Lizzie liked the looks of the stranger. Though he did have the haunted look of a man on the run, he did offer her some hope of a way out of the dead town she’d landed in. He’d been about to smile at her but had suddenly changed his mind. So curious a change that Lizzie looked behind her to make sure someone hadn’t come in behind her.
Seeing no one, she went to the stranger. “How about a drink?”
“Maybe. This game open to anyone?”
She nodded. “Yep. We don’t have enough people in town to be choosy.”
He nodded. “Trace Logan.”
“Lizzie—” She started to say more, but no one needed to know. Frank might be looking for her, and she couldn’t take a chance on him finding her. Not now. She was on the road to death and nowhere and certainly didn’t need to drag the kid down with her.
“Just Lizzie?”
“That’s all.” She stared at Trace and got the odd feeling that he knew more about her. Yet, there wasn’t anything to tell. She was a stained dove who was running from her child and a man who loved her. That was all, but they were better off without her. Lizzie knew that much.
She studied the stranger. His eyes, they were watchful. If he wasn’t on the run, he might be a lawman or bounty hunter. Yet, there was some light in his eyes that drew her to him.
Trace sat down to the game. “Can you spot me a ten?”
The other men snorted.
Kiley spoke up. “You only play if you have the pay.”
Trace put the rifle on the table. “What will you give me for this?”
Kiley picked it up. “That’s a fine gun. I’ll spot you ten for it.”
“It’s worth more.”
Kiley sneered. “Not to me.”
Trace nodded. “Deal me in.”
Lizzie put her hands on his shoulders. They were strong shoulders. She liked the feel of him. As if he was safe. “Want a drink?”
“No.” His voice was gruff and on edge. “How long have you been here?”
“Long enough.” She stepped away from him. She didn’t owe him anything. Besides, it might as well be years even if she’d only arrived two weeks ago. Frank had found her and was taking her back to be a mother for the kid. Blue deserved more than that. Lizzie had run out in the night and never looked back.
The cards were dealt. Trace was a cool one. She could see the way he watched the others. The way no one could tell if his hand was four aces or a pair of deuces. Lizzie kept quiet and didn’t give Kiley a clue.
She knew that she’d pay for that later, but to help Trace, it was worth it. There was something good in him, and she was drawn to that. Probably because anything good had been beaten out of her years ago.
That’s why she had to get away from Blue. Frank would be good to her daughter. She was sure of that. He had good in him too.
A curse word and Kiley slamming his fist on the table brought her attention back to the game.
Kiley glared at the newcomer. “I don’t know how, but I think you cheated.”
Trace shook his head. “You dealt. How could I?”
“I don’t like it.” Kiley’s right hand slid from the table.
Lizzie went to him, pinning his arm to his side. “Want a drink, hon?”
Kiley shoved her away. “I’ll tell you when I do.”
Trace won another hand and then took the winnings and his rifle. He threw ten dollars on the table. “For letting me use the rifle as stakes. You have a café in this town?”
Lizzie left Kiley and stood between him and Trace. “The building just down the road. A hotel and diner. You plan on staying?”
“Yeah, I do. Why don’t you come with me?” Trace said it with authority and not as a question.
Lizzie backed away. “I got me a job.”
“I see that. Come on.” Trace grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door.
Kiley roared at him. “You can’t take her.”
Quick as lightning, Trace pulled his gun and aimed it at Kiley. “Want to say that again?”
“No, I guess not. She’s not worth much anyway. When you get done with her, send her back.” Kiley returned to the table to play another hand.
Lizzie shook. She’d thought Trace was good, but with that fast draw and the hard way he was pulling her to the door, she had her doubts. She braced for a beating or worse and followed him.
***
Trace kept a tight grip on her arm. He’d know soon enough if he was right. The sun was just setting on the horizon, showering the west with color. Blue sat on the boardwalk in front of Charger, feeding him grass that she’d picked.
