Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
His eyes flashed open and he sat up all in one swift motion. His bare ankle was neatly tied to the brass rung of the foot post. She had even added her feminine touch by tying a bow.
"Son of a—" He didn't bother to finish.
It took him several minutes to undo the intricate knots. He mumbled and swore the whole time, promising himself she would pay for this one. Definitely, without a doubt, she would pay.
CHAPTER 6
Prudence knew Sadie hadn't expected her to return to the saloon. She could tell by the surprised lift of the older woman's brow as she walked in. She didn't have much time. She needed the information she sought directly. The sun would soon be rising and so would Zac. She could only imagine his expression when he found his foot tied to the post and his reaction when he attempted to disentangle the sailor's knot. A delighted smile reached her lips.
She was so glad she had listened when her uncle, a sea captain, had shared his skill at seaman's knots with her. He had taught her much, and she was certain Zac would have difficulty untying the one she had used on him. Now it was time to get the information and leave. She never wanted to set eyes on Zac Stewart again, if she could help it. At least now that she was aware he was following her, she'd be cautious.
"Changed your mind, honey, or ain't Zac as good in the bed as he used to be?" Sadie asked, sauntering up to her.
Prudence stood erect with a slight uplift of her head, the perfect carriage of a well-bred lady. "I can assure you, my experience in bed with Mr. Stewart was most uneventful."
Sadie laughed and slapped her leg. "Wait till he hears that."
"I need information," she said, ignoring Sadie's remark. "And I need it now."
Sadie placed her hands on her hips and smirked. "And what if I don't want to give it?"
"Will one hundred dollars change your mind?"
Prudence had no time to squabble. Money talked to Sadie. Actually, money would make Sadie talk.
"Jake, a cider and a whiskey," she called to the barkeep. "And see that no one disturbs us." She directed Prudence to a table off in the corner. "So what can I do for you?" Sadie asked, tucking the bills Prudence had handed her into the crack of her large bosoms.
Prudence wasted no time. "Did you know a Lenore Winthrop?"
Sadie's eyes squinted in thought. "Name don't sound familiar."
"Perhaps a description will help," Prudence suggested and, with a nod from Sadie, continued. "She is a little shorter than me, has long dark hair, dark eyes and complexion deeper than mine, but clear and unmarred. Actually, her features are quite striking." She recalled her father saying that once to her mother. Her mother had kissed him on the cheek and had led him by the hand into his study. Prudence could still hear the click of the lock.
"Not as endowed as you?" Sadie asked.
"Correct," Prudence said, having often wondered why she couldn't have inherited her mother's slim form.
"That description fits at least a dozen women I know. Anything specific you can recall about her?"
Prudence reflected, drawing on the few memories she had of her mother. She remembered how often she had stood on the kitchen chair by the table as her mother baked. Her mother would tuck a large apron around her, so that she could scoop up, with her small fingers, the sweet mixture in the bowl. One particular recipe was her mother's favorite and she baked it on special occasions. "She loved to cook, especially rum cake."
"Lee." Sadie didn't hesitate in her response. "Lee's the only woman I know that could bake a rum cake that had you licking your fingers long after you had finished it."
"Lee?"
"The woman who helped me start this saloon, she fits the description. Nice woman . . . too nice for this business."
"She helped you start this place?" Prudence was surprised. Her mother running a saloon?
Sadie laughed and shook her head after downing the last of her whiskey. "She cooked in the back, good food, too, that's what brought the men in besides the whiskey. She wouldn't have anything to do with the men, took a knife to one or two on occasion. After the saloon got on its feet financially, she asked for her share, explained it was time to be on her way."
"When did she leave?" Prudence asked, finding it hard to believe she had a lead to her mother's whereabouts.
"Let's see . . . five, six, maybe eight years ago. I don't really recall. Didn't think she'd stay. She looked the wandering type, as though she were searching for something she had lost."
"Do you have any idea where she went?"
"Plattsmouth, Nebraska, last I heard," Sadie said, motioning to the barkeep for another drink. "What do you want with her, anyway?"