[Brown Sandra] Texas Chase(BookFi.org)

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Texas! Chase

Sandra Brown

A l so b y S an dr a B ro wn

LO VE B E YO N D R EA S ON

A T RE AS UR E W OR TH S EE KI NG

S HA D OW S O F Y ES TE RD A Y

W HE RE T HE RE 'S S MO KE

CHARADE THE WITNESS

TEXAS'. LUCKY

TEXAS! SAGE

TEXAS! Chase

Sandra Brown

W AR N ER B O OK S

Prologue

" Ch as e, p le as e, l et 's g et o ut o f h er e.

W e s ho ul dn 't b ot her h er ."

T he h us he d w or ds h ad t o p en et ra te p ai n a nd n ar co ti cs t o r ea ch h er . S om eh ow t he y d id . M ar ci e

J oh ns p ri ed o pe n h er s wo ll en e ye s.

T he h os pi tal r oo m w as d im , b ut t he s cant d ay li gh t l eaki ng t hr ou gh t he d rawn b li nd s s eemed p ai nf ul lybrilliant. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust.

C ha se T yl er w as s ta nd in g a t t he s id e o f h er b ed . W it h h im w as h is y ou ng er b ro th er . L uc ky , w ho m s he

recognized though they'd never met.

Chase was staring down at her with unstinting intensity. Lucky seemed apprehensive.

T hou gh s he c ou ld n' t b e s pe ci fi c a bo ut t he t im e o f d ay, s he b el ie ve d i t t o b e t he m or ni ng f ol lo wi ng t he

f at al aut o accid en t. E ar li er , t he eff icient h os pi tal s taff h ad m ov ed h er f ro m an i nt en si ve car e u ni t i nt o t hi s

s ta nd ar d r oo m a t

St. Luke's Methodist Hospital.


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S he h ad b ee n e xa mi ne d b y a t ea m o f d oc to rs , e ac h o f w ho m s pe ci al iz ed i n a d if fe re nt f ie ld , a nd h ad

been informed that her injuries were serious but not critical. She had suffered a concussion, a broken arm

and col l ar bo ne, an d s h ock .

S he w as g ra te fu l t o b e a li ve a nd r el ie ve d t ha t h er p ro gn os is f or a f ul l r ec ov er y w as p os it iv e. B ut n o o ne

had mentioned Tanya.

F ro m t he m om en t s he r eg ai ned con scio us ness i n t he i nt en si ve car e u ni t, s he h ad f rant ical ly ask ed

q ue st io ns a bo ut T an ya . A t l as t t he y t ol d h er : T an ya T yl er h ad d ie d u po n i mp ac t i n t he c ra sh . A T ex as

T ec h s tu de nt , h om e f or s um me r v ac at io n, h ad r un a s to p s ig n a nd h it t he c ar b ro ad si de .

M ar ci e h ad b ee n w ea ri ng h er s ea t b el t. E ve n s o, s he 'd b ee n h ur le d t o t he s id e a nd m om en tu m h ad

brought her up and forward. Her head had crashed into the windshield. Her face was bruised and

a br ad ed . B ot h e ye s h ad b ee n b ad ly b ru is ed . H er n os e a nd l ip s w er e b at te re d a nd s wo ll en . H er s ho ul de r

w as i n a c as t de si gn ed t o k ee p h er b ro ke n a rm e le va te d.

T he i mpa ct t ha t ha d done s o muc h

d am ag e t o h er h ad i ns tant ly k il led C hase's w if e.

I n l es s t ha n t we nt y- fo ur h ou rs , C ha se h ad u nd er go ne a p hy si ca l c ha ng e a s d ra st ic i n a pp ea ra nc e a s

M ar ci e' s i nj ur ies. H is h an ds om e f eatu res w er e n ow r av ag ed b y g ri ef . H e w as d is heveled, u ns haven,

bleary-eyed. If she hadn't known him for most of her life, if his face hadn't always been dear to her,

Marcie might not have recognized him.

S he h ad b ee n r et ai ne d a s t he T yl er s' r ea l e st at e a ge nt , b ut h ad b ee n w or ki ng s tr ic tl y w it h T an ya . T he y

h ad l oo ke d a t s eve ra l p rop er ti es o ve r t he c our se of a f ew w ee ks , b ut

M ar ci e' s ent hu si as m f or o ne p ar ti cu lar h ou se h ad b een con tagi ou s. T an ya h ad f al len i n l ov e w it h i t and

w as e ag er t o s ee i f C ha se 's o pi ni on w ou ld m at ch h er s.

Ch as e T yl er and M ar ci e J oh ns h ad g on e t hr ou gh t hi rt een g rades o f p ub li c s ch oo li ng t og et her, b ut h ad n' t

s ee n e ac h o th er f or y ea rs , u nt il y es te rd ay w he n s he a nd T an ya h ad u ne xp ec te dl y c al le d o n h im a t t he

office of Tyler

Drilling Company.

" Go os ey !" He ha d s to od a nd r ou nd ed h is d es k t o g re et he r wi th a h an ds ha ke , t he n a q ui ck, ha rd h ug .

" Hi , C ha se ," s he h ad s ai d, l au gh in g a t t he a nc ie nt n ic kn am e. " It 's g oo d t o s ee y ou ."

" Wh y h av en 't yo u b ee n t o a ny o f o ur c la ss r eu ni on s? " H is s mi le m ad e he r b el ie ve h im w he n h e a dd ed,

"You look fantastic."

" I can 't b el ieve y ou 'r e cal li ng h er b y t hat h or ri d n am e, " T an ya h ad exclaim ed .

"Y ou d id n' t t ak e any o ff en se, d id y ou ?"

C h a se a s ke d .

" Of c our se n ot . I f I c ou ld b ea r i t a s a s ens it ive , s el f- con sc iou s a do le sc en t, I c an b ea r i t a s a m at ur e a dul t.


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A s f or t he c la ss r eu ni on s, I

l i ve d i n H ou st on f or s ev er al y ea rs , b ut i t w as n ev er c on ve ni en t f or m e t o m ak e o ne ."

H e g av e h er an app ro vi ng o nce- ov er . " Yo u' re r eall y l oo ki ng t er ri fi c, M ar ci e. T he y ears h av e b een m or e

than kind. They've been generous.

I h ea r y ou r b us in es s i s go in g g re at g un s, t oo ."

" Th an k y ou , and y es , I 'v e enj oy ed b ei ng i n b us in es s f or m ys el f. T he eco no my h as s lo wed t hi ng s d ow n

t he p as t y ea r o r t wo , b ut I 'm h an gi ng i n t he re ."

" Wi s h I cou ld s ay t he s am e, " C has e h ad r emar ked g oo d- nat ur edl y.

" Oh , b ut I u nd er st an d y ou 'v e g ot s om et hi ng v er y s peci al t o cel eb rate."

" I t ol d h er abo ut t he b ab y, " T an ya i nf or med h im . " An d s he's con vi nced m e t hat even t ho ug h o ur b ud geti s t ight , we c an a ff or d a h ous e, a nd t ha t now i s a n e xc el le nt t ime t o buy. I t' s a buye r' s ma rke t," s he ha d

t ol d h im , r ep eati ng w hat M ar ci e h ad t ol d h er ear li er .

" Sh ou ld I b e r each in g f or m y checkb oo k?" h e h ad ask ed t easi ng ly .

" No t y et . M ar ci e a nd I wa nt y ou t o c om e s ee t he h ous e s he s ho we d m e y es te rda y. I

t hi nk i t' s p er fect . W il l y ou com e?"

"What, now?"

"Please."

" So rr y, s we et he ar t, b ut I c an 't ," C ha se h ad s ai d.

Tanya's animated face became crestfallen.

"I f i t w er e a ny o th er t im e, I w ou ld , b ut I 'm e xpe ct in g a r ep f ro m t he i ns ur an ce c om pa ny

He w as s upp os ed t o b e he re r ig ht a ft er l unc h, b ut c al le d t o s ay he w as r unn ing l at e. I ne ed t o b e he re

when he arrives."

M ar ci e r em em be re d s ay in g, " I r ea d i n t he m or ni ng p ap er s t ha t y ou r b ro th er h as b ee n c le ar ed o f t ho se

ridiculous arson charges."

" Is t her e ano th er p ro bl em, C has e?"

"No," he had said, reassuringly pressing

T an ya 's h an d b et we en h is . " We j us t n ee d t o g o o ve r t he i nv en to ry o f a ll t he e qu ip me nt w e l os t a nd

discuss our claim."

She sighed with disappointment. "Well, maybe tomorrow."


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" Or e ve n l at er t od ay ," h e h ad o ff er ed . " Wh y d on 't y ou g o l oo k a t t he h ou se a ga in , a nd i f y ou 'r e s ti ll

e xc it ed a bo ut i t, c al l m e. M ay be I

c an m ee t y ou t he re a ft er h e l ea ve s. T ha t i s, i f y ou 'r e f re e, M ar ci e. "

" I b lo ck ed o ut t he e nt ir e a ft er no on f or T an ya a nd y ou ."

T an ya, s mi li ng again , h ad t hr ow n h er arm s aro un d C hase's n eck and k is sed h im s ou nd ly o n t he m ou th . " I

l ov e y ou . A nd y ou 'r e g oi ng t o l ov e t hi s h ou se."

W it h h is a rm s a rou nd h er w ai st , h e h ad h ug ge d h er t ig ht . " I p ro ba bl y w il l, b ut n ot a s m uc h a s I l ov e y ou .

Call me later."

F ol lo wi ng t he m t o t he d oo rw ay , h e h ad w av ed t he m o ff .

Th at wa s t he l as t t im e T an ya a nd Ch as e h ad s ee n e ac h ot he r, t ou ch ed , k is se d. M ar ci e a nd Ta ny a h ad

g on e w it ho ut h im and h ad s pent ano th er h ou r t ou ri ng t he v acan t h ou se.

" Ch as e i s g oi ng t o l ov e t hi s, " T an ya h ad s ai d a s t he y w al ke d t hr ou gh y et a no th er s pa ci ou s r oo m. H er

e xc it em ent h ad b ee n a s k ee n a s t ha t of a c hi ld wi th a s ec re t. H er s mi le h ad be en s o s we et . He r e ye s h ad

sparkled with exuberance over life in general.

Now s he w as d ea d.

A t t he s i gh t o f h er g ri ev in g w id ow er , M ar ci e' s s or e chest m us cles con tr act ed aro un d h er h eart . " Ch as e,

I 'm s or ry ," s he w heezed . " So s or ry ."

S he w an te d t o r ea ch o ut a nd t ou ch h im , a nd s he t ri ed t o b ef or e r ea li zi ng t ha t h er a rm a nd c ol la rb on ew er e u nm ov ab le i n t heir cas t.

H ad h e c om e t o r eb uk e h er f or b ei ng a r ec kl es s d ri ve r? D id he bl am e t he a cc id en t o n he r? W as s he t o

blame?

" We w e n ev er e ve n s aw h im ." H er v oi ce w as t hi n a nd f ai nt a nd u nf am il ia r t o h er o wn e ar s. " It w as

just a racket and"

C ha se l ow er ed h im se lf i nt o t he c ha ir b es id e h er b ed . H e b ar el y r es em bl ed t he m an h e' d b ee n t he d ay

before. Always tall, with a commanding presence, he was now stooped. Lines seemed to have beencarved into his face overnight.

H is g ray eyes , characteri s ti call y i nt en se, w er e b lo od sh ot . N ot o nl y d id t hey l oo k b er eaved, t her e w as n o

l if e b eh in d t he m. T he y r ef le ct ed n o l ig ht , a s t ho ug h h e w er e d ea d t oo .

" I w an t t o k no w a bo ut T an ya ." H is v oi ce c ra ck ed w he n h e s po ke h er n am e. H e r ou gh ly c le ar ed h is

t hr oa t. " Wha t ki nd of mo od wa s s he i n? W ha t wa s s he s ayi ng ? W ha t w er e he r l as t wor ds ?"

Lu ck y g ro an ed . " Ch as e, d on 't d o t hi s t o y ou rs elf ."

C ha se i rr it ab ly t hr ew o ff t he h and L uc ky p la ce d o n h is s ho ul de r. " Te ll m e, M ar ci e, w ha t w as s he d oi ng ,

s ay in g, w hen w hen t hat b as tard k il led h er ?"


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L ucky l ow er ed h is f or eh ead i nt o o ne o f h is h an ds and m as saged h is t em pl es w it h h is t hu mb and m id dl e

f in ge r. H e w as o bv io us ly a s up se t a s h is b ro th er . Th e T yl er s w er e a c lo se f am il y, ne ve r f ai li ng t o bo ls te r,

d ef en d, a nd p ro te ct e ac h o th er . M ar ci e u nd er st oo d t he c on ce rn t he y m us t f ee l f or C ha se . B ut s he c ou ld

als o emp at hi ze w it h C hase's n eed t o k no w abo ut t he f in al m om en ts o f h is y ou ng w if e' s l if e.

