Trailsman #360 : Texas Lead Slingers (9781101544860) Read Free Page B

recited.
    â€œThat didn’t stop you from trying to drink me under the table last year,” Fargo reminded her. She’d almost done it, too. She was the only woman he’d ever met who could drink as much as he did and not pass out.
    â€œThen I must have been trying to drink myself under the table, as well.”
    â€œAnd remember the year before that? You sent a bottle to my room. I didn’t drink it until after, which was lucky for me because it made me as sick as a dog.”
    â€œCoincidence,” Lacey said. “There was a flu going around.” She ran a hand down her leg and over her knee and smiled sweetly.
    Fargo liked how her dress clung to her thighs. Tearing his gaze away, he said more gruffly than he intended, “Shouldn’t you be getting back to the hotel?”
    â€œDidn’t you know? I’m staying with the Deerforths this year.” Lacey shifted and somehow her bosom was twice the size it had been. “Ginny is such a dear. She invited me in past years but I always said no. This time I decided to take her up on it.” Lacey bent toward him. “My room is right down the hall. Feel free to stop by any time of the day or night.”
    â€œNo, you don’t.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œI’m here for the game,” Fargo informed her, “and nothing else.”
    â€œWhat does that have to do with my invite?”
    â€œI wasn’t born yesterday.” Fargo rose and went to the door. “Out you go.”
    â€œHonestly, now,” Lacey said. “You’re throwing me out on my ear?”
    â€œOn your ass,” Fargo said, and opened the door.
    â€œThis won’t change anything.”
    â€œOff you go.”
    Lacey rose and sashayed past and stopped in the doorway. “You’ll regret this in the middle of the night when you want it and can’t have it.”
    â€œOut.”
    Her dress swirled and she was gone but the scent of her perfume hung in the air.
    Fargo closed the door and leaned against it. “What the hell did I just do?” He couldn’t remember the last time he turned down a pretty woman, or any woman, for that matter. He started toward the bed and stopped at a loud knock. Thinking it was Lacey he jerked the door open, saying, “When I told you to go I—”
    â€œWhat was that?” Ginny Deerforth said.
    Fargo glanced right and left but saw no sign of Lacey. “What can I do for you, Virginia?”
    â€œMarion just told me about that awful business at the corral. And that two men were out to do you harm in town.”
    â€œHe should have kept it to himself.”
    â€œDon’t be silly. We can’t allow this. I had Marion send for Marshal Moleen. He should be here inside the hour.”
    Fargo sighed.
    â€œAre you hurt?” Ginny asked, scrutinizing him from head to toes.
    â€œTired, is all,” Fargo said. He’d had a long day in the saddle. “I’d like to get some sleep.”
    â€œAfter the marshal questions you, you can sleep all you want.” Ginny patted his arm. “I’m sorry about this. So very sorry.”
    â€œIt’s not as if you had anything to do with it.”
    â€œI know. But to have a guest assaulted at our home. It’s unthinkable.” Ginny wrung her hands. “I apologize for being so flustered. I don’t like violence. It sickens me.”
    â€œSometimes a person doesn’t have a choice.”
    â€œI know that. I’m not naïve. Texas was born in violence. The war with Mexico, the Alamo, San Jacinto. Violence has held the Comanches in check. Violence keeps the outlaws in line.” Ginny did more hand-wringing. “Yes, there are times when it’s called for. I just wish that wasn’t the case.”
    Fargo smiled, thinking she would go, but she wasn’t done.
    â€œShould whoever is out to kill you succeed, rest assured I’ll personally see to it that you’re