Sweet Enemy by Diana Palmer Read Free Book Online Page A

he probed.
    She shrugged. "Well, actually, it's Mar-garetta Leigh," she told
him, "but nobody ever calls me that."
    "Why not?" he asked gently. "I think it's lovely."
    She felt very young under those quiet, dark eyes, and out of her
depth. "Let's see about that coffee."
    He was a cattleman, as she guessed, with a large ranch near
Austin as well as real estate and oil holdings. He was also an
attractive man, with a charm that put her immediately at ease.
    "I've been overseas for a month or so."
    he told her over a cup of steaming black coffee. "In
Greece."
    The question was out before she realized it. "Did you go
to see Pompeü?"
    It seemed to startle him. "Why, yes, I did. And Troy, and the
Acropolis." He leaned forward. "Don't tell me you're an archaeology
nut."
    "I spent my childhood climbing over Indian mounds, and I read
everything I can lay my hands on about new digs," she
admitted.
    "By God," he whispered. "Sounds like me. I used to follow my
father down the rows as he plowed and pick up arrowheads, and
pieces of pottery. I spend as much time as I can…"
    "Tired, Masterson?" came a quiet, deep voice from just behind
Maggie.
    Masterson chuckled. "Beat, Clint," he admitted. "I got two hours
of sleep last night and flew out without breakfast or even a cup of
instant coffee. Margaretta took pity on me."
    Clint moved into view with Sarah Mede still attached to his arm.
He looked down at Maggie with strange, probing eyes. "Margaretta?"
he murmured curiously.
    Maggie bristled. "
It
is my name."
    "And a very pretty one," Masterson added, sipping his coffee.
"Clint, how about letting me borrow her for the evening? Just
long enough for company at the supper table, at least."
    The question seemed to surprise Clint as much as it did
Maggie.
    "I'd love to!" Maggie said without thinking. "We can talk some
more about archaeology!"
    "Archaeology?" Clint burst out, his eyes narrow and darkening.
"What the hell do you know about that?"
    She glared at him. "Quite a lot, in fact. I had two courses in
it at University, and I spent two months on a dig just last
year!"
    "I don't see what you're so upset about, Clint, honey," Sarah
murmured softly, and smiled at Maggie. "It isn't often that two people find something
like that in common. And so quickly, too. Well, as you and I
both like country-western music, Clint," she explained.
    "I'll take care of her," Masterson told Clint, and something in
his eyes seemed to convince the younger man. "I think you know me
well enough, don't you?"
    "I do," Clint said finally, his voice deep and quiet. "And you
can take that as a compliment. There aren't many men I could say
that about."
    "What is this?" Maggie grumbled, glaring at Clint. "I'm a grown
woman. I don't need a watchdog!"
    "Grown," Clint scoffed. "Twenty, and you've got all the answers,
is that it?"
    "But, Clint," Sarah cooed, "I'm just twenty-one, and you never
fuss about me…"
    "Shut up, Sarah," he said flatly.
    "You'd never say that to me," Maggie told him. "I'd flatten you
like a…!"
    "Go to hell, Maggie," Clint said with a hellish smile, and
turning, drew Sarah along with him. "Get her home by
midnight, Masterson," he called over his shoulder. "She turns
into a pumpkin if you don't."
    Masterson smiled at her. "Do you?" he asked, watching the
emotions working on her wan face.
    "I wish he would," she whispered hotly. "I don't need a big
brother any more."
    "I think you do." He folded his arms on the table and studied
her. "I'm forty-two years old, little girl. And I'll guarantee that
if Clint didn't know me personally, you'd never set foot outside
this yard with me. But I don't have designs on you, and he knows
that, too. I just need company, and it's very pleasant to have a
conversation with someone who understands carbon dating
and the lure of ancient tombs."
    She smiled. "Thank you."
    Both his heavy eyebrows went up.
    "Thank
you
. Now, how would you like to hear about
Pompeü?"
    "Oh, I'd love it!" she replied, and settled down to
listen,