Love On The Frontier (A Bounty Hunter's Tale) Book I

Chapter Eight | Farewells

'You love him.'

Arizona 1873

Clayton was frustrated. As much as he wanted to he could not just leave her there without a safe place to stay. His newly developed sympathetic conscience would gnaw at him day and night. He did not want something else tormenting him in his dreams.

"Alright. . ." Millie gave in. "I'll just figure somewhere else to put her. Maybe she can be my assistant's...assistant. She seems smart enough. It's hard work, but I think she may be able to manage." 

"She'll have to." He let out a sigh of relief before kissing her cheek. "Thanks, Millie, I owe you one."

"Oh, I try." She said with a smile and waved her hand. "It's the least I could do for all you've done for me." Without Clayton she would still be married to her abusive husband and drowning in poverty.

Clayton ordered them both another round of drinks. The two of them sat there in silence for a moment. Millie exhaled smoke from her mouth and said, "You fuck her, yet?"

Clayton nearly chocked on his liquor. "What? No. Why would you assume that?"

"Because I know you, Clayton Hardin. When are you not up a woman's skirts."

"Less often than you accuse me of." He leaned back and crossed him arms. "And for the last time, I ain't touched the girl and I don't plan to."

Millie chuckled and shrugged her shoulders. "We'll see. . .I booked the two of you one room." Millie said mischievously as she sipped on her bourbon.

Clayton clenched his jaw, getting ready to argue. At that moment Lena walked into the parlor. She was in a red skirt with a white shirt, and her curls hung loose at her shoulders. Clayton had to admit, she looked real pretty, but real young.

"She's a beautiful girl." Milled said, a tinge of jealousy on her face. "I remember when you were that young."

Clayton frowned over at Millie. "Key word--girl."

Lena nervously approached them. She had a feeling that they had been taking about her.

"Hey there, honey. Didn't you clean up nicely?" Mille winked, causing Lena to blush. "Come on, let me take ya'll to our private dining hall.

The hall was a large room of emerald carpet and mahogany walls. The gold and green drapes were something to envy. "You're such a pretty young lady, Lena. What are you doing hanging around such a bad bad man," Millie teased.

Lena giggled and stole a glance over at Clayton who appeared unimpressed. In fact he was on the verge of strangling himself.

"He's not all bad," Lena said.

Clayton rolled his eyes before rising from the table. "I'll be at the bar."

"So. . ." Millie began once Clayton was out of the hall. "Clayton told me of your most recent tragedy and current dilemma."

"Yes. . ."

"I'm so so sorry that this has happened to you, honey. It's a terrible thing to loose so much in a short amount of time."

Lena felt so much appreciation for this woman who was showing her genuine kindness despite her race. "Thank you."

"Well. . .I'm willing to help." She grinned. "You can stay with me. Not for free, of course, but you'll earn an honest days wage. Ever heard of a secretary? "

She nodded. "My ma had been one when she met my pa."

"Wonderful! That's what you'll do. Well, you'll assist my secretary, which is basically the same thing."