Western Future (Copper Kings Book 3) Read online

  “He’s happy to, actually. He likes it here, and he’s good friends with Lucas. Plus, he wants to be more involved in the day-to-day running of the mine,” Lily gushed.

  “That’s fantastic. I’m so glad you’re going to still be around.” She’d already resigned herself to Lily's departure, so this was one of the best things that could’ve happened.

  “Oh. I’ll definitely be around. And you’ll be seeing me a lot since I’m almost always in the office in town.”

  Surprise filled Charlotte. “You’re still working in the mining office?”

  “Of course.” Lily gave her a strange look. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Well…” Charlotte floundered a bit. “I thought that after marrying you wouldn’t want or need to work.” She bit her lip, chagrined. “But I can see how wrong of an assumption that was.”

  “Very wrong. If I had to sit at home all day with nothing to do, I’d go mad.”

  Charlotte laughed. “I understand completely.” They both had been chomping at the bit after a month of hanging around the house with nothing to do. Their housekeeper, Sylvia, hadn't let them help with cleaning either. “Do you start at the office again tomorrow?”

  Lily nodded. “Yes. I’m popping in after this to see if my desk is buried under paperwork.” She grimaced. “I love Lucas, but the man can’t organize to save his life.”

  Charlotte chuckled. “Well, I’m glad he has other redeeming qualities. I’m so glad you stopped in to see me.”

  “Of course. I missed you. All of you. It’s a little strange how close we’ve gotten so quickly, but if one of us ends up moving away, it’ll be so sad.”

  Charlotte couldn’t agree more. It was tough enough that, after getting married, Abby and Lily had moved out of the house they’d all lived in together since arriving in town. “I agree wholeheartedly. We’ll just have to get everyone else settled and happy with people in town.”

  Lily looked at her curiously. “Are you settled and happy?”

  Charlotte knew exactly what she referred to. “I’m happy and settled with the bakery. It’s everything I’ve ever hoped for. It’s my future.”

  “I understand that, better than most,” Lily said slowly. “And at the risk of sounding like one of those blissfully married ladies who thinks everyone else should get married and be as blissfully happy as them, I’m going to say that no amount of work can replace a loving relationship.”

  “I know. Truly, I do. But in relationships, I’ve never gotten close to something like what you’ve described. I have to be content knowing it might not ever happen for me.”

  Lily stepped forward and took Charlotte’s hand, squeezing lightly. “I know what you mean. It was the same for me. I’d never been close to anyone before, let alone close to marriage. My feelings for Chase came out of nowhere. They were strong, potent, and nothing like I expected. I wasn’t sure I’d ever find something like that. But I’m confident now that if I can find such a great match for me, you will too. I know it.”

  Tears pricked Charlotte’s eyes, but she had no idea why Lily’s words affected her so much. Even though she said she was open to a relationship, she truly never thought she’d find someone. Hearing Lily, though, made it all seem possible.

  “Thank you.” She sniffed and gave a small laugh. “I guess I needed to hear that more than I thought.”

  “I think we all need to hear it at one point or another. And who knows, you could be the next to fall in love. There are lots of good men in town.”

  Charlotte laughed again and shook her head. “I guess we’ll have to see. Lucas and Chase are already taken.”

  Lily cocked her head. “True. But isn’t there another Copper King coming soon? Who knows, maybe he’s the one, and you’ll fall madly in love at first sight.”

  A laugh burst from Charlotte’s lips as she made her way back around the display counter. “I can guarantee that won’t happen.”

  “You never know.”

  “I do know because he’s already arrived. I met him late last night—er, early this morning, I guess.”

  Lily’s eyebrows raised. “I have so many questions. Mr. Blackgate is here early? And—more importantly—you met him in the middle of the night? How did that happen?”

  Charlotte straightened the displays as she filled Lily in on her two encounters with the man. “He seems very good at his job,” she finally said, thinking of the changes he had suggested she make.

