“Well, ain'tthis just a lovely patch of earth,” he said dryly, pushing uneaseaside.
The faintest of smilescurved Miz McElroy’s lips, her grip loose on the reins as her horseambled beside his.
Ironwood had grown sincelast Jake had passed through. There were mostly permanentstructures, though a few tents and lean-tos still littered theouter edges of the town bordering the Chinese encampment and abustling coal mine. Buildings made of wood lined the pounded earthof the main street, flanked by boardwalks and windows holdingcostly glass. The Diamond Saloon boasted its World FamousSpectacular on colourful drapings hanging from its eaves, while thetelegraph office housed a printing press, a newssheet posted to itsouter wall. The general store now boasted a bank was being run onits premises, and there were a solid mix of respectable andreprobate amongst the fold mingling on the main street.
For all its improvements,though, Ironwood still held a roughness, a disreputable-like airthat hung over the shiny windows and the newly constructedbuildings, something that said not long ago this town weren’t muchmore than a collection of tents stealing land from the native folkof these plains.
“Were youwanting the hotel?” he said.
“I think thatto be the most logical course of action. A base should beestablished, and we can refresh from our journey.” Pale eyesglanced at him. “Was this your thought, too, Mr Wade?”
They were mesmerising,those pale irises under light brows. She were always so steady inher gaze, so calm and centred.
Realising his thoughtswere heading in a direction he had no business entertaining, hecleared his throat. “That was also the thought—I mean, I too hadthe thought—” Again she watched him steadily as he stammered andstuttered. Heat felt like a furnace on his cheeks. “Yes. Thehotel.” He kicked his horse forward, damn eager to leave the steadygaze behind.
The hotel still weren’tmuch more than a boarding house. He helped Miz McElroy dismount,and waved off her hands when she tried to take her bags from him. Athin, peaked kind of woman stood behind the counter, watching themimpassively as they approached the desk.
Placing the bags on thefloor beside him, he said, “Two rooms.”
Arms crossed, the womanlooked him up and down. “We don’t want no trouble here,” she saidflatly.
He flashed his mostcharming smile. “Neither do we, ma’am. We’re looking for rooms andthe use of them. This lady here is Miss Hope McElroy of McElroyTransport and Logistics. You’ve heard of them, ofcourse.”
The woman just regardedhim.
He flashed his teethagain. “Miz McElroy is looking to expand her business and believesIronwood to be ideal for her purpose. She’ll be wanting a room forsome time and is willing to pay what’s fair.”
The woman remainedunimpressed. “Room is two dollars a day, meals included. Laundry isdone on Mondays but only for those what leave their requirementsoutside their door.” She grabbed two keys and handed them over.“Upstairs and to your left.”
“Muchobliged.”
Miz McElroy had watchedthe entire exchange without comment, her features impassive, andstill she said nothing as he led the way to the rooms, the journeyto the first room shorter than expected. The room itself was wellappointed and clean, and even held a cheeriness he weren’texpecting from the establishment.
He dumped Miz McElroy’sbags on the bed and moved to the door, shifting his own bag on hisshoulder. She watched him without comment. “You took someliberties,” she finally said.
Haloed by light, her palehair was almost white while her slender form approached ethereal.Why was it he so badly wanted to prove she was corporeal by runninghis hands over her? “Beg yours?”
“You offeredcompensation with my money.”
Had he been wrong in histhinking? “Was I in the wrong to do so?”
“No.” A frowncreased her brow. “I beg your pardon, Mr Wade, I have not mademyself clear. Please feel free to offer whatever compensation youbelieve fair, and engage any assistance you require. I trustyou.”
A warmth started deep inhis chest. She trusted him. Not just with her safety. Not becauseshe paid him. Because…because she did. He ducked his head so shewouldn’t see the red that no doubt ruddied his cheeks “Once I'msettled, reckon it is I'll go to the saloon,” he said. “See whattalk might be in the wind.”
“I shouldhope you would make certain—” she stopped, took a breath, and thengave a sharp nod.
“What’sthis?” he said with the beginnings of a grin. “Could it be MissHope McElroy is thinking I can do my job without herassistance?”
The faintest of colourrose on her cheeks. “I have work to do also,” she said.
The grin pulled harder,until it took shape on his mouth. “And further, Miss Hope McElroyis validating my occupation by comparing it to her own. My, it is ared letter day.”
The colour on her cheeksintensified. She didn’t appear to know what to say.
The warmth suffusing hischest grew, and a strange kind of giddiness took possession of him.“Will this room suit your purpose?”
She looked up, and heknew her well enough now to see the query in herexpression.
