Letter Perfect ( Book #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

again.
    “Excuse me,” she murmured.
    A shocking thought occurred to Joshua, and he leaned closer to try to catch a whiff. Though he didn’t detect any spirits on her, the sweet honeysuckle scent of her perfume might well be a disguise for her vice. After all, blood told—and everyone knew weakness for alcohol was inherited.
    “D’ya need another drink?” the stage driver asked.
    Another drink? Joshua groaned. He’d dried out her father, and that had been an ordeal. He wasn’t about to tackle getting a woman off the bottle.
    “Perhaps some lemonade or— hic —water,” she said in a whispery alto. Each wave of her fan sent her curls dancing.
    He nodded, then looked at the driver. “Don’t remove her trunks yet.”
    “Sorry. I’m behind schedule. Gotta move on out.”
    Josh hoped to just leave her on the stage and send her back, but the destination slate in the stage office window let him know it was going the wrong direction. He scowled, then decided aloud, “Miss Caldwell, I’ll take you to Rick Maltby’s office. He’ll have a pitcher of water.” It was the closest place available where they could talk without having an audience. He cupped her elbow and steered her in the right direction. At least she walked with a steady gait. Folks were starting to gather around, and he needed to break the news that her pa had gone to the hereafter before she caught wind of cowboys jawing about it.
    They crossed the street to the lawyer’s but found the office empty. Most likely Rick hiked off to the Copper Kettle for a bite to eat. Joshua hung his hat on a brass hook and pointed at the closest chair. “Have a seat. I’ll get you some water.”
    He paced to a small oak table alongside one wall and sur- reptitiously rubbed a few specks of the ever-present dust from the rim before he picked up the pitcher. The water wasn’t necessary— the shock of his news would undoubtedly stop that crazy case of hiccups. He turned back around and repeated, “Have a seat.”
    “If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d rather stand. I’ve spent the past three weeks sitting in the stage, and the change is welcome.” A hiccup jumped between every third or fourth word.
    He shrugged. “No skin off my nose.” He poured carefully, tilting the pitcher so the sediment in the water wasn’t disturbed. The town well was running a bit low, and folks dealt with the grit. Somehow, though, he doubted a lavishly-dressed woman like Miss Caldwell had ever sipped anything but pure water from crystal goblets. Oh, well, she’d have to make do. He topped off the glass and headed back toward her.
    He’d hoped the lawyer would be here. That not being the case, he’d stall for a moment. Rick would be here soon. Gossip would carry news to Maltby that a strange young woman was waiting in his office.
    Clearly, his expectations were in vain. When Maltby didn’t hasten back, Joshua accepted he wasn’t going to get any help breaking the sorrowful news. He was just going to have to tough it out.
    “Thank—” Miss Caldwell’s words halted and her hand froze midair as she reached to accept the glass. Her brows knit, and her gaze narrowed. “I recognize the wax seal on that envelope, Mr. McCain.” She locked eyes with him. “It’s my mother’s, and it’s open. What could you be thinking, reading my father’s mail?”
    Joshua glanced down at the letter protruding from the pocket of his leather vest. It wasn’t exactly the way he’d planned to break the news. Joshua put the glass in her hand and curled her fingers around it very deliberately. “Miss Caldwell, I’d not intentionally read a letter sent to someone else.”
    “Oh.” She gave him a smile. “Please forgive me for leaping to conclusions. My father must have given it to you when he sent you to fetch me.”
    “Miss, your father didn’t send me.” He grimaced, then took out the envelope and turned it so she could see both sides. “Fact is, my family owns the Broken P. That was