living space above.
On the other side of his study door were two dressing areas with only curtains separating them from the far entrance to the main floor. He kept all the ladies’ things in that corner so they could shop and try on with privacy.
He guessed that was how she’d managed to slip into the storage room both times. He walked to the front door and unlocked it, knowing there would be no nap or lunch. Though he watched as he worked, he didn’t see her leave the store, but by dark his body ached for her again.
After Henry went home for the night, Abe checked the storage room, knowing she wouldn’t be there. He put the finest brush and comb set he sold in the little extra room along with hairpins, a new washbasin, and clean towels. When she returned, if she returned, he’d have everything ready for her. He didn’t want his Miss Norman leaving looking like she’d been kissed.
His
Miss Norman? He laughed at himself. She’d never be his even if, for a few minutes when he held her tight, he wished she were.
When he hung a mirror on the back of the door, he looked at himself. All he saw was a fool.
A fool already dying of hunger for another kiss.
Chapter 6
Saturday
Main Street
R ose was amazed how quickly Hallie fell into the role of maid. She’d arrived dressed exactly like the finest lady’s maid would dress, right down to her practical, polished shoes. Once they were in the sitting room, Rose ordered tea and the two women talked about every detail of Rose’s plan to learn about her friend’s groom.
A man might have thought Rose was overreacting to the yellow dress and lace roses, but Hallie agreed it had to be an important cry for help. The telegraph was examined, another clue.
Hallie also mentioned two facts that Rose hadn’t considered. One, Victoria must have known the man for only a very short time or she would have mentioned him in her earlier letters, and two, why have the wedding in Fort Worth when they both lived in Austin? In fact, Major Chamberlain was a very successful businessman in the capital; wouldn’t he have wanted a huge wedding for his only daughter?
“Something’s not right,” Hallie said as she finished off another sandwich. “As soon as the man arrives, I’ll go through his things. I learned a long time ago that most folks carry a tale. Some small thing that tells them who they really are. A wedding ring. A picture. A coin. A bullet they thought meant for them. Find the tell and we find a clue to the secrets he carries.”
“Makes sense,” Rose agreed. “Like maybe a badge or a piece of a uniform they once wore.”
“Right. We find whatever it is and then we go to work.”
Rose decided she liked this woman. “If Tori won’t or can’t tell me what is wrong, we’ll have to investigate. I know she wants me here.”
Hallie smiled. “You can count on me.”
As the hours passed, Rose began to do what she did best. She organized. “If you’ll stay here, I’ll go to the telegraph office and see what anyone may have noticed two days ago when Victoria sent me the message. Was she alone? Was she nervous? Frightened?”
“While you’re gone I’ll go next door and introduce myself to the maid. Maybe I can learn something. You’d be surprised what women in the same trade tell each other.”
Rose laughed. “Good luck. I’ve never been able to get more than a few words out of the woman.”
As she stood, Rose noticed Hallie wrapped the remaining sandwiches in a napkin. “If you don’t mind taking Stitch these extras. I’d hate to see them go to waste.”
Pulling on her coat, Rose took the napkin. She’d just learned something new about Hallie Smith. No matter what else the woman was, she was kind.
One step out the door, Rose collided with a tall figure blocking her path. He stumbled backward, surprised by her attack, and she lost her footing trying to slow. They both seemed to be dancing an odd scarecrow kind of movement a moment before both tumbled to
On the other side of his study door were two dressing areas with only curtains separating them from the far entrance to the main floor. He kept all the ladies’ things in that corner so they could shop and try on with privacy.
He guessed that was how she’d managed to slip into the storage room both times. He walked to the front door and unlocked it, knowing there would be no nap or lunch. Though he watched as he worked, he didn’t see her leave the store, but by dark his body ached for her again.
After Henry went home for the night, Abe checked the storage room, knowing she wouldn’t be there. He put the finest brush and comb set he sold in the little extra room along with hairpins, a new washbasin, and clean towels. When she returned, if she returned, he’d have everything ready for her. He didn’t want his Miss Norman leaving looking like she’d been kissed.
His
Miss Norman? He laughed at himself. She’d never be his even if, for a few minutes when he held her tight, he wished she were.
When he hung a mirror on the back of the door, he looked at himself. All he saw was a fool.
A fool already dying of hunger for another kiss.
Chapter 6
Saturday
Main Street
R ose was amazed how quickly Hallie fell into the role of maid. She’d arrived dressed exactly like the finest lady’s maid would dress, right down to her practical, polished shoes. Once they were in the sitting room, Rose ordered tea and the two women talked about every detail of Rose’s plan to learn about her friend’s groom.
A man might have thought Rose was overreacting to the yellow dress and lace roses, but Hallie agreed it had to be an important cry for help. The telegraph was examined, another clue.
Hallie also mentioned two facts that Rose hadn’t considered. One, Victoria must have known the man for only a very short time or she would have mentioned him in her earlier letters, and two, why have the wedding in Fort Worth when they both lived in Austin? In fact, Major Chamberlain was a very successful businessman in the capital; wouldn’t he have wanted a huge wedding for his only daughter?
“Something’s not right,” Hallie said as she finished off another sandwich. “As soon as the man arrives, I’ll go through his things. I learned a long time ago that most folks carry a tale. Some small thing that tells them who they really are. A wedding ring. A picture. A coin. A bullet they thought meant for them. Find the tell and we find a clue to the secrets he carries.”
“Makes sense,” Rose agreed. “Like maybe a badge or a piece of a uniform they once wore.”
“Right. We find whatever it is and then we go to work.”
Rose decided she liked this woman. “If Tori won’t or can’t tell me what is wrong, we’ll have to investigate. I know she wants me here.”
Hallie smiled. “You can count on me.”
As the hours passed, Rose began to do what she did best. She organized. “If you’ll stay here, I’ll go to the telegraph office and see what anyone may have noticed two days ago when Victoria sent me the message. Was she alone? Was she nervous? Frightened?”
“While you’re gone I’ll go next door and introduce myself to the maid. Maybe I can learn something. You’d be surprised what women in the same trade tell each other.”
Rose laughed. “Good luck. I’ve never been able to get more than a few words out of the woman.”
As she stood, Rose noticed Hallie wrapped the remaining sandwiches in a napkin. “If you don’t mind taking Stitch these extras. I’d hate to see them go to waste.”
Pulling on her coat, Rose took the napkin. She’d just learned something new about Hallie Smith. No matter what else the woman was, she was kind.
One step out the door, Rose collided with a tall figure blocking her path. He stumbled backward, surprised by her attack, and she lost her footing trying to slow. They both seemed to be dancing an odd scarecrow kind of movement a moment before both tumbled to
Similar Books
