Read Online Hooked by Stef Ann Holm - Free Book Online

blink of an eye.
    He shouldn’t have cared who she was buying the cigars for. But she said “gentlemen” so casually, he couldn’t dispel the wryness from his tone. “The gentlemen?”
    â€œYes, the gentlemen.” Meg gave an airy wave of her hand—quite a dramatic show of savior-faire. “They’re for the hotel. You see, I’m in charge of the lobby, Mr. Wilberforce. It’s mine to do with as I please. Thus, the cigars for the gentlemen and the tea and scones for the ladies.”
    â€œI see.” For some strange reason, Gage was relieved.
    Farley returned, and Meg said nothing further on the subject.
    â€œWould you like me to put the twelve seventy-five on the hotel account, Miss Brooks?”
    â€œYes, please.”
    Farley wrote up the order in a book, then handed Miss Brooks her parcel as the door opened and a ruddy-cheeked young man wearing an open down the middle calf-length coat came into the store.
    His ears didn’t lay flat against his head, although they didn’t stick out so far they were the first thing aperson noticed about him. What Gage zeroed in on was his bold as brass fine attire. He wore his hat at a jaunty angle that didn’t suit him; the shoulders of his coat were padded; watch charms hung from the chain looped in his checkered vest.
    A definite highbrow. Was he the winner of last year’s contest?
    â€œThere you are, Margaret,” he called. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
    Clearly Meg Brooks hadn’t wanted to be found. Dread shone in her eyes and she colored fiercely. Facing him, her greeting contained the doom of a felon facing a firing squad. “Hello, Harold.”
    â€œI need to talk to you about your grandmother. She’s done it again.”
    Gage noted the man’s Adam’s apple bobbed quite noticeably when he became excited.
    Meg stood straighter, as if taking on a defensive pose.
    Turning to Harold, she said, “Harold, I think you should wait for me outside and I’ll talk with you there.”
    â€œBut, Margaret, she’s gone and pasted flyers on the front of the Blue Flame Saloon that say women should be allowed to go inside for spirits. Lynell Pickering told me she did it last night under the cover of darkness.” Young Harold ruefully shook his head. “I can’t explain away that kind of behavior to my father. I know it’s not your fault, but she’s your grandmother.”
    â€œYes, I know she’s my grandmother,” Meg challenged. “And whatever she’s done . . . well, she’s done. That’s all. She must have really thought it was a good idea.”
    Gage smiled. Bully for Meg. Bully for the grandmother,Mrs. Rothman. He’d liked her when she checked him into the hotel. As a matter of fact, he thought her bicycle chain made quite a statement. There was no reason a decent woman shouldn’t be allowed into a saloon if she wanted to sip on some suds.
    But Harold was an imbecile for calling Meg on it in the company of others.
    Tamping the urge to revert to his true personality and back the squealer into a corner, Gage had to say in his foppish voice, “Jiminy Christmas, Master Harold, you look too young to be patronizing a beer hall.”
    Brows raised, Harold gazed at Gage with a puzzled crease in his forehead. “Who’re you?”
    â€œVernon Wilberforce.” Gage didn’t hold out his hand. Even Wilberforce had his limits.
    Harold scrunched his pug nose. “Margaret, do you know this man?”
    â€œYes I do, Harold. He’s a guest at the hotel.”
    â€œOh.” Drawing himself taller, he tried to look as intimidating as possible for a pencil in a suit. “Are you finished in here, Margaret?”
    â€œYes,” came her soft reply. “But wait for me outside. Please.”
    With a parting look at Gage, Harold left the store.
    Meg remained silent a moment; then she picked up