Leslie and Matt

8/13/2019 Leslie and Matt

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DIANA PALMER MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON

S P E C I A L W EDITION

Published by Silhouette Boo s A!e"i#$%s Publishe" o& Co'te!(o"$"y Ro!$'#e Ch$(te" O'eThe !$' o' the hill s$t o' his ho"se )ith ele*$'#e $'d *"$#e+ $'d the you'* )o!$' &ou'd he"sel&st$"i'* $t hi!, -e )$s ob.iously o.e"seei'* the "ou'du(+ )hi#h the !$' $t he" side h$d b"ou*ht he" to.ie), This "$'#h )$s s!$ll by Te/$s st$'d$"ds+ but $"ou'd 0$#obs.ille+ it )$s bi* e'ou*h to (ut itso)'e" i' the to( te' i' si1e, 2Dusty+ is'%t it32 Ed C$ld)ell $s ed )ith $ #hu# le+ obli.ious to the dist$'t !ou'ted "ide"+ )ho )$s

behi'd hi! $'d out o& his li'e o& si*ht, 2I%! *l$d I )o" &o" the #o"(o"$tio' $'d 'ot he"e, I li e !y $i"#ool $'d u'(olluted,2 Leslie Mu""y s!iled, She )$s'%t ("etty, She h$d $ (l$i'+ "$the" o"di'$"y so"t o& &$#e )ith blo'd h$i"th$t 4 MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOONh$d $ '$tu"$l )$.e+ $'d *"$y eyes, -e" o'e *ood &e$tu"e besides he" sle'de" &i*u"e )$s $ ("etty bo)!outh, She h$d $ 5uiet+ $l!ost "e#lusi.e de!e$'o" these d$ys, But she h$d'%t $l)$ys bee' li e th$t, I'he" e$"ly tee's+ Leslie h$d bee' &l$!boy$'t $'d out*oi'*+ $ li.e )i"e o& $ *i"l )hose &"ie'ds h$dl$u*hed $t he" e/(loits, No)+ $t t)e'ty6th"ee+ she )$s $s sed$te $s $ !$t"o', The #h$'*e i' he" )$ssho# i'* to (eo(le )ho%d o'#e 'o)' he", She 'e) Ed C$ld6)ell &"o! #olle*e i' -ousto', -e%d*"$du$ted i' he" so(ho!o"e ye$"+ $'d she%d 5uit the &ollo)i'* se!este" to *o to )o" $s $ ($"$le*$l &o"his &$the"%s l$) &i"! i' -ousto', Thi'*s h$d *otte' too #o!(li#$ted the"e+ $'d Ed h$d #o!e to the"es#ue o'#e $*$i', I' &$#t+ Ed )$s the "e$so' she%d 7ust bee' hi"ed $s $' e/e#uti.e $ssist$'t by the!$!!oth C$ld)ell &i"!, -is #ousi' o)'ed it, She%d 'e.e" !et M$the" 8ilbe"t C$ld)ell+ o" M$tt $s he )$s 'o)' lo#$lly, Peo(le s$id he )$s $ 'i#e+e$sy*oi'* !$' )ho lo.ed $' u'de"do*, I' &$#t+ Ed s$id it &"e5ue'tly hi!sel&, They )e"e do)' he"e &o""ou'du( so th$t Ed #ould i't"odu#e Leslie to the he$d o& the #o"(o"$tio', But so &$"+ $ll they%d see' )$sdust $'d #$ttle $'d h$"d)o" i'* #o)boys, 2W$it he"e+2 Ed s$id, 2I%! *oi'* to "ide o.e" $'d &i'd M$tt, Be "i*ht b$# ,2 -e u"*ed his ho"se i'to $t"ot $'d held o' &o" de$" li&e, Leslie h$d to bite he" li( to #o'#e$l $ s!ile $t the )$y he "ode, It )$s

($i'&ully ob.ious th$t he )$s !u#h !o"e $t ho!e behi'd the )heel o& $ #$", But she )ould'%t h$.e DIANA PALMER 9

bee' so "ude $s to h$.e !e'tio'ed it+ be#$use Ed )$s the o'ly &"ie'd she h$d these d$ys, -e )$s+ i'&$#t+ the o'ly (e"so' $"ou'd )ho 'e) $bout he" ($st, While she )$s )$t#hi'* hi!+ the !$' o' ho"seb$# o' the hill behi'd the! )$s )$t#hi'* he", She s$to' $ ho"se )ith style+ $'d she h$d $ &i*u"e th$t )ould h$.e $tt"$#ted $ #o''oisseu" o& )o!e' )hi#hthe !$' o' ho"seb$# )$s, I!(ulsi.ely he s(u""ed his ho"se i'to $ *$llo( $'d #$!e do)' the "ise

behi'd he", She did'%t he$" hi! u'til he "ei'ed i' $'d the h$"sh sou'd o& the ho"se s'o"ti'* h$d he")hi"li'* i' the s$ddle, The !$' )$s )e$"i'* )o" i'* #lothes+ li e the othe" #o)boys+ but $ll #o!($"iso's e'ded the"e, -e)$s'%t "$**ed o" !issi'* $ tooth o" u'sh$.e', -e )$s oddly i'ti!id$ti'*+ e.e' i' the )$y he s$t theho"se+ )ith o'e h$'d o' the "ei's $'d the othe" o' his (o)e"&ul de'i!6#l$d thi*h,


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M$tt C$ld)ell !et he" *"$y eyes )ith his d$" o'es $'d 'oted th$t she )$s'%t the be$uty he%de/(e#ted+ des(ite he" ele*$'#e o& #$""i$*e $'d th$t (e"&e#t &i*u"e, 2Ed b"ou*ht you+ I *$the"+2 he s$id#u"tly, She%d $l!ost *uessed &"o! his $((e$"$'#e th$t his .oi#e )ould be dee( $'d *"$.elly+ but 'ot th$t it)ould #ut li e $ 'i&e, -e" h$'ds ti*hte'ed o' the "ei's, 2I,,,yes+ he,,,he b"ou*ht !e,2 The st$!!e" )$s u'e/(e#ted, Ed%s usu$l so"t o& *i"l )$s b"$sh $'d b"$ssy+ !u#h !o"e so(histi#$ted

;< MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOONth$' this sh"i' i'* .iolet he"e, -e li ed to sho) o&& M$"t%s "$'#h $'d i!("ess the *i"ls, =su$lly it did'%t

bothe" M$tt+ but he%d h$d $ &"ust"$ti'* d$y $'d he )$s out o& hu!o", -e s#o)led, 2I'te"ested i' #$ttle"$'#hi'*+ $"e you32 he d"$)led )ith i#e d"i((i'* &"o! e.e"y syll$ble, 2We #ould $l)$ys *et you $ "o(e$'d let you t"y you" h$'d+ i& you%d li e,2 She &elt $s i& e.e"y !us#le i' he" body h$d *o'e t$ut, 2I,,,#$!e to !eet Ed%s #ousi'+2 she !$'$*ed,2-e%s "i#h,2 The !$'%s d$" eyes &l$shed $'d she &lushed, She #ould'%t belie.e she%d !$de su#h $"e!$" to $ st"$'*e", 2I !e$'+2 she #o""e#ted+ 2he o)'s the #o!($'y )he"e Ed )o" s, Whe"e I )o" +2she $dded, She #ould h$.e bitte' he" to'*ue &o" he" $"tless !$'*li'* o& $ st"$i*ht&o")$"d sub7e#t+ butthe !$' "$ttled he", So!ethi'* i'dled i' the !$'%s d$" eyes u'de" the 7utti'* b"o)> so!ethi'* 'ot .e"y 'i#e $t $ll, -ele$'ed &o")$"d $'d his eyes '$""o)ed, 2Why $"e you "e$lly out he"e )ith Ed32 he $s ed, She s)$llo)ed, -e h$d he" hy('oti1ed+ li e $ #ob"$ )ith $ "$bbit, Those eyes,,,those .e"y d$" +u'yieldi'* eyes,,,? 2It%s 'ot you" busi'ess+ is it32 she $s ed &i'$lly+ &u"ious $t he" l$# o& #ohesi.e thou*ht $'d this !$'%s$ssu!(tio' th$t he h$d the "i*ht to i'te""o*$te he", -e did'%t s$y $ )o"d, I'ste$d+ he 7ust loo ed $t he", 2Ple$se+2 she bit o&&+ hu'#hi'* he" shoulde"s u'#o!&o"t$bly, 2You%"e !$ i'* !e 'e".ous?2 DIANA PALMER

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2You #$!e to !eet the boss+ did'%t you32 he $s ed i' $ .el.ety s!ooth to'e, 2Did'%t $'yo'e tell youth$t he%s 'o !$"sh!$llo)32 She s)$llo)ed, 2They s$y he%s $ .e"y 'i#e+ (le$s$'t !$'+2 she "etu"'ed $ little belli*e"e'tly,2So!ethi'* I%ll bet 'obody i' his "i*ht !i'd )ould d"e$! o& s$yi'* $bout you?2 she $dded )ith he"&i"st bu"st o& s(i"it i' ye$"s, -is eyeb"o)s li&ted, 2-o) do you 'o) I%! 'ot 'i#e $'d (le$s$'t32 he $s ed+ #hu# li'* sudde'ly,2You%"e li e $ #ob"$+2 she s$id u'e$sily, -e studied he" &o" $ &e) se#o'ds be&o"e he 'ud*ed his ho"se i' the side )ith $ hu*e dusty boot $'de$sed so #lose to he" th$t she $#tu$lly shi.e"ed, -e h$d'%t bee' i!("essed )ith the you'* )o!$' )host$!!e"ed $'d stutte"ed )ith 'e".es+ but $ s(i"ited )o!$' )$s $ tot$lly 'e) ("o(ositio', -e li ed $)o!$' )ho )$s'%t i'ti!id$ted by his b$d !ood, -is h$'d )e't $#"oss he" hi( to #$t#h the b$# o& he" s$ddle $'d he loo ed i'to he" eyes &"o! $' u'6'e".i'*ly #lose dist$'#e, 2I& I%! $ #ob"$+ the' )h$t does th$t !$ e you+ #u(#$ e32 he d"$)led )ithdelibe"$te se'su$lity+ so #lose th$t she #$u*ht the &$i't s!o y s#e't o& his b"e$th+ the hi't o& s(i#y#olo*'e th$t #lu'* to his le$'+ t$''ed &$#e, 2A so&t+ &u""y little bu''y32 She )$s so sh$ e' by the ("o/i!ity o& hi! th$t she t"ied des(e"$tely to *et $)$y+ (ulli'* so h$"d o'the "ei's th$t he" !ou't u'e/(e#tedly "e$"ed $'d she )e't do)' o' the *"ou'd+ h$"d+ hitti'* he"i'7u"ed


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;@ MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOONle&t hi( $'d he" shoulde" $s she &ell i'to the thi# *"$ss, A sho# ed sou'd #$!e &"o! the !$'+ )ho .$ulted out o& the s$ddle $'d )$s beside he" $s she t"ied tosit u(, -e "e$#hed &o" he" $ little "ou*hly+ sh$ e' by he" ($'i#, Wo!e' did'%t usu$lly t"y to b$# $)$y&"o! hi!> es(e#i$lly o"di'$"y o'es li e this, She &ell &$" sho"t o& his usu$l #o!($'io's, She &ou*ht his h$'ds+ he" eyes hu*e $'d o.e"ly b"i*ht+ ($'i# i' the .e"y $i" $"ou'd he", 2No,,,?2 she

#"ied out hel(lessly, -e &"o1e i' (l$#e+ )ithd"$)i'* his le$' h$'d &"o! he" $"!+ $'d st$"ed $t he" )ith s#o)li'* #u"iosity, 2Leslie?2 #$!e $ shout &"o! $ &e) y$"ds $)$y, Ed bou'#ed u( $s 5ui# ly $s he #ould !$'$*e it)ithout bei'* u'se$ted, -e &u!bled his )$y o&& the ho"se $'d 'elt beside he"+ holdi'* out his $"! soth$t she #ould #$t#h it $'d (ull he"sel& u(, 2I%! so""y+2 she s$id+ "e&usi'* to loo $t the !$' )ho )$s "es(o'sible &o" he" tu!ble, 2I 7e" ed the"ei's, I did'%t !e$' to,22A"e you $ll "i*ht32 Ed $s ed+ #o'#e"'ed, She 'odded, 2Su"e,2 But she )$s sh$ i'*+ $'d both !e' #ould see it, Ed *l$'#ed o.e" he" he$d $t the t$lle"+ d$" e"+ le$'e" !$' )ho stood )ith his ho"se%s "ei's i' his h$'d+st$"i'* $t the *i"l, 2=h+ h$.e you t)o i't"odu#ed you"sel.es32 he $s ed $) )$"dly,M$tt )$s to"' by #o'&li#ti'* e!otio's+ the st"o'6

DIANA PALMER

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*est o& )hi#h )$s b"idled &u"y $t the )o!$'%s ($'i# y $ttitude, She $#ted $s i& he h$d (l$'s to $ss$ulthe"+ )he' he%d o'ly bee' t"yi'* to hel( he" u(, -e )$s $'*"y $'d it #ost hi! his te!(e", 2The 'e/t ti!eyou b"i'* $ #e"ti&i$ble lu'$ti# to !y "$'#h+ *i.e !e so!e $d.$'#e )$"'i'*+2 the t$ll !$' s'i(ed $t Ed,-e !o.ed $s #u"tly $s he s(o e+ s)i'*i'* $b"u(tly i'to the s$ddle to *l$"e do)' $t the!, 2You%d bette"t$ e he" ho!e+2 he told Ed, 2She%s $ d$!'ed )$l i'* li$bility $"ou'd $'i!$ls,2 2But she "ides .e"y )ell+ usu$lly+2 Ed ("otested, 2O $y+ the'+2 he $dded )he' the othe" !$' *lo)e"ed$t hi!, -e &o"#ed $ s!ile, 2I%ll see you l$te",2 The t$ll !$' 7e" ed his h$t do)' o.e" his eyes+ )heeled the ho"se )ithout $'othe" )o"d $'d "ode

b$# u( o' the "ise )he"e he%d bee' sitti'* e$"lie", 2Whe)?2 Ed l$u*hed+ s)ee(i'* b$# his li*ht b"o)' h$i" u'e$sily, 2I h$.e'%t see' hi! i' $ !ood li eth$t &o" ye$"s, I #$'%t i!$*i'e )h$t set hi! o&&, -e%s usu$lly the soul o& #ou"tesy+ es(e#i$lly )he'so!eo'e%s hu"t,2 Leslie b"ushed o&& he" 7e$'s $'d loo ed u( $t he" &"ie'd !o"osely, 2-e "ode "i*ht u( to !e+2 she s$idu'ste$dily+ 2$'d le$'ed $#"oss !e to t$l )ith $ h$'d o' the s$ddle, I 7ust,,,($'i# ed, I%! so""y, I *uesshe%s so!e so"t o& &o"e!$' he"e, I ho(e you do'%t *et i' t"ouble )ith you" #ousi' be#$use o& it,22Th$t )$s !y #ousi'+ Leslie+2 he s$id he$.ily, She st$"ed $t hi! .$#$'tly, Th$t )$s M$tt C$ld6)ell32 ; MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON-e 'odded, She let out $ lo'* b"e$th, 2Oh+ boy, Wh$t $ 'i#e )$y to st$"t $ 'e) 7ob+ by $lie'$ti'* the !$' $t thehe$d o& the )hole &ood #h$i',22-e does'%t 'o) $bout you+2 he be*$', -e" eyes &l$shed, 2A'd you%"e 'ot to tell hi!+2 she "etu"'ed &i"!ly, 2I !e$' it? I )ill 'ot h$.e !y ($st

($"$ded out $*$i', I #$!e do)' he"e to *et $)$y &"o! "e(o"te"s $'d !o.ie ("odu#e"s+ $'d th$t%s )h$t


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I%! *oi'* to do, I%.e h$d !y h$i" #ut+ bou*ht 'e) #lothes+ *otte' #o't$#t le'ses, I%.e do'e e.e"ythi'* I#$' thi' o& so I )o'%t be "e#o*'i1ed, I%! 'ot *oi'* to h$.e it $ll d"$**ed u( $*$i', It%s bee' si/ ye$"s+2she $dded !ise"$bly, 2Why #$'%t (eo(le 7ust le$.e it $lo'e32 2The 'e)s!$' )$s 7ust &ollo)i'* $ le$d+2 he s$id *e'tly, 2O'e o& the !e' )ho $tt$# ed you )$s$""ested &o" d"u' d"i.i'* $'d so!eo'e #o' 'e#ted the '$!e to you" !othe"%s #$se, -is &$the" is so!ehi*h #ity o&&i#i$l i' -ousto', It )$s i'e.it$ble th$t the ("ess )ould di* u( his so'%s i'.ol.e!e't i' you"

