Whirlwind Secrets by Debra Cowan

Author:Debra Cowan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Ranchers, Hotelkeepers, Fiction, Romance, Western, Historical, General
ISBN: 9780373295791
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-02-01T00:58:47+00:00

Chapter Nine

L ydia nearly dropped the lantern. Framed by the pale gaslight coming from the lobby, Russ's shoulders looked as wide as the door. The sight of him in a black duster put a flutter in her stomach. In the wavering light, she could see that his black shirt and trousers were filmed with red dust, just like his coat and scuffed black boots.

Whiskers shadowed his jaw and he looked tired, but when his gaze met hers, pleasure flared in the blue depths. Then it was gone. She felt a tug of want deep in her belly.

Trying to compose herself, she said, "Welcome back. I--we weren't sure when to expect you."

"I wasn't sure when I was coming back." His voice was stiff and ragged. From fatigue? Or because he was reluctant to talk to her, just as he had been before he left?

The gladness she felt at seeing him was squelched as her gaze moved to the blonde plastered to his side. Something twisted in Lydia's chest. She'd been missing him and he had brought back a woman! She was swept with an urge to smack him upside the head, but somehow she managed to school her features into what she hoped was a blank mask.

After a moment, her irritation abated enough for her to notice more about Russ's female companion. He shifted so that the woman was out of his shadow and Lydia could see she was hurt.

Her curly golden hair was piled on top of her head in a wobbly knot and drew attention to her heart-shaped face. The blonde was pretty. And injured. Her lower lip was busted and bruises covered one side of her face. Lydia could make out the indentation of a ring on her bloodied cheek. Her pale blue eyes were bloodshot, one of them nearly swollen shut.

It was no accident that had caused those injuries. They were from a fist. And Russ was practically keeping the woman on her feet.

"Willow Upshaw, this is Lydia Kent." He looked at Lydia. "I told her you could help her."

"Me?" She frowned. Had Russ brought the woman here because she was trying to escape an abusive situation? If Russ had wanted medical care for her, he probably would've sent for Catherine. Or asked for Naomi.

Did that mean Russ knew about the underground network? Lydia tightened her grip on the lantern's handle.

"I told her you could help her get away from--"

Get away from...her abuser? Lydia's brain froze as she fought down a sudden panic. How had he found out? Was anyone's safety in jeopardy? It took a moment for his voice to penetrate her frenzied thoughts.

"Willow wants to get away from her old life and start over."

"I'm willin' to work hard, ma'am." The woman spoke carefully because of her swollen lip.

Lydia's legs nearly gave out in relief as she realized Russ wanted her to give the woman a job, not help her escape an abusive situation. He didn't appear to know anything about the underground network. Reminded of the need for secrecy concerning the women she had just hidden, she gestured toward the dining room.

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