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Without saying another word, she ran to the house crying, leaving
Storm to do her chores for her.
She d always known that someday her temper would get her into
trouble, and it looked as if she was right. She couldn t really blame
him for the way he felt, but somehow, she just couldn t help it. Now
Storm just left her alone, only talking to her when he had to.
Because of her temper their relationship had gone from beautiful
sex to quarrels to tolerance to hate and now to a cold business
arrangement. She couldn t complain because that s what she d agreed
to. She had thought that she could make him love her and want her to
stay, but even she had to admit that it didn t look good.
God, how was she going to last a whole month without touching
Storm? She had doomed herself to sit and watch him or gaze into his
eyes and try and tempt him, but all she could think of was the day
he d said the words that haunted her.
I m a man s man.
Even though she knew that he and Curt, and even Saul, were
sleeping together, she heard no more sounds coming from the next
room. One night curiosity made her go over there to see why, but no
The Tall Texan 123
one was there. To her shame they had found another place where they
could have some privacy.
It was then that she knew without a doubt that she d lost Storm
if she ever had him.
Now, she was in her room doing a little sewing when she heard
the sheriff riding up. Thankful to have company, she left her room
and ran outside to meet him.
Hi, sheriff. What are you doing way out here?
Hello, Sable. I came to see Storm. Is he anywhere around?
He s in the barn, I think. Pitching hay or something like that.
The sheriff got off his horse and walked up to her, looking down
at her shorts and the Western shirt she had tied up beneath her breasts.
You look mighty fetchin today, Miss Sable.
Sable looked down at herself. Just an old pair of shorts. The
shirt s Storm s. It s too big, so I wear it tied up.
That yellow ribbon in your hair makes me think of sunshine.
Really? Sable said, reaching up and smoothing her hair. Just
then, her gaze met his, and it gave her a funny feeling in her belly,
making her wonder if the sheriff was flirting with her. Turning, she
saw Storm come out of the barn. There he is now. Maybe you should
go over and
Speakin of Storm, how are you two gettin along?
A feeling of dread rose up inside her. I& we& we re doing fine, I
guess. She wanted to change the subject, so she smiled up at the
sheriff and shrugged slightly. Lot to learn on a ranch. I been real
busy learning how to ride and& everything.
The sheriff untied his kerchief and wiped at his face. Mighty hot
today, ain t it?
Yes, it sure is, Sable said quickly, thankful to be talking about
something else. Will you be staying for supper? We re having fried
chicken, greens, and some kind of potatoes. Even fresh baked bread.
Pearl s got a fresh apple pie cooling on the windowsill.
124 Kelly Conrad
That apple pie sounds mighty good, but I m not sure my business
will take that long. He tipped his hat and backed away. You have a
nice day, Miss Sable.
Yes, sir, you, too.
Sable watched him walk over to Storm and wondered if he had
guessed that they weren t doing too good. Being a gentleman, even if
he knew, he wouldn t embarrass her by talking about something she
was uncomfortable with.
He is a gentleman, isn t he? she thought. She felt the same funny
feeling inside her belly that she d felt before and wondered what it
meant.
* * * *
Sitting on a couple of hay bales, both Sheriff Chase and Storm
were talking.
Why don t you just give her to me?
What! Storm yelled. Just pass her around like a party favor?
No way in hell, Chase. No way!
I ain t talkin about that. I m talkin about marriage.
Sheriff, she s already married.
No, no, he said, shaking his head. I ve got that all figured out. I
been talkin to Charley Davis, and he says we can get it annulled
since it s only been a matter of a few days. When you do, then she can
marry me.
Somethin about this ain t right.
But why not? She was willing to come down here to marry you,
sight unseen.
She at least had a picture.
All right, but she s seen me. She knows me. We ve talked. I
think she likes me.
She likes meatloaf, too, damn it, but it don t mean she s gonna
marry it.
The Tall Texan 125
The sheriff thought for a moment. Okay, why don t we let her
make up her own mind? You re gonna have to tell her sooner or later
anyway. She might rather marry me than go back home. It d just be a
matter of changing husbands. After all, if it was only a business deal,
who would get hurt?
Chase, you ain t seen her temper yet. Frankly, I wouldn t wish
her on my worst enemy.
The sheriff raised one eyebrow. And she ain t seen mine.
Yeah, but I have, Storm said as a small smile played at the
corner of his lips. He cocked his head as he looked at the sheriff.
You know, you might just be the slave driver who can tame her. I d
take pleasure in it if I gave a damn, but you, on the other hand, do.
The sheriff smiled. Now you re talkin .
Let s get one thing straight, sheriff. If we do this, I don t want
her back. If you find that she s too much to handle and you change
your mind, don t send her back here. You take her, you re stuck with
her. You solve your own problems with her. No coming to me to
solve them for you. Is that understood?
Whatever you say.
The two men clasped each other s hands and shook on it. When
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