Page 30 of A Bride for Brodie

“But he’s dead, thanks to Ross and his new wife. She was the lover of that monster.”

“Fiona did what she had to do to survive and keep her son safe. We all do that…even you.”

“And what about you Lottie, what did you have to do to survive?”

“What I did and what I do is none of your business.”

“Ah, but I’m making it my business. What did old Seamus MacSheehy do to you while you lived there all alone with him?” Jake cocked an eyebrow. “Huh, Lottie?”

She closed her eyes and was back in the cabin with her father. She—

“Lottie? Mrs. Campbell.” Snap. Snap.

She heard the snap of his fingers and shook her head, erasing the memory from her consciousness. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“I said you’ll stay here until I say so or until Brodie pays his debt.”

“What do you say to my proposition, Jake? May I call you Jake?” She sat back and crossed her legs, not that it mattered, as he couldn’t see anything under her dress, anyway.

He laughed. “You are a delight. I’ll bet you give Brodie hell.”

A knock sounded and then Joey entered with her coffee. He set the small serving tray on the edge of the desk in front of her.

She put cream and sugar into the coffee. “He seems happy enough. But that is neither here nor there. I propose you play me for Brodie’s IOUs. You know I have one thousand dollars from the bounty on Black Bart and his gang. Everyone knows that. Play poker with me in a high-stakes game. Either one-on-one or find other players. I don’t care. But I want it now, while I’m here. Once Brodie learns I’m gone, he’ll come after you, and I want our business to be done. And, if you determine to keep me until Brodie comes, I vow I will escape. What say you?”

Jake narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. “Very well. High stakes. Fifty-dollar ante. Agreed?

Relived, she still would not relax, would not change her countenance or let him know she cared that much. She took a sip of the coffee. “Agreed. Do you have people to play now or one-on-one?”

“I have my regulars who I use as shills in the games. They’re good, Lottie. I’ll beat you, and then you’ll owe me a thousand dollars on top of what Brodie owes. Are you sure you’re willing to risk it?”

She lowered her chin, lifted a brow, and leaned back in the chair. “I am.”

Flannery rubbed his hand over his chin. “You must love him.”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”He hasn’t said he loves me, but he wants to make love to me all the time. Of course, I haven’t said I love him either. Should I say it first? What if he doesn’t say it back? It’s only been a little over a month.

“Go with Joey. He’ll take you to a room. If you need anything, let him know and he’ll get it for you. The game will start at nine o’clock.” He looked up at the door. “Joey!”

The large man entered. “Yes, Mr. Flannery.”

“Take Lottie to room three.”

“Yes, sir.” He looked down at Lottie and waved an arm toward the door. “Mrs. Campbell, if you please.”

Lottie stood and headed out.

“By the way, Lottie,” said Jake.

She turned toward him.

“Room three doesn’t have any windows, so if you change your mind, you can’t escape.”

She rolled her eyes and lifted her nose. “I won’t change my mind.”

Sitting in the small room gave her time to think. The only place to sit was the bed, so she sat, then got up and paced from one side of the room to the other, all of about ten feet.

They’d robbed the bank. After the robbery, they rode to Fiona’s cabin, where she had lived with her father. They put the money on a shelf built into the inside of the fireplace. No one would find it without tearing the whole thing down.

That was three years ago, and they had never found the money. There was a seven-thousand, five-hundred dollar bounty for Black Bart and his gang. From that money, they had made the town whole and each of the women got five-hundred dollars. Each of the women had taken their money from the robbery, except Lottie until now. Now, she would play the game of her life, hers and Brodie’s. Though if he found out how she’d done it, he probably wouldn’t forgive her, but at least he’d be alive.

A man like Jake Flannery couldn’t be trusted. She knew that, but she had to take this chance.