Tessa put the pot back on the stove, then offered her hand to the other woman. “I’m Tessa Roarke.”
“Mary Alexander. David’s sister.” Mary let go of her hand. “Then you must be…”
“The saloon girl accused of murder,” Tessa finished for her, sitting down at the table.
Mary blushed. “I was going to say, ‘David’s new client.’”
“Oh.” Tessa refused to show any embarrassment. “Yes, well, I guess I am.”
“So the rumors are true?” Mary admired the girl’s poise.
“What rumors?”
“The rumors that you and David are…well…sharing these quarters.” Mary sipped her coffee.
“I am a client,” Tessa said raising her chin. “I was released into your brother’s custody. He brought us here because we had no place else to go.”
“We?”
“Coalie and I.”
“Who’s Coalie?”
Tessa looked Mary straight in the eyes. “My little boy.”
“Really? How old?” Mary showed genuine interest. “I’m a teacher. David asked me to lend him some beginning readers and a slate.”
“He did?” Tessa asked. “And you brought them all the way from Cheyenne?”
Mary laughed. “I wasn’t supposed to bring them; I was supposed to send them. David isn’t expecting me. I planned to surprise him. To get the books he was going to have to talk to me. Where is he?”
“At the courthouse, I think. He said something about arranging my hearing date.” Greeley jumped into Tessa’s lap, and she began to stroke his fur. She faced David’s sister, her expression earnest. “I didn’t kill anyone, but no one except Coalie and your brother believes me.”
Uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, Mary tactfully changed the subject. “How old is your boy? David’s note said beginning readers. I wasn’t sure what age.”
“Coalie’s nine.”
“Does he go to school in town?”
“Not yet,” Tessa said. “I wanted to send Coalie to school this morning but I’m…” She looked at Mary. The woman seemed sympathetic, trustworthy. “I’m afraid he might not be safe in school right now. I mean with what’s happened. There are some bad feelings around town.”
Mary saw the glimmer of apprehension in Tessa Roarke’s eyes. It was bad enough to be charged with murder, but to have to worry about the safety of her child as well… No wonder David had taken them in.
Mary reached across the table and patted Tessa’s hand. “I understand. There’s no reason he can’t learn his lessons at home just as easily as he would at school.”
The door opened, and Liam Kincaid stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He looked around and found Tessa Roarke sitting at the table with another woman. He tipped his hat. “Morning,” he said. “I was at the depot getting the liquor shipment for the Satin Slipper when your supplies came in on the train. I had ’em loaded onto my wagon. Thought it would save you some time and money if I brought them by.”
“That’s very kind of you—” Mary began.
“Get out!” Tessa sprang from her chair, startling Greeley, who bounced off her lap and ran for the safety of Tessa’s bedroom.
Tessa paused long enough to grab the coffee pot before she advanced on Lee, weapon in hand.
“What?” Lee was ast
onished by her reaction. She looked as if she’d seen the devil.
“Get out! I said get out! We don’t want any help from you,” Tessa shouted. “Stay away from me! Stay away from Coalie!” Tessa swung the coffee pot. Coffee spewed from the lid and splattered one sleeve of Lee’s coat.