Chapter 16

"Come in," said Randy Barrett.

Tom opened the door. He still could not believe he was here.

"She left me," was all he could manage.

Barrett offered him a seat and Tom eased himself onto the sofa, exhausted.

"What you need is a good drink," said the rancher, moving to a small bar at one end of the room.

"She ran off with Vasquez."

"Vasquez? Why the little whore... oops, sorry."

"It's all right. That's exactly what she is and I've been a fool to think she was anything else."

"Maybe she'll come back," volunteered Barrett.

"No, I don't think so. Besides, after the things she said, I never want anything to do with her again... with ANY woman!"

"Well, I can't blame you for that... Do you have a place to stay?" asked Barrett, changing the subject.

Tom nodded negatively.

"They took everything! Money, clothes, wagon, team... everything!"

"Then stay here with me!"

Tom's eyes met those of Barrett.

"I'll make you a promise," stated Barrett, his voice low and sincere. "Stay with me and I'll treat you right. Stay as long as you like. I'll never run out on you the way she did."

Tom was confused. Experiencing inner urges he felt he shouldn't, he finished off the drink and lay back on the sofa.

"I won't ever let you down, Tom. I won't ever disappoint you," said Barrett, almost in a whisper as he sat on the edge of the sofa.

Barrett's voice was low and husky.

"Please, Tom"

"Yes... maybe for a while," Tom said softly as his arm came across his face, hiding his eyes as the other man's hands began exploring his body.