The Sheriff (Historical Romance) by Nan Ryan Page B

Nugget nightly. The miners adore her.”
    “I’m sure they do,” Kate said.
    Dr. Ledet studied her and easily read her thoughts. “Bless your heart,” he said kindly, “you’re lonely. Lonely for female friends. Aren’t you, Kate?”
    “Yes, I am, Doctor. That’s why when I saw Miss Knight I immediately hoped that…” Her words trailed away and she shrugged slender shoulders.
    The physician rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Women are scarce as hen’s teeth in Fortune. Young ladies like yourself are nonexistent. We’ve had a few young wives come to Fortune with their husbands, but most didn’t stay long.”
    “Doesn’t matter,” Kate assured him. “I have you and Chang Li for my friends.” She smiled then and added, “And I have a handsome suitor.”
    The doctor frowned. “How much do you know about Winn DeLaney?”
    “Enough. I know that he’s a wealthy gentleman and that he is mannerly and charming and likable. He’s kind and gentle and good-natured.” Kate made a face. “Which is more than I can say for some people in this town.”
    “Aren’t I good-natured?”
    “Yes, of course. I didn’t mean you, Doctor.”
    “Who then?”
    Kate’s delicate jaw grew tense. “Travis McCloud. He’s bossy and cold and sullen. I don’t like him.”
    “Now, now, Trav’s all right. You don’t know himlike I do. The sheriff is a man who has lived.” Dr. Ledet paused as if in deep thought. “He’s been disappointed. He understands the reality of the world.” A slight smile lit up the physician’s craggy face when he added, “And he’s still in the game.”
    “Disappointed? How?” Kate’s blue eyes were wide with interest.
    The doctor shook his head. “Never mind that, child. I talk too much. Pay me no attention.”
    But Kate wouldn’t let it go. She said, “Remember that prisoner on the steamer calling Sheriff Mc-Cloud a murderer? Is it true?”
    “No. The sheriff’s no murderer,” the doctor said. Kate gave him a questioning look. Finally, he admitted, “All right. Travis killed a man in a duel back in Virginia. Shot him dead.”
    “No! What were they fighting the duel over?”
    “Doesn’t matter. The incident happened more than ten years ago, when Travis was quite young. Now that’s enough about it. He wouldn’t like me gossiping about him.”
    “But I want to know why….”
    “And I want to know more about this new beau of yours.”
    Kate knew she could get no more out of him. At least not now. Smiling, she said, “Winn’s taking me out to dinner this evening. And then to the theater to see Miss Lola Montez.”

Sixteen
    T he Bird Cage was Fortune’s newly built opera house. It was an imposing three-story brick structure with wide swinging doors opening into a spacious antechamber with a floor made of gleaming white marble. A lush carpet of deep turquoise covered the grand staircases at each side of the vestibule.
    All stairs led up into the large audience room, where row upon row of adjustable seats afforded patrons an unobstructed view of the stage. Turquoise velvet curtains trimmed in gold were yet to be raised as an eager assembly predominantly of men scrambled into their seats on this hot Saturday night.
    Directly below the curtained stage, an eight-piece pit orchestra tuned their instruments.
    Half a dozen private boxes flanked the walls on either side of the stage. They, too, were upholsteredin turquoise velvet, and featured gold lace curtains that allowed the occupants a degree of privacy.
    It was to one of these private boxes that Winn DeLaney and Kate VanNam were directed by a helpful usher. Kate was aglow with excitement as she sat down upon a gilt-and-turquoise chair. Her escort, handsome in his dark evening clothes, motioned for the usher to draw the curtains at the back of the box.
    Leaning forward on the gilt-painted railing, Kate eagerly looked all around the impressive theater. Below, on the main floor, every seat was taken, but there was not a woman in the