Read Heart of Dixie - Tami Hoag (1) for Free Online Page B

her working at a topless doughnut shop in Wyoming had not been substantiated. The search continued.

    "Imagine that," Jake mused, lowering the volume on the set. "A beautiful, talented woman like that just flies the coop without a word to anyone. Crazy."

    No one in the Magnolia Bar said a word for a long moment. Cora May Trulove had fallen asleep in her chair and was snoring softly. The refrigerator unit kicked in and hummed. Bubby cracked a peanut and dropped the shells on the floor. "It's a cryin' shame," Bubby said, shaking his head as if the star's disappearance were a tragedy worthy of having the flag flown at half-mast.

    "We're all in mourning," Joe Dell said. "Her television show was everybody's favorite here. Half the town used to come in Thursday nights to watch Wylde Time. Leastwise, most of the men did. Shoot, seeing Devon Stafford chase criminals was enough to raise a man from the dead."

    "I know what you mean," Jake said with a grin. "I wouldn't mind getting shipwrecked on an island with her."

    "Yeah, you and every other red-blooded man in the free world!"

    "Those lips."

    "That hair."

    "Those big br--"

    "Excuse me," Dixie snapped, her brows pulling into a V over stormy eyes. "I hate to rain on this testosterone festival, but I do not believe we all care to hear y'all go on and on about Devon Stafford's assets. She's just an actress, for cryin' out loud. She didn't find a cure for cancer or end world hunger or figure out a way to fold fitted sheets. Y'all make out like she's the goddess of the world. Well, I personally do not miss her all that much."

    The men stared at her as if she'd said something blasphemous, except Leo, who gave her long, even look. "Now, Dixie," he drawled softly. "No need for you to get all riled up. It's only natural for the fellas to go on about Devon Stafford. She's a famous movie star, after all."

    "Just a movie star," Dixie grumbled. "Big deal."

    "We're talking about the perfect woman here," Jake said.

    "Hair down to her butt and a D-cup bra. Those are your ingredients for a perfect woman?" Dixie asked. Her temper was sizzling and she knew she was in danger of losing control, but she couldn't help herself. If there was one subject that drove her right over the edge, it was perfection. It didn't help matters that the one proclaiming Devon Stafford to be the perfect woman was the first man Dixie had been attracted to in ages. If Jake thought that platinum- maned princess of the silver screen was perfect, then he was a long way from throwing himself at the feet of Dixie La Fontaine.

    "And a real tiny waist," Bubby added to the list of desirable female attributes.

    "And pouty lips," Joe Dell said, nodding gravely. All the male heads bobbed up and down in agreement. "Well, if that just don't fry my taters!" Dixie hissed. She slid down off her bar stool for the express purpose of stamping her foot, then zipped her jacket with a jerk of her wrist. "Not one word about intelligence or compassion or strength of character. This perfect woman you're describing could just as well be one of those inflatable dolls perverts order out of the back of porno magazines! Y'all should be ashamed."

    "What did they do now. Dixie?" Miss Divine asked, her voice loud enough to wake the dead in the next county. It did not, however, rouse her sister from slumber.

    Dixie scowled at Bubby and Joe Dell, who looked like the big lummoxes they undoubtedly were. There was speculation in Jake's eyes, and Leo looked at her from under his lashes as he dried a beer mug with a white towel.

    Dixie sniffed. "They have just demonstrated that men do in fact think with a little tiny part of their anatomy that isn't even hooked up to their brains."

    Miss Divine nodded and smiled pleasantly. "Boys will be boys."

    "Until the day they die of old age," Dixie said with a snort. She gave Jake a flaming look and said, "Let's go, Gannon."

    Jake took a last long sip of his beer, watching her intently, then he bade his new