  Lily winced. “Yes. Before Chase arrived, Lucas told me about him. He inherited his money, but he doesn’t act like it. He doesn’t socialize much, doesn’t flatter people to make them feel better. He’s honest and blunt. And while that might rub people the wrong way, I lean towards the same myself, so I can’t fault him.”

  “Yes, but you’re kind about it.”

  “He wasn’t?” She sounded genuinely surprised.

  Charlotte sighed. She wasn’t being fair to Mr. Blackgate. “He wasn’t unkind. Just…cold.”

  “Most businessmen are.”

  “Is Chase?”

  Lily shook her head, the same dreamy smile lighting her face again. “He’s not. But I needed that. If I was with someone like me, our marriage wouldn’t work. The differences are what make us a good match.”

  Charlotte nodded but wasn’t completely sure she agreed. She was warm and open, and ending up with a man like Mr. Blackgate would torture her. She couldn’t live without warmth or laughter. And although he’d smiled, it had only seemed a ghost of one. She wondered if he ever fully grinned or laughed.

  She shook off the thought and gave Lily another smile. “Is there anything you’d like?” She gestured toward the display. “It’s on the house as a welcome back.”

  “I can never resist your sweets. A piece of chocolate cake, please.”

  “Good choice. The icing came out perfect this morning.”

  Lily groaned. “You’re going to make me gain twenty pounds.”

  “Always my goal,” she said saucily, and handed Lily the overly-large piece.

  After the first bite, Lily closed her eyes in bliss. “So good.” She opened her eyes and licked the fork before scooping up another bite. “Besides saying hello, I actually came to talk to you about your bakery.”

  “Yeah?” Charlotte wiped off the crumbs from her display. “What about it?”

  “The town has decided to raise funds for a school. With that new teacher that just arrived, everyone agrees it’s the right time.”

  “How wonderful! With everyone starting families, we really need one.” Charlotte quickly wondered if she would ever have kids of her own to send to school. Regardless, a school in town was necessary. “What can I do?”

  “Willow Winthrop is organizing a fundraiser at the hotel and is gathering items to auction. I told her I would help gather them, and I hoped you’d be interested.”

  “Absolutely. How much do you need?”

  “Maybe a few cakes or a few dozen cookies. There will be plenty of other donations, so you don’t need to kill yourself.”

  “I’m happy to whip up a few things. Anything else?”

  “Well, there is something else.” Lily shuffled her feet, and Charlotte became even more curious.

  “What is it?”

  “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, but I’ve been talking to some of the women and they came up with an idea that could bring in exorbitant amounts of money.”

  Charlotte had no idea what she could do, but if it would help that much, she would. “What is it? Is it a special kind of recipe or something?’

  Lily waved her hand. “No. Nothing like that.”

  When she stopped again, Charlotte laughed. This wasn’t at all like Lily to beat around the bush. “What is it? Just spit it out.”

  Lily straightened. “A while ago, several of Ivan’s brides auctioned off picnic baskets and an outing to raise money since they’d come with nothing. Well, the bidding got out of hand, and they raised more than they had ever dreamed. A few of them
suggested we do a similar thing for the school.”

  Ivan’s brides were the owners of the home they lived in, a group of nine mail-order brides who’d come to marry a crazy man who’d written to them all. He’d died a few days before their arrival, and in exchange for the women’s agreement to stay and allow the men in town to court them, Ivan’s home and mine had been bequeathed to the women. “So, they’re suggesting that I auction off an outing with someone?”

  “Yes.” Lily’s face fell. “Is that horrible? I’m not sure how I’d feel about it myself, and I feel terrible asking.”

  Charlotte waved her concern away. “Not at all. It could be kind of fun. Unless, of course, no one bids.”

  “Oh, they’re going to bid.” Lily laughed.

  It was a novel idea, and one she wasn’t opposed to. Besides, she could use some fun right now. “If it’ll really bring in that much, I’m happy to do it. Have you asked Hannah, Emery, and Grace?”

