Chapter 25

The somber sounds of the town's church bells woke Slade from another fitful sleep. Endless hours playing poker, a diet of leather-hard beef, and nights on a cardboard thin mattress were taking their toll on him. He was sure life as a bounty hunter hadn't been near as tough. But, back then he hadn't left Lacey Jarrell behind. Missing her was wearing him down more than this dissolute way of life. Slade shuffled his deck of practice cards and placed them on the night stand. A few more high-stakes poker games, and he'd have enough money to leave this hellhole.

Slade pulled on his jeans and a shirt and headed out for breakfast. Lulu Leigh ran the seediest whorehouse in Colorado, but she whipped up the fluffiest stack of flapjacks any man could ever hope to stab his fork into. And Sunday was the best day to get them. Her girls would be sleeping, and most of her clients would be heading to church to atone for their Saturday night sinning.

Slade wove his way between the townsfolk walking down Main Street toward the small white chapel at the end. They were all wearing their cordial smiles and their Sunday best.

It made Slade smile to think of Lulu's, so conveniently located directly across the street from the church. Only a short stroll from vice to redemption.

"Dalton?"

Recognizing the sheriff's voice, he turned. He found himself face to face, not only with Sheriff Talbot but Mrs. Talbot, as well.

He tipped his hat to both of them. A harmless gesture that seemed to fluster Carolina Talbot.

"Thought you'd have left town by now."

"You sure know how to make a man feel welcome, Sheriff. I'm just trying to earn some traveling money. Nothing wrong with that, is there?"

"S'pose not. As long as you ain't doin' anything illegal to earn it."

"Never earned a dishonest dollar in my life."

"Where you headed right now? You aren't coming to the service, are you?"

Slade smiled. "What's the matter, Sheriff? You think it's too late for me to be forgiven?" This elicited a small, nearly inaudible noise from Carolina Talbot. "Not that it's any of your business, but I'm heading to Lulu's."

Carolina made a sorry attempt at a shocked gasp. Always pretending to be a proper lady, Slade thought wryly.

"Flapjacks, huh?"

"Yup."

"Lulu's are the best around,"

Carolina put her hands on her hips. "And how would you know that, Owen Talbot?"

"Carolina, why don't you go on ahead. I'll be joining you in a minute."

She huffed and stalked off with a loud rustle of skirts.

"You know, I think any man can turn himself around if he wants, Dalton."

"I tried that. Seems my brother thought I was hopeless. Suspect, maybe I am."

"That's a lot of horse dung and you know it." Talbot glanced back, apparently checking to see whether or not Carolina was in earshot. "I'm sorry, Slade, for what happened to your pa and all. He was a good man."

Slade acknowledged the apology with a nod. "I was plenty to blame for that, too."

"It was a long time ago. We all lost our heads that day." The sheriff's eyes flicked for a moment in the direction that his wife had gone. "Wanted to let you know, I have your reward sitting in my office. Seems Jared Purdy was wanted in both Arizona and New Mexico for holdups. His friends killed a lawman getting him free of the noose. It's a settled deal then, you understand? You're free to go about your business. As long as it's lawful, mind." Sheriff Talbot extended a hand to him, which he gladly shook. "Probably enough prize money to give you a new start."

"That's good to know. If you don't mind, I think I'll get over to Lulu's before the hotcakes are all gone." Slade noticed a gleam of envy in the man's eye when he mentioned the breakfast. Or was it Lulu?

* * * *

About the only sound in the brothel was that of butter sizzling on a hot griddle. Several of the leftover Saturday night customers sat bleary-eyed at the table, nearly salivating in anticipation. Chances were, they put up with spending a night with Lulu's less than desirable girls, just so they could partake of Sunday's griddle cakes.

"Ain't you ever going to spend some of that gaming money here, Slade, honey?" Lulu asked as she tossed another fluffy cake onto his plate. She strategically placed her ample bosom in his face as she did so.

"I'm saving up for my ticket out of here, Lulu." Truth was, he hadn't even thought of touching another woman since he'd been with Lacey.

"I guess it's for the best. The girls would be fighting like cats over you, anyhow."

"Yeah, I'm a real catch."

"You are in my book, honey." She returned to her stove with an exaggerated sway of her hips.

Out the window, Slade could see people gathering at the church. And right in the thick of them, he noticed Grady and Dora. He craned his neck and searched the crowd, hoping for a glimpse of her beautiful black hair. He sank back down, disappointment like lead in his stomach.

Good old Grady always trying hard to be the decent son. Escorting Dora to church should earn him some points, Slade thought and then wondered why he cared. Grady stopped on the steps to have a conversation with the reverend, most likely, making wedding plans. Now Slade was making himself sick. He shoved the plate away.

"Another one, Slade?"

"No thanks, Lulu. I've lost my appetite."

Coming out of the dark brothel, Slade squinted into the sunlight. He headed to the livery stable to get his horse. A fast-paced ride outside of the town limits would do them both good.

* * * *

The ride had done nothing to alleviate the gnawing ache in his gut. Slade rubbed the back of his neck as he climbed the stairs to his room. "Now what?" he muttered to himself. He sensed the presence of an unwanted visitor long before he opened the door. He entered with his gun drawn. The small, hazy window provided very little natural light, but Slade could see the outline of the intruder reclining on his bed.

He closed the door, shutting out even more of the light. He tossed his Stetson on the chair. "Carolina."

"Slade Dalton, what took you so long?"

He walked to the window and searched the street below.

"Needn't worry, Slade. He's asleep on the sofa by now. That's his Sunday routine. Goes to church, stuffs his belly with supper, and drinks until he's passed out cold. He won't wake until Monday."

Slade hitched his hip on the window ledge. "To what do I owe this honor, Mrs. Talbot?"

"I've missed you, Slade. This place hasn't been the same without you." She pushed herself off the bed and walked toward him. She was still wearing the dress she'd worn to church only she'd undone the lacings of the tight bodice. The thin chemise did little to hide her nipples. She put her hands on his thighs and leaned in close.

In the traces of sunlight, Slade could see she was still an enticing woman with full lips and wide eyes. But there were now tiny lines around her eyes and a few strands of silver in her hair.

"Why don't you kiss me, Slade?"

"Why don't you head home, Carolina?"

His suggestion did not deter her. She moved in closer, her mouth mere inches from his now.

"Oh, come on, Slade. You can't still be pining over that little hussy your brother's marrying?"

He stared at her wondering how even Carolina knew of his feelings for Lacey.

"I couldn't believe the way you gazed at her, that day, in Gertie's shop. Every woman dreams of having a man look at her like that. Too bad she belongs to your brother." She inched her hand up his thigh. "I could help you forget her. You and I could have fun again."

He gave her a hard look. "Why don't you go find some young boy to seduce? I think, I'm a mite old for your taste."

She went to slap him, but he caught her wrist. She glared at him. Any traces of beauty were now gone. He was looking at a bitter woman.

Yanking free of his grasp, she shrieked, "Your brother Grady was right. You are nothing but a two-bit loser."

"Grady? What the devil does he have to do with this visit?"

She set her lips in a stubborn line and began hastily tying up her lacings.

"He put you up to this, didn't he?"

She gave an exaggerated shake of her head.

"How much did Grady pay you to set me up?"

"A lot more than you are worth, Slade Dalton. I guess, you could say that he's willing to pay any amount to get you out of town. Seems you can't be trusted around other men's women." Carolina laughed at her own remark.

"There is only one man's woman I can't be trusted around, and you sure as hell ain't her."

She nearly fell down the rickety stairs in her haste to get away.