Breathe by Lisa T Bergren

Author:Lisa T Bergren [Bergren, Lisa T]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePub Bud (www.epubbud.com)
Published: 2009-01-05T06:00:00+00:00

Dominic flipped the “Closed” plaque over in the windowsill and locked the shop door behind him. Today, for the first day in weeks, he had awakened without a headache. He felt like a new man, almost able to forget his injuries other than the troublesome drag of his right foot. But even that was better. With concentration, and by holding his breath, he was able to almost keep it in alignment.

He was a block down the street when he spied the sheriff leaning against the front porch post of the El Paso County Land Office. Dominic looked away quickly, but could see Sheriff Bannock moving to intercept him. “Little early to be closing up shop,” he said amiably.

“Just making a quick visit to the bank,” Dominic said.

“Shop must be doing well for you to be making another deposit this week.”

Dominic cast a glance in the man’s direction. “Well enough.”

“That’s good, good. Say, I was wondering if you and I could have a chat.”

“Certainly, Sheriff,” he said.

Reid fell into step beside Nic. “I was wondering how you felt, and how your father would feel, about Moira singing at the opera house.”

Nic took a few steps without speaking, weighing his response. He knew that the shop, and afternoon opera rehearsals that often lasted into the evening, had become a convenient excuse for Moira to evade Reid’s company. But the more she avoided him, the more he seemed to come around, desperate to share any minute with her he could. And if their father got wind of the opera house … “Moira’s always had a grand talent for singing. Both our parents were quite proud of her gift.”

“But the opera house. Singing in front of all those people. It’s unseemly. Surely your father wouldn’t approve.”

“You don’t know my father.”

“I know many decent men, and the kinds of decisions decent men make to keep their womenfolk safe.”

“Begging your pardon, Sheriff, but you’re speaking of my womenfolk, not yours.”

Reid took in his words and then said, “Thought my intentions concerning Moira were clear enough. It’s been some time I’ve been comin’ ’round.”

“Comin’ ’round doesn’t make a woman yours. And for some time, Moira’s seemed as if she wished things were different.”

Reid reached out a broad hand and stopped his stride.

Nic paused and then looked up into his glowering face. “Sheriff?”

“Don’t press me,” Reid said lowly.

“Now I thought we were just chatting,” Nic returned, refusing to look aside.

“Tell her to quit the opera. Don’t let her take this indecent road.”

“She keeps her own counsel these days, Sheriff. Pulling her out of the opera would be like convincing a garden rose to return to a field of prairie weeds.”

The sheriff’s mouth twitched. “Your sisters are full of surprises, aren’t they? Makes them all the more intriguing. Puzzles to unravel.”

Dominic’s mouth filled with foul-tasting acid. He didn’t like how the sheriff said that. Puzzles to unravel. And since when had the sheriff had any interest in Odessa? His fists clenched and unclenched by his side.

“Good day, Dominic. I appreciate your time.

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