The Traveling Kind by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online Page A

wouldn’t.
    He didn’t try to argue with her but his look narrowed with displeasure on Shad. “Your brother needs to have a talk with that man. A man shouldn’t be taking his shirt off to work when there is a woman present. It isn’t proper.”
    “I imagine he didn’t want to ruin his shirt with grease and oil from that old truck. Besides, it doesn’t offend me.” Charley was careful not to smile at Chuck’s criticism and silently wondered if he wasn’t perhaps a little envious of Shad’s virile form. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on Chuck’s frame. It was simply that his muscles had settled around his middle! She doubted that Chuck had ever been built like Shad, even when he was younger.
    “I still say it shows a lack of respect,” he insisted stubbornly.
    “It’s getting warm out here in the sun.” With a change of subject, she directed his attention away from Shad. “Let’s go in the house and have a cold drink.” As she started to move toward the house Chuck was quick to follow.
    “I know you want to chat with Gary while you’re here.”
    “Yes, of course, I do.” His quick reply told her what she already knew. He hadn’t stopped to see her brother. It was her company he wanted. “How is he?”
    “Much better.”
    Gary was sound asleep on the couch, snoring his way through a rick of logs when they entered the house. Charley ignored Chuck’s protests not to disturb him and shook her brother’s shoulder to waken him. He stirred groggily, then spied their guest and pushed himself into a sitting position. Charley plumped some pillows and positioned them against the armrest to support his back so Gary could keep his broken leg stretched on the couch.
    Gary stifled a yawn with his hand and smiled sleepily at his neighbor. “What brings you over here, Chuck?”
    “I just wanted to see how you were getting along.” Chuck Weatherby lowered his stocky frame into the armchair that matched the blue-flowered sofa.
    “Oh?” Gary slid a knowing glance at Charley. “I thought it might have been my sister that you came to see.”
    She buried her brother with a killing smile. “I’m going to fix a cold drink. What would you like? Lemonade or iced tea?” Both men chose lemonade and she excused herself to go to the kitchen. “It will only take me a few minutes.”
    As always happened whenever the two ranchers were left alone together, they became embroiled in a discussion of ranching, the livestock market, the effects of the weather, and this year versus previous years. It was something Charley had counted on and she wasn’t disappointed when she returned to the living room to serve them their glasses of iced lemonade.
    While they talked around her, she strategically placed coasters on the coffee table in front of the sofa so the walnut finish wouldn’t be marred by water rings. Then she relaxed in the gold recliner with her glass of lemonade and raised the footrest. Chuck didn’t expect a woman to be knowledgeable about the subjects they were discussing, so she wasn’t obliged to take part in the conversation. Charley was content to sit in the chair and let the talk flow around her.
    After about an hour the conversation digressed to the topic of politics. Charley daydreamed through most of it until she heard someone come in the back door of the kitchen. Aware that it had to be Shad, she stirred from the reclining lounge chair. Her movement attracted Chuck’s attention and she received a questioning look.
    “With all this dry talk, I thought you might like some more lemonade,” she said.
    He glanced at his empty glass and nodded. “Yes, I would.”
    “I’ll bring in the pitcher.” She quietly exited the room.
    Shad was standing at the sink when she entered the kitchen. He turned sideways to glance at her as she approached. He had put his shirt on but hadn’t bothered to button it or tuck it inside his Levi’s. It hung loose, giving her a glimpse of his bare chest. Swinging back to the