Brighter Tomorrows by Beverly Wells Read Free Book Online Page A

Please help me…help Chase…the others.
    “Was that smile fer me, sweet cheeks, or Chasey-boy?”
    Her fear turned to fury. This vile vermin had no right to slander her love for Chase. She wouldn’t step aside and allow him to hurt him or use her to curtail Chase’s mission. Somehow, she had to get a message to Chase—or figure out how to best this creature herself. Think.
    “You look at me, woman. I was countin’ on diddlin’ ya but I jist as soon put a bullet in ya if ya don’t behave better. Ya hear?”
    That did it! She’d kill the slug herself before the sun had time to set. No one would use her for their own purpose ever again. He had signed his death warrant with Chase years ago, with plenty more, too; and now, he’d just added one more to the roster.
    She turned and nearly threw up. His pinched face, wizened from years of hard-core living, resembled a rat—not hard to believe—his scruffy beard and straggly filthy brown hair were sure to be infested with lice, having a rip-roaring field day. Cold, black eyes leered as threatening as a coiled rattler.
    He glared, and she returned the favor. She needed to think, to somehow foil his plan. “What do you want?”
    “Well, now that’s right nice to ask.”
    She was tempted to throw caution to the wind.
    “I be wantin’ what yuv been givin’ ta the boy. “
    Vulgar monster! “It isn’t like that.”
    “Oowee! Ya don’t say. Never had me no virgin before. Hot damn!” He slapped his thigh with his left hand. “Hit the jackpot on this one. Now, ya stop that glarin’ and let’s you and me go inside and get real cozy-like.”
    She glanced at the basket of clothes.
    “I meant now. Don’t git me riled.”
    “Fine, but I’m taking the clothes. Anyone, even animals, could take them.” She picked up the basket, marched around the side and to the front. On the porch, she set the basket down. “Thank you. They’re wet, so I’ll leave them here, except these.” She grabbed two towels so she’d have an excuse to go to the kitchen. Would anyone realize the basket was her distress signal?
    ♥ ♥ ♥
    Fifteen men dispersed throughout the town on a mission most were not privy to.
    At two minutes to nine, Chase and Matt tied their horses in front of Harper’s and ambled toward the bank. Marianne, holding a small leather satchel, stood behind an elderly couple.
    “Good morning, Miss Grover. Nice to see you again.” Matt, grinning like a fool, spoke and nodded.
    “Good morning to both of you. Time got away from me yesterday and I didn’t make it to the bank. I need change before I open.” Marianne glanced up at Matt and Chase, smiling.
    The bank president, Mr. Williams, opened the door, called out a greeting, and announced they were open for business.
    “I think Callie is mighty keyed-up about finishing her upstairs. I never thought to see anything mar her porch.” She moved up to the teller window as the couple finished.
    A warning whispered in Chase’s head. As soon as Marianne stuffed her money in her satchel, Chase directed her to the far corner. “What about Callie’s porch?”
    “She left a laundry basket, full of clothes, right in the middle of the porch above the steps. I wish I’d had time to stop and tease her, but I needed to get the bank before I opened.”
    His blood iced over thicker than on a pond in February. Fear like he had never known seized his heart.
    Marianne’s eyes widened. “What’s going on?”
    “There’s no time. We’ll take care of Callie. Promise you’ll go to your shop and stay there.”
    “I…promise.”
    ♥ ♥ ♥
    Callie led him to the kitchen and set the towels on the counter. Could she grab a knife? Her mind spun.
    “Sure smells good in here. Bacon’s my favorite. Ya got some left? I could eat me some before I take my fill of you.”
    “I can fry some in a minute. Eggs, too.”
    He eyed her. “Well now, ain’t that obligin’.” He plunked down on the chair at the work table and kept his gun