The Wild Belle by Lora Thomas

But I have had several run-ins with him and have witnessed it towards men weaker than him. I don’t think he would be a wise choice for your daughter . . . any of your daughters.”
    “I was afraid you would say something like that,” Ott replied as he took a pain-filled sigh.
    “There’s one more thing, Ott. Peterson is the reason my brother’s first wife died.”
    “He murdered her?” Ott questioned. He sat up as though he had a rod running down his spine.
    “Not exactly,” Michael said. Ott began to relax. “He chased her down and she fell down an embankment, killing her and her unborn child.”
    “That was an accident. It could have happen—”
    “He was married twice before. Both women died mysterious deaths after their dowry money had been depleted.”
    Ott paled and fell against the chair back as if shoved by demons. “But the contract has already been signed.”
    Michael pressed his lips together. “I’ll take a look at it to see if there is a way to break it.”
    Ott shook his head. “I can’t ask you to get involved with my family matters. I will have my attorney take a look at it when he returns from Boston.”
    “When will he be back?”
    “Ah, damn,” Ott said, taking a ragged breath. “Not until picking season in the fall.”
    “Really, I don’t mind. I am not an attorney, but I do know a little about laws and contracts.”
    “Thank you.”
    Michael nodded his head. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I was on my way to visit your lake when I heard your cries for assistance.” He turned and headed out the door.
    As Michael exited the house, he heard a noise to his right. He looked around but didn’t see anyone about. He went to take a step and heard the noise again. He looked around in all directions. He heard a twig snap and walked around the corner. He smiled as he watched Andi. She was climbing down the large oak tree that touched the veranda. She had her pink dress pulled up and the front tucked in the waist. Her long, toned calves were exposed. Her backside was sticking outward as she climbed down the tree. Michael couldn’t tear his eyes away. Her dress was pulled tight over her derrière. He held in the desire to reach out and touch it. Her foot slipped. He sucked in his breath as he watched. She quickly grabbed an adjacent limb with her free hand and hoisted herself back up. She then quickly descended the tree like a squirrel. He hid around the corner of the house and watched her.
    She untucked her dress from her waistband. Hiking up her skirt, she ran towards the barn. Before he knew it, she was racing out the barn, bareback and astraddle her horse. She was headed in the direction of the lake. He smiled mischievously. He needed payback for the trick she pulled on him.
    He walked in the direction of the lake, taking his time. He wanted to make sure she was in the same state of undress as he was when they first met. He casually strolled in the direction Andi had headed. Maybe he would go to the family dinner tonight. After all he was invited, and Andi would be there along with Ashton. What if Ott needed more assistance? Yes, he would go to the family dinner, and hopefully he would assist in restraining Andi again.
    Nearing the lake, he paused peering around the large tree. No one was in the water. He walked over to the stone bench and spotted Andi’s pink dress, wadded up and shoved it under the bench. He looked around the lake again, but did not see her in it.
    Pausing to listen, he noticed the faint rumble of the waterfall. It was not a constant noise, but had intermittent breaks. A smile crossed his handsome face when he realized she was under the waterfall.
    He casually made his way towards the large live oak tree at the back of the lake. As he walked past it, he allowed his large hand to rub the tree’s rough bark. He took his left hand and moved the low hanging curtain of Spanish moss out of the way. He saw her then. She was standing under the running water, allowing the