Her Bodyguard Read Online Free PDF Page B

novel than the rolling Texas prairie.
    As he entered the huge exhibit hall, Luke overheard a ticket taker claim that almost seven thousand people had crowded inside this evening. That could be a problem, he thought. With that many folks milling around the building, he might have a difficult time locating his contact.
    And he truly did want to turn over the stolen diamond-and-ruby necklace hidden in his pocket.
    He wandered through the agricultural hall pretending interest in the neatly classified samples of grains, grasses, fruits, vegetables and minerals produced within the state while he developed his plan of action. He figured the likeliest time to spy his quarry would be during the Elgin Watch Band’s performance. Besides, Luke wouldn’t mind dancing a waltz or two with a Fort Worth lovely. It’d be a nice change from the uncivilized company he’d been keeping the past few weeks.
    Having toured the length of the hall, Luke moseyed on toward the art exhibit, where work either by Texas artists or depicting an aspect of life in the Lone Star State was on display. In this gallery, Luke didn’t have to feign interest. His stepfather had taught him to appreciate art, and during Luke’s travels, he always made it a point to visit local museums and galleries whenever time allowed. The quality of the paintings and sculptures on display here at the Texas Spring Palace impressed him. The bronze nude by Monique Day could hold its own with anything he’d seen in the Louvre.
    “Luke Garrett? Is that really you?”
    Luke glanced away from a moody watercolor of Galveston Bay to see Wilhemina Peters, society columnist for the Fort Worth Daily Democrat , bearing down on him. She wore a candlelight silk shawl draped over a bronze-colored evening gown and brought to mind an image of a barquentine at full sail.
    Luke stifled a sigh. Up until now, he’d enjoyed his evening at the agriculture and immigration fair. Leave it to Wilhemina Peters to destroy his peace.
    Halting in front of him, she declared, “It is you.”
    “Good evening, Mrs. Peters. Are you enjoying the gala?”
    “Never mind the gala. What are you doing out of jail?”
    Luke flashed a shark’s smile, then drawled, “I’ve been paroled.”
    “Paroled!”
    “Yep. For good behavior.” With a wicked wink, he added, “The warden’s daughter testified on my behalf.”
    Mrs. Peters gasped and clutched at her voluminous bosom.
    “For goodness’ sake, Wilhemina, settle down.” Mr. Peters walked up beside his wife and extended his hand toward Luke. “I heard you were here tonight, Garrett. Glad to know your conviction was overturned in time for you to attend the exposition. The Texas Spring Palace’s second season has been a rousing success so far, and it wouldn’t have happened without your substantial subscription.”
    Luke acknowledged the chairman of the Spring Palace committee with a nod. “Glad to have been of help.”
    Wilhemina sniffed. “It’s been suggested that you considered your ten-thousand-dollar subscription to be simply good business. An influx of tourists to the city means more trains to rob, more horses to steal, more people to fleece in your Hell’s Half Acre’s saloons and brothels.”
    “Wilhemina, hush now,” scolded her husband. “Mr. Garrett is completely innocent of any involvement in the slight increase in the city’s crime rate since the exposition opened.”
    “That’s right.” Luke nodded solemnly. “I’ve been in jail.”
    While Wilhemina gasped, Mr. Peters continued, “The Spring Palace is the best thing that’s happened to Fort Worth since electric lights, and Mr. Garrett is a big part of its success. I suggest you bury your animosity and—”
    “Give the devil his due?” she interrupted, her smile false, her eyes narrowed and angry. “Very well.” Before Luke or her husband realized her intentions, Wilhemina Peters took a step closer to him, drew back her hand and slapped him. “That’s for Miss