  “No, but now that you’ve agreed, I’m sure they will too.” She cocked her head. “Maybe not Hannah, but I think there’s a good chance she’ll go along with it.”

  Charlotte agreed. “I think it will be fun. I’ll bring some treats, and someone will win my time.”

  Lily looked at her, considering. “You know, I’m sure the hotel will be catering the event, but I bet Willow wouldn’t be opposed to bringing in help for the desserts. With so many people coming, we’ll need a variety. I can’t imagine more delicious treats than yours.”

  Excitement filled her, but she tamped it down. “Really? That would be amazing.”

  “Good! I’ll talk with her about it today and let you know, but I’m sure she’ll agree.”

  Charlotte squealed, excited about this new opportunity. She refused to think of the logistics of how she’d bake enough to cover the event and her shop—and still sleep. She’d make it work.

  “So,” Lily said, drawing out the word as she forked up another bite of cake. “Back to relationships now that business is done. You really don’t think Blackgate could be the right one for you? I kind of like the idea of us all marrying the Copper Kings.”

  At the face Charlotte made, both of them dissolved into laughter.

  Chapter 3

  A few days passed with Mr. Blackgate as her tenant, and true to his word, she never saw another wink of him. Even with her long hours, his were even longer. He was gone before she arrived in the morning, and he didn’t return until after she’d gone.

  If his scent wasn’t so strong, she would wonder if he was even staying there. What problems was he working on that kept him so busy, so focused and driven, that he couldn’t even sleep properly?

  And why was she still thinking of the man? She scolded herself softly as she left the mercantile with her basket of apples. She’d needed extra for a new muffin recipe she was trying, so she’d closed the shop during the slowest time of the day and hoped no one had stopped by while she was away.

  Realizing she echoed Mr. Blackgate’s thirst for profits, she blew out a breath. It would be fine if she missed some customers. She’d written a sign on the door that she would be back shortly. She wanted her business to thrive, but not to the extreme level Mr. Blackgate reached for.

  And why in heaven couldn’t she stop thinking of the man? It had to be his scent. It was spicy and pleasant with just a hint of apples, and it was like a drug to her. There could be no other explanation for it.

  She needed to wedge him from her mind and refocus on her plans and—

  Her steps slowed to a stop.

  The bakery door was open.

  She’d locked it before leaving and had even double-checked it to make sure it was secure.

  It had to be Mr. Blackgate. He had a key, and this was his residence. But then he would have used the stairs on the side to go straight to his apartment.

  A knot formed in her stomach, and she opened and closed her hands around her basket, her palms clammy. She should get the sheriff just in case there was anyone in there.

  But what if it really was her tenant? She’d look like an idiot. It would prove all the people right who said a woman shouldn’t run a business. She refused to let that happen. She wouldn’t run to the sheriff because of a ghost. Whatever it was—whoever it was—she’d handle this on her own.

  She shifted her basket, holding it so she could swing it as a weapon if needed. It wasn’t heavy enough to do much damage, but it would be enough to throw them off balance so she could run and get help.

  Once she was sure it was a break-in, she would be fine going to the sheriff. But she had to make sure it wasn’t Mr. Blackgate first.

  Before she could scare herself further, she marched toward the door and pushed her way in. She stopped in the front half of the store, listening. “Hello? Mr. Blackgate?” She’d raised her voice so he’d be able to hear her even if he were in the apartment above.

  When there was no response, she moved past the display cabinet to the doorway into the kitchen. “Hello?”

  She didn’t see anyone, and her shoulders slowly relaxed. Maybe she hadn’t locked the door like she’d thought? Maybe it’d stuck again, and she’d just thought it was locked. Her mind came up with several ways she could have gotten it wrong, and as the seconds ticked by, embarrassment filled her. She was grateful she hadn’t gone to the sheriff.

