Running Wild by Denise Eagan Read Free Book Online Page A

spied Morgan Montgomery and Ward
approaching, arms linked. As usual, Ward’s face was implacable, but Morgan was
frowning. “Star,” she said, reaching them, “Lee told me that Del delivered the
news. I’m sorry, dear.” She had the same deep-throated voice as her daughter,
only hers came with an English accent.
    Nick had liked Morgan from the moment he met her. Of medium
height with reddish hair, she was every bit a lady in truth as well as
appearance; her brother was a duke or earl or some such thing. Far from
starched-up, though, she had an easy sense of humor and Star’s warm, welcoming
manner. Morgan, though, had all the modesty that her daughter lacked.
Leastways, she lacked it around him.
    “I’m fine, Mother, just a shock.”
    “It is as I told you, Morgan,” Ward said. “Nick has the
situation well in hand, and you know that Star is not precisely the delicate
type.”
    Star laughed. “No, Father, I am not.”
    Nick glanced at her. For all the gaiety in her voice, an
entirely different emotion settled in her eyes. Regret.
    “I never thought so, Ward,” Morgan said. “If you’ve
recovered, Star, there are some matters I wish to discuss with you. I believe
there’s a mix-up in the kitchen.”
    Nick fixed on Morgan again. Although she felt badly for her
daughter, that wasn’t the cause of the worry lines around her mouth. Morgan
hadn’t crossed the room to ease Miz Montgomery’s pain or ask for her help.
She’d come to take her away from Nick. No cattleman could be good enough her
noble-blooded daughter.
    “Why, Mother,” Miz Montgomery said carefully, “I expect you
can handle it.”
    “I should prefer to do so with your assistance, Star,” she
answered, firmly. “After all, you made most of the arrangements.”
    Star scowled at her mother. Then with a little sigh, she
rose. Nick, suddenly mindful of his manners, did as well. Sonuvabitch, but he
should’ve risen as soon as Morgan reached them. He had all gentility of a
pregnant cow.
    “If you insist, then,” Miz Montgomery said. “Nicholas, thank
you so much for your assistance. I am much better, now.” She handed him back
the brandy. “Perhaps we shall continue our conversation at another time. I
should very much like to hear your views on women’s rights.”
    He chuckled, which eased the growing tension in his
shoulders. “Ma’am, that’d be an awful short conversation. I don’t have much in
the way of views.”
    Her eyes sparkled. “Why then, I shall most certainly help
you to develop some. And my name is Star.”
    His gaze flashed briefly over Morgan, who was hooking her
arm in Star’s. “Yes ma’am. Reckon I know that.”
    She tilted her head, speculation entering her eyes. “So you
do. Perhaps someday you’ll employ it?”
    “Not likely. I know my manners.”
    “Do you? I suppose that is something I must discover for
myself,” she said, and walked away with a swish of her hips—and guilty
anticipation galloping in his chest.

CHAPTER FIVE
I would fain have it a match, and I doubt not but to fashion it, if you
three will but minister such assistance as I shall give you direction.
    Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer; his glory shall be
ours, for we are the only love-gods. Go in with me, and I will tell you my
drift.
    Ibid
Bar M, One week later
    Scanning the board, Nick calculated checkmate in three
moves. Against him, fourth time that night. Miz Montgomery had proven to be a
mighty fine chess player.
    “So how shall we entertain the Montgomerys, Jim, now that
Lee, Jess and the Winchesters are gone?” Melinda asked, walking into the parlor
after putting the kids to bed. She seated herself on the sofa next to Jim,
pulling his arm around her shoulders. Along with Ward and Morgan, the six of
them had settled in Melinda’s richly decorated parlor, with its gold-scrolled
wallpaper and crimson upholstered furniture. A coal stove heated the room.
    “Entertainment,” Ward