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.I like him."He looked at her in dismay, but Anne could tell her story had moved him."You know Randal will never even let Rachel say hello to you in the street and a lot of others will feel the same?""Yes, I know.I'll be grateful if you aren't one of those others." Everything has a price thought Anne."All right, then.You have a list?"She felt relief surge through her, and as they walked out of the storeroom, stoppedand hugged him."Thank you."He patted her shoulder."Now, now, that's enough of that.I just hope you know what you're doing."The store was beginning to fill with women who didn't seem to need to buy anything.Anne realized word was spreading that she was in town with Cord, and every busybodywas eager to find out what was going on for herself.Miles began to pull the items on the list from his shelves, and Anne shopped around, picking up other items on the list and, guiltily, a few that weren't.Finally, she had everything, and she headed for the counter while Miles began to total the bill.Beside her she heard the shrewish voice of Emma Wilkinson, the most vicious of thetown harpies."Surely, James, you're not going to wait on an Injun's woman while decent folk wait." It was not put as a question.Miles looked up and said, "Now, Emma, there are circumstances."Mrs.Wilkinson didn't wait for him to finish but interrupted."There are no such thing as 'circumstances,' and you know it.A decent woman would choose death."No one had heard Cord pad in on moccasined feet.His voice was extra polite but very clear and carried over the whole store."Mrs.Wilkinson, you'd never have to make a choice.My grandfather was an ignorant, illiterate savage, but if he'd captured you, he'd have just slit your throat.Even an ignorant savage knows better than to fuck a bitch."Mrs.Wilkinson's face turned deep puce and she seemed to be gasping for air.Annewas afraid for a moment that the woman would faint at her feet, but with a strangled sound Emma ran from the store as if pursued by furies.Trying very hard to keep a giggle inside, Anne peeked up to see Miles frowning ather.Cord's voice came again, drawling, but still clear, "I didn't think a decent woman would even know what I was talking about."Still meeting James Miles' disapproving gaze, Anne lost control, and the giggleescaped.Still frowning slightly, Miles said, "Anne, girl, I sure hope you know what you've gotten yourself into."She grinned at him mischievously."It's really not a problem, Mr.Miles.I'm so decent I can't understand half of what he says."She laughed to herself the whole time Cord paid the bill and he and Miles carried the supplies to the wagon.In the street, Cord muttered without looking at her, "Thought you'd be mad.""Why should I be mad? You just fixed it so there isn't a woman in town who'd have the nerve to say an unkind word to me.""Mm.Anything else you want around here?""If it's all right, the druggist has some nice lotion at his shop, and I wouldn't mind some soap easier on my skin than what you use."Amiably they headed to the druggist's.On the wagon seat again, Cord asked, "You want to go straight home, or shall we press our luck at the cafe? I'd sure like a steak."Anne was feeling almost giddy with the success of the day so far."Let's try the cafe.All that can happen is Dora won't wait on us, and we'll sit a while and walk out."He drove up the street.Anne started to believe her worst that could happen prediction was going to cometrue.The cafe's owner, cook, and waitress, Dora Bagley, acted as if they weren't there.Dora was stout, red-faced, and formidable, and trying to force her to feed them would probably get them poisoned.They sat quietly for a few minutes before Cord reached for his hat, signaling to Anne he was ready to admit defeat and leave.Just then, however, Noah Reynolds walked into the little restaurant, argued vigorously with Dora, walked over, and sat down at their table."Do you mind company?"Cord regarded Noah thoughtfully."Nope, but if you're planning on eating anything, you won't get it done here."Noah chuckled."Dora's changed her mind.It wouldn't do to refuse the town's sheriff his piece of pie just because of the company he keeps."Sure enough Dora came over, thumped down three coffee cups and filled them withstrong looking brew."I know you want pie, Noah.What about these two?"Cord's eyes met Anne's for an instant, and she saw a what the hell glint.He said only,"Two steaks with everything."Dora never looked at him but left with a swish of skirts.Cord leaned back in the chair, looking so relaxed as to be boneless."'Preciate that, Noah.We'll treat you to the pie."Noah shrugged."When I heard you were here, I thought I'd better tell you, those Double M Men all quit and moved on.Meeks and Samuels were in to see Doc.Meekshad a pretty good shoulder wound, and you hit Samuels in the side.They must have hurt for a while, but they weren't in much danger of dying.I suppose you were trying to kill them, weren't you?""Trying to gutshoot them, but I wasn't too steady at the time." The off-hand, casual way he said it made the statement more chilling.The sheriff's mouth tightened with disapproval."Well, they didn't say where they were headed, in case you have any notion of going hunting."Cord's only answer was a slight headshake.Now Noah brought up a second reason for his visit."Also, I'm here because I'm as curious as the rest of the town
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