Read Online Rustler's Heart (A Kinnison Legacy Novel) by Amanda McIntyre - Free Book Online Page B

Dalton’s half-sister.” He took a healthy swallow from his glass. “Her name’s Liberty.”
    “You’re serious?” She gave him an incredulous look. “As in the Liberty Bell?”
    Rein shrugged, wishing to avoid any conversation directly related to Liberty.
    Caroline’s gaze was demure as she took a sip of her drink. “Strange name to give a child. Cute though. I suppose if you find that horrid Goth look at all attractive.”
    A sweet buzz had taken over Rein’s brain. Probably not a good thing. “What’s a Goth look like, exactly?” Her snobbish attitude got to him, or maybe her perfume, then again, maybe it was the memory of how they were in bed. Whatever the reason, he felt edgy, restless and not up for Caroline’s verbal dissection of anyone from his life. She’d done that once before, only he hadn’t been smart enough to see it until they’d broken up.
    She issued a condescending chuckle. “You still don’t get out much, do you?”
    Apparently, her critical opinion of his rural lifestyle hadn’t changed. She’d never understood his purpose here at the ranch as anything but an inability to leave his “hick” town. “Why don’t you enlighten me, Caroline?” He took another sip to fortify his gentlemanly manners.
    Oblivious to his pointed remark, she gingerly took a sip from the jar, looking awkwardly uncomfortable. Rein realized suddenly just how out of place she must feel and yet, had no real sympathy for her. He waited, anticipating the sharp scalpel of her tongue.
    “Well, for starters, she’s wearing that heavy make-up, the first sign that she is not a conformist to proper societal protocol.” Caroline assessed Liberty from afar as though she was a professional in profiling.
    Clearly, the woman had never bothered to do a self-evaluation. Rein gulped down half his jar, each moment becoming increasingly aware that Caroline had no thought to keep her voice down.
    “And oh-my-god, that odd blue streak in her hair? Really? And did you notice that tattoo on her shoulder? Come on, she might have at least tried for the sake of her brother’s wedding to use a little cover up. It just shows she has no regard for family.”
    He couldn’t remember anyone in the family making any comments about covering up any tattoo. “Tattoo?” He acted as though he hadn’t noticed, even though he must have traced it mentally a hundred times as he sat at the head table during supper and watched Liberty interact with Betty and her husband.
    “I’d keep a close eye on her. Those people can get caught up in some strange things. Covens, sacrifices, even violence, so I’ve heard. And now with Aimee and the baby, well….” She took another drink. “I’m guessing that you’ll all sleep a little easier after she’s gone.”
    Rein listened, grateful for the whiskey gliding down his parched throat. East coast conservative upbringing aside, Caroline had gotten on his last nerve. “Yeah, well.” He slammed the glass on the table and pinned Caroline with a steady look. “I don’t think there’s much to be concerned about. She’s a good kid.”
    Caroline tipped her head and raised one perfect brow. “She doesn’t exactly look like any kid I know. How old do you suppose she is, anyway?”
    Why the sudden interest in Liberty tonight? Hell, she was barely out of her teens, but possessed the body of a full-grown woman. “Um, you know, I’m not really sure and frankly, why do you care?” He tipped his head and looked at her. “So what do you say? A dance for old-time’s sake?” He didn’t wait for her response, but grabbed the drink and her hand, dragging her to the dance floor. He wanted…no he needed to talk about something other than Liberty. The fact that she appeared in his mind too often these days made him uncomfortable.
    “Well,” she spoke in a flustered, southern-belle voice. “I guess we’ll dance.” From the open doors, he saw the last dredges of the sunset casting long shadows across the