"Tanya was laughing," Marcie whispered.

P ai n m ed icati on h ad s lo wed and s l ur red h er s peech . H er b rai n h ad t ro ub le con veyi ng t he cor rect w or ds

t o he r t ongue , wh ic h f el t t hi ck a nd t oo la rge f or he r mou th. I t wa s a s tr uggl e t o g et t he wor ds out , b ut s he

t ri ed v er y h ar d t o m ak e h er se lf u nd er st oo d b ec au se s he k ne w C ha se w ou ld c li ng t o e ve ry c ar ef ul w or d

s he m an ag ed t o s pe ak .

" We w er e t al ki ng a bo ut t he h ou se . S he s he w as s o e xc it ed a bo ut a bo ut i t. "

" I' m g oi ng t o b uy t hat h ou se." C hase g lanced

u p a t L uc ky , h is e ye s w il d a nd u nf oc us ed .

" Bu y t ha t h ou se f or m e. S he w an te d t he h ou se , s o s he 's g oi ng t o h av e i t. "

"Chase"

" Buy t he d am n ho us e! " h e r oa re d. " Wi ll yo u j us t d o t ha t m uc h f or m e, pl ea se , wi th ou t g iv in g m e a n

argument?"

"Okay."

H is w il d a nd l ou d o ut bu rs t w as j ar ri ng t o

M ar ci e' s t raum at ized s ys tem. S he r ecoi led f ro m t hi s, ano th er ass aul t, t o h er i nj ur ed b od y.

Y et s he r ea di ly f or ga ve hi m. I n hi s ow n wa y he ha d be en ju st a s t ra um ati ze d a s s he by t he a cc ide nt .

T o a ny on e w ho h ad s ee n C ha se a nd T an ya t og et he r, i t w as i ns ta nt ly a pp ar en t t ha t t he y h ad s ha re d a

s pe ci al l ov e. T an ya h ad a do re d h im , a nd h e h ad c he ri sh ed T an ya , w ho h ad b ee n p re gn an t w it h t he ir f ir st

c hi ld . T he a cc id en t h ad r ob be d h im o f t wo l ov ed o ne s.

" Ri gh t b ef or e w e w en t t hr ou gh t he i nt er sect io n, s he ask ed m e w hat col or I t ho ug ht "

A s ho ot in g p ai n w en t t hr ou gh h er a rm , c au si ng h er t o g ri ma ce . S he b ad ly w an te d t o c lo se h er e ye s,

s ur rend er t o t he anest heti zi ng d ru gs b ei ng d ri pp ed i nt o h er v ei n, and b lo t o ut con scio us ness and t he

anguish that accompanied it.

M or e t ha n t ha t, h ow ev er , s he w an te d t o h el p a ll ev ia te C ha se 's p ai n. I f t al ki ng a bo ut

T an ya w ou ld e as e h is p ai n, t he n t ha t w as t he l ea st s he c ou ld d o. S he w ou ld c on ti nu e t al ki ng f or a s l on g

a s s he c ou ld h ol d o ut a ga in st

h er o wn d is co mf or t and t he all ur e o f u ncon scio us ness .

" Sh e a sk ed m e w ha t c ol or s he s ho ul d p ai nt t he b ed ro om f or t he b ab y. "


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C ha se c ov er ed h is f ac e w it h h is h an ds . " Je s us ." T ea rs l ea ke d t hr ou gh h is f in ge rs a nd r an d ow n t he

backs of his hands. This tangi ble evidence of his grief caused Marcie more agony than the brutal car

crash.

" Ch as e, " s he w hi sp er ed r ag gedl y, " do y ou b lame m e?"

Ke ep ing h is h an ds o ve r h is e ye s, h e s hook hi s h ea d. " No , M ar ci e, n o. I b la me G od . H e k il le d he r. H e

k il le d m y b aby . W hy ? W hy ? I

l ove d h er s o m uc h. I l ov ed " He br ok e i nt o s obs .

L ucky m ov ed t ow ar d h im and again l ai d a con so li ng h an d o n h is b ro th er 's s haki ng s ho ul ders .

M ar ci e d et ec te d t ea rs i n t he y ou ng er m an 's e ye s a ls o. H e s ee me d t o b e b at tl in g h is o wn h ea rt ac he .

R ecen tl y L ucky h ad m ad e n ew s b y b ei ng charg ed w it h s et ti ng f ir e t o a g ar ag e at T yl er D ri ll in g. T he

c ha rg es h ad b ee n d ro pp ed a nd t he r ea l c ul pr it s w er e n ow i n c us to dy , b ut a pp ar en tl y t he o rd ea l h adt ak en i ts t ol l on h im .

S he s ea rc he d f or s om et hi ng m or e t o s ay , b ut w or ds o f c om fo rt w er e e lu si ve a nd a bs tr ac t.

H er b ef ud dl ed m in d cou ld n' t g rasp t hem. I t d id n' t r eall y m at ter. A ny th in g s he s ai d w ou ld s ou nd b an al .

God, how c an I he lp hi m?

S he w as an o verach iever t o w ho m h el pl es sn es s w as anath em a. H er i nabi li ty t o h el p h im

f il le d h er w it h d es pe ra ti on . S he s ta re d a t t he c ro wn o f h is b ow ed h ea d, w an ti ng t o t ou ch i t, w an ti ng t oh ol d h im and abs or b h is ago ny i nt o h er self .

J us t b ef or e l aps in g i nt o b less ed u ncon scio us nes s, s he v ow ed t hat s om eh ow , s om ed ay , s om e w ay , s he

w ou ld g iv e l if e b ac k t o C ha se T yl er .

" We 'v e g ot a b un ch o f m ea n b ul ls t on ig ht , l ad ie s a nd g en tl em en , b ut w e' ve a ls o g ot s om e c ow bo ys

w ho 'v e r ou gh and r eady t o r id e ' em ." T he ann ou ncer' s t wang y v oi ce r ev er berated t hr ou gh t he cav er no us

a re na o f t he W il l R og er 's C ol is eu m i n F or t W or th , T ex as .

" Ei gh t s ec on ds . T ha t' s h ow l on g a c ow bo y h as t o s it o n t op o f t ha t b ul l. D oe sn 't s ou nd l ik e m uc h, b ut i t' st he l on ge st e ig ht s ec on ds y ou c an i ma gi ne . T he re 's n ot a c ow bo y h er e w ho w ou ld n' t a gr ee t o t ha t.

Y es si r ee. I n t he

w or ld o f r od eo , t hi s i s t he m os t d em an di n' , m os t da ng er ou s, m os t e xc it in ' e ve nt . T ha t' s w hy w e s av e i t t il l

last."

M ar ci e l oo ke d t ow ar d h er t wo g ue st s, p le as ed t o s ee t ha t t he y w er e e nj oy in g t he ms el ve s.

B ri ng in g t he m t o t he r od eo h ad b ee n a g oo d i de a. W ha t b et te r w ay t o i nt ro du ce t he m i nt o p ur e,

u nd il ut ed T ex an a? I t w as l ik e a b ap ti sm o f f ir e.

T he a nno un ce r s ai d, " Ou r f ir st b ul l r id er t on ig ht c om es f rom P ar k C it y, U ta h, a nd w he n h e' s n ot b ul l

r id in g, L ar ry S hafer l ik es t o s no w s ki . H er e' s a r eal t hr il l- seek in ' y ou ng m an , l ad ies and g en tl em en ,


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com in g o ut o f chu te n um ber t hr ee o n C yclo ne C harl ie! R id e ' im ,

Larry!"

T he cou pl e f ro m M as sach us et ts w at ch ed b reat hl es sl y as t he B rahm an b ul l charg ed o ut o f t he chu te w it h

t he cow bo y p er ch ed p recar io us ly ato p h is b ucki ng b ack. W it hi n a f ew s eco nd s, t he cow bo y/ sk ier f ro m

U ta h w as s cr am bl ing i n t he di rt t o a vo id t he b ul l' s p ou nd in g ho ov es . A s s oo n a s h e' d g ai ne d h is f oo ti ng h er an f or t he f enc e, s ca le d i t, a nd l ef t i t up t o t he t wo ro deo c low ns t o di st ra ct t he bul l unt il i t r an t hr ough

the open ga te and out of t he ar ena.

"I n ev er s aw any th in g l ik e t hat, " t he w om an s ai d, agh as t.

" Do t he se y ou ng m en t ra in t o d o t hi s? " h er h us ba nd w an te d t o k no w.

M ar ci e h ad o nl y r ecen tl y b ecom e i nt er es ted i n b ul l r id in g and h er k no wl ed ge w as s ti ll

s ke tc hy . " Ye s, t he y d o. T he re 's a l ot o f s ki ll i nv ol ve d, b ut a l ot o f c ha nc e t oo ."

"Like what?"

"L ik e w hi ch b ul l a cow bo y d raws o n a p ar ti cu lar n ig ht ."

"S om e are m or e con tr ar y t han o th er s?"

M ar ci e s mi le d. " Al l a re b re d t o b e r od eo a ni ma ls , b ut e ac h h as h is m oo d s wi ng s a nd p er so na li ty t ra it s. "

T he ir a tt en ti on w as d ra wn t o a no th er c hu te w he re t he b ul l h ad a lr ea dy l os t p at ie nc e a nd w as b uc ki ng s o

violently the cowboy was having a difficult time mounting. The woman from Massachusetts fanned herface nervously.

Her husband sat enthralled.

" La di es a nd ge nt le me n, i t l oo ks l ik e o ur n ex t c ow bo y i s go ing t o h av e a t im e o f i t t oni gh t," t he a nno unc er

s ai d. " An yb od y h er e w an t t o t ak e h is p la ce ?" A ft er a p au se h e c hu ck le d. " No w, d on 't a ll o f y 'a ll

volunteer at once.

" Bu t t hi s c ow bo y i sn 't a fr ai d o f a t ou gh b ul l. I n f ac t, t he r ou gh er t he r id e, t he b et te r h e s ee ms t o l ik e i t.

He r ode oe d f or ye ar s be for e r et ir ing f ro m i t. T ook i t u p a ga in a bou t a y ea r a nd a ha lf a go, not t he l ea stbit intimidated that he's a decade older than most cowboys who ride bulls.

" He h ai ls f ro m E as t T ex as . A ny bo dy h er e f ro m o ve r M il to n P oi nt w ay ? I f s o, p ut y ou r h an ds t og et he r

f or t hi s y oun g m an f rom y ou r h om et ow n, Ch as e Ty le r, a s h e c om es ou t o f c hut e n um be r s ev en o n E ll ll

Dorado't"

" Oh , m y G od !" U na wa re o f w ha t s he w as d oi ng , M ar ci e s ur ge d t o h er f ee t.

T he ann ou ncer r ai sed h is v oi ce t o an ear dr um -b last in g v ol um e as t he g at e s wu ng o pen and t he m ot tl ed ,

g ray b ul l charg ed o ut , s wi ng in g h is h in dq uart er s t o and f ro and , m ov in g i n o pp os it io n, t hr as hi ng h is h ead

f ro m s id e t o s id e.

M ar ci e w at ch ed t he c ow bo y h at s ai l o ff


8/194

C ha se 's he ad a nd l an d i n t he d ir t b en ea th t he b ul l' s p ul ve ri zi ng h oo ve s. H e k ep t h is f re e l ef t a rm h ig h, a s

r eq ui re d b y t he r ul es o f t he s po rt .

I t f lo pp ed u ncon tr ol labl y as t he b ul l b ucked.

H is e nt ir e bo dy w as t os se d h ig h, t he n l and ed h ar d a s i t c am e b ac k d own on to t he b ul l' s ba ck . H e ke ptboth knees raised and back, held at right angles to either side of the bull, rocking back and forth, up and

d ow n, o n h is t ai lb on e.

The crowd was wildly cheering, encouraging

C ha se t o h an g o n. H e m an ag ed t o m ai nt ai n h is s ea t f or a bo ut f iv e s ec on ds , t ho ug h i t h ad s ee me d l ik e

f iv e y ea rs t o M ar ci e. B ef or e t he h or n s ou nd ed , t he b ea st d uc ke d h is h ea d s o f ar d ow n i t a lm os t t ou ch ed

t he g ro un d, t he n f lun g i t u p a ga in . T he m ov em en t h ad s o m uc h r aw p ow er be hi nd i t, C ha se w as t hr ow n

off.

He d od ge d t he s ta mp in g h oo ve s b y r ol li ng t o o ne s id e. A c lo wn , w ea ri ng b ag gy p an ts h el d u p b y

s us pe nd er s, m ov ed i n a nd b at te d t he b ul l o n t he s no ut w it h a r ub be r b as eb al l b at . T he b ul l s no rt ed ,

s ta mp ed , a nd t he c lo wn s ca mpe re d a wa y, t ur ni ng t o t hu mb h is n os e a t t he a ni ma l.

