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cheeks and toddling footsteps that followed her wherever she went, he’d won her over to the cause nearly instantly.
    “And that’s what you’ve used your allowance money for,” Charlie said. She still couldn’t make out his features in the growing darkness, couldn’t tell what was in his voice.
    “Yes. The orphanage has been mismanaged and lost funding from some of its benefactors. There is some threat the doors will have to be closed unless more funding can be obtained.”
    “And that’s what you wanted the gold for.”
    “Yes.”
    But there was no gold. She needed to find a way to get back to Omaha so she could put her other plans into action.
    Even if she didn’t particularly want to marry Grover.
     
     
    ~~~~
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    Four days later, Opal was no closer to getting off the Circle B. Her father had sickened the day after her arrival and although she’d been in to sit with him a few times, they hadn’t discussed the money she needed for her orphans. Every time she asked about returning to Omaha, her father feigned exhaustion and said they’d talk about it later.
    And Charlie had been no help.
    So Opal had set about making friends with Gertie, the only woman on the spread. And making her own plans to leave if Charlie still refused to take her back to the train station in Sheridan.
    The two women were in the middle of dinner preparations when the kitchen door banged open and Carl rushed in, startling Opal into flinging flour across the broad table.
    “Miss Opal, I found your kitty!”
    She looked up to see him clutching her squirming, once-white Persian to his midsection, just as Gertie ordered, “Take that animal out of my kitchen, young man.”
    Opal wiped her flour-covered hands on the apron she’d borrowed, turning away from the bread she’d been kneading to address Carl. “Where did you find her?”
    “Carl,” Gertie warned, and the boy scampered out of the kitchen.
    Charlie must’ve followed him in from outside because his overwhelming presence suddenly filled the kitchen. Opal couldn’t help being aware of the man, even though he frustrated her by refusing to help her return to Omaha.
    “I’m afraid your fancy kitty was… erm… socializing with the tomcat out in the barn.”
    His lips quirked, not a full smile, but it was his wink that brought a flush to Opal’s cheeks.
    She pretended indifference and turned back to her dough. “Thank you for having Carl bring her inside. I don’t suppose you’re available to take me to Sheridan today, are you?”
    “Mmm… I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
    “I thought not.” She tried and failed to keep the sharpness from her tone, but she needed to get back to Omaha. The children depended on her.
    And she would do anything for them. Including making her way back to Sheridan on her own, since Charlie still refused to help her. She’d already returned her few belongings in the satchel in preparation to leave on her own. She would wait until everyone was asleep and then sneak away.
    She was disappointed she hadn’t gotten the answers she wanted from her father, but she had to think about the children.
    “Miss Opal, I put the cat in your room and shut the door.” Carl skidded into the kitchen, wide smile flashing. Opal had learned he only had the one speed: full steam ahead. Her heart pinched at the thought of leaving the boy she’d only begun to get attached to.
    “Thank you. I set aside a couple of the molasses cookies I baked earlier for you.” Hands busy with the dough, she nodded to the sideboard.
    “What, none for me?” Charlie asked, coming behind her. Warmth radiated from him, she could sense his solid presence, could smell the combination of leather and horse and man that was Charlie’s scent.
    She refused to respond to him. Wished her thudding heart would do the same.
    “Sorry,” was her quick, clipped answer.
    Since her first day here and their shared moments on the hill at sunset, they’d danced around