Albuquerque by Sara Orwig

Author:Sara Orwig
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626814851
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2014-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

15

Dazed, April ran her errands and hurried home, thankful she hadn’t encountered Noah on the way. She was afraid he would take one look at her and guess exactly how she felt about him. She needed to get her emotions composed before she saw him again.

As she first came in sight of her house and the buggy by the front door, her heart lurched. She thought Noah might be waiting, but then she recognized the Hatfields’ buggy.

As soon as she halted, Melissa climbed down to help April carry her packages inside. “I guess word’s already all over town,” April said. “It’ll take me a long time to get my house back like it was. Thanks for coming to visit.”

“I wish I deserved the thanks, but I don’t know what you’re talk—” Melissa had followed April inside, and now she stood with her mouth open in surprise while she stared at the shambles of a room that was usually neat and tidy. “What happened?”

Surprised, April stopped to look at her friend, and for the first time realized that Melissa had her own problems. Her skin was pale as snow, and a frown creased her brow. “Someone broke in last night and did this. Noah, Mr. McCloud, thinks they were searching for his gold.”

“How dreadful! Oh, April, you can’t stay here! I’d be terrified to come back home.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said, wondering how many people she had reassured that morning. “What’s wrong?”

“Why would anyone think you have the McCloud gold? I thought that was a secret.”

“Probably because Noah McCloud is searching for it. You know how rumors and gossip go through a town.”

“I’m so sorry!” Melissa said. “I can’t believe someone would do this. Mama will want you to come stay with us.”

“I’m all right. Enough about my problems. What about yours?”

Instantly Melissa’s eyes clouded with worry. “Patrick wants to see me. He says he has to.”

“You want to meet here again?” April asked quietly.

“Yes. I think he knows about Tigre!” Melissa said as if her heart were breaking in two. She gripped April’s arm. “I don’t know what to do! I love Tigre, but I hate to have to tell Patrick.”

“Tigre! You only saw him that one—” April bit off her words as she saw Melissa’s cheeks turn bright pink. “You’ve been seeing him! I thought he went to California. When?”

“He’s slipped back at night.”

“Where do you meet?” April asked, aghast as she mulled over the implications.

“In my room,” Melissa admitted, her face turning crimson.

“Your room! Melissa, if your father catches him, he’ll shoot him! And he will catch him if he’s going to your room at night.”

“I know it, but I have to see him.” She grasped April’s hand. “I love him! April, he’s wonderful, and so gentle.”

“He’s wanted for murder!” April said softly. She stared at her friend, astounded and worried. “You can’t love him!”

“I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it.”

April became silent, thinking she couldn’t even take her own advice. She loved Noah McCloud as

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