!othe"%s #$se i' $' ele#tio' ye$",2 2Yes+ I 'o)+ $'d th$t%s )h$t ("o!(ted the ("odu#e" to thi' it )ould !$ e $ *"e$t T !o.ie o& the)ee ,2 She *"ou'd he" teeth to*ethe", 2Th$t%s 7ust )h$t )e $ll 'eed, A'd I thou*ht it )$s $ll o.e", -o)silly o& !e+2 she s$id i' $ de&e$ted to'e, 2I )ish I )e"e "i#h $'d &$!ous+2 she $dded, 2The' !$ybe I#ould buy !ysel& so!e (e$#e $'d ("i.$#y,2 She *l$'#ed u( )he"e the t$ll !$' s$t sile'tly )$t#h6 DIANA PALMER

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i'* the he"di'* belo), 2I !$de so!e stu(id "e!$" s to you" #ousi'+ too+ 'ot 'o)i'* )ho he "e$lly)$s, I *uess he%ll be do)' i' (e"so''el &i"st thi'* Mo'd$y to h$.e !e &i"ed,2 2O.e" !y de$d body+2 he s$id, 2I !$y be o'ly $ lo)ly #ousi'+ but I do o)' sto# i' the #o"(o"$tio',I& he &i"es you+ I%ll &i*ht &o" you,22Would you "e$lly+ &o" !e32 she $s ed sole!'ly, -e "u&&led he" sho"t blo'd h$i", 2You%"e !y ($l+2 he s$id, 2I%.e h$d $ ("etty b$d blo) o& !y o)', Ido'%t )$'t to *et se"ious $bout $'ybody e.e" $*$i', But I li e h$.i'* you $"ou'd,2 She s!iled s$dly, 2I%! *l$d you #$' $#t th$t )$y $bout !e, I #$'%t "e$lly be$" to be,,,2 She s)$llo)ed,2I do'%t li e !e' #lose to !e+ i' $'y (hysi#$l )$y, The the"$(ist s$id I !i*ht be $ble to #h$'*e th$tso!ed$y+ )ith the "i*ht !$', I do'%t 'o), It%s bee' so lo'*,,,2 2Do'%t sit $'d )o""y+2 he s$id, 2Co!e o', I%ll t$ e you b$# to to)' $'d buy you $ 'i#e .$'ill$ i#e6#"e$! #o'e, -o)%s th$t32She s!iled $t hi!, 2Th$' s+ Ed,2 -e sh"u**ed, 20ust $'othe" e/$!(le o& !y ste"li'* #h$"$#te",2 -e *l$'#ed u( to)$"d the "ise $'d$)$y $*$i', 2-e%s 7ust 'ot hi!sel& tod$y+2 he s$id, 2Let%s *o,2 M$tt C$ld)ell )$t#hed his .isito"s bou'#e $)$y o' thei" "es(e#ti.e ho"ses )ith $ "ese't!e't $'d &u"yhe h$d'%t e/(e"ie'#ed i' ye$"s, The little blo'd i#i#le h$d !$de hi! &eel li e $ le#he", As i& she #ouldh$.e ;F MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON$((e$led to hi!+ $ !$' )ho h$d !o.ie st$"s #h$si'* $&te" hi!? -e let out $ "ou*h si*h $'d (ulled $!u#h6used #i*$" &"o! his (o# et $'d stu# it i' his teeth, -e did'%t li*ht it, -e )$s t"yi'* to *i.e u( the

b$d h$bit+ but it )$s slo) *oi'*, This #i*$" h$d bee' 7ust "e#e'tly the t$"*et o& his se#"et$"y%s 'e)est)e$(o' i' he" #$!($i*' to s$.e hi! &"o! 'i#oti'e, The e'd )$s still d$!(+ i' &$#t+ des(ite the &$#t th$the%d o'ly $""i.ed he"e &"o! his o&&i#e i' to)' $bout $' hou" $*o, -e too it out o& his !outh )ith $si*h+ eyed it s$dly $'d (ut it $)$y, -e%d th"e$te'ed to &i"e he" $'d she%d th"e$te'ed to 5uit, She )$s $'i#e )o!$'+ !$""ied )ith t)o #ute little ids, -e #ould'%t let he" le$.e hi!, Bette" the #i*$" th$' *oodhel(+ he de#ided, -e let his eyes tu"' $*$i' to)$"d the #ou(le *"o)i'* s!$lle" i' the dist$'#e, Wh$t $' odd *i"l&"ie'dEd h$d l$t#hed o'to this ti!e, O& #ou"se+ she%d let Ed tou#h he", She%d &li'#hed $)$y &"o! M$tt $s i& he)$s #o't$*ious, The !o"e he thou*ht $bout it+ the !$dde" he *ot, -e tu"'ed his ho"se to)$"d the

b$)li'* #$ttle i' the dist$'#e, Wo" i'* !i*ht t$ e the ed*e o&& his te!(e", Ed too Leslie to he" s!$ll $($"t!e't $t $ lo#$l bo$"di'*house $'d le&t he" $t the &"o't doo" )ith $'


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$(olo*y, 2You do'%t thi' he%ll &i"e !e32 she $s ed i' $ (l$i'ti.e to'e,-e shoo his he$d, 2No+2 he $ssu"ed he", 2I%.e

DIANA PALMER

;G$l"e$dy told you th$t I )o'%t let hi!, No) sto( )o""yi'*, O $y32She !$'$*ed $ s!ile, 2Th$' s $*$i'+ Ed,2 -e sh"u**ed, 2No ("oble!, See you Mo'd$y,2 She )$t#hedhi! *et i'to his s(o"ts #$" $'d "o$" $)$y be&o"e she )e't i'side to he" lo'ely "oo! $t the to( #o"'e" o&the house+ &$#i'* the st"eet, She%d !$de $' e'e!y tod$y+ )ithout !e$'i'* to, She ho(ed it )$s'%t *oi'*to $d.e"sely $&&e#t he" li&e, The"e )$s 'o *oi'* b$# 'o), Mo'd$y !o"'i'*+ Leslie )$s $t he" des &i.e !i'utes e$"ly i' $' $tte!(t to !$ e $ *ood i!("essio',She li ed Co''ie $'d 0$# ie+ the othe" t)o )o!e' )ho sh$"ed $d!i'ist"$ti.e duties &o" the .i#e

("eside't o& !$" eti'* $'d "ese$"#h, Leslie%s 7ob )$s !o"e "outi'e, She e(t u( )ith the .$"iousshi(!e'ts o& #$ttle &"o! o'e lo#$tio' to $'othe"+ $'d !$i't$i'ed the he"d "e#o"ds, It )$s e/$#ti'*+ butshe h$d $ he$d &o" &i*u"es $'d she e'7oyed it, -e" i!!edi$te boss )$s Ed+ so it )$s "e$lly $ (e$#hy 7ob, They h$d $' e'ti"e buildi'* i' do)'to)'0$#obs.ille+ $ be$uti&ul old i#to"i$' !$'sio'+ )hi#h M$tt h$d ($i'st$ i'*ly "e'o.$ted to use $s his#o"(o"$tio'%s he$d5u$"te"s, The"e )e"e t)o &loo"s o& o&&i#es+ $'d $ #$'tee' &o" #o&&ee b"e$ s )he"e theit#he' $'d di'i'* "oo! o'#e h$d bee', M$tt )$s'%t i' his o&&i#e !u#h o& the ti!e, -e did $ lot o& t"$.eli'*+ be#$use $side &"o! his busi'essi'te"ests+ he s$t o' bo$"ds o& di"e#to"s o& othe" busi6 ;4 MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON'esses $'d e.e' o' the bo$"d o& t"ustees o& $t le$st o'e #olle*e, -e h$d busi'ess !eeti'*s i' $ll so"ts o&

(l$#es, O'#e he%d e.e' *o'e to South A!e"i#$ to see $bout i'.esti'* i' $ *"o)i'* #$ttle !$" et the"e+ but he%d #o!e ho!e $'*"y $'d disillusio'ed )he' he s$) the sl$sh $'d bu"' !ethod o& ($stu"e+#"e$tio' th$t h$d $l"e$dy illed $ subst$'ti$l (o"tio' o& "$i' &o"est, -e )$'ted 'o ($"t o& th$t+ so hetu"'ed to Aust"$li$ i'ste$d $'d bou*ht $'othe" hu*e "$'#hi'* t"$#t i' the No"the"' Te""ito"y the"e, Ed told he" $bout these &$s#i'$ti'* e/(loits+ $'d Leslie liste'ed )ith he" eyes )ide, It )$s $ )o"ldshe%d 'e.e" 'o)', She $'d he" !othe"+ $t the best o& ti!es+ h$d bee' (oo" be&o"e the t"$*edy th$tse($"$ted the!, No)+ e.e' )ith Leslie%s 7ob $'d the *ood s$l$"y she !$de+ it still !e$'t bud*eti'* tothe bo'e so th$t she #ould $&&o"d e.e' $ t$/i to )o" $'d ($y "e't o' the s!$ll $($"t!e't )he"e sheli.ed, The"e )$s'%t !u#h le&t o.e" &o" t"$.el, She e'.ied M$tt bei'* $ble to *et o' $ (l$'e his o)'

("i.$te 7et+ i' &$#t $'d *o $'y)he"e i' the )o"ld he li ed, It )$s $ *li!(se i'side $ )o"ld she%d 'e.e"'o), 2I *uess he *oes out $ lot+2 she !u"!u"ed o'#e )he' Ed h$d told he" th$t his #ousi' )$s $)$y i'

Ne) Yo" &o" $ #$ttle!e'%s b$'5uet, With )o!e'3%% Ed #hu# led, -e be$ts the! o&& )ith $ sti# , M$tt%s o'e o& the !ost hu'ted

b$#helo"s i' south Te/$s+ but he 'e.e" see!s to *et se"ious $bout $'y o'e )o!$', They%"e 7ust$##esso"ies to hi!+ ("etty thi'*s to t$ e o' the to)', You 'o)+2 DIANA PALMER

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he $dded )ith $ &$i't s!ile+ 2I do'%t thi' he "e$lly li es )o!e' .e"y !u#h, -e )$s i'd to $ #ou(le o&


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h$.e'%t *otte' o.e" )h$t she did, Is'%t it ho""ible+ th$t i' $ &e) se#o'ds you #$' dest"oy you" o)' li&e$'d se.e"$l othe" (eo(les% li e th$t3 A'd )h$t )$s it $ll &o"3 0e$lousy+ )he' the"e )$s'%t e.e' $ "e$so'&o" it, -e did'%t #$"e $bout !e he 7ust )$'ted to h$.e $ *ood ti!e )ith $' i''o#e't *i"l+ hi! $'d hisd"u' &"ie'ds,2 She shi.e"ed $t the !e!o"y, 2M$!$ thou*ht she lo.ed hi!, But th$t 7e$lous "$*e did'%t*et hi! b$# , -e died,2 2I $*"ee th$t she should'%t h$.e shot hi!+ but it%s h$"d to de&e'd )h$t he $'d his &"ie'ds )e"e doi'* to

you $t the ti!e+ Leslie,2 She 'odded, 2I 'o)+2 she s$id si!(ly, 2So!eti!es ids *et the sho"t e'd o& the sti# + $'d it%s u( tothe! to do bette" )ith thei" &utu"e,2 All the s$!e+ she )ished th$t she%d h$d $ 'o"!$l u(b"i'*i'*+ li e so !$'y othe" ids h$d, A&te" thei" #o'.e"s$tio'+ she &elt so""y &o" M$tt C$ld)ell $'d )ished th$t they%d st$"ted o&& bette", Sheshould'%t h$.e o.e""e$#ted, But it )$s #u"ious th$t he%d bee' so o&&e'si.e to he"+ )he' Ed s$id th$t he)$s the soul o& #ou"tesy $"ou'd )o!e', Pe"h$(s he%d 7ust h$d $ b$d d$y,

@@ MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOONH H H L$te" i' the )ee + M$tt )$s b$# + $'d Leslie be*$' to "e$li1e ho) !u#h t"ouble she%d l$'ded he"sel&i' &"o! thei" &i"st e'#ou'te", -e )$l ed i'to Ed%s o&&i#e )hile Ed )$s out $t $ !eeti'*+ $'d the i#e i' his eyes did'%t be*i' to !elt$s he )$t#hed Leslie ty(i'* $)$y $t the #o!(ute", She h$d'%t see' hi!+ $'d he studied he" )ith

("o&ou'd+ i& ("e7udi#ed+ #u"iosity, She )$s thi' $'d 'ot !u#h $bo.e $.e"$*e hei*ht+ )ith sho"t blo'dh$i" th$t #u"led to)$"d he" &$#e, Ni#e s i'+ but she )$s !u#h too ($le, -e "e!e!be"ed he" eyes !osto& $ll+ )ide $'d &ull o& dist$ste $s he #$!e #lose, It $!$1ed hi! th$t the"e )$s $ )o!$' o' the (l$'et)ho #ould &i'd his !o'ey "e(ulsi.e+ e.e' i& he did'%t $((e$l to he" hi!sel&, It )$s 'e) $'d u'(le$s$'tto dis#o.e" $ )o!$' )ho did'%t )$'t hi!, -e%d 'e.e" bee' "e(ulsed by $ )o!$' i' his li&e, It le&t hi!&eeli'* i'$de5u$te, Wo"se+ it b"ou*ht b$# !e!o"ies o& the )o!$' )ho%d "e7e#ted hi!+ )ho%d *i.e'hi! $)$y $t the $*e o& si/ be#$use she did'%t )$'t hi!, She &elt his eyes o' he" $'d li&ted he" he$d, 8"$y eyes )ide'ed $'d st$"ed $s he" h$'ds "e!$i'edsus(e'ded 7ust o.e" the bl$# eybo$"d, -e )$s )e$"i'* $ .ested *"$y suit, It loo ed .e"y e/(e'si.e+ $'d his eyes )e"e d$" $'d #utti'*, -eh$d $ #i*$" i' his h$'d+ but it )$s'%t lit, She ho(ed he )$s'%t *oi'* to t"y to s!o e it i' the #o'&i'eds($#e+ be#$use she )$s $lle"*i# to tob$##o s!o e, DIANA PALMER

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2So you%"e Ed%s+2 he !u"!u"ed i' th$t dee(+ #utti'* to'e,2Ed%s $ssist$'t+2 she $*"eed, 2M", C$ld)ell,,,2 2Wh$t did you do to l$'d the 7ob32 he #o'ti'ued )ith $ &$i'tly !o# i'* s!ile, 2A'd ho) o&te'32 She )$s'%t *etti'* )h$t he i!(lied, She bli' ed+ still st$"i'*, 2I be* you" ($"do'32 2Why did Ed b"i'* you i' he"e $bo.e te' othe" !o"e 5u$li&ied $((li#$'ts32 he (e"sisted, 2Oh+ th$t,2 She hesit$ted, She #ould'%t tell hi! the "e$l "e$so'+ so she told hi! e'ou*h o& the t"uth todist"$#t hi!, 2I h$.e the e5ui.$le't o& $' $sso#i$te i' $"ts de*"ee i' busi'ess $'d I )o" ed $s $

($"$le*$l &o" his &$the" &o" &ou" ye$"s i' $ l$) o&&i#e+2 she s$id, 2I !i*ht 'ot h$.e the b$#helo"%s de*"eeth$t )$s ("e&e""ed+ but I h$.e e/(e"ie'#e, O" so Ed $ssu"ed !e+2 she $dded+ loo i'* )o""ied,2Why did'%t you &i'ish #olle*e32 he (e"sisted, She s)$llo)ed, 2I h$d,,,so!e (e"so'$l ("oble!s $t the ti!e,2


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2You still h$.e so!e (e"so'$l ("oble!s+ Miss Mu""y+2 he "e(lied l$1ily+ but his eyes )e"e #old $'d$le"t i' $ le$'+ h$"d &$#e, 2You #$' (ut !e $t the to( o& the list, I h$d othe" (l$'s &o" the (ositio' you%"eholdi'*, So you%d bette" be $s *ood $s Ed s$ys you $"e,2 2I%ll *i.e .$lue &o" !o'ey+ M", C$ld)ell+2 she $ssu"ed hi!, 2I )o" &o" !y li.i'*, I do'%t e/(e#t &"ee"ides,22Do'%t you32

@ MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON No+ I do'%t,2 -e li&ted the #i*$" to his !outh+ loo ed $t the )et ti(+ si*hed $'d sli((ed it b$# do)' to d$'*le+ u'liti' his &i'*e"s, 2Do you s!o e32 she $s ed+ h$.i'* 'oted the $#tio',2I t"y to+2 he !u"!u"ed, 0ust $s he s(o e+ $ h$'dso!e )o!$' i' he" &o"ties )ith blo'd h$i" i' $ 'e$t bu' $'d )e$"i'* $ '$.y6$'d6)hite suit+ )$l ed do)' the h$ll to)$"d hi!, -e *l$"ed $t he" $s she ($used i' the o(e' doo" o& Ed%s o&&i#e, 2I 'eed you to si*' these+ M", C$ld)ell,A'd M", B$iley is )$iti'* i' you" o&&i#e to s(e$ to you $bout th$t #o!!ittee you )$'t hi! o',22Th$' s+ Ed'$,2 Ed'$ 0o'es s!iled, 28ood d$y+ Miss Mu""y, ee(i'* busy+ $"e you32 2Yes+ !$%$!+ th$' you+2 Leslie "e(lied )ith $ *e'ui'e s!ile, 2Do'%t let hi! li*ht th$t thi'*+2 Ed'$ #o'ti'ued+ *estu"i'* to)$"d the #i*$" d$'*li'* i' M$tt%s &i'*e"s,2I& you 'eed o'e o& these 2 she held u( $ s!$ll )$te" (istol 2 I%ll see th$t you *et o'e,2 She s!iled $t$ &u!i'* M$tt, 2You%ll be *l$d to 'o) th$t I%.e $l"e$dy ($ssed the! out to the *i"ls i' the othe"e/e#uti.e o&&i#es+ M", C$ld)ell, You #$' #ou't o' $ll o& us to hel( you 5uit s!o i'*,2 M$tt *l$"ed $t he", She #hu# led li e $ )o!$' t)e'ty ye$"s you'*e"+ )$.ed to Leslie+ $'d st$l ed DIANA PALMER

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o&& b$# to the o&&i#e, M$tt $#tu$lly st$"ted to !$ e $ #o!i#$l lu'*e $&te" he"+ but #$u*ht hi!sel& i'ti!e, It )ould'%t do to sho) )e$ 'ess to the e'e!y, -e *$.e Leslie $ #ool *l$'#e+ i*'o"i'* the &$i't $!use!e't i' he" *"$y eyes, With $ #u"t 'od+ he&ollo)ed Ed'$ do)' the h$ll+ the d$!(+ e/(e'si.e #i*$" still d$'*li'* &"o! his le$' &i'*e"s, Ch$(te" T)oJ"o! he" &i"st d$y o' the 7ob+ Leslie )$s $)$"e o& M$lt%s disli e $'d dis$(("o.$l o& he", -e (iled the)o" o' Ed+ so th$t it )ould i'e.it$bly d"i&t do)' to Leslie, A lot o& it )$s "e$lly u''e#ess$"y+ li eh$.i'* he" ty(e u( old he"d "e#o"ds &"o! te' ye$"s $*o+ )hi#h h$d 'e.e" bee' #o'.e"ted to #o!(ute"&iles, -e s$id it )$s so th$t he #ould #he# ("o*"ess o' the ("o*e'y o& his e$"lie" he"d si"es+ but e.e'Ed !utte"ed )he' Leslie sho)ed hi! )h$t she )$s e/(e#ted to do, 2We h$.e se#"et$"ies to do this so"t o& thi'*+2 Ed *"u!bled $s he st$"ed $t the yello)ed ($*es o' he"des , 2I 'eed you &o" othe" ("o7e#ts,22Tell hi!+2 Leslie su**ested,

DIANA PALMER

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-e shoo his he$d, 2Not i' the !ood he%s bee' i' l$tely+2 he s$id )ith $ "ue&ul s!ile, 2-e is'%thi!sel&,2 2Did you 'o) th$t his se#"et$"y is $"!ed32 she $s ed sudde'ly, 2She #$""ies $ )$te" (istol $"ou'd)ith he",2 Ed #hu# led, 2M$tt $s ed he" to hel( hi! sto( s!o i'* #i*$"s, Not th$t he usu$lly did it i'side the

buildi'*+2 he )$s 5ui# to $dd, 2But M"s, 0o'es &eels th$t i& you #$'%t li*ht $ #i*$"+ you #$'%t s!o e it,

She bou*ht $ )$te" (istol &o" he"sel& $'d $"!ed the othe" se#"et$"ies+ too, I& M$tt e.e' li&ts $ #i*$" tohis !outh i' the e/e#uti.e o&&i#es+ they shoot hi!,22D$'*e"ous l$dies+2 she #o!!e'ted,2You bet, I%.e see',,,2 2Nothi'* to do32 (u""ed $ so&t+ dee( .oi#e &"o! behi'd Ed, The (ie"#i'* d$" eyes did'%t !$t#h the

b$'te"i'* to'e, 2So""y+ M$tt+2 Ed s$id i!!edi$tely, 2I )$s 7ust ($ssi'* the ti!e o& d$y )ith Leslie, C$' I do $'ythi'*&o" you32 I 'eed $' u(d$te o' th$t lot o& #$ttle )e (l$#ed )ith B$lle'*e"+2 he s$id, -e st$"ed $t Leslie )ith'$""o)ed eyes, 2You" 7ob+ I belie.e32 She s)$llo)ed $'d 'odded+ 7e" i'* he" &i'*e"s o' the eybo$"d so th$t she o(e'ed the )"o'* &ile $'dh$d to (ush the "i*ht butto's to #lose it $*$i', No"!$lly she )$s'%t $ 'e".ous (e"so'+ but he !$de he"ill $t e$se+ st$'di'* o.e" he" )ithout s(e$ i'*, Ed see!ed to be $ little t)it#hy+ hi!sel&+ be#$use he @4 MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON!o.ed b$# to his o)' o&&i#e the !i'ute the (ho'e "$'*+ (l$#i'* hi!sel& out o& the li'e o& &i"e )ith $'$(olo*eti# loo th$t Leslie did'%t see, 2I thou*ht you )e"e e/(e"ie'#ed )ith #o!(ute"s+2 M$tt d"$)led !o# i'*ly $s he ($used beside he"to loo o.e" he" shoulde", The &eel o& his (o)e"&ul body so #lose behi'd he" !$de e.e"y !us#le te'se, -e" &i'*e"s &"o1e o' theeybo$"d+ $'d she )$s b$"ely b"e$thi'*, With $ !u"!u"ed #u"se+ M$tt ste((ed b$# to the side o& the des + &i*hti'* the !ost i'te'se e!otio'she%d e.e" &elt, -e stu# his h$'ds dee( i'to the (o# ets o& his sl$# s $'d *l$"ed $t he", She "el$/ed+ but o'ly e'ou*h to be $ble to (ull u( the &ile he )$'ted $'d ("i't it &o" hi!, -e too it out o& the ("i'te" t"$y )he' it )$s &i'ished $'d *$.e it $ slo) (e"us$l, -e !utte"edso!ethi'*+ $'d tossed the &i"st ($*e do)' o' Leslie%s des ,2-$l& these )o"ds $"e !iss(elled+2 he s$id #u"tly, She loo ed $t it o' the #o!(ute" s#"ee' $'d 'odded, 2Yes+ they $"e+ M", C$ld)ell, I%! so""y+ but Idid'%t ty(e it,2 O& #ou"se she h$d'%t ty(ed it+ it )$s te' ye$"s old+ but so!ethi'* i'side hi! )$'ted to hold he"$##ou't$ble &o" it, -e !o.ed $)$y &"o! the des $s he "e$d the "est o& the ($*es, 2You #$' do this &ile $'d the othe"so.e"+2 he !u"!u"ed $s he s i!!ed, 2The )hole d$!'ed thi'*%s illite"$te,2 DIANA PALMER

@9

She 'e) th$t the"e )e"e hu'd"eds o& "e#o"ds i' this ($"ti#ul$" b$t#h o& &iles+ $'d th$t it )ould t$ e


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d$ys+ 'ot !i'utes o" hou"s+ to #o!(lete the )o" , But he o)'ed the (l$#e+ so he #ould set the "ules, She (u"sed he" li(s $'d *l$'#ed $t hi! s(e#ul$ti.ely, No) th$t he )$s (hysi#$lly out o& "$'*e+ she &elt s$&e$*$i', 2You" )ish is !y #o!!$'d+ boss+2 she !u"!u"ed d"yly+ su"("isi'* $ 5ui# *l$'#e &"o! hi!,2Sh$ll I 7ust (ut $side $ll o& Ed%s ty(i'* $'d de.ote the 'e/t &e) !o'ths to this32 -e" #h$'*e o& $ttitude &"o! 'e".ous id to s$ssy )o!$' #$u*ht hi! o&& *u$"d, 2I did'%t (ut $ ti!eli!it o' it+2 M$tt s$id #u"tly, 2I o'ly s$id+ do it?2

2Oh+ yes+ si"+2 she $*"eed $t o'#e+ $'d s!iled .$#$'tly, -e d"e) i' $ sho"t b"e$th $'d *l$"ed do)' $t he", 2You%"e "e!$" $bly e$*e" to (le$se+ Miss Mu""y, O"is it 7ust be#$use I%! the boss32 2I $l)$ys t"y to do )h$t I%! $s ed to do+ M", C$ld)ell+2 she $ssu"ed hi!, 2Well+ $l!ost $l)$ys+2 she$!e'ded, 2Withi' "e$so',2 -e !o.ed b$# to)$"d the des , As he le$'ed o.e" to (ut do)' the ($(e"s she%d ("i'ted &o" hi!+ hes$) he" .isibly te'se, She )$s the !ost #o'&ou'di'* )o!$' he%d e.e" 'o)'+ $ tot$l !yste"y, 2Wh$t )ould you de&i'e $s %)ithi' "e$so'%32 he d"$)led+ holdi'* he" eyes, She loo ed hu'ted, A!$1i'*+ th$t she%d bee' 7o.i$l $'d u'i'hibited 7ust se#o'ds be&o"e, -e" sti&&e/("essio' !$de hi! &eel oddly *uilty, -e tu"'ed < MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON$)$y, 2Ed? -$.e you *ot !y A'*us &ile32 he #$lled to his #ousi' th"ou*h the o(e' doo" to Ed%s ("i.$teo&&i#e, Ed )$s o&& the (ho'e $'d he h$d $ &ile &olde" i' his h$'ds, 2Yes+ so""y, I )$'ted to #he# the l$test*"o)th &i*u"es $'d ("o7e#ted )ei*ht *$i' "$tios, I !e$'t to (ut it b$# o' you" des $'d I *ot busy,2 M$tt studied the &i*u"es 5uietly $'d the' 'odded, Th$t%s $##e(t$ble, The B$lle'*e" b"othe"s do $*ood 7ob,2 2They%"e e/($'di'*+ did you 'o)32 Ed #hu# led, 2Ni#e to see the! ("os(e"i'*,2 2Yes+ it is, They%.e )o" ed h$"d e'ou*h i' thei" li.es to )$""$'t $ little ("os(e"ity,2 While he s(o e+ Leslie )$s )$t#hi'* hi! #o.e"tly, She thou*ht $bout the si/6ye$"6old boy )hose!othe" h$d *i.e' hi! $)$y+ $'d it )"u'* he" he$"t, -e" o)' #hildhood h$d bee' 'o (i#'i#+ but M$tt%su(b"i'*i'* h$d bee' so !u#h )o"se, -e &elt those so&t *"$y eyes o' his &$#e+ $'d his o)' *$1e 7e" ed do)' to !eet the!, She &lushed $'dloo ed $)$y, -e )o'de"ed )h$t she%d bee' thi' i'* to ("odu#e su#h $ "e$#tio', She #ould'%t h$.e (ossibly !$de it

(l$i'e" th$t she &elt 'o (hysi#$l $tt"$#tio' to hi!+ so )hy the )ide6eyed st$"e3 It (u11led hi!, So !$'ythi'*s $bout he" (u11led hi!, She )$s 'e$t $'d $tt"$#ti.ely d"essed+ but those #lothes )ould h$.esuited $ do)$*e" &$" bette" th$' $ you'* )o!$', While he did'%t e'#ou"$*e sho"t s i"ts $'d lo)6#ut DIANA PALMER

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blouses+ Leslie )$s #o.e"ed &"o! he$d to toe> lo'* d"ess+ lo'* slee.es+ hi*h 'e# butto'ed "i*ht u( tohe" th"o$t, 2Need $'ythi'* else32 Ed $s ed $b"u(tly+ ho(i'* to )$"d o&& !o"e t"ouble, M$tt%s (o)e"&ul shoulde"s sh"u**ed, 2Not &o" the !o!e't,2 -e *l$'#ed o'#e !o"e $t Leslie, 2Do'%t&o"*et those &iles I )$'t u(d$ted,2 A&te" he )$l ed out+ Ed st$"ed $&te" hi! &o" $ !i'ute+ &"o)'i'*, 2Wh$t &iles32She e/(l$i'ed it to hi!, 2But those $"e outd$ted+2 Ed !u"!u"ed thou*ht&ully, 2A'd he 'e.e" loo s $t the!, I do'%t u'de"st$'d)hy he h$s to h$.e the! #o""e#ted $t $ll,2


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She le$'ed &o")$"d, 2Be#$use it )ill i""it$te !e $'d !$ e !e )o" h$"de"?2 she s$id i' $ st$*e)his(e", 28od &o"bid th$t I should h$.e ti!e to t)iddle !y thu!bs,2-is eyeb"o)s $"#hed, 2-e is'%t .i'di#ti.e,2 2Th$t%s )h$t you thi' ,2 She (i# ed u( the &ile M$tt h$d le&t $'d *"i!$#ed $s she (ut it b$# i' the&ili'* #$bi'et, 2I%ll st$"t o' those )he' I%.e &i'ished $'s)e"i'* you" !$il, Do you su((ose he )$'ts !eto st$y o.e" $&te" )o" to do the!3 -e%d h$.e to ($y !e o.e"ti!e,2 She *"i''ed i!(ishly+ $ "e!i'de" o&

the )o!$' she%d o'#e bee', 2Would'%t th$t !$ e his d$y32 2Let !e $s hi!+2 Ed .olu'tee"ed, 20ust do you" usu$l 7ob &o" 'o),22O $y, Th$' s+ Ed,2

@ MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON -e sh"u**ed, 2Wh$t $"e &"ie'ds &o"32 he !u"!u"ed )ith $ s!ile, The o&&i#e )$s $ *"e$t (l$#e to )o" , Leslie h$d $ b$ll )$t#hi'* the othe" )o!e' i' the e/e#uti.eo&&i#es lie i' )$it &o" M$tt, -is se#"et$"y #$u*ht hi! t"yi'* to li*ht $ #i*$" out o' the b$l#o'y+ $'d shelet hi! h$.e it &"o! behi'd $ (otted t"ee )ith the )$te" (istol, -e l$id the #i*$" do)' o' Bessie D$.id%sdes $'d she 2$##ide't$lly2 d"o((ed it i'to his h$l&6&ull #o&&ee #u( th$t he%d set do)' 'e/t to it, -e heldit u(+ d"i((i'*+ )ith $' $##usi'* loo $t Bessie,2You told !e to do it+ si"+2 Bessie "e!i'ded hi!, -e d"o((ed the sodde' #i*$" b$# i' the #o&&ee $'d le&t it behi'd, Leslie+ h$.i'* see' the )hole thi'*+du# ed i'to the "est "oo! to l$u*h, It $!$1ed he" th$t M$tt )$s so e$sy*oi'* $'d &"ie'dly to his othe"e!(loyees, To Leslie+ he )$s $ll b"istle $'d .e'o!, She )o'de"ed )h$t he%d do i& she let loose )ith $)$te" (istol, She #hu# led+ i!$*i'i'* he"sel& te$"i'* u( M$i' St"eet i' 0$#obs.ille $he$d o& $ #u"si'*M$tt C$ld)ell, It )$s su#h $ (ity th$t she%d #h$'*ed so !u#h, Be&o"e t"$*edy h$d tou#hed he" you'*li&e+ she )ould h$.e bee' .e"y $tt"$#ted to the t$ll+ le$' #$ttle!$', A &e) d$ys l$te"+ he #$!e i'to Ed%s o&&i#e d$'*li'* $ #i*$" &"o! his &i'*e"s, Leslie+ des(ite he"$!use!e't $t the $'ti#s o& the othe" se#"et$"ies+ did'%t s$y $ )o"d $t the si*ht o& the u'lit #i*$", DIANA PALMER

