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“Yes sir.” She closed the door, the latch barely making a sound. Louis swiveled in his chair and stared out the window to the grounds below.
Yes, the bitch would pay for all the trouble she’d caused him.
Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory
Emily smiled when she saw Mr. Henderson—or Hunter, as he had asked her to call him—standing on West Oklahoma Avenue, within sight of the train depot. This was the fifth night in a row he’d met her. Although she didn’t completely trust him, he obviously had not been sent to drag her back to Galveston. He would have done so by now.
“Good evening, Emily.” He tugged on the brim of his hat and extended his arm so she could take it. Amazed at how familiar this all seemed, she allowed him to pull her closer as they began their stroll to the boardinghouse.
“Since your curfew is ten o’clock and it’s barely past eight, I thought we might enjoy coffee and a piece of pie at the Café.”
She really should stop this now. After all, she was a married woman, and until she got her life straightened out she had no right to continue this. It wasn’t fair to Hunter, and it simply was not the honorable thing to do. As much as she hated to, she had to do the correct thing and decline his offer.
“Yes, I would love to do that.”
So much for taking the high road.
They chatted as they walked the darkened streets of the town. Shadows cast from the street gaslights gave the usually busy street an eerie feel. Most stores were closed, but the taverns were doing a brisk business. The sound of the tinny piano and raucous laughter followed them down the street.
The Café, at the corner of Harrison and Broad Streets, was winding down for the night. It would feel good to get off her feet and let someone else wait on her for a change. A few tables held late diners, men who had most likely arrived by train after the Harvey House had closed for the evening. Rumor had it that the restaurant would soon extend its hours, which Emily did not appreciate. Her day was long enough.
After giving their orders for apple pie and coffee, Hunter leaned back in his chair and studied her. “In the past few days I’ve told you quite a bit about myself and my family. Actually more than I’ve probably told anyone else in my entire life.” He grinned that little boy smile that always made her smile, too.
“Now, tonight it’s your turn, Miss Cabot.”
She hadn’t realized he remembered her last name from their first disastrous encounter when Mr. Tinsdale had chastised her in front of the entire restaurant. Not that it mattered, since the name she’d chosen to use at the Harvey House—her maiden name—was not well known in Galveston. She regarded him. Open, friendly, curious. And she was about to feed him a pack of lies.
She had no choice. It would be downright stupid to trust anyone at this point. “I’m from Louisiana. Shreveport.”
He tilted his head and frowned. “Strange. I would have pegged your accent for Texas.”
Oh God.
“Actually, I lived in Texas for a while when I was younger, so I guess I never picked up the Louisiana accent.”
“What made your family move to Louisiana?”
How she hated lying, in general, and most of all to this man who seemed so nice. But she had to preserve her safety. Emily was the only one who could take care of Emily. No more relying on other people. Then if she had to lie, so be it.
“Um, my father. He had family in Louisiana and decided he’d rather live there.”
“Are they upset that you moved to Oklahoma to be a Harvey Girl?” His teasing made her feel all the worse for her lies. She had to find a way to cut this conversation short. She’d begun to squirm in her seat and was afraid Hunter would notice her discomfort.
“They did, at first. But they’re happy for me.” She took a deep breath and wished away the flush that had spread to her face. “How is your job at the pharmacy coming along?”
If she’d surprised him with her switch in conversation, he didn’t show it. Instead he entertained her with stories of how inept he felt working indoors, dealing with customers when his heart was still focused on the outdoors.
“Maybe one day you will find something that makes you happy.”
He gave her a pointed look and said, “I hope very much to one day find something, or someone, who makes me happy.”
Oh God.
Hunter tossed his Stetson on the dresser in his small bedroom and toed off his boots. Stretching out on his bed, he clasped his hands under his head and thought about Miss Emily Cabot.
A pretty young woman with eyes of an angel. She was smart, funny and wore a scent that had tantalized him all evening. He could still smell the flowery cologne.
It confused him how quickly he’d become interested in the girl. Thinking of her and how he would meet her, then walk her home after she finished her day, helped get him through the long hours at the pharmacy.
