On His Honor by Jean Brashear Read Free Book Online Page A

easily online, I imagine, so that leaves…” He stared blankly then snapped his fingers. “Got it.” His gaze locked on hers, his eyes sparkling with mischief and fun. “What’s a fine filly like you doing in a one-horse town like this, little lady?” His voice was a perfect cowboy twang as he tipped an imaginary Stetson then stuck his thumbs in an invisible gun belt.
    Oh, yes, clever and charming in addition to his good looks. She wondered what he’d think if he knew that what actually tempted her about him was the hint of shadows in his eyes. For all his good-natured banter, she sensed more depth to him than his manner revealed.
    “Mostly wondering why you won’t let the poor little birthday girl have her present.”
    He snorted. “Poor thing.”
    “Yeah!” Jenna stuck out her tongue at him then grinned at Violet. Deftly she snagged the gift bag from the ground and looped her arm through Violet’s. “My new best friend and I will be over at the gift table if you need us.”
    Violet laughed and let herself be led away.
    * * *
    JD FOLLOWED HER WITH HIS EYES but stayed where he was for now. They’d been introduced. He’d play it cool, as he’d planned from the start.
    He was surprised to discover, though, that for the first time he could recall, he was nervous around a woman. Amazing how easily he’d fallen back into being a lame jokester, as though he was still in junior high.
    Real good, dumbass.
    Zane strolled over. “Your fatal charm not working, Romeo?”
    “Bite me.”
    “She’s been through a rough time,” Zane said.
    “Like what? Her manicurist didn’t get the polish color right?”
    “No, idiot. Her husband cheated on her. Got caught with photos all over creation. What, you live in a cave?”
    “Oh.” Vaguely he recalled some buzz but he’d paid little attention to it. “Tough break.” She probably wasn’t a big fan of men right now. That would make it hard for him to get any information out of her.
    “It was a tough break. They don’t come any nicer than Violet. She’s the real deal, not a fake bone in her body. That bastard humiliated her, and the press has been on her like a pack of dogs. That’s why she’s here, hiding out.”
    Wow. She was so larger-than-life onscreen, it surprised him how delicate she actually was. She seemed…fragile. A little broken.
    Exactly what always stirred his Sir Galahad impulse.
    Reality check, bonehead. She was richer than God and could hire all the pampering and ego-stroking she needed.
    Speaking of pampering… Avery Lofton and all those packages came to mind. So this was who he was coming to see. JD wondered why. If she was so broken up over her marriage surely they weren’t involved romantically. And he sure didn’t want to think America’s Sweetheart was involved in Lofton’s sordid dealings. But even if she wasn’t a part of the money laundering, how much did she know?
    “Hey, you ready for some grub?” Zane asked.
    “Always.” JD dragged himself out of his musings.
    “Me, I’m gonna sit with my lady.” Zane nudged his side with an elbow. “Too bad you ticked off the birthday girl and blew your shot with the only other unattached woman here.”
    JD mock-punched his shoulder. “My heart belongs to Addie, anyway. I’ll go sit with a female who appreciates me.”
    Zane snickered and waved over his shoulder as he walked off.

CHAPTER FOUR
    E ARLY THE NEXT MORNING Violet used the rope conveniently threaded through the hammock to send herself swaying again. So peaceful…she opened her eyes and watched the live oak branches above her, breathing in the serenity for which the hotel was aptly named. This morning was especially quiet since she’d urged Sophie to sleep in. Sophie had reluctantly agreed, but only after loading Violet down with enough muffins and fruit for a week.
    Violet had had a wonderful time last night with the Montalvo/MacAllister clan. The party had reminded her forcibly of just how much she missed people. She’d