Read Online Slocum and the Warm Reception by Jake Logan - Free Book Online

resting upon his chest, patiently waiting for Slocum to regain some wind as a contented grin drifted across her face.

6
    After a long day spent in the stables and a longer night in his rented room, Slocum drifted off to sleep in a lumpy bed that was too small to share with anyone. Vivienne wasn’t upset when she left him that night. On the contrary, she politely came up with a short list of reasons why she couldn’t stay and Slocum wasn’t offended in the slightest.
    Bright and early the following morning, Slocum woke up and walked downstairs for some breakfast. The saloon wasn’t open for business quite yet, but the owner was already cleaning up the place. He was more than happy to whip up some griddle cakes and coffee for him. The meal tasted like it had been made by a barkeep instead of a cook, but there were plenty of griddle cakes to be had with more than enough butter and syrup to give them some flavor. When his belly was full, Slocum tipped his hat to the barkeep, settled his bill, and carried his saddlebags to the stable.
    Vivienne was there, but so were the liveryman and the town’s head lawman. Marshal spoke to the other man in hushed tones, casting a few stern glances in Slocum’s direction before leading the other man outside and out of earshot.
    â€œWhat’s that about?” Slocum asked as he went to his horse’s stall and picked up his saddle.
    She had her sleeves rolled up and was using a pitchfork to pile hay into a corner. Even with her blond hair tied back and dirt smudging her face, she still stirred something inside him. Using the back of her hand to wipe some sweat from her forehead, she replied, “There’s been some trouble in town. I’m surprised you didn’t hear.”
    â€œBetween the ruckus we caused and the sleep I fell into afterward, I didn’t hear much.”
    â€œYou might want to keep your voice down about that.”
    â€œWhy?” Slocum asked. “Still worried about your reputation?”
    If he’d been talking to anyone else in her situation, he might have watched his tongue before saying something like that. But Vivienne was a free spirit, and even though he didn’t have trouble believing she’d committed a sin or two, she seemed to have a good handle on things. When she heard him say that, however, a wince tugged at the corners of her mouth that made Slocum wish he’d been a little more cautious with his words.
    Slocum placed a hand on her shoulder and said, “Sorry if I struck a nerve. I really haven’t heard much of anything since I saw you.”
    She smiled. “I didn’t hear much about it until I left your room last night. And even then, I only heard because it involved some folks I know rather well.”
    â€œIn a town this size, I’d imagine you know just about everybody.”
    â€œThat might be true if they wanted to know me.”
    Once again, Slocum felt bad for sticking his foot in his mouth.
    â€œOne of the stable hands was killed. Cut up pretty bad,” she continued. “Sheriff thinks it may have been in a fight.”
    â€œIs it anyone I might have seen while I was here?”
    â€œMaybe. His name is Derrick. Came to town less than six months ago all the way from Boston I think. He was always nice to me. Of course, he always wanted something more than just a how-do-you-do, but that’s not uncommon.”
    â€œA woman looking like you must get used to that sort of thing.” Slocum was glad to see the tired smile his compliment brought to Vivienne’s face. The smile disappeared just as quickly as it had come when the sheriff and the liveryman stomped in through the front doors.
    â€œWhere were you last night?” Marshal asked. “Couldn’t find hide nor hair of you.”
    â€œDidn’t know I was on such a short leash,” Slocum replied.
    â€œLong as you’re in my town, you’ll be on any leash I please. For now, just