Pariah Read Online Free Page B

you?”
    There were plenty of things Clint wanted the young lawman to do. But since Bailey clearly wasn’t about to step in on Madeline’s behalf, he kept those requests to himself. The sheriff hadn’t even asked for Clint’s name, which spoke volumes as to how much effort he was willing to expend on anyone associated with her.
    Clint left the office without another word and Sheriff Bailey didn’t lift a finger to stop him.

SIX
    When he returned to Madeline’s place, the entire house smelled like freshly baked bread. The children were still chasing each other in another room somewhere and Madeline answered the door wearing an apron spattered with gravy and flour.
    â€œPardon the mess,” she said as she stepped aside so he could enter. “It’s pretty much always like this when there are little ones about.”
    â€œPerfectly all right,” Clint replied.
    â€œWhat’s wrong? You look . . . stunned.”
    â€œNothing’s wrong. I just feel like I stepped into another man’s life.” Seeing the perplexed look on her face, Clint shook his head and moved along. “Never mind that. I’m probably just hungry.”
    â€œWell, that’s good, because I’ve put together a little bit of everything. Nothing too fancy, but hopefully you’ll find something you like.”
    Clint was mulling over those words when he let his eyes wander up and down Madeline’s figure. Even with the messy apron and the tousled mess of blonde hair hastily pulled behind her head, she was still an attractive woman. Her face was naturally pretty in a demure, European way. She had a long neck that drew his attention down to generous breasts that she was obviously trying to hide beneath too many layers of conservative clothing. No amount of skirts could detract from the wide curves of her hips, and Clint could only imagine what her bare thighs and legs might look like.
    â€œMister Adams?” she asked, snapping him from his little dream.
    Shaking his head, he said, “Please, call me Clint. And I hope you didn’t go through too much trouble, Madeline. Whatever you put together will be just fine.”
    â€œCall me Maddy, and save the rest until you’ve had a chance to taste the food. Come on in.”
    Clint walked in and shut the door behind him. No matter how friendly Maddy was or how happy the two kids were to see him again, Clint still felt like an intruder. The house was just too warm and the people were just too accommodating. Compared to all the time he’d spent in rented rooms or lying stretched out under the stars, it took a bit of time to feel like he belonged in a genuine home. But it was all those smiles that seemed particularly out of place. Compared to the disgusted scowls he’d been forced to endure a few minutes ago, the friendlier side of the coin was more than a little jarring.
    Fortunately, Clint was able to get over that within the space of a few minutes. Once Sam started climbing all over him and Chen waved at him from her hiding spot behind an old chair, Clint was more than willing to put the rest of the day behind him.
    Supper turned out to be a mix of scraps put together into a stew, served up with some fresh vegetables, a potato-and-cheese concoction, and a side of something resembling shepherd’s pie. Clint took ample portions of everything and had no reservations about asking for seconds. When he’d finally cleaned his plate for the last time, Chen hopped up to clear off the table.
    â€œDon’t just sit there, Sam,” Maddy said. “Help her.”
    The little boy rolled his eyes and grumbled a bit, but did what he was told. Within seconds after he’d joined Chen in the kitchen, another bickering match ensued. Since nothing was being broken, Maddy stayed at the table with Clint.
    â€œThanks for coming back,” she said. “The children really like having you around. They’ve been making up