2I )$'t to see the ("o(os$l the C$ttle!e'%s Asso#i$tio' d"$&ted $bout b"u#ellosis testi'*,2She st$"ed $t hi!, 2Si"32 -e st$"ed b$# , She )$s *etti'* e$sie" o' his eyes+ $'d he did'%t li e his "e$#tio's to he", She )$s"e(ulsed by hi!, -e #ould'%t *et ($st th$t be#$use it dest"oyed his ("ide, 2Ed told !e he h$d $ #o(y o&it+2 he el$bo"$ted, 2It #$!e i' the !$il yeste"d$y,2 2O $y,2 She 'e) )he"e the !$il )$s e(t, Ed t"ied to i*'o"e it+ le$.i'* it i' the I' bo/ u'til Lesliedu!(ed it o' his des i' &"o't o& hi! $'d "e&used to le$.e u'til he de$lt )ith it, This usu$lly h$((e'ed$t the e'd o& the )ee + )he' it h$d (iled u( $'d o.e"&lo)ed i'to the Out bo/, She "u!!$*ed th"ou*h the bo/ $'d ("odu#ed $ thi# lette" &"o! the C$ttle!e'%s Asso#i$tio'+u'o(e'ed, She #$""ied it b$# th"ou*h $'d h$'ded it to M$tt, -e%d bee' )$t#hi'* he" )$l )ith #u"ious i'te'sity, She )$s li!(i'*, -e #ould'%t see he" le*s+

be#$use she )$s )e$"i'* loose 'it sl$# s )ith $ tu'i# th$t &lo)ed to he" thi*hs $s she )$l ed, e"yob.iously+ she )$s'%t *oi'* to do $'ythi'* to #$ll $tte'tio' to he" &i*u"e, 2You%"e li!(i'*+2 he s$id, 2Did you see $ do#to" $&te" th$t &$ll you too $t !y "$'#h32 2No 'eed to+2 she s$id $t o'#e, 2It )$s o'ly $ b"uise, I%! so"e+ th$t%s $ll,2 -e (i# ed u( the "e#ei.e" o& the (ho'e o' he" des $'d ("essed the i'te"#o! butto', 2Ed'$+2 he s$id

MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON


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$b"u(tly+ 2set Miss Mu""y u( )ith Lou Colt"$i' $s soo' $s (ossible, She too $ s(ill &"o! $ ho"se $t !y (l$#e $ &e) d$ys $*o $'d she%s still li!(i'*, I )$'t he" X6"$yed,22No?2 Leslie ("otested, 2Let he" 'o) )he' you%.e !$de the $((oi't!e't, Th$' s+2 he told his se#"et$"y $'d hu'* u(, -isd$" eyes !et Leslie%s ($le o'es s5u$"ely, 2You%"e *oi'*+2 he s$id &l$tly, She h$ted do#to"s, Oh+ ho) she h$ted the!? The do#to" $t the e!e"*e'#y "oo! i' -ousto'+ $' olde"

!$' "eti"ed &"o! "e*ul$" ("$#ti#e+ h$d !$de he" &eel #he$( $'d di"ty $s he e/$!i'ed he" $'d !$de #old"e!$" s $bout t"$!(s )ho *ot !e' illed, She%d 'e.e" *otte' o.e" the double t"$u!$ o& he" e/(e"ie'#e$'d th$t h$"sh le#tu"e+ des(ite the the"$(ists% $tte!(ts to so&te' the !e!o"y, She #le'#hed he" teeth $'d *l$"ed $t M$tt, 2I s$id I%! 'ot hu"t?2 2You )o" he"e, I%! the boss, You *et e/$!i'ed, Pe"iod,2 She )$'ted to 5uit, She )ished she #ould, She h$d 'o (l$#e else to *o, -ousto' )$s out o& the5uestio', She )$s too $&"$id th$t she%d be u( to he" e$"s i' "e(o"te"s+ des(ite he" (hysi#$l #$!ou&l$*e+the !i'ute she set &oot i' the #ity,She d"e) $ sh$"(+ $'*"y b"e$th, -e" $ttitude (u11led hi!, 2Do'%t you )$'t to !$ e su"e the i'7u"y )o'%t !$ e th$t li!( (e"!$'e't32he $s ed sudde'ly,

DIANA PALMER She li&ted he" #hi' ("oudly, 2M", C$ld)ell+ I h$d $',,,$##ide't,,,)he' I )$s se.e'tee' $'d th$t le*su&&e"ed so!e bo'e d$!$*e,2 She "e&used to thi' $bout ho) it h$d h$((e'ed, IKll $l)$ys h$.e $sli*ht li!(+ $'d it%s 'ot &"o! the ho"se th"o)i'* !e,2 -e did'%t see! to b"e$the &o" se.e"$l se#o'ds, 2All the !o"e "e$so' &o" $' e/$!i'$tio'+2 he "e(lied,2You li e to li.e d$'*e"ously+ I *$the", You%.e *ot 'o busi'ess o' $ ho"se,2 2Ed s$id the ho"se )$s *e'tle, It )$s !y &$ult I *ot th"o)', I 7e" ed the "ei's,2 -is eyes '$""o)ed, 2Yes+ I "e!e!be", You )e"e t"yi'* to *et $)$y &"o! !e, A(($"e'tly you thi' Ih$.e so!ethi'* #o't$*ious,2 She #ould see the ("ide i' his eyes th$t !$de hi! "ese't he", 2It )$s'%t th$t+2 she s$id, She $.e"ted he"*$1e to the )$ll, 2It%s 7ust th$t I do'%t li e to be tou#hed,22Ed tou#hes you,2 She did'%t 'o) ho) to tell hi! )ithout telli'* hi! e.e"ythi'*, She #ould'%t be$" h$.i'* hi! 'o)$bout he" so"did ($st, She "$ised tu"bule't *"$y eyes to his d$" o'es, 2I do'%t li e to be tou#hed byst"$'*e"s+2 she $!e'ded 5ui# ly, 2Ed $'d I h$.e 'o)' e$#h othe" &o" ye$"s+2 she s$id &i'$lly,2It%s,,,di&&e"e't )ith hi!,2 -is eyes '$""o)ed, -e se$"#hed o.e" he" thi' &$#e, 2It !ust be+2 he s$id &l$tly, -is !o# i'* s!ile tou#hed $ 'e".e, 2You%"e li e $ ste$!"olle"+ $"e'%t you32 she $s ed $b"u(tly, 2You F MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON$ssu!e th$t be#$use you%"e )e$lthy $'d (o)e"&ul+ the"e is'%t $ )o!$' $li.e )ho #$' "esist you?2 -e did'%t li e th$t $ssu!(tio', -is eyes be*$' to *litte", 2You should'%t liste' to *ossi(+2 he s$id+ his.oi#e de$dly 5uiet, 2She )$s $ s(oiled little debut$'te )ho thou*ht D$ddy should be $ble to buy he"$'y !$' she )$'ted, Whe' she dis#o.e"ed th$t he #ould'%t+ she #$!e to )o" &o" $ &"ie'd o& !i'e $'ds(e't $ #ou(le o& )ee s (u"sui'* !e $"ou'd 0$#obs6.ille, I )e't ho!e o'e 'i*ht $'d &ou'd he" (iledu( i' !y bed )e$"i'* $ sheet $'d 'othi'* else, I th"e) he" out+ but the' she told e.e"yo'e th$t I%d$ss$ulted he", She h$d $ &ield d$y )ith !e i' #ou"t u'til !y house ee(e"+ Tolbe"t+ )$s #$lled to tell the


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-e did'%t "e(ly &o" $ !i'ute, The h$'d d$'*li'* the #i*$" t)i"led it $"ou'd, 2Yes+2 he s$id, 2It%s DIANA PALMER

9

#o'&ide'ti$l, You%"e !$ i'* !e #u"ious+ Miss Mu""y, Do you h$.e se#"ets32 2We $ll h$.e se#"ets+2 she s$id sole!'ly, 2So!e $"e d$" e" th$' othe"s,2 -e &li# ed $ thu!b'$il $*$i'st the #i*$", 2Wh$t%s you"s3 Did you shoot you" lo.e"32 She did'%t d$"e sho) $ "e$#tio' to th$t, -e" &$#e &elt $s i& it )ould #"$# i& she !o.ed, -e stu# the #i*$" i' his (o# et, 2Ed'$ )ill let you 'o) )he' you%"e to *o see Lou+2 he s$id$b"u(tly+ )ith $ *l$'#e $t his )$t#h, -e held u( the lette", 2Tell Ed I%.e *ot this, I%ll t$l to hi! $bout itl$te",22Yes+ si",2 -e "esisted the i!(ulse to loo b$# $t he", The !o"e he dis#o.e"ed $bout his 'e)est e!(loyee+ the!o"e i't"i*ued he be#$!e, She !$de hi! "estless, -e )ished he 'e) )hy, The"e )$s 'o )$y to *et out o& the do#to"%s $((oi't!e't, Leslie s(o e b"ie&ly )ith D", Colt"$i' be&o"eshe )$s se't to the hos(it$l &o" $ set o& X "$ys, A' hou" l$te"+ she )$s b$# i' Lou%s o&&i#e+ )$t#hi'* theolde" )o!$' (o"e so!be"ly o.e" the &il!s $*$i'st $ li*hted bo$"d o' the )$ll, Lou loo ed )o""ied )he' she e/$!i'ed the X "$y o& the le*, 2The"e%s 'o d$!$*e &"o! the &$ll+ e/#e(t&o" so!e b"uisi'*+2 she #o'#luded, -e" d$" eyes !et Leslie%s s5u$"ely, 2These old b"e$ s $"e'%t#o'siste't )ith $ &$ll+ ho)e.e",2 < MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON Leslie *"ou'd he" teeth to*ethe", She did'%t s$y $'ythi'*, Lou !o.ed b$# $"ou'd he" des $'d s$t do)'+ i'di#$ti'* th$t Leslie should sit i' the #h$i" i' &"o't o&the des $&te" she *ot o&& the e/$!i'i'* t$ble, 2You do'%t )$'t to t$l $bout it+2 Lou s$id *e'tly, 2I )o'%t ("ess you, You do 'o) th$t the bo'es)e"e'%t ("o(e"ly set $t the ti!e+ do'%t you3 The i!("o(e" $li*'!e't is u'&o"tu'$te+ be#$use th$t li!(is'%t *oi'* to *o $)$y, I "e$lly should se'd you to $' o"tho(edi# su"*eo',22You #$' se'd !e+2 Leslie "e(lied+ 2but I )o'%t*o,2 Lou "ested he" &olded h$'ds o' he" des o.e" the #$le'd$" blotte" )ith its s#"ibbled su"&$#e, 2You do'%t'o) !e )ell e'ou*h to #o'&ide i' !e, You%ll le$"'+ $&te" you%.e bee' i' 0$#obs.ille $ )hile+ th$t I #$'

be t"usted, I do'%t t$l $bout !y ($tie'ts to $'yo'e+ 'ot e.e' !y husb$'d, M$tt )o'%t he$" $'ythi'*&"o! !e,2 Leslie "e!$i'ed sile't, It )$s i!(ossible to *o o.e" it $*$i' )ith $ st"$'*e", It h$d bee' h$"d e'ou*hto el$bo"$te o' he" ($st to the the"$(ist+ )ho%d bee' sho# ed+ to (ut it !ildly, The olde" )o!$' si*hed, 2All "i*ht+ I )o'%t ("essu"e you, But i& you e.e" 'eed $'yo'e to t$l to+ I%ll

be he"e,2 Leslie loo ed u(, 2Th$' you+2 she s$id si'#e"ely, DIANA PALMER

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2You%"e 'ot M$tt%s &$.o"ite (e"so'+ $"e you32 Lou $s ed $b"u(tly, Leslie l$u*hed )ithout !i"th, 2No+ I%! 'ot, I thi' he%ll &i'd $ )$y to &i"e !e e.e'tu$lly, -e does'%tli e )o!e' !u#h,2


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2M$tt li es e.e"ybody $s $ "ule+2 Lou s$id, 2A'd he%s $l)$ys bei'* (u"sued by )o!e', They lo.ehi!, -e%s i'd to (eo(le he li es, -e o&&e"ed to !$""y itty C$"so' )he' she 5uit )o" i'* &o" D",D"e) Mo""is, She did'%t do it+ o& #ou"se+ she )$s #"$1y &o" D"e) $'d .i#e .e"s$, They%"e h$((ily!$""ied 'o),2 She hesit$ted+ but Leslie did'%t s(e$ , 2-e%s $ dish "i#h+ h$'dso!e+ se/y+ $'d usu$llythe e$siest !$' o' e$"th to *et $lo'* )ith,2 2-e%s $ bulldo1e"+2 Leslie s$id &l$tly, 2-e #$'%t see! to t$l to (eo(le u'less he%s st$'di'* o' the!,2

She &olded he" $"!s o.e" he" #hest $'d loo ed u'#o!&o"t$ble, So th$t%s it+ Lou thou*ht+ )o'de"i'* i& the you'* )o!$' "e$li1ed )h$t he" body l$'*u$*e )$s *i.i'*$)$y, Lou 'e) i'st$'tly th$t so!eo'e h$d #$used those b"e$ s i' the you'*e" )o!$'%s le*> .e"y

("ob$bly $ !$', She h$d "e$so' to 'o),2You do'%t li e (eo(le to tou#h you+2 Lou s$id,Leslie shi&ted i' the #h$i", 2No,2 Lou%s (e"#e(ti.e eyes )e't o.e" the #o'#e$li'* *$"!e'ts Leslie )o"e+ but she did'%t s$y $'othe" )o"d,She stood u(+ s!ili'* *e'tly, 2The"e%s 'o d$!$*e &"o! the "e#e't &$ll+2 she s$id *e'tly, 2But #o!e b$#i& the ($i' *ets $'y )o"se,2 @ MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON Leslie &"o)'ed, 2-o) did you 'o) I )$s i' ($i'32 2M$tt s$id you )i'#ed e.e"y ti!e you *ot out o& you" #h$i",2 Leslie%s he$"t s i((ed, 2I did'%t "e$li1e he 'oti#ed,22-e%s (e"#e(ti.e,2 Lou ("es#"ibed $' o.e"6the6#ou'te" !edi#$tio' to t$ e &o" the ($i' $'d $d.ised he" to #o!e b$# i&she did'%t i!("o.e, Leslie $*"eed $'d )e't out o& the o&&i#e i' $' $bse't!i'ded stu(o"+ )o'de"i'* )h$telse M$tt C$ld)ell h$d le$"'ed &"o! he" 7ust by obse".$tio', It )$s $ little u''e".i'*, Whe' she )e't b$# to the o&&i#e+ it )$s'%t te' !i'utes be&o"e M$tt )$s st$'di'* i' the doo")$y,2Well32 he $s ed, 2I%! &i'e+2 she $ssu"ed hi!, 20ust $ &e) b"uises, A'd belie.e !e+ I h$.e 'o i'te'tio' o& sui'* you,2 -e did'%t "e$#t .isibly, 2Ple'ty h$.e,2 -e )$s i""it$ted, Lou )ould'%t tell hi! $'ythi'*+ e/#e(t th$t his'e) e!(loyee )$s $s #lose!outhed $s $ #l$!, -e 'e) th$t $l"e$dy, 2Tell Ed I%ll be out o& the o&&i#e &o" $ #ou(le o& d$ys+2 he s$id,2Yes+ si",2 -e *$.e he" $ l$st loo + tu"'ed $'d )$l ed b$# out, It )$s'%t u'til M$tt )$s out o& si*ht th$t Leslie

be*$' to "el$/, Ch$(te" Th"eeThe 'i*ht!$"es #$!e b$# th$t 'i*ht, Leslie h$d e.e' e/(e#ted the!+ be#$use o& the .isit to D", LouColt"$i' $'d the hos(it$l%s X6"$y de($"t!e't, -$.i'* to )e$" hi*h heeled shoes to )o" h$d'%t do'e he"d$!$*ed le* $'y *ood+ eithe", Alo'* )ith the 'i*ht!$"e th$t le&t he" s)e$ti'* $'d ($'ti'*+ he" le* )$silli'* he", She )e't to the b$th"oo! $'d do)'ed t)o $s(i"i'+ ho(i'* they )e"e *oi'* to do the t"i# ,She de#ided th$t she )$s *oi'* to h$.e to *i.e u( &$shio' $'d )e$" &l$ts $*$i', M$tt 'oti#ed+ o& #ou"se+ )he' he "etu"'ed to the o&&i#e th"ee d$ys l$te", -is eyes '$""o)ed $s he)$t#hed he" )$l $#"oss the &loo" o& he" s!$ll o&&i#e, 2Lou #ould *i.e you so!ethi'* to t$ e &o" the ($i'+2 he s$id $b"u(tly,

MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON She *l$'#ed $t hi! $s she (ulled $ &ile out o& the !et$l #$bi'et, 2Yes+ she #ould+ M", C$ld)ell+ but doyou "e$lly )$'t $ #o!$tose se#"et$"y i' Ed%s o&&i#e3 P$i' ille"s (ut !e to slee(,22P$i' !$ es &o" i'e&&i#ie'#y,2 She 'odded, 2I 'o) th$t, I h$.e $ bottle o& $s(i"i' i' !y (u"se+2 she $ssu"ed hi!, 2A'd the ($i' is'%t


