|
|
|
|
|
|
time. River rats, wolves, Indians and now damnable soldiers after damned settlers. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Were they all due to the arrival of Mariah Walker? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She had certainly upended his ordered existence. Because of her, he'd found himself thinking of all he had turned from so long ago: career, camaraderie, family . . . a future. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He had not thought of what was to come for a long while. Now, he suddenly pondered how bleak, how lonely, would be the time that stretched ahead after the departure of the sweetly belligerent Mariah Walker. For leave she would. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She did not belong here. But she had nevertheless managed to insert herself into his inn. Made her presence known. Goaded him into reacting. Into wishing once more that he could command the respect of others . . . of her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Solemnly, he cracked nuts and dropped them for the squirrel that scampered from one treat to the next, making skittering sounds on the wooden floor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Even his own home had not been sacrosanct. Mariah had invaded it, scaring off the amiable squirrel so it had not reappeared for an entire day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How had she known that soldiers would be so close behind this group of squatters? Others had visited his innit was one of the last such at the edge of the unsettled western wildernessbut none had been so hounded by authorities set on preventing their homesteading. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Was she working with the soldiers? He could not believe thatnot when she seemed so inclined to support the settlers' efforts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unless that was a ruse to encourage their trust. But for what reason? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And where was the trouble-attracting woman now? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As though she were privy to his thoughts, he heard a tentative knock on the door. It could only be she. A warm surge of unwanted anticipation made him smile, but only for a moment. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He rose and strode toward the door, then stood for a few seconds composing himself. He straightened his shoulders and made certain his face would not appear welcoming. She |
|
|
|
|
|