Texas True by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online Page B

a half-blood Comanche with scarcely a dime to his name, he had more sense than to hit on the girl. But once he had money and a car, things would be different.
    He’d finished the beer and was fidgeting with the empty bottle when Slade walked in. He was wearing his work clothes and looked pissed, like maybe he’d had a fight with that hot wife of his. Lute bit at the edge of his lower lip, wondering whether this might be a bad time to approach Haskell about a job. Trouble was, he didn’t know when there might be a better one, and he was tired of shoveling shit all day.
    Deciding that tonight might be his only chance, Lute pushed off the bar stool and wandered over to the booth where Slade Haskell sat alone. “I heard a rumor you might have an opening for a driver,” he remarked, trying to sound cool and offhand.
    Glancing up, Slade looked him over. “You asked me about a job a couple weeks ago. You’re the kid working out at the Tyler spread, aren’t you?”
    â€œI work there,” he admitted, “until I can find something that pays better. Cleaning out stables isn’t exactly something I want to do the rest of my life.”
    â€œSo you were the one in there when she checked on that mare.” His gaze narrowed on Lute in thoughtful study.
    â€œThat was me.” He nodded, and wondered how much more he should say—and where it might get him. “Quite the reunion it was between two old . . . friends.” He hesitated deliberately to stress the latter word.
    â€œReally.” The single-word response from Slade seemed to encourage Lute to say more.
    â€œI got the feeling they were old flames,” he volunteered. “But something told me the fire wasn’t out as far as Beau was concerned.”
    â€œI knew it,” Slade muttered, more to himself than a response to Lute’s statement. Before he could add more, the waitress, Jess, stopped by the table with her order pad in hand. In the blink of an eye, Slade lost that half-angry brooding look and flashed her a grin. “Two Coronas for me and my friend here,” he boomed, and gave a wink. “What time are you off tonight, girl?”
    A shadow flickered across her face. “Not till closing. Then I’ve got plans.”
    â€œToo bad.” The grin remained. “Well, maybe next time.”
    â€œSure.” She walked off to get their drinks.
    Lute stared after her. “Slade, is that girl a—”
    â€œNaw. Just a nice, friendly waitress. Best kind.”
    â€œDoes she let you . . . you know?”
    â€œHell, boy, I’m a happily married man. Haven’t you figured that out by now?” He sank into a sullen silence while Jess brought their beers and set them on the table. For the space of a quick breath, her gaze locked with Lute’s. But what he read in her sad doe eyes wasn’t an invitation. It was more like a warning.
    Slade took a long swig of his beer. “About that work I mentioned. Still interested?”
    Lute’s pulse jerked. “What do you think I’m here for? Tell me more.”
    â€œNot much to it. You keep your job with the Tylers and phone me every few days about what’s going on out there—stock coming and going, new equipment, new people, any trouble on the ranch, whatever. If I don’t pick up, you can leave a voice message. It’ll be like you’re my eyes and ears. Long as you do your job, I’ll pay you fifty dollars a week. You can come by and pick up the cash from Stella when you’re in town.”
    Fifty dollars a week for doing almost nothing. It wasn’t a fortune, but for now it would make the payments on a cheap car. And if he proved himself, maybe the job would lead to better things.
    â€œGot a cell phone?” Slade asked.
    â€œAn old prepaid. Won’t do much more than the basics.”
    â€œUse it. A new one would just draw attention. And when I give you my phone number,