknew.”
Sheblushed.“Thanks,Theodore.”
Hecockedhishead.“Iguessitwouldkillyoutoshortenthat.”
“Shortenwhat?”
“Myname.MostpeoplecallmeTed.”
Shehesitatedwiththeforkinmidair.Shesearchedhisblackeyesforalongtime.“Ted,”shesaid
softly.
Hisjawtautened.Hehadn’texpectedittohavethateffectonhim.Shehadasoft,sweet,sexy
voicewhensheletherselfrelaxwithhim.Shemadehisnamesounddifferent;special.New.
“Ilikethewayyousayit,”hesaid,whenshegavehimaworriedlook.“It’s—”hesearchedfora
wordthatwouldn’tintimidateher“—it’sstimulating.”
“Stimulating.”Shedidn’tunderstand.
Heputdownhisforkwithalongsigh.“Somethinghappenedtoyou,”hesaidquietly.“Youdon’t
knowmewellenoughtotalktomeaboutit.Ormaybeyou’reafraidthatImightgoafterthemanwho
didit.”
Shewasastounded.Shecouldn’tevenmanagewords.Shejuststaredathim,shocked.
“I’minlawenforcement,”heremindedher.“Afterafewyears,youreadbodylanguageina
differentwaythanmostpeopledo.Abusedchildrenhavealook,awayofdressingandacting,one
that’sobvioustoacop.”
Shewentwhite.Shebitherlowerlipandherfingerstoyedwithherforkasshestaredatit,
fightingtears.
Hisbighandcurledaroundhers,gently.“Iwishyoucouldtellme.Ithinkitwouldhelpyou.”
Shelookedupintoquiet,patienteyes.“Youwouldn’t…thinkbadlyofme?”
“ForGod’ssake,”hegroaned.“Areyounuts?”
Sheblinked.
Hegrimaced.“Sorry.Ididn’tmeantoputitthatway.NothingIfoundoutaboutyouwould
changethewayIfeel.Ifthat’swhyyou’rereluctant.”
“You’resure?”
Heglaredather.
Sheloweredhereyesandcurledhersmallhandintohisbigone,atrustinggesturethattouched
himinanewanddifferentway.
“WhenIwasfifteen,UncleJohnhadthisyoungmanhegottodooddjobsaroundhere.Hewasa
drifter,veryintelligent.Heseemedlikeanice,trustworthypersontohavearoundthehouse.Thenone
dayUncleJohnfeltbadandwenttobed,leftmewiththehiredmaninthekitchen.”
Herjawclenched.“Atfirst,hewasrealhelpful.Wantedtoputoutthetrashformeandsweepthe
floor.Ithoughtitwassoniceofhim.Thenallofasudden,heaskedwhatwasmybrasizeandifI
worenylonpanties.”
Theodore’seyesbegantoflash.
Sheswallowed.“IwassoshockedIdidn’tknowwhattodoorsay.Ithoughtitwassomesick
joke.Untilhetriedtotakemyclothesoff,mumblingallthetimethatIneededsomebodytoteachme
aboutmenandhewastheperfectperson,becausehe’dhadsomanyvirgins.”
“GoodGod!”
“UncleJohnwasasleep.Therewasnobodytohelpme.ButthePealeslivedrightdowntheroad,
andIknewabackwaythroughthewoodstotheirhouse.Ihithiminabadplaceandranoutthedoor
asfastasmylegscouldcarryme.Iwasalmostnakedbythen.”Sheclosedhereyes,shiveringwith
thememoryoftheterrorshe’dfelt,runningandhearinghimcursebehindherashecrashedthrough
theundergrowthinpursuit,
“Ididn’tthinkwhatdangerImightbeplacingSassyPealeandhermotherandstepsisterin,Ijust
knewthey’dhelpmeandIwasterrified.IbangedonthedoorandSassycametoit.Whenshesaw
howIlooked,sheranfortheshotguntheykeptinthehallcloset.Bythetimethehiredmangotonthe
porch,Sassyhadtheshotgunloadedandaimedathisstomach.Shetoldhimifhemovedshe’dblow
himup.”
Shesippedteawhileshecalmedalittlefromtherememberedfear.Herhandwasshaking,but
justalittle.HerfreehandwasstillclaspedgentlyinTheodore’s.
“Hetriedtoblameitonme,tosayI’dflirtedandtriedtoseducehim,butSassyknewbetter.She
heldhimatbayuntilhermothercalledthepolice.Theytookhimaway.”Shedrewinabreath.“There
wasatrial.Itwashorrible,butatleastitwasinclosedsession,inthejudge’schambers.Thehired
manplea-bargained.Yousee,hehadpriors,manyofthem.Hedrewalongjailsentence,butitdidat
leastsparemeapublictrial.”Shesippedteaagain.“HissisterlivedoverinWyoming.Shecameto
seeme,afterthetrial.”Hereyesclosed.“ShesaidIwasaslutwhohadnobusinessputtingasweet,
niceguylikehimbehindbarsforyears.”Shemanagedasmile.“Sassywasinthekitchenwhenthe
womancametothedoor.Shemarchedintothelivingroomandgavethatwomanhell.Shetoldher
aboutherinnocentbrother ’spriorsandhowmanyyounggirlshadsufferedbecauseofhisinabilityto
controlhisowndesires.Shewaseloquent.Thewomanshutupandwentaway.Ineverheardfromher
again.”Shelookedoverathim.“Sassy’sbeenmyfriendeversince.Notacloseone,I’msorrytosay.
Iwassoembarrassedathavingherknowaboutitthatitinhibitedmewithherandeveryoneelse.
Everyonewouldbelievetheman’ssister,andthatI’daskedforit.”
Hisfingerscurledcloserintohers.“Noyoungwomanasksforsuchabuse,”hesaidsoftly.“But
abusersusethatargumenttodefendthemselves.It’salie,likealltheirotherlies.”
“Sometimes,”shesaid,tobefair,“womendolie,andmen,innocentmen,gotojailforthings
theydidn’tdo.”
“Yes,”heagreed.“Butmoreoftenthannot,suchliesarefoundout,andthewomenthemselves
arepunishedforit.”
“Iguessso.”
“Iwasn’therewhenthathappened.”
“No.YouweredoingthatworkshopattheFBIAcademy.AndIbeggedthejudgenottotellyou
oranybodyelse.Shewasverykindtome.”
Helookedoverherhead,hiseyesflashingcoldandblackashethoughtwhathemighthave
donetothemanifhe’dbeenintown.Hewasn’tinterestedinJillianasawomanbackthen,because
shewasstillalmostachild,buthe’dalwaysbeenfondofher.Hewouldhavewipedthefloorwiththe
man.
Hisexpressionmadeherfeelwarminside.“You’dhaveknockedhimupanddownmainstreet,”
sheventured.
Helaughed,surprised,andmethereyes.“Worsethanthat,probably.”Hefrowned.“Firstthe
hiredman,thentheaccountant.”
“Theaccountantwasmyfault,”sheconfessed.“InevertoldhimhowoldIwas,andIwas
infatuatedwithhim.Hewasdrinkingwhenhetriedtopersuademe.”Sheshookherhead.“Ican’t
believeIevendidthat.”
Hestaredather.“Youwereakid,Jake.Kidsaren’tknownfordeepthought.”
Shesmiled.“Thanksfornotbeingjudgmental.”
Heshrugged.“I’msuchanicemanthatI’mneverjudgmental.”
Hereyebrowsarched.
Hegrinned.“AndIreallycandothetango.SupposeIteachyou?”
Shestudiedhislean,handsomeface.“It’savery,well,sensualsortofdance,theysay.”
“Very.”Hepursedhislips.“ButI’mnotanaggressiveman.Notinanywaythatshouldfrighten
you.”
Shecoloredalittle.“Really?”
“Really.”
Shedrewinalongbreath.“Iguesseverywomanshoulddancethetangoatleastonce.”
“Mythoughtsexactly.”
Hewipedhismouthonthelinennapkin,tookalastsipoftheexcellentbutcoolingcoffeeand
gottohisfeet.
“Youhavetowatchyourbackonthedancefloor,though,”hetoldherasheledhertowardit.
“Whyisthat?”
“WhentheotherwomenseewhatagreatdancerIam,they’llprobablymobyouandtakeme
awayfromyou,”heteased.
Shelaughed.“Okay.”Sheleanedtowardhim.“Areyoupacking?”
“Areyoukidding?”heasked,indicatingtheautomaticnestledathiswaistonhisbelt.“I’macop.
I’malwayspacking.Andyoukeepyourlittlehandsoffmygun,”headdedsternly.“Idon’tletwomen
playwithit,eveniftheyasknicely.”
“Theodore,I’mscaredofguns,”sheremindedhim.“Andyouknowit.That’swhyyoucome
overandsitonthefrontporchandshootbottlesonstumps,justtoirritateme.”
“I’lltrytoreform,”hepromised.
“Lies.”
Heputhishandoverhisheart.“IonlyliewhenI’msalvingsomeone’sfeelings,”hepointedout.
“Therearetimeswhentellingthetruthiscruel.”
“Oh,yeah?Nameone.”
Henoddedcovertlytowardawomanagainstthewall.“Well,ifItoldthatniceladythatherdress
lookslikeshehaditpaintedonatacarnival,she’dprobablyfeelbad.”
Shebitherliptryingnottolaugh.“Sheprobablythinksitlookssexy.”
“Oh,no.Sexyisadressthatcoversalmosteverything,butleavesonelittletantalizingplace
bare,”hesaid.“That’swhyJapanesekimonoshavethatdiponthebackoftheneck,thatjustreveals
thenape,whentherestofthewomaniscoveredfromheadtotoe.TheJapanesethinkthenapeofthe
neckissexy.”
“Mygoodness!”Shestaredupathim,impressed.“You’vebeensomanyplaces.I’veonlyever
beenoutofMontanaonce,whenIdrovetoWyomingwithUncleJohntoacattleconvention.I’ve
neverbeenoutofthecountryatall.Youlearnalotaboutotherpeoplewhenyoutravel,don’tyou?”
Henodded.Hesmiled.“Othercountrieshavedifferentcustoms.Butpeoplearemostlythesame
everywhere.I’veenjoyedthetravelmostofall,evenwhenIhadtodoitonbusiness.”
“LikethetimeyouflewtoLondonwiththatdetectivefromScotlandYard.ImagineaBritishcase
thatinvolvedasmalltownlikeHollister!”sheexclaimed.
“Theperpetratorwasamurdererwhocameoverherefishingtoprovidehimselfwithanalibi
whilehiswifecommittedthecrimeandblameditonherabsenthusband.Intheend,theybothdrew
lifesentences.”
“Whodidtheykill?”sheasked.
“Hercousinwhowassettoinheritthefamilyestateandabouttenmillionpounds,”hesaid,
shakinghishead.“Thethingssensiblepeoplewilldoformoneyneverceasestoamazeme.Imean,it
isn’tlikeyoucantakeitwithyouwhenyoudie.Andhowmanyhousescanyoulivein?Howmany
carscanyoudrive?”Hefrowned.“IthinkofmoneythewaytheCrowandCheyennepeopledo.The
waymostNativeAmericansdo.Themaninthetribewhoisthemosthonoredisalwaysthepoorest,
becausehegivesawayeverythinghehastopeoplewhoneeditmore.They’renotcapitalists.They
don’tunderstandsocietiesthatequateprestigewithmoney.”
“Andtheyshareabsolutelyeverything,”sheagreed.“Theydon’tunderstandprivateproperty.”
Helaughed.“NeitherdoI.Thewoodsandtheriversandthemountainsareageless.Youcan’t
ownthem.”
“See?That’stheCheyenneinyoutalking.”
Hetouchedherblondhair.“Probablyitis.Wegoingtodance,ortalk?”
“You’releading,aren’tyou?”
Hetuggedherontothedancefloor.“Apparently.”Hedrewhergentlytohimandthenhesitated.
Afterwhatshe’dtoldhim,hedidn’twanttodoanythingthatwouldmakeheruncomfortable.Hesaid
so.
“Idon’t…well,Idon’tfeeluncomfortable,likethat,withyou,”shefaltered,lookingupintohis
blackeyes.Shemanagedashakylittlesmile.“Ilikebeingclosetoyou.”Sheflushed,afraidshe’d
beentoobold.Orthathe’dthinkshewasbeingforward.Herexpressionwastroubled.
Hejustsmiled.“Youcansayanythingtome,”hesaidgently.“Iwon’tthinkyou’rebeingshallow
orvampish.Okay?”
Sherelaxed.“Okay.Isthisgoingtobehardtolearn?”
“Very.”
Shedrewinalongbreath.“ThenIguessweshouldgetstarted.”
Hiseyessmileddownather.“Iguessweshould.”
Hewalkedheraroundthedancefloor,toheramusement,teachingherhowthebasicstepswere
done.Itwasn’tlikethoseexotictangosshe’dseeninmoviesatfirst.Itwaslikekindergartenwasto
education.
Shefollowedhissteps,hesitantlyatfirst,thenalittlemoreconfidently,untilshewasmoving
withsomeelegance.
“Now,thisiswherewegetintothemoreexoticparts,”hesaid.“Itinvolveslittlekicksthatgo
betweenthelegs.”Heleanedtoherear.“Ithinkweshouldhavekidsoneday,soit’sveryimportant
thatyoudon’tgetoverenthusiasticwiththekicks.Andyoushouldalsobeverycarefulwhereyou
placethem.”
Ittookheraminutetounderstandwhathemeant,andthensheburstoutlaughinginsteadof
beingembarrassed.
Hegrinned.“Justplayingitsafe,”hetoldher.“Ready?Thisishowyoudoit.”
Itwasfascinating,thecomplexityofthemovementsandthefluidflowofthestepsashepaced
thedancetothemusic.
“Itdoesn’tlooklikethisinmostmovies,”shesaidasshefollowedhissteps.
“That’sbecauseit’sastylizedversionofthetango,”hetoldher.“Mostpeoplehavenoideahow
it’ssupposedtobedone.Butthereareafewmoviesthatgointoitindepth.Onewasmadeinblack
andwhitebyaBritishwoman.It’smyfavorite.Verycomprehensive.Evenaboutthedangerofthe
kicks.”Hechuckled.
“It’sArgentinian,isn’tit?Thedance,Imean.”
“You’dhavetoaskmybuddyaboutthat,I’mnotsure.Iknowthereareplentyofdanceclubs
downtherethatspecializeintango.Thethingis,you’resupposedtodothesedanceswithstrangers.
It’sasmuchasocialexpressionasitisadance.”
“Really?”
Henodded.Hesmiled.“Maybeweshouldgetabucketandputalloursparechangeintoit.Then,
whenwe’reRed’sage,wemighthaveenoughtobuyticketstoBuenosAiresandgodancing.”
Shegiggled.“Oh,I’msurewe’dhavetheticketpriceintwentyorthirtyyears.”
Hesighedasheled.“Orforty.”Heshookhishead.“I’vealwayswantedtotravel.Ididagoodbit
ofitintheservice,butthereareplentyofplacesI’dlovetosee.LikethoseruinsinPeruandthe
pyramids,andtheSonorandesert.”
Shefrowned.“TheSonorandesertisn’texotic.”
Hesmiled.“Sureitis.Doyouknow,thoseSaguarocacticanliveforhundredsofyears?And
thatifalimbfallsonyou,itcankillyoubecauseoftheweight?Youdon’tthinkaboutthembeingthat
heavy,buttheyhaveawoodyspineandlimbstosupporttheweightofthewatertheystore.”
“Gosh.Howdoyouknowallthat?”
Hegrinned.“TheScienceChannel,theDiscoveryChannel,theNationalGeographicChannel…”
Shelaughed.“Iliketowatchthose,too.”
“Idon’tthinkI’vemissedasinglenaturespecial,”hetoldher.Hegaveheradrolllook.“Now
thatshouldtellyouallyouneedtoknowaboutmysociallife.”Hegrinned.
Shelaughed,too.“Well,mysociallifeisn’tmuchbetter.ThisisthefirsttimeI’vebeenonareal
date.”
Hisblackeyebrowsarched.
Sheflushed.Sheshrugged.Sheavertedhereyes.
Hetiltedherfaceuptohisandsmiledwithatendernessthatmadeherkneesweak.“Iheartily
approve,”hesaid,“ofthefactthatyou’vebeensavingyourselfforme,justlikeyouruncledid,”he
addedoutrageously.
Shealmostbentoverdoublelaughing.“Nofair.”
“Justmakingthepoint.”Heslidhisarmaroundherandpulledheragainsthim.Shecaughther
breath.
Hehesitated,hisdarkeyessearchingherstoseeifhe’dupsether.
“My…goodness,”shesaidbreathlessly.
Heraisedhiseyebrows.
Sheavertedhereyesandhercheekstookonaglow.Shedidn’tknowhowtotellhimthatthe
sensationsshewasfeelingwereunsettling.Shecouldfeelthemusclesofhischestpressedagainsther
breasts,anditwasstimulating,exciting.Itwasawholenewexperiencetobeheldclosetoaman’s
body,tofeelitswarmstrength,tosmelltheelusive,spicycolognehewaswearing.
“You’vedancedwithmenbefore.”
“Yes,ofcourse,”sheconfessed.Shelookedupathimwithfascination.“Butitdidn’t,well,it
didn’t…feellikethis.”
Thatmadehimarrogant.Hischinliftedandhelookeddownatherwithpossessionkindlingin
hiseyes.
“Sorry,”shesaidquickly,embarrassed.“Ijustblurtthingsout.”
Hebenthishead,sothathismouthwasrightbesideherearasheeasedherintothedance.“It’s
okay,”hesaidsoftly.
Shebitherlipandlaughednervously.
“Well,it’sokaytofeellikethatwithme,”hecorrected.“Butyoushouldknowthatit’svery
wrongforyoutofeelthatwaywithanyotherman.Soyoushouldneverdancewithanybodybutme
fortherestofyourlife.”
Sheburstoutlaughingagain.
Hechuckled.“You’reaquickstudy,Jake,”henotedasshefollowedhisstepseasily.“Ithinkwe
maybecomefamouslocallyforthisdanceonceyougetusedtoit.”
“Youthink?”sheteased.
Heturnedherbackoverhisarm,pulledherup,andspunheraroundwithskill.Shelaughed
breathlessly.Itwasreallyfun.
“Ihaven’tdancedinyears,”hesighed.“Ilovetodoit,butI’mnotmuchofapartyperson.”
“I’mnot,either.I’mmuchmoreathomeinakitchenthanIaminaclub.”Shegrimaced.“That’s
notverymodern,either,forawoman.IalwaysfeelthatIshouldbeworkingmywayupacorporate
laddersomewhereorimmersingmyselfinhighereducation.”
“Wouldyouliketobeacorporateleader?”
Shemadeaface.“Notreally.Jobslikethataredemanding,andyouhavetowantthemmorethan
anything.I’mjustnotambitious,Iguess.Although,”shemused,“IthinkImightliketotakeacollege
course.”
“Whatsort?”heasked.
“Anthropology.”
Hestoppeddancingandlookeddownather,fascinated.“Why?”
“Ilikereadingaboutancienthumans,andhowarchaeologistscanlearnsomuchfromskeletal
material.IgocrazyoverthoseNationalGeographicspecialsonEgypt.”
Helaughed.“SodoI.”
“I’dlovetoseethepyramids.Allofthem,eventhoseinMexicoandAsia.”
“TherearepyramidshereintheStates,”heremindedher.“Thosehugeearthenmoundsthat
primitivepeoplebuiltweretheequivalentofpyramids.”
Shestoppeddancing.“Whydoyouthinktheybuiltthem?”
“Idon’tknow.It’sjustaguess.Butmostoftheearthenmoundsarenearrivers.I’vealways
thoughtmaybetheywerewherethevillagewenttogetoutofthewaterwhenitflooded.”
“It’sasgoodatheoryasanyother,”sheagreed.“ButwhataboutinEgypt?Idon’tthinktheyhad
aproblemwithflooding,”sheadded,tongueincheek.
“Now,see,there’sanothertheoryaboutthat.Thousandsofyearsago,Egyptwasgreenand
almosttropical,withabundantsourcesofwater.Sowhoknows?”
“Itwasgreen?”sheexclaimed.
Henodded.“Therewereforests.”
“Wheredidyoulearnthat?”
“Iread,too.IthinkitwasinHerodotus.Theycalledhimthefatherofhistory.Hewroteabout
Egypt.Headmittedthattheinformationmightnotallbefactual,buthewrotedownexactlywhatthe
Egyptianprieststoldhimabouttheircountry.”
“I’dliketoreadwhathesaid.”
“Youcanborrowoneofmybooks,”heoffered.“IhaveseveralcopiesofhisHistories.”
“Why?”
Hegrimaced.“BecauseIkeeplosingthem.”
Shefrowned.“Howintheworlddoyouloseabook?”
“You’llhavetocomehomewithmesometimeandseewhy.”
Hereyessparkled.“Isthataninvitation?Youknow,‘comeupandseemybooks’?”
Hechuckled.“No,it’snotapickupline.Ireallymeanit.”
“I’dliketo.”
“Youwould?”Hisarmcontracted.“When?HowaboutnextSaturday?I’llshowyoumy
collectionofmaps,too.”
“Maps?”sheexclaimed.
Henodded.“Iliketopomaps,andreliefmaps,bestofall.Ithelpsmetounderstandwhereplaces
arelocated.”
Shesmiledsecretively.“Wecouldcomparemaps.”
“What?”
Shesighed.“Iguesswedohavealotincommon.IthinkI’vegothalfthemapsRandMcNally
everpublished!”
Five
“W
ell,whatdoyouknow?”Helaughed.“We’rebothclosetmapfanatics.”
“Andweloveancienthistory.”
“Andweloveshootingtargetsfromthefrontporch.”
Shegloweredupathim.
Hesighed.“I’lltrytoreform.”
“YoumightmissandshootSammy,”shereplied.
“I’madeadshot.”
“Anybodycanmissonce,”shepointedout.
“Iguessso.”
They’dstoppedonthedancefloorwhilethebandgotreadytostartthenextnumber.Whenthey
did,hewhirledheraroundandtheystartedalloveragain.Jillianthoughtshe’dneverenjoyed
anythinginherlifesomuch.
Tedwalkedhertothefrontdoor,smiling.“Itwasanicefirstdate.”
“Yes,itwas,”sheagreed,smilingback.“I’veneverhadsomuchfun!”
Helaughed.Shemadehimfeelwarminside.Shewassuchanhonestperson.Shewasn’tcoyor
flirtatious.Shejustsaidwhatshefelt.Itwasn’tatraithewasfamiliarwith.
“Whatareyouthinking?”sheaskedcuriously.
“ThatI’mnotusedtopeoplewhotellthetruth.”
Sheblinked.“Whynot?”
“AlmostallthepeopleIarrestareinnocent,”hetickedoff.“Theyweresetupbyafriend,orit
wasacaseofmistakenidentityevenwhentherewereeyewitnesses.Oh,and,thepolicehaveitinfor
themandarrestthemjusttobemean.That’smypersonalfavorite,”headdedfacetiously.
Shechuckled.“Iguesstheywishtheywereinnocent.”
“Iguess.”
Shefrowned.“There’sbeensometalkaboutthatmanyouarrestedforthebankrobberygetting
paroledbecauseofatechnicality.Isittrue?”
Hisfacesetinhardlines.“Itmightbe.Hisattorneysaidthatthejudgemadeanerrorinhis
instructionstothejurythatprejudicedthecase.I’veseenmengetoffinsimilarsituations.”
“Ted,hesworehe’dkillyouifheevergotout,”shesaidworriedly.
Hepursedhislipsandhisdarkeyestwinkled.“Frightenedforme?”
“OfcourseIam.”
Hesighedandpulledherclose.“Now,that’sexactlythesortofthingthatmakesamanfeelgood
abouthimself,whensomesweetlittlewomanworriesabouthim.”
“I’mnotlittle,I’mnotsweetandIdon’tusuallyworry,”shepointedout.
“It’sokayifyouworryaboutme,”heteased.“Aslongasyoudon’tdoitexcessively.”
Shetoyedwiththetopbuttonofhisunbuttonedjacket.“Therearelotsofsaferprofessionsthan
beingapolicechief.”
Hefrowned.“You’rekidding,right?”
Shegrimaced.“Ted,JoeBrown’swifewasoneofmyuncle’sfriends.Shewasmarriedtothat
deputysheriffwhowasshottodeathafewyearsago.Shesaidthatshespenttheirwholemarriedlives
sittingbythephoneatnight,almostshakingwithworryeverytimehehadtogooutonacase,hoping
andprayingthathe’dcomehomealive.”
Hishandsonherslenderwaisthadtightenedunconsciously.“Anyonewhomarriessomeonein
lawenforcementhastolivewiththatpossibility,”hesaidslowly.
