Chances by Pamela Nowak Read Free Book Online

from demon women. Daniel took a step forward, just to prove she wasn’t in control of what happened in his place of business. “Are you implying that Bill Byers is a puppet?” he asked in an even tone.
    “Of course not.” She sounded irritated, as if she shouldn’t need to explain. “What I’m saying is that Bill is a smart man. His wife has a tremendous sense of what it takes to rally the public. He’d be a fool if he didn’t use her skills.”
    The idea intruded, making sense, however unpalatable. Daniel bristled. “So you think Bill runs every idea past his wife?”
    “I think Bill uses Elizabeth’s expertise when he thinks it will help his paper the same way she uses his when it helps her cause.” Sarah’s voice had risen, and she punctuated her words with quick hand movements, a habit Daniel found annoying.
    He looked down at her tiny frame. Such vehemence from a little bird of a thing. He stood firm, hands on his hips, and fought against the smile that threatened to lift the corner of his mouth. She had gall, he had to give her that. “So now you’re here to help me?”
    “Daniel, read your letter.” She thrust the envelope forward. “How does it make you feel?”
    “Feel?” What was she getting at?
    “Bill Byers wants a letter that will make his readers angry. He wants something that will make people pound their fists on the table and denounce the bounty.” She slapped the envelope against the palm of her hand. “He wants people so upset that they get up out of their chairs and do something.”
    There she went again, blathering away. Daniel sighed a second time and drew a breath. “Look, I hardly think—”
    She stomped her foot and glared at him. “That’s the point.”
    Daniel’s patience thinned, and he moved forward, heart pounding. “What gives you the right to march into my shop and insult me?”
    “Seems to me as though the Bill of Rights gives all of us the right to insult anyone we want,” she snapped.
    “Sarah Donovan, you need a husband.”
    Her mouth dropped open and she blinked her eyes for a moment. “What?”
    “You need a husband. You’re far too free-mouthed, and I think it’d do you good to have someone issue you a little discipline.” Daniel heard his voice, louder than he’d intended.
    “Discipline? Like that code you live under? Little rules that keep you from experiencing life?” Her tone had risen as well, but she retained control, and it struck Daniel that she knew exactly what she was doing.
    His annoyance turned to anger at the attack on his ordered code of conduct. “My life is none of your business.”
    She stepped closer. “You have no life.”
    “I have a fine life.”
    “I’m sure. You polish your coffins and lay out your dead and remind your daughters to behave when all they really need to do is be children.”
    The words stung. “Don’t you dare bring my daughters into this.”
    She stepped even closer, toe-to-toe, and glared up at him. “And why not? Don’t you realize what all that imposed self-control is doing to them? You’re forcing them to grow up too soon. When was the last time they had any fun? They’re so busy being perfect that they hold in their feelings. Do you realize they were so worried about appearances that they couldn’t even grieve over Biscuit the way they needed to? They should have been sobbing their heads off instead of worrying about what you or anyone else would think.”
    Daniel fought to ignore the fire in his head. “Who the devil do you think you are?” he yelled.
    Sarah smiled benignly. “See? Didn’t that feel better?”
    Good God, he’d yelled at her, cursed even. Daniel turned away, embarrassed. He hadn’t intended to do that, but it had felt good. That bothered him immensely. Losing control wasn’t supposed to feel good.
    He breathed deeply. He hated her words, hated them because they pricked at him, because he didn’t want them to be even remotely true. Lashing out at the stab of guilt her