Free ANOTHER SUNNY DAY by Kathy Clark Page A

tight red jump suit.
    The drunk's next move was to pick himself up from the dirt where he lay after Tyler's left fist connected with his jaw. He struggled up, his fists ready, but the deadly glitter in Tyler's eyes penetrated his benumbed senses. Backing away from Tyler's imposing figure, the man stumbled over to the ice chest, picked up another beer, and disappeared outsi de the fire's circle of light.
    "Hey, Ty. He didn't mean anything by it." someone said soothingly. "He's just had a little too much to drink. It's okay if Sunny doesn't want to sing."
    Tyler glanced back at Sarah's stricken. expression, and as if recognizing her dilemma, he forced himself to relax. "I'm sure Sunny would love to sing for us," he said, causing Sarah to gasp in alarm, "but you folks can't expect her to endanger her voice in this cool, humid night air. She's got a big performance at the rodeo in a few days. Why don't we all sing to her for a change. I'll bet that would be a first."
    "I play a mean guitar," Sarah was quick to offer. "It's been a long time sin ce I've been to a sing-along."
    Luckily that suggestion met with everyone's approval, and they all seemed to accept Tyler's 'excuse for her without reproach. Someone, thrust a guitar into her hands, which she flipp ed over and fitted to herself.
    Tyler settled back into his chair, studying her quizzically. " There's not too many people who play the guitar with their left hand," he commented. "I noticed you ride left-handed too. I never realized you were a southpaw."
    "I've always been left-handed, but I learned to play the guitar with my right hand. It wasn't until I saw Paul McCartney so happily adjusted to being left-handed that I switched back over to what, came naturally." Confidently she strummed and tuned the instrument. Sunny had often asked Sarah to accompany her when she sang, but Sarah always refused. She didn't mind sitting in on sessions or playing back-up in the recording studios, but she had never wanted t o go on stage with her sister.
    More loudly than harmoniously the group sang all the songs they knew and some they didn't. Forgetting the words was no problem, as someone could always come up with substitutes, some of them hilarious. It wasn't until almost midnight, when the fire burned down, the beer ran out, and memories began to dim, that the cheerful group began to dissipate , heading off to bed.
    Sarah stretched gracefully as she stood up, Tyler's darkened eyes following her every move. Hastily he cleared his throat and levered himself up off the short stool. "My horse threw a shoe today and split his hoof. That's why I was so late to supper," he explained. "I'd better go check on him again be fore I turn in for the night."
    "I'll go with you if you don't mind," she offered, wanting to strengthen the new, bond between them. This should give them a chance to talk privately and may be reach a new understanding."
    Tyler hesitated. He was already feeling like he had been twisted in knots tonight. The gentle fragrance of her perfume had attacked his senses until it threatened his sanity. He, too, wanted to have the opportunity to spend more time with her alone, but he wasn't sure he could trust himself tonight. His guard was down, and it was becoming more difficult every minute he was with her to resist her charms.
    He wanted her more than he had ever wanted anything in his life, but his common sense always reminded him that his own self-respect was worth more than a quick one-night stand with a woman who would probably not even remember his name a month from now. Still, he could not deny himself this chance to be with her even for just a few more moments. Surely he could hold his p assion in check for that long.
    They were almost at her trailer when he answered her at last. "Sure, you can come along. Zena will be glad to see you."
    The horses were standing quietly, securely tied to the rope picket line that ran between two trees. Their slumber disturbed, they still managed a