Between Love and Lies Read Online Free PDF

halfway to his lips when the barman’s words stopped him.
    “That be a cryin’ shame,” he said, thrusting his chin in Sadie’s direction. “How she came to town lookin’ for work, ended up here, and then got sick. Not five months in Madam Garrett’s employ, and she comes down with the pox. Now she’s off limits as an upstairs girl, but downstairs she’s a gem.” He sighed and turned his attention to polishing a row of glasses behind the bar. “Edward taught her well. You won’t find a quicker hand with the cards.”
    Noah fought the urge to haul him over the bar and lay into him. A moment ago, he’d barely restrained himself from smashing his fist into Miller’s face. Now he wished he hadn’t. The barkeep had been helpful in preventing any bloodshed, but the reminder of Sadie’s downfall made him writhe with equal parts rage and remorse. He wanted to punch someone. He needed to strike out at something, desperate to right a wrong that couldn’t be fixed.
    The saloon was too loud, its walls too close. The open range called to him. The compulsion to run flayed his nerves, screamed for him to leave. He couldn’t stay here; he didn’t have the strength to face his mistakes. And he was a fool to hope he could mend them. He should head for Texas right now and never look back.
    But he remained rooted to his chair, his gaze locked on Sadie.
    She held him stronger than any guilt or fear. His pulse slowed, allowing a sliver of his old determination to dig in.
    He would not abandon her again. He’d figure out a way to help her…to free her from this life. The wariness he’d seen in her eyes, heard in her voice, sensed in her every move—despite her best efforts to conceal it—troubled him. He had to gain her trust. A trust he didn’t deserve.

CHAPTER 3
     
    The next day the sun was high overhead as Sadie guided Gertie’s fancy rig and palomino mare toward the cemetery southeast of Dodge. A sudden desire to use the horse and buggy to go even farther flared. She tamped it down.
    The first time she’d tried to flee Dodge, Handsome John had easily found her. His two-tailed leather strap had stung like a horde of irate hornets. It taught a lesson while allowing a girl to return to work. She was dead certain she never wanted to feel its bite again. Nor did she want to live her life on the run, always looking over her shoulder.
    But what really held her in Dodge was her vow to Edward. No matter his original motives, he’d been her salvation after John caught her and brought her back to the Gertie. She couldn’t ignore that debt. And now as long as the patrons shied away from her because of her distasteful history, she had no need to run. What she needed was more chances to finish searching the Star for all that Gertie had stolen.
    She was safe. An uncertain safe, though. Too many things could go wrong, like her dwindling health.
    “Think of something positive,” she muttered to herself.
    The mare’s hooves made a comforting thump every time they found the earth, while the harness rattled, adding a merry jingle. Although she enjoyed driving such a fine horse and buggy, she longed for the days when she could saddle a mount and ride. Unfortunately, dizzy spells made staying seated an uncertain venture.
    The soft spring air soothed the slight fever prickling her skin. She closed her eyes, savoring its caress. From a corner of her heart, memories of her old life tugged at her. A snug house standing on the very earth it was hewn from, the wind skimming the open prairie like a giant hand bending the buffalo grass so the blades flattened and sprang back with a rustling sigh. Her farm and its peaceful seclusion called to her.
    Shaking her head, she strove to cast out her yearning. That part of her life was gone, as incapable of resurrection as those buried in the graveyard before her. She jerked the buggy to a halt, set the brake and jumped to the ground. Her haste caused the warmth simmering beneath her skin to erupt