Page 563 of Conveniently Wed
“Is this little guy hungry?”
A becoming blush poured into Lorinda’s cheeks. She hadn’t been shy about nursing Michael, even though she went into the other room to do it. When Andrew needed her, she was a bit more flustered. In a cute way.
“He probably needs changing, too.” Lorinda eased the baby into her arms and hurried toward the bedroom that once again belonged to Michael plus the new baby.
After she closed the door, Franklin followed into the hallway. He could hear her sweet voice talking to Andrew as if the tiny infant could understand every word she said.
Franklin had given her plenty of privacy when Michael was this young. That’s why he hadn’t heard her talk to him at this age.
The sound of hoofbeats caught his attention. He went into his office that was opposite the parlor and watched a stranger approach the house. When the man got close enough, Franklin recognized him as the person who’d caught his attention when he exited the train while Franklin was finishing his business with Harley Smith, the cattle buyer.He’d know that horse anywhere. The gunmetal gray turned almost silver in the bright winter sunlight.Wonder what he wants.
Franklin waited until the man knocked on the door before he went into the front hallway to answer it. At first, he planned to step out on the porch to talk to him, but the wind had stiffened. So he invited the man into the entranceway, but no farther until he knew more about him.
“Dave Jefferson.” The man held out his hand, the other holding saddlebags slung across his other shoulder.
He shook it, but still didn’t move deeper into the house. “I saw you when you came in on the train.”
Dave’s eyes widened. “You’re the rancher who had a herd you were sending back East.”
“That’s me. I’m not surprised you didn’t recognize me. We were a little rough and dirty by the time we got there.”
The men shared a laugh that broke the ice.
“What can I do for you?” Franklin slid his hands into the back pockets of his trousers and relaxed.
The other man cleared his throat. “I understand you’re married to Mike Sullivan’s widow.”
Franklin stiffened. What did he want with Lorinda? “Yes.” He didn’t offer any more information.
“Could we sit down somewhere while I tell you my story?”
Did Franklin want to invite the stranger into the parlor? Not really, but something told him to do it anyway.
“Take off your coat and hang it up.” He gestured toward an empty hook on the hall tree. “You can warm yourself by the fireplace.”
After leading the way into the formal room, Franklin sank into one of the wingback chairs, the one farthest from the hearth.
Dave, still holding the saddlebags, took the one opposite and leaned even closer to the flames. “It’s really cold out there.”
“Yup, that time of year.” Franklin propped one foot on the opposite knee and leaned back. “So what’s this you mentioned needing to tell me.”
Dave stared into the flames as if mesmerized. “It’s not really a pretty tale, but it has a happy ending.”
Franklin wondered what this man’s story had to do with his family. “Go on.”
“I used to be a scoundrel. Oh, I didn’t murder anyone or commit a robbery or anything like that. But I did play poker, and I always won, because I was a slick cheater. No one ever caught me.” A grimace accompanied that last sentence. “Real ornery.”
Franklin wanted to get to the bottom line, but evidently Dave needed to confess. Brian had told him confession was good for the soul. He just hoped it wouldn’t take too long.
“How does this affect me or my family?”
“I met Mike Sullivan before he made it to Denver to have his gold assayed.” Dave wouldn’t look at him.
Franklin dropped his foot to the floor and leaned forward with his hands clasped between his knees. “And you swindled him out of his gold?”
Finally, the man’s eyes met Franklin’s. “Yes, sir, I did. Won every bulging poke from him. Was really proud of that, too. I’d never made so much in a single game.”
Where was this man going with the story? Franklin stared straight into his eyes and didn’t blink. He could out-stare him, if he needed to.
