Castle Rock Read Online Free PDF Page B

and Delia.”
    He grinned. “How did they happen to come here?”
    â€œI can’t imagine,” Serena said wearily. “Maybe they’re on the lam.”
    Jed hung up his saddle, turned to face her. “Seriously, Serena, how do you suppose they ever heard of Castle Rock?”
    â€œMaybe they thought we were a cruise ship.”
    Jed laughed, but he persisted. “No, look at it. They had to know where they were coming. Why don’t you talk to her, see if you can find out why they came here.”
    â€œI’d rather talk to a hooded cobra.”
    Jed laughed again.
    Serena finished with the bridle, hung it, and turned toward the door. Jed came with her. As they stepped out into the bright sunshine, she said, “If you want to, you can talk to her yourself tonight.”
    â€œTonight?”
    â€œYou are coming, aren’t you?” she asked, suddenly breathless. “We always have what Uncle Dan calls a social every Friday night during the summer. All the guests are invited, and the family, and you, too, of course.”
    â€œI’m just a hired hand.”
    â€œUncle Dan said he especially wanted you to come.” He hadn’t, but he would, Serena knew, be pleased.
    â€œIn that event, I’ll come,” Jed said easily. “I’ll look forward to it.”
    Serena looked forward to the evening, too.
    This first social of the summer was going to be especially festive. Serena had worked all week, making the arrangements, making sure there were plenty of country and western tapes for the stereo, including, of course, the Texas two-step and San Antonio promenade. She had rearranged the furniture in the den so there would be plenty of room for dancing, and she had stocked the bar, including Coors and wine for the ladies, since Uncle Dan didn’t believe in hard spirits for ladies. After Mrs. Minter discovered the bar didn’t run to gin, Serena wondered how the evening would go. But that, she felt, was Mrs. Minter’s problem. Probably the arrival of the neighbors would distract her. There were some very attractive men at some of the surrounding ranches.
    Serena helped Millie clear the dinner dishes, then checked on the hors d’ouevres. When everything was ready, she hurried upstairs to dress. She swept her hair back in a chignon and lightly touched her cheeks with blush. She chose a long swirling skirt but couldn’t decide between a saucy peasant blouse or a more low-cut soft cotton top. Smiling, she finally slipped on the low-cut blouse and added a necklace of shining turquoise. Uncle Dan had given the necklace to her on her twenty-first birthday. She looked into the long mirror. Her hair shone softly, the color of a midnight sky. The blue-green of the turquoise emphasized the vivid green of her eyes. She looked lovely and she knew it with a surge of delight. Excitement hung in the air. She had not so looked forward to an evening for a long, long time.
    The party began gloriously, despite the Minters. Old friends arrived in a drove, the Salazars from Circle Bar M, the Mackenzies from Burnt Hill, the Berrys from Dutchman Creek, the Montoyas from Crazy Horse. The den resounded with booming voices and laughter and lots of talk, the outlook for the fall beef prices, the battle against new federal regulations, the worry of the continuing drought, the price of feed. And the dudes mixed in, welcomed by the friendly ranch families.
    Except, of course, for the Minters.
    Sam Berry from Dutchman Creek took a liking to Mrs. Minter. Sam stood six feet two in his stockings, was built like a brown bear, and had a reputation as a brawler. He and Lou Minter retired to a secluded corner near the gun rack. Replenishing a relish tray near them, Serena overheard an animated discussion of the blackjack table at the Sahara. Serena glanced across the room at Sam Berry’s wife, Chrissie, caught a look of weariness, and felt a pang of sympathy. Why did some men have to