Ballad Beauty Read Online Free PDF Page B

it necessary to lower oneself to such a task was beyond her comprehension.
    The hush continued. Those present began to shift uncomfortably. Jenny walked toward the startled piano player. His hands hovered above the keyboard.
    “You may continue to play, sir. I’m sorry to have interrupted you. I won’t be but a minute.”
    He flashed a toothy grin at her. “Then I won’t be playing for the next minute, ma’am. If I start banging away on the ivories and these boys miss why you’ve come in, I might as well go and beat myself black and blue.”
    Her eyes widened. “Oh. I see. Well, then, thank you.” She made her way to the bar where a beefy man in a stained apron leaned an elbow on the counter.
    “What’ll it be, ma’am?”
    She realized he thought she wanted to purchase a drink. “Oh, no, I’m sorry, sir. I don’t wish to partake of any alcohol. I simply have need of some information. I’m told a barkeep is the best informed man in town.”
    The bartender sized her up. “Who told you that?”
    Her face flamed. “You see, well . . .” She paused and then blurted out, “I read it in my dime novels.”
    Hearty laughter erupted throughout the room. She wished she could sink into the floor. Instead, she lifted her head and put on her best schoolmistress face as she gazed at the bar’s patrons. The laughter subsided immediately.
    “Now as to why I’m here, sir, I am in need of a guide.” She looked across the room. “Does anyone here have experience in acting as a trail guide? I need to reach Nevada as quickly as possible.”
    No one dared laugh again, although she saw many of the men wanted to do so. Slowly, the majority turned back to their drinks, their cards, and their cigars. Jenny had no takers.
    Except one.
    A scrawny man in bad need of a haircut approached her. He smelled awful. She supposed by his gait that he was semi-inebriated.
    “Snake Burton. At your service, ma’am.” He doffed a worn-out hat to her.
    She took in his pitiful appearance. She wasn’t sure if he could make it back across the room to his seat, much less escort her clear to Nevada.
    “I know I look poorly, but I’ve jes’ fallen on some hard times is all. This little trip could hep me get back on my feet.” He looked at her pleadingly. “I’d work real cheap.”
    She’d always had a soft heart. Her first, poor impression of Mr. Burton melted away. No one else offered her any assistance. If she were to reach Prairie Dell before the twentieth century began, it looked as if she’d have to take her chances with Snake Burton.
    “Very well, Mr. Burton. You’re hired.” She tried to quell her doubts as to his suitability for their venture, but since no one present had stepped up to accommodate her, she would make the best of the situation. “I would like to leave early tomorrow unless you have any previous commitments.”
    Snake shook his head. “I’m looser ‘n a goose, ma’am. We can leave tomorry . . . ‘bout nine o’clock.”
    “Then it’s settled. I will go to the general store and see about supplies for our foray, sir. Do you have a horse?”
    He looked appalled that she would even ask such a question. “‘Course I do. It’s Texas, ain’t it?” He narrowed his eyes and studied her a moment.
    “What I could use is a little stake afore we set out.”
    She understood at once. Mr. Burton possibly had a few financial matters to settle before undertaking such a long trip. She mentioned a figure to him for acting as her guide. His face lit up with pleasure. She then reached into her reticule and handed him five dollars in advance. She hoped he might consider a haircut and bath before they began their journey.
    “Then we are to meet tomorrow morning at nine in front of the hotel, sir?”
    Snake nodded. “We’ll get to Nevada come hell or high water. Begin’ your pardon, ma’am.”
    She held out her gloved hand to Snake Burton. As he shook it, Jenny noticed the tall cowboy who’d helped her with her luggage