People Will Talk Read Online Free PDF Page B

the range of possibilities
presented by her furious brain. Unfortunately, getting an Uzi and
wiping them all out might lead to some jail time. They probably
weren't worth it.
    As Nora stood there, talking herself out of
committing murder, a sneer appeared on Cissy's face. Challenge in
her eyes, she pitched her voice louder and said, "I just hope Bret
knows what he's doing letting slime like her crawl into his
bed."
    "Who says they do it in a bed?" the cowboy
questioned with an ugly grin. "Some women'll put out anywhere.
"
    Hot, angry words quivered on Nora's tongue,
urgent and heedless. Before she realized it, she'd taken several
impetuous steps in their direction.
    Stopping in front of the circle of men, Nora
said to the cowboy, "Considering who's draped over you now, I guess
you speak from personal experience."
    The men around the stove erupted in laughter as
Cissy stiffened, her face darkening as Nora's meaning hit
home.
    "Oh, I could never match you," Cissy spat out.
"I don't have the stomach for sleeping with old men for
money."
    Nora stood before the group, aware of the men's
avid, expectant gazes. They wanted a cat fight, and would obviously
relish a brawl between the two women.
    She should have known better than to have
responded to their slurs. Nothing good could come of this kind of
mudslinging.
    Turning away, she walked quickly to the door as
a swell of murmurs and snickers rose from the group.
    "Nora." Hoyt's voice caught her as she grasped
the handle.
    She turned her head, struggling to keep her
emotions off her face.
    ''I'll make sure and point out your
announcement to anyone who might be interested," he said. His eyes
were kind, his compassionate gaze comforting.
    "Thank you, Mr. Daniels," Nora said before
pushing open the door.
    Once outside, the chill wind gusted in her face
like a slap. Nora caught her breath, an angry sob escaping
her.
    It wasn't fair! She'd done nothing to entice
Richard's boss. If anything, she had tried to avoid the
man!
    Stewing over it didn't do any good. All she
could do was grit her teeth and wait for the jackals to find fresh
meat. But she'd show them. Someday her riding school would be the
biggest thing in Stoneburg. She'd make it happen or die
trying.
    ******

Chapter Three
    The warm smell of horses and sweet hay filled
the barn, warding off some of the chill in Nora's bones. Winter's
return to North Texas had made a rough workout for her and Chessie
this afternoon. She'd cut it short when the wind picked up, but not
before heading out to the fields for a wild gallop that set her
heart pounding.
    Nora kept up a steady rhythm, brushing
Chessie's coat in even strokes, focusing on her movements in hopes
of ignoring the prickle of excitement that ran across her
skin.
    Every now and then, a clatter from the tack
room reinforced her awareness of Bret's presence in the barn. He'd
breezed in after she started working on Chessie, his brief greeting
and tantalizing grin igniting a flurry of awareness in
her.
    She tried to dismiss the memory of the
sensation of being in his arms, the rush of breathless passion his
kiss brought. Unfortunately, her efforts weren't very
successful.
    The dim light in the stall seemed almost cozy,
while the mare's breathing accompanied by the shifting sounds of
animal life filled the barn. Blowing on her hands to try to warm
them, Nora ignored the wind shrieking around the
building.
    This was where she felt the most peaceful,
sharing a silent communication with a horse. Putting Chessie
through her paces every day gave a structure, a purpose to Nora's
time that far exceeded anything she'd gained from her days living
with Richard.
    A niggle of frustration tugged at her. How long
would it take for the people of Stoneburg to accept her again? The
scene in the feed store still grated on her nerves. She'd regretted
responding to the taunts. It hadn't done any good and might have
strengthened Cissy's determination to cause trouble.
    The sound of the barn door opening