Read Online Fate's Intervention by Barbara Woster - Free Book Online

”
    “ Sir ? ”
    “ The military got him from a local Indian tribe that they were consigning to a reservation. ”
    Matthew grimaced, “ A nd you got him from the military for pennies on the dollar, right? ”
    “ More like dimes, but still and all it was a very advantageous purchase, wouldn ’ t you say? ”
    “ Yes, sir. Did you need me for anything else? ” Matthew hoped he didn ’ t. The more he spent in Stanharbor ’ s company, the less pleasant the fellow became.
    Stanharbor didn ’ t answer him immediately and Matthew tensed. There was something in his boss ’ s demeanor that said more was coming and he ’ d like it even less than the horse discussion.
    “ Well, actually, ” Stanharbor said finally, straightening his cravat, “ The re is another matter that we need to discuss before you go. ”
    Uh oh, here it comes , Matthew thought. I wonder if he ’ ll wait to fire me until after I acquire his mounts.
    “ What ’ s that, sir? ” Matthew asked cautiously.
    “ Well, I guess what I want to know is – w hat do you think of my daughter? ” Stanharbor asked suddenly.
    Matthew ’ s tension returned in spades. It ’ s just a question , he told himself, as he drew in deep, calming breaths. Don ’ t think anything of it and relax.
    “ Begging your pardon, sir? ” Matthew asked.
    “ Simple enough question, son. ”
    Matthew shot a glance out the window in Elizabeth ’ s direction, but she wasn ’ t paying him any attention. That, in itself, was suspicious, since she ’ d not taken her eyes off him since their last conversation. A ny where he went, she wasn ’ t far behind. Like this auction. Adam said that she never bothered making the trip – until now. Until he arrived.
    “ So , have you an answer for me? ” Stanharbor asked.
    “ Umm, ” Matthew stumbled, trying to find an appropriately neutral answer, “ I haven ’ t really noticed her all that much, sir, but I don ’ t doubt that she ’ s a lovely young girl. ”
    “ Hmm, ” Stanharbor rubbed his chin, “ She ’ s taken a notice to you. You aware of that? ”
    “ I try not to be aware of young girls at all , sir. ”
    “ Really ? Me personally, the young ones are the only type that catches my eye. Prefer them that way. The younger they are, the easier they are to train – if you know what I mean. ”
    “ Not really, sir. ”
    “ Oh, well, never mind , so y ou have nothing to say about. . . . ”
    “ I ’ d like to explain about what went on a couple of weeks ago, if I may sir, ” Matthew interrupted, but Stanharbor raised a hand to silence him.
    “ No need, son. Elizabeth already did. ”
    Oh, I bet she did , Matthew grimaced, certain that her version of what happened was less than accurate.
    Stanharbor leaned forward slightly, which was all he could manage because of his size. He pierced Matthew with a look that Matthew could only describe as intimidating. To anyone other than Matthew, it probably would have been. He liked his job, but no man was going to force him into doing something he didn ’ t want, and the impression he got from Stanharbor was that he was trying to do just that. His next words confirmed it.
    “ I want you to consider marrying her. ”
    “ Now wait just a minute! ” Matthew said. “ I never touched her like that, no matter what she said. You can have her examined by a physician, if you doubt my word. Tarnation! She kissed me , and the minute she did, I sent her straight home. So, I ’ ll be damned if you or anyone else is going to force me into a shotgun wedding. ”
    Stanharbor leaned back, a grin on his lips, “ W ho said anything about a shotgun? All I said was that I ’ d like you to consider the possibility. Would appear though, that she ’ s sweeter on you than she even let on , and more of a tart than I took her for. Kissed ya, huh? ”
    “ Wasn ’ t exactly a kiss, so much as it was an effort to get my attention. ”
    “ Did it work? ”
    “ Not like you ’ re thinking, it