Gazing around the saloon, she wished she would see Rivera. Acting as a card dealer was fun; doing this every night would get old. She wanted to catch their man and get out of this hellhole of a town, before they got caught. Before Annabelle had her baby. She wanted to be there when her first niece or nephew made his or her appearance in the world.
As she walked back to her table, a fight broke out between one of the women upstairs and a man. He was pulling the whore by the hair down the stairs and she was screaming. Mrs. Hutchins ran to the man, not exactly pulling him off the girl, but more interested in his actions.
“What’s wrong?”
“I caught her stealing from me.”
“I did not,” the beautiful auburn haired girl said, her lips forming almost a pout. She looked young. Younger than Ruby.
“Her hands were in my pants,” the man said, slapping her on the head.
“She can put her hands in my pants,” a cowpoke yelled from across the room. “I can handle it.”
“No, I dozed off, and when I awoke, she was going through my pockets.”
After the way he’d pulled the woman by the hair and was slapping her on the head, Ruby hoped she’d taken him for every dime he had. Nobody deserved to be treated the way the man was handling the woman while the madam watched.
“Is this true, Hannah?” the madam asked.
“I…I was looking for a handkerchief,” the girl said, her body shaking.
The kid looked scared, and it was all Ruby could do to keep from going to her and telling her it was going to be okay.
“You were looking for money,” the geezer who she’d been with replied.
Mrs. Hutchins took the arm of the girl and whispered in her ear. She walked away toward the office, and a tear trickled down the girl’s cheek.
Ruby felt her chest tighten as sympathy filled her, making her stomach clench. Pity surged through her; she would hate that job. Putting up with men who abused her like this old man. The pawing, the smell, the dirty unwashed bodies, just the idea sent a shiver through Ruby.
“Sir, did she take any of your money?” Mrs. Hutchins asked.
“No, but she would have if I hadn’t woken up.”
Ruby watched as the madam soothed the man and turned his attention away to another girl.
“Hussy,” one of the men at her table muttered. “She should be on her back more if she isn’t happy with what she’s making.”
Ruby swallowed the bile that rose in her throat, anger replacing it, making her hands shake as she controlled the urge to smack the ignorant fool. If she tried to help the girl, she’d be run out of town, and the girl would still be enslaved to the madam.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Mr. Jones, while I work in the worst saloons, I’m still a lady, and I think there are more pleasant topics we could discuss.”
The man just about choked on his drink. “The card dealer wants to be treated with respect.” He laughed, his voice making a mockery of the courtesy she demanded.
“Luck is a lady and demands respect.”
The men at the table stared at her for a moment.
“Ante up, gentlemen, the next hand could be your lucky one.”
*
Deke waited in the shadows for Ruby to come out of the saloon. The moon was on the downward slope of the sky and would soon be setting. And she had yet to come out. When the whore had been reprimanded in public, he’d been afraid Ruby was going to step in and defend her. He’d watched her, seeing the emotions on her face, knowing she hated what she’d witnessed, holding his breath she wouldn’t interfere. If she had, they would have been run out of town with half the men chasing them, seeking vengeance.
Most people believed whores had little value, regardless that they were women.
Finally, the doors swung open and Ruby stepped out into the street.
“About time you got out of there.”
She jumped. “Good grief, you could let a girl know you’re there.”
“I’ve been waiting.” After watching her deal cards to ruthless men, he wasn’t about to let her walk down the street to the hotel alone, a mere two blocks, but where she could encounter all kinds of danger in the wee hours of the morning.
“Well, I just got off.”
“How did it go?” he asked, wondering if they’d hired her permanently. From what he could see, the men were more than anxious to have a seat at her table and play cards with the woman dealer and try to beat her. They thought she was an easy target, but soon learned she could handle the cards with the best of them.
“I’m hired. What about you? Did you see Rivera tonight?” she asked.
“Nope. He wasn’t there,” he said, thinking of at least three other criminals he’d spotted tonight, but none of them were the man they were searching for. And while he’d tried to ask discreetly, that bar was not a place you spent time asking questions, especially not inquiring about wanted men. “He’ll recognize me, so I’ll probably slip out if he comes in.”
“You’re right. You’ll have to get out of there before he sees you.”
Deke shook his head. He didn’t like the idea of leaving her alone in a saloon filled with randy men who would like nothing better than to partake of her womanly wiles.
A cool breeze blew, sending a shiver through her. Winter would soon arrive. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and warm her up, but he knew that would be frowned upon. Few people were about the street, just the town drunks and several men making their way home, but still people didn’t need to see them all cozy together. They might get the wrong idea.
“Aargh,” she cried. “I don’t know how women do this day in and day out. I could never work in a saloon for the rest of my life. And that whore. Oh, my God, I walked back down to the bar to get a drink, and I saw the madam slap her. Why don’t they walk out?”
“Maybe they can’t. Sometimes women are sold into prostitution,” he said, thinking of Laura and the reason he’d married her.
“That’s wrong. Evil.”
