The Calamity Janes. Sherryl Woods

Lauren knew better than most people how annoyingly intrusive the press could be.

      “So? I hear reporters can be decent human beings. The Winding River News isn’t some sleazy tabloid. Besides, Ford seems like a nice guy.”

      Emma lost patience. “Do we have to have a discussion of Ford Hamilton right this minute? You’re up to bat. And the pitcher’s beginning to look irritated.”

      Actually the pitcher’s tongue was all but hanging out as he ogled Lauren’s short shorts and snug tank top.

      “Don’t mind John. He’ll wait,” Lauren said. “This is important.”

      “No,” Emma said firmly. “It’s not. Winning this game is the only thing that’s important.”

      Lauren shook her head. “Sweetie, you are in serious need of an adjustment in your priorities, but I suppose I can’t fix everything in a single weekend.”

      When Emma started to speak, Lauren patted her hand. “Never mind. I’m going.” She picked up a bat, slung it over her shoulder and headed for the batter’s box, where she promptly wiggled her hips outrageously. Four pitches later she had drawn a walk. John grinned as he watched her sashay to first base.

      “Amazing,” Ford said, sitting down on the bench next to Emma. “I think your team definitely has an unfair advantage.”

      “We wouldn’t if men weren’t so predictable,” Emma retorted. “What are you doing here, anyway? Still stalking your prey?”

      “I prefer to think of it as interviewing my sources,” he countered. “It’s going to be a great story. Too bad you won’t be part of it.”

      “Be careful about libel, Mr. Hamilton. It can be a nasty business.”

      “I hardly think there can be anything libelous in reporting how several Winding High grads achieved success.”

      “I suppose that depends on how conscientious you are when you write your article.”

      “Do you have a lot of experience with libel cases?” he asked, studying her curiously.

      “No. It’s not my area of expertise, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand the law.”

      “I’ll keep that in mind. Of course, that is a subject I wrote my thesis on when I got my graduate degree, so I have a working knowledge of the law as well. Perhaps we can compare notes sometime.”

      Refusing to admit that she was startled by his degree or his area of study, she frowned at him. “I wouldn’t count on it. Just be sure you keep your facts straight about my friends, and you and I won’t have a problem. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a game to play.”

      A smile tugged at his lips. “Why doesn’t it surprise me that they chose you to manage the team? Do you take everything you do so seriously?”

      “Pretty much,” she said, then added defensively, “I don’t consider that a character flaw.”

      “Not a flaw,” he agreed. “Just boring.” He glanced toward the ballfield where Lauren and Cassie were hamming it up in the outfield. “Now, take your friend Lauren. She obviously knows how to enjoy herself.”

      The observation rankled, possibly because it implied that he approved of Lauren more than he approved of Emma. She found it extremely exasperating that it mattered to her whom he preferred.

      “Don’t let her fool you,” she said tightly. “She’s a very smart woman.”

      “Did I say she wasn’t? You don’t have to hide your brains to have fun.”

      The remark hit a little too close to what Lauren had said to her. Emma was getting tired of everyone suggesting that she was leading a dull, predictable life.

      “I enjoy myself, Mr. Hamilton. Maybe it’s just that you don’t amuse me.”

      His grin spread. “Then I’ll have to work on that. Good luck with the game,” he added, then stood up and sauntered off.

      Emma stared after him, once again feeling more off-kilter than she had in years. It was definitely a good thing she was going back to Denver first thing tomorrow. She wasn’t sure she wanted to discover how effective Ford Hamilton could be once he set his mind to charming her.

      Emma Rogers was pretty much an aggravating pain in the butt, Ford concluded as he went off to find friendlier company. Even so, he couldn’t deny that she intrigued him—not as a woman, he quickly assured himself, but as a person. There was a distinction, though he was having difficulty pinning that down at the moment.

      At any rate, even while he sat with the men as they took their turn at bat, his gaze kept straying to Emma, noting the intensity of her expression as she watched her players perform in the field. Suddenly an image of her in his bed, just as intent on their lovemaking, swept through his mind. Heat climbed up his neck at the improbable but thoroughly erotic fantasy.

      “What’s going on, buddy? You look a little flushed,” Ryan Taylor said, amusement threading through his voice.

      Ford forced his attention away from Emma and glanced at the sheriff. “It’s hot out here.”

      “Maybe so, but I’ll bet it’s not half as hot as wherever your head was. Thinking about our Emma, were you?”

      “Don’t be ridiculous. I hardly know the woman. And what I do know doesn’t recommend her. She’s an annoying, stuffy know-it-all.”

      Ryan’s grin spread. “Some men would find that challenging.”

      “Not me.”

      “Too bad. She could use a man who’s not afraid of her intellect, maybe even one who’s perceptive enough to see through to her vulnerability.”

      “Emma, vulnerable? I don’t think so.”

      “Like I said, it takes a certain amount of perception to see past that tough facade. I guess I misjudged you. I thought you might be used to digging below the surface to see what a person is really like.”

      The comment hit its mark. “Well, it hardly matters whether I am or I’m not. She’s definitely not inclined to let me get close enough to find out. Besides, she’s heading back to Denver any day now. In fact, based on what she said at the dance last night, I thought she’d be on the road first thing this morning.”

      “Were you disappointed to find her still here today?”

      Ford scowled. “It didn’t matter to me one way or the other.”

      Ryan chuckled. “Yeah, I can see that.” His expression suddenly sobered. He paused, as if he were choosing his words with care. “By the way,” he began finally, “Teddy says he got a picture of that little scene with Sue Ellen and Donny last night. You don’t intend to use it, do you?”

      “No,” Ford said without hesitation. “Domestic disputes don’t warrant coverage.”

      “Glad to hear it,” Ryan said, looking relieved. “Sue Ellen doesn’t need to have her troubles plastered all over the newspaper. She has a tough enough life as it is.”

      “If that’s the case, why haven’t you arrested Donny?”

      “She won’t press charges,” Ryan said with evident frustration. “My hands are tied, unless I catch him in the act of hurting her. Believe me, I’m just itching to slap the man with assault charges. He needs help, and he sure as hell won’t get it as long as she keeps making excuses for him. It makes me sick to see how he humiliates her over and over again. Sue Ellen was one of the most outgoing kids in our class. She participated in every activity. She always had a smile on her face. Now she barely sets foot out of the house, and I can’t tell you the last time I saw her smile.”

      “I noticed they didn’t come today,” Ford said.

      Ryan’s expression turned grim. “Probably