Caught in the Middle Read Online Free PDF Page A

Miss Walcher, I understand, and at great peril.”
    His foot swung a little faster at the memory, grateful that Miss Walcher preferred the version where he was the rescuer instead of the rescued. “Oh that.” He shrugged. “Instinctual, I suppose. Didn’t realize what I’d done until I felt that pistol barrel against my head.”
    Ophelia leaned forward and grasped Nick’s arm. “Don’t ever do that again. To risk your life . . . You must take better care of yourself, Nicholas. Especially now with so much on the horizon.”
    Her smile hinted at a great surprise. Nick shifted in his seat. Maybe he should have been more grateful to Mrs. Tillerton for saving his neck, especially when life promised so much.
    “Now that you mention it, I did have a surprise awaiting me. It seems that Judge Calloway has appointed me as a county commissioner. Can you imagine? Naturally, I have to turn it down.”
    “Turn it down?” Fine lines appeared around Ophelia’s frowning lips. “Whatever for?”
    Why had he mentioned it? Oh well. Too late to reverse course. If he signed a contract with Mr. Karber, the Stanfords would know it sooner or later.
    “I’m considering an expansion. Mr. Karber mentioned that he was extending his southeast line and could use another crew. I’m meeting with him tomorrow, and I wouldn’t want to take on additional duties that could interfere with my plans.”
    Mrs. Stanford rose. She glided to the window behind his desk and gazed upon the street below. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you want to grow. Your ambition was the first quality that attracted us to you, along with your honesty—atrait desperately needed in government. Perhaps we could find an alternative.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Don’t refuse so hastily. Being appointed to a political office is an honor that could lead to astonishing opportunities. And what if Mr. Karber doesn’t accept your bid and you’ve thrown away this chance for naught?”
    “But I intend to expand eventually. The flaws have been worked out of my operation. Why would I stop with only one crew?”
    Her lashes quivered as she came to a decision. “Then get another crew, but forget about finding new partners. Ian is planning another line even now. We could use your services there. Without having the trouble of hammering out new terms and expectations, you’ll have plenty of time for your county duties.”
    Nick’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t like being pushed toward a decision. Besides the increased profit that diversification would bring, he also wanted to lessen his dependence on the NTT Railroad. The Stanfords, Ophelia in particular, could be difficult to please, and Nick could foresee the day when he’d tire of the dance. Still, wasn’t the sure promise of more business better than the gamble of securing new clients? New commissioners would be elected in a few months. Surely he could coast until then, or if he got in over his head, he could always resign before any harm came to his business.
    “Another line, you say? When do we break ground?”

    Every good hunter knows that the trick to finding game involves predicting where their prey feels most at home. Buffalo,rabbits, foxes—they all skedaddle to their lair when pursued. Errant cooks would be no different. And Anne was an excellent hunter.
    From the moment she spotted the Velvet Palace, Anne knew with disgusted certainty that Tessa called it home. As soon as the bartender finished with his noon customers, she had her question answered, then jaunted up a painted staircase to stand in Tessa’s doorway.
    Finding her had been the easy part. Convincing her to return would take patience, and patience wasn’t Anne’s strong suit. If Tessa would only stand still long enough to hear her plea, but she obviously didn’t have time for Anne or for the infant who pulled on her skirt as she preened in the mirror.
    Anne watched the child with fascinated horror. The baby. His presence threatened to