Song of the Road Read Online Free PDF

her.
    “No crime in that.”
    At the sound of his low, husky voice she moved her eyes away from him.
    “You’ll have to move, Mr. Ramero.”
    “Not for three months.”
    “Three months? Did my mother rent this cabin for three months?”
    “Four. But I’ve been here a month.”
    “And how much did you pay her?”
    “I paid forty dollars in advance for four months.”
    “The cabins rent for one fifty a day.”
    “Is that right?”
    “That’s right. You got a bargain.”
    “She got ready cash. It’s what she wanted.”
    “I don’t doubt that for a minute. She was out of boo —” Mary Lee cut off the word. “Do you have a receipt for the money you gave her?” She was angry at him because his face was familiar, and at herself because it was stuck in her memory.
    “Yes, ma’am, I do.”
    “Keep it handy. When the sheriff comes you’ll need it.”
    “I paid her price.”
    “I can’t just take your word on it.”
    “Unless you give me my forty dollars back, I’m staying. And don’t tell me that I took advantage of her. I thought I was doing her a favor.”
    “I don’t doubt that she gave you a pitiful story. When she gets to a certain . . . ah . . . state, she’ll do anything.” Mary Lee turned and, as fast as her tired legs would carry her, headed back to the house. It was all she could do to keep her head up and her shoulders straight.
    Jake Ramero watched Mary Lee until she reached the house. He felt the same flutter deep in his gut as when he had caught a glimpse of her on the bus. Last night he had been tempted to wait until he was sure someone was meeting her; but when he saw her get back on the bus, he had taken off through the back streets to the motor court.
    When the bus stopped and let her off in front of the court, he was unlocking his door. He had known immediately that she was Scott Finley’s daughter.
    Of course, everyone in town knew that her mother was, and remained, a drunk. That would limit her opportunities with any of the high-tones in town. Hell, after his two-year stint in the pen, he doubted he’d ever be invited to dine with the banker. His chuckle was dry and without humor.
    Good Lord. Surely she could have done better than a loser like Bobby Clawson.
    If she thought old Ocie Clawson was going to give her something because she was carrying Bobby’s kid, she’d better think again. If the old bastard did anything, he’d take the baby and tell her to get the hell out.
    Jake closed the door. It had angered him when he saw her tugging on that old mattress. She shouldn’t be doing things like that in her condition. Hell and high water! It irritated him that she stuck in his mind. He had enough problems without taking on hers. He had come back here for one reason only; and as soon as he took care of that matter, he’d be long gone.
    Mary Lee stopped on her way to the house and rattled the doorknob on number one. It was closed up tight. Frank Pierce had made himself scarce since last night.
    Well, he had to come back sometime.
    An hour later the light over the Vacancy sign was turned off. The three cabins were rented. Mary Lee had four dollars and fifty cents in her pocket. Tomorrow she would pay down on a mattress to go in number three; and when it was paid for, she would see about getting the telephone turned back on. Thank goodness her mother had paid enough on the electric bill so they still had electricity.
    Mary Lee was too tired to eat but knew that she had to for the baby’s sake, which reminded her that she had to see Dr. Morris sometime soon. That was another thing. When was she going to find the time to hem diaper material and line a basket? She had secreted away ten dollars to spend on things for the baby. So far all she had was the diaper material and two gowns.
    The baby was a miracle that she had at first resented because of the way it had been conceived. She had hated every minute she spent in bed with Bobby, trying to give him satisfaction. During the first