Slocum #395 : Slocum and the Trail to Yellowstone (9781101553640) Read Online Free

hours’ sleep during the night. His gun belt hung handy to him on the upper bunk post and, finally down to his one-piece underwear, he crawled into the bed and under the covers. It would be cold by daylight in this high elevation, summer or no summer.
    He awoke. Not sure why at first, but then he felt the presence of another person in the room. Starlight shone in through a small four-paned window, letting in enough light for him to see Jennifer’s form in the doorway.
    â€œYou can’t sleep?” he asked.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œCome get into the bed. We can keep each other awake.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI won’t bite you. Company is better than being alone.”
    â€œNot right.”
    â€œI guess we only answer to each other.” He propped his head up on his elbow. He thought she must be wearing some long cotton gown.
    â€œAnd to God.”
    â€œI understand, but if you aren’t going to sleep, come and I’ll hold you. You can get up anytime your conscience bites you.”
    She laughed. “It is biting me now for talking to you about it.”
    â€œOh, the shame of it. Two grown people talking about right and wrong in the dark when no one else knows anything about it.”
    â€œHe does. God does.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do?”
    â€œIf you promise me you won’t force yourself on me—I’ll share your bed.”
    â€œGood enough. I swear—”
    â€œTo who?”
    He shook his head when she sat on the edge. “Whoever you want me to.”
    When at last she lay down beside him, he could feel her shaking and smelled the faint aroma of a woman. “You cold?”
    â€œCold and scared.”
    He curled around her and in minutes he fell back asleep. A few hours later he awoke and could again smell the faint scent of woman. He held her securely in his arms on the narrow bed, and he wondered if she realized the danger lurking between them: his rock-hard erection.
    Taking a deep breath, he rolled over and gave her his back. He decided that she wasn’t ready for anything more than sleeping yet. Be patient , he told himself. He slept some more with her form pressed against his back. That was damn distracting, but he did manage a little more sleep. No need for him to be in a rush.
    He half woke when she moved hard against him and threw her arm over his shoulder. A sound from outside made him start and listen. Was someone out there?
    She started too and whispered, “You hear something?”
    â€œStay in bed,” he said softly and slipped out from under the covers. His bare feet were silent on the rough board floor, and his fingers closed on the grips of his .44. The Colt slipped soundlessly out of the leather sheath, and the hammer made a slight sound when Slocum cocked it back.
    Someone was coughing not far from the front door when he slipped across the room, dark save for the starlight coming in through the window. He heard some deep breathing, hard soles scrambling on the ground, and then something hard struck the door. Those idiots were trying to ram down her front door.
    â€œGet the hell out of here!” Slocum shouted when they rammed it again.
    â€œThat him?” The question sounded gasped out between their hard breathing.
    â€œHell, yes. Get to the horses.”
    â€œOw. You dropped it on my foot.” The victim went on moaning.
    â€œGet to running.”
    The bar over the door proved jammed despite Slocum’s efforts to remove it while holding his gun, so he set down the revolver and strained to push the bar up. He heard the drum of horses’ hooves galloping away and swore under his breath. The holding board finally gave way and the door swung open. He grabbed the revolver and shot into the night’s darkness, swearing at the intruders’ retreat.
    Jennifer came to the door, wrapped in a blanket, and touched his arm. “Was it them?”
    â€œDeushay and Roberson? Yes, I think so. They