One Texas Night

CHAPTER 10

Laurel sat in her tiny office and sharpened each of her pencils to a fine point, then lined them up neatly. If Rowdy won tonight, she wouldn’t be coming back. For as long as she could remember this house had been her home. They’d moved here the summer before her father went to New Orleans and brought back a new wife. It had always been a cold house. Her stepmother’s mood swings and her father’s temper made it impossible for any housekeeper to stay more than a few seasons.

All she’d ever felt in this place was alone. She knew she wouldn’t spend one day of her life to come missing it.

“You about ready to go?” her father said from the doorway.

“More than ready.” She stood. “All is in order and up to date.”

“Good.” He smiled. “That schooling of yours was worth the money.”

She didn’t answer his almost-compliment as they walked to the parlor to wait for her sisters.

“You know that place over the creek, the Darnell Ranch?” he asked as if making conversation.

The attempt was so rare, it surprised Laurel. “Yes, I ride over there now and then.”

He nodded, only half listening. “The sheriff tells me it’s up for sale. I’m thinking of making Darnell’s son a rock-bottom price. He’s been gone so long he’ll have no idea what it’s worth and once I offer I’d be surprised if anyone tried to top me.”

“How much is it worth?” Laurel tried to keep her tone bland as if simply making conversation.

“A small fortune, I’m guessing. They say the water’s good. In the right hands, it could be a great addition to my holdings.” He shrugged. “Since the young Darnell didn’t win best all-around, I’m thinking he’ll be needing money to move on and will take my first offer no matter how low I make it.”

Laurel fought to swallow. “How do you know he won’t win?”

“I heard he was hurt last night.”

She couldn’t say a word without giving away far more than she wanted her father to know.

He patted her pale cheek, seeing only her frailty. “Don’t worry, Laurel. When I buy the place you can still ride over there if you like. I might even have a gate cut in the fence so you could cross through.” Then as if he’d rationed out all his kindness for the day, he walked away yelling for his other daughters to get downstairs immediately.

A few minutes later, she silently climbed into the wagon. Her father rode his horse, making one of the men handle the surrey’s team. Laurel sat alone on the backseat trying to figure out how her father had known Rowdy was hurt. Of course it was possible his men saw Dan carry him into the barn. Maybe the man who almost tumbled over Rowdy in the mud told someone, who told someone. Only they weren’t in town that long after she’d visited the barn and, as far as she knew, both her father and his men had been working on the ranch all day.

She walked around and around the obvious answer, hoping to find another reason for her father knowing than that he somehow had ordered the attack.

When they reached the town square and her family hurried off to watch the children ride lambs and rope pigs, Laurel lay her coat over the small traveling bag she’d used when she went back and forth to school. With her head high, she walked directly to the hotel.

When she found Bonnie Lynn, she asked, “Do you have somewhere you can store this for me?”

Bonnie didn’t ask questions, she just nodded and took the case.

“I may be needing a room later.”

“We’re full,” Bonnie Lynn said, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if some folks don’t head home tonight after the rodeo’s over. Don’t you worry about your things. I’ll put them in my room. They’ll be safe there and I’ll make sure you get the first room that comes open.”

Laurel smiled, silently thanking the girl for asking no questions. “One more favor. Do you know where Rowdy is?”

Bonnie winked. “That is no favor. He’s sitting in the bar with my Dan having a piece of my pie.”

Laurel took a breath. “I need to talk to him alone.”

“I’ll have him meet you in the parlor. It’s always empty this time of day.”

While the maid went to put up her case and tell Rowdy, Laurel stood in the front room and stared out dirty windows at the circus atmosphere outside. Everyone for a hundred miles around seemed to be in town. She watched as people walked only a few feet beyond the window and didn’t notice her. That seemed to be how life in this town had always been for her, no one noticed her. She was invisible, or she had been to everyone but Rowdy.

Just as she saw Jeffery Filmore turn up the steps of the hotel, she heard Rowdy’s voice.

“Good afternoon, Miss Laurel,” he said. He stood politely with his hat in his hand, but she didn’t miss the devil of a grin on his face.

When she nodded slightly, he added, “You’re looking quite lovely this day.”

She heard the front door open and knew within a few seconds Jeffery Filmore would be near enough to see them.

Shoving past Rowdy, she whispered, “Don’t sell your ranch.”

He’d raised his arms to hold her, but she was already in the doorway.

“Promise me!”

Jeffery’s voice boomed. “I thought I’d find you here, Laurel.”

Rowdy nodded and backed away so that the banker couldn’t see him standing behind her.

“I’m not much for the nonsense on the streets,” Jeffery complained. “In fact, I’ll be glad when this whole thing is over and we can go back to normal.” He was getting closer. “I thought I’d come in and have a cup of tea with you. Your father and I have been talking and there are a few plans you need to be working on.”

“No.” Laurel held up her hand, trying to think. “No tea. Not now. Since you’re here I’m sure it would be all right for me to have tea in the café.”

“It’s more of a bar. No proper place for you.”

Rowdy moved behind the door so that he wouldn’t be seen until the banker was well into the room. And he couldn’t step inside with Laurel blocking the door.

“I’ve heard,” she said. “But I understand they serve pie in there and I’d love a piece, dear.” The endearment tasted sour on her tongue, but she had to get him out of the way before he noticed Rowdy.

Filmore frowned at her as if he thought she had taken ill. “All right,” he finally said, more in answer to the pie than her.

“I might have a slice myself.”

Laurel tugged the door closed as she followed the big man.

A moment before she let go, she felt Rowdy’s fingers reach for hers, but she couldn’t take the chance of ruining their dream now. He didn’t know what was going on or how her father planned to cheat him, but she prayed he trusted her enough to follow her advice.