“Mr Wade, areyou well?” Hope wore the smallest of smirks on her face, as if sheknew the direction of his thoughts.
Christ, he’d beendaydreaming and his body reacted as it always did. Heat rushedalong his cheeks. “I’m good. Were you saying something?”
Smirk still tugging ather pale, lush lips, she said, “I wish to visit the printer’s todayand wondered if you would accompany me.”
“Of course.When were you looking to go?”
“Soon.” Shelooked down at his plate. “How long will it take you toeat?”
“Fiveminutes.”
Her gaze flew to his.“All of that in five minutes?”
There weren’t nothing outof the ordinary about his breakfast, he ate much the same everyday, especially those days where there were a bought meal at hisdisposal and he had the cash to purchase. “Course, darlin’. Thisain’t much.”
Disbelief rose her brows.“Four eggs, three pieces of toast, and two rashes of bacon? Are yougoing to inhale it?”
“I weren’tplanning on it, but could attempt it should it be yourdirection?”
“Oh, and youalways adhere to my direction?”
He lowered his voice. “Idid last night.”
Colour lit her cheeks andshe ducked her head, but not before he saw her eyes glazed withmemory and arousal.
His own arousal a lowburn in his belly, he leaned back. It were fun to play with her, itsurely was. “Now, darlin’, why don’t you go get your hat and I’llbe ready by the time you come back.”
Not quite steady sherose, cheeks still flushed and eyes still darkened. Clearing herthroat, she asked, “Five minutes?”
With a nod, he watched asshe left the dining room. Once he could no longer see her, heshovelled food in his mouth. He’d said five minutes and he intendedto prove that was all it would take.
***
HOPE’S ARM LINKED IN his,Jake escorted her down the boardwalk. The days were getting colderand preparations for the coming winter were around them, businessesinstalling sturdier shutters and deliveries of salt filling upstockrooms. The faint scent of wood smoke laced the air, and smokewound lazily from chimneys. In the distance, snow capped themountains, and the trees between there and here were shedding theirleaves.
The population ofIronwood had increased in recent weeks, as those on the outskirtsdrifted in search of shelter from the colder weather. The boardinghouses and any room to let were slowly filling, and the main streetbustled with more traffic. More people meant the potential for moretrouble, as people not used to society found themselves rubbingshoulders with strangers hither and yon. The only way to battle itwas to stay alert, and ensure Hope encountered notrouble.
“Why are wegoing to the printers?” he asked.
Hope glanced at him. “Ihave questions.”
“What sort ofquestions?”
“Questionsabout the newspaper.”
“Whatquestion about the newspaper?”
A faint smile touched herlips. “I hope you are more subtle when questioning yoursuspects.”
“I can besubtle when there’s a need, but I know you prefer me blunt,darlin’.”
That faint smile stillplaying about her lips, she shook her head. “I wish to know aboutdistribution. In a small town such as this, it is surprise thereeven is a newspaper, let alone one that seems to have a widereadership. I’m assuming there is distribution to other settlementsand, if my supposition is correct, they may even reach largersettlements and towns. It’s even possible content is wired to newsoutlets in Cheyenne. Thus, I would like to talk with theeditor.”
“Who is alsothe journalist.”
“And theprinter. And the distributor.” She glanced at him. “As I said.Questions.”
“And why doyou have these questions? Are you looking to expand your empireinto newspapers and printing?”
