06 Uncovering Hidden Treasure by Karen Ward Read Free Book Online

mother raised you to be and face this head on, that's
what. To be perfectly honest with you I'm not surprised. Sparks
have been flying between the two of you since the first day you
met. It was inevitable that you would end up in bed."
    Stump protests, "But Dad, I don't even like
the woman. She drives me insane!"
    Bear replies, "It sounds to me like you liked
her well enough last night. You had sex with her twice. Men don't
usually get it up with women they don't like."
    Stump grudgingly agrees, "That's true and the
sex was magnificent. I've never enjoyed a woman more. I just don't
understand why it has to be her. She is such an obnoxious know it
all."
    Bear patiently explains, "Maybe you just
don't know her. Give her a chance Son, she's not so bad. You said
yourself that she is gorgeous when she's, what was it? ... Susie?
You also seem to like this Susie quite a lot."
    Stump nods his head in acknowledgement. His
Dad is right. He has to face this head on. It's the only honorable
thing for him to do.

CHAPTER 5
    Later that evening when Zeke and Jeb walk
into Mel's Bar, Zeke hollers at Sam, "Hey Susie, what happened to
your boyfriend? He didn't show up for work today."
    Giving them a dirty look Sam says, "I don't
know. When I woke up this morning the creep was gone. What's worse,
he took all my tip money!"
    Jeb says, "That's what you get for taking up
with a tramp like him. They are only interested in what they can
get from a pretty woman like you. Judging by all those muscles, he
is probably fresh out of prison anyway. Now if you wanted to spend
some time with Zeke and me, we know how to treat a lady."
    Sam says innocently, "I'll just bet you do.
What can I get you fellas today?
    Zeke says, "I'll have my usual. Jeb what do
you want?"
    Jeb says, "I'll have my usual too."
    When Sam's shift is over at Mel's that night,
she is getting ready to leave when Jim says, "Susie, hang on, I
think I should walk you home tonight. I don't think you need to be
out by yourself this late after what happened last night."
    She looks at him questioningly her heart
pounding with fear and says, "Do you really think I might be in
danger?"
    Jim says, "Well, I don't know for sure. I
know those two weren't happy when you waltzed in here last night
and hauled that Kincaid fellow out of here. They might not have
bought your story. I don't' trust them at all and I just would feel
better if you'd let me walk you home, all right?"
    As Sam and Jim are walking across the parking
lot toward Sam's apartment, she sees the two construction worker's
truck sitting down the street in the next block with its lights
out. She says, "Jim, that's their truck down in the next block with
its lights off. You could be right. They may be waiting for me.
Thanks for walking me home."
    Jim says, "Maybe you need to take a few days
off Susie. I don't want you to get hurt."
    "I'll talk to Jeffrey about it. Thanks again
for walking me home," replies Sam. She walks into her apartment and
checks her sidearm to make sure it's loaded and ready. She doesn't
want to be defenseless if they decide to cause trouble.
    ******
    The following morning Goose arrives early to
plant the bugs and two security cameras in Mel's bar. After he
finishes his task he is chatting with Jim Bradley, the owner. "Jim
I think you're all set now. We'll be monitoring them and let you
know if we pick up on anything about the mine."
    Jim says, "I'm glad, let me know if you hear
anything concerning my waitress, Susie, too. I wish I could
convince her to take some time off. I think those same two guys may
be planning something concerning her. They were waiting for her
last night when we closed. I walked her home last night, but I
can't always do that. I'm really not comfortable with all of this
stuff."
    Goose asks, "You think Sam is in danger?"
    "I think it's possible. I don't like those
two guys at all," replies the bar owner.
    "We're only twenty minutes away so I'm sure
we could have someone here at closing time every