Jake’s shrill whistles went unanswered. Without Red, he’d never catch up with Kat. Endless fields and tallgrass covered hills stretched in front of him. Maybe he should give up on her, but returning to Texas without proof of Duvall’s death was tough enough without adding an unwanted marriage. He had to find Red and then Kat. She’d robbed him and ran away; he deserved to know why. They could still get an annulment. The muscles in his arms tensed from packing the saddle, and the rifle scabbard rubbed the skin raw on his shoulder. He’d hoped to come upon a farmhouse, but when a clatter disrupted the quiet, he found it just as welcome. A sturdy mule, ridden by an ol’ timer, trudged in his direction. The mining pans tied to the saddle clanged together, …show more content…
The low cut bodice of her dress suggested other interests besides selling drinks. “Cowboy, we have imported champagne. The beer is made here in St. Louis.” Dark, charcoal eyelashes batted up and down. “Whatever you want, I’ll get it for you.” “Whiskey, ma’am.” Not long ago, he would have skipped the whiskey and followed her to bed, but she wasn’t Kat. She left and returned right away with the drink. Jake pretended to watch the gamblers at the poker tables and mumbled a brittle thank you. She leaned across the table and blocked his view with her ample cleavage. “You hungry? Our cook’s the best in the county. I could bring you the beef stew. It’s real good, mister.” He nodded. “The name’s Mel. It won’t take me but a minute or two.” She flashed a flirtatious smile and moved away. Jake tipped back in the pine chair, balancing on its two back legs. Where was Kat? He’d been to every seamstress and tailor shop in the city. When he’d failed there, he’d scoured the livery stables hoping to find Samson. The sheriff had nothing to report. He lowered the chair in defeat, a sense of loss stretching his nerves. Tomorrow, he’d arrange to return to Texas. # Down the hall, Kat listened to Mel gush about another drifter who caught her eye. She repeated the same story every