Cera's Place Read Online Free PDF Page A

and no time for lies.”
    Jake shook his head. “What I told Big Red is the God’s honest truth. I’m looking for a girl named Sadie. Before her daddy died, he asked me to give her a locket. I’ve been trying to find her for several years now. I was told she worked here—or used to. If you can tell me where she was headed, I would be much obliged.”
    Cera’s fingers wrapped and unwrapped around the shotgun’s barrel a few times. “Ginger said you have proof. Show me.”
    Jake pointed to his pocket and Cera nodded her consent. He carefully brought out a faded photograph and an oval-shaped, gold locket on a thin chain. As he passed the objects to her, their hands touched and his heart skipped a beat. Surprised at his body’s reaction, he thought back to the last time he had truly desired a woman. For the briefest moment, he allowed himself to see his late wife’s gentle smile before pushing away the melancholy memory.
    Motioning to the photograph, he explained, “That was our company. I’m in the top row, second from the left. Daniel—Sadie’s daddy—is in the bottom row, right in the middle. And that obviously is the locket I’m supposed to give her.”
    Cera examined the photograph, her eyes flicking back and forth between it and Jake.
    “Yes, it was taken before I got this.” Jake ran a finger down the side of his face. Cera’s cheeks flushed and he felt a twinge of remorse for embarrassing her. He had long ago accepted the unwanted souvenir from his war days, but he knew the sight of his scar upset some people.
    Cera handed the photograph back to him but kept the locket in her hand. “And you’ve been looking for Sadie for years? Why would you do that? The man’s dead, right? He’s none the wiser.”
    “Because I would know,” Jake replied a bit gruffer than he intended.
    Cera let out a long breath. “Wait here.”
    When she stood up, Jake reached over and grabbed her wrist. “The locket stays with me.”
    Cera’s eyebrows rose at his demand. “You’re asking me to trust you. Now you have to trust me.”
    As he debated inwardly, Ginger interrupted the stalemate. Clearing her throat, she put the shots of whiskey on the table. “Let go of her, Captain. You don’t want this trouble.”
    Cera nodded in agreement. “If you are telling the truth, you have nothing to worry about.”
    Frowning, Jake pulled his hand away. He hoped he wouldn’t regret the decision.
    Cera picked up the closest shot, drank it in one breath, and then disappeared into the kitchen with Ginger. Keeping his eyes on the kitchen door, Jake waited through two songs, drumming his fingers to the beat.
    Finally, Ginger poked her head out and waved him over. Jake grabbed up his shot of whiskey and crossed the room. “What…?” he started to ask, but the redhead pulled him into the kitchen without any explanation.
    Two steps into the room Jake’s boots skidded to a stop. A young colored woman sat at a worktable holding his locket. Tears trickled down her face as she traced the designs etched in the gold with the tip of her finger. Cera stood by her side, one hand on the girl’s shoulder, the other still holding the shotgun. A Chinese man and the boy with the broom watched from the far corner of the room.
    “Sadie? Sadie Freedom?” Jake wasn’t sure he could believe his eyes.
    Daniel’s daughter nodded and then looked up at her boss. “Can I talk with him, Miss Cera?”
    “Sure thing, but I’m staying right here.” After giving Jake a stern look, Cera pointed with her chin to the chair opposite Sadie.
    He slowly walked over and set the shot glass down on the table, spilling the amber liquid over the rim. Cera clucked her tongue, and he smiled an apology as he lowered himself into the chair.
    “I’m glad to finally meet you, Sadie. My name is Jake Tanner and I fought with your daddy. He was a great man, a brave man. He saved my life and died because of it.” Jake fell silent, remembering what he wished he could