Runaway Read Free Page B

yours?”
    “Over near Bluff Springs.”
    Dan nodded as he considered the offer. He looked back down at his own cards.
    The saloon had suddenly gone quiet as everyone realized just how tense the game had become. The stakes were high—real high if this Chuck Davis was betting his ranch. The other customers gathered around the table to see which gambler was going to win.
    “You must be feeling mighty good about your hand,” Dan sneered, giving the rancher a smug grin.
    “I am,” Chuck replied evenly, but inwardly, he was bristling at the outlaw’s arrogance. He didn’t let his irritation show, though, for he’d heard how dangerous this man and his gang were, and he didn’t want to get caught up in a shoot-out. He just wanted to win all the money that was riding on this game. He’d been going through some hard times on the Circle D and needed the cash to keep the place going. “What do you say?”
    “I’ve always wanted to be a rancher.”
    “Well, let’s see what you’ve got,” Chuck challenged.
    Dan smiled confidently as he slowly spread his full house of kings and tens out on the tabletop for all to see. “What are you holding?”
    For a moment, Chuck could only stare at the other man’s winning hand in disbelief, and then the reality of what had happened hit him. He’d lost everything. Slowly, painfully, he tossed his losing hand on the table.
    “Whoo-hooo!” Dan roared. “Looks like Lila here brought me all that good luck she was promising!”
    A roar went through the crowd as Dan got up and kissed the saloon girl hotly before swinging her around in celebration.
    “What do you say, boys? Looks like I just got me a ranch! I’m buying! Drinks are on me!” Dan stood up and raked in all the money he’d just won. He stuffed his pockets full of the cash. “We got some celebrating to do.” He looked over at Chuck. “I’ll find you later, and we’ll talk.”
    Chuck only nodded.
    Dan turned away from the table, and, keeping Lila at his side, he headed to the bar to join his men.
    “You just had yourself one lucky night,” drawled Seth Rawlins, the fastest gun in the gang.
    “Yes, I did,” Dan agreed, picking up the glass of whiskey the bartender had set before him. He took a deep drink as he eyed Lila hungrily and then grinned. “And the night’s not over yet.”
    “No, it’s not,” Seth said, leering at Lila.
    The other three members of the gang, Ted Wilkins, John Harris and Al Meade, who went by the nickname of Slick, came over to congratulate Dan.
    “That sure was a fine hand,” John told him.
    “I’ll say,” Dan agreed.
    “What are you going to do with the ranch?” Ted asked.
    “Why, I’m going to settle down—maybe get me a wife and have some kids,” Dan joked.
    They all laughed, for they knew what kind of man he really was.
    Dan was laughing with them.
    “I’ll think of something,” he assured him. “But right now, I got something else on my mind—”
    Two of the other saloon girls came over to him, a buxom blonde known as Francie and a dark-haired beauty named Dolly.
    “I love a winner,” Francie said brazenly, positioning herself close enough to him so he could have a clear view of her cleavage in her low-cut dress.
    “So do I,” Dolly agreed.
    Dan eyed them both, but he knew Lila had more to offer him—a lot more. “I’ve already got the woman I need.” He looked brazenly down the front of Lila’s gown. “But some of my boys will be glad to show you a good time. Won’t you, boys?”
    “You bet,” Seth replied.
    Seth quickly grabbed Francie and yanked her over to him while Slick went after Dolly.
    “Lila, darling, you done got yourself a winner tonight.” Dan smiled at her. “Let’s go upstairs and get this celebration started!”
    Lila took his arm and drew him up the staircase and down the hall to her room in the back. Dan had won big tonight, and she knew he was going to take care of her real good.
    Francie looked up at Seth. “What about you? Are