“The world treats women pretty badly,” he said, walking beside Ruby, his hands in his pocket, appearing relaxed, but observing the street. For some reason, he’d felt like they were being watched since they’d left the saloon. In this town, it wouldn’t be good to draw the attention of anyone. The quicker they finished this job, the better.
A board on the wooden sidewalk creaked, and he knew someone was behind them.
“Miss Callahan, I appreciate you giving me the honor of letting me walk you to the hotel, especially since I was headed in that direction. It being late and all, I would hate for a woman like yourself to be out alone.”
Her brows drew together in a frown, and she gazed at him like he’d lost his mind. With his eyes, he motioned behind them, and she opened her mouth in an O and dropped her purse. “How clumsy of me.”
At that point, he turned and glanced behind them, while Ruby leaned down to pick up her reticule.
“Evening, Sheriff,” he said. “What are you doing out so late?”
“Checking up on my citizens, finding out what they’re up to,” the burly man said. “The bigger question is what are the two of you doing out?”
“I just left the saloon, and I’m escorting Miss Callahan back to her hotel.”
The man frowned. “I thought you guys didn’t know each other.”
Ruby stood and glanced at the sheriff. She pulled her shoulders back, and Deke could have sworn she pushed her chest out further. If she had, he was going to give her hell.
“Sheriff, so good to see you. I got the job as card dealer over at Dusty’s Saloon. I just got off work, and Mr. Culver graciously offered to walk me home because you weren’t there to escort me. A girl can never be too careful how she gets home.”
Deke thought he was going to throw up as he watched the old man eating up everything she said, his eyes strained on her chest like he was feasting on Christmas dinner. But the ploy was working, as he didn’t seem too interested in the two
of them.
“You’re almost back to your hotel. I’ll let you folks get in. If I’m out and about late at night, I’d be proud to walk you back to your hotel,” he said, smiling at her.
Irritation flowed through Deke’s veins like water over a dam. Could Ruby stay out of trouble? It wasn’t good to play with the sheriff. After all, that could go bad in a heartbeat, and they might find both of themselves in trouble.
“Good night,” the sheriff said and walked on down the sidewalk toward the jail.
“Are you crazy?” Deke asked.
“What?” she said. “He took the bait.”
Yes, the old man had been devouring Ruby’s exposed chest and drinking in her bubbly personality all the while she’d turned the conversation away from the two of them knowing each other.
“That bait could get you killed or jailed or even worse. Don’t play with the sheriff, Ruby. He’s dangerous. He could get both of us killed.” The law in this town was known for being a vigilante outfit that fashioned the rulings however it fit their needs. If they learned Ruby and Deke were bounty hunters, they’d soon be climbing the golden stairs on a rope.
She waved him away. “You worry too much.”
“And you’re going to get yourself shot.”
Ruby took way too many chances, and one of these days, she’d roll the wrong dice and find herself in more trouble than she could handle.
They reached the hotel door. “I’m going up. I’m exhausted. Tomorrow, I’m riding out to the Rivera’s homestead.”
“What?”
Of all the crazy things for her to spring on him, like she was spraying him with buckshot.
“I was about to tell you. I learned tonight the Rivera family has a homestead not too far out of town.”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” he asked, wanting to throw her across his knee and bring his hand down on her lovely bottom.
“You were too busy trying to warn me away from the sheriff.”
“Woman, you drive me crazy.”
If only she knew he was a widower, she would know just how much being around her was a danger to him. A danger to the vows he’d made to himself, not Laura.
She smiled. “I don’t have to. You already are.”
Shaking his head, he just stared at her. Maybe she was right. He was definitely nuts to be here with her, taking a risk for another bounty.
*
The next afternoon, Deke sat on his horse, waiting on the side of the barn, while Ruby went to the door of the Rivera homestead. He was hidden just enough not to be seen, but close enough he could see what was going on.
This woman didn’t know the meaning of danger. At the mere mention of the word, she got excited. She loved taking chances and risking it all. That frightened him worse than a band of Comanche Indians.
Someday she was going to get hurt, and he didn’t want to be there to see it happen. As soon as they captured Rivera, he was gone. He wasn’t sticking around to watch Ruby get shot by a bounty that went wrong. Oh no, he wasn’t going to witness her dying. He’d seen one woman die and never again. While he couldn’t stop Ruby from her brazen actions, he didn’t have to watch her get herself killed.
She knocked on the door.
Finally, a man taller than herself with a scroungy beard and dark eyes opened the door. “What do you want?”
“Is this the Rivera home?” she asked.
“What if it is?” he said, not at all friendly.
Ruby shook her head. “I don’t know how to say this. I’m kind of embarrassed. I met James while he was in jail. Our church group was ministering to the prisoners, and well, he’s just the sweetest man. I wanted to come by and tell him hello. I’m in this area for a few days, and if he’s here, I’d love to say howdy.”
The man stared at her and shook his head. “What the hell are you talking about lady?”
“James Rivera? Is he here?”
“No, he’s not here. We haven’t seen him.”
The man was being cagy, and Deke couldn’t really blame him. Some strange woman showed up at his door, he wouldn’t tell her anything either.
