Town of Two Women (9781101612125) by J.r. Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

could’ve tried.”
    â€œAnd maybe ended up on a horse yourself.”
    â€œThis town needs a doctor too bad,” Mathis said. “I don’t think the town would have let them do that to me. But I wasn’t thinking that way then.”
    â€œWell,” Clint said, “don’t get too heroic now, Doc. Leave that to me.”
    â€œMy pleasure.”
    â€œI’m going to clean up for my supper date.”
    â€œYou still have a couple of hours.”
    â€œI thought I’d stop at a saloon first.”
    â€œI can give you a drink here.”
    â€œI’d like a cold beer,” Clint said, “plus I’d like to listen to what’s being said in town.”
    â€œThere’ll be lots of talking, but nobody will do anything until the Locksleys say so.”
    â€œWell,” Clint said, “now that I’ve talked to both of them, maybe they’ll talk to each other and come up with a course of action.”
    â€œIt’ll be whatever she says, I’m sure.”
    â€œI wasn’t impressed with Eric Locksley,” Clint said, “but I have to admit his wife comes across as a formidable woman.”
    â€œShe scares every man in town,” Doc Mathis said, “especially her husband.”
    â€œMust make it hard for him to go home each night,” Clint said, “after being the man in charge all day.”
    â€œI wouldn’t even want to imagine it,” the doctor said with a shake of his head. “I’ve never been married, but that sounds like hell.”
    â€œI’ve never been married either,” Clint said, “and I agree.”
    He went into the spare room, used the pitcher and basin there to clean up, then put on a clean shirt.
    â€œWhat saloon would you recommend?” he asked Doc.
    â€œTry the Dry Wash Saloon,” Doc Mathis said. “Plenty of big mouths over there.”
    â€œWhere is it?”
    The doctor gave him directions.
    â€œAny gambling?”
    â€œNo, just drinking.”
    â€œThat’s very good,” Clint said. “I’ll see you later, Doc.”
    â€œWait,” Mathis said as Clint went to the door.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œWhat do I do about food for Mary and me?”
    â€œI’ll have something brought up,” Clint promised, “or will do it myself.”
    â€œOkay,” Mathis said. “Mary has got to eat to get her strength back.”
    â€œUnderstood.”
    Clint left, and headed straight for the Dry Wash Saloon.
    *   *   *
    Harley Trace entered the sheriff’s office and said, “Adams is in the Wash.”
    â€œThat means that Doc is alone with the girl,” Crabtree said.
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œIs she awake?”
    â€œI dunno.”
    â€œYou haven’t seen her?”
    â€œI only seen Adams, and the doc, leaving and comin’ back.”
    Crabtree thought things over.
    â€œWhataya gonna do, Sheriff?”
    â€œNothin’,” Crabtree said, “at least not until Mr. Locksley tell me.”
    â€œThen what do I do?”
    â€œKeep watching the doc’s place. If the girl leaves, follow her. See where she goes. Then tell me.”
    â€œOkay,” Trace said, “but when can I get somethin’ to eat?”
    â€œGet somethin’ quick now,” the lawman said, “and then get back there.”
    â€œYessir!”
    As Trace left, Crabtree sat back in his chair. What action, he wondered, was Eric Locksley going to take? Or would his next orders come from Angela Locksley?
    He was getting tired of waiting.
    *   *   *
    Eric Locksley sat in his office, wondering what his next move should be. If he was going to take action against the Gunsmith, he was going to need at least half a dozen men, maybe more. Where would he find that many men willing to go up against the man?
    He stood up, hands behind his back, and stared out the window. He was staring straight ahead, and