Page 83 of Charlotte's Reckoning
“To meet payroll for thirty, feed everyone, and buy whiskey—$3000. But I can’t get a loan without collateral, and the bank wouldn’t even consider my application because I’m a woman. They made that clear earlier.”
“Since this was your brilliant idea, Sheriff, maybe you could front her the money,” Violet suggested. When he frowned and said nothing—it was a large sum on a sheriff’s salary—she muttered, “I didn’t think so.”
“Even if I win in court, without access to my funds, this will ruin me,” Charlotte protested. “The staff has to be paid. If not, they will find workelsewhere. If I scrape together enough to get through the week, I’ll have nothing to reopen with.”
“Which means Sneed wins either way,” Violet declared before she demanded of the sheriff. “Whose side are you on?”
“I’m trying to do what’s fair and follow the law,” he said quietly.
“I tell you what, Charlotte,” Quentin offered. “Even though you’ve been terrible to me, you seem to care about your people. I’ll keep them on and treat them well if you give in and work for me upstairs. That’s the best deal you’ll get since you’re going to lose when the judge sees my documents.”
“Disgusting pig,” Violet hissed as Charlotte whispered, “I don’t do that kind of work anymore.”
The bastard shrugged, clearly enjoying her predicament. “I’ll give you until morning to decide. Otherwise, I’ll see you next week—in court.”
When Sneed walked out, he almost collided with a young man wearing a deputy’s badge who appeared in the open doorway. He was out of breath, as if he’d been running.
“Sheriff, we’ve got a problem at the jailhouse.”
“Not now, Rob. I’m in the middle of something.”
“I suppose it can wait, but not too long or he’ll get away.”
With narrow-eyed focus, the sheriff asked his deputy, “Who will?”
“Joe Larson. He, uh, busted out—again.”
Seth cursed under his breath. “I’ll be right there.”
The deputy nodded and left. With the instigator of the commotion gone, Bennett’s secretary returned to his outside office.
It seemed to be business as usual for everyone, while her entire life was spiraling out of control.
“Surely there’s something I can do?” she asked of Mr. Bennett.
He shook his head, his expression grim. “If we were in the city, we could get an emergency injunction. But here in the territory, justice often has to wait. I’m sorry, Charlotte.”
“Just like always, you men joined forces and made it impossible for her to win.” Violet took her arm. “Let’s go. We’ll find a way to come up with the money.”
She looked sadly at her friend, who, like her, was facing the impossible choice of losing her livelihood or working for a pig like Quentin Sneed. Before she broke down in tears, she headed for the door.
“Don’t go,” Seth advised. “Let me handle my situation, then we’ll put our heads together and come up with another plan—”
“No, thank you, Sheriff,” she said stiffly. “You’ve done enough damage with your plans already.”
“Charlotte, wait!”
But she didn’t stop, or even turn, as she and Violet headed back to their side of town.
Chapter 20
No Account, Lickspittle, Four-flushing Rotter
With her oversized satchel in one hand and the handle of her leather-bound trunk in the other, Charlotte moved slowly down the rutted main road leading out of town. What a sight she must be with two hats on her head, her high-cut boots with the laces together draped over one shoulder, and wearing five layers—one of which was her knee-length wool coat—in the midsummer heat. What choice did she have?
Fenton’s alleged brother had lied about giving her until morning to decide her future. When she and Violet arrived back at the Red Eye, he had commandeered a table in the center of the room, flanked by two rough-looking men with pistols on their hips, swilling a bottle of their best whiskey.
Charlotte stalked to his table to demand that they leave, but he spoke first, smirking, “Just taking a lesson from you and squatting on what’s mine.”
