Read Online Between Love and Lies by Jacqui Nelson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jacqui Nelson
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while I sit here jawing with you.”
“Sounds like you got dealt a losing hand tonight.”
“So did yer redhead last year, from what I heard.”
Noah nodded, remembering that when he’d last been in Dodge, a lawman named Deger had been in charge.
“And still she has a way about her not common to her profession. Can’t count the number of times I seen her blushing like a schoolmarm as she captivates a roomful of ruffians with her singing, or watches in dismay when those fools bet every dollar they own at her card table. A smart man would haul her down to the preacher’s ’n end the game she plays.”
An image of himself standing with Sadie before an altar invaded Noah’s mind. Marriage afforded a woman a measure of safety…if she married an honorable man, one who wouldn’t force her to do anything against her will.
Masterson dug in his desk drawer and tossed a silver star onto the desk. It landed with a ping. The light from the oil lantern caught the metal, glimmering as the badge spun in a circle before coming to rest between them. “Being a deputy might give you an edge in settling whatever business you have with Miss Sullivan.”
“Might get me killed.” Despite his words, Noah had already picked up the badge.
Masterson gave a hoot of laughter. “That it might. Whatever happens, I don’t think yer the type to stand by ’n watch a wrong being perpetrated. That much’s clear from tonight’s events. Could mean you’ll end up participating in more of the same for the duration of yer stay in Dodge. So might as well make it legal ’n get paid for it. Plus, you can bunk here.”
Noah couldn’t contain his grimace.
“The baggage has to stay.” Masterson cracked a grin. “But tidying up everything else can be yer first duty as my deputy.”
“Why me?” Noah scanned the marshal’s face. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know that without you a woman might’ve died tonight. I gotta gut feeling. And out here, where trouble comes at you faster’n greased lightning, it pays to listen to yer gut.”
The badge weighed heavy in Noah’s hand.
Masterson’s fingers drummed the desk. Despite his impatience, he hadn’t lost his smile. “Well? Do I have myself a new right-hand man?”
He pinned the star on his vest. “Until I get what I came for, Marshal Masterson.”
Masterson inclined his head in acceptance, which Noah took as his cue to leave. He was halfway to the door when the marshal spoke. “By the way, my name’s Bat…or William Barclay or Bartholomew. But most folks call me Bat. Out of curiosity, Deputy, you got a plan where yer redhead’s concerned?”
Noah sighed. His new boss enjoyed sticking his nose where it wasn’t welcome. It appeared Bat had hired him for more than the role of deputy. He was to be a source of entertainment as well.
“No, but I’m working on one,” he called over his shoulder.
Bat’s laughter followed him out onto to the porch. Directly across stood the Dodge House Hotel, Bat and his lady friend Lizzie’s place of residence. To the left was the Northern Star.
Counting off the windows along the saloon’s second story, he retraced his route when he’d carried a trembling form. His gaze came to a rest on the room at the far corner, the one with the yellow curtains concealing worn wallpaper, a narrow bed and a small but devilishly stubborn woman.
He ransacked his mind for a plan. All he created was a chaos that rivaled Masterson’s storage room. What the hell was he going to do?
* * *
Sadie woke slowly , struggling through heavy layers of sleep. Memories hounded her, shrouded in fog, then flashed bright as lightning. An arm tightened around her neck. Metal gouged her temple. A gunshot banged. Davenport sprawled at her feet with a bullet in his head.
The gambler’s face morphed into Edward’s. His eyes opened and his lips moved. Find them.
She surged upright, her gaze ricocheting in every direction.
All she found were faded scarlet
“Sounds like you got dealt a losing hand tonight.”
“So did yer redhead last year, from what I heard.”
Noah nodded, remembering that when he’d last been in Dodge, a lawman named Deger had been in charge.
“And still she has a way about her not common to her profession. Can’t count the number of times I seen her blushing like a schoolmarm as she captivates a roomful of ruffians with her singing, or watches in dismay when those fools bet every dollar they own at her card table. A smart man would haul her down to the preacher’s ’n end the game she plays.”
An image of himself standing with Sadie before an altar invaded Noah’s mind. Marriage afforded a woman a measure of safety…if she married an honorable man, one who wouldn’t force her to do anything against her will.
Masterson dug in his desk drawer and tossed a silver star onto the desk. It landed with a ping. The light from the oil lantern caught the metal, glimmering as the badge spun in a circle before coming to rest between them. “Being a deputy might give you an edge in settling whatever business you have with Miss Sullivan.”
“Might get me killed.” Despite his words, Noah had already picked up the badge.
Masterson gave a hoot of laughter. “That it might. Whatever happens, I don’t think yer the type to stand by ’n watch a wrong being perpetrated. That much’s clear from tonight’s events. Could mean you’ll end up participating in more of the same for the duration of yer stay in Dodge. So might as well make it legal ’n get paid for it. Plus, you can bunk here.”
Noah couldn’t contain his grimace.
“The baggage has to stay.” Masterson cracked a grin. “But tidying up everything else can be yer first duty as my deputy.”
“Why me?” Noah scanned the marshal’s face. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know that without you a woman might’ve died tonight. I gotta gut feeling. And out here, where trouble comes at you faster’n greased lightning, it pays to listen to yer gut.”
The badge weighed heavy in Noah’s hand.
Masterson’s fingers drummed the desk. Despite his impatience, he hadn’t lost his smile. “Well? Do I have myself a new right-hand man?”
He pinned the star on his vest. “Until I get what I came for, Marshal Masterson.”
Masterson inclined his head in acceptance, which Noah took as his cue to leave. He was halfway to the door when the marshal spoke. “By the way, my name’s Bat…or William Barclay or Bartholomew. But most folks call me Bat. Out of curiosity, Deputy, you got a plan where yer redhead’s concerned?”
Noah sighed. His new boss enjoyed sticking his nose where it wasn’t welcome. It appeared Bat had hired him for more than the role of deputy. He was to be a source of entertainment as well.
“No, but I’m working on one,” he called over his shoulder.
Bat’s laughter followed him out onto to the porch. Directly across stood the Dodge House Hotel, Bat and his lady friend Lizzie’s place of residence. To the left was the Northern Star.
Counting off the windows along the saloon’s second story, he retraced his route when he’d carried a trembling form. His gaze came to a rest on the room at the far corner, the one with the yellow curtains concealing worn wallpaper, a narrow bed and a small but devilishly stubborn woman.
He ransacked his mind for a plan. All he created was a chaos that rivaled Masterson’s storage room. What the hell was he going to do?
* * *
Sadie woke slowly , struggling through heavy layers of sleep. Memories hounded her, shrouded in fog, then flashed bright as lightning. An arm tightened around her neck. Metal gouged her temple. A gunshot banged. Davenport sprawled at her feet with a bullet in his head.
The gambler’s face morphed into Edward’s. His eyes opened and his lips moved. Find them.
She surged upright, her gaze ricocheting in every direction.
All she found were faded scarlet
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