Page 70 of Ask No Tomorrows


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“No?”

“No.”

“But I thought you loved him.”

“I do, but he don’t. End of story,” Riley insisted as they found a couple of rockers on the porch and sat down. The night was full of crickets chirping, and somewhere off in the distance someone was playing a fiddle. There was a gentle breeze and it made it more comfortable as Riley sank into the rocker and glanced at Miss Tilda.

“That’s too bad. Did you get your ranch and money back?” Miss Tilda asked.

“Yes ma’am, I did.” Riley nodded. “All of it.”

“I’m so glad.”

“But…I’ve had another idea and I wanted to approach you with it,” Riley began.

“Oh…”

“It’s gonna sound a little crazy to ya. I’m sure. I was gonna sell the ranch, but for some reason I changed my mind as I was headed back. I got another idea.” She smiled at Miss Tilda. “It’s pretty crazy.”

Miss Tilda smiled back. “Why am I not surprised. Well, go ahead and spill it. I’m in a listening mood.”

Riley rocked for a moment then turned all her attention to the older woman. “Let me ask you something first. Do you like it here?”

“Here?” The older woman shrugged. “I don’t know. Never thought about how much I liked or didn’t like it. Places like this, we can’t be too choosey. We try to make it as pleasant as we can but the neighborhood is what it is. Why?”

“‘Cause during my travels, I heard a few conversations about bordellos. I had stayed at the hotel and had eaten out of course and during the time I had heard a lot of conversations that probably weren’t supposed to be heard. Actually, while I was waitin’ in the lawyer’s office. How they were thinking on redistricting the area, which meant you’d be moved to the other side of town which is more unsavory.”

Miss Tilda stared. “I’ve heard that rumor too. And I have to admit I’m not wild about that part of the town myself. Our…work, if you will, has its ups and downs and being moved ever so often happens as the big whigs of this part of town try to change things.”

“I’ve got an idea that could solve all your problems.” Riley smiled.

“Of course you do, so don’t hesitate to tell me. What is it?” Miss Tilda bellowed.

“You could come and run your business from my ranch.” Riley sighed as though she’d solved the world’s biggest problem.

“Your ranch?” Miss Tilda frowned then stared unbelievingly at her.

“But honey, that’s your home. You don’t want a bunch of rangy men and women hanging out there, do ya?”

“I’ve thought about it for several days and it would be perfect. It’s private and no law for miles about. We could get word to ranchers and locals. Even put an ad in the paper if you wanted to.”

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Miss Tilda stared wide-eyed at her for a second. “You’re plum serious, aren’t you?”

“Yes ma’am, I am.”

“But darlin’, we’re whores and you’re not.”

Riley sighed heavily and leaned back in the rocker. “That’s true. But I know for a fact I get mighty lonely out there with no females within a hundred miles to talk to. No one to help with the chores; and it’s a big house, got seven bedrooms, three wash-up rooms, big kitchen and a fancy parlor. Oh I know it isn’t all reds and golds, but we could fix it up in no time. What do you think?”

“No law for miles?” Miss Tilda shot her a glance and smile.

“At least a hundred miles. And I know all the ranchers…”

“And their wives?” Miss Tilda finished for her.

“Yeah, but most of them are older and got more sons than anything, and not all of them are married.”

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