Running Wild by Denise Eagan Read Free Book Online Page B

asked, from his armchair. He looked
over a pair of reading glasses, used to peruse the paper in his lap. “Why, that
is quite obliging of you, Melinda, but you need not trouble yourself. To be
sure, we’ve been more entertained these last weeks than we have been in years.”
    Detecting the quiet irony in Ward’s voice, Nick’s lips
twitched. After four weeks of wedding and honeymoon plans, Christmas
preparations, and people arriving and departing more often than passengers at a
train station, it was a marvel that any of them was still awake at nine p.m. In
the week since they’d returned to the Bar M, the children had hardly made a
peep at bedtime.
    “I, for one,” Morgan answered, turning a page in her book,
“am thankful for the quiet. I love my son and new daughter-in-law, but I must
confess I was not altogether displeased to see them leave. You young people are
a fatiguing lot.”
    “Aye, you are!” Ward agreed.
    “We’re fine, Melinda,” Jim said affectionately. “You’ve done
a remarkable job.”
    “Oh, yes,” Miz Montgomery answered warmly. “You certainly
have entertained us quite well. Nicholas, are you ever going to make a move?”
    He glanced up at her. Miz Montgomery was dressed in a
high-necked white shirtwaist and brown skirt tonight, not the kind of thing
that’d catch a man’s eye. Didn’t matter. In his mind he saw her as clear as day
in the tight gold gown she’d worn at Lee’s wedding. Worse, every time she
leaned over to study the board, her scent filled his nose, sending his mind off
into wicked fantasies of what the rest of her smelled like. “I’m analyzin’ my
options,” he grumbled. “Be a comfort to this old heart to win at least one game against you.”
    Ward chuckled. “You won’t,” he said, rustling his newspaper.
“No one wins against Star, which is the very reason we all refuse to play with
her.”
    “I thought it was ’cause she’s a poor loser.”
    “It is entirely possible,” Ward said, “but as we have yet to
see her lose, we’ve yet to test that theory.”
    “Father,” Star said with a small chuckle, which tickled
Nick’s ears. “You know that’s not true. I lost many a game when you first
taught me how to play.”
    Out of the corner of his eye, Nick caught Ward’s rare smile.
“Why, I suppose that’s true when I turn my mind back over the years. You shall
permit me to point out, however, that a loss or two is expected of a
five-year-old child.”
    “Well,” Melinda interjected, “I know most of us are a bit
weary after these weeks, but from what I understand, Star is used to more
exercise.”
    Sonuvabitch! Nick glanced in Mel’s direction. A light flush
colored her face, while her warm brown eyes had brightened. Those eyes had
lulled many a man into a false sense of security. Add her tendency to appear
jingle-brained and her overly romantic sensibilities, and even with a ring on
her finger, Melinda had men falling all over themselves to help out “the poor
young thang.” He and Jim knew better, though. The rare times Melinda called
upon it, her brain worked fine enough, and under that soft exterior rode
rock-hard determination. Right now her tone cautioned him that she was about to
use both against him; Melinda’s attempts at matchmaking were legendary.
    “Well, that’s it, ma’am,” Nick said to Miz Montgomery and
sat back. Time to clear out before Melinda started in on her latest fandango.
He yawned and tried for a casual stretch. “You win.”
    “Pray do not trouble yourself on my behalf, Melinda,” Miz
Montgomery said. “I’m accustomed to less exercise in the winter.” She turned
back to him, cocking one silky black eyebrow. “What do you mean ‘that’s it’
Nicholas?” she asked. “You’re not quitting, are you?”
    “Nope,” he said, pushing back his chair. “Just concedin’
defeat, or will in three moves. No reason to play on, is all.”
    “But there is every reason to play on!” she sputtered.