Read Online Cera's Place by Elizabeth McKenna - Free Book Online Page A

hands. “That’s fine, Miss Cassidy. Have it your way, but it doesn’t end here.” He turned to Jake. “Do I get my gun back?”
    Jake tilted his head. “Outside.”
    With a sneer, Biggs motioned to his men and then headed for the door. Jake winked at Cera and followed the three men out into the street.
    *****
    Clear of the swinging doors, Biggs rounded on Jake. “I don’t know who you are, stranger, but that bitch is poking her nose where it don’t belong. She and her gang of ex-whores are going to end up cold as wagon tires. If you don’t want to join them, I suggest you stay clear.” Jabbing Jake’s chest with his finger, he tattooed each word of his warning.
    Jake chewed his lip as if seriously considering the advice. “Well, I’m much obliged for your concern, sir, but I think I’ll stick around for awhile.” He spun the cylinder on Biggs’ gun, scattering the bullets across the sidewalk.
    “Suit yourself.” Biggs grabbed the gun from Jake’s hand. “Quinn! Lewis! Get your asses moving! I need a drink.”
    Before obeying the order, Quinn leaned forward and spit a gob of tobacco juice on Jake’s boot. He smiled, revealing a row of brown, rotted teeth. When Biggs yelled again, Quinn scurried after his boss.
    “Nice. Real nice,” Jake muttered, rubbing the toe of his boot into the dusty street.
    *****
    When Jake sauntered back into the saloon, Ginger rushed over to him. “What happened? What did Biggs say? Are you crazy, Jake?”
    “Hush now, Ginger. Let the man be.” Cera’s eyes locked on Jake. For a brief moment, all the questions she wanted to ask perched on the tip of her tongue, before she swallowed them away. She walked to the bar and poured a shot of whiskey. Turning toward her customers, she lifted the glass in a toast and slammed the shot. “Drinks on the house!” she called out and the crowd answered with cheers.
    On Cera’s cue, drinks were served and gambling resumed. Within seconds, laughter and boisterous voices mixed with the jaunty tune Isaac spun out on the piano. As far as the customers were concerned, the confrontation with Biggs never happened.
    Jake came over to her and motioned to the room with one hand. “You handled that well.”
    She let out a long breath. “Thanks, but you didn’t need to get involved.”
    “Oh?”
    “Yes, I would have handled it. I was handling it just fine.” Her voice sounded more confident than she felt.
    “I see, and that’s the way you like it, huh? Handling everything on your own?”
    Her eyes narrowed. “I gave you my thanks. Now excuse me, I have work to do. Please enjoy the rest of your night.” She brushed past him and headed for the gaming tables.
    After the last customer left, Jake still sat in the corner. Tapping her foot, she considered throwing him out, but shook her head instead. “Go back to wherever you came from, Mr. Tanner.”
    From across the room, his eyes challenged her. “No, not until you talk to me.”
    “My, you are an obstinate man.” She nodded at his full whiskey. “What’s the matter, my alcohol’s not good enough for you?”
    He took a small sip and grinned. “Can’t taste any poison. Guess I don’t like to drink alone.”
    Grabbing a glass and a bottle from the bar, she gave in and walked over to his table. “If I have a drink with you, will you leave?”
    “Eventually.”
    After Cera poured the whiskey, they toasted each other. She took a long sip and her shoulders dropped a few degrees.
    “So why does that thug you threw out of your saloon tonight want you dead?” Jake asked.
    She flinched at his words. “Did he say that?”
    “In so many words. He also advised me to stay clear of you if I wanted to live.”
    “That’s good advice,” she admitted, pointing her glass at him. “You should take it.”
    “I’m not going anywhere, but it would be easier to help if you told me what is going on.”
    “I didn’t ask for your help,” she reminded him.
    “So you’re going to fight this man