He looked hurt in answer. “Is that what this is about? He found out?”
She shrugged. “If so, he might think it’s yours.”
“But I’m sure you’ll straighten him out, right?” He saw her stubborn expression and swore. “Come on, Lolly, we both know it isn’t mine. Who’s—”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Oh, I think it does,” Donovan said. This was worse than he’d thought.
With another sigh, Lolly stepped to the window to peer out. “Just open the envelope and put us both out of our misery.”
He hated that his hands shook as he tore open the letter while telling himself,How bad can it be?As he unfolded the paper inside, he blinked at the few words printed on the large sheet of white paper. Malcolm had always been a man of few words.
You work for me now. You can still do your job flirting with the pretty blonde and keeping the sheriff distracted until I need you. Make sure you’re free nextTuesday on the day of the grand opening of Arnie’s. You wouldn’t want to let me down.
Donovan looked up to find Lolly watching him, waiting.
“Well, what does it say?” she demanded as she closed the distance between them.
He thought about keeping it from her. But her father had sent Lolly to bring the message and right now he would love for her todecipher it for him. Wordlessly, he handed her the sheet of paper and watched her read what was written on it.
Her fiery gaze came up to shoot daggers at him. “You work for my father?”
“Seems I do now,” Donovan said with a curse.
“Are you sure you weren’t hired to spy on me all this time?” she demanded, her voice rising dangerously.
He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t have to spy on you. I figured out who you’ve been seeing. You’re the one who picked me up, remember? And now we all know why. I sensed that your father wanted me to keep you away from some other man, but we never discussed it. Nor did he ask me who it was. More than likely he’s figured it out for himself. Or will soon enough. Luca’s the baby’s daddy, right?”
“If you suspected all that, why didn’t you tell my father? He would have rewarded you for the information.”
“Maybe. Or he could have put a bullet in my head, so no thanks.”
“Well, you can’t tell him now. He can’t know about the baby yet.”
Donovan chuckled. “If I were a gambling man, I’d say he already knows or at least suspects. Here’s a suggestion. Tell him about the baby before he kills someone.”
“You know what you can do with your suggestions.”
He did. “What I want to know is what your father is planning to do here in Dry Gulch and why he wants me to stand by for the grand opening of the café.”
“I already told you. I have no idea what his interest is in this town,” she said and thrust her father’s note back at him. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.”
He couldn’t argue with that as he grabbed the letter, balled it up and threw it across the room. “I need a drink,” he said and rose to head for the door. But before he could reach it, there wasa knock. He froze and glanced from the door to Lolly. She gave him aHow should I know who’s there?look.
He started to answer the knock when he heard Goldie’s voice. “Donovan? It’s me.” She sounded upset. He turned to see that Lolly had both hands on her hips and the fire was back in her eyes.
“Your girlfriend?” she demanded. He motioned for her to keep her voice down. “She’s the pretty blonde my father mentioned and why you’re here.”
“I’m doing her a favor. That’s all, then I planned to move on.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I know how you move on.” A laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head. “And what’s with all this concern about me being in your room? You aren’t falling for her, are you?”
“Of course not. It’s just a job, so how about you don’t get me fired? Your father really wouldn’t like it.” Opening the door a crack, he saw Goldie standing there. He could see that she’d been crying and could only guess why she’d come up here to his hotel room. Terrible timing, he thought.
“I can’t talk right now,” he said, but barely got the words out before Lolly pushed past him, shoving the door all the way open. The door banged against the wall as she started to storm out only to stop in front of a surprised Goldie.
“I’m Lolly Mandeville, but don’t let me spoil your fun,” she said as she gave Goldie a quick once-over, then shot Donovan a knowing look before disappearing down the hall.
