This town certainly wasn't Savannah. But then...that was exactly what she wanted.
She eyed the businesses ahead for any sign of promising work. She’d planned to find employment soon after arriving in Virginia City, but then Papa had been injured and weak. She’d worried about leaving him home alone all day. Now…she had to secure something soon.
She would likely find an eager employer in one of the saloons, but she wouldn't stoop to that life. She already had to hide herself from the men when they began imbibing each day. Their calls and suggestive offers made her ears flame, but it was easy enough to tuck herself inside the shanty once the rowdies began filling the streets.
Now though, she had a clear path to search for gainful employment. Well…clear except for the trash littering the street.
As she turned her gaze from the mess, a figure stepped from the shadowed doorway in front of her.
She stumbled back before catching herself. The man stood tall and broad-shouldered, his leathered face bearing the marks of a life spent outdoors. He wore a buckskin vest over a white shirt, and his blue eyes glinted in the morning light.
"Good morning, miss." He tipped his hat. "You look like you could use a hand."
Why would he think that? "I'm fine, thank you."
"Are you new to town?" Though he didn't take a step, it seemed like he edged closer. "I don't recognize you."
"I am new." Should she mention her job search? He wasn't dirty enough to be a miner and didn't have the look of a saloon owner. Nor did he seem intoxicated. Maybe he owned one of the respectable businesses—the trading post or the dry goods store. Or maybe the exchange. This could be her chance to begin her search. "I'm looking for work." Should she qualify the commentby mentioning the types of jobs she would be willing to do? They could be summed up in a single word—respectable.
"Well, I might be able to help with that." The corners of his mouth tipped in a friendly expression. "I've been looking for a bright young woman. What experience do you have?"
She swallowed. "I'm quite capable of running a household with servants. But I'm also happy to do menial tasks, such as cooking or sewing or assisting customers." She managed a pleasant smile.
His lips pressed together and he tapped his chin, his brow gathering as he thought. "I do need someone who's good with customers. A woman willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure they're pleased with our service." He frowned as he studied her. The look was so severe, she almost couldn't bring herself to ask what kind of business he owned.
But thatwasan important detail. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.
Before she could open her mouth to speak, he straightened and snapped his fingers. "I think you'll do. Can you start right now?"
She blinked. "Now?" What kind of business would have her start immediately without even discussing wages or details of the job? But if she would be working in daylight hours, it wasn't likely to be anything untoward.
Still... She offered a pleasant expression. "What type of work will I be doing?"
The man's eyes creased in a friendly smile. "It's probably easier to show you." He gestured for her to follow him down the boardwalk.
Her middle twisted, but she stepped forward. It wouldn't hurt to at least know the location. She had to find work, and she shouldn't turn down this opportunity until she knew for certain what it was.
But then he motioned her down the alleyway between the building he'd stepped from and the next. It was a path barely wide enough for the man to walk down without turning sideways.
She halted, her heart pounding faster. "Where are we going?"
"Just a shortcut." He looked back at her over his shoulder, his expression still friendly. "It's one street over. This will be much quicker than going down to the corner. Don't worry." But something in his tone set off a clanging bell within her.
She took a step back.
He spun and grabbed her wrist. His teeth flashed in a skin-tingling grin. "Come, now. Don't be difficult."
Panic surged through her as she fought to pull from his grip.
He was too fast, flinging her around so he stood behind her, one hand clamping over her mouth and the other wrapping around her chest and arms.
CHAPTER 4
Heidi lifted a leg to slam her heel into the man’s shin, or maybe even higher in his kneecap. Her skirts tangled around her boot though, muffling the force of her blow.
Before she could try again, a roar sounded behind her. Not from the man. From farther away.
Then he jerked her back...and released her?
