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looked at Harvey’s brother as the man raised his eyes to hers. Something told Gwen that this man wouldn’t be forced to go with anyone. He wasn’t a city dandy to be pushed around. She could see in his eyes that he was a man of decision and determination.
    “He can stay, Joe. He has business here, just as he’s said. Maybe stop back by for him on your way through.”
    “What kind of business, if I might ask?” Rafe questioned, standing just inside the dining room.
    Gwen frowned. “What can I do for you, Mr. Reynolds?”
    “I was hoping to buy a pie or two. You got any for sale?”
    “I’ll have some this evening. Right now I’m down to my last one. Come back around five.”
    Rafe nodded and looked at Bishop. “So what is it that brings you to town, stranger?”
    “I hardly see that as any concern to you.”
    “Well, sure it is. You’re a customer, and customers are always my business,” Rafe said with a big grin. “My saloon is just next door. If you’re staying here, you’ll want to know that, because these little ladies don’t serve spirits. They’re temptress women.”
    “Although I’m sure these women can be tempting, do you actually mean temperance women?” Bishop asked.
    Beth was snorting a giggle under her breath. Rafe was not happy to be corrected but held his temper. “What I mean is they don’t agree with alcohol of any kind.”
    “That suits me quite well, for I myself am a temperance man,” Bishop replied. He looked at Joe and added, “I have my horse. You needn’t worry about coming back for me, now that I am familiar with the trail to Salt Lake.” His expression seemed to darken as he muttered, “Hoc volo, sic iubeo; sit pro ratione voluntas.”
    “And what is that supposed to mean?” Lacy questioned.
    “It’s been my experience that men who have to hide behind foreign words do so because they have nothing of import to say,” Beth said, sticking her nose in the air as if greatly offended.
    The man smiled. “It’s Latin and means, ‘This is what I want, such are my orders: my desire is reason enough.’ ” He fixed his gaze on Gwen. “In other words, I’ll leave when I have what I came for.”
    To Gwen, his statement sounded more like a threat than mere comment. What have you come for? She couldn’t imagine that she could offer him anything that would satisfy or justify a trip of this great length. Still, something deep within told her that everything in her life was about to change yet again. The curse was working its tiresome strategies against her. There was nothing to do but endure and hope for a painless conclusion. Unfortunately, Mr. Bishop didn’t look like the painless type.

CHAPTER FOUR

    “I hate the fact that Rafe has brought in prostitutes,” Beth said, stretching to look out the kitchen window. She knew even though there was still plenty of light, it wouldn’t be long before the cowboys started whooping it up at the saloon. Several had already arrived and were no doubt starting their night of entertainment.
    “The alcohol was bad enough, but now this,” Gwen replied as she pulled two perfectly roasted chickens from the oven. “I wonder if Mr. Bishop likes chicken. I never thought to ask.”
    “I think you’ve done more than enough by allowing him to rent a room,” Lacy interjected as she stomped across the kitchen on her way out the back. “I think you should have sent him elsewhere.”
    “Look, I don’t want him here any more than you do,” Gwen replied. She put the chicken aside and checked the vegetables that were simmering on the stove. Beth watched her sister’s meticulous attention to detail as she mixed in just a pinch of this and that. “I figure,” Gwen continued, “it’s best to allow him to be here, state his business, and then see him on his way. Otherwise, he might think we have something to hide.”
    Lacy frowned as she picked up two water buckets. Beth was quite certain that none of this set well with her younger sister.