Page 39 of Taming Lady Temperance

James tipped his head toward Taggert. “I think it’s only right that all winnings be forfeit to the house to cover the damages incurred this evening.”

“Seems fair to me.” Coop grinned and dragged Jude and Claude toward the door. He nodded to Taggert as he passed. “Best fight I’ve had in a coon’s age, Milt. Sorry ’bout the mess, though. See ya Friday?”

Taggert nodded. “I’ll be here.”

After the men filed out, James hopped down from the bar and straightened a few chairs on his way to the front of the room, trying to ignore the crunch of glass under his boots. Taggert followed the last customer and closed the main door behind him. He crossed to the window next and flipped the open sign to its closed side.

When Taggert turned around, he crossed his arms over his chest and cocked a brow at James, his expression anything but grateful. “I suppose your new lady friend will be happy to hear that I closed down early tonight.”

James cocked his own brow in return. “You antagonize everyone who tries to help you, Taggert, or just me?”

“You’re not helpin’ me, Paxton. You’re doin’ your job. Don’t act like it’s anything more than that.”

The barb stung, but James did his best to let it go. “Judge my motives as much as you like, Taggert, but leave Miss O’Sullivan out of the conversation. Do we understand each other?”

Taggert scoffed. “What I understand is that you’re going soft for the woman who wants to shut me down. She’s compromised you.”

James held the man’s gaze, steady and sure. “If you ever have cause to believe I’ve treated you unfairly, you let me know. Or let Sheriff Adair know. You just better have more than a flimsy theory to back up your accusations.” James tipped his hat and moved to the door. “See you at the next brawl.”

Chapter

19

When the day of the rally arrived, Noreen rushed through her shift responsibilities at the hotel with an urgency that almost proved disastrous when her elbow caught the edge of the large serving tray holding all the luncheon desserts she’d just plated.

“Careful!” Luella grabbed the corner of the teetering tray just in time to keep it from clattering to the floor.

A whoosh of air exited Noreen’s lungs as her culinary life passed before her eyes. “Thank you.” If Luella hadn’t been working the bread station on the same counter, Noreen would’ve been forced to create sixteen servings of an entirely new dessert, since she’d sliced the last of the pies. Baking something new, even something as simple as a custard or brown betty, would have set her back nearly an hour. Thank heaven for Luella’s youthful reflexes.

“Noreen!” Mrs. Winslow’s authoritative voice echoed through the kitchen.

Noreen turned to find the head cook glaring at her from over the top of a perfectly seared venison steak.

“Hang up your apron and get out of my kitchen before you ruin my lunch service.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She dipped her chin to hide her flushing cheeks, but she wasn’t about to argue with being let go a few minutes early.

She reached behind her back to untie her apron strings, then lifted the white garment over her head as she began making her way toward the side exit.

“Oh, and Noreen?”

She pivoted to face the main kitchen area and met her employer’s gaze. “Yes?”

“I look forward to your parade this afternoon.” The woman didn’t exactly smile, but her usual intensity softened for a moment, inspiring a burst of warmth to bloom in Noreen’s chest.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

As Noreen hung up her apron and placed her bonnet on her head, Luella hurried over for a quick word. “I’ll be there as soon as the lunch dishes are done.”

Noreen took her hand. “You are a treasure, Lu.”

The girl smiled. “Mama said I could stay with you tonight, too. I can’t wait.” She bounced slightly at the pronouncement, widening Noreen’s grin.

“I’ll have your sign waiting for you at the church.”

Mrs. Winslow cleared her throat. “That bread’s not going to slice itself, Luella.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Luella hurried back to her station, but not before wrapping her arms around Noreen in an impulsive hug.