Most Unsuitable Courtship
Page 23
Puzzling out the death, she recalled that the firm of Milligan and Banterman handled her grandfather’s estate. And hers from her parents. Math wasn’t her favorite subject, but she could add two and two. And the sum equaled embezzlement and murder.
What if those two claimed she killed her grandfather? No one would believe otherwise. Is that how they intended to “deal” with her—to make her their scapegoat? Probably so, but she didn’t intend to give them that opportunity.
Katie arose and gathered essentials into a valise, including the derringer Grandpa had given her. From her bedside table, she grabbed the allowance she stashed in her room. Grandpa was generous, and she never spent all her funds. She counted quickly. Not enough left to get her far, but at least she had something.
She slipped out of her pink silk crepe dress and hung it in her wardrobe. In its place she donned a plain blue sprigged muslin day dress. Sturdy kid half boots replaced her satin shoes. When she’d included the minimum necessary to her survival, she opened her window and dropped her luggage. She stepped onto the large branch she’d used most of her life and climbed down the tree.
Katie dropped from the lowest limb and picked up the valise. Still crying as she strode swiftly across the grounds, she heard Walt Milligan yelling her name. She turned to see him leaning out her window. Breaking into a run, she sped into the night.
She wanted to seek out Mary Lou, but that was the first place Walt would check. Besides, she couldn’t put her best friend and the Chitwood family at risk from those men. Katie would make certain to disappear where no one could find her.
Where would that be? Think Katie, think. How could she escape a man as powerful as Federal Judge Walt Milligan?
He knew all her friends, knew where she might go, knew ways to track her.
After walking miles, Katie’s feet hurt. Her eyes were bound to be red and puffy. Having the derringer with her offered a measure of comfort, especially since she’d stopped long enough to slip it from her valise and into her purse.
The seamy part of Savannah she’d reached offered no hope of decent shelter, but plenty of danger for a woman alone. She dared not stop and rest even to wash her face. Suddenly, she spotted the perfect place to vanish.
Laughing at her good fortune, she walked into the carnival.
About the Author
Caroline Clemmons is an Amazon bestselling author of historical and contemporary western romances whose books have garnered numerous awards. Her most recent novel, THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP, is a poignant tale of tender redemption. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, she has taught workshops on characterization, point of view, and layering a novel.
Caroline is a member of Romance Writers of America, Dallas Area Romance Authors, Yellow Rose Romance Writers, and several online chapters. Among her latest publications are the acclaimed historical Men of Stone Mountain series: BRAZOS BRIDE, HIGH STAKES BRIDE, and BLUEBONNET BRIDE.
Caroline and her husband live in Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets. When she’s not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, painting, and getting together with friends. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.