Millie's Second Chance (The Town of Pearl 4)

“Why would you say that?”

“For starters, she’s fucking five men.” His eyes widened and his hands were in fists at his sides.

“What?” he asked through clenched teeth. Obviously, she needed to spell it out for him. She hoped that he didn’t back out of his promise of paying her five hundred dollars for doing this shit.

“The town of Pearl, where the shelter is, is filled with multiple-partner relationships. There’s, like, one woman to two, three, four, and even more men. It’s wild and it’s acceptable. Your little girlfriend has five of her own and one is a deputy.”

“Interesting. I need you to do something else for me.”

“No. You said five hundred for this, just info. Now what?”

“I n

eed you to bring her here. I need you to get her off the ranch without anyone knowing.”

“How the hell am I supposed to do that? There are cowboys everywhere and two of her men come to pick her up every night.”

“Then get her here during the day. I don’t care how you do it, just do it.”

“Where’s my five hundred?”

“I’ll make it five thousand if you get her here.”

“Are you serious? You’re not going to stiff me and take her anyway?”

“No, honey. If you get her here and no one follows, you get the five g’s and I’ll take care of the rest.”

She thought about that. Five thousand was a lot of money.

“Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Good. Now get back there before you get caught.”

Jessie hurried back to her bike. As she made her way to Pearl and the shelter, she thought she had gotten away with sneaking out, but one of the other girls, Sally, busted her as she entered the shared cottage.

“Where the hell did you go to? We’re not supposed to leave the grounds.”

“Says you, the one with the attitude that keeps breaking the rules.”

“That was before. It’s nice here and these women aren’t trying to hurt me.”

Jessie didn’t want to make it obvious that she was helping some guy find his girlfriend. Maybe that’s how Millie wound up here in the first place. Maybe that guy beat her.

“I didn’t want to tell anyone,” she began to say as her mind made up the lies.

“Tell anyone what?” Sally asked.

“Tell anyone about my friend. She’s only fourteen. She’s been abused and she fears everyone. I mean I couldn’t even talk her into sneaking in here and staying in the cottage for the night. I’ve been bringing her food and stuff. Please don’t tell anyone. She’ll be so upset.”

Sally nodded her head in agreement.

“Good. Now can we get some rest? I’m really tired.”

“Sure, but you may want to talk with Cindy or even Millie. They’re both really nice and can be trusted.”

Jessie thought about that. It was what she was counting on.

“Maybe. I’ll see. I’m going to meet my friend tomorrow.”