I t l ooked a s t hough i t we re al l in f un and

t he cr ow d l au gh ed . T he s er io us ness o f t he clo wn 's j ob b ecame i ns tant ly app ar ent , h ow ev er , w hen t he

t act ic f ai led t o w or k.

T he b ul l s wu ng aro un d, s li ng in g g reat g lo bs o f f oamy s lo bb er f ro m eit her s id e o f i ts m ou th , i ts n os tr il s

f la re d. Cha se , hi s ba ck t o t he bu ll , pi cke d u p h is h at f ro m t he di rt a nd s la pp ed i t a ga ins t hi s c ha ps . Aw ar ni ng w as s nou te d, bu t n ot i n t im e. T he b ul l c ha rge d h im , h ea d l ow er ed, ov er a t on i n i mp et us b eh in d

t h e at tack.

C ha se s id es te pp ed q ui ck ly e no ug h t o k ee p f ro m b ei ng g or ed b y a p ai r o f v ic io us -l oo ki ng h or ns , b ut t he

s id e o f t he b ul l' s h ea d c au gh t h im i n t he s ho ul de r a nd h e w as k no ck ed d ow n.

E ve ry on e i n t he a ud ie nc e g as pe d w he n t he p ai r o f f ro nt h oo ve s l an de d s qu ar e o n C ha se 's c he st .

M ar ci e s cr ea me d, t he n c ov er ed h er m ou th w it h h er h an ds . S he w at ch ed i n h or ro r a s

Chase lay sprawled in the reddish-brown dirt, obviously unconscious.

A ga in t he c lo wn s m ov ed i n, a s w el l a s t wo s po tt er s o n h or se ba ck . T he y g al lo pe d t ow ar d t he b ul l. E ac h

w as s tand in g i n h is s ti rr up s, l eani ng f ar o ver h is s ad dl e h or n, s wi ng in g a l as so . O ne w as s uccess fu l i n

g et ti ng t he n oo se o ver t he b ul l' s h or ns and p ul li ng t he r op e t au t. H is w el l- tr ai ned m ou nt g al lo ped t hr ou gh

t he g at e, d ragg in g t he r el uctant b ul l b eh in d h im w hi le o ne b rave clo wn s watt ed h is r um p w it h a b ro om .

T he s ec on d c lo wn w as k ne el in g i n t he d ir t b es id e t he i nj ur ed c ow bo y.

M ar cie s cramb led o ver s everal p ai rs o f l egs

a nd f ee t i n h er h as te t o r ea ch t he ne ar es t a is le . R ude ly s he s ho ve d pa st a nyo ne wh o got i n he r w ay a s

s he r an dow n t he r am p. W he n s he r ea ch ed t he l owe r l ev el , s he g ra bb ed t he a rm of t he f ir st m an s he s aw.


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"Hey, what the"

" Wh ic h w ay t o t he t he p la ce w he re t he p eo pl e c om e o ut ?"

" Sa y, l ady, a re you dr unk? L et go of m y a rm. "

" Th e b ar ns . T he p lace w here t he p er fo rm er s com e f ro m. W here t he b ul ls g o w hen t hey' re f in is hed. "

" Th at w ay ." H e p oi nt ed , t hen m ut tered,

"Crazy broad."

S he p lo wed h er w ay t hr ou gh t he m il li ng cro wd b uy in g s ou veni rs and con cess io ns . O ver t he p ub li c

a dd re ss s ys te m s he h ea rd t he a nn ou nc er s ay , " We 'l l l et y 'a ll k no w C ha se T yl er 's c on di ti on a s s oo n a s w e

hear something, folks."

Disregarding the authorized personnel only sign on a wide, metal, industrial-size door, she bargedt hr ou gh i t. T he s ce nt o f h ay a nd m an ur e w as s tr on g a s s he m ov ed d ow n a r ow o f c at tl e p en s. B re at hi ng

h eavi ly t hr ou gh h er m ou th , s he alm os t cho ked o n t he d us t, b ut s po tt in g t he r ot at in g l ig ht s o f an amb ul an ce

a cr os s t he b ar n, s he r an e ve n f as te r t hr ou gh t he m az e o f s ta ll s.

R each in g t he cen tr al ais le, s he elb ow ed h er w ay t hr ou gh t he cur io us o nl oo kers u nt il s he p us hed h er w ay

f ree and s aw C hase l yi ng u ncon sci ou s o n a s t retcher. T wo p ar amedi cs

w er e w or ki ng o ve r h im . O ne w as s li pp in g a n ee dl e i nt o t he v ei n i n t he c ro ok o f h is e lb ow .

C ha se 's f ac e w as s ti ll a nd w hi te .

" No !" S he d ro pp ed t o h er k ne es b es id e t he s tr et ch er a nd r ea ch ed f or h is l im p h an d.

"Chase? Chase!"

" Ge t b ac k, l ad y! " o ne o f t he p ar am ed ic s o rd er ed .

"But"

" He 'l l be f ine i f y ou' ll g et ou t o f o ur wa y. "

H er a rm s w er e g ra bb ed f ro m b eh in d a nd s he w as p ul le d t o h er f ee t. T ur ni ng , s he c on fr on te d t he

g ro te sq ue f ac e o f o ne o f t he r od eo c lo wn s, t he o ne w ho m s he 'd l as t s ee n b en di ng o ve r C ha se .

" Wh o a re y ou ?" h e a sk ed .

" A f ri end . H ow i s h e? Ha ve t he y s ai d w ha t' s w ro ng w it h h im ?"

H e e ye d h er s us pi ci ou sl y; s he o bv io us ly w as n' t i n h er e le me nt . " He 's p ro b' ly g ot a f ew b ro ke n r ib s, i s a ll .

H ad t he w in d k no ck ed o ut o f h im ."

" Wi ll he b e all r igh t?"

H e s pa t t ob ac co j ui ce o n t he ha y- st re wn c on cr et e f lo or . " Pr ob 'l y. I r ec ko n h e wo n' t f ee l t oo g ood f or a


10/194

da y or s o."

M arcie w as o nl y m od er at el y r el ieved t o h ear t he clo wn 's d iagn os is . I t w as n' t a p ro fess io nal o pi ni on .

H ow d id h e k no w t hat C hase h ad n' t s us tain ed i nt er nal i nj ur ies?

" Sh ou ld n' t' ve b een r id in ' t on ig ht ," t he clo wn w as s ay in g as t he s tr et ch er w as h oi st ed i nt o t he b ack o f t he

amb ul an ce. " To ld h im h e s ho ul dn 't g et o n a b ul l i n h is con di ti on . C ou rs e

I g ue ss i t w ou ld n' t m at te r. T ha t b ul l E l D or ad o i s o ne m ea n s um 'b it ch . L as t w ee k o ve r i n "

"What condition?" Frustrated when he only gazed at her in puzzlement through his white-rimmed eyes,

s he clari fi ed h er q uest io n. " Yo u s ai d ' in h is con di ti on .' W hat con di ti on w as

Chase in?"

"He was half-lit."

"You mean drunk?"

" Y es , m a' am . W e h ad u s a p re tt y w il d p ar ty l as t n ig ht . C ha se h ad n' t q ui te r ec ov er ed ."

M ar ci e d id n' t w ai t t o h ea r a ny m or e. S he c li mb ed i nt o t he b ac k o f t he a mb ul an ce j us t a s t he p ar am ed ic

w as a bo ut t o c lo se t he d oo rs .

H e r ea ct ed w it h s ur pr is e a nd a n a ir o f a ut ho ri ty .

" So rr y, m a' am . Y ou can 't "

"I a m. No w we c an s ta nd he re a nd a rgue a bo ut i t o r y ou c an ge t t hi s m an t o t he ho spi ta l."

" He y, w ha t' s t he h ol du p? " t he o th er p ar am ed ic s ho ut ed b ac k. H e w as a lr ea dy i n t he d ri ve r' s s ea t w it h

the motor running.

H is ass is tant g au ged M ar ci e' s d et er mi nati on and app ar en tl y d ecid ed t hat an arg um en t w ou ld o nl y w as te

valuable time.

" No th in g, " h e c al le d t o h is c oh or t. " Le t' s g o. " H e s la mm ed t he d oo rs a nd t he a mb ul an ce p ee le d o ut o f

the coliseum barn.

" W el l, I 'm gl ad yo u m ad e i t b ac k t o y our h ot el s af el y. "

M ar ci e, cradl in g t he r eceiv er o f t he p ay t el ep ho ne again st h er ear , m as saged h er t em pl es

while apologizing to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

S he h ad p ro ba bl y l os t a s al e, b ut w he n s he s aw C ha se l yi ng u nc on sc io us i n t he d ir t, h er g ue st s h ad b ee n

t he f ar th es t t hi ng f ro m h er m in d. I nd eed, s he h ad n' t even r em em bered t hem u nt il a f ew m in ut es ago w hi le

pacing the corridor of the hospital.

" Mr . Ty le r i s a n ol d f ri en d of m in e, " s he e xpl ai ne d. " I d id n' t kn ow h e wa s a ppe ar ing i n t hi s r od eo u nt il hi s

name was announced.


11/194

S in ce h is f am il y i sn 't h er e, I f el t l ik e I s ho ul d accom pany h im t o t he h os pi tal. I h op e y ou u nd er st an d. "

S he d id n' t g iv e a d am n w he th er t he y u nd er st oo d o r n ot . I f s he h ad b ee n e nt er ta in in g t he P re si de nt a nd

F ir st L ad y t on ig ht , s he w ou ld h av e d on e exact ly t he s am e t hi ng .

A ft er h an gi ng u p, s he r et ur ned t o t he n ur ses'

s ta ti on a nd i nq ui re d f or t he u mp te en th t im e i f t he re h ad b ee n a n u pd at e o n C ha se 's c on di ti on .

T he n ur se f ro wn ed w it h i rr it at io n. " As s oo n a s t he d oc to r O h, h er e h e i s n ow ." G la nc in g b ey on d

M ar ci e' s s ho ul der, s he s ai d, " Th is l ad y i s w ai ti ng f or w or d o n M r. T ay lo r. "

" Ty ler, " M ar ci e cor rect ed , t ur ni ng t o m eet t he y ou ng r es id en t. " I' m M ar ci e J oh ns ."

" Ph il M on to ya." T hey s ho ok h an ds . " Ar e y ou a r el at iv e?"

" Onl y a go od f ri end . Mr . Ty le r d oe sn 't ha ve a ny f am il y i n F or t W or th . Th ey a ll l iv e i n

Milton Point."

" Hm m. W el l, h e' s f in al ly com e aro un d. G ot s watt ed i n t he h ead p rett y g oo d, b ut t hank fu ll y n o s er io us

d am ag e w as d on e. "

" I s aw t he b ul l l an d on h is c he st ."

" Yeah, h e' s g ot s ever al b ro ken r ib s. "

" Th at can b e d an gero us , can' t i t?"

" On ly i f a j ag ged r ib p un ct ur es an i nt er nal o rg an ."

M ar ci e' s f ace w en t s o p al e t hat even t he f reck les s he car ef ul ly cam ou fl ag ed w it h cos meti cs s to od o ut i n

s t ar k con t ras t. T he d oct or h as t il y r eas s ur ed h er .

" Fo rt un at el y t ha t d id n' t h ap pe n e it he r. N o b le ed in g o rg an s. I 'v e t ap ed h im u p. H e' ll b e a ll r ig ht i n a f ew

d ay s, b ut h e' s n ot g oi ng t o f ee l v er y c hi pp er . I c er ta in ly d on 't r ec om me nd t ha t h e d o a ny b ul l r id in g f or a

while."

"Did you tell him that?"

" Su re d id . H e c us se d m e o ut ."

"I'm sorry."

He s hr ug ge d a nd s ai d a ff ab ly , " I' m u se d t o i t. T hi s i s a c ou nt y h os pi ta l. W e g et t he p sy ch os , t he d er el ic ts ,

a nd t he v ic ti ms o f d ru g d ea ls g on e a wr y. W e' re u se d t o v er ba l a bu se ."

' Ma y I s ee hi m? "

" Fo r a f ew m in ut es . H e d oe sn 't n ee d t o b e t al ki ng ."


12/194

" I w on 't t al k l on g. "

" He's j us t b een g iv en a s tr on g p ai nk il ler, s o h e' ll l ik el y b e d ri ft in g o ff S oo n any way. "

" The n i f i t' s a ll t he s am e t o yo u, " M ar ci e s ai d s mo ot hl y, " I' d l ik e t o s ta y t he n ig ht i n h is r oom ."

" He'l l b e w el l t ak en car e o f, " t he n ur se s ai d s ti ff ly f ro m b eh in d h er .

M ar ci e s to od f ir m. " Do I h av e y ou r p er mi ss io n,

Dr. Montoya?"

H e t ug ge d o n h is e ar lo be . M ar ci e g av e h im t he d ir ec t l oo k t ha t s ai d s he w as n' t g oi ng t o b ud ge f ro m h er

position. Buyers, sellers, and lending agents had had to confront that steady blue stare. Nine times out of

t en t he y y ie ld ed t o i t. E ar li er t ha t n ig ht , t he p ar am ed ic h ad f ou nd i t h ar d t o a rg ue w it h.

