“Aunt Mae does the majority of the cooking. I assist her sometimes, but mostly I’m responsible for the desserts.”
She was thankful for the chance to earn her keep while doing something she enjoyed. That meant she could save the funds she brought with her for other necessities.
His eyes twinkled. “And are we having chocolate cake this evening?”
“Not tonight.” She didn’t serve a new dessert until the recipe was perfected. Following their strange exchange, she hadn’t had the fortitude to experiment with icing.
The arrival of another boarder, Sadie Shriver, brought a sense of relief. Having the cattleman’s intense focus directed at her amplified her self-consciousness. There was a reason she’d chosen to slip out of her father’s grand parties and spend the evenings in the kitchens with the staff. She was prone to say or do the wrong thing and embarrass both herself and her father.
Adam Draper had the same effect on Sadie as he’d had on Aunt Mae. Except, the telegraph office clerk didn’t need softening. She was a kind, sincere young woman, sensitive to others’ feelings and always putting others’ comfort above her own. She’d become a particular friend. They’d met on the infamous bride train. During the arduous journey, Sadie had noticed Deborah’s disquiet and, believing it was associated with the prospect of potential grooms, had set out to distract her. While Deborah hadn’t confessed her true reason for being on the train—that would have to remain a guarded secret—she had appreciated her efforts. It had been nice to have a friend, even if she couldn’t be completely open about herself or her past.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Draper,” Sadie said when the gentleman introduced himself. “I see you’ve already made Deborah’s acquaintance.” Sadie shot her a significant glance. “She and I arrived on the bride train together. She’s established quite a reputation for herself. Folks clamor for a taste of her baked creations.”
His startled gaze shifted between them. “Bride train?”
Sadie chuckled. “It’s exactly what it sounds like. Each of us came here in search of a fresh start, at the behest of the town officials. Cowboy Creek has an abundance of marriage-minded men and not enough ladies to choose from, so they advertised in other states and offered to pay our train fare.”
Deborah clamped her lips together. She wasn’t here to snare a groom. She was here to evade one!
“So neither of you have found your perfect match yet,” Adam said.
Soft color brushed Sadie’s apple cheeks. “On the contrary. I’ve entered a courtship with a wonderful man.”
“Much to the local bachelors’ dismay,” Deborah inserted. “Walter Kerr is a professional photographer who was invited to visit by his friend Will Canfield.”
“One of the original town founders, correct?” Adam supplied.
Deborah nodded. “And our current mayor, though he’s set his sights on Washington. Sadie has become Walter’s favorite subject. I’ve lost count how many times she’s posed for him.”
The buxom brunette’s smile radiated happiness. “If only you would give some young man the time of day, Deborah, you too could have your share of romance.” To Adam, she said, “She’s refused no less than ten men’s invitations. Two of them offered marriage proposals upon sight.”
“Is that so?”
Adam’s expression revealed nothing of his thoughts. Even so, Deborah felt the urge to bolt.
Leather soles whispering across the polished floor heralded another arrival. The waft of rose water meant it was none other than Hildie Vilhelm, yet another potential bride who rode in on the train. Resplendent in a periwinkle outfit that complemented her fair hair and skin, she came to stand beside Sadie, her big blue eyes fastened on their new boarder with unconcealed interest.
“Our baker’s refusal to give any man a chance is a common cause for debate,” she said. “Especially considering she rode the train in her wedding attire.”
A headache blossomed behind Deborah’s eyes. She edged toward the exit.
Hildie introduced herself. “Tell me, Mr. Draper, what’s brought you to Cowboy Creek?”
“I’d be happy to.” He turned his piercing focus to Deborah. “But first, I think it only fair to give Miss Frazier a chance to defend herself. What do you say? Will you solve the mystery once and for all?”
The baker was hiding something. Adam had to work harder than usual to project an air of mild curiosity and to mask the trepidation that swelled inside him. But then, the stakes were higher than usual. This woman could be the key to solving the puzzle of his father’s disappearance nine years ago. She could very well lead him to the blackguard who’d swindled an entire town, laying waste to countless families, including his own.
Not long after Gilbert Halloway went missing, entrepreneur Zane Ogden produced evidence that Adam’s father had acquired a high interest loan against the family’s property. Adam had smelled a rat. Not for one second had he believed that his father would do business with a man like Ogden, especially after he’d advised their neighbors against it. Adam’s brothers, Seth and Russell, hadn’t shared his conviction. After all, how could they dispute Gilbert’s signature? Big Bend’s sheriff had witnessed the transaction. Their differences of opinion on the matter and Seth’s insistence on paying back the “loan” had been the impetus for his hasty decision to leave the ranch and join the Union army.
Adam studied Deborah’s reaction with a practiced eye. Anxiety shrouded her. The skin around her eyes had become pinched. The pale blue vein at her throat fluttered like a nervous bird. Her hand searched and found the gold brooch fixed to her bodice, fingers clinging to the odd-shaped jewelry. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Their hostess entered bearing a basket of butter-slathered yeast rolls. “Sorry to keep you waiting. These beauties took longer than usual to brown.” With a smile that transformed her mannish features, Aunt Mae gestured for everyone to have a seat while she assumed her place at the head of the table.
Adam clenched his fists at his sides. Deborah’s shoulders sagged with obvious relief. She’d been spared...this time.
The blonde named Hildie steered him to the empty chair beside her, with a view of the hallway entrance and the blue and white parlor beyond. Deborah and Sadie found places opposite them. Aunt Mae asked him to say grace, something he hadn’t done aloud in many years. His voice sounded rusty to his ears. His life had become a solitary venture, his faith in God a private thing.
His childhood experiences had been different. Back then, he’d accompanied his parents and two older brothers to church services every week, and social outings were shared with their fellow congregants. Memories of his mother and brothers evoked a multitude of emotions, chiefly sadness and regret. He hadn’t seen them since the day he stormed off the farm. They’d exchanged a handful of letters through the years. Lately, though, he’d yearned for a long overdue reunion. Maybe, once he’d captured Ogden, he’d travel to Missouri and surprise them.
Hildie drew him out of his ruminations and peppered him with questions. She was a persistent
