Angel Creek by Linda Howard Read Free Book Online Page B

day, by the way. Cochran, that is. He wanted to buy Angel Creek.”
    The thought of that was interesting. Lucas was accustomed to having things his way. Olivia could just imagine what he’d thought when he’d met Dee, who could be as intractable as a rock wall when she chose.
    â€œWhat did you think of him?”
    Dee grinned. “That he’d make a dangerous enemy.And that no one tells him ‘no’ very often. He doesn’t take it well.”
    â€œAnd you enjoyed telling him.”
    â€œOf course I did.” Mischief gleamed in her green eyes as she glanced at Olivia. “He could use taking down a peg or two.”
    â€œI don’t think he’ll give up,” Olivia warned.
    â€œNo, he won’t.”
    Dee looked as if she positively relished the thought of thwarting Lucas, and not for the first time Olivia wished she could be more like her friend. Dee wasn’t intimidated by Lucas, or by anyone. There was a kind of inner strength to her, a surety that most people didn’t have. Olivia didn’t feel certain of anything, with her longing to have a family at odds with her fear of marrying someone she didn’t love. She couldn’t imagine Dee ever feeling that kind of uncertainty. Dee would simply make up her mind one way or the other, and that would be that.
    â€œI think Lucas would ride roughshod over me if I married him,” Olivia said, and she bit her lip.
    Dee thought about it, then nodded. “Probably.”
    That blunt assessment startled Olivia into a spurt of laughter. “You didn’t have to agree!”
    â€œOh, you aren’t weak,” Dee explained, smiling a little. “It’s just that you’re too gentle to fight him when he needs to be fought. But cheer up. Maybe you’ll meet someone in San Francisco you really want to marry.”
    â€œMother’s canceled the trip. She didn’t think it would be smart to leave Lucas for such a long time while he’s showing so much interest. Of course, Lucasmay not have any plans to marry at all, and I could be worrying over nothing.” The thought popped into her head that Dee would make Lucas a much better wife than she herself would, and she almost blurted it out but stopped herself in time. Dee would look at her as if she were crazy if she said such a thing.
    But it was true. In both temperament and character Dee was a fair match for Lucas; both of them were so strong that they would completely overshadow anyone who wasn’t just as strong. The only thing was, Dee wasn’t the least interested in getting married.
    Nevertheless, the idea lingered.
    On the way home Olivia detoured by the bank to tell her father hello. Just as she stepped up on the sidewalk the door to the bank opened, and Kyle Bellamy came out, flanked by two of his men. He removed his hat as soon as he saw her.
    â€œMiss Millican, how are you today?”
    â€œFine, thank you, Mr. Bellamy. And you?”
    â€œCouldn’t be better.” He looked down at her, giving her his self-confident smile. No doubt about it, Kyle Bellamy was a good-looking man, and he knew it. His dark hair was thick and curly, his eyes light brown beneath black brows, his smile white and straight. Moreover, he was tall and muscular, and his ranch, though nowhere near the size of the Double C, was prosperous and growing. For all that, something about the man made her uneasy.
    He made no move to continue on his way, and Olivia’s innate good manners came to the fore. “I hope you’re making plans to attend the spring social. It won’t be long,” she said.
    â€œI wouldn’t miss it.” He gave her his white, wolfish grin. “Especially if you’re going to be there.”
    â€œJust about everyone in town will be there,” Olivia replied, neatly sidestepping his comment, which was personal enough to make her feel uncomfortable.
    â€œI’ll look forward to claiming a dance with