" I g ue ss i t w ou ld n' t h ur t, " t he r es id en t s ai d a t l as t.

"Thank you."

"Keep the conversation to a minimum."

" I p rom is e. W hi ch r oo m i s h e i n? "

C ha se h ad b ee n p la ce d i n a s em ip ri va te r oo m, b ut t he o th er b ed w as e mp ty . M ar ci e a dv an ce d i nt o t he

r oo m o n t ip to e u nt il s he r ea ch ed h is b ed si de .

F or t he f irs t t ime i n t wo ye ar s, s he ga ze d i nt o Ch as e Tyl er 's f ac e. The l as t t ime s he h ad l ook ed i nt o i t,

t heir p os it io ns h ad b een r ev er sed.

S he 'd b ee n l yi ng s em ic on sc io us i n a h os pi ta l b ed a nd h e h ad b ee n s ta nd in g b es id e i t, w ee pi ng o ve r h is

wife's accidental death.

B y t he t im e M ar ci e' s i nj ur ie s h ad h ea le d a nd s he w as w el l e no ug h t o l ea ve t he h os pi ta l,

T an ya T yl er h ad b ee n i nt er re d. A f ew m on th s a ft er t ha t, C ha se h ad l ef t M il to n P oi nt f or p ar ts u nk no wn .

W or d a ro un d t ow n w as t ha t h e w as r un ni ng t he r od eo c ir cu it , m uc h t o t he d is tr es s o f h is f am il y.

N ot t oo l ong a go , M ar ci e ha d b um pe d i nt o

D ev on , L ucky 's b ri de, i n t he s up er mark et . A ft er

M ar ci e h ad i nt ro du ced h er self , D ev on h ad con fi rm ed t he r um or s cir cu lati ng abo ut C hase.

Family loyalty had prevented her from openly

d is cu ss in g h is p er so na l p ro bl em s w it h a n o ut si de r, b ut M ar ci e h ad r ea d b et we en t he l in es o f w ha t s he

act uall y s ai d. T here w er e h in ts abo ut h is d el icat e emo ti on al s tate and a d ev el op in g d ri nk in g p ro bl em .

" Laur ie i s b es id e h er self w it h w or ry abo ut h im ," D ev on h ad s ai d, r ef er ri ng t o C hase's m ot her. " Sage,


13/194

Chase's sister"

"Y es , I k no w. "

"S he 's a wa y a t s ch oo l, s o t ha t l ea ve s o nl y

L uc ky a nd m e a t t he ho us e w it h L au ri e. S he f ee ls t ha t C ha se i s r unn in g a wa y f ro m h is g ri ef o ve r T an yai ns tead o f f acin g i t and t ry in g t o d eal w it h i t. "

C hase h ad als o l ef t t he f ou nd er in g f am il y b us in es s i n t he h an ds o f h is y ou ng er b ro th er , w ho , i f r um or s

w er e t o b e b el ieved, w as h av in g a h ar d t im e k eepi ng i t s ol vent . T he o il b us in es s w as n' t i mp ro vi ng . S in ce

T yl er D ri ll in g d ep en ded o n a h ealt hy o il eco no my , t he com pany h ad b een t eeteri ng o n t he b ri nk o f

bankruptcy for several years.

M ar cie put t o De von t he que st ion t ha t w as ne ve r f ar f rom he r mi nd. " Doe s he b la me me f or t he

accident?"

D ev on h ad p ress ed h er arm r eass ur in gl y.

"N ev er . D on 't l ay t hat k in d o f g ui lt o n y ou rs el f.

C ha se 's q ua rr el i s w it h f at e, n ot y ou ."

B ut n ow , a s M ar ci e g az ed i nt o h is f ac e, w hi ch l oo ke d t or me nt ed e ve n i n r ep os e, s he w on de re d i f h e d id

i n f act h ol d h er r es po ns ib le f or h is b el ov ed T an ya's d eath .

"Chase," she whispered sorrowfully.

He d id n' t s ti r, a nd h is b re at hi ng w as d ee p

and even, i nd icat in g t hat t he d ru g h e h ad b een g iv en i nt raveno us ly w as w or ki ng . G iv in g i n t o t he d es ir e

s he'd f el t w hi le l yi ng i n p ai n i n h er o wn h os pi tal b ed , M ar ci e g in gerl y r an h er f in gers t hr ou gh h is d ar k h ai r,

brushing back wavy strands that had fallen over his clammy forehead.

Ev en t ho ug h h e l oo ke d m ar ke dl y o ld er , h e w as s ti ll t he m os t h an ds om e m an s he 'd e ve r s ee n. S he h ad

t ho ug ht s o t he f ir st d ay o f k in derg ar ten.

She distinctly remembered Miss

K in ca nn on 's c al li ng o n h im t o i nt ro du ce h im se lf t o t he r es t o f t he c la ss a nd h ow p ro ud ly h e h ad s to od u p

a nd s po ke n h is n am e. M ar ci e h ad b ee n s mi tt en . I n a ll t he y ea rs s in ce , n ot hi ng h ad c ha ng ed .

The mischievous, dark-haired little boy with the light-gray eyes, who had possessed outstanding

l eaders hi p q uali ti es and ath leti c p ro wess , h ad t ur ned i nt o q ui te a m an . T here w as s tr en gt h i n h is f ace and

a s tu bb or n p ri de i n h is s qu ar e c hi n t ha t b or de re d o n b el li ge re nc e, i nh er en t, i t s ee me d, t o t he T yl er m en .

T he y w er e n ot ed f or t he ir q ui ck t em pe rs a nd w il li ng ne ss t o s ta nd u p f or t he ms el ve s. C ha se 's l ow er j aw

bore a dark-purple bruise now.

M ar ci e s hu dd er ed t o t hi nk h ow c lo se h e h ad c om e t o h av in g h is s ku ll c ru sh ed .


14/194

W he n h e w as s ta nd in g, C ha se T yl er t op pe d m os t m en b y s ev er al i nc he s, e ve n t ho se c on si de re d t al l b y

n or mal s tand ar ds . H is s ho ul ders w ere b ro ad . M ar cie m ar vel ed o ver t heir b readt h n ow . T hey w er e b ar e,

a s w as h is c he st . T he u pp er p or ti on o f i t h ad b ee n l ef t u ns ha ve n,

an d s he w as a ma ze d b y t he a bu nd an ce o f d ar k, s of tl y c ur li ng h ai r t ha t c ov er ed i t.

T he t ap e t ha t b ou nd h is c ra ck ed r ib s s to pp ed j us t s hy o f h is n ip pl es . M ar ci e c au gh t h er se lf s ta ri ng a tt hem, ent r an ced b ecaus e t hey w er e d is t en ded.

T hi nk in g h e m us t b e c ol d, s he r ea ch ed f or t he s he et a nd p ul le d i t u p t o j us t b en ea th h is c hi n.

" Je ez , d id h e d ie ?"

T he s cr ee ch s o s ta rt le d M ar ci e t ha t s he d ro ppe d t he s he et a nd s pu n a ro un d. A yo ung wo ma n w as

s tand in g j us t i ns id e t he t hr es ho ld o f t he d oo r. H er h an d, w ei gh ted d ow n w it h cos tu me j ew el ry and

outlandishly long artificial fingernails, was splayed across breasts struggling to be free of a tight, low-cut

sweater.

A c he ap , f ak e- fu r c oa t w as d ra pe d o ve r h er s ho ul de rs . T he c oa t w as l on ge r t ha n h er s ki rt , w hi ch c am e

only to mid thigh

C hase m oaned i n h is s leep and s hi ft ed h is l eg s b en eath t he s heet . " Be q ui et !" M ar ci e h is sed. " Yo u' ll

d is tu rb h im . W ho are y ou ?

W ha t d o y ou w an t? "

"H e' s no t d ea d? " t he g ir l a ske d. I n a ma nne r

M ar ci e t ho ug ht l oo ked i ncredi bl y s tu pi d, t he w om an r ap id ly b li nk ed h er w id e, r ou nd eyes s ev er al t im es .

T ha t w as n o s ma ll f ea t c on si de ri ng h er e ye la sh es w er e g um my w it h m as ca ra a s t hi ck a nd b la ck a s r oa d

tar.

" No , h e' s n ot d ea d. J us t v er y b ad ly h ur t. "

Sh e a ss es se d t he g ir l f rom t he t op o f he r t ea se d, s il ve r ha ir t o t he t oe s of h er b ej ewe le d, s il ve r bo ot s.

" Ar e y ou a f ri en d o f C ha se 's ?"

" So rt of ." S he s hr ug ge d o ff t he f ake f ur . " I

wa s s up po se d t o me et h im a t t hi s ba r w he re e ve ry bo dy go es a ft er t he r ode o. I w as ge tt ing p is se d

because he didn't show, but then Pete you know, the clownsaid that Chase got trampled by a bull.

So I t houg ht I ou ght t o c ome c he ck on hi m, s ee i f he 's o ka y, yo u k now ."

" I s ee."

" Di d t hey s ay w hat' s w ro ng w it h h im ?"

" Se ve ra l o f h is r ib s a re b ro ke n, b ut he 'l l b e a ll r ig ht ."

"O h, g ee , t ha t' s g oo d. " H er e ye s m ov ed f ro m t he s up in e f ig ur e o n t he b ed t o M ar ci e. " Wh o' ve y ou ?"


15/194

"I'm his his wife."

M ar ci e w as n' t s ur e w ha t p ro mp te d h er t o t el l s uc h a b ol d- fa ce d l ie . P ro ba bl y b ec au se i t w as c on ve ni en t

a nd w ou ld s wi ft ly s ca re o ff t hi s w om an . S he w as c er ta in t ha t i n h is m or e s an e a nd s ob er d ay s, C ha se

w ou ld h av e h ad n ot hi ng t o d o w it h a t ramp l ik e t hi s. H is m ar it al s tatu s cer tain ly d id n' t b reak t he g ir l' s

h ear t. I t m erel y p ro vo ked h er .

She propped a fis t on one hip. "Tha t son of a bitc h. Look, he never tol d me he was ma rri ed, oka y? I

w as o ut f or k ic ks , t ha t' s a ll .

N ot hi ng s er io us . E ven t ho ug h h e i s k in da m oo dy , h e' s g oo d- lo ok in g, y ou k no w?

" Whe n I f ir st m et him , I t hought he wa s a dr ag. I me an, he ne ve r wa nt ed t o t alk or a nyt hi ng.

B ut t he n, I f ig ur ed , ' He y, w ha t t he h el l?

S o h e' s n ot a ba rr el o f l au gh s, a t l ea st h e' s h an ds om e. '

" Sw ea r t o G od , w e o nl y s le pt t og et he r t hr ee t im es , a nd i t w as a lw ay s s tr ai gh t s ex . N ot hi ng k in ky , y ou

k no w? I m ean, m is si on ar y p os it io n all t he w ay .

" Be tw ee n y ou a nd m e, " s he a dd ed , l ow er in g h er v oi ce , " it w as n' t v er y g oo d. H e w as d ru nk a ll t hr ee

t im es . A s y ou w el l k no w, t he equ ip ment i s i mp ress iv e, b ut "

M ar ci e' s m ou th w as d ry . S he d re w u po n r es er ve s o f c om po su re s he d id n' t k no w s he h ad . " I t hi nk y ou 'd

better go now. Chase needs his rest."

" Su re, I u nd er st an d, " s he s ai d p leas an tl y, p ul li ng h er coat b ack o n.

" Pl ea se t el l h is f ri en ds t ha t h e' s g oi ng t o b e o ka y, t ho ug h h is r od eo d ay s m ig ht b e o ve r. A t l ea st f or a

while."

" Th at r em ind s m e, " t he g ir l s ai d. " Pe te s ai d t o t el l hi m t ha t h e' s l ea vi ng i n t he t ra il er f or

C al ga ry t om or ro w. T ha t' s w he re h e' s f ro m, y ou k no w? I t hi nk i t' s s om ew he re i n C an ad a, b ut I a lw ay s

t ho ug ht C al gary h ad s om et hi ng t o d o w it h t he B ib le." S he s hr ug ged, alm os t l if ti ng h er b reas ts o ut o f t he

s we at er 's l ow n ec kl in e. " An yw ay , P et e w an ts t o k no w w ha t t o d o w it h C ha se 's s tu ff ."

M ar ci e s ho ok h er h ea d, t ry in g t o m ak e s en se o f t he w om an 's n on se ns ic al c ha tt er . " I s up po se y ou c ou ld

ma il i t to hi m a t home ."

" Ok ay . W ha t' s t he a dd re ss ? I 'l l g iv e i t t o

Pete."

