The Lady and the Gambler

By Leonard Raborn

"Bob woke up from his nap and looked in surprise the girl lying on his bed. Then he recalled everything and smiled. Gingerly approaching the bed he came and lay done beside her and held her in his arms. He resolved that he would save closer intimacies for later and felt amazement that he had found someone other than the loose women that he usually was with".

In what could either be fate or pure circumstance, Bob and Sarah meet in a casino; Bob is a gambler and businessman and Sarah is a church-going lady. In the course of their relationship, they change each other's lives, Sarah becomes more care free and Bob becomes more responsible and caring. They discover what it really means to love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479775798

Leonard Raborn

Leonard Raborn was born in West Monroe, Louisiana in 1953, where he grew up on a farm. He attended North East Louisiana University and University of New Orleans before moving to Utah in 1981 and earning a Bachelor's degree in English Literature at the University of Utah in 1996, the same year that he had a daughter. He currently writes poetry, studies music, and spends time with his family.

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Copyright © 2013 by Leonard Raborn.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Leonard Raborn has written a very readable first novel. He has incorporated his experience and knowledge of people, places and activities to provide an interesting story. His characters face real life dilemmas in a world where good and evil both reside. We see fidelity versus infidelity, honesty versus cheating, the casino versus the church. Raborn traces the ups and downs as his main characters attempt to forge worthwhile lives and leave a positive legacy.

Dr. Grant Richards

Professor of Behavioral Science

Utah Valley University

Bob liked gambling, loose women and drinking Jim Beam. He met Sarah at the casino bar. She was a church girl who liked to get out and have a good time.

What’s up? asked Bob at the bar. Sarah turned to him her heart leaping at having been approached by this stranger. Oh! I’m out for a wild time. She replied.

Bob ordered another shot of Jim Beam and put another round in the poker machine. Well baby, he resounded, you’ve met the right guy right here at the right place.

Deep in her heart Sarah did not like what she was doing. It was Tuesday evening and she was due on Wednesday night for prayer meeting at the First Gospel Church. She knew that she shouldn’t be here.

But casting off all doubts she said, Yeah, baby and I’m here to give you a good time.

Bob liked what he saw in this young girls face. Hey! he said You ain’t jail bait are you? How old are you? I’ll bet you’re not a day over 16. How did you get in here anyway? his smile and golden tooth serving to belie the seriousness of his words.

Sarah laughed and tossed her hair as she replied smilingly "I’m 21 if I’m a day old.

Well ain’t I a lucky guy! exclaimed Bob. To impress her on this point he pulled out a wad of hundreds and fifties. And I know how to treat a lady right. He said emphatically.

Taking another shot of Jim Beam from the bartender Bob turned and gestured with this hand to the gaming tables. You wanna see me in action, baby? he asked. Sarah and Bob approached the craps table and Bob placed a bill on don’t pass. The dice rolled and Bob won. It happens all the time he told Sarah.

The back of Sarah’s neck tingled at the excitement of all the activity around her. She wondered where the night would end. She was nursing a Shirley Temple when Bob said, let me get you a real drink! He walked to the bar and roared, "Bring me a Manhattan Tea for the lady.

Sarah put the drink to her lips and felt her inhibitions roll away. Before long she was feeling tipsy. Bob guided her by the elbow to a table. She laughed at every foolish thing that Bob and people at the neighboring tables said. She felt right at home.

Bob was charmed by this sweet girl’s naiveté. He wished to possess her—to have her for his own. He fantasized that he was Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind. Hey he said breathlessly, "Would you like to go upstairs to rest?

I would go to the ends of the world with you, rasped Sarah. Bob helped her to get up and find her feet and guided her to the elevator. They rode the elevator to Bob’s floor and Bob guided her to his room. He had to help her stand as he unlocked his door because she was wobbly but that didn’t bother him because that was just how he wanted her to be. Still he didn’t want to take advantage of her in her condition because he wanted her to be more sincere than that when he and she were closer.

Inside he lay her on his king-size bed and he went into his bathroom to freshen up. Sarah was moaning and singing softly. After Bob emerged from his bathroom he sat at his table and watched her sleep. After a while he dozed.

Bob woke up from his nap and looked in surprise the girl lying on his bed. Then he recalled everything and smiled. Gingerly approaching the bed he came and lay done beside her and held her in his arms. He resolved that he would save closer intimacies for later and felt amazement that he had found someone other than the loose women that he usually was with.

When Sarah awoke the next morning she sat up panic-stricken as she looked at her surroundings and espied the strange man lying beside her. Rapidly she tried to remember the events of the evening before. Her movements disturbed Bob from his somnambulism and he sat up and put his arm around Sarah’s waist. W-what happened? sputtered Sarah. Nothing remarkable replied Bob, except that you were a doll last night.

Did we . . . she left the sentence unfinished noting that she was fully dressed except that her shoes were off.

No Bob told her. We didn’t.

Sarah sighed with relief. She hadn’t wanted to go that far—even with this fascinating stranger. You know, I have to go to church tonight, she blurted out. It’s prayer meeting.

Really, said Bob laconically. He had heard of people like that but had never met one of them, especially one so interesting. So what is a girl like you doing here, dear? he said softly with a kindly smile.

Well, I just like to go out in the world and see how other people live—and you have been so kind. Still some people may not understand.

I see, said Bob. Hey! Let’s spend the day together and I’ll take you out and introduce you to some interesting people.

Oh I don’t know; I’m supposed to check into the library later today, she said precariously.

Oh come on said Bob. Call in and use some vacation time.

Well, okay, agreed Sarah

When Bob took Sarah to his car she found that it was a red and white El Dorado. Bob gallantly opened the passenger door for her and said just for you, princess. Sarah was enchanted and happily got in. Bob walked around and sat in the driver’s seat and started his car. Our first stop is a hair dresser and he is good.

As they rode to their destination the city sidewalks were full of busy people. Bob honked at some of them and they waved back. Some were dressed in business suits and some of them were dressed in colorful and Fanciful attire. Bob stopped after driving a few blocks and said to Sarah here we are. Before her was a salon with the name of Guy’s Hair Boutique. Sarah and Bob entered and a young man