The girl turned, and her face told the story. “Mama.”
Lizzie pulled back. “Why? How did you get here? Where’s Frank?”
Trace whirled her around to face him. “Dead. Your girl might as well be too if I hadn’t found her on the side of the road.”
“Frank was supposed to take care of you.” Lizzie sank to her knees and held out her arms. “Baby, I’m so sorry.”
Blue sobbed. “I was scared, Mama. Frank was gone for two days. Then Trace found me. I had to leave Lady. I was so scared, Mama.”
Trace shook his head. There was no way that he could let Blue live in that filthy place. And to take Blue meant to take Lizzie. More gentle than he felt like being, he pulled Lizzie to her feet. “I got money for a hotel room and dinner.”
Lizzie shook her head. “I can’t leave. I, I can’t go with Blue.”
“Lady, you don’t have a choice. I have somewhere I need to be, and I’m already late. I can’t very well travel around with a little girl. You’re going with me. Once we get to the place I’m going, we’ll figure something out.”
“Look, cowboy, your horse looks strong, but I doubt he’ll carry all three of us.” She glared at him, the dying embers of the sun’s rays catching the blue in her eyes.
“I won enough to buy another.”
“Kiley isn’t going to let me go. I owe him.”
Trace opened the door to the hotel. “How much?”
“A month if not two.” Lizzie held Blue’s hand.
Trace watched her. She might not want to be a mother, but she was. He could tell by the way she held onto the child as if Blue was a lifeline. In fact, they held onto each other.
Trace pointed at Blue. “She needs her mother.”
“Really, Trace? Have you looked at me? I’m a loser. A soiled dove that’s used up and no good to anyone.” Lizzie’s eyes were moist, but she held back the tears.
He shook his head. “You’re the girl’s mother. She needs you.” He thought about the ranch he was going to. “Maybe you’re due a bit of good to come your way. A blessing.” He opened the door to the hotel.
Lizzie laughed so loud and with such harshness that Blue let go of her and ran to him. Yet, she followed him into the building.
Trace put an arm around Blue’s thin shoulders and stared at the woman. “Show a little love, lady. Blue’s had a rough time in case you care to notice.”
He shoved Blue toward her mother and went to the desk. After a few moments, he pounded on the counter. Finally, the clerk came out from the back.
“One room and dinner for two.”
The clerk squinted. “For the lady and girl?”
“Right.”
Lizzie put a hand on his arm. “Where will you be?”
“In the livery, sleeping with my horse.” He attempted a wry grin.
Lizzie whispered in his ear. “Please, come up to the room with us. This town is no place for a woman alone. I fear for Blue.”
Trace looked around, took the key from her, and went back to the clerk. “I’ve changed my mind. We’ll be moving along.”
“Suit yourself, mister.” The clerk threw the money back at him.
Scraping up the gold coin, Trace nodded. “Let’s go. Stay close to me.” Outside, he put Blue on Charger, and they walked to the livery.
A man in worn clothes shoveled hay into the corral. Trace kept an eye on him and then walked to the gate. “I need a horse. I’ve got twenty dollars.”
The old man sized them up. “I see.” He went in and came out with a gelding. “This one is gentle. Not fast, but he’s sturdy.”
“Does he come with a saddle?”
“No, not for twenty.”
Trace nodded. “Done.” He gave the man the money and then handed the reins to Lizzie. “You can ride?”
“I can ride.” She looked back at the saloon. “If you’re figuring on taking me out of this town, we better go now.”
He nodded. “Blue, you ride with me.”
“Mama, your things?”
“I got nothing, baby.” Lizzie climbed on the black gelding and reined him north. “I’d suggest this way to get out of here.”
“Let’s go. I’ll follow you.” Trace watched the shadows and kept his gun hand ready. What was he doing with a woman and a girl, and what were the guys at Sunset Creek Ranch going to say? Worse, what kind of trouble was he dragging along with him?