Read Online Ball and Chain by J. R. Roberts - Free Book Online Page B

by horseflies. “Fine! Good! I’m just sick of talking about the damn thing. I wanted you to come over so I could get the rest of that money to you, but I don’t feel right payin’ when I don’t have the . . . whatever the hell it is . . . in my hands.”
    â€œI understand,” Clint said with a solemn nod.
    â€œGood. I expect to have it in another day or so, just like you said. Otherwise, I might be inclined to ask for a discount on the price. After all,” Hank said, “this whole damn thing took too long anyways.”
    â€œI agree.”
    That last statement from Clint took some of the wind from Hank’s sails. He looked across the table, trying to get himself as riled up as he’d been moments ago. Unable to do so, Hank let out a disgruntled breath and pushed away from the table. “I’m gonna step outside for a smoke.”
    Hank’s boots smacked against the floor until they carried him through the front door. Once outside, the older man punished the porch in a similar fashion.
    After a few seconds, Ellie said, “You can go outside if you want. He’s never as cross as he sounds.”
    â€œNo,” Clint replied. “I think I’d rather stay inside.”
    â€œI was just going to clean up.”
    â€œSounds like fun.”

SIXTEEN
    Now that her father was outside, Clint had a good chance to see Ellie. Hank didn’t exactly overshadow her and he certainly didn’t intimidate Clint. The fact of the matter was that Ellie simply chose to fade into the background when her father was in eyeshot. Now that he was away, she could relax and shine a bit.
    In fact, Ellie shined quite a lot. Her features were simple, but not plain. Her skin was smooth and her hair had a feathery quality. Her little nose and high cheekbones made her even more attractive when she smiled and at the moment, she was smiling very wide indeed.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Clint asked.
    The two of them stood side by side in the kitchen. Ellie washed the dishes in a large basin and Clint dried them. Handing over another of the dishes, she shrugged and said, “You’re embarrassing me.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œYou’re . . . looking at me.”
    â€œSorry. Does that make you uneasy?”
    â€œNo, no,” she quickly said. “I’m just not used to it. At least, not from a man like you.”
    Clint played up his wince as he asked, “Should I take that in a good way or a bad way?”
    â€œIt’s good!” Realizing she’d been a little too anxious to say that, Ellie doubled her scrubbing on the largest platter and lowered her voice when she said, “It’s good, Mr. Adams.”
    â€œRemember what I told you.”
    She grinned, but quickly tried to hide it. “I remember . . . Clint.”
    â€œThat’s better. So you really like Ned’s work, huh?”
    â€œOh, yes. We were passing through there and Pa was being really difficult.”
    â€œSo you decided to gouge him a little by making him plunk down his money for flowers and leaves glued to some paper?”
    Ellie’s cheeks reddened and she lowered her head. Judging by her expression, she wasn’t ashamed of herself so much as she was trying to hide a wicked smile. “I liked those flowers. They’re very pretty, but you may be right. Maybe a little.”
    â€œI don’t see anything wrong with wanting a little something for yourself around here,” Clint told her. “I don’t see anything in this house that your father probably didn’t pick out. Usually, there’s a bit more of a woman’s touch.”
    â€œThere used to be.” As she spoke those words, Ellie’s voice tapered off and her eyes drifted toward the pictures that were framed and sitting on the mantel.
    Spotting the kindly face of an older woman in several of those pictures, Clint put the pieces together quickly enough. “Your