Calico Spy by Margaret Brownley

Author:Margaret Brownley [Brownley, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-63409-731-4
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2016-03-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Branch didn’t see hide nor hair of Gable for three days. Where he was staying Branch had no idea. He certainly wasn’t at the hotel or boardinghouse. Maybe he’d left town. Now wouldn’t that be an answer to his prayers?

Still, it was with grave concern that he walked to the Harvey House dining room late that Friday afternoon with his young son by his side.

They were early, and he planned it that way. The train wasn’t due in for another hour or more. He hoped that would work in his favor and the staff would allow him to celebrate his son’s birthday without having to don a straitjacket.

A quick glance around relieved his mind. No sign of Gable. The restaurant was empty except for employees still putting the finishing touches on tables already set with spotless white cloths and vases of fresh flowers.

His gaze immediately lit on Katie, talking to the others in back of the room.

Oddly enough, the mere sight of her made him forget his worries about Gable, and he relaxed for the first time in days. She looked every bit as soft and desirable today as she had the night he held her in his arms. He had a hard time taking his gaze off her.

Spotting him, she broke away from the small group and hurried over to where he and Andy stood. She greeted him warmly, but her pretty smile was so intriguing he could only nod in response.

“And this must be Andy,” she continued. Taking Andy’s hand in hers, she gave it a gentle shake. “How do you do? My name is Miss Katie.” She released his son’s hand and straightened. “So what’s the occasion?”

Normally shy in front of strangers, Andy looked almost as intrigued by the redheaded woman as Branch was. Like father, like son.

“It’s my birthday,” Andy said, grinning.

“Your birthday!” Katie made it sound like the day should be declared a national holiday. “Well, you’ve come to the right place to celebrate. How old are you, Andy?”

“I’m eight.”

“Oh my.” She pressed her hands together. “Such a big boy for eight.”

Actually, Andy was small for his age, mainly because he was such a picky eater. He practically drove Miss Chloe up the wall with his poor eating habits.

Katie tapped her finger on her chin as she studied him. “An important occasion like this requires a certain dress. But not to worry. I have the perfect coat for you.”

Branch opened his mouth to protest when he realized she was addressing his son.

She led the boy over to the coatrack and pulled out the shortest coat there. “It might be a tad big, but I think it will do.”

The coat practically buried Andy. It reached his knees, and the sleeves were way too long, but he didn’t seem to notice as he gazed into the mirror. Instead, a slow grin inched across his face.

The smile did Branch’s heart good. Not only did the boy tend to be shy around strangers, he was serious minded with a lot of unfounded fears.

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