Dream's End Read Online Free PDF Page A

mouth. “Yes, you are,” he murmured. “You were afraid of me the first day you came here. You still are.”
    â€œWords don’t frighten me, Mr. Matherson,” she replied tightly.
    â€œYou aren’t afraid of anything I might say, or my temper,” he agreed. “But,” his voice dropped, low and caressing, “you’re terrified of me in a physical sense. Or didn’t you think I could feel you trembling, Eleanor?”
    With a start, she realized that she was, and her cheeks blistered red. With a cry, she tore away from him, and he let her escape, standing there like some proud conqueror, confidence glittering out of his eyes as he pinned her with them.
    What might have happened then, she never knew, because the sound of a car purring up the driveway claimed their attention. Eleanor turned and went quickly out the door with Curry right behind her. Jim got out of his big Buick and faced the taller man, his eyes blazing.
    â€œI’m taking Norie out for the day,” he told Curry flatly. “If you’ve got any objections, I’ll be glad to listen.”
    Curry glanced back. “I told you last night that I didn’t want you near this spread!” he said in a low, dangerous tone.
    â€œThen I’ll send one of the hands after her from now on,” Jim replied, “but until she works out her notice, I’ll see her every damned day if I want to.”
    â€œThen you’d better send one of your boys,” Curry replied hotly, “because I’ll have you shot if you drive through the gate!”
    Eleanor gaped at her boss, barely able to believe what she’d just heard. She’d never seen Curry in such a temper before, nor had she ever heard him make an irrational threat.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Curry?” Jim probed sharply. “Jealous?”
    Curry’s eyes caught fire and burned. Eleanor got in the car and slammed the door, her eyes pleading with Jim to let it go before something violent happened. She didn’t recognize Curry in this strangemood, and she was afraid of his unpredictability.
    â€œJim, let’s go, let’s go now, all right?” she pleaded softly.
    With insolent slowness, he slid in beside her. She didn’t dare look at Curry as they drove away.
    Halfway down the long driveway she breathed a sigh of relief. “I didn’t think I was going to get away with it for a minute there. I’ve never seen him like that!”
    â€œBecause he gets his own way most of the time,” he said tightly. “Not this time, though. Don’t let him put the pressure on you, Norie. He’s so damned underhanded, I wouldn’t put anything past him.”
    â€œCurry’s not…”
    â€œHe’s dangerous,” he repeated. “I don’t think he’d ever hurt you physically, but we both know what his temper’s already done to you. Just take it slow and easy, all right? Don’t press your luck.”
    Eleanor wasn’t sure that she believedhim, but she nodded to be agreeable. She was too tired to argue.
    â€œNorie,” he said gently, catching her eyes as she glanced toward him, “what did he say to you?”
    She shifted uncomfortably and gazed out the window instead of looking at him. “Too much, and I’d rather not talk about it now, okay?”
    â€œSure, hon,” he agreed quietly. “If you’d rather not go back at all…”
    â€œI would, but I gave my word, Jim.” She sighed. “I can’t go back on it, no matter how much I might like to. It’s not my way.”
    â€œStubborn little Texas mule,” he chuckled. “Tough as old boots, aren’t you?”
    On the outside, at least, she thought, but she laughed anyway and saw the light come back into his grim face.
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    They rode around looking at crops for a while—it was one of Jim’s favorite pastimes, and Eleanor enjoyed the feel of thebig