Read Online Luke's Gold by Charles G. West - Free Book Online Page B

away from the firelight. Luke got up as well, but remained by the fire, staring at their visitor. “Well, I’ll be . . .” he mumbled under his breath when he discovered that the caller was a woman.
    â€œEvening, gents,” the woman called out cheerfully upon pulling her horse to a stop before the fire. “My name’s Belle. I heard there was a couple of fine-looking gentlemen passing through our little town, and I thought it would be a shame if I didn’t at least give you a little word of welcome.”
    â€œWhy, yes ma’am, Miss Belle,” Luke was quick to respond. He unconsciously reached up to twist the ends of his handlebar mustache. “Step down and light a spell. We can offer you some coffee. That’s about all we got right now.” He moved quickly to offer his hand to assist her. One glance at the buxom woman left little doubt of the kind of welcome she specialized in.
    â€œI’ve got a better idea,” she said with a giggle. “Me and two other ladies run a little social club between the sawmill and the ferry. Why don’t you and your friend there come on back with me, and we’ll have a little drink of whiskey—and anything else you boys might have a hankering for.”
    â€œWell now,” Luke replied, his face alight with the thoughts stampeding through his brain, “that sounds like a right friendly idea.” Unable to take his eyes off Belle, he asked, “Whaddaya say, Cade? We could stand a little female company right now, couldn’t we?”
    Cade, silent to that moment, was not sure he and Luke were seeing the same woman. Evidently not as desperate for female companionship as his partner, he was not intrigued by the obvious assets of Belle Whatever-Her-Name-Was. In fact, he was inclined to believe that inside the billowy gingham frock there might lie a generous landscape that could frighten a man. He had no prior experience with prostitutes, and there was nothing about the aging puffy face behind the rouge and lip paint that tempted him to gain that experience at this particular moment. She looked to be a few years older than Luke, and Luke claimed to be forty.
    â€œWhaddaya say, partner?” Luke asked again when Cade failed to respond right away.
    â€œYou go ahead,” Cade finally replied. “I’ll stay here and watch the camp.”
    Luke immediately showed his disappointment. “Don’t you wanna get . . .” He hesitated as if he might offend the lady.
    â€œI’ll guarantee you a good time,” Belle offered in hopes of changing Cade’s mind. “Since you boys are just passing through, I might consider knocking a little off the price if both of you come along.”
    â€œMuch obliged,” Cade said, “but if you just make sure Luke has a good time, that’ll do.”
    For the short time the two had been partners, Luke had already learned that his young friend was not easily swayed when he had made up his mind. And Luke picked up the note of finality in Cade’s tone. Well, he thought, it’s his loss. No reason I can’t have a little fun. Breaking out a wide grin for Belle, he said, “Come on, honey. I’ll throw a saddle on ol’ Sleepy, and we’ll go have a party.”
    Cade emptied the dregs of the coffeepot into his cup and stood watching while Luke hurriedly saddled his horse. He wasted no thoughts on judgment, although he could think of a good many better uses for the money Luke was bound to part with before the night was over. Their morning departure might be postponed for a day as a result, but Cade was in no particular hurry, anyway. Better that Luke get his itch scratched now that he had developed it, Cade supposed. But it’s gonna take more than that old whore to give me the itch. He continued to watch until the image of Luke faded into the evening shadows, following along behind Miss Belle’s buckboard. Then he threw the last few