Tender Trust by Tanya Stowe Read Free Book Online Page B

fancied the place, and I’ll make you a fair offer.”
    “I already have a buyer for The Copper Penny, Mr. Holloway. It’s no longer available.”
    His look was condescending, as if he was correcting a child. “I think you’ll find that buyer has withdrawn his offer. A sudden change in his fortunes has precipitated that he back out of the agreement.”
    Penny couldn’t hide her shock. “How do you know who it is? And how could you possibly know he’s backed out before I do?”
    Holloway smiled and twirled the bowler again. “I think you’ll find that I know a great many things, Mrs. Marsden.”
    There it was again. The funny inflection on her name. Had he met Alex and figured out the connection?
    “I know how difficult it is for you, a widow, to raise your child and manage your business.” The way he said widow, with just enough sarcasm, convinced her that he did know about Alex. “I just want to help. Sell The Copper Penny to me. I’ll take it off your hands and save us both a lot of trouble.”
    “Why? Why do you want it?” Penny asked, her voice just above a whisper. “You own a piece of every saloon in Bodie. Why do you need this one?”
    “Because I’m concerned about you…you…and Jewel. You’ve both had a difficult time, and I’d like to make things easier for you.”
    “Don’t insult me by pretending you care…for either of us.”
    “Oh, I care about Jewel.” He stopped spinning the bowler. “You have no idea how much I care.”
    “Is that what this is all about, getting back at Jewel?”
    “Not getting back, Penny.” His voice was low as he dropped the Mrs. and all pretenses. “Making things right. Jewel left her home, the place where she belongs, beside me.”
    “She doesn’t belong with you. She’s not your wife. You never gave her that respect.”
    “You’re very wrong. She belongs with me and I’m going to see to it that she returns.”
    Penny’s fists curled, hidden from Holloway beneath the folds of her skirt. “You won’t succeed. Even if I sold The Copper Penny to you, which I’d never do, Jewel will leave with us.”
    Holloway’s smile made Penny want to slap his face.
    “Ahh, but you see, if you do want to leave Bodie, you will sell to me. I’ve seen to it that no one else will buy your saloon.”
    Penny was silent for one breathless moment. “You can’t do that.”
    “I already have. Mr. McDougal, your potential buyer for The Copper Penny, had an accident last night. Something spooked his horse. Now he’s laid up with a broken leg and can’t even work his own saloon. I would hate to think there’d be a rash of accidents like that, wouldn’t you?”
    Penny stared at Holloway through a strained silence.
    Then the despicable man lifted his cane from the scarred table and placed it on the floor with cocky assurance.
    “If you want your daughter to have a chance at a decent life, you’ll take my money. It’s the only offer you’ll get. And Penny, I offer it with one condition. Jewel stays here in Bodie. It’s that simple. Jewel, or your daughter’s future.”
    He settled his bowler on his head and gave her a self-assured salute. “I’ll be expecting to hear from you. And tell Jewel whenever she wants to come home, I’ll be waiting.”
    He spun and walked out the door.
    Icy winter air flowed into the room and brushed over Penny. She watched Holloway thread his way through the almost six-foot-high snow piles beside the boardwalk and shivered, not just from the cold.
    Behind her, the kitchen door swung open and Inga hurried to her side.
    “Vhat are you going to do?” she whispered, her voice strained.
    Penny ran both hands down the front of her skirt. “I don’t know.”
    “Do you believe vhat he said about Mr. McDougal?”
    “Yes, I do. He’s quite capable of arranging something like that.”
    “You are in danger! You must go to the sheriff.”
    Penny shook her head and laughed. “That won’t do any good. Daniel Holloway’s had the sheriff