The Trailrider's Fortune Read Online Free Page A

ride,
Sparkle Honey. Got a friend owns a saloon here in town. Promised I'd stop by
and pay a visit." He gave the stranger a frown, then grinned as the fellow
scurried off to claim a faded valise. "Believe your admirer's seen the
error of his ways, darlin'."
    "Thank
goodness. I was beginning to despair of ever being rid of him."
    Rafe clucked his
tongue in amusement. "You know, Miz Conley , seems you're always in
one fix or another and needin' me to set things right. Maybe I better keep you
glued to my side, just to keep you out of trouble."
    "I suppose you
figure I owe you another free drink at the Scarlet Lady."
    Rafe studied the
dude again before meandering up the street. "Finicky little gal, ain't
you? He's sportin' a fancy waistcoat and still breathin'. For some gals in a
trailhead, that would make him prospect enough. Maybe you were too hasty…Or
maybe you just like throwin' yourself at me. It's getting' to be a habit."
    "Ooh! You know
damned good and well I had nothing to do with—" Sparkle closed her mouth
as they entered the saloon. Frazer stood squarely before them, features aglow.
    "Sparkle! Conley .
Great to see you again. Come on in." The look Frazer tossed Sparkle set
her teeth on edge. He hadn't missed Rafe's arm around her waist. Frazer was
clearly reveling in the mistaken belief she'd done as he'd asked and cozied up
to his new favorite customer. "Something to eat, Conley? I can have my
cook rustle up something."
    "Could use a
meal," Rafe nodded, releasing Sparkle. "I'm sure you want to change
out of them travelin' clothes. Go on upstairs, darlin'. I'll just visit with
the boss here and have a bite."
    "Thank you,
Mr. Conley," she ground out. Ruby Ann and Brenda greeted her in the
upstairs hall, but Sparkle was in no mood to discuss either her trip home or
the reason for her return with the gunslinger in tow. She prayed he'd grow
restless and leave the saloon before she went back down. She took a leisurely
bath and dawdled as long as she could painting her lips and powdering her
cleavage.
    "Damned red
piece of trash." She fruitlessly tugged the hem down and jerked the fabric
at her bosom higher. It didn't do any good. The boned bodice pushed her breasts
up and made them look larger than they were. Seeing Rafe again brought back the
battle she'd lost over this dreadful costume. The bright claret flounces seemed
all the more objectionable now, perhaps because in Kansas City she'd worn plain
day dresses. Dull but proper clothes. Here she couldn't avoid the image of the
harlot in the mirror.
    Fitting for a girl
who'd run across the street in broad daylight to fling herself at a gun for hire.
Rafe was bound to think she had some genuine hankering for him after that
display. She hated to admit that in an odd way she did. She liked the thump of
his spurs on the sidewalks and oak flooring. She liked the lazy drawl of his
speech, his easy sense of humor. How did a mercenary find so much amusement in
the world? Frazer had all but said Rafe Conley was a known cold-blooded killer.
A killer who could wrap his arms around a woman and make her feel…
    No, she wasn't
going to ponder the sensations Rafe Conley stirred up. She wouldn't think back
on his deep soul kiss or how she'd been so brazen. The hired gun had served his
purpose. There was no point in thinking about him any longer. She had to get to
work.
    He was gone when
she reached the gaming room, but a frequent customer was waiting for a reading.
Sparkle forgot about the aggravating trip back to town as the evening routine
began anew. The Scarlet Lady began to fill. Sparkle and the other girls laughed
and danced with customers. Dan Small tinkered away on the piano. Frazer had
hired a handsome new faro dealer, and Ruby Ann had more kohl than usual around
her eyes. She lingered near the new fellow's table, Sparkle noticed with a
smile.
    This promised to be
a good night. Sparkle could feel it. The aura of the gaming room was
happy-go-lucky. Customers were boisterous and