world could touch her, as though a protective shield was around her. But what if Ezekiel caught her on her own? What then? How courageous would she be?
How defiant?
Questions and doubts rushed over her, but by daylight, Addie worked to put her father out of her mind. No use buying trouble early.
On one day, she rode King into town to have lunch with Ridge as she often did.
Her husband emerged from his office, grinning. “You’re right on time, Mrs. Steele, and looking prettier than one of those wild roses you love.” He swung her down from the horse, desire shimmering in the depths of his eyes. “I wish I could freeze this moment forever.”
“Compliments will get you whatever your heart desires, cowboy.”
Jack Bowdre strode by on the boardwalk, his throat heavily bandaged. “Keep looking at each other like that, and you’ll need to get a room at the hotel,” he rasped.
Addie laughed. “Thanks, Jack. We always love your advice.”
“You’re welcome to stuff it under your hat next time,” Ridge hollered.
“Glad to help.” Jack kept walking and entered the newspaper office. He seemed fit enough, considering his brush with death, and Nora confirmed that he was recovering nicely. No one had seen hide nor hair of Tiny and Pickens or the mysterious woman who’d aided their escape.
They were evidently long gone.
Ely was recovering as well. The eleven-year-old hobbled everywhere on his crutches, playing with the other boys. Addie was happy to see him still enjoying most of what he wanted to do.
The stagecoach rumbled into town, and Addie turned to watch it pull up in front of the Diamond Bessie Hotel. The door opened, and a dapper gentleman in a tailored, three-piece suit stepped out, then turned to offer a hand to a young woman inside the coach. His close-cropped silver beard and mustache gave him a look of distinction that held her attention. He had an easy smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, the kind that made you feel happy to be alive. Addie guessed him to be somewhere near fifty and itched to know who he was and why he’d come. No one dressed that fancy ever came to town unless he was a businessman—or a gambler. Yes, perhaps he was a gambler.
That bit of speculation made, Addie turned her attention to the other traveler.
Rather plain was the first description that came to mind for the young woman. She was in her early twenties and wore a fitted brown dress that matched her nut-brown hair. Only the dress was twisted and pulled in disarray. As if that wasn’t bad enough, a large red bow perched at a curious angle on her head and was not the least becoming. The new arrival appeared rather…well, mousy. And yet she seemed like someone Addie would like to know. She didn’t have that store-bought look Addie tended to mistrust.
The woman took a deep breath and gave the town a long, appraising glance before thanking the man for the courtesy.
“My pleasure, miss.” He reached back inside the coach for a silver-knobbed black cane. “Perhaps we’ll see each other around.”
“I’m sure we will, Mr. O’Connor. It was a delight traveling with you.”
“For me as well.” He spoke in an Irish brogue, tipped his black Stetson, and turned to collect his bags.
Addie filed those little details away in her mind. “Ridge, do you know the man, O’Connor, who just got off the coach?”
“Afraid I don’t. Maybe he’s just passing through. Why?”
“No reason. I just find him a little unusual for our town.”
Ridge chuckled. “I’ll ask around, Miss Detective.”
The woman traveler glanced left and right before peering at the hotel. With an unsure hand, she lifted her skirts to step onto the boardwalk. She almost seemed to expect someone to meet her.
Fascinated by her odd behavior, Addie leaned over. “Were we expecting someone, Ridge?”
“Only the banker, but I don’t think that’s her. I’ll introduce myself.”
They hurried over. Ridge stuck out his hand. “Welcome to Hope’s Crossing, ma’am. I’m Mayor Ridge Steele, and this is my lovely wife, Addie.”
A smile touched the new arrival’s brown eyes as she grabbed his palm, relief showing in her face. The slender woman stood a head taller than Addie, and a smile transformed her plain features. “Pleased to meet you both. I take it my telegram didn’t make it. I’m Charlotte Wintersby, the banker. Please call me Charlotte.”
“How wonderful, Miss Wintersby…Charlotte. We’ve expected you for weeks.” At first glance, Addie liked her. The second glance didn’t change her opinion. Miss