  Sighing, she placed the basket of apples on the counter and turned back toward the front—

  Movement flurried in her peripheral vision, and before she could make a sound, a large man rushed past her, knocking her into the edge of the counter.

  She cried out, the corner digging into her side as he rushed out the back door and into the alley. She whimpered, holding a hand to her side, still trying to get her breath back from the pain.

  The front door crashed into the wall, and Charlotte screamed, shrinking away from the sound.

  “Miss Hayer, are you all right?”

  Through the rush of adrenaline, it took her a moment to realize it was Mr. Blackgate.

  “Charlotte, are you all right?”

  He didn’t wait for a response. He scooped her off the floor and into his arms, swiftly carrying her up the back stairs into the apartment above.

  She couldn’t decide which shocked her more. That someone had attacked her in her own shop, or that she was now gently cradled in her tenant’s arms.

  He moved quickly to the couch, sitting her down next to him, but he didn’t move away from her. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

  His hands roved over her arms as if searching for any injuries. He looked so concerned, she untied her tongue long enough to answer. “It’s my side.”

  He notched her chin up so she was looking at him. “What happened? Did you fall? Why was the front door to the shop open?”

  She shook her head slowly. “Someone was in here.”

  He stilled. “Someone hurt you?” His voice had grown dark, and she shivered. “Tell me everything.”

  “I had to get more apples for a recipe, so I locked up once things had slowed. I was sure I locked the door, but when I got back, the door was hanging open.”

  “Did you see anyone?”

  She shook her head. “No. But I thought it might have been you, so I didn’t want to bother the sheriff.”

  “I see.” His jaw clenched. “You still should have alerted him.”

  She knew he was right and that it was her own foolish pride that had gotten her in trouble, but she didn’t want to admit it. “Alert the sheriff that my door was open? Is that what you would have done?”

  He mashed his lips together, and she could see the arguments crossing his face. “So you went in. Then what happened?”

  “I called out for you, but there wasn’t an answer. I didn’t hear anything. No movements or sounds. I walked to the kitchen doorway to check in the back but still didn’t see or hear anything. I was just turning around to go back into the front when a man pushed past me, knocking me into the counter. He must have been hiding on the other side
of the display rack.”

  His voice turned hard. “Where did he go?”

  “Out the back. I didn’t see who it was.”

  He looked away and let out a soft curse, but she wasn’t offended. Instead, a pleasant warmth filled her belly. He was upset on her behalf.

  He looked back at her, then down at her side. “Where are you hurt?”

  She lifted a hand, pressing it to her left side right below the ribs. She winced at the sharp pain.

  He looked tortured at her distress. “May I?” He gestured to her side.

  “Oh.” He wanted to examine it. Her heart thumped. She didn’t trust herself to answer, so she nodded instead.

  His hand moved slowly. When his fingers brushed against her uncorseted waist, she sucked in a breath as sparks shot to her fingers and toes.

  He watched her closely, noting how she responded. But this wasn’t for pleasure. He was only checking her injury. Nothing more.

  He exerted a little more pressure in the place she’d indicated, and her soft gasp turned into a sharp inhale.

  His hand left her side immediately. “I think you’ll be bruised, but you’re all right. I’d still like you to get checked if the town has a doctor.” He looked at her seriously.

  He was giving her the choice, but she could tell he would try to convince her if she refused.

  “I can have Emery do it.” At his confused glance, she added, “She’s a nurse who lives with me. She’ll know if there’s a problem.”

  He looked like he wanted to argue. “You’ll need to rest while it heals.”

  She looked up at him again, at the seriousness on his face. “I’m not a china doll, Mr. Blackgate.”

  “Max.”

  Charlotte gulped. The nickname fit him—even more than his full name. Max. It was rough, simple, and strong. Thinking of him like that was dangerous. She was already having a hard time thinking of him as her tenant, but sitting this close to him, practically in his lap, and calling him by a nickname was more intimate than she could stand. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea. I’m your landlord.”

  Heat entered his eyes. “I think you might be more than that.”