Taming of Jessi Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Why?”
    â€œBecause you need it, and because Parker wants to put Darcy in jail.”
    â€œThen why doesn’t he just send someone down here to arrest him?”
    â€œThe judge needs more evidence.”
    â€œAnd that’s why you’re here, to gather more evidence?”
    â€œAnd to help protect you and the boy.”
    â€œTell the judge thanks, but Joth and I don’t have time to play Pinkertons.”
    â€œYou don’t have a choice.”
    â€œOf course I have a choice,” she said over her cup.
    â€œNot you don’t, because neither do I.”
    She eyed him skeptically. “Meaning?”
    â€œMeaning, if I don’t help you, I have to go back to the Kansas Penitentiary.”
    Jessi stared. “What?”
    So he explained it to her. Griff reasoned that if he confessed everything now, it would save them both a lot of arguing. He was wrong.
    Jessi put down her cup. “They sent me a convicted criminal to help catch an unconvicted criminal?”
    â€œThat about sums it up.”
    â€œWhat were you in jail for?”
    â€œTrain robbing. Mayhem.”
    â€œEver kill anyone?”
    â€œNope. Not real partial to guns.”
    Jessi felt frustration rising. “Then if they were going to send me someone for protection, don’t you think it should’ve been a gunslinger?”
    â€œI suppose, but you get me instead,” he replied, flashing that smile again in the hopes that it would melt her heart as easily as it did most women’s.
    When she didn’t smile in return, he offered tersely, “Could be worse. They could’ve sent you a riverboat gambler.”
    â€œThis is not funny, Mr. Blake.”
    â€œNever said it was, but looks like we’re stuck with one another.”
    Not if she could help it. Because of her ties to Calico Bob she’d met more outlaws than she ever wanted to remember, and not one of them cared a horse’s shoe about life or property unless it was his own, and now she was being told by this stranger that she would have to bring another outlaw in home. “How do I know you’re really who you say you are?”
    Griff reached inside his double-breasted shirt and handed over the letter from Judge Parker.
    A skeptical Jessi took the missive and read it. It introduced Deputy Marshal Griffin Blake and asked for her cooperation. “Why didn’t you say this last night?”
    â€œThe judge and the marshal thought it might be betterif you didn’t know who I was at first. Give you a chance to get used to me being around. They assumed you’d be grateful to me for bringing Bob’s things and give me a job.”
    â€œJust like that.”
    â€œJust like that,” he echoed.
    â€œWell, the only thing I’m grateful to you for is the news that he’s dead.” She handed the letter back to him. “I don’t need anything else from you.”
    â€œLike I said before, you don’t have a choice. I am not going back to Kansas. So where do I bunk?”
    Jessi wondered if he were deaf. “Listen to me,” she told him, speaking slowly, as if he were a child. “I do not want you here, I will not have you here. I do not need your help.”
    â€œSure you do. Look at this place. I’ve seen hideouts with more frills.”
    â€œIf you want frills, Mr. Blake, I’d advise you to look elsewhere. I run a ranch, not a fancy boardinghouse.”
    â€œThen how about the boy? He shouldn’t be growing up like this.”
    His words hit a nerve, making her reply coldly, “I don’t need you to tell me about my nephew’s life. I know how hard this is on him, and if I could change it, I would. Right now, we’re too busy surviving.”
    â€œThen take the judge’s help, stubborn woman,” he said, his own frustration rising. “Even Joth can see you’re up to your neck in white