Read Wild for Free Online

one between your eyes, even if it costs me my life. Do you understand?”
    “Yeah, I do,” Tom said, waving the innkeeper over. “This round’s on me.”
    “I passed the manager on my way back from the outhouse,” Juan said when he returned. “He has a couple of rooms upstairs for rent at a reasonable rate. I didn’t want to assume anything.” He nodded towards Matt. “But we might want to consider staying the night. There’s a stable in the back for our horses, too.”
    “You might be right,” Matt said. He pulled a wad of money from inside his jacket and passed it to Juan. “We need a room with two beds and a chair. I want to walk around a bit, ask some questions, and then we’ll rest in shifts. Tom, will you take the first guard?” He looked over at Tom. The outlaw’s seat was empty. He swore as he looked around. Tom had sidled up to the inn’s long bar, beside a garishly-painted blonde in a pink dress.
    “Let’s go.” Matt grabbed his beer and headed for Tom.
    “Oh, hey, guys,” Tom said, turning around when Matt’s shadow fell on him. “This is Janey. We know each other a little bit.” Tom and Janey looked at each other and guffawed. “Janey, these are my friends, James and Mark. They’re helping me look for Lee.”
    “You’re friends of Lee’s, then?” Janey asked, furrowing her brow.
    “Uh...not exactly,” Matt said. The outlaw was quick, he’d give him that. “I was heading this way and ran into Tom, here. We’re both looking for Lee and figured we could help each other. James is one of my ranch hands.”
    “Nothing too serious, I hope,” she said before sipping at her glass of whiskey.
    “Nothing you need to worry about, darlin’.” Matt smiled. “I don’t suppose you can help us out.”
    “Well, I know most of the guys that ride with him,” she said. “That’s how I met Tom a few years back. I haven’t seen Lee in a while, but Fancy Jim Davis was in here last night, and he’s joined to Lee like one of them Chinese twins.” She giggled and grabbed onto Tom’s arm. “Don’t go nowhere without him. Not for more than a couple of hours, anyway.” She winked at Matt, and he looked away.
    “You’re turning red, there, partner,” Tom said. “Janey just likes a little company sometimes, is all.” He turned his attention back to Janey and stroked her cheek. “Don’t suppose you can tell me where you two holed up for the night.”
    “He came to my place. Said he’d be back around tonight, to say goodbye.”
    “Did he, now? Well, maybe I’ll see him around before he shakes the dust from his heels. Thanks, honey.”
    “Don’t mention it,” Janey said. “Don’t suppose you boys will be in town for long?”
    “Not any longer than we need to be, ma’am,” Matt said. He tipped his hat and grasped Tom’s arm. “We ought to be going.”
    “Right.”
    “Let’s see about that room,” Matt said as they walked away. “We’re going to need to catch a couple hours rest.” Juan split off to look for the manager.
    “If you’re thinking what I think you are, we have at least five hours coming to us,” Tom said. “Fancy Jim’s not likely to slink off to visit Janey until the sun goes down, and I already know where she stays. Been there a few times myself. You might even want to consider extending your stay a few hours, if you get my meaning.”
    “You’ll have to forgive me, Tom, for saying that I find the idea of sharing a bedmate with you unappealing.”
    “Suit yourself, pardner.”
    * * * *
    “Wake up, señor .”
    Matt rolled out of his blanket and sprung quickly to his feet. As he pulled his gun from under his pillow he saw Juan climb out of the rickety wooden chair they’d set in front of the door. “Everything’s quiet, boss,” the Mexican said, walking over to Tom’s bunk and tapping the outlaw on the shoulder. “ Señor , it’s time.”
    “Yeah, yeah.” Tom clambered from his bunk and fetched his gun belt from the floor. In his other