Rocky Mountain Dreams & Family on the Range by Danica Favorite (summer beach reads txt) 📕

Lou gave O’Leary a look and his throat bobbed.

“Anyway,” he hurried, “I tried to meet up with you, give you a tip, but I was there at the wrong time, too late.”

“You risked your cover to keep me from dying? That’s a dangerous move.”

“Not quite. I’d had a hunch the smuggler in charge of this operation was nearby. I wanted to get a look at those arrested. I saw you by chance and recognized your likeness from a bureau photograph. I felt like God was prompting me to give you a heads-up.”

“God?”

“Yeah, you know the Big Guy who loves us?”

“Don’t tell me you’re religious.”

“Me and the Big Guy, we talk a bit. So I went to find you, but I guess someone was tailing me, or maybe lying in wait for you....” O’Leary’s mouth twisted. “These bootleggers, they’re talking about big money getting dished out. Well, people around here with big money include politicians and smugglers. I listened closer and found out you bumped off someone’s cousin, and that someone has had a contract out on you for over a year.”

“That long?”

O’Leary grinned, his teeth flashing in the muted light. “Your reputation doesn’t do you justice. You’re like a shadow, which is why it took me so long to get to you. People know you have a hideout, but no one knows where it is. If the higher-ups have any idea, they’re not saying.”

“Why didn’t you take this information to them?” Lou reached in his pocket and drew out the paper that had been hidden in the bowler.

Fear flashed across O’Leary’s face. He backed up. “Why’d you bring that?” His glance swiveled across the room.

“Relax.” He tucked the hat away. “I figured it would be safer on me than in any hiding place.” Lou studied O’Leary. “Are you sure the information in it is correct?”

“Pretty sure. I jotted things down as I heard them.... Your lady... I don’t know her name, but you should keep a watch on her. Keep her near. They have spies everywhere.”

“Who? I need names. More than what you gave me.”

“Look, I’ve done more than I should. If anyone hears, I’m a goner.”

Probably true. Lou rubbed the back of his neck. Mary was by herself right now at the hotel. No one knew where they were, but maybe he should have brought her with him.

No. The docks were no place for a lady.

“I appreciate this, O’Leary, but I have to ask again. Why didn’t you take it to my supervisor? He could have safely relayed the information to me.”

“I didn’t even know you were still alive until I saw you by chance at that hotel restaurant. And then...well, I told you, sir, ears and eyes, everywhere.” O’Leary blinked, looked around, then held out his hand again. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

Lou gave a curt nod and shook his hand. “And you. Thank you for your service to our country. You’re a real credit to the bureau.”

O’Leary acknowledged the compliment with a flush and tilt of his chin, then he swiveled and melded back into the shadows. Lou backed up, too, until he knew he was no longer discernible.

The paper burned against his thigh. O’Leary had given him the name of the smuggler he thought wanted him dead. It wouldn’t take much to find out if he was related to Mendez.

His gut told him if he found the smuggler, he’d find his shooter.

The man had messed him up good, not just laying him up for weeks, but putting him through a bunch of emotional weirdness he wanted no part of. He had his plans, and they didn’t include a beautiful woman, a sweet kid or a God he’d stopped trusting long ago.

Mary’s head throbbed when she woke up.

The lady means nothing to me.

Perfect. Now Lou’s words were following her into the morning. There really was no reason for them to still be in her head. Of course he hadn’t meant them. She rolled out of bed, went to the water room and splashed her face clean. A clean towel at the side of the sink felt like bliss against the headache pounding her skull.

If only she were home, baking. Sinking her knuckles into floured dough, creating nutritious perfection. Inhaling the warm aroma of cinnamon and yeast. And when she took this job, she might be given the opportunity to work in the kitchen.

Drawing in a deep, cleansing breath, she prayed for wisdom and set about getting ready for the day. She left the hotel, head slightly clearer and walk brisk. Morning fog hugged the streets. Her luggage felt heavy without Lou to help her.

But he hadn’t been in his room. Not in the lobby. And she was through relying on him. Through being the poor girl who’d been kidnapped. Sleep and reading the Bible had refreshed her spirit. She no longer wished to be taken care of but to step out and take care of others.

Determined, she asked someone for directions to a post office. After sending a telegram to her mother explaining the situation, she hopped aboard a streetcar and began her journey to Mrs. Silver’s.

Closing her eyes, she leaned against her seat and thought of Josie’s smile and endless chatter. Such a stubborn, sweet little girl. Her arms ached to hold her. Then Lou’s smile invaded her thoughts. Her eyes shot open. The car shuddered to a stop and she realized she was near Mrs. Silver’s home.

By the time she walked to the house, the mist had receded, but clouds rolling overhead warned of coming rain. The heavy scent of it filled the air. She let herself into the gate and moments later, faced a sour-looking Mr. Baggs.

“I’m here for employment,” she said, the words wobbling out of her. She’d never applied for a job before. She forced her shoulders back. “Mr. Langdon told me to come this morning.”

Mr. Baggs’s eyebrows lowered. “Servants go to the back.” He shut the door in her face.

Oh. She frowned. Perhaps she