“You about ready to go?” her father said from the doorway.
“More than ready.” She stood. “All is in order and up to date.”
“Good.” He smiled. “That schooling of yours was worth the money.”
She didn’t answer his almost-compliment as they walked to the parlor to wait for her sisters.
“You know that place over the creek, the Darnell Ranch?” he asked as if making conversation.
The attempt was so rare, it surprised Laurel. “Yes, I ride over there now and then.”
He nodded, only half listening. “The sheriff tells me it’s up for sale. I’m thinking of making Darnell’s son a rock-bottom price. He’s been gone so long he’ll have no idea what it’s worth and once I offer I’d be surprised if anyone tried to top me.”
“How much is it worth?” Laurel tried to keep her tone bland as if simply making conversation.
“A small fortune, I’m guessing. They say the water’s good. In the right hands, it could be a great addition to my holdings.” He shrugged. “Since the young Darnell didn’t win best all-around, I’m thinking he’ll be needing money to move on and will take my first offer no matter how low I make it.”
Laurel fought to swallow. “How do you know he won’t win?”
“I heard he was hurt last night.”
She couldn’t say a word without giving away far more than she wanted her father to know.
He patted her pale cheek, seeing only her frailty. “Don’t worry, Laurel. When I buy the place you can still ride over there if you like. I might even have a gate cut in the fence so you could cross through.” Then as if he’d rationed out all his kindness for the day, he walked away yelling for his other daughters to get downstairs immediately.
A few minutes later, she silently climbed into the wagon. Her father rode his horse, making one of the men handle the surrey’s team. Laurel sat alone on the backseat trying to figure out how her father had known Rowdy was hurt. Of course it was possible his men saw Dan carry him into the barn. Maybe the man who almost tumbled over Rowdy in the mud told someone, who told someone. Only they weren’t in town that long after she’d visited the barn and, as far as she knew, both her father and his men had been working on the ranch all day.
She walked around and around the obvious answer, hoping to find another reason for her father knowing than that he somehow had ordered the attack.
When they reached the town square and her family hurried off to watch the children ride lambs and rope pigs, Laurel lay her coat over the small traveling bag she’d used when she went back and forth to school. With her head high, she walked directly to the hotel.
When she found Bonnie Lynn, she asked, “Do you have somewhere you can store this for me?”
Bonnie didn’t ask questions, she just nodded and took the case.
“I may be needing a room later.”
“We’re full,” Bonnie Lynn said, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if some folks don’t head home tonight after the rodeo’s over. Don’t you worry about your things. I’ll put them in my room. They’ll be safe there and I’ll make sure you get the first room that comes open.”
Laurel smiled, silently thanking the girl for asking no questions. “One more favor. Do you know where Rowdy is?”
Bonnie winked. “That is no favor. He’s sitting in the bar with my Dan having a piece of my pie.”
Laurel took a breath. “I need to talk to him alone.”
“I’ll have him meet you in the parlor. It’s always empty this time of day.”
While the maid went to put up her case and tell Rowdy, Laurel stood in the front room and stared out dirty windows at the circus atmosphere outside. Everyone for a hundred miles around seemed to be in town. She watched as people walked only a few feet beyond the window and didn’t notice her. That seemed to be how life in this town had always been for her, no one noticed her. She was invisible, or she had been to everyone but Rowdy.
Just as she saw Jeffery Filmore turn up the steps of the hotel, she heard Rowdy’s voice.
“Good afternoon, Miss Laurel,” he said. He stood politely with his hat in his hand, but she didn’t miss the devil of a grin on his face.
When she nodded slightly, he added, “You’re looking quite lovely this day.”