Read Online The Payment by Mysty McPartland - Free Book Online Page B

would die to possess herself. The anger
boiled up inside her even though she tried to deny the truth, deep
down, she knew that Dane married this woman.
    Quickly sensing things were about to
escalate Tuff stepped up next to India. “Now Miss King I don’t know
how come you think you’re engaged to Dane, he ain’t mentioned
anything to me or the boys about it. But this here is Dane’s wife
and if yah have any questions I suggest yah go and find him and get
yah answers.”
    It took all the strength she could muster to
rein in her anger. Dianne gave them both a lethal look of contempt.
“Yes I’ll just go and find him and when Dane denies your ludicrous
lies, I’ll see you both punished for this.” With her nose in the
air, she quickly stepped around them and left the store.
    Tuff let out a relieved breath when the
woman walked out the door. When he saw Dane, he intended to blister
his ears. “Don’t believe anything the woman says India. Dane would
never ever consider marrying the woman, now come on let’s get what
yah need, and we can go home.”
    India didn’t know what to believe. In a way,
she felt a little sorry for the other woman. Dane must have given
her some reason to think they were engaged. Well, until she knew
the truth, she wouldn’t believe the other woman.
    “ This here is Mrs. and Mr. Larkin, and
this here is Dane’s wife India.” Tuff introduced
everyone.
    “ Hello it’s nice to meet you both.”
India forced a friendly smile and held out her hand to the
couple.
    Both the Larkin’s witnessed the scene and
felt sorry for Dane’s young wife. “It’s a real pleasure to meet
you, and I hope you will be happy here in Sherman.” Mr. Larkin said
after shaking her hand.
    “ Now don’t you listen to a word Dianne
said, none of us believed her about the engagement she’s been
bragging about and as my husband said it sure is a pleasure to have
you among us. Now what can do for you?” Mrs. Larkin liked this
young woman at once. Not only because she stood up to Dianne King,
but also she seemed to be a nice pleasant young woman.
     
    After picking up the mail, Dane headed back
to the livery. As he strolled through town, he could feel the hairs
on the back of his neck bristle and his skin crawl. He stopped
walking and looked around sensing danger but as far as he could
see, there didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary. Still
the warning was there, and he wouldn’t ignore it.
    From the hotel, upstairs window, a woman
stared down and watched the tall blonde haired man walk down the
street. Smiling, she sighed in relief, pleased he finally arrived
home. She impatiently waited over a week for him to return and now
at last she could put her plans into action.
    Quickly dropping the curtain, she took a
step back when he turned to gaze up at the window. It would ruin
everything if he saw her. Her plans still needed to be finalized
and she still waited for her ex-lover, the Judge, to return to
town. No, she needed to stay out of sight until all her plans were
complete.
    Dane leaned against the corral and waited
for India and Tuff to return. His hat rode low on his brow, but it
did not stop him from noticing everything and everyone around him.
When he saw the woman rushing down the street, he let out a loud
groan.
    There is no doubt in his mind just who the
woman wanted to see. He stood up straight, pushed the hat back on
his head, and waited. The damn woman constantly plagued him before
he left town and by the looks of things, she intended to keep
pestering him. Well she is going to be in for a shock and he
couldn’t help grinning in anticipation of finally being rid of her
once and for all.
    Dianne spotted Dane at once and hurried to
join him. When she reached him, she threw herself against him and
wrapped her arms around his neck. “Tell me Dane, tell me it’s not
true darling. Tell me that Tuff and that scruffy child are
lying.”
    When he finished letting out a string of
curses under his