Free A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher Page A

to say to Nathan Patterson about this edition!
    “Susannah?” He looked toward the opposite end of the table. “Is everything in readiness for tonight’s supper party?”
    “Yes, Harrison. Of course it is.”
    He had not expected otherwise. His wife was the epitome of efficiency. Thirteen years his junior, Susannah had been groomed
     for marriage to a man of his station. Trained by her mother to properly manage her husband’s household, to serve as the perfect
     hostess, and to bear and raise his children while doing everything in her power to please him, she was genteel, compliant,
     and attractive. Everything a wife should be.
    Harrison pushed his chair back from the table and stood. “I’ll be home in time to change before our guests arrive.” He picked
     up the newspaper, then strode to her end of the table and leaned down to kiss the cheek she turned to him.
    The Harrison Carters owned the largest home in Bethlehem Springs. It was built by a man made rich in the Idaho gold rush fifty
     years earlier; Harrison had purchased the three-story mansion for a song after the owner lost his fortune in the financial
     panic of 1893. Some men were fools — and he was glad of it. He often profited from the mistakes of others.
    When he stepped out his front doorway a short while later, Harrison found his automobile and driver waiting for him. The drive
     to his office took only a matter of minutes, but it afforded him another chance to peruse the newspaper.
    “Why They Are Running for Mayor
,
” the headline blared. Beneath it were three articles, written by the candidates, about what they hoped to accomplish if elected.
    Hiram Tattersall, as could be expected, came off sounding like the buffoon he was. Gwen Arlington’s piece was articulate and
     insightful. Unfortunately, so was Morgan McKinley’s.
    His eyes narrowed as he folded the paper once again. Two things were needed. First, he must convince Tattersall to withdraw.
     He didn’t want him taking even one vote away from Harrison’s chosen candidate. Second, he needed to discover — or manufacture,
     if necessary — something that would discredit McKinley. The second would be more difficult than the first, especially since
     the election wasn’t that far off.
    The motorcar rolled to a stop on Main in front of the law office. The driver was quick to get out and open the door for his
     employer.
    “Be ready to take me home at five-thirty,” Harrison said as he disembarked.
    “Yes, sir.”
    He glanced up at the sign on the building.
Harrison Carter
,
Attorney-at-Law
. What the sign did not say was that Harrison was an ambitious man who knew what he wanted. And that once he knew, he went
     after it.
    What he wanted now was that land McKinley had purchased just weeks before Harrison received confirmation — confidential confirmation — that there was a wealth of gold hidden in the mountains to the north of town. If he’d known anyone else had
     been interested in purchasing the land, he would have made an offer sooner. But he hadn’t known.
    It wasn’t right that someone like McKinley could sweep in here and take what Harrison had meant to be his. And somehow he
     must persuade McKinley this wasn’t the right place for him after all.

    Standing outside the main lodge at the resort, Fagan Doyle slapped the newspaper against his thigh and laughed. “Boy-oh, I’m
     thinkin’ you’ll have no easy win over Miss Arlington.”
    Morgan nodded his agreement. He too had been impressed with Gwen’s article in that morning’s
Daily Herald.
It revealed intelligence and integrity, as well as her heart. It should give her an edge at the ballot box.
    Not liking the direction of his thoughts, he cleared his throat. “Bring me up to date on the construction. Anything particular
     I should know?”
    Fagan’s grin disappeared. “Sure, and there is one thing you should know.” He jerked his head to the right, then turned in
     that direction.
    Morgan fell into step