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watched him. A question or two. And maybe a bit of relief as well? |
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Not likely. If she wanted to leave, he should let her. He'd be better off with her gone. Things at his inn would return to the way they'd always been. |
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He felt the eyes of their "guests" on him as well. That's what she'd called them. To him, they were just the fools who handed over silver or goods to hire a roof for the night. On a clear night with no storms, they could just as easily have made camp anywhere in the forest, cooked their own suppers and saved their wealth. |
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That way, too, they would not have had to waste their time in the presence of the cowardly Thorn. |
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"I" Mariah seemed at a loss for words, unusual for the woman who'd burst into his life making demands. "Mr. Thorn, if you're concerned about my repaying what I owe, I've been working for you the last few days. Whatever I haven't earned, I'll send to you, if you'll tell me what it is." |
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His laugh was not particularly pleasant. She expected him to trust her. He knew better than to trust anyone. |
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People had trusted him once, and look where it had gotten them. Even his own kin. |
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"I am certain you would, Miss Walker," he lied. "I am more concerned about that woman you took in. Who would look after her if you left? René would certainly have no time." |
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She looked stricken. Ah, the kindhearted Miss Walker had somehow forgotten about her charge. |
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"Maybe," she said tentatively, looking down beseechingly at her unlikely rescuer, Rafferty, "we could take her along?" |
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"Forgit it!" Rafferty pushed back his chair so it scraped along the wooden floor. His wide grin revealed he'd more missing teeth than remaining ones. "No room, Miss Walker," he said. "We're too loaded down on our boat to carry even one more person. I've hidden the craft well in the weeds by the river along with our goods, but it's small. Besides, |
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