Shebitherlowerlip.Shewasseeingherselfsittingbythephoneatnight,pacingthefloor.She
waspronetoworryanyway.ShewasveryfondofTed.Shedidn’twanthimtodie.Butrightnow,she
wasn’tinlove.Shehadtimetothinkaboutwhatshewantedtodowithherlife.Shewassureshe
shouldgivethisalotofthoughtbeforeshedivedheadfirstintoarelationshipwithhimthatmightlead
veryquicklytomarriage.She’dheardpeopletalkabouthowitwaswhenpeoplebecamevery
physicalwitheachother,thatitwassoaddictivethattheycouldn’tbeartobeapartatall.Oncethat
happened,shewouldn’thaveachancetoseethingsrationally.
Tedcouldalmostseethethoughtsinhermind.Slowlyhereleasedherandsteppedback.
Shefeltthedistance,anditwasmorethanphysical.Hewasdrawingawayineverysense.
Shelookedupathim.Shedrewinalongbreath.“I’mnotsureI’mready,Ted.”
“Readyforwhat?”
Thatstiffnessinhimwasdisturbing,butshehadtobehonest.“I’mnotsureI’mreadytothink
aboutmarriage.”
Hisblackeyesnarrowed.“Jillian,ifwedon’tgetmarried,there’saCaliforniadeveloperwho’s
goingtomakethisplaceintohotrealestatewithtouristimpact,andSammycouldendupona
platter.”
Shefeltthosewordslikeabodyblow.Hereyes,tormented,methis.“Butit’snotfair,torush
intosomethingwithouthavingtimetothinkaboutit!”sheexclaimed.“Thewillsdidn’tsaywehaveto
getmarriedtomorrow!There’snorealtimelimit!”
Therewas,buthewasn’tgoingtopushher.Shehadcoldfeet.Shedidn’tknowhimthatwell,
despitetheyearsthey’dbeenacquainted,andshewasn’treadyforthephysicalsideofmarriage.She
hadhang-ups,andgoodreasonstohavethem.
“Okay,”hesaidafteraminute.“Supposewejustgettoknoweachotherandlettherestridefora
while?”
“Youmean,goondatesandstuff?”
Hepursedhislips.“Yes.Datesandstuff.”
Shenoticedhowhandsomehewas.Inacrowd,healwaysstoodout.Hewasavividsortof
person,notlikeshewasatall.Buttheydidenjoythesamesortsofthingsandtheygotalong,mostof
thetime.
“Iwouldliketoseeyourplace,”shesaid.
“I’llcomeandgetyouSaturdaymorning,”hesaidquietly.
Hewaitedforheranswerwithbridledimpatience.Shecouldseethat.Hewasn’tsureofheratall.
Shehatedbeingsohesitant,butitwasarushedbusiness.Shewouldhavetomakeadecisioninthe
nearfutureorwatchUncleJohn’sranchbecomearesort.Itdidn’tbearthinkingabout.Ontheother
hand,ifshesaidyestoTed,itwouldmeanarelationshipthatshewascertainshewasn’treadyfor.
“Stopgnawingyourlipoffandsayyes,”Tedtoldher.“We’llworkoutthedetailsaswego
along.”
Shesighed.“Okay,Ted,”shesaidafteraminute.
Hehadn’trealizedthathe’dbeenholdinghisbreath.Hesmiledslowly.Shewasgoingtotakethe
chance.Itwasastart.
“Okay.”Hefrowned.“Youdon’thaveanylow-cutblousesandjeansthatlooklikeyou’vebeen
pouredintothem,doyou?”
“Ted!”
“Well,Iwasjustwondering,”hesaid.“Becauseifyoudo,youcan’twearthemoveratmyplace.
Wehaveadresscode.”
“Adresscode.”Shenodded.“Soyourcowboyshavetoweardresses.”Shenoddedagain.
Heburstoutlaughing.Hebentandkissedher,hard,butimpersonally,andwalkeddownthe
steps.“I’llseeyouSaturday.”
“Youcallthatakiss?”sheyelledafterhim,andshockedherselfwiththeimpertinentremarkthat
hadjumpedoutofhersoimpulsively.
Buthedidn’treacttoitthewaysheexpected.Hejustthrewuphishandandkeptwalking.
Theyworkedsidebysideinhiskitchenmakinglunch.Hewaspreparinganomeletwhileshe
madecinnamontoastandfriedbacon.
“Breakfastforlunch,”shescoffed.
“Hey,Iveryoftenhavebreakfastforsupper,ifI’vebeenoutonacase,”hesaidindignantly.
“There’snorulethatsaysyouhavetohavebreakfastinthemorning.”
“Isupposenot.”
“See,youdon’tknowhowtobreakrules.”
Shegasped.“You’reapolicechief!Youshouldn’tbeencouraginganybodytobreakrules.”
“It’sokayaslongasit’sonlyrelatedtofood,”hereplied.
Shelaughed,shakingherhead.
“Yougoingtoturnthatbaconanytimesoon?”heasked,noddingtowardit,“ordoyoureally
likeitrawononesideandblackontheother?”
“Ifyoudon’tlikeitthatway,youcouldfryityourself.”
“Idoomelets,”hepointedout.“Idon’teveneatbacon.”
“What?”
“Pigmeat,”hemuttered.
“Ilikebacon!”
“Good.Thenyoucaneatit.I’vegotanicecountryhamallcarvedupandcookedinthefridge.
I’llhavethatwithmine.”
“Hamispigmeat,too!”
“Ithinkofitassteakwithacurlytail,”hereplied.
Sheburstoutlaughing.Hewassodifferentoffthejob.She’dseenhimwalkingdownthe
sidewalkintown,somberanddignified,almostunapproachable.Here,athome,hewasachanged
person.
“Whatareyoubroodingabout?”hewondered.
“WasI?Iwasjustthinkinghowdifferentyouareathomethanatwork.”
“Ishouldhopeso,”hesighed,ashetooktheomeletupontoaplatter.“Imean,thinkofthe
damagetomyimageifIcookedomeletsfortheprisoners.”
“ChiefBarnesusedto,”shesaid.“IrememberUncleJohntalkingaboutwhatasweetmanhe
was.He’dtaketheprisonershimselftofuneralswhentheyhadfamilymembersdie,andinthosedays,
whenthejailwasdownthehallfromthepolicedepartment,he’dcookforthem,too.”
“Hewasakindman,”Tedagreedsolemnly.
“Tothinkthatitwasoneoftheprisonerswhokilledhim,”sheaddedquietlyassheturnedthe
bacon.“Ofalltheironies.”
“Themanwasdrunkatthetime,”Tedsaid.“And,ifyourecall,hekilledhimselfjustafew
weekslaterwhilehewaswaitingfortrial.Heleftanotesayinghedidn’twanttoputthechief’sfamily
throughanymorepain.”
“Everybodythoughtthatwassoodd,”shesaid.“Butpeopleforgetthatmurderersarejustlike
everybodyelse.Theyaren’tbornplanningtokillpeople.”
“That’strue.Sometimesit’salcoholordrugsthatmakethemdoit.Othertimesit’sanimpulse
theycan’tcontrol.Although,”headded,“therearepeoplebornwithoutaconscience.Theydon’t
mindkilling.I’veseentheminthemilitary.Nottoomany,thankgoodness,buttheycomealong
occasionally.”
“Yourfriendwhowasasniper,washelikethat?”
“Notatall,”hesaid.“Hewastrainedtothinkofitasjustaskill.Itwasonlylater,whenitstarted
tokillhissoul,thatherealizedwhatwashappeningtohim.Thatwaswhenhegotout.”
“Howintheworlddidhegetintolawenforcement,withsuchabackground?”shewondered.
Hechuckled.“UncleSamoftendoesn’tknowwhenhislefthandisdoingsomethingdifferent
thanhisrightone,”hecommented.“Governmentagencieshaveclosedfiles.”
“Oh.Igetit.Butthosefilesaren’tclosedtoeveryone,arethey?”
“They’reonlyaccessibletopeoplewithtop-secretmilitaryclearance.”Heglancedather
amusedly.“Neverknewacivilian,outsidetheexecutivebranch,whoevenhadone.”
“Thatmakessense.”
Hepulledoutherchairforher.
“Thankyou,”shesaid,withsurpriseinhertone.
“I’mimpressingyouwithmygoodmanners,”hepointedoutashesatdownacrossfromherand
putanapkininhislap.
“I’mveryimpressed.”Shetastedtheomelet,closedhereyesandsighed.“Andnotonlywith
yourmanners.Ted,thisisdelicious!”
Hegrinned.“Thanks.”
“Whatdidyouputinit?”sheasked,tryingtodecidewhatcombinationofspiceshe’dusedto
producesuchataste.“Tradesecret.”
“Youcantellme,”shecoaxed.“Afterall,we’realmostengaged.”
“The‘almost’iswhyI’mnottelling,”heretorted.“Ifthingsdon’tworkout,you’llbeusingmy
secretspicesinyourownomeletsforsomeotherman.”
“Icouldpromise.”
“Youcould,butI’mnottelling.”
Shesighed.“Well,it’sdelicious,anyway.”
Hechuckled.“Thebacon’snotbad,either,”heconceded,havingforgonethecountryhamthat
wouldneedwarming.Hewashungry.
“Thanks.”Sheliftedapieceoftoastandgaveitacoldlook.“Shamewecan’tsaythesamefor
thetoast.Sorry.Iwasbusytryingnottoburnthebacon,soIburnedthetoastinstead.”
“Idon’teattoast.”
“Ido,butIdon’tthinkIwillthistime.”Shepushedthetoastaside.
Aftertheyate,hewalkedheraroundtheproperty.Heonlyhadafewbeefsteersinthepasture.
He’dboughtquiteafewAnguscattlewithhisownuncle,andtheywereattheranchthatJillianhad
sharedwithheruncleJohn.Shewaspensiveasshestrolledbesidehim,absentlystrippingadead
branchofleaves,thinkingaboutthefateofUncleJohn’sprizebeefifshedidn’tmarryTedsometime
soon.
“Deepthoughts?”heasked,handsinthepocketsofhisjeansunderhisshepherd’scoat.
Shefrowned.Shewaswearingherbuckskinjacket.Oneofthepiecesoffringecaughtonalimb
andshehadtostoptodisentangleit.“Iwasthinkingaboutthatresort,”sheconfessed.
“Here.Letme.”Hestoppedandremovedthebranchfromthefringe.“Doyouknowwhythese
jacketsalwayshadfringe?”
Shelookedupathim,awareofhisheightandstrengthsoclosetoher.Hesmelledoftobacco
andcoffeeandfirtrees.“Notreally.”
Hesmiled.“Whentheold-timersneededsomethingtotieupasackwith,theyjustpulledoffa
pieceoffringeandusedthat.Also,thefringecollectswateranddripsitawayfromthebody.”
“Mygoodness!”
“Mygrandmotherwasfullofstorieslikethat.Hergrandfatherwasafurtrapper.Helivedinthe
Canadianwilderness.HewasFrench.HemarriedaBlackfootwoman.”
Shesmiled,surprised.“ButyoualwaystalkaboutyourCheyenneheritage.”
“That’sbecausemyothergrandmotherwasCheyenne.Ihaveinterestingbloodlines.”
Hereyessketchedhishigh-cheekbonedface,hisblackeyesandhairandolivecomplexion.
“Theycombinedtomakeaveryhandsomeman.”
“Me?”heasked,surprised.
Shegrinned.“Andnotaconceitedboneinyourbody,either,Ted.”
Hesmileddownather.“Notmuchtobeconceitedabout.”
“Modest,too.”
Heshrugged.Hetouchedhercheekwithhisfingertips.“Youhavebeautifulskin.”
Hereyebrowsarched.“Thankyou.”
“Yougetthatfromyourmother,”hesaidgently.“Irememberherverywell.Iwasonlyaboy
whenshedied,butshewaswell-knownlocally.Shewasthebestcookintwocounties.Shewasalways
thefirsttositwithanyonesick,ortotakefoodwhentherewasafuneral.”
“Ionlyknowaboutherthroughmyuncle,”shereplied.“Myunclelovedher.Shewashisonly
sister,mucholderthanhewas.Sheandmyfatherhadmeunexpectedly,lateinlife.”
Which,hethought,hadbeensomethingofatragedy.
“Andthentheybothdiedoftheflu,whenIwasbarelycrawling,”shesighed.“Ineverknew
eitherofthem.”Shelookedup.“Youdidatleastknowyourparents,didn’tyou?”
Henodded.“Mymotherdiedofastrokeinherearlythirties,”hesaid.“Myfatherwasoverseas,
workingforanoilcorporationasaroughneck,whentherewasabombingattheinstallationandhe
died.Mygrandmothertookmein,andmyunclemovedintohelpsupportus.”
“Neitherofushadmuchofachildhood,”shesaid.“Notthatourrelativesdidn’tdoallthey
couldforus,”sheaddedquickly.“Theylovedus.Lotsoforphanedkidshaveitalotworse.”
“Yes,theydo,”heagreedsolemnly.“That’swhywehaveorganizationsthatprovidefor
orphanedkids.”
“IfIevergetrich,”shecommented,“I’mgoingtodonatetothose.”
Hegrinned.“Ialreadydo.Toacouple,atleast.”
Sheleanedbackagainstatreeandclosedhereyes,drinkinginthesightsandsoundsandsmells
ofthewoods.“Ilovewinter.Iknowitisn’tapopularseason,”sheadded.“It’scoldandthere’salotof
snow.ButIenjoyit.Icansmellthesmokefromfireplacesandwoodstoves.IfIclosemyeyes,it
remindsmeofcampfires.UncleJohnusedtotakemecampingwithhimwhenIwaslittle,tohunt
deer.”
“Whichyounevershot.”
Sheopenedhereyesandmadeaface.“I’mnotshootingBambi.”
“Bull.”
“Peopleshouldn’tshootanimals.”
“Thatattitudebackincolonialtimeswouldhaveseenyoustarvetodeath,”hepointedout.“It’s
notlikethoseold-timerscouldgotoagrocerystoreandbuymeatandvegetables.Theyhadtohunt
andgardenordie.”
Shefrowned.“Ididn’tthinkaboutthat.”
“Infact,”headded,“peoplewhorefusedtoworkwereturnedoutofthefortsintothewilderness.
SomestolefoodfromtheIndiansandwerekilledforit.Othersstarvedorfrozetodeath.Itwasahard
life.”
“Whydidtheydoit?”shewonderedaloud.“Whyleavetheirfamiliesandtheirhomesandgeton
ricketyoldshipsandgotoacountrythey’dneverevenseen?”
“Alotofthemdidittoescapedebtor ’sprison,”hesaid.“Theyhaddebtstheycouldn’tpay.Afew
yearsoverhereworkingasanindenturedservantandtheycouldbefreeandhavemoneytobuytheir
ownland.Orthepeopletheyworkedformightgivethemanacreortwo,iftheyweregenerous.”
“Whataboutwhentheweathertooktheircropsandtheyhadnothingtoeat?”
“Therearestringsofgravesovertheeasternseaboardofpilgrimswhostarved,”hereplied.“A
sadendtoahopefulbeginning.Thisisahostilelandwhenit’sstrippedofsupermarketsandshopping
centers.”
Asilencefellbetweenthem,duringwhichhestaredatthesmallrapidsinthestreamnearby.
“Thatfreezesoverinwinter,”hesaid.“Itlookspretty.”
“I’dliketoseeitthen.”
Heturned.“I’llbringyouoverhere.”
Shesmiled.“Okay.”
Hisblackeyeslookedlonganddeepintohersacrossthedistance,untilshefeltasifsomething
snappedinsideher.Shecaughtherbreathandforcedhereyesaway.
Teddidn’tsayanything.Hejustsmiled.Andstartedwalkingagain.
Sheloveditthathedidn’tpressureherintoamorephysicalrelationship.Itgaveherabreathing
spacethatshedesperatelyneeded.
HetookhertoaplayinBillingsthefollowingweekend,amodernparodyofanoldplayabout
twomurderousoldwomenandtheirassortedcrazyrelatives.
Shelaugheduntilhersidesached.Later,astheyweredrivinghome,sherealizedthatithadbeen
alongtimesinceshe’dbeensoamusedbyanything.
“I’msogladIneverhadrelativeslikethat,”sheventured.
Helaughed.“Me,too.Themurderouscousinwiththespookyfacewasarealpain,wasn’the?”
“Hisassociatewasevencrazier.”
Shesatbackagainsttheseat,hereyesclosed,stillsmiling.“Itwasagreatplay.Thanksfor
askingme.”
“Iwasatalooseend,”hecommented.“Wehavebusyweekendsandslowweekends.Thiswasa
veryslowone,nothingmyofficerscouldn’thandleontheirown.”
Thatwasareminder,andnotaverypleasantone,ofwhathedidforaliving.Shefrownedinthe
darknessofthecab,brokenonlybythebluelightoftheinstrumentpanel.“Ted,haven’tyouever
thoughtaboutdoingsomethingelseforaliving?”
“Likewhat?”heasked.“Teachingchemistrytohighschoolstudents?”
Hemadeajokeofit,butshedidn’tlaugh.“You’renotlikelytobekilleddoingthat.”
“Iguessyoudon’tkeepupwithcurrentevents,”heremarkedsolemnly,andproceededtoremind
herofseveralterribleschoolshootings.
Shegrimaced.“Yes,butthosearerareincidents.Youmakeenemiesinyourwork.Whatif
somebodyyoulockedupgetsoutandtriestokillyou?”
“Itgoeswiththejob,”hesaidlaconically.“Sofar,I’vebeenlucky.”
Lucky.Butitmightnotlastforever.Couldsheseeherselfsittingbythephoneeverynightofher
life,waitingforthathorriblecall?
“You’redwellingonanticipationoftheworst,”hesaid,glancingherway.“Howintheworlddo
youthinkpeoplegetbywhohavelovedoneswithchronicillnessorlife-threateningconditions?”
Shelookedathiminthedarkness.“I’veneverthoughtaboutit.”
“Mygrandmotherhadcancer,”heremindedher.“Haditforyears.IfI’dspentthattimesittingin
achair,broodingonit,whatsortoflifewouldithavebeenforher?”
Shefrowned.“Lonely.”
“Exactly.Iknewitcouldhappen,anytime.ButIlivedfromdaytoday,justlikeshedid.Aftera
while,Igotusedtotheidea,likeshedid,andwewentonwithourlives.Itwasalwaysthere,inthe
background,butitwassomethingwejust—”hesearchedfortheword“—livedwith.That’show
husbandsandwivesofpeopleinlawenforcementandthemilitarydealwithit.”
Itwasanewconceptforher,livingwithaterrifyingrealityandgettingusedtoit.
“You’reveryyoung,”hesaidheavily.“Itwouldbeharderforyou.”
Itprobablywould.Shedidn’tanswerhim.Itwassomethingnewtothinkabout.
Hewalkedherupthestepstoherfrontdoor.Helookedgoodinasuit,shethought,smiling.
“Whatareyouthinking?”heteased.
“Thatyoulookveryelegantinasuit.”
Heshrugged.“It’sanicesuit.”
“It’sanicemanwearingit.”
“Thanks.Ilikeyourdress.”
Shegrinned.“It’sold,butIlikethecolor.It’scalledRoseDust.”
Hefingeredthelacycollar.Hewouldn’thavetoldher,becauseitwouldhurtherfeelings,butit
lookedlikethesortofdressahighschoolgirlwouldwear.Itwasn’tsophisticated,orevenold
enoughforhernow.Buthejustsmiled.
“Nicecolor,”heagreed.
Shecockedherhead,feelingreckless.“Goingtokissme?”sheasked.
“Iwasthinkingaboutit.”
“Andwhatdidyoudecide?”
Hestuckhishandsinhispocketsandjustsmileddownather.“Thatwouldberushingthingsa
littletoomuch,”hesaidgently.“Youwanttodateandgettoknoweachother.Ithinkthat’sagood
idea.Plentyoftimefortheother,later.”
“Well,mygoodness!”
“Shockedbymypatience,areyou?”heaskedwithagrin.“Me,too.”
“Very.”
Hiseyeswereoldandwise.“Whenthingsgetphysical,there’sadifferenceinthewaytwo
peopleare,together.There’snotimetostepbackandlookathowthingsreallyare.”
Shenodded.“Youmean,likeSassyandherhusband,JohnCallister,whentheyfirstgotmarried.
Theycouldn’tstandtobeapart,evenforanhourortwo.Theystillprettymuchgoeverywhere
together.Andthey’realwaysstandingclose,ortouching.”
“That’swhatImean.”
Shefrowned.“Ihaven’teverfeltlikethat,”shesaid.
Hesmiled.“Inoticed.”
Sheflushed.“I’msorry,Ijustblurtthingsout…”
“Idon’tmindthatyou’rehonest,”hesaid.“Ithelps.Alot.”
Shebitherlowerlip.“I’dgiveanythingifUncleJohnhadn’thiredthatmantocomeworkfor
him.”
“I’msureyourunclefeltthesameway.I’msurprisedthathenevertoldmeaboutit,”headded
curtly.
“Iimaginehethoughtyou’dholdhimresponsibleforit.Heblamedhimself,”sheaddedsoftly.
“Heneverstoppedapologizing.”Shesighed.“Itdidn’thelpverymuch.”
“Ofcourseitdidn’t.”Hesteppedcloserandtiltedherchinup.“You’lldealwithit.Ifyoudon’t
thinkyoucan,therearesomegoodpsychologists.Ourdepartmentworkswithtwo,wholivein
Billings.”
Shemadeaface.“Idon’tthinkIcouldtalkaboutsomethinglikethattoatotalstranger.”
Hestaredatherforalongtime.“Howaboutme?”heaskedsuddenly.“Couldyoutalkaboutitto
me?”
Six
J
illianstaredupathimwithconflictingemotions.Butafteraminuteshenodded.“IthinkIcould,”
sherepliedfinally.
Hebeamed.Hisblackeyesweretwinkling.“That’samajorstepforward.”
“Thinkso?”
“Iknowso.”
Shemovedastepcloser.“Ienjoyedtonight.Thankyou.”
Hegaveherateasinglookandmovedastepaway.“Idid,too,andI’llthankyoutokeepyour
distance.Idon’twanttobeanobjectoflusttoasinglewomanwholivesalone.”
Shegaspedtheatrically.“Youdoso!”
“Ido?”
“Absolutely!”sheagreed.Shegrinned.“Butnotrightnow.Right?”
Helaughed.“Notrightnow.”Hebentandbrushedalazykissagainstherforehead.“Getsome
sleep.I’llcallyouMonday.”
“Youdothat.Notearly,”sheadded,withouttellinghimwhy.Shehadasecret,andshewasn’t
sharingit.
“Notearly,”heagreed.“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,Ted.”
Heboundeddownthesteps,jumpedinhistruckandsattheredeliberatelyuntilshegotthe
message.Shewentinside,lockedthedoorandturnedofftheporchlight.Onlythendidhedriveaway.
Itmadeherfeelsafe,thatattitudeofhis.Probablyitwasinstinctive,sincehewasinlawenforcement,
butshelikedit.Shelikeditverymuch.
Snowcamethenextmorning.Jillianlovedit.Shedroveslowly,sothatshedidn’tslipoffthe
road.Buttherewasn’tmuchtraffic,andshelivedclosetotown.Itwaseasierthansheexpectedtoget
inonthecountryroads.
Whensheleftagain,atnoon,itwasadifferentstory.Thesnowhadcomefastandfuriously,and
shecouldbarelycrawlalongthewhitehighway.Theroadcrewshadbeenbusy,spreadingsandand
gravel,buttherewereicyspotsjustthesame.
Shehesitatedtogoallthewaybacktotheranchwhenshecouldn’tseetheroadaheadforthe
blindingsnow,soshepulledintothetown’sonlyrestaurantandcutofftheengine.
“Well,”shesaidtoherself,“Iguessifworsecomestoworst,theymightletmesleepinabooth
intherestaurant.”Shelaughedattheimagery.
Shegrabbedherpurseandgotout,gratefulforherhigh-heeledcowboybootsthatmadeiteasier
togetafootholdinthethick,wetsnow.Thiswasthekindthatmadegoodsnowmen.Shethoughtshe
mightmakeonewhenshefinallygothome.Acalf,perhaps,tolooklikeSammy.Shelaughed.Ted
wouldhowlatthat,ifshedidit.
Sheopenedthedooroftherestaurantandwalkedrightintoanightmare.DavyHarris,theman
whohadalmostrapedher,wasstandingbythecounter,payinghisbill.Hewasstillthinandnervous-
looking,withstragglybrownhairandpaleeyes.Helookedatherwithmingleddistasteandhatred.
“Well,well,IhopedImightrunintoyouagain,”hesaidinavoicedrippingwithvenom.“Idon’t
guessyouexpectedtoseeme,didyou,Jillian?Notthemanyouputinprisonfortryingtokissyou!”
