The Trailrider's Fortune by Shannah Biondine Read Free Book Online Page A

Weeks went by, then months, and still there was no sign
of him. No word. It was absurd that she found herself feeling slightly
dejected. What had she expected from a hired gun? Maybe he'd lost a gunfight
somewhere. That was a definite possibility, she realized, "legend" or
not. The thought left her heart cold.
    But in early
December, a tall stranger walked through the swinging doors and immediately
drew the eyes of every girl in the place. He was over six feet and lanky, with
blue-black straight hair past his shoulders and an almost savage look. Sparkle
suspected he was part Indian. So did Benton Frazer. He reacted the second he
spotted the man at Sparkle's table.
    "Take your
cards to the bench outside if that breed wants his fortune told," Frazer
asserted, scowling. "Don't cater to his kind in my place."
    "Oh, that's
just dandy, Frazer," Sparkle replied, reaching for her tarot deck before
taking the newcomer's arm. "He probably doesn't cater to your kind in his
place, either." She dropped her voice and glanced shyly up at the
stranger. "At least I wouldn't. He's a real asshole."
    The Indian didn't
even smile.
    They stepped out
onto the porch. "Conley sends his good wishes. He cannot come now, but
thinks of you often. He asked that I see you are well."
    "He's all
right, then?" Sparkle realized she sounded too eager. "I mean, I
worried when so much time had gone by…"
    "He is strong,
a good man. We ride together from time to time. He does not like the one
inside, that man who makes life hard for you. He worries. You worry about
Conley too, I see. This is good. Good bond." He nodded firmly.
    Sparkle coughed.
"Well, I suppose you could look at it that way. Conley's a friend of mine.
Mister…?"
    "Parker."
    "That doesn't
sound Indian."
    "My
grandmother married a white man. My father was raised with your book of the
Great Father in Heaven. He liked the tale of the one called Samson, who had
great power in his hair. I am Samson Parker." Still no smile. A stiff bow
from the waist.
    That explained the
looks and strange speech, Sparkle thought. "Would you like to sit down,
Samson Parker? I can take a break and read your fortune, if you'd like."
    "My destiny is
already known to me, wife of Rafe Conley. You must help Conley find his."
    Sparkle felt
ashamed flaunting the ruse to this fellow. Hadn't her mother spoken of Indians
and other ancient peoples as having prophetic abilities of their own? Lying
wouldn't do.
    "Rafe isn't my
husband," Sparkle rushed to amend. "He bought this ring and pretended
he was, because of my boss and to protect me from other men."
    "But you are
Rafe Conley's woman."
    "Rafe
is…" Sparkle stopped and tried again. How to make it plain? "Here, in
this saloon, I'm Rafe's close friend. He stayed with me here one night, but we
are not truly—"
    Samson Parker
abruptly stepped off the porch into the street and solemnly glanced back.
" Everywhere you are Rafe Conley's woman. The signs say this. I will
tell him that you are well and send your regards in return."
    "Thank
you," Sparkle muttered, watching him disappear into the swirling dust as
an overloaded wagon filled with lumber rattled by.
    Ruby Ann was
braiding her ash brown hair as she stepped onto the porch to stare after the
tall stranger. "I'd like to warm his wigwam. Take it he's a friend
of your husband. What'd he tell you? Rafe due back anytime soon?"
    "I don't know.
It didn't sound like it. We better get back inside."
    "Spark, I know
it ain't my place to say, but shouldn't he be comin' for Christmas, at least?
It's been months since you got married, and you ain't had no time together.
Rafe must seem a huckleberry above a persimmon to you, but I always figured you
for a different type. The steady sort, some fella who'd work down at the bank
or general store. Not some gun out to prove who's fastest in a bullet-pissin'
contest."
    "Sometimes the
strangest people turn out to be the right type, Ruby," was all Sparkle
said before she walked back into the saloon