“It ain’t no hoity-toity job like being a real estate agent,” he warned.

“I don’t care as long it pays me so I can afford a hotel room.”

“The job comes with bed and board.”

She gripped the jail cell bar harder until her nails bit into palm of her hand. The extra money she saved could increase the money for the rising legal fees. She also wouldn’t be a sitting duck if the man from last night did exist and come back as he’d warned.

“Had lunch over at the diner yesterday, overheard the Colemans are looking for a housecleaner to clean some of the boys’ homes on their property. Might need to do a spot of cooking for them, too. Just telling you what I overheard.” He shrugged. “You’ll have to get Diamond to check it out for you.”

“I’m a good cleaner, and I love cooking.” She didn’t, but if he could lie about last night, she could lie about that. “I make a great—”

The deputy raised his hand to stop her from continuing. “It ain’t me you’ll have to convince. Diamond gonna have to convince the judge to let you out on bail, then convince Silas Coleman to hire you, so I wouldn’t get my hopes up until you talk to her.”

“Do you mind calling her and asking her to come see me?”

“Can do.” The deputy turned to leave.

“Thank you. I really appreciate your help. If this works out, I’ll owe you big time,” she said sincerely. Then she hastened to clarify what she meant, not wanting him to get any wrong ideas. “As long as it doesn’t involve sex.”

“Woman, you’re the one with sex on the brain, not me. Jesus, what’s with women nowadays? I remember the good ole days when women were too embarrassed to talk about it. So, you know, around these parts, the word sex is considered a four-letter word coming from a woman with a man in the room.”

“Then, how does you helping me benefit you?” she asked skeptically.

“Puts my ass back in my cruiser, where it belongs.”

Alanna watched the deputy swagger off as if he owned the world as butterflies filled her stomach. He seemed just a little too cheerful when all he was going to get out of helping her was a return to his normal duties.

The first bloom of happiness at possibly getting of jail faded into apprehension. Why did she feel as if she had just unwittingly sold her soul after bargaining with a fast-talking devil in Kentucky?

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

“Mrs. Bates, were you able to contact Mr. Coleman about the housekeeping job Deputy Porter told me about?”