Shadows Through Time by Madeline Baker

Author:Madeline Baker
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Nonfiction, Historical, Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 9781419919831
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Published: 2009-08-13T07:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

For Kelsey, eating breakfast with Reese and Angelina the following morning was more than a little uncomfortable, to say the least. She glanced at Reese from time to time, wondering what he was thinking. She didn’t have to wonder what Angelina was thinking. The girl had every reason to think Kelsey was doing more than just sleeping in Reese’s bed. Kelsey thought about setting the record straight and then decided against it. What difference did it make what the girl thought? Besides, true to his word, Reese had gotten Kelsey a room of her own. He had given her the key that morning before they came down for breakfast. Was it by accident or design that her new room adjoined his?

Her gaze moved over him. He had changed into a clean gray shirt and black trousers. She heartily wished she had a change of clothes, as well. Her gingham dress looked like she had slept it in and of course, she had. After breakfast, she was going to walk down to the Chinese laundry at the other end of the street and ask if they could wash and press her dress while she waited.

“So,” Angelina said brightly, “what are you two going to do today?”

Kelsey shrugged. “I don’t know.” Other than seeing about having her dress cleaned, she didn’t have any plans.

Reese rubbed his hand over his jaw. “I’m thinkin’ of getting’ a shave and playin’ a little poker.” Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a handful of bills. He counted out twenty-five dollars and handed it to Kelsey, then counted a like amount and gave it to Angelina. “Why don’t you ladies go buy yourselves whatever you need.”

“Oh, Reese,” Angelina squealed, clutching the greenbacks to her chest, “you’re just the sweetest man I’ve ever met!”

He nodded. “That’s me,” he said dryly.

“Thank you,” Kelsey said. “I’ll pay you back somehow.”

“No need.” Rising, he dropped a couple of bills on the table, plucked his hat from the back of his chair and settled it on his head. “I’ll see you ladies at suppertime.”

Tucking the greenbacks into her skirt pocket, Kelsey pushed her chair back and stood up. “Well, see ya later, Angelina.”

Angelina quickly wiped her mouth on her napkin and rose as well. “Can I go with you? I don’t want to be alone…” She smiled uncertainly. “I don’t know anyone here and…”

Kelsey’s first instinct was to say no, but then she remembered what Reese had told her. How would she feel if she was young and on her own, afraid to go back home. To a brothel, of all places. Looking at it like that, she couldn’t blame the girl for doing whatever she thought necessary to survive. All that flirting with Reese had probably just been the desperate act of a young girl with no one to care for her and no place to go.

Feeling ashamed for the way she had behaved, Kelsey smiled back at Angelina and said, “Come on, let’s go.”

Leaving the hotel, Kelsey headed for the general store.

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