TheowneroftherestaurantknewJillian,andlikedher,buthewassuddenlygivingheravery
oddlook.Therewasanothercustomerbehindhim,onewho’dknownJillian’suncle.Hegaveheran
oddlook,too.
“Therewasmoretoitthanthat,”Jilliansaidunsteadily.
“Yes,Iwantedtomarryyou,Ican’timaginewhy,youlittleprude,”hesaidwithcontempt.“Puta
maninprisonfortryingtoteachyouaboutlife.”
Sheflushed.Shehadagoodcomebackforthat,butitwastooembarrassingtotalkaboutitin
public,especiallyaroundmenshedidn’treallyknow.Shefeltsickallover.
Hecameuptoher,rightuptoher,andlookeddownatherflushedface.“I’mgoingtobeintown
forawhile,Jillian,”hesaid.“Anddon’tgetanyideasabouthavingyourboyfriendtrytobootmeout,
orI’lltellhimafewthingshedoesn’tknowaboutyou.”
Withthatshockingstatement,hesmiledattheowner,praisedthefoodagainandwalkedoutthe
door.
Jilliansatdrinkingcoffeewithcold,tremblinghands.Shefelttheowner ’seyesonher,andit
wasn’tinawaysheliked.Heseemedtobesizingherupwiththenewinformationhiscustomerhad
givenhimabouther.
Peoplewhodidn’tknowyoutendedtoacceptevenunsavorydetailswithopenhandedness,she
thoughtmiserably.Afterall,howwelldidyoureallyknowsomebodywhoworkedforyouafewdays
aweek?Jillianlivedoutsidetownandkepttoherself.Shewasn’tasocialperson.
Therewouldbegossip,shewasafraid,startedbythemanwho’djustgottenoutofprison.And
howhadhegottenout?shewondered.He’dbeensentencedtotenyears.
Whenshefinishedhercoffee,shepaidforitandleftatip,andpausedtospeaktotheowner.She
didn’treallyknowwhattosay.Herenemyhadmadeanaccusationabouther,buthowdidsherefute
it?
“Whathesaid,”shestammered,“there’salotmoretoitthanitsoundslike.Iwas…fifteen.”
Theownerwasn’tastupidman.He’dknownJilliansinceshewasachild.“Listen,”hesaid
gently,“Idon’tpayanymindtogossip.IknowJackHaynes,theassistantcircuitD.A.He’dnever
prosecuteamanunlesshewassurehecouldgetaconviction.”
Shefeltalittlerelieved.“Thanks,Mr.Chaney.”
Hesmiled.“Don’tworryaboutit.YoumighttalktoJack,though.”
“Yes,Imight.”Shehesitated.“Youwon’t,well,fireme?”
“Don’tberidiculous.Andyoubecarefuloutthereinthesnow.Ifitgetsworse,stayhome.Ican
getoldMrs.Barrytosubforyouinthemorning,okay?”
“Okay,”shesaid.“Thanks.”
“Wedon’twanttoloseyouinanaccident,”hereplied.
Shesmiledback.
JackHayneshadhisofficeinthecountycourthouse,inHollister.Shewalkedin,hesitantly,and
askedtheclerkifhewasthereandcouldsheseehim.
“Sure,”hesaid.“He’sjustgoingovercasefiles.”Hegrimaced.“Notafunthingtodo.Court’s
nextweek.”
“Icanimagine.”
Heannouncedherandshewalkedin.JackHaynessmiled,shookhandswithherandofferedher
achair.
“DavyHarrisisoutofprison,”sheblurtedout.“Iwalkedrightintohimattherestaurantthis
morning.”
Hescowled.“Who’sout?”
Sherepeatedtheman’sname.
Hepushedtheintercombutton.“Didwereceivenotificationthatthey’dreleasedDavyHarrisin
thatattemptedrapecase?”
“Justaminute,sir,I’llcheck.”
Theprosecutorcursedunderhisbreath.“Ihadnoidea!Yousawhim?”
Shenodded.“HetoldeverybodyinearshotthatIhadhimputinprisonfortryingtokissme.”
Sheflushed.
“Whatawhitewashjob!”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
Theintercomblared.“Sir,theysentanotification,butitwasn’tontheserver.I’msorry.Idon’t
knowhowitgotlost.”
“Electronicmail,”Haynesscoffed.“Inmyday,wewenttothepostofficetogetmail!”
“Andeventhereitgetslostsometimes,sir,”hisclerksaidsoothingly.“Sorry.”
“SoamI.HowdidHarrisgetout?”
“Onatechnicality,pertainingtothejudge’sinstructionstothejurybeingprejudicialtohiscase,”
camethereply.“He’sonlyoutuntiltheretrial.”
“Yes,well,thatcouldtakeayearortwo,”Haynessaidcoldly.
“Yes,”hisclerksaidquietly.
“Thanks,Chet,”hereplied,andclosedthecircuit.
HeturnedhisattentionbacktoJillian.“That’sthesecondpieceofunsettlingnewsI’vehadfrom
thecourtsystemthisweek,”hesaidcurtly.“They’vereleasedSmittyJones,thebankrobber,who
threatenedourpolicechief,alsoonatechnicality.He’soutpendingretrial,too.”Hisfacehardened.
“Itshouldn’tcomeasasurprisethattheyhavethesamelawyer,somehotshotfromDenver.”
Jillianclenchedherteeth.“Hesaidhe’dkillTed.”
Haynessmiledreassuringly.“BettermenthanhimhavetriedtokillTed,”hepointedout.“He’s
gotgoodinstinctsandhe’saveteranlawenforcementofficer.Hecantakecareofhimself,believe
me.”
“Iknowthat,butanybodycanbeambushed.LookatChiefBarnes.Hewasacautious,capable
lawenforcementofficer,too.”
Hegrimaced.“Iknewhim.Hewassuchagoodman.Shame,whathappened.”
“Yes.”
Hegaveheralonglook.“Jillian,wecan’tdoanythingaboutHarriswhilehe’soutonbond,”he
toldher.“Butyoucantakeprecautions,andyoushould.Don’tgoanywherealone.”
“Ilivealone,”shepointedout,worriedly.
Hedrewinasharpbreath.He’dseencaseslikethisbefore,wherestalkershadvowedrevenge
andkilledorrapedtheiraccuserswhentheywerereleasedfromprison.Hehatedthethoughtof
havingsomethingbadhappentothispoorwoman,who’dseenmorethanhershareofthedarksideof
men.
“I’lltellTed,”shesaidafteraminute.
Hiseyebrowsarched.
Sheavertedhereyes.“We’resortofinasituation,abouttheranch.Ourunclesleftaclausethatif
wedon’tgetmarried,theranchhastobesoldatpublicauction.Tedthinksweshouldgetmarried
verysoon.ButI’vebeenhesitant,”shesaid,andbitoffthereason.
Heknew,withoutbeingtoldbyher.“Youneedtobeintherapy,”hesaidbluntly.
Shegrimaced.“Iknow.ButIcan’t,Ijustcan’ttalkaboutthingslikethattoastranger.”
Hehadadaughteraboutherage.Hethoughthowitwouldbeforherinasimilarcircumstance.It
madehimsad.
“They’reusedtoallsortsofterriblestories,”hebegan.
“Ican’ttalkaboutpersonalthingstoastranger,”sherepeated.
Hesighed.“Itcouldruinyourwholelife,lockyouupinwaysyoudon’tevenrealizeyet,”he
saidgently.“I’veseencaseswherewomenwereneverabletomarrybecauseofit.”
Shenodded.
“Don’tyouwantahusbandandafamily?”
“Verymuch,”shesaid.Shegroundherteethtogether.“Butitseemsjusthopelessrightnow.”She
lookedup.“ThatCaliforniadeveloperislickinghislipsovermyranchalready.ButIdon’tknowifI
canbeagoodwife.Tedthinksso,butit’saterriblegamble.IknowIhavehang-ups.”
“They’llgetworse,”hesaidbluntly.“Ispeakfromexperience.I’vetriedmanycaseslikeyours
overtheyears.I’veseenthevictims.Iknowtheprognosis.Itisn’tpretty.”
Hereyeswerehauntedandsad.“Idon’tunderstandwhyhedidit,”shebegan.
“It’sacompulsion,”heexplained.“Theyknowit’swrong,buttheycan’tstop.Itisn’tamatterof
will.”Heleanedforward.“It’slikeaddiction.Youknow,whenmentrytogiveupalcohol,butthere’s
somethinginsidethemthatpushesthemtostartdrinkingagain.Itdoesn’texcuseit,”hesaid
immediately.“ButI’mtoldthatevenwhentheytrytoliveanormallife,it’sverydifficult.It’soneday
atatime.”
Heshookhishead.“Iseetheresultsofaddictionallthetime.Alcohol,sex,cards,younameit.
Peopledestroynotonlytheirownlives,butthelivesoftheirfamiliesbecausetheyhaveacompulsion
theycan’tcontrol.”
“It’sashamethereisn’tadrugyoucangivepeopletokeepthemfromgettingaddicted,”she
saidabsently.
Heburstoutlaughing.“Listentoyou.Adrug.Drugsareourbiggestheadache.”
Sheflushed.“Sorry.Wasn’tthinking.”
Hegaveheracompassionatesmile.“TalktoTed,”hesaid.“He’lllookoutforyouuntilour
unwantedvisitorleaves.Infact,there’savagrancylawonthebooksthatcouldgivehimareasonto
makethemanleave.TellhimIsaidso.”
Shesmiled.“Iwill.Thankssomuch,Mr.Haynes.”
Shestoodup.Hedid,too,andshookherhand.
“Ifyouneedhelp,andyoucan’tfindTed,youcancallme,”hesaidunexpectedly.Hepulledouta
businesscardandhandedittoher.“MyJessicaisjustyourage,”headdedquietly.“Nothinglikethat
everhappenedtoher.Butifithad,I’dhaveahardtimerememberingthatmyjobistoupholdthe
law.”
“Jessicaisverynice.”
“Why,thankyou,”hechuckled.“Ithinkso,too.”
Theydidn’tdiscusswhyhe’draisedJessicaalone.Hermotherhadrunoffwithavisitingpublic-
relationsmanfromNevadaanddivorcedMr.Haynes.He’dbeenleftwithaninfantdaughterthathis
wifehadnoroomforinhernewandexcitinglifeoftravelandadventure.Buthe’ddoneverywell
raisingher.Jessicawasinmedicalschool,studyingtobeadoctor.Hewasveryproudofher.
“Don’tforget,”hetoldJillianonthewayout.“Ifyouneedme,youcall.”
Shewasverytouched.“Thanks,Mr.Haynes.”
Heshrugged.“WhenI’mnotworking,whichisn’toftenevenafterhours,mysociallifeis
playingWorldofWarcraftonline.”Hesmiled.“Idon’tgetoutmuch.Youwon’tbothermeifyou
call.”
“I’llremember.”
Shewentoutandclosedthedoor,smilingattheyoungclerkonherwayoutside.
SheranheadlongintoTed,whohadboundedupthesteps,wearinganexpressionthatwould
havestoppedachargingbull.
“Whatdidhesaytoyou?”hedemandedhotly.Hisblackeyesweresparkingwithtemper.
“What…Mr.Haynes?”shestammered,noddingtowardtheofficeshe’djustleft.
“Nothim.That…”Heusedsomelanguagethatliftedbothhereyebrows.“Sorry,”hesaid
abruptly.“Iheardwhathappened.”
Sheletoutabreath.“Heannouncedinthedinerthathegotputinprisonbecausehewantedto
marrymeandIdidn’twanthimtokissme,”shesaidcoldly.“He’soutonbondbecauseofa
technicality,Mr.Haynessaid.”
“Iknow.Iphonedtheprisonboard.”
Shetriedtosmile.“Mr.Haynessaysyoucanarresthimforvagrancyifhestaysintownlong
enough.”
Hedidn’tsmileback.“Hegotajob,”hesaidangrily.
Shehadtoleanagainstthewallforsupport.“What?”
“Hegotadamnedjobintown!”hesnapped.“OldHarringtonatthefeedstorehiredhimonasa
daylaborer,deliveringsuppliestoranchers.”
Shefeltsicktoherstomach.ItmeantthatDavyHarrishadnoplanstoleavesoon.Hewasgoing
tostay.Hewasgoingtoliveinhertown,bearoundallthetime,gossipabouthertoanybodywho
wouldlisten.Shefelthunted.
Tedsawthatandgrimaced.Hedrewherintohisarmsandheldhergently,withoutpassion.“I’ll
findawaytogethimoutofhere,”hesaidintoherhair.
“Youcan’tbreakthelaw,”shesaidmiserably.Sheclosedhereyesandfeltthestrongbeatofhis
heartunderherear.“Itgetsworse.SmittyJones,thatmanyouarrestedforbankrobbery,gotout,too,
didn’the?”
Hehesitated.“Yes.”
“Iguessit’sourdayforbadnews,Ted,”shegroaned.
Hehuggedher,hard,andthenlethergo.“Idon’tliketheideaofyourlivingaloneoutatthe
ranch,”hesaidcurtly.“Itmakesyouabettertargetifhecameherewithplansforrevenge.Whichhe
mighthave.”
Shebitherlowerlip.“Idon’twanttogetmarriedyet.”
Heletoutanexasperatedsigh.“Idon’thavefundsthatIcouldusetogetyoupoliceprotection,”
hesaidangrily.“AndevenifIdid,themanhasn’tmadeanythreats.He’sjusthere.”
“Iknow,”shesaid.“Andhe’sgotajob,yousaid.”
Henodded.“Icouldhaveawordwiththeownerofthefeedstore,butthatwouldbecrossingthe
line,bigtime.Ican’ttellamerchantwhotohire,asmuchasI’dliketo,”headded.
“Iknowthat.He’djustfindanotherjob,anyway,ifhe’sdeterminedtostayhere.”Sheclosedher
eyesonagrimace.“He’lltalktoeverybodyhemeets,he’llsayIhadhimputawayforsomefrivolous
reason.”Sheopenedhereyes.“Ted,hemakesitallsoundlikeIwasjustaprudethatheshockedwith
amarriageproposal.Hecantellalieandmakeitbelieveable.”
“Somepeoplewillbelieveanythingtheyhear,”heagreed.Hisblackeyeswereturbulent.“Idon’t
likeit.”
“Idon’t,either.”Shefeltsickallover.She’dthoughtthingswerebadbefore.Now,theywere
worse.“Icouldleavetown.”
“Thatwouldmakeitworse,”hesaidflatly.“Ifyourun,itwillgivehimcredibility.”
“Iguessso.”Shelookedupathimworriedly.“Don’tyoulethimconvinceyouthatIhadhimput
awayfortryingtokissme.Itwasalotmorethanthat.”
Heonlysmiled.“I’mnoteasytosway.Besides,I’veknownyoumostofyourlife.”
Thatwastrue.Shedidn’taddthatTedhadn’tknownherreallywelluntiljustrecenttimes.
“Thereareotherpeoplehewon’tconvince,includingtheprosecutor.”
“Mr.HaynessaidIcouldcallhimifIgotintroubleandyouweren’tavailable,”shesaid.
Hesmiled.“He’dcome,too.He’sagoodguy.”
“Ican’tunderstandwhyawomanwouldrunawayfromherhusbandandalittlebaby,”shesaid.
“He’ssuchaniceperson.”
“Somewomendon’twantnice,theywantdangerousorrecklessorvagabond.”
“Notme,”shesaid.“IwanttostayinHollistermywholelife.”
“Andhavekids?”
ShelookedupatTedworriedly.“Iwantkidsalot,”shetoldhim.“It’sjust…”
“It’sjustwhatyouhavetodotomakethem,”hereplied.
Sheblushed.
“Sorry,”hesaidgently.“Ididn’tmeanforittocomeoutlikethat.”
“I’maprude.Ireallyam.”
“You’renot.”
Shewasbeginningtowonder.Shedidn’tlikerecallingwhathadhappenedwiththemaninher
past,buthisaccusationshaddisturbedher.Wasshereallysocluelessthatshe’dsenthimtoprisonfor
somethingthatwasn’thisfault?Hadsheoverreacted?Shehadbeenatfaultwiththeauditor;she’d
gonewithhimtothemotelandatfirstshe’dlethimkissher.Thenthingsgotoutofhandandshe
panicked,largelybecauseofwhatDavyHarrishaddonetoher.
Tedwaslookingathiswatch.“Damn!I’vegotameetingwithadefenseattorneyinmyofficeto
takeadepositioninatheftcase.I’llhavetogo.”Hebentandkissedhercheek.“Youstayclearofthat
coyote,andifhegivesyouanytrouble,anyatall,youtellme.I’llthrowhisbuttinjail.”
Shesmiled.“Iwill.Thanks,Ted.”
“Whatarefriendsfor?”heasked,andsmiledback.
Shewatchedhimwalkawaywithmisgivings.Shewantedtotellhimthatshewasn’tconfident
aboutheractionsinthepast,tellhimthatmaybethemanshe’daccusedwasn’tasguiltyasshe
thought.Shewishedshehadsomebodytotalktoaboutit.
Shesighedandgotinhertruckanddrovetotheranch.Itwasgoingtobethebiggestproblemof
herlife,andshedidn’tknowhowshewasgoingtosolveit.
Thingswentfrombadtoworseveryquickly.ShewentintoworkthenextmorningandDavy
Harriswassittinginabooththeminutethedoorsopened.Shehadtocomeouttoarrangepiesand
cakesinthedisplaycaseforthelunchcrowd.Shedidn’tworklunch,butshedidmuchofthebaking
aftershe’dfinishedmakingbreakfastforthecustomers.
Everytimeshecameouttoarrangetheconfections,themanwaswatchingher.Hesatascloseto
thecounterashecouldget,sippingcoffeeandgivinghermaliciouslooks.Hemadehervery
nervous.
“Sir,canIgetyouanythingelse?”thewaitress,awareofJillian’sdiscomfort,askedthemanina
politebutfirmtone.
Heliftedhiseyebrows.“I’mfinishingmycoffee.”
“Breakfastisnolongerbeingserved,sir.We’regettingreadyforthelunchcrowd.”
“Iknow.I’llbebackforlunch,”heassuredher.“I’malmostdone.”
“Yes,sir.”Sheproducedthecheckandputitnexttohisplate,andwentbacktoherother
customer,theonlyotheroneleftintheroom.
“Youalwaysdidcooksweetssowell,Jilly,”Harristoldherwithalongvisualappraisal.“Iloved
thelemoncakeyouusedtomakeforyouruncle.”
“Thanks,”shemutteredunderherbreath.
“Youliveallaloneinthatbigranchhouse,now,don’tyou?”heaskedinapleasanttonethatwas
onlysurface.Hiseyeswerefullofhate.“Don’tyougetscaredatnight?”
“Ihaveashotgun,”sheblurtedout.
Helookedshocked.“Really!”
“Really,”sherepliedwithacoldglare.“Itwouldbesounwiseforanybodytotrytobreakinat
night.”
Helaughedcoldly.“Why,Jilly,wasthatathreat?”heasked,raisinghisvoicewhenthewaitress
camebacktothatsideoftherestaurant.“Wereyouthreateningtoshootme?”
“Iwassayingthatifanybodybrokeintomyhouse,Iwouldusemyshotgun,”shefaltered.
“Areyouaccusingmeoftryingtobreakinonyou?”heaskedloudly.
Sheflushed.“Ididn’tsaythat.”
“Areyousure?Imean,accusingpeopleofcrimestheyhaven’tcommitted,isn’tthatafelony?”
hepersisted.
Thewaitressmarchedbacktohistable.“Areyoufinished,sir?”sheaskedwithabiteinher
voice,becauseshewasfondofJillian.“Wehavetoclearthetablesnow.”
Hesighed.“IguessI’mfinished.”Helookedatthebill,pulledouthiswallet,lefttheamountplus
aten-centtip.Hegavethewaitressanamusedsmile.“Now,don’tyouspendthatwholetipallinone
place,”hesaidwithdrippingsarcasm.
“I’llbuyfeedformypoloponieswithit,”shequippedback.
Heglaredather.Hedidn’tlikepeopleone-uppinghim,anditshowed.“I’llseeyouagain,soon,
Jilly,”hepurred,withalastglance.
Heleft.Jillianfelthermusclesunlocking.Buttearsstunghereyes.
“Oh,Jill,”thewaitress,Sandra,groaned.SheputherarmsaroundJillianandhuggedhertight.
“He’llgoaway,”shesaid.“He’llhaveto,eventually.Youmustn’tcry!”
Jillianbawled.Shehadn’tknownthewaitresswellatall,untilnow.
“There,there,”Sandrasaidsoftly.“Iknowhowitis.Iwaslivingwiththisguy,Carl,andhe
knockedmearoundeverytimehegotdrunk.Once,hehitmewithaglassanditshatteredandcutmy
facerealbad.Ilovedhimsomuch,”shegroaned.“Butthatwokemeup,whenthathappened.Imoved
out.Hemadethreatsandeventriedtosetfiretomyhouse.ButwhenhefinallyrealizedImeantit,he
gaveupandfoundanothergirlfriend.LastIheard,shewasmakingweeklytripstotheemergency
roomupinBillings.”
Jillianpulledback,wipinghereyes.“Itwasn’tlikethat,”shewhispered.“Iwasfifteen,andhe
triedto…”“Fifteen?”
Jillianbitherlowerlip.“Myunclehiredhimasahandyman.”
“GoodLord!Youshouldhavehadhimarrested!”
“Idid,”Jilliansaidmiserably.“Buthegotout,andnowhe’sgoingtomakemylifehell.”
“Youpoorkid!YoutellChiefGraves,”shesaidfirmly.“He’lltakecareofit.”
Jillian’seyesweremisty.“Youcan’thavesomebodythrownoutoftownwithoutgoodreason,”
shesaid.“Hehasn’tthreatenedmeordoneanythingexceptshowupheretoeatallthetime.Andit’s
theonlyrestaurantintown,Sandra,”sheadded.
“Yes,buthewasmakingsomeprettythickaccusations,”sheremindedtheothergirl.
“Words.Justwords.”
“Theycanhurtasbadasfists,”Sandrasaidcurtly.“Ioughttoknow.Myfatherneverhesitatedto
tellmehowuglyandstupidIwas.”
Jilliangasped.Nobodyinherfamilyhadeversaidsuchthingstoher.
“Iguessyouhadnicepeopletolivewith,huh?”Sandraaskedwithaworldlysmile.“Thatwasn’t
thecasewithme.Myfatherhatedme,becauseIwasn’this.Mymotherhadanaffair.Peopledoitall
thetimethesedays.Shecameback,buthecouldnevergetoverthefactthatshehadmebysomebody
else.Shediedandhemademepayforit.”
“I’msosorry.”
“You’reanicekid,”Sandratoldherquietly.“Thatguymakesanytroubleforyouinhere,he’ll
havetodealwithme.”
Jillianchuckled.“I’veseenyouhandleunrulycustomers.You’regoodatit.”
“Ioughttobe.Iwasinthearmyuntiltwoyearsago,”sheadded.“Iworkedasmilitarypolice.
NotmuchIdon’tknowabouthand-to-handcombat.”
Jillianbeamed.“Myheroine!”
Sandrajustlaughed.“Anyway,yougetthosecakesarrangedandgohome.I’lldealwiththe
visitingproblemwhileyou’reaway.”
“Thanks.Foreverything.”
“AlwayswishedIhadakidsister,”Sandrascoffed.Shegrinned.“SonowIdo.Youtellpeople
I’myoursisterandwe’llhavesomelaughs.”
Thatwouldhavebeenfunny,becauseSandra’sskinwasaverydarkcopper,comparedto
Jillian’sverypaleskin.Sandrawas,afterall,full-bloodedLakota.
“ChiefGravesisCheyenne,”shesaidaloud.
“NothingwrongwiththeCheyenne,nowthatwe’renotbashingeachother ’sbrainsoutlikewe
didacenturyago,”cametheamusedreply.Sandrawinked.“Bettergetcracking.Thebossisgivingus
darklooks.”
Jilliangrinned.“Can’thavethat!”shelaughed.
Jilliandidfeelbetter,andnowshehadanallyatwork.Butshewasstillworried.Thatmanhad
obviouslycometoHollistertopayherbackforhisjailsentence,andnowshewasdoubtingherown
storythathadcosthimhisfreedom.
Seven
J
illianhadneverconsideredthatshemightbecomeavictimofastalker.Andshewonderedifit
couldevenbecalledstalking.DavyHarriscameintotherestauranteverymorningtoeat.Butitwas
theonlydinerintown.Sowasthatstalking?
Tedthoughtso,butthelawwasn’tonthevictim’ssideinthiscase.Amancouldn’tbearrested
forstalkingbyeatingintheonlyrestaurantintown.
