A Family Kind of Guy Read Online Free PDF Page B

turned above him and bent the wet grass skirting the ledge.
    All he knew was that when he awoke, battered and broken, the helicopter had taken Bliss away and left him alone with John Cawthorne and the older man’s festering hatred. A half-smoked cigarette bobbed from the corner of Cawthorne’s mouth.
    â€œNow, you lowlife son of a bitch, you listen to me,” Cawthorne commanded in a voice barely above a whisper. His face was flushed with rage, his hands clenched into hard, gnarled fists. “You stay away from my daughter.”
    Mason didn’t answer. He couldn’t. Pain screamed up his left arm where the horse had kicked him and his chest felt so heavy he could scarcely breathe. Rain, in cold, pounding sheets, poured from the sky, peppering his face and mud-caked body as he lay, faceup, at the edge of the ravine.
    â€œBliss is half-dead, Lafferty, all because of you. You nearly cost me my best stallion as well as my daughter’s life. If I had the balls, I’d leave you here for the buzzards.” The cords of his neck, above his grimy slicker, were taut as bowstrings. “It would serve you right.” He wiped his face with a muddy hand, leaving streaks of brown on his unshaven jaw as he glared up at the heavens. “But you’re lucky. Instead of letting you die like you deserve, I’ll cut you a deal. Twenty-five thousand dollars over and above your medical bills if you walk away.”
    Mason blinked, tried to speak but couldn’t say a word. His arm wouldn’t move and his breath came in short, shallow gasps that burned like hell and seemed to rip the tissue of his lungs.
    â€œYou leave Bittersweet, never contact Bliss again and marry Terri Fremont.”
    What? His head was heavy, his mind unclear from the raging pain, but he didn’t understand. “No way. I can’t—” he forced out in a bare whisper.
    â€œYou know Terri’s pregnant with your kid.”
    No! Impossible. He hadn’t been with Terri since Bliss had entered his life two months ago, but as he blinked upward at the dark, swollen clouds and into the fury of John Cawthorne’s face, he felt a sickening sensation of calamity barreling, like the engine of a freight train, straight for him.
    â€œIt’s what you’ve always wanted, Lafferty—money the easy way. Well, now you’ve got it. Just leave Bliss alone.”
    Bile crawled up Mason’s throat and he turned his head in time to retch onto the sodden grass of Cawthorne’s land.
    â€œThe way I see it, you haven’t got much choice.”
    Mason couldn’t argue.
    â€œHave we got a deal?” He spat his cigarette onto the ground, where it sizzled before dying.
    No! Mason’s nostrils flared and he tried to force himself to his feet, got as far as his knees and fell back down, his head smacking into the mud, his arm and chest searing with agony.
    â€œMoron.” Cawthorne’s voice had lost some of its edge. “Come on, son. Think of your future. You’ve got a kid on the way. It’s time to grow up. Face responsibility. And then there’s that little matter of your sister.”
    Patty. Two years younger and beautiful, but oh, so messed up.
    â€œShe could use the money, even if you and Terri aren’t interested, but you’d better talk to the Fremont girl first. My guess is that she’s like most women and she’ll want all the money for herself and your kid.”
    No! No! No! A burning ache blasted through his brain and his eyelids begged to droop.
    â€œNow,” Cawthorne continued a little more gently, “have we got a deal?”
    No way! Mason’s head reeled. He spat. Blood and mud flew from his cracked lips.
    Cawthorne leaned down, the scent of smoke and tobacco wafting from him. “I’m giving you the chance of a lifetime, boy. All you have to do is say yes.”
    Mason closed his eyes. Blackness threatened the edges of his vision, but