would keep the buzzards from circling for at least a couple of days.

      Judy threw her head back as if Melodie had slapped her. Her eyes narrowed into thin cat slits as she hissed, “I’m not interested in buying anything. I’m Buck’s fiancée!”

      Chapter Four

      Melodie pasted a cardboard smile on her face and ventured a weak, “Congratulations.”

      What did it matter that the woman had just run a bayonet through her gut? Courtesy demanded a polite exchange before any public execution. She wondered whether contact lenses were responsible for turning the woman’s emerald eyes such an impossible color. Better that than jealousy.

      Judy pulled a smile tight over blinding white teeth. “I’m truly sorry about your mother. Hopefully it won’t take you long to get your things in order so you can move on.”

      “It might take a little time to get my life in order, if that’s what you’re asking,” Melodie admitted candidly.

      The smile affixed to Judy’s face didn’t reach her eyes. “That’s a shame. I was hoping you wouldn’t have to stick around here long. After living in that big southwestern mansion we’ve all heard so much about, it must be humbling to come back to your poor roots.”

      Melodie bristled at the remark. “Actually it’s wonderful to be home,” was her only response.

      She couldn’t imagine how Judy managed to widen that painful smile. Perhaps for the benefit of the crowd Buck’s fiancée thought she could mask the undercurrent of animosity flowing between them with those blinding-white teeth.