Dodge the Bullet by Christy Hayes Read Free Book Online Page A

“You’re almost done and you finally realized there was
a marinade on the meat. It’s good, isn’t? I picked it up at some
hole in the wall place I stopped to eat at outside of Oklahoma City
last week. The guy at the counter promised it’d be the best I’d
ever tasted. He may just be right.”
    Dodge carefully placed his knife and fork on
the plate. “You drove out here from Atlanta by yourself?”
    “Yes, it was a very peaceful two days.”
    “I don’t know what’s more shocking, that you
drove all that way by yourself or that that old truck of yours
actually made it this far without breaking down.” He wondered how
in the world her family had let her drive practically across the
country unaccompanied. He figured she’d probably come up through
Amarillo, and that meant she’d gone through some areas that didn’t
even have cell coverage. As much as she tried to project an image
of someone who could take care of herself, her behavior proved the
opposite. The possible pitfalls she could have encountered along
the way were staggering.
    He reached over and started looking at the
photos and survey she’d laid on the counter as she cleared their
plates and refilled his water glass.
    “I have multiple copies of the survey and
photos, so feel free to write on those if you want to,” she said
over the hum of the running water.
    As he studied his copy, he could see the
value of her property. Did she have any idea? Almost three miles of
river and over a thousand acres of natural grassland would fetch
more money than she could ever need in her lifetime. Why did she
want to ranch her place instead of living like a queen anywhere her
heart desired?
    He looked up and watched her slender hips
sway as she scrubbed a dish. She turned around and caught him
staring at her.
    “Everything okay with the papers?”
    Dodge straightened in his chair and cleared
his throat, tried to disguise the fact that he’d been gawking at
her. “Yeah, it’s all here. Some of these areas near the river look
like they may be slews in the spring. Were these photos taken in
the fall?”
    Sarah moved around the counter and peered at
the photos over Dodge’s shoulder. Her hair edged close to his
collar. She smelled like lemons.
    “Yes, that’s about right.”
    “The underbrush on the other side of the
river is pretty thick. Is there any way to get across there and
take a look?”
    Sarah came around the counter and faced
Dodge. “We’ve used the four wheelers to cross when the river’s
down, but it’s so high now I’m not sure we could make it.”
    “That’s what I thought.” He rubbed the
stubble on his chin. “I can trailer a couple of my horses over here
this week and we can take a look.”
    “Horses?” Her fingers tightened around the
leather cord of her necklace.
    “You do know how to ride, don’t you?”
    “Well, I’ve been on a horse before.” She
lifted her shoulders in a helpless gesture. “Is it absolutely
necessary for me to go with you?”
    Dodge fought the urge to slam his forehead
into the counter. She wanted to run a ranch and she didn’t even
know how to ride. Why was he surprised? “I assumed you’d want to
know what was over there. I’ve got a real gentle horse that
shouldn’t be a problem for you to ride. Unless you’re afraid.” He
imagined she was the kind who wouldn’t back down from a challenge,
but he wanted to know for sure.
    “Of course I’m not afraid.” She stammered
and nearly pulled the cord around her neck to shreds. “I just…just
thought there’d be another way to get across, that’s all.”
    Dodge tried not to snort. “Ok, how does
Thursday afternoon work for you? I’ve got to be out this way then
anyway.”
    “Thursday’s fine.” Sarah unclenched the
necklace and pointed to the papers he held in his hand. “Should I
go ahead and set up some appointments with the fence people for
next week?”
    “Once we get a good look at the other side
of the river, I’m sure I can give