Liam glared at him, unable to keep the anger to himself.
Rogers laughed just a little before gesturing with his hand toward the lobby. “Go to work, Hannan. I’ll see you tonight.”
Liam forced himself to walk normally from the dining room. He felt as if he trailed fire with his steps as the fury and the disappointment burned him from the inside out.
Outside, he paused, taking a great gulp of the freezing air. The wind sailed right through his clothing as his coat hung uselessly from his arm. But he hardly felt it.
How had he been so foolish—again?
He ran his free hand over his face, wishing he could go back to that morning in the saloon. He didn’t know Morris. There were a hundred questions he should have asked the man before agreeing to his investment. But all he’d been able to see was the prize—the ability to finally purchase the land he needed.
And now the entire venture was at risk. Not to mention his life—and Tilly’s.Tilly. A heaving sadness settled in his soul when Liam thought of her. She was so certain she’d married a good man, one who was smart and kind. One who could take care of her, protect her, and provide everything she needed.
But she’d gotten Liam. And he’d failed her in every respect.
She deserved better. Her brother’s inclination had been right. He ought to have sent her back to Kansas. She’d be broken-hearted, but at least she’d be safe with her family.
He turned around and glanced up at the hotel building. She was inside now, trapped in the same place where Dutch Rodgers was roaming the halls.
And it was all his fault.
He glanced back down the hill toward town.
He’d failed. He had to make peace with that and move forward. The question was what he’d do next.
Liam shrugged into his coat and took the first step down the hill.
Chapter Twenty
BY MID-AFTERNOON, TILLY’Simpatience had gotten the best of her.
She’d spent the entire day locked in the room, twice tiptoeing to the dining room to eat and terrified she’d round the corner and find Dutch Rodgers ready to grab hold of her again.
What was the point of remaining in the hotel if he was here too? And she felt uneasy about the way the evening before had ended between her and Liam. He was blaming himself for what had happened, when he had no control at all over where Dutch Rodgers chose to travel or take up a room.
Besides, how could Liam look for a new place for them to live if he needed to be at work? She was certain he’d missed plenty of time at the office yesterday after having to search for Rodgers. The last thing he needed was to be out and about again today, especially when she could take up that responsibility.
So Tilly slipped into her coat and gloves and wound a woolen scarf around her neck. It had ceased snowing outside, but the ground was fully blanketed now, and the window was freezing to the touch. If she were going to be spending the remainder of the afternoon traipsing about town, she’d stay as warm as she could.
With a wave to Sarah downstairs, who was leaving the dining room as Tilly was crossing the lobby, she exited the doors into the bright sunlight glittering off the snow. She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and smiled at her surroundings.It had snowed plenty in Kansas, but it never looked like this, with mountains soaring above and the little town bustling below. Despite the situation they currently found themselves in, Tilly didn’t regret coming here. Not at all.
“Carriage, miss?” A man dressed in a long black coat held out his hand toward the sleek, modern carriage with horses already harnessed.
Tilly had been prepared to walk the short distance, but the ride sounded lovely, particularly given the depth of the snow on the hill that led to town. “Thank you, that would be nice.”
