Chapter 75
RHETTA AND ABEL stormed across the front lawn to where the riders were assembling for Tuesday’s hunt. Ryman saw her coming and, mounted on Clyde, calmly stood his ground in the face of the impending assault.
The hazel fire flared in Rhetta’s eyes. “What’s this wild story I heard about you taking on the freak and that prissy little colored woman as partners?”
Ryman replied coolly, “The news traveled fast. You musta been talking to Luella when you were doing your Monday errands.”
“Then it’s true.” She threw her hands up in disgust. “You’re beyond stark ravin’ mad. There ain’t been no one outside the family to own a piece a that business since your great-granddaddy started it. And here you go giving it away to them two.”
“First of all, Ma, I did not give it away. The business
