That hadn’t occurred to Clara at all. She wondered if Roman had thought of it.
“It’s likely just someone passing through, or a man in a hurry to leave town. Unfortunately, this town is no stranger to outlaws,” Emma said.
“Oh?” Clara asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Oh, but it’s a good town,” Caroline said quickly, likely misinterpreting Clara’s curiosity for fear.
“But we have many fascinating stories,” Emma said, her face alight. “We both used to work in the hotel, before we married.”
“I’d love to hear about that,” Clara said, clutching her packages.
“Then perhaps we can all meet for tea one day,” Caroline suggested.
“Perhaps Sunday, after you close the store?” Emma said.
The ladies agreed on a time, and Clara left, feeling light despite the growing clouds in the sky. Making friends made Crest Stone feel more like home, and it took away some of the sting of not being able to confide in Violet daily.
She delivered one slice of cake to Miss Darby, who was beside herself with joy at receiving the gift. With the other two packages, Clara made herself wait impatiently in the parlor.
What would Roman think about Caroline’s idea that the thief was someone he knew? She hadn’t told Roman this, but she secretly hoped that by working at the livery, she might overhear something useful. She knew Roman had written off the loss of his horse, but Clara still held hope that someone knew who the thief was. Even if the man was long gone, simply knowing his name would make it more difficult for him to ever return and take advantage of Roman again.
But even if she didn’t hear a thing about the theft, she enjoyed greeting the livery’s customers, answering their questions, and collecting payment for board and rent. And even better, Roman had seemed pleased with her efforts yesterday.
If she proved herself useful enough, maybe he’d overlook whatever it was that had driven Gideon away.
Chapter Nine
“DO YOU SUPPOSE THATcould be a possibility?” Clara finished after expounding upon a theory relayed to her by the mercantile owner’s wife.
Roman was more dismayed that word about the theft had made it past the marshal, but he supposed it was inevitable in a town this small. At least Clara seemed confident in Mrs. Drexel’s promise that she and Mrs. Hartley wouldn’t discuss it with anyone else.
“I doubt that’s the case,” he said. He had no enemies in town—none that he knew of anyway. He’d gotten along with everyone since the day he’d arrived. He had no cause to think that any one of them would intend him harm. He’d certainly made an enemy or two in his past, particularly during his time at the Flying O Ranch, but that was two years ago, and several miles north of Cañon City.
“Well, it was worth a thought, although I’m glad to hear no one has any ill intentions toward you,” Clara said with a smile.
A man stepped into the livery at just that moment, to inquire about renting a horse. Roman stepped back and let Clara take care of the transaction. She deftly handled the exchange of money with a smile and lighthearted conversation that soon had the man chuckling in response. Roman fetched the horse, and the man left with a grin on his face.