" I' m n ot " M ar ci e b ro ke o ff b ef or e s he t ra pp ed h er se lf i n h er l ie . " On s ec on d t ho ug ht , p le as e a sk P et e

to leave everything with the

o ff icials at t he col is eu m. I 'l l p ick u p C hase's t hi ng s t here t om or ro w. "

" Ok ay , I 'l l t el l h im . W el l, s ee ya . O h, w ai t! "


16/194

S he d ug i nt o h er p ur se . " He re 's C ha se 's k ey s.

H is p ic ku p i s s ti ll p ar ke d i n t he l ot a t t he c ol is eu m. " S he t os se d t he k ey r in g t o M ar ci e.

" Th an k y ou ." M ar ci e m ad e a d iv in g cat ch b ef or e t he k ey s cou ld l an d i n C hase's v ul nerabl e l ap .

" I' m r ea ll y s or ry a bo ut , y ou k no w, b al li ng y ou r h us ba nd . H e n ev er t ol d m e h e w as m ar ri ed .

Men! T hey' re all b as t ar ds , y ou k no w?"

M ar ci e c ou ld n' t q ui te b el ie ve t he w om an h ad b ee n r ea l a nd s to od s ta ri ng a t t he d oo r f or s ev er al

m om en ts a ft er i t c lo se d b eh in d h er . W as C ha se r ed uc ed t o s ee in g w om en l ik e t ha t t o w ar d o ff h is

l on el in es s and d es pair b ro ug ht o n b y T an ya's d eath ? W as h e p un is hi ng h im self f or h er d eath b y s in ki ng as

low as he could go?

M ar ci e m ov ed t o t he n ar ro w c lo se t a nd p la ce d t he k ey r in g o n t he s he lf b es id e t he c ha mo is g lo ve s h e' dbeen wearing when he was thrown from the bull. His battered hat was there, too. She noticed a pair of

s cu ff ed cow bo y b oo ts s tand in g o n t he clo set f l oo r.

H is c lo th es h ad b ee n h un g o n t he f ew h an ge rs p ro vi de d. T he l ig ht -b lue s hi rt w as s tr ea ke d w it h d ir t. H is

e nt ry n um be r w as s ti ll p in ne d t o i t. H is f ad ed j ea ns w er e d us ty . S o w as t he c lo th b an da nn a t ha t h ad b ee n

t ied aro un d h is n eck. S he t ou ch ed t he l eath er chaps and r em em bered t heir f lapp in g again st h is l eg s as

t hey s aw ed u p and d ow n again st t he b ul l' s h eavi ng s id es .

T he r ec ol le ct io n c au se d h er t o s hi ve r. S he s hu t t he c lo se t d oo r a ga in st t he m em or y o f

Chase's lying unconscious in the dirt.

R et ur ni ng t o t he b ed , s he n ot iced h is h an d m ov in g r es tl es sl y o ver t he t ig ht b an dage aro un d h is r ib cag e.

A fr ai d h e m ig ht h ur t hi ms el f, s he c apt ur ed hi s h an d a nd d re w i t d ow n t o h is s id e, p at ti ng i t i nt o pl ac e

beside his hip and holding it there.

H is eyes f lu tt er ed o pen. O bv io us ly d is or ient ed , h e b li nk ed s ev er al t im es i n an att em pt t o g et h is b eari ng s

a nd r em em be r w he re h e w as .

T hen h e s eemed t o r ecog ni ze h er . R eass ur in gl y, s he clo sed h er f in gers t ig ht ly aro un d h is . H e t ri ed t o

s pe ak , b ut t he s in gl e w or d c am e o ut a s n ot hi ng m or e t ha n a f ai nt c ro ak .

S ti ll , s he r ecog ni zed h is p et n am e f or h er .

Right before drifting back into oblivion he had said, "Goosey?"

He wa s g ivi ng a nu rs e he ll w he n

M ar ci e w al ked i nt o t he h os pi tal r oo m t he f ol lo wi ng m or ni ng . H e s us pend ed t he i nv ecti ve l on g eno ug h t o

do a double take on

Marcie, then resumed his complaining.

" Yo u' ll f ee l s o m uc h b et te r a ft er a b at h a nd a s ha ve ," t he n ur se s ai d c aj ol in gl y.


17/194

" Ge t yo ur ha nds of f m e. L ea ve t ha t c ove r w he re i t i s. I t ol d y ou I don 't wa nt a b at h.

W he n I f ee l g oo d a nd r ea dy , I 'l l s ha ve m ys el f.

Now , f or t he l as t t im e, g et t he he ll o ut of he re a nd l ea ve me a lo ne s o I c an g et dr es se d. "

" Dr es sed? M r. T yl er , y ou can' t l eav e! "

"O h, y eah? W at ch m e. "

I t wa s t im e t o i nt er ve ne . Ma rc ie s ai d, " Pe rha ps a ft er Mr . Ty le r ha s ha d a c up of c of fe e h e' ll f ee l m or e

like shaving."

T he n ur se w el co me d t he s ub tl e s ug ge st io n t ha t s he l ea ve . W it h a s wi sh o f w hi te p ol ye st er a nd t he

s qu ea k o f r ub be r s ol es , s he w as g on e. M ar ci e w as l ef t a lo ne w it h C ha se . H is f ac e w as a s d ar k a s a

t hu nd er cl ou d. I t h ad l it tl e t o d o w it h h is s tu bb le o r t he b ru is e o n h is j aw .

" I t ho ug ht I h ad d re am ed y ou ," h e r em ar ke d.

" No . A s y ou c an s ee , I 'm r ea ll y h er e. F le sh a nd b loo d. "

" But wh at t he h el l i s y ou r f le sh a nd bl oo d d oi ng h er e? "

S he p ou re d h im a c up o f c of fe e f ro m a t he rm al c ar af e a nd s co ot ed i t a cr os s t he po rt ab le b ed t ra y

t ow ar d h im , g ue ss in g c or re ct ly t ha t h e d ra nk i t b la ck . A bs en tl y, h e p ic ke d u p t he c up a nd s ip pe d.

"Well?"

" We ll , b y a q ui rk o f c oi nc id en ce ," M ar ci e s ai d, " I w as a t t he r od eo l as t n ig ht w he n y ou d an ce d w it h t ha t

bull."

" Wh at w er e yo u d oi ng i n F or t W or th i n t he f ir st p la ce ?"

" Cl ient s. A cou pl e i s m ov in g h er e f ro m t he

N or th eas t. T hey' re g oi ng t o l iv e i n F or t W or th , b ut h av e b een s ho pp in g l ake-f ro nt p ro per ty n ear M il to n

P oi nt f or a w ee ke nd r et re at . I

d ro ve o ve r y es te rd ay t o d o s om e s tr ok in g. L as t n ig ht I t re at ed t he m t o a M ex ic an d in ne r,

t he n f or e nt er ta in me nt , t oo k t he m t o t he r od eo .

T h ey w er e e xp os ed t o a f ew m or e c hi ll s a nd t hr il ls t ha n I b ar ga in ed f or ."

" A t hr il l a m in ut e, " h e g ru mb led, w in ci ng as h e t ri ed t o f in d a m or e com fo rt ab le p os it io n again st t he

pillows stacked behind him.

"Are you still in pain?"

" No . I f eel g reat ." T he w hi te l in e encir cl in g h is l ip s s ai d o th er wi se, b ut s he d id n' t arg ue.


18/194

" Th at e xp la in s w ha t y ou w er e d oi ng a t t he r od eo . W ha t w er e y ou d oi ng h er e? I n t he h os pi ta l? "

" I' ve k no wn y ou f or a l on g t im e, C ha se .

T he re w as n o o ne e ls e a ro un d t o s ee a bo ut y ou . Y ou r f am il y w ou ld n ev er h av e f or gi ve n m e i f I h ad n' t

c om e w it h y ou t o t he h os pi ta l. I

would never have forgiven myself."

H e s et a si de h is e mp ty c of fe e c up . " Th at w as y ou l as t n ig ht , s qu ee zi ng m y h an d? " S he n od de d. C ha se

l oo ked away. " I t ho ug ht

t ho ug ht " H e d rew a d eep s ig h, w hi ch cau sed h im t o g ri mace again . " Cr azy s tu ff ."

"You thought it was Tanya?"

At t he m en ti on o f he r na me h is e ye s s pr ang ba ck t o M ar ci e' s. Sh e wa s r el ie ve d. She n o l on ge r ha d t o

d re ad s pe ak in g h is l at e w if e' s n am e a lo ud f or t he f ir st t im e. I t w as o ut n ow .

J us t l ik e g oi ng o ff t he h ig h- di vi ng b oa rd , t he f ir st t im e w as t he h ar de st . I t g ot e as ie r a ft er t ha t.

B ut s ee in g t he pa in i n hi s e ye s, a s t hough he ha d be en poke d wi th a d ea dl y n ee dl e,

M ar ci e w on de re d i f C ha se w ou ld e ve r g et o ve r

Tanya's tragic death.

" Wo ul d y ou l ik e s om e m or e cof fee?"

" No . W ha t I w oul d l ike ," h e e nun ci at ed , " is a d ri nk ."

T ho ug h i t w as n o l au gh in g m at te r, M ar ci e t re at ed i t a s a j ok e. " At e ig ht o 'c loc k i n t he m or ni ng ?"

" I' ve s tart ed ear li er ," h e m ut tered. " Wi ll y ou d ri ve m e s om ew here t o g et a b ot tl e?"

"Certainly not!"

" Th en I 'l l h av e t o c al l s om eb od y e ls e. " A t g re at e xp en se t o h is t hr es ho ld o f p ai n, h e r ea ch ed f or t he

telephone on the nightstand.

" If y ou 'r e p la nn in g t o c al l P et e t he c lo wn , i t w on 't d o y ou a ny g oo d. H e' s l ea vi ng f or C al ga ry t od ay ."

C ha se l ow er ed h is h an ds a nd l ook ed a t he r.

" H ow d o y ou k no w? "

" A fr ie nd of your s t ol d me . She c ame he re l as t ni ght t o s ee a bout you whe n yo u di dn' t s how up f or y our

post rodeo date. Big hair.

B ig b oo bs . I d id n' t g et h er n am e. "


19/194

" Th at 's o kay. I d id n' t eit her ," h e adm it ted.

M ar ci e s ai d n ot hi ng . H e s tu di ed h er c al m f ac e f or a m om en t. " Wh at , n o s er mo n? "

" N ot f ro m m e. "

H e h ar ru mp hed. " Wi sh y ou 'd t al k t o m y f am il y abo ut p reachi ng . T hey l ov e t o p reach.

T he y' re a ll i n on t he a ct of s avi ng m e f rom m ys el f. I j us t wa nt t o be l ef t t he he ll a lon e. "

"They love you."

" It 's m y l if e! " h e cri ed ang ri ly . " Wh er e d o any o f t hem g et o ff t el li ng m e h ow t o l iv e i t, h uh ? E sp eciall y

Lucky." He snorted in an uncomplimentary way. "Until Devon came along,

h e h ad t he b us ie st z ip pe r i n E as t T ex as . N ai le d a ny bo dy w ho m ov ed a nd p ro ba bl y a f ew w ho d id n' t.Now he's so bloody righteous it's sickening."

" But I be li eve hi s e r, z ippe r i s a s bus y a s e ver ." Tha t br ought hi s e ye s up t o her s a ga in. " Ever y t ime I

see Devon, she's smiling."

H er c om po su re w as i nc on gr ue nt w it h t he b aw di ne ss o f t he t op ic . I n l ig ht of t ha t, i t w as d if fi cu lt f or hi m t o

r em ai n ang ry . A lt ho ug h h is s co wl s tayed i n p lace, a f leet in g g ri n l if ted o ne cor ner o f h is l ip s. " Yo u' re all

right, Goosey.

A r ea l g oo d s po rt ."

S he r ol led h er eyes. " Ev er y w om an 's s ecret amb it io n. "

"I m eant t hat as a com pl im en t. "

"Then thanks."

" Wh il e w e' re s ti ll o n g oo d t er ms , w hy d on 't y ou e xe rc is e y ou r s up er b ra in , d o t he s ma rt t hi ng , a nd l ea ve

m e w here y ou f ou nd m e?"

" Wha t ki nd of fr iend woul d I be i f I des er te d you i n your t im e of ne ed?"

" It 's b ecau se w e' ve alw ay s b een f r iend s t hat

I ' m ask in g y ou t o l eave. I f y ou s ti ck aro un d f or l on g, s om et hi ng r eall y t er ri bl e m ig ht h ap pen.

Something I'd hate."

" Li ke w hat?" s he ask ed w it h a l ig ht l au gh .

" I' m l iabl e t o m ak e u s enemi es ."

Her expression turned serious. "Never,


20/194

Chase."

He grunted noncommittally. "Pete's heading home, you say?"

"That's right."

" He's g ot all m y s tu ff i n h is t rail er ."

" Ta ke n c ar e of ." Sh e t oo k a c up o f c us ta rd f rom h is b ed t ra y a nd p ee le d b ac k t he f oi l s ea l. " He dr op pe d

every th in g o ff at t he col is eu m o n h is w ay o ut o f t ow n ear ly t hi s m or ni ng .

