Louisiana Laydown Read Online Free PDF

establishment.”
    She laughed, low and throaty. “I’m sure he does,” she said. “He financed its opening, but he’s made his investment back a thousandfold, haven’t you, David?”
    “Yes, yes, indeed,” Parker said. “I thought Mr. Fargo might prove useful in our upcoming poker game. I trust all is prepared.”
    She nodded, letting her eyes linger on Fargo’s a moment more before turning back to her patron. “Yes, everything is ready. The game is set for three nights from now, and everyone has confirmed their attendance.”
    “That’s excellent news, Hattie,” Parker said. “I knew I could count on your delicate handling of this. We wouldn’t want any interference from those who frown on such high-stakes games.”
    “Speaking of high stakes,” Fargo interrupted, “we probably shouldn’t be standing here on the dock talking about this.” He jammed a thumb in the direction of the boat. “I’ll need to get my horse and my things, arrange for a place to stay.”
    “Nonsense, Mr. Fargo,” Hattie said. “There’s plenty of room at my establishment.”
    Fargo saw Parker’s tense look and remembered his earlier words, then ruefully shook his head. “Thank you,” he said. “But I suspect I could get a mite distracted staying there and Mr. Parker has hired me to be sharp. You and your ladies could dull any man’s senses, I imagine.”
    She laughed, and the sound was that of a young woman. “Why, Mr. Fargo, I do believe you are flirting with me!”
    Fargo grinned and said, “Maybe a little. But the truth is, I’d best get a place to stay that’s elsewhere.”
    “Indeed,” Parker said, his voice cold. “Hattie’s place is easy enough to find. Once you’ve stabled your horse, just ask any of the newspaper boys in the city for directions to the Blue Emporium. They’ll be able to direct you. Across the street is a decent enough hotel, the Bayou. It’s run by a bunch of Cajuns, but it’s clean and affordable.”
    “Sounds fine,” Fargo said. “When do you want to meet up again?”
    “Three days from now,” Parker said. “Be at the Blue Emporium at sundown. The game will begin shortly thereafter.”
    “I’ll be there,” Fargo said. “Anything else?”
    Parker took Hattie’s arm possessively. “Just stay out of trouble, Fargo. This city eats up cowboys and spits them back out as nothing but sackcloth and bones. Be careful.”
    “Understood,” he said. He tipped his hat to Hattie and turned away.
    The Ovaro would be restless from several days in the hold and Fargo felt the need to stretch his legs, too.
    His horse was led out shortly thereafter, and with a wave to Louisa who was standing on deck and looking forlorn, he tossed his saddle on the Ovaro and began the work of crossing the crowded, dirty city, trying to find somewhere, anywhere, that a man and his horse could feel free.
    So this was fabled New Orleans, Fargo thought, as he plied its streets and observed its broad spectrum of the human species. It seemed that on every street corner somebody was peddling something—gadgets or junky tourist mementos or elixirs meant to make you more beautiful or rich or intelligent.
    The architecture was more interesting than most of the people. Most of the houses, even the poorer ones, had a certain style that made them worth a serious look. Fargo didn’t know anything about architecture but he knew that few cities offered the eye this kind of varied housing. The civic buildings were likewise impressive. For all its flaws, the place obviously had pride and that was reflected in everything from the humblest abode to the gaudiest mansion.
    And that was certainly not the only kind of beauty on display. In carriages, buggies, and hansom cabs, and on horseback the range of female good looks was stunning. The rich women in silks, the working girls in scruffy cotton, the imperious ones in gold-trimmed carriages . . . a man didn’t know where to look, there were so many attractive women competing