Citit - A Wanted Man by Susan Kay Law

Author:Susan Kay Law [Law, Susan Kay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: West
Published: 2004-07-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Haw Crocker really knew how to set a table.

The dining room, a long, soaring rectangle of a room with stripped wood beams at least a foot in diameter, held a table that sat twenty-four with ease. Three young men in dark gray suits served and whisked dishes away with the kind of efficiency that only came from long practice and a drill sergeant of a butler. Platters of sautéed trout in almonds were quickly joined by a huge roast loin of beef, expertly carved and served with browned potatoes.

There were only seven at dinner, which seemed a terrible waste to Laura. Besides Laura, Sam, and Crocker, his son joined them. Ben was an entirely forgettable young man of about Laura’s age who deferred to his father on everything and spoke only when spoken to, and sometimes not even then. Also in attendance were Crocker’s ranch manager, Carl Fitch, and his wife Adeline, who had their own small house a hundred yards from the main; and a giant of a man introduced only as Clem, who’d mumbled “hello” and had not spoken again the entire dinner.

“This is lovely,” Laura said, spooning up a delicious apple dumpling, “but you did not have to make such a fuss for us. We have been on the road for so long that anything would have been a great luxury.”

“Oh, no,” Crocker said. Candlelight gleamed on the smooth dome of his head. His face was deeply lined, as though at one time he’d spent a long time in the sun, but his scalp shone pink, as if it had been a while since he’d had to do so. “I simply enjoy a proper dinner at the end of a long day. Now that you’re here, we’ll begin plans for a special celebration. Saturday, perhaps.”

She glanced at Sam, who’d been seated across the table from her, limiting their opportunities for communication. He smiled blandly at her.

“I’m not certain we’ll be here that long,” Laura said.

“What do you mean, you won’t be here that long?” Crocker dragged his spoon across his plate, scraping up the last bit of cream. “Of course you’re going to be here. I’d never want your Daddy to think that I didn’t take good care o’ you.” He punched Sam, just to his right, on his arm to emphasize his point. Sam winced. “Her daddy and I made a lot of money together, son.”

“I’m aware of that,” Sam said precisely.

“Saw you poking around outside before dinner while Miss Hamilton was resting. Don’t you like your room?”

“Oh, no, my room is quite acceptable.” Crocker frowned, as if he’d expected something a bit more flattering than acceptable. “I’m just…restless sometimes. And curious. And, of course, it is part of my responsibilities to select possible vistas for Miss Hamilton’s projects.”

“New fellas—” Haw kept smiling, but his gaze had sharpened. “City fellas, shouldn’t be wandering around out here alone. Let me know next time you decide to explore, and I’ll assign somebody to show you around.”

“That won’t be necessary.

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