I pi ck ed i t a ll up t he re ."

W it ho ut r ea li zi ng h e w as d oi ng s o, h e o pe ne d h is m ou th w he n s he f oi st ed a s po onf ul o f c us ta rd o n hi m.

" Yo u w en t t o a ll t ha t t rou bl e f or m e? "

"No trouble."

"Did you call my family?"

" N o. I wa nt ed t o a sk yo u a bo ut t ha t f ir st ."

"Don't call them."

" Ar e y ou s ur e t ha t' s w ha t y ou w an t? "

"Positive."

" Th ey 'l l w an t t o k no w, C hase."

"They'll find out soon enough. When they

I ' d o, t he y' ll ma ke a n i ss ue of i t. "

" Well , t hey s ho ul d. Y ou cou ld h av e b een k il led. "

" An d w ou ld n' t t hat h av e b een a t ragedy ?" h e ask ed s ar cas ti call y.

S he s t op ped s po on in g i n t he cus t ar d. " Yes.

I t w ou ld h av e b een. "

H e l oo ke d r ea dy t o a rg ue t he p oi nt , b ut t ur ne d h is h ea d a wa y i ns te ad a nd w it h a nn oy an ce , p us he d b ac k

t he b ed t ra y. " Lo ok ,

M arci e, I app r eci at e"

" Wh at h ap pened t o G oo sey?"

H e l oo ke d h er o ve r c ar ef ul ly . T he c ar ro t- co lo re d h ai r s he 'd h ad i n k in de rg ar te n h ad m el lo we d t o a s of t

r ed , s ho t t hr ou gh w it h go ld . I t w as s ti ll n at ur al ly c ur ly a nd h ad a m in d o f i ts o wn , b ut s he h ad l ea rn ed t o


21/194

arrange it artfully.

F or y ea rs s he h ad v ai nl y t ri ed t o t an . S he u se d t o p ra y t ha t a ll h er f re ck le s w ou ld r un t og et he r. A ft er

s ev er al s ev er e s un bu rn s and w eeks o f u ns ig ht ly p eeli ng , s he h ad event uall y g iv en u p o n t hat f ut il e

e nd ea vo r. S he h ad d ec id ed t ha t i f s he c ou ld n' t h av e t he s le ek , g ol de n t an o f b ea ch b un ni es , s he w ou ld g o

i n t he o pp os it e d ir ec ti on a nd p la y u p h er f ai r c om pl ex io n t o i ts b es t a dv an ta ge . I t n ow a pp ea re d a lm os t

t ra ns lu ce nt a nd w as o ft en r em ar ke d u po n w it h e nv y b y w om en h er a ge w ho h ad b as ke d i n t he s un f or y ears and w er e n ow p ay in g f or t heir g or geou s t an s w it h l in es and w ri nk les.

E yeg las ses h ad b een r epl aced b y con tacts .

Y ea rs i n b ra ce s h ad l ef t h er w it h a p er fe ct s mi le . T he b ea ns ta lk b od y h ad f in al ly s pr ou te d a nd f il le d o ut .

S he w as s ti ll s tr ik in gl y s lend er , b ut i t w as a f as hi on ab le, n ot an u nf or tu nate, s li mn es s. T he cur ves b en eath

h er exp en si ve and chi c clo th in g w er en 't abu nd an t, b ut t hey w er e d et ectabl e.

M ar ci e J oh ns h ad c om e a l on g w ay f ro m t he a wk wa rd b oo kw or m a ll t he o th er k id s h ad c al le d G oo se y.

W hi le t he p op ul ar g ir ls i n h er c la ss h ad g on e o ut f or c he er le ad er a nd d ru m m aj or et te , s he h ad b ee nc ap ta in o f t he d eb at e t ea m a nd p re si de nt o f t he L at in c lu b.

H er m or e cur vaceou s class mates h ad b een cro wn ed H om ecom in g Q ueen and V al en ti ne

S w eeth eart ; s he h ad r ecei ved award s f or o ut st and in g s ch ol as t ic ach ievement s . H er p ar en ts h ad t ol d h er

that those were much more important than winning popularity contests, but

M ar ci e w as s ma rt e no ug h t o k no w b et te r.

S he w ou ld h av e t raded all h er cer ti fi cates o f m er it f or o ne r hi nest on e- st ud ded t iara and a cro wn in g k is s

f ro m t he p re si de nt o f t he c la ss ,

C hase T yl er . F ew r eali zed t hat t heir class v al ed icto ri an p in ed f or any th in g o th er t han s ch ol as ti c

r ec og ni ti on . I nd ee d, w ho w ou ld h av e e ve n t ho ug ht a bo ut i t? G oo se y w as G oo se y, a nd n o o ne h ad e ve r

g iv en h er a s ec on d t ho ug ht b ey on d h ow s ma rt s he w as .

C ha se d id n ow , h ow ev er . S um mi ng u p h er a pp ea ra nc e, h e s ai d, " So me ho w t he n am e

G oo sey d oesn 't f it a w el l- pu t- to geth er l ad y l ik e y ou ."

"Thank you."

" Yo u' re w el co me . N ow , a s I w as s ay in g "

"You were brushing me off."

C ha se r ak ed h is h an d t hr ou gh h is u nr ul y h ai r. " It 's n ot l ik e I d on 't a pp re ci at e a ll y ou 'v e d on e, M ar ci e. I

do."

" It 's j us t t ha t y ou w an t t o b e l ef t a lo ne ."

"That's right."

"To wallow in your misery."


22/194

" Ri gh t a ga in . N ow , u nl es s y ou 'r e p re pa re d t o s ta nd t he re w hi le I c om e o ut o f t hi s b ed w it h n ot hi ng m or e

o n t ha n a b an da ge a ro un d m y r ib s, I s ug ge st y ou s ay y ou r f ar ew el ls a nd

leave."

" Yo u can 't b e s er io us abo ut l eavi ng t he h os pi tal. "

"I am."

" Bu t t he d octo r h as n' t even s een y ou t hi s m or ni ng ."

"I don't need him t o tell me that I' ve got a few cra cke d ribs. Not hing a da y or two in bed

w on 't c ur e. I 'd r at he r p as s t he t im e s om ew he re e ls e, s om ep la ce w he re w hi sk ey i sn 't s o s ca rc e. "

H e s tr ug gl ed i nt o a s it ti ng p os it io n. T he p ai n t oo k h is b re at h. T ea rs s pr an g t o h is e ye s.

H e m ad e a t er ri bl e, t eeth -g nash in g f ace u nt il t he w or st o f i t s ub si ded.

" Ho w a re y ou g oi ng t o g et t o t hi s ' pl ac e' ?" s he a sk ed . " Yo u c an 't d ri ve i n y ou r c on di ti on ."

"I'll manage."

"And probably kill yourself in the process."

H e s wi ve le d h is h ea d a ro un d a nd s pe ar ed h er w it h h is e ye s. " Ma yb e I s ho ul d t ak e a s af e- dr iv in g l es so n

from you."

H e c ou ld n' t h av e d on e o r s ai d a ny th in g t ha t w ou ld h ur t h er m or e. S he a lm os t b en t d ou bl e a ga in st t he

a ss au lt o f h is h ar sh w or ds . T he b lo od d ra in ed f ro m h er h ea d s o q ui ck ly , s he f el t f ai nt .

T he s ec on d t he w or ds w er e o ut o f C ha se 's m ou th , h is h ea d d ro pp ed f or wa rd u nt il h is b ru is ed c hi n

r es te d o n h is c he st . H e m ut te re d a l it an y o f e xp le ti ve s. B ey on d t ha t, t he s il en ce i n t he r oo m w as t hi ck

e no ug h t o c ut w it h a kn if e.

A t l as t h e r ai se d h is h ea d. " I' m s or ry ,

Marcie."

S he w as n er vo us ly clasp in g and u nclasp in g h er h an ds as s he s tared s ig ht less ly i nt o n ear s pace. " I

w on dered i f y ou b lamed m e f or t he accid en t. "

" I d on 't . I s we ar I d on 't ."

" Mayb e n ot con scio us ly . B ut d eep d ow n "

"N ot a t a ll . I t w as a t ho ug ht le ss , s tu pi d

t hi ng t o s ay. I t ol d yo u I 'd m ake a n en emy of you. I c an' t" H e r ai se d hi s ha nds he lpl es sl y.


23/194

" So me ti me s I g et s o f ur io us a bo ut i t, I

t ur n n as ty a nd v ic ti mi ze w ho ev er h ap pe ns t o b e a ro un d m e a t t he t im e. T ha t' s w hy I 'm n ot v er y g oo d

c om pa ny . T ha t' s w hy I j us t w an t t o b e l ef t a lo ne ."

H is e mo ti on al p ai n w as s o s ta rk ly e vi de nt , i t w as e as y t o f or gi ve h im f or l as hi ng o ut a t he r. H e w as l ik e a

w ou nd ed , c or ne re d a ni ma l t ha t w ou ld n' t a ll ow a ny on e t o g et c lo se e no ug h t o h el p h im . F or t he t wo y ea rss in ce T an ya's d eath h e h ad b een l icki ng h is w ou nd s. T hey h ad n' t h ealed y et . L ef t alo ne t hey n ev er w ou ld .

T hey w ou ld o nl y f est er and b ecom e w or se.

C hase w as n o l on ger cap ab le o f h el pi ng h im self .

"Do you insist on leaving this hospital?"

" Ye s," he s aid. " If I ha ve t o c ra wl out ."

" Th en l et m e d ri ve y ou h om e. T o M il to n

Point."

"Forget it."

" Be r ea so na bl e, C ha se . W he re w il l y ou g o?

I f y ou w er e s ta yi ng w it h t ha t c low n a nd h e' s l ef t f or C an ad a, w he re w il l y ou g o? "

" Th er e a re p le nt y o f o th er r od eo f ol ks I c an s ta y w it h. "

" Who m ight or m ight no t t ake pr ope r c ar e of you. " She move d c los er a nd l ai d he r ha nd on hi s ba re

s ho ul der. " Ch as e, l et m e d ri ve y ou t o M il to n P oi nt ."

J aw s tu bb or nl y s et , h e s ai d, " I d on 't w an t t o g o h om e. "

W ha t h e d id n' t k no w w as t ha t M ar ci e c oul d b e a s s tub bor n a s he . He r p er so na li ty h ad a n

in fl ex ib le s tr eak t hat f ew ever s aw b ecau se s he o nl y exercis ed i t w hen g iv en n o alt er nati ve.

" Th en I 'l l cal l L ucky and d is cu ss w it h h im w hat I s ho ul d d o w it h y ou ."

" Th e h el l yo u wi ll ," h e r oa re d. H e c am e o ff t he be d, r ee li ng f rom h is w ea ke ne d c ond it ion w he n hi s f ee t

h it t he f lo or . " Leav e m y f am il y o ut o f t hi s. I 'l l m an ag e j us t f in e b y m ys el f. "

" Oh , s ur e. Y ou c an b ar el y s ta nd u p! "

G ri tt in g h is t eeth i n f ru st rati on and p ai n, h e s ai d, " Pl ease g o away and l eave m e alo ne."

M ar ci e d re w h er se lf up t o h er f ul l he ig ht . " I

di dn 't w an t t o b ri ng u p s uc h a d el ic at e s ub je ct ,


24/194

C ha se , b ut y ou l ea ve m e n o c ho ic e. T he re 's t he m at te r o f t he m on ey ."

T ha t t oo k h im a ba ck . F or a m om en t h e m er el y s ta re d a t h er b la nk ly , t he n, d ra wi ng a f ro wn , h e g ro wl ed ,

"Money? What money?"

" Th e m on ey i t t oo k t o a dm it y ou t o t hi s h os pi ta l a nd g et t re at me nt . I d id n' t t hi nk y ou w ou ld w an t t o b e

adm it ted as a chari ty p at ient , s o I p ai d f or every th in g. "

"You what?"

" Yo u h ad n o i ns ur an ce car d i n y ou r w al let.

W e d id n' t f in d a s ig ni fi cant amo un t o f m on ey t here eit her, s o I f oo ted t he b il l. "

H e g na we d o n hi s l ow er l ip , h is a gi ta ti on p la in . " The e nt ry f ee w as s ev er al hu nd re d d ol la rs , b ut i f I h ad n' t

put it up, I couldn't have ridden in the rodeo. I was low on cash."

" Th en i t' s l ucky f or y ou I h ap pened alo ng , i sn 't i t?"

"You'll get your money."

" Tha t' s r ight , I wi ll . A s s oon a s we ge t t o

M il to n P oi nt y ou c an w it hd ra w i t f ro m y ou r b an k a cc ou nt o r b or ro w i t f ro m y ou r b ro th er ."

" Ma rc ie ," h e s ai d, r ea dy t o a rg ue .

