Ladd Fortune Read Online Free PDF Page B

his property to do with as he sees fit. Apparently,
that judgment didn’t include you.”
    “ I’m not sure if you know my
father, but he’s not exactly of right mind,” Jeremiah said, tapping
Malcolm with a glance as though putting him on notice,
too.
    “ His mind is right enough to
know a losing proposition when he sees one.”
    Jeremiah stilled. His features remain
pasted with ease, but his eyes grew cold. “I guess banging my
cousin makes you feel entitled to insult me, but I’d advise against
it. I’m not a man to contend with lightly.”
    Delaney gripped the edge of butcher
block, taken aback. Jeremiah had nerve, she’d give him that. Near
the same height as Nick, his build was nowhere near the mass. One
strike from Nick and Jeremiah would go down. In a flicker of
wishful thinking, Delaney almost hoped he would.
    “ Nothing less than I’d
expect from a guy like you, resorting to trash talk when you have
no facts on your side. Pathetic, but predictable.”
    Malcolm stood silent.
Vigilant.
    Jeremiah’s façade showed the first
signs of cracking. “Take your shots now, funny man, because soon
there will only be one us laughing and I’ll take great pleasure in
watching you run out of town with your tail between your
legs.”
    Nick stepped toward him and Delaney
braced for impact.
    “ Gentlemen,” Malcolm
interceded, placing a hand to Nick’s forearm. “I think these
matters are better discussed in a court of law.”
    Malcolm knew his partner well, Delaney
thought, heartened by his presence. No sense in giving Jeremiah an
assault charge to add to his list of grievances. Lawyers lapped
that stuff up like butter on a biscuit. Privately she doubted
Malcolm was physically capable of putting a stop to a fight should
one break out. Loafers, linen slacks and silk shirt suggested a man
unaccustomed to the bull ring.
    “ Believe me, we will.”
Jeremiah squared his shoulders to the men before him. “Take this as
your notice. You will be served.”
    Nick chuckled derisively. “Fancy words
for a country boy.”
    Malcolm turned to Nick, but said
nothing.
    “ Expectations have a way of
surprising,” Jeremiah said, as though his confidence had never
escaped him. He looked to Delaney and winked. “See you
later.”
    The three of them watched him go,
Malcolm tossing the door closed behind him. “What the hell were you
doing?” he said to Nick. “Are you trying to stoke him into
attack?”
    Nick glowered. “He’s a cocky bastard
who deserves a firm one across the jaw.”
    “ Whether he does or doesn’t
is not relevant. You hit him and you’re adding to the problem.”
Anger rippled through Malcolm’s calm. He lobbed a glance between
Nick and Delaney and said, “The man may have a case.”
    “ Do you think he does?”
Delaney asked.
    Malcolm nodded. “I think it’s a
possibility. And a headache we don’t need.”

 
     
     
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    “ Aw, sugar, you haven’t
touched your coke,” Aunt Frannie said as she rubbed Lacy’s back in
the quiet of the diner. Fran’s Diner was the place to go for breakfast, lunch
and dinner, but at the moment, the main lunch crowd had cleared.
Cooks prepared for dinner, the air drenched with the sumptuous
smell of Lacy’s favorite fried chicken and fried okra. Mixed with
the scent of her aunt’s Shalimar perfume, it reminded Lacy of her
momma. It was the perfume of choice for both women, one that held
fond memories. Every time she’d caught a drift of the fragrance in
Atlanta, Lacy had been transported back home, to the wonderful
world of family, friends and fun.
    None of which her hometown resembled at
the moment. Hitched up to the eat-in bar, her elbows propped on the
counter, she dropped her chin to her palms. Home wasn’t as sweet as
she remembered. It was downright bitter.
    “ Annie will come around,”
Frannie added quietly, her loving blue eyes filled with compassion.
Red hair tucked up in her hair net, her uniform the same
white-collared dress