Nothing But Trouble. BEVERLY BARTON

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СКАЧАТЬ Peyt and Donna aren’t...I mean...”

      “Donna Fields is not your competition, Tallie.”

      “What do you mean? If I’ve given you the impression that I’m interested in Peyton, in that way, then—”

      “There’s no need for you to lie to me,” Pattie said, opening the rest-room door.

      Following Pattie outside, Tallie signaled to Solomon. “I guess I’ve wanted Peyt since I was sixteen and realized I was in love with him. But I’m the worst woman in the world for him. He’s told me himself that all I am to him is trouble.”

      “I’m not so sure about that.” Pattie walked beside Tallie and Solomon as they made their way back toward the ball fields. “Considering what Peyton’s told me about you, I admit that you might prove a liability to a politician. On the other hand, you’re a champion of some very popular causes, and people seem to like you.”

      “I can’t believe this conversation.” Stopping abruptly, Tallie turned to the other woman. “I dreaded meeting Donna because I knew she’d be everything that I’m not, that she’d be perfect for Peyt and that I’d hate her because she’d be such a haughty, nose-in-the-air snob. But I like her, and now you’re telling me that she isn’t my competition, that she and Peyt aren’t lovers, that—”

      “I’m trying to convince you that you’re the right woman for Peyton Rand?”

      “Hush, Pattie, don’t say that out loud.”

      “Why not?”

      “Because it isn’t true. After meeting Donna tonight, I know she really is perfect for a man like Peyt and I most definitely am not.”

      “There’s only one problem. Peyton and Donna are not in love. She may be perfect for a man like Peyton, but not for Peyton.”

      “Peyt and I are like oil and water, you know.” Tallie caught sight of Eric Miller’s hulking frame moving toward her at a rather rapid pace for an overweight man who was weaving around like a toddler just learning to walk. “Oh, no,” Tallie groaned.

      “What’s wrong?” Pattie asked just as Eric staggered up between them, his big body accidently shoving into Tallie, unbalancing her momentarily.

      “Hey there, sexy gal. You interested in going out to my truck with me for a little drink?” Eric swayed toward Tallie, his breath reeking of alcohol.

      “I think you’ve had one too many little drinks,” Tallie told him.

      Slipping his arm around Tallie’s waist, Eric pulled her up against him. “I don’t know why you keep saying no. It ain’t like you’ve done got a man.”

      Struggling against his powerful hold, Tallie glared up at Eric. “Let me go, you damned fool. Don’t you know Solomon would rip your throat out if I gave the order.”

      As if on cue, Solomon snarled, baring his sharp teeth. The hairs on his back bristled.

      “I ain’t scared of no damned dog. I could probably break his neck.”

      “Tallie, I’ll go get Peyton and Spence,” Pattie said, walking away hurriedly.

      “No, don’t,” Tallie called, but Pattie didn’t respond. “Eric Miller, you’re a menace to society.”

      “You ain’t gonna sic that dog of yours on me, and we both know it.” Eric squeezed Tallie so fiercely, she cried out. “If you’re gonna be mine, sexy gal, you’d better learn to like it rough.”

      Tallie counted to ten. He held her so tightly, she could barely breathe. If only she could manage to loosen his hold on her, she could aim her knee at his groin. He was right, she didn’t want to sic Solomon on him, but if she couldn’t free herself, she might have no other choice.

      “Look, you overgrown baboon, if you don’t let me go, I will sic Solomon on you!”

      Eric lowered his face downward until his nose touched Tallie’s. “Give me a little taste of what I want.”

      That was it. She’d had all she was going to take. Just as she opened her mouth to give Solomon an attack order, she felt Eric’s hold on her loosen. Glancing behind Eric, she saw Peyton Rand, his big hand gripping Eric’s shoulder.

      “Let the lady go.” Peyton’s voice held a cold, deadly edge.

      Eric lumbered around, glaring at Peyton as he jerked himself out of the other man’s hold. “Who the hell are— Oh, yeah, you’re that fancy-pants lawyer Tallie’s so hung up on, ain’t you?”

      “I’m the man who’s telling you that if you ever lay a hand on Tallie again, you might not live long enough to regret it.”

      Eric chuckled, the sound loud and filled with nervous bravado. “Are you threatening me?” Eric puffed out his chest, his big gut only inches away from Peyton’s firm midsection.

      “I’m stating a fact. Leave Tallie alone or, if I can’t put you behind bars, I’ll handle you personally.”

      “Yeah, you and what army?”

      Tallie stood there staring at Peyton as if she’d never seen the man before in her life. What was he doing? Did he even realize the implication of what he was saying? It wouldn’t look good if the papers picked up this story: Potential Gubernatorial Candidate Threatens Man’s Life Over Woman.

      “You didn’t have to come running over here to protect me,” Tallie said, planting her hands on her hips. “I was about to sic Solomon on him.”

      “Stay out of this, Tallie,” Peyton told her.

      “Stay out of this?” Tallie noticed Spence coming up behind his brother, followed by Pattie and Donna Fields.

      “Need any help, Peyt?” Spence asked.

      “I think I can handle this,” Peyton said. “What do you think, Miller?”

      “I think I ain’t fool enough to take on two men.” Eric turned, his heavy-lidded eyes resting on Tallie. “Next time, I’ll wait for a more private spot to sweet-talk you.”

      When Peyton reached for Miller, Tallie ran between the two men. “Go on, Eric, get out of here!”

      “Ain’t that sweet. You’re worried I’ll bloody up pretty boy’s face,” Miller said.

      “No, I’m afraid Peyt will knock your brains out and get arrested for murder.” Tallie grabbed Peyton’s clenched fist. “Let him go.”

      With a grin on his fleshy, blotched face, Miller walked off, swaying slightly as he made his way toward the parking lot.

      Grabbing Tallie by the arm, Peyton pulled her down the walkway, away from the small crowd of onlookers, including Donna, Spence and Pattie. Following along peacefully, Solomon sniffed the air.

      “What do you think you’re doing?” Tallie jerked away from him just as they rounded the corner of the concession stand.

      Peyton СКАЧАТЬ