Read Lee (The Landon Saga Book 6) for Free Online

those big and solemn eyes.
    I was startled, and I almost dropped my cards.
    “Mister Lee,” she said in that soft and clear voice.
    “June, you shouldn’t be in here,” I said sternly.
    “Mister Lee, I gotta go,” she said as she ignored my comment.
    “Go where?” I frowned.
    “I gotta go ,” she said again more urgently.
    “Oh. That,” I said, and I gestured at the back door. “Go ahead. The outhouse is out there.”
    “But it’s dark,” she objected.
    “Yes, it does that when the sun goes down.”
    “Ma told me not to go outside when it’s dark.”
    I frowned at her, but June’s face remained the same.
    “Where’s your Ma?”
    “She’s busy, cleaning tables.”
    “Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll take you. Wait until this hand is over.”
    The game had come to an abrupt halt. Everyone was watching us, and I noticed a few frowns.
    “I’m sorry,” I smiled at everybody.
    “How many cards?” The dealer asked.
    “I’ll play these,” I said.
    The dealer nodded and moved to the next player. I started to look at my cards again, but before I could I felt a tug on my shoulder.
    “Mister Lee,” June said. “I gotta go bad.”
    “Wait.”
    “I can’t.”
    The game had halted again, and everyone was frowning at us.
    “You can’t wait two minutes?”
    “No. I gotta go bad, Mister Lee.”
    I frowned at her, and she stared back through those round and solemn eyes.
    “Fine,” I grumbled. “Let’s go.”
    As I stood, I reluctantly tossed my cards facedown onto the table.
    “I fold,” I said, and added, “I’ll be right back.”
    I heard a few mumblings as I took June by the hand and left.

Chapter nine
     
     
    “How long does it take for one little girl to go to the outhouse?” I asked irritably.
    “I’m almost done, Mister Lee,” came the soft and clear voice from inside.
    Several minutes had passed, and the night air was cool. I rubbed my shoulders and shivered while I waited.
    I finally heard a noise. The outhouse door opened, and June stepped out.
    “All done?” I asked as I took her by the hand.
    “Yes. Thank you, Mister Lee.”
    “Don’t mention it,” I said as we hurried back inside.
    April was in the poker room, and she looked worried. But then she spotted us, and a relieved look crossed her face.
    “There you are,” she said sternly. “Where have you been?”
    “She had to go to the outhouse,” I explained.
    April’s eyes grew wide.
    “Oh! I’m so sorry,” she said as she took June’s hand.
    “Forget it,” I said, and then I gestured at the poker table. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”
    “Yes, of course!” April said, and she hurried out of the room, leading June behind her.
    I watched them go, and I sighed as I sat back down at the table.
    “Now, where were we?” I asked with a smile.
     
    ***
     
    Usually, when I finally got a good hand, that was a sign that other good hands were about to follow. But, not on this night. I started losing hand after hand, and I had to fold a lot. It became irritating and frustrating.
    Another hour passed, and by then lady luck had completely turned her back on me.
    “Deal me out,” I said as I stood. “I need some coffee.”
    The men nodded, and I walked to the front room.
    Things were busy. All of the tables were occupied, and the room was loud with laughter and chatter.
    I walked over to the bar and caught Amos’s attention.
    “Coffee,” I said.
    He nodded. He poured me a cup and set it on the bar in front of me.
    “How’s the poker game?” He asked.
    “Why do you care?” I scowled.
    “I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I was just making conversation.”
    I grunted in response. I took a swig of coffee, and I grimaced as I burned my tongue.
    “Hot?” Amos asked.
    “Just a little.”
    “I’m sorry if I made it too hot.”
    I didn’t reply. Instead, I shot Amos a dark look, and he moved down the bar and tended to another customer.
    A few minutes passed, and Brian Clark walked over.
    “How’s the game