Xenia’s Renegade by Agnes Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

me that if the people there decide one of you or maybe both have been giving Mr. Tyler Eldridge your favors—and he gave you that baby.”
    The women’s feet flew out at the same time.
    “Damn it!” he yelled, and grabbed his shins.
    Xenia and Mea Ann both laughed because without even looking at each other they had both kicked his shins as hard as they could and at the same time. One kicked the left and the other the right.
    “How dare you kick me like that, you damn whores.”
    “What did you call us?” Xenia glared at him.
    “I called you whores , because that’s all you’ll be able to do when you get to Deer Meadow. A couple of beauties like you will drive the men in town wild. I’m sure the Golden Door Saloon will give you both jobs. I might even be a customer.”
    “That’s it.” Xenia handed the baby to Mea Ann and leaned her head out of the stagecoach. “Help, Ty!” she screamed.
    In a matter of seconds, the coach came to a stop. The door swung open and Ty leaned inside. “What’s the matter?”
    “These two women are crazy. That’s what the matter is,” Lou said.
    Xenia ignored him. “Ty, I refuse to travel another mile in this stagecoach with this horrible man. He talks mean about the baby and he called Mea Ann and me an atrocious name.”
    Ty’s dark eyes seemed to get darker. “What’d he call you?”
    “A name you’d be too much of a gentleman to call any woman, no matter what her class.”
    “What’d you call them, Bullins?”
    “Only a name they deserved after they kicked me in the shins.”
    “And why did they kick you in the shins?”
    “I have no idea. I was minding my own business and—”
    “That’s not so,” Mea Ann said. “Xenia and I were discussing names for the baby and he kept saying just call it Breed . Then he accused us of doing…well, terrible things.”
    “Then he said we could get jobs in the saloon.”
    Ty looked at Lou and his eyes darkened. “Did you suggest such a thing, Bullins?”
    “I didn’t mean anything by it. I was upset.”
    “Upset, my aunt’s bunions,” Xenia said. “He’s a terrible man and I can’t stand him.”
    Ty looked bewildered. “What do you want me to do with him, Xenia?”
    “I don’t care what you do with him. I just know we’re not riding in this coach with him for another mile. I’ll walk to Deer Meadow first.”
    “So will I,” Mea Ann added.
    Ty took a deep breath. “Well, I can’t have you walking into town, so it looks like Mr. Bullins will be riding on top of the coach.”
    “Oh, no I won’t.”
    “Deer Meadow is about five or six hours from here by stage. Walking, you might make it in a day or two, Bullins, because the ladies are certainly not going to walk. So, take your choice. Ride on top or walk from here to Deer Meadow. Doesn’t matter to me which you do.”
    “Well, I’m certainly not going to walk.”
    “Then get out and climb up on the top.”
    When Bullins didn’t move, Ty added, “Do you want me to drag you out of here?”
    The salesman grabbed his gambling case, his hat and got out of the coach.
    Ty looked at the women and grinned. “I hope you’ll be more comfortable now.”
    “Oh, there’s no doubt of that.” Xenia gave him a sly smile. “Thank you, Ty.”
    “My pleasure, ma’am.” He winked at her and started to close the door.
    She put her hand on his arm and stopped him. “One more thing.”
    “What else can I do for you?”
    “Do you happen to know the man’s name who owned the way station?”
    Ty looked puzzled. “Ray called him John, and the place was called Miller’s Station so I assume that was his last name. Why are you asking?”
    “We’ll tell you after we make a decision.” She patted his arm. “Thank you, Ty. You’ve been very helpful. You may close the door now.”
    ****
    A still puzzled Ty slammed the door and pushed Bullins, who was struggling to climb to the top of the stage. “Hurry up. We’ve got to get on our way,” Ty said.
    “This is