The Wyoming Kid

Chapter One
His truck shuddering as he hit a rut, Lonny Ellison pulled into the ranch yard and slammed on the brakes. He jumped out of the cab, muttering furiously. In pure frustration, he kicked the side of his Ford Ranger with one scuffed boot. His sister, who was hanging clothes on the line, straightened and watched him approach. No word of greeting, not even a wave, just a little smile. As calm as could be, Letty studied him, which only irritated him more. He blamed her for this. She was the one who had her heart set on Lonny's dating that woman. She was also the one who'd been busy trying to do some matchmaking not that she'd had any success.

It wasn't like Lonny to let a woman rattle him, but Joy Fuller certainly had. This wasn't the first time, either.

He had plenty of cause to dislike her. Two years ago, when she'd moved to Red Springs to take a teaching job, he'd gone out of his way to make her feel welcome in the community. And how had she responded to his overtures of friendship? She'd thumbed her nose at him! He figured he was well rid of her. They'd argued he couldn't even remember why and he hadn't spoken to her since. Until today. Friend of Letty's or not, he wasn't about to let Joy Fuller escape the consequences of what she'd done.

What bothered him most was the complete disrespect Joy had shown him and his vehicle. Why, his truck was in prime condition, his pride and No, under the circumstances, he couldn't call it his pride and joy. But he treasured that Ford almost as much as he did his horse.

"What's gotten into you?" Letty asked, completely unruffled by his actions.

"Of all the crazy women in the world, why did it have to be her?"

"And who would that be?" his sister asked mildly.