Chapter 32

“Is she all right?”

“She’s a strong woman. I think she’ll be all right.”

“What happened? Is she sick?”

“Sadie’s got a lot on her mind right now.”

“Jude, I want to stay here and look after her. I don’t know if it was something I said or what that might have made her sick, but somehow I just feel I need to be close to her now.”

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Of course I do. I like Sadie. She’s a very wonderful woman, and if me being here somehow caused this, I couldn’t live with myself. I want to help her.”

“But this is a damned whorehouse! You’d be livin’ in a goddamned brothel.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be as if I were taking customers. I’ll rent out one of the rooms just like I did inthe hotel.”

“Rent? You’re the owner. Why would you pay rent?”

“Well, I’m sure Sadie could use the money.”

“Whacky females,” Jude said under his breath. “All right, I’ll go over to the hotel, check you out, and get your things.”