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

over her. “I don’t mean to bore you with the details, only to let you know you’re rather stuck. You see, my plans have been in place since my cousin was ruthlessly murdered by that employer of yours.”

He thought Lou killed Mendez? She met Mr. Langdon’s crazy eyes and finally felt as if she could breathe. The adrenaline rush was fading, leaving a tiredness she must shake off if she was to survive this.

“Lou didn’t kill Mendez,” she told him shakily.

“Oh, he surely did.”

“Mendez was poisoned. I saw him myself.”

“Do you think I care how it happened or who caused it? My cousin was assigned a simple job. Find Striker and bring you back to me. I couldn’t allow his obsession for Striker to stand in the way of what I wanted . He died trying to fulfill his duty. Don’t you think I know who was in charge at that hideaway? You must understand, Mendez was my favorite cousin. We shared certain...qualities.”

“I—I don’t understand.... Why did you want me?”

“You don’t remember?” His brows pulled together and his lips tightened. “My father visited your mother often. He brought me when I was twelve, and that’s when I first saw you.”

A rush of sickness rose in her stomach. She remembered him now. A young boy who had stared so much she felt uncomfortable and never met his gaze. She couldn’t recall his eye color, perhaps because she’d avoided him so much. Months later, she and her mother left in search of her father, and then her mother had dropped her off at Trevor’s.

“How did you find me?”

“By chance, as it were. I saw your mother on a business trip when I was a young man. She was frantic, searching for your father, and I realized we could help each other.”

“You bribed her.”

“It didn’t take much. Women are emotional creatures, and your mother’s loyalty is commendable. Too bad your father died before she could reach him.”

Mary pressed her fingertips against her forehead, willing the ache to recede. All this time she’d blamed Trevor’s mother for selling her, but it had been her mother who’d led the villains straight to her door.

Lord, help me. The prayer rose in her heart and crossed her lips.

Mr. Langdon uttered a harsh noise that masqueraded as a laugh. “God isn’t anywhere near you. In fact, I’m quite certain He abandoned you long ago, right about the time your father left.”

She flinched.

“That’s right. I know all about him. Your mother, too. Like I said, she’s quite loyal for a woman. Back to my proposition. In a moment, Baggs will be bringing your tea and some special paperwork regarding my newest offer. Don’t look so disgusted. You worked at Julia’s brothel, did you not? The one your mother left you at to chase down her foolish husband, the place where I found you.”

“I was a seamstress, nothing more.” The words sounded weak, even to her ears. She kept thinking of Lou’s the lady means nothing to me, and now Mr. Langdon’s assertion God was nowhere near. Had God left her again? Would He allow a repeat of the past? She could not bear such a thing, and yet it seemed certain to occur.

“You could have been more than—” his hand fluttered toward her “—this. You are more.” He placed his hand on her knee and squeezed painfully. “Stay here, with me. You’ll have your Josie then.”

A knock sounded on the door.

“Come in.” Mr. Langdon slithered to the other side of the couch.

Mary swallowed hard. She could make it to the door, but how would she escape this house?

Silverware clinked as Mr. Baggs shuffled into the room. Pattering steps followed Baggs and then Josie burst into the room, her eyes pink and tear-stained.

“Miss Mary,” she cried and launched herself at the couch.

Mary caught her, pulled her close and buried her face in Josie’s hair. My little girl. The thought didn’t startle her, but rather strengthened her. She would do almost anything to save Josie. She’d wait for the opportunity and then be gone from this place.

And Josie would go with her.

That’s kidnapping, prodded a voice from inside.

But what other option did she have?

“How did she get out?” Langdon’s voice bit into the room. He grabbed Josie’s arm, but Mary smacked his hand and he withdrew, brows narrowing into angry arrows. “You will pay for that.”

“I apologize, sir, but there’s a gentleman at the door for you. It won’t wait. You might want to see him out quickly.” Mr. Baggs inclined his head and whatever that meant, it propelled Mr. Langdon to his feet.

“Do you want me to take the girl?” asked Mr. Baggs.

Josie’s uncle looked at them, a calculating gleam in his eye. “No, let her stay. She shall encourage Miss O’Roarke in her decision, no doubt. Just keep an eye on them, Baggs.”

Mr. Langdon swished out of the room. Josie pulled away from Mary, tears spilling over her cheeks. “My mommy is dead.”

“I know, sweetheart.” She smoothed an errant strand out of Josie’s eyes as her thoughts raced. This was their one opportunity, but could she do it? Could she get them out? She glanced at Baggs. Her only option was to overpower him somehow, but the thought rattled her. Hitting an old man did not seem the right thing to do.

Mr. Baggs cleared his throat. He blinked and held out a hand to Josie. “I might miss your chatter. That’s all I have to say.”

“Why, Baggs, I shall miss you, too!” Josie didn’t take his hand but instead moved out of Mary’s embrace. As she beckoned Baggs closer, Mary stood and reached for the teapot.

Josie leaned up and planted a little kiss on the man’s weathered cheek. His eyes met Mary’s as she raised the pitcher. Her stomach churned.

“Do it,” he said, “or it’s my life on the line. There’s a door there.” He pointed.

“That’s my hideaway.” Josie hopped over and tugged open the door Mr. Baggs had brought Mary through earlier.

“Wait for me in the hallway,” said