HisBootsUnderHerBed Read Online Free Page A

looking for Bates and Skull. Have any luck?”
    “Not yet. How well do you know them?”
    “Well enough to know you’ve got the wrong two in mind. Bates and Skull were here last night all evening. Had to kick them out when I closed up.”
    “Is that right? Got anyone who can back up that story?”
    Mo glared at him. “Why would anyone have to? My word’s always been good enough for the folks around here, Fraser.”
    “Think I’ll check out your story with that blonde at the table over there. I remember seeing her here last night.”
    “Won’t do you no good, Fraser. She left about the same time you did.”
    “Rather hear that from her.”
    “Keep this up, Fraser, and I’m gonna start taking it personal.”
    “Take it any way you want, pal. I know Bates and Skull tried to shanghai me, and I take that very personal.”
    “You’ve as much as called me a liar. That could be a big mistake.”
    Garth downed the shot of whiskey and threw a coin on the bar. “It wouldn’t be my first one, Mo.”
    He walked casually over to Rory and sat down. “You were right about Mo. He’s in on it. He just told me Bates and Skull were here all evening last night. I told him I was coming over here to ask you about them, so go along with me and start shaking your head as if you don’t know anything. Just hold to the story that you left early last night, and went straight to your room and bed. That way they won’t suspect you helped me.”
    “That’s good of you, but if I thought they suspected me, I wouldn’t be sitting here now. I’ve got more sense than that.”
    “I’ve looked everywhere today trying to find those two. They probably left town.”
    “Did you think to try that ship anchored out there?” Rory asked. Aware that Mo was watching them intently, she went along with Garth’s suggestion and shook her head as she spoke. “What are you trying to do, Garth? Get yourself killed? Get out of town while you’re still able.”
    “Good girl,” he said, and stood up. “I’ll leave you, so he’ll buy the act.”
    Garth started to walk away just as the piano player announced his arrival with a loud treble on the keys.
    “Hey, cowboy, sorry I couldn’t be of any help, but for twenty-five cents I’ll dance with you,” Rory called out, loud enough for Mo to hear.
    Garth stopped and turned back to her. “Now, why didn’t I think of that?”
    Rory stood up and slipped the coin he handed her into a velvet pouch pinned to her gown.
    What a difference from the other men she’d danced with, she thought as he glided her across the floor. No furious arm jerking, no trampling on her toes. His movements were so smooth that she closed her eyes and gave herself up to the music. The provocative scent of male and musk aroused her senses, and the warmth of his body was exciting. This intense physical awareness of him was too dangerous to encourage—but too exciting to discourage.
    Too soon, Gus ended the song, and she opened her eyes and returned to her real world of a smoky barroom with the odor of cheap cigars and a cacophony of raised voices, clinking glasses, and clattering boots on the wooden floor.
    “It’s getting noisy down here, Rory. Why don’t we continue our drinking and dancing upstairs?”
    “Sorry, Mr. Fraser, but I’ve told you I don’t go upstairs,” she replied when Mo came over to the table to refill their glasses.
    “If you want more than dances and drinks, I suggest you move on. You’re discouraging my other customers.”
    “That’s no way to treat a money-paying customer,” Mo grumbled.
    “Matter of fact, I don’t feel much like dancing anymore. I’m tired; I think I’ll go home,” Rory said.
    “It would be my pleasure to see you safely to your door, Miss Rory,” Garth said.
    “I’m quite capable of seeing myself to my door, Mr. Fraser.”
    “My mama would turn over in her grave if she thought a son of hers wouldn’t escort a lady to safety.”
    “From what I’ve heard, you’re