Silverton: Claims On The Heart Read Free Page A

one.”
    She smiled and a dimple showed in her chin. “Oh, you need a church hat?”
    Collin nodded. How long had it been since he had spent a Sunday morning at church? No matter. If that’s what it took to see another of her smiles, he would buy a new hat and attend every Sunday.
    “Which church do you recommend?”
    “I’m new here, but a woman just came in and invited me to the Congregational Church.” She smiled. “I’ll probably go there.”
    He filed the information away.
    She turned to secure a selection of hats for his approval. She set three hats on the counter.
    He placed them each on his head, in turn, and then asked for her opinion.
    “I believe I like the brown bowler best. The green trim along the band suits you well. Shall I make out a bill of sale…mister?” Her brows rose in query.
    “McAllister. Collin McAllister. And you must be Miss…?”
    “Kathleen Morris. My uncle used to own this store.”
    “I met him when I first came here.”
    She wrote out the sale and handed him the hat. “Do you mind if I ask what you do here in Silverton, Mr. McAllister?”
    Collin wanted to tell her that he was the only son of a wealthy railroad investor. Pride held him back. How could he explain his estrangement from his father? “I’m working in a mine. I’ve been here about six months.”
    Surprise registered on her face. No doubt, the miners she had met looked a great deal rougher.
    “How do you like it?” she asked.
    “I’ve had easier jobs,” he said.
    “I like a man who is not lazy or afraid of hard work,” Kathleen proclaimed.
    Perhaps some good might come of his exile. She would not have liked him six months ago when he was lazy and doggedly determined to avoid any sort of work.
    She became all business as she handed him the hat. “Thank you for coming to our store. We’d appreciate your business if you need any other supplies.” Her gaze was drawn towards the front window, and she gasped.
    He turned to the open door that led to the street.
    A young woman sprawled across the boardwalk, her black hair hiding her face.
    Kathleen started to the door, but Collin got there first. He strode onto the wooden walkway and knelt beside the woman. “Are you hurt?”
    Kathleen joined him.
    The woman’s eyes were light brown, the color of sable. She looked like a frightened animal as she tried to scramble to her feet. One of her ankles gave way and she clutched it with a groan.
    Kathleen laid a hand on her shoulder. “That man nearly ran you over with his horse. It was fortunate you got out of his way. You should come inside and let me have a look at your ankle.”
    “I couldn’t possibly do that. I’ll be fine once I get home.”
    “How far away do you live?”
    “Only one block. I can make it.”
    Collin helped her to her feet. She leaned heavily against his shoulder.
    Kathleen came around and took her elbow. “I’ll help, too. Vic can watch the store.”
    The girl shook off her arm. “Don’t be ridiculous. You don’t belong on Blair Street. Go back inside your store.”
    Kathleen recoiled.
    “She’s right,” he said softly. “Go back inside. I’ll help her home.” He didn’t wait for Kathleen to answer but started down the boardwalk.
    They turned the corner, with Collin supporting the young woman so she could keep most of her weight off of the injured ankle. They reached the bordello.
    “I was on my way to the bank when I was nearly run over,” the woman said. “It wasn’t an accident, you know. He was mad because he’d been told not to come back.”
    A man had to do something pretty despicable to be told not to return to a business that relied on men’s patronage.
    Collin said nothing but helped her up the porch steps.
    She paused at the doorway.
    All was quiet inside the building. In a few more hours, raucous music, shouts, and laughter would spill from the windows and doors.
    The woman fingered his sleeve. “It’s early still, but you could come back later if you’d