A Woman's Touch

Monday afternoon.“
    Glen shrugged. „It was worth a shot,“ he said, taking a swallow of his beer. „When I found out you’d gotten to Jamison first on the bank deal, I was a might perturbed.“
    „You’re getting slow in your old age, Ballard,“ Kyle taunted.
    „I’m only six months older than you, Stockbridge, and I can still whip you with one hand tied behind my back.“
    „You never could take me and you know it. Remember what happened at the wedding? You wound up face-down in the punch.“
    „And you wound up with a face full of wedding cake, as I recall. Hope your style has improved. Not much fun beating up a guy who trips over his own feet. Like shooting fish in a barrel.“
    „Shooting fish in a barrel is about your speed,“ Kyle said derisively. „You can’t handle anything tougher than that.“
    „I can handle you any day of the week and you know it. But I’d just as soon not have to do it here. Darla doesn’t approve of public brawling.“ He caught sight of Rebecca. „And I get the feeling Becky doesn’t approve of it, either –
    do you, Becky?“ He gave her a wide grin.
    „No, I do not.“ Rebecca glared at Kyle. „What are you doing here?“
    „My invitation got lost in the mail but I knew Ballard would be disappointed if I didn’t show.“
    She heard the slight slur in his voice and was genuinely shocked. „Are you drunk, Kyle?“
    „Not too drunk to rip off Ballard’s arm and beat him to a pulp with it.“ Kyle braced his feet slightly apart in a fighter
    ’s stance and took a long swallow of beer. He kept his eyes on his opponent. „Well, Ballard? You gonna try to throw me out of your party?“
    „If I decide to throw you out, there won’t be any ‘try’ about it. I’ll do it. Period.“
    „Just like you tried to snaffle Jamison away from Flaming Luck?“ Kyle scoffed.
    „Stop it, Kyle,“ Rebecca hissed, furious with him. „You’re causing a scene. I won’t have it.“
    Kyle and Glen both looked at her as if she were incredibly naive.
    „So what?“ Kyle asked pointedly. „I’ve had some time to think about it, and I’ve decided you won’t sell Harmony Valley to a bunch of weirdos. Your threat has lost its teeth, lady. I don’t buy it any longer.“
    „This is a very nice party and you’re going to ruin it if you don’t behave in a civilized manner,“ Rebecca snapped.
    „Yeah,“ Glen drawled. „You’re going to ruin things, Stockbridge. You’re going to cause a nasty little scene. Shock the neighbors. Maybe you’d better leave before you have to be carried out.“
    „There’s only one way I’ll leave here, Ballard, and that’s with Becky. I came here to get her and I’m not going home without her.“
    Rebecca glared at Kyle. „I’ll leave when I’m good and ready. I’m a guest here, and I intend to enjoy myself. I was having a lovely evening until you arrived.“
    „The hell you were.“
    Glen Ballard grinned again. „I’m real happy to hear you’ve been enjoying yourself, Miss Wade. Darla has certainly taken to you. Says the two of you are going to be good friends. That’s nice, seeing as how we’re going to be neighbors.“

    „Don’t listen to him, Becky,“ Kyle said through his teeth. „You don’t want to have anything to do with this jerk.“
    „Why not?“ she demanded furiously.
    „Because he’s a Ballard,“ Kyle roared. „And you belong to me, remember?“ Heads turned quickly. The whole crowd was listening to the confrontation taking place beside the swimming pool.
    Rebecca shivered. She had told Darla earlier that Kyle had never really frightened her, but she had to admit that there were times when he certainly made her aware of his displeasure. „Keep your voice down, Kyle. You’re embarrassing me.“
    „And you’re embarrassing Darla, too, Stockbridge. Why don’t you just leave?“ Glen’s taunting smile gleamed in the lamplight. „And don’t you worry about Rebecca. We’ll take real good care of her.“
    „You’re not going to get your hooks into her,“ Kyle shot back. He tossed his beer can aside and stood with his hands on his hips.
    „Kyle, stop it this minute. Do you hear me?“ Rebecca gritted, growing alarmed. The brushfire these two men had created was escalating rapidly out of control. „You’ve had too much to drink and you’re acting like an idiot.“
    „I’ll go along with that,“ Glen Ballard said cheerfully. „You’re acting like an idiot, Stockbridge. But, then, I guess