Free Fortune's Flames by Janelle Taylor

returning home. Each time she came to a trunk or box that contained her own belongings, she pushed it aside to be rummaged through later. First she wanted to look through her parents’ things to see if she could find any reference to her father’s partner. Later, she would decide what to do with these belongings.
    Maren screamed and jerked aside when Horben Wolfe touched her shoulder. Whirling about on the chair, she then glared at him. “Don’t do that! You startled me. I didn’t hear you come in.”
    “Sorry, Miss James. I thought you were asleep with your eyes open. I called your name, but you didn’t respond. Are you all right?”
    Maren swallowed several times before inhaling deeply to slow her racing heart. She did not like this creepy man. “What do you want?”
    “Eric told me to bring you this lunch. Can I get you anything else?”
    “No, thank you. I was lost in thought about my parents.”
    “No need to explain. I can see you’re hurting real badly today. I wish there was something good I could say to you, but words offer little comfort in times like these.”
    Maren looked at him, surprised by his insight and by his compassionate tone. “You’re right, Mr. Wolfe; this is hard for me.”
    “Please, call me Horben or Ben. Eric’s talked about you so much, it’s like I know you. I’m sorry if my looks frighten you, Miss James, but it’s like that with most people. Don’t worry; I understand and accept it. People can’t help themselves. I don’t help matters any by getting angry with them. Sometimes nature plays cruel jokes on us.”
    Shame filled Maren and she flushed brightly. She had a sudden urge to sob, but controlled it. She was feeling very emotional today, but she did not cry easily as many women did, mostly for attention, Maren had decided long ago. It was narrow-minded and insensitive of her to allow this man’s looks to influence her attitude toward him. As sweetly as possible, she said, “Thank you for the lunch, Horben.”
    “Do you need any help?” he offered politely.
    “I’m afraid this is something I have to do alone, but thank you,” she replied. When he left, she planned to go through the letters to seek information or a clue. Surely her father had recorded something somewhere, and although hers was a lengthy and saddening task, it was a private one.
    Horben was pleased with his progress. At last he had her talking to him and smiling at him. With wit, luck, and patience, perhaps he could reverse her revulsion. “Don’t worry about your safety; I’ll be standing guard out front. I won’t let anyone disturb you.”
    The man’s eerie gaze unnerved her, but Maren concealed her reaction, even scolded herself for it. She tried to be friendly. “You’re most kind, Horben. I can see why Eric liked you and hired you.”
    Horben Wolfe nodded and left. When he joined his boss outside, he said, “You know her well, Eric. It worked like a charm. Before we leave Saturday, she’ll be drooling over us.”
    “Relax, Ben, she’s out of reach for both of us, unless I change my mind about how to handle my little secret. I just hope I can keep her fooled. Maren is special, and I surely would hate to have to get rid of her.”
    “If it becomes necessary, can I have her before you do?”
    Anyone who defied Eric had to be punished and destroyed, even Maren. He glanced at Horben. “I owe you that much, and more. Hopefully she’ll be able to find out who her partner is before we return. Icouldn’t find a clue in all that junk. Until we know who her partner is, I can’t take over Lady Luck.”
    “It was smart of you to trick her today. She would have gotten suspicious if you hadn’t said something about that gambling house. Lordy, it’s amazing how clever you are.” Horben grinned knowingly. “I can see why you love her and want her—she’s a lot like you.”
    “If I know Maren, she would have remembered Lady Luck and would have done some snooping after we left. This way,