Carol Finch - Cooper's Woman

“I wanted to know where Elliot went after he left the brothel. My persistence paid off. I followed him to a shack that sits on the edge of his property…I think. He met a man but I couldn’t get a clear look at him in the dark.”

Alexa was annoyed that she had slithered all the way to the window, only to have the men step outside before she could spy on them. She had been in the wrong place to get a description of Elliot’s associate or to identify his voice. At least she knew Elliot was conducting secret meetings. She didn’t know if the encounter provided him with information from the territorial capital or if it involved some of Elliot’s other shady dealings.

“I don’t like any of this,” Miguel complained before he gulped down another dose of the pasty liquid medicine. “I especially don’t like you spiriting off in the night. I wish you could have come up with a safer scheme to gain Harold’s notice and impress him with your skills and intelligence.”

Alexa withdrew slightly, causing Miguel to snicker.

“Don’t you think I know what motivates you to stick your neck out so far with this case? Not that I mind accompanying you to Questa Springs. I’ve always liked your friend Kate.”

“More than I suspected…until today,” Alexa remarked.

It was Miguel’s turn to squirm self-consciously. “Yes, well, I am a realist at least. In her parents’ eyes, I am the hired help. Your chaperone and bodyguard. I’m certainly not considered marriage material for Kate.”

“She would be lucky to have you,” Alexa insisted loyally. “Plus, she seems genuinely fond of you. Had I realized this earlier I would have arranged to get you two together more often.”

“Which would have made admiring her from afar all the worse,” said Miguel. He waved his hand dismissively. “That is beside the point. You need your rest and so do I. Please go to your room…and stay there.”

She offered him a playful salute. “Yes, sir.”

“Promise me, no more midnight rides alone,” he demanded. “If you are compelled to snoop around, at least let me go with you next time.”

She arched an amused brow as she rose to her feet. “Without complaints or lectures?”

“No. You’ll have to endure those, but at least you won’t be alone and I can offer protection.”

“I love you, Miggy,” she murmured on her way out the door.

“Me, too…But you drive me crazy.”

“I heard that,” she said from the other side of the door.

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