ButhemadeJillianuptight.Shefumbledacakeontothefloortwomorningslater,onethathad
takenalotoftroubletobake,withcreamfilling.Harrislaughedcoldly.
“Why,Jilly,doImakeyounervous?”hechided.“I’monlyhavingbreakfasthere.Ihaven’ttried
totouchyouoranything.”
Shecleanedthefloor,flushedandunsettled.Sandrahadcalledinsickthatmorning,sotheyhada
substitutewaitress,onewhojustdidherjobanddidn’twastetimeongettingtoknowtheother
employees.Shehadnoonetobackherup,now.
“Ionlywantedtomarryyou,”Harrissaidinasoft,quiettone.“Youwererealyoung,butI
thoughtyouwerematureenoughtohandleit.Andyoulikedme.Rememberwhenthelittlewhite
kittenswerebornandtheyweregoingtohavetobeputdownbecauseyoucouldn’tkeepthemall?I
wentaroundtoalmosteveryhouseintownuntilIfoundplacesforthemtolive.”
Shebitherlip.Thatwastrue.He’dbeenkind.
“AndwhenyouruncleJohnhadthatvirusandwassosickthathecouldn’tkeepthemedicine
down?Idrovebothofyoutothehospital.”
“Yes,”shesaidreluctantly.
Helaughed.“Andyourepaidmykindnessbyhavingmeputinprisonwithmurderers.”
Herfacewasstrickenasshestaredathim.
Hegottohisfeet,stillsmiling,buthiseyeswerelikeacobra’s.“DidyouthinkI’djustgoaway
andyou’dneverhavetoseemeagain?”
Shegotup,alittlewobbly.“Ididn’trealize…”
“What,thatIreallywouldgotoprisonbecauseyouexaggeratedwhathappened?”heinterrupted.
“Whatkindofwomandoesthattoaman?”
Shefeltreallysick.Sheknewherfacewaswhite.
“Ijustwantedtomarryyouandtakecareofyou,andyouruncle,”hesaid.“Iwouldn’thavehurt
you.DidIeverhurtyou,Jilly?”
Shewasgrowinglessconfidentbythesecond.Hadshemisjudgedhim?Washeinprison
becauseshe’dblownthingsoutofproportion?
Heputafive-dollarbilldownbesidehisplate.“Whydon’tyouthinkaboutthat?”hecontinued.
“Thinkaboutwhatyoudidtome.Youdon’tknowwhatit’slikeinprison,Jilly.Youdon’tknowwhat
mencandotoothermen,especiallyiftheyaren’tstrongandpowerful.”Hisfacewastautwith
distaste.“Youstupidlittleprude,”hesaidharshly.“Youlandedmeinhell!”
“I’m…I’msorry,”shestammered.
“Areyoureally?”heaskedsarcastically.“Well,notsorryenough,notyet.”Heleanedtoward
her.“Butyou’regoingtobe,”hesaidinavoicethatdidn’tcarry.“You’regoingtowishyounever
heardmynamewhenI’mthroughwithyou.”
Hestoodbackupagain,smilinglikeausedcarsalesman.“Itwasareallygoodbreakfast,Jilly,”
hesaidoutloud.“You’restillagreatlittlecook.Haveaniceday,now.”
Hewalkedout,whiletheowneroftherestaurantandthecashiergavehimathoughtfullook.
Jilliancouldimaginehowitwouldsound.Herewasthepoor,falselyaccusedmantryingtobeniceto
thewomanwho’dputhimaway.Jillianwasn’tgoingtocomeoutsmellinglikeroses,nomatterwhat
shesaidordid.Andnowshehadherowndoubtsaboutthepast.Shedidn’tknowwhatshewasgoing
todo.
Tedcamebythenextday.Sheheardhiscaratthefrontdooroftheranchhouseandshewentto
thestepswithafeelingofunease.Shedidn’tthinkTedwouldtakethesideoftheotherman,butDavy
couldbeveryconvincing.
Tedcameupthesteps,lookingsomber.Hepausedwhenhesawherexpression.
“What’shappened?”heasked.
Sheblinked.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Youlooklikedeathwarmedover.”
“DoI?Itmustbetheflour,”shelied,andforcedalaugh.“I’vebeenmakingacherrypie.”
Once,hewouldhavemadeajoke,becauseitwashisfavorite.Buthewasquietandpreoccupied
ashefollowedherintothekitchen.
“Anycoffeegoing?”heaskedashesailedhishatontothecounter.
“Icanmakesome.”
“Please.”
Shestartedapot,awareofhiskeenandpenetratinggaze,followingherassheworked.
“What’sgoingonwithyouandHarris?”heaskedsuddenly.
Thequestionstartledhersomuchthatshedroppedapanshe’dbeenputtingunderthecounter.
Herhandswereshaking.
Sheturnedbacktohim.“No…nothing,”shestammered,buthercheekshadflushed.
Hisfacehardened.“Nothing.”
“Hecomesintherestauranttohavebreakfasteveryday,”shesaid.
“Andyou’dknowthis,how?”
Sheputthepandowngentlyonthecounteranddrewinabreath.“BecauseI’vegotajobthere,
cookingforthebreakfastcrowd.”
Helookedangry.“Sincewhen?”
Shehesitated.Shehadn’trealizedhowdifficultitwasgoingtobe,tellinghimaboutherjob,and
explainingwhyshe’ddecidedtokeepitsecretfromhim.Itwouldlookbad,asifshedidn’ttrusthim.
Theguiltmadehimangrier.
Shepouredcoffeeintoamugandputitinfrontofhimonthetable.Herhandswereunsteady.“I
realizeitmustseemlikeI’mkeepingsecrets,”shebegan.
“Itsoundsalotlikethat.”
“Iwasgoingtotellyou,”sheprotested.
“When?”
Shehesitated.
“Yousaidyoudidn’twanttogetmarriedyet.Isthatwhy?”hepersisted.“Yougotajobsoyou
couldtakecareofyourbillshere,sothatyoucouldrefusetohonorthetermsofouruncles’wills?”
Itwassoundingworsethanitwas.Hewasmad.Hecouldn’tevenhideit.
Hehadn’ttouchedhiscoffee.Hegottohisfeet.“YoubackawayeverytimeIcomeclosetoyou.
WhenItakeyouout,youdresslikeateenagergoingtoadanceinthegym.Yougetajobanddon’t
tellme.You’rebeingoverheardflirtingwiththemanwhosupposedlyassaultedyouyearsago.”His
eyesnarrowedasshesearchedforwaystoexplainherbehavior.“Whatothersecretsareyoukeeping
fromme,Jillian?”
Shedidn’tknowwhattosaythatwouldn’tmakethingsworse.Herfacewasastudyinmisery.
“I’mnotflirtingwithhim,”shesaid.
“Thatisn’twhatoneofthedinerssaid,”hereturned.
Shebitherlowerlip.“I’vebeenwondering,”shebegan.
“Wonderingwhat?”
Sheliftedoneshoulder.“MaybeImadeamistake,”sheblurtedout.“MaybeIdidexaggerate
whathappened,becauseIwassonaive.”Sheswallowedhard.“Likewiththeauditor,whenIwentout
withhimanddidn’ttellhimmyage,andhegotintrouble.”
Ted’sexpressionwasn’teasilyexplained.Hejuststaredatherwithblackeyesthatdidn’tgive
anyquarteratall.
“DavyHarriswaskindtoUncleJohn,”shehadtoadmit.“Andhewasalwaysdoingthingsfor
him,andforme.”Sheloweredhereyestothefloor,somiserablethatshealmostchokedonherown
words.“Hesaidtheothermendidthingstohiminprison.”
Hestillhadn’tspoken.
Shelookedup,wincingathisexpression.“Hewasn’tameansortofperson.Heneverhurt
me…”
Hepickeduphishat,slammeditoverhiseyes,andwalkedoutthedoor.
Sheranafterhim.“Ted!”
Hekeptwalking.Hewentdownthesteps,gotintohistruckanddroveoffwithoutasingleword.
Jillianstaredafterhimwithafeelingofdisaster.
Sandragapedatherthenextmorningatwork.“YoutoldTedGravesthatyoumadeamistake?”
sheasked.“Whatintheworldisthematterwithyou?Youweresoyoung,Jillian!Whatsortofman
triestogetitonwithakidbarelyinhighschool?”
“Hewasjusttwenty-one,”sheprotested.
“Heshouldhaveknownbetter.Nojuryintheworldwouldhaveturnedhimlooseformaking
advancestoyou.”
“Yes,buthe,well,whilehewasinprison,someofthemen…”Shehesitated,searchingforthe
wordstoexplain.
“Iknowwhatyoumean,”Sandrarepliedshortly.“Butyou’remissingthewholepoint.Agrown
mantriedtomakeyougotobedwithhimwhenyouwereyoungthen.Isn’tthatwhathappened?”
Jilliandrewinalongbreath.“Yes.Iguessso.”
“Thenwhyareyoutryingtotaketheblameforit?Didyouleadhimon?Didyouwear
suggestiveclothing,flirtwithhim,trytogethimtocomeintoyourroomwhenyourunclewasn’t
around?”
“Goodheavens,no!”Jillianprotested.
Sandra’sblackeyesnarrowed.“Thenwhyisityourfault?”
“Hewenttoprisononmytestimony.”
“Soundstomelikehedeservedto,”Sandrarepliedcurtly.
“Buthewasakindman,”shesaid.“Hewasalwaysdoingthingsforotherpeople.Oneweek
whenUncleJohnwasrealsick,heevendidthegroceryshoppingforus.”
“Afewyearsbackinamurdertrial,awitnesstestifiedthattheaccusedmurdererhelpedhertake
hergroceriesintothehouse.Anothertoldthejurythathetunedupheroldcarwhenitwouldn’tstart.
Whatdoesthathavetodowithaman’sguiltorinnocence?”
Jillianblinked.“Excuseme?”
“Don’tyouthinkthatamancandokindthingsandstillkillsomeone,giventhemotive?”she
asked.
“Ineverthoughtofitlikethat.”
“Evenkindpeoplecankill,Jillian,”Sandrasaidbluntly.“Iknewthisguyonthereservation,
Harry.He’dgiveyoutheshirtoffhisback.HedroveoldMr.Hotchkisstothedoctoreverymonthto
gethischeckup.Buthekilledanothermaninanargumentandgotsenttoprisonforit.Doyouthink
theyshouldhaveacquittedhimbecausehedidacoupleofkindthingsforotherpeople?”
“Well,no,”shehadtoadmit.
“Weallhavegoodandevilinus,”theolderwomanreplied.“Justbecausewe’recapableofgood
doesn’tmeanwecan’tdosomethingevil.”
“IguessIunderstand.”
“Youthinkaboutthat.Andstoptryingtoassumeresponsibilityforsomethingthatwasn’tyour
fault.Youwerejustoutofgradeschoolwhenithappened.Youweren’toldenoughormatureenough
topermitanymanlibertieslikethat,atthetime.Youweren’toldenoughtoknowbetter,Jillian,buthe
was.”
Shefeltalittlebetter.
“Besidesthat,didyoulikeit?”
“Areyoukidding?”Jillianexclaimed.“No,Ihatedit!”
“Thenthatshouldtellyouwho’satfault,shouldn’tit?”
Jillianbegantorelax.“Youhaveawaywithwords.”
“Ishouldhavebeenawriter,”Sandraagreed.Shegrinned,showingperfectwhiteteeth.“Now
youstopspoutingnonsenseandstartworkingonthatbacon.We’llhavecustomersrantingbecause
breakfastisn’tready!”
Jillianlaughed.“Iguesswewill.Thanks.”
Sandragrinned.“You’rewelcome.”
Jilliandidn’tgooutfrontwhenthedoorsopened,noteventoputoutthecakesandpies.Sandra
didthatforher.
“Curious,”shesaidwhenshecamebackintothekitchen.
“Whatis?”
“YouroldfriendDavywasn’toutthere.”
“Maybehedecidedtoleave,”Jilliansaidhopefully.
“Itwouldtakesomebodymoregulliblethanmetobelievethat,”theolderwomanreplied.
“Yes,butIcanhope.”
“KnowwhattheArabssay?”Sandraasked.“Theysay,trustinAllah,buttieupyourcamel.
Soundadvice,”sheadded,shakingalongfingerattheotherwoman.
Jilliandidhopeforthebest,anyway,andnotonlyaboutDavyHarrisleavingtown.Shehoped
thatTedmightcomebytotalk,orjustsmooththingsoverwithher.Buthedidn’tcometothe
restaurant,ortotheranch.Andthenextmorning,DavyHarriswasrightbackinthesamebooth,
waitingforhisbreakfast.
“Didyoumissme?”heteasedJillian,havingsurprisedherasshewasputtingapoundcakein
thedisplaycase.
“Ididn’tnoticeyouweregone,”shelied,flushing.
“Webothknowbetterthanthat,don’twe?”Heleanedbackinthebooth,hispaleeyessosmug
thatitmadehercurious.“I’vebeentalkingtopeopleaboutyou.”
Shefeltuneasy.“Whatpeople?”
“Justpeople.”
Shedidn’tknowwhattosay.Shegottoherfeetandwentbackintothekitchen.Herstomachwas
cuttingsomersaultsalltheway.
Thatafternoon,asshewentouttogetintoheroldvehicletogohome,shewalkedrightinto
Davy.
Shegaspedandjumpedback.Helaughed.
“DoImakeyounervous?”hechided.“Ican’timaginewhy.Youknow,Inevertriedtohurtyou.I
neverdid.DidI?”
“N-no,”sheblurtedout,embarrassed,becauseafewpeoplestandingoutsidethebankwere
listening,andwatchingthem.
“ItoldyouruncleIwantedtomarryyou,”hesaid,withoutloweringhisvoice.Heevensmiled.
“HesaidthathehopedIwould,becausehelikedmeandheknewI’dtakecareofyou.Butthatwas
beforeyoutoldthoseliesaboutme,wasn’tit,Jilly?Thatwasbeforeyougotmeputinjailfortrying
tokissyou.”
Shewasembarrassedbecausetheyweretalkingaboutsomethingprivateinaverypublic
location,andseveralpeoplewerelistening.
“Itwasn’t…wasn’tlikethat,”shestammered,flushing.
“Yes,itwas,youjustdon’tlikeadmittingthatyoumadeamistake,”hesaid,hisvoicealittle
loudernow.“Isn’tthatthetruth?”
Shewasfumblingforwords.Shecouldn’tgethermindtoworkatall.
“Youliedaboutme,”hecontinued,raisinghisvoice.“Youlied.”
Sheshouldhavedisputedthat.Sheshouldhavesaidthatitwasnolie,thathe’dtriedtoassaulther
inherownhome.Butshewastooembarrassed.Sheturnedandalmostrantohertruck.Onceinside,
shelockedthedoorwithcold,tremblingfingers.
Davystoodonthesidewalk,smiling.Justsmiling.Amanandwomancameuptohimandhe
turnedandstartedtalkingtothemasJilliandroveaway.Shewonderedwhattheyweresaying.She
hopeditwasn’tabouther.
Butinthenextfewdays,shenoticedachangeinattitude,especiallyincustomerswhocameto
therestaurants.Herprettycakeshadbeenquicklyboughtbefore,butnowtheystayedinthecase.Jill
tookmostofthembackhome.Whenshewenttothebank,thetellerwaspolite,butnotchattyand
friendlyassheusuallywas.
Evenatthelocalconveniencestorewheresheboughtgas,theclerkwasreserved,allbusiness,
whenshepaidatthecounter.
Thenextmorning,atwork,shebegantounderstandwhyshewasbeingtreatedtoacold
shoulderfrompeopleshe’dknownmostofherlife.
“Everybodythinksyoudidajobonme,Jilly,”Davysaidunderhisbreathwhenshewasputting
acakeonthecounter—onlyonecaketoday,insteadofthevarietysheusuallyproduced,sincethey
weren’tselling.
Sheglaredathimoverthecake.“Itwouldn’tdototellthemthetruth.”
“Whatisthetruth?”Heleanedbackinthebooth,hiseyescoldandaccusing.“Youhadmesentto
jail.”
Shestoodup,tiredofbeingharassed,tiredofhisunspokenaccusations,tiredofthewaylocal
peopleweretreatingherbecauseofhim.
“Iwasafreshmaninhighschoolandyoutriedtoforcemetohavesexwithyou,”shesaid
shortly,awareofashockedlookfromamalecustomer.“Howhardisthattounderstand?It’scalled
statutoryrape,Ibelieve…?”
Davyflushed.Hegottohisfeetandtoweredoverher.“Ineverrapedyou!”
“YouhadmyclothesoffandtheonlyreasonyoustoppedwasbecauseIsluggedyouandran.If
SassyPealehadn’thadashotgun,youneverwouldhavestopped!Youranaftermeallthewaytoher
house!”
Heclenchedhisfistsbyhisside.“Iwenttojail,”hesnapped.“You’regoingtopayforthat.I’ll
makesureyoupayforthat!”
Shetookthecake,aimeditandthrewitrightinhisface.
“Icouldhaveyouarrestedforassault!”hesputtered.
“Goahead,”shesaid,glaringathim.“I’llcallthepoliceforyou,ifyoulike!”
Hetookaquicksteptowardher,butthemalecustomerstoodupallatonceandmovedtoward
him.Hebackedaway.
“You’llbesorry,”hetoldJillian.Heglaredattheothercustomer,andwalkedout,wipingaway
cakewithahandkerchief.
Jillianwasshaking,butshehadn’tbackeddown.Shetookashakybreath,fightingtears,and
startedpickingupcake.
“Youthinkhe’llgoaway,”thecustomer,atallblondmanwithapatchoveroneeye,saidquietly,
inanaccentedtone,likeaBritishaccent,butwithahardaccentontheconsonants.Sherecalled
hearingaccentslikethatinoneoftheLethalWeaponmovies.“Hewon’t.”
Shestoppedpickingupcakeandgottoherfeet,staringathim.
Hewastallandwellbuilt.Hisblondhairwasinaponytail.Hisfacewaslean,withfaintscars,
andhehadonelightbrowneyevisible.Helookedlikethesortofmanwhosmiledalot,buthewasn’t
smilingnow.Hehadadangerouslook.
“Youshouldtalktoalawyer,”hesaidquietly.
Shebitherlip.“Andsaywhat?Heeatshereeveryday,butthisistheonlyrestaurantintown.”
“It’sstillharassment.”
Shesighed.“Yes.Itis.ButIcan’tmakehimleave.”
“TalktoTedGraves.He’llmakehimleave.”
“Tedisn’tspeakingtome.”
Heliftedaneyebrowexpressively.
“Itickedhimoff,too,bysayingImighthavemadeamistakeandoverreactedtowhatDavydid
tome,”shesaidmiserably.“DavymadeitsoundasifIdid.Andthenheremindedmeaboutallthe
kindthingshedidformyuncleandme…”
“AdolphHitlerhadadog.Hepetteditandtookitforwalksandthrewsticksforittochase,”he
saidblandly.
Shegrimaced.Shewentbackdownandpickedupmorecake.
“Ifyouweresoyoungandittookashotguntodeterhim,”themancontinued,“itwasn’tan
innocentact.”
“I’mjustbeginningtogetthatthroughmythickskull,”shesighed.
“Thissortofmandoesn’tquit,”hecontinued,stickinghishandsdeepinthepocketsofhisjeans.
Hiseyewasnarrowandthoughtful.“He’shereformorethanbreakfast,ifyougetmydrift.Hewants
revenge.”
“Iguessso.”
“Ihopeyoukeepagun.”
Shelaughed.“Ihateguns.”
“SodoI,”hemused.“Imuchpreferknives.”
HeindicatedahugeBowieknifeononehip,inafringedleathersheath.
Shestaredatit.“Idon’tguessyou’dhavetodomuchmorethanshowthattosomebodytomake
thembackoff.”
“That’susuallythecase.”
Shefinishedcleaningupthecake.“Theyaren’tsellingwelllately,butIthoughtthisonemight.
DavyseemstohavebeenspendingallhissparetimetellingpeoplewhatanevilwomanIam.There’s
adistinctchillintheairwhereverIgonow.”
“That’sbecausehe’stellinghissideofthestorytoanybodywho’lllisten,”hereplied.“And
that’sharassment,aswell.”
“IcanseeTedarrestinghimfortalkingtosomeone,”shesaidsarcastically.
“Itdependsonwhathe’ssaying.Iheardwhathesaidinhere.Ifyouneedawitness,I’m
available.”
Shefrowned.“Hedidn’tsaymuch.”
“Hesaidenough,”hereplied.
Sheshrugged.“Iliketohandlemyownproblems.”
“OrdinarilyI’dsaythat’sadmirable.Notinthiscase.You’reupagainstamanwho’sdonehard
timeandcameoutwithagrudge.Hewantsblood.Ifyou’renotverycareful,he’llgetit.He’sdoinga
numberonyourcharacteralready.Peopletendtobelievewhattheywanttobelieve,anditisn’talways
thetruth.Especiallywhenalikeableyoungmanwho’sapparentlybeenrailroadedbyanastyyoung
girltellstherightkindofstory.”
Sheblinked.“I’dbethenastyyounggirlinthisstory?”
Henodded.
Sheputtheremnantsofhercakeintothetrashcanbehindthecounter.Sheshrugged.“Inever
thoughtofmyselfasabadperson.”
“It’shisthoughtsthatyouhavetoworryabout.Ifhe’smadenough,andIthinkheisifhecame
hereexpresslytotormentyou,hewon’tstopwithgossip.”
Thatthoughthadoccurredtoher,too.Shelookedupatthecustomerwithwide,worriedeyes.
“MaybeIshouldgetajoboverinBillings.”
“Andrunforit?”heasked.“Fatchance.He’dfollowyou.”
Shegasped.“No…!”
Hisfacehardened.“I’veseenthishappenbefore,inasimilarcase,”hesaidtersely.“Infact,Iwas
actingasanunpaidbodyguardasafavortoafriend.Theperpnotonlygotoutofjail,hewentafter
thegirlwhotestifiedagainsthimandbeatherup.”
Sheglared.“Ihopeyouhurthim.”
“Severalofus,”hereplied,“wantedto,butherboyfriendgottohimfirst.He’sbackinjail.Butif
she’dbeenalone,theremightnothavebeenanybodytotestify.”
Shefeltsicktoherstomach.“You’resayingsomething,aren’tyou?”
“I’msayingthatsuchmenareunpredictable,”hereplied.“It’sbettertowatchyourbackthanto
assumethateverythingwillworkitselfout.Inmyexperience,situationslikethisdon’tgetbetter.”
Sheputdowntheragshe’dbeencleaningwith,andlookedupwithworriedeyes.“IwishTed
wasn’tmadatme,”shesaidquietly.
“Gomakeupwithhim,”headvised.“Anddoitsoon.”Hedidn’taddthathe’dseenthe
expressiononherassailant’sfaceandhewascertainthemanwouldsoonresorttoviolencetopay
herback.
“IsupposeIshould,”shesaid.Shemanagedasmile.“Thanks,Mr….?”
“JustcallmeRourke,”hesaid,andgrinned.“Mostpeopledo.”
“Areyouvisitingsomebodylocal?”
Hiseyebrowsarched.“Don’tIlooklikealocal?”
Sheshookherhead,softeningthenoncommentwithasmile.
Helaughed.“Actually,”hesaid,“Icamebytoseethepolicechief.Andnotonacase.TedandI
wereinthemilitarytogether.Ibroughtamessagefromanoldfriendwhoworksasapolicechief
downinTexas.”
Shecockedherhead.“Thatwouldn’tbetheonewhotaughthimtotango?”
Heblinkedhissingleeye.“HetaughtTedtodance?”
Shenodded.“He’sprettygood,too.”
Rourkechuckled.“Wondersnevercease.”
“That’swhatIsay.”
Hesmileddownather.“TalktoTed,”headvised.“You’regoingtoneedsomebodywhocan
backyouup,ifthatmangetsviolent.”
“I’lldothat,”shesaidafteraminute.“Andthanks.”
“You’rewelcome,butforwhat?”
“Formakingmeseethelight,”sherepliedflatly.“I’vebeenblamingmyselfforsendingDavyto
prison.”
“Youmarkmywords,”hereplied.“Verysoon,Davyisgoingtoprovetoyouthatitwaswhere
hebelonged.”
Shedidn’treply.Shejusthopeditwasn’taprophecy.ButshewasgoingtoseeTed,theminute
shegotoffwork.
Eight
B
eforeJilliancouldfinishherchoresandgetoutoftherestaurant,SassyPealeCallistercameinto
therestaurantanddraggedhertooneside.
“Ican’tbelievewhatIjustheard,”shesaidshortly.“Didyouactuallysaythatyoumighthave
beenwrongtohaveDavyHarrisputinjail?”
Jillianflushedtotherootsofherhair.“Howdidyouhearaboutthat?”shestammered.
