A Love to Cherish by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online Page A

Whitey and Curly ain’t particular. They’ll let you go first.”
    Casey’s gun came out so fast Belle didn’t see his hand move. When Dinks reached for his own weapon, Casey discharged a shot that came alarmingly close to his head. “I won’t miss next time, Dinks. Take your friends and get out of here. You’ve obviously mistaken Mrs. Henderson for someone else. She’s not now, nor will she ever be, interested in any proposal you have to offer.”
    Dinks wasn’t satisfied. “Is that right, Belle? Ain’t you interested in making yourself a little money on the side?”
    Belle fixed Dinks with a malevolent glare and shook her head. She couldn’t talk, couldn’t even breathe. If she hadn’t braced herself against the kitchen table, she wouldn’t have been able to stand. She thought she’d be safe here from her past, but should have known that one day someone who remembered her from Naomi’s would show up. Not that she was ashamed of those years. On the contrary, she had done nothing wrong. But she had Tommy to worry about now, and no Tom to protect them from the kind of malicious gossip that could ruin a young boy’s life.
    Casey cocked his gun. “You heard the lady. She isn’t interested in your vile suggestions. In the future, if any of you make an improper gesture toward her, you’ll have me to contend with. And I’m good, boys, damn good.”
    Evidently the men believed him for they backed out of the kitchen, stumbling over their own feet. Belle collapsed into the nearest chair, gagging. She was so pale Casey thought she was going to faint. Scooping her into his arms, he paused for only a moment before heading for the nearest bed. The one in his room off the kitchen. He laid her down gently and poured her a cup of water from the pitcher sitting on his nightstand. He held her head while she sipped. When she’d had her fill, he set the cup down and perched on the side of the bed.
    “What was that all about?”
    Belle shook her head, refusing to look at him. He wouldn’t let her off that easily. It appeared as if this was the opening he’d been waiting for. Perhaps nowwas the time to convince Belle to give her son up to McAllister without a fight. Grasping her chin between thumb and forefinger, he forced her to look at him.
    “Were Dinks and his friends right? Did you work at Naomi’s Pleasure Parlor? I’ve been there a time or two, she runs a damn good establishment. Her girls are the best.”
    Belle’s eyes blazed with unrelenting fury. “What do you know? You’re just like the others. Eager to condemn a woman without benefit of an explanation.”
    “No, I’m willing to listen. Don’t you think it’s time you told me about yourself? Why do you believe Tommy needs protection?”
    “Does my past make any difference in our business arrangement? Will you refuse to protect my son if you perceive me as something I’m not?”
    “I’m not a man to jump to conclusions. Why don’t you tell me and let me decide for myself?”
    She tried to rise but his hands pinned her shoulders to the bed.
    “How do I know I can trust you? How do I know I can trust anyone?” Her words spewed forth in a long, drawn-out sob.
    “I think I’ve proven myself. That’s twice I’ve been able to prevent an ugly incident for you. How many close calls have you had with different men before I came to town? As long as I’m around, I’m not going to let anyone hurt you or Tommy.”
    That much at least was true. McAllister didn’t want to hurt Tommy, he wanted to give him all the advantages his mother couldn’t. If Casey believed for one minute that McAllister would harm Tommy, he would never have accepted the assignment,money or no. McAllister merely wanted to protect the child, to prevent him from learning that his mother was a whore, or had once been one.
    Casey no longer believed Belle plied her trade in the mining town. Her son was too important to her to risk his finding out about her former profession. Something