Page 93 of The Ranger
She gasped. “Really?”
“The two of you can compare movies and music later. Right now, we have work to do. And we both need a room.”
Erwin went back to his post. “We only have three left. There’s a lot of strangers in town. They say they’re on their way to Oregon City for some sort of meeting.”
“Meeting?” Melvale arched an eyebrow at him then looked at Kitty. “Who are they?” He gave his attention back to Erwin.
“Salesman mostly. They’re trying to set up some sort of livestock auction house.”
“Oh, I see,” Melvale drawled. “Well, let’s get settled, then get to work. Where is his royal highness and Makama?”
“Last I saw them they were heading for the Sheriff’s office. But that was quite a while ago.” He shoved the guest register across the counter and handed Melvale a pen.
He signed it and passed the pen off to Kitty. “Priscilla Radcliffe. Remember that.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yuck. I hate that name.”
“Would you rather your cover name be Priscilla Peabody? Or Persimmon, perhaps?”
She rolled her eyes again and signed.
Erwin leaned over the counter and whispered. “So, you two are on assignment. How exciting!”
“We are, which means we expect your full cooperation, Mr. Brown.” Melvale leaned toward him. “How much does your wife know about all this?”
“Oh, well,” he said taking on a guilty look. “Some, but not as much as I could have told her.”
Melvale straightened. “Oh, dear, that doesn’t sound good. We’ll talk later. In the meantime, we have work to do. Come along,Priscilla.” He grinned at Kitty then headed for the staircase.
“Ugh!” She picked up her valise and followed him.
As soon as they reached the top of the stairs, he handed her a key. “You’re in room eight. Try not to talk to strangers.”
“You won’t have to worry about that. One thing I remember about this century is half the people smelled.”
“I understand. Now hurry up and put your things away and let’s get to work.” He left her to find her room while he crossed the hall to his. He went inside, dumped his valise on the bed then looked at himself in the mirror. None of his daggers showed. Good.
By the time he met Kitty in the hall, and they went downstairs, a few of the other hotel guests had gathered in the lobby. They were heading into the dining room for lunch, and Melvale watched them with interest.
“They don’t look suspicious,” Kitty remarked.
“No, they don’t, but I’ll keep an eye on them just the same.” He motioned her toward the hotel doors, and they left. They were heading for the livery stable when he spotted Tom Turner, the sheriff.
“You there,” Tom called. “Come here!”
Melvale took Kitty by the arm and steered her toward the Sheriff’s office. “Oh, stab me. Judging from the look on his face, this can’t be good.”
* * *
Maida’s eyes fluttered open.She felt something warm on her belly and found a fluffy black kitten sitting on her, purring loudly. “Hello, where did you come from?”
She pushed herself up with her elbows and stared at the animal. “You’re so cute! You have such big eyes…”
The kitten blinked at her. “Mewsssk.”
“What sort of meow was that?” She struggled to sit up, fighting a wave of dizziness. But there was something about the kitten that drew her, and she had to hold him. She cuddled the small creature to her chest. “You’re so warm and soft.” She petted him. “Did Grandma Sadie give you to me? Or Mama?” She cuddled him some more. “It doesn’t matter. You’re here and I’m glad. You have a nice purr.” She held the kitten up to examine it. “Are you a boy or a girl?”
“MEWSSSK!”