“Well, darn. I was hoping we’d have time to catch up and say hello before I have to return. If he comes home, you tell him Martha came by to say hello. Tell him I’m praying for him.”
The man started to laugh at her. “Honey, no amount of prayers is going to help my brother, but you keep up the good work.” His eyes darkened, and then they trailed down Ruby’s body. “Would you like to come in and rest before you head back to town?”
Deke was reaching for his weapon, ready to storm in and rescue her if necessary.
“No, I’ve got to get back. I’m working temporarily at the saloon, dealing cards and trying to save souls,” she said with a laugh.
“What? You said you were praying for my brother and that your church group ministered to him in jail. But you work in a saloon?”
Shaking his head, Deke eased his hand away from his gun. The girl was taking crazy chances and making up stories as she went. And yet, she was damn good at getting people to talk.
“Where is the best place to reach sinners, but in a saloon? I’m a card dealer. Come see me and maybe lady luck will shine your way.”
He laughed. “If James comes home, I’ll definitely send him in your direction.”
She smiled at him in that Ruby flirtatious way that Deke just hated, unless it was aimed at him. He had no right to feel the jealousy that consumed him, but that didn’t stop him.
“Thanks!” she called out, walking away from the man. Stopping at her horse, she stepped into the stirrup of her saddle and swung up onto the animal.
The man stood in the doorway and watched as she rode off.
Deke released the breath he’d been holding. There for a minute, he feared he was going to have to go and save her, but somehow she’d pulled it off.
And told the man she was a Bible-thumping card dealer, but the worst part was he’d fell for it. She could probably talk a rattlesnake into being friends. She’d tell you whatever you needed to hear to get what she needed and people believed her.
Someday it was all going to catch up to her. When her world came apart, he wanted to be a long ways away.
Yet, he admired the girl. Her spirit was infectious and fun, and damn, she was the sexiest woman he’d ever met. Given the chance, he’d bed her in a heartbeat if not for the consequences.
Chapter Seven
The next day Ruby walked down the street headed for the mercantile. The wooden sidewalk resounded with each step she took. A warm breeze blew, scattering the dust from Main Street into any crack, crevice, or cleft. This dusty, little hellhole of a town was only three blocks long, and the people who lived and worked here were rugged, hearty souls who dealt with cold winters, hot summers, and dust. Lots of blowing, gritty, dust.
Oftentimes, if she befriended the owner of the local store, she could learn who had come in buying goods. It was a way to find out if the man you were looking for was in the area.
The sun beat down on the wooden sidewalk as she strolled like she didn’t have a care in the world toward the business. Dressed in her saloon outfit, she’d put a shawl over the top to cover her breasts, tying it strategically to hide her assets.
While she was at the store, she intended to fill up on supplies. Her little rouge pot was getting low, and she loved the dark red color it gave her lips.
As she hurried down the street, she saw the whore from last night, who had been accused of stealing, scurrying along the sidewalk. Hannah had been her name, and Ruby watched as she ducked her head and slid between two buildings.
What was going on?
Ruby hastened to catch up to her. As she all but ran, she saw one of the men from the saloon, searching the street as if he were looking for someone. Soon, he would be upon the alley the woman had gone into.
She watched the man turn and sprint down the alley. Ruby glanced along the path and could not see Hannah. On a whim, she went back
to the sidewalk to the next open alley, and there was Hannah.
“What are you doing?” Ruby called.
The girl’s eyes widened, and she put her finger to her lips.
Ruby waved to the girl and motioned for her to run. The girl frowned and gazed suspiciously, but dashed toward her. When she reached Ruby’s side, she pulled her into the mercantile.
“What are you doing?” Ruby asked.
Bruises marred the girl’s beautiful face, and her emerald eyes searched frantically about the store.
“I’m trying to escape,” the girl whispered. “I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t.”
“They’re hunting you. How do you plan to leave?”
“I…I was going to walk out of town,” the girl said, her voice shaky, her eyes wide with horror. “You don’t understand. I’m not this way. If I don’t leave, I’m going to kill myself.”
Shaking her head, Ruby frowned at the girl, warning her. “If you try to walk out of here, they’ll catch you. You think your life is bad now, they’ll make it even worse. You’re not prepared.”
There was no way the woman had a chance of escaping today. They were already searching for her; she probably wouldn’t make it out of town.
“I know. This is my third attempt. She said next time she’d kill me,” Hannah said, her emerald eyes dark with despair.
Ruby sighed. She had to help the girl; there was no way she could walk away from her, especially after viewing the bruises on her face. Women needed to know how to defend themselves, how to make a living without it being on their backs. And gosh, darn it, Ruby McKenzie had the secret.
“Deke is going to kill me,” she said with a sigh. She gazed at Hannah. “Just play along with me for now. Do what I say.”
Putting her arm through the whore’s, she strolled to the window of the mercantile where they could gaze out at the town and be seen standing inside the business. “Act like we’re shopping and you’re having fun. And for God’s sake smile. Maybe even laugh.”
The girl plastered on the most petrified smile Ruby had ever seen on a human being man or female.
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