Marie Higgins [Higgins - Whispers of Yesterday

Whispers of Yesterday

The Belles of Wyoming #23

By Marie Higgins

Copyright 2019 by Marie Higgins

Cover Artist: Virginia McKevitt

Edited by: Lynda Floyd, Teresa Pearson, and Veronica Mesia

Proofreaders: Linda Hillman, Scarlet OHare, and Amy Petrowich

Edition License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this book to my bestie, Dawn Johnson LaFleur, and especially, her brother Nathan Grange Johnson, who passed away suddenly July 1, 2019. I named my hero in this story after Nathan Grange Johnson because Nathan was a kind man with a heart of gold. He loved to make people smile and laugh and he loved his family. Theres nothing better than that.

S hes determined to mend her broken heart. He vows to protect her no matter the cost. Will they be able to free themselves of the memories of yesteryear?

Sabine Clayborne is running from someone shes never met before, but he is after a keepsake given to her by her father. She must do everything she can to keep it out of the thiefs hands. When she stumbles upon a man from her past, shes hesitant to believe he is the man who will help her. He broke her heart once, and she isnt about to let him do it again.

Bounty Hunter, Grange Keller, is looking for a woman from his past. Hes being paid to find her, but his conscience tells him to help her instead. There was a reason he left her years ago, but now he needs to protect her. Someone is after her inheritance a treasure she never knew she had. Can he do his job without losing his heart?

ONE

L aramie, Wyoming, 1881

What a mangy-looking crowd.

Grange Keller stood just inside the run-down saloon, holding the door open as he swept his gaze through the dimly lit room. Six rickety tables filled the small space, each with four chairs. The tavern wasnt busy for the early afternoon hour, but all nine people occupying space at the tables, swiveled their eyes toward Grange.

He took a breath and immediately gagged on the putrid scent of unwashed bodies and ale. Not at all a pleasant mixture. He was sure if he breathed too deeply the odor alone would kill something inside him. But entering such an establishment was vital because this was where he would find the man looking to hire him. Granges reputation as a bounty hunter had swept through Wyoming and the surrounding states. Many people wanted to hire him. And usually Grange met his potential employers inside a saloon. If he wanted to pretend to be a lowlife miscreant, he had to act like one.

Releasing the door, he took three steps inside the establishment before it closed behind him. Adjusting his vision to the dim lighting, he peered more closely at the filthy patrons scattered throughout the room.

Immediately, three serving girls rushed to his side. Heavy perfume permeated the air around him, and his stomach lurched once more. Their scent definitely did not blend well with ale and unwashed bodies, either.

Good evenin, sir.

One of the serving girls batted her thin eyelashes as she flashed him a smile that showed her brown and missing teeth. He tried not to grimace.

Howdy, stranger. What can I get ya? the second woman asked as she rubbed the palm of her hand along his arm. She had the blackest, and messiest, hair hed ever seen.

Grange held up his hand, stopping the third one before she spoke. Im not interested in anything you or this establishment have to offer. So, if you dont mind, please give me some privacy.

Each one threw him a scowl before they turned to mingle with the other patrons. It surprised him that they would hang on him like that. Today he was dressed as poorly or worse than most of the men in the saloon. His clothes were thin and hanging on him, and his long hair hadnt been washed in days. He dressed like this for a reason, especially when searching for his next new client.

He continued scanning the room until his gaze fell upon a lone man sitting at a table. The description Grange had been given fit this uppity-looking lout perfectly. Zig-zagging carefully around the tables to reach the stranger, Grange tried not to step on anything that might stick to his shoes. A floorboard creaked and moved beneath his foot. He paused, making certain to step lightly from here on out.

When he arrived at the correct table, he stopped. The man who Grange was after had been staring into his empty cup. The mans attire was very pristine, and his clothes of the finest cloth. His hat hung low on his forehead, the brim shading his eyes.

Clearing his throat, Grange took off his old, tattered hat and clasped it in his hand. The mans attention slowly moved from his cup and wandered over Grange, finally staying on his face.

Grange gave the man a nod. Diego sent me, he said, which was the code used to let interested parties know Grange was the person they were after.

The man blinked his glassy eyes. Diego, you say?

Yes.

Then sit. The stranger motioned to the empty chair across the table from him.

Grange lowered himself to the chair, and just as the floorboard had done a moment ago, the piece of furniture wobbled on him. He gritted his teeth. Some places were too dangerous to conduct meetings.

I heard you are looking for a bounty hunter, Grange said in a gruff voice.

Yes. I want to hire you. The man kept his voice low. I was told that you have the skills to track people faster than anyone. Rumor has it that you are the best.

Grange nodded. Ill admit, the rumors have done me justice. I am the best.

Splendid. The man sat upright. Are you up for a little adventure?

Grange cracked a smile. Adventure? Im always looking for some kind of adventure.