High Lonesome Read Online Free Page A

have to say, it’s not becoming.”
    Her eyes flashed and she opened her mouth to retaliate, but the look on his face must have given her pause. The blaze in his temper dared her to go on. He was generally mild mannered and easy going, but he could get fired up when pushed. She clamped her mouth shut.
    Instead, she snuggled close again and purred, “I’m sorry, baby. I’m just tired, and a little jealous. I’ll admit it. Walking in and seeing a woman in your bed threw me for a loop. It’s been so long since I’ve shared your bed. I’ve been missing you. Will you forgive me?” She placed her lips against his cheek and let them linger for a couple of seconds. Backing away, she scrunched her nose and complained, “You need a shave, darlin’.”
    Scott put his hand at the small of her back and guided her to the driveway where she had parked her car, a red Audi Roadster.
    “Do us both a favor and admit it,” she hounded. “You think she’s beautiful, too.”
    “Oh, Joanna, please. I hadn’t even noticed.” He opened the car door and thanked her again for rushing out. “I’ll see you this afternoon at three. Okay?”
    “Okay.” She climbed in, not bothering to pull down her skirt when it shimmied up her thigh, and slammed the door.
    He leaned in and they shared a brief kiss. Then Scott watched her put the convertible in gear and speed down the drive, kicking up rocks in her wake. “Slow down!” he hollered through the dust.
    Joanna stuck her arm out the window and gave him a backhanded wave.
    He entered the house and tromped up the stairs, feeling guilty about lying to Joanna. The truth was he was attracted to the woman ensconced in his bed. But more than that—strange as it seemed—he’d felt not just a physical connection, but also a strong emotional bond to her the moment he’d laid eyes on her. It unnerved him. How could a perfect stranger cause his heart to race the way it was right now? And why was he imagining what it’d be like to kiss her?
    Even though the bedroom door was open, and it was his room, Scott knocked on the door just the same, out of courtesy. He peeked in and discovered the old iron bed empty.
    Carmen stepped out of the master bathroom like it was hers. “I hope you don’t mind, but the lady asked if she could take a bath. She said she felt grimy, and she wanted to wash her hair. I ran a bath and got her some clean towels.”
    “I should have thought of it myself,” Scott admitted.
    “Men don’t think like women,” Carmen replied as she passed by. “Come on out of here. Go unload your grain sacks. Let her have some privacy.”
    “Okay, okay. You’re getting bossier as you grow older, you know? Doesn’t she need some clean clothes to change into when she’s done?”
    “ Si , Mr. Scott. She needs clothes. I’m going to throw away those rags she came in here with.”
    “Don’t do that,” he said. “The sheriff might want to test them. Maybe he can take DNA from them. That could identify her.”
    “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking this time,” Carmen confessed. “As for the clean clothes, I know where there is a closet full of things she could borrow.”
    A dull ache pulsed through Scott’s veins.
    Carmen must have noted the shadow that passed across his face—the face she’d seen change from lanky young boy to the man he was now. She lowered her voice. “If you approve, I’ll pick out a few basics. She’s about the same size as Maggie, don’t you think?”
    “Yes,” he answered. “Go ahead and get her what she needs to look presentable. I’ll buy her some new clothes later when we go to town.”
    “She will appreciate that, Mr. Scott. She seems like a real sweet person.” Carmen gave him a tender hug before leaving the bedroom.
    Pausing in the doorframe, he heard a soft sound coming from behind the bathroom door. Listening, he heard the drip…drip…drip of the hot water faucet he hadn’t yet gotten around to fixing. He tried to imagine how his