Read Online Town of Two Women (9781101612125) by J.r. Roberts - Free Book Online Page A

killed.”
    â€œWell,” Doc said, “they know where she is.”
    â€œYeah,” Clint said, “and that’s a problem.”
    â€œSo we’ve got to move her.”
    â€œYeah,” Clint said, “but where to? Are there any other people in town who might help?”
    â€œI’ll have to think about that,” Doc said. “Everybody pretty much kowtows to the Locksleys.”
    â€œThere must be somebody we can put her with who’ll keep an eye on her until she can travel.”
    â€œI’ll think about it.”
    â€œI had supper with Gina Hopewell tonight.”
    â€œNice girl,” he said. “Too bad she works for Locksley.”
    â€œShe doesn’t like him very much.”
    â€œNobody does.”
    â€œWhat about her?” Clint asked. “What if I asked her to take Mary in?”
    â€œWhy would she want that kind of trouble?” Doc asked.
    â€œThen what about the waitress? Amy?”
    â€œShe’s a nice woman,” Doc said. “She doesn’t need that kind of trouble either.”
    â€œI suppose not. What about a man? The sheriff?”
    â€œNo, not him,” Doc said.
    â€œI didn’t think so. What about somebody we could hire?”
    â€œHire?” he asked. “We?”
    â€œMe,” Clint said. “Anybody I could hire? I mean, if the Locksleys can hire somebody, so could I.”
    â€œYou want to hire some guns?”
    â€œIf I needed guns,” Clint said, “I wouldn’t have to hire any. I’ve got friends I could send for.”
    â€œThen maybe you should do that,” Doc said. “Ask some of your friends to come and help.”
    Clint rubbed the back of his neck.
    â€œI got myself into this,” Clint said. “I don’t think I’ve got the right to ask my friends to put their lives on the line for Mary.”
    â€œYou’re doing it,” Doc said.
    â€œSo are you, Doc,” Clint said. “Why?”
    Doc shrugged.
    â€œI should’ve tried to help her before,” he said. “I guess I’ll try now. I’ll keep giving it some thought. Maybe I can come up with somebody who’ll take her in.”
    â€œGina and Amy,” Clint said, “they’re the nicest people I’ve met in town. So I think I’ll ask them if they can think of anybody.”
    â€œGood idea,” Doc said. “Give Mary and me time to finish this stew, and you can go back to the café and talk to Amy.”
    â€œI think I’ll do that,” Clint said. He settled back in his chair and watched the older man finish his supper.

TWENTY-TWO
    Tolbert pulled his pants back up. Angela Locksley stepped back, ran her fingers around her mouth to make sure she was clean.
    â€œIs that what you had in mind?” she asked.
    â€œThat,” he said, “and money.”
    â€œYou’ll get your money,” she said.
    â€œHalf before,” Wes Tolbert said, “and half after.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œDoes your husband know about this?”
    â€œNo,” she said, “he doesn’t know anything. He’s useless.”
    She turned to look at him, then closed on him and took hold of his arms.
    â€œI need a man who can get things done, Wes,” she said. “Are you that man?”
    He smiled at her.
    â€œI just had you on your knees, didn’t I?” he asked.
    She smiled and said, “You want me on my back?”
    â€œYou know it.”
    â€œThen you’re my man,” she said, squeezing his arm.
    *   *   *
    Clint walked back to the café, which was empty by the time he got there. Amy was sitting at a back table, waiting to see if any customers would come late. Clint didn’t smell anything cooking.
    â€œBrought back your things,” he said.
    â€œThank you.”
    She took the plates, forks, knives, and tray from him, and set them aside.
    â€œI don’t smell anything