The Countess And The Cowboy (Historical Romance) by Elizabeth Lane

Author:Elizabeth Lane [Lane, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 25990606
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Published: 2015-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

While the clerk at the general store was filling her order, Eve set off to the bakery. According to Alice, Etta made excellent pies. Buying several from her would save Alice the work of baking them before the dinner party.

Beth Ann trailed after Eve down the boardwalk, clutching the paper-wrapped bundle that contained her new clothes. In the back of the dressmaker’s shop they’d discovered a rack of finished dresses. One of them, a flattering blue calico, had been a perfect fit. With the white ruffled apron Eve had bought, the girl would be more than presentable to serve at the dinner party.

Beth Ann had offered to sew her own dresses, but she had other work and an urgent need for suitable clothes. Eve had ordered two more dresses made to the same pattern—a green gingham and a more subdued twill in a gray stripe, along with two more aprons. Beth Ann, she suspected, would have preferred something more glamorous. But these would do nicely for her service in the house. Even though she’d been hired on probation Eve felt comfortable spending the money. So far, despite her bold nature, the girl had proved herself capable and willing. Even Alice had begun to accept her.

The bakery door opened with the jingle of a bell, summoning Etta from the back room. She had specks of flour on her apron and a cheery smile on her face.

“Well, look who’s here!” she said. “Since the two of you came in together, can I assume the job’s going well?”

“Quite well, thank you. We just bought Beth Ann some new clothes.” Eve glanced down at the glass-fronted display case. “I was hoping you’d have some fresh pies today, but I don’t see even one.”

“The hotel buys most of my pies on Friday. But you’re in luck. I have four extras in the back room—two apple, one cherry and one mincemeat, still warm. I was about to bring them out front. Which would you like?”

“If no one else has spoken for them, I’ll take all four.”

“Fine. I’ll bring them right out for you.”

As Etta disappeared behind the wall, another customer entered the bakery. From behind her, Eve heard the jingle of the bell on the door, the tread of a footstep, a breath. Knowing better than to turn around, she stood rigid, sensing his presence as if he’d reached out and brushed her shoulder. It had to be Lonigan.

Lonigan the train robber, the ex-convict. The man she’d agreed to help—before she’d learned the truth about him.

The man who’d kissed her as she’d never been kissed in her life.

Don’t look at him. Don’t speak to him. That was what they’d agreed on. But this might be her best chance to let him know about the dinner, and alert him to watch for a message.

Etta was still in the back, boxing up the pies, but Beth Ann was right here, standing next to her. Eve didn’t know whose side the girl was on, but she’d be a fool to make assumptions.

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