“For yourwork,” he clarified.
“It will doas well as any other. There is a desk, as you see, and a chair tosit upon. I have paper to give my direction, and I observed atelegraph office as we entered the town. I would venture I couldset myself up nicely.” She hesitated. “And you are content tocontinue your employment?”
“I don’tsuppose my employment is at an end. You ain’t found your man,yet.”
“But we havediscovered the town and I make my lodgings. It could be many weeksbefore Callihan returns.”
“Could be.Could also be he is no longer numbered amongst the living. Or itcould be he saunters in tomorrow. Whatever eventuates, I am not atthe end of my employment.” He had a hankering to rub at his chest,a hurt settling beneath his ribs at the thought of leaving. “Whyare you asking anyways?”
“I canimagine a man of your talents would be in great demand.” She gazedat him direct, those light coloured eyes regarding him steadily. Hemight have been teasing afore, and it might be he had an inklingshe’d changed her mind, but to hear her say it so simply, to knowshe thought him capable...well, he didn’t know how to describe howhe felt, but he was sure pride was in there, and a desire to do thebest he could for her. To make her glad he stood by herside.
The air weighed heavybetween them. Her chest rose and fell sharply, her slight breastspushing against her bodice. The faintest wisp of hair floated alongher cheek, highlighting the sharpness of the bones beneath thedelicate skin, and brushing against the freckle under her righteye. He wanted nothing so much as to stride across the room, cupthe back of her head and discover the taste of thatfreckle.
Christ. Clearing histhroat, he shifted the bag on his shoulder and ignored suchthoughts. “Well, I’ll be away. If you need anything, you be sure tolet me know.”
She nodded, that cleargaze locked on him.
He shifted, uncomfortableunder such directness. It made him feel...He didn’t know how itmade him feel, and he weren’t hankering to think any further on it.He nodded his head sharply, and made to depart.
“MrWade?”
He stopped.
“I lookforward to your report. At dinner.” The faintest, most hesitant ofsmiles.
He couldn’t say no, andwhat’s more, he didn’t want to. He nodded again. “Miss McElroy,” hesaid, and shut the door behind him, and somehow through wood andcloth he felt her steady gaze hot between his shoulder blades as hemade his way to his own room.
Dumping his saddlebags onthe bed, he ran his hand over his mouth. Christ. She were a high,fancy lady and maybe it was she would want the same things he didbut she was his employer. It never did well to take pleasure wherethere should only be business.
So resolved, he jammedhis hat on his head and departed the hotel, shooting as charming agrin as he could manage to the hotel proprietress as he passed,intensifying it at her sour look in return. He were about to passher by when he reversed his direction, settling an elbow on thecounter and fixing her with another smile. “I reckon it might beyou would know the going-ons around this town andyonder.”
No expression cracked herface. It seemed he was doomed to inscrutable women in his life.“Could be,” she said.
“You wouldmost like be an authority on where it is a man could go to enjoyrevitalisation after a journey of many days.”
“This herehotel is a good place for that.”
“I have nodoubt of that, ma’am. I’ve seen for myself the high quality of roomon offer and would venture it’s of a mighty comfort when one laysone’s head down of an evening. I was more thinking along the linesof an establishment that serves beverages, mostly of the alcoholicvariety.”
“Would you bewanting female company as well?”
He didn’t react, thoughhe wouldn’t have thought to look at her she would be willing todiscuss such women. Just proved a book and its cover were notalways in agreement. “Not this evening.”
“Then theDiamond is your best bet.”
“Muchobliged.” He made at hesitation. “I’ve heard tell this townsometimes hosts people that claim to be well-known.”
“Who inparticular?”
“Sharp-shooters and gunslingers.”
“Some.”
“Andvillains?”
She stiffened.“Some.”
He wanted to push but hecould see he would get nothing out of her. He gave her anothergrin. “Thank you for your advice, ma’am. Might be I’ll check outthe Diamond.”
