Lauri Robinson Read Online Free PDF

Spencer huffed the air out of his chest and pulled open the door. “What she wants to do and what I can do to help.”
    “Let me know how that goes for you,” Cord’s voice echoed in his ears as he stepped off the stoop.
     
    Della paced her kitchen. Mr. Lance Westmeier was a discourteous, ruthless man. No, the man had said, he wouldn’t need a housekeeper, and no, he had no intention of owning a boardinghouse. He was going to convert it into a gambling house. A gambling house of all things!
    She’d spoken with Mrs. Agnew, too, the hotel owner’s wife, but they weren’t in need of assistance, either.
    Her choices were dwindling as fast as she thought of them.
    The clip of boot heels on the front steps had her hastening from the kitchen and through the parlor. Mr. Westmeier had said he’d stop by to assess his property, and she was fully prepared to give him a piece of her mind.
    Della skidded to a stop when the window exposed Spencer walking across the porch. A softness overcame her heart, and she pulled the door open before he knocked.
    “Hello.”
    The huskiness of his voice made her chest flutter with a longing sigh. Licking her dry lips, she peered up. His tender gaze had her wondering if she’d been too hasty this morning.
    He tugged her through the open doorway. “Sit on the swing with me.”
    Warmth spread throughout her system as she followed him onto the wide porch.
    “You went to see Lance Westmeier?” he asked as they sat.
    Knots formed in her stomach, and her ire peaked again. “Yes.” She let out a huff. “That man is incorrigible.”
    “He is?”
    “Yes,” she stated with emphasis. “He is.”
    “What did he say?”
    A week ago, she’d never have imagined sitting on the porch and visiting with Spencer, but right now, it felt like the most natural thing on earth. “That he plans on opening a gambling house.”
    “Here?”
    “Yes.”
    Spencer let out a little chuckle.
    It was a nice sound, one she’d like to hear every day, but at the same time, it made her frown. “What’s so funny about that?”
    He touched the tip of her nose, and the sensation sent a little tickle all the way to her heart. “Nothing, other than the man doesn’t know much about Kansas laws.” Growing a bit more serious, he continued, “Last year Kansas made it illegal to manufacture or sell intoxicating liquors. I don’t think too many folks around here gamble when they’re sober.”
    “But Sister Marie’s sells liquor.”
    “Yes, because Marie’s place was approved by the city council as a private club. The state knew cities would lose a lot of tax dollars when the legislation passed, so they left a few loopholes open. I doubt El Dorado will issue the same liberties they gave Marie to someone else. Especially not a newcomer.”
    Della knew she was dewy-eyed, but Spencer was such a smart man it just couldn’t be helped. She’d always been intrigued by the Temperance Society that met regularly and once had a boarder campaigning for Governor St. John, but the boardinghouse kept her too busy to get involved with politics. With no one to discuss the issues with, there wasn’t much point in it anyway. Of course, being the deputy, Spencer would know all about such things.
    “So,” she said, feeling a glimmer of satisfaction. “Mr. Westmeier’s business might fail before it starts.”
    “Possibly.” Spencer shrugged. “I can’t say for sure.” His eyes narrowed a touch as he gazed her way. “What are you thinking?”
    How wonderful it is sitting here with you, immediately rose to the tip of her tongue. She shrugged. “Nothing.” She took in his image again. He was clean shaven, as usual, and dark hair that could use a trim curled around the rim of his hat and over the top of his shirt collar. Another thought entered her mind. “Where are you staying?”
    “What?”
    She glanced toward Cord’s house. “You used to live with Cord, but now that he’s married, where are you staying?”
    “At the