"Well, come on," he coaxed. He took his hand from her back.
Denise fell in step next to him as they walked toward an open area that immediately fronted a complex of barns and sheds that served both as riding stables and farm equipment shelters.
Jones, walking close to Denise, glanced at her several times. Always, a smile followed his darting eyes, making her feel as if he observed things that she was not aware of herself.
She looked directly at him, smiled herself, then said, "I imagine that it's hard for you to realize that all this is real sometimes."
"How do you mean?" he asked.
"Oh, you know, from prison to contender for the world's middle-weight title. And all within months."
He glanced to the ground. But when he raised his eyes again they were filled with the same confidence, t
