lobby. But she would do that after the stranger had gone up to his room.
She wasnât sure why she didnât want him to see her, but she didnât. It certainly couldnât be because she was wearing her oldest dress and her hair was a mess. She didnât care what he thought of her. He would probably be staying only one night. Most of the drifters did. And then sheâd never see him again.
Courtney moved to the front, ducking under the dining-room windows on the side of the hotel so that she could peek around first and be sure he was gone. She edged her way to the front door, not even realizing she still had the bundle of dirty linen in her arms. She just wanted to get to her room, hide her newspaper, then get back to work.
Out in the street, Charley and Snub watched Courtneyâs antics. What the hell was she doing,peeking through the front door instead of just opening it, then suddenly slamming back against the wall, as if hiding. But then the door opened all the way and the stranger stepped outside, crossed the porch to the steps, and went to his horse. Watching the gunman, they didnât see Courtney dash into the hotel. Then Snub noticed sheâd gone.
âWhat was that all about?â
Charley was watching the stranger lead his horse toward the stable. âWhat?â
âSure looked like Miss Courtney was hidinâ from that feller.â
âWell, shoot, canât blame her none. Look what happened with that owlhoot Polecat Parker. Snuck into her room and scared the daylights outta her with his drunken pawinâ. Donât know what mighta happened if Harry hadnât heard her scream and grabbed his shotgun. And then there was that dumb cowboy who tried to grab her right off the street and ride away with her. Sprained her ankle real bad, fallinâ off his horse. And thenââ
âWe both know sheâs had her share of trouble since sheâs been here, Charley. She probably figures this one means trouble, too. So sheâs stayinâ outta his way.â
âMaybe. But did you ever see her leave the hotel before just to avoid a man?â
âCanât say as I have.â
âThen maybe sheâs interested in this one.â
âGawddammit, Charley, that donât make sense.â
âWhen did women ever make sense?â Charley chuckled.
âButâ¦I thought she was gonna marry Reed Taylor.â
âThatâs what her stepmammaâd like to see happen. But it ainât gonna happenâI heard it from Mattie Cates. Miss Courtney likes Reed about as much as she liked Polecat.â
Inside the hotel, Courtney took a quick look at the register book lying open on the desk before hurrying on to her room. His name was Chandos. That was all, just the single name.
Chapter 7
âH URRY, will you, Courtney? I donât have all day. And you promised youâd help me pick out material for my new dress.â
Courtney looked over her shoulder at Mattie Cates, who was sitting on the overturned wash-barrel. She gave an unladylike snort. âIf youâre in such an all-fired hurry, then get over here and help me hang these sheets.â
âAre you kiddinâ? Iâve got my own wash to do as soon as I get home. And Pearceâs pants are just as heavy as can be. My arms would never last if I started now. Donât know why I married such a big man, anyhow.â
âMaybe because you love him?â Courtney grinned.
âMaybe.â Mattie grinned back.
Mattie Cates was a contradictory mixture. The petite, blue-eyed blonde was usually friendly and outgoing, but she could be quiet and reserved, too. Seemingly independent, at times just as bossy as Sarah, she also had hidden uncertainties only her closest friends knew about. Courtney, of course, was a close friend.
Mattie firmly believed you got out of life what you put into it, that you could do anything youset your mind to doing, and she liked to say,