Read Online Cold Gold by Victoria Chatham - Free Book Online Page B

collect something from the office,” he informed her. “Will you accompany me? It’s a very mild evening.”
    He opened the door for her and Serena stepped outside, surprised to see a buggy pulled close to the boardwalk. He helped her take her seat then reached under it, pulling out a blanket which he spread across her knees.
    “This should keep you warm if you do find it chilly.” He climbed up beside her and flicked the reins over the horse’s back. Its hooves pulled out of the mud with a soft, sucking sound and the wheels hissed as they rolled over the wet surface.
    What could he possibly need to get from his office that he couldn’t have brought with him? Serena suspected an ulterior motive but could not imagine what that might be so remained silent throughout the short drive.
    “I’ll only be a moment. ” King halted the horse and hooked the reins into their keeper.
    A chill that had nothing to do with the weather seeped into Serena’s bones. The street was dark and there were no lights on inside the mine office. King must know exactly what he wanted and where to find it. Or had he left her alone in the dark street for a purpose? She immediately chided herself for being fearful but then jumped when she heard the hollow reverberation of footsteps on the sidewalk.
    “You shouldn’t be out here alone, Lady Buxton.”
    Serena relaxed on hearing the sheriff’s voice, thankful that it at least belonged to someone she knew. “I’m not exactly alone, Sheriff Johnson.” She made her voice light with some effort. “I’m waiting for Mr. King, and here he is.”
    “A problem, Sheriff?” King asked as he s wung up onto the buggy.
    “Just doing my rounds, Mr. Kin g, like a good sheriff should.”
    He spoke with some irony and Serena had the distinct feeling there was no love lost between the two men. The sheriff tipped his hat to her and walked away.
    “Sorry about the detour, my dear, but I think you’ll appreciate the reason for it.”
    She couldn’t think what he might have for her to appreciate and definitely disapproved of being referred to in such a familiar way. If agreeing to have dinner with him gave the impression he had carte blanche to address her in any way he chose, she would need to make him think again.
    More traffic filled Main Street now . Light spilled out of some of the buildings. Serena heard the chatter of voices and clunk of heavy boots on the boardwalks. She was anxious to get indoors and it was with some relief she alighted from the buggy and allowed King to guide her into the hotel.
    She led the way into the dining room where the few people already seated barely paid them any attention. Serena made her way to the table by the fireplace. King pulled out a chair for her.
    “I assure you I am quite harmless,” he murmured as she took her seat, “but you may flee if you wish.”
    Serena forced a laugh. If she were to discover anything from this man she had to appear relaxed. “I doubt that will be necessary, Mr. King.”
    “Please, call me Douglas. We don’t need to stand on ceremony here, Serena. Titles in Cold Creek mean next to nothing.”
    The waiter approached with a bottle of white wine chilling in an ice bucket. Serena raised an eyebrow.
    “I took the liberty of sending a bottle across from the club this afternoon,” King explained as he took his seat opposite her.
    He poured her a glass and she bit back the angry remark that sprang to her lips. He had not asked her if she wanted it, had not asked if she liked white wine, had simply taken it for granted that it would be to her taste.
    “Is it not customary to ask a lady if she would like wine?” She gave him a hard stare.
    “Your class grows up on it.” King put the bottle back in the bucket. “Or should that be ‘with it’? I wouldn’t want you to find my grammar offensive.”
    Serena chose to ignore his comment about class and smiled sweetly at him. “Oh, it’s not your grammar I find offensive.”
    He gave no