Behind a Lady's Smile by Jane Goodger Read Free Book Online Page A

to tell if a dress will fit otherwise.”
    “Stand still,” Mitch said, and put his hands around her waist. “Jesus, we need to get more food into you.” He smiled down at her and Genny felt that strange warmth that came upon her at odd times. He held up his hands to show Mrs. Courtland, and she gave him a tight smile.
    “I thought perhaps a measuring tape?” she said, pursing her lips.
    “Ma’am, we just want to buy a couple of dresses and whatever else she’ll need and be on our way. We’ve been on the trail for nearly a week and Mrs. Hayes is still nursing a broken leg.”
    The shopkeeper’s eyes dropped down to the rather hideous-looking wrap on Genny’s leg. The two of them had gotten used to the look of the thing over the past weeks, but it was a rather odd sight. “Oh, goodness,” she murmured, looking up at Genny with real concern. “Of course.”
    Mitch moved to the rack and pulled out a blue striped dress. “Too big.” Then a red gingham. “Better.” He held it up against her and narrowed his eyes as if picturing her in it. “This will do until we get to New York. Let’s find one more.”
    Behind him, Mrs. Courtland was blustering and making small noises of protest, but Mitch ignored her.
    He held up a few more, finally deciding on a dark blue dress with a dainty white collar. It was the prettiest dress Genny had ever seen.
    He turned to the shopkeeper. “These two and whatever else she’ll need. Stockings . . . and whatnot.”
    Sighing heavily, Mrs. Courtland nodded and retrieved several items, wrapping up the purchases in brown paper and tying the bundle with twine. “The milliner is two doors down,” she said, looking with distaste at the old hat Genny still held. “That’ll be twenty-two dollars.”
    Mitch handed over the cash. “A pleasure doing business with you.” He flashed a smile that Genny recognized as wholly insincere.
    When they left the store, Genny was quiet for a time. It was only after they’d left the milliner’s that she spoke what was on her mind. “I didn’t like the woman in the hat store. She kept looking at me funny.”
    Mitch grinned. “She’s probably never seen a pretty girl wearing a man’s shirt and pants. And with a deerskin splint on. You are a sight, Miss Hayes.”
    “I am, aren’t I,” Genny said, laughing.
    “And you’re used to tying every person you meet around your little finger. ’Bout time someone didn’t fall for your charms.”
    Genny wrinkled her nose. “I suppose I’ll just have to try harder. And the dresses and this pretty bonnet will help, I should think.”
    “Probably too much,” Mitch mumbled beneath his breath, then he smiled and she knew he was teasing.
    “Come on, let’s go check on Millie and get my things.”
    “Are you keeping Millie here while you’re gone?” Genny asked.
    “She’s not mine to keep. My boss will come fetch her in a day or two.”
    “How will he know where to look?” Genny asked, worried that the poor mule would languish alone for weeks.
    “I told him before they moved on. They knew where I was heading and he sure wouldn’t leave Millie behind. I know that. I wouldn’t leave her behind, either, if I wasn’t sure she’d be taken care of.”
    Mitch retrieved his pack, which he’d stored briefly in the stables with Mille, before they headed to the hotel. When they reached the entrance to the hotel, Genny stopped. “Are we married?”
    Mitch drew back, his expression confused and Genny couldn’t help notice that small look of fear in his eyes. Then he took in her impish smile, and shook his head. “No. I’m your brother.”
    “Good. I think you’d be an awful husband at any rate.”
    Mitch laughed, as she knew he would, and she walked into the hotel still thinking about Millie and the way he’d rubbed her nose affectionately as they’d left the mule in her stall.
    The hotel lobby was small and dark, with rich wood paneling and a carpet that was soft beneath their booted feet.