“Hollisterisaverysmalltown.Youtellonepersonandeverybodyelseknows,”theother
womanreplied.“Comeon,isittrue?”
Jillianfeltevenmoreuncomfortable.“HewasremindingmehowmuchhehelpedmeandUncle
Johnaroundtheranch.Hewasalwayskindtous.Once,whenweweresick,hewenttothestoreand
pharmacyforus,andthennursedusuntilwewerewellagain.”
Sassywasn’tbuyingit.Herfacewasstony.“Thatmeanshe’scapableofdoinggooddeeds.It
doesn’tmeanhecan’tdobadthings.”
“Iknow,”Jilliansaidmiserably.“It’sjust…well,he’sbeeninhereeveryday.Hemakesitsound
likeIoverreacted…”
“Youlistentome,he’snoheartsickwould-besuitor,”Sassysaidfirmly.“He’sacard-carrying
coyotewithdelusionsofgrandeur!Iwasn’tsurethathewasn’tgoingtotrytotaketheshotgunaway
fromme,evenifI’dpulledthetrigger.Hewasfurious!Don’tyourememberwhathesaid?”
Jillianglancedaroundher.Therestaurantwasempty,buttheownerwasnearby,atleastwithin
earshot.
“Hesaidthathe’dgetbothofus,”Sassyreplied.“Johnthinkshemeantitandthathe’sherefor
revenge.Hehiredmeabodyguard,ifyoucanbelievethat.”Sheindicatedthetallmanwithalong
blondponytailandapatchoveroneeye.
“That’sRourke,”Jillyexclaimed.
Sassyblinked.“Excuseme?”
“That’sRourke.Hewasinherethismorning,whenIthrewacakeatDavy.”SheignoredSassy’s
gaspandkeptgoing.“HesaidthatIwasnutstryingtomakeexcusesfortheman,andthatIshould
makeupwithTed.HethinksDavyisdangerous.”
“SodoI,”Sassysaidquietly.“Youshouldcomeandstaywithusuntilthisisover,onewayorthe
other.”
Jillianwastempted.ButshethoughtoflittleSammyandameansofrevengethatmightoccurto
amindastwistedasDavy’s.Hemightevenburnthehousedown.Shedidn’tdareleaveitunattended.
“Thanks,”shesaidgently,“butIcan’tdothat.Anyway,I’vegotmyuncle’sshotgun.”
“Whichyou’venevertouched,”Sassymuttered.“Idoubtit’sbeencleanedsincehedied.”
Jillianstaredatthefloor.“TedwouldcleanitformeifIaskedhimto.”
“Whydon’tyouaskhimto?”cametheshortreply.“Andthentellhimwhyyouneeditcleaned.I
dareyou.”
“Idon’tthinkDavywouldhurtme,really,”shesaidslowly.
“Heassaultedyou.”
“Maybehejustgot,well,overstimulated,and…”
“Heassaultedyou,”Sassyrepliedfirmly.
Jilliansighed.“Ihateunpleasantness.”
“Whodoesn’t?Butthisisn’tjustamanwholetakissgotoofar.Thisisamanwhodeliberately
cametoHollister,gotajobanddevilsyoueverydayatyourplaceofwork,”Sassysaidquietly.“It’s
harassment.It’sstalking.Maybeyoucan’tproveit,butyoushouldcertainlytalktoTedaboutit.”
“He’llthinkI’moverreacting.”
“He’sapoliceman,”Sassyremindedher.“Hewon’t.”
Jillianwasweakening.ShewasbeginningtofeelevenmoreafraidofDavy.IfSassy’shusband
thoughttherewasathreat,andwentsofarastohirehiswifeabodyguard,hemustbetakingit
seriously.
“Johntriedtohavehimarrested,butTedremindedhimthatyoucan’tputsomebodybehindbars
forsomethinghesaidyearsago.Hehastohaveconcreteevidence.”
Thatmadethingssomehowevenworse.Jillian’sworriedeyesmetherfriend’s.“Davydoes
scareme.”
Sassymovedcloser.“I’mgoingtohaveRourkekeepaneyeonyou,too,whenI’msafelyhome
withJohn.We’vegotenoughcowboysattheranchwhohavefederalbackgroundstokeepmesafe,”
sheaddedwithachuckle.“OneofthemusedtoworkforthegodfatherofJohn’ssister-in-law.Hewas
amercenarywithmobconnections.He’sgotmillionsandhestillcomestoseeher.”Sheleaned
forward,sothatRourkecouldn’thear.“TherewasgossiponcethatRourkewashisson.Nobody
knowsandRourkenevertalksabouthim.”
“Wow,”Jillianexclaimed.“ThatwouldbeK.C.Kantor,wouldn’tit?”
Sassywasimpressed.“Howdidyouknow?”
“Iwouldn’thave,butyourhusbandwastalkingabouthimattherestaurantonemorningwhen
youwereonthatshoppingtriptoLosAngelesandhehadtoeatintown.”
“Eavesdropping,wereyou?”Sassyteased.
Jilliansmiled.“Sorry.Sometimesawaitresscan’thelpit.”
“Idon’tmind.”Shedrewinabreath.“Ihavetogo.Butifyouneedanything,youcall.I’lllend
Rourketoyou.”
“Myearswork,evenifI’mmissingoneeye,”thetallblondmandrawled.
Bothwomenturned,surprised.
“AndK.C.Kantorisnotmyfather.”Hebitoffeveryword.“That’smaliciousgossip,aimedat
mydad,whowasamilitarymaninSouthAfricaandmadeenemiesbecauseofhisjob.”
“Sorry,”Sassysaidatonce,andlookeduneasy.Rourkerarelydidanythingexceptsmile
pleasantlyandcrackjokes,buthispalebrowneyewasglitteringandhelookeddangerous.
Hesawtheconsternationhiswordshadproduced,andfellbackintohiseasygoingpersonawith
novisibleeffort.Hegrinned.“Ieavesdropshamelessly,too,”headded.“Ineverknowwhensome
prettyyoungwomanmightbemakingniceremarksaboutme.Wouldn’twanttomissit.”
Theybothrelaxed.
“Sorry,”Sassysaidagain.“Iwasn’tsayingittobeunkind.”
Heshrugged.“Iknowthat.KantortookmeinwhenIwasorphaned,becauseheandmydadwere
friends.It’sacommonmisconception.”Hefrowned.“You’rerightaboutJillian.Livingaloneis
dangerouswhenyou’vegotanenemywithunknownintentions.Mrs.Callisterissafeatnight,unless
she’sgoingoutwithoutherhusband.Icouldcomeoverandsleeponyoursofa,ifyoulike.”
“Yes,hecould,”Sassysecondedatonce.
ThatmadeJillianvisiblyuncomfortable.Sheavertedhereyes.“That’sverykindofyou,thanks,
butI’llmanage.”
Rourkeliftedaneyebrow.“Isitmyshavinglotion?Imean,itdoessometimesputwomenoff,”
hesaidblandly.
Sassylaughed.“No.It’sconvention.”
“Excuseme?”
“Shewon’tstayaloneatnightwithamaninthehouse,”Sassysaid.“Andbeforeyousay
anything—”shestoppedhimwhenheopenedhismouthtoreply“—Iwouldhavefeltexactlythe
samewaywhenIwassingle.Womeninsmalltowns,broughtupwithcertainattitudes,don’tentertain
singlemenatnight.”
Helookedperplexed.
“You’veneverlivedinasmalltown,”Jillianventured.
“IwasborninAfrica,”hesaid,surprisingly.“I’velivedinsmallvillagesallmylife.ButIdon’t
knowmuchaboutsmallAmericantowns.Isupposetherearesimilarities.Well,exceptforthebride
pricethatstillexistsinsomeplaces.”
“Brideprice?”Jillianstaredathim,waiting.
“Amanwhowantstomarryawomanhastogiveherfatheracertainnumberofcattle.”
Shegapedathim.
“It’sacenturies-oldtradition,”heexplained.HepursedhislipsandsmiledatJillian.“I’llbet
yourfatherwouldhaveaskedathousandheadforyou.”
Sheglaredathim.“Myfatherwouldneverhaveofferedtosellmetoyou!”sheexclaimed.
“Differentplaces,differentcustoms,”hesaideasily.“I’velivedinplaces,inways,thatyoumight
neverimagine.”
“Johnsaidyouwereagunrunner,”Sassymused.
Heglaredather.“Iwasnot,”hesaidindignantly.Thenhegrinned.“Iwasanarmsdealer.”
“Semantics!”sheshotback.
Heshruggedagain.“Amanhastomakealivingwhenhe’sbetweenjobs.Atthetime,there
wasn’tmuchactiongoingoninmypartofAfricaformercenaries.”
“Andnowyouworkasabodyguard?”Jillianasked.
Hehesitated.“Attimes,whenI’monvacation.Iactuallyworkasanindependentcontractorthese
days.Legit,”headdedwhentheylookedathimwithopensuspicion.“Idon’tdomercenarywork
anymore.”
“SothatcaseinOklahomawhereyouhelpedfreeakidnappingvictimwaslegit,too?”Sassy
asked.
“Iwashelpingoutafriend,”hereplied,chuckling.“HeworksforthesamefederalagencyI
workforthesedays.”
“Butyou’reanAfricancitizen,aren’tyou?”Jillianasked.“Imean,ifyouwerebornthere…?”
“IhaveAmericancitizenshipnow,”hesaid,andlookeduncomfortable.
“WhenhewenttoworkforMr.Kantor,hehadtohaveit,”Sassymurmured.“Iimaginehepulled
somestringsatthestatedepartment?”
Rourkejustlookedather,withoutspeaking.
Sheheldoutherhands,palmsup.“Okay,I’msorry,Iwon’tpry.I’mjustgratefulyou’rearound
tolookoutforme.”SheglancedatJillian.“Butyoustillhaveaproblem.WhatifHarrisdecideshe
wantstogetevenonedarknight,andyoucan’tgettothatshotgunintime?Theonethathasn’tbeen
cleanedsinceyouruncledied?”
“IsaidI’dgetTedtocleanitforme,”theotherwomanprotested.
“YouandTedaren’tspeaking.”
“I’llcomeoverandcleanitforyou,”Rourkesaidquietly.“Andteachyoutoshootit.”
Jillianlookedhunted.“Ihateguns,”sheburstout.“IhateditwhenTedwouldcomeoverand
shoottargetsfromthefrontporch.I’llnevergetusedtothesoundofthem.It’slikedynamitegoing
offinmyears!”
Rourkelookedatherwithshockeddisdain.“Didn’tanybodyevertellyouaboutearplugs?”
“Earplugs?”
“Yes.Youalwayswearthemonthegunrange,”heexplained,“unlessyouwanttogodeafatan
earlyage.Earprotectorsarefineontherange,butearplugscanbeinsertedquicklyifyou’reonajob
andexpectingtrouble.”
“Howdoyouhear?”
“Theyletinsound.Theyjustdeadencertainfrequenciesofsound,”heexplained.Heglancedat
Sassy.“Youwon’tneedmetonight.Iheardyourhusbandsayhe’slinedupanewwerewolfmovieto
watchwithyouonpay-per-view.”
Shelaughed.“Yes.It’sthesecondinavampiretrilogy,actually.Iloveit!”
Hedidn’treact.HeglancedtowardJillian.“SoI’llbefreeaboutsix.Icancomeoverandclean
theshotgunanddoasecuritysweep.Ifyouneedlocksandsilentsentries,Icaninstallthem.”
Shebitherlip,hard.Shecouldn’taffordsuchthings.Shecouldbarelypaythebillsonwhatshe
madeasacook.
Theowneroftherestaurant,whohadbeenblatantlyeavesdropping,joinedthem.“Youcanhave
anadvanceonyoursalaryanytimeyouneedit,”hetoldJilliangently.“I’dbarHarrisfromcoming
onthepremises,ifIcould,buthe’sthesortwho’dfilealawsuit.Ican’taffordthat,”headdedheavily.
“Thanks,Mr.Chaney,”Jilliansaidquietly.“Ithoughtyoumightfireme,becauseofallthat’s
goingonrightnow.”
“Fatchance,”hesaidamusedly.“You’rethebestcookI’veeverhad.”
“Heshouldn’tbeallowedtoharassherwhileshe’sdoingherjob,”Sassysaidcurtly.
“Iagree,”therestaurantownersaidgently.“ButthisisabusinessandIcan’tbarpeopleIdislike
withoutproofthey’recausingproblems.I’veneverheardhimthreatenJillianorevenbedisrespectful
toher.”
“That’sbecausehewhispersthingstomethathedoesn’twantanybodytooverhear,”shesaid
miserably.“HemademebelievethatIhadhimlockedupfornoreasonatall.”
“IliveinHollister,”hesaidquietly.“Evenifit’snotinblaringheadlines,mostofusknowwhat’s
goingonhere.Irememberthecase.Mysister,ifyourecall,wastheassistantprosecutorinthecase.
ShehelpedJackHayneswiththeprecedents.”
“Idoremember,”Jilliansaid.Shefoldedherarmsoverherslightbreasts.“It’ssoscary.Inever
thoughthe’dgetout.”
“Peoplegetoutallthetimeontechnicalities,”Rourkesaid.“Acaseinpointisthebankrobber
yourpolicechiefputaway.AndafriendofmineintheFBIinTexashasasimilarproblem.Amanhe
sentawayforlifejustgotoutandisafterhim.Myfriendcan’tdomuchmorethanyou’redoing.The
stalkerdoesn’tdoanythinghecouldevenbechargedwith.”
“Lifeishard,”Sassysaid.
“Thenyoudie,”Rourkequipped,andgrinned.“DidyouwatchthatBritishcopshow,too?
You’reprettyyoung.”
“Everything’sondiscnow,eventhoseoldshows.It’soneofJohn’sfavorites,”Sassychuckled.
“Mine,too,”Chaneyadded,laughing.“Theywereanoddmix,thefemaleBritishcopandthe
Americanone,inateam.”
“Pityitendedbeforeweknewhowthingsworkedoutbetweenthem,”Rourkesighed.“Iwould
havelovedabig,romanticfinale.”
Bothwomenandtherestaurantownerstaredathim.
“I’maromantic,”hesaiddefensively.
Thewomenstaredpointedlyatthepistolintheshoulderholsterunderhisloosejacket.
“Icanshootpeopleandstillberomantic,”hesaidbelligerently.“Outtheresomewhereisa
womanwhocan’twaittomarrymeandhavemychildren!”
Theystaredmore.
Hemoveduncomfortably.“Well,myprofessionisn’tconducivetochild-raising,Iguess,butI
couldstillgetmarriedtosomeniceladywhowantedtocookanddarnmysocksandtakemyclothes
tothedrycleanerwhenIwashomebetweenjobs.”
“That’snotromantic,that’sdelusional,”Sassytoldhim.
“Andyou’relivinginthewrongcentury,”Jillianadded.
Heglared.“I’mnotshackingupwithsomecorporateraiderinapin-stripedbusinesssuit.”
“It’snotcalledshackingup,it’scalledcohabiting,”Sassysaiddrolly.“AndIreallycan’tseeyou
withacorporateraider.IshouldthinkaDallasCowboyline-backerwouldbe…Don’thitme,I’lltell
John!”shesaidinmockfearwhenhegloweredandtookastepforward.
“Awomaninapin-stripedsuit,”hequalified.
Sassynodded.“Afemalemobhit-person.”
Hethrewuphishands.“Ican’ttalktoyou.”
“Youcouldifyou’dstopmixingmetaphorsandlookingforwomenwholivedinthedarkages.”
Shefrowned.“Youdon’tgetoutmuch,doyou?”
Helookedoutthewindowoftherestaurant.“Inthisburg,itwouldn’tmatterifIdid.Ithinkthere
aretwounmarriedladieswholiveinthistown,andthey’rebothintheirsixties!”
“Wecouldaskifanybodyhasprettycousinsornieceswholiveoutoftown,”Jillianoffered.
Hegaveherapursed-lipscrutiny.“You’renotbad.Youhaveyourownranchandyoucancook.”
“Idon’twanttogetmarried,”Jilliansaidcurtly.
“That’strue,”Sassysaidsadly.“IthinkHarrishasputheroffmenforlife.Shewon’tevenmarry
Ted,andthatmeansshe’lllosetheranchtoadeveloper.”
“Goodgrief,”Rourkeexclaimed.“Why?”
“It’sinmyuncle’swillandhisuncle’swillthatwehavetomarryeachotherortheranchgets
soldatpublicauction,”Jilliansaidmiserably.“There’saCaliforniadeveloperlickinghislipsinthe
background,justwaitingtoturnmyranchintoaresort.”
Rourkewasoutraged.“Notthatbeautifulhunkofland!”
Shenodded.“ItwilllookliketheWestCoastwhenhegetsthrough.He’llcutdownallthetrees,
pavetheland,andbuildexpensivecondominiums.Ihearheevenhasplansforastripmallinthe
middle.Oh,andanamusementpark.”
Rourkewasunusuallythoughtful.“Nicepieceofland,that,”heremarked.
“Verynice.”
“Butthatdoesn’tsolveyourproblem,”Sassyreplied.
“Icanbeoveraboutsix,ifthat’sokay?”hetoldJillian,withaquestioningglanceatSassy.
“Thatwillbefinewithus,”Sassyassuredhim.SheglaredatJillian,whowashesitating.“IfTed
won’ttalktoyou,somebodyhastocleantheshotgun.”
“Isupposeso.”
“Enthusiasmlikethathaslaunchedcolonies,”Rourkedrawled.
Jillianlaughedself-consciously.“Sorry.Idon’tmeantosoundreluctant.Ijustdon’tknowwhat
Tedwillthink.He’salreadymadbecauseIsaidImighthaveoverreactedtoDavyHarriswhenIhad
himarrested.”
“Itwasn’toverreaction,”therestaurantowner,Mr.Chaney,insertedindignantly.“Theman
deservedwhathegot.I’mjustsorryIcan’tkeephimoutofhere.Ifheeverinsultsyouormakesa
threat,youtellme.I’llbarhimevenifIdogetsued.”
“Thanks,boss.Really,”Jilliansaid.
“LeastIcoulddo.”Heglancedatthefrontdoor.“Excuseme.Customers.”Heleftwithasmile.
“Healwaysgreetspeoplewhentheycomein,”Jillianexplainedwithasmile,“andthenhecomes
aroundtothetablesandcheckstomakesuretheserviceandthefoodareokaywiththem.He’sagreat
boss.”
“It’sagoodrestaurant,”Rourkeagreed.“Goodfood.”HegrinnedatJillian.
“So.Six?”headded.
Jilliansmiled.“Six.I’llevenfeedyou.”
“I’llbringtherawmaterials,shallI?”heaskedwithatwinkleinhiseyes.“Steaksandsalad?”
“Lovely!”Jillianexclaimed.“Ihaven’thadasteakinalongtime!”
“You’vegotallthatbeefoverthereandyoudon’teatsteak?”heexclaimed.“Whataboutthat
primeyoungcalf,thelittlesteer…?”
“Sammy?”Jilliangasped.“She’snoteatingbeef!”
“She?”heasked.
“She’sacow.Orshewillbeoneday.”
“AcownamedSammy.”Helaughed.“SoundslikeCyParks,downinJacobsville,Texas.He’s
gotagirldognamedBob.”Everyonelaughed.
“See?”Jilliansaidindignantly.“I’mnottheonlypersonwhocomesupwithoddnamesfor
animals.”
Sassyhuggedher.“No,youaren’t.I’mgoinghome.YouletRourkecleanthatshotgun.”
“Okay.Thanks,”sheadded.
“Mypleasure,”Rourkesaid.
Sassygrinned.“Anddon’tlethimtalkyouintomarryinghim,”sheaddedfirmly.“Tedwill
neverspeaktousagain.”
“Nodangerofthat,”Jilliansighed.“Sorry,”sheaddedtoRourke.
“Don’tbesohasty,now,”Rourkesaid.“Ihavemanygoodqualities.I’llelaborateonthem
tonight.Seeyouatsix.”
HeleftwithSassy.Jillianstaredafterthem,gratefulbutuneasy.WhatwasTedgoingtothink?
Rourkeshoweduppromptlyatsixwithabagofgroceries.
Heputhispurchasesoutonthetable.Expensivesteaks,lettuce,alltheingredientsforsaladplus
avarietyofdressings,andacherrypieandapintofvanillaicecream.
“Iknowyoucookpiesandcakesverywell,”heexplained,“butIthoughtyoumightlikeataste
ofsomeoneelse’scooking.Mrs.Callister ’snewcookproducedthat.It’sfamouswhereshecomes
from,upinBillings,Montana.”
“I’llloveit.Cherrypieisoneofmyfavorites.”
“Mine,too.”
Hestartedthesteaksandthenusedhergourmetknivestodoafantasticchoppingofvegetables
forthesalad.
Jillianwatchedhismasteryofkniveswithpurefascination.“Itmusthavetakenyoualongtime
tolearntodothatsoeffortlessly.”
“Itdid.Ipracticedonmanypeople.”
Shestaredathim,uncertainhowtoreact.
Hesawthatandburstoutlaughing.“Iwasjoking,”heexplained.“NotthatI’veneverusedknives
onpeople,whentheoccasioncalledforit.”
“Isupposeviolenceisawayoflifetosomeoneinyourposition.”
Henodded.“IlearnedtohandleanAK-47whenIwastenyearsold.”
Shegasped.
“WhereIgrewup,inAfrica,therewerealwaysregionalwars,”hetoldher.“Themusclemen
triedtomoveinandtakeoverwhatbelongedtothelocaltribes.Ididn’thavefamilyatthattime,was
livinginanorphanage,soIwenttofightwiththem.”Helaughed.“Itwasanintroductiontomean
livingthatI’veneverbeenabletogetpast.Violenceisfamiliar.”
“Isupposeitwouldhavetobe.”
“Ilearnedtacticsandstrategyfromasuccessionoflocalwarlords,”hetoldher.“Someofthem
werehandeddownfromthetimeofShakaZuluhimself.”
“Whowasthat?”
“ShakaZulu?ThemostfamousoftheZuluwarriors,astrategistofthefinestkind.He
revolutionizedweaponryandfightingstylesamonghispeopleandbecameagreatwarlord.He
defeatedtheBritish,withtheiradvancedweapons.”
“Goodgrief!Ineverheardofhim.”
“Therewasaminiseriesontelevisionabouthisexploits,”hesaidwhilehechoppedceleryand
cucumbersintostrips.“Ihaveit.Iwatchitalot.”
“IsawOutofAfrica.”
Hesmiled.“That’sabeaut.”
“Itis.Ilovedthescenery.”Shelaughed.“Imagine,playingMozartforthelocalapes.”
“Inventive.”Hestoppedchopping,andhiseyebecamedreamy.“IthinkAfricaisthemost
beautifulplaceonearth.It’ssadthattheanimalsarelosinghabitatsoquickly.Manyofthelargerones
willgoextinctinmylifetime.”
“Therearelotsofpeopletryingtosavethem.Theyraisethelittleonesandthenturnthemback
outontotheland.”
“Wherepoachersarewaitingtokillthem,”hesaidlaconically.“Youcanstillfindivory,and
elephantfeetusedforfootstools,andrhinoceroshorninclandestineshopsallovertheworld.They
docatchsomeoftheperps,butnotallofthem.It’stragictoseeawayoflifegoingdead.Likethe
littleBushmen,”headdedquietly.“Theirculturewastotallydestroyed,denigrated,ridiculedas
worthlessbyEuropeaninvaders.Theendresultisthattheybecamedisplacedpeople,livingincities,
inslums.Manyarealcoholics.”
“Icouldtellyouthesameistruehere,whereNativeAmericansreceivedsimilartreatment,”she
toldhim.
Hesmiled.“Itseemsthattheoldculturesaresoprimitivethatthey’reconsideredwithoutvalue.
Ourgreatestmoderncivilizationsarelessthantwothousandyearsold,yetthoseofprimitivepeoples
canmeasureinthehundredsofthousands.DidyouknowthatthemightycivilizationsofMiddle
Americawerebasedonagriculture?Oursarebasedonindustry.”
“Agriculture.Farming.”
Henodded.“Citiesgrewuparoundirrigatedlandswherecropswereplantedandgrewevenin
conditionsofgreatdrought.TheHohokaminArizonahadcanals.TheMayancivilizationhad
astronomy.”Heglancedather.“ThemedicalpractitionersamongtheIncasknewhowtodo
trepanningonskullstorelievepressureinthebrain.Theyusedobsidianscalpels.Itisn’twell-known,
butthey’restillinusetodayinscalpelsforsurgery.”
“Howdidyoulearnallthat?”shewondered.
“Traveling.It’soneoftheperksofmyjob.Igettoseethingsandmixwithpeoplewhoareoutin
thevanguardofresearchandexploration.Ionceactedasbodyguardtooneoftheforemost
archaeologistsonearthinEgypt.”
“Gosh!”
