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door. “You came to tell me I won the Publisher’s Sweepstakes.”
    â€œHave you had chance to look over what I left you?”
    â€œNot yet.” She refused to turn on the porch light because it attracted moths and mosquitoes. Besides, it wasn’t quite dark yet. But it didn’t take much lightto delineate those angular cheekbones, that arrogant blade of a nose and the mouth that managed to be firm and sexy at the same time.
    Listen to you, Eliza, would you just stop it?
    â€œThen how about reading them now? It shouldn’t take long. Unfortunately, most of the pages have stuck together, but once you’ve skimmed the top layer or so, I’ll explain anything you don’t understand and hand over the money. Then you can sign a release and I’ll leave.”
    â€œI’m not signing anything, I’m not buying anything, I’m not—” She frowned. “What money?”
    â€œGive me three minutes, I’ll try to talk fast. Are you or are you not the great-granddaughter of Elias Matthew Chandler, of…uh, Crow Fly, in Oklahoma Territory?”
    Her jaw fell. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you crazy?”
    Beckett slapped a mosquito on his neck. “Man, they’re bloodthirsty little devils, aren’t they? Any reports of West Nile virus around these parts?”
    She shoved the screen door open, deliberately bumping it against his foot. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, come inside. You’ve got two minutes left to tell me why you’re harassing me.”
    He took a deep breath. Liza couldn’t help noticing the size and breadth of his chest under shoulders that were equally impressive. Not that she was impressed. Still, a woman couldn’t help but notice any man who looked as good and smelled as good and—
    Well, shoot! “One minute and thirty seconds,” she warned.
    â€œTime out. You still haven’t answered my question.”
    â€œYou haven’t answered mine, either. All right then, yes, I might be related to someone who might originally have been from Oklahoma. However, I don’t happen to have a copy of my pedigree, so if whatever you’re trying to prove involves my lineage, you’d better peddle your papers somewhere else. One minute and counting.”
    â€œI have.” His smile packed a wallop, even if she didn’t trust him.
    â€œYou have what? Tried peddling your papers somewhere else?” And then, unable to slam the door on her curiosity, she said, “What money? Is this a sweepstakes thing?”
    â€œYou might say that.” The smile was gone, but the effect of those cool gray eyes was undiminished. “Would you by any chance have a cousin named Kathryn, uh—Dixon?”
    Some of the wind went out of her sails. From the living room, her uncle cackled and called out, “Better get in here, missy—your team just struck out again.”
    â€œLook, would you please just say whatever you have to say and leave? I don’t know much about my family history, so if you’re trying to prove we’re related, you’d do better to check with someone else who knows more about it than I do. And if you’re after anything else, I’m not interested.” Never mind the money. She knew better than anyone not to fall for the old “something for nothing” dodge.
    The man who called himself L. Jones Beckettedged past her until he could look into the living room. “Is that the Braves-Mets game? What’s the score?”
    â€œSo you’re back, are ye? Thought ye might be. General Sherman’s not going to be taking Atlanta tonight, no siree. Score’s one to one, the South’s winning.”
    Liza closed her eyes and groaned. If he could talk baseball, she would never get rid of him. Uncle Fred would see to that. She might as well read his damned papers and be done with it.

Three
    â€œB ring Mr. Beckett a glass of iced tea, Liza-girl. Have some