" I' m n ot l eavi ng y ou t o y ou r o wn d ev ices ,

C ha se . A cc or di ng t o s ou rc es w ho k no w y ou w el l, y ou 'v e b ee n d ri nk in g t oo m uc h. H ow c an y ou r b od y

he al i f you t ake no be tt er c ar e o f i t t ha n t ha t? "

" I d on 't g iv e a d am n w he th er i t h ea ls o r n ot ."

"W el l, I d o. "

"Why?"

" Becaus e I w an t m y f iv e h un dr ed s ev en ty -t hr ee d ol lars and s ix ty -t wo cen ts b ack. " H av in g s ai d t hat, s he

m ar ch ed t o t he d oor a nd pul le d i t ope n. " I' ll s end a nu rs e i n t o he lp you g et dr es se d." She l owe re d he r

eyes p oi nt ed ly , r em in di ng h im t hat h e w as i nd eed n ak ed excep t f or t he w hi te s wath e o f b an dagi ng aro un d

h is r ib c ag e.

"W hat abo ut m y t ru ck ?"

M ar ci e k ep t h er eyes o n t he r oad. P el lets o f i ce w er e f al li ng i nt er mi tt en tl y w it h t he r ai n.

" I t oo k c ar e o f i t. "

" Ar e w e t ow ing i t o r w ha t? "


25/194

He ha d r ef us ed t o l ie d ow n i n t he ba ck se at of he r c ar a s s he ha d s ugge st ed . But e ve r s inc e l ea vi ng t he

h os pi ta l, h is h ea d h ad b ee n r ec li ni ng o n t he h ea dr es t. H er c ar w as r oo my a nd p lu sh b ec au se s he u se d i t

t o d ri ve c li en ts a ro un d i n. S of t m us ic ' w as p la yi ng o n t he s te re o r ad io . T he h ea te r w as c on tr ol le d b y a

t herm os t at . C has e w as s ur ro un ded w it h as

m uch com fo rt ab le l ux ur y as p os si bl e. H is eyes h ad r em ai ned clo sed, t ho ug h h e w as n' t asl eep.

T he y w er e o nl y h al f a n h ou r i nt o a t wo -a nd a h al f- ho ur c ar t ri p. M or ni ng r us h h ou r w as o ve r, b ut t he

weather, deteriorating by the minute, was making driving hazardous.

P r ecip it at io n h ad i ncreas ed , a n as ty m ix o f r ai n and s leet t hat f requ en tl y p lagu ed n or th

Texas d ur in g J an uary and F eb ru ar y. T he F or t

W or th L iv es to ck S ho w a nd R od eo a lw ay s s ee me d t o h er al d i t i n.

M ar ci e ha d he r e ye s gl ue d t o t he pa ve me nt j us t b ey ond he r h oo d or na me nt a nd k ept a de at h g ri p o n t hesteering wheel while maintaining minimum speed as she navigated the labyrinth of freeways that encircled

downtown

Dallas. Unfortunately it fell directly in the path between their starting point and their destination.

"I h ir ed s om eo ne t o d ri ve y ou r p ic ku p t o

M il to n P oi nt l at er t hi s w ee k, " s he s ai d i n a ns we r t o C ha se 's q ue st io n. " By t he t im e y ou 'r e a bl e t o d ri ve ,

it'll be there."

"Y ou h ir ed s om eo ne t o d ri ve m y t ru ck ?"

" Uh -h uh ," s he r ep li ed , con cent rati ng o n t he eig ht een- wh eeler w hi zzin g p as t h er at a s peed t hat s et h er

t ee th o n e dg e.

"Still competent, aren't you?"

" The w ay y ou s ai d t ha t l ea ds m e t o b el ie ve yo u d on 't m ea n i t a s a c om pl im en t. "

" Oh , I com mend y ou r com petency. I t' s j us t t hat m os t m en are i nt im id at ed b y s el f- su ff icient ,

o verach ievi ng w om en ." H e r ol led h is h ead again st t he cus hi on s o h e cou ld l oo k at h er .

" Is t ha t w hy yo u n ev er g ot m ar ri ed ? N ev er c ou ld m ee t y ou r m at ch i n t he b ra in s d ep ar tm en t? "

S he d id n' t f eel i ncli ned t o d is cu ss h er p ri vate l if e w it h h im , esp eciall y s in ce s he d et ected a d er is iv e q uali ty

to his seemingly harmless question.

" Yo u o ug ht t o t ry t o s leep , C hase. Y ou 'r e f ig ht in g t he p ai n m ed icat io n t hey g av e y ou b ef or e w e l ef t. "

" Wh at d o t hey cal l t hat?"

"Demerol."

" No, I me an wh en a w oma n w ant s t o b e a ma n. Som e ki nd of e nvy. O h, ye ah, pe ni s e nv y."


26/194

D esp it e t he t raff ic and g lazed h ig hw ay , s he l oo ked acr os s at h im . H is s mu g exp ress io n w as i nt ol er ab le.

Sh e l on ge d t o c om e ba ck w it h t he s wi ft a nd s ur e r et or t.

M ar ci e t ur ned h er f ul l att en ti on b ack t o t he r oad. S he s wall ow ed w it h d if fi cu lt y. " Actu al ly ,

C ha se , I w as e ng ag ed t o b e m ar ri ed o nc e. "

His snide smile faltered. "Really? When?"

"S ev er al y ears ago , w hi le I w as l iv in g i n

H ou st on . H e w as a r ea lt or , t oo . W e w or ke d o ut o f t he s am e o ff ic e, a lt ho ug h h e w as i n c om me rc ia l r ea l

est at e and I w as i n r es id en ti al ."

" W ha t h ap pe ne d? W ho b ro ke i t o ff , y ou o r h im ?"

S he evaded t he d ir ect q ues ti on . " We h ad d at ed f or s ev er al m on th s b ef or e b ecom in g eng ag ed .

H e w as v er y n ic e, i nt el li ge nt , h ad a g ood s en se o f h um or ."

" B ut y ou w er en 't com pati bl e i n t he s ack. "

" On t he con tr ar y. W e w er e v er y com pati bl e. "

H e t ilt ed his he ad t o one s ide . " It' s ha rd f or me to i ma gi ne you i n t he s ac k."

" Wh at a n ic e t hi ng t o s ay ," s he r em ar ke d, h er t on e i mp ly in g j us t t he o ppo si te .

" I g uess b ecau se y ou d id n' t d at e m uch i n h ig h s ch oo l. "

" It w as n' t b ec au se I d idn 't w ant t o. N ob od y a ske d m e. "

" Al l y ou w er e i nt er es ted i n w as g et ti ng s tr ai gh t A 's ."

"Hardly."

" Th at 's w hat i t l oo ked l ik e. "

" Loo ks c an b e de ce ivi ng. I w ant ed t o be be aut if ul a nd p opu la r a nd go s te ady w it h a s up er j oc k j us t l ik e

every high school girl."

" Hm m. B ack t o t he g uy i n H ou st on , w hy d id n' t y ou m ar ry h im ?"

S he s mi le d s ad ly . " I d id n' t l ov e h im . A w ee k b ef or e t he w ed di ng I w as t ryi ng o n m y g ow n f or a f in al

f it ti ng . M y m ot her and t he s eams tr es s w ho w as d oi ng t he alt er at io ns w er e f us si ng aro un d m e. T he r oo m

was filled with wedding gifts.

" I l oo ke d a t m ys el f i n t he m ir ro r a nd t ri ed t o r el at e t ha t b ri de t o m ys el f. T he g ow n w as g or ge ou s. M y

parents had gone all out, but it wasn't me.


27/194

" I t ri ed t o i magi ne w al ki ng d ow n t he ais le and p ledg in g u nd yi ng l ov e and d ev ot io n t o t hi s m an I w as

e nga ge d t o. And i n a bl indi ng i ns ta nt I kne w I c ou ldn' t do i t. I c oul dn 't be th at di shon es t. I wa s f ond o f

hi m. I l ike d hi m ve ry m uc h. B ut I di dn' t l ove hi m.

" So I c al ml y s te pp ed o ut o f t he w hi te s at in

creat io n and i nf or med m y m ot her and t he f labb er gast ed s eams tr es s t hat t he w ed di ng w as n' t g oi ng t ot ak e p lace aft er all . A s y ou can i magi ne, m y ann ou ncem en t creat ed q ui te a com mo ti on . T he n ex t f ew

d ay s w er e a n ig ht mare.

A ll t he a rr an ge me nt s, f lo we rs , c at er er , e ve ry th in g h ad t o b e c an ce le d. T he g if ts h ad t o b e r et ur ne d t o

t heir s en ders w it h n ot es o f apo lo gy ."

" Wh at a bo ut h im ? H ow 'd h e t ak e i t? "

" Ve ry we ll . O h, a t f ir st he a rgue d a nd t ri ed t o t alk me out of it , pa ssi ng off my r es er vat ions a s

prewedding jitters. But after we had discussed it at length, he agreed that it was the right thing to do. It hi nk h e r ea li ze d a ll a lo ng t ha t we ll , t ha t I d id n' t l ov e h im a s I

should."

" Th at w as a h el lu va t hi ng t o d o, M ar ci e. "

" I k no w, " s he s ai d w it h chagr in . " I' m cer tain ly n ot p ro ud o f i t. "

" No, I me an i t w as a he ll uva t hi ng t o do. I t t ook r ea l gut s t o br ea k i f of f a t t he e le ve nt h hour li ke t ha t."

Sh e s ho ok h er h ea d. " No , C ha se . I f I 'd h ad a ny g ut s, I w ou ld h av e a dm it te d t o m ys el f, b ef or e i nv ol vi nga n i nn oc en t m an , t ha t i t j us t w as n' t d es ti ne d f or m e t o g et m ar ri ed ."

Th ey w er e s il en t f or a w hi le, w hi ch s ui ted

M ar ci e f ine s inc e t he r oa d ha d gone a s ta ge be yon d b ei ng gl az ed a nd wa s now l ik e t he s ur fa ce of a n i ce

rink.

Be for e l ong , ho we ve r, C ha se m oa ne d a nd l ai d a h an d a ga in st h is r ib s. " Th is i s h ur ti ng l ik e a s on o f a

bitch."

" Ta ke a no th er p il l. T he d oc to r s ai d y ou c ou ld h av e o ne e ve ry t wo h ou rs ."

"T hat' s n ot hi ng b ut g lo ri fi ed asp ir in . S to p and l et m e b uy a b ot tl e o f w hi sk ey ."

" Ab so lu tely n ot . I 'm n ot s to pp in g t hi s car u nt il I g et t o y ou r p lace i n M il to n P oi nt ."

" I f I w as h t he p il l do wn wi th w hi sk ey , i t' ll g o t o w or k f as te r. "

" Yo u can 't b ar gain w it h m e. B es id es , i t' s s tu pi d t o m ix alcoh ol and d ru gs ."

" Fo r god sa ke , do n' t g et pr ea chy o n m e. P ul l o ff a t t he ne xt e xi t. Th er e' s a l iquo r s to re t he re . I t w on 't

take a sec for me to go in"


28/194

" I' m n ot l et ti ng y ou b uy any l iq uo r w hi le y ou 'r e w it h m e. "

" We ll , I d id n' t a sk t o b e w it h y ou , d id I ?" h e s ho ut ed . " Yo u r am ro dd ed y ou r w ay i nt o m y b us in es s. N ow

I want a drink and I want it now."

M ar ci e e as ed h er f oo t o ff t he a cc el er at or a nd l et t he c ar c oa st t ow ar d t he s ho ul de r o f t he h ig hw ay .

G radu al ly s he app li ed t he b rake u nt il i t cam e t o a f ul l s to p. S he u ncur led h er s ti ff , w hi te f in gers f ro maro un d t he p ad ded- leath er s teeri ng w heel and t ur ned t o f ace h im .

H e w as n' t e xp ec ti ng t he s la p. H er c ol d p al m c ra ck ed a cr os s h is b ri st le d c he ek .

"Damn you!" Her whole body was trembling.

U ns hed t ears s hi mm er ed i n h er eyes. " Damn y ou , C hase T yl er , f or b ei ng t he m os t s el fi sh , s el f- ab so rb ed

jerk ever to be born. Look at my hands."

S he h el d t hem i nches i n f ro nt o f h is n os e, p al ms f or ward . " Th ey 'r e w ri ng in g w et . I 'm

s ca re d t o d ea th . H av en 't y ou r ea li ze d t ha t i t i sn 't e as y f or m e t o d ri ve u nd er a ny c ir cu ms ta nc es , b ut

especially under conditions like this?" She gestured wildly toward the inclement weather beyond the

windshield.

"I 'm a fr aid t ha t e ve ry ca r we m ee t is going t o hi t us . I li ve in t er ror of tha t ha ppeni ng t o me aga in. Eve n

m or e s o w he n I h av e a p as se ng er s it ti ng w he re T an ya w as s it ti ng .

