Joker's Wild Read Online Free Page B

bankrupt before you get started.”
    “Oh, I’m a betting man all right. But that’s another story. I’ll tell you about my gambling habits tomorrow after breakfast.” Joker turned his attention to his food.
    “I told you, I don’t eat breakfast. I have to watch my weight. I have …” Her voice trailed off. “No, I don’t have to—not any more. But I’m not having breakfast with you. I don’t know you.”
    She wasn’t sure that she wanted to know this man who seemed intent on becoming a part of her life. For too long somebody had been directing her, planning her every move. She wasn’t sure how to go about it, but she had to decide what she was going to do, not this stranger, no matter how soothing his presence was.
    “We can fix that.” He formally extended his hand. “Allison Josey, meet Joker. Joker, this dark-haired beauty is Allison Josey, a very special lady who needs you more than she knows.”
    Allison felt his big warm hand cover hers and trembled at the instant glow she felt as they shook hands. He smiled. “Needs you?” She pulled her hand away and glanced down. “Why do you keep saying that?”
    Joker watched as she listlessly pushed the food around her plate with her fork. The cornbread had disappeared, along with a few bites of chicken and some peas. He could see that she had no interest in the rest of her food.
    “Because when I touch you, I can feel your pain. I don’t expect you to understand what I’m saying, Allison. Just trust me. I’m going to be your friend. I know that you’ve been sick, that someone has hurt you, and that you’ve come home to get well.”
    Allison’s head shot up. “How do you know that? Does my grandmother know what happened?” She couldn’t keep the alarm from her voice. She’d meant to write to Gran and tell her the whole truth, but Gran had fallen and had ended up in the nursing home before she could. The stories about Mark’s new partner had hit the gossip sheets while Allison was having her knee operated on, and by that time it was too late.
    “No, don’t worry, Beauty, it’s all right. Miss Lenice knows that you had surgery, that’s all. I just get special feelings sometimes. I can sense certain things.”
    “And that makes you a friend?”
    “Not yet, but we’ll work on it.”
    His words didn’t seem strange. There was an atmosphere of well-being in the room that seemed at odds with the uncertainty she ought to be feeling. She felt as if she were acting out a fantasy, being there in her grandmother’s kitchen, calmly eating fried chicken with a red-haired giant with a beard.
    “It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a friend who didn’t want something from me. Maybe I’d like to believe you, Joker, more than you know. But I’m not sure that I know how to trust anybody. I’m not even sure what I expected to accomplish by coming home.”
    “Sometimes we don’t understand why things happen,” Joker said seriously. “I just knew themoment I came to this house that this was where I belonged. I need this place, and you need me. What say we help each other? Deal?” He took her hand again and squeezed it gently.
    “Joker, I’m sure my grandmother is immensely fond of you, but I really came here to … be alone to make decisions that only I can make. I don’t know if I can do that if you’re constantly around. You seem to be able to get inside my mind and that bothers me.”
    “I don’t want you to be afraid of me, Beauty. I only want you to be well.” He stroked the palm of her hand with his thumb, feeling her tension begin to disappear. He hadn’t meant to make her uneasy. He hadn’t meant to touch her. But she seemed to need him.
    “All right,” she finally agreed, sliding her fingers from his grip. “If Gran trusted you, so will I, for now—if you’ll confine your work to the grounds. It’s getting late, and I’m very tired. Just leave the dishes, and I’ll do them tomorrow.”
    She struggled to her feet,