“Haveyouevertraveled?”heasked.
Shethoughtaboutthat.“Well,IdidgotoOklahomaCity,once,”shesaid.“Itwasalongdrive.”
Hewasholdingtheknifeinmidair.“ToOklahomaCity.”
Sheflushed.“It’stheonlyplaceoutsideMontanathatI’veeverbeen,”sheexplained.
Hewasshocked.“Nevertoanothercountry?”
“Oh,no,”shereplied.“Therewasneverenoughmoneyfor…”Shestoppedandglancedoutthe
window.Apickuptruckpulledupintheyard,veryfast.Theenginestopped,thedooropenedandwas
slammedwithsomefury.
Rourke’shandwentinvoluntarilytothepistolunderhisarm.
“Oh,dear,”Jilliansaid,bitingherlip.
“Harris?”heaskedcurtly.
Shesighed.“Worse.It’sTed.”
Nine
T
herewerequick,heavyfootstepscomingupontotheporch.Jilliandidn’thavetoaskifTedwas
mad.Whenhewasn’t,histreadwashardlyaudibleatall,eveninboots.Now,hewaswalkingwitha
purpose,andshecouldhearit.
Heknockedonthedoor.Sheopeneditandsteppedback.
Hisblackeyesglitteredather.“Ihearyouhavecompany,”hesaidshortly.
Rourkecameoutofthekitchen.Hisjacketwasoff,sothe.45automatichecarriedwasplainly
visibleinitsholster.“Shedoes,indeed,”hereplied.Hemovedforwardwitheasygraceandextended
ahand.“Rourke,”heintroducedhimself.“I’monloanfromtheCallisters.”
Tedshookthehand.“TheodoreGraves.Chiefofpolice,”headded.
Rourkegrinned.“Iknewthat.Icametotowntotrytoseeyoutheotherday,butyouwereouton
acase.CashGriersaidtotellyouhello.”
Tedseemedsurprised.“Youknowhim?”
“Weusedtoworktogetherunder,shallwesay,unusualconditions,inAfrica,”camethereply.
Tedrelaxedalittle.“Rourke.Ithinkhementionedyou.”
Heshrugged.“Igetaround.Ireallycameovertocleanhershotgunforher,butI’mcooking,
too.”HegaveTedanappraisalthatdidn’tmissmuch,includingtheotherman’sjealousy.“I’m
impressingherwithmyculinaryskills,inhopesthatshemightwanttomarrymeaftersupper.”
Tedgapedathim.“What?”
“He’sjustkidding,”Jilliansaid,flushing.
“Iam?”Rourkeasked,andraisedbotheyebrows.
Tedglaredattheotherman.“She’sengagedtome.”
“Iamnot!”Jilliantoldhimemphatically.
Rourkebackedupastepandheldupahand.“IthinkI’llgobackintothekitchen.Idon’tliketo
getmixedupinfamilysquabbles,”headdedwithagrin.
“Wearenotafamily,andwe’renotsquabbling!”Jillianraged.
“We’regoingtobeafamily,andyes,weare,”Tedsaidangrily.
Rourkediscreetlymovedintothekitchen.
“Icouldhavecleanedtheshotgun,ifyou’djustaskedme,”hesaidangrily.
“Youstormedoutofhereinasnitandneversaidaword,”shereturned.“HowwasIsupposedto
askyou,mailaletter?”
“Emailisquicker,”cameadrollvoicefromthekitchen.
“Youcanshutup,thisisaprivateargument,”Tedcalledback.
“Sorry,”Rourkemurmured.“Don’tbetoolongnow,coldsteakisunappetizing.”
“You’refeedinghimsteak?”Tedexclaimed.“Whatdidhedo,carveupSammy?”
“Idon’teatuglycalves!”Rourkequipped.
“Sammyisnotugly,she’sbeautiful!”Jillianretorted.
“Ifyousayso,”Rourkesaidunderhisbreath.
“There’snothingwrongwithblackbaldies,”shepersisted.
“Unlessyou’veneverseenaBrahmacalf,”Rourkesighed.“Gorgeouslittlecreatures.”
“Brahmasaretheugliestcattleonearth,”Tedmuttered.
“Theyarenot!”Rourkeretorted.“Iownsomeofthem!”
Tedstopped.“Youruncattlearoundhere?”heasked.
Rourkecamebackintotheroom,holdingafork.“InAfrica.MyhomeisinKenya.”
Ted’seyesnarrowed.“Sothat’showCashmetyou.”
“Yes.Iwas,shallwesay,gainfullyemployedinhelpingoustalocalwarlordwhowas
slaughteringchildreninhisrushtopower.”
“Goodforyou,”Tedreplied.
“Nowyou’reteamingup?”Jilliansaid,fuming.
“Onlyasfarascattleareconcerned,”Rourkeassuredherwithaflashofwhiteteeth.“I’mstilla
contenderinthematrimonialsweepstakes,”headded.“Icancookandcleanandmakeapplestrudel.”
HegaveTedamusingappraisal,asiftosay,topthat.
Tedwasoutdone.Itwaswell-knownthathecouldn’tboilwater.Heglaredattheblondman.“I
canknockpenniesoffbottleswithmypistol,”hesaid,searchingforaskilltocompare.
“IcandoitwithanUzi,”Rourkereplied.
“Notinmytown,youwon’t—that’sanillegalweapon.”
“Okay,butthat’sasadwaytocopoutofacompetition.”Heblinked.“Imadeapun!”
“I’mnotacop,I’mapolicechief.”
“Semantics,”Rourkesaidhaughtily,borrowingJillian’sfavoriteword,andwalkedbacktothe
kitchen.
TedlookeddownatJillian,whowasstrugglingnottolaugh.Hewasmoreworriedthanhe
wantedtoadmitaboutherassailant,whokeptaddingfueltothefireintownwithgossipabout
Jillian’spast.Heknewbetter,butsomepeoplewouldn’t.He’dbeenirritablebecausehecouldn’tfinda
waytomakethelittleweaselleavetown.Jillianwaspaleandnervous.Hehadn’thelpedbyavoiding
her.Itwasself-defense.Shemeantmoretohimthanhe’drealized.Hedidn’twantherhurt,evenifshe
couldn’tdealwithmarryinghim.
Herestedhishandonthebuttoftheautomaticholsteredonhisbelt.“Iheardaboutwhat
happenedintherestaurant.YoushouldlistentoSassy.It’spossiblethatHarrismaytrytogetrevenge
onyouhere,whereyou’realone.”
“She’snotalone,”Rourkechimedin.“I’mhere.”
“Notusually,andhe’llknowthat,”Tedsaidirritably.Hedidn’tliketheothermanassumingwhat
hethoughtofashisownresponsibility.
“Mrs.Callisteralreadyaskedhertocomestayattheranch,butshewon’t,”camethereply.
Teddidn’tliketheideaofJillianbeingclosertoRourke,either.Buthehadtoadmitthatitwas
thesafestthingforher,ifshewouldn’tmarryhim.
“Wecouldgetmarried,”hetoldher,loweringhisvoice.
“Canyoucook?”Rourkeasked.“Besides,Ihaveallmyownteeth.”
Tedignoredhim.Hewasworried,anditshowed.Hesearchedhereyes.“Harrisboughtabig
Bowieatthehardwardstoreyesterday.”
“It’snotillegaltoownaknife,”Rourkesaid.
“Technicallyit’snot,althoughaBowiecertainlyfallsundertheheadingofanillegalweaponif
hewearsitintown.Ithasabladelongerthanthree-and-a-quarterinches.It’stheimplicationofthe
purchasethatconcernsme,”headded.
Rourkequicklybecamemoresomber.“He’smakingastatementofhisintentions,”hesaid.
“That’swhatIthought,”Tedagreed.“Andheknowsthere’snotadamnedthingIcandoaboutit,
unlesshecarriestheweaponblatantly.He’snotlikelytodothat.”
Rourkedidn’tmentionthathe’dbeenwearinghisownBowieknifeintown.“Youcouldturn
yourbackandIcouldhaveatalkwithhim,”Rourkesuggested,notcompletelyfacetiously.
“He’dhavemearrestyou,andhe’dcallhislawyer,”wasthereply.
“Isupposeso.”
“MaybeIcouldvisitsomebodyoutofstate,”Jilliansaidonasigh.
“He’djustfollowyou,andposeathreattoanybodyyoustayedwith,”Tedsaid.“Besidesthat,
youdon’tknowanybodyoutofstate.”
“Iwasonlyjoking,”Jillianreplied.“I’mnotrunning,”sheaddedfirmly.
Themenlookedatherwithsmilingadmiration.
“Foolhardy,”Rourkecommented.
“Sensible,”Tedreplied.“Nobody’sgettingpastmeinmyowntowntodoherharm.”
“I’mnotneededattheranchatnight,”Rourkesaid.“Icouldstayoverhere.”
TedandJillianbothglaredathim.
Hethrewuphishands.“Youpeoplehavesomeincrediblehang-upsfortwenty-firstcentury
humanbeings!”
“Weliveinasmalltown,”Jillianpointedout.“Idon’twanttobetalkedabout.AnymorethanI
alreadyam,Imean,”shesaidmiserably.“IguessHarrishasconvincedhalfthepeopleherethatI’ma
heartlessflirtwhohadhimarrestedbecausehewantedtomarryme.”
“Goodlucktoanybodybrain-damagedenoughtobelieveastorylikethat,”Rourkesaid.
“Especiallyanybodywhoknowsyouatall.”
“Thanks,Rourke,”Jillianreplied.
Tedshookhishead.“Therearepeoplewhowillbelieveanything.I’dgiverealmoneyifIcould
findalawonthebooksthatIcouldusetomakehimleavetown.”
“Vagrancywouldhavebeenagoodoneuntilhegotthatjob.”
“Iagree,”Tedsaid.
“It’snotright,”Jillianblurtedout.“Imean,thatsomebodycancomehere,harassme,makemy
lifemiserableandjustgetawaywithit.”
Ted’sexpressionwaseloquent.Hishighcheekbonesflushedwithimpotentbadtemper.
“I’mnotblamingyou,”Jilliansaidatonce.“I’mnot,Ted.Iknowthere’snothingyoucando
aboutit.”
“Oh,forthewildolddaysinAfrica,”Rourkesighed.“Wherewemadeupthelawsaswewent
along.”
“Lawisthefoundationofanycivilization,”Tedsaidfirmly.
“True.Butlaw,likeanythingelse,canbeabused.”Rourkepursedhislips.“Areyoustayingfor
supper?Iactuallybroughtthreesteaks.”
Jillianfrowned.“Three?”
Hechuckled.“Let’ssayIanticipatedthatwemighthavecompany,”hesaidwithawryglanceat
Ted.
Tedseemedtorelax.HegaveJilliananappraisinglook.“Aftersupper,wemightsitonthefront
porchanddoalittletargetshooting.”
Sheglaredathim.
“Wecouldpracticewithhershotgun,”Rourkeagreed,addingfueltothefire.
“Ionlyhavetwoshells,”Jilliansaidcurtly.
Rourkereachedintoabaghe’dplacedonanearbyshelf.“Ianticipatedthat,too.”Hehandedthe
shellstoTedwithagrin.
“Doubleoughtbuckshot,”Tedmused.“Weusethatinourriotshotguns.”
“Iknow.”
“Whatdoesthatmean?”Jillianwantedtoknow.
“It’saheavyload,usedbylawenforcementofficerstoensurethatcriminalswhofireonthem
paydearlyfortheprivilege,”Tedsaidenigmatically.
“Tearsbigholesinthings,love,”Rourketranslated.
Teddidn’tliketheendearment,andhisblackeyesglittered.
Rourkelaughed.“I’lljustgoturnthosesteaks.”
“Mightbesafer,”Tedagreed.
RourkeleftandTedtookJillian’shandandledherintothelivingroom.Heclosedthedoor.
“Idon’tlikehimbeingoverherewithyoualone,”hesaidflatly.
Shegavehimahuntedlook.“Well,Iwasn’texactlyoverflowingwithpeopletryingtoprotect
mefromDavy!”
Heavertedhiseyes.“Sorry.”
“Whydidyougetsoangry?”
“Youweremakingexcusesforhim,”hesaid,hisvoicecurt.“Lettinghimconvinceyouthatit
wasallamistake.Igotaccesstothecourtrecords,Jillian.”
Sherealizedwhathewassaying,andflushedtoherhairline.
“Hey,”hesaidsoftly.“It’snotyourfault.”
“HesaidIworesuggestivethings…”
“Youneverworesuggestivethingsinyourlife,andyouwerefifteen,”hemuttered.“Howwould
youfeel,atyouragenow,ifafifteen-year-oldboyactuallyflirtedwithyou?”
“I’dtellhismama,”shereturned.
“Exactly.”Hewaitedforthattoregister.
Hereyesnarrowed.“Youmean,Ididn’thavethejudgmenttoinvolvemyselfwithaman,even
onejustsixyearsolderthanme.”
“Youdidn’t.Andyouneverworesuggestivethings.”
“Iwasn’tallowed,evenifI’dwantedto.Myunclewasveryconservative.”
“Harriswasapredator.Hestillis.Butinhisownmind,hedidn’tdoanythingwrong.That’swhy
he’sgivingyouthebusiness.Hereallyfeelsthathehadeveryrighttopursueyou.Hecan’tunderstand
whyhewasarrestedforit.”
“Butthat’scrazy!”
“Nocrazierthanyousecond-guessingyourownreactions,whenyouactuallyhadtoruntoa
neighbor ’shousetosaveyourselffromassault,”hepointedout.
Shegnawedherlowerlip.“Iwasscaredtodeath.”Shelookedupathim.“Menaresostrong,”
shesaid.“EventhinmenlikeDavy.Ialmostdidn’tgetaway.AndwhenIdid,hewentnuts.Hewas
yellingthreatsallthewaytothePeales’house.IreallythinkhewouldhavekilledmeifSassyhadn’t
pulledthatshotgun.Hemighthavekilledher,too,anditwouldhavebeenmyfault,forrunningover
thereforhelp.Butitwastheonlyhousecloseenough.”
“I’msureSassyneverblamedyouforthat.She’sagoodperson.”
“Soareyou,”shecommentedquietly.“I’msorryI’vebeensuchatrialtoyou.”
Hisfacesoftened.Hisblackeyessearchedhers.“Ishouldhavebeenmoreunderstanding.”He
grimaced.“Youdon’tgethowitis,Jake,togooutwithawomanyouwantandbeapprehensiveabout
eventouchingher.”
Shehadablanklookonherface.
“Youdon’tknowwhatI’mtalkingabout,doyou?”heaskedinafrustratedtone.Hemoved
closer.“Maybeit’stimeyoudid.”
Hecurledherintohisbodywithalong,powerfularmandbenthishead.Hekissedherwithsoft
persuasionatfirst,then,whensherelaxed,hismouthbecameinvasive.Heteasedherlipsapartand
nibbledthem.Hefeltherstiffenatfirst,butafterafewseconds,shebecamemoreflexible.She
stoppedresistingandstoodverystill.
Shehadn’tknownthatshecouldfeelsuchthings.Upuntilnow,Tedhadbeenalmostteasing
whenhekissedher.Butthistime,hewasn’tholdinganythingback.Hisarm,atherback,archedher
upagainsthim.Hisbighandsmoothedupfromherwaistandbrushedlightlyattheedgesofher
small,firmbreast.
Shereallyshouldprotest,shetoldherself.Sheshouldn’tlethimdothat.Butasthekissesgrew
longerandhungrier,herbodybegantofeelswollenandhot.Sheachedformorethanshewas
getting,butshedidn’tunderstandwhatshewanted.
Tedfeltthosevaguelongingsinherandknewhowtosatisfythem.Hismouthgrounddownonto
hersashisfingersbegantosmoothoverthesoftmoundofflesh,barelytouching,kindlinghungers
thatJillianhadneverknownbefore.
Shegaspedwhenhisfingersrubbedoverthenippleanditbecamehardandincrediblysensitive.
Shetriedtodrawback,butnotwithanyrealenthusiasm.
“Scared?”hewhisperedagainsthermouth.“Noneed.Wehaveachaperone.”
“Thedoor…it’sclosed.”
“Yes,thankgoodness,”hegroaned,“becauseifitwasn’t,Iwouldn’tdaredothis.”
“This”involvedthesuddenriseofhershirtandthebraupunderherchinandtheshocking,
delicious,invasionofTed’swarmmouthoverherbreast.
Sheshuddered.Itwasthemostintensepleasureshe’deverfelt.Hershortnailsdugintohisbroad
shouldersassheclosedhereyesandarchedbackwardtogivehimevenbetteraccesstothesoft,warm
fleshthatachedforhistendercaress.
Shefelthishandcuppingher,liftingher,ashismouthopenedoverthenippleandhetookit
betweenhislipsandtongue.
Hersoftgaspwasfollowedbyaharsh,shiveringlittlemoanthatcosthimhiscontrol.Notonly
haditbeenalong,dryspell,butthiswomanwasthemostimportantpersoninhislifeandhewanted
herwithanobsessivehunger.Hehadn’tbeenabletosleepforthinkingabouthowsweetitwouldbeto
makelovetoher.Andnowshewas,despiteherhang-ups,notonlywelcominghistouch,butenjoying
it.
“Yousaidyoudidn’twanttomarryme,”hewhisperedroughlyashismouthbecamemore
demanding.
Hernailsdugintohisback.“Isaidalotofthings,”sheagreed.Hereyesclosedasshesavored
thespicysmellofhiscologne,thetendernessofhismouthonforbiddenflesh.“Imighthaveeven…
believedthem,atthetime.”
Heliftedhisheadandlookeddownather.Hisexpressiontautenedatthesightofherpretty,firm
breasts,andhisbodyclenched.“Itookitpersonally.Likeyouthoughttherewassomethingwrong
withme.”
“Ted,no!”sheexclaimed.
Hepulledbackthehandthatwastracingaroundhernipple.
Shebitherlip.“Iwasn’tsayingnotothat,”shesaidwithhopelessshyness,avertinghereyes.“I
meant,Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingwrongwithyou…!”
Shegaspedasherespondedtotheblatantinvitationinhervoiceandteasedthehardriseofflesh
withhisthumbandforefinger.
“Youdon’t?”hewhispered,andsmiledatherinawaythatheneverhadbefore.
“Ofcoursenot!Iwasjustscared,”shemanaged,becausewhathewasdoingwascreating
sensationsinsomeveryprivateplaces.“Scaredofmarriage,Imean.”
“Marriageissupposedtobeafeastofpleasurefortwopeoplewhocareabouteachother,”he
pointedout,watchingwithdelightherfascinationwithwhathewasdoingtoherwillingbody.He
drewinalongbreathandbenthishead.“I’mbeginningtobelieveit.”
Heopenedhismouthoverhersoftbreastanddrewitinside,sucklingitwithhislipsandhis
tongueinaslow,easycaressthatcausedherwholebodytoclenchandshiver.Ashisardorincreased,
hefeltwithwonderthesearchingfingersonthebuttonsofhisshirt.Theyhesitated.
“Menliketobetouched,too,”hewhisperedintoherear.
“Oh.”
Shefinishedopeningthebutton,alittleclumsily,andspreadherhandsoverthethick,curling
massofhairthatcoveredhischest.“Wow,”shewhisperedwhensensationsrippledthroughherbody
andseemedtobeechoedcomingfromhis.“Youlikethat?”sheaskedhesitantly.
“Iloveit,”hegritted.
Shesmiledwiththejoyofdiscoveryasshelookedupathim,athismussedhair,hissensuous
mouth,hissparklingblackeyes.Itwasnew,thissharedpleasure.Andshe’dbeensocertainthatshe’d
neverbeabletofeelitwithhim,withanyone.
Hebenttohermouthandcrushedhislipsdownoveritashisbodyeasedontohers.Shefeltthe
pressofhisbarechestagainstherbreastsandarcheduptoincreasethecontact.Herarmswentaround
himtightly,holdingonasthecurrentofpassionsweptheralong.
Heeasedonelong,powerfullegbetweenbothofhersandmovedagainstherinarhythmthat
drewshuddersandsoftmoansfromherthroat.Sheburiedherteethinhisshoulderasthesensations
begantoriseandbecomeobsessive.Hemusthavefeltsomethingcomparable,becausehesuddenly
pusheddownagainstherwithaharshgroanashiscontrolbegantoslip.
Thesoftknockonthedoorcameagainandagain,untilitwasfinallyahammering.
Tedliftedhishead,hisshockedeyesonJillian’sprettypinkbreastswithvisiblepassionmarks,
herfaceflushedandrigidwithdesire,hereyesturbulentastheymethis.
“What?”Tedsaidaloud.
“Steak’sready!Don’tletitgetcold!”Rourkecalled,andtherewereaudiblefootstepsgoingback
downthehall.
Withthepassionslowlyreceding,JillianwasdisturbedatlettingTedseeherlikethis.Flushed,
shefumbledherblouseandbrabackon,wincingasthesensitivenipplewasbrushedbythefabric.
“Sorry,”hewhisperedhuskily.“Ilostmyhead.”
Shemanagedashakysmile.“It’sokay.Ilostmine,too.”Shelookedathimwithabsolutewonder.
“Ididn’tknowitcouldfeellikethat,”shestammered.“Imean,Ineverfeltlikethatwithanybody.Not
thatIeverletanymandothat…!”
Heputalongfingeroverherlipsandsmiledatherinawayheneverhadbefore.“It’sokay,
Jake.”
Shewasstilltryingtocatchherbreath,andnotdoingagoodjobofit.
“Ithinkyoucouldsaythatwe’recompatible,inthatway,”hemused,enjoyingherreactionto
himmorethanhecouldfindawaytoexpress.
Shelaughedsoftly.“Yes,Ithinkyoucould.”
Hesmiled.“So,supposewegetmarried.Andyoucanlivewithme,hereontheranch,andyou’ll
neverhavetoworryaboutHarrisagain.”
Shehesitated,butnotforverylong.Shenodded,slowly.“Okay.”
Hishighcheekboneswentaruddycolor.Itflatteredhimthatshe’dagreeafteratorridpassionate
interlude,whenhehadn’tbeenabletopersuadeherwithwords.
“Don’tgetconceited,”shesaidfirmly,figuringouthisthoughts.
Hiseyestwinkled.“Notpossible.”
Shelaughed.Itwasasiftheworldhadchangedcompletelyinthosefewminutes.Allherhang-
upshadgoneintoeclipsetheminuteTedturnedtheheatup.
“Iwondered,”heconfessed,“ifyou’dbeabletorespondtoamanafterwhathappenedtoyou.”
“Idid,too.”Shemovedclosetohimandputherhandsonhischest.“ItwasonereasonIwas
afraidtoletthingsgo,well,veryfar.Ididn’twanttoleadyouoninanywayandthenpullawayand
run.Ialmostdidthatonce.”
“Yes,”hesaid.
“Ifwegetmarried,you’llgivemealittletime,won’tyou?”sheaskedworriedly.“Imean,Ithink
Icandowhatyouwantmeto.Butit’sjustgettingusedtotheidea.”
Ted,whoknewmorethanshedidaboutwomen’sreactionswhenpassiongotreallyhot,only
smiled.“Noproblem.”
Shegrinned.“Okay,then.Dowegetmarriedinthejusticeofthepeace’soffice…?”
“Inachurch,”heinterrupted.“Andyouhavetohaveawhitegownandcarryabouquet.I’lleven
wearmygoodsuit.”Hesmiled.“I’monlygettingmarriedonce,youknow.Wehavetodoitright.”
Shelovedthatattitude.Itwaswhatshe’dwanted,butshewassensitiveaboutbeingpushy.
“Okay,”shesaid.
“You’llbebeautifulinaweddinggown,”hemurmured,bendingtokisshertenderly.“Notthat
youaren’tbeautifulinbluejeans.Youare.”
“I’mnot,”shefaltered.
“Youaretome,”hecorrected.Hisblackeyessearchedhersandhethoughtaboutthefuture,
aboutlivingwithher,aboutlovingher…Hebentandkissedherhungrily,delightingwhenshe
returnedtheembracefervently.
“Thesteak’sgoingtoberoomtemperatureinaboutthirtyseconds!”Rourkeshouteddownthe
hall.
Tedpulledback,laughingself-consciously.“Iguesswecouldeatsteak,sincehe’sbeennice
enoughtocookit,”hetoldher.Hiseyesglittered.“Wecantellhimwe’reengagedbeforeweeven
starteating.”
“Rourke’snotinterestedinmethatway,”shesaideasily,smiling.“He’saniceman,buthe’sjust
protectiveofwomen.Itisn’tevenpersonal.”
Tedhadhisdoubtsaboutthat.Jillianunderestimatedherappealtomen.
“Comeon,”shesaid,andslidherlittlehandintohisbigone.
