Peace River (Rockland Ranch Series) Read Free Page B

that?” 
                  “I was the one riding him, remember?  Of course I know he’s fast.”  She reached around him to pick up the silverware.  “So . . . who was the pretty girl in the little black sports car last night?”  She looked up into his face with a teasing grin.  “It’s about time you settled down with one of the girls who are in love with you, isn’t it?  You need to hurry!  I’m waiting patiently for nieces and nephews.”  He followed her back into the kitchen for the rest of their breakfast. 
                  “There were two pretty girls in little black sports cars last night.  Which one are you talking about?  The movie star or the super model?”  Teasing back, he took another piece of bacon and she swatted at his hand.
                  “Dante, I swear!  Were there really two girls?” 
                  “No, I was kidding.  There was only one girl.  She likes me.  Dad said not to wait for him.”  He swiped a third piece of bacon. 
                  “Of course she likes you.  You’re adorable!  Now sit down and use your plate.  I want to hear all about her.  I’ve seen her a couple of times now and I need details!” 
                  Between bites, Dante told her about his new girl.  They teased back and forth until finally Dante pushed his plate back and folded his arms across his brawny chest and said, “Okay, out with it.”
                  “Out with what?” 
                  “Don’t even go there.  I know you better than anyone on the planet.  What’s got your pretty little mind so wound up this morning?  You obviously didn’t sleep well.  You were out on the track even earlier than usual, which is ridiculously early anyway.  You keep glancing over your shoulder like you expect ghosts.  What’s going on?” 
                  “How do you know I didn’t sleep well?”  She continued picking at her food.
                  “Easy.  You look like heck.”  Dante was grinning when she looked up.  “So why didn’t you sleep well?”
                  She sighed.  “Judd’s up to something and you know it can’t be good.  This distant nephew or whatever of his is here a lot.  I didn’t think much of it at first, except to notice that he’s as scummy as the rest of that crowd, but Judd has apparently decided I should marry him.  In fact, now I wonder if that isn’t why he came in the first place.” 
    She shuddered involuntarily.  “The whole idea is revolting!  Not only is he disgusting, but if he really is related to Judd , then unfortunately he’s related to me somewhere.  It’s like incest or something as well.”
    S haking her head, she continued, “I knew Judd was being too low key.  I’ve wondered if something has been going on for a while.  I overheard him on his cell phone the other morning talking to someone about confirming when they were bringing their mare over.  Since when does Judd give a hoot about a horse?
                  “And then the other night there were cars coming and going in the middle of the night, and there was a whispered conversation about knocking someone or something off.  Honestly, Dante, I wondered if they were talking about killing someone!  I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s true!  Imagine hearing something like that from your own bedroom window!”  She got up and started to clear away the breakfast to take it to the kitchen, then admitted more softly, “His latest friends really scare me.”
                  She continued almost tiredly as they cleaned up, “We have to do something.  I know we do, but I don’t know what, or how to do it.  I actually called the police yesterday to see about getting a restraining order.  They said I had to prove he was an immediate threat before they would get involved.”  She put a