Free The Gunsmith 385 by J. R. Roberts

Clint said. “See you inside.”
    He followed Laura to the house, watching the way her behind fit her jeans as she walked.
    Â * * * 
    Travis came in while Clint was drinking coffee. He’d already discovered that Laura lived there alone and raised horses.
    â€œDon’t have so many now,” she said, “which is why I can’t afford to have any stolen.”
    â€œDon’t blame you,” Clint said.
    Travis sat down and Laura poured a cup of coffee for him.
    â€œHope you fellas don’t mind stew,” she said, stirring a big pot.
    â€œIt smells great, ma’am,” Travis said. “And I appreciate this coffee. I’ve been drinking Clint’s trail swill for too long.”
    â€œMy trail swill is just fine,” Clint said. “But this
is
better.”
    Travis sat across from Clint.
    â€œWhat did you get from him?” Clint asked.
    â€œHe’s steamin’ mad that his friends left without him when they were in Bronson. He figures they’re headed for Waco, and then Fort Worth.”
    â€œWe’ll have to take him with us when we leave,” Clint said. “We can’t leave him here.”
    Travis looked at Laura.
    â€œIs there a lawman near here?”
    â€œThere’s a sheriff about ten miles west of here, town called Millard. He’d take him.”
    Travis looked at Clint.
    â€œThat’s a ten-mile detour,” Clint said.
    â€œWe know where they’re going,” Travis pointed out. “If we get an early start tomorrow . . .”
    â€œWe’ll have to think about it overnight,” Clint said.
    â€œChow’s on, boys,” Laura said, carrying two bowls to the table, then fetching one for herself.
    They stopped talking and started eating.

TWENTY-THREE
    The stew went down smooth, even though the meat was kind of tough. They each had a second bowl, washed down with some more coffee.
    â€œGot some left,” she said. “Should I take it out to him?”
    â€œThat’s right nice of you, wantin’ to feed somebody who tried to steal from you,” Travis said.
    â€œDon’t want it to go to waste,” she said “and you don’t want him collapsin’ from hunger on you.”
    â€œNo, we don’t,” Clint said. “Travis, why don’t you go get him and bring him in here. Let him eat. Maybe if we show him a kindness, he might have more to say.”
    â€œWhat about the horses?”
    â€œI’ll go out and take care of them.”
    â€œI’ll show you where to put them,” Laura said.
    â€œOkay,” Clint said. “Thanks.”
    The three of them went to the barn. Clint and Laura waited outside while Travis untied Davis and then walked him into the house.
    That left the two of them alone.
    â€œYou mind if I ask you somethin’?” she asked.
    â€œSure, go ahead.”
    â€œYou like the way I look?”
    â€œWha—well, yeah, I think you’re beautiful.”
    â€œBeen a long time since I been with a man,” she said, “and I find you right appealing.”
    â€œWell . . . I’m flattered.”
    â€œWon’t take long,” she said. “we can just go right there in the barn.”
    â€œLaura,” he said, “you’re obviously not a woman a man wants to rush with.”
    She smiled at him and asked, “Is that sweet talk?”
    â€œI guess it is.”
    Laura took Clint by the hand and led him into the drafty old barn. “I couldn’t wait another second,” she said.
    Clint allowed his eyes to linger on the rounded curves of her breasts and the smooth, creamy skin of cleavage displayed by her tight-fitting clothes. She had managed to already undo the top two buttons of her shirt. “I’ve been thinking of a few things myself,” he told her.
    â€œLike what?”
    He answered by moving closer to her and taking her in his arms. She responded