Read Online Straw Men by J. R. Roberts - Free Book Online Page B

is to spend a few days with his men and see what I can see. I’m not stupid enough to let him or any of the soldiers in his pocket get close to me.”
    â€œYou’re stupid enough to sleep in his bunk house,” Abigail pointed out. “That snake in the grass might just slit yer throat before you wake up.”
    Clint shook his head and waited for another couple of Army men to pass by. Even though they didn’t seem interested in what he was saying, Clint waited for the soldiers to pass. “We butted heads, but Farelli came out of it smelling like a rose. He’s got a promotion and he seems perfectly happy running this place into the ground. He’s a pig in slop and the worst he’s probably got lined up for me is to throw me to some angry Indians that he doesn’t realize are on good terms with me. Whether he knows it or not, I’m suited for this job. If I could’ve arranged to meet with the Navajo to stop this bloodshed on my own, I would’ve done it.”
    â€œEven if Farelli had to be involved?”
    â€œEven if he was to be involved,” Clint assured her. “He doesn’t even want to come along for this meeting, which fits perfectly with what I already know about the man.”
    â€œSo you just want to try and do this job right whether the colonel wants it that way or not?”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    She shook her head, but then started to laugh uncomfortably. “Yer a hell of a brave man or a damn stupid one,” she said. “At least yer heart’s in the right place.”
    â€œI appreciate that…I think. Whichever kind of man I am, I don’t want you coming along with me for this job.”
    â€œI wasn’t about to ask,” she quickly replied. “If I wanted to lock horns with every tribe this side of the Rockies, not even the great high and mighty Gunsmith could talk me out of it.”
    Clint reached out to slide his hand around the back of her head so he could pull her close. No matter how much Abigail tried to strut and snarl like a fighter, she melted against him the moment she felt her lips touch his. Her face was dirty as always, but her skin was soft to the touch. After he let her go, Abigail needed a moment to rebuild her hardened exterior.
    â€œTake care of yourself, Abigail. Don’t get in over your head.”
    â€œThe same goes for you, Adams,” she said as her hand drifted quickly between his legs. “And next time we cross paths, I’ll take care of you.”

SIXTEEN
    Clint spent the rest of that day waiting for something to happen. He got situated in his bunk and waited for someone to approach him about the next day’s events. He ate supper with the rest of the soldiers and had a beer at the small saloon that was set up in what appeared to have been an old blacksmith’s tent. He went to sleep expecting to be approached by Farelli or one of his assistants and he woke up wondering if he’d been forgotten somewhere along the line.
    Not only was Clint left alone, but he was completely ignored. It seemed the rest of the men had plenty to do between their own duties and the daily affairs that were required to keep the fort running. When something actually did happen, Clint was almost startled enough to jump.
    â€œMister Adams?” a young man in a private’s uniform asked.
    Clint was buckling up his saddlebag when the younger man approached his bunk. “That’s me.”
    â€œYou’re the one that supposed to ride out with Lieutenant McGurn?”
    â€œWhere’s the lieutenant heading?”
    The young soldier blinked and replied, “To meet with those Indians, sir.”
    â€œThen I’m the one you’re looking for,” Clint replied.
    Nodding as if he was on the wrong side of a bad joke, the private said, “I’m to show you to the stable, then. All of us are about to leave.”
    â€œWhat about Colonel