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so b$d th$t I #$'%t "e!e!be" ho) to s(ell, It%s 7ust $ &e) b"uises, They%ll he$l, D", Colt"$i' s$id so,2 -e st$"ed $t he" th"ou*h '$""o)ed+ #old eyes, 2You should'%t be li!(i'* $&te" $ )ee , I )$'t you tosee Lou $*$i',,,2 2I%.e li!(ed &o" si/ ye$"s+ M", C$ld)ell+2 she s$id se"e'ely, -e" eyes i'dled, 2I& you do'%t li e theli!(+ (e"h$(s you should'%t st$'d $'d )$t#h !e )$l ,2 -is eyeb"o)s $"#hed, 2C$'%t the do#to"s do $'ythi'* to #o""e#t it32

She *l$"ed $t hi!, 2I h$te do#to"s?2 The .ehe!e'#e o& he" st$te!e't too hi! $b$# , She !e$'t it+ too, -e" &$#e &lushed+ he" eyess($" led )ith te!(e", It )$s su#h $ di&&e"e'#e &"o! he" usu$l e/("essio' th$t he &ou'd hi!sel$(ti.$ted, Whe' she )$s $'i!$ted+ she )$s ("etty,2They%"e 'ot $ll b$d+2 he "e(lied &i'$lly, 2The"e%s o'ly so !u#h you #$' do )ith $ sh$tte"ed bo'e+2 she s$id $'d the' bit he" li(, She h$d'%t!e$'t to tell hi! th$t,The 5uestio' )$s i' his eyes+ o' his li(s+ but it

DIANA PALMER

'e.e" !$de it ($st the!, 0ust $s he st$"ted to $s + Ed #$!e out o& his o&&i#e $'d s(otted hi!, 2M$tt? Wel#o!e b$# +2 he s$id+ e/te'di'* $ h$'d, 2I 7ust h$d $ #$ll &"o! Bill P$yto', -e )$'ted to'o) i& you )e"e #o!i'* to the b$'5uet S$tu"d$y 'i*ht, They%.e *ot $ li.e b$'d s#heduled,2 2Su"e+2 M$tt s$id $bse'tly, 2Tell hi! to "ese".e t)o ti# ets &o" !e, A"e you *oi'*32 2I thou*ht I )ould, I%ll b"i'* Leslie $lo'*,2 -e s!iled $t he", 2It%s the $''u$l 0$#obs.ille C$ttle!e'%sAsso#i$tio' b$'5uet, We h$.e s(ee#hes+ but i& you su".i.e the!+ $'d the "ubbe" #hi# e'+ you *et tod$'#e,2 2-e" le* is'%t *oi'* to let he" do !u#h d$'#i'*+2 M$tt s$id sole!'ly, Ed%s eyeb"o)s li&ted, 2You%d be su"("ised+2 he s$id, 2She lo.es L$ti' d$'#es,2 -e *"i''ed $t Leslie,2So does M$tt he"e, You )ould'%t belie.e )h$t he #$' do )ith $ !$!bo o" $ "hu!b$+ to s$y 'othi'* o&the t$'*o, -e d$ted $ d$'#e i'st"u#to" &o" se.e"$l !o'ths+ $'d he%s $ '$tu"$l $'y)$y,2 M$tt did'%t "e(ly, -e )$s )$t#hi'* the (l$y o& e/("essio's o' Leslie%s &$#e $'d )o'de"i'* $bout th$tle*, M$ybe Ed 'e) the t"uth o& it+ $'d he #ould )o"! it out o& hi!, 2You #$' "ide i' )ith us+2 M$tt s$id $bse'tly, 2I%ll hi"e 0$# B$iley%s st"et#h li!o $'d *i.e you"se#"et$"y $ th"ill,22It%ll *i.e !e $ th"ill+ too+2 Ed $ssu"ed hi!,

F MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON2Th$' s+ M$tt, I h$te t"yi'* to &i'd $ ($" i'* s($#e $t the #ou't"y #lub )he' the"e%s $ ($"ty,22Th$t !$ es t)o o& us,2 O'e o& the se#"et$"ies !otio'ed to M$tt th$t he h$d $ (ho'e #$ll, -e le&t $'d Ed de($"ted "i*ht behi'dhi! &o" $ !eeti'*, Leslie )o'de"ed ho) she )$s *oi'* to e'du"e $' e.e'i'* o& d$'#i'* )ithout e'di'*u( #lose to M$tt C$ld)ell+ )ho $l"e$dy "ese'ted he" st$'do&&ish $ttitude, It )ould be $' o"de$l+ shesu((osed+ $'d )o'de"ed i& she #ould de.elo( $ #o'.e'ie't he$d$#he o' S$tu"d$y $&te"'oo', Leslie o'ly h$d o'e "e$lly 'i#e d"ess th$t )$s $(("o("i$te to )e$" to the &u'#tio' $t the #ou't"y #lub,The *o)' )$s $ lo'* she$th o& shi!!e"y sil.e" &$b"i#+ sus(e'ded &"o! he" #"e$!y shoulde"s by t)olittle s($*hetti st"$(s, With it+ she )o"e $ sil.e"6$'d6"hi'esto'e #li( i' he" sho"t blo'd h$i" $'d 'e$tlittle sil.e" sli((e"s )ith o'ly $ hi't o& $ heel, Ed si*hed $t the (i#tu"e she !$de )he' the li!ousi'e (ulled u( i' &"o't o& the bo$"di'*house )he"eshe )$s st$yi'*, She !et hi! o' the (o"#h+ $ s!$ll (u"se #le'#hed i' d$!( h$'ds+ $ll $&lutte" $t the


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9

*i.i'* M$"#us Boles, Nobody+ $'d I !e$' 'obody+ i'.ol.es !e i' $ sh$dy l$'d de$l li e th$t?2 2It $!$1es !e th$t )e did'%t see th"ou*h hi! &"o! the st$"t+2 Ed $*"eed, 2The )hole #$!($i*' )$s

7ust $ di.e"sio'+ to *i.e the "e$l #$'did$te so!eo'e to shoot do)', -e%ll loo li e $ he"o+ $'d Boles

)ill t$ e the &$ll !$'&ully, I u'de"st$'d he%s bei'* h$'dso!ely ($id &o" his dis*"$#e, P"esu!$bly the#$sh is )o"th his "e(ut$tio' $'d so#i$l st$'di'*,2 2-e%s *ot l$'d i' South A!e"i#$, I he$" he%s *oi'* o.e" the"e to li.e, 0ust $s )ell+2 M$tt $dded #oldly,2I& he%s lu# y+ he !i*ht !$ e it to the $i"(o"t to!o""o) be&o"e I #$t#h u( )ith hi!,2 The th"e$t o& .iole'#e l$y o.e" hi! li e $' i'.isible !$'tle, Leslie shi.e"ed, O& the &ou" (eo(le i' th$t#$"+ she 'e) &i"sth$'d ho) .i#ious $'d b"ut$l (hysi#$l .iole'#e #ould be, -e" !e!o"ies )e"e h$1y+#o'&used+ but i' the 'i*ht!$"es she h$d #o'st$'tly+ they )e"e $ll too .i.id, 2Do #$l! do)'+ d$"li'*+2 C$"oly' told M$tt *e'tly, 2You%"e u(setti'* Ms, M$"ley,2 2Mu""y+2 Ed #o""e#ted be&o"e Leslie #ould, 2St"$'*e+ C$"oly'+ I do'%t "e!e!be" you" !e!o"y bei'*so (oo",2 C$"oly' #le$"ed he" th"o$t, 2It%s $ lo.ely 'i*ht+ $t le$st+2 she s$id+ #h$'*i'* the sub7e#t, 2No "$i' $'d $

be$uti&ul !oo',22So it is+2 Ed d"$)led, M$tt *$.e hi! $ #ool loo + )hi#h Ed !et )ith $ .$#$'t s!ile, Leslie )$s $!used by the )$y Ed < MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON#ould loo so i''o#e't, She 'e) hi! &$" too )ell to be &ooled, M$tt+ !e$')hile+ )$s d"i' i'* i' the si*ht o& Leslie i' th$t &o"!&itti'* d"ess th$t 7ust !$t#hed he"eyes, She h$d s i' li e !$"ble+ $'d he )o'de"ed i& it )$s $s so&t to the tou#h $s it see!ed, She )$s'%t#o'.e'tio'$lly ("etty+ but the"e )$s $ 5u$lity $bout he" th$t !$de hi! )e$ i' the 'ees, -e )$sd"i.e' to ("ote#t he"+ )ithout 'o)i'* )hy he &elt th$t )$y $bout $ st"$'*e", It i""it$ted hi! $s !u#h $sthe (ho'e #$ll he%d &ielded e$"lie", 2Whe"e $"e you &"o!+ Ms, Mu"be"y32 C$"oly' $s ed, 2Miss Mu""y+2 Leslie #o""e#ted+ be$ti'* Ed to the (u'#h, 2I%! &"o! $ little to)' 'o"th o& -ousto',2 2A t"ue Te/$'+2 Ed $*"eed )ith $ *"i' i' he" di"e#tio',2Wh$t to)'32 M$tt $s ed, 2I%! su"e you )o'%t h$.e he$"d o& it+2 Leslie s$id #o'&ide'tly, 2Ou" o'ly #l$i! to &$!e )$s $ "$diost$tio' i' $ buildi'* sh$(ed li e $ te'6*$llo' h$t, e"y !u#h o&& the be$te' ($th,22Did you" ($"e'ts o)' $ "$'#h32 he (e"sisted, She shoo he" he$d, 2My &$the" )$s $ #"o( duste",22A )h$t32 C$"oly' $s ed )ith $ bl$' &$#e, 2A (ilot )ho s("$ys (esti#ides &"o! the $i" i' $ s!$ll $i"(l$'e+2 Leslie "e(lied, 2-e )$s illed,,,o' the

7ob,2 DIANA PALMER

;

2Pesti#ides+2 M$tt !utte"ed d$" ly, 20ust )h$t the *"ou'd)$te" t$ble 'eeds to %% 2M$tt+ #$' )e &o"*et (oliti#s &o" 7ust o'e 'i*ht32 Ed $s ed, 2I%d li e to e'7oy !y e.e'i'*,2 M$tt *$.e hi! $ !e$su"ed *l$"e )ith o'e eye '$""o)ed !e'$#i'*ly, But he "el$/ed $ll $t o'#e $'dle$'ed b$# i' his se$t+ to (ut $ l$1y $"! $"ou'd C$"oly' $'d let he" s'u**le #lose to hi!, -is d$"eyes see!ed to !o# Leslie $s i& #o!($"i'* he" "e.ulsio' to C$"oly'%s &"$' deli*ht i' his (hysi#$l


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("ese'#e, She let hi! )i' this "ou'd )ith $' $!used s!ile, O'#e+ she !i*ht h$.e e'7oyed his ("ese'#e 7ust $s!u#h $s his d$te )$s "e.eli'* i' 'o), But she h$d !o"e "e$so' th$' !ost to &e$" !e', The #ou't"y #lub+ i' its s("$)li'* #lubhouse o' $ !$'6!$de l$ e+ )$s $ be$uti&ul buildi'* )ith*"$#e&ul $"#hes $'d &ou't$i's, It did 0$#obs.ille ("oud, But+ $s Ed h$d i'ti!$ted+ the"e )$s'%t $ si'*le

($" i'* s(ot $.$il$ble, M$tt h$d the ($*e" 'u!be" o& the d"i.e" $'d #ould su!!o' the li!ousi'e

)he'e.e" it )$s 'eeded, -e he"ded his #h$"*es out o& the #$" $'d i'to the buildi'*+ )he"e the "e#e(tio'#o!!ittee !$de the! )el#o!e, The"e )$s $ li.e b$'d+ $ .e"y *ood o'e+ (l$yi'* $sso"ted tu'es+ !ost o& )hi#h "ese!bled boss$ 'o.$"hyth!s, The o'ly ti!e th$t Leslie "e$lly &elt $li.e )$s )he' she #ould #lose he" eyes $'d liste' to!usi#> $'y so"t o& !usi# #l$ssi#$l+ o(e"$+ #ou't"y6

@ MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON)este"' o" *os(el, Musi# h$d bee' he" es#$(e $s $ #hild &"o! $ )o"ld too bitte" so!eti!es to sto!$#h,She #ould'%t (l$y $' i'st"u!e't+ but she #ould d$'#e, Th$t )$s the o'e thi'* she $'d he" !othe" h$dsh$"ed+ $ lo.e o& d$'#i'*, I' &$#t+ M$"ie h$d t$u*ht he" e.e"y d$'#e ste( she 'e)+ $'d she 'e) $ lot,M$"ie h$d t$u*ht d$'#i'* &o" $ ye$" o" so $'d h$d sh$"ed he" e/(e"tise )ith he" d$u*hte", -o) i"o'i# it)$s th$t Leslie%s lo.e o& d$'#e h$d bee' sti&led &o"e.e" by the e.e'ts o& he" se.e'tee'th ye$", 2Jill $ (l$te+2 Ed #o$/ed+ !otio'i'* he" to the s!$ll #hi'$ dishes o' the bu&&et t$ble, 2You #ould use$ little !o"e !e$t o' those bi"d bo'es,2She *"i''ed $t hi!, 2I%! 'ot s i''y,2 2Yes+ you $"e+2 he "e(lied+ $'d he )$s'%t iddi'*, 2Co!e o'+ &o"*et you" t"oubles $'d e'7oy you"sel&,To'i*ht+ the"e is 'o to!o""o), E$t+ d"i' $'d be !e""y,2 Jo" to!o""o)+ you die+ #$!e the &i'ish to th$t $d!o'ishi'* .e"se+ she "e#$lled d$" ly, But she did'%ts$y it, She (ut so!e #heese st"$)s $'d &i'*e" s$'d)i#hes o' $ (l$te $'d o(ted &o" sod$ )$te" i'ste$d o&$ d"i' , Ed &ou'd the! t)o #h$i"s o' the "i! o& the d$'#e &loo"+ )he"e they #ould he$" the b$'d $'d )$t#h thed$'#i'*, The b$'d h$d $ lo.ely d$" 6h$i"ed si'*e" )ith $ h$u'ti'*ly be$uti&ul .oi#e, She )$s (l$yi'* $ *uit$"$'d si'*i'* so'*s &"o! the si/ties+ )ith $ "hyth! th$t !$de Leslie%s he$"t 7u!(, The s!ile o' he" &$#e+ DIANA PALMER

the s($" le i' he" *"$y eyes $s she liste'ed to the t$le'ted (e"&o"!e"+ !$de he" #o!e $li.e, J"o! $#"oss the "oo!+ M$tt 'oted the $b"u(t #h$'*e i' Leslie, She lo.ed !usi#, She lo.ed d$'#i'*+too+ he #ould tell, -is st"o'* &i'*e"s #o't"$#ted $"ou'd his o)' (l$te, Sh$ll )e sit )ith the De.o"es+ d$"li'*32 C$"oly' $s ed+ i'di#$ti'* $ )ell6d"essed #ou(le o' theo((osite side o& the b$ll"oo!, 2I thou*ht )e%d sti# )ith !y #ousi'+2 he s$id #$"elessly, 2-e%s 'ot used to this so"t o& thi'*,2 2-e see!s .e"y !u#h $t ho!e+2 C$"oly' #o""e#ted+ "elu#t$'tly &ollo)i'* i' M$tt%s )$ e, 2It%s his d$te)ho loo s out o& (l$#e, 8ood he$.e's+ she%s t$((i'* he" toe? -o) *$u#he?2 2We"e'%t you e.e" t)e'ty6th"ee32 he $s ed )ith $ bite i' his .oi#e, 2O" )e"e you bo"' so d$!'edso(histi#$ted th$t 'othi'* tou#hed you32 She $#tu$lly *$s(ed, M$tt h$d 'e.e" s(o e' to he" th$t )$y, 2E/#use !e+2 he s$id *"u&&ly+ h$.i'* "e$li1ed his !ist$ e, 2I%! still u(set by Boles,2 2So,,,so I 'oti#ed+2 she st$!!e"ed+ $'d $l!ost d"o((ed he" (l$te, This )$s $ M$tt C$ld)ell she%d


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'e.e" see' be&o"e, -is usu$l s!ile $'d e$sy*oi'* $ttitude )e"e #o's(i#uous &o" thei" $bse'#e to'i*ht,Boles !ust "e$lly h$.e u(set hi!? M$tt s$t do)' o' the othe" side o& Leslie+ his eyes d$" e'i'* $s he s$) the li&e $b"u(tly d"$i' out o&

MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON

he", -e" body te'sed, -e" &i'*e"s o' he" (l$te )e't )hite, 2-e"e+ C$"oly'+ t"$de (l$#es )ith !e+2 M$tt s$id sudde'ly+ $'d )ith $ &o"#ed s!ile, 2This #h$i"%s toolo) &o" !e,2 2I do'%t thi' !i'e%s !u#h hi*he"+ d$"li'*+ but I%ll do it+2 C$"oly' s$id i' $ do#ile to'e, Leslie "el$/ed, She s!iled shyly $t the othe" )o!$' $'d the' tu"'ed he" $tte'tio' b$# to the )o!$'o' the st$*e, 2Is'%t she !$".elous32 C$"oly' $s ed, 2She%s &"o! the Yu#$t$',2 2Not o'ly t$le'ted+ but ("etty $s )ell+2 Ed $*"eed, 2I lo.e th$t be$t,2 2Oh+ so do I+2 Leslie s$id b"e$thlessly+ 'ibbli'* $ &i'*e" s$'d)i#h but )ith he" )hole $tte'tio' o' the

b$'d $'d the si'*e", M$tt &ou'd hi!sel& )$t#hi'* he"+ $!used $'d tou#hed by he" u'i'hibited 7oy i' the !usi#, It h$do##u""ed to hi! th$t 'ot !u#h $&&e#ted he" i' the o&&i#e, -e"e+ she )$s u'su"e o& he"sel& $'d 'e".ous,Pe"h$(s she e.e' &elt out o& (l$#e, But )he' the b$'d )$s (l$yi'* $'d the .o#$list )$s si'*i'*+ she)$s $ di&&e"e't (e"so', -e *ot $ *li!(se o& the )$y she h$d bee'+ (e"h$(s+ be&o"e )h$te.e" blo)s o&&$te h$d !$de he" so u'e$sy $"ou'd hi!, -e )$s i't"i*ued by he"+ $'d 'ot solely be#$use she )ou'dedhis e*o, She )$s $ #o!(le/ (e"so', Ed 'oti#ed M$tt%s ste$dy *$1e o' Leslie+ $'d he )$'ted to d"$* his #ousi' $side $'d tell hi! the DIANA PALMER

)hole !ise"$ble sto"y, M$tt )$s #u"ious $bout Leslie+ $'d he )$s $ bulldo1e" )he' he )$'tedso!ethi'*, -e%d "u' "ou*hshod "i*ht o.e" he" to *et his $'s)e"s+ $'d Leslie )ould "et"e$t i'to the shellhe" e/(e"ie'#es h$d built $"ou'd he", She )$s 7ust #o!i'* i'to the su'li*ht+ $'d he"e )$s M$tt d"i.i'*he" b$# i'to sh$do), Why #ould'%t M$tt be #o'te't )ith C$"oly'%s $do"$tio'3 Most )o!e' &lo# ed$"ou'd hi!> Leslie did'%t, -e )$s su"e th$t )$s the !$i' $tt"$#tio' she held &o" his #ousi', But M$tt+

(u"sui'* he" i'te"est+ #ould set he" b$# ye$"s, -e h$d 'o ide$ )h$t so"t o& d$!$*e he #ould do to he"&"$*ile e!otio's, The si'*e" &i'ished he" so'*+ $'d the $udie'#e $((l$uded, She i't"odu#ed the !e!be"s o& the b$'d$'d the 'e/t 'u!be"+ $ be$uti&ul+ "hyth!i# &e$st #$lled 2B"$1il,2 It )$s Leslie%s .e"y &$.o"ite (ie#e o&!usi#+ $'d she #ould d$'#e to it+ des(ite he" le*, She lo'*ed+ $#hed+ &o" so!eo'e to t$ e he" o' thed$'#e &loo" $'d let he" sho) those sti&&+ i'hibited (eo(le ho) to &ly to th$t (oi*'$'t "hyth!? W$t#hi'* he"+ M$tt s$) the hu'*e" i' he" eyes, Ed #ould'%t do those ste(s+ but he #ould, Without $)o"d+ he h$'ded C$"oly' his e!(ty (l$te $'d *ot to his &eet, Be&o"e Leslie h$d $ #h$'#e to hesit$te o" "e&use out"i*ht+ he (ulled he" *e'tly out o& he" se$t $'d o'tothe d$'#e &loo",-is d$" eyes !et he" sho# ed ($le o'es $s he

F MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON#$u*ht he" )$ist i' o'e le$'+ st"o'* h$'d $'d too he" le&t h$'d 5uite "e.e"e'tly i'to his "i*ht o'e, 2I )o'%t !$ e $'y sudde' tu"'s+2 he $ssu"ed he", -e 'odded o'#e+ #u"tly+ to !$" the "hyth!,A'd the' he did so!ethi'* "e!$" $ble,


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2So th$t%s ho) you" le* *ot i' th$t sh$(e,2 She *l$'#ed $t hi!+ h$"dly $)$"e o& )h$t she%d bee' s$yi'*, She 'odded, 2The do#to" i' thee!e"*e'#y "oo! )$s su"e it )$s $ll !y &$ult, Th$t%s )hy !y le* )$s'%t ("o(e"ly set, -e "e!o.ed the

bullet $'d 'ot !u#h else, It )$s'%t u'til $&te")$"d th$t $'othe" do#to" (ut $ #$st o', L$te"+ I be*$' toli!(, But the"e )$s 'o !o'ey &o" $'y othe" do#to" .isits by the', M$!$ )$s i' 7$il $'d I )$s $ll $lo'e,I& it h$d'%t bee' &o" !y best &"ie'd 0essi#$%s &$!ily+ I )ould'%t e.e' h$.e h$d $ ho!e, They too !e i'des(ite the *ossi( $'d I *ot to &i'ish s#hool,2 2I%ll 'e.e" 'o) ho) you !$'$*ed th$t+2 Ed s$id, 28oi'* to s#hool e.e"y d$y )ith the t"i$l !$ i'*he$dli'es )ee by )ee ,2 2It )$s tou*h+2 she $*"eed, 2But it !$de !e tou*h+ too, Ji"e te!(e"s steel+ do'%t they s$y3 I%!te!(e"ed,22Yes+ you $"e,2 She s!iled $t hi!, 2Th$' s &o" b"i'*i'* !e, It )$s )o'de"&ul,22Tell M$tt th$t, It !i*ht #h$'*e hi!,2 2Oh+ he%s 'ot so b$d+ I thi' +2 she "e(lied, 2-e d$'#es li e $' $'*el,2 -e st$"ed to)$"d the (u'#h bo)l+ )he"e M$tt )$s *l$'#i'* to)$"d hi! $'d Leslie, The d$" &$#e )$sh$"de" th$' sto'e $'d Ed &elt $ ti'*le o& $(("ehe'sio' )he' M$tt le&t C$"oly' $'d st$"ted )$l i'*to)$"d the!, -e did'%t li e th$t e$sy*oi'* st"ide o& M$tt%s, The o'ly ti!e M$tt !o.ed th$t slo)ly )$s)he' he )$s ho!i#id$lly $'*"y, Ch$(te" Jou" Leslie 'e) by the loo i' M$tt%s eyes th$t he )$s &u"ious, She thou*ht his $'*e" !ust be di"e#tedto)$"d he"+ $lthou*h she #ould'%t "e!e!be" $'ythi'* she%d do'e to dese".e it, As he $(("o$#hed the!+he h$d his #ellul$" (ho'e out $'d )$s (ushi'* $ 'u!be" i'to it, -e s$id so!ethi'*+ the' #losed it $'d

(ut it b$# i' his (o# et, IK! so""y+ but )e h$.e to le$.e+2 he s$id+ e.e"y syll$ble d"i((i'* i#e, 2It see!s th$t C$"oly' h$sde.elo(ed $ .i#ious he$d$#he,2 2It%s $ll "i*ht+2 Leslie s$id+ $'d e.e' s!iled $s "elie& s)e(t o.e" he" th$t she h$d'%t (ut th$t e/("essio'o' his h$'dso!e &$#e, 2I )ould'%t h$.e bee' $ble to d$'#e $*$i',2 -e" eyes !et M$tt%s shyly, 2I "e$llye'7oyed it,2 DIANA PALMER

F

-e did'%t "e(ly, -is eyes )e"e '$""o) $'d 'ot .e"y &"ie'dly, Ed+ )ill you *o out &"o't $'d )$t#h &o"the #$"3 I%.e 7ust (ho'ed the d"i.e",2 2Su"e,2 -e hesit$ted 'oti#e$bly &o" $ !o!e't be&o"e he le&t, M$tt stood loo i'* do)' $t Leslie )ith $' i'te'sity th$t !$de he" u'#o!&o"t$ble, 2You !$ e you"sel&out to be $ b"o e' sti# +2 he s$id 5uietly, 2But you%"e 'ot )h$t you $((e$" to be+ $"e you3 I *et the&eeli'* th$t you used to be 5uite $ d$'#e" be&o"e th$t le* slo)ed you do)',2 She )$s (u11led, 2I le$"'ed ho) &"o! !y !othe"+2 she s$id ho'estly, 2I used to d$'#e )ith he",2 -e l$u*hed #u"tly, 2Pull the othe" o'e+2 he s$id, -e )$s thi' i'* $bout he" ("ete'ded "e.ulsio'+ the)$y she #o'st$'tly b$# ed o&& )he' he #$!e 'e$" he", The'+ to'i*ht+ the #$"e&ully (l$''ed #$(itul$tio',It )$s $' old t"i# th$t h$d bee' used o' hi! be&o"e b$# i'* $)$y so th$t he%d *i.e #h$se, -e )$ssu"("ised th$t he h$d'%t "e$li1ed it soo'e", -e )o'de"ed ho) &$" she%d let hi! *o, -e )$s *oi'* to &i'd


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FF MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON -e did'%t !o.e &o" $' i'st$'t, The' he be't sudde'ly $'d li&ted he" i' his st"o'* $"!s $'d #$""ied he"th"ou*h the $!used #"o)d to)$"d the doo", 2M",,,,M", C$ld)ell+2 she ("otested+ sti&&e'i'*, She%d 'e.e" bee' (i# ed u( $'d #$""ied by $ !$' i'he" e'ti"e li&e, She studied his st"o'* ("o&ile )ith &$s#i'$ted #u"iosity+ too e't"$'#ed to &eel the usu$l&e$", -$.i'* d$'#ed )ith hi!+ she )$s $ble to $##e(t his (hysi#$l #lose'ess, -e &elt .e"y st"o'* $'d he

s!elled o& so!e s(i#y+ .e"y e/oti# #olo*'e, She h$d the oddest u"*e to tou#h his )$.y bl$# h$i" 7usto.e" his b"o$d &o"ehe$d+ )he"e it loo ed thi# est, -e *l$'#ed do)' i'to he" &$s#i'$ted eyes $'d o'e o& his d$" eyeb"o)s "ose i' $ sile't 5uestio', 2You%"e,,,.e"y st"o'*+ $"e'%t you32 she $s ed hesit$'tly, The to'e o& he" .oi#e tou#hed so!ethi'* dee( i'side hi!, -e se$"#hed he" eyes $'d the te'sio' )$ssudde'ly thi# $s his *$1e &ell to he" so&t bo) o& $ !outh $'d li'*e"ed the"e+ e.e' $s his ($#e slo)edsli*htly, -e" h$'d #lut#hed the l$(el o& his tu/edo $s he" o)' *$1e &ell to his !outh, She%d 'e.e" )$'ted to beissed li e this be&o"e, Whe' she%d bee' issed du"i'* th$t ho""ible e'#ou'te"+ it h$d bee' "e(ulsi.e $)et+ i'.$di'*+ lust&ul iss th$t !$de he" )$'t to th"o) u(, It )ould'%t be li e th$t )ith M$tt, She 'e) i'sti'#ti.ely th$t he )$s )ell .e"sed i' the $"t o& lo.e6!$ i'*+ $'d th$t he )ould be *e'tle )ith $ )o!$', DIANA PALMER

FG

-is !outh )$s se'su$l+ )ide $'d #hiseled, -e" o)' !outh ti'*led $s she )o'de"ed .isibly )h$t it)ould &eel li e to let hi! iss he", -e "e$d th$t #u"iosity )ith (i'(oi't $##u"$#y $'d his sh$"( i't$ e o& b"e$th b"ou*ht he" #u"ious eyesu( to !eet his, 2C$"e&ul+2 he #$utio'ed+ his .oi#e dee(e" th$' usu$l, 2Cu"iosity illed the #$t,2 -e" eyes $s ed $ 5uestio' she #ould'%t &o"! )ith he" li(s, 2You &ell o&& $ ho"se $.oidi'* $'y #o't$#t )ith !e+2 he "e!i'ded he" 5uietly, 2No) you loo $s i&you%d do $'ythi'* to h$.e !y !outh o' you"s, Why32 2I do'%t 'o)+2 she )his(e"ed+ he" h$'d #o't"$#ti'* o' the l$(el o& his 7$# et, 2I li e bei'* #lose toyou+2 she #o'&essed+ su"("ised, 2It%s &u''y, I h$.e'%t )$'ted to be #lose to $ !$' li e this be&o"e,2 -e sto((ed de$d i' his t"$# s, The"e )$s $ &$i't .ib"$tio' i' the h$"d $"!s holdi'* he", -is eyesl$'#ed i'to he"s, -is b"e$th be#$!e $udible, The $"! u'de" he" b$# #o't"$#ted+ b"i'*i'* he" b"e$stsh$"d $*$i'st hi! $s he stood the"e o' the ste(s o& the buildi'*+ tot$lly obli.ious to e.e"ythi'* e/#e(tthe $#he th$t )$s #o'su!i'* hi!, Leslie%s body shi.e"ed )ith its &i"st "e$l t$ste o& desi"e, She l$u*hed sh$ ily $t the 'e) $'d )o'de"&ulse's$tio's she )$s &eeli'*, -e" b"e$sts &elt sudde'ly he$.y, They $#hed,2Is this )h$t it &eels li e32 she !u"!u"ed,

F4 MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON2Wh$t32 he $s ed hus ily,She !et his *$1e, 2Desi"e,2 -e $#tu$lly shudde"ed, -is $"!s #o't"$#ted, -is li(s ($"ted $s he loo ed $t he" !outh $'d 'e) th$the #ould'%t hel( t$ i'* it, She s!elled o& "oses+ li e the ti'y (i' &$i"y "oses th$t *"e) i' !$sses $"ou'dthe &"o't doo" o& his "$'#h house, She )$'ted hi!, -is he$d be*$' to s(i', -e be't his d$" he$d $'d

bit $t he" lo)e" li( )ith $ se'suous )his(e", 2O(e' you" !outh+ Leslie+2 he )his(e"ed+ $'d his h$"d !outh sudde'ly )e't do)' i'siste'tly o'


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he"s, But be&o"e he #ould e.e' s$.o" the &eel o& he" so&t li(s+ the sou'd o& hi*h heels $(("o$#hi'* 7e" ed hishe$d u(, Leslie )$s t"e!bli'* $*$i'st hi!+ sho# ed $'d $ little &"i*hte'ed+ $'d #o!(letely e't"$'#ed bythe u'e/(e#ted #o't$#t )ith his be$uti&ul !outh, M$tt%s d$" eyes bl$1ed do)' i'to he"s, 2No !o"e *$!es, I%! t$ i'* you ho!e )ith !e+2 he s$idhus ily,

She st$"ted to s(e$ + to ("otest+ )he' C$"oly' #$!e st"idi'* $'*"ily out the doo", 2Does she h$.e to be #$""ied32 the olde" )o!$' $s ed M$tt )ith d"i((i'* s$"#$s!, 2Ju''y+ she )$sd$'#i'* e$*e"ly e'ou*h $ &e) !i'utes $*o?2 2She h$s $ b$d le*+2 M$tt s$id+ "e*$i'i'* his #o't"ol, 2-e"e%s the #$",2 The li!ousi'e d"e) u( $t the #u"b $'d Ed *ot out+ &"o)'i'* )he' he s$) Leslie i' M$tt%s $"!s, 2A"e you $ll "i*ht32 he $s ed $s he $(("o$#hed the!, DIANA PALMER

