No Place Like Home by Debra Clopton Read Free Book Online Page A

you know the minute I hear something.”
    â€œThank you, that would be great,” she said, almost forgiving him for the wink and the turmoil he caused her. “Who is that?” she asked, nodding toward the three ladies drawing close across the stretch of grass.
    Brady glanced in their direction and smiled, watching their approach. “That’s the heart of Mule Hollow. See you later. Hello, ladies, this is Dottie Hart,” he said, meeting them as he left. “Go easy on her, her RV’s broke down and she has no escape.” With that, he turned back toward her, tipped his hat at her, winked again and strode away.
    Watching him leave, Dottie couldn’t help thinking that George Strait had nothing on Brady Cannon. Brady’s swagger was just as good as any cowboy she’d ever seen…George included.
    â€œHe’s a cute one, our sheriff,” the short lady with the curly gray hair said, crossing her arms and watching him walk away.
    Dottie realized what she’d been doing and turned to the ladies. “Yes, he’s extremely helpful.”
    â€œWe know that for certain. Hi, I’m Norma Sue Jenkins.”
    â€œAnd I’m Esther Mae Wilcox,” said the redhead. “You can like Brady. Really. We’ve been looking for the right woman for him for a while now. We thought it might be Ashby Templeton, but those two ended up knowing that they weren’t a match after spending just one day at the fair together.”
    â€œEsther, don’t push. Dottie has just arrived in Mule Hollow. And we’re glad you’re here. I’m Adela Ledbetter.”
    Dottie barely heard the smart-looking woman with the feathery white hair and the brilliant blue eyes. Her head was still spinning from what Ethel— Esther had said.
    â€œAdela, I know she just arrived here,” Esther continued. “But, from what I hear, she’s not staying very long, so we need to move fast. You know, get her while the iron’s on fire.”
    â€œThat’s while the iron’s hot,” Norma added dryly.
    â€œHot, on fire, it’s all the same thing. We just need to get her.”
    Dottie was grateful she hadn’t passed out at the onslaught of the conversation. Instead, it was so shockingly comical, she chuckled.
    â€œWhy’s that funny?”
    Biting back the last of the giggle and feeling like Lucy, she blinked at Esther. “Well, ma’am. I’m not here looking for a husband. I’m just passing out—I mean through.”
    â€œAnd—what’s your point?”
    Dottie looked at the other two ladies, who had given up trying to contain their friend. “Well, I—”
    â€œMe and my Hank, it just took a look and a wink and we were together for life.”
    â€œI thought it was a kiss?” Norma Sue said.
    â€œWell, that, too. But I knew before that.”
    â€œOkay, Esther,” Adela said, smiling. “Let’s do like Brady asked and give the poor girl a little room. If it’s to happen it will.”
    â€œHonestly, I’m leaving,” Dottie blurted. These women were serious about their matchmaking. Give them an inch and wham!
    Then it hit her. Again. Brady Cannon had known .
    He’d known exactly what he was doing when he’d left her to fend for herself!
    And the wink! Winks!
    Ohhh, he was devious. The man had set the hounds on her on purpose. But why? What would possess him to do such a thing?
    Looking from one pleasant-faced woman to the next,for the life of her she couldn’t understand why he would do this…unless he was just being funny.
    Funny, my foot! She’d get him for this.
    Â 
    Back at his office, Brady was hoping something would come up fast and the case would be a snap. A database search was the place to start.
    He knew it was too much to hope for that she’d simply run away from home because of something trivial. He knew the odds were against it. On the flip side, he