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.She couldn't imagine why anyone would want to settle down there.The stage depot was the only redeeming feature she could find, and that was only because it afforded her a way to escape the place."It's hard to believe that a gentleman like Michael comes from a town that is so.crude."Karen understood her mother's reaction but wanted to make the best of things."Once I get to see Michael again, everything will be fine.""Of course, dear," Dorothea said, holding her tongue for now.She hoped her daughter was right, for she certainly didn't want to spend an hour longer there than necessary.They reached the hotel and went in."Afternoon, ladies," Ernest Williams, the hotel clerk, welcomed them as they approached the check-in desk."We need a room, please," Dorothea dictated."Yes, ma'am." Ernest quickly registered them, then escorted them upstairs to their room."Where are you ladies from?""Philadelphia," Karen answered."We're here to visit the Donovans.""Oh, are you kin?""We soon will be," Karen responded, with confidence."I'm Michael's fiancee.""You are?" Ernest tried but couldn't quite hide his surprise.He'd heard the talk around town about the upcoming wedding between Michael and Casey, and he knew this woman's unexpected appearance was definitely going to cause trouble."You sound surprised," Dorothea said pointedly."Well, we hadn't heard Michael was engaged to anyone back East," he said, managing not to reveal anything.He didn't want to be the one who told them about Michael's upcoming marriage to another woman.He didn't want to be anywhere around when these two women found out about it."We hadn't publicly announced it yet, but Michael and I are going to be married," Karen said firmly."I'm real happy for you," Ernest said noncommittally."Is there a way to send a message to Michael at the ranch? Is there someone I can hire to contact him for me?""Yes, there surely is.The boys down at the stable are always willing to do odd jobs.I'll have one of them come see you.""Thanks."Ernest opened the door to their room for them."I'm Ernest Williams.If you need anything, let me know.""We will."He left to find a messenger.Dorothea and Karen went into the sparsely furnished room and looked around.There was a washstand, two single beds and a small dresser."It's clean," Karen pointed out."And it's better than some of the places we've stayed in on this trip.""That isn't saying much," Dorothea said as she sat down on one of the beds to test its softness."But all this will have been worth it, once you're reunited with Michael."Karen smiled brightly as she thought of her future as Michael's wife."Yes, it will."Ernest hurried down to the stable to talk to Fitz."I need someone to ride out to the Circle D," he told him."Let me get Rob for you," Fitz answered, searching the back of the stable for his helper."What's going on that you gotta get in touch with the Donovans?"Ernest liked to talk, and he quickly related what he'd learned."But Michael's manying Casey," Fitz countered."I know that and you know that, but these ladies don't," Ernest replied with a sly grin."This could get real interesting.It's been a while since we had any fun in Hard Luck.""I wonder if Michael's going to think this is fun.""We'll find out.This Karen Whittington is one finelooking lady.""I guess we'll be finding something out real soon, won't we?" Fitz remarked."Rob! Ernest needs you."Ernest returned to the hotel with Rob, and they went upstairs to the Whittingtons' room."This here is Rob.He'll be glad to deliver your message to the Circle D for you," Ernest told Karen and her mother.They thanked him for his help, Ernest left them to settle in and returned to the front desk."I need you to deliver this letter to Michael Donovan at the Circle D ranch," Karen instructed Rob, holding out the envelope containing the note she'd written while waiting for Ernest to return."Yes, ma'am.I can do that.""How long will it take you?""Not long.Less than an hour.Do you want me to wait for an answer?""No, that's not necessary."Ernest had told her what the charge was and Karen paid the messenger.When he'd gone, she closed the door and looked at her mother."I guess all we have to do now is wait.""That may be what you are going to do, but frankly, I need a bath," Dorothea declared."Why don't we get cleaned up and then see if there's someplace nearby where we can get something to eat? By the time we finish eating, I'm sure Michael will be here."Ernest wasted no time in spreading the news.His shift ended right after Rob rode out of town to deliver the message to the Circle D, and he went straight to the Sundown saloon to tell everybody what he'd learned."Bill, wait until you hear this," Ernest began as he took a deep drink of the beer the barkeep had served him.Bill shook his head and grinned at him.He knew what a gossip Ernest could be, and he could hardly wait to hear the latest."What is it now? It must be important, for you to get this excited.""It is.Hard Luck hasn't had a scandal like this in years."The bartender frowned."What kind of scandal?""That's what I'm trying to tell you.Guess who showed up here in town today on the late stage.""I have no idea.""Two ladies and I do mean ladies and one of them claims to be none other than Michael Donovan's fiancee from back East," he finished with a flourish, relishing the news."She can't be his fiancee," Bill argued."He's marrying Casey Turner.""I know that and you know that, but Miss Karen Whittington of Philadelphia doesn't know it.""She says she's his girl from back East?""Yes.She says she's his intended."Bill agreed with Ernest's opinion of the matter."You're right, Ernest.It does look like things could get exciting around here.""What's this about Donovan?" John McQueen interrupted in an easy fashion as he joined them.He'd been playing poker in back, but he'd heard the two men mention Casey and Michael.As soon as the hand had played out, he left the game to speak with Ernest and Bill."Ernest here has some news," Bill led in.Ernest told John McQueen the story."So, according to this young lady, she's engaged to Donovan?" John repeated thoughtfully."That's right.What do you think Casey is going to say about that when she finds out?""It'll be interesting, that's for sure.""I sure don't want to be the one to tell her," Bill remarked.Everyone in town knew Casey, and they knew she had a temper."I almost feel sony for Michael," Ernest said [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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