F9

2She should'%t h$.e d$'#ed+2 M$tt s$id sti&&ly $s he !o.ed the "est o& the )$y do)' the ste(s tode(osit he" i'side the #$" o' the le$the"6#o.e"ed se$t, 2She !$de he" le* )o"se,2 C$"oly' )$s li.id, She slid i' $'d !o.ed to the othe" side o& Leslie )ith $ *$1e th$t #ould h$.e#u"dled !il , 2O'e d$'#e $'d )e h$.e to le$.e+2 she s$id &u"iously, M$tt !o.ed i'to the #$" beside Ed $'d sl$!!ed the doo", 2I thou*ht )e )e"e le$.i'* be#$use you h$d$ he$d$#he+2 he s'$((ed $t C$"oly'+ his usu$l #o't"ol 5uite e.ide'tly *o'e, -e )$s i' $ &oul !ood,Desi"e )$s &"ust"$ti'* hi!, -e *l$'#ed $t Leslie $'d thou*ht ho) *ood she )$s $t !$'i(ul$tio', Sheh$d hi! $l!ost doubled o.e" )ith 'eed, She )$s ("ob$bly l$u*hi'* he" he$d o&& sile'tly, Well+ she )$s*oi'* to ($y &o" th$t, C$"oly'+ )$t#hi'* his eyes o' Leslie+ !$de $' $'*"y sou'd i' he" th"o$t $'d st$"ed out the )i'do), To Ed%s su"("ise $'d dis!$y+ they d"o((ed hi! o&& $t his ho!e &i"st, -e t"ied to $"*ue+ but M$tt )$s'%th$.i'* th$t, -e told Ed he%d see hi! $t the o&&i#e Mo'd$y $'d #losed the doo" o' his ("otests, C$"oly' )$s de(osited 'e/t, M$tt )$l ed he" to he" doo"+ but he !o.ed b$# be&o"e she #ould #l$i! $*ood6'i*ht iss, The )$y she sl$!!ed he" doo" )$s $udible e.e' i'side the #losed li!ousi'e, Leslie bit he" lo)e" li( $s M$tt #li!bed b$# i'to the #$" )ith he", I' the li*hted i'te"io"+ she #ould see G< MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOONthe e/("essio' o' his &$#e $s he studied he" sle'de" body #o.etously, 2This is'%t the )$y to !y $($"t!e't+2 she .e'tu"ed 'e".ously $ &e) !i'utes l$te"+ ho(i'* he h$d'%t!e$'t )h$t he s$id 7ust be&o"e they *ot i'to the li!ousi'e,2No+ it is'%t+ is it32 he "e(lied d$'*e"ously, E.e' $s he s(o e+ the li!ousi'e (ulled u( $t the doo" to his "$'#h house, -e hel(ed Leslie out $'ds(o e b"ie&ly to the d"i.e" be&o"e dis!issi'* hi!, The' he s)u'* $ &"i*hte'ed Leslie u( i'to his $"!s$'d #$""ied he" to)$"d the &"o't doo",2M", C$ld)ell,,,2 she be*$',2M$tt+2 he #o""e#ted+ 'ot loo i'* $t he",2I )$'t to *o ho!e+2 she t"ied $*$i',2You )ill, E.e'tu$lly,22But you se't the #$" $)$y,2 2I h$.e si/ #$"s+2 he i'&o"!ed he" $s he shi&ted his li*ht bu"de' to ("odu#e his eys &"o! the (o# eto& his sl$# s $'d i'se"t o'e i' the lo# , The doo" s)u'* o(e', 2I%ll d"i.e you ho!e )he' the ti!e#o!es,2


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2I%! .e"y ti"ed,2 -e" .oi#e sou'ded b"e$thless $'d hi*h6(it#hed, 2The' I 'o) 7ust the (l$#e &o" you,2 -e #losed the doo" $'d #$""ied he" do)' $ lo'*+ di!ly lith$ll)$y to $ "oo! 'e$" the b$# o& the house, -e le$'ed do)' to o(e' the doo" $'d o'#e they )e"eth"ou*h it+ he i# ed it shut )ith his &oot,Se#o'ds l$te"+ Leslie )$s i' the !iddle o& $ hu*e

DIANA PALMER G;

i'*6si1e bed+ s("$)led o' the bei*e6b"o)'6$'d6bl$# #o!&o"te" th$t #o.e"ed it $'d M$tt )$s"e!o.i'* he" )"$(, It )e't &lyi'* o'to $ #h$i"+ $lo'* )ith his 7$# et $'d tie, -e u'butto'ed his shi"t $'d slid do)' o'tothe bed beside he"+ his h$'ds o' eithe" side o& he" &$#e $s he (oised 7ust $bo.e he", The (ositio' b"ou*ht b$# te""ible+ 'i*ht!$"ish !e!o"ies, She sti&&e'ed $ll o.e", -e" &$#e )e't ($le,-e" eyes dil$ted so !u#h th$t the *"$y o& the! )$s e#li(sed by bl$# , M$tt i*'o"ed he" e/("essio', -e loo ed do)' the le'*th o& he" i' the #li'*i'* sil.e" d"ess+ his eyesli'*e"i'* o' the th"ust o& he" s!$ll b"e$sts, O'e o& his bi* h$'ds #$!e u( to t"$#e $"ou'd the ("o!i'e'th$"d 'i((le th$t (oi'ted th"ou*h the &$b"i#, The tou#h sho# ed Leslie+ be#$use she did'%t &i'd it "e.olti'* o" u'(le$s$'t, She shi.e"ed $ little, -e"eyes+ )ide $'d &"i*hte'ed+ $'d $ little #u"ious+ !et his, -is st"o'* &i'*e"s b"ushed l$1ily o.e" the 'i((le $'d $"ou'd the #o'tou"s o& he" b"e$st $s i& the &eel o&he" &$s#i'$ted hi!, 2Do you !i'd32 he $s ed )ith &$i't i'sole'#e+ $'d sli((ed o'e o& the s($*hetti st"$(s do)' he" $"!+!o.i'* he" 7ust e'ou*h th$t he #ould (ull the bodi#e $)$y &"o! he" (e"&e#t little b"e$st, Leslie #ould'%t belie.e )h$t )$s h$((e'i'*, Me' )e"e "e(ulsi.e to he", She h$ted the thou*ht o&i'ti!$#y, But M$tt C$ld)ell )$s loo i'* $t he" b$"e G@ MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON

b"e$st $'d she )$s letti'* hi!+ )ith 'o thou*ht o& "esist$'#e, She h$d'%t e.e' h$d $'ythi'* to d"i' , -e se$"#hed he" &$#e $s his )$"! &i'*e"s t"$#ed he" b"e$st, -e "e$d the (le$su"e she )$s &eeli'* i' he"so&t eyes, 2You &eel li e su'6tou#hed !$"ble to !y h$'d+2 he s$id 5uietly, 2You" s i' is be$uti&ul,2 -is*$1e t"$.eled do)' he" body, 2You" b"e$sts $"e (e"&e#t,2 She )$s shi.e"i'* $*$i', -e" h$'ds #le'#hed beside he" he$d $s she )$t#hed hi! tou#h he"+ li e $'obse".e"+ li e i' $ d"e$!, -e s!iled )ith &$i't !o# e"y )he' he s$) he" e/("essio', 2-$.e'%t you do'e this be&o"e322No+2 she s$id+ $'d she $#tu$lly sou'ded se"ious, -e dis#ou'ted th$t $t o'#e, She )$s &$" too #$l! $'d sub!issi.e &o" $' i'e/(e"ie'#ed )o!$', O'e d$" eyeb"o) li&ted, 2T)e'ty6th"ee $'d still $ .i"*i'32 -o) h$d he 'o)' th$t3 2Well,,,yes,2 Te#h'i#$lly she #e"t$i'ly )$s, E!otio'$lly+ too, Des(ite )h$th$d bee' do'e to he"+ she%d bee' s($"ed "$(e+ i& o'ly by se#o'ds+ )he' he" !othe" #$!e ho!eu'e/(e#tedly, M$tt )$s $bso"bed i' tou#hi'* he" body, -is &o"e&i'*e" t"$#ed $"ou'd the h$"d 'i((le+ $'d he )$t#hedhe" body li&t to &ollo) it )he' he li&ted his h$'d,2Do you li e it32 he $s ed so&tly, She )$s )$t#hi'* hi! i'te'sely, 2Yes,2 She sou'ded $s i& it su"("ised he" th$t she li ed )h$t he )$sdoi'*, DIANA PALMER


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G

With e$sy sel&6#o'&ide'#e+ he (ulled he" u( 7ust $ little $'d (ushed the othe" st"$( do)' he" $"!+

b$"i'* he" #o!(letely to his eyes, She )$s (e"&e#t+ li e $ )$"! st$tue i' be$uti&ully s!ooth !$"ble,-e%d 'e.e" see' b"e$sts li e he"s, She $"oused hi! ("o&ou'dly, -e held he" by the u((e" ($"t o& he" "ib #$*e+ his thu!bs ed*i'* o'to he" b"e$sts to #$"ess the!te'de"ly )hile he )$t#hed the e/("essio's #h$se e$#h othe" $#"oss he" &$#e, The sile'#e i' the bed"oo!)$s b"o e' o'ly by the sou'd o& #$"s &$" i' the dist$'#e $'d the sou'd o& so!e !ou"'&ul 'i*ht bi"doutside the )i'do), Close" )$s the "$s( o& he" o)' b"e$thi'* $'d he" he$"t be$ti'* i' he" e$"s, Sheshould be &i*hti'* &o" he" li&e+ s#"e$!i'*+ "u''i'*+ es#$(i'*, She%d $.oided this so"t o& situ$tio'su##ess&ully &o" si/ ye$"s, Why did'%t she )$'t to $.oid M$tt%s h$'ds3 M$tt tou#hed he" $l!ost "e.e"e'tly+ his eyes o' he" h$"d 'i((les, With $ &$i't *"o$'+ he be't his d$"he$d $'d his !outh tou#hed the so&t #u".e o& he" b"e$st, She *$s(ed $'d sti&&e'ed, -is he$d li&ted i!!edi$tely, -e loo ed $t he" $'d "e$li1ed th$t she )$s'%tt"yi'* to *et $)$y, -e" eyes )e"e &ull o& sho# ed (le$su"e $'d #u"iosity, 2A'othe" &i"st32 he $s ed )ith &$i't $""o*$'#e $'d $ #$l#ul$ti'* s!ile th$t did'%t "e$lly "e*iste" i' he")hi"li'* !i'd,She 'odded+ s)$llo)i'*, -e" body+ $s i& it )$s

G MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOONi*'o"i'* he" b"$i'+ !o.ed se'suously o' the bed, She%d 'e.e" d"e$!ed th$t she #ould let $ !$' tou#hhe" li e this+ th$t she #ould e'7oy letti'* hi! tou#h he"+ $&te" he" o'e ho""ible e/(e"ie'#e )ith i'ti!$#y, -e (ut his !outh o.e" he" 'i((le $'d su# led he" so i'siste'tly th$t she #"ied out+ d"o)'i'* i' $.e"it$ble &lood o& sho# ed (le$su"e, The little #"y $"oused M$tt u'e/(e#tedly+ $'d he )$s "ou*he" )ith he" th$' he !e$'t to be+ his !outhsudde'ly de!$'di'* o' he" so&t &lesh, -e t$sted he" hu'*"ily &o" se.e"$l lo'* se#o'ds u'til he &o"#edhis !i'd to "e!e!be" )hy he should'%t let hi!sel& *o i' he$d&i"st, -e )$'ted he" $l!ost beyo'd

be$"i'*+ but he )$s'%t *oi'* to let he" !$ e $ &ool o& hi!, -e li&ted his he$d $'d studied he" &lushed &$#e #li'i#$lly, She )$s e'7oyi'* it+ but she 'eed'%t thi' he)$s *oi'* to let he" t$ e (ossessio' o& hi! )ith th$t ("etty body, -e 'e) 'o) th$t he #ould h$.e he",She )$s )illi'* to *i.e i', Jo" $ ("i#e+ he $dded, She o(e'ed he" eyes $'d l$y the"e )$t#hi'* hi! )ith )ide+ so&t+ #u"ious eyes, She thou*ht she h$dhi! i' he" (o# et+ he !used, But she )$s $ll too $#5uies#e't, Th$t+ he thou*ht $!usedly+ )$s $ *"oss!is#$l#ul$tio' o' he" ($"t, It )$s he" 'e".ous "et"e$t th$t #h$lle'*ed hi!+ 'ot the so"t o& e$sy #o'5uest)ith )hi#h he )$s $l"e$dy too &$!ili$", Ab"u(tly he s$t u(+ (ulli'* he" )ith hi!+ $'d slid the st"$(s o& he" e.e'i'* d"ess b$# u( o'to he"shoulde"s, DIANA PALMER

G

She )$t#hed hi! sile'tly+ still sho# ed by his $"do" $'d (u11led $t he" u'e/(e#ted "es(o'se to it, -e *ot to his &eet $'d "ebutto'ed his shi"t+ "e$#hi'* &o" his s'$(6o' tie $'d the' his 7$# et, -e studied


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)ith $ "e(ly, -e sh"u**ed $'d ($used to tu"' o'to the !$i' hi*h)$y, 2Do'%t t$ e it so h$"d+2 he s$id l$1ily, 2I%! $little too so(histi#$ted to &$ll &o" it+ but the"e $"e $ &e) "i#h si'*le "$'#he"s $"ou'd 0$#obs.ille, Cy P$" s#o!es to !i'd, -e%s hell o' the 'e".es+ but he is $ )ido)e",2 -e *l$'#ed $t he" $.e"ted &$#e, 2O'

G4 MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOONse#o'd thou*ht+ he%s h$d e'ou*h t"$*edy i' his li&e, I )ould'%t )ish you o' hi!,2 She #ould'%t e.e' !$'$*e to s(e$ + she )$s so #ho ed u( )ith hu"t, Why+ she )o'de"ed+ dide.e"ythi'* she )$'ted i' li&e tu"' o' he" $'d te$" he" to (ie#es3 It )$s li e t"$# i'* #ou*$"s )ith $ toy*u', 0ust )he' she see!ed to &i'd (e$#e $'d (u"(ose+ he" li&e be#$!e 'othi'* but to"!e't, As i& he"t$tte"ed ("ide )$s'%t e'ou*h+ she )$s i' te""ible ($i', She shi&ted i' the se$t+ ho(i'* th$t $ #h$'*e o&

(ositio' )ould hel(, It did'%t, 2-o) did th$t bo'e *et sh$tte"ed32 he $s ed #o'.e"s$tio'$lly, 2Do'%t you 'o)32 she $s ed o' $ h$"sh l$u*h, I& he%d see' the sto"y $bout he"+ $s she sus(e#ted+ he)$s o'ly (l$yi'* $ #"uel *$!e the so"t o& *$!e he%d $l"e$dy $##used he" o& (l$yi'*? -e *l$'#ed $t he" )ith $ s#o)l, 2A'd ho) )ould I 'o)32 he )o'de"ed $loud, She &"o)'ed, M$ybe he h$d'%t "e$d $'ythi'* $t $ll? -e !i*ht be &ishi'* &o" $'s)e"s,She s)$llo)ed+ *"i((i'* he" (u"se ti*htly, -e s)u'* the Me"#edes i'to the d"i.e)$y o& he" bo$"di'*house $'d (ulled u( $t the ste(s+ )ith thee'*i'e still "u''i'*, -e tu"'ed to he", 2-o) )ould I 'o)32 he $s ed $*$i'+ his .oi#e dete"!i'ed, 2You see! to thi' you%"e $' e/(e"t o' e.e"ythi'* else $bout !e+2 she "e(lied e.$si.ely,-is #hi' li&ted $s he studied he" th"ou*h '$""o)ed

DIANA PALMER

G9

eyes, 2The"e $"e se.e"$l )$ys $ bo'e #$' be sh$tte"ed+2 he s$id 5uietly, 2O'e )$y is &"o! $ bullet,2 She did'%t &eel $s i& she )e"e still b"e$thi'*, She s$t li e $ st$tue+ )$t#hi'* hi! delibe"$te, 2Wh$t do you 'o) $bout bullets32 she $s ed sho"tly, 2My u'it )$s #$lled u( du"i'* O(e"$tio' Dese"t Sto"!+2 he told he", 2I se".ed )ith $' i'&$'t"y u'it, I'o) 5uite $ lot $bout bullets, A'd )h$t they do to bo'e+2 he $dded, 2Whi#h b"i'*s !e to the ob.ious5uestio', Who shot you322I did'%t s$y,,,I )$s shot+2 she !$'$*ed, -is i'te'se *$1e held he" li e i'.isible "o(es, 2But you )e"e+ )e"e'%t you32 he $s ed )ith sh"e)ds#"uti'y, -is li(s tu**ed i'to $ #old s!ile, 2As to )ho did it+ I%d bet o' o'e o& you" &o"!e" lo.e"s, Didhe #$t#h you )ith so!ebody else+ o" did you te$se hi! the )$y you te$sed !e to'i*ht $'d the' "e&usehi!32 -e *$.e he" $'othe" #o'te!(tuous loo , 2Not th$t you "e&used, You did'%t e/$#tly (l$y h$"d to*et,2 -e" e*o )e't "i*ht do)' to he" shoes, -e )$s ($i'ti'* he" o.e" )ith e.il #olo"s, She bit he" lo)e" li(,It )$s u'(le$s$'t e'ou*h to h$.e he" !e!o"ies+ but to h$.e this !$' !$ i'* he" out to be so!e so"t o&'y!(ho!$'i$# )$s ($i'&ul beyo'd )o"ds, -e" &i"st "e$l t$ste o& te'de" i'ti!$#y h$d bee' )ith hi!+to'i*ht+ $'d he !$de it sou'd di"ty $'d #he$(, She u'&$ste'ed he" se$t belt $'d *ot out o& the #$" )ith $s !u#h di*'ity $s she #ould !uste", -e" le* 4< MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON)$s i'#"edibly ($i'&ul, All she )$'ted )$s he" bed+ he" he$ti'* ($d $'d so!e !o"e $s(i"i's, A'd to *et$)$y &"o! he" to"!e'te",


