Boots and Wishes: Ugly Stick Saloon, Book 8 Read Online Free

“I was just telling your wife that I’ve run out of gas.”
    “We can help you get to a gas station.” Jackson draped an arm over Audrey’s shoulder.
    She leaned against him, slipping her arm around his waist. “The truck stop at the highway junction in Temptation stays open twenty-four hours.”
    “I keep a spare gas can in the back of my truck,” Jackson offered.
    “I don’t want to be any trouble. But I was also telling Audrey that not only did I run out of gas, I’m short on funds.” She dipped her head.
    Audrey smiled at the woman. “I offered to let her park her camper out back here until she earns enough money to fund her travels. She can work at the Ugly Stick Saloon.”
    Beth glanced at the saloon and back at the trailer. The hair over her temple shifted, exposing a purple bruise. “I’d love to help, but I’m not sure that I can.”
    Audrey shrugged. “Of course, you might not want to work in a saloon. I sometimes forget not everyone approves of drinking and dancing. No worries. I’m sure we can find something more suitable in Temptation.”
    Beth reached out for Audrey’s hand. “No, it’s not that I disapprove, it’s just that I have…commitments—”
    A small cry sounded from inside the camp trailer.
    Audrey stiffened beside Jackson, the hand around his waist tightened and her fingernails dug into his skin.
    “Excuse me. I was in the middle of feeding time.” Beth spun and darted into the trailer as the cries became more urgent.
    With each tiny cry Jackson’s gut knotted more and he sucked in a breath, preparing to catch Audrey as she fell apart.
    The baby’s cry reached into Audrey’s heart and tugged hard. She tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. What cruel trick was God playing on her? She’d asked Him to give her a baby. Not flaunt another woman’s baby at her as she continued to be barren, childless and empty.
    Like a rubbernecker drawn to an auto accident, Audrey couldn’t turn away, couldn’t leave when her feet were firmly rooted to the ground. Her heart slowed to a dull, heavy plod as she waited for Beth to emerge from the trailer, a tiny infant in her arms.
    Beth held the child and her face softened in a warm smile as she balanced the baby on her arm while holding a bottle with her other hand. Glancing up, she said, “This is Mia. My daughter.”
    Audrey couldn’t make her mouth form words. She stood in dumb silence, her gaze riveted on the infant child.
    Thankfully, Jackson could speak and he did. “Well hello, Mia.” He leaned over the baby and touched her cheek. “How old is she?”
    “One month and six days,” Beth said, her voice little more than a whisper.
    “Isn’t it kind of soon to be on the road with one that small?” Jackson noted.
    Beth glanced away, her lips thinning. “We had no choice. I’d reached the end of my…lease. I had to leave.”
    “Where are you headed? Maybe we can help you get there,” Jackson offered.
    Audrey stood stock-still, a solid lump lodged firmly in her throat, taking it all in but unable to offer any words of advice or comfort when her own heart was breaking.
    She wasn’t pregnant. Holding her own baby in her arms was never further out of her reach than at that moment.
    Again Beth stared off into the distance, anywhere but at Jackson. “I’m headed west.”
    “Is your family expecting you? You could always use the phone inside if you’d like to call. Cell phones are not very reliable out here.” Jackson waved a hand toward the saloon.
    “No.” Beth’s eyes widened. “No, I don’t have any family. It’s just me and Mia.”
    “I could pull the trailer to a campground tomorrow. You might be more comfortable with hookups than back here behind the saloon.”
    “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay here for at least the night. I’ve been on the road for twelve hours. It’s hard on Mia and we’re both just so very tired.”
    Audrey’s empathy finally pushed past the heartache of seeing baby Mia.