AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She was also a sweetheart, who saw nothing wrong in having a good time.
“Anything new going on here?” he asked, taking the bottle of beer.
“Nope. Just regulars, and a couple of townies here for a good time.”
He checked out the bar, and nearly spat out his beer when he caught sight of Cassie. She was sitting at a table with Jessica, William, and some other guy. He had to wonder who was looking after the kids.
“You know that guy sitting at Jessica and William’s table?”
“That’s Chuck. He’s a rancher that has just been dealing with his cattle. Good friends with William, and rarely comes out to play.” Being behind the bar, Bethany was a wealth of information. “It’s good to see Cassie here on her own. She was here many times as a young’un, trying to get her father to go home. Of course, he’d send her out, and men would be pissed at how upset she looked. She’s doing well for herself.”
Now his curiosity was piqued once again. “You know Cassie?”
He turned toward Bethany, wanting all the information he could get.
“Everyone knows Cassie. Her mother was a whore, and trapped one of the sweetest men in town.”
Slade knew Bethany well enough to see pain in the woman’s eyes. “You loved Bill?”
Bethany sighed. “That man was … he was a darling, Slade. He was hard working, and he doted on his little family. Loved Cassie’s mother so much. It always broke my heart when I’d see her here, drawing men’s gazes. I was emptying the trash out once, and I saw six men taking turns with her, and she was loving it. I was going to make them stop, until I heard her screaming for more. That she wanted it.” Bethany shook her head. “For the first time in my life, I really thought I could have been a good woman to Bill, and given Cassie an amazing life. She deserved more than the mother had given her. Bill did as well. Anyway, he turned to drink when she left town, and that sweet, hard-working man ceased to exist. He was a fucking nightmare. It broke my heart seeing him fall. I guess in that moment, I realized the power some women have over men. Wow, you’ve got me gossiping like an old woman, Slade Coal. Now, tell me, why are you so curious about little Cassie?”
“No reason. She’s my neighbor, and I work with her. I guess she’s a bit of a mystery to me.”
That, and he couldn’t stop thinking about her. It was starting to drive him insane.
