Read Online Northwoods Nightmare by Jon Sharpe - Free Book Online Page A

grinned. “We all have our pretensions.”
    â€œWhat the hell does that mean?”
    â€œSurely you have met people who pretend they are something they are not? The put on a show, and the show is their life. I’ll use Allen as an example. He pretends to be a loving, devoted son. But the truth is, he’s a spoiled brat who can’t wait for Theodore and Mrs. Havard to die so he can lay claim to his share of their inheritance.” Cosmo began chopping carrots. “Or let’s take a certain young lady you are interested in. She puts on a show of being shy and inhibited. But the truth be known, she has had several, shall we say, dalliances in recent years. She isn’t the complete innocent she lets on.”
    â€œWhy are you telling me this?”
    Cosmo’s smile was oil mixed in water. “You asked me about pretensions, remember? Is there anything else you would like to know?”
    Fargo was about to say no, but actually there was. “How close are Allen and Kenneth?”
    â€œNot close at all. There’s the age difference, for one thing. Kenneth always loved the outdoors. Allen isn’t happy unless he has a roof over his head. Kenneth could take care of himself. Allen is a mother’s boy. Need I go on?”
    â€œI get the idea.”
    Jut then the flap to Angeline’s tent parted and out she strolled in a dress more fit for the San Francisco theater than the mountains of British Columbia. It clung to her ripe body in all the right places and was cut scandalously low in front to accent her cleavage. Fargo whistled softly.
    Her hands clasped behind her back so that her bosom thrust against her dress, Angeline ignored his whistle and asked Cosmo, “How long until supper is ready?”
    â€œHalf an hour, young miss, perhaps a bit longer. Your father mentioned he’s famished and I want the food to be just right.”
    â€œPlenty of time.” Angeline swiveled toward Fargo. “I can stand to stretch my legs after being in the saddle all day. Care to go for a walk?”
    â€œI suppose I can force myself.”
    Cosmo made a sound that was part chuckle and part cough. “By all means, enjoy yourselves. I will—what is the expression?—oh, yes, I’ll give a holler when the meal is ready.”
    â€œYou’re a card, Cosmo,” Angeline told him.
    â€œSo long as it’s the queen of hearts. Now you be careful out there. Watch out for insects and snakes and whatever else might bite you.”
    Perfume wreathed Fargo like an invisible cloud. He admired how Angeline’s dress molded to the sweep of her thighs, and he twitched below his belt.
    â€œI must admit I’ve been looking forward to this,” Angeline said. “Going for a walk, I mean. But it wouldn’t be safe to go alone. That’s why I asked you to come.”
    Fargo refrained from pointing out that she wasn’t all that safe with him along. “You learned your lesson from that bear.”
    â€œI learned my lesson from being female. You have no idea what it’s like for a woman. The constant advances. The gropes. The hungry looks.”
    They entered the forest. Starlight relieved the black of night, enough for Fargo to see the white of her teeth when she smiled.
    â€œI had my nerve calling you ‘bold and brazen,’ didn’t I?”
    Never one to waste an opportunity, Fargo placed his hands on her hips and stopped. “What did you have in mind?”
    â€œOh my.” Angeline gave a nervous laugh and glanced at the camp. “We haven’t gone far enough for that yet.”
    Fargo motioned. “Lead on.”
    Angeline wasn’t satisfied until the trees screened her from the campfires. In a clear space between a pair of tall spruce trees, she halted and announced, “Right here is nice.”
    The darkness was an inky cocoon, the wilderness unusually still. But it was early yet. Soon the meat eaters would be on the