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u( he" le*, The 'o# o' he" doo" b$"ely *ot th"ou*h to he", 2Co!e i'+2 she s$id i' $ hus y+ e/h$ustedto'e, The doo" o(e'ed $'d the"e )$s M$tt C$ld)ell+ u'sh$.e' $'d )ith d$" #i"#les u'de" his eyes, C$"oly'%s )o"ds #$!e b$# to h$u't he", She *"$bbed the &i"st thi'* th$t #$!e to h$'d+ $ (l$sti# bottleo& s("i'* )$te" she e(t by the bed+ $'d &lu'* it &u"iously $#"oss the "oo! $t hi!, It !issed his he$d+$'d Ed%s+ by $ 5u$"te" o& $' i'#h,

2No+ th$' s+2 Ed s$id+ !o.i'* i' &"o't o& M$tt, 2I do'%t )$'t $'y )$te",2 4 MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON -e" &$#e )$s li'ed )ith ($i'+ )hite )ith it, She *l$"ed $t M$tt%s h$"d+ $'*"y &$#e )ith eyes th$t )ouldh$.e loo ed (e"&e#tly '$tu"$l o.e" $ #o# ed (istol, 2I #ould'%t *et you o' the (ho'e+ $'d I )$s )o""ied+2 Ed s$id *e'tly+ $(("o$#hi'* he" side o& thedouble bed she o##u(ied, -e 'oti#ed the u'(lu**ed tele(ho'e o' he" bedside t$ble, No) I 'o) )hyI #ould'%t *et you o' the (ho'e,2 -e studied he" d"$)' &$#e, 2-o) b$d is it32 She #ould b$"ely b"e$the, 2B$d+2 she s$id hus ily+ thi' i'* )h$t $' u'de"st$te!e't th$t )o"d )$s, -e too he" thi# )hite #he'ille b$th"obe &"o! the #h$i" beside the bed, 2Co!e o', We%"e *oi'* tod"i.e you to the e!e"*e'#y "oo!, M$tt #$' (ho'e Lou Colt"$i' $'d h$.e he" !eet us the"e,2 It )$s $' i'di#$tio' o& the ($i' th$t she did'%t $"*ue, She *ot out o& bed+ $)$"e o& the (i#tu"e she !ust!$ e i' the thi# &l$''el ($7$!$s th$t #o.e"ed e.e"y i'#h o& he" u( to he" #hi', M$tt )$s ("ob$blysho# ed+ she thou*ht $s she let Ed stu&& he" i'to the "obe, -e ("ob$bly e/(e#ted he" to be '$ ed u'de"the #o.e"s+ #o'&o"!i'* to the i!$*e he h$d o& he" 'y!(ho!$'i$? -e h$d'%t s$id $ )o"d, -e 7ust stood the"e+ by the doo"+ *"i!ly )$t#hi'* Ed *et he" "e$dy u'til shet"ied to )$l + $'d &olded u(, Ed s)u'* he" u( i' his $"!s+ sto((i'* M$tt%s i'sti'#ti.e 5ui# !o.e!e't to)$"d he", Ed 'e) &o" $&$#t th$t she%d s#"e$! the house do)' i& his #ousi' DIANA PALMER

4

so !u#h $s tou#hed he", -e did'%t 'o) )h$t h$d *o'e o' the 'i*ht be&o"e+ but 7ud*i'* by the )$yM$tt $'d Leslie loo ed+ it h$d bee' both hu!ili$ti'* $'d e!b$""$ssi'*,2I #$' #$""y he"+2 he told M$tt, 2Let%s *o,2 M$tt *li!(sed he" #o'to"ted &e$tu"es $'d did'%t hesit$te, -e led the )$y do)' the h$ll $'d "i*ht outthe &"o't doo", 2My (u"se+2 she s$id hus ily, 2My i'su"$'#e #$"d,,,2 2Th$t #$' be t$ e' #$"e o& l$te"+2 M$tt s$id sti&&ly, -e o(e'ed the b$# doo" o& the Me"#edes $'d)$ited )hile Ed slid he" o'to the se$t, She le$'ed b$# )ith he" eyes #losed+ $l!ost si# &"o! the ($i', 2She should 'e.e" h$.e *otte' o' the d$'#e &loo"+2 M$tt s$id th"ou*h his teeth $s they st$"ted to)$"dto)', 2A'd the' I 7e" ed he" u( out o& he" #h$i", It%s !y &$ult,2 Ed did'%t "e(ly, -e *l$'#ed o.e" the se$t $t Leslie )ith #o'#e"' i' his )hole e/("essio', -e ho(ed sheh$d'%t do'e $'y !$7o" d$!$*e to he"sel& )ith th$t e/hibitio' the 'i*ht be&o"e, Lou Colt"$i' )$s )$iti'* i' the e!e"*e'#y "oo! $s Ed #$""ied Leslie i'side the buildi'*, She!otio'ed hi! do)' the h$ll to $ "oo! $'d #losed the doo" behi'd M$tt $s soo' $s he e'te"ed,


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$bout, 2Yes, O& #ou"se,2 The olde" !$' si*hed, 2D$'#i'* (ut he" i' this sh$(e, I did'%t "e$li1e 7ust ho)&"$*ile she )$s, She does'%t e/$#tly shout he" ("oble!s to the )o"ld,22She )$s $l)$ys li e th$t+2 Ed "e(lied, M$tt tu"'ed to &$#e hi!, 2-o) did you !eet he"32 2She $'d I )e"e i' #olle*e to*ethe"+2 Ed told hi!, 2We used to d$te o##$sio'$lly, She t"usts !e+2 he

$dded, M$tt )$s tu"'i'* )h$t he 'e) $bout Leslie o.e" i' his !i'd, I& the (ie#es h$d bee' ($"t o& $ (u11le+'o'e o& the! )ould &it, Whe' they &i"st !et+ she $.oided his tou#h li e the (l$*ue, L$st 'i*ht+ she%de'7oyed his $d.$'#es, She%d bee' 'e".ous $'d shy $t thei" &i"st !eeti'*, L$te"+ $t the o&&i#e+ she%d bee'*"e*$"ious+ $l!ost (l$y&ul, L$st 'i*ht+ she%d bee' $ #o!(letely di&&e"e't )o!$' o' the d$'#e &loo",The'+ )he' he%d t$ e' he" ho!e )ith hi!+ she%d bee' hu'*"y+ se'suous+ te'de", Nothi'* $bout he"!$de $'y se'se,2Do'%t t"ust he" too &$"+2 M$tt $d.ised the othe"

DIANA PALMER

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!$', 2She%s too se#"eti.e to suit !e, I thi' s she%s hidi'* so!ethi'*,,,!$ybe so!ethi'* ("etty b$d,2 Ed did'%t d$"e "e$#t, -e (u"sed his li(s $'d s!iled, 2Leslie%s 'e.e" hu"t $'yo'e i' he" li&e+2 he"e!$" ed, 2A'd be&o"e you *et the )"o'* ide$ $bout he"+ you%d bette" 'o) th$t she h$s $ "e$l &e$" o&!e',2 M$tt l$u*hed, 2Oh+ th$t%s $ *ood o'e+2 he s$id !o# i'*ly, 2You should h$.e see' he" l$st 'i*ht )he')e )e"e $lo'e,2Ed%s eyes '$""o)ed, 2Wh$t do you !e$'32 2I !e$' she%s e$sy+2 M$tt s$id )ith $ #o'te!(tuous s!ile, Ed%s eyes be*$' to *litte", -e #$lled his #ousi' $ '$!e th$t !$de M$tt%s eyeb"o)s $"#h,2E$sy, My 8od?2 Ed *"ou'd out, M$tt )$s (u11led by the othe" !$'%s i'e/(li#$ble beh$.io", P"ob$bly he )$s 7e$lous, -is #ell (ho'e

be*$' to t"ill+ di.e"ti'* hi!, -e $'s)e"ed it, -e "e#o*'i1ed C$"oly'%s .oi#e i!!edi$tely $'d !o.ed$)$y+ so th$t Ed #ould'%t he$" )h$t he s$id, Ed )$s #e"t$i'ly $#ti'* st"$'*e l$tely,, 2I thou*ht you )e"e #o!i'* o.e" to "ide )ith !e this $&te"'oo'+2 C$"oly' s$id #hee"&ully, 2Whe"e $"eyou32 2At the hos(it$l+2 he s$id $bse'tly+ his eyes o' Ed%s "et"e$ti'* b$# *oi'* th"ou*h the e!e"*e'#y "oo!doo"s, 2Wh$t did you s$y to Leslie l$st 'i*ht322Wh$t do you !e$'32

9< MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOON2Whe' you (ho'ed he"?2 M$tt ("o!(ted, C$"oly' sou'ded .$*ue, 2Well+ I )$'ted to see i& she )$s bette"+2 she "e(lied, 2She see!ed to be i' $lot o& ($i' $&te" the d$'#e,22Wh$t else did you s$y32 C$"oly' l$u*hed, 2Oh+ I see, I%! bei'* $##used o& so!ethi'* u'de"h$'ded+ is th$t it3 Re$lly+ M$tt+ Ithou*ht you #ould see th"ou*h th$t (ho'y .ul'e"$bility o& he"s, Wh$t did she tell you I s$id32 -e sh"u**ed, 2Ne.e" !i'd, I !ust h$.e !isu'de"stood,2 2You #e"t$i'ly did+2 she $ssu"ed hi! &i"!ly, 2I )ould'%t #$ll so!eo'e i' ($i' to u(set the!, I thou*htyou 'e) !e bette" th$' th$t,2


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2I do,2 -e )$s seethi'*, So 'o) it see!ed th$t Miss Mu""y )$s !$ i'* u( lies $bout C$"oly', -$d it bee' to *et e.e' )ith hi!+ &o" 'ot *i.i'* i' to he" )iles3 O" )$s she t"yi'* to tu"' his #ousi' $*$i'sthi!3 2Wh$t $bout th$t ho"seb$# "ide3 A'd )h$t $"e you doi'* $t the hos(it$l32 she $dded sudde'ly, 2I%! )ith Ed+ .isiti'* o'e o& his &"ie'ds+2 he s$id, Bette" (ut the ho"seb$# "ide o&& u'til 'e/t)ee e'd, I%ll (ho'e you,2

-e hu'* u(, -is eyes d$" e'ed )ith $'*e", -e )$'ted the Mu""y )o!$' out o& his #o!($'y+ out o&his li&e, She )$s *oi'* to be 'othi'* but t"ouble, -e "e(o# eted the (ho'e $'d )e't outside to )$it &o" Ed $'d Leslie, DIANA PALMER

9;

A *ood h$l& hou" l$te"+ Ed #$!e out o& the e!e"*e'#y "oo! )ith his h$'ds i' his (o# ets+ loo i'*)o""ied,2They%"e ee(i'* he" o.e"'i*ht+2 he s$id #u"tly,2Jo" $ so"e le*32 M$tt $s ed )ith !ild s$"#$s!, Ed s#o)led, 2O'e o& the bo'es shi&ted $'d it%s ("essi'* o' $ 'e".e+2 he "e(lied, 2Lou s$ys it )o'%t *et$'y bette" u'til it%s &i/ed, They%"e se'di'* &o" $' o"tho(edi# !$' &"o! -ousto', -e%ll be i' this$&te"'oo',2 2Who%s *oi'* to ($y &o" th$t32 M$tt $s ed #oldly, 2Si'#e you $s + I $!+2 Ed "etu"'ed+ 'ot i'ti!id$ted e.e' by those *litte"y eyes, 2It%s you" !o'ey+2 the olde" !$' "e(lied, -e let out $ b"e$th, 2Wh$t #$used the bo'e to se($"$te32 2Why $s $ 5uestio' )he' you $l"e$dy 'o) the $'s)e"32 Ed )$'ted to 'o), 2I%! *oi'* to st$y)ith he", She%s &"i*hte'ed,2 -e )$s &$i"ly #e"t$i' th$t e.e' i& Leslie #ould &$ e ($i'+ she #ould'%t &$ e $' X "$y, So!e)he"e i' the

b$# o& his !i'd he &ou'd *uilt lu" i'*, I& he h$d'%t (ulled he" o'to the d$'#e &loo"+ $'d i& he h$d'%t 7e" ed he" to he" &eet,,, -e tu"'ed $)$y $'d )$l ed out o& the buildi'* )ithout $'othe" )o"d, Leslie )$s Ed%s busi'ess, -ee(t telli'* hi!sel& th$t, But $ll the )$y ho!e+ his #o's#ie'#e st$bbed $t hi!, She #ould'%t hel( bei'*)h$t she )$s, E.e' so+ he h$d'%t !e$'t to hu"t he", -e "e!e!be"ed the te$"s+ *e'ui'e te$"s+ boili'* out 9@ MATT CALDWELL: TEXAS TYCOONo& he" eyes )he' Lou h$d tou#hed he" h$i" so *e'tly, She $#ted $s i& she%d 'e.e" h$d te'de"'ess i' he"li&e, -e d"o.e hi!sel& ho!e $'d t"ied to #o'#e't"$te o' b"ie&i'* hi!sel& &o" $ di"e#to"%s !eeti'* the'e/t d$y, But lo'* be&o"e bedti!e+ he *$.e it u( $'d d"$' hi!sel& i'to u'e$sy slee(, The o"tho(edi# !$' e/$!i'ed the X "$ys $'d se#o'ded Lou%s o(i'io' th$t i!!edi$te su"*e"y )$s"e5ui"ed, But Leslie did'%t )$'t the su"*e"y, She "e&used to t$l $bout it, The !i'ute the do#to"s $'d Edle&t the "oo!+ she st"u**led out o& bed $'d hobbled to the #loset to (ull he" ($7$!$s $'d "obe $'d shoesout o& it, I' the h$ll+ M$tt #$!e u(o' Ed $'d Lou $'d $ t$ll+ disti'*uished st"$'*e" i' $' e/(e'si.e suit, 2You t)o loo li e sto"!y )e$the"+2 he !used, 2Wh$t%s )"o'*32 2Leslie )o'%t h$.e the o(e"$tio'+2 Ed !utte"ed )o""iedly, 2D", S$'tos &le) $ll the )$y &"o! -ousto'to do the su"*e"y+ $'d she )o'%t he$" o& it,2 2M$ybe she does'%t thi' she 'eeds it+2 M$tt s$id, Lou *l$'#ed $t hi!, 2You h$.e 'o ide$ )h$t so"t o& ($i' she%s i'+2 she s$id+ i!($tie't )ith hi!, 2O'eo& the bo'e &"$*!e'ts+ the o'e th$t shi&ted+ is ("essi'* "i*ht o' $ 'e".e,2 2The bo'es should h$.e bee' ("o(e"ly $li*'ed $t the ti!e the $##ide't o##u""ed+2 the .isiti'*


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o"tho(edi# su"*eo' $*"eed, 2It )$s #"i!i'$lly i""es(o'6 DIANA PALMER

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sible o& the $tte'di'* (hysi#i$' to do 'othi'* !o"e th$' b$'d$*e the le*, A #$st )$s'%t e.e' used u'til$&te")$"d?2 Th$t sou'ded 'e*li*e't to M$tt+ too, -e &"o)'ed, Did she s$y )hy 'ot32 Lou si*hed $'*"ily, 2She )o'%t t$l $bout it, She )o'%t liste' to $'y o& us, E.e'tu$lly she%ll h$.e to,But i' the !e$'ti!e+ the ($i' is *oi'* to d"i.e he" i's$'e,2 M$tt *l$'#ed &"o! o'e set &$#e to the othe" $'d )$l ed ($st the! to Leslie%s "oo!, She )$s )e$"i'* he" &l$''el ($7$!$s $'d "e$#hi'* &o" the "obe )he' M$tt )$l ed i', She *$.e hi! $*l$"e hot e'ou*h to boil )$te", 2Well+ $t le$st you )o'%t be t"yi'* to t$l !e i'to $' o(e"$tio' I do'%t )$'t+2 she !utte"ed $s shest"u**led to *et &"o! the #loset to the bed,2Why )o'%t I32 She $"#hed both eyeb"o)s e/("essi.ely, 2I%! the e'e!y,2 -e stood $t the &oot o& the bed+ )$t#hi'* he" *et i'to the "obe, -e" le* )$s $t $' $) )$"d $'*le+ $'dhe" &$#e )$s (i'#hed, -e #ould i!$*i'e the so"t o& ($i' she )$s $l"e$dy e/(e"ie'#i'*, 2Suit you"sel& $bout

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Leslie and Matt