Read Online Xenia’s Renegade by Agnes Alexander - Free Book Online Page B

adjoining rooms, or if you don’t have that, we’ll take one with two beds. We’d also like to order baths sent up, if that’s possible.”
    The baby began to cry and his blanket fell away as Mea Ann lifted him to her shoulder. She began cooing to him and patting his back.
    The clerk frowned. “That looks like an Indian baby.”
    Xenia frowned back at him. “What difference does that make?”
    “It makes a great deal of difference, lady. We don’t allow white women who’ve given birth to Indian babies in here. Women like that are more suited to staying at the Golden Door Saloon.”
    Xenia’s eyes flamed anger. “How dare you suggest such a thing to my sister and me!”
    “Well, Missy, I dare say such a thing because this is a decent family hotel. We’d be out of business if we rented rooms to people who don’t respect common decency. Now, pick up your bags and get out of here.”
    “Are you actually throwing us out on the street this time of evening?”
    “I said you could go to the saloon if you don’t have anywhere else to go. I’m sure they’ll take you in, especially if you get rid of that baby.”
    “You’re a vile man.” Xenia grabbed the luggage. “Let’s get out of here, Mea Ann.”
    “I tried to warn you about the treatment you’d get in Deer Meadow.” Bullins, who had paused on the stairs to hear what went on with the hotel clerk, gave Xenia a snide look. “I guess you believe me, now. The good folks in this town don’t want to have nothing to do with Indian babies, even if they are only something you rescued.”
    Xenia ignored him, and as they went out the door the man behind the desk yelled, “If you’ve got the nerve, you can try Miss Emma Wright’s Boarding House on the edge of town, but don’t be surprised if you get the same treatment there as what you got here. She don’t like breeds any better than I do.”
    Xenia didn’t answer, but she heard the clerk and Lou Bullins laughing.
    On the street, Mea Ann turned to her. “What are we going to do, Xenia?”
    “We have no choice. We have to try the boarding house. Say a prayer she isn’t as bigoted as that horrible man said she was.”
    An hour later, the sisters were back on the street. Johnny had cried himself to sleep and Mea Ann held him close to her chest. Tears ran down her cheek. “I can’t believe that woman said if I’d leave the baby outside she’d let us have a room.”
    “I can’t believe this town is so unfeeling. What’s wrong with these people?”
    “I don’t know, Xenia, but we’ve got to do something. We can’t stay on the street tonight, and we should have milked the cow. Johnny is hungry.”
    Xenia squared her shoulders and picked up the bags. “I heard Wilt tell Ray they were going to the saloon after they took care of the stage and the animals. We’ll go there and see if he’ll help us.”
    Mea Ann hesitated. “Oh, my, Xenia. Should we go to a place like that?”
    “What choice do we have, Mea Ann? It’s either that or sleep on the street.”
    “You’re right.” She shifted Johnny to her other shoulder. “Let’s go find that place.”
    ****
    “Mind if I join you?” Wilt asked.
    Ty looked around the scantily dressed redhead sitting on his lap and nodded at Wilt.
    “If Miss Sassy Sue doesn’t mind, I sure don’t.”
    She smiled up at Wilt. “I don’t mind at all, sweetie. Have a seat. What can I get you to drink?”
    “Whiskey for me,” Wilt said.
    Sassy Sue looked down at Ty. “How about you, sweetheart? You ready for another shot?”
    Ty shrugged. “Might as well.”
    “Why don’t I just bring you guys a bottle? I’ll ask old grumpy Hiram if he’ll let me serve you the good stuff.”
    “What’s the matter with Hiram?”
    “Oh, you know how he gets sometimes. Him and Seymour had an argument this afternoon.”
    Wilt frowned. “I’m surprised. What were they fighting about? His pay?”
    “Actually, it was about Little Lil. Hiram has had a soft spot for her ever since