LITMIR.BIZ

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off duty at the saloon? This is gravy money. I’m not giving it up.”

      “Yes, at night. That’s when the rustling takes place,” Webster replied sarcastically.

      “Could be some of your own hired men,” Coop speculated as he refilled Webster’s shot glass.

      “Doubt it. They are well paid to be loyal. You will be, too.”

      This was too perfect to pass up, thought Coop. If he were on Webster’s payroll, he’d have an excuse to come and go from the ranch without inviting suspicion.

      Coop shrugged. “Sure. Why not? As long as I don’t have to get into a foot race with rustlers. My leg won’t hold up.”

      Webster grinned as he straightened away from the bar. “Just shoot them from horseback. I hear you’re good at that. And not to worry, the city marshal won’t arrest you.”

      When Webster strutted off, Coop frowned warily. He was going to be disappointed if Gil Henson was on the take and had been paid to look the other way when Webster dealt severely with his competitors at Hampton, Barrett and Figgins Dry Goods Store.

      Coop discarded his pensive thoughts when one of the calico queens sashayed over to introduce herself. Now this was the kind of female Coop was familiar with. This uncomplicated woman offered and expected no more than a moment’s pleasure for a price. Women like Alexa Quinn were like porcelain dolls in shop windows. Untouchable. Unattainable. Too delicate to associate with a rough-edged man like him.

      So why was he giving Alexa Quinn a second thought? Damned if he knew. Coop smiled rakishly and devoted his full attention to the buxom brunette named Polly Sanders.

      Chapter Three

      Later that evening Miguel Santos stared accusingly at Alexa. “You poisoned me!”

      “Don’t be ridiculous,” she replied as she tucked the quilt under his quivering chin while he lay sprawled on the bed. “Why would I do such a thing?”

      “So you can tramp about without me there to tell you that it’s too risky. I—” He moaned miserably and battled to prevent himself from losing his supper.

      Alexa patted her friend’s shoulder consolingly, then surveyed the hotel room she had rented when he became ill a half hour earlier. Hurriedly she walked over to fetch a washcloth then dipped it in water so she could wipe Miguel’s clammy face. He looked as peaked as a dark-skinned man could get. Furthermore, his expression was as sour as his upset stomach.

      “I did not poison you, Miggy,” she insisted, using the nickname he had acquired as a child.

      While she blotted his face, someone tapped lightly on the door. “Who is it?” Alexa called out.

      “Kate.” She swept into the room without waiting permission and hovered over Miguel. Her thick-lashed brown eyes were filled with concern. “You poor man. Is there anything I can get for you to make you more comfortable?”

      “No, señorita, but thank you for your kind offer. I will live…I hope.”

      Kate glanced at the gold-plated watch pinned to her belt. “We need to ride to the ranch before dark, Lexi. There is always the risk of bandits and rustlers in the area. Papa lost five head of cattle last week.”

      “Go with her, Lexi,” Miguel beseeched. “I’ll be fine.”

      “I’m staying with Miguel,” Alexa told her friend. “You have your chaperone for your protection. Miguel and I will ride out to the ranch tomorrow when he’s back on his feet.”

      “Are you sure about this?” Kate questioned hesitantly as she backed toward the door.

      “Absolutely. I want to be close by so I can check on Miguel.”

      “I’m concerned about you,” Kate said. “First you strike up a conversation on the street with that hired gun that everybody is whispering about and now you plan to stay in town when Miguel can’t defend you.”

      “I believe those types prefer to be called detectives or investigators.” Alexa tossed Miguel a silencing glance so he wouldn’t chime in and tell Kate that he was worried about her reckless encounter with Coop. “Furthermore, I spoke to the town marshal on the street at the same time and it would have been rude not to speak to Mr. Cooper when he was standing right there.”

      “There are certain rules we’re supposed to observe when it comes to our social class,” Kate reminded her dourly. “Never mind that I dislike that one person can’t be kind to another without inviting rumor and gossip. My father harps on the subject constantly and I heard Elliot Webster muttering when you paused to greet the marshal and the gunslinger.”

      Alexa gnashed her teeth. Elliot’s snobbery was another of his annoying flaws. The man was lousy with them. Too bad that Kate’s father was also prejudiced.

      Kate checked her timepiece again then glanced back at Miguel. “Well, I should be going. Papa is so overprotective that if I’m not home before dark he’ll send out a search party.”

      “As well he should,” Miguel murmured weakly. “If I could, I would see you home safely.”

      “You are so sweet, Miguel.” Kate surged forward to brush her hand over his forehead. “You have always been wonderful to me. Alexa is so lucky to have you.”

      “Which is why I intend to stay at the hotel until he’s feeling better,” Alexa remarked.

      She glanced speculatively at Kate then down at Miguel.

      “I don’t trust you here,” Miguel said after Kate left.

      Alexa tried to look properly affronted. “That doesn’t speak highly of your abilities as a tutor. You taught me to take care of myself. Are you saying that you failed and I’m helpless?”

      “I’m saying that you’re too daring for your own good….” His voice trailed off momentarily and he grabbed his belly when another cramp clenched his abdomen. “Go to your own room and stay in it,” he wheezed. “I don’t want you to see me so miserable.”

      Alexa pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I’ll be back to check on you.”

      “Don’t do anything stupid in the meantime,” he demanded sickly.

      Deciding that she would have the local physician check on Miguel, she hurried off. Although she wasn’t responsible for what was ailing Miguel—as he accused—she did intend to take advantage of the situation. She wanted to know what Elliot did after he closed up shop for the evening. Did he frequent saloons? Hurry back to his ranch? Alexa intended to observe his after-hours routine.

      Alexa paid a visit to the doctor then tramped off to position herself in the alley beside Webster’s mercantile shop. She only had to wait a quarter of an hour before Elliot locked the door and strode down the street. Enjoying her new career as a detective, Alexa darted down the alley, following at an inconspicuous distance.

      Coop had been off duty at the saloon for over an hour and had dined with Gil at one of the restaurants. He was on his way to the livery stable to fetch Bandit when he spotted Webster—and the fancy-dressed female lurking in the alley. Coop was both surprised and amused at Alexa Quinn’s daring. She was amazingly swift of foot and effective at lurking in the shadows so Webster wouldn’t realize he was being followed.

      Although Coop hadn’t given the socialite credit for processing much thought in that pretty blond head of hers, she wasn’t as naive as she let on. Coop veered into the alley to follow the woman who was trailing her soon-to-be-fiancé—or so Webster claimed. When Webster scurried across the street toward the dimly lit brothel on the edge of town, Alexa hiked up her cumbersome skirts and darted toward the side window of the brick building that housed Lily’s Pleasure Resort.

      “See anything interesting?” Coop whispered as he stepped up beside Alexa.

      She yelped in surprise and clutched her chest.

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