hardship?”
“Well, sure—”
“You don’t think I should get something for being scared almost to death?”
“Well, yeah, but—”
“And besides, he would have shot you dead when you came through that door if it wasn’t for me.”
“Well…yeah…” Decker said, grudgingly.
She put her hand out and said, “Partners, then?”
He frowned, but finally figured that half a pie was better than none.
“All right, partners.”
They shook hands but when he went to withdraw his she held on to it.
“How about we go up to your room and seal the bargain?” she asked, frankly.
He was surprised, and stammered.
“Uh, well, I, uh—”
“Decker,” she said, surprised herself, “you’re embarrassed.”
He felt his face flush.
“Well, Anne, to tell you the truth, I’m not all that much of a ladies’ man—”
“Well,” she said, standing and pulling him to his feet, “for tonight, anyway, you’re this lady’s man.”
