Michael’s Wife Read Free Page A

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    â€œLook, Harley, you ain’t shackin’ up with none of your dames in this place. I told you before.”
    â€œRaymond! Ray mond ! Now this gal got lost picking flowers in the desert and I just gave her a ride into town. Right, Doe Eyes? This is my nasty big brother. Sit down, might as well get a hamburger out of old Ray before we go to Luke.”
    â€œNot unless you’re paying, you don’t.”
    â€œCome on, Ray. Two hamburgers and two cups of coffee ain’t going to break you. Looks like you could use the practice.”
    Raymond McBride started to answer but then shrugged and disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned with the hamburgers, a small fleet of flies came with him. Quickly, before she lost her nerve, she asked if she might have the waitress job for a room instead of wages for a day or two until he could find someone.
    Raymond looked from his brother to her, his eyes interested but suspicious. “Harley, if this is one of your schemes to get bedded in town tonight.…”
    â€œThis is her idea, Ray. I’m leaving, honest. Thought she wanted to go to Luke.”
    â€œWell, I could use someone. What’s your name?”
    â€œHer name’s Maggie, Maggie Freehope.” Harley supplied this with a grin he tried to hide behind a napkin. “Now that’s a good waitress name if I ever heard one.”
    â€œI got somebody coming in for dinner, but you can have a room tonight and start in the morning. We’ll see how you work out tomorrow … but no men, understand?” Tiny red veins stood out on the bulb at the end of his nose.
    â€œMen?”
    â€œHe means you shouldn’t share your room with one. You see, Ray? She’s all innocence. You don’t have any worries.”
    â€œShe’s with you, ain’t she? And you better mean what you say about leaving.”
    â€œI’m going now. What room does she get? I’ll put her bag in.”
    â€œNumber Fourteen, right across from here.” He handed Harley a key from the board behind the cash register. “And, Maggie, bring your Social Security card with you in the morning.”
    Harley walked her to the truck and slammed the door on the far side. Keeping the truck between them and the café, they walked to Number 14, and he unlocked the door for her. “You wouldn’t have got in without a bag. What made you change your mind anyway?”
    â€œI wanted some time to think. Maybe I can call this Michael from here. Thanks for everything, Harley. Now if I only had a social security card.”
    â€œCan’t help you there.”
    â€œAt least I have a room for tonight. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t come along when you did,” she said, wishing he’d leave, afraid that he might.
    They stood in the open doorway, Harley leaning against the frame, looking down at her. “You’d have latched onto the first male in sight with that helpless look and had him feedin’ you steak instead of hamburger. Women like you manage to get along real well in this world.” And he leaned closer.
    His closeness made her shiver. “Harley, I’m sorry if I took advantage of you. I didn’t have any choice.”
    â€œHarley!” Raymond McBride yelled from the steps of the café.
    â€œI’m leavin’, I’m leavin’. Well, so long, Doe Eyes. Hope you get away from whatever you’re running from.”
    She watched the truck pull into traffic and wanted to run after it. The panic that had been following closed in … whatever you’re running from . She had the clothes on her back and a slip of paper with a man’s name on it. Was she looking for him or running from him? But you didn’t write down someone’s name and address if you didn’t want to find him.
    The room had a bare floor of dark green tile with some of the tiles chipped at the corners. Bedspread, walls, and