Something More by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online

expression, along with an answering flicker of cautious interest. That told him right then and there that she wasn’t the kind of woman who was free and easy with men. Part of him was disappointed.
    Observing the exchange, Ima Jane inserted a sly, “In case you’re wondering, Angie, Luke is single.”
    A hint of color rose in her cheeks. Luke covered the awkward moment with a chuckle, resuming his seat. “Don’t mind Ima Jane. Along with all the other things she does on the side, she’s been thinking about trying her hand at matchmaking.”
    â€œAnd what’s wrong with that?” Ima Jane challenged in mock indignation. “Here I have two attractive people sitting at my bar—alone on a Saturday night. What’s wrong with trying to bring them together if I can? Surely there’s no harm in that, is there?”
    â€œNo, there’s no harm in it,” Angie agreed, her smile pointedly polite, offering no encouragement to either of them.
    â€œYou’ve made your pitch, Ima Jane. Now it’s time to back off,” Luke told her, amused by the ploy.
    â€œIf you say so.” Ima Jane lifted her shoulders in an expressive shrug and shifted over to the bar sink, then caught up a towel to wipe the glasses on the drainboard. “Where is home for you, Angie?” she asked, changing the subject, but Luke knew better than to think she was giving up.
    â€œSouthern Iowa.” Holding the mug in both hands, Angie sipped at its sweetened contents, then lowered it, murmuring appreciatively, “Mmm, the coffee tastes good.”
    â€œWhat brings you to Glory?” Ima Jane was too nosy not to ask.
    â€œSome family business.”
    Startled by the answer, Ima Jane halted in midswipe. “You have family here?”
    Luke could practically see Ima Jean sifting through her memory banks trying to recall which of the local residents had relatives in Iowa.
    â€œIn a manner of speaking, I—wait a minute.” Angie abruptly lowered the coffee mug and turned wide, questioning eyes on Luke. “What was the name of your ranch again?”
    â€œThe Ten Bar,” he replied, with a slightly puzzled frown.
    â€œThe Ten Bar.” She tested the sound of it, then dived into her purse, digging until she came up with a small, spiral notebook. She flipped through the first few pages; skimmed the handwritten notations on them; then planted the pad of her finger on a page and released a low, exultant laugh. “The Ten Bar. I knew that sounded familiar.” Her dark eyes were sparkling when she looked at Luke. “That’s where my grandfather’s body was found.”
    The announcement stunned both Luke and Ima Jane. But Ima Jane was quicker to recover her speech.
    â€œThat was your grandfather?” she repeated on an incredulous note, then darted a quick glance at Luke. “We had heard the body had been identified, but they hadn’t released any name.”
    â€œThey’re probably waiting until they get the records I brought with me before they make it official.” Angie returned the notebook to her purse. “But there really isn’t any doubt it’s him.”
    â€œWhat was your grandfather’s name?” As always, Ima Jane went straight for the facts.
    Angie hesitated ever so slightly before answering. “Henry James Wilson.” Then she added, with a smile of fond remembrance, “But my grandma always called him Hank.”
    Luke fired a glance at Ima Jane, but the significance of the name clearly hadn’t registered. Smiling to himself, he took a leisurely sip of his drink and wondered how long it would take before the name sunk in.

Chapter Four
    â€œA nd now you’ve come all the way to Glory to claim the body. That’s nice.” Ima Jane nodded in approval. “Will you be taking him back to Iowa for burial?”
    â€œThat’s what I’d like to do,” Angie admitted, then switched