Read Online Dream's End by Diana Palmer - Free Book Online

pawn off on the rodeo boys?”
    â€œHow could I forget him?” She laughed.
    â€œWell, I finally convinced Bubba Morris that he could shed any rider who was fool enough to climb up on his back, so I was throwing a rope on him while the boys got the trailer back up to the corral.”
    â€œThere was a mudhole,” she guessed.
    â€œFrom last night’s rain,” he agreed.
    â€œAnd the bull pulled harder than you did.”
    â€œLady, you read my mind. Never fear, the headache’s gone now, and I hope some mean-tempered cowboy rips his gut open for him.”
    â€œSadist,” she teased.
    â€œWhat did Curry take Amanda all the way to Houston for?” he asked suddenly.
    â€œLunch.”
    â€œWhy didn’t they go to San Antone; it’s closer,” he said, abbreviating the name of the well-known Texas city affectionately, because, it was said every Texan had two homes—his own and San Antonio.
    â€œI don’t know,” Eleanor told him. “I guess she wanted to look in on her apartment or something. She’s been staying with a friend for the past two weeks, over in Victoria.”
    â€œBad time for Curry to be away from the ranch, what with roundup comingon,” Jim remarked. “He’s got a hell of a lot of work ahead of him. It’s no easy thing to move that many cattle from winter to summer pasture, and brand them, and check them, and spray them…”
    â€œDon’t tell me, I know all too well,” Eleanor sighed. “Whose shoulder do you think they cry on when Curry’s out of earshot? Sixteen hour days, no time off, hurting feet, no booze because Curry won’t let them drink on roundup, machinery breaking down…I’ve heard it all, and I will again. But I understand Curry to say it was already going on; he invited Amanda down to watch the branding.”
    â€œOf those new ones he just bought, probably,” Jim reminded her. “I’ll bet he called Terry over to check them and give them their shots at the same time.”
    â€œThat’s right, he did,” she replied. “Oh, gosh, I knew things were going too smoothly. I’ve got to live through roundup before I get out of here!”
    â€œIf we broke your leg, you wouldn’tbe any more use to him,” he said thoughtfully.
    â€œOh, no,” she returned. “I need both legs to keep out of his way!”
    â€œWhat’s he been up to, Norie?” he asked darkly.
    â€œJust his usual incorrigible temper,” she lied calmly. “I’d better get off this thing and get dressed. Want to go back to the club tonight and give the lady another charge?” She grinned.
    He paused. “Why not? Let her see what she’s missing.” He chuckled.
    Jim was more outgoing than usual, and Eleanor found herself laughing as she hadn’t in weeks. The club was crowded, but not so much so that she couldn’t see Jim’s pretty blonde shooting curious glances their way.
    â€œShe’s hooked,” Eleanor told Jim, darting a glance toward the blonde two tables over. “I’m getting vicious green-eyed looks.”
    â€œYou don’t mind?” he asked quietly.
    Both narrow eyebrows went up, and she smiled. “If I did, would I be here?”
    He smiled back. His dark eyes twinkled. “Isn’t she a dream, Norie?” he asked.
    â€œNow, Jim, I’m not that interested in girls,” she told him.
    â€œOh, hell, you know what I mean!”
    She laughed. “Yes, she is a dream. For heaven’s sake, why don’t you ask her out? Are you afraid of her?”
    He shifted restlessly in his chair. “I guess maybe I am, a little.” He sighed. “I’m not a young man any more, Norie, and I’ve got a son. There are a lot of women who’d mind that combination.”
    â€œAnd a lot more who wouldn’t.” She leaned forward. “I dare you.”
    â€œNorie, I