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Page 160
Of course they were directed more toward Mariah than her.
He was one she'd have to watch out for.
"Thank Holly," Mariah said. Nice lady, she was, though too free with her compliments. Her own contribution had to be recognized, too.
"But Mariah was the one who"
The Frenchman waved his hand with a smile that brightened a face that was otherwise ugly. "Both of you," he said.
"Then there's a job for Holly." Sweet Mariah, pushing so to help her, Holly thought. She'd told her as they'd worked that she needed a position till she decided what to do.
Holly had felt the sympathy pour from Mariah as she'd told her tale of loss, and it had been all she could do not to cry about it. She'd been strong so far, but kindness might do her in.
"Ah, that is Thorn's decision," said Frenchie.
As the three of them returned downstairs, that very Thorn came through the door. He was a big one, he was, tall and straight. And talk of arrogance!
Now, with him her instincts said trouble. He was the one she'd need to impress to be allowed to stay, but he was not one to notice hard work. Not he. Kept his distance, he did.
And yet . . . there was something in the way he and Mariah did not look at each other, except sideways, when each thought the other wasn't looking.
Ah, Holly thought. Here was the trouble. Poor Mariah. She was attracted to the devil, she was.
But the dear, sweet lady wouldn't let Holly fight her own battle. "Thorn, did you notice how clean the kitchen and common room are?"
He nodded. "You're earning your keep after all, Miss Walker."
"It wasn't just me," she insisted. "Holly did a lot of the work. She needs a job, too." Kind thing, worrying about a stranger so.
The man put down on the table all he'd been carrying: a long rifle, the kind they used out here, and two dead rabbits.

 
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