Read Online Sabrina's Man by Gilbert Morris - Free Book Online

returned saying that Barton had moved, apparently right after he sold the store. I have the address he left with his landlady.” He turned, walked over to a file, opened it, and pulled out a slip of paper. “Not much help, I’m afraid.”
    Waco stared at the note.
General Delivery, New York City
.
    â€œSoldier, take the advice of an older man. Go to the police at once. Your friend has sold you out.”
    â€œI’ll be back.” Waco whirled and walked out, mounted Sarge, and headed down toward the house he had bought. He felt like when he had almost taken a bullet in battle. It had left him empty in the stomach and his pulse beating rapidly. He pulled up in front of Will’s house and saw that it looked basically the same. He dismounted, walked up to the door, and knocked.
    When the door opened, a woman greeted him. She was in her midthirties, he thought, with a wealth of brown hair and brown eyes. “Can I help you?”
    â€œI’m not sure,” Waco said slowly. “Is the man of the house here?”
    â€œNo, my husband, Samuel Trent, works for the railroad. He won’t be back for two more days. I’m Hattie Trent. Is there something I can help you with, Mr. . . .”
    â€œI’m Waco Smith. May I ask when you bought this house?”
    â€œWell, we moved here only three months ago. The house was such a bargain. Mr. Barton said they were leaving to go east, but he didn’t say where.”
    â€œHe didn’t leave an address of any kind?”
    â€œNo, I’m afraid not. Is something wrong?”
    â€œDid you meet his wife?”
    â€œYes, I did. They hadn’t been married too long. I did find that much out.”
    Waco knew that further questioning of this woman was useless. The truth was sinking in on him, and he had a hollow feeling in his chest. Slowly Waco said, “Thank you,” turned, and walked away. He mounted his horse, moving slowly. He did not urge Sarge but let him walk slowly down the street. When he came to the sheriff ’s office, he was relieved to see that Micah Satterfield still held the position. Waco dismounted, tied Sarge to the rail, and then walked inside.
    Micah was sitting at a desk. When he looked up and his eyes lit on Waco, he jumped to his feet and cried out, “Waco!”
    â€œHello, Micah.”
    â€œIt sure is great to see you back from the war safe and sound.”
    â€œI’m afraid I’ve got some trouble here, Micah.”
    â€œWhat’s the matter? You got wounded?”
    â€œNot by a bullet, but I found out Will sold the store and house and ran off with Alice.”
    â€œWell, I knew they left together.” Micah looked down at the floor as if he hated to look into Waco’s eyes. “I sure did hate to have to face you with it. I guess they got married just before they left town. I heard about them selling the house and the business. Have you been down to talk to the new owner?”
    â€œYes, I have.”
    Micah said, “Well, I don’t know what charges we can bring. The lawyer who handled the sale said that Will was the only name on the property.”
    â€œThat’s right, Micah. I signed it all over to him so it would be easier.” He grinned wryly and said, “Of course I didn’t realize he’d be taking it all anyway.”
    â€œWe’ll see if we can run him down.”
    â€œI don’t guess it would do any good.” He hesitated as if he wanted to say something else, then turned and said, “If you hear anything of them, let me know.”
    â€œWhere’ll you be staying?”
    â€œI’ll get a room at the hotel.” Waco left, but instead of going to the hotel, he rode down Main Street. His mind seemed to be closing. He couldn’t think clearly. “I can’t believe I was so wrong about a man—and a woman.”
    He glanced down the street and saw the sign T HE G OLDEN N UGGET. It was an old