LITMIR.BIZ

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      He certainly had been in Denver when her fiancé learned she was an outlaw’s daughter and ended their engagement. He knew her secret. But had he guessed her true reason for coming to the Crown Seven?

      Ellie bit her lower lip as worry nipped along her nerves. She couldn’t botch this up, not when her pa’s life was at stake.

      Her pa. She’d grown from being a little girl who adored her daddy to a young woman ashamed of what he was. But because she’d loved him with a daughter’s devotion, him staying away from her had hurt that much more.

      He’d done it to protect her reputation.

      But the truth came out anyway.

      It stripped her of her dream of a family and cost her the coveted position in Denver she’d worked hard to achieve.

      It forced her to seek a position across the country where nobody knew her. And it brought her here where she’d stepped into the role of another lie.

      She could honestly say she didn’t regret it overmuch. It seemed unbelievable that she’d see her pa again after so many years of just hearing of his exploits. She’d be able to talk to him. She’d be able to spend a holiday with him.

      As Reid Barclay guided the sleigh toward the depot, she inhaled the crisp, cold air and embraced this rare opportunity that had been offered her. Or she tried to, at least.

      Mrs. Leach had assured her that Mr. Barclay was an equitable boss. But she hadn’t mentioned that he was a virile gentleman as well.

      His nearness in the saloon had unsettled her to the point of distraction. But the occasional brush of his shoulder against hers sent warmth coursing through her body.

      She was beset by a powerful urge to inch closer to him. That was highly improper conduct!

      Why, she’d never been smitten with a man.

      She’d been as intimate with her former fiancé as a woman could be with a man, yet he hadn’t roused such raw yearnings in her with just a look or casual touch.

      This illicit reaction to a stranger had her cheeks burning with embarrassment and her mind cluttered with confusion. In fact she wasn’t able to draw a decent breath until he stopped at the depot and left her while he fetched her baggage.

      Too soon he returned to torment her with his virility.

      Heavenly days, she knew the perils of succumbing to one’s torrid desires. She’d not fall victim to that again.

      As Reid settled her bags in the sleigh, she focused on what brought her to the Crown Seven. Despite what was printed on the wanted posters, her pa was a horse thief—not a cold-blooded killer. She had to stop him from making a deadly mistake and she didn’t have the luxury of time to make him see reason.

      Even if she succeeded, this could very well be their last chance to be together as a family. She had to do this right.

      She certainly knew how a household should be run, how to entertain frugally or lavishly. She knew what constituted proper meals.

      The only problem was she didn’t know how to cook.

      Mrs. Leach had assured her there was nothing to it. She wasn’t convinced of that then, and she wasn’t so sure now.

      As she tried and failed to recall the first thing about preparing something as simple as stew, she gave in to a shiver. What if she couldn’t cook one edible meal?

      “You chilled, Miss Cade?” Reid asked as he slid back into the sleigh beside her and his broad muscular shoulder settled against hers.

      Heat blazed at his touch, sending flickers of warmth to dance within her. “Nothing more than a passing tremor. I’m sure the heavy blanket will stave off the cold.”

      “I hope you’re right.” He flicked the lines and the sleigh smoothly glided forward. “One more stop to make and we’ll be on our way.”

      “Good. It’s been a tiring journey and I long to—” Ellie bit her tongue, close to admitting she wanted to do nothing but rest. “I long to get settled and busy myself in the kitchen.”

      “Reckon you do. Your quarters aren’t large, but you’ll find them above adequate.”

      “I’m sure I’ll be comfortable.”

      And even if she weren’t, she wouldn’t be at his ranch that long to suffer from a bit of discomfort.

      As she’d told Mrs. Leach, headmistress Halsey expected her at the Falsmonte Academy in San Francisco the first of the new year. Ellie must not be late or she’d lose the once-in-a-lifetime chance to teach at the prestigious school for discerning young ladies. She’d lose the only job that’d come her way since the scandal.

      “Mrs. Leach ordered holiday gee-gaws and reminded me several times that I was to pick them up while I was in town,” he said as he stopped the sleigh before the mercantile. “I trust you know how to dress the house up with them.”

      “I’ve been told I have an artistic eye for such,” she said, relieved to be in her element again. “Do you usually decorate the entire house?”

      “Nope,” he said. “Never celebrated the occasion before.”

      “Surely you’re exaggerating.”

      He shook his head. “I was reared in an orphanage, Miss Cade. There was scarce enough funds for food and clothing.”

      How sad! Christmas had always been her favorite holiday, for it was the one time throughout her life that her pa made an effort to visit her, if only briefly.

      He’d always bring her some small gift and regale her with wild stories of the West. He’d tell her he’d missed her and loved her and that he’d stay in touch.

      But he never had.

      She hadn’t seen him for three whole years. She’d feared he’d died. Then Mrs. Leach’s letter arrived out of the blue and gave her hope.

      “Last chance for shopping, Miss Cade,” Reid said as he extended a gloved hand to assist her.

      She rested her hand in his and secretly thrilled at the power encased in those supple leather gloves. This man might be a wealthy gentleman but he certainly was no dandy.

      “If I may be so bold to ask, what has spurred you to celebrate the season now?” she asked as he escorted her to the door of the mercantile.

      His handsome features took on a hard, distant expression. “We’ll be hosting a wedding at the ranch,” he said without a lick of excitement in his voice. “Seems fitting that the house look festive.”

      A wedding. Another detail Mrs. Leach had neglected to mention.

      “Who’s getting married?” she asked.

      “Me. My fiancée will arrive in a week.”

      That was the last thing she expected to hear. But it was just the shake of reality she needed to put a stop to these inappropriate thoughts of Reid Barclay.

      “When will the wedding take place?” she asked.

      “Christmas Day.”

      One week from now! A bone-deep worry settled into Ellie.

      Mrs. Leach hadn’t mentioned she’d have to decorate the house and prepare a wedding feast. What else had the woman kept from her?

      “After you,” he said, holding the door open for her.

      Ellie bustled into the warmth of the general store that overflowed with all manner of goods, as well as a goodly clutch of customers milling about. All paused to stare at the new arrivals, though the women barely paid her a passing glance.

      He tipped his hat to a grinning trio of ladies huddled near the confectionary counter. Their soft, telling giggles had Ellie wondering if he’d captured the heart of the entire female population of Maverick.

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