"I w as i n t ha t c ar , t oo, Ch as e, w he n t ha t k id r an t he s top s ign. T o t hi s da y I ha ve ni ght ma re s wh er e I

e xp er ie nc e t he s ou nd o f s qu ea li ng t ir es a nd f ee l t he i mp ac t a nd t as te t he f ea r o f d yi ng a ll o ve r a ga in . I h ad

t o u nd er go w ee ks o f t he ra py b ef or e I c ou ld e ve n g et b eh in d t he s te er in g w he el o f a c ar a ga in .

" I f y ou d id n' t n eed t o g et h om e i mm ed iately ,

I woul d be hol ed up i n my hot el r oom i n For t W ort h unt il t he next s unny, dr y day. I

w ou ld n' t t hi nk o f r is ki ng m y l if e o r any on e els e' s b y d ri vi ng i n t hi s i ce s to rm ."

Sh e p au se d a nd d re w i n a s hu dd er in g b re at h.

" Yo u' re" r ig ht , y ou d id n' t ask f or m y h el p, b ut

I f el t I o we d y ou t hi s m uc h, t o g et y ou s af el y h om e t o y ou r f am il y w he re y ou c an pr op er ly r ec up er at e. "

She doubled up her fist and shook it at him. "But by God, t he least you c ould do is shut up and stop

your infernal bellyaching!"

" s ti ll don' t thi nk we s hould wa ke him up. If he didn' t wa ke up when we c ame bar gi ng i n, a s much

n oi se a s w e w er e m ak in g, h e n ee ds t hi s s le ep ."

M ar ci e, w it h b ot h a rm s c ur le d a ro un d l oa de d s up er ma rk et s ac ks , p au se d o ut si de t he d oo r o f C ha se 's

apart ment . T hr ou gh i t, s he cou ld h ear v oi ces.

"But how else a re we going to find out how he got here, Mother? And how do we know how many of


29/194

t ho se p il ls h e' s t ak en ? T ha t c ou ld b e t he r ea so n h e' s s le ep in g l ik e a d ea d m an ."

" Lu ck y, r el ax ," a t hi rd v oi ce s ai d, " th e p il l b ot tl e w as alm os t f ul l. H e cou ld n' t h av e t ak en m an y. L au ri e' s

r ig ht . F or t he t im e b ei ng , h e' s b et ter o ff asl eep. "

" Th at 's a w icked- lo ok in g b an dage aro un d h is chest ," L au ri e T yl er s ai d. " Ob vi ou sl y h e n eeds b ed r es t.

We ca n wa it unt il he wa ke s up on hi s own t o fi nd out who brought hi m home ."

"Probably his current squeeze," Lucky muttered.

M ar ci e h ad h ea rd e no ug h. S he m an ag ed t o g ri p t he d oo rk no b a nd t ur n i t, s ta gg er in g i ns id e u nd er t he

w ei gh t o f t he g ro cer y s ack s.

T hr ee h ea ds c am e a ro un d t o g ap e a t h er w it h a st on is hm en t.

"Ms. Johns!"

"Hello, Mrs. Tyler."

S he w as f la tt er ed t ha t L au ri e T yl er k ne w h er . T ho ug h s he 'd b ee n i n C ha se 's c la ss a ll t hr ou gh s ch oo l,

t hey h ad n' t h ad t he s am e cir cl e o f f ri en ds . F ol lo wi ng h er r el ease f ro m t he h os pi tal, M ar ci e h ad con si dered

g oi ng t o s ee

L au ri e and apo lo gi zi ng f or T an ya's d eath . S he h ad u lt im at el y d ecid ed again st i t, t hi nk in g t hat i t w ou ld b e

a d if fi cu lt m eeti ng each o f t hem cou ld d o w it ho ut .

" Lu ck y, t ak e t ho se s acks f ro m h er ," L au ri e o rd er ed , s ho vi ng h er d um bf ou nd ed y ou ng er s on f or ward .

" Marcie, w hat t he h el l are y ou d oi ng h er e?"

L uc ky r el ie ve d h er o f t he g ro ce ry s ac ks a nd s et t he m o n t he b ar , w hi ch s ep ar at ed t he s ma ll k it ch en f ro m

t he l iv in g area o f t he apart ment .

M ar ci e d ro pp ed h er p ur se a nd k ey s i nt o a c ha ir l it te re d w it h u no pe ne d m ai l a nd d is ca rd ed a rt ic le s o f

c lo th in g t ha t h ad l ai n t he re l on g e no ug h t o c ol le ct d us t. " Le t m e a ss ur e y ou , I 'm n ot C ha se 's c ur re nt

s qu ee ze ," s he r em ar ke d a s s he s hr ug ge d o ff h er c oa t.

Lucky looked chagrined, but only momentarily.

" I' m s or ry y ou o ve rh ea rd t ha t, b ut w ha t' s g oi ng o n? W e' ve h ad h is l an dl or d h er e o n t he l oo ko ut f or h im .

He w as t o n ot if y us whe n a nd i f C ha se t ur ne d up. H e c al le d a bou t ha lf a n ho ur a go a nd s ai d he 'd s ee n

l ig ht s o n i n t he a pa rt me nt a lt ho ug h C ha se 's t ru ck w as n' t h er e. W e r us he d o ve r a nd f ou nd C ha se a lo ne

a nd d ea d t o t he wo rl d. "

" An d b an daged, " D ev on add ed . " Is h e s er io us ly h ur t?"

" He 's c er ta in ly u nc om fo rt ab le , b ut t he i nj ur y i sn 't s er io us . H e g ot s ta mp ed o n b y a b ul l a t t he r od eo i n

Fort Worth last night."

M ar ci e t ol d t he m a bo ut t he a cc id en t a nd h ow s he h ad h ap pe ne d t o b e t he re . S he a vo id ed t el li ng t he m

t ha t s he h ad s pe nt t he n ig ht i n h is h os pi ta l r oom . S he h ad b ee n a wa y f rom h im o nl y l on g e no ug h t o r et ur n


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t o t he h ot el w he re s he w as c he ck ed i n, s ho we r, c ha ng e c lo th es , a nd p ac k, t he n d ri ve t o t he c ol is eu m t o

pick up his belongings.

" Th is m or ni ng , w hen I r et ur ned t o t he h os pi tal, h e w as t er ro ri zi ng t he n ur si ng s taff . H e r ef us ed t o b e

s ha ve d. A b ed b at h w as o ut o f t he q ue st io n. H e i ns is te d o n l ea vi ng ."

"He's crazy!"

D ev on s ho t h er h us band a w it heri ng g lance.

" As i f you 'd b e a m or e c oop er at iv e pa ti en t. I

c an s ee y ou s ub mi tt in g t o a b ed b at h. " T ur ni ng h er a tt en ti on b ac k t o M ar ci e, s he a sk ed ,

" Di d h e j us t w al k ou t? "

" He woul d ha ve , but I c al le d t he doc tor . He g ot t he re i n t he ni ck of t im e. H e e xa mi ne d

C ha se a nd r ec omm ende d t ha t he s ta y i n t he hos pi ta l f or a f ew da ys . Whe n he r ea li ze d t ha t h e' d a s w el l

a rg ue w it h a b ri ck w al l, h e s ig ne d a r el ea se f or m.

"I v ol un te er ed t o dr ive h im he re a nd pr omi se d t he do ct or t ha t I w oul d s ee t o i t he got i nt o be d. He ga ve

h im a p rescri pt io n f or p ai n m ed icat io n th e b ot tl e o f cap su les o n t he n ig ht st an d, " s he s ai d t o L ucky .

" He's t ak en o nl y t he p rescri bed amo un t. "

O bv io us ly r el ie ve d, L au ri e l ow er ed h er se lf t o t he s of a. " Th an k G od y ou h ap pe ne d t o b e t he re , M s.

J oh ns , a nd t oo k i t u po n y ou rs el f t o l oo k a ft er h im f or u s. "

" Pl ease cal l m e M ar ci e. "

"Thank you very much."

" It wa s t he l ea st I c ou ld do ."

T hey f el l s il en t t hen. W hat h ad g on e u ns ai d w as t hat M ar ci e' s ass is tance i n t hi s m at ter w as n om in al

r ep ay ment f or h av in g b een d ri vi ng w hen C hase's w if e h ad b een k il led.

De vo n w as t he f ir st t o b re ak t he u ne as y s il en ce . " Wh at 's a ll t ha t? " S he p oi nt ed t ow ar d t he s ac kss tand in g o n t he b ar .

" Fo od . T he re w as n ot hi ng b ut a c an o f s po il ed s ar di ne s i n t he r ef ri ge ra to r. N ot hi ng a t a ll i n t he p an tr y. I

also bought some cleaning supplies."

L au ri e r an h er f in ge r o ve r t he c of fe e t ab le , p ic ki ng u p a q ua rt er i nc h o f d us t. " I d on 't t hi nk t hi s p la ce h as

been touched since Tanya died."

"That's right. It hasn't."

A s o ne , t he y t ur ne d t o f in d C ha se s ta nd in g i n t he d oo rw ay . H e h ad p ul le d o n a b at hr ob e, b ut s tu rd y,

l ea n ba re l eg s w er e s ti cki ng ou t of i t. Th e w hi te ba nd age s how ed up i n t he o pe n we dge o f t he r ob e

a cr os s h is c he st . H is h ai r s ti ll l ook ed l ik e h e h ad r un t hr ou gh a w in d t un ne l, a nd h is s tub bl e ha d g ro wn


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d ar ke r. I t w as n o d ar ke r, h ow ev er , t ha n h is g lo we r.

" It h as n' t h ad any v is it or s eit her, " h e add ed ,

" an d t ha t' s t he w ay I w an t i t. S o n ow t ha t y ou 'v e h ad y ou r l it tl e d is cu ss io n a bo ut m e a nd m y c ha ra ct er

f la ws , y ou c an a ll c le ar ou t a nd l ea ve m e t he h el l a lon e. "

L au ri e, s ti ll s pr y even i n h er m id -f if ti es , s pr an g t o h er f eet. " No w l is ten h er e, C hase

N at ha ni el T yl er , I w il l n ot be s po ke n t o i n t ha t t on e o f vo ic e b y a ny o f m y c hi ldr en , a nd t ha t i nc lu de s

yo u. I do n' t c ar e ho w b ig yo u a re ." Sh e pu sh ed u p t he s le ev es o f he r s we at er a s t ho ug h r ea dy t o e nga ge

him in a fistfight if necessary.

" Yo u l oo k s o d is re pu ta bl e I 'm a lm os t a sh am ed t o c la im y ou a s m y e ld es t s on . O n t op o f t ha t, y ou s me ll .

T hi s p lace i s a p ig st y, u nf it f or h um an h ab it at io n. A ll o f t hat i s s ub ject t o chang e. S tart in g n ow ," s he

emphasized.

" I' m f ed u p w it h y ou r s el f- pi ty and y ou r w hi ni ng and y ou r p er petu al f ro wn . I 'm t ir ed o f w al ki ng o n t hi n

i ce a ro un d y ou . W he n y ou

we re a boy , I ga ve yo u wh at w as go od f or you w he the r you l ike d i t or no t. W el l, yo u' re gr own , a nd

s up po se dl y a bl e t o t ak e c ar e o f y ou rs el f, b ut I t hi nk i t' s t im e f or m e t o e xe rc is e s om e m at er na l

prerogatives. Whether you like it or not, this is for your own good."

She d re w h er se lf u p t al l. " Go s ha ve a nd t ak e a b at h w hi le I s ta rt a p ot of ho me ma de c hi cke n- noo dl e

soup."

C ha se s to od t he re a m om en t, g na wi ng t he i ns id e o f h is j aw . H e l oo ke d a t h is b ro th er .

"G o g et me a b ot tl e, wi ll y ou? "

" No t b lo od y l ik el y. I d on 't w an t h er o n m y t ai l, t oo ."

Chase lowered his head, muttering obscenities.

W hen h e l if ted h is h ead again , h is ang ry eyes con nect ed w it h M ar ci e' s. " Th is i s all y ou r f au lt , y ou k no w. "

H av in g s ai d t ha t, h e t ur ne d a nd l um be re d d ow n t he h al lw ay t ow ar d h is b ed ro om . T he d oo r w as s la mm ed

shut behind him.

M ar ci e h ad a ct ua ll y f al le n b ac k a s te p a s t ho ug h h e h ad a tt ac ke d h er p hy si ca ll y i ns te ad o f v er ba ll y.

U nk no wi ng ly s he h ad r ai se d a h an d t o h er c he st . D ev on m ov ed t ow ar d h er a nd l ai d h er a rm a cr os s

Marcie's shoulders.

" I' m s ur e h e d id n' t m ea n t ha t t he w ay i t s ou nd ed , M ar ci e. "

" An d I 'm s ur e h e d id ," s he s ai d s ha ki ly .

L ucky t ri ed t o r eass ur e h er . " He w as n' t r ef er ri ng t o t he accid en t

[Brown Sandra] Texas Chase(BookFi.org)

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