Thatknockedtheargumentrightoutofhim.Itwasthefirstphysicalmoveshe’dmadetoward
him.Well,notthefirst,butabigone,justthesame.Heslidhisfingersbetweenherssensually,and
smiledather.
Shesmiledback.Herheartwashammering,hersenseswerealiveandtumultuous.Itwasthe
beginningofawholenewlife.ShecouldhardlywaittomarryTed.
Rourkegavethemaknowingsmilewhenhenoticedthetelltalesignsofwhatthey’dbeendoing.
Heservedupsupper.
“Thisisreallygood,”Tedexclaimedwhenhetookthefirstbiteofhissteak.
“I’magourmetchef,”Rourkereplied,surprisingly.“Inbetweendangerousjobs,Iusedtowork
inoneofthebetterrestaurantsinJo’burg,”hesaid,givingJohannesburgitaffectionateabbreviation.
“Wonderswillnevercease,”Jilliansaidwithagrin.“Fromsteakstocombat.”
“Oh,itwasalwayscombatfirst,”Rourkesaideasily,“sinceIwasborninAfrica.”
“Africawasalwaysaroughvenue,fromwhatCashtoldme,”Tedsaid.
Rourkenodded.“Wehaveplentyoffactions,alltryingtogaincontrolofthedisputedAfrican
states,althougheachisasovereignnationintheOrganizationofAfricanUnity,whichcontainsfifty-
fournations.Thewarsarealwaysbloody.Andtherearemillionsuponmillionsofdisplacedpersons,
tryingtosurvivewiththeirchildren.Amercenarydoesn’tevenhavetolookforwork,it’sallaround
him.”Hisfacehardened.“What’shardestiswhattheydotothekids.”
“Theymustdieveryyoungthere,”Jilliancommentedsadly.
“No.Theyputautomaticweaponsintheirhandswhenthey’regrammarschoolage,teachthem
tofirerocketlaunchersandsetexplosivecharges.Theyhavenosenseofwhatchildhoodshould
actuallybe.”
“Goodheavens!”sheexclaimed.
“You’venevertraveled,Jake,”Tedsaidgently.“TheworldisalotbiggerthanHollister.”
“Iguessitis.ButIneverhadthemoney,evenifI’dhadtheinclination,”shesaid.
“That’swhyIjoinedthearmy.”Tedchuckled.“IknewitwastheonlywayI’dgettotravel.”
“Iwantedtoseetheworld,too.”Rourkenodded.“ButmostofwhatI’veseenofitwouldn’tbe
appropriateforanytravelmagazine.”
“Youhavearanch?”Tedasked.
Hesmiled.“Yes,Ido.Luckilyit’snotinanyofthecontestedareas,soIdon’thavetoworry
aboutpoliticiansseizingpowerandtakingoverprivateland.”
“AndyourunBrahmas,”Tedsaid,shakinghishead.“Uglycattle.”
“They’rebredtoenduretheheatandsometimesdroughtconditionsthatwehaveinAfrica,”
Rourkeexplained.“Ourcattlehavetobehearty.AndsomeofyourAmericanranchersusethemas
breedingstockforthatveryreason.”
“Iknow.I’veseenalotofthemdowninTexas.”
“Theydon’tmindheatanddrought,somethingyoucan’tsayforseveralotherbreedofcattle,”
Rourkeadded.
“Iguess,”Jilliansaid.
Rourkefinishedhissteakandtookasipofthestrongcoffeehe’dbrewed.“Harrishasbeen
frustratedbecauseJilliangotoneofthewaitressestostartputtingcakesoutforherinthedisplay
case.”
“Theyhaven’tbeenselling,”Jilliansaidsadly.“Theyusedtobeverypopular,andnowhardly
anybodywantsslicesofthem.IguessDavyhasconvincedpeoplethattheyshouldn’teatmycooking
becauseI’msuchabadperson.”
“Oh,that’snottrue,”Tedsaidatonce.“Don’tyouknowaboutthecontest?”
Shefrowned.“Whatcontest?”
“Youdon’treadthelocalpaper,doyou?”Rourkechidedher.
Sheshookherhead.“Wealreadyknowwhat’sgoingon,weonlyreadapapertoknowwhogot
caught.ButIhavehim,”shepointedatTed,“totellmethat,sowhydoIneedtospendmoneyfora
newspaper?”
Theybothlaughed.
“ThemayorchallengedeveryoneinHollistertogiveupsweetsfortwoweeks.It’sacompetition
betweenbusinessesandpeoplewhoworkforthem.Attheendofthetwoweeks,everybodygets
weighed,andthebusinesswiththeemployeeswholostthemostweightgetsacashprize,putupbythe
businessesthemselves.Theemployeesgettodecidehowthemoney’sspent,too,sotheycanuseitfor
workplaceimprovementsorcashbonuses.”
Jillianperkedup.“Thenitisn’taboutme!”
“Ofcoursenot,”Tedchuckled.“I’veheardatleasttwomenwhoeatinthatrestaurantcomplain
becausetheycouldn’teatthosedeliciouscakesuntilthecontestended.”
“Ifeelsomuchbetter,”shesaid.
“I’mglad,”Rourketoldher.“Butthatstilldoesn’tsolveyourproblem.HarrisboughtaBowie
knifeandhedoesn’thunt.”Helettheimplicationsinkin.“He’sfacingatleasttentofifteenonthe
chargesifhegoesbacktotrialandisconvictedagain.He’sbeenheardsayingthathe’llnevergo
backtothathellholevoluntarily.Sobasicallyhe’sgotnothingtolose.”HeglancedatTed.“Youknow
thatalready.”
Tednodded.“Yes,Ido,”hereplied.HesmiledatJillian.“Whichiswhywe’regettingmarried
Saturday.”
Shegasped.“Saturday?Butthere’snotenoughtime…!”
“Thereis.We’llmanage.Meanwhile,”Tedsaid,“you’regoingtotakeSassy’sinvitation
seriouslyandstayoutatherranchuntiltheceremony.Right?”
Shewantedtoargue,butbothmaleshadsetfacesanddeterminedexpressions.Soshesighedand
said,“Right.”
Ten
N
otonlydidJohnandSassyCallisterwelcomeJillianasahouseguest,Sassythrewherselfinto
weddingpreparationsandrefusedtolistentoJillian’sprotests.
“I’venevergottentoplanawedding,notevenmyown,”Sassylaughed.“Johnhireda
professionaltodoitforusbecausesomanyimportantpeoplecametotheceremony.SonowI’m
takingoverpreparationsforyours.”
“ButIcan’taffordthisstore,”theyoungerwomantriedtocomplain.“Theydon’tevenputprice
tagsonthisstuff!”
Sassygaveherasmile.“JohnandIagreedthatourweddingpresenttoyouisgoingtobethe
gownandaccessories,”shesaid.“Soyoucanhanditdownthroughyourfamily.Youmighthavea
daughterwho’dlovetowearitatherownwedding.”
Jillianhadn’tthoughtaboutthat.Shebecamedreamy.Achild.Alittlegirlthatshecouldtakeon
walks,cuddleandrock,readstoriesto.Thatwasapartofmarriageshe’dneverdwelledonbefore.
Now,itwasadelightfulthought.
“Sostoparguing,”Sassysaidgently,“andstartmakingchoices.”
Jillianhuggedher.“Thanks.Forthegownandforlettingmestaywithyouuntilthewedding.”
“Thisiswhatfriendsarefor.You’ddoitformeinaheartbeatifoursituationswerereversed.”
“Yes,butIcouldhavegottenyoukilledthatnightbyrunningtoyouforhelp,”Jilliansaid.“It
tormentsme.”
“IwasperfectlycapableofhandlingDavyHarris.AndnowI’vegotJohn,whocanhandle
anything.”
“You’reverylucky.He’sagoodman.”
“Yes,heis,”Sassyagreedwithasmile.
“I’veneverseenanythingasbeautifulasthesedresses,”Jillianbegan.
“Ihearyou’regettingmarriedSaturday,Jilly,”cameacold,tauntingvoicefrombehindher.
Bothwomenturned.DavyHarriswaswatchingthem,anastylookonhisface.
“Yes,I’mgettingmarried,”Jilliantoldhim.
“TherewasatimewhenIthoughtyou’dmarryme,”hesaid.“Ihaditallplanned,rightdownto
whatsortofdressyou’dwearandwherewe’dlive.I’dlinedupafull-timejobwithalocalrancher.
Everythingwasset.”Hislipstwisted.“ThenyouhadtogoandgetoutragedwhenItriedtoshowyou
howIfelt.”
“I’llshowyouhowIfeel,”Sassysaidpertly.“Where’smyshotgun?”
“Terroristicthreatsandacts,Mrs.Callister,”heshotback.“SupposeIcallthenewsmediaand
tellthemthatyou’rethreateningme?”
Jillianwashorrified.
Sassyjustsmiled.“Well,wouldn’titbeashameifthatsamenewsmediasuddenlygotaccessto
thetrialtranscripts?”sheaskedpleasantly.
Hisfacehardened.“Youthinkyou’resosmart.Womenareidiots.Myfatheralwayssaidso.My
motherwasutterlyworthless.Shecouldn’tevencookwithoutburningsomething!”
Jillianstaredathim.“Thatdoesn’tmakeawomanworthless.”
“Shewasalwaysnervous,”hewenton,asifshehadn’tspoken.“Shecalledthepoliceonce,but
myfathermadesuresheneverdiditagain.Theyputhiminprison.Ineverunderstoodwhy.Shehad
himlockedup.Hewasrighttomakeherpayforit.”
SassyandJillianexchangeddisturbedlooks.
HarrisgaveJillianachillingsmile.“Hediedinprison.ButIwon’t.I’mnevergoingback.”He
shrugged.“Youenjoythinkingaboutthatwedding,Jilly.Becauseallyou’regoingtogettodoisthink
aboutit.Haveaniceday,now.”
Hewalkedout.
TheshoppingtripwasruinedforJillian.Sassyinsistedthattheygetthegownandthethingsthat
wentwithit,butJillianwascertainthatDavyhadmeantwhathesaid.Hewasgoingtotrytokillher.
Maybehe’devenkillhimself,afterward.Inhisownmind,hewasjustified.Therewasnowayto
reasonwithsuchaperson,amanwhothoughtthathisownmotherdeservedtodiebecauseshe’dhad
hisfatherarrestedforapparentlygreatlyabusingher.
“Youknow,therearescarypeopleintheworld,”JilliantoldSassyinasubduedtone.“I’llbetif
UncleJohnhadeverreallytalkedtoDavy,he’dneverhavelethiminthefrontdoorinthefirstplace.
He’smentallydisturbed,anditisn’tapparentuntilhestartstalkingabouthimself.”
“Inoticedthat,”Sassyreplied.Shedrewinalongbreath.“I’mgladwehaveRourke.”
Jillianfrowned.“Whereishe?”
“Watchingus.IfHarrishadmadeathreateningmove,he’dalreadybeinjail,probablyaftera
triptotheemergencyroom.I’veneverseenRourkemad,butJohnsaysit’ssomethingyoudon’twant
toexperience.”
“Igotthatimpression.”Shelaughed.“HecookedsteaksforTedandme.”
“Iheardaboutthat,”theotherwomansaidinanamusedtone.“Tedwasjealous,washe?”
“Very.ButafterherealizedthatRourkewasjustbeingfriendlyandprotective,hisattitude
changed.ApparentlyheknowsapolicechiefinTexasthatTedmetataworkshopbackeast.”
“Rourkedoesgetaround.”SheglancedatJillian.“Heactslikeaperpetualclown,butifyousee
himwhenhethinkshe’salone,it’sallanact.He’saverysomber,sadperson.Ithinkhe’shadsome
roughknocks.”
“Hedoesn’ttalkaboutthemmuch.Justabouthisranch.”
“Hedoesn’ttalkaboutK.C.Kantor,either,”Sassyreplied.“Butthere’ssomesoundgossipabout
thefactthatRourke’smotherwasonceveryclosetotheman.”
“FromwhateverybodysaysaboutthatKantorman,heisn’tthesorttohavekids.”
“That’swhatIthought.Butamancangetintoasituationwherehedoesn’tthinkwithhismind,”
Sassychuckled.“Andwhenpeoplegetcareless,theyhavekids.”
“I’dbeproudofRourke,ifIwashisfather.”
“You’rethewrongageandgender,”Sassysaid,tongueincheek.
“Oh,youknowwhatImean.He’sagoodperson.”
“Heis,”Sassysaidasshepulledupinfrontoftheranchhouse.“I’mgladJohnhiredhim.At
leastwedon’thavetoworryaboutbeingassassinatedonthewaytotown!”
“Amen,”Jilliansighed.
JohnCallisterwasaneasygoing,friendlyman.Hedidn’tseematalllikeamillionaire,orat
least,Jillian’svisionofone.Hetreatedherashewouldalittlesister,andwashappytohaveher
around.
JillianalsolikedSassy’smother,whowasinpoorhealth,andheradoptedsister,Selene,who
wasawhizatmathandscienceingrammarschool.Johntookcareofthem,justashetookcareof
Sassy.
ButtheeasygoingpersonalitywentintoeclipsewhenheheardthatDavyHarrishadfollowed
themintothedressshopinBillings.
“Themanisdangerous,”hesaidastheyateanearlysupperwithRourke.
“Heis,”Rourkeagreed.“Heshouldn’tbewalkingaroundlooseinthefirstplace.Whatthehell
iswrongwiththecriminaljusticesysteminthiscountry?”
Johngavehimadrolllook.“It’sbetterthantheoldvigilantesystemofthedistantpast,”he
pointedout.“Anditusuallyworks.”
“NotwithHarris,”Rourkereplied,hisjawsetashemunchedonachef’ssalad.“Hecanputona
goodactforawhile,buthecan’tkeepitup.Hestartstalking,andyouseethelunacyunderneaththe
appearanceofsanity.”
“Disturbedpeopleoftendon’tknowthey’redisturbed,”Sassysaid.
“That’susuallythecase,I’msadtosay,”Rourkeadded.“PeoplelikeHarrisalwaysthinkthey’re
beingpersecuted.”
“Iknewaguyoncewhowassurethegovernmentsentinvisiblespiestowatchhim,”John
mused.“Hecouldseethem,butnobodyelsecould.Heworkedforusonesummerontheranchback
home.GilandIputupwithhimbecausehewasthebesthorsewranglerwe’deverhad.Butthatwasa
mistake.”
“Howso?”Rourkeasked.
“Well,hehadthisdog.Itwasviciousandherefusedtogetridofit.Onedayitcamerightupon
theporchandthreatenedGil’slittlegirls.Gilpunchedhimandfiredhim.Thenhestartedcutting
fencesandkillingcattle.Atthelast,hetriedtokillus.Heendedupinprison,too.”
“Goodheavens!”Jilliansaid.“NowonderyouhiredabodyguardforSassy.”
“Exactly,”Johnrepliedtersely.Hedidn’tmentionthatSassyhadbeenthevictimofapredator
herself,inthefeedstorewhereshewasworkingwhentheymet.Thatmanwasservingtimenow.
HiseyeslingeredonSassywithwarmaffection.“Nobody’shurtingmybestgirl.Orherbest
friend,”hedeclaredwithagrinatJillian.
“NotwhileI’monthejob,”Rourkeadded,chuckling.“Youcouldmarryme,youknow,”hetold
Jillian.“Ireallydohavemostofmyownteethleft,andIcancook.Yourfiancécan’tboilwater,I
hear.”
“That’strue,”Jilliansaid,smiling.“ButI’veknownhimmostofmylife,andwethinkthesame
wayaboutmostthings.We’llhaveagoodmarriage.”Shewassureofthat.Tedwouldbegentle,and
patient,andhe’dridherofthedistasteDavyhadleftinheraboutphysicalrelationships.She’dnever
beenmorecertainofanything.
“Well,it’sagreatshame,”Rourkesaidwithatheatricalsigh.“I’llhavetogobackhometomy
uglycattleandliveinsqualorbecausenobodywantstotakecareofme.”
“You’llfindsomelovelygirlwhowillbehappylivingonasmallfarminAfrica,”Jillian
assuredhim.
Johnalmostchokedonhiscoffee.
Rourkegavehimacoldglare.
“Whatiswrongwithyou?”Sassyaskedherhusband.
Hewipedhismouth,stillstiflinglaughter.“Privatejoke,”hesaid,sharingalookwithRourke,
whosighedandshrugged.
“Butithadbetterbesomebodywhocandressbulletwounds,”Johnaddedwithatwinkleinhis
eyesasheglancedattheotherman.
“Ionlygetshotoccasionally,”Rourkeassuredhim.“AndIusuallyduckintime.”
“That’strue,”Johnagreed,forkinganotherpieceofsteakintohismouth.“Heonlyhasonehead
wound,anditdoesn’tseemtohaveaffectedhisthinkingprocesses.”Hedidn’tmentionthelosteye,
becauseRourkewassensitiveaboutit.
“Thatwasascalpwound,”Rourkereplied,touchingafaintscarabovehistemple.Heglaredat
theothermanfromapalebrowneye.“Andnotfromabullet.Itwasfromaknife.”
“Poorthing,”Jillianmurmured.
Johnchokedonhissteak.
“Willyoustop?”Rourkemuttered.
“Sorry.”Johncoughed.Hesippedcoffee.
Jillianwishedsheknewwhattheyweretalkingabout.Butitwasreallynoneofherbusiness,and
shehadotherworries.
Theweddinggownwasexquisite.Shecouldn’tstoplookingatit.Shehungitonthedoorinthe
guestbedroomandsighedoveritateveryopportunity.
Tedcamebytovisitfrequentlyandtheytooklongwalksinthewoods,totalkandtoindulgeina
favoriteofdatingcouples,thehotphysicalinterludesthatgrewinintensitybytheday.
Heheldherhandandwalkedwithherdownalongpaththroughthesnow,hisfingerswarmand
stronginhers.
“Ican’tstanditifIgoawholedaywithoutseeingyou,”hesaidoutofthebue.
Shestoppedwalkingandlookedupathimwithpurewonder.“Really?”
Hepulledherintohisarms.“Really.”Hebentandkissedherslowly,feelingherrespond,feeling
herwarmlipsopenandmovetenderly.Shereachedherarmsuparoundhisneckasifitwasthemost
naturalthingintheworld.Hesmiledagainstherlips.Itwasadelightfulsurprise,hereasyresponseto
him.
“MaybeIcangetusedtoSammyfollowingmearound,andyoucangetusedtomeshooting
targetsoffthefrontporch,”heteased.
Shegrinned.“Maybeyoucanteachmetoshoot,too.”
Helookedshocked.“Ican?”
“Weshouldsharesomeinterests,”shesaidwisely.“Youalwaysgotothatshootingrangeand
practice.Icouldgowithyousometimes.”
Hewassurprisedandcouldn’thideit.
Shetoyedwithashirtbutton.“Idon’tlikebeingawayfromyou,either,Ted,”sheconfessedand
flushedalittle.“It’ssosweet…”
Hepulledherclose.Oneleanhandsweptdownherback,rivetinghertohispowerfulbody.
“Sweeterthanhoney,”hemanagedbeforehekissedher.
Hishandpushedherhipsagainstthesuddenhardnessofhisown,elicitingatinysoundfromher
throat.Butitwasn’tprotest.Ifanything,shemovedcloser.
Hegroanedoutloudandgroundherhipsintohis.
“Ican’twaituntilSaturday,”hesaidinahuskytone,easinghishandsunderJillian’sblouse,
underthebratocaresshersoftbreasts.“I’mdying!”
“SoamI,”shewhisperedshakily.“Oh,Ted!”shegaspedwhenhepulledthegarmentsoutofhis
wayandcoveredherbreastwithhismouth.Itwassosweet.Toosweetforwords!
Hedidn’trealizewhathewasdoinguntiltheywerelyingonthecoldground,inthesnow,while
hekissedheruntilshewasbreathless.
Shewasshakingwhenheliftedhishead,butnotfromcoldorfear.Hereyesheldthesame
frustrateddesirethathisheld.
“Iwantto,somuch!”shewhispered.
“SodoI,”hereplied.
Foronelonginstant,theyclungtogetheronthehardground,withsnowmakingdampsplotches
alldownJillian’sbackandlegs,whiletheybothfoughtforcontrol.
Tedclenchedhishandsbesideherheadandclosedhiseyesasherestedhisforeheadagainst
hers.Hewasrigid,helplesslyarousedandunabletohideit.
Shesmoothedbackhisblackhairandpressedsoft,undemandinglittlekissesalloverhistaut
face,finallyagainsttheclosedeyelidsandshortthickblacklashes.
“It’sallright,”shewhispered.“It’sallright.”
Hewasamazedattheeffectthosewords,andthecaresses,hadonhim.Theyeasedthetorment.
Theycalmedhim,inthesweetestwayhe’deverimagined.Hesmiledagainsthersoftthroat.
“Learninghowtotamethebeast,aren’tyou?”hewhisperedinateasingtone.
Shelookedupathimwithsoft,lovingeyes.“Howtocalmhimdown,anyway,”shesaidwitha
littlelaugh.“Ithinkmarriageisgoingtobeanadventure.”
“SodoI.”
Hestoodandtuggedherup,too,helpingtorearrangeherdisheveledclothing.Hegrinnedather.
“Webothlovemapsandthetango.We’llgodancingeveryweek.”
Hereyesbrightened.“I’dlikethat.”
Heenvelopedheragainsthimandstoodholdingher,quietly,inthesilenceofthesnow-covered
woods.“Heaven,”hewhispered,“mustbeverylikethis.”
Shesmiled,hugginghim.“Icoulddieofhappiness.”
Hisheartjumped.“SocouldI,sweetheart.”
Theendearmentmadeherownheartjump.She’dneverbeensohappyinherlife.
“Saturdaycan’tcomesoonenoughforme,”hemurmured.
“Orforme.Ted,Sassyboughtmethemostbeautifulweddinggown.Iknowyouaren’tsupposed
toseeitbeforetheceremony,butIjusthavetoshowittoyou.”
Hedrewback,smiling.“I’dlikethat.”
Theywalkedhandinhandbacktotheranchhouse,easyandcontentwitheachotherinaway
they’dneverbeenbefore.Theylookedasifthey’dalwaysbeentogether,andalwayswouldbe.
Sassy,busyinthekitchenwiththecook,grinnedatthem.“Stayingforlunch,Ted?We’rehaving
chiliandMexicancornbread.”
“I’dloveto,ifyouhaveenoughtoshare.”
“Plenty.”
“Then,thanks,Iwill.Jillianwantsmetoseetheweddinggown.”
“Badluck,”Sassyteased.
“Wemakeourownluck,don’twe,honey?”heaskedJillianinahusky,lovingtone.
Sheblushedatthesecondendearmentinveryfewminutesandsqueezedhishand.“Yes,wedo.”
Sheopenedherbedroomdoorandgasped,turningpale.There,onthefloor,weretheremainsof
herweddinggown,herbeautifuldress.Ithadbeenslashedtopieces.
“Stoprightthere,”Tedsaidcurtly,hisarmpreventingJillianfromenteringtheroom.“Thisis
nowacrimescene.I’llgetthesheriff’sdepartment’sinvestigatorouthererightnow,andthestate
crime-labtechs.Iknowwhodidthis.Ionlywantenoughprooftohavehimarrested!”
Jillianwrappedherarmsaroundherchestandshivered.Davyhadcomerightintothehouseand
nobodyknew.NotevenRourke.Itwaschilling.Sassy,arrivinglate,tookinthescenewithaquick
glanceandhuggedJillian.
“Itwillbeallright,”shepromised.Butherowneyesweretroubled.Itwasscarythathe’dcome
intothehousewithoutbeingseen.
Rourke,whenherealizedwhathadhappened,waslivid.“Thatpolecat!”hesnarled.“Rightunder
mybloodynose,andmelikearawrecruitwithnocluehewasontheplace!Thatwon’thappenagain!
I’mcallinginmarkers.I’llhavethisplacelikeafortressbeforeSaturday!”
Nobodyarguedwithhim.Thesituationhadbecomeatragedyinthemaking.They’dall
underestimatedDavyHarris’swildernessskills,whichwereapparentlyquiteformidable.
“Hewasahunter,”Jillianrecalled.“Heshowedmehowtotrackdeerwhenhefirststarted
workingwithUncleJohn,beforehegottobeaproblem.Hecouldwalksonobodyheardastep.I’d
forgottenthat.”
“Icanghost-walkmyself,”Rourkeassuredher.
“Heusedtosetbeartraps,”Jillianblurtedout,andreddenedwheneverybodylookedather.“He
saiditwastocatchawolfthathadbeenpreyingonthecalves,butUncleJohnsaidtherewasadog
caughtinit…”Shefeltsick.“I’dforgottenthat.”
Themenlookedateachother.Abeartrapcouldbeusedformanythings,includingcatching
unsuspectingpeople.
