confidence,â Jack said with a thick dose of sarcasm. He couldnât begrudge Luke for wanting to protect Sarah. He knew the younger man had deep feelings for her. âAs much as I donât like the idea of sharing her room, I also donât relish sleeping outside with a storm coming.â
Luke plopped down beside him again. âMe neither. I brought a tent we can share, but if it hails, weâll be in a world of hurt.â
Jack sat beside his friend for several minutes, watching the people pass by. A scraggly brown-and-white hound dog moseyed up to him and sniffed his boots. He nudged Jackâs hand for a scratch and wagged his tail when Jack complied. Then the mutt sniffed Lukeâs pants and moved on. âSure are a lot of folks here.â
âJust like the land runs. Everyone is hopinâ theyâll get free property, but most will be disappointed.â Luke scratched his belly. âIâm hungry. You wanna grab some grub?â
Jack nodded. âSure. I need to find out where to register for the lottery first.â
âI saw a poster somewhere that told where to get in line.â
âLetâs fetch Sarah and eat lunch. Then I want to find where the registration takes place so we can get there first thing in the morning.â Jack stood and stretched.
âBut we donât have to sign up for two more days.â
âI know, but with this crowd, Iâm sure the lines will be long. Weâll probably have to be there all night.â
Luke stood and yawned again. âSure hope it doesnât rain tomorrow night.â
Jack nudged him in the side. âHey, you want to surprise Sarah? She doesnât know youâre here.â
Luke grinned. âThat sounds like a grand idea.â
Chapter 4
S arah scowled and covered her ears. Why was someone hammering so early in the morning? She yawned and stretched then bolted upright in the bed. That wasnât hammering. Someone was knocking on her hotel room door.
âSarah? Itâs Jack. You ready to get something to eat?â
âUm ⦠yes. I need a few minutes though. Is the dining room downstairs open now?â
âI think so.â
âWhy donât you go on down and get a table?â
For a moment, Jack didnât respond, and she wondered if heâd heard her. âAll right. See you downstairs.â
She had planned to rest for a short while, not fall asleep. Sarah hurried to the chair on which sheâd laid out her skirt and top. She pulled on her white blouse, glad sheâd kept undergarments and shoes on, and then she slid her skirt over her head. She made quick work of pinning up her hair then grabbed her reticule and pulled open the door. Sarahâs heart jolted and she emitted a squeal as she jumped back at the sight of a man leaning against her door frame. Luke? What was
he
doing here?
âSurprise, pretty lady!â His lips curled into his trademark grin, and he straightened.
Her heart pounded as if sheâd run a race. The nerve of him to frighten her like that. Had he followed her here, hoping to change her mind about marrying him? If so, he was bound for disappointment. She crossed her arms over her chest. âWhat are you doing here?â
His grin dipped for a moment before he reinforced it. âThatâs not the greeting I expected.â
She lifted her chin, refusing to be moved by his charm. âI sure didnât expect to find a man stuck to my doorjamb, either.â
He yanked off his hat and curled the brim. âMy apologies for scaring you. I didnât mean to do that. I was hopinâ to surprise you.â
âYou certainly accomplished that, but you didnât answer my question.â Had he followed her to El Reno? Did he think she was incapable of caring for herself, even with Jack here? If he thought sheâd marry him because he chased after her, he would be sorely disappointed. It was time she was on her own.
Learning to Kill: Stories