A Family For The Holidays. Sherri Shackelford

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      At least her charges didn’t seem any worse for wear. Peter gazed adoringly at the precious coin clutched in his palm.

      Massaging her forehead, Lily vaguely recalled the gentle brush of the man’s fingers. Had she imagined the encounter? That couldn’t be right. Nothing about Jake had struck her as comforting, and yet that was exactly how she felt—comforted. The man had an oddly enthralling effect on her.

      She straightened her spine and crossed her ankles. That sort of thinking wouldn’t do at all. From what she’d heard from scores of women passing through the boardinghouse, men were rarely the sensible choice. Men who carried guns in towns that outlawed weapons were the least sensible of all.

      At least her head had cleared and she no longer felt as light-headed. The tantalizing aroma of roasted beef drifted from the restaurant, and her stomach rumbled.

      Sam perched next to her on the settee. “I like him. He’s nice.”

      Apprehension rippled through Lily. “How long was I unconscious?”

      Her instincts warred with her common sense. Jake was clearly a gunfighter. He’d come close to threatening her into leaving. Perhaps threatening was too strong of a sentiment, but he’d been very stern in his warning.

      “You weren’t passed out for long.” Peter splayed his hands. “A few minutes.”

      She’d always trusted the instincts of children. She wasn’t so certain anymore. Although she couldn’t blame Peter entirely. She retained the same conflicted feelings about the man. The heat of the parlor slicked her skin with sweat and she removed her coat. Conflicted or not, she wasn’t lingering over the odd encounter. She couldn’t imagine the circumstances where they’d cross paths. They’d likely never see each other again.

      She resolutely ignored her minuscule prick of disappointment.

      Open double doors led to a larger, wood-paneled lobby. Voices sounded and Lily craned her neck to hear.

      “Don’t put yourself out, Miss Regina,” the first voice spoke.

      “I’ll handle this,” a second female voice said. “If there’s a strange woman in the hotel, Vic will want a full accounting.”

      Lily stood too quickly and her legs wobbled. Her head spun and she braced one hand on the settee until the moment passed.

      “It’s a hotel,” the first voice muttered. “They’re all strangers here.”

      A pretty dark-haired woman with striking blue eyes, who was not much older than Lily, appeared in the doorway. Her extravagant burgundy day dress with its layers of satin ruffles marked her as the most likely suspect for decorator of the parlor.

      “This room is for paying guests only,” the woman declared, twitching an olive-colored damask drapery into place. “If you’re not paying, you’ll have to go.”

      Something about the woman was familiar, and Lily studied her closer. “Do I know you?”

      “The name is Regina Dawson. I don’t believe we’ve met before.” The woman squinted. “Wait a second. What’s your name?”

      “Lily Winter.”

      Regina fiddled with the perfectly tied wine-colored bow beneath her chin. “I know that name. Are you from Chicago?”

      “St. Joseph.”

      “I rented a room at a boardinghouse in St. Joseph two years ago.” A deep crease appeared beneath the netting covering the woman’s forehead. “The nasty old biddy who ran the place was always spying on my comings and goings.”

      “That would be Mrs. Hollingsworth.”

      Dawning recognition spread across Regina’s face, highlighting her rouged cheeks. “Weren’t you the maid or something?”

      “Not the maid, exactly,” Lily mumbled.

      Though her memory of Regina was vague, the unexpected sight of someone she recognized temporarily weakened Lily’s knees. She latched on to the comfort of a familiar face as though it was a lifeline. While she was perfectly capable of looking out for herself and the children, knowing a local resident when visiting a strange town was always beneficial.

      Regina laid a hand across her chest, highlighting a bodice that was cut a tad too generously for such an early hour. The sight sparked a long dormant memory. Mrs. Hollingsworth hadn’t approved of Regina. The landlady had even locked Regina out one evening when she’d returned after curfew. Lily had snuck her in the through the kitchen.

      “Clearly you’re lost.” Regina swept across the room and grasped Lily’s forearms. “No woman with any sense of self-preservation travels to this part of the country on purpose.”

      “It’s a long story,” Lily said with a sigh.

      Even with their opposing temperaments, at least Lily had discovered someone who could assist in unraveling the mystery of Frozen Oaks.

      “You look a fright, and your hair is mess. Did you sleep in that dress?” Regina clucked. “Let’s get you a warm drink and put some color into those cheeks. One mustn’t be caught looking like a member of the kitchen staff. The management is liable to put you to work.”

      Instantly aware of her disheveled appearance, Lily smoothed the strings of her crushed bonnet between her thumb and forefinger.

      Her head snapped up. The outlaw.

      “Did you see a man around here earlier?” Lily asked, hoping her tone conveyed nonchalance.

      She gazed at her forlorn little bonnet with its faded daisy trim. Not that she cared if the man found her appearance more suitable for the back stairs than the front parlor, but she couldn’t shake her inherent curiosity.

      “Only Jake.” Regina shuddered delicately. “Best avoid him. As I recall, you’re too trusting by half.”

      Her dismissive tone raised Lily’s hackles. “You didn’t mind my trusting nature when I snuck you in after curfew.”

      “Exactly my point. I shouldn’t be trusted. You’re far too naive for your own good.” Regina linked her elbow through Lily’s and led her toward the foyer that opened to the restaurant. “Come along and I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Frozen Oaks while we unravel this long story of yours.”

      Lily bit her tongue. There was no use getting her back up. She’d be gone by morning, and Regina appeared to have moved beyond sneaking through kitchen windows after curfew. Judging by the expensive material of her dress, she’d done quite well for herself over the years. Lily hooked her fingers over the frayed edge of her worn cuff.

      “Wait.” Lily dug in her heels. “These are my charges, Sam and Peter. They’re the reason I’m here.”

      “Charmed.” Regina’s nose wrinkled. “They’re very quiet for children. I like that. After you freshen up, the dining room is that way.”

      She crossed the foyer without a backward glance.

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