The Golden Rush: A Steamy Western Historical Romance (Hearts of Gold Book 1) by Ariella Talix

Author:Ariella Talix [Talix, Ariella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ringmaster Publishing
Published: 2022-04-04T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 26

They headed back to The Discovery, where all of their friends and business partners were waiting for them in the dining room. It was decorated with a banner that said, “Congratulations!” and everyone was holding glasses of champagne to toast the newlyweds.

“You certainly were self-assured about today’s outcome, you two!” Adeline laughed. The men merely beamed at her; they both ignored the fact that it could have gone so very wrong.

One by one, their friends shook hands, hugged, kissed, and showered them all with the best of wishes. When that was accomplished, they all sat down to an incredible wedding feast specially prepared for them by Chef Guillaume. It was so magnificent; they cheered for him until he came out to take a modest bow. The man looked extremely smug about it as he winked at Adeline. He knew he was the finest chef in the city.

As they were about to commence with dessert and more champagne, Walter stood, clinked his glass, and launched into a long-winded speech about how he’d known Royal and Jasper were headed for greatness way back when he’d first met them in Missouri and how he felt so fortunate to have become such a close friend. Walter was just starting in on his feelings about Adeline when Jasper jumped to his feet and asked, “Does anyone else smell smoke?” Running for the window, he peered out and cried, “Fire! The city is on fire!” The sun had set long before this, but the brightness of the flames created an eerie glow.

He turned to Adeline and ordered her, “Stay here and do not go upstairs to bed. The fire shouldn’t reach us up here, but if it somehow does, you’ll need to evacuate immediately. We’re going to help. Come on, men!” Then he rushed out the door with his partners hot on his heels.

Adeline sat in bewildered panic for a moment until one of the hired guards came back into the dining room and announced, “Your husbands ordered me to not let you out of my sight until they return.” The man was on the short side, had a spare, wiry build, an honest face, and looked to be as tough as nails. She immediately trusted him.

“Oh! Yes, of course, Mr.…?”

“Cooley, ma’am. Caleb Cooley, at your service.”

“May I offer you some supper, Mr. Cooley?”

“Caleb will do, ma’am. And yes, thank you. I haven’t had much to eat yet today, and I’m as hungry as a bear.”

Adeline rang for service, and shortly Caleb was treated to a dinner like none he’d ever tasted before. He dug in like a starving man and laughed, “These are some fine vittles, ma’am. Thank you.”

Adeline’s hand shook as she sipped her champagne and stared out the window—scarcely paying him any attention. Now that she’d seen to his nourishment, she turned her focus on worrying herself sick about her brand-new husbands and the city below. The black smoke and engulfing flames were terrifying from their lookout on the bluff above the city.

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