Justified Deception (Prequel: Dancing Moon Ranch Series) by Watters Patricia

Author:Watters, Patricia [Watters, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-05-10T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Ruth stood in the hallway, listening to the voices of the men in the dining room below. She'd left the table early, as she’d done all week, but this time it wasn’t to avoid Matt, but to stay away from Bret. He was getting close to the truth. He'd placed her face on television, and she knew he wouldn't let the issue go until he'd solved the riddle.

Oddly, she was also glad he was there, if only to keep Matt occupied for a while. Playing cat and mouse with him was beginning to weigh heavily on her. Earlier that day he'd intercepted her as she was leaving the stable, and he told her he wanted to talk to her after dinner. Leaving the table early was a temporary way out. She knew he was upset because she’d been avoiding him, but she didn't want to be alone with him until she learned the truth about Annie, because she knew how it would turn out. The pull was too strong, her resolve too weak. If she could, she'd pack up and leave. And maybe that's how it would end. Annie would turn out to be just a little girl who Matt adopted, and Beth would still be out there somewhere.

Too restless to stay inside, and with too many hours left until she'd be tired enough to sleep, she crept down the stairs and slipped past the dining room, hoping Matt wouldn’t notice her. But the moment she stepped onto the porch, the screen door shot open and Matt grabbed her by the arm. "Where are you going?" he asked, his tone snappish.

Tugging against his grip, Ruth said, "Some place where I can be alone."

Matt tightened his hand on her arm. "Not until we talk this out."

Not prepared to answer Matt's questions, Ruth said, "What about your brother?"

Matt looked at her, baffled. "What's he got to do with anything?"

"Shouldn’t you be inside with him? He came all the way from Salem to see you."

"He's in the study putting together a case that will send Jody packing," Matt said, "and we are going to talk."

"All right, have it your way. You will anyway," Ruth said. When he loosened his hold, she started for the door.

Matt's hand shot out, taking her by the arm again. "Not in there. In the barn where we can talk without being disturbed."

Glaring at him, Ruth said, "If we go to the barn, talking's not the way it will turn out, and you know it as well as I do."

"I don't intend to have a quick roll in the hay if that's what you're implying. I mean to talk to you in private, which will be in the barn." Matt took her arm and she made no attempt to pull out of his grasp. She knew better than to try.

In the barn, Matt braced his arms on her shoulders, and said, "You've got me so tied in knots I can't think straight. All I see is you at the swimming hole, near-naked and wanting me, and I can't do a damn thing about it.

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