JillianstaredatTedwithhorror.“Ted,hewouldn’tusethatonSammy,wouldhe?”sheasked
fearfully.Davyknewhowmuchshelovedhercalf.
“No,”heassuredherwithacomfortingarmaroundhershouldersashelied.“Hewouldn’t.”
Rourkelefttheroomforafewminutes.Hecameback,grim-faced.“We’regoingtohavealot
ofcompanyverysoon.Allweneedisproofthathewashere,andhewon’tbeaproblemagain.”
Whichwouldhavebeenwonderful.Exceptthattherewasn’tafootprintinthedirt,afingerprint,
oranytraceevidencewhatsoeverthatDavyHarrishadbeenneartheCallisterhome.Thetechnicians
withalltheirtoolscouldn’tfindonespeckofproof.
“SomuchforLocard’sExchangePrinciple,”Tedsaidgrimly,andthenhadtoexplainwhatit
meanttoJillian.“AFrenchcriminalistnamedEdmondLocardnotedthatwhenacrimeiscommitted,
theperpetratorbothcarriesawayandleavesbehindtraceevidence.”
“ButDavydidn’t,”shesaidsadly.
“He’seitherverygoodorverylucky,”Tedmuttered.HeslidaprotectivearmaroundJillian.
“Anditwon’tsavehim.He’stheonlypersonintownwhohadamotivefordoingthis.It’sjusta
matterofprovingit.”
Shelaughedhollowly.“MaybeyoucouldcheckhisnewBowieknifetoseeifit’sgotpiecesof
whitelacestickingtoit,”shesaid,tryingtomakethebestofabadsituation.
Buthedidn’tlaugh.Hewasthoughtful.“Thatmightnotbesuchabadidea,”hemurmured.“All
I’dneedisprobablecause,ifIcanconvinceajudgetoissueasearchwarrantonthebasisofit.”He
pursedhislipsandnarrowedhiseyes,noddingtohimself.“Andthat’sjustwhatI’mgoingtodo.Stick
closetothehousetoday,okay?”
“Okay.”
Hekissedherandleft.
ButTedcamebackafewhourslaterandstucktoherlikeglue.Shenoticedthathewassuddenly
visiblenearher,everywhereshewentaroundthehouseandthebarn.Itwasjustafterhe’dreceiveda
phonecall,towhichnobodywasprivy.
“What’sgoingon?”Jillianaskedhimbluntly.
Hesmiled,hisusualeasygoingself,ashewalkedbesideherwithhishandsdeepinthepockets
ofhiskhakislacks.“Whatwouldbegoingon?”
“You’reusuallyatworkduringtheday,Ted,”shemurmureddryly.
Hegrinnedather.“MaybeIcan’tstayawayfromyou,evenonaworkday,”heteased.
Shestoppedandturnedtohim,frowning.“That’snotananswerandyouknow…!”
Shegaspedashesuddenlywhirled,pushinghertothegroundashedrewhispistolandfiredinto
aclumpofsnow-coveredundergrowthnearthehouse.Evenashefired,shefeltastinginherarm
andthenheardasoundlikeahigh-pitchedcrackofthunder.
Thatsoundwasfollowedbytheequallyloudrapidfireofa.45automaticaboveher.Sheheard
thebulletsastheyconnectedwithtreetrunksinthedistance.
“Youokay?”heaskedurgently.
“Ithinkso.”
Hestoppedfiring,andeaseduptohisfeet,standingverystillwithhisheadcocked,listening.Far
inthedistancewasthesoundofavehicledoorclosing,thenanenginestarting.Hewhippedouthis
cellphoneandmadeacall.Hegaveaquickexplanation,aquickerdescriptionofthedirectionof
travelofthevehicleandassurancesthattheintendedvictimwasallright.Heputupthecellphoneand
kneltbesideashakenJillian.
Therewasbloodonherarm.Thesleeveofhergraysweatshirtwasripped.Shelookedatitwith
growingsensation.Itstung.
“Whatintheworld?”shestammered.
“You’vebeenhit,sweetheart,”hesaidcurtly.“That’sagunshotwound.Ididn’twanttotellyou,
butoneofmyinvestigatorslearnedthatHarrisboughtahigh-poweredriflewithatelescopicsight
thismorning,afterIhadhisrentedroomtossedforevidence.”
“He’saconvictedfelon,nobodycouldhavesoldhimagunatall…!”sheburstout.
“Thereareplacesinanytown,evensmallones,wherepeoplecanbuyweaponsunderthetable.”
Hisfacewashardasstone.“Idon’tknowwhosoldittohim,butyou’dbetterbelievethatI’mgoing
tofindout.AndGodhelpwhoeverdid,whenIcatchuptohim!”
Shewasstilltryingtowraphermindaroundthefactthatshe’dbeenshot.Rourke,who’dbeenat
theotherendoftheproperty,camescreechingupinaranchJeepandjumpedout,wincingwhenhe
sawthebloodonJillian’sarm.
“Ispottedhim,Iwastrackinghim,whenIheardthegunshot.God,I’msorry!”heexclaimed.“I
shouldhavebeenquicker.Doyouthinkyouhithim?”heaskedTed.
“I’mnotsure.Maybe.”HehelpedJillianup.“I’llgetyoutoadoctor.”HeglancedatRourke.“I
calledthesherifftobringhisdogsandhisbestinvestigatorouthere,”headded.“Theymayneed
somehelp.Itoldthesheriffyou’dbeenonthecase,workingfortheCallisters.”
Rourke’spalebrowneyenarrowed.HelookedfardifferentfromthemanJillianhadcometo
knowashereasygoingfriend.“Ilethimgetontotheproperty,andI’msorry.ButIcandamnedsure
trackhim.”
“Noneofuscouldhaveexpectedwhathappenedhere,”Tedsaidreassuringly,andputakindly
handontheotherman’sshoulder.“She’llbeokay.Sheriff’sdepartmentinvestigatorisonhiswayout
here.Igavethesheriff’sinvestigatoryourcellphonenumber,”Tedadded.
Rourkenodded.HewincedatJillian’sface.“I’msorry,”hesaidcurtly.
Shesmiled,holdingherarm.“It’sokay,Rourke.”
“Ididn’trealizehewasontheplace,either,untilIheardthegunshots,”Tedsaid.
“Notthefirsttimeyou’vebeenshotat,Igather?”sheaskedwithblackhumor.
“Notatall.Youusuallyfeelthebulletbeforeyouhearthesound,”headdedsolemnly.
“Andthat’safact,”Rourkeaddedwithfainthumor.
“Let’sgo,”Tedsaidgently.
Shelethimputherintothepatrolcar.Shewasfeelingsick,andshewasinsomepain.“Itdidn’t
hurtatfirst,”shesaid.“Ididn’tevenrealizeIwasshot.Oh,Ted,I’msorry,youhavetowait…!”She
openedthedoorandthrewup,thenshecriedwithembarrassment.
Hehandedheracleanwhitehandkerchief,putherbackinthecar,andbrokespeedlimitsgetting
hertotheemergencyroom.
“It’sneverlikethatontelevision,”shesaiddrowsily,whenshe’dbeentreatedandwasinasemi-
privateroomforthenight.They’dgivenhersomethingforpain,aswell.Itwasmakinghersleepy.
“Whatisn’t,sweetheart?”
Shesmiledattheendearmentasheleanedoverher,gentlytouchingherface.“Peoplegetting
shot.Theydon’tthrowup.”
“That’snotreallife,either,”heremindedher.
Shewasworried,butnotonlyforherself.
“Whatisit?”heaskedgently.
“Sammy,”shemurmured.“Iknow,it’sstupidtobeworriedaboutacalf,butifhecan’tgettome,
hemighttrytohurtsomethingIlove.”Shesearchedhiseyes.“Youwatchout,too.”
Hisdarkeyestwinkled.“Becauseyouloveme?”hedrawled.
Sheonlynodded,herfacesolemn.“Morethananyoneintheworld.”
Therewasaflushonhishighcheekbones.Hecuppedherheadinhisbighandsandkissedher
withblatantpossession.“Thatgoesdoubleforme,”hewhisperedagainstherlips.
Shesearchedhiseyeswithfascination.“Itdoes?”
“WhyintheworlddoyouthinkI’dwanttomarryyouifIdidn’tloveyou?”heaskedreasonably.
“Noparceloflandisworththatsortofsacrifice.”
“Youneversaid,”shestammered.
“Neitherdidyou,”hepointedout,chuckling.
Shelaidherhandagainsthisshoulder.“Ididn’twanttosayitfirst.”
Hekissedhernose.“Butyoudid.”
Shesighedandsmiled.“Yes.Idid.”
Foronelongmoment,theyweresilenttogether,savoringthenewnessofanemotionneitherhad
realizedwassointense.
Finallyheliftedhishead.“Idon’twanttoleaveyou,butwe’vegotalotofworktodoandnota
lotoftimetodoit.”
Shenodded.“Youbecareful.”
“Iwill.”
“Ted,couldyoucheckonSammy?”sheaskedworriedly.
“Yes.I’llmakesureshe’sokay.”
Shesmiled.“Thanks.”
“Noproblem.”
SassycameandtookherbacktotheCallisterranchassoonasthedoctorreleasedher.
“Istillthinktheyshouldhavekeptyouovernight,”Sassymuttered.
“Theytriedto,butIrefused,”Jilliansaiddrowsily.“Idon’tlikebeinginhospitals.Haveyou
heardanythingmore?”
“AboutHarris?”Sassyshookherhead.“Iknowthey’vegotdogsinthewoods,huntinghim.But
ifhe’sagoodwoodsman,he’llknowhowtocoverhistrail.”
“Hetalkedaboutthatonce,”Jillianrecalled.“Hesaidtherewerewaystocoverupascenttrailso
adogcouldn’ttrackpeople.Funny,Ineverwonderedwhyhe’dknowsuchathing.”
“I’msorryhedoes,”Sassyreplied.“Ifhedidn’thavethoseskills,he’dbealoteasiertofind.”
“Iguessso.”
“I’vegotasurpriseforyou,”Sassysaidwhentheywalkedintothehouse.Shesmiled
mysteriouslyassheledJilliandownthehalltotheguestbedroomshe’dbeenoccupying.
“Whatisit?”Jillianasked.
Sassyopenedthedoor.There,hangingontheclosetdoor,wasaduplicateofthebeautiful
weddinggownthatSassyhadchosen,rightdowntotheembroidery.
“Theyonlyhadtwoofthatmodel.TheotherwasinastoreinLosAngeles.Ihadthemovernight
it,”Sassychuckled.“Nothingisgoingtostopthiswedding!”
Jillianburstintotears.ShehuggedSassy,ascloseasherwoundedarmwouldpermit.“Thank
you!”
“It’slittleenoughtodo.I’msorrytheotheronewasruined.We’rejustluckythattherewasa
secondoneinyoursize.”
Jillianfingeredtheexquisitelace.“ItisthemostbeautifulgownI’deverseen.I’llneverbeable
tothankyouenough,Sassy.”
Theotherwomanwassolemn.“Wedon’ttalkaboutit,butI’msureyouknowthatIhadasimilar
experience,withmyformerbossatthefeedstorewhereIworkedjustbeforeImarriedJohn.Iwas
olderthanyouwere,anditwasn’tquiteastraumaticasyours,butIknowhowitfeelstobeassaulted.”
Shesighed.“Funnything,IhadnoideawhenyoucamerunninguptothedoorwithHarrisastep
behindyouthatI’deverfacethesamesituationinmyownlife.”
“I’msorry.”
“Yes,soamI.Therearebadmenintheworld.Buttherearegoodones,too,”Sassyreminded
her.“I’mmarriedtooneofthem,andyou’reabouttomarryanotherone.”
“IfDavydoesn’tfindsomehorriblenewwaytostopit,”Jilliansaidwithrealconcerninher
voice.
“Hewon’t,”Sassysaidfirmly.“Therearetoomanypeopleinuniformsrunningaroundherefor
himtotakethatsortofachance.”
Shebitherlowerlip.“TedwasgoingtoseeaboutSammy.Idon’tknowifHarrismighttryto
hurther,togetbackatme.”
“Hewon’thavethechance,”Sassysaid.“Johnandtwoofourhandstookacattletraileroverto
yourhouseafewminutesbeforeIlefttopickyouupatthehospital.They’rebringingheroverhere,
andshe’llstayinourbarn.Wehaveamanfull-timewhodoesnothingbutlookafterourprizebulls
wholiveinit.”
“You’vedonesomuchforme,”Jilliansaid,fightingtears.
“You’ddoitforme,”wastheotherwoman’swarmreply.“Nowstopworrying.Youhavetwo
daystogetwellenoughtowalkdowntheaisle.”
“Maybeweshouldpostponeit,”shebegan.
“Notachance,”Sassyreplied.“We’llhaveyoubackonyourfeetbythenifwehavetoflyin
specialists!”Andshemeantit.
Eleven
J
illiancarriedasmallbouquetofwhiteandpalepinkrosesasshewalkeddowntheaisleofthesmall
countrychurchtowardTed,whowaswaitingatthealtar.Herarmwassoreandthrobbingalittle,and
shewasstillworriedaboutwhetherornotDavyHarrismighttrytoshootoneofthemthroughthe
window.ButnoneofherconcernsshowedinherradiantexpressionasshetookherplacebesideTed.
Theministerreadthemarriageceremony.Jillianrepeatedthewords.Tedrepeatedthem.Heslid
aplaingoldbandontoherfinger.Sheslidoneontohis.Theylookedateachotherwithwonderand
finallysharedakisssotenderthatsheknewshe’drememberitallherlife.
Theyheldhandswalkingbackdowntheaisle,laughing,astheywereshoweredwithrosepetals
bytwolittlegirlswhowerethedaughtersofoneofTed’spoliceofficers.
“Okay,now,standrightherewhilewegetthephotos,”Sassysaid,stage-managingtheminthe
receptionhallwherefoodandpunchwerespreadoutonpristinewhitelinentableclothswithcrystal
andchinatocontainthefeast.She’dhiredaprofessionalphotographertorecordtheevent,over
Jillian’sprotests,aspartoftheCallisters’weddinggifttothem.
Jillianfeltregalinherbeautifulgown.Thenightbefore,she’dgoneouttothebarnwithTedto
makesurelittleSammywassettledinastall.Itwassillytobeworriedaboutananimal,butshe’dbeen
abigpartofJillian’slifesinceshewasfirstborn,toacowthatwaskilledbyafreaklightningstrike
thenextday.Jillianhadtakenthetinycalftothehouseandkeptheronoldblanketsonthebackporch
andfedheraroundtheclocktokeepheralive.
ThatclosenesshadamusedTed,especiallysincethecalffollowedJillianeverywhereshewent
andeven,onoccasion,triedtogointhehousewithher.Hesupposedhewasluckythattheydidn’t
makecalfdiapers,he’dteased,orJillianwouldgivetheanimalabedroom.
“DidanybodychecktoseeifIleftmyjacketdownthattrailwhereItookSammyforherwalks?”
Jillianaskedsuddenly.“Thebuckskinone,withtheembroidery.Ithasn’trained,butifitdoes,itwill
besoaked.IforgotallaboutitwhenIcametostaywithSassy.”
“I’lllookforitlater,”Tedtoldher,nuzzlinghernosewithhis.“Whenwegohome.”
“Home.”Shesighedandclosedhereyes.“Iforgot.We’lllivetogethernow.”
“Yes,wewill.”Hetouchedherface.“MaybenotascloselyasI’dlikeforafewmoredays,”he
teaseddeeplyandchuckledwhensheflushed.“Thatarmisgoingtotakesomehealing.”
“Ineverrealizedthatafleshwoundcouldcausesomuchtrouble,”shetoldhim.
“Atleastitwasjustafleshwound,”hesaidgrimly.“DamnedifIcanfigureoutwhywecan’t
findthatpolecat,”hemuttered,borrowingRourke’sfavoriteterm.“We’vehadmenscouringthe
countrysideforhim.”
“Maybehegotscaredandlefttown,”shesaidhopefully.
“Wefoundhistruckdeserted,abouthalfwaybetweentheCallisters’ranchandours,”hesaid.
“Dogslosthistrailwhenitwentofftheroad.”Hefrowned.“Oneofourtrackerssaidthathis
footprintschangedfromonesideofthetrucktotheother,asifhewascarryingsomething.”
“Maybeasuitcase?”shewondered.
Heshookhishead.“Wecheckedthebusstationandwehadthesheriff’sdepartmentsendcarsall
overthebackroads.Hejustvanishedintothinair.”
“I’mnotsorry,”shesaidheavily.“ButI’dliketoknowthathewasn’tcomingback.”
“SowouldI.”Hebentandkissedher.“We’llmanage,”headded.“Whateverhappens,we’ll
manage.”
Shesmiledupathimwarmly.“Yes.Wewill.”
Theysettleddownintomarriedlife.Tedhadhonestlyhopedtowaitadayorsountilherarm
wasalittlelesssore.
Butthatnightwhiletheywerewatchingamovieontelevision,hekissedherandshekissedhim
back.Thentheygotintoamorecomfortablepositiononthesofa.Verysoon,piecesofclothingcame
offandwerediscardedonthefloor.Andthen,skinagainstskin,theylearnedeachotherinwaysthey
neverhadbefore.
Justforaminute,itwasuncomfortable.Hefeltherstiffenandhismouthbrushedtenderlyover
herclosedeyelids.“Easy,”hewhispered.“Trytorelax.Movewithme.Movewithme,sweetheart…
yes!”
Andthenitwasallheatandurgencyandexplosionsofsensationlikenothingshe’deverfeltin
herlife.Shedughernailsintohishipsandmoanedharshlyasthehard,fiercethrustofhisbodylifted
hertoelevationsofpleasurethatbuiltoneachotheruntilshewasafraidthatshemightdietryingto
survivethem.
“Yes,”hegroaned,andhebruisedherthighswithhisfingersashestrainedtogetevencloserto
herwhenthepleasureburstandshudderedintoecstacy.
Shecriedout.Herwholebodyfeltonfire.Shemovedwithhim,herownhipsarchingupinone
lastsurgeofstrengthbeforetheworlddissolvedintosweetmadness.
Shewasthrobbingallover,likehersorearmthatshehadn’tevennoticeduntilnow.She
shiveredundertheweightofTed’sbody.
“Iwasgoingtowait,”hemanagedinahuskywhisper.
“Whatintheworldfor?”shelaughed.“It’sjustasorearm.”Hereyesmethiswithshydelight.
Heliftedaneyebrowrakishly.“Isanythingelsesore?”heasked.
Shegrinned.“No.”
Hepursedhislips.“Well,inthatcase,”hewhispered,andbegantomove.
Sheclutchedathimandgaspedwithpuredelight.
Heonlylaughed.
Muchlater,theycurleduptogetherinbed,exhaustedandhappy.Theysleptuntillatethenext
morning,missingchurchandatelephonecallfromthesheriff,LarryKane.
“Bettercallmeassoonasyougetthis,”Larrysaidgrimlyonthemessage.“It’surgent.”
TedexchangedaconcernedglancewithJillianashepickeduphiscellphoneandreturnedthe
call.
“Graves,”hesaidintothephone.“What’sup?”
Therewasapausewhilehelistened.Hescowled.“What?”heexclaimed.
“Whatisit?”Jillianwasmouthingathim.
Heheldupahandandsighedheavily.“Howlongago?”
Henodded.“Well,it’sapity,inaway.Butit’sironic,youhavetoadmit.Yes.Yes.I’lltellher.
Thanks,Larry.”
Hesnappedthephoneshut.“TheyfoundDavyHarristhismorning.”
“Whereishe?”sheasked,gnawingherlip.
“They’vetakenhimtothestatecrimelab.”
Sheblinked.“Ithoughttheyonlytookdeadpeople…Oh,dear.He’sdead?”
Henodded.“Theyfoundhimwithhislegcaughtinabeartrap.He’dapparentlybeentryingto
setitontheranch,downthattrailwhereyoualwayswalkwithSammy,throughthetreeswhereit’s
hardtoseetheground.”
“GoodLord!”sheexclaimed,andthepossibilitiescreatednightmaresinhermind.
“He’dlockedthetrapintoplacewithalogchain,aroundatree,andpadlockeditinplace.Sheriff
thinkshelostthekeysomewhere.Hecouldn’tgetthechainlooseorfreehimselffromthetrap.He
bledtodeath.”
Shefeltsickallover.ShepressedintoTed’sarmsandheldontight.“Whatahorriblewayto
go.”
“Yes,well,justrememberthatitwashowheplannedforSammytogo,”hesaid,without
mentioningthatHarrismaywellhaveplannedtocatchJillianinit.
“Hissisterwillsueusallforwrongfuldeathandsaywekilledhim,”Jilliansaidmiserably,
rememberingthewoman’sfurywhenherbrotherwasfirstarrested.
“Hissisterdiedtwoyearsago,”hereplied.“Ofadrugoverdose.Atrulytroubledfamily.”
“Whendidyoufindthatout?”shewondered.
“Yesterday,”hesaid.“Ididn’twanttospendourweddingdaytalkingaboutHarris,butIdid
wonderifhemightruntohissisterforprotection.SoIhadaninvestigatortrytofindher.”
“Asadend,”shesaid.
“Yes.Butfortunately,notyours,”hereplied.Heheldherclose,gladthatitwasover,finally.
Shesighed.“Notmine,”sheagreed.
RourkeleftthreedayslatertogobacktoAfrica.He’dmeanttoleavesooner,butSassyandJohn
wantedtoshowhimaroundMontanafirst,despitethethicksnowthatwasfallinginabundancenow.
“I’vetakenmoviesofthesnowtoshowbackhome,”hementionedashesaidhisfarewellsto
JillianandTedwhilearanchhandwaitedinthetrucktodrivehimtotheairportinBillings.“We
don’tgetalotofsnowinKenya,”headded,tongueincheek.
“Thanksforhelpingkeepmealive,”Jilliantoldhim.
“Mypleasure,”hereplied,andsmiled.
Tedshookhandswithhim.“Ifyouwanttolearnhowtofishfortrout,comebackinthespring
whenthesnowsmeltandwe’llspendthedayontheriver.”
“Imighttakeyouuponthat,”Rourkesaid.
Theywatchedhimdriveaway.
JillianslidherarmaroundTed’swaist.“Youcominghomeforlunch?”sheaskedastheywalked
tohispatrolcar.
“ThoughtImight.”Hegaveherawickedgrin.“Yougoingtofixfoodorarewegoingtospend
mylunchhourintheusualway?”
Shepursedherlips.“Oh,Icouldmakesandwiches.”
“Youcouldpacktheminaplasticbag,”headded,“andIcouldtakethembacktoworkwithme.”
Sheflushedandlaughed.“Ofcourse.Wewouldn’twanttowasteyourlunchhourbyeating.”
Hebentandkissedherwithbarelyrestrainedhunger.“Absolutelynot!Seeyouaboutnoon.”
Shekissedhimback.“I’llbehere.”
Hedroveoff,throwingupahandashewentdownthedriveway.Shewatchedhimgoand
thoughthowfarshe’dcomefromthescaredteenagerthatDavyHarrishadintimidatedsomanyyears
before.Shehadagoodmarriageandherlifewashappierthaneverbefore.Shestillhadhermorning
jobatthelocalrestaurant.Shelikedthelittlebitofindependenceitgaveher,andtheycouldusethe
extramoney.Tedwasn’tlikelytogetrichworkingasapolicechief.
Ontheotherhand,theirlackofmaterialwealthonlybroughtthemclosertogetherandmade
theirsharedlivesbetter.
Shesighedassheturnedbacktowardthehouse,hereyesfullofdreams.Snowwasjust
beginningtofallagain,likeaburstofgloriouswhitefeathersaroundherhead.Winterwasbeautiful.
Likeherlife.
ISBN:978-1-4268-7597-7
WILLOFSTEEL
Copyright©2010byDianaPalmer
Allrightsreserved.Exceptforuseinanyreview,thereproductionorutilizationofthisworkinwhole
orinpartinanyformbyanyelectronic,mechanicalorothermeans,nowknownorhereafter
invented,includingxerography,photocopyingandrecording,orinanyinformationstorageor
retrievalsystem,isforbiddenwithoutthewrittenpermissionoftheeditorialoffice,SilhouetteBooks,
233Broadway,NewYork,NY10279U.S.A.
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareeithertheproductofthe
author ’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,
businessestablishments,eventsorlocalesisentirelycoincidental.
ThiseditionpublishedbyarrangementwithHarlequinBooksS.A.
Forquestionsandcommentsaboutthequalityofthisbookpleasecontactusat
Customer_eCare@Harlequin.ca.
®andTMaretrademarksofHarlequinBooksS.A.,usedunderlicense.Trademarksindicatedwith®
areregisteredintheUnitedStatesPatentandTrademarkOffice,theCanadianTradeMarksOfficeand
inothercountries.