Texas Tall - Janet Dailey Page 0,119
especially the Blue Coyote, which she’d sold to Abner Sweeney at a bargain price to pay for her defense. It tickled her to imagine Abner running the bar. His straightlaced wife had probably thrown a fit. But at least the bar made good money—better than a county lawman’s pay.
As a new prisoner here, she was still finding her place in the pecking order. She would keep her head down at first. But once she knew the ropes, she’d be on her way up the food chain, all the way to the top.
Goading Tori Tyler into killing her would have been a mistake. She enjoyed taking on life’s challenges, and even here, behind bars, there would be opportunities to win. Stella knew human nature, and she knew how to make her way. Another six months here, and she’d be running the place.
After going through the line, she took her tray, filled with the slop that passed for food, to an empty table and sat down to eat and watch. You could learn a lot about people from who they sat with and the way they ate. She was learning more every day.
She had nearly finished when she heard a footstep behind her. A tall, familiar shadow fell across the table. Stella’s pulse jerked. Her gaze traveled upward to the stringy black hair, and the narrow face with its slashing scar.
The crooked mouth smiled. “Hello, Stella,” said Marie Fletcher.
Keep reading for a special preview of Christmas on My Mind, from New York Times Bestselling Author Janet Dailey.
FIRST TIME IN PRINT!
The future looks merry and bright…
The little town of Branding Iron, Texas, keeps an annual tradition that makes the holidays especially festive—the Cowboys’ Christmas Ball. But Sheriff Ben Marsden, busy with work, joint custody of his son, and caring for his aging mother, has no plans to attend. Not until a pretty newcomer to his small town gets involved in the planning. Suddenly Ben finds himself wanting to keep a close eye on Jessica Ramsey, and not just because her relatives seem to be in jail more than out. He can tell the mysterious redhead has secrets in her past, but now that she’s bought a little fixer upper with her mom to start a bed and breakfast, the whole family’s turning over a new leaf. With the prospect of dancing and celebrating ahead, surely there’s time for everyone to unwind. Because this year, more than ever, Ben’s got Christmas—and loving—on his mind.
“A delightful annual tradition.”
—RT Book Reviews
Click here to get your copy.
Branding Iron, Texas
Late November
Jessica Ramsey mouthed an unladylike curse as her aging Pontiac coughed, sputtered and stopped dead on the deserted two-lane road. Hoping for luck, she cranked the starter—again, then again. Nothing happened.
What now? She couldn’t be out of gas. The gauge hadn’t worked in months, but she’d filled up two hours ago in Amarillo. Maybe it was the fuel pump. Or worse, something like a blown head gasket, whatever that was.
She cranked the starter one last time. The engine didn’t even try to turn over. Fighting tears, she slumped over the steering wheel. She’d trusted the old car to make it all the way from Kansas City to Branding Iron, Texas. It had come close, but not close enough. The green highway sign she’d just passed told her she had fourteen miles to go. It was too far to walk with her suitcase—let alone all her possessions stuffed in the trunk—and she had more sense than to hitchhike. She was stranded.
Glancing in the rearview mirror, she saw a battered-looking red pickup approaching from behind. It was coming fast; and her stalled car, she realized with a lurch of panic, was right in its path. She punched the hazard light, praying it would work. But the truck didn’t even slow down. The horn blared. Tires squealed as the pickup swung around her, missing the rear bumper by inches. Jess glimpsed two teenage males in the front seat. Both of them gave her the finger before the truck roared on down the road. So much for chivalry.
Jess released the brake, shifted into neutral and wrenched the steering wheel hard to the right. She had to get the Pontiac off the road before another vehicle came along and crashed right into her. Since the car wouldn’t start, her only option was to push it.
After glancing up and down the road, she opened the door, climbed out and walked back to the rear of the car. The sky was overcast with gray. Empty