Page 25 of A Bride for Brodie
“Okay. I have to go. I’ll see you later.”
“Hurry back.”
Brodie left.
She stood on the porch by the back door and watched him ride away. Lottie thought he was acting a little cagey and she didn’t have a good feeling at all.
* * *
Brodie walkedinto The Copper Lady Saloon.
Joey crossed his arms and glared. “I hope this means you have Mr. Flannery’s money.”
Brodie narrowed his eyes right back. “Just tell Jake I want to see him.”
“Come with me. You can tell him yourself.”
He followed Joey as he led the way to the office at the back of the saloon.
Joey knocked on the door. “Got someone to see you, Mr. Flannery.”
“Send them in.”
Joey turned to Brodie and opened the door. “He’ll see you now.”
He walked into the office.
Jake looked up from his seat behind the desk. He looked the same. He leaned back in his chair and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Well, if it isn’t Brodie Campbell. I hear congratulations are in order, because you got married since the last time we met. Sit.” Jake pointed at the chair in front of his desk. “Which of the bank robbers did you choose?”
“Lottie.” There was no reason not to tell him, as he probably already knew which woman each of the brothers had married. Most likely, he knew by the time they’d left town that same day.
“Ah, yes, the golden-haired twin.”
Brodie lifted a brow. He vowed not to leave for so long again, or maybe at all if this situation with Jake didn’t get resolved.
“Of course, I know which woman each of you married. But I’m not interested in any of them…except Lottie.”
Brodie slammed to his feet and leaned forward, his palms flat on the desk. “You stay away from her.”
Joey took him by the shoulder and forced him back into the chair.
Flannery hadn’t even moved. He rocked back in his chair. “I’ve no quarrel with your lovely wife. Let’s keep it that way. Pay me what you owe. I understand it’s a lot of money and I’m a reasonable man. You have just one week left to pay it back…with interest. Let’s say an even two-thousand dollars.”
Brodie started to protest and then thought better of it. “Fine. You’ll have your money.” He was nauseous, and he clenched his hands into fists.
“Good. Then our business here is done. I suggest you go home now, Brodie. The tables are closed to you.”
“I don’t want to gamble in your place, anyway.”
Joey placed a hand on Brodie’s shoulder. “Mr. Flannery would like you to leave now. Do I need to show you the door?”
Brodie shook off Joey’s hand. “I know my way out.” He stood and left the room.
The door slammed behind him.
He was sweating, and it had nothing to do with the weather. A week. How would he get the money in a week without asking Ross?
* * *
