Free The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection by Kathleen Y' Barbo Page A

misses her papa.”
    “Do not,” the girl said, trudging toward the back of the house. “He’s gone all the time, anyway.”
    The oddly dressed man shifted positions but did not move away from the carriage. Elias Howe seemed in need of further conversation but in want of words.
    “A lovely child,” Gennie offered, unsure as to any other topic that might be appropriate. “With proper instruction, she will likely grow into quite a young woman.”
    “And many prayers too.” Mr. Howe let out a long breath. “She’s a good girl,” he said in a tone that made Gennie wonder whom he was trying to convince.
    “I’m sure she is,” Gennie said. “Perhaps a bit misguided?”
    “Misguided.” The old man’s chuckle held no humor. “Indeed she is. Imagine a child with all this wanting to steal money off a governess. Then there’s the incident down at the saloon, and at the post office. Well, I never did confirm that one, but…”
    As his voice trailed off, his look implored a response. Gennie found none to offer. She clutched her reticule and pondered her options. The gate had not yet shut on her adventure at Beck Mansion. Though it would mean compromising her upbringing, Gennie had no doubt she could pick up her soot-covered skirts and run away faster than the old man could possibly catch her.
    She sighed. Any governess who would contemplate such audacious behavior was not fit to tame a child.
    Gennie looked up at the second floor, where an oddly shaped white curtain blew through an open window. On second glance, she realized the object was not a curtain at all.
    “Sir?” She diverted her eyes and gestured toward the home. “Might that be someone’s unmentionables?”
    Elias Howe turned in time to see what was likely, from the size of it, his own union suit go flying from the window and land in a pine tree. Rather than chase after the garment or the child now laughing with great vigor, he turned his back on the scene to address Gennie.
    “Miss, there are more good reasons than I can count for you to demand a return trip to Union Station without ever stepping through the door of Mr. Beck’s house. Chief among them being the child herself.” He paused to remove his hat, revealing a wild mass of curls that darted in all directions. “I can offer only one reason for you staying put and sticking it out with her. With us.”
    Gennie watched the girl disappear inside the window, her giggles a soft song carried by the brisk north wind. With difficulty, she removed her attention from the pine tree and its unusual decoration.
    “And what would that be, Mr. Howe?”
    “We need you.”
    Somehow that simple three-word phrase silenced every objection but one.
    “Time is short,” Gennie said, though she knew Elias Howe had no idea how very short her visit would be.
    “It is,” he said, nodding toward the house. “Perhaps you’d like to get settled before meeting the staff. Not that there’s many of us.”
    In a home this size? What might her duties be, then? She caught him staring and elected not to ask.
    “Just Tova and me in the house.” He gestured to the fair-haired driver. “And Tova’s boy, Isak, who drove us. He also takes care of the handiwork and the gardening.”
    “I see.” She paused, unsure of the protocol in situations such as this. “Might I inquire as to my accommodations? I need to freshen up, though I fear I’m a bit meagerly prepared. Until I can purchase suitable attire, I’ve only what I’m wearing.”
    Elias looked her over and shrugged. “You’re no bigger than a minute. We can fetch something that’ll make do until Tova can wash that getup of yours. She’s the day help. Cleans and such.”
    “I see.” Gennie followed Elias to the rear entrance, where a tall, sturdy, and stern-looking woman of obvious Scandinavian descent stood, arms crossed.
    “Tova, this is the new girl. She needs a tub of hot water and something to put on,” Elias said as he skittered past the fair-haired