LITMIR.BIZ

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them. The look Lena gave Owen appeared to be one of doubt. She wondered what Owen had told his sister about her. Did Lena think of Laura as the spoiled socialite she’d once been? Or had Owen been more generous in his descriptions of her?

      “You’re company,” Lena said. “You just make yourself at home, and we’ll take care of the rest.”

      Laura smiled pleasantly. “I insist on being helpful. It’s the only way I could possibly feel at home.”

      Owen looked at her like she was being difficult again. She supposed that as much as he tried her patience, she probably tried his. Funny that they hadn’t had such a battle of wills before. Perhaps it would convince Owen that Laura was a different woman now. It irritated her that she cared so much. Why should she care when Owen didn’t?

      “If that’s what you want,” Owen said. “As long as Lena doesn’t mind. She’s the real boss around here.”

      “Ha!” Lena glared at her brother. “Don’t listen to a word he says. Owen never did anything anyone ever told him to do unless he already had it in his head to do it.”

      Owen grinned, a carefree expression Laura had never seen on him before. “I learned everything I know about being stubborn from you, big sis.”

      Watching the siblings tease each other in such a familiar way made Laura feel even more like an outsider.

      “Don’t you start,” Lena said, shaking her head. “None of us have time for your nonsense. You’ve still got the evening chores to do, and I need to get Laura settled. Supper will be ready soon, so stop your yammering and get to it.”

      Owen gave Laura a look as if to say, See what I mean? then walked to the back of his horse, where he untied Laura’s small bag from the saddlebags. As much as she’d resented Owen picking over her choices of articles of clothing that he felt were too nice, now that she knew she was staying on a working ranch, she felt a little better about his heavy-handedness.

      “I’ll just take this into the house for you,” Owen said, sounding a little gruff.

      Laura smiled at him. “I can do it. It’s not that heavy, and Lena says you have work to do. I told you, I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”

      He opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but Lena shot him a glare, and he closed it again. Laura would have to learn how she did that.

      “That’ll be just fine,” Lena said, taking Laura by the arm. “You’ll want to freshen up after your journey.”

      They paused so Laura could take her bag from Owen, and Lena led her into the cabin. The porch was wide and inviting, with a pair of rocking chairs and a porch swing that looked like the family spent many pleasant evenings sitting here. Inside the cabin, the space was larger than it first appeared.

      With a formal parlor and dining room, the front of the house looked like it would fit in with any of the nicer homes in Leadville or Denver. Certainly, it had the feel of the home she’d grown up in. She hadn’t expected Owen to be so domestic. One more piece to the puzzle.

      “What a lovely home you have,” Laura said, smiling as she took it in.

      “Thank you. Our uncle built it for his wife, hoping that such a fine place would make her happy, being so far from the city. Plenty of room for entertaining guests.”

      It seemed there was far more to the story, but Lena turned abruptly and gestured to the stairs. “Your room is up here.”

      Apparently, being close lipped was a family trait. At the top of the landing was a wide window, giving Laura a clear view of Leadville across the flat valley between the mountain ranges surrounding the area.

      “It’s magnificent,” she said, staring. “You don’t realize what a beautiful city it is when you’re there, do you?”

      Lena made a noise. “Too much commotion, if you ask me. All that noise, the smells and, oh, the mud. The city’s much better from a distance. But I do agree that it’s a nice view. Sometimes I like to sit here with my sewing. You’re welcome to join me.”

      The first overture of friendliness from the Hamilton siblings since this ordeal began. Laura supposed it was just as much of a shock to them, having their lives upended so.

      “Thank you. That would be lovely. I often sew with the women from church.” Laura paused, wondering about this woman she knew nothing about, yet felt like she should have. How could she have known Owen all this time and not met his family? Not even heard references to them?

      “I wonder why we haven’t met socially before. I’ve seen Owen a few times in town at church, but you aren’t familiar to me,” she said.

      A dark look crossed Lena’s face. “Owen is very protective of his family. We only go to small, intimate gatherings where all the parties are already known to Owen.”

      She looked like she had more to say, but then she turned away.

      “Your room is here.” Lena opened the door nearest to them. “The girls are across the hall, and I’m next to them.”

      Stepping aside to let Laura pass, Lena pointed to another room. “That there’s a bathing room. One of our uncle’s attempts at pleasing his impossible bride. Has all the fancy gewgaws and gadgets rich folks pride themselves on. Let me know if you want a bath, and I’ll show you how to work it. We only bathe once a week, but you’re welcome to use it anytime.”

      Laura stifled a smile at Lena’s disdain for the room. Or maybe it was the wealthy people Lena didn’t like. In particular, this hard-to-please bride she’d mentioned. Laura’d had a bathing room in Denver, but it had seemed too much of an extravagance to install one in her boardinghouse in Leadville.

      When Laura stepped into her bedroom, she found it to be well decorated and a very pleasant space. Someone had put a great deal of effort into the quilt on her bed, and a beautiful cross-stitch hung above it. Lena’s work? Laura was almost afraid to ask more questions of her hostess. “This is wonderful, thank you. I’m sure I’ll be quite comfortable here.”

      As she looked around, Laura realized that Lena hadn’t mentioned where Owen slept. And that all of the rooms upstairs appeared to be taken. “But where is Owen’s room? I haven’t put him out of his bed, have I?”

      That could account for Owen’s sour mood toward her.

      “Not at all. His room is downstairs, off the kitchen. Our uncle used it as a study, but Owen likes the location for making sure everyone is safe.”

      Laura nodded. That sounded like Owen. “He’s very concerned with safety, isn’t he?”

      “He has a right to be,” Lena said stiffly. “I’ll leave you to unpack. The water in the pitcher is fresh.”

      Before Laura could respond, or even thank Lena for her hospitality, she was gone. Lena might have encouraged Owen to invite her to stay, but it seemed like Lena was just as closed off as her brother was when it came to answering Laura’s questions. So many secrets, and even though Laura was curious about them, she wondered if she’d be better off not knowing.

      She’d already developed feelings for Owen once, and clearly she’d been mistaken there. What heartache would she face if she learned all the things about him that he’d been keeping private, and he once again didn’t return her regard?

      * * *

      Owen didn’t turn around when he heard Lena enter the barn. “Hand me that liniment over there, will you? Troy’s leg feels hot.”

      A few moments later, Lena handed him the jar. They had a good routine, and it was comforting to know he could always count on his sister.

      “She seems nice,” Lena said.

      “They always seem nice.” Owen rubbed the sore spot on Troy’s leg. He shouldn’t have pushed him hard that last mile. He’d seen signs that Troy was tiring, but he’d been so eager to get home. Owen just

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